Chapter 72 - Back to Hogwarts.

Notably - this chapter is much shorter than normal, this is because enough important stuff happens fast enough that writing more (or more detail) doesn't seem like a good idea. This is mostly due to the fact that this is a very delicate chapter, mostly in not giving too much away, but also getting what I need to put across on the board. 

My return to Hogwarts is rather mundane. I quickly re-connect, go over winter break and the things everyone has done over the break - nothing exciting - and get right back to making Umbridge’s life hell.

It isn’t really as satisfying as it used to be - I know for a fact I’ll get more pleasure out of various other things I could be doing - like taking Tonks on a date, tutoring my sister and her friends, or so forth. So it is, after a day of classes teaching me marginal ways to improve on things I’ve otherwise mastered, and making Umbridge's life hell, that leaves me feeling vaguely bored and empty.

Studying feels fulfilling, and I feel like I’m making progress, but compared to the Winter break - and even before that - life at school feels dull, now.

So it’s a surprise when I wake up for my second day of school, doing my normal routine, clean up and head down to breakfast first, as is normal, that I’m shocked to see the Daily Prophet headlines.

“Mass Breakout from Azkaban!

The Ministry of Magic announced late last night that there has been a mass breakout from Azkaban.

Speaking to reporters in his private office, Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, confirmed that ten high-security prisoners escaped in the early hours of yesterday evening and that he has already informed the Muggle Prime Minister of the dangerous nature of these individuals.

‘We find ourselves, most unfortunately, in the same position we were two and a half years ago when Sinus Black escaped. This time, however, we’ve plenty of evidence and surety that the escapees are guilty.’ said Fudge last night. ‘An escape of this magnitude suggests outside help, and we must remember that we were never told how Black, as the first person ever to break out of Azkaban, did the job. It is likely those who escaped copied what they saw of his methods. We think it likely that these individuals, who include Black’s cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, have decided to go into hiding, much like he did at first while they gather support. We are, however, doing all we can to round up the criminals, and we beg the magical community to remain alert and cautious. On no account should any of these individuals be approached.’ the minister reports. We at the Prophet…” I put down the paper after skimming the list of new people for my kill list, then nod.

Blaming Sirius and by extension, Dumbledore’s faction, fits the modus operandi of the Minister, and by extension, Lucius Malfoy’s goals as the unofficial spokesperson of the Dark Lord - and the only reason Fudge has an office at this point.

I sip my tea contemplatively, feeling a smile coming across my face as I read the small list of escaped personage again, and note that they are wanted, dead or alive.

I’ll be sure they’re returned dead. A shame that they forced me to kill them, really.

A snort of amusement, and a cold focus on where, how, when I’ll be able to destroy them.

The last is the hardest, but it shouldn’t take more than a year for most, save the most skilled or paranoid. Most of these will slip up. Except Bellatrix and her ilk.

The former unspeakable will go first, most likely. Those lads are very sure they’re the best at going about their business unseen, but really aren’t so grand. They really, actually, suck at their jobs unless they’re a field agent, and by everything I’ve been able to pull from trials and other reports, Augustus Rockwood was a researcher, not an agent.

A desk and a prison cell do not breed good skills with stealth, spellwork or similar. I’ll have to put out feelers, and money, to secure his normal routes in the darker sides of the world. Good thing no one pays much attention to the Hags or other riff-raff who sit around down there, and as the head of house, I can access the resources telling me who I can go to for information - or to watch those areas.

Information, after all, is worth more than Galleons in war.

I quietly Inventory the paper, then slide from my bench, having finished my morning reading.

Training, planning and a good bit of information gathering. That’s my plan until the summer.

Rockwood, Yaxley, Mulciber, Dolohov, any of the Carrows I see should be my initial targets. I doubt I can outright catch Bellatrix, Rudolphis or Rabatian, for they are notedly hard to capture, and only were captured originally due to their getting carried away - and those mistakes tend to only happen once. Even then, it was a notably highly-emotional moment when they were captured. So I cannot expect them to make a similar mistake unless Voldemort is about to win the war outright, or is missing or dead.

I tap a table lightly with my fingers as I pass it, thinking hard. Using the action to remain grounded as I walk to the Room.

Other than the Death Eaters, Voldemort used Werewolves, Vampires, Mercenaries, Giants and many others in his last attempt for control. I cannot court the Werewolves or the Vampires or the Giants.

I can contend with his control of the Mercenaries and Brigands of other countries, though. I have a friend who is closely tied with those elements in southern Europe, and I can outright buy some of the less morally dubious ones to counter Voldemort’s acquisition of those without any boundaries.

Having all of the mercenaries kill each other might open a bit of a vacuum of power, with the various monster threats left unchecked in rural areas, but in war, sometimes you need to sacrifice a little in one area…

I can also try to counter the control of the creatures of the night with various terrestrial spirits whom I have friendships with - the Kitsune are prime targets. I can also aim to grab the Veela from France, through Fluer and her family, though this is double-duty for them, as I’m also using them as a lever for the French Ministry. If I manage with either faction, I’ll have footholds in European creature communities, I may well get a contract out of the Dwarves, and further, from the Gnomes or Sirens.

Sirens would be very good at locking all my enemies onto the island, and the Dwarves could hunt any escapees via portkey on the continent.

The Dwarves do not break contracts. That’s one thing which is true in both worlds.

Contracting with Dwarves will probably make Gringotts hate me - and side with Voldemort. If this does happen, then I may have to kill them all and raid all of the death eater vaults - and kill all of their poor abused dragons.

Highly trained war-dragons.

A small smile plays across my face for a moment, before it settles back to its normal passively pleasant façade.

Germany, and the Balkans are all up in the air, as is Russia. I can expect they’ll help me, if I word it correctly, but Russia especially hasn’t had good relations with England in the past on magical warfare or issues relating to it.

I might be able to level - through my bargain with the Djinn whom I will be dealing with after Easter for my Rituals, well, I may be able to make another bargain for aid, though it is likely I’ll be pushed off to another court, due to my incompatibility with the fire-being whom I met.

Winds, or Steel and Ice is likely. I will have to see, though. The elementals can be rather picky with whom they deal - or how they choose to do so.

Outside of these three, though, I have no real connections to creatures, aside from the Devils and the various divine warriors, who are just as unable to help me in combat as the Devils, though both may be willing to help in other ways - like information.

Best if I don’t ask them for help, though. There’s more gain if I do it ‘by myself’ since to them, this issue is something anyone whom they should respect should handle by themselves.

Probably.

Beings of great power don’t like being bothered by ‘mortal affairs’.

This also forces me to put up my plans to get Harry the Hallows. I need to get him to disarm me of any particular weapon. I think I’ll have him ‘test the disarming spell on various kinds of weapons’ so that he can disarm me of swords, daggers, bows, and indeed, the Wand itself. Just to make sure it gets the idea and goes to him. As a ‘reward’ I’ll give him the stone - the only one of the stupid things without a pre-requisite for passing on to another.

Then wait for him to properly be attuned to all three. Note he should keep them all close, and indeed, not use them unless needed.

The best weapons in the war. Allies for the war, ruining his internal command structure by taking out some of his most faithful followers…

Yes. This will do for a rough draft. Details can come later. Ambushing someone in Knockturn, or any other properly seedy place will, of course, result in no interference unless those around stand to gain from interference.

Best not to let it be known who I’m targeting, then. Who knows what the denizens of the underbelly will do if they see me attacking a commander of their Lord.

Not that most of the riff-raff could hurt me if I went in with intentions to kill them all, but that’d get me in trouble.

I need to surgically remove the leaders and make those who would oppose me so scared they go back to being honourable citizens. Best if I do things while ‘it's not possible for me to be there’.

Fools rarely consider what timed Portkeys and a lack of needing much sleep can do for you.

A cold smile replaces my normal pleasant expression as I consider - indeed - I’ll likely earn the title and fear of my last life, again.

I should get a tattoo to celebrate. Perhaps one for each god who gives me their blessings.

If nothing else, they’ll cover the marks of my rituals… Which are just rituals to help me manage my mana reserves. Nothing untoward, especially not if any officials ask. They should know my body can’t handle the power I’ve cultivated without those rituals, and I was in such great pain that I needed a ritual to reinforce my body’s natural ability and contain the mana.

Which is not very uncommon in duelling’s highest levels…

.*****.

“We have to do something!” Calls Lucius, the voice of the minister in this Wizengamot meeting. The Minister is conspicuously absent.

“And what would you have us do? Send the dementors out again?” Dumbledore openly scoffs at the idea, which people murmur in agreement of. “I would never allow those things out - nor will my allies. Indeed, if you want something to be done, other than the bounties we’ve placed, I suggest standing Auror guard on every major target, them or Hit Wizards.” He says evenly. Instantly, the whole Dark Side is in an uproar. I roll my eyes and turn to the only other Druidic seat in attendance today.

“This is absurd, wouldn’t you agree? One side won’t settle for anything less than the dementors - their effective allies - being in place. The other won’t settle for anything other than human guards. This is a fair middle ground, considering the fact human guards are still not as good as the average head of house with combat magic, considering our Grimoires.” I complain to Uriel, making sure the amplification charms are off. He nods.

“The main issue is, that a lot of Aurors also come from old families, and if we put them on the ground, and one of them dies, then the families will instantly declare wartime measures for their house, which will set off the chain of every old family teaching any adult member combat magics. This will make the jobs of those sympathetic to the Dark Lord harder.” Uriel explains, and I nod in understanding.

I may know every important modern law, and a good few of the old ones, but some of the intricate bylaws escape me. I don’t have time to focus on them, and frankly nothing helps see how things play out as much as living them.

Uriel lived in the last war - he’d know these things.

I turn on my amplification charms. “I second Dumbledore's motion for human guards at important sites - not just the ministry. Saint Mungos, Hogwarts and the homes of vital minstrel staff, like the heads of each department, until the criminals are rounded up, along with anyone who travels with them.” I chip in, and the room goes silent as Uriel turns on his amplification and agrees with me, though it sounds dispassionate and rather like he’d rather not.

A good show, if nothing else.

“A vote then! This is a standard vote - 51% of the vote is required to pass this bill.” The Chief Warlock since Albus was deposed from the seat - Doge - declares.

Another wave of riotous anger splits the Dark side as everyone else gets ready.

“What of my proposal? I have at least as many supporters as Dumbledore for the motion!” Malfoy yells, and Doge looks at him disapprovingly. It shifts to Crabbe and Goyle Sr. as they voice agreement with the Dementor plan, followed by the Nott head.

“Very well - if the proposal for human guards fails - we may vote on the matter of Dementor guards.” Doge decrees in his dry old voice. I honestly wonder, sometimes, how he can talk for a whole meeting when it sounds like his vocal cords are about to shred themselves like an old, dry, brittle piece of paper. “Are there any other proposals beyond those mentioned?” He asks, and when none speak, he calls for the first vote.

“Those in favour of using Human Guards to defend places of interest - namely Hogwarts and Saint Mungos, along with potential Ministerial staff, which shall be voted upon separately when we have a report of how many such can be supported?” He asks, and I see Amelia shift uncomfortably in her chair - likely knowing sending out three full squadrons of fully trained Aurors will already put the department in dire straits.

Hit wizards will have to do for the department heads, and MLE officers handle the additional patrols and routes until the extra money can be voted on, then processed to the DMLE for more Aurors.

“Green lights for Aye.” Doge completes the form, and wands are raised en masse around the chamber. I count, and nod.

Seventy-two percent. Some of the Dark-Side families who are more neutral prefer Human Guards to Dementors - because they’ll likely buy them more time to scope out the war coming, and see who they should side with.

The Smart Dark houses, I jokingly label them in my head.

The whole of the Light and Neutral blocks vote for human guards, of course. Dementors are monsters, and even if Amelia is sweating bullets at the thought, it’s certainly better to have this, than demons at the call of a would-be conqueror.

“As a follow up vote,” I call, as the vote is affirmed. “The DMLE will be taxed by this effort. I must state that the Aurors currently have the job of patrolling major business sectors, including all of Diagon, Knockturn and the adjacent districts, including the surrounding Muggle areas. They likewise do so for Hogsmeade, though with less frequency, and they also hold the ministry, at all hours. As a result, their numbers are designed - and paid - for this workload. Adding two more Ministry sized projects to their plates which they would normally use reservists for will overtax the Aurors and provide less protection to one of the five major areas they now need to defend. As a result, more funding should be given, so they can increase the MLE officer count, and train promising talent to full Aurors, or at least Hit Wizards, so there is no slack in the net we’re casting. I don’t want it to take a year and more bad press for ourselves or the Ministry if anything happens - being seen to bolster our MLE in the response to such a threat should be met with applause, along with stricter defence of key areas, as we’re implementing.” I conclude, and get a few nods, and a lot of murmuring, with only the dark side sounding at all upset about it.

The argument this time takes over an hour, and I sigh in resignation as it rolls on, and on. Each point raised and countered by the budget not being large enough. I could just throw down a generous donation with my resources - 50,000 Galleons could fund the department as it is for the whole quarter. But it’s too obviously favouritism. What a foolish pickle.

“Very well!” Dumbledore’s voice breaks over the now heated debate. “I will offer 5,000 Galleons of my personal vault to the DMLE for this new batch, if needed.” What followed was astounding. A variety of houses - from the Light and Grey factions - pledging the same amount. In the end, the total is over 100,000 Galleons, and Amelia looks fit to cry - with joy - as she hasn’t even said she’ll donate anything.

“The house of Bones,” She finally calls out, voice sounding a bit rough, “Will do 20,000 Galleons of course, to show support of the cause, as we see the need.” She concludes.

Uriel then calls he’ll do 10,000 Galleons, and I reservedly put in, sounding grudging that I’m being forced by a reagent and another actual Druidic head to put in. I put in the standard 5,000 Galleons, stating - untruly - that my family does not traffic with money, but instead knowledge. Most unfortunately.

In truth, with the Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw house additions, I’m paying exactly as much as Amelia is putting in, though only Uriel and the heads of those families know that.

My reagent for Slytherin - sly bugger his is - voted against our bill and is giving everyone who votes for the bill a mildly displeased glare, not as hot as the Death Eaters, but still displeased. As though they’re annoying his plans.

When it’s the opposite.

With another raucous bit of rallying, the bill is Drafted (so our generosity is extremely public) and passed. With that, the remaining matters are trivial, and we’re excused after two hours of bickering over the quality of metal required for cauldrons, stirring spoons and so forth.

Useless fools.

.*****.

Of course, it’s not even the next day before a new Ministerial decree is placed upon the school. This one is a spit in the Wizengamot’s eye, and I can’t see how Fudge will retail his office afterwards.

Ministerial Decree # 18

Any Non-Hogwarts Students or Staff found to be on the grounds of Hogwarts School will be expelled, and they will be added to the wards excluding them from entering the castle.

Utter folly, but a decree. Still, it won’t stop at least some of the Aurors. There’s a literal infiltration department, I know, and their whole job is to get into, and defend people of importance, collect information or otherwise do their job in hostile environments.

They even have a fully realised shapeshifter! If Fudge - or Umbridge - think this will cover them from a Shapeshifter ‘transfer student’ from ‘attending Hogwarts’, or Dumbledore fudging the records to show one more sixth or seventh year student, to allow said shapeshifter into the school to defend it - and raise the alarm for the Auror’s to move in if needed - they’re foolishly mistaken.

It even gives the infiltrator a VERY good reason to interact with - and maybe draw information from - students who are from the families most likely to join - or are known supporters of - the Dark Lord.

Escalation is not a game they can win - or even afford to play.

Still, this answers the one issue I have with Hogwarts - now, to convince Dumbledore to this line of thought, and this path… well.

It won’t be hard. She’s in his Order, and she has very good social skills - and the training from her mother to convince people she’s a pureblood.

Securing her to my year - and to be taking a few classes with me, may be harder.

Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Magical Theory, Arithmancy and Runes is a good schedule for a normal NEWT student aiming for a general position in almost anything other than Law Enforcement and Healing. I cackle as the plan forms.

Just in case this stupidity continues into next year - we’ll be safe. I can have someone to practice advanced stuff with who aren’t my teachers, along with Auror specific things which aren’t in Hogwarts, padding out the Room’s library of advanced knowledge with things which just won’t be in the castle - since the last full Auror training guides are outdated by at least thirty years.

Oh yes, there is no way, not a chance, this could fail. Not if I spin it correctly…

.*****.

Dumbledore needed almost no convincing at all. It was almost too easy, which puts my back up, but I choose not to think about it, and instead about how I can use the time until the changes go through.

There’s very little to do, though, aside from torment Umbridge, read the paper, and…

Ah yes, the Hallows. I can get that done today. I nod along happily to the paper I’m “reading” as I walk. The story about the unspeakable killed in the ward by Devils Snare is rather silly. Clearly no accidents there.

I turn the corner at the exact right time to slam into Harry.

Perfect.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I say, seeing I’ve knocked him over. A quick use of observe confirms I have over 100 more Strength than him, so that makes sense.

His stats are heavily leaning into Intelligence and Wisdom, with a good amount of Constitution and Agility, then Dexterity, then Luck then Strength.

Probably best for someone planning to be only a Wizard. But not for me.

“You need to be more careful. You’re too strong for most people.” he grumbles, getting to his feet. I nod.

“I wanted to talk to you anyways. I figured heading to the Gryffindor dorms would be the best way to find you. I want to give you practice disarming people of all kinds of weapons, in case someone comes after you with more than just a wand, but some of the wand stuff too. I’ll slowly increase my attempts to hold on, but not use magic to cheat. Swords are harder to disarm without killing yourself than a wand.” I say expertly, and he looks at me strangely.

“I know, of course, that some of the older families use weapons, but how common is it?” he asks.

“If you break into anyone's house, or they break into yours, the preferred weapon is a dagger or short blade. Stabbing someone leaves no trace of magic, which makes it very hard to find the killer. Useful to be able to remove the option if possible. It doesn’t matter if you’re better with a wand when they throw a dagger through your eye.” I explain, and he nods, giving me a look which says ‘who the hell would I break into the house of’. I roll my eyes.

Some servant of the Dark Lord’s house, I bet. Or the Dark Lord's house. Foolish boy. You need to go into the dragon's den to slay it, otherwise it will flee.

So I lead him to a secluded corridor, to save time going up five flights of stairs, and pull a pair of daggers out of my inventory.

“Go ahead.”

It takes him a few minutes to be able to disarm both daggers, and not have to fall prone to avoid getting stabbed by the daggers. So I move to swords. Two shortswords, then a longsword, then two longswords and then I pull out a greatsword. He gapes.

“No one uses those!” He exclaims, and I shake my head.

“German or other central European recruits to his forces may very well. Go on. I’ll do a bow, then I’ll assume a very high level duelists attempt to keep their wand without any of my personal tricks to make it impossible to disarm me.” I say, and he does.

Then the bow, and all the arrows.

And the Wand.

Deathstick transfer complete.

One of the Three Deathly Hallows remains in your possession.

Good.

“Take this as a sort of reward. Keep this and that wand close. It was Dumbledore’s, and it is meant for you. I accidentally got it when I had to cut off a hand to heal him from certain death. The stone and your cloak fill the final parts of the set. Wear the cloak and hold the other two. Sleep with them under your pillow and the cloak as a blanket. Those are very powerful artefacts, and when they finish attuning to you, you will see many, many benefits.” I explain.

“Why not keep them for yourself? Everyone knows you’re the best duelist in the school - maybe the world. You'd think that of anyone, you would be the better of us to keep them.” He asks.

“Death is my friend, and I can not be her master if I enjoy her company too much, silly boy. You, who disdain death, will be a much better keeper for her tools. And no, you can’t get rid of them. You own all three. They’ll come back. If you do what I recommend, you will be told what to do with them and how. Just… be careful. Death is, obviously, dangerous. Just remember, everything dies - everything needs to die. People who work with Death just make sure no one breaks her laws, as Voldemort has done with his various experiments. Undead, soul mutilations, and other issues. People like him need to be destroyed. That, likely, will be your main purpose. Getting rid of evil, unnatural, destructive things. Let me know if you need help.” and before he can respond, protest or complain, I walk into the shadowed corner of the room, and vanish, back to my bedroom, to finish getting ready for the day.

Annoying work done, I can start planning for more… fun things.

+2 Relationship with Death

+1 Relationship with Darkness, Time, Life.

Interesting. I’ll have to see if I can catch any other leads, while I’m at it.