Hog's Head, Hogsmeade, 4/22/1993, 23:39
Tonks was starting to regret joining the order. It seemed that all they had her doing was being the liaison between Dumbledore and the vampires.
This meant that she had to deal with Daciana, and the woman gave her the creeps. Daciana was somewhat interesting when she got wasn't flirting with her or drinking her blood without consent. Tonks would also admit that she had actually enjoyed the vampire's company during their last meeting.
That being said, there were quite a few things that the cadet auror would rather be doing during her time off than waiting in this seedy bar for Daciana to meet with her. Hopefully, this would be their last meeting for a while. If she was lucky, she could be on her way as soon as she passed on the message Dumbledore had asked her to relay.
Tonks' musings were interrupted as the door to the pub creaked open, catching her attention. Glancing toward the entrance, she spotted a familiar blonde figure entering the room. Tonight she was sporting a simple white sundress which stood out like a sore thumb in this particular drinking establishment. The vampire caught every eye in the pub as she crossed the room, making a beeline for the table Tonks was seated at near the back of the pub.
Daciana came to a stop across at her table and took a seat across from her. Daciana didn't say a word at first and seemed content to just stare at the cadet, the vampire's stare sending a chill up her spine. Tonks noticed that Daciana was so pale that she seemed to almost glow in the lowlight of the pub, the effect enhanced by the pristine white dress she wore, making her look almost ghostly.
"Nymphadora, I was hoping to see you here tonight," Daciana said by way of greeting, smiling enigmatically at the cadet auror.
"Who else were you expecting? I am your liaison," Tonks huffed.
"Why don't we lias somewhere a bit more lively," Daciana said as she looked around the pub in disgust.
"Like where?" Tonks asked, not opposed to getting out of this filthy pub.
"I know of some great dance clubs in London," Daciana suggested.
"Alright, I'm all for getting out of here," Tonks agreed, feeling eager to escape the smell of stale beer and goat droppings.
"Excellent," Daciana beamed as she rose to her feet and offered Tonks her hand.
Tonks sighed but took the offered appendage and allowed the blonde to pull her to her feet. Immediately Tonks noticed that the vampire was quite a bit shorter than she had been during their last meeting. Glancing down, Tonks noticed Daciana had opted to wear plain sandals tonight. Though Daciana was much shorter than she was during their previous meeting, she was still a few inches taller than Tonks, much to the cadet auror's dismay.
"Can you dance?" Daciana questioned as she led the other woman through the creaky door of the pub.
"In a club I can, but I am dreadful at ballroom dancing," Tonks admitted.
"I don't think that will be a problem for where we're going," Daciana beamed before whispering the address of the club into her ear.
"I've heard of that one," Tonks assured her, feeling a bit surprised that the vampire knew of the club.
"Then take us away," Daciana beamed.
Tonks concentrated on the alley behind the club that Daciana had suggested and turned on the spot, apparating them both away and leaving a very concerned man dressed in grey robes behind.
The Cross, Kings Cross London
Tonks couldn't help but smile as the two of them moved their way across the dance floor. She still couldn't believe that the vampire had suggested they come here instead of having their discussion at the Hog's Head, but she was all for getting out of that manky pub.
"Let's get a drink and go out to the terrace," Dacians hollered over the loud music and got a nod of agreement from Tonks as they moved through the sea of dancing bodies.
It took them quite a while to get a couple of glasses of red wine and then make their way out to the slightly less crowded terrace. They found a couple of velvet-covered chaise lounges and took a seat, the music from the club filtering out to them, mixing with the sound of several conversations going on around them.
"My sisters have agreed to work with Albus, but we cannot pull our support completely," Daciana said as soon as they had taken their seats.
"What are you offering?" Tonks asked as she watched Daciana discreetly pour her wine into a nearby potted plant.
"I will give your side any information that I get on the dark lord's plans and try and help your side in any way I can, provided it doesn't compromise me or my coven in the process," Daciana explained as she pulled a large vial from her pocket and poured its contents into her now empty glass.
"I will take the matter to Albus. Is that blood?" Tonks asked warily.
"It is indeed," Daciana beamed as she scanned the terrace, her eyes landing on a tall, dark-haired man who had just stepped out from the noisy dance floor.
"Oh, I do believe I have found my entertainment for the evening," Daciana said after swallowing a dainty sip.
Tonks turned in the direction Daciana was looking and couldn't help but give the man an appreciative glance herself.
"I thought you were going to cease creating more vampires," Tonks sighed as she looked back at Daciana.
"I have no plans of turning him, but men have other uses besides a source of fresh blood," Daciana smirked.
"So vampires still have sex, then?" Tonks asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.
"Like you wouldn't believe," Daciana said as she downed her glass and set it on a nearby coffee table.
"I suppose that I will head back to Hogwarts and relay your message to Albus," Tonks said as she finished her wine and rose to her feet.
"You're more than welcome to join us if you like," Daciana offered, shooting the pink-haired girl a teasing grin.
"I think not but try to behave yourself," Tonks said, rolling her eyes at the vampire's innuendo.
"Suit yourself," Daciana shrugged before she rose to her feet and stalked off toward the dark-haired man leaving Tonks by herself.
Tonks watched, feeling slightly impressed at how receptive the man was to Daciana but decided it was time to get out of the club and report how this meeting went to Dumbledore.
As she made her way through the club, she couldn't help but wonder if the man was so eager to go with Daciana due to the vampire's good looks or if it was her magic entrancing him.
Stepping out of the club into the cool night air, Tonks couldn't help but wish she didn't have to rush off to give her report. She hadn't really cut loose since the previous summer, but she knew that she had to be up at the crack of dawn for P.T.
With one last longing look at the arched entrance to the nightclub, Tonks ducked into a side alley and turned on the spot, disappearing with a soft 'pop'.
Riddle Manor, Little Hangleton, 4/20/1993, 09:39
Voldemort arrived in the grand dining room of his ancestral home to find his death eaters already seated at the long table and waiting for him.
As soon as he entered the room, his servants rose as one and bowed their heads respectfully. Voldemort glided across the room and took his seat at the head of the table, his servants taking their seats a few seconds later.
"I am glad to see you all gathered again. This is especially true for Antonin, who hasn't been able to journey to Britain in a very long time," Voldemort said as he looked around the table.
"Thankfully, our efforts in Diagon Alley bore fruit, and the oppressive travel restrictions had been lifted."
"Antonin, what news have you from the Bulgarian ministry?" Voldemort questioned.
"I have established a few contacts in key departments, but I believe it will be much more difficult to take over their ministry than we first anticipated. The new minister is cut from the same cloth as Scrimgeour and has refused every invitation I have given him to meet with me, my lord," Dolohov admitted.
"Then we shall have to go about things another way," Voldemort mused.
"I have many contacts in their auror corp, my lord," Dolohov added.
"That is promising. I shall think on this matter more. The last thing we need is to spread our forces too thin. How is the next batch of your students coming along?" Voldemort asked, changing tact.
"Quite well, four, in particular, show great promise," Antonin said.
"And the ship?" Voldemort pressed.
"I have had no success in replicating the enchantments, my lord," Dolohov said regretfully.
"I assumed as much. Enchantments like the ones that were placed on the Durmstrang ship are a lost art. Very few have the skill to replicate them," Voldemort said, sounding unconcerned.
Voldemort let the silence that had fallen over the room hang for a moment before he spoke again, this time addressing a woman with vibrant red hair.
"Lady Bethany, I was most impressed with your soldiers' performance at Gringotts," Voldemort said pleasantly.
"Thank you, I have acquired quite a few more since then, but it will take time to train them," Bethany said, her green eyes lighting up at the praise.
"I am most anxious to see what they could do on a larger scale," Voldemort mused.
"I predict that we shall have upwards of fifty by the start of summer," Bethany assured him.
"Very well, I have just the event in mind for them to cut their teeth in battle," Voldemort mused, an evil smile playing on his lips.
"I have also procured some muggle gas masks and chem suits in case the ministry uses that gas as they did in Hogsmease," Bethany continued.
"How will they fare against spells?" Voldemort questioned.
"My soldiers move too fast for a spell to hit them," Bethany smirked.
"Very well, I look forward to seeing what they can do," Voldemort said.
"Reginald, how are the negotiations with the goblins coming along?" Voldemort inquired as he turned to Lord Parkinson.
"Poorly. They knew the attack was your doing, but they are trying to squeeze the ministry for ridiculous concessions, my lord," Lord Parkinson chuckled.
"The fact that I have no assets in the bank that they can seize must be making matters worse," Voldemort smirked.
"It doesn't help. The goblins are furious and have no one to hold accountable for damages, so naturally, they are not being very receptive to the ministry's negotiators," Lord Parkinson agreed.
"Which is the outcome we were hoping for," Voldemort nodded.
"It is, my lord. I expect them to hold out until the fall, perhaps longer, depending on how cooperative Scrimgeour is with their demands," Reginald agreed
"Good. Our final order of business is one that I have been working on for a very long time. I believe that my plan will ensure that our brothers and sisters who are currently entombed in a ministry prison shall finally be set free," Voldemort proclaimed, sounding quite pleased with himself.
This statement got a round of cheers, and he waited for it to die down before continuing.
"In order for that to work, I am afraid that I will need a volunteer to go into the prison," Voldemort said as he looked around the table.
Voldemorts surveyed his assembled death eaters before landing on someone he thought would be perfect for the task.
"Ah, how about you, Merula?" Voldemort asked, though from his tone, it was clearly not a request.
"My lord?" Merula asked, her voice coming out much higher than usual.
"I think it is time you repaid some of your debts, dear. You will help me free the rest of my servants from the ministry," Voldemort said, his red eyes locking onto her own.
"Of co-course, my lord," Merula answered, feeling fear grip her chest at the prospect of going back to prison.
"Excellent. The rest of you may leave, but I must speak with Miss Snyde in private," Voldemort said, the gears in his head turning as he thought about his plan for the girl.
It was impossible to destroy a fedelius from outside the warded area as there was no way to deduce where the hidden area was, to begin with.
He was able to devise a way to bring them down from inside the warded area, and he just needed a willing volunteer. Just like the secret of the location was protected in a living person, the destruction of the ward would require a specific runic array etched onto the body of a living person. He honestly wasn't sure if the person would survive the process or not, but it was worth the risk, in his opinion.
Voldemort watched his servants leave the room so that in a few short moments, it was just himself and Merula left in the room.
"Merula, come with me. We have much to do before we can put this plan in motion," Voldemort instructed as he rose from his seat.
"Y-yes, my lord," Merula replied before she followed behind him, fear evident on her features
The dark lord glided from the room with his nervous servant trailing behind him as he guided her down the stairs to the cellar where Runcorn had already set up everything he needed to etch the runes. Unfortunately for Merula, this was a ritual of sorts, and she would have to remain conscious through the procedure.
The end results would be worth any aggravation her blood-curdling screams would cause him. He would endure it to further his goals if it meant having some of his best servants back at his command.
When they entered the basement ritual room, it was to find Albert Runcorn already waiting on them, looking quite anxious himself.
"I have everything you requested, my lord," Runcorn said after Voldemort had given him an expectant look.
"Are you ready for your next assignment, Merula?" Voldemort asked as he turned to face the girl.
"I-I am m-my lord," Merula stammered as she looked around the room, noticing a stone table in the very centre of the circular stone room.
"Excellent. Please disrobe and lie down on the table," Voldemort instructed in a pleasant tone.
Voldemort watched dispassionately as the girl removed her clothes and shakily climbed onto the table, her face a bright crimson, no doubt from embarrassment at being nude in front of an audience.
"You are still a virgin?" Runcorn grunted as his eyes roamed unabashedly over her naked form.
"I-I am," Merula whimpered as thick leather straps burst from the table to bind her wrists and ankles.
Merula squealed in surprise when her ankle straps pulled her legs apart so she was spread eagle on the cold table displaying her body for the lecherous death eater to ogle at his leisure.
"Albert, as tempted as you may be to take liberties with Miss Snyde, do remember that she must remain a virgin for this plan to work," Voldemort said conversationally though the warning was clear in his eyes narrowed eyes.
"Of course, my lord," Albert nodded at once, quickly averting his gaze from the girl's nether region.
"Good, then begin preparing her as I instructed," Voldemort nodded as he went to the far side of the room, where there was a tiny table laden with supplies for the coming ritual. The most notable item on the table was a cauldron that was filled with a vibrant green liquid positioned over a burner. The potion was bubbling merrily, giving off a sweet-smelling aroma that tickled his nostrils.
He had barely rested his hand on the cauldron's handle when a blood-curdling feminine scream echoed around the room, signalling that Albert had begun preparing Merula.
Voldemort sighed internally, knowing there was much more screaming to come before she would be ready for the ritual to begin.
He felt somewhat remorseful for the pain she would have to endure to prepare her for the ritual, but it couldn't be helped. Magic could not be used to prepare her for the etching.
'Too bad, it would have been nice to silence her,' Voldemort mused as he carried the cauldron to the table as a second scream tore through the room.
Peverell Manor, Leeds, 4/23/1993, 17:39
Harry stepped into the dining room to find a nervous looking Sirius Black sitting at the table in between Narcissa and Andromeda.
"Is it family dinner night, and no one bothered to tell me?" Harry asked, noticing that the twins were seated at the other end of the table, talking amongst themselves.
"No, I had to deliver news," Sirius shrugged.
"Must be bad news if you didn't bring Edgar along," Harry said as he sat down next to Bella.
"I received word that Aunt Cassiopeia passed away in her sleep last night," Sirius sighed.
"Another death in the family," Harry muttered tiredly.
"Well, I'm not nearly as upset by this as I was about Grandfather," Sirius confessed.
"When word gets out, there will be celebrations in the street," Andromeda said with a look of amusement.
"I would guess that it will be in the papers by tomorrow," Narcissa predicted as food appeared on the table.
"I take it there will be a state funeral?" Harry asked as the children moved up the table so they were sitting with the adults.
"There will be," Bella answered as Ignotus sat down beside her.
"Most will just be attending just to make sure she really is dead," Sirius muttered.
"Who's dead?" Iggy asked with interest.
"Your Great-Aunt Cassiopeia," Harry said matter-of-factly.
"The mean one who was the minister when we were little?" Carina asked.
"That's her," Sirius agreed.
"Are you done with your grown-ups-only conversation, then?" Iggy asked.
"For now," Harry shrugged.
"Why are we never allowed to know anything, Daddy?" Carina pouted as her familiar slithered off of her shoulder onto the table and coiled up beside her plate, making Sirius flinch.
Harry noticed that Citrine was really starting to grow and was now almost three feet in length though she was still very slender, and her build put him in mind of a black mamba. She even moved similarly.
"You would find our conversation frightfully dull. So how was your day?" Harry asked as he served himself some roasted chicken.
"Oh, it was wonderful. Aunt Cissa had us practising ballroom dancing after arithmetic," Carina gushed, completely forgetting about her question.
"I got a new Reaper chocolate frog card," Iggy added, sounding thrilled.
"The Reaper has his own card?" Harry asked with interest.
"Yeah, it's so cool. Did you know he killed ninety-seven death eaters, twenty giants and every dementor in Britain?" Iggy exclaimed with a look of awe.
"I doubt he did all of that by himself, son," Harry chuckled.
"Yes, there has to be a Missus Reaper," Sirius agreed, shooting Bella a knowing look.
"True," Hary agreed.
Harry actually felt a touch of pride that his alter ego had been put onto a chocolate frog card. He knew that Dumbledore was very proud of his chocolate frog card, that it was the only accolade the headmaster had been concerned about losing during Harry's fifth year.
"So, how are things at the castle?"Bellatrix asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
"I've been prepping my O.W.L classes and trying to avoid Mayweather as best I can," Harry shrugged.
"I think that I may just have to go up to school and stake my claim," Bella mused, a look of excitement crossing her features.
"That isn't advisable. You're getting very close to your due date," Narcissa warned.
"Healer Miles predicted June ninth," Bella argued.
"That isn't that far away, and unnecessary stress could cause you to go into labour prematurely," Narcissa explained.
"You are such a killjoy," Bellatrix sighed.
"After you give birth, you can go to the castle and scare that cadet all you like," Andi soothed.
"She'll be gone by June," Harry pointed out, already counting the days until the end of term.
"Speaking of Hogwarts, I've gotten quite a few letters about Draco. He has been getting a lot of detentions lately," Narcissa said, giving Harry an inquiring look.
"From what I've heard from Minerva, he and the youngest Weasley have been fighting a lot," Harry said.
"Hm, I may have to ask Bill about this," Narcissa mused.
"Bill's probably the reason that they're fighting in the first place," Sirius sniggered.
"From what Minerva told me, they've been at each other's throats since they came back from break," Harry shrugged.
"If this continues, I will have to go up to the school and speak with him," Narcissa said before sipping her wine.
"I'm sure it's just children being children,' Bella shrugged.
"Speaking of children, what do you two want for your birthdays?" Harry asked the twins.
"A Firebolt," Iggy exclaimed.
"That's what I want too," Carina added hopefully.
"Even if I could convince your mother-
"Which you can't," Bella cut in, giving Harry a pointed look
"-I wouldn't spend thousands of galleons to buy you both brand-new cup-standard racing brooms when the brooms we got you last year work perfectly," Harry sighed, shooting his wife a look of amusement.
"Could we go and see a league match?" Carina asked hopefully, seeming undeterred by his answer.
"Yeah, that would be great. Maybe we could watch the Bats," Iggy agreed, looking thrilled at Carina's idea.
"Sure, I'll see who's playing that weekend, but I am pretty sure the Bats play the week after your birthday," Harry said, giving Sirius a questioning look.
"They are. The Bats are playing the Tornados on the fifteenth," Sirius agreed.
"There's a Canons versus Falcons at Falmouth that weekend, and I think the Arrows are playing the Magpies at Montrose stadium on Sunday," Andromeda said after thinking about it for a moment.
"The Cannons are awful, so I'll see about the Magpie versus Arrows game," Harry said and got wide grins from both of his children.
"I know someone at Montrose. I may be able to get us a box so they can have their party at the stadium," Sirius offered.
"That would be great," Harry beamed.
"I'll talk to him tomorrow," Sirius said before taking a bite of chicken.
"Just have them send me the bill," Harry said, already feeling excited at the prospect of watching the match.
"No worries, I'll cover the box. You can cover the tickets," Sirius said before taking a large sip of wine.
"Does that mean Astoria can come?" Carina asked hopefully.
"Yes," Harry agreed.
"What about Devon Brown?" Iggy asked.
"Yes, you can both invite your friends," Harry agreed.
After this, the conversation around the table focused on the upcoming match. The children talked animatedly about the match itself while the adults worked out the details of organising their party and debated the match themselves.
As Harry listened to the conversation going on around him, he couldn't help thinking that if everything went to plan, this would be one of the twins' best birthday parties yet.
Library, Hogwarts, 5/1/1993, 14:38
Harry and Susan sat together doing their transfiguration homework or attempting it though Susan seemed too distracted to work
After the third time, she sighed noisily, Harry looked over at her, noticing that she was staring at her reference book but didn't seem to be taking anything she was reading in.
"Alright, what is it?" Harry sighed as he set his quill down and looked over at her.
"Nothing," Susan mumbled, not looking up from Trials in Transfiguration.
"Oh, pull the other one," Harry snorted.
"I am not telling you. You'd just make fun of me," Susan said as she met his gaze.
"I will not," Harry protested, wondering if this was a conversation better had with another girl.
"You promise?" Susan asked nervously.
"Yes, I won't say a word," Harry assured her.
"Justin took me on our third date last weekend," Susan said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"Okay," Harry nodded his understanding.
"But it was the third picnic date we've gone on, and he didn't try to kiss me once," Susan mumbled, her face colouring a light pink.
"We're twelve," Harry pointed out, unsure where she was going with this.
"But it says in Witch Weekly that the third date means you're supposed to kiss and find out if your partner is meant to be or not," Susan continued avoiding his eyes as she stared down at her open book.
"I don't think that is a real rule," Harry reasoned though admittedly, he wasn't sure if it was or not.
"But maybe he just doesn't like me like that," Susan muttered, biting her lip in worry as she looked up at Harry with tear-filled blue eyes.
"He asked you out, didn't he?" Harry asked, completely lost as to what to say.
"After I dropped like a million hints," Susan sniffed.
"Maybe he doesn't know about that rule," Harry suggested.
Harry was saved from having to say anything else when Daphne took a seat on Susan's right and wrapped her arm around the redhead.
"I can take things from here," Daphne said, making a shooing gesture with her hand.
Harry couldn't get his things packed fast enough and hastily made his way over to an empty table near the potions section.
Harry was a little thrown by that conversation and was beyond thankful Daphne had shown up when she did.
Deciding to push the exchange with Susan to the back of his mind, Harry took out his supplies and began to scratch away on his essay. He had barely finished a full paragraph before he heard the chair across from him slide across the stone floor before someone took a seat.
"I hope you don't mind me sitting here?" Hannah asked softly.
"No, of course not," Harry said as he looked up to meet her gaze.
Harry was rewarded when she gave him a bright smile that had his stomach doing flips.
"I tried to sit with Susan and Daphne, but those two wouldn't shut up about her date with Justin," Hannah admitted.
"Trust me, I know," Harry sighed before going back to his essay.
The two of them worked in silence for the next hour, which allowed Harry to finally finish his transfiguration homework and get started on his potions essay.
"So, are you ready for the Ravenclaw match?" Hannah asked after an extended period of silence.
"Yeah, compared to Hufflepuff, it should be a piece of cake," Harry said as he looked up from his potion book.
"I know. Just watch out for Chang trying to charm you," Hannah warned.
"I saw her trying to distract Diggory at her first match," Harry chuckled.
"That's because she knows he fancies her," Hannah smirked.
"I knew it," Harry muttered more to himself than Hannah.
"I just figured I'd warn you that she might try the same trick on you," Hannah said, giving him a knowing look.
"Why are you offering me advice? What about the noble house of Hufflepuff?" Harry asked, giving the girl a teasing smile.
"I want you to wipe the pitch with her," Hannah said matter-of-factly.
"I plan on it," Harry assured her.
"Good, so what's the deal with Malfoy lately?" Hannah asked.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Draco and Ron Weasley are constantly trading insults," Hannah said as she rested her cheek on her hand and looked sideways up at him.
Harry couldn't help but chuckle as her head wobbled a bit when she rolled her elbow on the table.
"It's complicated, but I think it goes back to first year when Ron's brother dated Missy Cissa," Harry shrugged, not really wanting to delve too deeply into this subject.
"I heard they got into a fight on the train," Hannah questioned.
"They didn't, really. Weasley tried to punch Draco and he restrained Weasley until Penelope arrived," Harry explained.
"Why did he try and punch him?" Hannah pressed.
"You're awfully nosy about this," Harry smirked.
"I'm a gossip," Hannah shrugged.
"Ron said something pretty rude about a friend of ours and Draco simply pointed out that Ron's mother shared similar qualities, and he took offence," Harry shrugged before looking back down at his potion book.
"Who?" Hannah asked.
"I'm not saying any more," Harry said flatly.
"It was me, wasn't it?" Hannah said easily.
"Hannah, just let it go," Harry said, giving her an imploring look.
"Fine, but if it is about me, I should know," Hannah sighed before going back to her own charms homework.
They both worked on their homework, only the sound of scratching quills and turning pages being heard as they concentrated on their assignments until Harry finished his essay and began packing his things into his school bag.
"Are you about ready to go down to dinner?" Hannah asked.
"Yeah, I got all of my homework caught up so I can go to bed after quidditch practice," Harry beamed as he stood up and stretched.
"I still have history of magic to go," Hannah admitted as she slipped her things into her bag, and the two of them made their way out of the library.
"Once the thing at Gringotts died down, that class became just as boring as it always was," Harry said as he opened the library door, and the two of them stepped into the hall.
"I didn't find it all that interesting even then. Binn's voice could make anything seem dull," Hannah giggled.
"So, what are you doing this weekend?" Harry asked curiously.
"Nothing, why?" Hannah asked.
"I thought I might see about setting up a pickup game," Harry shrugged.
"I would love that," Hannah squealed excitedly, her voice echoing around the corridor.
"I figure if you're on my team, I got a pretty good shot at winning," Harry said, feeling pleased with how well this idea was going over.
"I don't know how good I'll be. I haven't practised much this year," Hannah said, sounding a bit nervous.
"I bet you'll be better than me. Chasing was never my strong suit," Harry shrugged.
"I guess we'll just have to see," Hannah mused as they began descending the steps.
"Great, now I just have to find ten more players," Harry grinned.
"So we're not playing with seekers then?" Hannah asked.
"No, I play seeker all the time, I want to do something different, and if there is no seeker, then I'll have to play another position," Harry smirked.
"Makes sense," Hannah agreed as they stepped into the entrance hall.
"Then we'll meet after lunch on Saturday, so try and put the word out. Just please don't invite Macavoy," Harry almost begged.
"Don't worry, she's preparing for her exams," Hannah assured him, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.
The two of them entered the hall and made their way to their house tables. Harry took his seat beside Susan.
Harry was pleased to notice she seemed to be in better spirits than when he'd last seen her.
"I'm sorry about earlier," Susan said softly.
"So I take it Daphne helped you?" Harry asked after filling his plate.
"She did though Hannah bailed on me," Susan said, giving him a knowing grin.
"She doesn't want to hear about your relationship problems either," Harry shrugged, his face feeling warm at the look she was giving him.
As Harry began to eat his dinner, he wondered why girls were so obsessed with all this relationship stiff before his thoughts shifted to practice after dinner and the pickup game he was setting up for the coming weekend.
Ministry Holding Facility, Classified, 5/3/1993, 14:29
Merula was marched from the portkey arrival point blindfolded. She had been strip-searched upon her capture, which was probably one of the most humiliating things to ever happen to her. After that, she had been given a prison robe and transported straight here, wherever here was.
The two aurors she arrived with hadn't said a word and simply marched her down a long and narrow corridor lit by flickering torches. The corridor reminded her of Hogwarts dungeons with rough stone walls and a low ceiling that made her feel very claustrophobic.
After an indeterminate amount of time, they came to a four-way intersection, and her guards led her to the left and into a corridor with sturdy oak doors set into the wall on the right side every ten feet or so.
"Prisoner Snyde, welcome to your accommodations," The female auror quipped when they came to a stop in front of a door, and the other auror unlocked it with a large skeleton key.
The door was thrown open, and a second later, Merula was unceremoniously shoved into the cell. She felt her shackles vanish just before the door was shut with a loud 'BANG' that made her jump a foot in the air.
This plan was going exactly as the dark lord had laid it out. Though after her obliviation, that was all she remembered. The dark lord had wiped any information from her mind that could be dangerous to the cause. So the aurors couldn't mine her for information while in custody and get nothing of value from her.
Thankfully her master had made a copy of all of her memories and stored them in a pensieve. He assured her that they would be returned to her when her task was complete, so it wasn't like she had lost her memories permanently.
She remembered the essentials of the plan because she needed to know when to act, but that was the only useful information she could remember, and it was protected by an unbreakable vow and a tongue-tying curse.
She could also remember the excruciating preparations she had taken, which involved pulling her fingernails out one by one so runes could be etched into the flesh underneath before her nails were regrown, hiding the runes from sight.
A similar process had taken place on her toes, with each toenail being pulled out and a rune etched on her skin before she regrew the nail over the runes.
She had then painted her nails an emerald green colour in permanent polish that closely resembled the colour of the runes so the runes couldn't be seen through her fingernails.
In all, she had twenty-three runes etched onto her body, twenty on her fingers and toes, a rune etched on the inside of her upper lip, a larger rune etched just above her womanhood which was hidden in her pubic hair, and the power rune which was incorporated into the enchantments of her dark mark.
Once her memories had been removed and her runes had been etched, she was ready to begin the next stage of the plan, getting captured.
Which led her to where she was now. She had 'accidentally' been spotted in Knocturn Alley by a pair of aurors who had wasted no time in stunning her and taking her in. It wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't for that slimeball Dawlish who had been a bit too thorough in her strip search, in her opinion.
'If I ever see that handsy bastard again, she would feed him his own bits,' Merula thought savagely as she took a seat on the rickety cot, which was the only furniture in this tiny cell.
Now she was to carry out the final stage of her master's plan, waiting until he deemed the plan was ready to begin.
Merula lay back on her cot and closed her eyes, hoping that she wouldn't be stuck here for very long. But she could already tell that she had some long miserable weeks to look forward to.