I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF ITS ORIGINAL CHARACTERS, ONLY MY OCS AND THE SITUATIONS I PUT THEM IN. WARNING: There will be cussing, lemons, and violence. (Also, someone said I should put please don't steal. Didn't think I needed to, but ok. Please don't steal my stories.)
Some characters may seem OOC at some points at different times in the story, but I hope I explain that in the story when the time comes. Some things happen pretty fast at first (like certain relationships or legal stuff), but again I try to explain it. Some people may go back and forth at times, but I'll explain it! You get the idea. Spelling and grammar errors, I recheck constantly, so sorry if some slip by. Some character bashing in the beginning and for a little while, but that doesn't mean it will last the whole story. I don't hate certain characters though it may seem like that at times. THIS IS A WARNING. Though I will put a warning at the beginning needed. I do not condone all of these things, but my mind can be really fucked up, I apologize now. So, I am mixing both movie and book but I'm mainly following the movie. Though I will try to make a good blend between the two. Big thank you to everyone who followed, and/or favorited. You guys rock! I see them all and I am so glad so many of you are enjoying my story. Also want to thank everyone for their patience, continued enjoyment and coming back no matter how long I take along with the kind words and support. It really means a lot. Enjoy. All of the positive reviews are so appreciated, you don't even know. I save all the emails that show me I got one, though sometimes it doesn't always tell me. I'll try to be a bit faster with the next chapter, but no promises. I think the story may be coming to an end soon, but I don't want to rush it or anything. If it does take awhile again, just please continue to bear with me. I really do appreciate all of you. Enjoy. Oh, also if I know some dates and birthdays are a bit off, please just go with it. Thank you very, very much.
(Warning: some violence in this chapter).
Chapter 23: Little Marionettes. (Part 2)
As the others broke down the remaining wards, Harry had Dobby check on the Voldemort golem. It was in this 'baby' phase of Voldemort at the moment, though Alex had assured that they had also been working on the 'adult' Voldemort as well.
When it came to the dolls, Harry had left much of the work to Sirius, Remus, and Alex.
In a war, even a secret war, many things had to be taken seriously.
However…this world needed laughter. He had learned that from Fred and George.
Harry could find no better way to beat not only Voldemort, but everything he stood for.
When he checked, there was a tiny, panicked whisper in the back of his head. Voldemort was subconsciously calling to the other soul pieces. He was beginning to tell that something was wrong.
He just didn't know what or even how.
Harry wondered if it was due to the channel Harry had opened between them or Voldemort's own paranoid instincts.
Voldemort might have been able to feel Harry's excitement. If he did…then that unknown excitement would scare the Dark Lord.
Harry smiled.
"These are the last. They're falling" Neville reported.
"Good. I think we're almost done with all of this. Voldemort will die tonight. Unless" a thought hit Harry.
"Unless?" Alex probed.
"Unless the snake woman isn't there" Harry voiced. "I don't know if she's a soul piece yet. I'd need to be around her to feel. If she is but isn't there…I'd need to wait to capture her. I can't risk Voldemort using another soul piece that is on the loose" he explained.
"If that's the case then we'll simply keep Voldemort under lock and key" Vivian promised. "They'll we'll start the hunt for Nagini and end it once and for all".
"She won't get away Harry. It just means we'll have to wait a little longer" Luna said as Remus agreed from her other side with Sirius.
Harry took a deep breath, nodding and letting the words wash over him.
"Are you ready for this?" Hermione asked as she and Ron came over to Harry's side.
Capturing and even ending Voldemort this early in their lives was a huge deal. This would definitely change the course of history, no matter what happened next.
Centering himself, Harry nodded. "I'm ready" he assured everyone. With that, the others rallied around him before making their way down the hill towards the shabby little shack.
Vivian, Remus, and Alex kept the look out for Nagini.
"There's only one lifeforce for the next few miles. Only Riddle" Neville told the group.
The shack and the being inside were left defenseless against the Death Knights as they began to shadow in.
The corners of the room were suddenly alive with elongated dementor-like beings that gave off aura of raw magical power.
What a sight greeted them.
The oh so mighty Lord Voldemort was this ugly little baby thing sitting on a very dingy, disgusting enchanted armchair that had suspicious stains on the seat.
He looked truly pathetic. The ruble and ruin around him fit with his dilapidated and undignified state.
Voldemort fidgeted, still not yet spotting the figures but feeling the cold they brought with them.
Harry inhaled deeply, savoring the sight before him. Memorizing it.
"Expecting someone Tom?" Harry asked, voice distorted making the tiny Voldemort jump, grabbing the wand in his bony grip tighter.
He was unable to turn and see who was speaking. "Who are you? How did you get in here!? Show yourself and I may show mercy" came the lie. He was almost spitting due to fear and anger.
"Come now Tom" the Master reprimanded him. He used the name Riddle hated due to its ordinary quality. "Whenever have you given mercy?" Master taunted. He changed back into Harry before pleasantly strolling in front of Voldemort as Hermione easily summoned and snapped Voldemort's wand. "Are such lies anyway to greet someone with the history that we share" Harry went on to mock.
"Potter!?" Voldemort screeched, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Harry burned the remainder of Voldemort's now useless wand.
"You'll find I'm full of surprises" came Harry's sassy remark. The others soon let their disguises fall as Neville and Luna kept look out for Nagini or any Death Eaters that may have been summoned before they arrived.
"My Death Knights and Mistress of Death" Harry gestured to the others around the room.
"You!?" Voldemort managed to speak again. "Impossible! You are but a boy. A Gryffindor! A-a-!" Tom began babbling out the list before Harry tsked, cutting him off.
"I fail to see how my age or house matters. Houses don't really amount to much outside of Hogwarts, or even really in it" Harry wrote off. "And I did beat you when I was in nappies with the help of my brilliant parents" Harry insulted Voldemort. "Not to mention last year, or all the other instances you couldn't even begin to comprehend" Harry gave his own list.
"On the plus side Tom, you don't look seventy. I mean, you don't look good. But you don't look seventy" Harry tried to 'assure'. "And I see you have the bottle of doom and waste napkin of destruction" Harry continued mocking Voldemort's infant appearance.
"Potter, do you know what I'm going to do to you" Voldemort's eye twitched as anger overshadowed any other emotion.
Harry's smile slowly melted into a steely glare.
"I have beaten you so many times. More than you will ever know" Harry grew serious. "You ran from death as I embraced him" the only light in the room began to flicker.
Unease once more crept into Voldemort's veins reminding him of how unnatural the whole interaction was.
"I became Death. And you Tom Riddle" Harry's teeth were briefly flashed. "You are my reward". Those green eyes began to take on an unnatural glow.
That's when Voldemort realized that the rest of the group was watching in quiet excitement.
Before he could speak, Harry continued.
"I have done unspeakable things and gone to impossible lengths to save my loved ones" Harry stated. "Love is the ultimate power. That is why you could never be the greatest wizard alive" Harry pressed on. "I have been patient enough. Yet, due to your lack of timing" Harry's voice picked up becoming a yell. "I have to wait to consume you until I have that stupid snake" he stated.
Having been close to Voldemort, Harry was able to tell that he wasn't whole.
Not yet.
There was another horcrux out there.
Nagini!
"You pathetic, cowardice fool! But make no mistake Riddle" Harry growled. "I will eat your soul!" Harry made genuine fear enter Voldemort as he was taken aback by the boy before him. He couldn't even force himself to speak. He took in just how different Harry Potter seemed.
"In short Riddle, welcome to hell!" Harry shouted.
With that, with a hateful grin like sneer, Harry took the large jar that Hermione conjured.
Voldemort began attempting to protest, yet it did no good.
Harry got him in the jar.
It was unbreakable, yet it would keep Voldemort alive. It would sustain him enough so that he didn't die and awaken the last soul piece.
Hermione would make sure of that.
Voldemort gave screams that were silenced by the glass. This was humiliating!
"Maybe we should take some photos, for evidence if ever needed" Remus 'innocently' suggested.
"I second that. It could be useful" Sirius jumped on.
Alex snorted, letting them know that no one was buying the excuse.
Though no one stopped them either.
Hermione was pretty pleased with her handiwork on the jar. It was a more advanced version of the one she had once used to keep Rita hostage in beetle form.
The jar suppressed magic from the inside. It was also indestructible, with other charms to keep it clean from Voldemort's waste and give him the ability to breathe.
Voldemort continued trying to shout.
"Eh, shut up" Vivian said as they searched around the shack before placing traps for Nagini.
Voldemort didn't know her current location as he had never felt the need to find out. She had always come back after all.
"Be grateful there are air holes" Vivian added.
Voldemort's muted shout was definitely not grateful.
"We'll leave these for Nagini. I doubt she'll want to stay away from here for too long" Sirius spoke.
"She shall find me!" Voldemort swore, having to mouth it a few times.
"So?" Alex scoffed. "I'm not scared of an angry noddle with teeth. Mine are bigger" she extended her canines while pointing out the snake's obvious limitations.
Voldemort raged more which went mainly ignored.
Luna began to tap on the glass like a curious child.
Voldemort couldn't figure out how ghastly this night had turned out! How had things changed and so rapidly!? And how was Potter so powerful!? Potter was the Master of Death? It should have been laughable.
Voldemort had more questions than answers.
Potter was displaying power that Voldemort only ever dreamed of!
He tried using wandless magic, even if it currently exhausted him.
Nothing.
Ron rolled his eyes with Neville, finishing up.
Voldemort knew he was more powerful with a wand, yet he expected something to happen!
Hermione looked immensely proud of herself.
"Soon, I shall-" Voldemort's plotting was cut off. Having had enough of the parasite like being, Alex took the jar and began shaking it vigorously with enhanced strength. Her tongue was sticking out of her mouth a little at the side as she happily smacked Voldemort's head repeatedly against the glass with the movements.
Sirius watched in equal humor prompting him and Alex to begin tossing the jar back and forth.
Remus took more pictures.
Luna and Vivian congratulated Hermione on just how impressive the jar was.
Harry beamed at his family as Ron and Neville finished checking over everyone's traps.
"Damn you woman! Damn you both" Voldemort attempted to yell at Alex and Sirius.
His tone kept going up in an almost hiccup like fashion as he was repeatedly tossed.
Voldemort now had a terrible headache thanks to repeatedly smacking against the glass.
"Having fun" Neville asked the three adults.
"Yeah" was the resounding answer.
The twitch of Neville's right eyebrow gave his humor away.
Vivian had Dobby bring in the baby Voldemort dummy. They weren't sure if it would fool Nagini, but it would do the trick against any humans.
"What the bloody hell is that!?" Voldemort raged.
Nothing made sense anymore! He was sure this was some sort of nightmare.
"Oh, that's you" Harry replied, having been watching Voldemort's reaction. He was calm once more and smiling happily. "This is going to go out and help give you quite the public reputation" Harry announced.
Voldemort didn't like the sound of that. He was sure of it.
"Here" Hermione sighed, making the top of the jar glow. "If you want to be able to hear him, you can. If not, waive your hand and it will bring the silencing charm back up" she explained, smiling when Harry kissed her cheek.
He then pushed Ron who made a grossed out, playful expression.
"You don't like it?" Luna asked Tom, having read his mind. "That's too bad. I think it's quite a good copy" she complimented their handiwork.
Neville took the jar to hand it over to Harry.
'This cannot be happening' Voldemort tried to internalize his panic. His mind wasn't able to work out just what he was seeing. How could he? Harry Potter being the Master of Death? It should be laughable.
'I am Lord Voldemort! I-I cannot be captured like some helpless nothing by the Potter brat!' Voldemort continued mentally arguing with himself. 'And mere children wouldn't be able to capture me, let alone read my mind' he went on.
"Tommy, Tommy, Tommy" Harry looked down on his enemy with easy superiority. "We live in a world of impossibilities" was pointed out. "Don't be so narrow minded" he chastised.
"How are you reading my mind!" Voldemort demanded, now being heard. "You shouldn't have such abilities!"
Harry rolled his eyes. "I also shouldn't know how to murder or take over the world. Yet, here I am. Sometimes life forces you to adapt. Lemons to lemonade and all. Unlike you, I do not limit myself" he stated. "Now, come along" Harry prepared to leave with the others. "I have guests that are simply dying to meet you".
####SCENE BREAK####
The school was buzzing!
Today was the first day of the dueling club. Lockhart would put on a duel against Snape.
The whole school was taking bets and paying Colin Creevey to take photos.
Many students, especially older years, were annoyed that this had taken so long in the semester. However, they hoped that the wait was worth it.
Besides the whispers about the Chamber of Secrets, rumors that most were really starting to think were just talk, this year had been pretty uneventful so far.
Well…besides Umbridge and the brief reports on Death Knights along with Lockhart's whole situation.
But compared to the rumors about last year involving Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Professor Quirrell and their confrontation that had some details leaked, well compared to that, it was pretty uneventful.
Luna and Neville were trying to figure out just where their group's pets were disappearing to. They always came back but…they left together and disappeared.
Even Alex had stated that even Romulus the chimera would disappear at times. They were beginning to wonder if the elves were helping the animals. Back at Potter manor, Alex and Sirius worked on questioning Kreacher, Dobby and Winky. Of course, they weren't punished or the like, but the others did want some answers.
None of the pets or animals had tracking charms or compulsions on them. Harry began to wonder if they had built up some sort of animal comfort group.
He had never really tried to read an animals mind before… Something that should be looked into. 'Then I really could speak with Hedwig more easily' Harry mused.
Since the animals all seemed safe, Harry gave Luna permission with Vivian to take lead and figure out what was going on.
The stage in the Great Hall was set.
It was exactly how Harry remembered it. Lockhart was obviously a showman, even now.
Ginny was holding a camera for Molly, who had asked for some shots of Lockhart.
Ginny didn't look too excited.
Colin still went between snapping pictures of the set up and Harry and Vivian. Once he learned of their relation, some of his fascination had extended to Vivian. She had talked to the youth about calming down, some at least, since Harry was famous for something that had only really brought him personal tragedy.
Seeing how Harry talked his sister up, Colin began thinking that Vivian was the next celebrity in the making. Her abilities in classes only furthered that belief.
Ron wasn't super thrilled about it. Vivian tried to humor the young boy, remembering him as harmless. Then…dead.
Hermione thought it was pretty funny. At least, until Colin tried to follow them into the library.
Now Colin knew that Hermione could be her own brand of amazing. Especially with a wand. She hadn't hurt him, but he hadn't been able to leave his seat or speak for the full hour of studying.
Remus had talked Moody into going to watch Lockhart in action. The two sat in the back of the room, backs to the wall which seemed to ease Moody a little.
Moody was teasing Remus over some of his own little fan girl group. Something that had surprised the marauder. Many seventh, sixth, fifth and even fourth years students would give him googly eyes.
Remus was weary for when Sirius would find out as he was sure it would be something that the other man would mention forever.
"Hello all" Lockhart made a grand entrance.
Snape stepped in after him. His cloak flared as he easily stalked to the stage.
Harry did appreciate the dramatics. He began to wonder if he could get his school cloak to do the same with such simplicity.
Lockhart strutted at a much slower pace after Snape, eating up any attention. Gilderoy was feeling much more confident with Albus, Minerva and Filius' combined beauty charms.
Ron narrowed his eyes briefly before discreetly twitching his fingers.
The charms on Lockhart began to fall. Ron made the teachers' efforts look like sloppy child's play. His anger and hate for Lockhart further fueling his abilities. Ron wasn't about to let Lockhart off 'easy'. He had meant it when he stated he wanted to destroy every aspect of the man.
Lockhart didn't notice the charms gradually slipping away. His appearance once more resembled a melted candle.
Remus and Moody whispered, deciding against notifying the man. Remus lied and said this way they'd have a chance to find the culprit against Lockhart. Moody knew it was a lie. He also had his own suspicions about Lockhart he had never been able to prove. Moody was also aware that Lockhart had developed a not so hidden 'interest' in Remus' daughter.
Moody pretended to buy the lie and stayed put.
Severus also refrained from saying anything to Lockhart. A cold sweep of his gaze over the crowd managed to currently curb anyone who may have been in the mind to speak up.
Girls who had been smiling at Lockhart began fainting, though not for the reasons the blonde believed.
Severus briefly curled his lip before cooling his expression. Something he noticed happening in many spots around the room. Mainly from the other adults, and some of the students. Like Harry and Vivian along with the children that seemed the closest to them.
Lockhart happily posed for the amused yet disgusted Ginny. Not to mention the nauseated Colin.
These would be some pictures he would not show Dennis.
"Harry, my protégé" Lockhart boasted. "Vivian" he went on. "Are you quiet alright my dear?" Gilderoy tried to step closer. Vivian allowed Ron and Harry to move her behind them with Neville, Hermione and Luna surrounding her.
Remus stood, back straight. He looked ready to deck Lockhart.
"You look green, whatever is the matter?" Gilderoy tried to see Vivian past the boys.
Vivian had seen a lot of things, but Lockhart was not a pretty sight right now.
"The duel is up here Gilderoy" Severus hissed, forcing Lockhart to focus on the lean man. Severus knew what the man was hoping for. Gilderoy was hoping to use this display in order to try and get Vivian to change her mind and learn under him.
Lockhart didn't understand magical contracts or the like. He didn't care to unless it was about him directly.
Severus thought that this showed how little the other man knew about apprenticeships.
Severus used to think that the only thing Lockhart knew how to actually do was be good looking. Recently, Severus realized that the man couldn't even do that properly.
Albus had asked Severus to go easy on Lockhart.
Minerva had suggested he do the opposite with Remus and Pomona agreeing. In fact, most of the rest of the staff agreed.
Severus knew who he'd be listening to.
It was times like this that Harry really wished that magicals had videocameras.
Filch was in the back corner with Mrs. Norris, whispering to her about the mess this would make and the like. He did take the seat offered to him by Remus.
Harry shot a smile to Cedric as Luna did the same to Cho, both returned the gestures.
Lockhart glided up the stage. He then tossed his shimmery, silken cloak out to the crowd.
People screamed and scrambled in order to avoid being touched by the fabric.
Slowly, other members of the staff made their way in.
Still, no one told Gilderoy about his appearance.
Albus was running late and Minerva thought that that was for the best right now. She too had figured out his 'trigger phrases' when it came to Albus' bathroom 'issues'. She decided to buy Severus time, though she wasn't sure he needed it given his opponent. Minerva had gotten Albus talking and as she led him, he had been unable to refrain from mentioning the greater good.
He was cleaning up now.
"As your full time defense teacher" Lockhart used his crowd voice. He took a dig at the unimpressed Moody and Remus.
Not something lost on the men's students, who were quite fond of them. Nor was it missed by Remus' family.
Lockhart went on. "It is my job to properly pass down knowledge to all of you, as I have attempted to do all year" he smiled. "With the school break coming up, I thought I'd give everyone an early gift" he went out a wink with a smarmy chuckle.
He was greeted by mostly blank stares, besides those who couldn't look at him for long periods of time.
Draco thought this wasn't even worth missing a class for. He realized he would rather be doing homework! If he had been old enough, he'd even happily do muggle studies rather than have to listen to this prat!
Cleaning his throat, Gilderoy continued pressing on.
Gilderoy needed this. He needed the children to look up to him and believe his lies once more! He was desperate for the hero worship like attention he had become accustomed to over the years.
Being at Hogwarts with his recent misfortunes had Gilderoy experiencing serious withdrawals.
Gilderoy needed the school to respect him again. He was sure that that was the start to breaking his recent rotten luck!
'Not bloody likely' the eavesdropping Ron thought.
With that, Lockhart began his monologue of the purpose of the dueling club.
For the most part, Harry tuned out.
"But don't worry about your beloved potions master" Lockhart chuckled. He remembered Severus from school, just as he did Remus and his friends. Lockhart totally believed himself better than the dower man in many aspects. "I'm sure that Severus will beat me" Gilderoy said, he was still unable to lie. Even to himself.
There were snickers around the room. The Slytherins didn't even attempt to hide it. Vivian passed a note to Tracy talking about another sleep over. This time she was hoping they'd be alright with inviting other house girls.
Lockhart's fanclub was heartbroken! There were significant less members. Only the most die hard fans held on. Every day was a new challenge.
The Lockhart fanclub had been beyond excited when he had entered the Hall as handsome as ever, seemingly back to standards of beauty they were used to from him.
Then…that had fallen away.
Looking at him now, many wanted to either crawl under a rock, or check out the Remus club.
"Disgusting" Percy whispered to Ron and Harry with a curl of his upper lip. He had his arms crossed in obvious disproval.
"He's a nutter" Ginny whispered to Luna and some other of her first year friends.
Dean and Seamus were snickering at the looks on some girls' faces.
Fred and George were running bets with Lee.
It wasn't bets about who would win, but rather how would Snape win and how badly Gilderoy would come out of the whole thing.
They had a lot of bids.
"He does seem quite out of sorts. I can't even think of a creature that would have such an effect" Luna said, getting nods and somewhat more understanding looks from students around her.
Some scoffed, though tried to keep it quite.
People who tried to bully Luna usually ended up having weird unexplainable accidents. Most were sure it was simply coincidence, but there wasn't really a need to test it.
Neville did make note for anyone who seemed shot his girlfriend any looks of disdain.
He would remember them.
Snape gave hidden looks between Vivian and Luna for a moment. As if he were not only making sure that they were ok, but also that they approved of what he might do.
It almost looked…like both girls nodded.
Little movements that could have been played off as a trick of the eye yet… Something in Severus was telling him that that wasn't the case.
With that, Severus prepared to utterly humiliate Lockhart.
Vivian had to hide a predatorily smile, ignoring Draco's flirtatious looks. He then glared at Theo and Blaise who were whispering together quietly, eyes on Vivian.
Pansy glared at everyone.
Crabbe and Goyle were having their own wager about Lockhart.
Ron snickered seeing Hannah and Susan whispering with blushes while looking at Neville.
Oliver and Marcus pretended not to be constantly looking at one another.
Their team mates all hid snickers, amused by their captains.
Hermione pulled out a coded book as Harry silently mind spoke with Remus, who had once more sat down, though his eyes never left Lockhart. He was just waiting for a chance to step in and handle the blonde.
The approaching full moon wasn't helping his or Vivian's moods.
Remus tried to calm himself and focus on tuning Moony out for the time being.
Harry also caught Cormac giving Hermione a thoughtful once over before going to back to talking to his friends and smiling at girls.
Lavender giggled, playing with her hair before sitting close to her friends Parvati and Padma. Though Padma looked more amused by her sister and friend rather than paying Cormac any mind.
Cormac then tried to send the already blossoming Vivian a flirtation look huffing when she didn't notice him. Vivian was busy holding Ron. Her head was on his shoulder as she watched Snape and Lockhart prepare.
"Now, you must bow to your opponent" Lockhart instructed. He gave a lavish bow.
Severus barely bent at the waist.
Harry couldn't really blame him.
"Right, on three. One, two, three" he called out. Even so, Lockhart tried to be sneaky. He tried to shoot the spell off before he technically said three. However, it didn't work in his favor.
It was hard to out sneak a Slytherin after all. Especially Severus Snape.
Lockhart barely got he words out before Severus magically knocked him on his ass.
"Uh, once more" Lockhart stood, trying to play it off.
That phrase was uttered three more times. The last time was a bit hard seeing as Severus had used Densaugeo.
It would have been much funnier if one of the elongated teeth hadn't fallen out of Lockhart's rotted gums.
Listening to the mental order Severus heard like whispers in the back of his head, he erected a common shield.
Severus was used to these orders now. He craved them. Almost like an addiction. When he listened, he felt amazing. He was also rewarded with such powerful knowledge.
Severus wasn't sure who his 'teacher' was. Yet…he didn't tell anyone about them. He hinted to it to Minerva, but refrained from revealing the whole truth.
True, the lessons had been painful at first. Severus had learned though that they were for his own good. That his teacher only wanted what was best for him. He was promised answers if he could be patient. Severus wanted answers. He wanted that good feeling to keep going. Severus had never felt so at peace.
He stopped questioning the how. Instead, he allowed himself to reap the rewards offered to him.
Luna had done a good job. She was very proud of Severus.
Lockhart was also receiving some mental pushes at the moment. They egged him on.
He also listened.
Lockhart tried to send out a Bombarda. Should that hit Severus, he would need immediate medical attention.
Many gasped in disbelief over what Lockhart had attempted to pull. It had been a miracle that Lockhart even managed to conjure the spell in the first place.
The spell did not hurt Severus though.
It instead bounced off his shield like rubber.
That wasn't something that should have happened. No one had every seen that happen. Not with Bombarda and not in such an honest bounce like fashion.
All eyes were on the rouge spell.
Hearing Harry's mental order, the Knights present all worked on speeding the spell up. That prevented any of the teachers and seventh years from stopping and dissipating it.
Remus pretended to try and stop the spell. Instead, he used a talent he had learned as a Knight. He shot off verbal spells, hiding his nonverbal and wandless magic. He did that while sending out silent hexes with Ron that changed the spell. He continued as Ron then concentrated on one of Lockhart's cursed spots on his body to make that one spot extra vulnerable.
While the spell bounced like a harmless ball, the dents it left in its wake were pretty severe. They shook the room.
Many teachers had to work on calming students and repairing the walls before any more damage could take place.
Justin and Zachary both had to duck out of the way, landing on other students in heaps.
Cedric spun Cho out of the way, saving her. She couldn't help but giggle a little with a pretty and bashful smile up at the equally smitten Hufflepuff.
Finally, the spell hit its mark.
Lockhart's right shoulder.
Nothing happened.
"Oh, completely harmless. I didn't know that" Lockhart let to a nerves chuckle.
Albus chose that moment to walk in.
Just as a beat went by and everyone thought they could relax, it happened.
Lockhart's arm fell off. It just popped off.
It made an awkward suction noise that Hermione and other muggleborns had to liken to Barbies and similar toys coming apart.
Then, as if going from wood back to flesh, the arm simply fell into a fleshy mound on the stage.
The hole wasn't bleeding. Not yet at least. The arm was just…not attached.
Gilderoy looked down, blinking at the appendage. He was attempting to make sense of what he was seeing.
The whole Hall was deathly quiet.
"I didn't do that" Severus said after a moment.
The sound of his voice sent the room into chaos.
Lockhart began screaming incoherent words at impressive pitches. Children were shouting and attempting to leave in a rush as the teachers were still preoccupied with the scene.
Albus sent out a spell, knocking everyone down. That way they wouldn't trample each other to death.
Though Harry and the Knights found they had to put their acting skills to the test. They had merely stumbled before realizing they were supposed to be knocked down and played the part.
Remus and the other teachers had control back and begun leading children out at a much less dangerous pace.
Poppy had to levitate the screaming Lockhart away.
Filius fired off a nonverbal in order to subdue the blonde. Lockhart would be easy to heal if he wasn't hindering them with panic.
A few girls tried to follow, worried for Lockhart. They had some snot and makeup stained tears running down their faces. Lavender and Parvati beat everyone else with Marietta Edgecombe a close third.
Vivian hoped Cho got better friends. She decided she'd help. Though misguided at time, Cho wasn't bad. Cedric's death had really affected her. Then all her friends but Marietta left. Something Marietta used to make sure Cho was desperate to keep her as a friend. Even if they disagreed about Harry and Luna.
As everyone separated and tried to process what they saw, Albus dismissed everyone from classes for the rest of the day.
Fred asked Lee and George "Who won?" Fred was speaking on the bets taken before.
Ginny glided by, easily swiping the bag of coins before counting them. "I did" she went to strut off.
"How did you know" George had to know.
The eleven-year-old sent him an adorable shrug. "Ron gave me the idea" she said before all but running over to Percy. She split the money with the blushing boy. That made his brothers realize where Ginny had gotten the money for the bet in the first place.
Fred, George, and Lee didn't know what was more shocking. Percy participating and allowing Ginny to participate in such a bet. Or…Ron most likely being the cause for what just happened in the Great Hall.
"Shame about Lockhart" Ron said, strolling up to their side with hands in his pockets and sleeves rolled up. He pulled a hand out to eat some more jelly beans. "Then again" he hummed, taking a moment to swallow. "Maybe he had it coming. Who knows" Ron walked around the frozen boys, catching up to his friends.
The three older boys all had their jaws dropped, not able to properly function at the moment.
Remus moved in front of them with a small, conspiratorial lean. "How would you three like to help a marauder out?" He teased. Despite everything, that sentence brought immense excitement to the boys. As did Remus' little handsome grin.
####SCENE BREAK####
Harry waited till lunch to take out the special jar from his trunk. He then made sure his golem was in place 'studying' before making his way with the others to Potter Manor.
Dobby would keep an eye out for anyone trying to get their attention.
Harry led everyone down to the dungeons to see the new 'elves'. The Lestranges.
He had wanted to go last night when first capturing Voldemort. He had lost out to Hermione however. She had insisted that he needed to sleep. That they all did. That way they'd be rested. Not to mention Voldemort having to sleep in a dark trunk for a night. Once more she reminded Harry that as of right now, he wasn't as indestructible as before. He had to sleep and recharge.
Harry had caved, knowing that Hermione was right. She got her way, which he was sure she had knew she would to start with.
All the Knights were behind Harry, without any disguises.
Clearing his throat, Harry showed his impressive talent with mimic. Just as he could with the Bloody Barren, he now was able to mimic Voldemort's voice.
Many of the kids laughed behind their hands, trying to smother the sounds. The adults were properly impressed.
He really was good.
"I have come to free my most loyal" Harry announced himself from behind the door.
Voldemort did not look impressed with the impersonation.
"My most loyal, Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Rabastan, at last I have found you" Harry let the words draw out.
The excited squeaks from inside the cell let him know that the Lestranges were buying it.
"We knew you would come my Lord! We never lost faith" Bellatrix's voice was high, almost painfully so.
Jar Voldemort's widened at the sound.
"Oh Bella" Harry went on, still unseen by the prisoners. "You three have always been my favorite" he promised. "I've had such fantasies about all three of you" he added.
More excited chirping came from the room. It seemed all the Lestranges were happy with this admission.
"Now, I have a new appearance. I haven't shown anyone else yet. I hope you like it. Don't judge. I actually believe it to be quite…sexy" he stated in those snake like tones. "Here I come" he stated.
With that, Hermione opened the door for Harry.
First, he held the jar through the door, moving it from side to side in a parody of a walk.
The cheers of excitement turned to screams of disgust.
Harry walked in with everyone else following and easily filling the room against the walls.
"What?" Harry pouted, once more using his own voice. "I bring you Voldemort and you're still not happy? Ungrateful, seriously" he pouted.
"Tell me about it" Sirius joked, thanking the small play in.
"How dare you parade this thing around as if it were the dark lord" Rabastan shouted.
"Oh…but it is" Harry smiled, allowing Voldemort to speak.
"I am Lord Voldemort. Kill the boy and get me out of this blasted jar! Then, I can return to my full glory with a new body" he stated.
With some mumbled words, Hermione manipulated the dark marks present to prove that this was Voldemort.
The three Lestranges began to grovel and beg for forgiveness over insulting their Lord and master.
Harry put the jar down making Bella jump on it. It seemed she thought she had snatched it from him. Then she despaired when she was unable to get the lid off. Rodolphus tried to break the jar. It didn't work. The same results when Rabastan tried.
"Gross" Alex took in the display. She crossed her arms, close to Sirius' side. "I've been alive a long time, but this is fucking pitiful" she pointed out. Sirius wrapped an arm around her waist as Ron conjured everyone chairs with Neville.
"Once I am reborn" Voldemort began to say, not for the first time. "I will be able to return you to your true forms" he promised his followers.
"I guess it's a good thing I only brought you here so we could hold you while we find the snake then consume you" Harry retorted.
He then summoned the jar to him, twirling it idly in the air.
"Stop him!" Voldemort ordered. The Lestranges all tried. Oh, how they tried! Yet, they were unsuccessful. They began to scream and cry, even Rodolphus.
"Oh, allow me to explain" Hermione helpfully supplied. "They cannot go against us. Your followers are now our toys" she gave a pleasant smile. She had finally broken to her parents that her teeth had been 'mysteriously' fixed with magic.
"When you are able to eat him" Luna spoke. "Perhaps someone should tell Myrtle. It's too bad about the elf he framed for the murder of the woman who owned Helga's cup" Luna said, more to herself at the end. She then conjured notebooks for her and Remus who began writing names of previous victims, big and small.
"Now, I am not going to currently kill you" Harry said before sending out a lightning like strike, getting Voldemort's hand that Ron had forced out of the jar.
The Dark Lord screamed in pain, making his followers scream. They were unable to stop it!
"But" Harry explained. "I can torture you" he looked at Vivian, "Make sure his heart doesn't stop" he got a nod in reply.
"Let's get started. I don't want to miss dinner".
With that, Harry began torturing Voldemort while forcing the Lestranges to watch helplessly.
####SCENE BREAK####
Albus was trying to get ahold of multiple people. Some being the Dursleys, specifically Petunia.
He was trying to sort out Harry's living arrangement for the up coming summer. He was already certain that Harry would most likely spend Christmas with the Weasleys.
Sirius kept telling Albus that it didn't matter if it was Christmas or summer, Harry was going to be with him. He wasn't given Albus anything. He refused to listen and had even had his lawyer send a letter threatening action should Albus interfere!
Even so, Albus was holding out hope that Sirius would, as Albus called it, come to his senses.
He had written back to the lawyer, the young woman who had defended Sirius in court, about meeting. He wanted to check her out for the Order.
Besides business concerning Harry and Sirius, she had not replied.
It seemed she didn't care about being summoned by the great Albus Dumbledore.
He wondered if that was because she was American. Or at least, that was some of the little information he had gathered about her so far. He was still digging. Even so, Albus had met American's before. His name and reputation carried wide.
Very few hadn't jumped at the chance to have tea with him.
Then again, Alastor was also avoiding sitting down with his old friend. He turned in class planning, but Albus thought Moody didn't totally approve of how Albus had handled a few things around the school. Or how he handled certain people's lives, as Alastor had put it.
Albus knew that he knew what was best.
He just needed everyone to remember that.
He was finding that a harder task lately.
Albus looked at the lemon drops wistfully, but managed to resist.
Albus sent off more letters. He also had to handle different aspects of the school. Minerva had told him to do it.
She had walked in, dropped a bunch of parchment, and it was a lot, on his desk. She said "Albus, you do your own work. I refuse to allow you to overuse me. Right now, you are still headmaster. Do the job or give it to me" she had snapped before turning into her tabby form and strutted out with a flick of her tail.
Albus had been shocked! That grew when Minerva didn't allow him to change her mind. He tried to remind her of all his other duties in the world. How if she didn't help then Hogwarts may fall apart.
"If so, then perhaps you're not fit to run it. If that is the case, then it is your fault and yours alone. The board will see and maybe I'll get a promotion. Finally" she sniffed before going back to tea.
He had only gotten a glimpse of Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, and Vivian Lupin in the room before the door had been closed in his face.
"Hmm" Albus pretended to not be whining as he filled out more forms. Fawkes ignored him, burying his head in his wing to block the noise.
"It's about time".
"Oh, I do hope the girl gets it. I'd be happy to see that lass in here".
"In my day-" the portraits went on and on.
He sighed, even the odd one of Lockhart had left. It preferred to communicate with Lupin and Snape directly.
"I should be out looking for Tom and making sure that the ministry isn't falling apart" Albus muttered to himself. "I should be figuring out those Death Knights. I've been working on the code. I'm sure I can crack it if given time" he went on.
No one responded to him.
Fawkes took off. He had been doing that a lot lately.
"Maybe I should-" Albus said with eyes on the window his phoenix left out of.
"Finish your work. The professors need to know the budget" Dippit's portrait cut in.
Albus huffed, leaning back in his throne like chair.
Before he could fully pout, an owl came in delivering a letter.
Seeing the name, Albus perked up. He tore open the letter to read what Sirius' solicitor had said. He had found out she was also in the service of Remus and the seemingly vanished Lord Rectus.
"On behalf of myself and my clients, no thank you" was written in pretty, neat flowery handwriting.
That was it.
No explanation or anything.
Just a rejection!
Albus couldn't believe it.
He turned the paper over as if expecting there to be another message on the back. There wasn't. Albus couldn't believe it. Not only were Sirius and Remus still being stubborn about rejoining the Order of the Pheonix, but Miss Debree and Lord Rectus were out right refusing.
"I wonder if Rectus knows of Miss Debree speaking for him" Albus clung to straws of hope.
He could only assume that Remus and Sirius knew. Though he could try to contact them directly again, just to be sure.
Though…they weren't replying to any of his letters. Albus had sent quite a few though.
That was why he had tried to go through Miss Debree. He thought he'd gain another ally and get the men back on track. Remus very rarely spoke to Albus. Even though the man now worked for him, he was still unreachable!
Albus sighed, slinking down slightly.
This school year was not going as he hoped. There was a small blessing that so far, nothing too insane had happened. True, it hadn't been the most mundane semester, though compared to others, it wasn't too upsetting either.
Mentions of Salazar's chamber was unsettling, but as of yet, nothing had come from that.
Albus was sure things could have been much, much worse.
"I really must speak to Harry again. I want to make sure he's adjusting well to the new changes. Perhaps I should make sure he isn't traumatized from last year" Albus began stroking his beard. "Then I can also make sure that he is alright on all fronts" Albus nodded.
"You didn't do that last year. Suspicious" he heard a portrait mutter.
Albus didn't dignify that with a response.
He cared for Harry, truly he did. However, Albus was also sure that Harry had to fulfill the prophecy. He didn't think that had happened yet.
Albus summoned all of the Daily Prophets and newspapers that had to do with the Death Knights. There were even a few articles in Witch Weekly and the like.
He began pouring over the information again. He was trying to weed out what was true and what was just for sales.
Not an easy task.
It especially was hard given that the papers stopped writing about them for a while thanks to Fudge.
The pictures were a big help though.
Albus took a magnifying glass and began going over the bodies again. He was looking at the runes and words carved into the bodies. He knew it was a mix of Latin, Celtic and something else. Albus believed he just needed to figure out what else in order to properly understand just what messages were in plain sight.
Dictionaries opened themselves as he dived into the task at hand.
Albus willingly ignored the portraits. He was determined to crack the code.
####SCENE BREAK####
Lockhart was having a bad day.
He was currently having to regrow the skeleton for his arm. Only then could Madam Pomfrey reattach the limb. Snape had been able to prove that Gilderoy's injury was not his doing.
Gilderoy was incensed that the other man wasn't punished or anything.
Snape didn't even care to check on Lockhart in the hospital wing!
'And he is still Vivian's new mentor. How can the world be so unfair, so cruel to me' he lamented.
He couldn't believe it! 'I should have never taken this damnable job' he thought. It wasn't as if he needed the money. He had thought it obvious that Albus Dumbledore come to him about teacher. He was Gilderoy Lockhart after all.
Gilderoy had to learn about the jinx on the Defense position from the Potter boy at the bookstore. After that, Lockhart had asked around.
He hadn't liked anything he had found out.
However, as if he knew about the rumors, Albus had made sure that Lockhart's teaching contract was binding. Lockhart's manager hadn't been able to get him out of it.
'Haven't heard from that traitor since the whole Umbridge debacle' Lockhart internally huffed. He would definitely be firing the man once the school year was over!
It was starting to feel as if he were set up.
'Ever since that woman' Lockhart began to think. Then another thought struck him. He was already having reservations before that because of Potter. When he had met Potter at the bookstore.
Potter had been there with Vivian.
Vivian, the name repeated in his head.
He could never fully remember the face of the woman he had tried to assault. The green-eyed woman. At least, he couldn't remember when he was awake.
The eyes stayed with him though.
Eyes so similar to Vivian's.
'Maybe they're related?' he had to wonder.
Groaning as more pain hit him, Lockhart tried to think of a new plan. There were a few things that he absolutely had to do.
Gilderoy had to clear his name. That was a given.
Then he obviously had to get his usual dashing good looks back. 'That might need to be at the top of the list' Lockhart mused.
Gilderoy also had to get Vivian as his apprentice or the like. Then he needed to pay back any and all who wronged him. He knew Vivian was quite bright, so once she was under Lockhart's control, he could use her to enact his revenge.
The real question was one; did he need his looks back first to ensnare Vivian, and two; how to get her under his control.
Both should have been easy tasks. Both seemed out of reach at the moment.
It was most disheartening for Gilderoy.
He tried to give himself a pep talk. "I've faced worse than this" he tried to hype. "Like how the girls were fawning over the marauders, especially Sirius Black. No one could properly see my beauty with him around. Obviously, it was due to him being gorgeous, charismatic and funny, nothing else" Lockhart had tried to lie to himself again. He was denied the comfort, even if he was still unable to hear the truth falling from his lips.
"Being placed in Ravenclaw instead of Gryffindor. True, the color scheme was great for my complexion, but Ravenclaw?!" he still couldn't believe it. Gilderoy actually teared up a little.
"No one knows how hard it is" he had to pause in order to calm his breathing. "How hard it is to be put in the house that only cares about brain. When I was in school, no one cared about skin care or-or hair gels. It was so easy for them to get lost in their books while everyone else got to be beautiful naturally" Gilderoy shook his head, moaning in pain as he had to reach for a tissue.
It never occurred to Lockhart that his placement in Ravenclaw was also ironic to others, though for very different reasons.
"Will you stop moving" Pomfrey demanded as she walked in. "You didn't take the sleeping draught, did you" she asked knowingly.
"Oh, I can manage" Lockhart played up the victim in hopes of gaining some sympathy.
Pomfrey's expression was not impressed. She shot him a dull look while saying "As…admirable as that may be, you must take your potion".
"Well, I just-" Gilderoy tried again.
However, Pomfrey's patient with the man was all but nonexistent. "Take the potion before I am forced to stuff it down your glittery gob!" Poppy snapped. Her face was pulled taught in anger.
Poppy always worried about the children in her care. No matter how old they got. Severus could attest to that. As could Remus, who Poppy would still write to check on. She even made Severus make wolfsbane potion, out of her own pocket.
Getting Remus to accept was another thing. Poppy hoped he was being totally honest, assuring her that he had a steady supply now. They had sat down over tea in the teacher's lounge when he delivered the good news.
Yes, Poppy worried about her patients. That no longer applied to Gilderoy Lockhart.
She remembered the few times he saw her as a boy. He hadn't left a pleasant impression then, and that had only gotten worse the longer he was at Hogwarts as a teacher.
Oh, she had giggled about him with the other ladies on the staff. Even if Minerva wouldn't admit it.
Yet, the women all quickly learned just how much of a dunce Lockhart really was. In all aspects.
All he had going for him was his adventures and looks. And if what he had been spouting was true, then his adventures were all bluff. Poppy wouldn't be surprised if that was true. Whoever had cursed Lockhart had some impressive skill.
So really, he only had his looks going for him. Then…those also started to go.
'Maybe it's simply magic having enough and dissolving the man on its own' Pomfrey couldn't help but think, not for the first time.
"Yes Ma'am" Lockhart downed the potion. He almost dropped the bottle in his haste.
Turning, Poppy strutted off with a small satisfactory smirk on her face. 'Still got it' she thought before going to check on any other patients.
Sighing, Lockhart once more tried to work out how everything went so wrong and what could be done it correct his terrible recent lot in life.
'I have to find that blasted portrait as well' he thought on his painted image that had managed to escape its canvas.
What was worse was that his manager hadn't been replying to his owls. The last he had heard from the man, he was trying to fend off Rita Skeeter.
Lockhart hoped that man was simply busy keeping the viper reporter away and didn't just abandon Gilderoy.
'He better not have, with what I pay the vampire' he thought cuttingly.
The hospital doors opened and in walked Ronald Weasley.
"Professor?" the ginger second year went up to the now drowsy Lockhart's bedside. "I thought you'd want this back" came the innocent offer. Ron was holding the cape Gilderoy had tossed to the crowd.
"Oh, well thank you dear boy. Splendid" Gilderoy tried to smile charmingly. At the boy's grin, Lockhart relaxed.
"Here you go. Keep it close" Ron spoke in a comforting tone as he tucked Lockhart's cloak by the older man's head. "That's better isn't it?" Ron asked. "Poor professor, you've had quite the string of rotten luck" he tsked.
"I have. It's quite unfair" Gilderoy agreed. He was thankful for the sympathetic ear. His eyes drooped as the boy spoke softly and with care. A pretty vast contrast he had seen from the youngest Weasley male before now, yet something that was most greatly appreciated given the current circumstances.
As he began to fall asleep, Lockhart didn't see Ron's slow, chilling smile.
Ron did not forget what the man had done to countless people. What he was planning on doing to Vivian. The fate he had attempted to leave Ginny to. Yes, though Ron and Neville took on the painstaking and almost tedious task of trying to track down all of Lockhart's victims, even that could not extinguish the flame of anger in Ron's stomach.
"It's alright Professor" Ron cooed. "It will all be over soon. I promise" Ron added quietly.
As Lockhart fell asleep, a brief shadow was casted over Ron's face.
"I promise" was said again.
####SCENE BREAK####
Alex grinned as Sirius cleaned some blood off of the corner of her mouth.
She had taken out someone who tried to mug them. They were out placing traps for Nagini. Then they were to work on seeing how many other prisoners at Azkaban were there under false pretenses.
Sirius was sure he couldn't have been the only one.
They had a lot to do, when not running around like randy teens.
"Here we go love" Sirius placed down another fake rock. "Luna wants to make sure that Yaxley escape the aurors long enough to activate Voldemort" he told her.
"Well, that might be a bit tricky given the present Luna left him. I'd be surprised if someone didn't know about it" Alex pointed out.
"Well, unless the snake woman can do it, then we need someone else" Sirius noted.
"Hmm" Alex hummed, going over to drop a rock by the Riddle family graves. They had already covered a good amount of area around the shack Voldemort had been living in. However, none of them wanted to miss anything. That led to them placing traps and detectors around the Riddle estate.
After all, this was where the fake Voldemort was programmed to go once he mutated into his full-bodied self. If that happened before they caught Nagini, then he'd led her here for them to capture and take to Harry.
He wasn't sure if he wanted to kill her or not, or if he had to to get the soul piece. The order was to capture alive.
The two began walking away from the graveyard, appearing as any other couple on a stroll.
Alex sniffed around the air. "Smells like death. New death" Alex mentioned lowly making Sirius' face grow somber.
Noises were heard up above. Both could hear men attempting to muffle an argument.
"You just had to do it, didn't you" one hissed.
"What was I supposed to do?" another voiced demanded. "He would have told and you ruddy know it! Now we gotta find his bird and make sure she don't know nothing. They were up there I tell you. They killed Dran before I could" the voices went on. "We got to find a way to deal with them".
"I know that voice" Alex realized, speaking out loud. She turned the corner with Sirius. "Well what a pleasant surprise" she was obviously amused.
"I know that face. Dung, what an unfortunate surprise". Seeing Mungdungus Fletcher's outfit and the hat in his hand let Alex and Sirius know that it had been Mung's 'friend' that had tried to rob them. The one that Alex drained.
Sirius was purposely messing up Mung's nickname.
Mungdungus lost all color in his face. Up close, he now recognized Sirius. Though the woman, the one he knew to be a vampire, Mungdungus was sure he had never met her in person. Not even when dealing with the underbelly of the vampire world.
Though, he gulped, up close he realized he had seen her in the Prophet next to Black. She had represented him at the Ministry.
'Why couldn't I recognize them before letting that bleeding idiot try to get one last score' he thought. It seemed to escape his mind currently that Bobby hadn't know that that would have been his last mugging. He hadn't know that Mung had won the argument with Krotchet and planned on murdering Bobby.
"Are you and your friend out for a Sunday stroll" Sirius taunted as if Mung hadn't just seen Alex murder someone before Sirius incinerated the body.
"Black, heard you got out" Mung downplayed, trying to swallow his fear. Easier said than done. "Dumbledore mentioned you coming back to the-, uh, well you know, with Lupin" he mentioned the Order.
He was hoping that mentioning Dumbledore would make them refrain from attacking him. It wasn't as if he was going to go out and tell anyone what he saw.
…At least, not unless it was profitable to him. 'Blackmail' ran through Mungdungus' mind.
But first, he had to get out of the reunion alive.
It wasn't as if he had been well liked by any of the Order members the first time around.
"Dumbledore is wrong" Sirius spoke casually. "I found his methods lacking" Sirius' smile was handsome, yet reeked of malice.
Then Alex smiled, extended canines on display. How she spoke so easily with them, the two criminals would never know.
"We'll I uh, I was gonna help you with that mug up there but saw you had it taken care of. Or I would have jumped in to help o' course" Mung lied.
"How chivalrous" Alex's green eyes were now even more tinted with hues of purple and red. A vampire trait. "Why don't we repay such bravery" Alex suggested.
The two men began to stutter out objections before Sirius pulled out a small money pouch.
Mung and his accomplice couldn't believe their luck. Could they have actually fooled the other two and were about to be paid!? Mung was sure that his luck was at full capacity.
Sirius handed the bag to Mung. Suddenly he and Krotchet fell down, screaming. That was quickly silenced by Sirius as Alex set up a few privacy wards. The bag had been an invention that the children made which the adults had worked on improving.
A harmless looking bag that held a big curse.
One didn't even have to directly touch it to activate it.
As the men spasmed in forced mute pain, the bag began to mutate. What had originally been disguised as a velvet cover of the bag slowly inched off before splitting and sliding down both mens arms.
It was like a slime that was a living organism. Where it touched, pain radiated and pulsed, almost on the edge of being numb, yet without that final mercy of allowing the loss of sensation to come.
The slime purred as Alex cooed it like an obedient pet. The two black sludges managed to slip into both Mung and Krotchet's mouths, which had still been open in silent screams.
The men's convulsions became worse. They both strained, necks and backs arched with eyes wide and mouths and noses soon oozing similar slime. It was expanding within them.
"Well, we'll finish here and then check on those safe houses. It's hard to believe that soon…this war could be over before it began, or at least went into full swing" Sirius mentioned.
"Hey, we'll still have more battles" Alex linked their arms. "Plenty of time to become hardened warriors" she joked.
"If you say so" he gave her a half grin.
"I do, but one battle at a time. This one is almost over, I'm sure of it. Then we'll be prepared for any others. Come on" she held his hand, making his smile grow.
"Yes, ma'am. I follow my general" it was Sirius' turn to tease.
"Come on" Alex laughed. "Let's go, then you can go find your partner in crime. I'm sure Remus has a bunch of juicy rumors from Hogwarts" they laughed.
With that, they left the two men, disguised and slowly dying, and finished their rounds around the estate.
####SCENE BREAK####
Remus had taken up an unlikely alliance. He couldn't say friendship, but it definitely wasn't as hostile as it could have been.
Seeing as the alliance was with Severus Snape, then it could have been extremely vicious. Yet, it seemed they had a common denominator. Vivian.
Though the man tried to be as stoic as he was known for in his adult life, Severus wasn't able to hide from Remus.
Severus cared for Vivian.
It was even easier to see given Luna's influence on Severus. Something that Remus had to question whether or not was part of the cause for Snape approaching him.
Neither he nor Remus trusted Lockhart and now it was obvious, Albus wasn't to be trusted either. Not totally, though Remus wondered if Severus knew the full extent of what Albus' good intentions would bring about. Either way, Albus deciding to give Lockhart the benefit of the doubt and hold off on questioning him for unknown reasons didn't sit well with Remus or Severus.
They worried over Gilderoy eventually acting out against Vivian. Of him attempting something and Albus not protecting Vivian, at least, not in time.
Remus knew that Vivian could take care of herself, but as a father, he never wanted her to have to do so. Remus took to fatherhood like second nature. Then again, he had done the same thing with the marauders, even when having fun.
He never wanted Vivian to get hurt. He swore he'd destroy anyone who tried, and knew he wasn't alone in the sentiment. Though they had history, Remus did feel a sense of relief that Severus had spoken of protecting Vivian.
It meant that she'd be looked out for, even if Remus wasn't close. Of course, he was fast, but it was assuring. The idea of Snape watching them carefully should have been distressing or at least annoying. Yet, it wasn't.
Luna had been very happy with Severus' progress and promised to give everyone a full briefing over the winter break.
Remus knew Ron was torturing Lockhart. The red head had just slipped multiple pictures of the man out to the Quibbler. He was dead set on destroying Lockhart's image.
Though, the others hadn't been forbidden from also tormenting, or even killing Lockhart.
They were all just waiting for the right moment.
Timing, that was the common theme in the group's lives.
Remus left Moody to grade papers. Turing down a corner saw Remus come up next to Harry. "Hello Cub" he said, smiling at the boy he saw as his own.
"Hey Moony" Harry smiled. The two walked in comfortable silence.
"Everything alright?" Remus asked, knowing about Harry's late night walks. Though it wasn't past curfew yet.
"Yeah, just thinking" Harry shrugged. "We still have so much to do yet it feels like it could be over in a blink" he tried to explain. His shoulders relaxed when he saw Remus nodding.
"That's very true. Some things in life last both a lifetime and a mere moment" Remus pointed out.
"Hm, smart. Who said that?" Harry questioned.
Remus gave a handsome, soft grin. "Me" he said making Harry chuckle. "I have an idea" Remus began as his marauder side once more showed off. Harry thought it was no wonder he and Sirius were such best mates.
They were both brilliant yet scary. Like Hermione, though she'd doubt her more mischievous side, even now.
"Oh, and what is this idea" Harry grinned as they turned another corner.
"Well, even though we can't finish…that…yet" Remus discretely hinted. Harry sighed, though pushed past his unpleasant emotions on that. It wasn't towards Remus, just unease, disappointment, anger and unfortunately fear at having to keep Voldemort around longer.
"However, that doesn't mean we can't use the puppets" Remus pointed out. "Sirius and Alex said they were finished. I double checked last time I was at the Manor. They're ready" with that, Remus began to speak in Harry's mind. 'If anything, that will distract Albus and the Ministry, we'll be able to establish the Knights in a good light and we can even show any coverage of it to the Lestranges and Voldemort' he finished. 'We left the little Voldemort one already, why don't we make sure he's activated sooner rather than later'.
"That is a very good point Mr. Moony" Harry's grin looked so much like James'.
Remus smiled "I do my best Mr. Prongslet" he replied.
Hermione was having a study session and sleep over with her roommates. She was branching out to make connections, just as the others had done. Neville was doing with the same in his dorm. Though they both would also be meeting with students from other houses. Sprout had given permission for mixed house sleepovers.
Luna was busy with Severus, along with Vivian. Though it was mainly Luna's task, Vivian was going through anything Severus could possibly teach her. Not to mention anything he might eventually say about her childhood. If she gave him the chance. Luna was more than eager to bring Vivian in on her own project with Severus.
Ron was sending out letters to the newspapers and Albus, keeping everyone running around.
"Let's go. We'll meet up with Sirius and Alex" Harry said. Pulling out his invisibly cloak, he and Remus took off to leave Hogwarts for Potter Manor.
Tomorrow morning was bound to be eventful for everyone.
(A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed. I think the story is going to be able to come to a close soon. Maybe, we'll see. I hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter shows more Albus, puppets, Voldemort and more. Until then, have a great day and stay safe).