Chapter 32 – Cruel and Unusual
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Previously on The Forgiven:
Troll Garden's armies have entered the Forbidden Forest, despite the Forgiven and Firenze's best efforts. With an impending attack on Hogwarts close at hand and the recent failure of killing Voldemort still fresh in their minds; Grimm, Norse, and Liar's morales sink to an all-time low. Especially for the Forgiven's leader, whose mood turns for the worse as time goes on.
In desperate attempts to overturn the situation, Grimm suggests using Harry Potter as bait to lure Voldemort out of hiding.
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Part 1
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"You want to use Harry Potter to hook Voldemort?! Are you mad?!" Liar exclaimed.
Grimm ignored him. The only one she was paying attention to at the moment, was Dumbledore.
In the tower's common room, each of the Forgiven stared at the Forgiver. The wizened old Headmaster shut his eyes, pondering deeply. He breathed through his nose, slow and methodical.
When he opened his eyes, he spoke, "You are suggesting sending Harry Potter into the Forbidden Forest to serve his detention."
"That's right," Grimm affirmed.
"That's idiotic," Liar noted.
"I don't think it's too farfetched. Albus has always been a bit of a loon. Wouldn't be too far off his reputation to send kids into the Forbidden Forest to serve as detention."
"NOT what I was getting at! We are putting the child—who if you've all forgotten, was almost killed by Voldemort and had his parents killed by him—right in front of the jaws of the very same man!"
"Who knows. Maybe he can bring about another miracle. 'The Boy Who Lived…Again'" Grimm joked.
"This is insane. And not your usual, good kind of insane that I like so much. This is just plain mental."
"Shit on my idea all you like. But do you have a better one?"
"You require more sacrifices to our cause."
They all turned to Norse, and saw the witch was fuming.
"This about the Centaurs? I thought we were over this."
"Enough, you two!" Liar moved between them, sensing the coming fight. He then looked to Dumbledore. "And you. Surely, you cannot possibly be considering—"
"You understand, if I send Mr. Potter into the Forest, I must also send the others to the same fate. Mr. Longbottom included," Dumbledore said to Grimm.
"What?! No, we absolutely CANNOT go through with this!"
"We made a promise to keep Neville safe!"
"…I know," Grimm answered, speaking only to Dumbledore.
"Hey! Both of you!" Liar shouted.
"You are absolutely sure?" the Headmaster carried on.
"Authorize the detention, Albus. Have Hagrid take them into the Forest to investigate a creature killing the unicorns. Make sure to send them Eastward into Centaur territory."
"GRIMM!"
"Very well."
The Headmaster's eyes were devoid of their usual twinkle. Instead, they looked like dark pools of black that devoured all light in the room.
As the plan was decided upon, Norse shoved past Liar and pulled Grimm up by her collar. One of her fists drew back, balled with cracking knuckles.
"Before you leave, Albus. Give a Forgiver's order to make sure Liar and Norse follow my every command on this mission. I don't need disobedience to screw things up like last time," said Grimm coolly.
Dumbledore whispered something quick and inaudible to the ear. When he finished, Norse was unable to take any further action against Grimm.
"I believe that shall suffice." The old wizard then departed the common room, leaving the Forgiven to their own devices.
While Norse could not hit Grimm, she continued to glare menacingly at her leader.
"You may as well have Imperiused me…! But you couldn't even do it yourself. I'd never known you were such a coward…!"
Norse's teeth gnawed, as she seethed with rage. In the face of her teammate's ire, Grimm remained emotionless.
Only speaking with a distant voice,
"Make ready to leave. We're going to see Firenze."
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Part 2
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It was early in the morning by the time the Forgiven left to meet Firenze. Students could be heard shuffling through the halls, making their way to their first day's classes. Gossip and murmurs of confusion accompanied the hustle and bustle, as the students wondered how Gryffindor had lost so many points in a single night.
The problem looked so paltry to the Forgiven. As they passed stealthily through the school, Norse could hardly peel her eyes from the students. Especially when she caught sight of Neville, Harry, and Hermione.
A single sentence occupying her thoughts,
We may be sending these children to their deaths soon.
The large witch flared with anger again. Her grudge directed to the small back of Grimm, who walked on without a shred of guilt or afterthought. Norse considered confronting her again, but Albus's authority as Forgiver put a strain on her for simply conjuring the idea.
The three flew off from an area out of sight and made their way into the Forbidden Forest. They glided through the skies for an hour before landing a good distance away from the Centaur colony. To let Firenze aware of their presence, as well as a sign of sincerity, the Forgiven removed their masks to speak with him.
For the next few minutes, Grimm explained the plan they were putting into action the day after. Firenze listened to every word, his expression turned glum at certain iterations. Liar donned a mask of indifference, trying to show neither disproval nor support. Norse simply looked away the whole time, not sure what to do.
"So we'll need some Centaurs monitoring Hagrid and the kids as soon as they enter the Forest. I don't care what it takes, or if I have to convince them myself, they need to be there this time," Grimm urged.
"Mars begins to shine brighter. I believe I can find us the help we need," Firenze calmly replied.
"Huh? Why was that so easy? Your clansmen were practically rolling over for them, last we heard. Even when they were in your territory. Suddenly, they're willing to put up a fight?"
"The light of Mars will be significantly red on the night you have planned," he said, while peering into the sky.
Grimm thought for a moment.
"Hey, Firenze? What exactly would the sky have to look like to – I don't know—tell all the Centaurs that Voldemort and his guild were coming to kill them all and burn their forest to the ground?"
Firenze seemed passive on the surface, but there carried a sharp edge in the air around him.
"What are you planni—"
"Obliviate."
""Grimm!"" Norse and Liar yelled.
"Sorry, let my sarcasm get the better of me. Good thing that was recent and Centaurs are so damn ADD. Sorry, racist."
"My apologies. What were you asking of me?" Firenze shook his head with a puzzled look.
"Ah, yes. I wanted to learn more about your Divinations. If I was to be forewarned by….the universe—about some large oncoming threat, what would I look for?"
"Hm...The messages are not always so clear and may remain ambiguous. Humans especially find difficulty in reading the cosmos. But one of the greater signs the tumultuous aura of Mars, the sign of Ares, Harbinger of War."
"I see. Very interesting. Thank you for the Divination lesson, Firenze," Grimm bowed.
"You are welcome, Ms. Grimm. Not many of your kind show genuine interest in our ways."
"Yeah. Can't fathom why. Well, we'd better get back and make preparations. I'm sure you need to do the same. Bring your best people, Firenze. We're taking Voldemort down this time. It might be our last chance to stop Troll Garden with as little bloodshed as possible."
Firenze nodded to her, and then turned to her two companions. "Norse. Liar. You two seem… distressed."
"Oh, them? They're just a bit under the weather," Grimm answered for them.
"Is that so?"
While the Centaur's eyes still wandered about the two, Norse approached him.
"Think nothing of it, Centaur Firenze. We only worry for the children used in this plan. I ask that your people watch over them closely."
"Hm. Some of my clansmen may not be so inclined to help humans, but…" He smiled and put his fist to his heart. "I, myself, vow to see to it that no harm comes to the youths. Upon my honor and my life, I swear this."
Norse returned the smile.
"My eternal gratitude…Friend Firenze."
The end of her sentence held special meaning for them, as the words hovered in the Centaur's view.
"Friend Norse," he answered with the same courtesy.
It was a code of conduct rarely seen in present times. A mark of old chivalry from days long past. The simple word, "friend" didn't accurately describe it. The two pledged a connection, a fealty to one another by something they held sacred.
It was this friendship that would bring Firenze to Hogwarts one day, and the reason for his kindness towards humans.
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Part 3
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After their meeting, the Forgiven bade goodbye to Firenze and walked a good distance away from the colony.
"I do believe I've found a way to combat Voldemort's massive army," Grimm turned to Liar and Norse with a snide grin.
Both of them hesitated to reply.
"…What is it?" Norse asked.
"Come on, Norse. Mars. It's bright!...apparently. We create the same thing, add a few special effects when Troll Garden attacks—maybe make it look extra wrathy— and Firenze can convince the Centaurs to fight!"
Norse made no response.
"Liar, back me up on this," Grimm deferred to the wizard.
"I suppose it would force them into action. The Centaurs take their astrological coincidences very seriously, I agree, but how would you arrange such a thing? Yes. You're good—oh, glorious leader of ours—but even you can't change the stars and planets."
"Can't I?"
Liar's eye twitched.
"Hogwarts has an enchanted sky in the great hall. You've mimicked the sky for our Underground Base to a lesser degree. Are you telling me you can't mix and match to create a fake Mars above the Forbidden Forest that reads, 'Attack Troll Garden, stupid horse people!'?….Was that racist? It was. I really have to stop that."
A tense hush fell over them all.
"You want me to gaslight the Centaurs…That's unethical even by my shoddy standards. Also, I wouldn't know how to make Mars look like," Liar answered.
"We might have to consider kidnapping a Centaur and making them tell us how to fake the signs."
"One unethical choice after another."
"Relax, Liar. If we take Voldemort out early, it might not even come to that. But better to have it ready, in any case."
"I do not approve of this. Manipulating one's beliefs? Interrogating our own allies? This is unacceptable."
"Means to an end, Norse. I understand if you both don't agree, I really do. But this needs to be done. I'll take responsibility for everything."
"That does NOT absolve my repulsion."
"Neither I, but I admit I see no alternative….Are you sure about this, Grimm? We may need the Centaurs again one day, and if they learn of what we've done, they will never trust us again," Liar cautioned.
"…I've weighed the risks. Do it. If anyone needs to be blamed, it's on me," Grimm replied without hesitation.
*Sigh* "I suppose I should get to work on the enchantment. Maybe consult Flamel, back at home. Interrogating a Centaur shouldn't be necessary."
"Thank you, Liar."
"Don't mention it. Seriously. Don't. I don't feel good about this. And you are NOT welcome."
Liar walked away, attempting to hide his disdain. When Grimm was about to follow, Norse grabbed her by the shoulder.
"Liar, return ahead of us. I must have words with Grimm."
For a moment, the wizard looked likely to refuse. But his feelings conflicted when he met Norse's gaze. Rather than intense, it appeared more like she was pleading with him. Asking him to trust her.
"Alright. I get it. Don't—" Liar stopped himself. "Nothing. Take care."
The young man mounted his broom and soared out of the trees a second later, leaving Norse and Grimm to themselves.
A few moments passed before one of them spoke.
"So, I suppose this was a long time coming. Let's duel and forgive each other right quick, shall we?" Grimm flashed a smile.
"This is not what this is."
"Oh? And what is this then? The Centaurs? Getting Albus to make a Forgiver's order? I wasn't thinking straight. I'll get him to undo it when we get back, okay?"
"I cannot stand by, while you continue to commit these heinous actions."
Grimm frowned at her.
"Since when have you had a problem with the way I've run things?"
"Ever since we've begun deceiving and bringing harm to our allies and the lives of innocents!"
"…You're talking about putting Neville in the crossfire."
"And Potter. And Hermione, who you are so fond of. AND manipulating the Centaurs!"
"You don't think I've considered that? Their lives are on me, I get it. It's my responsibility!"
"I KNOW YOU DO! THAT is what concerns me the most!"
"…..What the hell are you on about now?"
"You sacrifice their lives without batting an eye, sister. You speak of bearing the consequences of such actions, but if you do not care, then what consequences do you bear? Liar and I have seen the way you look at everyone—treat them. We barely see a difference between ally or foe alike! But the two of us have been too afraid to say anything."
Grimm was noticeably shaken. Norse's words struck a cord and it snapped something in her.
"Afraid?! Afraid of me?!"
"Of you! Yes!" Norse locked eyes with her. "Do not misunderstand. Liar and I know you would never harm us. You would see the world burn, before letting harm come to us."
"So why—"
"But you care nothing of others! You would sacrifice the world to protect us—to see our mission completed— but it is the world you are charged with protecting!
We are the Forgiven.
Not simply because we are permitted use of the Unforgivable Curses, or granted asylum when our work is done. It is because for all the moral grey we may commit, we bear the damage and burdens ourselves, and only to ourselves…..
We are the ones sacrificed for the greater good, not others. We give so others do not have to. You have forgotten this," Norse said, while shaking Grimm. She wasn't sure if she was getting through to her, but she had to try.
"We are afraid of what you are becoming, sister. We fear we do not know you anymore."
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And for the first time in perhaps a very long while, Grimm had no answer to counter with. Norse hit on something dead center, and she felt an emotion she had not experienced since she Obliviated her mother's memories.
It was shame.
And suddenly, she was a child again. Making the same mistakes. Cold hearted, calculated decisions she thought were right at the time, but would suffer so much for later on.
Grimm shut her eyes and breathed out, sitting with the weight of new understanding.
When she opened her mouth, the words caught in her throat. A sudden pang pierced her temples and her thoughts obscured. Grimm clutched her head for a moment.
"Grimm?"
Norse approached, but she held a hand out to stop her.
Grimm blinked a few times. And as quickly as they pain came, so too did it recede. The witch felt her blood chill as she calmed down.
"I have to do it, Norse…I don't care if I break because of it. There really is no other way with the Centaurs. As it stands, Troll Garden will attack Hogwarts and children will die. I don't even know if getting rid of Voldemort will stop them either. It may sound like just another excuse but….Am I wrong, Norse? It's a shite answer, but it's the only one I can come up with…How else am I supposed to win this?"
Norse offered no response.
"I'm sorry. But this is the way it has to be."
The large witch looked down at her feet. She wanted to say something, something more, but words failed her. Norse knew she didn't reach Grimm to the extent she was hoping. She could only walk away in defeat. To her, this was worse than letting Voldemort escape, worse than anything.
"Norse! I really am sorry!" Grimm called out after her.
But the blonde witch only continued walking without looking back.
Grimm was left alone with her thoughts.
Do I really feel bad about it? Was it just lip service?
If anything, I only regret disappointing Norse.
Do I truly feel guilty?
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Something's wrong….
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Was I always this cruel?
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Something is wrong. Something's wrong with me.
I don't remember being like this. Since when have I felt this way?
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What's happening to me?
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I feel cold.