Title: Legacy of the Father (5)

Spoilers: First four books; contains some elements introduced in the 5th book, but is set during Harry's 5th year.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Chapter Five – Source of Trouble

Voldemort was finding it difficult to think about sleep. He had a body of his own again, and his power was returning. But Harry Potter still lived. Again and again, that boy slipped through his grasps and survived. Such a tendency was unacceptable. The latest strategy had to work, and there were already many favorable developments that would make the end result easier to obtain.

Only a few of the remaining Death Eaters had appeared at the graveyard, but those that had come were busy finding the other Death Eaters that, for reasons that would be discovered soon, failed to appear.

"Do they still deny the old man's words, Wormtail?" Voldemort hissed.

"My Lord, Fudge has denied to all that Potter was speaking the truth and that you had returned. Most wizards and witches, even those at the Ministry, believe what the Minister tells them is the truth."

"And Potter? Any word?"

"Dumbledore had protectors for Potter around his aunt's house. They defeated our people before they reached Potter himself. Arthur Weasley's family has him now. All 9 of the Weasleys are currently in residence."

"Protecting the boy, I assume? Interesting. Anything else to report?"

"Dumbledore has been very active this summer, my Lord. He has been to various places in Europe and throughout Britain. The Ministry has noticed his movements, as well. Already the Minister is planning to restrict his movement within and without Britain. Rumors are that he is trying to inform people are your return and recruit them against you."

"His progress?"

"We are unsure, my Lord. Dumbledore surely sent others out as well. We have no information on them as yet."

"And the Ministry?"

"They are, from all indications, firmly behind the Minister in their belief of your reappearance. This is unlikely to change without solid proof to the contrary."

"Our plan? Is everything ready?"

"It...it seems to be as ready as it ever will be, my Lord. But Dumbledore and Potter will be expecting an attack. Their defenses will be very high this year."

"We have discussed this already, Wormtail. These concerns have already been factored into the final design. Now, give the word."

"Aye, My Lord."

Wormtail bowed slightly, then retreated into the next room. He lit the fireplace, and, while the fire grew, the potions necessary were set out and arranged. He checked the fire and the first vial before throwing the vial into the fire, making the fire jump for a moment.

"Yes?" came the gruff answer.

"It must begin tomorrow."

"Very well."

Wormtail repeated this process several times, using a different vial each time. It was early the next morning before the work was done. Tired, he retired to the chair behind him and awaited Voldemort's orders. Events had, to this point, moved silently and smoothly. Now, with the pace rising, the stealth of every person would have to be the best. But, for this morning, rest was needed. There would be little time for it once afternoon arrived.

Lucius Malfoy was in a meeting called by the governors of Hogwarts. The death of Cedric Diggory had convinced the governors that Hogwarts was indeed becoming a dangerous place. Throughout the summer, plans and proposals to make the school safer were formed, reviewed, and ultimately rejected.

The problem was always deciding what the danger was. And every time someone asked about it, Harry Potter's name was quick to follow. Was Harry making things happen, were things happening to him, or was he just constantly where trouble happened to be? No one was truly convinced one way or another, but most had no doubt that Harry was somehow involved.

Lucius rarely spoke about Harry's involvement, but his ears heard most all the whispers about the issue. A few of the governors were most of the way convinced that Harry had to be causing the trouble. But most were listening to the testimonials that the Hogwarts teachers and Dumbledore himself had given when asked about Harry. Even Snape, who could not think of a good attribute Harry possessed, could not testify against Harry.

"A troublemaker, for sure, but he doesn't have the skill for this," was all Snape would say on the matter.

The governors had taken Snape's words the most seriously. Most of them had sensed that Snape was not a fan of Harry's; for Snape to be convinced of Harry's innocence in these matters, there had to be at least some truth to Dumbledore's version of the events of the past four years. That left the question of whom or what the problem was open once again.

Though Dumbledore had spoken at length of the answer lying in the fact of Voldemort's re-emergence, the governors were in the same mindset as the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Voldemort was defeated, crushed, gone; his most trusted supporters were in Azkaban and the rest had fled to the four corners of the world. The less than willing of Voldemort's old army had returned to normal wizarding lives. The idea of Voldemort coming back after all this time was ridiculous; the dead can't come back to life.

"So, what is to be done at Hogwarts?" A pause. "Lucius? Any ideas?"

"We could send someone to keep an eye on the boy. Around the clock surveillance so we can determine for sure whether or not he is the true source of the danger at Hogwarts."

Some of the governors nodded in thought. Some were so unsure as to not move at all.

"If he knows that someone is watching him and does nothing and nothing happens, then we know that he was the one after all."

"And if something should happen while we watch him? Honestly, we need to prevent another situation at the school. Think, people. How hard can it be to safeguard a school of magic from harm?"

"Have you a suggestion then?" Lucius asked quietly.

Lucius was sure that everyone else was straining to think of ways. Dementors again, Auror guards, more enchantments, and the list went on for some length.

Lucius had already contributed to the incidents in Harry's second and fourth years at Hogwarts; Dumbledore and Potter had already suspected him, though there was wasn't any direct proof to make a trial over. Lucius decided it was best to inform less and insinuate more. He had gently nudged this way and that.

"What about another headmaster? We have allowed Dumbledore free rein up to now, but we have only seen more and deadlier attacks on the school," said the eldest governor quietly.

"Or a second headmaster, to watch over what Dumbledore does and does not do at the school. I'm sure there are a few Ministry people who are more than able, and the Minister would agree, if it helps Hogwarts to be safer," piped in the portly governor to the left of Lucius.

"Then we need to ask the Minister to send us a list of candidates he recommends for this position as soon as possible. We'll meet back as soon as the list is delivered. Until then, good night."

Lucius walked down the hall to the study in silence. The fire was already lit and ready; the Floo powder was in a pre-prepared bag on the desk. Lucius threw the bag in the fire, called out his destination, stepped through, and arrived back home. His wife, Narissa, was waiting for him.

"He called. It's today. How did the meeting go?"

"Well. Very well."