Phoenix Pride Keeperoliver Chapter 4
Hermione had taken on the task of brewing the polyjuice potion, knowing it took so long to brew. She asked that they all leave her alone while she was with the potion as any distraction could ruin what she has already completed. However, when Kreacher asked if he could help her, as he had helped Master Regulus with his potions assignments while he was in school, she agreed.
It was the best choice she ever made. Kreacher had stopped her on more than one occasion from making a crucial mistake. He showed her shortcuts and better ways to prepare the ingredients. It was a difficult potion to brew, but with Kreacher's help it became easier than she expected.
While Hermione was busy with the potion, Ginny and Luna worked with Dobby to teach Padma Ginny's mannerism's so that she could be convincing in her role as Ginny. She also taught Ginny in her role as Padma. Padma took to the style of clothes Ginny wore easier than Ginny took to Padma's. To her, Padma's clothes were hot and stuffy. They were tight around her legs which made it harder for her to walk. Padma had to laugh at Ginny when she tried to walk in the Sari. She walked like a Japanese Geisha girl with her short steps. Ginny was use to the long strides she took.
Remus and Sirius were using their time to try and figure out where the rebirth of Voldemort would take place. It was during a visit to Albus that they learned the reason for him to return. Albus asked that they not let this information out, even to the Pride. He explained to them that he had used Horcruxes, and how they were made. He told them of his feelings that Voldemort had used items closely related to the founders for the most part. Items like the sword of Gryffindor, Slytherin's ring, Hufflepuff's cup, and Ravenclaw's Diadem. He also told them of the Diary, which was his own. Since it was already destroyed, and since Harry used the sword, it lowered the count. It was Sirius who told them of Locket he found in his home. He found Kreacher trying to destroy it one day. Albus asked to see it, and Sirius asked Kreacher to get it. He was soon back holding a purple bag that held the locket. Albus dumped the locket onto his desk and immediately saw that it was indeed another Horcrux. That would make five.
Albus thought on Harry with his connection he had to the powers Voldemort had. He considered that Harry may be a Horcrux, however, after testing Harry, he saw no signs of there being one there. Harry's scar was just a war wound that would never entirely heal.
If they were to end this, these last three items had to be found and destroyed. Albus pulled out the Fang Harry took from the Basilisk, and destroyed the locket. Fiendfire was the only other way, and it was too uncontrollable to use.
To help Sirius and Remus with the search, he showed them of the memories he had of Voldemort, or of Tom Riddle which was his actual name. After viewing the memories, they felt they may be able to deduce where the Horcruxes may be, or at least two of them. They felt that one of them was here in the school. A place that few students knew about, and few Professors. Albus told them of the loo on seventh floor he had used that just appeared when he thought he could use one handy. Remus wondered if it was actually a loo, or maybe it was something that would create what ever it was you needed.
The two friends went to the seventh floor and the location told to them by Albus. No matter what they thought of, nothing changed. For over a week this went on.
Sirius came upon it quite by accident. He was pacing in front of the spot thinking what would I need to hide something from being found by the rest of the school. I just need a place to hide something. After his third trip, a door appeared in front of the two.
Remus looked at Sirius, "OK, how did you do that?"
Sirius had a dumb look on his face. "Hell if I know. I was just thinking I need to find a place to hide something, and poof, there it was."
Remus chuckled at his friend. They opened the door to find a very large room filled with things that were no longer needed, or broken or just lost.
They split up to search, and soon Sirius was yelling for Remus to join him. Remus went running to his friend, to find him in front of a cabinet that was filled with items. Like a china cabinet, only it had more than just china in it. It had candle holders, hair pieces, rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Remus looked at the china and the jewelry. He then took one of the hair pieces that was there. It looked like a crown. When he picked it up, it started to get warm. The longer he held it, the hotter it became, until he finally had to drop it. To the two of them, it was believed they found what they came looking for.
They returned to Albus' office with the crown, and He was surprised when they dumped the crown on his desk. They had used an old blouse to pick it up.
Albus confirmed that it was Ravenclaw's Diadem. He hated to destroy it, but it was necessary. He put the fang to use once again, and it did what it was supposed to.
Then using the memories once again, they felt the since Tom had used Hogwarts to hide one, then Maybe he used another place he cherished as a youth. They felt Gaunt's home.
Once again it was Sirius that found it's hiding place by accident when he stepped on a loose floor board. It was hidden in a box. Slytherin's ring. Once again it heated up when touched. It was Sirius this time who touched it. When he felt it get warm, he put it back down. Remus found a chain that could be used as a necklace, and threaded it through the ring, and put it around his neck, outside of his clothes but inside his robes. He did not want it flying around when they Aparated back to Hogwarts.
Albus let Remus destroy this item.
That left one more item, and they were sure it was Helga's cup. But the question was where. Everything seemed to be geared towards the founders, except the Diary. The locations all seemed to be places Tom visited. Hogwarts, Gaunt's home, Malfoy Manor, and a cave that Sirius' brother found. So, where else would he have gone that he deemed safe. Sirius came up with the answer. "Where is the safest place we know to keep valuables? Gringotts. Now we know that Tom didn't have a vault, so it must be a vault owned by one of the Death Eaters. Malfoy already had one of the Horcruxes, so I doubt if it was his. So it could be Parkinson's, Nott's, Crabbe's , Goyles or LeStrange's. They are all members of his inner circle. So if I were Tom, I would look for the hardest vault to get to. That leaves Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott out as they have higher level vaults. Since we crossed Malfoy off the list that leaves Parkinson or LeStrange."
Remus took it further, "Parkinson still has a fairly high floor. According to Bill Weasley, seventh floor. LeStrange has a much lower level. Second I believe. The first level protected by Dragons. Both the two lower levels are high security vaults. I think you are right, Sirius. Gringotts does seem to fit. Now how do we get in?"
Sirius had a big grin on his face. "Who is the best impersonator we know?"
Remus had a pissed off look on his face, "Don't even think it Pads. There is no way I would allow it. It's too dangerous."
"Moony, it's not up to you to decide."
"Yes it is. All we have to do is not ask. We will find a way to get in ourselves. We are Marauders are we not?"
"Yes we are, but that doesn't change the fact how hard it is to get into Gringott. Polyjuice potion only lasts an hour. Tonks can remain in her form for as long as necessary. What other choice do we have Moony?"
Albus interrupted at this point, "Remus, Sirius is right. There isd no other choice, and Tonks is a member of the Order, and an Auror. She is used to taking risks. There is also a way to insure it works. We set up a diversion where Bellatrix will be busy, so that she will not unexpectedly show up at the bank. This can be done with an attack on a Death Eater stronghold. Malfoy Manor. Yes, we can let young Draco hear a plan of an attack on the Manor, and he can report it to his father. This will bring in the Death Eaters for support. While they are protecting this, we can have Tonks enter Gringotts as Bellatrix, and hopefully find the cup in the LeStrange vault."
Remus hung his head, "I don't like it, but I will agree to it. However, I don't want her going alone."
"Who do you suggest go with her?" Sirius asked.
Remus brightened up, "Severus Snape."
"OH sure, send the bloody snake with my cousin. The greasy git would just as soon turn her over to Voldemort as to join her."
"Possibly, but I think Hermione has completed the polyjuice potion. All we need to do is use it to get her to Gringotts safely. I don't have to go down to the vault with her."
"What do you mean you? Why not me?" Sirius replied.
"Because my senses are more acute than yours. I can be alerted to danger from an outside source."
Sirius turned this over in his head. It made sense. Reluctantly he agreed to the plan.
PP-}
It was by luck that Hermione had made enough potion to allow Remus an hours worth to complete the plan. She wasn't told what the plan was, just that it was important. Albus retrieved the hair for the potion on the pretext of keeping it from getting in Severus' eye.
Tonks agreed to take the mission though she felt dirty going as her cousin the bitch. It would take long shower to get the feeling off of her, if it worked.
When the two arrived at the alley, they made their way to a deserted building, and waited for the attack to take place. They knew that Draco had overheard the plan, and wrote the letter to his father.
What they didn't know was that he wrote one to his mother as well, asking her to find something to get her away from the manor, and once gone not to think about going back. Draco was making his own plans. He would do as he told Potter he would, but he would protect his mother in every way he could. She would hide in the one place no one would look for her. 12 Grimmauld Place. Since Kreacher wasn't there, and Sirius was seldom there lately, it would be the perfect hiding place.
Tonks waited until the exact moment of the attack, and morphed into Bella, and Remus used the juice to change to Severus. They then walked to the Bank, and entered. People moved away from the two as they entered, not wanting to be hurt by the pair. Tonks demanded to be taken to her vault, and was escorted to the carts for transportation down. Remus walked out of the bank once she was gone, and went back to the building they left, to wait for Tonks.
A half hour later, she arrived with a sack in her hands and a grin on her face. There were also burn marks on her hands. Remus knew what these were from, and kicked himself for not warning her of what to expect. Still, it was a very successful mission.
The attack on Malfoy Manor had gone off smoothly as well. The fight lasted an hour, and there were only minor injuries to the side of the light. The manor was heavily damaged, and there were a few death Eaters that were trapped in the falling debris. This was no concern to the light side. They had done what was needed, and escaped virtually unharmed.
Once back to the castle, Albus had Tonks destroy the last horcrux. Everything was now set for the final confrontation.
PP-}
On October 24th, Beauxbaton and Durmstrang arrived for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. They would get settled in and learn there way around the castle before the drawing of the champions. Filius was able to charm the goblet to change all names that entered into the goblet by Hogwarts students to read Harry Potter.
With the different students walking around, taking in the sights, it became quite crowded in the halls of the castle. It was because of this that Hermione bumped into one of the Durmstrang students. All of her books fell to the floor, and the Durmstrang student bent down and helped her pick them up. She apologized for the incident, but he shook it off, "It vas my fault. I should haf been looking vhere I vas going, and not at the valls vith the paintings."
Hermione introduced her self to the student, and he to her, "It is nice to meet you Miss Granger, my name is Viktor Krum."
"It is nice to meet you also Mr. Krum."
"Call me Viktor please."
"Only if you call me Hermione."
"Hermioninie, such a pretty name."
"No, it's pronounced Hermione."
"Dat is vhat I said, Hermioninie."
"Yes, well excuse me Viktor, but I have to get to class."
"Perhaps ve meet again later?"
"OH, I am sure we will, Viktor. Have a nice day."
"You too, Hermioninie."
Hermione thought,'Honestly, is it so hard to say my name. Hermioninny, really.'
Fred and George were taken back by one of the Beauxbaton seventh years. They learned her name was Fleur. The loved how the name just rolled off their tongue, and made their lips form a kiss when ever they said it. They made every attempt to be near her when she was in the castle.
Ginny saw this and saved it for later when she needed something over them. They were acting like gits. She was astounded that Ron was acting the same way. Why the whole male population minus Harry and Ron were trying to gain her attention. Well maybe not the whole male population, but at least 60% of them were acting like fools as were her twin brothers.
On October 31st after dinner, the drawing was taking place. All of the students were sitting in their seats waiting for the three Heads to pull the names from the Goblet. There was no age restriction put on the drawing but a minimum grade was put into it. There had to be a minimum of ExceedsExpectations in all of their classes in order to enter your name.
Professor got the students attention by use of a Sonorus charm, "May I have everyone's attention please? Thank you. Now to start, we are about to enter into one of the most significant events to take place in our schools. This only happens every twenty five years, and it brings honor to all selected to participate. The winner will receive a 1000 Galleons prize. Each school will have one champion, and if selected, he or she must participate. This champion will not be given any help from the Professors, but can receive all the help they can from their fellow students. It is encouraged that the students do all they can to assist their school champion, and if possible the other champions as well. With that being said, each head will draw a name, starting with Madam Maxine from Beauxbaton. Madam, if you will."
"Thank you Albus. The first name drawn is Viktor Krum of Durmstrang."
A round of applause was given to Viktor for both being selected, and being the premier Seeker in the professional Quidditch League.
Durmstrang's head then took the place of the Madam. "The next name selected for tournament is Miss Fleur Delacour of Beauxbaton's."
The applause for Fleur was greater than Viktor's.
Finally Albus took the spot and reached into the goblet, "Finally, the Hogwarts champion is Harry Potter."
Harry's applause was about that of Viktor's. He thought, well, I guess we know who the fan favorite is.
With then names drawn, the next step was the first challenge.