The Rebellion
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
27
Views:
29,309
Reviews:
130
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
5
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
27
Views:
29,309
Reviews:
130
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
5
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter, and all characters, and other related texts, are the intellectual property of J.K Rowling, and her associates as the copyright holders. I have made no money/profit from the publishing of this story.
Chapter 27: Revelations
Disclaimer: I do not own, or claim to own, Harry Potter, and no money was made from this story. All characters, and other related texts, are the intellectual property of J.K Rowling, and her associates, as the copyright holders
Chapter 27: Revelations
Draco sat quiet as he watched Mrs. Weasley fawn over Harry until he, quite frankly, had had enough. He downed the rest of his drink, took out a cigar from his pocket, one that one of the villagers had given him, and proceeded to make his way outside. Draco came to a stop on the small porch of the Three Broomsticks, and lit the cigar with the tip of his wand, as he watched the auror’s finish with the job of transporting the prisoners. It looked to him like they were about half way through their task. He took a deep inhale from the cigar, and looked up at the stars since it was such a clear night. He heard the door open from the pub, but he didn't take his eyes off the heavens above him, and proceeded to blow out a puff of smoke.
"Mr. Malfoy-Potter, congratulations on the job you and our Harry did on those Death Eaters". Arthur Weasley said, as he watched the young Malfoy heir out of the corner of his eye.
Draco stiffened at the words "our Harry", but let it slide. "Yes, it was rather brilliant, wasn't it"? He finished this with another puff from his cigar.
"I didn't realize you smoked Draco". Arthur stated, but it was a question all the same.
"I don't, but I hated to let this celebratory cigar go to waste. Plus, I wanted to come out here to make sure that Scrimgeour didn't interfere anymore than he already has". Draco replied, as he watched two of the same auror’s apparate in to remove two more prisoners.
"Where, may I ask, are you holding them"? Arthur asked.
"I'm not sure if I can tell you that Mr. Weasley. It's not that I do not trust you, it's that where you work at the ministry, I am afraid that someone could slip you some Veritaserum without you knowing it. It's a highly classified location that was given to us by Her Royal Majesty herself, and Harry and I live close by. You should ask Harry if it is permissible, as everyone who knows the location has taken unbreakable vows, and have had tongue tying charms placed on them". Draco explained as he looked at the eldest Weasley wearily.
"Yes, I understand, as we did something similar to that for the order, which I'm sure you're more than familiar with". Arthur responded with a sigh.
"He knows, you know". Draco stated, and then looked back at the remaining prisoners.
"Knows about what, Draco"? Arthur asked with a nervous twitch to his person.
"He knows about your and my grandfathers ordeal". Draco replied, as if it were all the explanation needed.
"Oh"... Arthur said, as he studied the young blond man beside him. "I am ashamed of my participation in that Mr. Malfoy-Potter, I assure you. My own brother will hardly speak to me over it, and look what it has brought me for a life. The entire wizarding community, who knows what actually happed that day, has justly chastised me. To this, Mr. Malfoy-Potter, Draco, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Abraxas was a good man, and my father, well you know what he was. I was young, like you and Harry, and I thought following him was the right thing to do at the time. Fortunately though, my brother, Bilius, knew better, and he has made a fine man of himself. Very respectable, he is, and has a good job. If I only knew then, what I do now, I would have never followed in his footsteps. You may tell Lucius I said this, as I know that was the cause of him getting involved with You-Know-Who". Arthur Weasley explained, and looked at Draco for his reaction. He jumped when he saw Draco pull his wand, but quickly saw that it was not over his explanation, as he watched Draco quickly step from the porch towards the last death eater and auror.
"Hey, hold up a minute"! Draco shouted at the auror. "Remove his mask, he looks familiar to me".
Draco quickly made his way to the auror’s side, which was holding the bound prisoner. Arthur Weasley followed, and had his own wand drawn to make sure nothing happened to Harry's husband. The auror removed the mask, and Draco gasped.
"Blaise"? Draco said with a whisper.
Blaise Zabini looked up at Draco with something akin to fear in his eyes. "Draco, please, I've had enough, don't punish me anymore. Hell, I was even the first one to drop my wand and surrender"!
"Are you saying you had no intentions of following Voldemort"? Draco asked, and Arthur looked at the young Malfoy with pride over his use of the insane lords name.
"No, I was forced into it by my mother, and my new stepfather, the filthy bastard. I was hoping to be captured so I could get free of them all". Blaise said, and then looked down at the ground under his knees.
Draco looked over at Arthur Weasley, and made his decision. "Blaise, we can help you, but you must also help us. Nothing is free, especially protection". At Arthur's nod, Draco continued. "If we help you, you have to give us something in return".
"Anything! I'll help fight against him if I can, just tell me what to do"! Blaise pleaded.
"Auror Kincaid, release him to our custody, and we will interrogate him here. If he proves useful, we'll bring him to headquarters later tonight". Draco explained.
At the auror’s nod, Draco lifted Blaise by the elbow, helping him to his feet. Once he was standing, Arthur grabbed hold of his other elbow, and they led the young man back towards the Three Broomsticks. However, nothing is ever as easy as it seems, as just before they made it to the steps of the pub, Ronald Weasley came running up the road from the school, and stopped dead in his tracks. A sneer came across his lips at the sight, and he began to shake from what he saw.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING AROUND MY FATHER, YOU FILTHY BASTARDS"! Ron bellowed.
"Ah shite, if it's not one thing it's another"! Draco swore and Blaise actually snickered.
Arthur looked at his youngest son, and calmly started to explain. "First Ron, you will hold your tongue, or I will scour out your mouth. Now that that's settled, I am helping to transport a prisoner inside to be interrogated. I also told you to stay put at Hogwarts, but what did you do? You, son, did exactly what I told you not to do, and I will be having a word with you when I get home. Now, your mother is inside with Harry and the others, so I suggest you get inside, as you’re not allowed out here where it could be dangerous".
Ron looked at his father like he had gone around the twist, and angrily stomped inside the pub. Once inside, he made his way over to where his mother was sitting with Harry, who was quietly explaining to her what had happened during the battle.
"What the fuck Harry? Why would you allow that nasty ferret around my family"? Ron stormed.
Harry was too tired to fight, so he looked up at Ron with pure disappointment showing upon his face. "I grew up Ron, you need to too".
"Ronald Weasley! How dare you say something like that to Harry of all people, and about his husband"! Molly Weasley screeched. Several in the pub covered their ears with their hands at her caterwauling. She quickly pointed her wand at Ron's mouth before he could move and uttered "Scourgify"!
Ron yelped, and held his hands up to his mouth; suds began to drip from his lips, and through his fingers, as bubbles began to form. He quickly turned toward the bar, looking for something to wash the soap out of his mouth with, and saw Madam Rosemerta laughing at him. This was the most humiliating point of his entire life, and he knew he would never live this down. When he turned around to glare at his mother, a bottle of seltzer water was floating in mid air, and the spray quickly shot into his mouth. His eyes bulged out, and he noticed Snape pointing his wand at the bottle. Snape cast "Finite", canceling the scouring charm, and then caused the bottle to reset itself upon the bar.
"Thought you could use some help, Mr. Weasley, as I am very familiar with that charm". Snape drawled, as he glared down at Harry.
"Uh, yea, about that Snape, I'm sorry. We'll talk about that later, yea"? Harry mumbled.
"Yes we will, Mr. Potter-Malfoy, but for now, we have business to conduct. Since our comedy has ended, you may have not noticed, but your husband and Arthur Weasley have brought in a prisoner". Snape intoned.
Harry quickly looked toward the door, and indeed, there stood Draco and Arthur holding Blaise Zambini by the elbows. He quickly stood, taking his drink with him, and walked over to his husband.
"Harry, I think we may have found some much needed help". Draco whispered, and then turned to the pubs matron. "Madam Rosmerta, can we borrow a room to have a private conversation in"?
"Yes, yes, bring him this way. You can use my sitting room upstairs, and it's warded against any sound, entering, or leaving it". Rosmerta said, as she quickly ushered them to the stairs.
"Ronald, you will sit down here with me"! Molly said, as she caught Ron trying to follow the six upstairs. "That conversation is for adults, and by your behavior tonight, you're still far from it". She finished, and forced Ron into a chair at the table she was sitting at.
"What do you mean I'm not an adult? I am just as old as Harry and that slimy little Ferret is"! Ron complained.
"To start with, Ronald, you will never speak about Mr. Malfoy-Potter like that again, do I make myself understood"? At Ron's grumble, and shaky nod, she continued on. "Also, you are not seventeen, so in the eyes of the law, you are not an adult". Molly explained, holding up her hand to stop Ron from saying anything further. "Harry and Draco are legally married, and that makes them both legally of age, as if they were already seventeen. Plus, by the titles placed upon them both, by our crown, they have the authority to do whatever they must during this war, and it would do well for you to remember that"!
0=0=0
Harry looked around at the contents of Madam Rosmerta's sitting room. It hadn't changed one lick, he thought, since he had sneaked inside her quarters to overhear the conversation about Sirius at that time. He summoned a crystal decanter of cognac from her private bar, along with five snifters, and poured the remaining occupants a drink. After taking his first swallow, Harry sat back against the couch, and studied Blaise for a moment.
"So, Zabini, Voldemort got to you did he? Now, I suppose you want out after you've seen what he is"? Harry questioned.
"No Potter, it's not like that at all, as I was forced into it by my mother and my new stepfather. Of course, the dark lord says that he will kill them both if I don't obey him, but I'm not too sure how much of a loss that would be to me now". Blaise explained. "I told Draco that I was the first to drop my wand when you came inside that cage, and I was hoping for capture, along with fair treatment. Draco say's you can help me, and keep me safe if I offer to work for you".
Harry looked at Draco momentarily, and then looked questioningly at Snape. At this, Snape studied Blaise for some time, and quietly cast "Legilimens" under his breath. He looked through Blaise’s mind, until he found what he wanted, and withdrew quickly.
"He's not lying as far as I can tell Mr. Potter-Malfoy, but I would still suggest Veritaserum before we reveal too much". Snape explained.
"Do you have any with you"? Harry asked, as he looked at the dark skinned Zabini heir across from him.
"I do in fact, and I will administer it if you would like. We must know the truth from him, if we are to know how to proceed". Snape replied, as he also stared at the young death eater.
"I'll gladly take it, and I have no secrets that I don't care to share. Let's get it over with shall we"? Blaise quickly asked.
At Harry's nod, Snape administered three drops of the truth potion upon Blaise's tongue, and waited approximately five minutes before he nodded that he was ready for questioning.
"What is you name"? Harry asked.
"Blaise Zabini, heir to the Zabini fortune". Blaise intoned, as he stared off at the wall, his eyes now glassy.
"Zabini, you say that you were forced to join Voldemort, is this true"? Draco asked.
"Yes, it is true". Blaise answered in a monotone voice.
"What was done to force you into Voldemort's servitude"? Harry asked.
"The dark lord threatened my parents with death, along with myself, if I did not participate as his follower. My stepfather placed me under the imperious curse, and forced me to attend a revel where I was then initiated". Blaise explained.
Harry pinched the bridge of his nose at this and slightly shook his head. "Zabini, are you willing to do as we ask, in order to obtain protection form the Ministry of Magical Defense? Also, are you willing to work with muggles, muggle-born magical people, magical creatures, and members of all four Hogwarts houses, whomever they may be"?
"Yes I am". Blaise solemnly replied.
"Give him the antidote Snape, if you would. This is going to be a long night it seems". Harry remarked.
Snape gave the young ex-death eater the antidote, and waited another five minutes for Blaise's mind to clear. When they all noticed that Blaise was, again, acting normally, they began their request for his services to the cause.
"All right Blaise, we're looking to use you as a spy against Voldemort". Draco said, as he watched the astonished look that flew across Blaise's face.
"A Spy! I don't know enough to become a spy! What if I'm caught, and surely you already have spies within his ranks"? Blaise all but shouted.
"Calm down Zabini, we did have "a spy", but we are retiring him, as he is much too valuable to continue allowing him to do this job. That is not saying that you would not be of value, but we need a skilled potions master, and Snape will be staying at headquarters from now on, or until this war is over". Harry explained.
"Professor Snape was the spy"? He was in the inner circle"! Blaise exclaimed. "I won't be in the inner circle Potter, so I would be of no use"!
"Oh yes you will, especially when you go back tonight, and tell that slimy inbred-shite that you caught Snape as the spy, and that you killed him". At Snape’s raised eyebrows, Harry continued. "We will implant the memory of you killing him, as he will assuredly use Legilimency on you to see if you're lying. At this, he will honor you for taking out the spy, and you will most likely become close to him, if not be inducted into the inner circle. You will be given an emergency portkey, which is contained in a necklace, to extract you if you if ever get into hot water. It will bring you directly to headquarters, if, and when, that time ever comes".
"All right, all right". Blaise replied with a gulp.
"The portkey will have many enchantments on it that will make it work within any ward that I think old shite-for-brains will use. It will deposit you in the first bed within the infirmary at headquarters. When you are done making your report, you will apparate back to Hogwarts where one of us may be waiting to bring you to our headquarters, or after we're contacted". Harry explained. "Once there, you will be trained in combat, and trained to use many spells that are proprietary to us. These founders-spells are known only to us, and a few were used tonight". At the mention of "founders", Blaise’s' eyes grew huge. "Voldemort, nor his followers can counter these, and they will make sure that you survive in case something unwanted happens. You will spend most of your time at headquarters, and only what time you have to at home so as to keep up pretenses. You are already pretty good at potions, so you will ask for that job from him. Professor Snape will be supplying you these in actuality, and if he asks you to brew something that you don't know about, make an excuse that you already have them brewed, or will brew them immediately, and come straight to us to obtain them. We will give you a batch to take back tonight that Snape was going to take anyway. Tell the bastard that you stole them after you murdered the professor".
"When I arrive back at Hogwarts, to whom do I go to"? Blaise asked.
"Go straight to Minerva McGonagall’s office, and she will contact us via floo if we are not readily available. Now, you will take the same unbreakable vow that every recruit takes, and it will bind you to our service until the war ends, and you are discharged". Draco intoned.
At this, Harry gripped Blaise’s right hand, and Draco performed the binding. Once it was all settled, Draco looked at his long time friend for a moment, and then hauled back and punched him square in the nose.
"Damn Draco, what was that for"? Blaise yelled, as he picked himself up off the floor, clutching his bleeding nose.
"Sorry about that, but you needed to look as if you just escaped from a fight. Tell the bastard that all are dead but a few whom that were taken into custody. Tell him you barely escaped being caught after you took down Severus". Draco explained, as he rubbed his knuckles. "Now Severus, if you would, place those memories into Blaise so he can get going. He doesn't have much time left that he can spare".
Snape did as he was told, and Blaise pulled away with a shaky shutter. He actually had a few tears in his eyes, as he remembered slicing his potions professor in two, and his guts being flung into the mud on the streets of Hogsmeade. Severus Snape quickly left the room, so Blaise couldn't see him now, so as to not to allow Voldemort any information upon his actual health.
"Listen Blaise, you have to go now. Build up your occlumency shields as strong as possible, and only show that bastard what you want him to see. I know you can do this, as I taught you how, so get going before he takes it out on you too much. Come on, we'll walk you outside, so nobody will harass you". Draco said, as he began to lead his friend to the door.
0=0=0
Albus Dumbledore was woken from his sleep by some loud shouts in the corridor outside his cell at the Ministry of Magic. He quickly sat up, and tried to listen to what the commotion was all about.
"Did you here about Hogsmeade"? Albus heard an arriving auror say.
"No, what's happened now"? The guard asked.
"Harry Potter just took down twenty death eaters in Hogsmeade just minutes ago"! The auror exclaimed.
"How many were injured, and how much damage was done"? Enquired the guard.
"It took a total of about twenty minutes for the fight to end. Potter, and his husband, along with Remus Lupin took them all out, well some surrendered. Not one building, or person, was harmed in Hogsmeade. The only people harmed were the death eaters, and a few of them were dead". The auror crowed.
"Really, shame we missed the show". The guard replied.
"Yea, you missed out on some magic that has, most likely, not been seen in over a thousand years"! The auror chirped. "I've never seen a wizard as strong as Potter, nor one as fierce. When he waded into that cage that he conjured to hold all those death eaters, he showed them little mercy. The air, and the ground all around, crackled, with the young Potter's and Malfoy's magic. Oh yea, Remus Lupin shot Greyback, killed him stone dead with a muggle gun"!
"Got rid of ol' Greyback did he? Payback's a bitch isn't it! Damn, this calls for a few pints at the pub. My shift is ready to change, so lets go down a few, yea? You can tell me more about it then"! The guard exclaimed.
"Yea, I have some paperwork to do quickly, and I'll meet you in the atrium". The auror said, as he left the gaol.
Albus Dumbledore lay back down and rolled over onto his side. Now, he was worried for the first time in his life. For the first time, after all his well laid plans, for a long and drawn out war, where he would be the righteous victor, again, looked to be going straight down the ol' shitter. He swore then that he would kill Rufus Scrimgeour, if he ever got out of his un-called-for confinement.
0=0=0
Rufus Scrimgeour was not in a good mood, no, not at all, and as a matter of fact, he was going ballistic. Three healers had seen him, and not a one was able to reverse Potter's jinx upon his mouth. His red face and bulging eyes looked up at the last healer, and he finally tried to ask the easiest question that he could in his state.
"Mwa Mow"? Scrimgeour growled out.
Pardon me, I did not understand your question minister"? Healer Eberforth replied.
"Mwa Mow"? Scrimgeour growled again, his entire body starting to tremble with rage.
"What now, did you ask"? The healer enquired, and upon Scrimgeour's shaky nod, he thought for a moment. "Well sir, nobody here knows what jinx he used, so we have no idea how to reverse it. As a matter of fact, there is not a jinx on the books that acts in this manner. My professional recommendation to you is to go back to Mr. Potter, and ask that he kindly remove it".
Scrimgeour jumped up from the stool that he had been sitting on, gave a shakily heated glare at the healer, and then proceeded to storm out of St. Mungo's as fast as his feet would carry him.
"What an utter arse-wipe"! Healer Eberforth remarked, as he watched the backside of the Minister of Magic leave through the door.
All right all; I decided to add this chapter without finishing up the editing on the later chapters. I have up to chapter 10 edited, and that leaves 16 more, so I figured I would go ahead and post this. I hope you all will enjoy it!
Note to other author’s: I just bought a copy of “The Lexicon”, by Steve Vander Ark, and it is truly handy for writing HP fan fiction. For the money, as you can buy used copies, it is well worth the investment. I bought mine new, and it wasn’t at all expensive. Amazon dot com has them if anyone is interested.
By the way, thank you all for the reviews, as it is dually appreciated!
.
Chapter 27: Revelations
Draco sat quiet as he watched Mrs. Weasley fawn over Harry until he, quite frankly, had had enough. He downed the rest of his drink, took out a cigar from his pocket, one that one of the villagers had given him, and proceeded to make his way outside. Draco came to a stop on the small porch of the Three Broomsticks, and lit the cigar with the tip of his wand, as he watched the auror’s finish with the job of transporting the prisoners. It looked to him like they were about half way through their task. He took a deep inhale from the cigar, and looked up at the stars since it was such a clear night. He heard the door open from the pub, but he didn't take his eyes off the heavens above him, and proceeded to blow out a puff of smoke.
"Mr. Malfoy-Potter, congratulations on the job you and our Harry did on those Death Eaters". Arthur Weasley said, as he watched the young Malfoy heir out of the corner of his eye.
Draco stiffened at the words "our Harry", but let it slide. "Yes, it was rather brilliant, wasn't it"? He finished this with another puff from his cigar.
"I didn't realize you smoked Draco". Arthur stated, but it was a question all the same.
"I don't, but I hated to let this celebratory cigar go to waste. Plus, I wanted to come out here to make sure that Scrimgeour didn't interfere anymore than he already has". Draco replied, as he watched two of the same auror’s apparate in to remove two more prisoners.
"Where, may I ask, are you holding them"? Arthur asked.
"I'm not sure if I can tell you that Mr. Weasley. It's not that I do not trust you, it's that where you work at the ministry, I am afraid that someone could slip you some Veritaserum without you knowing it. It's a highly classified location that was given to us by Her Royal Majesty herself, and Harry and I live close by. You should ask Harry if it is permissible, as everyone who knows the location has taken unbreakable vows, and have had tongue tying charms placed on them". Draco explained as he looked at the eldest Weasley wearily.
"Yes, I understand, as we did something similar to that for the order, which I'm sure you're more than familiar with". Arthur responded with a sigh.
"He knows, you know". Draco stated, and then looked back at the remaining prisoners.
"Knows about what, Draco"? Arthur asked with a nervous twitch to his person.
"He knows about your and my grandfathers ordeal". Draco replied, as if it were all the explanation needed.
"Oh"... Arthur said, as he studied the young blond man beside him. "I am ashamed of my participation in that Mr. Malfoy-Potter, I assure you. My own brother will hardly speak to me over it, and look what it has brought me for a life. The entire wizarding community, who knows what actually happed that day, has justly chastised me. To this, Mr. Malfoy-Potter, Draco, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Abraxas was a good man, and my father, well you know what he was. I was young, like you and Harry, and I thought following him was the right thing to do at the time. Fortunately though, my brother, Bilius, knew better, and he has made a fine man of himself. Very respectable, he is, and has a good job. If I only knew then, what I do now, I would have never followed in his footsteps. You may tell Lucius I said this, as I know that was the cause of him getting involved with You-Know-Who". Arthur Weasley explained, and looked at Draco for his reaction. He jumped when he saw Draco pull his wand, but quickly saw that it was not over his explanation, as he watched Draco quickly step from the porch towards the last death eater and auror.
"Hey, hold up a minute"! Draco shouted at the auror. "Remove his mask, he looks familiar to me".
Draco quickly made his way to the auror’s side, which was holding the bound prisoner. Arthur Weasley followed, and had his own wand drawn to make sure nothing happened to Harry's husband. The auror removed the mask, and Draco gasped.
"Blaise"? Draco said with a whisper.
Blaise Zabini looked up at Draco with something akin to fear in his eyes. "Draco, please, I've had enough, don't punish me anymore. Hell, I was even the first one to drop my wand and surrender"!
"Are you saying you had no intentions of following Voldemort"? Draco asked, and Arthur looked at the young Malfoy with pride over his use of the insane lords name.
"No, I was forced into it by my mother, and my new stepfather, the filthy bastard. I was hoping to be captured so I could get free of them all". Blaise said, and then looked down at the ground under his knees.
Draco looked over at Arthur Weasley, and made his decision. "Blaise, we can help you, but you must also help us. Nothing is free, especially protection". At Arthur's nod, Draco continued. "If we help you, you have to give us something in return".
"Anything! I'll help fight against him if I can, just tell me what to do"! Blaise pleaded.
"Auror Kincaid, release him to our custody, and we will interrogate him here. If he proves useful, we'll bring him to headquarters later tonight". Draco explained.
At the auror’s nod, Draco lifted Blaise by the elbow, helping him to his feet. Once he was standing, Arthur grabbed hold of his other elbow, and they led the young man back towards the Three Broomsticks. However, nothing is ever as easy as it seems, as just before they made it to the steps of the pub, Ronald Weasley came running up the road from the school, and stopped dead in his tracks. A sneer came across his lips at the sight, and he began to shake from what he saw.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING AROUND MY FATHER, YOU FILTHY BASTARDS"! Ron bellowed.
"Ah shite, if it's not one thing it's another"! Draco swore and Blaise actually snickered.
Arthur looked at his youngest son, and calmly started to explain. "First Ron, you will hold your tongue, or I will scour out your mouth. Now that that's settled, I am helping to transport a prisoner inside to be interrogated. I also told you to stay put at Hogwarts, but what did you do? You, son, did exactly what I told you not to do, and I will be having a word with you when I get home. Now, your mother is inside with Harry and the others, so I suggest you get inside, as you’re not allowed out here where it could be dangerous".
Ron looked at his father like he had gone around the twist, and angrily stomped inside the pub. Once inside, he made his way over to where his mother was sitting with Harry, who was quietly explaining to her what had happened during the battle.
"What the fuck Harry? Why would you allow that nasty ferret around my family"? Ron stormed.
Harry was too tired to fight, so he looked up at Ron with pure disappointment showing upon his face. "I grew up Ron, you need to too".
"Ronald Weasley! How dare you say something like that to Harry of all people, and about his husband"! Molly Weasley screeched. Several in the pub covered their ears with their hands at her caterwauling. She quickly pointed her wand at Ron's mouth before he could move and uttered "Scourgify"!
Ron yelped, and held his hands up to his mouth; suds began to drip from his lips, and through his fingers, as bubbles began to form. He quickly turned toward the bar, looking for something to wash the soap out of his mouth with, and saw Madam Rosemerta laughing at him. This was the most humiliating point of his entire life, and he knew he would never live this down. When he turned around to glare at his mother, a bottle of seltzer water was floating in mid air, and the spray quickly shot into his mouth. His eyes bulged out, and he noticed Snape pointing his wand at the bottle. Snape cast "Finite", canceling the scouring charm, and then caused the bottle to reset itself upon the bar.
"Thought you could use some help, Mr. Weasley, as I am very familiar with that charm". Snape drawled, as he glared down at Harry.
"Uh, yea, about that Snape, I'm sorry. We'll talk about that later, yea"? Harry mumbled.
"Yes we will, Mr. Potter-Malfoy, but for now, we have business to conduct. Since our comedy has ended, you may have not noticed, but your husband and Arthur Weasley have brought in a prisoner". Snape intoned.
Harry quickly looked toward the door, and indeed, there stood Draco and Arthur holding Blaise Zambini by the elbows. He quickly stood, taking his drink with him, and walked over to his husband.
"Harry, I think we may have found some much needed help". Draco whispered, and then turned to the pubs matron. "Madam Rosmerta, can we borrow a room to have a private conversation in"?
"Yes, yes, bring him this way. You can use my sitting room upstairs, and it's warded against any sound, entering, or leaving it". Rosmerta said, as she quickly ushered them to the stairs.
"Ronald, you will sit down here with me"! Molly said, as she caught Ron trying to follow the six upstairs. "That conversation is for adults, and by your behavior tonight, you're still far from it". She finished, and forced Ron into a chair at the table she was sitting at.
"What do you mean I'm not an adult? I am just as old as Harry and that slimy little Ferret is"! Ron complained.
"To start with, Ronald, you will never speak about Mr. Malfoy-Potter like that again, do I make myself understood"? At Ron's grumble, and shaky nod, she continued on. "Also, you are not seventeen, so in the eyes of the law, you are not an adult". Molly explained, holding up her hand to stop Ron from saying anything further. "Harry and Draco are legally married, and that makes them both legally of age, as if they were already seventeen. Plus, by the titles placed upon them both, by our crown, they have the authority to do whatever they must during this war, and it would do well for you to remember that"!
0=0=0
Harry looked around at the contents of Madam Rosmerta's sitting room. It hadn't changed one lick, he thought, since he had sneaked inside her quarters to overhear the conversation about Sirius at that time. He summoned a crystal decanter of cognac from her private bar, along with five snifters, and poured the remaining occupants a drink. After taking his first swallow, Harry sat back against the couch, and studied Blaise for a moment.
"So, Zabini, Voldemort got to you did he? Now, I suppose you want out after you've seen what he is"? Harry questioned.
"No Potter, it's not like that at all, as I was forced into it by my mother and my new stepfather. Of course, the dark lord says that he will kill them both if I don't obey him, but I'm not too sure how much of a loss that would be to me now". Blaise explained. "I told Draco that I was the first to drop my wand when you came inside that cage, and I was hoping for capture, along with fair treatment. Draco say's you can help me, and keep me safe if I offer to work for you".
Harry looked at Draco momentarily, and then looked questioningly at Snape. At this, Snape studied Blaise for some time, and quietly cast "Legilimens" under his breath. He looked through Blaise’s mind, until he found what he wanted, and withdrew quickly.
"He's not lying as far as I can tell Mr. Potter-Malfoy, but I would still suggest Veritaserum before we reveal too much". Snape explained.
"Do you have any with you"? Harry asked, as he looked at the dark skinned Zabini heir across from him.
"I do in fact, and I will administer it if you would like. We must know the truth from him, if we are to know how to proceed". Snape replied, as he also stared at the young death eater.
"I'll gladly take it, and I have no secrets that I don't care to share. Let's get it over with shall we"? Blaise quickly asked.
At Harry's nod, Snape administered three drops of the truth potion upon Blaise's tongue, and waited approximately five minutes before he nodded that he was ready for questioning.
"What is you name"? Harry asked.
"Blaise Zabini, heir to the Zabini fortune". Blaise intoned, as he stared off at the wall, his eyes now glassy.
"Zabini, you say that you were forced to join Voldemort, is this true"? Draco asked.
"Yes, it is true". Blaise answered in a monotone voice.
"What was done to force you into Voldemort's servitude"? Harry asked.
"The dark lord threatened my parents with death, along with myself, if I did not participate as his follower. My stepfather placed me under the imperious curse, and forced me to attend a revel where I was then initiated". Blaise explained.
Harry pinched the bridge of his nose at this and slightly shook his head. "Zabini, are you willing to do as we ask, in order to obtain protection form the Ministry of Magical Defense? Also, are you willing to work with muggles, muggle-born magical people, magical creatures, and members of all four Hogwarts houses, whomever they may be"?
"Yes I am". Blaise solemnly replied.
"Give him the antidote Snape, if you would. This is going to be a long night it seems". Harry remarked.
Snape gave the young ex-death eater the antidote, and waited another five minutes for Blaise's mind to clear. When they all noticed that Blaise was, again, acting normally, they began their request for his services to the cause.
"All right Blaise, we're looking to use you as a spy against Voldemort". Draco said, as he watched the astonished look that flew across Blaise's face.
"A Spy! I don't know enough to become a spy! What if I'm caught, and surely you already have spies within his ranks"? Blaise all but shouted.
"Calm down Zabini, we did have "a spy", but we are retiring him, as he is much too valuable to continue allowing him to do this job. That is not saying that you would not be of value, but we need a skilled potions master, and Snape will be staying at headquarters from now on, or until this war is over". Harry explained.
"Professor Snape was the spy"? He was in the inner circle"! Blaise exclaimed. "I won't be in the inner circle Potter, so I would be of no use"!
"Oh yes you will, especially when you go back tonight, and tell that slimy inbred-shite that you caught Snape as the spy, and that you killed him". At Snape’s raised eyebrows, Harry continued. "We will implant the memory of you killing him, as he will assuredly use Legilimency on you to see if you're lying. At this, he will honor you for taking out the spy, and you will most likely become close to him, if not be inducted into the inner circle. You will be given an emergency portkey, which is contained in a necklace, to extract you if you if ever get into hot water. It will bring you directly to headquarters, if, and when, that time ever comes".
"All right, all right". Blaise replied with a gulp.
"The portkey will have many enchantments on it that will make it work within any ward that I think old shite-for-brains will use. It will deposit you in the first bed within the infirmary at headquarters. When you are done making your report, you will apparate back to Hogwarts where one of us may be waiting to bring you to our headquarters, or after we're contacted". Harry explained. "Once there, you will be trained in combat, and trained to use many spells that are proprietary to us. These founders-spells are known only to us, and a few were used tonight". At the mention of "founders", Blaise’s' eyes grew huge. "Voldemort, nor his followers can counter these, and they will make sure that you survive in case something unwanted happens. You will spend most of your time at headquarters, and only what time you have to at home so as to keep up pretenses. You are already pretty good at potions, so you will ask for that job from him. Professor Snape will be supplying you these in actuality, and if he asks you to brew something that you don't know about, make an excuse that you already have them brewed, or will brew them immediately, and come straight to us to obtain them. We will give you a batch to take back tonight that Snape was going to take anyway. Tell the bastard that you stole them after you murdered the professor".
"When I arrive back at Hogwarts, to whom do I go to"? Blaise asked.
"Go straight to Minerva McGonagall’s office, and she will contact us via floo if we are not readily available. Now, you will take the same unbreakable vow that every recruit takes, and it will bind you to our service until the war ends, and you are discharged". Draco intoned.
At this, Harry gripped Blaise’s right hand, and Draco performed the binding. Once it was all settled, Draco looked at his long time friend for a moment, and then hauled back and punched him square in the nose.
"Damn Draco, what was that for"? Blaise yelled, as he picked himself up off the floor, clutching his bleeding nose.
"Sorry about that, but you needed to look as if you just escaped from a fight. Tell the bastard that all are dead but a few whom that were taken into custody. Tell him you barely escaped being caught after you took down Severus". Draco explained, as he rubbed his knuckles. "Now Severus, if you would, place those memories into Blaise so he can get going. He doesn't have much time left that he can spare".
Snape did as he was told, and Blaise pulled away with a shaky shutter. He actually had a few tears in his eyes, as he remembered slicing his potions professor in two, and his guts being flung into the mud on the streets of Hogsmeade. Severus Snape quickly left the room, so Blaise couldn't see him now, so as to not to allow Voldemort any information upon his actual health.
"Listen Blaise, you have to go now. Build up your occlumency shields as strong as possible, and only show that bastard what you want him to see. I know you can do this, as I taught you how, so get going before he takes it out on you too much. Come on, we'll walk you outside, so nobody will harass you". Draco said, as he began to lead his friend to the door.
0=0=0
Albus Dumbledore was woken from his sleep by some loud shouts in the corridor outside his cell at the Ministry of Magic. He quickly sat up, and tried to listen to what the commotion was all about.
"Did you here about Hogsmeade"? Albus heard an arriving auror say.
"No, what's happened now"? The guard asked.
"Harry Potter just took down twenty death eaters in Hogsmeade just minutes ago"! The auror exclaimed.
"How many were injured, and how much damage was done"? Enquired the guard.
"It took a total of about twenty minutes for the fight to end. Potter, and his husband, along with Remus Lupin took them all out, well some surrendered. Not one building, or person, was harmed in Hogsmeade. The only people harmed were the death eaters, and a few of them were dead". The auror crowed.
"Really, shame we missed the show". The guard replied.
"Yea, you missed out on some magic that has, most likely, not been seen in over a thousand years"! The auror chirped. "I've never seen a wizard as strong as Potter, nor one as fierce. When he waded into that cage that he conjured to hold all those death eaters, he showed them little mercy. The air, and the ground all around, crackled, with the young Potter's and Malfoy's magic. Oh yea, Remus Lupin shot Greyback, killed him stone dead with a muggle gun"!
"Got rid of ol' Greyback did he? Payback's a bitch isn't it! Damn, this calls for a few pints at the pub. My shift is ready to change, so lets go down a few, yea? You can tell me more about it then"! The guard exclaimed.
"Yea, I have some paperwork to do quickly, and I'll meet you in the atrium". The auror said, as he left the gaol.
Albus Dumbledore lay back down and rolled over onto his side. Now, he was worried for the first time in his life. For the first time, after all his well laid plans, for a long and drawn out war, where he would be the righteous victor, again, looked to be going straight down the ol' shitter. He swore then that he would kill Rufus Scrimgeour, if he ever got out of his un-called-for confinement.
0=0=0
Rufus Scrimgeour was not in a good mood, no, not at all, and as a matter of fact, he was going ballistic. Three healers had seen him, and not a one was able to reverse Potter's jinx upon his mouth. His red face and bulging eyes looked up at the last healer, and he finally tried to ask the easiest question that he could in his state.
"Mwa Mow"? Scrimgeour growled out.
Pardon me, I did not understand your question minister"? Healer Eberforth replied.
"Mwa Mow"? Scrimgeour growled again, his entire body starting to tremble with rage.
"What now, did you ask"? The healer enquired, and upon Scrimgeour's shaky nod, he thought for a moment. "Well sir, nobody here knows what jinx he used, so we have no idea how to reverse it. As a matter of fact, there is not a jinx on the books that acts in this manner. My professional recommendation to you is to go back to Mr. Potter, and ask that he kindly remove it".
Scrimgeour jumped up from the stool that he had been sitting on, gave a shakily heated glare at the healer, and then proceeded to storm out of St. Mungo's as fast as his feet would carry him.
"What an utter arse-wipe"! Healer Eberforth remarked, as he watched the backside of the Minister of Magic leave through the door.
All right all; I decided to add this chapter without finishing up the editing on the later chapters. I have up to chapter 10 edited, and that leaves 16 more, so I figured I would go ahead and post this. I hope you all will enjoy it!
Note to other author’s: I just bought a copy of “The Lexicon”, by Steve Vander Ark, and it is truly handy for writing HP fan fiction. For the money, as you can buy used copies, it is well worth the investment. I bought mine new, and it wasn’t at all expensive. Amazon dot com has them if anyone is interested.
By the way, thank you all for the reviews, as it is dually appreciated!
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