AN- n7kairos- Thank you. So glad you liked death as you are the one who inspired me to add her.
AN- BioHazard82- As always thank you for your support.
AN- IrisTurner- Merci beaucoup. I hope you continue to look forward to updates and like this new chapter as its a shorter one but a new one is one the way.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Interlude
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Hagrid had been staying in the Forbidden Forrest more than long enough to get use to the rhythm of the beings that lived there especially since as a giant he'd already been more attuned to them anyway and something was off.
The unicorns, hippogriffs, and thestrals where all unsettled the herds mixing in a way they usually didn't as if seeking comfort. He could hear the mermaids singing in the Black Lake a horrid screeching that had the students up at the school closing and barring their windows so they wouldn't have to hear. The acromantulas where riled up scampering further than usual in nervous jerky motions. His own brother Grawp was refusing to eat whimpering as if expecting something horrible to happen any moment. The few werewolves who lived in the woods concealing themselves from both the Ministry and Greyback withdrew to the caves as if hiding. But worst and most unsettling of all where the centaurs. The entire herd of them were standing in a clearing in the woods heads tilted back eyes on the stars completely silent and still as statues. When he'd tried to ask Firenze what was happening the centaur muttered about the stars and Mars and what was foretold coming to pass without ever taking his eyes from the sky.
Then whatever spell had been cast seemed to break. The lead stallion of the Unicorn herd let out a loud whinny a sound Hagrid had once heard him make after defeating a aromantula who'd attacked one of his mares. The tension over the unicorns, thestrals, and hippogriffs seemed to break and the herds reformed wandering back to their respective sections of the forest. Buckbeak even came over to Hagrid and nudged him as if he was the one who'd been acting weird. The mermaid's song cut off then they let out a few final notes that where somehow higher and clearer before they disappeared back into the depths of the lake. The acromantulas turned as if one mind in many bodies scurrying back into the darkest part of the forest.
The centaurs all turned to look at Hagrid then went back to their regular activities except for Bane and Firenze who approached the half giant who watched them puzzled. Finally, Bane spoke. "It has come to pass as the stars foretold. When the final battle comes the centaurs of the forbidden forest herd will stand with Hogwarts."
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"Luna, Luna. Come on please look at us." Luna Lovegood jerked almost violently, and her big silvery blue eyes suddenly cleared blinking frantically. She looked up to see Terry Boot, Neville Longbottom, and Ginny Weasley surrounding her.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" She asked in her normal pleasant tone a smile on her pretty face.
"Luna you were screaming. Something about Juniper. What happened?" Neville answered his face ashen.
Luna gave him a reassuring smile. "She left us. I couldn't see where she went but shes back now. It won't be long now Neville. We should step up training. The final battle will be coming to us."
"Here?" Terry asked looking surprised. "But...the children. We will fight, but the kids? Luna, will we have time to get them out?"
Luna's eyes shifted them to a group of eleven-year-old muggleborns who were huddled together in one of the corners giggling softly. "I can't see enough. There are still multiple timelines. The only constant is the battle happening here. We don't always win. We don't all always live long enough to fight. In a few of the timelines..." Luna's voice trailed off then she shook her head. "But for now they will be coming home soon." She smiled up at her friends brightly. "And we have to be ready."
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Grindelwald who was sitting in front of the fire reading a book recently published about the exploits of one Juniper Potter felt a actual true smile curve his lips at the sound of the abomination screaming in rage. A few moments later he heard some of his deatheaters screaming in pain. Fool. He turned the page sending out tendrils of his power to make sure none of his Knights where suffering under the madman's wand. Let the thing torture and kill his own followers if he wished but he would not allow him to take out his fury on those who belonged to him. He had other much more effect methods of insuring his follower's devotion. He had no place among his acolytes for those who pledged to him out of fear.
Barty knocked on his doors and he waved a hand to open the door admitting him, Severus Snape, and his old friend and follower Abernathy. "Are things not developing to Lord Voldemort's liking." He asked in his slow silky voice putting only a hint of disdain into the creature's chosen name.
"It seems that foolish girl managed to destroy another of his Horcrux's." Snape answered unable to keep a hint of pride out of his tone. Unwarranted in Grindewald's opinion. Whatever resources the girl was drawing on was most likely not gained from the teachings of Professor Severus Snape. An excellent potion's master he may be but a good teacher he was not. "He is also not pleased that the Zambini family vaults are now closed to him as they have transferred to the ownership of Madame Zambini's son with her death."
"And the Zambini's boy is one of Potter's?" Grindewald asked.
"Not truly but he was a close companion of Draco Malfoy's chances are he is not feeling kindly disposed towards the Dark Lord at the moment." Snape replied. "He wishes me to try and discover how the girl destroyed the cup. She doesn't have the hate in her heart necessary to cast the killing curse, nor the control to use fiendfire."
"The cup." Grindewald repeated his small smile returned a glint in his eyes as if he knew something they didn't and Snape's eyes widened as he realized the man had put together the clues he'd been given about the true 7th horcrux much faster than anyone else had. "Yes, it is curious the clever little minx found a way to manage that isn't it? So now he is down to two of the things correct? I suspect the girl and her companions will be returning to Britian soon. Barty its time to put our welcome home plan into motion. You should start preparations to see your old student again."
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AN- Curious is anyone interested in seeing the Maximoff twins make a appearance? Since Age of Ultron never happened chances are the are still with Hydra. They could very well decide to send them to deal with Juniper.