A/N- Wow. Busy Beth. It seems my muse has decided to visit me more often
recently, as I have finished writing Chapter 22, almost finished Chapter
23, and practically planned out the two after that. It looks like all of
you are in for a treat, because I may have two or three more chapters out
in a matter of weeks. As usual, thank you to everyone who has reviewed
since my last post, even though it hasn't been that long. If you see
Endora online, thank her for putting up with my continually-morphing story
and giving me inspiration, as well as making sure this is actually
readable. This chapter was mostly prompted by her ideas of the timeline
beyond the books, a lot of which I agree with. Enjoy!
Bonds of Pain
Chapter Twenty-one
In which there is aftermath and explanations
Having finished helping Albus with the Frateris draught for the Dream Team, Severus slipped away from Filius Flitwick and made off down a deserted corridor to bang his head against the stones. Each of the budding couples in the group had turned out to be Soulmates, displaying intriguingly powerful telekinesis. Draco had practically shown off with his teacup, but all six students had floated their teacups to the desk without using wands, hands, or incantations. With the rest of the group, despite only having been close for two months, the friendships had been so firm that there was now a complete telepathic circle among them. How was he to keep them from giving each other answers on tests?
Severus only allowed himself a few minutes of self-pity. He was needed in the Entrance Hall to help identify some of the captured, injured, and dead Death Eaters. Uncharacteristically, he hoped that Wormtail was among the lot. At least the students-including the Dream Team, as Albus was escorting them-were in their dormitories. They wouldn't have to face the blood and the bodies. With two giant cats and a huge serpent fighting on their side, Death Eater casualties had been high. There would certainly be some drastic punishments soon.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry sighed as Professor Dumbledore led them up the stairs towards Gryffindor Tower. The headmaster still hadn't told them why Voldemort wanted to kidnap Professor McGonagall.
"If we might step in here for a moment, everyone?" the wizened old man asked, gesturing to a classroom just off the stairs. Wordlessly, the Dream Team filed in, seating themselves on the dusty desks against one wall. They watched silently as Dumbledore seemed to gather himself.
"I presume you all know that Voldemort was once Tom Riddle?" Nods all around were his answer. "During his years here, Minerva was also a student. She was from an old pureblood family, and an attractive young lady. Tom became enamoured of her and pursued her until he left the school, but she completely refused his advances. During his first reign of terror, he attempted to abduct her from the school no less than five times. Each failed. In my opinion-and hers-Tom still desires her in a carnal fashion. As she is a powerful witch, the result of a union between the two of them would be inordinately more so."
"So if Tom managed to get a child of his from Professor McGonagall and raise that child the way he liked." Harry began. This did not look good at all.
". then we'd all be in deep shite." Ginny completed his thought aloud, squeezing his hand gently. Dumbledore nodded solemnly.
"We need Myrtle more than ever. If she can find Voldemort and tell us where he's keeping the professor and the wards he has up, it will make our mission that much easier." Ron's analytical mind was obviously already at work.
"As soon as Myrtle shows up, either one of the other ghosts or one of the portraits will ask her to come see me," Dumbledore commented. "I will let her know what information we need. However, that does not mean any of you will be going on the rescue mission."
"What?"
"Are you insane?"
"There is no way you're leaving us here." Lavender was matter-of-fact. "If there are anti-magic wards in place, we may be the only ones able to fight effectively. You saw what we girls can do, and the boys have bigger weapons, for the most part." This was said with a shy look at the black- haired boy in the middle of the group. Harry waved the comment off. He was quite proud of his daggers, and he had recently been working with them and Gryffindor's Sword as a set.
"We will cross that bridge when we reach it, Miss Brown. In the meantime, I will keep you informed. Now, let us continue to the Tower." Dumbledore opened the door and waited for them to leave, but they stayed seated.
"Who will teach Transfiguration?" Hermione asked.
"I will. I taught the subject before I became Headmaster, I can do so again."
"What about Head of House?" Harry noticed that Ron was holding Hermione's hand in both of his as the redhead spoke.
"Xiomara Hooch is the other Gryffindor graduate on staff. I realize that our House is already Quidditch-mad, but I will ask her to restrain her enthusiasm for the game."
~Bloody hell,~ Harry thought, trying to broadcast to the entire group Apparently he was successful, as all his friends seemed to hear his mental tenor.
{We won't get any studying done with Madam Hooch in charge,} Hermione's alto moaned. Harry was not the only one to chuckle.
{Merlin knows we need the practice, though,} Ginny commented prosaically. The raven-haired boy rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand and marvelled at the music in her mind's adult soprano. He couldn't seem to get enough of hearing it.
~I love you, Gin,~ he whispered, the thought solely on the "wavelength" he shared with his girlfriend.
{I love you, too, Harry,} came the soft response. Smiling, the green- eyed Gryffindor laced his fingers with his soulmate's, feeling the silver of his promise ring against his hand.
When the group reached the Fat Lady, Dumbledore smiled. "You may tell your classmates there was a battle and Minerva was kidnapped, but please refrain from giving out the details I related to you." All six students nodded agreeably. Knowing that Voldemort. well, lusted after their Head of House- and apparently had done so for over fifty years-had unsettled them. Harry could well imagine what the other Gryffindors' reactions would be. Of course, some would have to be informed, but the headmaster was well within his rights to determine who and when.
"Dragon tooth," Ron muttered to the Fat Lady as the old wizard disappeared around the corner. The pink-clad woman barely looked up, a lacy hankie in hand.
"O-of course, dear. Oh, my poor kitten!" Harry and Ginny exchanged incredulous stared as the portrait burst into fresh tears.
{Of course!} Ginny thought. {She must have been here when Professor McGonagall was a student, and she probably knows McGonagall's a cat animagus, so a younger McGonagall would be.}
~. a kitten. I see now. One of the other portraits must have told her about the attack. A devilish smirk spread across his face as he stepped through the portrait hole behind Lav and before Ginny. Turning swiftly, he seized the younger girl about the waist and set her over his shoulder in a fireman's lift to carry her into the common room.
"Harry James Potter, put me down right now!" she shrieked. Through their new bond-his head was getting a bit crowded between his friends and Voldemort-the dark-haired boy knew she was teasing. However, Fred and George Weasley did not, despite being her brothers and having known her all her life.
"if the lady says put her down." one twin began.
".you had better do as she asks, Potter." Both seventh-years levelled Snape-calibre glares at him.
"You idiots," Ginny hissed as Harry set her on her feet. "We were playing around. Grow up. If I really wanted down, I would have been as soon as he picked me up." While Gred and Forge had Snape glares, nothing could compare to the Ginny Weasley Glare of Doom. The two wizards shrank in on themselves and said not a word.
Noticing that the commons was considerably quieter than when they had entered, Harry looked around. Nearly seventy faces stared and him and the rest of the Dreamers. "What?" he asked, puzzled. He hated being gawked at.
"What happened?"
"Where'd you go?"
"Where's McGonagall?" Questions pelted at the Dream Team from all sides. Frustrated, the green-eyed boy drew his wand and loudly shot sparks into the air. Everyone was soon quiet again, and he climbed onto a table so he could be seen.
"Death Eaters have attacked the school and abducted Professor McGonagall. However, there were defenders on our side, and most of the professors are currently sorting out enemy casualties. No one on our side was severely hurt."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Draco listened and watched as Harry calmed their classmates and explained the situation to a packed common room. It was simply amazing to see this side of his friend at work.
{I don't think he realizes yet,} Ron's baritone commented, {but Harry's a natural leader. They look to him because he knows instinctively what to say to calm them, and what to do. It's uncanny when you watch him do that.}
{He doesn't even know he's doing it, brother dear,} Ginny replied. Draco got the strange feeling that Harry couldn't hear a thing they were saying.
{He can't hear us, love,} Lavender told him. She stroked his knuckles with her thumb. {The talent has him so strongly that he won't even register us until the rest of the House has calmed down.}
~I guess I realized that, in a way,~ the blond admitted with a sigh. ~It's just a mite strange to be talking to the rest of you like this instead of him.~ Taking him by surprise, Lav leaned over and kissed him just in front of his ear.
"I do like you," the honey-haired girl whispered. Draco could feel his face heat and his heart flutter. Oh my.
Harry quickly finished briefing the other Gryffindors on the situation. When he related the fact that Madam Hooch would be the temporary Head of House, Lee Jordan and the members of the Quidditch team cheered. Draco arced an eyebrow.
"Enthusiastic, aren't they?" he murmured to no one in particular. Lavender snorted.
"Indeed. Practice will be insane for a while. Then again, matches will be off the walls." At the sarcastic, yet true response, he had to snigger.
Harry had stepped down from the table and was blushing at Weasley compliments when a banging on the portrait startled Draco. Glancing at the girl beside him, he moved down the short corridor with his wand at the ready, giving the door a slight push. There stood Madam Hooch, her short grey hair almost as mussed as Harry's usually was, and her hawk-like eyes bright.
"Mr. Malfoy, where's Mr. Potter? I have news for him," the coach explained, bouncing on the balls of her feet. The blond pushed the portal further open and pointed towards the common room. He was nearly bowled over by the short flying teacher. The former Slytherin righted himself and followed to see what had the woman so worked up.
Harry was bent over to hear the temporary Head, who in turn was on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. Without warning, the raven-haired boy jumped, punching the air and whooping in joy. Ignoring the fact that he had just gotten the attention of the rest of the room again, Draco's friend seized Ginny about the waist and spun her in the air.
{He's free!} the jubilant young man crowed mentally. {Wormtail is among the injured, and Sirius is going to be free!} Grinning at the good news, Draco and the rest of the Dream Team moved forward, enveloping the Golden Boy in a group hug that only broke up when Harry began to thoroughly kiss his girlfriend. Cheers and catcalls filled the common room when the remainder of Gryffindor realized what the pair was doing.
"Thanks, Madam Hooch. That was the best news he could have received this evening." The Quidditch coach looked up at the blond, puzzled, but he tapped his temple and glanced at Harry, which she understood.
"Why was that good news, though?" she asked. Draco sat in an unoccupied armchair, and Madam Hooch took another to his left.
"The man you told him of, Wormtail, was the real Secret Keeper for the Potters. They switched at the last minute. Wormtail betrayed them, orphaned Harry, and then framed Sirius for his own murder before hiding as the Weasleys' pet rat until third year. Because we can finally prove that he's alive, Harry's godfather can go free, and we've caught a prominent and knowledgeable Death Eater." The small woman nodded her understanding.
"I guess he's been in communication with Black since his third year?" she queried, obviously meaning Harry.
"Ever since he found out the truth." The witch chuckled wryly.
"Not that Sirius is an ideal role model for anyone, but he's better than nothing."
Draco smiled a bit coolly. "Better by for than the Muggles Harry grew up with. I'm surprised he turned out as kind as he did after dealing with them." This comment prompted a curious look from the coach, but he only elaborated a bit. "I'll just say that no living creature deserves the treatment he put up with for ten year and the last four summers."
Xiomara Hooch nodded solemnly before standing again. "I must get back downstairs to help the others, now that I've delivered my message. I hope Albus can do something about Minerva's predicament before something awful happens." Draco nodded. "By the way, what's the password so I can get in later?"
"Dragon tooth. Good luck, Madam Hooch." The woman nodded and waved as she left. Draco was soon pulled into the mass celebration that began as the true story of Sirius Black spread around the room.
How did Sev's lycanthropy cure work out for Remus? How will Fudge react to all the strange news he's getting? What will Dumbledore tell the school and the papers? What will Dumbledore's Transfiguration class be like? Find out next time!
If anyone has ideas for the Dream Team's nicknames (a la the Marauders), let me know in your review!
Beth Weasley
Bonds of Pain
Chapter Twenty-one
In which there is aftermath and explanations
Having finished helping Albus with the Frateris draught for the Dream Team, Severus slipped away from Filius Flitwick and made off down a deserted corridor to bang his head against the stones. Each of the budding couples in the group had turned out to be Soulmates, displaying intriguingly powerful telekinesis. Draco had practically shown off with his teacup, but all six students had floated their teacups to the desk without using wands, hands, or incantations. With the rest of the group, despite only having been close for two months, the friendships had been so firm that there was now a complete telepathic circle among them. How was he to keep them from giving each other answers on tests?
Severus only allowed himself a few minutes of self-pity. He was needed in the Entrance Hall to help identify some of the captured, injured, and dead Death Eaters. Uncharacteristically, he hoped that Wormtail was among the lot. At least the students-including the Dream Team, as Albus was escorting them-were in their dormitories. They wouldn't have to face the blood and the bodies. With two giant cats and a huge serpent fighting on their side, Death Eater casualties had been high. There would certainly be some drastic punishments soon.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry sighed as Professor Dumbledore led them up the stairs towards Gryffindor Tower. The headmaster still hadn't told them why Voldemort wanted to kidnap Professor McGonagall.
"If we might step in here for a moment, everyone?" the wizened old man asked, gesturing to a classroom just off the stairs. Wordlessly, the Dream Team filed in, seating themselves on the dusty desks against one wall. They watched silently as Dumbledore seemed to gather himself.
"I presume you all know that Voldemort was once Tom Riddle?" Nods all around were his answer. "During his years here, Minerva was also a student. She was from an old pureblood family, and an attractive young lady. Tom became enamoured of her and pursued her until he left the school, but she completely refused his advances. During his first reign of terror, he attempted to abduct her from the school no less than five times. Each failed. In my opinion-and hers-Tom still desires her in a carnal fashion. As she is a powerful witch, the result of a union between the two of them would be inordinately more so."
"So if Tom managed to get a child of his from Professor McGonagall and raise that child the way he liked." Harry began. This did not look good at all.
". then we'd all be in deep shite." Ginny completed his thought aloud, squeezing his hand gently. Dumbledore nodded solemnly.
"We need Myrtle more than ever. If she can find Voldemort and tell us where he's keeping the professor and the wards he has up, it will make our mission that much easier." Ron's analytical mind was obviously already at work.
"As soon as Myrtle shows up, either one of the other ghosts or one of the portraits will ask her to come see me," Dumbledore commented. "I will let her know what information we need. However, that does not mean any of you will be going on the rescue mission."
"What?"
"Are you insane?"
"There is no way you're leaving us here." Lavender was matter-of-fact. "If there are anti-magic wards in place, we may be the only ones able to fight effectively. You saw what we girls can do, and the boys have bigger weapons, for the most part." This was said with a shy look at the black- haired boy in the middle of the group. Harry waved the comment off. He was quite proud of his daggers, and he had recently been working with them and Gryffindor's Sword as a set.
"We will cross that bridge when we reach it, Miss Brown. In the meantime, I will keep you informed. Now, let us continue to the Tower." Dumbledore opened the door and waited for them to leave, but they stayed seated.
"Who will teach Transfiguration?" Hermione asked.
"I will. I taught the subject before I became Headmaster, I can do so again."
"What about Head of House?" Harry noticed that Ron was holding Hermione's hand in both of his as the redhead spoke.
"Xiomara Hooch is the other Gryffindor graduate on staff. I realize that our House is already Quidditch-mad, but I will ask her to restrain her enthusiasm for the game."
~Bloody hell,~ Harry thought, trying to broadcast to the entire group Apparently he was successful, as all his friends seemed to hear his mental tenor.
{We won't get any studying done with Madam Hooch in charge,} Hermione's alto moaned. Harry was not the only one to chuckle.
{Merlin knows we need the practice, though,} Ginny commented prosaically. The raven-haired boy rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand and marvelled at the music in her mind's adult soprano. He couldn't seem to get enough of hearing it.
~I love you, Gin,~ he whispered, the thought solely on the "wavelength" he shared with his girlfriend.
{I love you, too, Harry,} came the soft response. Smiling, the green- eyed Gryffindor laced his fingers with his soulmate's, feeling the silver of his promise ring against his hand.
When the group reached the Fat Lady, Dumbledore smiled. "You may tell your classmates there was a battle and Minerva was kidnapped, but please refrain from giving out the details I related to you." All six students nodded agreeably. Knowing that Voldemort. well, lusted after their Head of House- and apparently had done so for over fifty years-had unsettled them. Harry could well imagine what the other Gryffindors' reactions would be. Of course, some would have to be informed, but the headmaster was well within his rights to determine who and when.
"Dragon tooth," Ron muttered to the Fat Lady as the old wizard disappeared around the corner. The pink-clad woman barely looked up, a lacy hankie in hand.
"O-of course, dear. Oh, my poor kitten!" Harry and Ginny exchanged incredulous stared as the portrait burst into fresh tears.
{Of course!} Ginny thought. {She must have been here when Professor McGonagall was a student, and she probably knows McGonagall's a cat animagus, so a younger McGonagall would be.}
~. a kitten. I see now. One of the other portraits must have told her about the attack. A devilish smirk spread across his face as he stepped through the portrait hole behind Lav and before Ginny. Turning swiftly, he seized the younger girl about the waist and set her over his shoulder in a fireman's lift to carry her into the common room.
"Harry James Potter, put me down right now!" she shrieked. Through their new bond-his head was getting a bit crowded between his friends and Voldemort-the dark-haired boy knew she was teasing. However, Fred and George Weasley did not, despite being her brothers and having known her all her life.
"if the lady says put her down." one twin began.
".you had better do as she asks, Potter." Both seventh-years levelled Snape-calibre glares at him.
"You idiots," Ginny hissed as Harry set her on her feet. "We were playing around. Grow up. If I really wanted down, I would have been as soon as he picked me up." While Gred and Forge had Snape glares, nothing could compare to the Ginny Weasley Glare of Doom. The two wizards shrank in on themselves and said not a word.
Noticing that the commons was considerably quieter than when they had entered, Harry looked around. Nearly seventy faces stared and him and the rest of the Dreamers. "What?" he asked, puzzled. He hated being gawked at.
"What happened?"
"Where'd you go?"
"Where's McGonagall?" Questions pelted at the Dream Team from all sides. Frustrated, the green-eyed boy drew his wand and loudly shot sparks into the air. Everyone was soon quiet again, and he climbed onto a table so he could be seen.
"Death Eaters have attacked the school and abducted Professor McGonagall. However, there were defenders on our side, and most of the professors are currently sorting out enemy casualties. No one on our side was severely hurt."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Draco listened and watched as Harry calmed their classmates and explained the situation to a packed common room. It was simply amazing to see this side of his friend at work.
{I don't think he realizes yet,} Ron's baritone commented, {but Harry's a natural leader. They look to him because he knows instinctively what to say to calm them, and what to do. It's uncanny when you watch him do that.}
{He doesn't even know he's doing it, brother dear,} Ginny replied. Draco got the strange feeling that Harry couldn't hear a thing they were saying.
{He can't hear us, love,} Lavender told him. She stroked his knuckles with her thumb. {The talent has him so strongly that he won't even register us until the rest of the House has calmed down.}
~I guess I realized that, in a way,~ the blond admitted with a sigh. ~It's just a mite strange to be talking to the rest of you like this instead of him.~ Taking him by surprise, Lav leaned over and kissed him just in front of his ear.
"I do like you," the honey-haired girl whispered. Draco could feel his face heat and his heart flutter. Oh my.
Harry quickly finished briefing the other Gryffindors on the situation. When he related the fact that Madam Hooch would be the temporary Head of House, Lee Jordan and the members of the Quidditch team cheered. Draco arced an eyebrow.
"Enthusiastic, aren't they?" he murmured to no one in particular. Lavender snorted.
"Indeed. Practice will be insane for a while. Then again, matches will be off the walls." At the sarcastic, yet true response, he had to snigger.
Harry had stepped down from the table and was blushing at Weasley compliments when a banging on the portrait startled Draco. Glancing at the girl beside him, he moved down the short corridor with his wand at the ready, giving the door a slight push. There stood Madam Hooch, her short grey hair almost as mussed as Harry's usually was, and her hawk-like eyes bright.
"Mr. Malfoy, where's Mr. Potter? I have news for him," the coach explained, bouncing on the balls of her feet. The blond pushed the portal further open and pointed towards the common room. He was nearly bowled over by the short flying teacher. The former Slytherin righted himself and followed to see what had the woman so worked up.
Harry was bent over to hear the temporary Head, who in turn was on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. Without warning, the raven-haired boy jumped, punching the air and whooping in joy. Ignoring the fact that he had just gotten the attention of the rest of the room again, Draco's friend seized Ginny about the waist and spun her in the air.
{He's free!} the jubilant young man crowed mentally. {Wormtail is among the injured, and Sirius is going to be free!} Grinning at the good news, Draco and the rest of the Dream Team moved forward, enveloping the Golden Boy in a group hug that only broke up when Harry began to thoroughly kiss his girlfriend. Cheers and catcalls filled the common room when the remainder of Gryffindor realized what the pair was doing.
"Thanks, Madam Hooch. That was the best news he could have received this evening." The Quidditch coach looked up at the blond, puzzled, but he tapped his temple and glanced at Harry, which she understood.
"Why was that good news, though?" she asked. Draco sat in an unoccupied armchair, and Madam Hooch took another to his left.
"The man you told him of, Wormtail, was the real Secret Keeper for the Potters. They switched at the last minute. Wormtail betrayed them, orphaned Harry, and then framed Sirius for his own murder before hiding as the Weasleys' pet rat until third year. Because we can finally prove that he's alive, Harry's godfather can go free, and we've caught a prominent and knowledgeable Death Eater." The small woman nodded her understanding.
"I guess he's been in communication with Black since his third year?" she queried, obviously meaning Harry.
"Ever since he found out the truth." The witch chuckled wryly.
"Not that Sirius is an ideal role model for anyone, but he's better than nothing."
Draco smiled a bit coolly. "Better by for than the Muggles Harry grew up with. I'm surprised he turned out as kind as he did after dealing with them." This comment prompted a curious look from the coach, but he only elaborated a bit. "I'll just say that no living creature deserves the treatment he put up with for ten year and the last four summers."
Xiomara Hooch nodded solemnly before standing again. "I must get back downstairs to help the others, now that I've delivered my message. I hope Albus can do something about Minerva's predicament before something awful happens." Draco nodded. "By the way, what's the password so I can get in later?"
"Dragon tooth. Good luck, Madam Hooch." The woman nodded and waved as she left. Draco was soon pulled into the mass celebration that began as the true story of Sirius Black spread around the room.
How did Sev's lycanthropy cure work out for Remus? How will Fudge react to all the strange news he's getting? What will Dumbledore tell the school and the papers? What will Dumbledore's Transfiguration class be like? Find out next time!
If anyone has ideas for the Dream Team's nicknames (a la the Marauders), let me know in your review!
Beth Weasley