Disclaimer: Nope.
Author's Note: Thank you all so much for the amazing reviews! I'm so glad you enjoyed that chapter with Harry and the Order.
Yes, as nasty as Snape was to Harry, they definitely have come to the same conclusion - that Harry will be attacked by Voldemort again. Harry feels like he has to be ready for such a thing, and he has many supporters on his side willing to help him. I'm going to very much enjoy writing his interactions with his tutors.
I'm glad you liked Sturgis's words about history. I'd honestly never thought of things quite that way until the person Sturgis is based on said something very similar about the Covid pandemic. Society has faced other pandemics and gotten through them - the roaring twenties was a direct result of the Spanish flu coming to an end, after all. He made me feel infinitely better about what we were facing in 2020.
Yes, I always found the whole psychological aspect of the HP series with Voldemort's name fascinating. I love the fanfics out there that address it. I think those in the Order who are afraid of saying the name can definitely learn from Harry and the other members who are not.
And no, due to the change in the timeline and Harry being forced into hiding, he doesn't know about Rita Skeeter yet. It'll sure be interesting when he finds out.
And thank you, Yellow 14, for fixing the timing in Unexpected Allies. Merlin, I love that story.
By the way, just a heads up: I go on my honeymoon this Friday. This will probably be the last chapter I am able to post before I go, what with things in real life. Since I didn't manage to get any writing done during all the wedding events, it leads me to believe I probably won't get any done while I'm away in the UK. I apologize for that, but promise to return when I'm back here in the States. I honestly do love writing this story, and it will be something to look forward to when I return. Thank you all so much for supporting me in this project - I love writing both of my stories, but I must admit ... this one's my favorite.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. This is one that I couldn't wait to write. I'd really appreciate your feedback on this one.
xxxxxxxxxx
It was Thursday, August 31, and it was nearing five o'clock in the afternoon. Sirius couldn't believe how quickly the days had passed. Since he and Harry had spoken to the Order, time seemed to go by at breakneck speed. Granted, it had only been four days, but they felt like the quickest four days in human existence.
Harry had been spending as much time with his friends as he could, and Sirius was glad for it. Tomorrow, they would embark on the journey back to Hogwarts ... but Harry would not. It was a bittersweet time for them all, and Sirius knew that, despite the brave face his godson was putting on things, it was affecting him.
He could see that Harry still thought he was doing the right thing to not fight the governors for now. He was still wary of going out in public, being in the vicinity of large crowds. He hadn't gone to Diagon Alley when his friends had - granted, they were buying their school supplies, which Harry didn't need to do. But he could have still gone with them to spend the day if he desired, but he opted to stay with Sirius at Grimmauld Place that day.
But now, as tomorrow grew ever closer and the prospect of his friends leaving became stark reality, Sirius could see the sadness in Harry. He wasn't about to go back on his decision, and Sirius could see the relief in his eyes at all the love and support around him - but it was still a huge change. For four years, he'd looked forward to taking the Hogwarts Express, ready to begin another year of magical education. This year, it was an entirely different atmosphere.
Sirius felt his heart overflow whenever he looked at the boy. Merlin, he was incredibly proud of him. Harry's resolve to stay strong, to stay brave, to face the battles ahead of him was inspiring, yet heartbreaking at the same time. The pure terror that gripped him when he imagined Harry in another fight against Voldemort ... it went beyond description. He knew that he would jump in front of his kiddo, take every curse that was meant for him. But in the back of his mind, he knew things wouldn't be that easy.
He still had nightmares of seeing Lily and James's lifeless bodies. But now, more often than not, Harry's joined them. There were so many nights during the summer when he'd comforted Harry after a nightmare, and now, ever since they had met with the Order and Sturgis, Emmeline, and Moody had agreed to train him for battle, the roles had been reversed. That night, Sirius had had horrific nightmares, and he'd awoken to find Harry hovering over him, a heartbroken expression upon his young face. Softly, he'd reassured his godfather the best he could, saying words that were too mature for his age yet infinitely comforting. He'd spent the rest of the night curled beside Sirius's dog form, and the man slept through the rest of the night peacefully. Every night had been like that since, and Sirius was constantly amazed by Harry's compassion and his strength of character.
At the beginning of this week, there had been several trials - those of Lucius Malfoy and his cohorts who had been discovered when Harry's memory of Voldemort's return had been shown. Neither Harry nor Sirius had gone to the Ministry to watch them, but they had begun receiving the Prophet and therefore knew what was going on. Another amazing thing Harry had done was to convince Sirius that they needed to start receiving the newspaper. He felt it was too important not to know what was happening, even though that stupid rag could be unreliable even at the best of times. But Harry's reasoning was sound, and now that the two of them were no longer in hiding, they had signed up to start getting it. They had learned that Malfoy and his compatriots had landed themselves life sentences in Azkaban.
Unfortunately, as happy as Harry had been to hear it, he had suffered a horrific attack from Voldemort at the news. His scar had flared up, and had hurt worse than anything Harry had experienced before. Sirius had instantly called Moody through the fireplace, as the Floo connection had now been set up in preparation for the start of Harry's tutoring. Sirius went for Moody instead of Bill due to the fact that Harry did not want his friends knowing how much pain he was in. Sirius could understand his sensitivity about it, and so Moody was the one who came into the house and attempted to calm Harry.
"Breathe, Potter. Focus on my voice." His commands had been gruff, but it was obvious that he was worried by the agony Harry was experiencing.
With the combined effort of Moody and Sirius, Harry was able to fight through the pain, but it had left him feeling completely exhausted. He'd slept for several hours afterwards, and Sirius had been sickened by the entire thing. This scar connection needed to be figured out and stopped. Moody had reassured him that he was studying it extensively. After Harry's pain had ceased, he had quietly told Moody about what other experiences he'd had with his scar. Sirius knew Moody was sincere in his promise, as Bill had also been. But he was terrified of what this meant for Harry.
Now, Harry had recovered well, but Sirius knew he was confused by his mixture of emotions - relieved at the love and support of those around him, sad that his friends were leaving for Hogwarts without him, and nervous at the prospect of being tutored by some of the Order. Sirius knew it was a lot for one boy to handle, and he would be there for Harry through all of it.
And in only a few minutes, Harry and Sirius would be heading to the home of Sturgis Podmore. Several days ago, every member of the Order had received an invitation to come to the man's home to celebrate the eleventh birthday of his son, Benjamin. Sturgis hadn't originally planned to do this - he and Benjamin were going to do something by themselves for his birthday, but apparently, the boy was interested to meet all those in the Order. It was clear that Sturgis wanted to shield him from the war, but the boy wasn't ignorant of it either. He knew that his father was opening his home to the Order while he was at Hogwarts, and he had been very much okay with it. But it made sense that he wanted to be introduced to them.
Sturgis was also planning to make it fun for everyone. Knowing the man as he did, Sirius knew it was his way of helping the Order gain perspective about everything that was going on. The war would begin in earnest any day now, and he wanted to help the Order realize the things that mattered most - their camaraderie and their relationships with one another. This was something that Sirius had always respected about Sturgis - his appreciation of the little things. Often, during times like this, people would be so caught up in fear and grief that they would forget about the things they were grateful for.
Sirius knew it would be a chance for Harry to see his friends one last time before they left for school. Harry was very gracious of Sturgis's offer, and had agreed to go. Sirius knew that Harry was still confused by how he felt about the man after the revelations of the trial. But he was honestly glad Harry's instincts were to trust him, because Sirius did, too. The hurt Sturgis had caused him was deep, but his assistance during that harrowing six days he'd been locked up in the Ministry holding cell, and his testimony during the trial, had started Sirius on a journey of healing and forgiveness. Sirius knew he was far from a forgiving person by nature - he knew he could be as cold as the Arctic when it came to holding grudges.
But that, he realized as he and Harry travelled to Sturgis's through the fireplace, was something he wanted to change. After all, they would be spending a lot of time with Sturgis in the near future, as Harry was going to learn not only Defense Against the Dark Arts and History of Magic from him, but he would also be trained by him to survive anything Voldemort and the Death Eaters threw at him. Sirius knew just how important it was, and somehow, he knew he could trust the man to have Harry's best interests at heart.
The first thing he noticed upon entering Sturgis's home was just how neat and tidy it was. The place looked warm and inviting, and it was obvious that Sturgis had made a special effort to make it look spick and span. There didn't seem to be a speck of dust anywhere, and everything was in its proper place. The instant Sirius landed, he felt comfortable there. There was just something about it that was instinctively reassuring.
Several members of the Order were already there, including the Weasleys and Hermione. They immediately rushed over to Harry, surrounding him with welcoming hugs and pats on the back. Harry smiled, happy to see them.
The birthday boy himself, Benjamin, was sitting on the couch, surrounded by a pile of presents. Sturgis had told Sirius that Benjamin, like his dad, was big on Defense Against the Dark Arts and History of Magic. Therefore, godfather and godson had owl ordered him a book on each subject. Sirius had agreed to give him the book on history while Harry went for Defense.
After Harry and Sirius had greeted the Weasleys and Hermione, they walked over to Benjamin and placed their presents beside him. The boy looked very much like Sturgis, Sirius saw, and the smile was all him, too as he looked at them in welcome.
"Hello there," Sirius said, shaking his hand. "You must be Ben. I'm Sirius Black, and this is my godson, Harry. It's really nice to meet you. Happy birthday."
Sirius wasn't sure how he would be received - even though he had been declared innocent, it was hard to forget that his maniacally laughing face had been splashed all over the Prophet for a very long time. Harry, too, looked wary - he didn't know how his fame and the culmination of recent events would be looked upon.
But Sirius should have known better. Sturgis would have been straight with his son about it all. Ben smiled at them, and there was no hesitation as he shook both of their hands. "Thank you," he said politely. Though his eyes widened a little at seeing Harry, he didn't stare and stare at him like so many others did. He didn't even do the usual thing people did and try to see the scar on his forehead. Though many tried to be discreet when doing this, they often didn't achieve the desired results. Ben, however, didn't even attempt to see what the scar looked like up close. Sirius instantly felt his respect climb.
"Ben was just telling us about what he wants to study at Hogwarts," Fred said, casting Harry a quick look of apology at bringing the subject up.
However, Harry only smiled at Fred and turned to Benjamin. "You must be excited," he said quietly.
Ben's eyes shone. "I am," he admitted. "I ..." His expression suddenly grew solemn. "I'm sorry you're not going," he told Harry. "Dad told me about what's going on. It's really unfair."
Harry gazed back at Ben, taken aback by the sheer honesty in the boy's tone. "It's okay," he said softly. "It'll give me more time to feel better about things, you know? And your dad's going to be teaching me."
"I heard," Ben said with a proud smile. "He's a great teacher - you'll learn loads from him."
It was obvious by the tone of Ben's voice that he thought the sun rose and set on his dad. Sirius remembered the way Sturgis had defended Ben at his trial, the pure, rarely heard anger in his voice when addressing John Dawlish. The love and respect in the bond between those two was apparent, and it reminded Sirius of how he and Harry felt about one another. His heart ached, and he couldn't help but look at Harry with pure adoration.
"Where's your dad, anyway?" Remus asked as he smiled warmly at Harry and Sirius. "I smell something really good coming from the kitchen."
Ben's smile turned into a full-blown grin. "He's making my absolute favorite," he beamed. "French toast pizza!"
Fred and George burst out laughing, looking at Ben in surprise. "French toast WHAT?" George chortled.
"What in Merlin's name is French toast pizza?" Dedalus Diggle asked as he and Hestia, having heard Ben's proclamation, walked over. "I've never heard of that before."
"You wouldn't have," Ben replied, still grinning. "Dad invented it. He's always teasing me that whenever he takes me out for breakfast, I always get French toast. When it's lunch or dinner, it's always pizza. He thought he'd combine the two to make my birthday dinner."
"Ingenious," Sirius guffawed. "I can't wait to try it."
"It's delicious," Ben said without preamble. "He made it for me last year too."
"I'm looking forward to it," Ginny said, smiling at the boy.
"I suppose I'd better go and talk to the old bloke," Sirius said. "You okay in here, kiddo?" he asked Harry.
"Of course," Harry answered as he sat on the sofa with his friends and Ben.
"Yeah, we were talking to Ben about pranks before you lot got here," George joked. "We didn't expect to be so rudely interrupted."
"Don't be disrespectful to our guests, George," Ben said with a chuckle. "Dad says that's never a nice thing to do."
"Hey!" George said indignantly. "I'm not George, I'm Fred!"
"No, you're not," Ben said staunchly. "I know another set of identical twins. They do that to me all the time."
"Oh, you do, do you?" said Fred, a mock miserable expression covering his face. "And I thought we were the only twins who pulled that one constantly."
"Nope," Ben said, smirking. "I'm afraid not."
Laughing, Sirius followed the delicious smells to the kitchen, stunned by how affable and personable Ben was. He was Sturgis all over again - his seriousness was there, as well as his good humor. Intelligence shone through his eyes, and Sirius didn't doubt for a second that he would do great things at Hogwarts. And Sturgis was certainly willing to move mountains for him, as Sirius was for Harry.
The kitchen was just as clean and tidy as the living room was. Sturgis stood at the stove, cooking the Muggle way. Many would have been surprised by this, but Sirius wasn't. Sturgis made no bones about the fact that he thought some Muggle methods were preferable to wizarding ones. Muggles created their own magic - that's what he had always said. Sirius remembered the stereo, and the amazing music he and Harry listened to that conveyed so many different emotions. He knew exactly what Sturgis meant.
Sturgis was also doing something that was very familiar to Sirius - he was whistling. Through the First War, even as times got worse and worse and the Order grew more strained as time passed, a simple melody of whistling from Sturgis always seemed to boost morale somehow. The man always seemed to have some kind of tune in his head. As Sirius stood in the doorway and watched him work, whistling the same melody he had fourteen years ago, Sirius somehow felt his trust in him increase.
"So," he said with a smile. "I hear French toast pizza is in order. Ben just regaled us with this famous invention of yours."
"Why, hello to you too, Sirius." Sturgis smiled back at him. "It's a great invention, you know? What I have to do is make French toast and pizza, and put one on top of the other. And there you have it."
"Well, it smells fantastic," Sirius said approvingly. "And, blimey, this house is too bloody clean for its own good. Did you do this all by yourself?"
There was a familiarity in the way Sirius was speaking to him - it was so easy to slip back into the old days when they'd shared drinks together during debriefing sessions as mentor and mentee, before everything had gone wrong between them. He couldn't believe how simple it was to relax back into their old camaraderie.
"Nope." Sirius grinned at how Ben had sounded so much like his dad while saying the simple word. "Kingsley's been helping me out. Can't take all the credit, you know."
"Even though you want to," Sirius teased, knowing Sturgis's penchant for feeling good about himself and never losing an opportunity to say so. Sirius knew that at least some of it was for show - Sturgis was aware of how big his ego was, after all, and liked to make others laugh by exaggerating his positive attributes.
"Even though I want to," he agreed lightly. "I can't do that to old Kingsley, though."
It was just the two of them in the kitchen - everyone else was with Benjamin in the living room. Sirius sensed that Sturgis's mood had suddenly grown more somber, though he was still smiling. "How is Harry holding up?" Sturgis asked seriously.
"He's... he's doing as well as can be expected," Sirius said honestly. "I suppose the way to describe it is ... he's confused."
"Perfectly understandable," Sturgis replied. "It's a very confusing time for us all."
Sirius nodded. "I really appreciate you doing this. Ben is ... he's absolutely charming."
"He is, isn't he?" Sturgis's eyes shone. "Well, he did learn from the best." He grinned, but there was a sadness behind it which Sirius recognized.
"Are you all right?" he asked quietly. "How are you holding up?"
Sturgis sighed, sounding extremely weary. "I must admit, it helps me as much to be doing this as it does for all of you," he admitted. "I ... I don't want tomorrow to come. It sounds insanely selfish, I know. Ben needs to go to Hogwarts - he's been looking forward to it for years. He's going to learn so much, and I am so very proud of him."
"But you don't want to let him go," Sirius said, instantly understanding. "Look, it's not selfish at all. Do you have any idea what it's going to be like to send Harry back to Hogwarts once he feels better, and this whole thing is worked out with the governors? Don't you think there's a part of me that wants to keep him beside me forever? And with what he's likely to face ..."
"I know." Sturgis nodded, and at that moment, the two men understood each other perfectly. "And I can promise you that I will do all I can to help Harry. You have my word," he said solemnly.
Sirius knew it was true - Sturgis didn't often promise things. Those words never escaped his mouth unless he meant them - they were sacred, and he took them extremely seriously. "I know you will," he whispered.
"I know this war will end," Sturgis said quietly. "and I know we will be victorious. I don't doubt that for a single instant. It's just that ..."
Sirius knew Sturgis's faith in this was absolute, but he didn't have to finish his sentence for Sirius to understand. "It's hard enough sending your child to school for months when you've never been away from him," he said quietly. "But to send him now, when everything's so uncertain ..."
Sturgis nodded. "Exactly. And what it must be like for you ... it's the opposite. You spent so much time away from Harry." The guilt in his voice was unmistakable.
"No." Sirius laid a hand on his shoulder. "I won't let you do this to yourself anymore. You made mistakes, but I did, too. Enormous ones. But I'm willing to start over, if you are. I wouldn't trust Harry with you if I wasn't certain that you will keep your promise. And ... you did more to help out during my trial than anyone. Fourteen years ago hurt - and it hurt deeply. But I'm not willing to hold a grudge when so much is at stake. You and I went through so much together - you were the reason I became the Auror I ended up being. I can't discount what you did for me, and what you're now willing to do for the Order, and especially for Harry."
Sturgis was blinking back tears - it was obvious he hadn't expected Sirius's heartfelt words. "Thank you." The two simple words contained so much emotion.
"Of course." Sirius smiled at him. "Are you going to be all right?" he asked gently.
Sturgis smiled. "I'll stay strong for Benjamin," he said. Quietly, he admitted, "I'll fall apart later."
Sirius nodded at Sturgis's blunt honesty. "I understand." He looked at the French toast pizza that now seemed to be a finished product. "Now, do you need my help? I'm willing to bet that your boy's pretty excited for his birthday meal."
"If you wouldn't mind Levitating this to the dining room?" Sturgis replied, his smile back on his face.
"No problem," Sirius said, and the two walked out of the kitchen while Sturgis boomed out, "Everyone in the dining room! It's time for my tantalizing, delicious, world-famous, French toast pizza!"
xxx
Harry settled into the atmosphere of joy and laughter that permeated the Podmores' dining room. There was just something about them that made him relax. There were so many people he cared about who sat around him, and so many more that were beginning to mean something to him.
He was so grateful that Sturgis had given him a chance to share one last night with his friends. Doubtless the Weasleys would have asked him to come over if this had not happened, or Sirius would have invited them to Grimmauld Place. But there was just something about this - the simple, joyous birthday party of an eleven-year-old boy who had his entire magical education in front of him - that gave him hope. He took joy in the delight Ben took in munching every mouthful of the French toast pizza Sturgis had created. This - this was what life was supposed to be about - taking the little moments and finding the happiness in them.
Harry appreciated how they were all trying to find light in the darkness that was attempting to suffuse their world. The sadness and confusion Harry felt about tomorrow was still there, but for now, he could enjoy one last night with his friends. Everything would be different come the morning, but he would cherish the hours that were left until that time came.
Thankfully, the one person who could darken their mood was not there - Snape had chosen not to attend, and Harry was infinitely thankful for it. The mood around the table was one of celebration as Ben regaled them with things he'd heard about Hogwarts. Harry found that he didn't mind at all that the subject was being brought up. Why should Ben not be allowed to enjoy it? Harry remembered very well those early days that had been filled with promise, when the prospect of a magical education held no dread or fear. It was clear that Ben was not the least bit ignorant of current events, but he still had so much to look forward to. He might be four years younger than Harry, but he honestly felt like he could learn something from him - he could find the hope and faith that he had lost this summer.
After the French toast pizza had been devoured, Sturgis brought out the birthday cake he'd painstakingly made earlier that day. They all sang Ben a happy birthday, and the boy blushed and smiled the entire time. Once he'd blown out his candles to the cheers of everyone, Sturgis said quietly, "Happy birthday, Ben. I am so very proud of you, and I hope you enjoy this new chapter in your life."
Ben smiled, still blushing. "You're being embarrassing, Dad," he whined, taking one of his many balloons and chucking it at Sturgis.
The man burst out laughing. "Good aim, son," he joked. "You know, I rather enjoy having balloons thrown at me. I suppose I should embarrass you more often."
Ben grinned. "Just try that, and see what happens," he laughed. He paused for a moment, his expression growing more serious. "I'm glad you're letting the Order meetings be in this house," he said quietly. "I like the members a lot."
The Order was all smiles at hearing this. "We like you too, Ben," Molly said warmly. "You are truly lovely. Happy birthday."
xxx
It was the end of the evening. Harry and Sirius had thanked Sturgis profusely for his hospitality, and they wished Ben a happy birthday again. The boy had loved all of his presents, grinning as each one was revealed. The books Harry and Sirius had bought for him had gone over very well, and they could see the interest shining in his eyes.
Sirius couldn't help but wonder where the boy's mother was in this entire equation. Sturgis had never once mentioned her, and neither had Ben. But Sirius did not mention it either - it was none of his business. The relationship the two had was full of respect and devotion, and it was obvious to anyone that Ben was secure in the knowledge that his father loved him.
Sirius watched with an aching heart as Harry tried to stay strong. The Order members that hadn't yet departed had gone into the kitchen with Sturgis and Ben, knowing that Harry needed privacy with his friends at this moment. Sirius was still here, however, lending his support to Harry just by his presence alone, and Harry did not turn him away - he could see in the boy's emerald eyes that he wanted him there. He was hugging the Weasleys and Hermione goodbye, and they, in turn, were trying to stay strong. Hermione, however, had lost the battle with her emotions as tears streamed down her face.
"I wish things weren't this way, Harry," she whispered, holding him close. "It's not going to be the same without you."
"It'll be okay, Hermione." Harry gently let go of her and held her at arms' length. The sorrow on his face could not be denied. "You're going to do brilliantly as usual, I just know it."
Hermione smiled through her tears. "Everything will get sorted," she said, trying to reassure herself as much as Harry. "It'll all get resolved, you'll see. And once it is, you'll be feeling better."
"Yeah, exactly, mate," Ron said, his voice gruff. "And then you can come back and play Quidditch and mess around in the common room again."
"Take care of yourself, Harry," Ginny told him quietly. "I'm sure you'll do really well with all your tutors."
"We'll give Snape hell from you," George swore adamantly.
"And play pranks in your honor," Fred added.
"Not too many," Harry said, smiling softly. "I don't want you two getting in too much trouble."
"Trouble? Us?" George gasped. "I'm shocked you'd suggest such a thing!"
"Deeply offended, too," Fred said in mock anger. "You dare to accuse us of such a thing?"
"I dare." Harry smiled at them. Looking at all his friends seriously, he continued, "I care so much about you all. Don't miss me too much, okay? We'll write to each other, I promise."
Hermione's tears started anew. "I know," she sniffled. "It just feels like it won't be enough. But it'll have to be ... for now."
"Yeah," Harry replied, and even though Sirius knew he still had no regrets about his decision, the true ramifications of it were sinking in now. "I'll see you really soon, okay?"
After several more heartfelt embraces and promises were exchanged, Sirius and Harry returned to Grimmauld Place through the Floo. Upon their arrival, Sirius settled onto the couch, holding Harry close as he battled the rawness of the emotions inside him.
"Are you all right?" he asked gently, instantly regretting the inanity of the question. Of course Harry wasn't okay.
But Harry only smiled softly in response. "Not right now," he admitted truthfully. "But I will be."
xxx
The moon hung over the world that night, and the stars twinkled in a sky that was picturesque. It seemed as though nothing could mar the beauty of the evening - it was one of those nights that poets and musicians wrote about.
But that was where that assumption was proven wrong. Lord Voldemort certainly did not appreciate the beauty of it - or rather, he did, in a twisted, depraved fashion. He thrived on ruining the tranquility of a beautiful evening and making it one filled with terror.
The rage he had felt upon learning that several of his followers, including Lucius Malfoy whom he had a rather large score to settle with, had life sentences in Azkaban had not lessened. If anything, it had grown rapidly. Did those imbeciles at the Ministry really think they could stop him? Did Rufus Scrimgeour, Amelia Bones, and those Aurors who had arrested and interrogated them really think they could stop Lord Voldemort?
No, the newly resurrected Dark Lord thought as carelessly, with a flick of his wand, he broke down the door leading to a quaint, quiet cottage in a London suburb. He and several of his followers had already partaken in much fun tonight, as they had attacked certain people who had caused him no end of trouble during the last war. Due to his exile, he hadn't been able to deal with them. He smirked, remembering the terror and defiance that had shone out from their faces as he and his followers had enjoyed their activities.
The people they had attacked were several low-level Ministry personnel who had spoken out against him. He remembered the screams of a few of them as they'd begged him to do whatever they wanted to them, but to leave their families alone. Well, Lord Voldemort certainly wasn't going to submit to that request. Their families would pay the price for having a member of it who defied him.
Now, as the woman who owned this house ran to the door to face her attackers, the Dark Lord smirked again. He felt jubilant at her sheer tenacity - she did not cower or look afraid. She simply stared at Voldemort, looking prepared to meet her fate. He could play with this one - he loved defiance. He took a distinct pleasure in breaking people like her.
This woman had taught Defense Against the Dark Arts during the 1980-1981 school year, when he had been at the height of his reign. She'd only agreed to it for a year, as she'd been busy doing other important things. Lord Voldemort did not care what those were - it was enough for him that many of the students cared about her. It was the perfect reason to destroy her. Apparently, she had been instrumental in comforting those who had lost loved ones to his reign. She had been a rock, a pillar of strength through it all, and she faced him with that strength now.
"You're not going to win," the woman he knew was named Maradith told him defiantly.
"Oh no?" Voldemort sneered at her, feeling the pure excitement radiating from his followers - they couldn't wait for him to tell them they could play with her. "Your defiance will not be tolerated."
Maradith still looked composed. "I suppose there's a reason you attacked here tonight?" she asked calmly. "I heard that you were a brilliant student at Hogwarts, back in your day." She looked very sad, and Voldemort's rage spiked. "You could have done so many amazing things with your knowledge," she whispered. "And you chose to use it to hurt people. I feel infinitely sorry for you."
Voldemort snarled, his anger blinding him. Indeed, it was the night before the next Hogwarts term would begin. Voldemort could still remember his first time on the Hogwarts Express, the boat ride up to the magnificent castle, the brightness of the Great Hall, the intrigue and wonder upon being Sorted. He thought about all the knowledge he had gained - Maradith was wrong. He had become incredibly powerful. He had done great things with his knowledge. The woman before him was incredibly weak - obviously, the emotional, sentimental fool did not know the meaning of true power. "You will die tonight," he growled at her, every syllable laced with hatred.
"Yes, I know." Maradith had the gall to look the Dark Lord in the eye, accepting her fate. "But it will not be in vain. Those I love will remember me, and will go on to keep fighting you. You're a monster, and you will be defeated."
It was some time later that Maradith Crewer, the former Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who had become beloved and who had made such a difference in the lives of her students even after only being at Hogwarts for a year, lay cold and dead upon the ground. But she had not broken. She had not begged or screamed no matter what Voldemort and his servants had inflicted upon her.
And Voldemort was not amused. But he knew that as time went by, people like her would become rare. He would gain ground in this fight, and people would become more terrified by the day. The fools that made up the wizarding world did not stand a chance against him.
"Morsmordre!" Marcus Flint, Sr. cast the Dark Mark into the sky, and the Dark Lord smiled over the corpse of the woman, finished with his first evening of true entertainment since his resurrection.
It was official - the Second War had begun.