Capítulo 43: The Summoning
Voldemort watched as the, regrettably inferior lodestone was placed down in his ritual chamber at Avery Manor. Around a stone plinth of granite, the lodestone was carefully etched and engraved with runic markers. The etchings were filled with the blood of the muggle children Crabbe and Goyle had procured from a nearby village. Those broken bodies were placed on the edges of the outermost ring of stones, payment given for the one he wished to summon.
"I-is everything to your liking my Lord Voldemort?" Avery asked cautiously. Avery was a blood-purist always, he hated muggles and muggleborn. The deaths of those children didn't cause him any issue, it was the next step that put a chill in him.
"It is acceptable enough, given the situation." Voldemort said quietly, "Bring her in."
Avery swallowed hard and nodded. Stepped out of the ritual chamber he drew a steadying breath. He climbed the stairs leading up into the yard. It was a blood moon, if it wasn't the night of this ritual, he would think it was beautiful. He looked at the house, upstairs there was light in the easternmost bedroom. His daughters bedroom.
Johanna had been told to wait, to not return to Hogwarts just yet. Arrangements were made, an illness he'd told the Headmaster in his letter. Johanna would be back to school once she was feeling better. But she wouldn't be going back. Not if he obeyed his master.
He stepped into his house. Silent. The Manor had been quiet ever since the death of his wife. Lady Victoria Avery nee Parkhurst had been the light of his life. Then she died giving birth to their only child and the light left him. His hand traced the railing as he climbed the stairs slowly. Each pause gave his daughter another heartbeat. Another breath of air.
He paused at a portrait. There was Victoria smiling down at him. The enchantment for portraits was difficult, this one had failed and so she was unable to speak. Instead she silently watched her husband. He brought his hand up and touched her canvas, an action she mirrored. "Forgive me Vicky." He said softly as he turned and continued his trip to his daughters room.
He knocked on the door. After a moment he heard a muffled "Come in" and he turned the knob. Johanna had been brushing her hair at her mirror. She turned to greet her father. "Yes father?" She asked him.
He looked at her, she looked so much like his wife. "Johanna, I need you to do something for me. Something important." He said quickly, digging into his pocket he produced his silver pocket watch. "I need you to hold this. It's a portkey, it will take you to Hogsmeade. Go back to the Castle. Go to Dumbledore, tell him that you-" He paused and embraced his daughter, "Tell him that your father loves you very much and that he hopes you become a better person than him."
"Father what is going on?" Johanna asked confused.
"My guests, the ones that I've told you not to speak to?" He said hurriedly, "I am a Death Eater. That is Lord Voldemort and his retinue. You have to leave, take this as well." He pressed the watch and a small piece of paper into her hands. Stepping back from her, Avery watched as his daughter, still in her nightgown, vanished.
Avery stood in his daughters' room for a minute longer, trying to memorize everything he could. He knew his wife would never forgive him for even entertaining the thought of sacrificing their daughter. Perhaps he would find some atonement in his next life if there was anything after this one.
When he returned to the ritual chamber Voldemort was waiting. "Avery, where is your daughter?" He hissed in a low, dangerous voice.
"G-gone my Lord," Avery said, doing his best to collect his nerves. "She must have-AAAAHHHH!" Avery began to explain was stopped by a wave of agony as Voldemort plundered his mind.
"She must have used the portkey you gave her." Voldemort said after a moment. "You sent her to Hogsmeade. Do you think that old fool Dumbledore will keep her safe?" Voldemort drew his wand and with a motion, Avery was thrust onto the pillar. Golden chains began to wrap around him, securing the mans body. "Goyle." Voldemort called, gaining the attention of a heavy-set man in black robes, "You and Crabbe are to apparate to Hogsmeade and then come back with the girl. If you do not find her in ten minutes time, return here."
"Yes my Lord." Goyle said before leaving the chamber.
Voldemort looked at Avery, "Your daughter will, in the brief time she has left, get to watch as I usher in a new world."
Scene Break
Johanna cursed the fact that she hadn't had time to get dressed. She was deeply confused by all this and the snow stinging her bare feet didn't help anything. She was in front of the 'Hogs Head', one of the lesser pubs in the village. Still, it was open and she was freezing so she went inside quickly.
At the bar, Aberforth Dumbledore took in the sight of a teenaged witch in a dressing gown and little else rushing into his place of business. "What, needed a pint so badly you couldn't get dressed?" He asked the girl.
"My f-father used a portkey." She replied, her teeth chattering from the cold outside, "Told me to go straight to H-Hogwarts."
"He couldn't give you time to get dressed?"
"D-Death Eaters. V-Volde-" She began but stopped when she heard familiar voices outside. Without waiting to explain, she ducked behind the bar, hiding at the old man's side.
Two men entered the pub. To Aberforth they looked eerily similar to a pair of trolls. One of whom seemed marginally more intelligent than the other one, that was the one who chose to be the spokesman. "Have you seen a blonde run by here? Little bint stole my mates money." The one Aberforth had designated 'Troll One' stated gruffly.
"You two ladykillers couldn't keep your eye on one girl?" Aberforth said dryly. "You're in luck then, I have a beautiful blonde girl just waiting for you." Johanna looked terrified as she knelt behind the counter.
"Where is she?" Troll Two said.
Aberforth whistled and a yellow goat came from the stairway bleating. "There she is, but I'll tell you, she's a fighter." The two men cursed and walked out. "Alright, you need to get to the Castle." Aberforth said once he'd drawn his wand and locked the door. "Use my floo and call for 'Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office'."
"Thank you," Johanna said as she stood up and went to the fireplace.
Aberforth raised his wand, "Wait!" He called, flicking the wand Johanna's nightgown was transfigured into a simple black cloak and boots. "Just in case you don't get them and we have to walk."
She smiled in gratitude at the older man and then used the floo powder to open a visual connection to Dumbledore's office. "H-Headmaster? Are you in there?"
A moment passed with no response and then the face of Albus Dumbledore appeared in the flames. "Miss Avery, you weren't expected back for another week. Why are you in my brothers business?" He was understandably confused, "You look terrified, what is wrong?"
"Not here, please, can I come through?" Johanna asked. When Albus nodded and then stepped back she hurried through the floo. Standing in the Headmasters office she finally was able to release some of the nervous energy she'd felt since her father had approached her. She released this energy in the form of fainting into a heap. Or it would have been a heap, Albus used his wand to levitate her and placed her in one of the plush armchairs on the other side of his desk.
"House Elf, please." Albus said. In a moment one of the Elves appeared beside him. "Please bring me Madam Pomfrey, and have her bring a calming draught, also Professors Slughorn and Fawkes." He stroked his beard in thought. Johanna Avery was the only daughter of Lord Avery. Lord Avery was a known supporter of the more aggressive wing of pure-blood thought, though Albus noted that his daughter was on friendly enough terms with the Norrey sisters.
Harry arrived first, "You called for me?" He asked as he entered the classroom, then paused, "Why is Johanna Avery here?"
Albus sighed, "I did and in answer to your second question, I will have to ask Miss Avery herself. Horace is on his way as is Poppy. Horace is Miss Avery's head of House and I have a feeling that we will need her permission to review her memories. As for Poppy, she will be able to keep Miss Avery calm should the need arise."
Harry nodded. They needed a win tonight, in whatever manner they achieved it. Cedric Yaxley had been a dead end. Once he'd heard that his son had already been taken in for questioning by the Ministry, he'd stormed out. Luckily Moody had sent them word that Corban Yaxley had already been processed by the time his father had arrived back. Even his fathers status as Deputy-Director for the DMLE wouldn't be able to move his son out of the holding cell he would be spending the night in.
Madam Pomfrey and Professor Slughorn arrived together. "Poppy, Horace, now that you are both here, we can awaken Miss Avery." Albus said as he waved his wand at the teen. Slowly her eyes began to flutter and she sat more upright in the chair. "Miss Avery, are you feeling better? Would you like a calming draught or perhaps some food?" Albus asked gently.
"No Headmaster, I-" Johanna drew in a breath, "My father sent me here. He- you have to help him!"
"Tell me what we can do," Albus said, "What is the matter?"
"The Death Eaters, the ones who attacked the Alley and the Village. Their leader is at our home." Johanna said, "F-father gave me a portkey to Hogsmeade." She began to sob, "H-he's probably dea-" at that she couldn't continue. Albus motioned to Madam Pomfrey and the healer gave Johanna a small bottle. She took a sip and then continued, "They had been bringing in lodestone all week. Father kept me in my room, but I heard things through the window overlooking the garden. Two of them, I think they were the ones I heard at the Hogs Head looking for me, were supposed to have brought something for a ritual of some kind."
"Lodestone?" Harry said, "Are you sure." When she nodded Harry turned to Albus, "It is Voldemort."
Johanna took another sip of the potion, "It is. F-father never let me be in the same room as him, but he's been in the ritual chamber for the whole week." She handed Albus the piece of parchment, "He also gave me this."
Albus looked at Professor Slughorn, "Horace, with your permission I would like to draw some memories from Miss Avery if she is willing of course." Johanna nodded taking a final sip of her calming potion. "Harry, would you be kind enough to summon our mutual friend at the Department of Mysteries?" Albus looked at the text on the parchment and smiled, "We have him."
"Of course, I'll be back as soon as possible." Harry said and turned leaving the office and heading back towards his own. Lodestone and a ritual of some kind...He thought as he turned the corner and went down the stairs towards his office and quarters.
We have him. He thought, We know where he is and we can stop him. Even if he's made another Horcrux we can at least stop his current plans until we can find and destroy it. That thought, at everything could be over in a few hours time kept him going. It filled him with more hope than he'd ever known before.
So many people had died because of Riddle, both in his time and this one. He'd never heard of the attack on Diagon Alley in his first timeline, that one had been his fault. The nightmare creature he'd used in Hogsmeade, that had been new as well. His presence seemed to drive Voldemort to worse and worse depravities. What could be next? He thought as hope was slowly replaced by dread.
As was usual, Bellatrix was in his office. She normally stayed the night with him if he didn't come home. However Apolline and Andromeda were there as well. "Ladies." Harry said with a quick greeting, "Voldemort is up to something and now we know where he is."
"How?" Bellatrix asked incredulously, "It's a Fidelius Charm unless the Secret-Keeper defected it should be impossible."
"A little while ago Professor Dumbledore had a visitor, one Johanna Avery." Harry explained, "Her father sent her to us with a note."
"That note gave you the location didn't it?" Bellatrix finished for him.
"It did, at least judging by the look on the Headmaster's face." Harry replied with a smile, "Now, I need to summon our friend in the Unspeakables."
Apolline went to him, "Harry, a moment please." When he paused she continued, "Please be careful with whatever you do. I am your Consort and I would like to actually be able to enjoy that title." She smiled, "When this is over, I want you to come with me to Paris. I want time alone with you."
"That goes for me too." Andromeda said, "I know we've been talking more since the attack and I'm grateful, but you and I have a child on the way. I would prefer it if she believed her parents actually cared for each other." She indicated Bellatrix and Apolline, "We have discussed it and we want to each have some time with you."
Harry nodded, "That sounds about right, I save the world and you three figure out how badly I've been neglecting my family." He teased them and then winced as Bellatrix hit him.
"Don't be juvenile Harry, we are all in this fight in whatever way we can be. Now call your Unspeakable." She directed her husband towards the floo with a single motion. She watched as Harry shoved his head into the green flames before turning back to Andromeda and Apolline, "It is my fault." Bellatrix said, "Well, mine and Narcissa's. We have been capitalizing on his free time."
"Yes, but he could still make some time for us." Andromeda said, "He's a grown man after all." She looked at him for a moment, "He's too passive."
"He's anything but passive, he's just been living for the defeat of Riddle for so long that it's all he knew," Bellatrix said defending Harry. She looked back over and saw him pulling his head out of the flames. "Will we be having company?"
"A small cadre of Unspeakables will be coming through the Headmaster's floo. I need to get back to him immediately." Harry said walking over and kissing her before turning and giving the other two women matching kisses. "If everything goes well, all current Peverell children will be born into a world with no Riddle." He said and raced back out of the room.
Scene Break
Avery screamed as Voldemort began his work. His screams would have reverberated for miles around had Voldemort not removed his tongue. "Avery you poor, witless fool. You should have given the girl to me. Now you will experience her agony." The Dark Lord said as he carved the final rune into the mans chest. Blood began to drip from his wounds landing on the runic circle under the pillar. The blood began to glow filling the circle with hellish light.
Avery slumped and began to twitch as Voldemort chanted the spell. Behind him, watching in horror and fascination were the other members of the Inner Circle. Suddenly Avery stopped twitched and bolted upright staring directly at Voldemort. 'YOU ARE THE ONE WHO SUMMONS, THE ONE WHO CALLS US, BEGS US, ENTREATS US TO COME. COME WE HAVE TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE, COME TO YOUR CALL, BOUND BY YOUR CHAINS FOR NOW." Came a strangely hollow voice that sounded like a large group whispering as one. "YOU WISH TO BE RID OF THE ONE WHO MARKED YOU, THE ONE YOU HAVE MARKED, THE WHEEL SPINS AND YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO STOP IT BEFORE YOU ARE PULLED UNDER IT."
"Yes Great Spirit," Voldemort said looking into the multicolored lights that filled the eyes of the being that had been Lord Avery, "Harry Fawkes must be destroyed if I am to rule."
"YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BARGAIN WITH. NO FULL SOUL. YOURS IS FRACTURED AND NEARLY ALL HAS FLED TO THE ABYSS. YOU GIVE US THESE BODIES, A BETRAYER AND CHILDREN. WE REQUIRE MORE, WE REQUIRE PROPER RESPECT." The head swung unsteadily looking past Voldemort, "THE ONES WHO SERVE, YOU HAVE COMMAND OF THEIR BLOOD. GIVE IT TO US."
"You have it." Voldemort said, "Give me what I need and you can have my Death Eaters." Suddenly there was an outcry as the others understood what their master had said. Voldemort held up his hand and instantly the door to the Ritual Chamber was hidden behind a wall of crackling flames. Behind him he heard the screams as each Death Eater was taken by the host inside Avery's corpse.
"IT IS DONE. THESE BODIES WILL CLOAK US AS WE SEEK OUT THE ONE WHO STOPS YOU. YOU WILL RULE THIS WORLD AND WE WILL FEAST ON THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO STAND AGAINST YOU. THIS IS OUR PACT!"
The voices were now diffused into the bodies around him. Voldemort turned and saw the still masked Death Eaters watching him, a green glow in the eyes of the masks. As one, they turned and vanished through the flames. He had brought Hell to earth.
Hell would come to Hogwarts.
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