Ascension: The Promise of Prometheus

by Define Anachronistic

(AU) Harry and his closest friends have resolved to enlist in the Auror Corps to gain the necessary authority to combat their enemies head-on. However, brutal training, a harsh Squad Captain and a plot that could destabilise the Muggle and the Wizarding Worlds need to be dealt with first. But where there is adversity there is also opportunity and that's where Harry thrives.

13. Interlude VI

INTERLUDE VI

Antonin wasn't sure if he would ever be the same.

That damned Auror had burned right through his intestines with her cursed fire and scorched more on the way out. Recovery would be a slow process and he might never be as strong as he'd been before. Worse still was the Dark Lord's reaction to the fall of Acacia Asylum.

As expected, Antonin's former master was not pleased when his plans were revealed to the world. Not because he'd been exposed, but because of his treachery. The Dark Lord had offered a bounty for his capture. While that might sound better than being brought in dead or alive, Antonin knew that his old master had methods of torture that made even death seem more attractive.

As though proving that things could always get worse, there had been whispers among the Witch-Hunters about disposing of him. After all, his scheme had led to almost fifty of their brothers and sisters being killed when that Auror Captain brought the building down on top of them.

Mercifully, Oliver Sterling proved himself loyal by quelling this discord. Either that or he was perfectly aware that he'd tied his fate to Antonin's. Should he fall, Sterling's rising star would fall with him.

Not the best dynamic between allies, but with the Torringtons either dead or captured, Antonin didn't have any other option but to trust him.

But even the darkest clouds had silver linings.

Despite the best efforts of those Cadets, his glorious Prometheus had emerged unscathed from the battle. Not only that, but it had finally worked as intended. The Muggle spawn had ascended into something greater, which made him realise what the missing component was.

Intent had always been an essential part of magic. Children were likelier to aspire to become something greater than their adult counterparts. If he could find willing adults- preferably well-trained and capable of sufficient emotional control- and make them fully aware of what he was attempting to transform them into…

He might one day have an army that rivalled the Dark Lord's.

It wouldn't be one hundred percent effective; he knew that with just the briefest amount of consideration. Some people were too afraid to strive for greatness or were too satisfied as they were, no matter what opportunities fate presented them with. Worse still, those who were willing often lacked the necessary emotional control for success in an endeavour as perilous as this one.

However, Antonin deemed those people as acceptable losses.

It was fortunate that he knew just where to find an excess of trained and disciplined Muggles to transform into a personal army.