(Disclaimer: I own or claim none of J.K. Rowling's work or characters, the only character that I claim is Marie.)
Wishes
Chapter 7
Marie signaled to Miles and his half of the team from across the yard. Their intel had given them a heads up on an attack on the home of a Muggleborn student that Marie had in a number of her classes. The young Hufflepuff was the daughter of one of the major political leaders in London and the attack would garner more media than Magical Britain would be able to cover up. The girl and her family were inside their home enjoying a lively evening meal when the cracks of apparition sounded around the property. Marie and her team moved forward intercepting the group in the back of the home, while Miles and his team took the front. Marie and her team took out and captured as many of the Death Eaters as they could.
The Death Eaters returned fire and tried to extract themselves from the location, but they soon found themselves in a battle they had not anticipated. Marie was facing an opponent that easily out-weighed her by a good one hundred pounds. From behind is morbid mask, the man leered at her and taunted her as he toyed with her. She gritted her teeth, knowing that she was on her own with this one. Her team was good, but so were the Death Eaters. Sirens were screaming in the distance, coming closer to the disturbance and spell fire.
Out of the corner of her Marie could see that the girl in the house was watching in order, trying to get her family to safety. The man, who Marie assumed was her father, was having none of it and he cracked open a window and aimed the barrel of a shotgun at the nearest masked man opening fire. Silently Marie prayed none of her friends were among those here this night. With the blast of the gun, he dropped one, two, three Death Eaters as the police surrounded the property. The remaining Death Eaters began apparating away from the scene. Marie clamped shackles on the four that she and her team stunned, preventing them from apparating.
Jessica Mayberry exited the house despite the protests of her parents and ran towards Marie. Marie waved tiredly at the younger girl and winced as she hugged her tightly. Jessica pulled back in concern and noticed the blood on Marie's side. Mr. Mayberry drew closer, relieved that his daughter knew some of the people around the yard. A team of Aurors had arrived and began briefing the Mayberrys while speaking with the local police.
Marie activated the transport runes on the shackles before the Aurors could take their prisoners. Marie then flashed the necessary badge the Minister provided. A couple of the Aurors looked at her in shock while the majority were peeved that she had taken the Death Eaters to an unknown location before the Ministry could apprehend them. She watched as Miles activated the shackles on the injured Death Eaters.
"Now see here girlie," one of the Aurors got in her face. "You can't just take the prisoners willy-nilly and leave us with nothing."
Marie smirked at the man coldly. "And you are?"
"Dawlish," the man retorted.
"Well Auror Dawlish, seeing as my team and I were the ones here fighting them, we'll be taking our prisoners to a secure location and feeding the information back to the necessary channels at the Ministry. If you don't like that, you can take it up with the Minister," she told him.
Turning back to her team she called out, "Move out!" and the group apparated in sync leaving behind a swearing group of Aurors. It had been a similar pattern over the summer. The frustration that the Ministry was feeling was nothing new, however Marie cared very little. If they wanted to have her do their job, then she would. But they sure as Hell weren't going to show up after the work was done and try to steal credit for it. That was an unacceptable option to her.
Landing in a dark courtyard, the prisoners and injured were taken behind the looming walls of the fortress in front of her. Grimacing, she touched her side. Marie followed the group and made her way towards the infirmary. The group felt the pinch of the wards as they crossed each barrier and gate to enter the fortress.
Dorcha Gaol was an old fortress and new base of operations that Marie and her group had set up. It was aptly named as the black stones of it walls and foggy atmosphere made it feel eerie and dark. With the help of the Ministry and Gringott's, she procured the ancient fortress and had it warded as heavily as Gringott's itself. Deep within the bowels of the hulking building were the prison cells. Each cell was etched with runes to neutralize the magic of the prisoners locked within.
Nodding to those as she passed, she entered the infirmary. The injured Death Eaters were stabilized and their wounds cauterized. Their names and information was gathered as they were dragged from the room kicking and screaming. Marie ordered provisions laced with Veritaserum to be given to the prisoners in the morning. They were stripped of anything and forced into drab prison garb. All of their belongings were collected and bagged before being brought to a sealed storage room.
Marie was urged to sit down as one of the Healers that she had hired took a look at her side. This woman and all of the other people within the fortress had been recruited from the Muggle world. Many of them left the Wizarding world when they found that they could not find meaningful and fulfilling employment. Marie was drawn from her thoughts with a hiss of pain as the Mediwitch slathered her wound with Dittany and wrapped the wound in a clean bandage before sending her on her way.
Miles and the rest of the team had come to check on Marie to make sure that she was alright. After assuring them that she was fine, they all left to the briefing room to write the formal report and send it to the Minister immediately. Minister Blishwick however had other ideas. He entered the fortress walking with a purpose and headed towards the briefing room. He had been there a few times previously, but this time he was there to find out what was going on. His head Auror was in his office ranting and raving about the little upstart taking their prisoners. Now he knew that wasn't the whole store, hence his presence. Marie and her team greeted him and filled him in. She handed him the list of names and belongings collected. After a brief discussion of protocol, the Minister left satisfied that Marie and her associates were holding up their end of the bargain.
Marie went to her room in the fortress and changed out of the combat gear. A house elf popped in to take it away to be repaired and laundered. She gingerly changed into a tank top and chiffon shirt with a pair of jean shorts after showering. Putting on her wrist holster, she left the room and headed to the floo. Walking down the stairs to the parlor, she bid everyone good evening and called out "Zabini Villa" before being whisked away in a flash of green.
Elena and Franco were waiting for her as she exited the floo. Nona was sitting in a nearby chair as well. It was late in the evening and she was surprised to still see them awake. She smiled and greeted them tiredly as she allowed them to draw her into the room. The looked her over carefully and noticed that she was favoring one side.
"What happened?" Franco demanded. "How badly are you hurt?"
"The intel was good, but there were some surprises at the residence. I was caught off guard and paid for my distraction, taking a cutting hex to my side. The Healers sealed the wound and wrapped it, I'm fine," she explained to them.
"Were there any others hurt?" Nona asked.
Marie shrugged, "Minor injuries on our side. The Death Eaters however met the barrel end of a shot gun tonight and paid for attacking the Muggle home. Mr. Mayberry took exception to them attacking his home and family."
"I see," Franco said.
Marie and the Muggleborns on her team had been school the Purebloods about Muggle weapons. They found the weapons terrifying, but effective. To know that Muggles and Muggleborn would be fighting back with them was a daunting thought.
Marie closed her eyes tiredly. "I need to get some sleep. Sorry if I kept you up worrying."
"We're just glad that you're home safely piccola," Elena assured her.
Marie stood and wished them goodnight as she climbed the stairs to head towards her room. At the top of the stairs Antonio grabbed her and dragged her towards his room and shut the door. She turned to see his brothers there waiting as well. Rolling her eyes she climbed on his bed and flopped back. She told them what had happened and then begged off. She waved off their concern about her injury and staggered towards her bedroom. They made sure that she got to her room and called a house elf to help her to bed before they returned to their own rooms for the night.
Marie awoke to the sunlight streaming in her room. A warm breeze filtered into her room through the opened windows. It was already humid and she could tell that the heat would be setting in soon. She rose from her bed and piled her hair on the top of her head in a clip. Digging through her wardrobe, she pulled out her turquoise bathing suit and found a pair of shorts and tank top to wear over it. Grabbing a bag to hold a beach towel and a book she headed downstairs to get a late breakfast. She greeted the Zabinis present and ate a light breakfast. The younger Zabinis seeing her ready for a day in the sun went back to their rooms to change as well. Elena handed her a sunscreen potion and waved her off.
Marie smiled into her cup of coffee as she heard Franco muttering about her tattoos and scandalous Muggle attire. Elena laughed and waved off his concern, telling him that she was going to be more covered than many of the women and girls down at the shores. She also pointed out that their sons would be there to keep an eye on her. Franco nodded and eased up on his concern for the young girl. He had begun to see her as one of his own children in her time with them. Even Nona doted on the girl, making the boys promise to look after her.
Marie finished her breakfast and cleared her plate. She took her dishes to the sink and packed a snack in a basket. The Zabini boys filed into the kitchen behind her and added their own favorites to the basket in preparation for a day of fun in the sun. Silvano took the basket and the group set out towards the path to the beach. Marie walked following Silvano down the familiar path to the beach. The group had spent many days under the warm summer sun looking out over the sparkling Mediterranean waters.
Marie had at first caused a bit of a scandal when she made her debut at the beach with the Zabinis. Her bathing suits were a bit showier than the conservative Purebloods were accustomed to and her tattoos had caused a bit of a tizzy with some of the other local boys who all wanted to know how the new girl was. Silvano, Antonio, and Marco as well as their cousins, had threatened the other local boys and the tourists that were caught leering at Marie. They chased off most of the trouble makers and tried to keep most males away from Marie. She often rolled her eyes and shrugged it off, but appreciated that they were looking out for her.
Marie went ahead and led their group towards what was becoming her favorite spot on the beach. There was an outcropping of rocks nearby that they often laid their blankets and towels out over and soaked up the sun on. They quickly spread their beach blankets and set up their things. Marco situated his things and raced off towards his group of friends already in the water. Marie laughed and shimmied out of her shorts and took her tank top off. She folded her clothes and tucked them away in her bag.
Antonio glanced at his friend and was immediately drawn to the tattoo of the phoenix on her hip. His eyes traced where it disappeared briefly under her bathing suit and reappeared on her upper thigh. Mentally shaking himself he took his shirt off and sprawled out on the blanket next to where Marie was laying in the sun. He caught Silvano's eye and shrugged, he knew that his brother would be having a chat with him later. It's not that he felt that way about her, but he couldn't really help looking.
Marie rolled onto her back some time later and reached for the book that she brought with her. Flipping to the page that she left off on, she began reading "Wuthering Heights" one of her favorites. She was lost in the words of the story and didn't realize that someone had approached until there was a shadow cast over the page of her book. Looking up she shielded her eyes and noticed that a young man had approached. He had an arrogant smirk on his face and oozed sleaze. Marie rolled her eyes at him and went back to her book and Silvano and Antonio stepped up and moved the stranger away from Marie. Their cousins and friends had seen the commotion and approached. Marie sighed, marking her place in the book before putting the book in her bag. She grabbed her wrap and put it on while standing to face the group.
By now the boy and his friends were taunting the Zabinis and must have said something disparaging about her as Silvano had to hold Antonio back. Marie glanced around not sure what to do. She noticed that Franco and his brothers were approaching with their wives. They apparently caught the tail end of the argument and looked livid. The other boys scattered and took off leaving the beach.
"Why'd you hold me back?" Antonio yelled at Silvano.
"So you didn't do anything stupid," his brother told him while rolling his eyes.
Marie stood there not sure how she felt. Her Italian wasn't all that great, but she understood enough to know that the young man had said some pretty horrible things about her and the Zabini boys. She sat back on the blanket facing the water and drew her knees to her chest. Sighing she closed her eyes and breathed in the ocean are deeply. The beach made her miss her family, causing a deep ache to well up within her. Her brothers would be chasing Jane around with seaweed or sea creatures and her mom would be lying on the blanket next to her reading.
Elena sat next to the young girl and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. She had talked to the young woman when she had first come to stay with them. They talked for hours out at the beach about her family and things that troubled her. Elena ached for this pour girl and took her under her wing. She asked her sons to make sure that she was looked after and taken care of.
Marie closed her eyes and relaxed into Elena's embrace. Drawing a deep breath, she tried to fight back the grief that was swamping her. Marie hugged Elena back and looked out over the crashing waves along the shore. In the background she could here Franco and the boys talking. She couldn't follow the conversation as it was in rapid fire Italian, but she could tell that they were upset.
With a sigh she stood and rolled her shoulders. Stretching her arms over her head she cracked her back and let everything else fall away. The wind around them swirled a bit and she laughed throatily as Element heeded her call. She tugged off the wrap and headed towards the water. Looking over her shoulder with sparkling eye, she raced into the water and dove under one of the waves. Resurfacing she floated on her back and closed her eyes. She let the waves lull her as she relaxed. Hearing splashing nearby, she prepared herself for the arrival of the others.
Antonio tugged her under water and the two splashed around laughing. Marie resurfaced sputtering. The rest of the group had reached them and they swam around enjoying the water for a while before going back to their blankets where Elena and Franco were waiting. Marie took the towel that Elena handed her and thanked her. She dried off with the towel and wandlessly dried herself with a grin. She tugged on her jean cut-off shorts and packed up her things. Everyone else gathered their things and they made their way back to the villa for dinner.
Marie went up to her room and entered her bathroom. She took off the bathing suit and stepped under the warm spray of the shower and rinsed off the salt. Knowing that she didn't have a lot of time before dinner she showered quickly. Entering her room in a large fluffy towel, she went to her wardrobe to search for a clean outfit. She pulled out a strapless knee-length sundress and twisted her hair up in a clip. Fingering the chain of her medallion, she walked down the airy halls of the villa towards the dining room. The extended family would be here this evening and there would be dancing after the meal.
Marie smiled from the doorway watching the family interact. Being with the Zabinis made her feel right at home and reminded her of her own family. It was loud and boisterous, but full of laughter and love. She stepped into the room and was drawn into the group by Antonio who smiled at her warmly. The various cousins of the family greeted her with smiles as many of them had met at the beach over the various outings over the summer.
One of Antonio's older cousins, Francis, winked at her from across the room. He had snuck her out late one night and taken her for a ride on his brand new motorcycle. They had gotten in a lot of trouble when they returned in the early morning hours. They became fast friends, despite the rumors that had cropped up after their late night ride, they were just friends. He even promised to help her find a motorcycle of her own when she was old enough. She grinned at him and noticed the concerned looks that some of the others were throwing her when they saw who she was smiling at, which caused her to laugh.
Antonio led her towards her seat at the dining table. The group laughed and ate and enjoyed each other's company. They tried to get together like this at least once a month to keep in touch. The younger kids and teens spent most of their days together at the beach or helping to run the various aspects of their family businesses. Some helped at the villas others helped at the various establishments that their family ran.
The meal concluded and Marie followed them into the large ballroom. Antonio stayed by her side as the music started. There was a wide variety of music being played; from the more local sounds to Latin dances. Marie watched them all pair off laughing and dancing together. Silvano stepped forward and offered her his hand. He had been teaching her the different dances over the summer. They discovered that she knew some of the more formal ballroom dances as part of her upbringing but took joy in introducing her to the other dances.
Silvano pulled her close with a playful grin as a Latin dance song began. The two of them laughed as Silvano began to lead her in a bachata dance routine. The two of them were laughing and having fun dancing, no realizing that the others had stopped to watch them. It was a rather risqué dance for them to be dancing as friends, but they were having fun with it. Marie laughed as Silvano spun her out and then pulled her back in towards him and dipped her back as the music stopped.
The family were cheering and clapping as they stood up and took a cheeky bow. Marie was laughing and smiling up at Silvano. He winked at her as he accepted a glass of wine from Francis. Marie laughed and went over to Antonio. He slung his arm over her shoulder and laughed with his cousins as they were talking.
Partway through the evening Marie got a sick feeling of dread in her stomach. A cold chill ran down her spine and she stood and left the room quickly. Her medallion warmed as she raced up the stairs, ignoring the calls from Antonio and Silvano. She reached her room and quickly shed her dress and called for a house elf to bring her combat gear. She pulled on a sports bra and her tactical pants. As she was reaching for her black tank top Antonio threw her door open. She turned and looked at him in question as she pulled her shirt over her head.
Antonio, his brothers, Francis and his father followed Marie as she raced through the house. She had gone pale and trembled in his grasp before she fled. There were only two other times that she had done so that summer and both times his fellow Slytherins had reported something big. Both of those times Marie had come back battered and bruised, but alive.
"You've been called?" Franco asked quietly.
"Yes," Marie choked out. "Something bad is going to happen. I can feel that this time it's going to be bad. You need to let the others know. I realize that it's late, but they need to be made aware and need to be prepared for what may happen.'
Marie turned back to getting the rest of her gear on. She quickly put on her boots and began strapping on her various weapons. She had knives of varying length and her wand in a wrist holster. Marie tucked her medallion into her shirt and pulled her hair back in a braid. Standing she faced her friends. These males had come to be like family to her. Swallowing a lump in her throat she hugged them each, but she refused to say goodbye. She told them that she would see them later and activated her portkey to Dorcha Gaol.
Her feet slammed into the cobblestone walkway of the central courtyard as the portkey arrived. Marie tossed the portkey to one of the waiting century guards and walked swiftly to the briefing room. Miles, her lieutenant, had the team assembled and was waiting to be briefed. Their Ministry contact had sounded the alarm and Marie's friends on the inside had alerted her through their watches. The room was sealed and the rest of the Gaol was put on high alert. Marie had a sinking feeling as Miles and the Ministry contact briefed the group.
There would be mass, simultaneous attacks on Muggles and Muggleborns throughout Britain. Marie felt sick as she listened to the battle plan that Lucius had managed to pass along. He and Theo had reported to the box in Gringott's a list of the new recruits as well as the full scale outline of the attacks. The Death Eaters apparently had someone inside of the Ministry because they were able to get a list of known Muggleborns and their families. Messages were sent out to as many of them as possible. Marie had the Muggleborns in the compound give as many of them on the list phone calls as possible, but there were still too many people to contact.
Marie left the room and called for her leather corset vest. She put it on and went to her set of rooms to make her final preparations. They were scheduled to leave in a couple of minutes. Drawing deep calming breaths, Marie left the room to rejoin her team. Carefully keeping her face blank she entered the room and drew into herself a bit. As per their ritual, each of them traced ruins of protection, strength, courage, strategy, and wisdom on themselves and each other.
Now the adrenaline was kicking in and the teams were getting pumped up. Aurors and Hit-wizards were brought in to supplement Marie's task forces. Many of the battle hardened wizards had a difficult time taking orders from Marie, but soon realized that she knew what she was talking about. She was clearly in charge, if they didn't like it they would be obliviated and sent back to the Ministry with a black mark on their records. None of them were willing to sacrifice their careers over following orders. All of them were sworn to secrecy and prepared to fight alongside the petite teenager.
Marie paced back and forth waiting for the synchronized portkeys to activate. Miles put a calming hand on her arm and she settled in with a grim look on her face. Five…four…three…two…one. The portkeys activated and the five teams of ten were sent spiraling off into the night. When they arrived spell fire was already being thrown across the perimeter. The warders set about warding the area and establishing a perimeter. There was a full group of offensive and defensive wizards giving cover and exchanging fire. Marie and her two teams moved forward to take care of the hostage situation.
Standing orders were simple. Stun the enemy, disarm, shackle and then portkey them to the holding cells. They worked through the enemy ranks brutally. Marie was pretty clear with her orders. They were not to use lethal force unless absolutely necessary as there would be friendlies on the inside undercover.
Marie and her teams sustained heavy fire and many of her team members were injured in the extraction and rescue of the victims. The battle was drawn out and lasted roughly twenty minutes. Luckily for them, the Muggleborns that they had called were already gone from the location when the attack began, but for the Muggle neighbors it wasn't as lucky. The husband was tortured and killed, while the wife and children watched. It was a similar scene at the three or four neighboring houses. Marie and her team finally extracted the family, while the other team gave them cover. Reinforcements were arriving as Marie and her team portkeyed the victims away to safety.
When they touched down in the compound, Marie's knees gave out. The Dark curse she took as they were leaving struck her on her right leg. Searing pain coursed through her veins as she heard a shout of alarm from Miles. He scooped her up and barked out orders for the victims to be brought to the infirmary. Marie was rushed there by Miles who swore when she lost consciousness.
The doors to the infirmary were thrown open. Marie was laid on a bed and the Healers rushed forward to work on the young woman. They were able to neutralize and reverse the curse as well as seal and heal the wound, though it would tender for a few weeks. The Healers administered Blood Replenisher and tried to awaken her.
Marie groaned as she came back to consciousness. She heard voices around her, but couldn't quite open her eyes. Despite her fatigue and pain, she could swear that she had heard Dorea scolding someone. Marie fought to open her eyes and drew a shaky, pained breath when someone touched her right leg where the curse had hit her.
"Come on piccola," Franco urged her. "Open those green eyes for me."
Elena sat next to her and spoke to her softly. "Marie, you need to wake up now child. We need you to tell us what happened and what we need to do next."
Marie fought for consciousness. She knew that she was safe and back to the compound, but she just couldn't seem to get her eyes to open. Groaning she tried to move, but felt hand keep her lying in place. The voices of her friends were urging her to wake up, so she kept trying to wake. Marie cracked her eyes open and blinked against the bright lights of the infirmary. She saw that her Guardians and their children were all present as well as the pale and shaken looking Minister.
The Minister's team of advisers looked around in shock at the compound and the numbers of people that Marie had assembled to work for her and she smirked internally in response. Let them be scared and rethink their decision, it was already too late. Marie would be reaching out to as many Muggleborns as she could track down and bringing them into her compound. Marie and her group were essentially assembling their own army and defense force that would be working behind the scenes for the Ministry. Basically the Ministry had turned its back on the Muggleborns who had left their world, now Marie was bringing them back in full force and putting them all on the Ministry payroll. Marie was forcing the Ministry's hand by including them. In fact she had more Muggleborns on her teams than she had Purebloods working for her.
Marie struggled to sit up and waved off the hands of her friends and Guardians. She noticed that the Prewetts, Marauders, and Zabinis all look sick seeing her laying there bloody and pale. Trying to reassure them that she was fine, she smiled to them but the affect was lost when a Healer prodded the curse site and caused her to wince in pain.
"What happened?" Marie asked. "Did everyone make it out alright? Who else was hurt?"
"Easy Marie," Miles urged her. "Everyone made it out on the extraction teams. We got our target family as well as four other neighboring families. Four adult males were either already dead or tortured to insanity before we got there though. The wives and children sustained minor injuries and some exposure to torture. We were able to capture seven of the Death Eaters before they portkeyed out."
Marie nodded grimly, "I'll want to talk to the families to check on them. We need to make sure that we contact someone on their behalf. I think it's time that we bring in the Muggle Prime Minister."
"But the Statute of Secrecy!" one of the Ministry officials exclaimed.
"There won't be any Secrecy if you don't do damage control and contact the Muggle Minister!" Marie shouted at the sputtering older man. "We can't go around obliviating everyone! There are too many people being affected now and someone is bound to notice. Minister if you want to stay in power you need to contact them, immediately and brief them."
Minister Blishwick nodded grimly and waved Marie and her team to give a full verbal report before turning to leave. He and his advisers left the compound with loud cracks of apparition. Marie laid back against the pillows of the hospital bed for a few moments before sitting up and swinging her legs over the edge.
"Oh no you don't, young lady!" One of the Healers called out bustling over towards her.
Marie waved her off, "I'm going back to Stone Manor. I'll stay there for a week or so recovering and relaxing. You're all more than welcome to come and stay. I've got a few things that I need to take care of in Britain over the next week. I'll need to make a stop at Diagon Alley to get my school things for the year as well as check in on Trinity."
Her Guardians and friends agreed to stay with her for the next two weeks. The school year would be starting in just three short weeks, so they would all need to make preparations for the coming school year. Alphard and Charlus spoke with Miles about what had gone wrong on the mission. Marie held her medallion and closed her eyes. She blocked out all of the sounds around her and willed a message to appear on the wrist watches of her friends. Their watches would activate as portkeys as soon as they were able to safely and discretely get away.
Twenty minutes later Marie was alerted to a shouting downstairs. She had gone up to her rooms to change into a fresh outfit when her Slytherins must have arrived. Rushing down the stairs she slid into the room to find the Marauders and Prewetts facing off against Lucius, Theo and five other Slytherins who were all bruised and twitching from obvious exposure to the Cruciatus Curse. Mari stepped between the two sides, causing them to immediately withdraw their wands.
"That's quite enough," Marie said in a quiet voice while glaring at the Marauders.
She turned towards her Slytherin friends and observed them carefully. Clenching her jaw, she watched them twitching in pain while trying to remain stoic. Stepping towards them, she waved over a Healer to look at them and check them over. Once she was certain that they were going to be treated, she turned back to the Gryffindors.
"You're all going to have to let go of the childish argument that just because you're Gryffindors that you're the good guys and that they're Slytherins makes them the bad guys. Without them and their intel we wouldn't have been able to save anyone," Marie told them.
"But Marie, you were hurt!" Sirius exclaimed.
"What?" Lucius said standing and checking her over to make sure that she was alright.
"Where and by whom?" Theo demanded.
"Enough!" Marie told them. "During the extraction I took a curse to the leg, but I'm fine. It's a bit sore but the Healers took care of it and healed it. I have no idea who got a lucky shot, but believe me if I did know I wouldn't be sitting here chatting. You know that I would hunt the bastard down."
"Are you alright Marie?" Theo asked quietly.
"Like I said I'm fine," she assured the tall Slytherin. "Are you alright?"
"We are fine. A little bruised, but alive," he told her. "The Dark Lord is angry. He's suspicious of his Death Eaters now and will be watching closely. We'll have to be careful. From now on we won't be able to interact with others as freely."
"I understand. I'll have to make sure that I keep my distance from those strictly on the Light side of things." Marie mused. "I'll have to make sure that I present myself as Gray, which I am. I don't necessarily agree with either side, but I refuse to let innocents be killed. If that allies me with the Light, then so be it."
"It's a dangerous game that you play my friend," Lucius told her.
"I play no game," she told him. "I intend to bring the bastard down and spare as many people as possible. My goal is to help as many as I can and hopefully save others from what my family went through, or will go through, depending how you look at it. It's already happened for me. My family is gone, but hopefully my actions will be able to save others from the same fate."
The group nodded and listened as the Slytherins gave their briefing. Marie invited them to stay or visit her at Stone Manor over the next couple of weeks. She made plans with everyone to meet up in Diagon Alley. Calling a house elf, she asked to have her things packed and sent ahead to the Manor to await her arrival. The next couple of hours she spent talking over her rough itinerary and discussing the strategy for the next couple of planned missions.
When she began looking fatigued, the group escorted her through the floo to Stone Manor. The group of Slytherins that were acting as double agents for Marie took their leave of the others and made their way to their homes. They couldn't be gone for too long or there would be questions that they would be forced to answer. Marie bid them goodnight and to stay safe. She watched tiredly and with great concern as Lucius and Theo led their friends to the edge of the wards and apparated away.
Marie walked slowly, tiredly back into the boundary of the wards on her property and crossed the grounds towards the front door. Her Guardians greeted her and Elena and Dorea began fussing over her. They urged her to sit and rest and eventually brought her up to the master bedroom and tucked her in bed. They would all be staying over to watch over her in case she needed anything. The group talked for a while longer, but everyone eventually was shown to rooms that had been set aside for them by one of Marie's house elves.
Marie woke the next day and stretched in her warm bed. She was slightly disoriented when she realized that she wasn't at the compound or the Zabini Villa. Blinking tiredly, she realized that she was in fact at Stone Manor in Britain. Groaning slightly, she got up and pulled on a pair of snug, form fitting jeans and a beige camisole. She was standing barefoot in her closet looking for a shirt to wear over it when Gideon and Fabian had knocked on the door. They entered her room when she beckoned them in, but was focused on finding the shirt she had in mind. Grabbing a paisley print button up, Marie shrugged the shirt on and began buttoning it. It had three quarter sleeves and was light purple in color.
The twins sat on her bed and watched their friend carefully. They had rushed to the compound with their grandmother when the news came that she was going to a skirmish and that she had called them all together because she had a feeling that something was going to happen. When they had arrived at the compound they met Marie's other friends there and became concerned for her. When Miles had returned carrying the unconscious and injured Marie they had feared the worst.
Marie was pulling her hair back into two long braids as she turned to talk to her friends. The twins were becoming like older brothers to her. She plopped down on the bed sitting between them and they began talking about everything that had happened that summer. The twins filled her in on their adventures and escapades throughout the summer. Marie told them of her missions, her adventures in Italy. She told them all about her adventures dancing and visiting her three clubs.
They went downstairs and greeted the others in the dining room as breakfast was being laid out by the house elves. Marie thanked everyone for coming to stay with her for the next short while. The teens chatted happily about their plans for the next three weeks before their new school year started. Dorea, Elena and Augusta made plans to escort the teens to Diagon Alley the following day to get the majority of their school things. The teens would be making a few other trips without chaperones and the twins would be escorting them.
Dorea who hadn't seen much of Marie in the weeks since the previous school year had let out. She noticed that the petite young woman had toned her muscles in that time. She still had a curvy, compact little body, but she now had muscle definition and a strength to her that hadn't been there before. Dorea viewed the young woman with a critical eye, searching for any indication that she was biting off more than she could chew. Despite the fact that she was at one point over twenty, as of now she was only a fifteen year old girl. It was easy to forget her age because she was so much more mature and carried herself in a way that a normal teen wouldn't.
Marie turned and smiled at Dorea, sensing her gaze. She nodded to the older woman and turned back toward the Prewett twins and Marauders. Marie listened as the boys chatted about the shops that they wanted to go to and the new brooms that they wanted to buy.
"Who says I'm going to want to spend the entire day following you boys around checking out Quidditch stuff?" Marie teased. "I may have things of my own that I want to do. I mean it's completely plausible that I may have a date."
"Like bloody hell you do!" Gideon sputtered.
"With who?" Fabian demanded.
"Maybe I was joking," she said standing. "And maybe I wasn't."
Marie grabbed an apple and left the room with the boys trailing after her clambering for answers. Her laughter was heard down the hallway as the young men followed after her. Marie raced ahead summoning her broom and ran out the front door and reached out her hand to the broom that came zooming towards her. She launched up into the air on the broom ignoring the calls of the guys as she looped around the Manor in the warm summer breeze. The air rolling in off of the Irish Sea swirled around the Manor. She hovered in the air high above the Manor and ground and breathed deeply. In the distances she could see the shore line beyond the small village of St. Bee's. The wards around her property kept strangers out and essentially disillusioned the whole property and the surrounding area to Muggles.
A shout drew her attention back towards the entrance of the Manor. The guys had gone and gotten their own brooms and were following her up in the air. She smiled and laughed as they began passing a Quaffle back and forth between one another. The group played for a while and flew around laughing before Dorea came out and called them down.
Marie landed and approached her cautiously. Judging by the look on her face it wasn't going to be good news. "What's wrong?" Marie asked.
"Headmaster Dumbledore floo called Potter Manor inquiring about your whereabouts and plans for the upcoming school year Marie," Dorea told her with a pinched look on her face. "It would seem that the man may try to cause waves for you. He doesn't like being left in the dark."
Marie closed her eyes and sighed. "I knew that at some point he was going to start asking questions. The renewal of the oaths and contracts for all Ministry workers was something that would surely come to his attention, especially in regards to the contract they were signing. He was bound to figure out that it was somehow linked to me."
"Charlus and the others tried to hold him off, but I fear that he's demanding to speak with you," Dorea told her.
"It would seem that I have little choice but to placate the old man. I will of course require the presence of my attorneys and Guardian, and perhaps it would be best if we have the Minister there as well," Marie stated with a cold smirk. "If he wants a fight so be it. I've already beat him at his own game. He can either sign the contract and keep his now limited power within the government, or he can give up his post and have his memory altered."
"Bloody Hell!" James stated weakly. "Just what have you gotten into Marie?"
"Both Dumbledore and the Minister thought that they could manipulate me to be their own pawn. However, I've turned it around and backed them both into a corner. Luckily the Minister is working with me. Dumbledore however seems to be set on fighting me. Too bad for him I now have the Ministry's backing," Marie told them. "Change is coming. I've begun setting things up so that when the time comes I'll bring everything to a halt. I may not be able to do so now, but I will be able to when I go back home. I'm setting the board in my favor."
"Just be careful, yeah?" Remus said while putting a hand on her shoulder. His eyes flashed amber and the muscle in his jaw ticked for a moment.
"You know that I will Moony," Marie said. "Just so you know Moony. You'll always have a home and be welcome here or any of my other properties. I know that you are afraid of yourself when you change, but there's a ward set on each of my properties that would keep you in and you'd be able to run free."
"I can't ask that of you Marie," he said thickly.
"You didn't ask Remus, but I'm still offering," she told him with a soft smile. "My home is your home."
He nodded to her and gave her a shaky smile as she passed by him and the rest of the Marauders towards the Manor. The twins trailed after her, the refused to leave her side. Marie entered the main parlor where her Guardians were waiting and nodded to them. She noticed that her attorneys were present.
"I'm assuming that the nosey old man is expecting us to welcome him here?" she stated sternly. "Well he's sorely mistaken if he thinks that he'll ever be welcome to any of my homes or properties. We'll have to meet him at Hogwarts. He's my Headmaster only as such I shall meet him at the school. Can we have word sent to Professor McGonagall and the other Heads of Houses to make sure that they're present? The Board of Governors should probably be given word that the Headmaster is contacting a student outside of school demanding an audience with her."
"Oh you devious child," Dorea laughed coldly. "How you're not in my former House I'll never understand. We'll make sure that the necessary people are present and informed."
Marie nodded and stood looking out the windows as the adults set about contacting the people that would need to be there for the meeting and confrontation with the Headmaster. She looked outside towards the sea and willed her powers to stay calm. It would do her no good to lose control and to unleash her Elements on the old fool. In the background she could hear the murmur of voices preparing to confront the Headmaster at Hogwarts.
Within the hour Marie, her Guardians and attorneys, the Minister and his entourage as well as the Board of Governors were making their way up the path towards the main entrance of Hogwarts. Professors McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick, and Slughorn were all at the entrance waiting for them. Marie greeted them as the group headed into the main foyer. Dumbledore walked swiftly down the hallway to meet them. The twinkle in his eye was not present and there was a grim set to his mouth and appearance.
"I had hoped to meet with you alone Marie," Dumbledore stated. "Surely we don't need all of the people present to discuss the delicate nature of our conversation."
"Headmaster Dumbledore that is where you are wrong," Marie told him harshly. "You're my Headmaster while I'm present at school. You have no business contacting me about things that are not school related. I can assure you that which you wish to discuss has already been decided and put into play by people who need to know. As you have already guessed, that doesn't include you."
"You don't understand what you're doing child," he said in a grandfatherly voice. "Perhaps I may be of assistance to you. Surely the wording of the contracts isn't what I think it is?"
"Headmaster, I neither want nor need your help. As you can see my attorneys and Guardians have taken great care of me," she told him with a smile. "The wording is exactly as it is and the Minister is in agreement. We've come to an accord and decided what would be the most mutually beneficial arrangement."
"Now see here, you simply cannot just hold that much power!" he said, losing his placating and harmless appearance. "You're going Dark!"
Marie laughed in response. "That's your answer for everything, isn't it? Anyone who dares to stand against you and disagrees with you is going Dark. You're a fool who can't see past his own agenda. Perhaps you are a Light wizard, but the fact that I've declared myself Gray doesn't make me Dark or Light. If I could I'd stay out of it and remain neutral, however with the murders of my family that's not possible."
"Revenge is not the answer," he told her sternly.
"Perhaps not," she conceded, "but doing nothing isn't either. I'll fight for what I believe to be right. I'll do what I feel is best given the situation, but I'm not going to ask your permission. Push me further old man and I'll pull myself from your school and hire tutors. As it is I could sit my NEWTs in a few months, I don't need you or this school."
"Albus!" McGonagall scolded. "That is quite enough! You've got no place bothering students during the summer. I warned you not to interfere. If she leaves this school you had better be prepared for the backlash on both sides. She's got friends on both sides of this war!"
The Governors issues him a formal warning, and made a note in his records. The Minister and his officials laid into him for interfering with their jurisdiction. Marie working with them was top secret and they would be looking into how he knew about her involvement. There were be citations and punishments handed out to anyone that compromised the operation. He was given strict orders to sign the contract and comply, or to have his memory of Marie and anything about her wiped completely. He spluttered, but eventually caved and signed the contract to keep his position in the Ministry. The final insult to him was the warning issued by all other parties that he was not to contact Marie for any reason. Her Guardians and attorneys were to be contacted first. He was also warned about contacting student directly. Heads of Houses were to be contacted first and accompany students should they require an audience with the Headmaster.
Marie and her group left a thoroughly chastised and neutralized Headmaster. She returned to find her friend pacing the parlor of her home waiting for news. Gideon and Fabian pulled her to sit between them as she explained what had happened. None of them could believe the behavior of the Headmaster. Marie told them that they would all have to be cautious around the old man from now on. She feared that he would use them to get to her.
The rest of the summer passed by in a blur. Marie and her friends soon found themselves packed and on their way to King's Cross Station to catch the train back to school for the year. Marie had her hair pulled back half up with the rest flowing down her back. She was wearing a tea length dress with cap sleeves in a flowing chiffon material and a pair of strappy sandals. Franco was pushing her trunk along and Elena was walking with her arm looped through Marie's.
She walked with her shoulders back and back straight. Her gait was steady with a little bit of sass in it. Marie waved to the people that she knew and grinned at her friends who were waiting for her on the platform. Theo and Lucius stepped forward and bowed over her hand in an exaggerated greeting. She laughed throatily and winked at them as they helped to put her trunk on the train. Marie waved toward the Marauders and allowed the Prewetts to step up beside her and help her board the train. Her behavior was reverting back to the poised, cultured young woman that she needed to be viewed as in public. Her things were stored with the twins but she visited her Slytherin friends. Antonio had her sit next to him as he told his friends about their summer together. She laughed merrily when he regaled them of the stories of their beach and dancing adventures. An hour later her escorted her back to the twins and took his leave.
Marie grinned and sat between the twins and greeted Dorcas and her roommates. The girls had come in search of Marie when the train had left the station. They commented on her tan and Marie grinned mischievously.
"Well we went to the beach often," she explained. "I laid out on a blanket in my bathing suit to get a tan, so that would probably explain the tan."
"Really?" Dorcas asked with a grin. "Did you bring your suits with you?"
"Of course I did!" Marie said in mock surprise. "What else would I swim in?"
"And where exactly do you plan on swimming?" Gideon asked.
"Too right. The Giant Squid is in the Lake among other things," Fabian added.
Marie pouted, "Well I guess I'll just have to settle for sun bathing and swimming in the prefects' bathroom."
"How do you know about that?" Gideon asked.
Marie grinned and winked, "Now that would be telling."
The group laughed and began talking about the rest of their summers and what they hoped for the upcoming year. The train ride seemed to fly by for Marie. Of course that may have a bit to do with her falling asleep on Gideon's shoulder, but who's to say really. The lady pushing the snack trolley came by and the group bought a collection of sweets to share. Fabian nudged Marie awake and offered her a bit of chocolate.
A short while later, they all changed into their school robes. When the train pulled into the station the boys escorted the ladies off of the train and to the waiting carriages. Marie stopped and stared at the winged creatures pulling them and shuddered. The others gently led her to the carriage and helped her into the seat. Gideon and Fabian sat on either side of her and murmured to her quietly, making sure that she was alright. She knew that the creatures were and what seeing them meant. It was a gruesome reminder of what she had lost.
They jumped down and helped each of the girls from the carriage. Lucius and his group stood nearby and checked in to make sure that Marie was alright. They had all sensed that something was bothering her. Once they were certain that she was alright, they made their way towards the castle. She waved towards Regulus and Rabastan whom she hadn't seen since the end of the school year. Nodding her head toward Severus, she noticed that he seemed withdrawn and made not to talk to him later.
Her group of friends led her towards the center of the Gryffindor table and the boys made sure the girls were seated first before taking places near them. Marie smiled in thanks and realized that they had taken up positions around her. Looking around the hall she noticed that her friends from each of the Houses were nodded to her and smiling. Many of the young men rolled up their sleeves in a lazy gesture and had their watches showing. Most of them glanced around to see who else was wearing a watch. Marie grinned and held her medallion and sent feelings of gratitude and happiness towards her friends and allies. Her network had reached far and wide and would become an important group for the coming years.
The Hall went silent for the Sorting and the speech of the Headmaster. Marie and her friends chatted happily throughout the feast and ignored the catty and snide remarks made by Priscilla and her group. It was clear that the feelings between them hadn't changed. Marie laughed as she watched the girl try to fawn all over some of the boys in Marie's group, only to be brushed aside and shrugged off.
Soon the feast was over and the students were being escorted to their House Common Rooms. Marie followed the group and ignored Priscilla who was making pithy comments along the way. Gideon and Fabian were becoming fed up with it, but Marie told them to just ignore the obviously juvenile and jealous girl. Priscilla stomped her foot and shrieked in frustration when she was unable to get a rise out of Marie or her friends. Marie just laughed at her as she walked past her.
Once the password was given, the prefects escorted the First Years up to their dorms. Priscilla rounded on Marie and began to criticize everything from her hair to her clothing to her upbringing. Marie rolled her eyes as she shrugged her school robes off. Gideon assisted her and handed her the garment. The two talked quietly ignoring the other girl.
"You're absolutely disgusting you know that right?" Priscilla said viciously.
"What are you harping about now?" Marie asked in a bored tone.
"You, you're absolutely disgusting. Both of them, really?" Priscilla asked with a malicious smirk. "One isn't good enough for you now?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. This isn't the first time that you've made false accusations about my personal life. They're my friends, apparently a concept that is foreign to you," Marie told her in a condescending drawl. "It is possible to be friends with someone of the opposite sex and not be involved with them romantically."
"Right, like I believe that! You spent the entire summer with the Zabinis and then the rest of it with your friends, none of which were females might I add." Priscilla said snidely.
"You're really not going to let that go are you? My Guardians have been fortunate and blessed to have sons to carry on their family names. That is merely a coincidence I assure you. I, as I've stated before, am waiting until I find the right person before I become involved. I've got too many responsibilities at the moment to worry about such things." Marie told her quietly.
"Rumor has it that you were seen out dancing with both Antonio and then his brother Silvano this summer. I've also heard that you were seen at a number of dance clubs as well. Is it really true that there are Quidditch recruiters contacting?" one of Priscilla's friends asked.
Marie laughed, "Yes all of that is true. I did go dancing with the Zabinis. I did go to night clubs and a few concerts this summer. And yes, I've got a few Quidditch teams looking to recruit me when I'm older."
"You're an attention seeking liar," Priscilla hissed at her. "You're nothing more than a-"
Marie had stood up by now and her hands were glowing, "Nothing more than a what?" she bit out coldly. "Oh you're frightened now? Not frightened nearly enough. Keep pushing me little girl and I'll wipe the floor with you. Stay away from me and mine and we'll get along just fine. Cross me again…" she trailed off and the other girls fled.
Marie closed her eyes and drew calming breaths. She drew her powers back in and forced herself to calm down. This was not how she had envisioned starting the year, but if that little brat and her friends wanted a fight, they'd get one. Taking a deep breath she opened her eyes and found her Housemates watching her quietly.
"Bloody Hell Marie," Peter squeaked out.
"Well I think you showed great restraint," Remus said. "Personally I was getting ready to hex the chit."
There were murmurs of agreement in the Common Room. Marie and her roommates took their leave of the others and headed up towards their dorm. Marie walked past the Sixth Year dorm and glared at the door where she knew that Priscilla and her friends were hiding. She and her friends continued up to the last landing where the Seventh Year dorm was. It was much larger and had bigger more spaced out furniture. Marie grinned and went to the bed where her stuff was waiting.
The girls all changed into their lounge wear and prepared for bed. Marie and her roommates came up with a plan to prank Priscilla and her friends. They tiptoed down to the boys dorms and conspired with the Prewetts and Marauders. Once they had the right charms and hexes, Marie and her roommates snuck back up the stairs. Marie used her wandless power to open the door silently and cloak their presence. They each approached a bed and set about drawing on their faces with lipstick. Marie was the one to cast the spells, again wandlessly so it couldn't be traced. Once they were done they tiptoed out of the room up to their dorm and climbed into bed giggling. They went to bed and fell asleep. It was the infuriated and horrified shrieks of the Sixth Year girls that woke the whole tower the next morning.
Marie woke up and grinned at her roommates, "This is going to be a fun year!" she said as they all got up laughing and preparing for the new school year.