Life Begins Anew

Severus watched the happy reunion from the edge of the clearing. He lingered for a moment, reflecting on the events of the last 48 hours. Merlin! Percy Weasley a Knight of the Inner Circle, facing werewolves, and the fact that most of the muggle-borns were still alive. As he turned to leave, he heard the pop of Apparation and watched as his sister approached.

“Severus.” She greeted him. “We have a problem. As soon as Voldemort punishes Greyback, he is going after parents of those murdered witches and wizards to make an example of them.”

He looked to her. “Only you, the Dark Lord, and Greyback know of the mission. How are you going to get around that?” He asked with interest.

“Not sure yet.” She replied. “I came here to tell you and find out what your plans are for the next few days.

He motioned for her to follow him deeper into the woods. “Tomorrow, a press announcement at the castle officially announcing my selection as Headmaster where it will be announced that attendance to the school is mandatory and parents not obeying will be chucked in Azkaban. Then three days after that, term begins.”

“How exciting.” She remarked drily. “My task is to get the students to the muggle town and arrange transportation. You are responsible for where they will go next. What of your plans?”

He looked to her for a moment. “Sanctuary Sara. I have arranged it.”

She watched as he Apparated, her mind deep in thought at the cryptic words. Thin it clicked. She chuckled as she left as well.

&&&&&&

John ran to Hermione, knocking her down and sobbed. “Hermione, you’re alive! How?!”

She began to tell her story as the group listened to her in suspense. She ended with the stranger leaving her outside the tent.

The students chatted excitedly. Who was the dark figure? Did they have a guardian angel?

Hermione chuckled to herself. More like a guardian bat.

Bootstray looked to the group. “Definitely a mystery to solve at a later date but we need to make a list of your missing though more than likely they are dead based on Miss. Granger’s story.”

The room became quiet at his words. They had been so thankful to be alive that they had not even thought of the missing.

Harry pulled out a parchment and began to list the names that sounded out from the group until all was silent.

“Harry, may I take a look at the list?” Hermione asked.

He handed her the note watching her body shake as she read the list. Merlin! She did not realize how many had died as she began to sob.

Ron rushed over to hold her as Bootstray gently took the parchment from her and motioned for Harry to come with him to Hermione’s room.

***Sara we have the names of the missing. Can you send Hades over to deliver it to you? Or will the families be left to their own?***

***Some will be rescued, but not all as the Dark Lord would be suspicious and I know that I am going to be called soon. I will do what I can. ***

Hades suddenly appeared in the room. “Mister Harry Potter.” The bird greeted him.

“Hades.” Harry absently greeted Professor Snape’s familiar.

“How fares our master Hades?” Bootstray asked.

“Stressed Bootstray, as everything is happening so quickly and she is making plans within plans.”

The assassin handed the familiar the note. “Send her my love, Hades.”

The bird looked to the wizardly sadly for a moment and faded away.

&&&&&&&&&&

Hades appeared to his mistress as she took the list from his beak. 17 families. Well, 16 as one set of parents were already safely away.

Sara called to DEATH and watched the form materialize. “How fare you Little One?”

“Very stressed Lord Death. Can you look at this list and tell me which has siblings? I do not have the time to rescue them all and the Dark Lord would be suspicious if I do.”

DEATH took the list and marked the names and handed the list back. “The trip to the Veil was hard on them Sara. They could not understand why they were hated so much to be killed. But the Veil will soothe them. It always does with children taken before their time.”

Sara watched as DEATH faded from view, looking to the list. The number had dropped to four. It was manageable.

Hades looked to his mistress. “Bootstray sends his love, Sara.”

&&&&&&

Hermione, Harry, and Ron watched as Bootstray and Slightly opened the crates with glee, revealing muggle firearms and laid them out.

Harry looked to them. “As I said before Bootstray, these are useless to us. Muggle weapons cannot break a shield charm.”

Bootstray looked to Harry. “These will I assure you.”

There was a loud snort from Ron. “The Ministry had my dad test that theory. Harry is right. They will not protect us.”

Hermione watched as Bootstray and Slightly argued amongst them as to who would take the bullet.

“Pick a number between one and ten.” Hermione told them as she wrote a number on a piece of parchment and handed it to Harry. Whoever is closest shall take the bullet, though I think it is useless as well.”

“Seven!”

“Five!”

Harry held out the parchment revealing the number 3. “Sorry Mr. Slightly, It seems that you have won.”

Slightly cursed under his breath as he silenced the room and muttered “Protego!” Protective spell set around him as he stood and waited.

Bootstray chuckled as he palmed a handgun and pointed it to his friend. “Any last words mate?”

“Just don’t shoot my important bits!” Slightly snarled as he noticed where the gun was pointed.

Bootstray chuckled as he pulled the trigger, watching Slightly fall down as he clutched his shoulder.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron looked in shock as Bootstray walked up to the wizard and healed his wound, drawing out the bullet. “Here is another one for your collection mate.” Dropping the bullet into Slightly’s hand.

Slightly held out the bullet for all to see. “These weapons were not made by muggles. They were forged by Goblins and the bullets charmed to go through most magical shields.”

Harry exclaimed. “There might be hope yet!”

***Bootstray. Slightly! I need you to save four families. I dare not do it myself as I will be called soon. Assassins come to me and accept your mark! ***

Bootstray addressed Hermione. “We must be away for a while. Get your group to sleep and in the afternoon we shall test and plan.”

She watched as the wizards Apparated away and Ron went to instruct the rest of the group. Harry indicated that she should join him in bed, removing her outer cloak and motioning her to join him his hand rubbing her belly as he asked how the baby was.

She snuggled against him feeling secure as he looked to her. “It was Snape who saved you?” He asked.

“Yes Harry he did.” Yawning widely as she succumbed to sleep.

&&&&&

Headmaster Snape stood alongside Deputy Headmistress McGonagall scowling as he stood at the entrance to the castle as the press took pictures.

The Minister of Magic spoke. “Headmaster Snape has been with the school for twenty years and many of his students have gone on to be Potions masters in their own right. He is the best qualified to lead our young into a bright new age.”

He snorted at that remark. Two in twenty years and he had to murder one of them.

One press wizard held up his hand. “Minister, it is said that Severus Snape murdered Headmaster Dumbledore.”

Pious looked to the wizard. “I assure you that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has looked into the matter and there is no proof into those allegations.” He looked to the assembled group.

“And as the Ministry is always worried about the development of our young witches and wizards I make a decree that has already been passed. All Wizarding children will be taught at this school. To defy it means a sentence at Azkaban.” Indicating that the meeting was to a close.

Severus watched as the group began to leave as two Death Eaters disguised as aurors intercepted the wizard that asked of the murder of Professor Dumbledore. He was sure that the unfortunate wizard would not be heard from again.

He turned away and entered the castle, dark robes billowing behind him, making his way up to the Headmaster’s office.

Severus looked to the empty portrait of the Headmaster. The plan was for Albus to guide him after his death, yet he was not there. He growled to himself as he felt the burn of his Mark. He strode to his chambers next to his office and pulled on the robes of one of the Inner Circle and Apparated away.

&&&&&&&

Bootstray and Slightly took the Fifth through Seventh years out to a make shod firing range. “If you pass this test, you will be responsible for protecting our group. If you think you are not up to the task then leave now.”

He waited a moment seeing no one leave. “Very well, let’s see what you have.” Handing out the handguns with normal bullets to the group. Out of fifty, there was only twenty qualified to go further.

He passed out the remaining twenty Enfield rifles. “Begin!”

That tailored it down to ten. Bootstray handed out the handguns to those that failed with the charmed bullets. “You will use these when needed to protect your friends.” He dismissed that group of wizards and witches as he handed the last group the Enfield rifles. “You as well, take these and be prepared to use them.”

Bootstray watched as a young wizard approach him.

John Donaldson walked up and angrily stated. “I think it unfair that you test the older ones only.”

Slightly looked to the wizard. “You are too young, run along little one.”

John looked to him for a moment and grabbed one of the nine mils, not even looking as he fired the whole clip into the target.

Bootstray walked up and observed the target. “Do it again”! As he conjured up a blank target.

He watched as the young wizard fired again with a perfect target.

John looked to him. “I have been around firearms all my life. My dad runs a mercenary business.”

“Very well John.” Bootstray replied as he handed him a handgun and a rifle.

“I will use these to protect Hermione, as she has stood up for me.”

They watched as the young wizard left. The boy was certainly protective of Hermione.

&&&&&&

Severus bowed down as his Dark Lord motioned him to stand. He glanced up and saw that fifty of the Outer Circle was in the room.

“Tonight we will kill the remaining muggle-born students.” He motioned to a group of sixteen come forward. “Take this filth.” Pointing at the mutilated bodies of the young students. “Leave them in the main square of Diagon Alley.”

Voldemort sent to his newest Knight. “You will take the body of Hermione Granger. Make sure you mutilate the body more in full view before you leave.”

Percy nodded as he walked away with the body of Hermione along with his fellow Death Eaters carrying the remaining bodies.

They apparated to the middle of Diagon Alley and laid the bodies down.

“Look to these citizens, as this will happen to you if you defy our Lord!” Sending a spell out to freeze the citizens in place.

Percy muttered the charms to disfigure the body of Hermione Granger more before the group disappeared, leaving the bodies in the middle of the street.

&&&&&&&

The group of students got ready for their travel as Harry spoke up. “Based on the information that we have been given, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named expects us to use magic. And we will, and kill all who arrive!”

Bootstray looked approvingly to the wizard. He was taking up the mantle that was thrust upon him.

Harry motioned for them to leave, leaving the tent behind as it would be no good to use it.

After five hours the group found themselves in a clearing.

Harry walked up to Bootstray. “Is this a good place for an ambush?”

Bootstray looked around. “It is Mr. Potter. Move the students without weapons deep into the forest. However, there needs to be one to cast magic to call the enemy. Who is to be the sacrificial lamb?” He asked.

He looked to Ron and Hermione as Ron said “I will.”

Hermione stood up. “No, I will as I have a gift from Sara Snape that will protect me. Remember when I asked her questions correctly about her at beginning of term?”

Harry looked to her. “I thought I lost you once. No more! Go and protect the remaining group.”

“No Harry.” She quietly replied. “Make your plans. I’ll be safe”

He cursed as he watched her go into the clearing as Bootstray and Slightly set up the positions for the ambush with the students.

John ran and stood next to Hermione.

She looked to him “John, join the others. You do not need to defend me.”

She looked to the young wizard as he refused to move and sighed as she silently caste the spell that Sara Snape taught her, expanding it to cover the young wizard.

“Protego!” She shouted out as the clearing filled with Death Eaters.

“You! You are supposed to be dead!” One shouted to her.

“Sorry to disappoint you!” She said as she watched the killing spell kicked from her and killed the wizard. She pulled John down to the ground as the sound of muggle firearms sounded.

She watched as the Death Eater sent killing spells out, not knowing where their enemy was. Soon all was silent.

John stood up and looked at the bodies around him from the charmed bullets.

“John, start gathering the bodies.” Slightly commanded as the young wizard hurriedly did what he was told along with his fellow students.

Everyone gathered round the pile of dead bodies as Harry created a pot key to place the bodies in the middle of Diagon Alley. He tossed the port key and watched the bodies disappear. “Come we have a ways to go before we rest.”

They began their trek once again. They were alive for another day.