AN: The chapter contains much dialog because the purpose of the chapter.
I'll be gone for the week. So there will be a delay between chapters.
Chapter 15
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Tom stared at a large medal book known as the Book of Abraham of Mage or better known as the Codex. It was centuries old book that contained many secrets of history unknown or seen, the ingredients to the elixir of life and the directions to make the stone. It was also one of the reasons behind the war. The book was guarded by Nicholas Fammel and his wife for centuries. But when Dumbledore killed Fammel to get the book it was magically sent to Hogwarts for only one of the founders heirs could retrieve the book. Tom had it for many years hidden at Malfoy Manor. It was time to give it to it's rightful guardian. The soul remaining heir of Nicholas Fammel, Hermione Granger-Lupin. She could only unlock the secret that Fammel himself had placed inside the book. The months of searching had lead him to the Codex.
Tom slumped down in the arm chair behind him. He needed to think of a time to strike and march onto the grounds of Hogwarts. He didn't want to injure the young children. He didn't want to cause harm to his great-grandchild because he knew she'd fight.
"I'm getting too old for this." Tom mumbled, his head snapped up in the direction of the door when he heard someone walk into the room. "Minnie." he said in shock. He quickly waved his wand over his snakelike appearance.
Minerva walked into the room and stood in front of him and said, "I've came because I have information concerning Dumbledore."
"Sit my dear." was all he said. She quietly sat down next him. "Now what have you found out?"
"I think Dumbledore has a spy among the students." Minerva said quietly. "But whom, is the question."
"My dear, more than half of the Gryffindor house is helping him along with the rest of the school." he said gently. "I believe it's time to call a meeting." He stood up and helped Minerva from her seat and left the library.
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The couple walked into the large meeting room with a long table. It remained her of the table at Grimmauld Place they used for their meetings. He helped her into her seat. Tom called for Lucius to come into the room. Narcissa followed close behind.
"Your arm Lucius." he told the man next to him. Lucius held out his left arm. Tom pulled out his wand and placed it on the dark mark.
Minerva felt her mark flare to life. It wasn't painful, but slight tingle sensation like when your foot falls asleep. She watched as the room form a dark mark in the room and the members appeared in the room.
James appeared in the room with the Codex in his arms and sat it down at the head of the table. Tom nodded in the direction of the door. He turned around only to find Harry standing in the doorway next to Hermione. James smiled and Harry walked into the room.
"Hey kid-o, you decided to join us for the meeting." James said with a smile. Harry nodded. "I'm glad." He sat down. "You can sit by me. They won't bite. I promise."
Tom motioned for the members to take their seats. The witches and wizards took their seats around the table. "Welcome back my death eaters. It's been awhile since our last meeting. We have a few new members that have join us since that time frame. We have received Ginny Weasely-Snape." He chuckled at the witch. "Severus you did not tell her that once you mark her you are joined in marriage."
"It must have slipped my mind." he said with a slight smirk.
"Severus." Tom said in a warning but an amusing tone. He chuckled at Ginny who hit Severus upside the head. "We have Hermione Granger-Lupin and Minerva McGonagall. Harry has yet to decide. Please make your new family members feel welcomed." Tom sat down in between Severus and Remus at the head of the table. "We are here for the Book of Abraham of Mage also know as Codex," placing his finger tips gently on the medal cover. "The legend is true. It's been here under safe guard of the manor. It is time to have it returned to it's rightful heir. The rightful guardian. The last of the Fammel line." He stood up and moved to the middle of the room with book in his hands. "Hermione Lupin, please come forward and take the Book of Abraham of Mage." Hermione took a deep breath and walked up to her grandfather. "Hermione, Nicholas Fammel wished to have given the book to you in person but sadly his life was taken away from him. You are the book's guardian and so will your first born." He placed his right hand on top of the book and his left hand on the bottom and held out the book. "The Book of Abraham of Mage is for you to guard. Take your birthright, Hermione Lupin."
Hermione gently took the book with her right hand on top and her left hand on the bottom. Tom smiled gently at the woman before him. He motioned for her to return to the table. She took her seat next to Remus. She gently ran her fingers across the cover of the cold medal book.
Tom returned to his seat. "Finally after months of research have found what we have wanted a way to end the war." He looked at Harry with sad eyes and continued, "I must die for the prophecy to be fulfilled. Not Harry, James but I." The table erupted into a gasps. "The book holds the key Hermione. A secret only you can unlock." Hermione nodded with tears in her eyes. "We'll strike Hogwarts at the end of school year once the young students are at home. I do not want to endanger the children." He looked out at his death eaters. "Any questions before this meeting is to come to a close. Severus you know to stay behind." He nodded his head. "You're dismissed." The members vanished one by one.
Ginny stayed behind with Severus. Remus quietly squeezed his cousin's shoulder. He took Ginny from the room with James and Harry not far behind. Tom jerked his head to the door for Minerva to leave with his family. She studied him for a moment and left the room.
Severus stepped up to his grandfather. Tom removed the glamour charm showing his snakelike appearance. He pulled out his wand from under his robes. Tom hated to causing harm to his grandson but it was his sacrifice. He took a deep breath to steady his shaking wand.
"Curcio!" cried Tom. Severus fell to his knees in pain but didn't scream out. He lifted the curse. "Sectumsempra!" He whispered missing the major organs. Tom's wand shook when he hear gasp of pain from his grandson and lifted the curse. He sliced his robes with a knife. "I'm sorry." Tom swept from the room unable to see Severus in such a shape.
Severus laid on the floor gasping for air and waited for his body to stop shaking enough to leave the manor. He rose from the floor and vanished from the manor.
~*~
Tom slid down the wall in the entrance hall his body shook with silent sobs. James watched with sad eyes. He helped him off the floor and up the stairs to his bedroom to grieve in private.
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