บท 403: hpml361-374
Chapter 361
Their lips locked and a second later their tongues dueled. Lily heard Shiva let off a low
moan of contentment just before both pulled back, slightly breathless. "Well," Lily
murmured, "that just happened."
Shiva chuckled and shifted so that she could wrap an arm around Lily's shoulder. "Yeah.
Good kiss that."
"Agreed," Lily answered, a wide grin blossoming on her face.
"So, you like girls too? I kinda figured that you were strictly into guys. You know, husband
and all," Shiva commented hesitantly.
Lily shrugged. "I had a girlfriend before I had a boyfriend. Travers killed her and her family
in the last war. We'd parted amicably long before that, but the point stands."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, it was a long time ago. The point is, yes, I like women just as much as I like
men," Lily said with a small snort of amusement. "When I was kid I used to think I was
ahead of my time. Then I got more used to the magical community where that sort of thing
seems to be less of an issue. Well at least as long as you're not concerned with passing on
bloodlines."
Shiva nodded. "Oh. So uh, you like me?"
Lily sat up and raised her eyebrow, staring incredulously at her friend. "Is this really a
surprise? I've been leaning on you since I woke back up. We're both raising our son
together. I've told you the state my marriage was in before Halloween '81. We speak and
hang out almost every night. You're very beautiful and extremely intelligent. And I've taken
to staring at your arse whenever you leave a room before me."
"Well you put it like that!" Shiva shook her head laughing. "And for the record I've been
staring at your arse for weeks. Didn't really think it was appropriate to say anything
though."
"Well the elephant in the room has been spoken of now!"
"That it has," Shiva said. "So uh, before I try to kiss you again…are you looking for a fling to
help you get over James? Because I'm honestly not sure I'd be up for that."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Wow, jumping the gun a bit there? No wonder Harry is so bad with
talking to girls!" she teased lightly. "I don't know what I'm looking for, Shiva. I just know
that I like you and would like to spend time with you as more than just friends. I don't
want a rebound relationship, but I have no intention of making the same mistake I did last
time and marrying someone due to a war."
Shiva smiled and cocked her head to the side a bit. "Well…Harry has been trying to get me
to date someone for a few years now…Can you imagine the look on his face when we tell
him we're sort of a couple now?"
Lily started laughing. "It'll be priceless!"
"Yes. Yes it will," Shiva commented sagely. She leaned over and cupped Lily's chin in one
hand whispering seductively, "Now, Professor Potter, I believe I need to check whether you
remember your studies."
Harry groaned sitting up and pushing away his papers. He'd finally managed to get it
finished. The tracekey schematic no longer had grounding issues and could be used
without incurring any magical backlash. He'd have to get the design over to Amelia so that
she could run a few field tests to be sure but there wasn't any reason that it should have
issues.
A traitorous part of his mind whispered that the Soul Cage shouldn't have any issues either
yet that hadn't stop the thing from nearly killing him.
Shaking his head to rid himself of the annoying doubt Harry gathered his work and stood
up. Maybe just a quick check with Shiva and Lily to make sure. No reason to jump the gun
after all. Besides, he could ask them for advice on what to do for Hermione's birthday and
maybe get some help with setting things up for Daphne's Defense Association meeting
over the weekend. And tell them about Daphne's Defense Association meeting over the
weekend.
Harry sighed to himself. There just weren't enough hours in the day anymore. Sirius had
gotten back a little while ago too so he needed to swing by his godfather too. Who better
for ideas on what to try covering in a Defense class than the Defense teacher? It would also
nicely cover Harry's bases of Attempted Murder By DADA Professor. If Sirius was a guest
teacher in Daphne's new club then there would be bound to be an accident or something
at the end of the year almost getting him killed. Now he wouldn't have to worry about his
godfather turning evil and trying to kill him!
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Chapter 362
He stopped in front of Lily's office first this time, but there wasn't an answer to his knock.
After waiting a minute or two and still not getting any answer Harry let himself in only to
find his mother wasn't in her rooms. Briefly he considered comming Hermione to check
the Aide or Lily herself, but he shrugged and simply turned to continue on to Shiva's room.
They were generally together anyway whenever he went looking for one or the other. It
made talking to his mothers easier, but it was reaching the point of hilarity at times.
"Shiva?" Harry called knocking on her door. Again there was no answer. Shaking his head
and mumbling in annoyance Harry called out again, "If you're in there I'm coming in! I
need to talk to you and Lily for a few minutes!" With silence his only answer Harry gave
the password and the door swung open for him. He shuffled the papers he was holding so
that he could check a few things as he stepped inside and shut the door behind him. "Shiva?
I fixed the grounding issue in the tracekey. I had to lower the ward tunneling ability and
add in a shunting workaround just in case, but I think it's better than bleeding from the
eyes when jumping through a strong ward."
He heard a grunt coming from the door to the bedroom area and shuffled that way
switching to a second sheet. "I also added in a disintegrate matrix. It'll destroy the rune
stone if there's too much backlash to bleed off unfortunately, but again, better than
hemorrhaging." He turned the doorknob and pushed it open. "Do you want to contact
Amelia or – " Harry cut off abruptly as a feminine squeal had his eyes wrenched up from
the papers.
On the couch in front of him were Shiva and Lily. Both very sweaty, very naked and very
entangled. Harry's mouth dropped open and the papers he was holding slipped out his
hands. He made a strangled sound that was certainly not a terrified scream. It was a manly
utterance of surprise.
"Sorry! I'll come back later!" He had the door wrenched shut before he had fully processed
just who had been in Shiva's arms. Halfway across the office that information caught up
with his feet causing him to trip and fall on the ground desperately trying to get the
imagine of his two mothers' naked bodies out of his mind.
"Harry! Knock next time, kid!" Shiva shouted from behind the newly reclosed bedroom
door. "I'm a little busy here!"
Harry groaned and covered his head with his hands. "I did knock! And I was talking too!
Lock your bedroom!"
"Harry? Uh, maybe we should talk, honey…" Lily's voice drifted through the door. Harry
could practically hear the blush of embarrassment in her voice. It perfectly matched his
own tomato red face.
"Maybe later! Have fun! Leaving now, bye!" Harry didn't wait around for either of them to
say anything further. He picked himself up and practically ran out of the room. He didn't
slow his pace until he hit the ground floor. "Bloody hell. 'Now you have two mothers.'
Tonks I'm going to kill you. You probably arranged this," he muttered. "Merlin that was
embarrassing…" Harry shuddered again. He didn't have any issues with Lily and Shiva
getting together. It was…rather weird considering one was a mother by blood and one was
a mother by adoption. Also weird when one stopped to consider that one was 35 going on
22 and the other was 23 going on 24.
Whatever. Harry shook his head and groaned. No, Lily and Shiva could date. That was fine.
He just had no need to see his parents having sex. That was all sorts of wrong. It would
have been all sorts of wrong if they had actually be a good deal older than him like most
parents and children. That they were both – by an amusing quirk of Fate – actually pretty
close to him in age just made it even more embarrassing.
Resolving to try and wipe the scene from his mind with a bit of manual labor he changed
course and headed towards the greenhouses. It was early afternoon so he'd probably have
most of the area to himself. He could finish the practical part of the Herbology homework
early.
That was a great idea in principal. Unfortunately for Harry it ended up being a bad idea in
practice. He had just walked into the greenhouse and grabbed the gloves when he heard
something falling towards the back of the enclosure. Frowning, Harry moved through the
overhanging plants towards the noise. "Anyone else here?" A distant giggle was the only
response. Harry sighed in annoyance. He wasn't really in the mood to play hide and seek
with people from the lower years. "Look, I'm about to start - "
Harry cut off as he pushed aside one large fern and found himself face to face with Neville.
A barechested Neville. With Susan, similarly sans clothing and sprawled underneath him
on top of the last table - thankfully clear of plant material. "You mind, Harry? We've
claimed this greenhouse for an hour or so," Hannah said raising an eyebrow at him from
where she was standing with her arms wrapped around Neville from behind.
Harry just gaped and silently tried to reach for words as his face heated up. Before he could
regain his composure, Susan twisted to look up at him. "Actually, probably two hours.
Hermione is up in the Astronomy tower doing some work I think if you were looking your
own entertainment."
Harry locked eyes with Neville who was struggling not to laugh at the girls' comments and
largely failing. "Lock the door on your way out, mate. I could've sworn I did that. My bad."
"Yeah. Bye." Harry practically squeaked as he dropped the frond he was still holding and
ran out of the greenhouse.
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Chapter 363
He was on the seventh floor by the time he consciously decided to try and work out his
embarrassment in the Room of Requirement. He paused in front the tap dancing trolls
trying to decide what would best take his mind off the last few minutes. Eventually Harry
decided to try meditating sitting by the fire, curled up on his bed from the Manor. It had
worked wonders when he'd done that over the summer hols with his partners.
He set the Room and walked in shaking his head trying to find the humor in this very
normal teenage problem which should be an extremely refreshing change from the usual
life threatening ones. That attempt was blasted out of his mind as he yet again walking
into the middle of an intimate scene.
Fleur and Tonks were squirming against each other in the middle of the Room's version of
his bed with their hands between each other's legs and both panting heavily. Harry's
mouth again dropped open as he stared. Both girls froze in surprise at the sound of the
door clicking before their eyes found Harry and the tension in their shoulders dropped
away. They turned to each other and laughed. "Well," Tonks said completely amused, "we
thought we'd be safer coming here to avoid the possibility of Remus or Shack accidentally
walking in on us. Didn't even think about you or Mione being able to open the door.
Wotcher, Wonder Boy! Care to join us?"
Fleur grinned lecherously at him. "I know I said to meet later in ze evening 'arry, but I am
glad you decided to come here early."
Harry groaned and wiped a hand over his face. "Why does this keep happening to me?"
Sirius scowled as he twisted the fake locket in his hands. "Why do you look so familiar?
What am I missing?" He dropped the stupid thing on the table and slammed his head
down on the desk. "Maybe I should call Kreacher and ask him. He's been around long
enough that he's surely seen enough old jewelry to point me in the right direction. I know
I've seen this before! I know I'm missing something big about this whole thing! Merlin's
bollocks! Why did Remus and Lily have to have all the brains in the group?"
"Siri? Are you talking to yourself again?" Amelia asked with an amused raised eyebrow as
she let herself into his room. "You're supposed to have left the crazy in Azkaban, dear."
Sirius rolled his eyes and glared at her. "Haha, very funny, Amy. Thanks for stopping by, I
can really use your deductive skills here."
Amelia chuckled and pulled up a chair beside him running a hand gently through his hair.
"And here I thought you called because you missed me."
"Well of course I missed you, love," Sirius said shooting her his trademark Black grin. "I just
also happen to admire that beautiful brain of yours and am not above admitting that I'm a
fool who misses trees in a forest somewhat consistently."
"You go running off on a fool's errand against all common sense twice and you never let
yourself let it go huh?"
"Three times. At least. Pettigrew counts as two and three. In hindsight I should really count
running around with a transformed werewolf as number one for the fool's errand
occurrences," he said grimacing.
Amelia blinked in surprise and pulled back staring at him open mouthed. "Who are you
and what have you done with Sirius Black?"
He groaned and slapped a hand over his heart. "I can be mature sometimes, Amy. Those
kids' continual brushes with death completely unrelated to any of their own actions are
forcing me to reexamine some of my own life choices. It…really doesn't paint the
Marauders in as sterling a light as I'd prefer…"
"Oh please, beyond the animagus thing your actions were harmless. Pranking and
exploring isn't against the law, Siri."
"We were bullies. I honestly think I finally get why Snape hates me so much. I can't even
blame him. I'd hate me too."
Amelia frowned. "Sirius, be honest with me, what the hell is going on? You're never this
introspective."
He waved a hand over the locket on the desk. "This. Ever since we got back from that
damn cave hours ago I've been going over everything. I'm missing something, Amelia. It's
eating at me and eating at me. I don't even know what it is that has me turning this over so
much, but I know I'm missing something major!"
"I understand. I've felt the same way on investigations sometimes. It's one of the single
most frustrating things of being an Auror. Your instincts tell you something is wrong, but
you can never find the justification for what set you off until it's too late. Let's take a look
and see if I can help jog something loose." She picked up the locket turning it over several
times before flipping it open and inspecting the inside. "Was there anything odd about the
cave itself or the location?"
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Chapter 364
"No. It was a cave. I went spelunking with James back in '74 but that looked nothing like
this cave."
Amelia nodded and gently set the locket down turning her attention back to Sirius. "What
about the enchantments?"
He shook his head. "Nothing odd except that one on the entrance in. Black family magic
has a distinctive 'flavor' and I know that spell. Mum loved it. She used to put the damn
thing on the cabinets when she wanted to make sure we didn't go for the cookies."
"Is it possible your mother helped Voldemort in the construction of the defenses then?"
"No way," Sirius said shaking his head. "She supported his ideals 100 percent but she
would never stoop to actively helping him. My brother might have told him about the spell,
but it could just as easily have been Bella since I know she got a kick out of it too."
Amelia nodded again and quirked her mouth into a contemplative expression. "Let's move
on then. How about the Inferi?"
Sirius sighed and shook his head again. "Nope. Never had issues with them before, never
encountered them beyond Auror training."
"And nothing leaps out at you about the potion protecting this?"
"Nothing. I was never good with potions though so that's not surprising."
"You're somewhat used to battle as well so that's out," Amelia said softly. "Anything about
when you were all leaving that seemed strange?"
Sirius frowned. "Well, Kreacher froze for a minute there when he first popped in and he
was rather vehement afterward about helping us out of there. He really seemed to hate
the Inferi. Is that a House Elf thing?"
"Not that I know of," Amelia said slowly. Her eyes narrowed and she scribbled a note.
"We'll call him and ask as soon as we finish going over the rest. Let's get a full list before
pursuing the leads."
Sirius nodded emphatically. "Sounds good."
"The locket itself next. You say it looks familiar?"
"I know I've seen it. It was before Azkaban, that much I'm certain of, Amy. I thought
originally it might have been at one of the parties that Mum and Dad dragged me to as a
teenager, but now I'm not so sure. Do you recognize it?" he asked holding it out again.
She shook her head and sighed. "Unfortunately no. That is no design I am aware of
personally. I have an antiques dealer friend that we could try asking in the morning. If it's a
relic or an heirloom he stands a good chance of recognizing it."
"Okay, that's better than nothing. Do you want to read the note inside it?"
"Yes, please." She took out her monocle and scanned over the paper he handed her
several times. Her face lost quite several shades of color as she carefully handed the sheet
back and removed her monocle. "Siri, what did you say your brother's middle name was?"
"Arcturus," Sirius said shrugging in confusion. "Why? What does Regulus have to do with
anything?"
Amelia opened her mouth and closed it remaining silent for a moment. She rubbed her
temples. "He vanished in 1979 didn't he?"
"Yeah. Got cold feet or something after he joined up with the Death Eaters. The reality of
raping and murdering apparently didn't fit with his fantasy. From what Bella said in
Azkaban, Voldemort had him killed." Sirius scowled. "None of my family ever wanted to
get their hands dirty. If you're going to go evil at least be bloody decisive about it so I can
properly hate you!"
Amelia's face whitened further until she resembled a sheet. "Merlin's beard…Sirius, think
about it: Black family magic on the door, Regulus disappearing somewhere around the
time this was likely hidden, a horribly familiar locket, Kreacher having a bad reaction to the
cave, R.A.B…Regulus Arcturus Black."
Sirius' mouth dropped open and he turned to stare at the piece of jewelry. He slowly
reached out and picked it up. "Heirlooms you said…Mum had an old locket she kept locked
up that was a few generations old. I remember it had a big jewel on the front…just like
this…KREACHER!"
"Master calls for Kreacher?" the ancient elf rasped as he popped into the office just to the
side of Sirius.
"Kreacher, I need you to tell me about what happened earlier today. When you came for us.
Kreacher? Kreacher!" Sirius' eyes narrowed as the elf remained quiet simply staring at him.
He was about to yell at the old thing before he realized that Kreacher wasn't staring at him.
Kreacher was staring at the locket.
"Master Regulus' locket…" Kreacher murmured reverently. Then he burst into tears and
flung his arms around Sirius' legs hugging them in a death grip. "Master has recovered
Master Regulus' locket! Master is to be praised! Master is no longer unfit! Master is
honoring his family!"
Sirius could only stare slack jawed at the ancient elf. He turned to Amelia for help who
could only shrug in confusion. Frowning he turned back to Kreacher and gently pried the
little guy off of his legs. "Kreacher, can you tell me what happened earlier in the cave? Do
you know about this locket? About Regulus? What happened to my brother?"
Kreacher burst into tears again. It took ten minutes before the two wizards could get him
calm enough to begin explaining the sad history of Regulus Arcturus Black. Finally Kreacher
explained how he'd been used to test the defenses around the Horcrux and how
Voldemort had left him to die not realizing the elf could escape due to Regulus' earlier
orders. He spoke of how Regulus had soured to Voldemort after that casual dismissal of
the loyal elf. He spoke of Regulus' research and discovery of the Horcrux. He spoke of
Regulus' attempt to retrieve it ending in the man's death. He spoke of Regulus' final orders
to destroy the actual Horcrux. Orders that remained incomplete to his eternal shame. He
spoke of how he had almost been forced to discard the Horcrux before he could continue
trying to complete his mission, but how Mistress Irreverent had convinced Sirius to allow
Kreacher to continue holding the cursed item.
Kreacher finished his tale and again collapsed into tears praising 'Mistress Irreverent and
Master Unfavorite'. Sirius finally managed to regain use of his voice. "Kreacher," he asked
softly. "If you bring me that Horcrux my godson and I will destroy it for you. I swear this to
you. We will help you finish my brother's last order. You can keep this locket in return."
Kreacher's cries cut off and he stared up at the man. Blinking large eyes, Kreacher
disappeared without another word. Amelia reached over and grabbed Sirius' hand
squeezing hard. "We found it."
"We found it," he replied with a grin splitting his face in half.
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Chapter 365
"Hey, Hermione! Hermione, wait up!" Sirius called down the corridor as he spotted the
brunette turning a corner just ahead. He and Amelia ran up, coming to a stop behind her.
"That was lucky. You seen Harry? We found – ow! Amy, that hurt!"
"Not out here, idiot," Amelia said groaning and rubbing her forehead. "Hermione, if you
would be so kind as to direct us to your boyfriend, we have something of great important
to provide him."
Hermione frowned for a moment trying to puzzle out just what the adults were trying to
say. After a moment of thought, her eyebrows shot up, her eyes widened and her mouth
opened into a silent 'oh'. Her face barely taking long enough to spread into a wide grin, she
opened her backpack and pulled out her Librarian's Aide. "I promise to never disrespect a
book. Locate subject: Harry Potter." She didn't acknowledge Sirius leaning over her
shoulder and whistling appreciatively as the improved map zoomed in on the seventh floor,
one room to the side flashing. "He's in the Room of Requirement. Let's go. I'll comm
Daphne, you get Shiva and Lily."
Amelia chuckled; Hermione presumed it was at the way she had taken charge and started
walking down the passageways without even waiting for them to follow. "I'll contact Tonks
and let her know as well," the older woman said.
"Don't bother, Harry was with her and Fleur already," Hermione said waving the concern
off. "Comm on, contact Daphne. Daph, we need you up at the Room immediately. Well,
actually scratch that. You're welcome to come up to the Room if you want to be there."
"What? Hermione, slow down. What's going on?" Daphne's confused voice answered.
Hermione grimaced and took a long breathe. "My apologies. We've made some progress
on the scavenger hunt and are heading to show off the results to our partner."
A loud gasp came over the line coupled with a muttered curse. "I'm on my way. Are Tracey
and Luna invited as well?"
"If they're with you then yes, but otherwise no. I don't want to hold this up any longer
than absolutely necessary. If you see Neville, Susan or Hannah feel free to grab them as
well."
"Those three are…busy," Daphne say causing Hermione to snort in amusement. "I'll let
them know though and see if they can get up there before you start breathing fire about
making us wait. Tracey and Luna are with me. What configuration for the door?"
Hermione paused tapping her fingers on her side before sighing. "Probably the manor
bedroom. He's with Fleur and Tonks."
Daphne laughed. "Whatever, tell him to invite me next time would you?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "They didn't invite me either, Daph, but I'll mention it.
Disconnect." She looked over her shoulder at two sets of eyes staring at her. Amelia in mild
shock, Sirius quite obviously fighting to hold in laughter. She glared at them. "What? We're
teenagers, in a boarding school, with very little supervision and two of our partners are
exceptionally flirty. We're going to have sex. Get over it and let's go kill a bloody soul shard
before it tries to eat my boyfriend's mind again."
Sirius lost his battle and gave an exaggerated bow to her. "Lead the way, Mistress. I see
why Harry likes you so much!"
"Did you get in contact with Shiva and Lily?" Hermione asked ignoring the majority of his
statement as she resumed walking.
"They're on their way."
Hermione nodded in approval as she pulled up outside the tap dancing trolls. "Wait here a
moment please. If they are 'busy' I doubt any of them would be exceedingly pleased to
have either of you walk in on them."
Amelia sighed and nodded. "Yes, that would be awkward. Just come out to get us when
everyone is dressed please."
Hermione walked past the tapestry three times concentrating on Harry's bedroom and
smiled in satisfaction when the door materialized. She knocked on the new door to give
them a slight warning before walking in. Harry was on the bed curled up in Tonks arms
while Fleur was sitting up on one arm with her other one lightly stroking the metamorph's
back. Hermione crossed her arms as the door closed behind her and eyed the three. "You
know, you three aren't the only ones who could do with some stress relief."
Fleur smiled over. "Well zen lose ze clothes and climb in, Mione."
"Sorry, Mione," Harry said waving to her. "I walked in on Mum – both of them – then Nev
and then these two. Decided there was no way in hell I was going to leave after that, you
know?"
Hermione just rubbed her forehead in exasperation. "Yes, well, Daphne also requests an
invite next time. Get dressed all of you. Sirius and Amelia have found a Horcrux."
"WHAT!?" three voices rang out in concert nearly knocking Hermione back with the force
of their shouts.
"When the bloody hell was this?!" Harry asked leaping out of the bed and grabbing his
trousers. Fleur started cursing in French as she slipped on her bra and threw the sheets
around looking for her top.
Tonks' hair flipped through a rainbow of colors before settling on bubblegum pink as she
threw her leather jacket on over her shirt. "Which one? I can't believe they didn't call us!"
"I don't have details. I just know they found one. It seemed like they discovered it only a
few minutes ago," Hermione said shrugging.
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Chapter 366
Tonks shared a glance with Fleur before sighing and slipping on her boots. "Bloody
bastards probably figured out R.A.B."
"R.A.B?" Harry asked. "Nym, shirt's on backwards."
"Damn, knew it felt weird," she muttered. "R.A.B. are the initials of the guy who stole the
locket before us and switched it with a replacement."
"Oh," he paused and stared at her. "I guess we'll get that whole story later on now…"
Fleur shrugged and cinched her belt closed around her skirt. "We were going to debrief
you all after we finished up here."
Hermione nodded appreciatively at the three before moving back to open the door into
the Room. "Everyone's decent, you can come in now." She waved Sirius and Amelia inside
and was about to close the door again when Shiva and Lily came dashing around the end
of the corridor. Both were sweaty and their hair was tangled. Lily's trouser legs had ridden
up enough to show two different styles of socks. Hermione raised her eyebrows at their
disheveled appearances and held the door open muttering, "About time." Shiva cast her a
questioning glance which Hermione ignored.
Before she could close the door, Luna skidded around the corner with a huge grin on her
face and Coco riding her shoulder. She practically skipped down the hall as Daphne and
Tracey followed at a slightly less frantic, but still hurried, pace. Luna gave Hermione a quick
hug and kiss on each cheek before slipping into the Room. "She's in a good mood,"
Hermione remarked to the two Slytherins blinking after Luna.
"When is Luna not in a good mood?" Tracey noted with amusement.
Again Hermione tried to close the door and again she was forced to pause midway through
as Neville, Susan and Hannah came into view. "When did I volunteer to become the
butler?" she asked herself in mild annoyance waving the three newcomers inside. "Anyone
invite anyone else? No? Good. Harry, you get the door next time. If we're going to be in
your room, you should be the one opening the door."
Harry cast an amused look her way before turning to Sirius. "Mione says you found a
Horcrux?"
"Yup!" Sirius nodded emphatically and smiled at Amelia. "Amy was the one who figured
out most of it. For those not updated, we raided the cave this morning. Locket was a fake,
having been stolen and replaced years back. Neville, the Lestrange brothers are dead. Both
got killed by Inferi hiding within the lake. It wasn't pretty and they sounded like they were
hurting quite a lot before dying."
Susan and Hannah both quietly held Neville's hands. His mouth set into a grim line and his
eyes narrowed. "Two down. Two to go."
"After we got back to the Manor, we found the deception. The one who stole the locket
was…my brother. Regulus Arcturus Black," Sirius said his voice hitching slightly on the
name. He shook his head and swallowed heavily. "I didn't even think of it before. Regulus
was always a mama's boy and he was a perfect pureblood son. Joined up with the Death
Eaters before he even left Hogwarts. I thought he'd pissed off the wrong guy and gotten
killed because of it. Turns out Voldemort had used Kreacher to test the defense around the
locket and when the elf got away, Regulus turned on the bastard. He stole the locket and
Kreacher's been trying to destroy it ever since."
Amelia sent him a reassuring smile and squeezed his arm. Sirius wiped a bit of moisture
from one eye and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a cloth wrapped bundle and
placed it in the middle of the floor. "I present to you, the legacy of Regulus Black, Salazar
Slytherin's Locket, Tom Riddle's Horcrux." As he peeled open the cloth, an ornate, silver
locket was revealed.
Hermione stared at the small snakes curled around the front facing side of the jewelry
piece almost entranced. "It's quite beautiful for something that's become so perverted."
"Agreed," Daphne murmured.
"Well, let's not just stand here looking at zis zing," Fleur said glaring down at the piece of
silver so intently that one would almost expect it to burst into flames. " 'arry, time to test
your rune stone."
"Yeah." Harry took out his bandolier and picked out the Soul Cage hefting it in one hand
and looking at the locket in the other. "Fingers crossed everyone." Heads bobbed around
the room as Harry moved forward and placed the rune stone onto the locket. He took a
deep breath and channeled enough magic into it to activate the stone.
Hermione held her breath and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
After thirty seconds Hannah looked up from the locket in confusion. "Is that it? Isn't it
supposed to…do something?"
"Yeah it is," Harry muttered darkly.
Hermione quickly shuffled around the circle to grab his hand reassuringly. "Maybe the
locket needs to be open for it to work?"
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Chapter 367
Harry scowled. "Worth a try I guess. Let's hope this one isn't booby trapped." He took the
Soul Cage off the locket and whispered in parseltongue to it. Before Harry could replace
the rune stone, the locket popped open and black smoke spilled out of the thing causing
everyone to jump back.
"Harry Potter. You seek to destroy me without using me. You are a fool! You could utilize
me and become stronger than my original. Stronger than your doppelganger could have
ever dreamt of being. With my knowledge and your thirst for power and control you could
become what I had only ever imagined. I would rule the country. With my help, you would
rule the world."
Harry seemed frozen staring up at the curling black smoke. Hermione used her grip on his
arm to haul him back and shove him towards Fleur and Tonks. She stepped forward and
glared at the smoke with Daphne, Lily and Shiva stepping up beside her. "Leave him alone.
Your petty little scrambling for survival won't earn a reprieve."
"Hermione Granger. You worry he'll toss you aside now that he has others more beautiful
and more capable. With my help you could ensure he never wants to leave your side.
Daphne Greengrass. You find yourself unclean and unworthy. You are tainted and
dangerous. You cause all you touch to wilt. I can help you control the hatred and rage. I can
show you how to channel it and use it to make you stronger. Bathsheda Babbling. You
think yourself the outsider. The only one who was not born to this conflict. The only one
not directly involved. The only one who could reasonably walk away without
consequences from either side. You worry that they'll ask that of you. That somewhere
deep inside, they expect it. With me, you'd be too formidable for any to ever think you
that weak. Lily Potter. Dead for a decade. Your revival directly contributing to your son's
increased danger and vulnerability. You find your weakness and imperfect sight to be a
danger to all who lean on you and trust you. They feel you know things you don't and can
handle that which you cannot. With me as your teacher, you could become more
formidable than any you have ever known. Use me. Use me and we can – "
"Shut up already!" Luna yelled out shooting a spell through the swirling mist and cutting
off Voldemort's monologue. "Stop letting it talk and hit the stupid locket with the rune!"
Hermione jolted herself out of whatever trance she seemed to have fallen into and
grabbed the rune stone Harry had dropped. With a snarl she slammed it onto the face of
the locket and activated it. A glow ignited and there was a shriek of pain. Some of the
black smoke began curled back down towards the locket and into the rune stone.
Unfortunately after a few seconds of continued screaming, the flow stopped and the rune
stone stopped glowing. The smoke started to reform with a laughing sound before Luna
bounded forward and slammed the small doors shut causing all the remaining smoke to
immediately vanish.
Most of the occupants were breathing hard and beside her, Daphne fell to a seat on the
floor with her arms wrapped around her legs. "Bloody hell. I hate these things so much,"
she murmured.
Harry gingerly got up and picked up the discarded rune stone. His face twitched
imperceptibly as he stared at it. Hermione carefully got up and reached out to him.
"Harry?" She asked softly.
He roared and threw the stone at the wall chipping off a large chunk. "It doesn't work! It
still doesn't fucking work! What is wrong?! Why won't it work?!"
Shiva was pulling him into her arms before anyone else could even register movement.
"Hey, it's okay, kid. It's okay. Calm down. There are other options. Su's potion sucks, but
it's an option. Not everything can always be solved with runes. We'll deal with this just like
we always do, kid. This is a setback, but it's not the end of the world."
Hermione looked on her boyfriend with something approaching despair. This state of
affairs could not continue much longer.
Marcus Greengrass and Victoria Zabini smiled at each other from across the table at
Gringotts Bank. Both grins had equal parts greed, cunning and superiority, both persons
intent on thinking they had the better part in this deal.
Normally, magicals would sign binding legal contracts in one of three places, ranked in
increasing order of formality. The first would be in one of the parties' homes which was
seen as a deal amongst friends and equals. The second level would be in a solicitor's office.
Many purebloods actually regarded such an event as a veiled insult; if one needed the
reassurance of obtaining a solicitor to examine and verify the document then why was a
goblin not being paid to do the work? Everyone knew that goblins always scrutinized the
most inane language in any contract and were completely unbiased – hating all wizards
and witches equally tended to make one fair when dealing with parties in dispute.
Therefore, it should be no surprise to learn that signing a contract in Gringotts Bank was
considered the most formal, socially acceptable and foolproof method of ensuring that a
contract was legal and binding.
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Chapter 368
"So we are agreed, Daphne will provide at least one male heir to continue my line while
Blaise will control the Greengrass business ventures after I step down," Marcus said.
Victoria nodded. "Must we go over this again. The terms have been written and the
contract has been scrutinized. Just sign the thing already Marcus and stop stalling."
Marcus raised an eyebrow at her before picking up the quill and laying his signature on the
paper with a flourish. "The move is yours, my dear." He handed her the quill and the
document and watched with a satisfied grin as her name joined his own. His legacy was
secure and Daphne would have a decent husband who was unlikely to do much beyond
ensure she remained in her place at the boy's side.
As Victoria lifted the quill, the parchment in front of them remained resolutely dull. "That's
odd…Where's the flash of acceptance? Marcus you used your full name didn't you?"
Marcus blinked in confusion. He stood to look at the contract and scowled. "Of course I did.
I am not the one with seven different last names to choose from."
"Eight including my maiden name," Victoria commented idly. She frowned down at the
parchment in front of them. "Which is completely irrelevant as I always ensure my name is
legally changed to match my husband. Snapfist! Get out here, goblin, you idiots missed
something!"
The goblin manager walked into the room with a sneer on his features. At least Marcus
assumed it was a sneer. He couldn't be expected to pay too much attention to the
creatures now could he? They were just goblins after all. "The contract agreement was
examined and deemed complete and all-encompassing. If you wish us to determine why
you cannot legally sign it then that will be a new fee for each of you."
Marcus scowled at the greedy little thing. "Fine. Take your gold from the vaults and tell us
what is wrong. I swear you do this on purpose to ensure you get paid twice for one job."
"Ms. Zabini?" the goblin asked utterly ignoring his jibe.
"Just do it!" she huffed.
Snapfist nodded. He stepped forward and looked over the contract for less than ten
seconds before a grin spread across his features. "Ah, I see the problem. Yes, yes this is
quite simple."
"Well what is it?" Marcus asked. The goblin really was just toying with them. He'd really
have to examine whether he should go to the gnomes for his banking purposes instead.
"This, Wizard, stipulates that Blaise Zabini is to be Daphne Greengrass' husband." Marcus
could have hit the fool for that statement of the obvious. Victoria looked just as annoyed.
Thankfully, the goblin continued on quickly. "Such an arrangement would be rather
difficult to achieve considering that Daphne Greengrass is already betrothed to a different
man."
Both humans' jaws dropped. "What?!"
The goblin withdrew a copy of the Quibbler from his jacket and spread it on the table
between them. Grinning he pointed to one article at the center of the page.
Harry Potter Announces First Official Betrothal
by Luna Lovegood
Earlier this week Harry Potter opened up about his recent engagement. Some will surely
be surprised to find that The Runemaster's first legally binding betrothment is not to one
of his current partners, Hermione Granger, Nymphadora Tonks or Fleur Delacour. No, Harry
Potter is now betrothed to Daphne Greengrass, Heiress Select of Greengrass Shipping,
Greengrass Solutions, Greengrass Maintenance and Greengrass Alchemy.
Daphne and Harry have been friends since 1992, both having come together to assist in
solving – and resolving – the Basilisk Crisis at Hogwarts during that school year. They have
remained close friends ever since with Daphne always nearby when conflicts developed
around Harry. Students who know both regularly describe their relationship as such:
"Daphne is like his right hand. Whenever Potter gets serious and goes to beat someone
down, Daphne's right there beside him." –Blaise Zabini
"Hermione is like Harry's anchor, whereas Daphne is probably more like his hammer. Does
that make sense? I'm not sure I used that metaphor right…" –Parvati Patil
"They've been dancing around each other for ages. It's a good thing that Harry has two
Houses to his name because it would've been a shame if Daphne missed out because she
waited too long to say anything. They're cute together!" –Lavender Brown
It has been commented in the past that Daphne was in a romantic relationship with Tracey
Davis – a fellow Slytherin and long-time friend to the Greengrass Heiress. When asked for
clarification on the state of their current relationship, Daphne, Tracey and Harry all
respond with the same reply: "Our relationship is complicated but the specifics of it are
our business and ours alone. Feel free to speculate, we won't be confirming or denying
anything except that we are all in agreement."
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Chapter 369
Harry Potter has notoriously held personal information close to his chest. The dangers of
enemies obtaining these 'weak points' have historically been the cause. Why then did this
betrothal become common knowledge? In his own words: "It's unfortunately not really a
secret who my partners are anymore. It hasn't been a secret for a while. Even worse,
recent events have seen the people I care about targeted because they associate with me.
Daphne was attacked just the other week. I'm hoping that by announcing our new status
like this the attacks will be curbed. I don't think any of my relationships need to be
formalized, but Daphne is a special case. Her family had been in talks to cement another
arrangement and we felt it was necessary to ensure that she was free to choose for herself.
Many people in our world have forgotten that a marriage shouldn't be decided by a piece
of paper, but by who you care about. The contract between Daphne and myself is meant to
remind everyone that we should all be allowed to be with who we desire, not who was
chosen for us."
Daphne herself goes on to state the following warning to any who oppose this union:
"Harry is too polite to say it, but allow me to be blunt for once. Any who take issue with
me or my sister-wives will have to face the full might of the both the Potter family and the
Inventor Alliance. This alliance includes the families Potter, Black, Longbottom, Brown, Li,
Patil, Greengrass, Davis, Lovegood, Bulstrode, Weasley and Bones. These are just the
domestic, big-name families that don't include people like the Delacours or the Krums. The
Dark Lord himself has tried to attack my betrothed and been sent away with his tail
between his legs three times – four if you count the incident when he was mere toddler.
This was with just the Potter family. Envy us if you wish, but I caution you against doing
anything further."
Marcus finished reading the article and started laughing hysterically. "The girl
outmaneuvered me! By Merlin, I have taught her something! Bravo, child, bravo."
Victoria glared at him. "You are an idiot Marcus Greengrass. If that child of yours can so
brilliantly plot this while hundreds of miles away with only the barest notion that we were
moving forward…I am glad she's not going to be hitched to my son. Blaise would wind up
dead within a year tied to that girl. Check your plans next time before you try to involve
me in them. Goodbye Marcus." Victoria stood up and glared at the smiling goblin as she
stalked from the chamber.
Marcus just leaned back and fingered the Quibbler in front of him. He really should be
horribly angry with her. The deal with Victoria had taken up quite a bit of his time in the
last few days and he'd had to pay the goblins an exorbitant fee to have the contract
checked over – twice for that matter which was annoying beyond belief considered the
frustrating creature knew all along apparently that the contract would not be valid. Marcus
was first and foremost however, a businessman. He'd been outplayed. And…well really, his
legacy was still assured, Potter was a rising star and even if the union between the boy and
Daphne was simple cover for her it didn't matter since it was apparently legal. She'd have a
child eventually and his name would continue.
Yes…yes this could have been far worse.
Lunch on Friday saw Lily and Shiva sitting together at the Staff table in the Great Hall. They
were both still somewhat muted from the events of the night prior though Lily was
attempting to stay jovial. They couldn't do much more beyond what had already been
done so she didn't see any true point in remaining morose. She'd had her fill of moping
during the year she'd been in hiding with a baby and a trigger-happy husband.
Plus if she kept positive and stayed bubbly, there was a chance that it could spread and her
son might perk up a bit as well. Fleur and Tonks had had to leave again though she knew
he'd spent the night with Hermione and Daphne while Tracey and Luna convinced the
Room of Requirement to leave a second bed for them as well. Lily took a moment of
reflection to consider just how much trouble students in this castle could get into if that
Room became common knowledge.
Hell, not just the students…she could think of at least a dozen uses for that room…not all
of them wholesome at all. Those thoughts had her turning a hungry gaze on the woman
sitting beside her who remained blissfully unaware of Lily's stare. Thank god for small
mercies.
"Lily? Lily? Lilllyyy?" Filius' amused voice finally knocked her out of her reverie and she
twisted to face him an embarrassed blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Yes, Filius? You were saying something?"
The small man chuckled. "Well I was going to ask how you were finding your classes, but
now I think I'd rather discuss something a bit more gossip worthy."
"Oh, really?" she asked raising an eyebrow. On the half-goblin's other side Lily spotted
McGonagall casually putting her fork down and surreptitiously leaning in to hear better.
"Yes, indeed. So, my friend," Filius asked a grin splitting his features, "just how long have
you and Bathsheda been an item?"
Shiva started choking on her juice beside Lily and Lily felt her own face burn. She
desperately tried to reach for something to say. "Um, err, uh, well you see, we uh…little
help here?" she ended, murmuring to a still slightly coughing Shiva.
"Oh no," Shiva said shaking her head emphatically. "He asked you. You get to field that one.
I'm going to get enough questions from Aurora and Septima."
Lily mock glared at her. "Some girlfriend you are." She turned back to Filius and shrugged.
"As of yesterday afternoon we're dating. News apparently travels fast."
"If you keep looking at her like you were then it certainly will," McGonagall said hiding her
own smirk. "I'm happy for you both. It's nice to see that Bathsheda finally has a date and
it's good to see you moving on, Lily. Do try to remain appropriate in front of the students
though."
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Chapter 370
Lily raised her eyebrows and cocked a thumb at Sirius who was busy chatting up Sinistra.
"Somehow I don't think we're the ones who need a potential lecture."
McGonagall just smiled wider and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. "Ah, but Sirius is so
easy to control. A simple warning that Amelia may get annoyed if he flirts too strongly
and…"
"The problem disappears," Lily finished laughing. "True, true. Don't worry, Min, we'll keep
our pants on around the kids."
Filius shrugged far too innocently for his indifference to be believed. "If you can't I
recommend remembering to use a silencing charm for the broom closet walls. Almost
everyone remembers to lock the door, but you'd be surprised just how many forget to
soundproof the walls."
Lily groaned and held her head in her hands while Filius lost his battle with the veneer of
calm and started laughing uproariously. Shiva could be mistaken for a tomato beside her
and even McGonagall was hiding her mouth behind her hand, shoulders shaking. Lily
glanced out over the students and spotted Harry cocking an eyebrow at her and shaking
his head, chuckling. He may have been too far to hear specifics, but it certainly wasn't
difficult to discern the subject under discussion if one knew the basic situation.
Well at least some people were getting amusement out of her embarrassment.
Sirius looked at his Fifth Year students with mixed frustration and pride. The frustration
was largely due to the teens' rather horrible history of teachers for the Defense course. He
had originally thought that Remus and Harry had been exaggerating just how bad the prior
instruction had been. Now that he was the one evaluating them all though…yeah it was
that bad. He'd even instituted an extra class a week for the Fifth and Seven Year students
to make sure that they could at least attempt to be prepared for the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s.
In barely two weeks they'd already made a lot of progress which was extremely impressive
and the source of his current pride.
"So, how did you all feel about the substitute? It was Auror Trainee Savage right?" Sirius
asked.
Daphne nodded and her distinctly amused, predatory smile didn't escape his notice. "Well,
Professor Black, he introduced himself as 'Auror' rather than 'Auror Trainee'. His basic
tactics lesson was acceptable though he seemed a bit light on details."
"Well, that's a bit better then I'd hoped I suppose. Savage might be a bit rough around the
edges folks, but he's the best the Aurors can spare at the moment beyond me. Nobody can
beat me after all," he said striking a dramatic pose.
Harry coughed loudly from the back of the room. His cough sounded suspiciously like,
"Lockhart." Sirius grimaced and quickly dropped his pose. "In all seriousness, I do
apologize for being absent. It's probably going to happen more throughout the year as
there are missions I will have to attend. I'll certainly do my best to ensure that these are
limited events and that you'll have proper tutelage for the days that I'm gone. Now, I
realize that most of your course work to this point has been somewhat spotty. I'm going to
jump ahead slightly and try to get you all working on silent spell casting in addition to basic
duel casting. Savage should have given you the stunning spell for those who didn't already
know it. Let's practice that first."
The class proceeded rather smoothly surprisingly enough. Many of the students had issues
getting the spell working and only Daphne, Harry and Hermione managed to cast it silently.
Not that that was all too surprisingly. Harry could probably teach this class at this point,
Daphne was nearly as good and grew up knowing most of those spells before she'd even
left the house and Hermione was a walking encyclopedia partnered with the previous two
– not to mention the addition of having an ex-Auror as a partner as well.
Towards the end of the class Sirius noticed Harry walking around the people near him and
assisting each one in getting their stunning spell to work. Sirius' chest swelled with pride as
the young man shook off his melancholy from the previous evening and helped his friends.
Harry was all smiles as Neville was the fourth person to get the silent casting off without a
hitch. Susan followed soon after. The biggest surprise came when Harry walked over to
Lavender and barely three minutes later the girl was also casting her spell perfectly every
time. Her silent cast was a touch underpowered, but…well it was darn impressive all the
same.
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Chapter 371
Perhaps he shouldn't even bother with getting a sub next time and just ask the pup to
teach while was gone…Something to think about at least.
Harry Potter tossed and turned in his bed in the Gryffindor Tower that night. His scar ached
and his hands clenched. With a wordless cry of pain his eyes opened and he looked out on
a very different visage than the curtain clad tower.
Voldemort yelled in rage as he held his wand on the unfortunate new recruit beneath him.
The man screamed in agony under Voldemort's Cruciatus curse. He'd had the misfortune of
being nearby when the ritual failed. Voldemort had needed an outlet and the recruit was
easier than going out to find a random Muggle or Blood Traitor to torture.
The Horcrux would not work. He couldn't make a new one. Either the incomplete ritual
with Potter had permanently scarred his soul and damaged his ability to further tear it or
he was unable to create more than seven Horcruxes. Whatever the root cause was it did
not matter. He could not safeguard his immortality any further. Cursing the Death Eater yet
again, Voldemort turned his gaze on Theodore Nott. The boy laid at the foot of
Voldemort's throne lifeless, not a mark on him. Such a pitiful waste. Nott had been
reasonably intelligent. Voldemort had dearly wanted to use Draco Malfoy for the Horcrux
sacrificial murder yet the Greengrass bitch's agents had absconded with the little fool and
he'd been forced to use a more convenient target.
It wasn't as much of a loss as it could have been. If Nott hadn't even been able to foresee
the stupidity of following Draco without any supporters loyal to himself instead of the
Malfoy…well he deserved his fate in that case. Besides, it wasn't like anyone was going to
complain about the loss of the teenager.
Voldemort lifted his spell from the recruit and paced back to the throne. If only he could
set alarm wards on the others as he did with the Ring and the Locket his worries would be
allayed. Those had been easy to place. Potter's competence and his allies had proven that
the minor precaution after the graveyard incident had been well founded. Mostly well
founded. Bella's team hadn't been dispatched quickly enough after the alerts to capture
any of the hunters after all. But…he knew which Horcruxes they had found out about at
least.
He couldn't protect Bella's any further than it already was. None of his people could get
close to it anymore – but then neither could anyone else. It was safe. Until he finished
taking over this country he'd simply have to accept that.
Perhaps he should canvas his followers to see if any had children still in Hogwarts. Most of
the primary personnel had already been ejected from the premises thanks to Draco's ill
advised stupidity. There were one or two older students who would accept a mission.
However…he didn't trust them or their parents and murdering an older student would only
serve to draw attention to something he needed to remain quiet. No, Hogwarts would
have to remain unwarded as well. It was safe as it was. No one would be able to find it. A
single tree in a forest was always well and truly lost.
Potter's hunters were a problem. They were far too competent. Perhaps a larger scale
effort might be required to deal with them.
Voldemort rubbed his Ring letting the reassuring feelings wash over him. He was the Dark
Lord Voldemort and he'd live forever.
The recruit moaned and his legs shuddered, scraping on the floor. Voldemort frowned and
leveled his wand at the man again. He could wait a few minutes more before deciding
what to do about the hunters.
Harry wrenched himself back to the Tower and sat up shaking with sweat pouring down his
face. His scar was aching and his mental defenses were in shambles. But not forcing
himself out sooner had been worth it. He may never intentionally open that door to
Voldemort's mind but…if Riddle happened to do it himself…well…Harry would use it. This
soul shard should be put to use if he couldn't get it out of his head. "Bellatrix hid one
where nobody could get at it and there's one somewhere in Hogwarts…now we have
somewhere to start searching again."
"Wha? Who's tha…? 'Lo?" Tonks mumbled blinking blearily around the darkened room
searching for the voice that had awakened her.
"Wow, Nym, you are definitely not a morning person," Harry commented sounding
amused.
Tonks blinked her eyes again and slowly reached up to her ear. "Harry? Why are you tiny
and in my ear? I should be able to hold you or see you if you're that close
but…oh…nevermind."
"Awake now?" he asked.
She shook her head to try and clear it somewhat before looking at the clock on the table.
"What are you doing up at 2 in the morning, Wonder Boy? This is an ungodly hour to be
up."
She heard him sigh over the line before he muttered. "Dreaming. Look, Nym, I'm sorry to
wake you up and all, but I wanted to tell you guys before I forgot. Not that I would forget
but…better safe than sorry yeah?"
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Chapter 372
"Sure. What's going on?" she considered waking Fleur, but decided she'd wait to see if it
was an emergency or just another late night rune discovery.
"Voldemort gave one Horcrux to your insane aunt for her to protect. Sorta like with Malfoy
and the diary I think. Except she was smart about it because he thinks that neither us or
them can get to it where it is. There's another one somewhere in Hogwarts. Hidden among
a lot of other things that camouflage it. He's wearing the Ring, which is both good and bad
since we need to cut off his finger before killing him I guess, but at least we don't have to
look for him hiding it somewhere else. I'm still not entirely sure about Nagini, but I'm
almost positive the snake is the last one."
Tonks took a second to force her brain to catch up with her ears and when she did she shot
up straight. "Harry," she asked very slowly and with a supreme calm that she did not feel,
"just how do you know all this?"
"Told you, I was dreaming." Harry was obviously trying for nonchalance, but Tonks had
been his friend – and his lover – for long enough that she could hear the strain in his voice.
"Arsehole tried to make a new Horcrux, but it didn't work. He was pissed. Unlucky git
didn't realize that he had opened the door and let me in. I didn't try to fight my way back
to the surface for a few minutes since he was thinking about the Horcruxes. Now we just
need to get this bloody thing out of my head before he realizes that I know."
Tonks gulped and made sure her breathing was calm before she spoke again. "Harry, thank
you for the information. I'll disseminate it. But – and I can't stress this enough – you really
should not be diving into an insane Dark Lord's head. We'll use this to find the rest,
Wonder Boy, but you can't do that again. If he pushes back…"
"I know," Harry said wearily. "I took long enough to build my walls back up before I
commed you. I didn't go looking to enter his brain, Nym. I just used it when he drew me in.
One way or another this isn't going to be an issue much longer. Su's mum is starting to
brew her potion so in a few days I'll either be Horcrux free or dead. I'm sorry for waking
you, Nym. Talk to you soon yeah? I gotta get some sleep."
"Sure, Harry. Try to dream of us this time instead of the monster okay? Goodnight, love,"
she said fighting down a lump in her throat. Once he disconnected Tonks rolled over and
shook Fleur awake. The Veela opened one bleary eye and stared up at her in confusion.
"Harry called. Voldemort tried to make a new Horcrux and it didn't work. Harry saw the
results and found out where the last few are. He's okay. A bit depressed, but okay."
Fleur opened and closed her mouth several times before sighing. She reached up and
wiped a tear from Tonks' cheek that she hadn't even known was there. "Lie down, Nym.
We cannot do anyzing to make it easier for him tonight and we cannot go hunting for ze
ozer ones as we are at ze moment. Sleep, mon amour. We will deal wiz zis in ze light of ze
new day."
Tonks nodded and lay back down. She shifted her form enough that she was smaller than
Fleur and let the blonde curl her arms around her in a strong embrace. Only then did she
start shuddering slightly and let herself cry.
Harry stood in front of his group of friends waiting for the practice room to fill up.
Daphne's club was about to start its meeting in a few minutes and he'd been conscripted
to help teach the masses. Surprisingly enough, he'd actually managed to get some sleep
the night before despite the dream about Voldemort. That wasn't to say he'd gotten good
sleep, but it had been better than usual on one of those nights.
He'd let Shiva and Lily know about his discoveries as soon as he woke up and filled in the
others and Sirius before they had moved down to the classroom for this meeting. He
wouldn't go as far as saying he was upbeat…but he was somewhat positive about their
chances now.
Colin and Dennis Creevey walked into the classroom first animatedly talking to each other.
Colin's camera snapped as he caught sight of the group at the front and he flashed a wide
grin and thumbs up to Harry. Harry managed to stop himself from rolling his own eyes at
the younger boy's antics and gave a thumbs up in return. The Patils, Lavender and Su
followed close behind him. Blaise walked in with Millicent. A bouncing ball of energy
practically danced into the room behind them; Astoria was on the scene talking a mile a
minute to everyone around her. Harry smiled and chuckled at how enthusiastic she was.
He really had to try and spend more time with the girl, her happiness was probably
infectious. Quite a few Hufflepuffs showed up as did many of the younger years in
Ravenclaw. Harry saw Flitwick and McGonagall quietly walk into the room and stand at the
back before the door finally swung closed.
Daphne stepped forward and calmly took stock of the room. "Alright everyone, thanks for
coming. As many of you know, the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord are active again. The
last time they were on the move times became quite dark. Dark enough that many people
in the Wizarding World today still refuse to use the name Voldemort," a shudder went
through many of the people in the room. Harry was surprised that it wasn't quite everyone,
but it was still annoying. Daphne scowled. "Voldemort. Voldemort, Voldemort, Voldemort,
Voldemort! This is exactly why we are making this club. If one is scared of a mere name
how can you expect to stand and protect your brother? Your sister? Your parents? Your
children?"
"But he's so strong!" one voice shouted out from the crowd. "We can't fight him!"
"He is also just one man. Harry has fought him three times before he was fifteen and
walked away," Daphne said matter-of-factly. There were mutters through the room at that.
"Yes, his situation is a little unusual, but that does not mean you simply lie down and die.
That means you get stronger. That means you pick easier opponents. If you were walking
down Diagon Alley and a group of ten Death Eaters apparated in in front of you would you
rather the adults nearby cowered behind the closest cover or would you rather they fought
the terrorists?"
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Chapter 373
"Why wouldn't they fight?" another voice rang out.
Daphne just laughed and shook her head. "Ask your parents about that. That's exactly the
question my friends and I cannot understand. The last Blood War was so bad because the
only people fighting were the Aurors and a few scattered others. Had more stood up and
drew a line in the sand, it never would have progressed like it did. Voldemort is one man.
He can be overwhelmed with numbers just like anyone else." She paused and looked
around the room with a critical eye. "Already this war is shaping up to be quite different.
We have weapons against the Dementors. We should soon have a competent Minister
with Fudge on his way out. We have determined people willing to fight back. Read the
Quibbler and you will see example after example of ordinary citizens standing up to defend
others and tell the Death Eaters that enough is enough."
Daphne sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "I am not starting this club to try and teach
you how to fight murderers and rapists. I am starting this so that you aren't forced to hide
behind someone else. I am starting this to prepare you. To make sure that you have the
tools you need to stay alive without having to kiss someone else's boots. I am starting this
to make you strong enough to stand on your own and to stand tall beside a friend in need.
Now, please pair off. First we will be going over stunning, disarming and shield charms. At
the end of the lesson anyone who wishes to learn a family spell to…dissuade attempted
rapists, please stay behind."
Harry smiled at Daphne as she and the others in his core group started walking around
helping their fellow students where needed. He specialized in showing the older students
where they were going wrong with the disarming spell. Hermione and Daphne were
focusing on those learning the stunning spell. Neville, Susan and Luna were working with
people trying to practice the shield spell. Sirius, Shiva and Lily walked around the large
room helping anyone who seemed to be particularly struggling. Hannah and Tracey had
slotted into groups near the back and were assisting the younger students working on
wand movements.
Towards the end of the lesson, Harry raised his eyebrows at Fred and George who had
somehow managed to simultaneously stun each other while flying through the air and
aiming at the walls behind their opponent. He calmly woke them both up and leaned back
in a crouch. "How the hell did you two manage that?" he asked amused.
Fred grinned. "Well, partner, part of being a good Beater is seeing angles. A spell can be a
lot easier to get off a trick shot with than a Bludger."
George laughed and shook his head. "Yes, and the extra training for the Triwizard
Tournament had no bearing on it whatsoever!"
"None at all, brother! Look, you hit the same mark," he responded with a laugh of his own.
Harry shook his head and stood helping both to their feet. "If you two are so good, go help
the others. Nice shots by the way. Now get!"
Still laughing the twins moved off and Harry shifted closer to Luna. She was working with
Lavender who looked confused. "I still don't get why these things absorb some spells and
reflect others. They're all just magic!"
Hermione looked over from nearby with wide eyes. "Well you see, Lavender, Jonah
Langrich had an interesting theory on that. He was looking into the arithmantic properties
of each specific spell and he discovered how the base component of the original core
determined the primary attraction or absorption rate as well as the interactions between
most other items and defenses. It was quite revolutionary for the time though it has fallen
out of favor as a suitable explanation over Gamp's theorems and…"
Luna smiled and nodded enthusiastically before talking over Hermione. "What she means,
Lavender, is that some spells cannot be absorbed due to incompatible energies. Those
spells must be banished or deflected instead. It's…"
Harry froze and his eyes unfocused. Incompatible energies…absorption vs.
banishment…Souls can't be absorbed…souls can't be absorbed!
He barely noticed as Daphne stopped and stared at him for a moment. He was already
moving to his bag at a pace barely under a run when her voice rang out over the group.
"Okay, everyone, I think that's enough for today. We'll pick this up next week, same time,
same place. I apologize for not getting to my spell right away for those interested. If you
can't wait for next week, then come see me tomorrow or after classes. Chop, chop, out,
out. Practice what you've learned today and we'll build on that next time."
Harry ignored her as he reached his schematics for the Soul Cage and checked over his
drawing, tracing his finger to the primary core runes. He let out a cry of victory as he found
the Absorption rune smack-dab in the middle. "Souls can't be absorbed," he muttered
grabbing a pencil and erasing that rune hurriedly drawing in a Banishment rune instead. It
fit perfectly. "HAHA! GOT IT! TAKE THAT YOU BLOODY THING! WHO'S THE RUNEMASTER
NOW, HUH!"
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Chapter 374
"Harry? What brainwave did you get this time?" Neville asked sounding decidedly amused
as he crouched nearby. Had Harry cared enough to look up he would have found his friend
in almost the same position he'd just recently been in with the twins.
Daphne came up and shook her head. "Glad I got them all out before he started yelling.
What's going on? Anybody have any clue?"
"Souls can't be absorbed," Harry said grabbing for his carving kit. He'd have to make a
brand new one. Beyond destroying the original prototype the other day this one needed a
different core rather than a simple addition.
"And that means what?" Lily asked frowning.
Harry found a suitable stone and started etching the new design. "I made the same bloody
mistake the Egyptians made that's what it means. Souls can't be absorbed. It's why their
original cluster never worked. It's why the Soul Cage keeps failing. Not even Dementors
technically absorb souls. They merge with them. It's a subtle difference and in all practical
matters it doesn't mean a damn thing, but Absorb and Merge are two very different runes
with two very different rules on interactions. Souls can't be absorbed! But they can be
banished! Mum I need the Horcrux!"
He looked up long enough to make sure that someone was moving to go get his test
subject only to see everyone looking down at him slack jawed. "Don't just sit there staring!
Someone get me the Locket!"
Sirius started chuckling, then laughing, then doubling over in side splitting chortles. "I
swear, pup, I am never going to get used to you doing that! Kreacher!" A pop sounded and
the ancient house elf stood nearby. He looked quite a bit taller, straighter, and prouder
than Harry had ever seen him before. "Kreacher go get the Locket and then you're free to
stay here to watch it be destroyed." Harry saw Kreacher's jaw set in a primal grin before he
popped away only to return a moment later with the Slytherin Locket in hand.
Shiva was looking at Harry with her head cocked to one side and a frown of concentration
etched onto her features and her eyes unfocused. "A Banishment rune twined into a Soul
rune cluster…that's…that would function more like an exorcism setup than a true
banishing spell…maybe at least, since it should force the soul out of the current container
like the spell generally intends…at least if the targeting segment keeps it tied to the
Horcrux instead of both souls…well the Dementor Anchor tattoo could be a safety net in
case the targeting cluster is flawed…Merlin's beard, that might just work!"
Harry quickly finished his etching and blew the dust off of it. He checked the design over
carefully and nodded in satisfaction. "Okay. Let's try this thing one last time." He stood and
padded over to the Locket. Kreacher delicately handed it over and the remaining group
circled around him again just like the other night. Taking a deep breath and muttering a
prayer to several gods, he hissed, ~Open.~
Black smoke started to pool out from the Locket again, but this time instead of letting the
horrid apparition speak he slammed the Soul Cage down on its face and channeled magic
into the stone.
The effect was instantaneous. A horrible scream filled the room and the smoke circled
down through the Locket and into the rune stone as if it was being pulled through a giant
vacuum. Harry's lips spread into a predatory smile that matched Kreacher's own as
Voldemort's piece of soul inside the Locket was forcibly separated from its anchor and cast
adrift. The magic of the Horcrux only worked while the soul was kept tied to this plane
through the specified object. Without that tie…without that anchor, the soul shard died.
As the last of the smoke drained away and the scream died out, the Soul Cage's glow
dimmed and went out. Harry reached out a steady hand and plucked it off of the Locket.
He could feel a bit of magic in the piece of jewelry still, but it no longer reeked of Dark
Magic or Voldemort's taint.
Slytherin's Locket was no longer a Horcrux.
"It works," Harry said triumphantly holding up the cleansed artifact.
Less than an hour after the Soul Cage test worked, Harry had everyone gathered into the
Room of Requirement. Well, not everyone he knew, but everyone who knew about him
being a Horcrux. It seemed appropriate. They had all been in the hospital wing when
Dumbledore had gone on and on about how Harry had to die in order to render Voldemort
vulnerable yada yada yada. It felt only right for them all to be present when he proved the
old man wrong and cut the Horcrux out of his soul without killing himself.
That was the plan at least.
Harry took a steadying breath and looked over the assembled students, teachers and
friends. "Thanks for coming up so quickly everyone. I wanted you all here, but I didn't want
to wait too long so thanks. Um, so I've already tested the rune stone a bit earlier and it
cleansed one of Voldemort's Horcruxes without much problem. I'm pretty sure that this is
going to work fine on me too so I wanted everyone to be able to watch in order to quell
any potential rumors or doubts."
Harry paused again and grimaced. "So, uh, yeah. Wish me luck." Catching his mothers'
eyes and the expressions of worry and anticipation crossing his partners, Harry shook his
head and steeled his nerves. He pulled out the Soul Cage and tried to calm himself. One
way or another this internal battle of wills was about to end. He pressed the rune stone to
his forehead and activated it.
Pain like he'd never felt before ripped through his head and he felt his knees buckle.
Harry's vision blurred and he heard a piercing scream that matched the one the Locket had
let out earlier. Red and black spotted his vision and Harry felt himself falling backward with
nothing but sky beneath him. Seconds later he slammed into the ground. Scrambled to his
feet Harry sent a sadistic grin towards the visage ahead of him.
He was in his mindscape, the cupboard under the stairs was just ahead. To his left, the
door sheltering the Horcrux was finally visible to his eyes. It was standing wide open with
the hinges torn off and the wood in splinters. There was an inky blackness beyond the
threshold and a stream of tainted air was flowing out of the door and spiraling into a
portal hovering just over the stairs. Harry walked forward slowly, finally noticing a figure
clinging to the edge of the doorframe fighting against the pull of the Soul Cage's portal.
The figure was shorter than he'd expected being only slightly taller than Harry himself and
clad in a deep black robe similar to Voldemort's attire in the graveyard. It had a snake-like
face but was more human than Harry had seen him before. Almost like an amalgam of
Memorymort and Voldemort. The eyes were red, the nose was flattened and the teeth
were surprisingly normal.
Scarmort roared at Harry. "You fool! I could have made you unstoppable! I could have
made you into a god!"
"All I ever wanted was a family," Harry stated as he walked to the edge of the storm. "You
took that from me once and I will not let you take it from me again. Have fun in Hell. I'll be
sure to send more pieces of you there soon enough." Harry reached back and materialized
a spear from his mindscape. Lunging forward, he threw the spear, impaling Scarmort
through the chest. The soul shard screamed in pain and rage and its hands flexed
spasmodically releasing their grip on the door frame. Still screaming, the broken piece of
soul flew up towards the portal. Harry watched the body of Scarmort start to stretch,
expand and unravel just before it hit the portal.
As soon as the flying body passed through the Soul Cage, the storm in Harry's mind ceased
to exist. The door that hid the Horcrux and the inky blackness vanished as if they were
never there. The parts of his mind that had been spiraling around the room dropped to the
floor and the portal above him vanished. Harry looked around smiling. He jumped out his
mindscape and back into the world outside.
And was hit with an incredible amount of pain wracking his entire body. The pain was so
extreme that Harry leaned over and threw up the entire contents of his stomach. He
noticed with a clinical detachment that the vomit joined a black ichor like substance
already on the floor. A shaky hand reached up to touch his forehead and drew back to find
the same ichor on his fingers. Only then did realize Lily was holding onto his shoulders
supporting him and that he was on the ground with his legs folded underneath him.
"It's okay," Harry murmured. "I saw it die. The soul shard is gone. It's gone."
Lily just squeezed his shoulders. "We know, son. We saw it too. Rest, Harry. Rest."
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