A/N: Read on…this is a turning point chapter…have fun!
Chapter 2
Pensieves, Reunions, and Dark Arts
The letters had all been sent out and a special one was sent out to Cesily Morgan. It had read simply that she would be meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore to discuss future plans. Nothing about magic, nothing about Hogwarts. Minerva McGonagall was pleased at the plan, Cesily Morgan may be powerful, but she could be under the influence of very dark arts. Dumbledore was also pleased, but had no idea what had happened. The Morgan family was once a very influential wizarding family in the war against the Dark Arts. The Death Eaters captured them and when they returned they gave up their magic by a ceremony held by the ministry.
Dumbledore currently sat in his office stroking the head of Fawkes and gazing at all the portraits yawning and checking their pocket watches. His pensieve sat in front of him as he tried to recall the ceremony performed on the Morgan's.
The room swirled around him and he was sucked down into the shallow dish. He was sitting on a wooden mezzanine above a courtroom. Conrad and Shelly Morgan sat at a table facing the Minister of Magic and his top advisors their wands in front of them. Conrad looked down at the table, his balding red hair and beard shining in the light. Shelly, beautiful Shelly, was crying at trying not to notice the accusing glares of the spectators as withdrawing from magic was frowned upon.
The Minister stood and voiced over the crowd: "There will be silence!" Immediately, the crowd was silent. "We have here in front of us Conrad and Shelly Morgan of Templeton. They come before us to offer their plea of withdrawal from our magical society. They plead that the reason for this is as follows. They were taken captive by the Dark Side and put under a number of curses then forced to change their fidelity over to their side. The escaped and decided the only way to remain safe was to give up the practice of magic forever. Whereas their decision is frowned upon by our society, the ceremony will be performed immediately by Albus Dumbledore. Albus?"
Dumbledore saw a younger version of himself rise and walk to face the Morgan's. A ripple of whispers flowed through the crowd as he reached into the pocket of his robe and take out a very old book.
"The first step in this process is remove your wands, Mr. Morgan, may I have your first?" Dumbledore took the wand in his hand and recited the passage. "By the power of magic and all that's above us I label this magical outlet as invalid and inoperable. So mote it be!" The wand floated upward in an aura of gold and exploded into a fine dust. He did the same for Shelly's wand as well. "Now, the second step is the vows. Conrad, please come here. Repeat after me. I swear that I shall not," Conrad murmured the reply, "continue the practice of wizardry," the reply was barely audible," and I understand that if I do for any reason the consequences will be very severe." The process was repeated for Shelly.
A man who wore a hood drawn loosely around his face came out next to Dumbledore with a silver tray holding two frothing flasks. The potion inside was yellow and had swirls of fuchsia simmering inside of it. Dumbledore heard himself clear his throat and continue on with the process.
"This is the extinctio auctoritas potion that will replace the magic in your blood with itself. If ever you try to do any magic, the substance will fuse and cause you certain death. Upon drinking this, you will be banished from the magical world. Conrad, Shelly, good luck," Dumbledore watched himself place a flask in front of Conrad and shake his hand and the give a flask to Shelly who tearfully drank it and shuddered.
He felt himself rise up very quickly until he was sitting back at his office. Minerva McGonagall stood in front of him looking caustic with her lips pursed. "Cesily Morgan is here, her parents as well. They will meet with you immediately in room three fifty seven," She walked away as Dumbledore followed her humbly.
***
Cesily felt extreme curiosity as she walked through the large wooden doors serving as the entrance to the castle. There were no electric lights in the dingy stone entrance hall, but massive torches and portraits that moved. Her parents followed her as she walked in awed circles around the hall. Her mother bit her lip and squinted her eyes as she squeezed her father's hand.
Cesily knew very little about this visit. Her parents had a very long discussion after the invitation to a meeting arrived. They decided it was best that she came.
Not long after their advent, a tall man with a long crooked nose and long white hair and beard dressed in flowing robes walked down the staircase and greeted Cesily's parents with a hug and a handshake. A woman also stood at the foot of the stairs. She too was dressed in robes, but her hair was tied back tightly and she emanated a sense of stuffiness that only a teacher could have.
"Ah," said the man kindly, "this must be Cesily," His eyes twinkled and smiled at her.
"How do you do?" Cesily always had an air of politeness around adults, a quality that Carolyn always teased her about.
"I am well, very well. I am Professor Dumbledore, headmaster here at Hogwarts, now Conrad and Shelly please let Minerva give you a tour while I talk to Cesily,"
"Minerva! Is that really you?" Shelly rushed over to the woman leaning against the frivolous banister and threw her arms around her.
"Yes, it is," The woman said laughing. Cesily's father went over to her and shook her hand. Cesily was shocked and simply followed the man out of the hall.
***
The room was very dark and musty as though the window had been shut for a thousand years. There was a fireplace, an armchair, and a wall of bookshelves. In the chair sat Lord Voldemort his catlike eyes brooding. Kneeling on the floor beside him was Bryce Tenor, a thirteen year old chosen to be heir to the Voldemort dynasty.
Bryce had piercing blue eyes and black hair that fell across his eyes. Voldemort had taken him hostage during his birth. He was happy with his life… his destiny was great.
"Dammit," Voldemort winced.
"What is it master, are you in pain?" Bryce leaned over the chair's arm and looked helplessly at his master's repulsive face.
"You stupid boy, I do not hurt. We have competition, Bryce. We will fight soon, you will go and study now," Voldemort shooed the boy off with an abrupt flick of his wrist. Bryce trotted away through the abandoned castle.