A/N: New chapter time! Now fair warnings: we've going to be wandering into darker territory for the next couple of chapters. And I'm afraid this chapter ends on a cliffe... again. Sorry, but that's the way the story fell. Though those of you who wanted to see Draco bleed should enjoy the first scene... (*evil grin*)
Voldemort watched closely as the young Draco Malfoy walked into his presence. There was a nervous air about him… a sense of dread?
"Well, young Draco?" He asked as Draco kneeled before him. "Are you ready to pledge the wealth of the Black Family to my cause?"
Draco, on his knees, swallowed nervously, terrified. "My Lord, I… I can not."
Voldemort went very still, only his eyes narrowing showed sign of life. Beside him, Lucius nervously looked between him and his son. What was Draco up to?
"You had best explain. Now." Voldemort half-whispered, his fingers already around his wand.
"The Blood-Traitor Black, he tricked us all!" Draco cried out in a panic. "He left everything to Potter!"
"WHAT?" Voldemort roared, standing up sharply. Coiled around the throne his familiar Nagini hissed menacingly. "Lucius… you assured me that your son would inherit…" The menace in his tone was clear.
Lucius dropped to his knees in an instant. "My Lord, it should have! There are no other Blacks!"
Draco licked dry lips before nervously speaking. "In his will, the traitor said to look at the Black Family Tree. He said Potter has a link via his grandmother, Dorea Black."
Voldemort slowly turned to face Lucius, features tight with rage. "You narrow minded fool. Crucio!"
Lucius flailed about for several minutes as his lord held him under the torture curse, the sickly light reflected in Voldemort's eyes as his teeth bared themselves in his anger. At last he lifted the curse, breathing heavily as he did, but the rage in his blood red eyes was undiminished. He turned to face Draco…
It was at this moment that another Death Eater almost ran into the chamber. He pulled up short at the sight before him, but his arrival had already been noted. "You had better have a good reason for this interruption Yaxley." Voldemort snarled, his fingers trailing up and down his wand, a clear threat.
Yaxley gulped before stepping forwards to kneel at Voldemorts feet. He'd rushed over as soon as he could, once he saw the contracts and alliances that had been filed that morning. He doubted that many others had noticed; most wizards were too concerned with their own hides right now to notice any extra parchment in the files. "My Lord, I have troubling news in regard to Potter."
"Speak." It came out more like a hiss than normal words.
"Potter has submitted to the Ministry several contracts." Yaxley had to take another deep breath before pressing on. "He has formed a multi-House Alliance between Potter, Black, Longbottom, Bones and Greengrass Houses. Also, Consort contracts have been made out between himself and both Miss Bones and the eldest Miss Greengrass, along with a Betrothal contract for a Miss Granger."
Voldemort normally kept most of his rage bottled up, only releasing it through his voice and his wand. Right now though he was shaking in total fury. "Why did no one take steps to prevent this? Crucio!"
Draco, still on his knees next to the now thrashing Yaxley, was desperate to vanish through the floor, or anywhere really. He really didn't want to remain here! However, he had not been excused, so he had to stay… or suffer the Dark Lord's wrath.
Voldemort was still snarling as he lifted the curse from his main Ministry spy. "This can not be allowed! Potter is trying to move against us…"
"If I may…" A rough, cold voice came from one side, from the deep shadows to Voldemort's left. "May I suggest a pre-emptive strike, Lord Voldemort?" Out of the corner of his eye Draco saw the lean, forbidding form of Major Greengrass step forward. His black uniform made into a spectre of Death itself. "Together, those Houses may be enough to oppose you, but each on their own…" He trailed off, the meaning clear.
Voldemort spun around to snap at him, punish him for interrupting, but then the Magi-SS officer's words reached his brain and he paused, considering. Such tactical thinking was just what he'd struck this alliance for, why he'd agreed to the old man's requests. Not that they were too hard to bear… even if he had intended to honour them all. He tapped the side of his wand for a moment before slowly nodding.
"Yes… excellent idea Major. We'll cut his allies away before he can get them organised!" Reaching down he yanked up Yaxley's sleeve before jabbing his wand tip to the Dark Mark now exposed. Reaching within himself, he mentally sent out his summons, ordering his minions to gather, at once. More than a hint of his anger bled through, alerting them of what would await them if they kept him waiting.
Within minutes all his remaining free Death Eaters had gathered, all on one knee before him, heads bowed as was proper. Behind them the men of Major Greengrasses advance force filled in, having followed the marked men. Even without their uniforms and weapons, each one of the eight men were intimidating, menacing sights. There was a lethal coldness about each one that hung over them like a shroud, their faces expressionless, eyes lacking any warmth or shred of compassion. Looking over his followers, Voldemort began to plan.
"Snape! You had better have acquired the details I required from you!" He did not have to spell out what would happen if the potions master had not: the threat was clear in every syllable.
Severus Snape stood before moving forwards, drawing a sheet of parchment from his robes. "Of course my Lord. The Headmaster trusts me implicitly. I had no trouble getting the details for all those who Potter might seek aid from, or considers his friends." He said oily as he offered the parchment to his master.
Voldemort nodded absently as he looked over the list. Nine names were listed, of which eight had an address written. The last was 'Unknown'… not that surprising really, as they had already destroyed that families home.
"Very well. With Potter cut off from us…"
"My pardon, Lord Voldemort…" Greengrass cut in smoothly. Several of the Death Eaters gasped: no-one interrupted the Dark Lord unless they had a death wish. "…But why is Potters summer residence unreachable?"
Voldemort snarled, irritated at the intrusion, but realising that the older man was not yet up to speed on all the details. "That meddling fool Dumbledore set wands around the property when he first took Potter there. Those wards are based on the protection he got from his mothers sacrifice."
Draco perked up. "My Lord…" He begun, but never finished.
"CRUCIO!" Voldemort yelled, turning his wand on the young man before him. "Keep that mouth of yours shut! Don't think that I have forgotten that it was your actions that have strengthened Potter, made him form the alliances he has!"
Draco had never experienced pain like this before. Every nerve seemed aflame as the curse lashed down onto him. After a time – he could not keep track, such was the pain – the curse was lifted, and Voldemort returned his attention to Greengrass.
"That protection means that neither I nor any of my marked followers can get near him while he is there. We know where he is, but no attempts to reach the boy have worked!"
Greengrass nodded slowly. "I see. But I recall a pair of Dementors did last summer."
Voldemort hissed angrily. "Useless! He's already proved that he can drive them off easily!"
A narrow, cold smile formed on Greengrasses lips. "I was not going to suggest them Lord Voldemort. I was thinking more of having my men make an attempt to reach him. We can kill anyone from beyond the property line if needed, including him. If you allow me to handle my brother's…" for the first time emotion was distinguishable in the mans voice. "…Family. It is, an old debt to be settled."
Voldemort locked gazes with the old wizard. He did not like Greengrasses attitude at all. There was no subservience, and he questioned all the time. However… balancing that was his clear competence and insight. It was refreshing after all the dunderheaded inbred idiots he normally dealt with.
That and the man was genuinely scary to be around. Not that Voldemort felt fear. It was clear to him that Major Greengrass was a lot like Dumbledore in his strength: Skill and Knowledge, rather than raw Power like himself. If it came down to it, Voldemort could simply overpower the old man. It was the stories told to the others that made him so dangerous. Tales that had gotten more extreme with each re-telling, till each 'Storm-Wizard' could kill an entire army will a glare.
But his effect on his followers was amusing.
"You think your men can do what my Death Eaters can't?"
Major Greengrass smirked lightly. "Let's call it testing a hunch I have. At the worst, my men will not be able to reach him… and will withdraw."
Voldemort nodded slowly. "Very well, you may make the attempt… but not tonight. I want him to suffer first. Suffer the loss of more of his allies, more of his 'friends'. We'll attack his home another night. But understand: I want Potter alive and brought before me!"
Greengrass bowed. "But of course, Lord Voldemort. Do you want him undamaged, or is a little hurt acceptable?"
Voldemort smirked, a very nasty expression on his inhuman face. "Alive is all I need. Crippled… is acceptable, as long as his face is identifiable. The Greengrass family…" His smirk widened a little more as Major Greengrass tensed, a dark expression passing over his features. "…Do what you like with the elders, but the daughters should be brought back here, alive and unharmed, physically anyway."
The former Magi-SS officer smiled evilly as Voldemort turned back to face his still kneeling Death Eaters.
"Yaxley, return to the Ministry with our other agents. Shut down the targets floos, and divert any alerts."
Yaxley nodded his head, understanding his role. It was something he'd done many times before, and his team had gotten very good at doing it quietly.
Voldemort looked over the list before him once more. He had instructed Snape to pull the addresses of any students that Potter considered friends, or spent time with. Along with the other two members of the so-called 'Golden Trio', the list included the Gryffindor Chaser Katie Bell, only just seventeen and would begin her seventh year come September. Both the Bones and Greengrass names were listed, but as the Bones family manor was destroyed, they could not attack them again. The other two who went the Ministry with Potter – the Longbottom brat and the Lovegood tart – were listed, as were the blood traitorous Tonks. The Lovegoods were also the owners and publishers of the Quibbler, and he had not forgotten what that paper had done…
"Mason, form the Dementors into two groups. One will attack the Longbottoms, the other the Weasleys." As the former senior guard of Azkaban nodded Draco smirked. At last those pathetic weasels would be gone!
"Dougal, take team four and attack the Bells. You can have some fun with the muggles, but ensure you that you either kill or capture the mudblood.
"Davidson, take teams three and five. Your target is the Tonks. Make certain to kill the blood traitor, and capture her half-blood offspring if she arrives. A trained Auror will be most welcome in our ranks. If she doesn't turn…" Behind their masks several Death Eaters smirked evilly.
"Jugson, team two. Bring that abomination that is the Lovegood's home to the ground. Make sure their printing press is totally destroyed. A half-dozen Dementors will be at your disposal as well. Once you have destroyed the building and killed the adult, have the child portkeyed back here while you assist Nott with team six in his attack on the Weasleys. That shack they call a house should burn nicely. Especially if they are all still inside." He paused for a moment, considering. "If you get the chance, take the girl captive and bring her back. I so very much want to meet she who nearly brought me back four years ago.
"Corran, teams seven and eight. Burn Longbottom Manor, and its residents, to the ground. Let the Dementors lead, to soften them up. Remember: Augusta Longbottom many be old, but she's still dangerous. And the boy… Don't underestimate him.
"Bellatrix, you will take…" Voldemort trailed off as he looked over the kneeling Death Eaters. Normally it was very easy to pick Bellatrix out, since she eschewed the thick, all covering robes the others wore and often went without her mask either. Plus she was likely as not kneeling right at his very feet. But now he couldn't see his most fanatical follower anywhere in the gathered group.
"Where is Bellatrix?" He asked quietly.
The various kneeling Death Eaters looked about, but none spoke. Voldemort's eyes narrowed as he lowered them to the now shivering Draco Malfoy.
"Draco… where is Bella? She was with you at the will reading?" He asked softly.
"Draco swallowed nervously. "Yes, she was."
The Dark Lord's voice dropped to nearly a whisper… but one that carried deadly menace. "Then where did she go when you came back?"
Draco shuddered. "My Lord, I… I was forced to leave before she did." There was no way he was going to admit to having been carried out by a security troll, with piss dripping off one shoe, while theentire bank Floor looked on. Or when he was dumped in the street outside, the goblins had the gall to announce to Diagon Alley as a whole the edict set down by the High King… along with the High King's reasons. Eyes had followed him the whole way back to the Leaky Cauldron, with laughter following on his heels. They would all pay, every last one of them!
Voldemort sank back into his throne, a wave of resignation sweeping over him. 'Of course, little snot-nosed brat obviously shot his mouth off…' But then an alarming thought came to him, causing his eyes to widen. 'Why did she not respond to my call?' Moving swiftly, he jabbed his wand into Yaxley's Dark Mark once more, focusing his will on summoning Bellatrix LeStrange. Heedless of Yaxley's moans of pain, he reached out with his formidable mind, searching.
There was no reply. Not even a presence.
'Could Potter have killed her? The Goblins maybe? But why? There's no way they could have learned about my horcrux… But if it emerged she was the one who killed the Blood Traitor Black…' The Goblins were known for violent retribution…
This was most troubling, but he had to adapt. "Lucius, you will make amends for your mistakes. Team one, and you will be attacking Potter biggest supporter, the muggle Grangers." A dark look entered Voldemort's eyes. "I want the entrails of that mudblood's family all over that house! Make it clear it clear who did this, and why!"
"And the Mudblood herself?" Lucius asked, an eager note in his voice.
"She will serve as an abject lesson to those who defy me! Her punishment must be brutal, total! Greyback, I'm putting this task in your hands. Remember, I want her to suffer. Draw it out. Break her in every way you can. Once you've destroyed her mind, spirit and soul, then you may feast. Sake ALL your desires and lusts on her… and be sure to get a recording of it all. It'll make a nice present for Potter."
The brutal werewolf grinned cruelly, eager to have a taste of virgin flesh. He was looking forward to having some time alone with a young female. Their flesh was the most succulent. Perhaps, with a little judicious magic, she might be of use to him and bear him a litter before he consumed her? Maybe as the final stage of breaking her, forcing her to bare his pups? It was something to consider… his trousers were already tightening at the thought!
"My Lord! That mud…"
"CRUCIO! Silence whelp!" Voldemort cut Draco off with another curse. "As for you… you have failed me… and you still do not learn!" He levelled his wand slowly, murder in his eyes.
Lucius took a half step forwards. "My Lord!"
The bone-handled wand jumped to point between his eyes. "You dare challenge me?" Voldemort roared, his rage clear to all. "Your son is weak, Lucius, pathetic! Now he will suffer the consequences!"
"Yes, he should…" Greengrass stalked forwards, his cape billowing behind him. "But a quick, painless death is too good for the likes of this." His hand waved over the cowering form of Draco.
Voldemort gritted his teeth as he closed his eyes, reigning in his desire to curse the old man. While it would stop these most annoying interruptions, the other eight were still armed in some fashion he was sure, and right now he had need of the Magi-SS officer. However… he did have a point. "What are you suggesting them?"
Greengrass smirked as he turned to face towards Voldemort. "Stand up you snivelling little worm! Take your punishment like a man, young Mister Malfoy." He said in a clear voice, as his hand moved to the pistol holster at his waist, the motion hidden from all but Voldemort by his body.
Draco slowly stood, fearful of what this foreignerhad in mind. Of course, it couldn't be as bad as anything that the Dark Lord could come up with. He was foreign, after all. Rapidly his mind raced over all the dark curses he'd heard or read about as Greengrass turned to face him…
The gunshot cut off his thoughts as everyone else, aside from the Storm-Wizards at the back, jumped in shock at the thunderous sound. Draco himself staggered backwards, both hands pressed to his stomach as he doubled over, his face a picture of horrific pain. Red blood ran over his fingers and dripped to the floor as his legs gave out and he sank to his knees. As the pool began to spread he managed to lift his head to look up at Greengrass, who was in the last motions of holstering his pistol.
"You do not deserve a clean, wizard's death." Contempt and disgust filled the old man's tone. "Die like a muggle, worm." He finished as Draco fell to the floor, landing on his side, his blood spreading outward from his belly.
Snape almost jumped forwards, skidding on his knees over the stone floor as he reached the dieing youth. He drew his wand…
"Snape… do you wish to share his fate?" Voldemort asked quietly, freezing the potions master. The 'snap' of Greengrass re-opening the flap of his holster echoed throughout the chamber.
Snape swallowed nervously. He knew his next few words could get him killed, for no fault of his own. "My Lord… I am bound by a Godfathers oath to do all I can to prevent his death."
Voldemort frowned, then looked at Lucius, who nodded nervously in reply to the unspoken question. "My wife insisted on it My Lord."
The Dark Lord sat back, pondering. This was… unexpected, and unwelcome. Still, the situation could be used to his advantage.
"Very well. Draco's fate now lies in your hands Snape. But if he fails me again… you will share his punishment." Voldemort said softly. At Snape's nod, he glared down at the unconscious young Malfoy. "Get that useless excuse of a boy out of my sight!"
Snape cast a general purpose healing charm on Draco, to stabilise him for the moment, but nothing happened. Frowning, he tried again, with the same result.
"You must treat him the muggle way, Potion Master." Greengrass commented, prompting a wide-eyed look of horror from Snape. "Magic won't work on him right now." And with that, and a twisted, cruel smirk the Magi-SS major stepped back, to stand at Voldemort's elbow. Shuddering, Snape tried to levitate the young boy, but even that failed. Cursing, he reluctantly gripped both of Draco's wrists before dragging him out of the chamber, drawing a long trail of blood behind him.
Voldemort smirked, and then looked over the other Death Eaters. Lightly brushing their minds, he could feel the terror they all felt. His smirk deepened, knowing how he could use that to make them work better. "Gather your teams. Strike tonight!"
Tracy sighed as she looked down at the parchment on her desk, before glancing at the Daily Prophet. It had taken her a couple of days to calm down and focus after her talk with her father. Once she'd had, she had gone through list after list of possible young men, trying to decide who to approach. Tracy was under no illusions regarding herself: she knew she was not the classic beauty that Daphne was. She wasn't even that attractive. 'Plain' was about the best she could label herself as. She was no Bulstrode, but most boys skipped over her in favour of others. It had been of benefit, as she had managed to evade the claws of the Junior Death Eaters and their sick activities by not advertising her femininity. Sticking close to Daphne had also helped. Few of those pigs dared cross her.
However… her current situation was, delicate. Tracy was not blind to reality: The best she could really hope for was 'Consort' status, maybe even second wife. The chances of finding a young man willing to give up his family name were almost non-existent. Ideally, he had to come from a strong, rich, magical family, or an even richer muggle one. They had to be, as they had to outbid the Nott's for her hand. And then there was the threat of reprisals… She had been forced to cross a number of names off her first lists when she considered that aspect. None of those families had the power to laugh at threats or the money to buy the Death Eaters off. Not for her.
But today… something had emerged in the relatively tiny 'Family Announcements' section of the Profit. Most would have missed it: her father and brother both had. But Tracy had been studying that section, her problem in mind. There, tucked into one corner, was an announcement that the Potter, Bones, Longbottom, Greengrass andBlack families had signed a formal alliance for mutual support, defence and trade. She had actually frozen for several seconds, eye's widening at the lines. Those five families, in the same alliance? It was almost unheard of! Without the Black Family, it would have been less noteworthy, but the inclusion of such a 'Dark' family… Even the Greengrasses were seen as 'Dark', though Tracy knew that that wasn't the case after knowing Daphne for the last five years.
Seeing that little note, Tracy's mind had begun to whirl, piecing together facts and rumours to build a complete theory. Sirius Black had been Harry Potter's Godfather, but had also been the last Black aside from his cousins who had married into other families. As such, he was the de-facto head of House Black until his death. She'd also heard that he had not been the murdering traitor that everyone thought he was. In fact he loved Harry like his own son. Slowly, almost dreading the result, she'd looked at the public information concerning the Potter and Black families.
Each on their own was more than wealthy enough to outbid the Notts a thousand times over, even with the Blacks falling from grace. The Black Family, as a known 'Dark' Family, would not be questioned by the Notts, while only a fool challenged the Potters… until Voldemort.
Both had suffered in the last couple of decades. The Potter's history was one of standing against all darkness… something that Harry appeared to be doing already. But the Families political might was all but gone, as he wasthe only Potter. And the future of the Blacks was in doubt, as she clearly remembered Draco boasting that soon he would be 'Lord Black'.
But this… this suggested that Harry was somehow Lord Black; it was the only thing that made sense of the joining of the two families together. And if that were true… it opened up an option for Tracy…
Recalling the events of the end of term, she'd looked at the three girls. Hermione, his closest friend, confidant and supporter, would clearly become the next Lady Potter. Only a fool would believe otherwise. Susan Bones, she knew, would have to become a Consort to maintain her family line. The question was Daphne. Would she be a consort or Lady Black? Daphne had always been evasive regarding her dream marriage…
Nevertheless, this was a chance she had to grab. Having Daphne already in there gave her a foot in the door. Either Lady Black or Consort to either family would save her. Question was, how to ask for such? Tracy paused for a moment. If the response was the one she needed, what then? Could she love Harry Potter? It was all too easy to love the idea of being Harry Potter's wife, but could she really do it? Could she love for the boy… man, behind the name? It was something she had to think about further. Hopefully Daphne would help her… and maybe, if she spent some time around him, it would be easier than she feared.
Tracy sighed again as she drew a new sheet of parchment out and re-inked her quill. She had a letter to write… one that she had to get right. This was far, far more important than any homework… her future literally depended on it.
Lily Potter smiled to herself as she looked down at her son, sat in the reading corner of the Library. Ever since he'd arrived here, he'd come to the Library for an hour or two each evening, sometimes alone, often with his future wives, to read up on the family history. The niche in which he sat was dedicated to the history of the Potter Family. A shelf ran around the huge alcove, on which the Potter Family Journals rested, dating back to the very founding of the Manor.
Of course, given that this was Potter Manor, calling that space an 'alcove' was a huge understatement. A large, marble surround fireplace was at the back, with a massive painting above it. The mantelpiece was at the same level as the shelves that held the journals. The one side had a massive oak four-seater sofa in the centre; with a pair of love-seats in the same style each side, in the corners. Another four-seater was across the space, with a third love-seat in the corner not visible to Lily.
Despite the size of the Alcove, it was tiny compared to the rest of the Library. It filled the entire ground floor of the Family Wing… and then more, as the door from the main hall opened onto a raised balcony that ran around most of the room. When the library had needed expanding, the Lord at the time had decided to be radical and expand downwards, rather than out or use expansion charms. Shelving filled with books lined the wall where the balcony ran, while wrought iron spiral stairs led down to the main floor, effectively at basement level. The walls were lined with bookshelves, broken only by paintings. While some natural light cam in from the two rows of windows either side on the upper floor, three chandeliers hung from the ceiling provided the bulk of the light, along with a number of small lamps on the reading tables that took up much of the space in the centre.
Lily's attention however was on her son. Though she knew him intimately – existing in his head for most of his life gave her an unmatchable insight into him – he barely knew her. And while that 'mother/son' bond was there, in some respects she was still a stranger to him. They had made progress over the last week, but there had been little time for simple mother/son interaction.
Down on the sofa Harry sighed to himself as he looked once more at the huge painting over the fireplace. 'All my life, I just wanted to be 'Normal'. I guess I was... for a Potter, that is.' The painting itself showed a magnificent sailing ship in motion, two rows of gun ports down the side under several towering spreads of canvas. The crashing of the waves under the prow with its golden winged horse was currently muted, a faint background noise… though Harry had been taught how to bring the volume up if he wished.
Harry, over the course of his evenings reading the Journals, had quickly discovered something about his family; Potters had always been… different. 'Normal' life and the Potters had rarely crossed.
He looked once more at the portrait in the book he held. The painting was of Richard Potter, his future wife Amelia… and his ship, the Pegasus. The same ship that now sailed over the fireplace. The Journal told how, after graduating Hogwarts at almost the top of his class, Richard Potter had spent the next three years working on cargo ships trading with the American Colonies. Then a pirate vessel had struck their ship, sending it to the bottom and killing most of the crew. On his return to England two months later, the young Potter approached the Royal Navy, and gained – in other words bought – a commission as a Privateer in service to the Crown. Using Potter funds, he had a vessel commissioned - a 'Fifth Rate' ship of forty-eight guns – and begun to recruit a crew from the Potter's usual sources. Within a year, he had a crew of nearly three hundred men, a third of which were magical, the rest squibs and muggles. The ship had been completed in seven months, but once now Captain Potter took command, he had sailed her to an isolated dock – ironically one owned by the Bones Family – where he and his magical crewmembers had charmed the hell out of the ship, increasing its internal space tenfold, strengthening the hull and a host of other enhancements. The journal had several pages showing the rune patterns that had been carved into not only the ships hull and masts, but also the array of cannons, swivel-guns and muskets that made up the armament. Harry had smiled at that, knowing that Hermione would find this fascinating.
Once equipped, Captain Potter had taken his ship to the Caribbean, where they had served twelve years in service to the British Crown. Pegasus had gained a reputation as a fast ship, as she seemed to 'fly over the waves'. Harry suspected that magic had helped in that regard.
It had been in that final year when Captain Potter had met Amelia Trestain, a half-French lady who had been captured by a pirate band when they took the ship she had been travelling to America on. The Pirates had gotten greedy however, and had lingered too long, squabbling over the disposition of the captives and cargo. The Pegasus had swept down on the gathered cluster of pirate brigs and sloops like some avenging angel. In the ensuring battle, half the pirate craft were sunk and the crew of the cargo vessel retook their ship, but the other pirates fled, taking the captives already aboard with them, including madam Trestain. The Pegasus had run them down, bottling them in an inlet on a small island. That night, under cover of darkness, Captain Potter had led his crew in a daring, simultaneous boarding action again all three pirate craft. They caught the pirates in exhausted sleep… mostly. The Pirate leader had decided to have some 'fun' with the captured lady. Richard Potter had burst through the door just in time, and proceeded to cut the drunken would-be rapist down in a brutal solo duel.
But the story didn't end with the dramatic rescue. Having fallen in love, and earned a rather large amount of prize money, Richard Potter returned home with his new bride… and carried on the tradition of altering the Manor grounds to reflect the Family history. A small river to the south of the main manor had been altered in the distant past to form a small lake before continuing on out of the manor. Richard Potter had extended the lake, forming a dogleg that ran between the manor building and a rocky outcrop to the west on which one of the ancient watchtowers stood. But what really did it was that he had the far bank dropped, using a modified shield ward to hold back the water, so from the manor the water just stopped. He then layered an illusion ward line out from the smaller spar that the Owl Tower sat on, then added area heating charms to the spur by the main building just below the Family wing, while the bank was finished in almost white sand. The result was that he had an inlet from the Caribbean recreated in the heart of England. He even had palm trees and Caribbean plants transplanted into the ground around the inlet, while the western rock outcrop had smaller nooks, a hidden miniature cove, and a small network of tunnels inside. His wife, apparently, loved it.
Harry had shaken his head when he reached that point, before his mind wandered to how Daphne, Susan and Hermione would look on such a beach… It made more sense then.
Even his grandfather Charlus had done something similar. The huge lawn to the south he'd used as a landing field for the Spitfire fighter that he'd flown during the Second World War. It was still resting in a purpose built hanger at the west end of the main building, just north of the Training Hall. Harry had ideally wondered how it compared to riding a broom…
The sounds of footsteps brought him out of his musing and his head up. His mom smiled at him as she made her way down the spiral stairs to the floor. She'd changed out of the formal clothes she'd worn to Gringotts into a plain pale cream set of trousers with a similarly coloured pullover top. She still wore heels he noticed as she stepped over to sit besides him.
"How do you feel Harry?" She asked softly. Harry smiled out of reflex. He loved hearing her voice. Before this week, he'd only ever heard her begging for his life or screaming. He wasn't sure he could count that time in the graveyard. "About everything that happened earlier?"
Harry sighed. "I'm… okay, I suppose…" At her look he felt compelled to elaborate. "I was not expecting the sisters or Fleur…"
"None of us were Harry." Lily said softly, understanding his distress. It had been quite the shock to her system too. Gently she rested a hand on his shoulder. "I'm proud of the way you handled the Weasleys Harry. You showed great maturity."
Harry flushed. "You think so?" There was a childlike, desperate need to be complimented in his tone… though Lily knew he would deny it if asked. "Would dad…?"
Lily felt a surge of heartache run through her. "Yes, he would be proud of you too." She slid her arm across his shoulders to pull him into an embrace, one that soothed both their souls.
After a couple of minutes, she felt him shift beneath her arm. "Mum…" He half whispered before falling silent.
"What is it Harry dear?"
Harry shifted once more. "What about you? I mean, this thing I've got going with Hermione, Daphne and Susan… and now Fleur on top of that. It's… not normal at all. I mean…"
"I know what you mean Harry." Lily sighed. "I admit it's not ideal. Certainly not considered 'Normal'." She gave him a gentle squeeze. "But I look at it like this: I've gained four daughters. The Grangers take a similar view." Over the last week she'd spent a lot of time talking with the muggle couple, getting to know her new in-laws. As Emma had predicted, the two of them had gotten along extremely well, while Nathan was a little cool, but was warming quickly. She sighed once more before sharing a detail from before that Halloween. "James and I… we never planned on you being our only child."
Harry looked up at her, eyes wide in astonishment, though there was a hint of pain at the corners. A hint that touched Lily's heart, as she felt the pain of loosing her husband afresh.
"Don't fret about it Harry. I'm not ready to be a grandmother yet…" She smiled at the blush that filled his face. "…But don't let me stop you seeking happiness."
Harry smiled in reply, a grin that started to threaten to split his face.
"INCOMING FLOO!" Raynor's voice roared out, startling them both. After a moment Harry shot up and ran for the steps, the book forgotten on the sofa, Lily right behind them.
Emerging out into the main hall, they saw the others present at Potter Manor approaching. Harry swung round the bottom of the stairs to face the grand fireplace, the 'public' floo address. The flames were already green, but dark shadows, like bars, were imposed over them. Between the central two the face of an older man appeared.
"Mister Potter! Please, let us through!" At that moment Tonks skidded to a halt besides Harry, almost falling flat on her face as she did.
"Dad?" She gasped, jaw hanging down.
"Nym, we're under attack from Death Eaters! Your mum's holding them off for now, but…"
Harry's instincts leapt forwards. "Raynor, let them through!" He yelled. Almost instantly the shadowy bars vanished. Tonks' father's head vanished for a few moments, likely yelling to Andromeda that the way was clear before he came tumbling through, falling flat on his face before them.
"Dad!" Tonks yelled before almost falling on him. Remus stepped forwards and helped the older man onto his feet. "Where's mum?"
Ted Tonks turned to look at the fireplace. "She should be right behind…" He paused when the flames turned green once more before Andromeda Tonks nee Black stepped sharply out of them, wand in hand. Her hair was a little dishevelled, but there was no sigh of injury to her.
Just as her foot was emerging from the floo the flames suddenly turned a natural colour, prompting the elder witch to yelp as she half jumped, half hopped forwards. Her husband was with her in seconds, helping her stand as she balanced on one foot, the other held off the ground while a look of pain creases her features. A tiny thread of smoke rose from the heel of her shoe.
Harry looked at the fire in worried confusion. "That's not meant to happen is it?"
Amelia stepped forwards, a frown on her face. "No, it shouldn't. The only way it could possibly happen is if…" Her face paled. "…if the connection was cut."
"How?" Hermione asked.
"Somehow, Death Eaters at the Ministry must have gained control of the Floo network." Lily stated with an apologetic look at Amelia. "I'm just saying what we all know is true. They did it before you know, in the last war. Cut the connection, to prevent families from escaping. Usually several at once."
A nameless, un-definable fear had been building in Harry's gut. With his mothers words, that fear bloomed into something he recognised. Darting forwards, he grabbed the pot of floo powder that rested in a little niche by the fireplace before tossing a handful into the flames.
"Greengrass Manor!" He yelled. The flames remained a cheerful yellow-red.
"Longbottom Manor! The Burrow!"
There was no reaction each time. Harry turned to look back at the others; his expression mirrored on the others fearful faces. After a moment however Amelia shifted mental gears, allowing her role as head of the DMLE to come to the fore. "I need to get to the Ministry, organise a response…" She said firmly, stepping forwards. "Ministry of Magic, Department of Magical Law Enforcement!"
The flames turned a reassuring emerald green. Amelia stepped into them and vanished.
Harry stepped back, thoughts troubled. Voldemort appeared to be targeting his friends… A sudden, terrible thought came to him, and he looked towards Hermione. No words were needed: one look into his eyes and she knew what he was thinking.
"No..." She started to tremble. "No Harry… not my parents…" A tear began to roll down her cheek.
Three quick strides and Harry enfolded his oldest and best friend in a hug. Susan moved up behind her, keeping the now crying young woman between them. He looked towards the adults. "Remus, Tonks. Could you…"
They nodded before he even finished, already in motion towards the exit. Lily watched them go, envious. She would have gone, but her magic was still erratic. She would be a liability in a fight right now.
But… she could still get a warning out. "Winky!" She called, and the little house elf appeared before her. It had been on Monday evening, after her 'resurrection' that Harry's elf Dobby – looking almost like an elf version of superman now – had brought the nearly comatose female elf before them. He'd carried her bridle-style, her arms hanging loose. She seemed to perk up a bit after a few moments; there was plenty of ambient magic in the air at Potter Manor. But what really had gotten her attention was the offer of becoming part of the Potter Family. Lily, as the current de-facto head of the Family, had sworn her into the family: Harry had taken Dobby in as his Personal elf, to bind Winky to the family as a whole he'd would have had to have waited until his birthday. Until she got her strength back, Winky was acting as Lily's personal elf. It had sparked a lot of amusement when the pair of them had almost fainted with ear-to-ear open jawed grins when they were shown the scale of Potter Manor.
"Yes Mistress?" Winky asked, full of life and vigour once more, dressed in a neat elf-sized version of the maids outfit that Mrs Van Dort wore. Lily grimaced slightly at the form of address, but put aside her issues with that for now. There were much more urgent matters at hand.
"Winky, I need you to go to various families and warn them of a possible, probable Death Eater attack. The Greengrasses, the Lovegoods, the Longbottoms… and the Weasleys." She had hesitated over adding the last name, given the bad blood between herself and Molly Weasley. But… she knew that Harry was close to several members of the redheaded family… and they had helped him in the past, despite the motives of the mother.
"Yes Mistress." Winky curtsied before vanishing.
Harry also watched, feeling torn in two. His gut instinct was to head out, confront those cowardly Death Eaters and rain ruin on them for daring to try to harm his friends and family. But he knew right now Hermione needed him more, to comfort and reassure her. Besides, he was still underage; he could not afford another black mark with the ministry. Once he was sixteen, he could take up his dual Lordship, and that would not only free him of the underage magic restriction, but allow him to legally put his friend's families under his protection, granting him the legal right to use whatever means he deemed necessary to defend them. Biting back his frustration, he focused his attention on the young woman in his arms.
"They'll be all right Hermione. It'll be all right…"
Amelia stormed out of the floo straight into the Auror department... and scowled at the sight. There were only three Auror's in, and they were gathered round a table playing cards. Not one of them looked the least bit concerned.
Responding to her thoughts her wand shot out of her forearm holster into her hand, while her other hand slammed onto a rune plate embedded into the wall by the door. The rune, detecting her magical signature, activated, sending out a magical signal to all the servant runes engraved into every active Auror badge. The Alert Rune had been an idea Amelia had seen in the muggle world, and she had fought long and hard to get the idea copied into theirs.
The reactions of the three drowsy Aurors would, in any other circumstance, have been amusing. But the situation was too serious for Amelia to find any in the sight of three fully grown men jumping up like scalded cats. They turned about in confusion before seeing her glaring at them.
"Hodges, get down to the Floo Control Room: someone's cut off several families from the network. Tell me who and get those floos open once more!" Her gaze shifted to the next man. "Danes, watch the Monitor; look for any magic used in muggle areas." The last man came under her gaze. He still held his cards. "Gwain, get the response portkeys." Based on the same charm that allowed Post Owls to find addresses, the response portkeys could be given an address and would take whoever was holding them to it, regardless if they knew the location or not.
"Why?" Gwain asked, looking highly disturbed. "What's the big emergency?"
Amelia's eyes tightened. "There's already been a Death Eater attack tonight. At least four families' floos have been cut off. I'd bet my families vault that there will be more Death Eater attacks in the next few minutes." Gwain's face was almost pure white now, the cards falling heedlessly to the floor. "Now get me those portkeys!" Amelia growled, and the trembling Auror jumped before dashing towards the locked cupboard where they were kept. The other two also disappeared through the doorway to the other departments.
The on-call Aurors started to appear in the Internal Department floos… after almost three minutes delay. Amelia's frown grew deeper in that time, and a scowl formed as the first member stumbled through, half dressed and clearly still mostly asleep.
"Who the bloody hell hit the alarm? I only just got to sleep!" Her persistent headache Dawlish grumbled loudly, his robes only hanging loosely over his pyjamas. "What kind of fool runs a drill at this time of night?"
"That would be me, Auror Dawlish!" Amelia snapped sharply, drawing the younger wizard up short. The two glared at each other for a moment. When she'd come back after the attack on her home, Amelia had discovered Dawlish was trying to take the supposedly empty DMLE Head position, playing on his 'friendship' with Rufus, who had been leading the running for being the new Minister of Magic. Rufus had been elected earlier in the week, so now Dawlish was trying to get into Rufus's old post as Head Auror.
Problem for Dawlish was that he and Amelia all but hated each other. Truth be told, Amelia found both him and Rufus almost unbearable. Dawlish came across as too slimy and self-serving to be trusted, while Rufus embodied some of the worst Gryffindor traits: showy, headstrong and cocky. Dawlish had also been too close to Fudge for her tastes.
Before anything more could be said a interdepartmental note flew in through the door to hover before Amelia. Snatching it out of the air she quickly read the contents.
'Floo's locked down. High level Ministry code. Can't override. Families affected; Tonks, Weasley, Longbottom, Greengrass, Lovegood.'
Amelia shivered slightly as she read the names. The Tonks were already safe, but the others they had no word of. All she knew had connections with Harry Potter. Miss Greengrass was to be another consort, cementing their Houses Alliance, while the others were all involved with Potter during that incident at the start of last month. If the Death Eaters were trying to isolate Harry…
Looking up she saw that most of her department were in now, though most clearly were still half-asleep and were irritated at been summoned. Well, tough.
"Listen up! We've had one confirmed Death Eater attack tonight." Many of the faces paled as sleep was banished from them. "I expect more. Another four family Floos have been cut off. I need teams ready to head out NOW! And have others ready to go! Someone get to the Monitoring Board and back up Danes: they may send out others raiding Muggles or Muggleborns. We need to be ready to stop them."
"Who cares? They're just muggles." Dawlish muttered quietly... but not quietly enough.
"Auror Dawlish! That kind of attitude is UNACCEPTABLE!" Amelia roared, stepping forwards to intrude into his personal space. "I will not allow such views in any member of the Department. Anyone espousing such can hand in their badge, right now!"
Dawlish straightened to his full height, trying to intimidate the smaller woman with his size… but before he could say anything Amelia cut him off.
"Don't try to intimidate me, Auror Dawlish. I know what you've been doing after Voldemort's attack on my home." A small spark of satisfaction went through her when he started at the Dark Lord's name. "Our job is to ensure the safety of ALL members of the public, regardless of magical ability. Any more attitude like that and I'll have you arrested as a suspected Death Eater spy!"
Dawlish blanched in response, but didn't say anything. Satisfied that she had made her point, Amelia turned back to the other Aurors.
"Right then… I need a team to head to each of these addresses…" She passed out the names of those families cut off from the Floo network except the Tonks. "Once you arrive first secure the area, make contact with them and…"
"Director! The Dark Mark has just been cast in a muggle area!" The Auror she'd ordered to monitor the detection board yelled as he re-entered the room at a dead run. "There's also spikes in the Ottery St Catchpole area, and at Longbottom Manor!"
"Damn it!" Amelia cursed. "Get moving! The attacks have started already!"
A/N: And that's it today. Next chapter will deal with the attacks themselves... look out for it on the 12th... till then.