A/N: Oh, at last, at last! Chapter 22 is posted at last! It has taken three weeks, extensive plastic surgery, long consultation by the peerless Uchethegirl, the deletion and then reposting of Lost: Young Man, and endless requests from you, my dear readers – but at last, here it is, in the flesh, complete and unabridged, yadda, yadda, yadda.
Onwards!
Lost: Small Boy, Answers to Harry
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Hestia Jones had finished a scout of the Hogwarts halls, making sure that all the Death Eaters in the castle were right where the Aurors thought they were. She walked quickly, grinding her teeth as she went. She felt frustrated and jumpy. Minister Moody had lead them all out here to save the school, and now they were forced to just sit around while Moody and Dumbledore bargained with the dark wizards. Bargained! It was enough to make Hestia's skin crawl.
She thought about the boy at the centre of all this mess – Harry Potter. Poor kid. Hestia had only met him once before, and that had been eight years ago, when he had lain in bed covered in bandages after a werewolf mauling. That was bad luck if ever she'd seen it. And then he and his Godfather had disappeared for nearly a decade – and now the boy was back, but in no position to tell them where he'd been all these years. Hestia shook her head, trying to keep her mind on the task at hand.
She came down a side staircase and saw the huge oaken doors of the castle below her, one door slightly ajar as though someone had forgotten to close it. Hestia paused, looking across the entrance hall pensively. The afternoon sunlight shining through the open door was weak and grey, but dark shadows were still cast in the corners of the hall. One shadow looked almost like a heavy animal hulking against the wall.
Then the shadow shifted slightly and Hestia froze. In an instant, her wand was in her hand, as she watched the black animal detach itself from the shadows and lope off down the hall. It was a dog, she realised – a huge, black, shaggy dog. A dog she had seen only twice before, many years past.
Sirius Black.
She felt her stomach do a backflip. Not possible – I'm imagining – he can't be –Hestia waited until the dog had disappeared around the corner before she took off, back to the Great Hall, where the rest of the Aurors were waiting. Her head was reeling. She supposed that if Harry Potter could appear out of nowhere after eight years, it was not such a surprise that the man he had vanished with might also appear. But more importantly, did anyone else know that he was here? Judging by the way he had been slinking around in the shadows, she had to assume the answer was no.
Hestia forced herself to slow down so that she would look composed when she came in sight of the rest of the Aurors. The Minister would want to know that Sirius Black was here in the castle. Black was an ex-Auror, after all, and so posed a threat to this delicate situation if he was working for the Death Eaters. Sirius, working for Death Eaters? Hestia shook her head again, in an almost involuntary reflex. No – Sirius must be in league with Dumbledore. She had worked with him for several years: Sirius had been one of those who had trained her to be an Auror, he had saved her life on more than one occasion, he had fought beside her more times than she could count. She knew he would not be working for Voldemort – it was laughable to even think such a thing. But in that case, why was Dumbledore keeping Sirius a secret? And, if Sirius was with Dumbledore, but Moody didn't know, should she betray Sirius and Dumbledore, or keep this quiet from the Minister?
Tell him now, quick, Hestia thought to herself as the Aurors came into view, don't be an idiot – this could ruin everything, you could ruin everything – tell the Minister that Black is alive – do it now – but her mouth refused to open.
"Jones, get over here," Moody's voice barked at her, and she hurried to rejoin the rest of the Aurors, who were arranged around the Minister in a tight circle, waiting with grim faces to hear what he planned. As Hestia slipped into the circle he began to speak.
"Well, Dumbledore's just given us some more unpleasant news. Apart from the fact that one of our own students, Nymphadora Tonks, is being held hostage by the filth in that Hall," he said, jerking his head at the entrance to the hall behind him, "his deputy headmistress has just told me that we've got less than an hour to get this situation under control, or Dumbledore's not going to be with us any longer – as you know, he made the Unbreakable Vow that he'll raise the anti-Apparating wards and he has so do it soon or it'll start to kill him. So," Moody breathed through his teeth, his magical eye flicking madly from face to face, "here's what's happening. Minerva McGonagall is waiting by the back door that leads off from the Hall. The Death Eaters are sitting right on that door, but they haven't been able to open it – Minerva alone can do that."
"And that's where we're going in…?" one of the younger Aurors asked eagerly. Moody's eye swung in his direction and he fell silent.
"That's where we're going in," Moody affirmed. "But not until we've got the Death Eaters' attention focused on the front of the hall. I'll explain that once Dumbledore gets here. First, I have to give you the most important instruction in this plan," Moody's face became even grimmer than it had been a moment before, "Dumbledore is trying to protect Harry Potter, the boy the Death Eaters are still holding. However, your job is to get Miss Tonks out of that hall in one piece – and make sure Potter does not leave it alive."
Hestia drew a sharp breath. She was not the only one who had been caught unawares. The young auror who had spoken up before cried. "Blimey!" and Kingsley Shacklebolt gave a soft hiss as if Moody had punched him in the stomach.
"You mean to use the fight as cover for the boy's death," Kingsley said to Moody, and Hestia knew he was trying to keep the anger out of his voice. Standing next to him, she could feel him give a slight shudder as if his own words repulsed him, "because Dumbledore is protecting the boy and wants him unharmed."
"I think Dumbledore can be persuaded to see reason where Potter is concerned," said the Minister. "He was willing to kill him eight years ago, I don't think he'll have too much of a tantrum if the boy snuffs it today. But all the same – yes, I'd prefer Dumbledore saw the boy's death as an unfortunate accident."
Kingsley frowned and made no more interjections, but he did not seem surprised by the Minister's words. He had clearly known this was coming. Hestia, on the other hand could not believe her ears. What the Minister was proposing was cold murder – of an innocent child, nonetheless! Alastor Moody, the Auror famed for his mercy, for bringing in the most reprehensible Death Eaters alive, was telling them they had to ensure the death of a twelve-year-old boy!
It was not possible! This was worse than just murder, this was appalling, this was – it was – Hestia could find no words to express how she felt about this crime.
"If you don't mind me asking, Minister," said Hestia, a little more loudly than was polite. "Why do we have to kill Potter?"
Both of Moody's eyes swung towards her. "Why?" he growled. "Because I said so, Jones. If I told you all why, right here and now," he swept his gaze over the circle of shuffling Aurors, "you would be glad to put that poor boy out of his misery. You would wish we could have done it earlier. Eventually, you'll learn why this has to be done. But right now, all that matters is that the deed is done."
"Ah, not starting without me are you, Minister?" said a stern voice from across the hallway. Albus Dumbledore was striding towards them, his brow twisted in an expression that was neither happy nor composed.
Hestia glanced at him, wanting interrogate him right there and now until he confirmed what she had seen. Tell me the truth! Did I see Sirius Black? Is he with you? But as she opened her mouth to speak, Moody answered Dumbledore.
"Just getting my boys up to speed," Moody growled. "And girls," he added, thinking that Hestia had opened her mouth to protest, "Minerva said she could open the back door to us, Dumbledore. Got a problem with us coming in that way?"
"Not at all," said Dumbledore, as Hestia and Kingsley moved aside to allow him into the circle, of weary Aurors "but I do think the Death Eaters might be expecting something like that. They are most probably trying to break that door open to escape, we could hardly expect therm not to notice us."
"That's where you come in," said Moody, thumping his stick on the stone floor to get the attention back to his scarred face, as all the Aurors had turned to Dumbledore expectantly. "You're going to raise the wards, Dumbledore."
"I am?" was Dumbledore's, slightly incredulous, answer.
"Too right you are," said Moody. "We'll be waiting by the back door, and I'll be able to see you through the wall, of course," he tapped his magical eye, "but there's nothing like the chance to escape to distract Death Eaters. It'll take you some time to raise the wards, won't it?"
"Several minutes, I expect," Dumbledore ventured dubiously. "However, I –"
"Good,"the Minister cut him off hastily. "Once all eyes are on you, Minerva will open the door, and the lot of us will jump those Death Eaters from behind, before they can Apparate. We'll grab Tonks and Potter, stun those degenerate scum and make sure everything is wrapped up."
"You realise," said Dumbledore slowly, "that once I begin to raise the wards, I will not be able to stop until they are gone? That you will have those brief minutes to attack, and no more? And if you are a moment too late, the Death Eaters will have vanished? Or even a moment too early, and they will not have their attention on me?"
"I hear you," Moody insisted, "but I reckon by lads – and lasses – are up to the job, don't you?" he looked around at his Aurors, who, all except for Hestia, nodded confidently.
Dumbledore sighed a little as if he did not have quite as much conviction in the Auror's ambushing ability, but he did not say anything.
"Right then," Moody continued, looking back at Dumbledore, "we'll head around to the anteroom outside the backdoor now to sort out our formation. In ten minutes, you can enter that hall – and be careful, won't you– and tell the Lestrange woman you're going to raise the wards."
"I doubt she will believe me," Dumbledore pointed out, "seeing as I have tricked her once already. She will certainly suspect that something is up."
"Then you can tell her you'll do it if she swears to leave Tonks and Potter behind when she Apparates. She won't, but she'll have the sense to pretend."
Dumbledore nodded, a little hesitantly. "Very well. But tell me first – how is it you plan to retrieve Tonks unharmed? Harry is not in nearly as much danger as she is, as in their panic the Death Eaters may well kill her before you can reach her."
"That's fairly simple – summoning spells," grunted Moody in reply.
"Summoning spells?"
At Dumbledore's obvious scepticism, Kingsley ventured an explanation. "It's a simple trick, we use it a lot for pulling our wounded out of battle. Mostly in emergency situations where we haven't had a chance to plant a portkey on them."
Moody nodded and elaborated. "It's all too easy, Headmaster. Three of us yelling Accio Tonks as we run in there and she'll come zooming out before those scum know she's gone. Bit uncomfortable for her, like being pitched through the air by a bad-tempered troll, but it's better than being dead."
"I see," said Dumbledore, raising one thick eyebrow critically, but he did not comment on this unorthodox method of transport any further.
"Right, then. We're moving off," said Moody, gesturing for the rest of the Aurors to follow him.
"One moment, Minister," said Hestia, as the Aurors began to move towards the corridor that would take them around the Great Hall. "Someone has to inform Dawlish and Podmore of the plan. They're still in the Hall keeping an eye on the Death Eaters, remember sir?"
Moody did not turn his head towards her, but Hestia knew that the Minister's magical eye had spun around in its socket to look in her direction. "And you're volunteering, are you? Well, go on then, and hurry back."
Hestia nodded. Once the rest of the Aurors were out of sight, she turned to Dumbledore. Should she tell him what Moody was planning to do with Harry? But then she remembered what Moody had said – that Dumbledore might actually condone the murder of Harry Potter. After all, Dumbledore was facing his own death if he did not raise the wards. Would he put the life of a doomed twelve-year-old boy over the continued existence of a Headmaster of Hogwarts?
She came to a decision very quickly. "I'll be back in a moment, Headmaster," she said, and dashed away.
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Sirius had his head in his hands as Lupin, told him the whole story of how Harry had ended up held hostage in the Great Hall. Both of them felt so wrenched by worry about Harry they had had to sit down on the bottom steps of the marble staircase.
"I know this is the worst news you could ever hear," said Lupin, putting his hand on his friend's shoulder. "But I promise you, Dumbledore and Moody are doing everything they can to bring Harry back safely."
"Moody wants Harry dead!" Sirius croaked. "And as for Dumbledore – you're being a fool, Remus, if you think he's changed his mind since he asked me to kill Harry eight years ago."
"Dumbledore wants to see Harry alive and well," said Lupin firmly. "The Minister knows that Harry is under his protection."
"That won't stop Moody," said a female voice from beside him. Lupin looked up to see a black-haired, pink-cheeked woman hurrying across to them. He glimpsed the Auror badge on her shoulder and thought she looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't remember her name.
As Sirius looked up, surprise washed over his face. A moment later, the black-haired Auror had hurled herself at him, throwing her arms around his shoulders. "It is you!" she cried, pulling back after a moment to look at him. "I thought you were dead, Black!"
"Far from it," Sirius said, actually smiling a little, to the utter shock of Lupin. "How are you, Jones? Shouldn't you be with the Minister?"
"I had to come looking for you," she said, standing up again. "The Aurors are going to break into the hall any minute now."
"They're going to rescue Harry? I have to come, I can help-" Sirius made to stand up but Hestia grabbed his arm.
"No. Listen to me first. I don't have much time, I should be with them…" Hestia took a breath, grimacing at the news she was about to deliver. "Minister Moody plans for the Aurors to attack the Death Eaters from behind. In all the confusion, he's ordered us to kill your godson, or let the Death Eaters do it for us," she spoke in a rush, trying to make him understand that this wasn't what she wanted. But guilt was rising at the back of her mind that she had not tried find a solution herself, but had come to him, hoping he could solve everythiing. "Either way, he says he won't let Harry leave the Great Hall alive."
All the emotion vanished from Sirius' face, and it became as blank and cold as stone.
"What?" Lupin stared at her, aghast, "Dumbledore won't allow it…he said he wouldn't…"
"Dumbledore doesn't know," Hestia amended coldly. "But those are the orders we were given."
Sirius stared at her for a moment, then in the next, he shook of Hestia's grip and was on his feet. "You're sure of all this?"
Hestia nodded, face taut with emotions. Lupin felt as if someone had plunged him into a vat of icy water. He couldn't even move. "I don't berlieve it…" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
"I have to go back, I promised I'd return to help as soon as I could," Hestia was saying to Sirius. "But I couldn't just leave things as they were, if there was a chance…a chance you could… I don't want that boy dead, Sirius… but what can we do?"
Lupin could not speak, could not think, could not even conceive why Sirius was standing there almost placidly, not shouting or sobbing, or any other thing that Lupin felt like doing. Chancing a glance at his friend's face, he saw it was calm, calculating. He thought he could almost see the gears churning frantically underneath. He turned toward Hestia, who nearly vibrating with the need to act; her lips were pressed together as she awaited some divine solution from Sirius. But Lupin had no such faith – they were helpless, there was just nothing they could do…
But Sirius was speaking now, as if through gritted teeth, "You have to go back to the Minister," he said slowly, placing vicious emphasis on the last word. He sounded as if his vitriol was being aimed at Hestia, and Lupin glanced at her, hoping she would not take offence, but her expression had not changed: she seemed to understand that Sirius's wrath was not intended for her. "How are they going to get through those doors?"
"I think Minerva is going to unlock them. She's the only one apart from Dumbledore who can," said Lupin, getting to his feet.
"Good," said Sirius, "Hestia, get to Minerva McGonagall, and do anything you can to stop her letting Moody into the Hall. Tell her Harry's life depends on it – stun her if you have to, do anything that you can."
"But Dumbledore's going to raise the wards on the hall," said Hestia. "If the Aurors don't stop them, the Death Eaters will be able Apparate away, with Harry."
"But they won't," said Sirius. He put his hand into his robes and withdrew a closed fist. "Trust me, Hestia, they won't. Go now, get to McGonagall, and keep that door closed. Leave the Death Eaters to me."
Hestia paused, and by the look on her face, she seemed to be considering whether or not Sirius had gone mad. Then, after a long moment of hesitation, she nodded, touched his arm, and darted back the way she had come. She didn't know what Sirius was planning, but she had trusted his leadership when he had been an Auror, and she would trust him now. She knew only one thing for sure: she simply could not let her fellow Aurors start killing children.
Sirius lifted his fist, and Lupin saw a glint of gold shining from between his fingers. "What is that?" he asked. He was afraid that Sirius was about to do something very, very foolish. "What are you planning? How can you possibly stop the Death Eaters all by yourself?"
"I did some tests," Sirius' voice shook as he closed his fist over the gold, "weeks ago. I'd had my suspicions, of course, but the tests proved it for sure. I've been meaning to tell you, but I…I'm sorry, Remus, but I did fear that there was a chance you would take it and give it to Dumbledore, and if he asked you where you got it from, you wouldn't be able to lie…"
"What is that?" Lupin repeated, leaning forward to try and see what Sirius was holding. He resisted the urge to grab his friend's hand and pry his fingers open. As if Sirius had read his mind, he pulled his fist protectively close.
"I don't know why I brought it. I guess I just didn't want to leave it at Grimmauld Place, unguarded," Sirius said as he looked up. "We have to get to the Great Hall. I'm going to bargain with the Death Eaters. And I'm going to do a better job of it than Dumbledore has."
Lupin stared at him. He was truly convinced that Sirius had now been totally unhinged. Did he think he could pay the Death Eaters to let Harry go? Did he think he could talk his cousin Bellatrix into releasing the hostages? Lupin realised if he didn't stop Sirius now, only the worst would come out of this.
"No," he said, and suddenly he drew his wand. "You have gone mad. You're risking the lives of everyone in this castle if you let those Death Eaters loose. Don't you see that? I'll stun you before I'll let you do that."
"Alright," said Sirius, and suddenly, he drew back his fist and slammed it into Lupin's temple. The Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher staggered back, tripping on the bottom stair and just managing to put out his hands to prevent his head hitting the marble steps. He jumped up, a spell ready on his lips, but Sirius was already gone. Swearing to himself, Lupin sprinted after him, back towards the Great Hall.
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Hestia was running as well, through the narrow back corridors that lead around the Great Hall to the back door where Minister Moody planned to ambush the Death Eaters. At last, she saw the back of Kingsley's black head, and a moment later, the rest of the Aurors came into view, grouped around Minerva McGonagall. The Transfiguration teacher had her hand on the doorknob of a large oaken door, and her wand was pointed at the lock, but she did not yet look ready to open it. Minister Moody was speaking to the Aurors nearest to him, and it was Kingsley who heard Hestia's footsteps and turned to her first.
"Jones – you took your time," he rumbled. "Do you have a message from Dumbledore…?"
"Out of the way, Shacklebolt," Hestia gasped, trying to push past Kingsley. This was a mistake, as he was much taller than her.
Kingsley stepped sideways to block her path. He frowned, "Why the hurry? Has something happened?"
"Just let me through! I have to speak to the Professor-"
"Why?" He knew something was up, and that she was doing something foolish. Hestia's hand twitched towards her wand, but she did not draw it.
"Do you want that boy dead?" she asked quietly, so that the Aurors behind Kingsley could not hear her.
Kingsley paused, frozen for a few moments. Then he said coldly. "It does not fall to me to disobey the Minister."
"Then let me disobey!" Hestia fumed. "Harry Potter's godfather is in the castle and he has a way to save him. But you have – to let – me pass – "
For a moment, Kingsley stood immobile, frowning down at Hestia. Then he drew his cloak back and stepped aside. Hestia did not pause to thank him, but ran forward, squeezed between two younger Aurors and threw herself towards McGonagall. The professor looked up, and Hestia gasped. "Don't open that door, Minerva!"
"What is it, Jones?" came Moody's rough grunt. Hestia felt the Minister's hand on her shoulder as he pulled her around to face him. His eye was swinging madly as he spoke. "What's happened?"
Hestia shrugged him off and turned away. McGonagall stil standing at the door, looking a apprehensive. Hestia blurted out to her. "If you let us into that hall, we are going to kill Harry Potter. Minerva – he's twelve years old – please don't…"
She did not get any further. Moody raised his wand and slashed downwards twice. There was a bang like a gun and Hestia crumpled at McGonagall's feet, no wound visible on her body but quite definitely unconscious. Several of the watching Aurors shouted in surprise, but they did not reach for their wands.
McGonagall put her hand over her mouth to stifle a cry. Moody stepped over Hestia's limp body, his magical blue eye not staring through the solid wall into the hall beyond, and he said in a forbidding tone. "Dumbledore is raising the wards. Open the door, Minerva."
"What did she mean?" McGonagall's brows knotted together as she collected herself and took a firmer grip on her wand. She surveyed the minister coolly. "You intend to murder him? A child? You're going to kill a child?"
"We will kill him," Moody answered, his voice growing deeper and louder. "And if you do not let us into the hall, the Death Eaters will be able to escape, taking that boy with them, along with our last chance to finally strike a true blow against You-Know-Who. Not to mention leaving this school open to further attack."
"Not necessarily," said a deep voice, and Minerva looked up at Kingsley Shacklebolt, standing tall and formidable beside the Minister. "Hestia said Sirius Black is in the castle. She seemed convinced that he has a way to save Potter."
"Sirius Black?" McGonagall looked from Kingsley to the Minister. Her face was white and her lips were trembling: perhaps she thought the Aurors were all under the Imperius curse, or had lost their minds from the pressure of their careers. Her grip on her wand tightened, ready to defend herself if they attacked.
"That is highly unlikely," Moody's voice rose to a bellow. "For God's sake, McGonagall, we are running out of time. Open the door!"
"I cannot allow you to kill an innocent child," McGonagall straightened her glasses as she spoke, trying to keep the waver out of her voice. "If there is even the slightest chance he can be saved..."
"You foolish woman!" Moody barked, raising his wand a little, and McGonagall flinched indignantly, her eyes flashing. "Don't you know what Potter is?"
"Dumbledore has explained the situation to me," McGonagall replied as calmly as she could, although her hands were trembling at her side. "He wanted to do everything possible to save Harry's life. I can only do the same."
The Minister stood, shaking with rage, then turned and limped away from her, crying, "Back! Aurors, back to the main doors!"
McGonagall, feeling furious and fearful, breathed heavily, as the Aurors, muttering and glancing uneasily at each other, followed their Minister. Kingsley paused to bend down and check that Hestia was not hurt. Satisfied that she had merely been knocked out, he straightened up and nodded to McGonagall. "I hope we have done the right thing, Minerva."
McGonagall closed her eyes, leaning against the closed door, and said quietly. "Shacklebolt, I hope only that the Minister remembers what we are fighting for."
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Dumbledore entered the Great Hall, nodding to Dawlish and Podmore, the two Aurors standing guarding on the inside of the doors. Before she had returned to the Minister, Hestia had already slipped inside and told them what the rest of the Aurors were going to do to capture the Death Eaters. Dumbledore had no idea she was planning to prevent them doing it at all costs.
The Headmaster cast the sonorus spell and once again called to Bellatrix Lestrange. He told her he wanted no more bloodshed in his school, and he was willing to raise the anti-Apparation wards if she was willing to leave Harry and Tonks behind when she left. Bellatrix agreed, unable to keep the smirk out of her voice. Dumbledore sighed and took a few steps forward so that he was standing with the hall divided on each side of him. He took his wand and felt for the invisible magical triggers that would help him strip away the ancient spells that protected the school.
A few minutes went by in silence. The Death Eaters were on their feet, watching Dumbledore intently, though there was very little to see apart from a few flickering lights glinting as the wards were disabled one by one. Dumbledore was in a half-trance, slowly unravelling the charms set into the stones of the school, his hands moving around unseen threads that hung in the air in front of him. He began to feel uneasy. He was sure Moody should have entered the hall by now. But he could not stop what he was doing, as he did not know what would happen if he allowed the ancient charms to spring back into place.
Where was Moody? Something had gone wrong, Dumbledore realised with a jolt. In a few moments more, the wards would be lifted, and the Death Eaters would be able to Apparate. The Headmaster tensed himself, ready to try his own brand of magic to stop them escaping. He knew he could not prevent them all Apparating, but with luck he might be able to keep a few, those holding Harry and Tonks at the least, trapped in the hall.
Then he heard the door to the Great Hall, which he had closed behind him, crash open. Dawlish, still standing beside it, yelled, "Hey!" and then gave a cry as something that sounded like an Impediment Jinx hit him. Dumbledore could not turn to look, but then a tall, dark-haired figure sped past him.
The figure vaulted up onto the nearest house table and shot an enormous jet of white sparks into the air. The Death Eaters at the other end of the hall were jostling each other, wanting to know what was happening. Dumbledore suddenly recognised the figure: it was Sirius.
Harry's godfather dropped his wand and raised his other hand, holding aloft a glint of gold. Dumbledore had the sudden impression, so inappropriate it was laughable, that Sirius looked like a Quidditch player who had caught the golden snitch.
Then, with a sudden whoosh and a wind that rushed across the hall, the wards vanished. And at the same moment, Sirius bellowed, in magically amplified voice, "I HAVE YOUR MASTER'S LOCKET!"
"Stop!" Bellatrix shrieked, as two Death Eaters beside her realised they could Apparate and disappeared with a pop, "All of you, stay where you are!"
The rest of the Death Eaters remained in place, confused and disbelieving, and looking as if they wanted to Disapparate even without their leader's authorisation. But Bellatrix was looking at Sirius with her mouth open. Dumbledore, who knew nothing except that he had been given a last chance to stop the Death Eaters, glanced at Sirius as well. He saw that the object in Sirius' hand was not a snitch, but a large, ungainly golden locket. It hung from a chain that Sirius had clamped in his hand. Upon the locket, an 'S' was engraved deeply.
"BELLATRIX!" Sirius cried, in a roar so loud the hall seemed to shake with it, "GIVE ME BACK MY GODSON!"
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TBC
Once again BIG HUGS AND THANKS to Uchethegirl, who beta-read this chapter for me.
The first person to figure out the reference of McGonagall's "eyes flashing" gets to see my jaw drop and hit the floor. Go on, guess. You'll never get it. :)
Next Chapter: The Life Bargain.