CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Sunday saw a rather quiet Hogwarts, full of students deciding to stay predominantly in their common rooms or in their dorm rooms; studying, playing games or simply refusing to get out of bed unless it was for essential duties such as getting food and water. The familiars were far more active in comparison to their Witches and Wizards. Athenaïs, Sigyn, Seraphina and Frey spent most of their day hunting and socialising with other familiars.
As Tosti had promised, one of his ravens delivered some advanced Magical Theory books to Harry at breakfast. As a result, she, Orion and Heron spent the majority of the day, researching and making notes before applying some possibly pertinent theories onto the two automatons. The three of them had only decided that they had enough to go on at around eleven-thirty; Harry went to fetch the snakes from her trunk.
"OK, the basics of Magical Theory states that every successful spell is compiled with three components: emotion, intent and visualisation," Orion mused as he began re-examining the strange runes engraved into the snakes. "Rune Creation has some not-widely-discussed basics: it sees that there are similarities between self-made sigils and runes that seem to be innate to humans in how they are formed."
"Straight lines, strange number fours, the letter X and symbols over runes," Heron listed thoughtfully.
"All of which are included," Harry stated, studying her drawings of the runes again.
"So, we know that the creators likely kept to these basic principles," Orion continued. "Or an Ancient variant of it, at least."
Heron went through his notes as well. "I think that we should perhaps approach them using Prince's Law and then try the Universal Runic Grammar Principle, and then see where we go from there."
"I think the three of you are thinking too complexly again," the three of them raised their heads to see that Altair had decided to join them with his books and flashcards. The Nott heir smiled smally. "Sorry to bother you – I just wanted to sit somewhere else because there is a massive debate going on between Tom, Dolohov, Malfoy and Arc about magical regulations on learning types of magic, and I was getting a headache."
Heron frowned as Altair sat down in the empty seat between Orion and Harry. "I thought they were studying Arithmancy?"
"They were," Altair sighed irritably as he opened his books and started making some new flashcards. "But then Dolohov thought it would be a good idea to comment that Arithmancy should be made a compulsory for certain jobs, including Cursebreaking. It kind of spiralled out of control from there."
"Oh dear," Harry commented, running her left hand through her lover's hair, trying to help soothe him a little. "But why do you think we are thinking too complexly?"
"Oh, because I was thinking that despite the fact that when someone makes their own runes or sigils, they will somehow always be inadvertently inspired by the runes around them," Altair replied brightly, eyes dancing happily. "I have no idea during which time period your priest and priestess lived in, but since the Temple of Hekate was in Turkey, you should look at how similar these runes look to Orhon inscriptions."
"Orhon inscriptions?" Harry repeated with a small furrow on her brow.
"The oldest extant Turkish inscriptions in the world," Orion clarified for her, looking like he was about to start fanboying. "Which now that Nott reminds me … perhaps these runes are an amalgamation of the Orhon inscriptions and the Greek alphabet …"
His friends chuckled away as the Black Heir dived into his books again and then started to compare the runes to the two languages. Orion was muttering incoherently under his breath as he worked; knowing it was not best to disturb him while he was in his mind palace, Harry turned to Heron.
"How is your sister, by the way?" she asked amicably.
"Nymera is a little bored again," Heron laughed shortly. "She and Oizys are exchanging letters so that has kept her occupied a little. Nymera and Artemis are also writing to each other; Artemis already plans on sending a full detailed report to her on the Slytherin rematch with Hufflepuff."
Altair laughed at that. "Your sister won't be able to breathe by the end of the letter!"
Heron smiled sadly at this and Harry was about to gently chastise her future Consort for that comment, when Orion interrupted them, waving three leaves of parchment excitedly. "Harry, Heron, I think I have it! Nott was right," the Black Heir sang happily, pointing enthusiastically. "See? This can be both the symbol of Pallas as well as the letter-"
"Do you think this could work?" Harry decided to pre-emptively halt this babble in its tracks before Orion lost his audience again.
"I am willing to bet fifteen Galleons," Orion grinned.
Heron smirked. "Sounds good to me. I say we give it a try right now!"
Orion looked to Harry for permission, which she readily gave with an amused grin. The Black Heir drew his wand and waved it over the automatons, muttering a series of spells as he did so. The runes started glowing with a golden light; after a few seconds, the light dissipated. Harry, Altair, Orion and Heron kept their unblinking gaze on the two metal snakes. Without little warning, the eyes of the snakes shot open and there was the sound of gears beginning to whir – very slowly, to start with, and then rather healthily. The four seventh years lit up triumphantly.
The issue was, the snakes then started hissing in a foreign language. One that Harry didn't know. Heron frowned in confusion too; he too wasn't sure what the snakes were saying. Altair, however caught on immediately.
"It's Ancient Greek," the Nott heir identified immediately, Orion nodding in agreement.
"Do you know what they said?" Harry wanted to know.
"They said, 'We are the grimoires of Hector and Kayanna. Who are you?' Essentially," Altair translated roughly.
"I thought I recognised the language!" Orion stated happily.
Heron smiled at the snakes and looked at Altair. "Can you introduce us to them?"
Altair chuckled. "I will give it a try! It has been a while since I spoke Ancient Greek, so I might be a little rusty."
The Nott heir began addressing the snakes in their mother tongue, gesturing to his friends in turn as he introduced them. The two snakes looked at each strange human as he did so, clearly taking in all the information. Eventually they hissed a thank you to Altair before deciding to go back to sleep.
While the boys were still entranced with the intelligent Ancient automatons, Harry was more focused on the information the snakes had given her. "Grimoires – automatons used as grimoires?"
"Which means they likely hold the secrets and the magic of their witch and wizard," Heron lit up. "It seems we have to find out a way to see if we can unlock their secrets."
"Is that even what Gringotts wants?" Altair wanted to know, frowning with concern. "Harry was tasked to find out what it is; she did. Do you think the goblins will let her research further?"
"Well, I can always write to Griphook and ask. In the meantime, I say we take some initiative," Harry grinned. "Come on, sweetheart. You can't sit here and tell me you don't want to find out what knowledge, spells and rituals these snakes hold."
Altair laughed shortly. "You know me too well, my darling."
"You bet," Harry happily kissed his cheek. "So, do you want to help us too?"
Her lover actually laughed at this point. "I have already fallen into this trap; I might as well go along with it," Altair decided jovially.
"That's the spirit, Nott!" Orion agreed.
"Orion, seriously – I think you get to call me Altair," Altair grinned.
It was safe to say that Altair really did not expect to be hugged as fiercely as he was, Harry and Heron laughing away heartily.
###########################################################################
Rollo had one of the most enjoyable and relaxing weekends in a while, courtesy of Henry Burke. The Head Cursebreaker had not expected his lover to visit him that weekend, so it was a rather pleasant surprise when Saturday evening the younger Burke was at his door, offering to make dinner. It was even more surprising when Henry offered to spend Sunday with him, and leave Monday morning after breakfast.
It was on offer Rollo couldn't and wouldn't refuse, especially when Henry took him to Rowena's Sanctuary for most of the day on Sunday. The peace and the mountain air did Rollo more good than he thought – plus the people were friendly and polite. It also helped that Goldheart had temporarily recalled Rollo's guard detail for the day until the evening. Fortunately, the guards were not stationed directly outside of the door; Rollo did not like having a voyeur to his intimate moments with Henry.
Monday morning, Rollo was awoken after a peaceful night with a mug of coffee in bed and a loving kiss on the forehead. "Morning. I made you a couple of sandwiches. One with rhubarb and apple jam, and the other with blackcurrant and Bramley apple jam."
Rollo smirked as he sat up, taking the coffee. "Thank you," he stated gratefully.
He noticed Henry had already showered and was fully dressed; he did have morning classes, unfortunately. Rollo was tempted to tell Henry to give his students an extra free day due to being 'ill', but the Rowle heir didn't fancy acting like a besotted teenager so held his tongue.
Henry regarded him with an expression that was both worried but also slightly amused. Like he knew what Rollo was thinking. "Would you like me to cook you dinner tonight as well, or have I overstayed my welcome?"
"You never overstay your welcome," Rollo looked at him seriously. He took another swig of coffee. "I want to cook tonight for you, if I may."
"You may," Henry grinned lopsidedly before promptly capturing Rollo's lips in a searing kiss, one that made Rollo happy he was already lying down because his knees were going weak. Rollo moaned wantonly as his mouth was plundered, Henry's hands exploring his still naked body. The Rowle heir gasped for air when Henry finally released him and whispered hoarsely, "do you have meetings today?"
"Yes," Rollo whispered.
The strange professor grinned evilly. "Good," he commented before beginning laying love bites onto Rollo's neck. Ones that made the Head Cursebreaker arch his back and moan, gripping Henry's hair tightly.
"Henry, oh gods!" Rollo could not help exclaim.
"Gods, hmm?" Henry sounded incredibly amused and mischievous at this point. "Not an exaltation to Merlin?"
"No. You're divine," Rollo answered breathlessly.
"So are you, which is why I worship you like you deserve. You undo me with a mere look. My beloved, you are mine," the other man growled possessively.
A lustful shiver ran down Rollo's spine, which intensified as reverent kisses were once more laid on his plump, ravished lips. "Henry … we need to stop … meeting first thing … need time for the Glamours," was all the Head Cursebreaker was able to say.
"Hmmm, yes I suppose you do," Rollo desperately wanted to punish Henry for that smug tone, but barely found he could string a coherent sentence together, so decided to get his revenge another time. "And to dress and shower, of course."
The strange professor let his lover up from the bed, eyes still shining with mirth. Rollo rolled his eyes. "Don't you have students to torture?" he quipped.
"I do, but you're my priority," Henry responded candidly with a warm smile now. "I will see you tonight. I will let you know if I will be a little later than planned."
"Yes. Good luck today," Rollo called before locking the bathroom door and checking in his mirror how many Glamours he would need.
Answer: around ten.
The Rowle heir scoffed quietly, shaking his head, cheeks red. He really hoped that none of the goblins were blessed with True Sight, because Rollo did not fancy being the butt of everyone's joke for the coming few months. He distracted himself by running a shower and trying to focus on his meeting with Satoshi and Oscar.
So far it had still been radio silence on Grindelwald's end – something that made Rollo a little uneasy – but his focus was easily recaptured by the stressful events that happened in Japan. At least Oscar was no sufficiently calm to be able to attend the meeting; he had stopped swearing in Dutch every other sentences at least.
Rollo, after washing and dressing, decided to take his breakfast on the go and get to the office to prepare just in case Satoshi and Oscar decided to be early. The Japanese-Englishman and the British-Dutchman were always obnoxiously early; it was one of the things that Rollo had to get used to when he first became acquainted with them.
Gringotts was experiencing a rather quiet Monday morning; all the Accountants could attend to paperwork while only one or two of the goblins had to meet with the families of their vaults to discuss financial matters. The Cursebreakers, Rollo soon found, were busy cataloguing finds and beginning their research.
On the way to his office, he bumped into Katerina, who looked like the cat who managed to catch the canary during mid-flight. "Morning, Kat. You're looking rather chipper today," he remarked with a grin.
"So do you, but for wholly different reasons," Katerina smirked. Rollo flushed; his goblin guards chuckled. "Sorry – too easy. Anyway, I am rather happy with this assignment I have just been given. Apparently a Muggle collector came into a possession of so-called vampire hunting kit from the 17th century, but it seemed that there was more to it than that. The Aurors have just delivered it!"
Rollo blew air. "Better you than me!"
"Oh come on. I find occult-obsessed Muggles rather fascinating," Katerina grinned. "It is amazing to see how much they get right and how much they get wrong."
"Indeed, and then they are surprised when it all backfires in their faces," Rollo rolled his eyes. "Muggles cannot wield magic for a good reason; it is simply too dormant in them to work."
"Perhaps. Anyway, I will give you an update on my efforts later, as long as you tell me how your weekend with Henry Burke was!" Katerina called as she practically skipped down the corridor to her office.
The Head Cursebreaker chuckled fondly as he unlocked his door and stepped inside. While his guards made themselves at home, Rollo tossed his cloak onto the peg and first began rifling through the mail to see if there was anything pertinent that needed his immediate attention.
On the whole, it was more transfer requests and updates from foreign embassies on the status of his people; the ones still trapped in foreign lands. Of course, there was also the newest Daily Prophet, but Rollo had already enough issues to deal with. There was even a letter from Mr. David Horner's offices, so Rollo supposed that was at least something.
The Rowle heir settled behind his desk with a nice cup of tea that he quickly made himself, tucked into his breakfast and decided to read Mr. Horner's letter to see what kind of excuse his people were going to offer for the ridiculous situation they were finding themselves in.
Dear Heir Rowle,
The situation that you and your employers at Gringotts have brought to our attention is grave indeed, and we want to reassure you that we are doing whatever we can to make sure we are getting all of your people home safely. My people have been doing some investigating into the cause of the continuous delays and-or ridiculous travel avenues, and it seems that it is going to take a whole lot more careful manoeuvring than we initially thought.
The new travel legislation regarding Portkeys that Minister Spencer-Moon got past the Wizengamot is only fraction of the issue. If my sources are correct, it would seem that Britain's overseas territories – a few of them – are deliberately making Portkey travel more difficult for anyone with English descent as part of a protest against British rule. Naturally, the situation and any theories surrounding it has been treated as a security matter and therefore kept under the radar.
Because of the delicate situation at hand, and our inability to go to the papers, things are taking much longer. I realise this is not what you wished to hear, but I thought it best that you be offer some explanation.
I will keep you apprised of any further developments, and I apologise for any inconveniences that this letter may have caused you.
Yours sincerely,
David Horner,
Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation
Rollo discarded the letter to one side with distaste. He didn't care about the potential political ramifications of this situation; he would smuggle his people out of the countries they were in if he knew a way to! It was perhaps fortuitous that Satoshi and Oscar soon arrived for their meeting, because Rollo was forced to cool his ire.
Especially since it seemed Oscar had enough of his own because Rollo's fellow Cursebreaker did not even bother knocking on the door. "I have you have coffee or tea for this meeting, Rollo, because you're going to need it," he commented bluntly.
Satoshi sighed at his friend's disrespectful antics but didn't chastise him; he already knew it would do no good. "You might also need an Anti-Headache Draught," he added solemnly. "I know I needed one!"
"I can imagine!" Rollo scoffed. "Good Merlin, man. Your own cousin?"
Satoshi's eyes turned sad; he poured himself some of his own tea that he normally brings with him. Satoshi never really took to English tea, which was something that always made Rollo smile. "I could never have imagined that Kazuya would dishonour our name in this way …"
"Did you finally get an explanation as to why she did what she did?" Rollo wanted to know.
"From what I was told the evening before I was to catch the Portkey home, Kazuya was taking matters into her own hands regarding a family feud," Satoshi already looked exhausted at this point. "Apparently my family's rivals have some very powerful shamans in their ranks who are well-versed in Soul Magic. Kazuya's plan was to frame them for the crime she committed and to see two powerful pieces be removed from the Go board."
"I take it then that your arrival in Japan was not part of the plan?" Rollo wagered.
Oscar scoffed. "Anything but! The moment Kazuya and the rest of the Hirano clan found out Satoshi was in the country, they did everything in their power to make sure he could not find them, but they could still keep an eye on him. Apparently they went so far as to use their Animagi forms in order to spy on us in our hotel rooms."
Oscar shuddered at that point but then continued. "What we were also told was that Kazuya used her inactivity as a kind of weapon in a battle of wills; to see if Satoshi 'had developed a Western mentality'." He scoffed at this.
"Our trick made Kazuya think I indeed had forgotten my roots," Satoshi sighed, sounding resigned. He smiled smally. "That was why it was such a nasty shock for her when she discovered that was not the case."
Rollo guffawed. "Merlin, Morgana, and all the fairies of Avalon, you two have had quite the adventure."
"Yeah, well, some adventures a man can do without," Oscar grumbled. "Next time send me to break into a Gorgon's tomb or something. That is marginally less stressful dan de typhus kutzooi we endured. By the way, Satoshi, no offence intended, but your cousin stinks and I hope she rots in your Japanese Azkaban for a long time."
Satoshi did not answer; he continued drinking his tea.
Rollo already smelled the danger and cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, I thank you for your time and candour. It is much appreciated. I have no idea what duties you have for this afternoon, but I do need to get onto the pressing matter of getting our people home."
"Miles and Katerina spoke a lot about that. Have we gotten any more of them home since the last group?" Oscar wanted to know as he got to his feet.
Rollo pursed his lips momentarily. "I am afraid not. I received a letter from Mr. Horner on the matter."
Satoshi frowned, hearing the tension in his boss's voice. "What did it say?"
The Head Cursebreaker handed over the letter gingerly. Satoshi and Oscar promptly began to read, and as they did so, the pair became more disbelieving and irritated.
"Is this even true, or just some baked excuse to get you off their backs?" Oscar demanded. "Because this has the nasty stench of political spin doctoring all over it. Plus, Horner is one of Spencer-Moon's closest and long-standing allies. I don't trust a thing this man has to say."
"It is most troubling, indeed," Satoshi agreed. "Keep your wits about you whilst dealing with politicians, Rollo. Honour is not in their nature when it comes to getting what they want."
"I know," Rollo exhaled sharply as he took the letter again and shoved it into one of his drawers. "Thank you both for your view."
The two Cursebreakers nodded and then left. Just as they opened the door, the pair almost knocked down Griphook, who was about to knock on the door. Both immediately started to apologise profusely, much to the goblin's amusement.
"Oh pipe down, the pair of you. I have had worse," the Account of the Peverell Vaults turned jovially to Rollo and held up a letter. "I have just heard from the Lady Hera regarding the artefacts we sent her and I thought you might be interested in reading for yourself."
At least I get to procrastinate on Horner's letter a little longer, a part of Rollo whispered in relief.
The double agent smiled kindly. "Of course, sir. Come in."
Griphook waddled in excitedly, practically kicking the door shut behind him, and clambered into the seat that had been Satoshi's, holding out the letter in his hands to Rollo. The Head Cursebreaker had no idea why Griphook was so excited, but guessed it likely had to do with the fact the Lady Hera had succeeded in her task.
But where, then, were the snakes?
Dear Griphook,
Forgive me for sending an owl simply with a letter and no artefact. I assure you, everything is in order. In good order in fact. Thanks to the joint efforts of Orion Black, myself, Heron Lestrange and Altair Nott, we discovered the two automatons in question are some kind of ancient, mechanical grimoires.
I have to admit that the curiosity is getting the better of me and I would love to study these two snakes further in order to see if they can be persuaded to cough up one or two spells that belonged to their witch and wizard. If you wish to study this yourself, I will send the snakes back tonight with everything that we noted.
May your enemies always fall at your feet,
Lady Hera Peverell
Rollo's eyes widened and he found himself laughing a little. Grimoires; mechanical, ancient grimoires! Of all the things discovered!
Griphook smirked smugly, seeing the expression on the Head Cursebreaker's face. "Impressive, is it not?"
"Indeed," Rollo concurred immediately, grinning broadly. "I say we let her study them further."
"Agreed. I have already shown His Grace and he is in full agreement as well," Griphook stated happily. "I think we should also send one other artefact from the Temple, just to see if she can solve those puzzles as well."
"That may be a bit much," Rollo pointed out. "I say wait until she asks for it."
"Very well," Griphook pouted momentarily. He then turned serious. "Nothing has arrived with the foreign mail has it? No new … messages?"
Rollo caught onto the goblin's meaning immediately. "None, sir, though I am keeping my eyes peeled."
"Mmmmm," the goblin hummed. "Troubling."
"Quite," Rollo readily agreed.
Griphook forced himself to cheer up a little. "Well, you have another troubling matter to deal with, if memory serves me correctly. I best not keep you from it any longer; our people want to sleep in their own beds before Imbolc."
"And they will," Rollo vowed. "I will make sure of it."
###########################################################################
"I regret my decision. Can I back out at the last minute?"
Melinoë rolled her eyes at her crowd-shy cousin as she and Thanatos approached the high-end café, Yarrow's in the early afternoon that Monday. It was two o'clock; they were right on time. "No! We promised we would attend – to both Lady Black and Harry, so deal with it. Good grief, even Hestia goes to more parties than you do."
"Yes, but you are forgetting one very crucial detail, cousin. Most of those parties are hosted by Dionysus, and I do not fancy collecting souls and directing Reapers when I am trying to have fun!" the God of Death countered, huffing in irritation.
"You have a point," Melinoë was forced to concede. She took fortifying breath. "Let's go before Lady Black decides to send a search party out for us."
Thanatos laughed shortly as he followed the Goddess of Ghosts into the first-class establishment. It seemed that Lady Black may have gauged that the Lady Peverell's guardians might be a little unfamiliar with their surroundings, because the pair were met by a smiling hostess.
"Good afternoon! You must be Mr. Burke and Miss Rollins, I assume?" she asked politely.
"Indeed, ma'am," Melinoë confirmed with a smile.
The smile on the woman's face only grew. "Lovely! I am Hayley; please follow me."
The two disguised deities exchanged a look before following the mortal, Thanatos trying not to give into the temptation of cloaking himself in his Shadows and staying invisible for the rest of the afternoon.
The God of Death dreaded the cacophony of chatter that drew ever closer as Hayley led them to the VIP room. There were around ten round tables, all of which had been laid out beautifully with crisp, clean tablecloths, porcelain cups and tea pots and afternoon tea trays. It seemed that Lady Black had been keeping an eye on the door, because the enthusiastic Noble was already out of her seat before either Thanatos or Melinoë could get their bearings properly.
"Mr. Burke! Miss Rollins! Wonderful – we are all complete," Melania Black gushed. "Miss Rollins, I have arranged that you will sit with myself, Amaris, Rhiannon, Regina, and Diantha. Mr. Burke, I knew you would not appreciate sitting with a group of gossiping Ladies so you will keep our husbands company. I am sure they will natter your ears of about what has been going on regarding the political and economic field." Lady Black sighed. "I warn you; once my dear Arcturus starts talking economics, there is very little that will stop him."
Thanatos smiled smally. "Thank you for the head's up, Lady Black. I am sure I can manage," he responded kindly.
"Good, because we need a non-biased view on an important matter. There is going to be a new piece of legislation that is going to be debated in the Wizengamot soon," Lord Black had come to rescue the disguised god from his wife with a bright, cheerful grin that reminded Thanatos strongly of Orion's.
"I will try my best to help," Thanatos promised as he followed Orion's father to the two tables reserved for the men.
Lady Black looped her arm with Melinoë's left. "How are your studies? And how is Mr. Henry?" she asked amicably as she led the way to their table.
Melinoë smiled brightly. "My studies are going well. We are currently doing the final exams for the current block, so everything is rather stressful and hectic right now."
"I can imagine," Lady Black answered kindly. "What subject are you studying, if I may ask?"
Melinoë's grin only grew. This was very easy to answer. "History," she replied. "I am mainly studying Diplomatic and International History, but I am also taking classes from Ancient History, Military History, Global History, British History, and European History."
"Wow," Lady Black looked overtly taken aback as well as impressed. The other pureblood Ladies who overheard also had a similar reaction. "Are you sure that you are not blood-related to the Lady Hera, because it seems a love of History is shared by all of you."
"We are not blood-related, but she is no less family," Melinoë replied easily as she took her seat at the table, Lady Black taking the empty seat to her left. To the goddess's right, was Diantha Underwood. The witch was glamorously dressed, but in comparison to some of the Nobles at the table, she looked rather modest.
"Indeed," Orion's mother concurred readily as she began pouring some tea for the disguised goddess.
"I still find a woman opting for academics a rather novel notion," the actress stated primly. The Noble Ladies at the table gave her a pointed looked for that comment.
"Not too long ago, it was deemed unseemly for a woman to pursue a career on the stage," Melinoë pointed out just as easily.
"Touché. Miss Rollins, I am rather curious to know – when were you informed by your cousin that you were effectively guardians to a young orphaned Noble?" Diantha Underwood asked curiously as Melinoë put some milk and sugar into her tea.
"Almost immediately after Thomas took guardianship over Harry," Melinoë answered truthfully.
"And what was your initial reaction?" Amaris, who really did not want to broach the subject during the Yule holidays, dared to ask.
"Truthfully? Relief," Melinoë laughed shortly, sipping her tea elegantly and taking a sandwich from the tray. "Honestly, I thought we would lose her to the damn war. We have her now, and we will do everything in our power to protect her."
"As one should for one's children," Lady Rhiannon Lestrange agreed readily with a small smile and a look of understanding. "One cannot be called a parent or a guardian if one does not put the welfare of their child first."
Melinoë nodded in agreement. Regina Avery then decided to switch the subject by turning to Diantha. "Have you been able to try anymore new recipes of late, Madam Underwood?" she asked politely as she began putting cream on her scone.
The actress sighed dramatically. "Baking! At present, I am rather lucky that my schedule permitted me to come to this little outing. I have a meet-and-greet that I have to attend soon, and then I have several auditions that my manager says that I have to try my hand at. One of them is a voice acting role, apparently, for an 'animation' movie – one of those strange up-and-coming directors took inspiration from one Walt Disney, I believe his name was."
"Ah, I have heard of that Muggle," Melinoë commented with light amusement. "His work is rather good."
"I would not know," Diantha looked a little grossed out at the fact Melinoë was openly complimenting a Muggle. "The point is it seems people know how to keep me busy. And if it isn't work, I have family matters to attend to, which includes having to listen to my father comment on my unmarried status every time I am summoned."
The Goddess of Ghosts chuckled. "Sounds familiar!"
She and Macaria had to endure Persephone lamenting at her lack of divine grandchildren almost every time the girls visited their parents; Zagreus always escaped the treatment because he was Persephone's little favourite. Melinoë contented herself quietly with the fact that Hades always put an end to the old conversation if it went too far.
Diantha continued. "But the next opportunity I get, I am going to try and bake a caramel cake or a midnight cake."
"Midnight cake?" Amaris Nott repeated with interest.
"Indeed. I saw a recipe for it in a magazine and it looked amazing," the actress gushed with a grin. "It is a chocolate cake meant to be made for Muggle Halloween, but it looks too good to simply keep for a Sabbath, or I will try my hand at it anyway."
"It does sound rather good," Lady Black commented.
"Chocolate cakes are my favourite," Diantha sighed contently. "One cannot go wrong, usually, with a good chocolate cake."
"Do you prefer to bake alone, or with help?" Lady Lestrange asked curiously as she poured herself yet another cup of tea. Melinoë frowned; she detected something in the mortal's undertone. The disguised goddess knew that tone anywhere; Diantha Underwood was effectively being interrogated.
Not that the actress seemed to realise it. Lady Lestrange sounded casual enough to disguise the intent, so it wasn't all that surprising.
These woman were mostly Slytherins in their time, Melinoë reminded herself. She knew Melania Black and Amaris had been Hufflepuffs; she had no idea in which House Diantha had been in.
"I prefer to do most of the process alone, but when it comes to the decorating, I like getting an extra pair of hands to help me," Diantha answered brightly. "My sister Anne usually is my extra pair of hands in that regard. She is very good with decorating, especially making the icing and making flower patterns with icing. Anne has always been artistic. I am a little disappointed she chose not to make a career of it."
The expression on Diantha's countenance suddenly darkened; Melinoë had a slight inkling she knew why. It seemed that the actress did not approve of her younger sister having children out of wedlock, like most mortals of the current time period.
"She can always change her mind," Amaris tried to point out helpfully.
"Perhaps," Diantha responded tensely. "I do not see that happening any time soon, however. Anne can be … stubborn when she sets her mind to something. It is like she gets tunnel vision; I worry so for her because it has already caused a lot of tension in our family."
Melinoë occupied herself with a cake in order to make sure she didn't accidentally say something too loaded.
"It really is a pity because Anne is also good at creating potions and liquid spells to spruce up the cakes," Diantha continued with a small sad smile. "She has her own grimoire dedicated to culinary creations – Merlin, it's sometimes wonderous to behold. There are times when she's perfecting a spell or potion on the fly and then she puts in the wrong ingredient – the effects are so funny on occasion! One time she was helping me with a cake for an Ostara party and she was trying to create another liquid spell but it wasn't going very well – the kitchen faced plume after plume of smoke. I had to keep the windows open for the whole day."
While Lady Black laughed heartily and Amaris Nott smiled politely, Melinoë noticed that Lady Lestrange and Mrs. Avery were exchanging a look. Indeed, Lady Lestrange looked like she was in desperate need of air before she fainted.
The disguised goddess could take three guesses why that was; the liquid spell had very likely been that counterfeit Blood Curse Melinoë had been hearing about from Thanatos.
Regina Avery took control of the situation before Diantha noticed anything untoward about Rhiannon's reaction. "Well, that does sound amazing. Do you think your sister would be willing to share some tips and tricks from her grimoires? I have always been a horrid baker and I want to try my hand at baking Malum and Oizys' a cake for their birthdays this year."
"Well, I can always ask. I have no idea what her answer is going to be," Diantha answered with a small shrug of her shoulders. "I can never seem to predict what she is going to do anymore."
"Thank you," Regina replied with a serene, grateful smile.
Rhiannon let out a smile sigh of relief and began sipping her tea again. Melinoë poured herself another cuppa; it seemed that, whatever it was the witches were after, they seemed to be one step closer to getting whatever it was.
###########################################################################
"This is most unusual … troubling. Indeed, very troubling …"
Dumbledore was doing what he had been doing a lot over the weekend: pacing up and down his study in his free period, muttering to himself. His weekend had not been in a good one, in the sense that he had come away chasing each lead that he had with more questions than answers.
Naturally, he had written and spoken to Tom and his staff at the Leaky Cauldron regarding Meg, Ghost and Goliath but each time he had gotten the same answer. The last time that the three of them were seen, was when they were all heading in the direction of Gringotts bank. Of course, Dumbledore had written to King Ragnok, asking the Goblin King if he had happened to see anyone of the three Hit Wizards' description.
The answer to his letter had been negative. None of the goblins had seen Meg, Ghost and Goliath. Now, Dumbledore was not born yesterday; he had a funny feeling that perhaps someone at Gringotts had seen them – or one of them – but were choosing not to come forward with the information. The King was choosing to protect them, in turn.
But why?
It was widely known that goblins mistrusted wand-wielders, but those in their employ were treated with the greatest of respect and care. Something must have happened, but the Head of Gryffindor House could not for the life of him think of what it could be, other than perhaps one or more of the trio had accidentally insulted the goblins on Goblin Nation soil.
That would explain the mysterious disappearance. However, if that was the case, the chances were that Meg, Ghost and Goliath were likely dead, and that was not the kind of news Albus wanted to deliver to Reginald without some kind of proof.
Plus, the man's funny feelings were telling him that not only were the trio still alive, but that there was more to this disappearance than met the eye. Once more, Dumbledore could not shake the feeling that both Gellert and Harry Evans were also part of the reason – as utterly insane as it sounded. It was times like these Albus wished he had a familiar to talk to, to discuss his worries with.
It was why the man so prized his friendship with Fawkes the phoenix.
Suddenly, a realisation hit the Transfigurations professor. Ambrose and Bradley were still in St. Mungo's, but they were largely coherent. Besides, Albus heard from Reginald that the boys were now blabbing 'nonsense' as his old friend called it, but Dumbledore knew better than to simply dismiss something.
After all, rare abilities – even ones that develop – were never something to be ignored. Perhaps Ambrose and Bradley knew something about their friends' disappearance? It was a long shot, but at this point, it was the only avenue Dumbledore had open to him. He simply had to take it.
The war and the fate of the wizarding world depended on it.
###########################################################################
The Astronomy Tower was fortunately deserted when Caius Dolohov got there with the intention of doing some more preparation work for Tom's Defence class. No doubt all the duelling tricks and tips that he and Harry covered on Saturday would feature prominently, and Dolohov did not fancy embarrassing himself in front of the class, and Arcturus. He was pretty certain Old Magic would not feature in the lesson, but Caius wanted to practise it nonetheless.
That also brought Caius' train of thought back onto the enigmatic and sometimes rather frustrating topic of Harry Peverell. Despite his new-found respect for the half-blood Lady Regnant of one of Britain's oldest wizarding families, Caius simply could not shake the feeling that something was more amiss than usual about Harry.
It wasn't just her abilities in mastering Old Magic or even her fighting prowess. It wasn't just the fact that she kept secret after secret, and that some of her friends and some of Caius' friends seemed to know something Caius didn't. The Dolohov heir had noticed it almost as soon as he had met her on the Hogwarts express – there was something Otherworldly about her, from those eyes to the scar.
Caius admittedly never paid it much mind, but now it was blindly obvious that there was more to Harry than met the eye. Then there were those strange marks on Nott and Tom's skin … Did Harry have one too? If the triad had not consummated their bond, why was that Mark on two out of the three bodies involved?
Stop thinking about it! It's not any of your concern anyway, he chastised himself as he derailed that train of thought and turned back to the matter of practising.
The Dolohov heir put his bag a fair distance away from him and then closed his eyes, thinking back to Harry's lesson.
-Flashback-
"I think I should start off this lesson with a rather obvious statement: witches and wizards these days have an over-reliance of using their wands in order to cast magic. We don't always need a conduit for it. True, wands help us control our erratic magic as children, but as we grow older, our ability to control our powers also grows," Harry was pacing to and fro. "There are those who are born with a natural aptitude for magic, those who can master it through study and those who are born with it, but either way, with enough practise, they are able to learn the arts our ancestors knew."
Harry then turned those determined verdant eyes onto her friends. "Relying on one weapon is foolhardy. Professor Merrythought is entirely correct that you have to be able to catch your enemy off-guard. So, let us begin with some magic used in the time before the Founders – starting with telekinetic spells."
The Lady Regnant turned and held out her hand towards a wooden staff at the other end of the room. "Onhríne ond onbregdan!"
Caius' eyes widened, along with everyone else's, as the staff flew like a javelin into Harry's open and expectant hands. Harry smirked and turned back to her class. "There is more than one telekinetic spell one can use, some are classified as Stunners. Each one, I have to say, takes a lot more energy and time to learn than Accio or Stupefy, especially when one is not accustomed to the … heaviness, let's say, of Old Magic. Because one has to rely on one's magic core."
Harry clapped her hands together for a moment. "With that being said, let's get started!"
-Flashback ends-
Caius' eyes remained closed for a moment longer, as he used Harry's grounding techniques to focus on the feeling and movements of his own magic. As he discovered on Saturday, his magic had a strange mix of fire and ice – on one hand it radiated heat, but on the other hand, parts of his magic were colder than the Siberian winter. It was when the Dolohov heir felt an icy, biting firestorm in the pit of his stomach that his magic was ready to strike.
His eyes shot open; unbeknownst to him, his magic making his eyes shine with a bronze hue. "Onbregdan!"
His bag twitched and then very quickly rolled along the Astronomy Tower floor towards Caius. The Dolohov heir grumbled a little as soon as his bag stopped in front of him; it didn't slide across the floor like it was meant to. At least he managed to get it to move this time! His first five tries had ended in relative failure.
At least Caius had not been the only one to struggle. He had admittedly been quite irritated that Nott, both Blacks, Druella and Potter had taken to Old Magic like fish to water; even Tom struggled with some of the Old Magic telekinetic spells! Tom had to do a few of the spells at least twice before he fully got them to work.
"You got it to actually move! Well done. I haven't been able to make even my quill move yet."
The Dolohov heir froze for a moment, his heart skipping several beats. He took a moment to calm himself down before Caius turned to face Arcturus, who had arrived at the Astronomy Tower as silently as a ghost. The Rosier heir gave him a small smile.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," he apologised. "I was looking for you to ask if you wanted to study some Old Magic and some Magical Mischief events with me, but you weren't in the library. Mulciber told me you headed for the Astronomy Tower and – well, here I am."
Arcturus laughed awkwardly.
Caius smiled smally, keeping his countenance as neutral as he could manage. "I would … like that."
"Good! Perhaps you can actually help me move my quill," Arc joked as he joined Caius on the floor, emerald eyes shining with mirth. "Dru has tried to teach me, but I am just hopeless."
"I doubt that," Caius smiled gently. "Harry did say that there are people with a natural aptitude for this kind of magic. Your sister just happens to be one such person."
"I suppose," Arcturus still sounded a little disappointed with himself. He perked right up. "Guess I should get started before we have to leave for Tom's lesson."
The Rosier heir unpacked his quill and several books and placed them a good distance away from him and Caius. The Dolohov heir decided to study Arcturus in silence, to see just precisely the boy was going wrong. He watched Arcturus begin the ground technique Harry taught them – eyes closed, regularly breathing, focusing on one's magic's behaviour – but Caius saw Rosier's eyes open and the spell being incanted prematurely.
As a result, the quill simply rolled off the three books onto the floor and didn't move any further. Arcturus deflated. "What am I doing wrong?"
"Do you feel your magic?" Caius inquired immediately, frowning a little.
Arcturus frowned. "Feel my magic?" he repeated.
"Yes. Are you taking time to get to know how your magic behaves? Feels? Travels?" Caius clarified. "Can you describe that feeling when your magic has built up enough of a reservoir for you to use?"
Arcturus paled. "So you know what Harry meant by that? Because I still don't get it."
"That's because you're doing the grounding technique, but you're not taking time to get to know your own magic," Caius explained. "It's a part of you, but because Old Magic relies on a reservoir only, you need to know your own magic better than in the case of using a wand. It's bloody difficult, but Harry is unfortunately correct."
Arcturus nodded thoughtfully before closing his eyes again and once more commenced the grounding technique. This time, the Rosier heir sat with his eyes closed for a good deal longer. Caius could not resist begin asking some questions.
"What do you feel?" he wanted to know.
"My magic … it feels like a river … it knows where it wants to go and … adapts to certain paths," Arcturus replied quietly. "It feels mostly warm – it gets warmer the more I build it up. I feel like there is a whirlpool in my stomach."
"I think you should try the spell again," Caius replied with a small grin.
"You think?"
"It doesn't hurt to try."
Arcturus' eyes were open in a flash. Those dark emerald eyes were bathed with a bright amber hue, which made Caius swallow and have to put some errant thoughts behind some Occlumency shields. "Onbregdan!"
Much to the delight of both boys, the books and quill slid across the floor to Arcturus, halting right in front of him, the books even opening to random pages.
"Awesome!" Arcturus laughed. He turned with a grin to Caius. "Thanks! I appreciate this, Caius."
"No problem," the Russian flushed with pride. He then sobered a little. "Speaking of issues, you weren't just researching for Harry's class with the Malfoys when I arrived, were you? You were trying to find out what that mark on Nott's stomach is, weren't you?"
Arcturus' expression darkened a little. "I was," he confirmed tensely. "I was – and still am – concerned that those three … may have lost control."
"I get that," Caius replied understandingly. "Believe me, I considered it more than once myself. Then I decided that it isn't really my business, and furthermore, if Harry had a similar mark, we would have heard about it from the girls. Because I doubt Walburga would be able to hold her tongue on the matter."
"Dru has not said anything to me about a mark either," Arcturus frowned. "Which either means the girls are hiding Harry's secret, or Harry doesn't have any new marks on her. I mean, our books at home say Marks can appear due to powerful magic being used, but I can't imagine Harry striking Tom or Altair so forcefully, even by accident."
"Personally, I think it is the case that Harry does not have any marks on her, or someone would have noticed something during the Occlumency session," Caius reasoned.
"I know," Arcturus sighed irritably, running a hand through his hair. "It's just … I can't shake this feeling that we are missing something."
"When Harry Peverell is involved, chances are we are missing more than just something," Caius sighed. "It is another something on top of another something with more somethings hidden in the middle."
The Rosier heir found himself laughing heartily at that. "Indeed," he readily agreed. "And I know that Altair, Tom, both Blacks and my own sister know at least two somethings that are amongst the pile. I know something about her too, but I don't dare ask her about it, in case she doesn't tell me the truth."
"I don't expect she will," Caius confessed with a sigh. "Which means you will either have to try and figure it out the rest for yourself, or try and get answers straight from the source when you find her in a good mood."
Arcturus snorted. "We both know that Harry will never give me a straight answer."
"No," Caius agreed. "But she might with enough evidence to stop her from being able to run away."
Arcturus nodded thoughtfully and then a thought crossed his mind that made him frown. Caius cocked his head a little. His secret crush turned to look at him. "If you have had suspicions about Harry, why haven't you tried to discover the truth for yourself?"
Caius smiled smally. "Because not only do I not care about what it is, I like the fact Harry is an annoying enigma. Why would I want to know everything about her? I know enough about her, and she knows enough about me," he shrugged. "That's it."
Arcturus continued to stare at Caius for some reason, which made the Dolohov heir a little uneasy. It was almost as though the other boy was trying to look into his soul, and Caius feared the secrets Arcturus would discover. Caius quickly cast a quick Tempus.
"Oh shit, we have to go or Tom will wring both our necks!" he blanched when he saw the time.
##########################################################################
Athenaïs made her way towards Mr. Ogden's little house on the grounds somewhere in the afternoon, when the students were beginning their second afternoon lesson and some of the familiars were heading to the Owlery to see their friends. Sigyn, Seraphina and Frey were on their way to check up on Endor, but Athenaïs had decided to forgo the visit and check in with the groundskeeper instead.
The young Gargouille had no idea why, but she felt rather worried about the lonely man. He looked paler than he did before the Yule holidays and he always looked so tired. It also didn't help that it looked like he was in pain. Athenaïs had therefore decided to pay him more visits in order to try and help him do some of his more strenuous tasks, something Mr. Ogden had at first been reluctant about but then very grateful.
When Athenaïs got to the little wooden house on the grounds, she noticed that the pesticide had not been sprayed on the garden yet – something that Mr. Ogden did every day. The stone dragon knew it had not been done because there was no disgusting smell coming from the plants. She looked to the house; it looked really dark in there. Concerned, she decided to check on the Thestrals. Mucking out the Thestrals was one of the primary afternoon duties, along with Dugbog shooing away from the Herbology greenhouses and a supply run to Hogsmeade.
Something is not right here, Lara commented in Athenaïs' head.
The Familiar of the Mistress of Death could only agree with that sentiment, especially when she found that the Thestrals were neighing and whinnying in annoyance. As it turned out, their enclosure had indeed not been mucked out as it usually had been. Athenaïs gaped momentarily.
Mr. Ogden never forgot to muck out the Thestrals!
Athenaïs shook herself out of her shock and promptly tried to muck out the Thestrals' enclosure as best as she could manage with the strange pokey stick – basically a giant fork – that Mr. Ogden used. Most of it was done with her telekinesis, admittedly, but the Thestrals knew the stone dragon was doing her best so they didn't complain if she missed one or two dirty hay beds or didn't immediately notice a pile of poop.
After the Thestrals were dealt with, Lara decided it was best to continue their hunt for the groundskeeper. Greenhouses next. Be careful not to be spotted.
Athenaïs rolled her eyes at that comment. The young Gargouille flew to the greenhouses, but made sure she stuck close to the undergrowth in case she needed to hide from Professor Griffith or any other students. She spent a great deal of time searching each greenhouse; good news, there was not one Dugbog in sight. The bad news, no Mr. Ogden.
This is ridiculous, Eve commented in disbelief. Where is he?!
Athenaïs had been sorely tempted to go to Hogsmeade and try and find the man there. There were two things that stopped her: the fact that Harry would not be happy if she left the grounds without Harry's permission, and the fact that Atty had a sneaky feeling that she was missing something.
In fact, this funny feeling she was having was telling her to go straight back to Mr. Ogden's house. The Gargouille thus retraced her steps back to where she started. She flew up to look into the dark wooden house. He was not in the kitchen, or sitting at his table, reading, but Athenaïs did see a human-shaped lump in the bed, not moving.
With a mystical cry of greeting, Athenaïs knocked on the window.
Nothing. The lump did not move.
Becoming a bit more panicked, the Familiar of the Mistress of Death used her telekinetic powers to open the window and flew into the house, sprinting over to the bed. Athenaïs, as gently as she could manage, pulled the sheets back to see Mr. Ogden, pale, asleep and barely moving.
Oh no. It was never good when humans didn't move, especially when their blankets were removed. Harry and her friends always complained the moment their duvets were taken away; Mr. Ogden did nothing.
Athenaïs began chirping and howling quite loudly in an effort to try and rouse the man; she could still hear a heartbeat, but it sounded … tired. The Gargouille continued to make as much noise as she could before she contemplated trying to go to the humans for help. Most of the humans barely even paid Mr. Ogden attention – Athenaïs quietly doubted whether they would care or not.
"Mmm …"
She stopped for a moment.
"Mmmmm …" Mr. Ogden began stirring a little, a grimace on his face as he did so. "What … that noise …?"
The groundskeeper's eyes fluttered open slowly, his breathing sounding extremely uneven. Athenaïs did not like the sound of it at all. Once he got his bearings, though, Mr. Ogden blinked at her in surprise.
"Athe…naïs?" he stated breathlessly. "What … what are you doing here?"
The Gargouille knew her friend would not be able to understand her howling so she looked around for something to write with and write on. She eventually found some parchment and a quill, and started writing as Mr. Ogden slowly sat up in bed.
YOU SLEEP LATE
ALREADY AFTERNOON
THESTRALS NOT MUCKED OUT
I DID IT
NO DUGBOGS
Mr. Ogden's eyes widened with each sentence she wrote and showed him. Not only because he did not expect a stone dragon to be able to write in English, but also because he realised that he had apparently been sleeping for most of the day.
"Good Merlin," the groundskeeper whispered sadly. "I overslept … Headmaster Dippet will not forgive me for this. People already think I am getting on a bit in years." This made the man laugh sadly. "I suppose they are right … I am in my nineties and I have no children … I wonder if they will bury me with my Maggie …"
Athenaïs had no idea how to handle this babble, but she did know that when Harry started babbling incoherently, it was either due to stress or it was because hunger was making Harry do some weird things. So, the stone dragon set to work making a cup of tea for her friend and tried to make him some pancakes.
Atty had watched Harry do it; she should be able to replicate her Mistress's technique. The Familiar of the Mistress of Death ignored Mr. Ogden's disbelieving glances as he watched her from his sedentary position in bed. She was rather pleased when Mr. Ogden gaped at the three pretty decently looking pancakes with syrup that Athenaïs made for him.
"I am not even going to ask how you did this," the man scoffed quietly, shaking his head. "Thank you, Athenaïs. For everything."
"Kkkyyyyuoo!"
Mr. Ogden chuckled as he began to carefully tuck into his food. All the while, the stone dragon watched him like a hawk. The only time Athenaïs felt comfortable she could leave him alone, was when the man decided to go and wash, and prepare to do the rest of his duties for the day.
But even as she left for the castle, Athenaïs had a bad feeling in her stomach.
###########################################################################
With most of the week being taken up by homework, coursework, Quidditch practise, dissertations, the Revision Club, training and further research into the two automaton grimoires – whose names were Cymede and Jason, according to Altair's translation – the days were soon flying by. Quicker than anyone had expected, it was soon Friday. During her lessons, Harry had covered as many topics as she could manage and also did some more practise exams with her students, since that was widely requested. Since Grindelwald now knew the truth, the Mistress of Death also spent a great deal of time Friday evening after dinner training with Athenaïs, as well as testing her friends' and lovers' skills in Old Magic telekinesis.
"Hey, Harry, do you mind if we forgo morning training tomorrow and leave it for Sunday?" Felix asked after Abraxas' third and final test of his budding telekinetic skills. "The team wants to do morning practise tomorrow to prepare for Wednesday-"
"That means we have more time to get the supplies we need from Hogsmeade and Kelpie's Hollow, Harry!" Orion sang happily.
The Lady Regnant laughed. "Indeed, it does," she agreed, eyes dancing with mischief. "I say have fun with practise."
Malum and Felix sighed with relief; clearly they had expected her to answer in the negative, which confused Harry a little. Ophelia did not look too happy that Malum was missing on coming with them in the morning, though, which made Harry bite her lip to stop herself from laughing.
"I hope the weather at least stays clear for Wednesday," Walburga commented with a sigh. "Snow and rain one after the other really isn't that fun."
"Yes, the only thing that made it bearable was Harry and Orion's commentary," Ygraine concurred with a grin.
"I think we should pre-emptively call a Mind Healer to Hogwarts, because I think Dumbledore might need one after the match," Caius grinned.
"Oh don't be so dramatic. The aim is to have him retire to his chambers for the rest of the day, not the rest of his life," Harry could not help but smirk. Orion as well.
"Well, I think I should warn you – both of you – that if you are just as entertaining on Wednesday, you may find that the stands will be a little fuller for the finals than normal," Abraxas informed. The Malfoy heir's eyes were sparkling with amusement. "Loreley and I got a letter from Mother last night and apparently there is a coalition of parents deciding to attend the finals if you both give another sterling performance!"
Orion turned pale at hearing this while his friends turned rather excited. "What?! My mother and father included?"
"Oh I hear they were the strongest advocates," Abraxas actually grinned at this point.
Hypnos, Melinoë and I are definitely attending, Harry heard Thanatos inform happily through their Link.
"I can already say that my family will likely attend too," Harry sighed, shaking her head fondly.
"Well, good. Because no one in their right mind would miss an opportunity to see Dumbledore blue in the face," Felix informed gleefully. "It would not surprise me if the Minister decided to pop in that day."
"Oh ha-ha-ha-ha," Harry laughed, tone dipped into several layers of sarcasm.
"I doubt that is a joke," Ophelia replied, looking amused.
"I can definitely see the Shelbys and Mr. Horner attend at least," Altair chuckled.
"Yeah, well, I think they all have enough to worry about; like a war!" Harry pointed out. "If it were me, attending a school Quidditch game would be the least of my concerns when a) my children are not involved and b) I am swamped with matters that need immediate attention."
"Yes, but that is because you're a little neurotic when it comes to work," Druella pointed out. "Or training for that matter. You have been putting yourself and us through the ringer again – we aren't going to battle any time soon, you know."
A pang of guilt hit the Traveller at this; the others looked at Druella in disbelief. The entire week she had contemplated telling someone the truth behind her behaviour, but each look from Loreley that Harry caught from the Seeress told her enough. It simply was not the time to tell the truth. But Harry still wanted to be prepared for every eventuality – the others had no idea this was her motivation.
The Mistress of Death pursed her lips and without so much as looking at anyone, got up from her spot on the floor and headed straight for her dorms.
"What – wait, Harry! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that!" Druella called.
"Wow, not even Orion is that tactless," Caius commented.
"Shut up, Dolohov!" Orion protested.
Harry didn't hear the rest of the voices as she strode towards the dorm and quickly gathered her sketch book and violin. Athenaïs, Sigyn and Seraphina watched her in concerned silence but didn't say or do anything. It was while the Mistress of Death was retuning Evren's violin that the door to the dorm opened.
"Harry, what is going on?" Ophelia demanded as she closed the dorm door behind her. "You're jumpy again – is it your battle lust returning?"
The Traveller scoffed quietly under her breath. "No … that would make this situation easy to explain."
"Well, try me," Ophelia stated, coming to sit next to her friend on the bed. "Because we know something is wrong and that you're refusing once again to confide in someone."
"Because I literally can't," Harry countered simply. "I am sworn to secrecy."
"By whom? The goblins?" Ophelia took an educated guess.
Harry smiled smally. "In a manner of speaking."
"Well, you need to start at least talking about how you are feeling, because you're keeping all those emotions pent up inside again!"
"Because it's better this way!" Harry shot back. "Because no one else should be saddled with my problems, especially when I can't give them the information they deserve and need to know to understand why I feel the way I do."
The Rowle heiress looked like she wanted to press the matter but decided against it. She regarded her friend closely. "How many secrets are you actually keeping?" was the next question Ophelia found herself asking quietly.
There was a moment of silence. Harry felt her verdant eyes prick with tears; tears she tried desperately to blink away. "Too many to count," she whispered. "Too many that are dangerous to both you and me."
Ophelia, mercifully, did not say anything else. Harry soon found herself being pulled into a tight, reassuring hug, one that she happily returned. After around forty seconds, Ophelia released Harry and helped her get rid of the tears threatening to fall.
"Come on. Let's see if the boys are playing Dragon Land, and if they are, let's annoy them with 'soundtracks' for their moves and blunders," Ophelia suggested with a grin.
Harry smirked evilly. "Sounds like a plan!"
Fortunately, no one mentioned what had happened or tried to ask Harry if she was OK for the rest of the evening. Her friends indeed had decided to play Dragon Land and Harry and Ophelia took great delight in playing comically dramatic music at good strategic plays and comically melancholic tunes for when a mistake was made. Ygraine had even snuck Harry's Hansa Canon from her trunk and took several photos, much to the chagrin of the players.
The Mistress of Death hoped that at least during the night the Dream Gods would show her some mercy and not bombarde her with as many visions as they had done during the course of the week. Unfortunately, it seemed that she was back on Psychopomp Sorting duty once again, which shouldn't surprise her.
It was still four months until the end of the war and humans never really stop dying.
At least there weren't just humans in the mix this time, either. There were also dragons, Abraxans, familiars, griffins and hippogriffs in the mix. Those were actually rather fun to Sort, especially when Harry jokingly suggested to the Fates to send two of the dragons to the angels.
Harry at least found she work up at seven o'clock on Saturday morning, along with Walburga and Ygraine. Druella and Ophelia were still asleep, as were all three familiars in the room. While Harry settled for sketching and Ygraine decided to read, Walburga went to take an early shower. The room was so silent that when Harry and Ygraine heard padding off feet walk by their door, they smirked.
"That must be Pucey, Bletchley, War and Grey heading to practise already," Ygraine commented quietly.
"Indeed. At least Malum and Felix are taking our promise seriously," Harry replied with a lopsided smirk as she began putting the finishing touches on her sleeping Sigyn sketch. "I sometimes do not get guys at all."
"Ditto," Ygraine sighed. "I am pretty sure they can say the same about us, but still. I would have thought Malum would make a public proposal sometime this week, but still nothing!"
Harry's grin grew slightly. "Does that mean you are going to be spending some time with Abraxas today?"
"Yes. Hopefully without our friends hanging around like bad smells," Ygraine huffed as she turned her page.
Harry chuckled lowly as she continued sketching Seraphina. "Don't worry. I think Artemis and Heron will want to spend some time alone too; most of our friends will likely come with Orion and me to collect supplies for Wednesday anyway. Plus, Tom, Altair and I have a bookshop to visit too and the game store will likely keep people occupied. You should be fine."
Ygraine grinned like a Cheshire cat. "What supplies are you and Orion going to buy?" she asked eagerly.
"Not saying! It's a surprise!" Harry replied as Walburga came back from her shower; Ophelia was beginning to stir.
"Your binoculars are part of it, though," Walburga informed with a grin as she began dressing.
"True," Harry felt safe to confirm.
"Oh good Morgana, that genuinely sounds terrifying!" Ygraine laughed heartily.
"Mmmmm… what's terrifying?" Ophelia asked sleepily.
"Harry and Orion with binoculars," Walburga chuckled as she ran her brush through her hair.
"Oh … yes, a living nightmare," the Rowle heiress stated groggily as she forced herself into a sedentary position, hair wild and eyes still looking extremely sleepy. Her friends tried not to laugh at her appearance.
"Lia, you take the shower next. You need it," Harry stated, trying to keep her countenance.
"Indeed," Ygraine concurred readily.
"Urgh. Do I have to? Can I not stay in bed for the whole day?" Ophelia complained as she heaved herself out of bed.
"We will have an Invigoration Draught ready for you and ply you with coffee at breakfast," Harry bribed easily.
"Ooooo yay," Ophelia looked marginally happier as she headed towards the bathroom. However it seemed that fatigue really had gotten to the Rowle heiress that day because she had forgotten her shampoos and towel, which Ygraine hurriedly brought over to her friend before she could lock the door.
"Oh dear," was all Walburga commented, eyes dancing with amusement.
Druella was relatively worse by comparison. The Rosier heiress only started to wake up just after Harry had showered, which was immediately after Ygraine had. Even then Druella looked and acted like a zombie and was snappier than usual; even the Invigoration Draught did not fully pep her up. It was fortunately obvious to the boys, when the girls met up with them to go to breakfast, that Druella was not to be messed with any time soon.
It was only after Ophelia and Druella had a cup of coffee each did Orion ask the question he wanted to pose. "I take it you girls had problems with sleeping again?"
Druella snorted almost into her coffee. "Understatement!"
"Not due to nightmares, though," Ophelia yawned as she poured herself another cuppa.
"What happened?" Billy wanted to know.
"The sixth year girls happened," Druella growled. "I have no idea how Harry, Ygraine and Wally slept through the noise that they were making, but Bletchley's dorm and Greengrass's dorm were at each other's throats again. Ophelia and I got woken up and we went to deal with them at two o'clock in the morning before they woke everyone else up too!"
"Two in the morning?" Tessa repeated in disbelief. "What were those Snakes doing up at two in the morning?"
"Bulstrode had snuck into Bletchley's dorm looking for an Anti-Nightmare Draught," Ophelia explained. "Issue was, she had snuck the wrong potion out of Pucey's trunk and had ended up with a Laughter Potion instead."
While the boys snickered away, the girls pinched the bridge of their noses.
"Oh dear," Minerva sighed.
"That's just impressively dumb," Artemis agreed, shaking her head.
"I told Bletchley's dorm to ward their stuff!" Harry grumbled. "Apparently listening is difficult!"
"We're just glad we cast a bunch of Silencing Charms on our door and War's door just in case," Druella stated darkly as she poured herself yet another cup of coffee. "Merlin, I already cannot wait to go back to bed!"
"I think the pair of you just need to take a good long nap on the way to Kelpie's Hollow," Walburga smiled fondly at her friends.
"That was already a given," Ophelia answered as she popped a piece of apple into her mouth.
"But first – some supplies!" Orion exclaimed happily. He quickly found himself with grapes stuffed in his mouth, courtesy of Druella, before he could say anything more. Though red with embarrassment, the Black Heir chomped on his grapes quite happily.
Straight after breakfast, the group set off for Hogsmeade, now and again pointing at the blobs in the sky in the distance that was the Slytherin Quidditch team. Harry walked arm in arm with Altair whilst quietly listening to the chatter around her. Once the group reached the village, they began splitting up.
Artemis and Heron were going to the Quidditch store and the bookshop, and Arcturus and Caius were going to Honeydukes – much to Harry's quiet delight. However she and Orion got started quite quickly on their supply hunt, so Harry did not pay too much attention about how big their group was as she and Orion headed straight to Scrivenshaft's.
Their friends were soon treated to a funny exchange between the pair.
"What are we looking for again, Harry?"
"Nothing too major – a colouring book and lots of colouring pencils. But make sure the colouring book looks like it is fit for one of the first years or younger!"
"Any particular pictures?"
"No, but I want to make sure the pictures are embarrassingly cute!"
Orion and Harry at this point had darted into the supply store; their friends decided to stay outside and watch the soul siblings dart into the art aisle and comparing brightly coloured, juvenile-looking colouring books.
"Why do I have a feeling those are not for Harry or Orion for leisure?" Altair commented with a lopsided grin as he watched his lover and her best friend – now having picked a couple of colouring books – were comparing colouring pencils.
"Oh Merlin, this is going to be pure mayhem, isn't it?" Ygraine added lightly.
Tom's eyes danced with mischief and fondness. "I think it is safe to say Harry and Orion may outdo themselves Wednesday."
"I may need to find a breathing aid in preparation," Minerva agreed readily.
Very soon, Harry and Orion came out of the store, grinning; Harry had a bag looped around her wrist. Orion clapped his hands. "Kelpie's Hollow next everyone!"
"What are we looking for there?" Abraxas questioned curiously.
"Blankets," Loreley commented dreamily.
"And thermos cups! Maybe one or two extras," Orion added happily.
"What are 'one or two extras'?" Tom asked curiously.
"One or two fun things we can use either for Wednesday, or for the finals," Harry answered with a grin. "Something we had not foreseen using, but simply cannot resist because it's just too good not to use."
"Just don't go too mad, sweetheart," Altair advised with a smirk. "We don't want you and Orion landing yourselves in a month's detention because Dumbledore could not take a particular joke."
"I am pretty certain Headmaster Dippet would simply let them off the hook!" Druella snorted.
The group managed to catch two carriages heading to Kelpie's Hollow. Harry cleverly made sure that Ophelia and Druella would be going into a carriage with Abraxas, Loreley and Ygraine because the two girls were very likely to fall asleep on the journey and Loreley could keep the pair busy once they woke up. It could give Ygraine an opportunity to get to know her suitor better.
As for Harry's carriage, Minerva directed the conversation primarily onto Harry's latest Gringotts assignment. "So how far have you gotten with those automaton snakes?" she asked curiously.
"Well, we have figured out that Cymede and Jason also functioned as supply gatherers and potion makers, alongside their function as grimoires," Harry replied with a grin. "Apparently, activating the runes in different sequences gets a different function every time. We haven't gotten our hands on any spells yet, but Altair is translating one or two potion recipes they divulged."
"Oh so that's what you were swearing at!" Orion laughed, Altair turning red.
"You of all people know that mistranslating something is annoying," Altair shot back.
Harry interlocked her left hand with his right and kissed the back of his hand. "I appreciate it."
"Anything for you, my love," Altair smiled warmly.
"What kind of potions were they?" Tom asked curiously. He had been containing his curiosity for an entire week and simply could not resist digging for some information.
"Well, from what I managed to translate, the first one was a kind of anti-venom for a magical snake species that was native to their surroundings, and the second was a kind of knock-out potion as well as a pain-killer, usually used for women in labour," Altair answered, shaking his head in disbelief.
"So when do the goblins expect their artefact back?" Minerva inquired curiously.
"I think soon, but Griphook was actually not really clear on that," Harry answered. "So I have decided to send the snakes back once we have one or two spells for the goblins to study."
"I am pretty sure the goblins could try and figure it out as well, my love, especially with your notes," Tom pointed out, eyes dancing with amusement.
"Yes, but I am a stubborn donkey, as you know."
Her friends laughed in agreement.
"Speaking of stubborn donkeys, have you noticed something off about Dumbledore of late?" Walburga asked, earning herself a shocked look from Minerva and splutters from Tom, Altair and Orion.
"Careful, Wally. That did not sound a ladylike comment," Harry teased.
"Indeed, but for good reason. He sounded like he was only half paying attention to his own lessons this week," Walburga pointed out. "Plus, he was giving you some strange looks. It was disconcerting to say the least."
"Perhaps he's just tired?" Orion suggested. "Or maybe he is just not feeling well?"
"Whatever it is, I am just glad it didn't cause him to take points unnecessarily," Altair commented. "I actually want to win the House Cup just one more time before we all leave."
Minerva huffed. "Please! You Snakes have won for the past six years, mostly on the back of Mr. Riddle here, but still."
"Yes, it really is a pity your House is full of such dunderheads, Minerva," Tom grinned.
Minerva scowled at him for that comment. "We are not full of dunderheads! We are full of mischief-makers who are not as subtle as you Slytherins and blabbermouths without some kind of off-button."
"Same thing," Altair quipped.
The Cat Animagus' eyes began blazing with a confident spirit. "I am hope you Slytherins win your rematch, so I can witness your defeat to the Lions and treasure it!"
"Never going to happen!" the Nott Heir answered with confidence.
"Never?" Minerva repeated with a smirk. "You want to bet on that, future Consort of House Peverell and House Gaunt?"
Altair's hazel eyes began glazing. "You're on, McGonagall! How about ten Galleons and the loser has to … hmm …" Altair frowned thoughtfully but lit up about five seconds later, an evil smirk on his countenance, "the loser has to throw a pie into Dumbledore's face!"
Harry and Orion broke within seconds; Walburga and Tom looked amused but also very exasperated. Minerva looked dismayed for a moment but she quickly recovered, looking determined.
"You're on, Nott!"
"Minnie!" Harry looked scandalised. "Merciful Hades, we have corrupted Minerva McGonagall!" She then had an idea too and was soon smirking. "The loser also has to make a photo of the pied Dumbledore and send it to the papers for a laugh."
Altair and Minerva blanched; Orion broke again, and Walburga and Tom didn't even try to keep their countenances.
"Oh boy," was all Tom could comment when he had recovered.
It was perhaps fortuitous indeed that the carriages soon arrived at Kelpie's Hollow. The carriage even managed to get a parking spot in the middle of town. Orion hopped out first to help Walburga and Minerva out of the carriage. Tom followed Minerva and assisted Harry and Altair, much to the latter's quiet delight. Druella, Ophelia and Loreley joined the group quickly; Druella and Ophelia looked a whole lot more peppy after their nap. Ygraine and Abraxas followed at a more leisurely pace, talking with each other.
"OK, planning, everyone!" Druella stated. "Where is everyone going to go?"
"Harry and I are going supply hunting," Orion stated.
"We're joining them for a bit," Tom added, gesturing between himself and Altair.
"I am going to the bookshop," Minerva put in.
"I will join you," Loreley stated serenely.
"I think I am going to explore the market stalls again," Ophelia replied.
"Ditto," Walburga added.
"I think I will get a cup of tea before I do any walking," Ygraine responded.
"I am rather parched too," Abraxas agreed.
"OK, I guess I am joining Lia and Wally," Druella grinned. "At what time should we meet back here?"
"How about a little before twelve to decide what everyone wants to do for lunch?" Harry suggested.
There was a collective nod in agreement. The group split up once more. Orion had already spied a shop that sold blankets, carpets and curtains and had immediately pulled his group in that direction, much to the amusement of the residents who witnessed his antics. The shop was extremely rustic – one was lucky to fit around seven people in the store without the possibility of knocking something over. Not that it deterred Orion or Harry in the slightest. Very soon the pair were going from aisle to aisle, examining blankets, with Tom and Altair watching in amusement.
"What about this one?"
"Orion, that looks too awesome! You can buy it for yourself but not for Dumbledore."
"Yes, you have a point – I think I will buy it though. The Celtic stag is too majestic." There was an audible gasp. "Harry! Look at the state of this one! Not even my dead Great-Great Grandmother would want this near her crypt!"
"Holy Hekate, it hurts my eyes! Who in the name of everything holy thought dying it that shade of pink was an OK idea. Buy it!"
"Yay. Ooooo Harry! Would you like this one? It's got these dapper ravens and this spooky majestic tree pattern-"
"I love it! Let's do it."
"This is going to be epic," Altair commented to Tom gleefully as they watched the two schemers head towards the amused shop owner to pay.
"Indeed, my love," Tom agreed with a smirk. "I don't think Dumbledore will ever see this coming!"
Their lover and her soul brother rejoined them at this point, sunny smiles on their faces. "Thermos bottles next," Orion stated.
"I think I saw a few being sold at the market," Altair informed brightly. "Shall we go and have a look there first?"
"It's a good a place to start as any," Harry answered as the group left the shop.
As it turned out, Altair had been entirely correct. One of the potioneers with a market stall also sold Muggle bottles, including the thermos. Much to the delight of Orion and Harry, the wizard also sold the thermos in different colours; some even had adorable patterns on them. Harry bought two elegant, Slytherin-colours thermoses for her and Orion, while the latter bought a thermos with childish looking griffins on it.
This had Tom pinching the bridge of nose and Altair chuckling.
"All right, you two, that's enough chaos shopping for a bit," Tom stated as they left the market in the direction for the bookshop. "We have someone to visit before we go to the game store and get distracted."
"Young Clare. I wonder if she remembers us," Altair grinned.
"I think she very likely does, especially since we made her a promise to visit again," Harry replied, eyes shining. "Kids take promises very seriously, I've heard."
"Well, you will know soon enough," Orion pointed out as the group set foot into the bookstore. The Black Heir's mouth soon dropped as he looked around him. "It even has an upper floor – all of these books look really old and really rare-"
The Black Heir's commentary was very soon broken by the sound of padding feet and excited squealing, "Màthair, Màthair, the boy with the funny eyes is back with his friends! I knew they would be. Dh'innis mi dhut mar sin!"
Orion watched as a young girl came running in from the back of the shop, smiling brightly, and hugging the legs of Tom and Harry as though she were greeting cousins that she had not seen in a long time. The girl – Clare, Orion suspected – then turned happily to Altair and did the same with him, the Nott heir chuckling away as the bookshop owner came hurrying out. Minerva, Druella and Loreley were watching with amusement from the first floor, with the Seeress eyeing Clare closely.
"Oh, Clare! What did I say about showing self-restraint?" the woman scolded lightly, her Scottish lilt quite pronounced due to irritation.
Young Clare pouted as her three older friends chuckled.
"It is quite all right, ma'am," Harry reassured brightly.
"No harm done," Altair added with a grin.
Clare beamed at them, more so at Tom. "Are you still friends or have you become something else? You have rings around your fingers. And you, mister, you saw a Heal-ler," Clare stated, carefully enunciating her English.
Orion frowned in confusion at this as the triad next to him exchanged a look and Clare's mother pinched the bridge of her nose. "Healer? What Healer? Tom, were you ill?"
"Tha, he was, mister," Clare responded candidly. "I told him he needed to see a Heal-ler and dh'èisd e rium." She turned back to Tom. "I am glad you are doing better, mister. Though you and your friends, tha thu a' coimhead gleansach."
"Errr, what?" Altair blanched, Harry and Tom also looking nonplussed.
Minerva, who was chuckling called down, translated. "She said 'you look shiny'."
Loreley smiled knowingly at this.
"Shiny?" Orion repeated incredulously.
Harry, Altair, and Tom exchanged a quick, knowing look between them. Fortunately Clare soon turned to another important matter at hand. "Excuse me, I have to go and finish another picture for Athair. Màthair is sending another letter soon and I want to send the picture in the same envelope."
"Of course," Tom smiled kindly. "We won't keep you."
Clare smiled brightly at them, giving them a hug each – Orion included – before skipping back towards the back of the shop. Her mother sighed in exasperation. "I do apologise," she stated with a sharp exhale.
"Not at all, ma'am," Harry answered kindly. "Clare can't help what she Sees."
"As I said last time, we have a friend with a similar situation," Tom added. Altair not so subtly pointed in Loreley's direction. The woman looked up at the Malfoy heiress with wide eyes; the Seeress smiled kindly I return.
The bookshop owner seemed to consider something internally for a moment before she plucked up her courage. "Young miss, would you be willing to give a tired mother some advice on how to handle her daughter's … extra gifts?"
Loreley beamed. "Of course, ma'am," she answered serenely. "I will be down in a moment."
Altair looked to Harry and Orion at this point. "Do you guys need any books for what you are planning?"
"Other than perhaps a book on how to stop rapid aging due to stress, no," Harry answered with a small smirk.
"Then I think we need to get to the game shop before Altair faints due to boredom," Tom quipped.
Altair pouted. "I have never fainted due to boredom!"
"You tried," Tom pointed out easily. "Several times over the years."
"Yes, because I wanted something to do – in Binns' lesson!" Altair huffed.
"Yeah, I think it is best we leave now before we continue making too much of a scene," Harry decided.
The bookshop owner chuckled. "You have my congratulations on your courtship, by the way."
"Thank you, ma'am. We will see you soon," Tom replied as the group turned and headed out of the bookshop, Altair leading the way to the game store.
It was in this shop that Tom was perhaps the only one who wasn't acting like a kid in the candy store. He was still not as care-free or child-like as either Altair or Orion, and didn't really have the confidence to delve into that side of him, like Harry had. Altair bought another expansion pack for Dragon Land as well as several other games: Nemeton, Usurper, Monster Trainer, and Occult Mysteries. Harry and Orion even found several card games – all centred around divination and funny effects – that they wanted to try and include into one of their routines. Tom simply turned his brain off until the three of them had paid for their games and then met up with their friends at the meet up spot to go for lunch.
It was almost unanimously decided that lunch should be fish and chips.
###########################################################################
The last person either Philip or Emma expected to show up at the Janus Thickney Ward that Saturday was Albus Dumbledore. As far as they knew, the dotty but genius man had no connections to any of their patients – or he would have likely visited them before – but for one reason or the other, Healer Wilkins had permitted the Deputy Head of Hogwarts to visit Bradley and Ambrose for some undisclosed reason.
Neither Philip nor Emma was too happy about that, but they didn't dare to question Healer Wilkins on his decision. They both didn't fancy staking their jobs on their mistrust of the man in question. Philip and Emma both had bad experiences with Dumbledore; Philip had been a Slytherin and Emma had been a Hufflepuff who had hung with a Slytherin crowd at Hogwarts. They really did not like the man in question, no matter how many papers he wrote or academic accolades he won over the years.
However, both had to swallow their pride and allow the man who had been responsible for some of their grief at school to simply walk into their ward and go over to Ambrose and Bradley – dressed in ridiculous robes with mismatching colours and patterns, with that damn twinkle in his eye – smiling serenely.
The other Healers were not too happy either.
"This is highly irregular," Alison Hightower, who had just managed to subdue Patricia again, commented quietly.
"Understatement," Carstairs replied in a hiss as he cleaned away the lunch trays of some of the other patients.
"I wonder what the man could want with our Hit Wizards," Philip mused out loud, unblinking gaze on the man sitting in the chair beside Bradley's bed.
Neither Ambrose nor Bradley looked too happy to see Dumbledore.
"Whatever it is, I am betting it is some kind of mischief," Hightower responded with a sniff. "That man cannot stop plotting or scheming or planning for a single moment."
"Indeed," Carstairs concurred easily with a dark frown on his face. "The man could become Headmaster, Supreme Mugwump and then Minister, and still not be happy."
"Merlin help the children if that man ever becomes Headmaster," Philip scoffed under his breath. "One can only hope Dippet comes to his senses and changes his mind regarding that decision."
"That will never happen," Hightower snorted. "Unless of course a miracle happens."
Emma, who had been watching the man with her patients with an unblinking gaze, had a frown etched upon her countenance that grew ever darker, especially when she saw Ambrose and Bradley become clearly agitated. "If he upsets them further, I am stepping in. Wilkins can stuff it. They need rest!"
"I will back you up," Carstairs immediately promised.
"Ditto," Philip agreed readily.
However, Healer intervention was not needed on this occasion, because Dumbledore managed to take a hint from the irritated and hostile Hit Wizards – whatever it was, they were not going to tell him what he wanted to know. The Head of Gryffindor House seemed to understand this, and eventually got up from his seat with a thoughtful expression. The man did not so much as acknowledge the Healers as he left.
As soon as the interloper had gone, Emma went to settle Ambrose and Bradley.
"The cheek of the man!" Ambrose was still fuming.
"The shadows did right by us to warn us in advance," Bradley agreed through gritted teeth. "I should have thrown my pillow at him."
"What happened?" Emma inquired gently.
"Dumbledore was being Dumbledore!" Bradley exploded. "Only giving a shit when it suits him. Apparently, Meg, Ghost and Goliath have not gotten in touch with Wisp of late and Wisp asked his old pal Dumbledore to help. Someone blabbed to him that Meg, Ghost and Goliath came to see us and that they know about the shadows. The man actually had the gumption to ask if the shadows told us where those three are!"
"And did they?" Emma wanted to know, tense with anticipation.
"Of course," Ambrose answered easily with a small smirk. "But we have never liked Dumbledore, so we saw no reason to give the old codger what he wants!"
"He fancies himself a key element of the Resistance while he is safe up in his little castle in Scotland," Bradley scoffed. "The man has not been truly part of the Resistance since he put together that ruggedly put-together team of wizards and one Muggle of his!"
"Did the shadows tell you anything else?" the intern Healer pressed further.
"Only this," Bradley sighed, "the tests will begin again soon."
"Tests?" Emma repeated in a whisper.
"Grindelwald," Ambrose clarified darkly. "He is going to test his little favourite, only this time regarding her powers."
Emma's eyes bugged out at hearing this. Bradley chuckled mirthlessly. "Little do either of them know … there will be a final reckoning between them … soon enough …"
Both men succumbed to their exhaustion before Emma could press them further. But it was say to safe that the intern Healer had heard more than enough for one day, considering how hard her heart was thumping.
###########################################################################
Wednesday arrived sooner than anyone expected. Over the course of the rest of the weekend, Monday and Tuesday, there had been a fight or two between the Slytherin and Hufflepuff teams about whose turn it was to use the Quidditch pitch, but that was to be expected, given what was at stake. Harry and Orion rehearsed the segments they could script, as secretly as they could manage; it also helped that the automatons and training also took up a lot of their time. Altair had been close to translating the first spell the snakes decided to cough up! The Revision Club too helped again with speeding days up.
The morning of the Slytherin versus Hufflepuff rematch, it was rather ominously overcast. The students got up more than on time for breakfast, chatting away excitedly and dressing in the colours of the teams they were going to be supporting. Billy was showing off his banner for Hufflepuff – he would be supporting the Badgers while his siblings were supporting Slytherin – and everyone either admired or laughed at Loreley's awesome snake headdress. The Quidditch teams were already in their uniforms at breakfast, nervous and excited. Harry and Orion had their bags with them and were firmly guarding them from anyone who tried to sneak a peek into them, especially when it came to curious Lions and Snakes. Notably, Dumbledore was drinking a lot of coffee, already seeming to be mentally preparing himself for what was to come while his colleagues were watching him in amusement.
"I have never been so excited for a Slytherin versus Hufflepuff game in my life!" Ignatius commented excitedly.
"This should-"
"-be comedy-"
"-gold!" the Weasley twins agreed.
Loreley, who was wearing a snake headdress that was very similar to the headdresses of her descendant Luna, smiled serenely but her eyes were rather sad. "This game should prove fateful, indeed."
"Oh, Merlin," Felix muttered.
"I don't like the sound of that," Malum paled quite dangerously.
Loreley continued to smile serenely, not a care in the world. Harry snorted at her friend; Lorri really could be mean when she wanted to be!
"I really hope it snows again," Orion commented happily as he finished his coffee.
"Yeah, no. I don't fancy freezing my butt off again," Caius grumbled.
"You can cast a Warming Charm on your clothes," Harry reminded him with a small smirk. "It's rain you should be concerned about."
Caius pulled another face.
After breakfast, the group of Slytherins, Gryffindors and Ravenclaw headed for the pitch along with the whole school and the teachers. The wind had picked up slightly, causing everyone to put Warming Charms on their clothes. Harry and Orion splintered off after the teachers at the Quidditch pitch, excitedly climbing the stairs with Orion keeping an eye on the sky, vibrating with anticipation. When they got to the commentators' box, they conjured pillows and put Warming Charms on them and put their bags under their desk, exchanging excited grins.
Dumbledore noticed the bags and their expressions, and promptly became concerned. "Black, Evans, what are those?"
"Bags, sir!" came the easy chorus.
The Deputy Head of Hogwarts frowned. "Yes, I can see that. Containing what, exactly?"
"Fun stuff!" came the answer that made the Transfigurations professor feel ever so slightly uneasy, while his colleagues began exchanging amused looks with each other.
Unfortunately for Dumbledore, it was soon time for the game to begin, which meant the microphones were switched on and Harry and Orion exchanged bright grins.
Harry started the pair off. "Welcome to the first Quidditch game after the Yule holidays! I hope all of you are well rested and have left your pet Dementors at home because as always, they will be evicted from the grounds. I am of course Harry Evans-"
"-and I am Orion Black-" Orion added easily.
"And we are here to entertain!" the pair chorused as the crowds roared in excitement.
They heard Dumbledore's quiet dulcet tones grumbling incoherently behind them, but the man was refraining from scolding them, so that was already a win for them in their books!
"We have quite a show for you today – the venom and cunning of the Snake will once again be pitted against the claws of the Badger!" Harry continued as the teams flew out onto the pitch. "And here come the cast of characters now! For the Badgers, we have of course Edward Diggory, Captain and Seeker, with Lydia Bones, Patrick Abbott and Henry Macmillan as Chasers, Alastor Moody and Julian Bones as Beaters, and finally, Mary Ellis as the Keeper!"
The Hufflepuffs roared their approval. Orion didn't miss a beat. "Fighting for the honour of House Slytherin, we have Malum Avery, Chaser and Captain, the fireball we know as War, who is the Keeper, Chasers Bletchley and Norris, Beaters Mulciber and Pucey and of course Victory Grey, the new Seeker! Everybody give her a round of applause!"
The Slytherin side of the pitch cheered, Loreley's Slytherin headdress's hissing echoing around the pitch too.
"Hopefully Grey is going to be able to spy the Snitch before the commentator does!" Harry added brightly as a few chuckles arose from the stands. "It would help a lot with Malum's heart palpitations, and not waking my dorm mates and me up early in the morning with very bad singing!"
"Indeed, Harry. I think it is safe to say that no one is lamenting Lament's departure!" Orion stated brightly.
Groans as well as laughter erupted around the stands. Harry started chuckling madly. "Wow, that one was so bad, it's good. Impressive!"
"Thank you, my friend. Ah! Here comes Coach with the trunk!" Orion continued as the flying coach came onto the field with the tell-tale red trunk. "I think she is actually skipping the lecture this time. Everybody get ready because we're about to begin!"
Harry kept her unblinking gaze on the coach as the woman opened the box and released first the Bludgers and then the Golden Snitch. "Here come the Angry Twins and Mr. Fickle-"
"EVANS!"
Ah, the shouting had already begun before the Quaffle release.
"I think the nicknames suit them, sir – anyway, the Coveted One, also known as the Quaffle, has been released and we are off, folks! Well, Norris and Abbott were almost off their brooms because they both went for that thing at the exact same time – would have been funny to see them catapulted off – weeeeee is it a bird or a plane, no it's Norris and Abbott – sir, you really need to see someone about your breathing soon, this is concerning – Norris has the Quaffle, Norris to Avery, Avery to Bletchley – Bletchley dodges intercept from Bones One – then dodges Bludger from Bones Two – Quaffle to Norris – Norris pursued by Macmillan – Macmillan pursued by the Snitch-"
"-Mr. Fickle the Snitch is at it again," Orion sighed as Grey and Diggory joined the fray. "Bludgers fired by Moody and Pucey! Norris and Macmillan – both dodge – Bludgers into the Snakes – Snakes dodge – Moody, stay out of the crowd! – Harry, are you boiling tea by any chance because I hear a kettle whistle – oh it's Sir? Oh dear – Bludgers not very happy, they're going for Norris and Macmillan again! Quaffle to Avery – nice one Norris!"
"BLACK! UNBIASED COMMENTARY ONLY!"
Harry continued, happily ignoring Dumbledore. "Avery headed for the goal posts – takes aim – BUGGERING THESTRALS, ELLIS SAVES! PASSES STRAIGHT TO BONES ONE! But Avery in pursuit again – determination likely on his face – hopefully he is just as determined to get a move on with proposing courtship with Ophelia-"
"EVANS, WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT UNBIASED COMMENTARY?"
Unfortunately, Harry had her comeback at the ready.
"That it is absolutely boring, sir, and that Headmaster Dippet wanted something new to try because the commentary was stale so asked the Sorting Hat for advice and he promptly suggested me and Orion!" came the swift and candid response from the grinning Lady Regnant.
Dumbledore was spluttering in disbelief at this point while his colleagues and half the stadium were dying of laughter. Orion continued the commentary, trying to keep a straight face. "Avery intercepts the pass between Bones One and Abbott! Avery dodges Bludger from Moody – constant vigilance needed around that one – Avery to Bletchley – Mulciber scares off Macmillan with a Bludger like he does marriage prospects-"
"-except one," Harry could not help but add as more people started having to sit down because they were laughing too hard.
"BLACK, EVANS!"
The Lady Regnant ignored the irate Head of Gryffindor. "-War is currently glaring at the commentators – I am so in for it after the match – love you War – Pucey scares off Abbott with another Bludger – narrowly misses his face – almost hits Diggory – nice one Pucey – what, Sir, she has a good arm! – Avery to Norris – Norris to Bletchley – Moody batting the Snitch that is flying around his head – oh look there go Grey and Diggory – Bones Two aims for Grey – stunning feint, whoohooo go girl – Sir, please stop frothing at the mouth, I am very concerned – Mulciber and Pucey both aim for Diggory – ooo double dodge! Me like – Sir, don't look at me like that; a happy Harry is a good thing – there goes the Snitch again – Hello Mr. Snitch that is my microphone – WHY ARE YOU FLYING INTO MY MICROPHONE YOU WEIRD FLYING BALL?!"
It was at this point that Harry Evans had her head and hands down her brass microphone, trying to get the Snitch out of it, causing a cacophony of giggles and chuckles around the stadium. Orion continued. "OK, so I have no idea if we have to stop the game while the commentators fetch the Snitch-"
"GOT IT!" Harry's announcement came louder than she meant it to because her head was still in the weird gramophone that her voice came out of, hand curled around the Snitch triumphantly and throwing it as far as she could manage.
The Snitch immediately zipped to the other side of the pitch, with the Seekers in hot pursuit. Orion huffed. "Weird thing – Grey and Diggory in pursuit – Bletchley heading for the Hufflepuff side – Bletchley aims – BLETCHLEY SCORES! BLETCHLEY TRICKED ELLIS TO GUARD THE TOP HOOP – 10 POINTS TO SLYTHERIN!"
There was an almighty roar of delight from the green and silver side of the pitch; Harry laughed as she heard happy hissing coming from that side, clearly from Loreley's headdress.
Orion continued enthusiastically. "Bones One in possession of the Quaffle! Bones One to Abbott – Abbott to Macmillan – Macmillan dodges Bludgers from Mulciber and Pucey – Avery and Norris in pursuit – Bletchley narrowly dodging Bludgers from Moody and Bones Two like she dodges another exploding cauldron-"
"BLACK!"
"It's true, and you know it!" the pair chorused immediately.
Harry quickly resumed the commentating. "Grey and Diggory dodge the Bludgers – still looking for the Snitch – hint, it's babysitting War – Macmillan passes to Bones One – Bones One just manages to snatch the Coveted One away from Avery's clutches – unlucky Avery, hopefully someone doesn't snatch another Coveted One away from you if you get my meaning – sir, please keeping breathing, we need you alive-"
"-we can always turn him into Inferus-"
"BLACK!"
"-no, we will put his spirit into a totem, that's more fun-"
"EVANS!"
"Joking, sir!" the pair sang as they tried to ignore the sounds of people dying of laughter.
Orion picked up where they left off quickly. "Bones One heading straight for War – Bones One aims – WHOOHOO WAR BLOCKS! QUAFFLE NOW IN BLETCHLEY'S HANDS! Bletchley dodging more Bludgers from Moody and Bones Two – wow those two are more whacky than normal – constant vigilance everyone – Bletchley to Norris – Norris dodges a Bludger meant for Moody – Mulciber, please don't pull a Court – MERLIN, BLUDGER SENT AT ELLIS BY PUCEY – Ellis forced to dodge – Norris to Avery – Avery catches – Avery aims – AVERY SCORES JUST – 10 POINTS TO SLYTHERIN!"
Once more the green and silver side erupted happily.
"Quaffle in Macmillan's grasp – Macmillan to Abbott – Abbott to Bones One – Moody and Mulciber both hit the Bludgers – OH FOR THE LOVE OF TREACLE TARTS! One Bludger takes out Bones One and another takes out the pursuing Norris – no idea which one hit which player but I really hope that Ravenclaw's turn-coat disease in the Beaters has not spread!" Harry stated as Madam Abernathy and her Healers came out to fetch the fallen players and examine them. "We will call for the game to be paused until there is verdict on whether both players can continue. For goodness' sake."
"Yes, I don't think Avery and Diggory are very happy about this – I wonder if they'll cry into their pillows later. Malum is a bit of a weeper, for all of those who are interested. Well, there is silver lining to this unfortunate mishap," Orion announced as he took out their binoculars from the bags.
"Ah yes, I Spy," Harry grinned as she put her pair in front of her eyes. "Let's see, I spy with my creepy green Seeker eyes something beginning with 'a'."
"EVANS, BLACK! NO GAMES DURING A GAME!"
The pair naturally ignored him.
"Hmmm … is it 'apathy', because I have never seen someone look so bored as Mallory right now?" Orion asked, binoculars pointed at the Hufflepuff side of the field.
"No it isn't. Try again."
"Let's see … a … ooooo … it is 'an angry War'?"
"Correct! Your turn."
"Yay. I spy with my big blue eyes something beginning with … d."
"D? It is Dolohov?" Harry asked, binoculars turned to the Slytherin side of the field this time.
"Nope! Try again!"
"Hmmm … d … d … is it 'dreadful hair' because I don't know what is going on with Ignatius' hair, but it looks like someone decided to put their mop on his head," Harry stated bluntly, the teachers guffawing behind her – except for Dumbledore.
"Actually, I was going for 'dead Weasley twins' because I haven't seen them sit up any time in past few minutes, but I can definitely see what you mean and I accept that answer," Orion decided happily. "Your turn, Harry!"
"Do we still have time for one more? Oh why not! I spy with my beady little eyes something beginning with 's'."
"Oooo, 's'! Let's see … Loreley's Slytherin headdress?"
"No, too easy and obvious!"
"Hmmm … 's' … hmmm … nope! You've got me. I haven't a clue."
"The answer was 'sneaky shit' – OI, FLINT, I SAW YOU TAKE THAT BIT OF CANDY FROM ROOKWOOD'S BAG! YOU CALL YOURSELF A SLYTHERIN? Shame on you! For getting caught – anyway-"
"EVANS!"
"-it seems that both Bones One and Norris are back with both arms and legs still intact and no crack in their skulls, which means they can get back up on their brooms and we can resume the show!" Harry stated happily.
It was at this point that the sky opened up and a cascade of snow began descending down from the heavens. Harry pulled a face and groaned. "Merlin's sweaty socks, it looks like we have to deal with more sky dandruff – Orion, if you scream into the mike, I am going to hex you."
Orion flushed but recovered; they had rehearsed for this possibility. "Not to worry, Harry. We came prepared for changes in the weather!"
"Ah yes we did, give us a moment everyone," Harry said gleefully as Orion began unpacking their blankets and their thermos flasks with hot chocolate in them.
"WHAT THE – EVANS, BLACK – GET TO COMMENTATING RIGHT NOW!"
Harry and Orion, now wrapped in blankets – with people laughing at how content and happy they looked – then turned to him, eyes shining with mischief and mirth. It was Orion who spoke. "Not to worry, sir, we knew you would feel left out."
He promptly passed Dumbledore the ugly pink blanket and the childish thermos flash also filled with hot chocolate, the entire staff section of the tower dying of laughter – Chattox almost fell backwards off the bench with the effort. Dumbledore spluttered as he soon found himself being covered in pink and a very cute thermos in hands. The students too could barely breath; more than half were clutching their sides.
"Don't fret, sir, it is only hot chocolate," Harry, now sipping hot chocolate, stated brightly. "We wanted to fill it with Firewhiskey but we don't want you falling down any stairs."
"EVANS!"
"Now then! Orion, Sir and myself have our blankets and hot cocoa – don't worry everyone, next time we will make sure everyone gets some – players! You ready? Oh look there the Quaffle already goes into the awaiting hands of Macmillan – whooohoo look at that Badger go – Norris and Avery in pursuit – Bludger sent by Mulciber in pursuit as well – Mulciber forced to dodge a strike from the back by Moody – constant vigilance dear Felix – War doesn't like them misshapen – oh I am so dead – at least I have cocoa – Macmillan still has that Quaffle – Snitch trying to take possession of the Quaffle – Macmillan heads towards the goal – Macmillan aims – MACMILLAN SCORES! 10 POINTS TO HUFFLEPUFF! It seems War gave me one too many death glares – whoops."
The bronze and black side of the field erupted this time.
Harry happily continued. "Quaffle in Bletchley's possession – Diggory and Grey after the Snitch – Bones Two and Pucey take aim at them – both dodge – Bletchley passes to Norris – Norris dodges Abbott and Bones One – Norris passes to Avery – nice throw – Avery dodges Bludger from Moody – Avery to Bletchley – just in time too, that Bludger was too close – Bletchley heading towards Ellis – Macmillan in close pursuit – Snitch bullying Bones Two – yes, Grey, go get 'em – Sir, it's her first match, let me be supportive – yiiiiikkkess, Grey dodges a Bludger that was too close for comfort – I almost spilled cocoa on my new blankie – Bletchley tries to shake off Macmillan – actually makes a risky pass – ooooo well done, Norris! – Abbott almost had that – Norris aims – ELLIS BLOCKS! Quaffle now in Bones One's possession – Bones One practically circled by Chaser Snakes – HERE COME THE BLUDGERS – ooo parted like Moses did the Red Sea – Muggle, reference – sorry not sorry – sir, stop blowing bubbles into your cocoa – Bones One to Macmillan – Macmillan to Abbott – Snitch almost into Abbott's face – I think it's possessed – sir, can I test that thing after the match? – Abbott heading for War – BY THE GREAT DRAGON, BLUDGERS AHOY! Both Moody and Bones Two are trying to take War out! War skilfully dodges – will she be in time to block – no! ABBOTT SCORES! 10 POINTS TO HUFFLEPUFF!"
Once more the Badger side of the field was ecstatic.
Orion blew some air, and sipped his cocoa. "Now that was a Slytherin move if I ever saw one."
"Indeed," Harry concurred readily. "Quaffle now in Avery's possession – Grey heading for the Snitch – Bones Two tries to take her out – beautiful dodge – Orion, we should have brought more cocoa for sir, he's looking a little peaky – Diggory at least glares at Bones Two – oooo someone is in trouble with the Captain – Avery to Norris – Norris to Bletchley – Bletchley to Avery – Macmillan and Abbott cover Norris – why, no clue – Bones One after Avery – BLUDGERS AHOY, SENT BY MULCI AND PUCEY! … Yikes … DIRECT HIT ON BONES ONE! …. Yeah that is going to be at least a broken rib or two. We have another time-out due to a medical check-up!"
"Oh dear," Orion sipped his cocoa.
"Quite," Harry sipped hers too.
"Well, then. While we wait to see if Bones One can continue playing, I think that means we have to talk about our 'Best' and 'Worst' categories while we kill some time," the Black Heir stated happily.
"Ah, yes, our little competition," Harry grinned. "We didn't tell you all but Orion and I have secretly been noting your banners and headdresses and general attributes for our unofficial little competition."
Dumbledore blanched at hearing this.
Orion's eyes sparkled. "And the winners of the 'Best' category get sweets while the 'Worst'-"
"-get jack shit because we forgot to buy something horrendous," Harry added as the crowd chuckled away. "With that being said, the 'Best Headdress Award'."
"Gooooes to – Loreley Malfoy! No surprises there, because she is the only one!" Orion stated happily.
"'Best Banner Award' goes to … drum roll please … we need a better drum roll … Billy Prewett, because those badgers look too cool for their own good," Harry added.
"'Best Attempt to Fall onto the Pitch' goes to Octavius Weasley," Orion continued.
"And now for our 'Worst' categories!" Harry continued brightly. "The 'Worst Supporter Award' goes to Mallory, for having a sour face literally throughout."
Cue another cacophony of giggles.
"The 'Worst Spoilsport When It Comes to Weather Award' goes to Caius Dolohov," Orion continued as the laughter grew.
"And the 'Worst Timing Award' goes to Madam Abernathy, who has just come into ruin our fun," Harry added bluntly as the matron stepped onto the pitch and whispered something to Coach.
The Coach then announced, "Lydia Bones is unable to continue!"
"Definitely more than one broken rib – possibly a broken arm or wrist too," Harry guessed.
"Which means the game can resume, but the Badgers are now down to only having two Chasers," Orion continued dramatically. "Will the Badgers be able to clench victory now, or will the cunning of the Snakes be too much to handle?"
Dumbledore was losing the will to live. "BLACK, GET ON WITH IT!"
It was at this moment Harry decided to strike. "You know what, sir, if you wish to continue to be petulant and be a baby about our commentating style, I have brought just the thing for you."
She ducked comedically under the desk and started pulling the colouring book and pencils from her bag, causing everyone who witnessed her doing it, to clutch their sides; a few of the teachers were crying with laughter. Especially Professors McCullagh and Griffith, who looked like they died laughing at least ten times each. Dumbledore, for once, actually had to try and force himself to look annoyed as the colouring book and pencils were put into his lap and Harry turned back to the pitch, sipping her hot cocoa.
"OK, now that Sir has his entertainment, we can continue! The Quaffle is back in the air and Norris is viper fast on that one! Norris to Bletchley – Bletchley to Avery – Avery dodging a nasty Bludger from Bones Two – yeah, that one does not look happy – Avery to Norris – Norris back to Avery as Macmillan descends – Avery dodging another Bludger from Moody – Moody is moody – Hehehehe – sorry not sorry – hey, the colouring book is working – oh dear I spoke too soon – Oooo the Snitch is saying hello again – no Mr. Snitch this is my hot cocoa – No that is Orion's – here come Grey and Diggory – Snitch off again, bye Grey, bye Diggory-"
Orion took over from Harry at this point. "-Avery to Bletchley – Bletchley back to Avery because Abbott is on her back – Avery getting targeted by another Bludger – Pucey hits Bludger back at Bones Two – Bones Two back to Pucey – guys, this is not tennis-"
"BLACK!"
"Harry, we need another colouring book."
"Agreed."
"EVANS!"
Orion continued. "-Avery aims for the Badger Goals! … YES, IT'S IN BY A NARROW MARGIN! 10 POINTS TO SLYTHERIN!"
The Snake side once again went up into delighted cheering, punnets waving and banners shaking. The Snake headdress hissed happily.
Harry took over happily. "Macmillan has the Quaffle! Avery and Norris in pursuit – Bletchley covering Abbott – Moody trying to take care of Bletchley – another swift dodge – I think we should be giving ballet lessons at this point – ooooo Macmillan feints and almost sends Avery and Norris crashing into each other! Clever! Macmillan heading for the Snake Posts – Mulci aiming a Bludger, as is Pucey – two elegant dodges there – Bludgers heading for the Seekers – more nice dodges – can we rename this game to Flying Dodge Ball While Other Stuff Happens – no, doesn't flow? – oh well – Macmillan aims – WAR BLOCKS! Quaffle in the possession of Norris – Beaters are now trying to take each other out – not like that War, don't worry, Felix has eyes only for you – sir, are you OK? – we may need a Mind Healer – Norris passed to Bletchley – Bletchley to Avery – Avery to Bletchley – Bletchley to Norris – Snitch playing hide-and-seek with the Seekers by hiding behind War – whoohooo here comes Grey – Diggory in hot pursuit-"
"Now I think about it, those two would look cute together," Orion commented, sipping the last of his hot chocolate.
Harry continued the Snitch Report. "Grey and Diggory are now both red in the face – War laughing at their expense – Grey and Diggory after the Snitch – not even blinking – Snitch trying to shake them off – Grey hot on its tail – Diggory close behind – they are both gaining – Snake and Badger side by side – COME ON! SO CLOSE! Snitch tries zig-zagging – Grey zig-zags – Diggory as well – all three spiral upwards – they do look like they're dancing – Grey reaching for the Snitch – GREY, LOOK OUT! BUGGER, BLUDGER CONTACT WITH GREY'S ARM! GREY NOW USING HER LESS DOMINANT HAND! Diggory gaining – WHAT THE – OH MY GODS! – GREY CATCHES THE SNITCH, LOSES HER BALANCE AND GETS CAUGHT BY DIGGORY!"
"150 POINTS FOR SLYTHERIN!" Orion cheered madly. "SLYTHERIN WINS!"
The whistle was blown by the Coach and the triumphant screaming from the Snakes ensued, Harry and Orion embracing gleefully. They packed up their stuff – looking absolutely shocked that Dumbledore wanted to keep his ugly and patronising goodies – and then went to join their friends for the celebration.
Said friends and loved ones were already waiting for them outside the tower of the teachers and the commentators, looking red faced from the cold and laughing. The group cheered the pair like they were heralding the return of heroes. Tom and Altair both embraced Harry closely and kissed the side of her head, while Walburga also hugged Orion more warmly than normal.
"You guys out did yourselves!" Druella gushed as Tom, Altair and Walburga let their partners breathe. "I know I said to step up your game, but boy did I not see any of that coming!"
"That was just plain epic!" Artemis contributed. "I think War may have words with you, though, Harry! By the Great Dragon, guys."
"I don't see how you can do better than that!" Ophelia added, eyes sparkling. She mocked scowled at Harry. "I hope you keep me out of it next time."
"If Malum hurries up and proposes courtship to you before the final," Harry teased as they began to set off back to the castle.
"Well, I for one cannot wait to see what you cook up next," Arcturus grinned.
"That hot chocolate-plus-blanket thing was already gold, but you just had to go that extra mile with the colouring book!" Caius laughed. "Merlin, I dread to think what you're going to do next time."
Harry and Orion exchanged a grin but didn't say anything else.
"Oh boy," Tom laughed. "I think we should fear for Dumbledore's heart."
"He'll survive," Altair grinned. "You know what I am thinking? A small party in Slytherin tonight, to celebrate reaching the final."
The group lit up; even Abraxas didn't think the idea was too bad. Ygraine smirked. "Shall we go and see if the elves will provide snacks?"
The group nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
###########################################################################
Athenaïs was not as happy as the humans were later that evening. The young Gargouille was forgoing the Slytherin party for winning their rematch of the ball-and-brooms game that the children seemed to love so much. Instead, the Familiar of the Mistress of Death was once again heading towards the little house of Mr. Ogden. That nasty funny feeling was back, and Athenaïs wanted to make sure the man was OK.
The young dragon made sure to keep to the shadows and the statues all the way down to the groundkeeper's house, just in case Dumbledore discovered her and tried to take her to see the Headmaster. She did fly some of the journey to make it go a bit quicker; Atty was in a bit of a hurry, after all.
When she got to the house, she found that all the lights were on, at least. They had been in the evening for the past few days, which was a good thing. But Athenaïs just couldn't shake the feeling that something was badly wrong. Once at the front door, she gently scratched at the wood. There was a shuffling inside and quite quickly, the door opened. Mr. Ogden was wearing an apron, frowning in confusion.
Once he saw Athenaïs, the groundskeeper smiled warmly. "Oh hello! I wasn't expecting to see you this evening, Atty, considering that your Witch's House just got into the finals. Come in!"
Atty chirped mystically and happily padded into the warm, rustic home. She loved Mr. Ogden's home, despite the fact it was no castle or cathedral. It reminded her of the Evren Estates – warm and welcoming. The young Gargouille saw that the man had just made his dinner – lasagne. It looked weird, but Athenaïs could smell meat in it, so it must be quite good. The man took off his apron and then set down for dinner, beaming down at her.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, my friend?" he asked curiously.
Atty went to find some parchment and ink and immediately began writing.
WORRIED.
This made Mr. Ogden frown. "Worried? You were worried?" he repeated. It seemed to click quite quickly about whom she was worried about. "About me?"
Atty nodded.
The groundskeeper smiled kindly. "There's nothing to worry about. I am just a little tired."
Athenaïs did not look convinced.
She watched the man eat his dinner and read his book in silence, now and again watching him. The man was still pale and peaky, like he had not been eating all that much. Mr. Ogden also didn't have as much energy as he did before the Yule holidays, that was very obvious. Now and again, he seemed to wince in pain, clutching a little at his chest.
This made Athenaïs frown with concern. Maybe Mr. Ogden was ill and he didn't know it?
"Tomorrow is going to be even more of a busy day than today," he told her with a tone of melancholy just as he finished his dinner. "I have to check the Thestrals, because one of them is with foal. They have to be checked regularly in the early months. Then, I have to collect some more supplies – flesh eating slug repellent too. Unfortunately they do not keep Dugbogs away."
Athenaïs nodded curtly. She had already decided on helping with the Dugbogs.
The groundskeeper started already on washing up his plate and cutlery, humming under his breath. All the while, Atty lay on the floor, watching like a hawk. When he was done, Mr. Ogden sighed contentedly, groaned a little in pain and then straightened with a sharp exhale.
"It's time for me to prepare for bed, Atty. I think it's best that-"
The man suddenly began groaning a whole lot more in pain, once again clutching at his chest. Athenaïs was on her feet in an instant, howling mystically, an urgent undertone under it. Mr. Ogden looked like he wanted to say something but he wasn't getting enough breath out of him to form words.
The man's knees buckled and he descended towards the ground. Atty, quick as a flash, used her telekinesis to get the man's pillow from his bed and cushioned his head. Mr. Ogden continued to gasp for breath and clutching his chest.
What is happening? What do I do?! Athenaïs wailed in a panic.
It's what humans call a heart attack, Eve explained.
I need to help him!
the Gargouille stated in a fluster.
She especially began to panic when Mr. Ogden stopped gasping for breath; in fact, he had stopped breathing all together. Athenaïs' eyes widened in an instant and she put her ear to his chest. His heart beat was … gone. Maybe if she gently pushed the heart it would start again?
The young dragon promptly started to press gently on where she knew where the human heart was with her claws, hoping it would help.
Atty, stop! There is nothing you can do! Lara pleaded urgently.
I have to try! Athenaïs answered desperately. He's my friend!
It's his time!
Eve put in. Stop!
Little did Athenaïs know, Lara and Eve were not the only one who had sensed Mr. Ogden's time upon him. Harry had been talking with Orion, Loreley and Artemis at the party when a vision of the groundskeeper's death hit her like a ton of bricks. The Mistress of Death had bolted from the room, hoping upon hope that the man would not die alone. Orion, Loreley and Artemis had been hot on her heels, Tom, Altair and some of their friends in hot pursuit as well.
Athenaïs had only just stopped trying to administer CPR when Harry came bolting through the door, eyes wide when she saw Mr. Ogden on the floor.
"Atty! Oh my gods! What happened?" she asked urgently.
"Heart attack!" Athenaïs wailed. "I couldn't save him, Harry. I couldn't save him. I couldn't save my friend."
Orion and Artemis, both in shock, were already trying to find Mr. Ogden's pulse. It was at this point that both Atty and Harry froze when they saw a cloaked girl with pale blue eyes and brown hair, carrying a lantern – a Reaper – before them. The girl smiled sadly as her lantern started glowing.
The Mistress of Death and her Familiar watched as Mr. Ogden's soul lifted out of his body, momentarily turning into his physical form. He gave them one last small smile before he was effectively sucked into the lantern. The Reaper bowed to Harry before vanishing; no one else, save Loreley, seemed to have noticed anything untoward.
"He's gone," Artemis whispered. "He's … dead."
The kids went tense for a moment. Orion stepped away from the body, physically shaking. Athenaïs began sobbing into Harry's arms. Artemis too got to her feet, looking resigned. Loreley looked grave and apologetic.
"We need to tell someone," she stated simply.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Loreley conjured her Swan Patronus and sent it off to the Headmaster with the news that Mr. Ogden had just passed away. Dippet answered very quickly; he, Professor Slughorn and Madam Abernathy were at Mr. Ogden's house within ten minutes. All three adults were not only flabbergasted to see a sobbing familiar, but that a large body of students had discovered the groundskeeper.
"This was expected … I just did not think it would be any time soon," the Headmaster had sighed sadly. "Poor Patrick …"
Slughorn looked to the children. "Go back to your dormitories. We will take it from here."
The group nodded solemnly and did as they were told, all the while Athenaïs was still crying. For whatever reason, this seemed to rub Felix Mulciber off the wrong way. He sneered at the state the young dragon was in as they continued towards the castle. "I do not see why she is making such a fuss. It's not like she's lost a family member."
Cue a very angry Familiar. Harry had to tighten her hold on Atty because the stone dragon started to react very violently, lashing out for Felix with claws and fangs, hissing and howling irately. "He was my friend! How dare you? I knew something was wrong with him for days! No one else saw – I did! You humans didn't care!"
"Ssssh, Atty," Harry soothed, fighting her own tears. "It's OK. He's safe now. He will see his wife. Everything will be OK."
Athenaïs spat a few colourful words at Felix before complying.
Felix scoffed. "Stupid creature."
"Shut up!" Harry snapped venomously, eyes turning silver. "Before I throw you half way across the grounds. Mr. Ogden was Atty's friend. She used to visit him, as did I."
"As did I," Artemis added coldly.
"Me too," Orion added icily.
"I did too," Loreley put in, sounding dangerously dark.
"Why?" Felix scoffed. "He was just the groundskeeper."
Atty began growling again, as did Artemis, Orion and Loreley. Harry still continued to glare at Felix. "Besmirch him again, and I will make you feel Atty's pain," she threatened, which made Felix gulp this time.
Harry then turned her attention to the rest of her friends, who all looked guilty and ashamed. Tom and Altair included; they clearly had been thinking along similar lines. She scoffed coldly at this. "All of you. Wow, so that's what you think. 'Just the groundskeeper'; he was a human being who lost everyone he ever loved! Familiar and wife included."
"Harry-" Altair tried to reason.
"I don't want to hear it," she growled angrily. "I think the only time you will know what it is like if it happens to you!" Harry turned to Artemis. "Can Atty and I stay with you tonight?"
Artemis nodded twice. "Of course. Minnie and I will deal with the naysayers."
Tom's eyes widened. "Harry!"
"Don't!" Harry warned sharply. "I need a night to cool down and Atty needs peace. Just don't."
Tom and Altair had the sense to back off. The others, on the other hand, looked set to protest, especially Malum, Arcturus and Felix. Heron, however, stopped them with a Silencing Charm, looking none too happy either.
Fortunately for both Harry and her familiar, Gryffindor was more than willing to let them stay the night. Minnie and Artemis' dorm mates even gave a familiar toy each to Atty to sleep with. The mourning familiar was very thankful for that.
Meanwhile, in his flat above his shop, Thanatos bowed his head in deep regret at what Atty had to see.
That it needed to be done, he really was not happy with it. But then again, Atropos could be vile when she wanted to be. Thanatos just hoped it would all be worth it in the end.
###########################################################################
The Moirai made Athenaïs witness the first death of a human friend – for what reason? How will this effect Harry as well? Will Harry's friends continue digging into their funny feelings? What will Grindelwald's test entail? How will the quest for Anne's confession and further evidence of Nymera's poisoning go? Stay tuned to find out!
Oh my gods this one was a long one but it was necessary I'm afraid. My work schedule is still all over the place and it is likely to change again once winter season comes at the museum so I am just bracing myself in that regard. Thank you so much for remaining loyal readers! I highly appreciate it!
Orion: Umbreon is working really hard!
Harry: They know that!
Orion: I just want it said! It isn't easy writing stories, articles and whatnot next to a job.
Gellert: I could do it.
Harry: Being Dark Lord is not an actual job!
Gellert: Yes it is!
Tom: I am afraid I have to agree with Gellert.
Harry: Planning missions and dealing with idiotic followers is not an actual job.
Gellert: They cause stress and issues; it absolutely is a job.
Orion: Errrr … he has a point.
Oh dear … see you in the next chapter everyone!
Kingmaker'sUmbreon
