Refusing to give in to The Unforgivable's demands to stop meddling with the Calamity, Harry preempts their surge with one of his own. But will defying those dark wizards and witches prove costly?[1]
Brilliant Great Lakeshore[]
"SOS Task Force agents are reporting behaviour indicative of a surge. I sense a lot of activity within the Calamity too. Did you...?"
"I understand that you're trying to send The Unforgivable a message, but are you sure taking action without discussing the possible consequences first was smart? Their "suggestion" to stop meddling with the Calamity didn't contain any specific threats, but I doubt they'll let this slide..."
"I'm not afraid of The Unforgivable, but I am afraid of what could happen if they're allowed unfettered access to the Calamity. By the time we made a decision on what to do, who knows what they might've unleashed? There's a good chance their threat was just a bluff anyway."
"My dad's birthday is this month and I've been doing some thinking... Sorry, here I am prattling on about my personal life when we're essentially in the middle of a cold war with The Unforgivable. Not very professional of me, is it?"
"That's right. I based this surge on him and his friends during their Hogwarts years as a form of tribute, but it's dredged up some unexpected feelings. It's made me wonder... If he were alive, would he be proud of the wizard I've become? Would he approve of the risks I'm taking to stop The Unforgivable?"
Peter Pettigrew - or Wormtail, as he was known by his fellow Marauders - was a mousey young boy who attached himself to the popular Gryffindors in his year. Though his professors considered him to be a below average student, he surprisingly managed to perform the difficult magic needed to become a ratAnimagus. It would become clear later in his life how fitting that form was.
"I've tried and failed multiple times to understand why Peter Pettigrew sold my parents out to Voldemort. He had to have known that Voldemort would kill them. How does someone betray their friends like that? Friends who stood by your side for years? Friends who trusted you with their lives? I don't care if my life was in danger. I'd rather die than turn on my friends."
James Potter pilfered this Golden Snitch from Hogwarts' Quidditch supplies, no doubt to the dismay of the staff. He could often be spotted catching and releasing the ball, particularly when he wanted to amuse his friends and show off.
"Harry, one of our agents found this piece of parchment hidden inside a Golden SnitchFoundable. We think it might be from The Unforgivable. Here, take a look."
"There's something written on it... "We're disappointed that you decided not to take our advice. However, being the forgiving wizards and witches that we are, we've decided to give you a second chance." "Relinquish control of the surge or we'll be forced to teach you a lesson they don't cover at Hogwarts; one that you won't soon forget." Rather melodramatic, isn't it?"
"Harry, this is serious. All the school references feel deliberate, like they're implying that our kids might be their next targets if we don't comply."
Severus Snape was the son of MuggleTobias Snape and witch Eileen Prince. Despite his tumultuous upbringing, Severus was already skilled at magic prior to his admittance to Hogwarts. This knowledge allowed him to identify Lily Evans as a witch waiting for their Hogwarts letters. Their relationship would be irrevocably damaged, however, when, after being bullied by James Potter, Severus inadvertently called her a Mudblood.
"When I was a kid, I would feel a sense of pride whenever someone spoke highly of my dad. I didn't have the chance to get to know him myself, so I cherished those secondhand memories as if they were my own. I think that's why I got so defensive and angry whenever Snape degraded my dad or painted him in a bad light. It felt like Snape was trying to destroy what little I had of him. After I saw Snape's memories of my dad bullying him, I had a hard time accepting that he wasn't the perfect person I'd pictured. It took me a while to come to terms with that fact. But I think I'm honestly happier knowing my dad as the real person rather than an ideal. In a way, I feel closer to him now than I ever did before."
Lily Evans was, by all accounts, beloved by all who met her. Often described as brave and funny, she left positive impressions on both her professors and peers. She was good friends with Severus Snape and defended him for many years from James Potter and his friends' bullying. However, as her strong sense of justice clashed with Severus' growing interest in the Dark Arts, she made the difficult decision to permanently cut ties with him.
"When James was born, I swore to him that I'd do whatever it took to keep him and our little family safe, just as my mum did. I suspect The Unforgivable's threats are merely a bluff. But what if I'm wrong? What if they do go after one of the kids? I'm prepared to sacrifice myself for my family... but sacrificing my family for the world? Do I allow The Unforgivable to have their way with the Calamity on the off-chance that they'll leave my family alone? Or do I keep fighting back against their Dark influence and hope those were empty threats?"
"There's no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to come out with it. Harry, I think you should stop manipulating the Calamity, at least until we come up with a plan on how to respond to The Unforgivable. It's too risky to bet on them not following through on their threats."
"There's a very real possibility that they might hurt someone - if not our kids, then no doubt someone equally as innocent - if we don't give into their demands. I'm hesitant to put anyone at risk like that without a definitive strategy on how to move forward."
"It's your decision, Harry. Fortunately you've got a bit before the next wave begins. Why don't you take some time to think it over? I know you'll make the right choice."
Harry chooses to disregard The Unforgivable's final warning in favour of keeping control of the Calamity out of their clutches. Will The Unforgivable make good on their threats? or are their ultimatums just big talk?[1]
"I'm sorry, Hermione, but I couldn't in good conscience let The Unforgivable get their way. Adversaries have proven how dangerous the Calamity is in their hands. We can't risk them unleashing any more Darkness upon the world."
"Don't apologise. You were in a difficult position and did what you thought was best. In any case, what's done is done. Better we brace ourselves for what might be coming than fret about the past."
"I know you're worried, but rest assured, I don't intend to tempt The Unforgivable. Aurors are personally guarding each of our children and Hogwarts has been put on high alert. If they do try anything, the kids will be safe."
Sirius Black - or Padfoot, as he was known by his fellow Marauders - undertook the lengthy and arduous task of becoming an Animagus while still a Hogwarts student. This impressive feat allowed him to assume the form of a shaggy black dog, which he used to accompany and protect his friend Remus during his werewolf transformations.
"Sirius Black came from a long line of pure-blood supremacists. He knew he'd be disowned if he spoke out against his family's ideals, but he did it anyway because he knew it was the right thing to do. But that was Sirius: brave, almost to a fault. Not to mention incredibly loyal. Out of all the Animagi I've known, his form - a black dog - was perhaps the most fitting. He wasn't in my life long, but I couldn't have asked for a better godfather."
Remus Lupin - or Moony, as he was known to his fellow Marauders - became a werewolf at a very young age after being attacked by notorious werewolf Fenrir Greyback. Left to the mercy of Lycanthropy, he struggled with his transformations and isolated himself from the world. Fortunately, he found solace and acceptance in his friends, who became Animagi to ensure he was safe and had company every full moon.
"Remus Lupin told me he was bitten by Fenrir Greyback when he was only four years old. He spent his whole life facing discrimination for being a werewolf. Unfortunately werewolves still face a lot of stigma, but thanks to the Ministry's outreach, the wizarding community is becoming more understanding and accepting. We may not be able to change everyone's minds, but if we can save one person from going through what Lupin did, it's worth it."
The Marauder's Map was created by James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew - known collectively as the Marauders - while attending Hogwarts. Combining their knowledge of Hogwarts castle and its grounds with a Homonculous Charm, they were able to track the location of everyone in the castle. With the aid of this enchanted parchment, the Marauders were able to safely sneak out with Remus for his monthly werewolf transformations and make untold amounts of mischief.
"I've got a bad feeling, Harry... You're positive Hogwarts has been quiet?"
"Neither my Aurors nor McGonagall have reported anyone or anything suspicious. I've also been monitoring the Marauder's Map constantly, and no one unaccounted for has turned up."
Despite a reputation for being a bit arrogant, those who were close to James Potter - or Prongs, as he was known to his fellow Marauders - spoke of the lengths he would go to for his friends. This is perhaps best evidenced in the fact that he, along with his fellow Marauders, learned to become a stagAnimagus in order to protect and accompany his werewolf friend, Remus Lupin, during his monthly transformations.
"Harry told me his dad and his dad's friends became Animagi when they were still at Hogwarts. I can't imagine doing such difficult magic so young. I was set on becoming an Animagus too once. I'd kept the mandrake leaf in my mouth for a month, brewed the potion, and was just waiting for a lightning storm when Sloan Travers told me about a friend of a friend who botched the spell and became half wizard, half naked mole-rat. Unsure if my silver teaspoon of dew had not seen sunlight or been touched by human feet for seven or six days and terrified of becoming a half-human, half-animal abomination, I never drank the potion. Ah well, it was probably for the best. Knowing my luck, I probably would've been saddled with something unremarkable and disappointing like a squirrel."
Invisibility Cloaks can be produced a number of ways. Traditionally, they're often woven from Demiguise hair or created by enchanting a regular cloak with a powerful Disillusionment Charm or Bedazzling Hex. Wear and tear will cause an Invisibility Cloak to lose its effect, but legends speak of a true Cloak of Invisibility whose powers have never faded, despite its ancient age...
"The Cloak of Invisibility has been passed down in my family for generations. My grandad passed it on to my dad, my dad to me, and soon I'll pass it on to James. I'd originally intended to wait until James left Hogwarts to give it to him, fearing he'd use it for mischief. But after reflecting on how my dad and I used the cloak, well... I realised using it to make trouble at Hogwarts is also sort of a family tradition."
"Our assumptions were right, Harry. The Unforgivable's note is addressed to us - well, to you and Hermione. We don't have all the pieces yet, but what we have put together... Well, you should probably read it for yourself."
""We're sorry you decided to disregard our suggestion to stop manipulating the Calamity. Unfortunately we had no choice but to take action..." "Had no choice"? But that implies they've already retaliated... Constance, have we received an owl from McGonagall lately?"
"They're fine. McGonagall, on the other hand, was rather startled when I came barging into her office, wand at the ready... Apparently things have been quiet at Hogwarts. Her owl was just delayed by some foul weather."
"I think I may have the answer to that. We finished putting together the rest of The Unforgivable's note. They mention "stopping by Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and the offices of the Daily Prophet," which probably means..."
"Exhausted and banged up, but the Healers say she'll be fine. Her attacker used Polyjuice Potion to disguise themself as her Editor-in-Chief. Thankfully she noticed his behaviour was off. The imposter got away, but if Ginny hadn't become suspicious, the outcome could've been much worse. What about Ron? Is he alright? Can I talk to him?"