All right, Chapter 12 got a good response from people. I really liked all my reviews. Though I do want to address a couple things about the Horcrux.
I had originally intended to make finding that Horcrux less of an accident, and more of an adventure, but I don't intend to make this into a totally long fiction. I was considering ending it at about twenty chapters, and there's still a lot of stuff I want to cover in it. So that means I had to either cut some things out, or add a couple chapters and make a couple things a bit easier. The goblet just didn't appeal to me, as far as my creative tastes. It seemed like people would get bored if I wrote a whole chapter about them searching for a cup. Nagini, as the sixth Horcrux, will take up the entire next chapter. Something that can fight back and that I can sort of give a personality to will be much more interesting to both write and read.
And about Bellatrix. She was put in prison. Arrested and locked in Azkaban. That means she didn't have time to take care of the Horcrux then. By the time she escaped, fourteen years had passed, and she'd been living with Dementors for nearly a decade and a half. Once she got out, she only wanted to find Lord Voldemort. And in my mind, Bellatrix isn't the brightest crayon in the box. I'll explain the rest in the story.
And while I'm thinking about it, I'm trying something new in this chapter. There's a scene from Malfoy Manor in which Voldemort and Lucius are deciding what to do with Scrimgeour. So far they've all been talked about but never seen. Let me know how I did on it.
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Harry paced in front of the gathered members of the Order. The Weasleys were present, along with several Professors from Hogwarts, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Draco, Lily and James, Sirius, and Lupin. "I just don't understand how this could have been so easy."
Lily lifted a hand to draw the attention onto her. "Harry, sweetheart, I knew Bellatrix growing up. She's always been scatterbrained, and way too reliant on blind luck to get her through things. When she lived here, your father and I were working for the order. The place was always a mess, you couldn't find anything, and honestly, there probably wasn't a better hiding place for that thing than in the bottom of a Muggle china cabinet. No witch or wizard would have looked there. She's either forgotten she had it, which wouldn't surprise me as she spent fourteen years getting sucked dry by Dementors, or she's relying on that blind luck again. She probably knows no one but a witch or wizard would live here, and figures that they aren't going to be looking inside anything Muggle. She's a moron."
Hermione agreed. "She's evil, Harry. Who can explain what goes on inside the head of someone that evil? I know it seems a little easy, but there really isn't anything easy about it." She paused to take a breath. "You destroyed a Horcrux when you were twelve. And that diary was able to fight back. Look at what it did to Ginny. The ring, the other one, the locket and the cup were just everyday magical items that no one would look at twice. Which may have been the point, but I think it was rather stupid. Those things can't fight back, and Voldemort had to rely completely on the people he entrusted with the Horcruxes. People make mistakes, and evil people have no loyalties. When push comes to shove, they're all out for themselves and no one else. Bellatrix probably knows we're living here and knows we'd kill her if she came back. She's probably thinking, "well, it's just one. There are six more out there. Even if they do find it, it won't hurt him." She's out to protect herself. So, her selfishness and greed is our good luck."
Lily patted Hermione on the back, beaming. "I couldn't have said it better myself. Now, I really think that we all need a day, or at least an evening, which is what we have, of fun. You kids need to relax and regroup. We need everyone sharp and at their best if we're going to kill Nagini. She's just a snake, but she's got part of Voldemort inside of her. That makes her very, very dangerous. I think it's also safe to say that once we do kill Nagini, Voldemort will have to become aware of the loss of the six Horcruxes."
McGonagall spoke for the first time. "I think we should also consider the possibility that Voldemort will again attack Hogwarts. Many of the most loyal and talented witches and wizards teach there. Still many others have children there, along with friends and family. It would be a great blow to our side if the school was to fall. And without Dumbledore, we are weak. I'm afraid I'm a less than adequate replacement."
"Professor, you ran that school as much as he did." Harry said, finally sitting down. "Whenever Dumbledore was out on business, when we were finding the Horcrux, that was all you. Also, you've kept it safe for two years already. I think Voldemort may not be scared of you, but I'm fairly certain you make him nervous. I know I wouldn't want to fight you in a duel."
McGonagall didn't blush, but it was close. "Thank you, Mr. Potter. I disagree, but it is nice to know I have the support of my previous students."
James stood. "That's enough of this for tonight. We aren't going to get anywhere. I do agree with Minerva though. I think we should very quietly move into the castle. Minerva, can you put a hold on all outgoing and incoming Owls? We don't want any of our Slytherin friends to take the initiative and tell on us."
"I'll arrange it tomorrow morning."
"Good. Now, I think we should have dinner, because I know I'm starving, and then just have fun."
Lily knew that with the Marauders around, fun was quickly going to turn into drunk. She just sighed, and accepted the reality. She'd have to drag her husband and his two best friends to bed, and would probably be thoroughly embarrassed in the process.
Molly shook her head. "We have to get home, Lily. Percy's due in with Penelope and the baby. They were attacked last night. They managed to get away, but it will be much easier to protect them at the Burrow. With so many people staying there, no Death Eater will dare. Too many witches and wizards."
Lily was instantly concerned. "Are they all right?"
"Not a scratch. Percy may not have used his abilities in a while, but he hasn't forgotten how to curse people. He and Penelope knocked them both out cold and turned them over to the Ministry. However, before either could be questioned, they killed one another."
"You can't trust the Ministry, Molly. Remember, Scrimgeour is a Death Eater. And it won't be too long before they know about James and I being out. If they don't already."
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Voldemort was sitting on his throne. He'd had Lucius procure it for him when he'd moved into the Malfoy house. Lucius was sitting on his right side, Nagini on his left. In front of him was Scrimgeour, bowing on his knees, begging for mercy.
"I am sorry, my Lord. I have no idea how it happened."
"They are all three gone?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"And do you know who is responsible?"
"The whole thing reeks of Potter, Weasley, and Granger." Lucius sneered, glaring at Scrimgeour. "Are you telling us, Rufus, that you couldn't even keep our three biggest advantages safe from a trio of eighteen year olds?"
"You didn't manage to stop a duo of twelve year olds, did you Lucius?" Scrimgeour wasn't going to go out alone, and he wasn't going to go out without a bang. "Stopped the diary from killing the youngest Weasley. Got your best house elf taken away and had the diary destroyed. I'd say that's a big failure as well."
"That was a necessary loss." Voldemort dismissed the accusation with a wave of one pale, thin hand. "And Lucius has more than made up for his indiscretions by aiding my return to corporeal form. All has been forgiven. And no one has recruited more Death Eaters than he has. You, however, you're Minister of Magic! How could you not know what is going on in your own department!" Voldemort rose to face his Death Eater. His eyes were reminiscent of those of a snake, his skin strangely scale like. His voice practically slithered. "You are incompetent, and I will not tolerate that under any circumstances! Do you understand me?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Neither will I tolerate a failure of this magnitude. You have lost us a great chance at a casualty free victory over these teenagers. Do you fully understand that?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Good. At least you have basic brain functions. I don't mind losing Death Eaters for a purpose such as the one we are undertaking. Victories are rewarded, and failures are punished. Were you not rewarded richly for your success in finding the chamber, despite the fact that you stumbled onto it completely by accident?"
"I was, my Lord. Very richly."
"And Severus sat in Nagini's place for killing Dumbledore. The greatest victory a Death Eater had had since Pettigrew betrayed the Potters to Severus. He will always be remembered as a hero among us. One who died bravely and fought gallantly for our cause."
"He will, my Lord. Very brave. Very gallant."
"You, Scrimgeour, you will never sit at my elbow. Your failure is beyond comprehension. You have possibly cost me this battle, do you understand that?!" Voldemort's voice rose to a yell.
"Yes, my Lord. I'm very sorry, my Lord."
"Your death, Scrimgeour, will be a lesson to all those who would dare fail me in a way such as this. You didn't fail in battle, fighting for me. A failure such as that would be ignored, punished lightly, or in rare cases, rewarded, as Lucius was for going against the boy who nearly cost me my life. You have lost me three people I very dearly desired, and they were asleep! No one outside this room knew about them and yet they are gone! That leaves me two possibilities."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Of the three of us, I am one hundred percent sure that I did not tell Harry Potter, or let it slip to someone who would. Lucius has been with me day and night, working with the Death Eaters, training them, helping me regain the rest of my strength. This means, Scrimgeour, that you are the only one who could possibly be responsible for this lapse."
"I didn't tell anyone, my Lord. Please believe me."
"Sickening how they all beg at the end." Lucius stood to align himself with Voldemort. Voldemort gripped his second in command's arm.
"We will kill him, Lucius, and do it together. And from this moment, trust no one but one another. You have never betrayed me, and for completing this task with me, you will be rewarded."
Lucius drew his wand. Voldemort didn't need one. By a silent consensus, they simultaneously cursed Scrimgeour. "Avada Kedavra!"
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James, Sirius, Lupin, Harry, Ron and Draco were all drunk. They'd been guzzling Ogden's Firewhiskey like it was about to stop being produced. Hermione, Lily and Ginny had stuck to Pumpkin Juice and water. Tonks, since she was about to burst with her first child, had elected to go home and to bed once the drinking had started.
The men were in the living room laughing and falling all over themselves. Lupin got off the couch and went to the CD player, pushing play. Kelly Clarkson burst through the speakers and the women groaned. Lily knew from first hand experience how badly three of the men in that room sang when they were drunk. Especially when they made up their own words, which was what they were doing. Hermione clapped her hands over her ears.
"Good Merlin help us. My eardrums are never going to be the same after this assault."
Ginny laughed. "Draco Malfoy is singing into my hairbrush and Harry's howling into your best vase, Hermione."
Hermione darted across the room, but didn't manage to get to Harry before he dropped the vase and it shattered on the floor. All activity stopped at that moment. Everyone was waiting to see what she would do. Hermione took a breath to speak, and James started giggling.
"Un oh." He said in a singsong voice. "You'd better watch out. People of the female type don't like it when you bust their little silly frilly things."
Draco nodded in drunken companionship. "She's gonna be mud."
"Mud?" Hermione asked, confused. Lily chuckled.
"I think he means mad."
"That's it!" Ron announced. "She'll be mad."
"Mud, mad, it's all the same." Sirius said solemnly. "She'll be mad mud."
Hermione didn't know if she should be humored or insulted. "I'm not mad mud."
"Mmkay. Mud mad then. Hermy!" Harry kissed her sloppily, and she dragged the back of her hand across her mouth.
"No kissing me when you smell like a keg."
Draco swayed, a perfectly content on his face, a bottle of firewhiskey in the other. "Y'know Ginevra," he slurred, "you've got great legs."
Companionably, Harry slung an arm around Draco. "That she does, Malgoy. I always had an infection for her legs."
Ginny was turning red. Ron leaned heavily on Draco and Harry. "You four need to stop talking about my sitter like that. She's still a baby. I need to go help Mum change her diaper."
With that, Ron passed out, falling backward to land on James' lap. James brightened. "Aw look, Lillers. He wants to sit on Santa's lap."
Lily grabbed Ron under the arms and lugged him off of James. Hermione pointed her wand at Ron's limp form. "Levicorpus."
While she was levitating Ron toward his bedroom, James was pulling Lily down into his lap. "You want to sit on Santa too."
"James, you aren't Santa Claus." Lily stood, looked at her husband firmly. "It's time to go home."
"Whatever you say, Mrs. Claus."
But before Lily could get a good grip on her husband, Draco screamed. Always ready to help out a friend, the other men also shrieked. Lupin looked at Draco. "What's sa matter?"
"She's a witch!" he pointed at Hermione. "She killed Ronnikins!"
Just hearing Draco call Ron Ronnikins in that serious voice made Ginny double over with laughter. Hermione shook her head. "And you're a wizard, Draco." She pointed to his wand. "See? That's your wand."
Draco picked it up and looked at it studiously. Always willing to try something new, he pointed it at Hermione. "Levicorpus."
When she flew off her feet and hovered around the ceiling, Draco again screamed. Again, three other men joined him. "What's wrong this time?" James asked when he stopped screaming.
"I'm a witch! I'm evil! I killed Hermeoninny!"
"You didn't kill me." Hermione announced. Lily lifted her wand. "Liberacorpus." And Hermione came back down. James goggled at his wife.
"I'm having a baby with a witch."
Harry narrowed his eyes at his father. "I'm your baby."
"Another one. I want another baby. A little one that cries and has diapers and drinks milk and keeps me up all night, and spits up on me, and pees on me like you did." He seemed to consider that for a second. "Lillers, I don't want another baby. I want seventeen."
Lily nearly fainted. "No." she looked at Lupin. "Just where do you think you're going?"
"Home. To tell Tonks that no madder what the itchuation is, the little alien inside her is not allowed to do any of the things that your husband here just named off." He swayed a little, then sat down on the couch. He was out like a light in ten seconds.
"I'll take him home." Ginny said, and grabbed Lupin. She Apparated, leaving Lily and Hermione to deal with the other three. They were currently dancing in the middle of the living room floor.
"Let's get these three to bed." Hermione took Draco by the arm, ignored the fumbling pass that he made as she dragged him to the bedroom. "Stay in here and go to sleep."
"I don't know what sleep is. I am a shark. Sharks don't sleep."
As if to prove his point, he bit her wrist as she laid him down. Hermione chose to ignore that as well. By the time she closed the door, he was snoring. Lily had put Harry to bed by the time she got back to the living room. She was desperately scrubbing at her mouth.
"My own son tried to kiss me." She told Hermione dramatically. "He missed and got mostly my chin, thank God."
"That's okay. Draco bit me and succeeded in getting that tongue of his up my nose."
Lily looked at Hermione and the two women burst into laughter. "My God they're horrible when they're drunk." She thought for a second. "They're out cold, and will remain so until morning. Why don't we stop and pick up Ginny at Lupin's and spend the night in our house." She chanced a glance to where James and Sirius were cuddling on the floor, and rolled her eyes.
"Sounds good to me." Hermione groaned as Lily tucked a maternal arm around her waist. "I have so much cleaning to do tomorrow."
"We'll all help. Ready?"
"Yeah."
And with that, the two witches Apparated, leaving five drunken wizards snoring in the apartment that two of them called home.
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