Heya again everyone! Sorry for not updating sooner, but I was dragged around by my mum a lot and didn't have the time. Now firstly thanks to peach-muffin90, Ian, James, Kyra, Sockey and Matt(x 5) for reviewing! *hug*
Well, let us continue…
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B||Keeper of Shadows||/B Chapter 6: Fort Hogwarts
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I 'Thoughts' /I
[Letters/writing]
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"Well, any suggestions on how to get in?"
"Well, I was thinking…"
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It was started off like any other day within the thickly spelled walls of Fort Hogwarts.
Everyone woke up at the crack of dawn to the bell signifying the changing of guards, allowing those rostered for the previous shift to return home for a well-deserved rest.
People hurried off to their jobs, whether it is farming, dealing out supplies, researching or guard-duty.
Dumbledore stared out of his office window absentmindedly. Then, nodding to himself, he bought out a wooden box from under his desk. Gently sliding off the lid, he picked up the round blue orb from its black satin resting place, replaced the lid of the box and placed the orb in the shallow grove in the lid. With a soft click, it slid into place. Dumbledore leaned over the orb.
"Calling all senior council members, meeting in Hogwarts Castle Great Hall. I repeat, Calling all senior council members, meeting in Hogwarts Castle Great Hall…" Dumbledore's voice echoed clearly all over Fort Hogwarts but stopped at the gates.
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Two old figures staggered up to the guards, dressed in rags and covered in dirt with grey hair flying everywhere messily, they banged the front doors desperately, begging to be allowed inside.
The guard, feeling pity for the two, who were obviously muggles by the absence of wands, opened the doors to let them in.
"Sir, Madam, you from one of those concentration camps?" The guard removed his helmet, showing the concerned face of Ernie MacMillan, the (ex) Hufflepuff.
Suddenly, the features of the old man shifted and blurred, revealing the amused expression of Daggyr.
"Hello Ernie, long time no see…"
A dart sprouted from his neck.
"Hmm, knockout poison? You really like using poison don't you?" Daggyr inspected the dart.
"Why else am I called Venom?"
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"Ok, everyone…is everyone here?"
Dumbledore turned to the assembled council.
Hermione sat quill dancing over a piece of parchment, adding comments to her report. As the Head of research, she along with others in her department develop new spells, weapons, tools merging both magic and muggle technology to aid the Fort, whether in defense, attack, or just everyday living.
Neville Longbottom peered over her shoulder. He is the Head of Agriculture, a very important position that help an eye on the crops and other foodstuff they can forage from the Forbidden Forests.
Ronald Weasley was frowning, inspecting a modified muggle gun with concentration. He is the Head of Defence and Warfare. Using his skills as a chess-player to ensure the safety of the Fort.
Fleur Delacour was marking a stack of tests. She is the Head of Education and Child welfare. In charge of the Primary school a short distance away from Hogwarts castle. While Minerva McGonagall is in charge of the secondary schooling of the populace. She is also in charge of General Welfare.
Serverus Snape is the Head of Potions, Poisons and Medicines, often working with Madame Promfrey, who is the Head of Public Health.
Draco Malfoy is the head of Espionage, gathering as much information as possible to prevent attacks on the fort.
Sirius Black (A/N: Ok, I didn't read Order Of the Phoenix before this story, so anything that happens in the book does not apply here…) is in charge of recreation and the well-being of the community.
And of course, there's Dumbledore, in charge of everything overall.
"Ahh yes, everyone's here, Albus…" McGonagall nodded absentmindedly.
"You know what this meeting is about," Dumbledore started.
"No, I don't what's going on?" Sirius enquired.
"Well, yesterday, Minerva, Hermione, Albus, Ron, Serverus and myself were attacked by a band of Death Eaters just outside Fort walls, " Draco explained, "We were serverely outnumbered, and would not survived, if not for someone who just turned up…"
"Well, who is it?" Sirius snapped impatiently, he hated being kept in the dark.
Dumbledore looked and stared helplessly at Sirius, "It was Harry…"
A voice sounded from the shadows by the curtains behind Dumbledore.
"Bravo, nice speech…"
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All heads spun around and Daggyr stepped out from behind the curtains, followed by an amused Venom.
"I hope you don't mind that we'll…drop by." Daggyr pointed upwards, a magical rope suspended from the window where owls once few in daily to deliver their mail.
"H-how did you get past the guards?" Ron stuttered, "I t-tr-trained them myself."
"In that case, I expect them to be trained better next time." Venom remarked.
"How did you get the owl hatch open? We locked it with several padlocks and alarm spells…" Hermione peered about worriedly.
"Well, I'm just surprised that with this security no Death Eaters have infiltrated the walls then, I can pick locks you know." Daggyr set himself down in a spare chair he conjured, it was stylishly black and silver, "I'm not here to forgive you, in fact I might never forgive you, but for now, I offer a temporary alliance do you accept?." Daggyr folded his arms, a person knowledgeable in the ways of the Shadowkeepers will know that this means that the person probably won't remain forever loyal. However, none of the people present even heard of the ShadowKeepers except only in myths and legends.
Dumbledore looked relieved, "Yes of course Harry."
"Call me Daggyr. Now, let's stop all this chit chat, tell me of the current situation in the world, I have been…living under a rock for 10 years…Knowledge is power, and I like power." He flicked on his G.C, the lenses flashing neon colours.
Venom conjured a chair to sit on, though it was heavily entwined with vines and flowers.
The council stared at each other thoughtfully.
"Well, Darkmont is now the capital of the Dark empire. It is basically where London used to be. 'Emperor' Voldie," Neville spat out the word to Daggyr's surprise as this was definitely out of character for the previous chubby yet generally non-violent boy, "…sits on top of his little throne in the Imperial palace, most of the time, he commands his army to do his work, usually the sons and daughters of those loyal to Voldemont, or his Death Eaters, those who were loyal to him since his rise to power and are now mainly his nobles to do the more important jobs. Basically, he turned the world back to the medieval times with Fiefs, lords and ladies, commoners with lesser power, mainly halfbloods, serfs and slaves, mainly muggleborns and with all muggles sent to concentration camps dotted throughout the world. To put this much simpler, we're dead!"
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A/N: Well, how's this so far eh? Well read and review as usual! ^_^