Beta's: 5/8/2015

Polegara

Chapter 23, Repercussions

Sitting in the Room of Requirement, on very comfortable Chesterfield sofas, waited four people. No one was speaking, but occasionally one of them would look to the opened trunk on the other side of the room as if waiting for something. The only the sounds of the quills scratching or their bodies shifting broke the stillness in the room.

Sitting stiffly, Professor McGonagall neither moved nor blinked. Her focus was centered on the opening to the trunk. Mr. Potter did not appear after his meeting with the Headmaster. Instead, she received a summons from Madam Pomfrey that Dumbledore was in critical condition in the hospital wing. After conferring with the School Nurse, she made for this room assuming either Harry himself, or Hermione, would be able to fill her in on what had transpired. So far, she had seen neither individual.

Nor, much to both her pride and frustration, had any of the three students around her given any details. Only that both students were in the trunk. When she tried to enter, she was turned away by two very determined house-elves. So she sat with the other teens, waiting. Unlike many other witches and wizards, she made no attempt to bypass the little beings. She was not so ignorant as to be unaware of what two loved, well treated, and respected bound elves could be capable of.

The uncanny patience of her animagus form was rewarded when the short hair of Ms. Granger rose from the trunk. She appeared to be drawn or ill. When their eyes met as she fully extracted herself from the trunk, McGonagall blinked for the first time. Her eyes were not just blood shot, but appeared bloody.

"Professor." Hermione nodded to her as she made her way to an empty chair.

"Ms. Granger."

Hermione smiled weakly to the teens. Like McGonagall, their focus was on the young woman as soon as she appeared. "Harry's resting peacefully now."

The other three deflated, looking relived. The Transfiguration Professor, however, narrowed her eyes. "I take it this has something to do with why Professor Dumbledore was in the Hospital Wing before being transferred to St. Mungo's, Ms. Granger?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "If not for Fawkes, he would have been transferred to the morgue."

"Ms. Granger…"

The brunette woman shook her head obviously tired. "I'm not getting into it Professor, and we don't have the time. We're leaving."

"Hold on." Neville broke in. "What?"

Hermione smiled at her friend's confused face. "Hogwarts isn't safe. Not for Harry, and not for me now. My education isn't worth losing Harry, and I almost lost him tonight. There are…issues you four don't know. Things Harry and I haven't told anyone except for our Guild Master."

"Since when have you taken an apprenticeship, Ms. Granger?" asked the shocked McGonagall.

Hermione gave a knowing smirk. "Since the summer, Professor."

The odd Ravenclaw nodded in understanding while Susan spoke up. "Wait a tick; we can contact my Aunt! Hermione, she'll help you and Harry. At the least she would listen and take in both sides of the situation. Any Auror assigned to the case wouldn't be able to be one sided either way."

"Thanks Susan, but I'm working on borrowed time as it is. I'm sure by now there is an arrest warrant for me. I did almost kill Dumbledore, and that is not something the old man is going to let go of."

Hermione shook her head. "No, by now I am sure he's told his side of the story. As he is the Great Albus Dumbledore, no one is going to listen to the muggle-born who tried to kill him. He spent the summer painting me as a Gold Digging Potions' Princess and who knows what else. Dumbledore is going to use this as a way to separate Harry and me without the Vow interfering. I'm honestly surprised no one's showed up yet."

"Besides, if I have to go into hiding, I'm going to do it in a place where I can get answers to a few things. That's not Hogwarts, and that's certainly not a cell in the DMLE."

"Ms. Granger, I can understand your urgency. However, I do believe an accounting of what transpired in the Headmaster's Office must be made before I can in good conscious allow you to leave." McGonagall stated.

"Professor..." Ms. Granger started to state before she cut her off.

"Ms. Granger," The older woman stated compassionately. "Had it been anyone else in this situation I would have already stunned and delivered them to the Aurors. I cannot in good conscious allow events to proceed without an explanation of some kind."

She watched the young woman bite her lip while looking around the room. The Professor waited patiently for her to begin talking.

XxXDaRXxX

Tonks swallowed thickly, standing in front of the doors to the Minister's Office. She was very thankful that her old boss didn't practice the tradition of beheading bearers of ill tidings. Yet, she was still very scared of entering the forbidding domain of the Minister of Magic. In her opinion, she was lucky to still be an Auror. A fact Mrs. Bones made very clear during the dressing down she got over that whole Will debacle that had her assigned as security to Hogwarts. And, here she was delivering bad news. What was next? A security detail for the aid to the Muggle Worthy Excuse Committees' toilet?

After a few moments, pulling herself together, Tonks raised her hand, knocking firmly. At this point, there was nothing left to do. She was going to find out sooner or later anyways.

"Come in." Tonks opened the door and sat where the stern Minister directed her to. It helped that the room was familiar. It wasn't much different from when Amelia was head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

It helped to settle her nerves just a hair until her old boss started talking. "I take it you are here to explain what this is doing on my desk?" The Minister asked while holding up an arrest warrant.

Tonks winced. Seems the news beat her here. "Um, yeah." She made a slight business of smoothing the pleats of her Slytherin skirt while going over everything she knew.

Minister Bones leaned back into her chair only raising an eyebrow. "Then, by all means, Auror Tonks, You may proceed."

Tonks nodded, falling into the situation with practiced ease. This, she could handle. Some people changed when they got promoted, but apparently not her old boss. "I wasn't witness to any of this. All reports to the incident have come from the Portraits of the old Headmaster's. According to them, Hermione Granger somehow stormed into the Headmaster's Office and assaulted Dumbledore."

"At the time, I was down in the Slytherin Common room keeping an eye a few persons of interest when my alert bracelet triggered. I made my way to the meeting point in the courtyard, where I was informed by Auror Jones that something happened and Dumbledore was being transferred to St. Mungo's."

Tonks paused a moment gathering her thoughts. "I spoke briefly with Madam Pomfrey who explained there was an attack on the Headmaster in his office. I proceeded to the Headmaster's Suite where upon entering I found the room to be in disarray."

"An entire bookshelf was ripped from the wall. Books scattered about along with a few of Dumbledore's belongings. His desk was cut cleanly in two, though Pomfrey made no mention of any lacerations on Dumbledore himself. There was no one there when I arrived."

Tonks swallowed the bile in her throat at what she was going to say. "The portraits informed me that they witnessed the Headmaster having a conversation with Harry Potter when Hermione Granger burst into the room. They stated she appeared to be possessed by some kind of magical vortex. She proceeded to destroy part of the office before she called an elf named 'Dobby' who took them away."

"I see," was all that the Minister said before the room was enveloped by the quiet for several moments.

"This warrant," Minister Bones stated while holding it up. "…was issued about an hour ago for the apprehension of Hermione Granger. Charges were made based on Albus Dumbledore's testimony during an interview conducted by the onsite Auror at St. Mungos. Charges include Breaking and Entering of the Headmaster's Suite, Assault and Battery on Albus Dumbledore, Attempted Murder of Albus Dumbledore, Destruction of Private Property, Infliction of grievous bodily harm to Albus Dumbledore, as well as the possible use of Unknown Dark Magic. It also includes kidnapping charges if Mr. Potter was not found at Hogwarts. Apparently, the Steward of House Potter is very concerned for the welfare of his charge. By your statement just now, it seems to be a valid one."

Her expression got darker as the Minister read from the sheet but Tonks kept her mouth shut. She learned long ago never to interrupt Madam Bones when she was speaking. Once she finished, Tonks remained still.

"So, to be perfectly clear, is Ms. Granger or Mr. Potter at Hogwarts?"

Tonks shook her head. "No ma'am. We ran a search of the castle with the assistance of the Faculty, Prefects, Head Boy and Girl, as well as all stationed Aurors. They are not anywhere in the castle we can find. It is generally assumed the house elf took them somewhere else. Where, we don't know and have no way of knowing at this time."

Amelia sighed closing her eyes. "As much as I hate to say this, there is nothing more we can do until Ms. Granger or Mr. Potter show themselves. All we have to go by is Dumbledore's statement, and the law is clear in this matter."

Unable to keep herself from doing it, Tonks spoke out. "Permission to speak freely, Minister?"

Madam Bones gave nothing away to her as she nodded her assent. "This is fucking bullshit!"

The minister smiled wryly. "Don't hold back, Auror Tonks. Really tell me how you feel."

Not taking the humor, Tonks did exactly that. "I don't believe for one moment this is what it looks like! All we have to work with is the eye-witness reports of a bunch of portraits and Dumbledore! And we both know how reliable his word is! Those portraits could be lying under Dumbledore's orders, for all we know, and it's not like we can give them Veritaserum!"

"None-the-less," The stern Minister stated. "We have witnesses and the victim's' statement. The law is very specific in this regard, Auror Tonks. No matter how distasteful, we have no choice but to carry out our duties as we swore to when we assumed our offices. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Tonks practically snarled.

The Minister held Tonks in her iron gaze for a moment to make sure her point was made before she nodded. "Dismissed."

Tonks rose to her feet quickly, making for the door. Her hand only just touched the handle when she heard her name called softly. Tonks took a moment to cover her rage over the situation and turned once more to the Minister.

"Should either Mr. Potter or Ms. Granger show themselves at Hogwarts, I do expect you to take them into custody as persons of interest in this matter. I believe, the safe house in Leeds will do for them to be interviewed, don't you?"

And, there it was. That was why she loved her old boss. Tonks' anger faded as she smiled in understanding. "Yes, Ma'am!"

The minister nodded once again dismissing the Auror. Tonks left quickly to find whoever was in charge of finding Hermione before heading back to Hogwarts.

XxXDaRXxX

A flash of light erupted in the small room, startling the healing patient from his light doze. Dumbledore winced at the sudden movement as his ribs protested greatly, causing a dark chuckle from the visitor. Once the Headmaster's pain began to settle down he turned to see Moody smirking darkly from the doorway.

"Ah, Alastor, I am glad to see you." Dumbledore wheezed.

The uneven stomp-clunk sounded in the room as Alastor Moody fully walked into the room as he pocketed his camera. Both eyes fixed on the patient. "I see you didn't heed my advice, Albus. I tried to warn you. Looks like you're getting too old for this too eh?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I will admit I was unprepared for Ms. Granger's experimentation into the Dark Arts. Ms. Granger is many things, and her thirst for knowledge is legendary amongst her peers, But, I would never have thought her so desperate to maintain her control over Harry as to turn to the Dark."

It was quiet for several moments as neither spoke. Moody broke the silence first with a slight frown on his face, each word spoken slowly as if trying to taste the truth in them. "Granger's into the Dark Arts?"

The healing Headmaster nodded from his prone position on the bed. "Sadly, it would appear so. It was clear she had no control over the magics that she invoked. What they were, I will not know until I have researched their manner. There is no telling what she would have done had Fawkes not absconded with me at the last moment."

"Tell me, Alastor, have you been to Hogwarts yet? Is Harry safe?"

Mad-Eye remained standing still but answered in the same tone he used prior. "Aye, I was there. Tonks gave me the gist, and Poppy told me you'd been transferred here. As for Potter, Tonks reported he wasn't in the castle when they checked."

Dumbledore seemed to deflate as he sighed. "Then she has taken him again. And, with Harry enscrolled there is no telling how long until we can move forward once more. You must find him Alastor. Whatever enchantments Ms. Granger is using on Mr. Potter must be broken as soon as possible. There is no telling what will happen if we are unsuccessful."

Moody nodded slowly at what he heard. "Nurse said you'll be here a bit. Couple of days."

"Yes. Apparently at my age, the fixing of bones is a difficult business. In my underestimation of Ms. Granger, I afforded her the opportunity to break quite a few. I should be well enough to return to Hogwarts by Wednesday at the earliest."

Still frowning, Moody changed topics. "How long we been friends now Albus?"

Slightly surprised the old man answered easily. "Over fifty years, I believe."

Moody nodded. "Aye. We've done some good in those years. Not exactly by the book, as my old rookie Bones was fond of saying, but we've done some good me and you. Rough ride or no, together we fought the good fight and won them all in the end, haven't we?"

Looking slightly pleased at what he was hearing, Dumbledore nodded with a smile. "Yes old friend, we have done some good. We have both long been warriors for the Greater Good and our world has indeed prospered for it. This is the last stretch, I think, for us. Once we rid the world of Voldemort, I do believe it will be time for the next generation to hold the reigns."

"Might be for the best." Mad-Eye slowly agreed. "I think we are getting too old for this, Albus. The blood does not quicken as it once did, and the world is changing whether we want it to or not. Get your rest, Albus. I'll go see if I can find Potter."

"Thank you, Alastor. I knew I could count on you."

With a curt nod, Moody left in his hobbling manner closing the door fully once in the hall. He looked back and forth a moment before he called to a passing Nurse.

Once the young woman approached, he started to speak but stopped mid-syllable when she began waving her wand about him.

"What are you doing, lass? I'm not a patient!"

The chit merely smirked at him as she completed her spell. "I know perfectly well who you are, Mr. Moody. I am also well aware of your reputation in this hospital. A simple diagnostic that will take longer if you do not remain still."

Frowning, he did just that. The harpies disguised as Nurses in this dungeon could get downright vicious when riled. Finished, the woman proceeded to mark something into the margin of one of the pages on her clipboard. "What's that then?"

"Just marking down today's time and date and that you are in perfect health. I am sure such an event has never occurred in our records." The Nurse replied smugly.

"Cheeky minx."

Smiling saucily, the woman lightly padded the side of his scared face. "You wouldn't survive the ride to find out, Mr. Moody. Now, how can I help you?"

Chuckling at the rare verbal spar, and double entrée, he raised an eyebrow. "I can think of a few things…" Mad-Eye grumbled causing the woman to chuckle and wink at him. "…however I'd like you to get a Mind Healer to check on Dumbledore on the quiet. Preferably a specialist."

Her playful humor was instantly replaced by her professional mask. "Do you suspect there is something we missed?"

"No lass." Moody shook his head turning slightly to look at his friend's room. "No lass I don't doubt the skill of the witches and wizards who work here. You are all good people who know their business. I don't know if his madness is from the natural progression of age, or something else. Whatever it is, I think we need to know what before he does something we can't fix." If we haven't already crossed that point.

"Oh dear. How long have you suspected there might be something wrong, Mr. Moody?" The nurse asked while jotting down notes.

Alastor frowned a moment. "I started to seriously wonder at the beginning of the summer. Thinking back, the signs have been about for ten years… Maybe as far back as sixteen. Small things mind, but it's getting worse."

The nurse nodded while noting his statement. "A great man, Dumbledore, but he is getting along now in years. Healer Basil is our best Mind Healer. I'll bring your concerns to him immediately."

Moody nodded. If he was right then that explained it. If he was wrong, then that brought a whole host of complications to the table. Like maybe the situation was forcing Albus to show his true colors. There was just enough friendship and respect left to inquire and have a Healer check it out. The alternative…and the direction his gut was leaning, was not something he was looking forward too. However, you didn't stay alive as long as he had in this business by not looking the buggered facts right in the face and dealing with them.

"I thank ya, lass."

He started to turn away when she spoke once more. "Eight."

Moody raised a scarred eyebrow. "Pardon?"

The young woman blushed slightly, still keeping her face to her notes. She clarified in a soft voice while she stated leadingly. "I get off work at eight."

Slightly surprised, but intrigued, Moody nodded. "Do you now? Dark times for a lass to be seeing herself home at night. I just might happen to be here around that time."

Moody watched the playful smile spread across her face. "I can't say I wouldn't mind an escort. These being dark times and all."

"Mayhap we'll see this evening then what can be arranged."

She gave him one more smile before walking away. Moody watched the slight sway of her hips till she rounded a corner. Hillock. I think he's still in investigations. He owes me for that bar fight he started two years ago that I pulled him of. Think I'll have him run her background. Constant Vigilance after all. Can never be too careful.

His mood much improved, Mad-Eye walked toward the exit with a slight smirk on his grizzled old face.

XxXDaRXxX

This was it. The accumulation of an entire summer of planning, and two weeks of execution have all led to this moment. How she managed to get this far, she had no idea, but everything seemed to fall into place once she reached Hogwarts an overheard conversation here, a nudge there. Misdirecting one person one way, manipulating another one in a different direction. Now, here she was almost at the finish line.

The cloaked girl took a deep breath as she waited in the shadows provided by a suit of armor. She could do this, she told herself. The plan was solid, and it would fix everything. There was still a lot that could go wrong true, but if she stuck to the plan, all would be fine.

The hidden girl continued to recite those thoughts to herself as she waited. Nerves had her arrive too early, so as not to miss her chance to keep the plan on track. For almost an hour, she waited until she saw the key to her plans walk down the corridor heading in her direction.

The young man paced back and forth three times before the blank wall as she watched. She didn't move until the door appeared.

"Draco." She whispered.

The blond haired young man turned immediately, but didn't seem surprised to see her there. He looked both ways, making sure they were alone before he swiftly walked to where she was hidden.

His voice was soft and loving when he greeted her before taking her into his embrace. "Hey, love. I wasn't expecting to see you here tonight."

After the short hug, she pulled the bundle of parchments from her robe. "Here, I have all the translations you need as well as some formulas for repairing enchantments."

Once again, Draco looked about. "You didn't tell anyone what we are doing did you?"

She shook her head. "Of course not, just some 'help' with a couple of rune set projects. The rune sets just happened to be the same ones you need help with. I split it up so that even if a few of them get together and talked, no one will be able to figure out what we are doing."

Draco nodded in approval, obviously relived. "Are you sure you want me to…"

"Yes." She cut him off. "This is the only way. You promised me, Draco."

He held up his hands pleadingly. "Look, I'm just concerned. This is going to change everything for you. Not to mention how dangerous this is going to be once I get done."

"I'll be fine." She assured him while digging about in her cloak before pulling a flask. "You look thirsty, love. Drink up."

Draco nodded trustingly as he took several gulps from the flask. He smiled lovingly as he handed it back. He leaned in and kissed her sweetly on her lips before groaning and leaning away. "I should go. Meet me at the top of the Astronomy Tower tonight?"

She gave him a smile nodding. "Of course I will. Good luck."

The Malfoy heir smiled warmly before he walked away, entering the door he created. A moment later, it faded from existence.

The cloaked girl sighed. She left her place of concealment, heading back to her common room while swallowing her guilt. She had to do this, and this was the only way to ensure she had her shot. But, the questions she had when she first started wouldn't leave her alone. Was this the right way? Did even he deserve this? What was with the way he was acting anyways? Was this his 'real' personality or was it the potions? Why couldn't he be the little ponce he was in public when he was alone with her? That she could handle. This…she didn't know what to do with 'this'.

Before she turned the corner to head to the stairs, she turned once more to the invisible door. If he just would have been a git this whole thing would have been so much easier. She bit her lip as the conflict raged within her. Maybe then she wouldn't be enjoying whatever this was so much. Maybe then she wouldn't dread the ending of… this.

XxXDaRXxX

The Minister of Magic appeared with a quiet pop of displaced air. She waited only a moment for her guard to appear next to her before she set off for her destination. It had taken far longer than she envisioned to set aside an evening of her time to make this arrangement. But, such was the life of a sitting Minister when they attended to business during wartime.

Wartime was more than an accurate description of the current crisis. She just didn't wish they had as many fronts as they did.

As she passed through the Leaky Cauldron and into Diagon Alley proper, she couldn't help but ruminate on the current climate. Not only did they have the war to fight, but now new fronts had opened over this Hermione Granger issue. Amelia cursed both the girl and Dumbledore for causing this distraction when they needed all their people committed to the real threat. However, this was quickly becoming the issue that just wouldn't die.

Then the Prophet started running articles. When she assumed office, she met with the Chief Editor for the wizarding paper and informed him that as long as his stories were not fanciful, she would not interfere in their printing the way Fudge did. She never agreed with the restriction of the press that was so prevalent during the Fudge Administration. As long as the reports were researched to the highest quality standards, and did not out any state secrets, the Ministry's policy was one of noninterference.

So, there was nothing she could do about the papers stories. They were factual. The supposition that was made in the reports was all done in a non-inflammatory manner that she couldn't argue with. This had the unhappy side effect of fracturing the populous. In letters to the Editor, people vilified Granger, cried for the supposed fate of Potter, and vice versa depending on their moods or allegiance.

Amelia sighed in frustration. The fact that her Aurors couldn't find these two kids did nothing for the Ministry's image. The only saving grace she had over this issue was that it was apparent that nobody could find them. She was absolutely sure that if Voldemort had found them, their bodies would have been showcased somehow. Voldemort's image had taken a greater hit than the Ministry's after his failed attack on the Alley.

Which just reminded her that in the last eventful week, she had not found the time before now to deal with that particular issue. As she walked to her meeting, Amelia couldn't help but think that letting the issue wait this long had done nothing to make confronting it easier.

"Even'n Ma'am."

…Speaking of the rogue and his band of miscreants. Amelia thought as she looked at the man who addressed her. She was so lost in her thoughts; she didn't even realize that she had traversed the length of Diagon Alley.

She nodded once to the man while taking in the strange railed platform behind him. "I take it that you are my escort to the ship?"

"Yes, ma'am, you're our first V.I.P. Sorry for not having a red carpet to roll out or anything. We just transfigured this from one of our cargo platforms a few hours ago when we heard you were coming."

"I'm sure it will be fine." Amelia stated as she stepped onto it.

Her escort smiled apologetically before he jerked his head towards her guard. "Sorry, ma'am, only authorized personnel on the ship. Raze's orders."

Amelia looked to her guards. "I'll be fine. Wait here or at the Cauldron. I'll let you know when I'm done."

"Yes, Ma'am," Both replied as they turned to walk away.

Amelia looked to her escort to Sebastian's ship. He gave her an easy smile before speaking. "I'd hold on, ma'am. It's a bit unnerving if you're not used to it."

She took his advice but, even still, was unprepared for the ride upward. The man stood in the center of the platform as it shot straight up. The sudden speed was nothing compared to the completely disorienting feeling of the wood beneath her feet as it wobbled. A regretful look down showed that the only thing suspending them was a column of air.

She didn't look down again.

Thankfully the trip was short and she soon found herself safely on board Sebastian's ship. Her escort smiled knowingly as she regained her center of balance offering his arm to help steady her. An offer she took gladly for the few moments it took.

"That was… an interesting experience."

The man laughed as he helped her off the platform. "Yeah, it's even wilder when you do it without the platform. I must have broken my legs at least five times learning it."

"Is that the only way to get on or off the ship?" She asked while settling herself.

Her escort nodded. "You bet. Either you do it yourself or you take one of the cargo platforms. Otherwise, you run afoul of the wards on the ship. Saw happen to a couple of guys once. No one came out of that looking pretty."

"I see." Was all she could think of to add.

Both of them stood by the port railing. Amelia looked along the deck, taking in the people going about their various tasks. With a side glance to her escort, she decided to see if she could get a bit of an advantage should he be talkative enough. "I'm sorry for my brusque greeting earlier. Thank you for the safe passage. I am Amelia Bones."

The dark haired man nodded shaking her hand. "Jason Taylor. Most people around here call me Reverend. Welcome, Mrs. Bones, to The Wounded Bitch."

Her eye twitched at the name of the ship before she could stop herself. Unconsciously, her eyes darted to the figurehead at the bow before returning to her escort. Thoughts of various ways to punish Sebastian were ended as quickly as they started as her companion kept talking.

"She's made in the style of the English Race Built Galleons of old. Modified of course to fit our needs but the outer hull and such are all the same as it was when Master Shipwright Mathew Baker built the HMS Revenge. Forty six guns at twenty per side and six on deck fore and aft. The Wounded Bitch runs over one hundred and forty feet in length, weighing in at just over five hundred tons. As we are at port, you can't see her sheets proper like along the rigging of her three masts, but when she's in a sprint, she's a sight to see. She's a fine beast of a ship. Our crew sits at just about sixty between the Gun Crews, Ground Team, and miscellaneous Ship Personnel. Most are M.U.T.E.'s except for the Ground Team."

Amelia nodded along to the points she understood and ignored the ones she didn't. Despite its name, and the figurehead, she did have to admit it was an impressive vehicle. "Indeed. Tell me, Mr. Taylor, is it a common practice for Sebastian to rename everyone who works for him?

The man named Reverend laughed good naturedly. "Pretty much."

"I see. Tell me about Sebastian's crew. They appear to be a widely varied sort."

He nodded. "You bet. People have come from just about everywhere to learn from Raze. Most don't make the cut and even less actually get spots on The Wounded Bitch. See that tall guy by the main mast?"

Amelia easily spotted the man. The man in question was sitting on a crate with a massive sword resting on his knees as he sharpened the blade in long strokes. She thought he looked familiar as her escort continued talking. "That's Thomas 'Hacker' Krieger. He's Team Leader for Team One, leads the ground teams if Raze isn't there. Good man but doesn't like many people. Guess you can see why he got his moniker."

Reverend looked about before pointing out another gentleman at the bow. The gentle looking shaggy headed man was talking to four others in what looked like an impromptu lecture of some kind. "That's John 'Santa' Williams. He leads Team Three."

"Santa?" Amelia couldn't help but snort at the man's nickname.

Her companion smiled. "Yeah, Santa's our ship's surgeon and healer. One of the few who didn't get his name from Raze. Hacker named him 'Santa' during one of our South American Campaigns. It was right after this nasty fight and most of us were hurt. Hacker actually smiled when John started to patch him up and said it must have been Christmas cuz Santa was here with presents for all the good little boys and girls. Sort of stuck."

She couldn't help her chuckle at the story as he continued talking. "Don't let his profession fool you though. Santa leads Team Three for a reason. Knows more ways to put a body down than just about anyone on the crew. A vicious thing when a healer goes on the offense. They know better than most where it's going to hurt, and Santa's never had a problem with doing it when needed."

Amelia didn't doubt it. The man had a confident air about him that spoke volumes. Once Reverend pointed him out, she recognized him as being one of Sebastian's people he was going to introduce before the Goblins demanded her attention. The sounds of a woman's laughter had both of them turn to look.

"That's Gloria 'Mace' Richardson over there. Leads Team Two."

Amelia stilled taking in the scene intently. The young woman was sitting on a crate, laughing hysterically at something her companions were explaining to her. Just as fast as she recognized her, she put her out of her mind. Her attention was solely on the woman's companions.

"Mace's only been around a year or two. Powerful Witch. Her spells pack enough punch to earn her name. Pretty sure she's ranked the fourth or fifth strongest caster in the ground forces."

It was obvious by now her escort had no idea who she was, so Amelia decided to use this opportunity to get more information. "Tell me Mr. Taylor, who are the two teens by Ms. Richardson? They look a lot younger than everyone else."

"The kids? Yeah this is their first voyage with us, but they haven't been assigned a team yet. I think they're still apprenticing to Raze. He had them doing something else when we left Arx Tutela and only caught up with us about a week ago. So, they weren't even a part of the Alley Battle."

"They joined Raze a few months ago sometime during the summer. The guy with the glasses and long hair, that's Harry 'Mist' Potter."

"Mist?" Amelia confusingly clarified. One thing she was noticing about Sebastian, he apparently developed a love for flare. 'Mist' didn't sound like a very prestigious or intimidating nickname to her, which brought her to question it.

Her companion chuckled at the tone she used. "You have to be on the inside of things to understand. When we use our magics we often times create a 'mist' about us. It's basically residue of raw magic from accessing the Arcanum. After a few castings, enough of it accumulates around us making it look like we are partially covered in the mist. It's one of three side effects of using Wild Magic."

Amelia nodded in understanding. "Yes, I remember from our Aurors after action reports. They described in detail how magic seemed to cling to Sebastian's team."

"That's the mist. Mist took to Wild Magic almost faster than Raze could teach it. Other than Raze, the only person who has a better grasp on it is Robert, but he's got more years developing his abilities than any of us. For us, the density of the mist shows the caster's commitment to the magics he or she is invoking. So, it's a title of respect. When Mist uses his magic, he almost always creates it."

"I see. And the young woman Mr. Potter has his arm around?"

Amelia raised an eyebrow at his unexpected laughter. "Hermione 'Surge' Granger."

"Another handle that requires an explanation?" Amelia asked.

Still chuckling, Reverend nodded. "A wild magic surge is another side effect we have to deal with. When adding raw magic of the Arcanum to your spells, you have to go by your gut. Surges most often happen when a Wizard or Witch tries to manually control that flow instead of using their instincts and trusting the Will of the Arcanum."

"Surges also happen when you under or overpower your spells. When they do happen, your spell either fails completely, backlashes, or most often something entirely random. Whatever happens is up to the Will of the Arcanum. She hates that with a passion. Her instinct in controlling wild magic is about the worst out of all of us. I'm pretty sure she still holds the record for Most Surged Spells out of everyone Raze trained by almost an order of magnitude. Raze named her during her training in Magnadane."

Her companion was still chuckling as he continued. "Now, when it comes to Wyarding, Surge is a beast of a spellcaster. Just nasty. She's got a serious and terrifying knack for Wyarding. I've seen her do things that even puzzled Raze, and he developed the technique."

Amelia remained quiet as she observed the teens. They appeared to be sharing stories with the red-headed woman who was sitting with them. Though she was unsure of the contents, she could tell the three of them had an easy camaraderie as they laughed and gestured about.

She resisted the urge to sigh. Somehow, it was aggravatingly fitting that the two most hunted teens in the isles would be hiding on Sebastian's ship. Which just so happened to be floating above Diagon Alley right in the heart of the Wizarding World in plain sight. She was going to kill Sebastian.

"If you're ready, Mrs. Bones?" Amelia nodded, following her escort as he descended into the ship.

After navigating the labyrinth that was the middle deck she eventually found herself taken to the rear of the ship. "Here we are. Just through this door ma'am. I'll be here if you need me." Reverend stated as he posted himself before the door.

With only a nod, she walked into the room, quickly taking it in. It was obviously the Captain's Quarters. One wall was floor to ceiling with small pictures of various places. Most of them with bloody or wounded people. She looked over it, not paying much attention as she continued her assessment.

The centerpiece of the room was a table set for two that had her eyebrow raise. Candles floated about, cascading their soft light over the area and rendering most of the room in shrouds. Sebastian rose from his desk when she eventually met his eyes.

"Amy. I'm glad you came. After the Battle, I had hopes you would have sought me out earlier..."

Amelia narrowed her eyes slightly at the familiar address, but didn't say anything at first. "I am Minister now, Sebastian. I have a nation at war that looks to me for guidance. I just can't shirk my responsibilities, like some people, for personal reasons."

He shrugged off the jibe easily, coming around the desk. "Well, you are here now..."

"Did you know you have a wanted fugitive on board your ship?" Amelia cut in to ask.

Raze's face took on a confused cast for a moment. "Which one?"

"You have more than one?" she asked alarmed.

Raze nodded easily. "Most of us are wanted for something somewhere in the world. At least half of us are wanted in multiple countries. Hacker's pretty proud of the fact he's wanted in at least six. So, you'll need to be specific about who you mean."

"Hermione Granger." She stated, gritting her teeth.

"Surge?" Raze waved the topic off. "That's nothing. Our cook, Bobby, now the things he's wanted for in France…"

"Sebastian…" Amelia hissed.

"What?"

Amelia tried very hard to keep her temper. The only outward sign of her struggle came in her tone. "She is wanted for various charges including Attempted Murder. That is not 'nothing'. That is a very serious charge."

Raze rolled his eyes. "If Surge wanted to kill Dumbledore, she would have done it."

"And what makes you think that, Sebastian?" She asked.

"Because that is what I taught her to do." Raze stated simply.

The room was quiet for several moments before Amelia started talking again. "Let me get this straight. You taught two teenagers how to kill?"

Raze scoffed. "Any fool can kill, Amy. You don't need to be taught that. No, I taught them how to fight and how to win. Personally I am insulted on Surge's behalf at the 'Attempted Murder' charge. I have no doubts that if Surge wanted Dumbledore dead, he would be."

"You can't teach emotional teenagers how to fight like that, Sebastian! They're too unstable. There's no telling what they would do with the knowledge. What the hell is wrong with you?" The Minister snarled.

"Damn it! This is WAR!" Raze shouted for the first time as he slammed his fists onto the desk. Amelia didn't flinch but narrowed her eyes at his loss of control. In the flickering candlelight the scar that bisected his eye shown in startling relief.

"For Fuck's sake, I don't train cops Amy, I train Warriors! Warriors who kill on the battlefield so that the enemy can't come back to kill them. Warriors kill so that when they go home their loved ones are safe. They bleed, harm, kill, and if need be, they will die to see it so!"

She shook her head. "Same old Sebastian, still raging against the administration! We have rules and laws in our society for a reason. Anything less and we might as well just join Voldemort. Look at what happened because you ignored that?"

Raze snorted. "I didn't say I trained killers, Amelia. I said I train warriors. Warriors who are smart enough to know when to fight and when not to. Stupid warriors don't live long and often times are just as much a liability to the cause as to their enemy."

He looked deep into her eyes. "Besides, look at what using stunners did for us in the first war, Amy. Look at all the people who died because there wasn't anyone willing to take the fight to the enemy. I don't advocate mob mentality against innocents, but when the bugles sound I will say let there be blood for blood. You didn't complain this strongly when my people dropped into Diagon Alley last week."

In a softer voice, pitched to match his now that he was calming back down, she replied. "That is because your crew are all adults Sebastian. They know the stakes. They understand and choose their paths. Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger are still children. I will grant you that they are hardened children of this conflict, but they are still children. They should be protected, not trained for violence. Violence of this nature is our responsibility, our burden to bear."

Raze nodded. "On that, we can agree. That is why they are on my ship, which proves how smart they are. I trained them because no matter what we say or what we want, they have their own destiny in this war. With my training, they just might live to see the end but that doesn't mean I want them on the front lines. That's what I am here for."

"I tell you, Amy, Surge didn't pick that fight, and I am proud of her restraint. Especially considering… There are things about this situation that you don't know."

Raze sized her up for several moments before speaking again. "When they first came to me they told me everything, Amy. Everything about what they knew, and what they suspected at that time. When they came to me this last time, they told me more. I'm willing to bet I know more about this war than you do."

Amelia was nowhere arrogant enough to think she knew the entirety of the facts in this war so nodded. "Enlighten me then, Sebastian."

Raze waved at the table. "You're going to want to sit for most of this…"

Author's Notes

Okay, Chapter Twenty-three revision is done. For those of you interested in the story instead of my drivel, by all means leave a review telling me what you think of this chapter, and then hit that 'Next' button. Enjoy the read. As always thank you to all reviews and readers. You are noticed and appreciated.

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