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Manipulations to War | ||||||
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Category: Pre-OotP Characters:Sirius Black Genres: Drama Warnings: Death Story is Complete Rating: R Reviews: 19 Summary: Sequel to Harry's second Christmas. James and Lily are dead, and Sirius, Remus and Anwen are living in the Potter keep with Harry. They want him to have a well balanced childhood, but the need to keep him safe is greater. Sirius is working to unravel where the Potter money went while Anwen wants to discover why they were in Godric's Hollow and not safely in the Potter's home. Hitcount: Story Total: 18927; Chapter Total: 552 |
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Chapter 17: Azkaban March 1984 "I wish I had more to report," Frank said. "The attack was well-timed but unsuccessful, and that’s the gist of what we took away from it.” "So, someone who had been a prisoner or who worked within the prison provided information?" Remus suggested, and Frank nodded. “They knew the internal schedule?” “Yes. There were only two times a day when the human caretakers retreat from the cellblocks. I use caretakers loosely because there hasn’t been any care given to the prisoners in years," Frank added, obviously annoyed after he visited the frozen island fortress. “One meal is served late morning, around ten, and any potions a prisoner needs are to be given then. The other is late afternoon, usually between four and five. When this happens, the humans head into the centre of the building, and the food comes up via a dumbwaiter system from the basement. It’s these times when the Dementors are all that is left on the cellblocks. The two we captured were people with ties to the Death Eaters, although neither were marked as such. They’re claiming to have been under the Imperious Curse. We have just developed a spell we can cast to look for such a thing. It reads a person’s brain for traces of someone else’s magic, and neither came back affirming they were.” “Really? When did that happen?” Anwen asked, surprised to find out there was a spell for such a thing. Could it also direct them to when and who was responsible for the shards? “Only about six weeks ago, and the DMLE has decided not to publicize the ability. Mad-Eye was instrumental in the creation, and he and Amelia decided it was vital. If we are headed to another war, it will be helpful to pinpoint people lying to us.” “Can you teach me?” she asked, and Frank reluctantly nodded. “Returning to Azkaban, why weren't the proper procedures followed, and when was the last time the place was inspected?" Monty asked, rather upset that conditions had fallen to what they were. “We don’t rightly know,” Frank answered as best as he could. “The Board of Directors hasn’t met in nearly two years.” “How can that be?” Sirius asked. “They’re supposed to meet every six months at a minimum.” “The board can only meet if the committee head calls for a meeting,” Alice said with reservation. “Who is the head?” Lily asked. “Lucius Malfoy,” Alice answered her. Sirius growled at the name. “Well, after next month, he’ll be a resident,” Anwen said confidently. “I’m hoping you’ve opened an investigation into his lax leadership?” “Actually, we were hoping you’d do it, and we can add your findings to his already massive list of charges?” Frank said optimistically. “Anwen isn’t an Auror anymore,” Sirius said firmly. "Anwen is an Auror; I just haven't been working for two years," she said softly. "I think it's time I went back into the office, Sirius." She’d been trying to find a way to broach the subject with him, and this was better than anything she’d thought of. “What? I thought you liked being home with Harry and Lizzy?” he asked her, sounding surprised and hurt. “We can talk more when we’re alone,” Anwen said thoughtfully, “but you shouldn’t doubt my love for our children.” She looked to James and Lily’s portrait to see them both wince when she said ‘our,' knowing it was because they still considered Harry theirs. She'd spoken with them about it, and while they agreed it was best for Harry to consider Anwen and Sirius as Mum and Dad, it still brought home what they'd lost. "No, I don't. I just don't want you out there, duelling potential Death Eaters or Death Eater wannabes." “Alice isn’t out in the field, and I’m assured if I approached Scrimgeour and asked for a part-time analysis position, he’d be thrilled. Plus, what better way for me to find out what the Ministry knows about the human, Tom Riddle, than to go searching through their files.” Sirius didn’t know how to answer that, so he remained silent. “Frank, when these wizards attempted to break into Azkaban, what did the Dementors do?” Remus asked, bring the gathered back to their original discussion. “They ignored them, which is the opposite of what they’re supposed to do. Their numbers had also dwindled, which we found strange. They’ve been banished to another island, further up into the North Sea, near nothing,” he answered. “That’s unusual,” Remus said. “After feeding on the misery of the inmates for so long, they should have been breeding, and those that had been on the island should have become more aggressive, not passive. What strange behaviours." “So, who will be guarding Azkaban now?” Emme asked. “Well, the former Death Eaters have been moved and are now being housed in the ICW prison in Antarctica. We aren’t advertising this either. The only person I can think of who might be upset is Lady Malfoy; she visits her sister regularly. With the high rank prisoners moved, someone will need to be extremely determined to bring them back from so far away,” Frank explained. “As for witches and wizards who are in for more mundane crimes, the Aurors and Hit Wizards are taking the shifts now, at least until fresh staff can be trained. We’ve also brought in some house-elves to work the kitchens until we can hire new help there too.” “Definitely sounds like it will be good to have another person who can be in the office and handle the paperwork,” Anwen said softy. Sirius gave a grunt next to her. “Paperwork, Sirius, the most dangerous part will be inky fingers or a papercut, both of which magic can take care of.” "Would you mind if I did some research into the Dementors for you?" Remus asked, and Frank smiled widely. “Their behaviour, in this circumstance, is fascinating. “Mind, I, we would be delighted,” he answered effusively. "Excellent," Remus said. "Since we're here, Anwen, have you had any luck with Dumbledore's memories?" This was another area where Sirius was somewhat unhappy with Anwen. She had been going to see Dumbledore every two weeks. He was unhappy her anger towards him had abated; he wasn't prepared to give his up yet. “Well, we’ve sorted out the times he went to Gringotts and removed money that wasn’t for any legitimate use. He still isn’t sure how he was able to access the house upkeep fund,” she answered. “He’s also very contrite about not being able to exert his own will over important things, like keeping the two of you safe.” Anwen looked to James and Lily. “Honestly, though, I thought my mind was a mess; his looks like a bomb went off.” "Why does it feel like we get a bit ahead, and then we fall deeper behind?" Alice asked, and everyone shook their heads. *R*R*R*R*R Two weeks later, Anwen was sitting at her new desk in the Auror department. Previously she'd shared a small cubicle with Kingsley since they were partners. He had a new partner, so she was toward the front, in a tiny space meant for one. Alice was next to her, and the pair had put a magical window between their cubicles to aid in conversation. “So, was it horrible leaving this morning?” Alice asked. "No, Harry hugged and kissed me. I told him I'd be home by the time he returned from your house, and he ran off to meet Remus so he could Floo. Lizzy is too young to have separation anxiety, so the kids weren’t the issue,” Anwen answered as she filled out the personnel magical history questionnaire. “I left more than enough milk for Lizzy in stasis, so that won’t be a problem.” “So, the problem was with Sirius?” "Honestly, it was like “" the mirror on her desk began to buzz. "Speak of the devil." She tapped the mirror, and Sirius and Lizzy appeared before her. "Hello, sweetheart," she answered drolly. "Somebody was missing you," he said, and Anwen smiled. “Well, since Lizzy only wants my company when she’s hungry, it must have been you. I’ve only been here for,” she checked the clock on the wall, “thirty-seven minutes, Sirius. I’m often at Alice’s for four times that long when we have tea or when I go down to Remus’ cottage.” "But you don't leave little Lizzy behind when you do," he said in a baby-talk voice. Lizzy looked like she was half asleep on his shoulder. “Sweetheart, I think Lizzy is fine. She’s about to nod off, so please tell me you changed her nappy?” “I’ll just cast a spell,” he waved his wand over her bum and diaper, “and tada she’s all clean.” "You do remember that you can't do that too often, or the diaper wears down, and waste is left inside?" Anwen said with an annoyed air. “This is why you need to be home. I’m a bad dad.” “Sirius Black, you’re not a bad father. Lizzy prefers you to me most of the time anyway, so staying home with you for a few hours is nothing. I’m going to get back to my exciting employee parchments here, but I wondered if we should take out the Oculus Insurance or buy into the Dental Plan? Given how bad James’ eyes were, it might be something to think about with Harry and teeth, well, it’s always good to have properly cared for teeth.” “Do you know when you ramble like that, your Welsh vowels show up?” Sirius said. “You do it when you’re angry too. You sound Welsh when you’re reprimanding, well, anyone.” “I’m going to get annoyed and sound very Welsh in a minute here,” Anwen said. “Eyes or Dental? Yes or No?” “Eyes, yes. Dental, no. Monty can tell us how to brew the six-month protection potion for teeth without any trouble,” Sirius said hastily. “There’s a six-month potion for dental health?” "Yes, dear, I have used it my whole life. It's why I just cleanse with my wand and not brush away like you and Harry. I get why he needs to learn to brush his teeth, in case he ever is stranded without his wand, but you?" “No one ever mentioned it before now.” "Oh, did I not tell you? Well, Lizzy and I need to be off. Go back to your exciting job, and we'll see you at home." The mirror went blank, and Anwen sighed. “I just…” Anwen mumbled, then turned to Alice. “Do you use this potion?” "Frank and I do, but I want the kids to know how to brush their teeth as well. Get dental; it even works if they have a tooth come in crooked. I'd go for the Oculus Plan, too, because James' eyesight was terrible. Better than trying to find an appointment with a freelance Oculus Wizard or Witch. There aren't enough of them," Alice said, and Anwen thanked her. “He’ll get used to it, Anwen. My mum sent owls to the office every day my first week back. Frank's mother sent me a Howler, then several owls, and now she leaves me alone," Alice explained. "We're only here for a few hours a few days a week. If nothing else, it allows us to keep our sanity." “Absolutely,” Anwen said, checking off the previously skipped boxes for the types of specialty care the Aurors could buy into. It’s a risky job, but it had great benefits. She scribbled away with her quill for a few more minutes, and then when she was done, she rolled them all up and put a charm on them so they'd fly to the personnel offices. From within her satchel, Anwen pulled out a pile of paper and a pencil, as well as a ringed binder that opened and shut. Alice looked over, surprised to find it already partially filled. “What in the world is that?” Alice asked, intrigued. "This is a Muggle binder," Anwen explained. "In it, I have all the information about Tom Riddle, the shards, the bank improprieties, Dumbledore's actions and inactions, and anything else I think is important for this dilemma we find ourselves in.” “And those are?” Alice asked, looking at the long, skinny bits of wood in her left hand. “These are pencils,” Anwen explained. “And there are erasers on the top. I can write something, then use the eraser on the top to remove it neatly, not like when you cross something out or try to use the erasing spell. I prefer them, so I can keep things neater and more organized.” "This is the first I've seen you use Muggle stationery." "Not true," Anwen said, and she reached into her bag and pulled out a binder which was twice as thick and brimming with papers, parchments, and other items stuck inside. "This is my folder on Lucius Malfoy. "I've been working on it since my attack. There's a copy of this whole thing, plus copies of the girls' memories in the Auror depository as well as one in Kingsley's vault. He couldn't destroy all the copies of the evidence." Alice looked at the three-inch binder and reached for it. She opened it with some trepidation; this had been all-consuming for Anwen, especially after she and Sirius had broken up. Years-worth of work: pictures, affidavits, testimonies from friends, family lives, the things the girls would have gone on to do in life. There were medical reports, evidentiary reports, psychological assessments on the girl who lived and on Malfoy himself. There was also a record of everything the man had said publicly about his support for Voldemort and how the Ministry would benefit from his leadership. "Anwen, this is damaging too," Alice paused, "well, not only him but to a whole lot of other people. Minister Bagnold looks weak, and Cornelius Fudge comes off like an imbecile.” Anwen and Alice shared a look and then laughed. “If the crown fits,” Anwen whispered. “Are they going to introduce all of this in court?” Alice asked. "I don't believe so," Anwen said, leaning closer to the window between their cubicles. "King says they are negotiating with some of the prime members of the Ministry staff to retire with good retirement packages so that their complicity remains quiet. Both of those you have mentioned will be among them. There's also an idiot woman in the Care of Magical Children Department; she dresses in pink and is supposedly Fudge's mistress; she will be on the outs as well. What that woman was willing to do. Don't read her chapter if you ever want to sleep soundly again. She's horrible." "What do you mean?" Alice asked, concerned because of Anwen's intense dislike of her. Anwen liked and forgave Dumbledore. Disliking someone this much was out of character. "So, you know that someone was watching our place for the longest time, right? I thought it was Dumbledore’s doing, but he only had Severus Snape out there for a few weeks and then on and off for a while. This undersecretary woman, her last name is Umbridge --I take quite an umbrage at her existence-- watched us for over a year at least twice a week. Then she is the one who held up our adoption papers, confirming that I hadn’t stollen my wand and magic from other students while I was at Hogwarts. Since I was close to Sirius, it was her theory that I had been stealing from the Black family.” "That's reprehensible," Alice said. "That's what Voldemort was saying about Muggle-borns. You're not Muggle-born, though. You're my cousin. You're part of the Potter and Nighman families. You and I are descended from Rowena Ravenclaw, although we mostly end up in Gryffindor these days." "Well, you, me, and James did. We'll see about our kids." “I can’t imagine Harry anywhere else,” Alice said. "Me neither, but that is so far in the future I'm not thinking about it yet," Anwen said. "I'm going to see if I can spend the next two hours doing some research on Tom Riddle, find out who his father was because Riddle isn't a wizarding name. Then I need to see if we can even find out who his mum was. I'm hoping Dumbledore has a clue on some of this to at least point me in the right direction. According to Hogwarts records, Albus was the one who visited the eleven-year-old Tom.” "Your mummy at work today?" Ginny asked Harry while they were playing at her house. Remus took them up on his broom one at a time since the only child-safe broom was Harry's. Neville was the least adept flyer, but even he was coming around to it with Remus' help. Ginny's mummy was making lunch. “Yup,” Harry said. “She lll-eft lll-ooking very ‘portant.” “My daddy wook ‘portant when he goes to his job.” “Daddy Siri home with Lll-izzy today,” Harry said. “I lll-ike my sister.” “I wike your sister too,” Ginny said. “I wish I had a sister.” “You can share mine,” Harry said, and Ginny threw her arms around him and hugged him. “’Sanks.” The pair sat in companionable silence while Remus now had Ron up in the air. Ginny shared some thoughts with Harry about her brother and how she was upset at the way he'd lay down and cry on the floor. She much preferred the company of Percy, who could be bossy, but he'd read to her, or the twins. They were always up to something funny. Harry thought back that he'd rather play with Neville, Susan, or Ginny any day than be around Ron. It made him feel sad since he’d be going to Hogwarts with him, and Harry couldn’t imagine being good friends with him. |
| Reviews 19 |
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