Knowledge is Power

Chapter 80

/Prof. Voldemort's people were in the forest heading toward the school! I could sense them close but not in sight,/

/Good to know,/ Severus thought back, sprinting up the wide front stairs of Adler Manor to the door. /I suspected as much which is why I flew away in the opposite direction from the forest just in case...to avoid being seen./

They'd come too far to ruin it over something stupid and careless like being seen not directly joining Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

Wolfgang's Kobold opened at once to Severus's pounding on the door. He'd meant to knock in a dignified fashion as was his way, but when his hand grasped the knocker it just kept letting it fall as hard as possible. He was feeling more frantic and hurried than he'd expected, but this was the only true magic TRICK he'd ever play in his life and it was time to pull the Severus shaped rabbit out of the magic wizard's hat...The big switch as he'd just begun to think of it.

/Good imagery. I approve,/ Nightshade thought.

When the Kobold led them into the library, Mag was there with Regulus, Kreacher and Wolfgang. Having someone to help him the way she had, to gather everyone else swiftly so that all would be ready, it meant a lot and it had helped a lot. Albus always insisted that no man was an island, but Severus had tried very hard to become one anyway. Somehow Mag and Nightshade had moved onto said island, and Severus discovered he could enjoy having a roommate or two.

As soon as he'd entered the room, Severus's eyes met Mag's, and the flood of relief on her face made him smile. Though they still had a bit of work to do, he could feel every tense muscle in his own body relaxing when she rushed across the room to throw her arms around him. In his heart, he was home safe.

"We need to act fast," Severus said, dark gaze moving between Wolfgang and Regulus. "Where is he?"

"Sleeping in my guest room," Wolfgang said, understanding at once that Severus referred to Bane. "We leave him sedated when he's not eating. It keeps him from building up more memories that we would have to bother with removing, and a sleeping guest is no trouble." The half giant gave an amused smile at his own words. Severus nodded in agreement before turning to Kreacher.

"Kreacher, I need you to unfreeze his mark now. Bramble froze it, you can unfreeze it, can you not?"

Kreacher nodded. "Yes...Bramble showed Kreacher what he did, and it is a simple process to reverse. Should Kreacher do it while Boris Bane is still sleeping?"

Severus nodded. "Please."

"It's the fourth guest room on the right," Wolfgang told Kreacher. The elf nodded and apparated upstairs.

"Thank you again for keeping him here," Severus said. "I realize I owe you for this...If there is anything you ever need, please don't hesitate to ask."

Wolfgang gave a warm smile. "We're all here to help one another. It's not about keeping score for me. It is about having a group of people who can count on one another and do what needs to get done. If I need anything, I know all of you will be there for me."

Severus nodded. The man inspired loyalty and he certainly would be there for him if Wolfgang ever needed anything. Grindelwald would as well, for it was Wolfgang who found the scroll with the formula and instructions that restored the man's youth along with the draft of life. A basic do-over of one's life was a huge gift, and if Wolfgang ever needed to cash in big with Grindelwald, Severus was certain that he could.

Months ago he and Wolfgang had decided that it was best to keep Grindelwald out of the fight in case Potter lost. Potter wasn't supposed to lose and if Grindelwald became involved when it was unnecessary...Well one never knew how bad things could get if a prophecy was disrupted. Gellert was likely in bed asleep right now at the Zabinis', and that's where he would stay. If Voldemort won the world could learn of Grindelwald's return to wizarding society. If Voldemort won the world would be wise to help Grindelwald to take him down in any way necessary. For now, though, Potter was up and Grindelwald was at home in bed.