บท 39: Chapter 40: Meeting at Hogsmeade
Alexander was sitting in the corner of the Three Broomsticks pub with a butterbeer in hand, examining the Hogwarts' students and the declining density of magic as no seventh year examined this far by Alexander had a liquid core. Alexander had thought that he would find some but he was disappointed.
As thought by Charles, Alexander had not come alone. Alexander had 100 solid stage Magi with him while others were waiting on standby. Alexander didn't want any bodyguards but Carter insisted on it as according to their elven spies both the aurors and the Unspeakables would be deployed to catch him. There were whispers of the hit wizards of ICW acting as emergency backup. Alexander had chosen this place as a venue to announce his presence to the world.
Alexander saw that many girls were discreetly glancing at him while chatting between themselves while the boys were glaring daggers at him. Alexander just smiled ruefully and ignored them. Alexander turned to look towards the entrance as he felt some people appearing before the pub. Alexander was already aware of the presence of the people who were slowly mingling with the crowd of the students. Alexander ordered his elves to remove the portkey charm laid on these students as Alexander wanted to make a proper show of being a dark lord. Alexander always wanted to play the role of villain and now, he has his chance. Alexander looked up as Charles and Dorea Potter with 3 other people entered the pub.
DOREA's P.O.V:
We were waiting for the Aurors to confirm if Alexander Fortis was in the Three Broomsticks or not. The atmosphere in the Hogs Head pub was very tense. That old coot, Dumbledore had rented this place to act as temporary headquarters. We all had the listening and tracking charms laid on various parts of our robes. After confirmation is given, we appariated towards the pub and arrived in front of it. I turned to look to others and saw that they were not that nervous. I can understand them, they don't know the amount of power this man has. I took a deep breadth and said, " Let's get this show started." and entered the pub. There he was sitting at the back with his back towards the wall and keeping the whole pub in his view. He looked up towards us and stood up.
Alexander stood up to greet the people who had come to meet him.
Alexander said, " Good Morning!!! Mr. and Mrs. Potter and greetings to the rest of you."
Everyone nodded in greeting and took the seats that the proprietor of this shop set out for them. Alexander then continued, " Thank you for accommodating to my request. I always wanted to see the Hogsmeade. Enough talking about me, tell be about this gathering. What is it's purpose."
Charles, " Let me introduce you to the rest of us. This is Arcturus Black, my old friend and this Amelia Bones, daughter of my another friend, Leonard Bones, she is an Auror. This young fellow is Alastor Moddy, he is the teammate of Amelia. Now, the gathering is to fulfill the gap left behind by the wizarding war and to recruit powerful wizards to serve our country"
Alexander, " You want to build an army."
Dorea, " No!!! These youths could be experts of anything like potioneering, warding, runes, herbology, etc."
Alexander, " Sorry, for jumping to conclusions. But, what do you want from me?"
Dorea, " We wanted to convince you to join the Aurors."
Alexander, " No."
Charles, " Why?"
Alexander, " I have a family business to look after."
Arcturus, " What is your family business if you don't mind my query?"
Alexander, " We provide protection to the wizards and witches who want to travel deep inside the magical forests of Africa to collect magical plants or capture magical animals. The work is dangerous but it's good."
Alastor, " So, you are a mercenary."
Alexander, " No,we are a registered with the local ministries of magic."
Charles, " But, this is surely more dangerous than working as a Auror."
Alexander, " But, I like it."
As Alexander and the rest were talking, the teams of Aurors and Unspeakables were tightening the circle. Alexander was aware of the this and said, " Sorry, but I have to go as I have an meeting at Gringrots. It was a pleasure to meet all of you. But, I must go now. Amelia, you are very serious even for Aurors. You didn't even said a word since this little gathering started, please get a life outside your job. Goodbye!!!"
Arcturus, " Please, I insist that you at least have lunch with us."
Alexander, " Oh!!! I am sorry but I don't want to make my friends outside waiting anymore for me. We can have our lunch at some other time." Alexander quickly left the pub and the rest moved to follow him.
As Alexander was preparing to leave, the Head of Unspeakables spoke, " That guy is smart, he already knows that we are here. Men, move and capture him. I want him alive enough to answer our questions. Coordinate with the ICW backup if things go wrong. Take care, that guy is a dangerous man."
Alexander felt a spell being fired at him and simply swatted it away. The spell struck the street and the street exploded. Alexander turned to look towards the caster and saw a man wearing a hood pointing his wand at him. Before Alexander could say something, he felt tens of spells coming towards him, Alexander just put up a nullfying shield around him. The nullfying shield was a device that worked on the principle of nullfying all the magic except the user within a range. Alexander believed that overwhelming use of force every time someone challenged you brings unnecessary troubles. Moreover, why should Alexander give his opponents a measure of his true ability? He was not a typical villain who would first tell his plan and praise himself for it. He was a king, he was above all this foolhardy things.
Alexander observed his surroundings and saw that the students were unharmed and running towards the safety of the castle. Alexander just signalled his men to drop the wardstones. Every one felt powerful wards going up and the students are the edge felt like slamming into a wall. Quite a few students got injured due to this.
Dorea, " These wards are his. Where are ours?"
The Head Auror spoke, " We planned to put up
the wards after the students have evacuated. We planned to keep him engaged till then."
Charles snorted, " Looks like your plan did not work out quite well. That's what you get for not including war veterans into your plan on the behest of an old coot. Where the hell, is that old bastard?"
The Head Auror spoke, " He is coming."
As the students hurdled together in fear, Dumbledore appeared in a flash of fire while flaring his magical aura. Alexander ordered his men to activate a special ward that he had prepared. Dumbledore surveyed the surroundings and spoke, " My children!!! You don't have to fear anymore. I am here."
Dumbledore turned towards Alexander and said in a grandfatherly tone, " My Boy!!! It would be in your best interest to lower the wards and surrender. You should also persuade your companions to surrender. Don't be afraid, I would demand a less severe punishment for you. I think you could still be saved from the dark path."
Alexander just saw the whole drama that Dumbledore was doing and applauded the old coot in his mind for being an excellent showman and said, " I really admire you. You are the only dark lord who had been able to reign this long and the most funny thing is that the people don't even know it."
Charles said from behind, " What is he talking about?"
Dorea, " I have no idea."
Alexander turned towards Dumbledore and said, " See!! They have no idea."
Dumbledore's face turned grave and he said, " I have to warn you against making baseless accusations against me. I have always fought for the light and Fawkes here, is a proof of the this."
Alexander laughed and said, " Enslaving a phoenix doesn't make you a light wizard but on the contrary, is a proof of your darkness. I can see the chains of magic binding this baby phoenix." Alexander can literally see the dark chains formed from magic binding the mind, body and soul of the baby Phoenix. Alexander then spoke with magic lacing his voice, " Come here, little guy. Let's release you from this old coot." Alexander's magic gave the baby phoenix a small time of freedom. The Phoenix flied towards Alexander in desperation, afraid that his chance of freeing himself from the bad man would be gone.
Every one could see the Phoenix flying towards Alexander in desperation. Dumbledore tried to wandlessly summon the Phoenix back to him but Alexander just cancelled the magic cast by him. A sufficiently powerful wizard could cancel out the magic done by a weaker wizard but this practice was not used anymore as it was not considered polite. The Phoenix which was named by Dumbledore as Fawkes reached Alexander.
Alexander truly felt sad for this guy, first he was enslaved and then given a name which was not his. Phoenixes have enough intelligence to develop their own language and name themselves. As this phoenix was a baby, he was easily captured by Dumbledore as his parents were away. The Phoenix parents are connected with their child through magic so Dumbledore had bound the baby's magic. Alexander was sure that he would come face to face with murderous parents very soon but he didn't care.
Alexander felt the Phoenix landing on his shoulder and rubbing his cheeks against him in pleading. At first, Alexander wanted to conduct a show of releasing the Phoenix but his heart melted at the sight of the little guy pleading to him. Alexander entered the king's might into the phoenix's body, mind and soul and willed the chains to be dissolved. The chains shattered and Dumbledore spewed blood from his mouth. The Phoenix on the other hand, shone brightly and increased in size by 3 times and his fire which was like mild embers turned into raging fire.
Alexander said, " Now, you truly look like a phoenix. Previously, you looked like a flaming chicken."
Alexander's comment earned him a glare from the bird. Then, the Phoenix turned to Dumbledore with murderous eyes and the whole area was now filled with thick killing intent. Alexander sensed arrival of two beings are the edge of wards and told the Phoenix, " Little Guy!!! Your parents are here. Go, meet them. When you are free, come find me. I have a proposal for you and your race." The Phoenix thrilled in acceptance and the sound was truly beautiful. Then, the Phoenix gave Alexander his feather and tried to flame away but was prevented. The Phoenix looked confused. Alexander said, " It's a ward put up by my people which blocks Phoenix's teleportation. Go towards the south, your parents are there. I must say they are battering at the wards quite vigorously. Go before they become dim witted and forget about you." The phoenix flied away while glaring at Alexander.
Alexander just chuckled and said, " Adorable fellow." and turned his attention towards Dumbledore. Dumbledore was still suffering from the after effects of the bond suddenly broken. Alexander had directed all the penalties towards Dumbledore. Dumbledore was likely to remain like this for at least 10 minutes. Alexander spoke up, " Carter, please take away all the wands from the old man." The people witnessing the exchange were quite surprised when a man suddenly appeared beside Dumbledore and summoned all the wands from him. Alexander said, " Looks like the laziness of wizards is also effecting you, Carter. Add 50 additional laps to your punishment. Search him physically for any wands."
Carter found 3 other wands which were inlaid with anti- summoning runes from Dumbledore's robes. Alexander then continued, " Destroy all the wands including the elder wand. It's just an amplifier of magic created by ancient Magi. Also put up a screen and vanish all his clothing. Put him in standard robes. I am getting a headache seeing him wearing this abomination."
Carter did as told and Dumbledore was now dressed in normal blue robes. Alexander let out a sigh of relief and turned towards the Potters and said, " I have a proposal for you."
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