Hogwarts OverExposed - Salazar's Return

HOGWARTS OVEREXPOSED - SALAZAR'S RETURN

As Damien added Emily’s blood, the Great One mumbled an incantation and then stepped away from the cauldron. At first, it seemed like nothing was going to happen. The cauldron just seemed to be simmering, continuing to send off blinding sparks.

Then, without warning, the sparks were extinguished. The cauldron stopped bubbling; steam billowed thickly from it, filling the room and obscuring the view. No one was moving; even Timmy was quiet. It seemed like everyone was holding his or her breath waiting, just waiting. Then…

“WHO DARES TO AWAKEN ME FROM THE SLEEP OF DEATH!”

Chapter Nine

Death Times Two

The voice didn’t seem to come from any particular direction, but instead had the sensation that it was emanating from everywhere in the dungeon at once. Then, as everyone watched tensely, the thick steam that filled the room slowly drew together and began to take form; a human form, but not really human, more ghost-like.

“I asked, who dared to wake me?” bellowed the ghostly representation of Salazar Slytherin.

“I did, Greatest of the Hogwarts Four,” Emma Wrong answered anxiously.

“And who are you, woman, to wake me, the supreme wizard of all time, from death?” Slytherin roared.

“I am Emma Wrong, Minister of Magic,” she answered, her voice quaking, “and future monarch of the magical world. My loyal followers refer to me as the Great One.”

“THE GREAT ONE!” Slytherin screamed. “You have the audacity to refer to yourself as such?”

Slytherin glanced around the dungeon; first observing Wrong’s cowering followers and then the variety of torture apparatus. His eyes finally came to rest on Jamie and the young innocents chained to the wall.

“What year is it?” he questioned. “Has the world become so depraved that it is now common practice to torture naked, defenseless children?”

“It is the year two thousand and five,” Emma responded. “These are not just any children, but rather the innocents whose blood was needed to make your return happen as prophesied.”

“Prophecy? Slytherin questioned. “What prophecy?”

Damien hurriedly produced a copy of the foretelling which he handed to The Great One. Emma in turn held the document out toward Slytherin, not even sure if this ghostly being had the ability to grasp objects.

A chill filtered through Wrong’s body as Slytherin reached out and removed the rolled parchment from her hand. The room was silent as he scrutinized the document.

"THE STARS PROCLAIM THE RETURN OF THE GREATEST DARK LORD

FROM THE BLOOD OF INNOCENTS FOUR,
THE GREAT LORD SLYTHERIN'S SPIRIT SHALL POUR.
TWO OF HIS OWN, SEER AND HEIR,
TWO OF HIS ENEMIES, HEALER AND HEIR,
TWO DROPS OF EACH, NOT ANY MORE,

WITH THEIR DEATH BY HIS HAND,
TO HIS BODY HE WILL BE RETURNED,
TO WALK THE EARTH A MORTAL MAN,
BUT WHEN SLYTHERIN AND EVIL ARE JOINED,
NOT EVEN THE COVENANT WILL BRING THE RESULT DOWN.

THE DARKEST OF TIMES THEIR JOINING WILL BRING,
SORROW AND PAIN WILL OFT BE THE FAME.
MANY WILL DIE DREADING THE NAME,
SALAZAR SLYTHERIN.

THE WORLD WILL HAVE BUT ONE HOPE
AND THAT IS TWO CUBED TO EIGHT
WITH HEALTH AND SIGHT AND SPIRIT BRIGHT,
THE HEART AND SOUL AND MIND WILL ADD THEIR WEIGHT

BUT ONLY WHEN THE FLAMING DAUGHTER
AND MOONCHILD JOIN THE FRAY
CAN THE WORLD DEFEAT EVIL
AND RETURN SLYTHERIN TO HIS GRAVE"

Slytherin seemed to read and reread the Prophecy several times before he again studied his surroundings, his eyes once more coming to rest on the innocents. “Which of you is my heir?” he queried.

His question was answered by silence.

“Which is my heir!?” he shouted irritably, staring at Emma Wrong.

“The toddler,” she responded, gesturing in Timmy’s direction.

“How dare you treat my heir in such a debasing way!?” Slytherin hollered. “Release the child from those confinements at once.”

“But he and the others must be killed by you in order for you to be returned to your body,” Emma protested.

“I gave an order,” Slytherin roared. “I expect my instructions to be carried out immediately. Release that child!”

“Perhaps you forgot who is in charge here,” Emma Wrong suggested. “I am the Great One. It is I who has awakened you from the dead. You will be following my orders and helping me to achieve the greatness I so richly deserve.”

“You are a whimpering, weak, foolish bitch!” Slytherin roared. “I follow no one’s orders, but I will, with pleasure, give you what you richly deserve.”

Slytherin raised his right arm and pointed his hand at The Great One. Without even saying the words, a blast of green light blazed from his finger tips and illuminated the entire room. When the light diminished, Emma Wrong was lying on the cold stone floor of the dungeon. She was dead.

As Jamie, Emily and Caitlin observed the scene horror-struck, Wrong’s underlings fell to their knees.

Damien was the first to break the silence. “If it pleases you, Lord Slytherin, I will release your heir from his bindings.”

“That would please me,” Slytherin said, nodding his head.

Jamie watched as Damien approached Timmy, but then her eyes were drawn back to the body of Emma Wrong. Wrong was an evil woman; she was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people and yet somehow it just didn’t seem right that anyone’s life should end so abruptly, so coldly with no forewarning. A few minutes ago she was the Minister of Magic, respected by the Wizarding World. In her alter ego she was The Great One, feared and loathed. Now with just the wave of a hand, she was nothing but a dead, soulless shell.

As soon as he was released, Timmy ran to Jamie. She dropped to her knees and took him in her arm and held him tightly as she balanced Ben in her other arm.

Slytherin gave what almost appeared to be a smile. “Is the baby, the heir of Gryffindor?” he questioned.

Jamie nodded her head apprehensively.

“They shall be returned to their parents,” Slytherin said. “Gryffindor was a noble man. Although we died as enemies, he was once my friend. His lineage deserves to live on.”

“Begging your pardon, my Lord,” Hooch interrupted. “She,” Hooch indicated Wrong’s body, “told us that the innocents must all die by your hand for you to return to human form.”

“She was a fool,” Slytherin responded. “She could not even properly interpret a Prophecy.

WITH THEIR DEATH BY HIS HAND,
TO HIS BODY HE WILL BE RETURNED,
TO WALK THE EARTH A MORTAL MAN

“Why would I, the great Lord Slytherin, after being returned from a sleep of over a thousand years, want to walk the earth as a mere mortal man when the Prophecy gives me the occasion to be so much more? I can be immortal and invincible if joined with evil."

“But you just killed her,” Damien said in a meek voice.

“She was not the personification of evil,” Slytherin said with the hint of a laugh. “She was but a warped and frustrated old hag.” He looked knowingly at Damien. “You, my servant, are the embodiment of pure evil. When you and I are joined, no one will be able to conquer us.”

Damien stared uneasily at the ghostlike figure of Salazar Slytherin. What exactly did he mean by joined? Were they to be some sort of partners in crime, or did he intend to live as a parasite off his body as Voldemort had done with Professor Quirrell?

“Excuse me, your ghostliness,” Emily said. “You said my brother and Timmy would be set free. What about my sisters and I?”

Salazar did not answer, nor did he seem angry at being referred to as his ghostliness. Instead he walked, more floated, over to Emily and placed his hand on her forehead. Emily experienced a pain similar to the brain freeze one gets when eating ice cream too fast.

“You are the Seer,” he said in what gave the impression of being a sad tone. “You’re also in Slytherin house.”

Emily nodded her head.

Then he approached Caitlin and likewise placed his ghostlike hand on her head. “The Healer,” he said. “Not just a healer, but an extremely powerful one, and with telepathic powers no less.” He placed his hand on his chin and shook his head sadly before moving on to Jamie.

When he reached her, he paused slightly to glance at Timmy and Ben, and then found himself staring thoughtfully at Jamie. “Forgive me,” he said placing his hand on her forehead. “It has been an extremely long time since I have seen a nude female and you are an extraordinarily beautiful young woman.”

“You’re the Spirit Bright,” he said disappointedly, removing his hand from Jamie’s head and walking away from the girls.

“You are all strong, brilliant, talented witches,” Slytherin declared. “I would prefer to allow you to continue to live and serve me, but unfortunately you are all mentioned as members of the conspiracy that could ultimately cause my defeat.

WITH HEALTH AND SIGHT AND SPIRIT BRIGHT

“Therefore, I regret that you must die, but your deaths will not come at my hands,” he said looking at Madame Hooch. “Will you please clean up here?”

Hooch’s eyes lit up as if Christmas had come early. “It will be my pleasure, Great Master.”

“Now it is time we were joined,” Slytherin’s sprit said as he considered an extremely tense Damien. “I would much prefer my own body, but it is critical that the Prophecy be followed unerringly.”

“Come and stand by me,” he ordered the trembling Damien. “It will be quick and will not hurt. Your spirit and memories will not be destroyed, but rather will be overwhelmed by mine. Through you, I will learn of this new world I have been plunged into. Together your body and my mind will eventually rule this world.”

Damien moved to within touching distance of Slytherin and then waited fearfully for further directions.

“Exhale completely,” Slytherin instructed. “Make every effort to remove all the air from your lungs. Once your lungs are empty, breathe in deeply, through your mouth, trying to admit as much fresh air as possible.”

Crabbe and Goyle watched with foreboding; neither of the bulky followers had the mettle to move or speak. Damien exhaled totally as he had been instructed. It was when he inhaled that it came to pass. The vapor like form of Salazar Slytherin first tapered and then was sucked into Damien’s body as if it were a beverage being drunk through a straw. The final effect was, to a certain extent, the opposite of the Dementor’s kiss. Instead of Damien’s soul being sucked from his body, Slytherin’s spirit was added. What was Damien continued to exist, but was overwhelmed by the spirit of Salazar Slytherin.

For a short time, there was complete silence, as if Slytherin’s spirit was settling in and becoming adjusted to his new accommodations. Then he spoke, but in his own deep penetrating voice, which was nothing like that of the nerdish Damien. “This body is greatly inferior to my own,” Slytherin muttered disgustedly, “but the mind is beautiful, full of such evil thoughts. The Prophecy was correct. Our union will be unbreakable and our power unmatched.”

Something, however, seemed to be confusing Slytherin as he absorbed all of Damien’s thoughts and memories. “What is a Hermione?” he finally asked to anyone in general. “This mind seems obsessed with the subject.”

“She was once a captive here,” Hooch explained. “I believe Damien became rather infatuated with her.”

“Apparently so,” Slytherin said. “I must meet this woman some day, but for now there are more important things to do. Until I establish a loyal following, it is best my return remain a secret. You two,” he indicated Crabbe and Goyle “shall accompany me to my secret chamber. I want you to tell me all you know about the individuals that supported this ‘He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’ person. These Death Eaters sound like people who would show me allegiance.”

Salazar moved to the shelf containing many of Damien’s torture devices. He removed the thumbscrews and held them in his hand as he muttered, “Portus.” The device glowed blue and seemed to flutter momentarily in Salazar’s hand, then became still. He flung the gadget to Hooch.

“That is a Portkey. It will bring you, but only you, to my side when you have finished here. Be quick about disposing of the young witches, I sense that a rescue effort is nearing.”

“What about the boys?” Hooch asked.

“Do not hurt them. They can cause me no harm,” he declared. “Leave them for their parents to find, they will be here soon.” With a wave of his arm, Slytherin along with Crabbe and Goyle disappeared.

* * * * * *

Without warning, Hermione came to an abrupt stop and just hung motionless in the air.

“What is it?” Harry asked, as he and the others turned back to join her.

At first Hermione just held her hand up, her eyes closed in concentration. Then finally she opened her eyes and spoke. “I’ve made contact with Caitlin, but our link is very weak. They must still be a good distance away.”

“Are they all okay?” Harry asked. “Does she have any idea where they are?”

“She doesn’t have any idea,” Hermione answered urgently. “They think it must be some sort of castle or manor house because they’re being held in a large dungeon. The boys are to be spared, but Hooch has just been given orders to kill the girls and she’s been told to be quick about it.”

“Then we haven’t a minute to lose,” Harry said scanning the horizon desperately. “Draco, how well do you know this area? Are there any castles or large manors nearby?”

“Not here, but as we near the coast there are quite a few,” Draco offered.

“Everyone! Top speed toward the coast,” Harry ordered. “Hermione, keep me advised as to whether your link gets stronger or weakens. We can’t afford to lose contact with Caitlin.”

* * * * * *

Caitlin and Emily watched nervously as Hooch hustled about the dungeon making preparations. Neither of the girls had ever seen the witch look so happy, yet so frightening at the same time.

Jamie had just finished nursing Ben and was now giving nourishment to Timmy, their captors having not fed any of them since breakfast. Because of Timmy, Jamie didn’t speak, but both Emily and Caitlin could read the expression on her face.

“Jamie doesn’t think they’ll get here in time,” Emily said despondently. “Neither do I.”

“We can’t give up hope,” Caitlin said encouragingly. But the words were barely out of her mouth when Hooch approached her.

“The Great Lord Slytherin told me to be swift, but it is difficult to hurriedly extricate revenge that I have waited so long to realize. My only regret is that I won’t be present to actually witness the demise of two of you.

“My lovely Caitlin,” Hooch said nastily. “I imagine you expect me to torture you unmercifully. Admittedly, it would give me great pleasure to turn you into a human shish kebab, but it will give me even more pleasure to know that you have died at the hands of your rescuers.”

“Do you see that crossbow?” Hooch asked sadistically. “It is aimed directly for your heart and the arrow it holds has been soaked in a deadly poison. Can you imagine Hermione’s grief when the opening of the dungeon door sets it off? I can only hope that she will be the one to actually open the door.”

“But that is only the beginning,” Hooch cackled. “In your hand you will be holding the rope that will suspend Jamie Zacherley above the Pyramid of Death. When the arrow pierces your heart, your hand will go limp and Miss Zacherley will become four nicely separated pieces.”

“What about me?” Emily inquired, not actually knowing what possessed her to ask such a question.

“You, my dear, are what they refer to as a warm up act,” Hooch laughed. “That is why I haven’t secured your sister in her harness yet, nor suspended her above the pyramid. I want both her and Caitlin to have a good view as I first mutilate and then kill you. Their deaths will come so fast that they won’t get to suffer. Through you they can experience how brutal and horrible death can be.”

“I was hoping you didn’t intend to leave me out of all the fun,” Emily said bravely. Her words sounded plucky, but Emily was scared to death.

“You sound so spirited,” Hooch bellowed as she reached for the breast ripper. “We’ll see how brave you sound after I’ve reduced your tits to a proper size. And that’s only for openers. After that we’ll see how long you can survive the pear.”

“Leave her alone,” Jamie pleaded, lying Timmy on the cold floor next to Ben. “She hasn’t done anything to harm you. If you must torture someone, torture me.”

“You don’t understand at all, do you?” Hooch cried. “You’re just like Granger. Torturing you wouldn’t have the desired affects. It hurts you more to have someone you love harmed than it does to be tortured yourself. Watch, you’ll soon understand what I mean.”

Emily closed her eyes as Hooch approached. She had never been so frightened or felt so helpless in her entire life.

Caitlin’s brain felt like it was about to explode. Her head ached with agony. Normally when she used her healing or telepathic powers, she drifted into trance. Today she had struggled to maintain a contact with Hermione and at the same time remain focused on what was happening around her. She felt that if she tried to mentally stop Hooch from hurting Emily she would cause some sort of overload. What if she not only failed, but also passed out in the process? Then not only would Emily be killed, but she would lose contact with the rescuers. She looked desperately toward Jamie.

* * * * * *

“Harry, stop! The connection was strongest as we flew over that manor; it seems to be fading slightly now,” Hermione advised.

“Are you sure?” Harry asked in disbelief. “They can’t be there. That manor belongs to Emma Wrong, the Minister of Magic.”

“All I know is that I felt the strongest link as we flew over that manor,” Hermione said emphatically. “The children are down there.”

“Wands at the ready,” Harry shouted, as he turned and headed for a landing.

“Potter, are you bloody crazy?” Draco called out. “Do you know who owns that manor?”

“I don’t give a damn who owns it; that’s where they’re being held prisoner.”

* * * * * *

“Stop, don’t you touch her!” Jamie screamed.

But when Hooch turned to sneer at Jamie, instead of a naked girl, she found herself facing a beautiful pure white unicorn. Caitlin had witnessed the almost instant transformation. Jamie was not only now in her Animagus form, but she was also free, the aged leather on her ankle bindings having burst due to pressure of the transformation.

Hooch dropped the breast ripper and reached for her wand as the unicorn, Jamie, lowered its head to charge.

“Avada Keda…” Hooch screamed. But before she could complete the curse, the unicorn’s horn had entered her chest and was protruding out of her back.

* * * * * *

“Please don’t blast off the door,” Severus begged. “Remember who lives here.”

“It better ruddy well be unlocked then!” Ron hollered, “I’ve no intention of knocking and waiting for the bloody house elf to answer.”

Fortunately the door was unlocked and Ron held it open, allowing Harry and Hermione to rush inside first, but as soon as Hermione crossed the threshold, she staggered.

“Are you all right?” Harry asked concernedly. “Nothing has gone amiss has it?”

“No, but this is definitely the place,” Hermione panted, trying to catch her composure. “I’ve been here before. This is where I spent my missing week. It’s all coming back. Follow me! I know the way to the dungeon.”

Hermione ran down the hall. The last time she had done so, she was naked and running the opposite direction in order to save her life. “Down those steps and at the end of the corridor,” she shouted to Ron and Draco, who had overtaken her and Harry.

Ron practically flew down the stairs with Draco right behind them. They were almost at the solid dungeon door before Harry and Hermione reached the bottom of the stairs.

Ron reached out to open the door. “No! Don’t open it!” Hermione screamed, feeling as if a part of her were about to die, as Ron’s hand touched the knob and started to turn it.

In his eagerness to get to the children, Ron hadn’t heard her, but fortunately Draco had. He grasped Ron’s outstretched hand firmly and prevented him from opening the door. “It’s booby trapped,” he said to Ron, only releasing his grip when Ron acknowledged that he understood.

“Thank God,” Hermione sighed as she reached the door. “If we open that door, Caitlin is dead. I have to Apparate in.”

“You mean we,” Harry said firmly.

“You don’t know the layout of the dungeon, I do,” she said even more firmly. “I have to go alone. I’ll be okay. Trust me.”

Hermione didn’t wait for an answer; instead, with a soft pop, she was gone.

Had Hooch or any other dark followers been alive in the dungeon, Harry would now be planning a funeral for his beloved wife. Hermione’s only concern upon Apparating was finding the crossbow and transfiguring its deadly arrow to something harmless.

Once Hermione moved the crossbow so that it no longer pointed at anyone, she gave the all clear for the others to open the door. As they entered, the crossbow was triggered and it’s arrow, now made out of feathers, floated harmlessly to the floor.

* * * * * *

“Do you know what we haven’t done since the children disappeared?” Harry asked as he snuggled close to Hermione later that evening.

“Yes, and I’ve missed you. I’m available tonight if you’re interested,” Hermione answered lovingly.

“Can you wait till I go check my engagement calendar?”

“So help me, Harry Potter if you even think of getting out of this bed, I’ll hex you like you’ve never been hexed before,” Hermione warned.

“Harry, do you love me?” Hermione asked concernedly.

“I’ve often been told that there is no such thing as a dumb question. That’s a lot of rubbish because you just asked the dumbest question in the world,” Harry answered. “I couldn’t love you more if I tried. You’re my world, my everything.”

“No matter what I’ve done in the past?” Hermione asked, feeling extremely guilty.

“Hermione, why are you trembling?” Harry asked, holding her tightly in his arms.

“Harry, when I was being held in that dungeon.” She hesitated. “I did something awful, but I had no choice.” Tears started to moisten her eyes. “I’d been kept chained in that infernal contraption they call a cage. I had to get out if I wanted to have any chance of escaping, but the only way Damien would let me out was if I agreed to have sex with him.”

“Mione, it doesn’t matter.” Harry said, and then hesitated. “Yes it does, it matters a great deal. You were forced to do something against your will. Even if you agreed, it was because you were forced to; that’s no different than rape. When I said it didn’t matter, I only meant that it doesn’t affect the way I feel about you.”

“Do you want to hear exactly what happened?” Hermione asked, her brown eyes glistening.

“Ah, I don’t know if… Hermione, won’t it upset you to relive the experience? It’s not necessary. You don’t have to put yourself through the agony again.”

“I don’t quite know why, but I think I’ll feel better if you let me tell you what happened,” she said timorously.

Harry nodded his head.

“During my confinement, I never got to see The Great One. Damien was my jailer and those two pigs, Crabbe and Goyle, assisted him.

Of all the humiliation she had borne throughout her capture, this was the worst. Damien had unlocked her from the Cage, but she had been shackled, both legs and arms, and Crabbe and Goyle had led her to another part of the dungeon. They had blindfolded her as well, dragging her body over the stone floor. As soon as the support of her metal prison was gone, her legs had fallen out from under her.

When the blindfold was removed, she saw that they had led her to another stone room, not all that different from the one she had occupied previously. The furnishings, however, were much different. Rather than various torture devices, there was a large bed, covered in soft-looking blankets. In one corner, there was a shower, partitioned off by a wall and curtain. They pulled her towards this and stood her up. She leaned against the wall as they scrubbed her down. The water was too hot and their hands were too rough. When they had finished, they pulled her out of the shower and she once more fell to the floor, her legs still unable to support her.

Crabbe pushed her down on the bed, securing more chains around her. They left quickly, closing the door behind them.

Her mind was racing, a plan formed completely. She felt the hot tears streaming down her face as her body throbbed. The blood was circulating more freely now that she was no longer in the Cage and the pins-and-needles feeling that she had felt countless times before now covered her entire body, and was countless times worse than she had ever experienced. She heard the door open and close again as the voice of her captor washed over her.

“Hermione, did Crabbe and Goyle do a thorough job of washing you?”

"A little too complete. Was it necessary to allow them to fondle me? And are you going to unchain me to perform the first test?" Her voice was monotone and controlled.

“Until you complete both tasks you are still a prisoner and will be treated as such. Be thankful that you are not being required to service all the followers. Are you ready?”

“Yes!” Hermione said as if sincerely meaning it.

“Crabbe and Goyle will remain on the other side of this door. If you try to escape, I will give them the orders to begin removing your limbs.”

“Damien, the only thing I’m going to do is make you feel like you have never felt before.”

Damien smiled wickedly, “I like the sound of that.”

Hermione smiled, “If you like the sound wait until you experience the actual feeling.”

Damien caressed Hermione’s naked body with his eyes. He was becoming aroused just by the anticipation of her touch. He took the keys to her shackles out of his pocket.

“Wait,” said Hermione. “Before you unlock me, take off your clothes. I want nothing between us once I am released.”

Damien couldn’t believe his good fortune. The Great One was allowing him to have this beautiful individual and she actually seemed eager to be with him. Damien hurriedly stripped and then undid the metal straps that went around Hermione’s ankles.

Hermione sighed.

Those straps were tight and had been cutting into her ankles. The moisture from the shower had doubled her pain. He hoisted her to her feet and undid the chains that held her wrists to her waist. He released her somewhat and her knees buckled again. She used this to her advantage and allowed herself to slide down, clinging to Damien's body.

She knelt in front of him, trailing her right hand over him before grasping him. "I'd prefer two hands for this." His only answer was a moan as she moved her mouth closer to him. Mentally, she was gagging, but a wave of strength washed over her.

Damien instantaneously found his feeling of ecstasy turned to one of unspeakable pain. He wanted to strangle the girl kneeling before him, but he needed his hands to pry her mouth and hand off of him. Hermione cringed as she felt warm blood touch her lips, but maintained her hold until Damien managed to send a knee into her chest knocking her on her back. Although still in agonizing pain, Damien somehow managed to pull Hermione to her feet and then slam her so hard in the jaw that she went sliding across the floor hitting her head on the table leg. Hermione lay motionless.

Hermione pretended to be unconscious, as she struggled to hold back the tears. She could already feel her face beginning to swell. Damien had dislocated her jaw. “You damn bitch. Play me for a fool will you? You’ll pray to be dead, but I’ll keep you alive just so I can make you suffer.” Hermione’s body lay frozen as Damien made his way to the door leaving his clothes behind.

Crabbe and Doyle jumped from their chairs as the door slammed behind Damien. “Come here, you two morons. Go in there and saw off the bitch’s right leg. Do a charm to stop the blood loss and put her back in the Cage. I’ll be back later to personally rip her breasts to shreds.”

They watched as his skinny backside turned the corner. Crabbe looked up at Goyle and said. “After what she did to him, I almost feel bad that we have to cut her apart.”

“Yeah!” Goyle agreed. “But if we don’t, we’ll be joining her.”

Goyle gradually pushed opened the door for them to enter. He had barely crossed the threshold of the room when he promptly halted causing Crabbe to nearly collide with him. He surveyed the bed and then the floor. There was no sign of Hermione’s nude body. “Where the hell is she!?” he shouted.

The words had barely escaped his lips when the great gray timber wolf appeared from behind the door. The wolf’s teeth were bared as its growl rumbled through the air. Goyle had no time to reach for his wand before the wolf leapt, knocking him to the floor and trapping Crabbe beneath him. The wolf limped a few steps before transfiguring back to a naked woman who sped down the corridor and up the steps to what appeared to be the main floor of an ornately appointed manor.

Hermione saw at the far end of the hall what seemed to be the main foyer. She heard Crabbe and Goyle lumbering up the steps. She had to make it to the door before they reached the top of the steps. If they hit her with any spell that prevented her getaway, she was as good as dead. She dashed toward the door and reached for the handle. It was mercifully unlocked. She threw the door open and ran outside.

Immediately she once again felt as though a hook just behind her navel had suddenly jerked her irresistibly forward. Her feet left the ground and she went speeding forward in a howl of wind and swirling color. Suddenly she was lying face down in a snowdrift at the side of the road.

“You actually bit his penis?” Harry asked.

“I didn’t just bite it,” Hermione said. “I nearly severed it.”

Harry shivered at the thought. “It was your only chance to escape. You had no choice. Hermione, what you did… It wasn’t cheating on me. There is no reason for you to be ashamed and it most certainly doesn’t make me love you any less.”

Harry embraced his wife tenderly and for a few minutes they just held each other, neither speaking. Finally Harry spoke. “Remind me never to make you angry before we have oral sex,” he said sincerely.

“Why?” Hermione asked as she broke their embrace and got to her hands and knees over him. “You trust me don’t you? I’d never do anything like that to you.”

Harry knew she wouldn’t, but the devilish tone in her voice still made him nervous.

“Does that mean you’d rather I didn’t do this?” she said, just before dotingly plying his rapidly enlarging penis with kisses.

“I guess this is out, too,” she said before beginning to lick his testicles.

“And if I can’t do either of those things, then this must definitely be out,” she said, before opening her lips and taking him into her mouth as deep as she possibly could.

* * * * * *

“It’s good to be home and sleeping in a real bed again,” Caitlin said as she stretched and wiggled her toes in contentment.

“It’s good just to be alive,” Emily sighed. “I thought we were all as good as dead.”

“Didn’t I tell you never to give up?” Caitlin queried. “We have something that will always give us an advantage over the supporters of evil. We have love.”

“Yeah we do,” Emily said, feeling extremely fortunate to have been adopted by the Potters after tragically losing her own parents. She cuddled closer to her sister. “Speaking of love, where is Jamie? Is she off doing the dirty deed with Alex?”

“She’s with Alex, but I doubt she’s in a shagging mood,” Caitlin said. “I think right now she just wants to be held. Did you get a good look at her after she transfigured back to herself?”

“Yeah! She looked awful. As evil as Hooch was and as much as the bitch deserved to die, I wish someone else could have done the actually killing. Jamie is just too much like her Animagus form, good and pure. I think she’s having an extremely hard time dealing with the reality that she killed someone.”

“That’s why I can never picture Jamie as an Auror,” Caitlin said. “She has all the other abilities to be great, but she lacks hatred. I know being an Auror doesn’t always involve killing, but there are times when there are no other alternatives. Today she almost waited too long before acting.”

“Emily, are you cold?” Caitlin asked out of the blue. “Would you like me to get us another blanket?”

“I’m fine. What makes you think I’m cold?” Emily asked.

“Because you have a sweatshirt on,” Caitlin answered. “You hate clothes more than any other nudist in the world. Jamie told me you even love to lie in the snow naked and make snow angels. For you to wear a sweatshirt to bed you must be freezing.”

“Or hiding something,” Emily said guiltily.

“Hiding something? Hiding what? Mum, Madam Pomfrey and myself adjusted your breasts back to normal, so what do you have to hide?” Caitlin asked.

“Well not quite back to normal,” Emily admitted. “You and Mum undid the growth associated with breast feeding, but then you both left and allowed Madame Pomfrey to shrink them back to normal.”

“Did she have a problem?”

“No not really a problem.” Emily hemmed and hawed. “Do you remember the story Mum told us about being hit by a curse that made her teeth really large?”

“What do Mum’s teeth have to do with your breasts?” Caitlin asked, becoming annoyed with Emily’s evasiveness.

“Well, Mum let Madam Pomfrey go a little further than necessary in order to make her teeth smaller and more attractive than they actually were to begin with. I did sort of the opposite. I stopped Madam Pomfrey a little before my breasts were quite back to normal.”

“Now you’re afraid you’ll be in trouble if you let anyone see them?”

Emily nodded her head.

“You haven’t worn a stitch of clothing around Mum and Dad since you and Jamie became a part of the family. Just how long do you think it will take them to become suspicious if suddenly you start wearing tops, especially if you still let everything else hang out?

“I just don’t want them to think poorly of me or yell,” Emily said.

“They never yell; you know that. Sometimes, it makes me feel guiltier because they don’t,” Caitlin said. “Instead of hiding under a sweatshirt, I think you should go to Mum and Dad and own up to what you’ve done.”

“As usual, you’re right,” Emily admitted. “Will you come with me?”

“Of course,” Caitlin said, “but before we go, can I have a look?”

Without hesitation, Emily sat up and quickly pulled the sweatshirt over her head.

“I can see why you had Madam Pomfrey stop when you did,” Caitlin admitted. “They look great. I’m envious.”

Caitlin studied Emily and then said, “Mum might not make you reduce their size. If you mature as fast as Jamie, they’d probably have grown to this size by spring anyway.”

“Maybe,” Emily agreed, slipping the sweatshirt back on. “Will you go with me to talk to Mum and Dad?”

“Right now?” Caitlin asked. “Couldn’t it wait till morning?”

“I want to do it now before I lose my nerve,” Emily said. “Please come with me.”

“Okay,” Caitlin said, as both girls hopped out of bed and scurried toward their parents’ bedroom.

“Be sure to knock,” Caitlin warned as they approached the closed door. “We don’t want to walk in on anything.”

“After the long, wearisome day they’d had, I doubt very much that they have the energy left to shag,” Emily said, pressing her ear to the door. “They’re still awake. I just heard Dad say Mum’s name.”

“Mum, Dad, can we come in?” Emily asked as she tapped on the door. “I really have to talk to you. It’s very important.” Without waiting for an answer, Emily flung open the door.

* * * * * *

“I can’t believe we did that,” Caitlin said, as Emily and she hurried back into bed.

“Me either,” Emily moaned. “They’re going to kill us.”

“I doubt it,” Caitlin sighed. “They’re probably both dying of embarrassment right now. That’s the second time I’ve done that to Mum. The big difference is that the other time I didn’t actually see anything.”

“What did you see this time?” Hermione asked calmly as she entered the room.

“Where’s Dad?” Emily asked, looking around for Harry.

“In our bedroom, dying of embarrassment,” Hermione replied in an even voice. “Neither of you answered my question.”

“I don’t know about Caitlin,” Emily said with a gulp, “but I saw everything.”

“Me too,” Caitlin said bashfully. “We’re sorry, Mum. Emily had something very important to ask you. We had no idea you and Dad were…. Well, you know, doing that.”

“That is why you should not only knock, but wait until you are granted permission to enter before you barge into a room,” Hermione said, surprisingly, with a smile on her face.

“Having sex with someone you love and are married to is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, but it is something private between two people,” Hermione explained. “Harry and I just want you both to understand that we’re not embarrassed because of what we were doing, but rather because you witnessed it.”

“I suppose now wouldn’t be a good time to ask questions about sex?” Emily tentatively inquired.

“It’s a fine time,” Hermione answered with a snort. “I was embarrassed, Harry was embarrassed, but we aren’t angry. We’re so pleased to have you girls back that I don’t think you could possibly make either of us angry today. What is the question?”

“That stuff that came out of Dad’s penis. Is that what makes a person pregnant?” Emily asked.

“Yes, it contains the sperm that can make you pregnant,” Hermione confirmed.

“What if you got it in your mouth and swallowed it?” Caitlin asked. “Would that make you pregnant?”

“No,” Hermione said with a chuckle. “It must enter the vagina in order for you to get pregnant.”

“Why are you laughing?” Emily scolded.

“I’m not laughing at you guys,” Hermione apologized. “I’m picturing Ron trying to answer similar question in class. His face will be redder than his hair.”

“I like Professor Weasley,” Caitlin said, “but he does get flustered easily.”

“Now, I have a question for you,” Hermione said. “What was so important that it couldn’t wait until tomorrow; why did you feel it necessary to barge in on your Dad and I tonight?”

”Maybe it would be easier if I just showed you,” Emily said as she slipped off her sweatshirt for the second time that night.

Hermione held her hand to her chin as she studied Emily’s breasts. “You obviously, I’m sure by mistake, stopped Poppy a little prematurely during the reduction process. Do you want to go see her tomorrow or do you think you can live with them as they are?”

“Mum, you’re the greatest,” Emily said, giving Hermione a hug.

“How about you Caitlin? Can you live with them as they are?” Hermione asked.

“If you mean, am I jealous? No, I’m not,” Caitlin replied. “Good things come to she who is patient and waits. Besides, Matt is quite content with what I have.”

Hermione found it difficult, but decided it was better for the moment not to question Caitlin’s comment concerning Matt.

* * * * * *

Sunday, September 4, 2005

“Harry, it's so good to look out over the Great Hall and see the girls smiling back,” Hermione said contentedly, as she ate breakfast while holding a napping Ben.

Harry smiled. “Have you put Ben down once since yesterday?”

“Only to pee and take a shower. I’m so glad it’s Sunday and I don’t have to leave him in order to teach class.”

“You could always take him with you tomorrow while you teach. He’s usually content and well behaved.”

“Oh yes! And when he gets hungry, I’ll just whip out my boob in front of the students and feed him,” Hermione said. “That would go over great with the parents and Board of Directors.”

“I know you can’t do it, but that‘s really sad,” Harry said dismally. “What is more pure and natural than a mother feeding her child?”

“You, Mister Potter, have been living with naturists too long; you’re starting to sound like one.”

“Not to change the subject, but did you get to talk to Jamie at all this morning?” Harry asked.

“No, she spent the entire night with Alex in the Room of Requirement,” Hermione replied.

Harry gave a devilish grin. “Well, in that case, I imagine everything is all right.”

“No, it’s not,” Hermione said, giving Harry an angry look. “Alex contacted me this morning while you were in Severus’ office. Jamie cried all night. He just held her in his arms and tried to comfort her. She’s having a difficult time dealing with what she did.”

“She had no choice! Hooch would have mutilated and killed Emily!” Harry said.

“She knows that. She also knows that she had no option but to kill her. That doesn’t make it any easier for her to accept. It’s going to take time, love and patience for her to get over this.”

“Perhaps she should reconsider training for a career as an Auror,” Harry suggested.

“That’s a decision Alex and her have to discuss and make together, but I tend to agree with you. She has the mind and physical ability for the job, but I don’t think she has the penchant.”

As Hermione and Harry talked, the owls arrived with the daily mail. As Hermione slipped a coin in the owl’s bag, Harry grabbed the newspaper and began to read the headline.

SELF-PROFESSED GREAT ONE KILLED.
HEROIC MINISTER OF MAGIC OF MAGIC DIES
DURING RESCUE OF INNOCENT CHILDREN

The magical world may never know the full account of what transpired last evening, but we can once again rest at ease knowing that a dark force bent on world domination has been defeated. Sadly this defeat came at the needless loss of our beloved Minister of Magic, Emma Wrong.

What we do know is that on Friday, August 19, 2005 a kidnapping apparently took place at the residence of Ronald and Samantha Weasley, Hogsmeade. Reported as missing were: Timothy Weasley, age four; Benjamin Potter, age two months; Emily Zacherley-Potter, age 12; Caitlin Potter, age 13 and Jamie Zacherley, age 17.

All Ministry attempts to quickly locate these children were stalled by the lack of cooperation from their parents. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley, having evidently allowed their previous success against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named go to their heads; decided that professional assistance was not needed. The experienced staff of Aurors at the Ministry of Magic was informed that their help was not necessary or even desired.

Had the Aurors been fully involved from the onset, this matter would most likely have been solved in days and undoubtedly without the lamentable loss of Minister Wrong’s life.

When the rag tag team of self-proclaimed detectives finally located the missing children last evening, they discovered that our brave Minister had arrived on the scene before them. Aurors conducting an investigation feel that Minister Wrong died while dueling the Great One in order to save the children from certain death. The Great One has been identified as Madam Hooch, a former teacher at Hogwarts who served a brief sentence in Azkaban for a minor offense.

The Vice Minister, who has assumed the position of Minister of Magic until such time as a special election is held, asks that the magical community not take out its anger over the death of our beloved Minister on Weasley, Granger or Potter. “We all make tragic mistakes at times during our lives,” Minister Percy Weasley said. “We must forgive their blunder, but at the same time resolve that we, as good citizens of the magical world, will not allow ourselves to be misdirected by imprudent people such as these.”

Hermione had been reading the article along with Harry. When finished, they both stared at each other, for a short time speechless.

“What the hell is that all about!?” Harry shouted more loudly than necessary.

“I’ve heard of a newspaper screwing up details of an account, but that story was pure fabrication. Who told them that Hooch was the Great One? And there isn’t a word about Salazar Slytherin,” Hermione declared.

“Talk about losing your appetite,” Harry said, shaking his head in frustration. “I have to contact our new Minister and find out if he’s fallen off his trolley.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” Hermione asked.

“No!” Harry said. “My yelling would probably wake Ben. Besides you don’t like when I swear and I anticipate doing a lot of swearing.

* * * * * *

“Who is it dear?” Harry heard Percy ask his wife after she informed him there was a head in the fireplace. “Oh! Him! Well I guess I may just as well get this over with now.”

“Hello! Harry. I thought at first you might be another well wisher,” Percy said snootily, as he pulled a chair up to his fireplace. “I’ve been receiving congratulatory owls all morning. It’s a dream come true, becoming Minister of Magic. Of course, I just wish it could have happen under different circumstances.”

“Percy, I didn’t call to lick your boot straps!” Harry shouted. “Did you have anything to do with that article on the front-page of the Daily Prophet?”

“Yes. Any articles that could possibly incite a panic must be reviewed by the Minister’s office before publication. I was unquestionably glad I had the opportunity to correct that article. The fool reporter that wrote it actually mixed up Madam Hooch and Emma Wrong. Can you believe, she in point of fact wrote that the Minister Wrong was The Great One?”

“I can believe it,” Harry answered angrily, “because she was.”

“Harry, Harry, Harry. Where could you possibly get such a preposterous idea?”

“From the people she was holding prisoner,” Harry retorted.

“Children! You want to drag a deceased woman’s good name through the mud based on the wild hallucinations of little children?” Percy asked.

“My daughters were not hallucinating,” Harry affirmed. “Jamie isn’t a child. She gave the same account.”

“I’ve been informed that Miss Zacherley was extremely delusional and distraught,” Percy added. “The first Aurors on the scene state that she was wondering around totally nude, covered with blood and mumbling something about committing murder. How can you possibly consider her a steadfast witness?”

“How do you explain the blood on her?” Harry snapped back. “Jamie is a unicorn Animagus. She gorged Hooch on her horn to prevent the bitch from torturing and mutilating Emily.”

“And after that, did the pink elephants do a dance?” Percy asked sarcastically.

Harry’s face turned red with anger. “I don’t care if you are the Minister of Magic, Percy. You’re still an arse. You always have been and you always will be. Bring your fucking, good for nothing arse here to Hogwarts and Jamie will demonstrate her abilities for you.”

“I don’t care if Zacherley can turn into all seven dwarfs simultaneously,” Percy said arrogantly. “You and your brood are not going to besmirch Emma Wrong’s good name. She was the only one that stood by me after the Fudge debacle. It’s because of her that I’m where I am today.”

“Now the truth comes out,” Harry bellowed. “You don’t care two Knuts about Wrong’s good name. Percy Weasley is all you’re concerned about. If the truth comes out about her being The Great One, her assistant won’t last a week as Minister of Magic.”

“She was not the Great One,” Percy screamed.

“Then explain the dungeon and why the children were being held prisoner in her manor.”

Percy sighed. “It’s possible that Hooch might have had her under the Imperius Curse the last few weeks. We have no way of being sure.”

“Then Hooch must have been one hell of a witch,” Harry declared. “When Hermione entered the manor, the memories of her missing week returned to her. She was held captive in that very dungeon. If my memory is correct, Hooch was in Azkaban at that time. Was she controlling Wrong by owl?”

“What about the Prophecy? What about Salazar Slytherin’s return? The newspaper mentioned nothing about either. Our world has to know what it is facing!” Harry demanded.

“You’re always trying to create a panic, aren’t you Harry?” Percy said shaking his head. “At the end of your fourth year it was He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named that returned to life and now it’s Salazar Slytherin.”

“Percy, if you remember, I was proven right about Voldemort. My girls and little Timmy witnessed Slytherin’s return.”

“Harry, my patience is exhausted,” Percy proclaimed. “Now you want me to start my reign as Minister of Magic by causing a panic based on the nightmares of a four year old. I’m sorry, but I don’t believe in Prophecies and I don’t believe that a man dead for over a thousand years is about to wreak havoc on our world. You’ve always had a hero obsession. If it makes you feel better, you go fight this fantasy ghost while I administer our government. Now if you don’t mind, please get out of my fire and don’t bother me again with this poppycock.”

Percy got up from his chair and left the room as Harry pulled his head from the fire and stood erect.

“I’m ashamed to admit he’s my brother,” Ron exclaimed from behind him.

Harry turned around startled. “How long have you been there?”

“Since the part where he did the Gilderoy Lockhart imitation: Harry, Harry, Harry. I was looking for you in the Great Hall and Hermione told me to let myself in. Percy wants that job so badly that he’s willing to see our world destroyed by Slytherin in order to keep it.”

“And he’s turned most of that world against us just like Fudge did at the end of our forth year.” Harry added.

“Then he’s left us only one option, Harry. You must call a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix.”

* * * * * *

When Emily entered the Great Hall for dinner, Kim at her side, she was surprised to find it decorated similar to how it had been at the Leaving Feast. The only difference was that instead of being decorated in just the winning House’s colors, it was decorated with banners of both Gryffindor and Slytherin Houses.

Emily had barely taken her seat when Professor Snape stood up at the staff table.

“Although we just enjoyed the Welcoming Feast a few days ago,” he said, looking around at them all, “I felt the occasion warranted another celebration.” He paused briefly.

“The occasion I refer to is, of course, the safe return of three of our number,” the Headmaster said. “I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Jamie Zacherley, Emily Zacherley-Potter and Caitlin Potter.”

The benches scraped as everyone in the Hall stood. Even Dick Bancroft reluctantly got to his feet; he did so more to avoid attracting attention to himself than to salute the girls.

Once everyone was again seated, Snape continued. “I’m sure many of you have read the account of what took place, printed in the Daily Prophet. Most of that article was a cock-and-bull story. It was laden with lies, misdirection and missing vital information. Sadly, the Ministry of Magic does not want you to know the truth. Possibly some of your parents will be angered by what I am about to tell you.”

“I was there. I believe, as did my predecessor, that the truth is generally preferable to lies. The only truth in the Prophet piece of writing was that these three girls along with Benjamin Potter and Timothy Weasley were kidnapped. The help of Ministry Aurors was never refused; I myself contacted the Ministry and gave them every detail of the situation.

“What is truly disturbing is that the Ministry has chosen to alter facts and hide information from our world for political reasons. Minister Wrong did not die trying to save the kidnap victims. In reality it was at her instructions that the abductions took place. Minister Wrong was in fact, The Great One; the authorities were told this by four witnesses, yet the Ministry is trying to save face and claim that Madam Hooch was the mastermind behind all this terrorism.”

Snape looked from table to table before continuing. “But what is worse is that the Ministry has decided to stick its head in the sand like an ostrich and pretend that a most serious threat to our world does not exist. The innocents were kidnapped by Emma Wrong in order to fulfill a prophecy and restore Salazar Slytherin to life. She was successful; it was Salazar Slytherin, himself, who killed her.”

Students looked at their friends. Every face in the Hall appeared stunned and frightened.

“I fear we are all facing dark and difficult times, perhaps even worse than when Lord Voldemort was at his height of power,” Snape proclaimed. Without further word, he clapped his hands. In an instant, the hangings for Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw joined those of Gryffindor and Slytherin.

“It is at times like these that we must forget our petty House differences and unite against a mutual enemy. As Albus Dumbledore once said, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

“It is because of our need to unite and work together, that I have decided to forge ahead with our plans to compete against our American cousins.” Snape paused to take a drink of pumpkin juice. “Teams from America competed against each other this summer to determine which school would represent the States against us. The winning team from The Salem Witches’ Institute will be arriving on Halloween. That evening, we will select our team”

Randy leaned over and whispered to Matt. “The tournament is as good as won. Hogwarts can easily beat a team composed of only girls.”

“Is that so,” Caitlin flared, defensively. “Are you saying girls aren’t as good in competition as boys?”

“Nothing personal,” Randy said apologetically.

“Besides,” Caitlin added. “SWI has been co-ed since the nineteen fifties. They just keep the name for traditional reasons.”

“This competition will be very different from the Tri-Wizard Tournament held here over ten years ago,” Snape said. “Firstly, it is a team, rather than an individual event. Secondly, the contests will involve mental and physical challenges as well as the use of magical abilities. In some events, the use of magic will actually be strictly forbidden.

“The Goblet of Fire will be picking the Hogwarts contenders, but will be following prearranged rules. The team will be composed of six individuals, three boys and three girls. Each house will have at least one representative on the team and for obvious reasons, first years will not be allowed to participate.”

This pronouncement was followed by moans from the first years.

“Now, let’s be reasonable,” Professor Snape said, shaking his head. “As first years, most of you haven’t even learned to do a proper ‘swish and flick’ yet. However, if any of you get the notion to submit your name anyway, you should be warned. Before presenting me with the names of our team members, the Goblet will spit out any names of first years submitted. Mr. Filch will be standing by with a list of detention tasks to be assigned to those individuals. Now, I’ve rambled on way too long. Tuck in.”

End of Chapter Nine

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The betas for this chapter were: Amber, Bluezy, Don, Dove, Lucy and Peter. Thank you for all your hard work. Thank you also, to everyone that took the time to review chapter eight.

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