Chapter 31
Harry fell to his knee, holding himself steady with one hand as he clutched his Grimoire close. His wand was on the ground next to him and in front of him was a large scorch mark of blackened sand. He was attempting to master the Fiendfyre incantation but it was proving to be a bit difficult.
The otherworldly flames were not like the ones of Purgatory, those were flames with a unique quality to them and powered by Purgatory beasts. Fiendfyre was something else entirely, almost like the flames themselves were alive. It made trying to control them much more difficult than he had anticipated.
"Damn it," Harry grunted falling back, Demona forming behind him to hold him up as he caught his breath. Harry glared at the scorch mark but more than that he was angry at what happened a few days ago. He had gone to the Gaunt shack, he searched but found nothing. At first, he assumed it was a bust until the guard from the previous night approached him. He had handed him a letter and at the time Harry immediately recognized the glossy eyes of the Confundus charm. He remembered the letter, the aggravating message that was meant for him.
Harry My Boy, I hope this letter finds you in good health and mind. I am deeply regretful of our current situation. Though I cannot blame you for how you feel, or how you reacted. I dare say that in the same situation, I would've taken the same course of action as you. I cannot take back what I did. Nor can I say that I was wrong in doing so, while I regret what I did I know it was for the greater good. Sacrifices must be made, and too many times have I allowed events to transpire without taking a strong stance.
I wish that circumstances were that it was not you, or any child that had to be the center of this terrible turmoil. But life, and fate, are ill companions to find any fairness with. My Boy, we should not be enemies, with the dark lord it is imperative that we work together. I know you are now searching for Horcruxes, I have one in my possession and it is yours if you will just meet me face to face. There is something you need to hear, in the Department of Mysteries. You may bring whomever you wish, I will not demand a meeting alone.
All I ask for is a chance to talk My Boy. Please let us work together to overcome this evil that has befallen our beloved homes.
A.P.W.B.D
Harry growled at the memory and kicked the sand with his feet as he let his head fall against Demona's body. Of course, Dumbledore would try and meddle again, Harry should've gone to the Gaunt shack as soon as he could. But he didn't and now one of the Horcruxes was in the hands of that manipulative old bastard.
He had already told Jones who went straight to Amelia. Though there was little choice, if Dumbledore had any intelligence he would've expected this. No doubt he has spies in the Ministry to ensure that if the meeting did happen it was with Harry and not someone else. Most likely he had some Portkey that would give him direct access through the Ministry's wards.
They needed to destroy that Horcrux, and as long as Dumbledore had it, he had the advantage for now. It wouldn't surprise Harry if he tried to bring a fake to the meeting to try and fool him. So to ensure that the Horcrux was real Harry would have to go anyway.
Now he had to wait for Amelia to assemble a crew of her most trusted individuals. So for the last two days, he's been training and practicing. Using Hellfire was an interesting experience. Thanks to his strong bond with Demona he could now conjure the crimson flame with just his bare hands. Granted he still needed his wand to control it but it served as proof of his progression.
And controlling it proved much easier than Purgatory or Fiendfyre. Again due to the fact that he was bonded with a creature that was intrinsically tied to Hellfire. Raising his hand he pulled on their connection and felt a warmth spread from his chest and down his arm. Then flickering tongues of crimson flame danced across his hands. It was odd performing magic without a wand, of course, he could do it without one but practicing without would give him quite the advantage.
As if to copy him Demona opened her maw and had a slow burn of Hellfire flick up and over her fangs. Harry smiled thankful for her and everyone else in his life helping him out. He canceled the flames in his hands and gave her a good pat down. Demona canceled her flames and whined happily as her tail thunked hard against the sandy training ground.
That was when he heard a familiar trill, looking up Hedwig swooped down not a sound from her wings, and landed gently against Demona's horn. Holding out a folded piece of parchment in her beak Harry took it.
"Thanks, Hedwig," Harry said and raised his knee and Hedwig happily hopped over so he could pet her while reading the note.
Hello love, I was hoping you might join me in the library, I'd like to show you my progress with my Necronomicon. It's quite extraordinary really.
Yours forever, Susan.
Harry smiled and looked up, to make it easier for her to communicate and not have to move around too much Hedwig had been sending notes along for Susan all across the keep. Hedwig was certainly glad for the activity since Harry didn't feel comfortable sending Hedwig out since she was so recognizable he had been using other owls to send and receive letters or Dobby. Hedwig was certainly perturbed by that.
"Let's go see Susan then," Harry said giving his knee a light shake so Hedwig would take off. He then fell back with Demona into their shadows and after a quick bit, they arrived in front of the Library. Upon entering Harry looked and found Susan sitting in a large comfortable armchair her Necronomicon placed on her lap and two piles of bones in front of her and her wand up and ready.
Glancing down Harry couldn't help but feel a sting of guilt seeing only one leg hanging over the edge of the seat. He knew it wasn't his fault but still, he couldn't help but feel like he failed. No matter how much Susan assured him, he would always feel like he failed.
Taking a breath he approached her and Susan looked up and smiled at him.
"Harry, good, how is your training going?" Susan asked and Harry gave her a smile in return.
"Could be better, Fiendfyre is a bit tricky. But what about you?" Harry asked.
"Well, I'm fairly sure I have it this time. These are wolf skeletons, and while the spell says any canine skeleton will do I felt these were the best option. If I do this correctly then they will become Barghest, undead canine spirits." She explained and raised her wand her finger tracing the instructions again. Then after taking a deep breath, she began to trace her wand in the air in a slow circular motion.
"Sou díno zoí kai skopó, éla Kynigóskylo tou Ádi." She chanted slowly and as she did the tip of her wand began to glow ghostly green and two tendrils snaked their way out of her wand and to the center of the skulls of each skeleton. It then enveloped the bones like burning water, washing over the surface in a way that reminded Harry of oil when it was set on fire. The white bones would turn black as the magic altered them then the skeletons began to move. The bones fit into place they should be if they were still alive, the ghostly energy then wrapped the skeletons and formed a transparent green figure of a wolf but you could still see the skeletons underneath. Then once the spell finished the eye sockets were filled with small blue orbs of light.
Harry stared wide-eyed as Susan used her wand to direct her new creations, making them walk in circles sit, and even bite the air. However, the second she stopped her spell the skeletons lost their color returning to their original white, and fell in a heap.
Susan grabbed her head and sighed and Harry came to her side.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Yes, it just feels so different from all the other magic I've ever done. It's going to take some getting used to." Susan said taking her free hand to grip Harry's. Harry looked over to the bones and had a thought.
"Do you need to concentrate all the time to make them move, they can't move by themselves?" He asked and Susan nodded.
"They can, but that takes more preparation, I'm just practicing the basics right now. General reanimations and connections, once I get used to creating them and using this type of magic then I'll start working on making them permanent." Susan said and Harry gave her a kiss on the head.
"Well, I think you are doing brilliantly already, wish I was having as good a time as you." He said summoning a chair to him as he sat.
"Tell me about it," Susan said closing her book and giving Harry her undivided attention.
"I can't seem to get Fiendfyre down, it's so different from anything else I tried. It's like the fire itself is alive and trying to control it is impossible." Harry said and Susan thought about it.
"Maybe don't try to control it, just direct it. You could ask Moody since he can cast Fiendfyre right?" Susan suggested and Harry shook his head.
"Not this kind, it's hard to explain since you won't be able to hear it," Harry said, he needed to get this Grimoire done but these last few spells have been tricky. He wished he had more time, but with how aggressive Tom was becoming, with the Attack on the Bones manor serving to stir up the pot quite a bit, it just wasn't in the cards for him. The summer months were coming to a close and he'd be damned if he was forced to spend another year at Hogwarts while that maniac was still out there. Especially if his Demon had the possibility of piercing through the wards around Hogwarts.
"You'll figure it out, and we will all be there to help you whenever you need it," Susan said with a smile which Harry returned but it faltered when his eyes fell on her missing leg again. Susan noticed this and sighed as she placed her Necronomicon on her side and gestured for Harry to come to her. He did and she took his hands.
"Kneel down would you?" She asked and Harry did so she then took both his hands and placed them on her stub and held them there.
"Harry Potter, you are not responsible for what happened to me. You did not do this to me. If it wasn't for you, Dobby, and Jones, I would be dead. Please stop blaming yourself for this." Susan said and Harry couldn't help but feel the lump form in his throat as she spoke.
"I promised to protect you, I said I wouldn't let anything hurt you," Harry spoke and Susan smiled gently at him.
"You did, Love, I'm alive. I wish I didn't lose my leg of course, but I'd rather be alive and one leg less, rather than dead and having to put you through that kind of pain. So please, for me, stop blaming yourself. Cause if you don't I'll make sure you spend every night in a spare room and that Daphne and Hermione will not keep you company for a month. Understood?" She said giving him a mock glare as Harry couldn't stop the laugh that left his lips. He rose from his kneeling position and drew her in close kissing her firmly on the lips.
"Crystal clear," Harry said and Susan nodded.
"Good, now would you mind carrying me to our room?" Susan asked and Harry raised a curious eyebrow.
"Sure, but why?" He said easily scooping Susan into his arms as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I think we've worked hard enough and earned a little distraction." She grinned and Harry couldn't help but match it. It would be very nice to take a break and Harry couldn't think of a better way to spend it. He quickly made his way to their room Demona melting away to give the two privacy as she padded down the halls.
Daphne and Hermione were both currently going over some books in the Potions lab. You see Hermoine had a theory that perhaps they could block the Demon's telepathic effects with a potion. There are brews that affect a person's wit and intelligence at least for a short while. So perhaps they could come up with a brew that could potentially help their mental barriers.
"We should use the Wit-sharpening solution as a base. Perhaps crossed with the Vitamax potion." Daphne suggested and Hermione thought about it.
"Perhaps, but the Aconite might react oddly with the Wit-sharpening potion as it could also cause unrestricted thoughts or even have the opposite effect when mixed with the newt spleens," Hermione said flipping the pages of the potions book.
"Perhaps a Strengthening solution instead of Vitamax. None of the ingredients from that potion would clash and with slight alterations, we should be able to enhance the effects of the wit-sharpening potion and change it to affect our mental fortitude as opposed to just enhancing our thoughts." Daphne suggested and Hermione nodded.
"Yes, that could work! We have everything here right?" Hermione asked and Daphne nodded as they began to gather their ingredients and Hermione got the cauldron ready. As the two set about preparing the ingredients for their experiment, they fell into silence. It was a comfortable silence as the two worked.
"Do you feel like we're doing enough?" Hermione asked and Daphne looked to her.
"What do you mean?" Daphne asked getting potion vials ready.
"It's just, I feel we should be doing more. Harry's learning his secret magics and Susan's starting to learn Necromancy of all things. I just feel like we should be doing more." Hermione said and Daphne scoffed.
"You think we're doing our summer potion homework right now?" Daphne asked incredulously to which Hermione just sighed.
"I know, but still it's like what Jones says, she doesn't like not knowing something and neither do I. During our early years in Hogwarts, I would always be able to help by finding the answers we needed. Now, I just feel like I'm scrambling for anything that would help." Hermione said as she organized the ingredients. Daphne regarded her for a moment before she sighed.
"You know, when my dad first got out. The first few months were so scary. He would often wake up screaming or just refuse to sleep at all. One time he had a nightmare so bad he hit my mom, hallucinating that she was a Dementor. I can't remember a time I felt so helpless, I had no idea what to do. So I did what I could." Daphne said lighting the cauldron and waiting for the solution in it to begin to bubble.
"I calmed my sister when she would get scared and start crying. I would bake little cookies hoping that would make my dad happy. I would bring him his favorite books I would help Mom with whatever she needed. I can't tell you if what I did had a big impact but at least I did something." Daphne said before swinging an arm over Hermione and hugging her lightly.
"When we feel overwhelmed or that we have no direction, just do something. No matter how small it will help, so hand me the Gryphon claw will you?" Daphne smirked and Hermione smiled back as she handed the ingredient to the blonde witch.
"Whatever helps," Hermione said as Daphne took the claw.
"Whatever helps," Daphne repeated as the girls got back to their experimenting. Hopefully, this would serve as a buffer so the Demon couldn't see their fears so easily. They would also have to consider Occlumency training sooner rather than later. Meanwhile at the Ministry Jones was currently in the presence of Sirius, Amelia, and Narcissa.
"So, it's been two days, have we got anything?" Sirius asked and Amelia gave off a very unlady-like growl.
"No, Dumbledore, as we know, is fantastic at keeping secrets. Even with the added pressure of a bounty on his head he still is manipulating the scene. Damned old man." Amelia said as she clenched her hands together.
"Of course, it doesn't help that his reputation earns him loyal followers. No matter what he does all he has to do is say some wise-sounding nonsense and say it's for the greater good and people will be lead by the leash like dogs."
"Oi!" Sirius said at the dog comment.
"Sirius, not the time," Amelia said and Sirius just nodded while Jones smirked.
"Anything from the Tom? Or his Deatheaters?"
"You've done amazing at stalling his progress, most of his followers are now next to useless to him, without their political power or access to their vaults they have very little to offer him. He's turning to powers outside Britain. Though Chief Mugwump Delacour is doing fantastic at keeping his influence restricted to Britain. Any and all people leaving Britain who bare the Dark Mark are instantly detained for questioning. So far nothing of note has been discovered but it has been quite displeasing for Riddle." Narcissa said and Amelia nodded, with the help of the Goblins and Jones's brilliant work at usurping political players in the Wizengamot they had hindered his progress greatly.
Now it felt like having two roaches in your kitchen that you just can't find. And you know if you leave them they will just come back with a hundred more. It's funny just how similar Tom and Albus were playing their cards. Sitting in the shadows and waiting for the right time to strike, if it wasn't giving Amelia a headache she would've laughed.
"And the Demon?" Sirius asked and Narcissa shook her head.
"No one but Riddle has had any contact with the creature. I don't know the orders it was given."
"And you, Jones? Have you found anything?" Amelia asked but Jones shrugged.
"Not much, I'm mainly chasing folklore now. Muggles have this belief that Demons have a weakness in their names. If you know the true name of a Demon it gives you power over the Demon. Of course, I doubt it's just going to tell us. Also, I think I know why my sample disappeared. I didn't think about it before but since a Demon is a concept that has taken on a life of its own it would make sense that it has no true physical form."
"Fighting a war on two fronts, I just don't understand why Riddle doesn't just order his Demon to attack us all. It's not like we have very many ways to fight it." Sirius said and Narcissa shook her head.
"He could, but he won't. At least not until he's desperate enough. Riddle is prideful, he doesn't like the idea of having to rely on anyone. He doesn't rely on his Deatheaters, he uses them. If he just sets his Demon loose it would make him look weak, at least by comparison. People wouldn't fear him, or his power. They would fear the Demon, they would talk about the Demon, not Riddle and he doesn't want that." Narcissa said.
Jones sighed as she leaned her head back against the wall. They needed to meet with Dumbledore but if he wanted to meet with Harry alone it would be tough to provide backup for him. But they had little choice they needed to destroy the Horcrux and without it, Riddle would never be defeated.
"And what about McGonagall? Has she made any progress with Dumbledore's notes?" Amelia asked for once it seemed to be good news and Sirius answered.
"Actually yes, she doesn't want to say anything by letter, so I was planning to go meet her at Hogwarts."
"Clear your schedule and go now, there are no Wizengamot meetings today and we have no time to waste," Amelia said with a bit of vigor returning to her eyes and Sirius nodded.
"I'll go right now, just need..."
"Minister!" A voice sounded cutting off Sirius and Amelia stood while unlocking the door with her wand. Then Shacklebolt came in wide-eyed and winded as he gasped in air.
"Kingsly! What's happened!?" Amelia said as the group stood at the ready and Jones covered her face with her mask.
"Dumbledore! Dumbledore is here!" He said and that was all that they needed to hear as everyone all but charged out of the office. Kingsly lead them through the Halls until they reached the Auror Department where true to Kingsly's word stood Dumbledore. He looked the worse for wear, a bit tired and weary with both his hands up as every wand in the room was trained on him.
Jones quickly scanned his form and took notice that his right hand was withered and blackened. Some form of curse no doubt and in his other was a box. Other than looking as if he had aged a few decades nothing stood out to her, but she kept a keen eye out all the same.
"Dumbledore, you've got some nerve walking in here. Owl, take his wand, Auror's place this man under arrest!" Amelia ordered as Jones and two Aurors from the crowd approached him. Jones felt his sleeve and found his unique bumpy wand and took it in her hand. As soon as she did she felt something like a tingle race up her back. She looked at the wand for a moment before stepping back. Albus said nothing simply sparing a glance from the wand she took back to Jones's masked face.
"I want this criminal in Azkaban within the hour," Amelia said not wanting to hear anything the manipulator had to say.
"It's in the box, what you search for is in the box," Dumbledore said very calmly despite the situation. Amelia looked at the box the Auror was holding and approached him. The Auror handed it over and Amelia flipped the latch and opened it. Inside lay a simple dark bronze with a shining black stone with a triangular symbol carved into it. She felt like she recognized that symbol but couldn't place it.
Not that she had much time to think on it seeing as she was suddenly hit with the urge to take the ring and put it on. Her eyes went slightly glassy and her stance became shakey, she balanced the box and one hand as she used the other to reach for it. Slowly though something deep in her mind was telling her not to but the pull was just so strong.
"Minister!" Jones said as she snapped the box closed "Perhaps we shouldn't deal with this in such a crowd." Jones whispered and Amelia blinked then looked around to see a dozen Aurors shaking their heads as if trying to clear them of foggy thoughts.
"Kingsly, Owl, take hold of Dumbledore we shall take this to my office, the rest of you. Superb work, return to your duties, and stay sharp." Amelia said and after a bit of hesitance, the crowd of Aurors disbanded and Jones and Kingsly took hold of Dumbledore with his hands cuffed behind him and followed Amelia back to her office. Narcissa was waiting for them there, not wanting to reveal herself in public, and was shocked to see Dumbledore.
"You caught him?" Narcissa asked and Amelia scoffed.
"I only wish we did. Explain yourself Dumbledore." Amelia said taking a seat behind her desk.
"One of the Horcruxes is hidden within Hogwarts. Specifically the room of requirement, I have been unable to find it but I believe Mister Potter will not have the same trouble. As for the rest... well it's in my notes that you have. I also believe that he's turned his serpent into a Horcrux as well. Nagini he calls her." Albus said and the room was silent.
"Just like that, you're lying. What's your real plan?" Sirius said his tone harsh and Jones shook her head.
"He's not lying." She said as they turned to her, she uncuffed him and brought his right hand up. "He's dying." She said and Dumbledore said nothing to deny this, he just looked tired.
"So, for the first time in your life, you actually try to do something decent and not underhanded it's when your life is ending? Honestly not surprising, you know how many criminals confessed everything when they were about to be executed, staring down death has a way of stripping away all your defenses."
"Well said, Minister Bones. I do not have long to live, I know I've made so many mistakes. So many bad decisions, but now, it all seems so monumentally pathetic. The lies I told myself to justify my actions and the lies I've told the world to keep my place in it." Dumbledore said his tone sounding so forlorn but the room had no empathy for the old man.
"I can not take back what I have done, the damage I now see that I have sown. The people I have hurt, my own sister." He said chuckling to himself sadly, this was not Albus Dumbledore, a powerful wizard or a master manipulator. This was a dying old man, whose foolishness and need for control had finally caught up with him.
Amelia pieced it together, the ring, the way she was drawn to it. There was little doubt that it was cursed in some way, a curse that Dumbledore had fallen prey to.
"All I can do now is try to help fix some things that I should've fixed long ago," Dumbledore said as he looked at the box, "I know that the sword of Godric Gryffindor can destroy the Horcruxes it took in the venom of a Basilisk. Fienfyre would also work, and theoretically the killing curse.
"Why haven't you destroyed it? If you know how then why not?" Sirius asked and Dumbledore shook his head with a heavy sigh.
"The curse is taking quite a toll on me. I cannot produce Fiendfyre, or any very powerful magic anymore. And the Sword of Gryffindor is within the Headmaster's office, hidden inside the sorting hat." Albus said and Sirius shared a look with Amelia.
"I'll go to the school now, you can deal with this right?" Sirius asked and Amelia nodded. Sirius began walking but took a few moments to stare at Dumbledore. He couldn't help but think back to his time at Hogwarts when the old man was nothing more than a Headmaster to him. There were so many things Sirius could say to him, so many things he could shout. But looking at him now, he didn't feel the need to. So looking away Sirius stepped out of the office leaving Albus with the women.
"I should return, Lucius might get suspicious," Narcissa said and Jones nodded and she too left leaving only Jones and Amelia with Albus.
"So, is this your attempt at penance? You're dying so now you try to clean your soul from all the stains it has?" Amelia asked and Dumbledore shook his head.
"No, this is just an old man, who has been very foolish." He said and Jones chuckled.
"Foolish? You destroyed a boy's childhood, put him through trial after trial, and nearly killed him almost every year. You sent an innocent man to Azkaban for twelve years! Not to mention you stole credit for the defeat of Grindelwald from two real heroes. You are a Dark Wizard if ever I've seen one." Jones spat and Dumbledore said nothing in his defense. There was nothing to say, she was completely right.
Amelia stared the man down but saw nothing, he truly was defeated, and at his own hand no less. If he would've just stayed away he would've lived. But no, his need to complicate things and force his way into the situation had been his undoing. For all intents and purposes, Albus Dumbledore had killed himself, like a junkie who didn't know how to stop abusing substances. Dumbledore's drug was his control, and it was his end.
"You are going to be returned to your home, where you will stay. You will die in your home, after which you will get a quiet burial. No special monument, no fancy tomb. If at any time we require your insight to Riddle we will ask and you will answer. Is that understood?" Amelia said and Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes, Minister," Dumbledore said and looked toward Jones.
"Make sure he gets there understood Owl?" Amelia said and Jones nodded cuffing Dumbledore again and turning him to walk out. Jones marched him along and people went wide eyes and gasped as they passed. Albus Dumbledore made no moves, no sound, and no action to do anything but follow Jones's direction.
"I do hope, that you win. I know I have helped very little, if at all. But I truly did want to bring Tom down." Dumbledore said as they approached a Floo.
"You did a piss poor job," Jones said and Dumbledore could only nod as he coughed slightly. Then Jones felt something, like a pressure in the back of her mind. Immediately shutting her mental shields down tight. She still felt the probe and doubled down, shoving random nonsense to the shields like loud muggle music.
"Even now you're still trying to read my mind?" Jones scoffed and for the first time, Dumbledore made an expression that wasn't either tired or defeated. He turned with a look of confusion.
"I'm not." He said and Jones cocked a brow and looked around, there was a bit of a crowd, ministry workers mainly. But they were all staring at Dumbledore, not her. Then she saw it, for a fleeting second. A man in the crowd that was staring at her. That itself would be odd, but a second later someone passed in front of the man and he suddenly wasn't there. Jones doubled down on her shields and quickly walked through the Floo.
She hadn't imagined it, she saw what she saw. In that man's face, her eyes.
The man staring at her had pure black eyes.
_SCENE_
Heyo! I'm back! So sorry it's been so long, but I've got good news! I've got a job now! My life is starting to get back to stabilization! Which means I should be able to get back to getting these stories moving along. We're entering the endgame now only a few chapters l
Chapter 32
Jones was not a paranoid person, even after the childhood she experienced. However, she was becoming very sympathetic to people who were paranoid. The only difference between herself and them was the fact that she had a very real reason to be worried.
It had become clear to her in the past two days that Riddle had targeted her with his pet Demon. More and more often she would feel something trying to probe her mind, she had to keep her Occlumency shields up for longer and longer. But it was exhausting and she only found reprieve when she entered Veilstone. Daphne had been working around the clock to unravel the secrets to the ancient wards and how they could possibly recreate them for Hogwarts. However, it was slow going.
So until she or someone else figured out how to recreate the ancient wards Veilstone was the safest place to be. Not that she told Harry about any of this. If he knew that the Demon was targeting her he wouldn't let her out of his sight. Especially with what happened to Susan, and he needed to focus right now. So taking a breath she walked through the green flames of the Floo and entered Veilstone.
She dropped her Occlumency shield and her body sagged in relief from not having to keep her defences up nearly twenty-four-seven. Rubbing her temples she walked through the entrance hall to the hallways. Looking through the window Jones saw Harry's friends training with Moody. But Harry was nowhere to be found nor were his girlfriends, which was odd.
She knew Harry was still struggling with his version of Fiendfyre. He couldn't explain it very well as whenever he tried his voice became garbled. But with Moody here surely he could've gotten some advice. So where was he? Deciding to take a look around she ventured upstairs, taking a look in the potions lab but it was empty.
She went to investigate the Library next but heard muffled voices coming from the main bedroom across the hall. Walking towards it she listened for a moment to make sure they weren't having a happy fun time before she knocked. There was a shuffle before the door opened and Harry looked out.
"Jones, what's up?" He asked and Jones smiled at him.
"The sky, what are you doing in here? I thought you'd be downstairs asking Moody for help with your training." Jones asked and Harry rolled his eyes at her joke. He then stepped aside and let her in where she saw Susan, Daphne, and Hermione along with two Goblins and Saurfang.
Currently, Susan was on a wooden table that was at goblin height and she was strapped down. Currently, the Goblins one male and one female were taking measurements and making marks on Susan's skin with brushes and they muttered to each other in Gobbledygook.
"What's going on in here?" Jones asked and Susan sighed.
"I feel like I'm some mad scientist next experiment," Susan said as she couldn't raise her head as even her head was strapped with leather binds.
"I apologize Lady Bones, but this is for your utmost safety. The process for my prosthetics implantation is quite thorough and regrettably painful. But worry not, as soon as the procedure is over it will be like you never lost your leg in the first place." The female goblin said as she made another dot mark on Susan's stump.
"How does all this work?" Jones asked and Saurfang answered allowing the other two Goblins to continue their work without interruption.
"There are two stages the port connection stage which is the most crucial, then there is the fitting stage which is rather mundane in comparison to the first stage. Right now Gringar and Lemminok are marking where certain incisions will have to be made as well as alignment marks to ensure that the port is placed on the leg correctly. Even a slight deviation during this process can be catastrophic."
"Bedside manner is not your forte Sir Saurfang," Susan said her finger tapping against the wooden table. Seeing her nerves Hermione took Susan's hand into her own.
"You'll be okay Susie, these Goblins have decades of experience."
"Indeed seventy-six years of it not to mention the centuries of perfection that my clan has mastered and passed down." The female Goblin, Lemminok said as she made her final mark. She examined the stump ensuring her work was flawless. She then snapped her fingers and then Gringar searched through a bag and produced a syringe.
"What's that?" Harry asked as he and Jones moved to be closer to Susan, Daphne grabbed his hand and pulled him close. She might not be the one on the table but it was scary all the same. Maybe even more so since this was completely outside the field of medicine she knew, as well as the fact that it was someone she loved.
"A numbing injection she won't feel a thing from the incisions we make," Lemminok said as she raised Susan's stump and fastened it into a brace that kept it up off the table but not very high. She held out her hands and Gringar handed her a very ornate scalpel and placed a bowl beneath the leg.
"You'll feel pressure but no pain," Lemminok said and began making her incisions. The cuts were clean but even so, Harry, Daphne, and Hermione both winced and moved around to be as close to Susan as possible to help keep her calm. The cuts bled slightly but soon they stopped which made Jones curious.
"Why does the bleeding stop?" She asked and Gringar answered while Lemminok focused on her work.
"Our Scalpels are enchanted, keep everything clean for the procedure," Gringar said as he took something out of the bag they had. It was something that looked like a round cap on one side but on the interior were several long spines and side fastens.
"This is the port we will put on it will be fastened to her leg and connect to her nerve endings. This will then be attached to the actual leg itself, once it is it will be like she never lost her leg in the first place." Gringar said setting it down.
"Yes, but unfortunately the connection step of the port is going to be extremely painful," Lemminok said as she finished her last incisions she then took a clean cloth and wiped any blood there was.
"Isn't there something we can do? Pain relieve potions or charms or what about putting her to sleep?" Daphne said gently rubbing Susan's head to keep her calm.
"No, this numbing solution is going to be removed once I activate the port. Any form of magic or potion that affects her nerves will cause complications with the connection process. Also having her asleep will make the connections more subconscious rather than with her conscious brain. In order for my port to work correctly the connection needs to be made with her conscious mind as well as her fully active nerves." Lemminok said as she picked up the port and flipped it over in her hand and cleaned the spines.
Gringar then took out some leather weaved band from the bag and took it over to Harry and handed it to him.
"For her to bite down on," He said as Harry nodded and took it. Looking down he gently caressed her cheek and she closed her eyes and then opened her mouth. He placed the leather biter in her mouth and she bit down and did her best to nod. Harry reached out to her other hand being careful to stay out of Lemminoks way as he nodded.
"We're ready," Harry said and he could feel Susan's grip tighten as Lemminok nodded and she placed the port against Susan the spines lining up with the incision she made. There was a stomach-churning squelch as she pushed it in until the port was snug against Susan's leg.
Susan's breathing became rapid as her eyes were squeezed tightly as she felt the odd pressure in her leg. Lemminok then slid her clawed finger across a series of runes that glowed slightly.
"Madam Susan, on three... one... two... three!" Lemminok said then slid her finger across again and a sudden ringing sound flared from the port as the runes and the geometric lines on it began to light up. Then Susan's eyes flew open and her grip suddenly became bone-crushing. Harry was able to take it but Hermione was not expecting it as she winced harshly but didn't let go.
A scream muffled by her biter was wrenched and the straps strained as the table shook from her efforts to somehow alleviate the pain she felt. Daphne caressed her face whispering in her ear trying to calm and soothe her as much as she could. The process was a few minutes no more than three but it felt like hours. Susan's breathing was rapid and hoarse as she calmed herself down as the initial burning pain she felt became a constant throb.
"Is everything alright now?" Jones asked her foot nervously tapping the ground. Lemminok took a moment to examine the port before she nodded.
"Yes, the connection is successful we should let it settle for a moment," Lemminok said as she and Gringar began to unlatch all the restraints on the table. Once she was free Harry gathered her in his arms and transferred to the bed to make her as comfortable as possible. Hermoine however gripped her wrist as she felt great pain in her hand.
"Hermione?" Daphne asked coming over to the girl as she took her hand and Hermione yelped.
"I think she might've broke it," Hermione said chuckling despite the situation. Daphne smiled a bit too as she took her wand and began to mend Hermione's hand. Harry just held Susan close to him as she did her best to bury herself into his chest. He could feel tremors run through her as she tried to calm down.
"It's okay now, it's over you're okay." He whispered and Susan refused to cry or sob even though it hurt. Merlin, it hurt worst than losing her leg, but that was due to her adrenaline. But there was no need to shed tears now, this was a pain for her to gain something incredible in return. She wouldn't shed tears here.
It was only a few minutes more and Hermione and Daphne joined them and Susan calmed down greatly against Harry as her breathing evened out and her tremors left her.
"You broke my hand!" Hermione said lightly poking Susan as Susan giggled.
"I'm sorry," Susan said reaching out but Hermione held up her hands.
"Oh no, you have to earn that privilege back." Hermoine joked as the group laughed.
"How do you feel?" Daphne asked as Susan adjusted herself so she was still leaning against Harry but stretched out her leg and her new port. She moved her stump around but it didn't feel weird it felt almost like there was nothing there at all.
"Much better," Susan said doing her best to flex her muscles but felt no discomfort.
"Well, now that everything has settled are you ready to receive your leg?" Lemminok asked as Gringar set a case down on the table. Undoing the latches he flipped it open and scooped out the leg which was like a piece of art. It was a sleek but clockwork feminine design. It was made with dark wood and clasped together with gold metal.
"This is my latest design, flexible, enchanted to be completely waterproof, fireproof, as well as incredibly durable. It is self-adjusting so it will shift to match you as you grow. You can remove it easily as it is paired with your port. Since the nerves have made a successful connection they will be removed and connected with your mental desire." Lemminok said bringing the leg over and lining it with the port.
"Now just think of having your leg, perhaps a mental command," Lemminok said as Susan closed her eyes and after a few moments there was a sound like a heavy magnet getting stuck on metal. Opening her eyes the group watched amazed as the several clicks and hisses were heard as the leg shifted becoming a perfect copy of the real leg.
"What do I do now?" Susan asked and Lemminok stepped back and the leg remained in position.
"It's your leg, treat it as if you had always had it. Do not think about it just like you don't think about breathing." Lemminok advised as Susan looked down at her leg and did her best. But besides a twitch here and there something felt off.
"Are you sure everything is right?" Harry asked and Lemminok took a spectacle out of the bag and looked at the port and the leg.
"Yes, Lord Potter, the port and the leg are functioning exactly as they are supposed to," Lemminok said as Susan tried to move the artificial foot up and down but it barely twitched. She raised her other leg and flexed her biological foot up and down and there was some improvement but still, it was robotic and wasn't moving like it should.
"Here let's try this Harry come here," Daphne said as she tugged Harry out from behind Susan and brought him across the room a few feet. Using her wand she gently moved the table so Susan had no objects in her way.
"Don't think about moving your leg, just think about walking to Harry," Daphne said as she stepped away.
"What?" Susan asked she could barely twitch her leg how was she supposed to walk? But regardless she moved over the edge her normal leg bending and flexing as it always did but her artificial leg remained rigid. She tried to stand but the leg was bent at the knee making it awkward. Harry looked at her leg as she tried to articulate herself, she was treating the leg like it was a peg leg or something.
What Susan needed right now was to stop focusing on her leg, she needed to treat it like how she treated every other part of her body. It was a part of her now and she needed to think of it that way. With that in mind, her drew his wand and held it out.
"Expecto Patronum." He cast and in a shine of silvery ghostly light, his Wolf Patronus came leaping out from his wand. He fed it every good emotion he felt and directed it to be next to Susan. The Wolf padded over to Susan and she could feel the calming emotions flowing from it. The warmth of happiness and love filled her form.
Daphne and Hermione quickly caught on cast their own Patronuses and an Owl and Snow Leopard joined his Wolf filling the room with even more gentle light and emotion. Susan closed her eyes just bathing in the feelings around her. Taking a breath she imagines Harry, just Harry. She let the thoughts of her leg flow out of her mind and all that she focused on was reaching Harry. Reaching Harry and embracing him pulling him close and basking in his warmth.
When she opened her eyes the light was still there but now she was focused on Harry. She stood up straight and to everyone's delight her legs straightened to support her posture just like they would if it was real. She took a step and it was a bit wobbly but she just took a breath and steadies herself and this time took a step with her Artifical leg. It was a bit robotic but it was a successful step.
Harry's face lit up with a smile as he reached his hand out. Susan returned his smile and took another step and when she used her Artificial leg again it was much more fluid and natural. The next two steps went smoothly as Susan eagerly embraced Harry as Daphne and Hermione joined her excitedly. Lemminok let the lovers have their happy moments before she cleared her throat to get their attention.
"Very good, all the finances have been handled. I would suggest that Lady Bones should do walking exercises every day and once that is no issue perhaps practices with faster paces." Lemminok said as she opened the bag she had and the table was sucked inside. Then she and Gringar bowed as Harry called an elf to escort them out.
"I am gladdened to see that everything is satisfactory," Saurfang said and Harry turned to the Goblin.
"More than satisfactory, it's brilliant. Please if there is anything I can do for you just name it." Harry said kneeling to be eye level with his Goblin Accountant and holding out his hand for Saurfang to shake. Saurfangs eyebrow raised in surprise but soon offered a toothless smirk and shook Harry's hand.
"Well, my grandson's Barrikol is approaching perhaps if you have no use for it I might claim the Bassilks meat from your kill? I can also have the hide fashioned into protective attire for you and your family if you'd like." Saurfang said and Harry nodded before standing.
"Of course, if the meat is to your satisfaction take it all. The rest of the Basilisk will be rendered and stored. Though I must ask what is a Barrikol?" Harry asked.
"A Barrikol is a right of passage for us Goblins when a young boy is considered a man. My Grandson has made an incredible sword for his Barrikol and so the Basilisk meat shall be fit for a celebration feast." Saurfang said sounding almost giddy, it was strange to hear from the usually professional Gobline but Harry was glad for it.
"Well, tell him Congratulations from me, May his blade see a thousand victories," Harry said bowing his head and Saurfang returned the gesture.
"And may your family see a thousand more. Farewell." Saurfang said walking out of the mansion. Harry turned and was happy to see Susan walking around, there were moments where she looked a bit wobbly but she was just so happy. Giggling as she walked between Daphne and Hermione who were equally as happy.
"What a beautiful sight, hate to spoil it but can I borrow you for a moment?" Jones asked and Harry nodded he walked over to Susan and kissed her soundly. He gave her words of affection and encouragement before walking out with Jones.
"Is everything alright?" Harry asked and Jones reached into her coat and pulled out a newspaper. It wasn't the Prophet but instead a muggle paper. Rolling it out he examined it and saw the head story.
LONDON BRIDGE BURNS
Harry's eyes widened and saw images of the iconic British landmark engulfed in fire with muggle firefighters battling the blaze in the photos. He read further and the attack was being chalked up to a terrorist act but no group has claimed credit yet. As of now, the fire has been put out but there has been significant damage to vehicles as well as the bridge itself suggesting that the fire was caused by some form of incendiary explosive devices.
"Riddle," Harry growled out there was no doubt that this was him.
"Yup, little power move. He's trying to show he is not being pressured and is still strong enough to do such a blatant display of wizarding destruction. Now it's got the public a bit spooked thinking that Riddle will expose our world. There has also been an increase in Deatheater activity." Jones explained now handing him a copy of the Prophet.
DEATH EATER RAID
Now the images were of Diagon Alley of its shops like Olivanders which had been nearly destroyed with broken walls and busted windows. Harry skimmed the paper and saw that Olivanders was not only raided with several old wands being stolen but most of the shops hit were either burned or destroyed even Fred and George's recently opened joke shop was attacked.
"Do we have any idea who it was?" Harry asked his heart feeling heavy at the thought of all the innocent people that must've been hurt not to mention the excitable wandmaker himself.
"No, we're guessing that it was a display of power like with the bridge against the Goblins and the Ministry since the alley connects both of us but we can't be sure. It is dangerous for my informant to be to close Riddle with his little demon friend so they are restricted at the moment. But I have a meeting set up in a few days to see if any new information has come up. For now, Amelia is publicly condemning the actions of Riddle and his followers. She's also made moves to encourage recruitment to the Auror corps, she's even talking with Galakahn about sending a detachment of goblin troops to guard Diagon Alley seeings as Gringotts bank is located there as well."
"So Riddle attacks London Bridge as a show of power and now there will no doubt be a lot of Muggleborns that will be even more afraid for their families." Harry sighed.
"Yes, Amelia's also looking into possibly opening up a safe zone so to speak for muggle families of Muggleborns to stay at but I don't think that's a good idea. Putting them all in one place even with protection will just make them an easier target to hit. I've suggested that all records for Muggleborn relations be kept secret so that no spies can snoop around and get into files they're not supposed to see."
"Have there been a lot of spies lately?" Harry asked and Jones shook her head.
"Not as many as there could've been but with Amelia's strict ban on the Dark Mark as well as the immediate imprisonment of all those who carry it which could result in execution there not that brave. Back during the first war with Riddle people like Dumbledore would always preach about being better than our enemies. So they'd go to prison and get a rigged trial cause they were usually rich lords or ladies of pureblood or just get busted out of jail by their companions." Jones explained.
"Yeah, no consequences meant that there was no risk. They went into battle knowing the worst that would happen is they would rot in a cell for about a week before some corrupt official or Pureblood purist let them out. But now they either die on the battlefield or get executed soon after they are brought in." Harry summarized and Jones nodded.
"Yup, as you imagine some people are making it out that Amelia is acting like a tyrant and throwing out due process. However, unlike last time all the crimes and interrogations are made public. So the ones trying to tarnish Amelia's way of pursuing this war are almost always spies or Riddle sympathizers. But she's careful, she knows that if she does start executing wizards and witches that don't bare the Dark Mark then there could be some credence thrown into the accusations. It's resulted in a few suspects being broken out of jail or going to proper court and managing to avoid serious punishment by the skin of their teeth."
"I get it Amelia has to keep law and order or else she might lose the public approval. She doesn't want to look like she's gone power-mad."
"Exactly, Riddle's getting wise to this so he's marking less and less of his followers. He's trying to make contacts with people outside the U.K. most likely to find better funding since all of his biggest donators' accounts have been frozen and seized."
"And the Demon any word on what it has been up to?" Harry asked folding the paper up and looked at Jones who shrugged. That got Harry confused, something as important as the Demon and she's shrugging?
"No clue, ever since the attack on the Bones Manor it's been strangely quiet. Perhaps Riddle didn't want everyone to think he had to rely on it to get the job done." Jones said and Harry took a closer look at her. She was always tired at the end of the day but now she looked almost dead on her feet. Bags under her eyes and constantly blinks and flexes her brows the same way tired people did when they were ready to fall asleep on their feet.
"What is it?" Harry asked and Jones looked at him confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Jones, you look terrible what is going on with you?" Harry asked and Jones cackled dryly.
"I'm helping to fight a war and find a way to banish a Demon. That would make anyone feel a bit dead on their feet don't you think?"
"Obviously, but you never have before at least not like this. So what have you been doing recently?" Harry asked.
"Like I said I've been looking at ways to possibly banish the Demon, a lot of Muggle lore states that if you know the Demon's true name it gives you some power over it. Of course, I have no idea if that's muggle superstition or possibly a nugget of truth." Jones said but Harry still wasn't satisfied, something was off with her. Her mannerisms, her posture, and even her tone didn't sit right with him.
"There is something else you are not telling me, Megan. What is it?" Harry asked crossing his arms and Jones wanted to scoff, seriously acting like a scolding parent or something.
"It's nothing Harry just overworked."
"I don't believe you."
"Oh, however, will I get to sleep tonight!" She mockingly said and Harry's eyes narrowed.
"Were you attacked? Is that why you're not telling me?" Harry asked and Jones rolled her eyes.
"No, I wasn't attacked, seriously just drop it," Jones said.
"Nope, something is seriously bothering you and you're not telling me what it is."
"Harry let it go, I am fine look at me," Jones said gesturing to herself.
"Yeah, I am which is why I am worried, somethings off with you. I've seen you tired but not like this what is going on I won't ask again."
"What are you going to do send me to my room?"
"I'll have Dobby tail you how about that? If nothing is wrong he can at least help you search for lore and stuff right? Problem solved I guess." Harry said and turned to return to his room.
"No, you can't do that!" Jones suddenly yelled.
"Why not?" Harry said resuming his original crossed-armed pose. Jones sighed and scowled at Harry.
"Look you'll just overreact anyway. Just trust me, I can handle it."
"I trust you, so can you trust me and just tell me, seriously Jones I think by now you would know I hate when people keep things from me!" Harry said eyes narrowed and Jones flinched at that.
"Fine... I think I am being hunted I can't be sure though."
"Hunted!? By the Demon?" Harry said eyes wide and Jones nodded. "For how long!?"
"Since Dumbledore turned himself in."
"Are you bloody mental! We know how dangerous that thing is and your not even telling me that it's possibly got you in its sights!? What the actual fuck Jones!" Harry said a surprising amount of anger flooding him at that moment.
"Watch it! I know plenty well how dangerous this thing is but I am not going to just hide in a hole the second Riddle or his little pet sets their sights on me."
"That thing destroyed the Bones manor, it almost killed Susan and took her leg! It raided Azkaban with almost no effort and you just kept going out when it's stalking you!?"
"Harry I am not an idiot! I'm never alone and I've always had an emergency Portkey ready to go. I can't just freeze and do nothing for all we know it's targeting me because I am getting close to an answer which means I can't stop now."
"Jones listen to yourself, if this was me you'd slap me upside the head and tie me to my bed until the war was over."
"Damn straight!"
"So why in the nine hells do you think I won't do the same thing to you!" Harry shouted and indeed hit her upside the head. Jones was shocked at first but suddenly shoved Harry against the wall. It wasn't a proper fight but both teens tried to pin the other pushing and pulling grunting and even biting on Jones's part. It was a pointless emotional tussle that resulted in both of them falling over and shoving each other away.
They glared at each other neither willing to back down on their prospective views. Harry wanted to protect the young woman that had become like family to him. Jones felt the same and that's why she felt she couldn't stop.
"You're being stupid," Harry spat.
"You're being emotional, you aren't the only one that is allowed to take risks," Jones spat right back.
"This isn't a risk, this is suicide. You don't have anything that can truly hurt or repel the Demon. Even if I give you Demona I doubt that either of you will escape unscathed. You are possibly the smartest person I know so why-"
"I am not going to lose you!" Jones suddenly screamed out and Harry was taken aback by this.
"What?"
"My mother killed my dad and I couldn't do anything but just watch him suffer and die. I am not going to just sit back and do nothing again just because it's getting a little dangerous!"
"And what about me? How I would feel if you died? You are just as important to me as Hermione, Susan, and Daphne. Just as important as Serius and Remus! You're my family Megan, I don't want to do this without you." Harry yelled right back both teens looked at each other neither backing down and both had red eyes from un-shed frustrated tears.
"I think you both need to cool off." A voice sounded as the two looked over to see Sirius standing there a stern look on his face.
"Sirius you can't be agreeing!" Harry said and Sirius held his hand up.
"I am not taking sides right now, but I can see that neither of you is in the right state of mind to discuss this like intelligent people. So go your separate ways and cool off. Jones, you need to get some sleep and Harry take a walk.
"But-" Harry began but was cut off.
"Now, you two can continue this later," Sirius said as Harry stared hard and growled as he got up and looked between his Godfather and adoptive sister before stomping off. Jones sighed and stood up and began to walk away.
"Where do you think you're going?" Sirius called out and Jones turned.
"Back to work where else?"
"Oh no, I meant what I said young lady you need a nap," Sirius said and Jones just looked at him incredulously.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"You're not my Godfather," Jones said with narrowed eyes and turned to continue on her way until she started to feel faint. She looked back and saw Sirius with his wand in hand.
"You bi..." She began but fell off as Sirius caught her and called a house elf to take her to her room. Sirius sighed and went to talk to Harry hopefully he'd calm him down so the next discussion the two had was better.
But Harry was quick and had already made his way to the training yard. Luckily Moody had ended the training and his friends had dispersed. He screamed out in frustration as he sent a torrent of Hellfire screaming from his hand the crimson flame scorching a stone.
He could feel his agitation feed through his bond as Demona tried to soothe him with her own. He gritted his teeth, why didn't Jones understand that what she was doing was beyond an unnecessary risk? The Demon was too powerful to take on alone and yet here she was walking around with it hunting her!
He brandished his wand and with a flourish slashed it and the stone she burned now had a lard gash courtesy of a dark purple energy that almost screamed when he used it. He growled as he flourished his wand again imagining the rock was the Demon, he hadn't seen it yet but he imagined that it took the form of the Vernon. His anger flared again as yellow sparks flew from his wand.
"Flamma impius!" He cast and didn't even try to control it, only aimed. Suddenly the sound of his wand rang through his ears just like when it chose him all those months ago. A yellow and slightly red-tinted fire burst from his wand swirling in front of him alive in its own way. Suddenly it split into five distinct collums and the flames took on the appearance of scaled serpents. Something like a cross between a snake and a dinosaur. With a serpentine body but a head that was much more reptilian like a meat-eating dinosaur with horns.
The flaming Hydra he had summoned roared and sounded identical to the roar his wand made as it attacked the rock all heads crashing down on it with unchained fury. Harry immediately lept into action and brandished his wand and felt the connection to the flames and cut it off and banished the fire. There was a shrill cry from the Hyrda but it was cut off as the flames flickered out of existence.
Harry stared for a moment wide-eyed at what he had accomplished, for a moment he was distracted from his frustration as he went over it in his head. Why did the Fiendfyre work this time? Why did it follow his desire? He combed through his brain but then something clicked and he wanted to slap himself it seemed so obvious.
These were the Flames of Damnation are pure destruction. You can't control destruction you can guide it, you can cause it, but a falling crumbling building is going to fall where ever it pleases. A volcano is going to erupt and spew lava out wherever it can. It wasn't like the Flames of Purgatory or Hellfire.
And that is why it worked this time, he wasn't trying to control it like he does the other two, he wanted to destroy something in his anger. So he did and the flames responded and when he was done he banished it. You don't control Fiendfyre, you aim it.
Before he could think of it more he was suddenly knocked over by a familiar furry mass. Demona had pinned him down under her massive head as a flood of calming emotions ran through their bond. Harry accepted them gladly and even felt embarrassed and ashamed that he got so heated so easily.
"Thanks, girl, I'm better now thanks." He said as the Hellhound let him up. He patted her and thought about Jones as he felt guilty.
"Finished your tantrum?" Sirius asked as Harry looked over to see his Godfather walking over to him and he looked away.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lost control like that," Harry said and Sirius nodded.
"Good, but you should apologize to them, they look more worried than I do," Sirius said pointing up and Harry saw that Hermione, Daphne, and Susan were on the balcony looking down concern etched on their faces. "Go on, they can talk you down better than I can. And when Jones wakes up we are all going to sit down and talk." Sirius said and Harry nodded and shadow traveled to the girls.
As for Jones when she woke up it was nearly ten hours later. She sat bolt up in bed as everything came back to her. She felt the same tinge of shame that Harry had but she felt annoyed that Sirius was able to put her to sleep so easily. Harry was right, she was overworking herself she sighed at the thought and started to get up out of her bed. She was going to exit until; she saw something that made her freeze and reach for her wand.
Drawing it she leveled it at an unknown man sitting in a chair over by her desk facing her. With a quick snap, the lights in her room flicked on and the man was revealed fully. He was pale, very pale with eyes so black it was like they were nothing but pits surrounded by white. He was quite thin as well and old as his face wrinkled to the point it almost looked skeletal and yet he managed to maintain a form of regalness to himself. Clean shaven and with medium-length hair black as night neatly combed back.
He wore Black clothes a neat suit complete with a black vest, shirt, and tie and over it all was a large black trench coat. He also wore classical shiny black shoes and sat with his legs crossed neatly. In his left hand was a cane made of shiny dark wood which a silver top in the image of a hound and raven circling each other.
"I'd hoped we might speak." He said his voice sounding just as old as he looked, actually, it sounded older.
"Who are you and how did you get in here," Jones demanded her wand never leaving the man.
"You know who I am... everyone does. As for how I got in, I walked." The man said very calmly as if he didn't have a wand leveled at him.
"Dobby!" Jones called but the elf didn't show.
"Getty!" She tried calling another one, she tried a dozen other names but no elf showed up.
"They won't bother us, but perhaps a change in scenery might put you at ease... hungry?" The man asked and Jones blinked and all of a sudden she wasn't in her room. Hell, she wasn't even in the Manor she was at a restaurant. She kept her wand on the man and looked around wildly she didn't recognize this place.
"What did you do!?"
"I like the pizza here, I thought a discussion over some food would be better." The man said and Jones noticed a deep-dish pizza on the table where the man now sat. Not only that but they were the only ones in the place not even a worker was there.
"Where are we?" Jones asked and the man cut into the pizza and served himself before answering.
"Chicago." He said getting a fork and knife ready as Jones scoffed.
"Right, besides the fact that American Aurors would've been on us the second we crossed the American borders no Portkey in the world could teleport us that far. Not even Merlin himself could even Apparate that far no one and nothing can. Not even a Zouwu could do something like this." Jones said not buying it for a minute and the man took a bite of his food and savored it.
"You are free to check if you'd like." The man said and again in the blink of an eye, she was outside the restaurant. She looked around and someone approached her.
"You alright ma'am?" a woman asked and Jones looked at her noting that she had an American accent.
"Sure, where am I right now?" Jones asked.
"Aw, a Brit! Well, this is Tony's best Chicago Style Pizza you'll find in the city."
"What city is this?"
"Girl you drunk?" The lady responded to Jones laughing.
"Please?"
"Chicago of course, need directions back to the hotel or something?" The lady asked but Jones shook her head and simply entered back into the building. She looked back and saw the man still just simply eating his pizza. Now she was starting to get worried, whoever or whatever he was he had just taken them from Veilstone keep with its ancient protections, and teleported them across the world.
"Who are you? What are you?" Jones asked as she slowly approached her wand still held tightly but she doubted it would be much use.
"Like I said before, you know who I am. As for what I am... Old, very old. Older than the thing you fight now." He said cutting into the pizza again and placing a slice on the plate opposite him. Jones had little choice at the moment as she sat down every muscle in her body tense and ready to bolt at a moment's notice.
"The thing I fight?" Jones asked and the man's eyes flicked up to her for a moment before he swallowed a bite.
"The Demon, the embodiment of fear." He answered.
"So you know about the Demon,"
"A little more than just know about it, Megan. Its name is Vahlkiel and it is very old as well."
"How could you possibly know that?" Jones asked still a bit wary.
"How could I not... but allow me to ask a question, Megan. What do you know about Demons?" The man asked as he continued to eat. Jones was put on guard even more, how did this man know her name?
"They're concepts that have gained consciousness, creatures that are the literal embodiment of things like fear and wrath."
"A small description for a very complex being but yes, what you do not know is what a Demon craves above all else, agency."
"Agency?"
"Yes, a Demon cannot exist outside of its realm unless summoned and contracted. However, that is why their contracts always require the ultimate payment of a soul, once a Demon has consumed enough souls they gain agency in reality. Meaning they become completely unrestricted in your reality and act upon their desires."
"Is that what you are?" Jones hazard a guest and again the man's eyes flicked up to look at her and it was like he was staring at her soul instead of her person.
"No, I am older than that."
"How old?"
"Older than you can comprehend. Now the reason I am even here is due to the nature of the Demon you fight now. It needs only one more soul to gain the agency it desires. However, it should've never been able to cross the threshold between its realm and your reality in the first place."
"But you said they can be summoned."
"Others can, this one and others like it should not be able to. Once it has been dealt with I will destroy the unseemly loophole it used to come here so it and the others cannot cross over to any reality ever again."
"What do you mean others like it?" Jones asked as the Man grabbed another slice for himself.
"You know that Demons are concepts that have gained sentience, which means whenever an individual of higher complex thinking feels fear a demon has the possibility to be born. That means every child on this planet and every other planet when they reach an age when they can conceptualize and understand fear in its truest sense and feel it a Demon could come into exitance. Do you understand this?"
"I'm following," Jones said, she was still on edge but this was very valuable information.
"Then you would also understand that there had to be a first, a mortal thing that understood and felt fear for the first time ever. What would that mean?"
"That would mean that it would also be the first instance that a Demon would be born," Jones answered.
"Yes, so I reiterate Vahlkiel is very old." He said now focusing on Jones with a meaningful stare. Jones took a moment before her eyes widened and gasped.
"He was the first... the first ever?"
"Yes, what you face is not just a Demon he is the first Demon of fear. A Primordial Fear that is more powerful than you could possibly imagine. If he were to achieve his ultimate goal of agency in your reality every star in your galaxy would be blacked out and every planet would be subjected to a terror so great a terrible that you couldn't possibly fathom." The man said his voice remaining calm and yet still carrying a sense of urgency in his tone.
"How do we seal it away? How is it even repelled against something like our wards for that matter?" Jones asked a slight panic in her voice and the Man looked amusedly exasperated by her question.
"Mortal bravery is such a foolhardy thing, you can't. As for your wards and that Hound your brother has, the full scale of Vahlkiels power is untapped. Part of the loophole I mentioned, however, once it achieves true agency such limitations will be lifted."
"But he was sealed before."
"Yes, by Mage King Solomon and his seventy-two Demon lords and their legions. Even then it was only temporary Tom Riddle didn't break a seal he broke a broken cage. Another few decades and the seal would've broke and Vahlkiel would've been unleashed regardless. It was already weak enough that he was able to affect people outside of his seal." The man explained and Jones sat there silent, she'd read about Solomon. While researching about Demons it was one of the first places she looked but she couldn't find anything that matched. There certainly weren't any stories of Solomon sealing away a powerful demon like Vahlkiel.
"So what? You just here to tell me it's hopeless?" Jones asked and the man sighed.
"No, you can't do anything but I can, which is why I wanted to talk with you. Your brother is doing a valiant job keeping his promise to the keepers but this is something I entrust to you."
"You know about the Keepers?" Jones asked what in the world was she sitting across from?
"Of course I know about them, I created them." Jones sat back at that.
"Back to my point, I can help you but I am subjected to the celestial laws and cannot interfere unless summoned. Normally I wouldn't even bother but this is in violation of many of those laws. Vahlkiel will return to his realm and stay there."
"And who are you that you can do this to such a powerful creature?" Jones asked and now the man placed his utensils down and focused entirely on Jones.
"I've told you that I am old, as old as life, possibly older neither of us can remember anymore if I am being honest. You know me, and so does everyone. You try to ignore me but regardless you shall all meet me and I will take you in time." The man said and Jones thought about it, as old as life? What does that mean... he was speaking in riddles. Everyone knows him yet ignore him but he will take us all? What was...
Jones's eyes widened as every inch of her skin went deathly pale and cold as ice. Every nerve ending she had went numb as the gravity and sheer enormity of the entity sitting in front of her clicked into place. Her mouth went dry and she suddenly found it very hard to breathe. The man just sat there unflinching as he looked down at the pizza he served her.
"Your pizza is getting cold." He said, such a simple statement. So unassuming and yet as Jones robotically reached for a fork and knife she couldn't stop shaking. The tremors in her hands, her whole body, in fact, it felt like someone had her on strings and was bouncing her around.
"I am not going to hurt you, I don't hurt anyone. I simply take you when the time comes." The man said and continued with his meal as a shakey Jones who couldn't quite comprehend the being in front of her joined him.
"Now as for Vahlkiel, he may be powerful but not as strong as me. However, I have harsher restrictions placed upon me than even he does. I can only interfere in mortal affairs once every ten thousand years on any given planet and the last time I was here I was forced to create three objects. A vulgar ritual that summoned me for a short time by three brothers two arrogant and one humble one. While your bedtime stories got it largely wrong it was correct about some things." the man said as he continued with his words.
"I-I know t-the story," Jones said her teeth chattering as if she was naked in the arctic.
"Yes, normally it would be another ten thousand years before I could interfere again but given the circumstances, the rules are being bent. I can help you but you must gather the artifacts and use them to summon me in my full capacity. Once you have done that I can put Vahlkiel back where he belongs." The man said as Jones nodded.
"And w-where are they?" Jones said trying desperately to calm herself.
"You already received one, from the old fool. It accepted you which is why I chose you in the first place." Jones was confused at his statement but then she remembered the wand she had taken from Dumbledore. She had kept it with her due to the strange feeling she got from it. Reaching into her coat she pulled it out, knowing what it was made it feel so much heavier.
"Your brother has the other two. Ask him about the ring something will have been left behind from his efforts to destroy it, and the cloak he has. You will need these and summon me. After that, I shall take care of Vahlkiel and Harry will finish his oath and send Tom to the Keepers. Do you understand?"
Jones nodded her voice failing her and for the first time the man's calm and collect expression changed and he made a small smile.
"Good." And so Jones continued to have a very quiet meal. After all, it would be rude to refuse Death when he offered you a meal.
_SCENE_
Here is number 32 and we got some big game players showing their hands and Susan got her prosthetic now! Harry is very close to finishing the Grimoire, the last one is going to be a doozy, at least I hope so. A lot of stories I read have Death depicted as so, at least in my opinion, corny.