Kyugan: Greetings All! Just to remind you all, the Herwald series is going to overgo an Overhaul before I write up Prisoner of Azkaban. Rest assured, the pairing of Sirius/Taiga will remain, I'm simply not too satisfied with some things and am going to rehash them.
Medic: Zere is always room for improvements.
Engineer: Yup.
Kyugan: I may also get around to writing a proper prequel for the series, but again, don't hold your breath. Herwald's role in the previous grail war will change somewhat, but that's it. In the meantime, the Wheel of Fate is turning...Let's see what the latest Continuum Shift has wrought.
Chapter Twenty: Loose Ends.
Herwald stood back, the adopted Einzbern watching the reunion between the Weasley's with a small, understanding smile. In a way, he could relate to the family of redheads, as he'd felt the same sense of helplessness and despair when Illyasviel's life had been in danger as a result of whatever the hell the Einzberns had done to her during her training. Had it not been for the timely arrival of Nicholas Flamel, he had little to no doubts he would have lost his sister that day.
No matter who you were, the loss of family was a painful blow, one which Herwald wouldn't wish on his worst enemy...Well, maybe Riddle and Lockhart, but Riddle himself had admitted to being the last scion of Slytherin, and knowing Lockhart any family the idiot had left would be glad to see the back of him.
Fawkes, who had taken to the air with the Weasley's cries, let out a happy chirp, snapping Herwald from his thoughts as he flew towards the fireplace where none other than Albus Dumbledore stood next to professor McGonagall, the man's eyes twinkling proudly as his familiar assumed it's place on his shoulder, McGonagall taking great, steadying gasps as she clutched at her heart, clearly having not expected such a shock.
"Good afternoon, Harry." Dumbledore greeted, smiling at the youth even as Herwald suppressed the mild discomfort of the man's familiarity "I see you have been busy in my absence."
"Indeed, Headmaster." Herwald returned, his tone formal to remind the old man he didn't quite trust him, only to choke as he suddenly found himself swept into Molly Weasley's tight embrace.
"Oh Harry!" the Weasley Matriarch wept, almost crushing the adopted Einzbern, who was honestly surprised at the strength she possessed "You saved her! How did you do it?"
"I think we'd all like to know that." Professor McGonagall admitted weakly, the Transfiguration mistress having regained some of her composure even as Molly released the youth "Well, Mr. Potter?"
"Magic." Herwald replied, smiling cryptically at the woman, whose eyes flashed, her Scottish temper rising to the fore even as Dumbledore's blue pair twinkled mirthfully "Only a joke, Professor, but it has been a long, trying day, and while I personally have no problems recounting the tale, I dare say Frau Weasley has had more than enough excitement for one day."
"Indeed." Dumbledore agreed, the man's eyes twinkling in approval as he nodded towards Ginny, who blinked at the attention "Minerva, could you see Molly and Arthur to the Hospital wing? I'm sure Poppy won't mind, seeing as most of the victims have already been released. Bed rest and perhaps a large, steaming mug of hot chocolate, I always find that cheers me up." He smiled at the Transfiguration mistress "And let the Kitchens know to prepare a feast…I dare say this calls for a celebration."
"Of course, Albus." McGonagall acknowledged, her tone hesitant, as she clearly wanted to hear the tale herself, though it didn't stop her from smiling at the youth as she walked past, leading the Weasley's out of her office and down the corridor towards the hospital wing.
"And now, Harry." Dumbledore continued once the door was safely shut behind them, the headmaster crossing the room to sit behind McGonagall's desk, his blue eyes twinkling as he gestured for Herwald to sit "I would most like to hear what has been going on in my absence."
"But of course." Herwald responded, the Einzbern stepping forward, placing the remains of Riddle's diary on the table before accepting the offered chair, though not before making sure the Ring of Kay was secure on his finger. Not that he'd felt anything brush against his shields mind you, but it was better safe than sorry, especially considering everything that had happened this year.
Once he was certain that his shields were secure, he began recounting a slightly edited rendition of the events that had transpired, not only since Dumbledore's removal, but since the beginning of the year. For nearly a quarter of an hour he spoke into the rapt silence, speaking of the disembodied voice in the walls, how Rin had deduced he was hearing a basilisk in the pipe, how he and the others had tracked down the last victim of the basilisk, Moaning Myrtle, and deduced that the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets might be in her bathroom.
"I have to admit it was a bit of a surprise." He revealed, looking fearlessly into Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes as he did so "But then I assume that was not ALWAYS a girl's bathroom, was it?"
"I suspect it was not." Dumbledore acknowledged with a small smile "The walls of Hogwarts are older than many would believe, Harry. The castle itself could be considered alive, and with the appointment of each new Headmaster, it changes itself to better accommodate its inhabitants."
"I always DID wonder how we could have flushing toilets in a castle as old as this." Herwald noted, to which Dumbledore's eyes twinkled mischievously "Still, I must admit you're taking the revelation of my Parseltongue status rather well, Headmaster."
"Should I feel intimidated by it, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, smiling faintly as the firelight glancing off his half-moon spectacles "I believe you yourself have pointed out that the skill, in itself, is not an evil thing." He turned his attention to the diary "What interests me most is how Lord Voldemort managed to enchant Ginny, when my sources tell me he is currently in hiding in the forests of Albania."
"You knew?" Herwald wondered, only to kick himself mentally as the old man smiled knowingly at him. Of course he knew, Riddle himself had admitted that Dumbledore had never trusted him, even BEFORE Myrtle had been murdered "You knew all this time and you did nothing?"
"Despite popular misconception, Harry, I am neither all-knowing nor all-seeing." Dumbledore countered, smiling softly as he said so "Yes, I knew the Chamber had been opened, you heard me say as much in the infirmary I believe, and yes, I suspected that Lord Voldemort was responsible, as he is the last of the Slytherin Bloodline and thus the only one who could command Slytherin's beast. But I did not know what the beast was, nor did I know where its lair was located."
"And even if you had, it would have done you no good, as only a Parseltongue could open the chamber." Herwald deduced, his tone understanding, if not forgiving as he glanced at the remains of Riddle's diary "I suppose I should give Riddle some credit, not only was he able to record his memory into a diary, he was able to do it to such an extent he could pass certain traits along to whoever he possessed."
"Indeed." Dumbledore noted, his features unreadable as he picked up the remains of the soul anchor "Of course, Tom was probably the most brilliant student Hogwarts has ever seen. I taught him myself, fifty years ago." He closed his eyes, releasing a soft sigh that was equal parts disappointment and regret "He disappeared after leaving the school, traveled far and wide, sinking deeper and deeper into the Dark Arts. He consorted with the very worst of our kind, underwent so many dangerous, magical transformations, that when he resurfaced as Lord Voldemort, he was barely recognizable. Hardly anyone connected Lord Voldemort with the clever, handsome boy who was once Head Boy here."
"Even the most poisonous snake can appear beautiful and harmless if it chooses." Herwald opined, his tone firm "I'm more worried about what's going to happen to Frau Weasley. Unwittingly or not, she still played a role in the attacks."
"Your concern for Miss Weasley is appreciated, but unnecessary, Harry." Dumbledore assured the boy, his voice firm, though Herwald thought he detected a hint of pride in the man's tone "There will be no punishment, for older and wiser wizards than she have been hoodwinked by Lord Voldemort, and I dare say this entire experience has been lesson enough."
Herwald said nothing, but internally he exhaled a sigh of relief for the girl that had already gone through so much. Being expelled from an institution as prestigious as Hogwarts was a horrible stigma which didn't disappear easily, she'd be lucky to find work anywhere in the magical world and the Weasleys had enough on their plates as it was.
"All that is left, Harry, is what to do with YOU." Dumbledore continued, eyes twinkling as Herwald's back stiffened "Oh relax my boy, I only meant that you, and your companions of course, will be receiving Special Awards for Services to the School…and, let me see, yes, I think two hundred points apiece." He smiled as Herwald opened his mouth "And I'm afraid you cannot contradict me this time, my boy, as that IS the traditional reward for those who do this school Service, as stated by the Hogwarts Charter."
Herwald had to admit he was a little impressed with the old man's tactics. By factoring in his friends, which included Three Gryffindors, Dumbledore could promote an image of inter-house unity without coming off as favouring one house over the other. True, with Herwald that meant Slytherin gained an additional eight hundred points, but the Gryffindors had really pulled themselves up this year, and if memory served, the scores were more or less tied to begin with.
"If that is all sir?" Herwald asked, motioning to get out of his chair, wanting nothing more than a hot bath and a good night's sleep after this ordeal, only to meet the Headmaster's blue eyes and pause.
"One more thing, Harry." Dumbledore assured him, smiling reassuringly as Herwald resumed his seat "If I am to understand your tale, even with your exclusions, then I am to believe you met, albeit briefly, Tom Riddle." He eyed the boy thoughtfully. "I imagine he was most interested in you."
"Obsessive, you could say." Herwald admitted, shivering slightly at the memory of the sickening leer that had distorted Riddle's handsome features "He certainly loved the sound of his own voice."
"Tom always did have a flair for the dramatic." Dumbledore admitted, his tone laced with humour, though his eyes never left Herwald's own "And what did you think of him, Harry?"
Herwald was silent, recalling the memory of Riddle, how he'd appeared, how he'd changed, the subtle differences between the one from Hagrid's capture and the one in the chamber.
"I must admit, I always found it strange, how Voldemort was able to recruit so many followers to his side." He opined, tone calculating "Everyone casts him as a monster, less than a man, but after seeing him, I have to admit he was right on one account: We do share a lot of similarities."
"And in a sense, he is right." Dumbledore agreed calmly "Listen to me, Harry. You happen to have many qualities Salazar Slytherin prized in his hand-picked students. Resourcefulness, determination, a certain disregard for rules…"
Herwald said nothing, simply held the old man's disapproving look with his own, though he did spot the old man's moustache quiver in a sign of amusement after a moment. "As for your ability to speak Parseltongue," Dumbledore continued "unless I am much mistaken, I do believe Voldemort transferred some of his own powers to you the night he gave you that scar." He smiled at Herwald's look of surprise "Not something he intended to do, I'm sure…"
"Voldemort put a bit of himself in me?" Herwald repeated, the adopted Einzbern understandably alarmed at the very idea, even as Mordred stood up straighter behind his chair.
"It certainly seems so." Dumbledore admitted calmly. "However, for all your similarities, there is a stark difference between you and Tom Riddle, and that is the choices you have made." He smiled at the boy "Tom Riddle would never have socialised with anyone outside his own house, and certainly would never have endangered himself to come to the rescue of another student, and certainly not a member of a different house. In that, you are a better man that he would ever be."
For a minute, neither of them spoke, the two of them simply looking at one another, Herwald unable to comprehend the degree of faith the headmaster placed in him.
Amongst the Einzberns, he'd been considered a weapon at best. It had only been after the Grail war, when Shirou had taken him and Illyasviel in, that he'd been viewed as a person.
Now here, within the halls of Hogwarts, he was not only viewed as a person, but one whose existence was valued, even treasured to a degree he'd only ever seen recorded in the tales of epic heroes, despite his insistences to the contrary.
As if sensing the boy's dilemma, Dumbledore pulled open one of the drawers in Professor McGonagall's desk and took out a quill and a bottle of ink. "What you need, Harry, is some food and sleep." He opined, quill blurring across the parchment "I suggest you go down to the feast, while I write to Azkaban, we need our gamekeeper back."
"You might want to draft an advertisement for the Daily Prophet as well, Headmaster." Herwald opined as he got to his feet "Professor Lockhart seems to have been called off on urgent business."
"Has he now?" Dumbledore noted, and Herwald swore he could FEEL the old man's smile, despite the fact it was hidden behind his beard and moustache "Dear me, we do seem to run through Defence Against the Dark Arts Professors, don't we?"
Herwald simply smiled, inclining his head towards the man as he got to his feet, moving towards the door only to pause as Mordred, still in astral form, moved before him, the knight's eyes narrowing as the door burst open so violently that it bounced back off the wall, revealing the furious form of Lord Lucius Malfoy standing in the doorway.
"Good evening, Lucius," said Dumbledore pleasantly, Herwald's eyes narrowing as he spotted the cowering form of Dobby crouched behind his master as the man swept into the room, Dobby scurrying in after him, the elf's bony form heavily wrapped in bandages as he crouched at the hem of his master's cloak, a look of abject terror on his face as he attempted to finish cleaning his master's shoes with a stained rag, the elder Malfoy having apparently left in such a hurry that his not only were his shoes half-polished, but his usually sleek hair was dishevelled.
"So!" Lucius hissed, his tone so cold, so serpentine, that it could almost pass for Parseltongue, the Lord of house Malfoy ignoring the elf bobbing apologetically around his ankles as he fixed his cold eyes upon Dumbledore "You've come back. The governors suspended you but you still saw fit to return to Hogwarts."
"Well you see, Lucius." Dumbledore countered with a serene smile "The other eleven governors contacted me today. It was something like being caught in a hailstorm of owls, to tell the truth. They'd heard that Arthur Weasley's daughter had been killed and wanted me back here at once. They seemed to think I was the best man for the job after all." His smile widened, and despite the serene image, Herwald could not help the image that he was looking a lion in the mouth "Very strange tales they told me, too… Several of them seemed to think that you had threatened to curse their families if they didn't agree to suspend me in the first place."
Lucius went even paler than usual, but his eyes were still slits of fury. "So have you stopped the attacks yet?" he sneered. "Have you caught the culprit?"
"We have." Dumbledore smiled, and Herwald was surprised to note that the elder Malfoy seemed almost eager at the revelation as he demanded the name "It was the same person as last time, Lucius" the Headmaster continued "But THIS time, Lord Voldemort was acting through somebody else. By means of this diary."
As he held up the small black book with the large hole through the centre, Herwald noted a look of alarm in the elder Malfoy's eyes, though whether it was at the book or the mention of Riddle's alias was debatable.
"Master…" Mordred opined, her voice inaudible to all but Herwald as she stood at her Master's side in astral form "The elf seems to be trying to tell you something…"
Herwald blinked, turning his attention from Malfoy Senior to Dobby, his brow quirking as the elf kept pointing at the diary, then at Mr. Malfoy, and then hitting himself hard on the head with his fist.
"A clever plan," Dumbledore admitted, drawing Herwald's attention back to the staring contest between the headmaster and Draco's father "Were it not for the work of Harry and his friends, INCLUDING your son Draco, Ginny Weasley might have taken all the blame. No one would ever have been able to prove she hadn't acted of her own free will…"
'Damn the old man is good…" Herwald muttered, impressed despite himself as Mr. Malfoy gaped at the headmaster, looking like he'd been slapped in the face at the revelation that his son and heir had helped defeat Slytherin's monster.
"You should be proud of your son, Lucius." Dumbledore went on, "Were it not for him and Harry, who knows what might have happened. It is very fortunate that they discovered the diary and wiped Riddle's memories wiped from it. Who knows what the consequences might have been otherwise…"
"Very fortunate." Lucius managed to get out, his tone stiff, as if it were taking everything he had to keep from shrieking in rage, Herwald's eyes narrowing as he distinctly saw the man's right hand twitch as though he was longing to reach for his wand, only for him to turn on his heel and march off "We're going, Dobby!" he snapped, wrenching open the door before promptly kicking the elf through it as Dobby came hurrying up to him, the poor creature squealing with pain all the way along the corridor, causing Herwald's fists to tighten.
"Disgraceful…" Mordred hissed, the Knight looking ready to draw steel as she listened to Dobby's squeals draw further away "Even in my day, such treatment of a servant was frowned upon."
"It's still frowned upon TODAY." Herwald muttered softly, knowing full well that had Lucius Malfoy dared to treat and Einzbern elf like he treated his own, he would have lost his leg for the affront, never mind whatever Grandfather Jubstacheit would do to him for mishandling one of his servants.
"Is there something else troubling you, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, snapping the boy out of his thoughts, his blue eyes twinkling knowingly as he placed the ruined diary back on the table.
"Just on my way, Professor Dumbledore." Herwald assured him, a sudden burst of inspiration forming behind his eyes "Sir, if it's not too much trouble, would it be alright if I kept the diary?"
"I don't see why not." Dumbledore admitted, his eyes twinkling in a manner that unnerved Herwald despite his shields "I dare say you'll use it as a memento of the year."
"Something like that." Herwald admitted, picking up the ruined soul anchor before proceeding out of the office and down the corridor, following the sounds of Dobby's squeals of pain until he caught up with the pair at the top of the stairs. "Lord Malfoy." he called out, his tone calm and even, as if he were addressing an equal, and in all honesty he was, "Might I have a word with you?"
"What is it now, Potter?" the elder Malfoy snapped, glaring at the boy in disdain, only to flinch as Herwald's emerald eyes forced him to look away. "What do you want?"
"I know how Ginerva Weasley got her hands on Riddle's diary, Lord Malfoy." Herwald opined, his tone flat, uncompromising "You slipped the diary inside her Transfiguration book when you bumped into the Weasley's at Flourish and Blotts."
"Prove it." Lucius hissed, his white hands clenching and unclenching angrily, as if he wanted nothing more than to wring the boy's neck.
"Now why on earth would I wish to do that?" Herwald countered, earning a look of surprise from not only the elder Malfoy, but Mordred and Dobby, "Need I remind you that I count Draco as one of my friends? I hardly wish to ruin his life by sending his father to prison simply because he was duped to following the orders of a charlatan."
"What the devil are you talking about Potter?" Lucius asked, his tone suspicious, yet intrigued, as it seemed the Boy-Who-Lived was every inch a Slytherin.
"Did you know that Lord Voldemort once went by the name of Tom Marvollo Riddle?" Herwald asked, earning a look of intrigue from the elder magus, as the Dark Lord's true name was the subject of many rumours, some even believed him to be something other than human "And that his father was, in fact, a Muggle?" Herwald asked, suppressing the urge to smirk at the elder Malfoy's look of shock "It's true, his Father, Tom Riddle Senior, is the son of a Muggle Lord who was duped into bedding his mother, Merope Gaunt, through use of a forbidden love potion."
"What proof do you have of this?" the elder Malfoy demanded, though Herwald was pleased to note the tension in the man's body had lifted, and he seemed to have regained his composure.
"It's listed in the school records, which Madam Pince keeps in the library." Herwald revealed; his tone purely conversational "I have to admit, when I first looked him up after he introduced himself to me, I didn't think much of him. Still, I suppose it's impressive that the Half-breed son of a Muggle and a Squib was able to dupe some of the most powerful Pureblood families in Britain to following him."
Lucius' eyes flared with anger and Herwald knew he had won, the elder Malfoy's pride reacting to the words 'Half-breed', 'Muggle', 'Squib' and 'Duped' with the typical Pureblood arrogance. If there was one thing Pureblood Magi valued over money and power, it was their pride, for someone to insinuate that they had been made a fool of was tantamount to insulting their entire family.
"I can understand your rage, Lord Malfoy." Herwald assured the man, his tone polite, yet formal, as he didn't want to sound like he was patronising the elder Malfoy "Had someone done to the same to MY family, there would not be enough left of them to bury in a thimble."
"Indeed…" Lucius muttered, the mention of the Einzberns seeming to cool his rage somewhat, as he recalled EXACTLY whom he was speaking to "These records…you say they are in the Library?"
"In the restricted section," Herwald revealed, his tone calm "however, I'm sure not even Madam Pince would deny a member of the board of Governors access."
"I should hope not." The elder Malfoy sniffed, seeming to preen at the mention of his position, the unseen Mordred rolling his eyes at the man's actions while Dobby blinked at them in confusion, the little elf clearly lost in the conversation "Is that all Po…LORD Potter?"
"One last thing, Lord Malfoy." Herwald insisted, hands behind his back "Tell me, do you know what the current market value is for Basilisk Skin?" he smiled at the man "I only ask because I might be in the market to provide some."
"Indeed?" the elder Malfoy asked, quirking a brow, and Herwald was pleased to note a hint of alarm in the man's eyes "About how much skin would you have?"
"Several skins, of varying age, the smallest at twenty feet in length." Herwald listed, smiling at the look in the older man's eyes "I might also have access to the serpent's venom, though I'm afraid the eyes would be off-limits."
"Naturally, they're contraband the world over." The elder Malfoy noted, though Herwald wasn't surprised to note a hint of disappointment in his tone "I cannot think of a figure off the top of my head, but I can assure you Lord Potter that if what you tell me is true, you're standing on a veritable gold mine."
"A goldmine that would have been lost to me were it not for your son, Lord Malfoy." Herwald pointed out, stoking the man's ego "Ergo I feel it only fair that he receive a share of the profits, to be held in trust of course."
"But of course…" Lucius agreed, a purely business smile coming to his features, a look of approval in his eyes as he offered his hand to the boy, "I shall have the figures worked out and posted toy you within the day. I must say, Draco has chosen his friends well, Lord Potter."
"The apple does not fall far from the tree, Lord Malfoy." Herwald assured the man, shaking his hand "However, just to ensure things go smoothly, would you agree to transferring your house-elf to me? As a sign of friendship of course?"
"Take him." Lucius insisted, not even thinking twice about it, for compared to the wealth before him, a clumsy house elf was nothing "Though I should warn you Lord Potter, he's more trouble than he's worth."
"I seem to attract trouble wherever I go, Lord Malfoy." Herwald countered with a wry smile, sending a quick look towards Dobby, who was eyeing him reverently from the side "Rest assured, I'll find some use for him."
"Very well." Lucius conceded, the two shaking hands before he turned to Dobby, who was staring at Herwald reverently "Dobby, I am releasing you into the service of Lord Potter," he ordered, pulling out a handkerchief and tossing it at the elf "Don't disgrace him as you've done me or I'll have your head."
And with that he nodded once to Herwald, before sweeping down the corridor, his head held high and a decidedly eager spring in his step, like a man whose suddenly been told he's struck oil.
"Was that REALLY necessary?" Mordred asked, the former ghost assuming her corporeal form as she watched the elder Malfoy go with a hint of disgust, fingering the hilt of her blade "The man deserves to pay for his crimes."
"Perhaps, but no court in the world would be able to convict him, even if he wasn't one of the most influential members of the Wizengamot." Herwald opined, waving a hand dismissively once he was certain the elder Malfoy was out of earshot "As it is, better to have him as an ally than an enemy, at least this way he's sure to make a profit, which is more than can be said when he served under Riddle." He smirked "In fact, I dare say by the time he's finished spreading the truth about Riddle through the Pureblood grapevine there's going to be a distinct lack of support for the parasite."
"To kill the snake, take out its head." Mordred applauded, her approval in her Master's cunning apparent even as they turned to Dobby, who was still gazing up at Herwald reverently, Lucius' handkerchief held in his hands.
"Master has given Dobby to Harry Potter…" the little elf stammered, looking like he was about to burst into tears at any moment "Master has given Dobby to Harry Potter!"
"Indeed he has." Herwald nodded, looking down at the elf with his hands clasped behind his back, a stern expression on his face "And I expect you to carry out my orders to the letter, is that understood?"
"Yes Master Harry Potter Sir!" Dobby cheered, pulling off a salute that caused his ears to flap humorously, a wide, toothy smile on his face "What is your first order, Master Harry Potter sir?"
"First of all, call me either Sir or Master, no need to use my full title." Herwald instructed, knowing that, while some elves appreciated kindness, it was still good to be firm "Second, I have a task for you, but before we get down to it, I need you to come with me."
"Is there something the matter, Master?" Mordred asked, the Saber Class Servant falling into step alongside his Master as they walked back up the stairs.
"Just need to have a word with someone…" Herwald assured the spectral Knight, though the look in his eyes was anything but reassuring.
Penultimate Chapter up next.
Scout: Huh, keep forgetting Harry's a snake, not a lion.
Demoman: Well te be fair, he followed the script a lil' too closely this toime.
Kyugan: Hopefully the epilogue will leave a better taste in the critics mouths then.