Life Begins Anew

Chapter 60 Manipulation and Journey

The group of students sat on the floor of their tent as they looked to Harry.

Harry looked them over. He hoped that they all made it out alive. Professor Snape’s trek was intense. Hermione conjured up a muggle map and Ron conjured up a ruler to determine the distance that they would have to travel. It amounted to two hundred miles and would take twenty days to complete at ten miles a day. While ten miles a day did not seem much, he knew that the conditions in which they had to travel was going to task them harshly.

“We were told last night that the Order of the Phoenix has fallen. No one in the government is looking for us and there is no one to help us.” He gestured to Ron to hand out the maps they had copied. “This is the route that we will need to take. It will take us twenty days to complete. When we arrive at the muggle town, transportation arrangements will be made to take us to a place of safety.”

Seamus raised his hand. “How do we know that Professor Snape is not setting us up? She may be a Death Eater. After all, she bears the name of Snape.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Seamus, if she was a Death Eater, she would have arrived with loads of Death Eaters and turned us over to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. She provided these supplies, so I think it is safe to say that she is in league with us.”

He said nothing looking back at Hermione. It was a good question to ask after all. “How did she know where we were?” He demanded.

Once again Hermione rolled her eyes and handed out a few copies of the Daily Prophet extra addition for the students to read.

The Golden Trio watched as the paper was passed around noticing the looks of understanding as a few older students explained it to the first and second years.

Hermione looked back to Seamus. “Do I need to spell it out for you?” She looked to her fellow students. “As the Prophet stated, the train was stopped after 45 minutes of travel. Figuring on the mean speed of a train, she was able to deduce an area that we would likely be in. She probably grabbed a map, made a grid, and searched until she found us. Really, this is primary school maths and everyone here has taken those classes.”

Seamus looked to his fellow students as they nodded in agreement. “It still doesn’t explain how she found the tent.”

Ron spoke up. “Remember Hades telling us her age? Who knows what spells she knows, especially Dark Ones. She is a Dark Arts master after all!”

Harry looked to them. “If we are to survive, we need to be in this as one. I for one am following this plan, as this is best for us. I would hate to split the group, but I will. If anyone wishes to stay here, then that is fine. But they would be on their own. Raise your hand if you agree to this plan.”

Seamus watched as his fellow students raised their hands. He saw complete unity in the decision. He raised his hand as well muttering “I am sure this is not the best.”

Harry looked to the group. “Hermione has made copies of survival books addressing winter survival. We are going to stay here another week and prepare ourselves.” He looked to them and stated in a steel voice. “This is life or death for us, so we need to be prepared the best as we can.”

He watched as the group began to read from the books.

&&&&&&&&

Alectus Carrow growled at his misfortune. He had been commanded by the Dark Lord along with 99 other Death Eaters to stay at the main hall Disillusioned. All they were told was that they would know when to reveal themselves and were handed a week’s worth of rations. He had stayed to the edge of the room, watching the ministry peons go back and forth. They were able to slip in earlier as every witch and wizard in the Ministry attended Dumbledore’s funeral.

He watched with interest as several witches and wizards conjured up a large amount of chairs as they began adding pictures of wizards and witches to the wall. He recognized quite a few aurors. Ah! This must be it! With his alertness heightened, he watched as witches and wizards began to fill the chairs. Merlin! This must be the entire Ministry.

Alectus watched as Pius Thicknesse began the memorial. “Gathered witches and wizards. We are here to remember the lives of witches and wizards that lost their lives while in service…”

All of a sudden, there was a bright flash as Voldemort appeared in the Hall. “Faithful ones reveal yourselves.” One hundred Death Eaters appeared against the walls.

Voldemort chuckled as he heard the screams and gasps of shock. He looked to the pictures on the wall. “Very touching, this memorial service.” He easily deflected a few spells sent his way, and disarmed the few aurors that sent it. “Very brave of you, but you are Pureblood and I’ll not kill you yet.” He walked up and addressed the group. “These aurors were killed by a single Death Eater.” He looked to the faked surprise of his Minister of Magic. “There will be no repercussions if you are loyal to the Minister of Magic.” He casually killed a few of the attending group. “Do as you have always done. Work your jobs to support the Minister of Magic. If not…” He killed a few others, all muggle-born. “This is what you shall receive.”

Voldemort pointed his wand once again, felling the remaining muggle-borns in his midst. “Death Eaters, take them away!” Pressing his wand to his Mark to reveal a holding location to his followers.

The shocked group watched as the Death Eaters grabbed the fifty unconscious witches and wizards and spirited them away.

Voldemort looked to them. “I have purified your ranks. I’ll leave you now to respect your dead.” He sneered, fading away.

Minister Thicknesse looked to the gathered wizards and witches. “We know what we have to do to lead the Wizarding world into safety. We must pursue the Muggle-borns and eradicate them if the Wizarding world is going to survive. If the Dark Lord can access the Ministry, he can access anyone. The muggle-borns pose a threat to our way of life!” He dismissed the group, telling them to leave and think about the consequences. Ministry employees left the hall with quite a few agreeing with him.

Arthur looked in shock at the bold takeover of the Ministry. No word would get out as the remaining workers were left in fear.

He walked to the Ministry floo and arrived into his home absentmindedly glancing at the clock from habit he stopped and stared at it. The clock!

Arthur noticed the hand of Ron stuck at mortal peril. Then he noticed Hermione and Harry’s hand stuck to the same. Molly had added them a few years back. So, his son and his friends were still alive. Thank Merlin! There was hope for them yet as he hugged Ginny as she ran to him.

&&&&

Small groups of the muggle students ventured forth from their tents to get used to their winter gear and to get a feel for the elements. They travelled two miles out and then made the return journey. There was not a sound from any of them now. The forced treks made them realize that their life hung in balance.

Hermione finished teaching Seamus Finnegan and Kevin Entwhistle about the healing potions that their Defense professor left for them. She explained about each one, and when they should use them. She placed notes on parchments charmed to be indestructible and conjured up three lanyards and attached the copies to them.

Placing a one around her neck, she handed the other two to the of age wizards. “Keep this with you at all times. I know I went over so much information that it will be forgotten. Included is muggle first aid along with the healing charms that we have covered.”

Hermione absently rubbed her left arm. She had broken and cut it with large wounds many times to ensure that the wizards knew what to do. She hoped Severus would not be upset with the scars on her upper arm.

Harry called the group together. “We have a day left before we have to travel. We have done all the training that we can and I have decided to leave the rest of the day free so you can prepare yourselves. Use the time wisely. Hermione, Ron, and I will complete our plans and will fill you in when we leave tomorrow night.” He motioned his friends to the conjured room.

Harry closed the door and looked to them. “What do you think?”

Ron looked to Harry troubled. “The temperature should get warmer and the snow dissipate as we travel south, but I am worried mate. Yesterday was -27 degrees centigrade. There will be some deaths, of that I am sure. We need to prepare ourselves for that. After all, most here are probably city folk with no knowledge of the country.”

Hermione just nodded in agreement, not saying a word as Harry spread out the map and they began to discuss their trek.

After a few hours, they left the room and saw small groups conversing with one another.

Hermione’s heart broke as she noticed the lone Slytherin truly alone. She had promised that she would stand by him. She whispered to Harry and Ron the conversation she had with the young Slytherin after the Headmaster’s funeral.

“Hey, Donaldson!” Harry called to the Slyhterin. “You never told me your first name and I hate having to address you like a professor.”

The young boy looked in hesitation at the address of his name from the Boy-Who-Lived. Many nights he spent in the Common Room, listening to the Pure Blood snakes degrade Potter.

While his initial Sorting did not seem too bad at the school, he was ostracized from this group of students. Though most of his Slytherin classmates were full of themselves, at least there he was accepted. The Potions Professor and the Headmaster had a long talk with him about status and the importance of hiding his heritage. And he hid it well.

The first year Slytherin looked to him and nervously replied. “My name is John, Potter.”

Harry walked over to him and pulled him up from the group imposed exile. Smiling, he extended his hand. “It’s Harry to my friends. I hope I can count you as one?”

John Donaldson looked up to him warily, seeing the genuine offer of friendship. “If you will allow me, I would be proud to count you as a friend.”

Ron walked over and slapped the young wizard on the back. “Well, include me as well. Come on, We are stuck with the dinner rotation and can use the help.”

The rest of the students watched as the Golden Trio went to the kitchen with the untrustworthy snake. How could they have accepted the enemy?

While they prepared the meal Ron asked him what his favorite game was. He was surprised when the young wizard told him it was Wizard’s Chess and Ron took him to task at the game after dinner and was shocked that the Slytherin thoughorly trounced him in the very first game, with Hermione chuckling at the outcome.

Ron glared at him as he tipped his king down in defeat.

John looked to the Gryffindor with a smug smile. “I should have warned you that I was undefeated in Slytherin.”

Ron laughed as he set the board up again. “Well, I’m onto you now John. Fancy another?”

John looked to the Gryffindor with glee as he set his pieces up.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Percy Weasley sat at his desk in the Ministry thinking about the murder of his mother. While he loved her, he understood why the Dark Lord commanded her death. His family’s views were against what was true and proper. There was no place in the Wizarding world for mud-bloods. He had given his father space, understanding the disappointment his father felt of him, but he missed his remaining brothers and sister. Pulling a blank parchment out, he wrote to his father that they should meet for lunch. After all, soon it would be Christmas Eve.

Arthur looked to the parchment that was dropped to his desk and sighed. He had purposely not told his children about Percy’s defection to the Dark Lord as he knew that Fred and George would have killed him on sight if they knew. He realized that Molly would not have wanted it that way. He penned that he would be at the Ministry canteen for lunch and that he was welcomed to join him.

Percy approached the table where his father was and sat down. “All is well?”

Arthur looked to him. “You know He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has a listening charm on me. So yes, all is well.” He replied as he took a sip of his tea. “So Percival, what would you like to talk about?”

He looked into the defeated eyes of his father as he heard his father’s formal address to him. He had not been called his formal name in years... “I saw the burial announcement in the Prophet and I would like to visit Mum’s grave. It has been a while since a visit to the Burrow, and I was hesitant to show up unannounced as I know you do not agree about the choices that I have made.”

Arthur sighed as he looked to his son. “I have not told them about your allegiance, only that the Order has fallen and that your mother was killed, without details.” He began to eat his meal in silence.

Percy began to eat as well as he observed his dad.

Finishing his meal, Arthur stood up. “You mum would not want me to banish you from the family. Come tomorrow as it will be Christmas Eve. Your siblings have asked about you and all I told them was your promotion to Assistant to the Minister of Magic have prevented you from visiting. Please do not disappointment me more than you already have Percival. After all, Ron is still missing and they have been very worried about him.”

Percy watched his father walk away, shoulders slumped. He thought that his father would be angry with him and deny the visit. He felt a slight remorse as he left the canteen and headed back to his office.

&&&&&&

Harry looked to the group standing outside as Ron dismantled the tent, reducing it and put it into his pocket as Hermione went to each student and placed a small glowing charm on the back of their thick jackets.

“Well, this is it. The first day of a twenty day trek. Follow the red glow in front of you so that you do not get lost. I will be in front with medic Seamus, medic Hermione in the middle with John, and Ron at the rear with medic Kevin. If anything is wrong blow your whistle and the whole group will stop. It is important that we make the ten miles before sunrise. I will call for breaks as needed. Okay, let’s gather into three groups.”

Harry watched as they formed into groups. “This is your team now. Everyone will watch over their team mates so that all of us can make this out alive. You are all responsible for one another. Think of it as having a group of buddies.” He watched the fading light of the sunset and motioned for them to begin.

Bootstray and Slightly began to follow the group, impressed at the Chosen One’s words and guidance.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Voldemort pressed his Mark, calling his Knights to him. He watched as forms appeared within Lady Prince’s hall. He watched the bowed forms. “Rise my Knights of Walpurgis and eat the meal provided by Sister Sara.”

They approached the table and sat. “Tonight is Christmas Eve. I have called you here tonight as the timing is something that I appreciate. In muggle religion, a savior was born tonight. With my take down of the Order and the Ministry, I am a savior of the Wizarding world. Eat and enjoy!”

House elves appeared and began to serve the witches and wizards.

After the meal was done, he ordered his Circle to line up in front of him. “Now that we have enjoyed this fine meal, can you tell me why you have all failed to find the muggle students of Hogwarts?” His red eyes glinting in anger.

Loud voices began to protest and he crucio’d them all except for Sara. He did not want his heir harmed in the womb. He released the curse and watched as his Knights stood up.

“My Lord, if I may address you?” Sara asked.

He nodded as she spoke. “Perhaps my Lord, it is because they are dead. In that part of the wilderness, the elements are harsh. They only have school robes and surely have perished by now and the snow has covered the bodies. It has been ten days My Lord. We would have found them by now if they were indeed alive.” Keeping her voice light and respectful.

Voldemort sat in silence, thinking. He had not felt the flashes of emotion from Harry Potter in quite some time.

“Perhaps that is true Knight Sara. The Ministry has been taken, and now we can move forward with our plans.”

He revealed the fifty muggle born witches and wizards from the Ministry. “Torture and kill them with creativity. I want them to suffer!”

The Inner Circle moved forward and began to play.

Severus looked into the frightened eyes of Crystal Johnston as he began his torture. He remembered her as an exceptional student that rose up despite being muggle-born ten years ago. She was a very free thinking potions mistress and worked as the head of the potions section within the Ministry. He began to beat her unmercifully. Soon she was dead and he grabbed up another. The darkness filled him more.

He looked to his sister. She preferred knife play and mutilated her victims, blood covering her robes as she abused them, relishing in their demise. Sara was caught up in the darkness fully and relishing it.

Soon the torture was done and the Dark lord looked pleased at the results, calling fifty wizards of the outer circle. “Take the bodies to their families and make sure they understand their place in our new world. Teach them well!” He commanded.

Soon all left leaving the Inner Circle. “Go now all of you except Bella.” He watched as the Inner Circle disappeared, leaving Sara as she was already in her House.

The Dark Lord turned to Sara. “You have chambers Knight Sara?”

“Yes My Lord.” Watching as he grabbed Bella. Sara called up Sassy to guide the witch and wizard to her guest chambers.

She turned and went to her chambers to wash the blood away from her.

Sara entered her shower fully clothed running hot water, watching the red swirls of blood run into the drain.

***Bootstray. Slightly. How fare our wandering nation? ***

***Very well Sara. They have just bivwacked with two hours to spare. *** Slightly replied.

***I’m not particularly worried about the first few days. It will be after that. ***

***Should we be expecting any company Sara? *** Bootstray asked.

***Look into my mind for the last few days events so that you can be caught up to date. ***

Bootstray sent back. ***Voldemort has wasted no time. The final confrontation rushes sooner than expected. ***

***Yes Bootstray and it is just as well. It is becoming harder to fight the darkness. It took over me during the torture session and I had a hard time taking control again. Keep a close eye my brothers. Voldemort is hard to guess and he might very well try to locate them again. ***

***Aye Sara, that we will!** She felt the wizards go back into the far recess of her mind as she stripped the soggy robes off her body and placed herself fully into the shower’s hot streaming water.

&&&&&&&&

Percy arrived at the Burrow as his siblings ran and hugged him.

“Percy, we have missed you!” Ginny shrilled out. Fred and George laughed at Ginny’s heartfelt welcome. He began to follow her down the hall.

“Hey sorry I have not come before now. My new duties keep me away.” Percy replied as he noticed his mum’s clock on the wall, looking at the hands. His was the only one listed that wasn’t pointed to Mortal Peril.

“Ginny, can you take me to Mum’s grave?” Percy asked her.

“Of course, Percy. You know that He-Who-Must-Not-Be Named ordered her death?”

“Yes, Dad told me. I’m sorry that I could not come before now.” She grabbed his hand and began the trek to the graves.

They stood silently at the graves holding one another, each lost to their own thoughts.

&&&&

Minerva received the School Governor’s owl announcing Severus Snape as the next Headmaster. She quickly removed her things as she knew that the hated wizard would arrive shortly. Soon, she received a letter from Snape that he would arrive within the hour. She sighed as she walked to the caretaker’s office to send him down to meet the new headmaster.

Argus cursed while waiting at the gates for the new headmaster. Being in the cold caused his arthritis to act up. Even his cat decided not to make the trek with him, preferring to stay in the warmth of the castle. He watched a dark clothed figure approach and dropped his jaw in shock as it was Professor Snape.

He did not open the gates as he knew the professor killed the Dumbledore.

“Let me in Filch!” Snape snapped to him, voice brooking to be obeyed.

“Do you think I’m daft?! I was sent to greet and escort the new headmaster.”

“And so you have greeted him.” Snape replied in a dangerous voice.

“If you have rights to the castle, then you can open the gate yourself.” He watched as the wizard drew his wand while opening the gate with his free hand.

Walking through the gates, Snape grabbed up the squib and pointed his wand to the old man’s neck. “It would do you well squib to obey me at once in the future. There is no room in the New World for non-magical people and you surely fit that category.” He snarled as he threw Filch onto the ground. He looked to the squib trembling in fear on the ground. “I know my way around the castle Mr. Filch, and do not require an escort.”

Snape turned around and made his way up to the castle. Soon he was at the gargoyle leading up to his new office and noticed Minerva waiting for him, anger in her eyes.

“Headmaster Snape.” She greeted him, voice filed the disgust. She pulled off the Headmaster’s ring and gave it to him.

Snape motioned her to go up the stairs before him. He sat at the headmaster’s desk and motioned for her to sit.

Minerva refused and he looked to her. “Deputy Headmistress, it would not brook well for you to ignore me.”

She sat as Snape darkly chuckled and handed her the parchment listing the changes to the staff. “A few staff changes for after the holidays.”

Minerva looked them over. “There is no mention of Muggle Studies.”

“No that is a subject no longer taught here. Unfortunately Charity Burbage decided to….. retire.” He looked to her as the realization hit her of what had happened to Charity.

She looked back to Snape warily. “What do you expect of me?”

“Your support Minerva. If you cannot provide that, then complete obedience will do.” He smoothly replied. “The Dark Lord is listening, and I assure you that you would not die, but you would wish for it if you disobey me.”

Minerva stood up in anger. “May I be dismissed, Headmaster Snape?”

“By all means.”

Severus looked to the portraits in the Headmaster’s office as he noticed that they turned their backs to him with the exception of one as he noticed the empty portrait of Dumbledore.

He held the ring and looked to it. “Headmaster Black, how long does it normally take a deceased Headmaster to appear in a portrait?”

The portrait looked back to the new Headmaster. “Usually two days.” Black replied.

Severus placed the Headmaster’s ring onto his finger and sat back, deep in thought.

&&&&&&&

Voldemort lay in the bed sated at the administrations of Bella. He felt his mark burn and decided to answer it. He dressed and Apparated to his chambers.

Sitting on his throne, he pressed his Mark allowing one of his Outer Circle to join him. He looked to the young Death Eater of the Outer Circle. “I hope what you have is important young one. It could be very painful if you do not. Rise and approach.”

The Death Eater approached his lord. “My Lord, Potter is still alive.” Holding up his mother’s clock.

He looked into Percy Weasley’s mind and saw what the wizard thought was true. He pressed his Mark and soon Lucius appeared. “Get Greyback and come back here immediately.”

&&&&&&&

Harry, Hermione, and Ron travelled, pleased that they were able to keep to the schedule. They all froze as they heard the unmistakable sounds of werewolves in the forest close to them. Then they were attacked, the column scattering in all directions.

&&&&&&&

Headmaster Snape woke up, feeling the burning of his pendant that he wore. He quickly dressed and focused on his pendant as he Apparated away, wand in hand.