Chapter 18: Imprisioned No More, ah Moody
Harry walked out of Gringotts a happy wizard, he couldn't wait to take a proper look at his tattoos. He could finally remove his shirt and the scarred skin would be barely visible, the marred skin had been the cause of his much-lacking confidence.
Now it could be barely see and he had an awesome set of tattoos covering his back. He could finally remove his shirt and not be embarrassed.
He had wondered what it would be like to go for a swim in the lake, the idea was appealing now he could swim. The days spent at the Potter Manor had done him a wealth of good he had changed for the better.
He wondered if Hermione would like to swim with him. While the idea sounded excellent they would no doubt attract a massive crowd. The boy-who-lived and his girlfriend- their classmates didn't know about their marriage- would certainly be a sight to witness.
Oh well, they wouldn't ruin his time with Hermione.
"I'm glad I got that done, I didn't like those scars; even with the potions, they didn't fade." Harry was so happy, he was overjoyed.
Hermione looked at him with love in her honey-brown eyes. "I think it's fantastic you got it done, Harry. I was apprehensive when you said 'tattoos' but they really looked good." She gave him a look which Harry couldn't really define, but made his knees feel weaker.
She moved closer and hugged him, arms around his neck. He ever so slightly winced, before shrugging it off and hugging her back. When she led him down small alley between the pet shop and Madam Malkins, his heartbeat quickened.
They were lost in eachother for the next quarter of an hour.
The couple went back to school, clothes rumpled and hair mussed, and were unsurprised to find that professor Dumbledore wasn't around.
They moved to their classes, which were now exactly the same as each-others, and suffered through a History of Magic while enjoying ancient runes immensely.
"Hermione?"
"Yes, Harry?" She replied, holding his hand and snuggling into his side while walking.
"Shall we go for a prank about?"
She grinned crazily back at him. "Let's do it. But end it with something funny so people don't become terrified."
During their next two lessons, both Harry and Hermione completed the work as quickly as they could, while preparing spells for their prank.
They finished off their classes and went to the great hall, intending to see if their friends wanted to have a prank around.
A good scare may be a good laugh, but it would be terrifying so they resolved to make a joke out of Voldemort's face, based on what Harry could tell from his Dementor-induced memories.
Gellert Grindelwald, former Dark Lord, previous master of the Elder wand and Lord of Nuremgard finally had too much. He couldn't stand wandering this prison for one more day. He was sick of this whole place; he wanted, no he needed, to get outside and feel the wind on his face and the spray of the sea .
The thin-shouldered, gaunt, pale old man, with robes that clung to his thin figure almost like a second skin walked through his former command centre. Back in the good ol' days it would be teeming with representatives from his allies and dozens of his wizard troops.
Albus had been a fool to think he, Grindelwald, would build a prison that wouldn't let him out. The years spent in his prison or fortress gave him time to charge the power core for Nuremgard to a breaking point; filled with Grindelwald's immense magical power.
His cell at Nuremgard didn't last a week before he, Grindelwald, took to walking round his fortress/prison. He had blown the wards on his cell door away with a blast of raw magic and had gone outside.
He had become reliant on wandless spell-casting so much so that, when he had found a target, he had used the killing curse at it- the green light spurted from his fingertips.
Now, after years of practising and training, Grindelwald was ready to take his place in the wizarding world once more; wand or no wand.
He no long had that thirst for murder and bloodshed anymore, the years of being patient had worked wonders. "Riec," He murmured, in a voice hoarse from disuse. The wandless spell began building it's power, waiting to discharge upon his command.
The power focus at the top of Nuremgard began to crackle and violently spark with lightning, as an powerful, old man began remembering the power he possessed.
Tom Marvolo Riddle was at the top of his to-do list. The ego-filled prick had the nerve to call himself a Dark Lord without facing off against the previous one, as was tradition. Voldemort would look like a tame kitten before Grindelwald's rage.
There was no doubt who was the stronger of the two, now all he had to do was leave and push his will upon the self-proclaimed Dark Lord.
Oh, he couldn't wait to get his hands on- if the rumours were true - snake face. He released his grasp on the power core and allowed the wards to be recharged to full and a pulse to be sent to Europe. He wanted everyone knowing what was going to happen.
But before he paid anyone a visit, he was going to meet his great- godson- Sirius Black. One of Grindelwald's last remaining servants had reported Black's wrongful imprisoning fourteen years ago.
"Soon. Oh so very soon I will be reunited with my wand and the respect I once had. I believe I will talk to the renowned Lord Potter." Grindelwald murmured, smiling crookedly.
Both Voldemort and Dumbledore recognised the power pulsing from Germany. Only one man there had the magical strength to be felt in Britain; Grindelwald.
The two men were terrified of Grindelwald, though it was for completely different reasons.
Dumbledore was scared of his old friend coming back and dealing out a suitable punishment to everyone, which would probably lead to the slaughter of the majority of wizarding Britain.
If the Elder wand ever found it's former master, the consequences would be severe. It was said that he who possesses the Deathstick twice will become it's undisputed master for the rest of their lives, unless it was given up of it's own free will.
That was something that he couldn't allow. He had to get out of here; an impossible task.
Baby Moldywart was terrified that the thought of the Grindelwald defeating him, which would lead to Voldemort's death-eaters leaving him.
That couldn't happen, Lord Grindelwald had to be stopped. Voldemort would have to quicken his plans and rebuild his body faster, so he would be able to call upon his armies.
"Crouch!"
Amelia Bones was almost jumping for joy, Lucius had been found and with fifty aurors on their way to grab him and deal with the muggle population that was rumoured to be under the imperious curse- hence fifty aurors and not five.
The aged and retired Master auror, Alastor 'mad-eye' Moody had been recalled into service again. With his cleverness and aggression in dealing with death-eaters he was the perfect leader for any assault mission.
She couldn't wait to drop a bottle of vertiserum down Malfoy's throat and watch him spill his secrets.
Moody felt like hopping up and down on his not-so-wooden leg and dancing, an unheard of wonder. It felt right to be back in his old auror robes and battle gear, while preparing to lay a world of hurt upon Malfoy.
The arrogant prick had been the one who had severed his leg after some other DE had blinded him with a diffindo maximus, which had sprouted multiple cuts over his face.
Moody cracked the joints in his neck, and waited. He had a small auror army with him and he was half an army himself. He had taken on Voldemort twice himself, almost defeating him once. While Voldemort had raw power on his side, Moody had experience with dark wizards and could predict them fairly accurately.
"Hold... Hold." He murmured, waiting for Lucius to appear. There were five teams of aurors with himself leading his own group. Their orders were to unleash everything if they had a clear shot at Malfoy- something Alastor knew would please them greatly.
The hand-picked aurors had been selected for skill and previous wrongdoings against their families by Mr. Malfoy.
Alastor had authorised extreme force. With him having a level two Unspeakable clearance and a hit-wizard badge he had the authority to do so.
Moody's scared face gave a menacing grin, he had spotted Lucius strutting around. "One of you send the flare up and three other prepare separate anti-apparation wards." He ordered. "The rest, disillusion yourselves and move in slowly."
The green flare alerted the other teams would you receive the same orders and move in.
Moody waited quietly, five foot from Lucius- who had realised that something was up when he felt the faint tingling sensation of the wards going up.
With a wide-area, non-verbal stunner the muggles were unconscious.
"Ah, Moody. How good to see you." Lucius acknowledged calmly, when, inside he was very upset. Moody was just a brutal dealing with death-eaters as death-eaters were with muggles. Not to mention the Master auror had a personal problem with him.
Moody grunted. "Can't say the same for you, bastard. I'm gonna rip you in half." Alastor began playing with cutting curses, bone-crushing hexes, exploding hexes and banishing charms.
As he threw out several of the curses, muggles began moving towards him like Inferi did; at a slow, lumbering pace. In his overly-rash attempt to harm Malfoy, he hit the same muggle with a bone-crusher and a powerful banishing charm.
Said muggle flew back with a right leg that had snapped forward. Moody inwardly grumbled, he'd have to heal the woman later. Five of his group began stunning the muggles at a rapid pace, not letting the muggles reach their Master auror.
Lucius hadn't survived in the Dark Lord's inner circle by being a layabout; he was a dangerous man. He had felled three aurors- quite by accident- with the intent of hitting Alastor Moody.
Sirius was, in the mean time, having a hard time with the two twins he had rescued. They were bright, energetic and so joyous. There was no time to have a frown on his face while with them, but this really took things too far.
Shopping, more specifically clothes shopping.
It was every lady's 'must-do'. Like he and James had their quidditch; many of the fairer sex had their clothes.
Taking two teenage girls out with a near limitless budget- hey, he could buy the entire company if he needed. It was alright to begin with; they were excited to go out. But now, after going through the whole trying things on and the question, 'Does this make me look fat?' repeated constantly really began to grate on him.
It was almost as if they were fishing for compliments. Sirius was sure, however, they were trying to put things behind them; their recent past had a bleak outlook for them. Rolling his eyes as Jenny and Anne came out of the changing room and, once again, asked for his opinion.
Two hours later, a man dead on his feet made it into a chair and wished that he could spend one day in Azkaban. A day with Dementors or half a dozen hours two teenage girls that drove you like a slave? Hard choice, right?
For Sirius it was a no brainer. He had managed to stand against the Dementors for thrirteen years, so one more day wouldn't hurt.
Harry and Hermione laid to rest six hours later, resting, once again, in the Room of Requirement. Their prank had gone perfectly; not a problem. It had left
With her head on his shoulder, her light brown curls, that had gained a gained golden streaks from the summer sun. Her angelic skin highlighted her dark eyelashes, which in turn brought out her lovely honey coloured eyes.
She looked so beautiful. "You look amazing," he commented, his hand on her cheek and his thumb journeying across her accented cheekbones.
Hermione smiled. "Thanks, Harry." Evidently she had given up trying to argue against his views on her looks.
The flash of her perfect white teeth and her two slightly larger front teeth had him smiling goofily. "Why are you smiling at me like that?" She asked.
The smile vanished, her plead of it returning was unheard. "Simply because you are here with me. You didn't have to go through the bonding and the marriage, yet you did. You could have chosen against it and lived a quiet life against the madness of my own. You do undertake that Voldemort is gonna go after you when he returns?"
"No more so than when we were friends, Harry. I was already a target because of our friendship."
He laughed hollowly. "Gee, that makes me feel so good."
Hermione frowned at his tone. "Babe, I did all I have done because I love you. Wether or not you have a Dark Lord pursuing you, I will love you. Nothing anyone can do or say will change that."
He put his arms around her and pulled her even closer against him, if it were possible. Unfortunately for him, he was a teenage boy and whether or not he liked it, he did have reactions against pretty young women laying atop him.
"I can feel that, Harry." She murmured, her warm breathe tickling his suddenly sensitive neck.
Harry flushed, "I- I need a cold shower..."
"Apparently you do," she giggled, rolling off him letting him go.
She was glad Harry was still apprehensive in their relationship. He was such a caring, sweet boy; always thinking of her not himself. What she wanted, not what he wanted. Hermione felt she was notready for anything further than... well she'd have to think about it. She could honestly say she hadn't expected to go out with a boy for a while.
Now she had Harry. He was the definition of her knight in shining armour. Literally. He was everything she had wanted in a man.
She loved him. He loved her.
Twenty minutes later, a refreshed Harry wandered out the bathroom that had materialised by their room. "Dealt with your small problem?" Hermione teased lightly.
Harry frowned at her. "It's rude to imply that my parts are small, especially since we are sending our lives together."
Hermione giggled and looked at him with her upper body propped against a pillow. Words couldn't describe how fantastic she looked in Harry's eyes. "I'm just playing with you, Harry."
Harry chuckled in return. "I hope so." He laid down beside her.
Wasting no time, Hermione rolled on top of him. Her lovely hair curtained around their faces, her arms on either side of his head, her eyes smouldering down at him.
Harry's breathe caught in his throat as he stared up into her eyes. She looked so god damn sexy. She lowered herself until their bodies melded together; her face inches from his. She could feel the effect she had over Harry, and shamelessly admitted that she enjoyed it.
Their lips met in a passionate fire, undying. She pulled herself closer, if it were possible. Inflaming their senses, he brought her closer, deepening the kiss. She touched her tongue to his lips, which he willingly opened much to her delight.
She could feeling his hands caressing her lower back and her bum, which turned her on to no end. She pulled back to gasp for air and give a low moan, before plunging back into the kiss. She was becoming addicted to Harry's light, loving caresses of her body.
Oh she could definitely feel his excitement against her finely sculpted thigh.
Pulling back, before things went any further, Hermione laid her head down on his chest to rest. She left this world leaving a frustrated Harry behind.
Moody wasn't half pissed. Old, blonde and stuck-up had gotten away. This wasn't what he had planned. And anyway, aren't purebloods supposed to be so inbred they can barely cast a spell? Aside a select few, it seemed.
"Lucius, Lucius, Lucius, one day I will catch up with you," Moody growled out menacingly. One day. But for now he sat here at his desk, going through te necessary process of premitting muggle healing on the many non-magicals that had been injured during the duel.
He still wasn't sure how the hell Lucius had beaten him and gotten away.
Said man was sitting in a shack of a house. He had killed the muggles inside and used their daughter as a servant of his many needs. He had transfigured the run down house into something nearing his standards of living.
Disgusting muggles, foul creatures. He thought as he watched the six-year-old girl cook him. He just hoped he could sleep in peace for once. His near magical exhastion from the duel with Moody had left him with bad memories of the old time; the times when things hadn't gone in their favour.
They hadn't been many, but they had been devastating when they had. Old Dumbledore and his band hadn't poised to much of a threat until you met a select few. Namely the Marauders minus one Peter Pettigrew.
Running into the aurors back then would have resulted in many a casualty for both sides. Confrontation had been devastating for any site of battle.
For now, though, he would rest and recuperate.
Chapter 19: Sorting through The Mind
(A/N) Hi all, hope this isn't too late for you. I tried to get this done as quickly as possible with the time given to me. Unfortunately, the workload of the multiple courses I'm taking have bogged me down, leaving tid-bits of time for this.
Hope it wasn't too long a wait for you and I apologise for a 'grammatically incorrect' chapter. I uploaded after a busy day and it was done in a hour.
Harry woke to a warm body atop him. Hermione. He couldn't help but remember that night when Hermione had agreed to be his soul mate. It seemed so long ago. Now here he lay, underneath her warm body; much to his misfortune thinking about that and the young women resting on him sparked a teenage reaction.
He needed a cold shower.
Hermione was harmlessly oblivious to Harry's obvious problem concerning her. Now all Harry had to do was get out from under her limp frame and take a shower; preferably cold.
After five minutes of trying and failing to move her, Harry gave up and held her tightly against him, her wonderful hair spraying over his chest and tickling his neck.
She was wonderful. She had given him confidence and inspired him to deal with the Dursley situation, at the cost of her own emotional state that reared up every time she saw the scars that clothed his back.
She had been there for him through three years of his life, she would hopefully be beside him for the remainder of it. "I love you, Hermione Jane Potter," he whispered into her ear. Hermione woke at the sound of her new name.
She was Mrs Hermione Jane Potter. That sank in like a tonne of bricks. Sure they'd been soul bonded, but she wanted to go through the usual process as well.
She smiled, flashing her white teeth at him. She loved the way she could make Harry's eyes light up with so much happiness from something so simple as a smile. The knowledge warmed her heart.
"What are you smiling for?" Harry asked, smiling himself.
"Mrs Potter," Hermione replied, as if that was the explanation.
Harry was confused. "Umm, yeah? That's you, Hermione." He spoke to her like a parent spoke to a child.
Hermione shrugged and giggled. "Guess it hasn't fully rubbed in yet." She looked up at him. "I love you, you know that right?"
Harry gazed lovingly at her, "Likewise, Hermione. I love you too." He fell back asleep, much to Hermione amusement.
Half an hour later, Hermione still had her head on her loves chest, taking in his every feature. Words didn't do him justice. Her lusting eyes travelled up from his abdomen to his lean arm muscles.
She lay her head back down and curled into a ball beside him, she could feel him turn and spoon against her, his arm encircling her; her knees tucked against her chest.
They woke an hour later, showered and went to meet Daphne, Tracey and Nev. "Morning guys," Harry greeted them.
"Morning," They chorused.
"Anything going on aside getting our heads chewed off during double potions?"
"Yeah, actually there is," Daphne said. All heads turned to her, the unasked question in their gazes. "The tri-wizard tournament is to be held here at Hogwarts!" she exclaimed.
-Insert tumbleweed- The silence was drowning. Neville, who was usually very nervous around the pretty Slytherin girl, nodded in comprehension, "Yeah Gran said they'd be holding the Tri-wizard here this time."
Hermione raised an eyebrow and managed to get in on the conversation, "This is great and all but what, for those of us who are muggleborn or might as well be, is the Tri-wizard Tournament?"
Daphne face-palmed, "Sorry, Hermione... well to answer the question. The Tri-wizard tournament is a set of challenges set up by the board designed to test those who enter their name-"
"How are they chosen?"
"If you'd let me finish," Daphne frowned and spoke in a lightly reprimanding tone. "Which is decided by a magical artefact known as the Goblet of Fire. Now, in the Tri-wizard, the three best magical schools have one of their number selected by the Goblet, assuming they wished to enter. The three chosen go through a three-part tournament. The contest is designed to test their endurance, will power, ability to think spontaneously, adapt and pass."
"Are there any sort of, uhh, requirements?" Tracey asked.
"Yes, at least there is now. In the past there was no age limit to whom could sign up for the Tri-wizard. They soon found people were being overly rash and decided to only allow mature, elder students compete. The one thousand galleon prize was worth the risk in many younger students's eyes. So now there is an age limit of seventeen."
Harry nodded, silently thanking Daph for the information. "Let's head down for breakfast." And cue for Harry's stomach to growl... there it goes.
The group of friends laughed and poked fun at Harry because his stomach wouldn't stop talking after it first started. It was honestly worrying him, his stomach hadn't chatted to him this much since his had been well... Dursley-d.
Hermione poked his stomach. After five minutes of listening to it, it seemed she had finally become irritated. Unfortunately Harry, being the owner of the tummy in question, had nails piercing into his skin; causing him to wince.
Amelia Bones was grumpy, scratch that she was fed up. Lucius Malfoy had managed an inexplicable escape and there had been no word of him since. They could suspect and investigate all they wanted but they had no luck so far.
Fortunately she had a leave today, and she was going to make full use of it by spending time with Sirius, Merlin knew how much she had missed that man. It had almost caused her physical harm to see him so thin after thirteen years. His ribs had been protruding from his skin, each and every one was defined in a sickening manner, his stomach which had been a lean, but not heavily muscled, had sunk in so far that the distance from his back to front was little more than three inches.
In short the man she knew had gone and was replaced with a shell of what he had once been.
But now, after weeks of proper nutrition and exercise, Sirius was in better shape. He was still bone-y but the years of mistreatment weren't erased in such a small space of time.
She flooed to Potter Mansion to find Sirius on the couch with two teenage girls on either side, both cuddling into him, clutching at him like a lifeline. She had been in contact with the goblins and had been informed of the disgusting occurrences in Malfoy Manor. More than a little unpleased, she was glad of what Sirius had done in Diagon Alley.
And it looked like he was dropping off too. From the bags all around the trio on the couch, she gathered he had taken them clothes shopping. More than likely as a way to help them come back to normal life.
Men, she sighed mentally. They never change.
She decided to leave them be until they woke. Inspiration struck her, a big F word. FOOD. With Sirius's increased nose sensitivity from being a mutt he would smell food from a mile off. Now she thought about it a dungbomb would be good too.
Remus Lupin was on an errand. Or a hunt if you prefer. He'd managed to get the day off as long as he returned at four thirty pm for his one and only lesson of the day. Naturally he had promised.
He was tired, so tired. He wasn't sure how much more he could take of this. Tranforming. The nightmares of transforming and the burdening worry that he would bite someone and lay this infliction upon another being.
He made himself sick. He apparated away to a muggle restaurant he had once visited.
There, he ordered a simply fish and chips, feeling that traditional food was the best answer right now. He sniffed the air and kept his ears sharp, glad of his abilities for a change. And being a werewolf he had many. Even out of transformation he was stronger than many ordinary humans, better eyesight, better hearing, seeing and far more sensitive touch.
So he was surprised to find a scent of a man he hadn't seen in a very long time. Following his trusty nose, Remus caught sight of him. Blonde hair, pale, thin shouldered. Malfoy. The name ran through his head.
Sirius had owled him with the happenings in the Malfoy home that day. It had sent him into a rage. The normally gentle and caring man unleashed the roaring of the beast within him. He had been furious, scratch that he had been apocalyptic.
What a coincidence, what a fortunate coincidence.
Now, seeing the man eating there with a child, who was clearly under the imperious, the unfamiliar feeling of defensiveness welled within him. The wolf had added a new member to it's pack today.
It didn't take very long for Remus to eat his meal and to watch Malfoy, as the pale blonde man walked out, trailed by the girl, Remus got up to follow.
A mile down the road Lucius entered a house, leaving a plotting Remus outside. Now he could make a joke of this or he could simply go in there and give the man a beating. The latter was chosen, his anger had him nearly stealing his rationality- which he luckily managed to keep in tact.
He waited outside for a couple of hours. He was pretty sure Malfoy would not be expecting anyone.
He took a firm hold of the door handle and heaved the door open. What he hadn't counted on was how long it had been since had used these powers and how much control they required.
He had pulled the door clean of its hinges. Mentally shrugging, he made his way forward before remembering and setting anti-apparition and portkey wards for over a mile.
He found Lucius relaxing on a chair, infuriatingly calm and asleep. Remus broke. Reductos, cutting curses, stinging hexes aimed in the right places, confudus's and turning the chair into a series of iron chains.
Malfoy woke with screams of agony. Every sensitive spot on his body slathered in cuts and his shoulder was half blown off.
He fell to the ground with a thunk, unconscious from blood loss. Remus turned to the girl, being sure not to scare her by throwing Lucius's body out of sight.
Her release from the imperious was one he had experienced often. She dropped to the ground and sobbed into her hands. Muggles, unlike wizards, had no recollection of their time under the imperious. Her last memory would be of her family dying in front of her.
Remus sank to her level, in silent support. Finally, after ten minutes she looked up and took him in. The man was completely relaxed, calm and oozed compassion and kindness. Unthinkingly she threw herself at him and sobbed into his shoulder, crying hard with the tears cascading down her face.
Saying 'shh, shh," or "there, there," probably wouldn't go down to well, so Remus remained silent and holding the sobbing frame of the girl.
Finally, the tears stopped. Remus thanked whatever finished her tears, he felt her emotional pain. She clutched at him tighter, wishing not to lose the calming effect of human contact. He lifted her easily and took her to Potter Mansion.
Grindelwald grinned crookedly to himself. He was back on English shores. Unexpected and- as of yet- uncoordinated, the English would be unprepared for the havoc he could cause. In the English defence there had been many shortened leashes regarding Dark Wizards. Previously it was stunning only, now tougher measures had been put in place.
He had heard that a member of the Bones Family, a much respected but dwindling he noted, was in charge of the DMLE in the U.K. he was apprehensive with his charge because of that. He knew, from past experience, that fucking around with a member of the Bones Family was more than likely going to end up being one of the worst days of your life.
Especially if they were in power.
He couldn't quite remember his location, a few decades in prison does no good for your geographical positioning, but their were white cliffs and he stood alone.
There, he contemplated how to approach his great godson. He was barely recognisable to anybody who knew him, or was actually still alive. He was sure the young Black would welcome him after he had introduced himself as his godfather. Informing young Sirius of his identity would be a mistake; no good would some from that.
What would he do? He could feel the Black and Potter magical energies, a power he had found most useful. Focusing on a person he could gain a rough indication of their magical strength and general location.
He frowned, the location of the young- by his standards- Black was hazy. Black must have a safehouse; a bloody good one. It had to be layered in so many different protective enchantments by countless generations for his Sight not to penetrate it.
He loosened his aged joints and apparated with a whisper of a noise.
Arriving in a derelict magical settlement, abandoned in WWII after the wards surrounding it failed. Now he had to think. Wand or distant relations? The Elder wand would make him nigh invincible, but he could defeat a small army without one. Family, would solidify his thoughts, give him a internal purpose. Sure he had his own purpose; it was to slaughter his enemies and guard his family.
Dilemma, a beast that ripped at your mind, overcame him. Family or Foe? Which came first? Foe would mean defeating any potential dangers to his family- no matter how distant- would be neutralised.
Inside his robes he fingered the priceless jem in an inner pocket.
Voldemort's plans had sped up, he had called his death eaters to him, careful to keep his anger in check, mindful that should he lose that concentration the majority of his magical energy keeping his body together would flit away.
"For now you are being let off for your past misgivings, I command you all to rally followers and recruit more. Report back when our numbers are over half a thousand. You have... a month."
None dared disobey him, but couldn't help but shiver. A month? To locate a over five hundred followers? Uh oh.
Panicked was to weak a word to describe Voldemort's thoughts. He was fairly sure that, even if he regained his wand and former power, a man of Grindelwald's legend and strength would inevitably defeat him- no matter how much he hated to admit it.
He had magical Britain on her knees, Grindelwald had magical Europe pleading with him. Britain, Europe.
He had studied Grindelwald's legend. Even at the height of his power, Grindelwald had never struck down needlessly. Letting his followers do the work for him, and Merlin did he have followers.
The overall magical population of Europe ranged in at about a million or two. Grindelwald's people had gained approximately twenty-thousand at the height of his Dark reign.
It had taken a surprise attack from The Order of The Phoenix and it's leader, Dumbledore, to take one man down.
There was a reason Grindelwald had been feared throughout the magical world.
Claws and Tails playfully trotted beside one another, the larger wold nuzzling into the side of his companion and mate. He could see the affection in her darkened eyes. He barked in question, Are you alright?
She gave a low whine, No.
Concerned, he pawed her side gently, What's wrong?
She stopped and turned back towards, coming closer and laying her head into her companions furry shoulder. He did the same to her, in a weird sort of wolf hug.
I feel that something's up with Britain. Like it's darkening. Hermione replied with another low whine.
A twig snapped behind them, turning quickly they saw Daphne, Tracey and Nev standing there watching them warily. Harry and Hermione quickly realised that none knew they had animagus forms and were nervous.
Deciding to have some fun, Harry charged them, loving the wind against his furry face. He watched as they took off, scared witless. Then he dropped and rolled onto his back, in what might have been counted for as laughter.
Daphne was an observant person, however, and saw the same emerald eyes that Harry had, she sat down metres away from the wolf which was staring at her, sniffing the air. "Harry?"
The wolf tilted it's head to the side, much like a curious puppy. It looked so cute Daphne had to rub her hands through it's wavy fur. She reached out with one hand and began scratching behind the wolfs ear, with the animal leaning in harder and harder into her touch.
She noticed a second wolf coming out behind her and pawing at her back, startled she let loose a loud, 'Eek!' But quickly relaxed, seeing as the second wolf, which was undeniably female, didn't attack.
She quickly made to rub behind the females ear as well, getting much the same reaction as the male.
"Harry, Hermione?" She asked. Both wolves nodded their agreement, transforming back into their human forms, to the astonishment of Neville and Tracey.
Harry ran a hand through his hair, "I have got to get you to do that again!" He exclaimed.
Hermione made the same movement through her own hair, "Damn right, Harry!" She turned to Daphne. "I'd pay you if you did that again," She joked.
"We can talk about it later," Daphne replied. "I'm not sure it's my ideal job. Scratching your two friends' ears even if they are in animagus form."
Harry processed what she had said, and he chuckled before becoming serious, "Guys... and girls, I'd apperciate it if you didn't tell anyone about this, it's kind of a secret."
Neville smiled, "We'd never betray you, Harry."
Daphne looked conflicted. "What's wrong, Daphne?" Harry asked, softly.
"My- my, uhh, sister is in a spot of, umm, trouble. With our parents... over a betrothal contract."
Chapter 20: Mistakes are abundant, Amends are made
Grindelwald stayed in his unmoving position, he hadn't moved since he arrived this afternoon yesterday. Thoughts of his dilemma over choosing family or foe would not be wiped from his mind quickly.
He really wanted to see Black and maybe even Potter, but he also hadn't gotten his hands dirty for a long time and the familiar bloodlust was rising within his chest. It was telling him, demanding him, to put away with his enemies and dish out punishment in ways only he knew how. Oh, how he could succumb so easily to it's will were he a weak-minded fart. But he was not.
He lay down and rested his head, believing himself fortunate that he always had his Eye open for trouble.
Sirius Black awoke the same morning stiff as a board, the two girls on either side of him still leaning into the body warmth he gave. Still a chick magnet, he thought happily.
What he was contemplating would need to be discussed with his former love, Amelia Bones. Their relationship had been pretty serious, to the point where Sirius was siriusly considering marriage- something he'd promised never to do.
With their love weakened, but at the same time strengthened, by their time apart Sirius could wish she would accept the proposal he had for her. No, he would not be getting down on one knee for at least a few months. No, what he needed to talk about involved Amelia's niece, Susan, Jenny and Anne. It was his solemn wish to induct the twins he had rescued, into the Black Family.
He could then, legally, attack anyone who attempted any serious infringement upon their persons. Like when he had dealt with Malfoy, only with more legality behind it.
Sirius came into the lounge room of Potter Manor and saw his best friend sitting there. "Hey Sirius, how's it been for you, you old mutt?"
"Remus, it's good to see you again," Sirius replied with a massive smile; noting the child in his friends arms. Closing the distance between them, he enveloped Remus in a giant bear hug."Who is your little friend?"
"No time Sirius, take her, look after her. I've spent the night here, I need to go. I found the missing Malfoy and found her with him, I'd imagine she went through some traumatic experience before being placed under the imperious," Remus explained quickly.
Taking the girl from Remus, gently holding her and cooing softly, "Go Remus, get that fucker." Remus nodded and quickly left, running beyond the wards and disapparating. He loved the thrill of energy and adrenaline coursing through; a good change from the usual weariness he felt.
Arriving back at the muggle house, and glad to find his wards still in place, he entered; picking up the ripped off door and dragging it in behind him.
In the lounge he found nothing. He wanted to scream in frustration.
He cast the detection charm, to reveal Malfoy. Unfortunately it came back as a negative. "Oh shit!" He quickly remembered that hadn't taken Malfoys wand and that he could've woken up and healed himself. With the amount of blood loss, Remus guessed he could not have gone far; Malfoy would have been severely weakened from the attack.
He made the decision to go in search of the Malfoy, who he so desperately wanted given the dreaded Kiss of the Dementors. A Kiss that was said to be worse than death.
"Master," Lucius rasped, his throat under siege from razors- or so it felt.
"Lucius," the ugly creature acknowledged. "What has done this to you, my friend?" he asked in an amused tone.
"T-the werewolf Remus J-john Lupin, master. The defence professor of Hogwarts," Lucius replied, almost slumping to one side.
"Wormtail," Voldemort hissed. "Get our friend here a few medical potions. He seems to have met an unhappy werewolf." Wormtail bowed and slung Malfoys arm over his shoulder, half aiding the man and half dragging him.
Voldemort frowned. He knew little of Remus Lupin. The man was a recluse from many fellow human and were's alike. Aside from that all he had on Lupin was the fact the man was a Marauder, a strong duellist who made up for his lack of sheer power through skill and was- according to Severus- quite the calm and gentle man. Lucius's dealings over the past month had caused him concern, when things had really gone down hill for the Malfoy family.
It was a stunning change from the usual Remus, Severus had said. The man had swapped his personality completely in that instant. The unstated need for caution was to be advised now around that man now. Clearly the man had an inner beast that had snapped free.
Harry and Hermione woke again to eachother, their ability to be in tune with the other had been growing. Everything they did was together, but that hadn't changed much. Hermione hadn't moved, keeping her head and the light brown tresses sprawled across his chest. "You're still a bit bony, Harry." She noted unhappily poking him lightly.
"Don't Hermione, I'm just glad I have you here now, and that I'm not near the Durselys. They have left my life, you're the future of what remains of my life."
She propped her chin on his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Harry, why are we here?"
Confusion gave him the obvious answer, "Education."
Hermione rolled her eyes and kissed him firmly before going back to her position on him. "We could learn so much more back home," She didn't know the power that word had over Harry. Any place she considered home would be a home to him as well. "O-our mansion has everything we need to get us wherever we wish."
She wasn't sure what had overcame Harry but when he rolled them over so he was between her legs, kissing her deeply, hands caressing her arms lightly, but she thoroughly enjoyed the treatment. She felt begin kissing her neck, "Calm down, Harry. I don't want to go further yet."
She felt him nod, and still running her hands through his ruffled hair, lovingly brought him to her neck to feel him smile against the skin. She loved this, just lying here holding him or the other way round- him holding her, playing with her hair.
Leaving their room and making their way down the stairs to the main Room, Harry and Hermione remembered Daphne's heartfelt pain. Her sister was to be sold like a piece of meat, to the highest bidder. The deatheaters had, informed a letter from Daphne's mother, come calling.
Her mother hadn't specified what had been said, but gathered the Greengrass family had been threatened. It would require them to move to their Manor, one of the most guarded in magical Britain, perhaps one of the best in Europe.
"Good morning guys how'd you sleep?"
"Fine thanks, Hermione. Yourself?" Hermione's attention had been diverted to a saddened Daphne.
"Daphne?" she asked softly. The normally calm resolve of the girl collapsed, "My sister is going to become a plaything for deatheaters, it will be rape, tortured into service." Her face looked angered, disgusted and extremely upset.
Harry's face was downright terrifying; the look of fury upon his features clued his friends into the fact he wouldn't stop until the youngest Greengrass was safe. "What's her name?"
"Astoria Greengrass," Daphne cried into his shoulder. Harry made eye contact with Hermione and made a questioning look. His wife nodded. "There's nothing you can do, Harry. The contract is unbreakable; only death will end it."
"Then death it will be. No-one hurts my sister's sister like this, forcing her into unwanted matrimony is disgusting," Harry's words warmed her thawing heart. His sister. Daphne Potter. It would be a while before that set in.
"What! Harry you honestly can't be thinking of this! You can't murder someone!" Hermione shouted at him, her voice lacking anger and malice; just disbelief. It had a detrimental effect on Harry, it only made him that bit more convinced to do what he had to.
"I'm serious, Hermione. House Potter has been rather inactive, we can't just let people walk over our allies and former family members. Do you want Astoria to have that done to her?"
"No, I don't. But surely there is another way about it, I-" Hermione was cut off.
"Hermione, this is an unwanted marriage from one party, and the other will use her for anything. What if it was your sister?" Harry asked.
"My sister died, thank you very much." His wife gasped as if struck, Hermione threw him an angry, tearful look before running out of the Room.
Harry gasped and an expression of horrified shock overcame his features.
He turned to Daphne, "What do I do? I had no idea that my words would do that! Oh no." Harry sat down heavily and put his face in his hands.
"Give her a little while then go to her. About half an hour." She replied to Harry's questioning look of 'how long'.
"I'm such an ass," Harry grumbled, mentally besting himself up for hurting Hermione.
"You are no such thing, Harry. You made a mistake, in your ignorance. If you were both more open to one another, this could've been avoided."
One hourour later Harry ran outside and to the tree by the lake that he knew to be, 'Hermione's spot'. He quickly saw her light brown tresses swaying in the sun, her knees to her chest and her arms wrapped around herself.
Being as quiet as possible, Harry quietly went to her. Deciding to transform into his wolf form, he made the change with fluidity.
He stopped a few metres from her. Anyone by the castle would've been confused and perhaps worried about a wolf behind a student. He purposely snapped a twig with his paw to let her know he was here. Hermione turned quickly, her eyes red and puffy.
Wolf-Harry whined and drooped his tail and head in shame.
"Harry?" The wolf nodded, before being engulfed in a gigantic hug.
He managed to get his head away and press his wet nose against her neck. she quickly giggled and tapped his snout. Harry transformed back. He was on his knees, holding her tightly. "I'm so, so sorry Hermione. I didn't know, if I did I would never have said anything like that. Please believe me, Hermione," Harry begged his innocence.
"I know you didn't mean or know what you said. It's just... I can't forget things straight away, okay? I need a day or two to calm down." Hermione replied.
"Well I'm not happy about what I said and your decision, but I'll agree. I never wanted to hurt you, love." Harry said sincerely. He hated himself! How could he have done that to a person who had shown him naught but love, and was his wife?
"Baby," Hermione said. Harry looked up. "Don't beat yourself up okay? You didn't know." Harry nodded hesitantly, but could not keep the promise.
Narcissa Black sat in another Wizengamot meeting, at least she had called this session unlink the multiple meetings she had been having to attend daily. With her holding both the Potter and Black seats, she was the most powerful person there, seconded by the combined might of the Crabbe, Goyle and Nott Families. They had been waging a political war between eachother since she had come here, and the end did not seem in sight.
She did not mind.
She was free of the ass hole known as Lucius Malfoy, she had her own opinions and ideas and now she could place them together in her way, her style. She had passed many new less restraining what could be in the papers, defences for the wizarding world's supposed inferiors. Goblins, house elves and a wide assortment of other creatures were listed in the previously nonexistent protection for them.
Before, they weren't entitled to a trial on the rare occasion they committed one; they would simply be, 'put down,' regardless of their guiltiness of lack of.
Sirius looked at the time on the grandfather clock: 10am. Blimey, up before Midday? Merlin! Sirius thought.
Anne and Jenny bounded into his room, to his surprise. They looked really quite serious. "Sirius," Anne started.
"Yes?"
"We've been thinking..." He turned his head to one twin.
"We have decided..." Then the other...
"After much thought..." And back again.
"Woah woah, woah, slow up there. No twin speech please?" Sirius interrupted, his neck becoming sore.
"We have decided to adopt you," Jenny informed him.
"I'm not an expert on the adoption, but isn't it supposed to be the adult adopts the child?" Sirius protested.
"Well yes, there is..."
"That minor problem..."
"Stop the twin-talk, please?" Sirius was on his knees comically, pleading. The two nodded, covering their mouths to stem the laughter attempting to erupt. "Thank goodness. Now-"
"We want you as our Uncle," Anne told him, her tone brooking no argument.
"Well, I'll need to see is Am and Susan are alright with it; if they are I'll happily play as an uncle for you two."
"Let's try it out." Anne suggested.
"Good idea, sister." Jenny concurred.
"Good morning, uncle Sirius." They said in unison.
"Good morning, how are my two strapping young nieces?" Earning a giggle from the twins.
"Just for that..."
"We'll use twin speech..."
"Again..."
"Ughh my head," Sirius groaned. They all looked at eachother for a moment before bursting out with laughter.
Hermione's telling off of Harry had sunk the young man into a severe depression.
He hadn't spoken, nor eaten since she had talked to him. They had finished Charms with Flitwick, and had a free period off.
While Daphne and Neville went off for a butterbeer in Hogsmede, Harry and Tracey stayed behind- Tracy babbling, "I think Neville and Daphne would make a great couple don't you Harry? They look really cute together, of course neither of them realises this. They're a bit clueless. But I could point it out to them couldn't I?" Harry either shrugged his shoulders or nodded, lost in his depressed world.
Time passed and at a late time he and the others went to the Room of Requirement to bunk down for the night.
Harry felt like his heart had been ripped out his chest. There wouldn't be any kissing Hermione goodnight or playing with her wonderful hair, inhaling her intoxicating scent nor would their be any holding one another.
He loved holding her hand as they made their way up, as he did now without her beside him.
He did not notice, nor did he want to, the stares of sympathy into his back as he made his up the staircase that had materialised.
He was in a fitful sleep when his wife came in an hour later, to look down at him with saddness.
It had hurt her as much, if not more, to push him away today. Now to see him sleeping without her beside him, broke was lying there, flinching and wincing.
She undressed and redressed into her usual bra and knickers.
What really held her heart was when she sat down beside him and saw he had placed a pillow where she would be; trying to gain comfort from her absence.
It took kiss on the forehead and a gentle finger running up and down his cheek to wake him. Startled she pulled her hand away, unsure of his reaction.
He grabbed the retreating arm and forcefully pulled her into a hug; squeezing her with everything he had. "I'm so sorry for hurting you, Hermione." Hermione was pulled forward as he lay down, holding her to him.
"Sorry doesn't cut it, love." His heart-breaking expression of regret and pleading, swapped at her next words, "You being here, still willing to comfort me even though I'm to blame for the pain you felt today."
"No less than I caused you, Mione." She leaned down and captured his lips in a soul-searing kiss of passion and need.
She held him down and moved from his face, down to his neck and collarbone- marking out her territory. She squealed when Harry flipped them over and caught her lips in his and poured all that he was, and could be, into it. He sucked on her earlobe, moving down the side of her neck, nipping here, kissing there. He kissed her angelic skin with feather-light kisses, driving her insane.
He halted as he came to a region unexplored by anyone, aside Hermione herself. The gentle swell of her breats sticking out from the smiple white bra gave him more than reason for an exploration to lowered his head.
Half an hour later Hermione slumped, completely limp, she climbed in beside her Harry, knowing she'd be getting dirty looks from her friends and that, more than likely, Harry would be the one defending her. Harry is like a drug, Hermione thought. You try him once, your hooked forever.