Standing Against the Tides

Last time I looked at my driver’s license, it did not say J. K. Rowling. Yep, it’s just me, an unpaid and unknown aspiring writer. The characters of the Potterverse do not belong to me and I am making no money from this endeavor.

A/N: Spoilers through OotP. As I am still in denial, I refuse to acknowledge the events of HBP or DH at this point.

Unbeta’d as BabyGurl is busy with her own life.


Chapter 21 Organizing Chaos

Harry sat down on the old leather sofa and motioned for Remus to sit opposite him. Sighing, Severus joined the two men, but not before summoning a bottle of Ogden’s Finest and three glasses.

Remus raised an eyebrow when he saw that his pseudo-Godson was going to partake of the potent libation. Other than that small gesture, the werewolf gave no indication of his thoughts on the rather abrupt turn of events. Always a patient creature and now that he was free of Albus’ machinations, Remus was content to allow events to play out before he decided on a course of action.

Once all three had drinks in hand, Harry and Severus shared a long look. Intrigued, Remus could only watch as the two men silently communicated with one another. Finally, Harry seemed to get the answer he needed, for he began to quietly speak. Curiosity turned to horror as the young man recounted the many sins of one Albus Dumbledore.

Engrossed as they were in the retelling of the sordid tale, none of them heard the soft footsteps moving steadily their way. One other did, though. With firm determination written in her features, Minerva quickly moved forward to intercept the creeping figure.

Kingsley Shacklebolt held his wand firmly in his left hand while a silver-tipped whip was raised in his right. Silently thanking the gods that he had been able to get a hold of the only weapon proven to be capable of quickly stopping a rampaging werewolf, the Auror attempted to prepare himself for the upcoming battle. Stopping to gather his breath and his courage, the Auror crept up to the edge of the ruined door. Hoping against hope that he had arrived in time to stop the rabid werewolf, Kingsley leapt through the doorway only to be brought to his knees by a small cat darting across his path.

Muttering a string of curses, the bald Auror struggled to his feet, only to find three wands aimed at his chest. Facing him were an irate looking Potions master, a bemused Boy-Who-Lived and a still-confused, but otherwise calm werewolf. Over to the side of the room, a grey tabby cat quickly transformed into a stern, but smug-looking witch. Straightening her hat, Minerva nodded to her colleague and the other men in the room.

Smirking, Severus wryly commented, “Only you, Minerva, would attack an opponent by tripping them.”

“I do my best, Severus,” she haughtily replied. Surely, if she were still in her feline form, the Transfigurations Professor would have been purring her satisfaction.

“Um, as interesting as this all is,” Harry interrupted, “maybe it would be better if we all sat down and compared notes. After all, I don’t think that Mr. Shacklebolt’s appearance here is just a coincidence.”

“Agreed, Harry,” his mate murmured. Making a quick decision, the Potions master lowered his wand and motioned for the others to do the same. “I think you’ll want to sit for this, Kingsley,” Severus smugly told the Auror. Turning to his young lover, the Potions master quirked an eyebrow. “Now, Mr. Potter, would you be so kind as to repair the door to my chambers?”

Harry grinned at his professor, and waved his hand to return the door to its former state before addressing the newest member of their group. “Sir, I really do think that you might want to get comfortable for this.” Severus conjured two more glasses and poured drinks for the Auror and his colleague before sitting back down. Taking his own seat, Harry began once again to relate the tale of the Leader of the Light falling into darkness and the lengths to which Albus Dumbledore was willing to go in order to achieve his dubious goals.

As expected, both Remus and Kingsley showed signs of shock and dismay at hearing the litany of evils the venerable Headmaster of Hogwarts had perpetrated, all in the name of the Light. Remus stiffened and growled deep in his throat at hearing that the wizard he had long trusted had actively worked to separate his cub from his mate.

Kingsley’s mind was reeling as he heard things that threatened to upend everything he had ever believed to be true. Albus Dumbledore was a fair and just man, a wizard who only walked on the side of the Light, a person who could be admired and respected. So how could this be? How could the man he had pledged to follow unquestioning be the same man he was hearing described? And yet, somehow, he knew deep within his soul that he was hearing the truth. Harry Potter was not lying. Albus Dumbledore had indeed betrayed them all, in ways as yet unimaginable.

Even after having heard and having accepted the truth beforehand, Minerva still felt a chill settle into her core at the retelling of the betrayal by her former friend and mentor. Watching the interplay between her student and her colleague, the Animagus was pleased to see the ease with which the pair interacted: the quick interjection when a word was fumbled over, the reassuring brush of a hand when the subject became more difficult. It was apparent to the sharp-eyed woman that the two men had accepted their bonding. Yes, her boys would be fine. Fighting a broad smile, the witch turned her attention to the two new members of their group.

Several times during the narration, the dark-skinned Auror had to pull the agitated werewolf back down into his seat. Finally, in exasperation, Kingsley pulled out his wand and cast a strong binding spell on the angry man. Once Remus was suitably subdued, Harry was finally able to finish his narrative. Only after the young man had finished his tale and a few minutes had passed, were the newcomers able to absorb all of the startling information.

At length, Harry took pity on his pseudo-Godfather, and with a casual wave of his hand, he released the man from his magical bindings. Remus blinked once, twice in confusion and awe as he processed the information he had just been given. Not only had the wizard he had always admired betrayed them all, but Harry Potter was coming into his powers in a most formidable way.


Dobby sat up slowly as he struggled to recall just why his head was hurting and why he was lying in a dark cupboard. The house-elf scowled when he realized that he must have been overcome by the evil Dumbly. A soft growl and a scowl were the only indications that the diminutive being had determined his course of action. Raising a long-fingered hand, the house-elf easily opened the locked door. Quietly stepping out into the office, Dobby quickly realized that the bad wizard had been magically bound to his chair. An unholy gleam lit the large green eyes as the small creature planned his revenge.

“Oh, Dumbly is being bad wizard,” Dobby began, even as he waggled a gnarled finger at the old man. “Dobby is thinking that Dumbly needs punishing, he is.”

Furious ice blue eyes watched as the infuriating, inferior creature approached. If only he could move, then the house-elf would see true power.

Dobby stopped just out of reach of the irate wizard and cocked his head to the side as he pondered the situation. Grinning suddenly, the house-elf snapped his fingers and conjured an iron. “Dumbly is needing to be punished for hitting Dobby. Dumbly is needing to have his hands ironed,” Dobby gleefully announced.

Albus sucked in a nervous breath. Surely the creature wouldn’t dare. Just as the crazed elf approached with the hot iron, Fawkes appeared in a flash of fire. His salvation had arrived in the guise of his former familiar.

Fawkes took in the situation and flew to his old perch. Eying the pair, the Phoenix began to trill a reassuring tune. The soothing notes reached into the dark recesses of the mind and brought forth courage and resolve.

Both the former Headmaster and the house-elf blinked as they listened to the melodic strain. But whereas one found strength, the other found only fear and dread. Albus began to truly shake as the determined creature neared. Dobby’s face held a cruel parody of a smile as he began the arduous task of punishing the wayward wizard while Fawkes looked on approvingly. Screams rent the air as the formerly oppressed being exacted his retribution upon the old man.