Author's Note
Merry Christmas everyone! It's Christmas Eve here, Down Under, as I write this and I thought it would be nice to post the next Interlude and Chapter and hopefully spread a little Christmas cheer amongst my loyal readers! I'm afraid I did take longer to post this than I planned, but as I'm sure you all know from first hand experience, the whole Christmas madness and rush thing leaves no spare time, not even for my beloved "Nook" - and I don't really have time now, either, but I'm doing it anyway! *grins*
A very special Merry Christmas to Kirsti-The-Comma-Queen *huge hugs dear!*, to my very dear friends Timbo and Holly and a special Christmas hello to the Ever-Patient-Never-Nagging-Chuck (lol!) - cheers!
I wish you all peace and happiness this Christmas. Janie xoxo
SORCERERS' NOOK
By JanieB
ELEVENTH INTERLUDE
The Disciple stood on the shore of the black lake, sick with fear at being in this place of his Master, yet also elated; after all, he had been the one to find her. Of course, the first time he'd met her, he hadn't realised her potential, but when he'd found out more about her, he knew he must tell his Master. He continued to stand there silently - unmoving, waiting - staring at the darkly glistening water, revolted by what he knew lay beneath its secretive surface, yet unable to tear his gaze away.
The Dark One tasted triumph. He was certain the perfect candidate for his First Disciple had been found, at last! And now - now he could dispose of that pathetic wretch who actually thought himself worthy of being his First Disciple...
You!
The Disciple's knees crumpled beneath him, the excruciating pain as they met rough rock unnoticed, cloaked by his terror; elation fled as though it had never been.
Yes, Master?
The disgusting fool who imagines himself worthy of being my First Disciple - I no longer have any use for him. Kill him. Now.
Yes, Master.
*
As he stumbled back into the Ante-Chamber, the Disciple struggled with an almost overwhelming nausea. The First-Disciple-To-Be stood watching him; he, too, had been waiting.
Come with me, the First-Disciple-To-Be ordered harshly, turning and walking quickly across what he believed to be an empty Ante-Chamber towards his cavern, his Cloak of Concealment brushing the roughly hewn floor. As he walked, an unseen pair of eyes followed his progress from the back of the Ante-Chamber, their now forgotten owner concealed by a Disillusionment Charm.
Once inside, the First-Disciple-To-Be removed his hood, waiting imperiously as the Disciple also pushed back his hood.
Tell me, ordered Lucius Malfoy.
Draco kept his eyes lowered. From the moment his Master had ordered him to kill his father he'd been in total shock. He didn't think he was capable of carrying out his Master's order, and yet if he failed...
He was pleased, croaked Draco.
Perhaps he could delay the moment when he had to do it. Could he do it? Dare he do it? Dare he not? Death would be preferable to the fate that awaited any Disciple who didn't carry out specific orders. But kill his own father? He had to do it! He groaned, clutching his head: He felt as though he was hovering on the brink of an abyss.
Good, said Lucius, ignoring his son's obvious distress. Did he say to what use he intended to put her?
Draco, unable to speak, shook his head. The abyss was so inviting - soft, endlessly black, where there was no need to think, or listen, or hear, or do...
Did he ask to see me?
Draco shook his head again. He was sure he was going to be sick any moment. His mind was slowly freezing into immobility, coherent thought shutting down. He remembered that he was supposed to somehow find the strength to kill the man in front of him. His father. He fell to his knees, a strangled cry escaping him. He put his head down on the floor and threw his arms over his head. What if he just fell into the abyss?
What's wrong with you? demanded Lucius. Get up!
Draco moaned. He wished he was anywhere but here. He wished he was dead. He wished someone would kill his father for him. He wished -
The abyss was patient, simply waiting for him to decide...
Draco felt his father grab his shoulders, his fingers digging in as he pushed him backwards so hard that Draco landed on his elbows; his face contorted with horror and fear, he lay staring up at his father. The abyss beckoned...
What did he say? Lucius's voice was low and menacing - yet it held a touch of fear, too.
Draco shook his head, unaware that tears were streaming down his face.
Lucius dropped to one knee beside his son, his grey eyes now almost pleading as he said once more, his voice low, Tell me, son, what did he say?
I can't kill my father! I can't disobey my Master! These were the last thoughts he ever had. The last words he ever spoke.
The abyss claimed him.
*
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
In which we learn the fate of the First-Disciple-To-Be and Draco, Dean and Ginny draw imperceptibly closer, Toby delivers dinner and the list, Neville reveals something he shouldn't and Verity mourns the loss of earthly pleasures…
Gawain Robards sat at his desk, unconsciously running his fingers through his light brown hair at regular intervals. He gazed grimly across at the dark-haired man sitting opposite him.
`Are you absolutely certain no one knows you came here? That no one followed you? That there's not a Trace on you?' His voice was as hard as his expression.
It was only because the dark-haired man's eyes narrowed slightly that Robards knew he'd offended him.
`I am absolutely certain, boss.'
Robards nodded and some of the tension left his face. `I had to ask.'
David Hasluck nodded in acceptance of what was the equivalent of an apology.
`So,' said Robards, picking up a quill and pulling a sheet of blank parchment from one of his desk drawers, `tell me what's happened.'
Ticking them off on his fingers, Hasluck said, `The main points are: one, Lucius Malfoy was the First-Disciple-To-Be; two, both he and his son, Draco, are dead, murdered by the Dark One, and three, a witch named Annice Nott is now the First Disciple.'
Robards wrote quickly, ignoring his own astonishment and curiosity. He took notes as Hasluck continued.
`About a week ago, Malfoy told me he'd met a witch he was certain the Dark One would be interested in. He didn't go into details about why he believed this, but he did tell me her name: Annice Nott. He was actually excited about this witch and wanted full credit for "discovering" her, as he put it. We went to the Cavern very early this morning as he was eager to tell his Master about her and didn't want any interference. Things were quiet when we arrived; the Cavern was empty - all the Disciples were still asleep - as Malfoy had hoped. I went to wait at the back of the Ante-Chamber while Malfoy went to the rock wall, about to begin the ritual to open the arch, when the First-Disciple-To-Be came out of his cave - room - and demanded to know what Malfoy thought he was doing. At this point, I used a Disillusionment Charm to hide myself. Malfoy was pretty pissed off that he'd been seen and told the First-Disciple-To-Be that it was none of his bloody business. He got short shrift however; the First Disciple gave him a short dose of the Cruciatus Curse quick smart, afterwards telling him he would've been killed trying to open the arch without his permission.'
Hasluck broke off long enough to drink from the glass of cold pumpkin juice Robards had poured when he'd arrived; then he continued...
`That's when Malfoy called the First-Disciple-To-Be, "father", which surprised me, but didn't, if you know what I mean. Lucius Malfoy hadn't seen me and I think Draco had forgotten I was even there. He told his father, very grudgingly, about Annice Nott. It was then I found out she was the daughter of a Death Eater, one who had been a member of Voldemort's Inner Circle. Apparently, she models herself on Voldemort and has spent her whole life studying the Dark Arts. Malfoy made the comment that Annice Nott made his Aunt Bellatrix look like Snow White.'
`We've actually got a file on her,' said Robards tersely, `I'll have to pull it out. Go on, Hasluck.'
`I believe that Lucius Malfoy was actually afraid to face his Master and that's why he assisted Draco in opening the archway; he didn't seem remotely interested in being the one to deliver this news. When Draco came out about ten minutes later, he looked sick. Lucius immediately marched across the Ante-Chamber towards his room and I followed, moving inside after him, just before Draco entered. That's when I realised there was something seriously wrong with Draco. He managed to tell his father that the Dark One had been pleased with what he'd told him and then he didn't speak again until just before he went insane. His last words were, "I can't kill my father, I can't disobey my Master". I thought Lucius was going to go insane as well. Draco was like the living dead; his father begged him to speak, then screamed at him, hit him, pleaded with him, even used the Cruciatus Curse again - but there wasn't an ounce of reaction from Draco. Then ...'
For the first time, Hasluck's voice faltered. Robards remained silent, waiting. Hasluck took a deep breath before continuing, his voice bleak.
`Then Lucius levitated his son's body back out into the Ante-Chamber, putting it down in front of the wall where the archway appears; I watched through the door of Lucius's room. Lucius conjured the archway and when it appeared, he began screaming at his Master. It was mostly unintelligible, but the gist of it was that he accused the Dark One of taking his son, his only child, from him. He fell to his knees beside Draco, who was still simply lying there, staring at the ceiling; he pulled Draco into his arms and began to cry. Then two Inferi came out from the blackness and dragged them both away. Lucius didn't even resist. I heard him scream, once, before the archway closed.'
`And then you left?' asked Robards quietly, chilled by the Auror's recount.
Hasluck nodded. `The other Disciples began to emerge then; they would've heard Lucius screaming, but they waited until the archway was sealed.'
`Will you be able to maintain your position now that Malfoy's dead?'
`For the time being. There's a good chance that someone will put me in the firing line, to save themselves; there's a lot of that most of the time, but more so now. You know, someone will point out that I was affiliated with Malfoy, that I came in with him and that maybe I should be gotten rid of too.'
`Do you need anything before you go back?'
Hasluck gave Robards a sardonic grin. `Just a lotta luck, boss.'
Robards sat in silence, thinking, for some time after Hasluck left; he felt grateful for Hasluck's rare gift which was not common knowledge, even within the Department. Then he took a fresh piece of parchment from the drawer and began to write, sealing it after he'd finished and sending it off with an office owl which he instructed "to find, and deliver this to, Harry Potter".
*
It was late afternoon, the air was cooler and there seemed to be a quiet lull in the day. Dean sat in the middle armchair of the Nook's sitting room, his gaze alternating between the empty portrait above the fireplace and the fireplace itself; he was waiting for Ginny to arrive.
He'd had a light lunch with Ginny earlier that afternoon at the Burrow before Flooing to work. While his boss was a little disgruntled at the amount of time his new employee was taking off, he was nevertheless mollified by the owls he'd received from the Heads of the Departments of Magical Law Enforcement and Magical Research, politely requesting Dean's presence (at times to be advised by Dean himself) with respect to a highly confidential matter. Curiously, the fact that Harry Potter was involved with the said "highly confidential matter" wasn't itself a confidential matter...
Dean had left work on the dot of five, hurrying home to shower and change and be ready by five-thirty, when he'd arranged to meet with Ginny. He thought perhaps she might feel a little more comfortable if she was already there, with him, when the others arrived; the fact that he'd have her to himself for a short while was an added bonus.
Then, despite the fact that he was waiting for it, Dean still jumped when green flames flared in the fireplace and Ginny stepped out. He sprang to his feet, smiling.
`Hi!' His warm, brown gaze swept over her, quickly taking in her black jeans, pale green, fitted blouse and her shining hair, held back from her face with a black velvet Alice band. `You look great!'
Ginny smiled up at him. `Thanks, Dean.' She looked around. `Where is everyone?'
`They'll be here around six,' he told her.
Ginny gave him a speculative look, arching a questioning eyebrow.
Dean shrugged, looking abashed. `Thought you might like a drink, or something, before everyone else gets here.'
Ginny gave a soft chuckle and Dean said diffidently, `I hope you don't mind.'
Shaking her head, Ginny asked, `Of course not. Now, where do we get this drink?'
`Follow me!' said Dean, holding out his arm.
Ginny tucked her arm through his and he led her outside, across the garden and through the leafy archway in the hedge. As they settled on the old wooden bench overlooking the stream, Dean retrieved the basket he'd put beneath it a short while before, then using his wand, he soon had the bottle and glasses floating before them, the bottle tipping to fill the glasses.
`It's so beautiful here,' sighed Ginny as she reached out to delicately grasp her now full glass. The sunlight was streaming through the gently waving fronds of the old willow, making the clear water of the stream sparkle as they sat in companionable silence, watching fallen leaves drifting lazily past.
Not as beautiful as you, thought Dean to himself. `It sure is,' he agreed out loud. `Here's to summer, and beauty.'
They touched their glasses then drank.
`Elderflower champagne? Mmm, that's really nice,' Ginny commented. `We've only ever had the wine at home.'
`Ginny, I hope I didn't sort of push you into this dinner tonight?' Dean's intonation turned his comment into a question.
`Dean, please don't worry - believe me, if I really didn't want to go, I'd say so.' She paused before adding, unknowingly echoing Harry's sentiment, `There has to be a first time.'
Dean nodded, staring down into his glass thoughtfully.
`What about you?' asked Ginny, `Have you had a chance to think about what you want to do? About your family home, and Toby?'
Dean shook his head. `Not really, I was so busy at work. I think for the moment I'll just concentrate on helping Harry and Hermione.'
Ginny sighed. I am getting used to it. To "Harry and Hermione", she thought to herself. Glancing up, she found Dean's gaze on her, his eyes filled with concern, and she smiled at him as she reached out and took his hand.
`Don't worry, please, I'm really fine - and I'm really glad you're going to be there.'
`Me too,' said Dean with a wink, making Ginny laugh.
*
Esmerelda sat in her cosy living room; she'd watched through her window with an indulgent smile as Dean and Ginny had walked across the lawn and passed through the hedge earlier. She'd remained by the window, looking out over the summer-kissed garden, thinking on all that happened in the last two days. A light tap on her door caused her to give a small cry of surprise before hurrying across the room. When she opened the door, it was to find Neville standing there.
`Evening Esmerelda,' he greeted her with a smile. `Are you ready? Harry, Hermione and I are - we're just waiting for you, Dean and Ginny.'
`I'm ready, dear boy. I'll just get my cloak and I'll be right out.'
Neville nodded and left to rejoin Harry and Hermione in the sitting room; Verity was alone in the portrait, Emrys having remained in the cottage portrait where'd they both been most of the afternoon, helping Toby.
Harry and Hermione looked up expectantly at Neville as he rejoined them and sat down; he was about to tell them that Esmerelda would be right out when an owl swooped out of the chimney unexpectedly, startling them. It landed on the arm of Harry's seat and held out its leg to him.
Harry automatically removed the roll of parchment, a puzzled frown creasing his brow, Hermione and Neville looking on curiously. The owl left as soon as Harry held the parchment, which meant that an immediate reply wasn't expected.
`Oh,' said Harry, as he turned the rolled parchment around and spotted the seal holding it closed, `it's from Robards, at the Ministry.'
Just then, Esmerelda appeared and with a murmured, `I'll read it later,' Harry leant forward and pushed the parchment into the back pocket of his jeans. Neville appeared quite unconcerned, although Hermione threw him a questioning look which he answered with a small shake of his head and a soft, `Later.'
Esmerelda sat down in the chair next to Hermione as she greeted everyone, and when Dean and Ginny returned ten minutes later, it was to find them all sitting and chatting amicably with Verity, who broke off what she was saying when Ginny and Dean walked in through the front door.
`Good evening Dean, Ginevra - all here at last,' she said in a satisfied tone.
Everyone automatically rose to their feet when Verity greeted Ginny and Dean, and as Hermione's fingers found Harry's hand, he squeezed gently in acknowledgement. Surprising herself, Ginny reached out and took Dean's hand, warmed by the gentle pressure of his fingers; Dean's heart skipped a beat at Ginny's touch and he couldn't stop the happy grin that spread across his face.
Once they were all standing before the fireplace, looking up at the painting, Verity habitually smoothed her apron as she said quietly, `Alexander Riley may be found in the cottage in Hewett's Field, Ambling Row, Harminster Leigh.'
*
`Why is it we don't just Apparate to the cottage?' asked Neville as they traipsed, single-file, through the long grass of Hewett's Field.
`Anti-Apparition Spell,' said Hermione behind him. `Toby put a lot of protection around the cottage after Dean's dad...' Hermione's voice trailed off; she couldn't think of how best to describe Alex Riley's condition.
Ginny turned, leaning a little to look around Neville at Hermione as she asked, `And how come Verity said "Alexander Riley may be found" - I mean, he can't, not now.'
`I think the wording of the secret is specific and set at the time the charm is cast, whatever happens afterwards,' Hermione told her. `Remember Professor Dumbledore always said or wrote the exact same thing? "The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix can be found at 12 Grimmauld Place, London"?'
`That makes sense,' said Dean, who'd been somewhat unnerved by Verity's pronouncement. He was leading them, and as they approached the cottage, they could see the front door was pulled open, Toby standing on the doorstep, waiting to greet them.
`Good evening, Master Dean,' he said, with a sweeping bow that saw his nose miss touching the doorstep by a whisker. Straightening, Toby continued, `Welcome, everyone - please, come in,' accompanying his words with a sweep of his arm, inviting them to enter.
Dean led the way, his eyes widening in surprise at the transformation of the sitting room. The furniture that had been there that morning was gone, as well as the grey and blue rug; the only things still in place were his father's trunk, sitting against the far wall, and the painting above the fireplace. The room now held a long dining table draped in a pristine white linen tablecloth, set for six with silver flatware and sparkling crystal goblets.
As he approached the table, Dean noticed there were place cards, set in silver holders; the one with his name in flowing script was at the head of the table, facing the fireplace.
`You've gone to a lot of trouble, Toby,' he told the house elf who had moved to pull out Ginny's chair for her; she was seated to Dean's left. Harry, on the other side of the table, was holding out Esmerelda's chair for her, to Dean's right; he then did the same for Hermione before taking his own seat between the two women. Everyone sat, wordlessly admiring the beautifully appointed table, the centrepiece - a bowl of soft pink summer roses - adding a delightful perfume to the air.
`It's quite beautiful,' remarked Esmerelda, breaking the short silence, everyone murmuring their agreement.
Toby, looking quite pleased with himself, bowed his head in acknowledgement. Then, with a wave of his small hand, two crystal ice buckets appeared, one at each end of the table, the bottles they held already opened. A second wave of Toby's hand saw the bottles lift in unison and their goblets filled with a pale sparkling liquid before he excused himself and disappeared into the kitchen.
Raising his glass, Dean grinned and said, `Cheers, everyone!'
After echoing his toast, they all sipped from their glasses, exclaiming at the taste.
`What is that?' asked Hermione.
`Elderflower champagne,' replied Ginny, sharing a smile with Dean.
A wistful sigh from above the fireplace drew all their eyes.
`There are some things I miss dreadfully at times,' said Verity, looking at them enviously. Emrys patted his wife's hand, giving her a sympathetic look.
Despite there being an underlying current of slightly awkward awareness between Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Dean, it was as though they'd made an unspoken agreement to keep it to themselves and so, with everyone determined to enjoy themselves, conversation flowed easily around the table, barely missing a beat as Toby served smoked salmon with a deliciously dressed salad for their entree followed by superbly roasted beef and fresh vegetables. It was only after they'd finished their dessert - a silky panna cotta - that Hermione quietly reminded Harry about the letter from Robards at the same time as Toby appeared at Dean's elbow and presented him with an unsealed roll of parchment.
`This is the list you asked for, Master Dean,' said Toby with a bow of his head as he held out the scroll. At Toby's words, Verity and Emrys, who had sat back and closed their eyes while everyone ate, now straightened and looked attentively down at the table.
`Thank you, Toby, and also for dinner - it was totally delicious.' Everyone echoed Dean's sentiments, causing Toby to actually blush as he pulled at his ear in embarrassment.
`Toby is very happy you are pleased, Master Dean, and your friends, too. Toby will be in the kitchen if you need anything,' finished the little elf, still tugging self-consciously at one ear.
As Toby headed for the kitchen, Harry retrieved the letter from his pocket and holding it in his lap, broke the seal, unrolling it and quickly reading it. He lifted his eyes to meet Hermione's steady brown gaze, barely hearing as Neville and Esmerelda asked Dean what the list was that Toby had given him.
Seeing the stark uneasiness in Harry's eyes, Hermione reached over and grasped Harry's wrist so that he turned the letter towards her; she knew that if she touched it, it would disintegrate as letters with that particular seal always carried a spell to do so if anyone other than the addressee touched it. As she read, she bit her lip to stop herself from exclaiming out loud.
`What's the matter, Hermione?'
Hermione's head snapped up at the sound of Neville's voice; he was almost directly opposite her and as their eyes met, Hermione felt a jolt of astonishment. Neville's grey-green gaze held warm, tender, loving concern - for her! Far more warm and tender than mere friendship warranted...
Harry rolled the scroll up, very aware that Hermione was perturbed and rather agitated. `Just some rather unsettling news from work,' he said sharply; he, too, had seen the look in Neville's eyes.
Esmerelda and Ginny, seated each side of Dean, had missed the exchange to this point, being too intent on the scroll Dean had laid on the table and charmed flat. At the sound of Harry's voice however, all three looked up, Verity and Emrys also switching their attention from Dean and his scroll to Harry.
`News? What news?' they all asked simultaneously, bringing quick amused smiles from everyone.
Harry's smile went almost immediately though as he said, `If you don't mind, I need to talk to Hermione alone for a few minutes.'
Hermione felt a rush of gratitude towards Harry as they both stood and Harry continued, `We won't be long.'
As Harry pulled the front door closed behind them a few seconds later, Hermione let out a huge sigh of relief and fell against Harry, who immediately wrapped his arms around her. They stood like that for a good minute before Harry leant back and smiled at her.
`You okay?' he asked softly.
Hermione nodded as she said quietly, `You were right - about Neville, I mean. It's extremely - I don't know, disconcerting, I suppose, to know that ...' her voice trailed off.
Harry grinned sardonically. `Sort of takes the edge off the thing with you and me, and Ginny and Dean, for the moment, doesn't it?'
Hermione nodded in agreement, then sighed as she said, `But not from that letter, unfortunately.'
`But not from that,' agreed Harry solemnly. Then he reached for Hermione's hand and said, `Come on, let's go for a walk.'
*
`What d'you reckon that's all about?' asked Dean, tipping his head in the direction of the front door as it closed behind Harry and Hermione.
`Can't be good,' said Esmerelda, concern creasing her face.
`What do you think it could be?' wondered Ginny.
`I hope they'll tell us when they return,' said Verity, looking worried.
While everyone speculated on what the "unsettling news" could be, Neville sat twirling the stem of his glass, staring at the pale golden liquid it held.
What an idiot! he told himself angrily. He knew his heart had been in his eyes as he'd looked at her. His own feelings had caught him by surprise, he'd been so certain he'd gotten them under control, even had himself believing he no longer felt so strongly about her. He shook his head in self-disgust. Obviously got that wrong, didn't I? he thought. It was just that she was right there, in front of me - looking so beautiful - and talking to me, and smiling at me - and then she looked almost frightened, just for a second, and all I wanted to do was protect her - hold her, shield her...
`What do you think Neville?' asked Ginny, beside him, breaking off his train of thought.
`Think?'
`About this unsettling news,' said Dean.
`All I know is that when we were waiting for you three, back at the Nook, an owl delivered that letter to Harry and he said it was from the Ministry, from Robards. He didn't read it then, though, he just put it in his pocket.'
`Robards?' queried Esmerelda. `Isn't he the head Auror?'
Dean, Ginny and Neville all nodded, their speculation picking up again with renewed vigour after this revelation.
`I guess we'll just have to wait until they come back,' Esmerelda said with a resigned sigh.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Author's Note
Have a Happy New Year everyone - I'll "see" you all in 2009!
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