Warning: This story will contain scenes of violence, bad language, and maybe other themes that some audiences may find unsuitable. You have been advised.
The True Heir of Slytherin
"Regular speech or spell"
"Parseltongue"
Text
'Thought'
Chapter 17:
If the two veteran aurors, the same who dropped him off, felt any reluctance at seeing Lord Slytherin's clothes fitting him perfectly and how clean he looked, they did not show it. They merely entered silently. The male, a short grizzled auror stood by the door. His hair was cut in a militaristic buzz, but more than a speck of grey could still be made out in the otherwise sea of black. He held his chocolate brown wand out, aimed at the prisoner, while the female strode forward with magic restraining cuffs out and at the ready.
She was clearly younger than her counterpart but not by much, her ponytailed brunette hair showing its own strands of silver. She smoothly but casually brought herself forward until she stood right in front of the third dark lord of the century. The auror then without waiting but a moment to stop her momentum brought the cuffs onto his wrists.
The metal clicked together, and Harry felt his magic sapped away.
He was brought from his cell to a nearby lift that the aurors knew only had one destination: the courtrooms. This elevator was made to only take prisoners from the level ten detention area for the Ministry to level two where the Wizengamot held their strictest trials. Some could be key witnesses being held down for their own safety, but most were like Lord Slytherin.
He was forced to take the lift to ensure the least amount of time able to escape, and the basement courtrooms were too small for this trial. The entire Wizengamot would be sure to attend this event.
Just as he planned.
While walking, the trio was joined by five others who stayed to his sides and back, ordering him in each direction. The walls were lined intermittently with other aurors positioned in case the seven were not enough.
Lord Slytherin chuckled. This visibly unnerved more than one of the guards, having little idea what would make him do so in a situation like his. To him, it was nice being treated with so much respect, even if some of it was attributed to fear. For too long in his life did no one take him seriously.
Finally, the group arrived at two massive, dark stone doors with more aurors posted on each side.
When they swung open, he was unsurprised to see close to a dozen more guards positioned throughout the courtroom of the Wizengamot, surrounding a chair in the center. Raised around it, light stone boxes lined the outside of the circular room. They floated lightly and slightly away from the walls and the various doors they housed but were anchored with chains. When the Wizengamot was in session, not anyone could just leave. In the shadows, Harry spotted other structures but was unable to make them out without his magically enhanced senses.
Quickly, he was rushed into the metal chair that sat at the center. It was a rare occurrence for the detainment device to be used in the room, normally a podium rested there for anyone with a particularly important announcement to make. The chains of Harry's cuffs magically expanded to allow his arms to sit flat on the rests of the chair. Tendrils of iron snaked their way around his body as soon as his body touched the seat at the same time. From the two front legs, the metal trapped his own while its arms took care of his corresponding limbs. Finally, the chair almost appeared to hug him from behind, latching itself in a web across his chest. He did note that he could use his fingers somewhat still.
As the chair's magic worked, wards raised to encapsulate him and the chair in a dome. It prevented any spells or people from traveling between it and the rest of the room as well as amplified the voice of the occupant. Normally the latter use was meant more for those addressing the assembly, but it did allow even mutterings to be heard from those on trial.
The Chief Warlock position that stood directly facing the prisoner was occupied by the Minister, as he had taken some authority over it with the help of Malfoy, following the ousting of Dumbledore. Lord Malfoy himself sat on his right and Percy on his left, prepared with stacks of parchment. Almost all the seats for the other Wizengamot members were filled, and none were left empty in the section for visitors and reporters.
The noted exceptions were the Blacks and Potters, who had been absent for many years as well as the Greengrass family who were now being hunted as associates of Lord Slytherin. Despite every effort in trying, thankfully, Malfoy had not gained access to his wife, Nartcissa's, family seat.
Lord Slytherin levied a vicious glare at Lord Longbottom who sat directly next to the spot in the Wizengamot reserved for the Potters. Neville spotted the look but remained uncharacteristically stoic and just stared back blankly. Only when the glare faded but was replaced with a cold smile did the carrier of Godric Gryffindor's legacy blanche. Despite being only a smile, it somehow seemed to promise much more.
'How can he be so confident? Everyone here is against him.' Neville thought. He could only look away uncomfortably at the young lord's gaze.
With a bang of his gavel, Minister Fudge ended the chatter that had pervaded the room since the young man's entrance. Flashes of cameras continued to pepper the room from the reporter's box, and even a wizard was positioned with a microphone to live broadcast the entire thing over the Wizarding Wireless. The possible trial of the century was about to begin.
"Dark Lord Harry James Slytherin-Potter." The portly man with the green bowler hat announced.
He was stupefied to find the young man in question looking around casually and drumming his fingers against the metal chair as if he had not a care in the world.
Fudge tried again. "Dark Lord Harry James Slytherin-Potter."
The young lord started whistling to the entire room's shock. Those not too taken aback recognized the tune as 'God Save the Queen.'
The Minister pounded his gavel. "Slytherin! I demand you are attentive when I address you! I would think that you'd show more concern when your fate lies in this body's hands. Your actions here will determine the severity of your punishment."
Harry stopped whistling and turned his gaze to the man with the green bowler hat. Only his right index finger continued to move, tapping steadily on the metal. Normally one would think the motion out of anxiety. Somehow, no one in the room entertained that notion seriously.
"Oh, you were talking to me? My apologies, I did not realize as you were not addressing me properly." His lips upturned slightly in a bit of a smile.
Fudge's, however, dipped noticeably in a frown. "The Wizengamot has declared you a dark lord. As much as you may not like it, that has been this council's decision."
"I recognize the Wizengamot's decision, but, as it is a stupid fucking decision, I have elected to ignore it… much like my ancestors before me would in the face of ineptitude." His smile grew, especially at the gasp of his language.
"How dare you question the authority of this body!" Malfoy barked.
Lord Slytherin laughed. "Oh, the irony of a follower of Voldemort accusing me of disrespect." Almost everyone in the room flinched, and Harry's face fell, his voice lowering in warning, though he remained loud enough to be easily heard. "I would advise you to keep your mouth shut or risk hypocrisy. Then again, what else are the Malfoys known for besides bribery and being the Dark Lord's little lap dog?"
The blonde lord sneered and stood in anger. "You dare?! The Malfoy name is not one labeled in disgrace unlike yours!"
"Yes, because the opinion of a corrupt politician means so much to me." The young lord deadpanned, eyeing Fudge, who gulped.
"You are out of order, boy!" The Minister tried to regain control. "This is your trial, no one else's! The Ministry, as always, is in control, not some deluded child with illusions of grandeur."
Ominous laughter rang out from Lord Slytherin's mouth and echoed around the chamber. It took a couple seconds for Fudge to get over his surprise at the outburst and began pounding his gavel. The laughter continued for a few more seconds, and when it stopped, Fudge did so as well. He opened his mouth to start speaking again but was interrupted.
"I'm not sure what I find more amusing, Cornelius, you thinking that you have control when you're nothing but a puppet for the blonde ponce beside you or your assertions of my delusions after seeing Voldemort firsthand yourself in this very building." Fudge and Lucius's faces began reddening similarly to a pair of ripe tomatoes, but Harry pushed on. "Each one of us here knows just how far into the Malfoy coffers you are. He tells you to jump, you ask how high. He tells you to bend over, you ask how low. Aren't you curious why he is still trying to get you to deny it all?"
Lord Slytherin turned his head and looked at the assembly around him where he could. "Are none of you curious as to why the truth Dumbledore and I have been warning all of you of, even when proven as such, is still to this very moment denied as lies and rebellion? What more will it take? Does Voldemort have to take the lives of everyone you know and love like he attempted fifteen years ago for you to listen?"
The Wizengamot was silent, and all eyes had turned to the Minister and Lord Malfoy, the former's face paling while the latter's maintained its clearly seething hatred.
"Now that we have that cleared out of the way, I'd like all charges against me and this deplorable title as dark lord dropped immediately. In recompense, I ask not for gold or power, but to take up my legitimate seats on this body. I do not even ask for the Wizengamot to rid the title of a disgraced house upon the Slytehrin name despite the fact that this body was so keen to label it as such. I will soon clear it of my own accord with my own actions and do not need nor want it done out of pity."
"And how do you intend to do that, boy?" Lucius sneered. "You believe just because of your Slytherin name you are entitled to command this body when you have not served in a single session or know a thing of its laws. You are a criminal, and I will ensure you are dealt with as such."
Lord Slytherin's lone index finger stopped its tapping, and the corner of his mouth twitched upward slightly. "Malfoy, all of us here know how you prefer criminals treated considering many of your allies are in Azkaban or used the Imperius defense to stay out of it, but last I checked you were not in any position to dictate the law."
"No." Another voice rang out. "You are correct, Lord Slytherin. That is not up to one individual, but all of us. You should remember that."
The entire chamber shifted to look at the standing Lord Longbottom. His grandmother could be seen in the seat behind him and slightly off to his side, the seat meant for an advisor to whisper over the lord or lady's shoulder.
Neville looked out across the assembly and gulped before continuing. "None here, I believe, can argue that You-Know-Who-"
"Coward." Harry coughed.
The young man pursed his lips but continued. "-Has returned. His presence is undeniable, but that does not clear you and your name. As the one to carry Gryffindor's legacy, I must ensure justice for your crimes is carried out."
"What crimes do you mean? Are you truly that offended that I wiped your memory after you betrayed your own friends and comrades? We both know you got off lightly as a traitor." If Slytherin was angry, his tone hid it well.
"The genocide of the centaurs in the Dark Forest of Hogwarts, plotting to overthrow the Ministry of Magic, resisting arrest, injuring multiple aurors, and kidnapping, among other crimes." Percy listed from a parchment, happy to get the chance to lend his voice.
"And the crimes of the Slytherin line, a known dark family that Godric swore to defeat!" Neville added.
Harry turned towards the junior undersecretary. "The centaurs were eliminated by Voldemort." Again everyone flinched excluding a few aurors. "Oh, please. He is merely a man. One who has delved deep into the dark magics, but a man nonetheless. If you can't call him by his made up name, at least use his real one."
"His real name?" Amelia Bones asked, with an eyebrow raised.
The imprisoned lord sighed and shook his head. "Tom Marvolo Riddle Jr. Maybe try actually researching who your enemies are? Then again, what else should I expect from a department intentionally bereft of needed funding? As I was saying, though, Riddle tried to strike up a deal with the centaurs. When they did not comply, he ordered their execution."
"But I reported that you were the one to lead the massacre when I was one of your lieutenants!" Neville objected.
"Yes, that is what was officially reported and noted by Madam Umbridge, whose location I am unaware of, but how are any of us to know if that is the truth? You just admitted you were part of my organization. With your memories taken, I should not expect you to remember why you left." He paused for a moment to let his words sink in. "You wanted power, Longbottom. I had not believed you ready for further responsibility, and from there I can assume you betrayed your own honour in an attempt to seize what you were denied. Interesting how you ended up getting what you wanted, isn't it? You now stand as a beacon for Gryffindor and as a lord on the Wizengamot. All you had to do was keep lying."
Turning away from the traitor and back towards the Minister and Malfoy, Lord Slytherin addressed the other accusations. "The other crimes are part of Lucius Malfoy and Cornelius Fudge's attempts at keeping the truth of Riddle's return a secret. I personally doubt the Minister was aware, but I feel that merely speaks to his inadequacy as our leader. Will all of you allow the true dark lord to pull the wool over your eyes and keep acting as he wishes, or will you free me and let me help defeat him?"
Casually, as if the tendrils imprisoning him did not even exist, Harry stood. Each piece of metal bent easily out of his way, and aurors throughout the room trained their wands on him. The wards were still clearly visible, but that was not enough to stop many of the gathered wizards and witches from panicking. Harry paid none of them any mind.
"I refuse to let that homicidal maniac do as he wishes with our fine lands. Where he sends his people, he will find mine. The Slytherin family and all her resources stand directly against the evil of Voldemort. Allow us to move unimpeded. Throw away these false allegations, and let us work together for the betterment of our people."
Mutterings sprang out among the sea of people. Harry turned to move back towards his seat but stopped, seeing Neville's pale face in the crowd. A smirk grew on the Slytherin lord's lips. "Also, Lord Longbottom, as far as your assertion to being the heir to Godric Gryffindor…"
Harry held his right hand out in a loose grasp. Suddenly, a silver sword set with rubies in the hilt appeared in his grip. The goblin-made weapon was easily recognizable to most in the chamber. Neville paled further. He could barely remain standing on his feet.
"I see you recognize it. The Sword of Gryffindor, said to only appear to those truly worthy of the name. I will not bore you with the details, but consider yourself lucky I do not wish to claim a blood feud with the Longbottoms for line theft."
Neville collapsed into his seat, and, grinning, Harry returned to his own. He positioned the tip of the sword down to rest against the smooth stone of the ground, displaying the hilt for all to see. His message was clear. He had won, and anything said in opposition was merely delaying the inevitable.
"Minister Fudge?" Harry shook the portly man from his shock. "I'm waiting."
Gulping, Cornelius slowly nodded in fear. "It… it appears the defendant, Harry James Slytherin-Potter, is"
"Ahem." The mentioned lord cleared his throat. "I believe you are missing a part of my name, Minister."
Shakily, Fudge nodded. He could not bear to look over to his side at his longtime contributor. "Harry James Slytherin-Potter-Gryffindor is cleared on all charges. Is the Wizengamot aligned with removing his title as a dark lord?"
The entire light and neutral factions with even some of the dark faction raised their wands, excluding the Lord Longbottom whose mind was still reeling.
The gavel pounded. "Lord Slytherin, you are hereby stripped of your title as a dark lord. We look forward to seeing you bring honour to your family names." Fudge stood. "Session, clo-"
"Excuse me, Minister." Harry stood, changing the grip so it was loosely at the ready. "There are a couple last matters I believe need to be addressed, such as the clearing of my friends and allies' names before we bring this session to an end."
Fudge nodded fearfully. "In addendum, all members of the Order of Slytherin and those associated with them are cleared of any and all wrongdoing against this body." Again the gavel rang out in the chamber, and the older man started to open his mouth and raise the hammer back into the air but was interrupted once more.
Still standing, the Lord Slytherin spoke. "Thank you, Fudge. I also must ask what actions will the Ministry face for its lying and what preparations against Riddle are to be undertaken."
Amelia Bones stood from her nearby seat. "Those topics are already set to be addressed in two days' time during another emergency Wizengamot session, Lord Slytherin."
The young lord nodded. "And as for my family seats?"
Fudge glanced around nervously, seeing the expectant looks from the members of the assembly. To deny the Potter boy here would be akin to a protego shield against an Unforgivable, useless. Maybe a few would support, but by far not enough. "It shall be the first actions taken by this body during the session, Lord Slytherin-Potter-Gryffindor… We will require records proving your ancestry at that time, just to follow protocol of course."
Harry nodded. "That is acceptable."
The Minister raised the gavel once more.
"There is one last thing, in the meantime, though, Fudge. I would like my wands returned to me." Lord Slytherin would smile if it would not ruin his performance.
The leader of magical Britain blanched, remembering the order he had given to have them snapped. "Un-un-unfortunately, during your arrest, milord… th-they were damaged beyond repair."
The entire chamber froze. To snap a wizard's wand was amongst the most grave of offenses. Very few noted Harry's use of the word "wands."
Lord Slytherin's lips were a thin line as he stared down Cornelius Fudge despite the older man residing up in the air. Finally he spoke. "How?"
"Well, um, you see…" The man could not answer.
"When I surrendered to the aurors, I did so peacefully and without resistance. My wands were in perfect condition when they left my care. Tell me, how was it they were snapped? I see that as the only possible reason for them not to be returned." A cold fury lent an edge to his voice.
The Minister could only bumble and stutter in response.
"I hold you responsible, Cornelius Fudge, for their destruction. Even if you did not order it or do so yourself, you, as the leader of magical Britain, have lapsed in your duties to the people and the members of this assembly for the last time. I hereby demand your resignation be turned in immediately or for this body to evict you if you choose not under the charge of negligence. The wand of a lord was snapped due to your inaction, at best, and action, at worst."
It appeared most of the chamber agreed with his demand, as many stared coldly at the Minister.
Finally, the portly man with the green bowler hat looked to his side towards where his friend, Lord Malfoy, sat but was stunned to find him missing.
'When had he left?' Fudge sighed and shook his head. It did not matter now. No one or nothing could save him from his fate.
"I hereby relinquish my title as Minister of Magic. In the interim, I appoint the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones, in my stead." Fudge bowed and retreated towards the rear of the box while Lord Slytherin returned to his seat.
The aforementioned woman stood from her own chair and made her way to the lectern. "Any other urgent business to be brought forward?" She asked in her stern voice.
After a good few moments of silence, Amelia nodded, knowing she had her answer. "Emergency session of the Wizengamot, closed." The gavel banged against the lectern one last time for the day.
In an instant, the wards around Harry came down, and many Wizengamot members rushed to exit the chamber while some others along with reporters cautiously made their way towards the newly cleared lord. The two aurors who had fetched him stepped up to release him from his bindings, but he merely smirked as the manacle on his right wrist popped open seemingly of its own accord. Holding out the restraint dangling from his left wrist, the other opened into the auror's waiting hands. Not satisfied with the surprises he had delivered, Harry vanished the sword in his hand back to Castle Slytherin to await his next summons.
"Thank you, aurors. If you could please take me to pick up my things and then to the nearest floo, I would be grateful."
"Lord Slytherin, may I ask you to stop by my office before you depart? I even would offer my floo in exchange to prevent any unwanted impediments." Madame Bones spoke from behind him.
The young man turned around and thought for a moment. "That sounds like a fair deal, Madam Bones. I will see you after collecting my personal effects."
The interim Minister nodded in gratitude before looking over at the aurors. "Ensure Lord Slytherin here is well taken care of, and I will see you three then."
With a slight bow, which Harry returned with only a nod, the authoritative woman left out one of the doors underneath the floating stands. The two aurors standing on either side escorted the young lord out, keeping reporters and inquiring lords at a distance away. They knew better than to disobey a direct order from their boss and the intent behind it.
Once redressed in his robes, Harry found himself outside a dark brown door with a bronze plaque identifying it as the office for the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The woman auror knocked on the door with a quick double rap. After only a moment, there was a shouted "Come in!"
The auror then opened the door and stepped to the side with it, allowing the other two access first. With nods of gratitude the two entered with the female auror following and closing the door behind her. The three stepped up to Madam Bones's desk with the lord in the middle.
Her office was utilitarian, two straight-back seats closer to the door with her own seat just barely more comfortable facing whoever entered. Cabinets rested on each side but were made of solid wood. One could only guess what resided inside. No windows, portraits, or any other form of decoration adorned the cream coloured walls. One small photograph could be seen facing Amelia on her desk. Harry had an idea of its contents. Files and paperwork filled the rest of the desk space, barely leaving any room for an inkpot and quill. A wooden round chandelier held most of the room's illumination but was assisted by a few candles near the desk.
Seeing the three, Amelia smiled softly at her aurors. She no longer wore her plum robes but her more usual black standard auror robes. "Thank you both. I trust there were no problems?"
"No, ma'am. Smooth sailing." The female auror spoke.
"Good job. You're both dismissed. Lord Slytherin, would you care to have a seat?"
The two aurors looked at each other for a few moments while Harry answered and sat. "Thank you, Madam Bones."
"You're welcome." Amelia saw the two still standing. "Is everything alright?"
"Um, Madam Bones? Are you sure…?" The male auror asked uncertainly.
The new interim Minister's eyes narrowed. "Lord Slytherin-Potter-Gryffindor here is a soon to be member of the Wizengamot and has been cleared of all wrongdoing. Your presence is no longer required." She grinned a little. "Besides that, do I even need to remind you that I can take care of myself?"
Both aurors hesitated before shaking their heads and replying at once. "No ma'am." Quickly the two gave a slight bow and left.
"Now. Thank you for taking the time to see me, Lord Slytherin-Potter-Gryffindor. I am sure you want to be out of here as soon as possible, so I will make this as brief as I can."
Harry nodded. "You're welcome, Madam Bones, but please feel free to merely call me Lord Slytherin for now. Your niece and I are close, as I am sure we are both aware, and I imagine part of this meeting is to get an update on her status."
The lord's face softened. "I can assure you she is more than fine. She is one of my most valued lieutenants and confidants. I hope with us being cleared of any crimes you will hear from her soon."
Amelia sighed and visibly relaxed in her chair. "I'm relieved to hear it. She is the only family I have left."
"I know. She speaks fondly of you often. It's part of the reason I agreed to meet." He smiled back.
"Speaking of which, I had a few other topics to discuss with you." She said, some rigidity returning.
Lord Slytherin waved his hand in a go ahead motion.
"First I need the names of any of your organization that need their records expunged. I understand not all have been charged, and I am not looking for you to reveal all of their identities, just assist those we were after."
"You are asking for a lot of my trust here, Interim-Minister. Do I have your word as such that they will be fully pardoned of any and all crimes being charged against them?" He returned stoically. She could not get any idea behind his thoughts from how he held himself.
She paused for a moment in thought. "Are any of them currently in Azkaban?"
"I swear to you upon my honour as a Potter, Slytherin, and Gryffindor that none of the names I will give you for this are in Azkaban or a part of Riddle's forces." Three lights illuminated from Harry's right hand fingers. When it disappeared, his hand seemed normal.
Amelia analyzed the young lord in front of her sharply. She had the most distinct feeling that something was off but could not find a way for his wording to have anything but honourable intentions.
"I swear as Interim-Minister to you, Harry James Slytherin-Potter-Gryffindor, that as long as you fulfill your oath I shall fulfill mine and ensure the names of any you give me from your Order of Slytherin are pardoned of any and all crimes against them."
A dull light came through the glove on her right hand.
"Thank you." Lord Slytherin reached into his robes but hid his hand movements. Madam Bones could only tell that he seemed to be searching through his pockets for something, but that could not be. She had seen the report. Nothing was found on his person besides the clothes on his back, and the wands they had "collected."
Finally, he pulled out a piece of folded parchment and set it on her desk. "Here you are: the agreed upon names."
'Who is this young man? The aurors searched all through his clothing. No real magics, no hidden pockets- that we found I guess. Did he plan all of this?' She thought.
He raised an eyebrow at her cooly.
'Of course he did. This is Lord Slytherin. What else should I expect?'
Slowly she reached out and grabbed the parchment before unfolding it. Reading down the list, she saw many that did not surprise her. Dumbledore, Seamus Finnegan, the Lord and Lady Greengrass as well as their daughters. Only a fool would expect him to not include his own future lady Slytherin and her family, but he was clever enough to ensure none outside his influence would benefit. There were very few other known members of the organization. It was known it was mostly Slytherins but included other houses as well.
Finally, her eyes landed on the last name.
Sirius Black.
"What is the meaning of this? We had an agreement!" The normally composed, seasoned auror snapped in shock.
"We do. Every name I provided is true to my word, including the last name on that last which I'm sure is the source of your doubt. He has been seen as a criminal for too long. Peter Pettigrew betrayed my parents. Peter Pettigrew was the secret keeper of our Fidelius charm. Peter Pettigrew is the reason my parents are dead, not Sirius Black, my sworn godfather. I tried affirming his innocence two years ago with the last Minister, but he was too stubborn to listen. Do not make the same mistake." Harry's face remained as neutral as it had the entire meeting, but his eyes narrowed directly on the other occupant of the room.
"My honour remains intact otherwise the flash would have occurred. I speak the truth. Sirius Black was never with Riddle or his Death Eaters."
Amelia sighed and set the list down to her left before pulling a fresh sheet of parchment. Grabbing her quill and dipping it into her inkpot, silently, she began writing. Not a word was spoken. Suddenly she stopped and hesitated after already redipping the quill a couple times.
She lifted her head and stared straight into Lord Slytherin's eyes. "He's innocent." It was stated more than raised as a question.
He nodded. "He is, and is one of the last ties I have to my parents. He would never harm an innocent or me."
The Interim Minister looked back down at the parchment before smoothly penning her signature. She set the quill back into its holder before laying the pardon into her outgoing mail receptacle.
A whoosh was heard as it was sent out to the rest of the department to be copied and circulated.
"Thank you, Madam Minister. You have my gratitude." Lord Slytherin bowed his head in respect. "Any other topics you have for me before I depart?"
"Yes." She nodded. "No matter what the outcome of the next Wizengamot session, of which I am hopeful for, from your words in the chamber, it appears you intend to fight against… Riddle. I would rather make sure the aurors work with you and your people than in opposition."
"And if the worst is to come? If the Ministry is to fall, or possibly worse, taken over by our enemies? What would will you and the aurors do then?"
Amelia removed her wand and raised it to cast a privacy ward around the two. "If that happens, there is no solid fallback plan in place, but I assure you that an auror is still an auror even without a Ministry. I have my people who will fight to the end of the line, whether it's Riddle's end or theirs."
"Do you consider yourself among those who fit that description?" He asked.
"I only didn't say it because I have them trained to operate without me. Like Auror Tonks, for example." She grinned.
Lord Slytherin smiled back. "I knew we'd get along from the first moment Susan described you, Madam Minister. You have my respect. If the worst is to happen, you will have a haven on my lands."
"Thank you, Lord Slytherin. I am grateful. How am I to reach you and coordinate our efforts in the meantime?" She replied.
"You will find any mail addressed to Castle Slytherin or its occupants will reach its destination. For emergencies." Harry paused and removed something else from his robes and set it on the desk. It was a compact mirror. "Open it and call, 'Lord Slytherin.' You will reach me. Do not abuse this gift or you will find I won't answer. If it's truly urgent, we will be there to help, but make sure it is not something that can be taken care of with an owl."
"Of course. I hope to never need it." Amelia took the compact and slid her fingers over it before flipping it open and examining it.
"Since we are talking about cooperation, I have one last topic to discuss before I take my leave. What is being done to secure Azkaban? With the fall of Malfoy's puppet, and another emergency session to occur in two days, Riddle must know his time to recapture his followers is growing short. We both know the dementors will follow the Dark Lord once he makes himself known."
"Without the emergency session to enhance our budget, there's not much I can do. I can try to get my people out there, but our numbers aren't strong enough right now to hold off an attack by themselves." She paused, closing the mirror and setting it into an inner pocket of her robes.
"I would not be willing to mount a defensive with my people in such a poor position even alongside your own…" Lord Slytherin paused to think for a moment before looking at Amelia curiously. "Would you be willing to request prisoner transfers? That does not require approval from the Wizengamot, if I am not mistaken"
"I can, but where would we send them?" She raised a brow, waiting for his next trick. Already he had come out ahead in his trial and canceled a manhunt on a man wanted for two years.
"Nurmengard is too far for us to safely send them over. I wouldn't trust even the ICW to be able to fully ensure that none of them escape if Riddle attacks, which I am of the opinion that he would no matter how much of a secret we think it is. The only other option we have would be Castle Slytherin." Despite being the one to suggest it, the lord seemed unhappy with the choice.
"You would let my aurors transfer as many prisoners as we need over to your home?" Amelia asked, dumbfounded.
He crossed his arms. "I would prefer my own people make the transfer to ensure no one can track our location. We would be making several decoy trips with apparition and floos to throw off our trail. We have enough dungeon space to possibly rival Azkaban's potential. As much as I don't like the idea of the revolting pigs in my home, it is the safest place to ensure they stay locked away."
"When do you expect to accomplish this?" She asked.
A devious grin spread on Lord Slytherin's lips. "As another one of my allies was recently told, 'I would not be here if we were not ready."
"Give me one hour, and I'll have what you need. The transfer orders as well as portkeys to the island."
"Very well. Call my personal house-elf, Dobby, to pick up everything, and I'd advise a floo call to notify the guards of Azkaban just before we arrive. I don't want to fight anyone I don't have to, but we can't be sure if any of them are spies for Riddle." He stood. "Is that all for now?"
Amelia stood up in recognition and nodded. "Yes. As promised, my floo is yours. Good day, Lord Slytherin. I look forward to hearing of your success."
Harry smiled slightly. "As do I, Madam Minister. As do I." Walking over to the floo, he quickly scooped some powder into his hand before throwing it into the flames.
"Diagon Alley."
As he disappeared, the interim Minister sat back down, shaking her head. 'Of course he'd start at the busiest travel hub to stop anyone tracking him.'
Within minutes, Harry finally stepped out of one of the main floos in Castle Slytherin. Immediately he was ambushed into a hug by his dogfather and Uncle Moony.
"Pup!" Sirius exclaimed as Remus softly spoke, "Cub."
"I missed you guys too." He chuckled as he started untangling himself from their grasp. "It's only been a day, though. Everything went to plan."
Many of the Order were standing around with smiles on their faces, except for a teen witch, who remained impassive. Catching her blue eyes staring at him, Lord Slytherin patted the two men on their shoulders before making his way towards his future wife.
"I missed you." He tried to convey as much emotion as he could with his eyes.
A soft smile grew on her lips. "You're such a Gryffindor. Must you always thrust yourself into danger?" Her smile eliminated any possibly mistaken malice.
"You say that as if you don't love how I take action." The young lord grinned back.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "Prat." Then suddenly, Harry found her arms around him, her head in the crook of his neck. "I missed you too." She whispered.
The two broke their embrace after a few moments of comfort before Harry looked at his people.
"The next phase of the operation is a go. In approximately an hour, the Interim Minister will be calling on Dobby to deliver to us portkeys and orders for the guards of Azkaban." He announced. "Once he arrives, we are to immediately take them to the island, where we will begin transferring prisoners here. She has authorized this to prevent Riddle from freeing any of his incarcerated forces. I want full diligence while we are there. We may be able to complete this before he finds out, but if we aren't, we can expect him to immediately head straight for the prison. Prioritize the more dangerous and higher ranking of his DEs. I'd rather him get a bunch of cannon fodder than a lieutenant. Any questions?"
Seamus, standing amidst the other lieutenants, spoke up. "Do the aurors know we're coming? I don't mind getting in trouble again, but I'd rather not for a stupid reason."
A few chuckled at the Irishman's cheek, but all were intent on their leader's words.
Harry shook his head in a moment of amusement before answering. "They'll be told right before we arrive. I wish we could ensure they're all aware beforehand, but the less time they have, the less time Riddle has if any of them are spies. If an altercation occurs with any of the guards, end it swiftly but nonlethally. I don't want us wasting any time, but we also can't act like savages."
Everyone nodded their understanding. When it became apparent that there were no other questions, Harry addressed the crowd again. "Get word to the rest of our task force and be prepared to move out. In the meantime, I'll be getting ready myself."
The others nodded and started to disperse to carry out their lord's latest command, all but Daphne.
"Care for some company?" She asked, linking her arm through his.
"With you? Always." Harry grinned.
As the two walked, her normally calm demeanour appeared cracked with anxiety.
"Something on your mind, love?" He whispered in concern.
Daphne sighed but remained silent for a few moments. Just as he was about to follow up, his concern growing, she answered. "I want to marry you."
Harry's concern turned to confusion immediately. "I want to marry you as well, Daph. I hope I have made that clear."
The two kept walking as the conversation continued. "You have, my love. I don't mean I want to marry you sometime soon. I mean… I don't want to wait."
Here Lord Slytherin paused in his steps to look at his betrothed. "Are you worried something will stop it? You know I'd never let anything come between us."
Daphne smiled. "I know that, but…"
He stared deep into her eyes, grabbing her hands gently in his own. "Daphne. Please tell me. I always want to hear what you're thinking."
She bowed her head with a shy smile. "I know nothing will stop us, but while we have the chance, I want to. We can have a honeymoon after this war. In the meantime, I want to be your Lady in every sense of the word."
Harry blushed. "In that case, who am I to deny my lady?"
Daphne smiled wide and threw her arms around her husband-to-be's neck before starting to snog him senseless.
"Ahem." An older male voice cleared his throat nearby. The two had been so enraptured they had not noticed Lord Greengrass come into the corridor. "Shouldn't you two be getting ready for the mission?" His tone held more than a little mirth.
"You are correct, Lord Greengrass. I hope you shall excuse us while we go do so." Harry gave a slight bow of his head while Daphne sent a nervous smile at her father.
Watching them depart, the Greengrass patriarch called out just before they rounded the corner. "Daughter, Lord Slytherin!"
The two turned and looked at him oddly.
"You two make a fine couple." He smiled before walking in the other direction.
Just over thirty minutes later Dobby appeared in front of Harry and Daphne as well as a large portion of their military force while they waited in front of the floos. He quickly passed over several small pouches as well as a photograph. "Here is everything, Master Harry. Portskeys and papers in pouches. Madames Bones says picture show wheres to apparates."
"Thank you, my friend. You've done well." Harry smiled in thanks before examining the image, copying it with a wave of a new wand in his hand.
The wand consisted of a light and dark wood swirling around each other, spiraling all along its length of eleven and a half inches. A garnet stone adorned the base of the wand, acting as an amplifier. The core was a mystery to all but its owner and his partner.
"Sound off once everyone has it memorized. We move when ready." He ordered.
Not even ten minutes later, the Order of the Basilisk arrived at the infamous prison of Azkaban. As always, a storm was raging against the rocky island. Dementors could be seen swirling in the air. Two guards quickly ran over to the amassing group.
"Halt! Who are you, and what are you doing here?" One yelled, pointing his wand at Harry.
"I am here under the authority of the interim Minister of Magic and Head of the DMLE, Madam Bones. We are to transfer Death Eaters and other high security prisoners to my home, Castle Slytherin, to prevent the Dark Lord from freeing them." Lord Slytherin floated over a small stack of parchment using wandless magic so the guards could examine it for themselves.
The two scoured the pages before whispering to each other and turning back towards the Order of Slytherin. The first guard spoke again. "Please follow me. We'll escort you where you need to go."
The group quickly was met by other auror guards and split up, scouring the prison for each of the Death Eaters they were to take with them. Tracey and her squad positioned themselves at the portkey point, examining each prisoner for glamorous before crossing them off their list and allowing the others to take them back to Slytherin Castle. To everyone's relief, the operation was going smoothly, though every member of the Basilisk remained on edge the entire time.
Finally, Daphne and her squad took the last prisoners away from Azkaban, leaving Anthony and Susan with Harry so he could bid his goodbyes to the warden. Walking into the office, he saw no other people except for the tall, lanky man covered in multiple layers of robes.
His office was adorned with portraits of the previous wardens as well as landscapes. The dull grey room fit perfectly with the rest of the prison, lacking any warmth.
"Lord Slytherin, what a surprise. Done already?" The warden asked, looking up from his paperwork while remaining seated.
"Yes, Warden Donohoe. Just was coming to let you know and thank you for the cooperation of you and your staff. Hopefully this was unnecessary, but with the Dark Lord's return, chances are the dementors will soon turn against us. I wish you luck, sir." Lord Slytherin spoke politely.
"Let's hope you're wrong, but at least it takes a target off our backs in the meantime. Good luck to you, Lord Slytherin." The warden spoke before returning his attention to the parchment in front of him.
Slightly taken aback by the man's lack of courtesy, Harry just nodded and took his leave.
"Something isn't right." Susan voiced her thoughts once the three were alone and making their way to the exit of the prison.
"Portkeys ready?" The lord whispered. He merely received a nod in return from each.
The three had just left the walls of the prison and were making their way to the dock and the departure point when the already chilly air seemed to freeze even further. With a glance between themselves, they started taking off, running for their exit.
"Hold it!" A guard yelled, but, not a moment later, spellfire filled the air.
The trio slowed immediately but kept moving towards their escape. Susan and Anthony positioned themselves sideways, with Susan covering the left and Anthony the right while Harry readied his wand for any attacks that would come from their front or above.
Figures began appearing at the portkey point dressed in telling black robes and silver masks.
"You're surrounded, Potter!" One with a particularly decorated mask shouted as he and the other dozen Death Eaters aimed their wands and blocked their exit.
A smirk grew on Lord Slytherin's face. "I see only fools wishing to greet death. You're too late anyways. Your friends have already been taken to a place where you'll never find them. Now, get out of my way." His smile never left his face but the air started to crackle with his magic as if it was electrified. The small sparks did nothing to dissuade the notion.
Many of the Death Eaters and guards took a step back in fear but were rallied by the apparent leader of the group. "You're just a child! Don't think you can bluff your way out of this!"
Harry shook his head. "You really don't get it, do you? Just a day ago, we foiled your master's plans at the Ministry. Today we are foiling his plans here. We aren't the Order of the Phoenix. We are ready. Ready… to… kill."
Understanding their lord and friend's intentions, Susan and Anthony cast large horizontal cutting curses at the opponents to their sides. Those unable to shield in time were sliced in two at the waist, the comrades behind them coated in their blood.
Lord Slytherin at the same time sent a string of bombardas and confrigos in front of him, disrupting the Death Eater lines immediately. Dementors attempted to converge on them from the sky, but he raised his left wand in the air.
"Expecto patronum."
Despite the fearsome creatures who resembled an iteration of the grim reaper, the spell was cast softly. The dragon patronus that emerged, however, was anything but. Harry had found it quite ironic the first time he realized it had changed from Prongs into a Hungarian Horntail, the same dragon that had almost killed him in the Triwizard Tournament. Immediately, the dementors started to flee as the patronus soared through the sky.
The remaining Death Eaters and guards watched on in amazement behind their shield charms. Seeing the ferocity of their enemy, many threw down their wands, begging for mercy. With their numbers dwindling, the others started running to flee. They were met with blasting, cutting, and piercing curses to their backs.
"Please, we surrender" The Death Eater leader begged on his knees.
Lord Slytherin strode forward towards him. "Susan. Anthony, bind the guards. Madam Bones can deal with them."
As they carried out their orders, Harry summoned their enemies' wands into a pile before crouching down in front of the Death Eater. Hearing the bodies collapsing to the ground, he asked, "Done?"
"Yes, sir." Anthony replied. "What do we do with the scum?"
Harry removed the silver mask to reveal Walden Macnair, who cowered in fear. "Make sure at least one of them can watch."
A ten foot long and foot in diameter basilisk made of magic emerged from his wand and tore a searing hole through Macnair in an instant. Of seemingly its own accord, it systematically eliminated the other Death Eaters. Many tried to run, but none could escape the magical basilisk.
When it was done, nothing but the crashing of waves and winds against the island could be heard.
Having arisen from his crouched position, Harry turned back to the remaining guards. "This is what awaits those who follow Voldemort. You may think he will bring you riches and glory, but, even if they are provided, they will not last long against what is coming. Consider yourselves lucky." Looking at his friends' stoic faces, his face softened. "Ready to go home?"
Susan nodded with a smile. "I think Auntie won't be able to tell if she hates or loves you."
"I think that's the average reaction to Harry after someone gets to know him." Anthony chuckled.
"Come on, you gits." Harry shook his head, his words mirthful.
AN: Hey everyone! This chapter holds a special place in my heart as it's the first full chapter I've written and published since I lost my father as I was writing chapter 15 of WYHNLL. Hope everyone enjoyed this.
As Always,
Occidere Prima Vel Occidi