Quoth the Raven
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.
Chapter 23: Deep Into That Darkness
Summer was fast approaching. John was again counting the days until Hermione would be returning. He'd been working hard with Wolf and was now through Hogwarts' second-year curriculum. It was easy, really, as it was mostly theory. Since he was using a staff, he couldn't exactly use wand movements. Wolf had him working on ways to get the same results using his staff and how to use it as a quarter staff.
It was hard at first, but a trip to Ollivander's helped. The strange elderly wand-maker was a gold-mine of ancient magick information. So once a week, John would spend a few hours learning what the old wizard was willing to teach him, such as ancient spells that were no longer used and unknown to most. These he learned to focus through his staff.
After a visit to Gringotts, another subject was added to John's studies list, managing his estates. His account manager, Griphook, insisted that as an heir to several ancient and noble lines John needed to learn the finances and management practices involved.
It was decided that instead of John going to Gringotts for those lessons, Griphook would come to John's classroom at the Tower.
The account manager decided to teach John about Goblin culture as well after John asked so many questions about their language, culture and fighting style. Griphook even went as far as bringing in a goblin trainer to give John some lessons on hand to hand fighting goblin style. The trainer was suitably impressed with boy's abilities.
To this end, Wolf and Griphook hashed out a schedule and payment terms. After all, goblins did nothing for free, even teaching the young.
0o0o0o0
They celebrated the Summer Solstice after which John and Wolf left for a training exercise. Hermione did not go as she went with her mother and Maggie on a shopping trip. "A girl's day out," she'd said.
John was with Wolf, working through a difficult survival course when an odd little being popped in. John had his shirt off and his raven amulet was visible when the small creature with long ears, dressed in a very dirty and torn tea towel spoke.
"HarryPottersir," the little creature sputtered. "HarryPottersir must not go to Hogwarts!"
John turned in surprise and started to fire off a stunner. The creature let out a loud "EEKS!" and disappeared as the brightly-colored spell sailed over its head.
"What the bloody hell?" John shouted. "Wolf! There was something else here with us!"
"What's wrong, Scrapper?" Wolf asked appearing, using John's code-name. "We're the only two here today."
"It was just here! A small creature with big ears - I think it's what you call a house-elf - just popped in, called me 'Harry Potter sir' and said I must not go to Hogwarts, then popped out."
Wolf frowned and went for his two-way. The maneuvers were canceled then and there, and John was hustled back under the Tower wards as fast as possible. Until they found out what was going on, John was not going to leave the Tower complex.
It was a full moon tonight and a perfect time to seek answers from the Goddess. Wolf had talked John in trying to contact Her. The lad didn't like it, but Wolf was very persistent. He was upset with the seeming ease which the strange house elf had found them.
"I don't like calling on Her but," John reluctantly agreed. "She may tell us how this happened."
As the moon rose, John laid his offering in the shaft of moonlight that streamed into his bedroom. He placed his gifts, a candle and a garnet, and stepped back to wait. He hoped it was enough, there wasn't a third element, but perhaps She wouldn't be offended. He knew she had three aspects and always tried to do three items.
Wait! A sudden thought came to his mind.
He went over to his training pack. Inside was a small can of Coke. It was non-alcoholic, but it hadn't been opened. Maybe. . . He set it down with the other two items, then, as the Lady had taught him, he called to Her.
"Great Lady, I have need. Something has happened that has confused me. Please help me?"
He felt more than heard her amusement as she stepped into the moonlight. "Yes, my little raven? What has you so troubled that you could not wait for the proper time to summon me?"
John took a deep breath and explained.
She frowned. "It is true these house-elves, poor cursed creatures that they are, must serve their masters devoutly, or punish themselves most cruelly. They have magic beyond that of normal wand-wielders. But to warn you using your birth name, is indeed troubling," she replied.
She snapped her fingers and the house-elf in question appeared in the moonlight beside them.
"Explain yourself, Cursed One," she said. "I release you from the bonds of your cruel masters for this night that you may explain to me why you appeared before my Chosen."
The house-elf cringed and shrank in on itself. "I is Dobby Great Lady. I is overhearing my Master Malfoy, plots. He is going to gives a evil thing to somebodies so it can go to Hoggy-warts. It is dark, dark, bad! It belonged to . . ." Dobby shuddered and wrung his hands, nervously. "Dobby must warn HarryPottersir! Sirs a great wizard, he mustn't go to Hoggy-warts. Dark, dark things is going to happen there!"
John looked from the Lady to the house-elf and waited.
"I see. Thank you, little one," She smiled. "I grant you this boon: there is no need to punish yourself for telling me this. Consider it a part-payment towards freeing your people."
Dobby straightened. "You's meaning it, Great Lady of the Night?" He whispered as his already bulbous eyes grew even wider.
The goddess smiled. "Go Dobby! We shall meet anon."
Dobby left with a soft pop, streaming tears.
John looked up at the Lady as she pondered. "You must get that accursed item and bring it to the Tower, my raven. You know what to do."
John nodded. "How?"
She faded in the moonlight. "The day the students go to get their supplies. Seek out those that have red hair. The youngest will be the target. Remember not to be caught, my own. You will know the accursed book when you see it. Oh, and little raven? Thank you for your wonderful gifts." Her smile was a benediction that warmed his soul.
John smiled as he stood. "You are welcome, Lady, and thank you."
0o0o0o0
Diagon Alley was bustling with parents, students and general noise. Today, most students were here to get their Hogwarts supplies. Plus as an extra bonus, and adding to the general chaos, a popular author was doing a book signing.
Hermione had sent an excuse to John and Wolf about not coming to the Tower today. She said she wanted a day with her parents before she left for the term. They knew the true reason and it was just as well, they had plans of going to the Alley also - just not as John and Wolf.
Wolf went as an older, graying man while John went as a brown-haired youth with bright blue eyes. Muggle make-up and contacts were wonderful things! Magic couldn't undo their effects with a simple finite spell.
Since the Lady had removed the curse and whatever was in it on that night so long ago, it had faded. Still, they were taking no chances. It was covered under foundation make-up.
Wolf and John stood to one side of the queue waiting for the book signing. They had decided this was going to be one of John's training exercises. His objective was to retrieve the accursed book without anyone noticing. To accomplish his goal he had to be where it was to be delivered, hence their presence in the bookstore.
They watched as Lucius Malfoy picked a fight with a red-headed man. They saw the arrogant blonde wizard slip something into a red haired girl's cauldron. That was it!
When the convenient fight that broke out between the two adult wizards provided the distraction that John needed, he saw his chance.
John saw Hermione standing on the sidelines with brown haired stout boy. She was watching the altercation with horror on her face. Much to his relief, she didn't recognize him. He hated hiding from his best friend, but he was under orders. He thought she would at least be suspicious of him when she looked right at him and then her eyes were drawn back to the fight. He did wonder who she was with, though and why that fact bothered him.
The author was trying to bring the attention back to himself which also helped in the diversion. Wolf hung back, waiting nearby. He had seen Hermione and ducked out the door. He watched as the scuffle overturned the young girl's cauldron, scattering her books.
When the mayhem was contained and order was restored, John helped the girl pick up her books. He palmed the book in question into his pocket, out of sight and offered simple consolations to her.
He found Wolf and they headed for Gringotts. Once they were alone John showed Wolf his prize. It was a journal with gold initials on the cover - "TMR."
"Eww . . ." John said, wrinkling his nose in disgust as he held the book by a corner. "This is slimy! I can't wait to get rid of it!"
Griphook called for a curse breaker who, after many diagnostic spells, informed them what they had was a Horcrux. The diary housed a piece of the soul of Tom Riddle - who was also called "Lord Voldemort."
"Blessed be!" John exclaimed, fingering his amulet. "So that's what the Lady took out of me!"
Wolf and the Goblins looked stunned.
"There are a few ways to get rid of it, Lord Potter," Griphook said, and started to explain. He expounded on the methods from Fiendfyre to Goblin cleansing rituals. All had their drawbacks and risks.
John shook his head. "I know a better way."
0o0o0o0
That evening, as the sun cast a golden hue on the stones of the White Tower and after all the tourists were gone, John led a small group of people through the Greens to the block. He then carefully laid the diary on the marker that represented the deaths of so many poor condemned souls.
He stepped away as the Prime Minister dutifully recited, "For crimes against the Crown of England, I, John Major, Prime Minister, in service of Her Majesty, Elizabeth the Second do hereby arrest and detain the soul within the diary of Tom Marvolo Riddle, consigning it to the Magical Deep within the Tower. To await Her Majesty's pleasure. So Mote It Be!"
There was a flash of bright light and the diary was gone! John sighed as he looked up at the Ravensmaster and Head Yeoman Warder. "It is done. Two down, and I'm not sure how many to go."
"I need to inform Her Majesty," the Prime Minister said as he turned to leave.
"Do you need me to go with you?" John questioned, glad that part was over with.
"I think it would be for the best, Lord Potter," the PM confirmed. "She will have questions."
0o0o0o0
For the question where Hermione got the Honeydukes for John? Owl-mail order! Gotcha!
Please note, Dobby's speech was intentional.
As for Snape, you'll just have to wait and see. We are not about to get into good/evil Snape argument at this time.
Until next time. -GF and The Frau
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