Fellowship of the Fox

by Ryuuohjin

The second blood war against Voldemort had been devastating, victory had come at a too high of a cost, so Harry and friends decide that this needs to change and they know how to do it. But things do not turn out completely as expected. AU, Fem!Harry, Time travel (Rewrite in progress)

19. Chapter 19: Trials

The Fellowship of the Fox

by Ryuuohjin

/ AN /

Disclaimer - I do not on any way own Harry Potter or any of it's world or characters.

They all fully belong to J.K. Rowling and her affiliates.

Update 2016-11-22: Some minor fixes.

Update 2017-01-25: Rewrote, added, removed and fixed some other things.

Update 2017-05-06: Rewrote Draco's scene a bit, and fixed some minor errors.

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Chapter 19 - Trials

Alastor Moody hated it when things didn't go according to plan. He was a man that liked to account for every possibility, even the seconds of time it took to do any one thing. He knew the exact time it would take him to get from his bed to either his bedroom door or the second story window of his flat in London. He knew the sound the third step of his staircase made when someone stepped on the first. He even knew the exact positioning of every painting in House Black, and how to use the paintings eyes to tell where anyone was in the house, without ever having to tap into his magical eye. While some may some call him paranoid, he just called it being cautious.

This was one of the main reason he like group that called themselves, the Fellowship of the Fox. There were almost no information about them at all, which frustrated him greatly. He knew they were responsible for port key debacle, as well as raising the manors belonging to Malfoy and LeStrange families to the ground with fiendfyre. Along with several more properties, mostly all belonging to know Death Eaters in Azkaban. There had yet been any clues to how they were accomplishing this, but, expect for manors belonging to Malfoy and LeStrange families, none of the wards had been triggered, and all properties showed traces of being scraped clean first. As most of the stolen belonging had later been found being auctioned out overseas under fellowships name.

He also knew that the Fellowship were responsible for what happen to the Minister's Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge. They still didn't what was wrong with her, nor what have caused it, an unknown potions was what they strongly suspected, but they weren't quite certain yet. It really couldn't have happened to a better person, Alastor thought. He had never liked that pink toad anyway, she had always got on his nerves.

He also suspected they where the ones that gotten the goblins to seize the vaults of all the know Death Eaters. But he lacked any sort of proof or evidence to confirms this, as it was only gut feeling at the moment. But through his many years as an Auror he had came to trust his gut, as it safes his life more then once. He really wondered how they accomplished that feat, as they been adamant against touching any families vaults when either the Ministry or Dumbeldore had asked them to do something similar.

Evidently this was caused by the Fellowship of the Fox, for what could from the paw prints of fox running over the people that lay on the floor, all around a large scorch mark in shape of a sniggering fox. According to witness statements Sirius Black had arrived a few minutes before them, after searched and handed over his wand he had been escorted by pair of Aurors, which by their description sounded like they looked like Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt. After they had past about half the room attackers had appeared and started slinging spells at the group. The Aurors had then raised some sort of spherical shield over them, and Sirius had began to taunt them. This had enraged some of the attackers which started throwing killing curses at the group. But curses hit Sirius and rest had exploded in a conflagration of fire and heat, leaving as it was now.

After hearing this Alastor didn't know to think, he could conclude two things from this. The Fellowship had know or suspect about the ambush happening, how he didn't know as had seen no suspicious movements. And that decided that they had decided to spring the ambush just a little before they arrived giving the attackers no time to regroup and try again. The latter was more worrying then the former, in Alastor's opinion, as that mean that the Fellowship knew exactly when Sirius was arriving, which meant something he had long suspected, they had a spy in their midst again or a information leak somewhere.

He drawn from thoughts when he saw something small move from the corner of his normal eye. It was to small to a human, even if it had been a child, and he was sure there hadn't been anything there before. His magical eye zeroed in on where seen the movement but it had been to late, all that he managed to catch was that it had some small animal of some kind, but he didn't any get close looked what kind. He would have to ask Albus later borrows if he could borrow his pensive, he might discover what it was if he got study the memory closer. He filed that thought for later, and went to back getting more witness statements on what happened in just before they had arrived.

/

The Minister of Magic position had a lot of perks, but also some unpleasantness bundled in. One could argue that the prestige, luxury and attention easily outshone the never-ending meetings, the full-time politicking and the natural distrust people have of politicians. But one would be wrong to say so, for the unpleasant part of being the Minister of Magic wasn't the talk, the bribing or the hate - those things were field game for a natural politician, and one would need to be a natural player if one wanted to achieve the highest chair in their government.

But right now he didn't feel as such, as he swore angrily as he poured himself a glass of fire whiskey. He had been happy with his job so far, doing what had needed to be done, earning himself some additional money from upstanding citizens, by listening more closely to their advice, than the ones of Dumbeldore, and it had earned him a comfortable chunk of gold sitting in his vault. In fact, he had been so satisfied with his job that he had planned to run for minister for the next elections, after all there were no true opponents in the political field that he should be wary of, as Dumbeldore didn't seem to want it.

However, his comfortable little world of lazing around and bribes had suddenly become much more difficult with Rita Skeeter's recent articles, not that he couldn't understand the public's outrage. Leaving the Boy-Who-Lived with Muggles, really? The old man had clearly lost it to leave the heir of House Potter and their Saviour to people who knew nothing of magic, and were little more than apes. What been even was according to Skeeter articles they had even hated and taken out the boy, which had made them even lower then apes.

Fortunately, he had nothing to do with the decision, which had allowed him to avoid a political scandal that would have undoubtedly caused him to resign otherwise. Still, he did not envy Dumbeldore right now, from what he had learnt the man had been buried neck deep into Howlers for days, and he had almost lost both his positions in the political world.

Although it was his the latest problem that gotten him in such a fit, the trial of Sirius Black. To him it had seemed like an open and shut case, were Black couldn't have been nothing more then guilty. But there he had been wrong, oh so wrong. It was unbelievable how wrong he had been.

During the trial it came out that there had never been an official investigation. All there was one report of from the Auror that had arrived first on scene. Then an report of the arrest of Sirius Black, with transfer papers for Azkaban ending the case file. There were no interrogation report, or trial records, not even a follow up report on the what they had found had happened at the crime scene. He now regretted inviting public for the trial, it had been political catastrophe, filled with quagmires, both to the left and the right.

They had started the trial, with having every member of the Wizengamot swear an oath of honour, that they would be impartial and would only vote as the evidence showed. Saying while didn't believe they jury would vote otherwise, this way no one would be able cry foul play about this much discussed case. To further minimise suspicions, a pair of healers from St. Mungos had been brought in, to make sure Black was sound of mind and body, as he could be. Along with confirming that Black was not under the effects of any magic or potion. Like the jury, they had been bound oath of honour, to be professional and not personal feelings, or let outside influence effect the result.

After having been cleared by the healers, Black's goblin attorney claimed him to be innocent off all charges, which later turned out to be true, as they prosecution only circumstantial evidence. While Black's not only went under truth serum, but had lots of memories backing him up too. At this point it was crystal clear what happened, and not been the outcome Fudge had hoped for. He had been cleared of all charges, and been given a neat sum of gold, along with an apology for the miscarriage of justice.

Even Black's escape from Azkaban was not illegal, for had not been a crime to escape from before he had done it. Meaning he couldn't be charged for it, as one be charged for a crime if it was illegal at time they did crime in question. They real crime had really could be charged for was being an illegal animagus, but in face of the grave miscarriage of justice had been put through, that had been waived as well, along the usual fee for that he would otherwise had to pay for registering his animagus form. But only under the condition that he registered his form within a months time.

Fudge felt shiver go done his spine, when he thought about what tomorrows headlines would be. What he need now was a scape goat or a diversion, but where to find that?

/

Albus Dumbeldore was feeling troubled.

He sat behind his desk in the Headmaster's Office of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, staring intently and one of the many devices he had scattered around the the desktop. His trinkets and knickknacks – despite what most people thought – all had a purpose. This one in particular was called a pensive. Unlike his many other tools that were mostly silver and that whirled and whizzed with many high-pitched sounds, the pensive was a stationary object that resembled a shallow bowl with runes etched around the rim.

Dumbeldore looked into the bowl and placed his finger on the right. He ran his finger along its diameter and the image in the bowl shivered and reformed to show the Ministry atrium earlier this morning. He watched as Sirius arrived and how the ambush was sprung.

He had to admit that it was some impressive magic that the Fellowship, as they called themselves, had used this morning. Their illusions were superb, he could hardly that it been an illusion, and doubted would have found out know before hand. And that triggered fire spell was quiet magnificent, at least that is what he thought it was.

But it was the Fellowship itself that was troubling Albus. They were a bunch of clearly quite powerful and clever individuals, but so far Albus felt that most of their actions were quite juvenile and brash, as most of the their attacks looked like pranks taken too far. While haven't killed anyone yet, he thought it was just a matter of time.

But was troubled him even more was how much they seemed know, and how good they seemed to be at hiding. Like Alastor, Albus suspected that there once again was a mole in there midst, but he had know idea who. They seemed to know to much, to not have a man on the inside, which would also explain how they got past the wards at Grimmuald Place so easy.' I wonder if I could reveal the mole, if I recast fiddielus at the headquarters?'

Albus had dismissed Severus ridiculous notion that it was the children that were the moles, as he doubted that neither means nor the knowledge necessary to send the information without them, let alone spy on any of the Orders meetings. That, along with the fact, that Severus had only started to accuse the children of being spies, after he had discovered that he couldn't read their minds using legilimency, which didn't help with his claim.

The Fellowship also seemed knowledge about what the Death Eaters and Ministry was up, which made Albus wonder just how many of them there were. And lets not forget about what the goblins may tell the. He still didn't know know how they pulled that of. Which still frustrated him, as goblins still kept ignored any of his attempts to form an alliance with them. 'I really wish I knew what kind of agreement the Fellowship had with the goblins.'

The fluid in the pensive changed again.

An image of the same events but from different persons view was now depicted in the bowl. But he learned nothing new from memory, the only real difference in this one, was that he could see some sort small animal almost completely behind one of the pillars in the atrium. But he didn't pay it any mind, as it was probably just someone's pet, which had gotten separated from it owner during the whole debacle, nothing of any real importance.

He then switched to yet another memory, putting the sighting of the what he presumed to be a pet out of his mind, the that could be an animagus, not even crossing his mind.

Because really, what is the chance that it would actually be one?

/

Draco Malfoy was miserable, nothing seems to go his way lately, he would love to blame all on Potter, but deep down he knew better. Not to mention that it would only made his parents even madder, if they discovered what he had done He knew they would not be pleased with him summoning a devil. Add to the fact that Draco seemed to have managed to annoy the summoned devil. As it didn't appreciate Draco ignoring it, while he busy was ranting, while at the same time blaming it for besmirching his name. Which was why he now was sprouting odd body parts: donkey ears, great buck teeth, a forked tail, cloven hooves, and duck bill.

But this only resulted in riled Draco up even more, and he began sputtering and started throw insult at the devil. Which really seemed to to piss of it, when it came out that Draco had prepared no tribute or had nothing to bargain with, as he had expected the devil to just give him whatever he wanted, when he wanted when he wanted. All because felt entitled for it, just because of his name and who his parents were.

Needless to say the devil was even less pleased with that, and its anger it reverted back to true form, at least that Draco thought it was. It previous form was what just what it called a 'business form', which was just a form it had made specifically to deal with humans. As it had found out long ago it much easier to deal with humans, if they didn't felt threatened or danger. And a child-like it had had found was the most appropriate one for this task.

But now the devil no longer looked like small child, as it towered tall over Draco. It now resembled full grown humanoid female, that seemed to be constructed entirely of hot and raging fire. And was wearing black metal armour, possessing curved twisted horns, sharp pointed ears, three fingers, and two toes. It now also constantly floated above the floor, and as moved closer to him, left a trail of fire behind.

But instead of meeting a fiery, but certain death, Draco had been saved by in nick of time by a house-elf that had momentarily managed to distract it. The elf became a pyre of ash, but instead running away, Draco had began firing curse, jinx, and hex, he knew at the demon, putting as much power he could behind each one. Not that it did very much, expect from angering the demon even more. And with snap of its fingers Draco's wand was turned into cinders, leaving the just staring in shock at pile the had been his wand.

/

Remus sat at the edge of the on the bed he was using at Potter Manor, worrying his lip and the hem of his shirt as he watched the sky. He normally saw this kind of behaviour as unhealthy, but he couldn't very well help it this month. He'd been under enough stress, especially these last couple of days, with from everything Order business to this Fellowship, along with worrying about Harry, and trying to figure out the Rasps to be able to restrain himself. Plus, this time Rhy Rasp was going to join him, much to protest, not that she seemed to care. He didn't know had come to this, many he should protested more, or maybe he should have made his standpoint on the dangers of this more clear.

If he were being honest with himself, Remus would say that he didn't want anyone to come along with him. If he were being even more honest, he would say that he actually really did want someone there, but he was worrying himself sick over it. Remus was worried that she would end up getting hurt, at his hand, and that he would have no recollection of it or any way to stop himself from doing it. He wasn't him when he was the wolf - he was a wolf, a completely different being. A monster. A monster who was lonely and wanted someone there to help ease his transformation, but who definitely didn't want those around him to get hurt. But Rhy had been quite clear, she would be with him whether he liked it or not.

Remus sighed as the sun began to sink in earnest. He got up and started to make his way to the edge of the forest that surrounded the manor. There he would meet Rhy before the moon rose. He tried to get her sisters to stop the young girl, but they had refused his pleas, calling this a trial that had to happened. It didn't take him long to reach their rendezvous point, and Remus chose a nice rock to perch on while he waited. He knew she wouldn't be long - they were on a strict time restriction after all. Lo and behold, he looked up not 5 minutes later to see the little girl making her way down the path.

"Good evening, Ms. Rasp," he greeted, ever polite. She patted his arm and asked him how he was. He answered in the affirmative, though he was far from that. Remus then again tried to dissuade her from coming with him. Rhy just rolled her eyes at him in slight exasperation and amusement, and gave a blank look. Knowing when he was beat, Remus took the girl's proffered hand as they walked into the forest. They stopped at large glen clearing deep inside woods, as Remus let go of her hand and started to distance himself from her.

Minutes later as moon rose, illuminating glen with its pale silvery light, Remus could feel the change begin, and tried put some more distance between the two of them. Rhy could also tell when the change started, for his brow furrowed and his eyes began to dart back and forth, as if he were trying to identify that which she couldn't see. Seconds later, he was on his hands and knees, and his groans turned raspy. It about that time Rhy turned off all her glamours, and her ears and tail was fully visible, and the overwhelming scent lilies she on exuded till now had completely disappeared.

Although Remus didn't notice any of this, as he screamed as a wave of pain tore through his body. His eyes clenched close as he collapsed to the ground. It felt as if his insides were on fire. He could feel his bones twisting and growing, could feel as his muscles began to bulge and grow more dense. It was the most painful thing he had ever experienced. Soon his creams of pain turned into a cacophony of harsh growls, snarls, and whines.

About the time that his ears began to move up his head, fur began to sprout, the clothes he had worn were shredded as he grew in size. His instincts began to fight with his mind, urges to run, hunt and kill overwhelmed him. At the end of the transformation, a long howls echoed throughout forest surrounding the manor.

Seeing Rhy in front of him, his now feral mind recognised her as a wolf, and cautiously began to sniff the air around her. It became confused as it recognised her smell as her as a cub of his pack; someone to protect, defend and for whom he would kill without a moment's regret. So he went closer sniffed her clothes and hair, and it the came to the conclusion that it indeed was a cub his pack. Overjoyed at this discovery he started to produce a lot of noisy howling and yelping sounds, while knocking her over as he bumped into.

/

Dobby kicked the bad wizard that was laying on the ground, growling at the man who would dare try to stop him from gathering what rightfully belonged to mistress! The green-eyed house elf turned up his nose and sniffed disdainfully as though smelling something foul, which was actually quite the case since the man appeared to have not bathed for the past few weeks, and then continued to stuff his previous master's emergency money, along some impressive gems and jewellery and anything else of value into a trunk.

As a group of Muggles walked past, Dobby held himself still up against the wall with his bag of loot over one shoulder, grinning as they didn't even glance his way, not thinking that they simply didn't pay attention to anything but their assigned tasks of taking inventory.

Dobby had gone through as many safe houses as he could find that he knew had once belonged to the Malfoy family and emptied them of every potion, book, weapon, wand and movable item, before rigging it with different pranks as was his orders. While at same time leave traces that looked they invaded by wild foxes. Unless it was a place he had orders to burn down. In that case he make look like the had rampaged by burning foxes, and throw in a few vials containing fiendfyre, which his Mistress had given just said purpose.

While bottling fiendfyre was very hard, it was not impossible. They had chosen fiendfyre because it was an cursed all consuming fire. Meaning whatever it touched it incinerated, even magic was not exception, which was why it was hard to bottle. This also meant it would be almost impossible to tell when, how, and where the fire had started. Not to mention who started it, as it would no wand trace, making hard pin who had done it.

Everything Dobby stole he then handed over to the goblins, which would then sort through them, destroying anything too dark, and selling the rest, except for any books or scrolls, which was transferred to Rasp vault after having cleansed of any taint they contained.

/

Hours later, far away from Dobby, Rhy Rasp laid in her bed reading the latest report she gotten on the Longbottoms condition. Rhy and her friends had at first thought it was extreme form of post-traumatic stress, or some sort of 'Battle-weariness'. And to protect themselves, the Longbottom couple had withdrew from their bodies, but became unable connect to them again. But that didn't seemed to be it, so they had scrapped that that theory. Although it was clear that something was keeping the Longbottoms captive in their own minds. And after a week of probing, researching and examining the construct that held the Longbottom couple captive, they had nothing.

Although Rhy was certain she had read about some like this in Black family library. And if it was Black family magic, the others couldn't help, only Sirius as he was the current Head of house Black. But would mean bring him here, as they didn't want move Longbottoms from the manor. She would have discuss this with the others, maybe they should include Remus in this. But that was also another thing she need to discuss with the others.

/

TBC

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