Relations, Revelations

Okay, well, last time I tried to post this chapter (10 minutes ago) I got the same error message I\'ve been getting the last few days. So, after much delay (and proofreading) here\'s the next chapter. Sorry it took so damned long. I\'m TRYING to get this done by the end of July, so send me lots of lovely reviews and woof eof encouragement.

(another 10 minutes later, i realize i forgot my review thank yous! here goes!)

Iccle mousie the potions ingredient - I have EVERY intention of finishing this damned thing, no matter how long it takes! (I really shouldn’t say that. I would like to finish it soon for your benefit and mine.)
Carmen - More flattering compliments! Thanks girlie!
Erik - Thank you so much! That’s probably the most eloquent, meaningful, and flattering review I’ve received so far! I’m glad my loose narrative is appreciated, as well as the short chapters. Those are two things I’ve always worried about, but knowing that at least one person likes it like that makes it all okay :-D

-~-~-~-

Chapter 31 - Demise

-~-~-~-

“Firs’ years! Firs’ years this way! Everybody on the boats, Professor Sprout’ll be ridin’ across with ya.”

“Hey Hagrid! Not taking the first years?” Harry stuck his upper body out of a window and conversed with the half-giant.

“Nope, I gotta work security around here just in case. Been trainin’ Fluffy to defend the school for the lweekweek, and Professor Dumbledore promised me he’d have some sort’a dog run built around the outside gates so I can let him loose to patrol. I’ve got him tied up over there right now. You know, just in case.”

The group stuck their heads out too and squinted into the distance to see Fluffy and his three barking heads teathered to a tree a dozen yards away. They spotted Firenze approaching them as well.

\"Firenze, how have you been keeping up?”

“Good evening, Ronald. I’ve been minding my business. Helping Sinistra with Astronomy. She’s been a bit behind on her marking. Making sure Trelawney keeps her head. The usual. I’ve come to help Hagrid tend to security this evening.”

“You really should have come to the victory party at Snape Estates. Missed some terrific food. You too, Hagrid.”

“Yes, the Patil twins and Miss Brown filled me in a moment ago. But I prefer to keep to myself, as you well know.”

“I would’a come, but I wanted ta make sure the castle was good an’ secure while Dumbledore was off enjoyin’ ‘imself. ‘E really did deserve a week off. Oh! Mr. Hammersmith! Wotch yerself on them rocks there! They’re a bit slippery!” Hagrid scurried off to tend to his first years.

A mass of students was collecting in the corridors of the train, slowly funneling from the exits. The first years were herded off in a quivering clump, crowding into their usual boats in threes and fours, and were already half way across the lake. Some of the other younger years were climbing into the carriages and being carted off to the castle. Everyone looked pleasantly exhausted after a week of party party party. Dumbledore’s Army subtly stayed behind to observe the arrival and ensure everyone’s security. The prefects, most of who were in the Army anyway, ushered students to carriages and made sure the slow pokes weren’t left behind.

The group finally clambered out of the train as the last few dozen stragglers wandered to the carriages. Hermione was a mass of nerves because she hadn’t been able to be a good little prefect and herd the younger students. Ron hardly noticed that they had shirked their responsibilities. Sephera tagged along, grinning about her surprise visit to her dad the whole way. Ernie Macmillan approached them with Justin Finch-Fletchley and Susan Bones closely in tow.

“What do you think’s going on over there?”

A faint glow was slowly descending over the lake off in the distance. Harry looked up, and watched as the ball of eerie light slowly but steadily approached. A feeling of dread slowly came to settle in the pit of his stomach, and he looked from face to face to see if his group felt the same. What the hell was going on here?

They each stood transfixed, eyes upturned to the glow. Sephera squinted at the ball, the only one awestruck at the beauty of the way it shimmered and floated across the sky. The massive glowing ball slowly began to separate into smaller glowing spheres, each containing a tatty-looking black shrouded creature. One by one, the group’s faces slowly morphed to terror, apparently all feeling the cold dread settle in their stomachs as well. The glowing black orbs drifted nearer, and Harry, in all his near-sighted glory, identified a flurry of faceless black robes and one white mask in its midst.

The soulless creatures circled their broom-bound master obediently, ensuring his safety as he slowly descended onto the roof of Hogsmeade Station. The dementors continued their flight, terrorizing and herding the last few students around the platform. Finally, when everyone had reached and adequate frenzy, they settled into an eerie formation behind the sole remaining Death Eater, anxiously awaiting instructions and hopey oby obtaining a meal.

“Perhaps you began your celebrations a bit too soon. Never bothered to fear the devastation I could cause, did you?”

“Malfoy?” Ron squinted, hoping to recognize the eyes behind the mask.

“Yes, and now the only one, thanks to your brother. My poor, long-suffering wife turned her wand on herself after receiving word of her dear son’s untimely death.”

“Well that’s certainly not our fault. If he had been a bit smarter and picked the right side, he’d still be here, wouldn’t he?”

“Miss Granger, I believe it would be wise of you to keep your snide remarks to yourself. I am not in a mood to be trifled with this evening. What is it those Muggle movie stars say? My wand has a hair trigger, and I, my dear, have an itchy finger. Or should I say, the Dark Lord\'s wand?”

“Now I know he’s lost it.” Ron nudged Sephera, pulled her wand out of her pocket, and handed it to her. She stood ridged in her place, terrified. “Malfoy, my brother is dead. You killed him. I’ve got a hell of a lot of pent up anger, and you’re just the person to take it ont on.”

Ernie glanced around the platform, hoping to catch a glimpse of Hagrid or Firenze, but they were nowhere to be found. He knew all hell would break loose any second. Justin elbowed him and rolled his eyes toward a tree in the distance. Hagrid was nervously fumbling with the knot that held Fluffy to the tree. Firenze stood with his eyes closed, palms raised to the sky. He came out of his trance and approached the students.

“Really now? You Weasleys sure are a gullible bunch. Tell that brother of yours his boss had his soul extracted and the only justice for him is death, and he believes it and kills him. Fudge really was an idiot. So easy to get rid of. Not that that says much for your brother’s intellect.”

“Lucius Malfoy, your presence is unwelcome here. I can assure you that you cannot do harm to these children.”

“Protecting your foals, you lowly centaur? I’ll do what I damn well please.”

Ron slowly processed Lucius’ words. “What, Percy? But Fudge was attacked by Dementors. His soul was sucked out. I saw it in my dream.”

“Dreams, like life, can lead to deception,” Firenze looked at Ron contemplatively.

“So you’re saying I was lied to?” If Ron was angry now, he was mad as all hell now.

Lucius enlightened Ron. “I put Fudge under a spell. I had nothing to do with his death. That all lies on your brother’s head.”

“But the letter…”

“All rubbish! The letter was a false suicide note designed to convince Percy to kill him.”

Ron was angrier than he’d ever been, face well beyond the shade of his hair. Harry stood strong dispite being surrounded by Dementors, glaring maliciously back at Lucius.

“Now, Mr. Potter, you have two choices. Come quietly, or you and your friends lose your souls.”

“And what purpose would that serve? Voldemort’s dead. I killed him. You’re not exactly a force to be reckoned with, are you?” Harry taunted.

Sephera tugged on her cousin’s robes, still frozen in horror. “Harry, never taunt a man who’s got nothing to live for. Dad told me that early on.”

Harry weighed his options. Of course, Lucius was forgetting the age-old “stand anght”ght” option, which seemed the most viable one at the moment. What exactly did Lucius have planned for him if he came quietly? He’d really rather not find out.

“You’re right. I would rather appreciate keeping my soul. But what exactly would be the purpose of coming quietly?”

Hermione glanced nervously at Hagrid, who was still fidgetting with Fluffy’s leash.

“I don’t know yet. But my extensive Dark Arts library, as well as my general knowledge of the Dark Arts should serve to find something that will bring back the Dark Lord.”

“I’d like to think the smouldering heap of robes on the Quidditch pitch was proof enough that he’s not returning.”

“Unfortunately, Miss Granger, I failed to see that. When the flood waters rose, I disappeared to summon the Dark Lord.”

“Oh, so you scarpered. That figures.” Ron stood defiant.

“Exsolve!*” Hermione pointed her wand at the tree to which Fluffy was tied, and the leash unwound itself, falling to thoundound.

Lucius drew Voldemort\'s wand and disarmed Hermione, sending her wand flying onto the railroad tracks between two train cars. But it was too late. Fluffy was already charging toward the train station, all three heads barking, jaws chomping, ready to tear Luclimblimb from limb. The dog leapt to the train station, front paws propped on the roof, while the middle head grabbed Lucius by the leg, dragging him to the ground below.



*Latin for ‘release.’