Rating:
PG-13
House:
Schnoogle
Ships:
Harry Potter/Luna Lovegood
Characters:
Harry Potter Hermione Granger Luna Lovegood
Genres:
Action Drama
Era:
The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix Half-Blood Prince
Stats:
Published: 08/10/2005
Updated: 01/24/2006
Words: 106,949
Chapters: 33
Hits: 137,035

Companions of the White Warlock

DrT

Story Summary:
Year seven of the HBP-compliant story (on Dark Arts) 'Smoke'. Harry, Hermione, and Ron go after the remaining Horcruxes, aided by Luna, Ginny, Neville, Remus, Tonks, and Professor Russell.

Chapter 06

Chapter Summary:
Year 7 of the HBP-compliant story (on Dark Arts) 'Smoke'. Harry, Hermione, and Ron go after the remaining Horcruxes, aided by Luna, Ginny, Neville, Remus, Tonks, and Professor Russell.
Posted:
10/03/2005
Hits:
4,103
Author's Note:
Harry makes his claims public



Smoke Year VII - Companions of the White Warlock
Chapter VI

"So," Ron asked, "what next?"

"Dobby, did you and Sandy finish that project?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Mister Harry, sir!" Dobby snapped his fingers and seven poles appeared. Each was about six feet tall, and the upper half of each had some rolled up white cloth on it.

"In a sense, these are reverse-Horcruxes," Harry said. "These are my banners -- Hermione can explain the tradition later to anyone interested." Hermione stuck her tongue out at her friend, while Remus, Russell, and Luna all nodded, as most White Wizards used these symbols. "As long as I'm alive, nothing can damage them. Come on out front."

Harry handed six of the poles to Ron and went around the house, followed by everyone else. About twenty yards in front of the house, Harry unrolled the banner -- there was a phoenix on one side and a dragon on the other.

"Hey!" Hagrid said, "isn't tha' Norbert?"

"Well, I wanted a real dragon," Harry said. "Fawkes is the phoenix, of course." With that, Harry drove the base of the pole into the ground. It shot up more than twelve feet. "It goes an equal distance into the ground, if it can," Harry said. "If it can't, then it splits into seven strands and anchors the pole."

The banner unfurled, and suddenly the dragon disappeared, replaced by Fawkes on that side as well. "What happened?" Ginny asked before anyone else could.

"When I'm within thirty yards, only the phoenix can be seen. When I further away than that, only the dragon is seen," Harry said. "Now, I have some visits to make. But first, here." He handed each Companion a gold pin, shaped like a dragon. "When one of us calls another, the dragon turns into a phoenix and talks so that only you can hear it. Wear it next to your skin for now. It will take a day or so to become purely in sync with you, so that only you can use it. Then you can wear it anywhere on your clothes."

They all nodded their understanding.

"Fred, George, why don't you two go back to the shop. Here's a list of goods you need to get working on in your spare time."

"Right," George said, taking the list.

"We'll start thinking about them as soon as we get there," Fred added.

"You can apparate in and out here, even though most people can't, as well as headquarters," Harry reminded the twins. They nodded and disapparated.

"Dobby stays here. Ginny, Luna, Neville, Hagrid, and Remus, please go to Hogwarts. Remus, tell Professor McGonagall what happened, and ask her if she will call a meeting of the Order tonight. I imagine there will be a fair number of questions, and Mrs. Weasley might have some things to say to me."

The Hogwarts group said their goodbyes as well. That left Russell, Tonks, Ron, and Hermione. "Where to?" Ron asked.

Harry smiled, and it was not a nice one. "The Minister should have just started a meeting with the Wizengamot. I think we'll drop in."

"Those are closed to the public," Tonks pointed out.

Harry's grin became wider. "We aren't the public. Is everyone ready?"

"How are we getting there?" Hermione demanded.

"Magic," Harry said, and with a BOOM they were gone.



And with an equally impressive BOOM they were at the meeting of the Wizengamot.

"What is the meaning of this!" Scrimgeour cried out, while the many members were in an uproar, all demanding explanations.

"SILENCE!" Harry commanded.

"Potter! What the devil. . . ."

"I am Harry Potter, the one you have called 'The Boy Who Lived' and 'the Chosen One'. Today, I tell you my true title! I am the White Warlock!"

The silence was instant.

After a few seconds, two voices said, "Potter. . . ." One was demanding, the other a frightened hiss.

"Minister, do you want my support or opposition?" Harry asked.

The Minister looked beyond Harry to John Russell. "John, are you certain he is what he says he is?"

"I am," Russell stated. "He is the White Warlock, and I am of his Council."

"As am I," Tonks declared formally. "By the way, you may consider this my resignation from the Ministry."

At that moment, Fawkes burst into the chamber, singing triumphantly. "Well, Minister," Harry asked again when Fawkes' song had quieted a bit, "in or out?"

"You will plant a standard here?" Scrimgeour asked.

"No," Harry said, "in the atrium."

"The floors are charmed," Scrimgeour said. "Plant it and I'm in."

"If you want to make this totally public, fine," Harry said, turning and marching out the door.

"What? Wait!" Scrimgeour protested.

There was a group of nine flunkies waiting outside the door. Harry smirked as he realized that Percy was one of them. "Tonks, can you send out a general memo to the department heads?"

"Sure, my authorization shouldn't have been canceled yet." In less than a minute, two dozen paper airplanes were off. Harry marched through the Ministry, taking the stairs rather than the lift.

"I didn't realize that there would be so much walking involved," Russell said, half-way to the atrium.

"This will give everyone a chance to arrive," Harry said simply. "As you more-or-less said, I can't hide this."

By the time Harry and the group had arrived, the atrium was filling up. Harry marched over to the restored fountain and finally took one of the poles from Ron. "I am Harry Potter, the White Warlock!" The crowd quieted down. "Those who disturb the peace in this land, those who practice dark magic in this land, may have to answer to me! I have not come to replace the Ministry, especially in running the day-to-day affairs of state. I am, however, here to see that justice is done. You may fight the darkness with me, or you may aid the darkness, either directly or indirectly through indecision!"

Harry drove the pole into the floor, where it magically took root. The flag unfurled, and the phoenix symbol was clearly visible. "Minister, I ask for the final time. Do you fight darkness with me, or not?"

"I do," Scrimgeour said firmly.

"Then you know what to do," Harry said in a stern tone.

Scrimgeour sighed. "Aurors! Place Madam Umbridge under arrest for abusing students at the Hogwarts School during the 1995-1996 academic terms. Weasley! Move that bus conductor's hearing to the next meeting of the Wizengamot."

"Thank you, Minister," Harry said with a bow. "Minister, Arthur Weasley, please step forward."

The two men did so. First, Harry handed Scrimgeour a note, which the Minister carefully pocketed. Harry then handed each a badge, this one silver, which he or a Council member could use to request a meeting with the Minister. Arthur Weasley was appointed the Minister's liaison to the Council in addition to his usual duties.

Harry turned around. "Two down, five more to go," Harry said. With that, the group disappeared.



And they reappeared on the steps of Gringotts. "Prof?" Harry said, "would you please give this note to a goblin?"

"Yes, sir," Russell said.

In the twelve minutes they had to wait, a small crowd started to gather, curious as to what was happening. Finally, a group of nine goblins came out of the bank.

A stout, elderly goblin came over to Harry. "This note is true?" the goblin asked.

"It is true in all respects," Harry replied. "You are the Chief Hobgoblin of this branch of Gringotts?"

"I am Ringshank, the Chief Hobgoblin," the goblin said in a loud voice. "This wizard lays claim to being the White Warlock!" A small gasp came from those members of the crowd who had some idea what that meant. "If his standard flys from the traditional place of such standards, then it is true."

Harry took a pole from Ron, and held it above his head. Fawkes appeared, and took it from Harry's hands and flew up the front of the building. Near the top, Fawkes hovered and placed the end against the building.

The pole expanded, and the standard unfurled, and the dragon turned into the phoenix.

"Behold! The White Warlock!" Ringshank proclaimed.

Harry held out one of the silver pins. "And the friend of goblins," Harry said.

"And the goblins are the friends of the White Warlock," Ringshank said. He turned to the crowd. "The goblins are with you! There will be no goblin rebellion while the White Warlock reigns!" He and Harry shook hands. As Harry had hoped, the goblins wanted stability.

The crowd started shouting and cheering. Hermione nudged Harry, and he saw who she was pointing to. Harry crooked his finger, and Rita Skeeter edged closer. "What's this 'White Warlock' stuff about, Mister Potter?" she asked.

"The Prophet can do that research," Harry said.

"Does this mean you're 'the Chosen One'?" she asked.

"Yes," Harry said simply.

"When do you attack He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" she asked.

"Do you know where he is?" Harry asked.

"Well, no. . . ." Rita admitted.

"Neither do I and neither does the Ministry," Harry said. "And even if I did, it would do no good to try and kill him now. He has many magical protections keeping him alive, plus that would leave his followers here, building up an organization for the next Pure Blood loony, just like they did so many other times. I hope that my revealing this new power and title at this time will help the Ministry make the tough political decisions which Minister Fudge was unable to make, and to overcome the factions, like Delores Umbridge's, which have been holding Minister Scrimgeour partially back."

Rita looked at Harry in shock.

"Now, one more thing for The Prophet," Harry said. "There are 10,000 Galleon rewards for information leading to the capture of Severus Snape and Peter Pettigrew alive. There are 10,000 Galleon rewards for the capture of Bellatrix Lestrange or Fenrir Greyback, dead or alive."

"Anyone else?" Rita asked.

"How about a Sickle for the capture of Draco Malfoy?" Ron suggested. "That's about the worth of a common ferret."

Harry repressed a smile. "I'll add nine Galleons and sixteen Sickles to Ron's Sickle," he said. "We might as well make it worth someone's time."

He turned back to Rita. "That's all for The Prophet. Do you have any questions from The Quibbler?"

Skeeter looked confused. "Not right now," she said.

Harry leaned forward. "You get one interview, for The Quibbler, if you want it. As for The Prophet, check your sources in the Ministry, Hogsmeade, and Leprechaun's Row."

Harry stood up, and his entourage gathered around him. With the 'BOOM', they were gone.



"The back garden of Grimmauld Place?" Ron asked, looking around when they reappeared.

"The Headquarters of the Order seemed appropriate," Harry said as he drove the pole in. "I do own it, and we are allied with the Order."

"Good point," Ron said. "Where next?"

"You'll see, but first, here," he handed Tonks a key.

"What's this?" she asked.

"Merlin created a horde, which Gringotts has been storing and investing for quite some time. You're the Treasurer. Each Councillor gets a hundred Galleons a week. Also, transfer a thousand Galleons to Hermione and fifteen hundred to Fred and George."

Hermione squeaked.

Harry turned to her. "You want to set up a potions lab, don't you?"

"I do," Hermione admitted.

"So, go ahead." He looked around. "Is everyone ready?"



"Where are we this time?" Hermione asked, looking around.

"This is Leprechaun's Row," Russell said, "the magical section of Dublin. While magical Ireland is under the authority of the British Ministry, the Mayor of Leprechaun's Row is the equivalent of the viceroy as well as the chief political officer of Magical Dublin. That's his residence."

They were again drawing a crowd. A wizard in elaborate robes and chain of office was hurrying out of the Mayor's Residence. "I was wondering if you knew enough to come here," the man said. Harry and Hermione realized what Russell had already known -- the Mayor had been at the Wizengamot meeting.

Harry walked forward and offered his hand, something he had of course not done with Scrimgeour. "This is a busy morning," Harry said. "I can't stay long. I believe I can trust leaving the announcements to you?"

"You can," the man answered. He turned to the others, "I'm Sean Patrick O'Dell, Mayor."

"Mayor O'Dell has been a major thorn in the sides of Scrimgeour and especially Fudge," Russell said softly.

Harry turned to the small crowd. "Your good mayor will explain what is happening. All I can say is, keep up the good fight against Voldemort and his minions!" With that, Harry planted his standard, showing that Ireland was under his direct protection. He shook hands with the Mayor, and the group was again off.



Everyone knew where they were this time: the High Street of Hogsmeade. The twelve members of the Town Council were waiting for them, as were a large number of the residents and Skeeter. News of what had happened at the Ministry and Diagon Alley had spread quickly. The Council bowed before Harry as one, and then the rest of the crowd did as well. It was then that Hermione noticed Rita Skeeter had made it here as well.

"Thank you," Harry said. "Please, don't feel you have to do that again! Also, remember that this does not mean the war is anywhere close to being finished, unless we get very lucky. We will win this war, but it might take a week, or a month, or a year or more. You are all trained witches and wizards. The Death Eaters are strong only because they work as a pack. Most of them are pathetic excuses for wizards, who joined a crazed sadist who only cares about himself because they have no brains and no talent, and for the most part more lineage than money. All they have is a dream that if they kill enough people, everyone will kiss their robes. Individually, they are puling, puking, cowardly, insignificant losers. Keep together, and you can win. Four Hogwarts staff members held off nine Death Eaters, and when a fifth showed up they ran like the cowards they ALL are. Six or seven staff and students fought four times their number to a draw. Last year, six Fourth and Fifth year students fought a dozen of the strongest Death Eaters to a draw. YOU CAN WIN EVEN WITHOUT ME! But now I am the White Warlock, and you all know what that means. Voldemort himself as well as his lickspittles will soil themselves as they run away from me! So be on alert! They will continue to attack you one at a time, knowing that if they come up against equal numbers, THEY WILL LOSE!"

The small crowd cheered, and Harry planted his standard. Ron nudged Harry, and he turned to see Percy Weasley coming towards them.

"Potter," Percy said, as if he could barely stand the taste of the words. "The Minister sent you this."

Harry took the note and glanced at it. "Thank you, Weasley. That will be all." He turned his back to Percy, who glared and then stalked off.

"Hermione, could you call Skeeter over?"

"Yes, sir," Hermione said.

"Yes, my lord?" Skeeter asked eagerly.

"You can add this to your article," Harry said. "Any currently active Death Eater has until the Thirty-first of August to surrender, either to me or to the Ministry. They will have to make a full confession and be thoroughly debriefed, after which they will be given a partial pardon -- no death penalty or dementor's Kiss."

"And after that?" Rita asked.

"Then they can expect the same mercy they show their victims," Harry said coldly.

She gulped and nodded. The group then took their leave and began their walk to Hogwarts.

When they got out of listening range, Ron asked, "Lickspittles?"

"I don't know where all that came from," Harry admitted, "but it made sense."

"You were mostly right, of course," Russell agreed. "More than half of the Death Eaters and three-quarters of the other followers are incompetants. Still, we had all better remember that some are truly dangerous."



Once they got into Hogwarts, Russell took Harry and the group to a meeting room far away from the usual classrooms and student traffic areas. Ginny, Luna, Neville, Hagrid, and Remus joined them, and various drinks and snacks appeared on the table as Ron and Tonks filled them in on where they had been, and Remus said that the Order meeting was set for that night at 9:00. Harry would plant the banner afterwards.

"Are we going to be allowed in?" Ginny asked.

Harry looked at Russell, who said. "You, Hermione, and Ron are members. Miss Lovegood's father sent along his permission for her to do whatever is necessary." Luna nodded. "It's between you, Miss Lovegood, Professor McGonagall, and Remus here is she attends. You will have to add the Weasleys to the mix for Miss Weasley's permission."

"I'd like you both there for at least part of it," Harry said. He looked at Remus.

"I won't fight it," Remus said, "and I'll talk with Minerva. You will have to talk with Arthur and Molly."

"Right," Harry said with little enthusiasm. "What else, Prof?"

"I've been in contact with a large number of scholars who are interested in soul magic," Russell said. "None claim to be experts in the making or theories of Horcruxes. There is supposed to be such an expert, but I haven't gotten any feedback from him, yet. I'm hoping to hear from intermediaries sometime soon."

Harry wasn't certain what to do next, and looked at Russell. "Carry on," he said.

Russell nodded, "Of course. Miss Lovegood? Any report?"

Luna nodded. "There was one object reported as missing from the Meadowes' house, an enchanted emerald quizzing glass, supposedly a relic from Roweena Ravenclaw."

"What's a quizzing glass?" Harry asked.

Luna looked at Hermione. "Go ahead," Hermione said.

"Before optical lenses were perfected, some natural crystals were used as types of magnifying glasses. This one, a large oblong emerald, had been enchanted to help Ravenclaw, who did healing magic, with her diagnoses."

"Dorcas used it, too," Remus said sadly.

"How big is it?" Harry asked.

Luna looked towards Harry, and only then decided how to describe it to him. "It would be about three inches long, and about three quarters of an inch wide at the thickest part, in a light-weight red-gold setting."

"Possible for a large snake to swallow," Harry suggested. Hermione, Russell, and Remus all nodded their understanding.

"Neville?" Russell asked.

"I found some more distant Ravenclaw relatives, but I don't suppose that matters, right?" Neville asked.

"Don't misplace the information," Russell said. "We might still need it."

"Right. As for Gryffindor's, it all goes back to a Henry Potter, who lived between 1407 and 1512. He married twice, because his two sons from the first marriage were killed without having children. You're descended from the one son he had from the second marriage." Everyone nodded their understanding.

"The important thing I found was that Henry had a mistress in between the two marriages."

"Why didn't he marry her?" Hermione asked.

"She was a Muggle-born witch," Neville said. "The son inherited all the land, but the daughters, including an illegitimate daughter from the mistress, inherited a wide range of personal effects. The son, John Potter, sued his half sister over the return of a knife, an heirloom from Godric Gryffindor."

"But we already knew that You-Know -- alright, Voldemort -- used Gryffindor's knife," Ron said.

"True," Neville said, "but I thought you might be interested to know that Elizabeth Potter married one Richard Pettigrew."

Everyone winced.

"Prof," Harry asked thoughtfully, "you said that a Horcrux gives off a powerful Dark Magical signature. Would anyone notice it who didn't test for it?"

Russell thought about that. "You mean, would Voldemort know that that knife contains half a soul-part?" Harry nodded. "I think he would if he ever handled it. Otherwise, probably not. Pettigrew should have figured it out by now."

"I think he has," Harry said, "but I also bet he's trying to shield it from his Master."

"Why?" Ginny asked.

"Because he's not a true believer," Harry said, "he's a little coward. If he can, he'll have some insurance to buy his life if he gets caught or tries to turn himself in."

"Is that why your reward was for him alive?" Tonks asked, "and why you got the Minister to extend clemency in sentencing?"

"Yes," Harry said. "I thought he might still have access to the knife. If it was his to begin with, he's even more likely to have it."

"How about Snape?" Ron asked.

"Part of me would like to have him dead rather than alive," Harry admitted. "Still, the Prof here has convinced me that there is a slim chance that Snape is still working against Voldemort, disgusting bastard that he is."

"And if he is?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Then we'll spare his life and just ruin it," Harry snarled. "Wormtail still killed those Muggles and murdered Cedric. Snape may or may not have murdered Dumbledore, but he certainly killed him."

Everyone nodded their agreement.