I certainly have no rights to Harry Potter, but this won't stop me writing this story. However, you probably already know this. As it is my specialty, and as in my other big stories, this shows how things go if something went different right at the beginning. Please note that I'm not a fan of bashing and also don't expect the two main pairings to differ from canon. However, the path to them certainly will be quite different. I also want to try and subvert certain plots and things that became common in the fandom over the years.
For now, the story will update every second Saturday, until I say otherwise.
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Chapter 50: Mars and Sagittarius
Harry tried to hold down the yawn, but it was proving to be difficult. Sitting in the library, he knew Madam Pince disliked such behavior in her domain - like a number of other things she disliked, since that woman had no tolerance for anything. The library itself was silent not only because it was supposed to be silent, but also because according to his wristwatch it was getting close to closing time and curfew. Harry had been busy with finishing his research on some runes and lost track of time.
Too bad the others didn't take Ancient Runes. Doing this alone is rather boring, he thought while looking over his papers. While Hermione probably could help him, he didn't want to add to her own workload.
Deciding he didn't want to risk Madam Pince throwing him out, he gathered all his papers and started his trek back to the Gryffindor dorms. He after all could finish this up in the common room before going to bed.
The corridors of Hogwarts were deserted at this late hour, but that didn't bother Harry. Instead he was thinking about two things: schoolwork and a certain redhead girl.
Due to their age, he and Ginny were still quite awkward in the relationship department. They knew and felt how their relationship had evolved to something more than just being friends, but actually acting on it proved complicated. Taking is slow had been the correct decision, since both of them didn't want to make embarrassing mistakes by rushing things.
It felt weird to Harry that Dudley, who was just a little over a month his senior, had already progressed further in his relationship with Millicent. At least according to gossip, which claimed that both of them were training snogging each other more frequently these days. Harry honestly felt a bit envious how seemingly easily those two had managed to progress to easy snogging.
Walking around a corner, as soon as Harry's foot hit the floor, he suddenly felt a pulling motion.
What the hell?! Startled, Harry dropped his bag, having felt the feeling before when traveling to the World Cup. What he had not expected however was to black out during transport.
...
...
Finally, Harry came to.
He felt like he got hit by a lorry and tried to get a feel for where he was before he would open his eyes. It felt like he was lying on dirt, so he was somewhere outside. The cool air also told him that it had to be later at the evening now. Finally opening his eyes, Harry was greeted with dark trees and a night sky. He was in the forest - a forest they had been told to stay out of.
"Shit, this must be the Forbidden Forest, the one we are told to stay out of. The one with all these dangerous creatures inside," Harry cursed, then realized there was no way he could have ended up here by accident.
Relieved he still got his wand, Harry quickly conjured a light source, then looked around. Right next to him laid a flat and rectangular stone block, looking exactly like the stones that were used for the floors in Hogwarts. Seeing that, Harry got an idea what had happened. Someone had turned the stone block into an illegal portkey, and him stepping onto it had caused him to be transported. Considering recent events, Harry had a good idea who was responsible.
"Karkaroff..." Harry knew being sent into the Forbidden Forest at night was a really good way to get rid of him without Karkaroff having to finish him off personally.
Knowing he had to get out of this place and that he had no idea where to go and even then he would be incapable of passing the age line, Harry first touched the stone in the hope the portkey would be two-way, but nothing happened. "That would have been too easy. Karkaroff is no idiot." Knowing he needed help as quick as possible, Harry then summoned his Patronus.
"Professor McGonagall, someone turned a floor stone into a portkey, and when I stepped onto it, I was transported into the Forbidden Forest. Please send help as quick as possible, this place is dangerous!" Harry then sent the Patronus on its way.
"Let's hope they get here fast..." However, for the time being he was in a very dangerous position.
The minutes slowly went by, until suddenly he heard something... It was the sound of breaking twigs as well as a low growl. Harry got a feeling that he wouldn't like whatever it was. Turning around, Harry looked in fear at what his light source was revealing. It was a... thing. Some sort a magical beast that even Hagrid would think twice about showing in his lessons. It also had many sharp teeth and looked hungry.
Harry gulped hard. Oh-uh! Not good!
Holding his wand tighter, Harry knew what spells he did know wouldn't be enough to deal with such a fast predator - not to speak of the fact that he wasn't physically trained. Even if he nailed the thing with the best he got, he doubted that would be enough to stop it from tearing his throat out. That was kind of ironic after defending himself against a basilisk and werewolves, but back then he hadn't been alone. He also had no idea if he could already recall his Patronus.
"Crap!" Harry threw himself to the side, the beast missing him when trying to jump him. "Bombarda!" Harry actually managed to hit the monster with his freshly-learned Exploding Charm. -Oouuuurgh!- The beast howled in pain when part of its flesh was blasted off, but if anything, that only made it more angry.
The monster was about to jump him again, when suddenly... -Clong!- -Groooar!- -Whap- -Crac-
All of a sudden a second shadow jumped out of the darkness and what followed was chaotic fighting that Harry tried to stay away from. It was difficult to see anything, especially since the fight had moved back into the darkness outside of his light source. Suddenly there was a terrifying howl of pain and then silence.
Harry watched something walk out of the darkness. Or was that someone? Everything down to the waist looked a lot like a human man, only more hairy and with pointed ears. However, everything below that was the body of a horse. Harry of course knew what a centaur was - the myth after all was well-known - but to meet one in person was something different. That the centaur was putting his bloody sword into his scabbard also was unnerving.
"Eh... thanks?" Harry said carefully.
"It was no problem, Harry Potter. The forest is dangerous, and though many others would deny it, it is our duty to protect those that enter it," the centaur told him.
"No offense, but how do you know my name and that you were needed here?" Harry asked, wondering about the quick help.
"The stars tell us centaurs a lot. It is difficult to explain to someone who is not intimately familiar with them," the centaur explained to Harry. "As for how I knew of your presence, that explanation is simpler. I was on patrol and saw your light."
"Oh." Harry honestly should have known it had been that. He then remembered his manners. "Excuse me, but can you tell me your name? I don't want to offend you by calling you 'Mr. Centaur'."
The centaur looked amused for a moment. "Indeed, that could give the wrong idea. My name is Firenze." He then became more serious. "But what are you doing out here, specially at this time? Younglings have been kept out of the forest for years."
"That over there." Harry pointed to the stone. "It was a hidden portkey, and when I stepped onto it, it brought me here on a one-way trip. I've already called for help, but until they arrive..."
Firenze gave the stone a closer look, frowning when thinking about the implications. "I see... In that case I will not let you out of my sight. You are in luck that two of your teachers are currently in the forest. Let me escort you to them."
While they walked, harry tried himself at some conversation. "This is the first time I've met a centaur. Any things I shouldn't do?"
"While your ways are not our ways, basic decency will get you far with my kind. The biggest advice is not to treat our kind like riding horses. That would be a huge insult to us," Frienze cautioned Harry.
"Understandable." Harry had never really thought about it, but it would be the equivalent of someone insisting on sitting on his shoulders for a ride. It was understandable why the centaurs would see that as an insult.
Firenze meanwhile gave Harry another look-over. "Harry Potter, there are many rumors about you in our herd. The stars tell us a lot about you and how important you are for the future."
"Well, I do know a murderous madman feels the utmost need to kill me for a reason I'm still not being told. Thanks to him I'm not getting the peace I want. I could live without something like that," Harry lamented, still wishing fate would have been kinder to him.
"Indeed difficult circumstances. The stars however also are confusing, even for our best gazers. It is highly unclear, but the stars somehow hint that your future is not your future alone... Very perplexing." Frienze told Harry.
Harry honestly wondered what Firenze was actually talking about when they entered a bigger clearing. Harry could see that in the middle of said clearing was Professor Trelawney standing in front of a telescope while having a discussion with a centaur standing next to her. However, it was not them who saw them first, but their companions.
"Harry, what are you doing here?" That was Hagrid, the man carrying his big crossbow with a shoulder strap. He looked very concerned at seeing Harry in such a dangerous place.
"Hagrid, I'm not here because I wanted to be," Harry told Hagrid.
However, their discussion was cut short when the male centaur who had stood close to Hagrid hissed to Firenze "Firenze, what is the meaning of this?! Where did he come from?!"
"Calm down, Bane. This youngling was sent into the forest by foul play and I was making sure no harm would come to him," Firenze told the centaur, who was named Bane.
Bane still looked very suspicious at that. "Still, I should..."
"Keep your paranoia under control, Bane."
That was the other centaur, who was a female, the argument having attracted her and Trelawney's attention. Harry blushed alittle when seeing that like the male centaurs, she was completely naked, her breasts being on prominent display. Also like male centaurs, she was was quite a bit hairier than a human woman, though the amount of body hair together with her long, umkempt head hair, gave her upper body a look of wild beauty.
Bane looked frustrated but kept down any remarks. "Yes, Celestra." Sulking, Bane walked to the other edge of the clearing.
"Bane was never good at having dealings with outsiders. Don't take it personally, Harry," Hagrid told Harry, clearly speaking from experience.
Meanwhile Trelawney looked at Harry, and when seeing that he was unharmed, asked the important question. "So how did you get here?"
So Harry told them of how he had minded his own business until he had stepped onto a portkey hidden in a floor stone, which had transported him into the forest. Of how he had already sent for help and Frienze saving him from a beast of the forest. Once he was done, Hagrid and Trelawney frowned, not liking what they had heard.
"A portkey in the floor? I don't like that at all. This already is the third time someone tried to hurt you, Harry. I will ask the Headmaster to give you a guard," Hagrid finally said, sounding very upset that someone was trying to harm Harry - and he knew exactly who was the prime suspect.
"No way!" Harry gasped.
"While this certainly is important, can we please return to why we are here?" Celestra said, looking a bit impatient. "Also, please bring Harry Potter over here. This involves him as well after all."
Now Harry was confused, but walked over to where Trelawney and Celestra were again using the telescope to inspect the night sky. Despite taking Astronomy class at school, both of them quickly lost him when they mixed it with all kind of connections with Divination. He did hear the names of Mars and Sagittarius being thrown around a lot, but otherwise had no idea what that was about.
Finally it seemed the discussion was done and they saw how confused Harry looked. And not only him, but even Firenze looked a bit confused and Hagrid looked out of his depth.
"Unlike many of my herd, I will try to break it down to the essentials. I asked for Trelawney here to come so that we can discuss my findings in the night sky. Findings about the future and their meaning. I was disturbed and wanted confirmation," Celestra started to explain.
"Sadly, after much discussion and observation, the findings do indeed paint a dire picture. Mars and Sagittarius are most prominent," Trelawney explained. "I hope you actually paid attention in Astronomy and know what these two stand for?"
Harry had to think about it for a moment. "Well... Mars is named after the Roman god of war and Sagittarius is a constellation of someone about to shoot an arrow... So, nothing good?"
Trelawney looked a bit disappointed at Harry's half-assed attempt. "-sigh- Aurora would be offended had she heard that. Let me explain. Mars indeed is about conflict and recently, Mars has become especially bright. That means in the very near future, armed conflict will inevitably break out."
"As for Sagittarius, its stars have changed in brightness. The conflict will be brutal and highly personal. It will be the end of what has been," Celestra then added.
"The end of what has been? That doesn't sound good," Harry said, not liking how that sounded.
"That is difficult to understand, since it just means change, giving no indication to whether it is of a positive or negative nature," Celestra added. "I have to add there are some observations regarding you, Harry Potter, as part of that conflict."
"Well, Frienze hinted at that. Anything I need to know?" Harry honestly felt unwell with the knowledge he would take part of that conflict. Granted, he knew Voldemort was after him, but this was a new dimension.
"Yes... However, it is awfully vague. We saw your star shining brightly against the darkness. However, and that was a bit confusing, we saw five more stars orbiting around yours. There is still uncertainty what that could mean," Celestra explained to Harry.
Trelawney said nothing, but she did remember that prophecy she had made all these years ago about the Chosen Six. She had kept quiet about it as the Headmaster had told her to do, but she had never forgotten said prophecy. She knew she had to talk with him as soon as possible about the matter. Harry himself needed a few moments before getting the idea it could be about his friends, but said nothing about it.
"This is fitting with all our observations. Conflict is now inevitable," Firenze added.
"This is depressing. And nothing can be done about it?" Hagrid wondered, not liking such future prospects.
"Hagrid, you should know best that our kind surrenders itself to what the future tells us. It is the way of our kind, even though I personally think that thinking in absolutes is not healthy," Firenze added.
"Hagrid is right, it is depressing..." Harry was still trying to come to terms with the ramifications of what he had been told.
Right then there was noise of people approaching from the darkness and lights appeared from in the dark forest. It was several of the teachers, having been alarmed by Harry's Patronus to McGonagall, who had finally arrived to get him back to the castle.
...some time later...
An emergency meeting of the teachers was held in the Headmaster's office. The fact that someone had created an illegal portkey to try and cause Harry to get killed in the Forbidden Forest - which according to Harry and Firenze had almost happened - was reason for great concern and unrest.
It was such an obvious attempt on the life of a student that the whole castle right now was under lockdown. Of course Harry - with help from Firenze - had led the teachers to the stone in question and they had brought it along so that a closer analysis could be made. Law enforcement was involved as well, since this was clearly a criminal matter.
There was some debate among the teachers if they should still inform Harry's guardians due to the late hour or wait until the morning to do so, and in the end it was decided to wait until they got all the information before the Headmaster himself would take this not enviable task. He could already imagine what the Evans' and especially Sirius would say to him. There would be an aftermath, he was sure of that.
Right now they were getting a report from Dora, who unofficially had been set as the one who would give the Hogwarts staff the results of the investigation. Dora honestly disliked having to be the one to bring the bad news, the dead-serious atmosphere running contrary to her usual personality. Her hair being its natural brown showed her protest.
"We checked the stone carefully. It definitely had been turned into a portkey, but the culprit had been clever. No way we could identify who did cast the spell. And considering the person in question would have made sure to clear their wand..." Dora ended her report.
"So it will be handled as assault with the intention to kill?" McGongall asked, still remembering the scare when Harry's Patronus had told her what had happened.
"No way they can sweep that one under the rug. That was clearly someone wanting to do Harry lethal harm and it will be treated as such. I bet word already got out and you can see it plastered all over the morning editions," Dora said, knowing this finally was being treated seriously.
"Wonderful. That publicity is just what we needed," Snape snorted, not being a fan of the press. "I can already imagine what these hacks will write."
"Let's not kid around, all of us here know who the culprit is," Moody then said, looking quite angry. "Does someone have to actually die before that scum is locked away for good?"
"Mad-Eye, you know as well as me that Karkaroff is using his status as a shield. As long as we don't have iron-clad proof, we can't even touch him with feather gloves. Right now he's got a get-ot-of-jail card," Dora said with a sigh, also hating the whole situation.
"How wonderful. That man is a dangerous criminal, everyone knows so, but we can't remove him from a school full of children due to politics," McGonagall growled, making no secret how angry she was.
"Sorry, but right now, even accusing him could lead to all of us losing our jobs," Dora said.
"Well, I will keep a close eye on him from now on. That slime won't be even able to take a crap without me knowing. He won't get away with his crimes." The way Moody's magical eye was spinning showed that he meant business.
"Just be careful, Alastor. Remember, you can't make any official arrest," McGonagall warned Moody.
"What do they want to do against me? Cause me to lose my job? I only have a month left on my contract. And him doing something illegal here gives me the right to detain him until the officials arrive," Moody said with a snort.
"Not when you are no longer are teacher, but something can be done about that..." Dumbledore thought aloud.
While Snape said nothing about it, deep inside he hoped that Karkaroff would screw up and get caught. While he had renounced the Death Eaters, it was due to having realized how massively he had screwed up. Karkaroff on the other hand had turned traitor only to save his own skin and had not changed his ways at all. Turning traitor for such a selfish motive while regretting nothing was one of the reasons Snape disliked Karkaroff so much, though Karkaroff trying to drag him down also played a role in it.
The meeting ended shortly later, but Dumbledore asked McGonagall and Trelawney to stay behind.
"Now, it was not part of the meeting since I wanted to keep it confidential. Sybill, what were Celestra's findings?" Dumbledore asked Trelawney once they were sure of their privacy.
Trelawney then proceeded to tell both of them about how the stars were pretty much pointing at an inevitable conflict. However, she then also told them about the strange thing mentioned about Harry. "Headmaster, I do remember that prophecy very well. Are Potter and his friends the Chosen Six?" she then asked, even though she already knew what the answer would be.
As it seemed, Dumbledore knew the answer as well. "Everything is pointing towards it. Harry and his five friends will be a decisive factor in the upcoming conflict."
"It is shameful that children are pulled into a conflict we adults had been too incompetent to solve. This should never have happened in the first place," MgConagall reminded him, feeling society had failed when children had to fight in the upcoming battles.
"Potter looked unaware when it was mentioned by Celestra. You have not told them yet, did you?" Trelawney asked.
When there was no reply form the Headmaster, McGonagall gave Dumbledore a harsh look. "You can't keep the truth from them forever, Albus. Remember that Sirius and Remus could lose patience and tell them instead."
It was harsh, but Dumbledore knew she was right. "I had hoped to keep that pressure off them for a little longer. Alas, reality has reminded me that I can no longer put it off. Once the school year is over, Harry and his friends will get the answers they deserve."
"Good, and now you have a duty I don't envy you for," McGonagall said.
Dumbledore sagged a little in his seat when knowing his Deputy spoke of him contacting Harry's guardians. They would not react well to these news and Sirius would probably be tempted to turn him into a goat for not yet having removed Karkaroff from the school grounds. After all, there was that threat of his which he given him during this year in private, should Harry be in more danger.
I hope Aberforth won't get any ideas should Sirius make good on his threat, Dumbledore thought in defeat.
o
The current lockdown was something students just accepted, since at such a late hour it made no difference anyway. Most of the Gryffindors, despite the newest excitement, had retreated to their dorms due to the late hour. It meant that Harry and friends were enjoying a high degree of privacy while sitting close to the fireplace in the common room of Gryffindor tower.
Harry had already explained his side of the story, of what exactly had happened to him, his rescue, what Trelawney and Celestra had said, and then their return to the castle. Now his friends were about to tell him what had happened while he had been in the forest. But first, a certain detail was more important.
"Mate, that's really a wild tale, though that explains why we for a moment had a collective panic attack. Ginny actually got hit the hardest," Ron finally said after they had silently listened to Harry's tale.
"Yes, that wasn't pleasant..." Ginny wouldn't admit it, but the sudden spike of fear had almost made her wet herself. "Since it happened again, I think Luna is right... something happened to us."
Luna pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Everything points to it. If one or more of us are in serious danger while being on their own, the others instinctively know about it, though the mechanism is not the most pleasant one."
"Wouldn't I know it..." Neville mumbled.
Luna however had heard him. "Neville, is there something you want to tell us?"
"You remember when we told the Headmaster about the times we felt the others are in danger? Well... I also felt that when you were down in the chamber. Almost made me crap myself in terror," Neville admitted. "It was rather chaotic after the fact and due to my reaction, I was too embarrassed to later mention it."
"Would it make you feel better if I admit that my reaction today also almost made me wet myself?" Luna asked him honestly, making Neville a bit speechless at such an admission.
Hermione meanwhile was pondering the ramifications of that discovery. "It has to be some kind of magical pact or contract that is at work. That also would explain what Celestra observed, these five star orbiting Harry's. I can honestly think of little other reason for this. Question is... when did we make such a contract? Also, since the answer is obvious, does the Headmaster know?"
"Of course he knows. He's Dumbledore after all," Ron waved it off. "Only strange he didn't tell us."
"Who knows what his reasons are. As you said, he's Dumbledore," Ginny added.
Now Hermione looked like she was thinking hard. "I honestly have to read up about magical contracts and how they are made. Maybe that way we can find out when and how we actually made that pact. Let's hope it's nothing like an Unbreakable Vow."
"I hope so as well..." Ron would never tell them how thanks to Fred and George he had almost been burdened with an Unbreakable Vow years ago. The twins had gotten their harshest punishment that day as a line had been crossed into outright cruelty and serious danger.
Hermione meanwhile thought about the other things Harry had heard while being in the forest. "I know Divination is a wooly subject, but all this talk about conflict in the near future... We know Voldemort is out there. It has to be him. I feel really unwell thinking about it."
"I think all of us are afraid of that, but what can we do right now about it?" Neville reminded them of how they were not in a position to make a difference about that.
"Maybe we can not talk about that right now? It's giving me a headache... So, what happened while I was in the forest?" Harry asked, knowing it couldn't be more exciting than what he had experienced.
"Not much, though it was a bit chaotic at the start. We were minding our own business when suddenly McGonagall came right out of the fireplace and told us right away that you were taken into the forest by an illegal portkey and that the castle will be under lockdown for the evening and night," Ron told Harry.
"Yes. She was still talking when we've had our panic attacks when you almost got mauled by that beast. She left really fast once seeing that," Ginny added,
"There is not much after that. We were forced to wait in here until they brought you back safely," Hermione completed the rather boring recounting of events in the castle during Harry's time in the forest.
Now that everything was said, Harry leaned back in his seat, arms crossed. "And the adults still can't nail Karkaroff to the cross..."
Hearing that, Hermione shook her head, her bushy hair shifting like an avalanche. "Remember, Karkaroff is a foreign dignitary, invited here by the Ministry. Unless they have iron-clad proof or they catch him red-handed, he's basically untouchable. I think they already know it's him, but getting the neeed proof is hard."
"There is no way we can let him continue. Next time he'll get Harry and then..." Neville didn't need to finish the thought, they all knew what he meant.
"Good idea, but sadly we proved rather ineffective against him. That man is no Draco," Ginny reminded him.
"Yeah, that would have been too easy." Ron was playing at how Draco, even when making a good plan, was prone to errors that would unravel his schemes. "No clue however what else we can do, even though we shouldn't give up."
The depressing fact was, there was little else they could do.
...May 22nd, the Riddle House...
Everyone had walked on eggshells around Voldemort for the past days. After news had come out about the attempt on Potter's life, their Master's mood had worsened quite a bit temporarily. They knew they had to thank Karkaroff and his continued clumsy attempts to curry favor with Voldemort for that turn of events. Since their Master had declared that only he himself was allowed to kill Potter, that newest attempt had felt like an insult to Voldemort.
It wasn't like Voldemort acted violently, screamed or raged. No, instead into was like a dark cloud of malice and anger surrounded him. And while he was acting as controlled as ever, the sheer aura of anger surrounding him had even intimidated Barty.
They all knew that Karkaroff would be in for a world of torture before his eventual death. The only reason the man wasn't yet in front of Voldemort was the continued need for secrecy. While the man's life already had been forfeit the moment had had committed treason all these years ago, Karkaroff now also had compounded onto it, as impossible as that sounded.
Thankfully, today Voldemort had finally moved on, coldly declaring that Karkaroff now should wish he had never been born. Considering what Voldemort was capable of, everyone knew he meant it. None of them wanted to be in Karkaroff's shoes once the man was caught and before their Master.
Right at the moment however Voldemort was standing in front of the big windows that allowed a perfect view on Little Hangleton, the shutters being opened to allow the sunlight in. He continued to look outside while he spoke. "Barty, I have need of you for a special assignment."
Barty, who had waited after having been called earlier, stood at attention. "I'm here to serve you to my best ability, my Lord."
"Yes, you indeed do. I have decided that the work of your late father could be of use to us in order to send a message," Voldemort told Barty.
Barty honestly wondered what his Master meant with that. "I have to admit I'm confused, Master. After all, you disregarded the tournament as pointless for your plans."
"For my plans... yes. However, I feel we need to give Magical Britain a shock they won't recover from anytime soon. It needs to be done for the dramatic effect to announce our return," Voldemort explained to Barty.
"Excuse me if I say so, my Lord, but wouldn't it be better to continue work in secret until we have gathered all of our strength?" Barty asked, finding the idea rather risky.
"I don't mind that you speak your mind, Barty. You have proven to be one of my smartest followers and I trust your judgment. Of course we won't go fully active right after our... demonstration. Barty, you remember your little sign at the World Cup... Like my unfaithful followers needed a reminder, now the people of Magical Britain need one to remind them why they have to be afraid."
Barty now started to understand. "Ah... I start to understand, my Lord. However, I still worry our enemies learning early about your return could be a disadvantage for us."
"Indeed, those are good points, Barty. However, I'm not concerned. We are far enough ahead in our preparations that we can allow us this little show of power. Lucius assures me that that spineless coward Fudge wouldn't take action even if the facts are clear. Also, considering the old goat's actions as of recently, he already knows," Voldemort explained to Barty while looking at the ring on his finger.
Hearing it laid out like that, Barty saw the logic behind it. "Indeed. The Ministry would rather put their head into the sand than tell the public you have returned. They'll never do so unless being left with no other choice."
"Now you understand my reasoning, Barty." Voldemort then turned around, showing a nasty smirk. "And of course after that is done, I can enact my plans for little Harry. His grace period is coming to an end."
Barty had to admit, seeing Voldemort smirk like that was a rather intimidating sight. "I can't help but to wonder, my Lord, how do my father's plans factor into giving Magical Britain a shock?"
"Ah, now this is where the irony comes into play, Barty," Voldemort said with a small laugh, then looked out of the window again. "Thanks to Lucius and a... donation of some hair from a Ministry flunky, you will be able to enter the Ministry and set the stage properly."
"I gladly follow your plan, my Lord. Please tell me how I can serve you," Barty said, actually feeling happy he would be able to go on a mission for his Master.
"Very eager, aren't you?" Voldemort sounded amused. "Let me explain my plan to you..."
Tom Riddle had liked grandiose displays of power, and as Voldemort he had never lost his fondness of such. In his mind such displays were needed in order to show who holds the power. Granted, perhaps a bit childish, but even a man like Voldemort did have things that he found irresistible.
Listening to the explanation, Barty felt glee growing in himself when hearing how his father's carefully crafted plans would be used to send a message. What had been planned by his father to be his moment of triumph - already made impossible by his early demise - would instead be the message to Magical Britain that the fat years were over and that they should prepare of many tears.
Barty did find the irony delicious.
...the Burrow, May 27th...
This Saturday was surprisingly warm for a day in late May, especially considering that the Burrow was located in Cornwall and thus being at the mercy of winds coming from the Atlantic Ocean. The garden of the Burrow was filled with activity, even though the vast majority of the Weasley family would not be home for several more weeks. Parents and guardians of the Six had gathered to enjoy a beautiful late afternoon in this rural area.
Each of the young children that had come along was enjoying this afternoon in their own way.
Young Jonathan Granger sat on a blanket and looked around in excitement, trying to take in all of this new and exciting environment with his young eyes. Next to him sat Mark, reading from a stack of comics - old issues that Ron had released for anyone to read - and acting as the one who made sure nothing would happen to the young boy.
-splash- He then looked to his left, where Steve and Kathleen sat in a big wooden tub - no way they would let them swim on their own in the pond yet - enjoying the cool water during this warm day. "Be careful. I can't read these if they are wet," Mark told the twins.
"Don't worry, Mark!" Kathleen told him.
"Yes, we'll be careful!" Steve added. Both of them knew better than to make Mark upset.
At the big table about twenty meters away meanwhile, the adults just saw Pandora return to them after she had made a run into the house. "I swear, this baby is enjoying kicking my bladder and make me run to the bathroom. Luna never did that to me when I carried her to term," she grumbled
"Then she must have been quite an angel even back then. Me and the bathroom became intimately familiar with each other during all my pregnancies," Molly sighed, knowing very well why after Ginny she had decided that they had enough children now.
"Nonetheless..." Pandora looked over to Veronica. "You plan to have another kid, so better expect all the unpleasant things that come with it."
"I'm not naive and know that no two pregnancies are the same." Veronica wouldn't reveal that during her pregnancy she'd had regular bouts of the runs, much to her embarrassment.
"Hearing the women talk about that stuff, how are things with Dora, Moony?" Sirius asked Remus, who also was attending.
"Padfoot, remember I did not snoop into your courtship of Diane after the initial discovery," Remus reminded his friend. "Nonetheless... Andromeda is getting a bit impatient with us. We understand that due to her not being able to have more children besides Dora, Andromeda is really eager for grandchildren."
Sirius knew how sad Andromeda had been that due to the dubious marriage habits of the Blacks in the past she had been medically incapable of having anymore children beyond Dora. "While I understand where Andy is coming from, still don't let her pressure you. Both of you deserve to take your time."
"Speaking of which..." Remus looked to Diane. "Both of you have any plans for children beyond Steve and Kathleen?"
"Yes, but not until the two of them are a bit older... and when we are no longer sitting on a powder keg." Diane did not look happy when saying that. "Regarding that... Sirius, I think it's time for you to address to everyone the elephant in the room... while the children are still occupied."
"Yes..." Sirius looked up. "Everyone, your attention please?" Seeing that he actually got their attention, Sirius continued "I know normally these gatherings are just for fun and relaxation, but we really have to talk about recent events and the ramifications."
The atmosphere at the table sobered a bit. "You mean those attempts on Harry's life and nobody being able to prove anything against the culprit?" Thomas asked, making no secret of how unsettled he was about that.
"All of us know who the culprit is. Horrible, that they are not able to remove that man from the school. I hate the big politics." Alice knew like all of them that Karkaroff was the only suspect, and was angry how he was evading justice by hiding behind his position.
"We were tempted to remove Harry from the school, but were forced to realize that while that would get Harry away from that man, it would create lots of damage and only expose Harry to other danger," Veronica added, knowing how there was no best choice in the matter.
It was not that it had been an easy decision, but fact of the matter was, that with the Ministry becoming more and more corrupt with each day, they honestly couldn't risk to have Harry home-schooled with private tutors. It would open up a massive can of worms with the Ministry learning way too much. With people like that horrible Umbridge woman in the Ministry, they couldn't risk the Ministry learning anything about Harry.
Not to speak of the damage that would do to Harry's social life, as he would not forgive them for that. They could only pray that there wouldn't be another incident and would let out a breath of relief once Karkaroff was gone from Hogwarts.
"I wish I were still in the force. I would love nothing more than to nail that monster Karkaroff to the cross. I wonder how scum like that even made it to such a position?" Frank grumbled, wishing really nasty things on Karkaroff for endangering the children.
"It's Durmstrang. That school always had a bad reputation. Remember it's where Grindelwald went to school. That should say it all." Even someone like Xenophilius, who usually was fascinated with all kind of things, felt contempt at Grindelwald and what he caused.
"Funny thing is, even they felt Grindwald was too extreme and in the end they expelled him," Remus added, finding that fact interesting. "Still, Durmstrang as it is now would have loved to have him as a student. I bet they are proudly showing him as an alumnus."
"That such a place continues to exist sends a fatal signal. It implies that the government is too weak to hold full control over their territory," Ian thought aloud, seeing the problem.
"Yes. It's downright ridiculous that a mere school gained enough power that they feel and essentially are above the law. Downright unthinkable," Jean added, still having trouble to accept something like that was even possible.
"Alright, I think we have drifted a bit off-topic. Let's better move on before it's too late," Diane reminded everyone.
"Yes, it's not only those attempts on Harry's life. There are also other developments. For one, Mr. Shark told me that they and the other law firms are right now beginning to squish Skeeter like a bug and these dirt rags she sells her poison to will bleed heavily as well. Those gossip papers might be able to shrug off one or two important families suing them, but they clearly became too greedy and thought they could take on four at the same time. Obviously, they can't," Sirius told everyone.
"Especially due to the tactic they chose. Each family starting a separate lawsuit for each instance of libel is a neat way to get around that cap on fines. Let Skeeter and these gossip rags see if they can afford the amount of fines that will land on them," Remus added, having heard what exactly the tactic had hadd for some time now.
Diane snorted. "I never met that woman in person, but I would love to see her being bankrupted and forced to live like a hobo on the streets, drinking cheap booze."
And that means all of them will get justice, Remus thought, remembering the arrangement he had made to ensure that the final impacted party also would get reparations for all the crap he'd had to endure.
There was a feeling of grim satisfaction in the air. Their children had been forced to go through hell because of that horrible woman and to make it worse, her lies would stick in the heads of the more simple-minded.
Jean's eyes narrowed. "I hope you squeeze every last Penny out of Skeeter. Her poison managed to get Hermione and Ginny hurt. She deserves to be reduced to a tramp living on the streets."
Everyone knew nothing was more scary than an angry mother out for blood. "I told Mr. Shark to coordinate with the other law firms to ensure she becomes outright broke," Sirius explained.
"At first I wanted to torture her with a dentist's drill, but her losing everything has to do. We want to ensure she won't pull any of this again." It was a bit frightening how vicious an otherwise peaceful woman like Jean could become. Even Molly felt a bit intimidated, which meant something.
Sirius then sighed. "Finally... Dumbledore told me things are looking bad. With the way things are going at the Ministry as well as the growing signs, he feels there will be hostilities soon enough."
That was undoubtedly the most serious thing to talk about.
"Yes, the way he told us, it's now only a matter of time. All of you need to know - to prepare for when things blow up," Remus added, also feeling a deep anger that he would be pulled into a second war.
Thomas looked down, having already expected to hear that. "To be honest, after all what I learned about Magical Britain, conflict is inevitable. There is that old elite that at the moment still has all the power, but they are losing ground each year..."
"They'll get desperate and do something they think will ensure they will continue to hold all the power; regardless if it's following Voldemort or someone else..." Frank looked depressed at the thought. "They are already busy with ensuring only people to their liking get anywhere in the Ministry. I thought our children wouldn't be forced to go through the same thing we did... Growing up in the middle of a war with fear everywhere."
"To think I would witness a civil war on British soil..." Ian knew some years ago he would have found the idea ridiculous, but now he knew it soon enough would become bitter reality.
"I know it's a depressing thought and I wish like all of us it wouldn't happen, but the way things are going, there is little chance at avoiding it." In Sirius' mind, the losses suffered in the last war proved that wars make no one great and only caused suffering. "Dumbledore told me he promises to keep all of us in the loop, should hostilities break out."
Veronica nodded to that. "Well, I hope so. Trying to be secretive by reasoning 'it's better for us' would not only be really condescending but also rather dumb. Some of us might not have any magic, but that doesn't mean we can't contribute."
"Exactly. No way I'll accept being told I'm some helpless maiden," Diane agreed, showing some of the strength she used on the job.
The irony was, right now those present with no magic had no idea about the order of the Phoenix, though to be fair, neither did the Lovegoods. Even Diane had no idea of that particular group, Sirius hating that Dumbledore had sworn him to secrecy.
Sure, they all would learn about it at the start of hostilities, but it sure would not look good. Sirius especially knew that Diane would be quite pissed once learning what had been kept secret from her. Sirius knew he then could expect a week on the couch for that.
She is a woman who does not tolerate being treated like she is fragile. That's why I love her so much, Sirius thought, knowing her anger with him would only be temporary.
...Privet Drive No. 4, June 5th...
It was a strange irony that Petunia was standing at the window that allowed her to see the entrance door of the Blacks. In the past she'd had a highly unhealthy addiction to spying on the neighbors in order to then spread gossip and rumors. In recent years however she had mostly stopped doing so, finally realizing how unhealthy such behavior was.
That she was doing so right now had a simple reason: she was about to again see what she had missed out on.
Right on time she saw it. She saw the now six-year old Black twins return from school. The boy and girl looked very excited while talking about their respective school days in a way only children that age could do. Finally arriving at the front door, they then played a quick game of rock-paper-scissiors to determine who should press the doorbell. This time the girl won.
Moments later the door opened and Diane Black greeted both of her children with a smile and then hugged them, before gently ushering them inside. Diane then noticed Petunia, but instead of being annoyed, she only looked sad and shook her head, before moving back into the house as well.
Even she can see it. Has it come to that by now - even Mrs. Black feeling pity for me? Petunia thought.
Witnessing all this was another reminder of what Petunia had missed out on. For years she had found excuses for it, but in the end she had to admit that she had never something like that with Dudley, mostly due to her and Vernon spoiling him to no end, thinking buying his love was the same as the genuine thing.
Also, seeing Diane already having two children and having overheard she is planning for more made her regret having listened to Vernon. Back then Vernon had been satisfied with having his 'male heir' and was not interested in more children. In retrospect she should have said something and his decision had been foolish, considering what had happened since then.
After learning of the news of Dudley's magic, Vernon for years had tried to ignore the issue. However, with Dudley attending Hogwarts, and not Smeltings like Vernon had planned years in advance, Vernon had slowly come to realize how his plans for an 'heir' had fallen apart, resulting in a continued emotional distancing.
By now Vernon and Dudley were almost fully alienated and Vernon would only continue to accept Dudley in the house because it was required of him by the law.
Thinking about it, things are not how I imagined...she thought.
Thanks to the manipulations of their parents she had alienated herself from her sister and she had only realized what she had lost years after Lily's death. Her marriage with Vernon was starting to fall apart due to Vernon getting more emotionally distant to her and Dudley with each day. The materialism she had followed for years in the game of status now seemed so utterly pointless.
In the end it came to one sobering realization: her life had not gone as she had imagined it would and that truth made her unhappy.
While her son was the one impacted the worst by this turn of events, Petunia knew that she herself also was suffering by now from shockwaves. After all, Vernon clearly had come to the conclusion that if he shut Dudley out of his life, then she was fair game as well. By now every sign of a failing marriage was there.
Vernon had not taken well her change in demeanor - especially them no longer being of the same bigoted opinion. He had noticed her grown interest in their son's magical life - a turn of events that clearly started to make him see her as his opponent. The fact that Dudley had not seen his father since last summer spoke volumes, but in a way that also had protected him from seeing how much things truly had fallen apart since the summer.
Additionally, Vernon also had become angrier and his mood had changed for the worse. Most likely he was angry that things had not turned out as he had expected. He was getting into shouting matches with both adult Blacks - them being a convenient target for his anger - more frequently and she dreaded that if that continued, he could make a serious error in his anger.
Should something serious happen, what should she do?
She had not worked since Dudley's birth and she honestly doubted her outdated skills were still needed nowadays. All the income was coming from Vernon and the house also was in his name. Thinking about it, should the worst happen, then Dudley and herself would pretty much be sitting on the streets.
At least Dudley himself was financially secure, though she needed to have a serious word with him once he was home. Writing a letter to her where he confessed how he managed to get a fat bank account by helping to kill a massive snake called a basilisk had almost caused her to faint and also made her sad he had seen the need to keep those things from her.
That had been some months ago and then learning how her son's name was being dragged through the mud by some tabloid bitch had then enraged her. She had kept all of it secret from Vernon while giving Mr. Lupin, who had approached her some weeks after the letter, written permission to represent Dudley in that legal matter and arrange for everything.
She could not get involved into the whole thing personally for obvious reasons, but she wanted her son to get justice and reparations for all the grief he suffered due to his name getting smeared.
She then looked to the clock. "Just an hour before Vernon returns from work..."
She knew she couldn't shield Dudley from these truths, so she had written a letter to him, explaining what was going on. While she didn't want to burden him, he did deserve the truth. He had to know what he was returning to over the summer.
No way she wanted him to come in unprepared.
o
"Dudley? Hey, are you paying attention?"
Those words from Millicent shook Dudley out of his thoughts, only now realizing he had been staring at the same book page for ten whole minutes without actually seeing it. They were revising for the upcoming end-of-year exams, but Dudley found it very difficult to concentrate after the letter that had arrived at the morning.
"What? Oh, sorry Millie... I've been out of it all day I guess," Dudley apologized. and closed his book "No way I can accomplish anything right now."
"Dudley, you've been like this since the mail call and that letter you got. What's going on?" Millicent asked him, making no secret of her worry.
Daphne, sitting on the other side of the table, looked up from her books. "I can harbor a guess that the letter told you something is wrong at home? After what happened over Christmas, it would be no wonder to me."
Knowing the girls had hit dead-center, Dudley knew it was useless trying to deny it and he fished the letter in question out of his pocket. He then took a quick look around and saw no one else in the common room. Everyone else was enjoying the good weather, thinking they could prepare outside just as well.
Dudley opened the letter. "This letter is from my Mum. If you thought things with my father were bad over Christmas, then you'll be surprised how things have developed since then. It actually makes me dread coming home for the summer."
"Yikes!" Millicent gasped. After what Dudley had told them about his worsening home life, hearing that things were even worse made her worry for his safety. "Maybe you can spend the whole summer with us?"
Dudley sighed. "That would never fly. As much as Dad has alienated himself from me, he's a man who likes to be in control. By now I think he would insist having me in the house just to have me being miserable. He always accepted discomfort if he gets what he wants."
"That's... I have difficulties imagining that," Daphne admitted. Coming from a loving family, she had difficulties picturing how that was for Dudley.
"I know... I myself have trouble grasping it as well, despite witnessing the slow train wreck over the years..." Dudley admitted.
Millicent grimaced at the thought of Dudley having to go through such a nasty time. She knew there was little that could improve such a situation. If Dudley's father had alienated himself from his wife and son like that, there was little that could be done about it. She had witnessed one family breaking apart before coming to Hogwarts, and watching it from the outside had been bad enough.
However, there was something to make it easier on Dudley. "Seeing how you'll be in for a horrible time, I ask my parents if I can be there for you every day."
Dudley had not expected her promising something like that. "You actually would do that? I mean, you sacrifice your own time..."
Millicent held his hand to show she meant it. "Hearing how you'll be in for a miserable time, I honestly don't care about that. Please let me help you..."
Watching this, Daphne couldn't help but to think these two were growing closer due to the misery both of them did suffer. Back in second year, Millicent had went through the horror of being used as Voldemort's puppet and Dudley had helped her a lot in the aftermath, which had jump-started things between them. And now Millicent would help Dudley make his horrible home life a little more bearable, which would only push these two closer together.
Seeing them like this... I envy them a bit. Thank all goodness Astoria is in Hufflepuff, since knowing her uncanny sense for bursting in at the worst moment, she would have done so right now, Daphne thought.
Daphne then grimaced a bit when thinking about her sister. Her and Gabrielle Delacour had indeed become pen-pals and as Daphne had feared, they not only used it to exchange gossip but also ideas how to do mischief. She already had to write two letters explaining to their parents how Astoria had landed in detention due to not being wise enough not to use Gabrielle's ideas for things that seem to be cool.
Again looking to where Millicent had managed to improve Dudley's mood, Daphne realized that Hogwarts pretty much representing almost her entire age group, if you didn't manage to score dates while attending, then your chances for success in the romantic department would be slim unless you looked for non-magical alternatives. Problem was, most Hogwarts boys either weren't her type or those that were interesting were already in relationships.
Granted, Finch-Fletchley had been a real gentleman at the Yule Ball and he was keeping other girls at a distance due to certain social conventions...
Dream at night, Daphne, she reminded herself.
...Hogwarts grounds, June 16th...
Everyone was relieved that the end-of-year exams were over. Granted, the normal exams were nothing compared to the OWLs and NEWTs, but it still was stressful enough. However, they finally were done with all of them and students felt they now could allow themselves to relax. There was no more schoolwork for the final week before the school year was officially over. Of course there still would be the excitement of the final task at the day before the leaving feast.
The Six felt like most of their energy had left them and right at the moment were enjoying the sunny and warm weather, lying in the grass near the shore of the lake. Many other students were also using the opportunity, some simply doing it like the Six, while others played games on the grassy plain surrounding Hogwarts or actually taking a swim in the lake (which at this time of the year was quite pleasant).
Right at the moment the Six had banished all and any thought of Karkaroff and wanting to ensure he would get his just punishment for the next few hours , the stress about him possibly trying something having made the already stressful exams worse than it could have been. Thus they at least for the moment did not want to get reminded about it.
"I'm still thinking of how intense Moody's exam was. Talk about being a bit over the top. After Harry being dumped into the forest, he really raised up the intensity," Ginny said, remembering all too well how intense and serious Moody had been during it.
That certainly was true. Moody had used his remaining lessons and the exams to really hammer home his motto of 'Constant Vigilance', citing what happened to Harry as a good example why that was a good way of thinking. He had managed to cram the lessons of three months into one.
"Considering that half of the exam consisted of us going all out on training dummies while following the order not to do anything that out in the world could get us into legal trouble, it was quite memorable," Harry agreed. Moody, in his own way, had given him personally nothing but praise, saying they really needed people like Harry on the force.
Harry knew he was gifted when it came to Defense. Even Hermione, much to her disappointment, couldn't keep up. Moody had actually told her that she was too much by-the-book and a bit too much of a bookworm to get the top mark on such a practially-minded subject. Hermione didn't want to imagine how she would have taken that without years of accepting she couldn't be perfect at everything.
"Very sad however, that Mr. Moody is no longer a teacher," Luna added, sounding actually disappointed about it.
Right after being done with his exams, Moody's contract had expired and the Headmaster had given him his exit documents in front of the entire school. Of course Moody was still present, Dumbledore had hired him as a security consultant right away in a sneaky move that wouldn't even need the approval of the school board and was sure to piss off the usual suspects.
God only knew what Dumbledore was playing at, but he knew damn sure that he was stepping onto the toes of certain people with such a move.
"You know... Hagrid's idea for end-of-year exams also was awesome," Ron finally said, remembering the last exam, which had been Creatures.
"It most certainly is very fascinating how Hagrid presents us with an especially impressive beast at the end of the year. The Hippogriff seemed pleased with our reaction," Luna added.
"Hagrid said that Buckbeak is a peaceful chap as long as you don't disrespect him. Guess we can count ourselves lucky that Malfoy and his flunkies are no longer part of the subject," Neville thought aloud, trying to imagine what could have happened.
"Well, they most certainly would have messed it up, with predictable results." Ron said that with a dreamy look, clearly him imagining Malfoy and his followers getting into trouble for messing up with Buckbeak.
"Regardless how much we can't stand them, we shouldn't wish for them to suffer real harm," Hermione reminded them, spoiling Ron's fun. "Still, Hagrid seems quite close to Buckbeak. Remember how he showed him off to us two years ago?"
"I wonder how Maxime feels about Hagrid's love for dangerous animals..." Harry mused. It was an open secret that Hagrid and Maxime had developed a rather adult relationship.
"She can't mind it that much, otherwise those two getting so close would have never happened," Ginny remarked, knowing Hagrid was very upfront about his passion, unable to lie about it. Ginny then noticed something. "Hey, people, look over there. Seems we get company."
They did look and to their relief it was not the usual suspects. Instead they saw Bill approach, with Fleur walking next to him. Seeing that, Ginny felt her sister-sense tingle, feeling something interesting was about to happen.
"Hello, Bill. Hello, Fleur." That was the greeting, everyone wondering what that was about.
"Looks like all of your decided you earned your slacking, hm?" Bill commented when seeing how the Six were not bothering with getting up.
"Didn't you tell us that you refused to get out of bed for two days after your exams each year?" Ron asked Bill in return, remembering the tales Bill had told them.
Bill honestly had forgotten about that one, and Fleur couldn't help but giggle. "Ohhh, he got you there, Bill." Then further demonstrating that the Six got the right idea, she laid down next to them, enjoying the sun.
"When in Rome..." Bill sighed, and copied her.
"Any specific reason you are here, Bill, or do you just want to hang out with us?" Ginny then asked.
"Ah, Bill... you tell them," Fleur told Bill, suddenly blushing a little.
Of course... Bill wouldn't say that aloud. "You see, We've had a little conversation with Mum and Dad a few days ago... You know, about the future and such things."
Ron arched an eyebrow. "Wait... you said 'we'. Anything you want to share?"
Now Bill hesitated, so Fleur took over, proving that her English had improved a lot over the past months and it sounded quite cute with her French accent. "Ohh... Bill felt he needed to tell his parents about our plans for the future. Bill wants to stay in the country to be closer to the family, and me..." Fleur stopped and blushed a bit more.
Now, that actually made the whole thing interesting. Luna, in her usual bluntness, brought it to the point. "Ah, so you are now Bill's girlfriend. How nice for both of you."
"A bit blunt, but yes. After these months of us testing the waters, we want to give it a chance." Bill looked over to Fleur for a moment to see if he could continue and saw a nod. "That's the thing about the future. Fleur actually has already applied for a desk job at Gringotts and got the green light. They really want a better understanding of financial matters in France."
"It does help that the worst I could do to goblins is to make them very polite. Me not being part of British magical society helps, too," Fleur added.
"I can't imagine Mum jumping with joy at these news," Ginny remarked, knowing that Molly Weasley held certain doubts about Fleur.
Bill remembered how Fleur had looked a bit disheartened at the experience. "Surprisingly, Mum has no problem with Fleur's ancestry. It's her nationality she has a problem with."
"Wait, let me get this straight. Your mother has a problem with Fleur because she is French?" Neville asked, wondering if he had understood correctly.
"Oui, Madame Weasley has some... strange conceptions when it comes to the French," Fleur said in Bill's stead, feeling Bill wouldn't want to talk badly about his own mother.
"Man, that sucks. Hopefully she comes around," Harry finally said.
Thing was, besides their whole relationship, another thing also had been important in that meeting, which was when Dumbledore had actually joined them.
It was then when Fleur had learned of the organization that Bill was part of as well as the danger that was looming over Magical Britain. Now, Fleur could have simply decided to return to France, deciding all of that was not her problem, but she couldn't. Apart from the fact that it would have meant sacrificing her just growing relationship with Bill, it would have meant leaving Harry and his friends to their fate.
She couldn't help but to feel that it would have been a massive dick move and her conscience told her that still leaving anyway after knowing the facts would make her a horrible person.
Being forced to make a decision, she had decided to rather go with the risk and still go through with her plans, while deciding to also help Bill and the others with their cause. She did not want a tyrant like Voldemort to rule over Magical Britain, especially since with his kind there was no 'safe'. Once his takeover was done, like all power-hungry despots he would look for the next victim, and France was close by.
After all, Grindelwald didn't stop once he'd taken over Magical Germany and Kusnetsov refused his troops leave the countries they had taken from Grindelwald in return. It's always the same with such people and Fleur knew Voldemort would be the same sooner or later.
There truly was only one option for her. She only hated the secrecy that came with it.
...June 21st, Room of Requirement...
In the Room of Requirement, the mood was not the best among the Six. That was because of Igor Karkaroff. While they had put the issue aside earlier due to exams and then exhaustion from said exams, now that they had the time on their hands, the frustration with the situation had returned full force. It was little wonder, why, since time was running out for them.
"So, nothing at all?" Harry asked
Ginny shook her head. "Nothing at all. All of us tried, but Karkaroff isn't dumb. We all know he's a complete bastard, but to the outside world he still he the honorable Headmaster of Durmstrang."
"Not only that, but time is running out for us. The final task is in three days, and the day after that the schools leave," Hermione reminded Harry as well, looking really unhappy with said fact.
"Meaning he actually will get away with all what he has done..." Ron grumbled, looking like he really wanted to break something in frustration.
Their determination to prove Karkaroff's guilt had only become even stronger after Harry being sent into the Forbidden Forest. Harry had come close to dying that day and they now wanted to prove Karkaroff's guilt at nearly all cost. To their frustration however, six fourth-year students had only limited options against someone like Karkaroff.
"I can't accept that. He's bought his freedom once, no way I want someone like him run around free," Harry said with a thunderous expression, leaning back into his armchair.
"Harry, as much as we all hate this, there is little else we can do. We've exhausted all our options and nothing came out of it," Hermione reminded Harry.
Silence laid over them for some moments, the air thick with frustration. Then however it was Luna of all people who spoke up. "That is not entirely true. There is one final window of opportunity to catch him doing something illegal."
It took a few moments before they understood what Luna was talking about. The final task was in three days, and the first two had been sabotaged by Karkaroff (no other suspect). Being as arrogant as he was, he most certainly would try to do so with the third task as well if he still was hell-bent on giving Krum the win at all cost. That indeed would be the final chance to catch him red-handed.
Of course, there were some problems connected to it. "You mean we spy on him putting in his sabotage, get proof and then report him? You know that sounds really dangerous?" Neville voiced his concerns with the idea.
"Not to speak of the fact that we have to sneak out after curfew for that in the middle of the night. Even if we don't get caught by Karkaroff, we would be in a heapload of trouble for it," Hermione added, knowing they wouldn't get out of that without damage to themselves.
Ginny then saw Harry looking thoughtful. "Harry, don't tell me you are actually considering it!"
"Try to see it from my perspective. That man tried to murder me multiple times. There is no way I want him to get away with it and I'm willing to go that far to get him!" Harry declared.
Thing was, all of them were teenagers, and teenagers at times were not known to make the wisest of decisions with being stressed. Granted, that also went for adults, but teenagers were especially prone to it. Harry being so passionate about it was starting to sway his friends to put their doubts aside. Their wish to help Harry to get justice was winning out over their not unfounded doubts.
Of course there still was some hesitance.
"Harry, if we get caught... and I mean not only by Karkaroff," Neville voiced his fear.
"We'll be careful. People, don't get me wrong, I know it's risky. But be honest, do you want him to get away with it? Isn't is worth the risk to get him off the streets for good?" Harry asked his friends.
"I sincerely doubt he won't notice us making photos. The flash needed in such darkness would be very obvious," Luna reminded Harry, remembering herself using a camera when creating the photos to blackmail Draco and Pansy.
"Dudley told me that Dumbledore can extract memories. If it's verified they are not tampered with, we do have the needed proof. We just have to watch him do the deed and then right away report him." Harry then grimaced. "I know it means us getting in trouble with the school rules, but the punishment should be worth finally nailing Karkaroff."
Harry was so passionate about it, and they were so frustrated, that their desire to finally get something on Karkaroff won out over their common sense.
"Alright, mate, I'm in," Ron decided.
One after the other, they agreed. First a very eager Ginny, then a more reluctant Neville, then Luna who reasoned she couldn't let them do that on their own, and finally Hermione, who had voiced some protest before agreeing that there was no way she would desert them at such a critical thing.
While such loyalty for their friends was admirable, it was pretty obvious they would get into serious trouble for that. They knew what they were planning to do was incredibly dangerous, but for the time being their common sense - even of Hermione and Luna who really should have known better - had gone on vacation.
This was bound to have some serious fallout, regardless in which form.
to be continued...
Next Episode:
"The Die is Cast, Part I - Death at Hogwarts"
Notes:
Here the notes.
If you thought Harry would never end up in the Forbidden Forest, I can now prove you wrong, though thankfully I thought hard to give him a realistic reason to be there. Karkaroff went all out on this one, but had no idea that Harry could summon a Patronus, nor that he could have known that Harry would get help.
We finally meet the centaurs again. I felt Trelawney would do more than just being a teacher. It also only hit mit after writing the scene that Celestra sounds almost like Celestria from 'Friendship is Magic'.
Karkaroff's latest stunt is the beginning of his undoing. Trust me on that.
Of course Voldemort's love for making a very visible spectacle is shining though and he has something planned...
We look at what the adults are doing, but also how Petunia is doing. Seeing how the situation has detoriated by now, Dudley most certainly won't enjoy his stay home. The big crash is coming closer.
Lots of small developments near the end of the school year. We hear more about Bill and Fleur, but we also see the Six are about to do something incredibly stupid.