Chapter 4
Harry stood on a hilltop, watching the small stone fort down in the valley, Voldemort's new base. It was small, well hidden and easily defended. And empty.
It had taken him eight hours of searching to find it, and he had only found it because Voldemort had called a death eater meeting, which had made his scar hurt, allowing him to trace the pain from it. Harry wasn't even sure if this was Voldemorts real base, this was just where Voldemort had called his death eater too, before they had all apparated away. Harry had put some spells about the castle to record conversations and try to keep a record of how many different people came and went, by sensing their auras.
*He's getting better at hiding. * Harry though as he turned Diablo to leave, he'd have to wait before he attacked. Albus had mentioned a gathering of allies for today at Hogwarts, and Harry needed to be there for it.
** Hagrid, Maxine, Severus, Remus, Sirius, Mundungus Fletcher, Ariel Figg, Gary Chang, Arthur, Bill, Percy, Charlie, and Mrs. Weasely, Minerva, Flitwick, Sara McKinnion, Andrew Bones, and Alastor Moody were all seated in the room when Albus Dumbledore entered. He smiled brightly upon seeing them all in their places around the table.
"Thank you all for coming, I'll try to keep this as brief as possible. I think you all know why you're here, with the threat of Voldemort growing even stronger it is becoming nessecary to restart the Defense Against Voldemort."
"About time Albus," Alastor grumbled from across the table.
"Yes I agree. As you al know, Arabella was killed today, fighting to keep people safe in Diagon Alley." There was a moment of silence, interrupted by Ariel's sniffing.
"Once again I am looking for a new Defense teacher.Alastor how do you feel about taking it on?"
"The students.will not trust me.after what happened, but I will of course, they need the training."
"Thank you, it is difficult to find a teacher this close to school."
"Hogwarts will be our main base, now, since we are missing many of our members," here Ariel sniffed and wiped away a tear, "we will need to find some new ones. I have a group in mind, composed of certain students here at Hogwarts."
"Albus, you can't mean the Order of the Phoenix?" Sirius asked, astonished.
"I do indeed Sirius."
"Does the Phoenix know about this?" Sirius asked in return, by this point most of the people present were very confused.
"The Lord Phoenix should be arriving here.now." With that the door swung open and a tall man dressed in black, silver, and gold entered.
Black boots with silver and gold buckles and silver and gold designs on them. Black pants, black long-sleeved shirt under a black tunic that fell past his waist, covered in thin silver and gold designs, black belt with a silver and gold buckle. A black sword sheath with silver and gold crisscrossing up it held a long sword, the same for a dagger on each hip. A long black cloak nearly swept the floor, attached at his throat with a small silver and gold phoenix clasp, black armor attached to the tunic covered his shoulder, the black plates slid together to form a thick shield over his shoulders. He wore black gloves that went halfway up his forearms, the backs of the gloves over his hands covered with black scales with razor sharp edges. The gloves were heavily decorated in black and gold. He held a long black staff in one hand, topped with a bright diamond orb which was held in place not by the usual claws, but by three silver and gold phoenixes that rose off the top of his staff, their wings spread behind them to hold the orb. His black hair was cut just above the shoulders and his bright green eyes shone.
"Ah, Heron, I was just starting to wonder where you were." Albus said with a grin at the astonished looks on many faces.
"My apologies Albus, I got sidetracked by a squad of death eaters attempting to kidnap some muggle children on their way home form school." Harry replied smoothly, his expressionless War Mage mask in place, his voice showing no emotion or regret at being late.
"Now I believe all of you know Harry or at least have heard of him. Harry is a grand Master War Mage and the Lord Phoenix." Albus began, he sat down, Harry moved to the remaining empty seat between Sirius and Severus, leaning his staff against it and sitting without a sound, not even a rustle of fabric form his cloak.
Albus explained about Harry's being a War Mage and about the Elemental Warriors he was training. Harry stopped him with a sharp look at some points that really didn't need to be mentioned, or might give away information he would rather keep secret. Once that was done and everyone who hadn't already known this was properly shocked he got down to business.
"I'd like to include the Elemental Warrior students on some of our missions, as they can be of great use there and it will be good practice for them. This year the students will be staying at Hogwarts over the Christmas break, since being at home is too dangerous in these times. Fudge is still refusing to believe Voldemort is back, are there any ideas of what we can do about that?"
"Blackmail him?" Harry suggested softly, as everyone turned to look at him a feral grin crossed his face. "I'm sure I could dig up enough dirt on him to burying him ten feet under. Or use it to remove him from office." He said, his eyes glowing at the idea.
"I'm sure you would thoroughly enjoy yourself doing that? Lets see what you can find before we start the dirt slinging." Albus began; Harry nodded then addressed the aurors at the meeting.
"Mr. Chang, Ms. McKinnion, Mr. Bones, Ms. Figg, what do you think the aurors will do? Will they side with us if the Ministry should split?" He asked, the aurors in the room all thought about it.
"With a little convincing from us they would follow you." Ariel said finally, the other nodded in agreement.
"They believe that Voldemort has returned, but they are split, unable to decide whether to believe the Ministry, or pretend to, since they have always been a part of the Ministry, or leave completely in revolt." Gary said.
"Well the elves have sided with us, indeed some of our students will be going to their lands this year for a few weeks to train with them and learn about them. King Darun is putting a lot of pressure on Fudge to do something, death eaters have been spotted five times along the elven kingdom's border, though they have never crossed." Albus said, enjoying the astonished looks on the others faces at this.
"The giants Albus? Who are they with?" Ariel asked.
"Neutral so far, Hagrid and Olympe have been appointed the official ambassadors too them. There was another meeting of all the giant leaders last night, but I've had no word from Hagrid or Olympe, however they asked Heron, if you wouldn't mind stopping by. The giant chieftains want to speak with you. I'll send word ahead that you're coming." Harry nodded and rose smoothly.
"Very well, I'll send word as to what has happened. Good night." He went out the door and hurried through the halls and out of the castle. Xenrose was waiting outside; he rubbed the side of her head, he'd have to ride her to the meeting place, he didn't want to open any more Gates than there already were, and Diablo needed a rest.
"Come on girl, we've got a long flight," actually on a phoenix, a Rah phoenix, it would only take six hours. Xenrose burst into flames and began to grow, when she finally stopped her wingspan was about forty feet, Harry climbed on and they took off.
** "Severus do you know anything about Voldemort current plans?" Severus looked like he'd rather not talk about it, but then he nodded and began. He told the story of Lucius Malfoy and the little brown leather, burned, journal. And Voldemort's obvious interest in it.
"He called me in a few days ago, to read that chapter, it tells of two kinds of demons, one we all know about, they've been seen before, and called up by dark wizards. But the other kind, the kind the journal focuses on.have never been effectively called up. One dark wizard, almost nothing is known about him, he spent three hundred years creating a way to cal these demons. Once called they obey only their master, the one who calls them. This journal explains, in relatively good detail, how he called them. The priest who wrote the journal saw him calling them, but he failed because he called them at night, apparently they cannot be called in daytime, nor nighttime, they tried to come to his call, sensing that he was a powerful dark wizard, and therefore willing to do his bidding, but it didn't work because it was night out. And before this wizard figured out when the correct time of day was to call them the War Mages killed him. They can only be called on Halloween night." Severus paused for them to absorb this. "This journal is a very dangerous thing, if Voldemort can summon these.arch demons.then we will be unable to fight him at all. He is already starting to become good at summoning a regular demon, and I highly doubt any of us can possible fight one of them. But an arch demon, there would be no chance to even consider fighting, and he would become immortal." There was a long silence, then Albus spoke.
"What else does he need to summon these arch demons?"
"Stonehenge, on Halloween or winter solstice, and a painting by this priest's druid brother.who witnessed this dark wizard calling the demons as well. The painting shows where the wizard stood, shows what the demon looked like as they appeared, and more of what he did. It is essential that Voldemort study the painting before summoning the demons. The journal does not say this, but it says that the painting show sit all in perfect detail. Voldemort wants that painting, if it still exists."
"We are so dead," Sara McKinnion said finally.
"Not if we get the painting first," Andrew Bones said fiercely.
"We can't just ask if anyone's ever heard of it or seen it." Alastor said, thinking hard, "we'll have to research it carefully, can't have word of what we're up to getting out."
"Nor can we have the public hearing about this, it would cause mass panic." Mr. Weasely said, "we'll have to keep it all under wraps for now." To this they all agreed.
** Xenrose turned, banking to the left, and circling down in a spiral to the giant village. Hug stone and wood huts, and the gigantic stone meeting hall. Giants were standing everywhere, pointing up at the huge fiery phoenix flying down. Xenrose landed, her huge golden talons sinking into the rocky soil, Harry dismounted, she lifted off and changing back into her regular form before landing on his shoulder. Hagrid came hurrying over, followed by a group of giants who could only be the clan chieftains.
"Arry! Good to see ya! Sorry fer draggin' you up here into these bloody mountains." Hagrid said as he greeted Harry, saying the last part quietly, so his kin couldn't hear.
"Wonderful to see you to Hagrid," Harry said as he removed his black, razor sharp scaled, fighting gloves, a sign that meant the War Mage felt relatively safe, and it didn't go unnoticed by any of the giants. They all relaxed, Harry suppressed a grin, Albus had told Hagrid all about Harry being a war mage last time Hagrid had returned to Hogwarts, a few days before. He had also given Hagrid a book for the giants on War Mages, it had included some of the ways war mages sent messages when dealing with others.
"Harry this is Walcor, the chieftain of the Zerhulda clan, they live on the less populated side of Mt. Everest, this here is Shemyana, the chieftain of the Kiziratil clan, they live near Lhotse, this is." he went on for some time, introducing the fifteen chieftains, and their aides. Harry greeted them all politely, but not especially warmly, the War Mage mask still in place.
They went into the meeting hall, inside a huge fire blazed in a gigantic hearth, torches lined the walls, the giant chiefs all sat about the fire talking with each other.
"Lord Phoenix would please tell Albus Dumbledore that, while we have not yet decided to side with him we have no intention of ever joining any dark wizard ever again. Our numbers are small and we are afraid of retaliation from he-who-must-"
"Voldemort Chief Walcor, Voldemort, there is no reason to fear a name."
"Alright, he may seek us out to destroy us if we join you, we wish to wait for now and remain neutral."
"And I respect that decision for as long as you hold it. I will tell him, right now that is a wise decision, Voldemort is playing with magic he doesn't understand and cannot fully use, he seeks to learn the secrets of demon summoning. If he messes up he could annihilate every living thing for a mile about him." The giant took this news badly, they had mentions of demons in their record and were very frightened of them.
"But surely you could destroy any demon he summons?" Shemyana asked him.
"I don't know, it would depend on the demon, its proximity to Voldemort, how well he summoned it, and other circumstances. I could destroy any small demon, but a large powerful one would be too much for one War Mage alone, even a Grand Master."
** Arai slipped in the upstairs window of his house, listening carefully for any sound of intruders. He had moved to this new neighborhood to work on his painting, living out in the middle of no where, in a house set way back in the woods, he felt it safest for now. Even if he had to go a long way to find human prey, animals would do fine, and he had his stores of blood. Reassured that there were no intruders, (he had caught some robbers in his house two days before, all three had turned up in the ruins of a train crash.so burned that no one could tell their blood had been drained) he went downstairs to his workroom, and nearly jumped out of his skin when he abruptly sensed the presence of a War Mage nearby.right outside his front door. He identified it as heron and hurried upstairs, reaching the door just seconds after the bell rang.
"Good evening Arai," Harry said warmly when Arai appeared, Arai bowed deeply then moved aside and led him in. "You chose a more secluded place to work hm?"
"Yes, it seemed safest."
"But for the robbers." Arai turned and stared at him, Heron grinned at his astonished look. "I smelled them.they were drunk you know, and a did not bother to hide their tracks."
"Those War Mage senses, must be a great disadvantage sometimes eh?" Arai asked teasingly, knowing Heron would have some interesting come back.
"Oh yes, I can smell what shampoo everyone around me uses.you Arai.smell like a crypt." This sent the vampire off into gales of laughter. "And the stink of your blood cellar is absolutely exquisite." He added as the still laughing vampire sat down in a large armchair in the living room. Heron sat down, grinning at his laughing friend, "who ever said the living dead have no smell never met any of you, it is hard to miss the.aroma of death.that is still somewhat alive.and blood."
"Huh, yes I suppose so, I never really noticed it though. Phoenix you know that every five hundred years there is a gathering of al the oldest vampires." Heron nodded, "the next one is in four days, and we'd like you to come if you will."
"I'm honored, they think my blood tastes that good?" Arai looked quite shocked.
"They wouldn't dare!"
"Yes I know, I'm just teasing, of course I'll come, where is it?"
"I'm sure you recall a certain pale stone building on an island somewhere off in the middle of the ocean that War Mages helped us to build." Actually Heron had no idea what the vampire was talking about.
"No I don't," Arai went, if possible for a vampire, paler.
"Oh.sorry." He said, dropping his eyes, realizing that the building of the Vampire Fortress had not happened for Heron yet, it was one of the problems with being the Keeper of the Ways, Heron now knew that eventually he would somehow end up helping to build a fortress for the vampires, and the vampires all remembered him helping, but for him it hadn't happened yet.
"I'm sure I will find out what you're talking about eventually, don't worry. I'm sure I can find it." Arai nodded, "how is the painting coming?"
"Very well, it is about half finished, here I'll show you." He got up and led Heron up into the small tower attached to the house, to the windowless workroom at the top.
A large painting, done in paints that were hundreds of year old, on just as old canvas, lay drying on a table. Heron looked it over, it was picture perfect, exactly like the image he'd given Arai. It was not yet finished but it was more than half done.
"Wonderful Arai, perfect, dark and eye catching, intriguing, and rather.bothering to the mind as well. I don't like the image, excellent, it's supposed to amaze and horrify the viewer." Arai smiled at him.
"Thank you master, I still do not understand how a mere human mind could think it up."
"I'm hardly human Arai, and this morbid image is the focal point of the plan. Voldemort has the journal, and of course is driving himself mad to fully interpret its message."
"Did you write it in English?"
"The English of two hundred years ago, and yes I included a ton of hidden messages, we'll have to see if he figures them out."
"If he doesn't he'll never find the painting."
"I can arrange for him to find it in other ways, now we need time, this is a delicate business, his obsession must grow much deeper before the end."
"What with the dark magics you probably worked on that journal Phoenix-"
"Dark magic does not exist Arai, it is merely a term to define magics that one does not understand, magic has neither light nor dark." Arai nodded his understanding.
"With the enchantments you put on it I'm surprised no one died."
"Someone almost did, and no I'm not getting into those enchantments, very nasty ones those were." Heron paused as the clock struck four, "I have to leave, but before I go, have any vampires told Voldemort about you?" He asked as they went back downstairs.
"No master, they still do not know I exist.except for those I trust."
"Be careful Arai, keep it that way, he will be calling soon, and his minions seek out older more powerful vampires to lead his vampire army. Good luck to you.good day." Heron said a she shut the door and vanished into the night, teleporting first to Hogsmead, to deliver the giants message to Albus, and then to the teleportation chamber in the Palace. He had one week until school started, and the vampire gathering would take up two days and nights of it, and he had a lot to do.
Review please!
Harry stood on a hilltop, watching the small stone fort down in the valley, Voldemort's new base. It was small, well hidden and easily defended. And empty.
It had taken him eight hours of searching to find it, and he had only found it because Voldemort had called a death eater meeting, which had made his scar hurt, allowing him to trace the pain from it. Harry wasn't even sure if this was Voldemorts real base, this was just where Voldemort had called his death eater too, before they had all apparated away. Harry had put some spells about the castle to record conversations and try to keep a record of how many different people came and went, by sensing their auras.
*He's getting better at hiding. * Harry though as he turned Diablo to leave, he'd have to wait before he attacked. Albus had mentioned a gathering of allies for today at Hogwarts, and Harry needed to be there for it.
** Hagrid, Maxine, Severus, Remus, Sirius, Mundungus Fletcher, Ariel Figg, Gary Chang, Arthur, Bill, Percy, Charlie, and Mrs. Weasely, Minerva, Flitwick, Sara McKinnion, Andrew Bones, and Alastor Moody were all seated in the room when Albus Dumbledore entered. He smiled brightly upon seeing them all in their places around the table.
"Thank you all for coming, I'll try to keep this as brief as possible. I think you all know why you're here, with the threat of Voldemort growing even stronger it is becoming nessecary to restart the Defense Against Voldemort."
"About time Albus," Alastor grumbled from across the table.
"Yes I agree. As you al know, Arabella was killed today, fighting to keep people safe in Diagon Alley." There was a moment of silence, interrupted by Ariel's sniffing.
"Once again I am looking for a new Defense teacher.Alastor how do you feel about taking it on?"
"The students.will not trust me.after what happened, but I will of course, they need the training."
"Thank you, it is difficult to find a teacher this close to school."
"Hogwarts will be our main base, now, since we are missing many of our members," here Ariel sniffed and wiped away a tear, "we will need to find some new ones. I have a group in mind, composed of certain students here at Hogwarts."
"Albus, you can't mean the Order of the Phoenix?" Sirius asked, astonished.
"I do indeed Sirius."
"Does the Phoenix know about this?" Sirius asked in return, by this point most of the people present were very confused.
"The Lord Phoenix should be arriving here.now." With that the door swung open and a tall man dressed in black, silver, and gold entered.
Black boots with silver and gold buckles and silver and gold designs on them. Black pants, black long-sleeved shirt under a black tunic that fell past his waist, covered in thin silver and gold designs, black belt with a silver and gold buckle. A black sword sheath with silver and gold crisscrossing up it held a long sword, the same for a dagger on each hip. A long black cloak nearly swept the floor, attached at his throat with a small silver and gold phoenix clasp, black armor attached to the tunic covered his shoulder, the black plates slid together to form a thick shield over his shoulders. He wore black gloves that went halfway up his forearms, the backs of the gloves over his hands covered with black scales with razor sharp edges. The gloves were heavily decorated in black and gold. He held a long black staff in one hand, topped with a bright diamond orb which was held in place not by the usual claws, but by three silver and gold phoenixes that rose off the top of his staff, their wings spread behind them to hold the orb. His black hair was cut just above the shoulders and his bright green eyes shone.
"Ah, Heron, I was just starting to wonder where you were." Albus said with a grin at the astonished looks on many faces.
"My apologies Albus, I got sidetracked by a squad of death eaters attempting to kidnap some muggle children on their way home form school." Harry replied smoothly, his expressionless War Mage mask in place, his voice showing no emotion or regret at being late.
"Now I believe all of you know Harry or at least have heard of him. Harry is a grand Master War Mage and the Lord Phoenix." Albus began, he sat down, Harry moved to the remaining empty seat between Sirius and Severus, leaning his staff against it and sitting without a sound, not even a rustle of fabric form his cloak.
Albus explained about Harry's being a War Mage and about the Elemental Warriors he was training. Harry stopped him with a sharp look at some points that really didn't need to be mentioned, or might give away information he would rather keep secret. Once that was done and everyone who hadn't already known this was properly shocked he got down to business.
"I'd like to include the Elemental Warrior students on some of our missions, as they can be of great use there and it will be good practice for them. This year the students will be staying at Hogwarts over the Christmas break, since being at home is too dangerous in these times. Fudge is still refusing to believe Voldemort is back, are there any ideas of what we can do about that?"
"Blackmail him?" Harry suggested softly, as everyone turned to look at him a feral grin crossed his face. "I'm sure I could dig up enough dirt on him to burying him ten feet under. Or use it to remove him from office." He said, his eyes glowing at the idea.
"I'm sure you would thoroughly enjoy yourself doing that? Lets see what you can find before we start the dirt slinging." Albus began; Harry nodded then addressed the aurors at the meeting.
"Mr. Chang, Ms. McKinnion, Mr. Bones, Ms. Figg, what do you think the aurors will do? Will they side with us if the Ministry should split?" He asked, the aurors in the room all thought about it.
"With a little convincing from us they would follow you." Ariel said finally, the other nodded in agreement.
"They believe that Voldemort has returned, but they are split, unable to decide whether to believe the Ministry, or pretend to, since they have always been a part of the Ministry, or leave completely in revolt." Gary said.
"Well the elves have sided with us, indeed some of our students will be going to their lands this year for a few weeks to train with them and learn about them. King Darun is putting a lot of pressure on Fudge to do something, death eaters have been spotted five times along the elven kingdom's border, though they have never crossed." Albus said, enjoying the astonished looks on the others faces at this.
"The giants Albus? Who are they with?" Ariel asked.
"Neutral so far, Hagrid and Olympe have been appointed the official ambassadors too them. There was another meeting of all the giant leaders last night, but I've had no word from Hagrid or Olympe, however they asked Heron, if you wouldn't mind stopping by. The giant chieftains want to speak with you. I'll send word ahead that you're coming." Harry nodded and rose smoothly.
"Very well, I'll send word as to what has happened. Good night." He went out the door and hurried through the halls and out of the castle. Xenrose was waiting outside; he rubbed the side of her head, he'd have to ride her to the meeting place, he didn't want to open any more Gates than there already were, and Diablo needed a rest.
"Come on girl, we've got a long flight," actually on a phoenix, a Rah phoenix, it would only take six hours. Xenrose burst into flames and began to grow, when she finally stopped her wingspan was about forty feet, Harry climbed on and they took off.
** "Severus do you know anything about Voldemort current plans?" Severus looked like he'd rather not talk about it, but then he nodded and began. He told the story of Lucius Malfoy and the little brown leather, burned, journal. And Voldemort's obvious interest in it.
"He called me in a few days ago, to read that chapter, it tells of two kinds of demons, one we all know about, they've been seen before, and called up by dark wizards. But the other kind, the kind the journal focuses on.have never been effectively called up. One dark wizard, almost nothing is known about him, he spent three hundred years creating a way to cal these demons. Once called they obey only their master, the one who calls them. This journal explains, in relatively good detail, how he called them. The priest who wrote the journal saw him calling them, but he failed because he called them at night, apparently they cannot be called in daytime, nor nighttime, they tried to come to his call, sensing that he was a powerful dark wizard, and therefore willing to do his bidding, but it didn't work because it was night out. And before this wizard figured out when the correct time of day was to call them the War Mages killed him. They can only be called on Halloween night." Severus paused for them to absorb this. "This journal is a very dangerous thing, if Voldemort can summon these.arch demons.then we will be unable to fight him at all. He is already starting to become good at summoning a regular demon, and I highly doubt any of us can possible fight one of them. But an arch demon, there would be no chance to even consider fighting, and he would become immortal." There was a long silence, then Albus spoke.
"What else does he need to summon these arch demons?"
"Stonehenge, on Halloween or winter solstice, and a painting by this priest's druid brother.who witnessed this dark wizard calling the demons as well. The painting shows where the wizard stood, shows what the demon looked like as they appeared, and more of what he did. It is essential that Voldemort study the painting before summoning the demons. The journal does not say this, but it says that the painting show sit all in perfect detail. Voldemort wants that painting, if it still exists."
"We are so dead," Sara McKinnion said finally.
"Not if we get the painting first," Andrew Bones said fiercely.
"We can't just ask if anyone's ever heard of it or seen it." Alastor said, thinking hard, "we'll have to research it carefully, can't have word of what we're up to getting out."
"Nor can we have the public hearing about this, it would cause mass panic." Mr. Weasely said, "we'll have to keep it all under wraps for now." To this they all agreed.
** Xenrose turned, banking to the left, and circling down in a spiral to the giant village. Hug stone and wood huts, and the gigantic stone meeting hall. Giants were standing everywhere, pointing up at the huge fiery phoenix flying down. Xenrose landed, her huge golden talons sinking into the rocky soil, Harry dismounted, she lifted off and changing back into her regular form before landing on his shoulder. Hagrid came hurrying over, followed by a group of giants who could only be the clan chieftains.
"Arry! Good to see ya! Sorry fer draggin' you up here into these bloody mountains." Hagrid said as he greeted Harry, saying the last part quietly, so his kin couldn't hear.
"Wonderful to see you to Hagrid," Harry said as he removed his black, razor sharp scaled, fighting gloves, a sign that meant the War Mage felt relatively safe, and it didn't go unnoticed by any of the giants. They all relaxed, Harry suppressed a grin, Albus had told Hagrid all about Harry being a war mage last time Hagrid had returned to Hogwarts, a few days before. He had also given Hagrid a book for the giants on War Mages, it had included some of the ways war mages sent messages when dealing with others.
"Harry this is Walcor, the chieftain of the Zerhulda clan, they live on the less populated side of Mt. Everest, this here is Shemyana, the chieftain of the Kiziratil clan, they live near Lhotse, this is." he went on for some time, introducing the fifteen chieftains, and their aides. Harry greeted them all politely, but not especially warmly, the War Mage mask still in place.
They went into the meeting hall, inside a huge fire blazed in a gigantic hearth, torches lined the walls, the giant chiefs all sat about the fire talking with each other.
"Lord Phoenix would please tell Albus Dumbledore that, while we have not yet decided to side with him we have no intention of ever joining any dark wizard ever again. Our numbers are small and we are afraid of retaliation from he-who-must-"
"Voldemort Chief Walcor, Voldemort, there is no reason to fear a name."
"Alright, he may seek us out to destroy us if we join you, we wish to wait for now and remain neutral."
"And I respect that decision for as long as you hold it. I will tell him, right now that is a wise decision, Voldemort is playing with magic he doesn't understand and cannot fully use, he seeks to learn the secrets of demon summoning. If he messes up he could annihilate every living thing for a mile about him." The giant took this news badly, they had mentions of demons in their record and were very frightened of them.
"But surely you could destroy any demon he summons?" Shemyana asked him.
"I don't know, it would depend on the demon, its proximity to Voldemort, how well he summoned it, and other circumstances. I could destroy any small demon, but a large powerful one would be too much for one War Mage alone, even a Grand Master."
** Arai slipped in the upstairs window of his house, listening carefully for any sound of intruders. He had moved to this new neighborhood to work on his painting, living out in the middle of no where, in a house set way back in the woods, he felt it safest for now. Even if he had to go a long way to find human prey, animals would do fine, and he had his stores of blood. Reassured that there were no intruders, (he had caught some robbers in his house two days before, all three had turned up in the ruins of a train crash.so burned that no one could tell their blood had been drained) he went downstairs to his workroom, and nearly jumped out of his skin when he abruptly sensed the presence of a War Mage nearby.right outside his front door. He identified it as heron and hurried upstairs, reaching the door just seconds after the bell rang.
"Good evening Arai," Harry said warmly when Arai appeared, Arai bowed deeply then moved aside and led him in. "You chose a more secluded place to work hm?"
"Yes, it seemed safest."
"But for the robbers." Arai turned and stared at him, Heron grinned at his astonished look. "I smelled them.they were drunk you know, and a did not bother to hide their tracks."
"Those War Mage senses, must be a great disadvantage sometimes eh?" Arai asked teasingly, knowing Heron would have some interesting come back.
"Oh yes, I can smell what shampoo everyone around me uses.you Arai.smell like a crypt." This sent the vampire off into gales of laughter. "And the stink of your blood cellar is absolutely exquisite." He added as the still laughing vampire sat down in a large armchair in the living room. Heron sat down, grinning at his laughing friend, "who ever said the living dead have no smell never met any of you, it is hard to miss the.aroma of death.that is still somewhat alive.and blood."
"Huh, yes I suppose so, I never really noticed it though. Phoenix you know that every five hundred years there is a gathering of al the oldest vampires." Heron nodded, "the next one is in four days, and we'd like you to come if you will."
"I'm honored, they think my blood tastes that good?" Arai looked quite shocked.
"They wouldn't dare!"
"Yes I know, I'm just teasing, of course I'll come, where is it?"
"I'm sure you recall a certain pale stone building on an island somewhere off in the middle of the ocean that War Mages helped us to build." Actually Heron had no idea what the vampire was talking about.
"No I don't," Arai went, if possible for a vampire, paler.
"Oh.sorry." He said, dropping his eyes, realizing that the building of the Vampire Fortress had not happened for Heron yet, it was one of the problems with being the Keeper of the Ways, Heron now knew that eventually he would somehow end up helping to build a fortress for the vampires, and the vampires all remembered him helping, but for him it hadn't happened yet.
"I'm sure I will find out what you're talking about eventually, don't worry. I'm sure I can find it." Arai nodded, "how is the painting coming?"
"Very well, it is about half finished, here I'll show you." He got up and led Heron up into the small tower attached to the house, to the windowless workroom at the top.
A large painting, done in paints that were hundreds of year old, on just as old canvas, lay drying on a table. Heron looked it over, it was picture perfect, exactly like the image he'd given Arai. It was not yet finished but it was more than half done.
"Wonderful Arai, perfect, dark and eye catching, intriguing, and rather.bothering to the mind as well. I don't like the image, excellent, it's supposed to amaze and horrify the viewer." Arai smiled at him.
"Thank you master, I still do not understand how a mere human mind could think it up."
"I'm hardly human Arai, and this morbid image is the focal point of the plan. Voldemort has the journal, and of course is driving himself mad to fully interpret its message."
"Did you write it in English?"
"The English of two hundred years ago, and yes I included a ton of hidden messages, we'll have to see if he figures them out."
"If he doesn't he'll never find the painting."
"I can arrange for him to find it in other ways, now we need time, this is a delicate business, his obsession must grow much deeper before the end."
"What with the dark magics you probably worked on that journal Phoenix-"
"Dark magic does not exist Arai, it is merely a term to define magics that one does not understand, magic has neither light nor dark." Arai nodded his understanding.
"With the enchantments you put on it I'm surprised no one died."
"Someone almost did, and no I'm not getting into those enchantments, very nasty ones those were." Heron paused as the clock struck four, "I have to leave, but before I go, have any vampires told Voldemort about you?" He asked as they went back downstairs.
"No master, they still do not know I exist.except for those I trust."
"Be careful Arai, keep it that way, he will be calling soon, and his minions seek out older more powerful vampires to lead his vampire army. Good luck to you.good day." Heron said a she shut the door and vanished into the night, teleporting first to Hogsmead, to deliver the giants message to Albus, and then to the teleportation chamber in the Palace. He had one week until school started, and the vampire gathering would take up two days and nights of it, and he had a lot to do.
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