Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling
Sirius stretched his arms, relaxing on his couch while reading the Daily Prophet.
"Rita Skeeter is the last person to dance around the issue. I don't like this at all," he told himself.
Flipping a page, he saw Umbridge's smiling face and a quote underneath for an article.
I can safely say the public can rest assured that the Headmaster's health will return to normal in time. The reason behind it is his unexpected negligence with a certain curse he came across. I am surprised as much as you are that Mr. Dumbledore would allow himself such a mishap. However, I am much more concerned with matters at Hogwarts. Sadly, it seems that Dumbledore's negligence does not stop at just the stray curses that are sent his way.
"And so it begins... Thankfully she won't have any luck in breaking things in the castle. As far as objects are concerned anyway," he sighed.
He was taken out of his thoughts by a loud, rattling sound on his window. Turning to check what the cause was, he saw a paper with glistening orange letters. It was etched on the window glass.
What... how could a letter make contact with a concealed house?
He came closer to the sheet of paper, slowly starting to read its contents.
Dear Siri, your precious cousin Bella says hello!
I am here on one little business that suddenly came up between us two. Oh, it's nothing too serious, just a stroke of very stupid luck, you see. I came upon someone that appears to be very dear to you by pure accident. I can't say I was very well received by her, but I don't mind. I did approach her rather unexpectedly. So I thought what better way to have a family reunion than with your little partner screaming her lungs out while you try to desperately save her? Don't believe me? There's a strand of memory etched on this letter. It would do you good to see it~
After seeing that little gift I've made for you... be sure that I'll be waiting for you in Othrys. I still hope you have the family necklace... You surely know how to use it. Don't bother calling for reinforcements. I didn't. The Blacks' magic is not so easily deceived.
Regards,
Bella.
Sirius managed to chant an incantation to allow a thin, colorless strand to pass the barrier of the house and land on his trembling palm. Nearly forgetting to check for possible traps, Sirius prayed the memory was tampered with. It wasn't.
He sat back on the couch for a moment, briefly hesitating to see the memory's contents. Realizing that hesitating might just give Bellatrix more time, he swiftly shoved the memory inside his temple.
Images flashed through his head, though he could fully experience what was happening. Screams and laughter mixed together, and a clear vision of what went on inside Othrys.
Sirius' face went pale. Strangely, his mind was clear.
"Kreacher..." he called.
"Yes, master?"
"Remember the pendant I asked you about? Bring it here, right now."
"Of course."
Kreacher quickly apparated back with a shining black necklace. Sirius stared at it blankly.
"What do you plan on doing with this, master? Is a duel with someone imminent?" Kreacher asked worriedly.
"Yes, it is. It's coming right now," Sirius replied, rising up quickly with the necklace in his hand and following with an incantation.
"Pro hac pugna spondebo animam meam..."
Kreacher's voice became distant, and Sirius felt like sinking beneath the ground. Opening his eyes once more, he came upon a flat, lifeless space stretching endlessly into the darkness.
Sensing what was coming, he avoided a green streak that went into the darkness, causing no sound.
"Dear cousin! It's so good to see you..." Bellatrix greeted Sirius with a smile.
"Where is she?"
"Ah, pity. You can't just see her like that, of course. You know how we do things in this little place of ours. We make a deal. That's when you will come to know where your little princess lies."
"What do you want?"
"Well, your death would be most welcome. But of course, that's what you want for me too, right? It's not like both of us can leave this place. Only one comes out, as you well know," Bellatrix grinned. "So that's the first clause on the contract. But... there's more."
"Cut the chatter and out what you want."
"My, my, my! Siri, what a glare you are shooting! It's like I'm being stabbed with daggers. Very scary," Bellatrix giggled. "She's fine. I think."
"Get to talking or I will force the words out of you."
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Siri! I'm talking, don't you worry. If I win, I take your life, but also a vial of your godson's blood. Don't worry, no jinxes, no curses, no harm will come to him. He won't even feel anything. If you win, you will meet your little love in one piece and leave this place with one aunt short," she tilted her head, making a depressed face.
"What do you need Harry's blood for?" Sirius asked, almost in slight disbelief.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's just, you know, a ritual of sorts for someone..." Bellatrix whistled, looking around and then at Sirius with a mocking smile. "It's of no concern to you, really."
Not wasting any time on the conundrum, Sirius merely nodded.
"Great! Amazing! Incredible!" Bellatrix gushed. "Now, to seal the contract, we need to grasp each other's hand and cross our wands. Ready?" she almost jumped.
Sirius silently went over to his cousin, extending his arm. Bellatrix did the same, her robes revealing her mark which Sirius looked at in pure contempt.
Joining their hands, they began chanting as faint light spread throughout the place, vanishing almost as soon as it came.
"And so the show begins!" Bellatrix announced.
"Nebulus!"
"Deprimo!"
As the fog spread quickly, Sirius managed to avoid the destruction of Bellatrix's spell. She closely paid attention to his movement as the spell kept obstructing her vision.
"Sonorus!"
"Finite!"
"Legilimens!"
Bellatrix almost reflexively repelled the sudden intrusion.
"You are three decades too early from penetrating into my mind, Siri!"
"Numut!"
"What's this, Siri? Why can't I disable your spell?"
"This spell you will only disable over my dead body."
Bellatrix cackled. "Ouch, you are looooud! Well, if that's what it takes, so be it!"
"Tempestus!"
"Confringo!"
Bellatrix barely dodged the incoming blast. She looked around her in panic, not having felt the spell's direction beforehand.
"I won't allow you to blast my fog away, cousin."
"Why can't I feel your spells?"
"You see, I can only use it in combination with the mist, but this handy little spell uses the mist you breathe to dull your senses. No Occlumency in the world will help you sense magic now."
"Finite incantatem!"
"Bombarda maxima!"
Bellatrix began to panic, her mind working fast to remember any spell that could blast the fog away.
"Bombarda maxima!"
Sirius was chipping away at her shields alarmingly quick.
"Deletrius!"
The fog still stayed. Bellatrix's focus was fading. Another spell blasted her shield.
"Bombarda maxima!"
Bellatrix was about to cast an inaccurate fiendfyre in hopes of damaging Sirius along the way. Her opponent, however, hit her directly with a powerful disarming charm that flew through her shield. The impact sent her flying to the ground.
"Immobulus!"
Wasting no time, Sirius attacked her with another spell before she even hit the floor.
"How could you see me in all the fog...?" Bellatrix managed to let out as Sirius dispersed the mist and approached his enemy.
"That's a gift from my godson. Who would've thought it would be this handy, huh?"
"But... I tried disabling your-"
"Yes, yes. I could feel every single one of your movements and counter them accordingly."
"It was that easy, huh?"
"Where is she?"
Bellatrix snorted. "Who knows? You know what to do to find out."
"How... is she?"
"Same answer. Though I can't say I guarantee she'll be fine-"
"Crucio!"
Waiting for Bellatrix to compose herself, Sirius asked again.
"What did you do to her?"
"Same as you are doing no-"
"Crucio!"
"How long? How long did you torture her for?!" Sirius thundered.
Bellatrix was gasping for air, having expelled most of it in her yelps. "Not long, actually... I was too excited to see you, I couldn't care about some irrelevant lump of-"
"Cr-" The thought of Harry's innocent face pierced through Sirius' mind. He had broken his promise. A wave of guilt swept over him, his expression looking more tortured than that of Bellatrix. He lowered his wand.
"That's all? That's all you have?" Bellatrix whispered, straining her eyes. "You always were unworthy of your family. You were always a failure, a nobody. You will belong nowhere, you-"
"All I have to do to finish the deal we took is to kill you now?"
"That's the way it goes. It's sad that the fun's ending so early. But I suppose dying in a fight and in this place isn't so terrible. See you soon, dear cousin!" Bellatrix giggled in a high-pitched voice.
"Hopefully never," with no hesitation, Sirius waved a killing curse at Bellatrix, satisfying the ritual. After the green flash, Bellatrix showed no signs of life. Still cautious and alert, Sirius hovered his wand over her body to verify whether she truly was dead.
After a brief disgusted stare at his enemy, Sirius swiftly turned his head in a different direction for a sight of Merula.
"Homenum revelio."
Almost as if the darkness itself stepped away, Merula's figure showed itself impossibly close to where Bellatrix and Sirius were. She looked terrible, though she was lucid. She was bound and kneeling on the gray floor. Sirius quickly rushed to her aid, chanting whichever healing magic he knew.
"I've got a potion somewhere here... it's not much, but it will be better than nothing."
"I've seen everything. Quite a show you've put on for me. It's now my duty as an auror to bring you in for questioning, you know," she smiled faintly.
Sirius snorted at her in disbelief. "Bless you. You're still off your rocker."
"Bold words for someone who just used an arsenal of darkest curses."
Helping her get up, Sirius was eager to follow up on his questions.
"What did she do to you? How are you holding up?" he asked quickly.
"Bah, I'll manage. She was honest when she said she wasted no time meeting you. Just a few little jolts..."
"Right, jolts, I'm sure. Jolts from Lady Lestrange..."
"It's fine. I'm doing much better than the two bastards who were with me when we encountered her."
"What? Who? Wait, why did you fight her with just two other people? Why didn't you call for us?!"
"She made sure we wouldn't be able to. It was an elaborate trap, Sirius. Dawlish screwed himself over."
Sirius made a few motions in the air and summoned the necklace back. Both of them soon found themselves in Grimmauld Place again.
"Cool magic," Merula uttered, slowly sitting back on the couch.
"How could she prevent you from using spells to contact us?"
"It was some kind of barrier. I'm not sure, it was nothing like I've seen before. She kept babbling about some Indian magic, I'm not sure exactly. She mentioned their alliance with the country."
Merula looked more and more strained as she talked.
"Just wait here, I'll get Remus to snatch me a sleeping draught. I'll get back to you in a moment."
"It's a pleasure to meet the Chairman of the South American Union at last."
"The pleasure is all mine. India doesn't usually send other employees. Where is your minister?"
"Oh, it's not just "any" employee. I'm the Chief Advisor to the Minister, Shatrughan Kaala. I suppose I should have introduced myself first."
"Emiliano Alvarez. Though I suppose you already knew that."
"Of course I did, Mr. Alvarez. You'll find that I know more about you than you'd think." Shatrughan smiled. "I apologize for the minister's absence. He's suffered a bad spell of dragonpox, and at his age... it's taking a toll on him."
"That's very sad to hear. I can sympathize, as you know. I suspected something important must have prevented the minister from coming to a state meeting."
"Yes, yes, quite a coincidence, isn't it?"
"Indeed. Let's move to a more agreeable location."
The two men moved through the public as if they were invisible. Not one person paid them any mind.
"Ah, your famed charms. Very impressive," Shatrughan noted. "Is this a derivative of the Incan runic magic?"
"You have a keen eye. Yes, it is. It's very handy. You can escape the eye of even the most skilled wizards, if for a while."
Walking up to the middle of the bustling muggle city, Alvarez extended his arm and caught something in the empty air. He pulled what appeared to be a barrier, revealing a small palace that seemed more like an apparition than a building.
"You still adhere to your tradition of conducting business amidst muggles?" Shatrughan asked in mild surprise.
"That is one of the rules most of us respect with great dignity."
"I'm impressed once again. I like your country more and more."
Entering the palace, they immediately took a right turn that stretched into a hallway. They slowly walked to the end of it, entering a fairly inconspicuous room.
"Quite a mundane room for a state meeting," Shatrugan noted.
"But very secure," Alvarez replied. "Please, have a seat."
They settled in two chairs with a small table between them. Alvarez leaned back, looking as if he was deep in thought.
"You are a very busy man, Mr. Alvarez, and so am I. So I'll cut straight to the chase. The deal is very simple. You agree to go to war allied with us the moment we declare our intention to do so, and we will secure what you need in Indonesia and Oceania at large."
Alvarez sighed. "Oceania is a relatively peaceful region with no ties to one particular side. So far our intelligence hasn't gathered that a significant outside threat to it exists."
Shatrughan chuckled, earning a reproving look from Alvarez. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just stating that you don't need "intelligence" to realize that they are a very lucrative region and will have to be involved in one way or another."
"I'm aware of that, but surely a fully-backed invasion by them is a bit too much of a drastic move?"
"We all know what's at stake here. Don't pretend that you didn't do some pretty abhorrent things behind your usual friendly veil. People will turn their heads away from the catastrophe fairly easily."
"How do you know about that?" Alvarez yelled suddenly.
Shathrughan grinned. "A whistleblower came to us and gave the information pretty voluntarily. Don't worry," he raised his hand towards a fuming Alvarez. "I won't reveal your dark little secret. But, of course, I will use it as leverage. So I suppose your situation is quite complicated now."
Alvarez watched him in silence with a face as red as the room's carpet.
"We are offering you a deal that will prevent your lands from being ravaged by disease and keep your state secrets in check. You have little choice in the matter, thanks to your own "intelligence"."
"Yes, well, it's more akin to extortion than an offer."
Shatrugan waved his hand and produced a sheet of paper on the small table. He tapped on it.
"Not exactly. This small thing contains everything you need to know about what happens to Oceania if a war were to break out. I'd wager it's pretty convincing."
"I would need to have this checked thoroughly if I wanted to make such a drastic move."
"That's fine, but you don't have much time. We will expect an answer in a few weeks. Don't make that panicked face, Alvarez..." Shatrughan rolled his eyes. "The alliance will be secret for the most part. We'll discuss the details once you make a decision."
Alvarez looked intently at the papers provided to him.
"You could use that fancy poison you concocted on someone. Make all that research put to good use."
"You can't mean..."
"What else would I mean?"
"But... that would plunge the region into complete chaos. It would be an unprecedented disaster. It would..."
"Yes, well, that's the plan. That's the idea. Now you're starting to realize..."
"Mate, my head has been killing me. It literally won't stop the entire bloody day..." Ron complained.
"You're not getting any visions again, are you?" Harry asked as the two entered the transfiguration classroom.
"No... thanks to you, probably. Arthur gave me a pretty powerful numbing potion, but it's still an annoyance."
Harry looked at Ron worriedly. "We ought to get that checked out. Figure you can handle a game?"
"Yes, I'm not such a whiner. Getting some galleons on the side would certainly help my condition," Ron smirked.
"That's my boy," Harry grinned in response. "Everyone got the invitation?"
"Yes, as far as I know. All sheets had proper instruction on how to play as well."
"Hopefully no one's going to leak anything."
"Well, I doubt many people support the new "management". Also, there are fewer Slytherins, so we are kind of covered."
"What? Why would Slytherins spill the beans? I'd wager they'd jump right on the opportunity to make some easy gold."
"You might be right," Ron chuckled. "Well, speaking of that, there is an additional interesting participant. Two, actually."
"Yes?"
"Draco Malfoy and Daphne Greengrass."
"What?" Harry blurted. "What did you say?"
"W-Well, they sort of overheard us and were interested enough to join. Well, Daphne was anyway. I'm sorry, but they seemed eager. I don't know, I thought it would be fun beating Malfoy in a game. Other than Quidditch, I mean."
"And you didn't tell me this beforehand?"
"You just seemed kind of busy, so... Well, you don't mind, do you?"
Harry laughed a bit. "Of course not. I'm just surprised. Those two, huh?"
...
After finishing securing his classroom with enchantments, Harry turned to Ron once again.
"Who's coming in the end?"
"Justin, Ernie, Roger, Anthony, Draco, and Daphne. Plus you and me."
"Good number. Have you asked Nev?"
"He waved his hand before I even got a chance to. He and Arthur had to sort some of Penny's documents, apparently."
"That's weird. Why now and why them?"
Ron shrugged. "Who knows? Anyway, they should be coming soon."
Anthony Goldstein was the first to arrive.
"Bold move, Harry. Hosting this game in your own classroom, I mean," he started.
Harry grinned. "I suppose I feel the safest here. The scourge of man might not be able to even get into the room."
Anthony snorted. "Let's hope."
"Lookie here. What a little gang you've got. Quite colorful," Draco entered the classroom with Daphne.
"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. I appreciate your sentiment," Harry nodded importantly.
"Always with the clever comments..." Ron added.
...
"So, now that you've all gathered here, I assume you have read and learned the rules of the game. We won't go over that. What we will go over instead..." Harry produced a small medallion from his robes... "is you swearing your magic off as long as you are a player."
"What?" Roger cried out. "Why would we do that?"
"To prevent cheating, you idiot," Anthony cut in.
"But can't you just take my word for it? Sealing our entire magic away is a bit..."
"Nothing's gonna happen to you, mate. Unless Mr. Malfoy here brought some weapon with him," Ron said.
"Don't need a weapon to bankrupt you, Weasley..." Draco scoffed.
"Whatever, if you don't like it, leave. I'm in," Ernie placed his finger on the medallion. "Where did you get this? It's pretty rare magic."
"Being a son of a powerful witch certainly has its benefits," Harry smirked. "Now, everyone follows Ernie's example and chants "Oblivio," in your head. Please don't chant it out loud and don't say Obliviate. We only want people losing their money, not their minds."
"Well, sort of..." Ron said, looking meaningfully at Draco.
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this..." the latter replied.
...
...
"Why the sudden interest anyway, Malfoy?" Harry asked as the game went on. "Surely a man of your assets need not bother with mere peasants like us?"
Draco nearly laughed at the question. "That's right, Potter. But Ms. Greengrass here seemed awfully interested in what this muggle game entailed and wanted me to join. So I decided to humor her like any good friend. There's also that little thing..."
"The game did sound like fun. Thought I'd give it a shot," Daphne shrugged.
"It's only fun if you are winning. Trust me, my father knows best about this," Justin sighed.
"I think this is only appropriate for the occasion," Harry pulled a cigar and lit it up with a makeshift lighter, much to everyone's wonder. Instead of enjoying it, however, he had a fairly long coughing fit.
"Easy there, Capone," Justin sniggered.
"What the hell is that?" Ernie exclaimed.
"Poison..." Harry uttered barely. "It doesn't even taste good."
"Where did you get that?" Ron asked. "Is that a muggle thing?"
"Well, yes. I got it on some of my aerial adventures," Harry winked.
"No way... did you figure it out?" Ron whispered.
"Yes, but we'll talk about it later."
"So, Potter... what we talked about. Any news from our little companion?" Draco continued.
"Not at all, sadly. But I think this is calm before the storm if you ask me. You'll be among the first to know, don't worry," Harry replied.
"Be sure to. I don't like how things are looking."
"What are you two talking about in the middle of a game?" Ron interrupted.
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"You're almost talking in codewords. I can't help but be interested..."
"It's none of your business anyway, Weasley."
"Hey, I know you are losing but at least try to control your temper..."
...
...
"Unbelievable..." Harry muttered. "This is embarrassing."
"That it is."
"Aren't you a pureblood?" Justin stuttered, looking at Daphne. "How in the world..."
"You all are very lousy liars," Daphne barely held her grin. "And you're really bad at pretending."
"Well done. As expected of my house," Draco approved.
"This isn't over yet. I ask for another round!" Ron declared.
"Can you afford it, Weasley?"
"I'm going to wipe that grin off your face, believe me-"
Their chatter was interrupted by a loud bang on the classroom door. Everyone went silent, turning their attention to the noise.
"No... please don't tell me it's her..." Ron moaned.
"Relax. She can't break the enchantments..." Harry laughed softly.
"Are you sure? You sound way too confident, Harry..." Anthony asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, mate. There's also the soundproofing charm. You can talk freely."
"MR. POTTER. I KNOW YOU ARE IN HERE. ONLY YOU HAVE ACCESS AT THIS HOUR AND I DETECT SOME SUSPICIOUS MAGIC."
"B-Bloody hell, is she amplifying her voice?" Ron babbled.
"She'll just be on us until we open the door..." Roger stated, pulling his wand out. "Or she will place someone to guard us. I say we lay low until we see how she acts."
"What if she invites someone more skilled to break the enchantment?" Justin wondered. "Can we rely on Harry's ability?"
"We can. I can attest to Potter's power. That's not the problem," Draco said, earning himself looks from nearly everyone in the group. "What?"
"I think I just saw a pig fly," Ron said gravely.
"Oh, you think I'm incapable of giving credit when it's due, Weasley? Let's just wait and see how she acts."
"I can detect more people than yourself in this place. Open the door this instant!"
Draco broke into laughter. "I must admit, it's funny seeing her like this."
"I think her face is a nice shade of red by now. Honestly a better sight than the usual pale ghoul we get," Daphne chuckled.
"She's as pleasant as she is knowledgable in her subject. Let's just have Harry swap professions." Ron said.
"Mr. Potter, open the door or there will be grave repercussions for you and the people involved."
"What grave repercussions? What has she got on us?"
"She doesn't even know who's in here. She can't blame us."
"Relax, guys. She wants to maintain a good relationship with me. She won't be lashing out that easily," Harry said quickly. "This is all a very empty bluff."
"Why is she so adamant about getting here anyway?"
"Who knows? Maybe she wants to bother me again?"
"Let's wait a bit more..."