Chapters 121-130

Debates and Discussions; No Conclusions

‘So the Elder Wand was made of wood from a tree that grows in the Realm of Death?’ Harry asked.

Snape nodded. ‘It seems likely.’

Harry’s hand went up to his forehead, rubbing at his scar. ‘And the cloak?’

‘While it is gratifying that you believe that I have attained omniscience, I’m afraid I must disappoint you. I have no idea if there is a connection between the cloak and the Realm of Death. Of course that doesn’t mean there is none. While I have never met ‘Death personified’—’ Severus looked down his nose at Podmore, his nostrils flaring in contempt. ‘—I’ve also never ventured beyond the Ninth Gate. As my presence here proves. Mr. Creevey probably could have told us more.’

‘Did you ask him?’ Sturgis demanded.

‘No, I did not,’ Severus said, stiffening in his seat. ‘I was otherwise occupied.’

‘But you did send him back, didn’t you? ’ Sturgis insisted. ‘And if you did that, why couldn’t you ask him some questions?’

‘Because my wife wouldn’t have survived had I wasted time on bestowing speech on Creevey and interviewing him at length, you imbecile,’ Severus hissed.

‘Colin won’t come back,’ Harry interrupted. ‘Podmore, have you forgotten your Auror training? To raise Inferi, you need something to raise them from. Namely, a dead body. Or at least parts of a dead body. Severus reduced him to a heap of ashes, and we’ve taken care of any remaining bone splinters.’

‘What about the others in those graves?’ Minerva asked.

‘Could we transfigure the …remains in the ground?’ suggested Hermione. So that was why Dumbledore was burnt.

‘The bodies should have been burnt at once,’ complained Andromeda. She might have helped with the Chalice of Neith, but her bitterness had barely softened.

‘At that time we had other priorities, Andromeda, and well you know it,’ Molly Weasley chastised her. ‘There were the wounded and the survivors to take care of.’

‘Hermione’s idea has merits,’ Severus stated, ignoring the squabbling women. ‘Maybe this Inferius was only an experiment that got out of hand. We should ascertain that the other victims of the war are out of anyone’s reach.’

‘At least Voldemort was burnt,’ Harry muttered.

Somehow Hermione managed to put her glass down without spilling anything. She balled shaking hands into fists. Get a grip, Granger, she told herself furiously. You’re an adult and a full Order member.

‘So who’s behind all this?’ asked Ron. ‘I mean, beyond the usual suspects.’ He glanced at Draco, who just rolled his eyes. Harry groaned. Percy reshuffled the papers in front of him. Then Ron winked at Hermione. ‘I was talking about the toad, guys. Not even I am so daft to suggest that Draco is still our enemy.’

‘Which would, of course, put Draco in the best position to spy on us for our enemies,’ Snape commented idly.

‘Severus!’ Hermione hissed.

‘Hermione, he’s right.’ Draco smiled tightly. ‘I’d make a perfect spy right now, caught between my parents’ old connections and my new allegiances.’

Harry gazed at Draco thoughtfully. But Ron remained relentless. ‘Well, so what about Umbridge? I mean, someone has to be behind all this.’

‘Umbridge never was a Death Eater. She supported some of Voldemort’s policies, because they fit her own sick notions about blood purity. But she despised him for being a mere half-blood. Besides, that woman is neither smart enough or powerful enough to raise a normal Inferius. Much less adapt the spell used to raise one,’ Andromeda said with a dismissive gesture.

‘I am inclined to agree with Andromeda,’ Snape said. ‘Dolores is as cruel and vicious as they come, but she has always been an underling, and not a leader.’

Hermione noticed that Lois fidgeted. She smiled encouragingly at her friend. The Muggle woman straightened her shoulders, trying to catch Minerva’s eyes. When the Headmistress nodded to her, Lois cleared her throat.

‘I’ve only met Umbridge at the trial,’ Lois said. ‘But she did strike me as a really nasty person. If you think she is capable of this, but that she lacks the uh… resources—could it be that she somehow found someone to help her? Someone more powerful?’

Severus leaned back in his chair. His long, slender index-finger drifted up to his mouth, trailing his lower lip. But he didn’t comment.

‘What about the warning?’ Harry asked. ‘Let’s discuss what Colin said, maybe that will help. ‘Watch the robes…not the wizards…kill…kittens…wand…not what you see’. What do you make of that?’

‘Maybe there’s something about the robes of the…of whoever is responsible that is especially dangerous?’ Ginny suggested. ‘Could you do something to Invisibility Cloaks that makes wizards completely untrackable? Maybe that’s how those Death Eaters manage to Apparate in and kill the Muggle-borns and disappear again without a trace?’

‘But where should they get all those Cloaks, Ginny?’ Hermione protested. ‘Invisibility Cloaks are incredibly rare.’

‘I still think the ‘kittens’ part refers to the toad,’ Ron insisted. ‘I certainly wished to blast all her damn kittens off the walls when she was High Inquisitor here.’

‘I don’t see how the warning could possibly refer to Filch’s kittens. Though they are becoming quite a nuisance,’ Minerva agreed. ‘Draco, Percy: Have you noticed anything odd about Umbridge? Any meetings with strangers? Anything at all?’

Both men shook their heads. ‘Not really. She’s as obnoxious as ever,’ Draco said. ‘Parading her pink robes, wand and lipstick around the Ministry. And she’s still awfully cheerful about her great ‘victory’ over Harry.’

Ron made a gagging noise. ‘I still can’t believe that she’s charmed her wand to look pink. Women. Really.’

Ginny glared at her brother. ‘And who’s been selling those charms?’ Her own wand was still orange adorned with black kittens since the Weasleys’ Wand Wheeze she’d put on it for Halloween hadn’t quite worn off yet.

Ron shrugged and grinned. ‘If you’re silly enough to buy them. Money makes the world go round.’