41-42

Chapter 41: Acquainted with the Night

Previously:

:It ssoundsss like itsss ringing,: Melusine suggested softly, watching as the boy cautiously approached the trunk, wand first, and thrust it open.

Brow wrinkled in thought, Hasan extracted the only thing that did indeed seem to be 'ringing'. The Black Family Mirrors.

...

The mirror was smooth-edged though unconventional in shape, for it was but a portion of the original. Black had supposedly altered the enchantments on this piece so that it would act as a one-way window. His claim was to be put to the test now as Hasan grasped the mirror firmly in both hands, eager to watch the proceedings. Vaguely he noticed that Melusine had slithered off of his dresser to observe the show as well.

The first thing Hasan saw was a blurry outline of a single head. In a matter of seconds, however, the image became clear and crisp, depicting a startlingly accurate image of Lucius Malfoy, down to the man's unshaven whiskers. Granted it was early in the morning, so of course the man hadn't done a shaving spell yet, but something told Hasan that Lucius did not normally wake up with hellish bags beneath his bloodshot eyes. In fact, Lucius Malfoy looked downright ghastly, belying the torture he had no doubt had to endure the night before.

The Malfoy lord blinked blearily a few times before the mirror's surface rippled like water. When the image righted itself, not one, but two figures appeared, separated by a misty white line. Lucius on the left and Altair on the right with Tina (a vivid violet) wrapped loosely around the latter's shoulders.

:That is my father,: Hasan explained to Melusine quickly.

:And the snake?:

:That would be Tina.: Hasan smiled.

Melusine took in Tina's small form, wrapped vine-like around her owner's father's shoulders, and hissed her approval. At least she knew that her Hasan was being watched over by one of her kind, not that she was biased or anything, but magical snakes did tend to keep excellent care of their young (except perhaps in times of hunger or draught where cannibalism was more or less acceptable). In the mirror, Altair took in Lucius' haggard appearance and smiled albeit sadly.

"The Dark Lord called a meeting last night," Lucius explained tiredly. "Needless to say he was not pleased when he discovered our treason." Lucius lifted his left arm to show off the ugly black mark which was beginning to exhibit a red tinge as if infected.

"So you and Narcissa have decided to stop attending meetings then?"

Lucius glared. "Obviously, or I wouldn't be in nearly this much pain."

The sarcasm didn't seem to reach across the connection for Altair was very much serious when he replied, "I am sorry. I hadn't realized you would stop so soon..."

"Well, your son was a bit of a giveaway..." Lucius clenched his teeth as a new wave of pain assaulted him through the mark. "Altair, I don't mean to be rude, but was there an actual point to this meeting? Or did you just call to say hello?"

"Ah, yes..." Altair lifted Tina from his shoulders and placed her gently on an unseen table where she slithered away, her brilliant blue back still within sight. When his gaze returned to the mirror it was from out of the face of a broken man, old and weary. "I seem to understand you have some familiarity with the Department of Mysteries?" At Lucius' nod he continued, "I need you to tell the Order of the Phoenix to go there Wednesday, July 7th."

Lucius nearly fell out of his chair. "For what?" he exclaimed. It wasn't everyday someone ordered you to take a top secret organization strolling through the Ministry's most heavily guarded rooms.

"My sources tell me that this is the day that the Dark Lord plans on seizing the prophecy made about him and my son. I need to make sure he does not."

Lucius nodded. He could see how the Dark Lord knowing the prophecy could pose some problems for the welfare of the wizarding world.

"Also, if I am unable, and you will know if I am, could you please make sure the sword of Godric Gryffindor is returned to Gringott's?"

Lucius stiffened as Griphook's words from earlier suddenly made sense: "Just think, by the end of this war, I shall have the sword of Godric Gryffindor hanging in our halls once more."

"So it was you who has tied up all our affairs with the goblins in knots!" Lucius accused with a triumphant air.

"Guilty as charged," Altair grinned, "But please do so. I can't bear to think I have not fulfilled a promise."

Lucius refrained from snorting. The sword was not his to promise, thus it was just the thing Altair would end up promising. Feeling a bit silly, Lucius indulged him with a serious expression. "You have my word I will do my utmost, should you be unable, to return the sword to the goblins."

"Thank you," Altair managed a sad smile. "Perhaps one day you will understand and not hate me."

His cryptic words faded as the mirror rippled its last.

.oOo.

Narcissa watched Lucius throughout the day, concern etched over her delicate features. In the morning, she watched her husband stiffly enter the dining room, clutching his forearm in obvious pain. In the evening, she watched her husband stiffly exit the dining room, clutching his forearm in obvious pain...

"Perhaps a pain-killer, dear? I know Severus-"

But Lucius had simply held up a hand and tiredly replied that nothing would be able to help him now. Maybe he wouldn't die today, but one only lasted so long with the Dark Lord's constant punishment...

A little while later, he lay on the couch, an innumerable amount of empty flasks of pain-killers littered around him. They had not called Severus yet- they (meaning Lucius) had not wanted to bother him (let him know how weak he truly was.) Narcissa was too concerned to make fun of his stubborn pride.

Instead, she called Severus secretly at dinner time, unamused at her husband's antics. She would not let him die from something as silly as pride, Merlin knew it was the leading killer of Malfoys. If anyone could help it would be Severus, and to be honest, she really couldn't trust anyone else.

Severus stepped over the threshold, shrunken potions lining his long black cloak. Any Death Eater knew how excruciating the Dark Lord's punishments could be and so Severus had brought along his most powerful numbing potions and pain-killers. His dark eyes swept the room, landing critically upon Lucius who was fingering the Malfoy dagger and breathing peacefully in sleep. Snape quirked an eyebrow, recognizing the dagger from the one Altair usually kept in his own house, wondering how it had found its way here.

"He was- he was in pain earlier," Narcissa breathed in wonder, "He kept on twitching. I don't know what happened."

Severus hesitated, realizing that he was about to tread on thin ice. "What...do you know of the dagger he is holding?"

Narcissa frowned, "I know he has gotten into the habit of rubbing it when he thinks I'm not looking. He caught me watching him a few times and his face turned bright red as if he were caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing. I know it's just a dagger but I felt even then that I had trampled upon some forbidden ground."

"It is one of the Malfoy daggers," Severus said softly as Narcissa gasped in amazement.

"But-but we don't have anymore. We gave them away!"

"Someone must have given it back," Severus replied calmly, approaching the sleeping man. As he neared, he saw the Dark Mark burning a black-red against the man's pale skin, yet it looked a bit better than it had that morning, which wasn't saying much. With childlike curiosity, Severus reached out to touch the dagger. At first nothing happened, but then Severus was assaulted by the most potent, suffocating love he had ever before felt. In utter shock, he froze on the spot, causing Narcissa to rush to steady him.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Narcissa asked hurriedly. "Is it the dagger? Is it helping him?"

Severus gasped in her arms, shaken up considerably. He hadn't experienced much love in his lifetime, but he knew how it was supposed to feel. He struggled to control his pounding heart, unable to put into words how the dagger affected him and unwilling to share them with Narcissa. He couldn't tell her that Lucius was protected by a barrier of love, could he? It would make her feel awkward at best, and horribly inadequate at worsts. How would she feel, knowing that her love wasn't enough, that someone's love was holding the pain at bay?...As if to save him from answering, Lucius chose that particular moment to wake up, cracking one silver eye open at a time.

"Se-Severus?" he asked sleepily, making to sit up. His fist was still tightly clenched around the knife, Severus noticed, but refrained from commenting.

"Yes. How are you feeling?" Severus asked clinically, trying to detach himself from his personal thoughts.

Lucius blinked at him a moment before answering. "I have felt better to put it mildly. Was He very angry with us yesterday?"

Snape grimaced, remembering how the Dark Lord had taken out his anger on anyone who dared to so much as look at him the wrong way.

"Very," Severus said with a shudder.

"I am so glad, Narcissa, that you are unmarked," Lucius said tiredly.

"Our son as well," Narcissa added. "Though you seem to be doing better now." Her shrewdness of tone had two light pinks spots appearing on Lucius' cheeks, though he remained as impassive as ever. It felt wrong to clutch the dagger at home, like her was cheating on her and...he was, he knew. Deep down. With shame he began,

"-I"

"I am glad that the dagger has healing properties," Narcissa swiftly continued, realizing that her tone may have been a tad too sharp. After all, who was she to complain about the dagger when it was clearly healing her husband?

"As am I," Lucius said after a moment. Then remembering Altair's conversation from before, he turned to Severus. "Is the Order meeting anytime soon? The Department of Mysteries-"

"I know, I was just about to inform you of last night's proceedings but apparently I don't have to." Snape looked at him oddly before asking, "Was there something else you wanted to discuss with Dumbledore?" Here, he looked pointedly at Lucius' mark.

Lucius shook his head. "No, that was all."

Severus' gaze lingered on the dagger, questions filling his mind, before he demurely bid the two a good night. Somehow Altair was involved and though he couldn't prove it, Severus had no doubt in his mind that Altair wouldn't just happen to interfere when the Dark and the Light battled it out in the Department of Mysteries...

.oOo.

School had just resumed, with everyone much refreshed from their winter holidays. Everyone but Lucius that was. Though he continued to keep Altair's dagger close, the Dark Lord's punishments kept increasing, until Lucius had to take some of Severus' specially made pain potions...then some more...then some numbing potions...until nothing helped to stifle the waves of agony.

Draco had watched his father's harrowing decline with horror-filled eyes. If Draco had had some lingering doubt as to whether his parents had chosen the right side, this punishment all but solidified his opinion. Instead of thinking that the punishment could have been avoided, Draco began to see things clearly: that punishments from the Dark Lord were unavoidable. Just as his service to him was inescapable.

"It's awful," Draco had whispered one night to Hasan as they sat warming themselves by the fire, a game of exploding snap between them.

"I know," Hasan had whispered before listening to something his pet snake, Melusine had to say. The hissing had been really eerie at first, but Draco had somewhat gotten used to it. A minute later, Hasan and his snake were looking directly at him.

"What?" Draco had questioned, eyebrows raised in worry.

"There might be a solution..."

Hasan had then proceeded to inform Malfoy about the Chamber of Secrets. How Melusine had found Salazar's private study and how there might be some books still there that could possibly help his father.

The story itself was incredulous. Secret chambers? Hidden snakes? Well, it explained a few things, such as where Hasan had kept his snake during the school year. It wasn't until later that he actually questioned why Hasan had revealed all this to him now. Why not then? But perhaps it was because he knew there was no more going back for the Malfoy family now. There was no way Draco could return to the Dark Lord's side that his family was on their 'to-kill' list. But if Draco were being completely honest with himself, he no longer wanted to earn the Dark Lord's trust or respect. Family came first in all things for the Malfoys. Besides, Draco quite liked having a friend again.

And this was how Draco found himself deep in the bowels of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, silver eyes the size of galleons as he took in all the ancient scrolls and texts which lined the walls of Slytherin's private study.

"What's this?" Draco wondered as he pointed his light-tipped wand towards yet another ageless tome. "The Art of Avoidance: How to Prevent Injury for the Advanced. Do you think it'll be useful?"

"Seventh year healing curriculum," Hasan muttered boredly under his breath. While it did contain quite a few interesting techniques on how to prevent bodily harm, it was a little late now for Lucius to untie his lifeforce from that of the maniac Dark Lord. But then again, it was technically useful..."Quite simply yes; however, I doubt that your father will benefit from proactive strategies."

:Perhaps we should look at the scrolls?: Melusine suggested. :They look older and may have more useful ideas.:

With a nod, Hasan started towards the group of scrolls which was resting inside a beautiful black vase like flowers with a white snake painted around it.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked, feeling horribly out of the conversation and looking it.

"Melusine thinks we should look at the scrolls. They are assumedly older than the books."

"But how will that help us?" Draco questioned, even as he made his way over to the second vase filled with scrolls. His tacit compliance warmed Hasan's heart.

"I am unsure," Hasan answered uncertainly. "Possibly the Dark Mark is based on an ancient magic, one which binds dependents to a leader. It is similar to a spell popularly used in feudal times when it was necessary for the family to give the feudal lord their powers to better protect them all. I doubt the Dark Lord ever had the same intentions though."

Draco couldn't help but agree.

After several minutes of sifting through the vases, pulling various scrolls up and rolling them opened and closed, Hasan happened upon one which had the most peculiar picture on it. It was frightening in the sense that if you happened to glance upon it you might lose control of your facilities, but then, if you truly studied it, you would find it more fascinating than scary. Hasan was one of the latter type of people as he coolly observed the animated drawing of a woman's head, whose mouth, when opened, revealed infinite rows of teeth. Between each jaw lay a man's head and when the woman clamped down upon it with the full force of her maws, the poor man's neck snapped brutally. The animation ended with the loose man heads rolling forward to the next mouth, tumbling to their next stop, as the woman continued to munch. It was terrifying and...oddly interesting at the same time. The caption below it was thus: "The Rolling Heads of the Insane. Mr. and Mrs. Drew."

Apparently it was just an illusion one could employ during torture. The victim would feel as if he or she were eternally being chewed upon as various bones in his or her body were snapped and healed in an ongoing cycle. The picture, though descriptive, had taken some creative liberties with the effects as it didn't look like anything other than a victim screaming for mercy. The feeling was a different story altogether. As Hasan glanced down the page he was strangely excited to find that various other drawings lined the scroll. Albeit small, each picture was detailed and deserved a thorough looking over. It was the title, though, that really got Hasan's heart to race: The Aftereffects of Torture by Torin Tadhg"

"Hasan?" Draco asked again, his voice holding a hint of concern in it. "Hasan?" The odd boy who now looked like a miniaturized version of James Potter (from what he had gathered) was undoubtedly still Hasan with all his quirks and idiosyncrasies. For instance, the boy hadn't even blinked once since he had picked up that scroll. Inching around the boy to look over his shoulder, Draco suddenly found himself at wand point, Hasan's green eyes gleaming eerily. "Woah there..." Draco tried to laugh it off as Hasan fought to calm down.

Hasan soon joined in his awkward chuckles, trying to cover up for his uncalled for paranoia. It was just Draco's luck that he had happened to disturb Hasan as he had just read up on what happened to the souls sucked within the Dementor's body. The soul didn't just get eaten, it got transformed, blended in with the other damned souls until one day the dementor burst open like a supernova, giving birth essentially to another dementor- one with the 'dementor soul' of its predecessor. He watched as the animated drawing blew cold breath across the bare neck of its next victim, before the drawn man turned around and was kissed. For education's sake, the soul of the man was highlighted in blue so that when it combined with the red within, the new soul was purple. Hasan was then understandably spooked when cool breath blew across his own neck and had reacted accordingly. With his wand.

"Ha, sorry about that Draco," Hasan said, trying to grin it off, but the warmth in his tone never quite reached his eyes. It rang dull in the air like a bell without resonance.

Draco shook himself before giving Hasan a tiny smile. "That's alright. I suspect you found something then if I startled you like that. Well? What was it?"

Hasan licked his lips. He hadn't found anything yet, per se, but he could almost sense- like Fate had just gifted him this or something- that this scroll was important. "I think it might have what we're looking for," Hasan answered carefully, but truthfully. There was no need to get the boy's hopes up now. "I haven't read the entire thing yet so I'm of yet unsure."

Draco rolled his eyes. Hasan was such a pain in the arse sometimes! "Well, what have you found?"

"Something about dementor supernovae and being eternally eaten," Hasan answered as Draco blanched.

"Dementor...supernovae?" he repeated.

"Yes, quite," Hasan smirked, giving the scroll a once-over before letting Draco have a look. There were about thirty little pictures on the front and probably thirty-five on the back since the giant ornate title and rolling head image took up a great deal of space.

Hasan watched as Draco eyed the top image with something akin to disgust, before giving the rest of the images a glance as well.

"This one is missing a picture," Draco said after he has studied the scroll front to back.

"Missing?" Hasan queried, curious. Granted he had given the thing a cursory inspection but every paragraph seemed to have a corresponding illustration. Had he missed something or was Draco?

"This one here," Draco repeated, pointing to the scroll. "The paragraph is about curing cruciatus induced insanity. At least we're on the right track, but it would have been useful to have an image to go along with it, but there's nothing there! It just says 'blood added of the animal depicted will produce divine results, because blood cannot be obtained by halves'. That's bloody useful!" Draco growled, eyebrows twitching as he stared at the scroll in frustration. Hasan chuckled inwardly at the pun.

Melusine glanced at Hasan with a knowing glint in her eyes before flicking her tail like a cat on a windowsill. Why couldn't Draco see the picture? Why could he? Should he tell Draco? Or should he...just keep it to himself?

"The image would be useful," Hasan agreed in as apathetic a tone as he could manage, but it was all a ploy to cover up his fear and anxiousness. Hopefully Draco wouldn't be too offended.

"Yeah," Draco sighed, handing the scroll back. "I think we should return before anyone asks about us, yeah?"

Hasan nodded numbly.

"And I'll take the scroll with," the blond added. "I think it'll be useful."

Hasan let Draco take the lead as Melusine slithered along with them to the exit, intending to see them out as she wanted to remain in the chamber. :Use your brain, little one,: Melusine oh-so-helpfully offered as the boys returned to the proper level. :I can see the picture too.:

.oOo.

The Quibbler

What Albus Dumbledore Knows:

An Exclusive Interview with the Mastermind Behind Harry Potter's Reappearance

by Rita Skeeter

Roughly three years ago, Mr. Harry James Potter, no more than a boy of eleven, received his first Hogwarts letter. How then did the Hogwarts staff react when not Harry Potter appeared at the Welcoming Feast, but a never before heard of Hasan Castell arrived in his stead? I sit down to a one-on-one interview with the man behind the curtain, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

RS: Many of my loyal readers are wondering why you had fabricated such a ridiculous lie in the first place. Please Albus, let's get real here. Why training in the mountains? Why not let us know he's missing?

*With a single tear trailing down his long silver beard, he answers me wistfully.*

AD: Like everyone else I was extremely concerned and so did not want to panic the entire country.

RS: But you knew we would be panicked, didn't you? You knew that you had to put someone in his place. Cue Mr. Longbottom.

*Albus (excuse my familiarity) sighs, his famous twinkle dimming in those icy depths.*

AD: Mr. Longbottom fulfilled the requirements of the prophecy-

RS: "Born at the end of the seventh month," yes, yes, we know. But how did it feel to know that Harry Potter had been at the school the entire time?

AD: I-

RS: I don't mean to be rude, but I wasn't finished.

AD: Of course.

*He smiles indulgently at my antics, having known me since my days as a mere, but stunningly beautiful girl of eleven.*

RS: Ahem...To know that you have effectively failed as a headmaster in ensuring that all students are equally looked after?

AD: I can only offer my sincerest apologies for the oversight-

RS: But enough about you, Albus. The people want to know about Mr. Harry Potter! We hear you have squirreled him away yet again. The Weasleys seemed particularly concerned about dear Harry, but they have declined to comment, perhaps-?

"Albus smiles ruefully as he desperately tries to convey the answer to my darling readers, but alas, he finds himself constrained by the secrecy laws of our society.*

AD: I cannot comment on that.

RS: Of course, of course. You understand I had to try though, naturally.

AD: Naturally.

RS: What most of our readers are no doubt wondering, where has the Boy-Who-Lived lived all this time? There have been rumors flying from France to the States. Albus, any thoughts?

AD: For his own safety, I cannot divulge any more than anyone else knows, which is that he was safe.

RS: I see...And the reason that his last name, Castell, was shared by an earlier deceased member of the Black Family would indicate-?

AD: That he had the time to quickly glance at any number of genealogy charts and pick a name. Purely out of coincidence I assure you, Rita.

RS: Oooh! But the tale does get juicier from here. Are you aware that the last British branch of Castells died with Altair Dean Castell, a man whose initials line up perfectly with the co-author of an obscure blood study, archived by the Ministry over five years ago?

*Albus leans in curiously, no doubt setting the example for more of my most avid readers.*

AD: A study?

*The great wizard smiles warmly at me as he sips his tea, allowing me to string out my tale as long as I please. Clearly he has already heard of the study and is humoring me. The dear.*

RS: Yes, the study on innate magical ability across different levels of blood purity. He had just finished the study before he died, killed supposedly by You-Know-Who in the first wizarding war. If he was indeed a Light sympathizer, perhaps his name is symbolic of Mr. Potter's stance as well. A clever way to align himself with the Light.

AD: If I may be so bold as to inquire the other co-author and the name of the study?

*I smile enchantingly as the headmaster offers me his tray of lemondrops. He is so quaint and adorable I just want to laugh!*

RS: The co-author is only identifiable by the initials L.A.M., most likely Louis Adam Masson, the acclaimed botanist who also unfortunately died during the first wizarding war. The name of the study was also denoted by the initials B.B.B. The man, Castell, certainly wanted to cover his tracks! The Ministry only has this much information available! I know, I tried.

*Albus' blue eyes twinkle sweetly as we wrap up the interview with heartfelt anecdotes of my lovely days as a student. Perhaps in time I will meet the great Harry Potter himself! That is, if he won't go hiking in the mountains again! Well, ta-ta for now my darling readers!*

-Rita Skeeter

.oOo.

It had been hard to convince Rita to write for a magazine as low as The Quibbler. But then upon reflection, it hadn't been very hard at all, thought Lucius. All he had to do was pull out all of the Malfoy's investments in The Daily Prophet, causing it to crash and burn (that article was featured in The Quibbler as well) threaten to reveal her Animagus status, and promise an interview with one Albus Dumbledore.

It was also a good thing that Luna had somehow anticipated his moves (that was Hasan's girlfriend? This quaint and somehow fairy-like girl who somehow predicted his moves? Him? A seasoned Death Eater? Predictable by the standards of a third year girl?) In any case, Xenophilius Lovegood was more than happy to write up a contract for Rita on the spot, albeit a unique one, stipulating that Heliopaths were not to be harmed under any circumstances and Nargles were not to be bothered after 5pm. The pay was pretty decent though. And at the end of the day, that was all that mattered.

.oOo.

12 Grimmauld Place

Severus Snape stood silently in the shadows, the mysterious effect somewhat disrupted by Lucius Malfoy's glowing radiance on his right. Lucius had his hands deep in his pockets- not the wisest of moves since it had the other members on edge- but the Dark Lord was still torturing him through the mark and he needed to keep in contact with his knife so there wasn't much to be said on that front.

Snape's obsidian eyes surveyed the room, noting that fake-Moody had not been invited. (Thank Merlin for small favors!) Molly and Arthur Weasley were seated beside Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, engaged in trifling conversation if their silly smiles were anything to go by. Tonks was talking with Kingsley in hushed tones, and if Severus strained very hard to hear what they were talking about, he could just make out the words "Moody" and "missing." It didn't take more than two brain cells to rub together to guess what they were ultimately discussing. The young auror-in-training looked positively distraught and her hair color matched this, changing from her usual bubblegum pink to a sad, angsty black.

Albus had said to meet at nine, but it was now nine-thirty and Severus would be damned if he had to rebrew Poppy's batch of healing potions from scratch. Speaking of Poppy, Albus had mentioned that he would be bringing the Hogwarts professors down all at once. Obviously not Black or Lupin since they lived at headquarters, but surely Poppy, Minerva, and Flitwick would be in attendance. Not all of the professors knew about the Order, but certainly those three did as they occasionally helped with certain tasks...Now where in nine hells was Albus? He glanced hopefully towards the fireplace, but the cinders did little more than wink at him...

At precisely 9:45, the front door of the apartment was opened with a crash. Instantly, the members set down their tea mugs and drew their wands, transforming from tea-club to formidable secret organization in a matter of seconds. Kingsley was just about to poke his head out into the hallway when a most familiar voice boomed out-

"This sure is a nice place, Professor!"

A second later, none other than Rubeus Hagrid stood in (and filled up) the entire doorframe with Albus smiling at his side, for only his face could be seen in the cracks. Behind them, Minerva could be heard admonishing Hagrid for not moving and letting them inside the kitchen. There was an answering squeak, from who was undoubtedly Flitwick, that Hagrid could take his time. They were in no rush, after all.

Severus grit his teeth. It wasn't like the half-goblin had to meticulously rechop forty newt eyes if the meeting went overtime...

"Hagrid!" Molly cried in delight as the half-giant shuffled into the room. Hagrid leant his pink umbrella in the corner before plopping down in the seat next to her. "Where have you been?"

Hagrid smiled and for the first time Severus had a clear view of his face. His eye had an ugly purpling bruise and his jaw was a sickly yellow color with blue around the edges. Wherever he had gone to, it certainly wasn't paradise. Severus found himself intrigued. Albus had gotten Remus and Sirius to fill in the Care of Magical Creatures post for the entire year. Did that mean that Hagrid was back early? It was just after the winter holidays after all.

"All will be explained in due time, Molly," Albus said, eyes twinkling. "If everyone could please take a seat and we can get this meeting started."

Severus rolled his eyes- finally. He reluctantly took a chair between Lucius and Flitwick, where the latter smiled cheerily at him in greeting. Severus' scowl deepened. Once Tonks had settled in her seat, the headmaster began to speak.

"As you may have heard, The Daily Prophet went mysteriously out of business two days ago-"

"What? The Daily Prophet?" Hagrid asked, eyes bugging out of his head.

"Indeed, but it wasn't very mysterious at all. We have our very own Lucius Malfoy to thank for withdrawing financial aid to the newspaper. Let us give a big round of applause for our subsequent lack of howlers."

The applause wasn't thunderous by any means, but it wasn't exactly light. Hopefully that was a good indicator of how people felt towards him now...

"Another recent event is the return of our groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid! Hagrid will be telling his tale shortly. It is quite a tale, one which I'm sure you will all be delighted to hear." Albus smiled warmly. "However, before we start with the actual business, I am not so remiss as to think you all don't have questions for me concerning the returned Harry Potter. So fire away!"

It was clear that everyone wanted to speak, but no one wanted to speak first. Finally Molly tentatively raised her hand.

"Is it true that he wasn't under a glamor?" Molly asked.

" Yes," Albus replied, "Otherwise we would have detected it and removed it."

"But how is that even possible?"

"How is magic even possible?" Albus countered. "I believe what occurred was similar to accidental magic. He desired to have a different identity and his magic made it happen."

"How could you not have known he was at the school the whole time?" Tonks questioned.

"None of us did," Minerva answered sadly. "This time we actually paid attention to Hasan Castell, but it was not enough!"

"Calm yourself, Minerva," Poppy shushed gently, "The boy did not want to be found and we believe that his magic somehow knew that and...pushed us away."

"Who was he staying with all this time?" Arthur asked. "Was he with someone safe?"

Lucius' face was monolithic stone, while Snape only sneered.

"How safe could he be when his aunt and uncle, his supposedly safest option, threw him out?"

"Now Severus," Minerva said warningly, her eyes flashing, "the headmaster made the best choice he knew how to at the time." Her features softened as she looked upon Albus. Snape's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"You've sure changed your tune, Minerva," Severus remarked delicately.

She turned her fierce gaze at him. "The situation is complicated," she told him, drawing herself up regally. "We all regret what has happened, but there is nothing we can do to correct the past. I would, Merlin knows I would if all the time turners hadn't been SMASHED!"

Severus stole a glance towards the doleful headmaster before looking determinedly away. So Minerva knew there were some complications which affected the headmaster's choices. But how much did she know? Did she know of Altair? Or was Albus still woefully in the dark?

Hagrid was close to tears at this point. The headmaster had informed him briefly of the events that had taken place in the past year, but hearing people fight over it made the situation all too real. He let out a great sobbing wail which shook Severus from his contemplations.

"What will happen to Neville now?" Poppy wanted to know.

"Nothing," Albus answered truthfully. "He knew he was doing me a favor from the beginning in participating in the farce, but I honestly don't think he has a place in this war as a figurehead or otherwise. I would not be surprised if he hated me. However, you will notice Augusta Longbottom is not here today. Frank and Alice have taken another grave turn for the worse and I worry if they will survive the year. Augusta is with them now."

The table grew silent as they recalled their old friends, or silent and watchful for they had never met the Longbottom couple. Lucius stared fixedly at the table.

"Understandably, Neville might very well be too occupied with his personal affairs to continue the fight," Albus finished. Then with a rejuvenating breath, the headmaster straightened. "But that does not mean we won't. This is our fight. For our children and our future generations!"

There were raised hopeful eyes as they realized the headmaster would now be getting into something monumental.

"The fight against Lord Voldemort" (flinches) "and the Dark is fought every single time a murder is committed or a battle won. Each blow against them is a step closer to victory, but some battles are larger than others. Lucius, Severus, would you please share Lord Voldemort's latest scheme?"

Everyone's heads swiveled towards the two ex-Death Eaters who sat rigidly under the limelight. With a weary sigh, Severus began.

"The Dark Lord plans on retrieving the prophecy July 7th. I have told him that Dumbledore plans on using Hasan to get the prophecy and is anticipating a grand battle in the Department of Mysteries." Lucius swallowed. Whoever Altair's source was (most likely Severus) he or she was right. "We need to be ready for him."

It took Lucius a moment to realize that people expected him to speak as well.

"I have nothing more to add."

Albus' eyes lingered on the blond before moving on to Hagrid. "The battle in the Department of Mysteries will, I fear, only be one battle out of many. I have no doubt that soon Lord Voldemort will advance on Hogwarts, but not until the end. It is far too large and well protected to attack before his forces are at its peak. Thus, we too have been gathering our forces. With the help of Hagrid and Remus, we were able to secure alliances with the werewolves and the giants!"

More applause, followed by Hagrid clearing his throat humbly. "It was difficult to get their favor. Not to find them of course. We had to wait until the leader died to come to an agreement, but now I am glad I went through all the trouble. Because I found I have...I have a brother! His name's Grawp and- I just- I love him so much!"

Molly's eyes began to water as she gazed on the half-giant. He was so brave for going into the mountains for them. Kingsley studied the bruises on his face and was awed at his daring. Not many people could survive the wild giants of the mountains. It was amazing Hagrid would even dare. As a half-giant, his size was more human than giant. They could have easily eaten him...

"That is so great!" Flitwick smiled, sharing in some half-creature comradery. Minerva pursed her lips.

"The werewolves are divided," Lupin explained calmly. "Fenrir Greyback" (Sirius growled at the name) "has already claimed the darker werewolf packs for You-Know-Who, but I have managed to sway at least three packs to our cause."

Albus beamed down at them all. "That is excellent news, Remus, Hagrid. But for now, let us focus on the task ahead. Before we know it, we will be in the Department of Mysteries fighting for our lives..."

.oOo.

The very next week, fake-Moody had mysteriously fled in the night after Severus had reported the latest Order of the Phoenix meeting to the Dark Lord. Casually, he had let slip that "Auror Moody" had not been invited.

This wouldn't have been much of a shock had the Malfoys not defected days earlier. But with Lucius and Narcissa privy to even the most classified information, Voldemort had little doubt in his mind that Barty Crouch Jr. had been found out. So, Barty Crouch Jr., in his infinite wisdom and foresight (fright and stupidity), fled without his trunk.

The real Auror Moody was discovered within mere hours after the fraud had gone missing and was now currently recovering at St. Mungo's.

Professor Lucius Malfoy had been spotted on more than one occasion sitting beside the dour Potions Master at the Head Table. Rumor had it he has Snape's coveted job, but anyone who knew anything knew that Snape wouldn't trade his greasy locks for the world, even Defense Against the Dark Arts.

.oOo.**Seven Months Later**.oOo.

Neville took a long shuddering breath, willing his hands to still. Gran was to take him to St. Mungo's that night. His parents...

Crystal clear tears began to flow down his face, blurring his vision to where he was going. They skydived off his nose. He miserably wiped his snot on his thrice used tissue and stuffed it back in his pocket.

So what if he had never known his parents? So what if they had been tortured to insanity before he was able to remember them? They were his parents and he...he was going to miss them.

"Hey, Neville?" Daphne's clear soft voice floated to him as if in a dream. Her soft arms came to wrap around him in a friendly hug. That's right, he had invited Daphne over at his Gran's suggestion that he needed 'comfort'. He hadn't realized she had arrived already.

Neville looked up through his tears at Daphne's worried face. He was so tired...

"It's going to happen today," Neville sobbed incoherently.

"What is?" Daphne asked, sitting down by the nearest tree on the lawn and cuddling Neville to her side.

"Gran's going to take me to see my parents one last time before..."

"Oh, Neville..."

"They're going to take them off Magical Life Support. It's nearing the end, they don't want the magic to fight the natural course of things. The magic will keep them sustained for another three days at most but...Gran says it's best to see them now before the magic starts to leave their systems," Neville finished in a whisper.

"I'm sorry," Daphne said softly. "I'm sorry..." She interlocked their fingers when she felt the silver ring on his hand. "Hey, what's this?"

.oOo.

"What are you mumbling?" Hasan asked as Luna smiled broadly at him and took another bow. They were at Luna's house for the day and Luna was determined to make the most of it.

"I'm not mumbling, silly! I'm singing!" Luna conjured a bouquet of flowers ("orchideous") and stuck them in her hair so she looked a right sight when she was finished.

Hasan grinned indulgently at her. Ever since the winter holidays, he had been more relaxed around her and others. Draco had something to do with it, he supposed. They had reached an understanding during the Winter Hols and Draco had once more wormed himself inside Hasan's friend category. For good. Somehow this translated into being a "funner person" according to Luna. Hasan found he could not disagree.

"Fine, sing it again!" Hasan challenged. "Encore! Encore!"

This time Luna did not mince her words as she walked up and down the stone path where the Nargles liked to mate.

"The one who knows the ways of half its kind reaches a crossroads! Going left the half-kind discovers half-minds! Returning right, half-love can restore what pain has taken!"

Hasan gaped at her, finally having heard the lyrics to her strange song.

"Luna, that's...that doesn't sound like a song," Hasan began.

"Then tell me what it is then, Mr. Castell," Luna demanded, flowers sticking ridiculously up on her head.

"It sounds like...it sounds like a prophecy," Hasan said in awe. Something niggled at the back of his mind but he was unable to pinpoint it. He remembered the nightmare in the Death Chamber with startling clarity...he shivered involuntarily as he could once again imagine the cold commanding voice to walk through the veil...

Suddenly a short, barely hot shock came from his hand. Luna was startled as well, as if she shared in his experience, when looking down, he saw the Protean charmed ring with the words: "Neville's parents are nearly dead. Neville needs support. -Daphne."

Luna's silver eyes looked at his for a moment before clouding over in mist.

"Wouldn't it be great if the prophecy referred to Neville's parents?" Luna asked, causing Hasan to sputter.

"Prophecy? W-what prophecy?"

"You called my song a prophecy," Luna reminded him as the mist began to fade. "Well, what are you waiting for? Call Draco."

"Wait, what?"

"D-R-A-C-O." Luna spelled it out for him. "Remember? We promised to bring him with us to the Department of Mysteries! You don't actually think a prophecy is just three lines, do you? We have to hear it all and quickly! Neville's parents are dying!"

"Alright, alright!" Hasan cried, "I'll floo call him as soon as we get in the house."

"No! Go right now!" And the silver girl fairly flew back to her house, Hasan hot on her heels.

Many things had happened in the seven months between being adopted as a Malfoy and ...now.

In seven months, Hasan had come to synchronize his Hasan persona with his Harry one. (Or so he imagined.)

In seven months, Hasan had come to terms with his feelings for Luna.

In seven months, Hasan had managed to forget the date Altair had once given Lucius...

Today was July 7th.

Chapter 42: The Second Coming

Luna had it easy: "Papa, can I go to the Department of Mysteries tonight?"

"The Department of Mysteries is very dangerous. You can't just walk in there while You-Know-Who is on the loose!...Unless you have a buddy! Is that nice boy Hasan going with you?"

"Yeah."

"Then just be back in time for breakfast, okay?"

"'Kay!"

Meanwhile:

Hasan and Draco were uncommonly quiet this evening, Lucius thought to himself as Tipsy whisked away the plates. Well, perhaps he should be grateful for small blessings. Dumbledore wanted the core members of the Order of the Phoenix to be ready to fight in the Ministry atrium in approximately one hour. (The time was based more on getting everyone's children to bed more than anything else.) Luckily, it seemed that Hasan and Draco were nodding off even as they sat at dinner.

"Long day?" Narcissa asked sweetly to her sons. "Hasan, how was Luna's?"

"It was amazing!" Hasan smiled, his entire face lighting up in a way that would have seemed uncharacteristic seven months ago. But he had been acting this way for a while now, so no one thought anything of it. Except for Severus. He was always paranoid. "Luna has a really great singing voice, did you know?"

"I didn't, dear," Narcissa smiled, swiveling her graceful swan's neck to look warmly on Draco. "And how about you, Draco? I heard Daphne dropped by while you were playing quidditch with Tracey and Theo."

"Yeah," Draco said tiredly, eyes ahead and blank. "Daphne had just gotten back from Neville's..."

Narcissa frowned delicately, knowing that Neville's parents were getting worse and worse. She remembered when Bella had been given the mission to interrogate the Longbottoms in the first place. At the time, she had thought that Bella surely wouldn't torture a pure-blood family to insanity, but as she learned later, there was very little Bella wouldn't do for the Dark Lord. Narcissa shivered as she reluctantly recalled the time Bellatrix had gone into far too much detail about what exactly she did for him.

Lucius still felt guilty of course about the entire Longbottom incident. Every time Draco went to visit Neville now he made sure to gift Augusta with a fine bottle of wine. It was hard to tell if it was working because Augusta was in such low spirits nowadays. Now, what with...what with Frank and Alice...Lucius refused to dwell on it.

"Oh, Dragon!" Narcissa whispered, "Did Daphne say anything?"

Draco astutely looked at the tapestry of a bubbling cauldron (courtesy of Severus Snape) as he replied, "They're cutting off the magic supply. The doctors say his parents won't last more than three days."

Everyone, in their grief, failed to notice Hasan who was also resolutely looking at the tapestry behind Lucius' blond mane. He was occluding, just like he had instructed Draco to do for this dinner, for everything rested on them being able to get out of the house and into the Department of Mysteries. It was a matter of life and death! If Luna said that this prophecy thing that had been haunting Hasan since the school year was the key to saving Neville's parents, then Hasan would go. And he'd make damn sure no one would stop him.

Sensing that the boys were withdrawn, for good reason, Narcissa dismissed them from the table, before turning to face her husband whose face was also shuttered.

"Thinking about tonight?" Narcissa questioned him, placing her hand over her husband's.

"I've been thinking about tonight for a long time," Lucius replied tiredly. "I'm no longer in agonizing pain thanks to Severus' new concoction, but I can still feel Him there. Like a worm wriggling beneath my skin. I'm tainted, Narcissa, and I'm worried that when I see Him for the first time since we defected, the pain will come back full force. Is it wrong of me to fear Him? Am I weak?"

"You know Albus won't force you to go if you feel like you can't do it," Narcissa said, licking her lips. "But no. I don't think that makes you weak. It makes you human."

Lucius sighed, "I know I can do it. Malfoys aren't cowards...Are you sure you're going to be alright? Fighting against your sister?"

"Bella?" Narcissa scoffed, though her voice sounded hollow. "Please. The more I learn what she has put poor Neville through, the more able I feel that I can rip her throat out. Malfoys aren't cowards," she repeated.

Lucius nodded, taking a deep steadying breath. "Let us prepare ourselves," he said, pushing away from the table.

"Agreed."

.oOo.

Hasan let Draco lead the way to their joint room. They didn't sleep in the same room very often, but it was a choice that was becoming more and more popular as they relaxed around each other. Being in Slytherin, they hadn't had much of a 'real dorm experience'. Not that Draco would ever admit that the Gryffindors were ever better than the Slytherins, but even he came to admit that dorming together was fun. It was also extremely useful. Like when they needed to use the floo system to enter into the Ministry's atrium, for instance.

Draco had informed him that there was usually one guard overseeing the floor at night, but that he was easily overcome with simple spells. It helped that Hasan had the presence of mind to bring the invisibility cloak along. It was only large enough for one person, but it was certainly not an advantage to be wasted.

Transfiguring their clothes into pajamas, both boys hurriedly hopped into bed after doing their nightly routine of human hygiene. Hasan shut off the light with a wave of his wand, heart pounding. He could hear the slight creak of steps as Narcissa made her way up to check on them. He wasn't surprised then, when Narcissa's soft voice filtered in as a thin strip of light streaked across the floor.

"You boys asleep already?" Narcissa asked bemused, closing off the door a bit to give the boys more darkness to sleep.

"Mmhhmm," they mumbled incoherently, putting a grin on Narcissa's face.

"Alright then. Pleasant dreams, Hasan, Dragon..."

The thin strip of light disappeared. Their mother's footsteps faded down the hall. They waited five minutes.

"Now?" Draco whispered, already reaching for his wand.

"Yes," Hasan replied determinedly. His voice was steady and commanding, not cautious or even suspicious. He was a far cry from the Hasan on Red Mill's Hill, but Draco didn't mind too much. They needed leadership if they were to pull off this little adventure.

Hasan and Draco each pulled out their little sacks of floo powder they had nicked at various times throughout the day. Narcissa liked to use the floo when she hadn't apparated to a specific location before (which was often because sometimes to buy the best antiques she had only an address to go on). This eased some of the suspicion when the floo powder jar began losing some of its powder, but both Malfoys had keen eyes. It had taken many tiny 'reapings' to finally have enough to throw four handfuls (two for the way back) of powder into the fireplace.

Hasan grabbed his own wand as they scurried to the fireplace, still lit to guard against the natural chill of the ancient manor. Tipsy would put it out later, they knew, before relighting it for the next day.

Draco's face was excited and flushed as he hovered over the flames like a moth, the light dancing over his aristocratic features.

"Do you have everything?" Hasan asked him, referring to the flasks of healing potions Severus kept in their house's first-aid kit. Draco shook his cloak pocket, letting the little glasses jingle in answer. Hasan cast a quick cushioning charm on the potions so they wouldn't accidently break each other. Anything stronger, like an unbreakable charm would possibly interfere with the potency. (For common potions, it was okay to have spelled flasks and containers, but for more valuable and rarer potions, the less magical interference the better.) Draco acknowledged what he had done with a short nod.

"Alright then!" Invisibility cloak tucked against his frame, Hasan threw a fistful of the silvery powder into the fire. "Ministry of Magic, Atrium!"

The flames flashed green and swallowed him whole, leaving an excited Draco in his wake. When the flames returned to normal, Draco stepped up, throwing his own fistful of powder.

"Ministry of Magic, Atrium!"

Somewhere, they knew, Luna Lovegood was doing the same as her father offered her biscuits for the 'road'. Luna would politely decline, stating that she had had enough for dinner, and throw her own handful of glittering grey powder into her living room fireplace before jumping in and repeating the same location.

"Ministry of Magic, Atrium!"

And all three would reappear, soot in their hair and clothes, grinning at each other in a silent atrium. Had Hasan and Draco been more alert, they would have noticed that there was no guard to subdue. And, had Hasan and Draco waited any later, they would have heard a curious ringing mirror begin to trill in Lucius' chambers...

.oOo.

Lucius sat heavily on his bed, though he wasn't heavy at all, hands interlocked on his forehead. Was he ready for this? Was he ready to confront that bastard who had treated him like a slave and dragged the Malfoy name through the mud and dirt and grime? He rubbed at the Dark Mark hidden beneath his sleeve, feeling angry tears well up in his eyes at the thought of ever willingly letting the man brand him into servitude. Today was a day for redemption, Lucius thought, noting very deliberately how he didn't have to search for his Death Eaters robe and mask to fight for the cause he believed in. There was no reason to hide who he was if he truly picked the best side. Why hadn't he thought this clearly before when he had received the Dark Mark?

Why had he taken the Dark Mark at all?

Lucius wiped the tears from his eyes, not that there were many to begin with, as he realized once again that everything looped back to Altair fucking Castell. The man with the answers. The damn puppet master. Of course, the day and the reason and the everything-else about the Dark Mark was taken from him. Damn damn Altair, Lucius smiled bitterly. He wouldn't be surprised if Altair had planned for him to take the Dark Mark in the first place, probably for his own nefarious purposes. But Lucius couldn't truly convince himself to believe that. If nothing else, the dagger had convinced him of the man's intentions. And coming to get to know Hasan like a second son was definitely very persuasive that Altair meant no harm. It still didn't mean the man had any right to take his memories. It still didn't mean Altair had any right to blackmail him with said memories. Truly, Lucius couldn't cast judgement until he knew all the facts. And guess who had all the facts? Al-

The mirror on his desk rattled, brrring! bring!ing in the air. Speak of the devil...Lucius swallowed audibly and composed his features back into a mask of steel. He was too raw and vulnerable to let his guard down right now.

Raising the mirror, Lucius looked down into the faintly smiling face of Altair Castell.

"Hello Lucius. Lovely evening, isn't it?" Altair's blue eyes seemed to dance with life.

"Altair," Lucius inclined his neck stiffly. "I can't stay long I have-"

"It's July 7th," Altair nodded in understanding, "The Department of Mysteries."

"Yes." Lucius licked his lips, unsure of how he felt as Altair copied the movement.

"...I just wanted to let you know that I am grateful for all the help you've given me..."

Lucius blinked.

"I know it seems far away when we first met but..." Altair blew out a long breath, "I hope you still don't hold it against me that I-"

"-blackmailed me with my own memories?" Lucius hissed, perfectly still.

Altair shifted. "How is Hasan?" he asked.

"We were talking of my memories!" Lucius said, feeling all at once the layers upon layers of frustration and hurt.

"So was I. I asked, How was Hasan?" Altair repeated sternly.

"I don't understand!" Lucius snarled, growing more out of control by the minute.

"The memories, Lucius!" Altair said. "They have been closer to you than you have ever known." As Lucius continued to stare blankly at him, Altair sighed and continued. "Severus knows where the memories are stored. He has already been informed somewhat of what he must do to complete the...ritual, for lack of a better word."

"Severus knows?" Lucius asked, startled. "He knows how to reverse this? When did he-?"

"-Lucius, I haven't much time!" Altair interrupted, voice rising shrilly, "I have put measures in place to ensure that you receive equal and fair compensation for your help- namely your memories- and that bits and pieces don't end up in the wrong hands. The headmaster has one part of the puzzle, given to him by the Sorting Hat. Severus has a box, in case things don't go as planned."

"Oh, that's rich! You've put 'measures in place', have you?" Lucius hissed, "You must feel so clever! Placing clues around like a child's Easter egg hunt! Why can't you come and do it yourself? Sometimes I swear I'm talking to the boogeyman!"

The smile that was once on Altair's face resituated itself, his sudden change of character unnerving Lucius who already wasn't in the best frame of mind. "If you would like me to come visit you, all you had to do was ask. I will gladly come over later this summer," Altair smiled sweetly. "How's your 39th birthday sound?"

Lucius grit his teeth. "-I-"

"Lucius, are you ready yet? The kids are finally asleep!" Narcissa whispered through the door.

Lucius was about to turn the mirror face down and tell Altair where he could shove it, when something in the other's face caught his attention. It was something between great anticipation, fluttering hope, and grave, horribly grave sadness.

"I only ask that you protect my son. Is that too much to ask of you, Lucius? Perhaps I have already pushed too far..."

The screen went back to normal. Lucius' terribly saddened face staring back at him from the surface of the mirror. He flung the device across the room, towards the hamper in the corner, shaking visibly.

"I'm coming Narcissa," Lucius said, straightening up and opening the door. But he fancied that he heard a very heartfelt "I love you," echoing from some distant memory in his brain.

.oOo.

Severus stood off to the side as the rest of the Order members filtered into the dimly lit atrium. Everyone it seemed was dressed in black battle robes, wands hidden on arm holsters and out of sight. Severus himself was armed with twenty shrunken potions, ranging from healing potions to Pepper-Up to the Draught of Living Death. Today he was officially defecting from the bastard he called Master. He just hoped he wasn't going to regret his decision when his double dose of painkiller wore off...

A scowl perched permanently on his face, he watched as Dumbledore greeted Kingsley, Tonks, Minerva, and Flitwick with a distinct twinkle in his eyes. The headmaster's robes were a deep sapphire blue as opposed to his usual flamboyant colors (like flamingo pink) and they swished about him like a shadow. Severus hated to admit it, but the robes had a dual purpose for looking good and allowing the headmaster ease of movement. He also wouldn't have been surprised to learn that there were protective spells woven in the cloth.

At eleven o'clock on the dot, Lucius and Narcissa materialized in one of the atrium's many fireplaces. Severus' lips quirked up in a smirk. Figures Lucius would have special permission from the Ministry. Showoff...

Severus smoothly detached himself from the shadows to meet the Malfoys in the middle of the room. He knew they weren't waiting for anybody else.

"Everybody here? Everybody here?" Albus questioned as he stood to his full height.

Tonks' head swiveled around as she scanned the crowd. "I don't see Remus or Sirius," she said hesitantly.

"Nor the Weasleys," Kingsley added with a frown.

Minerva, who Severus knew understood what was going on, turned her face away and blew her nose in a lacy handkerchief.

"Albus..." Severus growled testily. It wasn't right for him to drag the news out like this.

The headmaster took a deep breath before answering. "They are currently in St. Mungo's giving support to Augusta and Neville...St. Mungo's is finally taking Frank and Alice off of Magical Life Support."

Tonks gasped loudly and everyone seemed to suck in a single uniform breath.

"They are not with us today, but they are serving the Order and hopefully, we may do the same... thirteen years ago, the Longbottoms were tortured to insanity by Death Eaters. The Longbottoms fought valiantly but nothing could prepare them for a four on two battle. The only way to prevent others from suffering in the same way is to stop him. Let us not let Frank and Alice die in vain! The answer to ending all of this is through those doors."

"The prophecy," Flitwick confirmed in his squeaky voice, eyes wide in awe.

"Yes, the prophecy..." the headmaster gained a faraway mist in his eyes. They appeared glazed over as if he were lost in thought. Perhaps he was. The answer to everything that happened in the last thirteen years lay beyond those doors. "The night is still young. From everything we have learned, we should be wise to prepare for a violent battle tonight. What time are Tom's troops expected to arrive?" he asked looking over at Severus.

"I wouldn't give him more than the next fifteen minutes, Albus," Severus replied darkly.

"And the Aurors are on standby?" Albus asked with a nod towards Kingsley.

The man nodded, battle face on.

"Good!" Albus clapped his hands, startling many in their merry band of fighters. "Then we shall meet them head on. But first! Let's get this goddamned prophecy!"

Minerva stifled a gasp.

.oOo.

Mere seconds before.

Luna tumbled out of the fire seconds after the boys appeared in the Atrium. Her fire didn't have special access to the Department of Mysteries floor, but for whatever reason the fire seemed to work alright. Perhaps security was down or being redone? No matter, Luna had been able to floo and that's what counted!

Hasan smiled brightly as Luna approached them, blonde hair slightly in disarray.

"We need to move fast," Luna remarked with no apparent haste. "Did you know that they keep Crumple-Horned Snorkacks down here to study them?"

"I don't think-" Draco began.

"Which way?" Hasan interrupted even as he began walking towards the door.

"We need to walk straight through," Luna said wistfully. "Did you know that Halo will give birth to little Sotiris tonight? Shadow was so happy he almost cried!"

Luna took the lead, moving almost instinctually as she pulled open the door and entered into a small circular room that had black doors, walls, and floors. The only light came from bright blue candles which made the marble floor seem like the ocean depths.

"Which door was that again?" Draco asked uneasily, eyeing the doors with a growing sense of panic.

"This one," Hasan pointed to the black, handle-less door directly across from them when the entire room began to rumble. Caught in the earthquake, all were helpless as the room began to spin faster and faster, their chances of picking the right door now 1 out of 12.

"Well, that's just great," Draco muttered. "Hey! – What are you? But the doors just changed!"

Luna ignored him as she reached for the door in generally the same position as the one before it. As Luna pushed it open, Hasan was immediately assaulted by a blinding white light coming from a crystal bell jar across the room. It was dazzling, shedding light on the glass faces of grandfather clocks, alarm clocks, even tiny muggle watches, and a large family clock rather similar to one he had once seen at the Weasley's home with tick marks which read "Asleep" and "At work."

"This is where the time-turners were stored," Draco whispered, exiting the swirling blue-black room with caution. "Father told me they were trying to make more ever since they all got destroyed..."

"Time cannot be destroyed," Luna whispered seemingly to herself as she pressed her nose up against the bell jar. Inside, a hummingbird with ragged gray feathers descended to the bottom of the jar...only to turn into a beautiful egg which cracked and birthed a tiny chick...

Although Draco's father had made multiple trips inside the Department of Mysteries before the Dark Lord returned, Draco himself was at a loss as to how to explain what he was seeing. These weren't just mysteries, these were the haunting questions of life and existence. Time trapped inside a bell jar? What if he were the mockingbird and when he died would he be born again, none the wiser? He shuddered, fingering his wand for comfort.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Luna wondered as she stared into the jar.

"Extraordinary," Hasan agreed, looking nervously around him. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of doors to choose from this time but a churning feeling in his gut he had long ago named anxiety told him to get a move on. His eyes fell upon the door directly behind the bell jar, linear to the door through which they had just entered.

"Let's go," Hasan urged. He opened this door and nearly fell back onto Draco who was right behind him. It was the very same room he had dreamed of before! The shiny black tile floor, the rows upon rows of shelves, stacked with neatly labelled prophecies.

"The Hall of Prophecy," Draco breathed, neck craning to see the high arched ceiling. "Hey, there's a number here..."

"53," Hasan said, turning questioningly to Luna.

"Let's go that way," Luna pointed right, where the numbers began to climb. "I just have a feeling..." Her long legs walked briskly to the higher numbers, drawing them further within the hall. Hasan suppressed a shiver and felt the Invisibility Cloak with his fingers. In one swift motion he draped the cloak over his arm. Something made him hesitant about this whole find-prophecy-save-Longbottoms plan...Surely somewhere in here was the prophecy about himself and Voldemort, right? Temptation and dread mixed in Hasan's stomach and began to fizz. Biting his lip, he and Draco followed the girl...

Luna stopped before row 77, silvery eyes wide with recognition. She turned to her companions, "This is it."

"It should have Luna's name on it," Draco informed them as the three began to scan the shelves."

Hasan studied each spun-glass orb with a discriminating emerald eye. Each had a milky mist inside, something that was almost liquid, yet solid and...well, magical. Then he came upon one which seemed to shimmer for a second. Thinking it was a trick of the light, Hasan passed over it, but then it caught his eye again. The mist had become golden.

"L-luna? Draco?" Then his eyes fell to the yellowish label beneath the golden sphere:

C.T. to M.P.

Luna Lovegood

and (?) Frank Longbottom

and (?) Alice Longbottom

"I think I found it-"

"Shh! Someone's coming!" Draco hissed.

Suddenly, the Invisibility Cloak was pulled gently from Hasan's arm and wrapped around the golden orb faster than he could say "Slytherin!" In seconds, the cloak and the prophecy were tucked inside Luna's inner coat pocket. If Hasan had blinked just for a moment he would have missed it, and unless someone checked row 77 specifically no one would be any the wiser. Hasan's face almost split into a grin. Almost. Because as soon as he looked up, the blinding tip of a wind was pointing in their faces.

"Mr. Castell, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Lovegood, shouldn't you all be in bed?" Albus asked, his blue eyes no longer twinkling.

Oh. Shit.

.oOo.

Peering from behind the headmaster's glowing wand tip was the rest of the Order, including Lucius and Narcissa. Narcissa was close to having a full-blown meltdown. Lucius was about to hex his children into oblivion before locking them in their room forever, for their own good, of course.

Hasan's eyes desperately sought out Severus who stood a little apart from the crowd, looking surprisingly resigned. In fact, he was cursing Altair to all nine hells and back. So this was what he meant by safe, Severus sighed.

"We, we-" Draco stuttered, eyes darting back and forth between Luna and his father.

"Lucius, Narcissa, headmaster, I hardly think now is the time to listen to whatever nonsensical and inane things these schoolchildren have to say to save their worthless hides. If I may, I will volunteer to babysit these students and keep them safe and out of trouble while the battle goes on."

All eyes were on Severus, some mouths were on the floor. Did the greasy dungeon bat just vouch for these troublemaking students? Did he just say the word babysit?

Albus' eyes flashed with understanding, having thought the suggestion through in milliseconds. "If you would, Severus, that would be most appreciated."

Lucius and Narcissa both looked like they wanted to say something, but Severus hardly took a step towards the kids than the lights flickered twice and the shelves began to shake. Then all at once, the shadows began to descend.

.oOo.

The Order formed a circle around the children, instinctively protecting them from the dangers at hand. Albus began to panic. They had come all this way for the prophecy, hadn't they? Now what were they going to do? They were near row 77, not row 97! But no, Albus reminded himself, they had come all this way to see Justice served, to capture as many Death Eaters as they could and hopefully end it all. If they did this, who cared what that dusty old orb had to say?

One by one, the Death Eaters emerged in front of them, their masks glowing eerily in the light.

"It's Dumbledore!" came a muffled cry of surprise.

Obviously they were not expecting to die tonight. Now the possibility was all too clear.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Lucy and 'Cissa come to play with us!" Bellatrix Lestrange took a step towards the group, dissolving her mask with a muttered spell. Her long dark hair fell down in waves, bordering her angled face and gleaming eyes.

"Bella," Lucius taunted. "Are you to tell me your Master sent you down here, knowing you would die?"

"Don't speak of the Dark Lord you traitor!" Bellatrix snapped, wand crackling with light. "And poor Sevvy!" Severus stiffened. "I never was sure with you. How about you come over and help? No one will know if we obliterate them all! That is, of course-" Her eyes sparkled with mirth as Severus scowled down at her like an inept first year. "I see." Bellatrix pouted, signaling to her men. "Then we have nothing left to say to each other, do we? AVADA-"

But the Order was ready.

"Protego!"

"Stupefy!"

"Expelliarmus!"

"Diffindo!"

Echoes of spells no longer intelligible over the blasting and the shouting sent beams of light every which way. The row of prophecies beside them was hit, the structure wavered in the nonexistent wind, and slowly began to curve down...

"Take the children and go!" Albus roared, casting a brilliant blue shield over his people. The shield flickered as the prophecies began to descend, but by then the Order had scattered, shouting curses as they went. Severus took Draco by the hand, who was luckily holding Hasan, who was holding Luna also. Snape cast a quick disillusionment charm over the trio, not wanting Hasan to be the primary target in this battle. Hasan was now commonly known as Harry Potter, but since the Death Eaters had never had contact with the boy on any hunting mission, Snape hoped that they wouldn't immediately recognize the children he had. As soon as they saw his face, however, he knew all would be lost.

The Death Eaters took after them, their robes swirling in and out as they apparated and disapparated like ghosts come for revenge. The prophecies fell as row after row was blasted off its support. The orbs shattered on the cold floor, releasing their milky interior. Forms arose from the ground, voices resounding across the room, amplified by the high ceiling. Macnair had lost his mask in the fray as had several other Death Eaters. Barty Crouch Jr. was also among them, running into the time room with Tonks in the forefront.

"Stupefy!" Barty shouted, eyes alive with power. Tonks crashed headfirst into the table set before the Hall of Prophecy entrance, causing the bell jar to topple and absorb her head like a bubble. Slowly her head began to shrink, back down to that of an infant's, the bird trapped along with her as an egg. Barty let out a maniac cackle before Tonks sent a well-aimed Diffindo at his crotch. That shut him up. With elegance befit of a Malfoy lady, Tonks lifted the time jar from her head like a tiara and set it gently down on the table. Then she was on the run again.

Minerva and Lucius had sprinted off in another direction, flinging open a door at random. This room was pitch black but for the miniature planets floating near the roof. Uranus swam by as the door opened once again. Three cloaked Death Eaters entered the room, wands out.

"Colloportus!" one of them hissed, slashing his wand at the door. Minerva readied her wand. The door had just been sealed off.

"Are you sure you saw that old hag and Malfoy go through here?"

"I'm sure of it! You can't mistake that hair! And I've had to look at that woman for years now!"

"Stupefy!" Minerva shouted, giving away their location with her spell.

"There they are!" someone shouted. "Crucio!" The spell deflected off of Pluto, exploding it in the process. Lucius moved swiftly, casting his own array of spells.

"Incarcerous! Incendio! Reducto!"

Macnair came into view as the flames sprung around them. Next to him stood Mulciber and then Rodolphus. Rodolphus was hit with the blasting curse, sending him spiraling into the sun, but Macnair managed to deflect the flames rapidly encroaching upon him with a shouted Aguamenti! Meanwhile, robes rapidly began binding Mulciber from head to toe, climbing up his torso, constricting his movement till he fell.

"Mr. Mulciber! I remember you never studied for my exams!" Minerva gasped as her erstwhile student wriggled in his bonds.

"Can it, granny!" Macnair growled, "I had to listen to your Mudblood Loving crap for years! Now it's our turn to speak! CRUCIO!"

Minerva was too late in drawing up her shields. The curse hit her straight in the chest, and at her age, it wouldn't take much for her heart to stop beating. She kept the screams in, even though her very bones were on fire and cracking and snapping. She was a strong, dignified lady, and she could take on Death Eaters any day.

Without really thinking about it, Lucius raised his wand, the curse on the tip of his tongue from his Death Eater days, "Avada Kedavra!"

Macnair slumped to the ground, eyes still in their sockets. Minerva gingerly got up and locked eyes with Lucius.

"Thank you," she said.

Rodolphus seemed to be writhing in agony from burns he had gotten from the sun and Mulciber was still tied up.

"We should go," Lucius said, keeping his wand at the ready. Minerva nodded stiffly.

.oOo.

Severus tore through a door with the kids in tow, face war ready and blank. The disillusionment charm was flickering since Severus got hit with a nasty blasting curse on his run. Luna blinked idly as Draco began to search for escape routes. They entered into a large circular room with stone floors and raised benches. In the middle was a dais and on the dais was a veil...Hasan stifled a gasp. This was it. This was the room he had been dreaming about for months...the Death Chamber.

"I'd love to chat, 'Cissa, but I have bigger fish to fry!" Bellatrix yowled as she came crashing in through another door. Narcissa was hot on her heals, hair whipping around her face.

"Impedimenta!" she shouted, missing her sister by an inch.

"Oh, you can do better than that!" Bella hissed, whipping around. The sisters resumed their duel, flashing colors back and forth over the round chamber. More wizards stumbled through the doors around the wall. Albus himself came through with Kingsley. The poor Auror had a broken leg and was limping along with the older wizard's support.

Lucius and Minerva entered in with Flitwick and Tonks, all looking a bit worse for wear. Shadows materialized inside the room, dropping off Rodolphus and Mulciber and two more masked figures. All were paralyzed as they watched the sisters battle it out.

"I always looked up to you!" Narcissa shouted, flinging a hex at her sister. "And now look at you! Insane! Undisciplined! Undignified!"

"At least I don't hang around Mudbloods and Blood Traitors, dear sister!" Bellatrix hissed back. "You'd be better off dead!"

Bellatrix managed to hit Narcissa in the side, causing her to crumble near where Severus was standing, desperately shielding the children who should not even be here.

"MOTHER!" Draco shouted, racing out of Snape's grasp. He turned his face upward to stare with pure loathing at his aunt. "Crucio!" he hissed, watching as she fell to her knees, but only just. Bellatrix's mad cackle filled the chamber.

"You'll have to do better than that, boy, if you want to defeat your dear Aunt Bella!"

"CRUC-"

As if a spell had been broken, the fight broke out again. Albus set Kingsley on the floor, directing Tonks to look after him.

"Stupefy!" one of the still-cloaked Death Eaters shouted to the headmaster. Albus flicked his wand once and the spell dissipated in thin air.

"Incarcerous!" Albus returned, brandishing his wand.

Though this enemy had fallen, two stood to take his place. Albus was in the thick of the battle like the rest of them, his death was calling to them all.

"Is Albus Dumbledore getting too old for playing games?" Bellatrix cooed as she advanced. She had just finished knocking Tonks unconscious and was ready to taste real meat and real blood.

Severus looked towards the headmaster with longing. He couldn't abandon Hasan and Luna here, he just couldn't! (Draco had gone to tend to his mother's wounds.) But the Death Eaters were advancing and he didn't like Albus' chances of survival. He knew, more than anyone, that no matter how skilled you were, four against one were not great odds.

"I'll watch them," Lucius wheezed from next to Severus. In his thoughts he hadn't even heard the blond approach. "Go to him," Lucius whispered. "I have my orders to keep them safe as well."

Understanding flashed between the two men like lightning before Severus tore off to aid his mentor.

"My father asked you?" Hasan whispered behind him as Lucius began erecting a somewhat impenetrable shield.

"Yes, and bloody good timing he had too," Lucius muttered sarcastically, though inside he was worried. What had he gotten himself into?

Luna turned her large silver eyes upon Hasan. Her heart was pounding as she lifted a finger to point to the veil.

"This is it," she said simply.

Hasan could only nod, his breathing quickened.

Across the room, Severus and Albus were fighting back to back. Their bodies moving fluidly to avoid the onslaught of spells. Hasan wondered how long they could keep this up. The night was wearing on. As if in slow motion, a spell slipped from behind Severus' shield and hit the headmaster's foot. From weariness, Albus made his first slip. His hands reached out before him to break his fall. Severus rapidly cast a cushioning charm, but it was not enough to prevent gravity from having her way. A curious glass vial slipped from the headmaster's robe and shattered upon the floor.

A cloud of blood red gas mushroomed up, surrounding the throng and Hasan could only stare. Could only stare and feel his stomach sinking.

Melusine's hissing filled his head. :They came in a glass vial and I doubted at first if the merchant had given me water instead, but upon adding them to the potion, they became a flaming red gas, a brilliant scarlet!:

There went Hasan's chance of normal...and the headmaster had had them all along...Merlin's tears.

.oOo.

Oh shit! Severus thought as he was surrounded in the scarlet haze. He didn't know of anything that turned into red gas upon vaporizing, except for cheap muggle concoctions. He could be in a gas chamber for all he knew, and yet, he had an awful feeling in his gut that the headmaster had carried around with him something more mysterious and dangerous than muggle liquids. Albus cleared the air with his wand as he regained his footing, letting Severus help him to stand. The Death Eaters had fallen back from the gas, surely wondering if it was poisonous, if it was something Snape had created to kill them all.

Luna grasped Hasan's hand tightly.

"No, no, no!" Hasan muttered. "Those were Merlin's tears! Those are the only way to get his thoughts out of my head!"

Lucius felt as if someone had hit him with a stunner. Altair's words from before suddenly began to make sense. This boy...this boy was the pensieve! He turned around so fast that Luna actually backed away, wand up to protect her Hasan.

"You have the- you are the-" Lucius babbled, and for the second, his shield faltered.

Not losing any time, someone sent a cutting hex for Lucius' neck which luckily Hasan deflected on reflex. This was bad, Hasan thought as more cloaked figures apparated into the tiny chamber. The Dark Lord was sending reinforcements...

The Dark Lord was...was...

Hasan's vision began to swirl, little bursts of black blossoming across his vision.

"Hasan? Hasan?" Luna asked worriedly, wiping his bangs from his eyes. She used her sleeve to wipe away the sweat glistening on his pale forehead, gasping softly as his scar began to seep with blood.

"He's here," Luna whispered to Lucius. "Tom Riddle is here..."

A door burst open to reveal the Dark Lord in all his glory. It was perhaps the first time for many of them to see him in his brand new body and he was damned determined to make a statement. He was back.

His blood red eyes locked onto Hasan's location, as if drawn like a magnet. The children were no longer disillusioned, but many had yet to realize that Harry Potter was among them. Now that Voldemort was here it seemed useless to even try to kill the boy-who-lived. They knew their master would take care of it.

Voldemort had long ago realized that the connection with the boy ran both ways. At times he was immersed in dismal thoughts that depressed him for days. At other times he was happy as a kitten. Sometimes, Voldemort sent him visions. Sometimes, Voldemort sent him dreams. Seeing that Hasan had made it to the Department of Mysteries pleased Voldemort immensely. Now all he had to do was channel all his hate through the link and the boy would suffer as if the cruciatus had been cast. It only worked in close proximity, though, which was why he hadn't tried it before now.

"Tom!" Albus called, hoping to draw Voldemort's attention from...well, no one was entirely sure why he was staring into the distance with that gleeful smile stretched over his ophidian face.

"Can't you see I'm busy, Dumbledore?" the Dark Lord asked softly. The battle continued to rage, but Hasan noticed nothing. There was a ringing in his ears so loud and so soft at the same time. He couldn't hold it in much longer. He was going to burst...Hasan let out a blood curdling scream, seeming to last for hours. His eyes were being peeled back, his sockets pummeled. He wanted to scratch his fingernails off his hand for they hurt him so much! And his scar! He began to claw at his forehead amidst Luna's pleas to stop.

The Death Eaters were closing in on Dumbledore. Minerva was unconscious on the sidelines, as were Tonks, Kingsley, and Narcissa. Draco and Flitwick tended to them while simultaneously shielding from the attackers.

There was no way they could win. Perhaps one-on-one, Dumbledore and Voldemort could hash it out, but with ten cloaked figures shouting spells at Dumbledore and Severus alone, Snape was seriously considering disapparating out. But he knew the unconscious people wouldn't make it. They would all have to be manually portkeyed. (Side-along apparation wasn't safe for this many people.) So what choice did Severus have? He had to fight with Albus at his side, despite the Dark Mark searing its way slowly down his arm.

"Crucio!" Snape screeched, beyond caring that Albus disapproved of the unforgivables. He didn't think he had hit anyone, but a moment later, Bellatrix was on the ground, screaming for her life. Snape was furious that he even had to consider dying here. That people he cared about were in danger, Lucius, Hasan, Draco, Narcissa, Minerva, Dumbledore...He strengthened the cruciatus until Bellatrix passed out and then some.

And then the door opened again.

And Hasan could breathe.

.oOo.

Lucius turned towards his former master when the monster let out a gasp to still the earth. Dark Lords did not gasp, but here he was, almost shaking. The Dark Lord's scarlet gaze was fixed on the newcomer in the room, so enraptured was he that he even released Hasan from his torture. The Death Eaters paused, their marks temporarily not burning. They had all heard the door open and now turned to watch.

Slowly, a man with brown hair and pale blue eyes entered the Death Chamber. He wore a black cloak and had in his hands the most interesting relics. A cup, a ring, a locket, and a tiara.

Voldemort himself was in shock, and then he wasn't.

"IT CAN'T BE!" Voldemort screamed, finger pointed at the man shaking violently. "I KILLED YOU!" The pull of so many of his soul shards left Hasan and Voldemort almost paralyzed, but Voldemort was not to be stopped by mere shock. And shock it was for everyone, for Severus and Lucius and Albus Dumbledore, when the unknown man sprinted inhumanely fast towards the veil...

Panic constricted the Dark Lord's heart. No. NONONONONONO!

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" he screeched, wand pointed perfectly at his target.

The green beam of light hit the man in the back...the horcruxes flew from his grip...and then he was gone. Just like that. The ghostlike curtains fluttering as the horcruxes disappeared as well.

The pain of losing four of his horcruxes at once had Voldemort in the worst agony he had ever known! Worse even than creating a horcrux! Worse even than the day he killed the Potters! The great Dark Lord fell to the ground in utter pain, those bearing the Dark Mark falling with him. In a great shadow, the Dark Lord disapparated, leaving his Death Eaters to fend for themselves.

Severus leant against the stone wall for support, not quite sure what had happened. His heart was beating furiously. He was shaking he noticed vaguely. Somewhere in the back of his mind, alarms were going off, and then he saw Hasan making a mad dash for the veil, for his father.

Severus launched himself from the wall with the energy he didn't have and caught Hasan around the waist, right before he reached the dais. The boy was trembling, limb to limb, head to toe, scar bleeding, tears falling.

"No, it can't be, he's not dead, no, he-he loves me, he wouldn't die like that. He can't be DEAD!"

And Severus who was never really great at comforting anybody held the boy close as Dumbledore stunned the unconscious Death Eaters in the background, including one Bellatrix Lestrange. And Lucius fell to his knees. And a Unistral was born at the stroke of midnight.

.oOo.

When Fudge entered the Atrium early in the morning with all the other Ministry workers who worked the early shift, he nearly spilled his latte all over himself. The Atrium was all in one piece, yes, but something was quite out of place. Dumbledore stood in his regal robes, head tall despite his exhaustion. By his side, Severus Snape stood looking down on him, and next to him was Lucius Malfoy.

"W-Wh-What is the meaning of this, Dumbledore?" Fudge asked, shoving his latte into the hands of a pudgy, pink-dressed woman.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing, Cornelius. What indeed is the meaning of leaving the Department of Mysteries unlocked and unprotected for Lord Voldemort's forces to pillage? You will be happy to know that we have protected as much as we could and have rounded up the Death Eaters left on the crime scene."

Fudge began to sputter again, but there was no way he could cover this up. Not when reporters had their cameras out and were excitedly flashing away. The story would be plastered across every newspaper in Britain! Incompetent Minister! Vote Dumbledore! The Potter boy still hadn't given in to his advances and he hadn't done much to prepare the Wizarding World for an all-out war himself...

Making up his mind, Fudge approached the three formidable men with his prize smile, aware of the reporters following his every move. He stuck his hand out.

"Thank you," he said warmly though his eyes held steel. And the Atrium filled with applause.

.oOo.

Back at Lestrange Manor, the Dark Lord cried and cried. The tears were unknown to him. He had not cried in a very long time. But the shock and the sadness began to ebb away to bloodlust and revenge. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the spun glass orb of row 97. Hasan Castell was going to pay. Dumbledore was going to pay. Lucius and Narcissa and Draco and the whole damned family was going to feel his wrath! And now...he had just the thing to do it.

The prophecy glowed faintly with its inner light, a mist inside holding the key to all his problems...With great force he slammed the ball onto the floor and the figure of Sybill Trelawney rose from the ground.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches..."

Oh yes, and Lord Voldemort would triumph over all!