Chapter 205: Chapter 205: "Dementors and Patronuses"
The Forbidden Forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the soft whimpers of a bound werewolf. Neville Longbottom stood alone in the darkness, his wand clutched tightly in his trembling hand. He kept casting nervous glances at the incapacitated werewolf form of Professor Lupin, remembering the ferocity with which the werewolf had attacked earlier. Even knowing it was his professor didn't quell the fear that sent shivers down his spine.
Neville's eyes darted around the clearing, desperately hoping for Harry's return. The forest seemed to close in around him, every shadow potentially hiding another threat. He tried to steady his breathing, reminding himself that he was a Gryffindor, but the fear persisted.
"Come on, Neville," he muttered to himself, "you can do this. You're not useless. You are brave. Harry will be back soon."
Suddenly, a rustling from nearby bushes made Neville jump. His wand arm shot up, a spell on the tip of his tongue.
"Neville? Is that you? Is it safe?" a familiar voice called out.
Neville's heart raced. "Who's there?" he demanded, trying to keep his voice from shaking. "Show yourself slowly!"
Charles Potter emerged from the bushes, hands raised, followed closely by Ron and Hermione. "It's me, Charles," he said, relief evident in his voice. "So, Harry took care of the Death Eaters? He really is strong. Where is he?"
Neville lowered his wand, relief washing over him at the sight of his friends. "Yes, Harry defeated Bellatrix, but something happened, and she escaped. Harry went after her." He frowned. "But why are you here? I thought you'd have run back to the castle for help."
Charles looked sheepish. "Well, we got lost. Somehow, we ended up back here while wandering around." His eyes scanned the clearing. "Where's Professor Lupin?"
Neville pointed to the bound figure on the ground. "There he is."
Charles's eyes widened. "Moony... So that's how he looks. He never showed me his transformation before."
Hermione's eyes lit up with understanding. "So I was right! Professor Lupin is a werewolf. All the clues pointed to it." She turned to Charles, a hint of accusation in her voice. "You knew? Why didn't you tell me?"
Ron gasped. "Professor Lupin is a werewolf? I've been risking my life in all those Patronus and DADA classes?"
Charles shook his head. "Moony is harmless, Ron. Professor Dumbledore knows about his condition. He must have forgotten to take his Wolfsbane Potion today." He looked at the bound werewolf with a mixture of awe and concern. "But Harry managed to subdue him? My brother is stronger than I thought."
Hermione, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "We shouldn't be standing around discussing this. We need to figure out how to get back to the castle safely."
As the four discussed their next move, a sudden chill permeated the air. To their horror as they looked up, they saw hundreds of Dementors gliding towards them from all directions.
Charles was the first to snap out of his fear-induced stupor. "Quick, think of something happy!" he shouted, raising his wand. "Remember the Patronus lessons!"
The four students raised their wands, shouting "Expecto Patronum!" in unison. They hoped their training in the spell would help save their lives. Only wisps of silvery light emerged, but it was enough to keep the Dementors at bay momentarily.
However, the dark creatures soon turned their attention to the unconscious werewolf. Charles watched in horror as they closed in on his godfather's prone form. Desperately, he tried to cast the Patronus again, determined to save Lupin.
The werewolf awakened, whimpering in fear, but remained bound by Harry's spells. As a Dementor lowered its hood, preparing to administer the Kiss, Charles turned to Hermione in desperation.
"Hermione, please, do something! Help my godfather!"
Hermione, moved by Charles's pleas, pointed her wand at the werewolf. "Finite Incantatem!" she cried.
The spell worked, undoing most of Harry's bindings. Fueled by fear and adrenaline, the werewolf broke free of the remaining restraints and bolted into the forest, away from the Dementors.
"Thanks, Hermione," Charles said, relief evident in his voice.
"No time for thanks," Hermione replied tersely. "I don't need to remind you of our situation, do I? Try using the memory of the Professor escaping to cast your Patronus, Charles. It might work!"
The Dementors, enraged by seeing their prey escape, had angrily moved in on the four.
Charles nodded, closing his eyes and concentrating on the relief he felt seeing Lupin escape, imagining his father's joy at knowing Remus was safe. "Expecto Patronum!" he shouted.
This time, a bright silver light erupted from his wand, coalescing into the form of a majestic stag. The Patronus galloped around the clearing, driving the Dementors back.
"Brilliant, Charles!" Ron exclaimed, his face a mixture of awe and relief.
Encouraged by Charles's success and the free space it gave to them, the others redoubled their efforts. After several attempts, Neville managed to produce a silvery badger that joined the stag in repelling the dark creatures.
"I did it!" Neville cried, his face beaming with pride. "I actually did it in front of Dementors!"
Unbeknownst to the four students, they were never in any real danger. As soon as the Dementors had closed in on them, they were being watched. Perched high in the trees, a Thunderbird observed the unfolding scene with keen interest and ready to act if the four were in any real danger. Its gaze alternated between the group of students and the spot where the Lestranges and Wormtail lay bound.
The Thunderbird – Harry in his Animagus form – had been monitoring the situation, curious to see how his brother and friends would handle the danger. He nodded in a show of approval seeing Charles successfully cast the Patronus and save Lupin. Charles was starting to show the traits of a real Potter.
However, Harry's attention was soon drawn to the other side of the clearing. Three Dementors were closing in on the bound Death Eaters. They, however, had no one to help them. The Lestrange brothers struggled futilely against their bonds as the creatures lowered their hoods. Although Harry could not kill the Death Eaters due to the wizarding laws, he was content to stand by and watch the Dementors do it for him.
Harry watched dispassionately as the Dementors administered the Kiss to the Lestrange brothers, their bodies going limp as their souls were sucked away. But as a Dementor approached Wormtail, something unexpected happened.
In a moment of sheer terror, Wormtail managed to transform into his rat Animagus form. This was not Harry's mistake. He had no means to stop Wormtail from transforming into his Animagus. That needed special magic shackles which he did not have. What he did was to do his best to keep Wormtail from waking up and transforming. He did that, but the sudden change, coupled with the fear of imminent death, allowed him to wake up and slip free of his bindings.
Before Harry could react, the rat had scurried into the underbrush and disappeared. Harry felt a twinge of frustration, but he wasn't entirely surprised. He recalled walking in on a prophecy from Trelawney about Wormtail returning to his master a few nights ago. It was similar to the canon, and Harry was not surprised on hearing Trelawney's second true prediction. He hoped to try to stop the prediction from coming true, but he failed.
Turning his attention back to Charles and the others, Harry saw that they had successfully driven off most of the Dementors. Deciding it was time to intervene, he swooped down from his perch and transformed back into his human form. Even if Wormtail escaped, he was satisfied that the Lestranges were taken care of. They were the strongest of Voldemort's inner circle, and the Death Eaters would be much weaker in the future.
With a powerful wave of his wand, Harry conjured his own Patronus – a massive, silver Thunderbird that lit up the entire clearing. The remaining Dementors fled before its radiance, disappearing into the night.
The four students stared in awe at the magnificent Patronus before turning to see Harry emerge from the shadows. Relief and admiration were evident on their faces.
"Harry!" Neville exclaimed. "Thank Merlin you are here. Where is-"
Before anyone could speak further, however, the sound of multiple footsteps approached. Dumbledore led a group of professors and Aurors into the clearing, their wands at the ready.
As the adults took in the scene, Harry knew that the night's events were far from over. Explanations would be demanded, and he needed to think of believable explanations for things like the missing Bellatrix and the dead Death Eaters. But he was not worried.
Chapter 206: Chapter 206: "Interrogations and Revelations"
The clearing in the Forbidden Forest, once a scene of chaos and danger, now bustled with activity. Aurors and professors surrounded the group of students, their faces a mixture of concern and suspicion. Among them were Professors Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, and Lily Potter, while the Auror contingent included James Potter, John Dawlish, and a female Auror unfamiliar to Harry.
Their confusion was palpable; Dumbledore had only told them that Charles and other children were in danger.
Professor McGonagall addressed Harry, her voice firm but not unkind. "Mr. Potter, can you explain what happened here and where Professor Lupin is? In his message, indicated he was pursuing Charles and his companions on some ill-advised forest adventure."
Harry took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts. "It's a complex situation, Professor. In short, Death Eaters captured this group, I intervened and managed to subdue three of them, but Bellatrix escaped due to an unexpected turn of events. I pursued her but failed to apprehend her. When Dementors arrived, these four fended them off until I returned and drove them away completely. As for how these three fell into the Death Eaters' trap, you'll need to ask them directly. I have no idea."
Before the professors and Aurors could press for more details, Dumbledore intervened. "Perhaps it would be wise to continue this discussion in the castle. This is not a suitable place for such conversations."
Dawlish nodded reluctantly. "Very well, Dumbledore. But we need answers. The Minister will want to be updated as soon as possible, given the involvement of Death Eaters."
As the group prepared to leave, Harry spoke up. "Before we go, we should collect the three Death Eaters I subdued. They're nearby."
The Aurors followed Harry to the location. After a couple of minutes of seemingly aimless wandering, Harry led them to the correct spot. The sight that greeted them was grim: the Lestrange brothers lay motionless, their eyes open and vacant.
Harry, drawing on years of acting experience, feigned shock and horror. "Are they...?" he asked, his voice trembling convincingly.
One of the Aurors confirmed grimly, "Looks like they've been Kissed by Dementors."
Harry's eyes widened in apparent surprise. "But where's Pettigrew? He was here too, I swear it!"
James's face hardened. "It seems Wormtail has managed to escape once again. This will complicate our report."
Dumbledore, his voice heavy with disappointment, admonished, "Such talk is unbecoming, James. And Mr. Potter, leaving the Death Eaters bound and unattended was a grave error. Your actions have led to the extinction of an old lineage."
Harry bristled at the accusation. "With all due respect, Headmaster, how was I to know the Dementors would breach the school grounds again after your explicit ban following the Quidditch incident? I did my best to capture the Death Eaters and leave them for the Aurors. Would you have preferred I let them go to escape and go after Charles and Neville again?"
James and Lily sided with Harry, as did the students and the female Auror. Dumbledore's expression remained disappointed, but he said no more on the matter.
As they prepared to return to the castle, Charles whispered urgently to James about "Moony" and his transformation. James's face paled slightly, and after a brief word with Lily, he set off alone into the forest.
Dumbledore quickly took control of the situation. "We must return to the castle at once. This forest has many residents who do not take kindly to intruders, and we have overstayed our welcome."
The journey back to Hogwarts was tense, with unasked questions hanging heavily in the air. Upon reaching the castle, they were ushered into Dumbledore's office, which felt oppressively crowded. Additional faces had joined them: Amelia Bones, Sirius Black, Minister Fudge, and other professors eager to learn what had transpired. The usually welcoming circular room now felt oppressive with the sheer number of occupants.
Amelia Bones took charge while Fudge conferred with Dumbledore. "I would like to know exactly what transpired tonight, from the beginning."
Harry, ever strategic, suggested, "If I may, Aunt Amelia, perhaps we should hear from Charles, Ron, and Hermione first, as they were the initial targets. Then Neville, who became involved later. I can fill in any remaining gaps."
Amelia considered this approach, then nodded her approval. "Very well, Harry. Mr. Charles Potter, please begin."
Charles stepped forward, recounting how Hermione had suddenly insisted they go outside the castle, their ambush and capture by Death Eaters, and their rescue by Harry. Ron and Hermione added their perspectives, with Hermione visibly troubled as she described her actions under the Imperius Curse.
The mention of the Unforgivable Curse elicited strong reactions. Lily Potter embraced Hermione, consoling her and assuring her it wasn't her fault.
Neville's account filled in the gaps, explaining his suspicions about Hermione's behavior and seeking out Professor Lupin. His voice shook as he described the confrontation with the Death Eaters and Lupin's transformation.
Throughout the testimonies, Harry listened intently, noting discrepancies and points of interest. He observed the Aurors doing the same, their Quick-Quotes Quills scratching furiously on parchment.
Finally, all eyes turned to Harry. Amelia leaned forward. "Harry, we'd like to hear your account now. How did you become aware of the situation, and what did you do?"
Harry launched into his carefully crafted narrative, describing how he had spotted Neville and Lupin entering the Forbidden Forest from the Ravenclaw common room windows and decided to investigate. He detailed his discovery of the Death Eaters torturing Lupin, his strategic decision to rescue Charles and his friends first, and the ensuing battle.
"After subduing the Lestrange brothers and Pettigrew, I went after Bellatrix," Harry continued. "We dueled briefly, but Professor Lupin's transformation interrupted us, allowing Bellatrix to escape. I had to subdue the professor first to ensure Neville's safety. By the time I resumed the chase, Bellatrix had ample head start and I could not locate her. I suspect she disapparated beyond Hogwarts' wards to safety. When the Dementors arrived, I returned to help the others fend them off."
As Harry finished his account, a heavy silence fell over the room. Many were awed that Harry had defeated four Death Eaters, three of whom were Voldemort's fiercest generals. They could foresee Harry becoming a wizard more powerful than Dumbledore.
However, Harry noted Dumbledore's less-than-pleased expression, likely grappling with the realization that the child he had once abandoned was now a formidable wizard capable of besting Bellatrix Lestrange. The more power Harry demonstrated, the more it highlighted the fallacy of Dumbledore's past decisions. James and Lily wore expressions of mingled sadness and pride.
Sirius beamed with pride. "Great job, Harry! You even bested my cousin Bella. She hates running from a fight, and you forced her to it. Grandfather will be thrilled."
Flitwick chimed in, "It seems you've made great progress in dueling, Harry. Perhaps we can prepare for the European tournament this summer after your OWLs."
Harry humbly accepted the praise and expressed interest in the dueling tournament, remembering how last summer's event had been suspended due to the Death Eaters' escape.
Amelia cleared her throat. "Thank you, Harry. Your actions tonight were incredibly brave, if somewhat reckless. We'll need to discuss the repercussions of running into danger without asking for help from Aurors, but that can wait for another time."
Harry smiled sheepishly while Sirius chuckled.
Amelia turned to Dumbledore. "Albus, I must leave now. I need to issue alerts for Pettigrew and Bellatrix Lestrange. Minister, please inform me when you decide how to handle the Lestrange brothers' bodies."
Fudge was visibly displeased with the news of the Lestrange siblings' fate, particularly since the Dementors he had deployed were responsible for their fate worse than death. He knew his supporters from the dark faction would be unhappy.
The Minister looked at Harry with barely concealed anger, seemingly blaming him for not returning in time to save the Lestranges from the Dementors. However, Fudge knew he couldn't act against Harry without just cause, lest he face the wrath of the Black family, Amelia Bones, and their numerous supporters.
Before Harry could address Fudge's hostile look, Sirius intervened, leading his godson out of the room. He knew Harry must have omitted many details and was eager to hear the full story in private.
As they left Dumbledore's office, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that the interrogations were far from over. The hostile glance from Minister Fudge lingered in his mind, suggesting that there might be further attempts to question or even challenge his actions. However, despite this lingering unease, Harry wasn't concerned.
He knew that he had strong backing within the Ministry. The Black and Potter family's influence, coupled with Amelia's support and the respect he'd earned from many in the wizarding world through their children at Hogwarts, formed a formidable shield against any potential political maneuvering. Even if Fudge attempted to pursue some form of action against him, Harry was confident that his allies would stand firm.
If Fudge did attempt to challenge him, Harry was prepared to fight back. In fact, he mused, next year might be the perfect time to end the Minister's political career if he pushed too far.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
33 Power
stone 
Paragraph comment