A/N – Thank you once again for all your great reviews on Chapter 10. I'm really enjoying writing this story and am glad there are those of you out there getting enjoyment out of reading it. Without further adieu, here is Chapter 11.
Chapter 11 – The Best Laid Plans
That same morning Albus Dumbledore was just leaving the Weasleys with a very important contract in his hand. He had convinced both Arthur and Molly to authorize a marriage contract for Ginevra. He chuckled to himself. Sirius 'untimely' demise had really played into this one – since Sirius had been Harry's legal guardian and the head of the House of Black, he was legally capable of arranging a marriage for the boy. Since Harry was still underage he couldn't object and Albus was determined to ensure that the contract was executed well before that changed. Potter's new guardian would be the new Lord Black since the Potter will was sealed until Harry become of age. He was pretty sure the new Lord Black – Draco Malfoy – would not consider changing the contract.
Even getting it in the will would be fairly straightforward – Albus had a whole story of how Sirius had approached him to talk to the Weasleys regarding the contract. Sirius had begun the contract before his death – Dumbledore had gotten him to sign his request to be declared innocent – and the Weasleys had not had a chance to approve it before Sirius died. As the Supreme Mugwump there would be virtually no question of people taking his word on that and allowing it to be included in the will as Sirius' final wish for his godson and legal ward.
Arthur and Molly had only been too happy to sign the contract – however for different reasons. Molly was aware of the intention to partition the Potter estate upon Harry's (also rather) untimely death. Arthur had needed some convincing. He truly believed that it was the last wish of Sirius as Dumbledore had presented it. However it was a long talk with his darling daughter who convinced him that marrying Harry was a dream come true and that she would love to spend the rest of her (she was thinking "his") life with him. When Arthur asked what Harry thought, Albus said that both he and Sirius wanted the marriage to take place as soon as possible after Ginny's fifteenth birthday in order to give Harry something to fight for. The love of Ginny would give Harry the power to defeat Voldemort.
With Harry in isolation and Dumbledore acting as his agent at the will, he would not have to know about the contract until the day of the marriage. True, once he married he would be considered an adult and the Potter will would finally be unsealed, but by then it would be too late.
If anyone had been around to hear him as he disapparated, they would have heard a slight chuckle and the words, "I love it when a plan comes together."
/Scene Break/
Tom went back to his lair in full Voldemort. Only this time he had a good reason to throw his "Crucio" curses around. Any pureblood within eyesight of him as he walked to his study felt the burning pain of the curse. They all knew one thing – their "master" was more pissed than usual today.
When he finally got to his study and shut the door, Tom allowed himself to put Voldemort away for a while. It felt good to be able to do that. He'd have to get him back out soon, but he felt more relaxed that he had in decades (being a bodiless spirit was extremely stressful and not something he would recommend to anyone). He had to get things in motion here before he returned to Potter Manor.
He summoned Severus to his study. While he was waiting for the Potions Master to arrive, he planned on where he would get Snape to meet with him and Potter. He had just decided on a location when he heard a knock at the door.
"Open."
Snape came in with his cloak billowing, "You wanted to see me my lord?"
"Yes Severus. I have need of your services. Meet me at the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade tonight at 11pm. I have business elsewhere for the next week and the meeting tonight will determine if you will be useful enough to come with me."
"As you wish my lord. Will there be anything else?"
"No, you may leave now. Please send Bellatrix and Draco in before you leave."
"Master." Severus bowed and left the study.
Three minutes later there was a knock at the door, "Enter."
Bellatrix and Draco entered the room. Tom studied them through Voldemort's eyes. Part of him wanted to kill them right there for everything their kind had done to him. The funny thing is that no one would bat and eye if he tortured them both for no reason, but the deaths of pureblood Death Eaters at the hands of their master was unheard of and would cause a stir. No, it was better to keep them occupied on other things until he had no more need for them.
"Ah Bellatrix and young Mr. Malfoy, I have need of both your services."
They both bowed. Bella spoke first, "How can I be of service?"
"I want you to gather as many of our brethren as you can and come up with a plan to attack and take over the Ministry of Magic. The time is almost upon us where we will need to "cleanse" the government of the undesirables," "Purebloods like you two," he thought to himself, "and set up a new one. I need this to be subtle, we want to establish control of the government without the public becoming aware until it is too late."
Bella smiled a feral smile, "I will get right on it my lord. We have many contacts in the Ministry to help plan this. Should we also see what we could do to release those of us captured in the Department of Mysteries?"
"That is very good Bella. If you can get them back then do so. But remember the main goal is the plan to take over the Ministry and subtlety is the key. I would like a full plan in place with analysis and different scenarios by the end of August. This will take time but it is time we have."
"I will be leaving tonight for a week outside of the country. If Severus proves his worth tonight then he will be accompanying me. When I return I would like a full report and to see the first draft of the plan."
Bellatrix could not stop grinning, "Yes, my lord. Thank you." She bowed and left.
Draco looked a Voldemort expectantly, "My lord, I am ready to take the mark."
"Ah, but young Draco, I have not yet found you worthy. " Draco looked like he wanted to speak, "Was there something you wanted to say?"
"Yes, my lord. On the fourteenth Sirius Black's last will and testament will be read at Gringotts. Since he did not have a son, I am next in line for the Head of the House of Black. After I become Lord Black, I will pledge the allegiance of the Black family to your cause."
Voldemort's face looked thoughtful while inside Tom was starting to have a bit of fun. He thought, "I'm going to turn this arrogant little prick's attitude against him."
"Draco, your father has let me down a number of times. How can I be sure you aren't going to let me down here as well? How can I be sure that you won't use your new title as Lord Black to gain favour with Dumbledore and turn against me?"
Draco thought for a moment and gave his answer to Voldemort.
"Very good Draco, I will accept that. Now for the real reason I called you here. I have an important mission for you. You will need to begin planning for this immediately. Succeed and you will be allowed to accept my mark. Fail, and your life will be forfeit."
"What is this task?"
"During the next school year you must kill Albus Dumbledore."
Draco was speechless.
"You see Draco, this will help make up for your father's failures."
Draco still could not move but the brain started working again, "Kill Dumbledore. He's got to be fucking kidding! I just hope Aunt Bella gets Father out before I go back to school. I'll need his help to plan. Maybe Snape will help."
"Draco, did you hear my instructions?"
"Y-y-yes, my lord."
"Very well then, you may leave. I expect you to come see me after the will."
"Yes, my lord." And with that Draco left.
Tom started laughing. "Oh that family is going to learn the meaning of the muggle term 'Payback's a bitch!' I guess Lucius never told Draco not to count his chickens before they hatched – oh yes, that's another muggle term."
That being finished, he went through his study and picked out a few books worth taking with him. He walked back out through the lair in his Voldemort shell. Word had already spread from Draco and Bella that he would be gone. As soon as he got outside the wards he apparated to Potter Manor. As he passed through the wards, they stripped of the tracking charms two of the death eaters had cast on him and the new recruit Bella sent to follow him was diverted by the wards to an abandoned surveying camp in Antarctica to meet the remains of the last person who tried to follow someone through the Potter wards. Tom however arrived unscathed at the Manor and unaware of any of this.
"I have to talk to Harry about our appointment tonight," he thought, "and then I'll start my research into getting my soul back together."
/Scene Break/
Hermione and Luna had no problem finding the Twins' shop. The bright colours made it stand out from the rest of the dull-coloured shops. They both laughed at the "U-NO-POO" poster. The shop was still closed but they saw the twins moving around inside so they knocked on the windows to get their attention. As soon as the twins saw who was at the door, Fred came over and opened it up.
"Well if it isn't"
"Our favourite little bookworm"
"And our neighbour."
The twins were falling into their normal style of speaking where they alternated while speaking a sentence.
Hermione said, "Gred,"
Luna added, "Forge."
"So what can we"
"Do for you today?"
Hermione said, "We were wondering if you knew why your sister and youngest brother have not even spoken to us since the incident at the Department of Mysteries. We can't even ask them since they have ignored us since that night and haven't even answered any letters. Neither of them has talked to Harry either."
The twins looked furious.
"Well, it looks like"
"Our little Gin-Gin"
"Is acting like"
"Our prat of a brother – the youngest one."
Luna spoke up, "So were wondering if they had a bad case of Wrackspurts. They can affect the brain."
The twins just looked at each other and shrugged.
Fred spoke up, "We'll find out what's going on."
George added, "I mean, you are like family and Harry"
"Our family owes him a number of life debts already"
"Not to mention he's our business partner"
"The one who believed in us"
"We'd never turn our back on him."
"Now Ron on the other hand"
"Is just a git."
Once Hermione had parsed it all together she smiled. "Thanks guys. You've been like my surrogate family in the wizarding world and we would at least like to know why Ron and Ginny are acting like they are."
The twins agreed to contact Hermione or Luna if they found out any reasons. Then after giving them a few WWW Sampler boxes, the girls left and headed over to the Quibbler offices. Luna was going to invite her father to the Manor on Saturday and she needed to tell him she would be staying at a friends' again that night.
The twins looked at each other.
"What do you think Gred?"
"I think its starting Forge."
"We'll have to take sides"
"Like we didn't know that before."
Fred smiled, "The choice is quite obvious"
George smiled, "Never in doubt."
They decided to head back to the Burrow that night. There were a lot of things to discuss.
/Scene Break/
Harry had spent the morning planning dinner for Saturday with the elves. Jeeves had also given him a summary of the guesthouses on the property. Aside from the one he had already offered to the Grangers, he was going to offer one to the Longbottoms, and the Lovegoods. Jeeves would also get the portkeys ready.
He also wrote a reply to Neville inviting him and his Gran to the Manor on Saturday with the offer to stay for dinner if they wanted. Hedwig was more than happy to take the letter. He then added Neville Longbottom, Augusta Longbottom, and Xenophilius Lovegood to the Manor book.
If everything went well, they might reveal some of the situation to their guests. As a team the four of them would have to decide if the guests could be trusted with their largest secret.
As if on cue, Tom entered the room, "Harry I have arranged a meeting with Severus tonight at 11pm in the Shrieking Shack. Also, Voldemort's organization believes he'll be traveling out of the country for the next week or so. That way I can research how to 'pull myselves together' in peace." Tom also proceeded to tell Harry about his encounter with Bella and Draco. When he got to the part about Draco the will, Harry was on the floor laughing so hard. Even Tom had to chuckle a bit.
It was to this scene that Luna and Hermione arrived back at the Manor. The irony of the moment seeing Harry Potter sharing a laugh with Tom Riddle was not lost on either of them.
Luna was the first to speak, "What's go you two in such a jovial mood?"
Tom retold the story of his morning and once again ended with Draco. The girls had a good laugh as well.
Tom got back to business, "I think we should have Severus on our side. I would like if at least one of you could accompany me there tonight."
In the end all four agreed to go. Hermione went briefly back home to talk with her parents and to let them know she would be staying at the Manor again that night.
Luna had a lunch date with Neville to at his house so she excused herself and popped over there.
Harry had lunch with his former nemesis and they discussed the meeting for that night.
/Scene Break/
Percy Weasley was in shock. His new girlfriend Audrey had convinced him to reach out to his family and the results had not been entirely what he had expected.
He had approached his father a few days ago at lunch. While Arthur was cool to begin with, he could not hold a grudge against one of his children. He listened intently as Percy told him about Audrey. She was a muggleborn witch from Canada who was working at the Canadian consulate to the Ministry. They started having lunch together and it quickly became more serious.
Percy was able to talk to Audrey about things that he had not been able to talk about with anyone else. He told her about his estrangement from the family. She had helped him work through his issues and for the first time in his life, Percy felt comfortable with himself.
The meeting with his father had gone very well and Arthur was very happy to have his son back in his life. The next day Arthur met Audrey over lunch at the Ministry and the two of them hit it off extremely well.
Percy felt so good from Arthur's reaction that he even took Audrey to meet his twin brothers. After some good-natured teasing, the twins congratulated Percy and welcomed Audrey with open arms – in fact Percy had to break up the tag-team hug. Audrey had taken it all in stride and loved the twins and their shop.
All of that led up to today. Percy had decided to visit his mother to talk to her and tell he about Audrey. He had gone back to the Burrow this morning. At first Molly was overjoyed to see her son and the two of them talked about everything he had been up to – that is until he got to Audrey.
At first Molly was excited that Percy had fallen in love with a nice witch. However when Percy mentioned her being muggleborn, she got very angry. And told him that there was no way she wanted to meet Audrey at all. Percy left shortly after that very confused. He had no idea his mother was a blood purist.
He was extremely confused. He was going to have to talk to Arthur and the twins. He decided to get them to join him and Audrey for lunch tomorrow.
/Scene Break/
Hermione and Tom spent the rest of the afternoon pouring through the books that Tom had brought with him and the Black library that the elves had transferred to the guesthouse. Their first pass through the books simply sorted out any that even mentioned Horcruxes. That left around a dozen books to study.
After several hours of research, they believed that they had come up with a plan. Tom shook his head slowly, this was not going to be easy but then again he knew he did not deserve 'easy'. He had been responsible for ruining too many lives and deserved everything that was coming to him. He hoped that with his new companions he would be able to help balance the equation. He was also determined to bring those who were responsible for influencing his choices in life to answer for their involvement as well.
Hermione and Tom made a list of what they would need to need to perform the required ritual. Hermione looked at the book she was reading and said, "This is a very complex potion. It doesn't take very long to brew, but the sheer number of ingredients is staggering and it requires extreme precision to get it to work."
"I know, that is one of the reasons I am hoping that Severus is open to our offer this evening."
Around 7pm the four of them got together for dinner.
Luna had a serene smile on her face. The visit with Neville and his Grandmother had gone very well. After lunch, Neville had suggested a walk around the grounds of the Longbottom Manor. Neville had summoned his newfound courage and had asked her to be his girlfriend. She had enthusiastically agreed. They spent the rest of the day talking, holding hands and even kissing. Luna told Neville that she and her father would also be at Potter Manor on Saturday. Neville smiled when he heard that and made a mental note to ask his Gran if he needed a will.
Over dinner Hermione and Tom informed the other two what they had found about reintegrating Horcruxes. They described the potion and ritual required to complete the reintegration. Tom would have to complete it six times.
The conversation turned to the meeting with Severus. They all had ideas on how to approach him and get him to listen to them. Eventually the agreed on the approach and what they would show him and also what they would have to do if he decided not to join them.
As soon as 10pm came they made their way to the Shrieking Shack to prepare. They all took their places and waited for Severus to arrive.
Severus showed up on time at 11pm. He came in through the tunnel from Hogwarts and found Voldemort sitting pacing next to the table.
"My lord. You have something to discuss with me?"
"Yes Severus. What I need from you is…" they were interrupted by a noise from the second floor.
Both pulled their wands and Voldemort was the first up the stairs. He used a banishing charm to throw open the bedroom door.
Severus was stunned, there stood Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Luna Lovegood. Voldemort looked at Harry, "Potter, to what can I attribute this meeting."
"Um, bad timing?" The teenagers were visibly nervous. Harry had hidden something behind his back.
"Before I decide whether to kill the three of you, I want what you have hidden behind you," he said menacingly.
Harry stood nervously defiant, "What do you mean?"
Voldemort snarled, "Bad answer Harry. I don't ask twice." With that he pointed his wand at Hermione whose eyes grew wide in surprise and terror when they heard him say, "Crucio."
A/N – The character Audrey appeared in an interview JKR gave after DH came out. Little is known other than her first name and that Percy and her eventually have two children. I gave her a back-story to fit into Percy's role in this story.