Summer Interlude 1B
Colombia
The past two weeks were a parody for Harry and his friends. Unlike what they thought, Gringotts was not in possession of the exact location of the hoard of Lady Maeve, and so the team arrived in Bogotá and used apparition as the means of transport to the last siting of the hoard (which was false). Since then, the group had been hiking through thick forests.
“Let’s stop here for tonight. It appears as though our aides are unable to keep awake any longer,” Steelshield said, highly amused at the youths lack of endurance.
Camp was easily erected with magic. The aides went about their chores quickly and efficiently, a testament to how many times they had done so. With wards erected and supper on its way, Neville, Cayden and Susan collapsed on their backpacks and watch Harry and Luna as they prepared the meal.
“You kids know how to etch runes?” asked Anna (Rune Master).
“We haven’t covered that in our lessons yet,” replied Luna walking over to the group with their share of the supper, Harry doing the same to the other team members.
“Well hurry and finish eating. You will get your first lesson from me tonight.”
This was the first time they were going to learn anything remotely interesting. Their only instructions from the team members so far involved learning 300 ways to tell directions and 700 ways to signal for help. Definitely not interesting.
It seemed though, that things were about to change.
*******2 Weeks Later********
Cayden was cursing Agents Rupert, Dawson and Grace. The last two weeks were basically boot camp for the aides. The only reprieve was that at the end of their third week of searching, the team finally located the hoard. Their days now were filled with chores, training and harvesting the beast and flora that Masters Mace and Smith wanted. No rests, no breaks. All day, every day.
The Shield Agents decided then that they had too much leisure time. Thus began the dueling boot camp. Despite being competent duelists for their age range, the preteens were woefully inept when compared to the Agents. Their first lesson ended with all five of them unconscious after a 10 second duel with Agent Dawson. Since then the training started in earnest.
“At least this summer won’t dampen my dueling skills,” was Cayden’s last thought before falling into deep slumber.
*************************
Malfoy Manor
Lucius was ready to admit defeat. After almost a month of research and hiring desperate criminals to try and off his ex-wife, he was now 40,000G poorer and the wizarding world was 15 criminals safer. The victims of Narcissia’s wand were scarily pristine. The cause of their death remained undetermined.
Narcissia on the other hand was almost 100,000G richer from the bounty placed on the heads of these criminals. She made no secret that the death of these criminals were products of her wand after she was attacked without provocation. She was now a warrior maiden (or as close as possible with her not being a maiden).
Lucius was at his last resort.
He looked up as the door to his office opened admitting one of the most powerful and wanted creatures in Magical Britain. Fenrir Greyback was almost folklore. Powerful victims and ruthless deaths were his modus operandi. He was the reason for the proliferation of lycanthropy in the British Isle.
“This better be good Malfoy else Whiltshire will have a new, rich werewolf the next full moon.” His guttural voice made sent shivers of apprehension and disgust through Lucius.
“And you just might end up with a silver spike through your chest before the night is out mongrel. Now that the pleasantries are dealt with, sit and listen to my proposition.”
“I’m all ears.”
***************************
Blackmore Manor
Narcissia and Andromeda sat in the sitting room each with a glass of vintage elven wine in hand. They had just had dinner, the two of them, in an effort to reacquaint themselves to the other. The conversation was stilted at first, but as soon as the wine was served, both relaxed and the conversation flowed easily.
It was getting late so Andy decided to stay the night. She was walking to the floo room to let Ted know she wouldn’t be home that evening. She didn’t make it there.
The wards surrounding the manor begun to vibrate with a vengeance. Worried, she turned around and walked briskly towards the sitting room (she was a dignified witch, she did not run unless it was necessary) where she left Narcissia. Upon entering the room, she saw that Narcissia was looking out the window unto the grounds with a smirk on her face.
“What is happening with the wards Cissy?”
“It seems that Lucius has finally located his gonads and is launching an attack on the wards so that he can enter the estate. He has help though, hence the strength of the attack. They won’t get in without my ‘help’ though.” With a wave of her wand, she summoned her ominoculars. Spying the two figures at the gate, she chuckled, “Fenrir Greyback. No wonder her feels sure enough to launch this attack.”
Andromeda took the ominoculars from her sister and took a chance to look at the would-be intruders. She hadn’t seen her ex-brother-in-law in a few years. Time had been kind to her would-be betrothed. He was still handsome, despite the ugly sneer he now wore.
“Let us go meet our guests Andy. In the process we can dispose of Fenrir. The bounty on his head is astronomical, we can share.”
A look of pure evil spread across Andy’s face. In that moment there was no difference between her and the feared Bellatrix.
**********************
Lucius was just beginning to worry. Both he and Greyback had been attacking the wards around Narcissia’s home with ward surges (created by the Dark Lord himself) for almost ten minutes, all to no effect.
Without warning the wards surrounding the gates collapsed. He shared a triumphant look with the werewolf. A quick blasting spell flung the gates open. Unnoticed to the men, the gates remained undamaged and as soon as they entered the property, the wards reengaged.
They moved quickly down the long driveway knowing that it was foolish to hide as the wards falling would have alerted the Mistress of the Manor to their presence. Two minutes later, the doors were visible. It was then that Lucius realized he had walked straight into a trap.
“I thought you said there would be one witch here Malfoy,” said an unbalanced Greyback.
“That was what I expected. We can’t back down now though,” was Lucius’ reply.
“Hello Lucius and Fenrir. It was foolish of you to join us uninvited. Andromeda here has been itching for a fight since her reinstatement to the family.”
“Enough talk Cissy. If these fools believe that you are this easy a target, we better remind them of the power of the Black Sisters.”
Without waiting for a reply from her sister Andromeda’s wand was out and flashing. Unlike what the men were expecting there was no building of momentum starting with first year jinxes and hexes. Andromeda, followed closely by Narcissia, started the duel with such power that their robes were flapping behind them as though a powerful wind was blowing.
The men were on the defensive. It was a testament to their own power that they had yet to fall from the initial attacks. Lucius was facing Andromeda who was the more direct attacker. Her curses were so powerful that even Lucius’ most powerful shields were broken by each curse.
Greyback was facing the more slippery and creative sister Narcissia. The few times he had dueled with Bellatrix and his enhanced werewolf speed and strength, was currently keeping him alive. Narcissia was easily casting medical surgical charms along with powerful curses and unexpected conjurations to keep him on the defensive. When he got a chance to attack, her conjured items would come alive and intercept his curses without missing a beat.
The sisters, even after years of no contact, worked in tandem to separate the two men, until they were standing back-to-back facing their opponents. The duel had now progressed into its 7th minute when the sisters did something that neither man could even dream of let alone attempt. Fenrir had finally seen an opening in Narcissia’s defense. A quick and accurate killing curse was out of his mouth before he was on the defensive again. As the sickening green curse flew true at Narcissia, time seemed to slow down. Just as the curse entered her magical field Narcissia linked hands with her sister. In the blink of an eye and in perfect unison both sisters shot blasting curses at the ground beneath their feet. This caused the women to be thrusted into the air. The killing passed right beneath them, straight at Lucius, who threw himself to the ground to avoid death. While this was in motion, the sisters used this momentum to complete a 1800 turn mid-air, all while still aiming curses at their opponents. When their feet touched the ground, Narcissia was now facing Lucius while Andromeda was facing Fenrir. As the casting began with renewed vigor, Fenrir realized that coming to this Manor was a mistake that he would not live to avoid again.
**
Lucius was on his feet again in a split second, all the while shield against curses he couldn’t see but knew was heading in his direction. Being the experienced dueler he was, he regained his balance rather quickly. He realized that his opponent was actually waiting on him to cast the first spell to start their engagement. He knew he was facing Narcissia.
“Aaghh! Make it stop!”
Taking a chance he looked over Narcissia’s shoulder at the other duel that was happening, or rather ending. Andromeda it seemed had tire of dueling Fenrir and had him impaled on a conjured stone cross with silver nails. Torturous and vicious were the only words that he could use to describe this scene.
“What is taking so long Cissy. Kill the ponce and be done with it,” came Andromeda’s harsh advise. Hearing her voice brought him out of the daze he was in while seeing his accomplice subdued and slowly dying from the silver that was so toxic to werewolves.
“I’m giving his some clarity. He is seeing what happens to those who will cross wands with us, The Potters. I am also going to not kill him because he has a message to take to those who believe us weak and easily conquered.”
Hearing this made Lucius sag with relief. He knew he was outclassed by each witch and it was only by their mercy that he will leave the compound alive.
“Castro” Andromeda’s wand flashed with immense speed. “There is your punishment coward. You had better pray that your spawn is able to carry on the Malfoy name because you will be of no help.”
Her words were chilling. He knew his phallus and testicles were removed painlessly from his person. He felt the sharp sting of it being severed and he smelt the wound being cauterized preventing the reattachment of the organs.
“Leave scum and take our message far and wide ‘The Potters are not to be trifled with’.”
With an acknowledging nod Lucius turned and left the estate leaving his genitals behind as a spoil of war.
*********************************
Avlon School
“Tollere vinculum, gravius est, maior, magnus liberans est, custodiet animam” (Remove the bond, severe the tie, free the magic, guard the soul).
Over and over the Ritual Master and his apprentices chanted. Severus lay as patiently as he could in the center of the Ritual circle being used. After years of dreaming of this moment, it was almost a reality. He could feel the beginnings of pain from his left arm, as the ritual untangled his own magic from the magic of the Dark Mark.
This was the third ritual that the Potion Master had to undergo in the past month. The first two had very little effect on the mark beyond lessening its hold on his magic. This ritual was a last ditch effort for the Ritual Master and Rune Master. Severus knew when the ritual began, that he would finally be free from this burden.
After twenty minutes of chanting, he finally felt the final tether give way. The magic of the ritual room surged briefly to summon the remains of the tattoo from his hand painlessly.
Freedom. He was finally free of both his masters. His vow to Dumbledore could easily be circumvented as his lack of participation in the boy’s life would protect him from those who will wish to harm him because of their association. He was his own man now and would forever remain that.
******************
The Borrow
The failure of the past year had meant that Ron and Percy had an increased amount of chores as punishment. Their father was none the wiser due to his hectic job. And Molly was feeling slighted. This feeling was only increased by the knowledge that Narcissa and Andromeda had somehow wormed their way back into the upper echelons of the British Magical Upper Class. They both now bore the name Potter and wielded the political power of their new names with relish. The only upside to this happening is the long awaited downfall of the Malfoy Family by Narcissia’s hand.
Adding insult to injury, both remaining Black sisters had collected the bounty placed on Fenrir Greyback’s head. And they did so in a gruesome way. According to Arthur, both women had portkeyed into the ministry atrium with a crucified Greyback still on the cross. Written above his head were the words: ‘Against the Potters shall no Enemy stand’. Their message was clear and well received.
The Malfoy Lord had supposedly taken his spawn and was on holiday in Magical Germany. Molly hoped it would be a permanent relocation.
“Percy!”
“Yes Mum.”
“I will be heading to Diagon Alley to pick up some potion’s ingredients. Keep an eye on things until I return. The usual rules apply.”
The potions supply she was buying would aid in her new plan to ensnare Potter. She would use a subtle compulsion potion coupled with perfume for Ginny to capture the Potter Heir’s attention. The potion would not cause him to fall in love or become obsessed with Ginny, just ensure that the boy notices her. Molly was sure that the Weasley beauty would be enough to secure Ginny the boy’s affection.
This plan will work and trump whatever Dumbledore was planning.