Author Note: I am sorry it took so long to come back to this. I had painted myself into a corner figuratively and then lost the vision and will to go on with it. Fortunately I was going over my notebooks and had an inspiration on how to proceed from here. So I will begin to work on this more again, as well as the other projects and the real world stuff. So welcome back and enjoy, I hope. Oh and as usual I am Rahmota not Rowling or anyone else. Just me. I disavow any knowledge of anything and everything to do with something. Any resemblance to canon, fanon or reality is coincidental. No warranties express or limited accepted. Buy Bonds!
===xxx(Chapter begins)
The train arrived at Hogsmeade Station on time as usual. The students trooped off and lined up as ordered. Apparently the new headmaster had security teams inspecting for muggle contraband at this end as well.
"As if the way we got checked at the other end wasn't bad enough." Hermione growled. She had refused to wear a corset and was natural under her robes. Luna was as well but that was just because of her personality.
Once they had been checked they rode the carriages in an unhappy silence watching the castle approach. It somehow seemed to be a more foreboding presence on the landscape, the brilliant whitewashed walls were lit in a dull sickly green glow that seemed to blot out the sky more than illuminate anything.
The doors swung open and the students entered the great hall. Torches flickered in their holders, the ceiling was dark and sullen, the tables had candelabra every few feet.
"Well this is positively Gothic." Veronica observed.
"I think that's the point." Harry pointed out as they looked to the head table. The headmaster was sitting on a throne that made Dumbledore's look positively sedate. Minerva was scowling on his left, while even Snape looked more phlegmatic than usual. There were several new professors at the table that Harry did not recognize.
For coming back from a long Christmas break a lot of things had changed and Harry was not enjoying it. From the quiet murmurs and uncomfortable rustling among the students it would seem that a great many others were not happy either.
The new headmaster stood and walked to the lectern in front of the table, slowly rapping on it he took a deep breath before speaking in a deep gravelly voice.
"Greetings and welcome back from an extended break. I am sorry for the disturbances earlier however we are still working out all of the bugs. As we restore sanity and common sense to our society and the Ministry implements new policies, this process will become far easier."
Harry did not like the sound of the new policies. Not at all.
"I shall not take much of your time as I am certain you are quite hungry. However I want to introduce you to your new professors before you become addled with your feasting."
He waved behind him and several individuals rose. Veronica frowned when she recognized at least some of them.
"First is your new Defense Professor, Mr Throne took ill over the holiday and chose to retire to the French Riviera, so we have replaced him with Amycus Carrow. I am certain you will find his classes most entertaining."
Veronica snorted but not loud enough that more than her tablemates heard her.
"Next is an exciting new class that we should have had here for sometime. Etiquette and Decorum. It is a mandatory class unless it can be shown that one is sufficiently capable As we will treat each meal from here onwards as a formal event. The social graces will be observed at all times. Your heads of house will hold a mandatory meeting after the feast to explain this further."
Harry raised his eyebrow. He had a bad feeling about this.
"The professor for this class is Professordf Alecto Carrow. She will be firm yet fair with all of you. And Miss Corina Craven shall be teaching feminine studies. This shall be mandatory for all female students to attend."
The murmuring swelled after that pronouncement to new heights. Hermione was frowning so hard her eyebrows were almost touching. Harry gave her a concerned glance but she did not seem to be ready to do anything except glare.
"I am most proud that we have Antonin Dolohov teaching Charms. It would seem that Professor Flitwick felt that he would be better served by returning to his Goblin warrens." Nott sneered when he said Goblin. Harry did not like the way he said the word at all.
"The new Magical Creatures professor is Gordon Mulciber. And teaching history we have Oliver Parkinson. Lets welcome our new professors as we usher in a new era of glorious triumph for the magical world and Hogwarts. The inept ways in which this school had been run shall be no more. We shall have leadership, we shall have order. We shall have unity." He said applauding.
The students gave a smattering of polite applause, mostly from the Slytherins though. Hagrid was no longer here? Harry was now the one scowling. The other changes did not smell very nice either.
"Very well. Now enjoy the feast." He said as if everyone had given him a rousing ovation.
Harry and the others ate their meal thinking very concerned thoughts.
===xxx
In the Gryffindor Common Room Minerva stood in front of her lion cubs with an uncomfortable expression before she could school her face.
"Welcome back from your holidays. I sincerely hope that you enjoyed them. As you are quite aware there have been some major changes happening, too swiftly for us to prepare you gently about this. While you were on the train enjoying the trip here the board of regents was dissolved by the Ministry and the headmaster. I will not go into the sordid details but they used a little known codicil of the school's agreement with the Ministry to operate to perform this act."
She had to compose herself for a moment before continuing.
"All of the professors that remain have agreed that we will do our best to help and protect all of you. Only the headmaster his chosen replacements are legally authorized by the Ministry to be professors here with the full power and authority that implies. So I implore all of you to keep your noses clean and work within the rules as much as possible. Allow one of the professors you are comfortable with to intercede should there be any conflict."
The students began to murmur and become restless, especially the Weasley Twins. They were looking positively mutinous. Harry was the one who had begun to pay their tuition so he hoped they would behave themselves.
"Yes. Yes. I am well aware that this is not fair, or any of the other arguments that some of you may be wanting to make. There are forces who are attempting to resolve this to the best of our abilities. I ask you to be patient and give us the time we need to do so."
"But doesn't the original charter of the founders supersede anything the Ministry or even the board say?" Hermione blurted out as she couldn't withhold it anymore.
Minerva nodded, "Yes it does, however the original charter has been lost for almost 600 years. No one has seen it since then."
"Has anyone asked the ghosts?" Luna inquired.
Minerva looked at her blankly for a long moment before saying, "I am not entirely certain."
"It is likely at least one of them knows something about it. If they do not they might know of another ghost who does." Luna replied.
Minerva frowned briefly, "And what makes you think that is true?"
"The dead know things, plus these people are the ones who lived here during that time period. Just because they are dead does not mean they do not remember things. Plus there are the portraits some of which date back almost to the age of the construction of the castle." Luna explained.
Minerva sighed, "Perhaps we should not take them as for granted as we do."
"That would be nice." Luna said.
Harry whispered in her ear, "I think she was being rhetorical."
Luna gave a sudden oh of understanding gasp. "My apologies ma'am."
Minerva smiled. She had not been certain Luna would be a good fit among her cubs but the little blonde kept surprising her. Minerva gave her a brief nod before saying, "None the less I am expecting all of you to restrain yourselves as much as possible. We are living in troubling times and have to do our best. I have faith in all of you and that you will uphold the values and ideals of our house and our school, no matter what befouls it."
Everyone nodded and made positive assenting sounds. Although some of them did seem to be considering their options.
"Now are there any questions before we retire for the night?" Minerva asked.
"Is there going to be any changes to Quidditch?" Oliver anxiously asked.
"Not that the headmaster has stated so far." Minerva said with a smile.
Oliver sighed in deep relief. This was his last year at the school and would not want anything to ruin it.
"These two new classes what are they about?" Parvati asked.
"I am not privy to the details of the curriculum. However from what I have been told etiquette and decorum appears to be as it says on the tin. The feminine studies is not something I have been told about."
"Well what kind of people are the professors?" One of the younger students Harry couldn't recall the name of asked.
Minerva considered her answer for several seconds before saying, "All of them in the last civil war were under suspicion of working for the enemy. They were officially exonerated by the Ministry. That is all I am supposed to tell you should you ask." She looked like she was visibly attempting to retain control of her temper. "I am not supposed to mention that the Carrows were accused of multitudes of muggle-baiting and abuse. As well as suspected of murders and far more heinous crimes against them. Nor am I supposed to mention that Dolohov has a fondness for finding new and creative ways to injure or maim individuals. Ladies never be alone around Mulciber, nor look him in the eyes. Especially you first years as he prefers young ladies such as yourself. Nor am I supposed to speak ill of Mr Parkinson who took three attempts to pass his transfiguration OWL and had to buy a wife from the Russian Ministry. I am not supposed to mention those things so I suppose I should not." she declared with her nostrils flaring as she calmed herself. Clenching her hands into fists as she closed her eyes and seemed to be counting. The students remained in shocked silence as they had never seen their professor this agitated.
Minerva cleared her throat twice before she managed to control her voice, "Now all of you except for the third year students please go on to bed."
Everyone drifted up their appropriate stairs wondering what was going on, what the new day would bring. The four boys and five girls all stood quietly until they and the professor was the only ones still in the common room.
"The headmaster has made a decision that I do not agree with nor support. However as his authority within the castle extends over the elves he has overridden my protestations." she began with a frown. "Miss Weasley will be sleeping in the boys dorm as the Headmaster does not recognize your changes."
"What!" Veronica exclaimed while the others all looked in shock and disbelief at their head of house.
"But with magic a boy can fully become a girl. This isn't like the muggle surgeries and such. Veronica really is a girl inside and out." Hermione declared angrily.
"I know that Miss Granger. I am a transfigurist as you know." Minerva pursed her lips, "However the headmaster has made this determination. I believe as a provocation for yourselves. He has also prohibited Poppy to give out prophylactic potions."
Hermione scowled in thought for a moment, "And what happens if a girl becomes pregnant?"
"She will be expelled under a violation of the morality rules." Minerva stated.
"Oh that's just great. He's trying to set us up to get kicked out." Veronica grumpily stated.
"He must think that yer such a ravishing beauty that none of us could withstand you." Seamus laughed.
"Mr Finnigan this is serious. This is only one of the changes the Headmaster is making. There are other things about the classes and I trust you observed the reduced staff?"
"I did. What happened to everyone?" Harry asked.
"Filius and Hagrid were both sacked this morning and escorted off of the property by noon. Along with Sybil, Septima, Filch and Binns."
"So no Divination, or Astronomy classes at all?" Lavender gasped.
"No, he did not give a reason for this decision either." Minerva shook her head.
Harry frowned but deciding to focus on closer problems asked, "What would happen if Veronica tried to sleep in the girl's dorm anyhow?"
Minerva pursed her lips, "From what I understand the elves have been ordered to return her to the boy's dorms if she is caught in the girl's dorm. As well as keeping her personal belonging's in the boy's dorm."
"So I can't even sneak up and sleep with the girls?" Veronica huffed, "Great. Its a good thing I'm comfortable around you guys." she said to the boys."
Dean raised his hands, "You know I'm not going to touch you. I'm still doing good to wrap my head around you being a girl."
"Thanks mate."
"Very well. I know this will make things difficult for you gentlemen, however I am certain that you will comport yourselves in the honorable and decent manner I have come to expect from you." She said sternly glaring at all of them. All four boys nodded exuberantly as they voiced their agreement.
"Very well. Then good night. And please be careful. This new administration is gunning for you and your friends Mr Potter.
Reaching their dorm Veronica got into her trunk, "Okay guys. Look I know this is going to be weird but I wasn't joking. I trust all of you, and you can look I don't care. I'm not going to be doing anything sexy or special."
Seamus chuckled, "Well not with anyone but Harry anyhow."
Ron shook her head, "Not with anyone. I don't want any kids. Not yet at least. So look but don't touch or I'll break you. And if you do wank one off at least go in the loo please."
Dean nodded, "Got it. And I guess since you seen everything already when you was still a guy it'll just be like normal right?"
Ron nodded stripping to change into her pajamas, "Right. Now let's all get ready for bed and say good night."
Seams slipped off to the loo to Ron's ambivalent eye-roll. Harry though did ask, "Are you okay Ron?"
"Do I have a choice? The Headmaster wants us to screw up. I'm not going to." She said getting into bed, "We need to get to sleep harry. We're going to need our heads on tight tomorrow."
"Right." Harry agreed before laying down in his own bed. Trying to calm his mind to get some restless sleep.
===xxx
Dylan Blake walked along the cold damp road. It was mostly gravel with patches of mud as the only residence on it was an old sheep herders cottage from when this was an Earl's estate or something. He pulled his collar up against the rain that was mostly horizontal with ice pellets mixed in.
Dylan hated this kind of weather. He was only in his 70s but the amount of physical injury and magical healing he had undergone in his life made for aches and pains in the cold. However if he had apparated or used magic to travel here a skilled enough witch could have traced it. So he used the muggle methods to avoid leaving any scent.
He had tracked down the friends of the Grangers. Most of them dead now due to mysterious circumstances, which screamed magical assassination. Fortunately Dylan had managed to discover the location of a former girlfriend of the University girlfriend of Daniel and David Brewster.
To distract from the sleet that had started coming down he went back over her file in his mind. Matilda Stone was an artist, a self-proclaimed pagan witch, single, lived on an inheritance and trust fund from an aunt that had been incredibly dotty. She went by the name Tilly Wormwood right now in her professional persona. Her family had dismissed her as an eccentric free love hippie. She was 41 years old, same age as Daniel Granger. Emma Granger was two years younger.
He stopped as he came over a small rise to find the cottage. It had curls of smoke coming from the single chimney. A light was glowing cheerily in the front window through thick curtains. It would have looked like a very picturesque tourist photo if the weather had been better.
Pulling out of his coat's deep pockets a pair of binoculars that he had enhanced he began to examine the cottage. Using the various buttons and sliders to alter the view he saw that the house had some kind of ward over it. Adjusting one slider he saw the light illuminate that indicated house elf magic. Subtle and in a sort of stand-by position but there. Which confirmed that the Grangers were no doubt there. Their daughter being the confirmed owner by the Ministry records of two house elves.
Turning the filters over the lenses he looked through the walls and saw three humans sitting in the main room. The blonde female was painting a picture of a reddish brown haired male who was reclining nude. There was a curly brain haired female standing beside the blonde looking quite amused Dylan thought. The two females were drinking from wine glasses while the male was grinning and posing. They were definitely healthy and unharmed at the moment.
He moved off of the track for several yards where he could observe the house and set up his blind. Once he was sheltered he pulled the card Black had given him out of his wallet. Taking a pin he put two drops of blood on it like the man had been adamant about him doing.
The card suddenly caught fire and exploded like a small cracker causing Dylan to cough and wave away the fumes. He hoped that was what it should have done but he had fulfilled that part of the contract at least. Now the other half just involved waiting, for what he wasn't sure but he had a feeling he would know when it came.
===xxx
Sirius was making preparations for his next raid as Travers made a mistake. He would be vulnerable for several hours this afternoon along with Gibbon. The two of them were going to be recruiting in Belfast for the Death Eaters and he wanted to make sure they got a full meal.
Suddenly there was a small crack and flash of light as his card appeared. Dylan had found the Granger's in North Yorkshire. On the moors. Sirius smiled he would go visit Blake and make sure he understood the gravity of the situation.
Sirius found himself standing on a small rise around several rocks, shrubs and other bleak accouterments of the landscape. The wind whipped his long hair into his eyes as he turned to examine the surroundings more closely. He saw a small cottage in the medium distance and felt a small knothole in the magic nearby. He was not certain exactly where but he knew it was close.
Dylan's head appeared to be floating in mid-air when he called out to Sirius. That must have been his hidden shelter Sirius thought as he turned and joined the detective.
"So Grangers are in there?"
"Yes. If the images you gave me are correct." Blake said.
"They are. So they are safe and healthy?"
Blake laughed, "That is a definitely yes."
Sirius raised his eyebrow, "Oh?"
Blake cleared his throat as the man's dark hooded eyes fell on him with a curious expression. Sort of like a wolf deciding if he wanted a second lamb or not. "The Grangers appear to be involved in a rather intimate relationship with the woman. She is an eccentric and has some limited magical potential. I believe she may be a squib."
Sirius nodded, "Good and protections?"
Blake knew the man wasn't asking about their sexual practices which seemed to be quite vigorous, "They have two house elves. They appear to have established wards and protections around the cottage, including sensory charms. I had to move back a half mile as the elves had detected my earlier observations and sought me out."
"So the guard dogs are on alert. Good. Good. Harry and his friends chose well." Sirius chuckled, "I know Lily. I told you he'd grow up right. Even with that great bloody muggle Dursley involved."
Blake had worked for some uncomfortable people before, he had even been approached by Voldemort himself once before he retired from the magical world, Sirius Black though made him even more uncomfortable than anyone else he had ever encountered. He waited for the one sided conversation to come to a close before saying, "What do you want me to do now?"
"Continue observing them, let me know if they are attacked." Sirius said handing the man another calling card. "If they are you had better go to their aid, understand?"
Blake nodded, he was being paid an obscene amount of gold to do this, but felt that if he refused Black would have utterly no qualms at making his life very untenable.
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me I have an appointment to keep. A dog has to see about a man." He said laughing as he exited the shelter and started walking into the west.
Blake sighed as he turned back to the window in his shelter that let him observe the cottage. The smoke curling quietly. Opening a can of beans he pulled his coat tighter around him.
===xxx
Sirius landed in a rather seedy part of the city and looked around. Smiling he remembered the times he and James had visited here to pick up some muggle devices from the IRA to use against the Death Eaters. The city had been a hot mess back then with its own private little war going on so the magical community had avoided the area. The Death Eaters used it though as an example of how violent and evil muggles were, all while oppressing and murdering magicals. Somehow they never understood the irony in that like Sirius did.
Walking the street quickly and quietly he came to the entrance of the small magical enclave that most major cities had. A safe space for magicals to let their hair down and their wands out. He had been told that the two Death Eaters would be at the Naughty Unicorn tavern here recruiting.
The enclave was nice, small and neat. It was a central square with a grouping of businesses surrounding it, ranging from the more middle class establishments in the middle to the higher class on his right and the rough and tumble working class on the right. He took a deep breath as he turned to his left and walking through the light crowds browsing the various wares, window shopping for post Yule deals or generally relaxing among their own kind made his way to the tavern.
Passing a beggar he tossed several galleons to the man. Saying, "You might want to find another corner to work brother. Your glamour is slipping."
The beggar looked into the dark eyes and unfolded his leg stood to leave. Sirius grabbed him, "Get those kids out of the area too." Sirius said looking at a small group of children who were playing by the toy store.
The beggar nodded as he began to move more quickly. He could feel the disturbance coming.
Entering the tavern Sirius paused to let his eyes adapt before walking towards the bar. He could see Travers and Gibbon in the back room holding court over about a half dozen rowdy men and a couple of loose looking women.
"Say buddy, those two in the back. What's going on a church meeting?" Sirius asked using the phrase the muggle-borns had adopted for their clandestine meetings during The Troubles. He slipped a pair of galleons on the bar as he pointed towards the pull levers for the beer.
"Bah. Couple fools over here stirring trouble." The barkeep said pulling him a pint.
"Don't they always. Seems like nobody can just let things go peacefully." Sirius said. He reached out and gladly took his pint. Somehow beer always tasted better when pulled in an actual pub.
"Ain't that the truth." The barkeep said before taking his galleons and dropping them into the til.
Sirius noticed the barkeep kept his wand in a cross draw holder just inside his apron, reaching out with his senses there was a magical weapon of some kind under the bar and a very obvious axe hanging on the wall beside the large mirror. Still though the barkeeps beefy forearms were exposed by his rolled up sleeves displaying only a few tattoos from the merchant marines and the usual sort.
Sirius calculated the barkeep was neutral and as long as not too much damage was done to the bar he would stay out of anything. Drinking his pint he fingered the device in his pocket and wondered how much damage it would cause. He also wondered how many of the crowd members were fanatics and how many just dumb stupid kids like his brother who wanted attention and to feel like their lives meant something more than being the kid brother of someone.
Travers and Gibbon were his targets. They were marked, they were guilty. They were the ones that needed to be dealt with not the others. Finishing his pint he stood up, tapping the coin that was matched with one Kreacher held he felt the anti-apparate wards go up. Kreacher was enjoying working with Sirius, especially as he was technically not breaking the bans from his curse on his behavior.
Sirius was the one doing all of the harm, not him. And Sirius was about to do some very lovely harm. Seeing a fireplace blazing cheerily in the room Sirius called the poker to him. The fact it passed through Gibbons chest on the way was a minor point Sirius was not bothered by.
Travers stopped talking as his companion started making a choking gasping sound with blood pooling down his neat white shirt. A bit of lung seemed to have been caught on the poker tip which Sirius flicked off against one young lad's face.
"Sorry to interrupt you but I have an appointment with these two I've been waiting a decade to keep. Anyone who doesn't want to get involved should probably leave right now." Sirius said darkly giving the poker a sudden twirl.
Both of the young ladies decided they had business elsewhere as did the one that had the bloody bits of Gibbons internal organs flicked on him. Several of the others backed off tot he side like they were waiting to see if the Death Eaters could carry out their threat. Gibbons merely dropped to his knees then curled on the floor gasping as pink frothy spittle flowed from his mouth and nose.
Travers gasped then tried to sidestep apparate. When he felt the wards push him back he drew his wand, "Stay back Black. You are outnumbered here."
Sirius looked around. The young men seemed to be beefy laborers who were the sort the Death Eaters liked to use as cannon fodder. Sirius asked what might have been their leader, or just one at random, "So what'd he promise you? That you'd be part of some great revolution bringing back the old ways with magic on top of muggles? That they'd help you get the English out of Belfast?"
The man looked suspiciously at Sirius before nodding. "Aye that and more."
Sighing deeply Sirius stalked Travers who had started to back away only to run into the men on that side of the room who shoved him back into the cleared area. "Seems your new friends want to see if you're as strong as you claimed to be. That your dark lord would be as powerful as you claimed."
Travers grinned as he suddenly straightened up and touched the bare forearm with his wandtip, "Well they'll get quite the show won't they?"
Sirius saw him do that and launched the poker at the man nailing his head to the wall through the throat. By that time though the tattoo had flared sending the signal Travers had wanted.
"Damn fuck!" Sirius exclaimed drawing his own wand as the Tavern's windows and doors crashed in.
Sirius had a brief vision of a half dozen Death Eaters in full regalia forming before the battle was joined. The barkeep had pulled an antique double barreled shotgun from under the bar which fired twin gouts of green flames across the room shredding one into a red and green mist, the one that had been behind him through the door was blown in half while the one behind him was knocked backwards flaming and sizzling like bacon.
Bar patrons were diving under tables or grabbing chairs and engaging with the Death Eaters. Sirius grinned before he suddenly had to tuck and roll out of the way of a green burst of light heading for him. Flinging several pieces of furniture the Death Eater he was dueling ducked, weaved and moved like a dancer through the crowd.
Sirius ran up the wall and flipped over the heads of the person to dive out the window to get some breathing room. Only landing between two other Death Eaters who were standing outside.
"Hi guys! Long time no see." He said before casting a blasting charm at their feet. He had no idea who they were nor did he care.
The charm propelled chunks of pavement up and into their faces causing them to flip and roll backwards. A loud female voice called out from behind him, "Leave him. He's mine!"
That was a voice Sirius recognized, his dear cousin Bellatrix. Turning he stayed in a combat crouch but grinned, "Dear Bella, how are you? I see you got out on a bad behavior parole."
Pulling her face mask off she grinned at him, sauntering a few steps to assume a dueling stance she said, "Aww poor cousin Siri. All alone with no one to help him."
Sirius grinned as he shrugged, "Well I wouldn't exactly say I'm alone. We're Blacks we always have demons with us don't we dear cousin."
The two of them had begun to circle each other in a wary dance, each of them taking a few pot shots at each other. He had reached into his coat pocket to pull out one of the baseball style grenades he had bought from the arms dealer. Using wand hand to parry and block his cousin's spells he tried to keep the actions of his other hand hidden.
He worked the safety clip off then pulled the pin quickly letting the spoon fly off he launched it at what must have been the Lestrange brothers. They were standing side by side so when the device landed between them they were both tossed several feet in the air. Unfortunately Sirius had miscalculated how far he was from the detonation and had several steel fragments his his arm and leg, fortunately Bella was hit too.
She howled an incomprehensible anguished animalistic noise as she drew a knife with her left hand and charged Sirius firing spells rapidly as she closed the distance. Fortunately only cutters, stunners and minor jinxes could be cast rapid fire. Sirius back up quickly throwing defensive spells as she closed while trying to get an attack spell off.
She was on top of him and they were wrestling as he lost his wand before knocking hers out of her hand with a sudden wrist lock and twist. She plunged the knife into his leg causing a burning ripping pain to go through him. Almost knocking him down but Sirius grunted and spun on his good leg so she had to pull the blade out or lose it.
He had her right arm in his grip but her left was still free so he shoved her backwards quickly off of him with her right arm. He tried to twist her around but she danced and twisted like a snake so he had to let her go and stagger backwards.
"You remember this blade don't you dear cousin? A gift from dear old mumsie." Bella cooed.
Sirius recalled that knife. He said a brief thank you to the higher powers that it was that one. He'd have a ugly scar but it wouldn't fester or cause him to lose the leg like some of Bella other blades would.
"Yeah I remember that you got it for your tenth birthday." He said quickly drawing his wand again. He was trying to find something in his pockets on his left side that would help and coming up empty.
She snickered, "You know I'm going to enjoy cutting you to little itty bitty pieces for what you did to my lovers." She cooed in a childish voice.
"Yeah let's not talk about that I just ate." he sneered, "So which one licked to be pegged by you eh bitchatrix?"
She growled and lunged at him with the knife in a feint while pulling her wand over her head in a scorpion style spell attack.
Sirius was waiting for that and dove low casting a high powered bombarda that hit her in the groin. The explosion caused her pelvis to disintegrate and her legs to splay outwards as she toppled over backwards.
She was still alive though and trying to scramble for her wand as organs and blood gushed from the cavity opened.
"Now that was the biggest splits I've ever seen you do Bells." He said staggering over to her. Seeing her wand just within grasp of her fingers he cast a confringo on the length of wood reducing it to ashes. She rolled over onto her back hissing, "I'll see you in hell Siri. I'll wait for you."
Calling her blade to him he dropped to the ground on her stomach causing a strange sinking gushing sensation to occur and she actually winced, "I thought you got off on pain dear cousin." He panted as she grimaced, blood running out of her mouth.
"Fuck you Siri." She spat before Sirius took his wand and cut her head off weith a cutting charm. Hearing whistles and alarms he called for Kreacher and vanished leaving a lot fo blood and broken chaos behind him.
===xxx
The next morning Voldemort awoke and went through his normal routines. His current host was a tall gray haired man in his middle age. A thick stubble covered his jawline. Dressing in his robes he went down to breakfast. After Pettigrew's death he had considered taking Beatrice Selwyn as his servant, only she had killed Goyle senior and herself rather than submit to his lovemaking skills on their honeymoon.
He wound up using Merula Snyde for his servant. She had jumped on the chance to serve her lordship in any capacity she had made clear. She was attractive and nice but Bellatrix was far more entertaining. Merula was also not as whiny and snivelling as Pettigrew.
Sitting at the magnificent table in Malfoy manor he was served his meal by the elves when Merula approached him carrying a large gaily wrapped box.
"What is this Merula?" he inquired calmly.
"I do not know my lord. It was delivered this morning to the front steps. It has a note saying its from Headmaster Nott at Hogwarts." she explained.
"Really? Bright pink puppy dog wrapping paper does not seem to be his style." he chuckled slightly, "Open it over there." he commanded pointing at a smaller side table reserved for the servants.
She nodded taking the box to that table. Unwrapping it she pulled the lid off and froze in horror. She glanced at the dark lord who was watching her. She licked her lips wondering if she would be tortured or killed outright.
"What is it Merula dear?" he inquired politely.
"My Lord it is." She paused and licked her lips again. "It is Mrs Lestrange's head sire." She said choosing to take the risk he would show her mercy. She lifted the head carefully out of the box.
Bellatrix's face had been made up as a harlequin with red bows in her hair. The eyes had been sewn open and stared straight ahead dully.
Voldemort stared at it briefly, the time seemed to stretch though for Merula. He finally stood so quickly the chair slid backwards and would have banged into the wall if an elf had not stopped it. He strode over and took the head gently from Merula. Gazing into the eyes with a sad softness on his face Merula decided to take the opportunity and flee. She had no idea what was going to happen but she suspected that being someplace else when it happened would be most beneficial.
===xxx
The boys woke up in the dorm and started their day as normal. Ron shrugged and went about the normal routine just the same as the others. Although it turned out Seamus was not as willing to share the shower with Ron as he had been joking and bragging about last night.
When they arrived at the table there was the usual morning post which when Neville opened his his face went white and he had several emotions run screaming across his face before he clamped them down. He folded the parchment and put it inside his robes.
Minerva came over passing out folded schedules to the students.
"What's this professor?"
"New schedules. As I said last night schedules have changed. Girls and boys will no longer take charms at the same time as they are learning different sets of charms. Plus the girls will no longer be taking defense class."
Ron got an affronted expression when she said, "Excuse me why?"
"It is the avowed position of the headmaster that females will never be in a position where they will need to defend themselves." Mulciber said as he walked behind Minerva, "Is there a problem professor?"
"No just some confusion about the new schedules." She said testily, "I can deal with it within my own house."
"Just trying to be helpful is all." He said putting his hands on Katie Bell's shoulders. "After all we are just one big happy school are we not?"
"Not as happy as we could be." Minerva replied. "And I would appreciate it if you do not touch my students. It is unseemly for you to do so." she said narrowing her eyes as she looked at his hands. Katie had frozen unsure of what to do.
"Yes well. As you say." He said releasing Katie who shivered slightly.
Once he had walked off Minerva looked at Katie, "Miss Bell, are you alright?"
"I think so ma'am. That just made me rather uncomfortable." she replied quietly.
"That is understandable. If you have any further troubles with him, please do not hesitate to let me know." Minerva firmly declared.
"Yes ma'am." Katie said giving the professor a weak smile.
Harry leaned over, "Let us know too. Okay?"
"No Harry. I don't want you guys getting into any trouble over me. I'll let the professor handle it. Please." She said smiling at him.
Harry nodded reluctantly but knew he would not ignore her or anyone else. It looked like they were going to have a very busy half of the year.
===xxx
The five had managed to find a bit of quiet space to talk alone just after lunch, "Okay Nev what was in that letter you got this morning?" Luna demanded in her quiet yet strident voice.
Neville pulled it out and handed it to her, "Its a letter from Sirius Black explaining that he killed three of the Death Eaters that tortured my parents. He avenged what happened to them and hoped it would give me some closure and peace."
Luna looked to Neville who nodded so she passed it to Harry then Hermione and Lavender before she handed it back to him.
"Okay so how do you feel Neville?" Lavender asked rubbing his arm,
"I don't know. I'll have to process it. I guess sort of satisfied, but it still won't bring them back." he said.
"I know." Harry said grimly.
"We better get out of here before they think we're plotting something. Who knows how they would react." Neville said turning and leaving the room.
Lavender sighed as she left behind him, Luna and Hermione looked at Harry who had his face set in a grim expression.
"Do you think Neville will be okay?" Hermione asked worriedly.
Harry took a deep breath before he headed for the door, saying softly, "I wonder if we'll all be okay by the time this is over."
===xxx(Review Responses)
Morcheller: She is back and with a vengeance. Buckle up for quite the ride.
Phyxius5150: Yes indeed on both of those.