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Half a World Away
If Blaise Zabini had to think of what the word family meant to him. He would immediately think of his mother, who had died before he came home the summer after his third year of Hogwarts. He had never known any other family besides her. All his stepfathers had never counted. For one, they were never around long enough for him to know them.
That had been before he had been suddenly taken to the United States where supposedly his father’s brother was living. Someone he had thought to be dead for years. It had taken him some time to realize that Anthony or Tony, as he liked to be called, wasn’t lying. He had seen the photographs and his mother’s own handwriting with his own eyes.
Tony had even let him read a few of the letters that he had.
There had been one that his mother had written to him about his birth, and he had the picture to go with that. And of course, he had seen the picture that Tony had taken with him, his mother, and father. There was even a picture of his father and Tony together. He had seen letters when after Tony must have escaped from Italy.
It had taken a while before he learned the truth why Tony’s last name was DiNozzo instead of Zabini. When he had more of a level head, he even understood why. Whoever had murdered his father when he was still a child, probably would have searched for any wizard with the name of Zabini. His mother had protected him for all of those years. He wondered if it was the same people…
Though he hadn’t been happy to know that he couldn’t go back to Hogwarts for his fourth year. He tried not to think about the words he had said in anger, no matter how true they must have felt at the time. He hadn’t wanted to listen when Tony had told him that he would be in danger if he returned. Not only to Italy but to Hogwarts as well.
Blaise knew what the TriWizard Tournament was, and it had to be this year… the year that he would miss it. He had been furious. That was something he would have loved to watch even though he knew he wasn’t even at the age to participate.
If there was something he could actually do, it was to hope that Slytherin at least won. He didn’t see how he would have tied into any of it. But each time he brought it up, it ended in another argument. Which had been a lot better to think about than what was really bothering him.
It was easier to do that than to think about how his entire life had changed. He didn’t even know where any of the House Elves had been… had they been killed as well? He hadn’t seen any when he had come home. Nobody had really told him anything.
He hated on how that Tony would keep trying, he didn’t want him to. He hadn’t been there. Though he would realize that during the summer when he would actually venture out of the room, Tony would always have food set out for him. Usually set under a Warming Charm. He wanted to hate him; he really did.
He didn’t realize that Tony actually must have a job that he went to everyday. He hadn’t even known what he did for the longest time. At the time he didn’t even care to ask because he only saw Tony as someone who was blocking him from his life. There had never been a forethought that Tony must have been grieving for his mother as well. He had kept it pretty hidden from him, which Blaise had obviously made it easier by all the avoiding he had done.
Blaise supposed the best way Tony could describe his job to him when he actually did ask. He had a job that was similar to an Auror’s. But he worked for the government and was a liaison for the magical world when a crime happened.
Blaise had been snippy at the time when he said, “like what happened to mother?”
It was the first time that Tony’s lips had thinned, that he saw, “yes. And I am still investigating what happened.”
He wasn’t sure on why he hadn’t pressed more at the time. Maybe it was because he didn’t want to talk about it anymore than that. Or he realized Tony had gotten slightly colder when he had said that. That he realized that he wasn’t the only one that was missing her. Because he never put it into perspective that it had been years since Tony had last seen her and now, he never could…
Blaise had never considered himself a real sentimental person, unless it was about family. But Tony hadn’t been family to him. So, he kept to his cold self for the most part. Never really telling Tony anything about himself. But it seemed he already knew a great deal about him, most likely from his mother.
Though, he had started to open up a bit more after he had read those letters. He knew that Tony hadn’t needed to do that. All his letters had been left in Italy, least the ones he hadn’t thrown out. He never saw a need to keep letters and now he wished he had.
Wanting to desperately see her familiar handwriting in a letter that was to him. Not to his uncle. But he couldn’t even convince his uncle that he needed to go back. It wasn’t like he was going to tell him the reason why he wanted to. Here felt more like a prison to him. He hated it.
And the only way he didn’t think was by reading. There was no point in doing any of the summer homework that the professors had assigned. He wouldn’t even be there to turn it in. He was half tempted to throw it in the rubbish, but it stayed in the Hogwarts side of his trunk, untouched.
Then there was the school he felt like he was forced to go to. It did provide a nice distraction but similar to Hogwarts, he left himself be a loner. Isolated from everyone. He had never made friends easy, but it wasn’t like friends was a concept when you were a Slytherin. Because there was always someone that would curse when you weren’t looking. He had no intention of wanting to be friends with anyone here.
Had to admit it was nice to take more elective courses that mattered. For one, he still took Runes and Arithmancy. But also took Rituals, Healing, and Curses, something that hadn’t been offered at Hogwarts. They had most of the same classes similar to Hogwarts. They still had a Potions, Transfiguration, and Defense class. It was odd… he actually had a competent professor for Defense. It was a nice distraction to delve back into studies, it was something he was good at.
Unknown to him, Tony was still keeping tabs on what was going on with the other side of the world, especially Hogwarts. He had some contacts there that he could reach out to as Anthony DiNozzo, far as they knew, he worked with the DMLE. They never really knew who they were communicating for him.
It made Tony realize he had made the right decision of not going back, especially Blaise. The tournament was still going on, there was nothing stopping that. But two names had came out for Hogwarts, both of them underage.
He was familiar enough of who Harry Potter was. He had known James and Lily in school and had been good friends with Lily, despite that he had been a Slytherin. One of them had been Harry Potter and the other had been Blaise Zabini.
There had been some inquiries put out, but nobody knew where Blaise was. That some students had spoken out that he had been missing all year. Granted it was only about two months into the new year, not really worth saying it was all year.
It was obvious enough to him that whoever was working on bring this tournament back, but it was hard to point fingers at an entire department. Whoever did didn’t have pleasant intentions for his nephew and Harry Potter. He didn’t need to be told about the backlash for this. But it was obvious that Hogwarts had a champion, an underage one at that.
Tony had even been sent a copy of the Daily Prophet by his point of contact with the next letter.
Death at Hogwarts! First task leads to Catastrophe!
It was a simple matter of scanning the article as he read the list of student deaths as well as adult wizards and witches. There had been some names mentioned, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, mother of one of the students, Bartemius Crouch, one of the Ministry officials. And the infamous Mad-Eye Moody, a legendary Auror that had volunteered to teach Defense that year. Gryffindors by the name of Hermione Granger, Seamus Finnigan, Fred Weasley, and Neville Longbottom had been listed. The Ravenclaws mentioned were Cho Chang, Terry Boot, and Michael Corner. Hufflepuffs were Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Zacharias Smith, and Cedric Diggory There were several Slytherins named as well, Lucian Bole, Pansy Parkinson, Draco Malfoy, Adrian Pucey. It seemed that the dragons they had used for the first task in the tournament had gotten out of control. Most likely the adults that had died had been all sitting together. There had been a lot of students that had been injured, even though in critical condition. But these deaths were actually confirmed. It hadn’t just been one dragon that had gotten out of control.
Tony had to literally put down the article after he had reached each of their names. Some of them he recognized by the last name. None of the deaths had been any of the champions but more of the spectators at the task. It made him wonder if some of the parents had been there, if any more of them were dead. They just weren’t named in the article, but he knew they didn’t report everything. But the list was massive enough and from every house… It was enough to make his head spin and he had never been so glad that Blaise was not there.
But Blaise wouldn’t see the article until he was home during their Yule break. His violet eyes going wide and mouth dropping. He had searched the article several times, like he was either memorizing the names or searching for one.
“That may not be all the names,” Tony spoke softly. “I am assuming not because I haven’t been told anything more or seen for that matter.”
“How did you get this?” There was no anger in his voice.
“My job lets me keep tabs on a lot of things. It was easier to get the article, but you understand why now,” Tony explained.
Blaise nodded, for once, out of words.
“Your own name came out of that goblet. Now I do not know if it is actually true that some students did speak up. There was an eyewitness that reported this to me. It could have been said just to make them look better,” Tony informed him.
Blaise bit at his lip, “because nobody would care about a Slytherin…” It was said in bitterness.
Tony had a look of sympathy on his face, “Slytherins do not have it the easiest. But it shows that someone is after you, likely the same person that was after Zaira and perhaps the one that was behind your father’s death too. Until I know which, it could be a year or longer. But someone will be looking for you this year.”
Blaise looked irritated but he didn’t protest. For one, he didn’t need to be told that his life was in danger. He got the picture soon as he read the article and the letter.
But if there was one thing that had changed in the months since he had come to the United States. He did actually see Tony as family, maybe even a father he never had. One that no matter how much you may have yelled at them, he still looked after him.
Though he wouldn’t know about the additional deaths that would come from the second task even though Tony got the letter about it. That time, it was a champion that had died. Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons Academy. The letter had detailed that she had drowned in the Black Lake. If he had to give a guess, he probably would say that one of the creatures in the lake was probably responsible.
But there was no escaping the Selkies that lived in the deepest part of the lake. But there was one article and letter that Tony would show to Blaise when he got home from his year at school. It had been sent after the first one. It was detailing the death about Harry Potter, who had been forced to participate in the TriWizard Tournament or face the loss of his magic. He had been torn to shreds by the Selkies that dwelled in the lake. It even mentioned what the task was about, the witches and wizards that had been placed in an enchanted sleep had been slaughtered as well. That the treaty had been violated between their world and theirs. This had been their retribution. There was no mention of the final champion but he assumed they had been killed as well. So, it appeared that it wasn't just one champion that had been killed in that task but all three.
The TriWizard Tournament was over with two tasks. And whatever savior they believed in Harry Potter; they would have a lot to think about with that. That was when Tony noticed there was a second piece of parchment in the letter.
Tony,
As a member of the DMLE, the Head of the DMLE had requested this information be sent to you. I had to make sure it could only be read by you. This can’t be risked to be intercepted. After Auror Moody had been caught in the fire of the dragon from the first task, Madam Bones had ordered for Aurors to search his private office. As procedure for the death of an Auror. There has reason to be believe he has been an imposture and she as requested your aid in search of the real Auror Moody. She has reason to believe this was the reason for the death of Harry Potter and countless witches and wizards. I implore you to consider this. I do apologize that I cannot tell you more.
A Friend
Tony frowned after he read the letter. An imposture… He knew a lot of his work was known in the magical world, at least in the United States. It was possible that some witches and wizards may know of his fake name in the UK. But he didn’t realize that Madam Bones knew of him. That could be problematic. It must have taken some time for this letter to come and by the date, it had been written a week or so after the task.
In the end, Tony did wind up taking an International Portkey and wound-up meeting Madam Bones, since it was obvious that she had been waiting for him. He had even been addressed as Special Agent from her, she had known him.
Even Kingsley Shacklebolt was there, not that he expected any different. He knew he had been the one writing most of the letters that he had been sending him. Though honestly it could have been any of the Aurors. They all used the same signature in those letters. Nothing to tie them to them if it were questioned.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Special Agent,” Kingsley commented.
Tony nodded, “I am assuming this isn’t meant for open ears if my presence was requested by Madam Bones.”
“Agent DiNozzo is correct,” Madam Bones as she guided them to her office. That was when the wards went up. He expected nothing less from the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
“We found this letter in the office that was told to you,” Madam Bones said, giving a glance to Kingsley.
Tony’s eyebrows ruffled as he picked up the letter. He could see why it would be alarming, the letter was address to a Barty.
“It can’t be your employee, he was already dead when this letter was written,” Tony told them after he passed his wand over the parchment.
“How can you be certain, Agent DiNozzo?” Madam Bones asked.
“I crafted a spell that can tell you when it was written. It is something that is used by a lot of agents at my department. Is there another Barty? Given by what the letter says and this plan, perhaps someone that isn’t on your side. Maybe a Death Eater that escaped being captured after the first war,” Tony suggested.
Madam Bones shook her head, “he only had one son with that name. He had many years ago after he was sentenced to Azkaban.”
“That is your call, Madam Bones. But as far as I know, there was only one person named Barty that was in his ranks,” Tony pointed out. “Possibly the same person responsible for murdering a capable witch that has remained out of the eye of the law for decades.”
“Murder?” Madam Bones asked.
“Lady Zabini, or were you not aware that you had a child that was orphaned. And from Kingsley’s letter, his name came out of the goblet this past October. Did you ever question on why that was?” Tony asked bluntly.
Madam Bones frowned, “this was not brought to my attention. But he is still missing.”
“Obviously the Italian Ministry does not keep you informed especially when it is a student that goes to school here. I was informed that I was a guardian of him, and he was brought not so very gracefully to my doorstep. I know I can trust you, Madam Bones, I have for years,” Tony told her.
Amelia had a small smile, “it is good to see an old friend. I assume you had the same theory I do…”
Tony nodded, “obviously I was proven right since his name came out and every champion is dead. I was right to be worried, though I am hoping that I won’t have to worry for him next year.”
“He will be coming back to Hogwarts?” Amelia asked.
“That is the plan, where I lived was never going to be a place he would enjoy. It may be a problem regarding his home as he wouldn’t have any rights to it until he hits majority.”
“I’ll see what I can do, Tony,” Amelia said as she gave a nod towards Kingsley.
That was practically the end of Tony’s short visit to the British Ministry of Magic. Something that Tony would tell Blaise about. It was probably the first time that Blaise had really been excited about something since he found out the news about his mother.
“I thought I wasn't ever going back?” Blaise asked.
Tony shook his head, “I never intended for you to live here forever. I know that you would hate every moment of it. This was all temporary until I knew you weren’t in risk of being killed. The estate will temporarily be in my name until you reach seventeen, just as your mother intended it.”
“Who was it?” Blaise asked, though he still did feel a bit nervous of going back. A lot of people had been killed during the year he had been in the United States.
“If my theory is right, a Death Eater that faked his death and pretended to be someone else,” Tony replied.
“Polyjuice Potion,” Blaise guessed.
“It would explain why he still looks like the person he was posing at,” Tony nodded.
“I could have died…” Blaise mumbled.
Tony grimaced, “I am just glad it didn’t come to that. It may be a bit different but hopefully you still aren’t opposed to me as your uncle.”
Blaise shook his head, “in the beginning I was. I am just glad that I met you and the school wasn’t as bad as I thought. But—”
“It’s not Hogwarts,” Tony nodded. “Give it a month while I’m waiting for my transfer papers to be approved. I won’t be working here in D.C. anymore; it seems my life isn’t quite over yet as I thought.”
“It’s going to be odd that half of those I knew are gone…” Blaise’s voice was quiet.
“War is going to be approaching as well. I don’t doubt that if a Death Eater really did infiltrate Hogwarts, that something big is going to happen. This most likely is just the beginning and it could happen before you graduate for your seventh year. Nobody will be able to be neutral in this year. You will need to be prepared for that.”
Blaise looked determined at that before nodding. “I will, Tony.”