This was, by far, the dumbest thing Dora had ever done. Worst of all, this hadn't even been her idea. Merlin, Morgana and Nimue, Nymphadora thought, if Ezekiel ever returned she was gonna punch his head into a wall.
Dora was sitting in a living room. Her boss's living room, to be precise. All because of her cousin's stupid, stupid idea.
This whole thing started with Harry, four months after her mum had been discharged from Gringotts. Dora knew she'd be fine, but to finally meet her again lifted a weight from her shoulders. The chamber had done miracles as far as she could tell, but her mother would need the help of a cane for a few more months to move around.
Harry had been a mess. Sweating, stammering, tugging his clothes and looking like a deer caught in the headlights. And that was before they were told Andromeda was fine. The small trip to her room had taken far longer than it should, Harry's steps shortened the closer they got to Andromeda's room. Ted eventually came out looking for them and had to take Harry away to assured him Andromeda not only didn't resent him but was actually worried about him. The soothing words fell in deaf ears, as Harry's condition worsened. Dora and her father feared the boy could faint from the stress. Not even a calming draught, given from a concerned Healer who happened to be passing by helped to calm his nerves. Dora decided to take him back home and neither wouldn't reunite with Andromeda until a week later when she and Ted dropped unannounced at Dora's house. Andromeda didn't let things grow out of hand and politely asked Dora to leave the room. Instead of waiting outside her house, Dora took her father for a walk under the pretense of getting some food and catching up with him. By the time they returned both Harry and Andromeda looked more relaxed and cheerful.
Despite Ezekiel's absence, the family was happy to finally reunite. Her parents had been particularly happy for Harry, who proudly presented Hedwig to them. The little bird had grown quite a bit and now presented a snow white plumage. The snake's egg, which Dora later found out belonged to a rare species called Runespoor from Burkina Faso, had yet to hatch.
Andromeda had taken the news of Harry being a Parselmouth better than expected. She actually assured Harry that while it was a rare and unique talent, it'd be better not to divulge it to anyone outside the family.
Life returned to relative normal the following days. The elves, having heard of Andromeda's return devoted themselves to her with religious fervor. By that time Harry and Dora had grown accustomed to living with each other and didn't need all that assistance. Ted for his part was happier than a dog with two tails, specially when Christmas came around.
For Harry, this was a very special occasion. It marked the first holiday in which he hadn't been worked like a slave but actually accepted as a member of the family. He confessed this to the family once Dora noticed him trying not to cry. Despite being assured they'd never allow something like that happening again, Harry was still sad. Here he was surrounded by a loving family and the one responsible for it was missing. Gone because of him on a mission for the Queen, who hated him.
The gloomy scene ended abruptly as goblins began entering the Tonks house bearing numerous gifts. And a letter from Ezekiel.
It wasn't a big message, barely a few sentences. Ezekiel wrote he loved them and for Harry not to blame himself. He didn't knew how much he'd be away but he was sure it wouldn't take much longer. Oh, and to sign in Harry for Muggle school. Because it was that easy to enroll a kid he had basically kidnapped in the eyes of the law into a school. It's not like schools is one of those places which ask for documentation and stuff.
Well, apparently if you had enough money it was because Harry was now attending a primary school near Ezekiel's house. How had this been accomplished was a mystery to Dora but suspected her father had something to do with it. That left them with a small problem.
Harry still had no idea how to socialize with other kids. He didn't had friends nor how to speak to other children. The only way he'd learn was, of course, by meeting and playing with other kids. Problem was, no one knew people with kids close to Harry's age.
Aaand that's how she ended up in a rather lovely two store house living room outside London, owned by none other than her boss. Dora had little to do except sit at the table and wait.
The idea was simple. Harry wouldn't be able to learn how to socialize unless he actually socialized. Hence the visit to the only person she knew had a child the same age as Harry's. Of course, she hoped to drop him off and come back an hour or so later. Instead, she had been invited for tea while the kids met each other.
Fun-fuck-me-sideways-tastic.
"Sorry for the waiting." Mad-Amelia apologized carrying a tray with the tea, kettle and some cookies. "I don't usually bring guests to my house."
"It's fine, Madam." Dora replied trying not to rock the boat. It was already bad enough she hadn't exactly dressed up for the occasion. In fact, she had dressed to excuse herself the moment Harry walked trough the front door. Motorcycle boots, jeans with a heavy chain as belt and a plaid flannel shirt. It didn't match the conservative style of the house.
"Please Aur-Nymphadora, we're out of the office. You can call me by my name." Amelia replied trying to sound friendly as she handed her a cup. Trying being the operative word.
"Thanks, Mad-Amelia. I actually go by Dora." Dora replied taking the beverage with both hands.
"Dora it is then."
None of them said a word as they sat across each other. Amelia coughed a few times, smiling as if it was normal. Dora for her part had set her eyes on the cup on her hands as it had the answers of the world in it.
"How's your mother? If you don't mind me asking... I heard she had an accident?" Amelia asked casually.
"She's fine." Dora replied. "Just a small bump, really."
"She got injured the day of the tremors, didn't she?" Amelia pressed on. "Quite a day that was."
"Quite." Dora nodded in agreement.
"Now that I remember, you were there too, weren't you?" Amelia continued.
"Hmm hmm" replied sipping her drink despite being scalding hot.
"I cannot tell you just how happy I was when I heard you were unharmed. Although given how fast you heal, even if you were hurt you'd just shrug it off in a few minutes. Isn't it right?"
"Maybe." Dora conceded. "Although I've never had to heal at such an extent."
"Lucky for you." Amelia said under her breath. "Ollivander is still being treated for his injuries. Quite a number."
"I do hope he recovers." Dora said sincerely. She hadn't been able to find the man no matter where she looked. Part of her feared Harry had killed him. Neither one of them could help to feel guilty every time they passed the store in the Alley. The building looked as if it'd fall apart but magic kept it in its place. "It'd be good for the community to get some news about him. If you hadn't told me, I'd thought he was dead."
"Well, when a man who has such an impact on the life of almost every witch or wizard in the country suffers an injury, it's normal for people to be overprotective. A bit like Harry, in fact."
"Just out of curiosity, what did you said to your niece?" Dora asked intrigued. "About Harry, I mean."
"Don't worry." Amelia dismissed her with a wave of her hand. "Susan isn't one of those fanatics."
Dora didn't know what to think about the girl. She looked normal for a girl her age, her only distinctive feature was her long red hair which she wore in a long plait down her back. Although she was a bit concerned, Dora resisted the impulse to shape-shift her ears to hear how the kids were doing. At least until she managed to get away from Amelia.
"Have you read the news?" Amelia asked.
"No, not really." Dora replied. "The Prophet likes to make mountains out of molehills or kissing up the Ministry, not something I care about."
"There's a rumor going around." Amelia said with a smile. "They seem to think there's an actual ghost in the Tower of London."
"A ghost in there? I thought that was something they said to get tourists to buy their sh-stuff" Dora asked amused. "Have they run out of things to print?"
"They've got some witnesses, a few wizards who work there swear every night the place gets filled with screams of those who died in there. Apparently over twenty executions took place in there."
"And that means they've got a ghost?" Dora replied chuckling. "That paper is a joke."
"Good for business, though." Amelia replied. "They say visits tripled ever since the story leaked to the public."
"Well, people do love spooky stories."
"Ever been there, the Tower?" Amelia asked.
"I think I went there once." Dora replied trying to remember. "A school trip, I believe."
"My father took us there once a year. My ancestors were named the Magical Constable of the Tower right until the Blitz."
"I didn't knew that." Dora replied.
"It's not that bad, really. Perhaps when your cousin returns you could take your family there."
"Hmm" Dora pretended to consider it. This was what she wanted to avoid.
People wanted know where Ezekiel was. Specially at work. Dora had lost count how many times she had to dodge that bitch Umbridge. She had started casting Disillusionment Charms on herself before leaving work.
"I know what you're thinking." Amelia said as if she read her mind. "But it's very important-"
"I don't know anything." Dora replied interrupting her boss. "He left and we haven't heard from him ever since."
"I understand your duty towards your family, even one with circumstances such as yours." Amelia replied. "But this is a very serious matter."
"You know, I don't get it." Dora replied putting her cup down. "Every single wizard and witch in this country has been clamoring for Zeke to be killed, exiled or both at some point. Now he's out of everyone's hair and all of the sudden people miss him?"
"Mobs don't think, if they did then they wouldn't be a mob." Amelia sighted. "Black has been gone for too long, people have began to notice."
"So? He's been gone before." Dora shrugged.
"But not for this long." Amelia replied. "The longest he's been away is a month, exactly. I know you've heard by now about all the letters Fudge has been receiving. What you need to understand is nobody approved those assignments. As far as the Ministry knows, Black is acting out of his own accord."
"That's ridiculous." Dora scoffed. "Zeke's been loyal for years."
"And now he's gone, with no explanation and no contact of any kind. Just a pile of bodies big enough to classify him as a small natural disaster."
"Well, that's why you send him to those places, isn't it?" Dora replied, shaken by the revelation. Just what on earth had the Queen send him to do? "To kill?"
"I don't have the authority to know what he does when he leaves for an assignment. I don't want to know what he does when he leaves for an assignment. If I had a say in it, he wouldn't have those obligations or similar ones for that matter." Amelia replied honestly. "I believe Black can do far more good as an investigator than whatever it is he's doing right now. The problem is other people don't think like me."
"And now people are scared?"
"Terrified. As the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement , I'm in contact with the rest of the magical peace agencies around the world." Amelia explained. "Going by the number of letters I've received this week alone, it seems many exploited your cousin in the past."
"Well... they shouldn't have." Dora replied with unease.
"And I agree." Amelia nodded. "But something is off."
"What do you mean?" Dora asked intrigued.
"I've known people over the years. As far as the International Confederation of Wizards is concerned, the Ancient and Most Noble House Of Black is a threat. One England and our allies use to keep the peace."
"Wasn't the whole purpose of the ICW to foment cooperation between the countries or something like that?"
"The hypocrisy is staggering, but it's useful nonetheless. What scares them is the possibility of Black having enough leeway to get revenge from any mistreatment he received."
"And how much 'mistreatment' did he receive?" Dora asked arching an eyebrow.
"Four heads of department from different countries turned in their resignation and disappeared." Amelia replied. "The head of the Auror department in America turned his wand against himself. It's not public knowledge yet, so I'll appreciate if you don't divulge it." Dora was too stunned to reply, her eyes wide open. "So, again." Amelia sighted. "Do you know where your cousin is or do you have any way to contact him?"
"Look, I don't know what the international community thinks Zeke is, but they have it mixed up. I've known him for years, I've seen him at his worst. You got nothing to be afraid of. He's on a royal assignment, whatever it is he's doing comes from the Queen herself. But I'm sure you already knew that part."
"That's what he said he'll be doing." Amelia replied.
"Then take it from someone who has seen him go from Orion's Heir to who he is now. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. He's probably sick and tired of doing whatever it is he's doing. I've met the Queen and being her servant isn't what people think it is." Dora assured her.
"You've met the Queen?" Amelia asked intrigued. "When?"
"It doesn't matter when." Dora cursed herself in her mind. "My point is Zeke is doing what he's doing because of the Vow. If he were doing all this by his own will you'd knew, trust me."
"That isn't as comforting as you think it is." Amelia sighted again as she pressed against the backrest. "I suppose you don't know what the Crown is planning? They've been absent from our world for centuries now. The only thing they did was approve your cousin's transfer to other countries."
"I have no idea." Dora replied sitting against her backrest too. "Zeke is the one who deals with them. My mother walked away from all that years before I was born."
"Bet she's glad to leave all the madness behind her." Amelia said amused.
"I wish. She's worries about him, we all do."
"I'm surprised your family took him in." Amelia confessed. "From what I've heard, he wasn't someone you'd want around."
"She escaped the madness of her family, why wouldn't him?" Dora replied shrugging.
"That has to be the most optimistic thing I've ever heard." Amelia replied smiling. "People should put it in posters, like the one with the kitten hanging from a wire."
Both woman stared at each other with a dumb smile on their faces. Whether it was because of the sudden mood change or the need to decompress, their grins turned to laughter.
"A aah, I needed that." Amelia said wiping a tear from her cheek.
"Yeah, things are too tense all around." Dora agreed, still grinning. "It hasn't been easy for anyone."
"How's Harry managing?" Amelia asked filling up the cups again. "I've heard news about his life before the Chamber incident."
"He's a strong kid." Dora replied. "Zeke arranged Harry attended mind healing sessions. Having people who actually care for him helps too. I didn't had the chance to thank you."
"Huh?" Amelia asked confused.
"This." Dora replied gesturing towards where she assumed Harry was. "Harry hasn't spoken with many kids, before this or after. Our family is there for him but he needed to get out and connect with other people."
"Don't worry." Amelia warmly replied. "This is nothing and Susan would've done it for anyone. She's a sweet girl. I just hope they get along."
Dora turned her head, her ears turning like a bat's. "They're fine, I can hear them laughing. Must be playing or something."
"I've never seen you do that before." Amelia said fascinated. "Does it hurt?"
"Nah, as long as I eat I'm fine."
They continued speaking all trough the day. Dora was surprised when she realized the sunset was setting and had to take Harry back home. Amelia offered them her own fireplace but they obviously had to decline but they did accept an invitation to come another day for dinner.
"So, how did it go?" Dora asked as they got into the bus back to her place.
"She's nice." Harry replied smiling. "We talked a lot."
"I'm happy for you, Harry." Dora replied.
She had dread this day from the moment she woke up. Now she was actually looking forward to the next time. Who knew the day would end up so well?
"How come you didn't told me about Quidditch? It sounds amazing!" Harry asked exited.
Yep, Dora thought. Zeke was gonna kill her.
The Tower of London.
An elder man walked trough the gates with decided pace. He was a portly, jolly, man with a white mustache and a grin. He sported a blue suit with a pink tie and carried a newspaper under his arm.
There was nothing wrong with the man, per se. Yet the more he approached to people, the more they moved out of the way.
The man walked right down the basement of the building, saluting every guard along the way. He looked with interest the groups of students who were listening to their guide about the story of the Crown Jewels before walking towards a door hidden next to the room. This let trough a narrow hallway, which the man crossed humming a happy tune. He stopped by the end, at a heavy metallic door. The man took out a key and opened it, leading a pitch black room.
"Good evening, Ezekiel." The man merrily said pressing a switch, an old light-bulb lighted up the room. "I hope you had a pleasant day?"
The room in which Ezekiel was about 6 by 8 feet. It was empty with only beige wall and a drain in the middle. It reeked of dirt, excrement and urine.
Ezekiel was standing in the middle of the room, his eyes shut from the sudden light. He had dark circles under his eyes, the sunglasses nowhere to be seen. He looked pale and undernourished. His face was gaunt and grey. His clothes looked filthy and over-sized on his emaciated body.
"You won't believe how much your screams are helping this place." The man said with a delighted smile as he unfolded the newspaper for Ezekiel to see. "We got all sorts of people looking around for ghosts at night. Even kids are looking forward to be here."
Ezekiel didn't respond, staring at him trough his squinted eyelids.
"I'm curious." The man continued. "What do you dream of? What goes around that freudian nightmare that is your head, uh?" He walked up to Ezekiel and made Ezekiel face him his index. The man studied how Ezekiel's eyes reflected the light. It looked like, the man said to himself with morbid fascination, a dog baring it's teeth. "Hmm? No response, no witty comeback? Perhaps you've learned the lesson?."
Ezekiel stared at the man, his rage seething trough his pores. His breath quickened and he growled but was unable to do much more. He tried to jump the man but every time his body moved for anything other than breathing red lines appeared all over him and forced him back into the standing position.
"Oh silly me!" The man slapped his forehead with a cheeky smile. "I almost forgot! By the authority invested in me by Her Royal Majesty, Elizabeth the Second, I allow you to speak."
Ezekiel's jaw popped as he moved trying to relax his muscles.
"I hope you enjoy this, I really do. Because when this is over-"
"Over?" The man asked amused. "This is never going to end, you silly goose . You were given a to-do list and decided to piss all over it."
"Nooo, I checked every item." Ezekiel replied with a smug smile. "My only mistake was telling off Charlie in front of 'mommy dearest'. And this punishment of yours will end and when it does."
"You'd still do nothing. Because I forbid you to ever hurt me." The man replied pinching Ezekiel's cheek. "On the authority invested on me by Her Royal Majesty, Elizabeth the Second."
Ezekiel grunted as the red marks began hissing on his body, adding the smell of burnt meat to the disgusting odor permeating the room.
"Besides, we both know you're guilty of disobedience. Just admit it and we'll start anew. What do you say?" The man asked cupping Ezekiel's cheeks. "Then we can start the real work."
"Prove it, Ian." Ezekiel replied.
"You know my name." The man named Ian said surprised as he let go of Ezekiel's face.
"Well, I like to keep my cards close to my chest. Given our little play date is about to come to an end shortly, I wanted to let you know I'm serious." Ezekiel replied staring into Ian's eyes. His eyes lightning up, looking like a lantern in the distance. "I promise you, I'll be the last thing you see before you leave this world."
"You think just because you know my name you'll scare me?" Ian asked with his face so close to Ezekiel's, their noses almost touched. "If you heard of me then you know what I'm capable of."
"Don't flatter yourself." Ezekiel replied. "I was investigating your sister, you were nowhere near my radar before that. I developed the habit of investigating those who might be a problem for me, you see? Imagine my surprise when I found out Dolores Umbridge has a brother who was also a Squib. What a disappointment you must've been. What's like to know your parents divorce was entirely your fault?"
"You don't have the slightest clue of what you're talking about." Ian whispered.
"Ian Cracknell, born as Ian Umbridge. Son of Orford Umbridge and Ellen Cracknell. Orford worked at the Ministry of Magic as a floor mopper while Ellen was a dentist. Your mother was the main source of income, which I imagine didn't sit too well with your father. One sister, Dolores Jane Umbridge who currently works as the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic. According to your old neighbors, your parents used to argue a lot. Specially after your birth. Tensions escalated until your parents divorced, each taking one of their children with them. Your father choose your sister - no surprise there - while your mother took you. Note that I said took and not choose. You landed a scholarship in Cheam School, mostly because they don't want to look like elitists arseholes and it's good PR to take in the plebs. Met Prince Charles there, who took you under his wing and paid up for the rest of your education. Went into politics where you worked your way to become an MP. You repay your debt to Charlie by keeping him in the loop about what happens at Number 10, which I imagine sounds like ancient Sumerian to him. Close enough?" Ezekiel asked.
"Hmm, yes, yes. Very good." Ian said pacing in front of him, his index on his lower lip. "It's a bit sad you use that brain of yours to piss off the wrong people. I've heard about you too, you know? Ezekiel Black. Hit him, freeze him, dump him into the ocean, blast him, he won't die. The magical cockroach. I don't get you, really. Why anger your superiors?"
"Superiors?" Ezekiel asked with disdain. "Is that what you are?"
"I'm not the man who's been standing on his feet for months because I said so. You can say all you want but at the end of the day I'm one of the Prince's best friends and you are the man he loves to hate."
"Good." Ezekiel replied. "At least I still have my dignity."
"Dignity?" Ian asked laughing. "You're delusional, aren't you? And you'll never leave this place."
"No, my punishment is almost over. Just a few more days."
"Fine, let's play." Ian took a few steps back. "Let's see, where to start... how about Japan?"
"What about it?"
"I told you to protect those delegates, not to throw them of the top of a bloody building!"
"The list said I had to prevent their assassination at the hands of the Chinese. I did."
"He-he, clever, that's clever." Ian laughed shaking his finger at Ezekiel as he began pacing in front of him. "What about Iraq? What's your excuse for that one?"
"First of all." Ezekiel said. "The list said to take an ancient Mesopotamian piece from a museum. Now, I might not be a lawyer but I do believe that's called stealing. And why on this green earth would anyone want an ancient Mesopotamian document? Don't you know they wrote those things in cuneiform?"
"You brought back a bag full of dust! And when my contact told you about it you decided to murder him!"
"He accused me of trying to rip him off!" Ezekiel hissed as he tried to shrug but got burned instead by the red lines. "Besides, the list didn't specified the condition of the object."
"And how come the museum got it back in one piece?"
"Magic, naturally." Ezekiel replied grinning. "You keep saying you told me to do those things. Are you implying that you made some alterations to the list Her Majesty made?"
"You can spin it however you like." Ian angrily said.
"Thanks, will do." Ezekiel interrupted.
"But it doesn't change anything. I've read the laws which binds you."
"In that case, I guess there's nothing else but to wait. If you're right then in a few more days I'll remain here." Ezekiel said. "Then again, if I'm right... well I've already promised what'll happen then, haven't I?"
"I guess we'll do." Ian said nodding. "You know, I actually came here to make peace. I even brought this little trinket." He took a vial out of his pocket full of purple liquid, removed the lid and placed it inches away from Ezekiel's mouth. "Quite handy, actually. I gave it a bit to one of the boys in the lab and they couldn't figure out half the things in here. But the rest? My oh my, if you weren't a subject of Her Majesty you'd be doing thirty years just from a single drop. Ironic, don't you think?"
"What can I say?" Ezekiel replied, the red lines stopping him to get his lips on the bottle.
"The lad who inspected it said there's enough narcotics here to put a small village into a coma. I guess when your conscience weights as heavily as yours anything that helps get a good night sleep goes, eh?" Ian joked as hehe poured the liquid onto the drain just below Ezekiel. The liquid kept pouring for quite a while, far beyond the capacity a small bottle could hold. Eventually it became empty, something Ian celebrated by dropping the glass to the floor. The bottle bounced twice with not a single scratch on it's surface, much to Ian's amusement. He tried to stomp the bottle over the metal bars of the drain but after a few hits he realized they were bending while the vial remained none the worse for wear. Ian's face contorted, swiftly changing from amused, furious and almost crying before returning to his usual jolly facade. Shaking his head at the sight, Ian raised his head only to meet Ezekiel's questioning look, smirking with a raised eyebrow. Ian bit his lower lip and fixed his suit. He opened his mouth but whatever he couldn't came up with something or was unable to think, he simply said. "It doesn't matter."
He turned off the light and left the room, making sure the door was closed and leaving Ezekiel back in the darkness.
Genius, Dora thought to herself as she almost dragged Harry behind her. How come she hadn't thought of this before was beyond her. Well, she did knew why. It was completely and utterly bonkers, that's why. But, hey, desperate situations called for desperate solutions. Well, it wasn't exactly 'desperate'.
Try as she might, for months now, she had been unable to find Ollivander. It's not like she didn't had the resources, Gringotts was very interested in finding the wand-maker themselves. Or that she lacked the necessary skill set, if any she was overqualified in that department.
This was about the Ministry being competent for a change. Dora had every reason to believe the Unspeakables were involved in Ollivander's disappearance. Made sense, their names weren't just for show. Those who took the Oaths, yes plural, to become an Unspeakable were among the few who completely devoted themselves to their craft. There had been theories about what would happen if they broke said Oaths, the most imaginative said they'd be wiped out of existence but nobody could really tell.
For Dora, her inability to find Ollivander had dealt quite a blow to her ego and her professional reputation. She had always been able to find whoever she wanted. Not that it didn't require any effort but she was facing a group no-one knew much about. Therefore the solution was to use something no-one had faced before. In order to do so those, she'd need to borrow one little thing from the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black.
"Right." Dora said as soon as they entered the house. "Harry, I'm going to look around for a bit. You go to the basement and start training, okay?"
"Can I help you?" Harry offered.
"No, I'm good." Dora replied as she guided him towards the basement's door. "Kreacher!"
"Has the missus called Kreacher?" The elf said popping in front of her. It seemed the elves had dropped all pretense and showed themselves in all of their Dark glory ever since Harry had grown accustomed to them.
"I need the ball thingy." Dora said.
"My Lady?" Kreacher tilted his head in confusion.
"The ball thingy." Dora repeated. "You know, the on Zeke uses to send letters?"
"That's not it's name, My Lady."
"Whatever." Dora replied waving her hand. "You know where it is?"
"The creature resides on the Master's study, My Lady."
"Wait, that thing has been here ever since Harry almost brought the house down?" Dora asked surprised. "Shouldn't it be dead by now?"
"The creature was never alive, My Lady." Kreacher explained. "Thus it cannot die. Master bounded it to his own glorious Darkness. So long our Master exists, so will the creature."
"And it's bound to him, just like you are?" Dora asked.
"Yes, My Lady." The elf nodded.
"And are you able to use it if Ezekiel told you?"
"I wouldn't dare, My Lady." The elf replied horrified. "The creature belongs to the Master, it is the extension of His will. Kreacher would never dare to-"
"What if somebody commanded you to do it." Dora asked cutting him off. "And would you do it that someone was me?"
The elf looked at her as if she had told him to grow a new head. Dora sighted, making a bee line towards her cousin's studio.
"NO!" Dora was startled as Kreacher grabbed her by the hand and dragged her away before she could enter the scene that greeted her at the door threshold was one of a disaster in contrast with the rest of the immaculate house. The air was filled with dust, bookshelves were broken. The only thing that appeared to remain in one piece were the books, probably protected by some runes. Ezekiel's desk, her object of interest, laid broken in half, halfway buried under many tomes.
"My Lady can't enter!" Kreacher said. "The Master protected the books so if anyone but him touched them they'll die."
"But you and the others are bounded to his magic, aren't they?" Dora asked. "Wouldn't that mean you could touch those books?"
"No, My Lady." Kreacher shook his head. "The Master placed many protections. He forbade us from touching them."
Dora took a look at the studio from the threshold. Zeke wasn't a very secretive person, at least no more than the average person. What on earth could be inside those books that he thought so dangerous to go to such extremes? She decided ignorance was a bliss in such case and pulled out her wand. One swift movement later and the desk began levitating. Dora made sure to shake the furniture as to get rid of all of the deadly books before bringing the piece of desk to the middle of the room.
"Kreacher, is it there?" The elf nodded in confirmation, knocking heavily over on of the drawers. The creature began pounding inside the drawer, the wood creaking and bending as a result. "Okay, I need you to open the drawer, Kreacher. I'll catch it and then you can tell it what I'll tell you, understood?"
"My Lady, it'll be very inappropriate for one as low as this on to-"
"I don't care about what's appropriate or not, Kreacher." Dora cut him off impatient. "I need you to do this, I command you to do it."
Kreacher sighted in defeat and approached the desk. He had barely opened the drawer when a small black ball, barely bigger than a fruit fly came out and began roaming around the room at high speed.
Dora felt her body shift to adjust to the task at hand but she was barely able to keep up with it. She tried to conjure the creature to her but it was too fast and she ended up having to dodge coat racks, vases, paintings and furniture.
"Motherf-Kreacher, call it in. I can't conjure the bloody thing!"
"I won't be able to, My Lady. The creature only answers to the Master. It's a servant to his will, just like Kreacher." The elf replied as he tried to apparate over the small ball only for it to slip between his fingers.
What came next was an embarrassment. Running around the house behind the little thing as if they were in a Bennie Hill sketch. Good thing she could order to the elves not to say a thing about it. Yes, elves. After wrecking the first floor, Dora had the not so smart idea that she needed more hands on desk. As a result, the second and third floors were a uninhabitable.
Dora had to take a break, sitting at the stairs in the lobby after destroying her mother's ancestral home. Not that it mattered to her, as far as she was concerned everyone on that side of the family minus Zeke (although occasionally he was added to the list) could choke on it.
Worst of all, the fucking ball was floating just out of her reach, dancing like a feather in the wind and ready to flee if she tried to reach for it. Yes, the bastard was bonded to Ezekiel alright.
"Dora?" She heard his voice coming out of the basement. A look at her watch revealed she had spent the entire afternoon acting as a one woman wrecking crew.
"I'm here." She called Harry exhausted.
"I stopped hearing noises." Harry said when he found her laying at the stairs. "Is that what you were looking for?" He said pointing at the small ball.
"Don't." Dora weakly gestured to stop. "It'll just fly away. It would've left the house if I hadn't told Kreacher to close all the windows."
As if to further prove her point, the ball began circling around Harry, speeding up each time. Dora resisted the urge to take her wand and just curse the despicable thing, only because she was more likely to hit Harry than anything else.
Harry for his part was mostly still, barely moving while he followed the small ball. The creature apparently took it as a challenge, slowly moving closer and closer the more it approached him. Harry kept looking for a while before stopping moving all together. Dora watched with interest as she could see his muscles tense with anticipation before his hand shot out and grabbed the creature in it. Harry then placed his second hand over to ensure it wouldn't escape.
"I got it!" Harry practically jumped as he approached Dora. "I got it, Dora!"
"Harry, I know it doesn't look like it but I'm really happy." Dora smiled exhausted from the stairs. "Give me a minute and we'll move onto the next part of my plan."
"Can I help?"
"Just make sure it doesn't escape." Dora replied. "Kreacher!"
"My Lady called?" Kreacher asked walking slowly into the room.
"Yes, I want you to tell this thing to track down Ollivander." Dora replied.
"The man from the wand shop?" Harry asked but Dora ignored him.
"My Lady, it is impossible."
"This creature can turn into a bird to deliver letters for Ezekiel, right?" Dora asked and Kreacher nodded. "And because it's linked to Ezekiel's magic it can bypass any diversion, correct? It will go to it's target no matter what."
"That's true My Lady but the creature won't obey me."
"Why the fuck not?" Dora asked annoyed. "You're the first one Zeke bonded to his magic, even before the Black Magic. Your bond runs deeper than any other and you manage everything when he's not around."
"It's true, My Lady." Kreacher replied puffing up his chest with pride. "Kreacher holds that honor, but Kreacher isn't the Master. It's the Master's will which allows The Ancient and Most Noble House of Black to persist. Kreacher is just an agent of it, without it we would all perish."
"Of course he rigged it so only he could use it." Dora said out loud. "The selfish prick."
"Aaah!" Harry screamed.
"Harry what is it?" Dora asked concerned.
"It sort of buzzed when you said that about Ezekiel." Harry said. "I don't think it liked it."
"So it's intelligent..." Dora said.
"And loyal." Kreacher repeated.
"I don't think it'll want to help you, Dora." Harry said and immediately looking down to his hands with surprise.
"Is something wrong?" Dora asked.
"It just buzzed again but it wasn't the same." Harry revealed.
"Well, it doesn't matter." Dora sighted. "Keep it in your hands while I look for something to put it on."
Dora rose to her feet and began looking around, Kreacher following right behind her. Harry could hear the other elves working upstairs fixing the mess. He stared at his hands but the creature had stopped moving. Worried it might had slipped away, he opened his hands. To his surprise, it had remained there.
Harry studied the little ball with interest. Even though he could see it resting against the palm of his hand, he couldn't feel it. It was almost as if it wasn't there at all.
"How can this help Dora?" He asked to the air and was surprised when the ball, now the size of a moth, buzzed in response. "Could you help her? Please?" Harry asked hopeful but the creature remained silent.
"Harry, don't open your hands." Dora's voice shook him from his thoughts. "It's going to fly away."
"I don't think so." He replied looking at Dora, who had come with a chalice on her hands. "I think it just likes staying in my hands."
"Whatever, it's going in here." Dora presented the chalice to him. "It was a stupid idea anyway."
"What was?" Harry asked intrigued.
"You know how we use owls to send letters and stuff?" Dora asked.
"Yes..." Harry replied unsure.
"The thing is, Dark wizards can't own animals with a few exceptions. So instead they use rentals from the post office." Dora explained. "Of course one of the first Lord of the House of Black thought such thing was beneath him. The guy happened to be a great alchemists and got into his head to create something that would carry his letters and stuff for him. That's what Zeke told me, at least. Usually alchemists who try to create life are tossed into Azkaban no matter who they are but since Kreacher said this isn't alive, he found a loophole."
"Why couldn't you send a letter?"
"Because I don't own an owl." Dora replied. "And even if I did, owls can be deceived by magic so wizards don't receive unwanted mail. Like you and your letters."
Harry swallowed, the memory of being buried alive under a mountain of envelope still popped up occasionally in his nightmares.
"But this thing is different." Dora continued. "This will never fail to reach it's target. And since it's bound to Zeke's magic it can bypass magical barriers. I just hoped Kreacher would help me use it to track down Ollivander."
"Is he okay?" Harry asked concerned.
"I don't know." Dora replied. "We are all a bit nervous in case he said something to anyone, really. Also, he's a good man."
"Could you help her?" Harry asked to the small ball in his hands. "Please?"
The creature didn't respond, not right away. Instead of buzzing as Harry expected, it began floating around between Harry and Dora.
"I think that means yes?" Harry said.
"How come you can ask it for help but Kreacher can't?" Dora asked raising an eyebrow.
"Master Harry possess the Master's magic." Kreacher said. "It flows within him, Kreacher can feel it. The Master said to follow Master Harry's orders."
"And at no point you thought that might be something worth mentioning?" Dora asked annoyed.
"The Master said to keep Master Harry away from problems, to protect him from harm."
"Protect him how?"
"Rip and tear." Kreacher replied with a fanged grin. "Rip and tear until it's done."
"Riiight." Dora said a bit uncomfortable. "Back to the point, can it tell us if Ollivander's is still in London?"
The creature buzzed.
"I guess it means yes." Harry said.
"That's great." Dora replied. "We just need to figure out a way to get it out of the house. People will eventually notice if they see me following a fly."
The creature stopped mid flight in response and shot up until it reached the ceiling. It then dropped into a dive and it splattered into the floor. Dora expected to see a small dot on the ground but a tar-like substance erupted from the small body like a fountain, covering the ground.
Dora and Harry would've been caught had Kreacher not apparated them back on the stairs. They watched astonished as the substance grew until it almost reached the first step, only to stop.
The substance then began to shift, with small black tree saplings. Dora's eyes widened when she realized they weren't saplings but a skeleton taking shape in front of them. She grabbed Harry and turned him around, burying his head in her chest to make sure he wouldn't turn and witness the macabre show.
The more the skeleton grew, the less substance remained. The skeleton a small part of the liquid. Then nerves began slithering like snakes over the ebony frame. After that came the muscles, followed closely by sky and then hair. By the end, the creature had taken the form of a jet-black dog of giant, bear-like size. It had a pair of yellow eyes that flashed in an ominous way, giving the impression to be spectral.
Dora was so shocked she lessened her grip, letting Harry free to turn around to be greeted by the biggest canid ever.
"Okay. Not a bad idea, just a tad too large." Dora said after a while. "What else you got?"
I don't own Harry Potter, all characters except OC belong to J. K. Rowling.