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Lacy here with our next Heidi chapter. There is no break from the heartache that Heidi has to deal with in this book. Last time it was Remus, this time it's Ted. Now, you know from past books that Heidi has an amazing relationship with Ted. So for him to leave, for the safety of his family, it's not easy. This time, though, she knows it is a selfless action and Ted doing what he knew was best for those he loved. And then there's news on Hogwarts and Harry. Read on!
Disclaimer: I own only Heidi.
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If Heidi knew watching her family disappear one by one was how things were going to go once Voldemort was in power, she would have gone back to school. At least there, she would know what to expect. Pain, torture and occasionally learning something. But at home, first Remus tried running away from his problems and now Ted was gone.
Everyone had woken up one morning to Ted missing. Andromeda found a letter from him, explaining how there were Death Eaters closing in on the house. He refused to register as a Muggle-born and they were coming for him. To protect the family, to protect Tonks's baby, he was leaving. Figured he had a better chance of making it and keeping the others safe if he was on his own.
Andromeda wasn't taking the news well. She and Ted had been together since Hogwarts. She didn't know how to go through life without her husband.
"Mum," Tonks and Sirius approached Andromeda while Remus and Heidi recovered from the full moon the night before. "Sirius and I want to talk to you."
Andromeda looked up from the baby clothes she was knitting. "What is it?"
Sirius sat beside his cousin. "Dromeda, it's time. It's not safe here any more."
"This is my home, Sirius." Andromeda fought. "This is where I've lived since the family disowned me."
"I know that," Sirius took her hand. "But Dromeda, without Ted here to back you up, I don't feel right leaving you alone. If you come with us, you'll have all of us with you. You can help Dora get ready for the baby and we could always use more help after the full moons."
Tonks winced at Sirius's words. Reminding Andromeda that Remus and Heidi were werewolves now wasn't the wisest choice.
"They wouldn't want my help." Andromeda sighed. Sirius and Tonks exchanged a look. Not the reaction they were expecting.
"You'd be surprised, Mum." Tonks said. "Heidi and Remus are two of the most understanding and forgiving people you'll ever know. They want you safe just as much as Sirius and I do. So, please, come stay with us."
Andromeda stayed silent, her eyes fixed on the small outfit in her lap. "Alright," she said softly. "Once Remus and Heidi are strong enough to move, we'll go back to the safe house. Together."
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The process of getting Andromeda moved in and settled into the safe house wasn't as bad as everyone feared. Even with Remus and Heidi still weak from the full moon, it only took a single day. Andromeda only brought the minimum, in case Ted decided to come home.
Within the week of her moving in, news came to the Order from Hogwarts. Dumbledore's Army, at least a few of the former members, were acting out.
"They did what?" Heidi asked, her tone shrill.
Sirius sighed. "Ginny, Luna and Neville broke into the Headmaster's office to try and steal the Sword of Gryffindor."
Heidi sat back, hard. "Of course they did." she ran a hand over her face. "They were doing it for nothing. When Scrimgeour came to give us what Dumbledore left, he said Harry was left the sword. But it didn't matter, because the sword was missing. Whatever's in Snape's office is a fake."
"How can he not know?" Sirius questioned.
"Something like that," Remus crossed his arms. "If the fake is good enough, only a goblin would be able to notice."
"I wish we knew what was happening in there." Tonks grumbled. "We can't risk any of the students, who knows what the Death Eaters would do to them. Or have done to them."
"What about Grandpa Phineas?" Heidi suggested. "His portrait is in there."
"Only one problem." Andromeda said. "This isn't a Black family house."
"No," Sirius agreed. "But there are plenty around, and not all of them are known to the entire family, or the Death Eaters. Phineas wasn't really fond of small children, even his own. He had a few places out of the way."
Remus watched him. "Are you suggesting breaking into one of those estates?"
"Wouldn't really be breaking in." Sirius said. "I'm the head of the Black family, they're my properties now."
Heidi watched the adults look at each other. "So we're breaking into one of Grandpa Phineas's house?"
"Sounds like it." Tonks chimed in. "Mum and I will hold down the fort here." she saw the startled looks from Remus, Sirius and Heidi. "We all know Heidi won't stay here. Don't pretend Ladybug, I know you're going crazy not being able to help out."
Heidi shifted in her seat. "You may be right."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Remus asked.
Heidi shrugged. "There's not a lot I can do. I'm underage and still have the Trace."
"Oh Ladybug," the adults sighed.
"What?"
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The closest and easiest estate of Phineas's to get to was only a quick apparating trip away. Heidi exhaled heavily as she and Sirius appeared on the steps of the manor, never really liking the feeling of apparating. Looking around, Heidi saw the run-down grounds and shrubbery.
"How long has it been since someone was here?" Heidi asked as Remus appeared next to them.
"Few decades." Sirius said. "Pretty sure my grandfather was the last person to come here. And that was only to make sure there wasn't anything valuable." he shook his head as he pulled his wand. "Greedy bastard."
"And yet you let Kreacher keep his Black family signet ring." Remus reminded.
Sirius shrugged. "Kept the bugger quiet." he waved his wand. "Alohomora." the lock snapped aside and the three headed in. The smell of the house was musty and stale from being closed up for so long. "Alright, any family portraits would be left in the study or main hall."
It took a few minutes, but after searching all the portraits in the main hall, "Is there a reason this family likes staring at themselves so much?", the three entered the study and found Phineas's portrait behind the desk.
"Here we go," Sirius moved around the desk, grabbing the frame. He moved the portrait to a clear wall and stood back. "Um, Grandpa Phineas?"
Heidi rolled her eyes. "Grandpa Phineas, it's Heidi. Can we talk?"
"Well," Phineas slowly appeared in the picture. He looked as annoyed and stuffy as usual. According to Sirius. "You certainly have better manners than your brother."
"You've spoken to Harry?" Sirius questioned.
Phineas nodded. "Indeed I have. He and two of his little acquaintances. They dared blink fold me so I could not see where I was. Quite rude. And then they demanded information from the Headmaster's office."
"Did you give it to them?" Remus asked.
Phineas was quiet for a moment. They all knew he didn't appreciate Remus talking to him. "I did, the young witch said please. I can't ignore good manners."
Sirius cocked a brow. "You managed every time my mother spoke to you when I was a child."
"I never agreed with Orion marrying that Macmillan girl." Phineas sniffed. "The whole family, pureblood or not, weren't worthy of our time."
The three stared. Wow, that was prejudice to a new level.
"What did you tell Harry, Grandpa?" Heidi asked.
"They wanted to know about their little trouble making friends." Phineas said. "That Weasley girl, the Longbottom boy and Lovegood's daughter. They broke into the Headmaster's office for the Sword of Gryffindor. They deserved their detention in the Forbidden Forest. Though, sending with that oaf, Hagrid, was a mistake. Too easy on the students, he is."
"Grandpa." Heidi's tone was a warning.
"Oh fine." Phineas exhaled. "I don't know why they were after the sword. It isn't even the real one."
"So it is missing." Sirius nodded. "Do you have any idea what happened to the real one?"
"Last I saw it leave its case, Professor Dumbledore was using it to break open a ring. But that's all I told them and all I'm telling you. If you could return me to my place behind the desk."
Sirius nodded. "Of course." he went to pick up the frame. "Thank you, Phineas."
Phineas watched Sirius for a minute before nodding and vanishing from the painting. Sirius returned it to its original spot and turned back to Remus and Heidi.
"Now what?" he asked.
Remus shook his head. "Without knowing where the sword went, there's nothing we can do."
"So," Heidi sighed and crossed her arms. "They're still on their own."
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Yeah, not gonna lie, it's a lot harder to write Heidi when most of it has to come from my head. Cannot wait until she rejoins the trio. Also, if you're wondering why Phineas was so much easier to deal with than he was in the book, he has a good relationship with Heidi. Yes, Phineas has a strong dislike for young people, but Heidi can win anyone over. So as long as she was leading the questioning and Remus and Sirius were playing nice, it was going to be easier. Let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.
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