After The War - DARKNESS WITHIN (HP9)

Chapter 2 - Septimus Weasley

"Draw the curtains." Nicholas Flamel said the moment he entered the room, limping with one of his most loyal servants, Hawkes. Perriwand was one of the men gathered around the table, he jumped to his feet and drew the curtains immediately. The room fell into almost complete darkness. A floating ball of light was conjured to shed some light on them.

The room was small with a oval table in the middle. Each seat was filled with witches and wizards except the one at the head of the table which was then occupied by the one they call Master, Nicolas Flamel.

Flamel grew less tolerant towards the world every day. He was also growing weaker. His eyes were sensitive, limbs weaker and speech often interrupted by a burst of coughing fit. His thirst for vengeance however had not changed. The weaker he became the more desperate he became to destroy the Weasleys.

"Master, we have some bad news." Perriwand said nervously as Flamel, grunting and choking, took the seat at the head of the table. The women with dark straight hair and olive toned skin jumped to her feet and helped Flamel sit down.

"More?" Flamel growled, scanning the table to see who else joined them for the meeting. "What is it?"

"The boys have left Hogwarts. They are joining the ministry." Perriwand continued. Flamel looked at the short plump  boy and sighed with dirty blond hair and blue eyes which were hidden by his hair, his eyes then fell on the people sitting next to him. The repulsive, yet useful deatheaters, Parkinson, Nox and Malfoy.

"I see. So this is how they think they can save themselves? By hiding!" Flamel began to laugh and then coughing, his horribly disfigured face stretching uncomfortably.

"I have an owl ready to dispatch those at Hogwarts to the ministry." Perriwand said.

"What good will that do?" Flamel said his smile vanishing. "They couldn't finish their job after months at Hogwarts, how can they possibly get into the ministry and do it?" Perriwand fell silent, his head dropped in shame. Nobody had an answer.

"We cannot penetrate the Ministry as easily as we did the school." Flamel said "We just have to draw them out to us."

"Hawkes!" Flamel suddenly called. The young pale I wizard with dark eyes jumped to his feet when he was called.

"Bring me our prisoner, and try not to let this one escape." Flamel said and Hawkes hurried out of the room. Moments later he re-entered the room dragging behind him a man in chains.

The man was old and his hair was completely white. He was tall but hunched over due to his age. His pale, freckled face looked weak with exhaustion as he staggered into the room behind Hawkes.

"Septimus Weasley." Flamel said to the people in the room. "He will draw out the boys. I'm sure they will be looking for his grandfather."

Septimus Weasley looked around the room with his half opened eyes as a murmur of excitement went around the room.

"How did you find him, Master?" Nox, who was sitting in the corner, asked sitting up straight.

"Our good friend upstairs was able to recall some information which helped us find him." Flamel said. "His family will come looking for him and we need to be prepared to capture all the Weasleys and end that scum bloodline!"

"What about that mudblood, Granger and blood traitor, Potter, who follows the Weasleys around?" Pansy Parkinson asked and silent blond haired figure next to her twitched. "She is important to Potter and the Weasleys."

"Stay at Hogwarts. Keep an eye on her until we need her. She is too dangerous to keep prisoner." Flamel said after thinking for a moment, he glanced at Draco who was sitting quietly next to her and then turned his attention back to Septimus Weasley who was carefully listening to their conversation.

"Why do you hate us?" Septimus Weasley asked angrily, taking for the first time since he was dragged into the room in chains.

Flamel who had dissolved into a fit of cough waved at Hawkes to take his prisoner away. The women with straight hair glided over to Flamel and put her arm around him comfortingly. "It's time for our portion." She said kindly.

"Yes, for that damn portion." He muttered

"Take him to his room. Get him to tell us where we can find the other Weasleys." Flamel ordered Hawkes who obediently dragged the old man out of the room, the sound of the metal chains dragging on the floor could be heard till the end of the corridor as he screamed "Tell me what you want!".

When there was complete silence again, Flamel spoke.

"I need the Weasleys now if I am to recreate the stone. I don't have much keeping me alive." He said

"Oh Master!" The women next to him said sadly. "I can make the healing potion for as long as it takes for you regain your elixir."

"Healing potions has never been used on 600 year old wizards alive. I think it's safe to say it won't work for me much longer." Flamel said, not looking at her. He looked around the table at the silent group of old death eaters and the descendants of the Salem witches. He had come a long way to get vengeance for his family, he didn't want to die without completing it.

*******

Hermione sat at dinner, very conscious about the new pair of eyes on her. She wanted to hit herself for not recognising June earlier.

So much for being the smartest witch of her age!

She didn't know what June wanted but she was absolutely sure it wasn't good for her. Call it a women's instinct but she didn't trust June. It was clear she had an ulterior motive to help them escape the Flamel's London Residence, but the fact that she was in Hogwarts all this time and didn't reveal herself until now is highly suspicious.

She needed to warn Ron as soon as possible but remained calm as she didn't want to draw attention to this. She was quiet sure that June would be keeping a close eye to her every move.

"You ok?" Neville asked from across the table. His back faced June in the Ravenclaw table and couldn't see who was staring at Hermione and making her uncomfortably sit on the edge of her seat, ready to spring into action as if someone was about to challenge her to a duel.

"He is going to be safer now, you said so yourself." Neville said leaning forward, making sure nobody else could here. "He is in the ministry! They can't dare hurt him there."

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him and he fell silent immediately. "No place is ever safe. The ministry couldn't protect itself and it cannot protect us now." Neville was taken aback by the sudden change.

"Rally up the DA tonight. We have someone new to keep an eye on." Hermione said keeping her voice as low as possible.

*******

According to JKR, Septimus Weasley is Author Weasley's father and Ron's grandfather ! He is now captured and in the hands of Nicolas Flamel who despises the entire Weasley family. But what is his plan? Will anyone be able to save him?