A/N: Here is the first chapter after the prologue. Thank you (all 3) for your kind reviews.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Harry Potter, that privilege goes to JK Rowling
Beta: Kefalion (THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!)
The sound of hundreds of carriages cluttering over the cobblestone road up to the castle was overwhelming. All the students from second to seventh year were transported from the train to the castle in this way while the first years walked to the far end of the lake, to take boats over the lake to the castle. Seeing the castle for the first time looming from the rocks hanging over the lake was breathtaking and a perfect way to start their time at Hogwarts.
Once the carriages made it to the front doors, the students quickly hoped out and went to their according halls. Hogwarts had four houses; Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Every house had its own hall, were the students were expected to gather at their arrival. The older students quickly helped second years who didn't know where to go. No one wanted to keep the people in the halls waiting.
In the Testing Halls of the Houses, waited Aurors and hit-wizards with vials for all the students. This procedure has long since become normal, a routine, for the students to do before entering the Great Hall for the Opening feast and Sorting. In the vials were potions designed to detect creature blood.
If you did not react to the potion in the vial, you were free to go on and enjoy another year at Hogwarts and if you did react to the potion… That meant that you had gained a creature inheritance in some way or form, for example by becoming old enough for the inheritance to show, or in the case of werewolves having been bitten since you left at the end of last term and beasts such as that were not allowed at the School not having a place at Hogwarts and upon detection any such individuals would be removed from the vicinity with immediate effect, never to be allowed to return.
Having their child come into a creature inheritance from a long dormant gene in the family lines was the fear of every parent. Especially the very old and prestigious pureblood lines feared this. Many had a wide assortment of creatures in their genealogy and mothers were scared that this ill fate would befall their children.
Slytherin's testing hall, or as they called it amongst themselves '(the) drugging hall', slowly filled up with the students from all the years. Among the highest praised Slytherins were Draco Malfoy, Theo Nott and Blaise Zabini, though their popularity didn't spread to other houses or the community in general.
The three sixth year students were from Dark families. Though Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, had pleaded that he had been Imperioused and won, he was still considered Death Eater and Dark, especially since many believed that he had bribed his way into being considered innocent. Theo was a ward of the Malfoys. His entire family hadn't been able to escape conviction at the Death Eater trials in 1981 and 1982. The Malfoy family had taken him in and Draco and Theo were as close as brothers.
Blaise was their friend since infancy. Everyone, well everyone who knew how to keep his mouth shut, knew that Lady Zabini was a Siren. Blaise had always been in possession of the Siren's song and call, but there was no way that the potion would ever detect it. Everyone in Slytherin was passing along the vials with the aptly named Revealing Draught under the watchful eyes of the aurors.
Those watchful eyes didn't see the small extra vial with dropper that was passed along with it. In it was a special brew, Cobre, or also known as the Concealment Brew. Brewed by their own head of house, professor Snape, it ensured that those with creature inheritances didn't react to the potions in any way.
Blaise quickly counted out three drops of the blue Cobre in his vial and passed the tray along. Knocking it back, he grimaced at the horrible taste. Really, they were forced to drink it at least once a year. Couldn't they at least make it better tasting? Blaise could feel the potion interact with his creature genes in every cell, but outwards he showed nothing. He had compared his feeling of the potion with Draco and Theo, both agreed on the horrid taste but had never felt the wriggling in every fiber that Blaise did.
It took about half an hour until every Slytherin had taken their potion. To the immense displeasure, if they went on the expression on their faces of the Aurors, none of the Slytherins had reacted to the potion. With a last suspicious and ominous look to the students, they were sent on their way into the Great Hall.
The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were already filled with students. Draco let his eye go through their ranks. He sighed despondently; he already missed three faces at the Ravenclaw table with his first cursory look and one of the Hufflepuffs was missing too.
"How many do you count?" Theo asked Draco in a low tone that didn't carry further than Blaise and the just seated Daphne Greengrass.
"Three Ravens and one Puff," Draco said to him, once again looking over all the faces at the two tables.
"Yeah, the same here." Theo nodded. Daphne leaned over the table.
"Do we know the names and heritance? Da would be so glad to hear who and what was removed from our safe and secure castle." Daphne spoke louder than she had to.
With an approving glint in his eyes, Draco responded. "No, I can't seem to recall their names. Whether I forgot them, because they are obviously unimportant or because of some foul beastly spell I do not know. We can rest assured that we never have to lay eyes on them again."
It was an act, all an act that every Slytherin was taught in their dungeons. The common rooms were still safe, thank Merlin. No, there was no listening in by the Ministry. Draco suspected the headmaster of eaves dropping, but didn't mind. Albus Dumbledore had to know that the Dark and pure families were aiding those in the quarantine zone. And still, no member of any pureblood family had ever been arrested for aiding and abetting beasts.
Under the Ministry's harsh laws, the Light and Dark saw themselves reuniting for a common good. It was mind-bogging if one thought about the twisted ways their world now worked.
Theo let his eyes go down the line of teachers at the High Table. Suddenly, he hissed in a breath between clenched teeth. The other three looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"Why is James Potter sitting at the High Table?" He spat the name out as if it was the foulest poison. Draco immediately let his eyes wander to the High Table, counting out the other teachers and searching, searching…
"Merlin," Draco groaned, suppressing the urge to bang his head against the table. "He must be the new Defense teacher."
The Slytherins in their vicinity all groaned at hearing that.
"Well, there is one topic we'll learn for sure this year," Blaise commented rather darkly. At the silent commands of elaborations, he continued. "The topic of betrayal of and by your friends." It was said light heartedly, but the dark fury in the dark eyes belied the lightness of his tone. The other Slytherins chuckled darkly.
A sudden commotion at the entrance doors made every student in the Hall look up. The doors opened with a bang, and with shock they saw two aurors detaining a struggling and fighting Dean Thomas. Tomas was a sixth year Gryffindor. Dark skinned and with long dreads, he was one of the heartthrobs of his year, and a creature as it turned out.
A middle-aged man stepped into the Hall, as the rest of Gryffindor House made its way to their table. The guys searched the faces of those entering. They could see fear, anger, betrayal, shame and indignation. Draco spotted Harry Potter, Boy-Who-Lived and Princeling of James Potter. To Draco's surprise, he seemed genuinely confused. His examination of the Gryffindor students was interrupted by the nasal voice he heard.
"A Dark Elf has been amongst you!"
Draco froze. Elves were rare, extremely rare. He only knew of one Elf left. Not a Dark Elf, but still. There were rumors that Dark Elves were ruthless killers, strong and without a conscience. Of course, those who spoke about those rumors also believed a pigmy puff could bite you…
"He has lured you all into a false sense of security by using his seductive, dark powers, cajoling you all into believing in the illusion of him being a half-blood. But those days are over and he will be removed from our civilized community. The danger will be kept at bay! Excluding him another four students will no longer be with you; the beasts have been found out."
Cheering came from most of the hall, though most of the participants did so reluctantly. Draco had to force himself not to roll his eyes. Mindless bloody sheep, the lot of them!
Blaise leaned over to Draco. "Do you think everyone has obliviated themselves from inheritance knowledge? Thomas turned sixteen this summer; of course he only had been found out now. It must have been a dormant gene."
All of Slytherin was horrified by the actions of the aurors that came next. With a malicious smirk, Nasal Voice conjured a pair of shackles and descended upon Dean Thomas.
"He wouldn't…" Astoria Greengrass whispered horrified.
The screams that came from Dean as the shackles were attached to his wrists pierced the Hall. The teachers at the High Table had trouble keeping their faces blank. The sounds coming from the Gryffindor were like echoes from the First War, when the Torture Curse was not uncommon.
"Black-scale iron dipped in salt," Theo spoke, uncharacteristically bitter. "Bastards."
The Hall was silent as they dragged Dean away. Suddenly the guys could hear a gasp come from Daphne. They all turned to her, shocked to see that tears were gathering in her eyes.
"I just remembered. He once told Granger when I was standing near. His mother is a muggle and his father ran out on her when he found out she was pregnant. He grew up muggle…"
A hand shot to Astoria's mouth in shock. "He couldn't even have known," she murmured in shock. Daphne quickly put her hand on her sister's leg to calm her. Her younger sister tried to stop her sobbing, to no avail. The cruelty of the boy's fate laid heavily on their conscience.
"Don't worry, Astoria," Draco tried to sooth her. "Once in the Dark Alleys, they will know how to fix him up. It's not an easy life there, but he will have a family that doesn't condemn him. They support each other no matter what."
Astoria nodded to the Malfoy heir. She knew that those cast in the zone had each other's backs. But the cruelty and blank fear on Thomas' face seemed hard to forget. She shook her head; she hated all those stupid laws.
This summer had been the first time her mother had allowed her to accompany her and Daphne when they went to the Dark Alleys. The Greengrass women came to the zone immediately after raids. They tried their best to fix up those who were wounded, and supplied a shoulder to cry on for those who lost loved ones.
It had been a wake up call for the young pureblood witch. She had known about the cruelty of the 'white robes', but never in a million years could she have known just how cruel they truly were. She had seen the hardness in the faces of those who lived there. Veelas who normally shone with beauty and health had looked downtrodden and almost nothing of their nature had existed in those women. The leprechauns, once merry and mischievous, were solemn and closed off in their behavior. The werewolves were still tightly together as a pack. But the pride their alpha, the great and strong Fenrir Greyback, once possessed had withered away.
Draco turned back to look at the High Table. Now that the people from the Ministry had left with their catch, the teachers were more open with their expressions. He could see that professor McGonagall had to do her upmost best not to break down in tears. She was the head of Gryffindor house, and behind the stern exterior, he knew, lay the strength and love a lioness had for her cubs. She was also one of the most righteous people he knew.
This must be killing her, he thought to himself.
Dumbledore didn't seem that much affected, but one had only to look at his eyes to know that he was. The infinite twinkle in his eyes had dimmed, until they only showed the sadness that existed behind them.
Snape was sneering, as usual. Draco was his godson and knew the man better than to think that the expression was all it seemed. He knew Snape had been a spy during the war against Voldemort, he had turned coat to protect his childhood friend. It had all been in vain, Lily Potter still died. Snape had never been able to forgive James Potter for her death, and his hate (already large due to the torture he had to endure at Potter's hand during his Hogwarts years) had grown to epic proportions.
Draco tried to look behind Snape's mask and Occlumency shields. There, right at the edge of his eyes the muscles of his face stood taut. Draco knew that Snape, just like his father Lucius, had very tight connections with the Dark Alleys. Nobody outside the circle knew of course. But those in the know knew exactly what the Malfoy family did to ease their suffering. And Snape, well, he had more than close relations with some in the Alleys.
Draco guessed that it was only due to Severus' experiences during his time as a spy that he could contain his hate for the Ministry. Nobody could ever guess what went on in Severus' brain; everyone would think that Severus was sneering because he had to teach a creature for five years. Draco suspected he was sneering because the Ministry once again demonstrated their upmost stupidity.
Draco's eye fell on the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; James Potter. He had to actively swallow the bile that rose in his throat when he saw the gleeful, vindictive satisfaction on the man's face. If there was one man he wouldn't mind dead or Kissed, it was James Potter. And the stupid brat he had for a son could go starving for all he cared.
Bitter helplessness rose up in him. He hated the way so many people had to struggle to even make it through alive every day. And now that all the Ministry employees didn't have their offspring at home anymore to distract them, the raids would become every day occurrences, just like it happened every Merlin forsaken year.
Draco looked at his brother Theo. He knew the boy didn't approve of what his family had done, and actually agreed that they belonged in Azkaban. He had been taken in by the Malfoy family and now they couldn't be closer if they had been blood. He knew Theo to be kind, quiet, but firm in his belief, sympathetic and with a listening ear for those who needed it. He also knew that there were forces still within the Ministry who called for his head. It was beyond ridiculous, he been twenty months old when Voldemort fell. How could such an innocent toddler already have been 'tainted by darkness', as they proclaimed?
At the Gryffindor table, the mood was mixed. In the center of the table sat Harry Potter, dumbfounded by shock. He had difficulty believing what just had happened to Dean. He knew Dean, he was fun-loving and prank-addictive not at all dangerous. Yes, he knew Dean to be wicked with a wand. He excelled in both Defense and Charms. But he just couldn't reconcile that image with what Dawlish had described. Had Dean really put the illusion on them all?
Dean had stayed with him for the last two weeks of summer. His father had laughed at the pranks the two of them pulled on him. And now, he was a Dark Elf? He knew of them, had heard his father caution him against all sorts of creatures all his life. What was it he had said? Dark Elves are the most dangerous of elves, assassins in their own right. Known to stick to the shadows and attack unsuspecting, innocent magical folk from behind. But Dean was not at all like that, it wasn't the Dean he knew.
The redhead next to him, caught his attention. A quick glance to his face told enough; Ron was fuming. Harry estimated it would take half a minute more before he would explode in a rant. He was right.
"Can you believe this, Harry? The git!" Ron called out. Harry nodded his head, he didn't believe in what Dawlish had proclaimed either.
"And to think, we have slept in the same dorm with that… that beast! For five bloody years!" Ron continued, oblivious of his best friend's mood.
Harry's heart plummeted, once he realized that Ron's anger was not directed at the hit-wizards and aurors, but at Dean. "But I don't understand, Ron," Harry spoke softly. "Dean wasn't dangerous, or wild, or feral… He was just Dean! The bloke who snuck out of Hogwarts and managed to nick firewhiskey for all of us."
Ron looked at him as if he just proclaimed that he wanted to become a beheaded ghost and join the Headless Hunt. "Are you serious Harry? Of course he wanted to make us believe that. I can't believe I fell for it, and you're still buying it. Just look at your dad, mate. He knows about this stuff!" Ron pointed to the High Table with an indignant finger.
Harry's gaze shifted to his dad. He loved the man, more than anything. He knew his father was always busy with the Ministry, making sure the laws surrounding and protecting their society were still upheld. He had not seen much of him growing up. He always had his uncle Padfoot. Sirius Black came over to Potter Manor as often as possible. Over the years he had taught Harry a lot, about hexes and charms, transfiguration, the noble art of pranking (that, unfortunately was nipped in the bud as soon as he had tried to prank his father), and about how their society worked.
Harry sighed, he could see the look of disgust and mute hate on James' face. This only confused him more. During the last two weeks, James had come to know Dean. And it was only last night when he called Harry into his study. He could clearly recall how he had patted him on the shoulder, praising his ability to pick out good friends. Was Dean really such a bad friend, now he had been outed as a creature? How did that change him from the guy he had known for five years?
Neville Longbottom looked on as the emotions flickered across Harry's face. He forced himself not to react to it outwards. His eyes locked on the Slytherins, however. Most people at Hogwarts thought he had lost his mother during the attack that made his father insane. Bloody Lestrange. Those who worked against the restrictions, or around it, knew better. They knew that Alice Longbottom had been bitten by a werewolf. And she had fled, leaving her only son in the capable hands of the Dowager Longbottom.
He had seen his mother a grand total of two times. Somehow his grandmother knew how to contact her, and had arranged two meetings. One before he first left for Hogwarts, and one only this summer when he had received his OWL results. She didn't look anything like the woman in the pictures of his parents. She had explained that she had joined a pack that was still free. He had felt the love she had for him.
His grandmother had raised him well. True, when he first came to Hogwarts he was awkwardly shy and clumsy. But if there was one thing the old lady had given him, it was a strong sense of justice and a rigid set of morals. He knew that everyone deserved the same chances in life, and not to be constricted based on what they were.
Neville knew Harry did not have that upbringing. Out of all the students at Hogwarts, Harry was probably the most sheltered. His father made sure that Harry had absolutely no contact with anyone who had creature or dark in them, or was suspected to be affiliated with them. This made the sixteen year old as naïve as a newborn. Neville did like the boy, though. He had a sweet heart and endless compassion. He wished that Harry could have been introduced to the reality with a little more gentleness, instead of this rude awakening the deportation of one of his best friends had caused.
A small whimper to his left caught Neville's attention. His stomach fell when he realized it was Seamus. Seamus and Dean had been like brothers. The Irish pyromaniac had bonded with Dean Thomas since they were in the same boat floating over the Black Lake. And now, he was gone. Silently, Neville grasped his shoulder and squeezed almost painfully. It seemed to help him, give him an anchor to reality. No matter how dark that reality may be.
The door closed as the last participant of this meeting came in. He quickly made his way to the empty chair near the fireplace.
"Ah, Pomona. Are all your students in bed?" The headmaster asked her. She nodded, with a saddened face. Not all of her beds were filled, after all.
"I have all the information possible on Mr. Thomas right here," said the normally unflappable professor McGonagall, her Scottish brogue shaking with suppressed tears.
Silently, both Pomona Sprout and Fillius Flitwick produced leather bound files as well. The stack of them sat innocently in the middle of the table. The five at the table stared at it for an infinite amount of time.
Suddenly Flitwick rose from his seat to pace in front of the fire place. A snarl rose from deep within his chest.
"O, how I wish to take an axe or blade and show them justice, goblin style!" He growled. He, as any of goblin descent, saw children as having to be protected at all costs. It did not matter what race it they belonged to, never would one see a goblin stand by idly if a child was under attack.
"And how do you propose we do that, Filius?" Severus Snape sneered from the darkened corner where he preferred to be seated. "You know just as well as I what those wards are made of. Even if we all take up arms, the Ministry would be capable of mass-murdering everyone in the Dark Alleys with the activation of those dormant wards! Why do you think the free clans, or the wild packs have sequestered themselves instead of waging a covert war!"
Filius looked at the potion master, and head of Slytherin. He nodded, his shoulders slumping in defeat. Snape didn't relent though.
"Or perhaps you want to have your head on a spike, Filius? Merlin knows you should thank him on bended knee for escaping being banished to the Dark Alleys or being forced into the caves under Gringotts. No instead you only have to live in house arrest here at Hogwarts." Snape waved a protest away. "Yes, yes, I know of your prowess in dueling and how you can subdue all your enemies. Fact remains that you are just as much a prisoner as those just removed from this institution!"
Filius looked up, a bitter glint in his eyes. "Don't you think I know this, Severus? Don't you think that I realized long ago the only reason I am still alive is because I have educated all those currently working in the Ministry! The only reason I am still alive is because they know I am the most capable Charms teacher they could hope to have to educate their children. And by Merlin and Golgort the Grinder, I will keep on teaching the students all that I can!"
Silence fell over the people in the room. Dumbledore looked with a remonstrating glint at Severus, before he broke the silence.
"Fawkes has been restless. More restless than usual, I should say." He stroked his beard, seemingly deep in thought. "He did not wish to communicate much of it, but did give me one thing; Curse of a Regal."
Snape looked at Albus fiercely.
"Be reasonable Albus! The only Regals I can come up with, are the Regal High Elves! That line has died out, slaughtered in a war with giants two centuries ago."
"Be that as it may, Severus, it is what Fawkes chose to say about the matter." Albus replied serenely.
Severus stood up and grabbed the files from the table.
"I'll make sure that these end up in the right hands." And without goodbye, he stalked out of the room.
At dawn, Sotiria made her way back to her small flat. She was exhausted, having been forced to work a double shift to make up for her tardiness. She was greeted by a large Eagle owl. She stroked the breast feathers of the bird, before relieving it of its package.
To her shock she saw five different leather files come out of it, her heart swilled with sadness. Five youngsters, not used to harsh circumstances. This would take hard work.
And despite the trembling in her limbs, and her half-lidded eyes, she went out again. The leaders needed to be notified of the coming arrivals.