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.
Desolation Row
Walburga looked beside herself. "No, wait there must be a way!" Regulus held his mother's hand as she tried to keep herself together.
Orion looked at Healer Cromwell. "What are our options?"
"We need to bring him to St. Mungo's for care and treatment. Hopefully there, we can find an alternative to a counter curse." Healer Cromwell stroked his goatee.
As Orion and Healer Cromwell were making plans, Alphard came barreling in through the doors. "What's going on?" He demanded to know, "Kreacher told me Sirius was hurt?"
Regulus went over and latched onto his uncle. "Siri's been cursed, Uncle Al! He keeps muttering and speaking to voices that aren't there! And now he's going to St. Mungo's!"
Alphard hugged his nephew and consoled him, "Easy Starboy, your brother is made of sterner stuff. He's going to be okay!" Alphard noticed the negative disposition on Cromwell's face. "What's the matter with my nephew?"
Healer Cromwell explained the situation to Alphard, telling him about the Vocem Susurran Curse and the lack of a known reversal spell. Alphard's expression darkened as he absorbed the information.
"Can't we do something, anything?" Alphard asked, desperation in his voice.
"We will do everything we can at St. Mungo's to find a solution," Healer Cromwell reassured him. "Our healers are some of the best in the wizarding world, and we will explore all possible avenues to help Sirius."
Orion placed a comforting hand on Alphard's shoulder. "We trust your expertise, Healer Cromwell. Please, do everything in your power to help our son."
Cromwell nodded solemnly. "I will take Sirius to St. Mungo's immediately for further examination and treatment. We will keep you informed of his condition and progress."
As the group made arrangements to transfer Sirius to St. Mungo's, Walburga's eyes filled with tears. "Please, save my boy," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
"We will do everything in our power," Healer Cromwell assured her again, his own eyes full of empathy.
Regulus clung to his mother, and Alphard put a supportive arm around both of them. "We'll be waiting for updates," Alphard said firmly.
Within minutes a team of healers flooed in and prepared to transport Sirius to St. Mungo's. Hoping and praying that the skilled healers there would be able to help him, the family stood together. Their hearts heavy with worry, as they watched Healer Cromwell and the team carefully levitate Sirius onto a stretcher and prepare him for the transfer.
Once everything was set, they departed for St. Mungo's, leaving Orion, Walburga, Alphard, and Regulus in the hospital wing, anxiously awaiting any news they could get about Sirius' condition.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Regulus had returned to his friends after dinner time but didn't go into detail until the following morning. They convened in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and Regulus confided in his friends about the horrible news about his brother. "...And the worst thing is that Healer Cromwell said that there was no counter-curse!"
"Hopefully, they find a solution at St. Mungo's," Remus said, his face drawn with concern.
"Yeah, I can't imagine what Sirius is going through," Peter added.
"We need to support him and his family in any way we can," Lily said, looking determined.
Severus nodded in agreement. "Indeed. We should be there for them when they need us."
As the group discussed ways to help, they noticed a familiar face coming in through the door. It was none other than Sam Yalarad, followed by his cousin, Renner Dain.
Sam walked over towards Regulus while Renner went over to be with Mary, "How is he?"
Regulus looked at Sam, "He isn't doing so well." Regulus kept Sirius' affliction under wraps for the moment.
Sam nodded.
"I'm surprised you're asking about him," Regulus pointed out.
"He was my best friend once upon a time. That still means something to me." Sam answered, "So what exactly is wrong with him?"
Regulus explained to Sam and Renner what was ailing Sirius.
"Holy shite," Renner muttered.
"No kidding," Frank added.
"Are there any treatment options for this curse?"
Gabriel came into the makeshift clubhouse with a pot of tea. "I'm afraid not, Sami. This curse is not like any I've come across. There is no counter-curse, and no known option to excise the effects."
Renner was sitting with Mary in the corner and was thinking aloud, "Too bad he can't drown it out."
Mary looked at him and then had an idea, "Ren, that's brilliant!"
Severus looked at Mary, "What is, Mary?"
Mary shot up and rushed over to the record player. "If these voices are inside Sirius' head, then we need to feed Sirius something louder to drown them out."
Gabriel looked at the record player, "That's a long shot, but it might just work."
"But we will need something loud, I mean window rattling loud!" Regulus demanded. "I want to make sure that these voices never come back around!"
Sam stroked his chin, "I think I have just the thing. I'll need to go get it from my trunk. I'll be right back."
Sam bolted from the classroom and shot up to Gryffindor house.
A few minutes later he returned as Gabriel was preparing to leave, "Here! This has got to be the loudest record I have, if this doesn't work, I don't know what will!"
Everyone looked at the album, and Severus made a statement, "Led Zeppelin? You listen to Led Zeppelin?!"
Sam joked, "Am I not a man of culture?"
"Led Zeppelin IV, well let's give it a shot," Gabriel stated as he packed it away. "Ready Regulus, Emily?"
"I'm ready Gabriel," Regulus affirmed.
"I'm all set Gabriel," Emily said, as she carried the record player which was shrunken down.
"Why is Emily going with you and Regulus," Sam asked.
"My mother has been taken to St. Mungo's to try and see if anything can be done for her there," She explained. "I'm going to visit her while they help Sirius."
Sam nodded, as that had satisfied his curiosity.
"Alright, let's head out," Gabriel, Regulus, and Emily made their way to St. Mungo's.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
As they arrived at St. Mungo's, Gabriel, Regulus, and Emily were greeted by the empty storefront of a company named Purge & Dowse. It had a sign on the front window which said it was closed for refurbishment that had been on there for years and a few mannequins dressed in out-of-date clothing. It was a place they had visited before, but this time the circumstances were far more dire. They made their way to the reception desk, where a stern-looking witch was attending to paperwork.
Gabriel cleared his throat and said, "We're here to visit Sirius Black. Can you tell us where he is?"
The witch behind the desk glanced at them and replied, "I'm sorry, but family visits are restricted at the moment due to the nature of the patients' conditions."
Regulus stepped forward, a determined look on his face. "I am Regulus Arcturus Black, of that great and noble house! Sirius is my brother, and I demand that you tell me where he is, right now!"
The nurse was taken aback, and pointed upwards, "He is in the Janus Thickney Ward for long term care, fourth floor. He has his own private room, number 402."
Regulus composed himself, "Thank you."
The three of them were off up the stairs. Gabriel and Emily knew that when it came to his family, Regulus would do more than ruffle a few feathers to get what he wanted.
They hurried up the stairs to the fourth floor and went into the wing towards the private rooms. Emily left them to visit her mother who was in the room two doors down from Sirius. She gave Gabriel the record player before she went to be with her mother.
Gabriel and Regulus walked in the room, where Orion, Alphard, and Walburga were sitting around the bedside of Sirius who was asleep, but still moving around in distress.
"Regulus, what are you doing here?" Orion asked his son. He then looked at Gabriel, "And what are you doing here?!"
"Your son needed a chaperone to escort him here, it's standard procedure." He looked around and found an empty corner and began to set up the record player. He resized it back to its normal size. "Where's the mind healer looking after Sirius?" Gabriel asked, as he finished setting up the record player.
"Healer Cromwell, he went to look over a few spell books for any sort of alternative treatment options for Sirius," Walburga explained, as she looked at the record player. "What is that for?"
Gabriel explained the theory the children came up with. "If we can drown out the voices in Sirius' head then we stand a chance to rid them from his mind completely."
Orion looked at the record player with a mixture of curiosity and hope. "It's unconventional, but at this point, we're willing to try anything to help our son."
Alphard nodded in agreement. "If it can give Sirius some relief, we're all for it."
Just then, Healer Cromwell returned to the room, carrying a stack of old and dusty spell books. He looked surprised to see Gabriel and the record player but didn't question it. "I couldn't find any specific references to a cure for the Vocem Susurran Curse, but I'll keep researching."
Gabriel approached Healer Cromwell and explained the plan they had come up with involving loud music to drown out the voices. Healer Cromwell listened carefully, his expression thoughtful.
"I've never encountered such a curse before, and it's clear that traditional methods won't work," Healer Cromwell admitted. "Given the severity of Sirius' condition, I'm willing to give this a try. Let's see if we can bring some relief to him."
With the Healer's approval, Gabriel started the record player, and the powerful sounds of Led Zeppelin filled the room. They watched as Sirius, in his troubled sleep, seemed to react to the music. His restless movements slowly began to calm, and the pained expression on his face relaxed.
Orion, Walburga, and Alphard exchanged hopeful glances. It was a small glimmer of progress, but it was progress, nonetheless.
As the music played on, Regulus stood by his brother's bedside, holding his hand. He whispered words of encouragement, hoping that somehow, amidst the cacophony of sounds, Sirius could find a moment of peace.
In the corner of the room, Healer Cromwell continued to study his spell books, searching for any potential breakthroughs while the music enveloped them all.
For now, they could only wait and hope that this unconventional approach would provide the relief Sirius so desperately needed.
Hours passed, and as Healer Cromwell observed the temporary relief the music brought to Sirius, he knew that this was not a sustainable solution. He stepped away from the spell books and approached the family.
"While I am happy to see that this music is giving Sirius some relief in the interim, this isn't going to be a permanent solution."
Regulus looked at Healer Cromwell, "How can you say that? I mean he's looking better already, just have him listen to some music every day and I'm sure he'll get better!"
"Regulus, he's right I mean consider what it would take for this to go on, I mean if this goes on, he'll have to continually listen to music, and then he might have to switch to headphones. Then we have to take his hearing into account," Alphard hit them all with some hard truths.
The whole family looked crestfallen, Gabriel was near the doorway when he saw Emily and Maria walk over to him. Maria was on a walker getting her daily steps in. "Hey."
Maria smiled, "Hey yourself, how's the boy?"
"One step forward. Two steps back, Maria."
"That bad?" Maria looked on inside at the situation, her heart went out for the boy's mother, and their family.
Maria listened intently about what the boy's issue was and then shared her unique perspective.
"Excuse me?"
Everyone in the room looked at her, apart from Sirius.
"Do you need help with something? I can get another attending to assist you," Healer Cromwell asked.
"Oh, no thank you. It's just that, I couldn't help but overhear what was being said, and well… forgive my interruption, but I think I might have an idea on how to help young Mr…." She turned to her daughter, Emily. "What was your friend's name again?"
"Sirius, Mum," Emily said.
"I know the situation is serious Emily, but I'm asking for your friend's name."
"Oh no, that is his name. Sirius Black, like the constellation," Gabriel explained.
Maria looked at Gabriel, "Black? Like the same…"
"Yeah," Gabriel cut her off.
She looked at Walburga and then back to Gabriel, "And is she..."
"Yeah."
"Small world." Maria looked at Healer Cromwell and continued, "I might have an idea on how to help the boy."
Healer Cromwell looked at Maria. "Well, normally I would shy away from taking any medical advice from patients. However, seeing as this is an abnormal situation, I would like to hear any insight from a second pair of eyes."
Maria cleared her throat, "For context, I had spent years working as a saleswoman for a television wholesaler business. Now, in the Muggle world, when a television's tube blows, we often reset it to a previous state by installing a new tube into it and then work from there. Perhaps something similar could be done for Sirius."
Healer Cromwell, always open to novel approaches, raised an intrigued eyebrow at the analogy. "That's an interesting concept. Resetting his memory to a point before the curse took hold might indeed be worth considering. It's unconventional, but given the complexity of the Vocem Susurran Curse, unconventional may be our best chance."
Orion and Walburga exchanged a worried glance but realized that desperate times called for desperate measures. Orion finally spoke up, "If there's a chance that this could help our son, then we must try it."
Walburga nodded in agreement; her eyes filled with hope. "Please, do whatever it takes to save Sirius."
With the parents' permission granted, Healer Cromwell went over to Sirius, "Let's start at a week, and then we will go from there." He turned off the record player to concentrate. Healer Cromwell then carefully performed a precise and completed version of the 'Obliviate' Spell on Sirius, taking him back in time to a week before the curse had taken its devastating toll.
The room seemed to hold its breath as the spell took effect. Moments passed, and then Sirius began to stir. He opened his eyes, slightly disoriented, and looked around the room. "Ergh. What? Where am I? What's going on?"
Orion rushed to his son's side, tears of relief in his eyes. "Sirius, you're in St. Mungo's. You've been through a difficult ordeal, but you're safe now."
Walburga held Sirius' hand, her voice trembling with emotion. "You're going to be all right, dear. We're here for you."
Sirius blinked, trying to make sense of the situation. He couldn't recall the torment he had endured over the past week. It was as if a fog had lifted from his mind. "Wait what? What happened? Why am I in St. Mungo's?'
Healer Cromwell explained the situation to him, being careful with the details. "You were under the effects of a curse, Sirius. We had to take some unconventional measures to break its hold on you. We'll work from here to ensure your full recovery."
Healer Cromwell did a short check up on Sirius to see his vitals. He waved a penlight in his eyes and then took his pulse. "Can you tell me your full name?"
Sirius looked at Healer Cromwell, "Sirius Orion Black.'
"Can you tell me how many family members share the same name as you?"
"Two others, as I am the third of my name."
"Sirius. What is the last significant thing you remember?"
Sirius thought back, and he remembered when Lord Prince had come in to tell them about Robert Gold. "That's a bit private, but I remember it all the same."
Not wanting to pry, Healer Cromwell asked around the first question, "Okay well do you remember when this memory took place, and where?"
"Yesterday, and it was in the Defense Classroom," Sirius explained.
Gabriel nodded. He knew Sirius was talking about Marius talking about Robert Gold. "I can verify that. I know what he's referencing, but the contents of that conversation are of a sensitive nature."
"Okay. Well, I'll leave it at that then. Sirius, you seem fine, but I am going to need to keep you here for a week at most to make sure you are better."
Sirius, still feeling a bit bewildered but immensely relieved, managed a weak smile. "Thank you. I don't know what I would have done without your help."
With Sirius free from the curse's grip, the family could finally breathe a collective sigh of relief. The road to recovery would still be long, but at least now they had hope that Sirius could regain his health and happiness.
As the room filled with gratitude and relief, Walburga approached Maria, her eyes filled with tears of gratitude. "I can't thank you enough for your idea. You've given us our son back!"
Maria smiled warmly, her own eyes glistening with emotion. "I'm just glad I could help. I wish Sirius a speedy recovery." She then turned to Emily, who had been standing quietly by her side, "Come on, Emily dear, let's continue our walk."
As they left the room, Walburga turned to Gabriel, her curiosity piqued. "Who is she, Gabriel? She seems to know you well."
Gabriel hesitated for a moment, then decided to confide in Walburga. "She's the mother of my daughter, Walburga." He whispered.
Walburga's eyes widened in surprise. "You have a child?"
Gabriel nodded, and Walburga began to see the familiarities between Emily and Gabriel. It was clear now why Maria and Gabriel had a connection.
"Does Emily know," Walburga asked.
Gabriel shook his head. "Not yet. We thought it would be best to wait for the right time to tell her."
Walburga nodded, understanding the complexities of the situation. "Family can be... unconventional at times, but what matters is that you're there for Emily. And thank you again for your help with Sirius."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Word got back to Severus and the others about Sirius' recovery.
Severus and his friends were elated to hear the great news of their friend's breakthrough. It would be another week before Sirius would be released, but rather than losing his mind to madness.
He would be closely monitored by Healer Cromwell and a team of specialists. They were determined to ensure that the effects of the Vocem Susurran Curse would not return.
Back at Hogwarts, Severus and their friends were busy preparing for the upcoming midterms. They felt a sense of relief and happiness as they received news of Sirius' recovery.
The word spread fast through the school of Sirius' recovery. One person who was not happy to hear this was Dante.
He was still mourning the death of his best friend, Cassidy Doherty.
Dante wondered if it was some sort of divine retribution for what he did to Sirius Black.
After all Black was on the mend while his best friend was dead. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair at all.
Dante's emotional turmoil over Cassidy's death and Sirius' recovery was a maelstrom of anger and despair. He had no remorse about the curse he had upon Sirius, and he still felt a seething hatred for Severus and all his friends.
They were a constant reminder of the life he had lost. In Dante's eyes, they represented everything he loathed.
The fireplace roared alive, Dante turned towards it and saw The Old Man walk through. "Mr. Yalarad, I can only imagine the pain you're going through. I'm here for you, talk to me son, please, I'll listen." He strode over as if he hovered over the ground.
Dante looked at the Old Man, "They killed him…"
"Your friend, Mr. Doherty, yes I am aware." The Old Man grimaced, "The Grey's. A pair of twisted Muggle criminals."
Dante clenched his fists, his face a contortion of rage and pain. "I don't care if they were Muggles. They took away Cass. They deserve to pay for what they've done."
The Old Man regarded Dante with a sinister smile. "You're absolutely right, my boy. Revenge can be such a sweet, intoxicating elixir. It can fill that void that grief leaves behind."
Dante looked at the Old Man, his eyes filled with newfound hope. "What do you suggest I do? How can I make them pay?"
The Old Man leaned in, his voice a soft, honeyed whisper. "Mr. Yalarad, those responsible for your dear Cass's torment, they must face the consequences of their actions. But not through feeble muggle authorities. No, they are far too limited. You possess a power within, one that can bring about justice, your justice."
Dante's voice trembled with barely contained excitement. "Tell me, what should I do? How can I use my magic to make them suffer?"
The Old Man's eyes gleamed with a dark light. "There is a way, a path to vengeance that can be both poetic and devastating. Let me ask you something first," He approached Dante and stood before him.
"Should the time come, and you find yourself before these men…would you kill them?"
Dante looked right at the Old Man, the Shadowman, and spoke aloud, "Yes."
The Old Man began to tell Dante of his plan. How the Greys were going to post bail. And how they would intercept them and bring them to a stronghold that The Old Man owned. From there…they would be swiftly handed.
"Remember," the Old Man whispered, "This power is yours, Dante. Use it wisely, use it ruthlessly, and let vengeance be your guide."
Dante nodded, a wicked smile forming on his lips. "They will pay for what they did to Cass. And with this spell, they won't even know who's behind it."
The Old Man's influence over Dante was complete. The young man, consumed by hatred and the lust for revenge, was now a puppet under the dark strings of the enigmatic figure who had manipulated him.
Unbeknownst to the world, Dante would soon unleash a wave of darkness, and everyone's' lives would never be the same.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
A few days had passed since Robert Gold's arrival at Mirrorvale. He had spent the time resting in the guest room, allowing his battered body to heal. However, his restlessness grew with each passing day. Robert had always been an active man, and the confinement to his bed was taking a toll on his patience.
On this particular morning, he decided he couldn't bear another moment of inactivity. Gingerly swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, he attempted to stand, supported by his left arm. The room was silent, and he assumed that he could make a quick escape to stretch his legs.
However, he hadn't counted on his two young children, Bayden and Sage, who had quietly crept into the room and were now blocking his path. Bayden, the older of the two, stood with a stern expression, his small arms folded across his chest. Sage, his younger sister, was equally determined, her wide eyes locked on her father.
Bayden's voice held a note of authority, "Daddy, where do you think you're going?"
Sage chimed in, her tone equally firm, "You're supposed to stay in bed, Daddy. Mommy said so!"
Robert couldn't help but smile at his children's unexpected vigilance. Despite his injuries, he was amused by their dedication to enforcing their mother's orders. He knelt down to their level and ruffled Bayden's hair affectionately. "You two are quite the little enforcers, aren't you?"
Bayden nodded, his expression serious. "We're just following the rules, Daddy."
Sage added, "And Mommy said you need to get better, so you can't leave your bed."
Robert's smile grew wider as he looked at his children. "You're absolutely right, my brave little protectors. Daddy needs to stay in bed to get better."
He carefully lifted Bayden and Sage onto the bed, hugging them tightly. "I promise I won't go anywhere without your permission, okay?"
The children exchanged a satisfied look before nodding in agreement and hugged their father back.
Just then, Isabelle entered the room, a warm smile on her face. She had come to check on her family and was pleasantly surprised by the heartwarming scene unfolding before her. "I see my two little deputies are doing a great job keeping Daddy in line."
Bayden and Sage beamed with pride, and Robert couldn't help but feel grateful for his loving family. "They sure are, Belle."
Isabelle walked over and kissed Robert gently on the lips. "You should know better than to try and leave your bed, love. You need to focus on healing."
Robert nodded, his gaze filled with affection for his wife and children. "I know, Belle. I just got a bit restless, that's all."
Isabelle helped him settle back into bed, making sure he was comfortable. "Restlessness can be a challenge, but we'll get through this together. We're a team, after all."
Robert held Isabelle's hand, his heart filled with love and gratitude for the family he had. "I couldn't ask for a better team, my love."
As they all settled in for some family time, Robert knew that with his wife and children by his side, he would recover and come back stronger than ever.
Marius Prince, their gracious host during Robert Gold's stay at Mirrorvale, maintained a vigilant watch over his guest's well-being. Stepping into Robert's guest room, Marius greeted him with a warm smile, genuine concern reflecting in his eyes.
"Robert, how are you feeling today?" Marius inquired as he settled beside the bed, his voice laced with sincerity.
Robert reciprocated with a grateful smile, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of appreciation. "I'm gradually improving each day; thanks to the exceptional care and attention I've received here."
Marius nodded approvingly, glad to see Robert's recovery progressing positively. "I'm delighted to hear that. If there's anything you require, please don't hesitate to ask. Your well-being is of utmost importance during your stay."
Robert's expression shifted to one of greater seriousness. He moved Bayden to the side gently as he reached for a slip of paper on the bedside table. He handed the paper to Marius, and there was a certain urgency in his demeanor. "Actually, there is something I need, and I believe you're the only one who can help me with this," Robert began, his voice taking on a more hushed tone, emphasizing the confidential nature of his request.
Marius accepted the slip of paper and perused its contents with furrowed brows. The note bore an address and a directive to contact a specific individual through a muggle telephone.
Marius, still puzzled, looked to Robert for an explanation. "I'm not entirely sure I understand, Robert. Who is this person, and why do you require an electrician?"
Leaning in closer, Robert elaborated in a hushed tone, "Marius, the person I'm asking you to reach out to is a trusted operative of mine, with whom I have collaborated for many years in matters unrelated to the wizarding Electrician is his codename, and I need his discreet presence here, and I am seeking your assistance in making this happen."
Although he remained perplexed, Marius nodded in agreement. "I will do as you request, Robert. You can depend on my full cooperation. I'll make my way to the nearby muggle town and use a payphone to establish contact with this individual."
Robert's visible relief was palpable as he gently squeezed Marius's hand. "Thank you, Marius. I will explain everything to you once our contact is here. Please be as discreet as possible in this matter."
Marius left Robert with his family as a sense of curiosity and responsibility weighed on him as he headed toward the muggle town. Armed with the slip of paper and Black Leif by his side, he located a payphone and dialed the provided number, his anticipation growing with each passing moment.
In just thirty minutes, a figure discreetly arrived at Mirrorvale, this individual was, in fact, one of Robert's trusted operatives. Marius greeted him, allowing him to blend into the surroundings as he surreptitiously guided him toward Robert's room.
Upon entering the room, he exchanged knowing glances with Robert, whose family had left the room a few minutes before. "Robert, I'm glad to see you're alive. What the hell happened? The agency has been upheaved with reports of you in Moscow, defecting to an enemy side, or worse, you dead!"
Robert nodded in return, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. "Reports of my demise are, at the moment, incorrect. I can give you a full recount of what happened, if you want to make an official record."
As the three men gathered in Robert's guest room, an air of tension hung heavy in the atmosphere. The 'Electrician' began dictation to write down what happened. Robert, his expression a mixture of determination and vulnerability, began to recount the harrowing ordeal he had endured in West Berlin.
"I was ambushed in West Berlin," Robert began, his voice hushed, yet steady. "A band of mercenaries, hired by some unknown person or persons, cornered me. They were formidable, and adequately trained, but I managed to hold my own and defeat them."
Marius and Robert's trusted operative exchanged a brief but meaningful look, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"After I had dealt with them," Robert continued, his gaze distant as he relived the memories, "My assailant, Haldana Hardbroom, sneaked up behind me. Without warning, she used some curse that cut my right arm off." Robert's voice wavered slightly, but he pressed on. "I managed to escape and fled Berlin that very night. I didn't even have time to return to my room to gather my belongings."
"That harlot, Hardbroom!" Marius let out a rare sign of anger.
"Gabriel put me onto her before I left, and I'm glad he did. I did some digging around and managed to find a link to Izan Ramos."
"Izan Ramos? Have you found him? He's gone off the radar ever since he canceled his symposiums."
Robert sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his eyebrows with his remaining hand. "Izan Ramos is dead, he was found in the West Fjords of Iceland. There were no marks on his body, so the Killing curse may have been used. I was on my way to send a post to Gabriel when I was ambushed."
The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Robert's ordeal settling upon them all. He went on, describing how he had used a makeshift cauterization technique to staunch the bleeding and prevent further injury to himself. It was a testament to his resourcefulness and resilience.
"After that," Robert continued, his voice gaining strength, "I made my way back to England, traveling in secret and under the radar, all the while nursing my wounds. It was a treacherous journey, but I was determined to return home."
The 'Electrician' attentively listened to Robert's account, his writing capturing every detail. Marius, who had only previously heard snippets of the situation, was now fully immersed in the unfolding narrative.
After Robert had concluded his story, the 'Electrician' spoke in a hushed but earnest tone. "Robert, what you've endured is nothing short of a nightmare. It's clear that you're at risk, and the agency needs to be informed. We'll ensure that the necessary actions are taken to uncover who's behind this and to keep you safe."
Robert nodded in agreement, understanding the necessity of involving the agency. "That's precisely what I was hoping for. I have reason to believe that this situation may have larger implications, and we need to get to the bottom of it."
Marius looked at the 'Electrician' and Robert with a determined expression. "You're right. We need to find out who's behind all of this, especially if it's connected to Izan Ramos's death. It's not only about your safety, Robert. It's about the potential risks to others."
The 'Electrician' folded his notes and secured them safely, nodding in agreement. "I'll make sure this information reaches the right authorities and that an investigation is initiated."
"Be sure to get that to Haverford, he's the one who you all will be reporting to," Robert instructed.
The Electrician looked at Robert, "Haverford's gone sir."
"Gone? Where's he gone?"
"We don't know sir. He hasn't called, or mailed, or flooed. He just up and vanished without a trace. We are unable to find him sir. We were just about to go dark until you popped back up again!"
Robert felt a sense of dread, knowing that someone was steps and leaps ahead of them all. He ran his remaining hand through his hair, "Bollocks, okay, okay. Here's what I want you to do…get Walter."
The Electrician looked surprised, "Crowley?
"If Haverford is MIA, and I'll be honest Belle will kill me if I return to work in this condition. Then we will have to rely on the former head, and my old mentor, Waler Crowley. So, call him in and read him into what is going on."
With a nod, the 'Electrician' dispatched to relay the information and initiate the necessary actions, Marius and Robert were left to contemplate the unfolding events and the mysteries that surrounded them.
Robert looked at Marius with gratitude. "Thank you, my friend, for helping me in my time of need."
Marius smiled warmly, his friendship and loyalty unwavering. "You've always been there for me, Robert. Now it's my turn to stand by your side. We'll see this through together." He did look a bit shaken at what he learned and then turned to Robert, "So…Walter Crowley…I honestly thought he was dead. I haven't heard from him since…well…you know…"
"Yeah, you aren't exactly one of his most favorite people, nor Vesper, but he'll only have contact through me, so you don't have to worry about that," Robert explained, as he eased Marius' concerns.
As Marius left the room, he stopped in the doorway. "Robert, call me curious, but what was Walter's codename again? I know everyone from the agency has one."
Robert rubbed his shoulder, "Well seeing as how he's retired and decommissioned, I don't think it'd be wrong to tell you, but just keep it close to your vest." Robert cleared his throat, "Shadowman. His old codename was The Shadowman."
Marius shook his head and left just as Robert's family returned to the room. The children were blissfully unaware of the gravity of their conversation, and Isabelle, with her ever-supportive demeanor, joined them, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.