He ran. He ran as fast as he could. Branches were hitting him into his face and scrubs were scratching him in his legs. Blood was pouring from a wound atop his head, where a small rock, threw by his pursuers, hit him. It left a bloody path on his left face, but he didn't pay it any attention. He passed a small rock formation with a sharp spit, that cut left him with shallow cut on his right shoulder. He winced a bit but didn't stop.
He was breathing heavily. His tired legs were about to give up, making him stumble every time he moved them. But there was nothing he could do. Only few miles were standing between him and a freedom. But that was just a dream. He tripped and fell down, face burying into mud. He yelped when mud interacted with his bleeding head. He tried to stand up, but his legs gave in. He tried again. Again. Again. He dug his hands into mud. Depressed and scared sigh escaped him mouth.
"Blondie!" he heard in distance. His head shot up and turn around. In distance he could see a black figures. They were getting closer and closer.
He took a deep breath and winced when pain shot from his whole body, as he tried to stand up. He had to! He has a family waiting for him. With a strong yelp he stand up a tried to not to fall again. This was his last chance. And he made a run for it again.
Same things were happening. Branches hitting him in the face, brushed scratching him all over a body now. But that didn't stop him. His ears twitched. He heard something he thought he would never hear again. Small smile twitched his lips and he turn a bit left. He managed to jump across fallen tree and stumble as he landed. He gave in and fell again. This time his head made contact with something wet. He almost cried when he felt water touching his lips. He filled his hands with water and gulped them down. Another batch, followed by many others. Last batch was used to clean his face, to arouse him, to refresh him. And it did work.
"I can see you!" someone sang. His head jerked to left and his eyes widened when he saw a huge man. The man was wearing dark brown khaki trousers, black sweatshirt and brown jacket. On his back rested huge broadsword. His hand shot to his pocket and draw wand. Curses hit the man shield, while he just smiled.
Pursued man scrambled to his legs and made a run for it. He fired more curses and jinxes to enemy, but they were stopped by his shield. Green, red, blue and golden flashes were flying from his wand. One would mistake this for firework. He took a right and disappeared in the forest. Pursuer smiled.
"Make it, quick, we don't have that much time," another figure appeared. This person wore black jeans and white sweatshirt with hood covering his face.
"I see you already taken down yours?" he said and pointed at a bloody body, he was dragging with his right hand.
"Some of us don't like to play with their targets, you know, the saint ones," smaller figure answered coldly.
"Whatever," bigger one muttered and made one step. He leaned on his right leg, his leg shined with bright red and jumped of it in immense speed. The sound of foot loosing contact with ground was heard miles away.
Pursued heard the voice and fasten up. Only few moments, and he would be able to disapparate. Only few moments. He could see the clearing.
"Surprise," some said and appeared right in front of him. He outstretched hi hand and flicked pursued into forehead. Force behind the flick made him do back-flip and land on his stomach. A blood spattered from his mouth. He couldn't feel his legs and arms. Pain was only thing he felt.
His though travelled from his almost dead body to his family. His only son was just attending school, and his wife was home all alone.
This was supposed to be a simple pick up operation. Apparate here, pick up the target and leave. Simple. But the moment he apparated curses were flying all around. His accomplices were falling. Eight men fallen at the hands of three.
"Well, this was disappointing," said the pursuer. He knelt next to him and yanked his head with his hairs. He had shaken his head in disappointment.
"I expect more from you, Lucius Malfoy," he whispered and stood up. His hand travelled to hilt of his sword, resting on his back.
"But I guess you Death Eaters are just some random weak muggles compare to use," he continued his speech as he unsheathed his sword.
"Well, what do you expect from Britain, the weakest of all states," he proclaimed and twirled the sword.
"Farewell, Lucius," and he dropped the sword, which stabbed Lucius.
Lucius could feel the cold steel in his body. His eyes closing. Last thoughts travelled to his wife and his master.
I failed you, were only words he could say, yet they didn't leave his mouth, as he already left his body.
Aoki sat in hallway. She looked up at the label on the wall. On the label was written following.
Cornelius Fudge
Minister of Magic
She turned her head right and looked at his secretary. She was quite pretty, came across her mind. But she shrugged those words away. She glanced at her watch and sighed. She was waiting here for half hour, and she is supposed to pick up kids from school in hour. The report she had couldn't wait, but at this rate she will have to leave it to next week. Her hand travelled to her backpack and took the book from it. She opened it, and started reading where she left at last night.
Another half hour has passed and Fudge still didn't call her in. She slammed the book with irritation and put it back into backpack. She stood, slung the backpack over her shoulder and made her way to the stairs. The moment she took the first step, doors opened and Fudge came out.
"Miss Sawaya, what can I do for you?" he asked as he motioned for her to enter his office.
"For starter you could apologize for letting me wait for an hour, when I was clearly appointed on 2pm," she said as she followed him inside.
"I had meeting with Albus Dumbledore, and he has habit to appear whenever he wants," Fudge explained and motioned to a chair in front of his desk, for Aoki to sit on.
"Mr. Fudge, do you think that Albus Dumbledore is more important than me?"
"Of course not, but he sometimes he is a bit irritating when you don't meet his standards," Fudge continued with explanation as he pour a tea for both of them.
"Even he would back down, if he saw me, otherwise he would have problems not with just me but with my whole family, for disrespecting its heir," she answered and took offered tea from him.
"I see, then I apologize for my rudeness and next time I promise to take you in immediately, even if there was a battle going on down in the Atrium," he promised as he took a sip from his tea.
"Thank you," she said and took a sip as well.
"So what you brings you here, Miss Sawaya?"
"I'm afraid, I do not bring you good news," she said bluntly.
"What do you mean?"
"Voldemort is alive," she answered.
"Nonsense!" eh shaken his head in disbelieve.
Heavy sigh escaped her mouth. "I am afraid it is true." And she knew it very well. Thanks to her inheritance she is capable of sensing shift if magic veil, that covers whole Earth. And one big shift happened few months ago in Albania.
"But, how? I thought that Mr. Potter ended him," he asked.
"Mr. Potter only ended the body of Voldemort, his soul survived and laid hidden until now."
"Do you know where is he or what is he trying to do?"
"I do not know where he is, but I can tell you he is trying to get himself a new body, he wants to be reborn," Aoki knew that it is possible, but she doubted Fudge would believe her.
"I see, so we need to mobilise and deploy Aurors to find him," he said and picked parchment.
"That won't be necessary, Voldemort will be taken care of," she said and he looked at her.
"And how?"
"Plan is already in motion, so don't worry about it, but there is another thing you should worry about," she took a sip.
"Do you mean the recent disappearance of wizard through the world?"
"It is related, yes. But I am talking about a certain organization," she watched him, as he put down the quill and took a small sip.
"What organization?" he asked uncertainly. She knew he was kinda scared now. And he will be scared even more.
"This organization is international wizard group, that is has really big influence on wizarding history," she started explanation.
"Continue," he asked her.
"They started around in late 18th century and since then, they grew in power. Their members are scattered through whole world and they will obey every command given to them. Their leader, is called Raven. Fortunately that is all we know about him. He leads his organization from shadow, and only sometimes he made appearance in public. His orders are processed and forwarded by council of Elder. They are dangerous, and would probably destroy whole wizarding community in Britain in mere day if they wanted to. Fortunately, that is not their goal, as far as we know," she explained.
"And you are telling me about his, for a reason, I presume," Fudge asked, when he offered another cup of tea.
"They helped Voldemort to arise, and almost win the war," Fudge gaped at this.
"And will more likely help him again, given a chance," Fudge nodded, understanding the severity of this.
"I see, and I presume, you will do everything to stop this organization, what is it called anyway?"
"We call them Circle and their members Ravens, and yes, I have a group of trusted wizards and witches after them," she answered.
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I will need access to every department and secret files you have."
"Very well, I shall grant you this. And one more thing, this group of yours, do we know them, by any chance?"
"I should hope, so, they are quite famous here," she smiled as she made her way towards the doors.
"And may I ask for their names?" he asked and followed her to the doors.
"I can give you name of their leader, he goes by Ja-," she stopped talking. She gaped and jerk her head towards the roof.
"Something wrong?"
"Gotta go, thank you for your time," she said and leaved the office in hurry.
They are nearby, she thought to herself, that was definitely Mark belonging to Armen.
Swati was sitting in Charms classroom listening to Flitwick explanation about how to use levitation charm. It was typical boring lesson. He hid yawn and keep staring at others first years. His head was laying on his arms, which were situated on the desk. Any other teacher would scold him, but Flitwick knew, that even when Swati is not listening, his results are usually at top.
"Now, please, start practicing the spell," he said and various students started.
Swati entwined his fingers and outstretched his hands, causing his fingers to snapped at his joints. Neville, who sit next to him, Teri, who set next to Neville; Seamus and Dean, in front of him and Michael Corner, behind him, winced at the sound. Swati chuckled a bit and watched others students performing the spell.
"You are saying it wrong," he heard Hermione, "It is Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long," she explained.
"You do it, then, if you are so clever," he heard Ron next to her. He still could not believe how someone like Ron could befriend Hermione. They are polar opposites. He sighed.
But then he sensed it. The feeling he sensed only once, three years ago. He jerked his head, and looked out of window.
The Mark, he thought to himself, and quite strong.
Dumbledore sat in his office. He was reading report on first years achievement in classes. But he sensed it as well.
He sighed. "Those idiots again?" he asked a loud. And the portraits were confused.
Man was standing atop of cliff, overlooking the ocean. One glance to the left, to check on Calais port. He sighed and return his gaze to the ocean.
"You know, if you will continue to stare like that, the Britain will be set aflame," said someone. The man looked behind himself, and settled his eyes at red headed woman. He smiled weakly and then turned his head back to the ocean.
"His first week in Hogwarts just ended," man stated. Woman cheerful face was replaced by sad one.
"I know, but you know we can't do anything about that," she said and walked to him. Giving his hand encouraging squeeze.
"I know, but still," he said and lifted his hand. He outstretched it, but was stopped by barrier.
"We can only wait for him to be stopped, then we can see him again," she smiled at him.
"But how long do we have to wait? We are waiting for ten years, and still nothing! Will I have to wait another ten? Or maybe forty?" his raised voice was reeking with anger.
"He understands that, and he will find a way to get us back home. He told it to us, remember?" she tried to calm him down. He looked down on her, as she was smaller than him, and gave her sad smile.
"I wish I was as strong as you," he proclaimed and cupped her cheek. She leaned into the touch.
"I am strong, and you are emotional. We are completing each other," she smiled and he smirked.
"Mostly, I can remember some nights, when you turned into Niagara Falls," he joked.
"Jerk," she slammed him into arm. He kissed her lightly.
"Hey, Yuri, Purongu, we got contact," someone said. Duo looked at man.
"We are coming, Shino," Purongu called and grabbed Yuris hand when Shino left.
"Duty calls," she said and entwined their fingers.
Armen stood next to dead body of Lucius Malfoy.
"Armen, Ted, we got a job," said person who just arrived with another body over his shoulder.
"What do we do with them?" Ted asked and kicked bloodied body of Crabber Sr.
"Let's dropped them at werewolf village, they will eat them," Armen said with huge sadistic grin.
"Burn them," answered person with black suit and threw dead body of Thorfinn Rowle to the ground, next to Crabbe and Malfoy.
"As you wish," Ted bowed out of mockery and snapped his fingers. Black fire consumed the three bodies and illuminated the area around them.
"So what now?" Armen asked.
"The Hunt has been called, Eagles attacked our New York branch, so we are going as well," said the person in suit.
"As you wish," Ted looked at the sky and vanished with bright black light. Armen and person in suit followed after him.
Yuri, Purongu and Shino entered small house and went into living room. There was already someone waiting for them.
"Aoki," Yuri greeted her.
"Yuri, Purongu, I hope you are doing fine?" she asked them.
"We are, considering the situation," Purongu asnwered.
"I understand. Your son is doing well, he met new friends and so far he is in love with Hogwarts. Both gave her bright smile.
"That is good to hear, so what brings you here?" Purongu asked. She sighed.
"Marks were used in Britain, possibly it was Ted and Armen," she answered. Shino who was leaning against fireplace nodded, as he could sense the shift as well.
"I see, but we can't do anything about that then," Yuri looked at her from couch.
"That is where you are wrong," Aoki informed her.
"What do you mean?"
"Eagles made another attack at Ravens, New York branch was destroyed, and they are heading there as we speak," she explained.
"I see. We will try to intercept them and give Eagles time to fall back," Purongu stated.
"Thank you, I am glad you are here," she said and stood up.
"We would be happier to be home," Yuri gave her sad smile.
"I know, I will try my best to get you home as fast as possible," she assured them.
"We know," Purongu spoke.
"I will give him your greetings," she said and disapparated.
"Well, let's go," Shino said and clapped with his hands. This action opened a white hole in the wall. They grabbed their luggage and entered the hole.