Chapter 15 - Branded a Coward
While progress was incredibly slow, Albus really couldn't fault Minerva's imposed search and detection technique. The methodical wizard that was Severus Snape had understandably backed her choice of procedure, thus leaving them with about half the massive room still unexplored.
Following Minerva's meticulous procedure meant they would test each item first. Then, depending on whether it had some value - and of course was free from curses - the item could be placed either in the 'keep' or 'sell' piles. Any worthless item that passed their scans was banished. Albus was going to pass some of the items for sale onto Mundungus. A little gold, with the promise of more coming his way, should see Hogwarts get a good price for any items Dung handled. Albus had just vanished another empty sherry bottle when a shout went up from Minerva. Both he and Severus quickly made their way to where the Deputy Headmistress had been searching.
"I'm not sure if it's the bust or the tiara, but one of them is giving off the darkest magic I've ever encountered. My scans are off the scale, which is why I'm having trouble pinning down which item it actually is."
A gobsmacked Albus couldn't believe what he was actually seeing. "My guess would be the diadem, Minerva. I would also hazard a guess that this is the lost diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw. Tom certainly doesn't do things by half. This complicates matters..."
Both Minerva and Severus wanted an explanation of Albus' last remark.
"This is a priceless emblem of a Hogwarts' founder, an irreplaceable magical artefact. We can't treat it like a worthless piece of junk, to be dealt with and then banished."
This did not sit well with his two companions. Minerva was first to make her feelings on the matter known. "Where you see a priceless artefact, I see something that has been tainted by Tom Riddle. Until that taint has been destroyed, Voldemort cannot be killed. I haven't spent the last few weeks working all hours in here for you to take this away and study it. We don't leave this room until this thing is dealt with."
While not vocally backing Minerva, Severus removing a tiny vial containing basilisk venom clearly stated his unwavering support for her point of view.
Faced with both his colleagues adopting a 'destroy now' stance, Albus was backed into a corner. He'd managed to convince them not to speak of this horcrux search within the Order, so as not to get anyone's hopes up. Now they had actually found one, all bets were off. If this horcrux wasn't destroyed tonight it would simply be a matter of whether Minerva or Severus got to the Order first. Then his goose would be well and truly cooked. Any ideas Albus had about ingratiating himself with Potter and Black would die the second both heard the news, and Albus would be lucky if he wasn't expelled from an organisation he was supposedly leading.
Looking at the problem from that point of view, Albus didn't really have much of an option. While the item was certainly a treasure, it wasn't worth the ignominy of being kicked out of the Order of the Phoenix - and also losing any chance of being able to influence future events.
It wasn't as if Albus had a plan he could quote to cover his actions. In all his years of research on this subject, there had never even been a sniff of a method for removing a horcrux and leaving the container undamaged. With his suspicions regarding Harry's scar, Albus had really looked for that information too.
With a sigh of resignation, he used his wand to levitate the diadem to a part of the massive chamber they had already cleared. All three of them then took turns casting their detection charms on the object, there was no room for doubts here. All their results came back positive, the diadem was a horcrux.
Severus very carefully poured the contents of the vial over the centre stone of the diadem, then hastily stepped well back. Within seconds, they could all see the spider's web of cracks beginning to appear on the stone. With a rather loud bang the stone shattered and the horcrux was released.
The inhuman screams reverberated around the cavernous room, causing all three of them to instinctively place their hands over their ears. As suddenly as the screaming had started, it appeared to end even more abruptly. The silence seemed total after that crescendo of noise. The silence was eventually broken by Albus.
"That just leaves one remaining horcrux. I know the position this puts you in, Severus..."
"This puts me exactly where I want to be. With the snake practically taking up residence on the Dark Lord's bed, I was able to confirm it's a horcrux without Pettigrew or the beast noticing. Killing the snake and then handing over both the Dark Lord and Pettigrew will clear any debts I owe anyone. Perhaps then allowing me to live the life I once imagined for myself."
"Severus, you need to be careful. We're so close to the end and this is not the time for unnecessary risks. We don't need you going all Gryffindor on us."
The wizard in question almost smiled at Minerva's gentle taunt, recognising the genuine concern that was behind it. "With the students arriving tonight, my appearance at the Dark Lord's side would raise Pettigrew's hackles. He will know I should be too busy to visit tomorrow as well. That would leave Sunday as my earliest opportunity. I need to kill the snake first, then capture Pettigrew. Everything will need to appear as normal as possible before I act. I will have to take out the snake quickly and cleanly, fighting it and Pettigrew at the same time would be a nightmare."
Both Albus and Minerva understood that the snake was the more formidable opponent of those two foes, with surprise being a key weapon for Severus' chances of success. Yes he would be putting his life on the line but he was clearly willing to do so for a chance to end this once and for all.
They agreed not to mention that part of the plan to the rest of the Order, though a floocall to Grimmauld Place would certainly be taking place within the hour. Albus was sure a couple of students who didn't board the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross today would be delighted to hear their possible return to the castle was now a step closer. If things proceeded as Severus hoped, Harry and Hermione could be back at Hogwarts in time for their first class on Monday morning.
The thought of having Harry back once more under his influence put a definite spring in the old Headmaster's step. Things were finally proceeding to plan. It might not be his plan anymore but Albus could accept that the final outcome was the most important thing here. With Harry now not having to die to complete the Prophecy, ending this without the lad having to face Voldemort again should certainly put Albus into the good graces of Black too. If Severus pulled this off, it would surely bury the last dregs of animosity between his Potions' Professor and Black as well.
-oOoOo-
It would be fair to say the mood in Grimmauld lifted dramatically after hearing the news from Hogwarts. Harry was the only one in the house who was acquainted with Voldemort's familiar, though all of them, barring Emma, were at least met Pettigrew. They well understood and agreed with Snape's caution, he really was only going to get one chance at ending this. For the young couple at the centre of this whole thing however, Harry found himself in the unusual position of being the sensible one and urging caution.
"Let's not count our chickens before they've hatched. I did that once before with Pettigrew and all of us almost died that night because of it. We can discuss what we'll do when Voldemort is gone after the deed is actually done."
Seeing Emma was desperate to say something, Harry tried to head off her objections. "Another horcrux destroyed is fantastic news, and certainly takes us a step closer to ending this. We now also know what the remaining horcrux is, again fantastic news. No one will be happier than me if Professor Snape ends this on Sunday. I have no wish to see Voldemort again - ever again. The thing is though, my luck just doesn't run that way. We continue training until this is over. When it is, I think we all go away on holiday to decide what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Dumbledore appears to already have that all mapped out for us, and expects Hermione and me in Hogwarts for breakfast on Monday - so not happening. There's a hell of a lot to talk about before anything like that can happen."
"You're not returning to school?" The worry was clear in Emma's question, Harry tried to reassure her.
"Certainly not on Monday, Emma, that is all we're deciding here. We carry on as we have been until Voldemort's actually gone. After that, we sit down as a family and discuss what we do next."
Unsurprisingly, his betrothed agreed with Harry. "The headmaster seems to think things can just go back to normal instantly, with all the struggles forgotten about. Harry and I have no idea of what normal is anymore."
Sirius wasn't shy about offering his opinion either. "The idea that things just instantly go back to the way they were is not only ludicrous, it's bloody dangerous too. They tried that the last time toddler Harry defeated that animal, we all know how that turned out. There has to be change, change at every level of our society. Harry's parents, Remus and I were all barely out of Hogwarts the last time yet found ourselves right in the middle of a civil war. While Voldemort was banished by Harry, I honestly think we lost the actual war. We didn't deal with the problem then and, because of that, are back fighting the same people again. This time we have to win the war, clear out the corruption and put and end to wizards and witches believing our wonderful Hermione here doesn't deserve to live - just because her parents are muggles."
"While I agree with everything said here, I honestly think that those changes have already begun." Remus was certainly the quiet one of the two remaining Marauders. When he spoke though, you listened.
"Some of the Order were covering the platform today. We weren't expecting trouble, it was more about having a security presence there. You could actually feel the change on the platform. There were certainly a lot less students in Slytherin robes than would normally be seen, that house appears to be decimated. I didn't spot one family on the platform with Death Eater connections. Moody's tactics, combined with Harry putting Voldemort on his back, has those Death Eaters able to fleeing for their lives. When this is ended, ensuring they don't sneak back in and try to pick up where they left off is going to be where the war will be won or lost."
Sitting beside her mum, Hermione took Emma's hand. "That's why Harry and I won't be rushing back to Hogwarts, Mum, we won't be rushing anywhere or into anything. If things don't actually change, we might be the ones wanting to leave the country. That will only happen however after much discussion, and coming up with a solution we all agree with. It's not just me and you they look down on. Remus here is also classed as a Dark Creature. Apart from that obviously being utter nonsense, it severely affects how he's allowed to live his life. If the witches and wizards can't or won't change, we're all out of options."
Cuddling her daughter, Emma could recognise the sense in what was being spoken about here. "I think of everyone in this house as family too. I will be quite happy to sit down when this is all over and discuss what we do next, as a family." It might be unspoken but everyone there understood they would be ecstatic if the five of them were able to sit down and discuss their future after Voldemort had been dealt with. That would actually be a dream come true for more than just the three adults present.
-oOoOo-
Ron's new robes had a shiny Gryffindor prefect badge proudly displayed on them. Receiving that prefect badge saw his proud mother buying Ron a new broom. While not a Firebolt, it was still easily the most expensive thing Ron had ever owned. That new broom was also joined in his trunk by new books for this term.
Susan, also a prefect - though of course for Hufflepuff House - had also just publicly declared her interest in Ron at the prefects' meeting. Seeing Lavender, the other Gryffindor prefect for their year, drape herself all over Ron prompted Susan to go over and insert herself between the two. Her linking their arms and then squeezing Ron's hand had his heart soaring, and Lavender's face falling.
Blaise Zabini was the sole male Slytherin left in their year, hence him being the only choice for prefect. Daphine Greengrass apparently received the badge ahead of her friend, and only other remaining Slytherin in their year, Tracy Davis.
With everything coming up roses for Ron Weasley, he should have been ecstatic. That their trip to Hogwarts was tinged with melancholy for all four Weasleys and Susan was easily explained. Two of their close group of friends were not only missing from the train, Harry and Hermione wouldn't be joining them at Hogwarts.
While their annual Hogwarts Express visit from Draco and his goon squad was never going to happen, Harry's piercing curse permanently putting an end to those, their compartment door was constantly being opened by people enquiring where their missing friends were. With Hannah, Neville and Luna - a friend of Ginny's who had been sitting in the compartment when they arrived - ensuring all the seats were taken, they at least were spared being joined by people who would continually ask them questions all the way to Hogsmeade Station.
Hannah and Neville certainly had questions. As friends though, they deserved some answers. The little blonde girl sat not saying much. When she did speak, no one was quite sure what she was talking about anyway. All in all, despite having a fantastic summer, it was still a pretty retrospective group who arrived in the castle.
-oOoOo-
It was a terrified Peter who arrived back at Riddle Manor. Being the bearer of bad news to the Dark Lord was always fraught with danger. Peter suspected this was really bad news he had to deliver, and his master was already in a horrendous mood. He might be lucky to escape his Master's presence and still be alive.
Voldemort was on his knees when Nagini led a shaking Pettigrew into his room. The once incredibly powerful wizard wasn't actually sure if he could get back up from being on his knees, at least not without assistance. It had taken every piece of magical power available to the Dark Lord just to clear the room of furniture, leaving him physically and magically exhausted. While on his knees though, he was able to begin preparations for the reabsorption of one of his anchors. He was scribing the last of the runes needed into the floor when his familiar and follower had arrived back.
As Peter bowed low before his master, he was saved having to pass on the bad news by the snake.
§ Master, what you had us seek was not there. I could still taste the presence of the tunnel dwellers but it was faint. They could have taken it two moons ago. I would not have been able to taste them if it were three moons. §
This was a mighty blow to the Dark Lord. More so than anything he had read in the newspapers printed since he'd been unconscious, and kept for him by Pettigrew. Fear actually gripped him now. Here was proof his horcrux secret had actually been uncovered. Worse than that though, the goblins were actively hunting his horcruxes. Voldemort was left to assume they had discovered his cup, concealed in Bellatrix's vault. With the murder of all three Lestranges, the vault would have passed to someone else. Having already learned that idiot Malfoy had managed to get his diary destroyed, panic began to grip the Dark Lord.
At the moment, with his magic so low, the most feared Dark Lord in centuries probably couldn't fight sleep - never mind a host of enemies. With only Pettigrew and his familiar here, Voldemort was actually more vulnerable right now than at any time since he had left Hogwarts as a seventeen year old Tom Riddle. Voldemort had always thought he would feel if one of his anchors was destroyed. He had put not feeling the diary's demise down to the fact that, as a wraith, he couldn't really feel anything.
If the goblins had timed their destruction of his horcrux to coincide with Potter's ritual, his defeat and current lack of magic then became far more explainable. With impeccable timing, Voldemort found his body racked by excruciating pain. He slumped flat to the floor, barely holding onto consciousness. Only his red-eyed stare held a now concerned Pettigrew in place, and saved the Death Eater entering the complicated rune scheme he had etched on the floor.
Nagini did enter though, making the Dark Lord's choice for him.
§ Master, what is wrong? §
§ Nothing, my pet. It is already passing. §
The great snake curled around its master, providing support as he struggled to sit up. Nagini's head rested on her Master's lap while Voldemort quietly contemplated the options available to him.
He was already aware his diary had been destroyed by Potter, and assumed his cup had been used as part of the ritual that allowed Potter to reduce him to this state. What he had just experienced could only be another of his horcruxes being destroyed - hopefully the ring, since it was already lost to him.
The memory of his confrontation with Potter that had caused his current predicament appeared lost to him too. Voldemort well remembered facing off against the brat in his quest for the Philosopher's Stone, though that memory too seemed to be corrupted now. Potter appeared to age as the memory progressed, and that was simply impossible.
Knowing he had at best the diadem and locket left available to him, and that he wasn't capable of fetching either for the foreseeable future without first dramatically boosting his power, Voldemort found himself being pushed down a road he really did not wish to travel.
There was no question that he needed to rebond with one of his horcruxes, and he currently had one comfortingly wrapped around him. There really was no other decision he could make, no other option left available. His fingers were currently caressing Nagini's head, lulling the great snake into a restful slumber. His voice wasn't loud enough to wake his familiar, the words were being spoken more for his own comfort than Nagini's.
§ I'm so sorry, my pet. You have my promise I will make them all pay for forcing me to do this. §
The fingers of his left hand, currently stroking the great snake, were slowly replaced by the silver ritual knife that Voldemort had used to etch the rune scheme he and Nagini were currently sitting in the middle of. The knife was suddenly pushed home, piercing Nagini's skull and entering her brain. There was very little blood though the snake's muscle spasms as it died were powerful enough to have its Master struggling to breathe. While his horcrux left the snake's body, Voldemort had barely enough breath left to say the words that completed the ritual.
As his stored spirit from the snake once more entered Voldemort's body, the pain this time saw the Dark Lord screaming in agony. It was worth it though to feel his power once more flowing through this body. With the process complete, the Dark Lord looked at his last remaining follower and realised Pettigrew had soiled himself. That Nagini was his familiar yet still met her end left Pettigrew terrified for his own future. Deciding his followers should be terrified of him, the Dark Lord stood and ignored Pettigrew. Drawing his wand saw the Death Eater pass out from fear. The wand was not for Pettigrew however, Voldemort was casting curses and charms on Nagini. He didn't know if what he was attempting was even possible, but that had never stopped him in the past.
Peter awoke to a truly terrifying sight, a dead Nagini was looking at him from a distance of mere inches, and then it hissed.
§ Master, ratman wakesss. §
Peter almost fainted again when he realised what his master had done. He was scared of Nagini while the snake had been alive, Peter was bloody terrified of her now the creature was dead but reanimated. Only his master issuing orders stopped Peter passing back out after witnessing the reanimated snake. Inferi were what Peter saw when confronted by a bogart, he now thought his new bogart memory just rather jerkily slithered away to join her master.
"Come, Peter. The people have grown soft and complacent. It's time we reminded them that Lord Voldemort is to be feared. There are places we need to be, and people who need killing."
With the dead snake following the Dark Lord out the door, Peter had no choice but to follow on behind.
-oOoOo-
Being kept waiting on the rocky shore of Azkaban Island did not improve Voldemort's mood any, but he understood patience was needed here. The dementors were aware of his presence, though thankfully their wizarding colleagues who also guarded the prison were not.
Eventually, a delegation of three dementors made their way from the prison to where he, Pettigrew and Nagini were waiting. Once more, Peter never heard their side of the conversation.
"Why have you returned? Promises were made the last time you visited our island. Promises you broke. We have lost the trust of the wizards, and all for nothing."
He needed the dementors' support, Voldemort badly needed a victory, so he let the insult go. "When I became ill the last time I was here, my followers should have stayed and fulfilled our bargain. That they didn't hurt both of us, and is the reason why they are not here tonight." The Dark Lord thought that was at least one lie he wouldn't be picked up on.
"What can I do to honour our original bargain?"
After a few moments, Voldemort felt the answer being placed in his head by their unique form of communication. "You must kill everyone guarding the prison. We can block the floos but you must do the actual killing."
"I accept. Come Peter, we have work to do." They followed the trio of dementors back toward the prison. While being a formidable structure, Azkaban was designed to keep people in - not out.
Cursing Cornelius under her breath for about the millionth time for making her personally oversee the new shift at Azkaban, Dolores was shocked out of her self-pity party by the alarm going off. Both senior officers who she was having this meeting with looked to Dolores for what to do next.
The chill Dolores felt wasn't entirely due to the room's fire going out, and the entire fireplace now being encrusted in ice. A guard rushing through their door without even knocking had those chills turning to dread.
"The Dark Lord is inside the prison. He's killing everyone he sees and every fireplace we could use to floo for help is now covered in ice."
Sitting there as if frozen too, Dolores didn't know what questions to ask - far less have any answers. The two officers eventually asked the guard some questions before all three rushed out the door with their wands in their hands. She could hear sounds of what must have been an incredibly short battle before Voldemort entered the room. She sat there, not moving a muscle.
Reading the desk plaque, Voldemort gave an evil grin as he addressed her. "Madam Umbridge, a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I seem to remember you being involved in the murder of some of my most loyal followers. Their memories cry out for their master to avenge them. I owe you a painful death for that night."
With tears streaming down her cheeks, she knew this was her end. Dolores began pleading for her life. "I can help you. I know things. Killing me would be such a waste."
Voldemort had his wand levelled at this annoying witch, trying to think of an appropriately painful yet lethal curse to cast, when something she said made him pause.
"I just killed everyone who worked for you on my way in here. Do they mean that little to you?"
She was unashamedly begging now. "They're already dead. I'm alive, and will do anything to stay that way."
The Dark Lord instantly thought of a more appealing target. "I do have some unfinished business with the Minister of Magic. Do you know where he's crawled away to hide?"
Nodding her head enthusiastically at this chance of seeing tomorrow, Dolores needed some assurances before divulging anything. "If I tell you, will you swear not to kill me?"
Struggling to believe the cheek of this bitch, Voldemort explained the facts of the situation to her. "I could just torture the information out of you."
Sticking to her task, Dolores knew she was bargaining for her life here. She could be convincing when she needed to be, and Dolores never needed to convince someone so badly in her entire life. "The alarms will have sounded in the Ministry, and you don't seem to have a lot of help with you tonight." She nodded her head toward the wizard with the silver hand, doing her best not to even glance at that nightmarish snake.
"I really am in a hurry. Very well, I swear not to kill you if you tell me where Fudge is hiding. Lie to me though and you will soon be begging for Death."
Taking a calming breath, Dolores parted with the information. She really would have done or told him anything. "Since you've been indisposed and losing followers, Fudge thought it would be safe to move into a room at the Leaky Cauldron. He figured you didn't have the manpower to take on Diagonal Alley. He also always has four auror guards around him, and an emergency portkey tucked in his bowler hat."
Voldemort was certain this information was genuine, yet he looked at this witch with nothing but distain. "I kill everyone in this prison and you're still prepared to give me the Minister of Magic too. Have you no principles?"
"Only one, better him dying than me." As Voldemort lifted his wand, she panicked. "You swore..." Dolores didn't say any more, she was too busy screaming in pain.
As she slumped in her chair, the Dark Lord admired his handiwork. The word 'coward' was branded into her forehead. "Peter, I have a job for you."
As the wizard made his way toward Dolores, he might not have letters burned into his forehead but she could see the intent written all over his face. "You swore, you swore..."
The Dark Lord actually smiled at Dolores. "I swore I wouldn't kill you, and I won't..."
A silver hand clamped around Dolores' throat and she wasn't able to say anymore. Dolores wouldn't be saying anything ever again.
Voldemort was already thinking about his next victim before life actually left Dolores. His original intention was to release all the prisoners, hoping to tie up the auror force as they tried to recapture them. Any Death Eater who would have been of any use to him died on that boat transfer. Voldemort had neither the manpower nor patience to coerce a large group of unwilling wizards to fight for him. The Dark Lord now had somewhere else to be tonight, and leaving the prisoners where they were would still stretch Ministry resources as they had to guard and care for them.
He spoke to the dementors who had been monitoring his every move since they landed on Azkaban. "If we have an agreement then there is work to be done, it starts tonight though."
-oOoOo-
Harry was having a very pleasant dream featuring Hermione on a deserted beach, a tiny bikini and a bottle of suntan lotion when he was rudely awakened by his mobile phone. Checking it, he was instantly wide awake at seeing the 'CODE 1' message.
Hermione burst into his room, tightening her dragon hide vest and pulling on her robe. "This is not a drill, Harry. Mom's already on the phone getting details. The alarm appears to have been sent from the Phoenix Force headquarters."
Harry was soon getting ready too. He could hear Sirius and Remus rushing downstairs, heading for the ballroom. That was where the Order would gather to discover where they would be needed.
Emma entered in her housecoat, her heart breaking at watching these two prepare to go off to battle. None of that showed though, she had a job to do.
"Diagon Alley is being swamped by dementors. The Phoenix Force are saying this is no rogue bunch, there are far too many of them for that."
All three of them rushed to the ballroom as Emma's phone rang once more, she soon heard some vital news that needed to be passed on to the group assembling there.
There was no time for preliminaries, lives were at stake here. Emma filled them in as quickly as she could. "The alarm was sounded by the Phoenix Force duty controller, it was Tonks. Dragon Alley is being overrun by dementors. It's thankfully empty at this time of night and the Officers are all safe at the moment. Molly had called earlier to say that the alarms sounded on Azkaban tonight. Knowing the Death Eater forces have been decimated, Arthur thought he had to take a squad of Aurors and investigate. Should I contact Hogwarts? I'll check Phoenix Hedquarters are still secure just before you leave."
Glancing around the room at the twenty or so bodies ready to respond, Amelia didn't like this. "It makes no sense, there is nothing for the dementors to attack at night. Leave Hogwarts for now, Emma. This is the busiest day on their calendar, and so far it looks as if we won't need them."
Mad-Eye agreed with everything Amelia just said, but also felt they had to respond. "We need to go, Amelia. We'll have a safe landing site, and everyone has an emergency portkey that will return them here if we hit unexpected trouble. Once we can see the actual situation, then we can decide how to react."
Emma was busy kissing Hermione and Harry as Amelia and Mad-Eye discussed their next move. She was then using her phone to call Tonks and confirm their landing zone was still safe.
"The Phoenix reserve just portkeyed in, the area will be clear in about a minute." Emma's announcement had both leaders agreeing, and getting everyone ready to move - once they had the go from Tonks. Wand in one hand with the other holding the rope portkey, Amelia activated it when told and the room was suddenly empty of everyone bar Emma.
Tonks reassuring voice came over the phone. "They've all arrived safely, Emma. The dementors can't get in here, and they can't damage any of the buildings. We're going to need a bloody good reason to leave the safety of Headquarters."
It suddenly hit Emma what was going on here. "That's their purpose, Tonks, to keep you in there. Something must be happening elsewhere that they don't want you to interfere with."
-oOoOo-
After receiving the signal he was waiting on, it was now time for action. The bulk of the dementors rose to the rooftops before flooding into Diagon Alley while around twenty waited as Voldemort blew the doors off the muggle entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. It was just after three in the morning so the bar was long closed. The score of dementors headed up the staircase, their job being to keep everyone in their rooms - and deal with anyone who came out.
The four aurors guarding the Minister's door were caught on the hop. No sooner had they heard the spell being cast downstairs then they were up to their necks in dementors. Their combined patronuses were able to halt the dementors advance along the corridor but trapped them there too. All could see that, only by the four of them working together could they keep these foul creatures off them. There was no time to think about rescuing the Minister, it was taking all they had just to halt the dementor advance.
When the green curse streaked down the corridor there was no escape. Shields wouldn't block the curse and there was no room to dodge. Two aurors dropped to the floor, only to then be pinned down by their now dead colleague who'd been hit by the killing curse. While both were struggling to escape, another killing curse took down the last auror standing. They were the lucky ones, they died before the dementors claimed them.
The noise had of course wakened Cornelius. He instantly reached for the comfort of his green bowler, and the portkey it contained. His eyes then left the door he'd been staring at as his hand was flapping around a now empty bedside table. Knowing he'd left his hat within easy reach, a now panicking Minister of Magic shot out of bed and began a desperate search.
Kneeling on the floor, a sense of relief flooded through Cornelius as he spotted his bowler under the four poster bed. That relief vanished just as quickly when the hat moved away from his reaching hand. Scurrying around to the other side of the bed, the hat once more moved from his reach. It was only then Cornelius noticed his wand was missing from the bedside table too. He could see the tip of it sticking out from under the rim of his bowler. What looked like a rat's tail was also protruding, tantalisingly only inches from the tips of his fingers. Left with no choice, he crawled under the bed after his hat.
When his room door exploded inward, his hat shot toward the person who entered. Cornelius was then left looking at two pairs of feet as his hat had disappeared from his now heavily restricted view.
"Well done, Peter. We couldn't have the Minister of Magic leaving his own party, a party I decided to throw in his honour. I have to say though that honour appears to be a lost cause amongst the Ministry's upper echelons. Umbridge will go to her grave a coward, and here we have the Minister of Magic hiding below his bed. The brave aurors who just died trying to protect your life will be so disappointed."
Hearing nothing but sobbing coming from under the bed, the Dark Lord decided to end this. He'd done enough talking, it was time to accomplish what he came for and then leave. "Our Minister seems quite happy under there. I think you should keep him company, my pet."
Cornelius' last vision was of a horrendous nightmare, slithering under the heavy bed with ease.
-oOoOo-
Tonks relayed Emma's conclusion to the commanders, a conclusion Shacklebolt, Amelia and Mad-Eye instantly agreed with. Since most of the people here were Phoenix Force Officers, Shack took control.
"Okay people, we didn't all come here in the middle of the night to hold a tea party. We have uninvited guest in Diagon Alley, it's time to show them they're unwelcome here. Cast your patronus on three and we'll begin pushing them back."
As Shack called 'three', a magical menagerie of animals appeared. There were actual gasps as people witnessed the magnificent stag who instantly took the lead and charged through the still locked door. There was a patrol of three Phoenix Officers who found themselves trapped but ultimately safe at the other end of the Alley from their headquarters. They were in constant contact by phone though and were able to report the dementors were being chased out of the Alley by a virtual herd of patronuses.
That news being relayed back to the casters caused much cheering, and those positive thoughts actually increased the power of their corresponding animals. Headquarters' door was soon opened and squads began to cautiously make their way along the Alley. Sirius and Remus never moved from the two teens' sides, and also managed to steer them into the middle of the groups. Patronus after patronus was being cast, though they were fading away as the dementor threat appeared to have gone.
It was only when Tom and his surviving guests were being led from the Leaky Cauldron to the safety of Phoenix Headquarters that they discovered what the real purpose behind tonight's attack had been. The Dark Lord had just thrown down the gauntlet, announcing to the country he was far from finished. The Minister of Magic and his auror protection detail had just been murdered by Voldemort.
Chapter 16 - Meeting the Minister
When Albus received the information from Shacklebolt, the old wizard immediately rushed down to the dungeons and informed Severus. Waking his Potions Professor with the news that Voldemort had killed everyone, bar the prisoners, in Azkaban was a severe shock to Severus' system. That the Dark Lord had then gone on to murder the Minister of Magic and his security detail in the Leaky Cauldron left the potions master shaking his head in disbelief.
"Albus, I scanned him not two days ago. That body of his wouldn't have had the power to even make a portkey to Azkaban, far less do what you're suggesting. It's simply not possible, unless…"
Albus wasn't using legilimens, Severus' thoughts were closed to him anyway, their minds just reached the obvious conclusion at the same time. "Unless he performed some sort of ritual on himself. The only ritual I could think of that would supply him with anywhere near that level of power boost, especially if he was so low in magic as you say, would be reabsorbing one of his horcruxes."
Albus could see that conclusion hit Severus hard.
"We're pretty sure the only horcrux he has left is Nagini. That snake is the only living thing the Dark Lord gives a shit about. If that's indeed what he's done then this could be bad. It would mean the Dark Lord has discovered or suspects the rest of his horcruxes are gone, and will also be swearing vengeance on everyone for forcing him to end Nagini's life."
"Severus, you can't go back there - even if summoned. The castle wards will protect you until we can defeat him."
After a moment's thought, Severus asked what was almost a rhetorical question. "I'm assuming today's Prophet will lead with that story?"
With a grimace, Albus answered him anyway. "I can't see anything else pushing the Minister of Magic being murdered by Voldemort off the front page."
That was what he'd expected. A determined Severus then made his intentions known. "Then I need to return, if only to confirm our suspicions."
"Severus…"
"I have to do this, Albus. If he has reclaimed his horcrux, that means the Dark Lord is now mortal. We need to know for certain. If I can discover that information, and then slip away, nothing will get me back to his side again. I've got to do this, I'm the only one who can."
Nodding in defeat at that reasoning, Albus had one last piece of advice for Severus. "I'll ask Fawkes to listen out for your call. If things get bad, don't hesitate to call for him. As Minerva said yesterday, don't go all Gryffindor on us now."
Severus was already trying to calm his mind, knowing one mistake could see him dead before breakfast. He decided to leave as early as possible. If the Dark Lord was sleeping, a chat with Pettigrew should provide all the information he needed. Neither Death Eater would dare wake their Lord without a dire calamity that needed brought to his immediate attention, hopefully allowing Severus the excuse of calling back later - which he would never voluntarily do again. It wasn't much of a plan to pin your survival on, but it was the only one Severus had available.
-oOoOo-
After hugging the life out of Hermione and Harry when they returned to Grimmauld Place from their Diagon Alley mission, Emma still couldn't settle. She more than any of them had been praying Severus would have been able to end this on Sunday. Hearing that Voldemort had returned and murdered the guards in Azkaban, before then doing the same to the Minister of Magic, had her really on edge. Picking up on this, Harry offered a solution to the group he now considered his family.
"Sirius, do you think we could stay at the safe house tonight? I'm sure I would sleep better knowing that only the people living in this house knew where we were, and there's always the phones if we have another emergency."
All could see why Harry was proposing that, and it led to him being kissed on the cheek by both Granger ladies. Sirius quickly agreed and they were soon drinking their cocoa in a five bedroom muggle house, which stood in a rather upmarket housing development on the outskirts of York.
Hermione was saying goodnight to Harry when her mother returned and interrupted.
"Those elves know what we need better than we do. Hermione, our room suddenly has three single beds in it, and I would certainly sleep sounder knowing you both were in the room beside me."
Harry went into his own room to change, giving the ladies plenty of time to do the same. He then knocked and was bade enter, smiling as he noticed Emma was in the middle bed.
"I think mum needs to actually see us both. She's the one who needs reassurance tonight."
Emma tried to protest but her heart wasn't really in it. Sitting alone in Grimmauld while waiting on that phone to ring was horrendous, and Emma was going to have to work out some way to be further involved. That, as a muggle, she couldn't even see dementors was just another hurdle to be overcome.
-oOoOo-
Apparating to Riddle Manor, Severus walked into the building as if he had a divine right to be there. He was proud that not one sign of his understandable apprehension was externally showing in his movements or appearance. Not being able to find Pettigrew, Severus was forced to approach the bedroom where the Dark Lord had lain for over a month. As expected, quietly knocking produced no results so he cautiously entered. If the Dark Lord was really here and asleep, Severus intended for him to stay that way.
He slipped into the room and found it empty - really empty. Not only was the Dark Lord not there, all the furniture had disappeared as well. The floor had a rune scheme Severus didn't recognise etched into the wood, part explaining the missing furniture. Casting some scans, Severus found traces of fresh blood. He managed to collect a couple of drops, hoping that would be enough to determine if the blood was human, the Dark Lord's or Nagini's.
A few of his scans were also showing a residue of some really dark magic having being performed very recently. After scanning the diadem in Hogwarts, he recognised the dark magic involved here as belonging to one of Voldemort's horcruxes. Severus was now almost certain the blood he'd just collected would prove to be Nagini's. With the prospect of confirming that the Dark Lord was now mortal safely concealed in his pocket, Severus had no desire to meet Pettigrew or Voldemort. He practically sprinted to get outside the wards before disapparating to Hogwarts and safety.
-oOoOo-
It was almost lunchtime when they rose from a surprisingly decent sleep, with Dolby and Winky serving a mixture of breakfast and lunch staples. The elves had created a brunch without even knowing it. With a sleep behind them and good food in front of them, their mood had certainly improved since last night. That improvement lasted until Emma put the telly on to catch the lunchtime news.
The top story was screaming that eleven people in Central London had become victims of some mysterious yet fatal occurrence that was baffling doctors. The police were also heavily involved as there were certainly suspicious circumstances surrounding these deaths. All the victims appeared to have in common was location, with neither age, sex nor creed making any difference to this mysterious affliction.
This of course had the result of severely worrying everyone in the surrounding area. When you took into consideration that this was London though, then the amount of people who could potentially be at risk from whatever this was ran into millions.
While having no idea what had actually happened, the news machine was pointing their cameras at anyone who had an opinion on what might have caused this. While those ideas appeared to get crazier as the extended programme filled their viewers heads with more and more of this nonsense, no one even came close to guessing the actual cause.
Remus was on his phone to Shack while Sirius contacted Molly. The last thing they needed was the muggle government chasing this up and accidentally running into a swarm of dementors.
There would be an obligatory Wizengamot meeting today, the Minister of Magic had just been murdered by a terrorist he'd claimed couldn't be back, with an Order meeting sure to be called for later this evening.
Sirius was passing on his conversation with Molly to the group, she would contact Arthur at the Ministry by floo, when an excited Moony butted in.
"Albus was with Shack. He'd been to Grimmauld looking for us, apparently never thought to call for Dobby or Winky. Voldemort reabsorbed the horcrux that was in his snake, killing it in the process. Severus went over to Voldemort's hideout this morning and found the house empty. He was able to confirm though that the ceremony had taken place, and that was the only reason Voldemort had the magical power to do what he did last night."
Not understanding the nuances here, Emma asked for an explanation. "I must be missing something because I fail to see how that's the good news Remus obviously thinks it is."
Hermione was just as excited now, and let her mother know why. "Mum, Voldemort is now mortal. With no horcruxes left, he can be killed - for good."
Instead of smiling, Emma was fighting back the tears. She rose and took Harry in a hug. "I was praying someone else would finish this but your comment about Potter luck not working that way seems to be coming true. I hate that this is going to put you in danger again. All of you, because I know these three won't let you face it alone."
Remembering the battle at the dock, where he and Hermione had been forced to wait behind, Harry had some understanding of what sitting alone at home and waiting for news last night must have felt like to Emma.
"Even with Arthur taking all his available aurors to Azkaban, there were enough Phoenix Officers and Order members to deal with the situation last night. Voldemort is now left with only one follower, and he's mortal to boot. This is way ahead of where we expected to be, considering how bad things were at the start of the summer. As I said yesterday, Emma, nothing has really changed. Hermione and I will keep training, waiting on Voldemort making his move. I would suggest we move here to live for the foreseeable future, since only the five of us know about this house. We still have Grimmauld for training and meetings, and the other muggle house to relax in and throw people off from where we're really living."
While happy to move here, Emma was worried about what Harry was suggesting. "You think someone in the Order might talk?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Harry gave his best guess. "I don't think we have another Pettigrew amongst us but are we willing to gamble on someone being captured and talking under torture? They can't tell what they don't know, which is why I thought Sirius renting two houses was genius. We'll take it easy today, have a meeting tonight and then pick up our training again tomorrow."
They didn't know events happening elsewhere that would change their plans.
-oOoOo-
With the job once more of reorganising guards on Azkaban landing on Arthur's desk, there really was no one else for him to pass it on to this time, he was missing the impromptu meeting Amelia, Mad-Eye, Shack and Albus were having in the Phoenix Headquarters.
Albus was seeking their opinion on who to propose for the vacant Minister of Magic post. "Arthur would be a front runner, and certainly someone who could do the job. The problem I see is who could take over as Head of the D.M.L.E.? It would have to be someone who would be willing to work with the Order and Phoenix Force. Splitting our forces up now would be utter madness."
Amelia quickly ruled herself out of the running for either job. "The state our Auror Force is in at the moment, I actually think I can do more good where I am for now. Even with Voldemort reduced to just one follower, he's still an incredibly dangerous threat."
Being in somewhat the same position, Shack agreed with his former boss - before pulling himself out of the running too. "We saw last night that the Phoenix Force will be carrying most of this fight, at least until Amelia's work starts paying dividends and increases the number of aurors. I can't help but think I'm of more use against Voldemort by staying where I am."
While Mad-Eye agreed with both of them, his thoughts had moved in a different direction. "I'm more worried about what this mad bastard will do next. With just one follower he managed to sack Azkaban and then murder our head of government. I think the first job of whoever gets elected Minister of Magic should be to contact the muggles and let them know what's happening. There's no way Arthur will have any spare aurors to cover people like their Prime Minister or the Royal Family, we might need to look at deploying some Phoenix Officers to those duties. Oh, and I don't want any of those bloody Ministry jobs either."
Moody was also beginning to think this meeting was being railroaded by Albus to a destination he'd clearly already chosen. The people not at this meeting were giving rise to Mad-Eye's suspicions. No Hogwarts contingent, no Arthur, no one from Grimmauld, no one to really object to whatever Albus was about to propose. He decided to cut the old manipulator off at the pass.
"I think we should have an interim Minister, with elections scheduled for January. That would hopefully give us time to finish this, and anyone interested in the job an opportunity to put their names and case forward."
Liking that idea, Amelia asked her old mentor if he had anyone in mind for the interim position. Moody's smile was actually predatory.
"We have the perfect candidate sitting right here. With Albus taking charge of the Ministry, we would then have the best chance of ending this before Christmas."
Albus reacted immediately. "I've made it plain many times that I never wanted the position of Minister..."
"And you wouldn't be." Moody was pushing home his advantage. "You would only be looking after the position for a few months. We've come so far, now with an actual realistic chance of putting an end to this. We need those few months of non-interference, Albus, and you could easily give them to us. Our society is changing but we need to end Voldemort to cement those changes. In January, we could have a new Minister of Magic. A Minister who could start with a clean slate, and hopefully without the threat of Voldemort and his Death Eaters hanging over the country."
The more Amelia and Shack thought about Moody's suggestion, the more they liked it.
"I can't see anyone raising objections to you taking the job on in an interim basis, and certainly no one would attempt to stand against you." Amelia was actually becoming excited, this could really work. "Without having to circumnavigate the Minister and his entourage, without having to meet in secret, we could get so much more done."
Shack's thoughts turned to other matters. "The Ministerial Decree that allows the Phoenix Force to operate inside Britain died with Fudge, so did Mad-eye's Special Investigator remit. We need those renewed as quickly as possible. We might even need the laws changed to allow the Force to legally operate after this is over. Last night taught us though that Voldemort won't go quietly. There's still a lot of work to do, and Albus Dumbledore as Interim Minister of Magic gives us the best chance of achieving that."
Moody was having a quiet chuckle to himself at how quickly his suggestion had scuppered whatever plans Albus had, he turned the screw even tighter by indicating the copy of the Prophet lying on the table.
"Let's not forget the only reason Magical Britain isn't collectively shitting its britches this morning is because we were able to drive the Dementors off, and we have already stripped away most of Voldemort's support. The kudos the Phoenix Force is receiving for driving all those dementors out of the Alley certainly bodes well for continuing business when this is over. The rumour that Harry was in the Alley too, and Voldemort ran away after killing Fudge, is also calming nerves. Albus Dumbledore taking over at the Ministry would reassure your average wizard or witch that things were well under control, and surely piss off Voldemort at the same time."
Shack and Amelia were laughing at that, while Albus could see he'd been neatly boxed in by his old friend. Rather than being annoyed though, Albus was actually warming to the idea. Those few months as Minister would give him time to practically hand-pick his successor. He would also be able to throw the full weight of the Ministry behind the eventual defeat of Tom Riddle. With only Peter by his side, most of the power Voldemort once wielded had been negated. There was no doubt he was still a powerful wizard, and still very dangerous, but he was still only one wizard.
With a nod of his head, Albus offered his agreement to Moody's proposal.
-oOoOo-
Peter felt as if he was living his worst nightmare. That he was awake, and currently experiencing an event worse than any nightmare he'd ever had or could imagine, just about had him fainting from fright. The only thing that stopped this happening was the utter certainty that, if he did faint, Peter would never wake up again.
The massive inferi snake was bad enough, especially when his master had ordered Peter to transform into Wormtail in Nagini's presence. Sitting in that tiny boat as a rat while those dead eyes just stared at him had Wormtail leaving some droppings behind. Now though was actually worse.
Peter was standing on a small rocky island, surrounded by water that was deep in an underground cavern. His master's temper exploded, mere moments before the stone font he was studying surrendered to a barrage of magic the Dark Lord had unleashed on it. An angry Voldemort picked up the silver locket that had obviously been contained inside the font but Peter was looking elsewhere.
The Dark Lord's magic hadn't just destroyed the font, it appeared to have awakened what Peter estimated to be hundreds of inferi. The undead slowly made their way out of the water as a shaking Peter moved closer to his master, drawing the Dark Lord's attention to what was happening around them.
Crumpling up the note he'd removed from the locket, Voldemort hoped that bastard Black had died a horrible death. He was also left with no option but to conclude that all of his anchors were now gone. This had been his ace in the hole, the one he was sure couldn't be removed from this chamber. All of that research, all of that preparation and planing, enduring the pain of ripping part of his soul from his body multiple times - all for nothing. He was once more mortal.
Tom's thoughts flashed to that bloody prophecy he'd been informed of all those years ago. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. If he hadn't reacted to that, Lord Voldemort would have been ruling Britain within a matter of months.
His thoughts then concentrated on the word that he'd had over a decade as a wraith to agonise over - vanquish. The word certainly meant defeat and, standing here with his anchors gone - and just Pettigrew by his side - Tom had to admit defeat, if only to himself. Defeat though didn't necessarily mean his greatest fear coming to pass, as in his death. With none of his anchors left, avoiding that final outcome was not only the most important thing to him now - it would be the overriding factor in any actions he would take. For the first time since he was seventeen, Tom Marvelo Riddle could now be killed.
With the entire country seemingly focusing their attention on achieving that actual result, the die was already cast. With no support, money or political influence, he was helpless to affect how the dice should land. He would certainly have to leave Britain but Lord Voldemort was still a powerful wizard. Lord Voldemort however was actually his creation, and creations could be modified, ended or changed completely.
Reabsorbing one of his horcruxes had certainly boosted his power. That power though was still well below where it had been that fateful Halloween at the Potters. While he had casually branded that Umbritch witch a coward, here was his greatest weakness being exposed. Tom Riddle could admit to himself he was absolutely terrified of dying, and would do anything to avoid that fate.
These thoughts had taken mere seconds to run through his mind, Pettigrew moving closer disturbing his train of thought. Seeing what was happening around them, the Dark Lord cast a spell that stopped the inferi advance in its tracks.
"You have served me well, and you will serve me again. Your time in this place is over, our next battle will begin soon."
Glancing around at these decaying bodies, Tom was given a powerful reminder of what his beloved Nagini would one day become. He didn't want to watch that slowly happening to the creature who had shown him nothing but undying devotion. She would take part in his last throw of the dice, using the strongest weapon he still possessed in plentiful supply - terror. He would have his revenge on whoever destroyed his horcruxes, and forced him to end Nagini's life. For decades to come, no one would even dare to whisper his name. That would be his legacy, his revenge on a country that had turned its ire on him.
The shivering wizard standing beside Lord Voldemort would lead his dark forces into one last battle. Tom would watch on as magical Britain received a blow it might never recover from. He would observe this final atrocity from a safe distance, before then leaving to build a new life elsewhere. Lord Voldemort would leave them one hell of a going-away gift before dying himself. Killing off his Dark Lord persona, and then leaving the country, should complete the prophecy. Lord Voldemort would be vanquished while Tom Riddle would take a new persona and build another life for himself elsewhere.
Yes it hurt to admit defeat but that hurt would fade away over time. Staying in Britain would eventually lead to his death, and that death would now be forever. Tom Riddle wasn't Head Boy and top student while at Hogwarts because he was stupid. That intelligence had weighed up the overwhelming odds he was now facing and reached the only decision available. It would soon be time to go, after he'd planned and executed the largest act of terror the country had ever experienced.
He would then spend his time and talent researching for another method to achieve his final goal - immortality. They could brand him a coward if they liked, living forever was far more important than any revenge on people named Potter or Dumbledore. When he achieved his aim of immortality, there would be nothing to stop him returning to Britain and claiming his revenge against their descendants.
-oOoOo-
After Arthur had proposed Albus as an interim Minister of Magic, suggesting the thirty-first of January as a date for electing a new Minister, there was a virtual landslide of Wizengamot members standing to try and second that motion. Not one voice was raised against the proposal, meaning Albus was soon sitting in a new chair. Before sitting though, Albus of course had a few words to say.
"As most of you know, I have never sought this position. I was convinced to take the post on an interim basis to assist with the defeat of Voldemort, and accept solely on those headings. I believe I speak for all of us when I say that is an outcome everyone in this chamber wishes to see happen, and as soon as possible."
This was greeted by thunderous applause, giving Albus the green light to proceed with what he really wanted to bring up. "What I would ask of those of you thinking of running for the post of Minister of Magic is please take a good look around you. The world we all live in is rapidly changing, and we are poorly equipped to deal with those changes. Burying our heads in the sand like an ostrich, ignoring those changes as the world passes us by, is no longer an option available to us."
The shock of the traditionalist, Albus Dumbledore, proposing change had most of them sitting up and taking notice. Albus pushed them further by giving the Wizengamot a very pertinent example.
"By using equipment freely available to any muggle, the officers of the Pheonix Force were able to coordinate a response to the attack on Diagon Alley last night within seconds of it taking place. I would want the new Ministry Aurors Madam Bones is working so hard to train for us to be at least as well equipped as this private security firm. We now have a few people in our society who possess these devices, and the knowledge of how to use them, enabling these few to instantly call for help in any situation. With the entire contingent of dementors from Azkaban now confirmed as having gone rogue, shouldn't that ability be available to everyone? If not, then that reflects badly on our Ministry - and ultimately on those of us within this chamber who make the decisions."
Taking his seat, Albus could see his last comment had thrown them. Accountability was not something the Ministry or Wizengamot had thrust upon them too often. Without making changes however, Albus felt the country would be left ripe for another Dark Lord to come in and fill the vacuum left by the eventual defeat of Voldemort. Truth be told, he was getting too old to fight the good fight anymore - and be kneeling in fireplaces to speak with people. One of these phone devices that worked in the Ministry and Hogwarts would make his life so much easier.
While he strongly disagreed with the methods the Order and Moody had adopted, Albus couldn't deny their effectiveness. Thinking back to the evening of the final task, Albus was struggling to equate just how far their society had shifted in such a short space of time. He would work diligently to ensure whoever took over from him would find the country in a much better place than what it was back in late June, and hoped the new Minister would also never allow it to slip into such a desperate situation again.
It was a rather quick meeting after that, with Arthur giving them the latest on what had happened on Azkaban. With no dementors, and certainly no one applying for work in the prison, Arthur proposed approaching the goblins for aid with this problem. When Madam Longbottom added that wizards and witches might commit less crime if they thought they would be placed into the goblins' gentle care, Arthur soon got their permission to speak to Gringotts on this matter.
As the session ended, many members made their way to Dumbledore for a few words. Having anticipated this, Arthur held back until he could speak somewhat privately with the new Minister. It took a while but eventually two of the most powerful figures in the Ministry had some time together.
"I'm assuming your next move will be to contact the muggle government?"
"Yes. With only Pettigrew by his side, there's no telling what Voldemort might try next. I'm taking Shacklebolt with me. The Ministry don't have any spare aurors to protect some of the high-profile muggle targets Voldemort might decide to go after, Kingsley will provide Phoenix Officers for those duties. Having something to offer them might go some way to easing the mess Fudge's denials have left us in."
While Arthur certainly agreed with all of that, he also had a suggestion for Albus. "Take Emma with you too." Seeing Albus puzzled by that, Arthur offered an explanation. "We both know how smart Hermione is, her mother is no slouch either. She understands the problem but is also a muggle. Who else do we have who could put across to her government the difficulties caused by a magical creature they can't even see?"
When Arthur put it like that, Albus left to contact the woman whose whole world had been turned upside down this summer.
-oOoOo-
This was how Emma fond herself sitting in on a meeting with the leaders of magical and mundane Britain. To say that meeting wasn't going well would be a gross understatement. John Major was destroying Emma's previously held opinion of him being a grey man with no personality. He was unleashing a temper she didn't know existed and using language that probably wouldn't see him being re-elected. If this was the real John Major, Emma might even vote for him next time. Thinking she hadn't been included here for appearances sake, Emma decided to intervene - before things were said that permanently soured relations between their people.
"Excuse me Albus, Prime Minister, perhaps I can help here. Arthur and I had quite an in-depth discussion on the problems you were just arguing over."
Trying to smother his grin at how Emma had politely disarmed both these powerful men, Shack explained to the muggle exactly who 'Arthur' was before sitting back to enjoy the show.
"Probably the biggest problem we, as non-magical people, have with dementors is that we can't see them. Arthur though explained that they exude cold, a temperature change severe enough to freeze any moisture or water they pass. Those physical signs can be seen, hopefully giving our people time enough to run away and get inside. While we can't see them with the naked eye, an anomaly like that should clearly show up on the infra-red spectrum."
Nodding in understanding, the Prime Minister was now taking notes. There could be no witnesses to this meeting, so no secretary, and this woman had just offered him his first piece of practical advice. What was the point of writing down patronus if he couldn't produce one, or was probably not even able to see this mysterious magical energy.
Seeing such a promising result, Emma was encouraged by Albus and Shack to continue. Neither of them had any idea what this infra-red spectrum was, but it obviously made sense to both muggles in the room.
Emma had a lot more to offer. "These creatures suck your soul out through your mouth but a physical barrier stops them. That's why getting inside a building or vehicle will protect people, so might a fully enclosed helmet offer the same protection? It would need to be fastened in a way though that the dementors couldn't undo, and then simply remove."
The Prime Minister was again nodding as he wrote. This woman had just offered him a possible detection method and even hope of how to protect his people. Compared to the old geezer in the beard - you have no magic so you will be helpless - this was priceless. He didn't know Emma Granger wasn't nearly finished yet.
"When my Dan was murdered, the Ministry swung into action and quickly covered it up. I don't think that can happen here, the entire country knows these people died. We also need a way to warn people when and how to escape if the dementors turn up again. How about a wanted terrorist with some kind of chemical weapon? Knowing what to look out for, and what to do if attacked, might just quell some of the panic spread by the less savoury side of our media."
"Outstanding idea, Mrs Granger. Can I offer you a job?"
Albus was quick to put his two knuts in. "Actually, Prime Minister, I was just about to make Emma here the same offer."
Shack couldn't hide his smirk. "Sorry to disappoint, gentlemen, but Emma actually works for me. She's in charge of the communications side of the Phoenix Force."
The Prime Minister was not used to people telling him no, nor was he about to accept that answer here. "Mr Shacklebolt, if your group are going to be protecting some of our country's most important figures, the entire communications side of your operation is going to need a major upgrade from mobile phones. I will supply this upgrade, and the training needed to run this equipment. In return, your Officers will be able to instantly report sightings of these foul creatures, hopefully allowing us time to get any innocent bystanders to safety."
Knowing that would be any Prime Minister's first concern, Emma was once more able to help her head of government.
"Sir, the Phoenix Force has squads on standby around the clock. A device called a portkey can transport that squad to exactly where they are needed. While Magic is required to make the portkey, and program where it will take whoever's touching it when activated, we can travel by this method too."
As the possibilities of being able to instantly respond to these attacks anywhere in the country began to sink in, the PM began to think his government might just survive this crisis. Emma then gave him exactly what was needed to ensure that would happen, a possible method to fight back.
"Arthur and I discussed methods of destroying dementors. As they radiate cold, we focused on heat. While magical people have a spell that produces extreme heat, it's notoriously difficult to control when cast. Add in the debilitating effects of being close to dementors and you have a recipe for an instant disaster. We, on the other hand, have chemical ways to produce the required high temperatures. If an oxyacetylene torch can cut through steel, even underwater, I can't imagine a creature of cold standing up to that."
The PM was certain their tech people could come up with some sort of protective helmet, one with built-in infra-red capabilities. If the wearer was then armed with a tool to cut these things to pieces, he had the beginnings of a viable defence against these monsters. Emma then offered a way that might mean his troops wouldn't have to get up close and personal with a creature hell bent on killing them.
"Dementors don't like sunlight. This could be a simple 'creature of the night' kind of thing, or they may be susceptible to Ultraviolet. Dan and I of course used UV for curing fillings, I'm sure there must be industrial or weapons versions that are many times more powerful."
Finally putting his fountain pen down, John Major locked his gaze on the woman whose ideas might just have saved countless lives. "Mrs Granger, you have my personal thanks. When this is over, I will ensure you have your country's thanks. I was deadly serious about that job offer. We need you, your country needs you."
Taking a moment to formulate her answer, Emma let her emotions show. "Sir, a couple of this terrorist's followers turned up in our back garden. They wanted to kill Dan and I, and then take our nearly sixteen year old daughter to their master. The boy who loves my daughter, and I already consider family, killed them both - unfortunately not before they murdered my Dan. The former Minister of Magic then turned up and ordered my boy sent straight to prison, one guarded by these monsters, all because the people who had killed my Dan were friends of his."
Tears were slowly running down Emma's cheeks but the determination in her voice was what the three men in that meeting would remember. "I would feel a fraud accepting any reward because I'm here for purely selfish reasons. A Prophecy was made, stating my boy has to be the one to kill this arsehole. Harry's currently training like mad to do that very thing, and my daughter is training right alongside him. I will work with anyone, do everything I possibly can, to try and make that happen. I'm so proud of them, yet terrified at the same time. I want this arsehole dead, and preferably without my children being involved. Those are my motives, Prime Minister. As I said - purely selfish."
Standing up, the PM moved over to the sideboard and poured four glasses of exquisite single malt from the decanter. Passing them around, he took a sip of his own before speaking.
"Mrs Granger, that is probably the most honest answer ever given in this office - and just makes you working for us all the more important. I listened to these two gentlemen basically telling me there was nothing I could do about this situation - except accept it. I also noticed they didn't have a plan for dealing with these creatures either. You must know no sitting PM could ever accept that?"
Sipping her own tumbler of whisky, Emma could only nod in agreement.
"Even amongst the four of us sitting here, you have knowledge and talents that make you unique. You have a grasp of what the magical problem is, but also a good handle on how we might deal with the same problem. I'm quite happy if you continue to work with the magical government and this Phoenix Force, as well as our government. In the matter of this crisis, there should be no secrets amongst us. In return, I will personally make you a promise. We get this terrorist's whereabouts, I guarantee our armed forces will take him out with extreme prejudice."
"The Prophecy says..."
Emma was on Albus before he could say anymore. She was being offered exactly what she wanted here, there was only one way she could react. "Albus, I really don't give a fuck about some ramblings from a sherry-sodden old witch. Can you honestly sit there and say dropping enough explosives onto Voldemort to vaporise his body won't kill him?"
Albus just offered a rather wane smile. "Emma, prophecies have a way of working themselves out. This one clearly says 'either must die at the hands of the other'..."
"Fine, we'll get Harry to push the button that blows Voldemort to smithereens." Albus had no answer to Emma, but she did. Turning to the PM, Emma gave him the only answers she could. "Sir, I gladly accept your job offer."
One Minister was now smiling while the other was trying not to sulk.