Chapter 7: Answers.
Both the man and the canine stopped halfway down the long second floor corridor. Their senses were both alert to a scent. A familiar scent. Before Remus knew it, his canine companion had bolted off in the direction of the smell. The man sighed and followed after his friend, jogging slightly to keep up. After a few minutes of winding corridors, and a few staircases, the canine barked at a tapestry, furiously asking for entrance.
A low rumbling sound, and the tapestry opened, and the walls morphed to the shape on an archway. Standing facing them was Archie.
"Hello," Archie smiled at the two of them.
At that second, the canine ceased to exist as a man replaced its place. For a while, both black haired men stood in silence and then embraced in a heart-warming hug which all godfathers would do to their godsons.
"My god Harry! You could have contacted us! Almost 5 months with no letter whatsoever!" Sirius scolded.
"I'm sorry, but being on the run, keeping n hiding and then trying to look normal in the public eye was rather difficult." Harry replied apologetically.
"Well the important thing is that you're here," Remus said from behind. Harry smiled at him.
"So, I take it you're here for the Order meeting?" Harry asked.
"Yes, but we're already an hour late, so I think we'd better get a move on." Remus commented looking at his watch.
"I'll come with you."
"You're going to tell everyone?" Sirius asked.
"Yes and no."
***
Worried expressions filled the dark octagonal room where the Order meeting was being held. The news being brought in by each member was particularly worrying. Especially the disturbing news from Arthur Weasley. The Ministry had become a hectic place where everyone had snapped at each other, frustratedly working to stop the ploys which were becoming an alarming occurrence in society. Many outraged howlers would come from the public, questioning the Ministry's way of work and handling the situation. And many a time, Cornelius Fudge had failed to acknowledge them. Arthur reported on how he always stayed inside his office, and only ever came out for meetings. When he did come out, he seemed beyond angry at something or another.
"I really do wonder where his loyalties lie," Arthur said grimly.
"He's too much of a coward to join the Dark Side. They'd kill themselves before they'd let a fool like him join their clan," Moody grunted out, his magical eye swivelling onto Draco. Draco glared at him for his implication.
"Be that as it may, we don't know what's actually going on inside his office. He could probably pull off being on the Dark Side. There are many people who could pull it off." Arthur stated.
"Very well, I will keep an eye on Cornelius in his meetings with me." Albus nodded and the subject was laid to rest.
"That's not the only person you should keep an eye one." Moody growled, both of his eyes staring directly at Draco.
"Do I really seem that suspicious?" Draco asked sarcastically.
"I don't know what you're up to boy, but I'll get down to the bottom of it," Moody glared at him.
"Alastor! Those are his private matters with tasks assigned for him." Albus told him for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"Assigned by who?" Moody answered back.
"Think what you want to, I wouldn't give a shit. But I'm working my arse off to settle things down and get to the bottom of matters. I don't ask about your affairs so stay the hell away from mine." Draco said with ice in his voice.
"Why? Afraid I'll uncover a few skeletons in your closet?" Moody smirked.
"That's enough Alastor." Albus said with a tone of finality in his voice. All though the verbal argument had ended, nothing had stopped the death glares they shot at each other.
An awkward silence. Ginny took this opportunity to talk.
"Speaking of shady characters – Draco's glare was not averted to her, she smiled apologetically – who is that man over here for Hogwarts, erm, that Mr Hemming?"
"I'm just a very old friend."
Everyone's head shifted to the doorway. There stood three men. Two of which they knew already and the devil himself, Archie. Albus smiled at the three men standing at the doorway. He conjured up seats for them, which they gratefully took.
"Welcome Remus, Sirius, Archie." Albus nodded in greeting.
"Sorry we're late." Remus apologised.
"No problem Remus, not problem at all!" Albus said, letting it pass.
They quickly summarised what was discussed earlier for the sake of the latecomers. Some were sceptical to reveal the information to Archie, but it seemed that Albus trusted the man, so they could trust him also. All three men wore sombre expressions on their faces. All the news given was not leaning to their advantage. Archie frowned at a lot of the news and was glad that the Order had some people to deal with certain situations.
Archie looked up to see Ron and Hermione looking at him suspiciously. No doubt that Hermione had informed Ron of his odd behaviour at The Three Broomsticks. They didn't seem to be an active part of the Order, but they seemed to want the latest news of what was happening with this war. A small smile crept on Archie's face. They hadn't changed one bit.
Albus than turned to look at him, quietly asking him if he wanted to submit some of his information in. Archie nodded and stood up to gather everyone's attention.
"As you can see, the situation is dire. The death toll if rising and even the muggles are becoming suspicious over in Eastern Europe where He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is rumoured to be lurking. And that is where I have been." He started.
Archie glanced at Cuthbert who looked indifferent but nodded very slightly.
"I've had a co-worker with me, Cuthbert Farthing. And together we have unmasked many things with the training of the Eldar Warlocks."
A few gasps escaped the Order. The Eldar Warlocks were world renown sorcerer's who had magic of immense power. They only took you into training if you could find them and cope with the tasks they set for you. The powers they taught were colossal, and when you finished your training, you needed a staff to control your magic power flow. A wand became too weak to handle the power you wielded.
"I am no where near the stage of my mentors, but I have been in training for nearly 6 years. But 4 years ago, the Eldar Warlock's, Cuthbert and I were attacked by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named troops. They managed to burn much and destroy many sacred materials. And we became separated. Cuthbert and I managed to escape and reached the forbidden lands of the Necromancers.
They told us that the Warlocks had headed north to the borders of Norway. On our journey there, we were immensely delayed by Death Eater's and other such creatures. After many attacks, we were separated. We managed to keep in contact much of the time.
About 3 years ago, I was captured by the Death Eaters. They thought I was a spy sent by Albus Dumbledore. But they had failed in their security and I had managed to escape, but with some idea of what the Dark Lord was planning to do.
Apparently, he had been demanding training from the Eldar Warlocks, but they had refused because of his violent nature. But he's been studying into many forms of magic, even the weaker forms that muggles are accustomed to. What I fear is that with his increasing knowledge of magic, there may be no possible way to defeat him. He may eventually become the first mage in a millennia.
After I escaped, I returned to the Necromancers. They had been quite disturbed by this news and asked me to find Cuthbert and set out to find out as much information as possible on muggles magic. They also asked me to contact Albus, and keep him informed of my events.
These past few years, Cuthbert and I have been researching on their magic, while keeping in contact with Albus and the Necromancers. We have learned much of the pagan rituals and of magick. We have also been continually trained by Albus who has kept in contact with the Eldar Warlocks, who are all currently in hiding. I also met up with Mr Lupin and Mr Black on my journeys, and they have supported me in every possible way.
The Eastern European wizards and witches have been evacuated with my orders. And Cuthbert has been here in Britain to house the evacuee's. I have encouraged the wilder creatures to go into hiding already, as that place in no longer safe. The muggle death toll is rising there and if we don't stop He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named soon, we may very well have to say our farewell to the Muggle Population."
Everyone sat in stunned silence. Archie looked emotionally exhausted. The news just starting to sink in. Ginny looked as if she were about to throw-up but sat there, looking pale and shaking a little. She wasn't the only one. Ron looked paler than white and his freckles stood out remarkably. Hermione seemed to tremble with the news. Everyone was shocked at the hardship Archie and Cuthbert had gone through. Cuthbert sat soberly and looked at Archie with a brow raised.
'Are you going to tell them?' Cuthbert's expression asked. Archie furrowed his brow.
'Not yet.'
"Thank you for sharing Archie."
***
A/N: Woo! That was beast of a chapter for me to write. Heavy news isn't it! And I have a few more surprises up ahead, so, should be fun! So. Please review! If you have any questions, I'll answer in the next chapter! If you don't know what a Necromancer is, here's the definition.
Necromancer: Someone who can predict the future by communicating with the dead.
