Moody nodded. He had every intention of doing so. Ashworth no longer had influence, but he had knowledge that the Order would need. He might even be able to clearly identify the attackers.
"I'll leave you to this," Prewitt told Moody. "The Wizengamot is convening, and I must report on the situation. I think we'd better step up our guard until we can come to a complete understanding of what happened here and what the implications are. I want you to get to the bottom of this quickly and then start drafting proposals to prevent and defend from these sorts of attacks."
Moody watched his superior's retreating back and imagined what tales he would tell the Wizengamot. Though Prewitt had not seen the body of Cygnus Black, he would nevertheless tell a moving tale of the horrific death the man had experienced. He would then warn them of the dangers witches and wizards everywhere faced. He was a politician to the bone, but Moody took comfort in the fact that the wizard who would undoubtedly become Minister of Magic was a fighter.
Hogwarts was gloomy. The curfew had not quite arrived, yet an oppressive silence reigned over the castle. This told Harry that the news had arrived ahead of him while he had been waiting on the pleasure of the Gringotts goblins. Bellatrix would know by now. Harry made his way toward the Gryffindor dorms. He hoped more than expected to find Bellatrix there. It would make his job easier. He could tell the news and, if the situation dictated, could tactfully retreat, leaving her in peace to mourn her father.
It had not occurred to Harry that he might have difficulty getting into the dorm, not knowing the password and not knowing being the head of house, but upon arriving in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, it opened to reveal Sirius Black. It seemed that Sirius had been looking for Harry, probably using the Marauders Map.
"Professor," Sirius said, looking rather depressed, "were you there?"
Harry nodded as Sirius motioned for him to come into Gryffindor Tower. He climbed in, and the portrait closed behind him. The common room was mostly empty. A number of students sat silently doing their homework, Lily Evans among them. Upon sighting Harry, she made a retreat toward her dorm. Harry presumed that she was going to notify Bellatrix that Harry had arrived.
Sirius continued looking at Harry, clearly expecting details or some sort of comfort. Unable to deny his once and future godfather, Harry tried to explain briefly. "We were at Malfoy Manor. Cygnus was dead before we even knew what was happening.
"Was the dark lord there?" Sirius whispered.
"Yeah," said Harry.
"How did you escape?"
"Old Malfoy sacrificed himself," Harry said dully, movement at the stairs catching his attention. Bellatrix was descending. "You're going to have to excuse me," Harry told Sirius, nodding toward Bellatrix who was approaching.
Bellatrix made it to where Harry was standing as Sirius walked away and found a seat next to where James was quietly studying. For the first time that Harry could remember, Bellatrix was completely speechless, though her violet eyes, which seemed larger than usual, peered into Harry's own eyes expressing what Harry thought might be desperation. Harry quickly recognized that she was still in shock.
"I… I would have defended him," Harry told her quietly. "But it was a surprise attack. Death was instantaneous. He didn't have a chance."
She nodded and then looked at the floor. It seemed she didn't hold Harry responsible-at least with regard to the immediate events of the night. Harry could have hurled a few accusations at himself. His meddling in time had put Cygnus in the path of Voldemort. On the other hand, Harry wasn't sure how long Cygnus had survived before his jaunt into the past.
Beginning to feel very awkward, Harry put his hand on her shoulder and tried to impart comfort. "I'm sorry."
She nodded silently, and the couple stood silently as the Gryffindor students scrupulously kept themselves too preoccupied to watch the exchange, giving Harry and Bellatrix a measure of privacy. Deciding that it was the right time, Harry took his hand from her shoulder and retrieved Cygnus's wand, as well as the ring Malfoy had given Cygnus only recently. Harry proffered them to her. "I got these from him," Harry said. He couldn't bring himself to say body or corpse .
Bellatrix accepted the wand and ring, clutching them in her fist. "Thank you," she whispered. "I think I need to go rest."
Harry nodded. "Of course."
....
Join my P@treon and get 60+ advanced chapters.
Link: p*atreon.com/0LordSilvere0 (Remove the *)
Free members get 5 chapters free.
Join Right Now