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Chapter 3: The Source?

Naturally, Rufus had refused to reveal the source of the strange power behind the Ministries newest weapons. The Stòr weapons.

They had assembled in Albus' office. A handful of Weasleys (+Granger), Severus, Lupin, Kingsley, Longbottom, and McGonagall. The Ministries dagger Draco had taken was being passed around. It was the only sample they managed to obtain.

'I can do some more digging, they've let me into the second level', he glanced briefly at Granger, 'I've seen the testing facilities where they keep the captured Daemons.'

While Albus, Severus (and recently Granger) knew of this, the others did not. Draco preferred to keep what he did at the Ministry as hidden as possible.

'And yet, you never spoke about this before.' Weasley said pointing the dagger at Draco, a hard edge to his voice. He had never come around to trusting Draco.

'I have never seen these…weapons before. This is something from the deeper levels.' It annoyed Draco greatly that he hadn't seen these things beforehand, hadn't even heard whispers of it. 'The testing facilities have all been focused on exploiting creature's powers for defeating the Dark, not weapon development.'

Testing facilities…they were torture chambers, filled with inhumanity and degradation. Beings stripped to animalistic behaviour and urged to kill Daemons.

VEL-42-097. A slim 8% kept him from those "training" chambers.

'I don't think this is a good idea Albus.' Severus stated in his velvety voice. 'It defies fundamental laws of magic to have something as raw and powerful as you've all described stored and funnelled through an inanimate object. At best it will be unpredictable, at worst completely unstable.'

'I have to agree with Severus, these vassels do not seem nearly stable enough to hold such a force.' Lupin added.

Granger leaned forward and holding the dagger between her fingers spoke up, 'We've done some dissecting of this vassel and we have reason to believe it functions in a similar manner to a very primitive wand.'

Severus scoffed.

Granger turned to him, 'No I'm serious, we found what appears to be a source inside, similar to unicorn hair or dragon heartstring inside a regular wand. Although we can't place what the source is exactly…it's charred and nearly destroyed. We're guessing from channelling this Stòr.' Granger explained.

'But a wand works by affinity with the wizard/witch and can be controlled by intent. From what you have all described, anyone can wield one of these and there is no control or intent. It simply burns through the Dark.' Severus argued back.

'What Mrs. Weasley is saying makes sense, the primary source if stored in this secondary source burns up quickly.' Lupin nodded.

Severus shifted irritably, 'I don't like this Albus, it's dangerous. We do not know where or what this source is.'

'We don't have many other options Severus, Albus.' Kingsley stated calmly but firmly.

'I agree, we need this. We're falling on all fronts.' Weasley spoke gruffly, he motioned to the people that had attended the Ministry for the demonstration, 'We all saw what it could do, even if it only holds for a short burst, we could deploy this in a way to end everything.' He looked around earnestly, 'This could help us break through the barrier that holds You-Know-Who indestructible to our magic!'

'We would have the element of surprise Albus. Draw him here to Hogwarts, and strike to end this.' Kingsley spoke.

'What I don't understand is how they will "re-charge" these weapons if needed.' Lupin pointed out.

'Yes, they don't seem to last very long during an actual battle. 2-3 days they mentioned, but that would be if they weren't being used. It's difficult to say how many times a weapon could be used in battle before it just becomes a useless piece of muggle metal.' Granger elaborated as she twirled the dagger in her hand. 'They'd have to have a stockpile made just before the battle, which would be difficult to predict, or re-charge them on location, possibly have the source present at the battle.'

'If we broker a deal with Scrimegemour, it's likely I can get closer to this source, learn more about what it is, how they've managed to siphon from it.' Draco offered.

'And what if it's something worse than the Dark Lord?' Severus prompted with a sneer. 'This sounds like Dark magic Albus, draining and storing such power….'

'Yes, Severus you're right.' Albus sighed, 'There is something odd and likely dark about all of this.'

Weasley threw his hands up in exasperation.

'But' Albus gave Weasley a reproachful look, 'I think the time has come for some desperate measures.' He looked solemnly around the room, 'I believe we are at the end.'

'Draco, please bring the deal to the Minister.' Draco nodded slowly. Albus eyed the group wearily, 'We need to prepare for the final battle. Assemble the Order.'

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