Dark, Twisted and Time Turned

Chapter 33: A Quarantined Castle

...with more violent attacks occurring more frequently across Europe, there is only one question on everyone's minds: where will he strike next?

Hermione threw the paper onto the table. "Well, that's not exactly the only question on my mind." She mutters, and Rosier and Mulciber pick up the paper to read it. 

"This is ridiculous. The attack in Fogholt was three weeks ago, and firstly, we're still locked in here, and secondly, they haven't managed to predict, prevent, or stop these attacks." Tom mutters, frustrated as the rest of them.

"Where was the latest attack?" Dolohov asks, and Lestrange points it out on the map in front of them all.

"Here, in Eribourough." There were eight of them, gathered around their table in the library. Avery, Mulciber, Rosier, Dolohov, Lestrange, Tom, Hermione, and Abraxas. Both Notts would usually be here, but Chyllie was in the infirmary with a broken nose, and Theon was in detention for beating the Ravenclaw who accidentally hit Chyllie with a broomstick. For the past few weeks, they had been using their connections to find out every bit of information of the latest attacks, going as far as to get a map and mapping out the location of the attacks. They had not yet found a pattern. Mulciber's older brother had been updating them on the spells used at the attack scenes. Unforgivables.

"I cant believe Grindelwald is using this amount of violence." Avery remarks, looking at some of the photos they had managed to get their hands on. Bodies, rows of bodies, of burned buildings, of the charred remains of a crib. Abraxas throws a paper on the table and they crowd around to read it.

"From my father. I asked about the protection the Ministry has put in place. Apparently they're stretched thin, this is an application to a volunteer program. Apply, they train you, and they send you in with a few others to high risk areas to watch for suspicious activities and defend the muggles. Volunteers are expected to try and blend in as much as possible and only draw their wands if necessary."

"I mean I'd absolutely apply, I planned to take a year between Hogwarts and Auror training. But we're still in school, I need these credits in order to actually become an Auror." Perseus comments. 

"There's been an attack nearly everyday for three weeks. Either the village razed, or simply left traumatized. I don't get it, the patterns don't match up. Grindelwald was always meticulous, he was never this violent. As long as this is a free speaking space, I'd say this is two different people leading the attacks." The rest all stare at Mulciber.

"Ok, new rule. This is only a free speaking space if you have reasonable ideas." Rosier announces. "What idiot would decide to attack at the same time as Grindelwald? They'll just get themselves killed, the only person strong enough to defeat him is Dumbledore."

"Yea, Dumbledore needs to get his ass moving- pardon my language- and finish off Grindy. I don't know where hes been disappearing to, but if he's not fighting Mr. G then its a waste of time." Cyriss mutters. Carnell rubs his temples and sighs.

"Mulciber shut up for a few minutes please. Please do not call the darkest wizard of all time 'Grindy' or 'Mr. G'. As for Dumbledore disappearing, I heard a rumour there's a secret blood pact Grindelwald and Dumbledore made when they were kids, to never fight each other. That they were once close friends."

"I reckon they were lovers." Tom comments, but is ignored.

"Well, if they made a blood pact, perhaps we should find out how to destroy it. Plenty of books in the restricted section." Davante adds. "I'll see what I can find, my father dabbled in alchemy, he might know something. Besides-"

"What are you all doing here?" Their heads all snap up to look at the interrupter, who was- most unfortunately- the new librarian, Madam Pince, a 20 something year old woman who was far more attractive in this time then she had been in Hermione's previous time line. "The library is closed after eight!" She says shrilly, and quickly sweeping their things off the desk, the eight dart out of the library, running down the stairs until they make it to the common room.

"For such a nice looking witch, she's a real axe in the side." Avery mutters, clutching at his ribs. "I'll try to see what I can find in the restricted section tomorrow."

"I'm off to the ministry again tomorrow, so I'll see what I can get." Hermione states. "Some stupid meeting with F and LI minister about my estate, surprised they're letting me go, since Hogsmeade is closed off."

"I'm going to Rome with my father." Abraxas grumbles. "So I can't do anything, I'll be in a business meeting as per usual. How he convinced Dippet to take me out of school, I'll never know."

"Well, at least you're lucky you can leave."

~*~

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger. How are you holding up since the lockdown?" Mr. Latot asks her, before she even has the chance to sit. 

"I must say, Mr. Minister, it's difficult to be sure. The recent attacks are very concerning, so it's understandable that the castle is quarantined. How have you been? Your family is safe?"

"Yes, Miss Granger, and thank you for your concern. So as you know, I wished for you to come in to speak about your estate. Have you had the chance to visit yet?" He takes out a few papers from his desk as he awaits her answer.

"No sir, but I was hoping to in June. I do have other arrangements, in case it is not yet living standards."

"That would be a good choice, in all honesty it is not in excellent condition. If you wish, arrangments can be made to have it repaired. We have an excellent team here who are specially trained for mass repairment."

"I will consider, Mr. Minister. You summoned me here for a discussion of my estate, may I please ask we we get to the main point?" He clears his throat.

"Yes, well, since the property has been unclaimed, I'm afraid some of the land has been bought up by some surrounding people. most of it is farm land. This land of course can be reclaimed, as long as it is bought off the current owners again. I can have the numbers run and back to you before you leave-"

"No thank you, sir, I do not wish to take the livelihood of people from them. Which land specifically is no longer part of the estate?" He points out the map in his stack of papers.

"Here, on the North side of the river. Far from the castle itself, and the wooded area here separates the river from the view of the castle grounds."

"There is plenty amount of land left, Mr. Minister. This is not a concern to me. Is this here a muggle village? To know how I must limit my magic."

"No no, Miss Granger. This is Montrose. Mixed village, mind you, but mostly a magical population."

"Good to know, Minister." She pauses a moment before continuing. "Is Montrose an at risk village? For the attacks I mean."

"It does not appear to be, but we can never be sure where is at risk now, Miss Granger."