"That doesn't sound good. You don't think anyone was hit? That's a relief. I wonder who it was," the immortal feigned innocence.
"Yeah, it is. Only a wacko would fire a curse in the middle of Diagon Alley. I'm sure the Aurors will find them," the man said, pointing to the red clad people flooding the street and then clapping Hydrus on the back, pocketed his wand and walked away.
"Thanks," Hydrus called and then turned to Sirius. The two Blacks shrugged and started to the Apparation point again.
"Sirius, my boy," came the call from behind. Both men groaned, pasted on innocent looks and turned. "And Hydrus," Dumbledore said as he walked to the two men. "Terrible business, Dark curses in the streets. Thankfully no one was injured. Alas, I had thought that the Dark times were behind us," the headmaster said, stroking his beard.
"Albus, what can I do for you?" Sirius asked pleasantly.
"I was simply wondering if you knew what had happened," the old man said in his grandfather voice, twinkle going full force.
"Not really, we were just leaving when the curse flew over our heads. So we ducked into a storeroom and tried to find the shooter." He was very glad both he and Hydrus's minds were protected.
"Well, it is very fortunate that neither of you were hit," the Headmaster said kindly. "If such business continues, I might have to call old friends together. Will you be willing to join us?"
"Only if the wording of the oath is tightened," the dogman said with a bit of a bite. "We had spies the last time our 'old friends' convened." His face flashed with remorse at the reminder of the death of his friends and the betrayal of Wormtail.
"Yes, I will endeavor to rectify that," Dumbledore said seriously. He patted Sirius on the shoulder in a fatherly fashion. "And you, Hydrus, my boy, would you be willing to help?" he asked as he turned his attention to the older Black.
"I'll have to see what my schedule is like," was the vague answer. Hydrus didn't see much point in the Order, they really didn't do much in his timeline when Voldemort rose the second time, but he knew they did well in the first war. However, to have a leader that withholds information was detrimental to any vigilante group.
Dumbledore looked disappointed, but he knew this young man didn't hold him in high regard so it was expected. "Talk to Sirius and Remus, if you must, let them tell you how our friends operate. If you change your mind, you would be most welcome to join us," he replied. "Now, I must be off. It was good to see you gentlemen again." And with that he turned and went to talk to the Aurors that were questioning the public.
"Will you really join up again? Knowing what you know about Dumbledore," the immortal asked his cousin.
"It would be expected, but I won't take any vows that'll hurt the family," Sirius answered in all honesty. "I wonder if the old man still thinks it's Voldemort."
"I wouldn't doubt it, which is one of the reasons I'll stay away from the Order. Once that man gets an idea in his head it takes a massive act of magic to change it." They were stopped and questioned, their wands checked. When they gave their story and their wands were cleared, they continued on. They got to the point and Apparated home.
Hydrus sent Harry to his room to work on his books and asked the two men to sit. After they settled he put up a silencing charm and told them what Death said and about all the times he felt like he was being watched.
"So you have a personal stalker who is crazy and only after you? Why the curse to make people depressed then?" Remus asked, sitting back in his comfy chair to think.
"Well, if I remember my psychology, then it might be that she is making people feel the way she is," Hydrus said, going over what he remembered studying when he started therapy.
"So we're looking for a depressed, crazy, stalker lady, who feels you did her wrong. Since it's personal we can't really call her a Dark Lady. Maybe just a Dark Nutter," the dogman said, echoing Hydrus's statement and also thinking over this new bit of information. "Let's see who we know. Rita, in prison. Dolores, in prison. Carrow, dead. Bella, dead. Narcissa, wouldn't get her hands dirty. Who else do we know?"
"When did Carrow die?" Remus asked.
"The Aurors got her when she was fighting them after the war. Her and her brother," Sirius answered, still going over the women they knew.
"Well, it must be someone you guys don't know then. Since, I technically didn't exist until right before the end of the war, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's someone who is pissed about the changes."
"You might be right on that. You weren't a big part of the war, and no one knows about you and the Death Eaters. So it's sure to be a Pure-blood," Sirius said thoughtfully. Now he was thinking about anyone who had been making a fuss in the Ministry, but he couldn't place his finger on anything.
"It could even be a foreigner, you brought those shops to the continent," Remus added his two Knuts worth. "They have even set up squib orphanages in those countries that still banish squibs."
"Well that's just dandy. We have no idea where to start." The immortal threw up his hands. "And this time I don't have my own personal connection to the lunatic." He looked at his watch and saw it was time to start dinner. "I'll think about this later. What do you want to eat tonight?"
"Pizza," Sirius said quickly.
"You always want pizza," Remus said with a chuckle.
"I like pizza," the dogman pouted.
"Come on, Padfoot, we'll make homemade pizza. Go get Harry and he can help." Hydrus got up, dispelled the silencing charm and went to start the fixings. They had fun creating a massive meat pizza, which everyone enjoyed.
....
Can't wait to read ahead by more than 60 exciting premium chapters.
Then Join my p*atreon right now.
Link: p#atreon.com/InfinityWeaver (Remove the #)
Free members can unlock 2 chapters.