HPNSA - BOOK TWO

CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE TRAGEDY OF DAYS
TIMELINE: JANUARY 31


(Jan. 31 - Afternoon)

The whole Ministry was in pandemonium when Emmeline Vance and Nymphadora Tonks arrived. There were Wizards screaming in fright and running out of the building while others, mostly Aurors and Hit Wizards, ran towards the lower levels where some kind of battle was being fought. There was an explosion from somewhere below and the whole place shook.

“What in Merlin’s beard is going on? Kibble!” Tonks cried stopping one of the Aurors.

“Nymphadora!” Kibble answered. “Come we have to stop them!”

“Stop who?”

There was a loud crash and out poured a host of werewolves - large ones that dared the light of day.

“Oh my!” Tonks cried. “STUPEFACIO!”

“Quick! Form a circle!” Palmer cried, the Aurors and Hit Wizards who could still stand formed a circle in the middle with werewolves around them slowly closing in. “Now!”

“EXTUNDO!”

***

(Jan. 31 – Afternoon)

Harry had been following them for nearly an hour now; he had decided to tell Dumbledore all about his son and the secret of the Prophecy. But Dumbledore seemed to be avoiding the opportunity for he rarely took his hand out of his robes while the other was holding a staff. Why he avoided the stone was beyond Harry’s comprehension and as the day wore on so did his contempt grow.

Harry overheard talks from careless students about what had happened at Saint Mungo’s. Not knowing the implications, they went on with their stories all morning – about how Ron ran away from their house with their son killing a Hit wizard in his escape, how Arthur, Ginny, Hermione, and Fred were all in the Ministry of Magic arrested for their failed attempt at “smuggling” Ron out of the Asylum, and how Molly and George suffered spell damage and were now fighting for their lives in Saint Mungo’s. It was a nightmare that Harry had been anticipating for many days now. He knew the gifts were too good to be true, there had to be a catch – there always was. His growing hatred for the keepers was mounting to mutiny as he kept cursing them for their lack of compassion.

Harry was getting tired of the whole business and though he knew he wouldn’t be heard he still kept crying out. “You have to listen to me! Professor Dumbledore! Professor Dumbledore! You know I am here! You have to listen to me!” Harry could see that Dumbledore would stop at times as though listening intently and that’s when Harry would scream the loudest but then he would move on, careful not to let his free hand out into the open. “I KNOW YOU CAN FEEL ME!” Harry was now feeling the strain of the screams lining his throat. “I know Ron is not coming! I know he won’t make it! It’s all part of their FUCKING GAME!” Nearly headless Nick turned around then floated away quickly. “You’re the only one I can trust! I know what happened this morning! You have to listen to me or everything is over!”

Dumbledore stopped one last time and said in a clear voice, “The task will be easy if he can be spared of despair,” Much to the surprise and utter bewilderment of Severus who was standing beside him. “The suffering he endured is too great, do not add more,”

“Headmaster?”

“It was given because it is needed, use it wisely or you will regret the consequences.” Then he turned and quickly left the castle again.

“What…?” Severus asked. Shaking his head in utter confusion.

Dumbledore turned to him and smiled. “I will leave now, I will be gone for seven days, make sure that everything goes according to what we planned.” Then as he went out of the door he cried, “FAREWELL! UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!”

Harry knew it was for him. “Farewell? Fucking hell!” He stood at the entrance watching furiously as the Sorcerer rode on the awaiting flying carpet with the Head Knight. Hagrid and Charlie were outside as well tending to the dragons that had been brought in from Romania, and there not far from where Hagrid was standing Harry saw Nin, looking at him through her dark brooding eyes. He backed away from the door, and closed his mind thinking she would come closer. But she did not, and Harry was now convinced she can’t go in. Some form of magic was keeping her at bay and Harry knew he had to take this opportunity to find someone he’ll entrust the secret to.

Severus was walking back to the castle now. Looking rather grim and resolute as usual. Harry has had the displeasure of being the object of his scorn once upon a time and only lately did he come to appreciate this rather strange member of the Order of the Phoenix. Had he not learned a bit about this mysterious man during his Occlumency lessons before he would never understand his rueful attitude towards him. Nor would he be able to understand why he had always thought that this Potions master read his mind – for he could – Severus Snape was excellent in Legilemency. Words were not needed for this person to know your thoughts, which was exactly what Harry needed. Uttering the words in the open was too dangerous even in his spirit form, and while Dumbledore had enough power to protect the secret whilst in the open, Severus had the ability to know his thoughts in complete secrecy.

He followed Severus as the Professor went down to his dungeon office. When the door closed behind them and Severus took out many ingredients to start working on several potions that were handed to him by the Head Knight, potions that Ron would need in his quest, Harry saw his chance. He took out the stone and moved in on Severus who had his right hand open waiting for the other to place a couple of vials he was getting from the topmost level of a high shelf. Harry placed the stone on the open palm; Severus grabbed his hand thinking it was a prank but when he saw chain marks on the pale hand he realized who it was and he let go abruptly.

“P-Potter…” Severus whispered as he backed slowly away from the pale, weary figure of a young man, standing right next to him in burial robes with eyes burning with angry tears. He then looked at the stone in his hand and as it disappeared a realization dawned on him. “You…that was the last…” Harry just looked at him his lips quivered though no words would come out. “Why did you? You should have waited…”

Harry pondered the question many times in his head before he came to this point. And the answer was simple – he loves his son. But he dared not open his mouth distrusting even the ancient walls of the dungeon room. Harry just looked at Severus hoping he’d get the point.

“Harry…?” Severus asked. “I don’t understand…”

Harry closed his eyes; tears fell down relentlessly. He was shaking now, and his mind reeled with uncertainty – one mistake and everything is over. He knew he’d regret using the stone with anyone other than Ron. He knew that if Ron makes it to Hogwarts and finds nothing left for him he’d fall into despair. But there was very little hope he’d come, and the decision has been made, Harry can’t turn back from it anymore.

“Harry…”

“Read my mind…”


***


“Are you alright?” Ewell asked as he helped Tonks to her feet. A rather large werewolf hurled her against the wall. She stood slowly and shook her head but nodded to Ewell.

“I’m still alive!”

“Where are they coming from?” Emmeline asked stunning another werewolf coming towards them.

“From level six!” cried Williamson who had just managed to get the werewolf that pinned him off. “We have to shut down all the Floo channels or they’ll scatter all over England!” Tonks nodded and they apparated down to level six.

When they got there, almost every wizard they could see was either on the ground unconscious or dying, or fighting off at least three werewolves at a time. Amelia was pinned under several carcasses and Tonks ran towards her.

“Wingardium Leviosa!” One by one the dead beasts levitated in the air and Amelia was free. Emmeline pulled her out of the way and Tonks let go making the bodies fall on top of each other rather harshly.

“Amelia? Amelia?” Tonks cried.

“She’s not breathing,” Emmeline said.

“Amelia?” Ewell said. “We have to get out of here.”

“Close the channels first, quickly!” Williamson cried.

About fifteen Aurors stood in the middle of the hall in front of a large platform where the werewolves were all coming from. And with one spell they destroyed it – closing all magical portals that bridged the magical and muggle world.

The werewolves that made it out before the gateway was destroyed attacked with renewed ferocity. Those that were stunned slowly gained consciousness and now the beasts outnumbered the wizards ten to one. All would have gone ill had it not been for the arrival of Dumbledore and Jazz whose skill with the sword gave new meaning to the word ‘butcher’.

“Do not stun them! Kill them!” Jazz cried.

The Aurors hesitated but later on had to conjure deadly curses against the beasts. Many were able to escape to prowl the streets of London. But those that remained never made it to the next hour, and soon the whole Ministry was purged of werewolves. It was now time to count the dead and tend to the wounded wizards that lie on the ground.

“See to the wounded!” Williamson instructed the other Aurors and Hit Wizards.

“Where’s the Minister?” Tonks asked.

Williamson shook his head and said, “I’m afraid he is dead.”

By nightfall the Ministry was free of living Werewolves and the bodies were piled in the Atrium. Dumbledore raised his staff and with the other Aurors lit the carcasses on fire and the whole pile disintegrated.

“Find Arthur and the children,” Dumbledore instructed Tonks who sped down to the dungeons to find Arthur and the others. “Jazz, Williamson, Ewell…come with me. The rest of you stay alert!”

Dumbledore lead them towards the office of the Minister where they saw Chase standing on top of the broken body of the Minister himself.

“Dumbledore! And so we meet again.”


***


(Jan. 31 – Midnight)

“Professor Snape! Professor Snape!” Hagrid bellowed outside the door. They had been here calling for him for nearly three hours now and they have not heard a single answer though every now and then they would hear a glass vial hurled against the walls.

“Minerva maybe we should let Hagrid break the door?” Rolanda Hooch suggested.

“He could have passed out,” Professor Sprout added. “The smell of his potions must knock him out at some point.”

“No, Pomana. He’s inside, and very much awake. I can feel that he’s in a great struggle,” Minerva answered.


Severus heard them through the opening underneath the door. He was shaking and large beads of sweat broke on his forehead. Harry was still with him and though no interaction could be done between them anymore, both knew the same thing – the Prophecy, and now it tormented them.

Severus covered his mouth tightly. He began chanting a spell that would block out the voices he heard in his head. But he couldn’t control it any longer and he called out, “I will only speak to Dumbledore! Please leave!”

The knocking ended and Severus placed himself in a trance.

***

“AVEDDON!” Jazz cried throwing a Sai, but Aveddon was too fast and the Sai hit nothing but the leather chair. Even Dumbledore cast a fire spell but before it could even touch the edge of his wings the former demon had managed to fly out of the office through the broken window.

“Who the bloody hell was that?” Ewell asked his face white with fear.

“That was Aveddon, so he has come.” Dumbledore said. He walked over to the mangled body of the Minister of Magic – it was torn beyond recognition. “See that he gets a proper burial. We have to act fast, it’s later than I expected. Tonks go and find Ron, we need him,” Then he turned to the Knight. “We need Aidan MacGrugger, I will cast a curse on him if I have to, we need the Knights.”

Jazz nodded then went outside taking a beacon out of his pocket.

“Albus,” Williamson said. “We need to know what is going on, with the Minister dead, you are the one we will follow. But we need to know,”

Dumbledore looked at him and at the other Aurors who were now leaderless and eager to serve under him. He nodded and then smiled at Williamson. “Gather everyone at the Atrium.”

***

“Minerva!” Rolanda cried running towards the old witch.

“Is it really them?”

“Yes, Hestia’s not well, Shacklebolt is alright though.”

When they got to the hospital wing Shacklebolt was sitting on the bed while Madam Pomfrey was attending to Hestia whose head was bandaged. Minerva ran to her first.

“How is she Poppy?”

“She’ll be fine, though we need to treat her head wounds some more.” Madam Pomfrey assured. “She’s had a nasty blow to her head and lost a lot of blood.”

“Shacklebolt, what happened?” Minerva said turning to the worn-out wizard.

“Treachery, Minerva, treachery and deceit.” Shacklebolt said slowly. “There are wizards in the Ministry that have been working for the Dark Lord before all this happened. They’ve let them escape, and fostered them during their defeat. They have been amongst us all this time.”

“The Dark Lord knows many ways to lure one into willful slavery. The promise of immortality has long since been our downfall,” Minerva answered.

“Aye! But now they have joined forces with a demon from another world. Aveddon has joined their ranks,” Shacklebolt announced.

Minerva gasped in horror.

“He has come to our shores, and has brought with him a plague with fangs. Britain is about to change,” Shacklebolt said.

“Dumbledore…”


***

“Now remember Charlie they would be somewhere within the western part of the mountains. You have to hurry; at this temperature I don’t think they’ll make it another night.” Shacklebolt said.

“We’ve got to get a move on then,” Hagrid said.

“My dragons will show you the meaning of haste, Hagrid.” Charlie said.

The great white dragon named Knossos lifted his head when Charlie came closer. He was capable of human speech and greeted the young wizard kindly. Beside him was a green dragon that Hagrid failed to recognize.

“Are we to fly, master?” Knossos asked.

“Yes, my friend.” Charlie answered bowing down to the great beast. “Hagrid you will take this young one, I believe he will be very happy to carry you on his back.”

“Why’s that?” Hagrid asked then he looked at the Dragon again and the scaly beast snarled low. “NORBERT!”

Charlie laughed a bit.

“Where to, Master?” Knossos asked.

“To the Cambrian Mountains. We are going to rescue some friends.” Charlie said. Then he climbed on top of Knossos while Hagrid climbed on Norbert.

“Be sure to bring them back here at all costs. Draco would hesitate but he must not be allowed to wander about.” Shacklebolt instructed.

“Aye! Fly Knossos! Fly!” Charlie commanded and the dragon flapped its huge wings and soon the magical beasts were on their way.


***

“I can’t feel my hands anymore…” Martha chattered. “Are you sure they’ll come?”

“They’ll come…” Draco said shivering.

“Candice?” Martha said shaking her sister. She leaned on Martha’s shoulder and appeared to have fallen asleep. “Candice? I can’t…believe she can…fall asleep…in this…frigid weather!”

“Are you…sure she’s just…asleep?” Draco asked rubbing his hands together.

Martha, suddenly alarmed, looked at her sister once more. Noticing that there was a slight difference in her, Martha took a closer look. No mist came from her mouth, her eyes though relaxed were now filled with frost, and she was stiff and hard to the touch. Martha felt her heart stop for a while. Candice had not been sleeping. “Oh please no…” She started whimpering. “No…” Martha whined her shivering made crying very difficult. “Candice…Candice…”

“What?” Draco nervously crawled over to them and shook Candice. She was stiff as a log. Draco’s eyes began to sting and large sobs made breathing difficult through his shivering. “Candice…” He said.

For several hours he and Martha sat there staring at the squatting corpse of Candice. Draco and Martha tried hard not to make too much noise fearing they would be heard. But Martha could no longer hold back the sobs and Draco felt guilty knowing it was he that got them both into this situation. The woman that Draco wanted to be with in his exile is now dead – now both he and Martha are complete orphans.

It must have been hours before both of them ventured to move away from that spot. They decided to leave her there, the way she is, sitting on the boulder sleeping her way to death. Draco knew that if no help came soon he and Martha would go next. It was just a question of who’ll go first.

***

“Arthur!” Tonks cried.

“Nymphadora! Emmeline!”

“Quick! Find the children!” Emmeline said.

Tonks nodded then hurriedly ran towards the other cells. Then she heard whimpering in one of them and she walked towards it. “Ginny? Hermione?”

“Tonks! Tonks! We’re here!” Hermione cried. She was banging the door with a drinking cup.

“HERMIONE!” Tonks cried.

“Hurry! Ginny’s very sick!” Hermione said, and Tonks could see that she has been crying.

“Step back!” Tonks said. “BOMBARDA!” The cell door exploded and when she went inside she saw Fred cradling Ginny while a body was on the floor a few feet away from them covered with a robe, and Hermione looking gaunt and exhausted stood near the small window. All over the floor there was vomit, and the whole cell reeked. “Who’s that?”

“That’s Jigger. He’s dead. Ginny…” Hermione said amidst her tears.

Tonks went to see Ginny; she was very pale and had large round livid green circles around her eyes. She would gag but nothing came out. “Come on. Can you two still walk?”

Hermione nodded. Fred helped Tonks carry Ginny out. Arthur was waiting for them with Emmeline by the corridor door. When he saw them he ran towards them.

“Dad!” Fred cried.

“Fred! Ginny! Hermione!”

***

Dumbledore now gathered every Auror and hit wizard in the Atrium while Tonks took Arthur along with the children back to Hogwarts on the flying carpet. This was the first time that anything like this ever happened at the Ministry of Magic and Dumbledore knew this wouldn’t be the last.

“An enemy that we have not faced in these parts for more than a hundred years has returned to claim lives and destroy everything we hold dear.” Dumbledore began. “Whatever you were told about magic before set them aside now, for we are now facing a war far greater than we could ever imagine. The Bureau will soon be working with us to defeat this menace that will plague our land in the coming days. I and my allies have long prepared for this onslaught, I am now giving you the choice whether to aid us, or prepare to fight us.”

“How sure are we that you did not bring this plague upon us yourself?” cried one of the Aurors. “You’ve always been after the power of the Ministry, that is plain to see, and now you’ve got it!”

“I was there, McBride. I saw who killed the Minister,” Williamson said.

“We saw him too, it’s one of them Knights!” McBride accused.

There was a murmur of displeasure now aimed at Jazz and Dumbledore.

“Knights do not fly,” Jazz said.

“That one did!”

“That was no Knight, he’s Aveddon; he used to be an Incubus. He can take the image of those who receive his kiss.” Jazz replied.

Again a buzzing sound filled the Atrium as the wizards were now divided in half. Dumbledore closed his eyes in frustration. They were back where they started although this time there were those who were now willing to follow him at all costs so he did not consider the whole thing pointless.

“We will not follow him. We’ll wait for another Minister to take over. We will stay here and set things aright. You lot can go now, as you please.” McBride said.

Dumbledore stepped down from the podium and walked out, about twenty Aurors following him. He pitied those who were left behind knowing the fate that was before them. He has longed suspected the Ministry of Magic to have traitors within it spreading malice to their fellow wizards like a disease. They aided Voldemort and now they’ll be serving two masters who were both cruel and hungry for power.

A carpet arrived and Dumbledore climbed on it with Jazz, this was bound for New York, another arrived and this one bore more Knights headed for Hogwarts and they took the Aurors with them.