London, Ministry of Magic, September 26th, 1999, 17.15 hours

"A word, Hermione."

Wand-Leader Hermione turned towards Benjamin. The senior Wand-Leader of the Corps' Investigative Branch was leaning against the wall outside her office and had apparently been waiting for her to return from seeing Tonks and Cresswell off.

"Of course, Benjamin," she said, with more confidence than she felt.

"In private." He gestured with his head towards his office.

Once inside, Benjamin cast a privacy spell and sat down on the edge of his desk. "You've been investigating the Obliviators."

"I told you that." Hermione remained standing.

"You said you were not allowed to observe them in the muggle world. But you did it anyway, didn't you?"

She nodded.

"You found something. Something worse than corruption. You didn't check our files just to be thorough in your investigation." Benjamin's tone was calm, but she could see that he was tense. Not aggressive, hopefully.

"Yes." She didn't like to admit it, but denying it would have been worse.

"What did you find out?" He stared at her.

She didn't flinch. She had expected that. Had planned her response. "You have to see that for yourself."

He didn't say anything for a few seconds. She was almost certain he suspected what she had found out. "We're in the middle of a war. If what I suspect you found out is true, then this could destroy us."

"We need to decide our own future. We can't do that if we don't know our past," Hermione said.

"You sound like Dumbledore." Benjamin frowned.

Hermione fought to keep her expression from betraying her thoughts. If he suspected that she had been working with Dumbledore… She shrugged, and said: "You know that he'll be ruling the country after the Dark Lord's defeat. If the Corps doesn't make a decision, he'll decide our future."

"He also said entering politics was a mistake for many." Benjamin folded his arms over his chest.

"Letting others decide our fate is a worse mistake. Do you trust the acting Minister with our lives?" Hermione sighed. "And you know as well as I do that if what Tonks and Cresswell told us is true, then the Corps will change no matter what we do."

He pressed his lips together but didn't deny it. "Do you want us to become Aurors?" His tone made it clear what he thought about that idea.

She shook her head. "No. I've been thinking about this for some time." She saw his eyebrows rise marginally. "It's not the blood that makes us different, it's how we are raised."

"And that will change. If the exiles aren't lying." Benjamin didn't add 'if we're not taken from our families anymore', but she knew his meaning.

"It just means we'll have to start training the new Wands later. After Hogwarts."

"Like the Aurors?" Benjamin sneered.

She scoffed. "Certainly not. Signing your name on a parchment and receiving a red robe is not training. I'm thinking a few years, at least. To teach them all they need to be Wands. To be part of the Corps."

"It still won't be the same. They'll have families, friends outside the Corps."

She had friends outside the Corps. She didn't say that though. Instead she said: "No, it won't. But I'm hoping it'll be close enough." She sighed. "The alternative is that the Corps ends. We'll not get any new Wands, and we'll either get folded into the Aurors, or they join us." She shuddered at the thought. "But we can't keep going as we did." They couldn't take children from their families and raise them like they were raised. That would make them no better than the Minister.

"You've given this some thought."

"Yes." It was her family's future.

He closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them again, he met hers. "It's clear what you discovered. And it's also clear that no one will believe you, not without proof. Even I would love to doubt you." He narrowed his eyes. "You could have been memory charmed. The evidence faked."

She couldn't have him demand her memories. Not at this point. "That's why I want you to discover the truth for yourself. I trust that the Investigative Branch will be able to spot any forgery."

Benjamin snorted. "We can't waste too much time going through the motions though. Gather the rest. We'll bring in all Obliviators for questioning. With Veritaserum and pensieves."

Hermione nodded. "Fudge too," she said.

Benjamin hissed, his eyes widening. He had to know what that meant. He didn't say anything though, just nodded. "Him too."

She had thought she would feel satisfaction, knowing the Minister's lies would be exposed, but all she felt was sorrow for the grief her fellow Wands would soon be feeling.

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London, September 26th, 1999, 20.04 hours

"Please have a seat, Harry," Albus Dumbledore said, conjuring a comfortable chair for the young wizard.

"Rather spartan furniture," Harry commented as he sat down. "I thought you took all your belongings with you."

Albus chuckled. "This is just a temporary safe house closer to Diagon Alley. I am looking for a home in Hogsmeade, so I will not be limited to muggle transportation." He had a few prospects, but secrecy and safety was a concern - it wouldn't do to let the Dark Lord's spies find out where he had moved to. He wanted to restore his brother's home, but that would have to wait until Tom was defeated.

"Well, I'd certainly never suspect that a master of Transfiguration was living here." Harry snorted. Then he grew serious. "You didn't call me to talk about furniture though, did you?"

Albus gently shook his head. "No, I did not." He leaned back in his own seat. "I think I have found an alternative to dealing with your burden." As Harry's eyes widened, Albus added: "It's by no means a certain success. But I think it has a lot of promise."

Harry nodded. "What is it?"

"Are you familiar with the Deathly Hallows?" Albus asked, folding his hands on his chest.

Harry shrugged. "I've heard the tale as a kid. Three powerful items, crafted by Death himself, for three brothers who tricked him. The Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility. Many have sought them, no one found them, ever. It is like a magical version of the Holy Grail. Just without the rabbit." He chuckled.

Albus didn't know what rabbit he meant. "It's more than a legend. They exist."

Harry drew a deep breath. "Crafted by Death himself? Does that mean Death exists?"

Albus smiled. "Death exists, in as much as sooner or later, it claims everything alive. But whether or not it has a consciousness, much less the ability to work magic, I cannot say. But the three Deathly Hallows do exist. And they are exceptionally powerful."

"Why haven't they been found yet, then? Or rather, where can we find them?" Harry leaned forward. "If those can deal with this," he tipped on his scar, "Then I think we should start searching for them at once."

"I already know where they are," Albus said. He smiled when the young man frowned. It was a guilty pleasure, to tease the boy like this.

"And where are those legendary treasures?" Harry wasn't quite pouting, but he came close.

"One of them is in your pocket."

Harry blinked, then gaped. "In my… the cloak!" He pulled the shimmering fabric out of his enchanted pocket. "That's the Cloak of Invisibility?"

"Indeed. I've known since your father gave it to me to examine. I didn't advertise the fact, of course." Albus sighed. "You were in enough danger already."

"But… you just gave it to me, without telling me?" Harry was shaking his head.

"It is yours. It has been in your family for generations. Passed on from father to child. I am not certain, but I believe the Potters descended from the Peverells of the legend."

"I've been using a Deathly Hallow for pranks…" Harry chuckled.

"A far better use of such an item than what others have been used for." Albus sighed. "The history of the Elder Wand is drenched in blood. The Resurrection Stone has been used for the worst Dark Arts you can imagine."

Harry nodded, looking at the cloak in his hands. "I guess I should have known it wasn't normal, seeing as it never faded."

"That is one of its powers. A wizard hiding underneath it also cannot be revealed by any spell," Albus explained.

"But you saw through it when Ron and I tried to sneak into the girls' dorm!" Harry exclaimed.

"I did not. I heard you move, and I saw how the dust on the floor was disturbed by you passing me." Albus chuckled. "I confess that I did let you believe I could see through the cloak, so you'd not try it again."

Harry snorted, shaking his head. In a more serious tone, he asked: "You said you knew where the Hallows are. That means you know where the other two are?"

Albus nodded, and pulled out the Resurrection Stone. "I have verified that it can summon the souls of the dead."

Harry stiffened. "He isn't dead though, is he? Can he even die, as long as I live?"

Albus smiled. "The prophecy hints at that, at least."

"I thought it meant that by suiciding, I could remove his last link, effectively killing him," Harry said.

"I think Miss Weasley has made it clear that she will not let you do that." The old wizard sighed. "According to the legend, he who possesses all three Hallows will be the Master of Death. As the legend has been proven to be true in parts at least, I believe that this could be the power he knows not: The ability to kill him, despite his precautions." He drew his wand and put it on the conjured low table, next to the stone.

"That's the...?"

Albus nodded. "I won it from Gellert Grindelwald."

Harry took a deep breath, then laid the cloak on the table. "All three are united then."

Albus chuckled. "It is not that easy, alas. I have not yet discerned who will have to unite them."

Harry drew a hissing breath. "The power he knows not." He smiled wryly. "I don't suppose that we can simply pass the things back and forth to check?"

"It is not quite that simple." Albus gently shook his head.

Harry closed his eyes and sighed. "It never is, is it?"

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London, Ministry of Magic, September 26th, 1999, 14.30 hours

Wand-Leader Hermione, leaning against the base of the fountain in the Ministry's atrium, watched over The Quibbler she was holding as Cornelius Fudge exited the Floo connection, followed by his bodyguard. The Head of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes hadn't been in his office the day after the Malfoys had died, claiming to be sick. Apparently, Dumbledore returning to Britain had cured him. He looked unconcerned even as he returned from lunch.

She waited until the man had passed her, then started to follow him. The bodyguard didn't seem to notice her - her brown robes sometimes worked better than an invisibility cloak when among purebloods. Halfway to the lifts, Dean joined her, carrying a few scrolls of parchment.

"I've got the reports you wanted!" he said.

"Very good Dean." Hermione let her wand slide into her hand, the movement hidden by her sleeves.

They followed Fudge into the lift and ignored his scowl, chatting about reports and other boring minutiae. As soon as the doors closed, they struck. Hermione whipped her wand up and stunned the bodyguard with two quick spells before he could react. Dean, closer to Fudge, grabbed the wizard's wand arm, used it to slam the man against the wall, hard, then stunned the dazed wizard.

She raised her eyebrows at him and he shrugged. "Didn't want to give him the chance to cast."

It was a good excuse, but she didn't think that had been the real reason. "Let's disillusion them."

When the doors opened on the floor where the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes was located, the clerk waiting there saw no one but the two Wands. Dean glared at him and started to close the doors again. The man took a step back, muttering something Hermione didn't catch.

They descended to the Wands' floor, dispelled the Disillusionment Charm, then levitated the two unconscious wizards out.

"Two more for the cells," she announced.

Sally-Anne, standing guard at the cell tract, whistled. "Wow… Fudge as well? First the entire Obliviator Squad, now him?"

Hermione shrugged and quoted one of her instructors: "One arrest leads to another. Keep it quiet though - last I heard, we might have to take the retired Obliviators in for questioning as well."

"Alright, Hermione."

Hermione stared at her for a moment, then nodded. Sally-Anne was a gossip, but she'd not talk to anyone outside the Corps.

Benjamin was in the processing area when they entered. He glanced at the stunned Department Head, then nodded at them. "Good work. We've got everyone who's still working for the Ministry then."

"What's next?" Hermione asked, dropping the prisoners off - literally - at the desk there.

"Veritaserum interrogation of the Obliviators we arrested this morning implicates their predecessors as well," Benjamin said. She knew he was angry, but he hid it well, acting as if this was just a routine bust.

"Do you want us to go after Ottokar Merriweather?" Hermione asked. She'd love to arrest the man, after he had escaped her once already.

Benjamin shook his head. "No. You'll relieve Cleo and Robert as acting Obliviators."

Hermione knew better than to protest the assignment. Benjamin knew she was among the Wands most familiar with the muggle world. Good enough to have tracked and observed the Obliviators there without being spotted. It made sense to take over for the Obliviators her own work had caused to be arrested.

She just hoped it wouldn't take too long to find some permanent replacements - she was a Wand, not an Obliviator.

"Did anyone ask Dumbledore if there are former Obliviators among his people?"

Benjamin rubbed his chin, "Good question, and good idea. I'll check with Sarah if we can get some exiles to step in." He grinned. "We need every Wand on our duties, not filling in for corrupt criminals." He looked at the widely smiling Dean. "That doesn't mean you don't have to go, though; but with some luck, you'll be relieved by some exiles."

Dean sighed. "Well, hopefully, nothing will happen during our shift."

"If we detect accidental magic by a muggleborn child…" Hermione started to ask.

"Then you memory charm strangers who observed it, and inform the parents," Benjamin interrupted her.

Hermione nodded, smiling faintly. She was very glad that there wouldn't be any more kidnappings, but at the same time, she couldn't help feeling a bit sad that the Corps wouldn't be the same anymore. Even if it had been built on lies, it had been the only family she could remember.

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London, Ministry of Magic, September 26th, 1999, 15.00 hours

"Good afternoon, Wand-Commander Sarah," Albus Dumbledore said, smiling at the witch. Once more he was struck at how young the Wands were, even their leader was barely in her thirties. "May I introduce Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley?" He pointed at the young couple. Harry had insisted on bringing his girlfriend along, though the Professor didn't know if Miss Weasley had urged him to first. "You already know Sirius Black," Albus added.

The Wand nodded, introduced her subordinates, and everyone shook hands - but for Sirius, who kissed the witch's hand. "I certainly remember you, Sarah."

Albus saw Harry rolling his eyes at his godfather's antics, and hid a smile of his own. Sirius's flirting might look uncalled for, given the circumstances - this was a strategy meeting, after all - but might also serve to bridge the gap between the Wands and the rest of Wizarding Britain. Provided, he added, Sirius didn't overdo it. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, after all.

The Wand-Commander recovered quickly, frowning although not glaring at Sirius before turning to Albus. "You wanted to meet and discuss the war."

"That is correct," he said. "You have probably heard of Harry. He is the only wizard known to have survived the Killing Curse."

Sarah frowned slightly. "Him surviving the Killing Curse seems a bit questionable. It was also claimed that he had destroyed the Dark Lord, which was proven to be false."

Albus hid his annoyance. To have been outmaneuvered by Lucius so completely back then… it was among his greatest failures and regrets. Instead his smiled. "I think that if you check the Department of Mysteries, you will find that there is a prophecy concerning Harry and the Dark Lord. A prophecy I heard when it was uttered. It proclaims that he has the power to vanquish the Dark Lord."

Albus saw that Ginny had pulled Harry to her side. He regretted doing this, but the Wands had to know Harry's importance. "The Dark Lord knows this. That was the reason he attacked Harry's family in 1981."

"Does that mean the Dark Lord will seek him out again?" Sarah asked.

"I believe so. Harry not only is the subject of a prophecy, but he also is one of the few who defeated the Dark Lord." He held up his hand when Sarah seemed about to say something. "I know you have doubts, but I was there in the aftermath of the attack. The Dark Lord did attack the Potters personally, he did kill Harry's parents, but he failed to kill Harry."

Sarah slowly nodded. Whether she was accepting his reasoning or simply letting him continue Albus couldn't yet say. After another glance to Harry, whose face had lost all expression now, he resumed his tale. "Further, I have been training him. Preparing him. He will be essential for the fight against the Dark Lord."

"Are you saying that Mister Potter was trained to face and defeat the Dark Lord?" Sarah's doubts were clear in her expression.

"He has the power to vanquish the Dark Lord. Power can take many forms. While I have certainly trained him well, if I do say so myself, I do not plan on him duelling Voldemort."

Miss Weasley muttered what Albus thought was fierce agreement while Harry chuckled. "While I might not be quite on the level of the Dark Lord, I make excellent bait," the boy said. That earned him an elbow into his ribs from his girlfriend, Albus noted. Miss Weasley apparently didn't fully appreciate the boy's dark humour. The professor turned his attention back to the Wand-Commander.

"You do not want to share what his power is then." Sarah stared at Albus.

"You are correct. I do not want to offend you, but I prefer to keep the exact details of this a secret. While I doubt any Wand would turn traitor, the Ministry is probably riddled with spies." Albus smiled placatingly. "What I can tell you though is where the Dark Lord is hiding."

That caught the attention of every Wand in the room. "You've found him?" Sarah asked, an eager gleam in her eyes.

Albus nodded. "Yes. He's currently hiding in a small cottage in Lancashire. It will be well-defended, no doubt about that, but I am confident that working together, we can overcome his followers and himself."

"He returned from death once before."

"He did. He will not repeat this feat. My word on it." Albus would ensure that.

He just hoped it would not cost Harry his life.