Wow! I can't believe it! Over 1,000 followers! I'm still just dazed staring at that number. . . Thank you all so much! You're the best! :D
Just thought I'd give you all a bit of a heads up – I intend to finish the first book around the 30 chapter mark. Fingers crossed, because apparently my estimations suck :-P But in any case, it should be quite soon. After that I might take a break? Maybe? But in any case I need some feedback.
Do you all want me to skip a few years once first year is done? Cause I'm not gonna lie I'm super excited for 4th year, but at the same time the next few years would be so interesting too . . .but if all the books are this long I'll be here forever :-O Anyway, send me your thoughts!
As usual, the disclaimer: No money made for me. Nope. Writing this story is entirely for my own enjoyment, and very little else.
Beta'd by: Bombadilo Baby. A woman of many talents. She is the Guru, Advisor and Chick-Who-Stops-Me-From-Rambling ;D thank you!
A Brilliant Weekend to You All!
-G
"Hey! I'm not that short! And I swear, it sounded like it was coming from in the walls!" he exclaimed, standing up straight automatically to try and emphasise his point.
Everyone laughed at Harry's blatant delusion of height. He really was very short.
Pansy was smiling. "Come on, Harry. Blaise is right, everything echoes in the dungeons anyway."
Harry was still grumbling slightly at the short comment.
Draco smiled, reaching out to tug along his distracted friend so that they actually made it to class on time.
"I swear it was in the walls." Harry muttered.
Draco rolled his eyes, slipping his hand into Harry's.
Chapter 28 – Changing Tides
Severus heard a chime for his Floo and glanced up from the first end of year reports he was currently marking. He quietly dreading the upcoming flood of them that awaited him over the next few weeks.
"Good evening, Severus" Lucius Malfoy's smooth voice greeted him. "I have some rather pertinent news. Do you have time for Narcissa and I to step through?" he asked politely, with an undertone of urgency that instantly caught Severus' attention.
Severus' eyebrow was raised in surprise but he quickly agreed. "Naturally." He reassured the blonde, clearing his desk with a sharp flick of his wrist. He glanced back at the fireplace "Shall I call Minerva?" he queried hesitantly.
Lucius nodded, stepping through the Floo "That would be best." He confirmed, glancing back absently whilst Narcissa stepped through the Floo behind him, delicate and light as a finch.
Severus spared no time in conjuring a Patronus, which sped off towards Minerva's office. "Come, take a seat." He encouraged them towards his living room, standing himself. "Would you like a drink?" he asked as he simultaneously summoned a house elf.
Narcissa, who'd been busy until that moment charming her cloak free of ash, smiled. "That would be wonderful, Severus, thank you."
Severus led the way out of the study, his robes flaring sharply behind him.
Lucius sighed tiredly, slumping down onto his customary seat once they'd settled near the fireplace. "Yes, I concur. If it wasn't mid-week, and you weren't a teacher I would strongly recommend an alcoholic beverage." Severus scowled at Lucius for the reminder. There had been many week nights where he'd stared longingly at the whiskey whilst Lucius indulged himself. The prat. Lucius did a rolling gesture with his hand, indicating the potions master should ignore him and proceed. "As it is, I suppose we shall all have to settle for tea." Lucius resigned himself to the harmless beverage, straightening his posture somewhat in the chair.
Narcissa rolled her eyes delicately in amusement at her Husband. "Don't exaggerate, dear. Things aren't quite that dire." She scolded mildly, already reaching to pour the tea that the House elf had placed on the small tablet after hearing their request. "Your mother would have been distraught to learn that you turned to alcohol in times of crisis." She said slyly.
Lucius jolted upright unconsciously, before flicking an unamused expression at his (highly amused) wife.
Another minute passed and Minerva stepped through flames, brow creased in anxious concern at the presence of the two Malfoy's. Her back snapped straight, her eyes penetrating, despite the fatigue in her eyes. "Severus tells me you bring news?" she asked, settling on the lounge. She never had been a person to beat around the bush, and saw no reason to start now.
Narcissa and Lucius glanced quickly at each other before turning back, silently conversing in a way that drove most onlookers to distraction, before Lucius cleared his throat. "From the Ministry, just this morning." Lucius confirmed. "On several topics, in fact." He quickly confirmed.
Minerva's brow quirked in surprise, but she settled herself in a chair nevertheless. "They've tracked Albus then, have they?" she immediately guessed, voice both angry and expectant. She'd been anxious to hear news ever since the highly qualified search party had been deployed by the Ministry. It deeply unsettled her to think of what he might be doing whilst on the run from Auror's. The man was a Master manipulator, who was closely associated with many of her acquaintances.
Narcissa was shaking her head, also bitterly disappointed. "Unfortunately not. They still have no news on Albus Dumbledores current whereabouts. They were, on the other hand, able to capture Mundungus Fletcher, who helped him escape the Ministry. Yesterday afternoon he was found dazed and disoriented, wandering through a side street off knockturn Alley." She told them. "He's currently in their holding cells. Fortunately Lucius was able to convince the Minister to move forward his trial so that there is less time for . . . another security breach."
Severus scoffed. "Fudge is an imbecile, but thankfully a malleable one." It was both a blessing and a curse for the stability of their Government. "He always has liked to line his pockets."
Lucius agreed. "Sadly, I do not believe his questioning will aid in the search for Albus. Several of my Ministry contacts suspect a strong Obliviate charm has been recently used on the man, based on the disorientation and confusion when they found him. He may very well be useless."
Severus frowned. "The question is why Albus allowed him to be captured."
Lucius nodded. "I'm looking into the matter, but so far I have uncovered nothing of consequence. Hopefully the Veritaserum will uncover some solid facts."
Minerva was scowling darkly by now. "What a'bout Quirrell an' the Flammels? 'As there been any news?" she asked, her Scottish drawl more pronounced with her frustration.
Narcissa folded her hands in her lap. "Quirinus is still undergoing medical treatment to recover from long term dark possession. Regulations state that until he is of suitable mental and physical health that any investigations must be postponed. His Ministry appointed lawyers are standing firm, so I believe we shall be waiting at least another couple of months before there is any headway from that source." She admitted, her own frustration edging through despite years of well-practised social etiquette. Narcissa paused. "There is however . . . news regarding the Flammels." she informed them hesitantly.
Both Severus and Minerva frowned. "The last I heard they were sighted traversing the Isle of Man, is that no longer the case? I know they had a longstanding reservation in India that they missed." Severus inquired cautiously. His friends expressions were quite foreboding.
"They've been found then?" Minerva guessed, smiling slightly as she all but wilted in relief. Nicolas Flammel was a distant relation of her Great Grandfather and they had all been quite worried about the pair. Her Grandfather had been casting spells non-stop to try and locate them both. There was also the matter of the stone and mirror, both of which were still (reluctantly) within the school's walls.
Lucius and Narcissa shared another silent glance, neither speaking.
Severus flickered a concerned glance at Minerva, knowing by their faces that it would not be welcome news. "They were indeed tracked to the Isle, however a new investigation is underway…" Lucius informed them, words pronounced slowly, as though cautious of their reactions.
Minerva glanced quickly between the bonded couple. "Just spit it out!" she demanded, chest tight with anxiety now.
"They were found dead."
Minerva eyes went wide, hands shooting up to cover her mouth with a strangled sob. Her eyes burned with tears as she thought of what this news would do to her already devastated grandfather.
Lucius continued, knowing it was best to tell her everything now then someone else inform her later. "An inquiry has been recommended regarding the nature of their deaths. Initial . . reports . . suggest it may not have been a natural cause. This must, of course, be confirmed before any further action can be taken."
Minerva forced the tears back from her eyes as she sat up straight, voice was firm. "They suspect foul play?" she demanded.
"It is a strong possibility at this point in time." Narcissa confirmed gently, with compassion for their friend.
Minerva's nodded briskly "I see." She replied, saying nothing further.
Severus glanced once more at his friend, concerned by her silence even as his brain turned over the information. "The Headmaster?" he inquired quietly to Lucius.
Lucius tapped his cane on the floor, conceding the man's thought. "That was my initial thought also. It was highly unusual that the Flamell's would consent to moving the stone or the mirror away from their fidelius protected property. With their advanced age, I've been told that they required frequent elixir transfusions from the stone. The decision would have been extremely detrimental to their health, as well as highly illogical." He admitted his suspicions. "Nothing can be proven without evidence. They had many friends who could have seen them around that time. Albus being one who is hardly an unusual visitor to the couple." he scowled. "The inquiry will be searching for signs of compulsion or Imperio." He told them, guilt stirring that he hadn't brought this up prior to the information on the Flammels. Minerva's eyes had drifted off, seemingly unconscious of the continued conversation. His wife stood up, crossing the room to sit with her, she murmured quietly with the Scottish woman whilst he conversed with Severus.
"There has however been some headway in other matters." He admitted.
Severus raised his brow in inquiry.
Lucius went on "A Goblin at Gringott's has been arrested for unlawful procedures by the Goblin Nation." Lucius informed Severus, volume decreased so as not to interrupt the ladies. "the Goblin in question had been found to, on several occasions, allow Albus Dumbledore access to vaults without consent of owners."
"The stone?" Severus replied in realisation, knowing that it had been withdrawn from the bank by Hagrid before the start of term, authorised only by a signed permission slip from the Headmaster.
"Indeed." Lucius nodded, then hesitated for a moment. "Also, Harry's." he told them quietly.
Severus froze in shocked horror, along with Minerva who had been listening in on the conversation. "When?" Severus' voice rasped out. "How?"
Narcissa was rubbing Minerva's back as she answered his question. "He made numerous withdrawals, citing his position as magical guardian . . . and even some recently. It's completely illegal. Harry's a minor, still years from being old enough to legally give consent for others to make withdrawals for him. The goblins have calculated the total sum to approximately 100,000 galleons." She informed them, eyes flinty.
Severus' magic crackled dangerously, broiling with fury around him. "How dare he!?" he hissed darkly. "How dare he steal money from Harry!" his voice was low but the pronunciation crisp as ice.
Minerva's expression had also turned dark, as she was momentarily distracted from her grief.
Lucius' explained further "Gringott's is tracking the money now. Since it was their own oversight, Harry will be fully reimbursed the amount. So far they've confirmed that a portion went to the Dursley's, though one need only look at the boy to know that Harry ever saw one knut of it. The rest went predominately to Albus' private accounts." Lucius sneered, hand clenched around the head of his cane.
"Not only that, but I was told in confidence that Harry was not the only orphan to pass through these walls which Albus has taken advantage of." He informed them. It only took moments for the Headmistress and Severus to realise the implications of that statement. "There are several who they will be contact soon once they've determined the full extent of the theft."
"What?!" Minerva screeched, voice loud as she reached her tipping point. "When they find tha' old bastard they 'ad better lock 'im away for good, 'cause I won' hold me'self responsible for ma actions if we cross paths!" she snarled viciously.
No one disagreed with her.
Narcissa turned to Severus. "Severus, I also recently took the opportunity to discuss Harry's outbursts of wild and wandless magic." She informed him.
Severus quirked a brow, listening intently.
"She had a second look through the health scans, and found an unusual level of disturbance to his magical core. Andy would need to do further scans to confirm the cause, but since it hasn't improved over this year along with the treatment to correct his malnutrition, and given how far back his history of wild magic goes, she's worried that it may be linked to his first encounter with the Dark Lord." She told them.
Severus' eyes widened in alarm. "He didn't receive any treatment." Severus murmured hollowly.
Narcissa nodded slowly, not wanting to worry her friend if their concerns were over nothing. "Like I said, Andy just wants to run some deeper scans to check. She can come around these summer holidays. It may just be that his long term poor health is taking longer to settle than anticipated. Every developing magical core has fluctuations to some degree."
Severus frowned, forehead creased in thought. "As far as I'm aware he's had no more outbursts of wild magic since Halloween. But his spell work is still inconsistent, above average some days, and completely shoddy the next. He summoned his shoes from across the room without a word, his wand several feet away, just yesterday. Then struggled for hours to transfigure a matchstick when revising for exams that afternoon."
Minerva frowned in surprise at Severus. "He couldn't transfigure the matchstick? Into a needle, you mean? He achieved that in the first lesson! Second only to Miss Granger!"
"Indeed" Severus confirmed, stomach churning unpleasantly with worry. He glanced at Narcissa and Lucius. "Has Draco informed you of his own instance of wordless magic?" he queried, remembering his own disbelief upon seeing Harry's full memory of Quirrell's attack. There was no way that Draco should have been able to break that spell, let alone wordlessly and without proper knowledge of the counter-curse.
Lucius' eyes widened in shock, whilst Narcissa took on a somewhat guilty countenance.
"Pardon?" Lucius asked his old friend.
Severus turned meaningfully to Narcissa, having seen her reaction. She turned to her husband in apology, resting her hand on his forearm. "That's my fault, Lucius, dear. I'm afraid that matter slipped my mind, he mentioned briefly it two days ago in a letter. Complaining that he hadn't been able to replicate it since." She admitted before turning back to Severus. "Though from your expression I am starting to suspect that he was largely aware of his own power at the time?"
"What did he do?" Lucius obviously rattled by the information but trying to sort through the information logically.
Severus realised that he hadn't told his friends the extent of Quirell's actions. "Harry was cursed with the Tacet Mortem, the silent deathcurse, when caught by Quirrell." Severus admitted. Narcissa gasped in shock, and Lucius' eyes widened in horror. "Somehow Draco was able to not only see him there, but free Harry from the binds." He told them.
Narcissa's hands fluttered in barely contained alarm. "But-! But that spell is dark magic, the likes of which no eleven year old should be able to counter!" she said in a strangled voice.
Lucius too was shocked. "Draco is quite magically strong for his age, but even he should not have been able to produce this result, not unless - " he cut off, eyes widening. In an instant Lucius had shot a look towards Narcissa, who's expression also cleared in realisation.
Within seconds their shocked faces had disappeared. Replaced by a deep consideration from Lucius, and what could only be described a smug elation from Narcissa.
Severus frowned in confusion, uncertain as to both their responses and current silence. "You know why Draco was able to produce this magic." He stated slowly, leaving the conversation open to response should they wish.
Another shared glance. "We suspect" Lucius confirmed, face still lined with consideration.
Narcissa kept silent on the matter along with her Husband, eyes still warm and glowing with excitement.
Severus nodded, understanding that they wished to keep their suspicions to themselves for now.
He stood. "Right. If that is all, I have many papers still left to mark, should I wish to have respite sometime tonight." He drawled.
Minerva stood silently herself, face still drawn with pain as she thought more on the fate of the Flammel's. She turned to the Malfoy's. "You will keep me abreast regarding the Flammel's? And the other investigations?" she asked expectantly.
Lucius' head dipped in a nod. "Naturally. I will send my word as soon as any further information comes to light. The rest of the School Governors have requested that I inform you a Ministry representative and one of Nicolas' family members will arrive tomorrow to collect their possessions from the School."
Minerva wilted in relief and grief, nodding sharply. "Good night." She said briskly, murmuring a goodbye to Severus as well before departing through the Floo.
Severus turned to the Malfoy's, once more finding them silently communications, though they turned back instantly upon receiving Severus' full attention once more.
Lucius tapped his cane absently. "I'll wish you good night." He announced, Narcissa nodding in agreement with a soft smile. "Shall we expect you both at the end of term?" he inquired.
Severus shook his head. "That will not be necessary. You're manager was most helpful, and everything will be settled for us to arrive within the next two weeks." Severus paused, with a somewhat wry smile. "Though if this term has been any indication, you can expect frequent visits."
Lucius' lips twitched in a smile. "I shall leave the rooms as they are then." He decided, voice still warmed with humour.
"Goodnight, Severus." Narcissa bid him quiet goodbye as they both turned to depart through the Floo.
Severus mused quietly to himself, black eyes staring at the fireplace for a minute or so, lost in thoughts, before collecting himself and turning back to his study with grim resignation.
He pulled a pot of red ink out, dipping his quill in the liquid, before starting to once more correct the drivel some of his students had the gal to call answers.
Dunderheads.