Never Many

Never Many

Chapter 3

Previous Chapter Summary: Harry has wandered into the forest to find Hagrid and instead has found something else...

Chapter 3

Deathly Replacement

Nothing in life is to be feared.

It is only to be understood.

(The author would just like to point out that what Marie Curie didn't fear killed her.)

In the middle of the large clearing there was a green fire. In front of the fire there was a chair. No, it was a throne. Made entirely of stone. The top was jagged and looked liked Stalagmites reaching to the sky. Two engraved snakes coiled around the armrests and became one snake at the backrest. Both snakes had rubies set in their eye sockets. There were eight other thrones exactly like this one forming a circle. On each, there was an engraving. Harry assumed they were names but he couldn't see. A giant serpent slithered in and out of the thrones, coming finally to rest at the centre fire. A circle of cloaked figures surrounded a stone table in front of the throne. They all wore long black robes with slits in the arms from the shoulders to the wrist. Harry noticed that each wore a silver signet ring on their middle figure of the left hand. On the stone table was an old man. His body was small and thin. The wizards around were chanting something and gradually getting louder. At the very loudest point of the chanting, another cloaked figure walked over to the table. He pulled a silver dagger out of the folds of his robes. The knife's hilt was decorated with winding, twisting snakes and the blade itself was made of the most beautiful metal. It shone like the silver moon that glowed above. He drew the dagger up above his head, and then brought it down into the man's flesh. Suddenly the chanting stopped. People started to walk to the murderer. Harry looked away. He had watched someone's murder and hadn't done anything to stop it.

Harry jumped to his feet, grabbed Fang and ran as fast as he could out of the forest. Harry shut Fang back in Hagrid's and ran up to the castle and to Dumbledore's office. Once there, he yelled sweet types at the gargoyle until it jumped aside. Harry scrambled up the steps and knocked urgently on Dumbledore's door.

He answered the door looking sad, tired and old. Harry was taken aback.

"Ah, Mr Potter. Can I help you with something?" Dumbledore asked. Harry's attention was taken from Dumbledore by a head that pushed itself round him and looked up at Harry.

"He's been in the woods, professor. I'd say he is here to tell you about what what's going on." Said Susan quietly.

"How'd you know?" Questioned Harry.

"You have twigs in your hair. And there is little else that would bring you to the headmaster's office" Answered Susan as Dumbledore opened the door for Harry to enter. "What did you see, Harry?" Susan asked, her voice serious.

"I.... I saw a group of, of wizards, I think. They were chanting in a circle and, and they killed a guy. I couldn't help him without getting killed, I'm so sorry." Harry put his head in his hands

"Did you notice if any of these wizards wore rings of any sort?" Susan's voice was hard.

"Yeah, yes they did." Harry muttered remembering. "It was silver and had something printed of it. It was that snake that appeared in the sky. They all had one on. Even the guy lying on the table. Susan sighed and Dumbledore breathed out slowly.

"I'm afraid you are right then Susan. It is them you sensed." Dumbledore sighed.

"I wish I wasn't right." She answered.

"Could someone tell me what you are talking about? And where is Hagrid?" Asked Harry.

"This is a group of dark wizards. The most powerful wizards alive. The signet ring you saw, that identifies them as Eternals. The ring shows a snake eating it's own tail. There is an ancient Aztec legend about that snake. It is said that the snake that eats its tail forms a circle that will never end and cannot be broken. They work very differently from that of the other wizard groups. When they join, they give to the group everything. Their soul, their life and their power. The power is gathered together to become one huge power. It is like a jug. Everyone has a glass of water, which is their own magic, now, if they put all their water into the one jug, you have one power, that is stronger, rather than lots of little ones. They all work together, mainly because they are almost like one person combined together from lots of different people. There must be nine of them to complete the magic. One that is dying must be killed by the rest of the group and replaced instantly. As to Hagrid, he has gone on a 'holiday' with Madame Maxime." Said Susan softly. Harry let the breath he'd been holding out in a rush. That much power, from nine of the most evil dark wizards, could be more dangerous and deadly than anything else. Harry turned back to Dumbledore, who had started talking.

"Voldemort wanted to poses them. He would have kept them to do the dirtiest of his dirty work. They would be his elite team. They would handle any important problem. But they had vowed never to have a leader. If he had succeeded in possessing them, you, Harry, would never have been able to defeat him. Susan tells me you heard our earlier conversation so I'm sure you will understand it when I say that if anyone was to find a way to remove the protective spells from this castle, it would be one of this group." Harry took a deep breath.

"Sir, if they have removed the spells from the castle, why aren't they entering?" Harry saw Susan give a little shake of her head and Dumbledore nodded.

"You answer, Susan. For I may get it wrong and you know it better than I."

"Well, it has to do with an old prophecy that was made when the group was first formed. The Eternals are very superstitious and bade someone make a prophecy at the beginning. For this group it wasn't what they wanted to hear. It went something like:

Today you stand, strong and sure, but a day will come, when your power will be no more. Alone the child of one can never harm you. Together the children of many can never bring your end. The Child of Day and the Child of Night from sun and shadow, draw their might. But fear the days of darkness for in the black I cannot see.

The rest of the prophecy goes on to say that if these people are killed before they can completely destroy the Eternals or if even one survives the Eternals power will survive the rest of time. That they will conquer the entire wizard world. There have been stories that another prophecy was made saying that these people would not destroy the Eternals, but instead use them. Make them slaves. They won't attack this place until they can find out who their destroyers may be. They have to kill them before they attack this place and they think that Professor Dumbledore is hiding the people or person." Finished Susan. For a few minutes Harry didn't know what to say, then:

"But does that mean they think the people that can defeat them are students?"

"Yes, they are." Answered Dumbledore. Susan gave him another sharp look. "NO Susan, I will not do this any more. He needs to know and he should know before something happens." Dumbledore's voice was firm but Susan didn't see to care.

"Him knowing will put, not only him, but the rest of the school in danger. It's better him not knowing." Dumbledore simply shook his head and went to the door. He opened it and a big black dog walked in.

"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed. "Are you going to tell me what neither of them is?" Asked Harry pointing to Susan and Dumbledore as Sirius transformed into himself.

"No Harry, I'm here to make sure that you don't lose it. Susan is going to tell you. It is her right." Answered Sirius.

"It's also my right not to tell!" yelled Susan. Dumbledore put his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry Susan. You have to tell him now."

"I can't. I have to get out of here." With that Susan bolted for the door and outside.

"What is going on? Why am I going to lose it and why won't Susan tell me?"

"It s just a little hard for her. I had better tell you, then. You see, when mother found out she was pregnant it was a great time but it was also very frightening. Voldemort was at his prime and threatened to ruin all our plans for you. But as often happens, Fate stepped in and helped us out. You were born a twin, Harry. Susan is your other."

Family matters

Two from one, one from two

"We kept Susan's birth a complete secret.

Two from one, one from two

Never many, rather few.

So Voldemort would never be able to destroy all of the Potters.

Two from one, one from two

Never many, rather few.

Search the world, you'll never find

It worked, until Susan was captured by an Eternal a year ago.

Two from one, one from two

Never many, rather few.

Search the world, you'll never find

This half from two, one be mine.

They never found out who she was but they sensed she was different, special, if you will.

Two from one, one from two

Never many, rather few.

Search the world, you'll never find

This half from two, one be mine.

Broke in half, split in two

So I insisted she be brought to Hogwarts, where I could always watch her. With this new threat hanging over our heads I think it is time you knew."

Two from one, one from two

Never many, rather few.

Search the world, you'll never find

This half from two, one be mine.

Broke in half, split in two

Soon whole is made, betwixed with you.

"HARRY, HARRY." Sirius was shaking him. "Are you all right, you went all strange and pale and..."

"I'm fine." Said Harry, pushing Sirius away "Did you know about Susan?" Harry asked, though he already knew the answer. Sirius looked guilty.

"I knew but there was nothing I could do for her." Harry didn't really listen to Sirius.

"I have to go find her." He mumbled as he jumped up and ran out of the office. Harry ran along the corridors and down many flights of stairs. He was just turning a corner that would lead him outside when he ran straight into Professor Snape. Harry groaned. This was all he needed.

"Well Mr Potter, we are in a rush to go somewhere. But you know that you should be in bed right now. I will have to give you a detention for..." At this point a large dog came pelting around the corner. Sirius growled menacingly. Snape looked confused and unsure. Harry took those two seconds to dive past Snape and outside, leaving a yelling professor behind him.

Harry was out of breath when he finally saw Susan, sitting, knees up to her chin, by the lake. He walked over, unsure of what to say. What do you say to someone you just found out is your sister? 'Hi, sorry I didn't recognise you. You look a bit different from the last time I saw you. There's no slime and you're not wailing so loud." Harry sat down next to her. They were both quiet, then:

"They told you then?"

"Yes."

"Are you mad?"

"Why would I be mad?"

"Well in movies and books the hero is always mad when he finds a long lost sibling 'cause the sibling knew and never told him they existed."

"This isn't a book or movie"

"It would be easier if it was. I could just turn around and say 'Hey, what happens in the end and does anyone I like die? I guess you want to know about how this happened."

"Yes."

"Dumbledore probably told you why it happened but not the rest. You were born just before the sunset, I was born just after it set."

"Ah, so I'm older. Does that mean I can boss you around? "

"Try and I may have to hurt you. Anyway, at birth I was given to Dumbledore and he placed me in the muggle orphanage. I grew up there till I could go to school. Then I went to UC. Last year I was out walking and was captured by an over enthusiastic Eternal. They could sense I was different and decided that I could tell them everything they wanted to know."

"What did they want to know?"

"Fashion advice, where to get good deodorant and the secrets of the world. I didn't tell them, so I was tortured. I knew I had to get away. So for hours I rubbed the ropes that bound me up and down a tree. They may have been wizard ropes but even they, are no match for a good tree. Once I had perished the ankle ropes I crawled over to the central fire and held the hand ropes over the fire. They burnt. Once they were off I was a way as quick as possible. Dumbledore heard and had a fit. He wouldn't let me stay at UC. He insisted I come to Hogwarts so he could keep an eye on me."

"Why does Dumbledore think you can help with this new threat?"

"I'm not sure. But I seem to know stuff that even I didn't think I knew about this group. Maybe I heard something and didn't remember until Dumbledore started prying. Like all that stuff I said about the Eternals, I had no idea they even had rings, but something made me ask."

"OH."

"Yeah, Oh is right. Do you think we should go back before Snape finds us? He would just LOVE an excuse to put us in detention."

"Yeah, lets go." Said Harry as he stood up. He held his hand out to help Susan. She ignored it and got up by herself. Harry laughed and led the way up to the castle, whistling. 'Ron would be proud,' he thought. 'I've gone evil.'

Susan and Harry walked up to the common room. They talked late into the night huddled together in a small group. They talked about their parents and their life before they met. Harry even showed Susan the book Hagrid had given him. It was well past midnight when they finally said good night and went up to bed.

Despite the late night, Harry was up bright and early the next morning. After a quick shower Harry was downstairs and waiting for Susan. He saw Ron and Hermione whispering in a corner and decided to go over.

"Hi." Said Harry.

"Hi, Harry. Look Ron and I would like to say sorry for saying what we did about Susan. You know evil and if you think she's not evil, then, she's not." Blushed Hermione.

"Thanks, but I'm not the one you should apologise to." Answered Harry. "Now, how about some breakfast?"

"Yeah, I'm starving. Lets go." Chipped in Ron.

"Hey, leaving without me?" Asked Susan as she bounded up to stand next to Harry.

"Would we even dream of it?" asked Harry innocently. Susan looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Okay, so we would." Said Harry. "But you're here now. Lets go." And with that all four trundled of to breakfast. The Great Hall, as usual, was filled with a wide range of delicious food. Susan helped herself to a piece of bacon.

"Have you ever thought about becoming a vegetarian? Asked Harry.

"No. Why?" replied Susan.

"Because at any one time, there is up to four kilos of undigested red meat sitting in your intestines."

"A charming discussion for the breakfast table. What will it be tomorrow? The effect of vegetables on the kidney?"

"If you could see your intestines, you'd be sorry."

"Harry, if I could see my intestines, I would be more than sorry."

"I didn't mean it like that. Don't eat so fast, you're making me sick." Said Harry as he watched Susan eat faster than even Hermione when she had to get to the library.

"I have to eat fast. I'm going to see Draco in ten minutes."

"We have to talk about that. I do not want you seeing Malfoy again."

"Why ever not?" Asked Susan, surprised.

"He is my enemy. Enemies do NOT go out with go out with The Hero's sisters."

"Shhh. Do you want every one to know? Anyway, I'm sure if Draco had a beautiful sister, you would go out with her and try to lead her onto the path of righteousness. That's what I'm trying to do."

"Well, I don't know what he sees in you. You have no respect. I'm the older twin, you should respect me!"

"Bit rich coming from Mr Cotton Tail." Said Susan, dryly.

"You are never going to let me forget that, are you?"

"No. I'm your sister. I'm here to embarrass, annoy and irritate you until the point you wish I had never been born and that you could disown me. Then I will have a fatal accident and you will suddenly remember why you love me."

"Can I do that?"

"Do what?"

"Disown you?"

"NO."

"Okay, it was worth a try." Sighed Harry, as Draco came sidling up.

"Susan, are you ready?" Asked Draco.

"Always." Answered Susan.

"Ready for what?" Asked Harry suspiciously. Hermione and Ron turned around to see what was going on. Susan giggled and whispered something in Draco's ear. He grinned and nodded.

"Oh, you know. We are going to find a quiet bush or tree and make out," snorted Susan. Harry heard Hermione giggle behind him and Ron sniggering.

"Some path of righteousness." Grumbled Harry.

"Not bad, is it? I'm not opposed to it. " Chuckled Draco. Hermione began to have hysterics and Ron fell of his chair, hooting with laughter.

"Well, I see you are having a great time laughing at me so I wont interrupt your fun." Muttered Harry.

"Harry, what would be the use of me if I didn't make fun of you? You've got your enemy and your sister to do that." Suddenly there was silence behind Harry.

"Now you've put your foot in it, Draco. Lets go before you say something else that no one is supposed to know." And they walked out. Harry was left with two accusing faces and a lot to explain. They all went to the library and sat down. It took him a good hour and a half to explain everything. If it taught him anything it was that he hated Draco Malfoy.

"So let me get this straight. Susan is your sister?" questioned Ron.

"Twin sister."

"And you never knew about her?" asked Hermione

"How could I? I don't exactly remember being born very well. It's a little fuzzy around the edges."

" I mean, Dumbledore never told you?"

"No, he didn't."

"Oh." There wasn't much else to say. Both Harry's friends were in shock. Harry was about to go and spy on Susan and Malfoy, when Malfoy himself came rushing in.

"Potter, come Dumbledore, Susan. NOW." Malfoy babbled. He grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him along the corridor to Dumbledore office. Harry thought wearily that he might as well camp out in the hall as he spent most of him time running from the library to Dumbledore office.

Dumbledore, if possible, looked more tired than he had before. As Harry and Malfoy came bursting in, he signed for the two to sit down.