Chapter Three: megalomaniac

there was never meant to be only one…

Scorpius was irritated to find that Albus was completely ignoring him throughout classes the next day. But that didn't matter to him at the moment, because Scorpius knew that Lily would probably talk to him and set the record straight, or Albus would have time to think about what Scorpius had said to him. Albus would apologise sheepishly for the way he had reacted, and things would go back to normal.

But for now, there was the consolation that he had managed to borrow his friend Julian's pensieve for the meeting he was to have with Lily after dinner. Helping her would surely get rid of the nagging feeling his conscience had been giving him lately. He could barely concentrate in his classes, and decided to resort to mentally preparing himself for what he could possibly see in Lily's memory. It had to be something significant to have scarred her so severely.

After dinner he slipped away from the crowd easily, moving swiftly toward his destination. He didn't think there was much chance of him getting caught by the teachers, but there was always the possibility Al could gaze at the map and see Scorpius with his little sister, which would make things even worse. Pushing this possibility into the dark recesses of his mind, he continued on, closing the door of the Room of Requirement quietly as he slipped inside. Lily was already there, sitting on a comfortable chair, with an empty chair across from her.

"Hi," she greeted him.

"Hi. Er, are you ready to get started?"

Lily nodded her reply.

A table materialised in front of Scorpius and he gently placed the pensieve there. Lily extracted the silver spindle of memory with her wand and placed it with a flick on the surface of the foggy liquid. "Well, there you are. I just hope you realise that once you see this, there's no way to erase it."

Scorpius nodded. "Are you coming too?"

"I've been seeing this in my dreams for the past six years. I have no desire to see it if I don't need to."

"Oh, yes. Of course… well, er, here goes then." Scorpius leaned over the bowl of silvery fluid, delicately dipping in his index finger, and was drawn in by it almost immediately.

Lily sat quietly once he had vanished, her hands in her lap, looking around the Room of Requirement as she waited for him to return from her memory; she wished something would materialise to occupy her thoughts. Lily wondered what Scorpius would think, what he would say to her after this; would he notice any details that she had missed? What if he did figure out who had killed her parents? She couldn't push the image of herself sitting in a courtroom, face to face with the killer, from her mind. Her emotions were conflicting, one side of her saying that their murderers needed to be bought to justice, while another part of her prayed Scorpius wouldn't see anything.

A few minutes later, he reappeared opposite her with a silver flash. He was red in the face and out of breath, and he sat panting for a couple of seconds before speaking. "Merlin- I ran - down those stairs - after you, and-"

"Stop. Catch your breath, then tell me," replied Lily. "Why don't you have some water or something?"

A glass of water materialised in front of Scorpius, and he mumbled his thanks before drinking deeply from it. A couple of minutes later, he had recovered. "Okay, I've got my breath back now. That was… whoa, I certainly didn't imagine a such an intense scene."

"Did you get a good look at any of them?" she pressed.

Scorpius nodded. "Yes, a few… the man who ki- er, the man who was at the end of the corridor, and a couple more."

"Were any of them Death Eaters from the escape from Azkaban? You know, the ones they showed in the Prophet?"

Scorpius shook his head. "No,"

"I never thought so either. But why would the Dark Mark be above our house if it wasn't the Death Eaters? And they were certainly dressed like them," Lily questioned.

Scorpius hesitated, staring at her for a second without saying anything. A thin frown line appeared on his face. He did, in fact, have an idea, it just happened that he really hoped he wasn't correct. There was no way he wanted to explain it to Lily, who was fragile enough without him placing more frightening ideas in her mind.

"What is it? Scorpius, what's wrong. You look worried. Do you…" she paused, her eyes searching his until she came to her conclusion. "You know something, don't you?"

Scorpius sighed at the fact his expression had given him away; there was no way he could sidestep this question. "If I'm correct in my suspicions, well… I don't want to believe it, but…" he began, staring at the floor. He looked up to meet her curious gaze. "I saw something in your memory that I think you may have overlooked… or maybe you saw it, but didn't think anything of it because you didn't know the context. Have you heard anything, even in passing, about the Ekklesia?"

Lily shook her head, bemused. "No, never. What is it?"

"They're a group of people who have values you might equate with the Death Eaters, though their mark is different. The people who killed your parents may have sent up the Dark Mark, but the mark I saw on one of the men's necks, was the hoplon."

Lily frowned, a million questions quickly surfacing in her mind. Who were these people, and what would they have wanted with her father?

"It originates from the wizards of Sparta, I believe… in their society, people without pure Spartan blood were made slaves, and children that were deformed or disabled were… well, to be blunt about it, disposed of. Their shield was called the hoplon, and this new group has appropriated it as their version of the Dark Mark." He explained.

Lily frowned, contemplating what he had said. All of it seemed so surreal, it sounded like something that had come from a myth. "How do you know all this stuff?"

"I overheard some people in my common room… One was showing a friend his mark. He was talking about how Ekklesia have finally managed 'unification'. I think it means their recruitment isn't restricted to Slytherin house… I only thought of them because Albus mentioned something a few years ago… he said that your father was worried, but none of his colleagues were taking them as a serious threat." Scorpius scratched the back of his neck as he paused to think. Why would the Ekklesia want Lily's father dead? After a few minutes of silence between them, with careful pondering on both their parts, Scorpius pieced together the pieces of the puzzle.

"What if… what if sending the dark mark into the air was just a ploy? Think about it… your father was trying to raise awareness to their activities, not to mention being Head of the Auror Department. After timing it to coincide with the Azkaban breakout, they send up the Dark Mark and everyone believes it's the Death Eaters, so there's no investigation... less chance they would be caught. Do you know what this means?"

Lily shook her head. "No… I completely understand what you're saying, it makes perfect sense. But what do you mean by that?"

"I thought they were a fairly new group, but your memory proves that they've been around for at least six years, possibly more. Everyone knows how it started last time. But this time there have been no unexplained deaths or disappearances, nothing…"

Lily nodded slowly in understanding, beginning to see his point. "They're lying low, so they don't draw attention from the Ministry."

"Exactly, and that probably means they're recruiting. What I heard in the common room proves it. And if they've been laying low for the past six years, imagine the amount of followers they could have amassed in that time," he replied.

Lily bit her lip. "But why have they been recruiting students? Voldemort did that on a tiny scale, but only in Slytherin… why are they so interested in the students?"

"They've learned, I suppose, from studying the Battle of Hogwarts... We did stuff on it last year in History of Magic, battle tactics, that sort of thing… having students on their side would be a huge advantage. They can spy, report to their leaders, maybe even destroy obstacles in the castle from within. You wouldn't want to believe your classmate or fellow student was part of the Ekklesia, so you would try not to injure them… but if they're as power-hungry and unscrupulous as the Death Eaters, they wouldn't hesitate to kill a fellow student."

Once again a resounding silence befell the room. Independently, they had stumbled on another horrific truth, one that neither wanted to acknowledge; Lily was the first to speak.

"Scorpius?" she questioned, her voice even, but somewhat fearful at the conclusion she, and undoubtedly Scorpius, too, had come to. "Recruiting students wouldn't be necessary unless… unless they were planning to take over the school, would it?"

Scorpius cringed at the very thought of it. "I came to the exact same conclusion. Hogwarts would be extremely useful as a base… if the castle was captured in a siege and the Ekklesia managed to reinforce it, it would be almost impossible for the Ministry to take it back. And they'd have all the students to brainwash into fighting for them, against the Ministry… Not to mention that they've had at least six years to plan the perfect attack. And we don't know when, or even if it's going to happen…"

"Scorpius, we have to tell someone… the Headmaster, anyone," said Lily urgently, standing abruptly from her seat.

"Stop," said Scorpius, grabbing her wrist before she could leave, then gesturing for her to sit down. "We don't know who could be spies, or under the imperius curse. That includes teachers. Imagine if a spy were to hear us, they would tell their leader and bring about an immediate attack. We wouldn't have a chance to prepare."

"So what are we supposed to do?" Lily asked, horrified. "We can't just do nothing."

"Of course we can't. But we have to do it quietly,"

"Verity, my love," said the deep, silky voice of Callixtus O'Brien. He stood with an effortless sense of command, his comrades hanging off his every word, enraptured.

"Yes, my Lord?" replied the misleadingly soft voice of Verity O'Brien. Her pale blue eyes connected with the dark eyes of her husband, as always portraying nothing but the utmost innocence, an ability that she prided herself on.

"What guidance do the stars give us? You know what I speak of. Is the time yet upon us?"

"Not yet, my Lord, but it is swiftly approaching. I suspect that within the next two months we will have our opportunity,"

"Excellent, my love, you have done well. Sister, what news?"

"As far as I am concerned there is little awareness within the Auror Department," replied Lexi O'Brien. Easily the shortest of the congregation, her raven-coloured hair was in waves, contrasting starkly with her porcelain skin. There was a hint of eagerness in her dark eyes, betraying her excessive pride. "They believe the Ekklesia to be a student organisation that bears them little threat. As for the impending breakout, they are clueless. The guard will be easily taken care of when the time comes,"

"Good work," he replied, taking his seat at the head of the table. "See that no more light is shed upon us. Use whatever means necessary, so long as you are careful not to expose us. Now, Marise, how are you progressing?"

"I continue to gain new recruits for our forces," began Marise Devereaux. She looked far less certain than her comrades, and seemed to be having difficulty containing the urge to fidget in nervousness. "It is progressing well. But I must confess, my Lord. I continue to feel unsafe about our base of operations. Why do we have no spells, protective charms on the walls of this estate? Surely it would be advantageous. In case of a sudden attack, we would at least have a few minutes' notice."

"We have no protective charms because they are unnecessary," Callixtus snapped. "Let the enemy know that we do not fear their attack. We welcome it with open arms; our wands are the only defence we need. Now, Cassius, my friend. Is the hospital aware of your conduct?"

"No, my Lord," replied the softer voice of Cassius Novak. He had a deceptive innocence about him that was alluring, a shy persona that was ruined only by the palpable self-certainty in his green eyes. "I have been careful to subtly push important patients to brink of death, then claim their lives with a poison that is untraceable by their usual testing methods. I do not believe that any of my colleagues are suspicious, and I have disposed of many important persons who would oppose us."

"Very impressive, Cassius. Let us hope that your progress continues. Now, Adrienne?"

"I have gained more numbers in the student body, my Lord, particularly from Hufflepuff house," began Adrienne Traverse, whose hazel eyes managed to hide the feelings of confidence that had been unrestrained in most of the others. However her vain mannerisms ruined her emotionless appearance. "A fact of great surprise, but I believe they are tired of being undervalued by their peers. I have chosen to target the senior years. They are ambitious, and easy to coerce… they see the Ekklesia as a form of security for their futures, a gateway to power,"

"And I too have progressed in the training of our recruits. They are strong and ready, and will serve us well. Now, all that remains is to continue to progress until the stars tell us we are fit to attack. You are dismissed,"

The assembly nodded curtly at the imposing figure of Callixtus, three of their number disappearing instantly.

"I worry about Ms. Devereaux. She is unfocused and weak, and could well be the link that breaks the chain. What we heard tonight proves that she does not truly believe in our activities,"

"Your implication does not escape me, Lexi. I would take care of her myself, were she not important to this operation. She has gained the trust of her new recruits. If we were to dispose of her we would lose it; we do not want them to think they're expendable,"

"Very well, Verity... you raise a good point, as always." Lexi replied. "But comparable to Adrienne and Cassius, she is nowhere near worthy of sitting at this council,"

"Be patient, sister, I assure you this problem will be dealt with," reassured Callixtus. "Do either of you have doubts about the others?"

Lexi shook her head confidently. "I trust greatly in Adrienne, she has great strength of will and character. As for Cassius, you said it yourself in the past. He may as well be our brother."

"Verity, do the stars tell us to be careful of either?"

"No, my love. They tell me to be careful of someone, but have not yet seem fit to reveal much else to me. It could be Marise, but I have not yet divined whether the person is within or outside the organisation. We must have a keen eye,"

"It goes without saying that we must keep our eyes and ears open. Now, sister, were you not expected at our parents' estate?"

"Yes, I must leave immediately. Send if you should need my aid." She replied with one last, respectful nod.

There was a loud crack and the dark-haired girl had disappeared from the room.

"I do worry about her, Callixtus. Her thirst for power is becoming more obvious; I don't need the stars to see that,"

"She will be of no consequence to us. I know what you are thinking, but naïve as she is, Lexi realises that she will not rise to greatness on her own. Her plan is to overthrow us once we have, and by this time she will be dead. As for Adrienne and Lysander, neither of them have the strength, nor the intention. They are happy at their level, and would prefer a share in the power to absolute authority. We have nothing to fear from them,"

"You have thought of everything, then,"

Callixtus smirked. "Did you ever doubt in my abilities?"

Verity returned his smirk, placing one soft hand on his. "Never."

Preview (note: NOT for next chapter)

Scorpius saw a jet of light come toward Lily from a third person, which sent him into a fit of rage; this Ekklesia bunch weren't strong at all, they were winning by sheer numbers, dirty tactics and cowardice, and he wasn't going to give up without a fight. Too angry to utter a word, Scorpius ran as hard as he could and barreled into the hooded figure, knocking him over, and began punching him in the stomach. The man was outstretching a hand to his wand, which had fallen to the side of them, but by the time he reached it he was too winded to have any effect; a stream of feeble yellow sparks flew at Scorpius' ear, before Scorpius decided to finish him off with an utterance of 'stupefy'.

XX

There were no boundless plains in front of them, only a wasteland of bloodied fighters. Something about the situation told him that Lily was not the pursuer, but the prey; she was the willingly hunted. He was gaining on her, but she had almost reached the doors.

"Lily, stop! It's a trap, it's a-" Thump!

Disclaimer: I don't own the song 'Megalomaniac' by Incubus, it just happened to be the perfect chapter title. I don't own any recognisable characters, they belong to JKR, Warner Bros and co. You may also notice a lot of historical terms, but as history doesn't really belong to anyone... I do however own Mollie Pucey, Callixtus, Lexi and Verity O'Brien, Adrienne Traverse, Cassius Novak and Marise Devereaux; steal them and a painful death will be wrought upon you... or something like that.

Author's Note: Well, I'm not quite finished my essay but I felt like I should update with some plot revelations. Speaking of which, I apologise for Scorpius' excessive info-dumps, but unfortunately it's not the type of information they could learn from a library book :S. As for the new characters, what do you think of the six villains? None of them are near the likes of Voldemort when it comes to power, so I decided to compensate by sheer number XD Also, I had an anonymous review to reply to:

gkhkhlfgdg - I like reading Rose/Scorpius, but when it comes to writing I prefer Lily/Scorpius. I just tend to get better ideas for this ship, sorry...

Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter, tell me what you think in a review, if you please :D