OLLIE'S heart was in his throat as he followed the Ministry of Magic official down the sterile and dimly lit corridors of St. Mungo's Hospital, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. His fear and concern for Norah gnawed at him, but he couldn't shake the sense of impending trouble in the air. His gut told him that this was not a routine questioning. They finally reached a small, windowless interview room deep within the institution.
It was a stark, uncomfortable space that consisted of only a single wooden table and two chairs, where undoubtedly countless witches and wizards had been interrogated over the years.
The Ministry official gestured for Ollie to sit with a curt wave of his arm, and he reluctantly complied, his patience wearing thin and his temper beginning to flare. He knew he had little choice but to cooperate with the demands of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but that didn't mean he had to like it.
A few moments later, the door creaked open once more, and another figure entered. Their mere presence sent shivers racing down Ollie's spine—it was a witch he vaguely recognized.
Dolores Umbridge, the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, stood hesitating in the doorway.
She embodied the essence of bureaucratic cruelty, at least according to the hushed whispers circulating among those in the Dark Lord's inner circle. Her attire, a garish hot pink cardigan adorned with frilly bows, assaulted Ollie's senses, so blindingly vibrant that he instinctively averted his gaze.
He could feel a muscle in his jaw twitch as he discreetly observed the stout witch opening her lips to speak.
"Ah, Mr. Black," she simpered, the witch's toad-like eyes fixed firmly on him. "What an unfortunate circumstance has brought us together today. I do hope you can understand the gravity of the situation. I had hoped to greet you one day under better circumstances, Oliver."
Ollie bit back his anger. He had dealt with his fair share of unpleasant individuals in the past, but this woman seemed to be in a league all her own.
"What do you want, Madame Undersecretary?" he snapped, abandoning all pretenses of politeness. "While you have me sit here, my fiancée is waiting for me, fighting for her life. This is hardly the time for your games."
Dolores Umbridge's smile remained fixed in place as she took a seat across from him, her fingers steepled together condescendingly as she eyed him with narrowed eyes across the table.
"Mr. Black, it is precisely because of the situation that we require your cooperation," she replied smoothly, her voice a buttery purr that immediately set Ollie on edge and had the fine hairs on the back of his neck standing up on end.
He couldn't comprehend how her seemingly ordinary words managed to send shivers down his spine every time she spoke. However, he had no opportunity to dwell on this mystery as the witch proceeded.
"...We suspect that the Riddle House incident is linked to a significantly more perilous conspiracy. You might possess information crucial to the Ministry's investigation. I've been summoned from my duties at Hogwarts to delve into this matter and converse with you. Mr. Black, all I request is your cooperation."
Ollie's brow knitted in thought. "What do you want to know?" he inquired, his voice carrying a note of acceptance.
His sole desire was to quickly rejoin Norah and be at her side when she regained consciousness, longing to have his face be the first thing she saw, and if complying with this woman's demands and answering her questions was the sole path to achieve that, then he was willing to do so.
Umbridge's grin broadened, exposing her somewhat yellowed teeth, a testament to her daily tea-drinking habit.
"Everything, Mr. Black," she urged. "Begin at the very start and spare no detail. Your account might be the very key to untangling a sinister network that could pose a threat to us all."
Ollie released an exasperated sigh and reluctantly complied, eager to conclude this interrogation and return to Norah's side. As he began to recount the recent events at the Riddle House, he spared no detail, his words carrying a blend of fear, frustration, and profound concern for Norah's safety. He couldn't help but emphasize Antonin Dolohov's disturbing fixation on Norah and the wizard's unsettling habit of stalking her.
While he spoke, Umbridge diligently recorded his testimony, her pink quill scratching across a long sheet of parchment with an air of smug satisfaction. She relished the opportunity to have Ollie Black, a man she had long viewed as a thorn in her side and a menace to society, due to his father's influence, under her complete control.
When he finally finished his account, Umbridge leaned back in her chair, peering down her pointed nose at him with undisguised disdain.
"A rather sordid affair, Mr. Black, consorting with werewolves," she commented, her honeyed voice dripping with contempt and venom.
Ollie's jaw clenched at her tone. He knew from the stories he had heard of this woman that Dolores Umbridge was no friend to those she deemed 'undesirable', but her next words struck a nerve that sent his anger surging through him.
"And to think," she continued, the faintest twinges of a malicious grin spreading across her pudgy features, "you intend to marry such a creature. Quite the choice, Mr. Black, quite the choice indeed. I cannot help but wonder what your father would say, if the man were alive today and if he were to learn of your…infatuation with the wolf."
His fists tightened under the table, but Ollie bit his tongue.
He would not give Umbridge the satisfaction of seeing him lose his composure.
Umbridge, on the other hand, appeared determined to provoke him. She meticulously sifted through a neatly arranged stack of manila folders positioned strategically before her until she located the one she sought – Norah's.
With deliberate intent, she proceeded to read aloud while flipping open the folder, causing a handful of documents to cascade out, all the while infusing her voice with palpable disdain.
"Norah Elisabeth Wydman, twenty-seven years old, a former inhabitant of Godric's Hollow, and afflicted with lycanthropy since the tender age of six. An exceedingly... unfortunate circumstance, I must admit."
Ollie's patience was wearing thin, but he maintained his silence as Umbridge goaded him, attempting to get a rise out of him and nearly succeeding.
"And you," Umbridge continued, her beady dark eyes locking onto his, "you, Mr. Black, a respectable pureblood from the esteemed Black family, wish to marry this… filthy creature?"
"She's not a creature," Ollie growled, his temper flaring. "You have no right to judge my choices or my feelings, Madame Umbridge. She is a person and the woman that I love. Her condition doesn't define her, and it never will."
Umbridge tsked disapprovingly.
"Such misguided affection, Mr. Black. One must wonder what could drive a man of your standing to make such a reckless decision, one that will ruin you."
Ollie leaned in, his voice quivering with anger, his demeanor icy. "Excuse me, Madame Undersecretary, but I doubt you'd comprehend love. It's a force far mightier than any prejudice or narrow-mindedness," he spat out bitterly.
Umbridge's thin lips curled into a disdainful sneer. "Well, Mr. Black, regardless of that, your affection for this... werewolf may carry consequences beyond your grasp. We bear a responsibility to safeguard the wizarding realm from threats like the werewolf you claim to have grown to truly love and the demonic Obscurial that you represent."
Ollie's heart sank as the weight of her words settled in. He had not expected this.
He knew that he had to tread carefully. He could not afford to provoke Umbridge any further, not when Norah's life hung in the balance, but he had not anticipated that leaving Norah's side to answer the Ministry's questions about what had happened would lead to his likely arrest.
"I've cooperated with your questions, Madame," he said, his voice strained. "Now, I need to be with Norah if you've no further need of me. She needs me."
Umbridge studied him for a moment, her eyes calculating as she looked at him with a sense of chilling detachment.
"Oh, you will be with her soon enough, Mr. Black. In the confines of a Ministry holding cell. We have a sworn duty to protect the wizarding world from individuals like you. You are a danger to yourself and a menace to society, and so is the woman you love."
With that chilling pronouncement, Umbridge signaled to the Aurors standing guard outside the room, and they moved in to apprehend Ollie. As they placed him under arrest, his heart heavy with worry for Norah, he couldn't help but wonder if his love for her would ultimately be their salvation or their downfall in a world that had grown increasingly hostile to their bond.
Ollie couldn't contain his fury any longer. He let out a furious yell, his voice a thunderous roar as his temper snapped.
"You have no right to arrest me for loving someone like me who's different! I won't stand for this!" he shouted.
But his decree fell on deaf ears as the Aurors restrained Ollie and began leading him away. His heart was in his throat and all he could hear was the sound of it pounding in his ears. He couldn't believe that his love for Norah had led to his arrest by Dolores Umbridge, of all people. He knew he had to find a way to clear his name and protect Norah from whatever dark forces were at play against them. His rage surged as he could not help himself as he tapped into the Senior Undersecretary's mind and read her thoughts, how satisfied she was with the turn of events.
Umbridge remained seated at the table, a self-satisfied smirk on her toad-like face. She watched Ollie being escorted out with a cold detachment, her disdain for his love for the werewolf Norah Wydman undiminished.
"Such emotional outbursts," she mused to herself, her honeyed voice dripping with condescension. "Purebloods like Mr. Black should know better than to associate with such…disgusting creatures. Evil creatures, soulless, and deserving of only death."
Her words stung like a slap in the face, and Ollie had no choice but to bite his tongue and refrain from speaking as he was escorted out. As he was led down the cold, dimly lit corridors of St. Mungo's in the opposite direction, away from Norah's room, Ollie's thoughts were consumed by the fear of what might happen to Norah in his absence.
He knew that his love for her was unshakable, but he also know that they were facing an even more perilous journey together, one that would test the strength of their bond and their resolve to overcome the prejudice and darkness that threatened to tear them apart. As Ollie's mind raced in consideration of how he could get a message to Norah, two familiar voices echoed through the hallway. The authoritative growl of Auror Mad-Eye Moody and the cheerful, chameleon-like tone of his protégé, Auror Nymphadora Tonks, were unmistakable.
"What's going on here then, Dawlish?" Moody's gravelly voice demanded irately.
The two Aurors, Dawlish, and Runcorn, who had been escorting Ollie, stepped aside, their faces bearing matching expressions of frustration and exasperation.
Ollie turned around to see Moody and Tonks striding towards him, their wands in their hands at the ready.
"Mad-Eye, Tonks," Ollie hurriedly greeted them with a mix of relief and urgency. "I've been arrested by Dolores Umbridge. It's all because of Norah," he bit out furiously.
Moody's magical eye swiveled around, scanning their surroundings for potential threats, while Tonks wore a look of concern on her ever-changing face.
"Umbridge?" Tonks asked with a scowl, crinkling her nose in disgust. "That doesn't sound good if she's been pulled away from Hogwarts to speak to you. Why in the name of Merlin's left buttock did she have you arrested?" the young witch asked.
Ollie's face flushed red in anger at the young witch's brashness but quickly recounted the events at the Riddle House, emphasizing his love for Norah and how it was Norah who calmed the destructive and monstrous Obscurus within him and Umbridge's blatant prejudice against her due to her lycanthropy.
Moody's real eye narrowed, and his magical eye continued to swivel in all directions, assessing the situation.
"This smells like trouble, Tonks," Moody grumbled disdainfully. "We'll sort this out. Right now, Black, we need to get you out of here."
Tonks nodded solemnly in agreement. "Don't worry, Ollie, mate, we'll find a way to clear your name and make sure Norah's safe," she passionately promised.
With Moody and Tonks on his side, Ollie felt a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that continued to descend upon his life though he had managed to break free of Lord Voldemort.
He knew that whatever obstacles lay ahead, he would not have to face them alone this time, and that, for now, was a small comfort. Together, they would confront the prejudice and injustice that threatened his love for Norah and strive to ensure that their bond would endure, no matter the challenges they'd face.
Moody took charge, his experience and authority cutting through the confusion.
"We need to move quickly," he grumbled, eyeing the Ministry officials and the Aurors who had been dealing with Ollie. "Tonks, get in touch with Kingsley. Tell Shacklebolt we've got a situation involving Umbridge and Sirius's cousin."
Tonks nodded solemnly, and with a quick Patronus message, relayed the urgent situation to Kingsley Shacklebolt, their trusted superior within the Ministry, Moody quietly explained under his breath.
While they waited for Kingsley's response, Moody returned his attention to Ollie, his expression grim as a grave, the edges of the grizzled old Auror's scarred lips turned down in a perpetual scowl.
"Tell me everything, Black, and don't skip the hairy details," he demanded, his magical eye fixed intently on him.
Ollie quickly recounted the details of the incident at the Riddle House, including the appearance of his brother Dominic long thought to be believed dead, Antonin appearing and taking Norah after a heated duel, and Norah's dire condition.
Moody listened attentively, his grizzled features showing a rare hint of sympathy as Ollie finished.
"This smells like more than just a simple investigation, Mad-Eye," Tonks muttered, her grey eyes darting around as if expecting danger to emerge from the shadows, her nervousness betraying her, but otherwise, she was handling herself as an Auror quite well, Ollie thought to himself and felt a brief surge of affection welling in his chest for her.
Just then, Tonks's Patronus returned with a message from Kingsley Shacklebolt. "He's on his way," she reported. "He says to keep Ollie safe and out of Umbridge's clutches till he arrives."
Moody nodded in approval. "Good. We'll find a way to clear your name, Black. In the meantime, we've got to keep you hidden. This way and keep up."
With Moody and Tonks leading the way as Mad-Eye barked at the Aurors Dawlish and Runcorn to leave, they navigated a labyrinthine path through St. Mungo's, avoiding any other Ministry officials. The knowledge that they were protecting Ollie, fighting against the injustice perpetuated by Dolores Umbridge, filled him with a newfound sense of determination. Norah's safety and their love remained at the forefront of his mind as he allowed himself to be led away, uncertain of the challenges that lay ahead but resolute in their commitment to each other.
As they moved through the corridors of St. Mungo's, Ollie couldn't help but think about the whirlwind of events that had brought him to this point. His emotions were a turbulent mix of fear, anger, and determination. Mad-Eye Moody, ever watchful, continued to diligently scan their surroundings, ensuring Ollie remained undetected.
Tonks, her ability to change her appearance at will, discreetly adjusted her appearance to blend in with the hospital staff. The young and vibrant Metamorphmagus was a true chameleon, effortlessly adapting to her surroundings.
After what felt like an eternity of navigating St. Mungo's endless hallways, they reached a secluded room deep within St. Mungo's. It was a small, dimly lit space filled with medical equipment and supplies.
Moody cast several protective spells around the room to ensure their privacy, and the room's windows were charmed to show a tranquil, false scene of a visitor sitting at a patient's bedside and reading to them.
"You should be safe here for the time being, Black," Moody declared in his gravelly voice. "But we can't let you stay put for long. Umbridge is bound to have the entire St. Mungo's staff scouring the place for you once she realizes you never went with Dawlish and Runcorn outside the place."
Tonks, her features returning to their normal state, nodded her agreement.
"We should stay here till Kingsley comes. He'll set things right," she said.
Ollie felt a surge of gratitude for his newfound allies. "Thank you, both of you," he said earnestly. "I can't believe how quickly my life has turned upside down," he muttered, his voice harboring a faint twinge of rooted bitterness.
Moody stumped forward and clapped him on the back with his gnarled hand and grunted.
"Sometimes, lad, it's the unexpected twists that reveal our true strength. We'll get to the bottom of this, Black."
Ollie's gratitude towards the two Aurors was heartfelt, but beneath it lay a smoldering anger at the unjust hand fate had dealt him.
"Thank you both," he said once more, his voice still tinged with bitterness. "For all of this. But…there's something I need more than anything right now. I need to see Norah. She should hear this news from me."
Moody, his magical eye still swiveling in all directions, exchanged a meaningful look with his protégé before he nodded at him in understanding.
"We understand, Black, we truly do, but we cannot allow you. If you're caught, Tonks and I won't be able to help you, not until Kingsley arrives and speaks with Umbridge," he muttered darkly, his gruff tone softening just a touch.
Ollie's frustration was palpable, but he nodded reluctantly, understanding their need for caution. "I just can't bear the thought of her suffering alone not knowing what's happened," he admitted, his voice breaking slightly. "I just…I need to know that Norah's okay, sir."
Tonks, her hair now a vibrant shade of turquoise and chin length, placed a comforting hand on Ollie's shoulder.
"We'll do everything we can to ensure Norah's safety," she replied with unwavering determination. "But for now, we need to focus on the bigger picture. We need to clear your name."
Moody, his magical eye fixed on Ollie once more, spoke with a steely resolve.
"We won't rest until we've unraveled this mess, Black. But remember, patience is a weapon as powerful as any curse. We'll get to Norah, and we'll bring her back to you safely. You'll see her soon."
Ollie's frustration had been building steadily, and now it reached its breaking point. His face flushed with anger, and he balled his fists, trembling with a mix of anxiety and rage.
His voice, once filled with concern, now quivered with raw fury.
"I can't just sit here like some caged animal!" he exclaimed, his temper flaring. "Norah's out there, alone, facing the threat of prison just because she's a werewolf, and she never chose this fate, just as I never chose what I am!" he shouted. "I won't stand by and let the woman I love suffer for something she can't control!" he bellowed hoarsely.
Tonks attempted to offer a comforting squeeze on his shoulder, seeking to convey even a small measure of solace, but Ollie violently shrugged it away. He paced restlessly within the cramped confines of the room, his frustration escalating with every step he took.
Moody, his magical eye resolute and unwavering, spoke with a stern determination.
"I comprehend your emotions, Black, I truly do. However, allowing your anger to consume you in this manner won't benefit the situation. We must remain composed and calculated. Hasty actions could place her in even greater peril. Have you considered that?" Moody grumbled, his tone tinged with exasperation.
Ollie halted his pacing and fixed Moody with an intense glare, his eyes brimming with tears of anger and helplessness.
"You speak of strategy and patience, but how can I be patient when the woman I cherish faces imprisonment simply for who she is? All because that...that bitch holds a prejudice against something she doesn't even comprehend. How am I supposed to sit idly by and do nothing?" he demanded.
Tonks intervened once more, her bright turquoise hair contrasting with the grim atmosphere of the room. "Ollie, mate, we promise we're doing everything we can to help Norah. We'll use every resource, every connection, to prevent this injustice. But we also need your cooperation. Losing control won't help you or her, mate. It won't."
Ollie's shoulders slumped as he realized that as much as he wanted to storm out and confront Umbridge, he had no choice but to trust these experienced witches and wizards. With a deep, shuddering breath, he nodded, his anger slowly subsiding.
"Fine," he muttered darkly, his voice filled with defeat. "I'll try to keep calm. But you have to promise me you'll do everything in your power to save her. Norah never asked for any of this, and I won't let her suffer because of it."
Ollie furiously wiped away at the wretched tears that had begun to trail down his cheeks without him even realizing it, his anger transforming into determination.
He might have lost his temper, but he could not lose hope. Not when he had so much to live for yet.
Norah was out there, facing an unjust fate, and he was determined to fight for her, no matter the cost.
Moody grunted in acknowledgment of Ollie's reluctant concession, his magical eye continuing its ceaseless surveillance of the room as if hunting for hidden dangers.
Tonks, the ever-empathetic young Auror, moved closer to Ollie and attempted to offer him a reassuring pat on the back. However, in her haste, she nearly tripped over her bootlaces and, in a near collision, almost sent Ollie sprawling. He quickly righted himself, his temper flaring as he snapped at her.
"Merlin's left...Watch your step, Tonks!" Ollie snapped, his voice edged with frustration.
Tonks, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, stammered out an apology. "S-sorry, Ollie. I didn't mean to almost knock you over. Just trying to, you know, offer some support."
Ollie's anger began to ebb, and he sighed heavily. "I know, Tonks. I appreciate it. It's just... this situation is tearing me apart."
Tonks nodded sympathetically. "I understand, Ollie. It's tearing all of us apart, too. But we'll get through this together, and we'll do our best to help Norah."
Moody, ever vigilant, grunted once more, a reminder that time was of the essence, and they needed to stay focused on their mission to clear Ollie's name and rescue Norah from the unjust fate that loomed over her.
Just as the tension in the room began to ease slightly, a soft, silvery light filled the air, casting an ethereal glow on the worn furniture. A Patronus had arrived, a lynx with bright blue eyes.
It circled the room twice before addressing Ollie. In a calm, dignified voice, Kingsley Shacklebolt's Patronus spoke, the sound of the wizard's deep voice filling the air.
"Oliver, I've just arrived at the Ministry and have called Umbridge to return here. A Healer stopped me in the hall when I arrived at St. Mungo's only to learn that the Senior Undersecretary had already left, but they wanted me to inform you that Norah has regained consciousness, and she's asking to speak to you."
Ollie's heart leaped with a mixture of relief and anxiety. He couldn't believe Norah was awake.
It was the news he had been desperately waiting for. His resolve hardened once more, and he turned sharply towards Moody and Tonks, both of whom were eyeing him wearily.
"Let me go. I need to see her now," Ollie demanded, his hoarse voice steady with determination.
Tonks's lips twitched as though she were fighting back the beginnings of a smile as she turned towards her mentor, a strange glint in the witch's colorless grey eyes that Ollie at first wasn't sure what to make of, as when he attempted to read her mind, she was keeping him blocked.
"Let him take your Invisibility Cloak, Mad-Eye," she offered, a note of earnestness in Tonks's voice.
Mad-Eye's initial response was a sharp reluctance, his grizzled countenance betraying his hesitation.
"And they say I'm mad, Tonks, he'll be caught!" he growled, his magical eye darting suspiciously between them.
Tonks, undeterred, leaned in closer to Moody, her eyes now pleading with him.
"Mad-Eye, it's the best chance we've got. Ollie can slip in and out without anyone knowing."
Ollie, who had been anxiously pacing the room, added his plea to her argument.
"Please, sir, I need to be there. I can't wait any longer," he quietly begged.
Mad-Eye continued to grumble a series of curses under his breath, his reluctance etched deep into the scarred lines of his face. But the combined persistence of Tonks and Ollie gradually chipped away at his resistance.
Mad-Eye reluctantly handed over his spare Invisibility Cloak after a moment, but as soon as it was in Ollie's possession, he demanded it back with a stern tone.
"Now, listen here, boy," Moody barked, his tone gruff and commanding. "You'll use it, but you'll return it to me immediately. No funny business. It's not some souvenir."
Ollie nodded vigorously, understanding the gravity of the situation. He draped the cloak over himself and disappeared, moving quietly to make his exit.
As he exited the room and navigated the hospital's corridors as quietly as he could, his thoughts raced. Norah was awake and asking for him. He couldn't help but wonder what she would say, what the witch he loved would think of him now.
Ollie continued down the dimly lit corridors of St. Mungo's, Moody's spare Invisibility Cloak shrouding him from view. His footsteps were careful and quiet as he made his way to Norah's room. The weight of the Auror's trust and the cloak itself hung heavily on his shoulders. As he reached Norah's room, he hesitated for a moment, standing outside the door. Through the partially open door, he could see Norah lying in her bed, looking frail and weak, but with a faint smile on her face as she looked out into the empty room, her thoughts lingering on him and the life they were about to build together, if all went well.
Ollie's heart ached for her, and he couldn't bear the thought of staying away any longer. With a determined nod, he stealthily slipped inside, invisible to the world. The door closed softly behind him, and he stood there for a moment, hidden from sight but closer to Norah than he had been in what felt like an eternity. The room was filled with a sense of longing and love, and Ollie knew he was right where he needed to be. Norah's presence was a soothing balm to his troubled soul. He watched over her, invisible but filled with deep, silent affection.
And in that moment as he moved to stand beside her, Ollie knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them with an unwavering determination, for the love he held for Norah was a force that could not be denied.
Ollie watched Norah for a few more precious moments, his heart swelling with love.
Then, unable to contain himself any longer, he let the Invisibility Cloak slip from his shoulders. In an instant, he became visible, standing at the side of Norah's bed.
She turned her head, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw him.
A gasp escaped her lips, and a mixture of joy and disbelief washed over her face.
"Ollie?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
He smiled, his eyes filled with tenderness as he leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a gentle, longing kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of all the love and longing they had endured during their time apart.
"Yes, Norah," he murmured against her lips. "I'm here. I'm not anywhere else. I promise."
And without another word, pressed his lips to hers.
As they kissed, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them in that moment of perfect togetherness. Ollie's worries about the Invisibility Cloak, Moody's trust, and the dangers that lurked in the shadows all melted away. In that room, with Norah in his arms, he found solace and the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.