Previously on Defiance…
"My boy, I admit that you are resourceful, but one doesn't just pass his Mastery in months. It requires a solid understanding and tremendous amount of practice to-"
"Weren't you just saying that I am resourceful beyond my years?"
Dumbledore smiled but did not answer.
Making sure he wasn't forgetting anything, he looked towards the icy fortress in front of him. "I suppose this is goodbye. I will see you on the weekend."
"Study hard, Thor."
"I will, professor."
An excerpt from the Daily Prophet dated 17th January, 1996.
NEUTRALS DIVIDE: WILL SELWYN BE THE NEW LEADER OF THE DARK-NEUTRALS?
REMAINING NEUTRALS FORM AN ALLIANCE WITH SIRIUS BLACK AS LEADER!
DAPHNE GREENGRASS SWORN AS THE NEW LADY GREENGRASS! QUESTIONS ARISE OVER THE POTTER-BLACK-GREENGRASS ALLIANCE!
PERCIVAL WEASLEY JOINS IN AS THE NEW SENIOR UNDERSECRETARY OF THE MINISTER!
Another excerpt from the Daily Prophet dated 19th February,1996.
AZKABAN BREAKOUT! LESTRANGE! AVERY! ROOKWOOD! MULCIBER! FLINT! NOTT! INCARCERATED DEATH EATERS BROKEN OUT OF PRISON BY ANONYMOUS FORCES!
RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR FOUND DEAD UNDER MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES! AMELIA BONES ASKS ALASTOR MOODY TO STEP IN AS THE NEW HEAD-AUROR!
AMELIA BONES: NOT A FAN OF FUDGE?
The village of Little Hangleton had once been one of the most densely populated muggle places in the area. Strangely though, the population had been on a drastic decline along the past two years, especially since strange lights and sounds were heard from the old, dilapidated Riddle Manor. As of now, the entire village of Little Hangleton seemed to be devoid of any mundane life, though something prevented the realtors from taking over and renovating the entire area. The land gave off a kind of… cursed feeling, and the people felt so uncomfortable, that they just left the job and moved on to some other place.
Deep inside the powerfully-warded Riddle Manor, the dark lord sat on his throne- a specimen of antiquity that was created out of swords and daggers, and gave off a foreboding feeling. The entire manor had been renovated with wards interwoven inside its very fabric. In front of the throne, were two long tables arranged back to back, forming a long row with seats on either end. This was the war council of the Dark Lord and an active session was presently going on.
On the Lord's right side sat Bellatrix Lestrange. Just beside her sat the other Lestranges followed by Caractacus Flint and Thomas Avery. On the left side, sat Lucius Malfoy, and then Augustus Rookwood, Severus Snape, Peter Pettigrew and Fenrir Greyback.
"Is everything in order?"
Everyone quietened on hearing the dark lord speak. Lord Voldemort tilted his head slowly as he faced the pale face of Lucius Malfoy. "Tell me Lucius, how is the plan at the DOM progressing?"
Lucius swallowed. "My lord, we made many attempts to pick the orb, using magical and mundane, human and creature alike. All of the efforts have been in vain. Anyone who touches the orb gets electrocuted instantly."
"Then put a bloody ward against it." Rudolphus Lestrange grunted.
"Do you think that it did not cross my mind, Lestrange?" Lucius snapped. Turning to the dark lord, he continued, "My Lord, the room of Prophecy is warded against such defenses. Whenever someone touches a prophecy orb, it generates some kind of… blocker that completely negates any magical activity within three metres of it. The orb is unmovable- we tried everything- both magical and mundane."
"I am disappointed, Lucius. Very disappointed. I had hopes that you might be able to do this one little thing I asked of you. Nevertheless, now that Rookwood is back amongst us, maybe he will be able to figure something out., won't you Augustus?"
Augustus Rookwood stayed silent.
"Something wrong, Augustus?" The dark lord curled his lips.
"My - my lord, I am afraid I won't be able to aid Malfoy in this… expedition."
Everyone held their breath, to defy the dark lord's order was to invite death. Plain and simple. You go in. You die. End of story.
"And why?"
Augustus swallowed. "The Unspeakables, my Lord. They employ blood magic in the wards surrounding the Department. Since I was proven to be a death eater, I broke my oaths as an Unspeakable and by their laws, I am a traitor to the Department. Unless the wards are magically disabled, putting my first step will curse me with the withering curse. My lord knows that it is incurable, and death follows in hours."
"I… see."
Silence.
The dark lord seemed to be lost in contemplation. Everyone looked at each other, but nobody said anything.
"Avery?"
"My Lord?"
"How goes our recruitment from the vampire community?"
"Around two thousand vampires will join us in by the end of the month, my Lord."
"Why the delay?"
"The ICW. They track vampire migrations, my lord. Any movement of vampires more than two hundred at any single time attracts their attention. Given the situation, they must be paying even more attention."
"Ah… yes, we do not want to attract the attention of the ICW. Not until it is time to activate Phase 3."
Bellatrix smirked devilishly. Phase 3 was something the dark lord had conscripted to her.
"What about the werewolf contingent?"
"Three hundred werewolves are on our side, my lord."
"Only three hundred? I thought there were around five hundred. What happened to the rest?"
Avery looked at Greyback, who stood up. "Remus Lupin, my lord."
"Ah, Dumbledore's lone wolf." The dark lord mused. "So he is recruiting them to fight for the Light?"
Lucius snorted. "Fat chance. Fudge won't allow it. I am sure I can convince him to increase the severity of werewolf laws."
"Actually, there are staying neutral. Remus Lupin is trying to convince them to stay out of the fight." Avery returned.
"fools." The dark lord chortled. "They will join us when they see us winning."
Greyback grunted in agreement.
"Severus, what news do you bring?"
Severus Snape slowly turned towards the dark lord. "My Lord?"
"What news do you bring?"
Severus considered his words. "The Headmaster is often in the presence of Sirius Black, my Lord. Ever since Black," he sneered the name with disdain, "-has taken over as the Defense Professor, the two seem to become chubby friends. I am afraid I'm not as important to the old man's plans as I once was."
"Hmmmm…." The dark lord mused, "in fact, Severus, I agree with you. You are not as important to the plans regarding Dumbledore as you once were." Severus swallowed, his fingers twitching as he reached for his wand, ready to deflect a spell at a moment's notice. There was no chance of apparation or portkeying out of this warded labyrinth. However, perhaps he would be able to…
"I am afraid you have lost your credibility as a spy in Dumbledore's domain."
Severus's fingers edged closer to his wand.
"But-"
Pause.
"I hope you will be of use to me as a Potion's Master."
Severus nearly lost his control and revealed the shock on his face. "My… lord?"
"I want you to create a potion. It is classified. Nobody shall know about it, except you and I, is that clear?"
"yes… my lord." He paused, "but… forgive my impudence, my lord, but if I am gone from Hogwarts, who will be your spy?"
The dark lord laughed. "Whoever told you that you were my only spy there, Severus? I have implanted my own spy in the castle."
"You… have?"
The dark lord laughed. "Surely Severus, you did not think me as a person who will put all his hopes on one of my followers? Especially one who latches on Albus Dumbledore's arm all day?"
"Which I do on your orders, my Lord." Severus returned, making sure that his tone was subservient.
"And you did so excellently. However, there are far more important things at hand. Things that require the precision and perfection of a Potions Master. Someone like you, Severus."
Severus bowed. "Of course, my Lord."
"Good." The dark lord turned towards Nott. "Tell me Nott, how goes Phase 2?"
"Phase 2 is up and running, my lord. We undertook the first series of tests and they have all been successful."
"Good. Keep it going. I will call on you for details, later."
"As you wish, my Lord."
"Now all that remains is… Phase 1, which Malfoy has been unable to complete. I believe your old age is making you incompetent, Lucius." Lucius ignored the jibe. "I take it, that we need Harry Potter to finish the task that you couldn't, Lucius."
"The boy… my lord, is not here. He is supposedly training at the Transfiguration Guild."
"Yes," the dark lord frowned. "The Guild. The boy has proven himself to be exceptionally resourceful. He thwarted my plans and escaped death miraculously, despite each of you being present at the graveyard, and as shameful as it is, I am still at sea, trying to figure out what actually happened that very night. Augustus-"
"My Lord?"
"A word with you in private."
"Indeed."
The dark lord continued. "The Guild is unplottable, and we do not want to attract its attention. Despite my powers and my large contingent of soldiers, I would be hard-pressed if the Guilds drew battle lines. We need to keep them from toeing the battle-lines until Phase 3 is complete."
Bellatrix cackled mirthfully.
"We need to draw Potter out. And I believe I know just the thing that will do it." He turned to Lucius who bowed. "Lucius, I have a new task for you. Remember, if you fail this time, I will kill you myself."
"My lord…" Lucius returned in a frightened voice.
"Look into my eyes, Lucius."
Lucius stared into the endless dark void that was the dark lord's eyes for a moment.
"Did you understand?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Good." The dark lord paused. "I want you to assassinate Sirius Black."
Meanwhile at Hogwarts…
"Tracey, we have to do something. Daphne, she is beyond-", Astoria gushed, as she cried into Tracey's arms. The elder girl lifted Astoria's head and held her softly. "Don't worry, I will think of something."
"Something has happened to her. I cannot prove it but I know it is. I read a letter she had written from her room. She has been exchanging letters with the Selwyns and engineered the breakdown of dad's alliance. Mister Black was so frustrated about it all."
Tracey looked worried. Astoria went on… "You have seen how she has become, she is even spending her time reading up on all those evil books that Dad has sequestered away from the family library, saying that they were dark and evil and that we should not even touch them. And here she-", Astoria sobbed, "—and that locket that she clings to and speaks to all the time just like she used to chat with me back then-"
"Wait. What locket?"
"There is a beautiful locket that she always keeps to herself. She never puts it away even while sleeping. I think she has it since the winter vacations when we went to Mister Black's house."
Tracey narrowed her eyes. "She has been wearing it since the winter holidays?"
"Yes. I saw her wearing it at the Black Manor. I thought that she had bought it from somewhere back then. It is an ornate green locket with a…. I think it was a… yes, it was a snake on it. Positive."
"Astoria." Tracey replied slowly. "I need you to help me in something. We are going to get your sister back."
The next day…
"Daphne!"
Daphne Greengrass did not even turn around. She recognized the voice all too well. The fact that the other girl had just barged into her room without permission did not help matters.
"What can I do for you, Davis?"
"Potter is back."
"Really?" Her lips curled. "So does my Lord want some sexual pleasure from his mistress?" She slowly took the comb and began brushing her long, lustrous hair.
Tracey hesitated. "He told," she paused, "-he told me that you are ordered to meet him at your usual place."
"did he? Very well. You may go."
Tracey did not move.
"I believe you are done with whatever you came for. You can leave." She replied, an undercurrent of anger lining her calm voice.
"He told me to accompany you to him."
Her hands stopped. "Did he?"
"Yes." Tracey hesitated.
"why do I smell… hesitation in you, Davis?"
"You look… changed, Daphne."
"Do I?" She turned around. The bright angelic face was no more there. Of course, she was still beautiful, but there was a kind of darkness marring her beauty. Her hair, which initially flowed down like the rive down her back, was now a little bushy and all over the place, and her eyes now had something feral in them.
"Yes." Tracey swallowed.
Daphne smiled. A cruel smile. "Let's go and see what my Lord Potter-Black wants from his would-be-wife this time. He was an imbecile the previous time, you know?" She chuckled. "I was even ready to disrobe but the silly Gryffindor refused. Chivalry and nobility, I garner." She laughed.
"Yeah." Tracey smiled with hesitation.
"Come along, Davis." She just crossed the other girl as she was about to leave the room when Tracey moved suddenly, pushing her to the wall as Daphne banged her head on the wall, bruising her head as red drops of precious blood begun to fall down on the floor. Tracey pushed her aside as she darted out of the room.
"DAVIS!" Daphne yelled, "I WILL KILLL YOU FOR THIS…."
She stepped out of her room, her wand spinning into her fingers as she leveled it towards the other girl who was about to sprint downstairs. She fired a dark curse which hit the other girl's leg and she fell on the ground with a whelp, crying out in agony. Daphne laughed as she slowly walked up to the fallen girl, her wand twirling in her hand as she stalked towards her.
"Please... please… I am sorry." Tracey wept, the blood from her leg oozing out onto the floor.
"You should have thought of that before attacking me, Davis. However, it is time to correct the mistake I made by befriending a half-blood." She slowly levelled her wand towards the other girl and smirked. "Avada-"
"STUPEFY!"
A flash of crimson inundated her world and Daphne Greengrass knew no more.
Behind her, wand still smoking, stood Tracey Davis, who sent her wand back into her robes. "Good work, Astoria." She helped the other girl up, who was still bleeding from the leg. "We need to get that treated."
"It will be okay. I just need to visit Madam Pomfrey. Help me up."
"I have something better." Tracey took out a small pouch from within her robes. "Put this on."
It was some kind of ointment in there. Astoria hesitated for a moment.
"Go on, put it on."
Without further delay, she applied some of the ointment over her wound. To her surprise, the injury healed at an incredible rate.
"What is THIS thing?" Astoria replied with awe.
"It's made for countering dark curses. Works good on injuries caused by dark severing hexes."
"How did you get this?"
"Harry gave it to me."
"Harry?"
"Later, now hold on." Tracey helped the other girl up, and transfigured a cane for her to hold on. She looked at the fallen girl who was once her best friend, and without any hesitation, tore open her robes, finding the serpentine, silver locket underneath.
"This is it. This is it!" Astoria gushed.
"Shhh, Tori. This can be cursed. Do you know the message spell that Daphne used to use while sending messages to her… umm… your father?"
Astoria nodded.
"Call Headmaster Dumbledore here. RIGHT NOW!"
Thirty minutes later…
"Miss Davis, Miss Greengrass, I cannot impress upon you both how proud I am of the way both of you handled the matter with excellence. Fifty points each to Slytherin."
Astoria blushed, while Tracey just looked down. "Professor, what is that thing?"
Dumbledore looked at them. "Something made up of the vilest of magics. Do you know where or how Miss Greengrass, I mean, Daphne got it?"
Astoria shared a look with Tracey. "Black Manor."
"WHAT?"
The two girls spun around to see an astonished Sirius Black standing at the doorway.
"Sirius, please come in." Dumbledore replied.
"They found that… in my house? That thing… which has been influencing Miss- Daphne?"
Tracey nodded.
"Damn!" he looked up at the Headmaster. "What is that, professor?"
Dumbledore glanced at the girls. "Miss Davis, Miss Greengrass, I think you can return to your dorms. Your sister will take some time to recuperate."
The girls nodded. Tracey looked up, and then hesitated for a moment.
"Miss Davis?"
"I was wondering if you knew when Harry would return back?"
Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "By my estimations, it will be quite some time before Mister Potter can return back for a break."
"Can you say to him that I said thanks?" She asked. "He will understand."
Dumbledore stared at her for a moment. 'Of course."
"Thank you, professor." The two girls left as the door closed. Sirius walked over and sat on the chair in front of the desk. "What is that thing?"
Dumbledore considered it. In another world, he would never have trusted this with anyone else. However, he had promised to be open and sharing in his resources.
"Tell me Sirius, have you ever come across the word Horcrux?"
"Let me get this straight. There was a horcrux in my own house, right under my own nose and I did not know anything about it?"
"It certainly seems so."
"And that thing has been influencing Daphne all this time?"
"I believe, yes."
"Unbelievable."
"How do you know about horcruxes?"
"Black heir over here, remember? My grandfather taught me all about them."
"Did he teach you anything about destroying them?"
"Yes. Fiendfyre."
Albus raised his eyebrows. "That is a good proposition."
"Are you going to destroy it now?" Sirius asked, pointing at the locket that was laid on the shelf.
"I believe we should. There is no reason not to do so."
"Very well then." Sirius replied. "I want to do it."
Albus looked at him. "Can you control Fiendfyre, my boy?"
"Almost. Enough to destroy it to pieces."
Albus nodded. "I believe we should take this outside, so that the remnants do not have any kind of effect on the castle."
"The grounds?"
"The grounds."
There was a burst of flame as Fawkes transported Dumbledore and Sirius to the grounds. Dumbledore transfigured a huge stone basin with a tiny opening on top. "Drop the horcrux in." He commanded, and Sirius did so. The Headmaster waved his wand and set up powerful locking charms all around the basin.
"This will prevent the Fiendfyre from getting out of control." He explained.
"Good thinking."
Albus smiled. Sirius raised his wand and poked the interior of the basin with it. Steading himself, he summoned his magic.
"FIENDFYRE!"
The cursed fire rushed out of his wand, engulfing the object within as the horcrux let out a heart-wrenching screech. The basin began to shake powerfully as Dumbledore shoved his power through the locking ward, holding it intact, not letting the fire to burst out of it. On the other hand, Sirius pulled over all his energies and forced the Fiendfyre into the stone basin, said stone now slowly melting under the wrath of the cursed flames.
Suddenly there was a powerful explosion, as dense black fog exploded out of the stone basin, emanating into the air. After the fog cleared out and dissipated, two weary but nonetheless happy individuals stood on the grounds, staring at the remnants of the stone basin that once housed the very thing that had caused so much problems in their lives.