Chapter fifteen

Neville Longbottom made his way down the streets of London ignoring the passersby. The smell of petrel, rain, and various types of food filled the air as he walked. Coming to Muggle London always made him nervous. He felt like an outsider. In the Wizarding world, he was someone, but here he was just another person on the streets. No one gave him a second look when they bumped into him.

At the thought of the Wizarding world, he winced. He may be uncomfortable in Muggle London, but at least no one expected anything from him here. He was free, or as free as he was ever likely to get.

Another bright side to Muggle London was no fear. Everyone seemed happy enough, or at least unafraid to walk the streets. These days Diagon Alley stayed deserted most of the time.

Turning down a side-street, he entered an alley devoid of people. Crushed cigarette butts had been smashed into the cracks in the pavement and half the buildings had no windows. The empty holes seemed to stare at him like unfriendly eyes. The smell of sweat, piss, and stale whisky permeated the air. He approached the steps to a run-down building. The brickwork was cracked, several of the windows were boarded up, and a drunk lay on the steps, snoring loudly. As Neville approached, the man sat up, drawing a long knife from his grubby coat.

"What you want?" he growled.

Neville held up a hand. "I don't want any trouble. I just want inside that building behind you."

The man looked Neville up and down, his blood shot eyes narrowing. "What you wearing robes for? Snot Halloween is it?"

Neville's jaw clenched. "Look, I don't have time for this. Are you going to let me in or not?"

"Buildin's not safe for people like you," the man said slumping down to lay full length on the steps. "Hell; ain't safe for people like me, but I got an agreement with one of the people in there. Supposed to let him know if anyone's looking for him. So, who you want to see?"

"That's none of your business," Neville snapped.

The man moved so fast, Neville didn't even have time to attempt to draw his wand. One moment he was laying down, the next, the blade of the knife was at Neville's throat. "Fraid it is," the man breathed into Neville's face. His breath smelled like roast pork and old beer.

Neville's hand moved towards his pocket, but the knife pressed harder against his throat. A thin trickle of blood ran down his neck, tickling his skin. "Wouldn't go for your wand if I were you, wizard." The last word was said as if Neville a trafficker of children. He froze.

"That's right," the man said. "I know what you are. Now, you can tell me who you're looking for, or I can open your throat from ear to ear."

"That will do," a female voice said from the top of the steps.

Neville looked up to see a tall redhead coming through the battered wooden doors. She was at least 5'10 with eyes the color of melted chocolate and hair the color of flames. He could just see the tips of pointed ears sticking through her hair. She slowly walked down the steps to stand beside the drunk. "Let him go," she said with a put upon sigh. "If you kill him, they'll be a lot of awkward questions and we can't say we didn't notice a dead body on our steps."

The man stepped back, drawing his knife away from Neville's throat. "Milady," he said bowing.

Ginny nodded. "You did good, Frank," she handed him a fifty pound note. "Go get yourself a room for the night and something to eat." She frowned severely. "Try to get something nonalcoholic, alright? You drink so much I nearly get a buzz just from being near you."

Frank grinned, showing straight yellow teeth. "I could show you a good time, milady," he said. "Never forget it, you wouldn't."

"I'm sure I wouldn't," Ginny said lips twitching. "Somehow I don't think it'd be the pleasant experience you imply. All the alcohol you drink has probably given you a problem, if you catch my drift."

Frank clapped a hand to his heart. "You wound me," he cried. "I'll have you know I'm a great lover."

"I'm sure you are when your sober. After all, your Father was an incubus. But now, your just a sot. Get out of here and sober up. You're no used to us drunk."

Frank shrugged and began walking down the alley. Before he turned the corner, he looked back. "You be careful, Milady," he warned. "Nothin good ever comes from dealin with wizards."

Ginny watched him leave before turning back to Neville. "Come on," she said curtly. She turned and strode up the steps. The doors swung open without her touching them and she disappeared into the building.

As Neville followed her inside, he nearly screamed as a rat scampered across his foot. The door slammed shut behind them. Ginny led him down a narrow hallway. The paint was pealing, and most of the doors hung lopsided in their frames.

"Why would you have an office here," Neville said wrinkling his nose at the smell of spoiled meat that filled the hallway. "It smells like somebody died in here."

"They probably did. We don't ask questions of the building's other tenants. As for why we have an office here, it insures that no one comes to see us unless they really need to. Besides, most people like us are outcasts. It's easier to find them when you work among them."

"Do you live like them to? What? Do you have a cardboard box somewhere?"

Ginny glared at him. "No, we have a little cottage outside the city. It's not much, but we like it. It's simple which was the way Harry and I were raised."

"You and Evans," Neville said. "I didn't think you two were that close."

"Ten years can change a lot," Ginny said, "not that there was much to change, mind. Harry and I got married as soon as we came of age."

She stopped outside a door that was actually intact. It had all its hinges and the paint was relatively fresh. Pushing the door open, she led the way inside.

A man with short silver hair and emerald green eyes reclined, his feet propped on the desk in front of him. Ginny went around the desk and plopped down in the man's lap, leaning back against him comfortably.

"Evans?" Neville asked.

The man nodded. "Who were you expecting?"

Neville shrugged. "You just looked very different the last time I saw you."

Harry just stared at him. "I've been through some changes, but we're not here to talk about my looks. What do you want? As my wife said, no one comes here unless they're specifically looking for us and I can count on one hand how many visitors we've had from the Wizarding world over the years."

"We have a problem. There's a new threat to the Wizarding world."

"Uh-huh," Harry said. "How is this my problem? As you know, I was forced to leave your world ten years ago. They would've expelled Ginny if Ariana hadn't taken steps to prevent it."

"Your Mother is still a witch."

"Incorrect," Harry said. "My Mother is a Wolfshifter. Wizarding society tolerated her, but you know they never accepted her."

Neville ground his teeth until his jaws ached. "Please," he said softly. "I have a wife and child. I don't want to watch them die. You have no idea how bad it is." He took a deep breath.

"This person is worse than Voldemort ever thought about being. He's targeting everyone. He doesn't care if they are pure-blood or Muggle-born. If they stand up to him, he kills them. Some of the bodies," he swallowed and there was a clicking sound in his throat. "Some of the bodies couldn't be identified they were so badly mangled."

Harry just watched Neville, his face showing nothing. "I feel for you, but what exactly do you want from me. I am only one man. I have no great power that allows me to just snap my fingers and make all your problems go away."

"Your Mother is the true queen of Elphame. Can't she summon aid from the fae? We need help. The auror force has been decimated. We barely have enough to patrol the streets now. The only safe place his Hogwarts and even it has been attacked several times. The wards are holding for now, but I don't know how much longer they'll last. The attacks are increasing in severity each time. Dumbledore is exhausted trying to maintain the wards the castle is full to bursting with those that have lost their homes."

Neville saw a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning, he saw a transparent figure standing beside Harry and Ginny. Long blue hair fell to his shoulders and his golden eyes shone with power.

"Oberon," Neville breathed.

The man smiled sadly. He addressed Neville as if he hadn't spoken.

"I am afraid there is no hope coming from the fae."

Neville's shoulders slumped. "Do you hate the wizards so much that you would watch our race die without intervening?"

"You misunderstand," Oberon said gently. "The spell I used closed the gates to Elphame. I have no doubt that there are fae loyal to Lily. However, in order for them to be able to help, the gates would need to be open which would allow Aeval and her forces to come after my son. I couldn't allow that. I had to protect him."

"But you've cut the fae off from the mortal world," Neville snapped. "If they were here we may have a chance to stop this madness."

"I wasn't thinking clearly at the time," Oberon said defensively. "You have a baby girl now. What would you have done in my place? Lily is powerful, but she can't fight an army of assassins. Harry was just a baby. I admit it may have been hasty, but I did what I thought was best for my family."

"You are a king," Neville growled. "You were supposed to look out for all of your people, not just your family."

"At the time I had no idea how many followers Aeval had. For all I knew, the entirety of Elphame could've turned against me."

"Enough!" Harry bellowed. "Neville, this is getting us nowhere. Look, I don't know if I want to help or not, but give me three days and I'll let you know what I decide."

"Don't know if you'll help," Neville snapped. "What part of he's killing everyone that opposes him don't you understand?"

"My family and I are safe in the mundane world," Harry explained patiently. "I have to think long and hard about whether or not to stick my neck out for a society that never wanted anything to do with me in the first place."

"Is your grudge really more important than innocent lives?"

"No, but how do I know that I won't be arrested once your little problem is taken care of? The Wizarding government is not exactly known for their honesty, are they?"

"You have my word that you won't be prosecuted for any actions you take to stop Abaddon."

"I see," Harry said. "Are you a member of government? Is there any way you can insure that your word is binding?"

"I am the Boy-Who-lived," Neville said. "I have a lot of sway over the government. If I ask, they won't refuse me."

"Sure," Harry said sarcastically. "And how popular are you right now, exactly? I imagine since your new Dark Lord is running around they aren't singing your praises are they? You haven't done anything to stop the current threat have you? Tell me, Neville, has the government started slandering you yet? If so, you're word means next to nothing. No, if I and my family are going to help, I want a magically binding oath that we have diplomatic immunity from any prosecution."

Neville's shoulders slumped. "Alright," he whispered. "Alright, I'll return in three days with the Ministries answer."

XXX

Harry watched Neville leave the office. Once the door had closed behind him, he relaxed. Ginny shifted on his lap. Turning around, she kissed him softly. Pulling back, she looked deep into his eyes.

"Well, that went well."

Harry grunted. "I knew they'd be asking for help soon. I know I should help and if it were just me, I would jump right in, but I don't want to put you or the rest of our family in danger."

Ginny poked him in the ribs. "I am fully capable of taking care of myself you know."

"Never said you weren't," Harry said. "I just don't want to put any of us in a situation where we can be locked up in prison for the rest of our lives."

Ginny stood up. "Come on, we'll go talk to your Mum. She can gather everyone together and we can make a group decision. If we all agree, then we help them. If we don't, then we wait to see what Abaddon is going to do. Sound fair?"

Harry stood up reluctantly. "Sure, but we're going to end up helping them, aren't we?"

Ginny took his hand and began leading him out of the office. "Probably."

XXX

"I'm surprised it took them this long," Lily said stirring her tea. "I really expected them to show up before now."

"Doesn't make it any easier," Harry said. "I'm tempted to just say screw it."

Ginny squeezed his hand. "You know Abaddon isn't going to stop. He'll kill everyone that we care about once he's done with the wizards. Besides, my parents are still in the Wizarding world."

Harry winced. "Sorry Gin, I almost forgot about that."

Hermione looked up from her cup of warm milk. Although Ariana had been able to reverse most of the effects of the Pollyjuice potion, Hermione had been left with some unusual features.

Her eyes were a piercing green and glowed faintly in low light. Her canine teeth were noticeably longer than most of her teeth and her hair had become softer and less wavy than it'd been before. When she spoke, her voice was soft like the mew of a kitten.

"He wants you, but not just you. If what Dumbledore told us all those years ago is true, he wants to destroy the Wizarding world just for the fun of it."

"It's not just that," Luna said taking a bite of a chocolate biscuit. Swallowing, she continued. "He wants to cause as much chaos as possible. He knows he won't be staying here, so he views this world as a toy he can play with. I think he wants to cause a war against Magicals and then leave us to fight among ourselves. Before he can do any of that, he needs to get rid of any opposition."

"Which is why he keeps killing anyone who stands up to him," Lily said. "Does he know you've been inside his head?"

Luna shook her head. "I haven't been inside his head. I wouldn't risk going in there. He'd probably sense me, but one of his companions is damaged. Her mind is fractured by guilt and insanity." She frowned. "Also, there is something really wrong with her soul. It's almost like it has been subsumed by another."

"Subsumed?" Lily questioned. "What do you mean?"

Luna ran her fingers through her dirty blond hair. "It's like she's possessed, but it's unlike any case of possession I've heard of. It's more like there are two souls that have been forcibly merged together. There merged as one, but they are not a single soul. It's more like conjoined twins, rather than a single person."

"Conjoined souls," Lily said thoughtfully. "I've never heard of anything like that before."

"Could this be useful to us somehow?" Harry asked. "I don't know much about mind magic beyond protecting my own thoughts. Did one of the souls try and help you?"

"Perhaps," Luna said. "She definitely reached out. She's scared. Whatever Abaddon's done to her, it was horrible. She did something in the past that causes her great guilt. Abaddon has used that to suppress her in her own body so another soul can take up residence."

"Which one is it?" Ginny asked. "Reports are that he has a red headed companion and a brunette."

"It's the brunette."

"So what do we do?" Harry asked. "I see no way we can talk to her and I think making mental contact would be a very bad idea."

"We have to go back," Lily said.

Harry looked up at her. "What?"

"You heard me. We can't stay on the sidelines any longer. We have to return to the Wizarding world."

Harry rubbed his forehead. "I was afraid you'd say that."

XXX

Dumbledore looked up at the knock on his door. He smiled when he saw Lily and Harry standing there.

"Come in," he said. "Lemon drop?"

Lily shook her head, the corner of her mouth twitching up briefly. "No thanks Albus. How have you been? It's been what? Five years since we've spoken?"

"Thereabouts," Albus said. "Things have been tense. The ministry is hanging on by a thread. Abaddon has more dark creatures and Wizards under his command than Voldemort ever had. Even Muggle-borns are following him. He seems to be gathering support from the impoverished of our community."

"Not surprising," Harry said. "Voldemort tried with the wealthy. If Abaddon tries to gain the support of the poor, he probably thinks they'll be more loyal."

"He may be right," Dumbledore said. "After all, if you have nothing to lose, you can't really go anywhere but up."

"So what's his army look like really?" Lily asked.

"He killed the dementors," Dumbledore said. "We have to be grateful to him for that if nothing else, but he has vampires and shapeshifters under his control."

"Shapeshifters? Like me?" Lily asked.

"Indeed, one of my people reported some kind of cat human hybrid killed a group of aurors about three weeks ago." Dumbledore took off his half-moon spectacles and rubbed his eyes. "Most of the auror force is gone. We're losing. What remains of the aurors is almost ready to quit and I can't say as I blame them. Most of the ones left have families and it's not like the ministry can afford to help pay for funerals these days. It's only a matter of time until he attacks Hogwarts. I don't know how we're going to hold him off when that happens. The wards are strong, but not impenetrable."

"Giving up?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore smiled grimly. "No, I'll fight until my last breath. As bad as things are, there are still students here. We've managed to get most of their families here as well. I have too many people to protect just to give up and die."

Harry grinned. "So we fight. First things first, we need to improve the wards."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "I would welcome any suggestions."

"Fae wards?" Lily asked.

"Fae wards," Harry said. "With Ginny and Dumbledore's help, I should be able to create a triumvirate ward."

"Triumvirate ward?"

"It's a ward that requires the magic of three individuals. Nearly impenetrable, but fragile."

"How can it be both," Lily asked.

"SO long as all three of the casters remain alive nothing can get through that defense, but if one of them dies…"

"The ward falls," Dumbledore guest.

Harry nodded. "Exactly."

"We'll need to figure out a way to prevent that," Lily said. "I wonder if there is a way to layer the wards with three people creating each layer. You don't have to be fae to create the wards, right?"

Harry shook his head. He glanced at Dumbledore. "How is Knockturn Alley?"

Dumbledore's eyebrows rose slightly. "That particular part of Diagon Alley is doing just fine. Why do you ask?"

Harry stood up. "Because I think that's where Abaddon is drawing his followers from."

XXX

Harry walked down the iron steps, his feet making a loud clang with each step. He had no sooner reached the bottom, when a tall figure exited the smoke hanging over the room.

His long blond hair was tied back in a ponytail. He wore a long black trench coat over a black shirt and black Jeans. His black eyes widened in surprise when he saw who had entered his bar.

"Harry? What are you doing here?"

Harry grinned at Bloodwind. "I know this is where most of the outcasts hang out." He leaned closer. "I also know that this is where Abaddon is drawing most of his stronger followers from."

Bloodwind's eyes narrowed. "Look Harry, I don't want any trouble. This place is neutral ground. There are layers of protections that prevent any violence in this bar."

Harry squeezed Bloodwind's shoulder. "I swear I'm not here to start trouble. I just want to talk."

Bloodwind hesitated. "Alright, but if you break anything, you're paying for it."

"Deal," Harry agreed following Bloodwind into the bar proper.

The bar was a simple low stone room. Torches hung on the walls and old fashioned oil lamps dangled from chains on the ceiling. The torches and the lamps burned with an unnatural blue flame. A long oak bar took up one side of the room. The knots and rough look of the wood told Harry it'd been carved from a single tree.

"Wow," he said gesturing at the bar. "Where'd you find a hunk of wood that big?"

Bloodwind grinned. "That's what she said."

Harry clapped a hand to his forehead. "I walked right into that one."

"Yes, you did. To answer your question, that particular tree grew down in the goblin mines. When they forced me to leave; I went back and… procured it."

Harry started to ask how goblins could get an oak tree to grow without any sunlight, but decided it wasn't important. As he took a seat at the bar, the entire room went deathly quiet.

Turning around, Harry saw vampires, werewolves, and not a few half-goblins staring at him. He raised a hand, palm out in a nonthreatening gesture. "How've you guys been?"

There was no answer. Harry slowly stood up from his stool, tension tightening every muscle. "I'm not here to fight. I just want to talk."

A vampire stepped towards him, his fangs glinting in the torchlight. His brown eyes turned crimson. As Harry watched, what little color was in his face drained away giving him a skull-like appearance. "What if we don't want to talk?" he hissed. "What if we just want to drag you down and take you to Abaddon? He's looking for you, you know."

"Really?" Harry said casually. "Follower of his are you?"

The vampire lifted his chin. "Yeah, he promises us equality."

"Right," Harry said. "And how many other dark lords have promised that over the centuries? Let me guess, all of them. Face it, you've been manipulated this hole time. No dark Lord has ever intended to keep their word. You and every other dark creature in this place are just cannon fodder."

"Oh yeah and I suppose you have an answer to that do you?"

Harry drew a slim silver dagger from his pocket. He ran the blade over his palm, leaving a thin line of blood behind. "I, Harry Oberon Evans, swear to give any dark creature that will not follow Abaddon a place in Elphame. I swear this oath by blood and magic."

The blood on his palm lit up with a sickly red light. The light wrapped around his wrist before fading.

The vampire stared at him, eyes wide. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," Harry said. "The Unseelie court in particular has a habit of taking in outcasts. So long as you aren't human, and werewolves, vampires, and every other creature in this bar fits that qualification. All you have to do is not fight Abaddon."

About half of the creatures were nodding. The other half refused to look at him. Harry's tone turned hard.

"I've offered you the carrot, now I offer you the stick. If you choose to fight against us, you will die. Think about it, I'm not even asking you to fight alongside us. I'm just asking you to not fight against us. This is not your war, not really. Just stay out of it and you can have a home where you will be accepted."

The vampire nodded. "I am Xavier, master of my clan. I cannot speak for everyone here, but I give you my word that I will not fight against you." He glared around at the other vampires in the bar. "None of my clan will unless they want to deal with me."

A man wearing a leather jacket stood. "My name is Hadrian Lycas. I give you my word that my pack will not follow Abaddon. If there is a chance that we can survive, I want my people to do so."

"Thank you," Harry said. He looked around at the other patrons of the bar. "If Xavier and Hadrian agree, they will be my representatives. Give them your oath that you will not fight and you can have a home with us."

"Why," a large man with stringy grey hair snarled. "Even if we do move in with the fae, they'll just persecute us like everyone else. No thanks, I'll stick with Abaddon. At least he's not a coward. You just don't want us to fight because you know you'll lose if we do."

Harry ignored the man. He turned to face Bloodwind. "I'm outta here. If you need anything let me know."

Bloodwind nodded. "You got it."

XXX

As Harry exited the bar, he found himself staring down the business end of a wand.

"Evans," Lucius Malfoy purred. "You're coming with us. Our master wants to talk to you."