Chapter 30
21 Langley Lane, London England was home to no one. The former occupant's of that home, Jonathan and Lara Tyler, had moved away. They had no children, they were alone. Of course, they weren't always that way, they had a son once. A son who was a wizard, a son who obliviated their memories, a son who moved them away, a son by the name of Ewan Potter, but they didn't remember. That's how Ewan had wanted it; he had wanted them safe and away from England. For England was no longer safe, it was for that matter the most dangerous place in all Europe. Thanks to one man, Lord Voldemort.
Voldemort gathered followers, called Death Eaters. Most supported Voldemort's cause to dominate and wipeout muggle's and muggle-borns, wizards and witches born to muggle parents, others were greedy for power, and others joined Voldemort out of fear. They were dangerous, they used unforgivable curses and they killed mercilessly. However, it wasn't just witches and wizards Voldemort recruited, he also recruited giants and werewolves. Both of which, were the beings and creatures that wizards and witches had outcast.
For many years this continued, many people were in fear every day, to afraid to say even his name, only referring to him as "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." or "You-Know-Who".
But there was one man who wasn't afraid; on the contrary it was the only person Lord Voldemort truly feared, Albus Dumbledore. Albus Dumbledore, was the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and for that reason the school had remained safe. It was also during this time that the Order of the Phoenix was created.
For eleven years the Order of the Phoenix worked tirelessly against Voldemort. Till one day in late October it all stopped.
Fifteen years ago, October 31, 1981, Lord Voldemort attacked the Potter family. James and Lily Potter both were killed in the attack, then he went to perform the Killing Curse on Harry, who was only one at the time, it rebounded and destroyed his powers. Harry was prophesied from birth to be able to defeat the Dark Lord. Ewan Potter, Harry Potter's older brother had ran away shortly after the attack. Only to be found by Jon and Lara Tyler. The Tyler's were great people, but one thing about them made life in England dangerous to them, they were muggle's. That is why they were sent away, because Lord Voldemort, heir of Salazar Slytherin, was back.
During Ewan Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts, he returned, thanks to Ewan himself, and one of his followers, Peter Pettigrew. Voldemort used Ewan's blood, bones of his dead father, and flesh from Pettigrew to recreate a corporeal body. For a year, Voldemort worked without the ministry acknowledging it. The current Minister at the time, Cornelius Fudge, refused to admit his return due to fear, so instead he claimed that the two Potter brothers and Dumbledore were liars.
Finally, just one month ago, everyone was shown the truth. Lord Voldemort attacked the ministry, going after the prophecy. Voldemort's cover was blown and many of his Death Eaters were taken into custody and sent to Azkaban, and the Second Wizarding War had begun.
Now a month later, things in England, wizard and muggle alike, had spiraled out of control. Death eaters attacked the Millennium Bridge making it collapse injuring dozens of muggle's, kidnapping wizards and witches, killing some like the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Head Amelia Bones, and making disasters strike all of the country.
The only hope was Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived.
* * *
"Give it back!" yelled Ewan, running after Harry at their home in 12 Grimmauld Place.
"'Dearest Ewan, How I miss you these days.'" started Harry.
"Accio letter!" Ewan said pointing his wand to the letter that his girlfriend, Katie Bell, sent him.
"It's okay, I remember it." said Harry smirking. "'You are my light, my love. I wish you were her-' ah!"
"Oh, I'm sorry did you not want that thrown at your head, let me get something else." said Ewan.
"Boys, what's going on?" asked the boy's godfather, Sirius Black.
"Him!" said Harry and Ewan at the same time.
"Okay guys, leave it, go to your rooms." said Sirius.
A knock sounded at the door, Ewan and Sirius quickly raised their wands to the door. While, Sirius's mother, Walburga Black shrieked silently in protest. Ewan had discovered this neat little spell that silenced her portrait. They had tried to just take her down, however a permanent sticking charm was holding her in place.
Sirius went to the door, opened it, and then sighed. "Headmaster. Couldn't you have just sent your patronus or a letter, instead of giving us all heart attacks?"
Ewan relaxed putting his wand back in his pocket.
"I' am sorry, my boy, but I was hoping to borrow your two godson's." asked the Headmaster, greeting the Potter boys in the hallway.
"Borrow us? Why?" asked Ewan.
"I have a friend I would like you both to meet." answered Dumbledore. Ewan and Harry looked at each
"Who, Professor?" asked Harry.
"An old friend of your mothers." answered Dumbledore. "Shall we be leaving?"
"How are we going to get there Professor?" asked Ewan.
"Apparate, of course. Do you know where Budleigh Babberton is?" asked Professor Dumbledore
"I believe so, sir." answered Ewan.
"Good, you will apparate there, while I side-along with Harry." Dumbledore said.
"When are we leaving?" Ewan asked.
"Now." answered Dumbledore. Without waiting another second, Ewan apparated to Budleigh Babberton.
"I wasn't meaning right this second." mused Dumbledore with a smile.
"He is a little over eager, isn't he?" laughed Sirius.
"If you will hold on to my left arm, Harry, as you see my wand arm is a little fragile as of late." said Dumbledore. A second later Dumbledore and Harry were gone.
* * *
When everyone had arrived, the trio walked up to a dilapidated house.
"Keep your wand at the ready, boys." said the Headmaster cautiously walking into the house.
Ewan pulled his wand out but Harry hesitated. "But I thought I wasn't allowed to do magic outside school, sir."
"If there is an attack I give you permission, Harry, to use any counter jinx or curse that might occur to you, however I do not think you need to worry about being attacked tonight." replied Dumbledore.
"Why sir?" asked Harry.
"Look at this place, it looks like it's already been attacked!" said Ewan.
"You are with me." Dumbledore said. "So tell me Harry, has your scar been hurting?"
"No, I've been wondering about that I thought it would be burning all the time now that Voldemort's getting so powerful." said Harry.
"I on the other hand thought otherwise. Voldemort has finally realized the dangerous access to his thoughts and feeling you have been enjoying. It appears that he is now employing Occlumency against you." explained Dumbledore.
"Kind of the opposite of what was supposed to be happening last year, yeah?" said Ewan, sarcastically. Last year, both boys were given Occlumency lessons by Professor Snape, Harry however, didn't take it seriously. Only having a row with Professor Snape ended Harry's lesson. Ewan, however, was able to continue, Snape praised Ewan's ability to shield his mind, even from Snape, who the best Occlumens around, though not as good as Dumbledore.
Harry rolled his eyes at that. "Well, I'm not complaining."
"So what exactly are we doing here? I mean, we couldn't meet this friend another time?" asked Ewan.
"No, we are here to persuade an old colleague of mine to come out of retirement and return to Hogwarts." answered Dumbledore.
"I thought you said this was a friend of our mum." Harry pointed out.
"Well, he was." said Dumbledore, holding the door open for the boys.
The house was a mess, trash and debris lay everywhere. Glass was shattered and the furniture torn. "What happened here?" asked Harry.
"Lumos." Cast the Headmaster. "Lumos" added Ewan.
"Ew." Said Harry.
"What is it?" asked Ewan.
"Blood. It dripped off the ceiling onto my forehead."
Dumbledore came over to Harry placing his finger on the blood and wiping it off Harry's head, then taking a lick of it. Ewan had a look of disgust on his face. Then he took his wand and walked about the living room a bit before stabbing a chair with his wand.
"Ouch!" the chair said, suddenly turning into a man. "You know, there was no need to stick that wand in so hard." complained the man. Ewan snorted.
"Good evening Horace."
"How did you know it was me?" asked Horace.
"Dragon's blood." replied Dumbledore. "Besides, if the Death Easter really had come to call, the Dark Mark would be set over the house."
"Oh, should have known." said the man. "Oh well, wouldn't have had time anyway, I'd only put the finishing touches to my upholstery when you entered the room."
"Would you like me to help you clean up?" asked the Headmaster.
"Please?"
With a wave of the Headmaster wand, the room began to clean up itself. The broken mirrors became fixed, the torn furniture re-stitched, the blood on the walls and ceiling disappeared and the chandelier replaced.
When all was cleaned Professor Dumbledore introduced Ewan and Harry.
"This is Harry Potter and Ewan Potter. And boys, this is an old colleague of mine, Horace Slughorn."
"Please to meet you, sir." said Harry.
"Good to meet you." said Ewan.
"So this is how you tried to persuade me is it!?" asked Horace. "Well the answer is still no Albus."
"I suppose we can still have a drink, at least for old times' sake." asked the Headmaster.
"Okay, but just one!" answered Slughorn.
After summoning some drinks, both Slughorn and Dumbledore enjoyed a bit of fire whiskey. While Ewan and Harry had some Butterbeer.
"So, how have you been keeping Horace?" asked Dumbledore.
"Not so well, weak chest wheezy rheumatism can't move like I used to… well, that's to be expected, yes? Old age and all." replied Slughorn.
"You must have fast reflexes though? I mean, to have prepared the house as it was when we found it, on such short notice." asked Ewan.
"You can't have had more than three minute's warning." said the Headmaster.
"Two minutes! Didn't you hear my intruder charm go off? I was still in the bath, for Merlin's sake!" exclaimed Slughorn. "The fact remains is that's I'm an old man Albus, a tired old man. Who has earned the right to a quiet life with a few creative comforts."
"Comforts? Quiet life?" asked Ewan. "You're hiding from Voldemort, how is that quiet?"
"It is… relatively speaking." replied Slughorn.
"Horace, you not as old as I' Am." said the Headmaster.
"Maybe you ought to think about retirement yourself then." said Slughorn. "Reactions are not what they used to be, I see."
"You're quite right, I' am undoubtedly slower than I was but the other hand… So are these precautions against intruders Horace… are they for the Death Eaters benefits or mine?"
"What would the Death Eater want with a poor broken down old buffer like me?" asked Horace Slughorn.
"There use anyone." said Ewan. "If you have something they want. And considering your relationship with the Headmaster, and not doubt your experiences, you must surely have something they want."
"Ewan has a point. I also imagine that they would want to turn your considerable talents to coercion, torture, and murder. But you're telling me that they haven't come recruiting yet?"
"They must of, why else would he be hiding?" asked Ewan.
"I haven't given them a chance, I've been on the move for a year. Never stay in the same place for more than a week. I move from muggle house to muggle house. The owners of this place have gone to the Canary Islands. It's been very pleasant here, I'll be sorry to leave."
"How is that the quiet life then?" asked Ewan.
"You know, boy, you are very nosy. And you remind me of someone I once knew."
"Who?" asked Harry.
"That's none of your business."
"Your plan is very ingenious but Ewan is correct again, it does sound very tiring for a quiet life. Why don't you return to Hogwarts?" asked the Headmaster.
"If you think that I will have a more relaxing time at that school then you better save your breath, Albus." said Slughorn. "I've heard so many funny rumors ever since Dolores Umbridge left and if this is the way you treat a teacher these day-"
"Professor Umbridge was a loser. She tortured student, nearly used an unforgiveable on Harry, she deserved what she got." said Ewan.
"Ewan." warned the Headmaster. "Besides, Professor Umbridge ran afoul with our centaur herd. Now may I was the loo?"
"It's down the hall, to your left." said Slughorn.
Professor Slughorn looked over to the boys. "Don't think I don't know why he brought you two here." He said.
"It's amazing how different you two are. You look like your mother." Slughorn said to Ewan. "And you look like your father, but you got-"
"…my mother's eyes, I know." finished Harry.
"You shouldn't have favorites as a teacher of course but she was one of mine. Your mother, Lily Evans, was one of the brightest I've ever taught you know. She was a charming girl. I've heard you're a lot like her Ewan."
"Harry's like her too." said Ewan.
"That's just like her! I used to tell her she ought to have been in my house, she gave me very cheeky answers."
"What was your house?" asked Harry.
"I was the Head of Slytherin. But don't hold that against me, you being in Gryffindor like her an all. It usually goes by family, not always though. You were in Ravenclaw, yes?" Slughorn asked Ewan.
"Yes."
"Take the Black family, whole lot of them has been in Slytherin, but not that Sirius Black, no first Gryffindor in the entire family. He was a big pal of your fathers. I got his brother, Regulus, when he came along but I'd like to have had the set.
"And you mother, she was a muggle born of course. I couldn't believe it, she was so good at magic you would have sworn she was a pureblood."
"One of my best friends is a muggleborn. She the best in my year." said Harry.
"It's funny, how that happens. Even you, Ewan, raised by muggles, yes? And yes you were the top of your year I hear. But don't think I'm prejudiced, I'm not. I mean I did just say your mother was my all-time favorite student. Then, Dirk Cresswell the year after her."
"Doesn't he work for the ministry? The Goblin Liaison Office?" asked Ewan.
"Correct, Mr. Potter. He is a muggle born; he actually gives me inside information on what's going on at Gringotts."
"If you look over here," said Slughorn, showing the boys all different pictures of various people, "you'll notice Barnabas Cuffe, editor of the daily prophet. He's always interested to hear my daily news.
"And here is Ambrosius Flume, of Honeydukes, he always send me sweets every year for my birthday. That's because I introduced him to Ciceron Harkiss, he gave him his first job.
"Back here is Gwenog Jones, Captain of the Holyhead Harpies. People are always impressed to hear that I'm on first name basis with her, I get free tickets whenever I want them."
"And all these people know where to find you to send you stuff?" asked Harry.
"Must be heard to stay in contact, if you're always moving around." agreed Ewan.
"Of course not, I've been out of touch with people for a year. Still such a wizard keeps his head down in such times. All very well for Dumbledore to talk but taking up a post at Hogwarts just now would be tantamount to declaring my public allegiance to the Order of the Phoenix!"
"And that's a bad thing? Hell, I'm in the order!" said Ewan.
"I'm sure you're very admirable and brave and all the rest of them, but I don't personally fancy the mortality rate."
"You don't have to join the Order to teach at Hogwarts." said Harry, "Most of the teachers aren't in it and none of them have been killed – well unless you quirrell-"
"-but he got what he deserved, seeing as he was working with Voldemort and all." finished Ewan.
"I reckon the staff are safer than most people while Dumbledore is Headmaster. He is supposed to be the only one Voldemort ever feared." added Harry.
"Well, yes that is true, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has never sought a fight with Dumbledore and I suppose one could argue that as I have not joined the Death Eaters, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named can hardly count me as a friend… in which case I might be a little safer closer to Albus. I can't pretend that Amelia Bones death did not shake me… if she with all her ministry contacts and protection… Oh there you are Albus. What took you so long upset stomach?"
"I got to ready this muggle magazine here, I do love knitting patterns, may I have it?" asked Dumbledore.
"Sure." replied Slughorn.
"Thank you, now we best be off boys."
"You're leaving?" asked Slughorn
"Yes, indeed, I know a lost cause when I see one. Come along boys."
"Lost?" asked Slughorn.
"Well, I'm sorry
You don't want the job Horace but Hogwarts would love to have you back. Well, good bye." Harry, Ewan, and Dumbledore made it all the way to the front door before Slughorn ran after them.
"Fine! I'll take the job. But I want a pay raise!"
