05/08/2006 11:39:00
Chapter 33
The next evening, after a light dinner of fruit and breakfast rolls, Hermione and Severus discussed the specifics of how to locate Fawkes.
"Why did you choose to use a Dark Spell to find Fawkes when it would have been easier to cast just a regular finding spell?" Hermione asked.
"I did cast a regular spell before I did anything else. The result was the same, I saw an image of a sunlit landscape, but nowhere could I see or even sense the presence of Dumbledore's phoenix."
Hermione blew out a sigh. She supposed that had been a stupid question. It would stand to reason that Severus would first attempt a spell of the non Dark variety before even thinking about trying anything else. Still, he hadn't said anything about it before now and she'd felt the need to ask.
"Is it really necessary for us to know exactly where he is before casting our combined Calling spell?" Hermione asked at length.
"That all depends on the reason why I am unable to determine the phoenix's whereabouts. If it's due to the phoenix's own magic, then the answer would be no. If it's due to something else, . . ." Severus trailed off and raised his gaze to meet Hermione's.
"So what are you going to do next now that we're running out of time?"
"Under normal circumstances, I'd think it prudent to cast the locating spell with the combined power of two or more people and see what the results yielded then. But unfortunately, these circumstances are anything but normal."
"If there wasn't such a high risk of Voldemort sensing my magic, I'd be more than willing to help you with the spell," Hermione told him. "The book says that dark magic cannot detect the combined spells of two people whose souls are bonded. I don't suppose you can hold off on the locating spell until after we've cast the soul bonding spell?"
Severus shook his head.
"That will cost us extra time,"
"Then what are you going to do?"
Severus was quiet for a moment.
"You and I could try a combined locating spell, if I shielded your spell from Voldemort's consciousness."
"That would be quite taxing on you. Physically, mentally, and magically."
"I don't see that there is an alternative,"
Hermione pressed her lips into a tight line. She didn't have to say anything because she knew that Severus was well aware that she was unhappy with this new idea. Though she made no move to contradict him, acknowledging that he was right.
But that didn't mean she had to like it.
"When do you want to do this combined power locating spell?" she asked.
"My power will be the strongest in the morning after a night's rest, so we should do it early tomorrow."
"You're really going to risk draining yourself of all your magical power?"
"I won't be using Legilimency for a prolonged period of time. That was the trigger for my previous loss of power. I don't believe it will happen again."
"But it's not outside the realm of possibilities," Hermione said very quietly. Then louder, "Have you done this type of spell shielding before?"
"Yes. When Lily was alive I had to shield every spell she did around me to prevent Voldemort from learning of our connection."
"I trust you as much as I trust my own father. And I admit that this appears to be our best course of action. I just hope that our efforts are rewarded and that we don't end up with nothing gained."
Inside Azkaban, Kingsley Shacklebolt walked down the main corridor of the ground floor. He was on his way to meet with Mad-Eye Moody. He'd just received word that Narcissa and Draco Malfoy had been brought into custody.
Kingsley had requested that he be the first person to question Draco, and fortunately Mad-Eye was willing to grant the request. Kingsley hadn't told the old auror the precise reason why he wanted to talk to the youngest Malfoy, only that he wanted to give the boy the benefit of the doubt and speak to Draco in a manner that wouldn't be intimidating.
Kingsley didn't have to wonder how Mad-Eye would have treated the teen.
In Mad-Eye's mind there was only one way to question the son of two of the most powerful Death Eaters. His expression had turned practically gleeful at the thought of interrogating the young Slytherin.
Now, one thing burned at the forefront of the Nigerian's mind.
The day after Dumbledore's death, Kingsley had gotten a two sentence letter from Hogwart's late headmaster. After performing the necessary spells to verify that it had actually been written by Dumbledore himself, Kingsley had had no choice but to accept the words written in Albus's fluid handwriting as the truth.
But they hadn't told him very much.
The letter had read:
Draco Malfoy is acting. You must speak to him for you are the only one who will understand.
What precisely did Dumbledore mean by "acting"? And why on earth was he the only one who would understand?
After turning the words over and over in his mind, Kingsley could come up with no explanation.
Why would Albus think I'm any different from the rest of the Order?
At least now he finally had the opportunity to get a satisfactory answer.
Kingsley met Mad-Eye outside one of the prison's interrogation rooms. Moody turned his attention to Kingsley after he was finished giving orders to the two wardens that stood flanking the door.
"He's all yours Shacklebolt. Just remember, that if you have any difficulty, I'll be around to try my hand at getting the truth out of him. These fine gentlemen know where to find me."
Mad-Eye left the corridor slowly, as if hoping that Kingsley would decide to call him back at the last minute and let him carry out the questioning on his own.
Sorry Alastor, no such luck.
Kingsley watched Alastor retreat down the hallway for a brief moment and then turned his attention to the room in front of him. One of the guards opened the door and Kingsley entered the small chamber to find Draco Malfoy sitting at a plain wooden table.
The heavy door slammed shut behind him and Kingsley calmly met the teenager's gaze.
Malfoy regarded him steadily, his hands folded on top of the table.
"I trust you received Dumbledore's note?" he asked.
Draco knew Dumbledore had communicated with him?
Kingsley moved further into the room and sat down in the chair opposite Draco.
"Yes, the day after he died," Kingsley told him.
Kingsley didn't tell him what it had said.
"There's not really a "good" place to start, for any place is as good as any other since everything is so damned complicated. But when we're through here, I think you'll understand why I had to keep my secrets."
"Perhaps you can start by elaborating on why Dumbledore stated that you were acting."
Draco smiled thinly.
"That's all Albus told you? That I was acting? The man truly was cryptic until the end."
"Draco, what did he mean?"
"I am not now, nor have I ever been an aspiring Death Eater. Dumbledore liked to say that I was the polar opposite of my parents." Draco took a deep breath and exhaled audibly. "Had my mother and father known how truly unlike them I was, they would not have hesitated to kill me, making it look like an accident. And if not them, certainly my dear Aunt Bellatrix." Draco paused, thinking about what he'd just said. "I know what you must be thinking. If my life was in such danger why did I never openly join the Order to seek protection? The truth is that things weren't that simple."
"How do you mean?"
"For one, if I had joined the Order I never would have been able to give Albus valuable information about things my parents were involved in. For another, I had to keep up the act in order for certain events to transpire as they were meant to happen." At this, Draco gave Kingsley a half smile. "I'm afraid I'll have to hold off on that explanation for a minute. After every school holiday, I'd report to Dumbledore on what I knew my family was doing for Voldemort."
This all seems fairly straightforward. It might be a lot of detailed information, but I don't see why Albus would specifically say that I was the only one who would acknowledge that the boy was speaking the truth. And even then, if that was all there was to it, could the Order not give the lad Veritaserum?
Kingsley sighed.
"All right, so you're telling me that you were a spy of sorts for Albus during your years at Hogwarts."
"Of sorts, yes. Starting at the beginning of my second year."
"Why didn't Albus inform the Order of your loyalty to him?" asked Kingsley.
"Would the Order have taken his word at face value?"
Kingsley briefly hesitated. Considering the fact that Draco's parents were Narcissa Black and Lucius Malfoy, he was almost certain that the Order would have required proof that Draco was not acting on behalf of his parents. Everyone knew that the pair would have loved to have their son be their own personal spy in the Order.
"Could he not have provided some sort of proof?" Kingsley questioned.
"Yes, he could have. And I certainly could have given you proof myself, but. . . as it was, I could not risk anyone on his side learning of my true colours. Had that happened, it would have significantly changed how events played out."
"What exactly, did you need to do that it held such an importance?"
Draco held his gaze with somber intensity.
"I've been keeping more than just the truth about my loyalty a secret from my family and the Order of the Phoenix. You see, when I was fourteen I developed a rare magical ability. Dumbledore was the only person who knew of it. Now there's no need for secrecy. My ability is quite rare, and I'm sure that some people will be quick to tell you that such a power doesn't exist."
Hm, and one such man's name is Alastor Moody. All right Draco, so you have a considerably unique ability. What is it?
Draco grew quiet for a few seconds.
"I really hope that Albus was right in trusting you to be the one to hear this," Draco said soflty.
"Tell me what your ability is," Kingsley said gently.
"I can see people's souls, and know if they are evil."
Kingsley breathed deeply and exhaled slowly.
In truth, he hadn't ever heard of anything like it being documented. But that didn't mean he was ready to discount the teen as a liar. Really, Draco had no reason to lie now.
And somehow, beyond that, Kingsley sensed that Draco spoke the truth.
Kingsley wasn't sure what to say to the boy that wouldn't inadvertently sound skeptical.
There was a period of a few seconds' silence before Draco spoke again.
"Did Dumbledore ever speak to you about his religion, Kingsley?" Draco asked seriously.
"No, I don't recall that he did,"
Draco nodded, as if this confirmed something.
"Albus told me that you lived over half of your life in Nigeria," Draco told him, almost conversationally.
Kingsley blinked.
"Yes, that's correct. But why are we suddenly talking about me, Mister Malfoy when this discussion is about you?" Kingsley's tone was curious.
"The vast majority of Nigerian Wizarding communities worship the Goddess of Magic," Draco stated.
"Yes, . . . why is this relevant?"
"Are you, yourself, a religious man?" Draco asked.
"You're asking if I believe in the Goddess?" Draco nodded. "Yes, Draco I do."
"Then you'll know that Her symbol is an eight pointed star."
Kingsley nodded curtly, his patience was beginning to wear thin.
Without another word, Draco stood up and turned around so that his back faced Kingsley. He then raised his shirt in so that Kingsley got a good view of the silver tattoo on his back. The palm-sized tattoo was of the eight pointed star of the Goddess Taenara.
Kingsley's eyes widened in surprise.
"How did you get that?" Kingsley asked as calmly as he could manage. Kingsley was well aware that at least in Nigerian Wizarding villages, those who had such a mark were said to be touched by Taenara and were revered as her chosen servants.
Much of the time, the Goddess gifted those servants with significant power.
Draco dropped his shirt and turned around again.
"I serve your Goddess. That is the mark from Her palm."
At this, Kingsley wasn't sure how he should respond.
Now Dumbledore's words finally made sense. Albus had known that he would be the only Order member who knew of the Goddess's existence.
Draco gave Kingsley another slight smile.
"It's pretty unbelievable, right?"
Considering everything he'd heard, Kingsley wasn't one hundred percent certain that he shouldn't jump to his feet and make an elaborate obeisance to the boy before him. Kingsley studied Draco's face and noticed that his grey eyes gravely serious.
"Being raised to worship Taenara, have you ever wondered why the whole of the British Wizarding appears to be unaware of Her existence, Kingsley?"
"Perhaps a time or two, but I was taught that Taenara isn't a selfish deity, if people chose to believe in another higher power, she isn't going to make them change their minds."
Draco sighed. It was a long and weary sound.
"I can tell you that that's true, but only in the sense that Taenara cares too much about the planet's Wizarding population to make her presence undeniably known to all."
"What do you mean?"
"Would you agree that we, being wizards enjoy privileges in life that are not given to the world's Muggle population?"
"Well yes, I suppose so, but—"
Kingsley was cut off by Draco holding up his hand for silence.
"It is because of Taenara that the world has wizards and witches and all of its magical creatures. It was She who created magic."
Kingsley nodded in agreement.
"Taenara is not the only deity to have created life on Earth. For if that were the case, everyone alive would have the power to use magic. After Taenara had given humans the power that resides inside every witch and wizard, many of the other gods became angry because the humans with magic were superior to those without it. We live considerably longer lives and have more power. So, ultimately the Fates decreed that Taenara keep Her existence a secret from the overwhelming majority of the world's population of Wizards. If She refused to step down, so to speak, the Fates vowed that they would personally punish every living thing She had created, by letting supreme Evil into our world as if it was a personal playground. So instead of causing an epic war between Good magic and Dark, Taenara agreed to let almost all of the human witches and wizards forget about Her. She now appears to a select few, like myself, whom She picks to help prevent whatever payback the Fates throw at the world's Magical population."
Draco stopped for a few seconds, allowing Kingsley to absorb the information.
"Today, much of the British Wizarding population uses the name of Merlin as the equivalent of referring to the Christian-Judeo God in exclamation. Did you know that Merlin was in fact Taenara's first Chosen Servant?"
"No, I must confess I didn't."
"It's a damn shame that our world lives in such incredible ignorance. Most people think that House Elves really are elves and that to even suggest that there was another race of beings whose intellect rivaled and very often surpassed our own, people would refer you straight to St. Mungo's. It really is a damn shame."
"Do you . . . speak often with Taenara?"
"This truly is quite difficult to accept, isn't it?"
"No, . . .not precisely. . . but I won't deny that it's more than a bit surprising."
Draco nodded.
"To answer your question, yes, She and I have dialogue frequently."
"I see. Will you tell me now why you had to take such great pains to pretend that you were loyal to your parents?"
"I'm afraid I can't really get into specifics at the moment. What I can tell you is that Taenara is trying her damndest to thwart the Fates' latest plan for the Wizarding World's destruction, and I played a key role in furthering The Goddess's advantage."
Kingsley frowned.
"What do you know that the Order doesn't?"
Draco smiled.
"A lot of things. And some point later on I can sit down and divulge some more of what I know, but that point in time is not now."
Kingsley stared at Draco, knowing that if everything Draco said really was true, Draco had more power at eighteen than most wizards had at eighty. The auror found himself trusting the boy, but still there was good reason to be careful.
A drawing of a silver star and a detailed explanation were not concrete proof that Draco was telling the truth. Even after everything he'd heard, there was still a chance that the young Slytherin was playing him.
But as soon as the thought had entered Kingsley's mind Draco spoke again.
"I know that Dumbledore was already dying when Severus killed him. And I know that Severus is as loyal to the Order as Dumbledore was."
"I don't suppose you could ask Taenara to appear to us now, could you?"
"Of course I could ask her, there's just no guarantee she'd actually come. And it's not because she doesn't value me as one of her Own. Every time she makes herself known to someone who has never seen her, the Fates retaliate. You have to realise that sometimes, it's not worth it for Her."
"Indeed."
"Now look, there is something I need to tell you. My mother has Salazar Slytherin's ring in her possession. She's going to try to use it as a bargaining chip. Listen, no matter what she says, don't let her get away with giving it to you in exchange for her release. The ring has no value to The Order."
Kingsley's expression became puzzled.
"I was told that the ring is able to be used as key ingredient in a potion that destroys Horcruxes."
Draco leveled his gaze on Kinglsey's. His eyes were intensely serious.
"That's not true."
"Draco, please forgive me, but I cannot in good conscience believe that after everything you've done to show the world that you are just like your parents."
Draco paled.
"No, please trust me! Don't believe my mother's lies."
"I'm sorry, but you just haven't given me enough proof. I've only been talking to you for less than a quarter of an hour, to believe you on you word alone now would be more than a bit foolish on my part."
"What proof do you want me to give you?" Draco asked imploringly.
Kingsley hesitated, thinking about what else Draco could tell him that would strengthen his belief in the boy.
He wasn't given the time to decide on something for the sound of a woman's voice jerked his head up to look next to Draco.
He suddenly realized that the woman had said his name.
"Am I enough proof of Draco's honesty?" she asked him with a playful smile.
Kingsley could do nothing to stop a look of shock from registering on his face. The woman standing beside the table wore a pale blue Greco-Roman style gown. She stared at him with with bright blue eyes. Her face was framed with long sable brown hair.
Draco gave the goddess a genuine smile.
Taenara continued to stare at Kingsley; it appeared that he'd lost the ability to speak. She raised an elegant brow and patiently waited for the auror to say something.
Kingsley could scarcely get his mind to form a coherent thought, let alone a full logical sentence.
A voice in the back of his mind told him that it would probably be a good idea to kneel on the floor, but his brain could not get his muscles to cooperate.
It was quite impossible for anyone to Apparate within Azkaban's walls. And the being standing beside Draco had made no sound upon appearing.
He really was looking at a goddess.
Taenara cocked her head to the side, studying him.
"You are allowed to speak to me, you know. I shan't turn you into a toad or anything like that."
"I-I was clearly wrong to doubt Draco's story," Kingsley said at last, his eyes never leaving Taenara's.
"No, Kingsley, not wrong, you were merely being safely cautious. And that is something not even I can fault you on," Taenara told him.
"What am I to tell the rest of the Order?" Kingsley asked quietly.
"I'm afraid there's not much you can tell them," Draco told him. "Tell them that my mother's plot was to expose Severus as a spy for the Order and because she believed Severus could never kill Dumbledore, she forced me to try to kill him so that our family would rise to the highest rank within Voldemort's inner circle. My mother's always been such a selfish bitch, and that story certainly fits with her character. The Order will be sure to buy it, just make certain you mention parental coercion and all that."
"When you get out of here, where are you going to go?" Kingsley asked.
"My parents house is as safe as any other place right now."
Kingsley nodded.
"Can you at least tell me why you went to Australia?" Kingsley inquired seriously.
"My mother was there to hide from the Ministry. I was there to do something for Taenara."
Kingsley moved his gaze back to the goddess's.
"I won't ever see you again, will I?"
"I do not know. I hope to one day appear to the race of humans I created and let all know of my existence. But I cannot say when, or even if, that day will come."
"I understand."
"Good. I hope someday we will meet again, and when we do the Fates' will be powerless to punish me and my Creation for it."
She gave him one last smile and disappeared as if she had never been there at all.
Kingsley regarded Draco questioningly, knowing that the boy was not going to give up any further information.
He still had so many questions.
But he wasn't sure if he should worry about them, for he wasn't sure if he would ever get them answered.
At an hour past dawn the next morning, Severus and Hermione knelt on the floor in front the square mirror that had been hanging on the wall.
Hermione was holding her wand for the first time since coming to the mansion.
Severus was kneeling behind her, his right hand holding his wand, his left hand resting on her shoulder. Hermione turned her head around to look at him.
"You're quite certain you're ready?"
Severus nodded in affirmation.
"On my count of three then," Hermione told him. "One, . . . two, . . . three."
Together, in one perfectly synchronized movement Hermione and Severus raised their wands to point at a spot in the air directly above the mirror.
They both thought of Fawkes, visualizing him in their minds as detailed as they could. And as a jet of white light came out of Hermione's wand, Hermione could feel a wall of power at her back, it's strength stronger than steel.
An identical jet of light came out of Severus's wand. It met and merged with Hermione's light, forming a diaphanous sphere that slowly floated down to sink into the surface of the mirror. A dome of sparkling light settled over the mirror for several long seconds. Then, when it seemed like the light would remain indefinitely, the dome was pulled inside the mirror, the intensity of the light fading as it shrunk into the flat surface.
At last, an image appeared.
Fawkes was sitting in a tree over a river, fastidiously grooming the scarlet feathers on his back.
"If Fawkes has truly been there all this time, why didn't my spells work?" Severus questioned aloud.
His gaze was intense and he did not look away from the mirror. "I tried this same spell on more than one occasion," he said softly.
After a few more seconds, satisfied with what he'd seen, Severus released the magical shield that had been protecting Hermione's spell and the mirror instantly became blank.
Hermione turned around to face Severus.
"Are you all right?" she asked, brushing her hand over the side of his face.
"Yes, my power was not depleted in any way,"
His voice was oddly detached.
"I don't understand what I did wrong," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"At least now we know that no harm has befallen him," said Hermione, trying to sound positive. "Perhaps the spell could only be properly cast with the power of two people working together."
"Perhaps," Severus said softly, though his tone wasn't that confident.
Hermione gave him a small smile and then placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Come, you should have something to eat and drink," she told him. She rose to her feet and watched as Severus did the same.
Severus walked with Hermione into the kitchen.
"My previous spells were all flawlessly cast. There has to be reason why I could never see the phoenix."
"Maybe Dumbledore put a protection spell on Fawkes and it didn't completely wear off until recently," Hermione suggested to him, at a loss for any other reason.
"I don't think so, Hermione. But I can't think for the life of me what would have prevented it."
"You really didn't expect our combined spell to work as well as it did, did you?"
"No, after everything I did, I saw no reason to expect this spell's outcome to be any different. But I had to at least try,"
"Is there something you can do to find out why your spells failed to show Fawkes to you?"
"Unfortunately, no."
"I can certainly understand why not knowing would be aggravating."
"I really wish I knew. But I don't suppose I'll ever learn the reason."
A/N: This is the longest chapter yet! Please don't be silent on this one!
Next chapter: H and S bond their souls.