Heeeey... Everyone...
I know, I know... I've been taking longer to post... I'll give no excuse. The ideas I wanted to write demand more attention than I've been giving to the story.
If anything seems familiar, it's not a coincidence haha I did base myself on Spiderman: No way home... with a hint of the Flash... and Donnie Darko (man, I love that movie).
I'm going to alert you beforehand, this chapter is still my attempt at tying loose ends :x
The answers to the reviews are at the end of the chapter! Thank you all in advance. :3
Chapter XXV - Polyjuice (Part 1)
Step one: Prepare the lacewing flies, leave them stewing for twenty-one days.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
HERMIONE GRANGER CONFESSES
Important findings about hereditary magical gifts were left out of her published work.
(pg. 20)
In the order's HQ, also known as Andromeda's house, Ginny glared at the news so fiercely that she could feel the paper get warm in her hands. A little more rage and her magic would make it burn to ashes.
"That fucking bitch!"
Out of every absurd Rita Skeeter wrote that entire week, accusing Hermione of being a manipulative person with egoistic reasons made Ginny the maddest. The newspaper was crumpled slightly with the force it was held, before being carelessly thrown on top of the kitchen counter.
"I'm going to curse her ass next time I see her!" The white marble countertop vibrated with the force she banged her palms against it.
"Now I know where Ted heard that expression." Across from her, Andromeda simply raised those light brown irises from the letter she had been staring at to meet Ginny's blue storms. "What happened?"
The death eaters had access to Grimmaud's place through Draco, and he couldn't compromise his position yet in case they decided to kill or hurt her. The order's new HQ, protected by the fiddellius charm, was the safest place for her to be.
Living with Andromeda was a matter of security and, luckily, she could claim to want more involvement in the order's business in case her parents questioned why she didn't want to stay with them.
Her mother's fussing along with the happy talk about the baby's coming only made her feel miserable. It was exhaustive to fake enthusiasm all the time when there was no way to bring herself to share that excitement.
Her baby couldn't come at a worst time.
"Listen to this: - Hermione Jean Granger was always a conniving little girl, hiding behind the good image of her loyal, gullible friends. Now, the truth is out there. She has been fooling everyone with her own project of power, aiming to change our society with no proof that it is for the better..."
With a mix of incredulity and anger, Ginny looked at Andromeda who, for her part, stared at the prophet as if those words intrigued her.
"I won't even continue. It's pure bullshit! Can you believe Rita dared associate Hermione's research with a political agenda to 'destroy the bases of our society'? Hermione had an ideal. How can anyone see anything selfish or opportunistic about it? She dreamed about a better world and worked for it, so what?" A deep breath was necessary to silence the stream of words that threatened to spill over endlessly. Ginny's eyes fell to her tea, a sip of that lukewarm drink was simultaneously her effort to calm down and stop ranting.
"...Rita is the worst." The calming effects of chamomile never worked, but she wouldn't stop trying. It was the only thing available for a pregnant woman who could not take the calming draught.
"Even worse is knowing that people are buying this." Andromeda said, offering Ginny the letter she had been staring at for the past thirty minutes.
A switch happened, Ginny let go of the offending piece of garbage and accepted the paper with Ted's neat calligraphy.
- Ma,
Do you have any news about Aunt Hermione? The daily prophet says that some fanatical death eaters have her under the effects of Veritaserum. But aren't they criminals? Why aren't people more worried about her life? I don't understand!
Many of my friends received howlers from their parents insisting that, if 'that radical woman' ever came back and started with her talk about 'changing traditions', they should immediately write back so they could change schools. There were some people calling her worse things... I don't dare repeat.
At least none of my friends believes what's in the prophet, they know that Aunt Hermione is not a liar! The only ones that seem to have something against muggle studies and her methods are the same idiots... You know who they are. I'm going to CURSE THEIR ASS some of these days.
I'm joking! I'm joking! I won't get involved in any fight...
Just a few pranks, is that ok? I hope so because by the time this letter reaches you, I might already have done something. And you did say that you'd rather hear it from me than the professors, right? Rosier will have what's coming for him.
Anyway, at least that's the only bad thing going on. Aunt Hermione's substitute turned out to be a friend of hers who also keeps defending her. He is making everyone question why she was kidnapped in the first place. I like him. Do you know any Dean Thomas? He said he knows you and asked me to send his regards.
I went through some secret passages, and I found out that the three taps wall turns out to be the perfect hiding spot. There's nothing to do there, though. I don't think I'll go back until we play some hide and seek. Maybe the founders built this place with this intention. Who knows?
There's still nothing much to tell... I wish Aunt Hermione could defend herself. What is going on, ma? Why did this happen? Why isn't anyone doing anything about it? Isn't there anything Uncle Harry or Uncle Ron can do?
I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I know you are.
I love you.
Your not-mischievous-at-all Grandson,
Ted Lupin.
Ted's reaction to the events going on was so much like hers that she forgot her righteous fury for a moment. It even brought a small smile to her face.
You understand, little Ted. This is outrageous! Too bad that there was nothing they could tell the boy. He couldn't know that his aunt was still lost to time, or else he'd worry that she is still gone. They can't talk about the plan to rescue her, because their mail can be intercepted. Any information can put their entire operation and Draco's life at risk.
Until he came home for the Holidays, the little Hufflepuff would have to stay in the dark like everyone else. Ginny hoped he wouldn't suffer too much because of his connection to the 'fraud', nor get too worried about the 'kidnapping' situation.
Andromeda has been trying to find words to placate her grandson without betraying their plans, no doubt. "It's been so long since I've heard from Dean. Maybe you could distract Ted by bringing his attention to his new Professor. There's nothing else we can say..."
"Hm" Andromeda's hummed response was due to her focus on the news. "This is absurd." Andie's eyebrows furrowed deeper and deeper the more she read Skeeter's article. "How can people believe this?!"
Yes! ABSURD! "Right?! It's ridiculous!"
Suddenly, Hermione was – as Rita put it – a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing, who took advantage of a tragedy to form convenient partnerships, while all her friends have biased opinions, misguided by their loyalty. Word is that her work would never be legitimized if she wasn't an influential war hero.
Never mind that many other researchers from every part of the world reproduced the tests and reached the same conclusion: Heredities are an exception to the rule that magic isn't passed down genetically.
Hermione didn't meet another person who spoke parseltongue to analyze if anything was different in their genetic composition. No one else did, in fact. But anyone serious about her work knows that Hermione just didn't go further on those rare oddities, because a wizard's magical core is simply invisible for any examination.
It puzzled everyone who cared to know where magic comes from, but Hermione didn't want to go deeper into it. What she wanted to prove was already proven.
So what if she couldn't explain these details? It doesn't rule out a fact! It's basically a fundamental truth at this point! Magic doesn't come from the BLOOD!
Aside from the fact that only magical people and creatures can sense magic, a muggle is in every way just like a wizard.
"Why is she doing this?" Andromeda put the daily prophet down with the same carelessness Ginny showed earlier. "Doesn't she know that supporting this outlandish theory means giving strength to the death eater's movement? Popular support is all they need to validate their planned coup!"
It sold well to destroy someone's reputation, Ginny understood how most people were just trying to win some extra relevance by surfing the wave of Hermione's newfound unpopularity. But in Rita's case, there is the added flavour of:
"Revenge. Hermione kind of ruined her career when it was at its peak, I just don't understand why she would align herself with known terrorists just for some cheap payback. I didn't think she was that petty."
"Doesn't she understand the gravity of what she is doing?" Andie questioned once more.
Ginny shrugged and shook her head. Too bad that she is registered now. I wish I could hold her little animagi secret over her head. "Even if she does, I don't think she cares."
Draco told them not to worry, but it was hard. To know that the death eaters would try to destroy Hermione's reputation was one thing, to see that it was working was another entirely different. Her book that demystified the heredity of magic reflected her dreams for a different society. It's everything that's left of her in that world. To have people tainting it like that... It hurt more than Ginny could explain.
Especially when it was still uncertain if they will manage to bring her back.
No. We will succeed. We have to. Just the thought of never seeing her again made Ginny's chest constrict. We're going to succeed. It was the mantra that helped chase away the horrible emptiness that threatened to consume her.
"Merlin..." Andromeda murmured, gaining her attention once more. "I'll give this paper to 'Cissa. Maybe she can shove it down Rita's throat next time she sees that bitch looking for an interview around the ministry."
That idea amused her enough to bring another smile to her face. "Yes, please, do that."
It turns out that living with the Black sisters became a source of comfort, too. Because whenever Ginny felt like their battle was lost, all it took was one look at them to find herself inspired again. Their determination was infectious, and so were their restless efforts to foil the death eater's plans left and right.
Narcisa knew who could be the spies Draco was afraid of and took upon herself the task of discovering if these unspeakables were aware of Dr Wilkins and the portal.
A woman with her looks could make anyone believe whatever story her sharp mind came up with. In just a week, she had them eating by the palm of her hand. Give it a few more, she would loosen their tongues. If they were death eaters, she would find out.
Ginny never imagined that the ex-Malfoy was capable of doing anything aside from judging people with cold stares, but alas, there she was, showing her chameleon skills beyond Snape's legendary mastery. To anyone who asked, she infiltrated the order fooling her sister into believing she regrets her past actions.
If Ginny wasn't sure that Narcisa loved her son more than her own life, she'd be scared that the order members were the ones being fooled in this story.
Then there was Andromeda, restless until she was sure that no war would take away her Grandson and that no form of Government would subjugate him. She rallied those who believed in Hermione's work and campaigned against Purllow Yeple, the death eater's candidate for minister.
Damn if she wasn't fierce.
With those two actively working on their side, Ginny felt somewhat placated.
"Hey!" Andromeda stared at her like she just realized something important. One lightbulb was almost visible above her head. "You're a journalist, aren't you?"
Ginny frowned, not really understanding that question. "Didn't you know that already?"
"Of course! I mean, you clearly have a lot to say about Rita's lies. How come you don't write about it?!"
"I'd never be taken seriously! If I say anything, it might validate Rita's words that I'm just biased."
And it deeply frustrated her, not being able to do anything but watch as people attacked Hermione undeservedly.
"You could always use a pseudonym! Besides, not everyone believes in the prophet. We could do with more supportive views!"
A pseudonym? The more the journalist thought about it, the more she liked the idea.
Her mind went through hundreds of different arguments, trying to put them in order. Ginny had to control her anger, of course, to write in a way that appealed to reason. It was important not to let her feelings take control and colour her writing at that moment. She couldn't sound biased, even when she wrote under an alias. Anyone remotely supportive of Hermione could be easily discredited as if they were unreasonable. Her arguments had to sound as logical as Rita's. Those who believed in Hermione's work had to have good points to bring to their families and not sound like blind, fanatical supporters.
What a messed up world they lived in when Voldemort's ex-followers were passing as the sensible ones.
You know what? "Time to come up with an answer to this nonsensical fiction." She downed her cold drink and got up. I won't let Rita manipulate the truth in whatever way pleases her.
"Good luck." Andromeda smiled encouragingly, then looked down at the newspaper. She went straight to the sports column with Ginny's long analysis of this Quidditch season, and Chet's amazing performance. "Let me know if you need anything." She said distractedly, seemingly enraptured by the strategies being used to change chasers' formations.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
RODOLPHUS LESTRANGE ON THE LOOSE
Memories of an anonymous eyewitness implicate Harry Potter. An accident, or a crime? (Pg. 3)
Turns out that Rodolphus was not in a position of power.
Something that should be expected, of course, the government wouldn't leave the assets of a convicted murderer untouched. There was no one to inherit his money, mansion, and countless vacation homes. Not even family heirloom artefacts were left to tell the tale.
From what he heard, all those possessions had been confiscated, sold, and used to fund the rebuilding of Hogwarts along with other public institutions destroyed by Voldemort's attacks.
The wanted criminal thought it would be easy to pass as a traveller in the muggle world, a backpacking tourist, with forged money to get comfortable in the most expensive hotels to enjoy everything he missed while locked up.
His expectation couldn't be further from reality.
Things changed so much that he felt like it was his first time in the muggle world all over again, with that frustrating feeling of not understanding one fucking thing, and this time without any sense of wonder.
This time Francine wasn't around to show him the ropes.
Suffice it to say that when he arrived at Emily Rosier's mansion for a council meeting – after a week-long of struggle in that alien world he was forced to make a home and stay undetected – he wasn't in the mood to extend this encounter.
It was necessary, though, to sit on that chair, look around that round table and try to hide how much he despised each and every person sitting there. He took note of the Carrow sibling's bored expression, Emily's impatient press of lips signalling her desire to finish that meeting, and Draco's occluded blank stare.
"All right. Let me see if I understand..." The ex-prisoner leaned back, lazily playing around with gravity as he balanced himself on just two legs of his chair.
There was nothing offensive in Lucius's nod and smile, but his posture and the overall air of 'I'm better than everyone here' spiked a certain desire to dive across the table to bury his nose into that smug face with a punch. The mere idea brought a malicious smile to Rodolphus's face.
"Purllow Yeple is the guy you're supporting for minister this election, the puppet willing to pass each and every one of your projects." His chair fell forwards with great momentum, that loud noise made Lucius grimace like it physically hurt him. It was as good as Rodolphus would get to soothe the feelings that spurred his violent thoughts.
"Yes, that is correct." Lucius nodded once more with his affirmative "He hates muggles as much as we do, and he hates that Granger girl for pushing so hard to make our world like theirs. He is our fellow citizen concerned about all the abhorrent changes. He is also a Half-Blood, the perfect candidate. How can he be a so-called blood-purist when he is a half-bastard himself?"
The laughs of debauchery made Rodolphus's skin prickle uncomfortably. Just under the surface, his blood boiled hot like his rage. A certain memory was replayed in a permanent loop he didn't know how to break.
Bellatrix's glee, Voldemort's cold disregard... Laughs he wished he could forget...
Their laughs... So loud...
YOU'RE THE FUCKING BASTARDS. His anger was directed at everyone, himself included.
Back then, the constant competition to rank up and stay in the circle of Voldemort's most trusted seemed more important. Proving his self-worth seemed more important. He was ensnared by greed, blind by pride, and deaf to Francine's warnings.
And she paid the price for freedom.
Half of his life was behind bars, and that was the least of the consequences for placing his faith in the wrong person. No, not a person. A charismatic monster, with beautiful words and empty promises. The more he thought about how he lost Francine, the less inclined he felt to stay in that room.
And the more he hated himself. If only he listened... If only he ran away...
hahahahahaha IT'S YOUR FAULT!
Overwhelming guilt fed his loathing. A suffocated scream, stuck in his throat, was released in the form of a screeching laugh. Loud, desperate, it mixed with the others. Tears formed in the corner of his eyes, an extract of bitterness that passed as amusement, it burned his skin with its salt. He banged his hands on the table, wishing he could smash someone's head in it, eliciting another round of guffaws from the oblivious fools.
It's all your fault, Rodolphus. "And you're working on discrediting a tested and proved theory because...?" He asked with his voice cracking and a smile that was much too big for his face. It's a good thing, at least, that his contempt could pass as amusement.
No one seemed to notice he was about to blow.
"We don't need to prove that mudblood wrong, a healthy dose of suspicion is all we need. If people question the integrity of her work, that's enough for our man to manage a win. If Yeple wins, there will be no need for a war."
"Why do you care about the election?" If not to fight a war, why did you get me out? "Why not just go for the coup right now?"
With all his pomp, Lucius straightened his posture to explain their plans. "If we lose, popular support will make it seem like the coup was a necessity. If we win, our elected minister will give us control, while we prepare the territory for our new form of government. I'm overseeing that part of the plan, right now. I'll make sure that he wins."
With every word that came out of Lucius' mouth, it build up his anger. His head ached horribly...
"It's good to remember" Alecto started, making Rodolphus turn his head left to face her "That the point of having distributed leadership is not to leave too much power in the hands of just one person." She sent a sidelong glance at Lucius, a silent 'settle down, you're not our great leader'.
"So, if any of us fall, the movement will keep going." Lucius' way of twisting the meaning of what was said made Alecto glare at him. Emily's sigh was so loud that Rodolphus could hear it. Yet, no one interrupted the meeting to start a fight.
Some of the discipline Voldemort taught seemed to have lasted.
Or maybe it was twelve years of mulling over defeat that united them over a cause that was greater than proving themselves to their powerful master. It wasn't an ego competition of who was the most loyal follower. It was resentment caused by their loss of relevance.
Through all the annoyance, they were oddly getting along.
Lucius carried himself as though he was the one controlling everything in that organization, but he was the strategist with no means to make his plans work without the others.
Alecto had connections with dark creatures, due to her inherited (illegal and underground) business of dark artefacts most used by those who wanted to remain under the ministry's radar. Without her, those of high society wouldn't even know where to find the unregistered werewolves and vampires. Their largest support base if a war came to pass.
Emily Rosier, whose good standing inside the ministry made it possible for Lucius to come up with his little plan, was the one playing the political game in the wizengamot.
"We all agree that if a war can be avoided, we should try that first. Our gathered forces are still a secret. Our numbers are unknown. If we win legitimately, we can keep it that way."
Emily's simple statement finished the discussion and made Rodolphus ponder exactly where he fit in those plans.
"I'm guessing that I'm here to share the secrets about Delphine." Don't tell me that's the only reason... "I'm sorry to tell you all, but the only plan our Lord had for that kid was to use her as a vessel should anything happen to his body. Flesh of his flesh, and all that."
"Perfect. And here I thought you'd have something useful to add." Alecto's sarcasm was timed with Amico's annoyed 'tsk', which matched his sister's mood so perfectly one could guess it came from her.
"That is unfortunate." Emily's grimace, on the other hand, was a contrast to what she said. Voldemort's plan for his daughter disturbed the woman.
The relief in Lucius's face made it clear that he might be a prejudiced son of a bitch, but one who wouldn't want Voldemort back even if he reincarnated as a saint.
"Even if his ultimate death can't be helped, that girl can still be of use to us." The strategist added with optimism. "If she can speak with snakes, it's proof that magical talents can be passed down genetically! We just need you to make that girl your second in command. Show her that she is destined for greatness. We can't govern through a puppet forever, now can we? Meanwhile, I'll go after the unspeakables who worked with those muggle biologists. They'll analyze her and get the answers we need."
Rodolphus' hands trembled. He could feel a vein throb in his forehead.
I've just been given my freedom, and the first order of business is to go after the DEMON CHILD?
He would die first before becoming just a puppet in the hands of ignorant fools again.
FUCK YOU ALL!
"It seems like you have everything under control." Worn-out vocal cords already made his voice sound raspy, but that fury made him sound almost guttural.
If any of them knew what was going on in Rodolphus' head, they'd be running for their lives instead of showing their multiple degrees of pride.
Accio wand.
Willing to battle them all to death, he let his rage guide his actions.
They are leaving the education of their future leader to me!
That sudden thought was like a handbrake that forced a one-eighty. Wait...
He summoned a jar of water and glass as if that was his intention all along. "So, you broke me out to be her mentor?" His voice went back to its normal pitch, and his mind worked on new plans.
While the others didn't even bat an eyelash, Draco reacted by pulling out his own wand, ready to defend himself if any spell went his way. Interesting.
He looked into those ice-blue eyes, sensing wariness hidden in the depths of his well-protected thoughts. Did you sense my intent, boy? Can you even do that?
"Not only that," Emily's voice snapped him out of that staring contest. "You will lead a small team of 'fanatics' to spread a bit of terror around." The politician nodded with a smile as if that was a positively thrilling mission. An enjoyable experience.
Sure, Ems. What kind of maniacal murderer wouldn't love to take advantage of this free pass to kill? Rodolphus almost rolled his eyes. "Why's that?"
"An eyewitness already sent their memory to the daily prophet, showing the day Harry broke you out of Azkaban." Lucius took over the explanation once more, smiling proudly at his son, who stood behind him with the stoic expression of a trained little soldier. "You can imagine what will happen to the public opinion once you start causing a bit of mayhem, can't you?"
Rodolphus hated it, but he had to admit that it was ingenious. "Terrorize the population... I can see how this is going to work. But why do you want the girl to be my second in command?"
"You are the one who knows most about Voldemort's plans, aside from Bellatrix. That girl should learn all about his visions for our world. You know... Before he went crazy."
He was always one selfish bastard. No, she'll do as I say. "Ok."
It's not the kind of power he wanted, but to mold someone's character according to his needs and beliefs was just as useful.
"Just keep in mind that the public can't dream about our connection." Emily clarified "They must think that the 'death eaters' are all with you. You represent the old. At the wizengamot, I will represent the new. The party will publicly denounce you to distance our image from yours. Understand?"
"Fine. But I need a few more days to recover from Azkaban. Can I have that?"
"Of course, dear. Your absence will cause just as much tension."
"Take your time." Lucius agreed "Just don't start anything before we set the stage for your attacks."
As if I was the one who enjoyed taking lives for the sake of it. He locked his jaw and nodded with a tight-lipped smile. I'm not Bellatrix, you fucking morons.
"Don't worry. I just need a proper restorative vacation."
Monday, September 20, 2010
A DIVIDED WIZENGAMOT
Candidate Purllow Yeple tries to reach out to Dumbledore's loyalists (Pg. 25)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
AN OPEN CASE
Harry Potter's hearing, scheduled for next Friday (24), is the most awaited event of the week. Will his motivation justify his actions? (Pg. 10)
Eat, sleep, worry, repeat. Harry couldn't even distract himself with magic, because his wand had to be with Draco at all times. Confined to that room, with nothing but old newspapers for company, his routine was like a nightmarish version of his summer at the Dursleys.
At least the mattress is charmed to be as comfortable as possible. He looked at it for one moment, considering if it was a good idea to go back and sleep some more.
No! I have to stay awake. There's always the chance to fight for my life in case someone came to finish me off...
He looked at the floor, almost seeing the imaginary line he traced to walk on it.
I hope Ginny isn't stressing herself still. It isn't good for the baby! Maybe I should ask Draco to convince her to not get involved in the order's business.
He went to one end of the room...
He doesn't have time for that. Lizzy? Ginny usually listens to Lizzy when Hermione isn't here to convince her she is being stubborn!
Then came back...
Oh, right... She can't go anywhere near the Order's HQ anymore, or else she'd denounce the location.
To one end of the room...
The death eaters are just waiting for one moment of distraction to kidnap her as well... But Ron has the means to go there! Maybe if he talked to Ginny...
Then back...
Who am I kidding? He is such a non-confrontational guy, she'd just stare at him with that angry expression, and he'd cave. He can't handle Ginny's glare...
To one end...
She wouldn't want to stand by and do nothing. George wouldn't want to stop her anyway...
Back...
I'm SO FUCKING USELESS! I CAN'T STAY LIKE THIS! I SHOULD BE OUT THERE!
Harry was sure that Draco would eventually find a way for him to help that wasn't simply to wait and cooperate. But it was taking so long... So very long... the longer he waited, the harder it got to cooperate.
The sound of a door opening made him stop in the middle of his pacing and turn around immediately. He was prepared to fight.
"It's time to go." Draco's voice brought no relief to that high-strung wizard, despite saying the words he dreamed of listening for three weeks now. Draco's face carried all the signs of a night badly slept. Maybe not slept at all. It was just one more reason to worry.
"What happened?"
"Father wants to kill the doctor, I have a plan, but we have to leave today."
"Wait, what happened? Is the portal ready?"
"Yes. No... It's complicated..." He lifted his gaze to the ceiling and stood silent for a few seconds. He seemed to be looking for words to explain what the fuck was happening out there, so Harry waited patiently.
As patiently as one anxious person could.
That meant "WHAT HAPPENED, DRACO?" not patiently at all. He couldn't really control his nervousness.
Instead of getting angry, the blonde closed his eyes and sighed heavily. The infiltrated death eater looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Guilt, for taking out his frustration on someone who didn't deserve it, was a new addition to the mix of emotions boiling inside of Harry. At that moment, he could feel every bit of Draco's tiredness seeping into his bones.
When Draco opened his eyes and brought his gaze down again, he stared at his old nemesis as if he had grown a second head. "Don't look at me like that. I don't need your pity, I just need some rest!" A newspaper flew in Harry's direction. "Read this, so you'll get the idea."
The disgraced hero rolled his eyes, catching it with ease. "What rubbish did they write today?" He asked instead of defending his point that he wasn't feeling pity at all. If anything, he had an awful reminder of the time he had to live with the responsibility of being the 'prophecy child', saviour of the world.
"See for yourself."
Saturday, September 25, 2010
WIZENGAMOT DECLARES HARRY POTTER INNOCENT
Lacklustre defence increases the feeling of distrust in the population. (pg. 3)
Despite knowing that he received no punishment at all, it was still frustrating to see that he was being just as discredited as Hermione. He would not be able to use his word to clear her name, even if he could.
Harry was aware that questions and answers were previously rehearsed, between the death eaters in the wizengamot and Draco, to make it look like he didn't go after help because 'no one but him could save his wife'. That it was better to follow directives from one terrorist organization than the protocol of his department for kidnapping. Even if it meant liberating one of the most dangerous murderers kept in Azkaban.
"I didn't miss having my face on the front page of newspapers." He said, trying to go for humour, but feeling his anxiety increase just by imagining what Rita must have written.
"I'd say 'get used to it', but I don't think anyone could get used to this. It's going to get worse." Draco returned the second wand he had on him to its rightful owner, then threw himself on Harry's mattress. Laying there like he dropped dead.
A few seconds passed and there were no signs of movement, but suddenly Malfoy pushed himself up and took a deep breath as he went through his limit without breathing. "Man, I wish I had a time-turner just to have more hours to sleep!"
He is just fine. Harry let out a silent laugh, while he conjured something to sit.
Once the comfortable-looking three-seat couch appeared, Draco made a show of getting up with difficulty. The tired man did one dramatic reenactment of staring longingly at the mattress.
Harry didn't hold back the chuckle "Draco, have you ever thought of being an actor? I hope not. That was ten out of one hundred"
The blonde laughed "Shut up. This mattress promised me good rest! I digress not being able to sleep right now." He answered before turning towards the object of his longing once more "I'll take you with me, you soft cloud!" He declared with as much exaggeration as he could.
Once he finally sat, Draco rested his head against the back of the furniture with his eyes half-closed, breathing deeply, in a state of almost sleep but still conscious. Harry sat on the other end of the couch with a smile on his face, until he skimmed quickly the first paragraph related to that headline.
- Harry Potter shows all his hero complex by liberating one of the most violent terrorists kept in Azkaban. Did anyone aside from his allies believe his excuses? I, for one, wonder if he's trying to cover up all the scandals about his friend's work. Or maybe trying to make himself indispensable in a world that no longer needs him. Either way, after his disastrous - and quite shameful - attempt of defending his actions, we are left with a troublesome question: Is it wise to trust someone simply because they 'fought for the light'?
Rita linked all recent tragedies to his action, with declarations of wizengamot members condemning the radicals, and speaking like it was in everyone's best interest that Harry's candidate didn't win.
- 'He has to understand that the world doesn't revolve around him, and that other people can solve problems as well as the child of a fulfilled prophecy. We cannot validate his attention-seeking behaviour!' said Purllow Yeple, when asked about his opinion on the matter.
Not one word associated the fanatical group running wild, spreading chaos and terror, with his supporters.
Said Purllow Yeple, the manipulated idiot. He thought with a childish intonation of Rita's words. I forgot how awful she can be!
"What is their plan now?" Harry asked. From the corner of his eye, he saw the moment Draco turned to look at him.
"They will keep pushing the 'Hermione is a fraud' narrative until enough people start believing it." He answered groggily "If Yeple actually wins, the death eaters in the wizengamot will be rid of all their political enemies and pass all the anti-muggle laws my father can think of."
"Please, tell me that people don't believe this bullshit." He turned the newspaper towards Draco for one second before bringing it back to face him once more, so he could skim over the rest.
"It's not too hard to destroy someone's reputation." Draco looked apologetic as if it was his fault. Whenever the Polyjuice hit his lips, there was nothing that could take away his guilt. Not even the thought that it was the best course of action. Harry knew... because that was how he felt, too. "Hermione is the villain, your intentions were called into question, and Ron's marriage proves the point that 'the wizarding secret' is one vote away from being exposed. I loathe to say it, but the plan is working. More and more people are starting to show interest in Yeple's candidacy."
Why is it impossible to have peace in this fucking life? Harry thought, resentfully.
In a twisted way, Rita's story made the lie sound more convincing than the truth itself. For anyone unaware of the real situation, it made perfect sense. He could see why people believed in the Prophet, as outrageous as it was. Still, it didn't make the situation any less revolting. He hated how easy it was to manipulate the masses.
"The good news is that Ginny is doing a great job reminding people that Yeple's speeches are much like Voldemort's when he first came to the public with his anti-muggle views. Hermione's efforts weren't in vain, some people did learn from history."
"But not enough people." He gathered, from Draco's slight grimace and the 'convincing proofs' Rita had against him and Hermione.
"Not enough people." Draco sighed and slid on the couch again, now looking at the ceiling "We need her."
"So, is the portal ready?"
"Kind of. The doctor is t-trying to f-find out whe-" Draco was fighting off sleep bravely, but that Yawn was unavoidable. Harry brought a hand to cover his mouth as he reflexively opened it. "When she is."
Harry was about to ask what that meant when Draco raised his hand "No. Don't ask. It's too early for this. I don't know how to explain it, ask the doc, please!"
If early mornings were already painful for Draco, it became almost physically unbearable when he didn't have enough rest the night before. It was one of the first things Harry discovered while in captivity. So, he knew better than to start an argument, especially when Draco looked like he took two punches to the face with those purple bags around his eyes. "Fine."
A moment of silence was made in the room. A moment when Draco's grave expression made Harry's mind work one mile per hour to figure out why exactly would Draco send him to the unspeakable's department in the first place, so soon, before the doctor even finished all the preparations. The lines on his forehead got deeper with every random thought that invaded his mind.
"So, were you finally sent to kill me, too?" He cracked a joke, hoping to break the tension.
"Yes." He didn't expect that. His heart started a frenzied rhythm that was much like the flapping wings of a hummingbird.
"Why? How will you keep up with the whole 'Hermione is a fraud' scheme without me?"
"Fewer and fewer people believe that Hermione is telling lies through torture. There will be no real explanations about what happened here, the doubt will linger forever. Lucky you, I claimed the privilege of killing the golden boy before anyone else. I had... some time to think things through."
"What about my disappearance?"
"It will look suspicious for us at worst, and like a coward's move at best. A win-win in my father's book. The party's association with the terrorist organization is not public knowledge. Yet."
Draco had orders to kill him.
The death eaters wanted him dead.
He outlived his usefulness.
It wasn't funny, but...
"HAHAHAHAHAHA"
Harry finally understood the meaning of a nervous laugh when his brain decided that right now was the moment to activate his laughing mechanism.
"What? Potter, I'm serious!"
He took a deep breath. Whimpering as he tried to control his hysterics. "Haha... Kind of... Hah... makes you miss the old and easy days when you hated me, huh? An Avada would be much simpler." Harry closed the newspaper and playfully threw it at his captor. There was a certain feeling of satisfaction when Draco's lack of reflex resulted in a projectile right to the face.
Now it was nearly impossible for Harry to stop laughing, but at least he wasn't laughing alone.
"What the hell is your plan?" Harry asked once he managed to get a hold of his emotions.
"Run. I'll pretend to be you, keep my father on a false trail, while you and the doc go after Hermione. But you have to leave today."
"WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO IF I DON'T FIND HER?"
Maybe Harry hadn't really controlled his emotions. He realized he overreacted when Draco's startled face reminded him of a person who got slapped out of nowhere.
"You have to find her. You know what happens if you don't, Harry."
He was talking about the results of the elections. Harry's mind, on the other hand, brought forward a memory that made his success feel even more urgent than a possible war against blood purists.
- There will always be one Harry and one Hermione making the changes you remember doing, somewhere in time, in an infinite loop. That's why the 'past' you disappeared. They are the ones locked in a loop. And that's why you are still here, with your memories.
The sound of Draco's protean phone brought Harry to the present. When he took it from his pocket, Narcissa's flashed for both of them to see.
Draco's apprehension was visible when he brought the phone to his ear. "Did you succeed?" Narcisa must have given an affirmative answer, because soon he let out a great sigh of relief, looking less tense than before. "Good, I'll send him now. How much time do you have? Ok. It's enough."
When Draco turned to face him "Father foolishly believes that he still has a chance with my mother. He doesn't need to know that the meeting I arranged between them was precisely so that she could make your escape possible."
It sounded much too elaborate to be a spur-of-the-moment decision.
"Since when have you been planning this?"
"It doesn't matter. Focus on the mission! Are you ready for this?"
He had many, many questions, but he understood that right then it was more important to leave that place alive than sating his curiosity. Draco had his eyebrows pulled together, Harry could see the genuine concern on his expression. "What do I have to do?"
"Mother will be waiting for you at the department of mysteries." One jackdaw necklace and two small silver flasks were taken from the same pocket he pulled his protean phone. He gave Harry one of the flasks and, once that was done, he plucked a strand of hair out of his head to complete the content of Harry's Polyjuice. "Drink this," Draco raised the necklace with the other "This is the portkey. Once you get there, follow my mother's instructions. She'll be looking like my father. Just... Play it cool."
Fear was a permanent companion, but Harry wouldn't think about everything that could go wrong. No, he let his thoughts be filled with what he had to do.
Hermione was stuck somewhere in the past. Now they had the means to find her. It's going to work. "I'm ready."
Harry drank from the silver flask and stared at his reflection as it took shape. Green eyes turned ice-blue, black hair slowly got to a blonde shade and grew in length until it went past his chin, it didn't automatically get its slicked back appearance, so Draco himself did some magic to set it the way he wore it.
As quick as he changed clothes, Harry became Draco.
The original Malfoy was staring, searching for some flaw in his appearance, while he held the necklace loosely with his left hand. Harry tried to reach for it, but before he could take the necklace, Draco pulled it away "Harry..."
His voice made it sound important, so Harry ignored the hurry, and stared at Draco curiously.
The spy, however, opened his mouth and closed it without saying a thing. Two times it happened, before he closed his eyes and looked down "Try not to fuck it up, Potter." He looked up with one sad smile.
"When have I ever fucked it up, Malfoy? DON'T start counting." He joked with a smile "You take care, too."
Draco's resigned expression gave way to a hopeful one. "I will." After nodding his agreement, he dropped the necklace in Harry's extended hand. The pull was instant, it was charmed to react to his touch.
Damn! Harry wasn't prepared to be face to face with six death eaters just outside the 'time room'.
"He's here! Let's go! We can't let the order bring that mudblood back!" One of the masked 'unspeakables' spoke.
"Not so fast, Brinn."
Lucius, or rather, Narcisa turned to look at him with a smile, a veiled sign that she knew who was standing there before she went back to addressing the group. "We have to make this look like an experimental accident. One of us has to make the trip and share the memories about it, or else it will simply look suspicious. Since Draco is the one providing proof of Harry's evil nature to the press, it's only right if he shares his memories of the accident, too. When he comes back, we can blow everything up. Just act on my sign, understood?"
Harry watched it all with apprehension, trying his hardest to keep his breathing in control. That ease while giving command to death eaters made him fear for a moment that Draco was wrong. Maybe this wasn't Narcisa after all. Or maybe Narcisa truly regrets leaving his father.
"Yes, Sir." They droned out.
Narcisa slowly approached him, placed one hand on his shoulder, and bent forward to whisper in his ear.
"If you can't act like my son, at least pretend this means nothing to you." Somehow, her frustration was very reassuring. She straightened her posture again and smiled smugly "It's time, son. Did you deal with the pest?"
I can do this. Evoking his past knowledge of how smug and insufferable Draco could be, Harry smiled sideways. "He didn't have a chance, Father."
It seemed like Narcisa didn't expect him to get into the role. Harry smiled more genuinely when he caught Narcisa's subtle raise of eyebrows.
"Then let's go. You all, stay out here until I come back. Not one sound! We don't want the doctor to suspect anything and escape through his portal!"
As silence was established in that corridor, dozens of thoughts ran through Harry's head. Does Ginny know about this? Is the order aware of the plan? Or will Narcisa tell them once I leave? How long have they been planning this?
How long has Draco been finding excuses to keep me alive?
He only felt like he could breathe once the door was closed behind him and he saw one very ecstatic physicist analyzing the result of his work. The portal had a sound that reminded him of a fridge with the occasional static here and there. It showed a place he thought he'd never see again: The time room, like it was before they destroyed in their mad escape, back in '95. More than that, different types of time turners seemed to adorn the walls, hanging like amulets.
"Oh! Mr Potter, you're here!"
Harry only noticed that he was almost crossing over to the other side when the doctor's voice sounded close to his right, taking him away from his entranced state.
"You know who I am?"
"Of course, Mrs Black here told me all about our current predicament. Now, do you want to hear the good, or the bad news first?"
"Bad. God knows that it's better to get it out of the way. Hit me with it, Doc."
He gestured at the wand levitating beside de portal. There was a magical trace that left the wand like a fine line, it looked like Hermione's wand was conjuring the portal, but Harry didn't know the first thing about how that worked. "It seems that we will have to wait for days until Hermione's own magic traces back to find the exact time she arrived to create this world."
"DAYS?" Harry and Narcisa exclaimed at the same time.
"Yes. The good news is that I know for sure that this is the world she's in. Now, take a look."
This time, Harry paid attention to a calendar the doctor was pointing at, just in the middle of the wall with all the time turners, on the other side of the portal.
September 2010. There was a circle above Saturday, 25.
"As soon as the portal opened, the trail Draco expected it to lead us to her simply didn't appear. BUT, the lingering magic of her wand had a strong connection to this reality. So we know she had been here."
"What do you mean? How do you know that?"
"Mrs Black, would you mind?"
She sighed "Just be quick! Finite incantatem..." Hermione's wand stopped its tracking job.
Immediately the time room disappeared from the other side of the portal, and many other images flashed in that circle, like television when a person kept changing channels.
It made Harry dizzy with the speed at which it happened. He looked away, focusing instead on the doctor's fascination. "There are hundreds of other realities out there, each one a product of different decisions we made or didn't make. And not only us. Imagine every person in the world, making decisions every day, and different worlds coming into existence because of it. Unknown to us. Unseen. Unimaginable. How many different consequences are there? As infinite as the universe itself! So many different realities exist in a plane different from ours... To think that now I can see them! ALL of them!"
He looked toward Harry with a smile "Do you have any idea how many things you guys could achieve with magic? This could have been possible years ago if only..."
"Guys! My deluded ex-husband is imperius-ed and confounded waiting for me to come back to our pleasant date. I don't have time to wait for you to marvel at the possibility of time travel again!"
"Dimensional travel!" The doctor corrected her, with amusement.
"GET GOING!" She said impatiently, soon casting: "Appare Vestigium. Trascendere."
Hermione's wand once more levitated, and its lingering magic held the connection with the other time room's reality.
"And how does that work exactly?" He pointed towards the wand "How does her magic connect to this other world? Wasn't Hermione supposed to be in the past? How could we spend just four months without her and already be 2010 in her reality? And-"
"Harry..." Narcisa interrupted his ranting "Now really isn't the time for questions."
"Time's mysterious pace is what I'm trying to understand too, Mr Potter. But we probably should get going, I hear we have a prize on our head. Isn't that right, Mrs Black?"
The woman was staring impatiently at them, unable to hide her wariness. Harry realized that she couldn't keep up a poker face as well while she wore someone else's face. Or maybe she gave up the cold mask of impassiveness he was so used to seeing.
"Yes, and if you can appear in a completely different location when you come back, it would be ideal."
"So we go to where she was to find out when she arrived from there?" Harry asked, still unsure how their plan would work in the end.
"You got it. Ready to leave?"
Harry nodded absentmindedly, staring at that 2010 wall calendar on the other world... How is this possible? And if she's gone there, too... How come another version of her just didn't appear for us here? How come we didn't forget her?
"Mr Potter." He turned his head and met Narcisa's worried eyes. They reminded Harry of another person. He wished Draco would stay safe out there, too. "Don't do anything reckless."
"I won't."
When he looked back, the doctor was slowly crossing into the other world. He put one leg forwards, testing if he could go through, then smiled brightly when he successfully reached the other side. "It woooooorked!" He looked around, searching for another soul that could be witnessing that feat on the other side "And nobody's here."
The doctor walked towards the wall filled with time turners to analyze them closely.
I'm on my way, Hermione.
Harry imitated the man and stepped over the portal. He expected to feel tingles, or any other strange sensation that would match the experience of crossing over to a different world, but nothing happened.
This is anti-climatic.
Meanwhile, the doctor gazed at the time turners like Arthur would admire a muggle object. His hands hovered close but never touched. He analyzed, column by column, the time turners that were labelled by 'decades', 'months', and 'days'. The larger they were, the further they went back.
Hermione's small-time turner can't have sent her so far back, then. Maybe a few months? What huge change could she have made to create this world?
He knew that Hermione was still hung up on Ron, to some degree, so he guessed that maybe she stopped the wedding ceremony.
"Oh, do you think that I can use this even as a muggle? Or does it only responds to magic?"
As curious as Harry was to know the answer to that as well, he got the sensation that they should probably get going. They could experiment someplace else.
"Hey doc, just grab one from the 'months' column and let's-"
But he never finished his sentence. Imagine how confused Harry was when he opened his eyes again to be face to face with a dead woman.
"Who are you? You little impostor, what kind of magic did you use to invade our department?" She banged her hands on the table where Harry had his hands bound. Glossy black curls escaped a loose bun and framed her face as she stared him down. Her lips, tinged with a dark shade of purple, held no maniacal smile to go with her threatening expression. She didn't look anything like the sick skeleton that haunted his dreams in the past, but the gorgeous sight of a healthy-looking Bellatrix Lestrange terrified him even more. What the FUCK happened in this world? Is Voldemort in power? Where is Hermione? Holly shit, just how far back did she travel?
Shock kept him silent. "Are you aware of the protocol in case of invasion?"
He was aware, and once reminded of what was about to happen, the feeling of defeat hit him worse than before.
She had permission to ravage his mind in search of his motivations and to erase his memories of what he had seen in the department of mysteries. Even if his presence was accidental and even if Voldemort wasn't the one pulling the strings, the law would not protect him from whatever she wanted to do to get through his occluded mind.
Another thought, worse than the realization that Voldemort was possibly in power, made him want to cry. I failed.
His loved ones were about to face difficult times without him. He would leave them vulnerable.
That hurt worse than a cruciatus.
Those handcuffs suppressing his magic made his desperation escalate exponentially because there was no way to defend himself. He wouldn't show how scared he was, though. She would never know how defeated he felt. He would not give her the pleasure.
If I die. I die spitting on your fucking face! "Wouldn't you like to know?" He glared right back.
Bellatrix raised her eyebrows in surprise, then smiled amusedly. She backed away from her threatening stance to cross her arms in front of her chest. "Oh, dear. Such a Gryffindor! I knew someone who would've loved you." This is weird. He expected her to start torturing him because of this defiance. "Now, I'll ask again, and I expect a real answer." What is she waiting for?
"I don't... understand... what is going on?" Why is BELLATRIX, of all people, working in the department of mysteries? And why the fuck isn't she torturing me into insanity?
"If you don't understand..." The sound of a chair scraping ground made Harry look up in time to see her sitting across from him "Imagine my confusion when two strangers barged into my workplace through a hole in the air." Maybe she meant to be friendly, but the memory of Sirius' body going through the veil came to mind when she smiled at him like that. "So... Why don't you start by telling me who you are?"
"What difference does that make?" He couldn't help the harshness. "Won't you just invade my thoughts anyway? Why don't you just get this done with?"
She simply tilted her head and crossed her arms again. Harry stared her straight in the eye while she, in turn, analysed his posture. It was so unlike anything he knew of her, he couldn't keep glaring.
He was genuinely confused.
"Believe me when I say that I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt, but if you don't cooperate, I'll dive so deep into your mind you won't have a secret unknown to me." She raised her eyebrows expectantly "Unless you don't mind me taking away all your privacy, start speaking."
Harry found himself at a loss about how to proceed. Why didn't she do that already?
"Should I take your silence as permission?" She pointed her wand at Harry's head.
"What... do you want to know?"
"Who are you? You look exactly like someone I know..."
"Let me guess. Harry Potter?" He took her surprise as an affirmation "That's because I am Harry Potter. Just... from another world."
"How does that work?" She seemed invested in his answer.
"Well... that 'hole in the air' was a portal..." How he could explain something not even he understood? "Where is the doctor? He could have answered your questions better, he is the one who created it."
"The muggle? He created the portal?! How did he do that without magic?"
Harry's simple shrug was like a punch to Bellatrix's gut who started to look even more scared than Harry felt. "He did, though. You should talk to him if you want your answers."
Bellatrix's eyebrows finished their way to the middle of her forehead "Fuuuuuu..."
She got up abruptly, jumping out of her chair. "CAMPBELL, WAIT UP!" Her alarmed voice made Harry cringe, not for being loud... but for ringing precisely as he remembered. Fucking creepy... "Dammit!" She ran out the door, possibly going after that Campbell person.
Harry was left alone, helpless and bound. With nothing to do but worry about the uncertainty of his future.
Again.
I'm so tired of this...
Bigwoof, thank you! \o
SupremeStarWolf, Not at all! Thanks for keeping up. I'll be honest here, the last time I touched one of Riordan's books it was 2013. So if I say that I remember anything, I'll be lying haha but I get what you mean. Worry not about our protagonists, they'll be getting their deserved attention soon. I just need to put some context into what's going to happen. :x
AlsethGosia, ooohhh I can't wait to see your reaction hahaha
You know, you're not far off at all, Dumbledore really needs to learn how to delegate.
He better not stop her! Or else those clandestine classes might just happen. heheee
We'll go back to them soon, I'm sorry for the delay. The stuff I want to bring when I go back to Hermione and her research influences a lot of things... Including her relationship with Bellatrix.
Guest(1)... I know this may sound repetitive, but I'm honestly glad you've enjoyed it so far. xD However, you might need to hold tight, because I'm not done with the cursed child references yet hehehe
Haydos007, I kind of did a little fist bump here in the air. Thank you! \o All is well, sorry for taking so long to update.
Random, you see? me too. I can barely wait for the moment I really work on their relationship.
Ajsjsjsjs - hahah Thanks!
(to) someone - I'm dying to see more of them too :P
About Narcisa... Not going to give spoilers here but... there's a lesson about boggarts to a certain class of third years that's long coming.
awww you think Bella is THAT obvious? ...You may have a point. :P
J(ay), So you'll understand me when I say that Bellamione is one of the best couples I've ever shipped.\o/ Thank you!
Guest (2) - Flex. Though it's not going to happen so soon, sorry 'bout that! haha I've been trying to explain some stuff before developing their relationship. But I feel there's a lot of ground to cover even though I don't want to turn this into a really long fic... So it's been something of a task to find a way to write everything I want without extending it. Especially since my ideas have deviated so much from what I had originally planned... Talk about a 180.
And Yep, Hermione is 33 (though you can consider 34, her birthday is about a week's time in the story) while Bellatrix is 17 years old. I love how you noticed that Hermione doesn't see Bellatrix Black as anything but a brilliant witch for now. I did think things through hahaha
Anyway, hopefully, when our girls do show up again you'll enjoy it as much as I like writing their points of view. xD