Chapter 40 : Wedding bells and warnings
"Anyhow," Arthur Weasley continued, as he stood and walked forward. "Bill and Fleur's wedding rolled around and although we did have the advantage of knowing the Death Eaters would be 'crashing the party', so to speak, we tried to have a joyful celebration. That also gave the Aurors, who were there as security, a better chance to give us an extra moment or two to get our guests to safety. Hermione, of course, had her bag ready and Ron, Harry and she knew where they needed to 'Apparate' this time, so at least that was one less worry for everyone . . . we knew they would be safe.
X X X
Kingsley Shacklebolt's 'Patronus' arrived in the middle of the dance floor. There was instant silence, as all eyes and ears focused on the ghostly lynx standing there, calmly informing them that the Ministry had fallen, that Rufus Scrimgeour had escaped, but Death Eaters were coming. There were a few gasps and shrieks of fear, as Witches and Wizards started gathering their things and 'Apparating' away to safety. Suddenly, Death Eaters started arriving; spells were flying left and right, shouts and screams echoing. The Aurors on duty, plus Arthur, Bill, Charlie and Remus Lupin fought back, while Fred and George hustled their Mother, Ginny and Fleur into The Burrow before returning to join in the dueling, grim looks on their faces, but a gleam in their eyes.
X X X
"All I could think was that they looked so much like Fabian and Gideon," sighed Molly, remembering her brothers.
Minerva patted her arm. "In more ways than one, Molly," she whispered, which put a smile back on Mrs. Weasley's face. "Your brothers were quite a handful, if I remember correctly . . . and I do!"
"That's how I knew what to expect when Fred and George came along," Molly replied, out of the side of her mouth, causing Professor McGonagall to snort and hide a giggle behind her hand.
X X X
Harry, Hermione and Ron had been keeping each other in sight throughout the party, so getting together in all of the chaos wasn't too much of a problem. They 'Apparated' straight to Hogsmeade, into the tiny alleyway that ran behind the Hog's Head Tavern. No one was about, so they made their way to the side entrance and knocked. Aberforth Dumbledore opened the heavy wooden door and stood back to let them in. Quickly checking the alley, he then closed the door, slid home the bolt and turned to lead the trio down the stairs to the basement storage room.
Ariana's portrait was watching them serenely and even gave them a small smile and little wave. Hermione waved back.
"Please let Albus know he has visitors," Aberforth requested of her. With a nod, she turned and walked away, fading into the background of her painting.
"How's everything here in Hogsmeade, Aberforth?" asked Hermione. "Any Death Eaters arrived yet?"
"Not so's you'd notice, but they've been skulking around, every couple of days of late," he informed them. "They don't bother with me, just buy a Fire Whiskey and leave, which suits me fine."
"Well, they took over the Ministry today, so they'll be around a lot more from now on," Ron told him.
"I don't doubt 'ya a bit, lad," chuckled the bearded bartender. "Let's hope they're in a good mood and talk a little too freely, once they think they've cowed the village into submission. I'll let you know if I hear anything interesting."
"Thanks, Aberforth. That could prove a big help, if you pick up any stray information about what Voldemort has planned, as far as Hogsmeade and Hogwarts are concerned." Harry smiled at Albus' brother, then turned toward the portrait on the wall, as they could see Adriana returning, with someone right behind her.
The portrait swung open to reveal a smiling Dumbledore, cheerfully waving to the trio of students.
"Hello! How was the wedding? Get through that without any interruptions?" Albus inquired.
"The wedding was lovely, Headmaster," Hermione informed him.
"And the Ministry has fallen," Ron injected, before Hermione went off on a tangent about the ceremony and party.
"Rufus got away, Professor," added Harry.
Albus nodded, then straightened up and rubbed his hands together. "Well, come along, you three. Let's get you settled, shall we? Thanks for getting them out of sight quickly Abe," Dumbledore said to his brother, who nodded.
"This place is turning into Kings bloody Cross," Aberforth grumbled, as he made his way up the stairs and back to the bar room.
Dumbledore chuckled as the portrait swung closed, and then he turned to lead the three refugees into the school.
X X X
The Room of Requirement certainly seemed to have been quite thorough in its preparations for the Trio's arrival; separate, partitioned bedrooms, a common area with tables, sofa and chairs, and another space reserved, by the looks of it, for supplies and weapons . . . mostly, it seemed, from Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes.
Ron and Harry went to check out that stockpile, while Hermione took the opportunity to collapse on one of the sofas and kick off her shoes. Dumbledore laughed and with a wave of his wand, an ottoman scooted across the floor to stop in front of her. Hermione smiled and lifted her feet up onto the tufted stool, sighing in contentment.
"Now, Miss Granger, I'd like a complete review of the wedding and ensuing festivities . . . indulge your old Headmaster, won't you?"
"I'd love to," she replied, casting an eye at the boys rummaging through the boxes from Fred and George's store. "They're oblivious; so we'll just have a nice chat."
"Some tea, perhaps?" Albus asked.
"Oh, that would be lovely, as we never did get to the cake cutting," Hermione smiled.
"Tykey!"
'Pop!'
"Yes, Headmaster?"
"Could you please bring us some afternoon tea, with a few biscuits and perhaps a bowl of lemon drops?" Albus smiled at the House Elf standing before him.
"Right away, Headmaster. Oh, Hello, Missy Hermione. We was hearing you and Mister Ron and Mister Harry Potter were coming to stay at Hogwarts." Tykey smiled at Hermione.
"Indeed, we'll be seeing a great deal of each other, Tykey. Tell the other Elves we say hello, won't you?" Hermione replied.
"Yes, Tykey will send your greetings!"
'Pop!'
X X X
"Meanwhile," Arthur continued. "The Death Eaters left the wedding a shambles, but no one was badly hurt and Molly had a small wedding cake stored safely in the house, so, the festivities continued . . . on a smaller scale."
"Now we get to the first 'tricky' bit," Harry started to relate, as Arthur sat down. "But this is not my story to tell." He turned and bowed to Severus, who stood and strode forward.
"Indeed, this is MY big scene," he smirked at Dan and Rupert, as he turned to face the rest. "I will admit, I was a bit worried some of you would slip up and give me away, when I was installed as Headmaster," he growled, looking at Neville, but then he smirked, "My fears were, I'm glad to say, groundless."
"I must admit, Severus, that on more than one occasion, I had to fight to keep a straight face when you were being your snarkiest," Neville laughed. "I think some of the Slytherins were under the impression I had cracked under the strain of having you as Headmaster, when they found me wandering the halls, giggling. But then, that had the advantage of them giving me wide berth, too, come to that," he added.
"Indeed, I seem to have lost any of my former abilities to strike fear into the hearts of Hogwarts students, much less the alumni," bemoaned Severus, with an exaggerated sigh. Then shaking himself, he turned to the four visitors to continue the narrative of events at the beginning of the seventh year.
X X X
"Ah, Severus . . . do come in," Voldemort spoke softly, as the newly appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts entered the dining room of Malfoy Manor.
The higher ranking Death Eaters were seated around the table, among them some of the newly released prisoners from Azkaban, including Lucius Malfoy. Considering the length of time he'd been in Azkaban, Lucius wasn't looking quite as weary or bedraggled as Rudolphus Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov or Walden Macnair.
X X X
It was not known, of course, that Dobby had been sneaking into Lucius' cell and bringing him bits of food and the occasional small vial of 'Strengthening Potion' from Narcissa. He'd caught the House Elf delivering his extra rations one evening, and he'd been shocked and appalled that Narcissa would even think of trying such a bit of subversion, right under the nose - if you'll pardon the pun - of the Dark Lord.
But, then Dobby pointed out that it wasn't the Dark Lord who had imprisoned him, but the Wizangamot, so his Missy Cissa was sending Dobby to help Master Lucius, not on orders from the Dark Lord, but because she loved him and was trying to help keep him strong and healthy. When the Elf left that night, Lucius thought long and hard about his wife and her inner strength, a fact that he had, he finally admitted to himself, overlooked or dismissed. Perhaps Potter's words to him, before he had been taken away to await trial, were worth heeding after all.
It also suddenly occurred to him that Dobby was once again serving the Malfoy family! The next time Dobby came with his little bundle, Lucius asked him if he was, indeed, the Malfoy's House Elf.
"Oh, yes, Master Lucius, but Dobby is still a free Elf, Missy Cissa is paying Dobby and Dobby is also free to come and go and help other friends." Dobby stood proud and apparently unafraid of his former tormentor.
"I see. Well, it seems I am more out of touch with reality than I realized. You've given me much to think about, Dobby," replied Lucius, as he finished the ham sandwich Dobby had pulled out of his bag. "Be sure and thank your Missy Cissa for me, won't you?"
"Oh, yes, Master Lucius, Dobby will be sure and send your greetings." Dobby nodded seriously, which brought a bit of a smile to Lucius' face. Leaning toward the tall Wizard, Dobby whispered, "Her was a bit worried when Dobby told Missy Cissa that you had woke up when Dobby was here last time. Her was afraid you would be mad. Dobby is telling her not to worry, Master Lucius' was happy to see Dobby."
"Indeed I was, Dobby. And thank you for bringing this extra food . . . you really didn't have to, you know, as you're a free Elf," replied Lucius, waiting to hear what Dobby would say to that.
Dobby stood there for a moment and then stood up straight. "Dobby has seen and learned many things since he was House Elf to the House of Malfoy, Master Lucius. Some things I cannot tell you, but I will tell you that you can change, as Dobby has changed, and it will be a good thing, for you and Missy Cissa and Master Draco." The House Elf nodded emphatically. "Bad old Voldemort is not going to win, not if Harry Potter . . . . . " but Dobby stopped, thinking he was about to say too much. He shook his head, then looked Lucius straight in the eyes. "Harry Potter will win in the end, Master Lucius, don't you ever doubt that."
'Pop'
X X X
Severus took his seat to the left of Voldemort and glanced down the table, not bothering to acknowledge the few nods of greeting he received. Returning his attention to the Dark Lord, he noticed that the Sword of Gryffindor was being placed slowly, deliberately, almost reverently on the table for all to see. Bella sucked in her breath.
"Greedy cow," thought Severus.
The corner of Voldemort's mouth jerked, as he listened in on Severus' thoughts and was pleased he saw no desire for the object before him. He would see, though.
"Severus, you were quick minded enough to relieve Remus Lupin of this sword last Spring and bring it to me. I have enjoyed having it with me . . . it is quite magnificent, however . . . it belongs, I believe, to the Headmaster of Hogwarts, which, through happy circumstance, is yourself," Voldemort watched Bella's face go red with rage, at the thought of Severus having this prize in his possession.
"My Lord." Severus bowed his head in recognition of the praise from the Dark Lord. "As much as I appreciate your confidence in my ability to direct the restructuring of Hogwarts, I would rather not have that symbol of Gryffindor House hanging over my desk. Also, I wouldn't put it past members of that house to come up with the foolish notion to try and take possession of this symbol of their Founder, as an act of defiance, at most or a show of stupidity, at the least."
Voldemort barked a laugh, which was echoed by the Death Eaters sitting around the table, except Bella, who was clenching her fists in her lap, trying to keep from blurting out anything that would get her into trouble.
"Well, in that case, perhaps it should be stored away, for safe keeping, somewhere more secure, where misguided attempts to steal it could be thwarted. I hardly think having it lying around here at Malfoy Manor constitutes safe, so perhaps it should be taken to Gringott's and put in one of the top security vaults . . . yours, perhaps, Bella?"
Voldemort was mildly amused at the sudden change in Bella's facial expressions, as she realized that the Sword of Gryffindor would be in her care, after all.
"Master, I . . . we would be honored to have the Sword stored in our vault," she almost simpered, turning to Rudolphus for confirmation.
"Indeed, Master, it would be a great honor," agreed Bella's husband.
"Splendid." Voldemort turned back to Severus. "Severus, you will take the Sword to . . . "
"Snape! Take the Sword . . .but Master . . . ," Bella started to protest, until Voldemort slowly swung around to impale her with his blazing red eyes. She quickly shut her mouth and put her head down in submission. Voldemort stared at her for a minute longer and then turned, once again, to the new Headmaster.
"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted," the Dark Lord began. "You will take the sword and put it into Rudolphus and Bella's vault. Rudolphus, you will write a letter of permission for Severus to make a deposit into your vault, so there will be no questions."
"Yes, Master, of course,," came the expected reply.
"Narcissa?"
"Yes, my Lord?" Narcissa jumped a bit at being singled out and turned anxious eyes to the figure at the end of the table.
"You will accompany Severus, as your sister's representative . . . include that in the letter also, Rudolphus." The Dark Lord was watching and waiting for Bella to explode, but Rudolphus grabbed her hand under the table and held her still.
"Certainly, Master," he replied through gritted teeth, all his strength focused on keeping Bella from jumping up and throwing a fit. . . that would be disastrous.
"Draco, you will accompany your Mother, as I'm sure you must have some last minute purchases to make in Diagon Alley before you return to school next week," added Voldemort, sounding for all the world like a concerned uncle.
"Yes, Master, I do have a few things I still need before I catch the Express," acknowledged Draco, looking confident in the Dark Lord's attention.
"Excellent," Voldemort nodded. "That will be all for this evening, you may go."
The assembled Death Eaters rose and bowed as one, then made their way towards the door, talking quietly among themselves.
Narcissa had her arm around Lucius' waist to steady him, with Draco walking on his other side. They stopped to chat with Severus and Rudolphus to arrange a time for their trip to Gringott's. Bella was standing behind her chair, sulking when she suddenly realized the Dark Lord was leaning over her shoulder to whisper in her ear
"I have other plans for you, Bella, my sweet." He ran his finger slowly down her spine. "You will come to my chambers in an hour. . . plan to spend the night."
"Yes, Master," she gasped, dropping her head, but not quickly enough to hide the smile Voldemort saw on her lips.