Chapter Fifteen

The next lesson that Anton had with the fifth years was the day three days after he had gone into the forest with Draco, the classroom filled up quickly and most seemed extremely excited about another lesson. Anton saw Draco slide into a seat near the back with his customary scowl fixed firmly on his face though Anton couldn't help but notice that he was eyeing him with extreme wariness.

Harry, Hermione and Ron were muttering quietly and Anton thought it best to start the lesson quickly.

'Quiet!' he ordered 'get out your books and turn to page thirty, I know you spent a lesson on this in your third year but that isn't enough, so today we're doing werewolves.'

Books were hurriedly opened and silence fell over the waiting students.

Anton clicked his fingers and began speaking.

'Werewolves are supposedly dark and dangerous creatures in the eyes of the law and society' he said calmly and behind him the relevant words appeared on the blackboard 'can anyone tell me why this is an unfair and inaccurate judgement to make?'

Hands raised and Anton picked one 'Harry what's the answer?'

'It's wrong to say that all werewolves are dark and dangerous because the wizards and witches can't help the fact they've been bitten' Harry replied 'it's only on full moons they can be a risk, quite often they don't want to hurt anyone.'

'Quite right, five points,' Anton nodded 'there are methods by which a werewolf can reduce the risk to others and themselves, which is...Seamus?'

'Me old man said one way was a potion,' Seamus shrugged 'helps them keep their minds.'

'Five points,' Anton granted 'now who knows the name?'

'Wolfsbane,' Hermione answered earning another five points for Gryffindor.

'You'll learn more about that in potions,' Anton continued 'what are the signs of a werewolf?'

-=-=-=-=-=-

The lesson continued with both houses volunteering answers and earning points, Draco did not offer any answers throughout the entire session, he chose instead to glare at Anton with all the venom befitting the son of a Death Eater. After half an hour verbally talking about werewolves Anton hoped that he had been able to rid some of the prejudices from certain werewolves and set the class to copy out the information from the board that had been accumulating since the beginning of the period.

After they were dismissed with the task of a foot long essay on the inequalities suffered of those infected with the werewolf curse and those wizards and witches who were not.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

That evening after dinner Anton went to the library, there were a lot of students among the bookshelves and sitting at tables as they worked through their homework undoubtedly with the view to get it finished before the weekend started properly.

Anton went to the librarians desk and to his utter surprise she smiled a him, being so used to her frown he almost forgot what he was after,

'How can I help you Professor Lukyen?' she said friendlily.

'Urm…I…' Anton shook his head and articulated his words carefully 'I was wondering if you could help me find a book on properties that belonged to old wizarding families in the last hundred years.'

She raised her eyebrows at the unusual request before stepping out from behind her desk and heading over to a bookcase. After about five minutes she pointed a selection of old books.

'These are all the books we have that satisfy what you are after,' Madam Pince said knowledgably 'if there is anything else you need don't hesitate to ask.'

Anton pulled a book of the indicated shelf and leafed through it looking for the location of a certain house, after a short while he placed it back on the shelf and pulled another one out this again was a futile quest and he jammed the book back with the others while at the same time hauling the next book out. This book was much older than the other two and Anton felt a glimmer of hope that this might supply him with the answer.

Sadly not, it focused on light families rather than dark families. The same disappointments continued with the other five books, 'surely' Anton rationalised in his head there had to be something more substantial than the small mention that the fact the Guant family had had to sell their manor house and move to somewhere else- although where was not specified.

This was not good, Anton was starting up his search for the Horcruxes again, in the future the light side had started to slowly by the time they began looking they reached each consecutive hiding place to find the Horcrux had already been taken by Voldemort, Anton gritted his teeth with frustration that he had not been included when Dumbledore had gone after the ring and even more irritation that he had never asked his old headmaster, it would have made his task so much easier.

He toyed briefly with the idea of asking Dumbledore where the Guant's house was but immediately dismissed it, he thought he may tell the man later on but then again he might not, it would depend on what would happen he could only hope that Ofelia was slower on the uptake.

Putting every book away he strode from the library along the darkening corridors feeling utterly aggravated at the fact his search had shown up nothing. He had gotten as far as his quarters when he had a brainwave- the archives.

He spun on his heels and swept back through the school, when he reached the room of the archives Anton placed the palm of his hand on the centre of the door (students weren't allowed in) a small white spark flickered and the door unlocked. Pushing it open Anton entered the huge cavernous room, every spare inch was covered in files all sorted chronologically.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Three hours later Anton was surrounded by bits of paper and was barely resisting the urge to scream, he pulled another file out and struck gold.

Morfinda Gaunt

Born – 1854

…

It went on to list her address 'The House of Gaunt', and it was most probably be where here ancestors had lived as well and was close to Little Hangleton.

Anton whooped quietly and after he called on the house-elves to tidy up (feeling guilty as he still had residual SPEW values in his head) he hurried from the archives, he jogged past Filch and Mrs Norris and headed to Dumbledore's office,

It was now completely dark outside and the castle was silent which signalled it must be after curfew. He arrived at the gargoyle a short time later.

'Lemon Drops,' he said.

The gargoyle sprung open and Anton rushed up the stairs and knocked on the door.

'Come in,' the voice of Dumbledore called.

Anton pushed the door open and saw the headmaster sitting at his desk, Dumbledore looked at him expectantly.

'What can I help you with Anton?' he asked.

'I was hoping to leave the school this weekend,' Anton replied 'there are some things I need to take care of.'

'When do you want to set off?' Dumbledore said sitting up straight as he listened to his Defence teacher.

'I suppose now would be good,' Anton said seriously 'I'd be back at Sunday at the latest.'

'It's half past three in the morning,' Dumbledore said looking slightly alarmed 'is something so badly wrong you can't wait until the morning?'

'It could wait,' Anton conceded 'but I would like to get going as soon as possible.'

'I'm going to ask you to wait until tomorrow morning when it's light,' Dumbledore said calmly 'and by then you'll be able to get some sleep and Severus will have prepared some more potions for you to take with you, I'm sure he will bemoan you disrupting the times you are supposed to take it.'

'I think I can live with that,' Anton responded nodding 'first thing in the morning then I'm going.'

'Do you need assistance?' Dumbledore asked not happy about what was happening.

'I can manage on my own,' Anton replied.

'Do you need transport to get you to your location?'

'I'll fly,' Anton said making his way to the door 'and I'll apparate once I get outside the barriers.'

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Anton didn't spend the time he had before morning sleeping, but instead preparing for his trip. He took a black satchel and dropped assorted weapons into it along with an emergency aid kit and some pain relief potions just in case anything unfortunate happened. Pyra was next to him watching with interest as he packed the bag and then she whined slightly.

'I can't take you with me,' he said gently taking a minute and stroking her head 'you're an amazing salamander but I doubt you can stay on the back of my Firebolt as I'm travelling.'

She growled softly but Anton ignored her, he had more important things to do than nurse the wounded pride of his pet.

'I'll be back really soon,' he promised.

Pyra turned her back on him and walked over to her bed, curling up on it she didn't look at him once.

Sighing in frustration Anton turned back to what he was doing.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

He waited until seven the next morning before he eventually set of, he was wearing black, tough fabric trousers with a black top and his thick black travelling cloak, as usual he had he had his dragonhide boots on and his black hair was tied at the nape of his neck. The only colour that was even slightly visible was the pendent around his neck, the black satchel was slung across his chest and his broom was clasped in his hand, his sword stuck out above his shoulders in its sheath.

'If these are kept warm constantly and are taken at exactly the right times then my potion skills may not be entirely wasted,' Snape said.

'I appreciate it,' Anton said taking the potions vial which were magically heated continuously. He placed them in his satchel and mounted his broom before looking back at the headmaster and the potions teacher 'I'll be back as soon as possible.'

'Be careful Anton,' Dumbledore said his beard glowing in the growing light.

'I'll try,' Anton replied pushing off from the ground.

He flew high into the air the wind whipping past him as he zoomed forward, as he looked back the two teachers had become small pricks on the steps of the castle.

He flew quickly and in a couple of seconds he had cleared the wards of Hogwarts, while he had stayed up he had done some more research and armed with the name of the Gaunt house he had discovered that there were wards around the area that immediately signalled to Voldemort that a wizard had apparated nearby to his Horcrux. Thus meaning that Anton was forced to fly- not that he particularly minded he had just hoped to get it all done much faster than it was currently progressing.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Anton flew for hours, the sun was high in the sky and it was a cloudless day with hardly any wind buffeting him, he passed over fields and trees as well as cities and lakes.

Dusk was setting in by the time Anton neared the old house, he turned his broom downwards and landed softly on the country lane with its overgrown hedgerows on either side, he went to a gap in the hedge and walked along a narrow dirt track where the hedgerows had grown almost out of control. Hurrying down the rocky path it soon opened up to copse. Ahead the house was almost invisible in the thick tangle of trees, moss covered the walls and tiles were missing from the roof displaying some of the rafters.

Anton climbed through the high nettles and up to the front door ignoring the grime covered windows. The high trees blocked out any moonlight leaving the house in complete darkness, Anton adjusted his eyes allowing him to see in the gloom. The rough front door had a big nail imbedded in the middle.

Anton turned on his sight to detect magic, sure enough the front door glowed with this use of sight, turning it off he pulled his wand out of its holster and touched it to the wood it throbbed as power radiated from the door.

'Finite Incantatum,' he murmured.

A spell burst from the tip of the wand and was immediately absorbed by whatever was blocking the door. Pulling a face Anton stepped backwards and summoned a huge charge of fire, throwing it at the door it burst it open in an explosion of noise, the spell guarding the door was blown towards Anton in a black murky cloud, he quickly threw up a shield to block the spell, it crashed into his shield in a wave of power and was blown back off it.

Anton lowered his shield headed cautiously to the door, there was a combined kitchen and living room with two doors leading off it. A filthy ancient armchair was next to a ash filled fireplace and cobwebs hung to dirty pots in the kitchen and on the stone walls.

Anton passed to one of the doors and nudged it open, two old beds were the only furniture in the room, each with ripped grimy grey sheets strewn over them, a huge influx of power was radiating from under one of them.

'Mobiliarbus,' Anton waved his wand and the bed shattered as it was thrown against the wall.

With the bed gone the thick dust covered floors were exposed, Anton studied the floorboards. One floorboard was coated in several dark curses that leeched any goodness out of the room instantly.

Anton dropped to his knees and gently pried the wooden board away from the others, beneath a black haze blocked the top of the hollow simmering in an ominous way.

Anton edged closer to the hole to see the enchantments more clearly, almost immediately one of the spells whipped out and slashed Anton across his wrist leaving a deep gash that oozed thick blood.

Anton swore loudly his voice breaking through the crystallised quiet with a sudden jolt, he hopped backwards and fired a spell he had picked up in the future at the dark haze. The force of the purple spell exploded against the vapour and one of the curses imploded in on itself leaving two curses left protecting what was now unmistakably a golden box.

A ghostly snake uncurled itself from the black mist, it was long and thick and it raised its head slowly like it was waking up after a long sleep.

'Password?' it hissed.

Anton thought as fast as he could, it couldn't be Nagini as she hadn't been around when he had sealed the Horcrux, it also couldn't be Riddle as he hated his muggle name with a passion.

'Password?' it hissed again more angrily rising its wraithlike form higher.

'…pureblood…' Anton said cautiously taking a guess.

'Password…' the snake hissed 'is incorrect.'

'Oh hell!' Anton cursed as the snakes globular eyes glowed a viscous green colour.

The green discharged from the serpent's eyes and shot towards Anton who barely managed to jump out the way in time, the curse smashed into the wall behind Anton and blew a huge chunk out, the damaged stonework crashed to the floor and the snakes eyes began to glow green again.

'Avada Kedavra's!' Anton shouted in disbelief 'he equipped a ghost snake with the ability to shoot death from its eyes! What I wouldn't give to be invisible.' he seethed distractedly tugging on the pendent around his neck as he thought this.

The snake's eyes began to dim in colour and it slowly began to withdraw back into the hole.

'Enemy destroyed,' it hissed 'password- Merope- still safe.'

Anton gazed at the snake in shock as to why it had stopped its attack, he lifted his arm and noticed with utter shock that it was as if it was a shadow and then he realised- he was invisible. He took his hand away from the pendant and immediately the snake rose back up and hissed.

'Password?'

'Merope,' Anton said quickly.

'Password…' the snake hissed 'is correct.'

It vanished in a puff of silver smoke and Anton was left wondering exactly how Dumbledore had managed to get past the snake when he had gone after the Horcrux.

Anton scrambled back over to the open floorboard and leant over it, the golden box glinted up at him temptingly and after checking for more curses he picked it up slowly, sitting back on his haunches he prised the lid off.

The gold band of the ring with its black stone glittered, Anton suddenly had an indescribable urge to put the ring on, he lifted it carefully out of the box and went to put it on his finger the twinkling jewel was amazing with its magical inscribed symbol.

The image of Dumbledore's withered arm flashed suddenly into his mind and he dropped the ring in surprise. His mind cleared instantly and he mentally punched himself at his stupidity now he remembered he noticed the incredibly powerful compulsion charm that was clinging to the ring.

'Finite Incantatum,' he pointed his wand cancelling the spell.

The fatal curse was still hanging thickly on the ring but the desire to put it on was gone. Anton bent down and retrieved it from the floor ignoring the aura of evilness that clung heavily.

No simple spell would rid this curse so Anton placed his wand in-between both of his hands and taking a deep breath he summoned magic from his core directly. It was like a rush of energy bursting from his insides, it was channelled down the wand in an eruption of raw magical force, it came in a deep red stream and enveloped the ring.

Power surged from the ring as it recognised an attack and Anton's power fought back equally as forceful, with an extra push from Anton he pressed more magic from his core and into the fight against the ring.

With an ear shattering crash the magic dispelled and Anton fell to his knees in exhaustion, struggling over to the ring he picked it up and saw the huge crack running down the centre of it. Smiling he slipped it safely onto his finger and pushed himself from the floor.

When an Anton eventually staggered from the house he reached inside his satchel and pulled some pepper-up potion out, drinking it down he followed it with the black potion and then wrapped a small bandage around his wrist to stop the blood and after drinking another pepper-up potion he clambered onto his broom and pushed off into the black sky.