CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
"I see you are the one hiding in your room this time, my Moon!"
"Yes, well, I have a very good reason for that, love. My room has my privacy shield; none of the other rooms in the house are secure enough to make sure that I can tell you what I need to tell you without someone eavesdropping."
Tom felt a little ridiculous that he had escaped to his room like a coward straight after breakfast, especially since the Flamels were thoroughly confused as to why he was a little more distant than normal, but he needed to talk to Altair sooner rather than later. As for the Nott heir, he had just finished morning training with Druella and Arcturus and had just come out of the shower. Altair had wanted to head to breakfast when Tom called.
Altair frowned. "What's wrong? Has something happened? Did you or Harry get hurt?" He paled a little. "Did you … lose control?"
Tom laughed shortly. "No, no, nothing is wrong exactly and both Harry and I are as fine as physically and mentally possible. I need to talk to you about something else; it's regarding Mr. Burke and the thing we discussed before."
"What? About the nickname Harry has been using?" Altair caught on immediately, much to Tom's relief. "You didn't happen to talk about it to Harry or Mr. Burke, did you?"
Tom flushed a little. "Yes, I did, actually," he admitted a little sheepishly.
"Why would you do that? Oh Merlin, that conversation must have been interesting!" Altair exhaled sharply. "So, tell me – what did Harry and-or Mr. Burke say?"
Tom couldn't help but chuckle lightly. "You are not going to believe me when I tell you."
"Pffft, we're in love with the Mistress of Death. I think we're way past dismissing fairy tales," Altair pointed out with a wry grin.
"That may be, but are we past dismissing myths?" Tom responded as he gathered all of his courage. "Because I called Mr. Burke Tosti during a conversation – well, slight confrontation – between the two of us and … he didn't deny that he isn't Thanatos. I wanted – hoped – that he would get angry and call me mad. But, he actually was amused at the fact that his hated nickname was the thing to blow his, Henry and Melanie's cover!"
Altair was silent for a moment before he managed to speak. "Thanatos is a bookshop owner. I would never have seen that coming!" he laughed to himself in disbelief for a good few seconds until he realised something. "Wait … Henry and Melanie; who are they really?"
"Hypnos, God of Sleep and Melinoë, Goddess of Ghosts," Tom answered, still sounding like he could hardly believe it himself.
In truth, he still couldn't.
"Merlin, Morgana and all the fairies of Avalon," Altair shook his head, "the Goddess of Ghosts brought us our morning coffee!"
Tom couldn't help himself; he snorted with laughter. Of all the things that got to Altair, it was the fact that a goddess had been serving them their morning coffee and not simply that they had been living with Death and his family for the Yule holidays!
"So, are they treating you any differently? Have you talked to Harry about this?" Altair asked once he had managed to wrap his head around what Tom had just told him.
"I talked to Harry about it at dinner yesterday. She mostly wanted to know how I figured it out and laughed too when I pointed out she still called Thanatos Tosti almost subconsciously," Tom replied with a grin. "As for the … gods, they are still treating me normally. I mean, they haven't really changed their attitude to me or walk on eggshells. I am the culprit in that regard."
Tom flushed again with shame.
"Are you … afraid of them now?" Altair asked carefully after a momentary pause.
The last Gaunt swallowed and hung his head for a moment, scoffing under his breath. "I … I wouldn't say scared. I am more … apprehensive than anything else. I mean, I like them. I genuinely do but," he sighed with frustration at this point, "I have been afraid of death for so long that now I am face to face with him and … he has given me no cause for concern. In fact, Thanatos has been nothing but open and honest, and very gracious."
"That doesn't surprise me all too much. I don't think Harry would love someone cold-hearted. I think the only thing that has changed is that they no longer need to hide behind a mortal façade for us anymore," Altair smiled warmly.
"I know," Tom smiled back momentarily. He swallowed a little. "I also asked Thanatos about the Marks on our stomachs."
"Oh?" Altair's attention was fully piqued again. "What did he tell you?"
"That during the ritual, Harry accidentally transferred some of her powers to you and me," Tom replied carefully, as though he were still trying to process the words for himself. "That what she did was Mark us herself, tying our Tapestries of Fate fully to hers. Meaning, we can't die unless …"
"She does," Altair finished quietly.
"Indeed."
Altair needed around a minute to process this information; Tom watched the cogs whir in his lover's head. The Nott heir soon began to nod despondently. "I suspected as much," he confessed quietly. "You see, Druella and Arc … they discovered the truth too – they know Harry's the Mistress of Death. Dru found books in the Rosier library on magical Marks and apparently Marks can only be given by beings of immense magical power, demi-immortals or gods. One adverse effect is that someone who is Marked can be tied to the one who Marked them by magic or by their fate."
Tom's eyes widened. "The Rosier twins know? Who else knows?"
"Walburga, Orion and Lucretia; the rest, neither Dru nor Arc know if they have sussed it out," Altair answered readily. "To be honest, I am willing to bet Ophelia and McGonagall may have figured it out too. Both girls are very sharp. As for Ygraine White, I think she may keep all suspicions she has to herself just in case; she's always been rather cautious."
Tom nodded in agreement and then thought of something.
"Wait, Lucretia? How did she find out?" Tom pressed urgently.
"Apparently Ignatius has been blabbing," Altair sighed deeply. "But he swore her to secrecy, so I suppose that is something."
"Indeed. Let's hope Lucretia knows some Occlumency or has some other way to keep Harry's secret under wraps. We took measures to make sure that nothing leaked out of Hogwarts about Harry's origins – I really don't want to be the one to report to her that there is potential leak," Tom huffed. "Chances are she would still allow Artemis to drop-kick me into the Black Lake when we get back."
"Or into the maw of Charybdis," Altair pointed out fondly.
Tom mock-scowled at him. "You are allowed to sound a little less happy about that, sweetheart!"
"Altair, where are you? The food is getting cold!" Tom heard Arcturus' voice drift into the conversation from Altair's side.
Altair huffed. Tom chuckled. "Go and have fun. We will speak again soon."
"Definitely. Arc has arranged a training session with some of your Knights; I will have to put up with Dolohov for around two hours!" Altair complained.
"You will survive," Tom rolled his eyes, smiling fondly. "Try and show him up, if he starts being a nuisance."
Altair lit up at that. "I have your permission?"
Tom smirked. "Yes, you do. Now go before Rosier tries to break your door down."
"Nah, that is Druella's job – she's better at it because she's very scary when she's hungry. Bye, Tom!"
"Bye, love."
Frey tittered as soon as Altair hung up. *I don't know what I find more worrying. The fact the two of you are unconcerned that your mate's guardians are gods, or the fact that the world is a much bigger and scarier place than I first thought and I am OK with that.*
Tom chuckled. *You are still not OK with Harry's Shadow Shifting. You hid from her yesterday when she turned into a wolf in order to try and give Flamel a fright!*
Frey huffed in indignation at that. *Now that is going to take some getting used to! She has the ability to turn into a dragon, for Python's sake! I still cannot believe that you are fine with that.*
Tom smiled brightly. *You wouldn't be saying that if she could turn into a giant snake.*
*Of course not! You and I both know snakes are best,* Frey answered primly. *Don't tell Atty I said that. I will never hear the end of it!*
Tom laughed heartily at that and settled down to do some reading and studying while activating the musical statue Altair had made for his birthday. Frey hissed with contentment, laying back down on her warming stone.
########################################################################
Harry was in her study, humming along to the music on the radio as she began carving the rowan wood into as much of an exact image of the Elder Wand she could remember. That morning, Harry found that the supplies needed to create a fake Elder Wand, including Ci Annwn hair, had been laid out for her – no doubt Tosti's work. It had at least meant that Harry didn't need to waste time on gathering the materials and could simply focus on carving, under Antioch's very watchful eye.
"Keep to the grain of the wood … well done. Keep it slow, steady … remember, small cuts are easier to rectify if anything goes wrong. And remember to use the awl for the details – those took me ages to do."
Harry listened but largely ignored her uncle as she worked; Cadmus eventually became a little irritated by his older brother's running commentary. "For Merlin's sake, Antioch! Let the girl work. It is already bad enough that she's a novice to this – she's trying to make a replica of the most powerful wand in existence, and your critical eye is not helping matters!"
"It is because of my 'critical eye' that the counterfeit will look authentic enough," Antioch retorted haughtily. "Perfectionism is needed in this case if the deception is going to work, dear brother."
"I think the two of you need to go and get out of your portraits for a while and cool off," Ignotus huffed. "How about you pay the children a visit? Or perhaps ask Evren to play some music to help you cool off?"
"Cadmus is the one looking for conflict," Antioch protested.
Harry looked up for the first time in a long while from her work, giving the Brothers a pointed look. "I think all three of you are blabbing too much. Maybe you should visit some of your other frames for a bit? I hear boredom can make someone quite insufferable."
"But our other frames are extremely dull in comparison," Cadmus huffed. "Especially when you're not around, Niece."
"Then I suggest you keep quiet for a little while and let me work," Harry answered simply, bending her head down and commenced her carving once more.
She had just managed to get onto carving the third weird bump on her duplicate Elder Wand when there was a knock at the door, which caused Harry to sigh a little, grumble incoherently in Parseltongue under her breath and forcing a smile on her face to make sure her tone didn't sound too irritated.
"Yes?" Harry called out.
"Harry, I am sorry to disturb you, but I need to speak with you," Thanatos answered through the door.
The Mistress of Death frowned and immediately put down her carving knife. "Come in, Tosti."
The God of Death came in with a wry smile, putting a quick privacy ward on the door. "So, it would seem that you know that Tom has discovered my true nature because otherwise you wouldn't have said that so loudly. Then again, you and Hypnos still called me Tosti flippantly enough for the boy to catch on."
The Traveller smiled smally. "Sorry about that. I mean, on one hand it is a relief that he knows but on the other hand, I really didn't mean for him to find out by sussing it out."
"Tom is a very intelligent and inquisitive boy who loves a mystery," Thanatos stated, giving her a pointed look. "We are a gold mine to him, Harry. You were never going to simply tell him; sussing it out was the only way he was ever going to find out."
"Touché," Harry sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "So, was Tom knowing the truth about your identity the only thing you need to discuss with me, or was there something else that you need to tell me?"
"Indeed," Thanatos admitted with a look that could only be interpreted as guilty. "There is something you need to know about the Marks on Tom and Altair. The ones you accidentally gave them."
Harry straightened with a frown, her heart suddenly beating extremely quickly. "Please tell me it hasn't made them see ghosts or psychopomps."
Thanatos smiled wryly. "Not that I know of, but what I do know is that there is a good chance that you may have accidentally transferred some of your powers to them. Which ones, I have no idea, only time will tell." His expression turned rather solemn at this point. "However, what I do know is that you have tied the both of them irrevocably to your own Tapestry of Fate. Their life, and their death, now depend entirely on you."
Harry felt her heart now skip several beats and had to force herself to keep breathing in a regular manner. She found herself sinking down into her high-backed chair again. "You mean to tell me … that they can only die if I do?"
"Yes," her immortal friend confirmed sorrowfully.
The Traveller nodded despondently as the thoughts began swimming around her head.
Of course something just had to go awry; Harry's rotten luck struck again!
Why did this happen?
Do Altair and Tom know?
"Yes," Thanatos, who could hear her thoughts clearly, responded out loud. "They know."
Harry scoffed softly, shaking her dead despondently. "Figures. Why can nothing ever just go normally?"
"To be honest, I don't think you could have stopped this," Thanatos admitted. "Melinoë and I theorise that perhaps the Moirai had meant for this to happen. For what reason, I do not even dare to think. I don't dare to ask because I know I wouldn't get a straight answer from any of them."
The Mistress of Death began nodding despondently again and then laughed shortly. "Well, I suppose it isn't the full immortality that Tom wants, but I am glad he has something close to it without having to tap into any more Dark magic."
"Indeed," Thanatos agreed readily. He then smiled warmly. "Since you will be heading back to Hogwarts soon, shall we get back to training you?"
Harry grinned brightly. "I thought you would never ask! I want some more Animancy practise if you don't mind."
"I don't. In fact, I was hoping you would suggest that," Thanatos grinned back. "Try not to scare poor Tom and Frey with the skeletons, though, would you?"
The Mistress of Death spluttered in faux indignation. "Uh, excuse you, Tosti, you should say that to Athenaïs, not me!"
"You're so easy to tease sometimes."
"So are you. What's your point?"
"Tom, Harry, Thanatos – lunch!" Perenelle's Sonorous-enhanced voice ran around the house.
"Timing," Thanatos commented wryly.
Harry chuckled in agreement.
###########################################################################
Ghost and Goliath were not happy, to say the least; it was perhaps apt that it was raining quite heavily outside. The night before, Meg had not returned from her little taunting mission to Gringotts; she was not back for dinner and that morning, they had found that her bed was still neatly made and had not been slept in. They had asked Frances the maid if she had seen Meg, and the girl told them the last she saw Meg was when she headed for Gringotts. The two Hit Wizards already suspected as much, but now they knew for sure: something had gone badly wrong at Gringotts. The issue was, what could they do to find out?
Neither Ghost nor Goliath had dealt with goblins before this disastrous mission but they knew enough with the encounters they had with the Gringotts goblins that there was absolutely no way that the Hit Wizards could break into the bank and try and find their comrade without some very serious ramifications.
Death would be the least of their worries.
The pair were forced to mull over a plan that didn't end with a war or someone executed over breakfast in a faraway corner in the back of the pub.
"What could Meg have said to give those goblins cause to imprison her?" Goliath grumbled into his porridge.
"I have no idea, but something tells me she may have gone a step too far – Rollo Rowle is well respected by his employers," Ghost sighed. "I haven't heard anything untoward yet either. Mr. Rowle complains a lot about a lack of sleep; he has a lot of nightmares. Keeps mentioning Henry Burke's name sometimes too …"
Ghost cleared his throat, going a little red at this point, drinking his coffee to distract himself. Goliath raised an eyebrow but didn't dare to question further. Ghost then continued. "Also keeps worrying about failing his people – I hear a few of them are stuck in foreign lands with very little means to get home."
"Maybe Meg taunted him on the wrong subject?" Goliath suggested. "If Mr. Rowle is under considerable pressure and not sleeping all too well, then Meg could easily have rattled him; you know how she can be when she's having fun pressing someone's buttons. It can easily go wrong."
Ghost snorted. "Understatement! I can still remember the last Alliance General who very nearly managed to escape his shackles, all because Meg brought up his wife and daughter in the heat of the moment. For a Seer, she really doesn't have much foresight when it comes to people's reactions sometimes."
"Wisp should never have encouraged that kind of behaviour," Goliath agreed. "I mean, as entertaining as it is watching Generals flip their lid and start spilling quicker than they would under the influence of Veritaserum, Meg can go too far very easily."
"Well, I think it is safe to assume that this time, she is not going to escape from her blunder scot-free," Ghost nibbled on his toast. "I have a rather crazy idea, but I think we don't really have any other good options to go on right now."
Goliath raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"We go into Gringotts and we ask nicely if they had happened to see Meg and see what they say," Ghost answered with a half-laugh, not believing himself that he had come up with this insane idea. "If they say 'no', then we already have an answer."
"And if they say 'yes'?" Goliath did not like the sound of this at all.
"Then we will negotiate for her release," Ghost responded with a sigh.
Goliath snorted, shaking his head. "I highly doubt the goblins would be willing to simply let her walk, if they do have her. If they have Meg, it is likely because they see her as a liability or she besmirched their honour. No amount of gold is going to buy her release!"
"Then we give the goblins something else they want!" Ghost retorted, which earned them a few looks from some of the other witches, wizards and magical creatures nearby.
"Like what?" Goliath demanded. "They already dislike us because of us trying to get close to that young Cursebreaker of theirs and trying to get answers from her. Plus, there is nothing that we have that they would want! They have gold, the best blacksmiths, contacts in several magical and Muggle governments and government agencies-"
"We offer information. We offer our skills," Ghost cut across lightly. "We are members of the Resistance; we have seen enough battles to know how Mr. Weird Eyes thinks and plans and how his Generals act in combat. Plus, we are pretty good at finding targets – in exchange for Meg, we promise to help the goblins if they need it."
Goliath gaped like a fish for a minute or two. "But … that's … they will never go for it! They have been neutral in the war; they don't want to risk anything. There is no way in Avalon that they would agree to those terms."
"Do you have a better plan, my friend?" Ghost raised an expectant eyebrow. "Because if you do, please share them with me."
The giant, muscled Hit Wizard flushed with embarrassment and shook his head.
"Right," Ghost sighed. "After breakfast, we visit Gringotts and see if we can get Meg out of there with her arms, legs and teeth still attached to her body."
Goliath said nothing. In fact, the two Hit Wizards very soon set off down Diagon Alley without so much as looking in the direction of the other, ignoring the rain that was drenching them to the bone and the complaints of shoppers that they passed about the weather. Ghost and Goliath stopped for a moment in front of the pearly building at the end of the alley; they stepped into the warmth of Gringotts with a sense of purpose.
A few goblins and security wizards, once they noticed them, sharpened their gazes immediately. The two Hit Wizards largely ignored them as they went to find one of the goblins they knew best; Griphook.
The goblin in question was behind his desk, running through some accountancy books and writing a letter of some kind. Ghost and Goliath remained silent for around a minute, hoping that the goblin would raise his head of his own accord but it seemed like the accountant was in no mood to oblige.
Goliath cleared his throat. Once. Quite loudly.
"Morning, Mr. Griphook. May we have a word?" Ghost asked as civilly as he could possibly manage in the circumstances.
"Mr. Ghost, Mr. Goliath," the goblin answered silkily, finally setting his quill down and looking up with a toothy grin, eyes gleaming with a menace that neither of the wizards liked. "To what do we owe the pleasure this time?"
"I think you know the answer to that question yourself, sir," Goliath responded coolly.
Griphook had the audacity to look surprised. "Oh indeed? Pray, tell why I should know why you two have come here in such a state without so much as a proper greeting? Do you need something from our freelancer again?"
Ghost clenched his jaw for a moment. "Please do not play coy with us, sir. We know you have Meg; where is she?" he questioned, a little more forcefully this time.
Griphook blinked in surprise and set down his quill pen. "Sorry, come again?" he straightened fully. "Are you accusing us of kidnap?"
"Meg came here to the bank in order to see your Head Cursebreaker," Goliath informed him coldly, also getting sick and tired of the confused goblin act. "We want her back; we're prepared to pay a reasonable price, of course."
Griphook exchanged a look with some of his fellow goblins, who had been listening into the conversation – some were still seething from their rudeness while others were utterly bewildered at what was going on. This made Ghost frown. Was it possible that some of the goblins … were not aware that Meg was at their bank?
"Wait one moment, if you please," Griphook responded coolly as he hopped down from his chair and immediately set down towards some of the offices on the left hand side. The goblin disappeared from a sight for a good few minutes, leaving the two anxious Hit Wizards to stand around rather awkwardly.
After two or three minutes, Griphook returned. "Mr. Ghost, Mr. Goliath, the King wishes to see you."
Ghost and Goliath exchanged a look of trepidation but followed the goblin down towards the office of King Ragnok. The Goblin King was sitting on the throne-esque chair behind his desk, looking extremely exhausted, pouring himself a cup of tea and eyeing his visitors with a cold, hard look.
"Close the door, Griphook. Make sure no one disturbs us," he ordered.
"Yes, Your Grace," Griphook bowed low, left the room and shut the door behind him.
The King waved his hand, putting up privacy wards, and then gestured lazily to the two Hit Wizards to take the two empty chairs opposite him. As Ghost and Goliath complied, King Ragnok spoke again. "I must say, the three of you are really more of a nuisance than even Grindelwald's forces are! At least when they invaded and knew that they would not get what they wanted, they simply had the good sense to leave. You, on the other hand, stick your noses where it doesn't belong!"
The vitriol in the Goblin King's tone made the Hit Wizards flinch a little. The King must have noticed because he smirked a little.
Ghost swallowed a little. "We have orders-"
"As did Queenie Goldstein and her compatriot."
"Yes, well, they are a little more famous than we are, Your Grace," Goliath pointed out lightly. "Look, we are not here to cause any more grief for your Cursebreaker – we simply want Meg returned to us."
"Why should I entertain your request when it would mean that all three of you will continue to be pains in the backside?" King Ragnok demanded, eyes flashing. "Your little friend came here, accusing our Head Cursebreaker of something absurd and making veiled threats against his life! That is tantamount to treason, as you fully well know! I also know one of you has been spying on Mr. Rowle while he is in the safety of his own home."
Ghost paled at this. How …?
Goliath swallowed but didn't say anything.
King Ragnok leant forwards. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't arrest the both of you right now and have you join your friend in confinement because I am very tempted to sanction the desire of the majority of my Council."
The Hit Wizards paled in two seconds. "Your Grace, we are far more useful alive than dead. Unless you have a Necromancer amongst your ranks, I highly doubt you will be able to extract the information in our heads once you chop them off," Ghost answered, attempting to keep his voice from shaking.
"We have our ways," the King smirked menacingly, a malicious glint in his eyes. "Shamanic magic is our bread and butter, as some of the wand-wielders say, but I would dearly love to avoid an execution. They are a messy business and disrupt the day to day activities; frankly, at the moment, we cannot afford to lose one minute."
The Goblin King cocked his head at them slightly. "So, pray tell, how could you be more useful to us alive than dead? What do you know that we already haven't heard reports or whisperings of?"
Goliath was more than happy to begin listing. "Plenty: names of agents, spies and informants, missions, enemy weaknesses, layout of Nurmengard, how many Dark artefacts Grindelwald has been transporting to Eastern Europe-"
The interest of King Ragnok had been piqued almost as soon as the Hit Wizard had said "layout of Nurmengard". "You know the layout of the fortress of your foe, do you? Did you manage to escape from there yourself?" he asked eagerly.
Ghost and Goliath exchanged a look before Ghost responded, "we didn't escape from Nurmengard, Your Grace. We broke into Nurmengard."
This answer the King did not expect because the goblin was gaping unabashedly in shock. Ghost decided it was best to continue. "It was in 1941. Ambrose, Bradley, Meg, Goliath and I had been sent to deal with an important asset to Grindelwald. Unfortunately, Ambrose got himself captured in the process and they had taken him to Nurmengard to be … dealt with. Fortunately, Mr. Weird Eyes wasn't home that day and we were taught to memorise the layout of the castle in case we ever got captured; the only way we could go undetected was by entering via the sewer and the catacombs." Ghost grinned. "It just so happens the dungeons are right above the catacombs – it was all too easy."
"Though they must have learned from the mistake of Ambrose's disappearing act when Grindelwald captured them again," Goliath commented with a scoff. "I doubt they even left Ambrose and Bradley alone for a single moment before they were put into that portrait."
King Ragnok had listened intently and now looked like he was mulling something over internally. The two Hit Wizards watched as the goblin began pacing and was muttering something in his mother tongue. The King came to a halt and turned to them sharply. "Would you be willing to draw us a map?" he asked bluntly.
Ghost and Goliath looked surprised for a moment but quickly recovered.
"We first want to know what happened to Meg," Ghost bargained.
"She hasn't come to any harm, if that is what you're worried about," the Goblin King informed them readily. "Ironfang and several others advocated for her tongue to be removed, considering what she said but the majority of the Council agreed it was best she keep it for now." Ghost and Goliath's lips curled into a sneer at hearing this; Ragnok continued. "Goldheart has been keeping a close eye on her; his people have been interrogating her using Veritaserum about what she knows – turns out, very little. She had only been acting under suspicions."
"About Mr. Rowle," Goliath stated with confidence.
"Indeed," the King agreed readily with a steely tone. King Ragnok scoffed and turned to them. "I hope you realise that I cannot simply allow your friend, or you for that matter, to simply walk out of here and go back to your superiors, given the fact Meg now knows some very sensitive information and that the two of you have also been helping to poke your nose into dangerous territory?"
The Hit Wizards' eyes widened. "What sensitive information? What are you talking about … are you taking us prisoner?" Ghost could not believe what he was hearing.
"No, you will be our guests," the King smirked. "Guests with very limited access to the outside world for a while, but guests nonetheless."
Goliath's eyes suddenly looked more akin to a bear's. "And if we refuse?" he growled.
The Goblin King chuckled. "I know about your inner bear, and your Druid blood. It holds no fear for me, wizard. You will be Stunned before you can lay a claw on me." Goliath calmed down ever so slightly. Ragnok smirked. "If you refuse, you will simply be keeping Anadenia company near the Lestrange vaults."
"Anadenia?" Ghost repeated with a swallow.
"She's a Ukrainian Ironbelly and rather short tempered," King Ragnok informed brightly. "She doesn't really like anyone, goblin or wand-wielder." Ghost gulped while Goliath glared daggers at the Goblin King. Ragnok continued. "So, I suggest you make up your minds."
The choice was a very simple one to make.
"Very well," Ghost agreed reluctantly. "We will be your 'guests'."
"Wonderful!" Ragnok clapped his hands together as he walked towards his door. "Then we shall go and see how she's faring right now. I am sure she would love to see the two of you."
Ghost and Goliath forced themselves to follow the King out of his office. Griphook and two other goblins immediately joined them, keeping their unblinking gazes on them the entire time. The two Hit Wizards barely registered they were being escorted into a lift to one of the upper floors; Ghost was too anxious about Meg and Goliath was seething.
The goblins led their new 'guests' down several labyrinthine corridors and stopped at a normal looking office door. Ragnok knocked thrice and a goblin in a suit opened the door. The guard dipped a quick bow to the King, sneered at the two Hit Wizards and then stepped aside.
The room was big enough to house a single bed, desk, chair and small closet; there was also a door that led to a small bathroom. Meg was sitting on the bed with her back against the wall, her head in her hands. She was dressed in a beige leather dress – the sign of a female prisoner – but other than that, Meg looked unharmed.
"Margaret, you have visitors," the guard announced.
Meg raised her head; there were bags under her eyes from a lack of sleep. When she saw Ghost and Goliath, her eyes widened. "No … what in the name of Nimueh and Morgause are the two of you doing here?!" she seethed as her comrades rushed to her side to check if she really was OK.
"They came here of their own accord, looking for you," the King informed her. "We have not apprised them of the full reason why you three are going to be staying yet because they were rather insistent on making sure you are all right first."
Meg was now worryingly pale. Goliath turned to glare at the goblins. "What could be so important about Rollo Rowle that you would keep us here?" he demanded. "I understand he is your employee and thus considered an Ambassador under your laws, but-"
"Rollo Rowle is their double agent."
Ghost and Goliath turned sharply back to look at Meg, their hearts skipping several beats. Meg sniffed and chuckled softly.
"What?" Ghost's voice was barely a whisper.
"Yeah," Meg intoned lowly. "Apparently Rowle was Grindelwald's spy in their ranks – Mr. Weird-Eyes captured him and his people during an expedition and turned Rowle to his side with his usual charm and tricks. But there was a catch: Grindelwald kept fifteen of Rowle's people back at Nurmengard as assurance of Rowle's continued cooperation."
The Hit Wizards could hardly believe their ears.
"How in the name of the Lady of the Lake has Rowle escaped with his head?" Goliath demanded, turning to the King again.
"Rowle has a crisis of conscience," Meg was the one to answer again while the goblins watched on in what the Hit Wizards could see was amusement. "He was told to pass on information about the new freelance Cursebreaker because Mr. Weird-Eyes took an interest in her. As it turns out, that Cursebreaker is a Peverell – Lady Hera Peverell, the same Cursebreaker we tried to get information out of."
"No fucking way!" Ghost could not contain himself.
It explained everything! It explained why the goblins were so darn protective of her, and it explained why her guardians refused to allow strangers so much as near her!
"Rowle refused to betray her to Grindelwald, and confessed to what he had been doing to King Ragnok and Master Griphook," Meg continued. "Ever since then, Rowle has been working as a double agent; so far, Mr. Weird Eyes suspects nothing untoward."
"And we are determined to keep it that way," Griphook growled. "Which means making sure you three don't become a liability."
"So you protect a traitor?" Goliath sneered.
The goblins glowered at him for that comment.
"We are protecting the fifteen people still imprisoned in the bowels of Nurmengard and the Lady Peverell!" one of the other goblins hissed. "Rollo Rowle is our means to that end, and we will do anything to make sure nothing jeopardises that."
"Do you honestly think we would tell anyone this?" Ghost scoffed.
"Yes," another of the goblins responded bluntly. "If there is one thing we have learned about humans, it's that they have an annoying inability to keep their damn mouths shut. There are those rare few who have that virtue but they are these days very few and far between."
"If we had a habit of blabbing, we would not have had that many successful missions," Goliath growled.
"And yet, your organisation could not protect the Flamels sufficiently and they very nearly fell into enemy hands," Griphook took great pleasure in reminding them. "Someone else had to do that job for you."
The Hit Wizards glared at him but said nothing.
"We will leave you for a moment before we discuss matters further," the King stated with a tone of authority.
The goblins, save for the guard, filed out of the room; the sound of the door closing behind them ran ominously around the room.
"Wisp is never going to forgive us," was all Goliath managed to comment.
"At this moment in time, Wisp is the least of our worries," Meg answered, her breath shuddering. "Because if we do not co-operate, there will be more than one innocent life that will be taken."
"You mean the fifteen hostages?" Ghost's eyes widened.
"Not only them," was Meg's ominous premonition. "We need to turn the tide of the battle, or Mr. Weird-Eyes wins."
Her friends exchanged a look but didn't say anything. The three of them huddled together and eventually fell asleep on each other's shoulders. As for their guard, he made a note to inform the King later of what he had heard.
###########################################################################
"Regina! Thank you so much for making time to meet with me."
"Nonsense, Rhiannon. We are friends, are we not?"
Lady Lestrange embraced her old lawyer friend as she stepped through the Lestrange Floo. The two women set down the corridor towards the parlour; Regina began talking. "Alex and Harfang are working day and night; we have a few things that could work but without any tangible evidence it is difficult to make a case."
"I am working on that, as is Francis. He is busy collecting together all of Nymera's health reports from her yearly check-ups," Rhiannon answered. "I was convincing of maybe doing a ladies' afternoon for our dear old friends and dear Diantha. The bigger the group, the less likely it looks like an interrogation."
"Indeed, it does sound like something that could work rather well. But, if I may offer some advice?" Regina answered carefully.
"Of course. What is it?"
Regina smiled smally. "I think you should get Melania Black to arrange everything. If Anne Underwood catches whiff that you are holding a ladies' afternoon and only inviting her sister, it could set alarm bells ringing. That is not something we need right now."
Rhiannon deflated a little. "I did not think of that. Thank you, Regina."
"No problem," the lawyer grinned mischievously. "Plus, Melania is also far more likely to invite our husbands and also the Lady Hera's family; that could also provide an extra buffer. We both know the Blacks only have an acquaintance with Diantha, so no awkward questions could arise."
Rhiannon considered for a moment and then she laughed shortly. "I forget sometimes that you were born a Bones, Reggie."
Regina smirked. "You are the only one, fy ffrind. Did I say that correctly that time?"
Rhiannon smiled brightly. "Yes you did. Well done!"
"Diolch yn fawr!"
"Croeso," Rhiannon chuckled. "You really have been practising."
"Indeed. I had a Welsh client not too long ago and his mother absolutely refused to speak English as a point of principle as revenge for the 'Welsh Not' that is enforced at Welsh schools so I was forced to learn some Welsh in order to make things clear," Regina sighed as they entered the parlour. "I am pretty sure I butchered most of it – I still sound like a cat that swallowed a hairball when I try the 'll' sound – but at least it caused amusement for the client and the mother."
"I am sure it did!" Rhiannon giggled.
"Are you talking about Welsh, Mama?" Nymera called from her chair, playing with Little Lacey. She then noticed Mrs. Avery and lit up. "Did Malum's Mama learn Welsh too? How did you do it, ma'am? Because I really try but I think I sounded like I was speaking Parseltongue. When I try and speak Welsh to Nain and Taid, they either laugh at me or look at me as though I asked if their hair is blue."
"That is because you did!" Rhiannon laughed as she picked up her daughter and brought her over to the afternoon tea table.
"I don't mean to," Nymera pouted.
Regina Avery's eyes danced with amusement. "I learned from books and practise, little one. Your Mama and I are were also talking about work and working too much, and we were thinking of going to a little get together with friends. What do you think?"
Nymera pondered for a moment.
"I think a break from work is very important," the young heiress responded primly. "And that Papa and Malum's Papa should also go before they drop dead from stress."
"Nymera!" Rhiannon blanched.
Regina laughed heartily. "Oh, I quite agree, Mistress Nymera. I quite agree."
Rhiannon huffed but could not keep the amusement off her countenance. "Who wants some tea?"
"Me!" Nymera lit up. "Elderflower please!"
###########################################################################
The days flew by rather quickly – especially because of Harry concentrating on her latest project and Tom spent more time reading and studying. Very soon, Harry and Tom found themselves packing to head back to Hogwarts on the 8th of January. Athenaïs was extremely happy to be going back to the castle and to see Seraphina and Sigyn again. The young Gargouille also wanted to pay a visit to Mr. Ogden and see how his Yule holiday had been. Frey, though she loved Hogwarts, was absolutely not looking forward to having to go into her travel bag and was complaining the majority of the evening.
Perenelle Flamel had also baked some goods for them that evening to take on the train and share with their friends, much to the delight of Harry and the quiet surprise of Tom. What took Tom even more by surprise was the next morning, after the morning routine had been completed and Thanatos and Melinoë were preparing to take the pair to King's Cross, the Immortal Sorceress had given Frey a farewell pat and had hugged him as though he were a grandchild or nephew.
"You have everything? The cookies? Good. Well then, please come back soon," she had stated happily. "It was a pleasure to get to know you, young man."
"And don't be hesitant to write if you want some more alchemy supplies!" Nicholas added jovially. Tom nodded but didn't say anything. "Have a safe journey – say hello to Altair for us!"
"We will!" Harry promised with a laugh as they rolled their trunks out the front door of the Evren Estates. "Bye, Nick! Bye, Perrie! We will see you in the summer."
Tom found he was lost for words, so simply kept to a wave of his hand. While Thanatos and Harry Apparated together, Melinoë shot him a smirk. "Ready for a new year, Tom?" she asked amicably.
"As I'll ever be," he replied with a sharp exhale.
The Goddess of Ghosts shot him a proud look before she too Apparated; Tom followed close behind. The pair joined Harry and Thanatos at the entrance to King's Cross; Muggles were too busy bustling around to notice that four people had effectively appeared out of thin air. The family headed inside, dodging rushing people and headed straight in the direction for Platforms 9 and 10.
"Harry! Riddle!"
"Slow down a little! Wait for us!"
"Yes, slow your Abraxans! I hate running with a trolley!"
The Peverell family slowed their pace a little and they turned to see Minerva, Artemis and War pushing their trolleys in their direction, grinning brightly with their families hollering after them. Thanatos and Melinoë chuckled; Tom smiled a little in amusement.
"Hey, girls!" Harry grinned brightly as her friends joined them and the pace was promptly picked up again. "Everything set? Ready for the new year to begin?"
"I don't dare to answer! I am so nervous about our mock exam results that I am half dreading getting on that bloody train," War admitted readily.
"Christina, language," her mother commented from the back of the group.
"Oh, the mock exams; don't remind me!" Minerva wailed.
"I am not going to be able to sleep tonight," Artemis agreed, shaking her head. "I am thankful I actually managed to remember to pack the magic night light Harry made me for Yule because I think I am going to need it tonight."
"I think everything will be fine," Tom tried to reassure.
"Ha! That's easy for you to say, Mr. I-Get-Straight-Os-In-Everything," Artemis grumbled.
"Artemis!" Henry Potter hissed, blanching a little.
The children didn't pay him too much mind either.
"Greengrass and Bulstrode had better not be messing around again this year because I don't have time for their shit," War added with a growl. "Especially since we have the rematch with Hufflepuff in less than two weeks!"
"Christina, language!" War's mother commented much more sharply than the last time.
"Yeah, yeah, I know – it's not lady like," War huffed in annoyance.
The group very soon arrived at the familiar column. Harry was the first to run through the barrier between 9 and 10, soon followed by Tom, Thanatos and Melinoë. Almost as soon as the last Peverell and Gaunt had come through they heard a cacophony of voices calling out to them.
"HARRY! TOM! OVER HERE!"
Much to the amusement of the pair, Thanatos and Melinoë, Orion, Druella, Malum and Altair were already waving like absolute maniacs. Walburga, Ophelia, Ygraine and Loreley shook their heads at their antics while the rest of Tom's Knights also waved them over. Their parents did not know whether to admonish them or look amused. Harry and Tom joined their friends while laughing in amusement.
Lucretia, who had come to wave off her suitor and brother, shook her head at Orion while Ignatius chortled. "Orion, may I remind you it was less than a week ago since you saw Harry? You are acting as though you have not seen her in a year! Pipe down!"
"I can still miss Harry after a week, sis!" Orion protested, pouting a little. He then lit up. "Minerva! Artemis! War! Hello girls! How are you?"
"Black, the people at the other end of the platform do not need to hear you," War huffed, trying to maintain an annoyed expression as she, Minerva and Artemis joined the group. Their families joined the other families with Henry Potter and Mrs. Warrington looking exhausted much to the amusement of some of the other parents.
Lady Black sidled over to Thanatos and Melinoë was a beaming smile, followed by Lady Malfoy, Lady Rowle, Lady Lestrange and Amaris Nott. "Hello, Mr. Burke, Miss Rollins. Are you looking forward to getting some peace and quiet?" Melania Black asked jokingly.
"I am not looking forward to getting back to studying and my boring little job," Melinoë sighed. "I am looking forward to being able to do my own cooking though! Perrie has been hogging the kitchen the whole holiday."
"My own little flat is going to be too quiet and small for a little while," Thanatos added.
"Oh, if you ever feel like a little company, I am sure my husband would be more than happy to have a drink with you," Lady Black lit up. "In fact, Rhiannon and Regina had an amazing idea and because of it, I am planning a little get together with a few friends soon and I was wondering if the two of you would be willing to attend? It will be for afternoon tea."
Thanatos and Melinoë paled even more, looking at each other nervously. Harry, who of course had been eavesdropping a little, intervened before they could try to refuse. "Oh go on, Thomas! You barely got out of the house this holiday and I am sure Melanie would love afternoon tea. It would be good to get to know the families of my friends too. Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?"
Harry and Athenaïs promptly started donning their own version of the Pout of Doom.
Why you evil little harpy, Thanatos commented to her.
You love me for it, Harry smirked.
Thanatos and Melinoë sighed.
"Oh very well!" Thanatos conceded, causing the pureblood ladies to light up. Their husbands, save for Lord Nott who was absent, shook their heads at their wives fondly.
"Thank you, my Lady!" Lady Black's eyes shone with delight as she turned to Harry.
Harry gave her a dramatic, flourishing bow, which made her friends snort with laughter.
"Melania, darling, I think we should concentrate on helping the children with loading their trunks onto the train; it is currently 10:35," Lord Black interjected gently.
Lady Black flushed a little. "Ah, yes, of course."
Melania soon made her friends and their husbands blanche by assisting Harry and Athenaïs with their things. Lucretia and Lord Black looked resigned. Thanatos and Melinoë stood back and watched in amusement. As usual, once the group of friends had claimed three or four compartments near to one another, Orion helped Harry put her trunk on top of the luggage rack. Athenaïs decided to make herself at home in the compartment already and chatted to Seraphina, Sigyn and Endor while Harry went outside to say a final goodbye to her divine guardians.
The Lady Regnant threw all caution to the wind and openly embraced first Melinoë, who planted a kiss to the side of the young Mistress of Death's head. "Try to stay out of trouble," she stated wryly. "We will send your little project once we have finished it."
"Thanks," Harry whispered into her shoulder, enjoying the hug immensely.
"Let us know how your mock exam results turned out," Melinoë added as she released her.
"Will do," Harry smiled for a moment and then turned to Thanatos.
The disguised God of Death smiled lopsidedly. "Am I going to get a hug too or are you too old for a fatherly hug?"
"Never," Harry responded happily, embracing her friend readily.
"Good," Thanatos chuckled as he returned the embrace. "Keep up the good work from the past months. Try to relax a little more – try not to give your Headmaster a heart attack if you get another Gringotts assignment in the first few weeks if you please."
Harry snorted. "That is not up to me, as you know, Tosti."
Thanatos released Harry with a chuckle, and then the both of them laughed when they realised Melinoë, who had disappeared, had gone into the train. "Tom, you are not leaving without a hug! See? Altair likes my hugs!" they heard her mock scold, which caused a few of the other purebloods to chuckle heartily.
After a moment or two, the Goddess of Ghosts came out onto the platform, looking extremely triumphant. "Harry, your future Consort needs to learn one of our family mottos and quickly," she stated.
"Indeed, Melanie," Harry agreed jovially.
"Which motto is that?" Lord Malfoy dared to ask with interest.
"Family comes first," Melinoë replied easily. "All family members cannot leave without being hugged."
Harry snorted as she turned to get back on the train herself. "Don't ever change, Melanie! I will write soon. Tell Henry to get back in touch with Rollo soon; I am really starting to get annoyed by his mopey face."
"We're trying," Thanatos told her, eyes dancing with amusement.
"I can get in touch with Rollo," Lady Rowle added, eyes shining.
"Livia, I doubt he would appreciate that," her husband pointed out, chuckling.
"Sir, with all due respect, right now all I care about is curing Henry's sour face and not Rollo's insistence on living in denial," Harry replied as Artemis and Orion came to fetch her to sit down with them in their compartment, tugging at her arm.
"Fair enough!" Lord Rowle conceded, spluttering a little. "But I think your friends wish to have your attention."
"Yes we do!" Artemis and Orion agreed in unison.
"Billy also has a question for you," Artemis added to Harry.
Harry rolled her eyes but allowed two of her best friends to drag her off into the train. Billy Prewett met them in the corridor, eyes shining with excitement. "Harry! Did you bring your cameras again?" he inquired giddily.
"Of course I did. Why?" Harry cocked her head a little.
"Well, I was thinking I could make some photos of the Hufflepuff versus Slytherin rematch for your family," Billy replied, eyes shining with mischief.
"Merlin, I think they would love that!" Artemis laughed.
"I don't see why not," Harry agreed, smirking.
"Harry, there are also some questions about seating arrangement," Orion continued. "Wally, Dru and the girls want to sit with you, and your Consorts want to sit with some of the Knights but first want to check with you if it's OK-"
"You're kidding?" Harry pinched the bridge of her nose. "Not this nonsense again! Tell Tom and Altair not to be so stupid and sit with their friends if they want to."
The compartment door slid open next to her and the Weasley twins popped their heads out. "We told them-"
"-that as well-"
"-but they were-"
"-rather stubborn," they chorused.
Harry sighed and went to find her lovers. After a minute or two of insisting that they could sit with their friends and that she would be perfectly fine with Artemis, Minnie, Orion, Druella, Walburga and Ophelia, Tom – who had only just recovered from being hugged by a goddess – and Altair finally sat with the Knights in the opposite compartment. Ygraine, War, Tessa, Billy, Ignatius and Loreley had watched from their compartment; the Weasleys had chuckled from theirs.
"So, how was everyone's holiday, on the whole?" Minerva asked once everyone was settled.
"Eventful!" Harry commented bluntly with a laugh.
"I'll say!" Druella agreed. "Though this past week was less eventful; mainly because Mother insisted Arc and I already get used to studying on a more regular basis by making us read in the evenings. Altair joined in, so it wasn't too bad but still."
"I had to help Hecuba and Electra mediate between yet another argument between Uncle Fleamont, Charlus and Father twice this week. Believe it or not, it was about Uncle Fleamont not being invited to a dinner party at the Shelbys' house. I also helped my poor sisters hide from potential suitors – I actually got to go to work with Hecuba for two days, which was quite fun," Artemis grinned. "I have to admit I did like helping with studying the evidence she and that partner of hers collected. It was like a puzzle, but with more high stakes!"
"That is literally what it is, Arty," Minerva rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
"It was fun! That's all I am saying," Artemis flushed red.
"So you did manage to get away from Heron Lestrange this holiday?" Walburga teased.
Artemis flushed even further as her friends chuckled. Harry looked up momentarily from her book to quietly fangirl. The Potter heiress quickly recovered, though, and then smirked in Ophelia's direction. "Well, I have also been hearing something about our Miss Rowle being paired to a certain Malum Avery."
"Really?!" Orion, Druella and Walburga chorused. Harry and Minerva exchanged an excited look; so the Rowles had gone for it!
Ophelia was almost as red as her hair. "It shouldn't be that much of a shock. Our families had considered a match between us on and off for a while. I don't see what the fuss is about."
"Yes, but in this case, you have feelings for your suitor," Minerva could not help but point out.
"No way!" Artemis and Walburga chorused.
"Yes way," Harry commented jovially.
That prompted a loud fangirl outburst from Artemis, Druella and Walburga that made their friends wince a little, their friends in the opposite compartment look in their direction with some concern and had prompted Ygraine and War to come and check on them. Poor Ophelia was hiding her head in her hands. Somnus continued to sleep soundly while Endor hooted in irritation. Seraphina and Sigyn meowed in irritation and Athenaïs giggled away.
"Oi, banshees! What is going on? Did you see a spider or something?" War demanded as soon as the compartment door had slid open.
Artemis and Walburga were about to blab everything but Druella and Minerva saved what was left of Ophelia's dignity by quickly putting their hands over their mouths, much to the dismay of both heiresses concerned.
"We will tell you later," Druella promised as she tried to keep the struggling Walburga contained.
"Just tell me this is not some shit about shoes or something," War grumbled.
"Absolutely not," Orion responded with a smirk.
"You guys look like cats who caught the canaries," Ygraine commented, shaking her head. "You had better spill later because now my interest is piqued."
"You will have to wait to know why, though," Harry teased.
The group quickly settled down again. The young magicians turned onto finishing the last of their Yule homework while Harry decided to start playing a few tunes and songs on Evren's violin just as the Hogwarts Express began to make its journey to Scotland. A long, comfortable silence descended on them, which was only disturbed when the trolley lady came by and Orion insisted on paying for everyone, much to Harry's dismay.
"I can pay for myself, Orion!"
"I know you can, but I want to treat you!"
"You didn't let me treat you for the lunch on our outing!" Harry pouted.
"But it isn't appropriate for a lady to pay for-"
"Merlin and Morgana, Orion, pay for the sweets and let Harry pay for lunch next Hogsmeade trip," Druella huffed as the trolley lady waited patiently for Orion to turn around.
Athenaïs chirped mystically in amusement.
Harry and Orion quietly accepted the deal and the group settled down to tuck into their confectionaries; the young Gargouille was very happy with her Cauldron Cake and a pumpkin pasty. Once she was finished, Harry went back to playing again, this time again from the music sheets she got from Altair. Her friends, once finished with their work, simply settled to read and listen to her – in the case of Artemis and Orion, they were lulled to sleep.
Very soon, Walburga, Druella and Minerva joined them in the Realm of Hypnos, as did Athenaïs. Harry, when she noticed, felt a little sheepish; she tried to put her ancestor's violin aways as quietly as she could. The issue was, the Lady Regnant had not slept well the night before due to more visions, and she soon found herself joining them too, using Orion's shoulder as a pillow.
No one really remarked on how quiet Harry's compartment was until they were around half an hour away from Hogsmeade Station. They had assumed that the group had simply decided to stick to reading or studying. The first to notice that it wasn't the case, was Felix.
"Gents, we may have an issue. They're all knocked out," was all he said after a few seconds of studying them. The others turned to look immediately.
Arcturus looked and smiled fondly. "That doesn't surprise me. Harry's music is very relaxing; her night light that she made for me has worked a treat."
"We will have to wake them up though," Caius pointed out as he began getting his uniform out of his trunk. "They need to change and do it soon."
"I am not waking them up," Malum vetoed immediately as he began changing his waistcoat and blazer. "I do not fancy getting my head bit off by an angry Harry, Walburga or Druella."
"Yeah, I really do not feel like getting a bolt of lightning to my face either," Felix agreed immediately.
"Ditto," Arcturus concurred wryly.
"I do need my sister here to know that this will end badly if we do not go about this very carefully," Abraxas added.
Felix turned to Tom and Altair with a grin. "The two of you didn't happen to try and wake Harry during the holidays did you?" he asked with a smirk.
"No we didn't," Tom responded curtly. "We didn't need to; she usually woke up around the same time we did."
"So we don't know if Harry has a temper if woken too early. Bugger," Felix huffed.
"Look, I think you are all being ridiculous. They need to change right now. I will go and wake them," Heron, who was already changed in his uniform, volunteered.
"No, no, no, if any one of them hits you with accidental magic, we will have a fuss from Artemis and we don't need that right now," Arcturus pointed out, grabbing Heron by the arm to stop him. "It is much safer if I do it."
Caius sat up at this point; Tom narrowed his eyes slightly when he noticed fear in the Russian's eyes. "No. I am not a brother of any of theirs, or courting any of them. If I get hit, the blow is much softer than with any of you. I will do it."
Before anyone could argue, the Dolohov heir left the compartment and entered the compartment of Harry and her closest friends. The Russian muttered under his breath in his mother tongue; he really wished that he didn't have to disturb them. Caius gathered what little courage he had, cast a Sonorous Charm and cleared his throat. "Ladies and gentlemen, we will be arriving shortly at Hogwarts – please wake up and put on your uniforms!" he announced, his voice echoing around the confined space.
It had the desired effect. Orion jumped awake, causing Walburga to awaken suddenly as well, eyes bathed with fire. Druella glowered at him in annoyance, eyes flashing dangerously. It didn't work as well with the Potter heiress. Artemis mumbled under her breath as she was awoken by Minerva jumping back into the land of the living, complaining about her pillow moving. Ophelia was awake in about five seconds, looking like a startled stoat. The familiars all hooted, meowed and chirped snappily at Caius. By the time the dust settled, Harry was the only one still asleep.
"I hate you," Druella snarled at Caius.
"I know," the Dolohov heir huffed.
"I was having a nice nap," Ophelia complained.
"Trust me, I am sorry that I had to wake you," Caius tried to placate. He turned to look at Harry. "And now I have to risk my face by waking the sleeping dragon over there."
Artemis immediately became defensive. "You are not touching her, Re-!"
The Potter heiress stopped herself before she insulted the Russian again. Caius glowered at her but didn't say anything.
Orion turned to his sleeping soul sister and began to gently pat her head. "Harry," he said gently. "Harry, you need to wake up. We need to put our uniforms on; we're almost there apparently."
"Mmmmm … five more minutes …" came the sleepy reply. Harry nuzzled Orion's shoulder. "Too comfy … Wally lucky … Altair's shoulder better though …"
Walburga laughed heartily. "Come on, Harry! We will get you coffee as soon as possible. Plus, think of the treacle tart you get to eat soon."
That helped Harry come back into the land of the living. Orion and Caius left for a moment to speak with the boys opposite to give the girls some privacy to change. The cold January air that they stepped out into fifteen minutes later helped to shake them all awake; the familiars were not too happy about being left in it.
"Hey Harry, I have a question," Felix joined her as the group headed towards the carriages.
"What is it?" Harry asked, cocking her head a little.
"I was wondering if you and Tom would mind combining your duelling lessons? One for magic, one for Muggle – perhaps even to combine the two," Felix replied. "We had been discussing it on the train and Tom is open to it. He wants to make sure you're onboard too."
Harry smiled. "I am more than open to it, but I suspect our training sessions would be on a Sunday, given how busy our weekends are and Saturdays are usually dedicated to Hogsmeade outings and studying."
Felix nodded, looking relieved.
The group split up again – Harry, Orion, Loreley, Artemis, Minerva and War went into one carriage; Harry's girls and Tessa went into the second; Tom, Altair, Arc, Caius, Heron and Malum went in the third; and Abraxas, Felix, Ignatius, Billy and the Weasley twins took the fourth.
"So, it is true what Mulciber told me: you and your future Consorts actually managed to show self-restraint," War teased Harry as their carriage set off for Hogwarts.
Harry flushed. "There may have been one or two close calls."
"I would have been more surprised if there weren't any!" Artemis snorted. "The three of you love each other so much, it is actually really sickening to see sometimes – good kind of sickening though."
"Is there even a good kind of sickening?" Minerva gave her a pointed look.
"In Harry, Altair and Riddle's case, yes," Artemis responded seriously.
"Lovely," Harry commented wryly but she couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"The three of you are painfully cute," Orion supplied with a grin.
Harry rolled her eyes and then turned her attention back onto War. "Since when have you been in contact with Felix Mulciber?"
War flushed a little. "We have been talking over the holidays," she replied as flippantly as she could manage, while taking an interest in her finger nails all of a sudden. "About everything and nothing. Our holidays were not as exciting as some of yours, so-"
"You kept each other company," Orion finished, eyes dancing with amusement.
"Really, Orion," Minerva huffed. "You are acting as though War and Mulciber are the next bloody Cleopatra and Anthony or Abelard and Heloise!"
War snorted. "I very much doubt that even if something should happen, our courting could trump Harry, Nott and Riddle's! Ours will not be as much of an epic love story."
Harry laughed. "I think you have been listening too many first years babble, my friend."
"Actually, Grey and I eavesdropped on Professor Griffith and Professor McCullagh," War smirked. "They seem to be your biggest fans."
"Oh dear," was all Harry could comment.
"I am rather glad that I am not subjected to this kind of scrutiny," Artemis confessed.
"No, but you and Heron are adorable to the nth degree," Harry stated bluntly, "and I am sure everyone in this carriage agrees."
"Definitely," Loreley concurred.
"Absolutely," Minerva grinned.
"Indeed!" Orion exclaimed.
"If he hurts you, I will hex his face off," War finished off.
Artemis flushed with embarrassment, but looked pleased nonetheless.
The carriages pulled up at the Clock Tower courtyard and the students excitedly joined the students who had stayed over at Hogwarts during the Yule holidays in the Great Hall. Harry had quietly missed the hub-bub of the students and the noise; the cacophony was almost too much for her. Fortunately, Headmaster Dippet soon managed to call them all to order.
"Happy New Year, everyone! I hope all of you had a good holiday and that you are fully rested and ready to tackle the rest of the school year until the summer. Now, fifth and seventh years, I know all of you are anxious to know how well your mock exams results turned out and I promise you, you will get to know bright and early tomorrow morning. I also would like to speak to all the tutors of the Revision Club in my office during their lunch break, please."
A murmur began running around the Hall immediately. Harry's eyes widened at hearing that and she could not help but exchange looks with Tom and Altair, who were looking just as shocked; she looked at Minerva and Orion, and the both of them looked set to bite their nails. Heron looked deathly pale.
It seems that the Headmaster caught onto this reaction because he quickly added, "it isn't bad. Do not fret. All right, before I put everybody off their dinner, I think we should start the feast!"
Right on cue, all the dishes and plates were filled by soups, meats, potatoes and desserts; Harry could not wipe the smile off her face. She really had missed this feeling. It was ridiculous, but Hogwarts' food always felt magical. The Lady Regnant, though, didn't feel as hungry today so she simply went for a tomato soup and some whole wheat bread.
"What do you think Dippet wants to talk to us about?" Altair questioned as he plated some vegetable soup.
"I have no idea but I think it may be regarding our teaching methods," Harry replied, tucking into her soup.
"Our teaching methods?" Minerva paled.
"Hey, I know as much as you do!" Harry reminded, seeing the panic in her friend's eyes. "I am just theorising. I mean, he just said it wasn't anything bad, so I am assuming it must be something minor."
"Teaching methods are not exactly minor, though," Tom pointed out. "They're a major aspect of our Club!"
"Well, I think all of you just need to take a deep breath and calm down. There is nothing you can do right now," Octavius told them. "Just get a good night sleep and leave that worry for tomorrow. Besides, what's done is done – and we have enough time before our actual exams start. You guys managed to pull all of this off in a space of a few weeks! Remember that."
"But what if someone failed?" Orion voiced the worry that many of the tutors had.
"Then you get to the bottom of where it went wrong – if it's on their side, you help them iron it out. If it is on your side, you try your best to teach the topic in a different manner," Septimus replied with a small smile. He then gasped loudly. "Oh no, the treacle tart is gone!"
"WHAT?!" Harry could not help herself.
"Oh – whoopsie, there is the plate! Silly me," Septimus smirked evilly.
Harry spluttered while her friends split their sides laughing. "Why you evil mutated Crumple-Horned Snorkack!"
"Sorry, my friend, I have been dying to do that for months now," Septimus admitted.
Harry's eyes flashed silver for a moment. "I am going to pay you back for that."
Septimus and Octavius gulped in unison. Octavius picked up the treacle tart plate and held it out to her. "Treacle tart, Harry?" he squeaked.
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Queenie felt a strong sense of foreboding as she made her way to Gellert's study. The clip-clopping of her high-heels on the polished floor echoed in her ears and sounded more like the drums of those announcing the presence of the condemned at their execution. The sound of thunder in the distance was really very fitting. She took a moment to gather her thoughts as she stopped in front of her friend's office door. Queenie heard Gellert hum along to some music by Wagner.
Bugger, he was in a good mood. Nothing was going her way this day. The Natural Legilimens closed her eyes, took a deep breath and then knocked on the door three times rather firmly.
"Come in!" Gellert called jovially.
Morgana, forgive me for what I am about to do.
Queenie opened the door and stepped inside. The Dark Lord lit up. "Ah, Queenie, my darling! How are you? Have you been doing any more baking of late?"
"Not today, darlin'. The wand has been behavin'?" she asked amicably as she closed the door behind her.
Gellert's mood soured a little. "Relatively," he answered coolly and looked to wear the wand was lying on his desk. "At least it hasn't turned my desk yellow. It has done something abominable to everything in the room apart from the desk, so here's hoping." The Dark Lord turned back to her with a smile. "What brings you here this evening? Did you fix the buggy thingy?"
"I did," Queenie swallowed heavily. "It would seem that Mr. Lament was for real, sir, but I think we would have to make contact with Rollo to make sure."
Gellert lit up. "Well?" he pressed. "What did Mr. Lament have to say?"
Queenie kept her composure, though she really did feel like crying. "He told Rollo something rather important – important to you, mostly."
"Oh come, come, Queenie! You know I do not like being kept in suspense. Tell me!" Gellert really did remind her of an excited seven-year-old.
The General forced herself to provide her lead with the information. "Mr. Lament knows the identity of the last Peverell."
There was a moment of silence. Gellert simply blinked at her as though she were a stranger before he covered just as quickly. He began pacing to and fro, keeping his eyes on the floor as he did so. Queenie watched him pace five times before he came to a stop and he looked at her directly in her eyes.
Something he rarely did; he usually looked at her forehead.
"Who are they?" Gellert pressed eagerly.
Queenie laughed shortly. "You will not believe it when I tell you, doll."
The Dark Lord's expression darked a little. "Queenie, tell me!"
"Her name is Lady Hera Peverell, known as Lady Hera Evans to wizarding Britain," Queenie already felt utterly sick to her stomach. "Our little Cursebreaker."
Grindelwald had been gorgonised to the spot in five seconds flat. Queenie watched him gape – something that she had never seen him do – and then watched the man turn very slowly and walk despondently towards his window and began staring out at the mountains surrounding his fortress. The Natural Legilimens saw in his reflection that Gellert's expression seemed to be contorted with conflict.
"Are you sure?" his voice was little more than a whisper.
"Rollo put the Veritaserum into Mr. Lament's drink but I still think we need to get confirmation from Rollo himself," Queenie answered quietly. "Just to make sure. I doubt Mr. Lament is immune to Veritaserum but … being sure would be a good idea."
"Indeed," Gellert agreed quietly. "Indeed."
The General's eyes became soggy with sympathy and guilt. "Shall I send a message to Rollo, sir?"
"No … no … I will do it," the Dark Lord sounded distant. "I will do it. You go and enjoy your evening …"
Queenie bowed and forced herself to turn and leave. Perhaps it was a good thing that Gellert had dismissed her because the General could barely contain the tears that had been pricking in her eyes.
She had expected Gellert to turn as zealous and as malicious as she had seen him in his hunt for the Peverells. What she had witnessed, was the most powerful Dark Lord in the world and of the 20th century look as though she had just told him that his daughter was dead.
Queenie fled to the safety of her chambers, ran herself a bath and finally allowed the tears to flow.
Oh, Teenie. What have I done? What have I done?
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Gellert had barely paid attention to Queenie leave the room; the thoughts that were running around his head made him feel nauseous and fatigued. His Cursebreaker – his little fascination – was the last Peverell. She had been hiding right under his nose!
Lady Hera Evans; the Lady Regnant of House Peverell. A young witch who managed to fend off a group of Dementors and had managed to undo a curse that, under normal circumstances, had no known cure. It was the reason why Gellert had imprisoned Ambrose and Bradley using it in the first place! But now – there was a chance the girl had used Peverell Family Magic.
How had she managed to hide for so long? How had no one figured out who she was? Did her future Consorts know? Did she have help?
She's a Peverell.
She's a Peverell!
She's a Peverell!
Gellert yelled in frustration, using a wandless and non-verbal telekinetic spell to throw objects from his desk in anger and despair. Thunder rolled at this precise moment with warning flashes from lightning making silver patches in the dark sky. The person he was hunting and the person who he desperately wanted to know better … were the exact same person.
This was not the outcome the Dark Lord wanted. But perhaps there was a chance there was a mistake? But he didn't know if a person could be immune to Veritaserum.
All Gellert knew for certain was this – Queenie was right in that they needed to be absolutely certain that Mr. Lament's information was correct.
The Dark Lord found himself storming out of his office and straight in the direction for the communications offices. Acolytes and soldiers immediately bowed as he past them and jumped dutifully out of his way. He crossed Carrow on the way, who lit up when she saw him and was about to say something when Gellert felt his eyes burn with his magic.
"Carrow, not now!" he snapped as he strode past.
Gellert burst into the offices during his communicators' coffee break; one was still taking a nap even when the door flung open. His colleagues jumped to their feet and paled when they saw him still firmly in the Realm of Hypnos. When the Dark Lord saw their fear, he actually softened a little.
"Leave him be," Gellert ordered. The communicators relaxed immediately. "I need you to send a message to Rollo. This is regarding a matter of extreme importance. I need you to ask him if it is true that the Cursebreaker is a Peverell."
The communicators gaped unabashedly at hearing that, paling considerably, but they quickly pulled themselves together and set to work while Gellert watched. For the first time in years, he found himself biting his bottom lip in anxiety.
Meanwhile, Ambrose, Bradley and Loreley all had extremely sleepless nights; all three – unbeknownst to them – sat by their windows, staring at the night sky, as though it would offer them an answer to the things they had felt and Seen.
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Queenie has finally told Gellert the truth; what will Rollo do? Will he try to plant seeds of doubt into Gellert's mind or will he be forced to divulge the secret that he tried desperately to hide? How did the mock exams go and what does the Headmaster want to discuss with the tutors? How will the Marks affect Tom and Altair? Stay tuned to find out!
Oh boy it's ramping up now! I haven't done this in a while so quick disclaimer: I am writing a story using JK's world and JK's characters. Save for Athenaïs the Gargouille, they belong to her. I am doing this for fun; I am making no money from this.
Orion: MERLIN, QUEENIE HAS BLABBED!
Harry: … Orion, I don't think Hades quite heard you there.
Tom: You really are weirdly calm for someone who is now target number one for the Dark Lord. Oh wait, story of your life.
Harry *grinning*: I was about to say, love.
Queenie: Awwww, you two really are adorable.
Gellert: … I am still more adorable…
Oh dear. See you guys in the next chapter.
Kingmaker'sUmbreon