August 31st, 1995
Mary flinched as Sirius thrashed violently on the massive bed. "James! I'm sorry, James. It was my fault. My idea. I never should have trusted him. It should have been me. Not you. Not Lily!"
"It's not real," Mary said quietly, running her hands through his hair. "You're safe, Siri, I promise. We're home."
"Mac, please don't leave!" Sirius cried out, lurching forward. "You don't mean it. I know you don't!"
"I didn't mean it, Sirius." Mac sat on the bed next to him, putting her hands on his shoulders. "And I'm truly sorry for the pain I caused you. But this isn't real. Just wake up. You'll see that we're here and we're safe. Now wake up and eat your chocolate."
"Remus," Sirius whispered. "Where's Remus? He never visits. He knows I'm innocent."
Mary swallowed hard, moving out of the way when Remus stepped next to the bed. Tonks pulled her out of the room, handing her a handkerchief and hugging her quickly.
"He'll be okay," Tonks said. "I'm a wreck when I come back after a shift at Azkaban. I can't even imagine twelve years of it."
"He was innocent." Mary shook her head, pacing in front of the stairs while Sirius' cries died down into a faint whisper.
Remus stepped out of the room a dark look in his eyes. "He woke up long enough to eat the chocolate and take a Dreamless Sleep potion."
"Good," Mary said quickly. "Do you need me to keep watch? I can go up to the roof."
"Don't do that." Tonks patted her shoulder.
"You should take some as well," Remus said, putting an arm around her. "You look dead on your feet."
"Was anyone Kissed?" Mary asked, feeling her eyes grow heavy.
"No," Tonks spoke up. "They hovered around here for a bit until something scared them off. Don't know where they went, but Minister Bones has a full team after them."
"They won't find them." Mary met Tonks' eyes. "They were here for me. Watching."
"Well, until we can figure out how they found us, you're going to stay inside. No going into the back garden or the roof, Mary Jane. Are we clear?"
Mary nodded. "Tell Sirius that I'm sorry."
Remus hugged her quickly, kissing the top of her head. "It's not your fault. Go rest, we'll handle things from here."
Mary paused, her hand on the railing, and looked to Sirius' closed door. "Are you sure we can trust her?"
"We can," Remus said gently. "She was your mother's best friend. And she's still your godmother."
"Peter was your friend," Mary whispered, turning and going up the stairs. "If she hurts him, I'll kill her."
It was close to dawn when Mary finally trudged up to her room, barely able to hold her eyes open as she downed the vial of Dreamless Sleep and collapsed onto her bed.
One minute she was falling into the dark abyss of her mind, the next she was sitting at the head of a long stone table, a map of the UK stretched out before her.
"Golgomath is here to see you, my lord," Barty said, moving into the room and standing next to the door.
Mary put a hand on his shoulder. "Be sure that you've finished the list," she said in a calm cold voice that was not her own.
With long graceful strides, she walked into the adjoining cathedral room with its high stone ceilings. A massive giant stood in the centre of the room, flanked by a slightly smaller giant wearing thick dragonscale armor.
"You grace us with your presence, Gurg Golgomath," she said simply, taking her seat on the obsidian throne.
"Why we travel here?" Golgomath boomed. "You travel to us!"
"I had pressing business to attend to," she said calmly, tapping long fingers on the arm of the throne. "Did you receive my gifts?"
"Fire and hides!" Golgomath spat onto the ground. "We have hides! Dumbledore send strong snake hide and big fire! He parlays with Golgomath as one!"
"There will be more when our victory is secured." Mary held up a hand.
"Why I believe you?" Golgomath took a step forward, making the room shake. "Why join small wizards? Golgomath can conquer all!"
"The Ministry will have you hunted down and killed within a week." Mary let out a small snort of derision. "You are nothing without my power and allies."
"You threaten Golgomath, Gurg of the Giants?" The bodyguard stepped forward, slamming a massive fist into the floor.
Mary didn't flinch, holding up a pale hand. "I did."
The guard let out a low growl of rage but stopped, gasping and clawing at his neck. His huge feet lifted off the ground as he fought against the invisible force. Mary felt a smirk tug at her cheeks as Golgomath's eyes grew wide. The guard stopped struggling, his hands falling limp at his sides before his body slid to the ground in a great heap.
"Do you care to question my strength, Golgomath?" Mary tilted her head at the Gurg.
"Dumbledore offer Gurg peace!" Golgomath shouted. "Golgomath side with him."
Mary scoffed. "Dumbledore will enslave your kind and stand by as the Ministry treats you as nothing more than beasts, just as he's done for the past fifty years. Do you truly want more of that?"
Golgomath went silent.
Mary paused, a curious feeling flowing through her. "Did Dumbledore meet you in person, or did he send one of his lackeys?"
"He send halflings," Golgomath said, looking around warily. "Part-giants."
"And you let his messengers live?" Mary narrowed her eyes. "Betrayers of your race and hospitality?"
"Gurg wants more fire!" Golgomath shouted, a wild look in his large eyes. "More wizard fire! Mountains cold."
"And how many of your kind can I expect to join my forces?"
Golgomath held up a large hand, as though about to start counting his fingers. "Many warriors! All we have!"
"I'll grant your request," Mary said, gesturing for the two masked Death Eaters that hovered near the doorway. "Crabbe and Goyle will make sure that you are supplied with all of the wizarding fire you desire."
Crabbe moved up the stairs and bent to kiss the hem of the dark robes. "What are your orders, my lord?"
"You're quite adept with Gubraithian Fire, Crabbe. Go with Goyle to assist Golgomath. If there are less than fifty giants willing to join our cause, use Fiendfyre. Kill them all."
"Yes, my lord," Crabbe said, standing quickly and rushing toward the doors.
"You may go." Mary waved her hand through the air as though brushing the giant away. "And take your dead with you, he's crowding my hall."
"What of Dumbledore's men, my lord?" Goyle asked, garnering Golgomath's attention.
"Kill them," Mary said lazily. "Send me their heads."
Golgomath snarled but picked up his dead guard, placing him in a fireman's hold and walking out.
Moments passed as Mary looked out into the empty hall, feeling the power rush through her veins, itching to be used.
The door opened once again and Lucius poked his pointy nose in. "Madam Serena, Queen of the Vampires, here to see you, my lord."
Mary waved a hand and Lucius opened the door wider, letting a statuesque pale woman into the hall. She walked across the hall as though floating, her macabre beauty and presence almost enticing.
"You grace us with your presence, Madam Serena," Mary stood and stepped down the dais, reaching for the pale cold hand and kissing it.
Serena smirked in a way that showed the tips of sharp fangs. "I live to serve," she said in a soft voice. "What do you require of my coven, Lord Voldemort?"
"I have need of your finest warriors." Mary matched her tone. "Soon, the time will upon us to show the world our combined might. To take back all they've stolen. To once again rule as equals."
"I will have them ready, my lord." Serena touched her ruby red lips and her smile widened. "But I warn you, they will be very thirsty."
"They will drink their fill," Mary said, leaning down to kiss her hand once again. "How many should we prepare for?"
"Two thousand at the very least," Serena said easily. "There are more on the mainland but I'm unsure of their loyalties. And you know I'd only supply you with the best."
"I'd expect nothing less of you, Madam." Mary walked her through the door. "I do hate to cut our meeting short but some of our later guests might not agree with you."
Serena sniffed, her face shifting into an ugly snarl. "I thought I smelled wolf and giant in the halls."
"My sincerest apologies," Mary said, no truth in her tone.
"As long as you keep them out of our way, there should be no issue," Serena said, her eyes gleaming.
"Go about your normal routines without attracting attention," Mary said at once. "I will summon you when your forces are needed."
Serena tilted her head toward him and walked away without a word.
A stab of anger ran through her at the vampire's blunt dismissal. She was the one with the power! When the time came that she had no more use for Serena and her ilk, she'd destroy them all.
Barty walked out of the meeting room, his silver hand glimmering in the torchlight. "They're back, my lord."
Anticipation crawled along her spine and she smiled. "Bring them in and call the others."
Barty nodded and rushed to the doors, speaking quietly. Nagini slithered up the steps, settling herself around Mary's shoulders and hissing lightly in her ear.
"Patience," Mary said quietly. "You will eat soon enough."
The tall doors opened and four figures were brought in, their heads covered with burlap sacks. Rowle shoved them to the ground at the bottom of the steps and the Carrow siblings flanked him, all three yearning for fresh blood to be spilt.
A monstrous dark shadow glided into the room, followed by two more just its size. Although they didn't speak aloud, they used an odd form of Legilimency to communicate, much like their cousins; the Dementors.
"We were promised a meal", the tallest figure said into her mind.
"Let me greet our guest." Mary turned to Alecto. "Remove their masks."
Her request was answered and she watched in fascination as the hoods were removed and the three of them huddled closer together, the man trying to shield his wife and daughter from the Lethifolds. The fourth was a man with dark hair and a scraggly beard.
"No!" The blond man shouted. "I'll do anything you ask. Spare them! Spare my wife and daughter."
"You are a blood traitor, Armando Abbott, your wife and daughter are the same," Mary said coldly.
"They're innocent!" Armando cried out. "Please!"
"I have no time for your grovelling. You had your chance in the first war to prove your loyalty and you chose the wrong side. Your purpose now is to be an example."
Mary looked to the tallest Lethifold and waved a hand in invitation. Their screams reverberated through the hall and quieted just as quickly, leaving only an echo lingering in the air. The air crackled with power and Mary smiled, revelling in it.
"We are at your command," the Lethifold said, taking its kin and floating out of the room.
Mary looked at the remaining man, seeing him sitting there, the shackles around his hands rattling as he stared down at the puddle of urine that surrounded him.
"How far you've fallen, Igor," Mary said, moving closer to him.
"Please, my lord," Igor gasped, "I was being watched by the Ministry."
"You betrayed me," Mary said softly. "You betrayed those loyal to me. And for that, you will pay with your life. Crucio!"
The torches dimmed as Igor's wails of agony carried through the air. A few of his less loyal followers fidgeted against the wall, trying to disappear into the stonework, but he saw them. He knew who they were. When the time came, they too would meet a similar end for their treachery.
"Avada Kedavra," Mary said lazily, tucking the dark wand back in her sleeve.
Igor Karkaroff crumpled to the ground, his lifeless eyes staring up at the ceiling.
"Take the bodies to the pit, Rowle," Mary said, standing up and walking into the room behind her. "Barty, what news from the werewolves?"
"Fenris is even more ruthless than his father. He likes to taunt the Aurors by leaving enough evidence for them to track and then leading them to a dead end. He's a liability, my lord."
"He's enthusiastic about our cause. And his brash manner creates a much-needed distraction. There are thousands of werewolves in the UK and soon, they will all be within my ranks."
"The ministry will surely notice," Barty looked up from the map.
"Too long have I stood in the background, playing shadow games with the Wizarding World. This is our time to rule. To show the Wizarding World at large that I am the true power."
"You are, my lord," Barty said reverently.
"And how is the search for the traitors?"
Barty licked his lips, a gleam in his eyes as he wrote careful notes with his silver hand. "I've found them all, my lord. A scant few are hidden by protective charms but the rest will be easily found."
Mary went to the large stone table where there was a map of the UK laid out in front of her. A wave of the wand in her hand sent blue lights flickering across the parchment.
"The new wand suits you, my lord," Barty said with a grin, placing the list next to him.
"It's for show," Mary said, as though speaking to a child. "I have no real need for it. Not anymore."
Long fingers dragged down the row of names and her hand twitched, revulsion flowing through her. Mary pulled her hand back, an odd feeling sinking into her bones. Rage flowed through her and she gripped her wand tighter, phantom hands tugging at her, holding her down.
"My lord," Barty said, taking a step back.
Mary's whole body shuddered and she lurched back, the world spinning and going black around her. All at once, she was slithering across the cold stone floor, tasting the air and letting the scent of fresh warm meat guide her to her next meal.
Her scales tugged at the rocky surface and Mary stopped just in front of Hannah Abbot's body, a silent scream still etched on her face.
The world shook around her and she let out a hiss, feeling the pressure on her body grow.
Mary fought against it, ignoring the stinging pain in her side.
"I'm not going to hurt you!" A woman gasped.
"Mary, it's Bill. Agent Macdonald and I are just here to check in," Bill said, breaking Mary out of her stupor. "We're here to help, MJ. It's okay."
She blinked in her dimly lit room, looking around. The curtains were still closed, blocking out the daylight. But she wasn't in her bed. Bill stood near the door, holding his hands up in a non-threatening gesture. Mary looked to her left. Her hands were wrapped tightly around Mac's wrists, the older woman's face scrunched up in pain.
Mary released her, stepping back, feeling like her blood was boiling. "What the hell were you doing in here while I was asleep?"
"You were crying," Mac rasped out, rubbing her broken wrist. "I was just trying to wake you."
Mary clenched her fists. "Don't ever touch me again. And stay the fuck out of my room. I can't guarantee I won't go for the throat next time."
Mac nodded, stumbling towards the stairs.
"That was a little harsh, Mary," Bill said quietly, stepping toward her.
"Everyone in this house knows better." Mary turned away from him, wiping her eyes. "Why is she still here?"
"The Order Meeting starts in a few hours. Sirius asked her to stay."
"Of course he would." Mary shook her head, letting her fingers drag along the collar of the leather jacket that still hung over her chair. "I guess I should get ready."
"Are you okay?" Bill closed the distance between them, pulling her into a hug. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Another bad vision," Mary whispered against his shoulder.
Bill held her tighter. "I'm so sorry."
"This is all far worse than I was prepared for," Mary said shakily.
"Do you want me to bring you the pensieve?"
"I'll write everything down." Mary turned away from him. "I should get cleaned up."
"Ron and the others are waiting for you at home." Bill turned to leave.
"Bill," Mary said, stopping him before he could leave. "I can't go to the Burrow today. I'm in no frame of mind to put on an act. I'm exhausted."
"This is all going to work out." Bill rubbed her back, before grabbing her shoulders and meeting her eyes. "You just rest, okay?"
"It won't." Mary shook her head. "I can't rest until he's dead."
Bill looked down at the floor and let out a breath. "I'll let Sirius and Remus know you'll be down shortly."
Mary gathered what she needed and showered, trying to scrub the sickening feeling from her skin and drown out the scent of death that hung in her memory. But most of all, she tried to drown out the overwhelming desire to use the power that bubbled within her. Voldemort used that power, she felt it running through her and there was nothing more that she wanted than to use it for her own gain. To take back her life.
Mindlessly, she stumbled through the process of getting dressed and ready, then she set to the mind-numbing task of recording everything of her vision into a blank journal. A few waves of her wand and the dark memories settled into the Pensieve, drifting lazily in its depths.
A knock sounded on her door and Mary stood, waving her hand to open it.
"There you are, dear," Mrs Weasley said, stepping into her room with a warm smile. "If I knew you were awake, I'd have brought your dinner up."
"Thank you," Mary said, rubbing at her arms as she held up the journal. "I have to go down there anyway."
Mrs Weasley didn't hesitate, she just hugged her, holding her as Mary tried to pull in a deep breath and keep her tears at bay. "Well, we best hurry then, the meeting is about to start."
Mary lifted her hand and the map of the UK pulled free from the wall above her hand and smacked into her palm. "Is Saphira still with Neville and Daphne?"
"She's having great fun helping them run the gnomes out of the garden." Mrs Weasley let out a small laugh, stopping and placing her hand on the leather jacket. "Should I be worried about your latest vision, Mary?"
"Yes," Mary replied simply.
Mrs. Weasley frowned, lightly patting Charlie's jacket one last time before leaving the room.
Bill watched as Fleur piled more food onto the plate in front of her, trying to hide his grimace. Mary rarely ate after bad visions, and as of late, she was skipping meals more than ever. Matters weren't helped by his mother glaring at Fleur the entire time, clearly insulted that she'd taken the opportunity to feed Mary away from her. Mum still didn't approve of him moving in with Fleur and showed her displeasure every time she had the opportunity, leaving him torn between making his mother happy or being happy himself.
Or at least as happy as one could be given the state of the world.
Life had become increasingly more complicated over the last few weeks. With Voldemort's return and Percy's precarious predicament hanging over their heads, they were all on edge. It'd come to a head the day before when Andy suggested they send Percy to a specialist in Canada, who had experience dealing with victims of the Imperius Curse. His parents reluctantly agreed after the third time Percy stole his father's wand and tried to remove the tracking manacle from his ankle. It'd taken Bill and Charlie both to convince Percy it was the right call, but he protested the entire way to the Ministry, cursing them both as the Aurors assigned to his case all but dragged him to the portkey platform.
All of those thoughts were swept out of his mind when his mother and Mary stepped into the dining room. Those around the table looked up in curiosity, wondering why she was there. Agent Macdonald sat up straighter in her chair, tugging at the neckline of her coat to cover the faint bruises from view.
"Mary," Sirius said, standing up and going to her side. "You okay, kid?"
"I'm fine," Mary replied shortly. "You?"
"A long night but I'm better now." Sirius held out his hand. "I'll take your dream journal, if that's alright? We need to get started. I'm sure the elves can send something up for you."
The fireplace flashed green and Professor Dumbledore stepped out, his steps faltering slightly when Mary turned to him.
"I think I'll stay put for this meeting," Mary said, locking eyes with the Headmaster.
"I'm afraid that's out of the question, Mary," Dumbledore said softly, not meeting her eyes. "You're not a member of the Order. And you're technically not of age to become one."
The room shook slightly, startling those present. Bill called his wand to his hand, hoping he wouldn't have to use it, and saw the others do the same. Mary tilted her head to the side, a queer look on her face as she waved her hand. Dumbledore stood at his full height as a leather-bound book flew out of his pocket and into Mary's outstretched hand.
"I see Tom's not the only one who likes to collect souvenirs, sir," Mary said, putting the book into her cloak pocket. "But I'm fairly sure my journal would be of more use to you."
"Mary Jane," Remus said, standing up. "Go back upstairs. Now."
Dumbledore sat at the head of the table, his unease nearly imperceptible to those who didn't know him well. But Bill saw the way his hand hovered near his sleeve, as though he was ready to call his wand at any moment.
"I made a plate for you," Fleur stood up, unfazed by the tension in the room, and pushed the plate towards Mary.
"Thank you," Mary said, "but I won't be staying long."
"I've said from the start that you should be included, Potter," Mad-Eye said, stomping his cane on the floor. "Constant Vigilance!"
"As have I," Professor McGonagall echoed. "You're at the forefront of this war. You have every right to be here."
"This isn't a war," Mary said, meeting McGonagall's eyes. "It's going to be a slaughter if we can't work together."
Emmeline sat forward. "Miss Potter, I'd prefer you keep your opinions to yourself. There is an order in which we conduct these meetings that carries a sense of decorum that you aren't privy to."
"Here, here," Elphias Doge said loudly. "No offence, girl, but this is a place for adults."
"Voldemort's targeting what he deems as the blood-traitors of the 'Sacred Twenty-Eight'. All pureblood families that are reputed to be untainted by Muggle or Muggleborn blood, who then choose to associate, marry, or support Muggles."
Gasps were heard around the table and Fleur grabbed his hand, squeezing until he thought his fingers would break.
Mary rubbed at her forehead. "I can't fight this war on two fronts by myself. But I'm also not asking for your help. I just need the Order to stay out of my way."
"You're not fighting anything!" Sirius shouted, standing up.
"Leave your journal and go upstairs, Mary Jane," Remus added in a stern tone.
"Are you Occluding, Potter?" Snape asked, leaning toward her.
The air in the room crackled and Mary twitched, her neck cracking at the swift motion. Bill saw it a second too late. Dumbledore pulled his wand from his sleeve but Mary was quicker. Without saying a spell or touching her own wand, she lifted her hand, letting Dumbledore's wand zoom through the air and land in her palm just as easily as the leather book had.
No one moved. No one breathed. It was as though time itself stopped as Mary examined the knobby wand in her hand.
"That was unfortunate." Mary waved her hand and the wand floated back to the table in front of Dumbledore. "You can disarm me later if it will make you feel better, sir."
Dumbledore met Mary's eyes and Bill swore he saw fear flitting through his eyes, for only the briefest of moments before he looked away. "Is there anything else of import you care to share about your latest vision, Mary?"
Mary stood and grabbed a map from her cloak pocket, stretching it out across the table. She tapped it with her wand and glowing red dots appeared on the surface.
"He's underground," Mary said, staring down at the map. "I couldn't decipher his location, but it's a cave somewhere on the continent. He met with Golgomath and secured the alliance of the Giants. You might want to get Hagrid and Madame Maxime back, because Voldemort has called for their heads if they're still on the mountain. Serena, Queen of the vampires, has offered two thousand of her warriors up to bolster Voldemort's ranks. Fenris, Greyback's son, has done the same."
No one spoke, all of them leaning towards the map with mirroring looks of horror on their faces. Mary shuddered, a full-bodied twitch that set his nerves on edge. With a jerk of her head, her neck cracked and she looked back down at the table, her dark hair shielding her face from view. Fleur let go of his hand, covering her mouth as her eyes grew wider. The hold Voldemort had on Mary was getting stronger and a solution seemed even farther away.
"Oh, and the Lethifolds and Dementors are on his side as well, as though this couldn't get any worse." Mary stood straight back, her eyes darting to Charlie before she refocused on Dumbledore. "As of now, his forces are numbering close to ten thousand."
Mary pulled the journal from her pocket, sliding it across the table so that it stopped in front of Dumbledore. "The people on that list need to be warned. If you don't take care of that, I will, sir. He killed the Abbotts last night. And I'd prefer to not watch any more of my friends die."
The full Order stared at Mary in a mixture of shock and fear but she didn't seem fazed by it. "I'm going to check on Saphira and then go out to get some air, I'll be back tonight."
"Mary-" Sirius said a second too late, standing and staring at the place she'd disappeared from.
"I won't be out for long and I have my mirror if you need me." Mary reappeared moments later, placing the Pensieve on the table and turning to Kingsley. "Please inform the Minister of this. Everyone needs to be prepared."
Mary disapparated and silence swept the room for the briefest moment before the cacophony of questions echoed from every person at the large table.
"Should we try to find her?" Fleur asked, looking from him to Sirius.
"Good luck with that," Sirius said, rubbing at his face.
Bill felt his pocket vibrate and quickly grabbed the protean card assigned by Gringotts, turning it over while his heart fell into his shoes. "Break-in at Gringotts, I have to go."
"As do I," Fleur said, pushing her chair in.
Gods, he hoped it wasn't Mary.
Charlie stood, pulling a silver card from his shirt pocket. "Ward issues in the Horntail enclosure."
Kingsley, Tonks, Sirius, and Mac stood next.
"There's a dead guard at Nurmengard," Mac said, her eyes widening as she turned to Andy. "Will you watch Finn until I get back?"
Andy nodded but paused, reaching into her own pocket. "The lab at St. Mungos has been destroyed. I need to go."
"Finn can stay with us, Agent Macdonald," Mum said quickly, hugging Bill and Charlie in quick succession. "I'll make sure he is taken care of."
"Thank you, Molly," Mac said as they all made a mad scramble for the door.
Remus stood. "Molly, I'll go with you. We'll bring the kids here for the night. No sense in not taking the proper precautions."
"They will be safe," Fleur said, grabbing his hand. "Do not worry so much."
Bill cast one last glance over his shoulder and the weight of everything set in. This was it. This was war. And instead of leading the charge, Dumbledore was sitting at the head of the table, staring down at his wand.
A/N: Thank you for reading!
Special shout outs to my beta; Nauze. He did a wonderful job cleaning up the mess I made with this chapter.
Much love to Clever_Brainer and Patriceavril for lending a helping hand and encouraging me to keep going.
And a big thank you to my wonderful reviewers out there. I apologize for not responding last chapter. I promise, it won't happen again.