Chương 24: Chapter 21
Two figures stood on the cliff, watching the dark island in the distance under the dark cloudy sky, hearing and feeling the raging sea crashing against the rock.
Medusa gulped, dragging her black hair away from her small brown eyes with her skinny, tanned fingers. She was nervous, and not even the supportive silence and companionship of Jormungandr at her side helped her. They WERE about to invade the maximum-security prison of the British Isles, where there were several dozen dementors. She looked to her companion and didn't see any sign of apprehension.
Behind them, stood their other companion, dubbed Quetzalcóatl. Medusa sighed when she recalled the code names...Quetzalcóatl, the elf, was to serve as a quick extractor, should things go sour.
"Ready?" Jormungandr asked softly, and Medusa's brain wanted to say, "No way!" Her heart betrayed her brain, however, as a "yes" passed her lips. Jormungandr drew the Invisibility Cloak from the moleskin pouch and wrapped it around the both of them.
"Don't worry, I'll have your back," he said, and she nodded.
"I know...but I'm still nervous."
Jormungandr wrapped his arms around her and she leaned into him, feeling the Fading sensation. When she looked around once again, she noticed she was in a dark area.
"Where are we?" she asked, making sure they remained under the Cloak.
"A storage room on the third floor," Jormungandr replied. "The higher we get, the less likely it is to find dementors."
"And the Death Eaters are on the first floor?"
"Bellatrix Lestrange is."
"All right, you're the muscle of the operation," Medusa replied jokingly, "You go in the front."
"Of course, Mistress," Jormungandr replied, drawing his wand. The both of them walked under the Cloak, slowly and softly, under Silencing Charms and still making sure they made the least noise possible. They left the storage room and Jormungandr led them through a corridor, not meeting anyone or anything. They passed by several cells, some occupied and some empty, and Medusa noticed the prisoners weren't so haggard as she expected. If Jormungandr was right, and he usually was in these sorts of matters, the dementors didn't often go to the upper floors, preferring the basement and the lower levels.
They found the stairs and descended to the second floor, where they found two Aurors playing dice in an empty cell, modified to serve as a guard room by the stairs. They passed by them, not that the Aurors paid them any attention, so engrossed were they in their game, and continued on, noticing the difference in the number of occupied cells.
Some of these prisoners presented signs of madness. Some cried in their cells, and others shouted. Medusa felt her skin crawl the moment she felt a familiar cold around her and grabbed Jormungandr's arm. He pulled her to the shadows, and the both of them waited as a dementor passed by. The dementor glided by them, not realizing their presence, and Medusa sighed in relief.
"Why didn't he feel us? Is it the Cloak?"
"The third brother hid from Death under it," Jormungandr replied, watching his surroundings, "Why shouldn't we be able to hide from a dementor?"
Medusa shrugged, and they continued forward, reaching the first floor after a long, slow trek, luckily without coming across any more dementors.
They reached a cell block with two guards playing cards in an empty cell, while two others were sleeping. Apart from those four guards there was no one in sight, and there was complete silence in the block. The prisoners were either sleeping or apathetically lingering in the shadows.
"Ready?" whispered Jormungandr, and Medusa nodded. Each chose two targets and spells flew, breaking the silence with the sound of surprise, followed by the sound of bodies falling to the floor. Much to their surprise, the occupants of the surrounding cells appeared from the shadows, having been roused by the sound of spell fire.
"Who's there?" a raspy voice sounded, and Jormungandr looked to Medusa, giving her a nod. Medusa nodded back and they removed the Cloak, appearing from thin air in front of some of the most dangerous men and women in the Wizarding World.
Death Eaters.
And from the looks of it, most of Voldemort's inner circle.
Jormungandr packed the Cloak in the moleskin bag and waved his wand, closing the door behind them. Medusa walked forward, ignoring the curious looks, and peered into a few cells, trying to hide the fear she was feeling.
"There's nothing to be afraid of...You have H-Jormungandr..." she told herself, as she walked with a cold expression.
"Well?" asked Antonin Dolohov, curious but at the same time impatient, "Are you going to open the cells or what?"
"We came here searching for Madam Bellatrix Lestrange," she announced, glaring at the older man. "You can wait."
"Bella?" a man, Rodolphus Lestrange, asked, "What of her?"
"Madam Lestrange!" Medusa called again, ignoring the questions, "The Dark Lord has need of your services once again." Gasps were heard.
"The Dark Lord lives?" a man asked in awe.
"My lady, we're losing precious time," Jormungandr said in a cold and raspy voice, reappearing next to Medusa after making sure they were safe.
"Do you see Madam Lestrange?" Medusa asked, glaring at her companion, and he nodded submissively. "Madam Lestrange, you either come forward or we make you. The Dark Lord gave us an important mission, crucial to his return, and by Merlin, I will not fail him because of you or anyone else."
"His return?" a raspy feminine voice was heard from the shadows of a cell.
"Isn't His mark getting darker than it has been for these past years? Can't you feel it?" Medusa asked in return, "Or have you forsaken him like the weak-minded fools who abandoned him after his...setback?"
From the shadows, a very thin woman came forward, surprising both Medusa and Jormungandr. They were expecting a mad woman, cackling for her Lord and master with glee. They sure weren't expecting what looked like a cold-hearted woman, glaring at them with steely eyes.
"What does the Dark Lord require of me?" Bellatrix Lestrange asked with a large grin forming, and Jormungandr almost believed he heard anger along with the grin in the woman's voice.
"A long time ago, the Dark Lord gave you an artefact. I don't know what it is, and I didn't question Him about it as it was not my place, but he told me it was shaped as a goblet and it was important to Him. The Dark Lord needs it to return to his full power."
"Ah..." she mumbled with a grin, "And why should I believe you?"
"You shouldn't," Medusa replied, pushing her left sleeve up, revealing a Dark Mark in all its splendour. "Not without proof."
"Are you going to get me out of here, then?" Bellatrix asked, a wisp of hope in her voice.
"Wait a minute, why only her?" Rabastan Lestrange complained in anger, "Are we not worthy enough?"
"The Dark Lord ordered me to come to Azkaban and rescue Madam Lestrange," Medusa replied, glaring at the youngest Lestrange. "I do as the He commands."
"How the hell did you enter Azkaban anyway?" Rabastan complained again, "Only the two of you? How can we be sure this bitch and her dog..." Rabastan words died among his screams of pain as a blue curse hit him, courtesy of Jormungandr.
"Mind your tongue, scum," Jormungandr hissed, holding the curse for several moments.
"Are you going to let us rot in here?" Rockwood asked in disbelief. "We're as loyal as her."
"We never said we were going to let you rot in here," Jormungandr replied, lowering his wand and going to his moleskin pouch. "Lady Medusa said our goal was Madam Lestrange, but the Dark Lord doesn't abandon those who are loyal to him."
"You heard that, boys?" Rodolphus laughed, "We're going to leave this hole."
"How do you propose to do it?" another asked, "We're in Azkaban, under heavy wards that surround the entire island, we have no wands, and we'd be up against a dozen Aurors and dementors."
His reply was the sound of a large rope falling to the floor.
"If you want, stay where you are," Jormungandr replied, turning to Medusa and giving her a nod.
"Are you willing to come with us, Madam Lestrange?" she asked again, and Bellatrix turned to the younger woman before her, evaluating her.
"Who are you, girl?" she asked with an appraising look.
"I'm Medusa and I serve the Dark Lord. That's what I know and what I am."
"And him?" Bellatrix replied, nodding to Jormungandr. Before she could reply, a loud shriek was heard and all felt the cold of the dementors.
"The time is up, my lady," Jormungandr said as the sound of heavy banging was heard on the other side of the door. "We have to go."
"There are wards!" one of the Death Eaters said again.
"Get me out of here, girl, and for your sake, I hope you do have a good plan," Bellatrix hissed.
"Jormungandr!" Medusa ordered and he raised his wand. As one, all the locks blew apart, leaving most of the Death Eaters bewildered.
"The rope is a portkey, and to activate it, speak the incantation for the Dark Mark," Jormungandr said to the Death Eaters as Bellatrix grabbed Medusa's arm and Medusa grabbed his. The door behind them was blasted to pieces and a dementor glided in, before being hit with a spear of silver light. At first glance it looked like a Patronus Charm, evidenced by the fact that the dementor started to shriek as he was hit, almost like he was shrieking in pain. When the dementor started to ooze a black pus, falling on the ground, no one really knew what to think. A purple shield was raised at the door, separating the prisoners from the flabbergasted guards on the other side.
"MORSMORDRE!" Jormungandr shouted, and both Medusa and Bellatrix Lestrange saw their world swirl, the three of them vanishing in moments.
"Come on, you fools!" shouted Rodolphus as he grabbed the rope, mimicked by the others, all with redoubled hope after seeing the three successfully vanishing. "Let's go! MORSMORDRE!"
From the other side of the shield, the frantic Aurors, having shaken away their surprise, had to shield their eyes from the green flash that surged inside the room. The heard the sound of something falling, only to look back and see the bodies of all the Death Eaters, save Bellatrix Lestrange, laying on the floor, their eyes opened and vacant.
All of them dead.
~BREAK~
Jormungandr, Medusa, and Bellatrix Lestrange appeared in a living room. It was nothing special, as most of the furniture was broken or seemingly rotten.
"Where are we?" Bellatrix asked, looking around. "Where are the others?"
"They were sent to another safe house," Medusa replied promptly. "We prepared some clothes and food for you, upstairs in the bedroom on the left. You'll also find several wands, hopefully one will be a good match."
"You'll give me a wand?" Bellatrix asked surprised, cackling afterwards. "Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?"
"Sure, you betray us and then what?" Medusa asked defiantly. "You'll try to find the Dark Lord, lose several months at best, and when you find him, he'll demand to know why you're late, why his plan failed, and then you'll still have to recover the artefact and take it to him."
Medusa glared at the older witch, "I have proven my good will towards you by rescuing you and the others from Azkaban. I am offering you clothes, food, and a wand. You may be suspicious of me all you want, but rest assured, The Dark Lord will have the artefact he wants.
Bellatrix cackled at that.
"I like you, girl," she replied with a huge grin. "You remind me of me in my younger years, oh, to be young and beautiful again. But tell me, he's powerful...what's he to you?" she asked, pointing to Jormungandr, who was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed but watching them closely, ready to jump in if needed.
"He's..." Medusa hesitated, "He's the brawn...and whatever else I need him to be," was her reply, and Bellatrix cackled again, ranting as she climbed the steps to the upper floor, leaving Jormungandr and Medusa in the room.
"Are you all right, my lady?" Jormungandr asked, and Medusa nodded, sitting on a couch and feeling her legs trembling.
"Stick to the part... Stick to the part," she thought to herself, looking into his fake eyes.
"I'm fine, Jormungandr," she replied. The two of them stayed under a heavy silence, broken only by Bellatrix's laughs and rants. The older witch descended the stairs nearly half an hour later, dressed in a black dress and a cloak, and carrying a black and twisted wand.
"Where to, Madam Lestrange?" Medusa asked the moment she saw her.
"Where else would I keep such a valuable treasure?" she asked, "Gringotts, of course..." Medusa snapped her fingers and Jormungandr waved his wand, transfiguring a piece of cloth into a rope and making a portkey out of it.
"Mmh, he's powerful," Bellatrix said in a whisper to Medusa. "And you have him well trained."
"I've spent a lot of time with him," she replied offhandedly, grabbing the rope and turning to Jormungandr. "Where?"
"The alley next to the bank."
"Madam Lestrange shall collect the artefact while we wait outside," Medusa replied, turning to Bellatrix. "If I'm seen with you, the goblins will recognize me and they will most certainly talk. The Dark Lord ordered us to be discrete."
"And what do you have to hide, girl?" Bellatrix asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The identity created as a front," Medusa replied, "I can't afford to lose the position I'm in."
"Mmh..."
"Do you agree, Madam Lestrange?"
"Very well... but after this is all done, you and I will have a good talk and I want answers."
"Ask your questions to the Dark Lord," Medusa replied, nodding to Jormungandr. Bellatrix frowned at the girl but grabbed the rope, seeing the world swirling again, finding herself in an alley next to the goblin bank, just like the young man had claimed.
"Be quick, Madam Lestrange," Medusa advised, "We don't know if news of the breakout has already been spread."
Bellatrix scoffed but walked to the bank. The Medusa girl reminded her of herself in her younger years and she was clearly the leader of the two, but there was something else with them, something that put her on edge. If the young man was powerful enough to hurt a dementor without using a Patronus Charm, and if those with power ruled over the weaker, then how powerful was the girl, and who was she?
"Is power the only thing you care about?" the hated voice asked her, having been strangely silent since the duo appeared in Azkaban. "Or do you plan to trade a master for a mistress?"
"Shut up!"
"You know I'm right," the voice claimed, "Why else would I be here, being YOUR conscience?"
"Shut up!"
"Give them the damn thing and then leave. Get out before you get hurt or worse. You can still live a good life with all the money in the vault."
"I am loyal to the Dark Lord."
"The Dark Lord who destroyed the family you loved?"
"You traitors made your own choices."
"More like our choices were made for us, because of Him."
"That's a lie."
"Oh, come on, Bella. Would I lie to you?"
"Yes!"
"True, but would I lie to you about this? About family?"
"To rub it in my face like you always did? Humiliating me?
"What I did had nothing to do with you."
"Don't lie to me..."
"I had no choice..."
"Then you're a coward."
"I couldn't, no matter how much I wanted to...I chose duty." The voice went silent, and Bellatrix Lestrange nearly tripped on a step.
"And I both hate you and admire you for it..." she whispered to the darkness, a tear falling from her eye as she remembered their last conversation, somehow mingling with her own thoughts and insecurities... Ever since Christmas day.
~BREAK~
Nearly thirty minutes later, Bellatrix Lestrange came back, still wrapped in her cloak with the hood up. She walked to the two magicals in the shadows.
"Let's go meet the Dark Lord," Bellatrix laughed, wrapping her hand around the handle of the handbag she had acquired, somehow...probably in the bank.
"Do you have it?" asked Medusa, and Bellatrix snorted.
"What do you think?"
"Veritas Imperio," Jormungandr chanted and Bellatrix felt herself fall into a bliss, losing control of her body. It was not unlike the Imperius Curse, but at the same time it was stronger, and almost suppressed her own will into nothing, leaving not even the little voice screaming at you to fight. "Where is the cup?"
"In my handbag."
"Give it to me," Jormungandr ordered and she did as he commanded. "Obliviate! You have no memory of how you escaped Azkaban, nor of coming to Gringotts. You never met Jormungandr and Medusa."
Bellatrix eyes glazed as the spell set in.
"You have my permission to fulfil your heart's desire, and tomorrow morning, I want you to attack the Ministry and allow yourself to be killed. Not captured, killed."
"Yes, Master."
"Good," Jormungandr replied, turning to Medusa. "Shall we go home?"
"Please..." she replied, "I feel filthy and I'm not talking about dirt."
Jormungandr and Medusa disappeared before Bellatrix Lestrange, leaving the older witch alone in the alley, a lone thought starting to dominate her mind.
~BREAK~
"Never again," Daphne complained, as she removed the glamour and started removing her clothes. "Don't look."
"Fine..." Harry complained, as he too removed the glamour. "Dobby, get us a tea, will you?"
"Not for me!" Daphne replied.
"For me, then," Harry corrected, and Dobby nodded, popping away.
"I have a feeling that no matter how much I wash, I'll never be able to remove the stain from myself...how did I allow you to convince me to do this?"
"You did phenomenally. Even Bellatrix Lestrange bought it..."
"Sure, and I had to imply I was a servant of the Dark Bastard, pretend I was marked as they were, like cattle... urgh."
"Whatever it takes, Daphne..." Harry replied, and Daphne's head appeared from behind the dresser, glaring at him.
"No. No more whatever it takes, Harry," she complained, "There are limits for what one can do with a full stomach and this...I disgusted myself."
"That means you were convincing..."
"I really hated it. I never want to do it again," Daphne replied, and Harry nodded with a smile.
"And you won't," he replied, lifting the handbag and removing the golden cup of Hufflepuff from the inside, showing it to Daphne. With a wave of his wand, he threw it to the chest holding the other Horcruxes. "Only one more, and then Voldemort."
"The snake..." Daphne replied, thoughtfully. "Do you have a plan?"
"I do, actually, but I need to let it...mature a bit more." Daphne raised an eyebrow and chuckled, understanding what Harry meant.
"Very well, then. Shall we discuss the second task now or shall we go back to the never-ending debate of when to kill Voldemort?" she asked, and Harry rolled his eyes.
"I told you, if you can find me a way to kill him and guarantee his soul won't endure..."
"Destroy the Horcruxes first and then kill him before he gets a new body," Daphne interrupted him, rolling her eyes.
"And you know this how?" he asked.
"I don't know, I just think it's a waste to wait til the third task just to do it with an audience, thanks to whatever charm you want to use."
"On the other hand, we're positive that if he returns to a body first before I kill him, then he will be gone for good. Really, who's being the brash one here?"
"Hey!" she glared at him, "All I care about is your safety, you idiot."
"I know," he replied, seriously. "Can we not discuss it any more for now?" Daphne nodded and accepted Harry's hand, walking with him to the chairs and the tea table Dobby had already prepared. "Second task. Are you sure you want to be my hostage?"
"No," Daphne replied.
"Then that's it. If Snape comes for you on the eve of the task, you make sure you refuse."
"On another hand, it's my own pride on the line and allowing another to be 'the one thing you'd miss the most'...isn't exactly appealing."
"That's true," he smiled, refraining from commenting on her Gryffindorish tendencies. "If not you, it will probably be Dobby. Other than that, I have no idea who else it could be."
"I think I'll pass as well," the elf replied with a smirk.
"I'll think about it. For now, I'm tired and I want to sleep."
"Here or in your dorm?"
"I'll go back," she replied, though her feelings on the subject were mixed. "I don't want Tracey to start wondering again about the two of us having sex."
"Tell me more," he asked with a grin, and Daphne rolled her eyes as he laughed. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"You too," she replied, giving him a kiss. She popped away with Dobby, leaving Harry alone in the room. He drank his tea in silence for a short while.
"Bollocks, I forgot about the Potions homework," he realized, spilling his tea as he rose from the chair...
~BREAK~
On the next morning, Harry and Daphne met in the common room, as usual. Their other friends joined them, and the nine walked together to the Great Hall.
"I heard a rumour that Malfoy was resorted," Tracey announced.
"Please let it be Gryffindor..." Blaise wished, making everyone smirk.
"It was."
Fortunately, no one saw them laughing.
As they reached the Great Hall, the nine chose places at the end of the table, wanting to see the blonde ponce the moment he entered the hall. Not even fifteen minutes later, the former self-appointed Silver Prince of Slytherin, or as many had taken to call him since his banishment, the Lord Idiot, entered the hall wearing Gryffindor robes, his hair Gryffindor red and his skin golden. He looked angry, and walked directly to Professor Snape and started complaining to him. None of the nine heard him, but going by the betrayed look Malfoy gave the man, it had to be great.
"Oh well, enough of Malfoy for the rest of the month," Harry said as he ate his toast, nodding to some Durmstrang students as a good morning.
"Speak for yourself, this is as good as theatre," Millie replied, and Harry shrugged.
Not even five minutes later, the owls started to arrive and Harry looked to Daphne, knowing what story would be on the front page of the Daily Prophet. Preparing themselves, the two continued to eat their breakfast.
A gasp was the first indication that something unusual was in the paper. When everyone turned to Harry, even he was surprised.
"What?" he wondered, and even Daphne was curious. "Whatever it is, it wasn't me."
"No kidding, check this out!" Theo replied, showing him the paper. The moment he saw it, Harry paled as white as a ghost.
————————————
Bellatrix Lestrange Escapes Azkaban and Attacks Lord Sirius Black
Bellatrix Lestrange's Last Attack
For most, last night was a calm one. Lord Black was not an exception, having chosen to spend the evening at home, dealing with some family business. Much to his surprise, he received a most unexpected visitor in the form of an escaped Bellatrix Lestrange, who should have been behind bars in Azkaban. All that is known is that there was a short duel inside the Black ancestral home, number 12, Grimmauld Place, resulting on the death of Bellatrix Lestrange and some minor scrapes for the Lord Black.
Lord Black was unreachable for comment, but his best friend Remus Lupin, a known werewolf who shares the house with him, announced that the Lord Black was fine and healthy, wanting to know how and why Bellatrix Lestrange, who was convicted for life, was on the run.
————————————
Harry picked the paper up in both hands and trembled as he read it.
"Harry, calm down," Daphne implored, but Harry didn't hear her. All he knew was that Bellatrix had once again attacked Sirius, and once again it had been his fault.
"DOBBY!" he shouted, and everyone in the Great Hall turned to him in time to see him vanish with a pop.
"My father is dead, I am the Lord Malfoy, now!" an obnoxious voice was heard among the silence of the Great Hall. "I'm the leader of this house now and things are going to change."
"Shut the hell up you wanking ass!" none other than Jason Hallys shouted, tired of dealing with Malfoy's incessant prattle. Because the older years didn't listen to him or care about him, the blonde took to blustering and imposing his will on the younger years. Unfortunately for him, Jason Hallys had had enough.
"Mr. Hallys!" McGonagall finally saw fit to intervene, "Five points from Gryffindor for foul language. Apologize this instant."
"All right, I apologize, your wanking lordship. Now shut the hell up! No one cares," the first year complained again, stabbing his eggs as the older Gryffindors laughed, completely ignoring McGonagall's angry look, most of them in awe of the firstie's balls of steel. On the other side of the hall, Astoria Greengrass rolled her eyes as her friends chuckled at the firstie's intervention, going back to her breakfast. Annoying brat who was younger and better than her at the club...
Surprisingly, no one said anything about Harry's sudden vanishing from the hall.
Harry and Dobby popped in at the entrance hall of number twelve, Grimmauld place, and Harry wasted no time, completely ignoring the portrait of the former Lady Black or the form of Kreacher popping before them.
"PADFOOT! Sirius!" he shouted, and two sets of steps ran towards him, coming from the kitchen.
"Harry?" a confused Remus mumbled when he saw the teen, and Sirius's eyes widened when he saw him. Harry looked at the older man and hugged him after making sure he wasn't injured.
"Prongslet, what are you doing here?" Sirius asked.
"I saw the paper," Harry replied promptly, and Sirius sighed. "Are you alright? What happened?"
"Look, Harry, I don't want to talk about it..." Sirius replied, "She came here, she attacked me, and I killed her. End of story. Merlin knows I've had enough of Moony and Andy trying to cheer me up."
"Why?" asked Harry, noticing his dejected look, "Shouldn't you be happy? She was a dangerous witch, a convicted murderer and a Death Eater, and you killed her. You're going to be a hero."
"She was also my cousin," Sirius replied, and for a moment, Harry thought he saw some anger and a small scowl on his face, neither directed at him. No one spoke for several moments, with Harry and Sirius looking only at each other.
"He's been acting like this since I arrived last night," Remus complained, trying to ease the tension.
"And where the hell were you?" asked Harry in an accusing tone, making the werewolf blush. Sirius took the chance and grinned.
"The man had a date," he said, and Moony rolled his eyes. Harry refrained from comment, looking at Sirius.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"No, I'm not...but I will be," Sirius replied, his smile vanishing.
"How about some breakfast, since you're here?" asked Remus, starting to walk back to the kitchen.
"I was in the middle of it, actually..." Harry replied.
"Come on, cub," Remus replied, waving. Harry smirked and started to walk behind his werewolf uncle, turning back to his dogfather.
"I'm glad you're all right," Harry told him before following Remus. "Dobby, go back to Hogwarts and tell Daphne I'll be back after breakfast. I'll call you."
"Yes, Master," Dobby replied, popping away at once.
Sirius stood in that same place for a few moments more, with only Kreacher and a silent portrait as company.
"Kreacher, go set another place for breakfast," Sirius ordered, and the elf vanished.
"The boy cares greatly about you," the painting of Walburga Black spoke for the first time, in a low tone.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Sirius asked coldly, glaring at the painting.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"You hate me, hag. You always did," Sirius sneered at her. However, the sneer also hid a warning.
"Traitor..." the painting whispered, raising her voice in anger, "Blood Traitor, kin slayer, embarrassment of my house. I should have killed you when you slept. Oh, had I known the embarrassment you'd cause me, the end of my noble line..." the painting went on in her rant, and the Lord Black turned his back on her, never seeing the two tears that fell from his mother's painted eyes.
When Sirius arrived in the kitchen, Harry sat at his left side as Remus sat at his right.
"Were you ever close?" Harry asked, and Sirius raised an eyebrow. Remus looked questioningly at Harry.
"Bella?" Sirius asked, and Harry nodded. "Once, a long time ago. Before Hogwarts."
"You never told us that..." Remus replied, shocked.
"You never asked, Moony. All you saw was the mean bitch she wanted to show herself to be and our eternal fights...but I missed her." No one spoke for a time. "She was one year older than me, that much you know... and when we were old enough to understand things, she decided she was going to take care of me, teach me to be a proper lord, and find me a proper wife suitable to be the Lady Black," Sirius snorted.
"She had everything planned out. I was going to be sorted into Slytherin, meet my peers, and make my alliances and friendships...but I chose differently, and she never forgave me. In her mind, more than betraying the family, I betrayed her, and that was unforgivable. She never stopped hating me ever since."
Harry listened to the story and couldn't help but remember the Department of Mysteries in his other life, and Bellatrix Lestrange's happiness after killing Sirius. It hadn't been only madness, then.
"Sometimes, I think all that happened to her was because of me," Sirius replied, picking up a piece of toast.
"Do you regret it?" asked Harry, and Sirius turned to Moony and his godson.
"I regret never having made my peace with my cousin. I couldn't care less about the Death Eater."
"I just wonder how she got out..." Remus mumbled, and Harry shrugged.
"So, kid, how are things at Hogwarts?" Sirius asked, wanting a change of subject.
"As you know, after the basilisk fiasco, Malfoy was banished from our house. Today we discovered he was resorted into Gryffindor."
"Ah, I bet the snob ass threw a fit," Sirius replied, remembering how he was received in Malfoy Manor by the little shit he had to call the son of his cousin.
"I really don't know if I should feel sorrier for the house, or for him..." Remus mumbled, and Sirius laughed again.
"I'm also getting ready for the task," Harry continued, "Today I am going to jump in the lake and explore it a bit. I'm trying to make a mental map of where they may keep the one thing I will miss the most. I swear, if something happens to Daphne, I will hurt someone."
"Don't worry, I don't think they can afford to be responsible for that, and you have already made clear what happens to whoever hurts your girlfriend," Remus added.
"True, you remind me of your grandfather in that respect. Protective and deadly...much like my own."
"Really?" Harry asked. No matter his real age or his past life, he never really knew much about his grandparents.
"Yes, he could be nice and welcoming, but no matter how old he was, his wand was one of the fastest I have ever seen...and he knew how to use it."
"You know, people always tell me I look like my father with my mother's eyes, and that's it. I know nothing about the rest of my family. What was my grandfather like? I heard he fought in World War Two..."
"He did...and he never liked Dumbledore."
"Uh?"
"He always saw Dumbledore as a coward who hadn't the courage to stop Grindelwald before the start of the war. He never approved James signing up for Dumbledore's..."
"Sirius!" Remus warned him.
"Order of the Phoenix?" asked Harry, and both men looked at the boy in surprise. "There are diaries, you know?" he lied, and the two men shrugged.
"Yes, that... I respected your grandfather, as much as I respected my own. They were much alike, hard men from harder times, leaders and visionaries. The world needs more men like them, brave enough to do whatever needs to be done. Men who defended their own convictions and were able to look past their differences and ally for a common goal when there was need of it. The problems with the Black family always existed, but only became worse after the old man died, when I was in my third year at Hogwarts. My father wasn't as great as he claimed to be...neither was my mother," he told them. "But enough about depressing topics, we were talking about Mr. Potter the eldest. One day, and Remus can vouch me on this, we marauders were at Potter Manor passing the day..."
~BREAK~
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the second task of the Triwizard Tournament." the charmed voice of Ludo Bagman echoed throughout the area around lake, heard by all who were in attendance to watch the task.
Harry stood impatiently at the lake shore, much like the other champions, who all realized who they had to retrieve from the lake. Fleur had to rescue her little sister, Cedric had to rescue his girlfriend, and Viktor had to rescue his best friend. For all of them, failure was not an option.
Daphne had gone missing the previous evening, and although none of the girls in her dorm knew where she was, Harry knew very well where she had been. First to a bed in the hospital wing, already charmed to be unconscious, and that same morning was brought under the lake.
That didn't mean he wasn't concerned. In fact, he was quite concerned and wanted to get on with the damn task.
"Valking around von't help, Harry," Viktor said, twirling his wand on his hand.
"Can't help it, I'm nervous. What if the charm fails? What if something attacks her? What if..."
"Relax, 'Arry. You trust your 'eadmaster, non?"
"Not when the people I love are involved," he replied in almost a whisper, not heard by anyone.
"You are prepared, non?" Fleur asked again, and Harry nodded."
"I understand you, my friend." Viktor said, "Sasha is good, but if vas someone dearest to me, I vould be the same."
"From Durmstrang Institute, we have Viktor Krum!" a lot of cheers sounded. "From Beauxbatons Academy, Fleur Delacour." More cheers. "From our very own Hogwarts School, Cedric Diggory." The cheers were the loudest yet. "And our fourth champion, Harry Potter." A mix of cheering and booing sounded, the cheers predominant in the silver and green platforms, where the Slytherin students were waving their banners and chanting for their champion and lord.
As Bagman went on explaining the task, Harry went through another mental check of what to do.
"Dazzle everyone with impressive magic while rescuing Daphne as fast as possible," he thought to himself, massaging his temples. "Damn it, why does it have to be this complicated? Why can't I just go on a rampage and get her back?"
"Because I want you to win," Daphne's voice echoed in his mind, or at least what he imagined Daphne would say it and how she would say it.
"Dobby, get a couple of blankets for Daphne...and some hot tea, we never know," he ordered his elf, and Dobby nearly chuckled. He hadn't seen Harry so concerned about anything since his own wedding.
"Let's begin the task!" Ludo announced, and Harry raised his head, taking his place at the lake shore with the other champions.
"Good luck," Cedric spoke, and the other champions nodded to him.
"Champions, take your places!" Ludo spoke again, as Dumbledore raised his wand.
"Begin!"
The Concussion Charm sounded at the same time as he spoke, and as one, three of the champions jumped into the water, cheered by everyone watching the task. The fourth champion did things a bit differently, and when the audience realized what he was doing, many sat in stunned silence while others, mostly Slytherins and two middle aged men, cheered even louder while laughing.
Harry Potter was running on the water, using his wand as a compass, casting the Point Me Charm.
"This is unbelievable!" The voice of Ludo Bagman exclaimed, "I have never seen anything like this, and neither have the likes of the headmasters and staff! What a fantastic display by our fourth champion, Harry Potter. Could it be another secret family spell?"
The other champions never realized what was happening because they had dived in quickly, completely ignoring everything but their task. Harry ran over the surface as fast as he could, following the direction his wand pointed him, and after nearly five minutes of running he reached a place where the wand pointed down.
"Wait for me, Daph," he whispered as he jumped, diving headfirst in the water. Many screamed in shock, but their fears proved to be unfounded as Harry dived smoothly in the waters, disappearing quickly under them.
The excitement was at its peak and many were cheering for Harry, believing him to be in the lead and the favourite to win. They had to wait only five minutes as Harry emerged from the waters, standing once again on top of them while carrying his girlfriend, Daphne Greengrass, bridal style.
The cheers were loud, the loudest coming from the Slytherin stands, but Harry paid them no mind. All he cared about seeing Daphne's blue eyes looking back at him and assuring him she was fine.
"Good morning, Ms. The One Thing I Would Miss The Most," Harry said, as Daphne gasped, waking up from the charm.
"Good morning," she said with a smile, "Did you win?"
"Almost, all I have to do is take you back to the lake shore," Harry replied, and Daphne's eyes shot wide open as Harry started to walk and she finally took in her surroundings.
"Harry?! You're walking on...bah, why am I surprised?" Daphne snorted, and Harry chuckled.
"You know, there's a funny thing about this spell..." Harry told her, capturing her attention. "I created it during our time together in my past life. You saw a religious movie around Easter time that showed Jesus walking on water, and decided that the real Jesus had to have been a wizard. Being the amazing and supportive husband I was, I decided to prove you right, and created a spell to do just that. A few years later, I found another version of the water walking spell in the Meharjhai's library, proving your theory correct."
"Really?" Daphne asked with a smirk. "I want you to teach me the spell."
"Now or later?" Harry asked, and Daphne frowned.
"Win the task first. I'm comfortable and in no hurry."
"Yes, Mistress," Harry spoke in a mock resigned tone, making her chuckle. Harry walked to the shore and delivered Daphne to dry land, who was then quickly dried with charms, wrapped in a warm blanket, and given a warm cup of tea, all by Dobby, before Madam Pomfrey could even act.
"Thank you, Dobby," Daphne spoke as Harry laughed.
"Amazing. In under twenty minutes, Harry Potter finishes the task with one of the most amazing displays of magic I have ever seen," Ludo Bagman announced. "I can't wait for the scores. How will the judges evaluate this nothing short of amazing display?"
"How do you feel, Ms. Greengrass?" asked Madam Pomfrey, waving her wand before her youngest unofficial apprentice.
"Quite well, Madam," she replied, "The warm blankets helped."
"Yes, good thinking, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey replied with a nod to the youngest champion. "Take ten points to Slytherin for good thinking to prevent hypothermia. An amazing display, by the way. Was it safe for you or did you break something?"
"Is that a joke?" Harry asked, surprised.
"Am I laughing, boy?" Madam Pomfrey asked seriously, "I have come to accept that with you, something always happens...what is it this time?"
"Well, prepare to be shocked, for I am fine!" Harry replied with some flare, and Madam Pomfrey snorted, waving her wand.
"I'll be... You really are fine. There's nothing wrong, no unusual events nor anything peculiar... This isn't normal, and I'm not sure how to react to this..."
"Have a cup of tea to relax," Harry replied amusedly, as Daphne was chuckling. "Spell?"
"Definitely," she replied, dropping the blanket and drawing her wand, leaving a bemused Madam Pomfrey behind.
For nearly ten minutes, the audience and the judges saw Harry on the water, talking to Daphne. Unfortunately for them, no one heard what he told her, because they had raised wards to prevent just that. All they could do was watch their silent conversation, and they all saw Harry cast the spell on himself and walk on water once more. They saw Daphne with her arms crossed, listening to her boyfriend, nodding every so often before she eventually uncrossed her arms and attempted to cast the spell on herself.
Of course, she was smart and for the first few tries only tried to walk near the shore, where the water was shallow. She drenched her feet a couple of times, but nothing else got wet. After a few tries, to everyone's amazement, they saw Daphne walking on water, just like Harry.
Many of the teachers nodded in approval, and both Snape and Flitwick awarded points for a job well done. The truth was that while Ms. Greengrass had never been an exceptional student, she consistently received marks in the high Acceptable and Exceeds Expectations range. However, ever since Harry Potter had joined the ranks of the snakes and started helping her, those grades had skyrocketed into high-level Outstandings.
Some students and adults watching believed they would be able to cast the spell as well, but a select few knew better. These were the Black Wands, and they saw Daphne struggling with the spell. They knew that Daphne was one of the best in their club, and that if she struggled with a spell, then it had to be difficult and complicated. Truthfully, it was quite complex, and Daphne had some trouble being able to maintain it successfully. It surely didn't help when Harry started to move away from her, telling her to catch him.
"Are you insane? I'm having enough trouble as it is," she replied with a scowl, and he smiled.
"Come on, practice makes perfect. Small steps, come on, you can do it."
"Easy for you to say," Daphne mumbled.
"Daphy could do it..." Harry replied, and Daphne looked at him.
"You probably cast the spell on her yourself."
"Busted," Harry chuckled, and Daphne laughed. She took another step and approached Harry, who stood in his place. "One more."
"You know, we're being watched," Daphne told him, and Harry shrugged.
"I don't care..." he replied, "The rest of this hour will be only about us, you and me...let them be jealous, if they want."
"Aren't we cocky?" Daphne asked, taking the last step before being held by Harry's arms.
"No, we're confidant because we're that damn good," Harry replied as he raised Daphne in his arms and twirled her around, making her squeal and laugh. She grabbed his face and kissed him, and all around them, the girls watching them, in unison, let out an "Aww…" at the romantic scene.
"Not again..." a Ravenclaw whispered to himself, seeing his girlfriend's look. At least Potter hadn't showed off for Valentine's Day, which was odd, all things considered. Yet, no young man complained about not having to compete with Potter and Greengrass on that day.
"You really should start writing all the spells you know..." Daphne whispered to Harry.
"I started two weeks ago, what do you think the new chest on the desk is?" Harry asked her, and she raised an eyebrow. "I am writing a spell per page, and I have already written a few of them with wand movements, theoretical stuff, and all that. I decided to add my own addition to the Potter and Slytherin Grimoires."
"Very well done, my lord," Daphne chuckled in amusement as she leaned into him, holding her head on his shoulder as the two started to walk slowly back to the shore, making sure Daphne didn't miss a step.
"See that, Remus?" Sirius laughed, "That boy may look like his father but he is nothing like James. He was a disaster with women, and I still believe Lily went on that first Hogsmeade date with him for pity's sake."
"Not that Lily was much better, if I recall..." Remus chuckled.
"Clearly he got the charm from his amazing dogfather," Sirius replied amused, "Where else?"
"Maybe the two of them just match?"
"Come on, Moony, where's the fun in that?" Sirius replied, getting up from his seat. "Come on, there's not much time left. We can meet the two love birds at the shore before the judges announce the scores. I'm still surprised no one stopped their snogging."
Remus chuckled and followed his best friend down the stands.
In one of the public stands, a man dressed in dark, formal business robes watched the two youngsters with an inquisitive look, his dark eyes fixed on Harry.
"So, that's Harry Potter. Very interesting... I can see why the master is interested in him..."
"What is happening over there?" Ludo Bagman announced, seeing some commotion in the water. Some moments passed, and the staff of the tournament pulled an injured Fleur from the water.
"Probably the grindylows," Harry whispered to Daphne, who nodded, both of them already at the shore. Fleur looked frantic but was soon calmed down by her headmistress.
"Unfortunately, Ms. Delacour was injured after fighting off some grindylows and cannot continue," Bagman announced, and many booed him, most of them Beauxbatons students.
"Harry!" the two of them heard the voice of Sirius a few feet away and Harry raised his hand to greet his godfather and uncle. "Good job, pup. Ms. Greengrass, I hope you are well."
"I am, Lord Black, thank you for your concern," Daphne replied with a small bow. "Mr. Lupin."
"Ms. Greengrass, congratulations on a spell well learned. I would grand points but alas, I cannot." Daphne smiled, embarrassed, and Harry chuckled.
"It was a great show, you two," Sirius continued with a laugh. "Are there any surprises planned for the third task, Harry?"
"Probably..." Harry thought to himself, "Hopefully I'll think of something." The two older men laughed as Viktor Krum came out of the water, half transfigured into a shark, carrying his friend.
"And in second place is Viktor Krum with a time of forty-eight minutes," Bagman announced, and the Durmstrang students cheered their champion's name. Cedric Diggory followed five minutes later, cheered by most of Hogwarts, carrying his girlfriend. "The task has officially ended. As Ms. Delacour failed the task, we will wait as the merpeople return her hostage, and then we shall settle the scores."
"I never asked you, how was your date?" Harry asked.
"Fun," Remus replied without thinking, realizing what he said only after, "I mean..."
"That's good," Harry snorted, as Sirius laughed and Daphne raised an eyebrow. "I think I'll say she's... younger than you? Because I'm not seeing two old people like you having fun."
Sirius laughed harder.
"I'll have you know, young man, I can still have as much fun as I used to in my twenties," Remus complained, grabbing the bait.
"Considering you had no fun back then thanks to the war and... other things, I hope you can have as much fun as you did in your teen years," Harry replied snappily.
"Touché, cub, touché," Remus replied, amused, and Sirius wiped a tear.
"Aren't we witty, today?" the Lord Black asked in an amused voice, and Harry shrugged.
"I have my days. Oh, look, scores. I wonder if I dazzled them enough," Harry replied, and Daphne snorted, as did the two adults. In the end, Harry got a forty-seven, Fleur a ten for good sport, Viktor a thirty-seven, and Cedric a thirty-five for time discounted. All things considered, Harry was now in first place. As the chants started cheering for him, Harry chuckled and hugged Daphne by the waist, who leaned into his shoulder.
"Well done, Harry," Daphne whispered.
~BREAK~
"Have you changed your mind, and are you going to teach us the water walking spell you taught Daphne during the second task?" Astoria asked at the end of their weekly meeting of the Black Wands, two days after the task.
"No, Astoria, I will not teach you the spell, because it's a family spell," Harry told her, ignoring her pout.
"Wait, hold on..." Jason Hallys called out, looking surprised. "It's a family spell, but you taught it to Daphne, your girlfriend..."
"Yes..." Harry nodded.
"Not your wife, your girlfriend. She's a Greengrass, not a Potter or Slytherin or whatever... so why did you teach her? Why are you teaching your family magic to Daphne when so many things can happen? When you're not sure you're going to stay together?"
"What do you mean by that?" glared Daphne, and Jason gulped under Daphne's gaze, finding himself in a circle of angry females, all glaring at him.
"I-I don't mean anything bad, it's just... how can you know you're not going to break up? How can you know you want to stay together forever?" he asked, and Daphne eased her glare, understanding what the boy was asking. So did Harry, who looked to his girlfriend with a smile.
"He's right, you know?" he asked, ignoring the gasps, "I'm taking you for granted, and I never even considered the fact that one day you may grow bored of me."
"That won't happen," Daphne replied off-handedly. "Not after all I've seen and felt. Never."
"Still, maybe I shouldn't take you for granted so much."
"You never took me for granted...at least not that I've realized," she said, slightly unsure.
"You imbecile, loudmouth, meddling bastard!" Astoria Greengrass raged against Jason Hallys, drawing her wand. "Why did you have to open your mouth?" she cast a spell but the firstie dodged it, raising his hands, trying to calm her.
"Hold on just a minute, I only asked a question," he defended himself, being forced to dodge another spell. "Stop it!"
"If they break up, I'm going to hurt you and make sure they never find your body, you snotty little bastard."
"You kiss your mother with that mouth?!" he asked cheekily, enraging Astoria even further. "Oh crap, me and my big mouth," he dodged one spell and had to jump away from the second. "A little help, please?"
"Yeah, you deal with your own problems, kid," Theo replied, hiding a grin, seeing the youngest Greengrass readying another spell, "Think of it as a character-building exercise."
They all laughed save the two "duelists".
"I hate you!" Jason replied, hastily raising a small shield against a minor jinx.
"Five galleons says that Jason can dodge or defend at least ten more curses before your sister hits him," Harry proposed Daphne, and she chuckled.
"You're on, Potter," she told him, "Come on, Tori. Cast faster and smarter. You can hit him, come on."
"Jason, keep doing a good job," Harry told the boy with a snicker, and the boy dodged another spell. Jason was able to defend eight more times before both he and Astoria cast the Disarming Charm at the same time, successfully disarming each other. Unfortunately for Jason, his wand landed by Astoria's feet, who caught it in a hurry.
"Stupefy!" she chanted, and the wand worked perfectly for her, the spell hitting a surprised Jason in the chest. With a grin, Astoria gloated, only to see the surprised looks the oldest members gave her.
"What?"
"His wand...does it work fine or do you have to put more power into it?" asked Millie, and Astoria looked at the wand.
"Now that you mention it, it's almost like my wand...it's just as warm..." Astoria replied, noticing the surprise. "Why, what does it mean?" she asked nervously.
"Nothing, really," Harry replied, stepping forward. "Probably your wands are made with the same materials. It is just unusual for a person to find a wand that works as well as their own by chance."
"Yes, there's usually a lot of tries... and failures," Theo replied, thinking. "I think I went through at least ten...and Ollivander was actually excited."
"Poor you, I lost count at twenty," Justin replied.
"There you have it, Astoria," Daphne replied, extending her hand, asking for Jason's wand back. "It doesn't mean you two are compatible. Only that his wand is compatible with you."
"Should we try her wand with him?" Harry asked, as Astoria gave Jason's wand back. The youngest Greengrass glared at Harry.
"He could, but I don't see the point of it," Daphne replied, but a few others complained, wanting to see.
"Ouch..." Jason mumbled as he rose from the floor after being revived from the Stunner by Harry. "What happened? Oh, yeah, Greengrass..."
"You cost me five galleons, Jason," Harry told him with a smirk.
"Yeah? Well, gambling is a matter of chance," the boy complained as everyone chuckled, used to the kid's witty remarks. It was safe to say they all liked him, as unlike most Gryffindors, he had an open mind and wasn't a bigot to the other houses.
"We'd like you to try to cast a spell with Astoria's wand," Harry said, giving her the girl's wand.
"Why?" he asked, "Because she cast the Stunner with mine?"
"Yes, and it worked easily," Harry answered. "We're just curious to see how hers will react with you." Jason accepted the wand and noticed everyone looking expectedly at him, including an almost glaring Astoria. The boy flinched.
"This doesn't mean we're both compatible at any level, does it?" he asked, and many laughed.
"Not at all, kid," Jason sighed in relief.
"Thank heaven for small mercies..." he mumbled, raising the wand and casting a Light Charm. The spell shined for a few moments before he released the magic.
"How does it feel?" Daphne asked.
"Like mine... Mine is cedar with dragon's heartstring."
"So is mine," Astoria replied, taking the wand the younger boy handed back to her, handle first.
"Like we said, it is of no consequence at all," Harry replied. "It's just one hell of a coincidence. Now, since we're already out of time, thanks to Astoria and Jason's duel..." Astoria crossed her arms with a smug smile and Jason scowled. "Have a nice evening and we'll see each other tomorrow in classes."
"See you tomorrow, guys. I still have to finish an essay for Herbology," Justin told them, running to the door. One by one, the room emptied. Astoria was one of the last to leave, along with her sister, as Harry stayed behind for some extra practice.
"What the hell was that?" Daphne asked her the moment they left the room.
"What?"
"You assaulted Hallys. May I ask why?"
"I didn't..."
"Yes, you did," Daphne retorted. "You were lucky we found it amusing and it was a good practice for the both of you. Care to explain why you did it?"
"He was being an idiot, asking stupid questions," Astoria replied with a huff.
"He actually asked a pertinent question. True, it meant nothing, but it was a valid question. Your assault on him served no purpose."
"I don't believe it, you're taking his side?" Astoria asked shocked, "He's arrogant, he's a Gryffindor. He's..."
"He's a first year, trying hard, and has skill, as do you," Daphne replied, "Why do you hate him so much?"
"I..." she replied, looking down.
"Astoria, look at me," Astoria did, "I don't know what your problem with Hallys is but it needs to end," Daphne told her.
"He's better than me," Astoria whispered, "Everyone likes him and all the spells are easy to him. Even you and Harry seem to help him more."
"What?" Daphne asked, "Are you jealous of him?" Astoria only grumbled. "Astoria, you're my sister. You know that if you need help, I'll always help you. Gladly. But you need to control your temper. What if a teacher had seen it?"
"I'm sorry," Astoria replied.
"No, you're not..." Daphne sighed, "Whatever your problem with Hallys is, fix it, ignore the boy or whatever...but this that happened today, I don't want to see it or hear about it ever again, am I clear?"
"Yes, Daphne."
"Good. Now, let's go back. Nice Disarming Charm, by the way," Daphne complimented her sister.
"I think I could do better," Astoria replied, and Daphne nodded.
"You can, but you did very well," the older sister insisted. "Tell you what, what about tomorrow we go to the room and have a sister's evening? I'll help you with whatever you need."
"That sounds great," Astoria replied happily, and the two sisters walked side by side back to the Slytherin common room.
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