Chapter 4- 137 Willow Bend, Godric's Hollow
Once the wedding had ended everyone moved from the chairs along the aisle to the round tables under the tent for a dinner meal. At one of the round tables, nearest to the Weasly's house, but farthest from any other table sat Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Well, sighed Ron putting down his fork after having a generous helping of steak and kidney pie, "Now we have the rest of the month to do whatever we want before terms starts."
"Yes, you're right Ron," said Hermione. "And i've been thinking. Harry, before we left Hogwarts last term you said you wanted to go visit Godric's Hollow. Do you still want to?"
"I've been thinking about that too. I want to go, but I was planning on it just being us three. I didn't know we would be going back for our seventh year...I guess I thought I'd be out hunting down Horcruxes after Bill and Fleur's wedding."
"Technically, it could be just us three..." Ron said in a mysterious tone. "We could take a leaf out of your book Harry, and sneak out one night when mum, dad, and Charlie are doing work with the order. I'm sure they'll be out a lot on duty now that the wedding's over."
"Ronald- " Hermione began.
"Actually Ron, that's exactly what I was thinking we should do," cut in Harry.
"You two must be mad!" exclaimed Hermione. "What if we're caught? Not just by death eaters, but what if your mum finds out Ron? She'll be livid!"
"I'm sure she'll get over it" said Ron.
"Hermione, last term, after Dumbledore's funeral," Harry paused for a moment, for a lump the size of a golf ball had risen in his throat. "Last term," he continued, "You told me that you would go with me wherever. Whether that meant searching for Horcruxes, chasing after Voldemort (Ron flinched) or visiting Godric's Hollow."
Hermione looked at Harry and saw how determined his face looked, even though he was thinking about how one day he would have to face one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world, and how he was practically begging her to let him visit the place where his parents were both murdered; and he himself just barely escaped death.
"Alright then," she said.
Harry and Ron beamed as Ginny came and sat down at their table next to Harry with a plate of salad.
"You guys are not going to believe this," she said looking as though she didn't believe whatever it was either.
"What?" asked Harry.
"Gabrielle is going to be-" but she was cut short by the appearance of Mrs. Weasly, followed by Gabrielle. She appeared to be Ginny's age, but instead of having flaming red hair and freckles she looked like a smaller version of Fleur. She had waist length blonde hair, a porcelain skin tone, cool blue eyes, and she seemed to glide over the ground rather than walk.
"Hello everyone! We have a surprise for you all! Gabrielle here is going to be staying with us for a while and then-well, why don't you tell them dear," said Mrs. Weasly beaming.
"I have decided to transfer to 'Ogwarts for the rest of my education in order to get to know my new reletives better, and mothur has asked me to stay here at ze Burrow until term starts at 'Ogwarts." Gabrielle said smiling at the blank looks on Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny's faces.
"Gabrielle will be staying in Ginny's room with Ginny and Hermione where i'm sure you will all be comfortable. Well Gabrielle, why don't you go get some food and then come back to chat." said Mrs. Weasly as they both turned away toward the end of the tent where food was being served.
"I can't believe it," said Hermione.
"She's going to be at Hogwarts?" Harry added.
"Mothur?" said Ron faintly. "She's calling her Mothur?"
"Well, she's is now our sister-in-law," said Ginny, but she still looked as though she couldn't believe her own words.
"This could be problem," said Harry.
"Tell me about it," Ron mumbled "The closest thing to a veela is staying at our house, but she's my sister."
"No, not that," Harry said, "How are we going to get out of the house without her noticing and telling someone?"
"Oh," said Ron turning red, "That..."
"What are you two talking about," inquired Ginny.
"We were planning on sneaking out on night to go and visit Godric's Hollow," Harry replied. "But with Gabrielle around it could prove to be more difficult than we thought."
"What we need is some way to distract her, and keep her from noticing that we've gone." said Hermione. "It shouldn't be too difficult because she'll be sleeping most of the time we're gone. But, we'll have to leave as soon as your parents and Charlie do and then get back."
"Or..." thought Harry. "Someone to distract her."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all turned to look at Ginny.
They had all thought out a plan. Well, Hermione thought out a plan to sneak out and visit Godric's Hollow. Still at their table under the tent, Hermione explained her plan while they ate dessert. Thankfully Gabrielle chose to sit with Mr. And Mrs. Weasly, Charlie, Fred, and George.
"Okay." Hermione began. "The next night your parents and Charlie are out on duty or for whatever reason we will go to Godric's Hollow. Fred and George might even be able to help. Ginny, you will take Gabrielle outside and tech her how to degnome... I'm sure she'll have fun with that," Hermione added sarcastically. "Take as much time as you possibly can doing that. Then offer to play a quidditch match with her or even just fly around up on the hill. Just keep her away from Ron's room in any way possible. Tell her we're studying for our N.E.W.T.s or something, and we don't want to be disturbed. Now, your last resort would be to make her a smoothie and put in some sleeping powder that I bought in Diagon Alley this summer before coming here."
"Can't I just do that in the first place and make her sleep until September so she'll miss the train?" said Ginny hopefully.
"Mum and dad will kill us if they find out we knocked her out," said Ron.
"Well we'll just have to make sure nothing goes wrong," said Hermione. "We can keep in contact with the coins we used for the D.A. We will let you know if one of us gets in trouble at Godric's Hollow, and you can let us know if your parents or Charlie get home early."
"Alright..." sighed Harry. "Now we just have to wait for your parents and Charlie to go out for a night and we'll be set."
That night came faster than Harry had actually anticipated. Two days later at breakfast Harry, Hermione, Gabrielle, and the Weaslys were all sitting at the kitchen table enjoying sausages and toast when Mr. Weasly made an announcement.
"Everyone...tonight there is going to be a meeting at Grimmauld Place for those in the Order. Myself, your mother, and Charlie will be attending this meeting from around eight o'clock to eleven. Since you proved yourselves last time, we've decided to all go and leave you lot here."
Fred winked at Harry. Ginny had told the twins their plans to sneak out again, and after begging them to stay, and help her keep Gabrielle busy; rather than come along to Godric's Hollow they agreed.
After breakfast Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, and Ginny all went up to Ron's bedroom to discuss their plans over again. Gabrielle was downstairs with Mrs. Weasly taking a tour of the Burrow.
"I wonder what the Order is having a meeting about," Ron said.
"Maybe they are finally considering us joining them," said Fred hopefully.
"Or, they might be planning their next attack on the Death Eaters," George suggested excitedly. "I mean, they haven't been on the attack since Dumbledore died. We have to show those Death Eater gits that we can still fight without Dumbledore."
"It's a shame he's gone though. What a great man, Dumbledore."
"And I can't believe Snape just-" but Ron was cut short by a reproving look from Hermione. Harry had moved to sit on the edge of Ron's bed near the window, and was staring down at the back garden where gnomes could be seen roaming around. Whenever some one mentioned Dumbledore's death Harry couldn't help but picture the image of his parents, Sirius, and Dumbledore in a line and wonder who would have to die next. Whether it be Hermione, one of the Weaslys or himself. And whenever Snape was mentioned a fury rose inside him greater than any before, and he was sure that if he had the chance; he could, and would kill Snape.
"I wonder who's going to be our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year." Hermione said as she looked through one of Ron's comic books "Martin the Mad Muggle".
"Good question..." replied Ginny, "I can't think of anyone who would be mental enough to even try."
Suddenly the door opened and Gabrielle walked in. "Allo everyone. Mothur said I would find you all here." Gabrielle walked across the room and sat next to Harry on Ron's bed, very close to Harry.
"I think we know the real reason why she wants to go to Hogwarts," Fred muttered to Ginny who glared at Gabrielle, her eyes narrowed.
"I vanted to thank you for saving me from that lake three years ago. Eet was very brave of you 'Arry." Gabrielle said batting her eyelashes.
"Erm... no problem," Harry replied turning red and trying to inch away from Gabrielle, but she kept leaning in closer.
"How about we all go up the hill for a short quidditch match before lunch," said Ron quickly. Near the Burrow there was a hill that overlooked a small muggle village. The hill was lined with trees at the top so the Weaslys could fly around and play quidditch matches without worrying about the muggles seeing them. They had to use a soccer ball as the quaffle though, because they couldn't risk any of the real quidditch balls frying off.
"Great idea!" said Harry jumping up quickly. Gabrielle almost tumbled off the bed.
So, they all walked out into the yard and to the Weasly's small broom shed which was infested with spiders. Fred and George gathered brooms for them all and Ron took out a few balls. Harry remembered when Dumbledore had taken him inside this same cupboard to tell him that he would be giving him private lessons that term, before they went inside the Burrow. He smiled remembering how Dumbledore's almost caused them to be showered in spiders.
"What are you smiling about?" Ginny asked as they began climb the hill.
"Nothing," replied Harry.
"Bet you love having the little veela girl all over you huh?" she said venomously.
"Actually no, I don't Ginny. I made a promise to myself, and you last year. I don't want anything to stand in the way of me and Voldemort."
"Oh," Ginny said blushing.
When they all reached the top of the hill they set up teams. Ron was Keeper for a team that Harry and Fred were on. Then George played Keeper for Ginny, Gabrielle, and Hermione's team. Ron, Fred George, Harry, and Ginny were all once on the Gryffindor quidditch team. Gabrielle had not played quidditch before, but she was a fairly good flyer, Hermione was...horrible. So the teams were pretty even.
After about an hour or so Mr. and Mrs. Weasly, and Charlie came up the hill to watch. Charlie even played a little until around 1 o'clock when Mrs. Weasly suggested they wash up and come back to the house for lunch. She made her way back to the house with Mr. Weasly and Charlie while everyone else landed, shouldered their brooms and began to walk back down the hill. Gabrielle and Hermione were discussing how each of their schools were run, and what schoolwork was like was like at each. Fred, George, and Ron were thinking of what the Order meeting could be about.
"Hey Harry," Ginny called after him as she made her way down the hill after collecting the soccer balls. " What if we just told Gabrielle that you are going to go out tonight. I'm not saying she should go, but rather than having to distract her all night and possibly drug her to sleep...I was just thinking it would be easier if we just told her," she finished lamely.
"I didn't even want to tell you and the twins, Ron and Hermione already knew so I figured it wouldn't matter if they came. Why does it matter?" Harry asked.
"Well...I wanted to come. I don't want anything to happen to you Harry, or Ron and Hermione. I would feel terrible sitting here with Gabrielle not knowing if you were all alive or not," Ginny replied.
"We'll be fine Ginny."Harry insisted brushing his dark, stubborn hair out of his eyes.
"Oh...alright" she said, looking at her feet.
"Come on Ginny...you don't think i'm tough enough to take on a couple of Death Eaters. Remember, i've got a Hungarian Horntail tattooed on my chest," Harry added with a smile.
Ginny nodded silently as they made their way down the hill.
The others had already reached the house. Fred and George had gone inside while Hermione, Ron, and Gabrielle put the brooms in the shed.
"I wonder if Harry and Ginny getting back together." Hermione asked looking up at where they stood on the hill still.
"I doubt it. Ginny doesn't look too happy." Ron said, stopping as he looked up at the hill too.
"Harry and Ginny were, together?" said Gabrielle looking disappointed.
"Well, they were, but Harry doesn't want her to get hurt again if he has to go after Voldemort," Hermione answered smartly. Gabrielle's eyes glinted mysteriously.
Everyone had lunch in the kitchen before Fred and George took Gabrielle and Charlie to go see their shop in Diagon Alley. Charlie was going to return to Romania soon to begin studying the feeding habits of Norwegian Ridgebacks so he wanted to visit Diagon Alley to stock up on supplies, and a few things from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, of course. Mr. Weasley went to the Ministry to do some paperwork, and Mrs. Weasly stayed in the garden because she had to "catch up on her knitting". Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny went back up to Ron's bedroom and spent the rest of the afternoon playing chess, exploding snap, and talking about quidditch, Hogwarts, and the Order.
At seven they all had dinner outside in the garden, for in was an unusually warm night. They had steak and kidney pie, and potato and onion soup along with three large pitchers of ice cold pumpkin juice.
"I have so much work to catch up with at the Ministry," Mr. Weasly said rubbing his tired eyes. "With all of the guard duty their making us do now...it's a nightmare."
"Your shop is amazing you guys," Charlie was telling the twins. "It sure does stand out amongst all of those bleak Ministry bulletins."
"Right after dinner we'll go up into your room Ron," Harry was going through the plan one more time with Ron and Hermione. "And we'll pretend to be studying or playing chess. Then as soon as your parents leave we can grab the coins and apparate to Godric's Hollow."
At quarter to eight Mrs. Weasly shooed them out of the kitchen so she could clean up before they left for the meeting. "Now I want you to all be good and stay out of trouble. We'll be back around eleven. If we're late don't worry, the meeting might take longer than we're expecting it to."
"Alright Molly lets go," Mr. Weasly held open the door for her and Charlie.
"Oh, and if you'd like to be helpful come out here and start degnoming again. Their swarming like crazy."
"Bye mum," said the Weasly children.
"See you later," said Hermione.
With three simultaneous cracks Mr. And Mrs. Weasly and Charlie disapparated.
"Erm, Ginny we're gonna go up to Ron's room and do a bit of studying. We'll see you later."
"How about we go teach you how to degnome Gabrielle?" asked Fred.
"Oh of course, I have never seen a degnoming before. Eet sounds very interesting," Gabrielle said.
Fred, George, Ginny, and Gabrielle went outback to begin the degnoming. They now had Gabrielle occupied.
"I'll go get the coins, you two wait here." Harry started up the stairs to Ron's bedroom to get the coins, one to send a distress message, and another to receive a message. Hermione had bewitched them so Harry and Ginny could write short messages on the coins in case either of them was in trouble. Ron and George also had coins and Fred and Hermione. But as he passed Ginny's bedroom a hand reached out and pulled him inside. It was Gabrielle.
"Ello 'Arry." she said mischievously, shutting the door.
"Erm...G-Gabrielle? Aren't you supposed to be er... degnoming?" Harry stuttered as she slowly walked toward him. He backed against the wall.
"I slipped back up here while the others made their way to the back garden. I heard about you and Ginny last year. Well," she said putting a finger on his lips before he could speak. "I wanted you to know that I am not vorried about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I like you 'Arry. I like you a lot." Harry tried to escape, but his path was blocked by a bookshelf and a lamp table. Gabrielle was much to close. The bedroom door burst open as soon as Harry's lips met Gabrielle's unwillingly. It was Ginny. She looked at the scene in front of her disbelievingly. Harry was pressed against the wall his hands numb in a bone-breaking grasp with Gabrielle's. she pulled away from him looking triumphantly into his eyes, and then fell backward dramatically.
"Arry!" she shouted. "Vat were you theinking?" she wiped her mouth and looked shocked at Ginny who's face had grown pale, and her eyes were glassy and hurt looking.
"Ginny, it was her, I wouldn't, I swear-" Harry said dumbly.
"Come on Gabrielle," Ginny said coldly. "Let's start degnoming before mum gets back." Gabrielle walked quickly out of the door, but not before she gave Harry another victorious glance.
"But Ginny-" Harry started.
"Piss off," Ginny muttered before slamming the door.
Harry's head began to hurt. He went up to Ron's room, got the coins and met Ron and Hermione in the kitchen. "Alright, let's go." Harry said.
"What was all that yelling about?" Ron asked. "And why is Ginny so upset. She looked really pissed."
"It's nothing, come on let's go, or we won't have enough time." So he Ron and Hermione walked out the front door, turned and disappeared from the Burrow.
When they reappeared Harry couldn't see anything at first. He still didn't like apparation very much, but he figured he would just have to get over it. Soon his surroundings came into focus. Ron and Hermione had apparated a few feet next to him. Judging by the fact that Hermione was on the ground, Ron must have apparated on top of her.
They appeared to be on a small country lane in Wales, in the village of Godric's Hollow. It was dark here and much colder than it was as the Burrow. The sun was just sinking below the horizon, nut it was a clear night. By the look of the lane it was a small Muggle town. There were small welcoming houses along the road back behind rolling green lawns. The houses were surrounded by trees and bushes. Looking at a sign next to a street lamp Harry found that they were on Lion's Lane. Harry had asked Mr. Weasly at the end of last term where his parents had lived before they died. He said they had lived in Godric's Hollow at 137 Willow Bend. Harry had also learned that Bowman Wright, the inventor of the Golden Snitch, had once lived at the same house.
The nearest house read 130, and the one to its left read 131, so 137 was down towards the end of the street.
"Come on guys, its down this way," Harry called to Ron and Hermione. As he walked to the end of the street he kept his hand firmly gripped on his wand in his jacket pocket. When they reached 136 they saw that the lane sloped down into a small valley where the end of a drive could be seen from the road. "Let's go," said Harry.
The three waked quickly, but cautiously down the slope. When he reached the bottom Harry's heart rose to his throat.
In a large clearing there were the remains of what was one a house, his house, his parents house. Most of it was burned to the ground, but a small section still stood. Next to the charred remains there was a large willow tree with a lone tire swing idly swaying in the cold breeze. Walking up to the burnt clearing Harry saw that around the back there was a small garden. He walked around the debris and into the garden.
It was very overgrown and seemed to not have been tended to since it had been put there. In the middle two white headstones rose from the ground.
In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of
James Potter Lily Potter
Born: 1959 Born: 1959
Died: Oct. 31 1981 Died: Oct. 31 1981
Harry kneeled down at his parents graves and brushed away the dirt that lingered on the headstones and pulled weeds that were covering the inscription. Around the graves blue wild flowers had grown in clusters. Harry reached over and picked some of the flowers and placed them in front of each of his parents graves.
Harry sat there fro what seemed like hours, sometimes crying, praying, and just looking as the sunlight slowly slid away, bringing forth total darkness.
"Lumos," he muttered as his wand tip lighted. Harry wiped his face and walked back to the house where Ron and Hermione were sitting against a tree. Hermione was asleep on Ron's shoulder. Harry sat down on Ron's other side.
"Are you alright Harry?" he asked.
"Yeah, I actually feel better now. I've wanted to come here for a while now, and i'm glad I did." Harry said. He felt more complete now that he was at the place where his whole tale began. Where Voldemort marked him down as his equal, and created his own enemy.
"What time is it?" Harry asked. Ron checked Hermione's watch.
"Ten thirty. Do you think we should head back?"
"I think so, I would be better if we're early." Harry said getting to his feet. Ron shook Hermione gently and she sprang up startled.
"Oh, Harry you're back. I can't believe I dozed off like that-"she said yawning greatly.
"Let's go," Harry said helping Ron to his feet. They walked to the edge of the drive and turned, but out of the corner of his eye Harry saw a dark shape move near the ruins of the house.
Ron and Hermione must not have noticed for they kept turning and disapparated with two sharp cracks. Harry however drew his wand and crept slowly near the house. He stepped on a twig and a massive black dog shot out from the shadows into the denser trees behind his parents graves.
"Sirius?"Harry stood, wand now limp at his side, staring into the darkness.