I do not own anything. I'm just translating. The characters belong to the great J.K. Rowling. The story belongs to the amazing Brigi. Her e-mail: tbwtpbe [et] hotmail com

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THE BOY WITH THE PIERCING BLUE EYES

Chapter 41 – Halfheartedly… (part 1)

Remus carefully put the shivering Harry in a chair while Rowena put a pillow behind his back. Severus watched them not knowing what to do and he found McGonagall doing the same; waiting for her colleagues if they needed help.

Dumbledore ran up to his personal chambers so they couldn't see him.

"How could this happen?" McGonagall stammered. "The school is protected by spells from mental attacks like this!"

They all turned to Snape because he was considered the expert in that area now that the headmaster was away. The man began to speak nervously.

"I didn't… think Vol…"

The two women winced at the name.

"…that You-Know-Who…" Severus continued, though he didn't like that name. "…had that much power. Though… his attempt last Christmas, when he attacked Arthur Weasley through Nagini was very similar…"

"But it's impossible!" Rowena exclaimed. "No one is capable of… from this far away…!" She suddenly stopped there and they looked at each other in alarm.

"Dumbledore!" McGonagall shouted as they ran after the man.

"Merlin save us if he's already here..!" Remus groaned then wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Severus! Did you feel him calling? Or his presence?" Rowena asked looking at the man's forearm.

Severus rolled up his sleeve slowly and looked at the skull on his skin.

"No… I would have noticed if it changed…"

Remus stared mesmerized at the ominous sign then sat next to Harry and covered his eyes.

"Peter…"

They waited silently, trying not to disturb Remus' grieving. Only Harry's breathing disturbed the silence but they were already used to the sound.

"Then…" Severus started a few minutes later. "…I believe we can forget about our previous plan…"

"No, that won't be necessary, Severus," Dumbledore hurried down the stairs with McGonagall close behind. "Skipping tha,t we'll get to our main goal."

"But…!"

The headmaster raised his hand to stop Rowena and put a big, hard-cover, thick book on the desk. The old wizard opened it with slow movements and flipped through the pages carefully. The teachers all gathered around him trying to hide their curiosity.

"But that's… it's a…" Severus stuttered. "Hereditas Clandestinus…!"

"Yes," the headmaster nodded without looking up.

"Unbelievable!" the Potions Master continued not taking his eyes away from the book. "But every copy should have been destroyed! No, it's impossible! These were destroyed…"

"… during the Holy Inquisition and the last five disappeared during the Great Fire of London. Four burned to ashes… and this is the fifth one."

"What kind of book is this?" Remus glanced towards Rowena since he had never heard about either the title or its origins.

"According to legend… it's incredible! An intact copy! Headmaster, this is a priceless artifact!"

"According to legend, only two dozens were made," Severus whispered in awe. "All were hand-written, but the first one sealed the fate of the other twenty-three. These should never have come to light… But…" he straightened suspiciously. "…why do we need this?"

Dumbledore stopped for a moment then continued flipping through the pages.

"Unfortunately, I could only guess what kind of spells there are in it," Rowena continued. "It's a mystery to all professionals…"

"Then how come Severus knows about it?" Remus asked mischievously.

"I suspect it's because he has been faced with the same dilemma before," the headmaster cleared his throat to end the conversation. Severus paled at the words and his eyes narrowed. "However, since the only copy is in my possession he could never get to it… Which is probably for the best."

"I never searched for it to resurrect Sarah!" Snape hissed angrily. "The world of the living and the world of the dead should never mix!"

"We're going to do just that now," Dumbledore straightened up. "Harry, please come closer to my desk since you're part of the plan too."

"Why would I participate in a plan when I don't know about the details?" a weak voice said behind them.

Almost all of them forgot that Harry was with them in the office. The boy got up from the chair while they talked. He seemed worn out and the scar on his forehead was still bleeding lightly.

"Minerva, would you…" Dumbledore said and McGonagall bandaged the boy's head with a cloth. "Because if you don't help, we're never going to get Sirius Black back."

A minute of silence followed the wizard's words.

"What?" Severus hit the table angrily. "You can't do that!"

"Severus, please…" Rowena tried to calm him, because she suspected that the man didn't want to participate because of his past and his jealousy.

"No!"

"Severus, you can't deny an innocent man his life!" Remus raised his voice.

"This is none of your business!"

"It is my business! Sirius is my friend; he's like a brother to me!"

"Severus…" the headmaster tried but the argument continued.

"My dear, it won't change anything!" Rowena tried to persuade him.

"You should see reason," McGonagall joined in.

"No!" Snape stepped away. "Why do I feel like the only person here who thinks this is crazy?! The dead has no place among us!"

"They've been here all along!" Remus snapped. "Ever since he fell through the veil… he's been walking around among us! He's here now! In this room!"

"W-what?!"

Severus' voice sounded like he was about to rip someone apart.

"That's true," Harry said quietly. "I talked to… my father."

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" almost everyone shouted with only Remus staying silent.

"Potter, I can't believe this! How many more rules do you want to break this year?! Dumbledore, do something!"

"Headmaster! It can't be! You… you knew! All those innocent people! The Aurors… You could have saved them if you sent That to spy instead of them!"

"They even think the same way," James whispered to Sirius. "I'm telling you, Harry and This spend way too much time together…"

"If everyone's finished we could talk about the details," the headmaster said calmly.

"I didn't say I agree! I'm not contributing to anything that has to do with Sirius Black!"

"Please, calm down, Severus! I'm not asking you to whole-heartedly agree with what we want to do," Dumbledore said in a very soothing voice. "The spell only needs half of it."

No one understood what he meant. Harry took advantage of the opportunity to walk closer to the desk. His legs felt stronger and his eyes shone with determination.

"It's not exactly a modern spell and I doubt anyone used it in the last two hundred years. Tell me, Harry, do you remember what you've learnt from Professor Flitwick about wandless magic!?"

"That one needs pure faith and determination; a certainty that fills the wizard's heart. That it will only work if the heart and soul both wishes for the spell to work."

Dumbledore smiled.

"If it weren't for the current circumstances, I would reward Gryffindor with points. You said it well: if the heart and soul both wishes for the spell to work. It's not a coincidence that our spell is in this forbidden book; writing this book was considered a heretical idea even though it reflects the characteristics of the human soul. The spell we're going to use… I don't think naming it would take us any closer to our goal. Its efficiency is based on the fact that the caster doesn't need to want it to work whole-heartedly; it's enough to be half as dedicated as our students…" he looked at Harry.

The boy raised an eyebrow defiantly, though he immediately regretted it when his scar reopened.

"A half-man who's closer to him than most," the headmaster continued looking at Remus. "A woman who never really forgot about him," he turned to the embarrassed Rowena. "An old nemesis with whom he could never work with," he sent a mischievous smile towards Severus but the man looked like he was going to explode from anger. "A boy who needed his protection," he smiled at Harry. "And finally; the two people responsible for his death."

Everyone looked at McGonagall questioningly and even the woman blinked surprised.

"Of course I meant myself and Bellatrix Lestrange. Dear Minerva," Dumbledore reassured her with a smile. "…you will be needed here at Hogwarts."

"What do you mean? And you?" the woman stammered.

"We're not using the spell here, but at the place where the incident happened…"

"At the Ministry of Magic?" the three teachers exclaimed.

"I doubt they'll just let us in…" Harry said skeptically.

"I'd like to say that back then you also didn't ask for permission to enter."

The boy gulped and nodded.

"You're suggesting we take that woman with us? She's dangerous!" Remus said.

"And if she escapes…"

Harry guessed Snape's concern revolved around the Merlin Award.

"That's why we have to be careful. Minerva, please take my place while we're away. If all goes well, we'll be back in a few hours and no one will notice us missing."

They knew he closed the argument at that point.

"I think the students arrived back to their common rooms," Dumbledore glanced at his watch. "Anyway, Minerva, please check so we don't run into anyone. Gather the professors in the staff room and inform them of the threat of Voldemort's attack."

McGonagall nodded and wished them luck. The headmaster sent Fawkes after her to serve as a messenger.

A few minutes later a long phoenix feather appeared on the desk then burst into flames and disappeared.

"Good," Dumbledore nodded and started towards the door with the others behind him.

"And…" Harry whispered as they walked on the dark corridors. "…how are we going to smuggle Bella out without the guards noticing? They won't just let us take her…!"

Dumbledore didn't answer and they all felt that he wasn't about to ask for their permission. The group looked worried but followed the old wizard nevertheless.

They all knew the way, Harry especially. His stomach clenched as they neared the hated woman. The fact that he had to be with her after what he had done to Sirius angered him, but he suspected that Snape was just as annoyed as him if not more.

The man didn't look at his lover or Remus as he walked. Rowena kept sighing and after the fourth or fifth they all noticed how worried she was. Before they reached the last staircase, Dumbledore stopped and turned to them.

"Please let me handle the guards. We don't want to use force. As soon as we have the woman we put Anti-Apparating ropes on her so we can take her. But still, I need all of you to be on guard; we don't know what tricks she has up her sleeve. She can't get a weapon and she's no use to us dead either. Understood?"

Remus nodded in everyone's place.

They quietly started down the stairs but their steps could still be heard. Down there the guards shivered in the cold corridor.

"Ah, Professor Dumbledore!" the greeted upon seeing the arrivals.

"What's the result of the match?" one of them asked seeing Harry's Quidditch attire. "We would have liked to see it," he added with a smile.

"We won," the boy answered.

"Dumbledore!" Bellatrix roared like a beast. "You won't get away with this! He'll come for me!"

"She keeps shouting that," one of the guards shrugged. "We wondered if her throat hurt already…"

"Filthy Muggle-lovers!"

"We are very thankful for your services," Dumbledore started. "Memoria transformis," he waved his wand. "Please be patient until we bring her back."

The guards froze; their eyes became empty as they started into the distance. They didn't lose consciousness but Remus suspected they mostly moved on auto-pilot and didn't register the prisoner's removal.

"What are you doing?!" Bella screamed. "Where are you taking me?"

The headmaster opened the cell's door and tied her up.

"To your hanging," Rowena remarked sarcastically. "Damn witch…"

"No! Let me go! My Lord, help me! Traitor! You!" she started at Snape. "You'll pay with your life for this! Bastard!"

"Severus, Remus, please," Dumbledore motioned for the two teachers to escort the woman out of the cell.

"And now?" Harry asked.

"Just a moment," the headmaster leaned down to get the trashcan in the corner. "Transportus!"

"A Portkey, of course!"

"Everyone please touch it! You too, Bellatrix!"

Snape gripped the woman's wrist tightly and made her touch the trashcan.

"And now… three… two…"

When he said 'one', Harry felt the familiar tug. Travelling by Portkey was even worse than the Floo so he couldn't wait until they finally arrived at their destination.

In London, the sky was cloudy making it seem like the sun was setting earlier than usual. At least, that is what they saw through the windows of the Ministry of Magic after arriving.

"Not a soul here… just like that day…" Harry muttered quietly.

"It's Saturday, Harry," Remus said.

"And there isn't a caretaker or something…?"

Lupin smiled at the Muggle thinking and kept pushing their prisoner.

"Where are you taking me? Let go! You have no right!"

"Shut up, Bella," Snape finally spoke up.

"You lying dog," the woman hissed. "I've never understood why he praised you so much! You never showed your loyalty! Didn't even come with us to hunt for Mudbloods unless you were ordered!"

"Merlin, it sounds awful," Rowena shivered as she followed them with her wand out.

They passed the statue that was, much to Harry's delight, restored to its original form. The figures stood still in the silence as the group moved towards the elevators.

Bella probably realized that her visit in the Ministry could turn out bad so she started shuddering violently. She pushed and pulled until he managed to get out of Remus's hands. Severus however didn't let go of the rope; he pulled her back then shoved her into the elevator. After pinning her on the wall, he squeezed her throat. Lupin hunched down as he gathered his breath; dealing with the woman exhausted him quickly.

"Severus!" Rowena screamed before covering her mouth.

Harry would have gladly watched as the professor's fingers closed off the oxygen until Bellatrix Lestrange was no more, but they had to be patient for a little while more.

"Severus, please," Dumbledore said as he stepped into the elevator last. "Remus, hold her firmly."

After pushing the right button the door closed and they started going down.

Rowena watched everything carefully since this was her first time in the building. Remus recalled bitter events from last summer as they neared their destination. He remembered the haste when they heard where the students went… the duel in the Department of Mysteries… He closed his eyes.

"Where are you taking me?" Lestrange squeaked.

"Department of Mysteries" a computerized female voice said as the elevator stopped.

"You're taking me to the Winzengamot?" she began to stir again. "My trial is now? Let go of me!"

This hysteria was different than the previous ones. Harry seemed to hear terror in her voice.

'Is she perhaps afraid that her Lord will be preoccupied with something else not even knowing that his loyal servant is here?' he asked himself. 'Do wizard have death penalty…?'

The large round room they arrived in was very familiar to him with its blue torches.

"How are we going to find the right door? We tried at least four times…"

"Remember, Harry," Dumbledore said with some urgency in his voice.

The boy closed his eyes and tried to remember the day he came here with his friends. Everything was so confusing! How could he remember which door…

"The Death Chamber!" he said suddenly. "Show me the Death Chamber!"

The door slammed shut behind them and the spinning didn't come this time as a door opened out of the twelve same ones.

Harry started towards the room that seemed to call out to him. He hurried down the stairs until he reached the crumbling vault. The veil Sirius fell through was swinging but Harry wasn't fooled now.

"Sirius!" Remus gasped suddenly getting everyone's attention.

"What? My cousin?" Bellatrix squealed really frightened now. "What's with him?"

"I can't see them!" Lupin continued. "They just disappeared!"

"After all, this is the Death Chamber, Remus," Dumbledore replied cheerfully as he too reached the veil. "I think… it's supposed to be this way…"

Rowena stood frozen and shivered while Severus tied the prisoner's legs and pushed her onto the stair to sit down.

"I wish I could say goodbye… James and…"

"I'm sorry but we don't have time for this, Remus," the headmaster cut in.

They all gathered in front of the veil and watched Harry who stood there with closed eyes. They didn't understand what was happening to him; just watched as the fresh breeze that moved the veil also reached the boy's robes. Harry turned around slowly.