Disclaimer: The plot is ours, but the majority of the main characters belong to the imagination of J.K. Rowling. We do not gain any profit from writing this story.
Summary: With the Grimoire in safe hands and James Potter expelled, Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and their friends expected that their remaining time at Hogwarts would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, the intentions of a few detestable individuals will make their lives more arduous. With the help of a few new friends, they all must join together to fight against the rising tide of evil in the Wizarding World.
A/N: This story is A/U (Alternative Universe) and is NOT canon compliant. If you don't like Sev/Lily fiction, don't read it.
Chapter 24
The Shadowman
The moment Albus finished his speech, the entire student body rose up and started shouting at him.
"You can't do that!" A male seventh-year-student shouted loudly. "Only the board of governors can revoke a Hogsmeade weekend and they have to have a bloody good reason for doing it!"
"If you think you can bribe anybody into telling you who did it, think again! The majority of the students hate both their guts!" A girl shouted. "Probably the only ones who still like him are his relatives!"
Sam grimaced and lowered his head.
"She's right!" Another student shouted. "Yalarad got what he deserved and if there was any real justice, the berk would have gotten worse!"
Albus looked gob-smacked by the hostility directed at him.
Minerva tapped on her goblet to get the student's attention again. "If you're finished with your dinner, you may leave."
The students filed out, still grumbling and complaining. Dante and Athena were loudly insulted.
"Those two trolls got what they deserved!" A fifth-year student declared loudly.
"Can we get them tossed out if we prove they're unethical? A sixth-year student asked
Minerva cast a silencing spell and then turned to Dumbledore. "Albus, that is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard you say!"
Filius spoke up. "I have never heard you threaten to revoke Hogsmeade privileges at any other time, even when Argus has been the victim of dung bombs, stink pellets, and the Bubbling Vomit Puddle complete with an authentic smell, over and over again."
"Slytherin House was dung bombed last night, but I didn't hear you say a thing about that," Horace grumbled.
Gabriel chuckled. "Rather hypocritical of you, Albus. I heard you were quite the dung bomber in your day."
"Do tell, Gabriel," Filius encouraged.
"I heard he used to plant them under his professor's desk chairs in the classroom."
"Is that why you thought it was so funny when Mr. Potter set them off all over the place?" Minerva snapped. "Reliving your youth by proxy?"
Albus looked furious at that revelation. "It doesn't matter what I did as a student," he said primly. "This attack on Mr. Yalarad and Miss Braider is clearly flouting their position of authority.
"They have no authority except for what little the Student Code grants them," Horace pointed out. "And it definitely does not grant them the power of threatening other students in order to force them to do whatever they want."
"If you continue with this foolishness, Albus," Minerva warned. "We will take the students to Hogsmeade ourselves, perhaps on the Sunday before Christmas."
"Spot on idea, Minerva," Filius said. "We can ask our substitute heads to keep an eye on the students who aren't able to go."
Dumbledore looked shocked at the open defiance of his professors. He crossed his arms. "There will be no going to Hogsmeade period unless somebody confesses to this dung bomb attack."
Horace shrugged. "Well, Albus, we could ask the Board of Governors for their opinion on the matter."
Albus paled. "I do not think we need to go to that extreme, Horace. I am sure a more reasonable accommodation can be worked out." Merlin knew he had already been in enough trouble with the board and was not looking for any more trouble.
"You think about it, Albus," Minerva encouraged. "And you can tell us your decision tomorrow evening."
Dumbledore nodded and quickly left by the door behind the head table.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Horace went into his office and sank down in his chair in exhaustion. The elves thankfully had gotten rid of the dung bomb stink and the third year boys were settled back in their proper dorm. He proceeded to prepare a pot of his favorite Earl Grey tea and got out a box of cookies sent to him by a former student who was opening a cookie shop in Diagon Alley. He arranged the cookies on a plate and poured himself a cup of the tea, sat back, and relaxed after the stressful 24 hours he'd had.
Just then the floo sounded and Horace sighed, hoping it was not Bartemius again, but instead it was Marius Prince.
"I apologize for disturbing you, Horace, but I need to speak to Severus."
"Please come through, Lord Prince," Horace replied.
As Marius stepped out of the fireplace, after removing the ashes from his cloak.
"May I offer you some tea and cookies?" Horace asked.
"Thank you, Horace, but I need to see Severus. I am afraid I have some bad news."
"Is it Vesper…" Horace started to say.
"Vesper is fine and she sends her regards," Marius replied.
"I believe Severus and his friends are in the Defense classroom. Gabriel offered it to them as a place to meet after Dante found the refuge they had set up down here."
"I need to inform all of Severus' friends and Gabriel also about what happened tonight."
"If you don't mind my asking…" Horace started to say.
Marius sighed. "Earlier tonight we got a floo call, asking for sanctuary. It was from Robert Gold. He had been badly injured and his dueling arm has been deliberately amputated."
"Merlin's beard!" Horace exclaimed in a horrified tone. "What on earth happened?"
"We do not know exactly as he was barely conscious when he arrived and lapsed into unconsciousness shortly afterwards."
"May I tell the other professors about this?" Horace asked. "Robert is well liked and respected by all of them."
"Yes, you may tell them, but please do not tell them where he has taken refuge."
Horace nodded. "Of course. Whoever did this is still undoubtedly searching for him to finish him off." They arrived at the Defense classroom and Horace knocked on the door.
"Enter," Gabriel called. Marius and Horace walked into the room and then Horace excused himself to return to Slytherin House.
"Grandpa." Severus said in surprise. He knew his grandfather was at Hogwarts for the monthly meeting of the board of governors, but he didn't always stop to visit him.
"I am afraid I have some bad news, Severus."
"Is Grandma alright?" Severus asked, turning pale, his voice quavering.
"Your grandmother is fine and sends her love," Marius assured him. "It is about Robert Gold."
"Is he dead?" Remus asked bluntly. He remembered the kindness Professor Gold had shown him last year, but knew his regular job was very dangerous.
"No, but he is badly injured by his dueling arm being cut off."
Everyone gasped. "Who would do such a horrible thing?" Lily demanded.
"Robert has made many enemies in the business he was in," Marius replied. "The Gold family will be staying somewhere safe during his recovery. Professor Slughorn is going to inform the other professors."
Gabriel looked fierce. "It sounds as if Bobby was either betrayed or set up because I know nobody could ever get the drop on him otherwise."
"Yes, I agree, but I will not know for sure exactly what happened until Robert regains consciousness and can tell us."
"Will we be able to see him during the Christmas holidays do you think?" Severus asked.
"If he has recovered enough by then and would like to have visitors," Marius replied. He took out his pocket watch and checked the time. "I must be getting upstairs. The board meeting will be starting in a few minutes." He took something out of his pocket and enlarged it. "Your grandmother and Mitzi didn't forget your blueberry muffins." Marius said, handing Severus a tin.
Severus smiled. "Tell gran and Mitzi thanks for me, Grandpa, and give them both my love."
"I will do so," Marius promised, giving him a quick hug.
"I'll walk with you, Marius, if you don't mind," Gabriel said.
"Not at all," Marius replied.
"What do you think happened to Bobby?" Gabriel asked suddenly as they walked to the Entrance Hall.
"I cannot be sure, but I believe that Haldana Hardbroom had something to do with it. I have been keeping track of her since she was dismissed from Hogwarts and she was living in squalor until recently and suddenly now she's living in West Berlin in quite luxurious circumstances from what I understand."
"You think somebody set Bobby up with a duel just so she could attack him while he had his eyes and mind on the duel?"
"Yes, but I will not know for sure until my source in Germany gets back to me."
"It makes sense and I don't know anybody who's as dishonorable as she is."
"I will keep you informed," Marius promised Gabriel as he started up the stairs towards Dumbledore's office.
Gabriel returned to his classroom to find Severus and his friends looking very gloomy. He noticed the tin of muffins hadn't been touched.
"What will Professor Gold do now?" Emily asked.
"Will he be able to learn how to duel with his other arm?" Lily asked.
Gabriel nodded. "He will still be able to work for the organization he's worked for, for years, but just not out in the field. He's made many contacts, in many countries, over the years and I imagine he can still be useful in finding out information," Gabriel said in answer to Emily's question. "It will take a great deal of determination to learn how to duel with his remaining arm as it does affect your balance, but I figure if anyone can do it, it would be Bobby," he replied to Lily's question.
"It's just plain rotten!" Frank complained. "Professor Gold's lucky he got away with his life!"
Peter nodded sadly. Like Remus, he hadn't forgotten the kindness Professor Gold had shown towards him, making sure his asthma didn't flare up in class, unlike that hag Hardbroom.
"I guess the best thing we can do is learn as much as we can to protect ourselves and the ones we love because whoever did this to Professor Gold is either evil themselves or taking orders from somebody who is very evil."
"I agree with Severus," Gabriel added nodding.
They left well before curfew, not wanting any of Dante's cohorts to tattle on them to Dante and have points taken away or get detention. Lily, Alice, Irene, Frank, Sirius, Remus, and Peter walked together and started up the main staircase to the 4th and 7th floors while Severus, Dorian, Tav, Reg, and Caddaric headed down to the lower floor.
Severus entered his and Bart's room. Bart, as usual, was studying while Greymalkin was sitting on Severus' desk grooming himself.
"Anything going on?" Bart asked, looking up from the book he was reading.
Severus shook his head. "No, thankfully. It's been right peaceful with Dante in the hospital ward, but I heard he's been released and no doubt he'll be out for vengeance."
"Especially since Athena was injured also," Bart agreed.
Severus sighed. He hoped Gabriel was able to find out something about whoever Dante was involved with from Rufus Scrimgeour so this could be put to an end once and for all.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
The following morning, Marius apparated to the outskirts of Stone's Cross, the ancestral home of House Dain. It was early in the morning of the Scottish Highlands. The morning mist was visible, the dew kissed flowers adorned the path to Stone's Cross.
A pop was heard, and Marius smiled to see his traveling companion had arrived.
Edmund Fawley straightened his coat as he shook the butterflies from his head. "I always get that shiver when I apparate!"
Marius laughed, "I remember when we first took our lessons, back at Hogwarts. You kept complaining about the 'bone shivering tingling sensation' you felt."
"It just feels off," Edmund explained. "Anyways, enough about that. Let's go."
The two made their way to Stone's Cross. Marius had asked Edmund to come with him, because he was good friends with almost everyone in the Wizarding community. He had a natural gift to make friends with people almost immediately. Strangers turned into trusted friends after spending time with Edmund.
He was also a close friend of Munich Dain.
Marius also used to be a friend of Munich, until he was tasked to be the prosecutor against his son, Oslo, for 'Unlawful Use of Force' while he was still a rookie in the MLE. Oslo was later proven to be found 'not guilty.' Unfortunately the relationship between Oslo and Marius soured quickly and the friendship never recovered after that.
Marius sighed, "I hope I don't get turned away at the door."
"Trust me Marius, the fact that you're coming in person, and not floo-calling them, will show you in a more favorable light." Edmund smiled, "Hopefully, if we caught him in a good mood, we will at least get five minutes with him."
The two walked past a wooded ranchero style fence that bordered the property lines of Stone's Cross.
The original manor of Stone's Cross, could barely be called a manor. It was more of a stone built house with barely enough room for a family of five. The house was shaped like that of a cross, hence its title.
However, two hundred years ago, a secondary manor was built that was more fitting for a family of the Dain's standards. The original stone house was built to last, and it was used as Munich and Natalie Dain's primary residence after their retirement.
Marius and Edmund walked up to the door. Edmund knocked on the door.
An old woman, around Marius' age, opened the door. She had salt and peppered hair put up into a bow tie, and had an apron on. An apron that was covered in burn marks and splotches of ash. Her eyes widened, and she smiled when she saw Edmund. "Oh Eddy, it's so good to see you!"
"Hello Nat!" Edmund smiled upon reuniting with Natalie Shadiq.
Her smile quickly faded when seeing Marius' face, "The same cannot be said for you, Marius."
"Hello Natalie," Marius figured there would still be some hurt feelings from her. "May we come in? I wish to speak to Munich."
Natalie leaned on the door frame. "Edmund may come in, but you're not welcome here."
Marius sighed, "Please Natalie, it's important. Normally I would respect your boundaries, I have done so these past almost twenty years now! But I must speak with Munny!"
"Munich, is preoccupied at the moment. He's hard at work." Natalie turned her head away from Marius.
"Nattie, come now, this is important. Hell's bells woman, we're talking about national security here! We're talking, we're talking about lives perhaps being on the line!" Edmund pleaded with his friend.
Natalie looked at Edmund and saw the seriousness of his words. "He's out back by the forge." Natalie pointed her head to the rear of the house.
Marius bowed his head, "Thank you Nat…"
Natalie shut the door on him before he could finish his sentence.
"Well that could have gone better." Marius frowned.
"She could have told us both to bugger off, but she didn't. Come on, let's see Munny."
The two walked around Stone's Cross to a small forge area. The Dains were known for their ability to forge impressive things out of metals. They were known to even rival several known goblin forge masters.
The dull hammering of a hammer hitting a hot piece of metal on an anvil was heard, as Marius and Edmund made their way around to the forge.
Munich Dain stood an imposing six foot four. For a man his age, he was still quite intimidating.
Edmund and Marius stood just out of reach of the sparks that flew from the strike of the anvil. The forge was crafted from the same bedrock that made the entirety of Stone's Cross. Enchanted embers that kept the fires warm that were said to have lasted generations of Dains.
Before Marius could speak, Munich spoke first. "No."
Marius was taken aback. "I haven't even…"
"No." Munich struck the hot piece of metal.
Marius was about to lose his temper, but Edmund stopped him. "Best if I do the talking here, old boy." Edmund stepped forward a tad, "Munny! How's tricks?"
Munich Dain stopped his hammering, and without turning around pointed his hammer at Marius. "What's he doing here, Ned?"
"It's an important issue I assure you, Mun." Edmund pulled out a bottle from his pocket and resized it to its normal size. "You're still a whiskey man, right?"
Munich lowered his hammer, "Glen McKenna?"
"Thirty Year Reserve, supplied by our friend here," Edmund motioned towards Marius.
A loud drawn out breath came from the elder Dain. He placed his piece of metal in a bucket of water. The water sizzled as steam erupted from it. The hammer was placed in a loop onto his belt.
Munich Dain turned around, his face showed his age. Stray wrinkles adorned his face as his hairline receded. His gray hair still had patches of brown. A full beard of brown, and gray which was twisted into a single braid. The whole thing nearly came down to his chest.
He pulled off his gloves, walked over to a desk in his space, and pulled out a jar filled with nails. He poured the nails out, took the offered bottle, opened it, and filled a finger full of the liquor in.
If there was one thing Munich Dain appreciated, it was a fine whiskey. He took a sip, and sighed. "Okay go."
Marius cleared his throat, "Munich the thing is…"
"No."
Marius was flabbergasted.
Munich pointed to Edmund. "Ned, go."
"Well I'm sorry to say I'm not fully read in on the situation at hand. But I'm sure Marius can explain." Edmund crossed his arms, "I'm sure you can stomach hearing his voice. You're stomaching his whiskey quite well."
Munich looked slightly taken aback, but recovered. He glanced at Marius, "What do you want?"
"Before I start, I want to make something clear. I won't apologize for doing my job, Munich. I didn't ask to prosecute your son, I was handling the case that was assigned to me."
"Oh you're off to a real good start," Munich sarcastically stated.
Edmund got between his friends, "Marius, Marius? Maybe stick to the topic at hand?"
"No, if he's going to have an attitude with me, and expect me to just take it then he's got another thing coming!"
Munich growled, "Oh, you haven't seen attitude."
"Enough! The two of you!" Edmund got things back under order. "Marius, speak your peace!"
Marius got back on topic, "I need your help."
"You got a funny way of asking for help," Munich took another sip of his drink.
"Munny!" Edmund sighed in frustration.
Munich smirked, but kept quiet.
"Marius, continue."
"Last night Robert Gold showed up at Mirrovale asking for sanctuary, and I gave it to him," Marius started to regale Munich and Edmund of what happened the night before.
"What happened?" This piqued Munich Dain's attention.
"He was in a bad state, but thankfully his wife, Isabelle, came through to heal his wounds as best she could. Robert and his family are staying with us until he fully recovers." Marius kept Robert's severed arm a secret, for privacy's sake.
"Merlin, that's terrible," Edmund made a note to stop by during the week to check up on them and see if they needed anything.
Munich crossed his arms and was in deep thought, "Did he lose an arm?"
Marius turned pale, it looked like he saw a ghost. "How the Devil did you know that?"
Edmund nearly flipped, "Time out. Robert lost an arm?!"
Munich followed up, "Three days ago, a report came from West Germany. A skirmish broke out near an inn called, 'The Giant's Toe.' One man took on several mercenaries, four of them died as a result, and the others were rounded up."
Munich put his glass down, "Witnesses say that the man was taken from behind by a woman. She laid in wait for an opportune moment to strike, and she did. She took the man's right arm off. He made a hasty escape, and the woman took off shortly after."
Edmund and Marius were speechless. Munich transfigured two nails into glasses, filled them with whiskey, and gave them to Marius and Edmund. They drank their glasses to steel their nerves.
A silence arose amongst them.
Munich looked at Marius, "What are you asking of me?"
"I believe that the woman in question is Haldana Hardbroom. If she reappears trying to get back into the country, then she must be detained," Marius explained.
"Hardbroom? I know of her. Bad attitude, and worse conduct. Failed the entrance exam for the Aurors, and the entry trials for the Black Cloaks." Munich slowly nodded his head. "I still have contacts at my old position, and my replacement will want to hear this as well."
"So, you'll keep an eye out for her? Because if she tries this again, who knows where she'll pop up at? She could even try this at Hogsmeade during a Hogwarts trip?" Edmund exclaimed, "Think of Renner and Vienna! And Sam, Hippolyta, and Agamemnon!"
"Okay, okay. I understand. I will have them keep an eye out for Hardbroom," Munich promised.
"Thank you Munich," Marius thanked his old friend.
"I'm not doing this for you. I'm safeguarding my grandchildren from a possible threat." Munich stretched his bones. "Now if that's all?"
Marius sighed, he should have figured this would change nothing. "That's everything, Munich."
"Good, now leave."
Munich said his goodbyes to Edmund before returning to his forge.
Marius and Edmund left Stone's Cross and walked back to their Apparition point in silence, their task at hand completed. The weight of the conversation hung heavily in the air. Marius couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and disappointment. Munich had agreed to keep an eye out for Haldana Hardbroom, but their personal relationship was still strained. Marius was sad to see that his old friend was still very bitter, even after all this time.
As they reached the outskirts of Stone's Cross, Edmund finally broke the silence. "Well, that could have gone worse, I suppose."
Marius nodded, his mind still processing the encounter. "Yes. At least Munich agreed to help in his own way, but it's clear that our past still angers him."
Edmund placed a comforting hand on Marius' shoulder. "He's a stubborn old man, Marius. It'll take time for wounds to heal fully, but let's focus on the task at hand."
Marius offered a small smile, appreciating his friend's support. "You're right, Edmund. We'll keep monitoring the situation and gather more information. We won't let whomever is behind all this get away."
With renewed determination, Marius and Edmund Apparated back to their homes. They knew they had a challenging journey ahead, but they were ready to face it head-on. The safety of their loved ones depended on them
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Sirius was outside of the Library waiting for Regulus to come outside.
They had spent the afternoon studying up on dueling techniques for the Dueling Club. Gabriel had told them and their friends that he was going to announce a round robin tournament with select students participating. It was so that certain students like Dante, Cassidy, or Yaxley could not participate.
Regulus came out of the library with the books he wanted. "Madam Pince is getting more and more selective on who can take out certain books every single week!"
"Well can you blame her little brother? With people like Dante, and the like, she has to be on her toes. Can't let information like this get into the wrong hands."
Regulus shook his head, "Right, that tracks."
The two were about to make their way to Gabriel's classroom when someone ran into Sirius. The two of them fell to the floor.
"Watch it!" Sirius looked at the person who ran into him. He grimaced, it was Agamemnon Yalarad.
Agamemnon shook his head and looked at Sirius. "I'm sorry Siri."
Sirius bit his tongue. He and Regulus talked about what they would do when they had to speak with Sam's siblings. They decided that since they weren't hostile in the beginning they would be treated accordingly.
Sirius sighed as he got up, and brushed himself off, "Just watch it next time Augie."
Regulus offered a helping hand to Agamemnon, asking curiously, "Why were you running in the first place?"
Before Augie could respond, Ramsey Clarke and Delsin Myers rushed towards them, interrupting the conversation. Ramsey spoke urgently, "Hold it! He's coming with us!"
Indignant, Agamemnon hid behind Sirius and Regulus. Sensing trouble, the Black brothers positioned themselves protectively in front of him. Regulus inquired, "Augie, what's happening? Why do they want to take you with them?"
Agamemnon took a deep breath and revealed the unsettling truth. "I overheard them plotting, Reggie! They were planning to attack me and Hippolyta, and then blame it on both of you!"
"Fucking excuse me?!" Sirius saw red as he and Regulus drew their wands, and they both got into 'Relaxed Pure' dueling stances.
Ramsey and Delsin reacted by brandishing their wands, ready to defend themselves. Delsin sneered, "That's utter nonsense! The little twerp is lying!"
Challenging their deceit, Sirius twirled his wand with purpose. "Then tell us, what were you really plotting?"
Ramsey stubbornly retorted, "None of your business, Black!"
Unwilling to back down, Sirius was on the verge of casting a hex when Madam Pince intervened, effectively deescalating the situation. Stepping forward, she scolded the group,
"Excuse me, what do you four think you're doing? I won't tolerate such unruly behavior outside my library! I'm deducting five points from each of you!"
"You can't take away points!" Myers challenged Madam Pince.
Madam Pince turned towards Ramsey, "I can, and I have Mr. Clarke! I am the Head Librarian, and I have the same rights and responsibilities as a Head of House! You'd be well to remember that! Now leave before I give you detention along with more points taken away!"
Reluctantly, Ramsey and Delsin pocketed their wands and hurried away, leaving the scene. Madam Pince returned to the library, her presence effectively restoring order.
Sirius and Regulus put their wands away, annoyed that they had lost points. Sirius turned to Augie, "Augie, you wouldn't mind coming with us to Gabriel's classroom and telling everyone what you told us?"
Agamemnon shook his head, placing his trust in Regulus. "Of course, Reggie."
United, the Black brothers guided Agamemnon to Gabriel's classroom, where their friends were gathered. There, Agamemnon courageously recounted the details of the plot he had overheard, exposing Myers and Clarke's malicious intentions.
"I was walking back from my Potion's class to the library to study a bit more. It was in the dungeons where I overheard them talking about how they were going to frame Sirius and Regulus for an attack on me and Hippolyta! They were going to do it before Sam's birthday party in a few weeks."
Listening intently, Gabriel acknowledged Agamemnon's testimony with concern. Addressing the group, he emphasized the gravity of the situation. "Thank you, Agamemnon, for sharing this information."
Turning to Sirius and Regulus, Gabriel commended their quick thinking and protective instincts. "And I appreciate you two for standing up for Augie. Thank you Sirius, and thank you Regulus."
Everyone nodded in agreement, understanding the seriousness of the situation.
Severus shook his head, "This is getting out of hand real quick. If Dante is conspiring stuff like this, then who knows what else he's capable of?"
"To be fair, we don't know if Dante sanctioned this," Remus pondered. "However, Clarke and Myers never do anything like this without orders from above."
Lily nodded, "We should bring in Sam, he's going to want to hear this."
Gabriel shook his head, he cast his Patronus, that of a Panther, and it went to fetch Sam.
A few minutes later, Sam came barreling into the classroom. "Augie! Augie, are you okay?!" Sam leapt over towards his little brother, and started checking him for any wounds.
"I'm fine Sam. Honest!"
A couple of seconds afterwards Hippolyta, Renner, and Nathan came rushing in as well.
Hippolyta rushed to Agamemnon's side, her expression a mix of worry and relief. "Augie, what happened? Are you hurt?"
Agamemnon shook his head, reassured by his sister's presence. "I'm okay, Hippolyta. But I overheard Ramsey and Delsin planning to attack us and they were gonna frame Sirius and Regulus for it."
Hippolyta's eyes widened in disbelief and anger. She turned to Sirius and Regulus, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you both for protecting Augie and bringing this to light. I can't believe Ramsey and Delsin would stoop so low."
"You're welcome, but I don't think this was something they would come up with themselves," Regulus pointed out.
Sam raised his head up, he understood immediately what Regulus implicated.
Hippolyta also understood and exploded, "That piece of troll shite!"
Gabriel bit his tongue, he knew better than to stop Hippolyta from expressing her anger.
"Lyta…" Nathan tried to calm her down.
"No, Nathan! He's gone too far this time! I've abided with his antics and ideals for far too long!" Hippolyta put her fist into her other hand. "Now is the time for action!"
Sirius raised his eyes, "Time for action?"
Hippolyta turned to Sirius, "Yeah. I'm talking about going over and kicking that smug look off of his face!"
Sirius chuckled, "You might want to consider using your fists. I don't think your legs will reach his ugly mug."
Hippolyta smirked, "I can kick pretty high, Black." She gave him a sly look, leaving Sirius speechless and a bit flushed.
Sam got up and walked over to the window overlooking the rolling fields of fading green.
Renner walked over to his cousin and the two of them appeared to have a short discussion under their breaths, as if they didn't want anyone to hear what they were saying.
Renner went over to a corner where Gabriel kept his record player on a stand. He turned it on and played some Cab Calloway, and put it on the highest volume.
"Renner I don't think…" Gabriel was cut off when Sam raised his hand. Sam put a finger to his lips and waved him over to speak to him.
Gabriel walked over to Sam and they talked for a minute. Everyone noticed that Sam and Gabriel were a bit animated. Their conversation stopped when Sam pointed at Severus, and Gabriel looked back at him.
Gabriel waved for Severus to come join him by the record player.
Severus walked over putting a hand over his ear that was facing the record player on blast. "What's the matter?"
Gabriel got right to the point, "Did Dante ever put his hands on you?"
Severus thought back to Flourish and Blotts. He remembered how Dante pinned against a bookshelf. Severus shook his head.
"Open your shirt," Gabriel demanded.
Severus gave Gabriel a look, but saw that his teacher was serious. So he pulled down his sweater vest and undid a few buttons of his shirt. Everyone had started to gather around to see what was going on.
Sam was still over by the window.
Severus only undid the third button when Gabriel stopped him and saw the mole on his chest. He put on his glasses and examined the mole.
"Gabriel what's…"
Gabriel hushed Severus as he pulled out his wand.
Severus blanched a little, "Gabe?"
Gabriel pinched Severus' mole eliciting a sharp sense of pain from him and a split second later it was excised from his chest with a quick spell.
Severus winced in pain. Black Donal took over and dressed Severus' new chest wound.
Gabriel examined the mole and took it to his desk. He placed it on a dish and got a looking glass to examine it closer. Whatever it was, it was now inactive due to Gabriel removing it from Severus.
Gabriel turned off the record player so he could focus, and after a short while he spoke. "Motherfucker," Gabriel swore under his breath.
Emily walked over to Gabriel. "What is it Gabriel?"
"Dante put a listening spell on Severus. This one is a bit more advanced than the others…"
As Black Donal finished dressing Severus' wound for him, Peter walked over to Gabriel, "I'm guessing you're leading to a 'but.'"
Gabriel looked at Peter, "But this listening spell places it's magic sundermally, meaning it's under the skin. This spell borders some very gray magic. If this were several years ago, then Dante would be facing some charges."
Severus buttoned his shirt, "I should have known."
"No Sev, you couldn't have known, from what you told me, your grandfather only took off that first listening spell. We all thought you were home free after that."
Severus nodded but then looked over at Sam. He got up and walked over to him, "You knew! You knew all this time!"
Renner and Nate got in between Severus and Sam. Hippolyta and Agamemnon were on the side watching how all this would play out
"Yeah," Sam admitted. "I did know. About a month or so ago."
Severus looked offended, "And you were going to tell me, or Gabriel when?"
Sam looked away from the window and gave Seveus his full attention, "Never. I was never going to tell you. I had no reason to Severus."
Severus felt angry, and looked like he was going to snap, but Sam raised his hands. "I didn't care whether or not Dante tormented you and your friends. Made your lives miserable, or whatnot. I didn't care, because his ire wasn't targeted at me, or my friends. He was focused on you, and I was happy to just let him be."
Severus calmed himself down as Sam told him the truth. "What about me and my friends?!"
"You only had to deal with him for another year, you could suffer that, that arsehole's misgivings for a while longer," Sam crossed his arms. "I have to deal with him for the rest of my life."
"No you don't Sam," Gabriel interjected. "Just come with me to Dumbledore and we can have him throw out right now. Afterwards Sherwood could have him put back into his place."
Sam shook his head, "He doesn't care about that anymore. He's lost interest in the family business, and he doesn't even want the family fortune as far as I can see."
Everyone got a bit worried after hearing that. Irene walked over to Sam, "What does he care about?"
"Two things. Athena, and revenge." Severus sighed, "Revenge on Marius Prince, the one man, apart from my Grandfather, who put him in his place."
Severus looked concerned, "Sam, who's he working with? From what I've been told, he's working with someone."
Sam was playing with something underneath his shirt again.
Sirius walked over and pushed his shoulder, "You've already spilt the beans on him so far, what's keeping you now?!"
Renner brushed Sirius away from his cousin. Mary intervened before things popped off, "Ren, please."
Renner looked down at Mary, and shook his head. "Sorry," Renner spoke softly.
Sam glared at Sirius, "I don't know his name. Dante never gave his name, but he'd call him 'The Old Man' sometimes."
Gabriel got closer to his godson, "Think Sam, is there anything else? It can be small, insignificant really."
Sam thought hard, "I overheard him talking with Doherty once."
Everyone leaned in close.
"...Owen…something Owen."
Gabriel made a mental note, "Was that a first name, a last name?"
Sam racked his head, "Maybe a last name I don't know!"
"Okay, okay that's good Sam. Anything can help us identify this person."
Sam looked up and had realized something.
"What is it Sam," Irene asked him.
He looked over at his crush. "I uh…recall a moniker. Actually it was more like a codename or something."
Gabriel asked Sam, "What? What was it?"
Sam looked at Gabriel, "'The Shadowman.' Dante said this Owen guy used to be called 'The Shadowman.'"
Gabriel wrote everything down and made sure to get into contact with Marius to have him look into this 'Shadowman.'
"That sounds very ominous," Regulus joked.
Agamemnon shivered, "He sounds like a Boogeyman of sorts."
"Sounds like a code name of sorts," Gabriel pointed out.
"You think your Auror pals might be able to shed some insight on it," Black Donal asked Gabriel.
"I hope so," Gabriel sighed. He didn't want to ever step foot in the MLE offices again, but he had no choice. He had to speak with Scrimgeour.
Sirius looked at Sam, "The article about my father…"
"It wasn't me," Sam frowned. "I want your father investigated, but not like this. I at least have some sort of sense of decorum and order, not to go off all half cocked like that!"
"You blew off our front door, Sam." Regulus pointed out. "That's pretty half cocked."
"He's got you there Sam," Augie pointed out.
Sam huffed, "I was wrong in doing that." He looked at Regulus, "I'm sorry."
Regulus nodded back, "What about our father?"
Sam uncrossed his arms, "I just want the truth."
Sirius stepped up to Sam, the two former friends stared at each other. "If Reggie and I found that out for you, would you take it at face value?" Sirius offered a compromise in order for everyone to get on the same page.
Sam looked at Sirius, and was shocked. "I know you well enough to see if you're lying, so I would."
"I want something in return," Sirius negotiated. "If this whole debacle lands our father in some trial or something…"
"I'll ask the courts for clemency and mercy," Sam finished Sirius' demand.
Sam put his hand out, Sirius looked at it and took it. They shook hands briefly.
Sam looked at Severus, "Sebastian told me about this truce you wanted between The United, and your Marauders."
Severus groaned, "We're not the Marauders."
"It's a name that stuck Severus, just like 'The Half Blood Prince.'" Sam pointed out.
"I actually like the Marauders," Sirius confessed.
"Yeah, so do I." Remus gave a rare smile..
"It just feels right," Peter added.
"I can't get control over Dante's contingent, but you won't get any trouble from me and mine."
"What if we get hassled by Doherty, or Clarke and Myers?" Frank asked aloud.
"I don't care, hex the bastards blind, if you're inclined. Just leave my friends and family out of it."
Severus shook his head, "What about Dante?"
Sam looked back at Severus, "I want you and your friends at my party in a few weeks. I'll confront him there. With my friends and yours, he'll have to concede due to the superior numbers."
Severus shook his head, at last things were finally coming into place. He just hoped that they weren't coming into place just a bit too late.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
It was after hours at Hogwarts.
But seeing as he was the Head Boy, Dante was given special privileges. As such he was allowed to roam the halls after curfew. Dante left his quarters and stalked his way towards the Room of Requirement.
After the dung bomb fiasco, the Room of Requirement was still off limits. However, the elves managed to scour the stench from the room under Dumbledore's orders, so he could use it.
He gained entry into the room and entered. Dante was still livid about the dungbomb. More so, that it put his beloved into the Hospital Ward. He had a founded suspicion of who perpetrated it, but he had to wait for advice from the old man.
Dante had the Room of Requirement appear as its true form, with items stacked and strewn everywhere. He took his newly obtained vanishing cabinet and found a new hiding spot for it. Dante camouflaged it with a notice-me-not concealment charm before venturing forth.
On the other end, Dante found himself in a muggle house. One that had been unkempt and uncleaned for years.
Dante walked out of the house and into the street. The old man said that this neighborhood was called Spinner's End. He said that this was where Snivellus Snape had grown up. He then apparated to the Scottish Moors where his base of operations were located.
Dante had gotten a letter from the old man to meet him, as that was the night he would obtain the Grimoire. Apparently, his inside man at Gringotts had come through.
He opened the doors of the manor and walked inside. Dante strode over towards the study, and found the old man with another man.
"...and it's prepared for everything we need?" The Old man asked the other man.
The other man had a crooked smile with yellowish teeth. Greasy brown hair adorned his head. A bulbous nose complimented his bloated jowls. He wore a simple attire of a butcher. An apron covered in dried blood was still wrapped around his waist. The man chuckled, "Oh yes Mr. Owen. The stronghold will be secure, and nigh impenetrable. I saw to it personally."
The old man nodded, "And what of the elves that we had rebuilding it?"
The butcher smiled, "Well, let's just say my shop is running a special on a…budget cut of meat!"
The Old man looked over and saw Dante. "Ah Mr. Yalarad, thank you for coming." He turned to the butcher. "Mr. Rose, I have other matters to attend to, would you be so kind as to leave us?"
"Certainly," The butcher known as Mr. Rose bowed, before making his exit through the floo.
"So, your mole at Gringotts actually came through," Dante asked the old man.
"Indeed he did Mr. Yalarad," He motioned for his protege to follow him. The Old Man took him to an adjacent room. In the room was a stand with a large book covered in newspaper and wrapped in twine.
"How did your inside guy get his hands on it?"
"It was no small feat, Mr. Yalarad. My man, Mr. Colton Ward, gained the trust of his employers that they allowed him to transfer the Grimoire from the Goshawk vault to the main Prince vault. Precisely, like I figured they would."
"That's excellent," Dante complimented his mentor.
"That it is, Mr. Yalarad."
"And you haven't opened it yet? I mean what if he switched books?"
"Well I was going to. However, I came across the most interesting thing in the news today, and I wanted your take on it!" He flipped the cover of the Grimoire over to its backside.
And right there was the article about Orion Black, covering the commission report. The old man put his glasses on and read a passage.
"On December 11th, 1966 Orion Black was spotted with his partner. Silas Yalarad, in Horzant Alley at 8:42 in the morning. It is attested by several eyewitnesses, that a quick argument erupted between the two before Orion Black apparated away to places unknown."
Dante was starting to get just a tad bit uncomfortable.
"Minutes later, several dark wizards fell upon Horzant Alley. Auror Silas Yalarad engaged them to protect the inhabitants from harm. In doing so, sixteen dark wizards were stopped from causing harm to society. However, it came at great cost to Auror Silas Yalarad, as in that fight he nobly sacrificed his life to safeguard the civilians who were at risk…"
The Old man put his glasses away and looked at Dante. "Was this you?"
Dante dared not to lie to his mentor. "Yes it was."
There was a brief moment of silence before the old man spoke again, "Well done."
Dante relaxed, "Thank you sir."
"This will keep the MLE distracted as we prepare the final stages of my plan," The Old Man grinned. "They'll be too focused on Orion Black to notice everything happening, right under their noses."
"What is going to happen, sir?"
The Old Man chuckled as he opened the the newspaper to reveal The Grimoire in all of its power, and leather bound beauty. His worn fingers ran over the Grimoire. "Justice." The Old Man breathed in deeply, "And well deserved retribution."
He opened the Grimoire to find…nothing. Absolutely nothing.
The pages were blank.
Dante felt his blood boil, "What the hell is this?! Did your mole two-time us?!"
The old man put his hand up to quiet Dante up. He waved his wand in an attempt to have the words of the Grimoire appear before him and his apprentice.
The Old man tried several different incantations and charms to get any sort of writing to appear. "No..that can't be right," The Old Man muttered under his breath. He turned each page in total silence and read the blank pages.
Without a sound he closed the book, and took a deep breath.
"Well?!" Dante asked the Old Man.
The Old Man picked up the book and handed it to Dante. "It appears we have been deceived."
"Son of a Bitch!" Dante growled, "Did your inside man trick us, or did someone tip off The Goshawks?"
"I don't know, but I will find out."
Dante looked at the 'fake' in his hands. "What should I do with this?"
"You mentioned that your cousin's birthday is coming up, and he is always writing down stuff in those journals of his. So, give him that one."
Dante nodded as he shrunk down the 'fake' to fit into his pocket. "Okay, I'll do that."
"I believe that should be it for tonight, unless you have anything to add, Mr. Yalarad?"
Dante perked up, "I was dung bombed a day ago, and my beloved shared in my misfortune as well. I know that it was Snivellus Snape and his Marauders. How should I deal with them?"
The Old Man looked at his apprentice and nodded along with what he said. "They will expect you to retaliate. Hmm, but perhaps they expect physical retaliation." The Old man walked into his study with several bookcases, all filled with dark leather bound books. These books were chained up, locked in place so that way no one could read from their dark knowledge.
He unlocked the chains, and took a book from the bookcase. The Old Man read a passage from the book and smiled. "So, let's go with a covert, yet precise psychological operation." He showed Dante the spell he wanted to use."
"Vocem Susurran? What does this do?"
"Whispering voices unseen. It makes its intended target hear voices that aren't there. When I was still an active field agent, I used this spell to make my targets lose their minds. Use it against the one who you think did it to them, and enjoy the show."
Dante smiled, he knew damn well this was Sirius Black's doing. This whole thing stunk of his brand of payback. He was going to enjoy this.
"Thank you," Dante gave thanks to his benefactor.
"The pleasure is all mine Mr. Yalarad, now I think it's best if you went back to Hogwarts."
Dante nodded and was on his way back to Hogwarts.
The Old Man watched his prodigy return back to Hogwarts through the floo.
He walked towards his study when he found his owl, Memory, perched on his desk with a letter in his beak.
He read it and found that it was from his newest operative, Haldana Hardbroom. She reported that her objective was completed successfully. Robert Gold was maimed, his dueling arm was cut off, but quickly fled from the scene before she could finish it.
The Old Man grinned, he had another task for Haldana. He heard murmurs about Haldana being on the radar for questioning. So, he decided to keep her over on the continent. In Paris, as a matter of fact. His gaze looked over back at the board of pictures and at one in particular.
The muggle sister of the Evans girl, Lilith or Lily, whatever her name was. Petunia Evans was a bit of an unknown to the Old Man. She came on his radar after she smacked around Dante and his friend Cassidy. He would have Haldana Hardbroom watch Petunia until the heat died down for her to return to England.
The floo roared to life, and Thaddeus Rose rushed out again. "Mr. Owen?"
"Thaddeus? What is it?"
Thaddeus stopped before the Old Man, "Your prodigy's got a bit of a problem."
"Yalarad? What kind of problem?"
"I was heading home when I saw Yalarad's mate, that Doherty kid, get picked up by a few muggles. It looks like he was trying his luck at another gambling den." Thaddeus laughed, "Looks like his luck ran out.
"Well he couldn't have gotten through from the vanishing cabinet, Mr Yalarad swore that he made sure it was hidden from him." The Old Man pondered to himself.
Thaddeus Rose rubbed the back of his head, "What do you want done about it? If we do nothing he'll probably get roughed up. But there's a chance he'll be taken to the Grey's." Thaddeus shivered a bit, "And those are two guys you don't want to be on the wrong side of, even if they are muggles."
The Old Man looked at his enforcer. "Leave it to me, Mr. Rose."
Thaddeus was surprised, "Are you sure, Mr. Owen? I can handle this with a few men."
"No no, that's quite alright. I need to get some air, and I might as well get a bit of exercise in." The Old Man went and got a coat and a knit cap.
"You want some company?" Thaddeus offered to come along.
"Thank you but no, return home, I won't need your services anymore tonight."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Dante hurried back to Hogwarts with the blank Grimoire in his pocket. He couldn't wait to see his cousin's reaction when he received the book for his birthday. Sam was always writing in those journals of his, and this would be a great addition to his collection. It was a small consolation after their misfortune with the fake Grimoire. At least he didn't have to shell out money for Sam's gift.
As Dante entered the castle, he discreetly made his way to the Hospital Wing to check on his beloved, hoping she was recovering well. He found her resting peacefully, and after exchanging a few words with Madam Pomfrey, he left to attend to the next task at hand.
Determined to enact the psychological operation suggested by the Old Man, Dante made his way to the Gryffindor common room. He knew he needed to target Sirius Black, the mastermind behind the dungbomb prank.
He entered the Common Room swiftly, but silently. Dante found the common room was relatively empty, except for one.
Dante saw that Sirius Black was asleep on the couch, with what appeared to be some homework in his lap. Dante cast the spell on Sirius, whispering the incantation under his breath. A soft wind gingerly blew across Sirius' face, signaling that the spell was cast. Dante smirked, reveling in the chaos he was about to unleash.
Dante quietly left the Gryffindor Common Room and went back to his quarters.
He let himself relax and got dressed in his pajamas. Dante was about to head to sleep, but before he did he remembered to check the listening charm on Snape's chest.
As he was getting his wand, the door knocked.
Dante put his wand away and answered the door. Dante opened the door and was surprised to see Professor Dumbledore. "Headmaster, this is a surprise…" He noticed the solemn look on Dumbledore's face. "Is everything alright Sir?"
"I'm afraid not Mr. Yalarad. I've received word that your friend Mr. Doherty was found outside of castle grounds in London of all places."
Dante swore internally. "Was he detained?"
Dumbledore nodded, "No Mr. Yalarad. I'm afraid not. He was discovered by muggle police in the custody of some muggle criminals."
Dante felt uneasy. "What happened?"
Dumbledore took a breath, "Cassidy Doherty was found dead by muggle law enforcement. I'm sorry Dante."