Right, so, on the continuation of this series of updates, we come to a chapter that necessicates a warning: it deals with violence, especially violence against a child. Fair warning. I'm not going into gory details, but the very notion is disturbing, so I just wanted to underline it.
Just so you all know... I've completed, finally, the rewrite on this story and I'm working on a short spin-off before to begin the next one. So the rest of the story is actually already written! Updates should be quicker, as a result. Huge thanks to Billdog718, who's been incredibly reactive as a beta and a real help in making some choices with the overall plot.
EDIT: Wolf-Redlance pointed out to me that there was a redundant bit in the conversation between Harry and Kenneth, with some issues having been covered in their chat during the Yule Ball chapter in 'Warlocks'. So I wiped it out.
So, with no further ado, here we go.
The Worst of all Secrets
Julie found herself unable to move, completely dumbstruck, in the middle of the passageway to the common room.
Kenneth was sorry? What the hex was he sorry about? He had done nothing wrong! Did he honestly believe that Julie would be mad at him for what had just happened? She could hardly fault him for his reaction, could she?
She had understood that right after Kenneth had told her that he hadn't faced Warlocks for Robert to hurt her. Of course Robert hadn't done any real harm to her. She had just cried out of surprise, more than out of pain. But Kenneth had been there to save her life. She couldn't be mad at him for something so trivial! Robert's attitude had really been irritating, and not only for him.
Granted she hadn't been the best girlfriend in history, but Robert's reaction to her breaking up to him was bordering on ridiculous. Even after hearing why she was ending things with him, namely his manipulations and backstabbing in order to control her life, he was now trying to put the blame on her? Who the hell did he think he was?
As for Kenneth, she would need to tell him quickly that she wasn't mad at him.
If anything, right now, she was nervously drained, physically exhausted and utterly mind-boggled. She was still reeling from the shock.
It had not happened!
She had been there, he had been there, hell, that accursed Warlock had been right there, and it hadn't happened? How was it even possible?
She knew that Professor Wroxton had to be busy. When the school faced an incident like the attack on Hogsmeade, all the teachers had to have been mobilized to secure the area, and tend to the possible wounded. She couldn't go and bother her right now.
So, she firmly pushed the incomprehension from her mind and focused on the rest: the incredible relief. Kenneth was alive. The moment had passed and he was alive. He hadn't given his life for hers.
Merlin, I could dance right now, if I wasn't so knackered, she thought, in a curious mix of delight and weariness.
She shook herself out of her thoughts and entered the common room. The very second she entered, Kalindra jumped on her feet from her armchair and ran to her to start checking her for any wound. Mandy and Jennifer looked extremely relieved to see her at last.
"Are you alright?" Kalindra asked eagerly. "Sure?"
"I'm fine," said Julie, on an appeasing tone. "Seriously, Kallie, I'm not hurt anywhere."
"The Warlocks were after you again, weren't they?" asked Kalindra.
Julie nodded and sighed.
"My fault, really," said Julie. "But it was worth it."
She let herself fall into an armchair, near the fire. She looked at the flames for a moment.
"What happened?" asked Kalindra.
"I had another vision," said Julie. "It was about Raphaella. She was getting murdered in the streets of Hogsmeade."
Everyone around her gasped. She dismissed their anguish immediately.
"She's okay," she said. "But I couldn't find a teacher to warn. I could only warn Miss Weasley. And then I remembered that I have a very handy alarm system around my neck," she said, pointing at her pendant.
"That necklace that the Order of the Phoenix uses to monitor you?" said Mandy.
Julie nodded.
"But wouldn't it react only if you were in..." said Kalindra, but her sentence died on her lips. "You went there to put yourself in danger, to rally the Order?"
"It worked," said Julie. "With Fields, Thierry and Miss Weasley, we found Raphaella, and we saved her. And then the Order apparated in, and that saved the day."
"It can't have been that easy," said Kalindra, suspiciously.
"What?" asked Jennifer.
"Julie?" Kalindra insisted.
Julie had a sad smile.
"While we were retreating, I got separated from the rest of the group," she said. "But..."
She didn't finish her sentence, and instead looked meaningfully at Kalindra. Her friend seemed to ponder her words, and then she smiled.
"He was there, wasn't he?" she finally said, before to pale. "Is he alright?"
Julie nodded, and everyone let out a sigh of relief. There was no need to say who he was.
Kalindra looked at her intensely.
"So that vision...?" she said.
"I can't make any sense of it," said Julie, growing anguished again. "Kalindra, it all started the same. The exact same. The street, the shops I was passing by. The attacker was right where I had seen it, but... but he didn't get hurt. He just... he just dodged and blasted the bastard off. I don't understand!"
"You make it sound like it's bad news," said Mandy. "Aren't you pleased that Kenneth is okay?"
"It's complicated," said Kalindra, in Julie's place. "Julie is relieved, of course, but it's confusing, regarding her visions.
Grateful for the elegant way to get her off the hook, Julie nodded. She could tell that Kalindra did share her relief. Ever since she had talked to her about the vision in which Kenneth gave his life for her, Kalindra had been worried for her best friend, no matter how well she could hide it.
Julie looked at her seriously.
"It's gone," she said. "The moment has passed; that vision is averted."
Kalindra nodded. Julie let herself fall back into her chair, with a deep sigh.
"I hope Kenneth won't get into more trouble over me," she said, mezzo voce.
"What is that supposed to mean?" asked Mandy. "What happened?"
"Well, after we had a few near misses, we were found by Potter and Lockenburn," said Julie. "We all made our way back to Hogwarts, and that's when Dumbledore showed up and... well, he kicked arse, there's no other way to say it. When we reached the gates... Robert was there."
"Oh, come on!" exclaimed Mandy, who was throwing tense looks to the passageway. "What, did he get jealous because Kenneth saved your butt again?"
"Well, he was mad that I was actually in Hogsmeade, considering how me staying in the castle all the time damaged our relationship," said Julie, bitterly.
"Damaged?" said Kalindra. "How much damage are we talking about?"
Julie looked up at her, with a smile that was half-sheepish, half sarcastic.
"Pretty severe, actually," she said. "I broke up with him, yesterday."
"WHAT?!" exclaimed three young witches at the same time.
"Did you not think that we would like to know that?" asked Kalindra.
"Er... could we try and remember that Hogsmeade just got attacked by the Warlocks of Atlantis?" said Julie, in a vain attempt to deflect, but with a wry smile.
"Who cares about the Warlocks?" said Mandy. "What made you finally dump the jerk?"
"No," said Kalindra. "Details about that later. Focus on today. What did the jerk do, today?"
"Well, since he was angry over the break-up, he got a bit aggressive with me and Kenneth, accused him of stealing me from him," said Julie.
"Jerky jerk, jerk," said Mandy, in a sing-song voice.
Julie had another sad smile at that.
"At some point, he grabbed me," said Julie. "He didn't hurt me... not really. But I did cry out, and Kenneth... well, he just reacted, and he punched him."
"Wow," said Kalindra, stunned.
"And now, he's in trouble," Julie went on. "And it's my fault. And he thinks I'm mad at him."
"You're not?" asked Kalindra.
"Of course not!" protested Julie. "On that moment, Robert had it coming. And Kenneth was only thinking he was protecting me."
"Good boy," said Kalindra, with a smile.
"But he will get detention," said Julie. "And it will be my fault!"
"Come on Julie," said Mandy. "A little detention is nothing compared to the pleasure of punching this git. Now the most important is that he knows that you're not mad at him for punching the prat."
A few weeks ago, Julie would have protested, in defence of Robert, but this time, Mandy's enthusiasm made her smile lightly.
"You were all right from the very beginning," she said.
"Yes, we were," said Mandy, but only half focused on Julie.
Again she was looking at the Portrait Hole, as if she was waiting for something.
"What's wrong, Mandy?" Julie asked.
"It's… Thierry," said Kalindra. "He was back from Hogsmeade but he was summoned by his masters within minutes. And we're waiting for him to get back."
"It's logical that they would be summoned," said Julie. "The Warlocks were after them. They went after me only because I showed up. They were the targets, there."
"I don't know," said Mandy. "Thierry looked strange."
That last sentence left Julie to wonder about this. For the last month, the Gryffindors had grown worried for the young novice and the bad relations he had with his teacher. Although Master Amanio seemed to like him very much, Julie was sure that Anselme hated Thierry even more than Snape could hate one student.
Something passed before her eyes. Not a vision. Just a memory of one. And it wasn't a good sign at all.
"Merlin, no," she whispered. "Not him. Please, not Thierry."
"What?" asked Kalindra, on edge at once.
"My vision," said Julie. "The child."
"Oh, bloody hell," gasped Kalindra.
Mandy had gone deathly pale, suddenly.
"Kenneth!"
Kenneth was heading for the Defence classroom and Professor Potter's office when he heard someone calling him.
And at the end of the corridor, he saw Gillian appear and start to run toward him. She was looking worried. Kenneth's instinct warned him that something was wrong... really wrong...
"Are you okay?" asked Kenneth. "Did you get caught in the attack?"
Gillian shook her head, reached him and grabbed his arm.
"I saw Thierry…" she said, trying to catch her breath. "He was with Anselme. I'm not sure what this is all about, but it looked bad."
Kenneth raised an eyebrow.
"Really bad," insisted Gillian.
"Where are they?" asked Kenneth, immediately convinced by her tone.
"In the old Defence Classroom," said Gillian. "I think. I saw them head there."
"Okay, you find Professor Potter, or Lockenburn, Or McGonagall. Anyone but Snape, and you send them there! Potter should be in his office soon. Try there."
"What are you going to…?" she began.
"What I can," said Kenneth, who had come to a terrifying conclusion with his interrogations about Thierry.
He started to run to the West Wing of the Castle. Gillian wasn't the kind of person who would be too alarmist. She didn't panic easily; he had seen it in the Defence Club. He quickened his pace. Now he was sure that something really wrong was going on between Thierry and Anselme. Something that Walter only suspected, because Thierry wouldn't talk about it, the thing that turned Thierry so moody and withdrawn sometimes, something that was scaring him of anyone touching him.
The Old Defence Classroom was in a rather deserted part of the Castle. It was there that Professor Quirrell had been giving his lessons. After that, Lockhart had taken a more spacious one, and the others had kept it. So Kenneth had never had any lesson in this place.
When he reached the Old Defence corridor, He heard sounds that confirmed his terrible suspicions in an instant. A loud noise, like some bench pushed against the stone ground. And a hushed cry... Kenneth got his wand out of his sheath immediately.
He got to the door, when Anselme's voice echoed through it.
"I told you to step away from these people!" he shouted. "And now you get involved in a fight?! It's not a place for a Brother of Merlin! If you misbehave to our code only once more, you'll regret it, boy!'
"Master Walter told me…"
Thierry's voice was weak, but still it as rebellious and angry. It suddenly was cut by some violent sound, like some hit.
"Silence! How dare you talk back to me! I'm the one who speaks for Master Amanio, here! Not you, lousy rat!"
Another hitting sound and Thierry let out a cry. Kenneth waved his wand furiously and the lock of the classroom was ripped open. The door swung open wildly. Kenneth rushed in the room, his wand in his hand.
Thierry was lying on the ground, trying to breathe. He had apparently been thrown on the bench, and he was holding his ribs with a painful wince. Kenneth saw the blood from his lips and fury swept over him.
"Get out of here, Lionheart!" said Anselme coldly.
Kenneth raised his wand and pointed it at the Initiate.
"No way," he said, his blood going ice cold.
He had never been so angry in his whole life. Donahue was nothing compared to this. Even his pathetic frustration over Julie was nothing compared to this. All of his angers seemed suddenly childish. This was far more serious. He made three more steps and placed himself between Anselme and Thierry.
"Don't get up, Thierry," he said. "You're badly hurt."
"I'll be fine," said the Novice, but his voice told another story, full of fear and self-imposed lies.
"Of course you're not fine," said Kenneth. "So this is it? The reason for all of his mysterious behaviour?" he asked Anselme angrily. "The so-called falls, the bandages... the summons in the evenings… Why? Why would you do this? Are you so deluded that you punish him because he doesn't act as you do? What do you want with him? Kill him?"
"I told you to get out of here!" spat Anselme.
"And I tell you 'go to hell'!" shouted back Kenneth, his eyes blazing. "I won't leave him alone with you!"
"Kenneth," said Thierry. "Stay out of this, please…"
"No, Thierry," said Kenneth, coldly. "This isn't right. Not here, not anywhere. He doesn't get to do this."
"You're nothing to tell me how to behave with my students, boy!" shouted Anselme. "I'm an Initiate of the Brotherhood of Merlin!"
"Well, Merlin must be proud!" spat Kenneth, with venom in his voice.
"Don't you ever mention him like that!"
"Or what?" said Kenneth. "You'll attack me, too? As to what I am. I'm the Knight. Merlin, that man you believe in so much you don't hesitate to beat up a boy in his name, has entrusted my line with the task of defending the Brotherhood. That's exactly what I'm doing. I'm protecting him from you. Get back," he said, aiming his wand right between Anselme's eyes.
"How dare you…?"
"What's going on here?" said the voice of Professor Potter.
Kenneth saw him enter the room, in the corner of his eye. He wasn't letting go of Anselme's eyes. He could see a glimpse of Gillian's face in the cracked door. Potter saw Thierry and rushed immediately by his side.
"What happened, Thierry?" he asked.
As Thierry, once more, hesitated in answering, Kenneth did it.
"He's been beaten by Master Anselme, Sir," he said. "To be honest, I don't think it's the first time."
"Liar!" shouted Anselme, visibly gained by panic.
"I suspect this has been going on for a long while, now," Kenneth went on, without blinking. "And I believe Master Amanio does not know of it, but he worries that something is wrong with Anselme's attitude with Thierry."
Professor Potter looked deep into Thierry's eyes.
"Is that true?" he asked.
Thierry waited a long moment, and then he sighed deeply, and nodded.
"Enough of this rubbish," said Anselme, coldly. "You are not in position to judge my acts. This is none of your business!"
"Are you daft? The boy has broken ribs, for Merlin's sake!" said Potter furious. "Nothing can justify this!"
"Don't you dare use Merlin's name like this!" shouted Anselme.
He raised his Staff, which end emitted a glowing.
"Look out!" warned Thierry.
But Kenneth had already waved his wand, and the Staff hit an invisible wall. Anselme screamed in rage. Professor Potter stood up slowly, his wand pointed at Anselme.
"Put that thing away immediately," he said between clenched teeth. "Now you have tried to hurt me and one of my students."
"You think you both can meddle in my business?" said Anselme, in a snarl that turned his face into a hateful mask.
"That's something Potter has felt entitled to for a while, now," said a drawling voice from the door frame.
Professor Snape stood there, looking rather startled.
"Could I know what's going on, here?" he asked, his eyes as two slits.
"They attacked me, Severus," said Anselme.
"That's not true, Sir," said Gillian, from behind Snape.
She was looking at Thierry with a deep concern in the eyes and she was rather pale, as well.
"They were only preventing him from hitting Thierry again," she said.
"The boy has broken ribs, Severus," said Professor Potter, still looking at Anselme with daggers in the eyes. "I don't know how you feel about that, but this is the way Anselme thinks he has to punish his students, for things we praise ours for."
"You…" began Anselme, raising his Staff again.
"No," said Kenneth, warningly.
He had his wand making three waves and Anselme froze on the spot. Fury was still readable in his eyes. Kenneth knew he was aware of what was going on, but unable to move anymore.
Snape walked in the room, looking still a little shocked, even if it was hard to read it on his face. He looked at Anselme in the eyes.
"Well, you seem to have really good reflexes, Mr Lionheart," he commented. "That was quite a way out. To stop him without hurting him at all was a good thing. So he won't have anything against you."
Both Potter and Kenneth were surprised to hear this.
"Oh, come on, Potter!" said Snape. "We certainly don't like each other, but you know full well that I don't allow student's beating. And last time I looked, Mr Lionheart wasn't keen on attacking teachers."
Potter smiled lightly.
"Glad to see we still agree on the essential, then," he said. "So, we have to warn Professor Dumbledore and Master Amanio."
"First, we must take him to the Hospital Wing," said Kenneth, kneeling next to Thierry.
Potter summoned floating stretchers, and Kenneth helped him put Thierry on it. Thierry winced and let out a groan. Kenneth could see a single tear on his cheek.
"Mr Lionheart," said Snape. "You and Miss Crawley will take him to Madam Pomfrey. Professor Potter will fetch the Headmaster and Master Amanio. They must see him that way to believe your story, I guess."
"Good," said Potter. "You tell Madam Pomfrey to check on his ribs and any old wounds. I suppose if it's been going on for as long as you think, he couldn't afford to have them looked at. I doubt Poppy ever saw one of these."
Kenneth nodded, and started to levitate the stretchers out of the room. Gillian followed him.
Harry entered the office of Dumbledore, not even bothering to knock. His look must have convinced Dumbledore that he had a good reason, since he stood up immediately. In front of him, there was the Chief Auror that had driven the Warlocks away.
"Fortunately, there was no casualty at all among the Hogsmeade population," he was saying, before stopping at Dumbledore's reaction. "Just injuries."
"Excuse me, Headmaster, but something just happened," said Harry.
"What is it, Harry?" asked Dumbledore, as the Auror was turning and standing up as well.
"You have to come and see it, Sir," said Harry. "Mr De Vannes is in the Hospital Wing, right now."
Dumbledore suddenly went pale.
"Is it serious?" he asked.
"Yes, but nothing that Poppy can't deal with. But you must come and see the attacker, Sir, and you too, Mr Jenkins," said Harry.
"Who is it?" asked Dumbledore.
"Anselme, Sir," said Harry.
Dumbledore needed no more invitation; he walked out of his office quickly. He was followed by Troy Jenkins, the Auror. Harry quickly nodded to Sonia's husband, but this was no time for pleasantries and they both knew it. Harry was grateful of Troy's presence. He would be a valuable asset for any evidence needed against Anselme, if there was a need for any.
Harry was still furious. At Anselme, of course, but also at himself, for he had not been able to see what was going on. He should have noticed that Thierry was having problems. He should have known. Walter had been suspecting that Thierry was hiding something.
He couldn't imagine the reaction of the Old master when he could find out how right he had been.
How long had it been going on?
"Holy cricket, Boy!" exclaimed Madam Pomfrey. "What has come upon you?"
Kenneth and Gillian were just entering the Hospital Wing, levitating Thierry on the stretchers. The Nurse had gone very pale and completely forgot about the seventh year that had been clearly struck by a misfiring charm. He had apparently been caught in the fight of Hogsmeade. But the boy himself wasn't paying attention to his own state, and was looking at Thierry with round eyes.
The Nurse was immediately at Thierry's side. She immediately noticed the obvious wounds, so she avoided touching Thierry near his ribs. She insisted on putting him on his feet before he would get to bed. Kenneth wanted to help Thierry walk to his bed and sit on it, but Madam Pomfrey prevented him. She then looked critically at him. She took his legs, lifted the back of his robes and felt the leg.
"Alright, Mr Lionheart, you need to stand back a little, while I check on him," said Madam Pomfrey. "With Miss Crawley, you will get out for now. I do think you can leave us now, Miss Crawley. Mr Lionheart will be able to help me if I need it."
Gillian was about to protest, Kenneth saw it clearly. She was still looking quite worried for Thierry, and still shocked by the violence she had just witnessed. But the look on Madam Pomfrey's face was enough to make her shut up and obey immediately. Kenneth walked her to the door.
"I'll keep you informed," he told her.
"Alright," said Gillian. "I'm glad you stopped him."
"So am I," said Kenneth.
Gillian walked reluctantly away. Kenneth was called back by the nurse. He quickly joined Thierry, still sitting on the bed.
The Nurse stepped away long enough for Kenneth to help Thierry change into pyjamas and slip into bed. The Novice had a sad smile. He laid on his back, and winced at the feeling of his ribs touching the mattress. But the pain seemed to fade. Madam Pomfrey gave him a clear potion. Thierry had difficulties to swallow, so it took time before he finished the little flask.
Kenneth realised now that Thierry had been in a worse shape that he had ever thought. He had seen the large scar on his back, a sign of what had happened to him. How could Anselme do that to his own pupils? Was Thierry the only one? Kenneth felt the anger sweep again over him.
"Is he going to be okay?" he asked Madam Pomfrey.
"I think all he needs now is some rest," said the Nurse. "The ribs will mend overnight, and tomorrow, I'll deal with the older wounds."
"It won't be necessary," said Thierry weakly.
"It will be most necessary, Mr De Vannes," said Madam Pomfrey, sternly. "It is proven that when injuries are healed out of sight of a competent healer, whether in this school or not, they are likely to cause further trouble. I noticed your slight limping, Mr De Vannes, and other minor trouble that I can cure. There is no way you will escape it."
Kenneth was shocked to hear that. He hadn't even noticed that Thierry was limping. Maybe it was only noticeable by the expert eye of the Nurse, but still it meant more pain hidden from everyone. And that infuriated him again. Against himself, because he hadn't seen it before. Against Anselme for being a psychotic dangerous madman, and against Thierry for not having told him anything. But he suppressed that last impression immediately. It wasn't Thierry's fault at all.
"Can I sit with him?" he asked.
"I guess you can, but do not tire him too much," she said. "I have to report to Professor Dumbledore. You look after him until I return."
Kenneth nodded in agreement and then she strode away. Kenneth took a chair and sat to Thierry's right. For the next minutes, They discussed what had happened, and here, finally free from the secret, Thierry told him everything, how it had started while he was a boy. How it had gone one even when the other Brothers joined. For years, Thierry had been at the mercy of Anselme's every whim. Each challenge to his rule over the novices was met with violence. Thierry had refused to bend the knee, which had made it actually worse for him, and until Kenneth had stepped inside this deserted classroom, no one had ever come to his rescue.
"Thanks for that, by the way," said Thierry.
"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Kenneth. "We could have done something sooner if you had."
"It was something inside the Order," said Thierry. "You had nothing to do with it. I didn't want you to be touched by that."
"Touched by what? By the fact your preceptor is a psycho? You make it sound like you're the one ashamed," said Kenneth, shocked that Thierry would really feel that way.
"It is hard to admit you've lied, all your life, that you haven't been brave enough to defy this," said Thierry. "I wanted you to be my friends, and that without knowing that I was a coward."
"You're no coward," said Kenneth, immediately.
"Really? Then why did I let Anselme beat me for six years, then?" said Thierry, with a dark smile.
He looked clearly desperate, as if the guilt was overwhelming him. Kenneth found that disgusting. He was the victim, here. Guilt should not have been something he felt.
"You refused to break. If I'm guessing right, he claims that he had the right to beat you, as a teacher. And you wanted to stand up to him. That's bravery," Kenneth insisted on the word.
"You think so?" asked Thierry, with a strange emotion in his voice.
He seemed like he was finally letting go of the bound that was holding his feeling. In some way, he was breaking down. And he needed support.
"You remember what the Hat said when you had it on your head?" asked Kenneth.
Tears went to Thierry's eyes. Kenneth didn't understand why, but that question seemed to plunge him into an even deeper distress.
"He said 'poor soul'," he said, in a desperate sob. "He looked inside of me and said 'poor soul'. He pitied me."
"No," said Kenneth firmly. "If he said that, then he must have seen that fight you were putting each day of your life. And what did he say then? I remember it. He said Gryffindor! You're a Gryffindor, Thierry. That means you are brave and being Gryffindor also means that you should have told us what was happening to you. We were all suspecting something was wrong. We were worrying. We would have helped you. We look after each other, Thierry."
Thierry looked fixedly into his eyes.
"No one has the right to treat somebody like that," Kenneth went on. "No Teacher, no man, not even a father. Even Snape said so. You have been led to believe that you had no right to protest. But this was wrong."
Thierry's tears were now running freely. Kenneth took his hand and squeezed it hard.
"But you're going to be fine, now," he said. "I swear to you. Did the others know?"
"Colville," said Thierry. "He sometimes helped Anselme to heal my wounds. Those made him laugh."
For the first time, Kenneth did hear some hate in his voice. Thierry was finally breaking his bounds and was maybe ready to get his revenge, but revenge would never heal his wounds. Kenneth knew that only time and friendship would help Thierry to recover from years of hell.
"Why didn't you run away?" he suddenly asked.
"What?" asked Thierry.
"You could have left the Order," said Kenneth. "Left all behind you and get to an ordinary school of Magic, like Beaubâtons. Or even Hogwarts. You could have asked Master Amanio, he would have sent you here."
"Master Amanio…" began Thierry. "He's the reason why I stayed."
"Really?"
"Him and the Order," said Kenneth. "I thought that if I could overcome Anselme, I would live a good life among the Brothers. I love what I learned there. I learned to use Magic, and I had friends. And Master Amanio is a guide for me. I owe him all what I know."
"Let's hope your loyalty to him was well placed," said Kenneth darkly.
"For the love of Merlin, what came over you, Hector!" said Walter, storming in Dumbledore's office. "I heard that you have beaten Thierry…"
Anselme stood in the middle of the office, cold as stone, his eyes flashing in anger. Harry was looking straight at him, the teacher's staff still in his hands. If Anselme was trying to escape his gaze, Harry would shift to catch his eyes again.
Amanio strode right at Anselme.
"Hector? I demand an explanation," he said.
"You entrusted me with the charge of educating the novices," said Anselme, finally breaking the staring contest with Harry. "Why would you question my methods now?"
"Your methods?" shouted Amanio. "You call this a method? Have you gone mad?"
"Indiscipline must be countered," said Anselme, cold as a brick wall. "I'm sure that Professor Snape would understand my position, if he hadn't been fooled by Professor Potter."
"What?" exclaimed Hermione, as Professor McGonagall gasped at the insulting tone.
Harry only smiled. But his eyes were still cold as a knife blade. What he had in front of him was almost worse than the Warlocks. Anselme was so convinced he was right that he would do anything to go on.
"I must admit you have some nerve," said Harry.
"I'm not the one who let my student stun you," countered Anselme. "You were the one attacking, through Mr Lionheart."
"Excuse me?" said McGonagall, on a tense tone.
"Everybody in this school knows that Kenneth Lionheart is one of Potter's favourite students. No wonder he would do anything to cover his attack. And maybe he would even be the mind behind it. And that's why he tried to convince Professor Snape that I was the one attacking."
"If I may, Headmaster," Snape cut in, on a very silky voice.
"Go on, Severus," said Dumbledore, coldly, sitting behind his desk. "Tell us your side."
"Everyone in the school knows that I have a high esteem of Master Anselme's knowledge and sense of discipline. It is a fact," said Snape, coolly.
"Yes, we're aware of that, Severus," said Minerva, quite sternly.
"However," said Snape. "I would never support the beating of any student. And the fact remains that Mr De Vannes has been battered."
Anselme shot him a dark look. He seemed like he had expected Snape to support him. But Harry knew by experience that even with someone like Snape, there were some lines not to cross, either in fun or ethics. He didn't like trouble makers, pranksters and laughs too loud in the corridors. He had also left the Death Eaters, because killing to get power was something he couldn't admit. It seemed that such an excess of authority was enough to 'make him kick'.
"The truth is also, that when I got in the room, the only magic I saw was a shield between Master Anselme and Mr Lionheart. Given that the shield was invoked by Mr Lionheart, I have no reason to doubt that he was defending himself. At no time did Professor Potter attack Master Anselme. I have also the testifying of Miss Crawley, who saw the whole scene from Professor Potter's arrival in the classroom."
"A girl that was dancing with Lionheart at the Ball," shot back Anselme, sarcastically. "Very reliable."
"Which is the reason why she got to him to warn him that something was going on," said Harry.
"Severus…" began Anselme, trying to calm down things a little bit.
"I'm afraid, Hector, that our views of discipline aren't so alike, after all," said Snape, coldly.
Madam Pomfrey then entered the office.
"How is Thierry?" asked Walter.
"Well, he'll be fine, now," said Madam Pomfrey. "As long as this man will stay away from him. This poor boy has more than just broken ribs."
The teachers exchanged shocked looks. Harry threw a withering one at Anselme, and he noticed that Snape's look was pretty much the same. So Kenneth had been right.
"Go on, Poppy," said Dumbledore, very pale, now.
"He has at least three or four fractures that had been not very well mended. No wonder he's slightly limping, since his tibia has been broken at least thrice before. And not to mention one scar I found on his back. I can take care of that. He will even walk normally again, but I never saw a wizard of his age in such a bad shape. Even Harry and his friends, returning from the Battle with Voldemort, hadn't been so badly hurt. This is criminal."
Surely, Poppy's assessment couldn't include the state Harry had been found in after his final victory over Voldemort. But, then again, he hadn't been in her charge, at the time, since he had been treated at St Mungo's, and still she had made her point clear. Harry had never seen the Nurse so shocked and angry in his whole life. And he shared the feeling, except his shock was mixed with rage.
"How can you have done that?" asked Walter, almost a whisper.
"He needed to be taught," said Anselme.
"Taught? TAUGHT?" exploded Harry. "You want to tell me that you were considering this an education? And how many Novices did benefit from your way of teaching?"
"Poppy, I think we need to check all of the Novices for wounds like Thierry's," said Dumbledore.
"De Vannes was an unstable element," said Anselme. "He was disobedient, rebellious, and he was a disgrace to our discipline."
"But for Merlin's sake, Hector!" cut Walter, furious. "What discipline are you talking about?"
Anselme shot him an astonished look. Was it the question or the anger of his Master he didn't understand? Harry wondered.
"I only asked you to teach them!" shouted Walter. "You were never in charge of their life! What can possibly have led you to this madness?!"
"But, Master…"
"You're a dangerous fanatic, Anselme," said Harry. "You were so convinced that you were serving your Order that never you would imagine that your own Mentor would disavow your methods, would you?"
Anselme's look was deadly when it fell on Harry. Harry didn't flinch.
"Look at me, Hector," said Walter, on a stone cold voice. "What did you have against Thierry? Why him? Why did you decide to plunge him into violence? He is only a young boy, for Heaven's' sake!"
"He was always questioning my authority," said Anselme. "He was always out in the Forest, playing instead of working. He preferred wandering into the wild then focusing on his task."
"He's one of the best Novices we had in our history, both in knowledge and Wisdom," said Walter. "Why did you care about that?"
"This is not the way we're supposed to behave," said Anselme, stubbornly. "We're the holders of Merlin's knowledge. We mustn't act as wild men or light headed fools…"
"Light headed?" countered Walter. "The boy is smarter than you, Hector! In his wanderings, as you call them, he made friends with a Unicorn! The very symbol of our Guide Merlin! And while you should have been impressed and proud, you called that misbehaviour?"
"We're the Brotherhood of Merlin," said Anselme, beginning to stammer. "We're the keeper of knowledge, not adventurers."
"WHY NOT?!" roared Walter. "As long as we remain faithful to Merlin's wisdom, we can do whatever we want. Have you forgotten the years I have spent on the roads with Albus? Of all the stupid things to believe... And what about here? What did he do? Why did you just break his ribs?"
"I think I can answer that," said Alexander, his eyes cold as ice. "Thierry set himself apart. He got in Gryffindor, while most of your students ended in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Anselme is convinced that it was the standard, the way to follow. Hard work... Knowledge… He couldn't suffer that the Novice he had always tried to bring back in the 'right path' would get in the House of the trouble-makers and adventurers like me, for example. So because Thierry's bravery was more important than his taste for knowledge, Anselme thought this was a disgrace, and that it would be his fault, because he hadn't fashioned Thierry's mind the right way. So he had to break the will of Thierry, to prevent him from showing the whole school what he considered his own failure."
Harry stepped in.
"And then, when Hogwarts students were in the Forest of Brocéliande, he showed to all his difference through the encounter with the Unicorn, and after that he had the insolence to enjoy the Ball. While every novice in the school was trying to play a low profile during the Ball, he was enjoying it freely. That couldn't be tolerated."
The irony in his voice turned into anger.
"And he associated with shall I say… Freaks?" he went on, icily. "Among his friends are a Wandmaster, some Chaoticians and Gryffindor girls and boys who have more heart than wits. I guess that Anselme was destining him to celibate, so he wouldn't have children like him in the Brotherhood, so he couldn't tolerate him to associate with girls. And of course, he got involved in fights: Once, trying to protect his friend, and another time by facing simply the Warlocks of Atlantis, like Kenneth and Ian did, like we did. But no, Brothers of Merlin are above the fights. We are good enough to protect you, but not to be your friends, and you won't spoil your hands by defending your own life."
"Is that what I taught you, Hector?" said Walter, absolutely astonished. "Is that all that you learned?"
"It is not what I learned," said Wilhelm, darkly.
"This poor boy is what we all want to be, Hector," said Walter on a very sad voice. "So deep into his life in Merlin's world and convinced of our belief that in spite of this mistreat, he has stayed with us. He's special enough to befriend the fairest and wisest creatures of Brocéliande. I encouraged Thierry in his friendship with Ivoire, because I thought that would be good for him and us, to learn more about Unicorns, and now, that we finally find the signs that we have been waiting for, you want to keep Thierry away from his friends? In this Gryffindor House that you loathe so much, he met two of the most important persons in the tradition you care so much about. Julie Carteret is the last scion of an Atlantean King. And Kenneth Lionheart is the Knight, last son of Johan. He's our protector. And you want to drive them away from us? How can you be so misled?"
"Master, we must preserve our…"
"We are at WAR, Hector!" shouted Walter. "Our greatest enemy is back from the shadows, and you want us to hide inside our libraries, waiting for the storm to pass over us? Our knowledge can be what decides the fate of the world in this fight against the Warlocks. You want us to hide, guarding jealously our treasure! Merlin fought the Warlocks and so will we!"
Anselme tried to avoid his gaze.
"Look at me!" barked Walter. "We're part of this world, Hector. We're not the monks you think we should be. If Merlin wanted us to cut ourselves from the world, he would have told us so. Of course we have to fight, and you punished Thierry because he had the courage to do what you dared not? You must be crazy!"
"The Code of Merlin tells us…" began Anselme.
"Merlin isn't a god! This book you refer to, I tried to fight its influence all my life," said Walter sternly.
"What Book?" asked Harry.
"The Code of Merlin," said Wilhelm. "Some of us use it as guidance for the life within the Order. It has been written as a book of quotes and after Merlin's death. It is a hard line thinking of our life mode."
"But these words are not to be used as an excuse for the beating of a child!" shouted Walter. "There is no way you can justify this. You may have ruined the faith of our next Initiate."
Anselme was suddenly thunderstruck. He looked at Walter in panic.
"Yes, Hector, Thierry is the one I have chosen to become the next Initiate", said Amanio, mercilessly. "That's why I wanted you to loosen your grip on him. I thought that you would turn him against you and us all. I had no idea that you were mistreating him like that!"
"But De Vannes can't become the next Initiate. Colville…" stuttered Anselme.
"Ha! Colville?" exclaimed Walter. "Have you no common sense? Colville only sees one thing in the Order, and that's the way to power. If he would put the Sorting Hat, now that he has been among students from the outside, I'm sure that he would end up in Slytherin. And, no offence intended, Severus, but Slytherins are not meant to be in the Brotherhood, because ambition must not lead us. We live a life of commitment, Hector. We must be led by higher principles than ambition. But this is not a life of seclusion."
Anselme looked completely confused, now.
"Nothing prevents us to be brave. If a servant of Merlin's dream is brave enough to fight for it, so be it, and I won't let anyone get in that path. Not even a pupil I thought I had formed well. From now on, I don't want to see you near the Novices. Wilhelm will handle the classes. You'll have to face judgment for what you have done. For that was a crime, Hector, make no mistake. You have no excuse, except for your lack of judgement."
Anselme suddenly looked like he was devastated.
"You will be kept in a closed apartment from now on," said Dumbledore coldly. "I don't want you to wander in my school. We will expose your case to your Order's authorities, and they will decide your fate."
"You have no order to give me…" began Anselme.
"But I give orders, Hector," cut Walter. "And you will do as you're told."
He turned his back from his assistant and walked out of the Office. He stopped at the threshold.
"Hector," he said, without turning back. "I will now go check the other Novices for old wounds and hitting marks. If I find just one more, I can swear to you that, not only will you be excluded from the Order, but I will make you pay, even if it's the last thing I do in my life. What you have done to Thierry is already unforgivable. My students are the most precious thing in my life. if you have threatened them, there will be no place safe for you to hide."
The old master walked away. Harry was impressed. The threat had been meant with every word. Harry had never seen the serene Master so angry. And Anselme had felt it too, as he suddenly dropped his gaze to the floor, avoiding everyone's eyes. He had finally understood that he had done something wrong. Maybe he would come back to his senses and realise the horror he had put Thierry through. But Harry didn't care about Anselme's conscience, right now. He cared more about Thierry's health.
Kenneth was back in the Common Room, and he had quickly explained the situation to the whole tower.
Everyone was shocked and Mandy had gone running out of the common room at once. She was heading for the Hospital Wing, of course, and Kenneth thought that was a good idea. Thierry needed to know that there were people for him, in this school. Some Gryffindor students were coming in the common room and looked surprised by Mandy's exit.
"What's going on?" asked Terry. "Is somebody hurt?"
"Yes," said Kalindra. "Thierry."
"The Warlocks?" asked Terry.
Kalindra shook her head and started to explain the situation to the Fourth year. Terry's shocked cry was quickly followed by a couple of curses and threats toward Anselme that were enough to prove Terry's heart.
Rob, who had been out of the Common Room, getting drinks for everyone from the secret passage to the kitchen, came back in the Room, looking rather startled.
"Gillian just told me what happened," he said. "Is that true, Kenneth?"
Kenneth had been looking through the window at the lake shores. He turned and nodded darkly.
"Er… she wants to speak to you," said Rob. "She's waiting outside."
Kenneth nodded again and walked out.
He caught a curious look from Julie. He had expected her to be cross with him. But, right now, she looked a bit haunted, to be honest. He wondered what it was about. But he had no time to ponder it.
He walked out the passageway. Once he was in the corridor, he spotted Gillian at the end of the corridor, waiting for him. She was still looking quite worried.
"How is Thierry?" she asked immediately, when he joined her.
"He will be fine. He'll heal overnight, no problem. But Madam Pomfrey found traces of old wounds," he said.
"So?"
"So it's as I feared," said Kenneth. "Anselme has been at it for years. Did you ever notice that Thierry was limping?"
Gillian shook her head, pale as death.
"He did, and that's because his tibia has been broken at least three times," said Kenneth.
"That bastard!" spat Gillian, her eyes suddenly narrowed in anger.
"Yes, that's what I said, and I got lectured for my language, too," said Kenneth.
Gillian had a poor smile.
"I wanted to thank you," said Kenneth. "Without you, there's no telling what could have happened to Thierry."
"I'm relieved I could help," said Gillian, dismissing his thanks with a shrug.
There was a moment of silence. Kenneth considered where the two of them stood, by now. He realised that they had gone over their awkwardness, after the Ball. Now, he considered her a friend. And the silence between them wasn't that uncomfortable.
"Did you get injured in that fight?" asked Gillian, at some point.
"No," said Kenneth. "They didn't get a chance. I was warned to watch my back so..."
"Warned?" asked Gillian. "You mean Carteret saw this?"
"Not in so many details," said Kenneth. "She saw a pretty rough fight in my future, so she told me to be careful. She also saw Raphaella in danger, and she led Thierry and Fields to the rescue."
"Wow," said Gillian.
"Hold on; how did you know about her visions?" he asked. "I didn't know it was so widespread."
"She mentioned them, when I spoke to her, the other day," said Gillian.
"May I ask about what?" asked Kenneth.
"Story for another time," said Gillian, with a smile that was a bit too cunning for Kenneth's taste. "I think that in the right context, it can actually be funny."
"Great, keep me posted," said Kenneth. "I could use a laugh or two."
"Why is that? I mean, except Thierry."
"Well, let me think about it: Warlocks just attacked us in Hogsmeade, I have exams coming soon and I still face one detention," said Kenneth. "I punched Donahue, this afternoon."
"Donahue?" said Gillian. "Warlocks, child beaters and Donahue... how much righteous violence do you get to dish out in one day?"
"Righteous?" said Kenneth.
"Well, the Warlocks certainly deserved it, I hope whatever you did to Anselme did hurt..."
"Sadly, no," said Kenneth. "I'd hardly call punching Donahue..."
"Oh, knowing Robert, he probably asked for it," said Gillian. "Was Julie involved?"
"Yeah," said Kenneth. "It's... it's complicated. I guess she'll be mad at me all over again," he added, sombrely.
"So, I was right," said Gillian. "She is that girl you're pining for."
Kenneth could have protested, but he felt he owed Gillian the truth, at least, so he nodded.
"Are you sure you're not wasting your heart and time with her?" asked Gillian. "I know the two of us wouldn't have worked out, but there are other girls in this school."
"I love her," said Kenneth.
"Yeah, I kind of guessed that," said Gillian, wincing. "So this is really serious."
"I'm afraid so," said Kenneth.
"Well, at least I didn't lose to some silly crush," she said, with a smile.
Kenneth looked a little sceptical.
"I was wondering," he said. "How can you actually be so forgiving and casual about this. I did blow your date for the Ball."
"I'd hardly said that the date was ruined," said Gillian, smiling again. "I got to dance, the food was great and the kisses were far from awful."
"Aren't you trying to ease my guilt, there?" he asked.
"Nah," said Gillian. "And I really want us to be friends. And if we're to be friends, you need to get over that aborted relationship. I know I'm hard to forget, but you'll have to at least try."
He grinned at her. She was making fun of him, in a good way.
"How come a girl like you still doesn't have a boyfriend?" he asked. "Where were you in my third year?" he added, rolling his eyes.
"Probably eyeing Donahue with sparkles in eyes, like everyone else in our year," said Gillian with a smile.
"Oh? You too?" he noted.
"Well, I got cured from it last year, when you hung him upside down," said Gillian. "The appeal of Robert Donahue fails to withstand the effects of gravity and being shown as an arrogant ass. Caused me to look at Donahue with a new eye, and what I saw didn't please me at all."
"And she has brains, to top it all," said Kenneth.
"Tragic loss, huh?" said Gillian.
Kenneth didn't answer immediately, unsure of the way he should tell it.
"Go on, Kenneth, you can joke about it, too," said Gillian, chuckling.
"I may need some time," said Kenneth.
"And now you're the shy one," said Gillian.
"I've always been the shy one," said Kenneth, grinning. "YOU invited me for the Ball, remember?"
Gillian started to laugh lightly.
"So are you going to talk to her or what?" she asked.
"I'll have to find the occasion," said Kenneth. "If she's not mad at me, that is."
"She'd better not be," said Gillian. "Actually, you might be surprised. So, when do you think I can pay Thierry a visit?"
"Whenever you want," said Kenneth. "I think he will need some support. But I wouldn't go before tomorrow, because he will need some rest, now."
Gillian nodded, and walked away, leaving him thinking about Thierry. Kenneth was really convinced that Thierry's recovery would be easier if he was surrounded by friends. Surrounded and reassured... Kenneth was now sure that something deep inside the Novice had been broken by all these years of mistreat. Now that it was over, he needed to readjust his thoughts, to consider life without it, and to realise that he had been a victim of a monstrous act, and not someone weak.
Again a wave of anger swept over him at the thought of Anselme. And Amanio wanted him to protect that kind of fanatics?
Highly unlikely! Kenneth was a man of honour, because his family has raised honour as a tradition, an inherent part of their existence, but right now, he felt too angry after one member of the Brotherhood to consider protecting the rest of the Order. He considered how his Great-Grandfather had coped with the hard line that was leading the Ministry when they had faced Grindelwald. A man like Gawain wouldn't have followed zealots. Maybe he had just followed Dumbledore. But Kenneth couldn't only use that excuse. Because the Order wasn't only Amanio and Thierry...
The Brotherhood was an Order of wisdom, and knowledge. How could violence have appeared within it like that? Kenneth looked through the window of the corridor where he was standing. The Forest was starting to fade in the dark. The night was falling. Soon dinner would be ready. But right now, Kenneth wasn't hungry. He didn't care about food. And he even didn't care about Julie, Donahue and that detention he was facing for having punched Donahue.
"Mr Lionheart?" called a voice from the end of the corridor.
Kenneth turned to face Professor Potter. He was smiling lightly.
"I wanted to thank you for your intervention," said the Teacher. "You may have saved Mr De Vannes from serious hurt, you know."
"What is happening to Anselme?" asked Kenneth fiercely.
"He's in custody, by now," said Potter, darkly. "He will face the judgement of his peers."
"Serves him well," said Kenneth. "If he's judged by fanatics like him…"
"I would say that it's unlikely," said Potter. "Walter looked quite upset, and so was Wilhelm. I'd say that Anselme is in trouble."
"Good," said Kenneth.
"Revenge is a bad councillor, Kenneth," said Potter, wisely. "But I can't blame your anger, right now. But you have to understand that vengeance will never bring you justice."
"That's noble thinking, Sir," said Kenneth bitterly. "But you won't tell me that you have never tasted vengeance."
"I won't," said the Teacher. "When I faced many Death Eaters, I was thinking of those they had killed. When I tried to curse Bellatrix Lestrange with an Unforgivable Curse, I wanted to avenge my godfather's murder. But it didn't bring me any good. None at all. And to see Voldemort finally defeated didn't bring me my parents back, nor did it bring all the victims he had made back to life."
"So what will bring peace again to Thierry?" asked Kenneth.
"You," said Potter. "You and his other friends. You have started this work, now that you have stopped that monstrosity. He will need time to heal. And he will need love, friendship, understanding. I'm sure you understand what I mean, Kenneth. Do you think you would have been better in your life if you had killed Voldemort by your own hands? That it would have helped you getting over Sarah's death?"
Kenneth was surprised by the question. But he was right. Revenge didn't bring peace of mind. He shook his head. Then he realised something.
"And the same goes with Donahue, huh?" he said.
"Exactly," said Potter, but on a lighter tone. "Although I can understand your reaction, this wasn't a good idea to punch him like that. Now, I can't honestly put you in detention after what you have done today. You have helped one of your fellow student twice in the same day, so a little punch isn't much. I will get back his points to Donahue, so he won't shout at unfairness, but you won't get detention."
"There's no need to do me any favour, Sir," said Kenneth.
"I'm not," said Potter. "But, honestly, today I have other things to think about than school fights, don't you think?"
Kenneth nodded, thinking back of the attack.
"Why are they after the Brotherhood?" he asked. "I mean, they're traditional enemies, but such an attack is risky enough. They needed a good reason to do that. They can't be so brainwashed that they would attack just for the fun of it."
"Quite true," said Professor Lockenburn, walking near them. "I believe we have a real problem, here."
"Really?" said Potter sarcastically.
Lockenburn smiled.
"It all fits, now," he said. "First, the Warlocks have attacked the Sanctuary because they wanted to capture the Novices, Master Amanio or both. It means they have something they need, or want. And that means that the Brotherhood has been betrayed, because the Warlocks had never found the Sanctuary before. Second, they knew when and where to attack. That means they knew Walter would be out of Hogwarts and when he would return. They couldn't attack in the Ministry, so they planned their ambush in Hogsmeade. That means that Aria has told us the truth. There is a spy inside the school, and he's among us. So we have a living target in the school, a spy inside of it and possibly a traitor outside, because it all fitted too well, without someone having contacts in the Ministry…"
"I think he was in Hogsmeade, today," said Kenneth.
"What?" asked Potter.
"I felt a presence there, someone familiar," said Kenneth. "If he's familiar to me, maybe it's the spy. Which means I know him."
"Alright, we must be extra careful, from now on," said Lockenburn. "I will ensure that we all stay in the Castle, for the time being. I must ask you to look after Mr De Vannes, Kenneth. I know that our spy wouldn't have almost exposed himself if the target the Warlocks are after wasn't in Hogsmeade today. Which leaves us with only four possibilities."
"But Thierry wasn't supposed to be there," said Kenneth. "He was only there because of Julie's vision."
"True," said Potter. "That leaves with Walter, Wats, Di Angelo and Giannetti. Well, Thierry needs watching so that he can recover, but keep an eye out for the others."
"Ian must be warned, he can look out for Orlando and Raphaella," said Kenneth. "And probably for the whole school, too," he added with a small grin.
Potter nodded. Lockenburn turned on his heels and headed for the Nest. The Defence Teacher turned to him and smiled.
"I heard you wanted to be an Auror," he said.
"Family calling," said Kenneth.
"You do have some reflexes, already," said Potter.
"Thanks, Sir," said Kenneth.
"Oh, don't thank me," said Potter. "The first person who told me that was a Death Eater in disguise. The sentence is a bit cursed in my mind."
Kenneth looked at him and then smiled. But suddenly Potter's face stiffened.
"That would be an idea," he said, almost for himself.
"Sir?" said Kenneth.
"Forget it, Kenneth," said Potter frowning. "A sudden thought. I'll see you at dinner?"
"Yes, Sir," said Kenneth.
Potter had a sad smile, and he nodded. Then he strode way, apparently lost in his thoughts. Kenneth wondered what idea he had just gotten.
Mandy entered the Hospital Wing, almost shyly. She had run out of the Common Room, once she had learned that Thierry was injured, as a reflex, but now that she was here, what should she do? How to react?
Stop trying to think too much, Mandy, she told herself.
She forced herself inside the Wing. Madam Pomfrey shot her an interrogative look. Mandy nodded toward Thierry. She seemed to hesitate, but then she nodded. Mandy walked to his bedside.
"Hey," she said softly, taking her seat, next to Thierry's bed.
"Hi," said Thierry, smiling weakly.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
"Never been better," Thierry with sad irony, in his voice. "Thanks for dropping by."
Mandy felt suddenly very bad for him. He was looking so hurt inside. She couldn't help but take his hand and squeeze it.
"I couldn't do less. You're my partner, huh? You know my full name and I wouldn't be here for you? That would be... sick," she said.
She was trying to sound light-hearted, but the reality of what had been done to him struck her when she saw the bruise on his temple. Her smile suddenly vanished.
"I couldn't believe what I heard," she said. "How could this man do that to you?"
"You mean he could have done that to somebody else?" asked Thierry, sarcastically. "Sorry," he said immediately. "That was rude."
"You had a bad day," said Mandy, with a little smile.
"I've seen worse," said Thierry.
"Have you?" asked Mandy, terrified at the idea.
Thierry nodded.
"The day I met Ivoire for the first time," he said. "I came back in the Sanctuary, telling this to my Novice Master. He called me liar, and he whipped my back at night so I wouldn't tell any more lies to the others. That's when it all began. I didn't understand why he was doing this. But I didn't want to go away from Ivoire. So I started to resist him any way I could. But the first time was the worst. Because I couldn't do anything, I couldn't tell anyone and I was only ten years old."
Mandy felt tears coming to her eyes. She was feeling such empathy for him that she could almost see the scene, in front of her eyes and that was awful. She pressed his hand against her chest.
"It's over now, Thierry," she said. "It will be okay, now. I promise you that everything will be okay. I swear. I'll do anything. Everything I can. Things will go better now."
Thierry looked really moved by what she said.
"Can you do that for me?" he asked. "Can you make things better?"
"I'll try," said Mandy. "I swear I'll try."
"Nobody ever told me something like that," he said. "Nobody has been as honest as you have. Thank you, Amandine."
She ignored the thrill she felt like each time he was calling her Amandine. She loved the way he pronounced that name. No, it wasn't about her. It was all about him. About him and about something that someone had done to him.
"Who else knew about it?" asked Mandy, suddenly getting angry again.
Thierry chuckled.
"You're the second person to ask me, today," he said, his ironic smile back across his face.
"Right, don't avoid the question," said Mandy, on a very decided tone. "Who?"
Kenneth had spent the rest of the evening looking outside the common room, like he always did when he was trying to sort out things. He was trying to find the best way to help Thierry out of his traumatism. The others had also noticed that he was in quite a foul mood, and that it wouldn't be a good idea to disturb him right now.
But as dinner time was closing in, Kenneth stood up and followed the group to the Great Hall. They were all speaking of Thierry, and the reactions were mainly shock and worry for the novice. Kenneth was relieved to see that Thierry would find support and compassion in the Gryffindor Tower.
But some weren't just sympathetic. They were furious. They wanted to do something, to make Anselme regret the day he was born. They wanted to prepare the worst prank ever befalling the bastard. Kenneth was amused by their reaction. That would have proven Thierry that he wasn't alone.
Terry had gone quickly to tell Ian about this story. Knowing Ian, Kenneth was quite sure that before Kenneth would get to the Great Hall, all the school would know about Thierry and would be scandalized. Ian had that talent when he was spreading rumours, to present it so the listener could only react one way. Ian was the kind of people to promote righteous indignation to such a situation, but anger was clearly in some minds and the most obvious one was Mandy. She appeared at a corner of the halls and strode to catch up with Kenneth.
"You follow me, Lionheart," she said coldly.
"Have I done anything?" he asked.
"No, but you will go with me to talk with the scumbag who has," said Mandy.
She had such a fire in her eyes that Kenneth didn't even think of discussing the idea. He followed her to the entry of the Great Hall, and she suddenly swooped on someone. Kenneth recognized him at once. Of course, he thought. She had talked with Thierry. So she had to know…
Mandy stopped right in front of Colville.
"What do you want?" asked Colville on a disdainful tone.
Kenneth noticed that Janet Spencer was standing next to him. They had been in a conversation that Mandy was just crashing. The Slytherin prefect was frowning a bit. Kenneth quickly joined Mandy.
"You are quite the bastard, aren't you?" said Mandy, between her teeth. "Well, guess what? It's over, you scum."
"Hey!" said Janet. "Watch your mouth! What is wrong with you?"
"Janet," said Kenneth, stepping in the discussion. "Please, you have no idea of what is going on, here."
"Oh, yes?" said Colville, with a smirk. "Why don't you educate us then?"
His tone was so insulting that Kenneth gave his sheath a meaningful stroke.
"Don't tempt me, Colville," he said. "You disgust me enough to get over my restrictions."
Janet knew Kenneth, and she had learned quite early about his gifts. She had been among the ones that had never taken sides with Donahue, when he was teasing him, because she knew of Clan Lionheart. She must have understood that something wrong was going on.
"Kenneth?" she asked.
"We found out about Thierry," said Kenneth to Colville.
Colville did pale a little but he didn't show any other reaction.
"You knew about it," said Mandy, accusingly. "And you never told anyone."
"I wouldn't betray my Mentor," said Colville.
"Your mentor?" exclaimed Kenneth. "He was beating him! And you were covering up for him!"
Kenneth saw Janet gasp, her hand coming to her mouth. She threw a horrified look at Colville.
"And you'll tell me that he didn't deserve it?" sniggered the Novice.
Janet's eyes almost popped out of her head. She had understood. She took a step back from Colville. But Kenneth had a more urgent worry. He had to catch Mandy before she would claw out his eyes right in the middle of the corridor.
"He's not even worthy of that," he told her. "Calm down."
"You liked that, didn't you?" roared the Gryffindor girl. "You liked to see him being beaten? Or were you just too much of a coward to stay when Anselme was doing it? Tell me!"
Kenneth was still trying to restrain her.
"What's going on?" asked Jeremy Wats, who joined them. "Why are you yelling like that?"
"Anselme is in custody," said Kenneth.
"What?" exclaimed the Ravenclaw Novice.
"This is an outrage!" said Colville.
"What happened?" asked Wats, calmly, which surprised both Colville and Mandy, but certainly not Kenneth.
"Remember what we talked about?" said Kenneth. "It's out, now. I know how badly Anselme didn't like Thierry's rebellion."
"For years, he has battered Thierry," said Mandy, her voice cold as ice.
"What?"
Wats looked astonished.
"But it can't be…" he said. "How could he have... I mean, Master Anselme is… Is this for sure?"
"Yes, it is," said Kenneth.
"No, it is not," said Colville. "This is something made up by Dumbledore!"
Kenneth's wand was in his hand within seconds.
"You dare to repeat that?" he asked.
"Now, wait," said Wats, stepping between them. "Calm down, both of you. Who accuses him of beating?"
"I do," said Kenneth. "Caught him right in the act, too. Just after he broke a few of Thierry's ribs. Professor Potter and Professor Snape were there, and I guess Madam Pomfrey will support their version, since she had a chance to look over him. Master Amanio has been informed."
"Madam Pomfrey?" repeated Wats. "Thierry… How is he? I mean, is that this serious?"
"Ha!" exclaimed Colville, with clear disdain in his voice. "Now you care for him?"
"Alan," said Wats patiently. "Thierry is the black sheep of Anselme, yes. That's why I never took his side, which I sometimes regretted. But still he's one of us and being battered is serious business."
"But he was dishonouring the name of Merlin!" protested Colville, fiercely.
"Tell me I'm dreaming," said Kenneth, rolling his eyes. "You can't really believe this!"
"Alan, did you know about this?" asked Wats, suddenly ice cold.
"What? Am I going to be judged, now?" protested Colville, astounded.
"This is either accessory to assault or non assistance to an endangered person," said Mandy. "You've been covering Anselme. Good occasion to test your healing skills, wasn't it? You just mended his bones, and didn't do anything to help him, letting him limp, and suffer? You're disgusting."
"How dare you talk to me like that, you little…" began Colville.
"Watch your tongue, Alan!" barked Wats. "You're dishonouring our Order, now! I can't believe you did something like that! How is Thierry?" he asked Kenneth a second time.
"He has four broken ribs, and old wounds that need to be taken care of, but he'll be fine," said Kenneth darkly. "He'll need some rest and he needs to be understood. He needs to be supported. Because so far he has believed that Anselme had the right to beat him. So he never spoke of this to anyone. He will need the support of his friends, and also of the other novices."
"If you think I will..." said Colville.
"Because you think you will stay a Novice after that?" said Kenneth. "But you're going to be excluded to have helped a madman tormenting one of your fellow novices. I can guarantee you that, Colville. I was speaking to Wats. You don't even deserve to be talked to."
"You bloody…" roared Colville, raising his staff.
Kenneth was swifter than in front of Anselme. A wave of his wand and the Staff was snatched from Colville's hand, and Wats grabbed it. He was looking at his Brother with cold eyes, now.
"I think we should go and see Master Amanio, Alan," he said.
He gestured for him to move. Colville hesitated, but Wats had now two staffs in hands. Colville threw a murderous look to Kenneth, and then headed to the Great Hall, where the Master would surely be. Wats followed him, ice in his eyes.
"At least, most of the Novices know when they must come to their senses," said Mandy.
Kenneth nodded.
"I hope they will react the right way," he said.
"De Vannes is in the Hospital Wing?" asked Janet, looking rather shocked.
Kenneth nodded.
"That's awful," said Janet. "I saw him today. He covered our flight from Hogsmeade. I mean… he's a good guy… and he's been… Holy Morgane, the son of a …!"
"Yeah, good thinking," said Mandy, cutting her sentence with a tense smile.
"How is he?" asked Janet.
"He'll be okay, as I told Jeremy," said Kenneth. "Look, can you do me a favour?"
Janet nodded.
"Explain that to your House mates," said Kenneth "We don't need some idiot spinning this out of control. Thierry doesn't need pity, okay? You tell them that Professor Snape is also infuriated with the beating."
"You can count on me, Kenneth," said Janet, before walking away.
"Good thinking again, Kenneth," said Mandy, smiling.
"Ian is a good news spreader, but he can't get that way in to the Slytherin's' head. And we really don't need them to be whispering wildly when Thierry will come back," said Kenneth.
Mandy nodded.
"You can be very sensitive, when you mean to," she said, smiling approvingly.
"And you can really be scary when you wish to," said Kenneth.
"Thank the heavens that I'm not mad at you, then," said Mandy.
Thierry emerged from his sleep, for the first time in his recent life feeling no anguish anymore. He couldn't face any more of Anselme's wrath. Not today. He would only stay here and rest. That mere thought made him smile weakly.
He noticed that it was still dark, outside the windows. He hadn't slept very long, apparently. But he felt much more peaceful now. He closed his eyes and started to think of the events that had led to this moment, the end of his torment, maybe.
He had wanted to face him, today. He had defied him, more insolent than ever.
He was so infuriated with the thought of Anselme not even bothering to tell the Novices that the Warlocks were back. That wasn't only about the two of them anymore. It wasn't only his rebellion against Anselme's idiot rules. It was the lives of his fellow novices that were at stake.
Thierry had even almost decided to take the step across the line. He wanted to hit back this time. But at the last moment, his Staff had failed him. Because using it against another Brother, as hateful and twisted as Anselme, would be becoming like him. So he hadn't struck. But the fury in his eyes had offended Anselme and it had become even worse.
Honestly, now that he was reliving the scene, he was quite sure that if Kenneth hadn't made his entry in the room, Anselme may have killed him.
He relived the awful pain he had felt in his chest, after he had hit the bench, the torture of every breath, and the relief to see his friend standing between him and danger. He had saved his life, from his teacher.
His teacher... No. Anselme had never been his teacher. He had always been the shadow over his days of youth, since he had joined the novices. Before that, he had been only a kid playing around in the Sanctuary. But as far as he could remember in his days of Novitiate, he could feel Anselme's look over his back. He could sense his hostility. But until that day when he had met Ivoire, he had only dreaded the Master. After that day, he had feared him, then hated him, and decided to stand up to him, no matter what.
It was a strange thing that this single day could have brought him so much pain and joy at the same time. He had met his worst enemy and his closest friend in the very next afternoon. Without Ivoire, Thierry wouldn't have held on. He would have run away.
Without Ivoire and Master Walter, he corrected. Without the old man that had taken him under his wing, when he was three, he would have broken down.
As his thoughts were mentioning Walter, he heard a slight mumbling beside him. Thierry opened his eyes, and looked right. He saw the nurse walk away from his bedside, after Master Walter had politely refused a cup of tea. He was here!
Thierry looked at him a long moment, without moving. He looked worn out, and his eyes were bloodshot. It looked like he had been crying. The thought of his Master crying was a real shock for him.
Walter finally raised his eyes to him and saw that he was awake. He had a sad smile.
"How are you feeling?" he asked hesitantly.
"Better, now," said Thierry.
Walter heaved a deep sigh.
"I can't tell you how sorry I am, my dear boy," he said finally.
"Sorry? Why should you be sorry, Master?" asked Thierry.
"I've failed you," said Walter. "I promised you once that I would keep you safe and you've been mistreated so badly, right under my nose!"
"I could have asked you for help, Master," said Thierry. "I didn't want you to know."
"Why, Thierry? Why didn't you tell me? It wouldn't have been a sign of favour if I had protected you from Anselme. It was my right to protect my students. If you were battered, that was a threat to everyone. I could have helped you."
"I refused to yield," said Thierry. "I didn't want to run away, because that would have disappointed you. But I couldn't understand… I was thinking he had the right to do what he was doing. To refuse that would be against our tradition. But I refused his laws."
"Such an awful thing, Thierry," said Walter. "I can't believe it happened to the best student I ever had. I don't know what to do, now. Tell me what I can do. I would do anything to ease your mind."
"Keep him away from the others," said Thierry, with flames of hate in his eyes. "To my knowledge, he has never beaten the others, except for one or two slaps, but he can't be given the occasion to do it again on anyone."
"He won't," said Walter. "He will be judged by the Elders. He had no right to act this way. I would never have approved of his actions. I swear, Thierry."
"I believe you, Master," said Thierry. "I know you wouldn't have hurt us for the world. So I thought that was his job. I was stupid."
"You've been manipulated, my boy," said Walter sadly. "Led to believe he was leading your life. He isn't. You can't know how much I'm proud of what you have become. In spite of what he had done to you, you have become a brilliant mind with a heart full of courage and generosity. I marvel at the miracle that kept your soul so whole and I can't help but wonder what you could have become if you hadn't gone through this… If I had seen… If I had done..."
"Master," said Thierry, pleading. "Don't blame yourself!"
Walter took his hand, tears in his eyes.
"I have to," he said. "You're the closest thing I have for children, you and your brothers. I'm already so proud of some of you and you, you, my boy, are the brightest jewel out of them. I failed at protecting you from the violence of the world. I'm sorry."
Then Thierry understood something that was defining his very being.
"This is why I'm so brave," he said, smiling ironically. "This is why I don't fear the Warlocks. Because I've seen what pain means. They can't do anything to me that I haven't already suffered and that's, in a way, Anselme's doing. But you're doing has given me a goal to pursue, something to believe in. The will to make you proud… All of this makes me what I am now. If you're so proud of me, Master, then don't blame yourself, because, without you, I wouldn't be what I am now."
Walter touched his hand with his forehead, sighing deeply. When he raised his eyes again, he looked more serene, and again pride was shining in his eyes. Just like in the old days. Like when Thierry had cast his first spell. When he had discovered the meaning of the runes over his bed, just by observation. Like when he had told him about Ivoire. He was proud, Thierry could tell.
Thierry felt so much better, now that his Old Mentor had understood everything about him. There weren't any more secrets. Walter knew all about him and he was still proud of him! Thierry felt like in a way, he had won his long war against Anselme. In spite of all, he had stayed himself, and what he was… it was something he could be proud of. Because he could look into the eyes of his Mentor, and there was no blame in it. There was no reproach.
He succeeded in raising up from his pillows, in spite of the slight pain in his ribs. And the Old Wizard welcomed him in his arms. Thierry felt safe again. He felt understood. He didn't feel alone anymore. He pushed away the ghost of Anselme's face, contorted with rage. In a blink of an eye, it was gone. With it, the fear, the sadness, and the anguish. It was over. His fight was over.
And he had won.
Still, he could feel the anguish of his Master, as the old man whispered into his shoulder.
"How could anything like this happen?" asked Walter, in a sad whisper.
Okay, to be clear, this chapter was in the original version of the story, but a few things are different from the first draft. The lead-up to it, including Julie's vision of a battered child, has been added and developed, so that there was enough hints in the story. Otherwise, it did look a bit out of the blue.
Second, the entire interaction between Julie and Donahue was different, because, at this point of the story, Julie hadn't broken up with him (mostly because her reasons to stay with him were totally different, since she didn't have a vision of Kenneth's death). At this point, her heart was still undecided, and there had been a few misunderstandings, instead of deliberate actions on Julie's part. So her reaction to Kenneth's apology was the same (since she didn't feel Kenneth had been wrong in punching Robert) but the context was different. Also, the language and a few details had to be fine-tuned.
So, now, the staff knows who the enemy is (about time). So, of course, the pace needs to pick up. Next chapter deals with the aftermath of the attack (and Thierry's secret). The one after leads up to the showdown.
We're entering the home stretch, people.