Dinner that night in the Great Hall was not a pleasant experience for Harry. Despite the headmaster efforts, news about the student's actions had traveled exceptionally fast even by Hogwarts' standards. Whispers, not minding being heard by him, followed Harry as he returned to his house table and sat next to Hermione. He gritted his teeth, they wanted to make him angry. He wouldn't give them this pleasure.
Being the center of the attention never was something he wished for. He wanted to be left alone, to have a normal life. Harry ignored Hermione's question, his sight was focused on the Slytherin's table. He was certain Draco had done something for the news to travel this fast. This blond ferret never missed an opportunity to be as annoying as possible. Even his own house-mate seemed to not bear his attitude Harry thought as Zabini changed his seat.
Chewing on the main dish, Harry rolled his eyes in annoyance. " Hermione, Hermione, I'm not in the mood. ", he looked at her for a second. She was shocked. He felt bad for his actions. He shouldn't have spoken like this. She wanted to help him, but she couldn't understand him. Harry gulped down. She was staring at her own plate with an unfocused gaze. Words couldn't leave his mouth. The food tasted bland. He was not hungry, not anymore.
" Look, I'm s... I have to go. ", Harry got up. He hurried toward the exit.
" Harry... ", Hermione's arm failed to grab the male prefect. Harry didn't turn back. Did he heard her at least, she asked herself.
Catching his breath against a stone wall, Harry eyed the empty corridor. He was not far from the Great Hall's main entrance, but the area was silent. Harry readied his wand. Something wasn't right. He followed with difficulty a special green robe up to this corridor, but at the intersection, he was gone. Harry made sure he was alone one more time before entering an empty classroom.
Despite the worn-out colors, the blackboard, desks, chairs and various paints, the room was clean. There was not a single bit of dust. Harry pulled out an old-looking, blank piece of parchment from his pocket. " I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. ", his wand tapped the magical paper. As soon as the chant finished, black lines stained the parchment. The paper unfolded itself and revealed in its center, a map of the school's ground floor.
" Mikhael Jones. ", Harry put the map on the closest desk. As if it was given life, the parchment, once put on the flat surface, vibrated. The paper unfolded itself to the right. The map displayed the school main gate when it reached the support border. Within a second, the paper extended itself with a new fold to the right illustrating the road toward the lake.
The moment Harry witnessed the map stopped, he noticed 'Mik...' words at the lake's shore before it was erased. " Mikhael Jones. ", Harry repeated. The paper didn't respond. " Hermione Granger. ", he tried. The map black lines faded away before a new illustration showing the Great Hall appeared with the witch's name in the center. Harry bit his tongue. The map wasn't dysfunctional. So, how did the green robe disappear, he thought. The student clenched his fist.
Footsteps reverberated through an empty corridor. While many students attended class as usual, a green robe didn't. For him, his history lessons about Goblin's Wars wasn't worth anything anymore. It was almost the same since the first year with the same ghost who didn't care about anything but those meaningless events. The important dates and events studied in class were long memorized inside a corner of his mind.
The ritual adept was drawing floating runes when Professor Trelawney appeared around a corner, muttering to herself as she shuffled a pack of dirty-looking playing cards, reading them as she walked. Her arms and hands encrusted with bangles and rings kept moving at the top of the deck, revealing the first card. She frowned. As she advanced, she didn't notice the fifth-year studying how his runes underwent a small change when she passed through their symbols.
" Two of spades: conflict. ", she murmured as the runic circle faded away. " Seven of spades: an ill omen. Ten of spades: violence. Ace of spades: significant changes...", the professor shuffled all her cards. The large glasses magnifying her eyes displayed a black iris erratic moving up and down. A new card reached the pack top and she stopped dead right. Her hands trembled. It was the first time she found so many bad omens.
" Well, that can't be right. ", she reshuffled vigorously again. When she started reading the card, she stopped herself and change deck for a tarot. Shuffling the new pack, she started over once more. The same set of cards was revealed at the top. Whatever the order, they were the same. " I... I think I do see something... I sense something... something dark... some grave peril... ", the professor gulped down and sprinted away toward her tower.
The green robe watched the witch running away. Whatever she's seen in the cards, it didn't seem a good presage. He had heard rumors about her being a fraud with her many student's death prophecies, but now, he wasn't so sure. Maybe she was a real deal. Divination was a magical branch covered in mysteries as only a few gifted could glimpse at one of the many futures. True seers were rare, but the art of cards reading wasn't because it only gave a general view.
The ritual adept wondered if he should use her talent since her prediction went quite close to one of the worst scenarios he anticipated when all his preparations were ready. He wasn't sure if it worth the effort. Maybe she could get him help through a vision, but he wouldn't be certain of its validity. The future could change easily. He didn't like relying on uncertain variables.
A small rodent screamed. His body struggled in the center of a floating circle while a clean-cut bled. On the other side of the corridor, laid twitching rat's legs. The ritual adept smiled. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't near what he wanted to do, but it was a progress. Most of the rodent's body had traveled through space from the stairs' borders to the tops of the windows.
No light reached that place. And yet, whenever it did, there was only silence. At first, they tried to resist. They spent all their strength against the cold stone and hard iron bars. Days passed. Newcomers arrived. Noises filled the cells once more. They had energy. They had hope. They struggled. They failed. They fell. They waited. They weakened. They were thirsty. They were hungry.
Light touched that place. A tall woman of white skin and long, thick shiny dark hair descended. They knew who she was. They would learn who those that followed were. Whenever she came, she brought newcomers. Opening a cell, she waved her stick against the metallic bars and cold walls. They didn't believe at first, but now, they were immune to this abnormal sight. The cage grew bigger. She snapped her fingers, those that followed her entered.
She smiled. It was her favorite moment. She was waiting for them to return to there senses. The moment all the thirty people entered the cell, she waved her stick once more.
" Hum ? Where are we ? ", a man in his fifty with a green hat rubbed his eyes. He didn't see well in this place. He stopped speaking as he felt something soft under his feet. As he heard screams around him, he froze. He was standing over someone. He couldn't believe it. That person was alive, but only his eyes could move while his body laid on the ground, motionless.
" Mom ? Mom where are you ? ", a little girl no older than ten crouched down. She remembered being in the supermarket with her mother but then, she lost her mother in sight. She searched for her in the fish section and was going to the frozen section when a stranger caught her hand. She couldn't resist the stronger grip. She wanted to scream but no sound escaped her mouth and now, she didn't know where she was nor where was the stranger.
" You ! You, what have you done ?! ", a teenager in loose clothes covered in red turned around. His arm hit someone he never saw before. He wasn't where he remembered. For him, just before he was at home when his drunk father shouted at him with his broken wine bottle. It was tainted with red. Despite the low illumination, he understood quickly that he was trapped inside a cell.
" Listen to me ! I have a daughter ! ", a woman with a white apron grabbed the cold bars with all her might. She didn't understand how she ended up here nor why. She just knew that the person on the other side wasn't crazily screaming like the other. Maybe she knew something, she could help her to find her daughter. The mother retracted her hands and squealed. Something hurt her fingers. A red mark colored her index and major.
The newcomers didn't have the time to organize their thought when whistles reverberated. The woman on the other side waved her stick which seemed prolongated by a dark leather rope. In a swift motion, she cut through the air and impacted another miserable who touched the metallic bars. With a smile growing the more she swung her arm, she caught the attention of all the other standing people.
" Shut up muggles and SQUEAL ! ", she opened the cell's door and entered. The shocked crowd pushed each other and dispersed through the room, stepping over the older inhabitants. Whenever the whip rose, a high pitch thunder resonated. The witch hit a teen in loose clothes. The strength behind her impact ripped away the textile. The teen couldn't resist the strength and vomit.
" I won't fail my lord ! ", she interlinked her whip with the neck of a smart one who tried to flee away while her back faced some of them. The poor soul flew through the cell. His back hit the stone. He jerked on the ground but couldn't get up. Blood escaped his body. He couldn't feel his lower body. As he shivered, hoping for this hell to end, he noticed a small creature with big eyes standing in front. The moment he thought he was hallucinating because of the pain, his breath returned. The famished creature was nowhere to be seen.
" Please forgive me Mistress Lestrange, Igor came back with his quota. ", a man covered by a thick gray mantle waited at the corner of the basement. His beard hid most of his face but his body trembled when the witch came closer. Lowering his head, he held his breath.
" Tell your puppy he'll have to wait. Those lesser than half-breed need to know their place. ", the tall woman didn't hesitate and kicked the man into the stairs. As he responded a short yes, he ran upwards to escape the place. She waved her wand, the dark whip slashed the air once more. As long as they didn't die, she could do whatever she wished. She thanked her lord once more, but this time in her mind since she now longer was bored.
Inside a large circular room with many windows and portraits, floated a silver instrument. Numerous runes carved on its surface, barely visible for most, trapped the eyes of one of the two wizards surrounding the magical device. The silent moment between the two wizards lasted until a reddish bird immolated. In less than a second, the smell of burned meat filled the room.
" I'll be blunt with you Mikhael. ", the older wizard looked pained. " I didn't have the time before. ", his purple robe moved a bit. His blue gaze focused on the two black orbs. " It might look like an excuse, maybe it's one because I'm weak. ", a wrenched smile tore his face. " I've failed many things. ", he looked at his empty arm. " I'm sorry for Fleur. ", the old man's shoulders lowered themselves without his notice.
" We already spoke of it last year. ", the student didn't express any change.
" We did. I wanted to properly apology this time. ", Dumbledore lowered his head. " You loved her. ", his eyes seemed lost into his own past. " You miss her. ", he straightened his posture. He took a deep breath. " I'm sorry. Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it. ", his calm eye watched the student without blinking.
" I'm not the only one who she missed. ", the green robe controlled his voice.
" You are one of the few that were there, at her time of death. ", the old wizard grimaced.
" I was too late. ", the student stared at the magical device between the two.
" Mikhael, it was not your fault. ", the headmaster leaned a bit forward, closer to the student.
" I could have saved her if... ", as he started, the orphan was unable to finish his sentence.
" Don't let anger control you. ", Dumbledore's shoulders straightened.
" I'm not angry. ", Mikhael didn't raise his voice.
" You are, my friend, angry at yourself. ", the older wizard nodded.
" For what other reasons have you summon me Albus ? ", the green robe shook his head.
" I despite what I have to ask you Mikhael. ", the headmaster touched the silver instrument with his only arm.
" Remember, you can't enter my mind. ", the orphan tapped his forehead with his index three times.
" I need you to be calm. ", a transparent flask flew into his hand.
" I am. ", the student witnessed the flask's content filled the silver instrument.
When the Pensieve began swirling, the two wizards began their travel through the old memories. As space returned to its normal state, Mikhael stood by the side of his headmaster. He didn't recognize the place. They were outside. A man and a woman walked side by side past the two wizards. As the duo advanced seven steps, the man pushed the woman with all his might. He shouted. He was angry. The woman begged the man. He hit her. She crawled to his legs only for him to run away.
The student understood from this exchange that the girl was a witch. Her hair was lank and dull and she had a plain, pale, rather heavy face. The memories continued with the same witch, Merope Riddle alone in a dusty room in London. Her body began to swell each time a new memory started. Her location changed for the worst as well as her physical and mental health decreased. Seven times she 'visited' her husband Tom Riddle and none resulted in her favor.
The headmaster didn't provide any explanation, the whole time he was silent. The green robe followed the headmaster's example until the memory ended with the witch giving birth at the door of Wool's Orphanage and named the newborn with her last breath. Her face stayed frozen in a frail joy as matrons from the square building surrounded by high railings wrapped the baby in blankets.
" Why ? ", the green robe rubbed his left eye.
" It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be. ", the headmaster returned the liquid memories into its flask.
The student watched as the silver instrument floated back into the office cabinet. He knew the old wizard found his little gift in the Gaunt Shack the moment he saw the missing limb, but why the rush now. The curse didn't have any latent poison, it was made only to counter any healing. Did the headmaster encounter the dark lord after The Burrow, he thought. Something was missing. It bothered him, but something else bothered him even more. " Will Potter ? ", he turned his back.
As the fifth-year opened the door, the older wizard sighed. " Next year. ", his long thin finger guided his wand on the side of his head. " I wished for him, to enjoy a normal childhood as much as possible. ", a glowing liquid exited the skull and glued to the wand when footsteps echoed far away.
As a student reached the first floor, he stopped in front of the new classroom for Care of Magical Creatures lessons. When he knocked on the door, the fifth-year listened to the fake sugary voice inviting him inside. Looking around with cautious, he walked in. The classroom didn't change since the first lesson, the desks' alignment, the wall empty decorations and the windows' opacity. Nothing was removed, nor added.
Not seeing his professor, Harry approached the blackboard behind the teacher's desk. The door next to it, unlike the usual, was half-open. Umbridge's office shocked the student as its aspect differed so much from what he was used to with the other professors. The walls' surfaces had all been draped in lacy covers and cloths. There were several vases full of dried flowers, each one residing on its own doily, and on one of the walls was a collection of ornamental plates, each decorated with a large kitten wearing a different bow around its neck.
" Good evening Mr. Potter. ", the professor shut the door behind Harry with her wand.
" Evening, Professor Umbridge. ", Harry looked around. He had not noticed her at first because she was wearing a luridly flowered set of robes that blended only too well with the tablecloth on the desk behind her.
" Well, sit down. ", she pointed toward a small table draped in lace beside which she had drawn up a straight-backed chair. A piece of blank parchment lay on the table, apparently waiting for him.
" Er, Professor Umbridge... before we start, I, I want to ask you... a favor. ", Harry didn't move from his spot.
" Ho, yes ? ", her bulging eyes narrowed.
" Well, I'm... I'm in the Gryffindor Quidditch team. And I was supposed to be at the tryouts for the new Keeper at five o'clock on Friday and I was, was wondering whether I could skip detention that night and do it... do it another night... instead... ", he knew long before he reached the end of his sentence that it was no good.
" Oh, no. ", Umbridge smiled widely. " Oh, no, no, no. This is your punishment Mr. Potter. ", her eyebrows rose as well as her lips. " Punishments certainly cannot be adjusted to suit the guilty one's convenience. ", she straightened her back. " As a new prefect, you should understand. Rules are rules. You will come here at five o'clock tomorrow, and the next day, and on Friday too, and you will do your detentions as planned. ", she was watching him with her head slightly to one side.
Harry felt the blood surge to his head and heard a thumping noise in his ears. His forehead's scar itched. He wanted to hurt that pink toad, make her scream. With a massive effort, Harry looked away from her, dropped his schoolbag beside the straight-backed chair and sat down. His right hand was trembling. He almost lost himself. He couldn't let give her another reason to expel him. Dumbledore couldn't help him if he assaulted the professor for a second time.
" There, we're getting better at controlling your temper already, aren't we ? ", the professor interrupted the student who was bent down to open his bag. " You are going to do lines tonight Mr. Potter and you'll use this rather special quill of mine. ", the quill she put on the small desk was of blood-red taint with an unusually sharp point. " You'll write 'I have to respect authority.', until I tell you to stop, understood ? ", she said sweetly.
" There is no ink ? ", Harry raised the sharp black quill, realizing what was missing.
" Ho, you don't need ink. ", the older witch was watching him, her wide, toadlike mouth stretched in a smile.
Harry began to write. At first, the quill didn't mark the paper. Then, he let out a gasp of pain. 'I have to' had appeared on the parchment in what seemed to be shining red ink. At the same time, the words had appeared on the back of his right hand, cut into his skin as though traced there by a scalpel. As he stared at the shining cut, the skin healed over and left behind, a slightly redder trace. He glanced at the professor, she was smiling.
" Problem Potter ? ", she leaned toward his seat.
Harry shook his head and returned to his lines. He felt for a second time the searing pain on the back of his hand. Once again, the words he wrote on the parchment had been cut on his flesh before it healed and left only reddish lines. As he started over and over, he became pale, short of breath, and dizzy. The more he wrote, the more he realized there was no ink, it was his own blood.
Darkness fell outside Umbridge's window. Harry did not ask when he would be allowed to stop. He did not even check his watch. He knew she was watching him for signs of weakness and he was not going to show any, not even if he had to sit there all night, cutting open his own hand with this quill. The healing, no longer as effective as it was in the beginning, couldn't prevent blood from covering his injured hand.
" That's enough for this evening. Same time tomorrow, we'll see if we can get the message sink in, a bit deeper. ", the professor didn't escort the student out, and shut the door as soon as he exited the room.
Harry left her office without a word. The school was quite deserted. it was surely past midnight. He walked slowly up the corridor, then, when he had turned the corner and was sure she would not hear him, broke into a run. He had enough. He was tired. Some stones were blurred for him. He stumbled. The cold floor received his embrace. He panted. He tried to get up. His hand supported his body but not his legs. He fell once more.
" Harry ? ", a voice echoed in the corridor, hurried footsteps followed closely.
" Thank Luna. ", Harry rested his back against a wall. He wasn't surprised to see the blond witch wandered in the castle at night. What surprised him however, was the slight movement of annoyance that appeared for a split second on the face of the green robe next to the girl. Harry looked away. He was wary of that fifth-year. He didn't interact much with him, but he knew he was dangerous.
" What happened to your hand, it's bleeding. Want me to fix it ? ", the Ravenclaw lifted her wand.
" It's nothing Luna. I'm just a bit tired. ", Harry hid his hand behind his back. Maybe it was pride, maybe it was his sense of danger, he wasn't sure. " I, I have to go. It was nice to see you two. Goodnight. ", he turned his back to the duo and increased his pace. Whenever he looked at the green robe, he couldn't help but feel, a mix of unexpected anger, uncontrollable shivering, and maybe, jealousy.
Towering the other buildings, the Astronomy Tower quietened as the last student with Professor Aurora Sinistra exited the stone construction. Like the tower, lights around the castle many windows dimmed down while the corridors and hallways stayed in the dark when no patrol circulated. The ministry security agents with the help of the professors and prefects made sure no student wandered during the night, but none noticed the shadows outside.
" You look quite sad Luna. ", Mikhael retracted his magical wings as he entered through the Astronomy Tower's windows.
" I'm. ", the younger witch removed her disillusionment, exposing moist eyes. Her gaze followed the fifth-year as he sat down next to her, side by side. Her head leaned on his shoulder while she maintained eye contact. " I miss Ginny, she was my friend before Hoghwarts you know ? ", the girl wiped her nose with the green robe's sleeve.
" I know. ", he squeezed the witch's nose. She smiled. He looked away. " I'm sorry. ", he pressed the back on his skull against the cold stone.
" Don't be silly. ", Luna rubbed her eyes. They were no longer moist. " Then there was also Colin, he was a funny guy with his camera before... ", she stopped herself, remembering the past. Years of memory passed through her head. " My father never agreed with... ", she didn't continue. She was unfocused for a moment. " Sometimes, I'm just, sad. ", the witch stuck closer to her friend, accepting the arms wrapping around her.
" I have no word for that. ", he hugged her tighter. Her body stopped shaking. He didn't let go.
" There is no need. ", she buried her head on his chest. Time moved before her voice cracked the silence. " Sometimes, I see things, that can't have happened. I'm not sure if it's true. I hide it all behind a smile but... ", she couldn't finish her sentence when Mikhael summoned his suitcase.
Pulling out a rectangular packet from his suitcase, the orphan put the girl on his laps. " There, open it. ", he gave her the gift he had prepared for her birthday some months later, on the 13 February. It didn't pain him at all. She needed it more now than later. He could find another idea to replace it, he believed.
" I... ", the witch was stunned. In her hand laid an old edition of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' which looked almost the same as one she had at home, only a bit heavier. A knot formed around her stomach. She was surprised, happy, but didn't want to disappoint her friend with fake joy. She didn't have the time to put it away and explain when she heard his voice.
" Look at the last chapter. ", he grabbed her hand and opened the book.
Moving through the A-Z of Fantastic Beasts they reached the last found creatures with the Winged horse and the Yeti, but the book wasn't finished. Luna blinked. The old-looking white-yellow paper she saw through the book didn't match the paper for the pages after the Yeti chapter. Instead, a new, white paper supported the title for a new section, 'Beasts and Creature yet to be found by Luna Lovegood'.
Mikhael's lips couldn't help but rise when Luna started to read aloud the newer chapters about Moon Frogs, Blibbering Humdingers, Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, Heliopaths, Umgubular Slashkilters, Nargles, Aquavirius Maggots, Wrackspurts, Gulping Plimpies, and Dabberblimps. He spent time with his notebook during the previous years to gather all she knew about those creatures without asking directly.
When she finished, Luna closed the book and held it close to her chest. Sound of a familiar song hummed the air. With no word, her head came closer to the orphan. He didn't avoid it. He didn't want to. She didn't want to. Their lips met each others. It was quick. He enjoyed it. She wanted more as they both kissed for the second time. It lasted longer. It didn't stop.
In the morning, the Great Hall strangely was filled to brim with almost all the students and professors present. Many of them had a bad night, they all shared the same nightmare where a skull and a snake asked them for something which they couldn't understand despite spending their entire sleep listening to this small message. No howl flew through the room when a duo of fourth and fifth-year entered unnoticed.
Sitting with the Ravenclaws, Mikhael didn't release his hand from Luna's own when he tried to catch some meat with his fork. Despite the small inconvenience, her smile balanced it largely. She was humming her usual song and her spoon barely touched a white vanilla pudding when a shock wave broke all the windows. None of the debris reached her as an invisible shield protect her and the green robe.
Some students weren't as lucky. They screamed as cut and fear gripped them from the explosion, but soon they stopped. A heavy bump touched the ground. At first, not many noticed it, but when the thing stopped rotating on itself and spoke, it changed the chaotic atmosphere for a sinister one. Twice as big as an adult head, a long mane of shaggy black hair and a beard covered in dark and reddish stain, that thing was the head of a familiar face for the school's inhabitant.
" I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think that to fight is wise. But this is folly. Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter...and you will be rewarded. You have one hour. ", the unnatural voice reverberated through the Great Hall. Despite that most didn't hear of it before, that it proved a danger they didn't believe, they all understood now, from who, the message came from.
The ministry security agents tried to apparate away to get back up, but the school didn't allow it. They also froze when they witnessed an army of individuals and beasts towering any human next to some trolls and giant spiders all around the school territory. They raised their voices. " We can't win. ", one said. " They are too numerous. ", he added to his other neighbor trying to stay quite and not disturb the student.
" NOOOOOO !!!!!! ", Harry howled. His hands lifting the head of one of his friends, he broke his voice with pain. Hagrid wasn't a normal staff member for him, he was his first real contact with the magical word, he was his nice giant who couldn't hold a secret and did horrible stone cake. Harry's eyes turned a bit red for a few seconds. At that instant, he threw away without the need of his wand nor any chant, some students and ministry agents who came closer to calm him down.
" HARRY ! Harry ! My boy ! I know you are angry, but this is not the time. ", the headmaster braved the distance with Harry while his staff member returned the other students in their common rooms to reduce the chaos to a minimum. " Hagrid was... ", he tried to appease the boy, but was forced to erect a shield to protect himself from the wandless magic. With the state in which Harry was, the old wizard tried his best but he didn't have the time and stunned the student with another of his wand.
As the leader of the light, Dumbledore couldn't stay and do nothing but almost everything was prepared against him. The school didn't allow them to apparate except for him, but there were new layers around the school which would prevent him to return if he left moreover Fawkes was still in a weakened state and couldn't help for the moment. The headmaster listened to his staff and the ministry agents while his thoughts focused on something else.
" We need to inform the minister. "
" How ? We can't apparate. The Floo is blocked. "
" I don't like this situation. "
" Shut up ! None of us like this situation. "
" We can't use the howls, they get shot down as soon as the fly away... "
" They are so many. "
" We have professor Dumbledore, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, defender of the light and banisher of two dark lords. "
" He is, but we aren't. "
" I have a family, I can't die. "
Albus didn't speak as he noticed some strong ward erected against the house-elf magic. With his wand alone, he could break some of the traps, but he couldn't ensure the safety of all of them. He gripped his beard. A ghost whispered in his hear. Outside, there were a few hundred of foreign wizards and witches. It was bad news since it didn't count the beasts and dark creatures following. Worst of all, the school poltergeist Peeves informed the headmaster of the destruction of Hogsmeade.
The headmaster grimaced. His brother was probably dead, the students couldn't escape from there and the Forbidden Forest was still too dangerous even with the help of the centaurs. The only way he thought that could save them was if he dueled Tom in front of all of them, but Tom seemed different from before. He might be more dangerous since he would have never try to fight him in the past. Tom should believe in his victory. Albus frown. He needed to speak with Snape, alone.
" Gentleman, gentlewoman, please, listen to me. ", the headmaster stopped the dispute and gather all the attention on him. His hand pat the head of his stunned student. " Our priority is the safety of the students. ", he waited a bit for all of them to agree and nod. " We will protect the school as long as possible while a team will take the best brooms and escape through the air to contact the ministry as fast as possible, do you understand ? ", his blue eyes sparkled. All acquiesced.
" Right now, all in place we have no time to lose. Severus, to my office. ", the leader of the light ordered while he made Harry's body float and follow him to his office.
The dungeon's windows looked out into the depths of the Hogwarts lake. The pale illumination in the common room for the house of the snake briefly touched the skin of a giant creature on the other side, swimming in the lake depth. The professor Slughorn left the students to their own device before sealing the entrance for none of them to exit while he put in place the defense for the school's castle.
With the attack nearing, students gathered in the common room. Slowly, a crowd formed around a blond wizard. " I say, we should grab him and give him to the dark lord. ", Draco swung his fist above his head. Next to him Pansy clapped her hands. Two seconds later, the Goyle and Crabbe imitated the witch to encourage the other students around to do the same. When the reaction wasn't fast enough for him, Crabbe took the job of casting Stinging Hex.
Blaise rose from his seat. " I say, we shouldn't. We are trapped in the dungeon. There is nothing we can do. ", with his wand, he stopped a curse coming toward his face. He snickered at Crabbe. Facing the crowd of green robes, he tried to make them understand his opinion. He had enough. All those promises and dreams spoken as if they were real. Motioning his wand against the entrance, he cast the Unlocking Charm to no effect against the magical door/portrait.
" You coward. ", Malfoy reacted immediately and jump on a chair to be visible by all. Rising his voice, he caught the attention of the retracting students. " We will just blast our path and then, when we give him Potter, the dark lord will reward us. ", Draco glanced at the retracting students. The situation was going sour. Most of the youngsters had returned to their rooms. Draco gritted his teeth, since the beginning of the year, he found strange how Blaise always seemed to confront him and his belief.
" There is no way he'll win. ", Blaise crossed his arms. All focused on him. With a smirk, he advanced toward Draco. " Dumbledore. ", he stated and took a seat. " None of us are at his level. ", the fifth-year glared at the crowd. His gaze didn't meet anyone's eye. They all knew it was true. Daphne quietly stepped back with her friend Tracy. " You're just asking for us to die Draco, all for your 'Master'. ", the black student spat.
Tightening his fist, the accused student wondered why this snake was so persistent. He never liked that guy who thought of himself too highly. " I'm not asking us to fight against trained wizards. ", Draco frown. His sight focused on Blaise. " We are the Slytherin House. We aren't fools like Gryffindors. ", he earned some snickers and giggles. " If Potter is hidden in his tower we lure him out, stun and deliver him. If not, we search for him and ambush him. ", Draco smiled.
" Such a genius plan Draco. ", Blaise dismissed the blond wizard ideas with his hand. " Do you think Aurors are just a joke ? ", he brought another point Draco didn't mention before. Mocking the blond wizard, he clapped his hand as Pansy did. Seeing small redness on the other face, Blaise didn't stop. " A simple stun won't stop them, will you be able to take them down, for real ? No you don't. You are just all bluff, like your father and I don't want to lose my life if you can't even k... ", Blaise knew he went too far when he saw the Draco shaking.
Blocking the sight, Pansy stood in front of Blaise. She couldn't believe what she heard. She had known Blaise since the first year, she knew he was cautious, but going against Draco when the dark lord had returned wasn't something he would do normally, it was foolish, or, she never understood him truly. " Blaise ? If you don't join us, the dark lord... ", Pansy couldn't express her full worries when the two bodyguards intervened.
" Traitor ! ", Goyle readied his wand.
" Scum ! ", Crabbe didn't hesitate and cast a curse. The spell flew toward its target. The blackish taint didn't announce anything benign. Crabbe rose his hand when the curse didn't hit Blaise but the chair where he sat a second earlier. Irritated with the failure, the two bodyguards started firing cutting curses and missed again but this time some flesh was injured.
A seventh-year, Vaisey was injured by the curse while Blaise erected shield and jump around to save his skin. Three groups formed in the common room where dark curses started flying every second. The first group with the fewer people wasn't organized as it gathered the bystanders wishing to get in the safety of their rooms. The second and the last group however, confronted Draco's gang against Blaise and seven upper students in the sixth and seventh-year.
Draco barely pierced the shield of the Slytherin Quidditch team with a 'Reducto' after weakening it with two Disarming Charm when a curse hit his side. Falling on the ground, he grabbed his ribs and gasped for air. He turned his head toward the source and found a gleaming Blaise avoiding a flying spell. Draco wanted to get up, but threw up. He emptied his stomach on the floor. Draco rose his head to puked again. Feeling humiliated, he raised his wand and shouted.
" AVADA KEDAVRA !!! ", Draco silenced the common room. They all heard the killing curse. Green light flew between the robes before it impacted Zabini in the chest. His shield didn't stop the unforgivable. With a heavy thump, the corpse hit the ground. The blond wizard lowered his trembling arm. Before anyone reacted Pansy hurried and helped him to stand up. He gulped down as the witch avoided his gaze. He eyed at everyone but the corpse.
Draco leaned on Pansy to stand still. He didn't feel real. It was too quick. He didn't realize what he's done until the curse reaped the life of his house-mate. His vision blurred at the corners. He didn't know what to say. He wanted both at the same time to apologyze and to beg someone to speak to him. The more the silence lasted, the heavier he felt. Some air entered his lungs. It burned.
" You killed him. ", a voice broke the silence.
" I... ", Draco tried but words were blocked in his throat.
" There is no shame in taking a life Draco. ", the newcomer closed his suitcase before shrinking it in his pocket.
Draco followed the enigma with his eyes. He felt something was off. It was the first time he saw him since they were blocked in the dungeon. He gulped down. An invisible pressure prevented him from moving a single inch. He's always suspected Mikhael being more than a simple murderer, but now, he was sure and it scared him. He shivered as the black orbs studied his face.
Draco panicked when he saw Goyle and Crabbe lifting their wands. He didn't have the time to order them to stop when the common room was filled with darkness. He tensed. He recognized this shroud of darkness. He shivered. It was cold. Something warm splattered on his face at the same time the sound of something being cut echoed. Draco unconsciously touched his face when the darkness dissipated.
He watched his fingers. They were red. Mikhael, Crabbe and Goyle were nowhere to be seen. Draco froze. The entrance was opened. Just before it faded away, the blond wizard noticed a black flame licking the exit border where no painting stood. Connecting all the dots together, he jumped out when a hand reached his shoulder. He prayed for its owner to not be who he feared it was and was rewarded. With relief, he embraced Pansy in his arms.
An open windows let the wind caressed the blue and bronze silks curtain. Explosions echoed. The wind current changed. A magical dome surrounding the school produced bright lights as a multitude of spells rained over its surface. Concentrated on some point, the repetitive assault pierced through, letting some curse passed through, shaking the castle before the whole dome fell down.
" Please Luna, I don't want to take any risk. The dome has fallen. ", a student in green robe awaiting in the stone window's aperture looked back.
" There is no place safer than here Micky. ", a blond witch got on her tiptoes to be at the same level as the intruder. " Dumbledore... ", she started looking at some dissipating magic falling from the sky. The broken barrier erected for their protection colored the atmosphere with taints of blue and red.
" Is not invisible. ", the wizard looked away. " He's getting older and can't protect all of us. ", he extended his arms. The girl jumped in his embrace. He caught her without flinching at all despite the new weight his wings had to bear. Slowly, they distanced themselves from the windows and hovered higher. His heart beat faster. He lost so many things before. He would give his all for it to not repeat.
" You worry too much, silly. ", she kissed his cheek. " Dumbledore isn't alone. ", she tightened her hold as they both flew to the Astronomy Tower. " Flitwick used to be a famous duelist and there is... ", her feet touched the tower's roof. From their position they saw some statues all around the school coming to life while foreign wizards, witches and dark creatures approached the building.
" I beg you Luna, I don't want to lose you. ", his black iris stared at the witch. Her cheerfulness fell. She stayed silent for a minute. Explosions and shrieks of pain resonated.
" I don't understand Mikhael. ", the girl whispered. She buried her head on his chest.
" You might hate me later but... ", he tightened his embrace.
" Silly, Micky. ", she responded with her arms holding him closer.
" If I don't do it, I'll hate myself forever. ", his magic converged forward.
" Mik... ? ", she closed her eyes.
Mikhael carefully flew higher with the sleeping girl in his arms. His wings flapped faster. The wind brushed upon them but a magical barrier protected them from any real harm. Feeling the wards around the school passing through him, the ritual adept call his house-elf. Able to respond to the call, the creature obeyed its master first orders and took the witch into the orphanage's dormitory and warded the place for her safety.
Flying back to the castle, Mikhael noticed the many waves of incoming attackers decimating the animated statues protecting the school with the Aurors and professors' support. Among the cold corpses laying on the ground, the ritual adept recognized his new professor for potion with his large physical as well as professor Sprout and some students she seemed to have tried to protect but failed.
Under layers of disillusionments, Mikhael flew above the viaduct when he accelerated to his left avoiding a storm of fire burning the wooden construction. He saw the headmaster at this emplacement stunning with high speed the wave of incoming wizards and werewolf he guessed from the way the latter moved. Scanning the surrounding with the help of two third eyes he changed his direction toward the north where a group observed the battlefield on a hill.
Still under his invisibility, the ritual adept cast one of the unforgivable over twenty wizards and witches in brown coats at the bottom of the hill. Their eyes dimmed down and they stood stiffer than before but none of their neighbors noticed the change as they prepared themselves mentally for the assault. Glancing into their minds, the hidden wizard learned that seven wizards under his control came from Russia and the rest from other European countries.
From fresher memories, the new master of their actions found the dark lord Voldemort new appearance among some of his new abilities with one particularly intriguing. Watching at the top of the hill, Mikhael gathered ambient magic for his spell while targeting the wizard caressing a snake though a blindfold covered his sight. The dark lord seemed to have learned from his previous loss, thought the green robe as he brought a cursed fire to life.
The group of twelve on the top the hill reacted as fast as they could when they witnessed the half sentient fire devouring the hill, conjuring water or covered themselves with Flame-Freezing Charm while the dark lord barely glanced at the threat as he succeeded in controlling the fire to some extent. Mikhael wasn't worried, his other hand waved his wand, conjuring thousand of metallic balls covered in disillusionment.
Runic letters contained inside a floating circle gathered before flying far away. Mikhael made his projectile rained against the hill. Fighting against the Fiendfyre, most of them weren't ready to resist an invisible assault except for the paranoid dark lord who always kept different shield around him to filter the air, and block magical and physical attacks. Holes the size of fist punctured the corpse of the falling wizards.
Not letting a single moment of rest for the dark lord, the ritual adept ordered his controlled wizards to attack the dark lord whatever their price they had to pay even if one of their 'allies' were in the path of their spells. It only created more blind spots from where they could attack. Skilled in dueling, Voldemort repelled most of the attacks but some hit his legs or bruised his body while half of the attacker fell and never got up again.
New circles of runic letters flew through the hill. The dark lord jumped to his left, avoiding the circle. He tried to fly away but chains fell from the sky. He screamed in pain. While distracted, he had left the control of the cursed fire to fly away which cost him dearly with a snake burned to ashes. The chains drained him of his strength and magic. The moment he broke them with a dark curse he rushed to his left to avoid another runic circle.
What the dark lord didn't expect was the presence of four other runic circles hidden underground for one and invisible for the others. His senses didn't register their presence before they activated. His body flashed in light and disappeared. Mikhael cast an illusion over one of his surviving puppets with the appearance of the dark lord while the ritual adept applied the maximal output in his wings to fly as fast as possible to the border of the Forbidden Forest.
" Winky ! ", the invisible wizard shouted as he grabbed the injured dark lord missing two legs. Space twisted.
Deprived of his wand, missing legs, bound by draining chains, the dark lord expelled blood from his mouth. In the center of a giant runic circle he stared at the woman next to his enemy. He couldn't believe it. Anger filled his bones. He wanted her dead. She had to suffer. She wasn't any of his followers, but his most trustworthy follower so when did she betray him, he wondered at the same time as his mind tried to plan his escape with no success.
" I've overestimate you Tom. ", the green robe nodded. All the prisoners were put in place, chained to the seventy-two monoliths. The brainwashed recruits around made sure none of the sacrifices escape which wasn't a possibility with their current physicals states.
" Don't call me this name. I am lord Voldemort. ", the dark lord gathered magic in his hand.
" I know who you are. ", Mikhael twisted the arm of the dark lord with his telekinesis.
" Join me and... ", between ragged breathes, the injured wizard tried something even if he knew it was condemned to fail only to gain more time and think. He survived worst he believed. He wasn't too worried at the moment but stopped speaking when he saw familiar objects in front of his eyes exiting a common suitcase. Cold sweat drops gathered on his back. " Listen... ", he couldn't finish his sentence when black flames burned all of them.
Not missing the opportunity, the ritual adept rushed in the mind of the dark lord while he suffered soul injured. Browsering through the many memories, he understood how the dark lord managed to recruit this many foreigners and beasts to his cause with the promises he couldn't keep even if he ruled the magical Britain. The second most important information found however didn't concern them at all, it was a prophecy which forced him to act today.
" The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies.... ", whispered the voice Sybill Trelawney when the dark lord retrieved the prophecy in The Hall of Prophecy.
Mikhael frown. He now also knew fully what happened in the graveyard during the end of the third task. He wasn't going to let the other culprits free. He would hunt them. Stepping outside of the runic circle with Bellatrix, he summoned his many maggots before activating the magic. Glowing red, the runes on the monoliths drained the life from the sacrifice while the circle contained an infernal fire. One by one, the sacrificed fell, not supplying the spell anymore. For one hour the fire burned the dark lord body and soul before it ceased.
" Bella, I need you to impersonate him for later use, can I count on you ? ", the ritual adept commanded his maggot to caught a flying deteriorated soul. Consuming bit by bit the remnant it reduced it to the size of a finger, but it wouldn't disappear completely.
" Yes my lord. Ask me anything, everything for you my lord ! ", the witch knelt and kissed the wizard feet.
" Rise Bella. ", Mikhael captured the dark lord shard of soul into a vial. He grabbed the witch arm after giving new orders to his recruit and both twisted space.
The school was in ruins. The viaduct destroyed. Corpses laid on the half fallen courtyard while the Entrance Hall was punctured with a twelve meters breach. As the ritual adept advanced in the castle he witnessed the usually clean rooms and hallway tainted with blood and debris when no corpses decorated the ground. The Great Hall was a mess with two giants missing heads and a house table piercing one of their chests.
Scanning the place with his summoned third eyes he watched the altercation between the headmaster and ten wizards in the seventh-floor. While approaching the destination, he also found with his magical gaze some students hidden in closets and common room for all the house but they were all under the third-year. The upper-year laid lifeless on the school cold floor.
As the last wizard facing the leader fell, catching his throat, unable to stop the bleeding, Mikhael found what he sought laying next to a sleeping Draco's gang. Very few upper students survived the attack but they seemed to be for most on this floor, protected by the headmaster he believed. Mikhael regretted not specified orders to his puppet faking the dark lord before leaving. Disillusioned Bella had no use now except for extra security, he thought.
" Get out the way Albus. ", Mikhael faced the older wizard protecting an unconscious student. " The boy has to die. ", he waved his wand. The phoenix coming this way didn't make it to its master before it was burned again into ashes.
" I can't let you do that Mikhael. ", the headmaster straightened his back. A chain spell he threw didn't hit the student but four armored servants appearing from nowhere. The magic dispelled at first contact with no effect against their armors. His gaze shifted attention toward the ritual adept.
" ...either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. ", the green robe took a step forward but didn't attack. The servant stood in defensive a formation. Bellatrix walked quietly with her back glued to a wall to pass behind the headmaster in case.
" How... ", the leader of light erected shields all around him and Harry.
" It doesn't matter Albus. ", Mikhael shook his head. " If he doesn't die, the dark lord can't truly disappear. ", a vial floated from his pocket with a darkish light contained inside.
" What Luna would say if she learns you killed her friend ? ", the headmaster breathed in, trying to recuperate magic faster. His long fight against the army while trying to protect as many as he could, was even harder with his missing limb which caused him to lose balance and focus on some occasions.
" As long as the dark lord can survive, he is a threat. ", the ritual adept opened the vial with summoned maggots.
" Killing is not so easy as the innocent believe. ", blue eyes twinkled as it recognized the spell.
" I am no innocent. ", the orphan starred at the exhausted wizard.
" You left me with no choice Mikhael. ", the wielder of the death stick sighed.
" Farewell Albus. ", Mikhael activated his basilisk gaze. His iris turned vertical in a flash. The older wizard didn't have the time to react before life exited his body. Feeling a bit empty with this death, the ritual adept burned the headmaster with his golden boy into nothingness. The only thing he kept was the leader of light's wand since it was rumored to be the most powerful one. A silent scream of joy reverberated. Maggots absorbed the shard of soul.
END
Clothed in black robes, some students wore scarfs of deep red and gold, some others were yellow and black, or blue and bronze while the rest were in green and silver, but all of them displayed satisfaction with all kinds of tired smiles. A blond witch, brightened when she saw a wizard Apparated at the school's gate. She threw away her hat and sprint toward the newcomer.
For ten minutes they stayed glued together in a hug, not saying a word, not moving from their place despite the looks and whispers around them. They were happy. " If we have a daughter Luna, can we name her Fleur Abigael Lovegood ? ", the wizard made sure to whisper his words in the girl's ears. She blushed a bit. Though her face was tainted by a bit of red, it didn't stop her from a comeback.
" Only if we name our first boy Harry Ginny Lovegood. ", the witch brushed the wizard's face with her nose. She giggled. She knew he didn't expect that. Not willing to separate with the wizard, she still disengaged slowly. " I have to see Flitwick before we go. ", the blond girl sprinted back into the school, waving her hand but not turning back. When her shadow disappeared behind the heavy wall, the wizard sighed.
Waving his hand, he made sure no one was around him except for his follower. Magic sprouted from his body, the area became quite as no sound could enter nor exit. Two third eyes scanned the place once more to make sure there was nobody, hidden or not. When he felt secure he dropped his smile. " Bella, tonight, we purge the Ministry. ", he didn't move when a voice responded.
" Yes my lord, it will be done. I'll do my best as the new Minister. ", the voice ceased and a boom echoed. She was gone when a blond head appeared at the school entrance. Mikhael relaxed. Soon, all the ministry will be under his thumb. Then, he would enjoy life with Luna with no one to disturb his peace. If he had to burn the world for that, he wouldn't hesitate. As for now, he enjoyed the blond witch silly stories about his half-goblin professor.
Passing next to the few trees, a shadow marked his path with deep footprints on the crouching ground. White covered everything in sight. Tall trees altered by this color projected their shadows on the smaller protuberances of the same shade of white. The newcomer brought his person toward the end. He didn't cast any glance at the first nor the second or the fifth row of covered stones. He stopped only at the sixteenth row where another shape waited for him.
" I've waited so long. Now, I'm so cold, so cold. ", Mikhael rubbed his hands together. White smoke escaped his breath.
" It won't hurt Misha. ", a young woman with blood-like hair blew the snow from the gravestone. The black granite lost its winter's mantle. Without the layer of frozen powder, golden letters reflected the sunlight despite the clouds.
The old wizard gasped on his knees. " I can't see you. ", something hot traveled through his throat before he spat it out. After catching his breath, he threw once more. His lungs were free. He lifted his head. No light bared his sight.
The woman advanced her arms. Despite wizard's trembling state, her aim was true. " But I do. ", cold hands caressed the wrinkles accumulated by years. At first, the man tried to lean backward. He didn't. He didn't have the strength. He didn't want. He recognized this touch. It was unique. It was her. His shivering lessened.
Mikhael's lips opened then closed. The corners of his mouth lifted. More smoke escaped his breath. " I hardly feel my fingertips. ", he willed his magic to move his hand. His fists tightened, but his hands gave no signals. He didn't notice the red liquid coloring his palms and the floor. Tendrils of magic pierced every inch of his body.
" Don't worry. It'll be all gone, like a dream. ", pale fingers clapped in the air. The graveyard became silent. Snow fell from the sky, but none touched the duo. Her nose almost touched his.
Magic flew through his veins. Tendrils responded to his commands. No muscles reacted. The vessel sat down. " I've missed you. I missed them all. ", his eyelids were heavy. Mikhael lifted his arm. His hand grabbed nothing in the sky. Instead, a smile decorated his face. Sound of chains scraping against each other echoed, far away. His limb was caught before it fell.
Slowly deposing the body on the earth, the woman closed the man's eyes. She gazed on the many tendrils evaporating one after the others. " I know. ", she looked away. The tombstone revealed its interior. As the dead house opened, a conjured coffin swallowed the wizard's corpse before floating next to his wife's last residence.
The moment the grave returned to its original state, the woman faded away. Only a red half-footprint on the earth witnessed of her presence.
Seven centuries later, a man in white tunic brushed the dust covering a black stone. His perfectly symmetrical trait displayed his bright teeth. Taking a bite of his green fruit, the newcomer savored the sour taste. Deposing the half-eaten apple on the grave, the newcomer clapped his hands. Seven times, trumpets resonated in the sky. Each time, a minute longer. Each time, the earth trembled. Each time, the apple deviated but returned to its place.
" Such a shame 'Joshua', such a shame. ", white wings tore through the tissue. Black clouds of smoke formed around the winged man. Thousand of eyes starred from the other side. " At least, our time is dues. ", El waved his hands. A small iron nail shattered. The trumpets stopped. The surroundings trees froze. For a second the world was in a standstill. The next moment, deafening explosions reverberated.
Giant cracks reaching deep into the earth and far in the sky, tore the reality's fabric. El summoned another wave of gates when sounds of chains scraping against each other echoed. Glowing lines of power forming complex arrays flooded from the black tombstone. The granite flew in the sky and burst into ashes. A single door was formed. Falling from this entrance, thousand of new entities covered the sky. Like the demon, they all harbored white wings.
El smiled.