Chapter Three - A Precursor In
The sun blazed, lighting the sky afire with streaks of orange and gold, creating a show of natural fireworks that went unnoticed by those whose minds were wrapped around other things. Two such people sat in an odd office high in an ancient castle. Dancing objects swirled on tables in spotlight of the day from the glinting windows and portrait occupants visited their neighbors as an elder wizard and a younger witch sat discussing current events.
"Albus, you can't be serious! Having Aurors stationed at the castle will cause a significant panic. And since when have you agreed with the Ministry long enough to allow them influence here?" huffed a rather agitated young woman.
The headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry merely chuckled, garnering a sigh from his companion. The years hadn't much changed Albus Dumbledore, he'd lived long enough that he was quite set in his ways. He was still considered slightly mad by many, highly insane in certain circles, and was still one of the most respected wizards of an age. His taste had also remained the same, as was clearly observed in his flashy magenta robes and lime green wizard cap.
The woman sitting with him was very aware that as peculiar as the man might seem, he was not to be underestimated in any respect, and so was unaffected with his many eccentricities. At the moment she was concerned with his seeming apathetic attitude to her worries. Hermione Granger had a very analytical mind, and quietly sipping her tea and watching her old mentor, was trying to determine just what the man had up his sleeve. Unable to grasp any of it, she once again sighed.
"You would think working for you for six years would give me an idea of what to expect from you, Albus," stated Hermione, resigned to waiting for the headmaster to explain himself.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brightly and he took a drink of his own tea, smiling at the twirling pattern of dancing couples on the china. He looked at his young professor, seeing the overly curious girl she had been in the lovely features of the woman she was. Both good and difficult times had changed her little, making an intelligent and inquisitive adult. More mature, more intuitive, she was one of his best employees and he had grown to respect her teaching abilities greatly. Not to mention her work in research and for the Order. Thoughts of that organization brought Albus back to the present and the conversation.
"I know it is not precedented, but I feel it necessary in the current situation. Dark activity is steadily increasing and is slipping in so well, it's near impossible to detect until something occurs. I can not risk this school nor the students and staff, whatever my opinion of the Ministry or its capability."
Dumbledore knew his argument well, he had been explaining it to most of his staff for the past week, since the meeting when he had made his announcement. For matters of security, a contingent of Aurors would be housed at the castle. It had not been well received.
"Headmaster . . ."
"Hermione, I understand, but we must do what we must."
Any reply she might of made was effectively cut off when the Floo flared to life. Both the occupants of the room turned towards it, watching as the green flames momentarily danced in the grate before two figures stumbled out. The shorter of the new arrivals tripped and fell against the other, causing the both of them to fall to the floor. Albus and Hermione swiftly rose as they noticed that the others' robes were torn and dirty, and they seemed injured. As they reached them, one spoke in a sharp tone.
"Get off of me, you blasted woman!" Severus Snape sneered angrily.
"Sorry, Sev, I tripped." The green-haired female atop him answered, slightly abashed. She smiled as Albus helped her to rise.
"Honestly, how can an Auror be such a damned menace?" Severus glared hotly as he gained his feet, refusing the hand offered to assist. "And call me Sev once more and no one will find the body."
"Now, now, Severus, Tonks meant no harm. Are either of you badly injured?" When both shook their heads in answer, Albus gestured them to the chairs before his desk. "Then, come sit and tell me what happened."
Sitting back down in his chair and pouring two more conjured cups full of tea, the headmaster signaled for them to begin. Tonks grasped one of the proffered cups, swallowing a giggle at the china, and spoke.
"We went to Knockturn Alley as planned, checking out the shops that the source indicated, and everything was perfectly normal. Then we heard a loud bang a short way down the street. People started running from that direction and we could see smoke issuing from a building. We tried to figure out what was happening, we couldn't very well ask anyone, not down there . . ."
"Get to the point, Nymphadora, I'm certain the headmaster would like to know what happened, today." Severus frowned at the Auror, crossing his arms and leaning stiffly against the back of his chair. He hadn't bothered to take any tea, hoping to hurry this along. He wasn't in the mood for niceties, wanting only to get back to his dungeons for a healing potion and a glass of firewhisky, not necessarily in that order.
"I am, Sev, if I wasn't getting interrupted while I was talking." At Snape's murderous expression, Tonks hastily continued, "Anyway, we went to see what was going on. As we got nearer, another explosion sounded, this time from down a small alley. Hiding in the shadows we walked into it and got to this open space behind a shop. We heard yelling, and as the smoke cleared, we could see a fight going on.
Some of the men were cloaked, shooting spells against others both hooded and not. I didn't recognize any I saw." When Dumbledore raised an inquiring eyebrow at Severus, he shook his head that he hadn't either. Tonks went on, "We tried to stay out of it at first, but when one of the spells deflected and hit where we were hiding, er, our position was made."
Severus snorted, then sneered, "Made? More like you fell off a step and were seen, I believe."
Glaring sideways at him, Tonks tossed her shoulder length hair, which was still in a green that well matched the headmaster's hat. "Some of the men started shooting spells at us, so we fought back."
"Which of these groups? Or both?" Dumbledore questioned quickly.
"Er, the one that contained some of the uncloaked blokes, not the ones that were all covered."
"I see. These ones that didn't target you, what did they do?"
Tonks shrugged slightly. "They kept fighting the others. They were well outnumbered, but then they started dodging the curses and attacking with muggle weapons."
"There were both firearms and blades," Severus answered before Dumbledore could ask, "and they were very skilled with both."
"Curious. And then what happened?"
"Well, like Severus said, they were very good, but when the others realized what was happening, they changed their methods too. They pulled their own weapons, started sparring and shooting, while still casting some spells." Tonks shook her head. "We were just trying to stay out of the way at that point. They had blocked our escape route and the shop we were behind had anti-apparation wards around it, so we couldn't do that. Well, then another explosion sounded, blasting half of the ones that were attacking us as well. It was pretty gruesome," stated Tonks, shivering slightly and wrinkling her nose. Severus' sneer became more pronounced and he fought the need to roll his eyes.
"I can imagine," Albus muttered. "Please continue."
"After that, the other group pretty much wiped the others out. It was practically a slaughter. Not that I didn't mind them not attacking us anymore, but . . ."
This time, Severus did roll his eyes. "You are an Auror. You fought in a war, and yet you still act like a squeamish innocent." He would have continued had not the headmaster raised his hand and shot a quelling glance in his direction. Snape scowled and shifted carefully in his seat.
Noticing his painful movements, Albus raised a concerned eyebrow at the Potions Master, gaining a sharp glare in return. Shaking his head, Dumbledore gestured for Tonks to continue.
She do so, after a glower at Snape. "Once the one group was down, the other seemed to take their direction from the person in the front of them. They talked for a minute, but I didn't understand it. I think it was Latin or something."
"They asked the man what they should do about us. One suggested memory modification, but they didn't seem inclined to dispose of us in an any more . . . permanent manner." Severus stated casually.
"You know Latin?" Tonks questioned, forgetting her annoyance with the man for a moment.
"Any decent magical person has a basic understanding of the language. I, myself, am fluent."
Tonks narrowed her eyes, but wasn't given time to respond.
"So they weren't attacking you. And they spoke Latin? Odd. Who were they?" The others turned quickly to Hermione as she spoke, having mostly forgotten she had remained in the room. "Do you think they are the ones that have been spotted around? Apparently they aren't very good, but are they evil or not? And how come this happened in the middle of the day, even in Knockturn Alley, that's strange."
Tonks blinked and Severus raised an eyebrow at the young professor. Hermione didn't really notice as she was quite lost in thought. She bit her bottom lip and tried to rationalize the events. Albus chuckled, shocking her back to the present.
"I may have some idea." Albus stated, and smiled at the others' expressions.
"Of course you would." Severus muttered darkly. "Well, pray, do enlighten us."
Now somewhat smirking at his younger friend, Albus explained. "I have been aware of similar events occurring in other locations, following the same type of methods. Cloaked figures, appearing and disappearing swiftly, never leaving one of their own, alive or dead. And never leaving a trace of their identity. Apparently, these people have turned up when there was trouble, always dealing with it quickly and throughly. This has happened in places across the world, and has been going on for quite some time, though only recently have there been reports made in England."
"How do you know this, Albus?" questioned Hermione, still working to grasp it all.
"I have some friends in a few of the locations, and since they told me of it, I have been tracing the reports. I have not yet been able to determine who this group is or what it is working for. But, I have felt it significant enough to watch."
Hermione nodded and sipped her tea, not noticing it was cold. Severus gazed at Dumbledore.
"Headmaster, do you know what this gang sides with? Have you been able to determine if it is a threat, or if it may have something to do with the increase of dark action?"
"Well, I do not think it is a part of the current threat that has arisen. More, it may have been drawn because of it. From all recounts this gang, as you called it, arrives were bad things are occurring and does what they do, so to speak, and leaves once it stops. As to side, well, their methods are notoriously suspicious. But, I will say this, as of yet, there has never been a report of an innocent being harmed by them."
Tonks glanced at Albus. "So, you think they're, well, working for the light?"
"By indication, it seems. But most of the governments have taken a sharp stand against them. As I believe, will our Ministry, should it prove to be this group. They are outlaws and are wanted in a number of countries, both by Muggles and Magic-folk alike. And there are rumours that members of this gang are not all human."
Severus met the blue eyes of the headmaster sharply with his obsidian gaze. "Not human? You don't think some rebel creatures?"
"I am not certain, but the speculation is that it is a mixed group of both creatures and humans."
"Impossible," scoffed Severus. "Magical creatures have no love for humans, and are certainly not going to work with some to assist others."
Albus sighed. "I am aware of that, Severus. I can only offer what I have heard. And the official view is that they are not trying to assist."
"And the unofficial view?" questioned Hermione.
"Is that they are. Most of the public where they have turned up sees them as guardians. They have seen fit to give them a name."
When Albus neglected to continue, Hermione again questioned him. "And they call it what?"
"Praesidium."
Severus looked pensive as he translated. "A defense."