In Darkness
That evening, Dumbledore paced back and forth anxiously in his office. He could tell Snape was concerned with the safety of Irlynn and Harry. He could understand the worry but he was hesitant to take them out of the custody of the McQuillens. The Headmaster had no desire to butt heads with Harry again as he did the year before. Still, it would prove a safer course of action if he moved them and perhaps he wouldn't complain if his sister joined him. Letting out a slow breath, the silver bearded wizard set about making the arrangements. They would be moved the following night.
In Ireland, Harry and Irlynn sat out in the back yard staring up at the twinkling sky. They'd fallen back into a comfortable pattern and Harry was glad to be back. He'd missed the open sky.
"What are you thinking about?" Irlynn had rolled over onto her elbow and was watching his face as he took in the stars.
"Voldemort is out there somewhere right now…and that scares me."
"It scares me too." From the back door, William appeared and called to them.
"You two better come in now." He and Victoria had been reluctant to let them stay out very late since Harry had gotten back. They could sense the growing unease in the world now that Voldemort was back and they were concerned for Harry and Irlynn's safety. The two fourteen-year-olds rolled their eyes but got up and followed William inside.
"Mum, when are we going to get our school stuff?" Irlynn called.
"Next week I suppose. Your letters haven't come yet."
"That's strange," Harry muttered.
The rest of the evening passed calmly and uneventfully enough. William sat in the den doing work and Victoria sat on the couch in the sitting room reading the newspaper. Harry wandered the house aimlessly. He had an anxious feeling in his gut and he couldn't shake it. He ended up in his bedroom and lay down on his bed.
Without realizing it, he'd let his mind wander and was thinking back to the time he'd spent with Sirius that summer. He was so lost in thought he didn't hear the door next to his open or the footsteps cross the threshold into his room. He only came back to reality when he felt his arm being shaken like a rag doll.
"Huh? What?" He sat up and looked at Irlynn. She looked annoyed.
"I really wish I could control this stupid ability."
"What are you talking about?"
"You let your mind slip. One minute I'm reading and the next I see you running around with Ron and Hermione."
"Oh…sorry…didn't mean to." She shook her head and sat down next to him.
"I just don't get why he couldn't teach me to control it now. Knowing what it is now and knowing he can help and that he isn't….it's really annoying."
"Guess he's busy."
"Yeah but won't he be even busier once the school term starts?" Harry just shrugged. He had his own problems to worry about.
The next evening, Tonks, Lupin and Kingsley Shacklebolt gathered at 12 Grimmauld Place to plan their rescue attempt. They knew it would be too dangerous to use the Floo Network in case Voldemort had people monitoring it. They could attempt to Apparate but it might be too cumbersome with trunks and animals.
"Why don't we just fly?" Kingsley recommended.
"I suppose that would work…but wouldn't we be seen?" Lupin replied.
"Invisibility Charm." The two men looked over at Tonks.
"It could work. We'd have to do something about their trunks though…"
"What about a portkey?" The trio looked over at Sirius.
"It's a bit late to make one, don't you think Sirius?"
"Why? You could always use it to transport their belongings here. I'll do it if you like."
"Thanks," Tonks said, giving her relative a smile. Her hair shimmered a light pink for a minute before returning to the usual purple.
They gathered their brooms together and just as they were about to leave, Snape burst through the front door.
"You know there's a door there for a reason, Snape," Sirius snapped in irritation. His tone had brought his mother's portrait to life and she was shouting obscenities at the people in the front hall.
"I am going with you."
"Dumbledore didn't say anything…" Remus began.
"Someone will need to explain this to Ms. McQuillen's parents." He wasn't going to admit to these people that he was concerned for his daughter's well-being. He wasn't going to risk showing emotion around them. Sirius gave a low grumble but no one else objected.
Together, the quartet disappeared from the front hall of the house. Moments later they reappeared in the back yard of the McQuillen residence. Kingsley walked up to the door and jiggled the handle. It was open. They walked in as if they owned the place and set about their tasks. Both William and Victoria had heard the noise and were in the kitchen within minutes.
"What's going on? Who are you people?" Victoria demanded. Severus stepped forward to explain.
"Dumbledore sent them."
"For what? Where are they going?"
Upstairs, the doors to both Irlynn and Harry's rooms opened to meet the Order members. Harry recognized Tonks immediately. Irlynn had her wand at the ready. It was then that Harry spotted Sirius.
"Sirius, what's going on?"
"Pack your things. Both of you. We're leaving immediately," Sirius answered. Irlynn looked confused, her wand still raised at the intruders.
"We're with the Order. Dumbledore sent us," Tonks tried to reassure Irlynn. The fourteen-year-old glanced at her brother and he gave a nod. She lowered her wand and returned to her room.
"I don't understand. What do you mean they aren't safe?" William demanded downstairs.
"The Dark Lord has come into the knowledge that Irlynn exists. The Headmaster believes it best to move them both to a safer location, one not easily accessible," Snape drawled. He had no intention of telling them he had allowed the Dark Lord to gain the information.
"What does he know? How did he find out?" Victoria gasped.
"One of his followers had been spying in Hogwarts. The man who got the Potters killed. I was able to keep the information limited. But now that he knws she is alive, he will hunt her down."
"Alright…but you're sure they will be safe where they are going?"
"Yes." Just then footsteps sounded on the stairs and Lupin, Tonks and Kingsley appeared followed by Harry and Irlynn. Sirius had already disappeared with their trunks and owl cages.
"What's going on? No one's told us anything," Irlynn demanded. She was looking directly at Snape.
"You are not safe here anymore." She turned white. At that same moment, Harry's cheeks grew warm and fiery with anger.
"He knows…" Irlynn rasped. Victoria pulled the young woman to her chest and gave her a firm hug.
"You'll be fine. Both of you. Just do what they tell you and write to us."
"Mum…I…I love you."
"I know you do. Now go on. We don't want to keep them all waiting." She let go Irlynn and pulled Harry to her as well.
"Be careful."
"We will, Mum. The Order is full of good people."
The McQuillens watched the party of five walk out to the backyard and fly off on brooms. Snape stood there watching for a moment or two as well. He knew it was only a matter of time before Voldemort would come after William and Victoria as well. He turned to them and cleared his throat.
"I think it best if I place a few security charms around your property. It should repel anyone looking for you via magical means for a while."
William's voice was gruff when he spoke. "Thank you." Severus merely gave a nod and set to working on the spells. He would have placed them under the Fidelius Charm but he didn't believe the situation was dire enough to need such a measure.
"You should be protected. The charms run to just before the back edge of your property. I have left enough space to Apparate from. Once I am gone it will extend to just beyond the tree line."
"We really appreciate what you're doing for us. Please, keep Irlynn safe."
"I will do all that I can."
He walked to the edge of the property line and disappeared. On cue, the spell shimmered and twisted in a pale silvery light to just beyond the trees. He reappeared in Hogsmeade Village. As quickly as he could, he began to trek up to the school. He wanted to be the first to tell Dumbledore that all had gone well. He reached the castle and was halfway to the Headmaster's office when Albus walked out of one of the Transfiguration classrooms.
"Severus." Snape stopped and turned to face the Headmaster.
"Everything went according to plan. They should be arriving at Headquarters within the hour."
"Good. Thank you for accompanying them. I am sure the McQuillens were grateful."
"They understood the severity of the situation. I look the liberty of placing several security charms around their property to hinder the Dark Lord's search for a few weeks."
"A wise move. Let us hope we can keep them safe when they return to Hogwarts." The two men shared a look before parting ways.
