Special note concerning Book 5 (no spoilers): This story was finished before OotP, and as you will discover there are several things that go against the new canon, especially one very obvious thing. Anyway, I am not going to change any of this story to fit the new canon, because it would require a complete redrafting of it, and frankly, I like it how it is. So treat this story as an AU from now on, but it does stick to previous OotP canon.
Arizosa: Thanks for the reviews! I am glad that you are enjoying the story.
~*~
The Book of Carmen:
Chapter XIV: The Sword of the Four Houses
~*~
A few hours later, when Madam Pomfrey was examining Remus she noticed a growing purple bruise across the knuckles of his left hand. "I don't believe that bruise was there when you came in this morning," she said and then nodded towards the window, "Of course, neither was that crack."
"There was a fly," Remus said.
"A fly?" she asked with a smile.
"A big one."
Remus heard someone come into the room and looked to see Snape approaching his bed. "Dumbledore has requested that you join him in his office. That is, if you can make it up the stairs without passing out, Lupin."
Remus rose from the bed and walked over to Snape, "Don't worry, I can make it. Thanks for the message." He pulled out a sickle and handed it to Snape, "for your troubles," he said with a snicker. Snape pressed his lips together so tightly that Remus thought he'd swallowed them. Snape took the coin and in the process he grabbed Remus' healing wrist and squeezed. Remus' mouth twitched in a slight wince.
"When will you boys start acting like adults?" Pomfrey asked from behind them.
"Him first," Remus said with a smile. He was thrilled to have gotten such a rise out of Snape, besides Madam Pomfrey had given him so many potions that he wasn't feeling much of anything, let alone Snape's puny grip. "Why don't you lead the way, Dumbledore will be expecting us."
Snape nodded and let go of Remus' wrist. He walked towards the door, dropping the sickle on the way out of the room.
"I thought we were headed to Dumbledore's office," Remus said, adjusting his robes as the walked down the hall. They had always been loose fitting, but since he had lost a great deal of weight he had begun to automatically adjust his sleeves and waistline as he walked.
"We have to go collect Potter," Snape said. Soon he and Remus stood before the portrait of the Fat Lady. Remus started to say the password but stopped and cleared his throat. Snape, realized the hint, mumbled something unintelligible, and walked down the hall towards Dumbledore's office. Remus watched him leave and then entered the Gryffindor common room. He found Harry sitting by the fire with a great glass globe in his hands. The boy turned when he heard Remus enter.
"Professor Lupin!" Harry exclaimed and then took a visual inventory of Remus' robes and various bandages, "How are you?"
"I'm fine. You can drop the title, Harry. I am no longer your professor. Just call me Remus."
Harry nodded.
"We've been summoned to Dumbledore's office. I thought you might like to walk with me." Harry nodded and placed the globe on the table. Remus stopped to adjust his robes again and then they were out the door once more. They walked to Dumbledore's office in silence. Harry couldn't deny that he was nervous. He knew that they had discovered something about Selene and judging by the hushed tones of everyone in the castle as well as the fact he had not seen Sirius all day, Harry did not think it was good news. However, he found comfort in Remus' presence. He wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was because he had helped Harry two years ago when it came to summoning his Patronus, or maybe it was nothing more than the fact he was with one of his dad's friends. Whatever the reason, Harry was grateful.
Remus and Harry reached the door of Dumbledore's office and joined the other occupants of the room. Harry looked around and saw Dumbledore at his desk. Sirius was sitting on the top of a nearby table and gave Harry a sad smile as he entered. Harry noticed that Hagrid was there as well, sitting in a chair that looked as if it would buckle under his weight at any moment. Professor McGonagall stood by Fawkes' perch, her sharp features making her look very much like the phoenix, and Snape stood beside her. Professor McGinn stood near the door and he kept stealing glances at Remus and Sirius, with a nervous twitch in his eye. Remus and Harry made their way over to Sirius. Harry sat in a chair in front of him and Remus leaned against the table.
"I'm glad to see that you are feeling better," Dumbledore said to Remus who nodded. For the first time Harry had a sense that Remus was just as nervous as he was about what Dumbledore had to say. In fact every face in the room reflected anticipation, with the exception of Sirius'. His face revealed nothing.
Dumbledore continued, "As you are all aware of by now there have been several attacks on both human and magical creatures within the past twenty-four hours. The Ministry has been working very hard to figure out who or what is behind them. They are currently chasing many false leads, one of which is that these crimes fall on your shoulders, Sirius." Snape grunted and Dumbledore continued, "I have allowed them to believe that because the truth would cause wide spread panic. However, those of you in this room are my most trusted friends, colleagues, and students, which is why I am willing to reveal to the truth to you, trusting that you will act responsibly with this information. We all know by now that Selene Evans is indeed alive, and that she is a Magmanos. To this information I add that she is now under the complete control of The Book of Carmen, more specifically, the entity that remains within its pages. It is using her to kill until it is powerful enough to assume its own tangible form."
Dumbledore paused for a moment to let everyone digest the news. Harry stared at his hands as he fought a rising lump in his throat. Questions were on the lips of many, but no one spoke. "If this is allowed to happen the devastation would be greater than anything any of us has ever encountered. Our world, as well as the Muggle world, would forever be changed. It would be a world of fear and death."
"How do we prevent this, Albus?" McGonagall asked.
"I believe that I know a way in which to destroy the Book. It is dangerous and lives would be risked and perhaps lost. However, if we are to act, it must be now. If the entity in the Book manages to achieve corporeal form, it will be impossible to destroy."
Again Dumbledore paused before continuing, "We must draw the Book away from the cities, towns, and forests where it has been killing. It must be brought to a place that's core is built upon good magic and whose physical structure is among the strongest in Europe. In short, we must draw the evil here."
"But Headmaster, the students are due back in a few days. There will not be enough time to send owls to every household instructing them that the school will be closed," Snape said. "That is because the school will not be closed. In fact I've already sent owls to every family urging them to let their children return to school."
Everyone's eyes snapped to Dumbledore. Hagrid voiced what the others thought, "Yeh can't be thinkin' about bringin' the students here. They could be killed."
"I have every intention of bringing the students here. They are safer within these walls than anywhere else, and they have a crucial part in the plan. The Book will be uncontrollably drawn to them, it will have no choice but to come here."
"Are you suggesting using the children as bait?" Remus asked dumbfounded.
"I assure you that the Book of Carmen will not be able to reach the children. There are places in this castle, Remus, places that even escape your and Sirius' knowledge. Places where the Book could never touch them."
"So what happens next?" Snape asked.
"Once the children are safe I will drop all magical defenses on this castle. The Book will come to us, in the guise of Selene," Dumbledore added, looking at Sirius. "At this point it will still need her, so if we destroy that link, and then the book soon after, the evil will be scattered."
"What about the link between her and Voldemort?" Will asked.
"That will be destroyed as well."
"How do we destroy the link?" Remus asked.
"We kill my wife," Sirius whispered. Harry felt all heads turn in their direction and knew they were looking at Sirius. Harry, though, found he could not turn around and face his godfather at that moment.
"There is a great possibility that will not happen," Dumbledore said. "It is common knowledge that Magmani have spirits of fire, and are pained by the cold." Dumbledore stood and pulled a great ring of keys from his robes. He singled out a long golden key edged with precious stones and walked over to a large silver cabinet. As he twisted the key in the lock every head in the room stretched to see what lay within. Dumbledore pulled out a great scabbard.
"Albus, is that..." McGonagall started to ask, but never finished, amazement clear in her voice.
"Yes Minerva, this is indeed the Sword of the Four Houses," Dumbledore answered and stepped into the middle of the room. The other occupants crowded around Dumbledore to gaze at the weapon. Harry was reminded of the sword of Godric Gryffindor, but it was obvious that this was not the same sword. This scabbard was golden. At the bottom, two silver snakes met at a point while the rest of their bodies interlaced up the sword. Above the serpents were two badgers. Their backs ran up the sides as they sat on their hind legs, their front legs touching each other. Above them sat one great eagle, its wings were outstretched and wrapped around the sides of the scabbard, its sapphire blue eyes stared straight forward. Two lions sat atop the wings, each with its front paws stretched upwards supporting the hilt of the sword.
The hilt was breathtaking. Tiny ropes of gold and silver wound together to form the grip. The arms of the hilt curved downwards, each embossed with two house insignia. The hilt was lined with tiny stones. Many of them Harry recognized, however, there were some stones that were not known to him, their names lost in the modern age, their timeless beauty forever captured on this hilt alone. In the center was one great stone. It was a deep purple, or green, perhaps even blue. Harry couldn't tell for sure. Underneath its glassy surface flickered tiny lights as if the stone had captured the light of a thousand tiny candles. Dumbledore spoke again, "At one time the founders of Hogwarts were of like mind. They understood and accepted the differences between them and realized that together they possessed great power, one that could not be dissuaded by any evil. It was during this time of understanding that they decided to forge one great sword in case the world presented an evil that required a weapon of immense magnitude," Dumbledore said rotating the hilt with one hand. "Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, and Salazaar Slytherin worked together to forge this sword, each house pouring all their abilities into their efforts. The scabbard is impressive, and the hilt contains beauty unlike any other sword that has or will ever be made, but it is the blade that contains the power," Dumbledore said, and with a movement one would think too fast for a man of his age, he pulled the sword from the scabbard. The sword's exit from the scabbard was noiseless, without the usual sound of metal scraping against a scabbard. The room's occupants took a deep breath as each felt the power of the blade. It was not silver, as one would expect, but white, and it glowed much like the stone of the hilt. Dumbledore flexed his wrist, swaying the sword from right to left. As the sword moved it left an echo in the air. Not one that you could see or hear, but one that you could feel.
"The sword is composed of two magic metals long forgotten to history, one from the depths of the earth, the second from the heights of the mountains. It was the Gryffindors who recovered the materials and so their bravery was etched into the sword. The Hufflepuffs heated and tempered the blade, their work taking many months to perfect. Into this blade went their patience and their toil. The Ravenclaws used all of their intellect to inscribe the blade with the most powerful strengthening spells and are also responsible for the sword being as light as it is. The Slytherins placed upon the blade a potion that made the blade impervious to dulling and also made its surface colder than ice." Dumbledore slid the sword back into the scabbard, "It is that last quality that I believe will help us the most."
Sirius took a step back from the group. "You mean ter run the poor lass through with tha' sword?" Hagrid asked.
"No Hagrid, I mean to destroy the evil that is invading her body. I don't deny that there will be great risk to her life, but it is also her only chance for salvation."
"I don't know Albus," Will said, "The history behind that sword is questionable. It is power, no doubt, but what if that power is turned against us?"
"I agree with you Will. There is a reason why the sword has only been used twice since its formation. It contains great power and its power must be matched by the strength of the wielder. Otherwise the sword becomes volatile and unpredictable. However, it is our best and only weapon."
"The risk is too great," Will said and many of the others nodded in agreement.
"I honor all of your opinions and if that is the consensus of the group than I will return the sword to its cupboard and we will try to think of a new plan. But remember that time is running short for all of us, especially Selene. I will ask you only once, who agrees with the decision to wield the sword against the Book?"
No one moved. No one said a word.
"Very well," Dumbledore said, "I will just return..."
"I'm in," a voice said. Everyone watched as Sirius stepped back into the circle and took the sword from Dumbledore. Harry noted that he looked physically ill as he held the sword. Nonetheless his voice was strong, "It is a good plan. If this will end it, then I'm in."
Remus stepped forward and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, "As am I."
Harry reached out and touched the hilt, his own vote now cast. Harry looked over at Lupin, who winked, and over at Sirius who smiled. And so the sword passed from the hands of the headmaster into the hands of a convicted murderer, a half-giant, a werewolf, a stuffy professor, a fallen Auror, a Potions Master, and the Boy who Lived, each of whom making a vow and deciding upon a plan to save their school, their lives, and their world.
Arizosa: Thanks for the reviews! I am glad that you are enjoying the story.
The Book of Carmen:
Chapter XIV: The Sword of the Four Houses
~*~
A few hours later, when Madam Pomfrey was examining Remus she noticed a growing purple bruise across the knuckles of his left hand. "I don't believe that bruise was there when you came in this morning," she said and then nodded towards the window, "Of course, neither was that crack."
"There was a fly," Remus said.
"A fly?" she asked with a smile.
"A big one."
Remus heard someone come into the room and looked to see Snape approaching his bed. "Dumbledore has requested that you join him in his office. That is, if you can make it up the stairs without passing out, Lupin."
Remus rose from the bed and walked over to Snape, "Don't worry, I can make it. Thanks for the message." He pulled out a sickle and handed it to Snape, "for your troubles," he said with a snicker. Snape pressed his lips together so tightly that Remus thought he'd swallowed them. Snape took the coin and in the process he grabbed Remus' healing wrist and squeezed. Remus' mouth twitched in a slight wince.
"When will you boys start acting like adults?" Pomfrey asked from behind them.
"Him first," Remus said with a smile. He was thrilled to have gotten such a rise out of Snape, besides Madam Pomfrey had given him so many potions that he wasn't feeling much of anything, let alone Snape's puny grip. "Why don't you lead the way, Dumbledore will be expecting us."
Snape nodded and let go of Remus' wrist. He walked towards the door, dropping the sickle on the way out of the room.
"I thought we were headed to Dumbledore's office," Remus said, adjusting his robes as the walked down the hall. They had always been loose fitting, but since he had lost a great deal of weight he had begun to automatically adjust his sleeves and waistline as he walked.
"We have to go collect Potter," Snape said. Soon he and Remus stood before the portrait of the Fat Lady. Remus started to say the password but stopped and cleared his throat. Snape, realized the hint, mumbled something unintelligible, and walked down the hall towards Dumbledore's office. Remus watched him leave and then entered the Gryffindor common room. He found Harry sitting by the fire with a great glass globe in his hands. The boy turned when he heard Remus enter.
"Professor Lupin!" Harry exclaimed and then took a visual inventory of Remus' robes and various bandages, "How are you?"
"I'm fine. You can drop the title, Harry. I am no longer your professor. Just call me Remus."
Harry nodded.
"We've been summoned to Dumbledore's office. I thought you might like to walk with me." Harry nodded and placed the globe on the table. Remus stopped to adjust his robes again and then they were out the door once more. They walked to Dumbledore's office in silence. Harry couldn't deny that he was nervous. He knew that they had discovered something about Selene and judging by the hushed tones of everyone in the castle as well as the fact he had not seen Sirius all day, Harry did not think it was good news. However, he found comfort in Remus' presence. He wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was because he had helped Harry two years ago when it came to summoning his Patronus, or maybe it was nothing more than the fact he was with one of his dad's friends. Whatever the reason, Harry was grateful.
Remus and Harry reached the door of Dumbledore's office and joined the other occupants of the room. Harry looked around and saw Dumbledore at his desk. Sirius was sitting on the top of a nearby table and gave Harry a sad smile as he entered. Harry noticed that Hagrid was there as well, sitting in a chair that looked as if it would buckle under his weight at any moment. Professor McGonagall stood by Fawkes' perch, her sharp features making her look very much like the phoenix, and Snape stood beside her. Professor McGinn stood near the door and he kept stealing glances at Remus and Sirius, with a nervous twitch in his eye. Remus and Harry made their way over to Sirius. Harry sat in a chair in front of him and Remus leaned against the table.
"I'm glad to see that you are feeling better," Dumbledore said to Remus who nodded. For the first time Harry had a sense that Remus was just as nervous as he was about what Dumbledore had to say. In fact every face in the room reflected anticipation, with the exception of Sirius'. His face revealed nothing.
Dumbledore continued, "As you are all aware of by now there have been several attacks on both human and magical creatures within the past twenty-four hours. The Ministry has been working very hard to figure out who or what is behind them. They are currently chasing many false leads, one of which is that these crimes fall on your shoulders, Sirius." Snape grunted and Dumbledore continued, "I have allowed them to believe that because the truth would cause wide spread panic. However, those of you in this room are my most trusted friends, colleagues, and students, which is why I am willing to reveal to the truth to you, trusting that you will act responsibly with this information. We all know by now that Selene Evans is indeed alive, and that she is a Magmanos. To this information I add that she is now under the complete control of The Book of Carmen, more specifically, the entity that remains within its pages. It is using her to kill until it is powerful enough to assume its own tangible form."
Dumbledore paused for a moment to let everyone digest the news. Harry stared at his hands as he fought a rising lump in his throat. Questions were on the lips of many, but no one spoke. "If this is allowed to happen the devastation would be greater than anything any of us has ever encountered. Our world, as well as the Muggle world, would forever be changed. It would be a world of fear and death."
"How do we prevent this, Albus?" McGonagall asked.
"I believe that I know a way in which to destroy the Book. It is dangerous and lives would be risked and perhaps lost. However, if we are to act, it must be now. If the entity in the Book manages to achieve corporeal form, it will be impossible to destroy."
Again Dumbledore paused before continuing, "We must draw the Book away from the cities, towns, and forests where it has been killing. It must be brought to a place that's core is built upon good magic and whose physical structure is among the strongest in Europe. In short, we must draw the evil here."
"But Headmaster, the students are due back in a few days. There will not be enough time to send owls to every household instructing them that the school will be closed," Snape said. "That is because the school will not be closed. In fact I've already sent owls to every family urging them to let their children return to school."
Everyone's eyes snapped to Dumbledore. Hagrid voiced what the others thought, "Yeh can't be thinkin' about bringin' the students here. They could be killed."
"I have every intention of bringing the students here. They are safer within these walls than anywhere else, and they have a crucial part in the plan. The Book will be uncontrollably drawn to them, it will have no choice but to come here."
"Are you suggesting using the children as bait?" Remus asked dumbfounded.
"I assure you that the Book of Carmen will not be able to reach the children. There are places in this castle, Remus, places that even escape your and Sirius' knowledge. Places where the Book could never touch them."
"So what happens next?" Snape asked.
"Once the children are safe I will drop all magical defenses on this castle. The Book will come to us, in the guise of Selene," Dumbledore added, looking at Sirius. "At this point it will still need her, so if we destroy that link, and then the book soon after, the evil will be scattered."
"What about the link between her and Voldemort?" Will asked.
"That will be destroyed as well."
"How do we destroy the link?" Remus asked.
"We kill my wife," Sirius whispered. Harry felt all heads turn in their direction and knew they were looking at Sirius. Harry, though, found he could not turn around and face his godfather at that moment.
"There is a great possibility that will not happen," Dumbledore said. "It is common knowledge that Magmani have spirits of fire, and are pained by the cold." Dumbledore stood and pulled a great ring of keys from his robes. He singled out a long golden key edged with precious stones and walked over to a large silver cabinet. As he twisted the key in the lock every head in the room stretched to see what lay within. Dumbledore pulled out a great scabbard.
"Albus, is that..." McGonagall started to ask, but never finished, amazement clear in her voice.
"Yes Minerva, this is indeed the Sword of the Four Houses," Dumbledore answered and stepped into the middle of the room. The other occupants crowded around Dumbledore to gaze at the weapon. Harry was reminded of the sword of Godric Gryffindor, but it was obvious that this was not the same sword. This scabbard was golden. At the bottom, two silver snakes met at a point while the rest of their bodies interlaced up the sword. Above the serpents were two badgers. Their backs ran up the sides as they sat on their hind legs, their front legs touching each other. Above them sat one great eagle, its wings were outstretched and wrapped around the sides of the scabbard, its sapphire blue eyes stared straight forward. Two lions sat atop the wings, each with its front paws stretched upwards supporting the hilt of the sword.
The hilt was breathtaking. Tiny ropes of gold and silver wound together to form the grip. The arms of the hilt curved downwards, each embossed with two house insignia. The hilt was lined with tiny stones. Many of them Harry recognized, however, there were some stones that were not known to him, their names lost in the modern age, their timeless beauty forever captured on this hilt alone. In the center was one great stone. It was a deep purple, or green, perhaps even blue. Harry couldn't tell for sure. Underneath its glassy surface flickered tiny lights as if the stone had captured the light of a thousand tiny candles. Dumbledore spoke again, "At one time the founders of Hogwarts were of like mind. They understood and accepted the differences between them and realized that together they possessed great power, one that could not be dissuaded by any evil. It was during this time of understanding that they decided to forge one great sword in case the world presented an evil that required a weapon of immense magnitude," Dumbledore said rotating the hilt with one hand. "Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, and Salazaar Slytherin worked together to forge this sword, each house pouring all their abilities into their efforts. The scabbard is impressive, and the hilt contains beauty unlike any other sword that has or will ever be made, but it is the blade that contains the power," Dumbledore said, and with a movement one would think too fast for a man of his age, he pulled the sword from the scabbard. The sword's exit from the scabbard was noiseless, without the usual sound of metal scraping against a scabbard. The room's occupants took a deep breath as each felt the power of the blade. It was not silver, as one would expect, but white, and it glowed much like the stone of the hilt. Dumbledore flexed his wrist, swaying the sword from right to left. As the sword moved it left an echo in the air. Not one that you could see or hear, but one that you could feel.
"The sword is composed of two magic metals long forgotten to history, one from the depths of the earth, the second from the heights of the mountains. It was the Gryffindors who recovered the materials and so their bravery was etched into the sword. The Hufflepuffs heated and tempered the blade, their work taking many months to perfect. Into this blade went their patience and their toil. The Ravenclaws used all of their intellect to inscribe the blade with the most powerful strengthening spells and are also responsible for the sword being as light as it is. The Slytherins placed upon the blade a potion that made the blade impervious to dulling and also made its surface colder than ice." Dumbledore slid the sword back into the scabbard, "It is that last quality that I believe will help us the most."
Sirius took a step back from the group. "You mean ter run the poor lass through with tha' sword?" Hagrid asked.
"No Hagrid, I mean to destroy the evil that is invading her body. I don't deny that there will be great risk to her life, but it is also her only chance for salvation."
"I don't know Albus," Will said, "The history behind that sword is questionable. It is power, no doubt, but what if that power is turned against us?"
"I agree with you Will. There is a reason why the sword has only been used twice since its formation. It contains great power and its power must be matched by the strength of the wielder. Otherwise the sword becomes volatile and unpredictable. However, it is our best and only weapon."
"The risk is too great," Will said and many of the others nodded in agreement.
"I honor all of your opinions and if that is the consensus of the group than I will return the sword to its cupboard and we will try to think of a new plan. But remember that time is running short for all of us, especially Selene. I will ask you only once, who agrees with the decision to wield the sword against the Book?"
No one moved. No one said a word.
"Very well," Dumbledore said, "I will just return..."
"I'm in," a voice said. Everyone watched as Sirius stepped back into the circle and took the sword from Dumbledore. Harry noted that he looked physically ill as he held the sword. Nonetheless his voice was strong, "It is a good plan. If this will end it, then I'm in."
Remus stepped forward and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, "As am I."
Harry reached out and touched the hilt, his own vote now cast. Harry looked over at Lupin, who winked, and over at Sirius who smiled. And so the sword passed from the hands of the headmaster into the hands of a convicted murderer, a half-giant, a werewolf, a stuffy professor, a fallen Auror, a Potions Master, and the Boy who Lived, each of whom making a vow and deciding upon a plan to save their school, their lives, and their world.