A/N1:I'm back I'm sorry for the delay for this chapter. In this chapter, the gang is going to suffer a loss and then gain unexpected allies.
I hope you enjoy this chapter.
A/N2: The words in italics represent thoughts, proverbs, parseltongue, and ritual incantations (for the incantations in Bold Italic – when the caster is shouting the words).
All comments, suggestions and flames are welcomed.
Disclaimer – JK Rowling and various publishers own the world of Harry Potter.
Chapter Thirteen
The Necromancer's Legacy
Part three: The Undead Way
Upon return in the castle Lord Tenus initiated the defense of the castle then he sent for Mr. Gravefoot who arrived shortly after. He examined Luna but nodded negatively.
"I'm sorry, Lord Tenus. There is nothing we can do for her. Perhaps if you'd brought her earlier I might have done something to slow down the process but now it is too late. I'm sorry again." – He turned to the group apologizing.
"No!" – Harry said his voice trembling. "There must be something we can do for her."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter."
"Will she wake at least for us to talk to her?"
"No, I am afraid not." – Gravefoot replied gravely.
"How long does she have?" – Ginny asked somewhat silently.
"Not long. An hour maybe two, I can't be sure. I'm sorry."
"I can't believed it." – Ron said hugging the already crying Hermione.
"It is my fault." – Neville whispered.
His pain was too big to express in words. He was about to lose a friend. A friend he learned to know and respect for the last two years and it felt like they were together since birth. But now it was going to end briskly, taken away. And from who - the Death Eaters created by Voldemort. "Cursed be his name," Neville thought.
"No, Neville." – Ginny said. "It is my fault. I should not have let her go out of the castle but she seemed so attracted to that staircase of the Hall leading to the underground passage that even my curiosity was put at test. She was acting so strangely and in moment I would say even fanatically."
"It is not your fault, Ginny. You couldn't have known that they would come as well." – Hermione tried to calm her down.
"Did you say she was attracted?" – Lord Tenus suddenly asked seriously.
"Yes." – Ginny replied tears pouring down her cheeks.
"She was saying that she was having bad dreams. I had to wake her in the middle of the night. She seemed so scared but I did not pay any attention, as she said that everything is fine." – Neville added.
"I remember now." – Hermione said. "When you said – 'Do not be troubled by the look of the castle. Here there are no threats or anything that will harm you in any way.' And she asked – 'Anything?' I remember her expression. She was not believing you completely but for what reason I have no idea."
"This is very interesting." – Lord Tenus said.
"No, it is not." – Harry shot. "Because it doesn't help us do anything for her."
"Not necessarily, Mr. Potter." – Lord Tenus replied mysteriously.
"What do you mean?" – Hermione asked raising suspiciously an eyebrow. "Is there something that would have caused her fear or influence her to act even that strangely? Something that might have harmed her?"
"No. I told you nothing in this castle would harm you or scare you for that matter. But there is something else here."
"What is it?"
"I don't know for sure but…" – Lord Tenus voice trailed as he was pondering on something.
"But what?"
"Well it is difficult to explain. 'The eagle has never been to the south yet it longs for it nonetheless'. Don't get me wrong. I have been sensing her strength and spirit long before she arrived. When she did come I could tell that her spirit was hurt probably by a traumatic event in her own past that has caused her to pass the line and be a stranger in everyone's eyes. And yet she was trying to be one with you. Her stay in the castle may have triggered an event of her past one she might have been hiding from ever since. You see normally a place such as this will give you the spooks, will scare you but this place is different. It is giving a sense of relaxation and security but also… The castle is strongly connected with the dead. It links you to them. It provides you shelter but also reveals you your inner strength and spirit, and sometimes people that are more attuned to this sensation are scared and insecure of what they see, of they could become should they follow the calling of their spirit. Sometimes we refuse to see because we're afraid of what we're going to see. You see your friend is special. She is more attuned, how to say it, to the dead than any of you."
"I don't understand where you're going with this."
"There is only one thing that could have called the creature you saw on the battlefield. The Ghost Dragon is a rare, powerful and very dangerous creature. If you had thought that I am the one that called it you are wrong. The creature did not appear on my command or wish or by itself. It came because of your friend. In a manner of speaking she called it and it seems that dragon has developed affection for her, and to be honest for what reason I don't know and probably we'll never know. But the fact remains it came for her."
"So you are saying this is the reason why she's been having all these disturbing dreams because of this creature."
"I did not know at the time but now I am pretty sure."
"Guys, this does not help us. Luna is my friend and she is dying. Ginny, Neville you think that is your fault but it isn't. It is my fault. I'm the reason all this is happening. It began with my parents, then Sirius, then Dumbledore and now Luna. As long as I am with you all these things will keep happening and I can't take it. I just can't. I tried to explain it to you but you did not listen. And every time I am asking myself 'How many more have to pay the prize?' and I always answer no more. No more!" – Harry sighed with pain in his eyes. "No more! But it keeps happening. Thus I have to be alone. I hate the very day Voldemort ruined my life and I hate the very cause that made him do that. If I have to die to keep you all-safe than I'll die gladly knowing that this nightmare is over."
"No, Harry. We talked about this and we told you we are coming with you no matter what." – Ginny objected.
"No, Ginny, not this time. After thi...is over I'll leave you at Hogwarts and I'll go one alone." – Harry said with difficulty.
"By the bone and skull! I have never seen such sorrow and pain put in one person's eyes." – Lord Tenus exclaimed deeply moved. "And such determination. It sounded to me, Mr. Potter, as you are going to your doom for the sake of us all. I don't want to know what your task is although I sense it is dangerous and probably out of your lead. But I'll help you with what I have. I'll help you to reduce the pain with at least one of you!"
"I don't understand."
"Come, follow me!" – Lord Tenus said and gestured. "Mr. Gravefoot, take the girl to the dungeons when she…well you know."
"We are not leaving her." – Neville said firmly.
"Trust me, Mr. Longbottom, you will not. There is something I wish to speak with you but not here. Trust me just the same way as you trusted me when you came and your friend was in mortal danger."
Neville looked questioningly at Harry and Hermione. Hermione nodded in agreement after her life was saved thanks to Lord Tenus and her friends. Harry was still indecisive. There was something odd in Tenus. He noticed the sudden change in their host. His voice sounded more deep and sonorous. His look was more serious and surprisingly firm. So Harry turned to Ron who also nodded. It seemed he and Hermione have come to respect their host, and also Ron was grateful for his help in saving Hermione's life.
Ginny was very quiet. Harry felt that she was still feeling responsible for what happened. She approached him and hugged him. He felt her warmth and tears.
"Ok." – He sighed.
"Follow me!" – Lord Tenus said.
He led them down to the Hall and by the very staircase Luna and Ginny had passed last night. They entered the underground passage and followed it for some time before Lord Tenus stopped in the middle of it. Then he took his wand out and mumbled some incantation in unknown language. Part of the wall moved aside revealing a secret door and a passage, which they ventured.
The passage was narrow but well illuminated by phosphoric creepy plants. The floor was cold but was giving anyone walking it a sense of security and stability. They walked and walked till they reached another door that opened as soon as Lord Tenus lifted his hand.
They appeared into an open circular space no more than sixty square feet. It was a shrine of the old days. In the middle was a circle with unknown ruins and letters. On it, Lord Tenus placed four black candles symbolizing the four cardinal points. Then he moved behind a curtain near the north side of the shrine. What he was doing there no one saw but when he reappeared everyone's jaw fell down in surprise.
Lord Tenus had changed his usual outfit. Now he looked more like a king of the old days. He was dressed with a shiny chain mail of unknown material, wearing light boots of dark leather and a mantle wrapped on his shoulders that was sweeping slightly the floor. On his head there was a crown but what a crown. It was made of bones with sharp ends on the sides with emeralds or diamonds incorporate in it. The entire crown was gold plated. Gold lets and chains he had placed on his ears and around his neck. He was also holding a staff most likely made of bones, and to be exact it was a big bone taken from a Ghost Dragon.
"Gather around here!" – Lord Tenus said gesturing them towards some chairs that appeared out of thin air.
"Wow!" – Ron exclaimed because although the chairs were made again of bones they were very comfortable.
"Time has come for me to show you my true side not my mask. My mask is the way you saw me when you entered this castle. The public face for all who venture the castle doors. But now time is short for one of you, actually for your friend Luna. Her coming here was not a coincidence and most certainly will not be in vain. She had learnt to have friends such as you and at last even managed to sacrifice her life for yours. As you are well told there isn't a spell that can reverse death but this is not entirely accurate." – Lord Tenus paused.
"What?" – Neville almost shouted. "Can you save her?"
"Neville, no one can reverse death, not even Dumbledore or Voldemort." – Hermione objected.
"Hermione, I saw Voldemort rise from the dead through a…ritual." – Harry countered.
"As I said this is not entirely true." – Lord Tenus continued. "There are two ways. They are both Dark Magic. One is perhaps the one Mr. Potter is talking about and given the nature of Voldemort I wouldn't be surprised if he used that one. Bone from a parent, bone from a servant willingly given and blood from the enemy unwillingly taken. Am I right?"
"Yes." – Harry replied stunned.
"This ritual of Dark resurrects one's soul back to a body but there is another way. The second ritual is called Resurrection or by some the Undead Way. It is performed ONLY by Necromancers."
"Necromancers?" – Hermione asked shocked and her eyes widened. "So you are a…necromancer?"
"Yes, Ms. Granger, I am, one of the few left."
"But…" – Hermione did not finish her sentence. Fear and terror were taking her over. Necromancers were feared because they were practicing forbidden rituals and the darkest magic. They were the undead, creatures living between life and death. And that she and her friends were in the lair of one was indeed very disturbing.
Lord Tenus was perfectly well seeing what effect had his words on the youngsters. He was not surprised though. He had to expect such reaction. But they were realizing that without his help Hermione wouldn't be here alive.
"I know how you feel." – Lord Tenus said. "But I brought you here to tell you of the only way you can save your friend. She can be resurrected but as always for nature to have balance there is a prize."
"What prize?" – Harry asked toneless.
"She'll become perhaps in time one of us – undead. I told you that there is one particular difference between the vampires and us. They don't have a reflection and we don't have a shadow. But this is not the only thing that would be different about her. When you told me that she was attracted towards the passage or more precisely the crypt I received my confirmation for why the dragon came. I thought that she called the dragon but in truth the dragon called her, and she couldn't resist. I have never ever seen such a strong connection from a mortal to a creature of the undead. I believe in time they would become close to each other. You ask how she will change and how different she would be from you. Well, at first she will not be very different. But in time she will change. She'll begin to see more of the world than any mortal can. The shadows, the darkness and the pain will scare her no more, actually pain will become her strength, her weapon, more powerful than any other mortal. Her senses will be more enhanced by what she'll be. She'll be able to see better in the dark, even better than any creature of the dark can see. But all this will happen in time and if she trains. And in time she will have to leave behind everyone that is close to her."
"This is a lot to ask." – Hermione said after a few minutes of silence.
"I know. But you, her friends are the ones that must choose now. There isn't much time."
"How can we choose for her?" – Harry asked.
"You must choose between life for Luna and her death."
"But the life you are describing is not a life. It is cursed life." – Hermione pointed out.
"The tough choices were never easy. If you think that her life is going to be cursed you are mistaken. Mostly what you know about us is inaccurate. Some of us are dark but the others serve the light. Her life will be extended till she chooses to die or to continue the noble work of the undead. After all, Ms Granger, your life was saved using the knowledge of the undead and the life of Mr. Weasley's brother also."
"It is not fair to put it this way."
"No, it isn't. But this is life and how things are and nothing could change that now."
Harry stood up and started pacing around. Whatever he was doing something was going wrong. Now, Luna, one of his friends was near death and the only way out was the very magic he detested more than anything. One that would turn his friend in some sort of ghost or worse a wraith, and he is the one to choose. If it were he instead he would have chosen death. But was it worth it or would she dye in vain? That he wasn't so sure. Then again he remembered the ghost dragon, a creature that terrified the hell out of him but also of the Death Eaters.
It was then that Harry appeared again in the misty forest near the swirling fire, and the chair was there as well. He was seeing the outlines of a figure and the eyes but they were not red as the dragon's.
"Seeking council are you?" – The figured whispered.
"How could I choose for another?" – Harry replied. "How can anyone choose for another? By the very magic that I…"
"That caused you to lose so much?"
"Yes."
"The choices in life are never easy. I can't make the choice for you. But the battle with the Dark Lord will ask even for more sacrifices. You said it yourself to defeat the darkness you must know the darkness, and the best way to beat it is to destroy it from the inside. But the truth is that the darkness usually destroys itself."
"How does this help me?"
"It has been ages since the world has seen a Dark Lord so powerful. The battle with him will be devastating and you will need all the help you can get. Your friends will not leave you, as they will follow into water and fire. I can't promise you anything but there might be a way to reverse her condition if she becomes undead. But we are not going to be alone in this battle. You will gain allies along the way. But you'll have a choice to make."
"I just can't."
"That's what was keeping you from taking your friends with you. But how would you know if something is impossible if you never try it? Remember others and Dragons are creatures that can't be commanded by others but if they bond with you, you'll have an ally – a powerful ally. You are thinking that if Luna is to become undead you'll be using her in the war. And it is not far from truth but…remember why they've come with you. Not because they want to be famous but because they are your friends, don't forget that. It is very important. Your friendship is your strength and soon Harry; you will realize your true strength that lies beyond any other power. It is more beautiful and yet far more dangerous than death itself."
"Thanks!"
"You're welcome. Now go!"
Harry snapped out of his thoughts noticing that Hermione and the others were starring at him with worry.
"Harry, are you alright?" – Hermione asked.
"Yes, I am fine."
"You seemed out for a moment."
"It was you know what." – Harry smiled faintly. "What do you think we should do?"
"I don't know." – Hermione answered tears in her eyes.
"I know it is wrong to use dark magic. And I know we can't make this decision for her but she is the one dying for us. She laid her life for ours but the battle is not over, the war is not over. And if she could get a second chance I guess now she would use it to strike down more. I mean we are only children that never had the chance to have a normal life. It was taken from us by Voldemort and his Death Eaters." – Harry grinded at the last sentence.
"Oh Harry." – Ginny stood up and hugged him while letting her tears run down.
"Harry is right." – Neville said firmly sweeping his tears. "I'd like to think that Luna would want to do more. If there is a chance she would live I am all for it."
"But what life this would be? Living in the shadows?" – Hermione objected.
"Hermione, hear Me." – Harry started. "I know it is wrong and I know it sounds like we want to use her like a weapon but…"
"Lord Tenus." – Mr. Gravefoot had appeared out of nowhere carrying Luna. "She wants to speak to them."
"She is awake?" – Lord Tenus asked surprised.
"Yes, she came into consciousness sometime ago."
"Put her here."
Gravefoot placed Luna on a bed that Lord Tenus had just conjured. Luna was very pale and her eyelids were barely moving. Her pulse was erratic. Neville sat on her side patting her gently on the head. The others sat on the other side.
Luna's eyes fluttered and slid open. She fixed her gaze at Neville. Her lips barely moved but they could hear her whisper.
"Hi."
"Hey…" – Neville gulped down his tears.
"It came for me."
"Who?"
"The dragon. It heard my call." – Luna said with difficulty. "You are all safe?"
"Yes, we are." – Neville answered. "Thanks to you!"
"Luna." – Lord Tenus spoke then he bent over her and whispered something to her.
Harry thought that Tenus was telling her about the ritual. Lord Tenus pulled back and Harry expected Luna would stiffen or worse but Luna was only smiling faintly. Her eyes rolled and closed but she was still with them.
And there they stood beside her silently for quite a time before she woke up again. The sparkle in her eyes was slowly fading away but Luna managed to pull herself up and speak again.
"I will." – That was all that she said.
A shiver passed through her body, her arms sank on her sides, and her head fell on the pillow. Her eyes flickered and slowly closed. The last breath disappeared and her body calmed down. Luna was dead.
"No." – Neville cried out loud and his head sank down on her chest.
Ginny was holding Harry, as Ron was holding Hermione, both crying silently. Slowly they all came to Neville and hugged him all together.
Lord Tenus, on the other side, was placing odd stones with runic letters and objects around the circle with the black candles. The others soon noticed what he was doing.
"You are not going to go with the ritu…" – The words were stuck in Hermione's throat.
"It was her last wish." – Lord Tenus replied.
"But it is wrong." – Hermione vividly objected. "She does not know what…"
"Yes, she does. I told her everything." – Lord Tenus replied seriously.
"Harry, do something." – Hermione said desperately.
Harry stood up slowly looking down at Luna. It seemed like ages since they heard Luna's voice. The voice saying I will. He closed his eyes and his mind trembled at the thought what she would become should they allow it to continue but if this was her own decision they must abide by it.
"Hermione." – Harry's voice trembled. "We are her friends."
"But…"
"You want to choose what is best for her?"
"No but this is definitely not."
"I know but it is not our place to contradict the last wish of our friend. We must respect her decision. Are we her friends, Hermione, or not?"
"Yes but…" – Hermione replied all in tears.
"I know. It is difficult for all of us. But…"
Harry did not finish his sentence but Hermione understood and nodded. They gathered around again. Harry turned to Lord Tenus.
"Please."
Lord Tenus smiled back at the teenagers trying to encourage them while continuing his preparations. Lord Tenus made sure no one was to bother them. He sealed the passage leading to the castle so that none could accidentally find himself there.
The lights within the shrine were extinct leaving the places almost in complete darkness, except for the black candles whose flames were barely noticeable and the sparkles in the eyes of the teenagers and Lord Tenus.
Luna was placed in the middle of the circle surrounded by the candles and runic stones. Between the stones were placed some really odd looking and strange objects that Harry and Co could not identify, given the darkness. His friends and he were standing near each of the stones but out of the circle's barely visible outlines shining in a ghost light.
Lord Tenus stepped in, his eyes shining in a scary shade of red. Actually his entire appearance was quite scary. Under the ghostly light all that Harry could see, in difference to his previous attire, was a skeleton corpse and a crowned skull with red eyes (and well for his information it was the outlook of a Power Lich). Lord Tenus attire was now composed of a red-black mantle on his shoulders, full armor of pleated crossed bones embroidered with tiny shining lights like diamonds, maybe pearls and finishing with scale greaves covering high leathered boots with tiny skulls. In his hand he was holding a lich cross-staff of dragon bone. On the top of the bone staff there was an oval object, which in fact was a Greater Basilisk's eye.
"Now before we begin, I should tell you what the ritual would want from you." – Lord Tenus started.
"From us?" – Hermione asked terrified.
"Yes. You know that the ritual the Dark Lord used involves three other components. This one is not very different although the intent is different. One of the components is blood."
"Blood?"
"Yes, blood willingly given from a friend and mind it – a friend, not a boy or girl friend in the sense of lovers, but a true friend, through true friendship life lies."
"I will." – Neville said without hesitation.
"Neville, think it over." – Hermione pleaded.
"I have made my decision." – Neville confirmed firmly.
"And the other two components?" – Harry asked.
"There are few others. Bones from all enemies fallen by the hand of the late and then bone and blood from the one she called."
"The dragon?"
"Yes."
"What are these objects?"
"Oh, those are vials containing some potions and the bones in question."
"Anything else required?" – Hermione asked.
"Yes, one last thing. Each one of you holding hands and remembering what Luna stood for while she was alive, remembering her for what she was. Also don't move no matter what happens around you. And on this last thing I must insist."
"We will."
"Good. Now we wait."
"What for?"
"The beginning. It will happen all of sudden, so stay still and don't be afraid, at least not too much. Stay behind the runic stones and everything will be fine. Now, it is silence."
Lord Tenus moved back to the shadow. Only his eyes could be seen but they looked now like two red points. Harry took and Ginny's that was holding Hermione's while she was holding Ron's and Ron holding Neville's and Harry's hands thus completing the circle.
Silence fell around and remained uninterrupted for a long time. Then, maybe two hours later, some of the vials around Luna ignited with misty and glimmering light.
"Nube evigilo Veil Mortis!" – Lord Tenus' voice came in from the shadows with thunderous hissing.
"Umbra revelo." – The shadows have somehow disappeared although the shrine was barely lightened up.
"Caligo ad fundas." – A misty fog spread on the ground covering everything within the circle giving it a ghostly outlook.
"Adflictus cranium et ossis." – From the braking of several vials shattered skulls and bones appeared around Luna's body. It was getting really creepy.
"Foras corpus et pulpa." – The bones, around Luna, formed flesh. And blood began steaming from wounds of the flesh soon covering the entire circle but not touching Luna's body.
"Tortilis per venas." – The blood soon stiffened and began vaporizing but forming balloons of blood floating in the air.
"Bones taken from buried enemies." – The bones were pulverized. The dust and ashes like tiny clouds set off for the blood balloons surrounding them like a gray cloth.
"Reneo Tu Puer" – Blood drops from the balloons united with parts of the gray clouds and seconds later formed a swirling belt surrounding completely Luna.
"Forefathers pave the way for life and death." – A silver thread appeared around Luna's body uniting with the blood and the bones on the ground.
"Humus Mortis Vita addidi." – A terrifying voice tore the shrine giving shivers to all, then another and another, and another, and at last a voice of newborn was heard. The silver thread was doubled in length and width.
"Pulvis et Lux." – Dust and light combined. "Revire tu puer." – The voices intertwined, and then disappeared. Sometime afterwards came back but it seemed as though they were coming from the blood balloons and sounded somewhat distant.
Lord Tenus approached Neville with a shattered and oddly curved dagger. He cut his arm below the elbow and blood poured onto the blade. Then he put the dagger on Luna's chest before returning back to his previous position. Then lifted his staff and whispered.
"Blood from friend willingly given." – The blood on the dagger had already dispersed all over Luna but now it was combined with gray clouds and the blood balloons but still the bond was not complete entirely.
"Lux obscurus." – All lights within the shrine extinguished and all fell into darkness.
"E Domine praecel umbra e obscurus" – Lord Tenus' voice raised. "dubit et timoris, caligo et doloris."
"Adflictus nex ad vit."
"Proavus, spiritus ab manes." – In this moment, a pair of familiar red eyes appeared and soon Harry and co saw the dragon just a bit above the circle. The dragon looked down twitching wings and hovering over Luna. Then released his shriek but a quiet one, nonetheless still terrifying to the bone, and dropped some of his blood, if you could called it blood but essentially something like it, to the rest of the floating blood. And then the dragon was gone.
"Revivo tu puer." – Blinding light appeared when at the touch of the dragon blood with Neville's blood, the blood balloons and gray clouds forming a homogeneous mix of red silver color or as the Undead call it – the thread of life.
"Calo Luna ab vita, Aduingo Me!" – Luna's eyes winced and the others could see the white of her eyes under her eyelids. It was indeed very creepy.
"Investo recurso ab examinus!" – This time her eyes opened wide. She was now looking more like a zombie than a human.
"From light to darkness, to shadow and mist, from pain to joy, to life and death."
"Aeternus Vox, Nube Servo!" – The silver thread drew near the thread of life.
"VEIL MORTIS GENUS!"
"RESURRECT YOUR CHILD!" – The silver thread then combined with the thread of life. Blinding green light filled the shrine as a result of the union and formed a swirling green cloud that hovered over Luna before engulfing her. Slowly the green mass united with her body. The white in Luna's eyes disappeared revealing her previous eye's color.
Then all of sudden all fell in silence but a few moments later, Luna opened her eyes. She then stood up and looked scarily around her but when she saw her friends all fear in her eyes was gone.
"Thank you all." – Luna said happily.
"Luna." – Neville called shyly.
"Yes, it is me in flesh and blood." – Luna laughed.
"You scared the hell out of us." – Neville cried and went to hug her, the others joined him.
"You should get some rest." – Lord Tenus said.
"Thank you, sir, for everything." – Luna thanked.
"You're welcome. We shall talk tomorrow." – Lord Tenus replied. "Now, let me take you all back to your rooms."
They followed Lord Tenus on the way back, which was now much more happy than few hours before that. Lord Tenus left them when they were back at Hermione's room. But the teenagers were still very excited and talked about all the events that led to this strange day. For the surprise of all her friends Luna remembered everything beside the ritual.
"Guys." – Harry said at last. "And girls. It is time to sleep. Tomorrow we leave for Hogwarts. All of us."
"You too?" – Ginny asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, I will come with you." – Harry replied.
"Ok. Good night to all." – Luna and Neville wished.
"Good night."
Harry and Ginny left for their room. Hermione and Ron shared the big bed and fell asleep.
The next morning, Harry and Hermione were the first to arrive in the Hall where breakfast was already served. There was no sign of Lord Tenus but logically he was the one who left the breakfast.
"Morning Harry."
"Morning Hermione."
"Slept well?"
"Much better than I thought I would. You?"
"Me too although I have to say that Ronnie was snoring but I managed to ignore him." – Hermione replied with a smile.
"Poor Hermione." – Harry laughed.
"Hey guys." – Neville said while sitting.
"Hey, Nev. Where is Luna?"
"Oh. She is talking with Lord Tenus. They'll join us in a moment." – Neville replied.
"Only the red weasels are missing." – Hermione said cheerfully aloud.
"I heard that." – Ginny said while coming down the stairs.
"Me three." – Ron added.
"So what is the game plan?" – Hermione asked turning to Harry.
"Well as soon as we're finished here we leave for Hogsmead then straight to Hogwarts." – Harry replied.
"No deviations this time?" – Ginny teased him.
"None. I promise." – Harry answered.
Breakfast went quietly on. Luna joined them also, as she had finished her most serious talk with the lich lord that promised to say good-bye before they leave.
Breakfast over the gang gathered their belongings and returned to the Hall where Lord Tenus was waiting for them. Strangely he was not alone. There was a hooded man with him. The stranger was no higher than Harry when he first stepped in Hogwarts some six years ago but it seemed that Lord Tenus had an enormous respect for the stranger. He was holding a cross staff made of scales and a scroll.
Harry felt extremely strange in the presence of this man. His legs were carrying him forward as though he was on casters but he was not the only one. Sentinel unrolled from his waist, neared the stranger, then curved, like a home pet, but remained like an extended rope and then nodded or more precisely bowed in respect and hissed.
"Most loyal to the house."
"Sentinel, guardian of the Queen." – The man hissed back. "Happy to see you are still with us."
"Saved by the one." – Sentinel turned towards Harry.
"I see." – The man turned to Harry. "You have our gratitude."
"Harry what is going on?" – Hermione asked.
"I'm not entirely sure." – Harry replied springing out of the trance he had entered.
"Forgive me I did not introduce myself." – The man spoke with a deep voice. "I am Cusp and I have message for you Mr. Potter."
"A message? What message? From whom?" – Harry asked confused.
"From the Swamp Lords. We received word and we wish to help you in your difficult task. Suffice to say, we could lead you to Salazar Slitherin's home and some of the places the Dark Lord has visited. But you need to come with me immediately. All roads are watched by his servants except few of them, which we control."
"Received word? From whom?" – Hermione asked.
"I believe Mr. Potter knows who. There is little time. Lord Tenus has been carrying for you but he cannot withhold the army of the Dark One. We must shield you from the eyes of your enemies. You'll be safe with us."
"Why should we trust you?" – Hermione asked raising suspiciously an eyebrow. "We don't even know you."
"Indeed. You don't. But you have known Sentinel."
"What's Sentinel has to do with all this?"
"We are her family."
"What?" – Hermione's eyes widened.
"You haven't told them." – Cusp hissed at Sentinel.
"No. Although they do know some things." – Sentinel replied.
"You've done well." – Cusp then turned to Hermione. "It is true you have no reason to follow me or trust me cause we meet for the first time. But trust is irrelevant now. You have the servants of the Dark Lord hunting you. We offer you sanctuary although we haven't done this since ages. You wish to learn more about Salazar Slytherin and the Dark Lord and in that we can help you."
"We were going to Hogwarts." – Harry said.
"Oh yes, the ancient castle. But it will not protect you if the dark one comes for you there. As long as you are away from it, your friends will be safe. I guess we could take you there afterwards. But now you won't reach Hogwarts safely. The Death Eaters are watching and they will not miss you again."
"How do you know that?"
"Well, the dark servants are not the only one looking for you. Besides we have our ways of learning things."
Harry was hesitating. There was something in Cusp that was making him feel safe but he realized that he is talking to a snake in human form. Then he remembered the story about the Elder Snakes, then Sentinel's behavior and her spells on the battlefield. Was it possible that she was part of them? Harry was not sure but Cusp was right about one thing. Voldemort's forces were looking for them and if they were watching Hogwarts or Hogsmead they will fall into a trap, one, they may not escape so luckily next time.
And if they could disappear from the Death Eater's scope for while it would be a significant advantage, not to mention the possibility to find out more about Voldemort and the places he visited while he left Hogwarts and maybe learn something more about the Horcruxes and how to destroy them. It was an opportunity not to be missed.
"I need time to discuss it with my friends." – Harry said at last.
"Fair enough. I shall wait for your decision." – Cusp said and exited the Hall with Lord Tenus.
Harry sat down and explained his motives to the others. Hermione obviously started to object giving many explanations and guesses as to why it would be foolish to follow a stranger whether he was a human or a snake. But Harry did manage to counter her as he told her about his little vision quest prior to the arrival of Gravefoot in the shrine.
"You think that he was speaking about this?" – Hermione asked after a while.
"Yes. At first he told me that choices was not mine to make about Luna's life. And then it seemed as though he was speaking about a different choice but I wasn't listening. I guess I understand it now. Maybe he is the one that sent word to Cusp."
"Maybe but…"
"Hermione, it is a rare opportunity. Dumbledore knew nothing of the life Voldemort had between the time he left and then returned to Hogwarts. And if there is a slight chance we might learn something about this missing time it could help us defeat him."
"Well, when you put it this way I happen to agree. But I am still unsure how these snakes will hide us."
"I feel the same way you do but Sentinel saved my life on the battlefield twice. And I have grown to trust her beside her obvious and sometimes scary behavior. Ron what do you think?"
"I am with you buddy anywhere you go." – Ron replied.
"Me too." – Neville added.
"Ginny?" – Harry asked.
"I wonder why you even bother to ask." – Ginny said teasingly.
"Luna?"
"I'm with you." – Luna replied.
"Ok. Ok." – Hermione sighed. "But what about your other plan for Hogwarts?"
"We'll find a way to implement it as well." – Harry replied. "Then it is agreed. To the Swamp Lords we go…"
A/N3: This chapter is the end of the First Part of the story. In the next part the gang is going to learn more about Voldemort's past – the places he visited while researching for Horcruxes and making some of them, and becoming the all feared Dark Lord. The gang is going to learn also more about Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw. We are also going to learn more about Sentinel's origin.
A/N4: The research for the next part of the story that I've began is taking me more time than anticipated so it would take longer to update but I'll do my best to speed up the process as much as I can.
A/N5: If anyone is interested in the full meaning of the ritual incantation contact me I'll be glad to give you more details.
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Lordheaven