Disclaimer: Harry Potter is NOT mine! JK Rowling owns the recognizable characters and settings from her masterpiece, Harry Potter. I am only having some fun in a unexplored part of the JK Rowling Harry Potter universe, the First Wizarding War.
The Ranch
Home of House Potter
England, United Kingdom
"Hello Harry, Hermione," Charlus said as the two time travelers entered the Head of House Potter's office.
"Grandfather," Harry said as he and Hermione settled into the two chairs in front of Charlus' desk.
"You both have had an interesting week I hear," Charlus said with a slight grin, one that Harry had seen James' face before.
"You could certainly say that Mr. Potter," Hermione said, crossing her arms. "Stubborn old fool," she muttered though it was clearly audible to both Potter men.
"Yes that is an issue with old men who have held power for quite long sometime," Charlus said. "You should both know that my son and his friends, as well as several others, were not happy with how Albus treated you."
"That is all well and good," Hermione said. "But until the Order realizes that Dumbledore is not the leader he portrays himself to be, they are going to suffer. The fact that it took several weeks just to get Dumbledore to agree to let the country know that Voldemort is a half-blood and that should tell them all that he isn't treating this threat as seriously as he should."
"It is much the same attitude that he took during the Grindelwald Crisis," Charlus said. "He cautioned our Ministry about getting involved in a war that was not our concern. It wasn't until Grindelwald had conquered magical France that Dumbledore decided to join the war."
"So Grandfather, why did you call us here?" Harry asked.
"Well Harry, after our discussion several weeks ago, when you introduced yourself," Charlus said, "I reached out to some of my comrades for advice."
"And what did they say?" Harry asked.
"They need more information before they can make a decision," Charlus said.
"What kind of information?" Hermione asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"As much as you can give me," Charlus said. "From what my grandson has told me, the Dumbledore of the future still likes to hoard all the relevant information, but of course you probably know much more than what Albus would want you two to know."
Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance, it was true they had gathered quite a bit of information that they were certain that Dumbledore would not want to become public. "We do," Hermione said.
"Good, we will need that leverage in the future," Charlus said. "But now, I want to know everything, from your births until the minute you decided to return to the past."
Hermione nodded and turned to face Charlus. "Well Mr. Potter, my name is Hermione Jean Granger," she began, "my parents are…I mean were, or will be Robert Anthony Granger and Danielle Olivia Granger nee Watson. We lived in Kensington, or will. Both of my parents were dentists, or at least my father was, my mother was an oral surgeon."
Harry looked over at Hermione and took her hand and squeezed it, offering as much comfort as he could. Hermione's lips twitched in a smile as she squeezed his hand back.
"I was born on September 19th, 1979," Hermione said. "I didn't know I was a witch until Professor McGonagall came to my house on my eleventh birthday. She explained that the unexplained events that had happened during my childhood were bouts of accidental magic, and that I had been accepted to Hogwarts."
"What type of accidental magic incidents did you perform?" Charlus asked.
"What? Why do you need to know that?" Hermione asked.
"My wife has a theory that the types of accidental magic that a young witch or wizard performs can tell what branches of magic the child will have talents in," Charlus said. "For instance, if a child is able to Summon a toy, they are more likely to succeed in Charms while a child who manages to transform something that frightens them into something that makes them happy shows signs that they could be skilled in Transfiguration."
Both Harry and Hermione were surprised at the idea but it did make sense. Harry was also interested in what accidental magic Hermione performed. Harry felt a touch of shame as he realized that how very little he knew about Hermione and her childhood and family.
"Well, the first incident that I can remember was when I was six years old," Hermione said. "I had gotten lost from my parents while we were visiting the Botanical Gardens in London. I was so scared and then all of a sudden I felt this tugging sensation, and then I was standing next to my mum. I think I did Apparition by accident."
"Very impressive," Charlus said. "Only a very powerful witch or wizard can Apparate at such a young age. Did you have any other incidents?"
"When I was nine, I was walking across the playground during recess carrying some books," Hermione said. "Some bullies from by class caught me and knocked my books into a puddle. I was so embarrassed and angry but when I picked the books up they were all dry."
Harry had to smother a grin at Hermione's story, though a flare of anger whispered in his mind at the thought of Hermione being bullied. Charlus didn't hide his amusement at Hermione's story, and his grandson's reaction to it, while giving the young woman a grandfatherly smile.
"Excellent," Charlus said. "Then I am right to assume that you excelled in Charms?"
Hermione blushed but nodded.
"She excelled in all our classes," Harry added proudly. "Top of the class across the board."
"That's not entirely true," Hermione argued. "You were, and still are, better at Defense than I am."
"We can argue about specifics later," Charlus said. "Now Harry had told me about your Hogwarts years and so I would like to know about the relationship you had with your parents."
"Why is that relevant?" Hermione asked.
"I want to know if our world has learned anything in the future," Charlus said. "My wife was a member of the Department of Magical Education and took a noted interest in how muggleborns interacted with their families as they grew more entrenched in the magical world. I want to know if muggleborns are still facing that issue."
Harry turned to Hermione, who looked pained, biting her lip and wringing her hands. "Hermione?" he asked. She took a deep breath and looked up at Charlus and Harry.
"It is true," Hermione said. "My parents and I never had the closest relationship with one another growing up. My mother had difficulty conceiving, and suffered a miscarriage about four years before I was born." Harry froze; he had never heard this from Hermione. "I was actually born several weeks early, and after I was born, my mother discovered that she would be unable to have anymore children. So my parents put everything into raising me to be the perfect child: manners, grades, everything. I needed to be the best at everything to prove to my parents and everyone that I was the best."
Hermione wet her lips, and took a sip of water from the glass that Charlus had conjured then continued. "When we found out that I was a witch, my parents were confused, I was too. I had spent all this time, effort and energy becoming the best but not there was a whole new world, one where I was at the bottom. My parents were furious, all the time and energy put into making sure I was the best, wasted. They didn't want me to enter the wizarding world; they didn't want me to have deal with doing it all over again. Professor McGonagall was able to convince my parents, barely, to let me come to Hogwarts."
"So that's why you pushed yourself so hard? Always had to answer first and correctly?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded. "Yes," she said. "I had to be the best. I was afraid that if I wasn't, my parents would remove me from Hogwarts and the wizarding world."
Harry froze, he couldn't fathom a world without Hermione, she had always been there right by his side. Without Hermione, he probably would have died at least a half-dozen times while at Hogwarts, and probably that many times on the Hunt as well.
"I didn't tell anyone because I knew that most people wouldn't have cared," Hermione said. "I am only a muggleborn. No one would have really cared if I had left the wizarding world. I know that you would Harry, but while you might have been the Boy-Who-Lived, you weren't powerful enough to stop the Ministry from wiping my parents' memories and mine if they caught wind that I wanted to leave the wizarding world. You knew that Malfoy would have told his father in an instant, and Lucius would have made Fudge get rid of me easily."
Harry grit his teeth but had to agree with Hermione. Malfoy would have relished the chance to get rid of Hermione, and then would have gloated about it for weeks.
"Ah, I see the Malfoy family is still causing problems," Charlus said. "Abraxas Malfoy is the Head of the Malfoy family, his son Lucius just married Narcissa Black, and is one of Voldemort's followers I am sure."
"He is," Harry said. "Lucius becomes one of Riddle's top lieutenants in the future though Narcissa betrays Riddle in the end."
"Only to protect Draco," Hermione argued. "She lied to Riddle only to see if Draco was still alive, not because it was the right thing to do."
"She saved my life Hermione," Harry said. Hermione just huffed and crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair.
"One good deed does not balance the scales," Hermione said. Harry sighed in amusement but turned back to his grandfather.
"Who else is a Death Eater that you know of?" Charlus asked, pulling a piece of parchment and a quill to him.
Harry began listing off the Death Eaters that he knew of, with Hermione chiming in of the ones he forgot.
"And Severus Snape," Hermione added. "Oh, and Regulus Black."
"Hermione, Snape was Dumbledore's spy, and Regulus died stealing the Locket," Harry argued.
"Harry, I know that you have a lot of unresolved issues with Snape but the man was a Death Eater," Hermione said. "He only became a spy for Dumbledore because he felt guilty about sending Riddle after your parents and you."
"He did what?" Charlus growled. A low groan filled the room as the walls and wooden beams strained in keeping together as Charlus' magic swelled around the office. Harry could feel the heavy weight pressing down on his chest, making it quite difficult to breathe. "Explain!"
Harry and Hermione gasped as the pressure on their bodies was released. "Ok," Harry said, glancing at Hermione. "The reason that Voldemort came after me was because he heard a Prophecy foretelling his defeat."
"A Prophecy?" Charlus asked, an eyebrow raised in skepticism.
"This was or will be a true Prophecy," Harry said, seeing that his grandfather apparently had the same skepticism of Divination as Hermione did. "It said that a child born at the end of July, whose parents had defied the Dark Lord three times would have a power that the Dark Lord didn't know and would be able to vanquish him."
"I need the exact wording Harry," Charlus said.
"The one with the power to the vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal but he will have the power the Dark Lord knows not…and either must die at the end of the other for neither can live while the other survives…the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…" Hermione recited. (Prophecy from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)
"So that's the Prophecy," Charlus said as his quill froze after writing down the words. "Who gave it and who heard it?"
"Sybil Trelawney gave the Prophecy to Dumbledore, sometime in early 1980," Harry said.
"And Snape overheard the first half of it," Hermione added. "And then he relayed what he had heard to Riddle."
Harry shot Hermione a look but the young woman ignored it.
"Harry, I honestly do not care what you think about Severus Snape," Hermione said. "To me, he was a Death Eater, murderous thug and bigot who thought himself better than muggleborns just because he had magical ancestors."
"But Hermione, he did save my life," Harry argued.
"Perhaps, but that doesn't make up for all the terrible things he did before joining Dumbledore," Hermione shot back. "Dumbledore might have vouched for Snape but his decision making is very questionable and skewed. Dumbledore used Snape like a chess piece, mostly because he needed a spy in Riddle's camp, and Dumbledore also never attempted to curb Snape's attitude toward you or Neville, or anyone not in Slytherin. Face it Harry, Snape was a petty, angry little man who was bullied by your father and his friends and then became an even bigger bully to get back at his own tormentors. He used being bullied as an excuse to make other people's lives miserable."
Harry wanted to argue with Hermione, it had been Snape who had sent them the Sword of Gryffindor, who had saved Harry's life during his first Quidditch match, had protected him, Ron and Hermione from a transformed Lupin in third year, and had loved his mother for all of Severus' life.
"And Harry, don't even think about claiming that Snape loved your mother," Hermione said, reading Harry's mind. "It is quite possible that he had feelings for her, but if he had truly loved her, Snape wouldn't have called Lily a 'Mudblood', nor would he have thought that Lily would come running into his arms after James and you were killed by Riddle."
"Wait a moment, in your time, this Severus Snape told Tom Riddle the Prophecy that sent that bastard after my son, future daughter-in-law and future grandson," Charlus said, cutting off the argument, "and he did this because he was jealous and angry that Lily chose James instead of him."
"Essentially," Hermione said. "He was also a terrible teacher, and Harry, what about fifth year? You told Snape about Sirius, about how you thought he was being held by Voldemort in the Ministry, and yet Snape didn't tell the Order until hours later. If he had informed the Order immediately, they would have met us in London and then Sirius wouldn't have been killed."
Harry winced, he hadn't thought about that, not wanting to remember anymore about that disastrous night than he had too.
"Ok, ok, let us settle down," Charlus said calmly, even though his blood was boiling at the thought of this 'man' helping Riddle murder his son, daughter-in-law and grandson. "This obviously has not happened, and it will not happen. Harry, when was this Prophecy given? Do you know the date?"
Harry shook his head. "No, only that it happened before I was born and that it was a dark and stormy night when Dumbledore met with Trelawney," he said.
"Harry, do you mind if I give this copy to Anne?" Charlus asked.
"I don't mind," Harry answered. "But why, I thought grandmum worked for the Ministry in the Department of Education."
"She did," Charlus said. "But she also worked for the Department of Mysteries, I am sure she could decipher this Prophecy much better than me."
"My grandmother was an Unspeakable?" Harry asked.
"I can neither confirm nor deny that," Charlus said, though there was a twinkle in his eye. "Now about how Riddle survived? Harry said that Riddle created these devices that allowed him to become immortal?"
Hermione's head whipped around at Harry. "You told him?" she hissed.
"Yes I did," Harry answered, meeting Hermione's gaze firmly. "This is my grandfather, I trust him. If you trust me, then trust me with this."
Hermione huffed. "Very well Harry," she said.
"These devices, they are called Horcruxes," Harry explained, shivering slightly. "They are among the most foul pieces of magic imaginable. A Horcrux is an object that houses a piece of a Dark witch or wizard's soul that has been severed from the whole. That way the Dark witch or wizard cannot be killed."
"And that is what Riddle has done?" Charlus asked.
"Yes," Hermione said. "In our timeline, Riddle made seven Horcruxes, meaning he spilt his soul into eight pieces."
Charlus' face grew sickly pale and he fell back into his chair. He could not believe that someone could be so depraved and deranged as to destroy his or her own soul in such a way. "Splitting his soul, how so?" Charlus asked.
"Murder," Harry said.
"No, no I could guess that," Charlus said. "What I mean is how is the soul spilt, divided? By half, by quarter, how?"
"No one is quite sure," Harry said. "We think that with each Horcrux created, the creator's soul is halved."
"So that means Riddle would only have 1/128th of his complete soul after creating seven Horcruxes?" Charlus asked.
"Yes," Hermione said. "Though this is only a theory."
"And you know what these Horcruxes are and where they are hidden?"
"Most of them at least," Harry said.
"Explain," Charlus ordered.
"Our research and knowledge of the timeline, we know that Riddle will have already made five Horcruxes," Hermione said.
"Only five?" Charlus asked.
"Yes," Hermione said. "Riddle creates the final two after his resurrection in 1995, so we don't have to worry about those two."
"I will take your word for it," Charlus said. "What are the five Horcruxes that he has created, and where has he hidden them?"
"There is a diary, a ring, a locket, a diadem and a cup," Harry said.
"And what are the importance of these items?" Charlus asked. "I am sure that these items would be very important to Riddle to place bits of his blackened soul in."
"You are right," Harry said. "The diary was his first, a memento to prove that he was the Heir of Slytherin. He made it after killing Myrtle Warren in 1944, framing Hagrid for the crime. Then he killed his father and paternal grandparents, and created the ring Horcrux, that was in 1945 or 1946. After he graduated from Hogwarts in 1945, he created the Locket, the Ring and the Diadem over the next two decades."
"So what are the ring, the locket, the cup and the diadem to him?"
"The ring is the Gaunt family ring," Hermione said. "His mother was Merope Gaunt, and the family was allegedly descended from Salazar Slytherin."
"As was the Locket, though that belonged to Salazar Slytherin himself," Harry added. "The cup was stolen from a Hephzibah Smith, a supposed descendent of Helga Hufflepuff. And the Diadem was Rowena Ravenclaw's."
"The Founders? He used Founders' objects for his Horcruxes?" Charlus asked.
"Yes," Harry said. "Riddle wanted to use Founders' objects for his trophies as a way to show his dominance, as Heir of Slytherin, over the other Houses. He wanted to find something of Gryffindor's to create another Horcrux, but couldn't find any."
"I suppose that is something," Charlus said. "If you know what these items are, you must know where they are?"
"We know where they will be," Harry said. "But not if they are there now. By Halloween 1981, we will be one hundred percent certain of their locations."
"We obviously cannot wait that long," Charlus said. "Can you tell me where the Horcruxes will be hidden?"
"The diary is in the possession of Lucius Malfoy, or will be by 1981," Hermione said. "The cup will be given to Bellatrix Lestrange who puts it in her Gringotts vault. The ring is hidden beneath the Gaunt home in Little Hangleton. The diadem is in the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts, and the locket is in an underground cave on the coast near Dover."
"All right, are any in these locations right now?" Charlus asked.
Harry and Hermione looked at one another, causing Charlus to grin as he could see the two teens communicating without words, just like he and Anne could.
"The ring and the diadem should be in those locations right now," Harry said. "Sometime in the next year, the locket will be placed in the cave. The other two, the diary and the cup, we are not sure when they will be given to Bellatrix and Lucius."
"All right then, we have at least a place to start," Charlus said.
"Start?" Harry asked. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you said that we need to destroy these devices in order to completely kill Riddle once and for all," Charlus said, "so we find these three that are already in place and destroy them."
"Yes but our original plan was to gather all the Horcruxes first, destroy them and then kill Riddle once and for all," Hermione said. "That way Riddle won't know until it is too late."
"Well that isn't going to happen now," Charlus said. "No plan survives first contact with the enemy. We need to get rid of these things as quickly as possible. Now, when a Horcrux is destroyed, will the creator feel its destruction?"
"We do not think so," Harry said. "At least in the future, Riddle never felt them being destroyed. Though that could have been because he had already been 'killed' once before."
"I am sure that Riddle would not leave his treasures unprotected, so what type of defenses can we expect?"
"The diadem is more protected by the fact that no one knows where it is than anything else," Harry said. "The Room of Requirement is a magical room, a room that will become anything you desire. The place where Riddle hid the diadem is a place where others have hidden other things over the centuries that the school has been standing."
"The ring is protected by much more advanced and unknown defenses," Hermione said. "We don't know exactly what those defenses are, only that Dumbledore struggled to breach them. There was also a curse on the ring, a curse that ended up costing Dumbledore his life."
"I see," Charlus said. "So we should find the diadem first, get that foul thing out of Hogwarts, then focus on the others. I am sure you know how to destroy these things?"
"There are three things that we know of that can destroy a Horcrux," Harry said. "Fiendfyre, Basilisk venom and the Killing Curse are the only things that we know of that can destroy a Horcrux."
"Well the venom is obviously out, for now," Charlus said. "Fiendfyre is a wildly unpredictable spell, only an extremely skilled witch or wizard can even attempt to control it. So the Killing Curse will be our best bet."
"You can cast the curse?" Hermione asked.
"I can if I have too," Charlus admitted. "It is an Unforgivable only if it is cast on a human, magical or muggle," he added heading off Hermione's question. "And I do not believe that a Horcrux is considered a human. Besides, are you going to tell the Ministry on me?"
Hermione shook her head, a touch of embarrassment coloring her cheeks while Harry's lips twitched in a small grin.
"We need a plan to get Albus out of the castle if we are to get this diadem," Charlus said. "Dumbledore will want to know why any of us are in the castle, so he cannot be there when we make our move."
Harry and Hermione nodded, knowing that Dumbledore might very well screw things up if he were to discover that Harry and Hermione were the future, and not under his control.
Headmaster's Office
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Scotland, United Kingdom
The man in question was sitting in his office at Hogwarts, trying to discover how the two newcomers had discovered the Dark Lord's birth name. Dumbledore knew it, having followed Tom Riddle's journey from the very beginning, and he had told no one that information. Dumbledore also knew that several of Tom's old schoolmates knew his birth name but Albus was sure that Tom would have taken precautions to ensure that none of them would tell anyone. Albus had also checked his own sources, trying to find out just who Juliet Watson and Patrick Daniels were. They were not Hogwarts students, he was certain of that. Yet they were English. It was possible that they were from the States but Albus quickly dismissed that, as the pair seemed too familiar with the British magical world.
While the information Daniels and Watson had brought up was true, Albus Dumbledore did not like having all the answers. He was supposed to be the one with all the answers, the one that provided the answers to those who were worthy. But now these two youngsters were quickly becoming thorns in his side. They knew things that only Albus Dumbledore was supposed to know, and they claimed to know even more than what they had already disclosed. That could not stand. Albus knew that the timely release of information was just as important as how accurate the information was. In a war, information could turn the tide just as easily as a single spell. Those who controlled the information controlled the world.
Reaching a decision, Dumbledore conjured his Patronus. "Minerva, would you please come to my office?" he told the silvery bird. The Patronus nodded before diving away through the floor.
Ten minutes later, a chime sounded through the office signaling that someone was making his or her way up the staircase behind the gargoyle below.
"Enter," Dumbledore said, inwardly grinning as the door swung open before Minerva could knock and announce her presence. "Ah Minerva, thank you for coming so promptly. I know that you are getting ready for the first Hogsmeade weekend of term."
"Yes well, Albus what do you need?" Minerva asked, her lips thin. Albus knew he needed to be prompt with Minerva when she was in this state.
"I have decided to call a meeting of the Order for this evening," Dumbledore said. "I was hoping that you could inform our friends."
"Of course Headmaster," Minerva said. "Will there be anything else?"
"Ah yes, could you impress upon our friends that this meeting is for members only," Dumbledore said. "I have come across some information that cannot fall into the enemy's hands."
"Of course Albus," Minerva said, standing slightly straighter. "Would ten p.m. work for our meeting time?"
"That would do fine," Albus said with a smile.
"Then I shall take my leave," Minerva said, "and will see you later this evening."
"Excellent," Albus said. "And thank you Minerva."
McGonagall nodded and then left the Headmaster's office, leaving Albus leaning back in his chair with a wide smile, hands clasped in front of him.
Later that evening...
"Thank you all for coming," Albus said, smiling at the gathered members of the Order. "I know that this meeting was unplanned, and I think you for answering the call of the Light so promptly."
The Order all sat up a bit straighter at the Headmaster's praise, something that didn't go unnoticed by Albus himself.
"I have called this meeting because I have discovered our enemy, the Dark Lord Voldemort, is attempting to infiltrate the Order and spy on us," Albus said. There were several gasps and cries of disbelief from the crowd. "Now, now, we must remain calm. Now that we are aware of the threat, we can take precautions to protect ourselves and our friends and families."
"How Albus?"
"I have come up with an oath, a vow, that we all shall take promising not to pass on any information discussed in our meetings to those who are not members of the Order," Albus said. "This way, we can be sure our enemy cannot discover what we know."
Shock rippled through the Order, they had never been asked to take an oath or vow in a situation like this before. The members of the Ministry who were also Order members were more familiar with the idea of an oath or vow but this was somewhat different.
"Are you sure that this is wise Albus?" Minerva asked. "Surely the situation is not so dire?"
"I understand this is a large surprise to many of you but it is a necessary one," Dumbledore said, his hands up to clam the Order members. "In this war, every single piece of information is vital. We cannot allow the enemy to know our plans, or our membership, lest they use that information against us. And the only way to protect ourselves is to ensure our enemy does not get that information, and that means not sharing any information with those outside the Order."
"What about Patrick and Juliet Headmaster?" Lily asked.
Albus' face turned grave. "I am afraid not even Miss Watson or Mr. Daniels can be informed of what goes on in these meetings," he said.
"But sir, they were the ones who told us what You-Know-Who's real name was!" Lily argued. "They are fighting against the Death Eaters and Riddle just like we are."
"Our enemy is extremely cunning Ms. Evans," Dumbledore said. "He is a Slytherin through and through, and he could have easily maneuvered those two into our midst as spies, giving them just enough truthful information to make them seem trustworthy."
"Juliet and Patrick are not spies," James said.
"No, of course not," Albus said. "I am only pointing out how easily such a move could be made. We must be united if we are to defeat Voldemort and his Death Eaters. So that is why I have come up with this protection plan to ensure that our enemy cannot discover our members or what we know or are planning against him."
James and Sirius glanced at one another, feeling slightly uneasy with what the Headmaster was asking of them. Being Aurors, they were supposed to protect the populace, and they knew that the Order had informants that the Ministry did not.
"Headmaster, what about those of us who are Aurors?" James asked. "We are supposed to protect the wizarding world, if the Order has information that can prevent an attack, we are bound by duty to inform our superiors."
Albus frowned. "I understand your concern Mr. Potter," he said, "but I must ask you to trust me. As you know, we have senior members of the Auror Office in the Order, so you will be able to inform them and they will be able to take the necessary steps to protect the populace."
James and Sirius frowned, and looked at the senior Aurors who were members of the Order: Moody, Fabian and Gideon Prewitt and Frank Longbottom. The four Senior Aurors didn't look happy with Dumbledore's announcement but they were willing to go through with the vow. They knew the value of information and how dangerous that information could be if it fell into the wrong hands.
"Excellent," Albus said, clapping his hands. "Now if you all will take the vow, then we can begin our meeting."
The members of the Order rose and took the oath, vowing not to give any information that they learned in their meetings to anyone who was not a member of the Order.
"Outstanding, now Alastor, you have some information you wish to bring forth," Dumbledore said.
"Aye," Moody growled. "Ever since those two kids, Watson and Daniels, brought us the intel on Voldemort's birth identity, there has been a change in the recruits that Riddle has been snapping up."
"What do you mean Alastor?" Minerva asked.
"With the release of the fact that Riddle is not a pureblood but a half-blood, he has seen a huge drop off in his support from the blood bigots," Moody reported, "and because of that, Riddle has changed his message. He is now claiming to be the 'champion' of all those who have been treated poorly by those in power, including the Ministry."
"What?"
"You cannot be serious!"
"Quiet down you lot!" Moody barked, his wand bucking as he shot off a Cannon Blast Charm. "It is true. Riddle is smart, certainly smarter than most. He is taking a page out of Grindelwald's book, claiming to be a patron of all those who have suffered under the yoke of a corrupt Ministry. Have to admit, it is a smart strategy."
"But people can't honestly be believing this?" Lily asked, standing up. "Riddle has been claiming that all muggleborns and half-bloods are the scum of the earth and deserved to be killed. This change of message won't fool anyone."
"Don't be naïve Evans," Moody growled. "People are sheep. They will follow anyone who shouts loudest. And he has a willing audience, the Ministry has not made many friends with muggleborns or half-bloods over the years. Riddle is giving those who feel ignored and hated a voice, a way to get back at the Ministry and those in power who looked down on them."
"Tom is not stupid," Dumbledore said. "He will use any advantage that he can. What he does next will tell us much. We need to keep our ears open for any word of muggleborns or half-bloods making threats toward the Ministry, they could have been swayed to Tom's camp."
"Headmaster, do you really think that muggleborns or half-bloods will follow someone who has called them animals or sub-human?" Lily asked. "I just cannot believe they would be so easily fooled."
"I do not want to believe that they would but we cannot be certain," Dumbledore said. "We must be ready. If Tom is able to sway those who feel disillusioned with the Ministry, he will gain an army much greater in size than before."
"Well then we need to everyone that we know," Lily said. "That way they will know that Riddle is trying to use them, and then we can draw Riddle out into a trap or at least get some information from inside the Death Eaters."
"I will discuss that idea with the others leaders of the Order to see if it is a viable option," Dumbledore said. "Until we have more information, no one outside of the Order is to know what was discussed here. Is that understood?"
The Order members nodded their agreement, though Lily did not like the arrangement.
A/N: Well there you have it, the newest installment of History is Written by the Victors. I hope you all enjoyed it. Decent amount of things happening in this chapter, please let me know what you all think. Until next time,
SlyNinjaKnight