Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 52: Targets And Ploys
Morgan made a complicated expression.
"What is it?" Harry asked, noticing the sudden change in her.
"This is the main reason for not wanting to tell you about it," Morgan said. "The name of the small village where this story came from is Locronan. And it is quite close to the city of Brest, in the west of France."
Harry seemed to realise the issue very quickly. "I see. That is a problematic location."
They hadn't been able to confirm it yet, but the main headquarters of the Argent Flame was supposed to be on the outskirts of that city.
That area was under such heavy vigilance that even Harry had trouble scouting it during his only visit and was forced to retreat.
"It is more than problematic, and it's also extremely suspicious. A story with a black tome that fits the description of that particular one suddenly starts to spread. This is definitely a trap set up to lure us into the open," Morgan said.
Harry considered it for a moment before discarding the idea. "That doesn't seem possible. The organisation doesn't know my true identity. How would they know what to lure me with?"
He had had several encounters with them over the past couple of years, but no one would guess that the real identity of the young silver-haired wizard was that of the Legendary Merlin, who died well over a millennium ago.
Even more so for Arthur Pendragon, since he was the man who killed him.
Reincarnation was just an obscure topic among sorcerers and warlocks, and no one had been able to acquire any proof of its existence. Until now…
"I know I said 'us'. But I was actually thinking of myself. The higher-ups of the Argent Flame are aware that I have been collecting items related to your old self. If they can get their hands on an important one, it wouldn't be strange for them to use it as bait," Morgan said.
She had always been very careful to avoid revealing to her enemies the fact that she could not leave the city of London.
This had required much trickery over the years, but Morgan was an extremely resourceful witch.
"They have tried something like this in the past. So it wouldn't be the first time either," Morgan said.
"No, when I said that it doesn't seem possible, I was referring to the fact that no one in Camelot knew about the existence of that black tome. You are the only one who learned about it, and I know you well enough to know you would not have told anyone, much less your half-brother."
"He didn't know about it? But…" Morgan hadn't considered that possibility. After all, King Arthur and Merlin were always very close.
"Let's just say that the King and I had already been growing distant long before that fateful day. So no, I didn't think it would be wise to inform him about that book. Even by my loose standards, the magic depicted in that tome could have been called very questionable. I don't think the King Arthur that I knew back then would have approved. If anything, he would have demanded that I burn that cursed book."
Morgan made a complicated expression. "To be honest, I never understood why you became so attached to that thing. I remember reading a few pages one day… I felt my skin crawl and my blood run cold. That book is more than 'questionable'. And I am the one saying it this time."
She took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Merlin, I was thinking that… perhaps it would be better if you didn't get that back after all."
"What nonsense is that? That book is your best chance to completely free yourself from those chains, to be fully free," Harry sounded shocked.
"I'm fine with the way things are now. I have grown accustomed to this situation. And these thin chains no longer bother me as the previous ones did. The pressure that I felt is now gone. So what if I can't leave London? It is more important to me that you…" Morgan sighed. "Just… don't end up like my foolish half-brother."
"Is that what concerns you?" His tone became softer. "That is not going to happen. I had that tome with me for many years, and I was completely fine."
She was about to say something, but Harry stopped.
"But… if something were to happen. If at some point you felt that I was losing myself. Then feel free to let me know in any way you deem appropriate," Harry suggested.
"Mmmm…" Morgan considered for a minute until a devious smile crept onto her face. "Very well. In any way I deem appropriate. Don't forget those exact words."
Harry felt a cold shiver run across his back.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Back at Hogwarts, a few hours after the whole incident with the Goblet of Fire, Professor Moody walked inside his office and carefully locked the door and windows before applying several protective charms.
He was very meticulous with his work, to ensure that not a single sound could leave this room.
Only when he was satisfied did he go to his wardrobe, place his hand on one side, and move it back, revealing an object that had been hidden behind the piece of furniture.
It was a brown briefcase.
The professor took it in his hands and brought it to the centre of the office.
Using his wand, he removed all the locks placed on it and opened it up.
Immediately after, loud shouts were heard. They were coming from inside the briefcase.
Moody looked inside and smiled. "You still have a lot of energy. I'm surprised to see you awake after dumping an entire vial of sleeping draught in there."
"Let me out of here! You bastard! I know who you are!" The real Moody was locked inside what looked like a small cell with no doors or windows. He was missing his wooden leg and magical eye.
Because the impostor had taken them.
The fake Moody let out a chuckle. "I seriously doubt that you could guess my identity. Now be quiet, I just need to collect a few more of your hairs." He pointed his wand at the real Moody and used a powerful stun to hold him in place while he collected what he came for.
After locking the case once more, the fake Moody went to sit at his desk and began to write a letter.
"I didn't have to write so soon. There have been some very interesting developments in Hogwarts."
The one visible eye on Moody began to emit an eerie red light. "Harry Potter is back. This is something that the 'other me' will certainly want to know."
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