Episode 12. Part 13

Episode 12. Part 13

***

- Oh, Lord Potter, you really did it? I am delighted! - A genuinely pleased Grapbuch exclaimed as he watched the elders of his people anxiously examining and touching the artefacts Harold had worked so hard to procure.

- I didn't expect you to spare me the trouble of riding your rides," a contented Potter snickered.

The goblins looked at each other and laughed in surprise.

- Well, you have earned the respect of our people and the eternal gratitude of our people," the elders bowed, as did the nearly-late Grapbukh.

- Here, as agreed," one of the goblins held out a book of rawhide wrapped in a cloth. - It is in Old English, but you will understand. It contains all you need to know. Though as for your power, all you need to know is its essence and some of its limitations. - Potter bowed in response, accepting the priceless book in his hands. - And here is more, as a sign that you are a friend of our people, Lord Potter. When you see it, you will be of any assistance to any goblin or representative of magical races related to us, - the elder handed Harold a casket, in which there was an earring, stylized made of some metal, obviously more valuable than gold or platinum, like someone's fang, on the earring were runes. - Likewise, it is your protection. You do not realize what you have done for the Goblin people, but we do. Take this as a gift. And this is for your consort. Our craftsmen forged it especially for her. - In another box, a woman's hair comb was beautifully adorned with precious glitter. Harold accepted it all with a smile, immediately putting on the earring. "By magic, my kind will not forget this," he bowed his head respectfully again. And pity he should have hurried if he wished to understand the essence of his magic...

***

- Dudley, you're such a great teacher! I wish it were you who taught CTE instead of that Toad..." Ronald exclaimed enthusiastically when he managed to create a corporeal Patronus.

Dursle was surprised: after the way Weasley had tormented the cat, he was sure he would not be able to do such a light spell. But no... Wow!

Actually, Dudley was nervous. He had no doubt that not only did Harold know about the club, but he had ratted out everything he knew to Umbridge. So it was tonight at their Wandering Class that he was expecting guests. Was he angry with his brother? Yes, very angry. But it just so happened that they were both playing their own game behind each other's backs. And while he himself could compromise, his cousin was stubbornly principled. But that didn't mean that Dudley would always concede... This time he was only forgiving his brother because he was actually doing the same thing himself: knowing that Umbridge was coming tonight, he hadn't warned anyone. Not even Neville. And so that his conscience wouldn't weigh so heavily, he decided to take his punishment with everyone else. His brother would never stand up for him again anyway. Why did he do it? Simple. The existence of the club did not justify itself. It was only productive when he took on the job of teaching the idiots Ron had assembled. Neville could do that too, of course, but he still lacked confidence. Worst of all, the idiots were prone to bigotry. And once they were friends and had an idea in their heads... Anyway, with his gift of foresight, Dudley decided it was safer to be on the safe side and cease the existence of the club before it had more serious consequences for Britain's magical society.

When the Pink Toad entered the Wandering Classroom looking victorious, accompanied by Filch, Snape, and several upperclassmen, mostly from Slytherin, who had volunteered to help Dolores oversee discipline, Dudley breathed a sigh of relief: finally someone had ended this adventure. Of course, a truth serum interrogation awaited them all, disguised as a tea party with Umbridge, and Dursle, almost unmoved by his conscience, told everything about the club. But he'd never expected Ambridge to be much more interested in his and his cousin's past. Toad had literally latched on to him, hoping to squeeze out a more tangible piece of dirt on Harold. And Dudley was very glad, this time, for his brother's secrecy. After all, he really didn't know much about him from the time they'd been stealing on the streets together.

However, digging under Potter so thoroughly only convinced Dudley that he had made the right decisions. He only hoped that his brother wouldn't ruin his plan at the last minute...

***

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was savoring the last lemon slice from the supplies he had grabbed from his office at Hogwarts, and smiling. At last! At last everything was going the way it should, the way he had planned it!

Of course, with Potter, potentially a stronger wizard than Longbottom, it was a mistake. But never mind, the boy would play into his hands yet. And meanwhile it was necessary to be glad, that the silly Minister Fudge with his laws kept away from many mages, and representatives of magic races, who, being disappointed in the Ministry, went to him, great Albus Dumbledore or to Voldemort. The latter was somewhat frustrating, but not so much as to spoil the mood.

Yes, he had been kicked out of Hogwarts, trying to get arrested for trying to overthrow Fudge. Pfft! Stupid accusation. They were all dancing to his tune and didn't notice it. Leaving Hogwarts was part of his plan, the only question was how to do it: to provoke the Ministry or to cite illness in case the first option didn't work.

And yes, he still had an obedient hero in his hands, and nothing could take him away!

Not even bloody Potter, who had spoiled his plans for the past few years, would get in the way.

Yes, everything was perfect! Voldemort lay low, as he expected, but he couldn't help but buy the prophecy bait. Potter knows about the prophecy, too, and probably just won't stay away. Especially since his favorite cousin is on Longbottom's side. Yes, and the information leaked to his flea-bitten godfather should help interest the Boy-Who-Has-Thought-Himself. And there his hero would show all his virtues, together with his team, defeating them all at once. Of course, Albus himself would not be left out and would only enhance his fame as the victor of the dark forces. Oh yes, it's going to be huge!

Now the important thing was to keep a close eye on all the protagonists of his and only his play, lest - Merlin forbid - he make a mistake. And things would finally work out...

***

- Tonight. He will get to the truth today. And darkness will hang over Magical Britain. Forever!

- Professor Trelawney? - Neville hiccupped frightenedly...

***

- Yes, Professor Umbridge, we've been in touch with Dumbledore," Dudley blurted out so that the Pink Toad would stop torturing Neville in more ways than to carry out his plan and a rather long-standing arrangement: - He couldn't leave the students unattended, so he didn't go far," he lied as he went, reporting what Dolores wanted to hear, mentally thanking her for taking on Longbottom first. - We were supposed to report to him on what was going on, but for some reason our way of communication wasn't working today. We thought he'd get excited and show up at Hogwarts, and here you are, arresting him. - Umbridge let Neville go, smiling fondly at Dudley with the triumph of victory burning in her eyes. - So we wanted to use your fireplace to report... - Where is he, dear boy. Where?" Dursle was defiantly silent until the professor shouted, "REPORTER!

- There's a little lodge in the Forbidden Forest. It's not far from here," Dudley exhaled, as if through sheer force.

- Take me there so your friends don't get hurt..." He grinned evilly as Dolores was dragged over the roots, over the rocks, through the Centaurs, watching Toad's disgusting pink dress get dirty, seeing leaves and sticks get stuck in her hair, not even thinking of answering their pleas for help. He only bowed as much as he had bowed to the centaur he had negotiated with months ago - as a sign of the terms of the contract...

But, unexpectedly for Neville and the rest of Ron's company, Dudley did not fly to the Ministry to save the prophecy. He had more important things to do...

***

- Ready? We'll be the third party there," Harold reminded the ratepayers, watching as they dressed in gray, unsightly robes with hoods covering their faces to the lip line.

- But on our side will be the followers," Draco grinned, like many of them, at the new, streamlined name Death Eaters, "of Lord Gaunt...

And against us will be the students and the Order of the Phoenix," Hermione reminded them.

- Fudge will bring the public? - Terrance asked curtly. Harold nodded, throwing his gray robe over his shoulders as well. "Yes. Journalists and some officials will be there at the appointed time. By that time, you'll have to be in hiding.

- We remember! - The rat-catchers responded in an almost resentful chorus, rolling their eyes as the leader pestered him to remind them of the details of the plan.

Harry smiled, but he couldn't help a nervous shiver: he had a feeling that something was going to go wrong...

***

Everything was going perfectly according to the plans of various people who did not agree with each other. Neville, Ron, Dean, Seamus, Ginny, Lavender, and the Patil twins arrived at the Ministry of Magic for a prophecy with three names on it: Voldemort, Harry Potter, and Neville Longbottom. And Neville found a silver orb with a haze inside with the prophecy in the Mystery Department and took it in his hands, but those who Dumbledore called Death Eaters also arrived. They surrounded the students and politely asked them to give them the prophecy.

The teenagers just weren't scared. Just as Dumbledore had expected. And the devourers attacked, just as he expected. Only not for the purpose of capturing the prophecy, as he expected, but, as Lords Gont and Potter expected, for the purpose of moving the scene into the atrium of the Ministry. And the students, realizing the difference in power, ran as Harold and Thomas expected, throwing fifth-year Hogwarts-level curses. Sometimes even successfully, but still not dangerous for experienced wizards with many battles under their belt.

As Dumbledore had expected, the teens ran out into the Hall of the Arch of Death and then the members of the Order of the Phoenix had already joined the fight. The devourers, warned by Lords Gont and Potter, were expecting it as well. The students breathed a sigh of relief when their opponents were taken over by serious, equal wizards, but no such luck. The Pied Pipers also arrived. At first the "side of the world" rejoiced, thinking they had good, albeit unknown, allies, but the unknown individuals in gray robes suddenly sided with the Reavers. Worse, they fought as well as they did. The Order was outnumbered, and they were slowly pushed into the atrium. The students, led by Neville, were more of a hindrance than a help.

By the time Dumbledore appeared in the atrium, the Eaters had already disappeared into the chimneys of the Ministry of Magic. And what was the great wizard's surprise when he saw only bound or immobilized members of his order and students from Neville's team, and unknown personalities in deaf and unsightly gray floor-length cloaks, hooded over their faces. And what was his annoyance when it was not Lord Voldemort who stood against him, but the undisguised Lord Harold James Patrick Nicholas Potter...

Everything was going according to plan, exactly until this moment: "Finish it...