Return From The Veil
Chapter 8 – Condition
The Order, including Draco now, sat in the living room back in Godric Hollow as the special Healer from the Department of Mysteries checked out the recently returned. James, Lily, Fred, Remus, and Tonks had already been in and now they were waiting Sirius so they could get the results. Many of them wanted to question Hermione but the girl has such a look of self-hatred and misery, no one dared open their mouths. Hermione was aware of everyone's eyes on her and avoided their gazes. This was all her fault, she should have known better but she just couldn't stop her raging curiosity now look what she got everyone into! Sighing, she got to her feet and went to the kitchen for some water. At the sink a touch on her shoulder told her someone was there, "Hey," Harry said gently.
"What have I done?" Hermione moaned quietly.
"This isn't your fault," Harry insisted, Hermione shook her head and looked away from him. "Hey come on, I thought I was supposed to be the brooding one."
Hermione laughed in her throat, "Have you thought about Ted?" Harry knew it was a subject change but let it slide. "He's bound to recognise them. Tonks could change her face but what about Remus?
"We might have to disguise them both," Harry shrugged. "We'll talk to them about it."
"I was hoping to bring Teddy his parents back," Hermione said bitterly. "I had such grand plans. I was dreaming of reuniting the family with everyone we lost. We'd see Sirius again, Fred, Remus, Tonks – your parents too – we would finally have some true happiness after suffering so much. I've only made things worse."
"You can't blame yourself Hermione," Harry pled.
"Tell me that when Remus and Tonks have to hide from their child and Teddy never knows his parents were there, when George refuses to look at me, when Molly and Arthur lose their son again¸ when you say goodbye to your parents and godfather." Hermione forcefully wiped her tears away.
"Guys," Lee knocked on the kitchen doorframe, "the Healer is finished."
Healer Serena Ames was a medium height woman with light brown hair and brown eyes. She was a Healer specifically tasked to the Department of Mysteries to help maintain the secrecy. She too had taken a vow of silence which made her ideal to come to with this problem. It didn't hurt that she too was an Order member. Hermione and Harry returned to the group and Kingsley crossed his arms, "Alright Serena go ahead."
"First of all, you're all perfectly healthy," Serena began. "All organs corporeal and functioning, so you're not ghosts however there are some discrepancies with what I found and what was in your files. Remus, Tonks, Lily, James, and Fred, I don't know if this will make sense but you guys are TOO healthy, it's like everything is brand new. There are always physical markers of age and I tried looking for them. It's hard to tell with Lily, James, and Fred – they were young when they died – but Remus and Tonks it's as if you've become younger. Remus is listed in his mid – to –late thirties but if I had examined him not knowing that I would've said early twenties. Tonks doesn't even look like she ever gave birth. The reason I can see this difference is because Sirius is the exact man that went into the veil eight years ago. Azkaban kept a thorough record of his physical appearance and I've spoken to Harry about his life after prison. His current condition is consistent with his life. But that's not all, Remus you're listed as a lycanthrope…"
Remus held Tonks' hand, "Yes…"
"You're not one anymore."
"WHAT?!"
"No scars, no signs of transformation," Serena looked at her notes. "No trace of werewolf syndrome anywhere, I even used the spell for detecting the venom and it came up with nothing."
"Would this apply to the Death Eaters as well?" Harry inquired.
"I would assume so," Serena nodded.
"Boy is Greyback in for a nasty shock," Bill commented.
"What does this mean?" Lily asked.
"I don't know," Serena sighed. "But the only person I can confidently say is back from the dead is Sirius."
"What do we do now?" Ginny rubbed her face.
"We still need wands," James interjected.
"Not me," Sirius produced his, "forgot I had it when you guys were going to fight."
"Where the bloody hell did you get that?" James demanded.
"Just had it," Sirius shrugged.
"That's right," Harry said comprehendingly. "Sirius went into the veil with his wand."
"Alright but we still need them," Fred interjected. "Maybe they can kill us, maybe not, personally I'd rather not find out the hard way."
"Good point Fred but we can't just bring any of you to Diagon Alley," Kingsley admitted. "We've told the public of a considerable dark threat but we can't just go around letting them know people have come back from the dead. It's bad enough that people know there are dark wizards on the loose."
"There are already rumours about it might be Voldemort after your little scene at the ministry," Serena informed them. "You were spotted by some people although you were running at the time so they didn't get a good look to be sure. Sorry guys but you've got recognizable faces especially Sirius and Harry."
"So there's no way of getting us wands," Tonks said dejectedly.
"I wouldn't say that," Harry made a face. "Your wands are still around, getting them just won't be all that pleasant."
"You're not actually suggesting…" Ron stared at him.
"What?" Fred looked between. "Where are they?"
George was the one to answer, "In your graves."
A/N: Okay I want it on the record that I know that's weird and kind of reminiscent of Voldemort but it's very important for them to go to the graveyard as you will see in the next chapter so just trust me, ENJOY R&R PLZ!
