Back again with another chapter. Sorry for the wait, we're six weeks away from the new baby and I'm just trying to keep my head above water.
Along with this, I had to take out my old storyboard, as I needed a few ways to tie things together. So pay no heed to the crazy strands of red yarn that are everywhere, I'm not crazy.
I promise
This time, we have a bit more from Hermione, a little about Merlot, and finally, Arthur Weasley. The time is drawing closer, so I must prepare every pawn within these pages.
Let us continue
—0—
Hermione skipped down the sidewalk of Ottery St. Catchpole, her parents walking a few strides behind her.
"She's definitely more sprightly…"
Hermione's mother patted her husband on the shoulder. "I told you that the library would be good for her."
The man sighed, his face softening, but his eyes never leaving his daughter. "Perhaps…"
Hermione herself was doing her best to remain calm. After Professor Riddle had spoken to her, she spent a lot of time up in her room, learning what she could from the man's memory.
She jumped, she skipped, she smiled. The world wasn't as dull anymore. He had taught her how to see the magic in non magical things. For life itself was energy, and energy was magic.
Their lessons had consumed so much of her time and thought that her parents were worried, but she didn't care. The professor was nice. He was so thoughtful. And he had to have been a powerful wizard.
"I know you're worried dear, but she's growing, and she's part of a completely different world! There will be bridges to cross."
Hermione smiled at her mothers words. Good, they didn't suspect a thing. They didn't know she was doing extra work. They didn't know she was going to beat Merlot Scortwit. All they knew was that she was the top of the class. And she would not let her words be false. Even if she had to kill the girl.
Hermione blinked. Where had that come from? Merlot was nice, at the very least. Would she really think to kill her?
Her mind drifted away from the topic as she heard her father once more.
"That school is doing something to her. We should keep her home…"
Yes. That would have to be dealt with first.
—0—
Diagon Alley was abuzz with activity, as usual. Merlot kept her black witches hat pulled down tight on her head, and her robes close tightly drawn about her frame.
She knew that the goblin ritual those years ago had made her a beauty, even if only a child aged one. She quickly became uncomfortable with several types of stares she received and now always tried to make herself as small as possible. It was even harder now, to remain unnoticed, especially with her cane clunking down the stone paving of the alley.
Scortwit led the charge through the hustle and bustle of a busy day, guiding them to the apothecary, where he purchased several potion ingredients. Merlot purchased some common materials, as well as powdered silver and some other types of common elements.
"A bit young to be doing alchemy, aren't we?" The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow.
"Never too young to learn." Merlot responded softly, handing the man her coins.
"Ah, I see it now. You're the girl that wrote Mr Blotts new bestseller! Quite the mind yeh got little lady."
Merlot gave the man a small smile. "Thank you for the compliment. Keep the change."
She left the man with the extra sickle that was left over from her purchase, quickly stepping out into the mayhem and gliding behind Scortwit as he directed them towards Quality Quidditch Supplies.
Merlot grinned internally as she entered the shop, her senses assailed by the scent of broom oil and wood sap.
"Ah! Hello hello. How can I- ah…"
"Hello sir. We're here to purchase a few things."
"Second year at Hogwarts already then. How is the silver arrow handling?" The shopowner smiled, his gaze sweeping over to Merlot.
"Like a dream…" Merlot sighed, thinking of her broom. She needed to fly more. She liked the freedom of being in the sky.
"I'm quite glad to hear it." The man smiled. "I'm certain that it would give little trouble to one who flew it."
"It seems to like me specifically." Merlot smiled. "Though, is there any way to add security charms to it? A jealous sixth year managed to curse it while I was at hogwarts last year."
"Last year? Are you a third year my girl?"
"Oh no, going on second. Madam Hooch saw my flying and made an exception to her rule. I'm a chaser for Hufflepuff."
The man's eyes twinkled. "You must be quite good to sway Rolanda. Let me see what I can find for you. In the meantime, would you care to browse the shop?"
"Of course. I was looking for a few things along with this anyway." Merlot nodded.
The shopowner bowed as Merlot went to peruse some of the supplies. Scortwit himself was already looking at a few older broom models, anything would be considered an upgrade from his current broom, and with the way Charlie flew…
A pair of dragonhide gloves caught Merlot's attention. The hats and robes provided by Hogwarts only went so far. She needed gloves, and possibly some boots. Though she hadn't really grown…
The other item on her mind was goggles. The goggles that Charlie had given her were fine, but she could only see so far with them, and that had really limited her seeking ability when she had partnered with Cedric. Maybe she could find a charm to improve them?
The girl shook her head. She really didn't know. Shopping was still something that was quite out of her depth, but she was also considering how Charlie would feel if she bought new goggles.
Anxiety is a bitch.
Merlot sighed and walked away from the display of goggles. She could leave those for another day.
The display of boots was definitely something she would have to spend time on. For one, the measurements were all a jumbled up mess of metric bits and poppycock words. How far was a thistleseed? And why did they need the measurements of a toenail anyway?
After doing her best for roughly an hour and some change, the young witch stumbled back to her guardian with a pair of black leather boots. Scortwit nodded and added them to their purchase pile, which consisted of the boots, a broom, and some care supplies.
"A cleansweep?"
"Five. Not too much faster than my other broom, so I'll manage." Scortwit nodded.
"I see." Merlot pursed her lips. "I'm going to grab some chaser mits. I'll be back soon."
She wasn't back soon.
The mits were measured too, and in a completely different system than the boots! Merlot groaned as she just decided to pick a pair and try them on. It took sixty odd pairs.
'Why is a size 7 smaller than a size six and yet it's bigger than sizes eight and nine?'
But eventually, she found a pair that fit. They were quite comfortable too. Lined in elk fur and made from bear leather. Simple, easy and relatively cheap to repair. And it had a warming charm sewn in runes on the internal lining.
Yes, these would be perfect.
"Ah, just in time. I went over my entire stock, but I couldn't find much. There's this one, however. It's a small booklet of charms that will protect against some tampering. If someone uses some really powerful curse, or tampers with your broom directly, it won't do you much good."
Merlot nodded. "I'm sure that it will be helpful. How much?"
"For the book? Two sickles Anything else?"
Merlot looked at the pile of equipment she and Scortwit had gathered. "Just these."
The man looked at the pile and nodded. "I see. A care kit and a cleansweep five. Two… eighty five… Boots. That's another twenty. And gloves are five. One hundred and ten galleons, and then the two sickles."
Merlot nodded and along with Scortwit, they paid in full. Now a hundred galleons lighter, Scortwit shrunk down what they had, and they went to their next destination.
Merlot was both looking forward to the bookstore and dreading it. Seeing her own book in the window did little for her nerves.
"Ah! Welcome welcome." The woman at the register beamed. "Ah, I know you. You're the one who's wonderful book is here!"
Merlot blushed lightly as she nodded, doing her best to remain a functioning person in the midst of public attention. Since when did she not like the attention?
'Probably a horcrux thing'
"Yes. I'm Merlot Scortwit. Author of 'A Theory in Arrangement'."
"Your book was so magnificent! I rarely have the opportunity to read through such a masterpiece. I've been switching shifts with my husband just to get the opportunity to meet you!"
Merlot blinked. "Your husband?"
The woman nodded. "Indeed. Euphemia Flourish, my husband is Mr. Blott."
Merlot studied the woman for a moment. She was a little on the heavier side, probably closer to fourteen or fifteen stone. Her robes flowed elegantly around her and covered up most of the places where she might feel awkward about her weight. The blacks and blues of her silk garments paired wonderfully with her blue eyes. Not as radiant as those of Albus Dumbledore, but still noticeable. Her hair was tied back into a braid, which was draped over her shoulder and down the front of her chest, while the rest of her head was covered in a large and floppy black witches hat.
"I must say, it has been an awfully long time since anyone published anything on runes. I was worried that the runecarvers guild had all died off! But they certainly began hustling around when your book came across my table."
Merlot blinked. "The runecarvers guild?"
"There are guilds linked to every subject of magic. Runecarving, Transfiguration, The Dark Arts Defense League, for some examples. Members of the guilds devote their lives to mastering the magical arts, and most of them are unknown. The only few individuals who have been part of guilds, and are well known, are Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonnagal. They are members of the transfiguration guild. It's rumored that Severus Snape is a member of the incredible society of potioneers… and of course, you can't forget Alastor Moody. The man has to be a member of the dark arts defense league. Actually… there's a guild wizard from the defense league that's supposed to be coming to the shop sometime this summer for his own book publication. Gilderoy Lockheart."
"Gilderoy huh?" Scortwit blinked. "Haven't seen him in a while."
"Indeed. He seems rather accomplished now adays." The woman smiled. "Of course, lots of his world are fiction, and everyone knows it. He enjoys playing to those who think all his stories true, but alas. He is just one man."
Merlot nodded. "We just have a few books to pick up, then we'll be off."
Euphemia Flourish smiled and walked out from behind the counter. "I do have a bundle of books for you from Mr. Dumbledore himself. He said that there would be more to come, but that the one's he has ready can be gone over on your own time. Something about scheduling."
Merlot nodded. "I had received a letter. I have some specific blocks to learn some skills after… last years incident."
Scortwit glanced down, noting the slight tremble in her wand hand as she clutched her cane in her left. Euphemia nodded and ran a hand over a series of shelves, before disappearing into a back aisle and returning with a small desktop bookcase, containing three different books.
"Transfiguration, a book on defense, and charms. It seems that you'll have your work cut out for you, these one's are quite the works."
"Are they?"
"Indeed. The Arte of Change, by Minerva McGonnagal. Soothing Shadows, by Albus Dumbledore. And ah… Good old Severus. Curing with Cauldrons. These are rather expensive, but then again all expenses are paid…"
Merlot blinked. "I didn't know that my Professors had their own published works."
"Not many do. They were wonderful when released, but they do require some skill to learn from. That and the price tag as guild certified texts, except for the one from Severus. He just set the bar high… Yes, these three books alone would normally cost you roughly four hundred galleons. But Albus and the others are requesting them specifically, so they are free of charge."
Merlot gingerly accepted the three books, being careful to balance them in her arms. She didn't want to shrink them, for fear that they might get damaged.
"If there's anything else?"
"No thank you ma'am. My gratitude for the assistance." Scortwit gave a small bow.
"Oh you charmer! Don't let my husband see you like that. Courtesy is one thing, but it can easily go the wrong way."
Scortwit smiled as he straightened his posture. "Indeed. Well, thank you. We will be on our way."
"Of course."
As they stepped out of the bookstore, Scortwit once again offered to carry the books, but Merlot shook her head. "No, I'd like to hold onto them for the ride home."
The man shrugged and took out his wand, flicking it and causing a line of silvery light to trace its way across the cobblestones, between the people milling about, and right up to the doors of Gringotts.
"Shall we?"
"Lead the way."
—0—
'You're so adorable… thinking that you're in control.'
'Arthur… Arthur… how I would have loved a husband like you…'
'So soft and gentle… I could use your hand to tear this throat of yours… so simple, so easy.'
'So full of hate. Hate that isn't yours… '
'You love this memory, don't you…'
Arthur stares as she stands above Molly. That woman's lips turned up in a cruel smile. Molly's writhing on the ground, biting down so hard as not to scream, as it would only give her satisfaction.
"Stop…"
The world is bending, folding towards that moment where Molly is flailing about. He's frozen in place, powerless to do anything.
"Stop."
She's screaming now, blood is dripping from the corners of her eyes as the curse reaches her brain. It's morbidly fascinating to watch, and some part of Arthur wants to see it continue, but she's breaking. His love is breaking.
"I SAID STOP!"
Arthur sat up shouting, his eyes trained wildly upon the wall of his bedroom at the burrow. He can feel his breath, ragged and heavy in his chest as the tip of his wand glows with a sticky purple light.
Only then did he realize that he had drawn his wand.
A mumble causes him to look down beside him. Molly is there, she's safe. He can still see the trace of white that is carved up her neck. It's hard to spot for all but him, his penance for watching everything happen.
She was still asleep, thank magic. His yell didn't seem to disturb anyone. As smoothly and as silently as possible, Arthur slid out from the bed and walked from the bedroom.
The burrow flickered by the light of the man's wand as he walked to the counter and got himself a glass of water. With a quick motion, he downed the entire glass, before setting it back in the cupboard and shaking his head. Now more awake, he climbed the stairs to the attic.
The wood creaked beneath his feet as he gripped the crooked, cobbed together railing. The eerie glow of Arthur's light charm caused the shadows to warp across the wooden floorboards.
"Dad?"
Arthur spun around to find Ginny, clad in her nightclothes, rubbing her eyes as she held on to one of her books about magic.
"Sweetheart… what are you doing up so late in the night?"
The girl yawned. "I heard you. What are you doing dad?"
"Just checking on Ron. You know about the ghoul in the attic giving him nightmares."
Ginny nodded. "Okay…"
"Go back to bed dear. I'll see you in the morning."
The sleepy child nodded and drifted back into her room. Arthur sighed as the door clicked shut.
A few more steps was all it took to reach the attic. Arthur quietly opened the trapdoor and climbed up into the large storage space. Everything was relatively quiet. Arthur assured himself that it would stay that way as he looked for the ghoul.
He found it a moment later, when a growl came from above him. Arthur quickly cast a soundproofing charm on the floorboards and dove out of the way as the ghoul let out a shrill warcry, leaping down at him with its teeth bared.
"Glacius!"
The ghoul hissed as the ice charm lowered the temperature. Arthur nodded, he had remembered correctly. Ghouls were typically thought of as chilling spirits, though in truth, they despised the cold. Arthur quickly waved his wand, causing a few loose bits of stored furniture to wriggle together into an iron cage, within which the ghoul thrashed about.
"Laxo Spectralis."
The ghoul's rage died, and it was left staring with wide, glassy eyes at the wizard who had trapped it. Arthur slowly approached and held out his hand. "I know… I know."
The ghoul chittered and reached beneath the striped pajamas it wore, drawing out a black hairpin on a length of twine. Arthur cringed as his hand met the familiar object.
"Thank you. You may rest for now."
The ghoul nodded and turned in place, like a human imitating a cat, before laying down and closing its eyes,
The hairpin in Arthurs hand felt ice cold as he turned it over in his hands. With a sigh, he undid the tie of the iron lined twine, releasing the pin from it's confinement, before he slid it into his hair.
All at once, pain spiked through his mind, flowing outward and blooming through his body. It was accompanied by a harsh giggle, beautiful and tumultuous, causing the hairs on Arthur's arms to prick up in a mixture of fear and anticipation.
"I knew that you wouldn't stay away."
"I did not come for paltry talk, I came for knowledge." Arthur hissed as the voice permeated his mind.
"Oh… of course you did. Just like all those years ago, you came to me for knowledge on your… little problem."
Arthur growled as the voice giggled, the high pitched giggle that he hated, and yet wanted to hear more of.
"Tell me what I want to know, Belladonna."
The giggling was cut short as the voice pressed against his mind, but Arthur held strong. It was painful, oh so painful, but it slowly ebbed as she withdrew from his mind.
"You've changed… grown weaker."
"Yet I am still as strong as I need to be." Arthur sighed as he sat down. This would take longer than he had expected.
"If you were, you wouldn't have come to me…"
"Tell me what I want to know Belladonna."
"It's Bellatrix!" The horcrux pressed against Arthurs mind with renewed vigour, threatening to break in.
"I won't yield to you." Arthur grunted out, as he focused on keeping the invader at bay. "Now tell me what I want to know."
"What exactly do you want to know?"
"You know exactly what I want to know." Arthur grunted as the horcrux receded once more.
"That was when I traveled with you. When you kept me linked as you searched for fragments of my master. You were so much better back then. Young, Powerful…"
"Your master created artifacts, we know that, but we never found them. I fear now that I am close to one. The Diadem of Ravenclaw. And if that is true, then the other founder's treasures… did he truly defile them?"
Arthurs's head was invaded by maniacal laughter as Bellatrix's soul pulsed with twisted glee.
"Are you enraged Arthur? Enraged that my master used such items? He is the greatest among wizards. A god amongst us ants. Only the most perfect tools are worthy of bearing his soul."
"Then I am correct."
"I look forward to seeing him return… Oh do bring him back to me if you can! Though… if you do find him, your mind will crumble. He will win in a battle between you."
"Not if I destroy him first." Arthur reached up and grabbed the hairpin. "Goodbye for now, Belladonna."
"YOU HAVE NO RI-"
Arthur let the pin fall into his hands. The man carefully rewound the twine around the horcrux, muting its dark presence. With a steady hand, he slipped the twine back around the head of the ghoul, casting a prevention charm around the dark object to let the being get some rest.
Quiet as a mouse, Arthur slipped out of the attic, canceling the transfiguration that contained the ghoul in a cage.
As the trapdoor clicked shut behind him, Arthur didn't look back.
—0—
Another chapter. I really want to emphasise the relationship between Arthur and Bellatrix's horcrux, because it's really important, and leads to quite a few plot points.
I am sorry for once again posting after a few weeks of dead air. Lots of stuff going on.
Anyways, leave a review. Until Next Time.
Adios