Different Paths

Chapter 13: The Elite Ten

Harry rummaged through the various potions in stocked on the shelves. There was quite a large assortment of bottles and jars on the shelf, all filled various colored liquids. Finally, he found a small jar containing an orange liquid labeled, "Paeanis Instans".

"Here we are," he muttered, "the instant healer potion." Harry remembered back to the time early in his fifth year when Madam Pomfrey had run low in her stock of the `Paenis Instans´ and Snape had his fifth years brew the instant healer potions. Harry remembered with a grimace when Snape had taken 10 points off since his potion was a tad to thick. Harry noticed that the potion in Dumbledore´s stock had the perfect texture of liquidness.

Hurriedly, Harry took the potion to the nearby bed. On it was a comatose Dumbeldore looking for all practical purposes dead. A worried looking Fawkes was perched on the headboard. Carefully, Harry poured seven drops of the potion into Dumbledore´s mouth. He placed the jar of potion on the bedside table and sat down on the floor. "Guess all I can do now is wait," he muttered.

* * *

Back at Voldemort´s lair, the last of the Elite Ten had finally gathered. One of the last one´s to approach was a plump, balding man with a rat like nose and gleaming silver hand. He approached the Dark Lord on his knees and started kissing the hem of his robes. "My Lord, I have come," he said.

Voldemort looked uncomfortable while Horace and Yasmin, each standing on the right and left sides of Voldemort´s throne, regarded the man with disgust. "Wormtail," said Voldemort, spitting the name out like it was a poison.

Horace wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Pettigrew," he leered. "Where is Fenis? You were supposed to have brought to him here."

"Oh, but he is here," said Wormtail. "He was much to large to fit into the lair so I left him outside of the city." Wormtail turned to the Dark Lord and said, "I am here to do your bidding my Lord, as one of your Elite Ten."

"Get up Wormtail," said Voldemort, looking at Wormtail with clear disdain. "You seem to have forgotten that the only reason why you´re a member of my Elite Ten is because you´re the only one of us able to control Fenis without the aid of the Imperious. There weren´t any other potential candidates for the position after Lucius´s death caused an opening in my line up of the Elite Ten. Don´t take the position for granted."

"Yes, my Lord," said Wormtail standing up, clearly taken aback.

A clear feminine laugh came from the entrance of the Throne Chamber. Yasmin visibly tensed. "Oh, has dear Peter Pettigrew been forgetting his place again? Of course, I suppose we can´t really blame him." The voice came from a beautiful young woman of about seventeen. She had waist length glossy black hair, crystal blue eyes, pale, near white skin, and deep ruby lips. She wore tight blue and black robes, and was carrying a gnarled wooden staff. She was also glancing at Voldemort in an admiring way that seemed to make Yasmin furious.

Yasmin forced a smile onto her face and strolled out to meet the woman in the middle of the chamber. "Cassandra Frost," she said, "how nice of you to join us." Her voice was clearly dripping with sarcasm.

Cassandra also forced a smile onto her face as she stood face to face with Yasmin. "Really Yasmin, I´m surprised you even cared," she said.

"Why of course I care," said Yasmin, still with a forced smile. "It would really be tragic if one of our Lord´s Elite Ten was not able to make it to the final battle."

"My, my, my, is that sarcasm I here, Yasmin? If I didn´t know better, I would swear that you were threatened by me."

"Why would I be threatened by you, Carbon Succubus? The merest kiss from you brings death to that very object of affection."

Cassandra scoffed. "My, my I seem to be a threat to a woman in her sixties. And why is that may I ask? Is it because I am young and naturally beautiful while you have to use de-aging charms to look decent?"

"Succubus!" hissed Yasmin.

"Hag!" snapped Cassandra.

"Now, now, ladies," said Voldemort standing up, "that´s enough arguing between the two of you."

Hearing Voldemort´s voice, Yasmin and Cassandra reluctantly stopped arguing though they continued glaring at each other.

* * *

The rest of the Elite Ten were gathered outside of the Chamber. Flame and Icicle were conversing in whispers in a corner of the hallway. Angelus was sitting on the floor, his legs crossed and his eyes closed. Grindelwald was leaning on the wall opposite Angelus.

"So, Angelus how have you been?" said Grindelwald. Angelus simply ignored him. Grindelwald smirked.

A second later, the doors to the throne chamber burst open and Wormtail scampered out, followed by Cassandra. Grindelwald ignored Wormtail and turned his attention to Cassandra. "Frost, is that you? Whatever would make you leave your dear Riddle´s side?"

Cassandra glared at Grindelwald. "For your information, our Lord and Horace have some plans to discuss."

"Indeed," said Grindelwald. "And yet he allows Yasmin Corellan to remain." He laughed as Cassandra and Icicle glared at him.

Grindelwald abruptly stopped laughing when he heard someone heading toward them. It was Seth, carrying a small box and humming a tune. He glanced at the other members of the Elite Ten and cheerily said, "Why hello everybody."

"Well, if it isn´t Riddle´s favorite," said Grindelwald. "Going back to your feeder, lapdog?"

Seth smiled. "Why Mr. Grindelwald, whatever could you possibly mean?"

"You and Riddle have something planned," said Grindelwald facing Seth. "You say the ultimate plan for conquest will be with the burning of London, yet Riddle doesn´t makes us swear an oath of secrecy. In fact, Riddle is letting the Elite Ten lead the attack on London rather than himself. Now that gets me thinking, why would Riddle allow one of his stooges to grab the glory of conquest when he could have all of the glory for himself?"

"Ah, that is a mystery isn´t it?" said Seth, still smiling. "So why ask me?"

Grindelwald chuckled. "I may be blind Seth, but I pride myself on being able to read people. The simple change in heartbeat, an increase in the amount of sweat trailing down your brow. Behind that emotionless façade of yours, there is something with you Seth Soran. And Riddle has something on that making you bend to his every will. You can hide it from all of the other Death Eaters but you can´t hide it from me."

"Indeed," said Seth still smiling. "So, whatever do you plan to do about it?"

"Nothing," said Grindelwald. "Riddle can boss anybody around for all I care. I´m just here to get a piece of the action, and a piece of Riddle."

Seth smiled at him and the rest of the Elite Ten and entered the throne chamber. Voldemort and Horace were discussing something while Yasmin was standing nearby looking disinterested. Seth grinned and walked up to them. "Mr. Voldemort."

Horace looked up looking a little irritated. "Seth, we´re discussing something here..." He would´ve said more if Voldemort hadn´t silenced him.

Seth smiled and said, "I picked up some muffins. Would you like some?" He opened the box displaying some muffins. However, Voldemort, Horace, and Yasmin´s attention was diverted to not to the muffins, but to the words written on the inside of the box´s lid, visible only to them:

The ship is ready. We can set sail any time you wish.

P.S. Mr. Gindelwald appears to have figured something out but I´m sure things will be fine.

Voldemort grinned and Horace looked delighted. "Excellent," he said.

Minutes later, Voldemort gathered his entire force into the magically expanded Throne Chamber. Hundreds of Death Eaters were crowded into the rooms, their faces hidden by their masks and black robes. Flanking them alongside the walls were Dementors, standing tall and menacing. In front of the entire group were nine witches and wizards dressed in their own attire, the Elite Ten. They were standing in front of Voldemort seated on his throne. Standing right next to the Dark Lord´s throne was Yasmin.

Voldemort stood up and addressed the crowd. "Death Eaters! Dementors! My family my children! Our hour of victory is at hand."

The throne room was filled with the cheers of the Death Eaters. Voldemort looked pleased at the response. The responses of the Elite Ten were mixed: Seth was nodding approvingly, while Grindelwald was snickering. Angelus looked impassive, Wormtail was cheering along with the rest of the Death Eaters. Icicle was starring at Voldemort admiringly while Flame was shaking her head at her. Cassandra was also looking admiringly at Voldemort while at the same time glaring at Yasmin, who glared right back. Horace looked proud to be there.

Voldemort continued speaking, "Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances, Chucky the Wand Hunter couldn´t join us in our hour of victory. However, the rest of the Elite Ten is gathered here to lead you to glory: Seth the Naturale, Grindelwald the Blind Spell, Angelus the Destroyer, Cassandra the Death Kiss, Icicle the Freezer, Flame the Burner, Wormtail the Titan Controller, Fenis the Titan Controlled, and Horace the Informer. Follow them to your destiny! For this night, the night before the full moon, London shall burn and the Ministry shall fall! Our order starts this night and history shall forever remember this day as the start of the new order! Our Order! To Victory!"

The Death Eaters started cheering, their chants of "Victory! Victory!" sounding throughout the chamber. Amongst the cheering and the chanting, the Dark Lord´s laughter sounded clearly.

* * *

Harry woke up suddenly, realizing that he had dosed off. He yawned and stretched before looking around.

"Ah, I see you´re up. You´ve been asleep for quite a while now!" Harry looked up with a start. There, standing in the doorway of the cottage, his blue eyes twinkling was Albus Dumbledore looking healthy and very much alive.

Harry was instantly filled with a myriad of emotions but the ones that came out most of all were relief and extreme joy. "Professor!" he cried, leaping to his feet and dashing over to the former headmaster intending to embrace him. Unfortunately in his haste, Harry tripped over his own feet and went careening into the wall next to the doorway.

"Ah, I see you are doing well," said Dumbledore. "Of course, over-enthusiasm could be a little painful at times."

"You could say that again," said Harry, massaging a lump on his head. He smiled at his mentor and said, "It looks like the Instant Healer potion worked."

"You mean the liquid in this bottle?" said Dumbledore picking up the bottle on his bedside table labeled "Paeanis Instans". "Why, I´m afraid Harry, that this is nothing more than pumpkin juice."

Harry sat up straight, his eyes wide. "What?"

"Here, try it for yourself." Dumbledore tossed the bottle to Harry. Harry sipped a little bit of the liquid and found that it was indeed pumpkin juice.

"But, how...how come you´re..."

"Alive?" said Dumbledore. "At first I myself was a little confused. With my age and considering the amount of curse damage I have accumulated over those years the fallout resulting from a confrontation between the killing curse and the Stellar Patronus should´ve killed me. However, as you can see I am very much alive. While you were asleep I took it upon myself to investigate the matter. I believe I have found the reason in this." Dumbledore pulled out a wand and tossed it to Harry. Harry examined it and realized it was his own eleven-inch holly rod.

"My wand?" asked Harry.

"Yes Harry, "replied Dumbledore. He pulled out his own wand and said, "Prior Incantato." Harry, expecting to see the smoky form of the lion of the Stellar Patronus, was surprised when a grayish white beam of light emerged from his wand. Dumbledore whispered "Deletrius," and the light disappeared.

Harry was confused. "That was..."

"A healing charm," said Dumbledore. "Not necessarily as precise as the ones Madame Pomfrey uses but a healing charm nonetheless. You clearly fired it simultaneously with the Stellar Patronus, unconsciously I assume. You seemed to have a strong concern for my health which caused you to unconsciously cast the healing charm at the same time you cast the Stellar Patronus."

"But, I didn´t know you would´ve, could´ve died."

"You didn´t," said Dumbledore. "But the owner of the feather compromising the core of your wand did." As if on cue, Fawkes flew into the cottage and perched on Dumbledore´s shoulder.

"Fawkes?"

"Yes, Fawkes," said Dumbledore. "Whenever a phoenix donates his or her feather to a wand, he or she creates a mental bond of sorts with the witch or wizard who owns that wand. I would assume that Voldemort has broken the bond he shares with Fawkes years ago but your bond is still there. Fawkes must have used that bond to plant the fact that I would be killed in the test unless you used a healing charm simultaneously with the Stellar Patronus."

Dumbledore walked over to one of the windows and pulled back the curtain, letting the sun light stream into the room. Harry squinted his eyes. "None of that matters now," said Dumbledore. "All you need to think about now is going back to London. You will be facing Voldemort soon. This time, when you face him you will be armed with the Dark Magic Cleanser and the will to live. I am absolutely positive that you will be victorious. Besides," Dumbledore turned to Harry and grinned, "how could you not win after receiving my personal training?"

Harry laughed. Finally, he stood up and pulled his mentor into a quick hug. "Thank you. Thank you for everything...Albus."

"Do not mention it," replied Dumbledore. "Now it is time for you to go back. I am sure there are people waiting for you, those who love you and I´m sure you love in return, especially a certain young lady." Harry blushed.

Harry stepped out of the cottage and started to head away. However, he hadn´t gone very far when he turned back to Dumbledore. "Um, Professor. Could you please do me a favor?"

"And what may that be?" asked Dumbeldroe, his eyes twinkling once again.

"I was wondering, if the Death Eaters were to attack Hermione and Ron while I was away fighting Voldemort, if you could..."

"You have my word Harry," said Dumbledore. "I will not let any harm come to your friends while you´re away."

"Thank you," said Harry. "And Good Bye."

* * *

Back at the Ministry of Magic Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Severus Snape was studying a map of Great Britain sprawled out over his desk. At first glance it looked like a normal map. However, this particular map was in fact a magical map aurors used to detect Dark Magic in the country. While there were varying degrees of black colors on the map indicating Dark Magic in those areas, the strongest concentrations were in London, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Plymouth. Suddenly, Alastair "Mad-Eye" Moody burst into the room.

"Snape ol´ boy! You´re not going to believe who´s just arrived," he growled. Before Snape could say anything, Harry Potter strolled into the room.

"Oh look who´s arrived, the boy wonder," said Snape a little icily. "Where have you been?"

"Around," said Harry a little curtly.

Snape nodded dejectedly. "Hmm, I see," he said. "So have you taken heed of what I told you in Graypine? Are you willing to let go of your precious ethics?"

Harry grinned and said, "Perhaps." Snape snorted.

"He deserves to be updated on the situation," said Moody. "Tell him everything that Death Eater told you."

"Fine," grumbled Snape. Patiently he explained to Harry everything Chucky had told him: about Voldemort´s ultimate plan for absolute power where he was going to unleash his forces upon London and burn the city to the ground on the night before the full moon.

"That´s tonight!" exclaimed Harry.

"There are aurors and hit wizards in position all over the city," said Snape. "We´ve managed to evacuate much of the wizarding population of London but unfortunately, the muggles are still present."

"I´m sending an owl to the Order of the Phoenix," said Harry. "According to Hagrid, they´ve gathered at the Leaky Cauldron, they´ll be a lot of help in preventing London´s burning." He leapt to his feet and ran to the door, only to collide into someone standing in the doorway and fall to his feet.

"Hold it right there young man. You´re not going anywhere until you have a quick chat with me," said a familiar voice.

"Sirius?" exclaimed Harry looking up at his godfather.

"Right!" said Sirius. He hauled Harry to his feet and started shaking him. "You have a lot of nerve, Harry Potter, for just taking off like that! Do you have any idea how worried I was? Do you have any idea how worried Hermione was?"

"Yes," said Harry. "I´ve already seen her."

"Oh," said Sirius. "Well, in that case," he grinned and hugged Harry hard.

"Sirius, air," gasped Harry. Sirius let Harry go and grinned sheepishly.

"I´ll owl the order," said Moody. "You three should discuss the Dark Lord´s plans: Snape here has some problems with what that Death eater told us. And don´t forget, CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Moody left the room.

"Problems?" said Sirius, an eyebrow raised.

"Didn´t you think Sullivan talked too easily? The Dark Lord didn´t make him take an oath of silence, doesn´t that strike you as odd? It´s almost as if the Dark Lord wanted his plans gift-wrapped to the rest of the world so that we´ll all be prepared for his arrival. Everything single auror, hit wizard, and even the Order is prepared for a battle, and the burning of London isn´t going to go easily."

"I see what you´re getting at," said Harry. "It´s too easy."

Sirius started thinking. "OK, that Death Eater said that this plan of Voldemort´s would place him in ultimate power right? I´m assuming that would mean an end to all opposition to him as well. Now lets think this through. The destruction of London would essentially mean that Voldemort takes political control in Britain but it certainly wouldn´t mean the end of opposition to him."

"Because the symbol of freedom and opposition to Voldemort, Hogwarts, will still be standing," said Harry catching on, "But if Hogwarts were to fall at the same time as London, then there will be no one left to contend to Voldemort´s rule."

"The attack on London is a decoy!" shouted Snape, slamming his fist on the table. "While every single auror, hit wizard, and Order wizard battles the Dark Forces in London, the Dark Lord himself strikes at a vulnerable Hogwarts, thus assuring his control." Snape started pacing. "Even without Dumbledore, Hogwarts is generally the safest place in all Europe. However, with every single force we have pulled out for a battle in London, Hogwarts will be completely defenseless. Voldemort must´ve been planning this ever since the Slytherin Revolts got rid of Dumbledore."

"Can´t we warn the school?" said Harry.

"There´s no time," said Snape. "We need to find out where the Dark Lord is planning to strike Hogwarts from." Snape spread out the map in front of Harry and Sirius. "Aside from London there are seven other areas with Dark Magic concentrations that warrant the Dark Lord´s presence: Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Plymouth."

"Edinburgh and Glasgow are too close to Hogwarts. He could be detected too easily if he attacks from those sites," said Sirius.

"That still leaves five other sites," said Harry.

Snape appeared to be in deep thought. "If the Dark Lord is going to send out the bulk of his forces to London, he´s still going to need something powerful to take out Hogwarts."

"Like a secret weapon?" said Sirius. "Even with glamours and decoy charms it would be impossible to hide something powerful enough to take out Hogwarts from the Ministry."

"Unless he´s hiding it out on open sea," muttered Snape. Sirius glanced at Harry and nodded.

"OK, that means Manchester and Birmingham are out," said Harry. "Leaving Bristol, Liverpool, and Plymouth."

"It´s Liverpool," said Snape. Harry and Sirius looked up.

"Why do you say that?" said Harry. "Don´t tell me you´re just making this up from some kind of Beatles trivia."

"Beetles? What would insects have to do with this?" snapped Snape.

"Never mind, muggle thing," said Harry with a wave of his hand, "although I did hear an interesting rumor once that John Lennon could´ve very well been a wizard. But why Liverpool though?"

"I was wondering why the Dark Lord scheduled his attack for the night before the Full Moon," said Snape. "Fudge was assassinated on the night of the previous full moon, and yet the Dark Lord waited a full lunar month before making his move. Through my experience with the Dark Lord himself, I´ve learned that he likes striking on the night of the full moon since that night is the night when magical powers are amplified." Snape gave Harry a piercing look. "Care to enlighten us how you and Ronald Weasley journeyed to school at the beginning of your second year?"

Harry blushed and said, "We flew a Ford Anglica to Hogwarts."

"You what?" Sirius had a look that was clearly a combination of awe, shock, and disapproval.

Harry brushed the topic away angrily. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Think Potter," said Snape. "Hogwarts is unplottable and yet you, Potter, have demonstrated years ago that the school can be approached from the air. That would mean that to make an attack on Hogwarts, the Dark Lord would also have to attack from the air."

"And Bristol and Plymouth are a bit too far away for an aerial strike against Hogwarts on the night of the full moon," said Sirius. "It´s so simple when you think about it."

"Well that´s enough thinking," said Harry. "Come on, we´re going to Liverpool."

To be continued...