I hope that you all enjoyed the first remade chapter. I know that it was easier to write the entire previous story. Thanks to everyone that has contributed to my stories. Ham, I hadn't expected to do what you did, but thanks. I'll be sure to give you more time on future editions.
April 28, 1991
Voldemort had called an emergency meeting of his most trusted Death Eaters. Lucius Malfoy, Bartemius Crouch Jr., Bellatrix Lestrange, and William Susan Yaxley were the only ones which were privileged to grace their master's presence on this evening.
The group had been summoned to the ruins of a castle somewhere in Scotland, the mountains told them as much, where their lord was seated in a throne like chair on the altar of the castle's chapel. The large room showed signs of battle and fire. The single stained glass window behind the throne of Voldemort depicted Satan's expulsion and imprisonment in Hell. It was rather appropriate considering many people would believe that Voldemort was the devil incarnate.
Upon sensing the approach of his advisors, Voldemort drew his wand and conjured chairs for each of them. In front of Voldemort sat and ancient looking grate which held wood and what appeared to be coal. After waiting a few moments of each of the Death Eaters present to take a seat, Voldemort sent a ball of flame at the grate which immediately set the contents ablaze. One of Voldemort's quirks was that when in his presence, Death Eaters had to show their faces at all times. Voldemort used the light, and heat, to scrutinize the facial expressions of all of his troops, not just the 'Inner Circle.'
"I take it that you have some news for me Yaxley? After all, it would be such a shame if I had to start relying on the papers for my information," Voldemort said as he threw several copies of the Daily Prophet in the direction of Yaxley. "What good are you to me if you cannot provide such vital information before it reaches the press? Because of your failure, a scouting team has been stationed at an empty estate for over a week. Tell me Yaxley, you are reasonably intelligent, what are the stakes of this war?" Voldemort questioned; his voice almost purring the last question.
"My lord, as you requested I have diligently been reviewing candidates for a spy in the Department of Mysteries. Augustus Rookwood has been my target for the past several weeks, but mapping out his schedule and routine has proven rather difficult. I only managed to lure him away from the Ministry Wednesday to place him under the Imperius. Potter and his family were a tertiary target, as you specified, and as such I dedicated my resources to completing your operations in the DoM. I was attempting to complete the secondary task you gave me when the story of the Potter's broke. My contacts had yet to report to me, and the monitoring charms in the Lord Chamberlain's office showed no activity for the previous week. I understand that the stakes are very high and that failure is not an option. I have no excuse for my disservice, except that I understood your orders to mean that the Potter target was not as important as others you had assigned me. I will accept any punishment you feel is appropriate for my failure master." Yaxley said as he left his chair and prostrated himself before the feet of Voldemort.
"You tempt me sorely Yaxley, your words are meaningless to me. I am not a purveyor of frivolity. All assignments that I give you are to be top priority, especially when dealing with an individual or small number of people," Voldemort looked down at the prone form of Yaxley and adjusted his position so that his legs were crossed and his wand was resting under his free hand on his knee. "Seeing that you are solely at fault for this slight to our cause, I leave you to the mercy of your companions after our meeting. You should pray that they are as lenient to you as I am." Voldemort smiled as he watched the confused and shaking man return to his seat. The furtive glances he shot at his companions were rather amusing. Mental torture was much more amusing than physical. "I have called you all here to speak on a threat that is very much directed at our cause. There are two families which must be eliminated before our victory can be assured. Bartemius, you and Bellatrix are to covertly and discreetly survey the Longbottom family. You have until October 15 to present me with details of their protections and daily routines. As I understand it, the man has a mother living not too far from the county seat of Kent; I want her under surveillance as well."
"My lord, if I may?" Seeing Voldemort nod, Lucius continued. "The Longbottom's are close relatives of the Malfoy's and over the course of the history of our families have been rather close. My great-great-grandfather Damian gave the house that Frank and Alice occupy as a wedding gift to his daughter. The basic ward structure, blueprints, and keystones should are still in the vaults under the manor. I would request that one of my fellow council members be the ones to manipulate the wards, as family magic prohibits me from causing any perceptible harm to the keystones."
"Bartemius, it seems that fate has smiled upon you. You and Bellatrix are to assist Lucius in any way that you can to accomplish your goals. Try to install a few discrete monitoring charms on the keystones. I want to know if the Longbottom boy shows any signs of extra-ordinary magical talent." Voldemort left his seat and walked over to one of the alcoves which held a statue of the Madonna. Voldemort looked into the face of the weathered and aging statue, and hoped that the Lady would guide him on his quest to bring change to the magical world, damned as it was.
Turning back to the group after a moment of contemplation, Voldemort resumed giving out orders. "I want each of you to contact your spies at home and across the seas. James Potter and his family are to be our primary concern now. The ministry is ill equipped to be a hindrance to my plans at the moment. Bartemius, I want you to join your father's department immediately. You are to keep him distracted by any means necessary. The Potter family will return some time in mid to late October. I want each of you to begin training night and day with three death eaters from the general ranks. On the night of the thirty-first, we will attack the Potter family," Voldemort reached into his robes and removed a sheet of parchment which he instructed each person to look at and memorize its contents.
Only after Lucius had seen the parchment and had time to understand the commands of his lord did the words on the parchment make a cruel smile play on the aristocrat's lips.
"The Potter family can be found at 35 Woodrick Walk, Godricks Hollow, UK."
April 30, 1991
Pleasant Valley Virginia, Vanquest Plantation 6:PM EST
James and Lily Potter had been welcomed into the home of the Vanquest family, which had managed to turn the 3,000 acre farm into a combination public park/historic site. The land was divided up into several different areas for public use. The drive way and 300 acres surrounding the house were closed to the public, and was designated by a nine ft wall made of brick with fully functional gas lanterns every 20 ft or so. The main house stood on the same hill it always had, overlooking a rather large pond that stretched across the entire edge of the southern part of the estate. Oak trees lined the drive, as did the odd apple and maple.
Below the large three story colonial style plantation house, with its massive columns and Greek influences, were several more modern homes, each at least two stories and made with classical southern/classical influences. The homes belonged to the Potter Brothers and their children, and one belonged to Abigail. Lillian and her husband resided in the 'big house' as it was known. When James and Lily had first arrived at the estate they were stunned at the space that their relatives had in abundance.
"Look James! It's like I can see for miles around. I've only ever seen this much undeveloped land when I toured a few private estates for historical purposes in grade school. The trees James! Look at the trees. They're everywhere." Lily was very excited as the helicopter that they were in flew over the entire estate and showed the power that the Lady Vanquest had amassed in America.
James would have responded to his wife, but he was currently trying to keep his stomach from disobeying a direct command. He had flown for most of his life, but this muggle contraption was making him rather queasy. The difference between a broom and helicopter was obviously great, at least to James.
"And this is the 'village,'" Abigail concluded her narration of the estate as they did an initial fly over of the homes that were clustered at the base of the hill that the white house rested on.
"Why in the world do you need a helicopter cousin," asked a sweating James as they began a rather rough descent that apparently was only affecting him.
"Well, daddy sometimes has to rush back to the capital in Richmond if there is a particularly important vote in the senate; plus his transport stone to the General Assembly in AL is affixed somewhere in his office. Aparation doesn't agree with him any more. He used to gladly take the long trips, but in his old age, he needs to stop suddenly sometimes in the middle of apparating. You don't know how many times he's had to alter some poor muggle's memories because he popped out of nowhere."
Finally the craft landed and the golem, which acted as pilot, came and opened the doors for the passengers as the blades were quickly coming to a stop. James rushed out and steadied himself on a tree just off the landing pad behind the massive annex that branched off from the Vanquest Mansion. "James, would you be a dear and help me with Harry," Lily called as she came out of the large craft.
"Yes darling." James wiped the sweat from his brow, steadied himself and walked back to the helicopter, noticing for the first time that the Vanquest family crest adorned the majority of the side of the vehicle.
In a window far above the tree line, Lillian Potter-Vanquest observed all that was progressing on her back lawn. Picking up an ornate cane that had been given to her by the city when she opened Vanquest University, she left the upstairs parlor and began to descend the stairs which would take her to the rear entrance. Her brothers had been kind enough to fuse her wand and the cane so that she needn't fidget for a wand when she wanted to use magic. Her brother's had also greatly expanded the interior of the old mansion, and as a consequence there were many different entrance ways and grand entrance halls each one elegant and screaming of wealth and power; not worthless privilege.
The Potter family was escorted into the grand banquet room, and seated for a light supper as the weary travelers were no doubt in need of nourishment; a still upset Harry was whisked away to the nursery by one of the many golems that Mrs. V. owned, golems served as the servant class in the CUSAM. After little Harry had been escorted from the room, Lily and James were seated as Abigail went to search for her mother and father.
Luck would have it that Lillian and John walked through the grand doorway just as Abigail was going to search for them. James and Lily stood, out of respect, as the venerable mages made their way to table as another golem moved their chairs for them.
"Good evening James, scion of the Potter Family, son of my cousin. I welcome you to the Vanquest seat of power, and while you are here you are free to go anywhere and see anything. It has been quite some time since my, extended, family has been in contact with me. I raise my glass to you James Potter, and to you Lily. I know of the trials and struggles which plague England right now, and also of the bravery that you both have shown in this adverse time. May God bless you for your dedication to your families and to your country." Lillian stood from the head of the table, John on her right and Abigail on her left. After everyone returned to their seat Lillian signaled for the first course to be served.
"I heard, through the grapevine, that you enjoy a good Château de Boons Farm with your meal James. We have a special selection for you tonight, a rare red 1983…still in the box!" Lillian looked at James with a serious expression that Minerva McGonagall would be hard pressed to match. Before James could answer one of the servants placed the "box-wine" in front of James with a little bow on top. James and Lily stared at it dumbfounded. Just before James was going to speak, Lillian burst into laughter along with the other members of the Vanquest Family.
"I'm sorry James, it's a little joke that I play on all of my first time guests; as a kind of 'ice breaker'. I know that I have a reputation for a frosty demeanor, but this is a great way of lightening the mood and showing that we have a healthy respect for humor." Lillian wiped away a tear of mirth from her eye as she finished explaining her little joke. It took James a few moments to realize that he had just been pranked, but he joined in and even though Lily was tired, she did as well.
"I must say Lillian that I love your way of greeting people! I was just speaking to my wife yesterday of how there needs to be more laughter back home. How there should be a chance for more people to enjoy themselves again." James' expression became much more somber as he reflected on the situation in his home land. "I will be honest cousin; I don't know what to do. I just recently became the head of our family, and I feel as though I am unable to protect my charges against all of the threats that our family faces. It seems as though every choice that I make will fail," James turned to look at his wife, "and no matter whom I trust they have an ulterior motive."
"James don't start again! I don't care that you question Professor Dumbledore, he is a powerful man! He is the only man that Voldemort fears for Christ's sake! Dumbledore has offered us a means of protection that is infallible and cannot be breached. You and I both researched the Fidelius Charm and we both agree that the plan is foolproof. I will not discuss this with you any further." Lily roughly pushed away from the table and stood staring down at James. "I beg your pardon Lady Vanquest, Mister Speaker, but I have need of a restroom," Lily spoke in a deceptively calm voice.
"Of course Lily," Lillian spoke, snapping her fingers for a servant to come, "please follow the golem to the restroom. He will wait with you and escort you back." Lily briskly left the hall and followed the construct for some distance until they were out of earshot of the family.
"Alright James, let's have it!" Lillian said snapped in a no nonsense voice.
"I beg your pardon madam?" James asked. "What would you have me give you?"
"I want to know whom that pitiful excuse for a mudblood thinks she is, disrespecting you in such a public manner! If your father were alive, he would surely take matters into his own hands and see that the ornery bitch was disposed of." Lillian took a sip from her wine and leveled a stare that could penetrate lead at James.
"Now see here woman, that is my wife you are talking about! Furthermore how dare you, a near squib, dare question the actions of your head of house! I should have you arrested for such treacherous acts." James fumed at the old crone whom was silently staring at him from the head of the table.
"It's far past time you had a wake-up call child and I'll be damned if I let you tarnish the good reputation of the family in this manner! How dare you accept anything from a Dumbledore, I've never heard of that family." Lillian rose from the table and leveled the knob of her cane at James' head. Power began to saturate the room, and James began to realize he may, may, have made a mistake in speaking so coarsely to Mrs. V. "As for being a 'squib' why don't I take you out to the woodshed and show you just how powerless I am! Whom do you think created the golems, and whose magic they feast on!? I did not attain the position of Chancellor of Magic by popular vote you little whelp!" Lillian raised her cane vertically, just above her head and an intense light show began to play out in the room, as the entire house began to shake from Lillian's rage. "I have power unmatched, and I have been touched by God's own hand. I have seen the splendors of his mercy and can unleash the pain of his judgment. I ask you, boy, whom are you and what do you believe?"
It took James a moment to come to his senses, and recognize the ancient form of greeting, but he steadied himself, removed his wand, and started his own portion of the greeting ritual that Lillian had initiated. As power began to flow through James, no where close to Lillian's, in a deep voice James answered. "I am James, Master of the House of Potter for the British Isles. I have been chosen by God to carry out his will in both the House of Lords for Her Majesties Parliament and serve as the Lord Chamberlain for the Wizengamot of Great Britain. I serve both my God and my Queen to the best of my abilities, I have been blessed with powers unique to the Potter family and seek council and wisdom from you, my cousin, Lillian Potter-Vanquest in the matter of family and the security of the British Isles. I ask you now, mistress of House Vanquest, will you have me and mine? Will you protect and honor my secrets?"
With her cane in the same position, Lillian quickly brought it down to her side as she began the final portion of the 'Old greeting.' "I, Lillian Potter-Vanquest, with the authority granted to me by God himself do recognize you Lord Potter as a representative of Her Majesties government and welcome you to the Confederated Union of Southern American Mages! May your conflicts be resolved peaceably and succinctly. I offer you my hand in friendship, without reservation to you and your family. Will you offer the same?"
"I shall." James said as he exited his seat and clasped hands with the very imposing woman. After James and Lillian had returned to their seats, James looked up and asked, "Was all of that really necessary Lady Vanquest?"
"Yes James, and if you will hear me out, I'll explain why it was absolutely necessary." The main course was served just before Lillian began her speech. Unknown to James Lily decided that a visit with Harry would help her to cool off. "It was necessary because I needed you, as the leader of the Wizengamot, to recognize the Vanquest line. Now that you have recognized me as an equal and independent branch of the family, there will be no reason why I can't be petitioned to hold a position on the International Confederation of Wizards."
"Wait…Wait!" James' mind had just farted and he couldn't make any sense of the happenings. "Why did you need me to recognize you as separate from the family? As far as I knew I would be coming here to welcome you back into the family?"
"God no," Lillian began, "I was cast out of the family the moment that my Uncle died. My stipend was revoked, and almost all evidence of my existence was removed from the family Grimoir. Through some wise investments I was able to pay back the initial funds that my grandfather had given me to secure my life here in the South. After that I had no contact with the family. Now that I have your recognition, as a Lord in the Wizengamot, I could feasibly return to England someday, or my heir could, and claim a seat on that august body, which is what is needed for membership in the ICW. I would need that symbolic seat to reach an international audience. As it is, the CUSAM has been barred from trading with many countries because embargoes placed by the ICW, on the behest of those fucking Yankees."
"One of my goals while in office was to reopen the trade agreements that the CUSAM had with other countries, but to do that I had to find a way to get a voice in the damnable place. As we are both the highest representatives of our government, our little oath will carry over to our countries until they are renegotiated or broken. Don't be mad James; I know for a fact that your economy has been suffering ever since the great split. As a means of compensation, I will give you three non negotiable terms for the formal treaty that we'll be drafting later on. Does that sound fair?" Lillian smirked at him as she tucked in to her lamb chops and steamed greens.
"Uhm…When I'm not so tired and have had time to think about exactly what has happened, I'll answer your question Lady Vanquest." Damn it! I left the UK to get away from manipulative old people! Now I find a vindictive family member whom should have never been removed from the family. I need to watch my ass. Damn this tiring day! "Lady Vanquest, I'm going to be frank. I did not travel 3,000 plus miles to negotiate treaties with a foreign head of state. I came to you because you are family and I need your help. I plan on staying in the CUSAM for at least three months before touring the Western Eremites, and the MSA. I need you advise on how to handle the 'Voldemort' problem as you have dealt with several upstarts over the last several decades if my information is correct. I also came to bring my wife from the influences of the, commoner, Dumbledore." James understood the game that his cousin was playing, and he intended to play right along with her. She was old school pureblood, as well as a modern southern cavalier.
"There have been many attempts over the last thirty odd years by many different idiots to wrest power from my family, but my brothers, my husband, and I have made sure that our benevolent reign will not come to an end anytime soon." Desert had been served sometime between James' internal rant and the mention of Dumbledore and the start of Lillian's explanation. James quickly discovered that he loved pecan pie and ice cream. "I have done what the General Assembly, especially the Virginia Delegates, asked of me. Whenever there was word of an organized resistance to the current government it was dealt with in the fastest and most brutal way possible." James sputtered on his pie as he looked at her questioningly.
"You have to understand James; the Yankees have been trying to overthrow this government since January of 1861. The muggles have one outcome of the Civil War, but the mages here obviously had different results. I have had no less than eight attempts on my life by Yankee trained assassins in the last fourteen years. Because of our breaking with the Union, we lost out representation in the ICW, but we have compensated by opening consulates in every nation that will accept us. My predecessor was satisfied with the status quo; he believed that the South was fully capable of supporting itself and one of the strongest nations in the wizarding world. He allowed for stagnation, corruption, and DAMN YANKEES to control his government! When the people found that he placed 16 Yankees into intimate government positions, there was a, reform, led by a more conservative faction of the government and, as their candidate, I have remained in power ever since." Lillian took a sip of her wine and gauged his expression.
"Yes James, you could call me a dictator, you could call me a totalitarian terror, you could call me Stalin for all I care, but my methods have turned this country around. We were severely behind the rest of the developed world at the onset of my reign and today no other country can come close to our military, scientific, arcane, and educational might! There is compulsory military service for every magical child starting from age 14 until death." Seeing his confused look, she clarified. "Physical training and basic combat spells only taught until the child reaches the age of 20. After 20, the full program is instituted."
"I find this fascinating cousin, but what does this have to do with me and my family?" A weary James asked as he noticed for the first time how suddenly tired he felt.
"Oh, I'm sure that it is relevant to you somehow, but I had to talk long enough for the potion in your pie to kick in. The Karo negates the taste you see, and I never allow guests into my house without verifying their identities. I learned that lesson many years ago." Rising from the table, Lillian sent the other members of the Vanquest family out. She walked over to the confused looking James as he feebly tried to rush from the table and exit the room. He was jetting disoriented however, and his mind sluggish. He collapsed in a corner near the door leading to the kitchen, just behind his chair. Lillian slowly moved to stand next to the prone figure, as her staff head began to glow. Lowering it level to the man's torso, she said in a quiet voice to the barely conscious man, "I apologize if you are James Potter. I will make sure that a better explanation is given later," a feral smile played on her lips, "but if you are not James Potter, only pain and death await you. Binden Sie Zauberei! Wird Betäubt!"
After she cast her spells, to bind his magic and stun him, Lillian snapped her fingers and her golem went on alert. There was at least one more adult in the house that needed a demonstration of CUSAM hospitality. There was much to do and many different ways to be interrogated. Whatever magic these fools had on them that triggered her sensors was poorly hidden…bastards. They just keep getting sloppier and sloppier. Lillian thought as she made her way to her office. She had several of her Inquisition Officers to invite over for evening tea and maybe, just maybe, a little fun like in the good ol' days. It's been a while since they had a challenge. They'll have fun figuring out why these idiots wore a tracking charm my wards saw three miles out. With that final thought Lillian closed her office door and made several calls for an evening, a week, maybe even several months worth of fun.
April 31, 1991 3AM
51°21'16.89"N, 3°17'51.90"E (Belgium)
Dumbledore's Secret Vacation Home
Dumbledore had been tracking the Potter family over the last several days as they had their little vacation going to the CUSAM, and muggle America. He had followed their progress on a holographic map from one of his trinkets until he became bored and ultimately turned in for the evening; which had been at nine o'clock the evening before. He had seen the same information for the last several days and was sure that nothing major would be happening. As he was going to bed, Albus saw that they were just leaving the Birmingham Airport and had no interest in watching a blinking dot for God only knew how long. So he did the sensible thing that any distinguished gentleman would do; he counted his Speedo collection and rearranged his magazines before he turned in for the evening. He should have remembered to turn the alarm volume down on his device, but he didn't.
The second that the Potters crossed the ward lines into Virginia a rhythmic pulsing began from the device that powered his tracking spells on the Potter Family. The louder the pulse the more power it had to use to search for the signal being sent from the individuals. Maybe if Albus had checked then, Lillian might not have detected any suspicious behavior, but he didn't. The pulsing began to grow increasingly louder until the moment that the chopper carrying the Potter family hit the outer-layers of wards around the Vanquest estate. The devise, sitting in a special basin that drew in ambient magic to power it, suddenly expended the entire reservoir as a visible beam of energy soared threw the house, rose to an incredible height, and began racing, faster than the speed of sound, to the last known location of the Potter family. By the time the Chopper landed the beam had already crashed into the wards of the Vanquest estate and flickered from existence. After all, those wards had faced more fearsome and direct attack before.
While this event would certainly cause Dumbledore alarm, he wouldn't be doing anything about it for a considerable time in the foreseeable future. The basin that Dumbledore used to power his most prized trinket was an old Bolshevik Ward Buster Generator. It looked much like a pensive, but gathered a considerable amount of energy from whatever tiny amount of magic may be in an area. It had been gathering energy steadily for the last 80 plus years and had never before been emptied so fast or for such a demanding device. After the device had sent out the locator beam, the basin began to rapidly pull active magic from the environment, which shouldn't have been possible but Dumbledore rarely checked the settings of the device. At precisely 3:05 AM, after the five second burst had happened, the basin was surrounded by a sickly green glow as all of the magic within a five mile radius was sucked into the device.
Countless priceless heirlooms and devices were rendered inoperable until Dumbledore could re-enchant them. Several Fidelius Charms, that were not powered by ward stones, failed, and Dumbledore wouldn't be able to do anything about it any time soon. As a matter of fact Dumbledore would find himself lucky to have the strength needed to travel to the nearest magical hospital, Str. Das Magische Krankenhaus von Luther, if he woke up anytime within the next three days.
It would be a house elf that found Dumbledore three days later, severely dehydrated, that alerted the Belgian Hospital to Dumbledore's condition.
It would seem that fate had bitten Dumbledore on his proverbial ass.
Author's notes:
Have none. Let me know what you think. Special Thanks to Ham-On-Wry, Bluezy, The Resident, and Diannathehuntress.
-EV.