Chapter 10
05 September 1996 Tuesday
Harry sat at the breakfast table reading his letter from Hermione. "She says that Snape is doubly vindictive this year. The new Defense professor is an attractive woman and is apparently an even better teacher than Remus was. This Professor Quisling used Malfoy as the test dummy for the first class."
The other three at the table chuckled darkly. Neville loathed Snape probably even more than Harry and seemed to thrill on the man's jealousy. Malfoy suffering a measure of pain and humiliation was just frosting on the cake. Susan poked her boyfriend in the ribs when he got a dreamy expression on his face.
"What? I'm just fantasizing about Snape being even more incensed about his inadequateness than usual, while the amazing bouncing ferret does the jingle jangle," Neville protested.
Harry frowned as he read on. "Ron is being a pillock. He knows she spent a month here and isn't talking to her because he didn't get the same invite."
"If he wasn't such a completely self-centered ass, he might have," mumbled Daphne. Harry could only concede the point with a slight nod.
"The Headmaster hasn't cornered her yet, but she's waiting for a summons to his office." The Potters and Hermione had discussed this issue. Hermione brought up that she expected Dumbledore to try to use her friendship with Harry, in particular, to coerce the boy-who-lived to come back to Scotland.
"He'll just use Legilimency on me if I refuse to tell him anything, so what are you guys Ok with what I can tell him?"
Daphne tapped her nails and said, "No on the Shapeshifting."
"We need to get Minerva and Filius' permission to disclose their role. Remus and Tonks too," Harry added. He then smiled and said, "Better yet, tell him our Charms instructor is Rodger Young and Transfiguration is Jean Dubois."
With the beginning of term, McGonagall and Flitwick had to bow out of their daily tutelage of the foursome. The elder statesmen had highly recommended the new instructors by personal and professional repute. Young and Dubois were masters in their fields and had taken Unbreakable Vows with Harry, bound by Daphne, to never betray the foursome in any way, shape or form.
"A general overview." Daphne looked at Harry and continued, "Intense daily training in Charms, Transfiguration and Defense. We've got Bill Weasley coming next week to start wards."
Harry continued with Hermione's letter, "She's really glad to be back in school, but…" Harry's voice dwindled off. Daphne looked over at him and saw an incredible sadness cross his expression.
He looked to his wife and said just above a whisper, "She says she doesn't have any friends at school now."
Daphne could only squeeze his hand in comfort.
.oOo.
Bill Weasley arrived at three PM after a tiring melee round with Remus and Tonks going against each couple. They'd intentionally picked the teamings by couple because as Remus said, "You are not trusting your significant other to protect themselves. Harry, you keep shielding Daphne and Neville you do the same with Susan. Susan, if you conjure a wall to protect Neville one more time when he's not incapacitated, you'll be doing laps around the estate – in human form mind."
"If you would stay closer together, you'll find you can protect yourselves and each other better," Tonks advised.
Remus and Tonks worked together rather well. Despite her habitual clumsiness, Tonks was a smooth fighter. Darting left and right, slipping curses in under a person's guard when they least expected it.
Remus was power and craftiness. He couldn't overpower Harry, whose raw power levels grew every day as he recuperated from the power-draining ward. Instead, he'd pummel Harry's shields and then apparate behind hitting him with a trip jinx or the like. Once off balance, the two would really open up on each other.
One time, Daphne and Tonks had stopped dueling just to watch the men beat on each other. At one point, Daphne heard Tonks mutter, "Damn, he's hot."
With Daphne looking at the metamorph with raised eyebrows, Tonks hissed, "Mine, not yours!"
Bill emerged from the fireplace in the Entry Hall and let out an involuntary whistle at the beauty of the Hall. Harry was sitting in a chair, dozing lightly. While the heir of clan Weasley debated on whether to wake the younger man, Harry roused and gave him a small smile. "Come on, we'll go to the library."
Daphne and Susan were to be the primary students for Bill, but Harry and Neville had 'decided' that they would sit in the instruction to learn what they could. At least Daphne and Susan had decided.
After a quick discussion to ascertain where the ladies stood in regards to wards, Runes and Arithmancy, Bill launched into an overview lecture that enthralled all four students. Surprisingly, Neville asked the most questions and after a bit, Bill paused and said, "Guys, a good book to get a foundation for what we'll be discussing is Runes and Wards, A Beginners Reader. I know it sounds pretty simple, but it does a good job of covering the basics."
At this, the guys fell silent, although Harry left for a minute with the name of the book on a scrap of parchment. Dobby returned twenty minutes later and handed Harry two copies of the book. Neville and Harry began reading in the back of the library, while Bill and the ladies delved deeply into the topics.
.oOo.
06 September 1996 Wednesday
During lunch, an unfamiliar owl arrived with a note for Harry. He set down his fork and stiffly reached out for the note. Daphne stood and walked behind her husband to massage his shoulders. Rodger Young had been especially fierce in training today and Harry had taken a few Bludgeoning curses to his upper back.
Reading over his shoulder, she saw it was another letter from Hermione. In an uncharacteristic scrawl, she had hurriedly written that she finally had reliably used scrying to locate some of their prey. Apparently, there were four or five Death Eaters using the Nott Manor in Kent as their base of operations.
Harry didn't say anything, as Evelyn was at table with them. He just handed the letter to Neville, who was eating lunch with them this day. After a quick scan, Neville showed it to Susan and then handed it back to Harry, affecting a boredom that the four friends could easily see was feigned.
After lunch, the friends adjourned to Daphne's office for a quick council. Susan sat heavily on a Queen Anne settee and asked, "Reconnaissance tonight and tomorrow; go the day after?"
Harry nodded. "Sue, could you look up the area? Check out nearby neighbors, natural features and the like?"
The strawberry-blond nodded and moved to Daphne's desk and began scribbling notes and ideas.
.oOo.
At two AM, the four took a portkey that Susan had made. It deposited them in a small ravine, hidden on all four sides. The terrain was fairly flat with a few ravines scattered about the landscape. The moon was gibbous and waxing to the full, plenty of light to see.
The idea was for Susan to go aloft and visually confirm what she had found in her research at the local non-magical library. The other three would transform, but stay in the general vicinity of their arrival in case things went pear shaped. The next night, they'd venture out in pairs to see with their own eyes the map that Susan was building for them.
The Nott estate was a moderate sized holding that was heavily wooded. In days past, many magical families had ensured their homes were surrounded by dense woods to keep out muggles. Now, it was a convoluted mark of distinction to have ones ancestral home be ringed by dense trees. The nearest neighbors of the Notts were over a mile away.
As soon as they arrived, they all froze and listened. They had agreed not to use magic during reconnaissance, just their eyes and ears. After hearing nothing for a full minute, Susan seamlessly transformed and was off.
Daphne shifted into The Wolf and climbed to the edge of the ravine to peek over and see what there was to see. Through the dense ashes and alders, she could see lights but little else. There was a vague murmur to be heard, but it could have been moving water as easily as human discussion.
After a bit of digging, she settled down to watch and wait. Looking around, she saw her compatriots doing the same in an odd triangle formation. She could barely see The Bear, his blondish-brown fur blended into the underbrush, hiding the 700-pound ursine surprisingly well.
The Tiger was nowhere to be seen. His striped camouflage made him effectively invisible in the underbrush. She thought she caught a few flickers of shine from his eyes, but nothing sure. The sounds of the night continued and twenty minutes later, The Hawk landed at the bottom of the ravine. The three great predators ambled down the sides and Susan transformed into her human self. She activated her portkey back to Rowan Hill, followed by the others.
A quiet night's work. Hopefully, it would continue that way.
.oOo.
07 September 1996 Thursday
"Everything was laid out as expected. A rectangular manor house with entrances in front and back. Large garden in the back with a sloping front lawn to a small stream."
Susan was debriefing the team on her observances and had hit the sticking point. "I saw two men on the back steps. One was smoking a pipe and they were obviously talking. I couldn't tell if they were a guard or just outside for a pipe and chatting. I watched them on and off the entire time and they just stood there chatting. Even when the one finished his pipe."
Daphne said, "We should assume they are sentries. If they aren't we lose nothing. If they are, we take them down fast." Everyone nodded at that.
"Did you have any problem getting close to the house?" Neville asked.
With a wicked smile, Susan answered, "Not really. When I landed on the chimney, there was no ward reaction."
Neville glared at her in concern while Daphne laughed into her hand. She'd known Susan was a bit sarcastic, but she'd become bold and daring as well. "Well, we figured that. Since we aren't Animagi but rather the actual animal, the ward ought not trip. Magically, it's very different."
Harry nodded. "Ok, we go back and all four of us explore a bit. Daph and I will scout out a minimum of four egress routes per the compass points. You two," he pointed at Neville and Susan, "I want you to find us approach routes to the house with a maximum of cover." He paused, then added, "Two different assumptions: first, we are in our forms all the way to the house and second, we have to shift back shortly after we cross the wards."
Neville nodded, a far away look in his eyes. After a long moment, he half stated, half asked, "All Death Eaters go down hard, that's a given. What about the spouses and children that may be in the house?"
There was quiet around the room at this question. Daphne sipped her tea and opined, "We should cover our faces. Just in case a non-combatant sees us. I'm not good enough yet to be casting snap Memory Charms. If the kid or spouse gets away, they could identify us. I don't want to see the firestorm it would create if 'Poor Mrs. Nott was attacked by those big mean Potters'."
Susan muttered, "An obscuring charm would be best. I want to double check, but I think I know a good one."
That night, the foursome prowled, flew and stalked about the Nott estate, no one the wiser. The next night was to be a wake up call for Tom Marvolo Riddle Jr. and his forces. They weren't so safe in the darkness anymore.
.oOo.
08 September 1996 Friday
Training was rather rigorous that day. Young and Dubois had combined their class for the day and made an obstacle course for each student. The only way to survive the course had been through the use of advanced Transfiguration and Charms
"Survive?" Daphne had asked.
Her only response had been from Young: a smirk. Rodger Young was a big beefy man with yellow blond hair. When they first met, Daphne had a fleeting impression of Gilderoy Lockhart. However, once the man opened his mouth, the resemblance had been banished. He was an intensely focused man who sucked all those in hearing distance into the vortex of his personality. A passionate scholar, he'd been researching mass animating charms for the previous ten years.
They'd all successfully navigated their courses with minimal bumps, bruises and scrapes. Harry sustained quite a few cuts on his chest when he had been swiped at by a transfigured and animated claw that was waiting in a tree for him.
Neville had been pummeled by twenty boots that had been animated to kick him when he closed within ten feet. They'd been disillusioned and only a high-powered Incendio had reduced the attacking footwear to ash.
Susan had tripped an activating ward that caused multiple lynx to be transfigured from the surrounding brush. She'd cheated (so Dubois said), and shifted to The Hawk to escape the immediate attack. Landing twenty feet away, she changed back and reversed the Transfiguration with a flick of her wand.
Daphne had been tripped up by not looking where she was going. After Harry had been attacked from above, Neville and Susan from the sides, she hadn't been watching the ground right in front of her. Just as she extended her booted foot, she felt the magical illusion and shouted "SHIT!" as she fell in the pit.
Automatically casting a Banishing charm at the bottom of the pit, she propelled herself up and out of the hole, doing a forward flip as she exited. Landing on her feet, she immediately Disillusioned herself. She ended up having to fight her way though a series of animated chains, ropes and cables.
Becoming annoyed with the attack, Daphne spot apparated a short distance up the path, past the apparent source of the ropes. She cast a series of Blasting charms in a wide arc, destroying any sources of raw material for the remote Transfigurations.
The other three had waited for Daphne at the end of her course. Harry cocked an eyebrow at her and her response was, "Weird test." The other three nodded in agreement.
"It was meant to be unusual," a calm voice replied from behind her.
Daphne dove to her left, while Harry and Neville transformed and charged the sound of the voice. Susan began laying down a rapid-fire pattern of Stunning spells and Binding charms.
Daphne rolled to her feet and imitated Susan, but from a 90 degree off angle position. Before The Bear and Tiger could reach the target area, a Disillusioned form had been stunned twice and bound in a considerable length of rope and chain.
The Bear and Tiger both closed and sniffed the bound figure before reverting to their human form. Harry cast the Ending spell and then softly muttered, "Ennervate."
Jean Dubois was released from his bonds. Now visible, their new Transfiguration instructor was also visibly annoyed. "People," he said with a hint of his French Canadian origins, "I give you all passing grades for your behavior in your individual courses, but you all failed just now. Why?"
Daphne said in a small voice, "We overreacted."
Dubois glared at the four friends and said, "Exactly. Your response was appropriate for a force of ten Death Eaters, not me. You knew it was me by my voice. The wards here are completely unbreakable, so no enemy can penetrate." Pointing his finger at them, he said, "You are all very intelligent. Use your brains."
He stalked off, leaving four embarrassed people to head back to the house for lunch.
.oOo.
Bill was packing up his kit after the Ward lecture and asked, "Harry, Daphne could I talk to you two for a minute?"
The Potters retook their seats and Daphne reached over to take her husband's hand. She played with his wedding ring for a bit until Bill sat across from them.
"Look, I realize that what I'm about to bring up is really none of my business." He paused and ran his left hand through his long ruby locks. "It's about my Dad."
Daphne and Harry both frowned in concern. Bill continued, "He's still pretty upset about the last time you three talked. He tore Ron to pieces and yelled at Mum until she was in tears."
Harry's eyes widen in surprise at this pronouncement. He muttered, "That doesn't sound like Arthur."
"No, it doesn't," Bill agreed. "He was incredibly embarrassed by Mum and Ron's behavior, especially after you've saved his and Ginny's life. Like I said before, it's really none of my business, but would you guys consider talking to him? Setting him at ease a bit? I'm thinking that you're not holding a grudge about the retarded brother of mine or the rudeness of my hot-tempered mother."
Daphne shook her head and Harry exhaled loudly. Glancing at Daphne first, Harry said, "I'm sorry he's upset Bill. I overreacted. Your Dad is a good and honorable man and I steamrolled him when all that was needed was an honest discussion." He put his head in his hands and Daphne rubbed his back.
Harry sat up straight and asked, "Could you please ask your Father if he would consider joining us for lunch tomorrow so that I can apologize for my boorish behavior in person?"
Bill nodded and said, "Don't beat yourself up too much, Harry. Mum and Ron were way out of line and to an extent, Dad had it coming. He's never really reigned Mum, Ron or Ginny in and it came home to roost that day."
Daphne and Harry looked at the eldest Weasley child in surprise and he laughed at their reaction. With a big grin, he asked, "Why do you think the oldest two kids have left their overprotective mother and moved to different continents? Well, at least I did and Charlie is a hop, skip and a jump from Asia. If it weren't for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returning, I would have taken an opening in Thailand and gone to Gringotts Southeast Asia."
.oOo.
At exactly 0230, four figures in black clothes appeared in a ravine near the Nott estate.
The four friends immediately shifted forms and proceeded on their primary ingress route. Daphne was leading the way, followed by Harry and Neville. Susan was overhead and would meet them at the back entrance if all were well. If there were a disturbance in their plan, she would intercept them en route.
Moving quickly, The Wolf darted down the small animal track that led right into the clearing that held the Nott home. She could smell The Tiger and Bear behind her and feel their heavy treads. It was reassuring that the 'big guns' were right behind her.
With a canine grin she thought, I am a wolf though. Don't need too much backup.
A tingling sensation passed over her snout, across her head and down her back. The wards. We're in.
Slowing to minimize noise, she began scanning more intently with sight and smell. There was a small herd of deer off to her right. Apparently, they'd caught her scent and that of her companions because the deer were moving away at a quick pace, not even bothering to try to be quiet. I guess a wolf, bear and tiger would scare off deer.
The woods abruptly began to thin and the house became visible through the trees so The Wolf stopped in the middle of the path per the plan. Harry moved up to her left and Neville to her right. They stood in silence for a few minutes, waiting for someone to move or show himself or herself.
Harry gave a huffing exhale that was the signal to proceed. Daphne sprinted across the lawn to the back door. Running up the steps without missing a beat, she hid herself under the shadows of the small portico and transformed back to her human self.
They waited again, but no one was evident. The crickets and tree frogs were still silent, so they couldn't dawdle. Anyone who lived in the country for any period of time would notice the silence immediately.
Now, The Bear moved with incredible speed for an animal his size. Shortly, Neville stood beside Daphne, his hard eyes searching right, while Daphne looked left. A soft flutter of wings announced Susan's arrival. She transformed and moved to stand behind Daphne. They all waited.
Silence.
Daphne gave a loud exhale; the signal to Harry that all was clear and they were ready. All three humans moved away from the door and watched the lawn. The Tiger sprinted across the grass, a streaking dark shape in the moonlight. It didn't even pause as it gathered all of its five hundred pounds into a coiled mass and sprung at the back door, smashing it to flinders.
Before The Tiger hit the floor, he was transforming back to Harry. Daphne, Neville and Susan boiled in the door, wands at the ready. They relentlessly moved down a long hallway as Harry stood up and followed the group.
A large man with sleep-mussed hair came out of a room on the left of the hallway, his wand in hand. Daphne glanced at the exposed arm, saw what she was looking for and cast. A silent Reductor curse ended the Death Eater's career and service to the Dark Lord.
Scanning left, right, up and down they heard running on the second floor. Approaching the main staircase, Neville and Susan swiftly moved upstairs, while Harry and Daphne were to secure the main floor and the basement.
Glancing at her husband, she gave him a quick smile through the Obscuring charm on her face to let him know that she was fine. He nodded back and indicated over his shoulder with his thumb.
Follow me and cover my back.
She nodded and fell in behind him. Spellfire from the upstairs made them both pause for a second, and then they ghosted down the hallway into the north wing of the main floor. There was a racket from the stairs at the end of the hall. Must be coming up from the basement.
Acting without hesitation, Harry and Daphne Shifted and sprinted the length of the hallway. They arrived at the door to the cellar just as it opened. The screams of terror from the three Death Eaters changed to gurgles as their life's blood poured from fatal wounds.
Daphne Shifted again to watch the hallway while Harry looked down the stairs. She indicated that she was going to investigate the other rooms off the hallway, while he watched the stairs from the cellar. Giving her a quick kiss, he nodded and a pat on the bum.
Ruefully smiling at him, she moved out. The library and drawing room were both empty. No one was in the kitchen either. She thought about checking for elves, but since they had decided not to torch the home, any hiding elves would be safe. Just to be thorough, she silently cast the Human Revealing spell: Hominem Revealo. The only responses she got were upstairs, congregated in one room.
Hurrying back to Harry, she whispered the result in his ear and he nodded. They made a cursory sweep through the cellar to be thorough, finding no one. However, they did find crates and crates of potion supplies. With a wicked grin, Daphne started shrinking the crates and stuffing them in her knapsack. Harry caught on and smiling, did the same.
At the main stairs, they found Neville and Susan waiting for them with ashen faces. With a quick gesture, they opened the front door, Shifted and were gone. The four friends were in the house for a total of six minutes. Nine Death Eaters had passed to the next great adventure. Overall, a good night's work, Mad-Eye would have been proud.
.oOo.
They arrived at Rowan Hill separately. Each had a series of four apparition jumps taking them all over Britain, and in Harry's case, Ireland too. They congregated in Harry's office, Daphne dropping onto Harry's lap as the tension ebbed out of her, taking her energy with it.
Susan arrived, plopped down on the couch and laid her head back. Neville was right behind her and sat next to her, causing the redhead to cuddle up to 'her bear'.
"Any problems?" Harry asked.
After a long pause, Neville said, "Yes and no. I almost cut a kid in half with a Cutter. After I opened a bedroom door, I saw a shadow move. I was casting before I even processed what I was seeing. Fortunately, I pulled my wand up when I saw the pajamas with dancing teddy bears. Shook me up. We got five upstairs. There were two women who didn't have the mark. We left all the non-marked people in the master bedroom per the plan and came downstairs."
Harry nodded and quirked an eyebrow at Susan as if to ask, "Anything to add?"
Susan merely shook her head in negation and resumed cuddling.
Daphne mimicked her friend and was sound asleep before she knew it.
.oOo.
09 September 1996 Saturday
They all slept in and took the day off from working out. Daphne and Susan went on a short run down the beach and were walking up to the veranda as their men stumbled out to the table.
Daphne elbowed Susan playfully and said, "If Neville wants to stay here so much, I can have Dobby make him up a room. You don't have to share yours with him."
Susan blushed beet red and just quickened her pace to Daphne's laughing cat-calls.
After plating up her breakfast, she kissed Harry on the crown of his head and sat next to him. She poured them both their morning tea – hot and strong - and settled down with the paper.
"Love, Puddlemere is playing the Tornadoes in two weeks. Let's go."
Harry nodded and replied, "I'll owl Oliver, he probably could get us good seats."
Neville chuckled across the table. Harry looked at him quizzically and Longbottom of Longbottom said, "Harry, buy a part of the team and you get your own box."
Daphne turned to him with an excited look. She was bouncing in her seat like a six year old on Christmas Eve. Her expression screamed, "Please, Please, Please!" Phillip was on the other side of the table, eyes wide in anticipation.
Harry smiled ruefully and shook his head. "I'll have to check that out, Nev. Thanks."
"No problem," he smirked. Wiping his face, he stood and said, "I've got a luncheon with Gran today. It's her favorite charity, so I always go with her." Looking at Susan with pleading eyes, he asked, "Would you like to come?"
Susan wiped her mouth and stood, "I'll get cleaned up and dressed. Meet you at Green Hills in an hour or so?" She gave him a quick kiss and bounded into the house.
Neville watched her go with a small smile and an expression of wonder on his face. Harry saw it and with a hint of laughter in his voice, stated, "You wonder how you ever got so lucky to have her when you feel so very undeserving."
Neville gave a quick shake of his head and nodded.
Softly, Daphne said, "Neville, she loves you."
Now the sandy haired young man's grin was in full bloom. "Good, 'cause I love her." He made his way to the entry hall and Daphne heard a small pop as he apparated away.
.oOo.
Harry and Phillip were flying overhead on their Firebolts. Phillip had moments of blinding speed, followed by a shaky stop or turn. Astoria was wandering in the woods and Evelyn was napping. Daphne sat in the grass of the Pitch, the sun warm on her face. Her Runes book was in her lap and she was reading off and on.
Her distraction was her life. She marveled at how completely her life had changed in two and a half months. Before her mother had gone up to her rooms to rest, she'd given Daphne a kiss on the forehead and whispered, "I'm so happy for you blue eyes."
Her wand emitted a high-pitched squeal and she looked at her watch. Noting the time, she cast a Noisemaker charm to get Harry and Phillip's attention. Harry looked down and when Daphne pointed to her watch, he nodded and said something to Phillip. The two flyers headed off to the house while Daphne strolled up the lawn, trying to milk every moment of its happiness.
.oOo.
Harry came downstairs from cleaning up and kissed his wife on the head. The Greengrasses were going to eat lunch in the family dining room, while the Potters and Arthur Weasley were going to eat on the veranda. Daphne thought the informal setting would help reinforce Harry's desire to make amends for his heavy handedness.
Daphne hadn't said anything, but she felt very guilty about the whole situation. She had been informally tutoring Harry on his roles and responsibilities as a Head of House and head of a family when everything blew up. There was a feeling that she failed him in this instruction which led to his bruising the feelings of Arthur.
She knew she was smart. She knew that she had quite a bit of experience in society and societal matters. However, she also knew that her pride sometimes stiffened her neck so she wouldn't admit if she were ignorant of a topic.
Standing, she gave Harry a deep kiss and silently vowed to be more honest with him in the future. Arthur Weasley was a good, decent man by all accounts and Harry had hurt him. She didn't want that to happen again, if she could prevent it.
The fireplace roared twice in quick succession and instead of Dobby greeting the lunch guests, Harry and Daphne hurried to greet the Weasleys personally. Rounding the corner, she saw the two Weasley men brushing the ash from each other. Arthur finally whipped out his wand and cast two quick cleansing charms. First on his son, then on himself. He can't help but be a father.
Looking up, the redheads saw the Potters approaching. Watching his father, Bill took a step back to let the meet happen. Arthur noticeably set his jaw as Harry approached.
Harry stopped and took a steadying breath. This morning he'd recounted all the ways that Arthur Weasley had shown him a kindness, great or small. At the end of the recitation, she could see he felt even lower than before.
"Mr. Weasley, I'm very sorry for my behavior the last time we spoke. I was boorish, overbearing, arrogant and wholly inappropriate." Harry faltered a bit and then said, "I'm really very sorry."
Arthur watched the Potter lord and then surprised Daphne. Slowly approaching the young man he put both hands on the young man's shoulders and gently asked, "So what did you learn?"
After a shaky breath, Harry replied, "Don't go into a tense situation angry."
Arthur gave his gentle half smile and said, "Good," before wrapping his arms around the young man. Harry returned the hug with gusto and when they broke apart, it seemed that all four present surreptitiously wiped their eyes.
"Harry, no matter your behavior, your complaint was valid. I have to take responsibility. Part of a marriage is honesty and I never objected to my Molly's more…loud…behaviors. I've since rectified that, but I don't expect change overnight.
"Ronald…well, you know him as well as I do. That boy speaks before he thinks and doesn't do much thinking either." Shaking his head in bewilderment he continued, "Don't expect him to change much."
Harry half laughed and took Daphne's hand. She gave him a squeeze of support and in a genial tone, asked the group, "Who's hungry? Dobby has laid on a feast for us."
Showing his Weasley roots, Bill rubbed his hands together and said, "Well, let's not disappoint him then," to general laughter.
Lunch went smashingly. Relaxed discussion sprinkled with laughter. Toward the end of the meal, Harry and Arthur began to talk 'shop'. Arthur filled Harry in regarding the ins and outs of day-to-day life at the Ministry. How the bureaucracy worked, or didn't work as the case may be.
A quick pop from the Entry Hall announced Amelia's return from a half day at the Ministry. As she ate a late lunch, she joined in the discussion. It was an amazingly frank dissection of the Ministry from two knowledgeable persons. Both long-term Ministry employees illuminated the positives and negatives of their workplace.
"It's hard to affect real change," Amelia whinged. When Harry frowned at her, she raised both hands, palms out and said, "I know I'm the Minister, but if there is no real support amongst the department heads for the change, they won't enforce the new regulations. If they won't enforce the regulations, then they aren't implemented. See?"
Harry looked at her as if she was two year old. "Then replace the department heads."
Daphne sniggered into her hand. She and Bill had been discussing some of his more colorful adventures in cursebreaking, but Harry's statement stopped all discussion as Amelia gaped at him like a fish.
"You don't have to fire them all, just threaten it. They work for you after all." With a roguish grin, he said, "I think I can help scrounge up enough support for you in the Wizengamot."
Daphne poked him in the ribs and the table chuckled.
"Harry, it's not that simple. Some of these people are extraordinarily good at their jobs and others have serious political support of their own."
Daphne piped up, "For the professionals, if you explain your desire for positive change and recruit them to your team, they become part of the solution, right? If they 'decline', well then you beat them about the face and neck with a big stick. The Politicos, well, isn't your niece one of the Fifteen? Isn't she dating another of the Fifteen? And aren't you living in the home of the only person in history to have two votes of the Fifteen?"
Arthur had a contemplative expression on his face and turned to face his boss. Granted, his division was one of the smallest in the Ministry, but he was still an experienced division head. He gave Amelia a little shrug and said, "It might work, ma'am."
Amelia had a faraway look in her eyes, obviously lost in thought. After a moment, her eyes focused again and she said, "Quite. You've given me much to consider. It's always good to have an outsider's view, thank you."
There was a loud crack from the Entry Hall, which caused both Daphne and Harry to frown. It was far too early for Neville and Susan to be back. She saw him mentally checking the wards so she drew her wand. Standing, she saw him do the same.
Before they could move to the Entry Hall, a disheveled Susan ran outside. "Death Eaters attacked the luncheon; Lady Augusta is in St. Mungo's!"
.oOo.
This time, Amelia led the way down the hallway at St. Mungo's. The result was the same; people scattered at the thunderstorm on the brow of the Minister for Magic. When they neared the high security area of the spell damage wing, Amelia peeled off to talk to Connie Hammer, her Director of the MLE while the Potters and Susan went on to find Neville and Lady Augusta.
Daphne entered the room on Susan's heels. Sitting on a chair next to Lady Augusta's bed was Neville. He was leaning forward, his head in his hands. The room was completely silent. Susan glided to her boyfriend's side and silently put her arms around him, comforting where she could.
He didn't look up, merely patted her arm with his left hand and gave her a small squeeze.
"Nev, how is she?" Harry asked.
"Concussion, internal injuries, multiple broken bones. Healer says the bones are already on the mend and so too are most of her other injuries. They had to remove and re-grow both her liver and spleen." Neville looked up at his friend, an expression of helpless rage on his face. "That's what they're most concerned about now. A support beam in the ceiling failed and half crushed her."
Daphne now embraced her two friends as well. Harry conjured up a few more chairs and then put his hand on Neville's shoulder. "She'll be up and around before you know it," Daphne declared.
Neville responded with a hopeful nod.
Afternoon became evening. Daphne ordered four meals sent up and Susan shoved Neville's under his nose, else he might not have eaten at all.
"Eat, or I'll transform and peck out some vital body part," she threatened with an amused glare. This must have been a joke between them, as Neville gave the first true smile of the day before he dug in to his food.
At eight in the evening, the Sister came by and gently escorted them out of the room.
"You head on back to Rowan Hill, I've some things I want to do and will be there shortly," Neville said to Susan. She looked at him quizzically and he gave her a weak smile.
Daphne caught the exchange. With a look of concern, she apparated home with Harry and Susan.
.oOo.
It was one thirty in the morning, when Neville finally arrived in the Entry Hall of Rowan Hill. He was carrying an overnight bag which he had packed four hours earlier at Green Hills and then after shrinking it, stuck in his pocket. Quietly moving down the hall to the main staircase, Neville froze when a voice from the study said, "You took your time with your errands."
Daphne couldn't see it, but Neville's shoulders sagged when he heard her voice. The house was completely silent, so her conversational tone carried easily to him in the hall.
She rose and slowly walked out into the hall to talk to him but stopped and gasped at what she saw. "Are you wounded?" she asked in a worried tone.
Looking down at his sodden robes, Neville said in a somewhat regretful yet defiant voice, "It's not my blood."
Daphne's expression fell. She was afraid he'd do this. With a heavy heart, she asked, "Where?"
"Speckled Basilisk."
"How many?"
"I killed them all."
With a groan of disbelief, her head fell and she covered her face in her hands. "Oh gods, Neville." After a long moment, she asked, "How many were Death Eaters?"
She felt his shame like a palpable presence. "I don't know. They were there, so I killed them. At the time, I thought that if they were in that hellhole, they were Death Eaters or sympathizers and that was good enough."
In a flash of unadulterated anger, she glared at Neville and turned on her friend, "If you hurt Harry or what he needs to do, I'll kill you myself."
Neville stood there, shocked into stillness and silence. Finally, he nodded.
As quickly as it arrived, her anger bled into the darkness of the night to be replaced with an overwhelming sadness.
Neville continued to stand there and after a moment, he asked, "Daphne, are you crying?"
She turned away from her friend and said, "I'm crying for your soul." She left him standing in the Entry Hall and went to bed.
.oOo.
When she got to the Master Suite, she went to the toilet and washed her face before climbing in bed next to Harry.
"What happened?" he asked.
She jumped at the sound of his voice and then curled up to his side, needing his comfort this night.
"Neville."
Harry pulled her close and sighed at the gilded ceiling. After a long moment he whispered, "I was afraid he'd do that." He nuzzled close to her and whispered, "I'll talk to him tomorrow."
.oOo.
10 September 1996 Sunday
After their run, Harry patted Neville on the shoulder and indicated toward the gardens. Daphne intercepted Susan and herded her toward the family Dining Room for breakfast. Susan looked quizzically at her friend, the unvoiced question hanging in the air. Daphne just shook her head and plated up breakfast.
Opening the Prophet, Daphne saw the report of the massacre on the front page. Right now, the Aurors were reporting that they believed it to be the work of the larger organized crime syndicates. Apparently, Neville had killed two of the major crime bosses in one of the back rooms.
The women ate in silence, which became oppressive as first Amelia and then Evelyn came down for breakfast. Eventually, the two men came in, both red eyed. Harry had his arm across Neville's shoulder, and it was obvious that both had wept recently.
Harry just nodded to Daphne while Neville sat next to Susan. She hugged her boyfriend and then rose when he indicated he wanted to talk to her out on the grounds.
Daphne watched with a heavy heart, knowing that he must be terrified Susan would leave him after his shameful admission. She shook her head and resumed her perusal of the paper while Harry uncharacteristically wolfed down his breakfast.
They went upstairs in silence to get cleaned up. As the Master Suite door closed, Daphne asked, "Well?"
Entering the bathroom, Harry shaved while Daphne showered. "He told me about what he did and then apologized." He looked at Daphne meaningfully and continued, "Apparently, he feels that he has hurt me in some way."
She stepped into the shower and wet her hair before saying, "Funny, that."
"Yes, well, he realizes that he crossed a line last night." Harry's head dropped and he said, "He asked me if I wanted him to leave our group now that he was no better than a Death Eater."
Daphne paused while washing the soap out of her hair, waiting for him to continue. "I told him that he was not anywhere close to being a Death Eater and that I still considered him on the side of the light. One of my brothers." Daphne exhaled, but something was still missing.
"I also said, that if he did it again, freelance hunting without discriminating friend from foe, I'd take him down myself." Harry rinsed the residual shaving cream from his face and waited his turn in the shower. Normally, he would've had no problem joining her in the shower, but not this morning.
Daphne cut off the water and used her wand to dry off quickly. Donning her dressing gown, she went to her vanity to do up her hair while he showered. His words to Neville made her think. Was the target the only thing that separated them from Death Eaters?
She paused after finishing her hair. Looking through her reflection, she pondered the differences between the 'light' and the 'dark'.
The dark wanted to dominate. To take for themselves and would use any methods necessary to accomplish their goals, usually delighting in the more twisted and sadistic methods.
The light wanted to protect. To give of themselves to protect what they determined to be justice and so to protect society as a whole. These were nebulous terms, she realized, but for the sake of her inner discussion, it worked.
The means. As a whole, the dark used any means they could. Usually, the more painful and destructive methods to accomplish their goals. They crowed that their cruelty cowed the weak into obedience.
The light usually drew a seemingly arbitrary line in the sand saying 'this far but no further'. It was actually rather ridiculous. If using the Killing curse was necessary to rid the world of Voldemort, it would be worth the damage to the individual who cast it. Wouldn't it? What if it was Harry? What if it were herself? It would still be worth it, wouldn't it?
Wouldn't it?
More questions with no ready answers.
.oOo.
Daphne was in her office, sorting through the stack of parchment the solicitors had sent on the non-profit incorporation of BP Charities and all that entailed. She had a list of things that she needed to get done, first and foremost on her list was to get a competent chief of staff.
With a little grin on her face, she mused to herself, Hope I can steal Hermione from Harry.
The male object of her musings strolled in the room and moved behind her. Without bidding, he began to massage her shoulders, upper arms and neck. With a groan, she said, "Ohhhh, you're hired. You start today."
He chuckled and continued his ministrations. After a bit, he moved to a chair off to the side of the room and just sat there, watching her.
"What?" she asked.
"Just watching my favorite person."
"Flatterer. What do you want?"
He shook his head and gave her a little grin. "Nothing. I just love you."
She gave him a wide grin, rose from her chair and plopped down in his lap. After a thorough kissing, she whispered in his ear, "Shall we adjourn to somewhere more comfortable, Mr. Potter?"
"I was just thinking that myself, Mrs. Potter," he smiled in return.
Hand-in-hand they made their way to the door when one of the last people they expected barreled into them.
Richard Granger was wild-eyed as he shouted, "Hermione was attacked last night! We need you to get us to Hogwarts!"
.oOo.
Twenty-five minutes later and after two quick portkeys, the four friends led the Grangers down the hallways of Hogwarts Castle toward the infirmary. Rounding a corner, they ran into Professor McGonagall who was exiting the ward and heading toward them.
Daphne was very glad to see their summer tutor. After a very uninspired start, Daphne came not only to like, but respect the stern Scot. Her sincerity in pledging herself to support Harry and his interests had been sincere, impressing Daphne.
"Minerva," Harry said in relief. "How is she?"
Glancing to the Grangers, she answered his question to them. "She is stable. Last night, just after ten PM, she was performing her prefect patrols with Mr. Boot from Ravenclaw." She paused, gathering the right words.
"After turning the corner on the fourth floor coming away from the library," the former Hogwarts students nodded in comprehension, "Multiple spells were cast from behind them. A Killing curse hit Mr. Boot."
Gasps from some and wide eyed staring from Harry and Daphne. A student cast the Killing curse?
"Yes," McGonagall confirmed the unasked question somberly. "Miss Granger was hit in the back of the left hip with a poorly cast Cutting curse which almost severed her leg. Fortunately, Mr. Creevey was returning from the library at a late hour and found them almost immediately and summoned help."
Alice Granger almost fainted at the description of her daughter's wounds and as she caught her breath, her husband asked, "How is she now?"
"Madam Pomfrey has been plying your daughter with blood replenishing potions. She lost almost half her blood before help could arrive. Miss Granger is currently unconscious, but Madam Pomfrey is very optimistic that she'll make a full recovery."
Nodding, the Grangers made their way through the doors into the ward. Harry held the Transfiguration mistress with his eyes and asked, "Who?"
Exhaling loudly, McGonagall was far more unguarded than she'd ever been when any of the four were students. "I don't know."
"The Aurors have been called?" he pressed.
A minute shake of her head conveyed the answer. Harry looked down and Daphne could tell he was doing everything he could to master his temper. He failed.
"Dammit Minerva! Are you the Deputy Headmistress or not! Do the right thing on your own hook! Hermione could have died and Terry Boot did!"
Glaring at Harry for a long minute, she eventually nodded and headed to her office and the Floo connection there. Harry started to head to the Headmaster's Office to confront Dumbledore when Daphne grabbed him.
"Not now. You're angry." She inflected the emotion to remind him of the Weasley's and the situation that happened with them. Nodding, he gave her a small smile and turned back to head into the infirmary and his oldest friend.
.oOo.
11 September 1996 Monday
Traffic in the infirmary was light, so some of the six visitors all slept on Madam Pomfrey's extra beds for the evening. Some did not sleep, but rather sat and waited. Daphne woke as the sun shone in the ward, and saw the Grangers still at their vigil next to Hermione's bed.
She felt sorrow for them as she watched her relatively new friend Hermione. Harry had been distraught at her injury, but the Grangers had been beside themselves. That thought brought up the discussion they'd had shortly after being married. Children.
The thought made her warm all over. At the same time, she was seeing a side affect right in front of her. It's not all fun and games. They probably haven't slept all night and are hanging on a thread waiting for a twitch of her hand or a stutter of breath.
"Ow."
Hermione's waking word set off a chain reaction through the ward. Richard and Alice almost came unhinged with finely meshed worry and joy. Harry woke and bounded to his friend's bed, Daphne right behind him. Susan had to poke Neville awake, and they eased up behind the group.
Madam Pomfrey moved through the crowd as an unblockable force. With her customary kindly brusqueness, she pronounced Hermione fit. "We shall need to do some tests later this afternoon to determine how much, if any, loss of function you will experience."
Hermione had been silent during all this, focusing on Madam Pomfrey like a lifeline. Suddenly, she burst out, "Terry's dead isn't he?"
Everyone's face fell. Alice gently took her daughter's hand in her own and Richard caressed her shoulder. This answered the question for her as Madam Pomfrey answered very gently, "I'm afraid so."
Hesitantly, Hermione nodded in understanding, and then her expression hitched. Alice pulled her into a hug and Hermione let forth a wail. Harry moved to the other side of the bed, Daphne at his shoulder.
A few minutes later, her tears dried up and she sat back on the bed, wiping her face with her hand. She gave a half-hearted smile to her friends to let them know she was getting control of herself. "Thanks for coming, guys."
Murmurs of "No problem," "Not at all," and so forth preceded Harry leaning in and asking, "How are you feeling?"
"Sore. Feels like a horse kicked me in the hip."
Daphne leaned over Harry's shoulder and said, "I'm sorry about Terry."
Hermione's face screwed up a little and she nodded. "He was nice. We'd patrolled quite a bit last year and we shared Runes and Arithmancy together. He was a friend."
At this point, Professor McGonagall entered the ward to check on her injured Lion. Harry and Daphne intercepted her en route to Hermione's bed. Before they could say anything, Minerva raised her hands in a placating manner and said, "The Aurors were called last night and a detective team has been investigating. A school wide wand-check has started. Mr. Malfoy has been taken into custody and charged with the casting of the Killing curse, murder and attempted murder. They have not found the caster of the Cutting curse that injured Miss Granger."
Harry shook his head, his face reddening with anger. Daphne was more incredulous, "He didn't clear his wand? I knew he was stupid, but really!"
McGonagall shook her head and said, "By definition, criminals are stupid."
Acknowledging the maxim with a nod, Daphne asked the question for her husband, "Is the Headmaster in hot water for not summoning the Aurors immediately?"
Raising her eyebrows, McGonagall asked, "What do you think?"
"I think he wormed his way out of being appropriately reprimanded for his criminal behavior. Again."
"You would be correct. Now, I must see to my Lion," and she gave the Potters a friendly nod before moving to Hermione's bedside.
Again, Harry made to leave the ward and have a 'discussion' with the Headmaster. Daphne merely placed her hand on his arm and shook her head. He exhaled loudly and with a grim expression, nodded in concurrence.
.oOo.
Before lunch, Daphne and Harry headed back to Rowan Hill. Richard had given Harry the key to their house. After a brief meal, they were going to fetch a few days worth of clothes and other items to get the Grangers through their stay in Scotland.
As they headed out of the ward, Daphne heard Hermione say, "Mum, Dad, I want to leave school."
With a start, Daphne looked to Harry. Judging by the worried expression on his face, he heard Hermione's words as well.
Two quick showers and a sandwich apiece provided Harry and Daphne a recharge and they apparated to the Granger's back garden. Ten minutes later, they were headed back to Hogwarts with two overnight bags shrunken and in their pockets.
Richard and Alice excused themselves to use the shower facilities in the infirmary allowing the Potters some time with their friend. Harry took Hermione's hand and in a soft voice, asked, "Do you really want to leave?"
Hermione exhaled huffily and asked, "You heard that did you?" At Harry's silent waiting, her face fell and she half sobbed, "Yes."
Daphne embraced Hermione who hugged back fiercely. Lady Potter murmured words of encouragement and support to her friend. When she finally composed herself, Hermione gave Daphne a squeeze and a watery smile in thanks. "I think I should finish my education similar to you four," she indicated the four friends. "I won't ever feel safe here again. Every other time I've been attacked or hurt here was by a magical beast in an extraordinary situation. Troll, Basilisk and Dementor, but now…" she trailed off. "It was a student while I was just walking about. How am I ever to feel safe here now? Oh, the teeth thing in Fourth year doesn't count," she said pre-empting Harry's objection.
He looked down and said, "You're more than welcome to join our study sessions. We've got Bill Weasley helping now with Runes and Artimancy."
"I'd like that, thanks."
Daphne squeezed her hand as Susan asked, "What about your parents?"
In a rather uncharacteristic fashion, Hermione snorted loudly in derision of the idea that her parents may object. "My father almost danced a jig when I told them I wanted to leave here. It won't be a problem. I'll stay at home and use the Floo to hop to your place every day for lessons." She paused, an uncertain expression flitting across her features. "If that's Ok?"
It was Harry's turn and he waved her off without a look. Daphne answered verbally. "Completely acceptable."
Susan and Neville left shortly afterward so as to check on Lady Augusta. She'd awakened early Sunday morning and Neville said she'd been in unusually good spirits. They had decided to tell Lady Augusta that he and Susan were officially dating. Hopefully, the good news would help with her recovery.
Harry and Daphne went home for a quick dinner and then used the Floo to head over to St. Mungo's to visit the Dowager Lady Longbottom. Daphne had to smile at herself. She'd become quite fond of the sometimes pompous older lady.
Harry hopped in the fireplace first, followed by his wife. As Daphne exited the fireplace at the hospital, she was alarmed to see Harry holding another woman in his arms. She walked across the entryway and saw that the 'other woman' was Tonks. Daphne paused, hearing murmurs from the fun-loving metamorph into Harry's shoulder.
"They got my Dad, Harry. The fuckers got my Dad."
Daphne's heart fell into her feet. Would the bad news never end? Her father, Lady Augusta, Hermione and now Ted Tonks. She approached the two and wrapped her arms around her family. The whole group shook in time with Tonks' sobs. Involuntarily, Daphne felt tears build in her own eyes.
All other thought was banished as Harry began screaming and fell to the ground, clutching his forehead. Things got much worse.
.oOo.
Tonks was between the Potters when Harry fell to the floor. Writhing in pain, he screamed as he fought the Legilimency attack from Voldemort. There was a different timbre to his screams this time. There was defiance alongside pain. Daphne could tell that he was throwing all he could into his fledgling Occlumency defenses.
Roughly pushing Tonks out of the way, Daphne tried to get to Harry's side in an attempt to help him. If the unintentional Legilimency worked last time, it might work again.
To Daphne's horror, a Healer Stunned Harry, silencing him. The Potters had discussed with Duncan Davis whether Stunning Harry was a good defense against the long-range Legilimency attack from Voldemort. The old man had been very vigorous in informing the Potters that Stunning Harry was tantamount to offering him up as a sacrifice to Voldemort.
"He will be unable to defend himself and the Enemy will be able to have his way with Lord Potter's psyche. No, incapacitation via spell or potion is most unwise. Better to fight back with all the meager defenses one can muster than to lie still, waiting for the slaughter."
With a growl of rage, Daphne cast the Reviving spell. She bent over Harry in an attempt to see in his eyes when she heard a spell being reflected off a shield behind her. Glancing back, she saw a tear stained Tonks standing guard over her and Harry, an Advanced Shield spell glowing bronze over the both of them.
The healer who had Stunned Harry was looking on in a mixture of consternation and frustration. Dismissing him as irrelevant for now, she turned back to Harry and spat, "Tonks keep them off me."
Not hearing a response, nor really caring, Daphne looked into her husband's eyes and tried to project her feelings of love, caring, protectiveness, respect and her deep abiding passion that had so quickly manifested in their relationship.
Like a lifeline to a sinking man, Harry visibly held on to the emotions she sent to him and fought back against the lipless bastard assaulting him. His brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed in concentration. His outline shimmered briefly and Daphne thought he might involuntarily Shift to The Tiger. He did not, but obviously redoubled his efforts.
Daphne stared into his eyes, doing what she could to help her love. Harry had stopped screaming and the entire entryway had stilled, watching the mental battle that was taking place. Finally, Harry relaxed, his entire body going limp. He closed his eyes and relaxed into Daphne's subsequent embrace.
They both looked around and blinked owlishly at the still glowing shield surrounding the Potters and Tonks. "Alright there Harry?" the Auror asked.
He nodded weakly and said, "I will be. Thanks for the help Tonks."
She nodded and her fierce visage melted into that of a vulnerable young woman. A young woman who wanted her Father to give her a hug and he never would again. Slowly, Harry took her in his arms and together, they approached the front desk to find out where Andromeda was being treated.
As if in a dream, Tonks related to Harry and Daphne, "They were at home – having dinner, you know? I was going to swing by and tell them about Remus and me. Full moon is tomorrow and he isn't really up to snuff tonight. I just wanted to lay some groundwork, you know?"
Daphne nodded and pulled the young woman close while a healer approached Harry, wand out but pointed at the floor. The healer was evidently trying to check over her husband and he was politely refusing treatment. Shortly, he moved to discover Andromeda's location.
"I was running late, and when I did get there, the fuckers had just left. Dad was…" Tonks choked a sob and covered her mouth. Composing herself, she continued, "Dad was dead. Probably the Killing curse. Mum was pretty torn up. Looked like a bunch of Cutting curses and some Bludgeoners." Her voice trailed off to a whisper, "Her hands were pretty mangled."
Daphne pulled the Auror close as Harry walked up. "Fourth floor, room 413," he sighed in an exhausted voice. Some of the battered remnants of the Black family moved to the lift to visit one of their own.
A/N
1. I own nothing
2. Thanks to all who have reviewed, it is wonderful to those of us (ME) who are into instant gratification! Thanks again.
3. The Deez are pushing back. They don't know Harry et al raided the Nott estate, but they do know of his participation at the DoM and the killing of Bellatrix and Rudolphus plus his role in the 'Mot.
4. Dumbledore is a hot button in any of my fics. He had such a central role in Harry's life that once the manipulations come out he can't help but become a lightning rod for any and all of Harry's actions. For a while, I can see Harry acting out of pure spite and trying to thwart the man at all turns even if it was counterproductive to the downfall of Voldemort (unless Hermione or Daphne were there to calm him). I am trying to remove his character from the story as much as I can in order to let the Potters live and act without the polarizing influence of the MoB. He's still there, playing around the edges, though. There will be a confrontation in the future, but he isn't a 'player' in this story. Neither is the OOTP. Then again, that organization didn't really do anything in canon either.