Chapter 19: The Tension Builds
Author's Note: This one took a while to write. Didn't have it outlined really well ( plus I'm planning another one. ). I hope you guys enjoy this. Chapter 20 is in progress. Hopefully it won't take as long as this one did.
The halls to the guest chambers were empty that Saturday morning as Samuel walked down them. He held in one hand a briefcase, and under the other arm a large paper pouch of some sort that clasped shut with string and two cardboard disks. He stopped in front of one of the doors and knocked.
"Go away." Cho's voice said from inside the room.
"Can't do that Cho." Samuel said. "I have some stuff I need to show you. I'm coming in I hope you're decent."
"Whatever."
Samuel opened the door slowly and peeked inside. Cho sat on the bed, staring at the wall. Samuel closed the door behind him, and set his briefcase on a small desk and sat down in a chair.
"How are you feeling?" Samuel asked.
"How do you think?" Cho asked.
"I see you've got your wits back." Samuel replied. "Are you being treated alright?"
"They aren't as kind to prisoners here as they are in America." Cho said. "The ministry especially."
"The Ministry of Magic doesn't know you're here. I'll make sure they feed you better." Samuel said as he flipped his briefcase open.
"You really are something." Cho said. "Turning your back on me, aren't you the least bit concerned I'll stab you?"
"Nope, I don't think you can move at all." Samuel said as he untied the strings on the paper folder. Cho tried to squirm but found her limbs completely unresponsive.
"How did you?" she asked.
"Family trick." Samuel said. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with."
At that moment Cho could move again. Taking full advantage, she leaped for the door but came crashing to the ground with a thud.
"Here I thought you were smarter then that." Samuel said, picking Cho up off the ground and floating her in front of the bed. "Don't do that again, or I'll have to do something drastic. Now do you want to hear what I have to say or not?" He set her down and Cho grudgingly sat back down on the bed and straightened her hair.
"Do I have a choice?" she asked.
"Funny you should ask. No you don't." Samuel said. "I think you'll be interested though."
"What could you possibly say that would interest me?" she asked.
"I think you've been tricked." Samuel said as he pulled some papers out of his folder.
"What?"
"You told us that you joined the little cult because they promised you they'd make you pretty, is that correct?" Samuel said.
"I guess there's no use denying it." Cho replied.
"How did they do it?" Samuel asked.
"One of them cast some sort of spell on me. In a few weeks I started changing." She replied.
"Really, well Severus Snape told me some interesting things. He said that one of the potions he used on you would have changed you to your normal form. Since there was absolutely no change, he concluded that there wasn't any spell or potion used on you." Samuel said.
"What does he know? Maybe the spell he used on me was too powerful."
"Snape knows more about the Dark Arts then anyone alive, except Voldemort as far as anyone knows. Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore both confirmed his theory. They're both experts on transfiguration. I have something here that might help to prove it." He said, handing Cho a photograph.
"My mother. So what?" She said, handing the picture back to Samuel.
"Stunningly beautiful isn't she?" Samuel said.
"She is very pretty." Cho replied.
"That's an understatement, what is she thirty? Forty maybe?" Samuel asked.
Cho glared at Samuel. "She'll be seventy this month."
"Oh that's right you have several much older sisters. She holds her age very well. Is that some sort of enchantment?" Samuel asked.
"No, she doesn't believe in that sort of thing." Cho replied. "Not that she needs it. Mother doesn't even wear makeup."
"Wow." Samuel said as he pulled another picture from his folder. "This must be your father, he's not bad looking himself."
"He's a handsome man, yes." Cho replied. "Has this got a point?"
"I'm getting there." Samuel replied, pulling several more pictures from his folder. "These are your sisters? There's what fifteen of 'em? You're parents must have been very busy, not that I blame your dad…"
"Yes! Those are my sisters." Cho replied.
"This one is probably my age right?" Samuel asked. "I'm twenty two, how old is she?"
"She's thirty five now." Cho said dryly.
"They're all very beautiful women." Samuel said. "You must have been incredibly jealous. Let me show you one more picture." He said, pulling another, older picture from his folder. "Who is that?"
"That's me, of course. When I was younger."
"Kinda homely huh?" Samuel asked. "Turn it over."
Cho flipped the picture over and gasped when she read the name on the back. "This was my mother?"
"Yep, I was surprised at the resemblance. Dumbledore showed me that. You can't escape it Cho." Samuel said.
"Escape what?"
"Your genes. There is no way any child of your mom and dad could be anything but good looking. I looked back as far as I could into your family history, there's not an ugly drop of blood in your whole body. Your 'friends' didn't do anything to you, just tricked you into thinking they did." Samuel replied.
Cho's expression fell. "They gave me power though!"
"No, you didn't learn anything a first year couldn't do if he or she just looked through the library a little harder. They didn't even teach you a whole lot about the dark arts, just a few tricks. Your own parents probably taught you more magic then they did. Where'd you learn to use those weapons?"
"My father taught me, and the rest of my sisters." Cho replied. "I was the best."
"Maria would love to talk to you. Her father is a master swordsman, from Spain." Samuel said.
"Did he teach you?" she asked.
"Yes he did." Samuel replied.
"If she's your better it's a good thing I didn't try to fight her." Cho said.
"You tried to kill her with magic." Samuel said.
"I'm sorry." Cho said, staring at the floor.
"It's alright, nothing happened. We agreed not to tell the ministry in light of recent revelations." Samuel said.
"I suppose you'll be capturing the rest of my followers tonight?" Cho asked.
"Yes, I'm afraid so. We're going to destroy anything we find too. Anything you want saved?" Samuel asked.
"No, destroy it all. I don't want to have anything to do with it." Cho replied. "You'll have a tough time catching them though. They'll notice I'm gone."
"We gave Hermione Polyjuice Potion so she'd look like you." Samuel said. "She's been flustered for hours."
"Clever, why?" Cho asked.
"She's never had the attention from the boys that you've had." Samuel said between chuckles.
Cho shook her head. "What are they going to do with me?"
Samuel shrugged as he gathered his things. "I suppose there'll be a trial, but we'll see how it goes. Dumbledore, some of the professors involved, Elanus, and myself are willing to speak in your defence if you'll help us out."
"I thank you, but the Ministry isn't as 'nice' as what you're probably used to." Cho said.
"Then we'll take care of it." Samuel said. "I'll see you tomorrow, same time."
Cho nodded and Samuel walked out the door. He closed the door behind himself and turned the knob on the magical lock Elanus had fixed to the door. Dumbledore was waiting for him in the hallway.
"How did it go?" Dumbledore asked.
"She's a little bitter, but I think she got the point." Samuel replied.
"Would you forgive her so easily?" Dumbledore asked.
"I would forgive her if she had killed Maria, and my father." Samuel replied. "True it would have taken more time, and she might not have survived herself, but yes I would forgive her."
"Forgiveness is an admirable trait, one that I'm afraid my people have lost." Dumbledore said.
"It's hard, but ultimately it's better then a grudge." Samuel said. "Your people are arrogant, but not any more then the rest of the world."
Dumbledore nodded. "It's time for change."
"I agree. How are the teams?" Samuel asked.
"They're ready, but they refuse to take action without you." Dumbledore replied. The old wizard stopped in the hall and turned to face Samuel. "You have proven yourself a capable leader, they all look to you."
"Have I stepped out of my bounds?" Samuel asked.
"No, dear boy I called you here because you are the most capable of anyone to lead us through this." Dumbledore replied. "I could not have done better myself."
"That's a high compliment coming from you. Thank you." Samuel said. "I guess we should go rally the professors before we round up the kids."
Dumbledore nodded. "It's a sad day for Hogwarts."
"Sad day for everyone." Samuel said, shaking his head. "Children."
The two men walked towards Dumbledore's office, passing several students along the way. Dumbledore whispered the password to his gargoyle, and the two went up the stairs after it had leaped aside. Once inside the office they found several nervous professors, and several very confident ones sitting in a ring of chairs around the desk. All their faces brightened when they saw Dumbledore enter the room. Dumbledore sat in his chair behind his desk, and Samuel leaned against the wall beside the door.
"So we're going through with it?" Longfellow asked.
"I'm afraid so." Dumbledore said.
"Cho Chang used the Killing Curse on that Spanish girl." One of the professors said. "How are we to deal with that?"
"Surprise." Samuel said. "I don't think it'll come to that. If we're lucky they won't even know what hit 'em. Come on people, they're just children."
"We can't underestimate them, Mr. Green." Arabella Figg said. "Even a child can learn very dangerous things. Just look at Harry Potter."
"If anyone is afraid they don't have to come. No one is going to think any less of you. Believe me though, this'll be the least scary thing you have to do in the next few days."
The door to the office creaked open and Sirius, James, Gene and Harry walked into the room. Sirius and James sheepishly took their seats while Gene and Harry remained standing.
"What's he doing here?" asked Mundungus Fletcher.
"If you're referring to Harry, I suppose he'll be helping. He's got as much experience with the dark arts as most of you in here." Samuel said.
"If I may interrupt." Dumbledore said. "We'll be moving this afternoon, as soon as Elanus Green gives word. You all need to prepare yourselves for this, and remember try not to harm the children. They may lash out but they're just confused boys and girls. Do not be overly surprised if you find a student you may be fond of among them. Above all else, do not let any of them get away." Dumbledore nodded to Samuel. "Do you have anything to say?"
"Yes." Samuel replied. "We'll be posting watch in the hallways where we think they'll be at. I'll be taking volunteers for that job in a minute. As soon as all the children we have on the list are gathered, we'll start moving towards wherever it is they're gathering at. There'll be some slight scouting and moving of teams, so all the exits can be covered. After about ten minutes or so the signal will be given and we'll break into their meeting place. I'll need three or four people behind me. Mad-Eye Moody, Dumbledore and my father will be three. Professor Longfellow, will you be my fourth?" Samuel asked.
"Of course." Longfellow replied.
"Thank you. McGonagall, Black, Lupin and my brother will be following close behind. The rest of you will come in about the same time. Using spells to subdue the children as quickly as possible is the key. If any of you know more mundane methods please use them. Expect to be attacked, but don't panic or lash out at them. They are just children and most likely can not take a lot of force. Is everyone with me?"
The people gathered in the room all nodded in agreement. "Good, one more thing. Your spells may suddenly quit working for a few brief moments. Do no panic, as the children's magic will not work either. Just secure the exits and be prepared to capture as many children as possible."
"Why wouldn't our magic work?" asked one of the professors.
"I'm not prepared to answer that question." Samuel said. "Just keep it in mind as a possibility. Once the children have been subdued we'll move them to another part of the castle, several of you will be needed for guard duty. Alright, we have a couple of hours, get some rest, it'll be a long night."
The rest of the day passed slowly, the air nearly tingled with mixed excitement and anxiety for the professors who would soon have to capture the children. Things went especially slow for Elanus and Samuel who spent the next several hours staring at the enchanted maps. Several of the children being tracked came close to each other then just as quickly dispersed. Afternoon turned to evening and a few of the dots on Elanus' map started moving towards an unused part of the castle. With timed regularity several more dots congregated in an old laboratory in the basement of the castle. Samuel sent out his glass mouse and instructed Filch and Hagrid to watch along the halls. Elanus checked off the names on his list, and added new ones as the dots began to cluster in the room. There were fifteen names on his list, and all of them plus four more were in the room already. A few more students entered the room according to the Marauder's Map. Samuel looked up from the maps to see Peeves floating in front of him.
"Hello Peeves. Do you have anything to report?" Samuel asked.
"Yes sir!" Peeves said, snapping to attention in mid air. "Filch told me to go invisible and wait near the door of the room where all the bad children are at. They've put spells on the doors. They'll be impossible to break down."
"That certainly makes it tough." Elanus replied. "Any idea what kind?"
"No sir. But I'm smart." Peeves said, cackling gleefully.
"What did you do?" Samuel asked.
Peeves started humming to himself, and threw several large metal pins at the wall.
"What are these?" Samuel asked, picking up one of the pins.
"Nails." Peeves replied, looking very proud of himself
"Nails from what?" Samuel asked curiously, as he grabbed a staff from the corner of the room.
"Doorframes." Peeves said with a grin.
Elanus and Samuel looked at each other and snickered. "Good work Peeves. Are you going to help us?" Samuel asked.
Peeves snapped smartly to attention, mock saluting Samuel. "Ready and willing sir!" he said in high pitched squeak voice. Then from seemingly no where he produced a metal pot and put it over his head like a helmet.
"You know, Samuel when I was in school, he was a terror. I think he actually respects you in some strange way." Elanus said, as he threw a cloak over his shoulders.
"I have a way with poltergeists I guess." Samuel said, slapping Peeves on the back. Elanus looked at Samuel, dumbfounded. Samuel walked out the door and shrugged.
Peeves floated off down the halls passing through several walls in the process. Samuel sent his glass mouse down the hallways to where the other professors were waiting, giving them instructions. McGonagall turned herself into a cat and slunk off down the hallways while Sirius, Remus and James split up and silently made their way to the specified meeting point. Elanus and Samuel crept into a room where Dumbledore, Gene and Professor Longfellow were already waiting. Mundungus, Arabella, Flitwick and several others including Maria made up the third party. A small mouse came scurrying into the room with Samuel.
"The doors have an Unbreakable Charm on them." The tiny mouse squeaked. "Professor Flitwick can't get it off. Any ideas?"
"Peeves took care of it." Samuel said. "Just have Remus or James kick the door in, or use some kind of force spell."
"Are we ready?" Elanus asked. "I've got force walls on every hallway and corridor."
"Five minutes." Samuel replied. The small rodent scampered off and returned to McGonagall.
The next few minutes were like an eternity to the waiting, and nervous professors. As soon as the time was up the professors moved into position and Samuel, Gene and Elanus said a quiet prayer outside the door. Samuel cried in a loud echoing voice, then kicked the door down. The door, the frame, the thresh hold and several pieces of stone fell into the room. The students inside were startled more then they ever had been in their lives. Samuel walked into the room, shadows contorting around him. Almost as suddenly one of the other doors crashed down, revealing tiny Professor Flitwick. The third door nearly flew across the room, with Sirius standing behind it brandishing the wand Samuel had given him for Christmas. The professors gasped in horror at what they saw. Samuel and Gene were able to keep their heads not fully understanding what was taking place.
"This is over. Come quietly." Samuel said in a commanding voice. The children were all dressed in black robes, most of them were younger then fourth year, but many were sixth and seventh year young men and women. They stood around a circle that was painted on the marble floor, it had several strange symbols inside it. There were dozens of intersecting lines, and five pointed stars painted inside the circle at precise intervals. A wisp of smoke curled out from the middle of the circle. The children panicked and Dumbledore stepped into the room.
"What have you done?" he asked.
The professors entered the room and glared at the children. The younger children looked up at the older students. The older ones shrugged and one boy in the middle drew his wand.
"They'll all be dead tomorrow! Voldemort will be pleased with us and reward us for our bravery! Stupify!" The boy cried at Professor Flitwick, knocking the tiny man over. Several of the other children drew their wants, and in an instant the professors did to. Chaos broke out for a few moments as the children and professors cast spells back and forth.
"You're outnumbered." The boy who had knocked Flitwick over said.
"And you're outgunned." Samuel said, holding his hand out. The boy's wand flew into his hand, as did most of the other children's wands. Samuel flicked his hand and all the children fell to the ground, completely unable to get up. Professor Dumbledore removed his wand from his robes and waved it at the children causing their bodies to go limp.
"Get them to the rooms we have prepared. Keep them asleep until we can question them properly." Dumbledore said, shaking his head.
Professor Flitwick walked over to the boy who had knocked him over and waved his wand at him. The boy began floating a few inches above the ground, panic etched on his face. "Stupify will you?" He said grabbing the boy by the hair and dragging him out of the room as the other professors enervated the children and herded them quietly out of the room. Sirius, Remus, stayed behind with Gene, Dumbledore and Samuel.
"I've seen this before." Remus said. "It's a Summoning Circle isn't it?"
"Yes." Dumbledore said walking around the circle, stopping occasionally to study a particular symbol. "This is old dark magic. It must be destroyed."
"Has it been used?" Samuel said, crouching just outside the circle. "Why is it smoking like that in the middle?"
Remus looked at the circle curiously. "It's been activated. See how where these lines intersect?" Remus asked, pointing at one of the crossed lines. "They're glowing."
Indeed the intersections were glowing, and the strange symbols as well. The smoke started growing thicker in the middle of the room. Samuel, Remus and Dumbledore obliviously studied the glowing symbols.
"Guys, I think we're about to have bigger problems." Gene said, staring at the form that was taking shape in the middle of the circle.
"Oh Dear God." Samuel said, backing up from the circle, tightening his hands over his staff. "I hope you guys are up on your banishment spells."
Sirius growled, and ran at the shape assuming his dog form in mid stride. He launched himself at the form knocking it's half solidified body out of the circle. The form was a large humanoid with blackened skin grotesque features. Wickedly curved claws tipped each of it's three fingers, an it's mouth was filled with horrible teeth. Adding to it's deformed appearance, several spikes protruded from it's back, and it's snout greatly resembled that of a bear's. Sirius bit hard into the neck of the surprised monster as it solidified outside the circle. Dumbledore pointed his wand at the creature and began chanting. Sirius was thrown from the creature, knocking the old man across the room.
The creature stood up and charged at Sirius and Dumbledore, but it's advance was quickly blocked by Samuel and Remus. It took a swipe at Samuel and Remus but found it's attack deflected by Samuel's staff. Remus began chanting while Gene helped Sirius off of Dumbledore, being careful to touch him as little as possible, both were laying unconscious against the wall. Samuel kept defending against the monster's blows but soon found himself outmatched. The creature recognized Remus as the greater threat and turned toward's him, ignoring the considerable blow Samuel scored on it's head. The creature punched at Remus and sent him sprawling across the floor. It turned back to Samuel and began savagely attacking him. Gene reached down and pulled Remus up. Remus screamed in agony when Gene's hand grabbed his. Remus curled up on the floor convulsing. Gene moved him next to Dumbledore and after staring at him in disbelief for a moment he stood beside his son, trying desperately to fight the monster. Gene's fists impacted with the creature much more effectively then Samuel's staff. Soon they were themselves tiring at the relentless monster who seemed to shrug off blows that would have reduced any ordinary creature to mass of broken bones. Samuel and Gene were both thrown aside, but they quickly stood up and tried futilely to stop the creature.
The creature, and the father and son were both equally shaken when a blood curdling howl came from where Remus had been laying. In his place was a large humanoid with wolf like features. The werewolf charged at the creature, ignoring Samuel and Gene as they backed out of the way. The creature growled as Remus' claws connected with him, brutally opening a gash in it's arm. Savage does not even begin to describe the fight that occurred between the two creatures. Claws slashed and teeth bit until finally Remus stood atop the creature with his mouth clamped firmly on it's throat. He growled fiercely as the creature tried to defend itself. The creature eventually went limp and Remus howled with victory. Remus turned his head to Gene and Samuel who backed up, ready to defend themselves.
"I don't know which is going to be worse." Samuel commented. "I wish someone would have told me he really was a werewolf."
Remus turned his head again to see Dumbledore, and Sirius laying on the floor. He made a low whimpering sound and loped over to the two. Sirius still in his dog form recovered quickly and stood up, nuzzling Dumbledore. The old man slowly woke up, and was quite startled to see a werewolf and a large dog staring back at him.
"How in the world?" Dumbledore asked as Remus pulled him up.
"I think Remus has been cured." Samuel said, looking at the obviously intelligent werewolf. Dumbledore looked around, rubbing his head and saw the dead creature on the floor.
"His work I presume?" Dumbledore asked. Remus wagged his tail enthusiastically and nodded his head. Sirius resumed his human form and stood, staring at Remus.
"Nice work." Sirius said, reaching up and scratching Remus' behind the ear.
Dumbledore inspected the body of the creature but as he did its arm lurched for him. Gene grabbed Samuel's staff and brought it down hard on the creature's head. A sickening crack was heard and the creature went limp again.
"Thank you." Dumbledore said.
"What is it?" asked Samuel.
"I'm really not sure. Hagrid might know." Dumbledore said. "If he doesn't there's probably know one that does."
"If these children were able to conjure this thing up." Gene commented. "Do you think Voldemort would have these things as well?"
"I pray that he doesn't." Dumbledore said. "Is it dead?"
"As near as I can tell." Gene said, reaching down and feeling the creature's head and neck. "Its throat has been crushed, and it's got a large fracture in its skull. No breathing, yes I would say it's dead."
"We have another problem." Samuel said looking Remus over. "How are we going to explain him?"
"Let's get him into the sunlight." Sirius said. "That turned him back before."
Remus understood and stuck his head out the door and looked around. He loped towards a window and stood in the sunlight that filtered in. Dumbledore, Gene, Samuel and Sirius stood in amazement as the werewolf didn't change back. Remus whimpered and laid down the floor.
"Dad, go touch him. I think I know what happened." Samuel said.
Gene nodded and crouched down beside Remus. He reached down and touched the werewolf. Remus shuddered under his touch, then began shivering. Gene began petting his head. Slowly the intelligence returned to Remus' eyes.
"Don't stop, it's leaving, changing." Remus said in a growling voice. Remus began to change back to his human form, his wounds that he had received from the creature healing rapidly. Gene helped Remus to his feet.
"What happened?" Sirius asked.
"The most remarkable thing!" Remus said excitedly.
"Are you cured?" asked Samuel.
"In a manner of speaking, yes. I can still feel it inside me, but it's mine now. It was like the potion, only I was more in control. Amazing. How?" Remus asked, turning to Gene.
"Gene is a.." Sirius started to say, but was interrupted by Samuel.
"We're not totally sure." Samuel said, smiling.
Remus nodded. "Thank you, however you did it. I'm finally free of the curse."
"Quite welcome, though I think my son and I will have to have a talk now." Gene said suspiciously.
The men gathered up the body of the fallen monster, Dumbledore conjured magical chains to bind it's feet and arms. Samuel sent his glass mouse to fetch Hagrid and Filch. The monster's body was moved to another room, and Hagrid and Filch stepped in.
"It's a magical beast alright." Hagrid said, examining the monster. "They lurk in dark forgotten corners of the world. I read about 'em when I was a student here. Problem is I don't know what to call it."
"Why?" Samuel asked.
"They was supposed to be a myth, ain't no one survived the site of one." Hagrid replied.
"How did you read about them then?" Remus asked sceptically.
"Just saw drawings in a book about evil creatures. The author didn't know what to call it either. Didn't even know if they existed or not." Hagrid said. "We'll have to come up with a name for it."
"I think Remus should get to do that." Sirius said.
"Aye, he killed it." Hagrid said, laughing.
"You're the expert on magical creatures." Remus said. "Perhaps you can help me later. It'll be a great honour for you to present the corpse of a creature that doesn't exist to the Ministry when it's all over."
Hagrid nearly beamed with gratitude at Remus. "That it would."
"What're you going to do with it?" Filch asked.
"Preserve it in the basement." Dumbledore said. "Look for vulnerabilities in case we have to fight more."
"Good idea." Samuel said. "I think it's time to be off to the unfortunate business of interrogating a bunch of children now."
Dumbledore nodded and he and Samuel, followed closely by Sirius and Remus started off towards where the children were being held. Filch, Hagrid and Gene moved the creature's body to the basement and enlisted the help of Professor Sprout with preserving the body.