Chapter 13. Unlucky For Some.
Draco Malfoy could not help but gloat, he was in complete control of the complex, he just had to sit back and let Harry and his friends walk willingly into his trap, this was going to be so easy. Magus was still under the imperious curse and was behaving impeccably, like all muggles his mind was weak and ridiculously simple to control. At Draco's merest suggestion he had passed on the orders to the muggle security guards on duty. They were told that there was to be an incursion by an armed group, Magus had called them terrorists, and that these people were not to be confronted but allowed entry to the laboratory where they would be incapacitated and dealt with. The security guards' only instructions were to make sure that none made it back out again.
"Keep it simple Draco," Julius had informed him in a lucid moment, "you will find that your followers will understand simple orders and what they understand, they do not question." He paused, as just for a few seconds he thought for himself. "Remind me, Draco why are these terrorists coming here?"
"Best not to ask Sir, I think that was what we agreed." Draco replied.
"Yes, of course, silly of me, completely forgot about that. Actually I have a bit of a headache, I think I will go and sit down over..." Magus mumbled, his mind clouding over again, and he walked over to the corner of the laboratory and found a chair.
Draco watched the muggle, he wondered if the length of time Magus was spending under the imperious curse could be having an effect on his mind. It would be an interesting experiment, but Draco didn't think he would have the time to worry himself over one muggle mind. No matter, once Potter was finished Magus might as well go the same way, Draco would have little need for him after today.
The security cameras gave Draco a clear view of the whole complex and for the moment there was nobody to see. Draco smiled, he had all the advantages and as he scrutinised the newly installed bank of screens before him, all the equipment. Although he had no time for muggles themselves, he had to admit that some of their technology was very useful.
Suddenly there was movement, or rather there wasn't, as the two guards on the gate snapped to attention and fell backwards as stiff as boards. Then hurtling towards his point of view Draco saw the red streak of a spell, it struck the camera and in the laboratory there was a deafening bang. Draco jumped backwards from the console as sparks flew all around him, and every single one of his monitors flashed once and then went black. In anger he slammed his fist into the control panel, but it did nothing except take the skin off his knuckles, kicking it didn't help either. He turned to the muggle Magus still sitting quietly in the corner, his head buried in his hands, oblivious to everything that was happening around him. Draco realised he would get no help from that quarter, he would have to do it all himself.
He turned on the generators and waited until they reached full speed, then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the wand, the wand the Dark Lord Voldemort had once wielded. He pointed it at the large copper circuit breakers that controlled the power and said, "Calor Maximus." The heat poured into the shiny blocks of metal, softening them to the point of melting, and so they flowed together permanently locking the circuit breakers closed. Everything was set, once the instability inducer was activated it would be impossible to turn off, his moment had come. He only had to push the large green button for the doorway to be formed, but at the instant of his success Draco's world began to fall apart about his ears.
As Draco reached for the switch the wand in his other hand began to throb in a most unusual way. Then his vision blurred and he could feel an irresistible pressure on his ears, something was trying to get inside his head and he was unable to concentrate any more. There was the sound of crashing and banging from a side corridor leading to the laboratory, but it didn't register in Draco's mind, he was fighting and losing a battle of his own.
Everything the Infundus needed was in position, all it required was the wizard, and wizard minds were so weak and so easy to control. The full weight of the evil that resided in the wand came crashing down on Draco Malfoy, it revealed itself, and Draco's consciousness was instantly overwhelmed.
The Infundus could see through Draco's eyes, hear through his ears and speak through his mouth. Its control of his mind was absolute, but it was still held in the wand by its magical core. Since the time of the making of the wand the Infundus had shielded itself from the magic of the Phoenix using subtle coercion to guide it to the path of evil. Now they were totally in balance, the Infundus had control over the magic the Phoenix could release, but in turn the Phoenix now prevented the Infundus from escaping, holding it in its woody prison. The Infundus reached out with Draco's hand and depressed the large green button, the generators screamed with the load, and under the Trilithon light was fractured and total blackness filled the doorway. With the mechanism activated it would only take the slightest touch for the Infundus to defeat the Phoenix and then it could finish its ghastly task.
Draco opened the cover that hid the heart of the instability inducer, the crystal glowed brightly with the power that was coursing through it, and to its surface Draco touched the tip of the wand. Phoenix song, second only in this world to the cry of the Simurgh, is the most beautiful sound that most will ever hear, but the scream that tore through the air that night, as the energy from the crystal burnt away the last vestiges of the feather core of Voldemort's wand, was the most awful. It was the cry of despair for a dying world.
The blonde haired wizard was thrown backwards away from the machine, his hand a smoking ruin. Voldemort's wand was gone, incinerated in a second. With its destruction Draco's mind was released and as his consciousness returned so did the sensation of pain. He screamed out loud and frantically tried to retrieve his own wand from his robes, he needed a spell to quell the searing heat in his hand.
The Infundus had found a new home, its refractile abode surged with the power it craved, but it knew it was still vulnerable and for the moment cared for no interruptions so it sent out a command, not directed at the wizards, but at the muggle guards scattered about the complex. The Infundus made it simple, just as Julius Magus would have done, and it made it loud so that none would mishear it. 'Kill them all' resounded in every muggle brain in range.
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"Petrificus Totalus," said Harry and Hermione together as they pointed their wands at the two guards on the gate.
There was a satisfactory click as the men's boot heels snapped together and a satisfactory thump as both their bodies hit the ground. Neville drew in a shuddering breath as he remembered his own brush with that particular spell from Hermione's wand, so many years ago, but it still gave him goosebumps. Julie Burford tapped Harry on the shoulder as he was about to leave the cover of the bushes they were crouched in. She pointed with her wand to a tall post upon which a camera swivelled from side to side as it monitored the approach to the research buildings. Harry nodded at her and she muttered a spell he had never heard before, and as a result a glittering red ball shot from the end of her wand and hit the camera which exploded in a shower of blue sparks. Julie's spell was obviously very effective as several more cameras which were hidden out of site also emitted small bangs and profusions of sparks.
"With luck that will have disabled the whole security system," said Julie, "at least they won't know where we are."
"Unfortunately," said Ron, watching the sparks from the camera descend to the ground, "they will know we have arrived."
"OK Ron, point made," said Harry in an attempt to forestall any more lugubrious comments. "Julie, get Tonks and her merry band and cover the main entrance, we may need it as a way out if we have no other choice. The six of us will go in on our own and I want no one bursting in just because they thought it was a good idea, understand?"
"Yes Harry, you have made it plain on a number of occasions," Julie replied.
"No offence, just wanted to make sure." He gave her a quick grin, and with the others following Harry led the Tyr out into the open.
They kept in a fairly tight formation as they crossed the car park in front of the main building, Harry was pushing a blocking shield out before them. This would stop any muggle weapons, though not spells, but for the moment it was the muggles they were worried about. Moving quickly and quietly they mounted the steps and gained access to the main door without encountering any more guards. A quiet 'Alohomora' from Hermione, and they were in.
It was becoming rather unnerving, there appeared to be no one about and yet John Burford was adamant that the security staff numbered at least twenty five, regardless of the time of day or night. So somewhere in this building there must be another twenty three and Draco Malfoy.
The Fire Brigade access map on the wall behind the silent and dark reception desk indicated that the experimental areas were three floors down. Hermione had reasoned that this was a good place to start, it was most probably where Neville had ended up and if Draco wasn't there then they may get a clue as to his whereabouts. Harry had vetoed the use of the lift, it was too claustrophobic and not an ideal spot to have a fight, but the ramps, at the back of the building, which were used to bring in large pieces of equipment, and wound back and forth as they descended, were ideal.
The security personnel, following Julius Magus' orders, hid in side rooms and watched the six strangely dressed terrorists, through one way glass and pin hole viewing scopes, as they made their way to the rear of the building and the internal vehicle ramps. Once they were sure the terrorists had passed them by, the guards emerged and some set up barricades whilst others followed the six down, at a discrete distance of course.
The Tyr had reached the lowest level and started down the long passageway that led to the laboratory at its end, when several things happened at once; the machinery noise which up until then was a gentle hum rose to a whine which made moving quietly quite unnecessary. Off to the left there were crashes and bangs and the sounds of people shouting, and right in front of Harry, Solomon Aegis appeared out of thin air.
Harry was surprised at how calm he remained; even though Solomon's sudden appearance had made him jump.
The look on Solomon's face made Harry swallow the words that had threatened to burst forth, and he also realised that Solomon was one of the last people he should be telling off. There must be a very good reason for the Headmaster to leave the school unguarded, and Harry waited to hear it.
"I'm sorry Harry, but you have a bit more than just Draco facing you here," Solomon began, " I knew there was something missing from all the information we have put together, and your pensive gave me the answer. You suspected that Draco had Voldemort's wand, and that it was the magical object stolen from that muggle Professor, well it would appear that you were correct and there can be no doubt that he will use it against you."
Was that it? Had the Headmaster deserted the school just to confirm what Harry in his heart of hearts had already excepted?
"No more than I was prepared to face, Solomon," said Harry, thinking hard, "But surely it won't cause any more of a problem. Even if Draco had a hundred wands the limit of the power is still the wizard or witch wielding the wand, and he is no match for us."
"Normally I would agree with you, but Dumbledore always thought that Voldemort had more power than he ever expected, where did that come from? You see, the pensive tried to show me something else, I hope to Merlin that I am wrong. You must be very careful Harry, I…….." Solomon's words were cut off as the most despairing cry rent the air and a feeling of dread filled the souls of the seven standing in the corridor. The colour drained from Solomon's face, the pensive hadn't lied, it, the unspeakable evil had risen again, and the members of the Tyr, their eyes locked on the Headmasters face, knew that for the first time since they had known him Solomon was frightened.
"What is it?" said Harry's the concern evident in his voice. Solomon just stared back, seemingly incapable of telling his friends what he so obviously knew.
"Solomon please!" cried Hermione, grabbing his arm and shaking him to bring his attention back to them.
Solomon looked from face to face, knowing in his heart of hearts that in a very few minutes all his wonderful friends could well be dead.
"I never really thought I would have to face this," he said to them, "It is an evil that transcends time and its sole purpose is destruction, if the Infundus is free then there is little hope, if it is able to open the barrier then there is none."
"Solomon talk sense," said Hermione, "What barrier? And why have I never heard of this Infundus?"
"Oh you have my dear," said Solomon, as he marched down the corridor towards the room where the cry had originated, "In my father's time the Infundus tried to conquer through the actions of Morgana and Mordred. Did you not know that back then no one spoke their names out loud?"
"No" said Hermione, as she and the others ran to keep up with the tall wizard.
"Many times the Infundus has tried and each time the names of those it acts through are so feared that they are never spoken, the latest was Voldemort."
"He who should not be named," said Ron.
"Exactly, my boy," said Solomon, "even the name Infundus is not its real one, an invention of Eleanor's I believe, its Latin, it means…"
"Unspeakable," said Hermione.
"Yes, indeed it does," Solomon agreed, "Always before the Infundus has been confined by the magic it tried to corrupt. In Morgana's time it was the staff that she used, which bound the Infundus to it, I imagine that the same held true for Voldemort's wand. Each time its wizarding allies have failed the Infundus, they have always been destroyed before they conquered, and so its plans have been confounded." They stopped for they had reached the main door to the laboratory, Solomon turned back to the Tyr. "That cry was the sound of the death of a wand, this time the Infundus is free and I have to tell you, all of you, that I don't know how to beat it." He studied the group, a finer set you could never put together, and he smiled sadly at them. "But I have to try, you do not." Harry started to protest but Solomon cut him off. "If Draco is in there Harry he is past our help or retribution. This is no longer your fight."
There was the sound of running feet from the corridor behind them, and a dozen or so of the muggle guards burst into view. As soon as they saw the group standing by the doorway they opened fire, the semi automatic weapons barked again and again and a hail of bullets flew down the corridor. Ron acted instinctively and his powerful shield surrounded the Tyr, Harry responded as well and blasted multiple reductor spells down the passageway through Ron's shield. As the bullets spent their energy against the shield the walls of the corridor collapsed under Harry's bombardment and the ceiling fell in sealing the passageway completely. As the rumble of the collapsing building died away, they could all see that further interruption from the guards was now impossible, Harry and the others turned back to Solomon. He was leaning against the wall and was breathing rather heavily, Ginny went over to him, put her hand on his arm, then cried out.
"HARRY HERE QUICK" she shouted, and turned back to the others, her hands were covered in blood and Solomon was slipping slowly down the wall leaving a trail of red behind him.
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The Dreamwraith had led the children and Dobby into a side corridor not far from the main laboratory. The area seemed deserted, but the door to the lab was protected by thick bright green beams which ran horizontally from wall to wall shining in the dim light and giving off a low hum. They were only about six inches apart, so there was no way any of the youngsters or Dobby who was considerably smaller could get by them. The Dreamwraith floated toward the beams, but the closer he got the louder the hum became and everyone realised there was no way through. James read a notice on the wall in large red letters, it said.
DANGER PHOTONIC SECURITY FIELD HIGH VOLTAGE
KEEP AWAY WHEN ON
They all backed down the corridor to consider their options. James and Nat knew it was essential for them to find their parents but for the moment they were trapped, the other end of the passageway ended in the door of a lift and there was no button on the wall to call it.
Then they heard a noise, someone was laughing, it started as a slow but high cackle which became louder and faster, as the enjoyment of the person causing it increased. Then stepping out of the shadows, a small form shaking with mirth stood in the corridor between the students and the laboratory door, and Kreacher surveyed the scene before him.
"Well, well, what have we here?" he wheezed, "Three naughty children and a traitorous elf. Kreacher will make sure you cause no trouble to the Master, I thinks I will have to kill you."
"You is an evil elf, you will leave my family alone," said Dobby moving to stand in front of the others.
Kreacher laughed out loud and with a loud bang launched a thrusting spell at Dobby who stood his ground and blocked it. Only Harry and Lucius Malfoy had ever seen the Dobby that Kreacher was facing, the tiny house elf knew little but his love and loyalty and both of these belonged to the Potters and their children. He would give his life to keep them safe, and if it was necessary he would take a life too.
Dobby returned the enchantment with interest, so Kreacher was unable to completely stop the spell, he was blown backwards to within a foot or so of the security beams which sparked and flashed because of his proximity. Kreacher picked himself up and discarding the use of magic flew back down the corridor crashing into Dobby.
The pair of them rolled about on the floor, hissing and spitting at each other as long nailed fingers clawed and gouged. James, Nat and Jennifer shouted encouragement to Dobby and curses at Kreacher, as the house elves bounced off the wall and cannoned into a filing cabinet knocking it flying. None of them dared to intervene with magic, there was no way of knowing which elf they would hit. Dobby may have been the younger of the two but Kreacher was wile and as tough as old boots and he was inching Dobby closer and closer to the glowing green beams.
Kreacher balled his fist and smashed it several times onto Dobby's head who crumpled and lay flat out on the floor on his back with his head close to the security field. Kreacher rushed in at Dobby, determined to push him into the field but he came in too fast and Dobby lifting his large flat feet planted them in Kreacher's midriff and flipped him over his own body. The old house elf, his momentum too great to stop, sailed over Dobby and crashed head first into the beams which appeared to grab hold of his body and pull it to them.
Kreacher screamed and writhed in pain as the photons surging through the security field pulled his body to pieces. There was an almighty flash and the beams disappeared, all that remained of Kreacher was a greasy whiff of smoke which was rapidly sucked up into the ventilation system.
The trio ran up to Dobby who was rising groggily to his feet, there were tears in his eyes and he was sobbing.
"I is a bad elf, I had to fight him but I broke an elf law when I kills him, I must be punished," he wailed.
"Oh Dobby, you were wonderful," said Nat throwing her arms around his skinny little shoulders and kissing him on the top of his head.
"Nat's right Dobby, no punishment for you, that foul thing only got what he deserved," said James thumping him on the back.
"Thank-you Dobby," said Jennifer her wild grey eyes full of praise.
The Dreamwraith floated by them and stopped by the door. "The way is open now, we must go on."
The four of them advanced to where the Dreamwraith hung suspended in the air, Dobby insisted on going first, he pulled at the handle and the door swung open. The house elf and the three children, with the vaporous form of the Dreamwraith behind them, entered the laboratory.
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Harry caught hold of Solomon's arm and prevented him from completing his journey to the floor. Ron grabbed Solomon's other side and with Harry got him back on his feet again, while Hermione searched to find the wound. She found two neat holes in Solomon's robes over his chest and the material was soaked in his blood. He was very pale but his eyes flickered open and he surveyed the anxious faces before him.
"Should have been a bit quicker there," he said, then coughed and a small trickle of blood started at the corner of his mouth. "Outside your shield Ron, sorry." He drew in a short breath. "Merlin but this hurts, just give me a minute."
From whatever hidden reserves he had Solomon concentrated on his damaged body, turning his power inwards to stabilise the injuries. It was more like two minutes, but when he opened his eyes it appeared to those gathered around him that his strength had miraculously returned. He smiled at them all, then wiped the blood from his face with the sleeve of his robes.
"Right then, I better get on with this," said Solomon. He leaned on Harry and took a step to the door.
"Whoa old man, where do you think you're going?" Said Harry holding him back.
"In there Harry," he said indicating the door in front of them, "I told you this is my fight."
"That it may be, but you are not going in alone, and I am curious to see what this Infundus looks like," said Harry, the others were nodding in agreement. "You may go first if that is what you want, but we are coming with you."
Solomon gave a grateful sigh. "Thank-you," was all he said and he pushed open the door and walked into the laboratory.
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Outside the complex things had taken a decided turn for the worse. Julie, Tonks and the half a dozen Aurors with them were in a bit of a pickle. Some of the security personnel had returned to the main door and began firing at the witches and wizards standing between them and the gate on the road. While everyone there scrambled about diving for cover, the sound of the shots carried up to the police blocking the access road. The officers stationed there shook themselves out of an apparent daze and turned towards the sound of the shooting.
John Burford was in the electronic surveillance truck sited on a hill some three miles from the research station. All the devices available to him were switched on, and unbeknown to the occupants of the truck the electrical field created by this panoply of equipment effectively shielded them from the mental suggestion that radiated out over the countryside. For many miles in all directions the command of the Infundus had penetrated susceptible muggle minds and those three simple words 'Kill them all' began to cause untold havoc amongst the population. There was no direction to those words other than to kill, no who or what or when, just kill, and all of them. The horror began slowly but within very few minutes the catastrophe that was occurring was beyond imagination.
The long range microphones and night vision cameras picked up the start of the shooting down at the research station, and in seconds John was in his car racing to the sound of the guns, his wife and her friends. He passed the police cars partially blocking the road, but of his men there was no sight, he found them a hundred yards further on and immediately regretted getting the order signed so that they could carry firearms, because as he drove closer they opened fire. Unlike the security guards the policemen were all good shots the first few rounds struck the tyres and John lost control of the wildly swerving vehicle. The car ploughed into a grassy bank and came to a shuddering halt. The air bag and his seatbelt saved John from the worst of the impact but it dazed him none the less and with his blurred vision he caught the horrifying sight of the four armed policemen advancing with their side arms levelled at him.
He dare not move for he knew that an attempt to escape would release a fatal rain of bullets, but once they knew it was him it would be OK. It was his fault, he shouldn't have come racing in like that, the lads were all very jumpy, taking out the car was understandable. The apologetic smile on John's face froze as the first officer to reach him pointed his automatic at his head and cocked the weapon. John knew he was going to die, there was only seconds left and his final thought was 'Love you Julie', when there was a brilliant red flash and a cry of 'STUPYFY' and the policeman was flung to one side but his finger was tightening on the trigger as it happened and the gun went off with a very loud bang.
John had no time to move and the bullet passed through the window level with his face, and buried itself in the headrest of his seat; the spell that hit the policeman had moved him just enough so that the bullet missed its intended target. John slowly opened his eyes as the door of the car was wrenched open and Julie was there holding him and kissing him in her relief. She helped him out of the wreck and he could see that the four constables were lying insensible on the ground. A witch whose hair was alternating between bright pink and dark brown was securing them with their own handcuffs.
"What the hell is going on Julie?" John asked, "I heard the shooting and came to make sure you were OK then this lot start having a go at me." He looked at the burly officer now lying unconscious by the side of the car. "I've known Keith for years, but just now… he was going to kill me. I could see it in his eyes." John gave an involuntary shudder.
"We don't know, the guards just started shooting we managed to stop them, but two of our people have been hit. …Not badly." Julie said, answering his questioning look.
In the distance there was a loud explosion and a ball of yellow and orange flame rose into the night sky.
"Oh God, that must be the petrol station in Swaffham Prior," said John, in disbelief. "I just don't understand this."
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Harry followed Solomon into the laboratory, the tableau set out before him was hard to accept. Everything was dwarfed by the three enormous stone blocks which formed a frame that held a blackness so intense that Harry could feel it. Lying on the floor holding his charred hand to his chest and whimpering like a frightened child was Draco. Harry had a momentary urge to enact his revenge on his old enemy and murderer of his friends, but Draco could wait.
On the far side of the room a machine was making an insane noise and a bright light was issuing from an open panel in a large rectangular box. Over to his right an old man sat on a chair with his head in his hands, rocking back and forward as if demented.
Then a movement to Harry's left drew his sight and to his horror he saw his children with Dobby and Jennifer standing in a small group with the wavering form of the Dreamwraith floating behind them. It was no good, Harry's brain refused to accept the pictures his eyes were sending it, and he froze but through his haze of uncertainty he clearly heard Ron take a deep breath and say, "Oh Bloody Hell!"