Chapter 36, Year IV: Why We Fight

[Adell]

Daniel stared at Merlin. “Slytherins’ heir is Sophie?”
At that moment, there was a gasp and Sophie dropped the locket to the floor with a clatter. “I-I-I’m what?” Sophie asked. Daniel spun around. “How? The Dursleys are Muggles!”
Daniel sighed. He read the page but left out the part of the prophecy which said she would have to make a choice. He knew from experience that if you knew about a prophecy you inadvertently set yourself on the path to complete it. He wanted Sophie to have total control of her life.
“Doesn’t that make you Slytherins’ heir as well. What about Harry, Dudley, Cassie, Chloe, Petunia, Lily, Willow, Tara, Jack and Alex? They’re his heirs as well!”
“No, Sophie,” Daniel said. “This says that you become bound to Voldemort somehow. That makes you the only one.”
“How? I don’t want to be bound to Riddle! I hate him!” Sophie was in near hysterics. “His diary tried to use me and kill me! Was it the ritual for his new body? What?” Sophie fell to her knees. Daniel held her tightly and heard her say, “I don’t want to be connected to that monster.”
“Sophie,” Daniel said softly. “It wasn’t the ritual, because then Harry and I would be heirs as well. Whatever connects you to him, I swear, I will break it.”
Sophie sniffed and pulled away. “I’m sorry. It’s just…”
“I know. I wouldn’t want to be connected to him either. And it’s worse for you, what with the diary. At least the person who did that to you is dead.”
Sophie ignored the fact that she had done that. “Is there a chance that the prophecy is wrong?” she asked.
“Maybe. But my guess is that it will happen if Voldemort hears about it. He believes anything. Why do you think he attacked me when I was a baby? He set in motion a group of events that destroyed his body and will eventually kill him for good. Until it actually happens, my advice is to forget about it.”
Sophie nodded. “The Sorting Hat. I begged it not to go into Slytherin but the last thing it said to me was that I would have been the jewel of Slytherin.”
Daniel smiled. “Instead you’re just a jewel. I don’t care what house you’re in. You’ll still be my daughter and I’ll still love you.” Sophie smiled faintly. “Are you going to be alright?” She nodded again but she still looked unhappy. Daniel smiled evilly and said, “Go find George. I’m sure he could cheer you up.”
Sophie turned red and glared at him. Then she smirked and said, “Okay. There’s this great broom cupboard I wanted to try out.” She then walked quickly out leaving a gaping Daniel behind. He chuckled and left the Room of Requirement, which vanished behind him.
He wandered down to the dungeons and found Snape’s rooms. He walked in on something he never thought he’d see but made him wish for a camera. Snape was sitting on the floor, playing with Holly, and he was holding a doll. Daniel sniggered and drew Snape’s attention. He quickly hid the doll behind his back and said, “Holly, how many times do I have to tell you? I don’t play with dolls.” Holly giggled.
“Sevy, I never knew you could look so cute,” Daniel joked. “All you need is a flowery, pink bonnet.” Snape glared at him. Daniel turned serious. “We need to talk.” Snape nodded and sent Holly to her room. Daniel put up a silencing charm. “I’m sorry. The potion became unstable. I had to get rid of it. There’s no chance to bring your wife back now. Even if I could make another batch, which would be difficult because of the rarity of some ingredients, it would probably do the same.”
Snape struggled not to let any emotions show. “Thank you for trying, at the very least. Will you please leave now?” Daniel nodded and took down the silencing charms.
Before leaving, Daniel said, “I really am sorry. I know how it feels to lose someone you love.” Daniel walked out.
He found himself walking up the stairs to the Headmasters office. For the second time in as many days, Daniel found himself shocked at the scene unfolding in front of him. Dumbledore was sitting in his chair, his eyes no longer twinkling. He said, “I should have done this as soon as it happened. I was a fool. However, due to recent events, I believe in the course of action that was suggested to me. Pansy Parkinson, Marcus Flint, Theodore Nott, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, you are hereby expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”
“What about Zabini?” Pansy snarled.
Dumbledore calmly said, “He admitted to planning the attack with you, but not participating in the attack. He got detentions but will not be expelled. Now, please pack your trunks. You will leave the school in an hour.”
Pansy barged into Daniel as she pushed past. Flint stalked out muttering something about “Mudbloods and Muggle-lovers first.” His left sleeve was pushed up very slightly and Daniel saw the beginning of a black tattoo on his forearm. He sneakily stuck his foot out an extra inch and the Death Eater toppled over. Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled as he seemed to be the only one to have caught Daniel’s movement.
“Careful, Flint,” Daniel said cheerfully. “Might hurt yourself.”
Flint scowled at him and picked himself up. “You just made a big mistake,” he whispered as he left, unaware of Daniel’s enhanced hearing.
“I’m sure I didn’t,” Daniel called.
Nott left afterwards, completely silent, but obviously wanting to say something but smart enough not to. Crabbe and Goyle looked at each other. Goyle surprised everyone by speaking entire coherent sentences. “We wish to appeal the decision. Crabbe and I were put under the Imperius curse by Draco Malfoy’s father on the Hogsmeade weekend before. We were then put under it again by Bellatrix Lestrange.”
Daniel and Dumbledore both raised an eyebrow at each other. “That’s easy enough to check,” Daniel said. “Dobby, bring some Veritaserum.” The house elf handed over the clear liquid and vanished again. Daniel conjured two glasses and filled them with water. He put a single drop of Veritaserum into each glass and Crabbe and Goyle drank it. “Are you telling the truth about being under the influence of the Imperius curse, cast first by Malfoy, then Lestrange?”
“Yes,” the answered simultaneously in a monotone. The Veritaserum wore off a few seconds later.
Daniel turned to Dumbledore, who nodded. “Very well,” Albus said. “You shall not be expelled.”
Daniel turned back to the pair of Slytherins. “I’ll be teaching you how to throw off the Imperius curse next year. Go back to your common room now but I’d advise you not to tell Flint, Pansy or Nott that you’re still in school.” Crabbe and Goyle left the room.

* * *

On the last day of term, the ceremony was held in the Great Hall. Amelia Bones handed a bag of one thousand Galleons each to Sophie and Harry. When they had gone back to their seats and the students had settled down, Dumbledore stood up and spoke.
“This year has had good times. It has also had bad times. As you all now know, Lord Voldemort has returned. We are very lucky that nobody died. I have no doubts that the coming months will be hard. Some of us will lose friends and family. Some of us will lose our lives. Some of us will lose ourselves,” he added, looking at the Slytherins. “Lord Voldemort destroyed almost half of the magical world the last time he was in power. I don’t know what will happen this time around. What I do know, however, is that divided, we will fall. But if we stand as one, if we stand united, Lord Voldemort shall be driven back. It is time for us to put aside our petty differences and work together. Slytherins and Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Pure-bloods and half-bloods and Muggle-borns. If we stand together against the growing darkness, we will win. Lord Voldemort may be able to claim our bodies, but he will never claim our hearts or our resolve. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy, remember what happened to good and kind and brave people who crossed Lord Voldemort in the last war. Remember why we fight. Why do we fight? Is it for honour or glory? Is it for power? No. That should not be why we fight. We should fight for good. We should fight for wizard kind. We should fight to keep the darkness back. Remember.”
There was a few moments silence. Then, slowly, Harry stood up and clapped. The rest of the Marauders followed suit, including Cassie and Chloe. The rest of the students, apart from some of the older Slytherins imitated them. Dumbledore smiled.
After the feast, Ron said, “I don’t get what he meant about us being able to win if we stick together.”
Ginny stared at her brother. “You’re pretty stupid then. First of all, it would help stop all the stupid Muggle-born prejudice. Secondly, say you’re planning a battle strategy; you’ll want Slytherins to help you, as they’re known for being cunning. There are all sorts of advantages to working together.”
Ron nodded. He then said, “I’m a good strategist!”
“Just because you can play chess doesn’t mean you can make a real life battle plan,” Harry pointed out. “Get your head out of daydreams about Quidditch, and maybe then you might be able to plan something.”
Sophie grinned at Ron’s expression. She then turned to George. “I know you two are planning on a joke shop.” George nodded. “I also know that you don’t have a lot of funds for it. Harry and I had a talk a few days ago. We decided to give you this.” Sophie gave her Triwizard winnings to George while Harry gave his to Fred.
Fred grinned. “Wow. Thanks, you two!” he exclaimed. “George, think about all the Canary Creams we could make with this. George? George?”
George was staring at the bag in his hands. He looked at Sophie for a few moments before shoving the money into Fred’s hands. He smiled at Sophie and said, “Excuse us,” before he pulled her into the nearest broom cupboard as the rest of the Marauders, minus Cassie and Chloe, who weren’t there, roared with laughter.

[Adell]

Some author's notes:

A/N 1: I’ve started a new fic which just wouldn’t leave me alone. I’m using it to bleed out ideas that have been bugging me for days. Check out Harry Potter and Voldemort’s Apprentice.