The Lion Cub Chapter 109: Assassin in Hogsmeade P2 (Patreon)

Draco Malfoy was submerged in a tempest of emotions, fear reigning supreme at the moment. It was a fear that threatened to engulf him, to lay bare his vulnerability before those close to him.

He was about to do the greatest act in the war against mudbloods. He was about to kill Albus Dumbledore, the wizard who even the Dark Lord feared, in a straight fight. He was about to kill Albus Dumbledore, the wizard whom even the Dark Lord feared, in a straight fight. His entire body shook at what he was attempting. The largess of it all, the moment of greatness and truth, stared back at him. It was a point of no return as well. He had never killed anyone before, but then again, he had wanted to kill but never got the chance.

His thirst for power and recognition was a fire that raged within him. If his target were Potter or that mudblood Granger, he’d have felt a surge of exhilaration. But the Dark Lord demanded Dumbledore's death. If he succeeded, the reward would be immeasurable. He’d elevate the prestige of House Malfoy and secure a place at the Dark Lord’s side as they usher in the era of Pureblood dominance in Britain.

Draco could think of the many things he could do if he had such power. He could show those blood-traitor Weasleys their place once the Dark Lord won. Without Dumbledore, Potter could be dealt with. He believed it was because of Dumbledore, his arch nemesis was powerful. Once the Dark Lord destroyed Potter, he could also pay a visit to some of his fellow housemates, especially the Greengrass sisters. He was sure Greengrass and her little gang could be of some use to the Death Eaters even if they were blood traitors.

But they were not the sole blood traitors in his house. It was sad to know how many pureblood Slytherins had fallen for Potter’s false charm. Once the Dark Lord won, he’d make everything right, and House Slytherin would be purged of the undesirable elements that polluted its sanctity.

However, for any of that to come to pass, he had to complete the task set out by the Dark Lord. While the rewards of victory were indeed great, the consequences of failure were much harsher.

Draco was acutely aware that failure would not only crush him but also tarnish his family name. The thought of his family falling further into disfavour with the Dark Lord was a heavy burden that threatened to break him. It could lead to his death or even his mother’s death.

Draco’s hands shook as he sat in the Three Broomsticks, waiting for Travis Finch to show up with the cursed necklace he purchased from Borgin and Burkes. He chose to sit at the table close to the door and was seated in a chair that gave him a full view of the door. He was hardly bothered by the inane conversation amongst his friends as he sweated a little while eyeing the door like a hawk.

He eyed his supposed friends and beat down the urge to sneer at these idiots. Crabbe and Goyle were as useless to his father as their parents were. Pansy was a disturbance more than anything at this point with her incessant nagging. Millicent was silent and useless, just like Pansy. He didn’t consider Zabini a friend, but that one was too dangerous to trust, even with a toothbrush. Nott was silent and creepy. He never knew what that boy thought, which made Theodore Nott dangerous and untrustworthy.

Any one of his so-called friends could bring him down if they knew what he was doing. After all, his failure would benefit them and their families. House Malfoy gaining the Dark Lord’s favour would not sit well with his friends and their family’s interests. So, he kept his eyes peeled for a spell in the back from his so-called friends. Even now, he had kept Crabbe and Goyle in the dark despite how dumb they were.

After all, it was not just his fellow Slytherins he had to worry about. Snape was also after his hide, constantly offering his aid and prying for information about his plans. It was a good thing he had started taking lessons in Occlumency over the summer. While he was not at a level to face a skilled Legilimens like Snape, he could detect intrusions into his mind, which was more than enough to safeguard his secrets.

Draco sat up straight when he noticed Travis Finch walk into the pub.

“I’ll be right back.” Draco said to his friends as he stood and walked towards the men’s restroom.

It didn’t take long for Finch to follow him and enter the restroom. They immediately secured the restroom with a few wards to keep out any surprise visitors.

“Did you bring it?” Draco immediately asked.

“Of course I did.” Finch said, taking out the cursed necklace that he brought from Borgin and Burkes before coming to Hogwarts.

Draco immediately took the wooden box from Finch’s hands and looked inside. The shiny black necklace gleamed menacingly, making Draco shiver in fright from the palpable malevolence. For a moment, he doubted his plan to have Dumbledore get afflicted with the curse on the necklace.

After all, if he could feel the dark magic in the necklace, Dumbledore could most certainly detect the magic.

But Draco already had a plan that he hoped would circumvent that little problem. All he had to do was force someone else to use the necklace on Dumbledore. It had to be someone Dumbledore wouldn’t suspect capable of attacking him. Thankfully, he just had the best person for that job.

“You may leave now.” Draco said to Finch while handing the man a pouch of galleons. “Do not linger in this place.”

“You ain’t need to worry about me, Malfoy. I’m off to Knockturn to find my red-Beth and have a nice evening.” Finch grinned lecherously before taking his leave from the restroom.

Draco wiped the sweat off his forehead and tried to get a grip on his shaking hands. It was now time to execute his plan. Taking a deep breath, he walked out of the restroom, the box safely hidden in a pocket inside his robes. He looked around at the pub for his Target while standing inconspicuously close to a darkened corner of the pub, away from anyone’s notice.  

His eyes were solely trained on Madam Rosmerta as the voluptuous witch served the customers butterbeer and wine. The barmaid of the Three Broomsticks was a wet dream of all male students in Hogwarts. She was attractive with her long, curly dark hair, hazel eyes and an impressive bust that made all the boys swoon. Having captured the eye of the majority of the male population of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, Madam Rosmerta was a perfect pawn for this task.

But directly using Madam Rosmerta was not a sound idea. Draco knew this, and therefore, his plan was far better.

When Madam Rosmerta finally left the tables and came behind the counter, Draco was ready with his wand and pointed discreetly at the witch.

“Imperio.”

He could see the spell take effect. He had practised the spell repeatedly on a few captured muggle prisoners during the holidays, and it was not different when used against Rosmerta. He didn’t even need to use verbal commands to make her obey. He only had to convey his intentions silently while the spell took effect.

‘Find a lone Gryffindor student and put them under the Imperius curse. Order them to give this necklace to Albus Dumbledore. Order them not to open the package for anyone else. Order them to go straight to Albus Dumbledore and make sure he touches the necklace.’

Draco slid the wooden box on the counter, and Rosmerta took the box without protesting. The woman kept it inside her coat, making Draco let out a relieved sigh.

‘You’ll forget who gave you this necklace. You’ll obey my order without fail and never tell anyone about the necklace. Now, act normal to everyone else.’

Draco let out a sigh of relief when Rosmerta turned back to her job. The woman was back looking at the shelf, probably for a butterbeer bottle.

It was as if a great weight was lifted off his shoulder. He had done it! He could feel a surge of victory coursing through his body. Some of the confidence that he had lost was returning in full force. He had done the most difficult task right under the noses of the occupants of the Three Broomsticks. He now had the most attractive barmaid of Hogsmeade under his command.

His grey eyes fell on the shapely bottom of Madam Rosmerta. Draco couldn’t help but smirk at the older witch as she continued to serve and tease the men and boys in the pub.

‘When this is all over, I should visit Rosmerta to properly ‘celebrate’ my victory.’ Draco mused, smiling lecherously at the voluptuous woman.

He remained in the dark corner, watching Rosmerta work while looking for an opportunity to use an unsuspecting Gryffindor in his scheme. As minutes ticked by, his anxiety only increased, and it notably spiked when he saw Potter enter the pub with a bunch of Aurors.

‘What is Potter doing here now? Why is he with Aurors?’ Draco thought, his fear rising to new heights as he frantically looked around the pub for an escape route.

Potter suddenly clapped his hands, and a loud sound attracted everyone’s attention. The entire pub fell silent and looked at Potter, whose eyes gleamed with a bright green hue.  

“Everyone, I’d like you to cooperate for a few minutes. Please stay where you are and stay silent.” Potter said loudly.

Draco’s eyes widened, and his heart started beating faster. He began to sweat as the Aurors spread out in the pub, making it impossible for him to leave without a fight.

“What is the meaning of this? Who do you think you are, you half-blood lun…” Pansy shrieked, but Potter just waved his hand, and Pansy was lifted off her feet and slammed into the pub's roof.

The wooden planks of the roof suddenly started to move and rearrange themselves as if they were being transfigured. When the planks stopped moving, everyone saw Pansy Parkinson trapped inside the wood. All her limbs were locked in, and even her mouth was covered by a wooden hand, making it impossible for the sixth-year Slytherin to make any sound sans some groaning and moaning.

“I’m afraid I don’t have the patience for Death Eater bitches today. Now, I won’t be taking too much of your time. So, please remain seated.” Potter said with a disarming smile, but the weight of his command was palpable.

No one moved from their spot, especially after witnessing the casual display of wandless magic that rendered Pansy Parkinson immobile and silent. Draco couldn’t help but gape as he stared at the bound Pansy struggling on the roof. His thoughts of attacking Potter and the Aurors and somehow making a run for it fled his mind upon seeing the ease at which his arch-rival was performing magic.

When he tore his eyes away from Pansy's prone form and looked at Potter, he saw his rival was holding a stone in the palm of his hand with glowing runes carved on its surface.

‘What in the name of Merlin is that?’ Draco wondered.

Suddenly, many beams of golden light shot out of the runestone, which jumped around the pub. The runestone continued to shoot out many beams that banked left and right around tables, shelves and counters. Some of those beams swirled around some people in the pub before they shot back into the runestone. It was a beautiful light show, and Draco would’ve secretly enjoyed it in any other situation.

When Draco saw a lone golden beam remain in the pub swirling around Rosmerta, he knew he was had.

“Incracerous. Expelliarmus.”

Madam Rosmerta was immediately bound and disarmed by an Auror in the blink of an eye.

Draco shivered in fright as the Aurors followed the light beam, which pointed at an inner pocket inside Rosmerta’s coat. The Aurors levitated the wooden box from her pocket, making Draco gulp audibly.

“There is definitely dark magic emanating from the box.” an Auror said after casting some spells on the box.  

“Of course, there is, and Madam Rosmerta is under the imperius curse.” Potter said almost casually.

Draco felt like he couldn’t breathe as Potter and the Aurors started unravelling his plans to glory right before his eyes. His danger senses went haywire when the Aurors started to inspect Rosmerta for the spell.

“I believe Mr Potter is right. She has glazed, unfocused eyes.” an Auror said after inspecting Rosmerta.

“I believe the one who put her under the imperious is not too far away. In fact, I’m pretty sure he is right there.” Potter pointed straight at him out of the blue.

Draco jumped out of the seat he was sitting in and made a run for it while firing a couple of exploding curses at Potter and the Aurors. But his curses were blown away, and the next thing he knew, he was blown straight out of one of the pub’s windows. His ears started ringing, and he spat out dirt from his mouth while lying prone on the ground. He shook his head to regain his bearings. He slowly crawled up to his hands and knees even as his vision swam.

He could hear distant shouts and screams, so he searched for his wand. But he couldn’t feel the warmth of the hawthorn wand in his hands, which sent a jolt through his body. He panicked and wildly searched for his wand by patting down the ground around him. Fortunately, his fingers graced a piece of wood and a familiar warmth spread through his right arm. The familiar sense of warmth also helped to chase away the blurriness covering his eyes.

He immediately tried to apparate away, but he found something like a hammer punching into his gut, knocking the air out of his lungs.

‘Anti-apparating jinx.’ Draco bemoaned.

Draco keeled over as he struggled to breathe, and his wand flew out of his hand before he could do anything.

“I warned you that the Malfoy line would end if you sought my enmity.”

Draco gritted his teeth as tears prickled his eyes at the weight of his failure set in. He could see Potter standing a few paces from him with a carefree look.

“Look at you now… crying like a baby in the middle of Hogsmeade for getting caught in service to the Dark Lord. I can feel his tainted magic on your left arm.”

“The Dark Lord will kill you. He’ll… he’ll…” Draco threatened furiously as shame and fear dominated his mind as he felt a thousand eyes on him.

“He’ll fail like he always has. The last time we met, I took his arm. The next time, I’ll take his soul.” Potter said as if he was talking about the weather.

Draco couldn’t understand how Potter could so callously and bravely state such things without a shred of doubt. He couldn’t understand how someone similar to his age could stand up to the Dark Lord. He couldn’t understand why Potter was powerful enough, but he wasn’t.

“Come on, lad. We have many questions for you and a long stay in the cell next to your father to look forward to.”

Draco heard one of the Aurors say as he was bound in ropes, and his possessions, including his wand, were carefully sealed away. The last thing he saw before the Aurors side-along apparated him was the many judging eyes of his fellow Hogwarts students. At that moment, he knew he had brought shame and ruin upon House Malfoy.  

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An excerpt from The Continental War 1660-1670 by Marcus Slytherin

The Scottish Empire under King Titus Targaryen was clear on its way forward in foreign policy. The Scottish court sought expansion into mainland Europe. Despite the many wars fought over the years with the former colonies of the Roman Empire, Scottish kings and Queens have always been satisfied with ruling over the home islands and never expanding further into mainland Europe. This policy was not borne out of magnanimity or a desire for peace. It was sheer pragmatism, and the Scottish throne hardly needed any resources outside its lands. The Scottish Empire hosted the most powerful sorcerers in the known world, with vast tracts comprising Scottish, Welsh, English and Irish lands. This magic allowed them to become immensely strong in military affairs, agriculture, mining, crafts, and art, and they boasted a vibrant economy.

The Scottish Royal Navy was historically the most powerful navy the world had ever seen, as it had single-handedly broken the Viking dominion of the seas. There have been many failed attempts by Frank, Spanish and Dutch kings to reclaim the Scottish Isles under Christendom, but they’ve all failed and become the graveyard of their armies and navies. This eventually resulted in a lukewarm peace between mainland Europe and the Scottish empire known as the Dragon’s Peace. It was a treaty signed by four dominant crowns of the European continent. The signatories were the Scottish Empire, France, the Dutch Republic and Spain.

This mutually agreed-upon peace treaty brought almost a century of peace to the Scottish Channel. This peace even led the Scottish Empire to become a peacemaker whenever the European kingdoms waged war against each other as a neutral party with no stake in the conflict. This state of affairs brought three Targaryen Kings with excellent diplomatic skills and a century of peace. European history remembered them as the three saintly dragons for their efforts to diminish the expansion of the Scottish Empire in the pursuit of peace with other European polities.

Therefore, it was a surprise when King Titus declared war on the Dutch Republic and its entire colonial possessions in the Americas and Asia. It was a war the Dutch Republic was not prepared for or even assumed in their wildest dreams would happen because the Dutch Republic was one of the most lucrative trade partners of the Scottish Empire.

On New Year's Eve, the Dutch Republic received the declaration of war. So, when the year 1660 started with the shores of the Dutch Republic burning as dragons laid waste to their enormous fleets and harbours, King Godfrey II of the Dutch Republic was said to have sported a look of utter befuddlement at the sudden hostilities from Scotland.

As a protestant nation, the Dutch Republic had often come into bitter conflicts with France. But never with Scotland, as their battles had been forgotten in the annals of history in favour of the Protestant-Catholic civil war within Christendom. In fact, it was the Catholic Church’s obsession with waging endless wars against the Scottish Empire that inflamed the Protestant movement in Europe. If anything, the Dutch Enlightenment Age and the reforms that led to freedom from the grip of the clergy of Rome were because the Scottish Empire defied Church power and doctrine. At one point, the Dutch kings of House Nassau tried to establish marital alliances with House Targaryen in hopes of preserving their shrinking republic, which France, the Holy Roman Empire, and Spain besieged.

Though unsuccessful, the Dutch kings enjoyed better relations with their Scottish counterparts.

So, Scotland's sudden declaration of war caught the Dutch Republic woefully unprepared. By the end of January, the Dutch fleet was completely wiped out of the Scottish channel, and most of their islands, cities, and towns close to the shores were under Scottish occupation. Their overseas possessions were essentially cut off from the mainland. Without the support of the mainland fleet, these colonies became easy prey for rival colonial powers or were forcibly absorbed into the Scottish Empire by the Scottish Royal Navy.

However, the quick fall of colonies was also due to the Scottish Empire’s ability to project its power using two special classes of ships unassailable by conventional weapons: the Royal Navy’s U-boat and the Airship.

It took King Godfrey II and his generals a long time to understand the true might of the enemy invading their nation. But by then, the Dutch Republic had become increasingly weakened by the relentless assault of the Scottish Royal Navy and Royal Army. 

However, the Dutch Republic's woes didn’t end there. Under Antoine II of House Bourbon, France invaded the Dutch Republic, resulting in a series of skirmishes and eventually the unilateral annexation of the Duchy of Lorraine and the invasion of the Spanish Netherlands. This, in turn, caused the Holy Roman Empire and Spain to declare war on France in defence of the Dutch Republic and the Spanish Netherlands. It was a complex situation on the ground where bitter rivals suddenly found themselves allies of convenience.

When word reached the Targaryen court in February that war had broken out between the major European powers, Titus Targaryen allegedly laughed so loud that the whole castle of Dragonshire shook. Whether Titus Targaryen planned for the distrust and greed that spun the wheel of European polities to lead France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire into a war remained unknown. However, many agree that Titus goaded the European powers to war against each other by spreading misinformation.

Some court transcripts of the French court support this theory because King Antione believed there was a secret alliance between the Scottish Empire and the Habsburgs of Spain, the Holy Roman Empire. At the same time, the Habsburgs believed House Targaryen and House Bourbon had come to an unholy alliance to divide Europe between themselves. Therefore, a bitter war broke out between France and Habsburg ruled Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. 

This neatly allowed King Titus to solidify his hold on the Dutch Republic, leading to its capitulation on June 3, 1660. The Dutch Republic was reconstituted into a Principality under King Titus’ uncle, Henry Targaryen. Immediately after that, he turned his attention to another European power while holding the borders of the newly formed principality with his dragons and sorcerers.