Chapter 22: Knowledge is Power
It is said that information is power. Lord and Lady Potter tended to agree. However, they believed that was true only when people could take action based on that information. That's when information truly becomes knowledge and, consequently, power. More simplistic minds could perceive that information on people was simply gossip. The Alliance believed that information was a form of currency. They treated the intel they gathered individually as a bounty to be shared by their whole alliance. After all, knowledge of certain tidbits helped them predict behaviors, understand the actions of others, and build better, stronger connections.
Dorea sat with her husband in the Dugard's study, having some tea. While most people loved socializing in the living room, the couple preferred a smaller, cozier space. Matthieu and his wife had decided to take some vacation time with their children at Potter Island. Lord Potter preferred Earl Gray with lemon and a cube of sugar. Lady Potter preferred Kashmiri chai... and knowing people's motives and secrets. Secrets, drama, tea… All of it was potential artillery in their society. However, what they had learned in the past few days went way back and was important knowledge, regardless of the circumstances that allowed them to obtain that information. Lady Longbottom was still staring into space, trying to digest everything they had just told her.
Lord Parkinson finally completed the vow Ianthe demanded, begrudgingly, because he wasn't responsible for Tobias' death. He would have loved to kill the git, but Lucius had gotten to him first. Dorea quickly learned that Horatio hated Ianthe by association. He hated Tobias because Narcissa was in love with him and Horatio was in love with her. First, Parkinson couldn't have her because she wanted Greengrass. Then, when Tobias was pressured to marry Ianthe to keep his family's neutral tendencies, Narcissa had married Lucius to save face with her own family. Greengrass could have never married Narcissa, and she knew it. She was a Black. Her house was notoriously dark aligned.
What the Potters gathered from their combined intel was that Horatio had felt humiliated and never forgave Tobias or Narcissa. Tobias was his enemy just because Narcissa loved him. He resented Narcissa because even though House of Parkinson had been dark-aligned for generations, he wasn't even considered as a possible marriageable option back then. Horatio's ego had known no limits until then. He was so sure he could have any woman he wanted, just like he had had anything else he desired. Now, Narcissa was married to that traitor Snape and expecting a child with him. His very blood ran cold when he found out. The most humiliating thing was that Narcissa didn't even remember him much. He now regretted not taking his turn with her as a reward as he could have done back in the good old days.
Lucius Malfoy was seriously starting to consider torturing Armand to death. Stupid, useless man! The only thing he had to do was send a letter to Gringotts to enquire after any betrothal contracts involving Cicely and Pansy Parkinson. The imbecile had wasted precious time by asking after the Greengrass daughters instead because he hadn't been paying attention. Armand had thought that Lucius wanted to get another one up on Tobias Greengrass. What would be worse for the man than having Lucius marry one of his daughters? He would spend the rest of time rolling over in his crypt. It had struck Armand as being quite on-brand with Lucius' usual shenanigans, so he didn't even double-check. After all, he had killed the man.
Malfoy decided that the best thing he could do was to pay a visit to the Parkinsons to set a wedding date. He was sure they could perhaps save one of their daughters, but not both. Lucius didn't need to fight the contracts in the Wizengamot. He had a life debt, and Gringotts didn't care that he was a fugitive. He had not committed crimes in their nation, and as such, he was free to make demands as a paying customer… or so he thought. Unbeknownst to him, Madam Bones was working around the clock to find him and any way to make sure there was a way to make him come to Gringotts so he could be ambushed as he left. King Nagkrat had ordered an audit. In their account contracts, they reserved the right to check the vaults for dangerous and forbidden items periodically. They could do this unannounced.
Amelia Bones was having a terrible day. One of those days in which it all sucks from the moment you get up and on your first step of the day twist your ankle painfully. From then, it all goes downhill, but not just downhill. Things were going downhill while up in flames and throwing poisoned arrows at everyone around. It was only lunchtime too. She had already received a howler from the Minister. And now, an irate Lord Parkinson had just left her office making outlandish demands on investigating the sabotaging of his liquor. No one had told Amelia about the alcohol ruination plot. Because they didn't want to get her in a conflict of interest. Had she known about what happened, she would be even more incensed that Lord Potter was helping the man. He was such an ungrateful, entitled bastard.
Madam Bones was not concerned about Lucius trying to use the Wizengamot to get what he wanted. He was banished as a fugitive. Armand had been significantly quiet in every meeting ever since Lily Potter's law was passed. He voted as people expected him to, for he could do so via a Power of Attorney, but he kept quiet. This was quite confusing as he was never quiet. Armand was the kind of person who always wanted his words to be the last word. King Nagkrat was already in a pickle by having to sign two fraudulent contracts. Now, he was even more tense at having to order the search of the Malfoy vaults. Nagkrat wasn't afraid of Lucius. He was afraid of Gringott's reputation being damaged beyond any salvaging.
Padfoot was feeling rather proud. His godson and Hermione had sent them a letter asking both him and his husband to help them brighten some poor pranksters' day. Sirius had never met the No-Name kids, but Remus had told him about their pranks. Moony's strength as a prankster came from the fact that no one ever suspected him of anything. He was a model student. His grades were exemplary, he was recognized as a serious student. Many professors back then didn't understand why Remus or meek and shy Peter were friends with such rebels as James and Sirius. James was an excellent student, but outside the classroom, he was always having carefree fun.
"We are pranking them?" Remus asked, massaging Sirius' neck.
"Yeah, what should we do?" Sirius mused.
"Since they are twins… How about-?" Remus began.
"The gender-bending scheme?" Sirius finished.
"I love the way we think, love… Papy," Remus called one of their new elves.
"Yes, Master Moony," Papy bowed.
"We need you to go to Hogwarts and help us prank Fred and George No-Name. They are twins. We would go in disguise, but that would take too long."
"We be Pranking children?" Papy was just starting to be taught proper English.
Remus blushed, "Yes, but they want to be pranked by us."
"Master and Master liking pranks?" Papy looked at them questioningly.
"Yes… Why?"
"Are Papy, Juti, and Maku allowed to do pranks?" Papy smiled mischievously.
Sirius and Remus shared a look. "You mean prank each other or prank us?"
Papy blushed, "Each other, sir. We never would be pranking our Masters."
"Oh, alright then. No bodily harm, though," Remus warned.
"Here's what I need you to do at Hogwarts. The first thing you must do is take this note to Headmistress McGonagall, and then…."
Padfoot shared the plan with Papy. Remus, for his part, sighed with relief and was thanking his lucky stars that the elves didn't want to prank them. Elves would be perfect pranksters. They kept themselves unseen and had access to magic that humans didn't even dream of… they would be terrifying adversaries.
Harry and Hermione went to breakfast, happy to know that they would make someone's day today. They got Padfoot and Moony's letter for the No-Names. To say the twins had been overjoyed was a gross understatement. Once they had opened the letter doing the same thing they did for the map, their faces went through so many expressions that Harry and Hermione couldn't help but laugh. They had been too shocked at first. Then, they were incredulous. They read the letter several times with the goofiest smiles and brightest eyes. This was the first time since Ron passed that the twins had been genuinely happy and excited.
Messers No-Names,
Prongslet has informed us that you are, in his words, 'our biggest fans.' We appreciate connaisseurs of talented mischief, and we are glad to have helped you in your plans so far. We hope you don't mind our boy keeping the map. It is essentially a family heirloom. We were informed that you would want our opinion of some of your prototypes. Send them to the address in this envelope. If we find them up to our standards, we will consider sponsoring their massification. Prongslet has been singing your praises, and we have high expectations. No pressure, though. ;)
Padfoot and Moony
Proud Founding Marauders
P.D. We hope you enjoy our pranks. Mischief Managed!
Fred and George were so excited that they missed the post data. They did a happy dance and everything.
"We thought you'd be scared shitless by now," Harry chuckled.
"Language!" Hermione admonished him with a smile.
"Scared?!" George asked in disbelief.
"We are-" Fred began the twin-speak.
"Honored," George continued.
"Proud," Fred added.
"Humbled," George pressed the letter to his chest.
"And SO grateful to you both!" Fred squeezed both kids.
Harry and Hermione shared a look of mild confusion. Hermione smirked at the twins.
"You should be frightened…." Hermione said in a sing-songy voice.
"If I were you, I'd be terrified," Harry nodded enthusiastically.
The twins tilted their heads. They didn't understand.
"You did read the post data, didn't you?" Hermione asked with a smirk.
George took the letter from Fred. "Oh shit!" Fred took it back, and his eyes widened. He shared a panicked look with George.
"Nothing has happened yet," George said, looking at the younger kids questioningly.
"That's why you should be scared. If the prank hasn't happened yet… That means Padfoot and Moony are playing the long con," Hermione smirked. "I wouldn't want to be you. It's psychological terrorism at its finest… looking over your shoulder expecting the unexpected every minute of every day."
"It must have been amazing to grow up with them!" Fred sighed happily.
"It was… When we weren't being pranked, that is," Harry laughed
"Good luck, guys. The Marauders have been pranking much longer than you have been alive."
The twins shared a worried look. "We are scared now."
"But imagine the honor of telling our great-grand-children that we were pranked by two of the original Marauders!"
"They will swoon!"
Harry and Hermione laughed at their antics and left towards the greenhouses where Neville and Draco were waiting for them.
Daphne was debating what would be the best approach to the kissing dilemma. She wanted to help Neville get back at that stupid Seamus, but she didn't want the whole school to know. While she was only a few years older, she was a fifth year*. It would be unseemly for her to kiss a child. While Daphne didn't really like anyone so far, she wouldn't want people to think she was into kids. Ew. Although Percy No-Name had been really gentlemanly and kind, he had a girlfriend already. They didn't seem that happy, but Daphne wasn't about to fight for a guy in a relationship when there were so many single guys.
"Daphne?" Neville tapped her on the shoulder.
She turned to Neville and noticed Finnigan was walking their way. "Nevy!" she hugged him and whispered, "He's behind you."
"Hi," he blushed. It was a good thing that Seamus was several meters behind him.
"Oh, Neville… I have to warn you. Every girl in my room wants my flower! They will start asking you to make them all one soon," she smiled at the boy and plucked a small leaf from his hair.
The kid winked, "I wish they didn't b-bother. I made it just for y-you because you… i-inspire me," he turned even redder.
"So… I am like your muse?" she asked with a smile.
He nodded quickly. Daphne covered her cheeks with her hands to simulate hiding her blush. Daphne found the kid adorable. An idea struck her. The greenhouse was the perfect place to pretend to kiss Neville! It had a tool shed… She could speak with Professor Sprout to get her permission for this harmless plot. The Professor had an interesting sense of humor and would probably find this amusing. She also had a soft spot for the Herbology enthusiast and would help him get back at his bully.
"Wow. I have never been anyone's muse before. It seems like that's a lot of responsibility. Nevertheless, I shall endeavor to be worthy of such a distinction," she caressed his face while smiling at him adoringly and waved at him as he walked away. As she was going to leave, Seamus intercepted her. He actually dared to grab her arm to physically stop her from leaving as she attempted to side-step him.
"What do you even see in that idiot, Daphne?" Finnigan asked with a frown.
She made sure Neville was in the greenhouse before she turned to Seamus with her iciest glare, and standing as tall as she could, she looked down at him with such ferocity that the boy let go of her arm as if he had been burned. "Look, kid, I have no idea who you are. I have never given you permission to address me like we are friends. We have never even been formally introduced. I don't owe you an answer, but I will tell you anyway. Neville is a smart, wonderful boy, and you are nothing but a jealous, mediocre, disrespectful flea. I like Nevy a lot because he's the opposite of you in every way. Never insult him in my presence, or you will find that your life will get quite unpleasant very quickly. Oh! And if you ever grab me against my will again, I will give you the same treatment I gave Pansy Parkinson."
Seamus paled at that, but he didn't relent, "Well, Longbottom doesn't like you back! He's just desperate to get people to stop thinking he has the hots for professor No-Name. It's pathetic!" Seamus said with a smirk.
"Gay?!" she laughed merrily, "You think he's gay?!"
"Of course he is. Harry wouldn't have defended him if he wasn't!"
"Bold of you to assume someone needs to be defended because they are gay, you homophobic little shit. You should really stop projecting your issues on others. Plus, I am positive that Neville is not gay. I have actually had tangible proof. Il embrasse très bien. I don't think anyone can say the same of you, am I right?" she smiled sweetly at the pale boy, but the smile never reached her eyes, and then she approached professor Sprout.
Seamus went into the greenhouse with an angry albeit confused face, Embras? Tre vian? He had to ask someone who knew French. It had to be someone pretentious and who wouldn't find his question too weird.
"Miss Greengrass, I am a bit in a rush here," Pomona tried to approach her classroom.
"I know. I am so sorry, Professor, but this is important."
"Is it urgent?"
"Not exactly," Daphne replied with a small frown.
"See me after class, then, my dear. I baked brownies. We can have a spot of tea," Pomona smiled at the gifted girl, thinking Daphne probably wanted more advanced work. Minerva had warned her this could happen.
"Sure… It's just… In the meantime, please keep Finnigan away from Neville."
"Oh? Why?" the Professor frowned, concerned.
"Seamus is bullying him."
Pomona's lips almost disappeared with her stern expression. "I see. Worry not, my dear. I will keep them on separate work areas, starting today. Thank you for letting me know. Some kids are too embarrassed to ask for help themselves. Tea at four?"
"Yes, professor. I'll be here. Thank you," the teen smiled and left. She would have to jog all the way to Potions to get there on time. Great. Just great! When students came in late, Professor Snape would make them stay and clean everyone else's workstations. Wait a minute. Hermione had introduced her to a few elves. Perhaps one of them could help her. "Taffy?"
"Miss Greengrass calls Taffy?" the elf popped next to her.
"Yes, thank you so much for coming. Are you too busy right now? I was wondering if you could help me out," Daphne smiled.
"Taffy be living to serve. How can Taffy helps?" the elf smiled. She loved to help people who treated her well.
"Can you take me to the hallway by the Potions classroom?" Daphne asked with a blush. "I'm running a bit late, but if you are busy, I can try to run there to make it on time."
"No, missy. I can takes you. Hold on to me," Taffy offered her hand.
Daphne took it and reappeared a few feet away from the classroom door with five minutes to spare. The teen hugged Taffy. "Oh! You are a life-saver! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Taffy sparked for a moment. "You is welcome, miss Greengrass."
Daphne made a mental note of finding out what Taffy liked to give her a gift. Professor Snape was coming down the hallway with four thick books and a full steaming beaker on top of them, which looked like it would fall and break at any moment. Daphne rushed to him, and using her scarf, she took the beaker.
"Hello, professor!"
"Daphne," he nodded with a grateful smile. "Early again. I appreciate that."
"How are you today, sir?"
"Quite well," he smiled knowingly. Ianthe owed him 5 galleons. He just knew the girl wouldn't handle staying stuck with the basic curriculum.
"Have you given any thought to my request?" she asked as they walked towards the professor's desk.
Neville was glad that he was able to enjoy the class. Seamus was moved to the opposite end of the workbenches. Working with mandrakes was great! He had only read about them so far. They looked like wrinkly, ugly babies, and their screams could be fatal. However, their properties were wonderful. They could, among other things, restore petrified people back to health. The roots were a part of many healing draughts and other potions.
Harry had to squeeze Hermione's hand to prevent her from answering the questions for Neville to do so. She could participate in all classes, but Neville was only truly confident in Herbology. His hand would be steady and up frequently. He raised his hand here and there during Potions, but his hand was always shaking. Hermione squeezed Harry's hand back when Neville answered better than she would have.
Draco had been paired with Seamus and looked like he was about to snap at the kid. As most of the students had already repotted their plants, they were instructed to remove their earmuffs.
"Hey, Black… I have a question," Seamus whispered. He thought that if someone could know French, it had to be Draco. He was at some point a Malfoy, and his father's family came from France.
"You should ask the Professor," Draco replied, in another whisper, trying not to sound annoyed. The lazy git hadn't read ahead, and Draco had had to explain everything to him throughout the lesson.
"It's not about the class. Do you speak French?"
Draco looked at the kid, surprised, "Yes, why?"
"I was just wondering if you could translate what something means…."
"I can try," Draco replied, instantly getting suspicious.
"What does 'ill embras tre vian' mean?"
"Well, that doesn't even sound like French," Draco frowned at the kid. He had butchered the pronunciation.
"Wait," Seamus took his quill and wrote what he hoped he had heard.
"Um… the only thing that kind of sounds or looks like is 'Il embrasse très bien,' but where did you hear that?"
"Why? What does that mean?" Seamus looked very interested.
Draco took the boy's quill and wrote, 'He is a great kisser,' "Who said this?"
Seamus blushed and frowned angrily. "No one, thanks."
Draco looked at the boy with narrowed eyes. "Are you sure?"
"Hmm… How well do you know Daphne?" Seamus' curiosity got the best of him.
Draco immediately sat taller and frowned at Seamus' undeserved familiarity, "Scioness Greengrass? Very well. Why?"
"She said that."
"What?" Draco's frown deepened.
"That he's a good kisser."
"Who's a good kisser?" Draco was confused.
"Neville."
Draco blinked several times, and it dawned on him. The rouse! He had to help both Neville and Daph. He smiled, "Oh, I didn't know they were already kissing… Way to go, Neville!"
Seamus glared at Draco, "You don't believe that. She's too beautiful to look twice at that dumbass!"
"You are such a superficial asshat, Finnigan. Did it ever occur to you that some people are interested in more than looks? Smart people are into more substantial things. Daphne is crazy smart. Did you know she's fourteen? She's on fifth year because she passed a set of exams to skip a year back at Beaxbatons. Not like you would understand, but Daphne is the heiress of one of the most prominent wizarding families. She has to consider the future of her family when it comes to her personal relationships. Neville's lineage is equal to hers, and their families are in the same alliance. Neville treats her like a queen, and not just here but during the break. We spend a lot of time together because our parents are friends. He's always doing things to make her smile just because. They like each other and have common interests. Why do you care? It's none of your business what they do…." Draco stared at the boy in challenge.
"But he's gay!" Seamus whisper-shouted.
"Dude! Give it a rest! If I didn't know better, I would think you are jealous of Daph," Draco frowned.
"But then why did Potter-?"
"He defended Neville because that's what friends do. Didn't you see how he defended Hermione? The kids of The Alliance stick together. Didn't you hear what Daph did to Pansy to defend Hermione?" Draco replied with a furious glare. "If you don't have good friends, that's on you. But all of us do. We are family. If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us. Stop bullying Neville, or we will all be after you."
"He's such a coward. I don't understand why he's even a Gryffindor! He's a crybaby! He doesn't deserve Daphne's attention!" Seamus scowled.
"If you dare to do anything to Daph, you will see why he's a lion," Draco spat, hoping to deter the kid.
Unfortunately, this sounded like a challenge for Seamus.
"So? What do you think?"
"Well, I don't feel comfortable with the spectacle," Professor Sprout said with a pensive tone.
"How about this? You could ask Neville to bring you something from the tool shed for one of the herb and fungi identification classes by the Forbidden Forest. I'll be waiting in the greenhouses. Then we'll get inside the tool shed while everyone is down there with you. After a while, you can ask Seamus to come to find Neville and see what happened. He'll come to the greenhouse and see us leaving the shed looking… disheveled…."
"My dear, you are quite devious," the professor chuckled into her teacup, despite her reservations. "I do prefer this over any broom closet in the castle where everyone would see… But, Daphne, a young woman's reputation in this patriarchal society is quite fragile."
"I understand. That's why I thought this was a better choice, but professor… Any man who eventually wants to marry me will have to understand that those kids are my family."
"I know, and that does you credit… Fine. I will unofficially help you. Officially, I know nothing. Alright?" Professor Sprout smiled conspiratorially.
Daphne nodded gratefully.
"Your Majesty!" a commander goblin ran into his study.
King Nagkrat and Madam Bones stood up, "Did your team find anything in Malfoy's vault?"
The commander looked positively ill, "There's a…a-"
"Spit it out!"
"A H-Horcrux, sir…."
"Argh! Bloody humans messing with death! They will curse us all! Have it brought to the destruction chamber," the king ordered. "But first, Madam Bones needs to photograph it and check it for magical signatures."
"Yes, sir," the commander rushed out.
"Your Majesty," Madam Bones took some notes and put a small muggle paper pad in her pocket. "Why is this only now being found?"
"We audit large vaults every three months. Last audit, it wasn't there."
"Has there been any major change between the two audits?"
"No… Oh, bloody hell! I shall have his head!"
"What is it?"
"Armand Malfoy used Lucius' Power of Attorney, and he unsealed Bellatrix Lestrange's will in Lucius' stead. She left everything to Lucius. That abomination must have been placed in her vault in between audits! They have made a mockery of this bank and have breached the contract they signed!" King Nagkrat bellowed.
"He's a fugitive for the DMLE, King Nagkrat. However, as he has already escaped Azkaban, I would rather bring him here. Would that be acceptable?"
"Yes, our Chinese Firebolt will make him feel quite cozy."
An alarm came out of Madam Bones' bracelet. She had given a small amulet to Antigone in case Lucius went back to their place so the DMLE could arrest him. "The Parkinsons! They are in danger! Malfoy is with them!"
"Daggerson!" the king called out while holding his heavy staff.
A goblin materialized next to Madam Bones. "Your majesty?"
"Have you replied to the Parkinsons yet?"
"No, sir."
"Leave the betrothed couples' names out. State only that you have moved the dowries."
"But I haven't, sir. We have no answer from our Ministry link at the Department of Records," Daggerson replied.
"That's irrelevant! Malfoy has attacked the Parkinsons! Where are they!?"
"They wanted for that information to remain secret, sir," Daggerson paled.
"As your King and your boss' boss' boss, I order you to give me that information!"
Daggerson got smaller at this. "Will you exempt me from our rules to provide that information?"
"YES! Now, WHERE ARE THEY?!"
Horatio was bound and gagged, as was his wife. Nevertheless, Lucius had managed to get to their store, where they were anxiously waiting for their account manager to reply.
"Have you chosen which of your daughters is to marry me yet?"
"Hmph!" Antigone tried to scream through the gag.
"No?" Lucius sent a crucio to Antigone, who couldn't even scream properly through the gag.
"How unfortunate. I think I shall have to sample both so I can decide," Lucius smirked in a feral manner.
He could hear the desperate muffled sounds and shuffles behind him. A large barn owl came in through a small window in the second-floor, flew down and threw a letter on the counter, and, instead of landing, left as fast as it could the same way it came in. Madam Bones' animagus form had always been classified information. She rarely used the form because she wasn't a sturdy or large animal. All she could do was surveillance. I got you, bastard.
Odd. Lucius thought.
"Shall I open your mail? You seem otherwise entangled," Lucius smirked. More muffled screams from both Parkinsons followed, but he didn't need to look behind him. He was really good at spells related to tying people up and accomplishing submission, both in and outside the bedroom, and the more people struggled, the tighter the bindings got.
Lord and Lady Parkinson,
As requested, we have moved your daughters' dowries to the family vaults of the prospective grooms. You may proceed by posting the announcement in the newspaper of your choice once a date has been set.
Regards,
Account Manager Daggerson
Lucius turned to the Parkinsons with a look of unadulterated hatred.
"I see that you have chosen death," he said, removing the gag.
"Malfoy, what was in the letter?"
"You seem to think that I am of a forgiving nature. Whatever gave you that idea? Silencio! Crucio!"
Antigone turned away. She didn't want to see her husband like that. Regardless of how things had deteriorated, she was still not going to rejoice in seeing him in pain. The Death Eater held the curse until the man was barely unconscious.
"You gave your daughters away to someone else, you bastard! Incendio!" Lucius pointed at the man's left foot. Lord Parkinson tried to move to hit his foot against anything that could help him douse it off. No luck. "Rigescunt indutae!" he pointed at the same foot, and Horatio could have fainted in pain as thick ice covered his severely burnt foot. "Who stole my future wife?!"
Antigone felt the gag fall. She coughed and struggled to breathe for a full minute.
"Tell me!" Lucius demanded, slapping the woman with all his strength. Her lip split, and she spat blood. Her head ringing.
"Lord Wood and Lady Goyle," she whispered with a hoarse voice.
"That pompous git and that traitorous bitch! I will end their Houses! You may have saved your daughters from marrying me, but nothing will stop me when I become their stepfather," he smirked and licked Antigone's cheek.
"W-What?" she tried to recoil from him, but he held her in a vicious grip, and she started to feel like she couldn't breathe with the panic began cursing through her veins.
"You won't be able to protect them from me then because I will live with them, and soon enough, I will visit them in their rooms once you've been potioned to stay asleep… I hope they are as uptight as you are. I will enjoy breaking all of you."
"Noooooo! Please, don't hurt them-" she begged but was interrupted.
"Your family owes me a wife or a life. If they don't marry me, you will," he whispered menacingly.
"Never!" she replied with a bravery she did not feel. Lucius punched her nose, breaking it, and rivers of blood gushed from it. She didn't even complain. It would only encourage more blows.
"If I don't marry one of you, you will have chosen death to a member of your House… Who should I kill? Little Pansy? Cicely? Your coward, useless husband? Or… are you going to spare yourself, Antigone?"
"Lucius Malfoy, freeze!" Madam Bones, Tonks, and Kingsley sent a stunner, a disarming spell, and a petrifying curse at the man. His wand was taken away, but Lucius had jumped away from the stunner. He was now holding Antigone as a human shield with her wand pressed against her neck. "You are under arrest for escaping Azkaban, for keeping an illegal class 7 artifact in your vault at Gringotts, and for kidnapping and attempted murder!"
"Ah, so you think I will come quietly," the man sneered.
"Let her go, Malfoy," Kingsley growled.
"I don't think so," he growled about to curse Antigone.
"That's a shame," a woman wearing a hood said as she shot the man with a stun gun at a high charge. He tried to scream as his hand went limp, and Antigone's wand fell. The stranger grabbed him by his long hair to keep him from hitting the ground as she removed the probes from his body. "Sweet dreams, asshole!"
Before Amelia could intervene, the unknown witch had released both Lord and Lady Parkinson from their ties. Lord Parkinson couldn't move. The crucio he received was a particularly nasty one. Antigone immediately threw a severing spell the Lucius' privates, followed by an incendio to stop the bleeding. Castration wouldn't be a punishment if he died.
"You will NEVER rape my girls!" she started attacking the man scratching, kicking, punching him until Kingsley pulled her away and Tonks disarmed her. Antigone finally fainted. The stranger lowered the man's body and turned him on his stomach to reveal that she had placed magic-canceling handcuffs.
Madam Bones was pointing her wand at the unknown witch who had helped them subdue Malfoy. She looked somehow familiar, even with her hood on, "Put your hands where I can see them!"
The strange woman put her hands up after rolling her wand towards Madam Bones. She turned to face them and pulled back her hood. "Certainly, madam. I didn't expect to be suspended before my first day, but oh well. C'est la vie!" The woman seemed to be around twenty; her auburn hair was away from her beautiful face in a tactical braid. She had aristocratic features: a refined nose, high cheekbones, thick but arched eyebrows, full lips, and cerulean blue eyes with specks of green around the iris, just like her mother.
Tonks was a bit out of breath and not from the running they did to get there. What a stunning badass!
"Suspended? Who are you?" Kingsley asked, picking up the wand.
"Elloise Dugard, at your service," the young woman bowed with her hands up. "My dad and Charlus had me come and check on the Parkinsons. They feared this would happen. Apparently, young Luna Lovegood had a premonition this morning."
"Accio MACUSA ID," Madam Bones said with narrowed eyes, but sure enough, said document flew from the woman's pocket. She read it and identified the wand with a spell to make sure. "I should suspend you, but if I weren't already your boss, I would be hiring you."
"Boss, we need to get us all one of those," Tonks pointed at the stun gun.
"Indeed. Although we would have to pass legislation to make their use permissible," Amelia said with an admonishing tone.
"I know, Madam Bones. Sorry. I shouldn't have, but when a woman is alone most of the time… It's best to be prepared to face any and all psychos like this one. And since it works on all humans and incapacitates them, it makes for a better weapon," Elloise shrugged, lowering her hands.
Tonks nodded in agreement.
"Kingsley, are we ready?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, boss."
Madam Bones pulled out a necklace and removed the anti-apparition wards. "Nagkrat. We are ready."
A group of seven goblins popped into the store. They had a cage full of runic symbols all over, and Malfoy was thrown in harshly after a second pair of magic canceling cuffs was placed on his ankles.
Nagkrat smirked with satisfaction when he saw someone had castrated the man. "Oh, I shall take great pleasure to announce that House of Malfoy will die out with this scum." The king bowed over Amelia's hand. Then he nodded at the three Aurors with a smile. "Our Nation appreciates your help. You are, of course, invited to the trial. We shall contact you and The Alliance with a date. Miss Dugard, welcome back. I see Amelia gave you a better offer so far… That's alright. I will convince you to join my security department before the year is out. Until then, stay safe. Your graduation thesis was a great read," the king winked at the young woman and vanished with his soldiers and the cage.
Elloise blushed with a smile. Tonks' eyes almost left her head. Damn. Smart and sexy! Nymph knew that the Dugard's daughter had graduated with honors, but to be hand-picked by king Nagkrat was something else. She turned to Elloise, "Chapeu!" she pretended to lift an invisible hat off her head in admiration.
"Merci beaucoup! If my sources are correct, I imagine you are Miss Don't-say-my-first-name-or-else Tonks, right?" Elloise shook the woman's hand.
Tonks blushed. She wanted to kill Charlus."That would be me, yes. It's a pleasure."
"Not at all; the pleasure's all mine," Elloise replied with a saucy smile. "I've heard a lot about you."
"Kingsley Shacklebolt," the other Auror offered his hand.
"Enchantée."
Madam Bones had put Lady Parkinson's arm around her neck to help her walk. "Let's go. First stop, St. Mungo's. One of you, levitate Lord Parkinson. Be careful, for he has been exposed to a crucio. Then, off to the Ministry. We have paperwork to do, and I want to introduce Auror Dugard to the rest of the team," Madam Bones told them.
The Parkinsons were being healed when a knock to their room made them turn towards the door. Lord and Lady Potter were there, followed by Lady Greengrass.
"T-Thank you," Antigone said softly.
"Your daughters have been told what happened, and their Head of House will bring them here in a while," Lady Potter said with a small smile. Whatever these people were, they were parents first… Or at least Antigone was. Horatio's behavior had been beyond reprehensible. He had caused a major problem that threatened his entire family and, when push came to shove, he wasn't willing to sacrifice his goals to save them. Worst of all, he was hell-bent in his ways for plain pettiness over an infatuation from over a decade ago.
"W-What happened to Malfoy?" Antigone asked.
"He was taken into custody by the goblins. They will judge him there. You will receive a summons for the trial as you are entitled to press charges for his attack... and the consequences," Lady Greengrass replied. Horatio frowned at this but said nothing.
"Lady G-Greengrass, you should k-know-" Antigone began, but Horatio interrupted her as he could guess what she was about to say.
"N-No!" Horatio growled. "I forbid you-!"
"You have no a-authority to f-forbid me to do anything! You lost that right l-long ago! This is all y-your fault!"
"If you t-tell her, this m-marriage is over!" Horatio threatened grimacing from the pain that any movement gave him.
"This marriage was o-over when you c-chose pettiness over our daughters!" Antigone grunted. "You would h-have handed them o-over to that monster to save your w-worthless life!"
Horatio turned in his bed and faced the window.
Lady Greengrass cleared her throat. "Lady Parkinson? You were saying?"
"You and The Alliance have my gratitude. That's why I am telling you this… It was him. Lucius Malfoy killed your husband."
Charlus and Dorea immediately moved to hold Ianthe up in case her knees buckled. But she was steely. "Lord Parkinson, shame on you. Lady Parkinson, I appreciate your honesty, and I am very sorry for your loss," Ianthe said. She turned away and left the room.
"L-Loss?" Horatio asked, growing pale as he turned back to his wife.
"I was crucioed and beaten. What did you expect? Of course, I lost the baby!" Antigone spat angrily.
"What?!" Horatio's face broke into one of pure anguish and disregarding the company, he started bawling. It was a boy. The son he had always dreamed of... His heir was dead. The one who would carry on the family name. Lucius had killed it.
"We are very sorry for your loss as well, Lady Parkinson... We should go. We just wanted you to know that we heard back from the Department of Records. At great personal cost, mind you, we managed to place the copies of the contracts in their records as predating Lucius demands," Charlus said softly. "It's ironclad. Your daughters are safe."
"We don't deserve this, Lord Potter; I thank you for my girls…. Personally, I acknowledge a debt of gratitude to House of Potter and House of Greengrass…."
"We appreciate that, Lady Parkinson," Lord Potter gave her a short bow.
"We hope you recover soon," Lady Potter placed her hand lightly over Antigone's pale, cold hand. She didn't squeeze because the woman was too tender from the cruciatus curse.
Fred and George had spent the whole day watching over their shoulders. By the end of their classes, they were exhausted. They went to their room to change for Quidditch Practice and were shocked to find that there were only feminine clothes in their trunks. Muggle women's clothes at that. There were revealing dresses, shorts, skirts, sheer clothes, mesh, pantyhose, bras, thongs, shoes… everything. This had to be part of the prank. The twins were never ones to back down from a challenge.
"I'll wear the leather skirt if you wear the red plaid one," George proposed, trying not to laugh.
"I call dibs on the white button-down," Fred replied with a nod.
"I am wearing the mesh t-shirt and the shiny bra," George added.
"I want the boots."
"You're insane! We can't walk, let alone run in heels!"
"Why would we need to run?"
As they were talking. The uniforms they were wearing started morphing into girls' uniforms.
"Bloody hell!"
"Fuck it! Let's change and get down to the field before Wood kicks us out of the team…."
"You are not serious! We can't go out like this! We'll be the laughing stock of the whole school!"
A wolf-whistle sounded behind them. Bill stood at their door with a smirk, "Frida and Georgia, nice legs… but do use a shaving spell."
"Oh, sod off!"
"Not even you mocking us will take away from the glory of being pranked by the Ma-Woof!" George yelped.
"The Ma-Woof!" Fred tried.
"Who are the Ma-Woofs?" Bill asked, trying not to laugh.
"The gods of pranks!"
Bill frowned, "I see. Well, Oliver Wood wants to see you in the Great Hall. I suggest you borrow someone else's clothes," Bill suggested.
"No, I am sure public ridicule is part of the prank," George said using a shaving spell and changing into the other outfit.
Fred shaved his legs as well and changed quickly, "Let's go! I am sure this isn't over yet!"
The twins rushed to the Great Hall as fast as their bare legs and dangerous heels could take them. Students of all years catcalled, whistled, and most of all laughed at the twins and their ridiculous appearance. A couple of flashes captured them through the castle. Their brown hair grew as they ran and it magically curled. Their lips got cherry red and they felt their chest turn into boobs. They would have appreciated their D cups at a different time, but they were in the way, and gravity was an issue when running.
They screeched to a halt in the middle of the hall as the Headmistress updated Mr. Wood on what had happened to his betrothed's parents.
"Can I meet them at the hospital? I want to be there for them," Wood said.
"I don't see why not. I'll have Professor Tonks escort you there because-" McGonagall stopped cold as she saw the twins behind her favorite captain. Showtime!
"We're sorry we're late!" Fred said in a soft feminine voice that made him jump. He turned to look at George and gulped when he saw that they looked like girls their age. Even their faces had changed.
"Who are you? What is the meaning of those scandalous outfits? How did you get in here?" the Headmistress asked, pursing her lips.
"Fred and George No-Name," Fred shrugged.
"Did you wake up like this? Or did you take Polyjuice for nefarious purposes?" Minerva narrowed her eyes at the feminine twins.
A couple of explosions resounded in the hall, and above the professors' table, fireworks wrote "Marauders: 1, No-Names: 0"
A scroll materialized in front of the twins as Tonks approached them. "Nice legs," she winked. "Mr. Wood, gather your things so we can leave."
Oliver nodded and rushed out, trying not to laugh at the twins. His priority was Cicely and he was sure he would hear about this when he returned.
Messers No-Name,
You are far too easy to prank! Shame on you! We hope your prototypes are better than your pranking radar. If you want to go back to normal, you have to get on top of the Head Table and declare your undying love for Headmistress McGonagall. You must make her feel genuinely complimented. If she doesn't, no change. We hope you survive this endeavor!
Mischief Managed,
Moony and Padfoot
"Oh, Lord!" Fred blushed all over.
George showed the scroll to Professor McGonagall "Do we have your permission, Headmistress?"
"For what? That's a blank scroll, Mr. No-Name…."
"Bloody hell!" Fred whisper-shouted. "If you jump, I jump!*"
The twin 'girls' shared a desperate look and ran to the Head Table and climbed to its center. The Great Hall had progressively filled with students of all ages who were coming for dinner and looked on with interest.
"Minerva!" Fred exclaimed. Many students gasped at that.
The Headmistress looked at the twins in a murderous way.
"Gorgeous Scotswoman!" George wiggled his brows at her.
"Beautiful lady!"
"You have to do this to break the spell? I will kill them," the Headmistress rolled her eyes.
The twins looked at her in a begging manner. This wasn't working.
Harry stepped forward from the crowd. "Guys… I mean, girls… *Screw beautiful. If you want to appease her, compliment her brain!" The boy winked.
The Headmistress side-eyed Harry with a small smile. The twins could have built him a monument. They switched tactics.
"Goddess divine of the wisdom and the arts!" George smirked. Many students who got the reference whistled.
"Queen of Transfiguration and resident Alpha Kitty Cat!" Fred knelt on the table and created a bouquet of flowers with his wand, offering it to the Headmistress. Several students started meowing in agreement.
"Order of Merlin Recipient! Master of Transfiguration and Dueling! Coolest Headmistress!" George knelt and offered her a green ball of yarn to entice her inner feline. "All around badass High Priestess!" the hall started clapping in agreement.
McGonagall blushed as she tried her best not to laugh.
"We love you forever!" Fred levitated the flowers towards her.
"Love of our lives!" George followed suit with the yarn.
"Give us a chance!" The twins exclaimed in unison.
The hall erupted in cheers and laughter.
"Messers No-Name, I am thoroughly complimented. However, I must ask you to get off the table as your current anatomies aren't well covered by your outfits anymore," Minerva smirked as they pulled the skirts down and jumped off the table. Their bodies were indeed back to normal.
"Thank you, Headmistress! We are so sorry for the show!" Fred and George looked truly embarrassed for the first time ever in the context of pranks.
"No worries," Minerva said, approaching them to whisper in their ears. "Mischief Managed!"
The twins gasped, their eyes widening in shock. The Marauders had managed to bring Headmistress McGonagall to the dark side.
"It was about time you learned that being pranksters does not make you prank-proof," McGonagall said this and winked at them.
"We are not worthy of you!" the twins said, bowing deeply.
"Messers No-Name will go change now... Everyone else, proceed to your food stations," the Headmistress walked towards the Head Table and stopped by Harry. "Compliment my brain, huh?"
"My parents know you well, Aunt Minnie," Harry flashed her a toothy smile.
"Are they liking their new lodgings?" Minerva asked.
"Yes, they expect you for tea tomorrow, Headmistress," Hermione smiled.
"I'll be there," the Headmistress nodded.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I appreciate the follows and the favorites to both my stories and myself. Thank you for your patience. :) I hope you are safe and healthy wherever you are. -Lux-
*There was a typo on the previous chapter's A/N. Daphne is 14. She was sorted into the 5th year because she moved a grade by taking advanced exams and getting the Beauxbatons equivalent of Os on every one of them. As for the 'appropriateness' of the kissing plot, it's a ruse to annoy a dumb bully. There will be no kissing; hence, it is not inappropriate. Daphne, an Ombrelune now Slytherin, just wants to help a friend in the way she knows best.
*This was unintentional for those of you who love the Titanic.
I always wanted to include a variation of that powerful Christina Yang quote.
*Lastly, while I appreciate readers' curiosity, I will no longer answer specific questions about the plot or characters anymore as I want the story to stand on its own content.