Daddy Dearest - (No Update, Edit)

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 96 ~ Poppy and a Plan

Albus Dumbledore was all smiles as he looked at the stack of applications from wizards and witches seeking to join the Order of the Phoenix piled on his desk. It was a miracle. A true miracle. The untouchable DKV folded in less than two weeks after Hermione Granger's arrest.

The old wizard picked up the evening edition of the Daily Prophet and studied the photo of Voldemort snarling and casting the Killing curse. He shook his head. That had been the coup de grace. He read the caption.

Voldemort: Leader of the DKV Captured on Film

The article beneath explained how the picture was captured from Harry Potter's memory and recapped the Dark Lord's return, the death of Hufflepuff Cedric Diggory and the Ministry's attempt to convince the wizarding world the Dark Lord had not returned. The article went on to say that the DKV membership never truly knew the leader they purported to follow and commented on the number of DKV members rescinding their membership and the resulting collapse of the organization.

The paper was peppered with columns from other columnists following in Rita's footsteps, the verdict and highlights of Hermione's trial with excerpts of the transcripts, Rita Skeeter's obituary and reprints of her stirring editorial that woke up the wizarding world. Details about her funeral arrangements were also listed. There would be a public memorial service for the witch. No doubt it would be standing room only. Rita had died a martyr and a heroine after all.

There were also a number of smaller interviews with DKV members who had decided to leave the organization, who said they got a wake-up call. Most were apologetic and declined to have their names included in the pieces. A write-up about Cronnie Jockrin was also prominently featured. The wizard informed the press he was going to write a book about Hermione's trial, including bits that were not introduced into the trial. It would be called: "The Breaking of the DKV: The Hermione Granger Story"

Also featured was an announcement about Lord Draco Malfoy's resignation from the Ministry Council, and a call for the impeachment of the other Council members and new elections. There was also a poll asking readers if Hermione Granger should return to the Ministry in the position of Spells Department Head. The respondents were equally divided over the issue.

But Hermione Granger had enough of the Ministry. The witch had more important things to do, such as break the spell on the DKV Dark Mark before Voldemort utilized it. Of course, there was the income issue. She didn't have a job now. Severus' monthly support could tide her over, but Hermione was used to making her own way. She wasn't about to stop now. Actually, Hermione could find a job anywhere now. She was a hero and the private sector would pay good galleons for her Spells Mistress talents, not to mention her administrative skills. But Hermione didn't want that…not yet anyway. Not while the threat of Voldemort still loomed over wizarding society.

Suddenly the floo in the Headmaster's office turned green.

"Headmaster, are you in?" a female voice called.

Albus folded the newspaper and placed it on his desk. He had been expecting this.

"Why yes Poppy, I am," he responded.

A bit of silence followed.

"I wonder Headmaster, if you might have a moment or two?" the medi-witch asked

""For you, Poppy, I have more than a moment or two," the Headmaster replied, removing the ward on the fireplace with a wave of his hand. "Please come to my office."

Poppy stepped through the flames. The medi-witch was dressed in a long-sleeved white uniform and blue pocketed apron, her gray hair wrapped up in a bun and her white cap pinned down securely to her locks. But the witch's face was drawn, and she looked exhausted as she sat down across from Albus, who looked very concerned.

"Poppy, you look like you've been dragged through Hogwarts by your heels," the Headmaster said.

Poppy looked down at her hands.

"The last few days have been difficult, Albus. All this DKV business," the medi-witch said.

"I imagine it is quite disappointing to find out you unwittingly joined an evil organization," the Headmaster said quietly.

Poppy nodded, then looked up at the Headmaster, her eyes full of tears.

"Oh Albus, I've been such a fool. I let my anger at my husband take me over and tried to segregate a whole segment of people entitled to the same rights I am. It was as if my mind were taken over by hate. I shouldn't have blamed the many for the actions of a few. I'm so ashamed of myself," the witch sobbed.

Albus pulled a handkerchief out of his robes and handed it to Poppy, who wiped at her eyes. The wizard tapped his fingers together as the witch composed herself.

"We are all human, Poppy. Pain can lead us to do things we wouldn't ordinarily do, accept things we wouldn't ordinarily accept. You were trapped in your pain and the DKV gave you an outlet for it. Everyone in that organization had some deep-set anger and resentment at the world. The muggle-borns were convenient scapegoats. What matters now is that you've seen the error of your ways, my dear," the Headmaster said gently.

Poppy sniffed and nodded.

"I went down to the DKV headquarters and withdrew from membership. I had to wait in line for hours, there were so many people there," she said. "But they informed me that the Mark I received is permanent. It can't be removed. I'm cursed to wear it for the rest of my days or until Voldemort dies," she said, her voice trembling. "And he's almost an immortal. Why was I so stupid? Now I am marked with my shame for life."

Dumbledore's eyes darkened.

"Poppy…now that you realize the DKV for what it is, there is something I need to tell you. Few people know this, but that mark is much more than that. It is a direct link to Voldemort himself. Through that mark, Poppy…you can be manipulated. Forced to do anything. Voldemort was creating an army. An army meant to destroy the wizarding world. Even though you've withdrawn from the DKV my dear, you are still in effect, his minion. I'm sorry," the wizard said.

Poppy clapped her hand over her mouth with horror.

"No," she whispered. "No Albus…tell me that's not true!"

The Headmaster shook his head sadly.

"I'm afraid it's true, Poppy. I have it on good authority from someone on the inside of Voldemort's inner circle," the wizard said. "Someone who witnessed a wizard kill his own family by Voldemort's command through the cursed thing."

Poppy's eyes widened in horror at first, then narrowed as she looked at the wizard..

"How long have you known about this, Albus?" she asked him angrily.

"A number of years now," the wizard said.

"Why didn't you say anything…or do anything?" the witch demanded.

Albus leveled his eyes at her.

"Knowing I am the leader of the Order, and against Voldemort, do you think, Poppy that indoctrinated as you were, you would have believed me? Would any DKV member have believed me? No. You would have thought I was trying to attack the organization with lies," the Headmaster said.

Poppy's eyes went dull as she realized the wizard was right. She would have thought he was trying to attack the organization and spreading lies in an attempt to discredit it.

"We initially tried to subtly examine and study the mark to divine the spell that give it its power, but then the DKV instructed its members to avoid all testing on it, and we were without subjects. No one would come forward, so our hands were tied," Albus explained, "Besides, we cannot let Voldemort know we know the secret purpose of the Mark. It might make him utilize it. Over one hundred thousand citizens of the wizarding world carry that mark. The carnage would be terrible," the wizard continued.

"What…what can we do then?" Poppy asked him, "We can't let him use this mark!"

Albus lifted his hand to calm the witch.

"I know, Poppy. But now that the DKV is dissolved, I am sure that many people would be willing to let us study the mark. The only thing is, the more people we have involved, the more likely the information we know about the Mark will get back to Voldemort," the wizard said. "And once he knows we know, Poppy…it could be the end of society as we know it. He might decide that if he cannot rule the wizarding world as he wishes, he will destroy it instead and invoke the mark, causing people to murder each other until no one is left standing."

"As long as he thinks his true purpose remains undiscovered, he will be focused on a targeted takeover. In order to come into power, he will have to be able to restore order and have a force in place to enforce martial law. He does have a number of loyal inner circle deatheaters. We believe about four thousand or so. It seems a small amount of individuals compared to the thousands in the wizarding world, but if they are well organized, they can effect shut the wizarding world down. It would be a matter of rendering the already decimated masses magicless. In other words, collecting their wands in exchange for a promised peace. Most will be so tired and broken from the bloodshed, they will capitulate when they see the semblance of order."

Albus looked thoughtful.

"I imagine he will also be planning to take Gringotts as well. There is no better way to curtail a society than to control its wealth. But he will have his work cut out for him if he decides to do this. He may not, opting to control the people instead and collect their wealth another way. But the goblins are fierce and powerful and the bank is well protected. They will put up a fight and are probably at this moment forming their own contingency plan in the event Voldemort's forces attack them. So the wizard will remain quite busy if we do not show our hand," the wizard said.

Poppy looked thoughtful for a moment, then leveled her eyes at the Headmaster. She drew in a deep breath, then said what was on her mind.

"Headmaster…instead of testing people on the outside, why not just use me? I carry the mark, and I am here at Hogwarts. No one would have to know anything," the witch said.

Albus looked at her. He had hoped the medi-witch would volunteer all along.

"That is an excellent idea, Poppy!" he exclaimed.

The witch smiled. She could do something to make up for her foolishness, and maybe play a role in saving their society.

"We could start right away," Poppy said, "I have a large, unused lab and office in the infirmary, so I wouldn't even have to leave the premises. The tests and research could be done there."

Albus nodded.

"Yes. Yes they could, Poppy," he beamed at her, elated that he had his medi-witch back. He only wished he could restore her memories…but they were gone forever. She would have to make new ones.

"And Albus, I would like to join the Order of the Phoenix," the witch said.

Albus' eyes darkened as he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Poppy…but because you carry Voldemort's mark, it wouldn't be wise," he said softly.

Yes. That made sense. If anyone in the Order's ranks carried the mark and it was invoked, they could do damage from within.

"But your contribution will be extremely important in the fight, Poppy. You may be the key to breaking the Mark," the Headmaster said.

Yes. There was that.

Poppy stood up.

"I am going to start cleaning up the lab," she said in a business-like manner. "There are also private rooms there that I don't utilize. Perhaps someone could use them."

Albus nodded.

"I have the perfect person in mind," he said to the medi-witch, smiling broadly, "if she accepts my offer to work for the Order."

"Who, Headmaster?" Poppy inquired.

"The best researcher and Spells Mistress I know," he replied, "Hermione Granger."

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A/N: Yes! Poppy is back! Albus is so slick though, letting Poppy think she came up with the solution to testing the Dark Mark. Well, she needed a boost. All we need now is Hermione. Things are going to get rolling now. Please review.