Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction based on the Harry Potter universe. All recognizable characters, plots, and settings are the exclusive property of J.K Rowling. I make no claim to ownership.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to my editor Athena Hope, as well as my betas 3CP, Luq707, Raven0900, Regress, Thanos, and Yoshi89 for their work on this story.
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Harry Potter and the Conjoining of Paragons
By ACI100
Chapter 31: The Spinning of Schemes
May 12, 1943
A Secret Passage on the Third Floor
10:26 PM
The past twenty-four hours still didn't feel real. Everything since his friends' bodies had been discovered felt like a nightmare, one where he moved too slowly to escape the agony chasing him.
It was like second year all over again, first with friends being attacked, and now the whispers about Hogwarts' possible closure. Pathetic. No one cares until a pureblood's attacked, and then it's like the world is ending.
Harry had contemplated taking things to Dippet after sneaking back into the hospital wing and reluctantly explaining what had happened to Riddle. It still felt wrong — part of him still saw a chalk-white face and glowing red eyes any time he saw her — but she was the only other person in the school who knew the truth. It's a good thing I did. What a waste of time going to Dippet would have been.
"I may be able to talk the Headmaster around," Riddle had said, "but even if I did, it wouldn't matter. A pureblood heir like Abraxas Malfoy can't just be expelled on the word of two halfbloods. We would need something more substantial; things like pensieve memories aren't valid in a court of law."
Riddle is my best chance of taking down Abraxas before anything else happens. Every muscle tensed at the thought, but he knew it was true. I have no choice; the school will close and Arcturus might reconsider our deal if this goes on much longer.
Last night, thoughts of Dorea had left him numb and witless, but now they filled him with burning rage. Never had he hated anyone the way he loathed Abraxas. His wand had faltered in the Shrieking Shack when aimed at Sirius, but if he had the chance now… Don't think about that. Just think about stopping him, you'll cross that bridge when it comes.
Harry cleared his mind and stepped into the secret room. They had postponed a discussion last night because both had been too dazed. I need to be sharp for my friends' sake — no distractions.
"You snuck back into the hospital wing?" Harry asked, referencing Riddle's plan from last night.
"It's like I expected. Everything about this attack is identical to the others. Black might have ingested less of the potion, but it's not a meaningful difference and won't change anything."
Harry forced his eyes shut and took a deep breath, quieting his mind again. "So we can't do anything for Dorea or Elena."
"I'm sorry."
Harry swallowed a lump in his throat. "It doesn't matter. I was prepared for that. We'll just have to focus on Malfoy. Any ideas what he might do next? I think it's pretty obvious he's still trying to frame you. You know, attacking two of my best friends a few hours after the duel."
"I think the framing has been done well enough already. If the ministry stepped in and was forced to choose the most likely candidate, I would be chosen the second any of our housemates opened their mouths."
"Maybe he doesn't want to gamble on that. Maybe he worries none of them will speak up."
Riddle waved a hand. "Can you honestly convince yourself that the likes of Nott wouldn't hand me over to the aurors?"
Harry shook his head, a bitter taste in his mouth. "If he didn't attack them to frame you, then the whole thing makes no sense. Half the school is going on about how big a mistake it was to drag in purebloods — especially a Black."
"They're right. The ministry might be hamstrung when it comes to intervening at Hogwarts, but I doubt that will mean much. I'm not sure how much power the Wizengamot has here, but we'll find out soon. I expect action to be taken when they meet this Sunday." Riddle's expression darkened. "I won't be surprised if that action involves a closure of the school."
Harry met Riddle's eyes. A mutual understanding seemed to pass between them. Abraxas has no idea what he's brought down on himself by threatening the only home we've ever had.
"Okay," said Harry, "so we need to get some kind of proof. Any suggestions?"
"The most obvious and concrete answer would be his wand."
"His wand?"
"Yes. The easiest proof would be Priori Incantato." Harry raised an eyebrow. "It's a method commonly used by aurors and a lot like what happened when we duelled." A thoughtful look crossed her face. "Almost identical in some ways, but so different in others…" she trailed off, a far-away look in her eyes. Harry cleared his throat. "Sorry, I became distracted. Priori Incantato is a charm that triggers what's called the Reverse Spell Effect. It forces a wand to show the last spells it cast in reverse order."
Harry's eyes lit up. "That's easy, isn't it? All we have to do is disarm Malfoy and take his wand to Dippet! Either of us could do that. So long as it showed the Cruciatus Curse, we'd be rid of him."
"I'm not sure it's that easy," Riddle said as she twirled a lock of hair.
"Why not?"
"Because there are limits on Priori Incantato. It depends on the power and will of the caster, plus the wand's composition. It won't just show every spell the wand has ever cast; it will only go back so far."
Harry deflated. "So we have to catch him right in the middle of an attack or something, don't we?"
Something flashed in Riddle's eyes; annoyance, frustration, impatience — it was impossible to tell. "That's probably our safest option, yes."
It's like she has a better idea she isn't sharing, but something feels wrong. He decided it was best to move on. "That makes things harder. His attacks all seem random."
Riddle studied him. "What would you say if I told you I don't think he planned to attack either of your friends?"
"That's crazy."
"Is it?" Riddle asked, a single eyebrow raised. "Is it so hard to believe the two of them were coming to see you and just got caught up in the way?"
"Caught up in the way of what?"
"The tying of loose ends." When Harry stayed still, Riddle went on. "If Malfoy's victims ever wake up, they'll be able to tell anyone who listens exactly what happened. Even if he has graduated by then, this is the sort of scheme that would land him in Azkaban."
Harry's eyes widened. "You think he was trying to silence his victims?"
"I think he was trying to silence them whilst I was in the wing. He probably thought I was asleep and realized he could kill two birds with one stone — silencing his victims whilst painting the blame even brighter on me."
"You actually look impressed," Harry said, scowling.
Riddle shrugged. "I can appreciate a well-thought plan."
"So you think he'll return to the hospital wing, then?"
Riddle smiled without mirth. "Under the right set of circumstances, I'm sure he will."
Soon after, in the Chamber of Secrets…
Harry slunk down to the chamber soon after parting from Riddle, ranting about the last day's affairs to Cerastes, who slithered in restless circles. He has more energy than usual.
"So the usurper believes if she puts herself in the infirmary again, she can draw out another strike from this new pretender?"
"That's what she said, yes."
"I disagree."
If the mood was less grim, Harry might have smirked. "You always disagree with the usurper."
"It is more than that. This new pretender's strength seems to lie in planning."
Harry considered that. "I guess it does," he admitted. "Malfoy's solid with a wand, but there are better in his year."
"Cunning is the great equalizer," Cerastes preached.
Harry would have dismissed that once, but not now. Just the faintest bit of cunning this year had gotten him far. It had helped him hold together relationships whilst infiltrating Riddle's group and given him opportunities he would never have had without it. If someone like Abraxas used the same kind of cunning without any morality attached, Harry could imagine why that might be so dangerous.
"So you don't think he'll attack the hospital wing again?"
Cerastes's rustling intensified. "If that is his plan, he will, but not in the way he already failed. He will attack differently and under less predictable circumstances. The usurper's plan will fail."
He's right, Riddle is underestimating Abraxas just like she did me back in the fall. Frustration boiled beneath his skin. "We have to try it," Harry hissed back.
"Why?" Cerastes asked, sounding frustrated.
Harry wrung his hands. "Because without it, we have no hope of catching him in the act."
There was a pause, then Cerastes hissed more slowly than usual. "Allow me to propose a solution."
May 14, 1943
An Abandoned Classroom
9:44 PM
Harry grunted when his wand flew high, spinning towards Charlus. I've never been so frustrated while duelling. Back when he often lost to Charlus, it had been expected. Not now; I should be winning, but my head's too scrambled. Embarrassment burned and heat rose to his cheeks. How am I supposed to stop Abraxas if I can't even focus long enough to duel Charlus?
"Let's call it," Charlus said from across the room, tossing Harry back his wand.
"Sorry," Harry muttered, leaning against the wall. "I'm just… distracted."
Charlus came closer, frowning. "Mate, I get it. I was surprised you agreed to come at all tonight and I wouldn't have blamed you if you hadn't." Harry nodded, unsure how to respond. Charlus rested a hand on his shoulder. "It'll all work itself out," he promised. "They'll wake up and be able to say exactly who did it. The bastard won't get away with it, whoever they are."
Harry yearned to tell Charlus the truth. I've never hated secrets so much, but I can't tell him. He'd go straight to Dippet or try and solve it himself; it's what I would have done before this year. "I just hope it gets sorted out in time."
Charlus winced. "You've heard the rumours too?"
"Rumours?" Harry asked. "I'm not sure it's a rumour. If you were Lord Black or Fawley, would you let this go?"
"I might." Harry opened his mouth, but Charlus raised a hand. "Listen, I get that the safest thing to do is to close the school. That's obvious and makes sense. But if the school closes, whoever the hell's behind this could be out of Britain by the time the victims wake up and explain what happened."
Harry had never considered that. "Can the ministry not persecute them if they're not in Britain? I've heard the muggles have some sort of treaty for that."
Charlus shrugged. "It depends where they went. They could try, but the chances of them actually getting it done would be a lot slimmer."
Harry clenched his fists, not even flinching at the way his nails bit painfully into his palms. "I hate it!"
Charlus nodded. "I know. Trust me, I know."
He probably does. Might this be how Charlus felt wishing justice upon whoever killed his mother? Harry had at least always known how his own parents had died and exactly who to blame, but Charlus had never been given that small degree of mercy.
"How do you deal with it?" he asked.
Charlus's smile carried a new edge. "You plan to do something about it and hold onto that hope like you're dangling from a broom a hundred feet off the ground."
Harry nodded as the two boys stood in silence. We really do think alike… Merlin, why does my family have such bad luck?
Soon after…
Harry refocused on Occlumency once he'd parted from Charlus. Damn him for being so likeable, I had my mind under control. He remembered the wand spinning from his hand and grimaced.
It was all just overwhelming. How have things gotten worse since I eliminated Riddle as a suspect? She was supposed to be the hard part.
Harry's step faltered. Something had moved from the corner of his eye, or so he thought. He looked around but saw nothing. It's like I can feel a ward just up ahead, but it's not really a ward. Merlin, I'm losing it.
Things were getting out of hand. Fearing Riddle was one thing, but now he was leaping at nothing. Great, he thought, imagining Draco's smug face, a Malfoy has made me fear my own shadow.
The ward-like sensation vanished and the hairs on his neck stood on end. Harry threw himself forward and to the floor, trusting in his instincts and hoping he had not just made an utter fool of himself.
"CRUCIO!"
The curse flew just over his head. Bloody hell, that would have hit me if I hadn't moved.
Three figures stood up ahead. That feeling must have meant a Disillusionment Charm. The one in the lead was easily recognizable by his bright blond hair, flanked on both sides by boys much taller and broader. Does he think that will scare me?
Harry opened fire on Abraxas. The Malfoy heir was prepared this time and took a page from Harry's book — banishing the hall's torches towards him with a long sweep of his wand. Malfoy gasped, red tendrils spreading out from a cut beneath his arm. His wand movements were wider and slower than Harry's, which gave him time to sneak spells through his guard while the older boy cast.
Harry turned his attention to the torches. They changed shape, now burning arrows sailing back towards the trio.
One of them yelped and lunged sideways to avoid several of the arrows, and that was when Harry saw his face. It was like the Goyle of his own time had travelled back with him for how much they resembled each other, though this boy was much larger. Let's hope he's as useless as his son, even if he is older.
The hem of the third boy's robe burst alight and his howls filled the corridor. Harry spared him only a glance — recognizing him as a sixth-year boy named Aiden Burke — before turning his attention back to Abraxas. Malfoy's robes were singed, but he had avoided the worst of Harry's volley and was now back on offence.
They exchanged spells back and forth for what felt like minutes but what was hardly seconds. Malfoy was good with this kind of magic. The duel was more competitive now that Harry wasn't using Transfiguration, but he couldn't; Malfoy was doing an excellent job of pelting him with spells, not giving him the time required for anything intricate. Harry slowly advanced, but whatever ground he gained, he lost when Goyle fired potshots from over Malfoy's shoulder.
Harry's eyes narrowed. Burke was crawling away down the corridor, cloaked in the sweet scent of burning flesh. That's him out, but it still leaves Goyle to deal with before I can disarm and turn in Malfoy.
Harry tried sneaking around Malfoy to get a shot at Goyle, but the brute did well keeping Malfoy between them. That's surprisingly clever of them. This way, Goyle can attack the whole time while Malfoy handles most of the duel. They're trying to keep me on defence and wait for me to tire. It would work if this duel lasted long enough. Fine, time to end this.
"CRUCIO!"
Malfoy lunged aside, wide-eyed, leaving Goyle alone. He slumped to the floor, struck by the Stunner Harry had masked. Just the two of us now, Malfoy.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Fuck! Harry dove sideways and heard the wall explode behind him. Green flames spewed across the corridor. Harry tried seizing control of the fire but had no success. It's not even that it resists, it's that I can't get a hold of it in the first place. His heart thundered in his ears. I guess there's no controlling death.
Harry scrambled up and drove Abraxas back with a barrage of curses. The stones beneath the fire lifted and hurled themselves at Abraxas, who just barely dodged. Malfoy screamed, stumbled and bloodied by burning bits of shrapnel, rushing off in the direction Burke had crawled.
Harry made to follow but felt his senses flare and leapt aside, avoiding a silent curse he had never seen before. He whirled, but all he saw was a tall shadow running down the corridor.
Harry spun back 'round, but Malfoy was already out of range and in full flight, leaving a trail of crimson droplets in his wake.
Rage welled up but he forced it down, remembering Cerastes's plan. "You should have killed me, Malfoy," he whispered aloud. "You'll wish you had soon."
Author's Endnote:
We are drawing incredibly close to the year's end.
Next up, the penultimate chapter. Big things are coming, so I hope you're all excited.
Please read and review.
PS: The next chapter will be posted in exactly two weeks. It will be released here for readers on Wednesday, September 7th, 2022.
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