Disclaimer,
Don't own people created by JK Rowlings.Do own Characters that I created. Please read and review, (Can't afford the one that tells me if you have read this or not!)
Chapter Eleven.
September 1st 1995.
It was a small thing, to ask. Albus was aware that Voldemort had shown interest in the Ministry of Magic department of Mysteries prophecies. By day the department was guarded well enough. By night though, he needed someone to watch what was going on to tell him what was being said and done. Perhaps, referring it as something, small, was an understatement. Standing in the dark, covered with an invisibility cloak in a restricted area watching who came and went was dangerous at the best explanation. At one am. Eric Munch the security guard arrests Sturgis Podmore at the Ministry hiding under Moody's spare invisibility cloak.. No one seemed to have the answer why Eric was still on duty, or what lead him to the door of the department of mysteries that Sturgis was guarding. Sturgis was taken directly to Azkaban Prison to stay there for 6 months with out a trial and when asked why, says nothing. He is informed that until he speaks, he would continue to stay in prison. The others don't realize why Sturgis has missed his time to help escort Harry to the train platform. It is with mixed horror when they discover his fate.
In the dark forest Pet stands at the end of the glade regarding Hogwarts. News of Sturgis being in prison – that- place filled her with a sense of sorrow. She had waited, for Hagrid when he had been taken before- waited for word, waited for him to come out of the dark place. The others had rebuffed her; they couldn't keep her safe if she went away like that. It wasn't her destiny. She wanted to rescue Sturgis- be with him, comfort him, yet in her current form, she could only enter the prison to escort out a dead soul. Soft steam waifs from her nose as she stamped her foot. She knew who was responsible for this. She didn't know his name, she just- knew him by sight, by his voice. She was told, she had to be above revenge- to be amoral, not gathering in right, or wrong. Perhaps, that was why she was being kept at the far edge of the forest, it was said, to guard, but, there was nothing – here- It was what they were afraid would come – to get the young man that was said to save the world from Voldemort.
There was a soft step behind her. She saw it was one of the centaurs. His palomino hindquarters were a sharp contrast to her dark body. For a moment nothing was said. He stepped closer to her and placed his hand on her withers stroking her mane gently.
"He is brave, and honest. He will endure the time of trial and rejoin the others. I know your friend is a good man, who has faced a terrible wrong. It is not our time to intercede…It is soon time for the train, and the students to arrive. I will keep watch for you. You must join the others."
She nodded and began to step away from her guard place then halted and turned back to him. "When will it be time that the dead of those whom my father wished to save can rest?" she asked. She saw the surprise on his face, and knew he knew that information.
"The signs are indicating that there will be a chance, soon. It can not say when however. We can only wait. It will be a change of choice."
Pet nodded, then walked slowly to where the carts were kept at the stables. She looked at Hagrid. She could tell he was upset about Sturgis's imprisonment and when it came time for him to harness her he gave her a hug and said into her ear. "Albus is seeing to him. We can only hope for the best…"
It was night when the train arrived. Pet watched the students get off the train, and swished her tail with impatience. She could see the students getting closer, some chose the first carriage, others, piled in the ones in the middle. She heard Malfoy laughing behind her and closed her eyes resisting the urge to kick his silly ass into the lake. She felt a gentle touch on her hip and looked. She saw Luna standing beside her. Behind Luna was a young man that had a scar on his forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt. She heard someone call his name. Harry.
This was the one Sturgis was helping to protect. This was the chosen one to defeat, or to die at the hands of Voldemort. She saw Neville behind him. Neville who had seen, and understood what Thestrils were all along. She drew in a breath as they got into her carriage. For Sturgis she would behave, that day.
Minerva sat in the rose garden. The students were in the carriages on the way to the school and Albus wasn't – even on the grounds yet. She knew it would take them about half an hour before they reached the great hall, but- still…There was also the matter of the new DADA teacher whom had made herself at home, getting on everyone's nerves in about three seconds after she arrived. Albus was at the Ministry of Magic, arguing for the release of Sturgis on the grounds that he knew him as a student, and that to imprison him with out a trial was improper It wasn't as if he was a death eater- She knew Albus wouldn't win, but he had to try. She heard the leathery soft flutter of wings, then the pale image of the Thestril returning to Hogwarts. She glanced at the sundial – a scant 10 minutes to spare before they had to get into the dining hall. Minerva stepped into his arms and hugged him. She didn't care who saw her She felt, such – guilt- as she had been the one to suggest Sturgis for the guard duty for that night. He returned her hug and gave her forehead a quick kiss.
"There is nothing we can do, tonight, but tomorrow is another day. Sturgis is a resourceful young man. I was able to see him for a moment, and he let me know that he is thinking of your transfiguration lectures to keep sane. I give him credit. There is nothing that the Dementors can do with those memories. " He stepped back and held out the crook of his arm to her after brushing her hair from her face. "Shall we go into the fray?" Minerva kissed his cheek gently before taking his arm and being escorted to where the first years would be coming up the steps. She took a breath. She had to be normal as possible.
Umbridge made being normal as difficult as possible.
Minerva found the staff in an uproar over the student decrees. Within the first week Umbridge had managed to give Harry detention. Minerva tried to calm herself, not to shout at Harry about how unwise provoking Umbridge would be. The articles from the Daily Prophet didn't help. There was so much to teach Potter – to train him to be able to defend himself against Voldemort-(she shuddered as she even thought his name. It was a wonder that the younger generation even knew the name- one that was never spoken.)
There was so much to teach, but so little time to have it taught to him she didn't know what to do. Yet, she took comfort in knowing that Harry had managed to thwart Voldemort by what he already knew. Shear dumb luck perhaps, but thwarted none the less.
Months past. Each time something happened that Umbridge didn't like, a new decree was put into place. She knew the students were chafing under the restrictions. She was surprised that Fred and George hadn't – done something – that would bring every ministry official down on the school. Minerva found herself standing in Albus's office holding the back of the chair while he paced. Word of the group that Harry had started had reached Umbridge's ears. Minerva was of course, proud of Harry's initiative. She was also worried. Umbridge would use this excuse to get her way, and at that moment, her way was to do everything to discredit Harry, and remove Albus.
It was only a matter of moments before Umbridge arrived with her proof, and called the Aurors in to remove Albus. Proof that all along, Albus had been arranging a secret group to over throw Fudge. Minerva almost laughed with giddiness. The toad woman was as blind as Fudge. For a heart stopping moment Minerva feared that the proof would be the existence of the Order of the Phoenix. That knowledge would topple the ministry- that the Aurors thought so little of Fudge that they banded together to protect the wizarding world on their own. They had been grievously out numbered 20 to One before, now, the simple work that Albus had started years ago, to recruit student in Hogwarts had rippled, giving the order a chance that it never had before. It couldn't stop now, It had to go on, even if it meant risking everything.
"He will not be single handed"
His words caught in her heart. He had to go alone- . It was time. More could be done with her protecting the children and him finding the answers, and He knew it would not be forever. She wished they had a moment alone. She would have taken his face with both hands and guided his lips to her lips and kissed him forever. She could only meet his eyes, and by his smile, know, what she was thinking.
Fawks helped him leave. She gathered the children, and escorted them down the steps, The School would lock up after they left. She suppressed a smile. Umbridge had planned to make herself Headmistress, but the school did not recognize her authority. It knew Minerva was the deputy Headmistress, and in the absence of the headmaster the school deferred to her judgment. The school would follow then by the heads of House, Ravenclaw, Huffelpuff, then and Slytherin.
To their credit, the students, took the time to show Umbridge just how much they thought of her. While she knew any damage done to the castle could be repaired with a wave of a wand, or by itself, such was the charm of the school, it was none the less distracting for the students to see things happen.
Albus wasn't far away. He had taken Fawks up, to the balcony level of the headmasters quarters, and in the burst that covered his passage into a secret passage that would be impossible for a muggle to go through, but, not so for a wizard. She knew the passage lead down to the Hogshead Inn, where Alberforce had a special room for him should what they feared happen. The inn had been used during the Goblin rebellion, and Minerva suspected Albus had helped them win their rights long ago. Moving between the school and the inn was not a problem.
Minerva was on rounds while the students took their owls in astronomy, and was on hand to hear the commotion of the four Aurors attacking Hagrid. She rushed out, telling them to stop when her world went red, and then dark. She remembered Albus telling the others to carry her gently- she felt his tears splash on her face as his lips brushed hers- soft voices telling her to not move, reassuring her Hagrid was safe. She closed her eyes and let the potion Poppy had given her for the pain take effect.
Pet had watched the battle from the dark forest edge. She wanted to help Hagrid, the others told her no, it wouldn't work as they could not see, nor believe in Thestrils. As a group they moved into the forest to keep an eye on Hagrid's brother. While the centaurs felt what Hagrid was doing wasn't working, the Thestrils knew different. The centaurs had felt Thestrils were only animals until not long ago. There was no difference with Giants. "Or goblins" thought Pet. She took to watching Hagrid's brother, knowing- he needed protection if even to alert the others something was wrong. Her time away from the herd distanced her from the others, all except her 5 children who stayed close by watching, yet not understanding why it was important. The centaurs had stopped sharing information with the Thestrils. They knew, what was written was to be, and in their own way, they wished to prevent it.– the time of change and choice.
Pet could no more stop the centaurs arrows as she could the stunners that were aimed at Minerva. She saw the boy. He who lived stand next to his friend. Joined by others. Pet almost just- left them when she heard a name that made her stop.
Sirius.
Pet reached out and touched the blood on the robe. She raised her head and called her children The youngest was still a spindly foal,.- too young to be seen, to young to carry.
"Tell Albus where we are going!" she told her youngest who snorted, and went as fast as his legs could carry. Pet stood, ready as Luna mounted her. Her heart was torn- She had not seen him in a while, and she knew if they didn't hurry, the task that she could not bear to do would await her.
"We're coming!" she thought, being guided by the directions Harry gave them.
She saw the children enter into the ministry- surly there had to be an entrance that they could go through? Breathing hard the Thestrils circled the building- searching past the magical wards that prevented them from entering. Flecks of blood spattered from her mouth as she came to a stop by the delivery gate. The door was open, the wards down. The stench of death was strong, but it was not of a wizard death, it was of one who robbed life- Pet had smelt it before-
"Voldemort is here"
Voldemort, and something else- something, so long ago had been taken from her. Pet flew through doors, down halls leaving others behind, coming to the Ministry of Mystery department. Trapped in the Bell Jar was the tiny humming bird Fudge had taken from her years before. She waited until the passage of time was just as the bird reached the age to fly, then she tipped the bell jar. The tiny humming bird flitted out, and around Pet before darting off down the hall- down to the room where Pet saw a door she had only heard about from the oldest of Thestrils,
The veil of death fluttered with the voices behind it. It was the passage that wizards took, if there were no Thestrils to take them home. She could see in, she could see them gathered just at the edge of the door.
She could see Sirius.
He could see her. There was a sadness on his face.
"I didn't ever think, it would come that I would see you, like this" he said to her softly, wanting to reach out to her. "I always thought I had more to do with my life- protect Harry, be his Godfather, tell him about his parents…But, now, that I am here- I know that I have been dead a long time. I only didn't know it… I only wish, that I had more time with Harry- to help him"
He looked beyond her and saw the other Thestrils come closer to the veil of death. Pet saw others pass by them, not seeing- not knowing what was happening. To cross, meant death, there was no going back even for the Thestrils. They could bring the souls to this place, but never touch it- never touch the final veil. Pet was reluctant to go. She wanted to stay with him, Wanted to make things better. Her head came up sharply. Breathing hard she looked at Sirius.
"There may, be a way- the time of Choice, the time of Change and sacrifice…" She said. "I didn't know what it meant until now." She unfolded her wing and then said "Take my hand as it comes through, and say the wish within your heart"
"Pet, that would kill you!" he said adamant.
"I -. I never have been alive. I am a Meer wish- a fallen star found and breathed on by mortal man. Non-shall hear my witness as I am, I must die, to change. You must live for your sacrifice."
Fudge heard the scream in his office many floors above from the department of Mysteries. It was inhuman, yet – human. He heard it again, and rushed out to see what was going on. Others looked at him curious as he searched- panic on his face
"What was that?" he gasped hearing it again, then he ducked as the sound of a wands spell echoed in the room. He was compelled to follow the sound of the screams. He didn't know why- but each turn he made they became louder even if he went back the way he came.
He began to stumble against people. His face an awful shade of Puce as he tried to find the exit of the ministry building to get air. Even if in the shielded courtyard.
But the screams followed him. They were all around him. He backed to the center of the courtyard holding his hands over his ears. He spun- searching for the source of the noise.
His eyes fell upon a single stone sitting on the sundial. The inhuman screams emanated from it. His hand reached out to grab it- to thrust it into the fountain to drowned the voices. His scream was heard inside the ministry. Where once was just a plain stone, now gave forth blood that bubbled forth covering his hands, down his front.
Several ministry workers hurried to the courtyard to see what was going on. It was Amelia Bones who had the sense to keep the workers inside.
"No- don't you see them? What on earth did he do to upset them?"
Fudge had stopped his screams. To everyone who could see the Thestrils, it was if he was lifted up, and was listening to one who stood face to face with him. One of the ministry workers tried to open the door, to have it kicked shut from the outside. There was a pause from the one who faced Fudge.
Amelia Bones swore she could see the Thestril say "No, they have the right to know too…" before the doors and windows to the court yard opened. No one moved- no one could move as the words tumbled from Fudge. His confessions of murders commited long ago.
When he finished, he fell forward to his knees. The ministry workers gasped as the Thestril reared and brought down its hoof, to pause, just on the top of his head. Fudge closed his eyes. He expected no less than death at that moment. His hands dropped the stone that spilt the goblin blood over him, blood he could only see. With a turn, the Thestrils launched as one, rising to the air to circle above- all but one who stood, waiting for something. Some one.
Arthur Weasley came into the courtyard. He went up to the Thestril that stood before Fudge and for a moment their eyes connected. Eyes he knew- eyes he thought he wouldn't ever see in this life. Upon the chest of the Thestril was the pattern familiar to Arthur. There was a shock of recognition, before the Thestril took a step back, picked up the stone in its wing claw and launched into the air with the others to disappear in the clouds.
He helped Fudge get to his feet. The man held out his hands his face stark. For a moment Arthur saw, what Fudge saw, for that moment, there was a smell about Fudge that Arthur recognized.- Guilt. Death. Murder. Gently Arthur lead him into the building where he was taken away, later his resignation would be announced, but, not today.
Azkaban Prison.
The Dementors regarded the arrival of Thestrils. There were five of them in the group. It cause some confusion as the Dementors were not aware of any of the prisoners passing. One with dark eyes spoke. The dementors having no reason not to comply did, releasing one to them to be taken away. According to their records, the prisoner was past time of release, yet orders had not been given otherwise. Until now.
Sturgis Podmore accepted the ride on the Thestril without question. He didn't know exactly what was handed to him in the darkness, but he kept it close to him as the darkness gathered. He found himself in a clearing, he saw the lights of Hogwarts, he knew he was close to home and that there was something that he needed to do.
Sturgis sat in the middle of the dark forest. While he had felt, something- of a connection with one of the Thestrils, by the time they had arrived at the clearing the dark eyes had faded to a gray white with dark green sparkles in them Sirius's eyes. The Thestrils moved to the edge of the clearing then into the woods. He was left, with the stone, and the sounds of the forest around him. He knew better than to try to travel at night. He didn't even have his wand on him. In the moonlight he regarded the stone in his hands. It was important. He didn't know why, but it was.
The stars above were so bright they took his breath away. He sat looking up, not thinking of anything- just- watching the stars. He never thought he would see them again. They were so beautiful. He remembered things, from when he first came to Hogwarts, the people that he had met, those who had died while he managed to live- those whom he was parted from. His tears came unbridled, splashing on his hands, soaking the stone that he held. All those months he couldn't show emotion, couldn't risk the tears that would bring the dementors, yet, his tears were not of sorrow, but of relief that it all had passed, that somehow he was free when he thought he had been forgotten. He cried for those whom he knew he never would see again, and those, he loved.
He saw the falling stars race to the earth. For a moment he was lost in the heavens until a sharp crack of a stick brought him back to earth. He looked around, and filling the clearing were centaurs, their bows drawn. A single teardrop fell from his eye as he closed them, clenching the stone with in his hand. The teardrop caressed the stone- mingling his emotions with the glitter of the falling stars around them.
"Rhea" was all he thought- before a blinding light engulfed him and he fell from the stone he sat on. All else didn't matter.
A light touch made Sturgis Podmore open his eyes. He was in Hagrid's hut and there was a young woman with blond hair and clear blue eyes bending over him wiping his face with a cool cloth. She was about his age and he felt as if he had known her all of his life. He sat up looking around, looking out the window then back to her as she wrung out the cloth.
"Sirius, has, has,"
"Chosen a path to follow his destiny." Said her soft voice. He turned and looked at her. His eyes widened, "what- do you want from me?" he asked. She smiled, his question was almost comical, yet she knew he needed answers. He saw it in her eyes, he heard it in a far away voice as she eased him back onto the bed and Rhea's soft lips brush against the lips of a man she had loves most of her life.
"You have already given me more than I would have the right to ask for. Your heart, your love, has set me free "Of love, of wishes and dreams. Born of Earth, Renew to flame. Unselfish devotion, and sacrifice, Born of the Great, Stars, Moonstone, Thestril, Roc, Wisdom, Courage & Light. Makes True to Ravenclaw tonight."
Albus stood at the door watching the two of them. Minerva had returned. Hagrid had found both of them in the clearing, and brought them back to his hut. He had agreed with Hagrid that them, staying in the hut was less likely to cause questions. Seeing they were alright, Albus made his way up to the school where he stopped by Minerva's room. He heard her voice granting him permission. He entered and went to the love of his life.
"How are you feeling today, M'dear?" he asked gently. She reached out her hand and pulled him to her as tears fell from his eyes.
"I could not bear my world with out you Minerva. I would have to chose, the path not spoken of, if I would face death before you." She took a breath.
"That path- doesn't – hasn't crossed into the mortal world…" she began. She stopped seeing his expression.
"Hagrid has informed me, that one of the Thestrils is different, and for the life of him, reminds him of Sirius. As Rhea, is now, in human form, and the numbers have not changed with the herd…all things, with magic, are possible." He said to her kissing her lips gently before drawing her close in his arms, never wishing to let her go.
And I remember your eyes…
The End.
(Well, maybe?)
AN:
Thanks to everyone that has written reviews ! Yes, this is really the end- well, untill the HBP comes out and maybe gives me more Ideas to write- I finished this up, so that I can move on to other stories that need to be tended too. (ok, I am going to take a break from writing so I don't burn out.) you might find the occasional Lemon on a certain fan fiction board, but, long stories will have to wait. Combined, Shadows in the Wind, and Echos in the moonlight have 23 chapters, at 4 pages avg, plus the last chapter had over 8, so thats 100 pages of documents. To put that in perspective, a one hour tv script is only 45-50 pages.
Please let me know what you think!
Taylor Grey Lady Grey Castles.
