Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K.R!
This story is a collaboration work between Avoranger and Cal the Wandcrafter!
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Authors' Note:
We're back! (0v0)/
Normally we don't like having long notes that take away from the chapter, so please bear with us!
Happy New Year 2024! Well, February is almost here... is it still proper to wish a Happy New Year? XD
Alright! This is the first chapter released this year!
A lot happened after we published the last chapter. Cal had the Flu and had to deal with a snow storm knocking out the internet, and the weather changes have taken their toll on us both (even though we're in completely opposite places on this earth!), and then Cal also had to finish remodeling his room! And Avo got a job teaching! Life is busy, but hey, we're back! XD
We're happy to be back and continue posting this story! *happy dance*
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Besides that, we opened our own Discord server - "Avo & Cal's Pages."
We'd love to interact with the readers. Feel free to ask about our fic, and there will be updates about the progress of our work and much more!
It's practically new, so... let's have fun! You can join via this link:
[Avo & Cal's Pages].
discord .gg/Y34hGyFZWg
(Delete the space, you know what to do LOL.)
Enjoy your stay! ;D
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One other thing!
We've decided to release this story on the Pat-on site. ('o')/
For Pat-s, you will always be 1-2 chapters ahead, as well as access to one-shots set in the same universe as 'The Time Bomb', starting with 'Quidditch Tryouts' and 'The Ring'!
The one-shots will be Pat-on exclusive posts until 'The Time Bomb' is finished, then they will be published one at a time.
The link is in the End-Note. Let's go!
So without further ado, enjoy this chapter! (๑◡๑)/
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In the dusky maze of Hogwarts' corridors, Harry loitered, cloaked by the shroud of invisibility. His nerves tangled with anticipation and apprehension while he stood near the statue of the one-eyed witch, the rendezvous spot agreed upon with Daphne.
Restlessly, he double-checked the sheath holding the dagger at his right hip, his unease tangible. No matter how many perilous missions he had undertaken, the pre-mission jitters never subsided.
Alerted by approaching footsteps, Harry strained to detect the unseen presence drawing near. Peering from beneath his cloak, he cautiously surveyed the surroundings, startled by the soft whisper that reached his ears.
"Hey," she murmured, a faint smile adorning her lips as she dispelled the invisibility charm, revealing herself.
"Thought you might've dozed off. Almost lost hope," Harry quipped, earning a playful shove in response.
Daphne scoffed, replying, "Sure, Mr. Auror," with a playful hint of sarcasm. "So, where are our disguises for the task?"
In preparation for their mission, Harry had acquired matching attire from a nearby Muggle town with Winky's assistance—dark black hoodies, cargo pants, baseball hats, tactical shoes, gloves, and balaclava masks.
Moreover, he chose to limit the enchantments, employing simple expanding charms for the pockets, self-warming charms for the hoodie, muffling charms for the boots, and an obscuring charm for the masks. Anyone glimpsing them would only perceive two figures shrouded in dark clothing, their voices distorted.
Daphne's enthusiasm bubbled upon seeing the ensemble. "It resembles something from a heist film. Do you reckon we could use this to get the cup from Gringotts as well?"
"Oh, absolutely, because nothing screams 'bank robber' more than masks and hoodies."
"Must you always spoil my fun?"
"Only when it involves being interrogated by goblins, and locked in an empty vault for 50 years to starve to death. Dissendium!" he whispered lowly.
Soon after, the statue shifted to grant them passage.
Daphne, followed by Harry, entered the passageway and hastened toward Honeydukes. Not long after, they arrived at the concealed entrance to Hogsmeade village, marked by a faint glow seeping from within.
Without hesitation, Harry cast a detection spell, confirming the owner's presence in the front area. When he deemed it safe enough, he slowly opened the loose floor of Honeydukes' cellar, ensuring no noise reached the owner's ears. Harry leaped out first, assisting Daphne. He swiftly retrieved his invisibility cloak from his pocket, draping it over both of them.
As they approached the door, they held their breath— the owner was preoccupied counting the shop's earnings. With a wave of her wand, Daphne caused an empty jar to fall in the back room, diverting the owner's attention. As the man passed by them, they took the moment, they hurriedly departed from Honeydukes.
Once a safe distance away, they breathed a sigh of relief, followed by laughter. It was nerve-wracking yet exhilarating.
"That was quite the thrill! But I doubt we can use that passage back to the castle, Harry," she remarked, walking hand in hand towards the Apparating point after Harry stowed the cloak in his pocket.
Grinning, he praised, "It would have been a lot harder to escape if you hadn't acted quickly to distract him! Well done, Daphne!" She blushed, receiving his praise. "But yeah, we can't use it a second time. We'll take the Shrieking Shack passage back."
"And how do we get past the Whomping Willow?" she asked sceptically.
"My favourite cat can manage that!" he replied, earning a playful hit on his shoulder. "I'm serious, Daphne! While in your form, there should be a knot at the base of the tree, near the roots; hit it and it will freeze the tree for a few minutes."
Daphne seemed dubious. "And how do you know that?"
"Remember when I told you the story of my third year, when Sirius dragged Ron under the tree?"
"Yeah, I recall... so?"
"Hermione's cat, Crookshanks was there, working with him. He ran up and hit the knot right before Sirius could make a run for the entrance," he explained.
She smirked. "Clever cat!"
"He's part-Kneazle, you know."
"Ah, that explains it then. Clever little buggers with twice the love of knocking stuff off of tables," she nodded, as they walked in silence until they hit the edge of the village.
"Ready?" Harry inquired as they reached the Apparating point.
She turned to him, feeling a sudden rush of nerves. "Yes! You jump first, then I'll follow. Got it!" she said, trying to calm herself.
He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "We'll be fine, Daph!"
Taking a deep breath, she nodded with more confidence.
In a blink, they vanished from the tranquil village, the only sound a silent pop as they Apparated away.
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The duo landed smoothly at a nearby park, a spot chosen because of Daphne's familiarity with the area. Her father always preferred landing there before Ministry visits, avoiding Floo travel—a sentiment Harry agreed with, unwilling to flush himself down the toilets to enter.
The quiet, dimly lit park made Daphne uneasy. "This park gives me the creeps at night," she remarked, gripping Harry's hand tightly. "We usually don't hang around the Ministry this late."
Taking a glance around, Harry realised it was his first time in the park. As an Auror, he typically Apparated straight to the Ministry Atrium and knew nothing about the nearby area. "It's probably because it's still 1995. The street lights with better bulbs won't be installed until after the war," he mused, trying to reassure her about the park's safety. He sensed no one else around, just harmless wildlife.
"Maybe... I wouldn't be surprised if there's more crime around here at this hour," she said, heading toward the park gate.
Raising an eyebrow, Harry teased, "Are you hoping for some excitement? Ready to defend me if we get mugged?" He playfully winced after she lightly hit his shoulder, but he grinned anyway.
"Don't jinx us! The last thing we need is some Muggle trying to rob us," she scolded, pouting.
Chuckling, he changed the subject. "Want to Apparate straight to the nearest telephone box?"
Daphne looked surprised. "Do you know how loud Apparating is? It could attract unwanted attention from Muggles and break the Statute of Secrecy, Harry!"
"Well, it was a good thing we couldn't Apparate last time. Muggles can't see thestrals, and they had a great time eating out of the bins at the fish and chips place around the corner."
Daphne sighed, exasperated with her boyfriend, before continuing their walk toward the Ministry. "So, how did you escape last time?"
"Dumbledore portkeyed me to his office and locked me in until he arrived. As for the others... I don't know. Maybe an Order member brought them back," he admitted, still uncertain. He had been too angry about Sirius' death and the Prophecy to ask about their return, only seeing them in the Infirmary the next morning.
"Sounds chaotic. The Prophet's report about your adventure was quite the read. I bet the doubters and deniers weren't pleased," she said, sharing a conspiratorial look.
"They deserved it!" he laughed.
They soon reached the old telephone box. The chilly night wind made them shiver as they glanced at each other, squeezing hands for reassurance.
"Ready?" she asked, focusing on the telephone box.
"Absolutely," he replied confidently. "Put on the mask, Daphne," he instructed, donning his own. Disguised, they were nearly unrecognisable.
Daphne entered first, Harry following closely behind. "You remember the dial number, right?" he asked nervously, their voices muffled by the masks.
As she dialled the number, Harry mentally repeated the sequence, 'Six two four four two,' following her finger movements in his mind.
As it whirred back into place the cool female voice sounded inside the box, "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."
Amidst the tension of the moment, Daphne calmly announced, "Hans and Gruber here to rob Nakatomi Plaza!" Harry instinctively covered his mouth to stifle a laugh, feeling Daphne nudge him, both struggling to contain their amusement.
"Thank you," acknowledged the composed female voice. "Visitors, please take the badges and attach them to the front of your robes."
Two badges emerged from the metal chute, and Daphne handed one to Harry.
Examining the silver badge, Harry frowned at the inscription:
HANS GRUBER
ROBBERY
"Is it because it's Christmas break?" he pondered, puzzled by the badge's wording.
"Yes," Daphne responded in a lofty manner.
"Die Hard isn't a Christmas movie," Harry retorted.
"I want a divorce!" she exclaimed playfully.
Amused, he chuckled, "We're not even married yet! And it's not a Christmas movie!"
Rolling her eyes, she couldn't suppress her smile.
"Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, located at the far end of the Atrium."
"Sure!" Daphne replied, rolling her eyes in irritation. "As if!" she muttered under her breath.
The floor of the telephone box shuddered and the pavement rose up past the glass windows of the telephone box. With a dull grinding noise, they sank down into the depths of the Ministry of Magic. A chink of soft golden light hit their feet and, widening, rose up their bodies as they descended.
"Harry, you have to admit, 'Die Hard' is undoubtedly a Christmas movie," Daphne insisted, her voice carrying a note of conviction.
Harry raised an eyebrow, his green eyes twinkling with amusement. "But it's an action movie set during Christmas, not exactly a holiday classic, is it?"
Daphne's lips curled into a determined smile. "Ah, but that's the charm of it! The backdrop of the festive season accentuates the narrative tension. The message of reconciliation with loved ones and self redemption amidst chaos mirrors the essence of Christmas itself."
The lift slid smoothly to a halt as golden symbols continued to twist sinuously in the dark blue ceiling.
"The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant evening," said the woman's voice.
Harry chuckled softly, his footsteps echoing faintly. "I suppose you have a point, Daphne. But can explosions and gunfights really embody the Christmas spirit?"
Daphne tilted her head, her blonde locks cascading gracefully over her shoulder. "Consider the heroism, Harry. John McClane's relentless pursuit to reunite with his estranged wife and kids against all odds embodies the spirit of hope and the triumph of good over adversity—the very essence of Christmas."
As they continued their leisurely stroll towards the security desk, Harry found himself drawn into the debate, despite the circumstances of their midnight visit.
"But what about the holiday elements, Daphne?" Harry pressed, a grin tugging at his lips. "I don't recall 'Die Hard' featuring carol singers, reindeer, or a jolly old man in a red suit. Plus, there isn't even any snow."
Daphne smirked, her blue eyes gleaming with playful determination. "Who needs mistletoe when you have Hans Gruber falling off Nakatomi Plaza?"
"Yes because what else screams Christmas like violent death?"
"Okay, but what about Die Hard 2? That's a Christmas movie! It has plenty of snow! The whole premise is being stuck in a snowed-in airport while waiting on a family member's flight to arrive," Daphne exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Harry's deadpan expression didn't waver. "Wait, they made a second one?"
"By the time we meet up at Gringotts, you are going to have watched Die Hard 2," Daphne declared with unwavering determination.
"There's not even a television at headquarters!"
"I don't care, you are watching the movie! Stupefy!" To no one's surprise, the loud conversation quickly gained the attention of the sole night guard who began making his way towards the pair, only to promptly fall to the floor unconscious. "You can take care of the memory charms, I'll prop him up in his seat. Let's make him think that he fell asleep on the job."
"On it." He stopped to kneel beside the unconscious man, tapping his wand to the security guard's forehead. "Obliviate! Great idea to confuse the guard by faking an argument. That was super easy to take him off guard," Harry remarked with a smirk.
"No, I'm not faking this. Die Hard is a Christmas movie," Daphne insisted. "What's next, you're going to say Rocky Balboa isn't the best boxer ever?"
"Okay, I'm not as movie obsessed as you, but even I know that's just a character. You honestly think there's a professional boxer that just so happens to look exactly like the guy that plays the time-travelling death robot?"
"YOU DID NOT JUST CONFUSE SYLVESTER STALLONE WITH ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER! HARRY JAMES POTTER, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!" Her outburst reminded Harry of the time Ron had referred to Ernest Hemingway as 'that one bloke that wrote the book about fishing' in front of Hermione, and he fearfully took a step back, lifting his hands in a placating manner.
"Daphne, aren't we supposed to be keeping a low profile?"
"...This isn't over, Potter. I'm going to find you this summer and we are going to properly educate you."
"I'm sure your father would be over the moon when her daughter's boyfriend pays a visit."
"... Damn it, Harry. We're going to have to do this Muggle. If I remember right, The Rock releases in June and Independence Day releases in July."
"I thought going to the movies wasn't a very good first date? No opportunities to talk."
"We are... were... about a month away from being married. Little too late to be worried about first dates now, isn't it?"
"Good point. Is Independence Day the one with the aliens that hunt the soldiers in the jungle or the one where the little alien bursts out of the woman's chest?"
"... I honestly can't figure out if you're doing this on purpose or not." as they continue walking towards the lift.
"Well, I never got to watch movies at the Dursleys. I don't really see the appeal," Harry remarked, pressing the nearest down button. The lift clattered into sight, its golden grilles sliding apart with a resounding clank as they stepped inside.
"I didn't grow up with movies either. Wizarding family, remember? But the Cinema is still the most incredible invention ever! Unbelievable!" Daphne expressed, incredulous. "I'm expecting a date this summer!"
"Yes, dear!" Harry kissed her cheek, causing her cheeks to flush. "Let's hope I don't live like a prisoner this summer!" he teased in a sing-song tone.
Harry pressed the number nine button while Daphne chose eleven. As the grilles closed and the lift began to descend, they exchanged words.
"If you don't show up, I'll drag you out, regardless of your guardians' thoughts," Daphne asserted.
"I can't wait for that!" Harry grinned eagerly.
Silence filled the lift as it descended, only interrupted by the sounds of creaks and scrapes from the metal.
"So... This is it?" she nervously inquired, breaking the silence. Harry grasped her hand, offering reassurance.
"Yeah, meet me at the Atrium in an hour. But if I'm not there in an hour, I—"
"I'll find you at the Department of Mysteries!" she completed his sentence, cutting him off firmly.
The lift halted, the cool female voice announcing, "Department of Mysteries," as the grilles slid open.
"Alright. One hour in the Atrium!" Harry retrieved the invisibility cloak from his pocket.
"An hour at the Atrium!" Daphne nodded. "Good luck, Harry!"
"Same to you," he replied, kissing her before stepping out onto the corridor of level nine.
As the grilles closed, Harry watched Daphne with an encouraging smile until the lift moved out of sight.
Turning toward the dimly lit corridor, he proceeded toward the lone door leading to the Department of Mysteries.
"Alright... Time to kill a big ass snake!" Harry bolstered himself with confidence before slipping on the invisibility cloak, silencing his footsteps.
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The cool, female voice announced, "Department of Records," and the grilles slid open once more.
Daphne stepped onto the eleventh floor, greeted by black marble gleaming beneath burning torches. The Department of Records didn't differ much from the floors above, housing the Courtroom and the Department of Mysteries. At the corridor's end stood a door with the Department's insignia - a rather boring looking drawing of a scroll and quill.
Summoning courage, she muttered to herself, "It's just a creepy abandoned basement... you can do it, Daphne! Just one hour, find Wibly's documents, copy them, and leave!"
Her footsteps echoed in the corridor, emphasising the floor's eerie stillness. Gripping her wand tightly and occasionally touching the holster of her dagger on her left thigh, she prepared to deal with anyone hindering her plans tonight.
The eleventh floor, the Records Room exclusive to the British Ministry of Magic, automatically stored crucial documents for wizards—biological data, addresses, birth certificates, health and school records, criminal history, employment, achievements, assets, marriages, family trees, and even death certificates.
Shaking off the unease, she cautiously turned the knob, pushing the door open. The massive room engulfed her, doors closing behind her slowly. Surprised by the vastness, she realised she had never truly grasped the room's enormity during her previous visits for her job.
Alone in the room, the ambient nothingness of the rows of shelves and cabinets covered in dust from years of neglect became the backdrop to her presence. With haste, she made her way forward. "Damn, I forgot how massive these shelves are!" she cursed to herself. "Point Me to Squibs' archive documents," she murmured while waving her wand, casting the Point-Me spell, however nothing had happened. "Huh. I guess they don't keep records of squibs after all. Well let's try this... Point Me to current citizen sections. Maybe I can find a lead there. He has to have a birth certificate, after all..." A white string emerged from her wand, guiding her path as she hurriedly followed its direction.
Nearly running, Daphne finally reached the shelves she sought after spotting the large nameplate at the corridor's entrance.
Once more, Daphne employed the same spell to locate the shelves, this time searching for those housing the 'W' section of the alphabet, which seemed farther back.
"Okay, let's do this!" she muttered to herself, beginning to rummage through the 'W' shelf in search of the mystery bomber's documents.
"Wilby... Wilby..." she repeated while methodically checking each item. Fifteen minutes passed, yet she hadn't found what she sought.
"Bloody hell!" she cursed in frustration. "Nothing!" She continued searching the shelf, employing summoning charms and the Point-Me spell several times, yet found nothing. She sighed heavily. "The Aurors never caught him... it was the first time he faced an Auror, when Harry and I cornered him… did he fake his name then?" Her mind raced with the possibility. "No if he was going to blow himself up anyways, he more than likely wouldn't care about giving a fake name."
She paused and spotted a folder that was substantially thinner than the rest, labelled 'Poppy Wales', and grabbed it out of the box., "Why is it so light?" Upon opening it, she found only two pages—an individual's personal data and a birth certificate. No other information was present, as if the person's life had ceased at birth, untouched by magic to update it. "Ah, so this is what a squibs record will be like. It's sad… there's hardly anything here. What if they passed away? Would there even be a death certificate?" She closed the folder, feeling a sense of melancholy, and returned it to its place.
She resumed checking the 'W' shelf again.
Thirty minutes passed swiftly, but still, she found nothing. Hoping for Harry's help, she realised he too had his own mission. Frustration mounted, her head throbbed, and boredom settled in. She decided to take a brief walk to clear her mind.
"Wibly… is that even your name? Is it your first or last name? Damn, I may be looking in the wrong section if it's your first name..." she murmured for the last time before departing from the 'W' shelf, wandering aimlessly towards the active section.
"I wish I had packed some snacks earlier," she complained as she continued walking. Now at the 'G' section of active shelves, she muttered, "Let's see what the ministry has on me," with a mischievous grin, waving her wand with another Point Me. It wasn't long until she was removing a file out of a cabinet about half way down the aisle.
"Well it's a bit heavier…" she frowned before opening it and finding the expected personal data on the first page, followed by a birth certificate. Her school record confirmed her attendance at Hogwarts, Slytherin house - fifth-year student. The subsequent page detailed a medical record, including vaccination records, a list of times she had visited a healer throughout her life, and the most recent addition, a mention of an unidentified illness she endured the previous summer and the healer's statement. "What in the dystopian surveillance state... well that's the creepiest thing I think I've ever seen. Why does the ministry need to know I broke my toe when I was five? How do they know that? Mother fixed it for me within minutes... unless they found out when we told the healer at Saint Mungo's for my checkup, and the healers just gave them the information... That can't be legal." she noted.
She quickly checked another page and was not surprised by the lack of a criminal record. However, her disappointment surfaced as her record ended with health records. "Not sure what I was expecting, but I was hoping it would be more than just that," she muttered, rolling her eyes and scoffing to herself before closing the folder firmly and returning it to its place.
Daphne mused, "Hmm, who should I check out next?" Though it was clear she already had someone in mind. Humming absentmindedly, she strolled through the archive until she spotted the aisle she was after.
"Oh! The 'P' section!" Her face lit up. "Let's see what Harry's been up to. I bet he'd be curious about how closely he's been watched," she said, reaching eagerly for the folder she wanted. But then, she let out a sudden yelp. "Ouch! Damn it!" She shook her injured hand, quickly casting a healing charm. "What the heck? Someone's locked up this file!" A frown creased her brow. Daphne refrained from touching it again but used a hex detector she'd learned from the DMLE to check, and the bright red glow around the file made her frown. She was pretty sure the spellcaster wasn't your usual wizard... And she definitely had her suspicions.
"Okay, let's try something else. "Point Me to discontinued records." Another one of those white strings appeared, leading her to a totally different corner of the room.
"Alright, section 'P'... Maybe by year... Date of death, perhaps? That'd be the easiest way to organise discontinued records, right? Move the files when they're no longer needed and just pile new ones on top."
She walked down the shelves until she saw a dusty bronze plate at the end of one row engraved with '1981'.
"Well, this should be easier than hunting for a mystery person. Point Me to Lily Potter!" And just like that, a final string led her down the row about 100 metres, climbing up about double her height to a rather normal-looking box.
As she got closer, she quickly summoned the box and caught it.
"So, what's in here?" She flipped through each file one by one until her fingers reached her target... And felt nothing unusual. "Oh, they probably thought no one would bother with his parents' files anymore but wanted to keep Harry's sealed," she said with a scoff. "Might as well see what's in here."
Seated on the floor, she carefully went through the contents. The folder was quite hefty, even taller than her! But that didn't surprise her; she'd heard stories of Lily Evans' academic brilliance. Pages filled with academic achievements that made Daphne smile at the thought of the woman. As she flipped through the file, she noticed that job records were glaringly absent, indicating Lily's unemployment, which was to be expected from what she remembered. She turned the page with a thoughtful look, and paused in confusion. The last thing she expected to find was a criminal record.
"Involvement in an illegal ritual... And no explanation as to what... Now that's unexpected. What kind of ritual could have gotten her into trouble?" She furrowed her brow in confusion. "Was she framed? Or does it have something to do with her sacrifice for Harry? The latter makes sense, considering Harry survived the Killing Curse. But still, not what I was expecting to find."
Glancing at her watch, she saw twenty minutes left before she had to head back to the Atrium. "Time to get back to work, Greengrass!" She hurriedly retraced her steps to the section she originally wanted to explore.
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Harry walked down the dark corridor, heading confidently towards the lone door. The Ministry guards seemed absent tonight; they probably relied on the Atrium guard, or perhaps someone pulled strings for a night off. It was the weekend for parents collecting their children from King's Cross Station, and Harry suspected Voldemort might have timed this for Nagini's sneaky entrance into the Ministry.
But how did Nagini get here? The snake couldn't apparate alone. Did Voldemort come just to drop off Nagini, or was there more to it? He chuckled inwardly at the thought of Voldemort casually tossing a piece of his soul into a fireplace, relying on the floo to transport it.
Closing the door with a flick of his wand, Harry found himself in a large, black, circular room with unmarked, handle-less doors scattered around. Blue flames danced on the candles, casting a cool light on the shiny marble floor. Taking a deep breath, he treaded softly towards the door leading to the Hall of Prophecy. "Hope I'm not late."
As the door creaked open, shelves filled with mist-filled orbs greeted him, much like the last time he fell into Voldemort's trap. The shelves seemed larger and more numerous now, almost reaching the ceiling.
He scanned the shelves, unsure of where the prophecy might be or which corridor Mr. Weasley was in when Nagini attacked. Deciding to ensure Mr. Weasley's safety first, he pressed on, scanning for any signs of the snake.
Navigating through the labyrinth of identical shelves and intersections, Harry's senses sharpened as he tried to anticipate Nagini's movements. Suddenly, a hiss echoed nearby, indicating Nagini's presence, but her location remained elusive.
At a crossroads, an instinct led him to turn right. The sight was chilling: Nagini poised to strike Mr. Weasley, who seemed oblivious.
"Diffindo!" Harry shouted, the spell failing against the snake's anti-magic hide, but enough to divert its attention. Startled, Mr. Weasley turned, spotting Nagini and Harry. "Arthur, run!" Harry yelled, casting curses at Nagini. Mr. Weasley snapped out of shock, scrambling away, poised to defend himself.
The tension in the room was palpable as Harry faced off against the retreating Nagini. His quick reflexes disarmed her and deflected the object she hurled at him. Though wounded, the snake vanished into the shadows among the shelves, leaving Harry frustrated with his inability to stop her.
"Thank you for your assistance, young man," Mr. Weasley's voice broke Harry's concentration. Surprised, he hadn't noticed Mr. Weasley's proximity.
"Don't worry about me, sir. You should head home; your family is waiting. I'll handle the snake. It's still lurking, and we don't want any employees injured tomorrow," Harry remarked dryly.
"True, but I feel compelled to assist you. This isn't an ordinary snake. Without your help, I might have been killed," Mr. Weasley said, puzzled. "Are you here on Dumbledore's orders? Or are you working undercover?"
"I'm not aligned with any side, sir," Harry replied curtly, continuing along the shelves, leaving Mr. Weasley bewildered by his response.
"Then who are you?" Fear tinged Mr. Weasley's voice as he raised his wand, following Harry.
Without looking back, Harry winced internally. "You don't need to know. Just... go home and tell Dumbledore that Voldemort is making moves."
Gripping his wand, Mr. Weasley hesitated. "No! I won't run away, I've been given a job, and I'm going to see it through. I'll help you catch the snake!"
Still focused ahead, Harry scoffed coldly. "I'm not going to catch her. I'm going to kill it. Feel free to help, if you insist."
As Mr. Weasley stood there, frozen in contemplation, Harry, focused on finding Nagini, noticed the expression on his face and, with a casual tone, broke the silence. "That snake needs to be dealt with, believe me. Do you know what she is?" No response came from Mr. Weasley, who cautiously followed Harry. Glancing back, Harry continued, "Her name is Nagini, and she's Voldemort's pet. I'm sure you can imagine why he would send her here..."
At the mention of Voldemort's name, Mr. Weasley shuddered, his eyes widening in fear. "That creature is with him!"
"Still keen on following?" Harry reiterated his earlier advice. As something darted past them, Harry cast a blasting curse but missed. "Damn, that thing is quick!"
"I'll watch your back!" Mr. Weasley declared resolutely. Harry turned towards him and nodded, thankfully for the concealing charms he had placed on his mask.
"Your choice. Just be careful!" Harry advised before proceeding down the hallway, calling out for Nagini. Sneaking a glance at Mr. Weasley, he felt a pang of guilt for his deception but knew it was necessary. He had hoped Mr. Weasley would retreat and inform Dumbledore, but the foolish Gryffindor bravery stood firm...Typical.
He chuckled to himself, realising he was starting to sound like Daphne.
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"Ugh! Where the heck is it?" Daphne groaned, frustration pulsating through her. "I'm done searching!"
She'd scoured both 'W' sections she visited, but found no trace of anyone named Wibly.
"Before I lose my mind, gotta find Harry," she muttered wearily, stretching and using her wand to tidy the scattered folders. "All set!"
With a final frustrated glance at the shelf, she gracefully walked toward the exit without looking back.
Letting out a relieved sigh at the lift, she automatically pressed the ninth-floor button for the Department of Mysteries. Exiting the Department of Records was uneventful; it remained as deserted as when she arrived—boring and headache-inducing. She needed some action!
"Department of Mysteries," chimed the cool, robotic female voice. It always sounded the same—perfectly automated!
As the grilles slid open again, Daphne dashed out of the lift, swiftly heading toward the door leading to the Hall of Prophecy.
"Gruber?" she whispered in code upon entering the hall. It was her first visit to this department in 1995, and compared to the future-past, it looked vastly different. The room was massive, numerous, and exuded a mysterious, dim atmosphere.
"Gruber, you there?" she called out louder, strolling the hallway and scanning for Harry. Suddenly, she froze upon hearing a hissing sound followed by movement. "Merlin! Hasn't Harry dealt with the snake yet?" she muttered, a tinge of fear creeping up.
At another noise behind her, she tightened her grip on her wand, sensing the snake's presence.
Swiftly turning around, she unleashed an exploding spell. "Expulso!" The snake, poised to strike, rebounded and crashed into a nearby shelf.
Before she could react, a stunner shot her way. She quickly erected a shield charm, hearing someone approach.
"Gruber, you there?" she uttered.
"Hans?" Harry sounded surprised, sticking to their agreed-upon nicknames.
"Let's not chat! Expulso!" Daphne cast again, seeing the snake recover and move to attack Mr. Weasley nearby.
"Mr. Weasley, watch out!" Harry yelled, rushing to protect him. Mr. Weasley dodged and cast a spell that had no effect on the snake. It lunged again.
Harry banished the snake with a Reducto, but it swiftly healed its wounds.
"Damn!" cursed Harry, tightening his grip on his wand.
"Oh my..." Mr. Weasley gasped, terrified at the snake's rapid recovery.
"What in the world kind of snake is that?!" Daphne exclaimed, horrified by its fast healing.
"A dark and magical one, obviously!"
"Got any plans, Gruber? Like cutting it in half?" Daphne asked, rolling to avoid the falling shelf as the snake moved to its left after the Diffindo spell.
"Yeah, I have a few ideas! Remember your school nickname, Hans?" Harry hurled a Full Body-Bind Curse when Nagini was caught off guard, but the snake easily broke free within seconds. He cursed aloud at Nagini's formidable strength.
"What does that mean? Of course, I remember, I hated that name," Daphne transfigured glass shards into arrows, launching them at Nagini with all her might. One pierced the snake, causing it to writhe in pain.
"Sir! What spell did you use earlier to hurt the snake badly?" Mr. Weasley asked, dodging Nagini's attack. The snake was getting desperate. "The one that caused the bleeding!"
Harry nodded towards Mr. Weasley. "I can do it! But the spell is quite dark, and I doubt it will let me hit it a third time with the same spell. We only have one shot!" Though conflicted, Mr. Weasley agreed; they were fatigued from the near hour-long struggle.
"If we have a plan, then let's do it!" urged Daphne.
"Hans! Mr. Weasley and I will distract her. You trap it!" Harry shouted, launching a Reducto and Cutting spell alongside Mr. Weasley.
As Nagini aggressively slithered towards them again, Harry signalled to Mr. Weasley. "On three, cast any lethal curse you can think of." He aimed a Sectumsempra at the snake, which was thrown back with a large splatter of blood, signalling Daphne.
Nagini writhed, attempting to heal, but Daphne acted swiftly, "Auguamenti! Glacius!"
Sensing the plan, the snake attempted to flee underneath a shelf of orbs, but was intercepted by Harry. "Carpe Retractum! Get in the water, you little shit!"
Seeing the struggle, Arthur began to cast his own Auguamenti, finally managing to freeze the snake in place, with only its head exposed out of a rather comically sized block of ice.
"Oh, thank Merlin! I think my boggart is going to have a new shape now!" Mr. Weasley said with an exhausted sigh, still keeping his wand trained on the head of the snake.
"That was definitely more difficult than I was expecting," Harry nodded in agreement.
Daphne leaned against a shelf to catch her breath and asked the next question in a grave tone. "So... who's going to do it?"
Harry looked at Mr. Weasley, who refused, expressing reluctance to cause further harm. Daphne declined too. "It's your mission, Gruber. You do it!"
He shrugged, then swiftly drew his dagger from its sheath and stabbed the snake's head in one fluid motion. Initially, nothing happened, but seconds later, a black mist forcefully erupted from Nagini, screaming as it dissipated.
They breathed a sigh of relief as the serpent transformed back into an ordinary, lifeless snake.
Exhausted, Mr. Weasley asked, "What was that? The black mist?"
Daphne pocketed her dagger as Harry explained, "That was some of the darkest magic you'll ever encounter. Congratulations on your first exorcism, Arthur Weasley, you just helped undo a possession by Voldemort."
Daphne leaned in and warned, "If rumours about your daughter's first year at Hogwarts are true, then you already have some ideas of what this was. Needless to say, don't speak of this to anyone."
His eyes widened in shock, recalling the tragic incident from four years ago when Dumbledore informed him of his daughter's possession through a diary. It was Harry Potter and his son who had saved her. Dumbledore had mentioned it involved dark magic, and Mr. Weasley felt a sudden rush of fear and memories of that harrowing time.
The atmosphere had become tense, Mr. Weasley's horror evident as he clutched his wand tightly.
"Are you certain it was... the same thing?" he asked, trembling.
"Absolutely," Daphne replied curtly, already following Harry, who was striding away from the Hall of Prophecy.
"What about the snake?" Mr. Weasley inquired, still frozen on the floor, staring at them wide-eyed.
"You can keep it if you want. Or leave it for the janitors. They don't pay me to pick up creepy necromantic dead snakes. Our job here is done for tonight! I'd advise you to go home and be with your family," Harry called back without turning, waving his hand dismissively.
The echo of their footsteps faded, leaving Mr. Weasley alone with the massive snake carcass in the eerie, dim room. He needed to report this fight to Dumbledore, as soon as possible.
Relief washed over Daphne and Harry as they embraced tightly upon reaching the lift. It felt like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.
"Why are you here?" Harry asked, holding her hand. "Didn't we agree to meet at the Atrium?"
"I found nothing. I looked through current records and previous, thinking I may find a trace of his parents since I couldn't find him, but I was getting nothing whatsoever, except for a massive headache. So I decided to see if you needed help."
Surprised, Harry frowned, "Are you certain? Did you thoroughly search?"
Daphne looked at him in disbelief, "Of course! The only way I could get any more meticulous in that search is to individually read every single file, but we had nowhere near enough time for that." she said, irritated. "But I couldn't find anything on him. So either he was using a false name, we misheard what he said, or it was his first name and not his last name." Folding her arms, she huffed.
Harry sighed, "well we both kind of knew that randomly stumbling across his file would be a long shot, so it's no major loss." Daphne nodded weakly. "But hey, at least we managed to kill a horcrux!" He tried to brighten the situation, clapping his hands with a wide grin.
She couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm, and took his hand in hers. "Come on, then. Let's celebrate by getting something to eat before we head back. Do you think that the 24 hour coffee shop we used to go to around the corner was open in 1995?"
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We opened our own Discord server!
[Avo & Cal's Pages]
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The two next chapters and an exclusive oneshot in the same universe as 'The Time Bomb', starting with 'Quidditch Tryouts' already out on my Pat-on site!
'The Ring' will be released Soon!
www. pa-t-re-on .c-o-m/Avoranger88
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Let's join in!
& Enjoy the stay! ;D
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