Harry Potter and the Order Defying Dark Lords

by VashonBeader

Harry Potter just wants to fly, throw pottery, and spend time his girlfriend Hermione. That can be difficult when a dark lord is after you. The young Lord Potter has already dealt with one threat and has the nightmares to prove it. Now, on the distant horizon, is a new threat. Rather, an old one. Rated M for a reason.

1. Chapter 1 - It isn't over until

Harry Potter and the Order Defying Dark Lords

~~ODDL~~

A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.

Thanks to Alix33 for her kind and helpful remarks.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JKRowling. It is our understanding that it is illegal to solicit or receive remuneration for Harry Potter fanfiction. We own nothing but our castles in the sand.

~~ODDL~~

Welcome to the Fireside.

~~ODDL~~

This story is rated M for a bit of horror and gruesome, but very little will be blatant. Implied relations but again, nothing blatant. Harry and Hermione are a couple but they start this story as newly turned teenagers - so expect hand-holding and kisses. No lemons, limes or anything like it on offer.

This is a continuation of Harry Potter and the Odd Rebellion. If you don't read that first, you won't have a Scooby of what is happening. But to recap that last chapter:

Scorecard of what has happened so far:

This story is AU: Harry found a way to defeat Dumbledore II (Gellert Grindelwald) with the application of knowledge. He used a basilisk. Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum are both done.

Harry was warned that there was one bit of Tom Riddle floating around. The Death Eaters may have been Gellert's dupes for taking down powerful houses, but Tommy-boy was still a strong dark lord. If he does come back, he could do untold damage. Only the truly evil wants that.

O.D.D.L, (Order Defying Dark Lords) will continue the work ODD started. Protect the innocent, help free the people still under the previous headmaster's thrall, and do what they can to keep their country safe and dark-lord-free.

Arglwydd means Lord in Welsh, it's in the notes below. Ar glue eeth. Thanks to Fenchurch1 who wrote: Arglwydd is pronounced Ar glue eeth with a hard th like in' then'.

Back to the story.

~~ODDL~~

Chapter 1 - Sorry, no Fat Lady in Sight

~~ODDL~~

Early January, 1994

A couple of international ODD members from Japan and France, which had once been ICW countries, rejoiced to hear that Dumbledore had been taken down. They sent Harry fragrant cherry trees and grapevines respectively as gifts for his home. They knew a lot of hard work was ahead of them but a child was able to do what no one had been able to do for the last fifty years.

Dan's superiors agreed with Ian's intuition: The populace was coming out of a fog and remembering thoughts and memories long suppressed. Announcing to the world that Grindelwald had been alive all this time would have only caused panic. Those few, like Delacour and Lee, who were proven trustworthy were quietly informed that he had been alive until the Solstice of 1993. That he was now deceased along with the real Albus Dumbledore gave many people peace.

No one wanted to point out that a long suppressed population, recently freed to do as they will, might turn to unrest for a time. Those in power were trying to avoid any major upheavals and they had a finger on the pulse of the people.

All of the Potter grocery carts now had portals built-in to them that could be used for personnel or supplies. It could provide emergency extraction should they need it, but so far, other than grumbling against Dumbledore, peace still reigned.

The Ministry was being dealt with, one department at a time, by Amelia Bones and several loyal friends from Dan's troop.

No one wanted another dictator and plans were being put into place to prevent it.

~~ODDL~~

Lucius Malfoy was made for this role! He was a good administrator and politician and was thoroughly enjoying the position of headmaster.

Narcissa was coming up the stairs and he pressed the rune to open the door for her. He stood and bowed. "Narcissa! How are you settling in?"

"I'm doing well, thank you. And it's wonderful seeing Draco on a daily basis again. Are we ever going to catch up though?"

Narcissa had accepted the role of castle chatelaine. Her keys at her belt were more than ceremonial but she still didn't know what they were all for. The spice cabinet had long been unlocked and kept that way due to trusting the house-elves of the kitchen.

She glared at the portrait of the sleeping previous headmaster. It had appeared there on the night of the solstice but had not yet awakened. What they were going to do with it when it did was still a mystery. What he had been doing was a mystery to her but it certainly wasn't doing any work as headmaster.

"Alastor Moody has accepted the post of DADA instructor starting next year. He's still trying to make sure the last bits of Dumbledore's influence have been eradicated. It will be a good next career for him. I'm delighted about it." Lucius shared.

"With the curse gone, he can keep it as long as he likes as well. No more 'revolving door' on the position." Narcissa had learned about that mechanism when accompanying Carmen shopping for the first time. She loved the spinning glass doors that led into the magical mall they had been at. She thought it was powered by magic and Lady Black had not enlightened her on the matter.

She looked up at Dumbledore's slumbering pose. "Until that is gone, not all of the curses have been removed."

"Well, Professor Moody was a curse-breaker in his day. I'll ask him about it, my dear."

She kissed his cheek lovingly. While they had been forced together, he had always been respectful and kind to her. She had grown to accept him as family just not as her husband.

He offered her a seat next to him and they went through some more of the backlog of correspondence and business.

"Triwizard Tournament? Here at Hogwarts? There was a reason this was discontinued. No, just no, Igor. What was Albus thinking? I would suggest quashing this tournament nonsense quickly before it gets out, don't you think?

"Was Karkaroff ever offered the cleanse, do you think, Lucius?"

"I don't know. I have a Romanian quill around here somewhere. You speak English and it translates. Why not add a personal message to our 'not interested' note and tell him about it."

Lucius pulled out a small box of business cards. It had Harry's pseudonym and Gringotts contact information for 'Tattoo Removal' with no questions asked.

She put the cards near her. Reducing the amount of people so marked would make them all safer. They worked together until the chime on his desk warned it was time to prepare for dinner. Lucius gave her hand a warm squeeze of thanks for her help. They had made a lot of progress. Good. They then went to dress.

~~ODDL~~

Friday, Jan 7th, Rose Greenhouse

Neville worked quietly every day with Harry after school started back. Today, he finally broached the subject he'd been wanting to talk about.

"Harry? This prophecy that Trelawny gave: You know that it might be about me, too. Right?"

How the goblin Seers could tell Lady Alice that one prophecy applied to Harry and another applied to them both when they had similar messages confused Harry. It was still true though.

"Are you worried I'm jealous of you Longbottom? If so, prepare for disappointment." Harry said with a laugh. He then grew somber and asked. "Does this mean you're joining me for lessons?"

While Neville pondered this, Harry pondered all of the changes since the 'Solstice of '93' as the event was now being called.

Terry Boot was still going to Salem with them and staying here, but his sister and parents had moved from Oregon back to Britain. Most of the Irish students, who had come temporarily, were now back at Hogwarts. Seamus was going to be dating Ginny according to his last missive.

The wizards were ignoring Susan's and Sally-Anne's betting on how long that relationship would last. This was Charlie's and Bill's sister! Harry figured that between them and the twins, she had plenty of protection.

Dean and his sister Claire already had moved into their own little cottage. They were welcome to stay in the manor but with Miss Thomas being a part of the village, this was what they chose.

There were days Harry would be more comfortable in his own cottage and started secretly designing one with Harlan.

Sarah Miller had taken her OWLs and was taking a few more electives that started at eighth-grade, so she was now back in their year. She was not working in the greenhouse right now but was up in the library.

Harry wanted to join Hermione there himself but Neville was finally talking.

"No, I don't think training is what I need. Sirius has given us these belt-shields and I know a lot about toxic plants. I would rather carry something to subdue an attacker than rely on my reflexes. Can you understand?" The shy boy was gaining confidence but Harry could see his point. Very well.

Plus, he had Mum Alice if needed, not to mention Frank. Anyone threatening either boy had best use the dirt-digging charm to carve out a spot and transfigure himself a coffin. Auror Longbottom was more than a bit protective of Harry, but going after her son?

Same result.

Harry suggested, "Let's just both practice that vigilance thing but you're more than welcome to join me. Ian will be coming here at times, Moody too. I'm now officially a member of the Black Watch so I'll be participating in their monthly training."

"You? In a kilt?" Neville's eyes were popping out.

"What? We wear dresses all the time! A kilt is a man's outfit! You should see the sporran that Sirius enchanted for me."

Neville just shook his head, grinning and the boys went back to work.

~~ODDL~~

Saturday, January 21st, Selwyn's home

Lord Selwyn invited a trusted friend into his office. Ever since receiving the mysterious package that held such dark magic, along with essential ritual ingredients, he had contemplated who he could trust. He poured out two glasses of expensive alcohol for them.

Minister Fudge had been arrested recently, and an interim Minister had been appointed by the muggle queen. No one dared object as there was something very odd happening to them all.

'Freedom Parties' were being hosted by the elite of society, with catering being provided by the goblins, of all things. The price was too good to ignore and the outcome was the fog being lifted from people's minds.

He had attended one and felt different. Of course, he then came home and reopened the letter and package from Dumbledore. Some people had the intelligence of a flea. And this blood-sucking moron wanted the bigotry to continue and didn't want to lose the fight against the mudblood incursion.

He had decided to recruit some help carefully, starting with a known and trusted fellow death eater.

Thorfinn Rowle was offered both the letter and a chance to examine the ring that positively exuded dark magic most vile. Of course, to them, it was the Dark Lord's power most welcome. The directions for a resurrection ritual were included inside the box. Neither paid attention to the black king piece. It wasn't important so it was overlooked.

Thorfinn shared, "Lucius Malfoy would be a good resource for us to research this ceremony. I don't know if we should trust Snape with the potions part - he's but a half-blood."

Selwyn avoided rolling his eyes. He knew the Dark Lord himself was a half-blood in the same way that Severus Snape was: A muggle father with a witch mother. "We must be cautious. There are seasons and times for resurrection rituals. Doing them on the wrong day will bring disaster and we might lose our only chance to make things right again."

The arithmancy was most difficult, but Rowle worked with people who were very good at it. Trusted people. They would verify the previous headmaster's findings. Halloween, just nine months away.

The lord continued, "I don't think I need to emphasize that caution is the watchword. We need to verify this ritual, we need the right participants, and we need the right blood."

Rowle smiled most viciously. He had a reputation for his tastes in young magicals, "We need Potter's blood. And perhaps, as a boon, the Dark Lord will let me keep him after donating the required amount." Seven drops wouldn't kill him, after all.

Even Selwyn shuddered at that. He certainly wouldn't want to be captured by this man when he was younger. Or even now, "We're going to need special ingredients. I trust MacNair to do that for us."

"Aye, my lord Selwyn. Walden would be a good member of our group."

"Let us be cautious," Selwyn warned again, "We will recruit more people as the time grows closer. If we can't get anyone else, you know Snape can brew anything and these potions look tricky. Let us wait and plan.

"As for Harry Potter, he might live to finish his third year, but he'll not live to finish his fourth."

Rowle did tend to be hard on his 'guests' and didn't disagree. Neither saw anything wrong with attacking a teenager. It was for the Greater Good. Their greater good.

The men shared a toast. "To the Dark Lord!"

It was odd that neither one saw anything wrong with helping the old headmaster helping them. Nothing wrong at all.

~~ODDL~~

Saturday, January 29th, Black Keep

Sirius took Harry for a walk around the estate. Harry had woken him up yet again the previous night and he was concerned for his godson. People were going about their chores and more than one worker bowed to them as they passed.

"Harry, I want to apologize to you. You said you wanted no part of the violence. I don't want a part in any fighting. I feel that you were bullied into lessons.

"I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do to make up for being a lousy godfather?" Sirius shared . He was feeling that the only reason he kept his magic was the fact the lessons were geared to keep Harry safer than he was without them. But still. His godson was having terrible nightmares.

They wound up down by the pond. The wintery charms were ended early and Harry could skip a stone on the water without cheating.

"The thing is, Sirius, he was after me. Wanted to use me for his own blood protection. He burned his fingers that day he touched my head, but I think that if he had kidnapped me, he'd have found a way to kill me."

Harry skipped a few more stones.

"And as scary as the headmaster was, I think it is the real Albus that scares me more. Gellert was his tool; he was the mastermind. And regardless of my efforts, I think the world is a much safer place without them."

Sirius nodded, skipping his own stone. "What about Moldyshorts?"

Harry snorted, "The Seer who gave that prophecy was several sheets to the wind. Sabrina and Luna see nothing on the horizon. I continue as I have, practicing self-defense more than Art of War. He's nearly dead and the moment we get the ring we do something about making that permanent."

Goblin Seers had determined, by some means, the shape of the last object. And they were saying it was a ring. A House ring.

"I like how you say 'we', as in a group of people. That's really smart." Padfoot found a perfect flat stone and let it go.

"Oooh. Seven skips. Well done. I'm sorry you didn't have support like that growing up. If I'd had our family from the beginning? I don't know. Albus likely did me a favor with Harry Hunting. Not that I plan to thank him.

"But I hear what you're saying. You let me get this training 'in case'. I'm not planning on using it except in defense." Harry felt it deeply that Magic wasn't done with him as her champion.

And magic considered him an adult. Blech!

If only the nightmares would stop!

"Sirius? If Dad had lived, what do you think he would be doing, you know, as a job?"

The once careless marauder really thought about that. Would James have grown up? Or would Remus be the hard-working Seneschal, excusing his friend's bad behavior while allowing house-elves and servants to raise his son; presuming Lily still sacrificed herself for Harry. An image of a drunken James, forever in mourning over the lost witches of his life, mother, wife, and unborn daughter, came to his mind.

Sirius shook his head. He was not going to add to Harry's nightmare fuel, he had sufficient, thank you. He tried and failed to envision James as anything like Lord Charlus: That man had fought Grindelwald, in a way, nearly all of his adult life!

"You have done so much for so many people. Oh, and how did your interview go with Carer Stevens?"

"She wasn't happy that I was in danger like that, but agreed that there weren't many people who could do what I did. Sirius, I'm sorry I didn't ask for an adult parselmouth to come and help and pass off my responsibility."

"Is that what she said? Does she understand even a tiny bit how rare that skill is? That you have been chosen by Magic?" Sirius rolled his eyes and pulled Harry towards the house.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked.

"There's a potion to simulate parseltongue that Bill's team used to sort the truly evil books from healing and other things. I think Dad Potter had one of those books because he was working in dangerous conditions and wanted to have a resource of spells and traps to avoid.

"You've been sad on and off all month. I think we need to go back to Mount Sinai again. And maybe get you a new pet."

"A boomslang? Runespoor?" Harry looked happier. He'd been doing research on magical snakes and both of those were very useful in potions. "I bet I could get permission to keep them at the school. You know. Away from the little ones. And Alice. For some reason, she doesn't like my pets."

'Gee, I wonder why?' Sirius suppressed a shudder, "Come, Godson. We have places to be."

~~ODDL~~

Professor Prince was more than happy to offer house and classroom space to a double trio of magical snakes, one of each male and female. With a parselmouth, gathering shed skin and venom was very easy. They would sometimes snap at him when Lord Harry wasn't around. But most of the time, they were very happy to just co-exist with him peacefully.

Matt Felton earned himself a week's worth of detention by trying to unlock and release one of the runespoors to scare the witches of the class.

The loud hissing made Harry laugh at what really wasn't a funny situation.

"What did he say, Mr Potter?" Professor Prince asked.

"I can't say in public sir as I do not wish to earn any points or detention for it. "

Harry was asked to write it down, so he did.

"In English, Potter!"

Susan wanted to know if Professor Prince knew just how much he sounded like Professor Snape when he did that?

"Oops. Sorry sir. Harry concentrated and didn't notice Susan casting an auror spell at his note. She shared it with Hermione and Sally-Anne.

The snake clearly didn't like Felton. Harry wrote the snake's feelings perfectly: 'The pale one better watch out or I will bite him next time, stinky or not!'

The professor had them all back to brewing fairly quickly.

"I bet we could get Draco to make badges for us that say 'Felton Stinks' that have something else most of the time," Sally-Anne shared in a conspiratorial whisper on the way to the next class.

Harry rolled his eyes. Sometimes his family could be so immature!

~~ODDL~~

Ricardo's life was completely changed. He had his mother back, they got to fly together every day, raise hippogriffs which were their passions and got to be together. They got to eat as much as they wanted and were served those meals in a wonderful community hall.

He even got to play basketball with his friends. Susan and he loved the game even if neither would ever be on a varsity team. They were in the gym after school and taking a breathing break.

"How are you doing Susan? It must be hard with your aunt working back in Britain."

"She's making a lot of time to be with me. If I lived there, I doubt I see her much at all as most everyone boards at Hogwarts. Now? She can work late and we still have a normal dinner time here. It's easier with the portals. You should come to dinner more often."

Ricardo made a face. His mother loved dressing up, but he was like his father. Dinners in the manor took too long! And he had to wear dresses, not that he was going to tell Susan that.

"I don't mind coming now and then, but with flying and homework and such…" With his mother back, she encouraged Ricardo to reduce the amount of time spent working for House Potter. They didn't need the money but she had been proud of her son for trying to help his father. This taught him a work ethic and gave him an allowance; responsibilities that he'd take on in full, in just a few more years.

"Yeah, I get it. I do. Besides, you don't really like dressing up." Susan noted.

"That isn't true! I love wearing a tux or a suit. I just don't like…well I just…"

Susan started to laugh. "You're American! And American wizards don't wear dress robes as much as we do in Britain."

"Nope! We're manly men and wear trousers, thank you very much."

Ricardo cast a chilling charm on a bottle of water. Now that they could actually breathe, he was ready for a drink and chilled a bottle for himself. They clinked them together in a toast and shared a sweet look of friendship.

~~ODDL~~

Dan'l was crawling really well now and clearly going to be a scientist. He carefully patted the wooden block next to Harry and then put it in the Substance Analyzer, ie, his mouth.

Hmm, the readings were uncertain. Best check again, so he did.

Teddy patiently stacked up a few blocks for the baby to happily knock down before continuing on the larger fort that he and Harry were working on in the nursery.

A silvery chime sounded, reminding the children of the manor it was time to get cleaned up and dressed for dinner.

"When will Dan'l be old enough to eat with us at the table?" Teddy asked.

"I don't know. Bets comes sometimes but you can see Augusta rolling her eyes about it behind Lady Alice's back. I have a feeling my godmother's household was a bit less strict and formal than the Longbottom's. Why do you ask?"

"Cause while I like him and all, he's really a messy eater. He decided this morning he wanted to use his bowl as a hat. Which was kinda funny. But it still had oatmeal in it!" Teddy shared, giggling.

Harry laughed at the image so of course the baby had to join in.

Abigail came in just then, "Angels are born when you three laugh like that. Come, my cubs. Livy has a nice dinner ready for Master Dan'l and you boys and I are expected at table."

"Mum, did you have to dress up when you were growing up?" Teddy asked.

Abigail shuddered. No child should be raised in the house she was raised in. Such a dichotomy as she truly loved her parents. "Yes darlings, I did. But the conversations were, shall we say, very different. I did learn a lot though and it has helped me in my career."

Her children would never have to wonder if the fresh stains in the dining room were blood or if some kind of red gravy had been spilled. Certainly her forensic skills were based in her childhood.

She put gloomy thoughts aside as she picked up her youngest and buzzed his tummy, making him squeal.

~~ODDL~~

Spring break approached, and his nightmares seemed to be getting worse instead of better.

Ones of him bleeding in a ritual circle; both Dumbledores sharing their plans for world domination once Harry was dealt with.

Alice put down her foot: If the mind-healer at Mount Sinai wasn't working, they would try a goblin healer.

Sirius looked at Harry, "Are you willing to try Gringotts about this? I mean, they helped Frank."

They were back at the pond. It was hard to talk when flying and neither of them fished.

Harry skipped another stone. He should be over this by now, but he wasn't. Sighing, he nodded in defeat and agreed to go.

~~ODDL~~

Saturday, April 2nd, Gringotts

Abigail looked dubiously at the goblin healing pricing sheet. Harry could buy two sessions for the price of one for his initial evaluation and therapy. Goblins never gave away anything for free! What was going on here?

Lord Potter shrugged. The goblins considered him an adult now that he had taken down Dumbledore, though not many knew it, and they would now be trying to take advantage in business.

Harry couldn't see any trap here though and paid for two sessions.

~~ODDL~~

Goblins didn't use pottery for therapy, thank goodness! No! Harry had a throwing axe in his hand and was standing next to his mind-healer who was teaching him the proper way to throw while listening to Harry's tale.

His first two sessions would include axe throwing and then dagger throwing: Goblin anger management. Harry had seen Spurnik throw many a dagger over the years.

"So, no one, outside of those sworn to keep it a secret, know of your conquests? Taming a basilisk of all things! You'd have to be careful, but you could become very wealthy selling just small amounts of its venom. And recovering your family grimoire, treasures from Egypt that your grandfather found, and other gold.

"No wonder you are having nightmares, my young friend!" The goblin accurately threw his axe and hit the center.

The goblin then corrected Harry's stance and grip. Harry at least hit the target the first try, but not in the center. He had several axes lined up next to him, stuck in the wood rail. Harry grabbed another.

"Can you help the nightmares stop? Truly?"

"Well of course I can! The problem is clear! You have had no recognition! A goblin in your position would have been hosted by the king himself! Troll wrestling and other entertainments would be held and then the boasting of your triumphs! All of the kin who were with you, and a few who were not but wanted to be, would then add their voices and testimony –with improvements– to your tale. Everyone would then know, rather than it be treated as something disgraceful. We'll organize a feast with your oath-sworn allies! No outsiders! What do you think?"

Harry hit the next two axes in the center trying to come up with how to say no –politely, mind you– to an armed goblin! Fame was not the issue here, he had enough of that already!

"I think that we have cultural differences, good goblin. Thank you for the axe training. I will return for dagger lessons next, as promised, but I truly do not want nor need a banquet where we talk about my 'glorious triumphs'. Thank you for the offer though."

"But basilisk venom? Do you know how potent and how rare it is?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. I tried hard enough to buy some over the last year. No, I won't do it as it is highly illegal in Magical Britain and I do want to live here someday. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to pick up my sister and return home."

"You should reconsider my offer, young warrior! Well, I will see you next week for dagger training. At least your guardians have not neglected weapons training. You did well today."

Harry bowed shallowly and glared at Spurnik on his way out. He knew! This was likely payback for some prank Sirius pulled, he just knew it.

Sally-Anne and Sirius were visiting Malfoy Manor. Draco was home for the spring break.

On the way to the floo, Abigail asked how it had gone.

"I doubt that goblin mind-healers are ever seen a third time. His solution was to throw a huge celebration! He thinks I'm upset that no one knows what I did! Insane. Just insane."

Abigail couldn't help but sympathize. With the goblin.

Harry had a noble kill and no one was celebrating it? It was insane!

Spurnik stopped them before they left and put a note requesting help in Harry's hand. Abigail eyed him suspiciously and the goblin swallowed.

Ah, sweet revenge. Only a couple of times had Spurnik seen upset Alice and that had been frightful enough. But cold Abigail? She wasn't a top agent of the MFBI for nothing.

Harry nodded, "We have an appointment but I promise to get back to you soon. Thank you."

When they got to the Malfoys and had to wait for dance practice to end, Harry read the note.

Ragnok himself requested that Harry resume the dark mark removal. Harry's shoulder blades itched. He passed the note to Abigail who was actually really good at dancing, she just didn't like large crowds or loud noises. Understandable.

"Does Thistle have any more targs? Could we get you another? I don't like the thought of you there, defenseless."

Harry thought about that. Even if too big, Ruffles really wouldn't be welcome at the bank.

"BloodRage wouldn't let me be hurt. And remember: This dark dufus' followers don't have the blood protections like Dumbles one or two had. Unless you are worried about random people trying to hurt me?"

Narcissa came up just then. Dobby was bouncing at her side. Harry waved at him in greeting before bowing to their hostess who asked. "Lord Potter? Before you go, I was wondering if I could talk to you?"

Did Lucius find out where the gold had come from? Hogwarts had gotten a nice donation from the treasure room.

"As you know, my sister is in Azkaban. Deservedly so, have no fear. I worry about the new Potter House in Hogsmeade and several other homes that have openly welcomed new-maj's. If she ever got out…"

Harry had used some of his ill-gotten gains purchasing a large townhome in Hogsmeade close to Ian and Sabrina. The top floor was reserved for Harry and his family's use but the rest of the house, three floors and a basement, were dedicated to housing students who didn't have a stable home. Narcissa was willing to take students over the holidays as well, but Harry meant for this to be a home. Professor Grubbly-Planks' daughter and her husband were the managers.

Harry shut his eyes. Bellatrix Black was insane and scary before she got caught up in Tommy's crew of bad boys. And girls. Then married into the Lestrange family. Sirius had shared nightmares of her getting out and killing him.

"What can I do to help?" Harry asked.

"Lucius thinks the Dark Lord is supported by the magic of his followers, which is why he acts as he does. I want you to go to Azkaban and remove her mark. Please. I realize offering gold will mean nothing, but Lucius has given me permission to give you an Abraxan of your own."

As bribes went, it was a good one. But Harry didn't remove the dark mark for money for himself! It was a sacrifice to magic by the people willing to repent!

Harry didn't know what him touching a willingly marked person would do. He didn't have a clue. He turned to Abigail, "Mum? I don't know where Moody is right now, but I would like to call him while we're here."

Harry stepped aside to call Moody.

"I figured as much." Abigail nodded and took the opportunity to voice another thought, "While you do that, let me ask Lady Narcissa a question. I'm sorry, I don't remember what an Abraxan is. Is it that large bovine creature? If so, do you serve it whole or in roasts and things?"

"Absolutely not! An Abraxan is a flying mount! Highly intelligent, even more so than hippogriffs without the danger of the beaks and claws! They are magnificent beasts. Truly marvelous and certainly not a food animal."

Abigail was abashed and tried to apologize for her mistake. Narcissa and Abigail really hadn't interacted much before that. Fortunately, before a fight could really start, Harry interrupted, "We need to get going. Thank you for the offer of a mount, but I have research to do before I can attempt anything."

They needed to meet Moody at Grimmauld Place and Dobby offered to pop both Master Harry and Mistress Wolfie to the London house.

"Was it something I said?" Abigail asked. She always felt a little wrong-footed around others. She'd like to blame her upbringing or her father for this but knew it was again her inner wolf not matching pureblood society that was at the heart of it. Sigh.

Wolves looked at everything as one of a few categories: Food, mate, pack, were obvious. Enemies, yes. But Abigail was curious how a lot of things, even enemies, would taste. But mostly, she was curious about all of the animals they didn't normally eat.

She shared that interest with Byron Ambrose.

~~ODDL~~

Lucius was kind enough to give Alastor a heads-up on Narcissa's request to have Bellatrix' dark mark removed. His payment for helping Harry would be a case of fine dirigible plum brandy and some wine Lucius couldn't stomach sent in friendship from Delacour that was much too sweet for the Malfoys.

Abigail looked around the bland cream and taupe entry hall. This was the den of evil where Sirius grew up? Poor kid!

It was awful!

Moody beckoned them down the stairs to the dungeon. Abigail took it in stride. After all, her family home had one. Didn't everybody?

Harry saw all of the dark corners. He was still a bit spooked about places giant spiders might hide and saw something unusual in the cell. He figured he wasn't supposed to see so continued scanning the rest of the dungeon.

Moody led them to be in front of the only occupied cell. It was open, with cold-forged iron bars but they could easily see the prisoner.

Rabastan Lestrange was inside. He was looking wrung out. Familiar tri-pods had goblin recording crystals. Moody was trying to do this right. One of the Justice cups was nearby.

Water and ale and wine at the same time? Well, if you had been in prison for thirteen years, maybe it wasn't as horrible as it smelled. Water was to see if the person being questioned was under some kind of control. Wine would make you speak truth. Ale was to have you happily bragging about all of your plans for the future.

The prisoner noted the newcomers.

"What's this? James Potter back from the…no! The Boy-Who-Lived himself! Oh please, Moody! I've been wanting to kill him. I've been waiting to kill him. I'm willing to kill him. Please! That's why I was at the Longbottoms that day! I didn't want to hurt Frank so much as I needed to find Harry Potter and end him!"

"He's under a compulsion alright, Harry. But it's not from a potion or alchemy." Moody shared. "The Dark Lord knows ways of keeping his followers in line. The deepest, darkest of magics."

Rather than defending his master, the death eater nodded to the truth of what Moody was saying.

Harry looked at Abigail who approached to look at the dark mark. It was much like Lucius' or Healer Marius' had been. Harry never saw Snape's before healing him.

The man in the cell suddenly lunged at Abigail, trying to grab her neck. Harry's reflexes were very fast as were hers. As she jumped back, Harry grabbed the man's arm - right on top of the dark mark.

The man flopped around on the floor, like a fish out of water. He was more than in physical pain. His magic was fading, Harry could see it.

"NOOOO! NOOO! Oh Master! I am faithful! I won't…I won't…" Lestrange was suddenly, horrifically still.

Moody checked on him and swore, "He's dead. As in 'door-nail' dead."

Abigail was shocked by the sight. She wasn't going to be able to eat fish for at least a week! And turned to Harry, pulling him away and holding him. "Are you alright?"

"I don't think that Lady Narcissa knows what she is asking me to do, Mad-eye." Harry shared in a small voice.

"I don't know about that, Harry. She just might. You best head home. We're doin' nothin' without the say-so of those in charge. Croaker needs to see this."

Harry looked at the silent, posed figure with the eerily intent gaze, who was stuck in the upper corner of the cell, covered with an invisibility cloak. Harry quickly looked away: Not everyone could see magic the way he did so he stayed quiet.

Abigail slapped Moody, hard, across the face. "I think you knew just what was about to happen when my cub already suffers nightmares as payment for saving this stupid, backward, benighted country. Stay away from me and mine for a time!"

The pair were gone in a pop of house-elf magic before either Moody or an emerging Unspeakable Croaker could apologize or explain.

~~ODDL~~

Juniper popped in at Abigail's command, bringing the portal. She shoved a potion in Harry's hand and when she saw that he was too still helped him drink it. Harry didn't notice what the elf was doing but Moody did. The glare from the werewolf was scary enough, if expected.

Juniper was giving Moody an additional death glare. So disconcerting in a house-elf and certainly not expected.

Once through, Abigail held him for a long hug.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Do you want a forgetfulness draught? Or we could go into the office and have you obliviated?" Abigail offered.

Moody was calling on Harry's mirror but he opened it only to say he'd call him back later.

Remus ran in just then and hugged first his mate, sniffing her and wrinkling his nose, then hugged Harry. Then both of them. "Are you alright? How awful! Moody called. He actually sounded apologetic. I think he's worried Harry will tell Minerva on him."

"I will be okay but I really didn't need the nightmare fuel. The problem is, if I am obliviated, then I will likely be asked to try this again." Harry reasoned.

"But why didn't this happen to Professor Snape? Why didn't he die?" Abigail asked.

Harry tilted his head, "I think it's all about intent. He didn't want the mark and regretted his choices. So, the magic took the mark away. Lestrange wanted to keep it and used his magic up trying to fight the light magic. I think so, anyway. If this weren't so secret it would make a great magical theory paper. Maybe once we can talk about such things, I will write it up."

Remus, ever the scholar, looked ready to bolt to the library to look something up. He clearly agreed with his cub's position.

Harry was focusing, breathing. The calming draught that Juniper gave him before coming home helped too.

That's when Lady Alice showed up. Rather Auror Longbottom.

"I'm going to kill him! That stupid, stubborn, blind, focused old auror! And after I kill him, I'm going to kill Croaker!" Harry's godmother then wrapped Harry up in a warm hug.

"How did you know Croaker was there?" Harry asked.

"I am so sick of being behind. What do you mean, Croaker was there! I didn't see or sense him?" Abigail demanded.

"Well, it was a rather stinky dungeon and he was in a very dark corner, stuck pretty high up. I only noticed him as I was looking for acromantulas. I kinda see them everywhere now. Sorry." Harry looked at his toes. The only thing worse than crying witches was angry witches. In pairs.

"You're not the one that has anything to be sorry for! Did Moody complain to you about how I abused him?" Abigail asked Alice.

"No. What did ye do? Whatever it was, he deserved second helpins'."

The witches shared a moment of camaraderie. Harry just wanted to sneak out before he somehow became a target.

"Nice try Potter. We need to talk to our husbands about what we are going to do about this!" Alice declared.

Abigail went to Remus' side. She concurred with that thought.

That was when Neville and Frank came in looking both scared and angry.

It was nice having reinforcements.

~~ODDL~~

ODD (Order Defying Dumbledore) and ODDL - Order Defying Dark Lords

A/N: Story recommended by us both: Lab12's complete Lockhart's Blunder

s/14281494/1/Lockhart-s-Blunder

A/N: Your story recommendation here -

~~ODDL~~

ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts

Ɠ Goblin language
O.D.D. (Order Defying Dumbledore)

Copyright: The original books are all owned by JK Rowling and her associates. This piece is the intellectual property of the writer VashonBeader and her beta LtsHrIt4ThBoyz and is not to be used or sold elsewhere under any other name.