(Disclaimer: I own or claim none of J.K. Rowling's work or characters, the only character that I claim is Marie.)
Author's Note: I just wanted to say a special thanks to those of you that have hung in there so far with this story. It's a work in progress, but I know how I want everything to work out. I appreciate the feedback. Please be advised this chapter is a bit gruesome... onward.
Wishes
Chapter11
The months and weeks leading up to December fifth went by in a blur for Marie and her friends and pseudo family. She spent time at each of her estates and those of her Guardians and friends, strengthening the wards and making sure that everyone knew the plan. They all felt ill listening to her plans and her "just in case" backups should things go wrong.
Marie wasn't ignorant to the fact that things could and probably would go wrong. She set up contingency plans to make sure that her friends and family were protected should the worst come to pass. She felt comfortable going ahead knowing that she had done everything that she possibly could to make sure that they all survived.
That's not to say that she spent all of her time planning and brooding. Most often she was found in the company of her friends. She tried to get them all to relax and enjoy the peaceful moments while they all could. Terror had already begun striking their age group. The battle lines were drawn and sides were picked.
With each passing day there were more and more confrontations and the stakes were high. Attacks were increasing and the casualties were mounting on both sides. Marie's Guardians continued to do what they could to increase the protections on their homes and those in their family. The extended family members were under strict orders not to adjust the wards or let anyone not approved of by the Head of Family into the properties.
Marie made frequent trips to visit her Guardians and friends. She spent as much time with them as she could and with each passing day the ache inside of her increased. She had no way of knowing if she would make it or if they would if she came out on the other side alright. She was terrified of what may occur and the world that she may reappear in twenty years out.
Francis and the Prewetts as well as some of her other friends were frequently in her company, particularly when she would step out for social events. For obvious reasons her friends that were on the inside, such as Lucius and Theo, were unable to interact with her publicly since she had declared she would stand with the Minister and Ministry. They would still sneak away to visit with her when they could.
Narcissa and the de Lucas were still in touch with her and would still interact with her. Some of her former roommates kept in touch, but Dorcas was the first to call victim to the attacks. She had survived the initial attack on her family, only to be tracked down and attacked by the Dark Lord personally. She did not survive.
There was an attempt to take on the Potters, but their wards had essentially eviscerated those attempting to breach them. Other attempts were not made on their properties, though Charlus was facing increasing hostility publicly from the Dark faction. Dorea being a Daughter of House Black could stop people cold with a stare.
Marie had a terrible feeling that some if not all of her Guardians would not survive the war. She also mourned the fact that more of her friends would probably not make it as well. It pained her to know that she might be returning back to a world far worse than she was leaving. She couldn't bear the thought of losing two families.
It was with that thought in mind that she had called all of her house elves and gave them specific orders. If her friends and or family were in danger or going to perish they were to try to intervene and same them if they could, but only if it wouldn't mean them risking their own lives. The elves looked confused but Marie explained to them very carefully that she considered certain people part of her family. If there were attacks on them, she wanted her elves to step in and whisk them away to safety, going so far as to put stasis charms on them and putting them to sleep until she returned. The elves nodded and told her that they would do all that they could.
The weeks of October and November rolled by quickly. She enjoyed her time in Bulgaria. Alexei and his team mates took her under their wing and let her on their Quidditch pitch. Their manager tried to lure her to playing for them, but she just laughed it off saying that at this time she wasn't ready to play. She went to a number of their home games and sat as a guest in their owner's box.
She hosted a number of parties both at her home and Onyx with many of the team members present. Marie enjoyed her time with them and immersed herself in as much of the culture as she could while she was there. Nikolai and his family would often have her over for dinners and set about teaching her more about their culture and language. She knew some of the key phrases, but it was very rough.
It was with a strict resolve and a tearful goodbye that she departed Bulgaria in mid-November. She stopped in Italy for a week, staying with Franco and Elena. She hugged them tightly and stepped through the floo to Stone Manor the last day of November.
Her Guardians still checked in with her daily, but they knew that she was getting herself prepared for the inevitable. She had less than a week until it was the moment of truth. On December 5, 1976 her mother would give birth around eleven thirty at night. Meaning around six thirty in the evening London time, she would know one way or another.
Marie's friends and Guardians stopped in the Thursday before her impending birthday, just three short days away. Here friends still in school had been given special permission to leave for "House business." They were picked up from school on Wednesday evening and spent Thursday and Friday with Marie at Stone Manor. There was a small party at Stone Manor. She tearily accepted their gifts and relished spending what little time she had left with them. Miles and Brett hadn't allowed her to go on anymore missions since the last major confrontation. Her Guardians had supported that decision, stating that she was too important.
Her birthday fell on a Sunday, so she spent the last weekend there quietly walking around the halls of Stone Manor. Marie retreated to Stone Manor and went into seclusion after the gathering with her friends and Guardians. Brett and Miles had wanted to stay with her, but she insisted that she would be fine. She told them that they should spend time with their families and got everything ready for when she was gone. They grudgingly agreed to leave her, though they all insisted on checking in with her via the floo frequently.
She spent the last forty eight hours of her time walking her estate and going from room to room at Stone Manor, taking it all in. The ache in knowing that she would be separated from her new family and friends was nearly as painful as the loss of her biological family. It was the unknown in particular that terrified her. There was no way of knowing what she would be going back to at this point.
Marie sat down speaking with her elves one final time. She reiterated her instructions and had them repeat them back to her. If it was all possible she was taking no chances with her loved ones. She left behind written instructions and letters to all of her family and friends. Her elves and account manager at Gringott's were left specific instructions to follow in her stead. Gifts had been purchased for her friend's coming of age, their weddings, even the birth of their children to be given in her absence. It was bittersweet for Marie finding and selecting each item with care.
It was Sunday morning that found Marie was lounging in the large front parlor on a couch with a book when her floo activated. She placed the book she had been reading down and turned to the frantic cries and yells of the young woman who was trying to get a hold of her.
Marie looked at the clock and realized that it was mid-morning. She realized that some of her Guardians had luncheons and other events that they were supposed be attending that morning into the early afternoon. They had promised to check in frequently, but it still didn't explain why Marie would be getting a floo call from a young woman from the Weasley Ancestral home. The estate should have been on lock down.
"Please," the young woman said fearfully, "you've got to help they're coming."
Marie listened and heard the screams and cries of the two eldest Weasley children. She heard the shocks and banging on the wards of the home and swore. Marie grabbed her wand and flicked the fireplace to keep the floo connection open. Without a second thought, Marie stepped through and looked around the room in concern. The children were huddled nearby crying and their sitter was looking with wide eyes.
"Okay, it's going to be alright now," Marie assured them as calmly as she could. "What's your name?"
"Becca," the girl said fearfully. "My name is Becca. Mrs. Weasley floo called me earlier and said that little Percy wasn't feeling well and they needed to take him to St. Mungo's and they'd be making a stop in the Alley before returning."
Marie looked around and swore. "Alright Becca I need you to quickly step through the floo to my home Stone Manor. I'll keep the connection open long enough to get the boys through, then you need to floo for help. Try the Prewetts first and then go through the list that's on the table next to the floo you step out of."
Marie turned and crouched next to the scared boys. "Alright boys, I need you to be very brave and go with Becca."
"Auntie Marie! No! We can't leave you here!" Little Bill shouted in tears. Charlie was sobbing in response.
"Boys!" she said a little more sternly. "You need to go, see Becca is waiting. When you get there you need to floo call your Uncles Gideon and Fabian and get more help okay?"
She gently sent the two young children through the floo just in time. The floo connection cut out and she realized that she was trapped. Looking around she realized that this was it.
Meanwhile at Stone Manor Becca was trying her hardest not to break down. When the floo cut off the boys howled in fright and anger. She tried flooing all of the addresses on the list and left urgent messages with the house elves that "Miss Marie was in trouble and trapped at Weasley Hall". Her whole body trembled as she resolved herself to try flooing Prewett Manor one more time.
"Hello?! Is anyone there?" Becca called frantically.
Bill and Charlie were crying and screaming for their uncles. "Uncle Gideon, Uncle Fabian! Help! You've got to help Auntie Marie!" they cried.
Becca was startled when two identical heads crouched near the floo looking terrified. This must be Gideon and Fabian Prewett. The young men looked as though they had just gotten in from flying.
"Boys! Bill! Charlie!" Gideon called out and sighed in relief seeing his nephews safe.
"Where's Auntie Marie boys? And who's with you?" Fabian asked.
"Uncle Gideon, Uncle Fabian you've got to come quick it's Auntie Marie! She needs help! The bad men, the bad men are coming!" Charlie shouted.
"Step aside we're coming through," Gideon told them.
The twins stepped through the floo, wands drawn. "Who are you?" they asked Becca. The poor girl tearfully explained what had happened. Gideon floo'd the other homes just as Becca had. Fabian pulled his nephews and their sitter from the room and Gideon floo'd Dorcha Gaol to sound the alarm. Brett and Miles barked out orders and the rest went about getting word to the Ministry and Marie's Guardians.
Gideon and Fabian went to the edge of the wards of Stone Manor once they had made sure that their nephews were safe and apparated to Weasley Hall. It startled them when they were bounced off the wards and left outside the boundaries. They swore under their breath and worked on dismantling the anti-apparition wards in place.
Back in Weasley Hall Marie was trying to remain calm. She sent a silent prayer to keep the kids safe. Drawing a breath she prayed her friends and Guardians would be safe and make it through whatever was to come. She began chanting an ancient Druid protection spell, layering it into the remaining wards. It would essentially cause the surrounding area near the manor to become nearly sentient. The very Earth would protect the land on which the manor was standing. Stretching she rolled her shoulders and steeled herself for what she knew was going to happen. There was no going back.
The wards of the home rocked and shifted and she swallowed back her fear. She felt anti-apparition wards being thrown up as well as anti-portkey wards. The outer layers of the wards cracked and the Death Eaters marched closer to the home.
The walls of the home rattled and the door shook with the onslaught of the assault. Windows shattered and the door blew open. Debris flew around the room.
Marie glanced down and grimaced. She certainly wasn't dressed for this. Her lounge pants and shirt were ill suited for combat, but it was better than nothing. She padded across the floor in her sock clad feet. Ducking, she dodged spells coming through the windows and quickly braided back her hair.
Crouching down next to the doors in the main foyer, she began tracing runes on her arms and chest while praying to make it through this. In practiced motions she traced the runes for strength, courage, protection, endurance, honor, wisdom and many others. Stretching, she psyched herself up for the confrontation. Outside she heard the cackling and her blood boiled listening to Bellatrix rant and rave about the Dark tosser.
How could she? They were just children that she was attacking and she was laughing about it. They were magical children, Purebloods even. They hypocrisy of it all didn't make sense to Marie. There were others present. Marie felt out with her magic and felt thirteen distinct magical signatures.
Drawing a breath she waited for the next volley of spells and braced herself to retaliate. The wind outside picked up and the ground bucked as she drew on her powers. The answering shouts let her know that they were aware of her presence.
Marie didn't even bother with glamour charms as she stepped out of the front doors. Drawing on her powers, she shoved the doors of the manor open and her hands flashed a blinding light, giving her the cover and opening that she needed to take a defensive position in the front garden. She dodged and ducked the spells shot her way and unleashed a series of spell chains effectively stalling the Death Eaters until she could find cover. She heard startled gasps and shouts of recognition as she came into view and knew that her ruse was up. They would know who and what she was having fought against them before.
Marie caught Rodolphus's eye and the young man looked ill at ease to be fighting her. His family magic would be rebelling and trying to dictate he protect her. When he saw that she looked around for Rabastan he shook his head discretely. He looked apologetic as he cast spell after spell towards her without any real heart in it. At his side Bellatrix looked manic and gleeful.
Out of the corner of her eye Marie saw that the others were trying to surround her. With a wave of her hand she knocked them back and sent them reeling. She called on Earth to take on those who had previous harmed children. She willed magic to judge them and take back what they had taken for granted. Lightning arced and slammed down, leaving a pile of ash where there once had been a Death Eater. The rumble of the ground caused those same men to try to turn and flee. The Earth sank and swallowed them. A ways away another four Death Eaters were pinned by plumes and pikes of Earth, immobilizing them, until they eventually went still.
Marie trembled as she was now fighting five on one. The curses exchanged were getting progressively Darker and she was tiring quickly when she heard pops of apparition and felt the outer ward the Death Eaters had erected dismantled. There was a shout and Gideon and Fabian ran towards the melee.
Marie had been momentarily distracted but it was enough for Bellatrix to press her advantage. Bellatrix had conjured a fire whip and lashed out, catching Marie in the side, bringing her down to her knees in agony. Dolohov laughed menacingly as he crouched next to the Marie. His fetid breath assaulted her senses as she heard one of the others whisper a spell causing her to screaming agony. It was pain like nothing she had ever felt before.
Her arms were pulled, drawn out before her and staked into the ground with crude wooden stakes. McNair looked positively gleeful with himself. Rodolphus looked on in horror. This was not what he had signed up for. He felt ill as he watched his wife draw back the fire whip repeatedly, raining down searing blows onto the back of the vulnerable petite witch.
Gideon and Fabian had rounded the corner and cried out in horror seeing Marie bleeding profusely and gravely injured. They fought with everything that they had but even fighting four on two was too much. Marie watched in agony as Gideon and Fabian were struck down and kneeling gasping in front of their foes. She called Tidbit and shouted for the elf to get the Prewetts out of there. Tidbit hesitated and Marie ordered the elf to follow orders.
Gideon and Fabian fought and cried out for Marie as they were whisked away. Bellatrix turned on her once more, but Rodolphus tried to stop her, thus causing the two of them to square off. This left the remaining three Death Eaters to advance on the fallen girl.
Bellatrix turned to Marie in a whole new level a fury and fired a Cruciatus at her. She held it before she released it briefly and fired another. By then Rodolphus had seen enough and stepped in, turning his wand on his crazed wife. Bellatrix shot him a look of betrayal before facing off against her husband.
Marie's body wracked with pain from the Cruciatus Curse. Dolohov kicked her viciously in the ribs while the other two laughed. McNair cast a spell she didn't know and the pain blinded her as she felt the stakes in her hands rotating slowly, tearing away at the flesh. She nearly passed out from the pain when it stopped.
Marie refused to cry out. Her medallion heated up to the point where it was nearly burning the skin on her chest. Blood was now coating her body. It had dripped on the medallion and triggered something that she hadn't foreseen happening. The three Death Eaters turned their wands on Marie in unison just as the clock struck the hour when her mother was laboring to bring her into the world.
Marie felt a vortex of power awakening. Lightning arced in the sky slamming down on the ground around her, dispersing the Death Eaters. One bolt nearly hit Bellatrix, who was startled from her madness. The young woman looked down at the girl, a classmate, and a look of horror passed across her face, a single tear trekked down her pale cheek. Rodolphus looked at his young wife and knew that she felt some regret and sorrow.
The look was quickly schooled behind and indifferent mask. The other three Death Eaters were fleeing, dodging the lightning raining down from the skies. Rodolphus grabbed his wife's arm and dragged her away, looking down on Marie regretfully. He waved his wand over his shoulder, releasing her from the stakes, but it only caused her to begin bleeding more profusely.
Marie lay gasping on the ground as the wind swirled around her. They cyclone picked up and the ground roiled with the shock waves of power rolling off of Marie. She closed her eyes and let the darkness take her. Across Great Britain and the continent there were startled gasps and horrifying realizations that something was wrong. One thought rang through many minds, something had happened to Marie.
There was a bright flash and a rumble. A large explosion shot out far and wide, leveling Weasley Hall. The wards collapsed and there was nothing but a pool of blood where Marie had been pinned. The wands of the twins were found nearby as well.
When reinforcements arrived, they found the smoking rubble of ruins. Molly and Arthur Weasley arrived back home in shock and near hysteria. Lady Prewett rounded on her granddaughter with a look of such revulsion that Molly stopped short. Arthur's own relatives looked at them disdainfully.
"You!" Lady Prewett said in fury, "This is all your fault. You cannot even follow the simplest instructions can you?"
"Grandmother, please," Molly cried, "my boys where are my boys?"
"Your sons are safe no thanks to you! As for our relation? You are no relative of mine!" Lady Prewett stated coldly.
"Please!" Molly was sobbing now. She looked to her parents only to see their furious looks and accusing glares. "Mother? Father?"
"Molly Weasley, you are hereby cast out of the Prewett family and are revoked from the family magics," Lady Prewett stated clearly. "Through your actions you have caused the fall of your husband's ancestral home, risked the lives of your children, as well as the disappearance and possible death of your brothers as well as Marie, a ward of my family. For this I deem you unworthy, so mote it be."
Molly gasped when she felt the family magic leave her. She looked around in confusion, where were her brothers? Where were her sons? What had happened? They were returning from Diagon Alley when Arthur felt the wards being disturbed.
"I have half a mind to have the children taken from you for this," Lady Prewett went on. "You were given simple instructions. Do not leave the Hall, do not change the wards or allow anyone in. Their blood is on your hands for this. As for you Arthur, you are no longer welcome in our homes."
Molly looked to her husband holding their fussy infant. He looked at her sharply and shook his head. She had been the one to insist that they needed to bring Percy to St. Mungo's. It turns out he just had a bought of the flu and would be fine. She had been the one to insist on a sitter.
Albus had told them that the wards would be fine and that Becca could be trusted. The Weasleys and Dumbledore had no way of knowing that the Ministry mole had been listening in on the conversation and someone had tagged Becca before she entered their wards.
Molly tried to explain that Dumbledore had ensured them it would be fine and safe. Arthur tried to stop her, but his wife wouldn't hold her tongue. He felt the weight of the gazes from their families on them, him in particular.
Lady Prewett drew herself up and faced her former granddaughter. "Because Albus Dumbledore knows all does he? I suppose you went against our word and told him all about the wards and the protections set in place," she said viciously.
Molly and Arthur had the decency to look embarrassed and ashamed. Dumbledore had talked to them and ensure them that they would be safe, that their boys would be fine. He told them that the Order would keep them safe and that the Order was doing right, for the Greater Good.
Arthur was fully beginning to realize the weight of the mistake that they had made. Molly knew deep down they had been wrong, even though she tried to deny it. Arthur though, head of his branch of the family was now facing a shunning of his own. While his grandfather wouldn't cast him out of the family they made it clear they wanted nothing to do with them. They would be effectively cut off and left to their own devices since they seemed to know what was best for themselves and their family, though they did say that they would continue to have a part of the children's lives for their sake.
Molly dropped to her knees and opened her arms for her sons as they were escorted through the property by Francis Zabini. He looked around grimly, searching for Marie. When he had been told what had happened, the howl of grief and fury he let out was animalistic.
Francis fell to his knees next to the blood soaked spot on the ground where Marie had disappeared from. He snapped off a patronus message and wept. There were a series of pops of apparition as Marie's Guardians and friends appeared in full force. They rounded on Molly and Arthur before turning to where Francis was opening weeping for his friend.
Lucius arrived looking around with wide eyes. It couldn't possibly be true. Not Marie he chanted mentally. Please not Marie. He raced across the grounds and found a group of Marie's friends assembling. He turned towards Arthur and Molly, walking toward them while barely containing the anger that had been building. Emotions swamped the normally composed Pureblood. His friends tried to hold them back, but he shrugged them off.
"Arthur Weasley," he addressed the broken looking man in front of him. "As protector and friend of Lady Stone, I name you and your wife oath breakers. As such I shall no longer have anything to do with you. Me and mine will shun you and yours for your part in this tragedy. Pray that she arrives on the other side and lives, if she does not I shall seek magic to take retribution for your betrayal in this."
"Now see here," Molly began, but Arthur cut her off.
"That's enough Molly!" the normally calm man bit out angrily. "Enough! We went against our families and the instructions set in place to keep us safe. We are in the wrong, not anyone else."
"But Arthur-"
"Enough," Arthur said once more. "You will hold your tongue. That is a direct order from your Head of House. You will remain silent. I will not forget your part in this and never forgive myself for mine. I should have never listened to you or Dumbledore."
Arthur bowed his head towards Lucius in acknowledgment. "I apologize for my part in this terrible loss and tragedy. I know that we can never change this, but I hope to one day earn back my family's honor and respect," Arthur said sadly.
Lucius sneered at the older man. "What you've done today will never go away. You have no idea what it is you've done. If she doesn't make it, everything is lost," Lucius said before being dragged away by Antonio.
Molly didn't understand. What was so important and special about the girl? Her brothers, her poor baby brothers! She was right that the girl would get them killed. This just proved it!
As if sensing her thought Arthur glared as his wife, who put her head down and flushed in anger and embarrassment. He would sit down and talk to her later. Enough was enough, she needed to be reined in and shown that they were wrong. Poor Marie, he thought. The guilt and grief swamped him when he thought of his brother in laws.
A shout rang out and Lady Prewett nearly collapsed when the twins' wands had been found. Molly's parents were inconsolable because the wands were found not far from where Marie disappeared from, right next to the rubble of Weasley Hall.
Aurors arrived on the scene and Marie's friend from the "other" side slipped away unnoticed. They started searching the rubble for survivors and to see what could be salvaged. Family heirlooms and priceless objects were piled. Destroyed objects and furniture were pieced together as best they could. What could be salvaged of the wreckage was piled to one side.
In all honesty it was a mess. Having been shunned and cast aside by their families, Molly and Arthur would be left to their own devices. Arthur's kin set aside money for the children to attend Hogwarts, and some to build a new home, but it would not be near the splendor of the Ancestral Hall that had been lost.
In a matter of days a roughshod home was pieced together from the wreckage of their former home. Magic kept it together, but they did the best that they could. Molly's parents would still see the boys, and tearfully would acknowledge their former daughter, but that was the extent of the interaction.
Similar could be said for Arthur. His family would spend time with the boys and politely, yet coldly interact with Arthur and Molly. They had gone against family decree and family magic. Arthur had been on the fast track at the Ministry, but now he was no longer on the fast track for moving up. Minister Blishwick personally made sure there was a mark in the man's record. Marie had been given "special agent" like status from the Ministry. For the Weasleys to be responsible for her severe injuries and possible death was inexcusable and unacceptable, especially when she had done so much.
Back in Stone Manor, Tidbit had placed Stasis Charms on the Prewett twins. They had fought to get back to Mistress Marie, but Tidbit would do as his Mistress had instructed. He made sure that the Prewetts would be in a deep sleep until Mistress returned. Though he could not completely stop them from aging, he could slow it down a great deal. And so the loyal elf watched over Stone Manor, with his special and secret charges hidden in a warded room. He waited, as did all the other elves, to step in and do their Mistress's bidding.
The years that followed were not kind or easy. With each passing month it got more dark and dangerous. Lord and Lady Potter were lured from their Manor and cut down in an attack the following. James was inconsolable as was Sirius. James had come of age and took up the mantle of Lord Potter. Sirius had run away that summer, refusing to take the mark. He tearfully said good bye to his brother and urged him to stay safe.
Shortly after Alphard fell to an attack. It had been violent and brutal. Sirius and Regulus were at a loss. Gone was the one relative that seemed to understand and look out for them.
Regulus was forced to do what his brother would not. Rabastan followed family decree and took the mark. He loathed it, his brother sensing this, did what he could to shield him from the worst of it. Rodolphus seemed to regret his decision and was sickened by his part in the attack at Weasley Hall. There was no going back for him now though, and he was now married to Bellatrix.
Lucius, Theo, Caius, and the countless others continued passing information and doing what they could. It proved futile though when Minister Blishwick was voted out of office despite the protest of Marie's Guardians. Minister Bagnold was voted in and a new era began. She was still subject to the same oaths and contract that her predecessor had to sign, but she often chose to ignore the intel, scoffing that those from the dark side would or could help.
Dark days were ahead and passed. Severus tried to remain friends with Lily, but it ended rather abruptly and publicly in an argument. He and the Marauders never saw eye to eye but the animosity reached new levels. Though they had all managed to remain polite for Marie's sake, they were just teens after all.
It was the fall of nineteen seventy nine that Regulus discovered the horrifying truth about the Dark Lord. He sent word to Lucius via Dorcha Gaol, before he set out to do what he could to stop the madman. He hated bowing to the Dark usurper.
Entering the cave he ordered Kreacher to take the locket Horcrux and never tell anyone about it. He charged his faithful elf with destroying it and ordered him to leave. Regulus crawled towards the water as the insatiable thirsty overtook his senses. The potion pumped thickly through his veins as he heard a pop and was whisked away from the island just as the first Inferi surfaced from the black depths.
Tidbit nursed him back to health and put him in a deep slumber like the Prewett Twins. He was a good and faithful elf. He would do his Mistresses bidding. Even now he could feel her, she was alive and well somewhere. He would wait for her return.
Sirius took the news of his brother's disappearance and apparent death rather badly. He became enraged and reckless in his confrontations with the Death Eaters. He was one of the fighters on the front lines taking as many of the other side out as possible. It was only the flash of a wrist watch that would stay his hand.
Dumbledore for all his manipulations, tried to do his best to rally the Light to fight against the rising Dark. When Sybil gave her prophecy, he had been sickened and horrified. Later when Severus had gone to him begging to protect Lily and the Potter family. They would have been safe had they not listened to Dumbledore and stayed behind their protective wards at Potter Manor. Dumbledore however convinced them to stay at Godrics Hollow, which in the end was their downfall.
Lucius and the others that worked from the inside endured the harsh speculation and condemnation from their peers. The Minister had no choice but to let them off and "believe" their testimony that they were "under the Imperius." Marie had ensured their safety in the oaths and contracts signed, but there was still some back lash.
As for Marie, despite the fact that in real time she was growing up somewhere across the pond, the spirit of Marie that everyone had come to know and love, was in limbo. She was buried deep inside the conscious mind of a small child growing up unaware of magic. The Elemental Marie was dormant, slumbering and waiting for the Fates to awaken her.
Time seemed to pass by in a blur. Marie grew up in a privileged family from magical ancestors. Her accounts at Gringott's grew exponentially with the specific investments she suggested. Money was dispersed per her instructions, funding the growth in her network. Weres still flocked to her safe houses. Greyback had tried to gain access but was fought off and turned away for his atrocities during the war. He was not welcome by the majority of his kind.
Over the decades Marie's friends prayed that she would be alright and make it. Many forgot about the socialite young woman who had taken their society by storm for such a brief time. She became one of the faceless names in history, a casualty of the war that had plagued their people. Though there were still those that would whisper about the mysterious and elusive Lady Stone from time to time.
Marie's remaining Guardians still met regularly with her friends from both side at Dorcha Gaol. Mile and Brett along with Micah did all that they could to ensure that everything ran according to Marie's plan.
Marie's family in New England was seemingly unaware of the strangers that would often shadow them and keep watch over them. From a distance Marie's friends watched her grow from the shy little girl into the petite young woman they all recognized. It was bittersweet for her friends to watch her and know her, but realize that she wouldn't know them, not yet.
Finally the summer of nineteen ninety seven approached and the tension across Britain and the continent was coiled like a spring. In the years that had passed the Dark Lord rose again and his reign of terror was quickly spreading. For all the good Dumbledore and his Order had done in the past, they had done nothing to prepare for such an event occurring. Dumbledore had taken on three major political roles of power during this time, four if you counted him as the Leader of the Light. In that time they had done little to actively stop the Dark from rising or from stopping the prejudices of their world to continue to spread. He had kept his cards close to his chest and maintained a more reactive role in the war.
It was in short a disaster. While Marie's group was striving to follow through and maintain the plan she had set for them, it was impossible with no additional help. They watched and waited for the inevitable to happen. There was a team on standby for when the attack on Marie's family would take place, however due to being out of their jurisdiction and country they were delayed. The attack occurred and all but Marie were either tortured beyond the point in which their body and minds could handle or they were killed.
It was with heavy hearts that the group retreated back to magical Britain. With that said the American Magical Government was appalled that some of their own had been attacked and felt guilty for their part in delaying assistance to those in need. They smoothed over the burial process and handled the press and lawyers on behalf of Marie, who was listed as missing or kidnapped by her attackers.
The loss was another heavy blow to those fighting for their freedom in Magical Britain. They had just suffered the loss of Albus Dumbledore just a few short weeks before. However, rather than dispersing and disbanding, Marie's group rallied and had those willing to fight and the families of those vulnerable to attack fall behind the protective wards of Hogwarts.
Early morning on July fifteenth nineteen ninety seven across the globe many felt a pulse of heat and magic from their watches. There were startled gasps and tears of joy as they realized what it meant. The time had come and it was time to gather and prepare for the end game.
Many students watched those sitting at the Slytherin table distrustfully. It shocked many people to see so many alumni fall back to the castle, bringing with them their families and friends. Subtle flashes of very specific watches dissipated the majority of the protests.
Brett and Miles popped into the castle now and then, checking in with those present. They would have liked to fall back behind the wards of Dorcha Gaol, but that would be the last resort. Many people were not keyed into the wards there and it posed a problem.
The pulse of magic grew over the next twenty four hours. Those that had returned from the failed mission to save Marie's family traveled quickly to the castle and waited. It was late that evening in the Great Hall that many of the older crowd had a sickening feeling a deja vu.
Up on the ceiling of the Great Hall a horrifying scene began to play out before their eyes. Across the Hall those present watched rapid flashes of the life of a young woman. They watched her family fall and then watched her flung back into the very Hall in which they sat. Around the room Magic thrummed and pulsed, urging a specific group to stand.
They watched her fight. Many recognized younger versions of relatives. As the scenes progressed the magic swirled in a maelstrom and the castle seemed to groan in response. The knowledge of who and what she was seemed to be conveyed to those sitting there watching.
There were terrified screams as they watched her stand off against Greyback and then the Dark Lord. There were murmurs of appreciation from the traditionalists as they watched the girl acknowledge and respect their ways. Many we fascinated by the young woman and the scenes playing out before them, until they started to slow down.
An older red haired couple watched the scene on the ceiling play out and paled in recognition. They looked towards their eldest sons and saw that they too were pale. The young men turned towards their parents with such conflicting looks on their faces. Their younger siblings watched in horror as the truth about what happened to their family home and reputation came to light.
Others across the Hall watched in horror as the girl was struck down. Males around the room gritted their teeth and stepped forward as if to defend the fallen girl. Many felt ill as they watched what happened next to the girl.
The pulsing of the magic in the Hall picked up and wind swept in. Lightning arced from the ceiling actually striking the floor. People scrambled towards the walls lining the hall and the tables and benches vanished as people pressed away from the center of the room.
A vortex of power swirled from the ceiling down to the floor. The younger children and women were pushed back from the center of the room towards the walls. A scene much like the one they had seen on the ceiling played out where the males rolled up their sleeves. Those that had the Dark Marks were vouched for by friends and relatives, though it did little to placate the masses.
Oddly enough it was a single mess black haired boy that had vouched for the troubled teen. He had refused the task given to him and could not follow through with it. His godfather has stepped forward and done the unthinkable for him. His godfather had commanded that that he stay at the castle and seek refuge. The man had fled in the night with the other Death Eaters that had been let in the night that Dumbledore had been killed.
Wands were drawn as the tension rose. The wind picked up swirling the candles floating in the air. Lightning arced down from the ceiling and rain poured down. The stone sizzled and sparked with the magic building around the room.
Deep within many present in the room there was an awakening taking place. Their magic seemed to pulse in recognition and response to the storm taking place. There was a need to step forward that many tried to fight off, but in the end they followed instinct and pocketed their wands. They waved off the protests of their friends and stepped into the middle of the room. Magic seemed to hold the rest of the room back, creating and invisible barrier.
The vortex from the ceiling spun faster and down towards the floor. In the center there was a blurred figure. Gasps of recognition rang out around the room as they recognized the young woman from the scenes above.
The group in the center of the room formed a rough circle around the vortex and quickly dropped to the side of the fallen girl as the vortex disappeared. People across each of the Houses and backgrounds were present. They launched forward trying to staunch the worst of the wounds while they shouted for someone to get Madam Pomfrey. A lone figure raced off out of the Hall as fast as his legs could carry him.
The prone figure on the floor groaned in pain and sobbed quietly as someone touched a particularly sensitive area. They worked in tandem, putting aside their differences. The rest of the Hall watched in silence unsure of what to do. Some of the older students and Alumni present raced from the Hall to get the necessary supplies that would be needed. The girl was too far gone to move her safely.
The adults tried to comfort and hush the younger children present. There was a quiet vigil of those present as they watched and waited.
Meanwhile across the globe members of Marie's team and network were amassing at Dorcha Gaol. Many were being dispatched to check her properties in search of her as well as the homes of her Guardians. They were searching for any sign of her.
Deep within the bowels of Gringott's an alarm sounded and an Account Manager scrambled from his office and raced towards the desk of the Director. She was back! He needed to let his superiors know at once!
At Stone Manor four men stirred from a deep magical slumber. They looked around in confusion and then felt flashes of anger and grief. Marie! Then they felt the pulse of their medallions. They stood swiftly and were swamped with brief disorientation from being still for so long.
Tidbit popped in and fussed over them. He made the sirs stay still and take potions to make them feel better. The house elf could feel that his Mistress Marie was back, as could all of her house elves. They had kept their promises as best they could though some of them grieved what they perceived as failures. They could not save them all. But they had managed to save four.
The young men sat tiredly along the couches they were moved to and were shocked to see the faces of Brett and Miles that had come to check Stone Manor. The older men check the younger men over for obvious signs of injury or for imposters. When they found none, they welcomed them back and helped them through the floo to Dorcha Gaol.
Their arrival heralded mixed reactions, but once Tidbit was called and answered the questions that so many had, they were filled in on all that had happened. Around midnight that evening they made plans to check in at Hogwarts.
The group arrived and march towards the front gates of the school. As if sensing their arrival the doors swung open allowing them entry. The four sluggish young men were helped up the long walk towards the castle. The new arrivals watched as lightning arced through the sky, slamming down violently. The air around them seemed to crackle and the ground bucked in response. Rain swirled around them and there were large waves cresting on the surface of the Black Lake.
Brett and Miles ran ahead getting the doors and sending word along to those already present of their arrival. Many would be shocked at the new arrivals. Their first concern however was Marie. Even those that didn't know her well could feel the echoes of her pain and torment. They gasped as the magic on their watched pulsed. There were those that felt their magic trying to respond to her call. Some that had dormant powers that were now trying to answer in response to hers. This night would be a night that would go down in history. They just needed to make it to Marie.
Marie was fighting through the haze of pain that swamped her senses. Every fiber of her being hurt. Instinctively she tried to recoil from the touch of others, but relaxed when her magic recognized another person and attempted to sooth her. She felt gentle hands trying to staunch the worst of her wounds, but she feared that it wouldn't be enough.
Her breath rattled, a raspy wet sound, as the blood that had been pooling in her lungs started clogging her breathing. The vicious kicks she had sustained were life threatening at this point. Oxygen was fast becoming a problem, when she heard someone call out an unfamiliar spell and the pressure released in her lungs.
In and out of consciousness she fought to remain awake. She looked around blearily trying to find a familiar face. She felt warm calloused hands brush the hair from her face and leaned into the gentle touch, trying to take some comfort through all of the pain.
Marcus Flint looked down at the little witch he was trying to comfort and fought the rage and grief that he felt. His magic called out to hers and pulled him towards her. Even now he felt the recognition and instant pull. He had shrugged off his friends' calls and hands preventing him from going to her. His magic demanded that he comply so he dropped to his knees and instantly started trying to help her.
Marie endured as much of the pain as she could, but it was becoming too much. The castle groaned in response. Marie placed her bloody palms with her ragged wounds down on the floor of the Great Hall despite the protests of those trying to help her. As soon as her palms touched the stone, runes flashed and glowed around the room. The castle itself trembled and seemed to come to life under her very hands.
Marcus tried to tell her to let go, but there was a flash and boom. Marie's hand's seemed to be fused to the floor and then it stopped almost as suddenly as it started. He felt for a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief when he felt one strong and steady. He grasped her hands and noticed that they were healed. Brushing the hair from her face he observed her features and felt that tugging again.
He absently rubbed his chest over his heart and marveled at the fact that the castle seemed to have healed her hands at least. He looked around and noticed the whole Great Hall was glowing with runes etched into each of the stones. Looking around he saw the shocked looks on the eyes of everyone else present. They all felt the wards on the castle and surrounding area seemed to tighten and grow stronger. As the pressure grew, their ears popped and the runes flashed before disappearing again into the stones.
All the while the severely injured young woman lay on the ground of the Great Hall bleeding. For those that didn't know her they soon would. The many people present that did know her they rejoiced in her return but grieved that she had been so seriously injured. Many people didn't know it, but her appearance would be the turning of the tide in their favor.