Chapter 17: Chapter 17: “The Longbottoms”
The tranquility of Hogwarts was a stark contrast to the turmoil unfolding at Longbottom Manor. The once serene home of the Longbottom family was now a scene of devastation, marked by the dark aftermath of a violent confrontation. The air was heavy, tainted with the remnants of dark spells as Aurors meticulously combed through the ruins, documenting the chaos left behind.
The Longbottoms, heeding Harry's earlier warning, had extended their period of isolation under the Fidelius Charm in hopes of eluding danger. Yet, despite their precautions, disaster struck.
Somehow, four of Voldemort's strongest Death Eaters had gotten the secret to their house and attacked. The Longbottoms, renowned for their courage, had faced a formidable assault from four of Voldemort's most ruthless Death Eaters: Bellatrix Lestrange, her husband Rodolphus, his brother Rabastan, and the unexpected Barty Crouch Jr. Despite the renowned bravery of Frank and Alice Longbottom, the ferocity and numbers of their assailants proved overwhelming.
Thankfully, Frank Longbottom's mother Augusta Longbottom's prompt response in summoning the Aurors ensured that the rescue came in time.
Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, leading the Auror team, arrived in the nick of time, rescuing the Longbottoms from the continued torment of the Cruciatus Curse. The Death Eaters, intent on extracting information about Neville and the whereabouts of Voldemort, were swiftly apprehended.
When the team of Dumbledore and Potters reached the location, the Aurors were cleaning up and some healers were looking after the Longbottoms. They could infer from the scene that the Aurors' prompt arrival had averted a catastrophe. The Death Eaters, driven by a ruthless desire to extract information on Neville's whereabouts and Voldemort's fate, were captured before they could inflict fatal damage. Neville, fortunately, remained unscathed, shielded in a hidden room by his parents during the attack.
Madam Pomfrey quickly went to look at the Longbottoms while the rest of the group went to Moody to learn more about the situation.
Moody told the group "Thankfully we reached in time. There were no casualties. The insane Bellatrix was ready to torture the Longbottoms non-stop with the Cruciatus Curse till she got the information she wanted. For now, their condition is stable but from my experience with the Cruciatus, they were exposed for enough time that they will likely live with the side effects for the rest of their life. Still, it's better than the alternative."
James was puzzled, "How did their Fidelius fail too? How did the secret of their location get out? I thought the charm was foolproof but now it had failed both times."
Moody replied "This time, the leak came from Barty Crouch's own household. His son got the identity of the Secret Keeper through him and used it to track the person down. From what we have learned, the brave fellow kept tight-lipped for a long time but in the end, the Death Eaters were able to get the location from his mouth. Augusta Longbottom is livid. It was bad enough having his son being found as a Death Eater, now he will have her after him. He will be lucky to stay in the ministry after this hits the news."
Sirius said "Augusta Longbottom is not someone you want angry with you. Crouch might end up with a job far away from any real power like the Director of Cleanliness if he's lucky. It's unbelievable that Crouch didn't notice his own son turning to the dark side. That alone could cost him his position."
James, his mind still reeling from the ordeal and his own personal failures, asked Moody about the possible succession for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. "So, who's going to lead the Department of Magical Law Enforcement now? Moody, will it be you? I can't think of anyone else who'd fit."
Moody, with a grim chuckle, shared his skepticism. "The Dark side won't let it happen. It will be a nightmare for them if I become the Head. They will try to get someone who can be bought on the post. With Voldemort gone, many of them have started coming out that they were under the influence of the Imperious Curse to avoid punishment. Lies that won't hold in a proper Wizaengamot trial. With a corrupt Head, they just might be able to buy their way out of the punishment they deserve for their crimes."
Sirius, his expression hardening, suggested action. "Can we do something to stop this? Since we know Voldemort will be back one day, we should make sure that the Death Eaters are punished. We can't have Death Eaters freely walking around, gaining strength again."
Everyone agreed to this but Dumbledore interjected with a sigh. "It's a difficult situation. Unfortunately, we don't have the numbers at the Wizengamot to enforce strict action. Many of the Neutrals were forced by the Death Eaters with threats, that they did not want to be punished for their role in the war. They will support a lenient punishment. And since now we have lost the Potter vote, our strength is weaker."
James felt a surge of frustration at this. His inability to claim the Potter Lordship wasn't just a personal failure; it had broader implications. The thought of Death Eaters walking free, biding their time for Voldemort's return, was infuriating. Charles would have to face the Death Eaters who are going to buy their way out.
In the midst of their intense discussion, the group noticed Augusta Longbottom making her way towards them. Despite the recent attack on her family, she stood tall, her posture betraying none of the ordeal's weight. It was clear she had fared better in the attack and was now able to move about on her own.
"I wish to extend my gratitude for the warning about the impending threat," she began, her voice carrying a mix of thankfulness and a touch of sadness. "I shudder to think what might have befallen us without the heads-up. James, could you please tell young Hadrian how much the Longbottom family appreciates what he's done? We owe him a great debt."
Lily, ever the empathetic soul, replied with warmth, "Of course, we'll make sure Harry knows, Madam Longbottom. How are Frank and Alice holding up?"
Augusta's face clouded over for a moment, a shadow passing as she recalled the use of the Cruciatus Curse on her son and daughter-in-law. "They've been spared physical harm, save for the Cruciatus's lingering effects," she answered, her tone reflecting the pain of the memory before shifting to one of determination. "But they're strong, both of them. They'll recover from this ordeal, stronger than before. And thankfully, Neville came through it mostly unscathed, just a bit shaken."
The group then dispersed and turned towards assisting the Aurors with tending to the aftermath and cleanup. Dumbledore, sensing his presence needed elsewhere, took his leave, and gradually, the group got to work, each member lost in thought over the day's events.
As they cooperated with the Aurors, their minds weren't just on the present but were also focused on what lay ahead. They were united in their resolve to ensure that as many of Voldemort's followers as possible were brought to justice for their crimes. This shared commitment helped them navigate the complex emotions of the day, reinforcing their determination to fight back against the darkness that had touched their lives.
Chapter 18: Chapter 18: “Difficult Decisions Part - 1”
After a somber return from the Longbottoms' home late at night, the group was visibly distressed. The aftermath of the attack left the Longbottoms physically intact but emotionally scarred, their trembling forms a testament to the horrors they had endured.
Lily, her voice heavy with emotion, emphasized the urgent need for justice. "We need to ensure those monsters are given the strictest punishment for what they did. I don't want them to roam around the streets free to harm any more people."
Dumbledore, sharing in the sentiment, pledged to leverage his considerable influence to see the culprits confined to Azkaban for life.
The conversation soon veered towards the safety of the Potter family.
James said "We now need to think about our own family's safety. I have heard that the Ministry is turning our old home in Godric's Hollow into a memorial and providing us with a new one."
Dumbledore relayed the information he had on the topic. "Yes, the minister wants to make it a monument so that it reminds other people that light always wins in the end. I tried to stop it but she was adamant. Getting a replacement house from the ministry will take time so we will have to consider other accommodations. We also need to change the ward used to protect your house since you can still be attacked. This recent attack proves that the Fidelius Charm is not sufficient."
After a pause, he continued, "I propose a new ward scheme for your new home. However, there is a limitation to this ward scheme. For the greatest effect, the ward can only accommodate three people. The number three is a strong magical number, and it will give the wards the most power."
Lily's initial shock turned to outrage at the suggestion of leaving Harry behind. "You can't be serious, Professor! Are you suggesting we leave Harry behind? Harry is my son; we cannot just leave him."
Sirius, equally appalled, fervently protested the idea. "This is madness! How can you even suggest separating a child from his parents? Harry is just a child! He needs his parents. Especially after the events of that night."
James, wrestling with a complex blend of feelings towards Harry, chose to keep his thoughts to himself during the discussion. A storm of conflicting emotions raged within him — a mix of jealousy and a sense of responsibility as a father.
Losing his right as the future head of the Potter family hurt a lot. Every time he saw Harry, James couldn't stop thinking about how others might be making fun of him for not passing the Lordship test. Back in his school days at Hogwarts, being the future Lord Potter made him quite popular, and he often used this to pull pranks on others. Now, he imagined those same people were probably laughing at him for his failure.
"I understand your concerns, but we have no other option. Our foremost concern must be the safety of Charles and the broader implications for our world. It's either you use this new ward scheme or trust the Fidelius Charm again." After seeing that no one gained another opinion, he continued' "Since that's decided let's discuss where can we place Harry?"
Sirius was quick to volunteer. "He can stay with me."
Dumbledore shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not possible, Sirius. You're too high-profile a target and we cannot risk your family attracting Harry to their side through you. The young Harry would be an easy target for them to attract to their side."
Sirius retorted "I have not met my family in years. They cannot get to Harry through me and I am sure I will be able to raise him well."
But Dumbledore still denied the idea. After a long discussion, where alternatives were rejected one by one for one reason or the other by Dumbledore, they concluded that Harry couldn't be placed anywhere in the magical world for 'his safety'.
The discussion then gravely turned to placing Harry in the Muggle world.
Dumbledore finally suggested, "I think the best person to take care of Harry is Lily's sister, Petunia. She is family and Harry would receive the care and love he needs there."
Lily's immediate rejection of the idea was palpable. "Absolutely not! Petunia detests magic. Harry would be better off in an orphanage than with her," she argued, unable to hide her distress at the thought.
Hearing orphanage, Dumbledore's thoughts couldn't help but go back to the time he met the young Tom Riddle at Wool's orphanage. He regrets not doing better for the young boy who went on to become his biggest headache.
"An orphanage cannot be considered under any circumstances. Moreover, there's a strategic aspect to Harry's placement in the Muggle world that we must address. As many of you are aware, Charles is destined for significant responsibilities and roles within our community. To ensure he can fulfill these duties, he needs the protection of being the Potter heir." Dumbledore began, laying the groundwork for his argument.
"The will of Fleamont Potter explicitly names Harry as the Heir Potter. However, for Charles to rightfully assume this position and the subsequent Lordship, we need Harry to be seen as ineligible. The best course of action is to distance Harry from the magical world and our family traditions. This separation will cause the heirship ring to deem Harry unfit, allowing Charles to step into his rightful role as heir. Such a maneuver is crucial for Charles's protection against Voldemort's followers, who remain a threat at Hogwarts and within the Ministry," Dumbledore explained, outlining a plan that seemed to resonate deeply with James and Lily.
This rationale appealed to both James and Lily, whose affections were more naturally aligned with Charles. His upbringing under their direct care had fostered a closer bond, in contrast to Harry, who had been predominantly raised by his grandparents, adopting their values and perspectives.
James, in particular, understood the critical significance of the heirship ring for Charles. "I see where you're coming from, Professor. That ring isn't just a piece of jewelry; it's like a shield for Charles. Having it means he'd be safe from being wrongly accused or caught up in trouble he didn't cause. If the Ministry or anyone tries to blame him for something he didn't do, the ring and the rights that come along with it will protect him. It's a way to keep him safe from any tricks or false charges that could be thrown his way." he acknowledged, recognizing the protective mechanisms the ring offered against the political machinations and the lingering malice within their society.
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