Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 73: Greyback
"What do you want to do with the names, Hermione?" asked Dudley.
They had just finished naming the club as Dumbledore Army and writing down all the members names. Hermione had also reminded them not to tell anyone about the club because they couldn't be sure how the Ministry would react if news of the class got out.
"The reason the Ministry sent Professor Malfoy is not to teach us anything. Apparently, they're afraid Professor Dumbledore would train an army to fight them," added Dudley when they discussed it.
"Dudley is right. I also heard a rumor about the Ministry. Apparently, Cornelius Fudge is afraid of Dumbledore, and he thinks the students will be used to fight against the Ministry," supported Susan.
Dudley's mouth formed an 'O', clearly not expecting that side story from Susan. The other students were surprised, and eventually, they all agreed to keep the existence of the class as a secret.
Even Marietta Edgecombe, the one who betrayed the group in the original timeline, nodded, agreeing to keep the group secret.
Before they all left the room, Dudley once again reminded them not to tell anyone, not even their own parents, about the club.
Finally, the students started to leave the room, leaving Hermione, Ron, Harry, Dudley, Susan, and Hannah behind.
Susan had considered herself part of Harry and Dudley group, a month of living together had made them closer, while Hannah was just accompanying Susan.
Back to the present...
"I... I want to cast a spell. If there's a traitor among us, we'll know," said Hermione, with a guilty look.
"Really?" asked Harry, surprised.
"Yes. It's better to find out now rather than wait until someone leaks the class. We don't want the Ministry sending someone worse than Lucius Malfoy," she explained.
"Whoa, you're amazing, Hermione," said Ron, clearly impressed.
"By the way, Dudley," Susan asked suddenly, "what exactly is this room?"
Her question made them all stop and turn toward Dudley.
"Well, this is a secret room I found inside Hogwarts," Dudley said with a small smile.
"A secret room? How did you control it? And where is the real entrance?" asked Hermione, eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"As for the entrance, I'll keep it hidden. And if you want to know how to control the room, you just need to command it. Let's say you want a room for dinner, you just say something like—'Please give me a room for dinner, please give me a room for dinner, please give me a room for dinner,'" Dudley muttered the phrase three times.
Right before their eyes, the room layout shifted again. The training mats, shelves, and walls morphed quietly, replaced by a long wooden dining table surrounded by cozy chairs. Candles lit themselves above their heads, and the air filled with the warm aroma of roasted food.
Everyone froze, stunned.
Ron jaw dropped. "Blimey…"
Hannah gasped softly, while Susan's eyes sparkled with awe. "This is amazing…"
Harry stepped forward slowly, running his fingers across the polished table. "This... this place is alive. It actually listens."
Hermione looked around with wide eyes, whispering, "Is this real? I've never heard of this room before not even in the book."
Dudley shrugged casually. "Well, now we know it does and no Harry this room are not alive, it had many complicated Rune and I believe it was built by the founder, Rowena Ravenclaw."
They all stood there in silence for a few more moments, because they are overwhelmed by the magic that had just unfolded before them and the info about Rowena Ravenclaw the one who built this room.
---Voldemort POV---
While they were planning the secret class, Voldemort was enraged upon hearing the report about Greyback.
Dolores Umbridge, who was limping on the floor, had pissed on her pants. She no longer held the arrogance she once did.
Voldemort had truly become furious and cast the Cruciatus Curse on her repeatedly. If not for a few Death Eaters who reminded him that she might go insane like the Longbottom couple, the Dark Lord wouldn't have stopped the attack.
Did Voldemort care? Not at all.
After her failure to recruit greyback, he simply needed someone to vent his anger on. His Death Eaters were not truly loyal to him, and he knew that if he tortured them constantly, they might shift their allegiance and support Dumbledore instead.
So Dolores became the perfect target, half-blood, useless, a punching bag, and the one thing she is good is to receive the Cruciatus Curse, it is very satisfying to watch Umbridge groaned in pain.
Dolores shivered even in unconsciousness. Little did she know, she would become a regular punching bag not just for Voldemort, but also for the Death Eaters in his inner circle. She could be cursed casually, unable to resist, as her wand had been taken away.
"Where is Bellatrix?" asked Voldemort.
"She went to capture Greyback," replied Rodolphus Lestrange.
Suddenly, they heard the sound of Apparition. A moment later, Bellatrix appeared, smiling and she was not alone. She had brought Greyback with her.
Voldemort smiled at the sight of Greyback in magical handcuffs.
"My Lord, I brought Greyback here," said Bellatrix.
"Good job, Bellatrix," Voldemort said with a smile. Though his noseless face was grotesque, Bellatrix looked at the Dark Lord with lust in her eyes.
Her mind had been eroded after years in Azkaban, surrounded by Dementors. Years of obsessively muttering the Dark Lord's name had made this monstrous man appear attractive delicious, even. Her beauty had also faded considerably since she went to prison.
"So, Greyback... do you really want to betray me?" asked Voldemort coldly.
"My Lord, no," denied Greyback quickly. "I just didn't want half-bloods to taint your name."
Greyback had been captured by Bellatrix. Even with his heightened senses, he had lost to her. After being humiliated by Bellatrix and now standing before the Dark Lord himself, he chose to submit and shift the blame to the half-bloods.
"Tainted my name?" Voldemort echoed dangerously.
"Yes, my Lord. I don't agree with filthy half-bloods but I still want to serve in your army," said Greyback.
Voldemort simply laughed. He knew Greyback was just trying to escape punishment, but the sight of him flattering him was amusing.
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