Chapter 39

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, 3rd March 2012

A few days had passed since Sam's attack. Dean told him to take a few days to recuperate and that he, John and Mary would take over teaching. Sam insisted he was fine, but Dean said he would tie him to the bed, but when Sam told him how wrong that sounded, he relented. But Dean dragged out one of the cushy armchairs for Sam to sit in during the lecture.

"I'm not sitting in that Dean…."

"Fine, then it's mine," Dean replied with a smirk and dove into the chair.

"You didn't really get that for me, did you?"

"Nope." He gave Sam a dumbass smile. "But if you don't want it… Finders keepers."

"What are you? Six?"

"And a half!" Dean stuck out his tongue.

"And they trust you, two idiots, to run a class full of teenagers…?" Bobby rolled his eyes, but his words weren't harsh. He liked seeing those boys happy. God knows they deserved it.

"I know? Crazy right?" Dean smirked. "Wonder what glue Albus was sniffing."

"You shouldn't talk about our boss that way Dean," Sam commented as he set up the slides for the lesson. "I swear he has ears everywhere."

"Oh, lighten up," Dean shrugged. "Just because you had a demonic induced heart attack doesn't mean I'm gonna take it easy on you. And you said I'd be the first one to die of one."

"Whatever…"

A paper aeroplane zoomed into the room suddenly.

"What the hell?" Sam muttered as he caught it. The paper rustled in his hand and sprang to life, the sound of Albus Dumbledore echoed through the room.

"There will be an emergency meeting of the Order of the Phoenix at 6 pm tonight, please come to my office to discuss the details. Password is 'Apple Drop'" Sam yelped as the letter burst into flames. The letter burned up and vanished.

"Well, that saves on recycling…" Dean muttered. "Don't wait up I guess babe."

"You guys are hunters too; You guys need to be in on this."

"You're right Sam," Dean nodded. "I'm nominating all of you."

The rest of the day passes without that much incident. They had fifth year Gryffindors and Slytherins that day. Ginny Weasley got herself detention for hexing one of the other students when he bad-mouthed her family.

"The git deserved it…." she had grumbled.

The class on Changelings went on smoothly after that. The boys went to the Great Hall for dinner at five. Dumbledore made no mention of his exploding note when they greeted him at the staff table.

"Good evening," he greeted with a smile.

The meal went on with its usual chatter. The boys and the other hunters walked to the gargoyle statue,

"Strange place to put an office…." Ellen muttered.

"Apple Drop," Dean said to the gargoyle, and it started to move, revealing the stone steps behind. The hunters walked up the steps and knocked on the door.

"Damn magic…." Bobby grunted as they passed through the entryway.

"Hello everyone," Albus smiled from behind his desk. "Oh, good, you've brought the others. Welcome to my office."

"Hey," Dean smiled. "It's okay I brought them, right?"

"Of course. The more, the merrier." Albus smiled. "Today we will be travelling to my organization's headquarters. I trust you have told them about the Order?"

"Yeah, we've filled them in," Sam replied. "Though we haven't told them about the Floo Powder."

"This is a way of transportation that we use to travel through fireplaces," Albus explained.

Dean and Sam had to admit, seeing Ellen and Bobby go ape shit over getting into a burning fireplace was hilarious to watch, now that they were a part of the wizard club. One by one, they travelled by Floo Powder to Number 11, Crossley Street, the abandoned house Sam and Dean first arrived at when going to Grimmauld Place in August.

"Convenient, but scary as hell…" Jo muttered.

The group moved toward Number 12 Grimmauld Place and knocked lightly on the door.

"We need to be quiet until we get to the kitchen. I'll explain later," Dean advised.

"Okay…" Jo replied, confused.

Everyone walked into the kitchen, seeing several people already there.

"Sam Dean! Delightful to see you again." The two men were enveloped in a hug by Mrs Weasley. Sirius embraced John, happy to see his friend again.

"Hey Molly," Dean smiled.

"Good to see you too," Sam added. Molly's eyes roamed over the newcomers and then looked at the pair with questions in her eyes.

"Guys this is our Mom, Mary Winchester, our friends, Bobby Singer, Ellen, and Jo Harvelle," Dean introduced. "It's a long story Molly, but they're here to help. They were brought back in January to help with the fight."

"Oh my," Molly gasped, looking at Mary, knowing the brothers lost their mother very young. "You have some fine boys, Mrs Winchester."

"Thank you. I'm pretty partial to them too." Mary grinned. John laughed.

"Hey…" Dean pouted. Sirius stepped up.

"Welcome to my home."

"Thanks for having us," Ellen nodded.

"Oh!" Molly interrupted, catching sight of a ring glinting on the young woman, Jo's finger.

"Yeah," Dean caught on to Molly's look and smirked. "Jo and I got engaged last week. We figured why the hell not." Molly hit his shoulder lightly. "Language…"

"Mom…" Dean whined. Mary just shrugged.

"She's not wrong."

A light knock on the door interrupted the pleasantries.

"Ah, that'll be Dumbledore, I'll be right back," Sirius announced as he left the room. A few seconds later he returned with the old wizard in tow. They moved into the kitchen and sat down. The Weasleys were sat at the table, along with Fleur, Sirius, Alastor, Kingsley, Tonks, Remus, Minerva and Snape. They were also surprised to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the table too. Dean noticed the Weasley twins congratulating their little sister.

Albus stood up. "I suppose this is everyone?"

"You tell me," Dean muttered. Sam hit him. Albus's mouth twitched upward in amusement.

"Professor, is this about the attack on the Winchesters?" Harry spoke up first. "Or has something else happened?"

"Something has happened," Albus replied. "I have become aware that Gellert Grindelwald was found dead a few hours ago in his cell in Numengard Prison."

"I assume that he is someone important?" Jo looked to Dean for clarification.

"I dunno," Dean replied.

"Gellert Grindelwald was a Dark Wizard," Alastor spoke up. "Not as bad as Voldemort but that's where he learned all his tricks," He grumbled. "Dumbledore defeated him in 1945, and locked him up in Numengard, a prison Grindelwald built for his enemies."

"That's ironic," Dean snorted. "Okay, so I guess it's a good thing he's dead." he shrugged. "What's the issue?"

"Dean has a point. What does his death mean?" Sam asked. The others looked at Albus, waiting for him to speak.

"It is the lead up to his death that is important," Dumbledore began. "But first, some history is needed." His eyes turned slightly sad as he prepared to speak. "Unfortunately, this has more to do with me than I wish to admit. I made some foolish choices in my youth." That took a few of the wizards present by surprise. Dumbledore always seemed wise and all-knowing. Logically, they knew it probably wasn't the reality, but he always came across that way.

"Some of you may know that my father, Percival, was imprisoned in Azkaban when I was very young. What you don't know is why." Everyone looked at each other curiously, wondering what this could have to do with why they were brought here today. "At six years old, my sister, Ariana, was approached by three Muggle boys who had seen her practising underage magic, and when she could not show them, they attacked her. My father tracked them down and attacked them out of revenge."

Dean looked over at Sam, wondering if he knew about this, but Sam looked as surprised as he was.

"He refused to explain why he had done it and was imprisoned for life for his crimes. My father was afraid Ariana would be committed to St Mungo's for life, as she would be a serious threat to the Statute of Secrecy. We quickly became aware that Ariana was affected deeply by what had happened. It destroyed her. She couldn't control her magic. It would burst out of her at random times," Albus continued.

"The poor girl," Mary replied quietly, Molly nodding her head in agreement.

"It's what's known as an Obscurus," Alastor grunted. "It's a manifestation of the repressed energy of a young witch or wizard. It's rare, but it happens. It's fatal."

"We were never fully sure, Albus replied. "But it is a close comparison."

"So, for us Laypeople; It's basically like a supernova collapsing in on itself?" Bobby commented.

"Yes," Albus nodded. "We had to keep her inside, my brother, Aberforth took care of her mostly, along with my mother. Unfortunately, when she was fourteen, there was an accident. Ariana lost control of her magic, and my mother was killed."

The hunters and wizard's felt a collective sense of loss for the woman that they had never met. They felt bad for Dumbledore as well. For someone so kind-spirited to have such a horrible upbringing.

"I, unfortunately, was not home at the time," said Dumbledore regretfully. "It is one of my greatest mistakes. That was when I met Gellert Grindelwald, fresh from his expulsion from Durmstrang. We became fast friends. I quickly became clouded with illusions of grandeur. He claimed it was 'for the Greater Good,' that wizardkind rise above that of the Muggles. I admit I was lost for a time. I was gifted and brilliant and wanted glory. Any harm done would be repaid a hundredfold in benefits for wizards. Did I know, truly, what Gellert Grindelwald was? I think I did, but I closed my eyes. If the plans we were making came to fruition, all my dreams would come true. The breaking point was an argument we had in my home one year. Gellert wanted to set off, in search of the thing we are going to discuss today. I was torn, needing to stay home to look after my family. An argument broke out. Ariana became upset at the fighting and duel that resulted. I don't know who did it, but my sister was killed in the altercation. My brother never truly forgave me for it. I do not blame him."

Dean understood why Albus would want to keep this to himself. Hadn't he basically done the same thing to Sam? Once he found out about the demon blood. Now the seizures?

"Which brings us to our discussion today. As you are all aware, Garrick Ollivander was kidnapped and later found dead earlier this year, and more recently, Mykew Gregorovitch, another wandmaker was found dead also. And as I mentioned, today, Grindelwald met the same fate."

"What connection does that have with your story, Professor?" Hermione asked. Her eyes were slightly puffy.

"Ms Granger, it has to do with this," Albus replied as he pulled out a book and laid it on the table for all to see.

"The Tales of Beedle the Bard?" Tonks looked at Albus incredulously. "Fairytales?"

"Yes, for those who are unaware, mainly our hunter friends; this book contains a story that many thought to be fictional. I thought so myself until I met Grindelwald; The Tale of the Three Brothers. Does anyone know the story?"

"Yeah, Mum read it to us," Ron replied. "Sir."

Albus opened the book to the right page and began to read. "'There were once three brothers who were travelling along a lonely, winding road at twilight. In time, the brothers reached a river too deep to wade through and too dangerous to swim across. However, these brothers were learned in the magical arts, and so they simply waved their wands and made a bridge appear across the treacherous water. They were halfway across it when they found their path blocked by a hooded figure.'"

"'And Death spoke to them. He was angry that he had been cheated out of the three new victims, for travellers usually drowned in the river. But Death was cunning. He pretended to congratulate the three brothers upon their magic and said that each had earned a prize for having been clever enough to evade him.'"

"'So, the oldest brother, who was a combative man, asked for a wand more powerful than any in existence: a wand that must always win duels for its owner, a wand worthy of a wizard who had conquered Death! So, Death crossed to an elder tree on the banks of the river, fashioned a wand from a branch that hung there, and gave it to the oldest brother.'"

"'Then the second brother, who was an arrogant man, decided that he wanted to humiliate Death still further, and asked for the power to recall others from Death. So, Death picked up a stone from the riverbank and gave it to the second brother and told him that the stone would have the power to bring back the dead.'"

"'And then Death asked the third and youngest brother what he would like. The youngest brother was the humblest and also the wisest of the brothers, and he did not trust Death. So, he asked for something that would enable him to go forth from that place without being followed by Death. And Death, most unwillingly, handed over his own Cloak of Invisibility.'"

"'Then Death stood aside and allowed the three brothers to continue on their way, and they did so, talking with wonder of the adventure they had had and admiring Death's gifts.'"

"'In due course, the brothers separated, each for his own destination. The first brother travelled on for a week more, and reaching a distant village, sought out a fellow wizard with whom he had a quarrel. Naturally, with the Elder Wand as his weapon, he could not fail to win the duel that followed. Leaving his enemy dead upon the floor the oldest brother proceeded to an inn, where he boasted loudly of the powerful wand, he had snatched from Death himself, and of how it made him invincible.

"'That very night, another wizard crept upon the oldest brother as he lay, wine-sodden upon his bed. The thief took the wand and for good measure, slit the oldest brother's throat. And so, Death took the first brother for his own.'"

"'Meanwhile, the second brother journeyed to his own home, where he lived alone. Here he took out the stone that had the power to recall the dead and turned it thrice in his hand. To his amazement and his delight, the figure of the girl he had once hoped to marry, before her untimely death, appeared at once before him. Yet she was sad and cold, separated from him as by a veil. Though she had returned to the mortal world, she did not truly belong there and suffered. Finally, the second brother, driven mad with hopeless longing, killed himself so as to truly join her. And so, Death took the second brother from his own.'"

"'But though Death searched for the third brother for many years, he was never able to find him. It was only when he had attained a great age that the youngest brother finally took off the Cloak of Invisibility and gave it to his son. And then he greeted Death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, and, equals, they departed this life.'" Albus closed the book and looked at everyone else.

"The three objects referred to in this story; the Resurrection Stone, the Cloak of Invisibility and the Deathstick, or Elder Wand, are known together as the Deathly Hallows. Ownership of all three makes one the Master of Death. This is what Grindelwald was searching for in his youth. I became glamoured with the idea until the death of my sister. I wanted the glory and the power."

"Sir, you're saying these objects are real?" Harry asked.

"This sounds like a load of crap." Ellen frowned.

"I assure you, it is not," Albus smiled, understanding her viewpoint. "And Harry, you in fact are in possession of one right now."

"What?" Harry's eyes widened.

"Your Invisibility Cloak," Albus told him. "I was in possession of it the night your parents died, as I told you in your first year. The reason was because I wished to examine it, to see if it was the genuine Hallow. It was, but it belonged to you. Invisibility Cloaks are common, but the spellwork fades after a time. Yours has been handed down in the Potter family, father to son, since the time of Ignotus Peverell, the third brother in this story."

"What…" Harry replied, shocked. "H-how…. I'm a-"

"A direct descendent? Yes. I could not keep something that rightly belongs to you," Albus smiled. "But it is not the only Hallow I have found." He reached into his robes and pulled out his wand. He presented it to the others. To the hunters, it looked like any old ordinary wand. There seemed to be nothing special about it. "This is the Elder Wand. By the time I came into possession of it, I was no longer fascinated by the Hallows. From what I have found, Gregorovitch became the owner at one point and loudly boasted of that fact. Grindelwald stole it from him in the dead of night. And in 1945, I won the wand after his defeat. I have been the master ever since. I believe Voldemort does not wish to be Master of Death, so he has no interest in the other Hallows, but he wants the Elder Wand, as evident by the deaths he has left in his wake."

"So, he wants the wand," Sam said. "What do we do?" John sat up and spoke for the first time that night. "Destroy it. That seems to be the sure-fire way to do it."

"I have tried," Albus replied. "The wand is able to repair itself. I have owned this wand for almost seventy years now, and I am still discovering its abilities."

Seventy, how old is this guy? John thought.

"That does leave the question of what to do about the wand," Albus said.

The discussion led on for hours into the night. Mary and Molly kept everyone fed as they discussed what to do. It was almost midnight when they decided to call it a night.

"It's getting late…." Remus murmured.

"Yeah, we have got to get back," Dean agreed. "We've got a class first thing." Molly looked up, "Surely it's too late to leave, and so many of us at one time."

"We'll leave in groups," Albus advised.

They agreed and began to leave in small groups. The brothers were about to leave with their family when Molly rushed up to them.

"Wait, please, before you go," Molly began. Arthur was at her side. "We wanted to offer for you all to come for Easter."

"We'd love to, but we were planning to get married over Easter," Dean explained. "Free time and all."

"We can change the date, Dean." Jo smiled. "It seems like a good idea."

"Are you sure?" Dean asked her.

"Nonsense!" Molly exclaimed.

"We have the space," Arthur added. "You could get married here."

"We wouldn't want to impose Molly…" Dean looked at Jo.

"Yeah, I mean you barely know us. We wouldn't want to put you out." Jo continued.

"You are all doing a great sacrifice to help us with the war," Molly replied. "It's the least we can do."

Fleur stepped up behind her future in-laws. "Please come, it would be an honour."

"We'll think about it Molly," Dean smiled. Jo nudged him in the side. "Oh, ah. Thank you for the invitation."

"Okay dears," Molly smiled kindly. "Let us know."

"We will."