RoLP Ch.81: Fighting Back (Patreon)

1st July 1996

Grimmauld Place, London

A small obsidian stone glinted against Harry’s pale palm as he stared onto it, breathing in the silence of the room. 

“Mon dieu.” Fleur gently nudged the stone, her eyes wide. “I have never felt any magic like this. It is like… Like a sea of grief… A storm of sorrow that swirls with clouds of anger thundering over it.” 

Fleur lower lips quivered and she stepped back, away from the stone in Harry’s palm.

“Is it really the Resurrection stone?” A skeptical frown flitted across Daphne’s face. “The hallows are a children’s story, Harry. What are the chances that the story is actually being true?”

“Even stories stem from a modicum of truth at times.” Harry said quietly. “The stone may or may not be a gift from Death. But they are real. And from the aura I feel from it, that is the Resurrection Stone. I am not sure if it can truly call upon the souls of the dead though. It goes against magic’s nature to get back what’s dead.”

“You didn’t use the stone?” Susan asked softly, her hand trembling. “You didn’t try to call your parents? To talk to them?”

“I reckon that they would be nothing more than echoes of my own thoughts.” Harry closed his fist around the stone. “There’s no magic that can truly call back the dead, Susan. At least not without a great price.”

“Are you sure?” Susan’s eyes trailed up to meet his. “There is nothing like the Resurrection Stone or the hallows either. Don’t you want to see if it works? And above all, see your parents again?”

“That may not be such a good idea.” Daphne said sharply. “In the story, the second brother went insane and killed himself to be reunited with his lover after using the stone. As Harry said, a great price. Magical objects tend to be dangerous for a reason, Susan. The more powerful they are, the more dangerous they can be if used wrong.”

“And the stone might really be just an artifact created by some enchanter.” Fleur ran her fingers through her locks. “Honestly, that may be safer that it being capable of… well, disobeying the magic of nature”

“What I am more interested in is that if the stone is real, that means that the wand and the cloak are too.” Daphne bit her lip. “I don’t know about the cloak but the wand might be a really—”

She paused as Harry flicked the Elder Wand into his hand and held it up for her to see. Fleur gasped softly, stumbling back while Daphne blinked at it in bemusement.

“That is your wand, isn’t it? Not the… wand from the story? Please tell me it isn’t the wand from the story, Harry.” Daphne pleaded.

“It is the Elder Wand.” Harry’s lips curled watching the three of them goggle. “And you want to know something else?”

“You gotta be kidding me,” Daphne muttered. “Don’t you dare tell me that you’ve the cloak— you do, don’t you? The Invisibility Cloak that you always have with you. That’s the cloak from your story. No other Invisibility Cloak could last so long.”

“Exactly.”

“Bloody hell.” Daphne sat down on the bed. “Bloody fucking hell. You united the hallows.”

“Does this mean you’re the Master of Death?” Susan asked quietly. “Do you feel anything different, Harry?”

“Beyond a connection with the hallows, I feel nothing else.” Harry shook his head. “I have always had the cloak. It is a family heirloom. I got the stone and the wand yesterday. The stone was a part of the ring which I burned down. And the wand… it was Dumbledore’s.”

Daphne’s and Susan’s head snapped up, their eyes widening while Fleur arched an eyebrow.

“Don’t worry, he is alright. It was a near call yesterday, as I told you.” Harry said. “The Horcrux got to him but thankfully I saw it in time. It was compelling him to put on the cursed ring that would’ve resulted in a horrible death. Before he could put it on, I hit him with an Expelliarmus and won the wand accidently.”

“Next time take us too, mon amour.” Fleur wrapped an arm around Harry’s shoulder. “That way we could help if anything goes wrong.”

“You all are helping me with the Death Eater problem, Fleur.” Harry dropped the stone in his pouch. “The Horcrux hunt is dangerous. And above all, the Horcruxes are dangerous. They are a part of Voldemort at the end.”

“It nearly got to Professor Dumbledore,” Susan scoffed. “Of course they are dangerous. But that doesn’t mean—”

“Are we seriously glossing over the fact that Harry has the three hallows?” Daphne interrupted. “Which includes the most powerful wand in the world? The wand, I am sure people have killed for, throughout history.”

“I am pretty sure two of the worst dark lords are out to kill me anyway.” Harry smiled humorlessly. “But yes, if Grindelwald comes to know that I’ve united all the hallows he will flip.” His smile broadened into a grin. “And I will enjoy it.”

“I am not sure if pissing Grindelwald is a really good idea.” Fleur muttered

“His symbol.” Susan put her hand on her mouth. “It is the symbol of the Deathly Hallows that the believers of the story wear. Like Luna’s father.”

“He has been after the hallows his whole life. This wand—” Harry waved the elder wand in front of their eyes. “Once belonged to him.” 

“And Dumbledore won it from him,” Daphne deduced. “His duel of Berlin.”

“Yep.”

“And now it belongs to you.” Fleur stated. “Grindelwald will be coming for it if he knows you have it. Coming to kill you and reclaim the wand. Harry… when Grindelwald wants someone dead, they do not survive. Believe me.”

“He has tried it in the past already. Before we even knew he was in the game, Fleur.” Harry shrugged. “He’s coming for me any which way. As I said, I already have two of the most feared and terrible dark lords in history out to kill me. It makes no difference, the wand or not.”

“If anything it will help you fight them better.” Daphne pointed out. “Every little thing counts. Every spell, every move, every wand. And you’ve the most powerful one of them all.”

“Which also means he cannot lose to them at any cost.” Susan said. “If he’s disarmed—”

“Unless I am killed, it won’t make a difference.” Harry raised his hand. “I did a small blood ritual to bind all the three hallows to me. Until my blood line dies out, the hallows will not work properly for another. It ensures that if I am disarmed or defeated in any way less than being killed, the wand will still be mine. Privileges of blood binding.”

“And if you die?” Fleur said fiercely. “Grindelwald will kill you for that wand, Harry. He is… you know what he is, mon amour.”

“If Harry dies, we have already lost, Fleur.” Susan put her face in her hands. “Dumbledore will never be able to hold them both.” 

“That’s true.” Daphne agreed. “The only reason Grindelwald and Voldemort haven’t taken over Britain is that both Harry and Dumbledore stand in their way here. Outside the isles, the situation is very different. Aurors are being slaughtered by hordes. A couple of countries have fallen and magical nations have lost territories which have now been taken over by Grindelwald.”

“We intend to turn the tables soon.” Harry said. “Our mission isn’t the only one I will be undertaking. The Order intends to do its own thing.”

“The Order is taking the fight to Grindelwald?” Daphne blinked. “I thought it was a response team.”

“We are.” Harry pursed his lips. “But we are no longer limited to Britain now. The countries of the ICW entered talks on sharing military power and helping each other in January. Now, a few select forces have been put on the list of shared military powers. The Order of the Phoenix being one of them.”

“Wait, what?” Susan’s mouth hung open. “You all are an independent military power now?”

“An extension of the British Auror force,” Harry corrected. “A team whose sole purpose is to stop Grindelwald and Voldemort alongside their followers, which now even include a handful of smaller dark lords who have joined them.”

“Other dark lords?”

“There are a few. There’s always some dark lord or the other in every country. Most are classified as high-priority criminals until they do something unforgivably big.” Harry shrugged. “And many of them have joined Grindelwald’s cause in a bid to further their own. They are his acolytes now technically, but yes. It has been kept very hush hush. We apparently even finished one off in the Department of Mysteries.”

“Fuck,” Susan cursed. “And we didn’t even realize it.”

“Dumbledore became suspicious of the numbers they had with them.” Harry said. “And most weren’t matching wands for hire list of the ICW. So he dug further and came up with a bunch of dark wizards— mafia wizards or should I say, who had been on the ICW’s watch-list for a while. There was no way Grindelwald would’ve accumulated such numbers either.”

“But that wasn’t the case for the other dark lords.” Daphne whispered. “And he brought them into the fray.”

“Now more so than others. Why go to all the trouble recruiting and training when you can have a ready-made force of dark wizards to call upon.”

“And what do we have on our side?” Fleur asked worriedly. “We are but a handful of people.”

“Fleur, all the auror and hitwizard forces in the world are against Grindelwald and Voldemort. Well, almost all.” Susan turned to her. “Then there is the Order of the Phoenix and similar smaller groups to oppose him, if I am to guess.”

“They have sprung up.” Harry informed. “And some have already been slaughtered, especially in Russia. Word is one of those groups there managed to burn one of his strongholds down and killed several of his acolytes. He took his revenge, of course.”

“He killed them all.” Susan’s eyes met his and Harry inclined his head.

“All of this aside, we are still on with our plan?” Daphne looked around. “Tomorrow night’s?”

“Of course we are,” Harry said. “Get Perenelle for the wards. Two of the places are old households and I want to slip in and out undetected.”

“The houses are the easy part, Harry.” Susan said. “We need to get to the ministry, past the auror guard. And my aunt does not know about this.”

“Why can’t we tell her?” Fleur frowned. 

“Plausible deniability and all.” Harry answered. “She will likely go on trial after the war to justify every single action she passed stating the reason as the war. Bagnold went on trial, so did Crouch because he was the head of the DMLE.”

“Nothing will happen to her if that happens, will it?” Susan bit her lips.

“I will ensure that the worse comes to worse, she’ll only lose her job.” Harry said. “Wartime ministers seldom keep their jobs after a war anyway. Even if they do, they only complete the term before retiring or losing the next election.”

“So no telling anyone about this?” Daphne asked.

“Only Dumbledore and Sirius know.” Harry said. “No one else will. Except either of you want to tell your parents.”

“I’ll make do.” Daphne pursed her lips. “My mom would never allow me.”

“Neither would my papa.” Fleur agreed. “Let’s start preparing. We have our jobs. I’ll inform Madame Flamel that we are ready.”

“Let’s get going then.” Harry said. “Get whatever you need and meet me in the study. We’ll go over the plans once more.”

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2nd July 1996

Grimmauld Place, London

“I am sorry for my lateness,” Dumbledore swept into the room, a bag held in his hand. “Sirius, I need you to set a table for these portkeys. They are international portkeys to all the countries who have agreed to the International Protection Act. I need them to be carefully labeled, my boy. And in a safe place where they can’t be stolen”

“How many countries are there?” Bill asked as Sirius took the bag to the side, Remus following him.

“Currently? Twenty-nine countries have agreed to this. Another fourteen are still considering and six are pushing for the protection act.”

“It’s never going to pass,” Amelia snorted. “If they have nothing to give in return, the other countries will not help them. We do not have the resources to spare.”

“MACUSA is considering their plee, Amelia.” Dumbledore sighed, taking a seat. “So are the Japanese ministry and New Atlantis.”

“New Atlantis has a force of wizards that I could count on my fingers.” Amelia rolled her eyes. “It is an island nation for Merlin’s sake.”

“An island nation only having wizards.” Dumbledore said while Harry leafed through a file.

“They’ve pledged their trident force to the cause.” Harry plucked a parchment from it. “And they’ve recently made— some Solon Dimitriou, their strategos.”

“That is a name that I know now.” Moody grunted. “Hell of a wizard, that man.”

“He does have a lot of medals,” Harry put the file away. “Anyhow, with these international portkeys here, we would need someone of our own at the Ministry to monitor the messages and relay them to us. Cut the chain of communication short.”

“Perkins and I are on it,” Arthur leaned forward while a man waved at them from the side of the kitchen. “The system is being set up. We also have Tonks with us in case we need someone to fill in for us.”

Harry’s eyes flicked to Nymphadora who stood by the door, playing with the hoops in her cloak. Her silvery-blonde, almost white hair hung down her face like a curtain, her eyes the usual steely gray of the Black family.

In the recent weeks, she had improved considerably thanks to the mind healers she had been seeing. While she still had bouts of grief, they were far and few in between. She had even been allowed back in the Auror office with a desk job rather than field work. 

“So, now we are an international response team?” Hestia frowned.

“We are an official branch of the British DMLE,” Harry said. “And we’ve been pledged to international aid and defense under the International Protection Act.”

“And which other forces are with us?” Cedric asked. “Just curious.”

“The prominent ones are the French Le Mystérieux, The Brazilian flying squad, Japan’s… I can’t pronounce this name.” Harry frowned.

“Ken no madou shi.” Kingsley supplied from across the table. “Literally translates to sword mages. They are a special variety of fighters. The closer they get, the more dangerous they are.”

“Right,” Harry flipped the page. “So, yes. It is a mix of skills from all around the world, honestly. We are not getting all aurors. Some have gotten creative. Like, Romania is giving their Dragon Rangers— a subdivision of their Magical Creature Control Department.”

“Those people are good at what they do,” Charlie chimed in. “I have a few friends in the department and I have worked with them a few times over the years. They are the type of people who know what they’re doing.”

“What I am more interested in knowing is, what is Grindelwald’s status?” Perenelle cleared her throat. “While international cooperation is great and all, it is a response to the action he is committing. What is he doing? And how many governments have fallen to him?”

“Four at least.” Harry replied. “Russia is his biggest. He has captured Bering and Diomede island which were MACUSA protected lands and threw up his own wards. Plus, word is that Lithuania is also supporting him.”

“As of yesterday, Krakov in Poland has allied with Voldemort under their combined banner.”

People around the room paled.

“Wait, Krakov as in—”

“The Vampire Clan of Poland, yes.” Dumbledore nodded. “They’ve thrown in their support. They are at official war with Poland as of a few hours ago for violating multiple policies and treaties. If Grindelwald backs out of the alliance, the whole nation of vampires will be razed to the ground.”

“That’s concerning.” Harry chewed his lip. “They might have already begun to feed.

“We do not know that yet.” Dumbledore said. “But it is only a matter of time before they move to open warfare, I am afraid. Poland has already requested aid. They are woefully inept to handle both at once.”

“They need vampire hunters,” Charlie said. 

“They are ridiculously expensive,” Moody grunted. “They need pest control. Rampaging Fiendfyre or something to burn those bastards to the ground the moment they attack.”

“Krakov’s might not be so easy to deal with. Their variety can turn to smoke.” Amos Diggory glanced around. “While Fiendfyre would work against them, if they have sufficient warning, they will escape. They are the third most dangerous clan in the world after Dracula’s and Count Yvonne’s, both of whom have remained peaceful for decades.”

“We can set vampires against vampires.” Harry suggested. “Ally with Dracula himself.”

“Harry, Dracula will kill you the moment you show up on his doorstep with that offer. He has long since distanced himself from humans and let us not rouse him.” Dumbledore said warningly. “And under no circumstances we can incite war with him. He is as dangerous as Voldemort is, despite having laid low for decades at this point.”

“He didn’t even fight in the first war with Grindelwald, did he?” Hestia frowned. “I remember some of it from my NEWTs.”

“He didn’t raise a finger beyond sending back both the sides’ envoys back with a very, very stern warning.” Amos said. “It is said that the envoys didn’t recover for the rest of their lives.”

“What about the other one then?” Someone asked.

“The ICW will never go for it.” Amelia shook her head. “Also, getting them to fight their own species for us may not be a good idea and give them a deal we don’t want to in their treaties.”

“Then we need to find some other option.” Perenelle said. “Because Poland will be overrun in days. ICW can respond here and strike back.”

“MACUSA is pushing to free Diomedes and Bering from his control.” Dumbledore shook his head. “If my instincts are not wrong, it will be the first move in international war from our side. And once that happens, there’ll be no looking back.”

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2nd July 1996

British Isles, Great Britannia

Dark, worn stone bricks glimmered in the flash of lightning above, rivulets of water running down the roof of the house. Susan and Daphne trudged down a cobblestoned pathway, surrounded by a small, trimmed garden. A faint sheen of magic covered their heads, their dark cloaks flapping against their ankles in the wind.

“Why is the weather here always so dreadful?” Fleur muttered, tugging her cloak closer, the hem steaming as water dried off with a wave of her wand. “If Flint isn’t here, I am burning the place to the ground.”

Harry snorted, carefully stepping onto the porch, the floorboard creaking slightly beneath his weight.

“Careful.” The tip of his wand flashed, glinting against the owl shaped door knocker. “Nothing on the door except for the ringing charm on the knocker. And it is locked with a strong self locking and anti burglary charms. Very standard like the wards we disabled.”

Harry let his magic flow down the length of the wand, feeling the magic over the lock, ripping it away like a cobweb. The door clicked open, its hinges squeaking in the silence of the night.

“Silence the hinges.” Perenelle flicked her wand and the door swung open soundlessly. “Dry your clothes and clean your shoes. We are leaving no proof behind that could be traced back to us.” 

“There’s a charm on the floor.” Harry said. “Linking to the lamps. Wear your glasses to see, I will cut the connection.” He pushed a pair of old glasses up his nose, his vision lighting up like it was the middle of the day. “These are brilliant, Fleur.”

“Merci.” Fleur inclined her head, watching as the dull glow of the lamps died. “Do we split?”

“Pairs.” Harry said. “Susan and Perenelle, Daphne with you. I will go alone. Stun, immobilize, and bind anyone you find. If they attack you lethally—”

“We know, Harry.” Daphne muttered from beneath her hood. “No risks.”

“I will go up the stairs. If you find the elf, take it out.” Harry nodded. “If you are in trouble, don’t be afraid to yell for help. I will too— if I need help.”

“Let’s disillusion ourselves and get going.” Perenelle waved her wand over herself, fading away from their view. “No detection charms, alright?”

Through his glasses, Harry could see a bluish outline of Perenelle as she trudged forward, Susan following her.

“These glasses are good.” Daphne muttered, fading into a blue outline before walking away with Fleur in the opposite direction where Susan and Perenelle were going.

With a glance around him, Harry waved the elder wand, channeling his will to disappear from view. Magic washed over him like a trickle of ice cold water over his head. With another wave, his feet rose from the ground, and he flew up the stairs of the house, straining his ears.

With a jab of his wand, the first door clicked, revealing an empty, bare bedroom containing only a few bags and boxes stacked in a corner. 

‘Nothing,’ Harry retreated out, going to the second door that swung open with a slight push, revealing a bathroom. ‘Who puts a bathroom behind such a door? Idiots.’

A faint flash of crimson caught his eyes from downstairs, followed by another. No other sounds emerged from within and Harry felt his heart drum against his chest.

‘That’s the way Susan had gone.’ Harry shook his head. ‘She’s with Perenelle. She’ll be safe. And if it was the Flints they would’ve raised a racket or there would’ve been a fight.’

He pushed the third door, only to find it locked. He pushed magic through his fingers and the door clicked open.

The smell of roses and sandalwood hit his nose, followed by soft snores. Harry crept in, his eyes roaming around the room. Marcus Flint, Slytherin’s old Quidditch captain laid on the bed, a girl curled up next to her, both snuggled under the covers. 

‘Stupefy. Stupefy.’ Two beams of crimson leaped from his wand, hitting both of them. Flint’s snores ceased and he walked around the bed, lifting the covers. With a flick of his wand, Marcus’ left hand shot out, revealing the dark mark burned onto his hand.

His eyes flicked to the girl next to him and he paused.

Shooting another pair of stunners he shot a full body body curse at them and walked out of the room. After a quick peek into the room next door, which turned out to be a study, he walked back down the stairs.

Fleur and Daphne stood in the hall, a house elf at their feet, completely visible. Perenelle and Susan were levitating a pair of bodies out of a room.

“Hey,” Harry let his disillusionment fade as their wands shot toward him, all of their tips glowing. “It’s me. Can one of you come up here? I need one of you to check something.”

“What?” Fleur drifted up the stairs. “Is it some—”

“There’s a girl in the room with Flint.” Harry shifted. “I have stunned them both but I need you to check if she has the dark mark and maybe, conjure her a robe.

Fleur pulled down her hood, beaming at him. With a peck on his lips she walked into the room and Harry turned away.

“She has the mark.” Fleur declared. “And a ring. Harry, you might want to see this ring. She’s clothed, don’t worry.”

“Thank you,” Harry walked up to Fleur, who was holding the girl’s wrist, a silver ring with the emblem of the Deathly Hallows glinting on it. “She’s one of Grindelwald’s. This is good. Pull your hood up.”

Magic leaped from his wand and the girl floated in the air, her ring shooting into Harry’s palm. A moment later, her eyes flew open and she let out a scream that rang through the house as Harry twisted his wand.

With a wave, she was sent flying onto the wall of the room as the bed floated out of the way and Harry neared her. She struggled against his magic but Harry kept her pinned to the wall.

“What’s your name?” He barked. 

She looked around fearfully, her gaze flicking worriedly to Flint before going to the cabinet that had been by the bed. 

‘The wand.’ Harry held out his palm and the drawers flew open, a thin wand slapping into his hand.

The door behind them slammed open and Daphne and Susan ran in, pausing as they laid eyes upon the scene.

“Dogwood.” Harry declared, turning back to the girl. “You’re very loyal, aren’t you? Loyal to whom, is the question.”

“Please don’t do anything.” The girl pleaded. “Take whatever you want. Please, just let him go.”

Harry’s eyes flicked to Marcus. “We will let him live if you tell us what we want.”

“Anything.” She declared, her eyes going to the door as Perenelle walked in. 

“Tell me about Grindelwald.” Harry sat on the bed where she had been sleeping, pointing his wand at Flint’s neck. “Tell me everything.”

“I’ve only met him once when he recruited me,” The girl’s lips quivered, her eyes wide in terror. “He promised—”

“I don’t care what he promised. What are his plans?” Harry asked harshly.

“I don’t know, I swear!” The girl gulped. “We only get called when one of his mitmenschen summons us.” 

“Do they summon you through this ring?” Harry held up the ring she had been wearing. 

“Yes. Yes, they do.” The girl bobbed her head. “He said it will only work for me. When the ring heats up, I have to say the phrase for the greater good and it takes me to wherever they are.”

“What else?”

“I have only been summoned once when they attacked some castle. I don’t even know where it was,” she whimpered. “Please—”

“How did he recruit you?” Harry cut in. “You are British. You should’ve gone to Voldemort.”

The girl flinched at the name and Harry raised an eyebrow.

“I was a gift. You-know-who said that he would give Grindelwald some of his promising recruits as a show of friendship. Marcus took his mark and I went with Grindelwald.”

“Interesting. Who else was with you?”

“I recognized a few housemates.” Words spilled from her mouth. “I don’t know all of them. I know— I know a few. There was Dixon and Dunn— they were a year above me at Hogwarts. I think there was someone named Harper.”

The girl gulped. 

“Who else?” Perenelle stepped forward. “Give me names, girl.”

“Wilkes. Amanda Wilkes.” The girl scrunched her eyes shut as if it had pained her to give the name. “And Arthur Runcorn.”

“Good, good. Who else?”

“Please, I don’t know anyone else. I saw a few faces but I don’t know who they were. I—”

“Legilimens.” Harry hammered into her memories, images flashing past her eyes. A force tried to push him back but he powered past it, breaking into a pool of visuals.

Faces flashed past his eyes, including Grindelwald’s and Voldemort’s. Harry walked through her mind, watching her memories like a television show, pulling what was necessary to himself. He dove deeper, flicking past inessential things, until he arrived at her Hogwarts years.

With a thought, he pulled back, dropping his spell. The girl collapsed to the ground with a ringing thud, bleeding from her nose and remained unmoving.

“What did you get?” Perenelle nudged the girl with her foot. “Anything useful?”

“A few faces. I would need to ask Dumbledore or someone who they are. And we would need a pensieve.”

“That can be arranged.” Perenelle nodded.

“Let’s wrap up here then.” Daphne winced. “Anything else we need from here?”

“A little of her blood.” Harry examined the ring in his hand. “It might lead us somewhere. Hopefully, straight to Grindelwald.”

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AND… DONE! Hope you all liked the chapter!

I will be very honest with you; I don’t know how this has turned out because I had to rush through the last scene to get it done. I am smack down in the middle of my final exams for the semester and I am almost out of backups. The exams will go on till next Friday (The 17th). 

So, next week, there’ll only be one update that’ll go out on the 15th, namely a side story of LoSP. In the week after that, I’ll try to get out two updates for my main stories to compensate, though.

My apologies once again for the change in update schedule but it will only be for one week. (Technically it will only be a shift and shuffle in the schedule.)

A huge thanks to Mughil for betaing this chapter.

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Stay Happy! Stay Safe! Keep Smiling! Keep Reading!

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