The Seers' Truth: Beyond the Darkness
By Lady Lestrange
Chapter 41
The Prophet and the Prophecy
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter characters and previous situations belong to JK Rowlings. No infringement is meant or implied. No money is made from this Fanfic. Thanks JK.
Lady Lestrange
Special thanks to my beta, ennui deMorte, who always does such a good job being my extra muse as well as proofreading, moral support and just plain fun. Be sure and visit the yahoo group, TheSeersTruth for more interesting discussion questions. Go to my author profile and click on homepage and it will take you to the Yahoo! group. ennui deMorte created and maintains the site with great insights into the story. Invite your friends. Come and discuss.
15 reviews: I really hate blackmailing you into reviewing, but hey, I'm a Slytherin. It's in my nature, so when there are 15 reviews for this chapter, the next one will magically appear. Love my readers and reviewers. Answers to the reviews follow the story. You guys are catching up to me, so maybe I should make it 20 reviews…
(A/N: I've been reading a number of fanfics in installments like this one myself, and find it is sometimes hard to remember exactly what has happened before-In a fic as complex as this one is, I thought having a reminder may be helpful for you. If you want to skip it, just page down.)
Up to this Point: Alternate 5th year book. Voldemort was uncertain which was the prophecy child, Samara or Ginny so he kidnapped them both. Beatrice made a mad dash after them in her animagus form. She has been since crucioed and rescued and returned to Hogwarts still in her bunny animagus form.
Harry, Ron and Hermione struggle to figure out how the prophecy might aid them. The trio travels to Hermione's house, Samara's house, the Riddle house and eventually the Snow Castle in search of the girls.
Ginny, who has a Dark Mark, is torn between the visions of Tom in her head and what to do to stay safe from Voldemort at the Snow Castle. Snape is an unexpected help to her.
Voldemort meanwhile has some unpleasant Christmas surprises in store for Harry and Neville. Neville's grandmother ends up in the hospital and the Dursley's are dead, leaving Snape as Harry's guardian.
Back at Hogwarts, the trio tries to ascertain how they will save the girls. They enlist Draco and Lauren's help.
Voldemort has some trouble within the ranks and sends Ethan to learn with Narcissa and Gloria. Meanwhile, the trio works out some differences with Draco, and miss a chance to save the girls. Now, Snape gives some timely advice and Harry invites Neville to their little planning gatherings, which ends in an altercation between Neville and Draco.
Voldemort sets his plans in motion by giving Samara the Dark Mark, but she is far from defeated by this. Ginny on the other hand is ready to give in to save her family. The plot continues as Volemort sets family members upon family members in a quest to destroy all who might thwart him.
Meanwhile, Harry considers the meaning of curcio and tries to puzzle out what Voldemort is doing by reading his scar pangs.
Ethan and Edward prove their worth to Voldemort and Beatrice is finally released from the bunny animagus.
Ginny, under polyjuice potion, is impersonating Madam Amelia Bones. She is following direct orders from Voldemort who is speaking to her in parseltongue from the small snake animagus she is carrying. She saves her father and her brother, but doesn't seem to be able to save herself.
However, Harry Potter and his trusty Gryffindor rescue squad is on the way. Unfortunately, they get waylaid. Ginny is unconscious and the girls are currently looking for the boys and wind up in Voldemort's dungeon with a slew of vampires and a three headed dragon. The boys, Harry, Ron and Draco are going to rescue the others from the veelas, but Valeriana and Narcissa get in the way-or not- Luckily the twins are armed with puppy puffs and a sense of humor. Now, the intrepid trio have some difficulty determining a course of action. It's no wonder! Perhaps, they should put it to a vote there are so many people involved in the decision. Well, as Dumbledore says, "it is the decisions we make, that make us the witches and wizards we are!" Such is never more true than in the case of Ginny Weasley. Will her decisions save her or damn her?
Ginny appears to have placed her trust in Tom. Is if for good or ill? At first glance it seems as if Tom is helping them, but he is also mercurial in nature and one can never be sure. At last they escape the Snow Castle for the safety of Hogwarts, but is anywhere really safe?
Ginny reevaluates her relationship with Tom and Harry reevaluates Ginny. The reporters make it difficult for Harry and company to get through the Great Hall. The group contemplates what to tell the reporters.
For further discussion, visit: YAHOO GROUPS, TheSeersTruth (underscore between words if it deletes them) also, for more great stories, visit voldemortsreadinglist and add your own Slytherin fiction after you read and review. Your review is my only payment. Please be generous. This was a long arduous, 25 page chapter. Your reviews are appreciated.
Chapter 41
The Prophet and the Prophecy
When Harry awoke, Samara and Ginny were talking animatedly on Draco's bed. The basilisks were having free reign over the covers, and Draco was still sound asleep. So were the other Gryffindors.
Shesha was vigorously protesting her separation from her bitemates so Harry hissed sleepily to her that he didn't care if she joined the others. She was on Draco's bed faster than a Firebolt, and that was when Samara and Ginny realized that Harry was awake.
"We were trying to decide what to do," said Samara. "The reporters have been at the door since six this morning. Madam Pomfrey has held them off so far, but I don't think the reprieve will last long, especially with Dumbledore dead."
Her words were greeted with a profound silence.
"We need a story to tell them," said Ginny softly.
Harry looked at her, trying to decide if she was really Ginny or that combination, quasi-Slytherin that she had been the night before. He tried to make himself believe that talking to her last night, he had not been talking to Tom Riddle, but somewhere deep within himself he knew that he had not been talking to Ginny Weasley. There was no innocence in the person he talked to last night. There was no compassion and there was no tolerance for Muggles or the Muggleborn. He shivered, trying to assess Ginny solely by sight.
Her face quirked into a smile that was almost hers.
"Have you possessed our Ginny completely now?" he said tonelessly. He didn't know why he had hoped it would be otherwise. Nothing else had gone right.
"We decided that I should stay and give you some help," said Tom.
"We, meaning you and Samara?" asked Harry.
"No, we, meaning Ginny and I. Don't play stupid, Harry. You know you are talking to Tom Riddle."
Harry cringed. "I had hoped it was just one of my bad dreams."
Ginny laughed. "No, Harry, it would have been one of your good dreams. One of your bad dreams would have left you at the Snow Castle."
"Like Lauren," he said.
"What are we going to tell the reporters?" asked Samara, ignoring Harry's comment. "As soon as they see the basilisks they are going to be ready to lock me away. I can keep a Notice-Me-Not spell on them on the bed, but I'm not sure I can get them by Madam Pomfrey."
"Your Notice-Me-Not spell is fading," Harry warned. "I can see them."
"Of course you can see them," said Ginny. "You've imprinted one of them."
"Oh," said Harry. "We could take them to the Chamber."
"I am not leaving them there," said Samara. "That's not safe."
"I agree," said Ginny. "I'm not leaving them there either, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to let the others think we were. I mean, carrying around the basilisks, everyone is going to label us as Dark Witches."
"So what, they'll get over it," snapped Samara. "I can't hide all of these on my wrist like you two can."
"How many basilisks do you have anyway?" asked Harry.
Samara smirked at Harry. "All of them," she said softly.
"You took Voldemort's basilisks!" he exclaimed.
"What!" shouted Ron, and the others hushed him, worried that Madam Pomfrey would be upset with their noise, but she seemed busy this morning and left them to their own devises.
"Well, he had given them to me at the Ministry and there never was a good time to give them back. I supposed that means he will come looking for them all the sooner though. He may have let me go, but I don't think he will let his basilisks go."
"Most certainly not," Ginny agreed.
"You have all of Voldemort's basilisks?" asked Ron amazed. "Hermione, she has—" Ron's voice caught in his throat. "Where's Hermione?" he said, jumping to his feet to pull the covers back on the neighboring bed. Hermione was not there, however, a parchment glowed on the pillow.
Ron,
Don't worry. I woke up early and decided to check out a few things in the library. I will see you at breakfast if Madam Pomfrey releases you, or right after if not.
Love
Hermione
"It's half past six in the morning," moaned Ron. "How bloody early does that woman think is early?" he groused as he pulled on his wrinkled robe over his night clothes. The others decided they might as well get dressed too. It was going to be a busy day.
They were all dressed except for Fred and George when Madam Pomfrey came into the room with Auror Moody. "Is Sirius awake?" he asked, and Harry gasped.
"Sirius was hurt?" Looking back and forth between Moody and Pomfrey, Harry muttered, "You knew—about Sirius."
"It came up, yes," said Moody. "Poppy, how is he? And Lupin? Sturgis?"
Harry gasped and worried about Sirius, he started to get out of bed.
"Well, Sirius will be up and about later today. Lupin will have to wait until the next full moon I'm afraid." Madam Pomfrey pulled back the curtains around Sirius bed, and held out a restraining wand as Harry scrambled out of bed.
"Just a minute young man," said Poppy. "I haven't released you from this hospital, and until I do, you will stay in your bed."
"But—"
"Do I need to use a spell to keep you in bed?" she threatened.
"But Sirius isn't a murderer," interrupted Harry, eyes wide. He didn't think he could beat Moody to his wand, but he was willing to try to protect his godfather from the Auror regardless.
"It's alright, Harry," said Moody. "You don't think Albus kept us in the dark about Black—"
Harry opened his mouth to say that he did indeed think Dumbledore kept the Order in the dark. After all, he was quite good at keeping secrets, but Sirius took that moment to awake.
"Sturgis?" croaked Sirius, trying to sit up.
"Sturgis is in a bad way, Sirius," Madam Pomfrey apologized as she sat a cup of warm chocolate on Sirius' bedside table. "Every time we tried to revive him he went into seizures. It must be some Dark curse I am not familiar with—it interferes with his waking."
Sirius snorted. "Have Snape wake him."
"What?" Madam Pomfrey was confused.
"Loyalty spell," croaked Sirius as Madam Pomfrey handed him the cup of chocolate. "Only a certain dark magic will allow him to be awakened. Get it wrong and you will probably kill him."
Sirius sipped his hot chocolate carefully and then hugged Harry while he conveyed his information to Moody and Pomfrey. "The Order spy—it's Sturgis," he told Moody. "He tried to kill me. Poppy, maybe you should keep him unconscious." He waggled his eyebrows at the mediwitch. "Or, as I said, you could have Snape try to Ennervate him and see if he still seizes."
Madame Pomfrey bit her lip and, after a moment, said, "I can see you're feeling better, but I haven't seen Severus since last night. Did he make it back from the Ministry with you, Alastor?"
Harry sucked in his breath, but Moody already answered. "I haven't seen him either. It was pretty hectic though, Poppy. I'll keep an eye out for him. Maybe he's in the dungeon." Moody let the magical eye swivel sickeningly around the room, and Madam Pomfrey hurried away to check her other patients.
"It's good to see you," Sirius said to Harry, a slight smile crinkling his face. "Are you okay? We were worried."
"I'm Ok…but…" said Harry, his voice dropped to a whisper.
"I'm glad," interrupted Moody, and then facing Sirius again, he addressed Harry's godfather. "We lost too many at the Ministry. Fudge has called a press conference." He frowned at Sirius. "I know you aren't cleared, but Albus trusted you, and the Order knows the situation. We need you, Black. If you use your Animagus, you should be safe enough. Scout the perimeter, if you're up to it."
"I am," said Sirius pulling himself to his feet as Madam Pomfrey came back to glare at him.
"You need sleep," she said.
"Your sleeping spells are sometimes the best medicine. I'm all rested already," he said brightly, giving the mediwitch a smacking kiss.
"Humph," she groused. "Flattery—"
"Arthur told me Minerva was hurt, too," Moody interrupted Pomfrey's grumbling.
"Not seriously?" said Harry surprised, and Poppy shook her head.
"She just needed a little time in the sleeping ward. I'm going to wake her directly."
"Death Eaters?" asked Harry.
"Floo accident," Madam Pomfrey responded.
"So what put you down?" Moody asked Sirius. "Terricula Curse?"
"Dementors," said Sirius, and his eyes darted back to Harry as he spoke. "Dumbledore saved me. I was useless—"
"No, Sirius," said Poppy. "It was Severus who brought you in."
"Severus?" said Sirius surprised. "But I saw the Patronus. I thought—never mind." He frowned.
"I'm sure Albus will be able to sort it all out. I had thought that he would be here," said Moody looking around.
"The headmaster is dead," interrupted Harry. "I saw—"
"What?" interrupted Sirius swiveling abruptly to face Harry. Moody actually focused both eyes on him.
"Snape murdered him," said Harry coldly.
Sirius gripped Harry's shoulders. "That traitorous bastard. I knew he'd turn on the headmaster! I'll kill him!"
The row brought the others around the bed in a flash. "No!" interrupted Samara. "We don't know that Snape did anything wrong."
Harry's voice rose incredulously. "He told Voldemort: I killed him as you asked, Master!"
Sirius face turned an unnatural shade of purple as he clenched his fists, and an almost dog like snarl issued from deep in his throat.
"And what was he supposed to tell Voldemort!" Samara screamed at Harry as Ron pulled his wand and pushed between Samara and Harry. Samara continued to rail at Harry in a mockery of Snape's voice. "Dumbledore and I have this plan against you, Oh Dark Lord, but someone botched it. Go ahead and Crucio me because I've been a spy forever." Samara poked her finger aggressively against Harry's chest. "You have no idea what it is like in that circle. None. It's unbelievable Snape didn't break before this."
"Well that's just it," added Ginny, calmly grasping Ron's wand arm. "We don't know what the plan was, but Snape did help us at the Snow Castle, and when we last saw him—"
"He was standing over Dumbledore's dead body crowing to Voldemort that he had killed him!" sputtered Harry.
"Easy mate," said Ron, trying to calm Harry. He threw a hasty glance back to Draco who was sitting nonchalantly on his bed surveying the bedlam with lazy gray eyes. He had both of his hands under the sheets. He didn't even have his wand drawn.
"We need to find Albus, or his body," stated Moody.
"And Snape," added Sirius.
"When did you last see Albus, Poppy?" asked Moody, his good eye still on Harry, his magical eye swiveling to Poppy.
"When the Ministry was attacked. They were bringing in injured right and left. Severus brought in Sirius and Albus brought Remus, and they left together." She paused. "About 6, 6:30," she said hesitantly. "They did seem to have some sort of plan."
"See," insisted Samara turning back to Harry. "There's more to this than we know, Harry."
"And Severus saved you Sirius," added Poppy. "He's long been a spy for the Light. You haven't seen what he's suffered…" Her eyes clouded with concern.
"He killed Dumbledore," repeated Harry.
"Did you see this, Harry?" asked Moody, suddenly in total Auror mode. "Did you actually see the killing spell?"
"Well, no, but there was a body—"
"Then we'll find it." Moody pulled his wand and placed it on his hand, saying, "Point me, Albus Dumbledore."
Immediately the wand spun in a direction, and Moody and Sirius looked at each other before they headed for the door. "We'll get to the bottom of this," said Moody with a puzzled frown. "Don't worry, Harry."
Moody harrumphed, clopping towards the door painfully on his wooden leg. Sirius continued to tell Moody about Sturgis, when he stopped, sniffing the air. Frowning, he looked at Samara and then Ginny and Harry had the distinct feeling his godfather was smelling the basilisks or sensing something wrong with Ginny. His eyes were narrowed in confusion. A none-too-subtle nudge from Moody brought Sirius' mind back from wherever it had wandered to.
"I'll be back Harry," Sirius said as he changed into his Animagus and trotted at Moody's heels.
"Siri—Snuffles!" called Harry, thinking he should tell Sirus about Voldemort and Snape and the Polyjuice that proved it was Dumbledore's body, but Ginny laid a hand on his elbow.
"Let's talk," she said softly, pulling him back towards George's bed.
"If you find Severus, tell him I need the potion for celian acid burns for the Weasely twins' eyes," called Madam Pomfrey as she followed Moody and Sirius towards the door. "Severus might have some bottled, and phoenix tears wouldn't be remiss either. If Fawkes is—available...Maybe we can get Fawkes to stay."
"I'll see what I can do," said Moody.
"Fawkes," whispered Harry.
"The Phoenix chooses his master—who will he choose now?" Harry wondered aloud.
"Potter!" hissed Draco. "I don't mind snake sitting for Samara, but Shesha really didn't want to stay with me during that little row." He held up the basilisk clenched in his fist and Harry blanched. He had forgotten that Shesha was not on his own wrist.
"(Come here,)" Harry hissed and Draco released her. With a slight moan Draco rolled over and pulled the blankets around his neck. Shesha immediately came to Harry.
Silence descended over the infirmary, except for the low moaning of the sick and dying. Harry stroked Shesha reassuring her that he was not hurt, and apologizing for the bruises she had on her head from Draco's tight grip. Harry stroked her gently, letting his magic calm her.
"(Feels better,)" she told him sleepily.
"Harry?" said Fred in a low whisper once Harry was back by their bed. "All of you, we…" He gestured in the general direction of George's bed. "We don't want any of you to tell anyone about Ginny."
"About Ginny?" Harry repeated.
A groan issued from Draco's bed. "I'm trying to go back to sleep. Do I have to hear about Weasleys this early in the morning?" moaned Draco as he peered from under the covers.
"What's the matter, Draco?" asked Ginny. "Samara wear you out?" she sighed. "(They just don't make Slytherins like they used to,)" she continued, hissing in Parseltongue, and shaking her head in mock pity.
"(And in what way are Slytherins different now?)" Salacia asked seriously.
Samara and Harry burst into laughter, while Draco frowned at them both. Ginny just smirked at him.
"Weasel, what did you say?" he snapped, and the three Parselmouths continued to giggle.
"(Did I say something wrong?)" Salacia wanted to know. "(I just want to understand the differences between Slytherins now. How are they different?)" she insisted, while the three Parselmouths howled in laughter at Draco's expense.
He scowled at them.
Once the laughter had died down, Fred repeated his question. "Will you give us your word, Harry?" asked Fred.
"Well," Harry wasn't sure he wanted to promise something like this.
"You know," whispered George, "about the voices she hears in her head. We don't want her back in St. Mungo's."
"It beats having her in Azkaban," hissed Harry, running a hand through his messy hair.
"We would appreciate your silence," said Ginny coldly.
Harry looked at her appraisingly. "Then let her speak for herself. Release her from whatever hold you have on her, Tom."
Ginny nodded once and a far away look appeared in her eyes. A moment later, she launched herself forward and was hugging Harry. Her warm body pressed against him, the smell of some medicinal soap reached his nose. "We did it. We made it back to Hogwarts!" she crowed.
Harry let his arms come up around Ginny and patted her back, feeling, sensing that this was Ginny and not Tom, but his eyes connected with Samara's over Ginny's shoulder. "Aura?" he asked, and Samara smiled.
"It's Ginny."
Harry nodded. "Let's go to breakfast then."
At that moment, Ginny pulled herself away; her eyes glazing. "Oh no. No. No. No. I can't go to breakfast. Samara, you have to go to Slytherin with me! The emerald—" Ginny released Harry and grasped Samara's hand, standing and pulling her towards the door.
"Ginny no!" said Samara.
Immediately, Ginny's mood shifted and she snarled at Samara, "Some friend you are! Spilling my secrets! Refusing to help!" She fumbled in her robe pocket.
"I didn't say I wouldn't help," protested Samara, "but—"
"You promised me!" growled Ginny, her eyes blazing with anger as Samara stuttered her protests.
Suddenly Ginny shivered again, and looked at her wand hand, surprised to find that it was clutching her wand. "Sorry," said Ginny's voice. "I'm afraid Ginny isn't up to fighting Salazar's Imperius Curse. As soon as she gets her hands on that emerald, I'm afraid she will want to go right back to Voldemort."
"Tom?" said Harry, realizing that without any visible sign of a struggle, Tom had taken over Ginny's body again. Tom confirmed his suspicion.
"The same," replied Ginny, a grimace in her voice. "But let's just keep that between us, shall we?" He tucked Ginny's wand in her robe pocket.
"Ron?" Harry turned to his best friend, gasped and looked over at the other beds. Ron was nowhere in sight. "Come on," Harry told Ginny and Samara, but Fred called after them.
"Remember what we said!"
"For now," Harry agreed reluctantly as he looked into Ginny's hard brown eyes. "Let's go."
But Madam Pomfrey was not that easy to hoodwink. She insisted that they all stay until she told them they were ready to go. "Where's Mr. Weasley?" she asked. "And Miss Granger?"
"Library," Harry told her as she examined him and pronounced him fit. "Ron is in the library. He said he was feeling lots better," Harry lied. "If he has a relapse I will be sure to bring him back." Madam Pomfrey wanted to keep Ginny for more tests, but Ginny stuck out her lip in a pout and begged to be released back to Gryffindor Tower with the others. Madam Pomfrey was hassled enough with the Auror patients that she didn't insist they stay.
"Oy!" called Fred. "Is my little brother ok to be released?"
"Ron is fine," Harry assured him.
"And George?" asked Fred. Harry noted they called no attention to Ginny.
"Your twin is about the same as you," said Madam Pomfrey. "How you managed to get twin injuries is beyond me. Now, be quiet. George is still sleeping as should you, Mr. Weasley."
"All right," agreed Fred. "At least I can't see to do any schoolwork."
"I'm sure Hermione could charm something to read your books to you," called Harry and Fred groaned.
By then Melisande was awake too and Neville they found hovering at the door. "I brought you the Daily Prophet," he said with a strangled voice. "You need to see this before you go out. The Great Hall is a shambles. Minister Fudge is here."
"What?" said Harry.
"Apparently Minister Fudge expected to have a press conference this morning with Professor Dumbledore, but we know Professor Dumbledore isn't here." The group exchanged glances as they lay the paper out on one of the beds but Madam Pomfrey objected.
"I need to get the beds cleaned," she said. "Noting what has been going on the last few days, I may need them."
"Just for a few minutes," begged Harry. "We won't bother anyone."
With a shrug, Madam Pomfrey said, "A few minutes, then back to your dorms and lots of rest for you—no dallying in the Great Hall." She dismissed them all except for Fred and George, who were still bandaged and blind. "Merlin knows I have enough to do," she muttered, but before she went to work on the Aurors, she insisted Melisande submit to a spell which prohibited her from singing. Melisande promised not to, but Madam Pomfrey was hearing none of it. "I don't need anymore injuries," she said. "Especially ones I can prevent," she said. "And during breakfast you can see one of the teachers about sending word to your parents that you are alive."
"Yes, ma'am," said Melisande. "Thank you. I would like that."
"I'd do it myself," said Madam Pomfrey, "but I just don't have the time." She turned away to see to others in the infirmary who needed her attention.
Neville spread the paper out on Harry's bed. The headlines read:
Ministry Destroyed:
Purebloods taken Hostage
Muggleborns killed
Special Report by Lawrence Barrington, Daily Prophet
Neville began to read the article aloud:
"Yesterday, at approximately four thirty pm, just as most of the Ministry employees were getting ready to enjoy a weekend of relaxation, the Ministry building was attacked by a group of Death Eaters, led by none other than You-Know-Who. With him, according to witnesses, was an unknown child, believed to be "The Prophecy Child." This prophecy, made by Sibyll Trelawney, current Hogwarts Professor of Divination, during the Grindelwald war, states:
At the height of the Dark Lord's Power
A Babe will lay him low.
We all know that refers to Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, but apparently there was more to the prophecy, that was not revealed to the general public."
'Not revealed to anyone,' thought Harry as he remembered going over the prophecy in its entirely, including the parts that Dumbledore hid from him until earlier this year.
As his equal the Dark Lord will mark
A child whose power he knows not.
Another child invited into the dark
And a child who was not sought.
&-
Either must die at the hand of the other
Neither can live while the other survives
Protected once by the love of his mother
Blood of a mother forever saves lives
&-
At the height of the Dark Lord's PowerA Babe will lay him low.
Yet he will arise through hi flowerEssences of friend, father and foe.
&-
For within have snake and phoenix warred
But Phoenix must surely rule
For this bird rises again and again
And Eating Death is the fuel.
&-
Will he Riddle the past with pain
Or Riddle the future with glory?
Six lives or deaths hang in time by threeBrave children who'll mend the story.
&-
The foe unnamed falls to magic unknown
Magic born as the seventh month dies.
By magic and blood the rift is sown
Devoid of all time. Devoid of all lies.
&-
Yet there will come to HogwartsSchool
A year from Hufflepuff's loss
A housemate to thwart the rule of him
Unnamed and ne'er count the cost.
&-
Fate put Gryffindor bravery in one heart
And Ravenclaw brains in one head
And Slytherin cunning, ambition and guile
Yet Hufflepuff's love is his dread.
&-
The hat's confusion will mark you as true
Though tears may make you swoon
Your choices are hard. Your choices are few.
'Ware of loosing your childhood soon.
&-
Eat Death and be Dead. Eat life and live on.
Don't sacrifice children or truth.
Bring rue to your heart or rue to your hand
Or savor Old Love for a youth.
&-
The moment of truth will come in a flash
The night sky will glow with gloom
A friend's flight—A friend's mad dash
May halt the moment of doom.
Harry sighed and focused on Neville's reading.
"The loyalties of the Prophecy Child are, as yet, unknown. However, seeing her at You-Know-Who's side tends to point to the possibility that she is a Dark Witch. We at the Prophet wonder: Is it possible that You-Know-Who has given up on killing Harry Potter since he now holds this new Prophecy Child? Or has Harry Potter joined Him?"
Harry snorted and rolled his eyesNeville continued reading.
"Although the Ministry was believed to be attacked at 4:30pm, apparently Death Eaters were in the Ministry as early as 3:15pm during a special meeting called by Minister Fudge to discuss the murder of several Aurors, including the famous Metamorphmagnus, and youngest Auror in history, Miss Nymphadora Tonks. As yet, the Ministry has no clue as to who the strange new "sibling magic pair" that killed Miss Tonks might be. The murder itself is strangely reminiscent of the death of Nymphadora's own mother, Andromeda Black-Tonks, who was killed sixteen years ago by a sibling magic trio.
"Speculation by Alastor Moody, retired Auror, is that a certain dark witch, now known to be released from Azkaban earlier this year, may have joined forces with her sister. Charges were dropped sixteen years ago as evidence of the Imperius Curse was determined to make the "good" sister unaware of her possible involvement in the attack. This reporter is now highly doubtful there is a good sister. There was, sixteen years ago, a third sister who is now deceased, but it appears that two siblings are just as deadly as three.
"Without use of a wand, it is difficult to determine the magical signature; however the signature appears to be a new one. But the use of such wandless magic is relatively rare in the civilized magical community; less than ten percent of wizards have sufficient command to wandless magic to kill with it. Names have been withheld as no formal charges have been filed."
Draco burst into laughter, but stopped when Samara poked him. "Hush!" she said and amazingly, he became quiet and Neville continued hesitantly.
"With the lack of solid protection for the wizarding community, a number of retired Aurors have been called back to work.
"The sensors in the Department of Unspeakables, a division of the Department of Mysteries, had detected some faint signals of advanced death magic being used within Ministry boundaries. However, because of the upper level meeting going on at that time, junior officers were loathed to disturb the brass and precious minutes passed before it was discovered that a Death Eater attack was already underway in the very Ministry building the Aurors are sworn to protect. In addition, a hearing on the misuse of Muggle money was being held which had drawn in an inordinate amount of outside officials into the building, thus compromising security within the MinistryBuilding itself.
"A minute later, dementors swarmed through the Ministry in an apparently random fashion, kissing an undermined number of Ministry officials. Mention was made that both the floo system and the Apparition wards were simultaneously compromised.
"At the same time, a tip-off was given to both Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwards, and the Daily Prophet that the dementors of Azkaban were released from their island and Death Eaters released from Azkaban prison. Upon further investigation by select Aurors, the island was found to be inhabited by nothing but dark creatures, not including dementors, Azkaban having been apparently attacked and opened in a stealth attack some time earlier. Precious moments were lost and by the time the select Aurors were called to the Ministry by a Ministry official, Pecival Weasley, assistant to the Minister of Magic, many deaths and dementor kisses had already occurred.
"According to Percival Weasley—"
"Is that Percival?" asked Ron snidely from the doorway. "My prat brother?"
Harry looked up as he saw his friend pause, and Hermione, who was running, ran straight into him.
"Ron?" said Harry dumbfounded as he saw someone sounded like Ron, but minus the red hair.
Hermione was waving the Daily Prophet above her head as she hurried into the room. "Oh, I see you've got a copy," she said as she noted the paper Neville had spread on the bed.
"Ron?" Harry said again, noting that Ron's hair was a rather dull mousy shade of brown. "Your hair—"
"Oh," said Ron gesturing at his hair. "Hermione charmed it brown. I would have never gotten through the Great Hall again with Weasley-red-hair. It's a madhouse out there, reporters everywhere. That's why we brought back the Daily Prophet. We wanted to warn you."
"Were you reading?" Hermione asked, but when Neville hesitated, Hermione took up the job herself, starting to read where Neville indicated he had left off.
"According to Percival Weasley, the Ministry attack was an inside job with a number of Ministry officials impersonated by Polyjuice, including Deputy Minister, Amelia Bones and possibly Cornelius Fudge. At this time, neither Cornelius Fudge nor Albus Dumbledore could be reached for comment.
"However, we later caught up with Minister Cornelius Fudge at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies, and he has assured reporters that the Aurors are not beaten and will reconvene at an undisclosed location to consider the strategy of what to do next. Minister Fudge would not comment on Albus Dumbledore's whereabouts except to say, 'You don't see him here helping, do you? In fact, he is conspicuously absent. I think that speaks volumes.'"
"But Fudge didn't know that Dumbledore—" began Ron.
Hermione hushed him as she glanced worriedly at the neighboring beds, although no one appeared to be listening.
"Keep reading, Hermione," said Harry.
"When asked if this was the work of You-Know-Who, Minister Fudge declined comment, but we noted his fearful face and suggest that readers of the Daily Prophet put double wards on your doors and windows. Wizards and witches are further advised that the floo may still be compromised in some areas. Please limit fire call conversations to emergency communications only. It is suggested that those who cannot Apparate use the Knight Bus. Knight Bus times have been extended for this purpose."
Hermione skipped over the Knight Bus schedule and continued reading.
"An anonymous owl informed The Prophet that the infamous secret group, of which Albus Dumbledore seems to know much and tell little, was instrumental in rescuing both Harry Potter and the Prophecy Child, a Dark Witch that was at You-Know-Who's side during yesterday's attack."
Hermione paused, giving Harry a pointed look before she continued.
"The famous Harry Potter, a Parselmouth whose sanity was questioned last year, predicted You-Know-Who's return, saying that the Dark Wizard was raised by means of a spell which Mr. Potter himself participated in. Of course, it is inconceivable that the youth would have survived participating in the spell with You-Know-Who unless You-Know-Who has suddenly taken Mr. Potter into his inner circle. It is more likely that Mr. Potter has become somewhat unstable, as reported by the Prophet several times last year."
"Oh, that again," complained Harry.
"Mr. Potter, like Albus Dumbledore, was also mysteriously unavailable. Although he is supposed to be at Hogwarts, no one could tell us where he or his cronies were during the time of the attack. Dumbledore was also absent from the school and the Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, was injured in a floo accident earlier that day.
"As you know, Albus Dumbledore was a vital part of the downfall of Grindelwald when he was a young wizard. Now that he is experienced in the matters of war, we wonder if Cornelius Fudge will ask for Dumbledore's help in this new war or if the loyalties of Albus Dumbledore are suspect too. With the rescue of one, possibly two or even three Hogwarts' students who have converted to the Dark, Dumbledore must be suspect."
"We have to talk about this," hissed Hermione, closing the paper and glaring at Harry. "In private," she whispered.
"I know just the place," said Ginny.
"(The Chamber,)" Shesha agreed with Visha's mental communication.
"No!" said Harry.
"You can't expect anyone but us to have access," said Samara. "After all, Voldemort hasn't breached the wards yet."
Hermione and Ron looked from one to the other bewilderment evident. "Did we just miss something?" Hermione asked.
"It's those blasted basilisks," accused Ron.
"Look, we do have to talk about this, but if Neville is right, we aren't going to get out of here without seeing some reporters," said Harry. "I'm sure Fudge wants to make a spectacle."
"Should we tell them what we know—about Dumbledore?" Ron asked.
"I don't think so," said Hermione. "It seems the Order has a plan afoot that we aren't privy to."
"Why doesn't that surprise me," sighed Harry. "Let's see what else the paper says, so we have some idea what to expect."
Obediently, Hermione turned the page and continued reading.
"When Percival Weasley was asked about the loyalties of his sister, Virginia Weasley, he unequivocally stated that she is still on the side of Light, but when asked how he knew this, he refused to answer. When confronted with the fact that other witnesses saw Virginia Weasley at You-Know-Who's side and, in fact, saw her giving orders to senior Death Eaters, Percival became taciturn, stating flatly, "No comment," and ending the interview. However, the Daily Prophet has gained assess to information of psychological abnormalities observed during her stay at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies in the summer of 1993."
Ginny's face paled. "Ah, bugger," she breathed.
"How come they said your name," complained Samara "and not mine?"
"They called me a nut case," retorted Ginny.
"Look at this," said Samara. "Harry is mentioned by name, one, two, three times, but me--"
"Samara, believe me, you don't want the attention," said Harry, but Samara just pouted as Hermione continued to read.
"We at the Daily Prophet ask ourselves: How could Death Eaters have infiltrated the Ministry? The answer, from Minister Fudge's own personal assistant, Percival Weasley, is chilling: 'Without inside help, they couldn't.'"
The group took a few more moments leafing through the rest of the pages of the Daily Prophet, while Samara continued to complain that she wasn't mentioned by name anywhere.
On the following pages were stories about Azkaban and the names of Aurors, missing, presumed dead, who apparently had been impersonated through Polyjuice for an indeterminate period of time. There were several stories dredging up Harry Potter's Dark Gift: Parseltongue, including one which said, "Harry Potter speaks with Snakes; Is he conversing with a dangerous Dark Snake—You-Know-Who?"; a story about Virginia Weasley's possession in first year called, "The Beginning of Darkness"; and one about Sirius Black, "Dumbledore and Aurors Befriend Convicted Murderer."
After looking at each other for a long moment, Harry said, "We got out of the Snow Castle. We should be able to get past a few reporters. Just say as little as possible, ok?" They all nodded their agreement. "I'm rather used to this after all. Try to keep anyone from noticing Samara's basilisks..."
"I can do that," said Hermione, but Draco shook his head.
"I'll do it," he said, creating an illusion around Samara while clasping her close with one arm. "I don't intend to let anyone get close to her," he announced. Then, speaking only to Samara, he lowered his voice. "I can't believe you tried to take on Moody this morning," he whined.
Samara smiled at him and strengthened the spell with her own magic until no one could see the basilisks except Ginny and Harry, who were bitemates.
"You stay here," Draco ordered the group just before he and Samara stepped out of the hospital wing. "I don't want to be seen with you lot."
"But Draco—" began Hermione.
"Did I ask for your opinion, Mudblood?" Draco sneered before exiting the room, leaving Hermione gaping. He hadn't called her Mudblood all last evening.
"I suppose it was too much to hope it would last," she muttered.
The group got to the Great Hall with no trouble at all. Minister Fudge was speaking about the attack at the Ministry and everyone seemed to be listening to him. Harry would have liked to stay to see what excuses Fudge made, but thought that wasn't wise considering the number of reporters in the Great Hall. Harry swallowed. Dumbledore would have never let Fudge turn his school into this kind of chaos. Still, Harry didn't think that their return would have made such a stir if Fudge himself wasn't there. Harry wanted to call the man out on the spot and expose him as a Death Eater, but he doubted anyone would believe him.
After all, no one believed the rise of Voldemort last year, and he had Cedric's body for proof. A shiver of guilt passed through Harry as he thought of Cedric losing his life to Voldemort. How many more? he wondered. As Harry caught the words Fudge was speaking, a slow rage started to build in him. Fudge was accusing Dumbledore in his absence. He was saying that Dumbledore's secret Order was in league with Voldemort and these Dark witches. Did he mean Ginny and Samara? It was on the tip of Harry's tongue to shout a denial of to Fudge's charges, but just then Fudge caught sight of the little group. His attitude immediately changed.
"At last," Fudge announced from the podium. "The wizard and witches who can answer all your questions about You-Know-Who's stronghold, Mr. Harry Potter, and the infamous Prophecy Children."
Children?wondered Harry immediately. How did he know the prophecy talked of three children? It seemed unlikely that Fudge was competent enough to find out on his own. Did Voldemort tell him? That seemed about as likely as Dumbledore telling him, but if Voldemort knew that much of the prophecy, it was possible the Death Eaters would talk. Fudge was gesturing toward Harry and the little group that was trying to be as small and unobtrusive as possible.
Suddenly all eyes were on them. If Fudge had hoped to fluster them, he had succeeded. Harry cringed and fought the urge to run. The crowd pushed Samara and Draco back; until, regardless of Draco's wishes, the group was together again.
Shouts of, "There they are!" interspersed with camera flashes assaulted the little group. Although Samara liked to talk, even she was a little startled as the group converged crowding the group together. She was the first to recover though. "Yes," she replied. "We are back. We didn't like the décor," she joked.
There were uncomfortable titters of laughter as Beatrice darted through the crowd as a bunny and then reformed as a witch at Harry's elbow. She threw her arms around him and hugged him as the cameras flashed. Harry groaned, thinking of what the papers would be printing tomorrow but he hugged Beatrice back. It was good to see her again.
"Harry, we were all so worried," Beatrice said, her big brown eyes filling with tears.
"Who is this witch?" several reporters asked of Beatrice, but others moved right on to questions about their time at the Snow Castle. Harry wanted to hustle through the crowd without speaking, but that was too much to hope for.
"Is it true, Harry Potter, that you once again returned from the lair of You-Know-Who unscathed?" asked one reporter as the others gathered close blocking their path.
"Not exactly," said Harry with a crooked smile.
"Just how is it that you manage to walk in and out of his lair with the ease of a Death Eater?"
Harry stopped dead still. "Just what are you implying?" he said coldly.
"Well, it's just that you do seem to have a knack for getting in and out of his lair. Weren't you there earlier this year to rescue another student?"
Before Harry could confirm or deny that he had been to the Snow Castle earlier, another report pushed his way to Harry.
"Is it true that You-Know-Who brands his followers with a disfiguring mark?" asked the reporter, jostling the first out of the way.
"Oh, it's just a little tattoo," said Samara dismissively.
"And you allowed this?" another reporter added.
"Well it sort of came with the package," Samara said. With a strained smile, she joked, "I wanted a butterfly, but all he had were snakes. He's rather partial to them."
Neville snorted, but the reporters didn't laugh.
At last, McGonagall appeared, looking tired but none the worse for wear from her unfortunate encounter with the floo, with a contingent of Aurors who cleared the reporters away. "You are here to hear the Minister speak, not to harass students," said McGonagall.
"But just a few questions," coaxed the reporters.
"I have one comment," said Harry passionately. "None of us went to Voldemort voluntarily—None of us—and the fact that we have returned says that he can be beaten. The first thing you need to do is acknowledge he is indeed a threat. You certainly can't ignore the fact that the Ministry was attacked, and that your Minister has lied to you. Voldemort did not gain this power overnight. He has been gaining support since I told you of his rising last year." Harry ignored the collective flinch that went through the crowd at his speaking the name Voldemort.
"What do you know about the Ministry attack?" called another reporter.
Several groups of reporters began pushing the little group apart. One group centering on Samara and Draco, another on Harry, and yet another on Melisande and Neville
"What was it like being in the clutches in the Dark Lord?" someone asked Ginny, as another jostled her.
"Can you show us your left arm, sweetheart?" Someone actually reached for her sleeve.
She wrenched herself away.
"Did you really go of your own free will?" someone else asked Ginny. Although Samara would have stayed nearby to give Ginny some support, Draco was relentlessly pulling her away from the Gryffindors.
"Melisande, you were pronounced dead—several months ago. What have you been doing since then?" asked another reporter.
Yet another reporter pushed forward. "Have you been in contact with your parents, Melisande? Were you forced to take part in any of the Muggle killings?"
"Or not forced?" muttered someone else at Samara's elbow.
"Were there other dark creatures at his stronghold besides you?"
"Other dark?" whispered Melisande worriedly.
One reporter pushed against Draco, who was trying to shield Samara and keep the reporters from seeing the basilisks.
"The skeleton of a man presumed to be Arvil Folant was delivered to his wife in Surry, the skin and muscle burned right from his bones. The same night, his nine year old daughter went missing. Can you confirm if that is the work of Voldemort?" Samara found a magical recording device shoved to her mouth as the reporter eyed her curiously.
"No—I?" said Samara as she stared at Draco. His aura had completely drained of color as if he had died himself. Then the aura cleared, burning a more vivid red than Samara had seen for a while. She could feel his panic; see his fear in his aura. He wanted to run. She put her hand in his, and gripped his hand tightly, letting the magic flow between them. The words, I thought I was freeing him from the Dark Lord, flitted on the edges of her consciousness, and she shuddered, but she didn't want to examine that thought too closely right now. She wasn't even sure Draco believed it.
The reporter took the moment to direct the next question to Draco. "Mr. Malfoy, your parents have been unavailable for comment during your absence. Were they with you?"
"I'm sorry; I had a mishap at school." Draco answered coolly. "I wasn't with the group of Gryffindor rescuers. I am, after all, a Slytherin." He gave them a dark glare that would have done Snape proud, and attempted to brush by them.
"Is it true that you and the Prophecy Child are bonded?" the persistent reporter continued, clasping Draco's arm.
"You can look at them and see that," snapped another.
"If you mean Samara Donnally and I, then yes," said Draco, turning as he gained some control over his conflicting emotions.
"That's Samara--S-a-m-a-r-a Donnally--D-o-n-n-a-l-l-y," Samara spelled her name while the reporters frantically scribbled.
"Samara! Draco!" called Vincent Crabbe, waving to catch their attention. As he tried to push his way through the crowd, he waved a package over his head, which Samara assumed was the invisibility cloak. Even Crabbe's considerable bulk couldn't get through the crowd to them and at last he gave up, letting himself be pushed along by the crowd of reporters.
Then as abruptly as the questions started, the reporters turned to another.
"Miss Weasley!" called a reporter. "We understand you were first possessed when you were eleven. Have you been possessed continuously since you were eleven?"
Samara and Draco edged away, and Crabbe and Goyle took up their sentry duty on either side of Samara and Draco.
"When did you first know that your little sister was possessed?" another asked Ron.
"Are you the prophecy child?" someone asked Ginny.
"Are you the prophecy child?" another reporter shot at Beatrice.
"I understand this is the second time your have saved your sister from the Dark Lord. Is there really a secret chamber under Hogwarts?" another asked Ron.
"Yes," he said hesitantly.
"And Professor Lockhart was gravely injured in that rescue. How did it feel to have no adults with you this time?" Harry threw a knowing glance at Ron who was actually handling the reporter pretty well.
"Err—actually, um—It felt good," said Ron.
"And will your sister be having another stay in St. Mungo's after this latest escapade?"
"No. No, definitely not. She's not."
"Then you feel she has come back from this latest excursion whole and healthy..."
"Oh yes, and then some," replied Ron with conviction.
A stir caused by a contingent of Aurors finally caused some of the reporters to back away.
"Auror Moody, are you going to arrest them?" called someone from the crowd.
Harry was horrified to realize it was Cho. Cho, who knew him, kissed him...He knew she still felt badly about Cedric, but to expect the girls' arrest?
"Clear the way, or I will clear it," roared Moody brandishing his wand and scattering the reporters and students alike. The dog at his heels growled menacingly when some of the crowd jostled the group.
"Now just a minute, Auror Moody," interrupted Minister Fudge. "The reporters are just doing their job."
"And I'm doing mine," growled Moody, who was now flanked by six Aurors who surrounded the students and escorted them from the Great Hall. To Harry's disappointment, the dog stayed with Moody.
"Breakfast?" asked Ginny.
"I think you will be eating in the kitchen," said one of the younger Aurors with a smile.
"You should have known better, Mr. Potter," admonished McGonagall. She sighed. "Reporters—I'll speak with you all later in my office," she said, "as soon as the Minister leaves." She turned away and then turned back, a puzzled look on her face. "Mr. Malfoy, if you would like me to escort you to the Slytherin Table..."
"No," said Samara still clinging to Draco's hand. "He's coming with us to the kitchen."
"But, you're all Gryffindors," said McGonagall.
"Is that a problem?" asked Draco. "Didn't the Headmaster just say that we should have more inter-house solidarity?"
"Yes. Yes, he did," said McGonagall, her eyes filling with tears.
She hurried back into the Great Hall.
Harry squeezed Beatrice around the waist. "I hope you don't mind being on the front page of the newspaper," he predicted.
"(Hisssuss!)" Shesha said happily as she scented Beatrice.
"(No!)" Harry, Ginny and Samara all hissed together.
"(I know. Special hissuss,)" corrected Shesha. "(Visha tells. None may eat Mistress' special hissuss.)"
"(Bitemate-hisssusss,)" said Salacia, and the whole contingent of basilisks lapsed into a conversation about how a bunny-hisssusss could possibly be a bitemate. Cush was particularly hard to convince, and Samara urged them to the kitchen and the promise of food for both themselves and the basilisks before someone heard the hissing of the serpents.
Beatrice, meanwhile, kept a wary eye on Voldemort's basilisks.
fin
ANSWERS TO REVIEWERS (and a cookie)
kittybro: Thanks for reviewing
Sayuri-Kikio: Thank you for the review. You think Ginny/Tom is sweet? Oh, dear, you don't know Tom too well. You will tho. Thanks for your advice about a sequel. I really am thinking that perhaps I have overused this group. It doesn't seem to have the excitement it had before.
DarkLordLongbottom: Have to tell you, I think your name is so cool. I like Neville.
Club Mix: new stuff all the time. We really don't know that much about Madam Pomfrey, but we do know she is an excellent healer. She managed to put Harry back together numerous times.
Yuuko
Sorry you have to wait for reviews. Maybe you can talk to your friends. If they review the first fic, The Broken Beginning, I'll count it towards the 15 reviews. How's that?
Jaqui
You obviously haven't read my "dark" if you think this is "dark" although ch 40 was a bit on the edge.
Herentas: How dare you miss reviewing! I am betaing Herentas story, "China Doll" It's a Ginny/Tom, but much different from mine. Go read it. Glad you liked the Voldie/Harry part direct minds duel instead of the usually oh-Merlin-I'm-feeling/seeing-what-the-Dark-Lord-feels/sees. What does everyone think of an RP set in the time of Tom Riddle. Email me or check out the yahoo group HarryPotterRP (There is an underscore between the r in Potter and the R in RP, if fanfic takes it out.)
Wormtail:The Harry the healer is because I am so tired of Harry embracing the whole kill Volde thing and saying he wants to be an auror.
Lirael: I don't do agonizing and introspection well. I'm better at action, thus, Ginny decided quickly about Tom. It isn't like she hasn't known him for quite some time.
Thanks for your comments. I love the ever-wise Pomfrey. "Then don't."
Glad you liked Lauren too. Yes, she is the niece of Valerina and Narcissa, and the daughter of their sister...Laurel?... right? (Isn't it amazing that I thought of this family relationship before JK wrote OotP. I still can't get over I made Narcissa and Valeriana (Bellatrix) sisters and Sirius a cousin too, although JK made the relationship through the paternal side and I did the maternal, with Carman. I could talk forever about all the books we love together. I suggest Terry Brooks, the Demon Series.
Garrett: Here, this little aside is just for you, Garrett. A reporter asks Samara:
"Is it true that the muggles who were painting graffiti on the Muggle repellant walls of Hogwarts are not muggles at all, but your Squib brothers?"
"What! What kind of graffiti?"
"We love you Sam and Sam D tops them all."
"Professor McGonagall," said Samara distressed, but she pulled Samara aside.
"They are alright dear. They've been Obliviated and sent back home, but you can owl them as soon as we have news. I'm not sure how they found the place…"
Silverfox1
I will consider your pleas for me to write the third part. I think I need to write it to be a stand alone though. No one wants to go back and read the first fic…I don't know why…but once you are done writing, it seems to lack attention. Maybe if they were added to all of your C2 groups. I need your help guys. It's sad to see something as long and arduous as The Broken Beginning (and soon Beyond the Darkness) receive no attention any more because there are no new chapters. It's fanfic's way of finding them I guess. Even Draco Malfoy and the Goblet of Fire has lost all readership. If someone sees a new fic and realizes they have to read 100 chapters to catch up, they are discouraged instead of excited. I don't know why. Any ideas, guys?
Alexander: Finding this chapter funny was just weird, and I thought I was the number one "weird".
anonymous: Someone else wants me to continue with the third part of the story, but didn't sign your name. I'd like to review your stuff if you tell me your name. As far as reducing the 15 reviews, or update faster, the problem is with fanfic, once a story is completed it is lost and according to advanced stats, gets almost no traffic.
Little Red Rabbit: "one of the cutest Tom/Ginny moments ever!" Why do you all persist in calling Tom cute?
Riddled-Slytherin: Tom and Ginny forever! Yeah!
Jager: Thanks for the review.