Quoth the Raven
A/N: The quote about the chapel is from the official Tower of London website and was made by Jane Spooner, Historic Buildings Curator, HM Tower of London. Also this was the last chapter GenkaiFan wrote for NaNoWr.
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Chapter 45: On the Morrow He Will Leave Me
One morning, a week before the Hogwarts students left for the Christmas hols, many readers of the Daily Prophet choked on their morning tea as they read the following front page insert:
An open letter to Tom Marvolo Riddle; A.K.A. 'Lord Voldemort'.
I, Lord Harry James Potter, Duke of Gryffindor, Baron of Slytherin, Head of the Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter and Peverel, do hereby command Tom Marvolo Riddle, the self-styled Lord Voldemort, to present himself to me, his Liege Lord and Head of Family, on this Solstice Eve before the Chapel of St Peter Ad Vincula. Failure to comply with this order will see you stripped of the family name, magic and all rights appertaining thereto. As I have commanded, so mote it be; know that I have called upon Magick itself to stand witness to this meeting.
(We, of the Daily Prophet, as requested by His Grace, Lord Potter, print this letter exactly as it was delivered to us. We take no responsibility for what is written therein. Editor in Chief.)
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"How dare he!" Lord Voldemort raged as he trashed his already demolished 'throne-room.' At his feet, one of his minions lay twitching and drooling from over-exposure to the Cruciatus Curse. The idiot had dared to bring the current issue of the Daily Prophet to his master - the one with Potter's challenge written for all the world to see.
"How dare he claim the title of Baron Ssslytherin! I am the true heir of Ssslytherin! Not thisss Muggle-raised upssstart! I will NOT be dictated to!" He continued to throw hexes about in a futile attempt to ease his rage. Then, as suddenly as he'd started, he stopped. He realised that, with this challenge, he knew where Potter was going to be - and when! A plan started to form.
"Wormtail! Your arm!" A mousy-looking man in very tattered robes shuffled over to him, arm extended obediently.
Life had not been kind to Peter since the death of the Potters. He had only joined the Death Eaters as they were winning at the time, but it all ended that blasted Halloween night. Where was the glory? The power? The women? Lily was supposed to have been his! So high and mighty with her Muggle upbringing.
"Wormtail!" Peter lifted his left arm up to his insane and very angry lord and bit back a whimper.
Since the first fall of the Dark Lord, he had lived hidden in the guise of his rat Animagus form. Not just any sewer rat, but as a pet! A pet of the Weasleys! It had been a brilliant tactical move, he thought. He'd been able to listen in on news, as well as having free room and board. And even though he'd been fed scraps, Molly Weasley was a damn fine cook, after all! He even went to Hogwarts with the Weasley brats, so that he could spy on the opposition. He had tried his best to find the Potter boy, but even he had failed. The night his lord regained his body, he, Peter, was there. He'd even donated his hand as part of the Merlin-be-damned ritual!
Black-robed Death Eaters began appearing in the room. Many of the newer minions were thankful for the masks they were forced to wear as they surveyed the damage around them with wide eyes. The veterans were used to such scenes. They could see that their master was in 'fine form' today, and wondered how many would walk away from this meeting.
Lucius Malfoy entered unmasked, one of the few privileged to do so. He looked, but could not see Severus there. The blond knew it was not wise to ignore a summons from their 'Lord.'
"My followersss! I have been insulted for the last time! We must find Potter and make him pay! I am not the true Heir to Ssslytherin!? How dare that upstart claim what isss mine by right of birth! That baronetcy issss mine! I will have it! Luciusss!"
"My lord?" Lucius knelt in front of his hissing master. He did not spare a glance at the body on the floor beside him, or Wormtail kneeling beside the throne. He realised their lord was too frenzied to notice the absence of the Potions Master. Or else, might the Lady have something to do with the Dark Lord not noticing Severus' absence?
"Find thisss chapel! Potter isss a fool if he thinkssss I will blindly ssshow myself!"
"Yes, my lord. I shall not fail you."
"Crucio!"
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After their lord dismissed them, Lucius met with Severus at Malfoy Manor. Both were relieved that the Dark Lord had vented most of his spleen before he called, but it was still like walking on eggshells past a sleeping dragon. One young and foolish follower had made the fatal mistake of whispering during the Dark Lord's rant, and had paid for it with his life.
"So do you know where this chapel is, Severus?"
"I don't, but it does seem familiar. I would imagine Potter does and, if he has retreated into the Muggle world along with the Granger chit, there is only one person in the Ministry who also may know... Amanda Kensington, Head of the Muggle Liaison Department," the Potions Master advised.
"But she is a Muggle-born!"
"Your point, Lucius?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow. "She is indeed Muggle-born, which is why she may well know the brat's location."
Taking a sip from his glass of elven wine, Severus continued, "And Lord Potter told me that if I needed him to go through her. Potter knows what he is doing, and has the allies to back him up.
"Do you really wish to continue following someone who is clearly insane? The Dark Lord, like Albus Dumbledore, no longer follows the Old Ways. Albus, even now, lies in the Hogwarts infirmary, and Poppy isn't sure he will survive or whether his mind, if he does, will remain intact."
Lucius stood and went over to the drink cabinet to refill their glasses. He was still very upset over the fact that he could have lost his only son that day in Hogsmeade, as well.
"I know you follow the Dark Lady, Severus, but just what is Her involvement in this?" he asked, handing over the refilled glass.
"She is not happy and has tasked Potter with cleansing the Wizarding World. And She has personally seen to it that he was provided with the training needed for this task."
Noting the smirk on the blond's face, he continued sharply, "Do not make the mistake of thinking we are friends, Lucius. Potter and I are not, but so long as he remains the Lady's Chosen, we are allies, nothing more."
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Minerva looked down at the unconscious old wizard. Poppy was currently escorting the experts from St Mungo's out. Severus had brought in a comatose Albus the night before, and according to him, he had found the headmaster in a clearing deep within the forest.
She'd had no choice but to call the Ministry. Hagrid confirmed that he had reported to the headmaster finding his lost wand on a stone altar guarded by ravens in a clearing. He had also told Severus the same thing when the Potions Master had noticed the elderly wizard heading into the forest.
Severus reported to the investigating Aurors that he had followed the headmaster, only to find him unconscious, and brought him back to Hogwarts. Minerva could sense that there was more to the story, but she trusted he would tell her later. For now, she would have to believe that her fellow professor knew what he was doing. The Potions Master would never do anything to harm Albus; that she was sure of. A check on Severus' wand had confirmed that he'd not used it to cast a spell other than Mobilicorpus on the headmaster.
He and Hagrid took everyone to the clearing. It showed recent use, but there was nothing in it save a small, ancient stone altar. Nor was there any sign of blood or violence. The only magic used in the area was a healing and transportation spell, confirming Severus' story.
The Aurors left, vaguely satisfied for the moment. They would have to wait until the aged wizard awakened to tell his side of the story.
Poppy had done everything she could, but there was no hint of the headmaster's magic. She'd sent for the experts, who confirmed her diagnoses; whatever happened to the headmaster in the forest had taken almost all of his magic. The once powerful wizard had been reduced to a Squib!
She had warned Albus to slow down and to watch his blood pressure. He hadn't and now with the loss of his magic, he'd also had a stroke that left him totally paralysed on his left side.
If it wasn't for the quick thinking of Severus, the damage could've been much worse. As Albus' magic was almost gone, most of the healing potions would not work on the severe damage done. Such a waste. She went about her duties mourning the loss of a great wizard.
"Severus, what are you not telling me?" Minerva asked as she sat by the headmaster's bed, watching the rise and fall of the man's laboured breathing.
The Potions Master stood behind her chair, a hand resting on its back as he watched Albus sleeping. "There isn't much more than what I've already told everyone, Minerva. The ravens were the ones that took Albus' wand. I can't say more than that. I am sorry."
Minerva closed her eyes, trying to gather her thoughts. "Oh, Albus. I told ye an' told ye not to insult the Old Ways. He will not recover from this, will he?"
"I am not sure," was his quiet reply. "There is something else…" He rolled up his left sleeve. The Dark Mark was gone and in its place was the symbol of the Morrigan. "No longer is my allegiance divided. I have but one Mistress now."
"She is a harsh Mistress ta follow. I donna envy ye, Severus."
He gave a slight bow as he rolled his sleeve down. Poppy came in and started to bustle around.
"Minerva, when will the Board of Governors meet? Albus can't take on the headmastership any more, not without his magic," Poppy asked as she waved her wand over Albus. She looked sadly down at the sleeping form. "What a way to end an illustrious career. What are you going to tell them?"
"Well, I canna tell them the truth - that Albus insulted the Old Ways one too many times an' they not only took his wand, but his magic as well!" Minerva snarked. "I warned him an' warned him, but ye ken how he listens." she sighed and shook her head. "I have no idea what to tell them."
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Amanda Kensington was finishing up her daily routine and getting ready to leave for the day when Lucius Malfoy strolled into her office.
"Madam. A word," the aristocrat sneered. He never thought for one moment that he would ever step foot into this office, let alone speak to this... this person. But he was on a mission. The Dark Lord demanded he do this.
The article in the Prophet had so incensed their lord that no-one was safe. He had already killed two followers and rendered five insane from over-use of the Cruciatus curse.
Lucuis knew that all he had to do was use the Imperius curse on this person to get what he wanted from her, but Severus had convinced him not to. She had garnered powerful allies in the Muggle world as well as being the only one, according to his friend, that knew how to get hold of Potter. So here he was, however distasteful it may be.
"What may I do for you, Lord Malfoy? As you can see I was ready to leave for the day," she said with a sigh of resignation.
"You will deliver a message to Potter. The Dark Lord has accepted his challenge and demands that Potter supply a Port-key to this chapel. You will also provide a Port-key for several others to stand as witnesses for the same time. When you hand over the Port-keys, you will also hand over all information about this chapel that Potter is going on about."
Amanda Kensington straightened. "And what's stopping you from killing me once I comply, or for me not to report it?"
Fingering his cane he scowled. "Nothing, Mud-blood, but I've been ordered to deal gently with you."
"Very well, Lord Malfoy," she agreed. "I will get them for you and not report this to the proper authorities."
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John was sitting at the kitchen table, sharing a cuppa with Aunt Maggie, when Amanda walked in.
"Got a cup for me, Maggie? It's been a long day. And John, thank-you for the charmed necklace. It came in handy today," Amanda said as she took a seat beside him. "Hello, Maggie. How's Ben?"
"Ornery as ever. You can't keep a career man down," she said, pouring out a cup of tea for her guest.
"So, which one was it?" John asked, pulling a file towards him.
"It's as you and Wolf figured - Malfoy Senior. As you guessed, he wants two Port-keys: one for the Dark Tosser and one for some of his Munchers as well. He also wants everything on the Chapel."
John snorted and shook his head. "Wizards can be so predictable. So you didn't need the protections?" Wolf had suggested that one of the techno-geeks make up a necklace with a slew of protection spells. She had been thrilled with it.
"John," Maggie said with a frown.
"It's all right, Maggie," Amanda said, with a smile. "It's better safe than sorry."
Maggie refilled everyone's cups. "Well, what are you going ta do now, dear?"
"Well, I'm going to sit here and enjoy a nice cuppa before dragging this handsome young man off to a meeting at Number 10," Amanda replied as John blushed.
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The meeting was a bit of an anti-climax. They knew that Amanda would be one of three that the Death Eaters would contact. The other two would have been Arthur Weasley and Stan from the Knight Bus. Arthur was too well-known and protected. The Knight Bus was something most tried to avoid, if they could help it.
"Besides, I think we can thank Professor Snape for coming through," John explained when the subject came up at the meeting. "We knew that Riddle would assign this to one of his best, and that left either Snape or Malfoy. My bet was on Malfoy Senior."
"How do we know this Snape won't betray us?" asked the PM.
John pulled out a bit of parchment and passed it around. "I've received this note from the good professor. He's been taken out of the equation, been retired from the spy biz. Also, so has the headmaster. Seems he went traipsing through the Forbidden Forest at night looking for his wand that he... misplaced.
"According to Snape, Poppy isn't sure that the headmaster will wake up and, even if he does, between the stroke and the loss of his magic, Dumbledore is done."
"Ah, yes, I seem to have received a report about that," the PM commented. "The old man is in a coma at Hogwarts. They don't know what happened and will have to wait until the old boy wakes. According to the medical reports, he shows the classic signs of having had a massive stroke."
John wasn't about to tell them that the Morrigan had a hand in the headmaster's demise. He wasn't sure how well that would be perceived.
"And you trust him? This Professor?" asked the PM, bringing the topic back around to Snape.
"Yes, sir. In this, we are allies. He has sworn that if I do get him killed, he will haunt me until my dying day," John said ruefully, rubbing his chin. "The professor has no love for Riddle. He's willing to pass on information if only in the hope that we keep him out of Azkaban."
"Fair enough," the PM said. "So what will we allow Miss Kensington to pass on?"
"Well, I did look up the Tower in Hogwarts' Library. There wasn't much there. And the history course is a joke. They have a ghost teaching the class and it's so focused on the goblin wars that nothing else is being taught. So unless the pure-bloods know about the wards around the Tower, it's a safe bet. Malfoy Senior might figure it out, but I'm not sure if he'll use the information. According to the professor he's still upset that his son was at Hogsmeade that day."
John paused for a moment, before continuing. "However, sir, I, for one, would not give them much. Definitely not its true location. Riddle may be insane but he did, after all, grow up in the Muggle world. He would've been taught all about the Tower and its history, but not about the wards around it."
"Right. Moving on..."
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Amanda Kensington sent the Port-keys and information to Lucius Malfoy as directed. As he was reading through the information about the chapel, something seemed familiar about it, but he could not recall...
"...St Peter's is of outstanding historical interest for the part it played in the momentous events of the nation… The modest architecture of the chape(sic) and its adjacent crypt house within their walls a significant portion of the history of the nation..."
Lucius also read that the chapel was close to 500 years old and a favourite Muggle tourist site, which claimed to be haunted by no less than three former queens of England.
Along with the parchment were two Port-keys. Everything was all set. The Solstice was only a week away; then, hopefully, this whole mess would be over and done with.
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There will be some time before the next chapter. Rest assured, we are not abandoning this story as there are only a couple more left.
We are starting to turn our attention to real life and sewing. Frau has been dealing with some major health issues which also has put a crimp into our writing time.
Until next time. -GF and The Frau
