The Time Travel Crew
Chapter 23: Things begin to boil (NL,MM,LL)
After Dumbledore's incident, everything had settled down, but Neville was inclined to believe that it was only the calm before the storm. A few strong winds, in the form of their exams came up in June and for Neville it was a piece of cake.
And once they received their grades was Hermione jealous when she realised that she had been overtaken by him and Harry! Ron and Hermione had now slowly made their way into Harry's and his circle of acquaintances. They weren't close and they didn't come in the way of Neville's and Harry's friendship with Justin and Draco... It was more like Harry's and Neville's relationship in school in the previous time.
What hardly surprised Neville was that this circle of acquaintances was a common thing for every person in their first year and all thanks to the Houses United. And this was enough for Neville to flush with pride and say that he had done his job, not directly... But it was his idea and to Neville that was all that mattered.
But all in all, the rest of the world, both Wizarding and Muggle went about it's usual routine without even the slightest knowledge of what was to come happen, if the crew wasn't able to stop it.
Draco, his mother, his twin siblings, Gerald and Alina and Kreacher had moved to the Potter's old house in Godric's Hollow with a floo connection that only recognized Lucius, who continued to live alone at the Malfoy Manor. And the Godric's Hollow floor required a password to allow Lucius to enter, it was a password he changed as frequently as possible..
Draco, however was spending a week with Neville, Harry and Justin at the Longbottom residence where they could only speculate on what was happening, for the mirrors were now watched by only the Heads of House. The Longbottom residence and the Cherished Heart had, just like the Malfoy's home, been filled right up to their chimneys with protection spells and on Dumbledore's insistence (or indirectly thanks to Flitwick), the Fidelius.
But Neville, Draco and Justin couldn't help but notice as Harry tried hard to not behave agitated, for to the three other boys, it was clear that he was. Neville tried his best to reassure him, but there was only so much that he could say and there was even less that Harry could believe.
And Neville was now worried about his well being. It was true that Harry ate well, but eating and worrying and disturbed nights wasn't a very healthy life.
Neville did know that he and Harry were going to have a a big bash for their twelfth or rather thirtieth birthday courtesy of Petunia Evans and it was something they both were looking forward to. Neville supposed that the child in people never died and he wasn't upset by it at all. It certainly was a pleasant distraction and he and Draco and Justin decided that it would do Harry some good.
But it was was the last night together, that Filius, who was given the address to the Longbottom residence, visited them and said that he had set up the hologram to fool Voldemort and Pettigrew. Then to fool Nagini, the hologram would turn into a large piece of meat once she swallowed it.
Then he dropped the bombshell by saying that Pettigrew had brought Nagini to Voldemort and the former had begun working on her poison and a few other things to get him a body, deep in the forest of Albania itself.
Things had started to get hotter and before long, their problems would reach their peak.
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Things just happened rapidly. Voldemort had practically controlled Nagini and began using her venom to get stronger... And once he got his body back, he had Pettigrew tell him all that he knew.
Their conversations went from Barty Crouch, to Lucius Malfoy who, according to Pettigrew, had been 'controlled by his wife and hence was prevented to do anything on his own until he left her' to Harry Potter and his sister to Bellatrix, her husband and his brother and the Longbottoms to Sirius Black and to many other topics.
Voldemort had listened intently and after a few more questions, he probably decided to take his time before he trusted either of then. Minerva deducted that by Voldemort's getting Pettigrew go to his grave and procure for him his Yew wand. Pettigrew obediently agreed and within seconds after returning back to Voldemort, they disapperated to Riddle Manor.
Early next morning, according to Pomona, he killed killed hologram Frank Bryce and Nagini enjoyed a delicious meal of an enlarged chunk of tuna. And Pomona witnessed him make a horcrux.
A week later, Voldemort asked Pettigrew to take him to Barty Crouch Junior and Pettigrew did as he was asked, but the biggest shock of them all hit the crew one night, after yet another week, on Minerva's watch.
She was casually doing some knitting when Voldemort said, "How were you able to communicate with Wormtail, Barty?"
Junior who was milking Nagini just then, didn't look up but began telling him everything, from his mother's wish - to Winky's involvement - to him getting more alert and using wandless magic - to imperiusing the guards of Azkaban into passing those potions and his message to Pettigrew - to him using Luna."
"That girl, why did you use her?"
"My father kept tabs on that family, my Lord. I was going through his records and realised the house was devoid of any pprotection whatsoever. So I used that opportunity, besides, she's too young to understand what happened and from what I've heard lately, the entire family is a few screws loose."
"How old is that girl?"
Minerva put down her knitting at that question. Why was Voldemort so interested in her?
"Eleven, I believe. She will be attending Hogwarts this September. My mother was quite fond of her when was alive."
"Hmmm...and Potter is going to Hogwarts as well?"
"Yes, my Lord." Junior looked up now that he had finished extracting Nagini's poison.
"Barty, I believe I know a way of getting to Potter. He is of utmost importance for my resurrection. And you will be responsible for it. Once Wormtail arrives, I want you to tell him to grab that girl and get her here."
Minerva's heart began pounding. Without a second thought she sent a Patronus to Luna telling her not to leave the protection of her home, no matter what happened and then sent three Patronuses to the other Heads of House instructing them to get to her quarters as fast as they could.
"Tell him to not disappoint me or the consequences shall be severe." Voldemort said as he closed his eyes and yawned sickeningly. "And tell him not to disturb me. You Barty, are responsible for bringing me the ingredients to make Polyjuice potion and see to it that you begin making it at the earliest. I want enough Polyjuice to leave a man disguised for a year by the last week of August."
"Yes, my Lord." Junior said and moved to leave the room to give Voldemort peace, but Voldemort called him back.
"Barty, there was another boy with Potter the day Quirrel so stupidly exposed me. His name, from what I had gathered then, is Justin Finch-Fletchley. What caught my attention when it came to him was the lack of fear in his expression when he caught sight of me. I believe he's a Mudblood. For that very reason, I find him to a threat to my reputation. Do your duty to your Lord, Barty and do away with him and his family after you finish procuring the ingredients tomorrow."
"Yes, my Lord." Junior said with a sickeningly happy smile and Minerva was not above having a heart attack. She raised her wand and sent another Patronus to Justin, telling him to keep himself and his parents at home at all costs.
Justin's house, to Minerva's knowledge had no protection whatsoever. And Minerva was mentally kicking herself for not realising that until now.
"When you are finished," Voldemort spoke again as his eyes began to droop, "You will go meet Lucius and if you believe him to be helpful and worthy of my trust, get him here. I have something to deliver to him before I set him on some errands."
Junior nodded knowingly and Minerva was sure Lucius would get a good dose of the Cruciatus.
"What about Snape, my Lord?"
"I believe he can be trusted, but it is my unfortunate suspicion that he is unknowingly controlled by Dumbledore. Severus knew I was around Quirrel, for he awoke from his trans whenever he was in my presence. Regrettably, we will not be able to acquire the service of an accomplished Potions Master at the moment. However, I shall meet with Severus and free him once I am myself again."
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Luna was curious. What had it been that got Minerva in such a state that to shoot out a cat patronus with such an agitated voice. It was lucky Luna set up wards that activated around her room at night or that cat would have had her parents rushing into her room demanding to know what the matter was.
Luna didn't have to wait for more than an hour for she was immediately visited by Professor Sprout, who looked very pale.
"Pomona!" Luna greeted. "What has happened."
Sprout grimaced and gave her two winks which she returned.
"Voldemort is what has happened. I'm sorry, Luna, but he has his eyes set on you."
"On me?" Luna asked not understanding what Sprout was saying.
"Oh, Luna! He wants to use you in Moody's place."
Comprehension dawned upon her, but she had no time to be afraid, for Sprout rolled on, "He has given the responsibility of kidnapping you to Wormtail and the making of the Polyjuice potion has been given to Junior. Please Luna, do not leave your house until I say so. I know that you are protected but do not take the risk. See to it that your parents don't move either.
"If we're lucky, Voldemort will choose someone else. Because, Pettigrew returned to Junior's home with the news that Dumbledore now has, three people to select from for the DADA post they are -"
"Lockhart, Lupin and Moody!" Luna interrupted.
"Yes." Professor Sprout said, "And Dumbledore has asked us for our opinion. We have ruled out Remus, for Polyjuice will not work on him... Now between Moody and Lockhart, we were thinking of Lockhart. And if we pull it off carefully, Voldemort will choose him when he realises that you are not in his reach.
Luna raised an eyebrow at that statement. She had never known Pomona Sprout to be so cruel.
Sprout laughed nervously, "You see, we can't let Moody and you suffer like that and this incident should deflate that fraud a bit."
Luna didn't change her expression and Pomona huffed.
"Oh, come on, Luna. Do you think we are going to let him die or lose his memory again? Do you remember what our reason for coming back was? We may simply expose him and that is all!"
Luna smiled, but Sprout seemed more serious.
"There was something else... Voldemort has given orders to Barty to kill the Finch-Fletchley family."
"But that is Just..." Luna trailed off and then said, "What?"
"Exactly. Something about Justin not showing fear when he saw who was sharing Quirrel's head. Anyway, we've decided that Filius would remain invisible in Justin's house and when the time comes, alter Junior's mind again. Then when he leaves, set up powerful wards around the house. Justin's parents', Keith's and all of their and Justin's acquaintances minds will be altered."
"Why?" Luna said with a small frown.
"Because, Filius will be altering their features."
"Oh. What else has happened?"
"Voldemort wants Junior to test Lucius Malfoy's loyality and bring him to the Crouch residence if he passes."
"That easy?"
"Oh no!" Professor Sprout said with a small unamused laugh. "Lucius will will be greeted with torture before he sets out to do Voldemort's bidding."
Luna shuddered just as her door opened. And before either of them could be startled, Professor Snape entered, gave them the signature greeting and sat on the edge of Luna's bed.
"What happened, Severus?" Luna and Pomona said together.
"Voldemort is what happened." Snape said morosely and Luna wondered if that was going to be all they would say from now on.
"What's he done now?"
Snape sighed, "He changed his mind."
"About Luna?" Sprout asked hopefully but Luna knew that wasn't it... Voldemort was ruthless, he wouldn't back down on such a plan.
"No." Snape said, confirming Luna's suspicions. "He probably thought of another plan in his sleep, for he began shouting for Junior. He has asked Junior to go test Lucius immediately."
"Why are you so upset then?" Luna said trying but failing to get her voice to be normal as she suddenly imagined herself being forced to sleep in a coffin like box, completely controlled and at the mercy of Barty Crouch Junior.
Snape, who was probably the only one to notice the slight wobble, frowned and said, "We haven't had the time to place our spying charm on Malfoy. Anyway, Luna, stay at home at all times and you and your family have nothing to worry about."
Luna nodded. Snape sighed and got up. Then he surprised Luna with a tight hug and said, "It. Will. Be. Okay. Trust us, Luna. There is just a small possibility that we will fail and should that happen, you must remember that Pettigrew will think kidnapping you is child's play, but we know otherwise."
Luna nodded as she pulled away and turned to hug Sprout. Her anxiety of being made to sleep in a dark box, however didn't seem to fade away... It reminded her of her time in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor and Luna didn't like it at all...but the hugs did somehow manage to reassure her, if not completely.
"Use anything and everything, you know, Luna." Snape said. "But you will not do it alone, if that day comes. I have a portkey that takes me straight to you, the moment, I realise that you are in trouble."
Again Luna nodded. But she sagged her shoulders the minute they left and had a very fitful night dreaming about Justin and his family lying on the floor, lifeless, that she was now mistaken for Justin's mother and she is burried in her stead... She dreamt about a young twelve year old Harry without a hand and eye... Her dream switched to Neville who was grown up and had taken it into his own hands to look after Luna's and Harry's broken families...And then she dreamt of Dumbledore who simply raised his hand and all was normal again and Luna sat up straight and wide awake.
She got herself to calm down and rubbed her face with her hands. Why was sleeping so terrible when one was upset? Why did she get upset? Why wasn't her attitude as broadminded as it was in the previous time? She got off her bed and approached her parents bedroom and woke her mother up.
"Luna?" her mother said sleeping. "What is it dear?"
"I had a bad dream, Mummy."
"Oh my poor Luna." Her mother said, now fully awake. "Come darling. Hop on."
And it was in her mother's arms, that Luna slept like a log, oblivious to the agonising screams of Lucius Malfoy and an hour later, Peter Pettigrew who had been hit and knocked out for a while by a huge wave of electricity the moment he stepped on the hill that led him to the Lovegood house.
Luna was also oblivious to the sleepless night spent by Justin and Flitwick as they awaited Junior's arrival in case he decided to do some murdering earlier than normal. She didn't even know that Minerva would suffer from nightmares that night, with no mother to comfort her after witnessing that torture session.
And last but not the least, Luna and the rest of the crew weren't and would never be aware that the wave that hit Pettigrew was a strong protection set around the hill not by the Heads of house, but by the woman in whose arms she lay in deep sleep.
To be continued...