Aequitas

Aequitas

Six figures were dispersed about the scarcely furnished room. A short woman with short-cropped, dark red hair and piercing yellowish-orange eyes was perched on a countertop. At the table, two chairs were occupied, one by a somewhat tall, gaunt looking man with nearly black hair that hung just below his shoulders; and the second by a young-looking woman with long black hair and deep green eyes. Leaning against a wall was another man, tall and lanky looking with a shaved head and a menacing scowl upon his face that somehow didn't reach his light blue eyes. Sitting on the floor was a boy, who looked no older than 18 with curly, light brown hair. The last figure in the room was an older man, with dark brown hair tinged with gray and a knowledgeable look shining in his brown eyes. He was the first to speak.

"The time has come. We must go through with this."

"But the Ministry -," the young boy started, and was cut off by the man at
the table.

"The Ministry is a group of ill-trained, illusioned pussies! They refuse to see what has come to pass."

The red-haired woman nodded her head in agreement. "If they won't acknowledge the dark forces, we'll have to do it for them."

A somber silence passed between the group. Finally the man at the table spoke again.

"We have to be discreet. There's no way in hell I'm going back to Azkaban."

The girl at the table put her hand over his in a comforting gesture. "They won't know it was us."

"Right," the bald man interjected. "There will be a meeting tonight."

"Where?," asked the boy.

"Close," the eldest man told him, then turned his eyes over the others. "Too close."

"We must go now," stated the dark-haired girl at the table. "We will lie in wait for them."

Another silence passed, everyone looking over the others and coming to agreement without words. Finally the two at the table stood, the man with the shaved head pulled himself off the wall, the boy got to his feet and the girl on the counter dropped to the floor. They all formed a circle in the center of the small room.

"Now is the time for choices," the older man told the group. "There is no room for cowards in this operation. What we are about to do requires courage, and may very well require self-sacrifice as well. If you have any doubts, you are welcome to leave and no hard feelings towards you."

The bald man snorted derisively but did not speak, as he was silenced by the man with the dark brown hair. The older man pulled a wand from his robes and pointed it towards the middle of the
circle. The others followed suit.

"Iunctus," said the man, red sparks shooting from the end of his wand.

"Veritas," the girl with red hair, who was next to him, said. Sparks also shot from her wand, this time green.

"Credo," stated the younger girl next to her. Blue sparks this time.

"Libertas," this was the man with the long, black hair. Orange sparks emitted from his wand.

"Sapientia," the boy with the head of curls. Yellow sparks added to the growing form in the center of the circle.

"Fides," the bald man. Violet sparks showered into the circle.

"Aequitas," the whole group spoke this time. The mass of colored light between them took shape, the shape of a large oriental-type dragon.

They spoke again, louder. "Justice" The dragon burst with light, seeming to become real. It faded after a moment, and when darkness settled the six figures were gone.

~*~*~

"This is a slaughterhouse," a short, dumpy looking man told one of his acquaintances.

The scene they were surveying was indeed similar to a slaughterhouse. Blood soaked the ground and stained the trees, entrails were slung across the ground like so many dead snakes. There were five bodies, if one cared to do the math of adding up limbs, heads and torsos. None of the bodies were readily recognizable. The companion of the first man nodded, looking like he was going to be sick.

"Do you think it was...Him?," he asked the other man.

The dumpy man shook his head. "Of course not, Hunter. You heard Fudge. There's no way He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned. This is obviously the work of...of..." He was at a loss for words.

None of them wanted to believe Voldemort had once again risen to power, but surveying the scene, it looked futile to deny it.

Another man joined the two, this time a tall lanky man with dark hair and glasses. "I've never seen anything like it. Intestines everywhere, severed heads, their faces scorched clean off! Who would've done something like this?"

The man referred to as Hunter looked decidedly sick now.

"I don't know," his companion answered. "Best we can do is get back to the Ministry and wait for identification to come back."

The others nodded, not wanting to stick around any longer than necessary. With a faint 'pop' all three apparated, leaving someone else to clean up the mess.

~*~*~

The red-haired girl moved into the room, seemingly very displeased.

"Whoa, Verta, what's wrong?," the girl with the raven hair asked.

Verta threw a newspaper at her. "This, Anguis, this is wrong." As Anguis picked up the newspaper and started to read, Verta flopped unceremoniously onto the floor.

Anguis read out loud.

"Ministry officials discovered today, the remains of four people in the
woods just outside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. One official, Ray Hunter, described the scene as 'absolutely
frightening...there were body parts everywhere.' This
official also stated that the only way to identify the remains was through
their wands. Among the dead were high-standing
members of the wizarding community, Lucius Malfoy and Peter Parkinson. 'No
leads have come forward yet,' said a ministry
spokesperson. 'But we are sure we will find whoever did this and they will
pay dearly.'"

The bald man scoffed loudly. "'High-standing members of the wizarding community'? I don't believe this . Those Ministry idiots don't know what they're talking about!"

"Yea," Verta said, still obviously worked up. "AND they forgot to mention that these poor, innocent souls just happened to be Death Eaters!"

The sandy-haired boy smirked slightly. "You know the Ministry, they've always been blind when it comes to people with money. Besides...you did go a bit far on the disembowelment, Travis."

Travis, the man with the shaved head, held back a laugh. "That was nothing compared to Verta's beheading procedures. I mean, really, where'd you get a machete?"

The man with the long black hair stood. "Hey, guys, cut it out. If we allow ourselves to enjoy this too much we're no better than them."

"Aww, Sirius," Verta pouted teasingly. "You take the fun out of everything."

~*~*~

Back at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a meeting of another kind was going on...

Headmaster Dumbledore looked around the room sadly. Gathered therein were a few students and Professors. Professor Snape was relaxing (if you could ever call Snape 'relaxed') in a large armchair by the fire. Professor McGonagall was sitting in the armchair opposite him, looking both concerned and strict. Harry Potter, the infamous boy who lived, was looking rather confused sitting on a plush couch by the window, and out of notice was the young but formidable Draco Malfoy, leaning against a wall. A few other wizards and witches were present as well.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and all four pairs of eyes turned to him. "I have gathered you here with grave news, which has been brought to my attention by Professor Snape. It seems that sometime last night there was a meeting of Death Eaters in the woods not far from the grounds of Hogwarts."

He paused for effect here, and Harry looked at Professor Snape with some sort of malice. Draco stayed unusually quiet.

"That, however, is not the matter of concern. It seems that many of these Death Eaters were killed, quite viciously I might add. Peter Parkinson, Eugene Victor, Marvin Alias and...Lucius Malfoy." Dumbledore nodded his head in Draco's direction in a show of sympathy. "These are the names of the persons who have been killed. I urge any of you who has information to come forward. Though we have formed an allegiance against Voldemort and his supporters, I was not aware of any plans to attack them so soon."

Snape chose this time to speak up. "It is my understanding, sir, that while we have formed the allegiance there are others who are aware as well that the Dark Lord has once again risen to power. Perhaps these...others...have decided to take matters into their own hands."

Everyone was quiet for a moment, contemplating this. It did seem a reasonable opinion on the matter, but who was brave enough and selfless enough to take on Voldemort without asking for all the help they could get?

"Dumbledore," started an elderly witch with long brown hair. "If I may, how were these followers killed?"

Dumbledore contemplated this for a moment. "Well, odd as it may seem, there was apparently no magic used on them. It may as well have been a muggle serial killer."

"So there's no way to trace them through their magic," Snape once again brought about a logical point.

"No, I'm afraid not."

~*~*~

Harry and Draco walked back through Professor Dumbledore's door and out into the hall.

"Look Malfoy, I know you think I'm an annoying git, but I'm sorry about your father," said Harry not necessarily trying to be nice, but because he knew what it felt like to live without a father.

"I don't need any sympathy from the boy who lived. You assume too much of me for even caring about his death," the blonde boy spat out the word "death" as though it were his own bile and stared straight ahead as they walked in silence. They came to the marble staircase and went their separate ways.
What makes Potter think that he can feel sorry for me? Thought Draco to himself
as he walked back to the Slytherin common room. Like he knows what it's like growing up with Lucius, being tortured for this and for that. He strives for the win or beating some new horror out of me. Well guess what, this one hit too close to home Lucius, and you paid for it. I just hope I won't have to.

~*~*~

Back at the Gryffindor common room Hermione was sitting twisting her hands nervously, while Ron paced in front of the fire like an expectant father. They were both startled when the portrait door opened and they saw Harry walk through.

"Is everything alright?" asked the bushy haired girl.

"Not exactly, Hermione," replied Harry

"Does it have to do with You-Know-Who?" asked Ron who had now stopped pacing to stare at Harry.

"Of course it does Ron!" interrupted Hermione, and switched her attention back to Harry. She noticed how he had never looked so tired or worried before. "Harry, what's wrong?" she asked looking deep into his green eyes.

"Parkinson and Lucius are dead," he said, rubbing his eyes as though he suddenly felt exhausted.

"I thought that would be a good thing," snorted the red-haired boy.

"Ron!" she said flinging her hair back, and out of her face. "Harry, were the death eaters killed by Lord Voldemort himself?"

"No, maybe not. Dumbledore thinks it might as well have been a muggle killer," replied Harry, looking out at the fire as though hoping it could make him feel any better.

"Is that all you know?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah. Snape was talking about other wizards who know Voldemort is back, but other than that, there is nothing else I can say," Harry replied, looking down at his feet.

"Much help that is!" Ron said as he yawned "I'm going up to bed. Goodnight."

"Good night, Ron," said Hermione "Good night Harry." She kissed him on the forehead and walked away, leaving Harry alone with his thoughts.

~*~*~

A small crowd of Death Eaters were gathered in the forest that night. Not the same forest as before, this one was much farther away from Hogwarts and much more discreet. Despite the fact that four of their comrades had been killed the night before, many of the gathered were their usual jovial, if dark, selves. Voldemort had left some time before; he had called them all to discuss the massacre that had happened and what they planned to do about it. After his departure, the Death Eaters were passing around a bottle of some ill-smelling liquor and tossing around the idea of finding some muggles to torture. Set apart from the group was another Death Eater. He was not partaking in the 'festivities' and he had not taken off his mask, either. His only purpose in staying behind was to gather as much information as he could, which he would then pass to Albus Dumbledore. He was Severus Snape. He scowled at the group from behind the hideous mask, but something else caught his attention.

A movement in the trees. None of the others noticed it, but Snape did, and he watched carefully as a tiny, spotted kneazle slinked out from the underbrush. He narrowed his eyes and watched it until he heard more movement. He could no longer see the small kneazle as a much larger shadow had shoved it out of the way. Not surprisingly, none of the others noticed this either. Watching the bushes to his far right, he caught a pair of gleaming eyes and the outline of a huge black dog. He smirked to himself and slowly stepped backwards into the trees unnoticed. The dog, undoubtedly, was Sirius Black. This meant the kneazle was most likely an Animagus as well, and as he watched from his hiding place they were joined by a dark, slithering snake and a formidable looking bear moved about the forest. A hawk's cry was heard and all four of these creatures raced into the clearing, morphing into their original forms. These people were the ones who had been doing the killing, it was obvious. The bear turned into an older-looking man with grey-brown hair; the kneazle into a young girl with long black hair, Snape was sure he had taught her. The snake became a large man with a bald head, and Sirius Black came into view as well. Snape memorized each of their appearances before turning tail and jetting back through the woods. He was careful to be quiet, although if he was heard above the screams from the clearing it would be pretty surprising. The woods were dark, and because of this he didn't see the form coming at him. Snape was knocked to the ground by a sleek leopard. His head hit a rock and right before he blacked out, he heard a woman's voice say 'Petrificus Totalus!'

~*~*~

When Snape awoke again, he was bound to a chair and definitely not in the forest any longer. There was a very dim light filtering through the eyeholes of his mask, which was askew on his head, and he could see a shadow moving back and forth in this light. He twisted his wrists to see how much leeway the binding would allow. None. When he did this the shadow stopped pacing.

"Ah, well, Mister Death Eater is awake," it was the same female voice he'd heard before blacking out, except it was cold and mocking now.

He sensed her move closer and in a moment the mask was ripped from his face forcefully and it took a second for his eyes to adjust. The pain in his head was searing. He looked at the woman. She was short, probably no taller than 5'2, with dark red hair cut at her chin. He didn't recognize her, and from the way she tilted her head and assessed him, he guessed she probably didn't recognize him, either.

"What's yer name?," she said abruptly in a slight Gaelic accent. Snape kept his mouth shut, and after a minute she snorted. "A'right, look," she continued. "I'm gunna give yeh two options - answer my questions and be cooperative, and yeh'll live. Don't, and yeh won't. So what's it gunna be?"

Snape weighed these options mentally for a moment, before replying. "Severus Snape."

She smirked a little. "Good boy. Now, I'm assuming, from this silly Halloween costume, yeh fancy yerself a follower of Lord Voldemort."

This took a bit more consideration, and she had started to get agitated when he finally answered. "In a sense, I suppose."

"A'right. What do yeh do when yer not out killing innocent people, then?"

Snape sneered. "Innocence is in the eye of the beholder."A sharp stinging sensation took over the whole of his right cheek, and it took Snape a second to realize she'd slapped him.

"Tha' was not an answer," she said calmly. "Now, again. What is yer occupation, Severus Snape?"

He grimaced, and considered lying for a moment. He didn't. "I am a professor."

"A professor?" she exclaimed. "Ah, bea'iful. Nice to know our children are being taught by filth like yeh. And does the Headmaster of this undoubtedly prestigious teaching establishment know that a Death Eater is on his payroll, eh? Or did yeh just forget to mention tha' fact?"

Snape would have smirked if he hadn't thought he'd get slapped again. "Oh, no, Headmaster Dumbledore is well aware of the fact."

"Dumbledore," she stated, a look of puzzlement on her face. She didn't seem to like the idea of being subtle, so she simply asked, "Explain yerself."

"That wasn't technically a question," he replied, not fighting the urge to smirk now.

Her eyes narrowed and her voice took on a mockingly high-pitched voice and completely lost the accent. "Mr. Severus Snape, the management wishes that you explain yourself. Would you do so, please?"

Under a different circumstance he may have laughed. "I am a spy," was all he said, however.

His captor seemed to mull this over and stepped closer. She leaned close to his face and her tone dropped near whisper, although the accent had returned. "For who?"

"Don't insult Dumbledore's intelligence in my presence," he said in way of an answer.

She nodded, backed off, and threw his mask at him. Then she opened the door, stepped beyond, and slammed it shut. The light of the single candle on the floor wavered then went out.

~*~*~ *~*~*~

Back at the hideaway Sirius and Anguis stood and stared into the darkness of the forest.

"I was terrified for you, Anguis," he said, choosing his words cautiously.

"I was alright, you knew I'd be fine," she replied.

"I know, but what if something had happened? I would never forgive myself," he said, staring into her piercing green eyes. She took his hand and looked back at him returning the deep stare. She always hated moments like these, it seemed he could look deep into her soul and find her deepest secrets. Sirius had been there for her since he got out of Azkaban, and that had been enough.

"Sirius, thank you for caring." She was surprised to hear her own voice sound so steady and calm, but even more so when Sirius pulled her into an embrace so tight she felt like he was sucking the life out of her.

"Anguis, you're like a ..." he said stammering at his loss for words to describe what Anguis had been for him, " friend to me maybe even a sister."

"You, too Sirius," she said and broke the embrace.

She hadn't realized how much she needed that. Her life had been one that was completely devoid of any love until she went to Hogwarts. She was born of rich muggle parents who had no idea what to do with such a strange child. Anguis had been interested in snakes, and stars since she was able to read, and her parents found this irritating. When Anguis received her letter from Hogwarts, she was happy to go, and her parents happy to send her. She did not go home for Christmas, or summer, and hasn't been there since her 6^th year at Hogwarts... she doesn't feel she has to ... ever again.

"Anguis, are you all right?" he said gripping her shoulders. Anguis had gone pale, and cold. She didn't respond on the first shake.

"Sirius!" she said rather startled " I'm fine, I was just thinking about something, where is Verta?"

"We have to go back, we have a meeting," he said as both of them disappeared with a slight 'pop'. When they re-appeared in the main room, they found Travis and Devon.

"Is something going on?" Anguis asked the younger boy.

"No, we're waiting for Verta," he replied as he stared off in the opposite direction.

"Fine," Sirius said, leaning against the far wall his face halfway hidden in the shadows.