Disclaimer: This fanfiction is based on the Harry Potter universe created by
J.K. Rowling Not mine
The plot is based on the Severitus- challenge therefore is not mine either.
Rating: PG13 mild language
Spoilers: All five books (SS/PS; CoS; PoA; GoF; OotP)
A/N: Hi all, I hope you still enjoy this story even though it might be confusing. I hope to be able to wrap everything up until the final chapter which will probably about fifteen to twenty in total. I have every intention to finish even though it might take some time between updates.
Chapter 6: Hogwarts and other complications
Safe-house
Isle of Skye; Black Cuillins
September 1st
Eric, Hermione and Snape stood in a large circular room of roughly hewn stone deep under the main levels of the Sanctuary; the potion lab.
The amazing structure could be easily used as a ball room if it wasn't for the many workbenches, fireplaces and the feel of several hundred tons of stone pressing down on the structure.
That and the eerie hard bright white light permeating the room casting no shadow perfect for the brewing process. Elemira had told them that the light itself was in fact was nothing but an illusion.
While giving the human beholder the means to navigate and brew potions it didn't alter certain ingredients properties, which could happen to certain herbs or inorganic matter sensitive to light.
Snape had spent several hours here not only to brew the adoption potion, but also to find an antidote to the dark lord's latest potion development, even though they had found a way to charm an object to act as protection.
However the downside was obvious, for only Eric was able to effectively charm it.
Back to their plan, Snape really disliked his soon to be daughter's plan.
Though sadly he had to agree it would benefit his son greatly not only because of her diligent study habit but although because she knew his secrets.
Most of them anyway five years of friendship would do that to a person.
As long as she wasn't sorted into Slytherin, little chance there, she wouldn't be under as much scrutiny as his son granting her a lot more freedom.
She would be one pair more eyes and ears on the student body. It would be a dangerous game nonetheless for all of them. Than again they were in danger nevertheless.
Another reason for playing along was her need for revenge leading her to propose her plan in the first place.
Better to channel these feelings soon. It wouldn't be possible in France or America.
It would eat the girl up which would hurt his son, strange how protective one could grow in such a short time.
After Eric had practiced Occlumency with her these feelings lay buried deep in the recesses of her brain.
Hermione was now adept enough to throw her soon to be stepfather out of her mind therefore he had forgone any lingering reservations.
Now the three of them stood in the middle of the potion lab staring into a silver cauldron full of a bubbly rose coloured potion though its viscosity and ominously smelled like hot tarmac, shivering slightly in the chilly room.
Hermione was alternating incredulous stares between the potion master, who was smirking daring her to comment, his son who had a hard time to hide his amusement and the offending brew.
Opening and closing her mouth she managed to ask, her voice sounding rather strangled, "How ... do you get small children to drink this?"
"Well Miss Granger, normally the receiving party is unable to protest, but anyway most children like the colour. However it shouldn't be as bad as the Polyjuice potion back in your second year." Snape replied his smirk growing even wider; Eric looked gob smacked at his father while Hermione was giving an overripe tomato a run for its money.
Effectively preventing any further comment on the subject. "We have to let it cool down, which gives us some time to collect the three witnesses. Eric cannot participate for obvious reasons, as you surely know."
"Of course, professor." came the sarcastic reply. "Thank you so very much, if you hadn't pointed that out I would be quite unaware that a minor could not take part in a legal matter, such as witness to an adoption."
Snape only glared at her which wasn't as heated as it used to be strangely enough the young Gryffindor had grown on him.
"You know Hermione; if you continue to be as sarcastic we don't have to fear any discovery, because it's a known family trait." smirked Eric.
Hermione only spared her soon to be brother a disgusted glare before she, turned around leaving the room to summon the three witnesses.
She slowly went up the winding stairs passing some deserted corridors to finally reach the library where she found Mr Weasley and Moody.
She couldn't help feeling awed at the extensive library, which was at least three times the size of Hogwarts own.
Unfortunately most texts where written in old Greek or Latin not to mention some obscure texts written in ancient runes.
"Ey lass, …is it time already?" Inquired Moody concentrating his good eye on a book seemingly written in Arabic, while his magical eye was trained on her, making her jump slightly.
"Yes, everything is ready. The potion only has to cool down for about ten minutes until its ready."
"Ah I will search for Molly than. We will meet you in the lab in a bit than." Arthur Weasley said and got up to search for his wife.
It wasn't that hard to predict, considering that she loved to cook. She probably was in the kitchen driving the cook, which was also a golem, crazy.
Her lips curving into an almost smile Hermione made her way back to the lab lost in thought. She had hardly allowed herself to grieve, missing her parents and sister.
Determination and cold rage filled her when she remembered the pale faces, broken eyes of her parents staring unseeingly back in hers laying in their very own living room while her sister lay crushed at the feet of the stairs.
She had been the first they found. The Dark Mark had been absent and the curses used. It had to be the ministry.
Anger rushed her; these fools, she would show them what a muggleborn was made of.
She would find out who had done it and those inbred fools wouldn't know what hit them.
Down in the lab Fawkes appeared in front of Eric by way of fire travel a letter in his beak. Gently he settled down on Eric's shoulder trilling which sounded slightly muffled until Eric removed the letter letting the phoenix song wash over him.
After opening it he found out that it was from their last inside source at the ministry.
Why the letters were always delivered to him he didn't know but had a strong suspicion.
Dumbledore it seemed had an almost ingenious system.
The source would drop an especially charmed letter at a certain point and Fawkes would pick it up carrying it back to his master, Eric.
The only thing he knew was that Fawkes at times would disappear and reappear with a message or other from their last allies.
These missives never bore any name. Eric and the order had a tentative understanding he was allowed to read these letters, not that they could hinder him in the first place but the order would see them immediately afterwards.
If someone else but Eric would pick up the letter or try to temper with it in any way it would burst into flame. This included order members.
As Eric read the letter he went white as the proverbial wall the further got vein begun throbbing at his temple, his eyes flashed dangerously.
"Those bastards." He fumed. "I hope the wizarding world comes to its senses soon or if all fails to a very messy end."
"I wouldn't count on the first one however if they continue to act the way they do right now you might get your wish." Snape replied neutrally.
Muggleborn Act No 7
Due to the growing danger of you know who we as the ministry feel it in the best interest of the community of magic users to exclude muggleborns from formal schooling. Every muggleborn who is not of age will be temporarily memory charmed until the threat of Voldemort has been dealt with.
The letter continued in that vein for some time. Seething with rage Eric crumbled the letter.
However before he could incinerate it Snape covered his fist an answering anger in his eyes.
"Stop! The rest of the order might like to have closer look at it. It wouldn't do to destroy the message before they could read it they are still sore that they have to rely on you to pass on these messages. The order is divided enough as it is."
Sighing heavily Eric relaxed slightly.
"It's almost over isn't it? Muggleborns ostracized and fleeing the country. The traitors list, Aurors running loose. The ministry won't keep order for long will they?"
"No they won't. The Dark Lords puppet is in place already to take over the reins as minister, I'm sure of that. I give the ministry until the winter solstice. If we are very lucky the Dark Lord will wait until early spring. Then we will be dependant on Europe and America."
"There isn't anything we can do is there? Unless…:" Eric trailed off when he was interrupted by his fathers steely voice.
"I want you to promise, no swear to me on the grave of Albus Dumbledore and Lily Evans Potter that you will not rush of on any woolbrained ideas to save the world. No matter what happens. You will pick your ground carefully. Do not act like a rush foolish Gryffindor."
Taken aback Eric wanted to erupt in righteous indignation, his feared temper was calmed by the expression in his fathers eyes not quite able to decipher.
It was almost as if the irritable man was afraid; afraid of losing him.
"I promise. However if I see a chance to take that monster out I will do so. I promise you I will not go out of my way in search for a confrontation." Knowing that it was the best he would get his father inclined his head in ascent.
Eric could almost read what the man was thinking, though he stifled the temptation to snoop.
The pain was excruciating as her body changed. She didn't know how long she had been lying on the small conjured cot screaming.
Arms were trying to keep her from trashing around and hurting herself.
After a while her screams were down to an exhausted whimper as her body shifted further her legs and arms too had stilled.
That is what a werewolf must feel like every month. She shuddered at the thought remembering how close they all had been in third year to be turned.
However, that thought vanished as quickly as it had come. Suddenly after days, hours, minutes she realized the pain had subsided leaving her dizzy, trying to catch her breath. Every movement hurt.
She luxuriated in the ability to draw deep calming breaths filling her lungs with sweet air. "Erin." came a soft dark voice which she should know even though the name was unfamiliar.
Her brain seemed to be stuffed with wool rendering her unable to think clearly. Potion master came to mind even though the voice usually sounded much more snappish…Snape. Adoption potion…stepfather.
"Drink this it will help you, Erin." Her stepfather coaxed, something cringed in her.
My father will always be William Edward Granger at least in my heart, she swore to herself.
She would get her revenge. Tentatively she reached out and took the potion vial in a shaky hand, crinkling her nose in disgust as the pungent smell hit her nose.
"Careful there," Snape said mildly amused as he took the vial from her shaky grasp, holding it to her mouth.
Hastily she gulped it down, lest the taste would linger on her tongue.
It ranked right up with Polyjuice potion.
Making a face she slowly sat up taking in her brother and the witnesses as she tried to fully get up now that the potion took care of any lingering discomfit and she almost fell down flat on her nose if Snape and Eric hadn't quickly reached out to steady her.
Her coordination had gone awry which was to be expected now that she was fully two inches taller than before her arms not yet accustomed to their new proportions.
She almost could hear low murmurs or so it seemed as she suspiciously looked at her three witnesses noticing that they were only silently watching her in silence.
However she still could make out murmurs and now that she actually looked them in the eye she could make out words. Poor child…I hope the hate for her families murderers won't eat her up…such a sweet child …Ron will get a shock when he next sees her…Her eyes widening in shock Erin began agitatedly searching for a mirror.
Realizing what was going on Eric handed her a small hand mirror, it seemed as if his sister too had become a telepath.
The awakening of a family gift running in the blood lines in that late of an adoption was rather rare.
It normally only happened when the adopted child was very young. There was although the matter how the child's magical power supported these gifts.
Erin was staring at her reflection in the mirror. She had a mane of long black hair probably as stubborn as her old one ever had been though bushy wasn't exactly how she would term the mop that had decided to grow on her head.
Wild and messy, fitted the bill much better though it looked good on her. Her face resembled her mother much more than before, thank god she kept her nose.
The resemblance to her adoptive father still was more pronounced than she had imagined.
Her eyes were almost the exact shade of onyx now, just like Snape's she thought.
Her complexion was very pale pronouncing her high cheekbones rather strong giving her an exotic look with her black onyx eyes the most prominent feature.
All in all she and Eric could pass as twins. "I could use some sunlight don't you think." She tried to joke however her voice broke slightly and tears threatened to fall, which she resolutely squashed as the knowledge crushed down on her that from now on she wouldn't ever be acknowledged as Hermione Jane Granger.
"You need a new wand lass. Your old one is still tied in with Hermione Granger. However you need one fitting for Erin Renata Snape. Hopefully you won't need an equally exotic like Eric." Moody spoke up for the first time since she had taken the adoption potion bringing her back to the here and now.
"Erin Renata Snape", she mused pensively "Renata, the reborn. I think I like my middle name." eying her reflection some more.
"Yes the reborn." Snape replied snidely and somewhat cruelly finished, "You didn't seem too keen electing one yourself, though I had to come up with one. For that matter it is a parent's prerogative",
"It's fitting." His student turned daughter responded stonily before Eric who looked like he would like to say some choice words to his father could explode in righteous indignation at his sister's behalf.
"When will we go to Diagon Alley and how will we obtain a new wand without ministry interference? Wouldn't it be suspicious if I where to obtain a wand in Britain?"
"You don't know Ollivander lass. That man does not like the ministry one wit. Don't you worry. We will go by portal which is untraceable."
"Untraceable?"
"Of course. What the ministry doesn't know exists it can't detect, don't you agree?"
"You know Erin we really could pass like twins now. Maybe we should adopt Gred and Forges habit to complete each others sentence."
"You know Eric that's quite the idea. Maybe we should." Erin ventured a playful smirk around her lips observing the adults who looked slightly green at the prospect.
"Maybe we should go upstairs dinner will surly be served soon I imagine." Mr Weasley chimed in with what was only an ill disguised diversion, thankful that all had gone well.
It had been easy to forge the adoption papers. Really the ministry should think of a new procedure.
The adoption was mostly drawn up more like a contract between two parties and traditionally the Ministry didn't need to be informed at all.
Snape only had to write a formal application to the ministry claiming that his two children had been home schooled and the play was set.
Hogwarts book off magical offspring had gone …lost the first week of august and …magically reappeared in the extensive library of the sanctuary, thanks to Fawkes.
Thomas residence
Somewhere in London
September 1st
Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan sat in the living room of Dean's home, playing chess.
Seamus almost regretted that they played the muggle version instead of the wizarding kind at least than he would have slight chance to best his best friend for once.
Dean's mother was bustling in the kitchen. "Have you read the Daily Prophet today" Dean asked neutrally.
"Yes I have," growled Seamus, "Fudge the moron has gone really round the bend now."
His eyes were glittering angrily and worried when he thought back to the article this morning.
Formal schooling would be denied to muggleborns, to Dean his best friend. Every muggleborn who has not gotten at least eight OWL's in their exams was to be obliviated.
The only way to get out of this was when the person was already of legal age. "How many OWL's did you get by the way?" he asked tentatively.
An uncharacteristic bitter smile played around Dean's lips. "Seven….and Check." Calmly he took out a scowling Seamus queen with his rook who looked shocked at his best friend's revelation however a frown creased his brow when he looked back at the chess board.
"And mate, mate. Sometimes I really wonder why I'm still playing against you." Seamus voiced slightly disgruntled, though his eyes betrayed his worry for his best friend.
For all his grumbling he liked to challenge his friend for a game of chess even though he had yet to win once.
"Dean," his mother called from the kitchen, "Would you be a dear and bring me some potatoes from the cellar?"
"Of course, mum. I'm going." With this he got up, Seamus after a second of indecision followed him .
When Dean switched on the light a small electric cackle was all he got, when the bulb burnt through, shrouding the staircase in Darkness again. "Damn, that was the last one and we can't even cast a simple lumos for light. Just wait here."
So saying Dean left Seamus at the top of the staircase as he turned around and walked to the wardrobe, their coatrack and storage for useful utensils, right next to the front door and with some more rummaging found what he was looking for.
A flash light; switching it on the dark stairwell was plunged into artificial daylight.
Slowly they descended the stairs. A fuse must have bunt through for the cellar light wouldn't work either.
When they reached the storage tanks Dean handed Seamus the flash light as he reached into one of the tanks to retrieve the potatoes.
The door bell rung, they heard soft steps from the kitchen as the two boys made their way back they were at the foot of the stairwell when they froze.
From above they could here soft voices coming from the hallway. Suddenly they could hear a body fall to the floor.
Shocked they remained still as they heard one voice call "Search the house, aurors Kerry and Logan. " "Aurors", Dean whispered as he made a move to rush up the staircase.
Seamus caught his arm and started to retreat downstairs as he dragged a resisting Dean with him "they will not hurt your mother. However if they find you, you will be obliviated."
"But…"
"No buts, don't you know what might happen if some overzealous idiot does that charm? You might loose any memory of being a wizard for good. You need those to help your mother. We also are not Harry to take on three fully trained aurors at once. Is there another way out?"
Reluctantly Dean nodded, remembering belatedly that Seamus, who had switched the flashlight off, couldn't see the movement in the Dark.
"Yes, follow me." Grabbing Seamus arm he lead the Irish boy through the cellar when they heard the door to the cellar creak open and two sets of heavy footsteps moving slowly downstairs, a weak glow from a wand tip giving away their position.
Seamus and Dean quickly ducked behind a heap of discarded furniture. The two aurors stopped on the lowest step undecided; not liking the scarce illumination in the vast cellar.
A dozen Death Eaters could hide in here and they would notice them to late. There hesitation was their undoing.
Seamus who remembered his father once yelling at him for blinding him with a flash light nudged Dean.
"When I say now start hexing them." He whispered following up with a screamed "NOW!" switching on the flashlight plunging the cellar again in uncomfortable white light.
More important its brightness caused the well trained aurors to cover their eyes in agony their wand light not being enough to save them.
They didn't get a chance to recover, the assault with the flashlight had been immediately followed up with stupefy, tarantalegra, incacerate and some other choice hexes which all hit their mark.
Suffice to say those poor sods looked something like Malfoy at the end of the ride on the Hogwarts Express.
Grinning maliciously they got up just as auror number three charged downstairs forgetting any ministry direction dealing with downed teams.
He was hit by two stunners simultaneously. Carefully the boys crept closer to those fools.
Dean, angered and sickened with worry thinking of what they might have done with his mother, couldn't resist to bestow the ministry dudes with some additional hexes, nothing too damaging but boy where their colleagues in for it when they tried to unhex them.
When Dean reached the end of the stairs his heart hitched when he saw his mother lying still on the carpet in the hallway.
As he slowly went closer he noticed with relieve that she was still breathing however her gaze was empty.
"Mother," he chocked out. Mrs Thomas jerked slightly as if startled turning her dazedly into the direction of the voice.
Ice crept down Dean's spine when he heard a disoriented voice ask, "Who are you?" What the hell was the ministry playing at?
"We have to go now before they return. Take what you need and than meet me outside. If some one appears I fire a reductor curse."
"Okay, thanks Seamus. I won't be long." True to his word Dean reappeared minutes later with a duffel bag.
Getting a hold on his unresisting mother they went two blocks farther down the streets before Seamus called the Knight Bus to him, leaving even before the owls for improper use of underage magic could arrive.
A seasickness inducing drive by Knight Bus and five floo trips later they arrived at Seamus home.
Creevey's home
Devon
Sptember 1st
Dennis was sitting in a tree in the backyard watching the farmland surrounding their little farm here in Devon; soft rolling green and yellow fields. Well mostly yellow due to the late summer heat. He could see farmers mowing their meadows and overall being occupied with this year's harvest. His brother was off somewhere hunting motives for his camera.
Suddenly the peaceful scenery changed as three plops could be heard. Recognition dawned on him; it was the sound of apparition.
Quietly yet fast he glided down his vantage point and carefully crept over the lawn. Being rather small for his thirteen years of age the high grass reached almost to his shoulders he got to his knees and quickly yet carefully he crept towards the house, shielded quite well by the high grass.
He could hear agitated voices from the inside urging him to press in. However he had seen enough crime and action movies to know that that would be a very bad thing to do, intending to get a better view he pressed himself against the wall next to a window, carefully peering in.
He was in luck the three ministry flunky's looked the other way, he didn't think these could be Death Eater's. For one those wore always black robes which got along quite well with their white masks and secondly his parents would be either dead by now or being tortured into insanity.
Those three seemed to be arguing with his parents when suddenly one of the wizards was drawing his wand his voice sounding more threatening. They clearly wanted to know about their two magical son's whereabouts.
White hot rage washed over him as Dennis made to jump through the window come what may he would take those bastards out; after all he wasn't a member of the DA last year and a Gryffindor on top of it for nothing.
Right at this moment he was weighed down by a heavy weight a hand covering his mouth. He struggled against the invisible weight, now more panicked than angry, but couldn't shake it of as voice whispered harshly in his ear.
"Be still boy, or do you want them to hear you." came the harsh whisper of a male voice.
The invisible weight seemed to shift for a second probably to look through the window,"Figures, Brown's cronies. Oh what fun." Sounding rather gleeful murmuring to himself.
"Three inside the house and all in the same room. Stupid idiots. No sense for security. That will cost them dearly." By now the voice sounded positively malicious. "Listen, boy. I will go in there and you are going to join your brother in the shed over there." The stranger said, "Now, move!"
With this Dennis made his way to the shed, figuring it would be safer to obey that man not even be able to see the man. Every instinct in him screamed to stay and help his parents.
Still he carefully crept towards the shed and slipped in while behind him a ruckus broke out.
Idly he wondered why he did obey that stranger so blindly when a wand was held to his neck.
Freezing he looked along the wandtip to his owner and with a sigh of relief he recognized Collin in the dim lit shed. Recognizing his brother Collin let his wand sink to his side with relief.
Suddenly the door burst open and the strange man now visible becoming visible at some point in the short fight looking rather battered.
Their parents stumbled in after him.
"Quick! We have got no time for this the aurors will be here soon. Take a hold." With this he drew out an old square piece of paper.
As everyone had touched it, he mumbled "safety" and seconds later the shed was empty again.
Black Cuilins
Isle of Skye
24th September
He was soaring high up over the Cuillins. Eric at the moment didn't care to think about anything more serious than his rare moment of freedom.
He was just relaxing, riding the air currents in the sunlight and revelling in its warmth. He missed his raven friend somewhat sending the cheeky creature with Luna, who Kara had taken a liking to.
Luna's father too was now in America in a small hospital specialised on dark curses which had been built during Voldemorts first rise.
The American ministry than had some problems with wannabe Death Eaters cropping up causing trouble. They weren't that many but enough to put the ministry into disorder for a few months until they could pull their act together.
But when they did those few Dark Wizards didn't stand a chance, though they never had anything to do with the real deal. Voldemort himself never made it over the great pond.
His flight wasn't as relaxing as usual missing his friend's fiercely. Strangely it was Luna he missed the most.
He would have reckoned it would have been Ron however his best friend had been relegated to a close second. It disturbed him.
Luna and he weren't that close after all before they parted. Maybe he should ask his sister for some advice; he would be the first to admit that he was blissfully clueless whenever it came to the opposite sex as the Cho debacle had shown him.
At least Erin would go back to Hogwarts with him.
Over the last week they had become so accustomed to each other that they just might pull it off. Still he felt nervous. He was glad that at least one of his friends, now a sister, was at Hogwarts with him though a stab of guilt crossed him as he thought of Ron who was now at Beauxbatons without his girlfriend even though Ron had agreed wholeheartedly with Hermione.
Thinking of his sorting he couldn't help but feel in his bones that everything would work according to plan though his rational faculty didn't agree with his subconscious mind envisioning everything that could go wrong and then some. What if the hat recognizes them and tattles.
Well they would cross that bridge when they got there; right now he was circling in the sky, luxuriating in the warmth of the fading sun. The wind slightly ruffled his feathers, however not enough to disturb his serene circling above the Cuilins. Roughly two miles below him and underground his sanctuary was located.
Two weeks in September letters from his friends had arrived, describing the students the feel of apprehension at Beauxbatons or total lack thereof at Salem.
Luna and Ginny didn't write much, just a small note of comfort and updating them on what it was like to visit a witch only elite boarding school. Salem appeared quite open-minded compared to Hogwarts and was more relaxed about the political situation in England.
Well, the great pond acted as a big border.
Voldemort the bad-bogey-man didn't seem to concern them that much.
Ginny and Luna were subtly dropping hints and overall were doing their best to get their peers to ponder recent developments in the UK.
Most got angry on the muggleborns behalf. It seemed as if the structure advertising pureblood values were completely missing even though there minds were pretty much as narrow minded as the majority of the UK if it come to houselves, goblins, werewolves and so on.
Ron had gotten his owl back. Pig had suddenly appeared, to the poor boys chagrin, in the middle of the start of year feast at Beauxbaton.
Causing quite the commotion as he was flying loops and twittering incessantly, landing finally on Ron's shoulder.
Even though Ron termed his owls some quite unsavoury names and expressing his wish to strangle the "feathery git" for embarrassing him like that you still could tell from the letter that he was actually quite glad to have his owl back.
Thinking of Pigwidgion painfully brought back his still missing snowy owl Hedwig. She wouldn't turn up he remembered with a stab off sadness.
His magical signature had changed dramatically. The bond that had once existed between her and what was once Harry Potter had snapped on his birthday.
These two weeks still seemed to be quite relaxed at Beauxbaton's and Salem. Nothing much had happened between trying to fit in, new classes and making new friends.
Though there were some lingering doubts of his friends about their disguise, well they couldn't remember of wearing an almost foolproof enchanted object on their upper arm which they didn't remember of ever putting on.
The charm to disguise his friends was anchored in a bracelet, which additionally held the protection for the factus-servus potion combined with concealment charms which caused the bracelet to behave in an almost organic pattern becoming a part of the persons arm completely undistinguishing to the who rest of the skin.
Only a parselmouth could remove or alter it now which was the only crux in case Voldemort ever figured that one out.
Through the combined effort off the order and Eric's friends as they scavenged both libraries for appropriate charms, spells and enchantments. It was really lucky that the ministry were quite unable to pick up on any spell casting done in his sanctuary. The extensive library section on enchanting and spellbinding and Luna's aptitude for it had helped them along quite nicely. They found a charm that provided an almost failsafe way to ensure the charms couldn't be detected.
It was very akin to the fidelius charm only this one was cast on objects and not a location which made it easier to cast. Only if Eric died or he willingly divulged the secret would those bracelets be in any kind of danger off discovery. The secret was hidden deep down in Eric's mind as the only one who could manipulate it besides he had the strongest Occlumency barriers.
The spell ensured that the wearer completely forgot of ever putting it on in the first place thus assuring that the bracelet couldn't be removed or being revealed under say veritaserum.
The beauty of it was no matter what kind of revealing charm known to wizardingkind was used none could detect for the bracelet also assimilated the wizards or witch's own magical signature.
Therefore no spell could distinguish between the magical signature of the bracelet and the wizards or witch's own.
The order was being careful with contacting with anyone outside their little circle. However it had made cautious advances towards influential people in Europe and passed those bracelets to those few friends it still had.
The concealment charms concerning Eric's friends were more extensive than most order bracelets needed to be.
They ensured that no outsider would be able to recognize Ron, Neville's, Luna's and Ginny's identity creating a powerful illusion.
However these were not totally foolproof as Hogwarts for example had wards which would rip any illusion of that kind apart that lasted longer than sixty seconds, though it sadly did nothing to reverse the effects off appearance altering potions such as Polyjuice.
Beauxbatons and Salem's wards were not as advanced. Neither was the ministry's Eric's thought with a smirk though the ministry could track magical signatures within its facility.
Their ministry contact had warned them early on that those wards would be installed in Hogwarts too.
Taking a final sweep over the mountainside he gracefully glided through the barrier to the dining room. It somehow was quite disturbing to fly through what looked like solid stone fro the outside even though he new that this happened to be an illusion of sorts.
A muggle could climb up what looked like a cliff falling nine hundred feet down to the sea without ever noticing anything. Even your ordinary witch or wizard wouldn't know the difference without being keyed into the wards.
With a soft pop he transformed back. Turning around he watched through what looked like windows from this position the setting sun lost in his thoughts as the sun turned the dining room in warm shades of red and yellow.
Tomorrow he thought with the beginning of dread he finally would start his sixth year. Suddenly a letter appeared in front of him. An unfamiliar scrawl read,
Eric Emrys Snape
Somewhere in Scotland
No owl had brought it. Though how the hell did this thing simply appear here? Casting the most powerful he watched with baited breath as a yellow beam hit the letter. For a second it flashed a bright green, showing that it was safe to touch it. At least it was not a portkey or poison.
His mind spinning madly, after all only Kara and Fawkes should be able to pass the wards uncomfortable he made a move to grasp it but hesitated at the last moment.
Suddenly the letter flew in the air and begun to unroll itself. An ancient sounding voice began to talk. "Raven, it has come to our attention…"
Hogwarts
Great Hall
30th September
The Great Hall was full as Eric and Erin strolled in together with every other Halfblood and Pureblood student who has until now been home schooled from first to seventh year. They stopped in front off the teachers table where they turned to overlook the student's body.
The student's about to be sorted easily were half again the current number of Hogwarts population.
Ron would have gone nutter's if he had to suffer through that spectacular sorting.
The thought made his heart clench, a gentle squeeze as Erin slipped her hand in his made him look up into his sisters reassuring eyes her mind wandering the same path as his.
She had caught his thoughts again; interesting that this particular talent awakened in her. After all it had lain dormant for centuries.
However full the hall seemed with a stab to his heart he saw the missing students.
Dean, Seamus, Collin and Dennis were only a few names that came to mind even though they were a whole of a lot more lucky than some or though he heard. 'Calm down Eric', a soft disembodied voice echoed in his mind. 'its not your fault that half of the wizarding world is made up of pureblooded bigots and the other one is made of compliant sheep about to be slaughtered.'
'And where do we stand dear sister? Are we pureblooded bigots or compliant sheep?' 'We my dear brother are the watchers the witnesses the judges and ultimately when all comes to a close we will be the needed change.' She projected with finality.
'How did you come to that conclusion?' He asked darkly amused oh maybe it wouldn't be though hard to make her privy to his traitorous plans. At least that's what they were to most pure-blooded bigots. Hermione once again surprised him with a wave of approval. It had increasingly grown harder to keep her out of his mind even though it was reciprocated.
It scared him even his father had never been able to penetrate his mind with that ease.
Strangely enough he didn't think he minded that much.
Seeing as it was not worth any further comment he took again to observe the Great Hall quietly making a show of throwing some approving glances at the famous enchanted ceiling, Erin following suit.
Slowly his stomach turned into knots from hunger and anxiety, when will those idiots finally start with the sorting we stood here long enough. Oh no Umbridge is going for a speech please save us someone.
Erin almost snickered at this though with some effort she managed to keep her face still.
"My dearest fellow witches and wizards, "Umbridge crooned ('Oh man she is really acting the part of evil hag, ' Eric supplied in mind speech to Erin knowing that there was no chance in hell that any one would catch on not fazing her much by the voice in her head, Erin mentally agreed and went back to listening.) " I welcome you to a new year at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. I return to you as your beloved headmistress."
At this most people sitting at the house tables looked decisively ill while others took it a little further making gagging motions, even some at the Slytherin table, Eric noted. Malfoy looked bored a superior smile fixed on his face as if he knew something others didn't.
"I will make it short. Every rule I established as High Inquisitor last year will go back into effect immediately now." Only a few students dared to grumble which were easily quailed as the hard stare of their new headmistress swept over them.
"My edicts as High Inquisitor are compiled in a book for all the students which will be on your nightstand. I advice you to read up on them while the new students will have a week leeway you older ones especially the prefects are bound to follow it to a t starting tomorrow. I suggest start reading quickly. Anyone found carrying something of WWW origin will be put in detention for three months every evening while any privilege will be revoked. There won't be any trips to Hogwarts below sixth year. Do not try to venture there if you are without permission you will not like the consequences."
No one dared to make a noise as she continued in her high girly voice which for some reason didn't sound ridiculous funny but evil.
"On a happier note, after the traitorous McGonagall character has fled, I give you your new transfiguration teacher Freya McGregor she also will be the new head of house for Gryffindor. Hopefully she will do better than her predecessor."
If looks could kill Umbridge would have keeled over dead right that moment as the new transfiguration teacher stood up with a slight bow hiding her angry gaze behind a curtain of honey blond hair, hesitant clapping rang through the hall dieing down quickly.
Umbridge hurried on "Sadly our beloved caretaker Argus Filch had to leave the premises. Most of you are aware that he is squib and as such can't be aloud to be in contact with the magical world. You understand it would be quite unsafe for him to remain in the magical world after You-Know-Who has returned and is once again plunging the world into a war against non-magic users also known as muggles. However those are not the only ones threatened by him squibs and mud...ggleborns are on his hit list." she almost slipped there Eric thought viciously however nothing showed on his face he still sported a mask of indifference as did Erin even though it must hurt her badly, though she technically would count as a half-blood now.
"I now present you Reginald Seymour Ramsey from Canada." The unenthusiastic ovation died down even father as before "For the Half breed Rubeus Hagrid Mrs Elvira Grabbly-Planck I'm sure you like to hear has been permanently hired. Now I come to the last new staff member, we all hope he will last longer than the last ones. However I'm quite optimistic that he will prevail after all Mr Potter has left this country in cowardice instead off facing the charges like a Gryffindor and won't return" laughing falsely at her joke, Eric had now real trouble to keep outwardly calm, remembering instead the instance when she had been scared away, Peeves hot on her heels in pursuit.
His lips curled up in a smirk, if that bitch only knew.
The old Hogwarts students didn't seem to take the jibe well either for only some at the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables joined in however most of the new students were laughing along.
"Mr Gilbert Mallory will also be my Deputy Headmaster. On that note would you please start the sorting." She asked her second in command.
"Of course headmistress." Their new Defence professor replied with a half bow his face void of any emotion taking the roll.
His eyes when they flitted over the new students were cold as ice making Eric shiver.
Glancing to his side he noticed that Erin wasn't faring any better. In matter of seconds they both had reinforced their mind shields spinning out random innocuous thoughts just in case.
"We will start in reverse order. Therefore seventh years will be the first to be sorted. Stanley Warrington" whispers went to the hall why hadn't the boy attended sooner his family was sure Dark and alleged You-know-who followers.
"Hufflepuff" came the sullen reply of the sorting hat who was rather miffed that he wasn't allowed to sing the school song.
Oh just they wait he would mix them right up the hat smirked inwardly.
Well that boy was rather loyal to his ideals and his parents not afraid to work hard either for them.
A stunned Warrington was walking to a politely clapping Hufflepuff table.
The Snape twins were gloating inwardly. Seems like the hat had discovered a streak of mischief a mile deep this year, he mused.
The sorting would be fun, idly Eric wondered what would happen if Malfoy would have to be sorted today.
On and on it went the sorted didn't look particular happy as Marjorie Greenbanks had been sorted into Slytherin everything grew silent.
The Greenbanks, at least those who had attended Hogwarts before, had always been Gryffindor's. Sure the hat loved to antagonize.
If looks could kill or at least could set fire to erroneous magical objects the hat would have been burnt to a cinder long ago.
Being bored Eric proceeded to investigate his new teachers some more. His Defence against the Dark Arts professor had brown sleeked back hair, rather like Malfoy, angular features, but what send shivers down Eric's spine were that pair of ice blue eyes which seemed to penetrate everything it perceived. His robes seemed to be immaculate and expensive. Everything about that man screamed danger.
Quickly Eric turned his head to appraise his new transfiguration professor who seemed to alternate evil glares between Umbridge and Mallory. No love lost there it seemed. McGregor was a regal woman in her fifties hardly to be called old especially if one considers that witches and wizards life span exceeded that of muggles considerably. Every part of her was neat but held back a fierceness that could match McGonagall's when roused. He liked her simply for those similarities to his late head of House which wouldn't hinder him to take everything she said with a grain of salt.
When his eyes swept over the rest of his professors, sadly acknowledging Hagrid's absence, his eyes stopped at one Seymour Ramsey to a select few although known as Remus Lupin. Smirking inwardly when he imagined what Umbridge would say if she ever found out that she was sitting in close proximity to a dangerous werewolf. Hopefully it wouldn't be anytime soon.
His father, Remus and that McGregor person seemed to drill ill concealed glares at the Deputy headmasters back united in their dislike for a fellow colleague. Eric was ripped out of his musings when the Deputy Headmaster had seemingly called his name twice already if he interpreted that smirk from his father correctly.
"Eric Emrys Snape," the man snapped aggravated "Stop daydreaming and let yourself be sorted." Agonizingly slowly, Eric with measured steps his head held high, he knew he would pay for that later, he arrogantly sat on the chair daintily taking the hat and with a theatrical sigh adjusted the hat on his head. Immediately it went dark as the hat plopped over his eyes. Well somehow he had hoped that the hat wouldn't cover his eyes making him look ridiculous. Well, that was too much to hope for.
'Ah what have we here…Snape …eh wouldn't it be funny to put you into Gryffindor… that would blow their heads for real.' The hat chuckled, 'Oh come on sort me now put me wherever I don't care, I'm starved.' 'Tuttutttutt you would think I know a ploy when I see one you want to go to Gryffindor. But we can't have that Harry can we?' 'How the hell…'' Do I know? Well, that's my secret. Truth is I always knew you were Severus Snapes son. But don't worry your secret is safe and this time I get to sort you wherever I want you to be.' If the hat could smirk he would do it right about now. He simply screeched "SLYTHERIN!" in a volume that it had yet to rival.
Chuckling slightly Eric sat the hat back down on the chair. The Deputy looked balefully at him his lips frozen in a sneer. Cockily Eric waved at his father and with a smirk he victoriously strode over to the Slytherin table his robes billowing after him. The dutiful clapping died away quickly not knowing what that son of their Head of House was up to.
Part one of the game was on the way. Imperatively he let himself be seated between Zabini whose eyes showed a glimmer of dark amusement at the show while his face didn't betray any emotions and Theodore Nott who observed him as if he was something nasty.
Looking up Eric was able to see his sister sliding on the sorting hat. She didn't have to wait as long as seconds later the hat shouted out "Ravenclaw". In Eric's opinion it sounded rather strangled.
Serenely Erin got up from the chair and calmly went to the politely clapping Ravenclaw table. She sat down between Padma Patil who looked slightly nauseous at the prospect to sit next to the Potion masters daughter, Eric smirked.
Their father really had worked hard to develop his reputation. Though Erin didn't seem to have any problems to get along with the other Ravenclaws, after five years of befriending Harry and Ron she wasn't the outwardly bossy yet shy girl anymore.
He let his eyes wander around the table. To his big surprise Crabbe and Goyle junior where not at their respective places next to Malfoy who was immersed in a quiet discussion with Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson.
His demeanour expressing his personal I am an evil little ferret attitude.
"Disgusting isn't it?" came a quiet voice from the right, Nott.
"What? Yes, is he always displaying his influence in such a manner?"
"You have no idea." Zabini spoke up. "He surly will try to make you an alley soon. Afterall your daddy is his head of house and evil little voices whispered that Malfoy wasn't that good at his favourite subject this year."
"Favourite subject of course, because of Potter."
"Why? Were they friends?" Eric asked feigning ignorance. "Oh no, on the contrary" chuckled Nott darkly, "quite the opposite. They hated it each others guts. Your father had always a way of elevating Malfoy while stomping Potter into dust."
"Poor Malfoy now he does not know what to do with his time, besides preening. He also has to drop his favourite subject. Poor Malfoy." Nott said in mock compassion.
Eric didn't know what to think of those two boys. It all could be a ploy.
With a shudder he realized his sister and he weren't the only ones to create plots within plots. On top of that he had a headache coming he barely could keep the surface thoughts of his peers back though the upper classman and quite a view of the lower Slytherins seemed quite able to keep there thoughts to themselves.
Only a direct probe would yield anything here he realized. Unfortunately the majority of Hogwarts had not yet learned the meaning of Occlumency.
His poor sister too was rubbing her head in the telltale way of soothing a headache. This was going to be a long year. Christmas holidays couldn't come too soon. At least he would get a break then.
Slytherin castle
Voldemorts Throne Room
30th September
The Dark Lord that in his throne room plotting, a satisfied smirk playing around his lips. All pieces were falling together.
The ministry was in shambles already and without him doing anything. There wasn't even the need to attack yet, as the ministry was doing quite a good job themselves with their muggle acts to antagonize the public; playing him right in his hands.
Fudge would be taken care of in his own time. If he remained this helpful the fool might be allowed to life.
A candidate has already been placed to take over the reigns of power when the time came. Someone whose integrity the people wouldn't think of questioning now that Dumbledore was dead.
They would look for someone knew someone who brought in plenty of traitors. Maybe he would sacrifice some of his higher ranking Death Eaters.
Afterall many had failed him last year. There short term in Azkaban not nearly enough to repay him for their failure of going against six teenagers to get their hands on a bloody prophecy which was lost in the end.
Rage washed over him when he thought about the humiliating escape with Bella After his duel against Dumbledore. They said he was the only wizard the Dark Lord feared and they were right. However he had fabricated the perfect trap for his biggest adversary and he was thwarted again, thwarted by the old coots' death.
All the information lost. Even Dumbledore wouldn't be able to resist his potion. Only Potter would be able to resist the potion, him being a parselmouth.
The beauty of it was that Potter now was even more hated by the majority of England's wizarding community than he himself and his mysterious disappearance was just adding fuel to the fire. So Potter was completely out of the picture as a rallying point.
The vampires were almost on his side and the werewolves were soon to follow despite Lupins meagre attempts at approaching them. Now that Albus Dumbledore was out off the picture the order could offer the Dark creatures nothing.
The ministry wouldn't be any kind of contender between Fudge and Umbridge there was no chance in hell that they would offer anything but demands while offering nothing in exchange. That attitude would soon bite them in their tail.
The goblins were a different matter altogether. They somehow had disappeared from the face off the earth. Only a few were still left at Gringotts. The entrance wards had been reinforced though that even he himself would be very hard pressed to enter at all.
Your ordinary witch or wizard was able to enter as normal, however anyone with an above average potential would be restrained until cleared with the head goblin unless of course you were expected.
In all likelihood clearing him to enter would happen as soon as he Voldemort would announce his undying love for his deceased muggle father, well they knew that he had killed enough goblin families. Though, no love lost there.
On the other hand it was quite amusing that his death eaters didn't even get a second glance. He wasn't fooled by this behaviour there were probably always some very mean crossbow bolts pointed at his minions at all times. Especially as three of the newbie's were pin cushioned with the very same when growing to bold ensuring that other Death Eaters were quite civil to what they termed scum-of-the-earth-even-worse-than-mudbloods.
That wouldn't explain however were the majority of these slippery little buggers were hiding.
Dumbledore too had been unaware off anything as Voldemort's spy fed the old man with lies and then proceeded to poison the old man. Idiot purebloods!
Oh how he wished he didn't need them. For now though there was no getting around said fact besides they had their uses still. Even if it was for cannon fodder.
It was rather unfortunate that Bill Weasley had not been able to divulge anything even under the factus-servus potion.
The first question asked about goblins whereabouts had sent him into a magical coma which not even his best medics could break. The diagnosis was something about two warring commands.
Obviously the goblins had made sure that their wizard and witch employees couldn't tattle on them; pity. Oh he would find something soon in the meanwhile he would start again to recruit extending his hunt for followers towards Europe.
An expected disturbance of the wards brought him out of his musings. Two of his most faithful servants were about to report.
The two Death Eaters fell to their knees, their heads bowed deep to kiss their masters hem.
"Ah Lucius, my friend. I see you have recovered nicely from your unfortunate stay at Azkaban prison." Voldemort said by way off greeting sounding nothing else but threatening. "I hope you bring some good news for once. And Severus..."
TBC