A Deeper Connection: A New Beginning

A Deeper Connection - Part II

"I see," the Transfiguration professor answered, lacking the usual venom in her words, "if you would not mind, I would like to hear about some of the obstacles you have encountered. Of course, only if you want to."

"Minerva, I would love to once I have returned from Tierra del Fuego," the Historian said, successfully hiding the smugness in her voice at finally breaking the ice with the stern witch, especially since it was all due to Dumbledore's rash and reckless actions, before turning to the Dark Lord, "I am sorry that I cannot stay longer, but I really must get back to my current assignment since Lord Magellan is not known for his patience. Before I leave, I want you to know, Mister Prince, that you can always come to me should Professor Dumbledore or anyone else try to invade your mind. You are still so young and should never be subjected to such a stark breach of privacy. It is against the law."

When the Dark Lord stepped out of the fireplace into the living room of Spinner's End, the corners of his mouth curled into a gleeful smile as he thought about the behaviour of his adversary, while Harry by his side was chuckling.

"What was he thinking?" Severus' familiar drawl echoed through the small room, his arms raised in disbelief once he had Vanished the ash off his black robes as he stepped out of the Floo and cast a Privacy Ward, "has he gone mad? Performing Legilimency in front of most of his staff?"

"Shows you how paranoid he truly is," Harry continued to chuckle, "I think it was fantastic. Bridget Hawthorne is one fearless witch I would not like to mess with."

"Were you aware of her... skills?" the Potions Master asked, his eyes on the Dark Lord.

"I never asked her personally," Tom answered, "but I suspected since I know the Goblins and her line of work. Also, I think she would not have survived so long directly opposing Dumbledore without mastering the Mind Arts."

"What do you suppose are the aftereffects of your examination?" Severus asked, "is she going to do anything."

"I do not think so. Then again, Bridget Hawthorne can be quite unpredictable," the Dark Lord shrugged, clearly amused by the situation, which had developed into something far better than he had hoped for, "still, she respects Pureblood customs. Unless you, as the Lord of the Prince family and the affected party, press charges, she will not get involved, although she is willing to do so if one of us were to ask for it."

"What do we do now?" the Potions Master asked, graciously letting himself down on his favourite high wingback chair.

"My boy," the Dark Lord said in a voice reminiscent of the old twinkling coot, making Severus opposite of him roll his eyes in clear annoyance, "all we do now is wait until the Goblins contact us."

They did not hear from the Goblins until Wednesday morning.

Tom was just about to drop a cube of sugar into his otherwise black coffee, when the beak of one of Gringotts' majestic eagle owls tapped against the milky kitchen window. Once the letter had been untied from her leg, the owl immediately flew off. Upon scanning the letter, the corners of the Dark Lord's mouth once again curled into a sinister smile. Everything was going according to plan. Just as the old coot had fooled him and used him as one of the many puppets in his grand schemes, Dumbledore had become a puppet. The tables had turned.

"Has he arrived in France?" his Equal asked, spotting a similar expression of pure glee.

Nodding his head, their eyes met, "Yes, according to the French Goblins, he was seen snooping around the orphanage in Le Havre today as the sun was rising. Some of their Wards tipped off. He should be busy for the next few days."