A/N: Ooo joy, I like how this chapter came out. ::squeals:: I managed to do all this in between 9 Weeks Exams! At least I did good in... some... subjects ::laughs nervously:: Ahem, ::clears throat:: anywho... I hope you like this chapter, 'cause I do. I will take this opportunity to use a literary term that was on my English4 exam today... I used FORESHADOWING in this chapter of things to come, heheh. And, be happy, for this chapter is longer then the 1st. Go on... read... enjoy... review... and be merry.
DISCLAIMER: Just one word: No.
Chapter Two: Suspicions
Harry did not return home until early in the morning, but Renee was waiting as he trudged sleepily through the front door.
"Everything alright?" She asked nervously, following him as he closed the door, took off his cloak, and made way to their bedroom.
He yawned deeply.
"It can wait 'till morning, nothing… too alarming. So, let's go to bed, shall we?"
Renee was exhausted too and nodded in agreement.
Harry did not bother to take off his clothes. He was asleep before he hit the pillow. Renee pulled the covers over him and took off his shoes, then got into bed next to him. With a flick of her wand, the candles went out and she closed her eyes. While she was just as tired, listening to Harry's rhythmic breathing, Renee could not sleep. The feeling she was having deep down of trouble was brewing, and it left her uneasy.
Eventually, however, Renee did fall asleep. She woke late the next morning to find Harry missing from bed. Laughter and the clanging of dishes were streaming in from the kitchen outside, and Renee pulled a bathrobe over her and left the bedroom.
"Morning, honey!" Harry chimed, handing her a cup of tea.
She nodded sleepily, then looked at the table to where a very tall man with flaming red hair sat playing Exploding Snap with Timothy.
"Ron? Well, what are you doing here? It's nice to see you!" She gasped.
"Good morning, Renee!" Ron greeted with a wave. "Harry called me over earlier to watch Timothy."
Timothy finally looked up from the cards to smile innocently at Renee.
"Hi, mum! Wanna play?"
She pulled out a chair and sat down, grabbing a biscuit.
"No thanks, sweetheart."
Timothy shrugged and held up a handful of cards to Ron.
"Uncle Ron! Your turn!"
Ron smiled at Timothy, making a card explode. Some soot landed on Timothy's nose, making him go cross-eyed to look at it. Renee laughed, picking up a napkin to wipe his nose clean.
Harry came over and put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and he motioned his head to follow him out of the kitchen.
"No, no…" Ron said with a patient voice to Timothy, who was struggling to hold some smoking cards in his hands. "It's all in the wrists. There, now try."
Renee smiled and got up to follow Harry, himself taking her arm in his out into the hall.
"Dumbledore wants us to do rounds today, for a little while." He got right to the point.
Renee crossed her arms, the old professional stature returning to her figure.
"What is it? What's going on?"
Harry shrugged.
"No one's sure. Like Sirius said, there has been no Death Eater activity for weeks… and that's unusual. We discussed possible reasons… all of them not good of course." He lowered his voice darkly.
Renee shuddered, seeing Harry's face return a look of understanding.
"I feel it too," He said, sighing.
"So, Dumbledore needs the Potter duo to return to full strength, huh?" Renee forced a smile.
Harry laughed, taking her hand in his and swinging it back and forth affectionately.
"Where Renee Potter is, Harry Potter is not far behind." He quoted the saying that had become commonplace among those of the Dark Arts.
A loud laugh came out from the kitchen, and Harry and Renee returned to see Ron's face completely covered in soot. The entire deck of Exploding Snap had exploded in his hands, and Timothy was doubled over in laughter.
"Uncle Ron! You know you can't set off the entire set! It was you who told me that!" He pointed a small finger at Ron, who was trying to wipe his face clean with a napkin.
"I… er… I was just showing you what not to do, with the deck…" Ron studdered.
"Getting a little rusty, are we Ron?" Harry said slyly, ducking a blow from Ron who had got up to dunk his head in the sink. Renee went over and fiddled with Timothy's hair, who struggled under her grasp.
"Mumm! Stop it, please! I look fine!" He wrinkled his nose and pouted, looking just like Harry when he was upset. Harry laughed, shaking his head, then looked at the clock on the wall.
"We better go, Renee." He said, wiping his hands on a towel.
"Where are you going now?" Timothy asked sadly, jumping from his seat and running to Harry.
"We are going to go flying later this afternoon, just you and I. In the meantime, Uncle Ron is going to try to avoid hurting himself and play with you, while your mum and I go to work for a little while."
Timothy's face was stressed between happiness and longing.
"Can't we come with you, see how you work?" He asked, sweetly.
Ron laughed, his face clean. He picked up Timothy and nudged him in the shoulder.
"Oh, we're gonna have a lot more fun together. Your folks here are just going to walk around and stare at things… not that much fun if you ask me."
"Walk around and stare at things? Hmm… I guess our job really isn't that much fun, huh Harry?" Renee said.
"Guess not," He replied, fixing his glasses.
This seemed to convince Timothy, who wiggled free of Ron's embrace and began to walk out of the kitchen.
"Well, see ya later! Uncle Ron and I are going dragon hunting!"
"Ooo boy…" Ron groaned.
Harry slapped him playfully on the shoulder and Renee kissed him goodbye.
"Good luck!" He smiled evilly, grabbing Renee's hand.
"Don't do anything dangerous this time, I mean it Ron!" Renee called over her shoulder. "I don't want to find Timothy stuck in the chimney again, with you along with him!"
"Oh, don't worry! Everything's under control!" Ron called out, waving, as Harry and Renee grabbed their cloaks and went out the front door.
"Where have I heard that before?" Renee muttered under her breath.
"What's that, honey?" Harry asked.
"Oh… nothing."
For four hours, Renee and Harry walked familiar territory commonly used by Death Eaters. Side by side, on full alert, they searched every crevice professionally. They moved swiftly from place to place, moving with the shadows and out of sight. Their wands were always at the ready, their senses penetrating the surroundings for anything out of the ordinary.
Renee had missed the adventure, the thrill of her job. The Death Eaters, and especially Voldemort, had taken so much from her… but even more so from Harry. Her job brought justice for the torture they had brought upon the magical world. It felt good to be at Harry's side once more… the power between them making her feel unstoppable.
"Harry?" She whispered, stopping to lean up against a deserted building. "You're right, we haven't come across anything."
Harry's determined look searched around them.
"Yes."
"This isn't good," Renee whispered.
He nodded.
"We better put the circle on full alert," She said, standing up straight.
"They already are."
"Then what do we do?" Renee asked, afraid of the answer.
"Wait. Wait for them to make their move… but we'll be ready."
They continued to search for two more hours, going to places where magical people were scarcely found those days. Most wizarding communities were deserted or ransacked to be left in shambles. The Death Eaters had their mark everywhere, signs of Voldemort's rise. They even visited the ruins of Hogwarts, the once magnificent castle nothing but huge mounds of rubble. The sight pained the two of them, and they left as soon as they had searched the area for Death Eater activity.
When they returned home late that afternoon, they found Hermione sitting in the living room with a napping Timothy.
"There you are!" She whispered, her bushy brown hair more bushy than usual, which was a common symptom of an afternoon of watching a five-year-old. "He's taking a little power nap, was afraid he'd miss you though."
Renee bent over the little tuft of black hair that was visible from beneath a blanket on the couch. Harry smiled quietly at Hermione.
"Where's Ron?" He whispered.
"Had to go into work, so he called me in. I got off early at the Prophet, being Head Reporter has it's advantages."
Renee pocketed her wand, parting the bangs from Timothy's eyes. He woke with a start, a smile beginning to grow on his pink face from being smothered by a blanket.
"Mum! Dad!"
"Hey, you!" Harry said, ruffling Timothy's already messed up hair, not that that was much of a difference.
"Can we go now, dad?" Timothy asked excitedly, pushing the blanket off of him and running to Harry.
Harry picked him up and Timothy's blue eyes were wide with admiration. He looked at Renee, who nodded approvingly.
"Sure can!" Harry piped at his son.
"Yes!" Timothy squealed, and Harry took him out of the room.
Renee began to fold up the crumpled blanket from the floor and Hermione helped her.
"So, how did it go?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing. Absolutely, nothing. It's really, really odd." Renee took the folded blanket and proceeded to the linen closet. Hermione followed.
"Umm, I'm not really sure what to tell you…"
Renee stopped and looked at her with a blank expression.
"Tell me what?"
Hermione shrugged, opening the closet door for her.
"I'm sure it's nothing, but there was something interesting in a report that I read to approve this afternoon. The rookie turned it in late, so it was outdated and useless to post. Yet, there was something in it that caught my eye that I thought I would tell you and Harry about."
Renee closed the closet door and looked at her, curiously.
"The last Death Eater that was arrested… by Remus Lupin? Well, he said something that I found quite odd."
"What was that?" Renee asked her.
"I can't remember it word for word exactly, but it was something like 'Times are changing, and a better leader than the weak procrastinator we have now will rise and lead us to the new order!'. Then again, the guy was quite delirious." Hermione looked at her, puzzled. "Do you have any idea what that could mean?"
Renee shook her head, walking into the kitchen.
"It could mean any number of things…" She tried to sound nonchalant, but with this news the horrible feeling she had deep down rose to catch in her throat.
"Perhaps you can discuss it with Harry later, I'm sure we shouldn't bother his quality time with Timothy." Hermione glanced at her watch, which flashed 'RON'S HOME'. "Oh, dear. Ron's got off. I better go now… you alright Renee? You look a bit pale."
Renee swallowed hard and forced a smile.
"Oh, yes… yeah I'm fine. Go ahead, thanks so much for watching Timothy today!"
"No problem! He's a very good boy… when not running around at least. It's almost as if you've cloned Harry, but I guess that runs in the Potter family, from what I've heard." Hermione walked to the front door and gathered her cloak. Renee smiled and opened the door.
"Despite the challenges, I can't wait to have my own. But, you know Ron! Has to wait forever and until the last minute!" Hermione laughed, turning to leave.
"Thanks again, Hermione. And don't worry, Ron will get around to it… you'll see!" Renee waved.
Hermione smiled and disapparated in the front lawn. Renee closed the door and turned around to face Harry and Timothy. Harry was holding his fairly new FIREBOLT PLATINUM broomstick and Timothy was holding Harry's old FIREBOLT.
"Well, we're off!" Harry said proudly, grabbing his cloak. Renee picked up Timothy's cloak and helped him into it.
"Want to come watch, mum?" He asked, his face excited and his eyes full of life.
"Oh, no! You and your dad have fun, just the two of you. I'll busy myself here." Renee smiled, kissing him lightly on the cheek.
Harry cocked his head, looking at her with concern.
"Are you alright, Renee?"
She put her hands on her hips and gave him a determined look.
"Sure am," But her voice wavered slightly. "You and Timothy have fun, don't worry 'bout me."
Harry nodded but still gave her a troubled look. He kissed her gently on the lips and then took Timothy's small hand.
"Let's go then, we'll see you later. Love you!" He opened the door.
"Bye mum! Love you!" Timothy said with his small voice, stepping in front of Harry. Harry looked back at her as she closed the door, his eyes looking into hers. The look said, "I know what you are feeling, we'll talk later". Renee nodded, as if in response, and she closed the door. She watched as they walked out the clearing beyond the woods together through the window in the sitting room.
A cold chill went through her and the deep feeling inside began to swell into an emotional unbalance. She fought it desperately, not wanting Harry to feel it, even though he was most likely feeling it too… but she did not want to spoil his time with Timothy. He did not get many of them.
Renee left the room to confide in the one thing that helped focus her troubled mind.
Art.
****
In an underwater cave, no less than fifteen hundred miles off the British coast, a gathering mass of black hooded figures huddled together in the darkness.
"Of all places…"
"It's the only way to be sure…"
"He could of chosen someplace on dry land…"
"We would have been spotted."
"This place is no safer! You know how much power the master has!"
"Yes, and he only uses it to threaten… oh, shut up! This is why we're here!"
Angry, cold, and confused voices echoed off the damp rocks that surrounded them. Some of the figures were struggling on the rocky ground, gasping at the lack of oxygen.
"Quiet, all of you!" Bellowed a malicious voice.
The noise in the cave was reduced to a hum, then to complete silence as a tall, sleek looking man overlooked them all from atop a large boulder. His hood was down, revealing a pale face, slick pale blonde hair, and pointed nose. There was a long scar reaching from the left edge of his mouth to the bottom of his left eye. His mouth was stretched in a cold scowl.
"We're taking a huge risk, meeting here like this." He began a commanding speech. "What we're here to discuss puts our very lives in mortal danger… you all know the consequences of being caught!"
The crowd muttered in agreement.
"This is the point of no return, my fellow Death Eaters. What I plan to lead us all into will require your willingness to do anything… to go against what you've sworn your life over. If you are a fool, and will continue to allow yourself to grovel at the heels of the coward we call master… then leave now. But, if you want a change… a grand change that will finally put the world under our full command and rid the world of those who are not pure in blood, and are worthy… stay."
No one moved. He smiled broadly, a cold look enveloping his gaze.
"Good… very good,"
****
"Now, just lean forward a little bit… there! Ok now, flatten your back… like this… good! Alright, now turn!"
Harry and Timothy were floating about ten feet off the ground. The light had turned an amber color as the sun began it's decent on the horizon. Huge oak trees surrounded them in the small clearing, which was covered in tall, brown colored grass.
"This right, dad?" Timothy called out proudly, making wide turns around Harry. Harry beamed at him; Timothy obviously inherited his skill in flying.
"Excellent! Just make your curves a little smoother… slight pressure is all you need. Just guide the broom… that's it!" He winced slightly as Timothy nearly collided with a branch that jutted out into the clearing from an oak tree. He kept his paternal instincts at bay, but it was no use. Harry could not help but tail Timothy, ready to catch him at the instant of danger.
"Dad? Can you teach me how to do a loop 'de loop?" Timothy stopped the broom with ease, making Harry brake his suddenly.
"I'm afraid not 'till you're a little older, son." Harry panted, checking him over to see if he had a scratch.
"Aww daaaaadd! C'mon, please?" Timothy whined, putting big puppy eyes on his face.
"No… besides, your mother would kill me if I did," Harry tried to ignore the look.
"Pleeeaaasseee?"
Their eyes locked and Harry melted.
"Oh… oh, alright! Fine… just… just, don't tell your mum!" Harry ran a hand through his hair. Timothy let out a whoop of joy.
Harry flew his broom out to the middle of the clearing. Timothy moved to the edge to watch.
"Pay very close attention now! This is not as easy as it looks!" He wiggled a finger at Timothy.
"No problem!" He called out, his voice high with excitement.
Of course, it's easy for me… no one ever showed me how to do it! Harry thought to himself.
With a sharp glance at Timothy to make sure he was looking and safe, Harry pulled up quickly on his broom and made a large loop 'de loop. When he was done, he flew over to his clapping son; he couldn't help but grin.
"Cool!" Timothy shouted, beaming at Harry.
"Alright, now you try."
Timothy did not have to be told twice. Before Harry finished his sentence, Timothy was already out in the middle of the clearing. Harry braced himself to lunge out and catch him if he should fall. The little boy, his black hair rustling with a soft breeze that blew through, imitated Harry's actions. With a sudden jolt, Timothy was shooting skyward.
"Careful! Pull towards you… pull towards you!" Harry bolted from his spot to move directly under him.
Timothy did so, but he pulled in too much, and was now shooting straight towards the ground.
"Ahhh! Dad!"
Moving faster than he had ever done before in his life, Harry immediately zoomed up to Timothy, pulling him into his lap. The old Firebolt continued to charge the ground, landing tip first in the tall grass and leaves. It fell in a heap on it's side.
Harry glared down at Timothy, who was looking up at him with wide, half terrified, half-exulted eyes. He was breathing quickly and had a small, sheepish smile on his face.
"That… that was cool!" Timothy managed to say, his small voice breaking Harry's stern look. Harry laughed, beside himself.
"Don't you dare tell your mother… or we're both dead!"
Timothy nodded.
"It's time to go home now… almost dinner time." Harry said, moving in to land.
"Do we have to?" Timothy asked, sadly.
"'Fraid so… your mum's most likely got the food ready and not to mention, it's getting dark." He pointed at the skyline, which was a deep crimson color. Timothy stared at it in awe, but something about that color made Harry shudder. That bad feeling he had deep down, the one that he shared with Renee, was growing stronger. While it was rare to have a clear sky those days, which were mostly cloudy and gray, Harry could not help but feel a sense of forewarning.
"C'mon, let's go home." He said quickly, picking up both the brooms. Timothy took his hand, and Harry lit his wand to leave the clearing and go through the woods.
"Dinner's ready!" Renee greeted them as they walked in through the door. "Go wash your hands, the two of you."
Harry could smell a roast beef from the kitchen and smiled.
"And those mashed potatoes you always make with it?" He asked her hopefully, following Timothy into the bathroom.
"Of course! Like I'd make roast beef without my father's famous mashed potatoes! I shudder at the thought," She smiled proudly, walking into the kitchen.
When they were all seated and grace was said, Harry dug in.
"Work up an appetite, did you?" Renee stared.
Harry looked up at her.
"Emmhmm." He managed to say between mouthfuls.
Timothy was unusually quiet.
For a long while, they ate in peace, until Timothy broke the silence suddenly.
"Who's Draco Malfoy?"
Harry nearly choked. Renee dropped her fork. The two of them stared at their son with shock. Timothy shrank down in his chair some, at their expressions.
"Where did you hear that name, Timothy?" Harry whispered, trying to control his shock so as not to scare him.
"I… I don't know," Timothy answered, his voice afraid.
"Did you hear me or dad talk about him at all? Is that where you got it from?" Renee asked, kindly.
"No… no, I did not hear it from you or dad."
Harry swallowed what was left in his mouth, forcing himself to calm.
"So… er… where did you get that name then?"
Timothy looked from Harry to Renee, his eyes concentrating and scared.
"Well… I'm not sure, exactly. All I know is… is that I had a dream last night. There was this man there, dressed in a hooded cloak. I could not see his face. He scared me, and I tried to run away. The only thing that I could hear, was this name… Draco Malfoy."
"Why didn't you come and wake us up?" Renee asked, putting her hand on Timothy's to comfort him.
He shrugged, pushing food around his plate with his fork.
Harry's instincts were not happy. This was not a good thing.
"Timothy, don't be afraid to come in and tell us if you've have a bad dream."
Renee took her wand and sent her plate to the sink. She looked at Harry and he knew that she wanted to talk with him. He did the same and helped her clear the table, Timothy remaining silent the whole time.
"Bath time," Renee chimed, trying to cheer Timothy up. She took him by the shoulders, glanced at Harry, then led him out of the kitchen to the bathroom. Harry cleaned up and went into the living room to wait.
His mind was racing. The Dark Arts must have been reaching Timothy earlier than expected. Harry began to grow angry, balling up his fists. He faced the fire in the fireplace, and the light flickered off his glasses.
A sudden, soft touch to his waist made his muscles relax.
"You're thinking what I'm thinking…" Renee whispered, resting her head on his shoulder. He leaned into her.
"Of course,"
"I know what you want to do… and you know the answer." She lifted her head and stared at him.
Harry sighed.
"Yes,"
They stood silently in front of the fire, the distant splashing of Timothy coming in from the bathroom down the hall. The sound of his son made Harry's heart ache.
"I don't want Timothy to suffer as I did… I don't want the Dark Arts to touch him," He whispered.
"We don't have a choice… he's as much a part of it all as we are. You know that."
"He's just a little boy," Harry stared painfully at her.
He could see a small tear forming in the corner of her right eye, she brushed the back of her hand against his cheek and he closed his own eyes… fearing the tears.
"So were you," She whispered, the tear running down her cheek now.
They looked at each other and fell into an embrace, Harry burying his face into her long brown hair. For a frozen moment in time, they stood there alone together, pulling strength from one another.
"Mum! I'm ready!"
Timothy's call broke Harry and Renee from their grief. Renee smiled weakly at Harry, pulling at his hand and letting go as she left the living room to go to Timothy. He stared at her slim figure as she disappeared, shoving his hands deep into his pockets.
"If you come near my son or my wife, Malfoy, I promise that you won't live to serve your master another day."
A/N: Woah, talk about tugg'n at the heart, huh? Heehee. Please review, nice peeps. Well, I'm off to write and post chpt. 4... trying not to think about the 50+ algebra2 problems waiting for me, though. ::throws nasty look at textbook:: Arrgith, the piece of fruit! You would think with the exams my math teacher would lay off the work.. but NOoooo.. must have the students work'n their butt off!
::waves and goes to work::
~OrcaPotter
DISCLAIMER: Just one word: No.
Chapter Two: Suspicions
Harry did not return home until early in the morning, but Renee was waiting as he trudged sleepily through the front door.
"Everything alright?" She asked nervously, following him as he closed the door, took off his cloak, and made way to their bedroom.
He yawned deeply.
"It can wait 'till morning, nothing… too alarming. So, let's go to bed, shall we?"
Renee was exhausted too and nodded in agreement.
Harry did not bother to take off his clothes. He was asleep before he hit the pillow. Renee pulled the covers over him and took off his shoes, then got into bed next to him. With a flick of her wand, the candles went out and she closed her eyes. While she was just as tired, listening to Harry's rhythmic breathing, Renee could not sleep. The feeling she was having deep down of trouble was brewing, and it left her uneasy.
Eventually, however, Renee did fall asleep. She woke late the next morning to find Harry missing from bed. Laughter and the clanging of dishes were streaming in from the kitchen outside, and Renee pulled a bathrobe over her and left the bedroom.
"Morning, honey!" Harry chimed, handing her a cup of tea.
She nodded sleepily, then looked at the table to where a very tall man with flaming red hair sat playing Exploding Snap with Timothy.
"Ron? Well, what are you doing here? It's nice to see you!" She gasped.
"Good morning, Renee!" Ron greeted with a wave. "Harry called me over earlier to watch Timothy."
Timothy finally looked up from the cards to smile innocently at Renee.
"Hi, mum! Wanna play?"
She pulled out a chair and sat down, grabbing a biscuit.
"No thanks, sweetheart."
Timothy shrugged and held up a handful of cards to Ron.
"Uncle Ron! Your turn!"
Ron smiled at Timothy, making a card explode. Some soot landed on Timothy's nose, making him go cross-eyed to look at it. Renee laughed, picking up a napkin to wipe his nose clean.
Harry came over and put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and he motioned his head to follow him out of the kitchen.
"No, no…" Ron said with a patient voice to Timothy, who was struggling to hold some smoking cards in his hands. "It's all in the wrists. There, now try."
Renee smiled and got up to follow Harry, himself taking her arm in his out into the hall.
"Dumbledore wants us to do rounds today, for a little while." He got right to the point.
Renee crossed her arms, the old professional stature returning to her figure.
"What is it? What's going on?"
Harry shrugged.
"No one's sure. Like Sirius said, there has been no Death Eater activity for weeks… and that's unusual. We discussed possible reasons… all of them not good of course." He lowered his voice darkly.
Renee shuddered, seeing Harry's face return a look of understanding.
"I feel it too," He said, sighing.
"So, Dumbledore needs the Potter duo to return to full strength, huh?" Renee forced a smile.
Harry laughed, taking her hand in his and swinging it back and forth affectionately.
"Where Renee Potter is, Harry Potter is not far behind." He quoted the saying that had become commonplace among those of the Dark Arts.
A loud laugh came out from the kitchen, and Harry and Renee returned to see Ron's face completely covered in soot. The entire deck of Exploding Snap had exploded in his hands, and Timothy was doubled over in laughter.
"Uncle Ron! You know you can't set off the entire set! It was you who told me that!" He pointed a small finger at Ron, who was trying to wipe his face clean with a napkin.
"I… er… I was just showing you what not to do, with the deck…" Ron studdered.
"Getting a little rusty, are we Ron?" Harry said slyly, ducking a blow from Ron who had got up to dunk his head in the sink. Renee went over and fiddled with Timothy's hair, who struggled under her grasp.
"Mumm! Stop it, please! I look fine!" He wrinkled his nose and pouted, looking just like Harry when he was upset. Harry laughed, shaking his head, then looked at the clock on the wall.
"We better go, Renee." He said, wiping his hands on a towel.
"Where are you going now?" Timothy asked sadly, jumping from his seat and running to Harry.
"We are going to go flying later this afternoon, just you and I. In the meantime, Uncle Ron is going to try to avoid hurting himself and play with you, while your mum and I go to work for a little while."
Timothy's face was stressed between happiness and longing.
"Can't we come with you, see how you work?" He asked, sweetly.
Ron laughed, his face clean. He picked up Timothy and nudged him in the shoulder.
"Oh, we're gonna have a lot more fun together. Your folks here are just going to walk around and stare at things… not that much fun if you ask me."
"Walk around and stare at things? Hmm… I guess our job really isn't that much fun, huh Harry?" Renee said.
"Guess not," He replied, fixing his glasses.
This seemed to convince Timothy, who wiggled free of Ron's embrace and began to walk out of the kitchen.
"Well, see ya later! Uncle Ron and I are going dragon hunting!"
"Ooo boy…" Ron groaned.
Harry slapped him playfully on the shoulder and Renee kissed him goodbye.
"Good luck!" He smiled evilly, grabbing Renee's hand.
"Don't do anything dangerous this time, I mean it Ron!" Renee called over her shoulder. "I don't want to find Timothy stuck in the chimney again, with you along with him!"
"Oh, don't worry! Everything's under control!" Ron called out, waving, as Harry and Renee grabbed their cloaks and went out the front door.
"Where have I heard that before?" Renee muttered under her breath.
"What's that, honey?" Harry asked.
"Oh… nothing."
For four hours, Renee and Harry walked familiar territory commonly used by Death Eaters. Side by side, on full alert, they searched every crevice professionally. They moved swiftly from place to place, moving with the shadows and out of sight. Their wands were always at the ready, their senses penetrating the surroundings for anything out of the ordinary.
Renee had missed the adventure, the thrill of her job. The Death Eaters, and especially Voldemort, had taken so much from her… but even more so from Harry. Her job brought justice for the torture they had brought upon the magical world. It felt good to be at Harry's side once more… the power between them making her feel unstoppable.
"Harry?" She whispered, stopping to lean up against a deserted building. "You're right, we haven't come across anything."
Harry's determined look searched around them.
"Yes."
"This isn't good," Renee whispered.
He nodded.
"We better put the circle on full alert," She said, standing up straight.
"They already are."
"Then what do we do?" Renee asked, afraid of the answer.
"Wait. Wait for them to make their move… but we'll be ready."
They continued to search for two more hours, going to places where magical people were scarcely found those days. Most wizarding communities were deserted or ransacked to be left in shambles. The Death Eaters had their mark everywhere, signs of Voldemort's rise. They even visited the ruins of Hogwarts, the once magnificent castle nothing but huge mounds of rubble. The sight pained the two of them, and they left as soon as they had searched the area for Death Eater activity.
When they returned home late that afternoon, they found Hermione sitting in the living room with a napping Timothy.
"There you are!" She whispered, her bushy brown hair more bushy than usual, which was a common symptom of an afternoon of watching a five-year-old. "He's taking a little power nap, was afraid he'd miss you though."
Renee bent over the little tuft of black hair that was visible from beneath a blanket on the couch. Harry smiled quietly at Hermione.
"Where's Ron?" He whispered.
"Had to go into work, so he called me in. I got off early at the Prophet, being Head Reporter has it's advantages."
Renee pocketed her wand, parting the bangs from Timothy's eyes. He woke with a start, a smile beginning to grow on his pink face from being smothered by a blanket.
"Mum! Dad!"
"Hey, you!" Harry said, ruffling Timothy's already messed up hair, not that that was much of a difference.
"Can we go now, dad?" Timothy asked excitedly, pushing the blanket off of him and running to Harry.
Harry picked him up and Timothy's blue eyes were wide with admiration. He looked at Renee, who nodded approvingly.
"Sure can!" Harry piped at his son.
"Yes!" Timothy squealed, and Harry took him out of the room.
Renee began to fold up the crumpled blanket from the floor and Hermione helped her.
"So, how did it go?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing. Absolutely, nothing. It's really, really odd." Renee took the folded blanket and proceeded to the linen closet. Hermione followed.
"Umm, I'm not really sure what to tell you…"
Renee stopped and looked at her with a blank expression.
"Tell me what?"
Hermione shrugged, opening the closet door for her.
"I'm sure it's nothing, but there was something interesting in a report that I read to approve this afternoon. The rookie turned it in late, so it was outdated and useless to post. Yet, there was something in it that caught my eye that I thought I would tell you and Harry about."
Renee closed the closet door and looked at her, curiously.
"The last Death Eater that was arrested… by Remus Lupin? Well, he said something that I found quite odd."
"What was that?" Renee asked her.
"I can't remember it word for word exactly, but it was something like 'Times are changing, and a better leader than the weak procrastinator we have now will rise and lead us to the new order!'. Then again, the guy was quite delirious." Hermione looked at her, puzzled. "Do you have any idea what that could mean?"
Renee shook her head, walking into the kitchen.
"It could mean any number of things…" She tried to sound nonchalant, but with this news the horrible feeling she had deep down rose to catch in her throat.
"Perhaps you can discuss it with Harry later, I'm sure we shouldn't bother his quality time with Timothy." Hermione glanced at her watch, which flashed 'RON'S HOME'. "Oh, dear. Ron's got off. I better go now… you alright Renee? You look a bit pale."
Renee swallowed hard and forced a smile.
"Oh, yes… yeah I'm fine. Go ahead, thanks so much for watching Timothy today!"
"No problem! He's a very good boy… when not running around at least. It's almost as if you've cloned Harry, but I guess that runs in the Potter family, from what I've heard." Hermione walked to the front door and gathered her cloak. Renee smiled and opened the door.
"Despite the challenges, I can't wait to have my own. But, you know Ron! Has to wait forever and until the last minute!" Hermione laughed, turning to leave.
"Thanks again, Hermione. And don't worry, Ron will get around to it… you'll see!" Renee waved.
Hermione smiled and disapparated in the front lawn. Renee closed the door and turned around to face Harry and Timothy. Harry was holding his fairly new FIREBOLT PLATINUM broomstick and Timothy was holding Harry's old FIREBOLT.
"Well, we're off!" Harry said proudly, grabbing his cloak. Renee picked up Timothy's cloak and helped him into it.
"Want to come watch, mum?" He asked, his face excited and his eyes full of life.
"Oh, no! You and your dad have fun, just the two of you. I'll busy myself here." Renee smiled, kissing him lightly on the cheek.
Harry cocked his head, looking at her with concern.
"Are you alright, Renee?"
She put her hands on her hips and gave him a determined look.
"Sure am," But her voice wavered slightly. "You and Timothy have fun, don't worry 'bout me."
Harry nodded but still gave her a troubled look. He kissed her gently on the lips and then took Timothy's small hand.
"Let's go then, we'll see you later. Love you!" He opened the door.
"Bye mum! Love you!" Timothy said with his small voice, stepping in front of Harry. Harry looked back at her as she closed the door, his eyes looking into hers. The look said, "I know what you are feeling, we'll talk later". Renee nodded, as if in response, and she closed the door. She watched as they walked out the clearing beyond the woods together through the window in the sitting room.
A cold chill went through her and the deep feeling inside began to swell into an emotional unbalance. She fought it desperately, not wanting Harry to feel it, even though he was most likely feeling it too… but she did not want to spoil his time with Timothy. He did not get many of them.
Renee left the room to confide in the one thing that helped focus her troubled mind.
Art.
****
In an underwater cave, no less than fifteen hundred miles off the British coast, a gathering mass of black hooded figures huddled together in the darkness.
"Of all places…"
"It's the only way to be sure…"
"He could of chosen someplace on dry land…"
"We would have been spotted."
"This place is no safer! You know how much power the master has!"
"Yes, and he only uses it to threaten… oh, shut up! This is why we're here!"
Angry, cold, and confused voices echoed off the damp rocks that surrounded them. Some of the figures were struggling on the rocky ground, gasping at the lack of oxygen.
"Quiet, all of you!" Bellowed a malicious voice.
The noise in the cave was reduced to a hum, then to complete silence as a tall, sleek looking man overlooked them all from atop a large boulder. His hood was down, revealing a pale face, slick pale blonde hair, and pointed nose. There was a long scar reaching from the left edge of his mouth to the bottom of his left eye. His mouth was stretched in a cold scowl.
"We're taking a huge risk, meeting here like this." He began a commanding speech. "What we're here to discuss puts our very lives in mortal danger… you all know the consequences of being caught!"
The crowd muttered in agreement.
"This is the point of no return, my fellow Death Eaters. What I plan to lead us all into will require your willingness to do anything… to go against what you've sworn your life over. If you are a fool, and will continue to allow yourself to grovel at the heels of the coward we call master… then leave now. But, if you want a change… a grand change that will finally put the world under our full command and rid the world of those who are not pure in blood, and are worthy… stay."
No one moved. He smiled broadly, a cold look enveloping his gaze.
"Good… very good,"
****
"Now, just lean forward a little bit… there! Ok now, flatten your back… like this… good! Alright, now turn!"
Harry and Timothy were floating about ten feet off the ground. The light had turned an amber color as the sun began it's decent on the horizon. Huge oak trees surrounded them in the small clearing, which was covered in tall, brown colored grass.
"This right, dad?" Timothy called out proudly, making wide turns around Harry. Harry beamed at him; Timothy obviously inherited his skill in flying.
"Excellent! Just make your curves a little smoother… slight pressure is all you need. Just guide the broom… that's it!" He winced slightly as Timothy nearly collided with a branch that jutted out into the clearing from an oak tree. He kept his paternal instincts at bay, but it was no use. Harry could not help but tail Timothy, ready to catch him at the instant of danger.
"Dad? Can you teach me how to do a loop 'de loop?" Timothy stopped the broom with ease, making Harry brake his suddenly.
"I'm afraid not 'till you're a little older, son." Harry panted, checking him over to see if he had a scratch.
"Aww daaaaadd! C'mon, please?" Timothy whined, putting big puppy eyes on his face.
"No… besides, your mother would kill me if I did," Harry tried to ignore the look.
"Pleeeaaasseee?"
Their eyes locked and Harry melted.
"Oh… oh, alright! Fine… just… just, don't tell your mum!" Harry ran a hand through his hair. Timothy let out a whoop of joy.
Harry flew his broom out to the middle of the clearing. Timothy moved to the edge to watch.
"Pay very close attention now! This is not as easy as it looks!" He wiggled a finger at Timothy.
"No problem!" He called out, his voice high with excitement.
Of course, it's easy for me… no one ever showed me how to do it! Harry thought to himself.
With a sharp glance at Timothy to make sure he was looking and safe, Harry pulled up quickly on his broom and made a large loop 'de loop. When he was done, he flew over to his clapping son; he couldn't help but grin.
"Cool!" Timothy shouted, beaming at Harry.
"Alright, now you try."
Timothy did not have to be told twice. Before Harry finished his sentence, Timothy was already out in the middle of the clearing. Harry braced himself to lunge out and catch him if he should fall. The little boy, his black hair rustling with a soft breeze that blew through, imitated Harry's actions. With a sudden jolt, Timothy was shooting skyward.
"Careful! Pull towards you… pull towards you!" Harry bolted from his spot to move directly under him.
Timothy did so, but he pulled in too much, and was now shooting straight towards the ground.
"Ahhh! Dad!"
Moving faster than he had ever done before in his life, Harry immediately zoomed up to Timothy, pulling him into his lap. The old Firebolt continued to charge the ground, landing tip first in the tall grass and leaves. It fell in a heap on it's side.
Harry glared down at Timothy, who was looking up at him with wide, half terrified, half-exulted eyes. He was breathing quickly and had a small, sheepish smile on his face.
"That… that was cool!" Timothy managed to say, his small voice breaking Harry's stern look. Harry laughed, beside himself.
"Don't you dare tell your mother… or we're both dead!"
Timothy nodded.
"It's time to go home now… almost dinner time." Harry said, moving in to land.
"Do we have to?" Timothy asked, sadly.
"'Fraid so… your mum's most likely got the food ready and not to mention, it's getting dark." He pointed at the skyline, which was a deep crimson color. Timothy stared at it in awe, but something about that color made Harry shudder. That bad feeling he had deep down, the one that he shared with Renee, was growing stronger. While it was rare to have a clear sky those days, which were mostly cloudy and gray, Harry could not help but feel a sense of forewarning.
"C'mon, let's go home." He said quickly, picking up both the brooms. Timothy took his hand, and Harry lit his wand to leave the clearing and go through the woods.
"Dinner's ready!" Renee greeted them as they walked in through the door. "Go wash your hands, the two of you."
Harry could smell a roast beef from the kitchen and smiled.
"And those mashed potatoes you always make with it?" He asked her hopefully, following Timothy into the bathroom.
"Of course! Like I'd make roast beef without my father's famous mashed potatoes! I shudder at the thought," She smiled proudly, walking into the kitchen.
When they were all seated and grace was said, Harry dug in.
"Work up an appetite, did you?" Renee stared.
Harry looked up at her.
"Emmhmm." He managed to say between mouthfuls.
Timothy was unusually quiet.
For a long while, they ate in peace, until Timothy broke the silence suddenly.
"Who's Draco Malfoy?"
Harry nearly choked. Renee dropped her fork. The two of them stared at their son with shock. Timothy shrank down in his chair some, at their expressions.
"Where did you hear that name, Timothy?" Harry whispered, trying to control his shock so as not to scare him.
"I… I don't know," Timothy answered, his voice afraid.
"Did you hear me or dad talk about him at all? Is that where you got it from?" Renee asked, kindly.
"No… no, I did not hear it from you or dad."
Harry swallowed what was left in his mouth, forcing himself to calm.
"So… er… where did you get that name then?"
Timothy looked from Harry to Renee, his eyes concentrating and scared.
"Well… I'm not sure, exactly. All I know is… is that I had a dream last night. There was this man there, dressed in a hooded cloak. I could not see his face. He scared me, and I tried to run away. The only thing that I could hear, was this name… Draco Malfoy."
"Why didn't you come and wake us up?" Renee asked, putting her hand on Timothy's to comfort him.
He shrugged, pushing food around his plate with his fork.
Harry's instincts were not happy. This was not a good thing.
"Timothy, don't be afraid to come in and tell us if you've have a bad dream."
Renee took her wand and sent her plate to the sink. She looked at Harry and he knew that she wanted to talk with him. He did the same and helped her clear the table, Timothy remaining silent the whole time.
"Bath time," Renee chimed, trying to cheer Timothy up. She took him by the shoulders, glanced at Harry, then led him out of the kitchen to the bathroom. Harry cleaned up and went into the living room to wait.
His mind was racing. The Dark Arts must have been reaching Timothy earlier than expected. Harry began to grow angry, balling up his fists. He faced the fire in the fireplace, and the light flickered off his glasses.
A sudden, soft touch to his waist made his muscles relax.
"You're thinking what I'm thinking…" Renee whispered, resting her head on his shoulder. He leaned into her.
"Of course,"
"I know what you want to do… and you know the answer." She lifted her head and stared at him.
Harry sighed.
"Yes,"
They stood silently in front of the fire, the distant splashing of Timothy coming in from the bathroom down the hall. The sound of his son made Harry's heart ache.
"I don't want Timothy to suffer as I did… I don't want the Dark Arts to touch him," He whispered.
"We don't have a choice… he's as much a part of it all as we are. You know that."
"He's just a little boy," Harry stared painfully at her.
He could see a small tear forming in the corner of her right eye, she brushed the back of her hand against his cheek and he closed his own eyes… fearing the tears.
"So were you," She whispered, the tear running down her cheek now.
They looked at each other and fell into an embrace, Harry burying his face into her long brown hair. For a frozen moment in time, they stood there alone together, pulling strength from one another.
"Mum! I'm ready!"
Timothy's call broke Harry and Renee from their grief. Renee smiled weakly at Harry, pulling at his hand and letting go as she left the living room to go to Timothy. He stared at her slim figure as she disappeared, shoving his hands deep into his pockets.
"If you come near my son or my wife, Malfoy, I promise that you won't live to serve your master another day."
A/N: Woah, talk about tugg'n at the heart, huh? Heehee. Please review, nice peeps. Well, I'm off to write and post chpt. 4... trying not to think about the 50+ algebra2 problems waiting for me, though. ::throws nasty look at textbook:: Arrgith, the piece of fruit! You would think with the exams my math teacher would lay off the work.. but NOoooo.. must have the students work'n their butt off!
::waves and goes to work::
~OrcaPotter