Chapter 61 - Discipline
The New Year swept in with a big storm on its heels. The Clan used this time to get started with ads in magazines in preparation for the spring fashion shows as well as their own projects. The whisper campaign was well under-way too, whipping up more interest.
Other campaigns were taking place in the self-described Wizarding World. Amelia Bones was leading a campaign to clean the Ministry of corruption and incompetence, one that had the support of the public but the entrenched opposition of much of the Wizengamot in whose interests it was to stop her. Albus Dumbledore was engaged in a very quiet campaign to track down various cursed items and trinkets of the self-styled Dark Lord. He was also trying, and failing, to convince others of the danger. Voldemort was looking to shore up more support by branding more slaves to his will and seeking to get more supplies secured for the coming offensive. The Potter Alliance was expanding its economic influence further and recruiting from the pool of disadvantaged, the werewolves, squibs, Muggleborn and -raised. Half-blood and Pureblood applicants were accepted freely but not sought unless they were known to have special skills.
It was in this atmosphere of tension that Albus Dumbledore, former Headmaster of Hogwarts, former Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, current leader of the understrength Order of the Phoenix, decided to take time out from his politicking and treasure hunting. Remembering the last time he contacted the Clan, he decided reluctantly that turning up unannounced would have the wrong effect. Where normal wizards and witches were impressed by his phoenix, he feared it would not work on the Clan. They were too bogged down in the Muggle world, he feared, to appreciate the wonder. The idea that they could appreciate wonder just fine but found his tricks petty was unthinkable to the ancient wizard.
Instead, Albus cursed his knees as he got down and used the Floo, calling out for "The Foxhole!" Seconds later, he saw the open, friendly face of that Naruto fellow, a face that quickly switched into a decidedly neutral expression.
"Ah, Mister Dumbledore."
"Naruto- Mr Todd," he corrected himself, "I was wondering if I might call upon young Harry to discuss some private matters."
"Perhaps, Mister Dumbledore, perhaps. What matters are these?"
"They are private matters, as I have said, Mr Todd. I am afraid I cannot in good conscience discuss them except in person."
"Ah, yes, I can understand the desire for security, Mr Dumbledore. It is most useful in many occupations, is it not?"
"Excellent, then I will come through immediately!"
"Why would you do that, sir?" Naruto asked coldly.
"Why to have my conversation with young Harry, of course."
"And why would I allow my son to be exposed to such a thing? It would be most unsafe!" 'For you,' Naruto added mentally. Harry was still enraged by the old man's incompetence and manipulations and half the Clan would cheerfully roast the old man's balls in front of him.
"Are you implying that you do not trust me?"
"Not at all." Naruto replied warmly. "I am stating it outright. None of us trust you. If you wish to see Harry, you may make an appointment, but I should warn you that you will have to leave your stick behind and agree not to use any sort of magic in the meeting. Harry may have additional stipulations once he learns of your desire for a meeting. The most obvious one, however, is also very simple and obvious."
"And what is that?"
"You must provide a reason for meeting at all. My son has many demands on his time and I will not see you waste it."
"I just explained that the matter is sensitive."
"Then it seems you must decide, Mr Dumbledore, what you may safely reveal to me."
"I have important information for young Harry."
"And?"
"And I need to discuss it with him." Dumbledore replied with the air of talking to a simpleton.
"Yes, that much was clear from the context. What remains unclear, utterly unknown, even, is the nature of the information. If it even exists, that is. Now, I will ask a final time before I terminate this call, what is important enough to disturb my son's holidays?"
"I cannot say over the Floo, Mr Todd."
"Then you must find another way, Mr Dumbledore. This family is not at your beck and call and we will not disrupt our lives for your convenience. Moreover, if this important information is real, then it is imperative that you find a way to tell me and quickly. Anything else would be a very unfriendly act, wouldn't you agree?"
"I- yes, I shall have to ponder the matter."
"Do that, Mr Dumbledore. And perhaps next time you could call on the phone? So much more convenient than sticking one's head into a fire and hoping that it doesn't burn your beard off." Naruto smirked as he pulled back, cutting off the call and wondering if the rude old man would escape before the flames caught hold.
Naruto would be disappointed to learn than Albus did indeed escape unharmed but then he was no stranger to moving quickly at need. Albus pondered the call, wondering if there was someone he could afford to trust who would be able to use a phone. He wondered, too, if it was related to this tellyfone thing that young Arthur Weasley found so fascinating. It was at that point that he smiled and Apparated to the Burrow, interrupting the New Year's Day hangover suffered by the Weasley twins and having to dodge some of their fireworks as they retaliated blindly to the sound of his arrival.
Knocking on the door, he waited and smiled as Molly Weasley bustled to the door, inviting him inside. She was less pleased when he told her he needed to talk to her husband about one of those Muggle contraptions but fetched him dutifully. Both husband and wife were parts of his renewed Order of the Phoenix and were loyal to his goals, a comfort in this day and age.
Arthur greeted the old wizard and gleefully led him out to his shed where he kept his collection of plugs and batteries, just starting to explain where he had found them all when Albus interrupted, asking if he could help explain about this 'phone' thing. True to Albus' hopes, it turned out to be the same thing as the tellyfone he had heard about as a young wizard, and there was even something called directory assistance to find someone's number.
It was just as well for Albus' peace of mind that he had no idea that phone tapping existed or he would have been tempted to tear out his hair in frustration. He couldn't risk the Floo since it was under the control of the Ministry and owls could be intercepted or redirected, as could the Royal Mail. He didn't even think of asking to meet Naruto at a time and place convenient to the other man so they could discuss it in person.
In the end, Arthur explained to the older wizard how to work the contraption and after a side-trip to Gringotts to get some Muggle coins, returned to the village and sought out a phone to use to call Naruto in Cranleigh after lunch. In short order, he was connected.
"Hello, Kitsune residence," a polite female voice answered.
"Hello, I was hoping to talk to Mr Todd," Albus replied loudly.
"There is no need to shout, whoever you are," the same woman replied sternly.
"So sorry about that," he said, "anyway as I was saying, I was hoping to talk to Mr Todd."
"Yes, I heard you, quite loudly as it happens. Who should I say is calling and what is it about?"
"My apologies, I seem to have forgotten my manners. My name is Albus Dumbledore and I believe he is expecting my call."
A moment later, she said "He says he was not expecting any call from you, but-" She was cut off as Naruto took the receiver with a grin.
"Yes, Mr Dumbledore, what is it?"
"Ah, Mr Todd, excellent. I was hoping to arrange a meeting with Harry today."
"He is busy but that should come as no surprise given the short notice you gave."
"Ah. Yes, quite. What would be a good time to meet?"
"I shall have to ask him but I expect Thursday afternoon around two o'clock would work. If that proves inconvenient, I shall endeavour to let you know. However, you still have yet to tell me the purpose of the meeting, this 'important information' you have for him."
"It is regarding the item he examined in the Ministry with yourself and Madam Bones."
"And you couldn't mention that in our previous conversation? Hmm, interesting. As for a meeting, I shall ask him if he wishes to meet with you but you are not on his list of favourite people. If you do get his acceptance, please be ready and waiting at the rear entrance at one o'clock for screening. Remember the rules I mentioned in our last encounter, and you should have no trouble with us."
"Yes, Mr Todd, I remember."
"Very good. Hold a minute while I ask my son."
It was less than a minute when Albus heard the voice again. "He says that as long as you behave yourself, then he will make the time to meet with you."
'At last!' "Thank you very much, Mr Todd. I shall be there at one o'clock on Thursday."
"Remember to dress appropriately, Mr Dumbledore. We do not want you upsetting the neighbours again."
"I shall-" The line went dead, though whether that was due to Naruto hanging up or his money running out, he would never know. He had spent too much time already on this to care, and left hastily. A quick word of thanks to Arthur and he Apparated back to his home, a small property he had taken in his early years as a Hogwarts professor away from the family's home in Godric's Hollow and also from Hogsmeade, somewhere to get peace and quiet. He needed that peace more than ever, taking a draught for his headache. "Damned Muggles. No respect for wizards at all!" He stopped, the words echoing back to him in the small room, and grimaced. That sentiment was unsuitable for the Leader of the Light. He was better than that.
Thursday broke cold but clear skies in Cranleigh, and the Clan enjoyed the break in the weather to the full. An early lunch and they were all ready at half past twelve for their visitor. The Jewels had been sent inside where they could spy on the coming meeting and see for themselves that Harry was handling himself fine. It was assumed that the ex-Headmaster would check for magical monitoring but that he would be unable to recognise the variants used by the Clan. Even if he did, it was their home, their rules, and they were planning on making that very clear before the meeting started.
At one minute to one, there was a crack! and the ancient wizard appeared at the inbound Apparation point out the back of the Clan's property. It was the only place on the entire property where that was possible, too, a necessary precaution when hostile wizards could otherwise get right into their home.
Albus was immediately led inside to a cold, windowless building where he handed over his wand where it was put into a cardboard box along with his Puter-Outer, a device of his own creation, and a number of other small magical items.
Anko asked him, "Do you have anything else to declare?"
"No, that is everything."
"Then the search I am about to conduct will turn up nothing, won't it?"
"What search?"
"The strip search for any other banned items. You were told before the meeting that no magical items were to be brought to it and we will be enforcing that rule."
"Wait a minute! I never agreed to a search!"
"You agreed to abide by our rules for the meeting. I suppose you could instead swear an Oath against doing any harm to us by action or inaction. No? Very well, then, you may remove those hideous robes right now. I would very much like to burn them for their assault on my optic nerve, especially as you were told that one of the conditions was appropriate attire and that, sir, is inappropriate just about everywhere in the civilised world. Oh, do relax, Mr Dumbledore. I won't burn those robes unless you give me clear cause or your consent. However, you must remove them if you wish to see Harry."
Anko hated this part of the job but she had drawn the short straw, much to the relief of the rest of the Angels, so it was up to her to see the old man and all his wrinkles. Anko was glad they had insisted on a full hour to get him through the security check as he was drawing the process out as long as possible. It took her brandishing a knife and threatening to slice the clothes off for him to get moving.
She was grateful that she could compartmentalize the memory of all those wrinkles and not be plagued by nightmares.
The box of magical items filled up fast, as did the second and third, along with a fourth box for his clothes since no one trusted him to tell the truth about their harmless nature. He was issued a suit for the meeting, tailored to his exact measurements since the Clan were perfectionists about such things, and shown through to the room for the meeting.
If Dumbledore thought his trial was over, a glance at the face of young Harry would have disabused him of his delusion. Harry was waiting, face set in a hard expression, as he sat in his chair.
Dumbledore took a seat before his host could make the offer, noting Harry's expression tighten momentarily.
"Before we begin, Mister Dumbledore, I feel it would be helpful to give you a reminder. Firstly, you called for this meeting to discuss some important information regarding the item I examined in the Ministry. It wasn't for the purpose of hearing you cloak your meaning in half-truths and lies so I'll thank you to remain clear and relevant to the topic. If you tell any lies, that will also signal to me that you are not serious about this matter. Should this meeting become a waste of my time, I will leave until you are ready to hold it properly. You understand that normally I wouldn't have to insist upon such basic courtesies but you just showed me that a reminder was necessary." Harry didn't raise his voice at all, delivering the message in a calm, matter of fact way and Dumbledore grimaced.
"My apologies, Mr Potter. I find that as I grow older," Albus said, "my knees are a right pain if I don't listen to them."
Harry waved a hand in acceptance of the apology and Albus relaxed fractionally.
"Would you like any refreshments, Mr Dumbledore?"
"A spot of tea, perhaps?"
When the formalities were taken care of, Harry sat back and waited for his guest to begin.
"I would like to set the stage, if I may, so that I may do justice to the message. It was a cold, wet night sixteen years ago, in a room above the bar at the Hog's Head inn. I had gone there to see an applicant for the post of Divination teacher, though it was against my inclination to allow the subject to continue at all. The applicant, however, was the great, great, granddaughter of a very famous, very gifted Seer, and I thought it common politeness to meet her. I was disappointed. It seemed to me she had not a trace of the gift herself. I told her, courteously I hope, that I did not think she was suitable for the post. I turned to leave when she went into a trance and gave a prophecy, the true Prophecy which you have heard down at the Ministry."
Harry spotted a number of issues with this scene but the most telling was the easiest. "How very convenient, Mr Dumbledore, wouldn't you say? You had just told her she wouldn't be getting the job when she pulls out the one thing that could secure it for her, the one thing you needed most, a Prophecy regarding the downfall of the Dark Lord."
Dumbledore nodded contentedly, "Indeed, very convenient. I made arrangements to keep the applicant on at the Hog's Head while I checked that very night that it was a true Prophecy. When it proved to be recorded in the Hall like the others, I immediately hired the applicant, one-"
"Sybill Patricia Trelawney," Harry completed at the prompt.
"In-very-deed, Mr Potter. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, one of Voldemort's Death Eaters overheard the first part of the Prophecy and told him of it, which eventually led to his defeat that night. Voldemort did not put much stock in the matter at first. Why should he? He was never a believer in Divination and the subject can be very woolly. By the time he grew concerned, I had already moved two families who fit the criteria to safety."
"In doing so, Mr Dumbledore, you painted great big targets on their backs." Harry put in. "Voldemort's main obstacle at the time seems to have been your little group which contained both of those families. For you to withdraw their services while you were losing would tell him that you valued their safety above the rest of your Order and the only reason apparent to him would be the Prophecy."
"I- I am afraid you may be right but what was I to do? If I did nothing to protect them, Voldemort could have eventually killed them anyway as he was killing others in his path."
"There were other ways. I am sure between the lot of you, you could have thought up a number of better options."
"I couldn't risk that information getting out!"
"You said it did directly from a Death Eater. How did you find out that a Death Eater overheard the prophecy?"
"There was a commotion outside the room as the owner of the pub caught him eavesdropping and threw him out."
"So you knew even before you had checked the prophecy to be 'real' that the information had already gotten out and that hiding its existence was pointless."
Albus was annoyed. Every one of his arguments was being torn to shreds. He reflected to himself that perhaps this was one reason why he so rarely opened up to others. They didn't see his vision.
"Not at all. There were other things to consider. The Child of Prophecy might become worse than Voldemort if he grew up badly. Fame can turn a child's head."
"You had an actual threat to the government and the general population on your hands, one getting nearer by the day to starting a war with Her Majesty's Government that he could never win. So why were you more concerned with a potential threat that could only be as bad as the one you already had and was unlikely to be a threat at all?"
"I knew the wizard who later styled himself Voldemort, Mr Potter. It was I who brought a young orphan his Hogwarts letter, you see, I was the one who introduced him to our world. How could I handle the responsibility of the Child of Prophecy when I had already failed another so badly?"
"By making his job as easy as possible."
"What do you mean, Mr Potter?"
"The prophecy only says that the 'one' will face Voldemort. It never said he had to face the Death Eaters. That was your job along with the rest of your society."
"You would condemn them all to death?" Albus was horrified by such a vision of one child condemning everyone who opposed him to death. 'Would he even go so far as to condemn the former Headmaster of Hogwarts?'
Seeing Dumbledore's reaction, Harry decided to give him something more palatable. "I would see the Death Eaters given fair trials if it had been up to me. The innocent would walk free and the guilty would be treated accordingly. Voldemort should have been put on trial for at least two counts of murder and one of attempted murder just for my family, although killed in battle seems more his style, I suppose."
"What about Peter?" Albus asked, relieved that Harry wasn't so lost to the Light yet.
"Peter Pettigrew?" At Albus' nod, Harry's expression didn't even flicker. "Twelve counts of murder and three counts conspiracy to murder, on top of the treason charges that he and the rest have earned. If sustained, he would be due to be executed, I expect."
"You would not forgive him?"
"If he wanted forgiveness, truly wanted it, then he would seek me out and try to earn it. Instead, he helped kidnap me and subsequently assaulted me in order to help restore his master's body. He doesn't want it and doesn't deserve it." Harry was calm and matter of fact in his delivery, allowing no trace to show his desire to make an example out of the rat to ensure no one else threatened his family.
"I see. I must say I am pleased to see you considering the matter so maturely."
"Thank you, Mr Dumbledore." Harry replied cordially, again hiding his feelings.
"On reflection, I think that you are showing enough maturity that you may soon be ready to face your destiny." Dumbledore pronounced.
"That sounds hopeful," Harry allowed, ignoring the condescending attitude. Really, the wizard was a century older so it was expected and he was doing his best to manipulate the wizard.
"I can recommend a list of books to start, Mr Potter."
"If they are in the Hogwarts Library, then I may have already read them." Harry suppressed his pride at the knowledge that he hadn't read some of the Hogwarts Library but all of it thanks to his clones. One of the better tasks he had undertaken, really, as the copies were already available to the Potter Alliance in electronic form.
"Really, Mr Potter? Without even knowing which section?"
"I love reading, Mr Dumbledore, just like my parents. I would never forgive myself if I missed out on an opportunity like that." 'It is actually true,' he reflected, 'one of the few completely true things I've said in this meeting.' "I won't claim I've read all the books in the Library, but I hope you will be pleasantly surprised with what I have already read."
"With your attitude and marks, Mr Potter, I sometimes wondered that you were not Sorted into Ravenclaw."
"I wanted to be with my friends in Hufflepuff. Justin is a great bloke now that he has relaxed a little and Hermione is special to me. I would put myself between her and harm again, just like I did with that troll, to see her safe."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in pleasure. This wasn't the route he had intended but it seemed Harry was back on the path needed. Throwing him a bone would help cement things, he decided.
"Most commendable, Mr Potter. I have a rare tome that I believe you will find useful in the years ahead. If you will permit me, I would like to return on Saturday to present it to you as I will not risk its interception if sent by owl."
"Certainly, Mr Dumbledore. Any time after nine in the morning would be acceptable. As today, I am afraid that you will be required to leave your wand behind. My parents don't like letting armed outsiders into their home and I cannot talk them out of it." 'And they would sooner cut their own throats than allow you into my presence armed.'
"I quite understand, Mr Potter. Your parents are only trying to keep their child safe but their restrictions can chafe."
Harry smiled and nodded, even as his watching parents spotted the minute signs of his true feelings about the Clan. "Thank you for your understanding, Mr Dumbledore. The sooner the threat is over, the better for us all. I look forward to you working with us."
Albus was already nodding amiably when he noticed the wording putting him below Harry and his family. Too late to challenge them without looking bad, it was a smooth move or an honest mistake. Time would tell him which it was and either could be a good sign.
"Excellent, Mr Potter. When you return to Hogwarts, I hope that we may continue this new relationship by post and meeting in Hogsmeade from time to time."
Harry grinned, "I would be delighted by the opportunity of a most educational correspondence, Mr Dumbledore, however as I am sure you will understand, my Hogsmeade weekends are already going to be busy. Hogsmeade weekends are the traditional times for dates and I would rather face Voldemort without my wand than to disappoint my ladies like that." The truth was that until he could trust Dumbledore, he would not be alone with the man. Even here with him disarmed of every conceivable item, he had the Clan on standby right outside the room.
Dumbledore nodded. Not even Harry's father had got away with much once he had wooed young Lily Evans. "I quite understand, nevertheless, this is important, Mr Potter," he replied with all the seriousness he could produce.
"And I will do my best. A Hufflepuff isn't afraid of hard work." If Harry wasn't so well trained, he could never have kept up the façade and right now, he wanted to laugh at the man. He hoped his audience was enjoying the show.
"Thank you, Mr Potter. If you will excuse me, I am afraid I have stayed longer than I thought and I must take my leave." Dumbledore rose slowly, knees protesting, and Harry stood too.
"Of course, Mr Dumbledore. I look forward to reading that tome you promised and to a working relationship with you in the future."
After a surprisingly short time, the leader of the Light was outside again in the cold light of winter's day, in possession of the warm clothes he had been given as well as all of his own property again. On a whim, he decided to keep the gift for any future meetings and called for Fawkes to take him back to his home in a better mood than he expected given the cold greeting.
Inside, the Clan and the Jewels were chatting with Harry in the living room, going over everything revealed that day. There were a number of leads to investigate with the Prophecy. Also, they had confirmation that Dumbledore was more interested in converting his opposition than in protecting the innocent or teaching his students. They were now even more glad he had lost his position in Hogwarts and in the Wizengamot.
Amelia mentioned that more of what happened back then made sense to her now. The way the Potters had gone into hiding was because they had been denied other options with Dumbledore just blithely going ahead with his own plans rather than making them with the help of others. The change in Voldemort's focus also made more sense. He had made more efforts to infiltrate the Ministry rather than combat those who were still fighting him. He was winning anyway but he had deliberately slowed down his victory.
"Then there's Dumbledore's satisfaction that your family was attacked," Hermione added.
"And the suspicious way that despite his mastery of the Mind Arts, Pettigrew managed to outwit him. Peter was bright enough to be a Marauder but he shouldn't have been able to do that."
"No, that could simply be Dumbledore's laziness or incompetence as a general rather than malevolence on his part." Tracey replied. "Many of his actions show that he is a powerful wizard with a wide knowledge of magic who has found himself working in areas where his talents and expertise are useless. He is a terrible leader and that's why despite people liking him, they don't believe him about Voldemort's return. He treats people like chess pieces. I mean, can you imagine Ron Weasley as a leader?"
The people who had met the lad erupted in laughter at the thought.
Two days later, Dumbledore dropped off the rare book he had promised, a treatise on the Dark Arts with a note saying that its contents were not to be shared freely, and that he hoped it would shed light for Harry on how Voldemort had survived that night.
Naturally, Harry copied the book into the electronic library though this particular tome would not be made generally available to their allies without a good reason. One skim of the contents was enough to convince them that the world would be a better place without much of this knowledge. It was certain, however, that their enemies would have kept and used it.
During the third reading, Dumbledore's hint paid off at last for Harry, mentioning something called a Horcrux as an example of the Darkest, most foul magic around. Nothing else was listed, however, and Harry ended up having to ask Amelia for a favour to get someone to talk to regarding the unknown word. All she could do was say she would ask around quietly. If Dumbledore was correct, then they didn't want to let the enemy know of their search.
There wasn't time for any work that night, not with Harry and most of the Jewels due to return to Hogwarts the following day, and Amelia was particularly needy that evening. She was still working on getting clones under control and almost panicking at the thought of not seeing the real Harry before the spring.
In the morning, everyone made their way as had become their custom, one only slightly modified by the need to ensure the Minister's security, and she got in some extra time with the average witch on the street as they waved their children goodbye.
Monday morning, the students were even more reluctant to get up and go to classes as the temperature had plummeted overnight, leaving a chill over the grounds that seeped into each of the dormitories and making the students dig deeper into their beds for warmth.
As Minerva woke early that morning, she felt the chill as much as her charges and called for the head elf to stoke the fires hotter across the castle to compensate. It wouldn't fix the chill straight away but every little bit helped to get the term started off right.
Staff and students alike trickled into the Great Hall, intent on getting wrapped around some hot, greasy food. For once, Harry joined them just as eagerly as anyone, his run across the frozen lake getting interrupted by a patch of thin ice that he hadn't seen in time. At least the Jewels, following him, had avoided it thanks to his warning and their quicker reflexes and they were showing their gratitude by feeding him hot soup and surrounding him in hugs.
From the Slytherin table, Pansy looked at the scene, a mask of scorn on her face to satisfy her family's demands while inside, she felt torn. On one hand, she wanted to be there, trusted and close to such a powerful figure, but on the other hand, he was showing weakness to everyone by allowing them to see him vulnerable like that. She was still mulling over the situation when Tracey slid into the empty place next to her.
"You know, it's also a statement of strength in its own way, Pansy." Tracey told the girl, effortlessly guessing the direction of the other witch's thoughts.
Pansy was confused so Tracey continued. "We agree that Harry is allowing people to see that he is vulnerable just like anyone. In an ordinary wizard, this could be just a mistake most non-Slytherins make but Harry isn't ordinary. He has enemies and he knows it. By presenting himself like this, he's telling those enemies he can afford to be weak for a moment and let them know and they can't do a thing to take advantage of it."
Pansy was shocked, This was something no Slytherin would do, they couldn't risk giving such an insult to their enemies. As she took a casual look around, her sharp eyes noted the frustration on the faces of several notable opponents of the Boy-Who-Lived. Some of the upper years even had subtle twitches of their hands as if reaching for wand or potion. What she didn't see was the moment when frustration boiled over into unthinking aggression.
Sadly, the display of love and affection for his enemy along with the supposed insult was too much for a hotheaded Nott to bear when Harry turned his back on the Slytherin table. The world went red for the son of Death Eaters as his rage blinded him to his situation. With a roaring in his ears, he stood and aimed his wand, shouting out "Reducto!"
The surprise of the attack, something that could kill quite easily that was launched before hundreds of witnesses, seemed to freeze Professor Sprout in place. Later, she berated herself for her reaction that had such a terrible cost for one of the students. Most of the other professors were also shocked for long enough that they missed their chance to do anything about the curse that was speeding across to the Hufflepuff table. A silent Petrificus Totalus from Daphne had Nott locked in place for later but again that did nothing to help those at the other end.
Nott would boast in the Slytherin Common Room about his duelling prowess given half a chance, but the truth of the matter was that his low class standing was well deserved. In many ways, he was more suited to the Gryffindor stereotype, all derring-do and glory, but he didn't have the courage to live up to those dreams and was far too lazy to master his magic to the same degree that the Muggleborns now regularly achieved under the aegis of the Potter Alliance in Hogwarts. In short, he was a bigot and a braggart whose power was only barely average and his accuracy was terrible.
The curse flew off course right from the start, heading not toward the mongrel Halfblood who taunted him by feeling safe, but down to the middle of the Hufflepuff table where the First Years were gathered. Susan Bones was facing the Slytherins and she felt like she was caught in molasses as she tried to draw her wand in time, a shielding spell already on her lips but knowing she was almost certainly too late.
To the surprise of everyone, however, the Reducto never made it to the five eleven year old students in its path. Harry had his wand, casting the same shield Susan had tried, deflecting the attack upwards into the ceiling. He had stood up, and now he was turned towards the Slytherin table, seeing Nott fall onto the table face first into the porridge, splashing Malfoy and Crabbe into the bargain.
The sound of the spell pinging off his shield broke the effect holding others back and Minerva was standing up, ready to tear strips off Nott when her new Head of Slytherin gave her another shock.
"Mr Nott, for the sheer ambition inherent in launching a lethal attack in front of so many witnesses, that will be five points to Slytherin." The students were stunned and angry, and Minerva was afraid she would have to find a third head for the Snakes, but Slughorn wasn't finished.
"However, for the cunning displayed, not to mention all the rules you blatantly broke, that will be," a quick check of the counters, "eighty-three points from Slytherin and all privileges revoked until further notice. I would assign detentions but there is no point unless you escape expulsion and going to Azkaban over your attempted murder. Five points to Miss Greengrass for her quick wandwork and a further ten for preventing any escalation of the attack. Fifteen points to Mr Potter for his quick thinking and saving the First Years."
A quick levitation spell and Slughorn was taking the petrified Nott out of the Great Hall, letting everyone see him as part of his punishment. Up at the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey was directed to dose Nott with Dreamless Sleep Potion to keep him out of action until the Aurors could arrive to take him into custody for questioning.
Inside the hall, there was a roiling sea of emotions. The Gryffindors especially were prone to seeing this as an excuse to open fire on their rivals, while the Hufflepuffs were not far behind them. Headmistress McGonagall let off a noise-maker spell. "Settle down, the lot of you! Tempers are running hot but they must be cooled. Am I clear?" The silence told her she had them for the moment.
"Mr Nott will be taken to the Ministry this morning. Any student who tries to get revenge will join him there, and any student who engages in provocation will be courting expulsion for their efforts. This incident is over," she snapped, her brogue stronger in her anger and her eyes piercing through the Weasley twins as well as the angrier Slytherins.
"Dismissed!"
With that, the students started to stream away from the Great Hall, buzzing with the events they just witnessed. Harry made sure that he had clones following each group, looking for trouble brewing before it could spill over. Once Harry and the Jewels, and the shaken young Puffs, were the only ones left in the Great Hall with McGonagall, she came over to their table and checked on them personally, escorting two of them to the Hospital Wing for Calming Draughts and allowing their Housemates to watch and make sure they were ok.
Hermione gave Harry an extra hug of thanks, knowing that only luck had saved her little sister from being in the firing line.
After that, Minerva had no more excuses, taking the quickest route to a Floo and poking her head in, calling "Department of Magical Law Enforcement!" Two minutes later, not only had Mr Nott been taken away but Amelia Bones had stopped in to talk to the Headmistress.
"What went wrong? I know there have been problems in the school, but this is too much!"
"I know, Madam Bones. I have been trying to work out what caused the incident and other than the obvious that it was Mr Potter, not the First Years, who was the target, I am at a loss to know what set him off. Please include that in the questioning once his father arrives."
"I should not like to be in Mr Nott's shoes when his father does turn up. The elder Mr Nott is not a pleasant fellow so finding his son locked up will surely put him in an ill temper. Even though he's a Death Eater, he has managed to keep his reputation in public and this puts all of that scheming in jeopardy. Oh, I am not claiming he would shed any tears over Harry's death, just that he would want to keep his name intact."
Amelia was seething inwardly at this attack from behind and Minerva reached out a comforting hand. She smiled at the Headmistress. "You are sure no one was injured?" she asked for what must have been the tenth time already.
"The only injury was to Mr Nott's forehead when he fell into his breakfast. Harry was amazing with his wand, you know. He had the shield up even before the spell had moved two feet, angled so that the spell would reflect up into the ceiling where it was absorbed."
Amelia relaxed more at the confirmation. "Thank you, Minerva. I had better return to the Ministry. I have a feeling that I shall be receiving an angry visitation when I refuse to release the younger Mr Nott immediately. I shall let you know when the investigation is complete and the trial is scheduled. At least it will not interrupt Harry's education to attend." The Minister added that with a smirk.
Minerva shook her head ruefully. "That it will not. In all truth, I wonder that I ever got anything done without my clones to take care of the extra load."
"Harry's clones have kept watch over us, too, Minerva." Amelia added, smiling.
"Indeed I have." Harry's voice issued from the dusty corner of the disused classroom the pair had been using. "To date, I have diverted three wizards and one witch who said they intended to hurt or kill our new Minister, guiding them to be taken in for questioning by Aurors who happened to overhear their threats. The witch and two wizards were just spouting off steam after a long day wrestling with extra paperwork but the third wizard turned out to have an actual grudge, though it was spawned by a misunderstanding over cauldron bottoms of all things."
Amelia nodded seriously. "I read the reports, Harry, and thank you. Won't you sit with us?"
"Sadly, I believe Hea-" Harry broke off at the look from the black-haired witch. "I mean, Minerva cannot afford to stay much longer. Her class starts very soon and they are expecting a demonstration of magic. I will watch your backs for you, allowing you to concentrate on what's ahead."
Minerva grimaced. She had forgotten about the class, the first time that had happened to her in years, and accepted a hand as she stood and bid a hasty goodbye to the sitting Minister of Magic. Amelia left too, back to the never-ending work of cleaning up the filth in society, both of them accompanied by Harry's clones.
Among the students with the strongest reactions to the surprising attack were Harry's mates.
"Just what on Earth is wrong with this school?!" Justin asked the guys rhetorically.
Harry put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's not the school that's at fault." Wayne told them. Justin glared for a second. "It's not! It's this stupid cold war over blood. Well, if they want a fight, we should give them one!"
"Wayne, you heard the Headmistress. If we start a fight, we'll be in serious trouble! And I'm not talking about loss of points, either." Anthony hated being the voice of reason but he admitted the Sorting Hat did have a point when it told him his habit of thinking things through would serve him well there in Ravenclaw.
At the intense gaze of the others, Anthony almost shrank into himself but instead he found his courage. "We don't want to be the ones seen causing trouble. Not when the Death Nibblers are doing such a good job of taking the blame for everything. It'll confuse the issue and cause problems for our Alliance."
"He's right. Right now, we've clearly got moral superiority over the Purists. If we lose that, we lose support not just here but elsewhere too." Kevin backed up his fellow Ravenclaw.
"So what do we do? Just sit on our thumbs all fat, dumb and happy?" Justin's expression showed how little he liked that idea.
"No." Harry interrupted them, letting them turn to him before he continued. "We train harder. We protect each other. We don't give them any victories at all, including ones of making us look the bad guys. If they start anything, we end it. So! Brush up on your hand-to-hand and evasion. Make sure you have your Replacement and Body Flicker techniques ready to go at a moment's notice. I don't want to hear of any of you getting injured."
Looking around, Harry saw backs straighten as he gave his mates something constructive to do, something that would also give them a way to let out their frustrations in their training. "That goes for all of our friends. You wanted to join up, call it the Potter Alliance. Well, now let's show why we're great allies. Protect all of them, anyone who has joined up. That's what we're going to do."
Harry was surprised when Justin led a cheer at his words.
Justin grinned. "Tradition, mate. Now, who's up for a good spar in the Room of Requirement?" Justin's smile only widened when Anthony volunteered first.
It was just as well that Harry was watching over the Headmistress. One of the Seventh Years, feeling particularly strongly about the expulsion of a 'proper' - Pureblood - wizard, had slipped something into his pumpkin juice and used a Switching Spell to swap it with her own drink at dinner that evening. She had been reaching for her cup when she found her hand pulled back forcefully and a presence behind her whispering into her ear.
"Drugged."
A quick spell later and she set the tainted drink aside for analysis by Horace and Poppy.
Happily, the addition was nothing lethal but a strong laxative, its flavour masked by a second potion added to the juice. Minerva found herself strongly considering switching to tea instead. The student was given a detention cleaning and organising potions supplies and a strongly worded lecture that if he did anything else, whether it be to a student or staff, he would be suspended at the very least.
Other than that, the furore died down and the school returned to normal, even playing host to a huge snowball fight by the weekend. Harry and the Jewels got in on the fun, forming their own team against the rest of the school. Magic was forbidden after the first five minutes of the Battle of Hogwarts when the Gryffindor Chasers were shot down off their brooms by snowballs boosted with the aid of Banishing Hexes, crashing into the snowy fortress made by the Ravenclaws.
After that, at any time of day you could find some students playing in the fresh snow, staying out as long as they could stand before coming in, grabbing warming charms from a pair of enterprising young Ravenclaws who received favours in the months following their stroke of genius.
On the Sunday afternoon, as the sun was nearing the tree-line, the Jewels were bubbly about their win over the Gryffindor House team, led by the Dastardly Duo of Disaster, as Fred and George sometimes called themselves. "Oh, that was a perfect throw, did you see how my snowball curved back as Fred tried to dodge it, pasting him right between the eyes?" Lisa gushed.
"Of course, I was right there, throwing the ones before to distract them." Sue Li's eyes were shining with mirth. "Although," she trailed off, "there is another kind of snowball I love far more than these icy ones." Sue licked her lips and giggled at Lisa's look.
Lavender overheard the saucy comment and grinned. "Come on, ladies, time's a-wasting!" and dragged both of them behind her and tossing a wink at Harry, her swaying hips making sure he knew exactly what she wanted, getting it in the very next classroom, all three Jewels on their knees and moaning in no time. Just another wonderful day for the Jewels.
Out in Wiltshire, in a 'manor' that was supposedly impossible for Muggles to see, the Dark Lord was enjoying a fine brandy and the screams of a shopkeeper who had thought that saying 'No' to his servants was an option. Lucius whispered his honeyed words in his master's ear, reminding Voldemort that he would have to stop soon if he wished to preserve the man's utility to his cause.
Voldemort waved a hand at Bellatrix Lestrange, calling her off and smirking at her expression, the pout of a child denied her favourite toy but she obeyed him all the same. Her sister and hostess, Narcissa Malfoy, was glad the din was ended and maybe she could finally enjoy a decent meal in her own home.
The witch had been surprised looking through the books earlier. While the many 'guests' ate and drank heedless of the costs to the Malfoys, going through expensive food and drink like so many pigs, they weren't losing as much money as she had feared.
Since Amelia Bones was the new Minister, the normal weekly expense of bribes had fallen off dramatically. Lucius was no longer bribing the Minister, since Bones' honesty was unquestioned. He had no need to keep the esteemed members of the Wizengamot and Ministry personnel on his payroll. They had all the incentive they needed already to carry out his primary aims at this point in time, removing Bones from office or failing that to stop her progress in its tracks.
All he had to do was to make sure they could afford whatever they needed for their own plans. There were more than enough fellow travellers in the Wizengamot and the old families that a well-placed word would connect patron and client, thus leaving his own fortune mostly untouched.
Of course, it wasn't all good news, she knew. Voldemort was as touchy as ever and just as domineering, making sure his will was supreme. Recently, he had hauled Lucius in before his throne to explain his good fortune. That was a conversation she had been equal parts thrilled and terrified to witness.
"Well, well, dear Lucius," Voldemort had hissed, "now that I am settled into my quarters, and such lovely ones you have provided me, to be sure, I thought it was high time to discuss a most curious matter."
"Yes, my Lord." Lucius replied in a controlled, submissive manner.
"Share with me, if you will, how it is that your home has come to have the toughest wards I have ever seen? Not even Hogwarts can match them for sheer power, and yet to date, you have not shared the secret with me? I am most disappointed."
Lucius swallowed reflexively then began speaking, clearly and loud enough for Voldemort not to strain himself. "My Lord, I know not the exact means by which it came to be. I have been searching across Wizarding Britain for the answer but no indication have I seen of the magic behind it."
"Really, Lucius. Enlighten me, then, spin the tale for me for this happy accident that befell you."
"Yes, my Lord! A couple of years ago, shortly after I had found out that the diary you had instructed me to give to a Pureblood student had been destroyed, there was a most amazing attack on my property. Waves and torrents of fire fell on the wards on all sides, preceded by cascades of lightning striking every inch of the walls. I have never seen the like of it, the power and majesty and speed of it all, the appalling ignorance of the power source for magical warding, and the total lack of any trace left behind. When I sent a servant out to examine the boundaries, not a trace of magic in the air or the ground, not a blade of grass disturbed. The only reason I didn't believe it to be a trick of the delightful bottle of firewhiskey I had sampled that evening was the change in the wards. They had reported the attack, and of course, they were now immeasurably stronger than before."
Voldemort had been studying his servant throughout the tale. All the signs pointed to Lucius honestly believing his story and the way he met his master's gaze said he was even willing to subject his memories to Voldemort's direct scrutiny. Curious, the Dark Lord did just that, even using a more subtle technique rather than the brute force method he preferred for the pain it inflicted since Lucius was a trusted servant. A long moment later, he found the memory in question, examining it carefully for signs of tampering or falsehood, scanning memories before and after for gaps or breaks.
"It is as you say, Lucius. Yes, a most curious night it was. Your actions were adequate in light of what you knew, seeking to make alliances and increase your own protection, of course, but done in my name it gave me more power upon my return. You may go, Lucius."
And Lucius had scuttled away, calling for a pain relief potion before retiring early to bed, Narcissa remembered. Narcissa had been making her own excuses when the Dark Lord held up one imperious hand, smirking at the second of terror written on her face. "I assume you have performed your own investigation."
Not trusting her voice, she nodded politely.
"And you, too, failed to find anything?" Again, a nod. "Very well, you may leave me."
Narcissa had taken her leave, and since then made it a point to avoid their 'guest' where possible. His presence scared her even more than before, and his minions disgusted her, showing less refinement by the day. She knew her life depended upon not displeasing the madman. Her son was already lost to her, aping his father's delusions and manners, not showing a drop of Black blood in his veins. She wanted out but knew it to be an impossible dream. She wanted back to her youth when everything was simple. Mudbloods were Mudbloods, seen but not acknowledged, blood traitors were despised rather than appointed to the highest positions, and the Halfbloods kept out from underfoot, knowing their place.
After the staff meeting, Minerva called for Professor Slughorn to stay behind.
"Thank you, Horace. There are a couple of matters before we can head off."
"Not at all, Minerva."
"First is the matter of Mr Nott's trial. The Ministry would like to take care of it as soon as possible but the Wizengamot is dragging its heels."
"That is not a surprise to me. His father has many friends there and however the elder Nott feels about his son, he will not stand for an attack on his family which is how he will feel about this. I have already received a letter expressing his displeasure for my part in the affair."
Minerva felt like sighing. "I understand. I was impressed with how you handled your student but you have always had a flair for showing off. Unfortunately, the trial date has been set and it is for Wednesday at nine in the morning."
"Right in the middle of classes for all the interested parties. What a wonderful surprise."
"Yes, I had noticed that as well. Also a time when most of the Wizengamot would rather be in bed, meaning they are more likely to be distracted from justice by mundane concerns than they otherwise would."
"So Mr Nott's allies managed to slip this one by their colleagues."
"Exactly. I can arrange a substitute to cover for your classes."
"No need, Minerva, I believe I can call upon one or two promising Seventh Years to assist one of my colleagues in running the classes for the day if need be. Do you want me to look for someone who can cover any other classes?"
"No, thank you, Horace. I have no intent to owe you a favour." The Headmistress replied with a smile to soften her words. "Unfortunately, that brings up the other matter we needed to cover today. When you took this position, you agreed to certain conditions."
"Of course." Slughorn replied unconcerned.
"You agreed to abide by a Code of Ethics, one that made adding students to your Slug Club against the rules, punishable by fines through to termination of contract for cause. Surely a canny wizard like yourself understood the implications when you signed the contract?"
"Of course I did." Horace responded more forcefully.
"Then why have I had multiple reports from students that you approached them inviting them to private meetings unrelated to their schoolwork or any legitimate issues?"
"I have invited some of the more promising students to tea to discuss their futures. It was my hope to be of some service to them in achieving their ambitions. I made no mention of my club or any rewards for my efforts."
"Very commendable, if it were true. You are familiar with pensieves, I believe. Care to share your memories of these meetings? You will understand why I could not be expected to trust testimony under Veritaserum from an accredited Potions Master. In short, Horace, do you have anything to support your version of events? Perhaps now, you are seeing why the absence of witnesses at these meetings was a bad idea."
Horace kept control of his expression but the rotund wizard was furious with himself for being outmanoeuvred by a Gryffindor. Normally, the absence of witnesses or records made for better results but now he was sure that some of these bright young minds were even brighter than they chose to appear and he hadn't seen through their masks.
"I can offer my personal Oath that I have not inducted them into the Slug Club nor done anything harmful to the students."
"No need, Horace, as long as we understand each other. I would rather not lose a second Potions Master so soon after having to remove the first but I will do it in a heartbeat before I allow corruption to take root in my school. Any further meetings will be monitored by a house elf for the next month to be sure you do not happen to slip back into any bad habits. This is your first official warning, and I hope it to be your last. The deal I offered you was more than fair.
"All you have to do is treat the students fairly and teach them, and you will have their gratitude when they complete their exams. They will know that it is your own instruction that aided them in their goals after the abysmal record of the previous Professor. Time enough then for you to deal with them on more equal terms and even improve your reputation."
Horace's eyes widened. She was right, he realised. He could still keep up the connections that made life so much more comfortable for him and even appear as the good guy by not preying on the vulnerable like that cretinous fool Lockhart. There was a wizard who gave the ambitious a bad name.
"You're right, of course, Headmistress." Horace replied, using her title as a compliment. "I see the Board's wisdom in establishing you as Albus' successor."
Minerva felt like taking a shower after the oily way he talked to her but that was the same as ever. "Thank you, Horace. I will trust you to make the appropriate arrangements for your classes and to clear your choice with me by Monday at the latest. And then, we will have to make our way to the Ministry for a student's trial."
Neither were pleased at the prospect.
Thank you for reading. I read all of your feedback and thank you for your continued support of my story. And as always, thank you to my betas for their hard work.