Chapter 26 – The Forgiven Break Bad

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Previously on The Forgiven: Grimm, Norse, and Liar successfully abduct Nicholas Flamel, and recruit him into their secret coven. After fighting off an army of Mercenary Wizarding Guilds and a whole tribe of Trolls, they manage to escape the Betwixting Forest.

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In the Underground Base, Dumbledore, Moody, and Kingsley sat at a dining table, listening to the Forgiven's report. During the briefing, a small break was taken to serve some tea and snacks.

"This is a pleasant surprise. It isn't often you three provide refreshments," Dumbledore commented.

"We decided to try making some sweets and cooking. Don't make a big thing out of it," Grimm answered, while she, Norse, and Liar took their seats.

"Hm. Then I shall hold my tongue," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

Kingsley and Moody took sips of their tea, before settling back into business.

"So….Flamel's dead?" asked Mad Eye.

"Found his place sacked. Dead body on the floor. Looked like the Killing Curse did him in."

Kingsley sighed.

"But you made sure the perpetrators didn't get away with any Elixir?"

"Not a single drop. Had hell of a time hunting them through the forest though," Liar responded, while drinking from his tea cup. An action Dumbledore paid close attention to.

"And the Elixir you acquired from them?"

"We disposed of it. We thought it for the best," Norse explained, and popped one of the candies into her mouth.

Again Dumbledore took note of the action. The complete safety of partaking in the tea and snacks was confirmed when Grimm also devoured one of the cookies whole. The wizened wizard breathed a hidden sigh of relief as he ate one of the sweets the Forgiven made.

"Grimm, you mentioned the leader of Troll Garden."

"Yes. I have a hunch he's the one we've been looking for. He's either Voldemort, or someone related to him."

"I'll use the Ministry's resources to dig up what I can." Kingsley ate a piece of cake and made a small mumble. "This is quite good."

"Right? Who knew I had talent for the culinary arts?" Liar boasted.

"In any case, it's a shame about Flamel, but he lived more than his share of life. Otherwise, you've done well. Take some R&R before you go after our mystery guild leader." Moody took a vicious bite of a biscuit.

The three saluted at Mad Eye's orders.

"Unfortunately, some conditions at Hogwarts have changed," Dumbledore started. "We will require the Forgiven's extra protection of the Stone."

*Sigh* "I thought things would turn out that way. Sure you don't want to—I don't know—destroy the damned thing, and save everyone the trouble?"

"Hm….If it comes to that, I will do so without hesitation. Otherwise, it would be a shame to destroy such a revolutionary testament to magical engineering." Dumbledore took a sip of his tea.

When the Headmaster set his cup down, a subtle smile crept over Grimm's face. But when the ancient wizard addressed her again, the grin was erased.

"Please take five days to recuperate, and then make ready for Hogwarts."

The Forgiven nodded to the orders.

…

"Well, at least the Flamels can rest easy, right?" Grimm added.

For a small moment, Dumbledore sat absentminded.

"Ah, yes. My friend and his wife will be well taken care of until the end of this incident."

"That's great to hear."

Grimm launched a victorious cookie into her mouth.

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Right after the mission briefing was over, the Forgiven made for one of their safe houses.

It was an island normally invisible unless a small poem was recited. Not even the Forgivers knew of its existence. Grimm, Liar, and Norse, wanted to make sure they had a place to retreat to in case the worst should happen, including a possible betrayal by the Forgivers.

On the island home away from home, stood a small castle. The three burst in from one of the windows and flew to the underground lab below. There, they found a giant, red crab humming to himself as he worked on some manner of concoction. Realizing the presence of the three, the Alchemist paused his work to greet them.

"Welcome back to your humble abode. I hope you don't mind, but I've made a few changes."

The Forgiven already noticed the basement was now decorated into a bigger version of Flamel's inner shell house.

"Feel free to change the rest of the place too. It's not like you should feel limited to just one room. You are the one who's going to be living here from now on," Grimm suggested.

"Understood. And thank you for providing me with such a lovely estate. I can't imagine how much coin you had to spend for it."

"The fellow who owned it didn't need it anymore, so it came at a very good discount. One could say, it was even criminal," Liar said with a wink.

The Alchemist gave an uncomfortable laugh and started coughing.

"You should take time to clean your new home." Norse took notice of Flamel's beard and laughed. "Your beard has grown filthy from being used as a broom."

"Ah!" Flamel grumbled, as he moved around and noticed his long beard sweep the dusty floors.

Norse pulled on the grand facial hair and began weaving it. While she did so, the crab continued the conversation.

"I am to assume the memory modification drugs went well?"

"All according to plan. As expected, Dumbledore was skeptical at first, but after he saw us take the tea and snacks ourselves, he let his guard down."

"Didn't notice that none of us took both at the same time," Liar chimed in. "Very clever to put half the drug in the tea and the other half in the snacks."

"Even then, it was difficult concealing the flavor. But I doubt we would have fooled my old friend, if we didn't do at least that much."

"Now that the hard part's done…" Grimm pulled out her wand. "…it's time for the next order of business. You need to make some Unbreakable Vows."

"Um…..Vows? How many?"

Grimm pulled out a scroll from her sleeve and unfurled it. The parchment rolled out long enough to reach the floor.

"Oh, dear."

"We have to take precautions. The Forgiven are under a similar number of Unbreakable Vows, so just bear with it, alright?"

The crab expressed some apprehension, but nodded all the same.

…

…

Grimm held one of Flamel's claws, while Norse and Liar held the other. From both of the crustacean's pincers, countless silvery threads bound him to the three he swore to. They all felt the magic bind their lives to the words Grimm recited.

"…And lastly, you are forbidden from creating anymore Sorcerer's Stones."

"I swear."

"By the moon and the stars in the sky~ " Liar sung.

"Shut up."

The ephemeral white threads of the Vows sunk into their skins. When the magic was complete, they separated. Flamel clicked his laws, while examining them.

"Will that be all then?"

"Of course not. You need to earn your keep after all."

"You have an assignment for me?"

"We need you to forge a fake Sorcerer's Stone. One that can fool even Albus. You've got five days, until we leave for Hogwarts," Grimm ordered.

If Flamel had a human face, it would be frowning.

"I suppose if I get started tonight, I might be able to forge a decent counterfeit by the time of your departure."

Grimm walked over and patted his shoulder.

"You mean, you will forge a perfect counterfeit by the time of our departure."

"Very well, Ms. Grimm. At your behest."

"If you need help, Liar's been our potion maker this whole time. And if it comes down to it, I can help as well. Just need it before the deadline."

"Oh!" Liar suddenly gasped. "I just realized I won't have to brew our Polyjuice Potions anymore! Huzzah!"

"Almost forgot about that. Make Polyjuice Potions when you can. We go through a lot of them on our missions, and cause of Norse, so try to keep a good stock. Medicine too!"

"And drugs!"

"What?! Why drugs?"

"So we may sell them, obviously," Liar said matter-of-factly.

"We're drug dealers now?"

"How do you suppose we gather intel on Troll Garden's leader. Buy it with Knuts and Sickles? We've hardly killed or robbed anyone rich as of late. Our funds are running low."

"…" Grimm turned to Flamel. "Make drugs." She turned back to Liar. "Do NOT sell them to children!"

"The fact you need to clarify that point is a bit insulting."

Flamel groaned and started scribbling a list. When he finished, he handed it to Grimm.

"I will require these ingredients to synthesize the counterfeit Sorcerer's Stone, as well as your other requests."

The leader of the Forgiven looked the list up and down, and handed it to Liar.

"Take care of it."

"Hm. Shouldn't be too difficult. Consider them yours, Nick."

And with that, the wizard Disapparated.

"Anything else?"

"Crookshanks has been eager to see you. He should be roaming somewhere on the island."

"Seriously?"

"He's very fond of bright, young women. He was very partial to my wife, before she passed."

Grimm gave him a sympathetic shrug before leaving to find the feline.

…

…

"…..Now, I believe you have something to ask of me?"

Norse was putting the finishing touches to Flamel's braided beard. It was wonderfully done, bearing some resemblance to those the Vikings styled long ago. It gave the crab a sort of noble image.

"You must help me synthesize another Sorcerer's Stone."

"What? But the Unbreakable Vows—"

"Forbid you from creating one yourself. They do not include instructing me to construct one for myself."

"I see….That is true. But why?"

"You know why. Liar needs the Elixir of Life, whether he admits it or not."

The crab's protruding eyes inched closely to Norse. They seemed to be measuring how resolute she was of her decision.

"The lad will hate you for this."

"IF he finds out."

"I suppose he wouldn't be suspicious until he's over a century old," Flamel joked. "…..He's a clever boy. It won't be long until he notices."

"Even so, I will force feed him the serum if need be."

"…Very well. I cannot possibly refuse, after seeing you act so earnestly."

Norse tried to wrap her arms around his large body for a hug.

"Thank you…"