Black Vengeance – 15

(Author's Note: One of the things that struck me really is the fact that most of the casualties in the previous war – both on the side of the Order and the Dark Lord – are pureblood witches and wizards. Given the attrition rate amongst the purebloods in the previous war, and their relatively limited recuperative and replacement abilities – most pureblood families seem on their last legs – it occurs to me that they, most of all, would want a quick end to the war. This is a theme I will be developing in this chapter.

As usual, all criticism is welcome.)

Of Deals and Preliminary Interrogations

"So tell me, Potter, what do you actually know of the previous war?", questioned Mrs. Greengrass as she leant back in her chair.

Hermione began, "The war started in '71, when Voldemort and a bunch of people, who would later be known as Death Eaters, attacked a group of muggles in Hampshire and left a Dark Mark hovering over the spot. Over the next few months, there were several more attacks ..."

"Ms. Granger, you're concentrating on the wrong parts. It's not the actual events and their dates that we're concerned with, for the moment. We're more interested in the casualty list."

"What're you getting at?", queried a perplexed Harry.

"Let's take the Order of the Phoenix. Who were the ones who were killed or permanently incapacitated – through injuries or otherwise – during the last war, Potter?"

Harry returned in surprise, "The McKinnons, the Bones, the Prewetts, the Longbottoms, my parents, Dorcas Meadowes, ..."

"Quite so", interrupted Mrs. Greengrass. "Now Potter, with the exception of your mother and Benjy Fenwick, what is common to all of them?"

"I'm not sure what you're getting to, Mrs. Greengrass."

"They were all purebloods", answered Mrs. Greengrass.

"So the others don't matter?", flared Harry. "If they're not purebloods, they're not human?"

"I never said or implied that, so kindly keep your temper in check until I've finished", returned Mrs. Greengrass in a steely voice. "It was the same on the other side. Many of the pureblood families were completely destroyed. The point, Potter, is that while the war took a toll on the others certainly, the worst effect was on the purebloods. Many pureblood families were wiped out, and those that are surviving are on their last legs. Do you realise what this means?"

"Much less support for Voldemort this time", returned Harry cynically.

"Would you say the same about your father, Potter? Or the Bones family?"

"Sorry", apologised Harry sheepishly.

"The point is that, for the purebloods, to survive this round of war, the war has to finish quickly. There are so few of us left around that only a long peace can restore our families. There is no way we can survive a long war. We are desirable allies for both sides because many of the older pureblood families are rich and politically influential. By the same token, it makes us attractive targets for the opposition. Neutrality is not an option for long – either the Dark Lord will coerce us to cooperate with him, or else, he will kill us for refusing to help him."

"Okay", replied Harry slowly. "But what does it have to do with me? I can't face, much less kill Voldemort."

"We don't expect you to. As you are probably aware, many of the supporters of the Dark Lord are purebloods. Some of them are aware of the serious peril in which the pureblood society is in. They realise that this war is not only counterproductive but a serious threat to their very existence and all they hold dear. They wish to leave the Dark Lord."

"Of course, we would not ask you to do this out of generosity. We can offer much in return, Potter", continued Priscilla hurriedly, as Harry opened his mouth to speak. "We all realise that it is pointless to offer you money, Potter. Your parents were rich – so that is not going to be attractive to you."

"So what d'you offer me?"

"Firstly, this war is not going to be won on the battlefield purely. Many of the Dark Lord's supporters are ensconced inside the High Council and the Wizengamot. In order to galvanise the Wizarding world against the Dark Lord, you will need political support. We can offer you that. Second – to face the Dark Lord, you need training. We can offer you that. Thirdly, we know more about the Dark Lord and his secrets than anyone else. We can offer you much information about him. Finally, we can offer you a chance to clear your Godfather's name."

"How can you clear Sirius' name?"

"Pettigrew", answered Priscilla simply.

"You have Pettigrew?"

"We know where he is."

Harry closed his eyes, contemplating his loss and how close to freedom Sirius had been. If only he had got this offer while Sirius was alive ...

He heard Priscilla sigh sadly, "For what it is worth, Potter, we're truly sorry about Sirius. We'd hoped that presenting Pettigrew to you and clearing Sirius Black would help build trust between us."

"But why come to me? Why not – say ..."

"Dumbledore, or the Ministry, for instance?"

Harry nodded, as Mrs. Greengrass continued, "The Ministry is compromised by agents of all sides, Potter. Most of them have sold their allegiance to various factions– to the Dark Lord, to Dumbledore, to Fudge, and so on. It is the place where all sides bicker amicably – or sometimes, not so amicably. It is pointless to try anything there."

"There are two principal reasons for approaching you, and not Dumbledore, Potter. The first is that leaving the Dark Lord with the Dark Mark on is plain suicidal. You are the only one who can remove the Dark Mark."

"I can remove the Dark Mark?"

"The Dark Mark is an imprint of the Dark Lord's will, Potter. It is a fairly simple spell, but it takes two very rare attributes to be able to remove it. The first is that the counter-spell requires to be spoken in parseltongue."

"And the second?", asked Hermione.

"It requires a will stronger than that of the Dark Lord."

"How do you know I've got a stronger will than Voldemort?"

"You managed to drive him out when he tried to possess you. You also defeated him in a priori incantatem duel – something that depends on just will power, not magical ability, power or knowledge."

Harry thought for a moment, and spoke, "You mentioned two reasons for approaching me. What's the other?"

"We don't believe Dumbledore wants a quick end to the war."

"What?!"

"Consider the facts, Potter. He had an year's time before the Dark Lord made his reappearance public. He knew in advance – or at least, suspected who the Death Eaters were. Yet he made no effort to get clinching evidence of the Dark Lord's return."

"He spoke many times that Voldemort had returned ...", burst out Hermione furiously.

"Yes, but without producing any evidence. Never, ever did he provide an iota of proof for the Dark Lord's return. How about showing his memories of the interrogation of young Crouch to people like Amelia Bones? Or showing your memories, Potter, of how you watched the resurrection of the Dark Lord, duelled him and then managed to escape to the Wizengamot? He never even spoke of the exact events surrounding the return of the Dark Lord – it was merely his assertion that the Dark Lord had been revived. In fact, if I remember right, it was you two speaking in an interview in the Quibbler that first gave your version of what occurred that fateful night. Surely, Potter, you did not expect people to believe something as outre as the return of the Dark Lord without any proof?"

"The Daily Prophet was taking orders from Fudge – it wouldn't print Dumbledore's words."

"Do you seriously believe that Dumbledore does not know anyone in the journalistic profession that would print his words? Dumbledore has been in the Magical World for fifteen decades. Do you honestly think he does not know how to reach the people who matter?"

This stumped both Harry and Hermione, who exchanged glances. The girl queried, "Why would Dumbledore want to prolong the war?"

"That, Ms. Granger, is a discussion for another time, when we trust each other more."

During the conversation, Harry had risen to his feet and begun pacing up and down the room. He considered Mrs. Greengrass' offer for a moment. Dealing with Death Eaters and potential Death Eaters was always hazardous. While the oath spoken at the beginning of the session precluded speaking falsehoods, he did not for a moment doubt that Mrs. Greengrass had hidden at least as much as she revealed. The oblique reference to political support had not escaped Harry. While they no doubt wanted to support Harry in defeating Voldemort, they also doubtless would manoeuvre him into positions where he might be obliged to support them. He wondered what other agenda the Death Eaters had. Were they merely trying to put their heads down for the moment, waiting for a more opportune time to help another Dark Lord? Was he to be the champion of their ideals?

On the other hand, he could not deny the obvious advantages either. As things stood, Harry had nearly zero freedom. With Dumbledore breathing down his neck, every move of Harry was carefully monitored and his abilities charted. Harry had no illusions about the headmaster – he was just a weapon to Dumbledore, one to be unleashed on Voldemort whenever the old man felt the time was right. Harry had no particular desire to be a pawn on the chessboard. Here was a golden opportunity to break free of Dumbledore's clutches, and into his own stride. The training and information about Voldemort would be extremely useful too. But the clinching bit was the assistance proffered in clearing Sirius' name. Harry had had a burning desire to prove Sirius innocent of the crimes he was accused of, and producing Pettigrew would definitely help.

He finally inquired, "Who wishes to leave Voldemort?"

Mrs. Greengrass readily answered, "The Lestranges, Rookwood, and Nott."

"Bellatrix Lestrange?!", responded Harry in surprise.

"Yes."

"But – she worships Voldemort. The Longbottoms .."

"She is innocent, Potter."

"Excuse me!"

"Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Rabastan are innocent of torturing the Longbottoms – that is what my brother told me."

Harry looked in utter disbelief at Priscilla Greengrass, who shrugged, "I don't know the details either, Potter. If you want to know how they can be innocent, you'll have to ask them."

There was dead silence at her pronouncement. Harry was really torn at this.

The silence had continued for several minutes, as Potter continued to pace. Finally, Mrs. Greengrass spoke, "Do we have a deal on these terms, Potter."

Harry replied, "Let me get this straight. You are willing to offer me training, political support, information about Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew. In return, I help you and your friends leave Voldemort and help you end the war as quickly as possible."

"Correct, Potter."

"If you stick to those terms, we have a deal."

---(Scene Break)---

Emmeline Vance had had better days in her life. Waking up in a cold cell was not her idea of a pleasant morning, but given the events of the previous night, she was surprised that she was still alive at all. She rose gingerly, checked her own condition quickly and efficiently. Apart from a dull ache all over her body – after effects of the cruciatus curse, she reflected grimly – and a few bruises, she seemed remarkably little worse for wear. Her wand, broom and emergency portkey were gone, of course, but her watch, handkerchief and purse were dumped at the foot of her bed. She looked around the dimly lit room, but apart from a camp bed and a couple of chairs, it was bereft of aught else. Deciding to sit back and await any new developments, she reclined back in her bed and began reflecting on the events that had occurred in the last few hours. That she was alive was good, but that was all about it. If she was being kept alive, it was probably so that they could question her. She shuddered mentally – she had seen enough victims of Death Eater 'interrogations' not to realise how terrible a fate it predicted.

She had not long to wait. There was a brief knock on her door, followed by an intimation that Emmeline was to sit on her bed, with her palms spread outward and where her host could see. Then the Healer heard the rustle of keys and a tall, black haired woman entered with her wand pointed unwaveringly at Emmeline. "Good morning!", she cooed maliciously. "I trust you found our hospitality to your liking?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange!", stated Emmeline, raising her eyebrows.

"I see you recognise me", murmured Bellatrix. "Good, I trust you've realised why we kept you alive?"

Emmeline clamped down on her horror, as she answered in a voice of apathy and resignation, "You want to question me."

"Correct", smiled her interlocutor sadistically. "Now, be a good girl and spill what I want to know. If you prevaricate or trifle with me, I'm afraid I'll have to use some ... compulsion." There was no mistaking the hope in Bellatrix's voice that Emmeline would lie or refuse to cooperate.

Bellatrix had initially considered torturing Emmeline Vance for information and disposing of her afterwards, or handing her over to Voldemort. But last night had changed everything. Priscilla had communicated with Rodolphus that Harry Potter had agreed to help in removing the Dark Mark, and Bellatrix was officially betraying the Dark Lord. She realised that killing Vance was now worse than a crime – it was a blunder. Vance was a very good Healer and would be of considerable use to her and her allies. Besides, Bellatrix had no desire to estrange her one hope of leaving the madman who was ruining the pureblood society and Potter was unlikely to take kindly to her killing an Order member pointlessly. Consequently, she decided to persuade Vance to join her faction. If that did not work out, there were always other more ruthless means to consider. Besides, the entire set of circumstances whereby Emmeline had been betrayed to the Dark Lord had made her curious, and she wanted to resolve her perplexities. She spoke, "You were betrayed to the Dark Lord – by Snape. Can you guess why he would do it?"

Whatever it was that Emmeline expected, it was not that. "Snape betrayed me?! Snape?!"

"Are you deaf?", snapped Bellatrix irritably.

"You're lying", returned Emmeline, just as forcefully.

"You fool!", snarled Bellatrix. "I've got no reason to lie. Snape betrayed you. He claimed that he had supplied some potions to your home and thus found where it was. He betrayed you to the Dark Lord."

Emmeline Vance gaped in amazement, and Bellatrix saw that the Healer had no answer to her questions. She continued, "The point is – was Snape doing it on his own, or was he following orders in doing it? If so, why?"

"I can't imagine why Snape would betray me to You-Know-Who. I've done nothing to him."

Bellatrix nodded, "Then it was because someone else – probably in the Order – wishes you dead. Can you think of anyone?"

Emmeline shook her head slowly, as Bellatrix continued musingly, "Either it is because you're expendable, and getting you killed helps keep Snape in the Dark Lord's good books, or else, because you're a threat to someone. Point is – even if Snape had seen where you live, he should have been obliviated to prevent him disclosing your residence. You were never prominent in fighting against the Dark Side. So why pick on you?"

The word obliviate had brought up something in Emmeline's memory. She frowned for a moment, and being the experienced legilimens that she was, Bellatrix latched on to it. "What is it?", she asked sharply.

In the excitement of her capture, Emmeline had forgotten all about the Longbottoms. Here was the witch who had supposedly tortured the Longbottoms into insanity. She looked at Bellatrix, and answered carefully, "Well, it is just something that came up in my work. But why are you telling me about Snape?"

Bellatrix smiled, and for the first time, it was a genuine smile, "You see, I've got an offer for you."

---(End of the Chapter)---