A Bond for the Ages

Chapter 18

Translations:

[English text] Rebenok = [Russian text] Ребенок = Child

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"Barlow," Leif called, walking down the black stone, ornate corridor. He approached the man standing in front of the unusual door, the man wearing solid black, Ministry official robes.

"Marcus," Barlow said, his hands clasped in front of him, wand in one. "What can I do for you?"

"The disturbance, was it in the Hall of Prophecies?" Leif asked.

"You know I can't tell you," Barlow said.

Leif's eyes narrowed. "And I know you've already told."

Barlow stiffened, staring at Leif.

"So, unless you want Wimbeldon to know you're not the best Unspeakable, tell me what happened," Leif threatened, his eyes hard.

"Yeah, it was the Hall of Prophecies," Barlow said, his eyes darting around behind Leif in case anyone saw them. "A prophecy—one that no one has ever seen there before, by the way—lit up and magic has started leaking from it. No one can get near it. There's like a barrier and the magic attacks anyone who tries."

"An activated prophecy?" Leif said.

Barlow nodded. "Seems like, though no one's ever seen a prophecy do this."

"Keep me updated, Barlow. I want to know what's going on with that prophecy," Leif said.

"Yes, sir," Barlow said, giving Leif a slight glare.

With another hard look, Leif turned and left the corridor. He turned a corner and found himself face to face with Dumbledore. He cleared his expression despite the anger he felt towards the headmaster.

"Ah, Mr. Marcus, just who I was looking for," Dumbledore said.

"Is that so?" Leif said, raising an eyebrow.

"I was hoping for some records," Dumbledore said.

"On what?"

"Life Bonds, all that have existed."

Leif's eyes narrowed, a desire to protect rising up in him. "An acquisition request is required to access such records."

"Of course, of course," Dumbledore said. "Is there no way around?"

"I'm afraid not," Leif said shortly. "Ministry policy, you understand."

"Yes, of course," Dumbledore said. "Perhaps you can help me. What can happen if a Life Bond is interrupted?"

"It depends on what stage it is in," Leif said.

"Are there any new bonds in the records?"

Leif just stared at the headmaster, refusing to give the man any confirmation about Severus, Harry, and Draco. He could feel Dumbledore's attempts to use Legilimency and instantly blocked the man, glaring.

"I will make that acquisition request," Dumbledore said.

"You do that," Leif said.

"I hope you understand, Mr. Marcus, that, come September first, your services will no longer be required, as with Mr. Romanov," Dumbledore said.

"We will see," Leif said. "Good day, Albus."

"They are not what you think or want them to be," Dumbledore said.

"As a matter of fact, I think that's exactly who they are," Leif said. "Now, good day, Albus."

The headmaster inclined his head and Leif watched the man leave. Feeling a muscle in his jaw twitch, he headed for the lift to return to his office on Level Ten. He walked down the long, marble-style corridor and through the gold iron gate that stood as the entrance to the Archives after touching his wand to a smooth plate of golden iron. The bars shifted enough to allow him through, returning to normal upon his entrance.