Severus sat in the padded hardwood chair, the only movement in his body being the slow rise and fall of his chest and the blinking of his eyes. If someone who wasn't familiar with him were to look upon Severus they would believe that he was utterly calm and collected. And he was... on the surface at least. While he would admit that his temper could get the better of him he had spent years mastering meditation techniques and steady breathing exercises so that he could present to the world a facade of control.
But inside? Inside Severus Snape was seething. Ranting and raging and envisioning all sorts of lovely tortures he could perform on the Prime Minister of Avalon. There were the ones a person might have expected from a Potions Master, such as the hacking up of body parts and the poisoning of the man, but Severus was rather creative and he was thinking over all sorts of methods to make the man feel pain. His face never betrayed for an instant that he was thinking about slathering the man in honey and letting a swarm of Heracross who hadn't had proper dental care performed by their trainers go at him.
If one was a bit familiar with Severus that would have come to the conclusion that his anger was a result of how the Minister had treated his nephew, Harry Potter. Not from the man himself, as for all his faults Fudge was cannier than that and would never risk saying something outloud and on the record that might come and bite him on the ass. But allowing surrogates to belittle the young man's name to reporters? Well, Fudge couldn't be held accountable for what every person he met might say, now could he? And if an employee happened to rile Harry up and make him make a mistake... well, that was at worst a loose cannon. But just as likely just a teenager who let his temper get the better of him and Harry was well known for that... just look at the papers! Everyone was saying it!
But no, that wasn't the current reason for Severus to envision connecting a Weezing to the man's lungs and letting the poison type slowly pump smog into his body. Fudge had committed the greatest crime one could enact upon a member of the Snape family, something that all that knew him, had known his sister Lily, who had crossed his father Tobias, and all the Snapes down the line, knew was the most potent of sins: he was wasting Severus' time.
The pompous bloated fool was seated at a desk in the conference room, hands folded on his lap as he went about saying everything and yet communicating nothing at the same time, clearly stalling for time. He would repeat himself, rehash information that Severus and the rest of the professors knew, and generally just fill the air with his yammering. Severus was half tempted to call for the aurors and demand that Fudge be arrested for rape as he had forced something into Severus against his desires and then kept doing it over and over and over again. A steady stream of blathering without an end in sight.
When they have arrived for the meeting Severus had figured they would get a scolding for their handling of the Harry situation and he had prepared his arguments so he might both defend Harry and avoid looking biased towards him. Everything he would point out would be straight facts... for Severus Snape hadn't been lax ever since the boy had lost his cool and flown off in a huff. While McGonagall searched about the castle like a Gryffindor, Flitwick trying to puzzle out where he might go only to make the issue all the more complex, and Sprout had just assumed that Harry would return to class when he was ready Severus had acted as a true Slytherin and gathered his information and data so he might understand all that had happened... even the facts that the parties involved didn't know about. He'd gotten written statements from Ginger's parents and even been delievered the e-mails she had sent out before her suicide attempt. He had talked not just to her friends but those that only casually knew her and even a rival of sorts, a snobbish Slytherin named Cassie who had eventually admitted to him that she worried that her own taunts might have led to the plunge into Black Lake... but only because she didn't want to get in trouble, not because she actually cared about the girl. She had been oddly adamant about that even as she asked how Ginger was doing, expressing at the same time aloofness at her being gone and wondering if she would ever return. Severus had filed that away, wondering if this was a case of the girl not understanding her own sexuality and thus using bullying and taunting to try and deal with her own inner conflict of being attracted to a member of the same sex. If it came about that his little snake was a lesbian he'd talk with her parents privately and, if he sensed abuse, would move to have her removed from her home and placed somewhere safe. Perhaps Prof. Sinistra could help; she was a Slytherin and knew what it was like to be gay and have family that didn't understand…
'I keep telling Dumbledore we need a school psychologist. Poppy is for medicine and none of us are truly trained to help with the inner workings of the mind. We put a bunch of hormonal teens together and then are startled when they begin feuding with each other or begin to self harm or suffer from radical emotional shifts.' He scoffed. 'My own feud with the Marauders would have been settled in a week if James went to a shrink and realized I was Lily's brother and had no desires towards her.' That made him think of Harry again and he wondered why Remus, who was so into the latest in societal norms, had never considered sending Harry to a psychologist. Severus had a video chat with his own doctor twice a week to help with his own issues and he had a feeling that Harry wouldn't have exploded as he did in Dumbledore's office if he had someone he could talk to about his life with the Dursleys, his abandonment issues, the violence done to him ('for hell's sake he had his fucking hand chopped off! He should have seen someone to deal with that trauma!') and dealing with all the pressures that came from being Lily's son.
He had gathered all the information he could and had been ready to confront Fudge with the proof that his little toady had driven Ginger to try and kill herself. If the man wanted to blame Harry then he was going to have to find better evidence than the word of Dolores Umbridge. His hope that by getting some pressure off of Harry he could bring the boy to the bargaining table, as it were, and get him to return to Hogwarts or, at the very least, get him to return to Lupin's home. Then he and the other adults in Harry's life could get him to see how he had once more allowed his rashness to steal away an opportunity and work to get him to see that sometimes the waiting game was the only way to win.
'And I certainly know about the waiting game, concerning Fudge is making me engage in a marathon one!'
His Slytherin nature didn't allow him to completely tune Fudge out, as someone of Salazar's House knew that one could never guess when a piece of knowledge might prove valuable. Only fools dismissed freely given thought as worthless. Even the most dunderous of people could provide unknowingly great treasures. Yet that didn't mean that he had to sit there and just listen to Fudge ramble on in his endless loop of praise, whining, worry and hope. He told them how great Hogwarts was, a bastion of learning that was the envy of the world. But he was worried about things... things he couldn't actually discuss at the moment but they would get to soon enough. And how those nameless problems concerned him greatly but he hoped, when they actually did begin to discuss the problems (that he couldn't get into, the professors must understand, need to wait a bit more, thank you for your patience), a solution could be found. ANd he was sure they could all find a way to make things right because he respected them all... after all, look at what they had done for Hogwarts! Premiere school, envy of all... and thus the wheel turned once more, on and on.
The man was stalling though for whatever reason he could not determine. Certainly not for Umbridge to arrive for if he had wanted her there he would have had her travel with them. And he didn't see Fudge trying to attempt a coup at Hogwarts with them all gone because it would be far too dangerous a gambit for the man. Fudge had made his life all about being careful where he placed his foot and trying to seize control of Hogwarts in such a brazen manner would be like catching him happily skipping blindfold through a minefield. No, Fudge was waiting for something and until it arrived the professors were forced to wait.
Glancing at them each in turn Severus found that he wasn't the only one growing impatient. Ponama was tapping her heels against the ground in odd patterns that he was sure was supposed to be to the beat of a song that was running through her head. Minerva was nearly as still as him but her Gryffindor tendencies were bleeding through and he could see from the twitching of her eyes and the slight tremors that ran through her lips that she slowly moving towards the breaking point with every word Fudge said; Severus wasn't sure if he should be excited and fearful over her reaching that moment for the woman's rants were the stuff of legends at Hogwarts yet to be close to one was like walking up to a firework and sticking one's head right near the top. He might get a grand show... or he might end up taking an explosion in the face.
As for his male colleagues Fllius was fiddling with a Pokeball, which had actually caused a break from the repetitive cycle Fudge had placed them in when the Minister had seen it. They'd all been required to surrender their Poke balls before meeting him; well, save for Dumbledore but he got that for being the Head of Hogwarts. And Severus hadn't actually surrendered his Pokeballs because true Slytherin wouldn't leave himself unarmed. No, he had his team ready, hidden in a small compartment in his boots. But surrendering the Pokeballs was a standard security practice, and seeing Fillius with that one had caused Fudge to, momentarily, fear that he was plotting something sinister. It had taken a few minutes to prove it was just a broken Pokeball that he was tinkering with to calm Fudge down… though Severus had been mildly amused that the Minister didn't register that he was so boring that Fillius had decided to work on a project rather than give him his full attention.
'And then there is Albus.' He looked over at the Headmaster, the old man sitting there in his utterly ridiculous shirt that was so outlandish it made normal Alolan shirts lean back and go, 'Dude, take it down a few notches'. It was a swirl of violets and emeralds that had spirals of ebony within it and seemed to change color every time the headmaster shifted. He had on a matching pillbox hat for… some reason… and his hair was tied back with a colorful tiedye scrunchie. He sat there with his hands folded in his lap, looking at the Minister with a twinkle in his eye and Severus wondered just what-
The door to the conference room burst open and Fudge stumbled back as Harry and the rest of his friends, along with Jasmine Kenway, burst into the room. All of their faces were fierce and stern, from Weasley's glower to even Lovegood demonstrating tranquil fury to Jasmine's thunderous gaze as her eyes swept about the area. But it was Harry's visage that truly made Severus pause. He had seen James get mad plenty of times, mostly when a prank he and the Marauders had planned backfired spectacularly, but never truly enraged. No, it was Lily who had claim on that emotion and it was so utterly disconcerting to see that look on the young man that looked like James Potter come again.
"Mr. Potter-" Minerva began but Jasmine threw out several of those triangles she had used during the Grand Trainer Tournament and they exploded into cable restraints that grabbed onto all of the professors and pulled them against the walls of the conference room. "What-!" Minerva exclaimed.
"Stay there for your own good," the Princess of Johto snapped. "We'll get to you after we settle things."
"Miss Kenway!" Filius cried out but the blonde gym leader snapped her head in his direction and snarled.
"So far Avalon bashed me in the head, cut off my boyfriend's hand, almost got BOTH my cousins killed, nearly got said boyfriend possessed with the threat of his possessed form raping me before killing me, and oh yes lynched my father. So kindly shut the fuck up before I forget that we are here to save you!" She held out her hand and her bracer blades swung out.
"Save us?" Albus asked, remaining rather calm despite being hung up on the wall. "Save us from what, my dear?"
"Him," Harry said firmly, stepping forward and glaring at Fudge.
The Prime Minister squeaked at that, cowering on the ground and throwing up his hands to ward off blows that hadn't even been contemplated yet. "I… I don't want to harm them! I don't want to hurt anyone! I just want to keep Avalon safe-"
"Stop lying," Harry hissed, taking another step towards the whimpering fallen man. "You can drop the act, I know who you really are. So stand up, make with the speech, and then you and I can finally settle things."
"I… I am Cornelius Fudge!" the minister croaked out. "I have no speech, I don't even know what is going on!"
"Stop stalling and just admit it!"
"I don't know what you want!"
"I want you to pay for everything you've ever done to me and my friends. All the lies, all schemes… you have taken so much from us and I'm tired of waiting around to see how you'll decide to ruin my life next. You stole my first five years at Hogwarts from me… and before that you gave me the worst childhood ever. You are the reason I didn't know about Avalon, why I didn't know Sirius and Remus and my PARENTS!" A Speaker Pulse thrummed through the air and Fudge choked back a sob of fright. "I'm done with you. I'm done. This dance we've been on? It ends. Because now you and your minons aren't just coming after me… you are coming after innocent people. People I don't even know are being harmed because of you." Harry's hand lashed out and he grabbed Fudge by his shirt and hauled him to his feet, shaking him. "So just admit the truth and let's finish this!"
Fudge could only stammer nonsense.
It struck Severus hard and fast, the pieces falling into place and letting him fully understand just why Harry was acting the way he was. Somehow he had come to the conclusion that Fudge of all people was Voldemort and thus had come to settle the score with the monster once and fall all.
And seeing the Prime Minister pressing his back against the wall as Harry threatened to let his Leafeon cut him into tiny pieces until he talked... Severus realized just how wrong Harry was and the trap the boy had stumbled into without realizing it.
"Harry, stop," he said sternly, struggling a bit against the Charlottes but unable to break free. "You have it all wrong-"
"I don't," Harry snapped. "I finally see through all his tricks. He loves power, he always has. Quirrell let him teach at Hogwarts. Moody let him have a role in the Tournament. Even as Cho Chang he set himself up with her clique and got her friends to do his dirty work for him. And now he finally has what he always wanted: control of Avalon. Why fight a war when you can just find the Minister, offer him his heart's desire, and take control without lifting a finger?" Harry motioned for Leon to move forward and Fudge moaned and shook his head rapidly, unable to even speak his denials to the claim. Hedwig spread her wings wide and let out a challenging bark.
"You are functioning under flimsy logic, Mr. Potter," Filius called out. "Half formed theories and circumstantial evidence-"
"Shut up!" Harry snarled, even his friends leaping back at the intensity of his rage. "I am so sick of everyone of you… people… thinking they know better than me! That I can't do anything on my own. I trust you and you don't do anything! Ginger nearly died, my friends have been targeted, Jack nearly was killed, and time and again I get my name dragged through the mud. And none of you do a damn thing! You sit there and demand I just keep my head down, ignore it all! No more! You want me to be your savior? Then be quiet and let me do this!"
Minerva though shook her head. "Harry... your parents wouldn't want this-"
He snapped his head at her and Minerva paled at the icy fury that settled on his face. "My parents can't want anything... they're dead. I don't even remember them..." he slowly turned his gaze back to Fudge. "Because of you."
"N-n-no."
Severus called out again, "Harry, if you want us to understand then you need to walk us through it! Explain it!"
Albus nodded in agreement. "He's right, my boy. You say no one is willing to listen to you? Well now you have... hmmm... a captive audience. And I truly didn't mean to make that pun."
Neville cleared his throat. "Maybe they are right, Harry... maybe they'll understand if you explain it to them."
"What is left to explain? Fudge has spent this entire year making my life hell. That is Voldemort's M.O. What other proof do I need?"
"Fudge is an idiot and a disgusting human being," Severus said, ignoring the indignant little 'hey' the Minister gave at that. "No one is denying that. But that doesn't make him Voldemort." He looked at Harry's friends and inspiration struck. 'Harry no longer trusts any of us... and I can't blame him. We allowed our own worries about red tape and repercussions keep us bound nearly as tight as we are right now. But his friends? His Pride?' Out loud he said, "Miss Lovegood. You were there when Miss Chang revealed herself to be a vessel of Voldemort. Does the Minister feel as she did?"
Luna blinked and her eyes began to glow as she tasted the emotions that floated all about them. After a moment she returned to normal and shook her head, concern written on her features. "No... he doesn't."
"He's hiding it," Harry said firmly. "When he revealed himself he was boastful, proud. Now he is still trying to get out of this!"
But Severus could see that his friends and even his Pokemon were beginning to have their doubts. "Miss Granger! What is he projecting?" Hermione touched the focusing crystal on her headband, her lips moving as she silently murmured to herself, sifting through the mental thoughts that they were all projecting out without even realizing it. When she finally stopped it was the same as with Luna even without her saying a word. "Miss Kenway... you are a Speaker. Can you sense a Pokemon hiding in Fudge's skin."
"He's hiding it," Harry snarled again.
"No... he's not," Jasmine whispered, shoulders slumping as the magnitude of their mistake came crashing upon her. "Harry-"
"He's Voldemort!" Harry roared. "You heard the message from my source-"
"The same source that led Jack into that ambush?" Ginny asked.
"Stan," Harry argued.
"A pawn sacrificed," Ron stated.
"Listen to it!" Harry demanded. He reached with his free hand and pulled out his dex, playing the message. It certainly sounded damning… but Severus could already see how it could have been constructed.
The others did too.
"I… I did so those things," Fudge whimpered. Harry growled and he hastily added, "But not what Lucius said! I never heard those! We were talking about other things! Not about what Lucius said on there!"
Harry though shook his head but, much to relief of Severus, his entire body posture went from battle to cautious defense. They were getting through to him and that was the important thing. "No... it has to be... it has to be him." The words were weak, forced, more to continue convincing himself than to convince them. Severus, even with his disappointment and annoyance that Harry had once more fallen into such an easy trap because of his rashness, felt pity for the boy who had gambled and come up with nothing.
Minerva let out a sad sigh. "No Harry, it doesn't. Whoever that 'source' is that you are talking about they've... they've set you up. Probably from the very beginning. They wanted you to act hastily and do something like this. Though for the life of me i can't figure out why."
"Because I had hoped spilling an innocent man's blood would drive you to the despair needed for you to finally embrace me," a voice said. Severus turned in time to see a robed man with a Yamask covering his face step into the doorway, Jasmine taking a step forward to attack before she, Harry, and Luna, along with Harry's Hoothoot and Leafeon and Jasmine's Aegislash screamed, the humans falling to their knees, clutching at their heads in agony. Harry's friends stared at them in shock for a moment but that split second of delay cost them as a very familiar Espeon slid into the room, eyes glowing before all but Hermione went ramrod straight. The bushy-haired trainer grit her teeth and narrowed her eyes, staring right back at the Psychic type and Severus watched along with the rest of the adults in horror as blood began to trickle from Miss Granger's nose; she was fighting a mental duel with the Pokemon and it was clear that she wasn't win-
Her body flew back and stuck the wall hard, her form crumpled in a heap, unconscious.
"Really now, Harry," the Nocturne member purred as he stepped further into the room, other robed and masked members of that sick cult entering and looking upon the scene before them. "Such cruel, cruel things you just said. Words hurt."
"How... how are you..." Harry gasped, lifting his head so Severus could see that a blood vessel had burst in his right eye and the veins on his throat looked ready to burst form his skin.
"Doing this?" the figure asked. He held up a small golden box, decorated with intricate carvings that formed swirling patterns upon the metallic surface. The lid was open and Severus could see a silver disc sitting inside the box, spinning quickly like a floating top. It was something ancient yet cared for, a treasured piece that been guarded for ages and Severus would have thought it quite beautiful if it weren't for the fact that it was currently making his nephew try to claw the flesh from his skull. "Those that practice the Arts haven't always been noble during the long history of the world. More than a few tyrants and warlords have risen up using their powers and to beat them back ordinary men and women created this, a device that works much like our modern Max Repel. Though rather than scents it attacks the mind of a Art user… and a Pokemon they have bonded with." The figure shook his head and Severus got the sense the figure was frowning in disappointment. "This would have never been needed had you simply accepted my offer."
"Voldemort," Harry hissed.
"Indeed," the Dark Lord of Nocturne rumbled. "I hope you don't mind but I won't be showing you my face this time. Or the face I have chosen to wear this time. I have little doubt that you will be accepting my offer before I leave here tonight but just in case I'd rather keep that protection. Besides, it was a quick and temporary selection until you were ready and there is no reason to reveal such an ugly face when I will be wearing yours soon." He reached out and stroked Harry's check and the teen struggled to flinch back despite his pain from that box. "But I suppose you are wondering why you would ever agree to joining with me. Well, it is because I will not be giving you a choice." He reached into the folds of his robe and pulled out a long wicked-looking dagger, the blade curved and the handle made from dragonbone. "Actually, I will be giving you a choice but you won't like the second option."
And with that he placed the dagger in Harry's hands, folding the boy's fingers around the hilt of the blade.
Harry struggled to lunge forward and stab Voldemort but the moment he did Voldemort's Espeon focused on him and Harry went rigid, slowly rising up even as he tensed and shook from the pain of the box's attack. His friends were still restrained by the psychic type with Ron and Jasmine fighting the hardest to free themselves (and as a result the Kenway woman had bit her own tongue due to the fight and her pain, blood staining her teeth) as Harry against his will marched awkwardly and stiffly over to Pomena, who looked first to him and then Voldemort with wide fearful eyes.
"I am going to offer you the chance to surrender to me and be my vessel. And every time you refuse… you are going to kill someone Harry. You are going to kill them and watch them die. And then I am going to ask you again." Harry turned his head to stare right at Pomena. "Will you be my vessel?"
"Don't do this," Harry ground out weakly.
"That wasn't a yes."
The blade flashed and the Head of Hufflepuff let out a gasp as Harry drove the blade into her chest. Harry's features morphed into agonizing pain but Pomena, even as the steel tore apart her left lung, shook her head.
"We… are with you… always," she whispered before Espeon forced Harry to stab her again, this time hitting the heart. And still Harry wasn't allowed to move away until the light faded from her eyes. Only then did he move to Filius.
"Deny him," the small Pokeball Making Professor said. "He'll kill us all anyway… he can't have witnesses. At least this way our deaths aren't in vain." He held his head high. "Ask your question… and know that my kin, the Josephs, will have their revenge."
"Bold words for one so small. Well Harry?"
"…I'm sorry, professor," Harry whispered and after a few agonizing moments he lashed out, cutting Filius' throat. The man gurgled and twitched against the charlottes, his blood spraying out on Harry's unmoving face, mixing with his tears as the crimson bubbles popped from the man's shredded throat before Harry moved on.
"Stop this!" Ginny screamed.
"He can stop this at any time," Voldemort said sternly. "He just needs to accept me." To Harry he purred. "They are dying for you, Harry. The question is how many will die. I can be merciful… Flitwick wasn't all knowing. I am in need of new servants… your friends can always join us."
Jasmine suddenly snapped forward and screamed, "I will rip your throat out with my teeth!"
"So uncultured," the Dark Lord said with a sigh before motioning for Espeon to move him to his next target. "We will need to find you a better queen than her. One of proper breeding."
"Harry," Minerva said softly as Harry moved to face her. "Don't be upset. And don't you dare give in."
"Professor-"
"I'm sorry I failed you," she said gently. "I should have been stronger." She shut her eyes. "Harry, Severus… I'll give Lily and James your love."
Voldemort spoke up. "Will you-"
"Fuck you," Harry snapped through his tears.
The Dark Lord sighed and Harry didn't stab Minerva but rather sliced her through her stomach, her guts slipping out onto Harry's shoes. Now Neville and Ron were screaming at Voldemort and he was forced to command Espeon to clamp their jaws shut to silence them and it was only when he glanced at Luna and Ginny… and Harry slowly turned towards the girls… that they went still.
Severus sucked in a breath as Harry turned towards him.
'You listen to the others, Harry,' he thought to himself. He wouldn't say the words to him… it just wasn't in his nature. He couldn't be emotional… couldn't express vocally what he was feeling in that moment with his colleagues dead and Lily's son having done the deed against his very will. 'You deny him the entire time.' He thought that even as he feared that once Voldemort turned Harry on his friends the boy would break. He had been escalating things, picking victims Harry had a greater connection with and making the deaths all the messier. What else might Voldemort make Harry do to his friends? Prolong their deaths? Torture them? Something even worse? 'Be strong,' Severus thought. 'Be stronger than all of us.'
"On second thought…" Voldemort said suddenly. "The Headmaster."
Severus turned his head, looking over at Albus. He had been watching all with sad eyes, making not a sound as the professors were murdered before him, but now with Harry coming towards him the old man had closed his eyes though he did little else. Harry approached him, blade gripped in his fingers tightly and misery written on his features.
"Harry, have you come to your senses yet?" Voldemort asked.
"This was very unwise," Albus said before snapping his eyes open… and pale blue light crackled and shone forth, bathing Harry in light.
The next instant Albus snapped the charlottes like they were twine and thrust out his palm, a blast of blue energy racing out and striking Espeon, causing the Pokemon to tumble backwards and crash into one of the tables in the conference room. Voldemort leaned back in shock and then Ron leapt forward, freed from the psychic Pokemon's grasp and swinging one of the small hammers that hung on his waist as Voldemort's hand, smashing the golden box with a tinkling CRUNCH. Within moments Luna and Jasmine were on their hands and knees, panting, while Leon and Hedwig shook their heads as the device crumpled. Ron swung again and Voldemort leapt back only for Jasmine to leap forward with a feral cry, her blood-stained teeth snapping as she swung at Voldemort's throat with her blades, nearly taking his head. The Dark Lord fell into his followers and Dumbledore thrust out both his palms, firing off another blast of energy that sent them crashing out of the room. Neville, thinking quickly, slammed the sliding door shut and locked it.
"That won't hold them for long," Severus said as Albus went to Harry and helped the boy up, the dagger falling from his limp fingers. Ron was leaning over Hermione, who thank Arceus was groaning and rubbing her head, while Neville checked on Luna and Ginny looked about the room only to pale when her gaze came upon the corpses of the three Heads of House. That left Fudge to rise up on his own, as green as his bowler hat.
"V-Voldemort," he whispered. "That-"
"Was Voldemort," Jasmine snarled. "It only took three more dead people to get you to realize he's still alive?!"
"We don't have time for this, Miss. Kenway," Severus stated, pushing aside his own mourning for Ponema, Filius, and Minerva. "We have to get out of here-" the door to the conference room shuddered, "-now."
Albus nodded. "We need to get help. Aurors, allies. We have to alert them." He turned to Fudge. "Is there a way out of here?"
The Minister swallowed but after a long, painful moment, he nodded. "There is." He walked over to where Espeon still laid, knocked out, and cautiously leaned down to pick up what appeared to be a small remote whose touch screen was smashed in. "There is a teleporter pad in here linked to other Ministry buildings. We can take it to escape…" he swallowed. "But with the controller busted I can't determine where we will go."
"Right now anywhere is better than here," Harry said in a tiny voice.
Thus it was that when the Nocturne Agents finally entered the conference room all they found was a broken remote sputtering with garbled data and a powering down teleport pad.
"…find them," Voldemort hissed. "FIND POTTER!"