Magical Mysticism
Chapter 15
Its been forever!!!! I'm so sorry, but my life has been so hectic, with school, and sports, and what-not… I'm horribly sorry that it took this long. I'll try to make it up to you guys. Thanks for all your reviews!
The day drew on. Lupin spent nearly four hours telling his story to Draco and Virginia. When he finished, he was extremely tired and hungry. After a brief consultation, the two invited the otherwise homeless man to stay with them for a few days, until they had some sort of scheme planned. Lupin had told them many things, about Severus Snape, and his history. The words spoken only gave Draco more reason to long for revenge.
The formal evening meal was served, then a house-elf showed the former DADA professor to his guest room, in the south wing of the manor. There, satisfied with himself, Lupin fell into a deep slumber.
The same rest and relaxation would not be granted to the Dark Leaders until many hours later. Both were eager to get a plan of action ready for Snape and Dumbledore. Draco himself was fuming at the betrayal of Snape, as he had been for days. They were in their spacious study, talking and working.
"What we need," he began, muttering darkly, "is someone to spy on them, like they think they've got on us. A Hogwarts student would work, perhaps. Lupin, too, if we could somehow get him back to the school. We need eyes and ears in the castle."
"Hmm." Virginia was engrossed in her potion. "We could always call Snape here, and kill him."
"How obvious, dear. Do you not think that they probably expect something of the nature to happen? I mean, if they ever caught on that we knew about Severus's double life, he would stop coming immediately. He'd probably have tracking charms on his body or something."
"We could have another Revel. That would be inconspicuous, and if he didn't show up, then we'd have reason to attack him. Once he was here, we could have him taken off grounds, apparated away, and questioned and killed." Virginia looked up, after keeping her head down while saying this. She looked at Draco's eyes, searching for some sort of approval there.
"Of course. That sounds perfect, dear. Will you begin planning it immediately?"
"Yes, Draco. Meanwhile, what should we do with our werewolf who is sleeping so peacefully up there?"
Draco pondered for a minute, drumming his hands on the work table where he stood. After a second, his Queen's eyes returned to their work at the potion in front of her. It was a green brew, and currently spewing clouds of golden storms, kept only from entering the air by a Containment charm that had been placed on the cauldron.
After a little longer, he spoke. "I do not doubt that you were as surprised as I was by his visit today. Nevertheless, it was very informational, and gave us a lot to think on indeed. Werewolves, as you know from your peace-treaty deals, are excellent fighters. He could help in the final battle tremendously. Until then, Dumbledore still trusts him, you know."
"Yes, he could go to Dumbledore for 'assistance'. Perhaps he could be instrumental in the capturing of the old fool?:
The tormenting of Dumbledore was something that both had wished for for a long time. Doubtless he would be a key character in the war, and if the Light side did not have him, they had Harry Potter as their leader. And Harry Potter would have no idea how to win the war.
"So Remeus returns to Dumbledore? I will tell him in the morning. But how are we to make sure that he has and will continue to be trustworthy?"
At this, Virginia gave a little smile. I'm already way ahead of you, Draco dear. You still have not asked what this potion is for."
Draco started, and began to speak.
"It's okay. The potion is an old one, not very well known, but powerful. It shall be applied liberally to his cloak and robes. Fortunately, the green color does not stay. The mixture will turn invisible as it dries."
Pausing a second, she concentrated on the addition of another ingredient, which, as far as Draco could tell, was the blood of an animal.
"Hornback." Answered his questioning glance.
"And… what does it do?" Draco sarcastically replied as she was once more lost in her work.
"Just a sec- there!" Finishing the careful measurement of a vial of ground-up snail shells, Virginia removed the cauldron from the open flame and spoke to Draco while stirring the repulsive smelling mix.
"It's a Vraimix. A rather potent one, too. If we just spread it on a belonging that he will touch, the potion will be absorbed into the skin. Then, if he is ever doing something that we would find as being traitorous, it will kill him, and alert us to his betrayal. Then, if it is correctly combined with a spell, it will give off a memory charm to all those who were present during the act."
"A memory charm? Not even the strongest one could work on Dumbledore. I know that he, Muggle-loving and foolish as he is, is at least powerful enough to resist one of those."
"I know. That's why I'm trying to make the brew as strongly as possible. Then, perhaps, it will kill him before too much damage is done. It's the best we can hope for.
"Okay. Sounds good. Get a house elf to smear it on his belongings as soon as it is ready."
Then, marching out of the dungeons, Draco left for the bedroom. Tomorrow would require much more exertion on his part, if he was not mistaken.
Virginia quickly bottled the potion, and called for a house-elf. Leaving explicit instructions with them, she followed Draco's footsteps to bed.
However, just before she reached the hallway to turn, she thought quickly and wound up continuing her journey straight. Later, she could not exactly recall why she went that way, or whether or not she was being led, but before she knew it, Virginia was standing in front of an old, dusty door.
It had the look of being unused, like it was just somehow forgotten. Looking up and down the corridor where she stood, Virginia could neither see any familiar landmark to guide her back to somewhere she recognized, nor any house-elf. Which was rather unusual, considering that there were at least two hundred of the servants to take care of the restored mansions many rooms.
Virginia found herself pressing against the dusty door. The wood was almost rotting, and splinters were forming on her dark green robes. The door held magically together, though. From the looks of it, there was a powerful protection spell placed on the door. Obviously, no one was to get in.
Something was off, though. There was a heavy metal door-knocker in the center of the door, as if inviting her to knock. For some reason, Virginia felt compelled to grab the knocker, and hit it against the door. But, the second her hand touched the cold, aged metal, a sudden warmth sprang up through her hand. The metal turned to scales, and a black serpent resembling the one she wore around her neck hit the door instead of the knocker.
A deep resonating gong rang out, nearly deafening Virginia, who quickly covered her ears.
Slowly, creaking as if it had been closed for nearly a millennia, the door opened, and Virginia was pushed forward into the black void, no candle-light in front to lead her way.
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The Burrow was getting crowed. Many of Ron's brothers were home, and several guests. This was all well and good if you were used to having a crowd of people with you all the time, like the Weasley's, but it was getting to be too much for Harry, who enjoyed his solitude.
However, the large group of people made for at least a little anonymity. Which one member of the family most certainly enjoyed. However, the time was come to show Percy's true side. He was not one that was comfortable with this two-timing business. Although he was helping his Lord and Lady's side, it still caused a shudder to run through him when he thought about the backstabbing he was doing.
He'd much rather go and declare his true thoughts and side and become a fugitive from the MoM.
I know that it took me way Way WAY too long to get that out. I know it wasn't that great a chapter, either. And I know that you are probably tired of this pre-battle of good and evil crap. But still, let me know what you think.
Thanks a lot!
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