Life Begins Anew

Chapter 71 Rallying Points

A wizard rushed into the Leaky Cauldron around midnight. “You are not going to believe it, but the dead bodies of Death Eaters are arriving where the dead students were left!” A shocked silence followed as one wizard made his way out and sprinted to the location, followed by the rest of the patrons. Old Tom looked at the now empty pub. What the hell he thought as he locked up his business and made his way to the rest of the group.

Just as he arrived, a seventh body mysteriously appeared and the growing group of spectators cheered.

The crowd grew as word of mouth spread like wildfire, anticipating the next arrival expectantly. This was a lot like waiting for the Quaffle to be thrown threw a hoop and scoring in a Qudditch game.

A Death Eater disguised amongst the group looked towards the bodies. Should he report this to the Dark Lord? He knew the Dark Lord frequently punished the bearer of bad news. He liked being whole and healthy. No, he would watch and let another one of his brothers make the foolish decision.

The crowd cheered again as another body appeared. Who was responsible for this? The spectators began to wonder. Mummers of conversation broke out.

“Who is doing this?”

“Whoever it is has bullocks the size of a Quaffle!”

“They have surely signed their own death warrant. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is not going to be happy. After all, fifty arrived here dead less than a week ago!”

The crowd cheered once again as another body appeared. Street vendors appeared and began selling snacks and drinks. There was no way that they were going to pass up an opportunity to make a Galleon or two go by. After all business had been slow since the previous Minister had passed away.

Soon the 3 AM curfew came and went as the thirtieth body appeared. This one had a large parchment attached to it. The crowd became silent. One daring wizard grabbed the parchment from the body and read it, eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

“What does it say?” A witch shouted out.

The crowd looked to the wizard expectantly as the flash of a camera lit up the darkness for a moment.

The wizard looked over the crowd. “It says Courtesy of Harry Potter!” He cried out. The crowd cheered at the announcement.

A cry was heard out. “Let’s find out who these devils are!” The crowd began pulling of the masks of the dead Death Eaters.

The Death Eater that was observing the group quietly left. It was curfew and the Aurors would be about soon.

&&&&&&&&

Aurors Stoddard and Wright finished their cup of tea and sighed. It was their rotation to ensure that the curfew in Diagon Alley was being followed. It was a boring job.

They arrived at Diagon Alley and looked to the mob in shock as they saw thirty dead Death Eaters, watching a mob numbering well over one hundred hearing shocks of anger and sobs of betrayal as each face was revealed.

They looked to one another. Oh Shit! They immediately left to alert the watch commander.

Stoddard made the alarm and woke up the watch commander. Kingsley Shacklebot glared at him. “This had better be good Stoddard.” He growled.

Stoddard made his report and Kingsley was up in a flash.

Exiting the night room he looked and saw that Wright had already gathered every available Auror.

“There is a report of a mob with over one hundred witches and wizards involved.” Kingsley pulled out a map of Diagon Alley. “We will Apparate here and assess the situation. We are sorely outnumbered. Hopefully our arrival will drive in some common sense. Stoddard, alert Yaxley.”

Stoddard rushed out of the office thankful of his task. That mob was not happy.

The twenty Aurors appeared in a vicinity that the mob would not hear the crack of their arrival. As they rounded the corner they all stopped as one, not believing the scene unfolding before their eyes. They looked to Kingsley as they awaited their orders.

“Spread out in a line.” He commanded as he placed his wand to his neck and incanted. “Sonorus!”

“Citizens!” Kingsley barked out, his voice carrying over the angry cries of the mob. “You will stay where you are!” He commanded.

The mob looked up as one and quickly scattered, leaving the street empty.

“Hold! We are grossly outnumbered.” Kingsley commanded, eyeing the now empty street. After a few minutes of complete silence he commanded “Move forward!”

Soon they surrounded the scattered piles of bodies as one auror picked up a parchment and handed it to Kingsley. “Courtesy of Harry Potter.” He read out to his fellow aurors.

Kingsley watched as the assembled aurors cheered. He quickly commanded them to silence as he heard the clap of Apparation seeing a very angry Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement walk to them with Auror Stoddard trailing behind.

Yaxley looked to the scene. “What has happened here Shacklebot?” He commanded.

He quickly filled his Head of the events. “Gather the bodies and pile them up. I will be back shortly as I alert the Minister.” Yaxley commanded as he quickly left the scene.

The Aurors did as their Head commanded as Kingsley chuckled to himself. Yaxley was going to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. He hoped that the arrogant wizard would be tortured. He stood and waited next to the bodies commanding his team to walk the streets and bring in any wizard or witch that was about in the streets.

&&&&&

Headmaster Snape took his place at breakfast the next morning hearing the buzz of the students within the hall. He caught mentions of “Harry Potter!” and “Brilliant!” from the Gryffindor table. Looking to Mr. Longbottom he saw the look of excitement from the wizard.

Neville noticed a shadow as he looked up and found the sneering face of the Headmaster looking down to him. “Mr. Longbottom I could not help but notice the look of excitement in your pitiful face. Care to tell me why that is?”

Neville grinned back at the Headmaster as he handed Headmaster Snape his copy of The Quibbler. Snape grabbed up the paper and made his way back to his seat, flicking open the paper as he began to read. “DEATHEATERS FOUND DEAD IN DIAGON ALLEY!!” The headlines screamed out. He continued to read the rest of the article watching the moving pictures of the mob, secretly pleased.

He stood up suddenly and walked past Sara as he tossed down the paper to her as he approached the podium.

The whole hall became silent as they noticed the Headmaster. “The Quibbler is now banned from this school. Any with subscriptions are encouraged to cancel it or you will find yourself strapped to the Post with a punishment of twenty lashes for disobeying the Headmaster’s decree if you are caught with a copy. Head of House walk your tables and pull every copy. Also, just to let you know, Muggle Studies classes are cancelled for the day. I suggest you use the time to study.” Watching as the Heads walked the tables and gathered up the copies.

Most of the staff did not subscribe to that tabloid as it was full of nonsensical things. They lingered at the tables reading the article before they made their way back to the Head Table to hand in the papers.

&&&&&

Sara entered the Staff Lounge and made herself a cup of tea as there was twenty minutes before the start of class.

She sat down as she saw her fellow professors eyeing her with fear and curiosity.

Professor Flitwick spoke up. “Sara what happened to you?” Eying the angry wounds upon her face.

“I was whipped for attacking and killing a fellow professor. It seems that it is frowned upon even if that professor was revived.” She coldly told them.

Her fellow professors looked to her in shock. Her brother did that to his sister!? What would he do to them?

“I am not allowed to heal my wounds as this is supposed to be proof that even the professors of this school can and will be punished.” She angrily replied as she took her cup of tea and left the room.

She chuckled as she heard the murmurs of discontent behind the closed doors as she made her way to the Headmaster’s office.

The gargoyle lept aside as she made her way up to her brother’s office.

“Severus, the seeds of malcontent has been placed amongst your staff. They were quite shocked at my wounds and think that you did it.”

Severus stood next to his desk and darkly chuckled. “I thought that they would think that. With what happened last night in Diagon alley, and your obvious punishment from me the seed of discontent is spread. The rebellion will begin soon.”

Sara looked to him. “Tomorrow we pick up the Nation and deliver them to Sanctuary.”

“Yes Sara and my wife will be 1A.” Sara looked to him in shock.

He chuckled at her amazement. “I was supposed to be 1A but Dumbledore has not bothered to appear in his portrait. No one would believe me but a Miss. Granger appearing before them would be believable as she is supposed to be dead and they will trust her.”

Sara nodded to him as she left for her class. “I will evaluate Mr. Longbottom.”

“Why were you away Sara? The Dark Lord never bothered to tell me.”

“France is fully supportive of the Dark Lord. It was three days of murder and mayhem and their Ministry pledged neutrality after my very convincing argument. I was supposed to go to Germany next but with the Carrows causing problems here the Dark Lord will probably send Lucius.”

“The final act is set. I hope your plans are ready.”

She merely nodded as she went to teach her Seventh Year Slytherin/Gryffindor class.

&&&&&

Yaxley and Pius bowed in front of the Dark Lord listening to his rage and wished they were anywhere else but here. They looked to each other worriedly as the throne room became silent.

Voldemort suddenly pressed his Mark. Death Eaters appeared and immediately bowed except one who was holding the body of Percy Weasley.

“My Lord we have failed.” Voldemort motioned for his follower to continue.

“We arrived at a ravine were this Knight had Harry Potter and four others at wand point. He commanded us to go after the Mudbloods and we did. Every time that we came close to killing them, they avoided the curse. It was as if they could not be touched. After two days of searching, we gathered back at the ravine and noticed this body and that we were missing our comrades.” He laid the body down and bowed, waiting for his punishment.

The Dark Lord looked over the group of wizards. It would do no good to punish them as that would spread discontent through his ranks. Voldemort created a Port Key. “Yaxley, bring our comrades back here.”

“Rest up, we will get our revenge.” Dismissing all save the Death Eater that carried the body of Percy Weasley.

“Rise and listen to my command.”

The Death Eater listened for a moment and then picked up the body and exited without a word.

&&&&&

Sara watched her class enter the classroom and quietly sat at their desk. She pulled out her wand and noticed the involuntary flinches from the students as she placed it on her desk.

“So class care to tell me what Professor Carrow has been teaching while I was away?” Waiting for an answer.

“You know I demand class participation. And this class is lacking in it at this time.” She picked up her wand and walked around her class as they eyed her fearfully.

She sniffed the air and spoke to them from the rear of the classroom forcing the students to turn their heads. “This classroom reeks of fear. I believe I told you that fear would be the death of you at the beginning of the year.” Sending a dark curse to Mr. Longbottom and watched it bounce harmlessly away from the wizard.

“We covered the Cruciatus curse Professor Snape.” Growled Mr. Longbottom. “It was practical exercises.”

“Ah, a voice finally heard.” She drawled out. “Please continue Mr. Longbottom.”

Neville went on to explain about the exercises as Sara went back to her desk. So, Alecto liked holding the curse. She saw the nods of agreement as Neville finished.

“So, what of my lessons from before? Did they go to waste?” Frowning slightly as she waited for an answer.

Miss. Brown raised her hand and Sara motioned for the student to speak. “Only Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Longbottom were able to put up a shield in time. We all suffered, but they were held under the curse longer than the rest of the class.”

“I wonder why that was. Care to take a guess?” She asked the wizards. Both just looked to her as they remained silent.

She looked over her class. “The direction of this class has changed. Open defiance in the Wizarding world will not be tolerated. You will know learn how to perform Dark spells and curses rather than defend against them. I must admit that the Cruciatus curse was first on my curriculum to teach but practicals were not meant until the end of the month. It seems that Professor Carrow has saved me some time.”

Miss. Parkinson raised her hand. “Professor Snape, I thought you said performing Dark magic allows the darkness into you.”

“It does.” Sara replied back evenly. “But Headmaster Snape and the Board of Governors do not have your well being in mind. In fact it makes managing you easier.”

Neville’s head shot up and he glared at his teacher, hatred glittering in his eyes. She slipped into his mind and searched through it. Yes the darkness had a good hold of the wizard.

“It seems that you have issues with the Headmaster Mr. Longbottom?”

“Yes!” He hissed back as the rest of the class looked in shock.

“Is that the reason you were at the Post last night.” She coldly asked.

Neville did not reply as she waited for an answer. “Very well Mr. Longbottom. You have an appointment with me at 7 pm since I cannot assign detention.”

“Parchments out class! I want a description of the Cruciatus curse and specifically how your experience with the curse went and frank opinions on the best way to avoid or protect yourself from it. Get to work!”

She silently observed her class as they set down to work.

&&&&&&

The Death Eater appeared in front of Weasley’s Wizards Wheezes carrying the body over his shoulder and laughed at the screams of fear as the citizens of Diagon Alley scattered away from him. He entered the shop as it became eerily quiet as the patrons noticed who had entered the shop. He flicked his wand and uttered “Expelliarmus” disarming the twins.

He slammed the body down onto the counter in front of the stunned twins. “The Dark Lord thanks the family of Weasley for their service and sacrifice.” Chuckling as he turned around and exited the shop. The last act he did was to point his wand up shouting “Morsmordre” as he Apparated away.

Fred and George looked to the body in fear for a moment before pulling of the mask. There was a gasp of shock from the customers as they recognized the face of Percy Weasley. They numbly watched as every customer left the shop in fear.

George numbly walked to the entrance to lock the door noticing witches and wizards pointing at the sky. He walked outside and looked to the sky. Up above their shop floated Voldemort’s sign.

&&&&&&

Neville made his way up to the Dark Arts classroom reviewing his plans. Dumbledore’s Army had grown. He was surprised at the sincerity of Pansy Parkinson to join. It seemed that her time spent at the Post revealed the truth about Voldemort. Of course he knew about her honesty. It was easy to steal from the new Potion’s Master stores and Veritaserum was handy in finding out where one’s loyalty stood.

Neville opened the door to the classroom revealing the Dark Arts professor and Headmaster Snape. He uttered out a cry as he pulled out his wand as the darkness encouraged him to send out the killing curse.

Snape easily side-stepped the curse and silently froze the boy as he leaned down and took away Neville’s wand.

“Those more worthy than you have tried boy and they have not succeeded.” He sneered at him. “Now you have a choice. You will listen to Professor Snape and then you have a choice to make. I am only here to see how much darkness you have Mr. Longbottom, not that it matters much to me for it will consume you eventually. Your pitiful cast of Avada proves that the darkness is in control and not you. Pity as it grows more it will kill off Dumbledore’s Army helping me in the end.” Unfreezing the boy and leaving the classroom.

Professor Snape’s cold obsidian eyes looked to him as Neville looked back to her. Did he detect sadness in her eyes?

Mr. Longbottom, do you remember the speech I gave you about the various stages of the darkness.” She silkily asked.

He merely nodded afraid to speak. He was hypnotized by her eyes and her voice.

“Your darkness pulls you to me. That is how it is as the weakest darkness is attracted to the stronger darkness. Your hatred for the Headmaster and Professor Carrow physically touching you while she tortured you allowed the darkness to flow within you. Your psyche is like a light to the darkness and the darkness calls for more as it does what it does. And if I touched you my darkness would rush into you and take you over completely.

She stood up and she felt his eyes follow her. “You lust for me.” Looking to the wizard as he hung his head down in shame. “Do not be ashamed young wizard as sex and lust are perfect carriers for the darkness.” She unglammoured herself. “Observe me Mr. Longbottom for this is what the darkness will do to you eventually if you survive.”

Neville gasped out in shock at Professor Snape’s grizzled, scarred face. “Yes.” She purred to him. “But you still want me do you not?”

Neville looked to her in amazement as he realized that he did.

“And would you do it despite having a witch that loves you with all her heart?” She asked of him lust apparent in her voice. “I could make you forget everything and make you a stronger, powerful wizard. I know you desire it.”

Luna! Merlin no! He fought the darkness as he felt a shock strum throughout his body. He pushed the darkness to the back of his mind as he panted out in pain.

“There is hope for you Neville Longbottom. You remember Miss. Granger’s practical?

“Yes Professor. But there is not a classroom full of love to heal me.” Neville sadly replied.

“The darkness helped you reform an army. Are your plans going to change? Or do you need the darkness to have a backbone as the Headmaster eloquently puts it?”

“No!” Neville quietly stated. “I started making plans on the train while travelling back to school.” Gods! How could he have allowed the darkness to take him over so completely?

“The darkness is seductive Mr. Longbottom.” She looked to him. “While I do not have a classroom full of love to heal you I do have a witch that is true goodness or the Light if you will. A rare gem in the Wizarding world. But I warn you it will be painful for you.”

“Anything! Just get it out of me before it takes me over again.”

Sara motioned over the witch that was standing in the shadows of the classroom.

“Luna!” Neville spoke hoarsely. “I’m sorry.”

Luna touched his shoulder. “I was worried about you and I approached Professor Snape.” She decided not to tell him that the Headmaster was her original choice and she knew that he would never believe that he was on their side until it was proven.

“Miss. Lovegood, do you remember my instructions to you? You wanted the permanent way to keep the darkness away from Mr. Longbottom.” She reminded the young witch.

“Yes Professor and my mind hasn’t changed.”

Sara walked over and opened the doors to her chambers and called to Hades. “Hades I require you to patrol with me.”

Hades flew onto his Mistress’s arm. “Mr. Neville Longbottom, Miss. Luna Lovegood.” He greeted the students.

Neville watched his professor and her familiar exit the classroom confusion apparent on his face.

“Come with me.” Luna softly commanded her love as they entered the Dark Arts professor’s inner chambers.

Headmaster Snape melted out of the shadows and joined his sister. “So the healing begins. Will he be able to finish what is started?”

Sara looked to his brother and barked out a laugh. “I think so in both instances Serverus. Let’s go to your office and review tonight’s events together and plan for Sanctuary. Perhaps you’ll be lucky and you can find a few students to punish on the Post Monday evening.”

Severus growled out a chuckle as they made their way through the castle.

“Luna, what is this?” Neville nervously asked as he realized that Luna had led them to Professor Snape’s bedchambers.

“Neville, I am an empath and as Professor Snape has informed me true light. You remember her slight seduction she used on you to encourage you further into the dark?”

He merely nodded ashamed of himself as she pulled him down into a searing kiss. “I am here to drive you back fully into the light and there is only one way to ensure that you do not go back there.” Removing her robes as she wrapped his arms around him.

“Oh Luna!” He moaned out. “I have never done this and do not want to push this on you.”

She placed a finger on his lips as she began to undress him. “Let’s learn together Neville. I love you and will never leave you.”

He groaned out as he placed her onto the bed. “Help me Luna.” He moaned out as he placed his member at her entrance.

“I will Neville.” Luna dreamily replied as she arched her hips and felt him break her barrier. She moaned out in pain as Neville stopped for a moment. “Let’s heal one another my love.” She moaned as she moved her hips, inviting him deeper.

Neville kissed her breast as he began to stroke her. Gods! Something was building up. The actions of her body encouraged him as he suddenly came, as he howled out feeling the worst pain in his life as the darkness fled from true love. He passed out on top of her and Luna pushed him over and snuggled against him. She sighed happily. Neville was saved.

&&&&

Severus and Sara pulled out of pensieve as they both felt a wash of joy wash over them through their bond as a Headmaster and Headmistress attuned them to the castle’s joy of a student healed.

“Sara, I feel sorry for the wizard that falls under your seductive spell.” Severus told her. Gods! For a moment he wanted her while viewing the penseive.

“Yes Severus and all that have fallen over that seduction have died.” She laughed out.

“Even Bootstray?” He asked of her

“Bootstray is different. He seduced me with love.” She replied. “Now enough of seduction. It is time to discuss Sanctuary.”