Chapter 9
Bill Weasley was a happy camper. He had the ultimate setup, he was working for Harry Potter-Black as his chief cursebreaker..he had interesting and dangerous work to do..
It was not a well known fact, but an objective observer of the Weasley family would say that each and every member of that clan sought out danger in their own form.. Bill worked as a cursebreaker, Charlie loved Dragons as much as Hagrid.. Percy had a secret life playing on the front lines of bureaucracy.
The twins.. my oh my.. they played on the edge of potions and charms research, and then there was that tendancy to prank people who could retaliate.
Ron, unfortunately took what was probably the most dangerous route.. he was destined to be on the wrong side of Harry Potter.
Ginny would be one of the most well known chasers in the world, assuming she survived the next year..
Molly had been playing an extremely dangerous game for years, and it was just about to be found out.
Arthur was well known in some circles.. not by the name Arthur, of course. His victims, or clients usually saw him once.. just before they died.
_o00o_
Bill was working for Harry, Lord Potter-Black breaking down all manner of dark curse and object. The astonishing array of objects with dark magic on them or in them.. truly amazing in scope. It seemed that wizards over the centuries were willing to put a curse on just about anything, and Bill wondered why some things were done, but then, Bill was a product of a pureblood family with generations of life in the magical world, so he was, like most, blind to common sense. Sure, he had the sense to not tickle the sleeping dragon, and that was one of the reasons he was a successful cursebreaker.
Harry and company had secured a large bonded warehouse, 200x600 feet. At one end, a work area was set up, heavily warded workspace, enclosed with multiple layers. The actual target site was remotely controlled with Waldos, ensuring another layer of safety for the working staff.
Jack Golinard had agreed to work for Harry for one year before his retirement, and as such was overseeing Bill and his staff in a consulting position.. There were seven lesser cursebreakers on staff, all working their way toward their mastery, some via Runic, some via Charms.. and a few, a very rare few knew just by instinct
The daily grind consisted of a continuous stream of dark objects, cursed doilies, killer jewelry. Each item was photographed and the history was sorted out, where it came from, who owned it, what magic was placed on it, if it had any historical value, how many people it had killed or maimed.. After cataloging, the magic was worked out, if it could be removed safely, what procedures were needed. the least dangerous objects were being used as examples for training of the younger staff.. some of the staff were still in school, or just out and they were interning at the facility to see what it was all about. Today was a special event. The necklace that Harry had seen in Borgin and Burkes was up for processing, and everyone was there to watch, including Katie Bell, who had almost died because this cursed thing. Katie sat on the bleachers in the gallery with Angelina and Alica, her fellow chasers, and best friends. Fred, George and Lee watched also, supporting their girlfriends.. they were a team, after all..
The necklace was in a HAZMMAT container, a magically inert and secure box, which could not be opened without the proper key. Bill called for everyone's attention.
"What we have here is a necklace, made of silver, gold and assorted jewels, and semi-precious stones.. the original item was not designed to carry a curse, but according to the history it was the betrothal present for an Italian noblewoman, who turned down an offer by a local wizard-prince." He looked at his notes. "The man the Noblewoman was to marry was not a wizard, and was unaware of the history between the woman and the wizard." The wizard offered to make a piece of jewelry for the nobleman to give to his wife as a betrothal present." "He paid the wizard 1000 ducats for the necklace and on their wedding day, presented it to her in front of a crowd of family and friends, important people of the town." " once she was wearing the necklace, the wizard triggered the spells on it, and took control of the young woman." "According to the accounts from the survivors, she stood, took a knife from one of the retainers, and proceeded to slash her way through the entire wedding party, half the town before finally killing herself" Everyone shuddered at thoughts of the bloodbath. Bill continued. "The whole time she was screaming for help, for anyone who could hear, to stop her, keep her from doing these horrible things.." The watching audience shuddered at the description. "The necklace was 'lost' for a few years and then turned up in what is now Germany, and another situation where seventeen people were killed, including the mayor of that town." more unsettled and worried muttering in the audience. "As far as we can tell, this item has been present in the deaths of over 100 people over the last 400 years, the last time it was used, it had been purchased by Lucius Malfoy and used by his heir Draco Malfoy in an attempt to kill Albus Dumbledore, and cause the deaths of several notable Hogwarts students.. Luckily it was stopped by one of our own, but not before it almost killed our sister Katie.."
Katie blushed and she was enveloped in hugs from her teammates and boyfriends.. "SO".. Bill was a bit louder to draw attention away from Katie, he knew she didn't want to be known for that situation.
"So, Today we are going to destroy the magic on this thing, and break it up into it's component bits, so that it cannot be used in that manner ever again." he stepped toward the containment area and narrated. Inside the containment area, a golem, actually a doll similar to the attendants at Anton of Basel's studio stepped up and opened the HAZMMAT container, and using specially charmed magically inert tongs, lifted the necklace, and placed it on the work surface. it then moved a large lodestone in place.
The lodestone was a battery of sorts, it could hold magic for later use, it was a particular kind of stone, and was shaped and covered with runes, each modifying or altering some attribute of the magical energy put into it. The stone had it's own warding and control attributes, and when it was fully charged, another would be brought in to replace it. There were four of these lodestones placed beep in the heart of Hogwarts, one created by each of the founders, and kept charged up and running the wards of that castle by the continuous application of energies by all the magical inhabitants of the castle. Harry owned seven of these stones himself, at his hidden home in the DoM, at several of the Potter-owned properties around the world..
In 1726 Jonathan Swift wrote in his story 'A Voyage to Laputa,Balnibarbi, Glubbdubdrib, Luggnagg and Japan he described the lodestone as "an instrument of power, used to propel the flying island along it's chosen course."
The golem proceeded on its' assigned duties as Bill narrated.
"The golem is attaching the power leads to the lodestone one at a time in the proper order, and as each one is attached, it is also attached to the work surface, drawing out the magic from the necklace.. now remember, the leads have to be attached in the proper order, or there can be trouble.." "Each lead is attached in sequence to seven points on the lodestone, which has thirteen points where it can be connected. Each point is labelled with the correct rune, using the Elder Futhark, but remember, not all runesets are the same, if you are using Nordic Elder Futhark with an Asian based runeset, you can get some serious consequences.. the safest to use for something like this, since it was created by an Italian based wizard, in a European setting, the Norse Aett was almost always used. In examining this object, we discovered a series of bondage and control runes along all the branches of the item, on each chain link and each stone setting." he pointed at the projected image. "If you look closely at the undersides of each stone , on the link ends of each chain link, there are runes engraved on each and every piece of this necklace. Individually, none is very dangerous, but collectively, very much so.. what we are going to do today is link to the ends of teach rune cluster and cause a cascade effect, destroying every magical connection, and drain all the energy out of it."
The attending golem connected the last lead, and stepped back out of range. "Any questions so far?"
A young man, an intern raised his hand. "Can this procedure be done by hand, or does it have to be done remotely?"
Bill nodded, Yes I could do it fairly easily, using the magically inert tools and appropriate shields, if it was an emergency, or out in the field where it couldn't be moved, yes, but we have the facility and the tools, why risk someone's life if we don't have to?, any more questions?..yes, miss?"
A girl stood. "What would constitute an emergency?"
Bill thought about it.. "Ok,, how about this.. someone manages to put this necklace on someone you love, and that person goes on a beserker rampage, killing people left and right, the Aurors manage to stun your loved one but not kill them.. you want your loved one back, alive, do you not?".. he paused. "We call in someone like me or one of the staff, and we bring our equipment, lying there in the middle of Diagon Alley, drain the magic out of the necklace, freeing your loved one, alive, back to you.. the Aurors could have just killed them, after all. does this make sense?" Nodding from many, who just now realized how dangerous a curse breaker's life could be.
The event moved forward, The control runes were set, and the magic fought, but was drawn out of the necklace.. it took several minutes, and there was blood flowing out of the stones and onto the work surface, and several screams were heard...and just as the last of the magic was drawn out, a whispy ethereal ghost came out of the necklace.. a woman, dressed in fine and beautiful clothes, fallen to her knees, retching ectoplasmic vomit.. everyone sat silently watching the action. She sat back, looked around at the audience, and at Bill who stood nearby.
"Che cosa sta succedendo qui, dove mi trovo?"
"what is happening here, where am I?"
Bill answered
"Benvenuto, signora, stiamo procedendo alla rimozione del male da questa magia Collana"
"Welcome, Madam, we are removing the evil magic from this Necklace"
"Voi siete maghi?
"You are wizards?
"Sì, mia signora, io sono un insegnante, e questi sono i miei studenti"
"Yes, My Lady, I am a teacher, and these are my students"
"The elegant young woman rose from the floor, as Bill offered her a hand, she stood, looking around.
"Tu sei inglese"
"you are English"
"Sì, mia signora, siamo"
"Yes, My Lady, we are.
"Giacomo il Weakling è ancora il vostro re?"
"Is James the Weakling still your King?"
"Non la mia signora, King James è morto 400 anni fa"
"No My Lady, King James died 400 years ago"
"Ah, vedo, e, suppongo devo andare in poi .. nessuno della mia famiglia o cari sono ancora vivi, voglio entrare nella braccia di Nostro Signore"
"Ah, I see, well, I suppose I must go on then.. none of my family or loved ones are still alive, I should join them in the arms of Our Lord"
The elegant ghost turned to walk away into the afterlife, when her eye was captured by something. She came directly to the group surrounding Katie Bell.
"Sento un legame con voi, la mia bella ragazza"
"I sense a connection with you, my lovely girl"
she held her hand to Katie's cheek.
"Yes, Ma,am, I was the last one hurt by that cursed necklace
Bill translated for her
"Sì, Ma, sono, io ero l'ultimo male che da maledetto collana "
"ah, vedo .. Sono lieto di vedere che si è sopravvissuto maledetto cosa distrutta
"ah, I see.. I am glad you survived to see the accursed thing destroyed"
Katie blushed. "Thank you Ma'am, but given the chance, I would have rather not been in touch with it at all" again Bill translated"
"La ringrazio signora, ma data la possibilità, avrei invece non è stato in contatto con essa, a tutti i"
The ghostly noblewoman threw her head back and laughed, her laughter tinkling like icicles.. she then turned to Bill.
"Se volesse, il buon Maestro, si prega di fondere l'oro e vendere i gioielli, e dare i soldi al mio amico giovane donna, per la sua dote, per favore?
"If you would, good Teacher, please melt down the gold and sell the jewels, and give the money to my young lady friend here, for her dowry, please?
Bill bowed his head, speaking.
"Sì, mia signora, mi si adoperano per il" "
Yes, My Lady, I shall see to it"
"Grazie a Lei, Signor Maestro, io ti saluto, voi tutti, buona giornata"
"Thank You, Sir Teacher, I bid you farewell,all of you, good day"
And with that final word, she walked into the afterlife.
-===0|0===-
Bill resumes his place at the front of the room, as the watching crowd settled down. "Well, that was a new one on me.. Jack, has anything like that ever happened to you?" He was addressing Jack Golinard, the grand old man of curse breaking.. he had been at the front line of that profession for almost a hundred years, as had all his family for several hundred years. "No, Bill, I have not, sure I have seen ghosts guarding treasures and the like,, but nothing like this.. another chapter for the book, I think!" everyone laughed.. Golinard continued, speaking to the students and interns.."What did we learn here today?" Hands were raised
"It's a good idea to know more than one language?"
"Yes, very good, any more?
"be prepared for anything?"
"Very good, this one could save your life"
"Another?"
"don't do things the hard way if you don't have to"
"also correct."
Bill?, take it from here?"
"Thanks Jack, well, then, we have so far, drained the magic out of the cursed necklace, had a visit from it's first victim, and it is close to lunch, what next?, anyone?"
"Melt it down?"
"well, I suppose we could do that, but there's something we are forgetting here...no one?" he looked around at uncomprehending faces.. " there is still the possibility that this thing can be powered up, hurting someone, a metal or jewelry worker, a shipping clerk.. it wouldn't take much.. we need to nullify any runes or magical inscriptions on the item, no matter how small, and we cannot risk using magic to do so..." he reached into a toolbox nearby and pulled out some dragonhide gloves and pliers, and then pulled every stone loose from it's mount, throwing them into a bin like pebbles in a bucket, once that was done, took a hammer and tongs and pounded the gold down to a rumpled mass on an anvil. "These tools are unbreakable and magic resistant, they were forged with iron from the giants of Etna, rare and expensive, so don't ask to use my tools.. if you need tools go to the Sears store, they have lifetime replacement warranty."
He had not touched any of the parts of the necklace, not a stone, not a bit of gold or anything. He deposited the gold in a small crucible, and used gulbraithian fire to heat the vessel to glowing hot. poured the gold out into a set of one ounce ingot molds, ending up with18 ounces of gold. The stones, he examined every single one with a jeweler's loupe, every facet and deposited each one in one of two buckets. Overhead, there was a projection of what he was seeing, a minor adaptation of the M-Video technology. He pointed out the runes marked on some facets of some of the stones while speaking.
"See here, this is a control rune, and depending on the placement of this stone in relation to the others, this could be used to cause all type of situations." People who had never realized the power of runes were awe-struck by the implications.. He filed and polished away the runes on the stones he could, and set aside the stones he could not. "Those diamonds are engraved in such a manner that I cannot remove the runes myself, I will forward these stones to a jeweler I know and he will recut the stones into smaller, useable stones.. His fee is 50 percent of the sellable value, but fifty percent of something is better than nothing..no?" most people agreed with him on that point. "now then, The Lady herself asked that I render these down into cash and give them to the last victim as a dowry, and I will honor the Lady's request."
He took a sample bag and placed the 18 one ounce coins in it, along with the gems, and asked Katie to come forth. The svelte chaser blushed and came forward, Alica and Angelina supporting her. Bill looked at his future sister-in-law and took her hands in his. "I suppose you want to forget all this and get on with your life, and be done with it?" she nodded, remembering that she almost died from the experience. "Can we?..."
Bill held up a hand to stop her speaking. "Tell you what, we have a Gringotts staff member on call here, we will have him assay the gems and such and just give you a receipt in galleons, that way, you don't have to even think of where this came from, ok?"
She nodded, relieved she didn't have to think about it. Goldspleen the goblin came from the staff area, bearing his scales and notebook. He weighed and tested the gold, each gem, and wrote down something for each item. He peered at Bill and Katie with an offer. "I know this jeweler, of which you speak, I will offer 60 percent of assayed value for the stones, so the deal can be complete today, will this be acceptable?" Bill looked to Katie and she nodded as her team hugged her.
Bill gave over the rune engraved gems, and they were assayed as were the others.. when done, the goblin added up the sums and wrote out a receipt, handing it to Bill, who looked at it. His eyes widened a bit as he handed it over to Katie.
Katie Eeped in surprise and dropped the receipt, but it was caught before it hit the floor by Angelina, who also gasped. The chasers all looked at it in shock. the watching audience began calling out.."How much?"
Goldspleen the goblin showed Katie where to sign for acceptance, and she did, he gave her a copy, shrunk his scaled , put everything in his pocket and popped away, leaving Katie still stunned, holding a receipt for 225,000 galleons.
-===0|0===-
The Quidditch season came and went, and the games all came out fairly evenly, the Slytherin House team was decimated, Draco was missing, Greg and Vincent were not playing, they had a lot of catchup of schoolwork to do, the remaining players didn't have the heart to try.
The Gryffindor House team had heart, Alica Katie and Angelina for chasers, Ginny for seeker, Ron was barely holding on as keeper, but his grades were so bad, he was in danger of being dropped from the team, Kirke and Sloper were 5th years who kept to themselves but played as beaters..
The Hufflepuff team was solid and fairly competent as usual and had a real chance this year, since Slytherin didn't have the organisation to cheat, and Gryffindor didin't have the powerhouse three of Fred George and Harry playiing..
Ravenclaw, as ever, competent, boring.. if anyone was to put up bets for the years Quidditch Cup, they would be hard pressed to pick one.
-===0|0===-
The end of the year came up quickly. Dumbledore was quietly wasting away in his brother's bar, Tom Riddle was down to one servant/slash/ Death Eater.. the fight on the first of September had taken a lot out of him, and he finally created a new arm for himself, the truth was, his links to this reality were becoming sparse.. the Potter brat had done so much damage to him during the summer, There was a big surge and then the connection was cut off, he lost the mental connection and the power draw that came with it.. he felt the loss of each and every Horcrux.. they were all destroyed on the summer solstice, at high noon in a hidden place.. While it was happening, Tom was searching frantically across all of the UK, trying to triangulate where.. As the last item was destroyed Tom crashed to the earth, panting with pain.. he had only one connection left in this world, the connection with Nagini, his familiar.. Nagini was not a horcrux, contrary to popular opinion, but she was the only source of strength left.. His trainer had never been marked and had disappeared into the mist once his own power was bested by Potter that day in September.. Currently the only sources of magical power that Tom Riddle could draw upon were the one servant/follower, Carrows. The problem with this scenario, was that Carrows was not too bright, in fact, extremely not bright.. and had to be told everything to do, even the simplest task.. without his sister he was a mess, mentally and emotionally, and his magic was no great shakes either.. Tom Riddle could hardly call himself Lord Voldemort with only one follower...now could he. He sent Carrows to remote farmhouses and hedge wizards, with instructions to make those wizards obey his commands, and bring them one by one to his Lord, so that they may serve him.
-===0|0===-
Once the captured wizard or witch was brought into The Great Lord Voldemort's presence, they were imperioused, and commanded to do a task, usually go and make a potion or steal the needed supplies..sometimes something as simple as 'bring us food" Tom despaired that his only minion was not capable of doing even this simple task. He came to a decision.. he had read in that rag, The Daily Prophet that Dumbledore had been locked out of the school, and lost his places as High Mugwump, Grand Vizier and high holy voice of truth and light.. and was living at the Hogshead tavern with his brother.
Tom wondered why Dumbledore didn't go and live on the family estate, hidden behind wards, served by house elves and scantily clad pool boys, but could not think of an answer.
Abeforth wondered why this was the case also, he was tired of his brother lying upstairs, demanding attention and ranting on about prophecies and chosen ones.. slouching around in his nightgown and ranting about Hallows and horcruxes.. it came to a point where he just took up a food tray twice a day and silenced the upstairs so his customers were not disturbed. Abeforth had gotten an M-Phone with the video option as well, and watched the news daily, wondering if he was going to be put out of business and an undesirable or something.. his brother had all the money, he had the tavern and a small bit of land in the Orkneys..
The big thing that Abeforth was pissed about was that his big brother had hidden the family estate under the fidelius charm with himself as secret keeper, but somehow, all the land, the manor, the family vaults under the Manor, the wealth, all hidden by his brother, one stressful day in October forgot the secret, he had no idea where the properties were hidden, the secret keeper had forgotten the secret, and now it was all lost.
The tavernkeeper in disgust cut off all contact and had a house elf deliver food twice a day and otherwise kept the rooms silenced, preferring not to know what was going on up there.
-===0|0===-
The school year ended, but Potter tower remained occupied, Harry hired a dwarven mining and engineering company to excavate and repair the collapsed tunnel which led to Hogsmeade. All the wards and alarms that were around Hogwarts were installed in that tunnel, as well as all the other known exits from the school grounds. The border between the inside and outside of he school grounds was also physically closed, so that wards or not, there was no passage for rats or other threats.
The collapsed tunnel went directly to the Hogsmeade train station, which had an underground entrance, for access in bad weather, in fact there were shuttle cars which could bring the entire student body in underground in a matter of minutes. As a son of the Marauders Harry set up one shuttlecart with the charms to allow passage with the correct password, to be used for food and drink runs. but the cart was also protected, stopping access by persons with bad intentions.
-===0|0===-
Tom Riddle had finally had it with Carrows and stashed him under an unplottable charm, and a full time link to draw power from.. he worked for a week capturing as many foolish or forgotten wizards and witches as possible, and stashed them also, locked in, under an imperious curse,
and linked them in a sort of magical battery, drawing the magic out of the unfortunate prisoners, helping get himself charged up.
Without the continuous draw from Harry's scar all those years he would not have survived, so Tom Riddle, the Dark Lord Voldemort, literally owed Harry his life.. and the magical debt would soon come home to roost.
Tom Riddle strolled down the street in Hogsmeade, disguised with a robe and wig, along with a glamour charm to complete the disguise. He did a little window shopping along the way, nodding to passersby as if this was something he did everyday. He entered The Hogshead and sat at a table, the tavernkeeper came by and asked if he wanted food or drink, Tom ordered a shepherds pie and a bottle of firewhisky. The pie was tasty, well, if he had any taste buds left, but the regeneration that he had done in the graveyard at Little Hangleton left some things less than complete, so the tavernkeeper waas mildly amused to see his current customer pouring green and red hotsauce on his dinner. with a firewhisky chaser.. The combination was amusing to see, the steam came out the customer's ears, as firewhisky is want to do, but when he burped, a gout of flame lit up the tavern.. Tom urped and muttered 'excuse me.. bit hot there' He rose and went to the bar where Abeforth was wiping glasses with a dirty rag. He laid a few coins on the bar to pay for his dinner, and a few more, with a look in his eye. Abeforth had a similar look, since it was a common thing for strangers to ask questions, no questions asked..
Abe raised an eyebrow and continued to wipe the glass, waiting for the question.
"I hear that the former Headmaster is residing here.."
Abe snorted.."ya could say that, who's askin?"
"I.. am a former student..he made me the man I am today, I wish to pay my respects.."
"ya could pay his room and board too if ya want to see him.."
there was no love lost between the brothers at this point.
"Very well, will this do?"
the stranger dropped a bag of coin on the bar.
The barkeep lifted the bag and estimated the weight of coin in a fraction of a second. The bag disappeared, and he pointed to the stairs at the back of the tavern, next to the loo. "Top floor, last room on the left."
"Thank you, I will see myself out"
"suits me" he went back to wiping the bartop, grumbling as he watched the M-network news on the big screen.
-===0|0===-
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was ranting and talking back at the screen of his M-Network link. This was one of the improvements that Abeforth had added to the rooms above the tavern, trying to offer his customers a little more for their coin.
"the boy must be contained, the prophecy has to be fulfilled, I will be the One that will be remembered, I will be greater than Merlin himself.. Gellert, I'm telling you, that it's true.. Trust me, I am not wrong.. : he paused as if listening to another argue with him, various looks flitting across his face. "Of course, it's the greater good, don't you see, I keep him there and the fat muggle beats him he will be so happy to be free under my care, he will do as I ask..I'm right, after all.. no, he won't find out.. I have the Elder wand, after all, I am invincible.."
a knock at the door, the old man did not notice..the door opened a crack and the listener waited a moment, at the ongoing argument and rant.. The face of Voldemort in all his glory peered around the corner of the door, seeing the old man slouched, sitting on the edge of the bed, watching the M-screen, A football game was on, Armory vs West Ham , if he remembered his team colors correctly. The sound was turned down. The table had half eaten food trays, spilled drinks, the place smelled of old, unwashed and sour. This was probably the natural smell of the place, but who knows.. Tom/Lord Voldemort slipped in the door and silently vanished the debris on the chair next to the door, and sat down to watch the old man.
The ranting and mumbling tapered off as the man's eyes closed, nodding off. "mmmbl wha?..no..'drianna.. no..my mmmbl Harry. mmbllmm"
Tom sat there quietly watching the old man sleep.
Albus Dumbledore dreamed of glory, of epic battles and sly dealings, of controlling the world with his great chessboard, moving kings and princes, sending his knight into battle. His bishops, Moody and Cornelius, his knights Harry and Severus, his rooks Minerva and Molly, his pawns, everyone else He moved his pawns into position, he had his knights attack and retreat, he sacrificed pieces where necessary, He oved The werewolf pawn, Lupin into position against the opposing player's pawn, Greyback.. the battle was short and fierce, his pawn was sacrificed for the greater good. the opponent sat and watched. HE turned the board, and there he played the opponent, The king was Voldemort himself, the queen, Bella, The bishops Lucius and Crouch, the knights Dolohov and Mcnair. The pawns, Fudge, Umbridge, Hopkirk, Edgecomb.. many names. The pieces moved forward and the battle was joined.
-===0|0===-
Tom sat quietly and watched the old man sleep, in fact he lifted the old man's legs up to the bed and pulled up the covers. after a while thinking, he hit a button that requested room service. An elf appeared.
"yessir, how may I help you?"
"Two bottles of firewhisky and another shepherd pie please."
"five minutes sir" the elf popped away.
five minutes later he came back. "Here you is, sir.. does mister Dumblydore want anything?"
"maybe some tea for when he wakes.. " the elf was about to pop away.."wait.."
the elf waited..
"how do you work this ..thing" he pointed at the M-screen.
the elf picked up a device with buttons, showing the visitor. "This be channels, this be sound, this button to make calls.. food menu over there to order out"
the elf bowed out and popped away, leaving the food and drink.
Dumbledore snored as Tom scrolled through the channels watching bits here and there. the old man snored.
-===0|0===-
Albus woke, sensing someone in the room. He sat up, looking around. seeing no one, he called out. "Who's there?' There came a flushing sound from the loo, and Tom, AKA Lord Voldemort stepped out.
"Good morning headmaster, did you sleep well?" The old man was shocked.. "err.. yes, I suppose.. yourself?"
"I don't sleep much.. this body has a weird sleep cycle.. I sleep an hour a day, though I do spend time in daily meditation.. so, Albus, tell me what was the rest of the prophecy?...Tea?" he gestured to the tea service. Not knowing what else to think, he nodded, sure, why not?" At this point, Albus Dumbledore was not quite sure what was real and what was not.
"I'm not sure what you are talking about Tom, which prophecy?"
"you know which prophecy, the one Sybill Trelawney gave here seventeen years ago, the one about Harry Potter and I"
"Oh, that prophecy"
"yes. that one. "
"I'd rather not say, right now, Tom, I'm sure you understand.. I'm not sure if you're real or not, so to be safe.. I will keep it to myself for now.. "
his eye was drawn to the M-screen, and a show about wild magical creatures.. The dark lord tried to get the old man's attention a few times and gave up in disgust.. he slouched back in his chair and took another drink of tea.
-===0|0===-
"Boss, I think we have a problem"
Harry raised an eyebrow in question.
"Do tell."
"I think that there is someone in Dumbledore's room above the Hogshead
and it's not Abeforth"
"Why do you think this?"
"The takeout orders.. everything is very spicy.. The old man has a sweet tooth, not a spicy fetish."
"Any ideas?"
"I don't know if it's friend or foe.. maybe we can get a delivery elf in there to take a look"
"talk to Dobby, he will have someone who can fit the bill.. "
"will do, Boss."
-===0|0===-
"You should try this Curry, Albus, quite good.." Tom pointed to the carryout container sitting on the table.
The old man looked at the stranger in his room, not sure if he was friend or foe.. "I need to contact Grenadier Wallace, the intelligence concerning Gellert's activities.." Not to worry, Albus, I have contacted Grenadier Wallace, his reports shall be here momentarily.." The pale man waved off the older man's worries.
"What's that thing?"
"Oh, that?, it's a muggle viewscreen, it has plays and music and news.. the latest thing"
"I see. what's your name again?"
"Tom"
"I see...what about the report from Grenadier.."
"Never mind that Albus, have some curry."
"Ok, Tom."
-===0|0===-
"Bossman, I have an answer."
"Am I going to like it?"
"Probably not"
"Tell"
"Albus is gone. His mind is gone, he's there, his magic is barely there, but his mind is lost in the past...it's an age related disease called Alzheimers.."
"And this is bad how?"
"His guest, caretaker is Tom Riddle"
"You're shitting me!"
"Yes.. no.. The person there in Albus' room is Tom Riddle, Lord Voldemort.. he looks a mess, he barely has any magic there holding him together, he is drawing magic from some outside source, and some from Albus as well.. I wouldn't want to fight him, but I think you would walk all over him.
"Are you sure it's him?"
"White skin, scaley , red eyes.. no nose."
"Any way to get vid from there?"
"Thought you'd never ask.."
The tech guys hit a few buttons, a view of the room over the tavern showed up. Albus sat on the bed, staring off into space. the construct that was Tom Riddle sat, quietly reading a book out loud, wearing Albus' reading glasses.
"merlin, would ya look at that."
"I'm shocked.."
"yeah."
"Can they see us?"
"No.. the M-screen is on, ...Puddlemere vs Tuthill Tornados, muted sound. they can't see or hear us. "
Dumbledore sat up straight, looked around, not noticing the Dark Lord sitting at his side, he stood up and shuffled over to the M-screen..he bent a bit and peered at the flying players and bludgers.
Tom stopped reading and watched the retired headmaster's actions.
"What is it Albus?"
"I'm not sure..."
"but I think Gellert's spies are watching us.."
"really?" he lay the book aside and came over to peer at the screen as well.
-===0|0===-
Harry sat there looking at the two old men who had ruined his life.
"Bloody hell...dammit, get me Remus, now!"
two minutes later Remus Lupin was on another vidscreen. "Yes Harry?"
"You have two minutes, full assault, every hand, Hogshead Tavern, Tom is there with the old man. Portkey anti app, supression stones,
everything you've got. now!"
Lupin vanished. the the screen went into that weird distortion where one side was inside a speedtime charm.
-===0|0===-
Hermione, Daphne and Pansy were working together on some tutoring issues for the staff and families of the Potter-Black alliances and corporations. It was their desire that every magical person had as much education as possible, regardless of birth, social status, economic status, anything. Daphne and Pansy were both pureblood born and had never considered the ramifications of growing up in a mundane environment, and they were designing a course that would cover entry into the magical world..
Daphne's M-phone buzzed
"Yes, Harry?"
"Are the ladies there with you?"
"Yes, what's up?"
"Grab them and get over here, the war ends today"
"What?!"
"Just get over here."
"Kay"
she jumped up and grabbed both women
"Let's go, Harry needs us"
-===0|0===-
The women of Potter-Black strode into the operations center like the royalty they were, Their chairs were ready at the table, tea already in place. Harry sat at the head of the table, various officers from his different branches bringing information, reports and more tea.. as with the mundane government and military, Harry's organization seemed to run on tea.
Each seat at the table had a M-Screen with all the pertinent data flowing across in streams of numbers and words. The tactical display showed the ground forces around the Hogshead Tavern, and as they watched, the target runestones for a magical suppression ward were anchored into place, and at ready.
Albus had lost interest in the M-screen and went back to his bed where he sat, gazing into space, and fiddling with his fingers. Tom Riddle still stood, looking at the screen, wondering if there was some way of spying through it, it was something he didn't know about.
He turned it off and slumped into his chair, pensive about the low he had fallen to. Ever since the first of September the previous year, everything had gone wrong, and now he was without resources, without his wand, he barely had any magic left, and that was being used to hold this construct together, the magic he had now was stolen from various sources, from the hulk of Carrows and the captured wizards back at...
A thought came to him.. "if I get cut off from.. "
the thought was interrupted by the M-screen buzzing, in phone mode.
Wearily he hit the accept button, when he saw the caller I.D..
"Hello Harry, I see you found me"
"Hello Tom, how are you and your roomie doing?"
the ex dark lord looked over at Dumbledore..
"we've had better days"
"It's over Tom. Today it's over."
"I suppose, maybe you should come over and we duel it out, one more time for old time's sake?"
"No Tom, not gonna happen, the building is sealed, there are more wards than Hogwarts going up around you right now, there is no escape.. also if you show your face at either front or back door, I have a sniper with orders to shoot on sight, so basically, you're screwed Tom."
"How about, I have a hostage here.." he indicated the retired Headmaster.
"His bad luck, Tom..collateral damage."
"I see."
"II will return to kill you and your loved ones, you know.. I did it before and I will do it again." he tried to play tough.
"You mean your Horcruxes?..I don't think so, I got them all." he reached off to the side and showed each item, the Diadem, the cup, the charred book, the ring, the locket"
"I even got the one you accidentally created in my scar out,
all on that solstice last year, surely you felt it.."
"Yes I did, but I didn't want to believe it.."
"You could have been so much Tom, but you chose anger and revenge.. quite clever manipulating the purebloods to do your dirty work."
"they earned it..amazing how illogical and stupid the magical world is..so how many of my followers have you killed?"
"Surprisingly, not many..Bella, Lucius, but I brought him back from the dead so I could question him"
"Really, how?"
"Magic, Tom, Magic"
"ah"
"You screwed up, Tom, you wanted ultimate power, your statement to me back in 92, you told me "There is no good and evil, there is only power...and those too weak to seek it. " you were somewhat correct, but you went about it all wrong, Tom.. I am not particularly strong, and still I beat you, I have your wand, I have the remains of your soul, you are going to die today..look out the window."
Tom got up and peered out the window.. from this viewpoint he could see three teams of people setting up ..something..
at the base of each was a large runic lodestone, a wood pole of some sort, and at the top of each pole some assemblage of wires and shiny objects..surrounded by a nimbus of light.
"What you are seeing, Tom is some powerful magic draining equipment, it pulls all the magic out of an area and stores in in a lodestone.. one would be enough for the job, Tom, but I want to make sure.. I have seven of these surrounding you, there is no escape, none."
"I see...what of Dumbledore?"
"As I said, Tom, collateral damage.. he's not much use right now anyway, is he?"
"No.. but he was useful to me for the last fifty or so years.."
"Who used who, I wonder"
"I don't know anymore, Potter, I don't know"
they were silent for a moment.
"one thing..Harry..." Harry raised an eyebrow
"Nagini"
"I will see that she's taken care of."
The weary old man the Dark Lord had become closed his eyes.
...shall we get this over with?"
"As you say, Tom. Goodbye"
Harry gave the command, the teams activated their magical drainers and the ambient magic level in the surrounded area sank, lower and lower.. small charms failed first, then larger charms.. objects reverted to their original state, the parts of the building started to twist and turn, the M-screen shut off and reverted to a blank mirror. Tom shuddered as his outside link was finally cut off. His body wavered and rippled, his magic leaving.. The roof and walls of the building faded from existence, leaving the two old men suspended momentarily, and then they fell, not quickly, but slowly, like a balloon losing it's buoyancy Tom folded in half, losing mass, flattening into a paper cutout, and then finally burning away like a bit of newsprint floating over a bonfire.
The external cameras caught the wisp of greenish vapor and the scream of the wraith dissipating.
Arcs of lightning jumped between the antenna array of each device.
Lupin stood twenty yards back from the perimeter, waiting for the command.
"let it run for another five minutes..just to be sure."
They let the magic drainers run in the area for another five minutes. Abeforth stood back with Sgt James and some members of the Wolfpack, a dazed look on his face. He saw his older brother lying there on the ground in the ruins of his tavern.. the denizens of the bar had been run out and the two old men upstairs had been the last tenants of that building.
Five long minutes had passed.
The drainers were shut down, their lodestones fully charged. Bill was dictating notes to his interns on the things he had noticed about the operation, the teams were disassembling their equipment. Several Hogsmeade residents were nearby, wondering what had happened here, what was going on.. they had not seen anything on the M-News network.. Lupin had team members keep operational security..
"There will be an announcement on the news later watch for it."
Healers entered the area and moved the weak old manipulator onto a Medivac gurney and take him away. Once loaded, the team leader operated the controls and the gurney, it's occupant and the M-EMT squad whirled away in a flash of portkey light.
The cleanup squad had a hard time vanishing the remains of the bar.. magic barely worked there , and it took quite a bit of power to do anything. The replacement workers would work for an hour and be replaced by more of the same. when they were finally done, there was nothing left on the site of the former Hogshead Tavern but a bit of scrabblly grass and a stone marker.