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For copyright and disclaimers, please see chapter 1
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14 - Interlude, First Year
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Date: Unknown
Location: Malfoy Dungeons
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The fire turned green, and three figures tumbled out. Two were short; one tall. They dusted themselves off, and turned when a figure cleared his throat.
"You're late."
"Yes, well, there was an unexpected delay, milord. You see…" one gabbled.
"Irrelevant, Minister Fudge. Don't let it happen again." The figure gave a single, sharp ring to a silver bell setting next to his glass of brandy, and with a pop, a house elf appeared, head bowed. He motioned, and said, "Take their cloaks, and clean this rug. We will be starting the meeting shortly, now that…" he regarded the three, "…our last guests have arrived."
"Yes, milord!" the house-elf squeaked, and with that, glass in hand, Lucius Malfoy strolled out, the other three behind him.
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"Count me out," the hollow-eyed witch said.
"Bella, we are in need of your…special…talents," Lucius said.
She snorted, "I am not your only interrogation specialist, Lucius. From what I hear, Umbridge here is an absolute marvel with a blood quill." She looked at the short, pudgy witch, and added, "Alice bands really do nothing for you, dear." Bellatrix shook her head, and said, "I will not betray you, but I will have nothing to do with anything regarding my niece. As you have so amply demonstrated with Draco, blood is blood, and family is family." She leaned closer, and addressed the table, adding, "If I hear of a single hair being disturbed on her head, you WILL answer to me." She nodded, and took her leave.
"Well, now," Lucius said. "I think we must proceed along slightly different lines. Minister Fudge, you and your assistant Weasley have been most valuable in providing this information to us. Deputy Minister Umbridge, if you would be so kind as to..."
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Saturday, January 9, 1999:
Hogwarts, Quidditch pitch, Commentator's booth
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"Lee!" Ginny Weasley squealed, and enveloped the dreadlocked boy in a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"The Wheeze is sponsoring the broadcasts on the Wizarding Wireless. Naturally, they chose the best announcer for the game. Sorry I missed the last one, I had a touch of pox." He held out his hand to the brunette, and said, "Lee Jordan."
"Abigail Michaels, Hufflepuff captain." She blushed, and said, "I remember your commentating when you were at school."
"As do I. Welcome back, Mr. Jordan," Professor McGonagall said as she shook his hand. "Your last broadcast was a marvel of fairness and professionalism." She gazed at him, then added, "Keep it up. You have the team lists?"
"I do," Lee said, holding up a binder. "The new Slytherin seeker looks good, setting a school record in her first game."
"They're calling her the 'Slytherin Potter'. I don't know how Harry feels about that." Ginny added as they relaxed into chairs. "Need some help setting up your equipment?"
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Saturday, January 9, 1999:
Hogwarts, Quidditch pitch, Slytherin Grandstand
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"Oh, my. Nice view from up here," Lois said. "Why so high?"
"The players average seventy to a hundred feet in altitude, ma'am," Emma said. "Are you warm enough?"
"Oh, yes, thank you," Lois said. "Scottish wool, finest in the world."
"Heating charms having nothing to do with it, of course!" Terry said, then blushed, and said, "Please forgive me, ma'am!"
"Only if you stop calling me 'ma'am'! You'll make me feel old!" Lois said with a grin. She added, "Clark, let me borrow your binoculars. I forgot mine."
"Certainly, dear." He passed them over, and asked, "So what's next?"
"Wocher! Are we late?" a newcomer asked.
"Certainly not, Miss Tonks." Professor Snape said. Hoods were thrown back from cloaks, and he said, "Allow me to introduce the Black ladies. Andromeda with her daughter Nymphadora, you have already met Narcissa, and her sister Bellatrix. This is the Wayne clan, from the States." He levitated a teapot, asking, "Would you care for a cup of tea?"
"Tea ala' Potion Master?" Callista Vector asked. "I'll have a cuppa!"
Bellatrix was running her eyes over the Wayne men, tongue moistening her lips. The women noticed, and with laser-like gazes, locked eyes with her. Narcissa leaned over, and whispered, "Bella, don't. If you fancy a tumble, I'll see what I can do, but leave them. Just because they're Yanks, doesn't mean they aren't a pack of wolves. They'll devour your spleen while you watch." Bella swallowed, locked eyes with her sister and nodded. Turning back to the Waynes, she gave a small smile and a nod, and Babs, Lois and Selina settled back with answering smiles.
"Enjoying yourself, dear?" Clark asked.
"Immensely, dear," Lois replied.
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A booming voice filled the stands, "GOOD MORNING, QUIDDITCH FANS OF ALL AGES! MY NAME IS LEE JORDAN, AND I HAVE THE HONOR TO BE YOUR COMMENTATOR. WEASLEY'S WIZARD WHEEZE, IN DIAGON ALLEY, LONDON, IS BRINGING TODAY'S BROADCAST TO YOU. AND NOW, TO INTRODUCE THE TEAMS! FOR RAVENCLAW, WE HAVE ACKERLY…"
Selina leaned over, and said to Lois and Clark, "Mattie will be out in a moment! I'm so excited for her!"
"We all are!" Lois said.
"… AND QUIRK!"
"FROM SLYTHERIN HOUSE WE HAVE: BUNDY, DORNEY, DORNEY, MACDONALD, MACDONALD, TONKS AND WAYNE!"
"That's my sister!" Dick shouted, punching the air.
"Tea, mate?" Terry asked him.
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Saturday, January 9, 1999:
Hogwarts, Quidditch pitch, Commentator's booth
------------------------"…AND SLYTHERIN REGAINS POSSESION OF THE QUAFFLE! THIS IS TURNING INTO A CHASER'S BATTLE, FOLKS, NEITHER GRYFFINDOR OR RAVENCLAW HAVE YET WORKED OUT A DEFENSE AGAINST SLYTHERIN'S NEW TACTICS! LET'S HOPE THAT HUFFLEPUFF HAS BETTER LUCK IN MAY!"
"WE'RE WORKING ON IT, LEE," Abigail said. "HOWEVER, WE'VE GOT A FEW SURPRISES FOR GRYFFINDOR NEXT MONTH!"
"AND THAT WWN BROADCAST WILL BE BROUGHT TO YOU BY WEASLEY'S WIZARD WHEEZE, IN DIAGON ALLEY, LONDON! OUR FLOO ADDRESS IS 'THE WHEEZE!', NICE AND EASY TO REMEMBER!" A 'DING' was heard, and Lee resumed, "ANOTHER SCORE FOR SLYTHERIN, BY FIRSTIE SPRINK TONKS, ABLY ASSISTED BY TEAM CAPTAIN KAREN BUNDY!"
"THE SCORE'S NOW 120-80 IN FAVOR OF SLYTHERIN, AND SLYTHERIN SEEKER AND FIRSTIE MATTIE WAYNE IS DIVING AT THE RAVENCLAW GOAL! HAS SHE SEEN THE SNITCH? SECOND YEAR RAVENCLAW SEEKER SUSAN FAWCETT IS HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING UP TO WAYNE'S FIREBOLT TWO. WHAT'S WAYNE DOING? … IS SHE'S DOING BARREL ROLLS IN ORDER TO TAUNT FAWCETT?"
"THAT DOESN'T FIT WITH WHAT I KNOW OF MATTIE'S PERSONALITY, LEE." Ginny said, "IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR FLYING, I THINK SHE'S JUST ENJOY… WAIT A MINUTE, SOMETHING'S GOING ON! THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE STANDS THAT ARE STUNNING THE PLAYERS!"
Abigail screamed, and Lee said, "SOMEONE'S FIRED A DARK MARK INTO THE AIR! BOTH RESERVE TEAMS ARE LIFTING OFF, AND FIGHTING HAS ERUPTED IN THE STANDS! WE HAVE A DEATH EATER ATTACK GOING ON AT HOGWARTS! DA MEMBERS ARE DUELING WITH THE DEATH EATERS AS SPECTATORS FLEE THE SCENE! SLYTHERIN SEEKER WAYNE HAS JOINED WITH THE RAVENCLAW TEAM; BOTH QUIDDITCH TEAMS ARE ATTACKING THE DEATH EATERS, BUT THEY CAN'T OUTRUN A CURSE! THE PLAYERS ARE BEING LEVITATED ONTO A LARGE NET, NOW ONE OF THE DEATH EATERS IS WALKING OUT TO THE FIELD. HE SEEMS VERY UNCONCERNED AS HE FIRES AN ORANGE CURSE INTO EACH OF THE HOUSE GRANDSTANDS. THE RAIN OF CURSES AND JINXES COMING FROM THE STANDS HAS STOPPED."
"POTTER! YOU WILL SURRENDER YOURSELF TO US, OR WE WILL KILL THE STUDENTS! YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS!"
Ginny moaned, "No, Harry!" but Lee squeezed her hand and continued, "QUIDDITCH REFEREE AND DADA INSTRUCTOR HARRY POTTER IS LANDING HIS BROOM AND SURRENDERING HIS WAND TO THE DEATH EATERS. HE'S BEEN STUNNED, AND THE BODIES ARE BEING PORTKEYED AWAY TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. NOW THE OTHER DEATH EATERS ARE LEVITATING THE STUNNED BODIES OF THEIR FELLOW CRIMINALS, AND PORTKEYING AWAY." Lee sighed, and said, "FOLKS, IF ANYONE CAN PULL OFF A RESCUE OF THOSE PLAYERS, HARRY'S THE ONE TO DO IT, AND HE'S RIGHT THERE WITH THEM. WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW IS WHY THERE ARE SO MANY DEATH EATERS STILL AROUND? WHY AREN'T THEY LOCKED UP IN AZKABAN?"
"Very good question, Mr. Jordan," Professor McGonagall said.
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Saturday, January 9, 1999:
Hogwarts, Quidditch pitch, Slytherin Grandstand
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The orange curse hit, and all around Lois, witches and wizards collapsed. She saw Clark lying unconscious, and let out a little shriek, running to check him. "Oh, thank God you're alive."
"I don't think it was a killing curse, or hex, or whatever they call it," Doctor Phillips said. He moved to check Clark, then started to pull his coat open. "Yellow sunlight, as I recall is what revives Mr. Kent," he murmured.
"Oh, that's right," Lois said. They both turned when they heard Sheila's voice asking, "Where are you going, missy?"
"To summon help, of course," Bellatrix said. "Please step aside."
"We have a physician here. What I'd like to know is why you seem to be the only conscious, functional witch here," Sheila observed coolly.
"Step aside, muggle. I won't ask politely again."
They both turned, as the figure on the field said, "POTTER! YOU WILL SURRENDER YOURSELF TO US, OR WE WILL KILL THE STUDENTS! YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS!"
"Puts a different spin on things, doesn't it?" Barbara asked. Her hand snaked out and grabbed Bellatrix' right hand, which was inching toward her pocket, while Sheila grabbed her left.
"She is, or was, a Death Eater," the pale form of Draco said, moving away from the other Slytherin ghosts. "Look, Potter's doing it. He's surrendering."
"So you're one of these inept terrorists," Lois snarled. "You're responsible for the attack on my husband, and the kidnapping of my goddaughter. If you value your life, you'll tell us what's happening."
"My niece said your clan didn't kill," Bella said as she was forced into a seat by the four, Barbara pocketing Bella's wand.
"Who said we were going to kill you?" Sheila said flatly. "As Mattie told us, you're the torture specialist for the Death Eaters." She moved closer, saying, "You don't need magic to inflict pain. How are you at receiving it?"
There was the creak and thump of footsteps on the wooden stairs, and the Clan dropped into combat crouches, Lois restraining Bellatrix. A nervous eye peeked around the railing, asking, "Um, hallo?"
Dick moved closer, throwing knife ready, then relaxed and sat on the steps near the nervous first-year boy, sheathing the weapon. "Hallo yourself. You're one of Mattie's friends, aren't you? Charlie Adams, right?" The boy nodded, and Dick sat on one of the steps, and stuck out his hand, saying, "I'm Dick Grayson, Mattie's brother. What can we do for you?"
Charlie tentatively shook Dick's hand, saying, "You're a copper from Gotham?" Dick nodded with a smile, and Charlie continued, "Um, well, I was in the loo, and I heard all the, well, silence up here, so I thought I'd take a look." He nodded at the small group around Bella, and asked, "What's going on?"
"Miss Black over there seems to be the only functional witch here, which we find slightly suspicious. However, we can't seem to revive anyone." Dick looked at Dr. Phillips, who shook his head. "Perhaps you know a handy spell?"
"Look, I didn't take part in this!" Bellatrix said. "Merlin's balls, I was sitting in front of you!" She looked at Charlie, and said, "Use 'enervate' on them, boy. You might start with Severus, over there."
"Does that sound right, Mr. Adams?" Dick asked gently. He nodded, and looked back at Bellatrix. Dick followed his glance, and said softly, "Don't worry about her. We've got her wand, and she'll have to get through us first to get to you. As you saw yesterday, we're moderately good when it comes to a scrap. Now let's see about getting Professor Snape up and about, shall we?"
Charlie swallowed, looked at the sprawled Potion Master, teapot shattered next to him, and pointed his wand, calling, "enervate!"
With a jerk, Severus Snape sat up, shaking his head and blinking. He looked around, and asked, "Mr. Grayson, what is happening?"
"The Death Eaters seem to have successfully kidnapped the students and Mr. Potter. Fortunately, Mr. Adams here was returning from the loo, and decided to investigate the silence." He shrugged, and said, "We couldn't revive you, but Mr. Adams could."
"I see," he said, tapping a long finger against his lower lip. "And what of Bellatrix?"
"She was the only conscious, functional witch after that curse, or whatever it was, struck," Dick said. "We found that slightly suspicious, and decided that she should stick around for a chat."
"Very true," Professor Snape said. He turned his obsidian gaze on Charlie Adams, who swallowed nervously. A thin smile spread across the Potion Master's face, adding, "Mr. Adams, very well done. Fifty, no… one hundred points for Hufflepuff, and I will be sure to mention this to the Headmaster and Professor Sprout. If you would please assist in reviving the other members of Slytherin, I would be grateful."
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"Bellatrix, tell us what you know," Professor Snape whispered.
The parents and relatives in the Slytherin stands gazed at her, as she said, "I was under oath! I couldn't say anything beforehand! You wouldn't dare kill me…" Bella wavered.
"It doesn't mean you won't pray for death," Dick said. "Talk! Where's my sister?"
"Wait." Professor Snape said. "We must know her information is accurate." A tiny vial appeared in his hand, as he added, "Veritaserum. A powerful truth potion."
"You know that will only kill me, Severus," Bella said.
"Who do you think developed your original potion, AND the antidote that Voldemort didn't know about?" the Professor hissed. "Drink it, Bella, or I will step away from you." She gazed at him, then at the hard faces of relatives, and held out her hand.
"Place her in a seat," Professor Snape said as Bella started to waver on her feet. "Back off, and remain calm and silent. There will be no more than two interrogators; Mr. Wayne and myself. She will not remember this. Mr. Wayne, remain calm and focused. Her inhibitions have been removed, thus her answers will tend to wander off topic a bit." Bella giggled, and the professor sat next to her, and gently asked, "Bella?"
"Sevvy? Where are we?" She looked around, and said, "Oh, the pitch. Is the game over? Did we win?"
"Yes, Bella, we won again." She squealed in excitement, and latched onto his face for a kiss. After a few seconds, he gently pried her off, and said, "Bella?"
"Why'd you stop, Sevvy? We need to CELEBRATE! I've never done it at the pitch, but there's always a first time!" She started to unfasten her robes, and he put out a hand. She clutched it in her hands and started to examine it.
"Bella? Can I ask you a question or two?" Bruce asked gently. She rolled her head, blinked, and said, "Who're you?"
"My name is Bruce, I'm a friend of …Sevvy's from the States." She smiled, and mumbled, "The more tha' merrier!" He smiled, then asked, "Bella, a little while ago, there was an attack here."
"Oh, yes. Lucius. Arrogant twit, but he turns my knees to water," she agreed, nodding. "Still got a hot body, though. Better than ol' SnakeFace." She giggled, adding "He's tha' main reason I joined up with ol' SnakeFace. A little snog after doing in some muggles always got his wand ready, if you know what I mean." She giggled again, then said, "I didn't wan' to marry ol' Rudolphus, but a permanent impotence spell took care of THAT."
Professor Snape asked, "What about the purity of blood?" She giggled, and said, "Muggles and mudbloods? Who bloody CARES? I wanted Lucius, and if he wanted to play rough, a spot of muggle-torture always got his wand ready for me. Besides, he sure wasn't getting it from my SISTER!" She giggled again, then said, "What was the question?"
"The attack? What can you tell us about it?" Bruce asked.
"Y'mean like who's in on it? Don' know all of them, I was only at one meeting, but even my sweet Lucius can't get me to torture my own kin. Y'know, I told them, if they touch ONE hair on her head, they'll answer to ME!" She nodded owlishly, and Bruce asked, "Who?"
"My niece, of course! Susquehanna! Such a pretty name." She nodded owlishly again, then added, "Oh, d'you mean who was there? Dear sweet Lucius, of course, and that rat Wormtail. Oh, and Fudgie-Wudgie, and ol' Alice-band herself."
Bruce looked blank, so Severus asked, "Do you mean Umbridge? Was there anyone else?"
"Ol' Alice-band Dolores herself! Did I hear right? Did you actually vote her out of the House?"
"You heard correctly. Was there anyone else there?"
"One'a Fudgie-Wudgie's toadies. Y'know, the tall Weasley twit, an' I saw Little Nott in the corridor. He wasn't in tha' meeting." She blinked, then added, "He always looks so sad, y'know." She grabbed Severus' hand, and said, "He needs a girlfriend. Know anyone?"
Her head was lolling, and Bruce said, "Maybe. Any idea where Lucius might have them?"
"No, I left before then. He's got a lotta places. Hell, he may just keep them there. Maybe…" she released the Professor's hand, and slumped forward, a snore issuing from her.
The professor stood, and accepted Bella's wand from Lois. "She will sleep for the rest of the day. Narcissa, please remember she will not remember her confessions of adultery. If you and your sister can escort her to the Infirmary?"
"What about that tracking crystal Mattie had over the holidays?" Selina asked.
Professor Snape shook his head, "She returned it to me earlier in the week, as I had asked her. Do you have any of your own equipment that can find her?"
"Where is Malfoy's house?" Bruce asked.
"Wiltshire, in southwest England, several hundred miles away," Callista Vector offered.
Selina shook her head. "Ours is only good for a city, about forty miles."
"What about my sons?" a large man asked.
"Mr. MacDonald, they are likely to keep all their hostages together, especially with such a small number of Death Eaters," Professor Snape said. "If we find one, we will likely find all of them. I would suggest we share what we know with the Headmaster and the Ravenclaws."
"And then we wait," one mother said.
"Yes, Mrs. Dorney. Then we wait."
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Monday, January 11, 1999:
Hogwarts, Infirmary office
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"Hallo? Hallo? Madame Pomfrey? Hallo?"
The door banged open, and Poppy Pomfrey hurried into her office, pulling a robe over her nightdress. She gasped, and said, "Miss Fawcett! How are you? Please, please come on through!"
Susan shook her head. "The floo's warded, ma'am. We can't, and we've got wounded." She looked like she was fighting down panic. "What do we DO, ma'am?"
"Where are you, child?"
"We… we think this is the dungeons under Malfoy Manor. We, I mean Mattie and I saw Mr. Malfoy talking to Minister Fudge from here. I mean, from the library here." She swallowed, and said, "The Cortez twins and Professor Harry, they've been tortured, and…" tears danced in her eyes.
"Where is Miss Wayne?"
"She… she went to get the others out of their cell. She's all alone, ma'am, against ten Death Eaters…"
Madame Pomfrey grinned tightly. "If anyone can handle that by themselves, I expect Miss Wayne can," she said. "All right, child. Don't move; I'm going to call Narcissa and Draco. I'll be right back." Susan nodded, and Poppy moved to the door, calling "Narcissa! Draco! Come here, please!"
Draco materialized, asking, "What can I do?"
Pomfrey spun around, "Oh, Draco! What can you tell me about the dungeons under your father's manor?"
"Is that where they are? Not much, I'm afraid. I was tortured there for a month after my OWLS weren't better than Granger's." He turned to look at Susan's head in the fire, and said, "I don't know what the password is, and the wards keep ghosts out, too." He looked up as Narcissa came in, adding, "I'll go let the Headmaster know there's contact."
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"Professor Dumbledore! Wake up, there's contact!"
Albus Dumbledore awoke in his squashy armchair next to the fire as Draco moved to rouse Professor Snape. "Draco? Please, dear boy, tell us!"
"Susan Fawcett is on Madame Pomfrey's floo. It's warded, so they can't get through, but she thinks they're in the dungeons underneath Father's manor. They… they've got injuries, sir."
"Who is injured? What else can you tell us?" Professor Snape snapped.
Draco swallowed. Even after death, Severus Snape could still intimidate him. "Professor, the Cortez twins and Potter were tortured. Wayne has gone to free the others from their cell." He swallowed again, and added, "She's alone, sir, against ten Death Eaters."
A cold smirk formed on Professor Snape's face. "Pity them, Draco. Pity your father. He does not know what he's facing."
"Sir?"
"By kidnapping Miss Wayne, your father has entered a den of wolves, Draco. By injuring her friends, he has aroused their fury. By kidnapping her teammates, he has set the Slytherin networks against him. By torturing both Potter and the Cortez twins, he has set the rest of the wizarding world against him. With the kidnapping of Miss Wayne, your father has earned the enmity of a clan of skilled, merciless manhunters who will stop at nothing to find him. Your father has literally no place to hide, Draco, on or off this planet." He smiled thinly, and added, "I have every confidence in Miss Wayne's abilities, Draco. However, please keep this conversation confidential."
A long forefinger tapped his lips in thought. "Headmaster, I will contact the Waynes and Mr. Fawcett. I would suggest an innocuous announcement for breakfast in a few hours?" Dumbledore nodded, and Professor Snape smirked, adding, "We do not wish our … guests from the Ministry and the Prophet to leap to conclusions. Draco, please continue serving as a messenger. I would request the Gray Lady to assist you. I assume Poppy did not request any potions?" The ghost shook his head, and the Potions Master departed with a swirl of black robes.
The Headmaster stood and stretched, adding "Draco, if you would be so kind as to inform the other heads that we have minimal contact? Oh, and please ask Filius to pop by when he has a moment, would you?"
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Severus whispered the password to the Wayne's suite, and found Clark staring into the fire. He looked up, and asked, "Is there any news?"
"There is, Mr. Kent. They have managed to contact the Infirmary, and we have a probable location."
"LOIS! BRUCE! SELINA! THERE'S NEWS!" Clark called. He moved next to the Potions Master, and gripping his arms, asked, "What about Mattie?"
There was a strangled croak, and Clark released Severus, with a muttered, "Sorry." The Clan spilled out into the common room, and Clark repeated, "There's news!"
Severus rubbed his arms, and said, "We just received a firecall from Miss Fawcett of Ravenclaw. They are apparently being held in the dungeons under Malfoy Manor. They are alive, although the Cortez twins and Potter have been tortured. Miss Wayne has gone off to free the others."
"I'm on my way," Clark said.
"Wait, Clark." Lois said. "You need an escort."
"Do you know where Malfoy Manor is?" Severus asked.
"Wiltshire, right? I'll find it."
"Clark, these are wizards. You need an escort," Lois insisted. She turned to Severus, and asked, "Do you know where it is? Can you go with Clark?"
"I do, but why would Mr. Kent need an escort?"
"I'm … somewhat vulnerable to magic," Clark confessed. "Can you go with me? I'll handle the physical problems, if you can handle the magic…"
Severus gazed at him, then nodded. Dick opened the windows as Clark said, "Hold on tight, now," and shot out the window with the Potion Master.
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The landscape was a gray blur, when Severus managed to gasp out, "Where are we?"
"Two hundred miles over Europe. Take a look around, you're likely the first wizard in orbit." Clark grinned, and added, "I like to get the big picture."
"Oh, my," Severus said. "Can Miss Wayne do this?"
"Regrettably, no. Aside from a cousin, I'm the last of my bloodline. Are you ready?" Severus nodded, and Clark said, "Here we go, now, and tilted over into a dive.
"A bit to the southeast," Severus said, then "Slow down, please. Over there to the south, just past that grove of oak trees." They touched down, and they walked toward the entrance, Severus pulling his wand out as Clark tried the door, pulling back with an 'Oww!'.
Frustrated, Clark punched the door, only to have it knock him back. He shook his head, then said, "I hear them. I'll be over here." He walked near the building, then removed his glasses, gazing at the ground. With a hiss, the ground started to disappear.
"What are you doing?"
"Digging a hole," Clark looked at Severus, then returned to it, asking, "How are you doing?" Clouds of vaporized earth and vegetation rose into the air.
"The wards will need to be weakened," Severus admitted as he watched. A triangular pit, thirty feet across at the base and forty feet deep now existed next to the manor's stone walls. Clark hopped into the pit, fusing the dirt walls into glass, then turning his gaze on the bedrock he stood on. It turned red and started to bubble and steam in the January cold. Clark scooped out a double handful of molten rock, and started to shape it into a ball. "What are you doing?" he asked Clark.
"Weakening the wards," Clark answered as he blew on the rock to cool it. He replaced his glasses, asking, "If you weaken the structure, I would think it would weaken the wards."
"It will. How do you intend to do so?"
"Since I can't make a direct attack, I'll have to make an indirect one." Clark tossed his rock ball in his hand, and grinned at Severus. "Don't enter the pit, and I'll be making a bit of noise. Keep trying the wards until they break. Ready?" Severus nodded, and Clark rose a bit in the air, hefting his rock, then throwing it at the wall. THOOM! Clark caught the ball, then continued to throw it at the wall, alternating between left and right. THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! The walls of the dungeon were cracking and crumbling under the assault, and above, one of the manor walls collapsed, bringing down part of the building. Clark continued; THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM!
Severus called, "That's got it!" and Clark joined him, his glowing ball of rock in his hand. The professor held up his hand, and said, "I will go in after you, but I will be invisible." Clark nodded, and pulled open the door as Severus cast the spell on himself.
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"Mattie? Mattie Wayne?" Clark called.
"In here, sir!" Ian called, and Clark hurried over, scooping his goddaughter into a hug and tossing the glowing ball of rock onto the floor, where it buried itself. "Uncle Clark!" she sobbed, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Ian blinked, and said, "Sir, what was that?"
Clark looked up, "Oh, I was playing handball with that. Did you hear me?"
Ian blanched, saying, "Sir, we thought the wall was going to cave in on us!"
Clark blushed, "Oh, sorry. I was trying to reach you. Did I come close?"
"Come see, sir," Ian replied. They wandered down the corridor, Clark carrying Mattie, and confronted the heavy wooden door to the cell. Ian struggled with the locking bar, and Clark cleared his throat, putting Mattie down. Ian stepped back, and Uncle Clark simply twisted the bar, shoving the door into the room in the process. He leaned it against one wall as we looked.
Huge cracks ran along the rear wall of the cell, which bulged alarmingly in. Mattie said, "Oh, the wands!" and ran to get the box of leftover wands.
"Here's yours, lil' sis," Ian said. Clark picked one from the box, then dropped it with an 'Oww!' as Mattie accepted her silver wand back.
Clark asked her, "Shall we get back to Hogwarts? Your parents are worried." She nodded, as Clark said, "Thank you for keeping an eye out for Mattie, Mr. MacDonald. I am in your debt."
"My pleasure, Mr. Kent. Will you return with us?"
"Thank you, no. I've got other arrangements." Mattie took his hand, and they headed up the corridor.
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Professor Snape appeared, and Mattie let out a sigh of relief. Clark looked at her, and she said, "I was worried about you're having magical backup, Uncle Clark."
"Indeed, Miss Wayne," he said. "I have looked in on the library, the students and Madame Pomfrey are proceeding satisfactorily. I will need to return to brew potions for her use. Is your business here concluded?"
Clark looked at Mattie, and said, "It is now. Ready to go, munchkin?"
"Uncle Clark!" Mattie giggled as he picked her up. Wrapping an arm around the Potion Master, he took off.
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With a sonic boom, Clark appeared over Inverness, slowing as he shot through the still-open window in the Wayne suite, gently dropping to the carpet. The Clan exploded off their chairs, engulfing them in a group hug. Severus extracted himself, but not before Bruce laid a hand on his shoulder, saying, "Thank you, Professor. We are in your debt."
"This would have turned out much differently without your daughter. Perhaps we are in each other's debt, Mr. Wayne. If you will excuse me, I need to brew potions for Madame Pomfrey." He added, "Miss Wayne, I am sure Madame Pomfrey would like to examine you. When you are ready, please come to the Infirmary."
"I'll join you, Mattie," Dr. Phillips said with a glance. "I'm sure Ms. Pomfrey can use a hand, and we could all use a bite to eat."
Selina released her daughter, and then said, "Join us for breakfast when you can, then." She looked at Professor Snape, and said, "Thank you again, Professor."
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"Mattie!" Harry Spencer called outside the Infirmary. "My Gran was listening to the game on the Wireless, and she came by to see if she could help. Mattie Wayne, this is my Gran, Elizabeth Windsor."
Gran said, "Miss Wayne, I'm so glad to meet you. I've heard so much about you."
Lois blinked, and said, "Excuse me, but are you…"
"Hufflepuff, 1945," Lois blinked again, and Gran continued, "I brought along my personal physician, Dr. Liam to see if we might be of any assistance."
Mattie said, "Two of my friends and Professor Harry were tortured by…"
Gran patted Mattie on the shoulder, and said, "Ms. Lane, I wish to meet with you and your husband later. I am MOST distressed by this, and I would like to discuss this with you and Mr. Lovegood." She smiled thinly, and said, "I will not stand for having schoolchildren tortured while they are guests in my home. Now then, I believe the Headmaster wishes to see us, Ms. Lane. Miss Wayne, please join us."
Bruce waved this off, "You were not responsible, ma'am. Thank you for coming." Gran nodded, and Bruce continued, "May I introduce my wife Selina, my son Dick and his wife Barbara, and Mattie's godparents Dr. Phillips, Sheila Hawking, Lois Lane and her husband, Clark Kent." Hands were shook, and everyone resumed the walk to the Infirmary as they chatted.
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Professor Vector stood outside the Infirmary, blocking access to the parents. She saw the group approaching, and called, "No visitors! The Headmaster will be making an announcement at lunch."
"Doctors, why don't you see what you can do to help, and we'll meet in the Great Hall?" Gran said.
