Harry Potter and the Guardians of Power
Usual Disclaimers apply, folks – but you know that don't you.
AN: Please review and thanks especially to those of you who have reviewed every chapter and added this story to your favorites list. Sorry for misspelling Hermione's name, I usually double check everything with the HP Lexicon, but that one slipped through. I do use that site to check dates and facts as well, and I recommend it to anyone with questions.
AN: Well it's not quite 25 pages, but it was 17! So, as promised, we return to present day Hogwarts:
Chapter 17: Christmas Eve, 1996
It had been almost two weeks since Harry and Professor Snape had disappeared. The other students had left for home two afternoons ago and the entire castle seemed steeped in despair so thick it was almost palpable. The five teens left were often shuffled aside, as various members of the Order, who were now all staying in the castle, needed to discuss things that Molly Weasley didn't think any of them were old enough to hear. They missed their friend and nothing seemed to be worth doing. None of the teachers had felt like assigning holiday homework, gobstones and wizard chess had no appeal and they had sat and just talked until they had nothing left to talk about. They had even talked long and deep enough to resolve to give Professor Snape another chance if he did indeed save Harry.
Hermione broke the stifling and overwhelming silence, "It's Christmas Eve tomorrow, why don't we have a candlelight vigil for Harry and Professor Snape? At least that would give us something to do and it might give us all some more hope."
The other four, who were from a pureblooded family, looked at the muggle born witch in various expressions of bewilderment. "What's that?" asked Ron, who was sitting on the couch with Hermione's head leaning against his shoulder. They were holding hands as they had started doing for comfort, since their best friend had disappearedthirteen days ago.
Hermione looked at the four Weasleys and explained, "When someone in the muggle world is kidnapped or disappears, their friends, relatives, and even strangers get together and light candles, telling stories about the one that's missing and strengthening their resolve to find the person safe and sound. It helps to know that others feel the same way and it gives them something positive and hopeful to think about."
Ginny looked more alive than she had in days, "And we could plan it all and ask all the adults to just come and participate with us."
Fred nodded at his sister and continued, "It would give us something to do…"
His twin George continued, "instead of just sitting around…"
"doing nothing. It might help…"
"everyone to do more to find them." George finished. They frequently talked as one person; it could be really frightening if you didn't know them well.
Ron joined in, "Yeah, and we could invite the DA if Professor Dumbledore lets us. We need everyone to keep looking and not give up before they're found. I wish they would just tell us what's going on. I hate not knowing anything. Now I know how Harry felt all last summer!"
Hermione looked apologetic, "You're right. We really need to apologize to Harry for getting upset when he was so mad at us for not telling him anything, though it really was Dumbledore's fault." The other four looked at her in astonishment, was Hermione really saying something against the Headmaster?
Hermione rushed up to her dorm room to gather parchment and quills to begin planning the vigil for their missing friend and Professor. When she came back down the five teens gathered around the low table before the fire in the Gryffindor common room and began to plan, their resolve to make a difference shining in their faces.
In the small conference room the eleven in the council were waiting for their twelfth member to fly in from Hogsmeade. Rita had reported to the headmaster that she had information that she needed to bring to them in person so that they could discuss what to do about it.
A small, strangely marked beetle flew in the open window and transformed into a strangely dressed thin woman with odd eyeglasses and mind numbingly awful clothes that clashed. No one noticed in their eagerness to hear what she had to report though.
Rita Skeeter sat down in the only open seat and took a grateful swallow of the iced pumpkin juice that Professor McGonagall had poured for her. "Thanks, now on to business. I know you're anxious to hear. First, Voldemort knows they aren't dead. He didn't say how he knew, at least not that I heard, but he was very sure of it, particularly Potter." A loud collective sigh echoed down the table, even from the big black dog at Lupin's feet.
She took another drink and continued, "But he has no idea where they are or how they escaped. I watched that first night and Wormtail had to practically carry him into the throne room and help him get settled so no one would notice his weakness before they called the rest of the death eaters for their reports. He showed no weakness when anyone else was there, but after they left, he had to be half carried back to his bed where he fell asleep exhausted. Since then he has gained a little strength back each day, I can tell he isn't as strong as he was but he is almost back to full strength. It might not be more than a few more weeks or even just days."
She continued once again: "Now, the reports:
They are looking for a potion's master to replace Snape. They know he is the traitor, but they need some potions that apparently only he could make. So far they haven't been able to find anyone else who can brew them. They are planning on casting an imperious on someone named Eric Brewmeister; you might want to move him out of sight. They plan on doing it tomorrow night at his home. He doesn't have any family so they can't use a hostage against him. Their second choice is out of the country and they don't know when he will be back, they didn't give a name.
Voldemort is gaining his strength back, he is regaining more each day. He keeps yelling at Wormtail that they need more new recruits, he doesn't care how old they are, and that even students would be acceptable. He keeps saying he needs their power. I don't know how, but I think he draws power from them, maybe through the dark mark?
There will be a raid on Azkaban on Christmas Eve to break out his death eaters and anyone else they can recruit, the Dementors will turn on the Aurors stationed there and then leave the island for Voldemort's forces to take out those they want. After the death eaters leave, the dementors will return to the prison and act as if they were driven off by patronuses and had nothing to do with the breakout. It's scheduled for the dinner break when all the aurors are in the dining hall and the dementors are the only ones guarding the prisoners.
That's all I have to report. I'll let you ask any questions now, if I can answer anything I will." Rita's years as a reporter had allowed her to file her report concisely. Everyone was stunned for a few moments until they all tried to ask questions, all at once.
Dumbledore raised hisarms and clapped his hands together for silence. "Let me begin, and then you can ask if you still have questions, please. Now, Rita, you said that Voldemort was sure the two were still living, correct? But he doesn't know where they are?"
"Yes, he has had every death eater not on another assignment out looking for them, but so far no luck. By the way, he has several people hidden in St. Mungo's. I couldn't tell with their robes and masks, but I wouldn't send any one there for healing. Their master is so upset that they would take any Auror or anyone known to be fighting for the light straight to Voldemort just to try to get in his favor again. They have also been watching apothecary shops for supplies and pre-made potions being purchased."
Everyone around the table looked relieved at the news that Harry and Snape were alive. At least if they had survived this long, they had a good chance of being found alive. But why hadn't Snape contacted them? Where could they be and what could be happening to them? Lupin reached down and buried his head in the ruff of his dog while mumbling words to it that Rita couldn't hear.
'Man that Lupin really likes his dog; must be a werewolf thing, hmm!' She thought to herself.
Dumbledore looked at the two aurors present. "You must contact Madam Bones and get permission to remove the death eaters still in Azkaban. I realize that none of the ones captured recently are there, but we must make sure the older captures are also beyond his reach." They nodded and continued to make notes. "I know Eric personally; perhaps he would like to work at the castle while Severus is missing. I shall ask him myself as soon as the meeting is over."
He turned to look at two of his colleagues, "Professors McGonagall and Flitwick, could you begin researching to see if there is a way to draw power from the dark mark and if so; is there any way we can break that power source while he is weak. We also need to devise a way to check for the dark mark on all students returning after the holidays. We want to give every student every opportunity to choose to follow the light, but we do not want a repeat of Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe again. Perhaps a device that warns of a dark mark at the entrance hall? Arthur I need you to begin a quiet investigation into St. Mungo's; perhaps Madame Pomfrey can assist you through her contacts there."
"Those are my questions, does anyone else have questions before we dismiss Ms. Skeeter with our heartfelt thanks so that she can go eat and rest before returning to Little Hangleton?"
Kingsley glanced up, "You said Wormtail called all the death eaters there for that meeting. Do you have a count on how many he still has? I know we have been setting traps to catch those that are being sent out on missions; thanks to your wonderful information. With those arrested here at Hogwarts and all those arrested that had infiltrated at the Ministry, we now have 57 in custody apart from those in Azkaban from before. And does he suspect anyone in particular of tipping us off? I know we will set up a trap to catch those sent to capture Eric tomorrow night also."
"He hasn't mentioned anyone in particular, but he has been very upset. He hasn't really punished anyone for it though and some of his rank and file members are beginning to wonder about that, though not in front of him. He's obviously angry but he's not throwing out curses at them. Of course we know he doesn't want to risk his recovery to cast Cruciatus curses now, but they don't know that. And I carefully counted them for you; he has 71 still free members, counting that Wormtail fellow. I think if you can catch Wormtail, you would deal a severe blow to him. He uses him as a personal slave and I think he's the only one who knows all of Voldemort's weaknesses and how to take care of him. I'll try to contact you immediately if he ever goes out anywhere that I hear about. But he hasn't left the manor since I've been watching it. It might take something big for him to leave. I know Voldemort doesn't like him and can't wait to get Malfoy and some of the others back."
Kingsley looked pleased at the diminishing ranks of death eaters. If they continued to catch three or four on each unsuccessful mission, they would finally cripple that evil bastard and make him vulnerable to attack. He spoke up to Dumbledore, "We know where his hideout is and he's obviously weak, why don't we attack him now while his forces are so low. I know we could muster enough Aurors and Order members to wipe him out!"
Dumbledore shook his head in sadness, "We will discuss that in a few minutes. Are there any other pressing questions? No, then thank you for your help and stay safe Rita. We will let you go eat something, and then do ask a house elf for quarters to rest for a while. Bless you for your information; I know we all take heart at your information about our friends." He took her hand in both of his and shook it, leading her to the exit with heartfelt thanks once again.
As soon as she had left, Dumbledore once again clapped to silence the cacophony that had erupted at her leaving. "I need your attention please. What I am about to tell you must never leave this room. I need a wizard's oath binding you to secrecy. I never intended to share this information with anyone else but Harry, but I must to save lives."
He took a deep breath after they had all pledged their secrecy, "There is a prophecy concerning Voldemort and Harry. You don't need to know the exact wording, suffice it to say, Harry was marked as the only one to have the power to destroy Voldemort when he received that curse scar on his forehead. It would do no good for anyone else to go against Voldemort. Harry is the only one who can destroy him once and for all. I will not waste lives in a battle we cannot win."
There was dead silence around the table as they all thought of what the prophecy meant for one skinny, badly injured child. Sirius, who had transformed after Rita left the room, was hunched over in Lupin's arms. Arthur and Molly were holding each other in stunned silence.
Albus allowed his fellow Order members time to digest that information and get over their initial shock, before calling them back to the current problems. "Kingsley, I think you have something for Sirius?"
"Oh, right, here you go. We caught these two trying to abduct the owner of the apothecary in Diagon Alley, yesterday, right out in broad daylight. They must be getting very desperate, he's not even a potions master; he contracts to buy his potions ready made if they had stopped to ask him." The Auror handed over a bright yellow plastic ball that he had hidden in his knapsack on the floor. Inside were two agitated and disgruntled gerbils. Sirius and Remus calmly took them and placed them inside Remus' worn leather briefcase for safe transport.
Sirius spoke up, "This will make 59, we will have to expand our gerbil habitat once again, it's starting to bust at the seams. We had to separate the two Malfoys, the bigger one keeps trying to kill the little one, and we had to put the Lestranges into their own cage because they bite all the other ones, but otherwise, the colony is doing just fine. Keep them coming, we've got plenty of room in the 'Noble House of Black'."
Molly looked at him sharply, "How do you keep them safe from Kreacher? And who's watching them while you are at this meeting?"
The two men laughed, and Remus, who had recovered first answered, "Kreacher knows that we gave Buckbeak instructions to kill him and eat him for lunch if he steps foot into the room, and we have six of Arabella Figg's cats, plus Buckbeak in the room with them. So far, none of them have shown any desire to escape, plus the multiple charms we placed on the cages makes it downright impossible to escape, that and they'd still be a gerbil since the spell was cast upon them, they didn't transform themselves. Besides it takes us ten minutes from the outside, both using wands, to open the cages enough to fill the food reservoirs twice a week."
Sirius smirked, "So Albus, will we be getting any new pets from Azkaban today? Maybe the new Minister can throw a surprise inspection and kick the Dementors out for good."
Albus nodded sagely, "I believe there are only about fifteen death eaters presently residing in Azkaban and of those only five or six are sane enough to be of any good to Voldemort. But he might be able to recruit others to renew his energy, so we will take pains to remove them all. I believe an illusion placed on the bunks and the quiet removal of some unwanted 'vermin' should take place this afternoon. Kingsley and Tonks, can you perhaps meet with Madame Bones after the meeting and express our willingness to provide accommodations for the remaining death eaters, and any others that Voldemort might be able to recruit, just in case he can draw power through the dark mark."
The two aurors nodded in agreement. Dumbledore asked for any further questions or discussions, and the meeting continued with plans to revitalize their search for Harry and Severus since they now knew they were still alive. Dumbledore speculated that some particular tie between Voldemort and Harry allowed him to know for sure that Harry still survived, most probably the curse scar. After many minutes passed, during which the council finalized plans for the Azkaban situation and saving Eric while catching his abductors, the group left the room, most still showing signs of shock about the prophecy in their expressions, but with renewed hope in their hearts.
Albus was sitting in his office, his heart lighter than it had been in the thirteen days since his two boys had disappeared. He was still concerned of course, what could be keeping Severus from contacting him? Even if Harry was still too injured to move, Severus had ways of contacting him. And according to Rita, Severus had only had a couple of Cruciatus curses thrown at him. The pain of them was excruciating, but the pain and trembling slowly dissipated in a couple of days even if you didn't treat it at all. Unless Harry was terribly injured and Severus had been driven insane like the Longbottoms? No, better not to even consider that possibility, perhaps they had somehow disappeared to somewhere too far away to contact them easily and they needed to remain hidden until they could safely travel back home.
Yes, that had to be it, it had been a mighty blast of power, perhaps they landed somewhere in Europe or even America, Harry was very powerful after all, especially when he was frightened enough to use all of his power. Who else could drive off over one hundred dementors all by themselves, especially at the age of thirteen, for Merlin's sake! He started to list people he could contact to make discreet inquiries overseas when he was interrupted by Professor McGonagall and all five of Harry's friends.
Albus smiled and for the first time in almost two weeks, his blue eyes twinkled. He invited all six to sit down after conjuring several more chairs. He then came around the front of his desk and perched on the front of it, his hands clasped serenely in front of him.
"Ah, children, I have some good news for you. I am happy that you came to seek me out this afternoon. We have a very reliable informant who has just this afternoon confirmed that both Harry and Professor Snape are alive. We still don't know where they are or how badly they have been injured, but this does give us renewed hope to find them safe soon." He beamed at the five Gryffindors.
Hermione piped up, "That's great news, Professor, but we came to ask permission to hold a candlelight vigil on Christmas Eve for the safe and sound return of Harry and Professor Snape. And with this good news, it will make it just ever so much better." She went on to explain to the two Professors what a candle light vigil was and how they hoped to organize it.
Professor Dumbledore gave his permission for the ceremony, but had to refuse permission to invite their other friends. He still didn't want word of the disappearance of the two to get out and thought there would be no way to keep it secret if students came back to Hogwarts to participate. He did say they could invite all the members of the Order and any of the Ministry people that already knew of the kidnapping and subsequent vanishing of the two.
Professor McGonagall knew the students were having a hard time and were feeling useless because they couldn't participate in the search and wanted to help so she suggested that Professor Dumbledore allow the students to begin planning for the celebration dinner when the two returned to Hogwarts and were healthy enough to appreciate the welcoming back.
She said it could wait until the students all returned in January so everyone could participate. She assured them she was positive that the missing pair would be back long before then, but might not feel up to a large gathering. She shared a pointed look with Albus over the children's heads and he readily agreed. The five left, excitedly discussing plans as they tromped down the circular staircase and out through the gargoyle entrance.
Minerva waited until the door closed behind them before turning to her long time friend Albus, "I know, we don't know when they will be found, but those children need something to concentrate on besides sitting around worrying about Harry. Though the candle light vigil is a very good idea and should help to raise everyone's spirits."
"I agree fully, Minerva. And everything should be over at Azkaban by then. The dinner hour there for the guards is 5:30 to 6:30 so everyone should be back in the castle well before the midnight vigil. I still need to contact Eric about coming to the castle, so if there is nothing else?"
"Actually, Albus, there was something else. I just remembered Sirius and James saying something about Pettigrew when they were back in school, that I overheard as they were going down a corridor after a detention. They could whisper something in Pettigrew's ear while he was sleeping, and he would wake up thinking he had a wonderful idea in his dream. He never figured out his buddies were planting ideas. If we had Rita whisper about coming to find potions in Severus' lab to help his master, we might get him to leave the manor, and we could set a trap here to catch him and finally clear Sirius' name so he doesn't have to go around as a dog any more."
Albus' blue eyes twinkled merrily, "That's an excellent idea, Minerva. Just wonderful, let me check that out with the two and then if it's true I will contact Rita immediately and maybe she could plant that idea tonight while he sleeps. Goodness knows, that would help everyone's morale as well as strike a blow at old Tom!"
Minerva said goodbye but she wasn't sure that Albus even heard her as he turned to make several very important fire calls.
Just an hour later, Albus sat back down at his desk, finally feeling he was making progress and feeling more alive and hopeful than he had in two weeks. Remus and Sirius had confirmed Minerva's memory and apologized for not remembering themselves, though it really wouldn't have made any difference before now. Rita had instantly agreed to the plan, she knew exactly where Wormtail slept and was anxious to do something besides just report and watch. The more she had to watch these sadists, the more she wanted to hex them herself!
Eric had thought it a wonderful idea to come to the castle and was happy to help out while Professor Snape was absent and then while he might need time to recuperate. Albus had not had to tell him that Voldemort had targeted him. His old friend had begun to find retirement not quite all it was cracked up to be and was anxious to be useful and working once again even if only temporarily. He would be very happy to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas at the castle and really appreciated his old friend Albus sending a couple of house elves that very afternoon to pack up everything he would need so he could come in time for breakfast tomorrow. Eric said goodbye absent mindedly, already making a mental list of what he would take and what could be left.
But the best news was from Madame Bones. She had decided to just issue each human worker on Azkaban a portkey to the mainland and have them each leave fifteen minutes before the scheduled attack. The island would be left to the dementors and the Order would be in charge of all prisoners who were still sane enough to be a danger if they escaped until they had devised a way to keep them in custody permanently. She determined that there were so few prisoners left that Voldemort was welcome to all of them. She had had a team of Aurors and a couple of healers inspect each prisoner today as part of her new administration and they had surreptitiously removed anyone even remotely useful or at least still sane.
The illusions they had left behind would last for several days and Remus had purchased sufficient gerbil habitats from various London pet stores to house the entire population of Azkaban in the old ball room of the Black house. She was well aware that Sirius Black was innocent but could do nothing without proof to take to the Wizengamot. She had also graciously accepted an invitation to the candle light vigil and would allow any of her employees who knew the two to attend as well.
Early the next morning, Rita checked to make sure no one else was anywhere close before she shifted back to human form in a dark corner of Wormtail's bedchamber and crept quietly to where the rat faced man was sleeping. She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Snape is still gone, but he has potions already made up just sitting in his lab. I could sneak into Hogwarts and fetch them to help my master. Then I will be the one to get all the glory. I just need to sneak in and get them. Without Snape there, the wards won't be a problem at all; there will be nothing to stop me." Dumbledore had told her it would work best if she pretended she was Wormtail talking to himself; his former companions had found that out through thorough testing.
She smirked evilly as she shifted back into a beetle; Wormtail had indeed taken the bait. He was mumbling to himself in his sleep and Rita recognized the phrases she had planted in his dreams. Now she just had to wait to find out if he could sell the idea to Voldemort before reporting back to Dumbledore. She didn't have long to wait as Wormtail woke up less than thirty minutes later, dressed hurriedly and rushed in to grovel at Voldemort's bedside.
"Forgive me Master for disturbing you, but with your permission I could slip into Hogwarts and retrieve any potions that Snape had already prepared for you from his lab. Surely the old fool hasn't checked or reset the warding. I could bring them to you before tonight's raid if it would please you?" Wormtail was too afraid to raise his head, but he hoped his Master accepted his offering and let him gain the honor.
A bony, inhuman finger ran along the side of Wormtail's quivering face and chuckled evilly, "Yesss, I like thisss idea, go at onccce and make all hassste. Do not forget to take something to carry them in ssso they will not break asss you carry them. You may leave at once. And Wormtail, do not fail me, I would be mossst dissspleased." Wormtail backed up several feet, still on his knees and bowing, "I won't fail you, Master. I will return shortly. Thank you, Master, thank you."
Wormtail rose and left the room quickly, only stopping in the potion's lab to grab and shrink two empty potions chests which he stuffed into his robe pocket. He left the manor and went past the wards to apperate into the forbidden forest, unaware there was a beetle riding on the back of his shoulder. Rita flew off as the rat man scurried through the woods, changed back to human and called Dumbledore on her pendant. When it glowed she simply said, "Rat man is here, he's on his way into the castle now. Out."
Minerva McGonagall quickly made her way from Snape's office where they had all been waiting to hear from Rita and entered the potion's master's private lab, where she changed into a cat. Mrs. Norris and Crookshanks were already waiting as backup. Luckily when McGonagall was in her cat form she could get across simple messages to other cats, of course Crookshanks was part kneazle so he was much smarter than a regular cat, but he was still a cat.
Remus Lupin was standing out of sight by the entrance doors with the Marauder's Map out of Harry's trunk and Sirius as Padfoot was standing by just past the lab. Lupin touched his own pendant and whispered, "He's in the castle in his rat form, just heading down to the dungeons, I'll stay far enough behind but keep the map open. Out."
After about fifteen minutes, Tabby saw a pointed nose and whiskers creep under the unwarded lab door. She thought to herself, 'He really is stupid to think we wouldn't have this room warded up even tighter than usual now that Severus is missing. Does he think we wouldn't know at least the Slytherin students might take the opportunity to break in?'
Lupin's quiet, "He's in." was the signal for Dumbledore to enter the lab and stun the former friend of the Potter's who had betrayed them and caused their deaths. Dumbledore waited a minute to allow him to transform and get busy looking for potions and quietly entered behind the man. A soundless stunner sent him to the floor, to be quickly bound by ropes, anti-portkey, -apparition and -animagus transformation spells.
The two cats were dismissed with thanks and sent to the kitchens for a tasty reward, Tabby and Padfoot transformed back and the odd parade of people headed for Dumbledore's office where Madame Bones and two Aurors awaited. Dumbledore levitated Pettigrew's stunned form into his office, followed by Professors McGonagall and Flitwick, Remus, Padfoot, Arthur Weasley, and finally Madame Pomfrey.
Pettigrew was quickly bound to a chair, the spells binding him were checked and Madame Pomfrey enervated him. His eyes darted quickly around the room, his expression getting grimmer and grimmer as he took notice of each new person he saw. He knew his days of freedom were up when he noticed the Minister of Magic and the aurors standing beside him and if anything, he felt a relief at not having to go back to his Master ever again.
The auror slipped three drops of Veritaserum between Pettigrew's lips and waited for the glazed, expressionless look to come over his face. He nodded at the Minister and stepped back. The clerk sitting at Dumbledore's desk set quill to parchment and began to take down the proceedings.
The second auror stepped up and began questioning Pettigrew:
"Name?"
"Peter Pettigrew"
"Are you a follower of the Dark Lord?"
"Yes."
"Do you have a dark mark?"
"Yes."
"Were you the secret keeper for James and Lily Potter?"
"Yes."
"Did you betray them to the Dark Lord?"
"Yes."
"Did you kill the muggles and frame Sirius Black for their murders?"
"Yes."
"Was Sirius Black ever a death eater or support the Dark Lord at any time?"
"No, never."
"Are Harry Potter and Severus Snape still alive?"
"Yes, the dark lord tied Potter's life force to his in the ritual last June. If Potter dies, the magic will flow to my master. He believes Snape still lives, but is not as sure."
The questioning went on for several more minutes, but Sirius and Remus never heard it, they were too busy holding on to each other for support and sobbing to hear anything.
Madame Bones walked over to Dumbledore's desk, pulled out the already filled out parchment declaring Sirius Black innocent of all charges and signed it with a flourish. She handed it to the clerk to duplicate and file, handed one copy to Sirius and shook his hand in congratulations. "We'll have a copy at Gringotts by this afternoon so that should free your vault and your family's vaults. I will also have a copy taken to the Daily Prophet for immediate publication. We will talk after Christmas about reparations for false imprisonment and have a discussion about reinstating your position as an auror if you wish at that time, though I would understand if you no longer want to work for the Ministry. Good day gentlemen and ladies. I will return later tonight for the candle light vigil, but now, we need to be on alert for Azkaban!"
With that said the two aurors and the clerk nodded goodbye and headed out the door. Sirius let out a whoop of joy and immediately accosted Albus about taking formal custody of Harry so the boy never had to return to Privet Drive ever again. Albus kindly suggested they put aside that subject until they had Harry safely home again and reminded the newly freed man that they still had much to do that day. Lupin pulled out the familiar yellow plastic ball; Dumbledore transfigured Pettigrew into a gerbil and placed him safely into the container.
With much joy, the two friends flooed to Grimmauld Place to add another gerbil to their growing colony. They would need to prepare for more new pets later today and then would head back to Hogwarts to attend the vigil.
Kingsley and Tonks arrived in time to share a quiet but decidedly joyous lunch at Grimmauld Place as they delivered another 156 gerbils to the care of the two men. They showed the two aurors the immense maze of tunnels and gerbil rooms that now sprawled out the length of the third floor ballroom. They had drafted a couple more of Arabella's cats and Buckbeak seemed to have settled in to his new room. He loved to watch the gerbils as they moved through the clear plastic tunnels and played on the hamster wheels. The gerbils however, eyed him with deep distrust, just as they did the now nine cats that constantly watched them with hungry eyes.
The four laughed as they added the new gerbils to the cages, Tonks and Kingsley watched for a few minutes as Remus and Sirius renewed the unbreakable charms and anti-escape spells before heading down to the kitchen to eat and wait for the news about the raid on Azkaban. Tonks and Kingsley left soon after lunch, telling them they would fire call if there was anything unexpected, otherwise they would meet up with them at Hogwarts for the vigil that night.
At seven that night, Madame Bones's fire called Albus in his office to let him know the results of the raid on Azkaban.
"Voldemort was there himself along with about forty death eaters, but all of our people had left safely. Needless to say, they were very upset that there was no one there worth freeing. They took out their frustrations and blasted the cells apart. They killed the thirty or so insane prisoners that were left and then Voldemort was so furious that he used some kind of black magic spells to drive the dementors out into the sea. Apparently they can't freeze salt water fast enough to keep from getting their robes wet and they sank into the ocean. I don't know if that destroys them, but none of our watching spells found any of them coming back out of the water. I'll have people monitoring of course, but I think Voldemort did us a favor and got rid of the dementors. The prison is uninhabitable for now, but we should be able to build a better one when all this settles down." Madame Bones looked very pleased as she reported the results of the evening's activities to the Headmaster. "I'll be coming out to the castle at around 11:30 for the vigil. We can hook up the floo network for a couple of hours if you wish." She offered.
"That would be most helpful, I don't want that many people to know the password into my office and as you know that is the only floo that you can use to step through from outside Hogwarts. If you would hook up the fireplace in the small antechamber to the Great Hall, that would work the best. We could station several people to make sure no unauthorized people come through easily in there." Dumbledore graciously accepted her offer.
"Right, I'll have it opened at 11:00 then for people to start arriving. Tell those who you want to use it, I'll let Kingsley, Arthur and Tonks know to tell people here. See you in a bit, and be sure to thank your little bug for that wonderful information today! I will be happy to award an Order of Merlin for your source as soon as it is safe." That said, her head disappeared once again and Dumbledore headed up to get ready for the vigil.
People had been steadily entering the Great Hall for the last hour, entering from both the entrance hall and the anteroom. The house elves had placed tables in the back of the room with rows of chairs facing a platform and podium where the staff table normally sat. The five teens were dressed in their best dress robes; Ron was especially thankful the twins had bought him new dark blue ones over the summer, and were sitting quietly on the platform, watching people arrive. Tonight there was a sense of anticipation and hope in the castle that had been missing for the last two weeks.
Exactly at midnight, the class bells of the castle rang twelve times, the floating candles drifted down so that each person or creature present had a candle in their hand. Hermione stood and asked everyone to stand. She could no longer see the goblins from Gringotts or the house elves as they stood to the sides of the wizards, but she knew they were still there alongside several Centaurs. She stepped up to the podium and after clearing her throat in nervousness began, "We are here today to give honor to our missing friends and to pray for their safe and speedy return. We ask for you to join us for a minute of prayer for their safety at this time." She bowed her head.
The Great Hall was silent except for the sounds of over a hundred beings breathing quietly. She raised her head, brushed a tear aside and continued, "I first became friends with Harry when he, Ron and I took on a mountain troll at the Halloween feast during our first year. He and Ron came to rescue me from the bathroom when they knew I hadn't heard the announcement in the Great Hall. Harry threw himself on the back of the troll to distract him from hitting me and Ron knocked the troll out using his own club. That began our friendship and it has continued strong ever since. I pray they return safe soon, I miss you Harry. I pray that you and Professor Snape return safely and soon." With that she left the podium and Ron stepped up.
"I first met Harry on the Hogwart's Express on our way to school the first time. He invited me in, wasn't upset that I stared at the scar on his forehead and accepted me for who I was. It has never mattered to Harry that he is rich, or that I'm not. He showed my that my family is wealthy in the things that matter the most, family and friends that love us. He has been like another brother to me, and in fact is closer than a brother in many ways. Come home safe Harry. I miss you mate, and I hope you and Professor Snape return soon." Ron gave way to Ginny next.
"I can never describe waking up in the Chamber of Secrets with Harry sitting over me. He had been bitten by the Basilisk and was dying before my eyes, and yet, even as he was gasping for breath, he was concerned with telling me how to get out safely. When Fawkes healed him, he took me by the hand and led me to safety. He has been my hero ever since. Come home safe, I miss you." Tears were running down Ginny's face as she turned away.
The twins came up to the podium together and George spoke first, "Harry has been another brother to us since we took Dad's flying car to go rescue him from his aunt's house before his second year. We thought Ron was kidding us, but when we got there we found Harry locked in a tiny room, bars on the window, empty soup cans on the floor where his aunt had stuffed them through a flap in the door to feed him. We had to pick the locks to bring him his school trunk from where it had been locked in a broom cupboard all summer. We found a bed and old clothes in that cupboard, and Harry admitted that his uncle had locked him in there for the first ten years he lived with them. But he made us promise to never tell anyone, he never felt pity for himself and he always stood up for the underdog. Harry, we miss you mate, come back soon." There were many shocked expressions at this news and quite a few angry vows that something was going to be done about that situation, and soon!
Fred continued, "Not many people know but Professor Snape has been helping us with out creations since our second year; he allows us to order potions ingredients and have them delivered to him, he lets us use the potions classroom after classes, and he looks over our formulas to make sure they aren't too dangerous. He acts like a mean git, but underneath there is still a heart. He's never said anything to us, but we think he likes our pranks almost as much as we do. We hope you come home safe, Harry and Professor Snape!"
Hermione came back to the podium and invited others to come and share a story about their missing friends.
Dumbledore shared how he had rescued Harry from the rubble of his parent's house, and how he had come to know Severus over the years, several of the professors shared stories of classes they had had with each of them, several of the Order members told stories about Snape that highlighted his willingness to help others, even while complaining acerbically about it the whole time. There were even a few surprising stories of friendship with the bitter potions master from people who had gone to school with him.
Hagrid had tears running into his beard as he talked of his two missing friends, "Severus always helped with any potions I needed to help my creatures. I met him as a lonely second year, he always came to visit and tell me of his troubles and joys. And our friendship has continued through the years. He's tough on the outside, but inside, he's a decent human being if he would just let people see behind his masks. And Harry, when I fetched him for Professor Dumbledore to give him his letter, why he didn't even know he was a wizard! His aunt and uncle told him his parents were worthless and had died drunk in a car crash. He was so skinny, with such big eyes, looking dreadful in his cousin's huge hand me downs. Yet, even though he lived without love all those years, he has the most gentle heart and soul of anyone I ever met. I miss you both, come home safe my friends."
Surprisingly Sirius came and told how he regretted acting like a git and never really getting to know Severus beyond the house rivalry and vowed to make a new start with the man who was helping his beloved godson after he had been kidnapped and tortured. He told of how Harry had confronted him in the Shrieking Shack and how he had agreed to come live with him. He was crying softly as he told how Harry had saved them by driving off over one hundred dementors when he was only thirteen and how the thought of his godson was what had kept him sane all those years in Azkaban.
Remus talked of the quiet boy determined to learn the Patronus Spell because he heard his parents being murdered whenever a Dementor got close. Of the joy the boy felt when he heard stories of his parents and how he accepted him as if being a werewolf was nothing to him. He thanked Snape for his efforts to develop and provide the Wolfsbane potion that allowed him to keep his humanity each month and how it gave him hope for a cure.
Molly Weasley was unable to speak through her tears, but she clung to her husband and nodded in agreement as he spoke softly, choking the words out, "Harry has been our seventh son ever since Ron and the twins brought him home just before his second year. When we found out his relatives had locked him up and starved him, we vowed that he would always have a home with us. He has never asked for anything and is so grateful for any kindness; he makes us appreciate the riches that our family possesses. Severus please keep him safe and may you both return home safely." As the two stepped down from the platform, Percy met them and hugged them asking for their forgiveness for being such a git and for ever being ashamed of his family. The three made their way back to their seats, crying and holding on to each other for support.
Dobby spoke about how 'the Great and Powerful Wizard Harry Potter sir' had freed him and how he had tricked Lucius Malfoy into freeing him.
Griphook the Goblin from Gringotts thanked Harry Potter for recognizing and calling him by name whenever he entered the bank. He told of how Harry always inquired about how he was and treated him as an equal.
It was nearly four am when everyone was finished speaking about the two. Hermione took the podium again and asked everyone to wait for the four bells and then to blow out the candles as the fourth bell rang. Everyone waited in silence the last five minutes, each lost in thought about Harry and Severus, when the castle bell began to chime again. One, two, three and on four, the candles were all blown out. Hogwarts itself seemed to shudder, the walls began to glow a soft white light, and a feeling of great joy and hope filled the hearts of everyone in attendance.
As people gathered together around the tables of drink and refreshments in the back of the Hall, the mood of the castle was bright and alert as it hadn't been in a long time.
#Soon Master Harry, soon you will return and I am waiting for you. # Hogwarts was awake as she hadn't fully been in hundreds of years. She began moving walls and preparing a place worthy of her Master Harry and his father as the Founders had left instructions for her to. The little ones in her Great Hall did not know, but she did and the time would be very soon.
The somber but definitely hopeful group remained talking in small groups in the Great Hall, each circulating, partaking of the excellent food and drink that the elves had supplied, and rejoicing in the wonderful feelings of the castle and its inhabitants. No one wanted to leave that blissful and peaceful Christmas morning. Even the castle seemed to exude a feeling of anticipation, a hold your breath kind of waiting, a feeling most had not felt since they were small children hoping that Father Christmas had brought them their fondest wishes.
As the castle bells began to ring five bells to announce the time, a blinding white column of pure magical power appeared in the center of the Great Hall, causing everyone to close their eyes and look away. With a final flash and a loud clap of thunder, the brilliance died and everyone turned around to look.
Next: Chapter 18: Back to the Future (I just had to use that title!)
AN: Evil cliff hanger, but oh well. Long awaited Chapter 18 is almost finished, and with the right encouragement it might even be posted by Sunday afternoon.