JKRowling owns Harry Potter and all the characters in that story.
FASA owns Earthdawn
Alright – after a few months off, the story is starting up again. Personal recap – I've dealt with Multiple COVID outbreaks in my family, a debilitating injury followed by surgery, then a surge of demand at work. Life is interesting and my problems are very minor compared to that of others.
The hardest part of starting the story again was getting momentum. I plan to update Bi-Weekly and hopefully bring you all a story you enjoy. Thank you all for your patience.
§ - Parseltongue will start and end with § and be in italics. §"Example of Parseltongue"§
—CS—
Special thanks to my Beta Reader, the 'MoleOfWar' for the excellent feedback and diligent work in making the story better.
Hogwarts
May 4, 1998
Lavender Brown was sitting quietly in an abandoned classroom. The cool granite floor was as unyielding as the roughhewn stone wall she had propped herself against. She drew a meagre sense of stability from the solidity of the wall and the floor. The only light in the room was coming from the 'lumos' charm she had cast. The charm created shadows as it touched the forgotten desks and chairs in the room. The shadows were deep, long, and rather gloomy. As depressing as the room was, it matched her own mood.
She came here to get away from all the noise and sorrow in the castle. The dead and the injured were everywhere. She could still smell the coppery scent of blood that had splattered about the castle in so many areas. She had to get away, just for a short while. Tonight, she had almost died. Less than thirty minutes ago, she had been disarmed and was staring at the cold eyes of a servant of the Dark Lord. The terrible man gave her a vicious grin as he pointed his wand at her. She had been frozen in fear and was at the mercy of a pitiless man. She'd fought and lost… now she would die.
Before the man could fire his curse, a harsh voice rang out through the castle. Time seemed to stand still as 'You-Know-Who' had commanded his forces to withdrawal from the battle. When the Dark Lord's message ended, the vile man looked down at her and winked. "See you soon, pretty thing. One hour…" He was clearly enjoying her terror. She'd been saved at the last moment by the last person she would have expected… the Dark Lord himself.
He then vanished and left her to quiver and shake as she searched the floor for her wand. As she looked about, other dark wizards and witches were apparating away all around them. With the wards down, the attackers could come and go as they pleased.
In one hour, the fighting would start again. That is, unless Harry turned himself over to the Death Eaters. No one in their right mind would do that. No one. Did she even want him to? No. They were friends. In half an hour, she would fight and likely die fighting. She could run. Leave the battle behind and live her life… But that wasn't who she was. Yes, she liked soft and pretty things, but she was no coward. She was a Gryffindor through and through.
Half the time had now passed and in about thirty minutes, unless there was some miracle, she would be right back in the thick of battle. Her hands were shaking at the idea and she began sobbing. She pulled her knees under her and cradled her face in her left hand. Her right hand still grasped her wand and maintained her lumos charm. The wand shook as she cried and the shadows danced to her tears. She had already vomited earlier, but her stomach still felt like it was ready to rebel at the thought of another battle. Soon enough, she would find her friends and prepare to fight. For now she just wanted to cry and let it all out.
"Lavender?" A gentle voice called. The room grew brighter and the shadows had receded.
She jumped at hearing her name. But it was only Harry. He had produced his own illumination charm and attached it to the ceiling somehow. The room was immediately more welcoming. He approached with a gentle stride and a tenderness about him, betraying how concerned he was. So caring…
"Hi… Harry." She said between sobs. There was no point hiding her tears. Her cheeks reddened with the knowledge that he was seeing her at her worst. No girl wants to be seen like this. She was trembling uncontrollably and it had nothing to do with the temperature.
Harry came over and knelt down beside her. He looked so clean, like he hadn't just waded through a battle. Like he hadn't been killing giants and driving off dementors a short hour ago. She knew she looked nowhere near as presentable. Skinned knees, torn clothing, scrapes and bruises… Add in a runny nose, tears, matted hair… Yeah, she was a mess. He reached out and wiped her tears away with a handkerchief. She met his eyes and seemed to get lost in them. They were so warm and kind. He had changed so much in the last year…
"I'm sorry, Harry. I'm just scared." She hiccupped a little at the end, but the tears had stopped.
"It's alright, Lav. We're all scared." He touched her chin with his index finger. "But you're still here. Still fighting. That's what makes you so special. That is how you will be remembered. As a hero."
Lavender scoffed. "You are a hero, Harry. I'm just a girl who didn't have the good sense to run away." Lavender blew her nose. "I'm barely holding my own out there." And that was being generous.
Harry smiled softly and stood up. He held out his hand and helped her rise as well. Her tears had been cleared from her face.
"You're very brave Lavender. Never doubt that. We're all barely holding our own, but that's what we need to do." His warmth and charisma was reassuring. "I am so lucky to have you for a friend."
Lavender shook her head gently. "I'm no one special. You have lots of friends." She hated admitting this. Hopefully, he would argue with her.
Harry kissed her forehead. "There is only one Lavender Brown. You, and only you, are the one I want watching my back. You are the one I need protecting me from cowardly strikes when I'm fighting Voldemort. It has to be you, Lavender."
"I can barely cover my own back… There are better fighters to watch out for you." She knew Ginny or Neville would be better. "But I'm here for the long haul. I won't leave you."
Harry pulled her into a hug. "It must be you. You are trusted and… I need you."
Lavender enjoyed having his arms around her. It gave her strength and hope. She rested her head against his shoulder. Harry was a good friend… and he was with Ginny. She let herself relax in his warmth and wondered what it would be like to be with him romantically. He was so… so much different than he used to be. When had he gotten so sensitive? So approachable?
She gave him a squeeze and pulled back. "Thank you. I needed to hear that." She gave him the best smile she could manage and turned to pick up her cloak and her things. "We'll find a way to win, I know we will."
Her body then stiffened as a white-hot pain ran from her back through to her chest. Looking down, she saw a small protrusion tenting her robes just left of her sternum. Her hands cramped up and her fingers were like claws, locked in pain. Her wand clattered as it fell to the floor. As her body seized up, she dropped to the cold and unforgiving floor, pulling herself into a ball. Her heart… the pain…
She felt herself being gently turned over. Looking up, she saw Harry's face begin to shift and flow. She couldn't breathe. Her vision was beginning to dim. The words she heard seemed so far away, "Rest now sweet one, you will not be forgotten."
Harry was now gone and her own face now looked down at her. She felt a soft hand caress her cheek. "I am truly sorry, but your sacrifice… is required."
And everything faded to black.
—CS—
Grimmauld place
Tuesday October 2, 2001
4AM
Harry woke up with a gasp.
The dream, it had seemed so real. He was used to prophetic dreams, but this was personal. At that point, he noticed a person standing in the shadows. He leapt from the bed and summoned his wands. His pulse pounded and he shifted his vision to gain full visual detail in the dark room. Standing silently in the corner was the spirit of Lavender Brown. He was breathing like he'd sprinted a mile. Lavender gave him a small smile and a casual wave. Her slight grin and the way her eyes reflected the mischievous nature of the grin. Why do ghosts always seem to enjoy the effect they have? Scaring the shite out of the living.
Harry lowered his wands. "Lavender? What… what brings you here?
Lavender tilted her head and her eyebrows came together. She seemed to fade a little for a moment, "You summoned me, Harry." She smiled a bit deeper and her eyes seemed to sparkle with amusement. "I should be asking what you want."
Harry took three deep breaths, then sat on the edge of the bed. "Lavender, you know I'd never do that. It wasn't me, I promise. The killing, not the summoning."
"I know, Harry. It was a shapeshifter. I'm glad you survived." She took a step forward and crossed her arms. "It all seemed rather bleak when I died."
"Thanks." He rubbed his chin with the back of his hand. "Ummm, do you know who it was? The shapeshifter?"
Lavender shrugged. "I thought it might be Tonks." She adopted a curious and unfocused look for a moment. "But she's dead too. We can always tell… And I suppose she really wasn't the assassin type."
"Do you have any idea?" Sometimes the dead know more.
"No, I'm sorry but I didn't stay around. I wish I could tell you more, but I moved on."
Looking at her shade was difficult. "Lavender, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you." Harry had avoided summoning those who died protecting him. It just hurt too much.
Lavender gave him a gentle look. "Don't be sad, Harry. The afterlife hasn't been terrible… I have loved ones all around me now." She looked sadly at him and shook her head softly. "Please don't be sad. I moved on and now I'm at rest. I'm at peace."
A lump was forming in his throat. "I see – well, thank you Lavender. For everything. You were a good friend and you are missed." His eyes were wet and threatening to spill over.
Lavender stepped back. "Thank you, Harry. You were a good friend, too. It's time for me to leave…" She seemed to chew on her lower lip for a moment. "Check on Parvati if you have a chance. I want her to be happy..." And with that, she faded away.
Harry leaned forward and his head fell into his hands. His thorn wand scraped painfully across his cheek. It would heal. This was a lot to take in, he needed a workout top clear his head.
—CS—
Grimmauld Place
Tuesday October 2, 2001
7AM
Harry was sitting quietly in his Kitchen sipping his morning tea. This room always relaxed him. Cast iron and dark wood. A large table for casual dining. It reminded him of times with Sirius and Remus. With Tonks and the Weasleys. This morning it was quiet. Kreacher had prepared tea with fruit and bacon while he sat and pondered.
His workout had been excellent and had helped him recover from that terrible nightmare. An intense workout followed by a cool shower and a hot tea was a morning ritual he had grown to love. His time in France had resulted in a few bad habits, like sleeping in and skipping out of his daily workout routine. But he was back on track now.
The dream was real, but why had he experienced it? Why now? How had he subconsciously summoned Lavender? What could have triggered it? If it was a message from beyond the veil, it didn't tell him much.
Poor Lavender… Why had she been killed? Everyone thought she perished after the last battle. He distinctly remembered her in the final battle. He recalled how she had protected him and others. So many lives she saved. There was even a memorial to her at Hogwarts. According to the dream, she died between battles. By all accounts, she fought like a trained fighter in the last battle. That was a clue they all had missed; she was never at that skill level. She could match a Snatcher, maybe. But not a Death Eater. How had he missed that? Probably because whoever it was had fought on his side. But why kill Lavender just to protect him? Why not just… protect him? None of this made sense.
Finishing his tea, he set those thoughts aside. This would have to keep. He'd eventually find out who killed Lavender and make them pay. But right now, he had to prepare for his trip to South America. Looking around, he realised how much he had grown accustomed to Grimmauld place. There were so many memories here. But, he needed his privacy.
What he hadn't fully considered when he invited Andromeda to move in was the lack of privacy he would have. He made the offer before Daphne and he had gotten serious and now she frequently stayed over… He'd definitely have to find his own place soon. Possibly one of the Hogsmeade locations. Or, maybe he'd go back to Paris… He loved that little house in Yvoiré. But, that would require an international portkey when he went to work. Expensive and unnecessary given he had other options. He needed to seriously consider all of his options when making his housing decisions. Especially if he planned to rebuild Potter Manor one day. Not to mention the Hogshead Inn. He'd considered setting up house in one of the nicer rooms. Then was the property Penelope McKinnon had left him.
Yesterday, he had seen Daphne, Andromeda, and his Runespoor familiar off to Paris for the Wizards and Witches Fall fashion week. Along with the Spring fashion week, this was something Andromeda and 'the girls' loved. Daphne also wanted to use this as research for when and if they decided to introduce a line of fashion with his name on it. Catherine wanted to go with them and Fawkes was off somewhere doing whatever he did when he was away. The house was much quieter.
For the next week, he could just focus on Teddy. It would be a week of Quidditch, toy shopping, ice cream, pizza, and maybe even a visit to Yvoiré. They'd have a blast. Then he'd be off to South America for two weeks. While there, he'd scout the mountains of South America for hints on how to break the Greengrass curse. Upon returning, he'd work with his legal team to review the proposals of the families that wish their assets restored. And he'd start tracking down Lavender's killer. That last task would be no easy feat.
But that would all have to wait. For now, he had one blissful week of relaxation with his godson. This would be 'bloke' time. No girls, just two rambunctious and troublesome guys out on the town. A pair of wild men looking for fun and ice cream. This would be a week Teddy would never forget!
After another sip of tea, Harry turned to his Banishing box. Time to face the day. The first few letters were invitations to some event or another. Both were in late November, so he could make them in theory. He'd run them by Daphne and Andromeda first to make sure they were legit. He'd been tricked into attending 'charity events' in the past, only to later discover they were only focused on lining the pockets of those running the event. It had been a rude awakening. The third letter was something altogether different.
It was an official looking letter from the Ministry. Opening it, the letter detailed out a rejection of his application for an international portkey to South America. Apparently the terrorist act in New York had resulted in a cessation of magical travel while the investigations were underway. The Magical Congress of the United States of America, aka MACUSA, didn't want anyone coming in or out of the Western Hemisphere until they've completely ruled out magical involvement in the destruction of the twin towers in New York City.
That terrorist attack had thrown the United States into a state of seething anger. It had been a terrible tragedy, taking the lives of thousands. The ministry and their allies all believed it to be a purely muggle affair, with no magical contribution. But it had been huge and MACUSA reacting this way only made sense.
Harry set the letter aside and considered his trip. MACUSA requesting South America to shut down its international portkeys was a good strategic move. South America and Mexico were known to have ways in and out of North America that were difficult to track. Considering his options, Harry knew not every country would cooperate. Argentina was usually a rebel in the affairs of South America. Perhaps he could request a portkey to Argentina, then enter the mountains from the south.
But did he really want to sneak in? Was it worth dealing with a country with such a questionable reputation? Its magical government was basically a dictatorship. Their leader was charismatic, but she ruled with an iron fist. There were reports of numerous human rights issues and the ICW was frequently threatening censure and embargos. Going by her reputation, President Catalina Acosta was not a woman Harry would want to be in debt with.
Unfortunately, he really couldn't wait long. The rainy season usually began in November and it would make it especially difficult to navigate the mountains and the ruins of the Incan Empire. He needed to get there in October or he'd have to wait months for the rainfall to abate. There had to be other ways to make this work.
He may be able to use muggle means, but all major ports and airports were monitored… Maybe not so much in South America. Then again, given how he tended to disrupt electrical devices, a jet may not be the safest means of travel. He read the note again. Medical and educational permits were still allowed. He read it twice more and grinned. Educational permits… Yes.
He was set to be a Hogwarts teacher next year… and he had gotten his NEWTs from Castelobruxo. Or 'Castelo dos Bruxos' as the resident students refer to their school. The area had some of the most unique and diverse fauna on the face of the Earth and it only made sense for a herbology field trip. Neville would jump at the chance and he had strong contacts at that school as well. Yes, this may work. He'd need to move fast, though.
The final letter was from Gringotts. The 'holdout' retail property owner sold at 175% of the fair market value. That was better than Harry expected. He had instructed the Goblins to pay out up to 200%. One of the two residential locations sold at 125%, while the other declined. Excellent. He now personally owned a sizable proportion of Hogsmeade. Hopefully the development would work out. He'd walk the street he now 'owned' when he visited Hogwarts. It'd be a good time to see how his new elf, Frankie, was doing. It wouldn't hurt to tour Penelope's properties as well.
The rest of the mail was unimportant and quickly discarded. Taking out a pen and parchment, he transcribed a quick note to Minerva and Neville, requesting a visit. He also wrote a quick note to Aina and Bill to see if they were available Thursday evening in the three broomsticks.
Harry heard a small voice say, "Daddy?"
Looking up, he saw Kreacher holding Teddy's hand while the little boy rubbed his eyes. His hair was sticking straight up and seemed to be his natural colour. Teddy stifled a yawn and walked over to give Harry a hug.
Harry picked the boy up and pulled out a chair. "Have a seat, champ. What can Kreacher and I whip up for you?" He already knew the answer.
With an excited grin, Teddy exclaimed, "Blueberry Pancakes!"
Harry joined Kreacher at the griddle. "Alright!" Teddy loved Blueberry pancakes.
Kreacher took charge and Harry fell in step with the old elf. Cooking together had become something they both enjoyed.
—CS—
Diagon Alley
Tuesday Afternoon
October 2, 2001
Ginny Weasley sped through Diagon Alley. He feet lightly treading on the cobblestones as she wove in and out between shoppers. It was not very busy, but there were still plenty of people moving about. The weather was crisp and slightly cool, but not cold. It was a gorgeous autumn day, but Ginny didn't notice. She kept her head low and her hood up so as not to be recognised.
The news that Harry had been seen with so many witches in France had been hard to take. The news that he had paired up with Daphne Greengrass had driven her to tears. Daphne had been one of the Slytherin students while Hogwarts was under the control of Snape. She hadn't been responsible for any of the worst Slytherin behaviour, but she still had always been cold as ice. She fell apart when Harry had written to say they were now dating.
None of this made any sense. Why had she let him go? She had loved Harry for so long. First as a childish fantasy, then as a real person after she got to know him. No, she didn't want to get married and start a family as fast as he did, but why hadn't she tried to talk about it with him? She had wanted a break, but for him to have moved on so fast… To make matters even worse, according to Bill, he was planning to take a teaching position at Hogwarts, leaving behind the terrible lifestyle she hated. His dangerous travels were one of the reasons they had split.
The worst discovery had been Andi… That betrayal had been the worst. According to her mum, Andromeda and Ted were married right out of Hogwarts. They had never broken up. Why had the woman said that they had? Had Andi been steering her to end her relationship with Harry? That's the only thing that makes sense. How could she have been so blind? Of course 'Lady Black' would want to see Harry with a Slytherin girl! Hypocrite! Andi had followed her heart and married a Hufflepuff. Ginny wondered for the hundredth time how she could have been so blind.
The rounded cobblestones of Diagon Alley transitioned to the smooth brick streets of Carkitt Market. The buildings were more structured and service oriented as opposed to Diagon Alleys retail establishments. Gone were the bold and fanciful colours, replaced by sedate grey and brownstone. Ginny passed by a medical facility, the offices of different solicitors, and other professional establishments. Eventually, she approaching a wooden door she knew all too well. Pausing briefly, she aggressively knocked, hoping the person she wished to speak to was available. Within a minute, Dr. Gaines answered.
Dr. Gaines eyes open widely, "Miss Weasley… Ginny. Whatever is the matter?"
Ginny was suddenly aware of how she must look. Dishevelled, tear stained face, furious… blotchy skin… She could feel other eyes on her back. Thank goodness this wasn't in Diagon Alley… a handful of pedestrians must have recognised her… likely watching her from a distance. Please, she begged to no one in particular. Please don't let this be in the news tomorrow.
Keeping her voice low, Ginny said, "Dr. Gaines, I made a huge mistake!"
Clearly concerned, Dr. Gains asked, "Ginny, what on Earth—"
"I know we talked about it, but I'm not ready… I never should have broken up with Harry! I don't know what I was thinking! We could have had a long-distance relationship until things calmed down. We should have! I have loved him for so long…" She lost control and had to grit her teeth to hold back her tears.
Dr. Gaines took her hand. "Ginny, please come inside."
Ginny shook her head. "He's moving on and I…" Her cheeks were warm and she felt flushed. Her eyes began to tear up once more. "Andi tricked me! That lying bitch! I love Harry so much, and I threw him away!" Ginny's voice was gaining volume. Any louder and some of the bystanders might hear.
"Ginny come inside now… we discussed this, you said—" She was looking around to make sure no one could hear.
Fresh tears flowed down her cheeks as she began gasping, "I know… I said… I wanted to… But I wasn't thinking straight! I want Harry back, please tell me it's not too late." She closed her eyes and pulled her hands to her face.
"No, Ginny, it's never too late. I'm just glad you came to me." Dr. Gaines gently put her hand around Ginny's shoulder. "Come inside and we'll work this out. I'm proud of you for working through your feelings."
The wooden door closed gently. Dr. Gaines hoped no one was close enough to hear the exchange.
—CS—
Selwyn Manor
Wednesday Evening
October 3, 2001
Francis Parkinson was seated comfortably in the Joseph Selwyn's private office. The room was primarily dark wood and leather seating. There was a strong scent of furniture polish and leather. A subtle lingering scent of cigars and Firewhisky were also present. Bookshelves lined the walls and a small table sat between two dark leather wingback chairs, one of which he was seated on. To the side was a small leather sofa. The room exuded strength and masculinity. Directly on the centre of the external wall was a large oak desk with their host seated in a massive and pretentious chair behind it.
Also present were Jacob Rowle, Gordon Rosier, and Duncan Travers. Travers was seated in the chair beside him and Rosier was on the sofa. Rowle was standing to the side near Rosier. None of them were heads of their families, but all were part of their family's primary line. With a suppressed groan, Francis realised there was little doubt on what this group was here to discuss.
Francis grimly realised he was the only true lord. He was easily fifteen years older than any of these boys. Why was he even here? This was just a group of ambitious brats. None of them can speak for their family and only Joseph is clearly in succession. The best course of action is to watch and wait. While he waited, he decided to enjoy some of the Selwyn family whisky reserves.
Joseph Selwyn seemed to pick up on his impatience. "Gentlemen, it's good that you are all here. It's time we discuss a matter of extreme importance to our collective families."
Francis tried not to look too bored while he poured himself a glass of Ogden's finest. Here it comes… Blah, blah, blah. Harry Potter stole our assets. We trusted the Dark Lord, blah, blah, blah. Damn fools. They should try having a drunken daughter that embarrasses them at every function.
After a moment, Selwyn continued, "The fact is, Harry Potter and the Lady Black have refused to cooperate in our requests for restitution."
Francis actually snorted at that. Of course they did. The request was ridiculous. Looking up, Selwyn gave him a collaborative nod. The arrogant young man obviously misinterpreted his reaction.
Selwyn continued, "We all backed the wrong player, but it's not like we had much choice. Now is a time to rebuild Britain and recover from the terrible war."
Rosier added, "Damn straight! We've paid restitutions and without our assets, there's no way for us to recover. Meanwhile, Potter is sitting on my family's holdings. Holdings we sacrificed to build and develop over generations."
Francis noted the others all seemed to agree. He just nodded along. Their families sold their holdings to fund the Dark Lord's war… They have no one to blame but their own heads of house. This'll be over soon enough, then he can be on his way.
Selwyn glanced at Travers and continued, "Recently, we discovered that Potter was going to be vulnerable abroad. Duncan even managed to acquire his itinerary. We know where he will be and when." After a smug pause, be added, "This is a golden opportunity to be rid of him once and for all."
Francis froze up for a moment. Oh, no. These arrogant boys are playing at something they cannot comprehend. They're all nodding and smirking – Damn fools! Do they think Potter is some typical wizard to be done away with?
Travers then said, "We have top men in position. Men who know what to do with upstart half-bloods like Potter."
Rowle asked, "How did they get past the travel restrictions?"
Selwyn smirked again. "We hired locals. Honestly, most mercenaries in Europe would either refuse or demand ridiculous prices."
Francis couldn't hold back any longer, "Are you all insane? Harry Potter is the premier mage in Great Britain. Do you really think a few mercenaries will be able to challenge him?"
Travers practically shouted, "Potter is not to be feared! Did you see him at the party? Humble and unassuming? Nervous and frightened?" With a sneer, he added, "Potter is no threat."
Francis shook his head, "Do you really think he's less of a threat because he's socially awkward?" These were foolish children. Why did he accept this invitation?
Travers scoffed. "He got lucky. Yes, he is powerful, but against a dozen trained Wizards, he will fall every time."
Francis shook his head, "He fought more than that in France. I heard the house he fought in was knee deep in gore when he finished."
Rosier then said, "Yes, but the occupants in the house were not ready for him… and Potter nearly died." Letting that sink in, he added, "The locals we're hiring don't even know who hired them. Nothing can be tied back to us. This is a free shot and we'd be foolish not to take it."
Rowle added, "There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. But this needs to be a two-pronged attack. Lady Black is too dangerous to ignore."
Selwyn then said, "Agreed, she needs to go. Even if Harry Potter somehow survives, he'd be crippled without his advisor. Lady Black must be eliminated. She's the guiding force behind Potter and without her, he's no real threat."
Rosier nodded in agreement, "She is an easy target. What of the named heir? The Half-blood mongrel child?"
Selwyn set his drink down and considered the child intently. "The boy is a metamorphmagus. Setting blood purity aside, that's a rare talent. He'll also have a vote on the Wizengamot when he comes of age.
Travers then spoke up. "Perhaps he can be spared. He could prove useful in the long run."
Rosier shook his head, "That depends on how much he sees. I don't condone killing children, but the last thing I want is a vengeful metamorphmagus coming after me in twenty years."
"That makes two of us." Travers calmly agreed.
Selwyn offered a solution, "Narcissa Malfoy can take the child. She'll see that our alliance is her best option and will work with us. She'll see to it that the mongrel is raised well."
Rowle screwed up his face, "Traitorous bitch. She's always done whatever it took to save her own skin."
"She did what she had to." Rosier responded very quickly. "Her proclivity to changing sides is what makes this work. And can you blame her? It was either Potter or Greyback."
Rowle shuddered and gave a half-hearted shrug. "No… Not really."
Francis watched this exchange very carefully. Rosier came to Narcissa's defence very quickly. He must have some other plans in mind. Rowle is a blood thirsty little conniver. Was he planning to somehow let his older brother take the fall? That would put him in line to replace his father one day. Or did he actually think this would work? It was time to ask a few key questions.
Francis asked, "What of the Greengrass family? What's the plan for them?" Let's see what Selwyn wants.
But before Selwyn could comment, Rowle said, "Cyrus has got to go. He's a Wily bastard. Far too dangerous to let live."
Rosier winced. "Cyrus is a member of the Wizengamot. Do you really think it wise to attack him? To alienate the family and risk Ministry reprisals?"
Selwyn showed his hand. "Cyrus is of little consequence. It would be better for us all if he were removed from the equation. Michael will fall in line to protect what's left of his family."
Francis couldn't help but notice a fraternal protectiveness. Did Joseph Selwyn really think Michael Greengrass would ignore his father's murder? This is exactly the way Death Eaters used to talk. One of the reasons he never joined them.
Rosier fidgeted about. "And what of Michael's wife and his sisters?" Francis couldn't help but notice his sudden shift toward hesitancy. Where was that resolve he had started with? It was odd. Was this a little 'Noblesse Oblige'? Was he showing his French roots? He then remembered, Michael was engaged to a Rosier.
Selwyn pursed his lips for a moment. "The sisters pose no threat."
Rowle sipped his drink and gritted his teeth. "Perhaps, but the elder sister must be eliminated. She's too much like her father to ignore." He took a deep sip of his whiskey. "The mother too. Roxanne has always been a meddlesome bitch."
Selwyn looked surprised. "That could make things difficult with Michael… Let's avoid killing the Greengrass women."
Rowle scoffed. "Don't be foolish. The wife and younger sister can be spared, but not the elder sister. She's already thrown in with Potter and Black." He then squinted at first Selwyn, then at Rosier. "Don't let either of your personal feelings compromise this operation."
Rosier chuckled, then said, "I could say the same for you as well. Personal feelings… The room is thick with them." He chuckled a bit more, shook his head and sipped his drink.
Rowle took a menacing step forward. "Care to elaborate, Rosier?"
This Francis wanted to hear. What were these men's attraction to the Greengrass family? Wasn't Thorfinn pursuing the elder sister at one time? He'd lost touch of those entanglements and now it was coming back on him.
Travers chose that moment to speak. "We're getting distracted. Focus, people!"
Francis cursed internally. So close…
Travers turned to Rowle, "Don't let your lust for bloodshed cloud your judgement, Rowle."
Francis was amazed at how Rowle simply looked away. Why would he defer to Travers now? It's amazing how very different these men were. They all had personal agendas that only overlapped with a hatred of Harry Potter. A hatred he simply did not share. Narcissa, Roxanne, Daphne… It's not so easy to talk murder when it's someone you've shared a dance or two with. Cyrus was no easy mark and Potter was much more dangerous than these children realised. These boys were digging their own graves. Then again, if the mercenaries couldn't trace it back to them… Was it really a free shot?
Francis raised a key question. "The elder sister's friend is an Auror… is this endeavour wise?" Maybe they'd come to their senses. The question had the desired effect. They all seemed to withdrawal into themselves. No one spoke for a good minute and a half.
Selwyn eventually acknowledged the statement. "I have an ally in the DMLE." He pronounced each letter with theatrical intensity, trying to give it more impact. He looked at each person, daring them to challenge him.
Rowle gave a brief nod, then asked, "How influential is your ally?"
Selwyn tapped his fingers together a moment before answering. "Better than most. More than sufficient to give us room to manoeuvre."
Francis wondered who it could be. He knew of all the key players and none of them had been loyal to the Dark Lord. Was there a family contact somewhere? He had either missed something? Looking into his glass he wondered if Selwyn was bluffing.
With a long sip, Francis finished his drink and set it down. "Gentlemen, this is risky endeavour. With high risk, there must be equally high reward. What benefit is there? What is to be gained?"
Francis wondered once more, why was he even here? Andromeda was once a family friend. They played together as children in Diagon Alley. They were in the same year at Hogwarts. The same house. Then she went and married a Mudblood. Now he had no real friends. It was a shame, really. He always got along well with her.
Selwyn stared at him a moment, his hands gripping his own drink tightly. "Once house Black has been eliminated, the Ministry will be forced to disseminate the assets. With our open lawsuits, we should be able to take back all of our previous enterprises with minimal difficulty."
Francis groaned. "I have no skin in that game, Selwyn. I never sold away my assets to suit that… that maniac. The Parkinson family never joined up with his cause."
Rowle slammed his fist down on the table in front of him. The decanter fell over and Francis' glass fell to the ground beside it. "You Fence sitting bastard!" He then stepped back and reached for his wand.
Francis stood hastily drew his own wand, taking a step backward. This was unexpected. Jacob Rowle, a virtual nobody, had just drawn a wand on him. He was a Wizengamot member! Rosier and Travers looked tense, but neither had drawn a wand. Not yet. Selwyn was still sitting calmly, staring at him.
Francis asked, "Why am I even here? I'm not named in your lawsuit? I have very little to gain and so much to lose."
Selwyn took a deep breath and slowly released it. The tension in the room seemed to lower itself as he exhaled. Francis noted that the boy had some degree of charisma, what was his game here?
Selwyn gestured for Rowle to lower his wand. "Lord Parkinson," That was the first time he had addressed him by his title. "We need your influence in the Wizengamot to ensure there are no in-depth investigations."
Travers calmly added, "You're either with us or against us. Decide now." The others seemed to agree.
Francis considered the situation. Do they really think one man can influence the Wizengamot against Potter and Black? Who else is involved? Were these brat's parents the ones coordinating events? Were there other supporters in the Wizengamot? Or were they just looking for a patsy? A convenient scapegoat if events turned sour. For now, he was one man against four.
There was really only one choice if he wanted to survive.
Francis sheathed his wand. "Very well… but I want something for my efforts. Something that makes this worth the risk for me."
Without blinking, Selwyn made an offer. "Import rights on North African Coffee beans and spices."
Francis saw this for the opening offer that it was. "Pathetic. Try again."
It was going to be a very long night.
—CS—
Notes:
Next chapter: Harry prepares for his trip to South America. We'll see Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and a certain red haired Harpie.