The Awakening of a Magus

The Awakening of a Magus

Chapter 38 - Sat, Aug 5 - Day 16
Answers and questions

Ever questing for knowledge, Hermione asked the wizarding family, "So, just what does it really mean to be a seventh son. In Muggle stories and legends there are so many variations. Some say it's the seventh son of a seventh son that's special, or even the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter ... or just the seventh son. Some say that all six preceding sons must be alive when the seventh is born, but I also read a story where all six had died at birth or infancy, yet a family curse regarding the seventh son still applied to the seventh-born son."

Harry smiled at Hermione, who was on a roll. He even thought he knew which story she was referring to by that last reference. When he had been with the Dursleys, he would sometimes sneak away to the library and read stories about magic and legends and myths to see how it compared with wizarding reality.

"And then there's the attributes of the seventh son," she continued. "Some say he's a seer, or a medium, or even a werewolf. Sometimes the person has magic in a non-magical family. Sometimes very lucky, or sometimes cursed with bad luck and clumsiness. So, what does it really mean to be a seventh son?" Hermione looked at all the Weasleys, but her gaze at the end rested on the one closest to her heart ... the Weasley seventh son, Ron.

In spite of needing to bring out a secret family sorrow, Molly and Arthur couldn't help but smile at Hermione. Molly sent to Arthur, /* Ron is lucky to have her, don't you think? */

/* As I am to have you, m'dear, */ answered her husband fondly. He then continued aloud to answer Hermione. "I'm not certain how it works in a Muggle family. I believe that in an otherwise non-wizarding family, a seventh son can be a Muggle-born wizard or a Muggle psychic ... one who has a mind gift but can't do spellcasting. In a wizarding family, a seventh son is nearly always stronger and more talented than the others in the family, but it varies in degree."

"We have here a rather talented family, I'm proud to say," he said, looking around the table at his children, "no matter what use they put their talents to." At this, he looked sternly for a moment at the twins, but then had to grin. "When we learned about Ron's mindspeaking gift, we realized that he was a true seventh son, and that we might have to bring up David's birth ... and death. Percy," he then looked at his middle child, "we would never have kept this secret if we had known how his death had affected you. Somehow, we never realized ..."

"Dad," Percy said softly, "don't. I ... I could have told you how I felt, but I didn't. Now, well, maybe some of it can be fixed." He said this, looking at Harry for a moment, then his eyes locked with the Magus for the first time. In those emerald eyes, he saw a source of strength and ... comfort. He knew somehow that, though he could never be ... whole ... as he should be with a living twin, that he could be healed of much of the pain and emptiness. And, though he wasn't ready for such a thing now, perhaps, someday, he might be able to understand what Harry had tried to explain about his circle.

Taking a deep breath and shaking free from his thoughts and Harry's eyes, Percy said, "Enough about me and Ron. Harry, Charlie will go absolutely nutters if you don't show him your dragon form, you know."

"Oh, if I have to ..." Harry sighed dramatically, then grinned. Then he looked at Molly and Arthur. "How are you two holding up? Want to come along?" Though he had scolded them earlier for not resting, he somehow wanted to whole Weasley clan in on the 'party', and he sent them both some energy through the circle link.

"What do you think, Harry? Of course we're coming along!" Molly said, smiling, closing the box of documents, then tapping it with her wand to send it back to its place. "I want to see what you've learned lately."

"Alright, then," Harry said, standing up. The rest of them also stood, as they felt a web of energy surrounding them. In moments, the Magus energy about them glowed faintly purple as they were gathered into the apparition field. Then all nine Weasleys, Hermione, and Harry disappeared, and the Burrow was suddenly quiet.

Albus Dumbledore was considering the three Aurors sitting before him. He had known Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody for many years. He was well-recovered now from his captivity during the past school year ... locked in his own seven-lock trunk by the now-deceased Death Eater Barty Crouch, Jr. who impersonated him using Polyjuice Potion. Every time he saw Alastor, he could almost hear his voice crying out his motto, "Constant vigilance!"

Beside him sat a dark figure ... Kingsley Shacklebolt. Though not a member of the original Order (he wasn't an animagus and had still been a student), he had known James Potter at Hogwarts as a junior member of the Quidditch team the year James graduated. Before Sirius had been vindicated, Kingsley had been in charge of the hunt for Black, and had been instrumental in protecting Sirius, carefully misdirecting Ministry efforts.

Last, a rather eccentric young woman, Nymphadora Tonks. She was a Metamorphmagus ... a type of shapeshifter, who could change all or part of her appearance at will. At the moment, she had pink hair with blue 'frosting', and her eyes were lemon yellow. She insisted on being called just Tonks, hating her first name. Only Dumbledore could get away with addressing her with the compromise of 'Dora'.

The three Aurors had arrived in response to his request to the Ministry on a method of certifying Draco Malfoy as a verified Scanner, able to bring testimony concerning the results of using his Scanning abilities. Cornelius Fudge, still upset with discovering how Lucius Malfoy had betrayed his trust, decided that a panel of three Aurors and three members of the Department of Mysteries would need to agree on the matter. These three were here to test both Draco's powers and his trustworthiness, which is why Dumbledore had asked Severus Snape to send Draco to his office.

At the moment, Moody was commenting loudly on the death of Lucius Malfoy. "It makes you wonder, though, why he killed off one of his own in such a spectacular way ... not that I regret that the Malfoy bastard is out of our hair for good. What message is he trying to send, anyway?"

"The obvious message is that neither failure nor betrayal will be tolerated," Draco said with his usual arrogance. Dumbledore had noticed Draco's appearance outside the door. Since Snape probably indicated that Draco was expected, he had just walked in after a short rap on the door. "And, though I can assure you that my father was not literally a bastard, I would reluctantly have to agree with your sentiments." The young man walked calmly over towards the one empty chair, apparently without a worry in the world, but the headmaster knew better. The little signs he had learned to read about people, especially his students, and this student in particular, showed a young man who was struggling valiantly to keep his Malfoy Mask in place. Draco looked directly at Dumbledore's eyes, questioning and unsettled, but merely said, "You wished to see me, sir?"

"Yes, Draco. Please have a seat. I asked you here to meet those who will be involved in the first phase of your Scanner certification." Dumbledore spoke gently to Draco, and at the same time sent a quick query to Snape about Draco's apparent distress. Snape answered with the information he had received from the young Slytherin regarding the confrontation with his housemates. Dumbledore suppressed a short burst of anger, realizing it could be misinterpreted by those present. He continued with introductions. "I'm sure you recognize Alastor Moody, though I don't believe you met the genuine article."

Mad-Eye Moody smirked at the last Malfoy. "I understand my doppelganger turned you into a ferret at one point. But you don't look any worse for the wear." The veteran Auror made no attempt to shake hands with the boy, though whether from hostility at Malfoys, or reluctance to touch a Scanner, it wasn't clear.

"Wotcher, Draco!" declared Tonks with her usual good cheer, before Dumbledore could introduce her. She was willing to trust Dumbledore's judgment and that of the Magus. Apparently even Harry Potter was willing to trust his former rival. "Just call me Tonks. Call me by my first name, and you'll think being a ferret was heavenly." In spite of the threat in her words, she smiled and reached out to shake hands with him.

Draco relaxed a bit, though maintained most of his shields as he quickly shook hands with the young Auror. She certainly liked to look different. He stared for a moment, then realized, "That isn't a glamorie or some other spell, is it?" He glanced at Dumbledore for a moment, then back at the pink-and-blue haired witch. His eyes went vague for just a moment, then he said, "It's some kind of shapeshifting, but the pattern isn't quite the same as the one I see in Darius."

"Correct, Draco," Dumbledore proudly acknowledged with a twinkle. "Dora is a Metamorphmagus. Her gift is extensive, but not quite as all-encompassing as the shapeshifting powers of the Magi." Dumbledore glanced significantly at each Auror as though to say See, I told you he was good!

Draco flashed a small, grateful smile at the headmaster, then his Malfoy charm took over. "Dora? That doesn't seem like such a hateful name. Forgive me ... I've said it out loud. Am I now in danger, Miss?" It was actually fun to tease the young Auror, who was glowering at Dumbledore's naming of her.

The third Auror contributed, "Actually, her name is Nymphadora ... sorry Tonks, but the boy needs to know to avoid getting into trouble." His voice began seriously, but he couldn't suppress a wide grin. "By the way, my name is Kingsley Shacklebolt. A question. You mentioned a pattern?" Though he didn't reach out to shake hands, he leaned forward with friendly, intense curiosity.

Finally sitting down, Draco answered, "Yes, sir. I sense patterns that seem to describe the kind of power or talent or spell that I am Scanning. I couldn't draw the pattern for you, but if we were mindlinked, I might be able to show it to you ... at least partly. Even with Darius I can't convey the pattern and what it tells me completely. Professor Dumbledore likened it to trying to communicate the difference between red and green to someone who is color-blind. In this case, the pattern for a Metamorphmagus is similar to the pattern for a shapeshifter, but it is more simple, less complex, and less intense. Those are the best words I can use."

"Well, I'd say that was one test down, don't ya think, Mad-Eye?" said Tonks with a smile.

Moody just grumbled. "I suppose it proves he has some contact-Scanning gift ... unless someone told him ... Snape knows about you, doesn't he?" he said in a challenging voice.

"Ah, a skeptic. I should have expected that," Draco said softly, sitting back in his chair with a sigh. It was going to be a long afternoon. Turning to Dumbledore, he asked, "What's exactly is going to happen now, sir?"

As Moody was about to interrupt, Dumbledore glanced sharply at him and answered, "The entire certification process will involve two phases. The first, a team of three Aurors," here, he gestured toward the others, "will conduct tests of your gift and your ... reliability. Whether you can sense things accurately and whether you are likely to report them accurately."

"In other words, my ability and my loyalty. I assume that you and Darius are not quite enough as references. What will phase two be?" Draco asked quietly.

Kingsley answered, "The second team will be from the Department of Mysteries. They have a great number of artifacts that are very difficult to identify, and I expect they will challenge your gifts to the utmost."

"What tests will you be performing, then?" Draco just wanted this over with.

Moody answered, "As you so concisely put it, we need to test your loyalty and ability. For the first, you will submit to a full dose of Veritaserum. For the second, we will ensure you cannot get clues from your normal senses by using a rather potent isolation spell, the ..."

Draco had paled slightly, and finished for him, "the Nolo ... Nolo Sensorium ... complete physical sensory deprivation ..." He swallowed, and fought not to remember his experiences with that spell, used by his father as a punishment as far back as he could remember. Bracing himself, he said, "Fine. Let's get this over with."

Kingsley asked apologetically, "Since you mentioned mindlinks a moment ago, I have to ask, are you currently connected with anyone via mindlink? We have to ensure there is no alternate source of information besides your Scanning ability."

Dumbledore looked from Draco to the Aurors. "Didn't I tell you that Draco was a part of the Magus circle? So far he is only connected to Darius and to Severus, but that is not something that can be just disconnected. You will simply have to trust that neither Darius nor Severus will compromise your testing."

Moody looked skeptical (since he still didn't trust Snape), Kingsley seemed willing to accept the assurance, and Tonks was more than willing to agree. But Draco didn't want any doubt associated with this testing. "Sir, I don't want to chance it. I don't want anyone to later call this testing into question. I'm a Malfoy ... the Malfoy now. There are many who will discredit me for the slightest reason," he said this, glancing quickly at Moody. "Since Darius is able to isolate himself almost completely from our contact, he should be able to isolate me from the circle linkage, at least long enough to get through this test."

He didn't look forward to this, but felt it was necessary. He always felt a bit of discomfort when Harry went off-line ... sort of adrift and lost. Now that he knew the closeness of the circle, it was hard to be apart from it. And the Nolo besides? This was not going to be a nice experience. Well, it's payback time, I suppose, for my many 'sins', he thought wryly to himself.

Kingsley took out a small vial of clear liquid. "We appreciate your cooperation, Draco. Albus, since he is still a minor, will you officially give consent for the use of Veritaserum in a non-crisis situation?"

Draco spoke up. "That won't be necessary. Minister Fudge granted me full dispensation for age-related limitations. I can give my own consent. And if I couldn't, you would need to get it from Professor Snape, who is my guardian ... I believe?" He looked at Dumbledore for confirmation.

"Yes, Arthur sent word a short time ago. Severus has been confirmed as your temporary guardian until such time as his permanent application for guardianship can be reviewed. And, yes, you have the right to give your own consent." Dumbledore projected all the support he could to the young Slytherin. "I will contact Darius after the Veritaserum test concerning the circle linkage, and I believe that Severus will want to be present. Shall I call him for this part as well?"

"No, he's busy with some of the Slytherins at the moment. I would like him to be present for the isolated part of the test, though." Even though isolated from the circle mindlink and cut off from his physical senses, Draco hoped he would be able to sense his guardian's formidable magical presence as an anchor during the ordeal. Taking a deep breath, he reached toward Kingsley Shacklebolt, saying, "May as well pass that over and we'll get started. I only request that you not ask me questions not relevant to my loyalties that would serve to humiliate me. Slytherin pride, you know."

Moody shifted, guiltily, and Tonks, Kingsley and Dumbledore sat up quickly in a bit of outrage. Tonks spoke up before the others could. "I promise you, Draco," she said, pulling out her wand, "that anyone who takes advantage of you that way will be hexed before you have to answer." Her eyes blazed in shifting colors in her agitation. Kingsley nodded in agreement as he passed the vial to Draco, and Dumbledore gazed silently into Draco's eyes, offering a similar promise.

Draco sat back, trying to get comfortable. Staring only at the vial for a moment, memorizing the pattern that the magic in the potion showed him, he broke the seal and quickly tossed the liquid down. The sensation was similar in some ways to an Imperius curse ... knowing that you were no longer really in control of yourself. He was unaware that his eyes glazed over as the potion took effect. He heard their voices as though from a distance.

"What is your full name?" Moody asked.

"Draco Salazar Malfoy," he answered in a flat voice.

"Salazar?" a voice asked ... he thought it was Tonks.

"Father said it was to honor the Heir of Slytherin. Plus he seemed to believe I had some Slytherin blood, though he couldn't prove it, either from the Malfoys or from my mother's mother, a Rosier."

Moody growled, "Rosier! That ruddy beggar Evan took a chunk out of me before we got him." He rubbed at his long-ago abused nose. "Slytherin blood, is it? Why should we continue? That tells the whole story."

"Now, Alastor," Dumbledore's voice was both soothing and disappointed. "Just having Slytherin blood doesn't make someone a Dark Wizard. You know better than that. Just continue with the questioning."

"Yes, yes," Moody muttered. "So, Malfoy. Have you ever practiced the Dark Arts?" He said this almost triumphantly, feeling he had trapped the young Slytherin student.

Draco fought not to answer, knowing they would make unfair assumptions about his positive reply. His eyes cleared a bit as he looked around, at Dumbledore and at the other two Aurors, who had seemed less prejudiced. Moody was angry that Malfoy was able to resist giving an immediate answer and was ready to force the issue when Kingsley interceded.

"That is hardly a fair question for a Malfoy, Moody. It's a given that Lucius would have trained the boy in some Dark Magic. You need to be more specific." He looked at Draco, whose eyes shone with gratitude. Kingsley Shacklebolt was beginning to like the young man in spite of himself. "Draco, were you taught spells considered part of the Dark Arts?"

Draco willingly answered, "Yes."

"And you performed some of these spells during training."

"Yes."

"Did you use any spells generally considered Dark Magic against anyone outside of that training?"

A pause ... a hint of shame in his eyes ... a soft answer: "Yes."

As Moody was about to pounce, Dumbledore asked, "Do you intend to use Dark Magic in the future?"

Draco replied, "Only if necessary ... to defend myself and those that are mine to defend."

Tonks asked, "Who are yours to defend?"

"The Magus circle," he answered, which shocked the Aurors, but not Dumbledore.

Moody jumped in again with, "Do you follow Voldemort?"

"No!" came the intense reply, more agitated than should be possible under Veritaserum.

"Who do you follow?" Mad-eye demanded.

Draco didn't answer, again looking around at the others, silently asking them to ask the right question. Tonks smiled. "Ah, a Malfoy thing again. Malfoys rarely follow others. Draco, who do you ally yourself with?"

Draco smiled, and answered with no reservation, "The Magus."

Moody asked suddenly, "Who is the Magus?"

Draco surprisingly answered, "That's a stupid question." Everyone except Moody broke out laughing, and in spite of the Veritaserum, Draco showed a small smile as Moody blustered.

Dumbledore's trademark twinkle was in full evidence. "He's correct, you know, Alastor. And is quite strong-willed to form his answer in such a way. The Sodalis security spell used by the Magus circle is immune to Veritaserum ... and this is no secret, especially to a veteran Auror."

Various questions followed, asking in different manners about his loyalty and integrity, as well as a few questions asking him to describe his Scanning experiences. The results were as Dumbledore had indicated to the Aurors and the Minister in the first place: Draco was on the side of the Light, willingly, and though still a sharp-edged, arrogant, opinionated Slytherin and aristocratic Malfoy, was someone who was talented, reliable, and more than willing to use his gifts to bring about the downfall of Voldemort. Once he gave his pledge, he was unwavering, and the Sodalis did nothing to hide his dedication to supporting the work of the Magus in any way needed.

Draco was given a potion to accelerate the dispersion of the Veritaserum in his system ... there was no direct antidote, only a way to help it wear off faster. As the young man's eyes cleared, they glanced resentfully at Moody, then calmly at the rest of those present.

He called to Snape over the circle link to see if he was finished with his 'discussions' with the Slytherins. Snape was just finishing up by reassuring Savannah Goyle that she could call on him or Draco for assistance if she was being harassed by her brother or the other Voldemort supporters staying at Slytherin house. After a quick memory sharing to bring Snape up to date, which set off the professor's temper where Moody was concerned, Snape apparated to the headmaster's office door, rapped on the door sharply, and entered without waiting for an answer.

(continued)