Harry Potter and associated characters are neither my circus, nor my monkeys, JKR is the ringmaster, I'm just one of the clowns.
Albus Dumbledore sat beside his fireplace, the fire burning brightly keeping the evening chill at bay. The thoughts currently winding their way through his learned mind brought another form of chill, one that the bright fire did little to dispel. Tom had created a horcrux, the diary confirmed it, the implications for the wizarding world and the world at large left Dumbledore unable to sleep in spite of the late hour. The clock chimed midnight, and began it's inevitable march to morning.
"Good evening professor." An unexpected and unexplained visitor said as he took the fireside seat opposite Dumbledore. The man was tall with a long white beard that rivaled Dumbledore's own, and a patch over one eye.
"Good evening, pardon my rudeness, as you seem to be my guest for the moment. But might I ask your name?" Dumbledore said.
"I have gone by many names, but you may call me Odin. I have come because we have much to discuss, mostly concerning our mutual aquantance Harry Potter, as well as some of his current and future associates. "Said Odin.
"I see, would this discussion involve a number of unusual events surrounding Mr Potter since the Chamber of Secrets incident?" Dumbledore asked, as Odin removed a smoking pipe from his robes.
"They would, and would mind if I smoke?" Odin said
"By no means, and I'm afraid I can tell you little about the incident or the aftermath, I have yet to come to any conclusions. " Dumbledore's said, retrieving his own pipe, and settling in to enjoy its soothing smoke.
"That is no matter, I've not come for information, but to inform you." Odin said, taking a long puff from his pipe. Over the next two hours Odin filled Dumbledore's in on the events unseen after the Chamber, as well as their immediate plans for the future.
"I see, the implications are most troubling, I had no idea that the existence of these items threatened to undo reality itself, nor that he had created so many. Do you by some chance know what items he used, and where they're located?" Dumbledore asked after Odin finished.
"I am afraid that the answer to both of your questions is, no. Unfortunately we are not all knowing, and the Norns are unable to pierce the darkness surrounding this Tom Riddle and his abominations." Odin said with regret. With that Odin stood to leave, promising to inform Dumbledore of any new developments, and receiving a promise of support and assistance in return.
After Odin left, Dumbledore stood to turn in for the night, resolving to research possible horcruxes and their locations in the morning.
"Most troubling, most troubling indeed." Dumbledore said to the empty room as he left.
(The Burrow)
Ginny Weasley packed her bag, and double checked that she had everything she would need or want for the trip to Egypt, she hadn't seen her favorite brother Bill in a couple of years. Ginny's excitement was tempered by the persistent headaches she had suffered since the Chamber incident, the pain in her head hadn't been the only thing putting a damper on her mood. Ginny had been concerned about their training in Valhalla, until it was explained by Astrid that it didn't matter where in Midgard she was, she could still visit Valhalla. It helped her that Hermione and Luna were both planning family trips during the summer hols, it had been agreed that they would take a couple of weeks off from training so that they could enjoy their vacations, the members of their group who weren't traveling would also take a break and just enjoy the hospitality of Valhalla. Ginny knew that Harry was especially looking forward to it, a chance to simply spend time with his parents, and also time to get to know Pansy and Daphne.
"Ginny dear, have you finished packing yet?" Her mother's voice drifted up from the kitchen.
"Almost mum, just double checking everything." She called back.
"Ok dear, remember we leave at 5 tomorrow morning." Her mother called back.
"Ok mum." Ginny said as she closed her pack, thankful for her mother's expansion charms that allowed her to carry everything she was taking in her backpack. Ginny made her way down to the kitchen, hoping a cuppa would settle her headache.
"Fred, George, let your brother out of that box right this instant!" Ginny heard her mother yell, Ginny poured a cuppa with a little milk and honey, grabbing a couple of biscuits she settled in to watch the Gred and Forge Show, as her mother chased them into the garden wand in hand, Ginny could have sworn one of the twins had suds coming out of his mouth, her mother's soap mouth hex, not something she ever wanted to experience again.
"Sorry mum, we were just going to mail Ron to Egypt to save portkey fees. " Gred said
"Yeah, we were only thinking about the family. " Forge said, before yelping as one of their mother's stinging hexes found his backside.
Ginny shook her head, never a dull moment, she felt a flash of anger at Malfoy for nearly taking this from her. Ginny decided that someday she would make him pay. She shook herself out of it, and with a smile she enjoyed the insanity that was her family.
(Gringotts, Diagon Ally, London, UK)
Malcolm Parkinson and Paul Greegrass finished their conversation with Theodore Tonks, to say the Gringotts solicitor was intrigued would be an understament. It wasn't everyday that a couple of prominent citizens walked through his door, claiming that an injustice had been perpetrated against the scion of an ancient and noble house.
"You say Sirius Black was incarcerated without a trial, without questioning, and without so much as a proper investigation?" Ted Tonks asked Malcolm.
"I'm afraid so, I had the records checked, not so much as an interrogation transcript." Malcolm said.
"May I ask what prompted you to check?" Ted asked.
"The Potter lad recently became friends with my daughter, Pansy, and Paul's daughter Daphne, as concerned fathers we decided to dig into his history a bit. As a matter of curiosity, I wanted to know why Black betrayed his friends, imagine my surprise to find no records other than arrest and incarceration records. Guilty or innocent, this is a grave miscarriage of justice, and against the rightful lord of one of the most prominent houses no less." Malcolm said.
"That is troubling, do you have any suspicions as to who is responsible, and why they would do it. "Ted asked.
"Well we know that Crouch and Bagnold were in charge when he was arrested, and we also know a trial was scheduled at that time, however, two weeks later both Bagnold and Crouch were forced to resign, and Fudge was selected as interim to replace them. Not long after the trial was canceled, and Fudge received a large campaign contribution from Lucius Malfoy, and of course Fudge was elected after that." Paul said.
"I see, do you have reason to believe that Malfoy wanted Black incarcerated?" Ted asked.
"Only a suspicions, it's known that Narcissa Malfoy is a Black by blood, and with Sirius out of the way unable to produce an heir of his own, Draco would be the next Lord Black. My sources also tell me that Malfoy isn't as wealthy as he wants everyone to believe, most of his money is Black money, and with Sirius in prison he has complete control of that money. I also know he's been frustrated lately, on no less than three occasions he's tried to have Black declared legally incapacitated and Draco declared Lord Black, each time he's failed. " Malcolm said.
"Well, he can keep trying, I wrote Sirius Black's will back before everything, he had Harry Potter named as his heir, Harry will be the next Lord Black unless Sirius changes it, or has a child of his own. Without a conviction, magic itself will enforce it. " Ted said to the two in his office. Malcolm was surprised, but being a consummate Slytherin, he kept his shock off his face.
"So no matter what tricks Lucius tries, the Black Family magic would reject Draco? "
"Yes, painfully if he tries to wear the family signet ring. If I recall usurpers only get one warning before the ring burns out their magical core.." Ted stated as he stood, his guests standing as well.
"I believe I have enough information to get started, I have an idea or two, I need to speak to a few people at the Ministry, and I should have a plan in the next few days. If all goes well, Black should be released into your custody within the week." Ted said to Malcolm.
"Thank you, please keep me informed." Malcolm said after shaking his hand, Paul likewise shook Ted's hand and they received a promise to keep them in the loop.
At a not so sunny resort in the North Sea, a certain black grim transformed into a slightly less ragged looking prisoner. Sirius Black had seen the house elf Dobby pop in and leave a note without saying a word. Picking the note up he began to read.
'Mr Black.
I and my associates have engaged a solicitor on your behalf, to say he was shocked and concerned by the irregularities in your case would be an understament, he believes he can have you released into the custody of one of our associate this associate has a daughter who is friends with your godson Harry, and you should be able to spend time with Harry as this associate has decided to invite Harry to spend the last half of summer with them. Again, I must ask that you remain patient, and that you do nothing rash that would endanger our ability to help you. You may also expect another care package within a day or two.
Your anonymous benefactor.'
Sirius read the note, and he couldn't really think of anything he could do that would endanger their plans, closest he could come up with would be antagonizing Fudge on his annual visit in a few days. He decided he would be on his best behavior, maybe he could even charm Fudge out of a newspaper, news of the outside world was hard to come by these days.
(Little Whinging, Surrey, UK.)
As Harry left the house for his morning run, he had a bit of a headache, it seemed that uncle Vernon's sister Marge would be arriving in a few days to stay for the rest of summer. Harry had been grateful for his new room, and his availability to avoid the Dursleys, unfortunately he wouldn't be able to avoid Marge if he wanted to continue his runs. If Harry knew that fat banshee, she would be waiting at the door every morning just to make sure he knew she hated him. Well no matter, it wouldn't be for long, he would be going to stay with the Parkinsons only a week after Marge arrived. Harry had a wicked thought as he made his way around the neighborhood, he could mention that he was spending the rest of summer with a Lord. He decided he would have to talk to Pansy and see of she wanted to prank his relatives, she could pretend to be his girlfriend. Harry thought about that for a moment, the Dursleys would be so jealous, Pansy was from a very wealthy and titled family, and she was also very pretty, Dudley would drool, and maybe Vernon and Marge would turn purple, while Petunia turned green with envy at Pansy's money and status. Harry decided that would be more satisfying than using a hex to change their color. Harry entered the house after his run with a wide smile on his face, he didn't care what his relatives thought about it, this was already the best summer of his life.
(A few days later, Gaza, Egypt. )
The Weasleys had enjoyed their vacation so far, Ginny decided that her favorite part aside from seeing Bill had been the market place, it was just so alive with people. Ginny's head was still bothering her, and her bothers weren't helping, the twins and Ron wouldn't stop fooling around long enough to get this picture taken, she wanted her picture in the papers dang it.
"Will you three knock it off?" Ginny growled while rubbing her temples.
"Head still bothering you, firefly?" Her father whispered kindly.
"A little, and they're not helping." She said. Ginny noticed that Scabbers poked out of Ron's pocket as they all finally took their places for the picture. To Ginny something about that rat gave her the creeps, which was kind of unusual because she'd always been a bit of a tomboy and rats and mice had never bothered her before, she decided that it was probably just stress and put it out of her mind as she smiled for the camera.
"Ok folks, this one is going in the Daily Prophet." The photographer said. Ginny held her smile as she saw a bright flash.
"Cheese!" Everyone said just before the flash.
For a moment no one noticed that Ginny collapsed in a seizure, as she shook on the ground her eyes rolled up in the back of her head, and Molly panicked.
She screamed as Bill and Arthur rushed to Ginny's side, and held her. "Ginny? GINNY!"
Ginny felt confused, one moment she was having her picture taken with her family, and the next she was here. Ginny felt cold panic when she realized she was back in the Chamber of Secrets. She heard a hated voice and turned to face him, gasping as her eyes confirmed her worst fear.
"Hello Ginny, it's good to see you again. " Tom Riddle said with a smirk.
(Author's Note)
Well, two updates in two days, I'm on a roll, just don't get too used to it, I had a sudden burst of inspiration.
I know, I'm horrible for ending on a shocking cliffhanger, but I have been hinting that something is wrong with Ginny.
(AN2)
One reviewer mentioned that Hermione is 13 not 12, however, that wasn't a typo or mistake on my part, for reasons that will be explained later in the stories all 5 of the girls are at least a little younger than Harry. For purposes of this story Hermione was on August 19th 1980. I promise there is a logical reason for this, and it makes sense in context of the story.
As always thank you for the reviews, I do appreciate them.
GM
