Dark Legend of Potter Chapter 70

FRENCH COAST ROCKED BY NUCLEAR DETONATION: OFFICIALS CLAIM TERRORISTS RESPONSIBLE

Hermione lowered her copy of the Sun as Megumin grinned broadly at her and Yunyun covered her eyes with her hands. “I take it you had an interesting holiday in Avignon, then.” 

“Those foolish French wizards were NOT PREPARED for my arcane brilliance!” Megumin cackled, jumping up atop the bench and posing dramatically, until the Hogwarts Express lurched slightly and she nearly toppled over before Ron grabbed the back of her robes. 

“Seemed prepared enough for me. Wasn’t your uncle complaining that the entire family is now banned from Hawaii and France?” Ron commented. 

“Yes, but Uncle Vernon lacks all imagination and understanding of the importance of a young Crimson Demon’s development,” Megumin sniffed, earning her a loud groan from Yunyun. 

“Megumin, you promised me you wouldn’t blow up the French Countryside! We were having such a lovely holiday!” Yunyun said, tears in her eyes. 

“Yes, and I most definitely did not blow up the French Countryside. I blew up the Mediterranean, which is entirely different,” Megumin pointed out. 

Yunyun looked helplessly at the others in the car, raising her hands before her as if to say “you see what I have to put up with?”

“She’s got a point you know,” Ron said, earning him an exasperated look from Hermione. 

“The point being that she caused another international incident, and is now officially labeled as a terrorist,” Hermione said, folding her paper and putting it away. 

“Haha! I should write a letter to the muggle papers declaring myself as the CRIMSON TERROR, known far and wide as the foremost genius on Explosion Magic!” Megumin bragged. 

“Yeah, but you’d have to write it in French,” Ron pointed out, which caused both Yunyun and Hermione to groan and make faces. 

“True. I would never lower myself to converse in the Black Tongue,” Megumin mused. 

“Megumin, you spent WEEKS getting conversationally fluent in French before our trip and made sure to speak nothing BUT French while we were on Holiday!” Yunyun cried in utter exasperation as her cousin blushed mightily at the revelation that she had, in fact, consorted with the Frogs. 

“You did too, and yours was better than mine,” Megumin muttered, wincing when she realized she’d actually conceded two points to Yunyun on that front. 

“Then I’m going to declare victory and go find Lavender and Luna. They probably haven’t tried to cause a global thermonuclear exchange over Christmas,” Yunyun said, and left the compartment with a hangdog expression. 

There was quiet for a few minutes as Hermione read the rest of her newspaper and Megumin stewed, and Ron borrowed the funnies from Hermione and chuckled over them. This tranquility was eventually broken when Darkness stumbled into the room, red faced and out of breath. 

“Oh there you are, wondered if you’d missed the train,” Ron said, looking up from his comics. 

“Ah, no, I was just, um, visiting with other friends,” Darkness said, blushing and taking a seat beside Hermione. She glanced at the headlines, then at Megumin, frowning. “Again?”

“Of course! It is an annual tradition,” Megumin said proudly. 

“You’re going to break the statute of secrecy if you keep this up. We can’t keep obliviating muggles forever,” Hermione said, glancing up from the paper. 

“Pah! The entire world should be aware of my greatness and exploits. Why should it be limited to merely the magical community that I am the foremost genius of the Crimson Demon clan and Mistress of Explosion Magic!” Megumin bragged. 

“Hmm,” Ron said, rubbing his chin. “I dunno. If the muggles knew about magic, it would be bad.”

“Why?” Hermione asked, folding her paper and setting it on her lap. 

Ron blinked at her. “Er, they’d burn us at the stake.”

“Wendelin the Weird loved being burnt at the stake so much she was burned forty-seven times,”  Hermione said dryly. “I’d think we’d be fine.”

“Uh…because they’d want magical solutions to their problems?” Ron said, scratching at his head. 

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Yes, because heaven forbid that people want us to help them with their problems. We could probably do a tidy business selling them things we could make magically, and they could trade with us for things we have a harder time getting our hands-on, like decent telly and music. No offense to the Weird Sisters, but they’re no Spice Girls.”

“Well, it’s just…” Ron looked helplessly at Darkness, but she was frowning in thought.

“No, no, Hermione has a point. Honestly, I’ve had times when I saw a muggle I wanted to help because I just knew that magic could fix it up. Well, um, perhaps not my magic, but, you know. A potion or someone more handy with a wand,” Darkness mused. 

“But, you know, the Statute is…it’s important!” Ron said, turning to Megumin in desperation.

“A small-minded rule from a more archaic age. We shall usher in a new age of magic, one where the Crimson Demon clan leads us all into a glorious new age!” Megumin cackled enthusiastically. 

“Yeah, but not all of us are Crimson Demons,” Ron complained. “How would that even…oh no.”

Megumin’s eyes had begun to glow as Ron realized he had just made a most grievous error. Even worse, Hermione was grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

“But Ron,” Hermione practically purred. 

“-we have the ritual to CREATE Crimson Demons!” Megumin said. 

“Oh bloody hell,” Ron murmured. Darkness couldn’t help but wince in sympathy. 

And inside the pocket of Ron’s robe, a certain rat couldn’t help but shiver. 

Meanwhile, back at the castle: 

The newspaper slapped down atop Dumbledore’s desk, and he took a moment to adjust his glasses before picking it up. He sighed heavily, before looking up at the glare of Minerva McGonagall. “Yes, I am familiar with the paper’s contents. I suppose that is what brings you all here today?”

“Albus, this cannot continue!” Professor Sprout said, wringing her hands. “The French Ministry is up in arms about this, not to mention all the trouble the muggles are causing!”

Flitwick sighed and removed his glasses to rub at the bridge of his nose. “We cannot simply expel her, but something has to be done about Miss Potter. In particular…”

“An assurance that she does not, in fact, blow up the school again this year,” Snape said grimly. The others all looked faintly green but nodded in agreement. 

Steepling his fingers before him, Dumbledore nodded once. “Yes. I just finished with a meeting of the Wizengamot. To say that the international community is not best pleased is an…understatement. They even threatened to cancel the Tri-Wizard tournament, but I convinced them that exposure to other cultures for Miss Potter would only be to their benefit.”

“Oh Sweet Merlin. Albus, please tell me you have a way to ensure that girl doesn’t end up as a champion,” McGonagall groaned, putting a hand to her forehead at the very thought of such a thing. 

“I will be employing an Age Line and several other measures. One of which is that the cup is very firmly instructed to reject the name of Megumin Potter,” Albus stated, earning him a sigh of relief from the heads of house. “But that is a matter for another day. For now, I have a plan to engage Megumin in a suitably diverting activity that should keep her out of our proverbial hair for several weeks. In fact, I do believe the mastermind is arriving just now.”

The gargoyle at the back of the room leapt out of the way, as Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks voices echoed up the staircase. 

“Well, if you won’t tell him, I will!” Tonks was saying. “I’ve got nothing to hide!”

“Yes, well, I’m simply saying that perhaps now isn’t the best time…”

“Well, you’re at least going to talk to my-” Tonks froze as they entered the room, Remus stiffening behind her as they realized they weren’t alone with Dumbledore. “-boss. Megumin is enough of a problem as it is.” 

“Yes, well, perhaps you had better tell him we have the situation in hand before she ends up in Azkaban. Though the little maniac would probably love it,” Remus coughed, looking embarrassed. 

“Ah, I see you have enlisted Miss Tonks to help you in your endeavors, excellent,” Dumbledore said with an extra bit of twinkle and a knowing grin. “I was just saying you had a plan to keep Miss Potter occupied most thoroughly for the next several weeks.”

“Quite,” Remus agreed, hastening forward and putting a roll of parchment on the headmaster’s desk, which he quickly unrolled. “You see, I was entrusted by her parents with a special legacy to leave to Megumin. The first were a series of photo albums, but the last is a collection of memorabilia they left for her.”

“Please tell me none of those items can be used to create Explosions,” Sprout groaned. 

Remus hesitated and glanced at Tonks, who coughed. “Er, certain items were…removed. For safe keeping. In the Ministry vault of Forbidden and Dangerous Artefacts.”

“Lily and James certainly were lively,” Flitwick said with a heavy sigh. “Morgana rest their souls, but I can only imagine the terror their daughter would raise if they’d raised her…”

Snape went even paler than he normally was, while Dumbledore stroked his beard and looked rather disturbed at the very notion. McGonagall had to sit down and fan herself, with Sprout helping. 

“Well, ah, that prospect aside, Tonks and I have spent the last two weeks concocting a plan to keep Megumin and her friends busy, and also hopefully teach them several important life lessons,” Remus said, pointing to various points on the map. He proceeded to lay out his plans for the elaborate, multi-stage treasure hunt that involved several very complex puzzles as well as several challenging combat encounters worthy of any DM trying to kill a party of over-eager munchkins.

“That’s nice, but I do have a single pressing concern,” Flitwick said, raising his eyebrows at the map.

“Yes! What if they get hurt? They’re only children!” Sprout said worriedly. 

The others regarded her in disbelief. “Then hopefully they’ll learn a very valuable lesson and calm down,” McGonagall said flatly. 

“Or we just have Aqua heal them,” Tonks pointed out. 

“I’m more worried about the fact that several of these problems seem to be easily solvable with a massive detonation, if one were a reckless young witch,” Flitwick said, sounding rather exasperated. 

“Oh, that. Well, I’ll emphasize the treasure is very delicate, and that she has to proceed with caution or risk its destruction,” Lupin said with a serious nod. “She won’t chance the treasure being destroyed just to use an Explosion.”

This really went to show that Lupin hadn’t learned yet that, to Megumin, the real treasure was the apocalyptic spellcraft you unleashed along the way. 

“That should hopefully curb her more manic tendencies and get the little red-eyed menace to learn how to solve problems like a reasonable person,” Tonks said with a heavy sigh who also hadn’t quite learned yet that Megumin’s first impulse was explosions. 

“Don’t bet on it,” Snape muttered darkly, as he had more experience with the CDC than most. 

“-and if all else fails, we are starting the semester with Miss Potter’s wand in my custody,” McGonagall said with a sniff. “If the Ministry won’t do its due diligence, I will.”

“She was supposedly attacked by a quinotaur. Yunyun collaborated Megumin’s story, but there wasn’t enough remains to prove anything one way or another, so it was ruled that even if her firepower was excessive, Megumin had the right to defend herself,” Tonks said, rubbing her hand through her hair as it went through a kaleidoscope of reds and oranges. 

“We shall endeavor to educate Miss Potter that such spells are only to be used against the direst of threats,” Dumbledore said gravely. “And even then, when one is indoors, it is best to scale the spell to match the circumstances. You have my approval to confiscate Miss Potter’s wand, to be used only during classwork, for the next three weeks.”

“You’re going to have to be more creative. You know that Lily managed to learn Wandless Magic in a fortnight when you tried the same on her for lighting Gryffindor Tower on fire in her sixth year,” Snape sneered. 

“She’s only 13,” Sprout pointed out. “How could she possibly learn wandless magic in-”

“If you finish that sentence, I am not only going to blame you for the following catastrophe, I am going to spend the rest of our careers telling you ‘I told you so,’ Pomona,” Flitwick groaned. 

“Not to mention that dear Professor Mizu has been teaching them how to make druidic staffs,” McGonnagal sighed. “I do wish she’d pick better times and subjects to be knowledgeable about.”

“She’d never get the same amount of magical flow out of a staff than that monstrosity she calls a wand, so that’s a small mercy at least,” Flitwick sighed. He pulled out a pocket watch and flicked it open, then shook his head. “They’ll be here in less than an hour, so I suppose we’d best get prepared.”

“Then plan Treasure Hunt is a go?” Lupin asked, and the others nodded.

“Just see to it that you keep an eye on her,” Snape snapped. 

“I’ve got my best man on the job,” Lupin promised. Which would be true in more ways than one in just a few months. 

After having her wand confiscated even before she’d made it to the Great Hall, Megumin was stewing in her bed and plotting revenge from under her covers. 

“You did ask for it you know,” Hermione pointed out, doing her best to commiserate with Megumin but failing rather miserably. “Especially when you offered to ‘demonstrate’ your method to Kazuma.”

“You probably shouldn’t blow up the school again,” Darkness added, rubbing Megumin’s back. “At least not unless Voldemort returns somehow.” 

“He’s done it two years running,” Lavender pointed out from her own bed. “That’s why I’m certain Sirius Black will show up before the end of the year and do something horrid. But this time, I’m prepared!” She held up the amulet of True Silver Aqua had given her. “This is sure to save me!” 

“Sirius Black isn’t a werewolf,” Hermione said with a roll of her eyes. “What’s that going to do?””

“When he’s looking at it, I will take Lady Aqua’s advice and kick him in the jimmies before running away! Lady Aqua says it’s not wrong to run away if you’re scared, sometimes, running away is being really brave!” Lavender huffed. 

This did seem to rouse Megumin enough to poke her head up from beneath her quilt. “Do not fear, Lavender! I will have Chunchumaru back ere long, just in time for Sirius Black to show himself as the traitor who killed my parents, and take my long deserved revenge! I shall unleash my mightiest Explosion magic, and lay waste to him!” 

Darkness shot Hermione a concerned look, but Hermione just shrugged. “Honestly, if a murderous Death Eater who killed your parents does show up, I think that probably is the right time for an Explosion. Unless we’re in the basement again, of course.”

“I have learned my lesson,” Megumin said airly. “Explosions are to take place in the open air only. Unless circumstances are exceptionally-”

“NO!” Darkness and Hermione said at the same time, with Hermione going so far as to grab a pillow and smack Megumin with it. 

“Fine! I’ll use another, slightly less destructive spell. Or perhaps a potion,” Megumin grumbled. “But my search for Sirius Black will continue, that I may wreck my terrible vengeance!” 

It was with that dire pronouncement (and Hermione muttering “It’s wreak”) that Sirius Black padded into the girls dormitory with a message tube in his mouth. Fortunately for him, as he was an adorable shaggy dog at the time, he got squeals of delight and much pettings instead of a scolding and shrieks of outrage. 

“Blackie! What have you brought for us this time, boy?” Megumin cried, her malaise forgotten as she leapt out of bed and eagerly grabbed the slobber covered tube as the rest of the girls crowded around. 

“Well, open it! What does it say?!” Lavender asked eagerly. 

With great ceremony, Megumin slowly popped it open while the other girls looked on and gave Blackie a belly rub. Unrolling the parchment within, Megumin’s eyes dashed over it as she read aloud. 

To our dearest daughter, the future Foremost Genius of the Crimson Demon Clan (HA! Even my parents know my greatness at such a young age!), 

The last we leave you are the treasures of the Crimson Demon Clan. We have placed them into the hands of our most beloved companions, that they might distribute them in your time of need. Though it pains us to say it, we know from the Prophecy that was told at your birth that one of our friends will betray us. Which of them, we know not. But we have left clues that may help you unravel this mystery and claim glorious vengeance in our names! For this quest, you will need the companions foretold by destiny at your side, including your cousin, who will surely one day lead the Crimson Demon Clan to Glory. 

For the first stage of your journey, heed the wisdom of the one who brought you this letter, for they are surely one of our truest companions, and not the traitor. 

Signed, Lily Scarlet and James Prongs Potter, Foremost parents of the Crimson Demon Clan

“There’s a second parchment,” Hermione said, tapping the tube and pulling out a much newer sheet of parchment, on which was a map fragment. It had only some vague geometric lines and a key to show north, along with what looks like some trees, and an inscription.  

Where the greatest giant died, stand where its shadow pointed at the death of day, and there you will find your treasure.

Megumin quickly passed the map to Darkness, who studied it curiously. “Well, I have to figure out what the greatest giant is first, but I can probably find this location.”

“It’s a tree, duh,” Megumin immediately said, and Hermione nodded. 

Blackie let out a soft whimper. He had been hoping it would take Megumin more than half a second to solve that riddle. They’d worked hard on those, dammit! He should have known better, really, much to his own irritation. 

“So we have to find where the tallest tree fell and stand in its shadow at sunset. But that does give rise to the problem that shadows move throughout the year as the angle of the sun changes,” Hermione pointed out.

Blackie’s ears drooped further. They did!?

“Obviously, but that will at least give us a starting point, and we can calculate where the tree’s shadow would have fallen. Probably on the Winter Solstice, as that’s the most obvious time for the death of day,” Megumin said with a nod.

Blackie lay down and covered his eyes with his paws. These kids…they would be the death of him. 

Or more hopefully a certain rat. 

“We could just ask Professor Lupin,” Hermione pointed out. “But that feels like cheating.”

“But it wasn’t Lupin who brought it, it was Blackie. I bet he was really Megumin’s parents' fondest companion and loyal friend!” Lavender said eagerly.

Blackie sat up and barked happily. He knew that these smart kids were the best!

“Don’t be dumb, Blackie’s not an ancient dog. He’d have to be at least 13 to have been around when Megumin was born,” Hermione pointed out rather logically. 

Blackie gave her a wounded look, then padded over and enthusiastically licked Lavender’s face to show he agreed with her. 

“He he, see? He thinks I’m right! Who’s a good dog, eh?” Lavender said, rubbing Blackie’s ears enthusiastically. 

“There is no time to waste! Let us depart!” Megumin declared, rushing to get dressed, as they were all in their nightgowns. 

“Megumin, it’s pitch black outside. We’ll need to wait for daylight at least,” Darkness said in exasperation. 

“Yes, and freezing cold out to boot with several feet of snow. We’d best wait for tomorrow. Not all of us can see in the dark like cats,” Hermione pointed out. 

“Hmph. Fine. But at dawn, we ride!” Megumin declared, posing dramatically with her giant witches hat on her head.

Blackie thumped his tail and barked, then turned around and headed out to sleep in the Common Room. 

Not on the furniture. He feared what McGonagall would do to him if she caught him sleeping on the couch, no matter what form he was in. 

“In the morning,” Darkness agreed with a yawn. “Good night, then.”

They all went to bed, where Megumin dreamed of grand adventures with her parents, where they all cast Explosion together. Fortunately for the world, she was the only Crimson Demon with that particular obsession.