Everything I Do, I Do It For You

Chapter 50: Calan Park Reclaimed

The silence that followed Kingsley’s proclamation was deafening as both men stared at each other. The bald Auror was staring in waiting acknowledgement whilst Andrew was looking on in stunned immobility.

The two men seemed to face each other for an eternity before Andrew finally snapped back into reality.

“What are you talking about?” he asked Kinsley. “Who are you men really?” he added, a tinge of fury in his otherwise calm manner.

“We are from the Department of Health and we are here to…” Kingsley started before being once more cut off by Andrew.

“I don’t believe you,” he stated. “In fact I’m going to call your department now and find out what is really going on,” Andrew said as he turned around to head for the door.

Now Kingsley wasn’t a wizard that was prone to acting out before he thought out every contingency, but in this case he panicked. He lifted his wand up and yelled out, ”Stupefy,” before his brain even caught up with his actions.

Staring at the fallen doctor on the ground, he looked up to see Mundungus doing the same. Mundungus’ eyes were wide and he held a look of pure disbelief on his face.

“Dung,” Kingsley said, a little harsher than he meant to, “go find Remus and bring him back in here. I want these Dark wards and spells taken down immediately.”

When Mundungus didn’t respond instantly, Kingsley yelled, “Now!” As he watched, the wizard quickly pulled himself back together and made for the door.

As the door snapped closed behind the wizard, Kingsley sighed loudly as he ran a hand over his bald head and hunched over in exhaustion.

’What am I going to do now?’ he deliberated.

***

Tolmie reached over towards the Potions Master’s chair, book in hand.

“What do you think of this one?” he asked as Severus took the heavy tome from his outstretched hands.

Quickly skimming the page, he raised his eyes to meet the enthusiastic face of Tolmie Crobobin.

“It could work; however, I foresee a problem,” he replied, scowling slightly.

Peter was watching the interchange from his chair. He had been looking through Dark Arts books for the last five hours and he sorely needed a break. He dare not voice his opinion, however, as he didn’t want to anger the dark-haired wizard to his left.

“Yes, I saw that too,” Tolmie countered. “However,” he paused for a brief moment as if gathering his thoughts as he looked over to Peter, who was staring at him avidly, “I don’t anticipate it being a major problem.” He finished, still looking at Peter.

“What could you possibly mean by that?” Severus asked scowling once more.

“Let’s just say that I have ways of getting the information to whomever I wish without having to speak the words out loud,” Tolmie retorted, grinning madly.

"Though," Tolmie continued, his grin fading, "I have never tried it on a human being before." He looked back at Severus, who was still scowling.

***

Severus had been searching the Dark Arts volumes that Tolmie had brought down to Peter’s dungeon lair for any sign of this ‘harnessing potion’ that Tolmie had spoken of previously.

He knew that the loathsome Minister was planning on using it against Hermione, Miss Granger, he immediately corrected himself, to drain her of all her magical powers. Severus would not let this happen and if he had to kill Fudge by himself, so be it.

A growl worked its way up his throat and out of his mouth at the thought of what that slime of a so-called Minister was doing to Hermione, Miss Granger; again the familiar use of her first name caught him by surprise.

He located the spell that would complete the linking of powers from one witch/wizard to another in his fifth volume and his eyes skimmed down the page. It stated that for the desired effect that the transfer was to be done on the coldest day in December and that the harnessing potion had to be given to the intended victim a total of 12 days before the binding of the witch’s or wizard’s powers.

Severus sighed quietly; they still had time to follow through with Tolmie’s intended plan. It would take time for Tolmie to prepare for what he was about to do and, if it all went as intended, they may be able to get Hermione, Miss Granger, out of Cornelius Fudge’s clutches and back to Hogwarts, where they could organize their next strategy. If not, then they would have to rely on Tolmie’s empathic powers once more.

***

Remus appeared suddenly, opening the door with haste. He looked hot and flustered and his face instantaneously fell to Andrew’s form, which was on the floor to the left of the door.

Remus looked up to meet the wary glaze of Kingsley, trepidation exhibiting itself from his very being. As he opened his mouth to question the Auror, his treacherous voice abandoned him and all he could do was to look down at the man on the floor once more.

“Remus,” Kingsley’s voice was strong, although Remus could tell that his friend was as nervous as he was as he turned his questioning eyes once more to the burly wizard, “I need for you to take down these wards and spells without delay.”

The authority in the Auror’s voice was immediately recognisable to Remus and he did not question Kingsley’s motives for Stupefying the doctor.

“I shall be taking Andrew back to Hogwarts with me,” Kingsley continued, however, he paused at Remus’ incredulous look. “Oh don’t worry about us, I want for you to keep Dung here with you as a look out and I don’t want to see you back until your task is completed.”

Walking over to the doctor, Kingsley lifted his hand, which was still holding onto his wand, and said, ”Mobilcorpus.”

Andrew’s body rose from the hard tiled ground like a demented marionette on unseen strings. Kingsley placed his hand on the doctor’s shoulder and both men Apparated with a soft crack.

Remus stared at the spot where the two men had been for a second before he sensed the presence of Mundungus in the room behind him. Turning his weary body to face the wizard, he nodded his head once in assent before reaching into his robes and pulling out his wand.

In silent concentration, he began his mammoth errand.

***

As Severus stared into the now dying fire that he had lit hours ago, he thought of his uncharacteristic friendship with Tolmie.

“Friendship.” His lips whispered that quiet revelation to the now stillness of the room.

Peter had retired to his bedroom hours ago and Tolmie had left on his bizarre quest, so the Potions Master was now left to his own thoughts, left to ponder his shortcomings in life.

He had never depended on anyone else before, not even his parents, and this new level of trust he was now displaying to Tolmie, he would not have contemplated doing, even so much as six months ago. He hated relying on anyone, and therefore, he would have no one to blame but himself.

He knew now what Tolmie had to do, however it was beyond his powers to assist the older wizard and that was where he felt useless.

But perhaps just this once he would indulge Tolmie, his friend, and allow him to see to this task alone. Besides, he didn’t have the experience or the know how and would perish even if he chose to accompany the wizard in his perilous pursuit.

No, Tolmie had to do this alone and Severus would have to trust him to see it through, no matter what the outcome.

***

Kingsley appeared on the outskirts of Hogwarts with Andrew Poles. A slightly warm breeze blew in gently from the south, and the wizard drew the warm air greedily into his lungs.

He had been astonished to find Andrew, after all of these years thinking him to be dead. The Minister must have covered his tracks carefully, for no one questioned the Daily Prophet when the article had come out all those years ago.

Taking his hand off Andrew’s shoulder, he flicked his wrist and the man obediently followed him through the grounds of Hogwarts. Kingsley made a bee line directly for the Headmaster’s office, and when he reached the door above the spiral staircase, he didn’t even pause to knock as he opened the door and announced, “I have found him.”

Dumbledore looked up from the parchment that he had been reading; his eyebrows rose in questioning as he looked at the young Auror standing before him.

“Who,” the elderly wizard asked in a surprised voice.

“Andrew Poles,” was the only answer he received, and a look of bewilderment crossed his face as the wizard in question floated into the room.

***

Deep within the depths of the Minister’s mansion, an alarm sounded. Cornelius steadily looked up from his work on the harnessing potion.

’So they have discovered my secrets within Calan Park,’ he thought as a scowl darkened his features momentarily.

“No matter,” he voiced as his hand continued to stir the potion.

***

A/N: Sorry for the unexpected delay, however I was called to help my best friend who is in a wheelchair with her farm and she lives seven hours away. Bali was beautiful although it was a little too long being away from home and my story. I just got home from my friends place and you were my first priority, I swear!

We are getting down to it now. Tolmie has left on his own bizarre quest (I wonder what that’s all about), Kingsley has Doctor Andrew Poles back at Hogwarts, Remus is taking down the Dark spells that surround Calan Park, Hermione is still in the evil Minister’s clutches and the Minister himself… Well let’s not mention him, shall we…

Thank you to my beta, LariLee, who has stuck with me through this story. Your present is in the mail.

Please review, even if it’s just to tell me what a short chapter it is. I know!

Disclaimer: Doesn’t belong to me although I would much prefer to live in my story than in RL sometimes. Oh well!