Scars of the Future
Disclaimer: Nothing do I own. I asked JKR for Sirius, because she's not doing anything with him at the moment, but she was selfish and wouldn't let me have him.
Author's Note: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ. I, BRAELLYRALEATHERLEAF, WILL NO LONGER BE CONTINUEING THIS FIC! This is not on account of merely not wanting to continue. I have very much enjoyed writing Scars, as much as I hope you have enjoyed my writing. There are only a few reasons for my discontinuation, the main reason being the releaseof HBP. As much as I know you readers did not care that the fic is, I suppose, "out-dated", once book 6 came out I just didn't think I could. This probably seems really stupid, and it is, but for whatever reason when I tried to write I couldn't. The words just wouldn't come. The second reason for the discontinuation is that with school coming, I simply won't have time. It's all challenge classes for me this year, and I really want to get involved in clubs, ect, as well as do more outside of school.
BUT NO FEAR!
This is not the end of Scars of the Future, I wouldn't do that to you. Animgus-Spirit has eagerly agreed to continue it herself. I myself think it's probably better this way anyway, not to put myself down, but she honestly has more of a connection, so to speak, to the HP as well as LOTR characters. You won't be disappointed. Also, I will still be writing parts of chapters, because I love this story and still want to be part of it! SCARS OF THE FUTURE WILL STILL CONTINUE TO BE POSTED UNDER MY PENNAME, JUST TOREDUCE CONFUSION, AND AT ANIMAGUS'S REQUEST.
As a closing, I want to thank each and every one of my wonderful reveiwers. I cannot express enough how much your kind words mean to me. Thanks a million, blessings to you all.
My last thanks to my reviewers...
coolmarauders- Angst is my specialty. Here's one big, final thank you for all your reviews!
UK All The Way- Writing Sirius in his dog form was lots of fun! (I am a HUGE dog person!) Although the last 2 chapters I wrote were by far my favorites, sadly, further updates won't be from me. Thanks so much for every single one of your kind reviews, it's been so much fun!
LATMC- Yes, I love Sirius too! The Bellatrix scene was fun, just like the rest of this story has been…It's a little sad to hand it over to Animagus, but I believe it's for the best. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your reviews. They've been a great encouragement and usually made my day. : ). Thanks again!
HorseGal74- Thanks for the review. I've had fun writing this fic, but for reasons listed above will not, be continuing it myself.
Ladydeathcat- The LOTR characters have always been easy for me to write. It's the Harry Potter characters that give me the most trouble, at least in this story. Thanks a bunch!
Yusagi- Very glad you're enjoying it! Only the first 13 chapters are written by me, though.
Brownie/Melody- I love making things horrible for Frodo, I'm just terrible…as you've found out by now, I won't be writing this anymore. Thanks for all your reviews, maybe we'll "meet" again sometime in this vast world of fanfiction, lol.
Suuki-Aldrea- It makes me glad to see you care so much for Scars of the Future. I thought the end of HBP was sad, too. You still have this story, but I won't be writing the majority of it. Thank you for all your reviews!
Author's note: Hi! This is Animagus-Spirit…I've taken over this fic, (PLEASE DON'T LEAVE!) The first part of this chapter (up until the :SB:SB:) is Braellyra's.
Chapter 14: Council and Confrontation
It was only a few short hours later that Frodo's eyes fluttered open once again. The room was shrouded in darkness and for a fleeting moment he thought he was still trapped underground, but upon a second thought he realized that wasn't right. The air was too clear, and he was much too comfortable. He could see somewhat, anyway, unlike the complete cave-darkness where eyesight is useless.
The second thing he became aware of was his own terrible thirst. It seemed ages since he had had a drink of anything. He tried to sit up, but this caused pain to erupt in his head. Frodo gasped and promptly lowered himself back down.
A hand was placed on his brow. "Not so hastily, Frodo. The worst of your injuries have been tended but it is not expected that you should not feel any pain."
Frodo smiled feebly. "Hello, Gandalf."
The wizard smiled. "How do you feel?"
"My head hurts a little, and I'm rather thirsty, but I'm all right."
From a pitcher on the table beside him Gandalf poured a glass of water for the hobbit. He helped Frodo into a sitting position and handed him the glass. Frodo drank eagerly. When he was finished, he said, "Did the others make it out in time?"
Gandalf chuckled quietly. "Be at peace, Frodo. Everyone has arrived back here without any great trouble. Sam sleeps soundly beside you, if you need to be ascertained of it. The only person who did not arrive above ground before the collapse was you, my dear hobbit."
"It's all a blur in my mind," Frodo said. "I can remember clearly running, and then falling, and then only darkness."
"As soon as Aragorn discovered you were absent he realized his folly. He, with Sam, went on and found the others above ground. His intention was to go back for you, but this he never succeeded in doing. Sirius Black went in his place, found you, and kept you from harm when the structure collapsed. He then tunneled out and carried you back here."
"But I thought he was--"
"Dead, yes, Frodo, as we all believed, and in that we were correct. It was the Valar, in fact, who brought him back to us."
"Then the man Harry went with really was him?"
Gandalf shook his head. "No, Frodo. That man was not the real Sirius, it was one of Voldemort's Death Eaters, who took his form."
The pieces fitted together in Frodo's mind, and he understood. There was just one more thing to be asked.
"I thought there was a dog, in the tunnel, who brought me out, but you just told me Sirius did. How can that be?"
"Indeed there was a dog, Frodo, but the dog was Sirius. He has the ability to transform into it at will."
Frodo nodded and yawned. "I see."
"Rest, Frodo. There will undoubtedly be an Order meeting tomorrow, and they will wish you to attend."
Frodo sank back into the pillows, eyes already closing.
"Frodo?"
"Mmhmm?"
"Forgive me, I feel I have not been here when you have been in need of me," Gandalf said softly.
"There is nothing to forgive, Gandalf," said Frodo, and drifted into sleep.
:SB:SB:
Dawn softly flooded in through the curtains of Frodo's room as he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he noticed was Sam. Already he had brought Sam into many dangers, and every time it had been a close call for the both of them. He wondered if his loyal servant and friend knew that, he too, worried for him all the time.
As the larger hobbit began to stir, Frodo arranged his thoughts in his head for the upcoming meeting. He felt a new warmth of strength in his body, and began to rise steadily from the soft covers of his bed.
After an enormous, steaming breakfast of steaming biscuits with marmalade, fat, juicy, sausages, and eggs benedict, Frodo waited patiently to be summoned upon for the meeting. Soon enough, he found himself seated next to Legolas in what was once the sitting room of the house. He was relieved to see that he was not the last to arrive, for a moment later Sirius casually strolled in. In the corner of his eye, Frodo noticed Severus Snape sneering and livid at this. Sirius apparently showed the same disdain, but sent him a smirk, causing the potions master's glare to grow even fiercer.
Ignoring the exchange by the two men, Dumbledore opened the meeting. "Much has happened since our last meeting," he spoke. "Most have been victories, but we now come to the matter of where Voldemort has moved, and where one our members has disappeared."
Swift, worried glances shot around at the news of the disappearance, waiting for Dumbledore to continue.
"It has recently come to my attention that Nymphadora Tonks is no longer, and has not been, residing in St. Mungos."
At these words, Frodo noticed Remus's face grow considerably paler.
"A death eater by the name of Boyer was found in her place yesterday. Test results revealed he had been using the polyjuice potion. It has not been revealed where she is located, yet I fear it may be in the clutches of Voldemort."
Remus's heart shook. He should have noticed something when he had visited her… It all became clear to him now.
Walking up the steps to the Magical Injuries Floor, Remus felt his palms sweat. It had been a week since he had last visited her due to Order work. She had seemed different, yet he had just attributed it to the injuries. As he drew nearer to her room, he noticed someone inside. It was a man, seemingly in his mid-twenties, with short platinum hair. He was talking softly with her and handed her something. Pulling back, Remus sighed. He should have known better. There was someone involved. He had pulled away somewhat after Sirius's death, and she had moved on. Footsteps began clacking on the lavender linoleum, as the young man began to make his way out of the room. Sighing, Remus looked in once more to see her smiling; then he turned around without a word and departed the building.
His mind suddenly shot to the incident with Harry. It had to have been a metamorphagus that led him there. People with the ability were extremely rare…It was her…The Imperius curse…His mind jumped again. The collapsing.. Who knew how many had been killed? She must have gone back to deliver Harry. God, she had to have escaped…
Remus's tired eyes shot up as he noticed the members of the Order staring worriedly at him. Slowly, he began the tale.
After Remus shared his account, the meeting adjourned for a period to think over actions to be taken. Frodo felt Snape swish over to the remaining Marauders.
"So, it seems as if you want us to drop everything to go search for your girlfriend," Snape sneered nastily.
Sirius quickly spun around. "Bugger off…" he growled, pointing his wand at the greasy-haired man.
"Well, it seems like nothing has changed since you returned," commented Snape smoothly. "I would have thought death would have taught you some sense, but I am obviously mistaken. Still eager to go out and get yourself killed again. Hopefully this time you won't be as lucky."
Sirius, listening to this like a ticking bomb, exploded, pinning Snape against the nearest wall. "I'm not sure Snivellus. By the way you're acting, I would be led to suspect you're the one with a death wish!" he spat.
Severus, seemingly unfazed, continued. "It's your fault, you know. Your rashness almost cost us this war. The whole ordeal with the capture wouldn't have happened if you hadn't insisted on coming." He smirked silkily.
By now, Snape's back was so hard against the wall, he could barely move, but with the last comments, he was almost crushed. "Don't you ever…" whispered Sirius, boiling with rage.
"Stop," spoke Remus harshly. "Do you think this is going to help anyone?"
Sirius sent an angry glance at Remus, but grudgingly released the Potions Master, who sent one last triumphant smirk before exiting the room.
Frodo, completely ignored as he watched the scene play out, decided that this would in fact, not be a particularly good time to thank Sirius for saving his life, and decided to take up the important task of an afternoon nap until the meeting commenced once more.
When the meeting resumed, an air of tenseness hung in the air. Albus Dumbledore's eyes scanned the faces of the members, sensing that though they were urgent to attempt to rescue Tonks, they were finding difficulty thinking up a way to do it.
After several moments of silence, Dumbledore spoke. "Due to recent events, the remaining of Lord Voldemort's followers will have moved to a new location. I have almost complete confidence that is the place Tonks can be found," he spoke calmly.
"Now we must concentrate our efforts on finding this hideaway." At this last sentence his sparkling blue eyes locked with the cold black ones of Severus.
Minutes later, the Order members could be seen filing out of the meeting and returning to their respective posts. Severus Snape didn't stop as he met Dumbledore.
"Professor," he began calmly.
Dumbledore's eyes glinted knowingly. "You wish to ask why you are being sent as our current spy when Mr. Baggins has been branded with the dark mark also?"
Nodding silently Snape awaited the elderly wizard's answer. At times the headmaster seemed able to read minds.
"You have already gained the trust of the Dark Lord over many years, Severus." He started. "Frodo, meanwhile, has just been added and has already proven his possible vulnerability to the enemy's tricks. He must be prepared for the sort of things he will face before he returns. In time, he will join you in this fight."
With one last icy glance at Dumbledore, Severus slunk off into the shadows.
For what he faces… he thought. He doubted Dumbledore understood what that meant.
Following the meeting, Sam, Merry, and Pippin met Frodo and immediately began pummeling him with questions of what had occurred below the ground. Despite the vivid curiosity of the others, one thought, and one thought only rested in the gardener's mind.
They better not be askin' him to go about and put himself in danger again! This is some sneaky business we've been gettin' ourselves into…
If anything like that were to happen, Sam knew he may be furious at the Order, or whoever the cause of it was, but he would do anything to stay by his master's side. He'd beg to have the dark mark branded deep into his flesh, if that meant he could help. He'd be willing to face perils every day until he died, and even death he would take to spare Frodo's life.
TBC
A/N (again): Sorry this chapter was so short. Like I said, I'm new at writing whole chapters for this fic, and can be compared to a young foal learning to stand. :-P. Please give feedback. Hope you enjoy this!
