Return to Fort Nott

When the world stopped spinning around her, Ginny let out a deep sigh of relief. As promised by Peter, their portkey brought them to the center of a clearing overlooking a gigantic cliff on which stood a proud ancient fortress. She saw the other teenagers lower their wands and she lost herself in wonder at the sight of the immense granite towers. The building, with its millennial lines and jet-black color, exuded an unsettling aura probably meant to deter potential invaders, but it must not have been pleasant to grow up in such a place. Despite everything, Ginny exclaimed in admiration.

Impressive, isn't it? Nott boasted with a certain pride.

My mother never wanted us to have a castle like the other pure-bloods. She said it was a waste of galleons. And that a woman with a castle was... Anyway, she didn't find it appropriate. Commented Blaise.

My parents' castle is bigger, but they don't live there. They just bought it for tax purposes. No idea what that means. Said Justin with a blasé look.

Do not compare our proud homes with the pigsty where you were born. Malfoy taunted.

Ginny and Theodore were about to reply, but Justin stopped them with a gesture to tell them that it was not important.

Well now that everyone has been able to see that the fortress is empty, does anyone have an idea of how we could find the Dursleys? Ginny, I'm sure your brothers could inform us. Are you sure you have no way to contact them?

No, and even if I had one, I wouldn't give it to you. You would take the opportunity to leave me behind.

Normally, that's what we would have done. But if Peter is right, it's better that you come with us. Theodore replied.

I think we need to go back. Declared Peter.

Why bother, you can clearly see there's no one? Théodore opposed vehemently.

You don't know anything about it. It wouldn't surprise me if the resistance had enchanted their HQ so that from the outside, it looks abandoned, retorted Blaise.

If I know it. Nott affirmed.

A lingering and particularly unpleasant laugh then resounded.

Why are you laughing, Malfoy? No, shut up. I prefer not to know. Declared Justin.

Don't you understand that he is manipulating you? As the new Lord Nott, he can easily know if someone is inside his fief.

How could you know that? Asked Ginny.

The Weasleys, have they really fallen so low? Pure-bloods are not as primitive as Muggles. Our estates are not just simple shelters of tin and wood. They are places of high magic to which we are bound by blood for several generations. Like Hogwarts, they are almost living beings to which we are connected by a bond of such subtlety that you cannot even understand. Though, it's true that in your position I too would prefer to forget that my magical core is linked to the dump where you live.

We'll do without your comments, Malfoy. Nott, is it true what he's saying? Accused Ginny.

Yes, but I don't see the point of activating the link, since there is no one.

Listen Theo, I understand that you don't want to go back there,... Justin began to say softly.

No, you don't understand. Malfoy is right on this point. A Muggle-born can never even conceive what this kind of magic implies. It's something you have to experience. But since you are all determined to ignore the most basic common sense, I will do it.

Before Justin could take offense at this response, Theodore used his wand to summon a ritual knife and took out the Nott seal from his satchel, which he had taken the time to pick up after burning his father's body.

He then made a slight cut in the palm of his hand.

What are you doing?

The ritual to accept my inheritance and become a full-fledged Lord Nott. He commented as he began to recite an incantation in Latin.

Once he had finished, a faint glow surrounded him for a few seconds. Then he exclaimed:

Impossible! Before starting to run towards the castle.

Wait, it could be dangerous. Peter shouted at him while the others followed him in his run. Teenagers! He sighed before using his wand to attach to a tree the bonds of Draco who was trying to escape discreetly. Then he followed them in the form of a rat. He barely managed to pass through the fortress doors that had opened on their own at Nott's approach before they closed again. He quickly found the teenagers held at gunpoint by a group of 5 wizards wearing the auror insignia hastily embroidered on dirty robes.

I don't know how you got in, kids, but you will immediately put down your wands. I'm warning you, just because you're young doesn't mean I will hold back my blows.

How dare you give me orders in this place, miserable half-bloods? What have you done with my mother?

Calm down, Theodore. You're scaring me. Attempted Justin.

Your mother is dead. Do you remember? Blaise explained in an unsteady voice.

Theodore quickly cast a vacant look at Justin before raising an arm. Immediately, the stairs of the great hall moved and collapsed on the group of wizards who only had time to scream before being knocked out. Finally, Justin and Blaise hoped they had just been knocked out. Immediately, Theodore resumed his run.

You and Ginny, check that they're okay. I'll try to bring this blockhead to his senses. He said in Blaise's direction.

No, I'll go with you.

I think it's better if I go alone, objected Justin.

Out of the question, it's too dangerous. Said Blaise, starting to follow him.

You saw their uniform, they are Aurors not Death Eaters. There is no danger.

It's not them I'm worried about, but Théo. He's not in his normal state. You heard Malfoy. It's not a normal spell he activated.

You know Théo. If there had been the slightest risk, he would never have agreed to activate it.

It's precisely because I know him that I'm worried.

They ran through corridors following the bodies of stunned wizards that dotted the path. After crossing a corridor several meters long that seemed to have been transformed into a shopping street where gigantic rooms served as stores (Despite his running, Justinhad been astounded to understand that they were bigger on the inside than on the outside), and another corridor whose doors slammed shut violently as they approached and all had a plaque with a number and the name of a family on their lintels, they emerged into what looked like a classroom.

The chapel-shaped room was beautifully lit by stained glass windows depicting, in a typical medieval style, wizards fighting monsters from Greek mythology. It might have had a soothing atmosphere if it weren't filled with desks and school belongings hastily overturned. While their owners, gathered in a corner behind a woman in her forties holding a wand, looked at him with a horrified expression, Theodore Nott advanced towards them.

The aurors are on their way. If you don't flee immediately... shouted the woman as she tried to shield the children behind her with her body.

Silence, woman.

Théodore stopped and scrutinized the room in every direction. Then his eyes settled on a 10-year-old child who was looking at him defiantly. He raised his wand with a fluid motion, and the tile under the teacher's feet suddenly lifted and propelled her to the ceiling. Before she could stop him, Théo broke the barrier she had invoked to try to protect the children with a single spell, and under the horrified eyes of his classmates and the cries of the younger ones, one of them began to levitate.

Who are you? Asked Theodore.

Theodore, let him go. What's gotten into you? Asked Blaise.

I warn you that if you do him any harm... Justin ordered, raising his wand.

"Don't get involved in this!" shouted Théo, then his eyes fluttered and he seemed to regain awareness of where he was and put down the child who remained motionless, looking him straight in the eyes with a defiant look although he was clearly scared.

Then with an icy voice Theodore said:

You look a lot like father.

I have nothing to do with you, monster. Spat the boy, as if Theodore had just insulted him.

That's correct. That's why it would be good for you to take this.

Théodore removed the ring from his finger that bore the Nott seal and threw it at the foot of the little boy who, instead of picking it up, looked at Théodore confused.

Can you explain to me? Blaise asked.

Yes, we too would like to have some explanations. Shouted an adult voice before all three of them lost consciousness.

oOoOoOo

A few hours later, Nott opened his eyes with a severe headache.

Mr. Nott, in case it's not clear enough, if I'm so unpleasant with my patients, it's because I don't want to see them again. Reasoned the voice of Greg Housser.

Theodore looked around. He was in a large room with a high ceiling built with black granite walls. If the smell of formaldehyde and the curtains surrounding his bed were removed, the place was familiar to him.

What are you doing in my home? asked Nott, feeling the familiar magic of Fort Nott envelop him in a comforting veil.

You generously granted the Ministry of Magic access to your fortress just before your departure for your top-secret mission abroad, telling us that we could take refuge there in case of trouble.

I never did that. Against Nott.

If and I advise you to never say the opposite in public again. Greg Housser ordered him.

To protect me or to protect him? Nott asked.

Housser stopped abruptly and for once his face became serious again.

What did you tell him?

Nothing that he wasn't able to guess. He shouldn't be here. Nott replied.

Why? He is only the son of a prostitute and a deceased ministry employee...

A prostitute!? That explains a lot of things.

Besides, he told me that you had left this on the ground. Said Housser, handing him a ring set with the Nott seal.

Théodore slipped it back onto his fingers and said:

Tell him that I am sorry.

Why? You didn't do him any harm. Asked Housser

Could I see him again?

No. Greg affirmed.

Why? It's my… Nott began to protest.

Precisely, remind me what your father would have done if a bastard had taken possession of his home in his absence?

I am not my father.

After your little demonstration this morning, you'll have a hard time convincing her mother.

It's not fair. Theodore spat in an immature and childish tone that seemed to annoy Housser.

If you wanted justice Mr. Nott, you chose the wrong family... the wrong country... the wrong species. By the way, can you tell me what got into you? Your friends told me you went crazy after performing a ritual. Should we expect more crises like this? Housser asked, approaching him to better gauge his reaction.

No, everything is fine. I just thought it was my mother.

Your mother is dead. She committed suicide in front of your eyes when you were 5 years old.

I have practically no memory of it. Just blurry images. Nott replied laconically, refraining from saying that in the days following the incident, he kept asking his fatherWhen would mom come back?Only because of the punishments the patriarch inflicted on him every time he asked the question. He also did not say that for years, he had secretly dreamed that his mother would cross the manor's gates and take him far away with her. So, when he sensed the presence of this magical signature both so close and so different from his own, his childhood dreams resurfaced.

Typical of post-traumatic syndrome. I really regret not insisting more with your father for you to undergo Muggle psychological therapy. In any case, I can assure you that your mother is indeed dead. I was one of the mediwizards your father called in urgently that day. Housser commented without the slightest hint of pity.

Housser finished checking that he was okay (or rather as well as possible given the circumstances), then stepped aside to let in Justin, Blaise, Ginny, and the Dursleys.

Théodore swallowed back the tears that had begun to well up along his eyes and immediately addressed the Dursleys:

You? Did Peter talk to you about his plan?

Hello to you too, Théo. Yes, we are doing well, thank you for asking. Pétunia replied in a tone that indicated she was not upset.

Then understanding his impatience:

Yes, he told us about it. We are convinced that it will work.

Vernon grumbled. Petunia rolled her eyes to the sky and continued:

I am convinced that it will work, but we will go alone, Vernon and I. It is far too dangerous for you to accompany us.

No, we must come too.

Yes, let us help you Mrs. Dursley. We also want to save Harry. Added Ginny.

You've done enough. Let the adults take care of it, will you. That Percy has had classrooms reopened for all levels in the castle. You could resume a normal life. Against Vernon.

It is only an illusion that will soon go up in smoke. We must put all the odds in our favor. In any case, it's not up to you to decide, but Percy. Let me talk to him and I'm sure I will convince him to include me in the group he will gather. Contra Nott.

He will not gather any troops. Fred announced as he entered the room wearing a worn Auror uniform. Theo noticed that he had changed a lot in a short time. His demeanor had become harsh and his posture was characteristic of the former Aurors who had paraded through Theodore's home looking for evidence of his involvement with You-Know-Who after the end of the war.

Pardon?

Since taking the reins of the resistance, Percy has developed a simple strategy: never attack You-Know-Who. With the Hogwarts elves, he sends small groups across the country to steal food, target isolated Death Eaters, and blow up buildings, but as soon as You-Know-Who shows up, they are ordered to flee with the elves without looking back. Just because he has had some success, that the confederation has imitated his strategy, that he has managed to solve food supply issues, create a cohesive community, put an end to discrimination and corruption, and... Okay, he hasn't done too badly. But he keeps bragging as if he were Dumbledore himself, and it annoys me. Fred hissed with obvious jealousy. Then he continued more calmly:

In short, he flatly refuses to change strategy and gather an assault force. He says we must continue to weaken You-Know-Who and multiply independent resistance cells. Basically, for him, it's too risky at the moment. The only thing that made him hesitate is the confirmation that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named knows we are hiding at Fort Nott. But that doesn't change much. As part of his guerrilla strategy, Percy has already created dozens of independent resistance bases ready to take us in. And he is so traumatized by the disastrous evacuation of Hogwarts that he regularly conducts evacuation drills with the residents. If he attacks us, by the time he breaches Fort Nott's defenses, we will all have scattered to the four corners of the country using the elves.

That seems like a good strategy. The only way to defeat You-Know-Who is not to confront him, commented Nott.

I know, but it annoys me. I hate running away like a coward every time without even trying to fight back, replied Fred.

How can you say that?You want to abandon Harry?! Ginny reproached them.

The weaker he gets, the more Peter's plan will have a chance to succeed. There's no rush.

Before anyone could react, Ginny flared up:

You don't know what it's like to be possessed by this thing. To be trapped in your own body, alone and desperate. To struggle and call for help and have no one realize anything.

All the more reason not to waste our only attempt. Blaise replied in place of Théo, who seemed about to get angry.

I'm afraid we don't have that much time. Said Fred.

How so? Asked Theodore.

After your capture, we captured Malfoy and Pettigrew. Exceptionally, Percy let me attend their interrogation. It seems they didn't tell you everything.

No! The weasel and you-know-who's lapdog would have lied to us? I am overwhelmed, shattered, devastated. Declared Justin in a theatrical tone.

For once, it would be more about You-Know-Who's rat. Said Fred. I don't believe that Peter consciously hid anything from you. I have the impression that his desire for redemption is sincere. And what he says matches the strange movements we've observed among the Death Eaters.

Fred, don't beat around the bush. What did you discover? Asked Justin.

You-Know-Who plans to launch his final assault next Tuesday. We still don't know what it is, but it will be massive. More massive than anything he has done before, and he is convinced that after this, all resistance will be destroyed. Percy is convinced that the best thing to do is to shelter as many people as possible in the fortress and other hideouts we have set up over time and counterattack afterward. In any case, he refuses to risk the lives of an assault group until we know more.

So if I summarize, we have until Tuesday to save Harry. After that, either his plan failed and the resistance will have a chance to kill him, or… Justin did not finish his sentence.

From my point of view, you can forget the first option. Added Nott darkly.

Anyway, we don't even know where You-Know-Who is.

Not exactly, but Peter and another high-ranking Death Eater we captured yesterday have had their marks burning for an hour. According to the Unspeakables, the source of the Apparition signal is in the state of Colorado, in the United States, explained Fred.

After that, Nott cast all the spells he knew to preserve their privacy and they finalized their plans.