Chapter 11: Return to 12 Grimmauld Place
After most of the commotion died down around the house and Dobby, with Dumbledore's assistance, transported all of the Dursleys to Grimmauld Place Harry was finally convinced to leave as well. Madam Pomfrey, who remained in a fuss over Harry's health, insisted that if he was not going to St. Mungo's that she was going to join him at 12 Grimmauld Place. And so it was that Harry found himself in Sirius' old bedroom with a very unhappy mediwitch working feverishly on his injuries.
Apparently Madam Pomfrey's assessment that Harry was running on pure adrenaline was correct. As soon as Harry was away from the chaos at Privet Drive his body collapsed with exhaustion and he had to be carried to bed. He recalled that there were a lot of people, a lot of his friends, at Grimmauld Place when he arrived. But now, fighting for consciousness everything seemed like a blur and reality mixed was with dreams until he could no longer stay awake.
"Ah young Mr. Potter, so good to talk with you again. I see that you have finally been smoked out of your little hiding place for the summer."
The eerie pitch of Voldemort's voice filled Harry's head. Everything was black around Harry and the source of the hated voice was indeterminable.
"It seems that you've suffered some injuries on account of Bella, though I believe that she received the worse end of that bargain…didn't she Harry."
Harry didn't need to see Voldemort to know that there was a venomous smile behind these words.
"I should be quite upset, but seeing that she is the reason so many of your precious schoolmates survived, her death was a favor to me – I presume thanks are in order…Missster Potter."
The confusion of what was happening to Harry had settled just enough for him to realize that wherever he was, whatever was happening to him, Voldemort was in his head again. His mind lashed against Voldemort's presence in his head, and he was struck with fear and panic.
"Now, now let's not get hasty – I can taste your fear. You have suffered quite a bit from your attack." The concern behind the voice was obviously full of sarcasm, though his next sentiment carried such a malicious hiss that Harry's incorporeal body shivered. "and I can see how upssssetting my presence is to you. We are going to have plenty of time to get aquainted Harry. I'll be sssssure to return when you're feeling up to it."
Harry jolted from unconsciousness to the blurry vision of Sirius' room in Grimmauld Place, his scar burning violently on his head. He looked around at the unclear objects in the room, and noticed that everything was still as Sirius had left it. When he spotted the body length mirror across the room he half expected his godfather to appear from behind it. No such image appeared.
Harry let his head fall back onto the pillow beneath him as the pain from his many injuries consumed him. His head began to thunder against his temples from a piercing headache. If not for the pain in his scar he would have slipped back out of conscience. His shoulder had a less sharp pain, but agonizing nonetheless. There was a tight bandage wrapped around his chest, shoulder and arm that prevented him from moving the upper-left half of his body at all.
He turned his head to his left to examine what was restraining him when he noticed a blurred red right at his side. "Mmmeerroon" he tried to call to his friend Ron, but his mouth was so dry and his throat so scratchy that the sound he emitted was hardly recognizable.
"Mmmm…Harry?" The voice came from behind him rather than from the blurry red mass he was staring at.
Harry turned his head around to his right, but the stretch it caused on his injured shoulder quickly turned the dull agonizing pain into a sharp stabbing pain. He tensed his whole body and clinched his eyes shut, which only managed to make his headache pound through the back of head as well as the front. "Aurgh!" was the only sound he could manage. Harry heard some more stirring from his right but didn't dare open his eyes or move to see what was happening.
"Harry! Oy mate don't move! You're banged up pretty bad and Madam Pomfrey said you'd be in loads of pain when you woke." The familiar sound of Ron eased his worry a little.
Harry heard some more rustling around him and then heard Ron speak up again. "Glad your awake mate we've all been worried sick about you."
Harry opened his eyes and as some of the blurriness cleared he saw the fuzzy features of Hermione looking down at him, her bushy brown hair hanging over his head. The sight confused Harry as the disconnect from hearing Ron's voice and then seeing Hermione's face made him wonder if this was a sick dream. The blurred image of Hermione looked towards Harry's left shoulder and then reached over him. When her hands returned he could see that she was unfolding his glasses to place on his head.
"Ginny! Go and get Madam Pomfrey, she told us to let her know straight away when Harry woke up." Ron's voice carried through the now clear image of Hermione hovering over him.
"Hermione?" Harry's hoarse voice groaned.
She smiled down at him and with one hand pushed the hair out of his face while the other hand reached for a glass of water. "I'm here Harry." Her touch to his head soothed the pounding of his headache and he drank the water as she tipped the glass to his mouth.
Harry cleared his throat with the newfound source of moisture. "Hermione? Why do you sound like Ron?"
Suddenly the image of his red-headed friend was looking down at him too. "I think he might have hit his head a little harder than Madam Pomfrey thought." Ron suggested.
Even though Harry was still barely conscious the comedy of Ron's comment managed to reach him. He managed a painful laugh, "Shut it you prat, I heard you talking and without my glasses I could only see a blurry image of Hermione. But it does feel like a bludger is smashing around inside my head."
Harry heard the entrance of the mediwitch as she hustled into the room and then saw her and Ginny Weasley at the side of his bed. "Harry! How are you feeling? Is the pain really bad? Madam Pomfrey aren't you going to do something to make him more comfortable?" Ginny's voice was a bit frantic and a bit bossy at the same time.
"It seems by the look on your face Mr. Potter, that I may indeed have an idea of what I'm talking about. Though I'm sure that I don't know why anyone else should believe that. I've only been healing your ailments for the past five years." Apparently she was still peeved over his unwillingness to obey her commands. "Well, serves you right, had that concussion of yours been treated earlier, I dare say you may have gotten by with almost no headache at all. Though you were going to have to remove and re-grow the bones in and around your shoulder regardless of the timing."
Madam Pomfrey continued fidgeting with some vials and casting assessment spells on Harry. When she set her wand down she lifted Harry's head and made to raise a vile to his mouth. "Unfortunately since you insisted on ignoring my advice I can't do anything about the pain. I can only provide you this sleep drought so that you won't be conscious to suffer through it."
Harry's eyes grew wide in his head as the consequence of what Madam Pomfrey was doing struck him. The mediwitch began to pour the potion into his mouth but he quickly turned his head and spit what the little amount of the potion that had gotten into his mouth out. This had been a mistake for several reasons, but most of all because another blast of pain shot up from his injured shoulder.
"Mr. Potter!" Madam Pomfrey screamed in disbelief.
"Oy!! What do you think your doing Harry!" Ron screamed as the potion Harry spat sprayed over him.
"Auuurrgghh!!" Harry screamed as his shoulder writhed with pain.
"Mr. Potter I have never in my life dealt with a patient as insolent as you. Your behavior knows no limits!" Madam Pomfrey continued.
"Good Grief Harry did you have to spit the whole vial at me!" Ron complained.
"S-sorry, I can't take that potion, Voldemort…Voldemort was in my head." Harry said. Though he didn't think about the reaction this would elicit from his audience.
"Harry did you say Voldemort was in your head!" Ginny almost screamed.
Harry cringed as his head reacted to the loudness of Ginny's voice so close to his ears. "Ow Ginny, not so loud, yes, well at least I think it was Voldemort. He said we were going to have time to get acquainted." Harry said.
"Madam Pomfrey you can't make him go back to sleep, there has to be something else, can't you just numb the pain? If you make him go back to sleep…what if Vol…Voldemort is there again?" Ginny pleaded.
"Goodness girl would you calm down, I am going to do no such thing. He simply cannot imbibe a numbing potion while his head is healing from that concussion. The two antidotes simply do not mix. And I am afraid that even without the sleeping potion I doubt that he will remain conscious much longer."
Indeed Harry was beginning to feel woozy from the waves of pain and exhaustion.
Ron noticed Harry's eyes slowly opening and closing and extended his arm and hand down to Harry's face slapping it – maybe a little too hard. "Harry, hey mate, stay with us!"
"Ron stop beating on him!" Hermione scolded.
"What he's awake now isn't he?" Ron argued back.
"The three of you stop all this fussing! It's exactly the reason I was reluctant to let you stay here with him in the first place! Now Ron, you keep him conscious until I return." Madam Pomfrey hurried out of the bedroom.
Ron gave Hermione a reprising look when Madam Pomfrey ordered him specifically to keep Harry awake. Ginny watched Hermione began to react to this and spoke up before they could even get started.
"Stuff it! The two of you, I don't even want to hear a snicker from you lot." Ginny snapped. Then she looked down at Harry and placed a soft hand on the side of his face and whispered, "Harry, Harry you have to stay awake just a bit longer. Madam Pomfrey's going to get you something that will help. Just stay with us for a little bit longer."
Harry opened his eyes again and saw the blurry image of Ginny clear into view. "Don't leave" was all he could mumble before his eyes started to close again.
Ron gave him another smack, which earned another cold glare from Hermione. Thankfully Madam Pomfrey returned an instant later and prevented whatever argument may have ensued. "Miss Granger lift his head so that I may administer this potion."
Hermione did so at once but Ginny resumed her battery of questions. "What are you giving him? Will it keep him awake? Is it going to help with the pain?"
"Gracious Miss Weasley do calm down. This is dreamless sleep drought. I have already told you that I can neither numb the pain nor keep him awake. This is the best I can offer to help with…with his situation. Now quickly hand me that other vial of sleep drought, I would like to make sure that Mr. Potter isn't waking up anytime soon. We need not suffer this episode again."
The last thing Harry felt were two very distinct foul tasting potions choking him as he fell out of consciousness. The uncomfortable taste of the potions mixed with the choking sensation was not the most pleasant way to fall asleep. But the dreamless sleep drought ensured that his subconscious would have no say in the matter. Thankfully, Voldemort wouldn't have the opportunity either.
Harry awoke to the familiar blurry room that filled his sight before. However, without dreams of Voldemort clouding his mind he was able to regain his bearings almost at once. Fortunately, the throbbing pain that once filled his head was now reduced to only a soft ache. However, when he reached for his glasses he quickly realized that his shoulder had not had the same opportunity to heal. Harry looked around the room and saw that his friends were still there, and all were asleep.
"Urmph! No…aemmm" The sound of Ginny stirring brought Harry's attention to the girl resting her head on the side of his bed.
Harry reached over and softly shook her out of sleep. "Ginny, Ginny wake up." Harry said. She stirred again for a moment and then lifted her head to look at Harry.
"Harry." she groaned.
Placing his finger over his mouth Harry shushed the girl, "Quiet, I think Hermione and Ron are still sleeping. What time is it? How long have I been asleep?" He asked.
"Um, I'm not sure, I still think it's the middle of the night." I came in here around eleven thirty, and I guess I feel asleep." Ginny said.
"It sounded like you weren't sleeping too well." Harry said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you?" she replied.
"I don't think you did." Harry looked away from Ginny and took in the sights of the room once more. He remembered the last time he saw this room when Sirius gave his speech in the pensieve. The subtle recollection triggered a series of other memories. "Ginny, what happened to the Dursleys, are they safe? And what about all the other students, were there a lot of attacks? And…and my stuff at Privet Drive, and Hedwig…" Harry panicked when he realized that Sirius' pensieve was still there along with his snowy white friend.
"The Dursleys are here for some reason. Dumbledore tried to have some order members escort them here but Dobby was very insistent that he bring them, it was quite a seen. For the most part they are fine, each of them has been awake long enough to realize they were surrounded by witches and wizards" Ginny said.
Both images brought a small smile to Harry's face.
"As for your stuff, I think that Professor Lupin got most of it. At least he was pretty adamant that he return to your relatives' home to get something."
Another wave of relief washed over Harry.
"I don't know about the attacks though. Things have been pretty busy here with people popping in and out, they haven't had much time to talk to us. Though Tonks did mention that they were able to reach almost all of the students who were supposed to get OWLs."
Harry rested his head back onto his pillow and took a deep breath. The soft commotion managed to waken Hermione who was positioned right above the head of Harry's bed.
"emm…Harry?" Hermione said as she cleared her the sleep from her eyes, "Harry it's still really late, why don't you get some more sleep? She started playing with the hair over his forehead again.
Harry closed his eyes as the gesture yet again soothed some of his pain. "No I don't think you should bother Madam Pomfrey. If I remember correctly I don't think she's all that happy with me right now." Harry said. "Moody said that most of my friends were already here, does that mean that Neville is safe as well?" Harry asked as he ran through the checklist of all the things that concerned him while he was still at Privet Drive.
"I'm here Harry." Neville said quietly as he peered over the couch by the fire across the bedroom. "Luna's here too, but she's still sleeping."
"I am not asleep, I however thought that Hermione was quite accurate in asking that Harry get back to sleep." Luna said without making herself seen from the couch.
"What's all the ruckus? You lot shut up before you wake Harry!" Ron said abruptly from Harry's side.
"If you'd open your eyes you'd see that Harry is already awake Ron." Ginny said.
"Harry! Bloody hell go back to sleep. Madam Pomfrey said that the sleep drought should have knocked you out till tomorrow afternoon." Ron said as he snapped forward.
The comfort of having all his friends surrounding him made everything seem peaceful for a moment. It was a bit of a twisted thought, but the setting of him lying in bed recuperating with his friends by his side made Harry feel complete again, it filled some void that had been missing since he left Hogwarts over a month ago.
"Hey guys," said Harry. "I'm glad to see that you all are here and alright, I suppose that Luna didn't have much too worry about but nonetheless it's good to see you as well."
Luna and Neville rose from their couch to join everyone at Harry's bedside. He could see the look of concern on their face and he knew they wanted him to go back to sleep, but it was so exciting having everyone together again. The idea of sleep seemed like such a waste of time. Harry closed his eyes for a second to enjoy the freedom of the moment, the pleasant feel of Hermione playing with his hair, the security of having people he trusted around him.
Without opening his eyes Harry said, "So, what's new with everyone?"
He knew they were all staring incredulously at him especially since Hermione had stopped playing with his hair the second the words left his mouth. He could picture the bushy haired witch standing over him with her hands placed sternly against her hips and her lips pursed. The mental image made him smile.
"Well my father and I did manage to find what we believe were Crumple-Horned Snorkacks. Dad is writing a story about it for the next Quibbler." Luna stated in a matter of fact tone. "Oh! And Neville got seven OWLs!" she added.
Her comment only managed to shift the incredulous looks from Harry to her. Harry was enjoying the moment and thought he would goad it on a bit longer. "Really Luna, that sounds amazing. And Neville, way to go!"
"Oh well…" Luna started.
"That is enough Harry, you know just as well as the rest of us that you need to rest. Madam Pomfrey said that if you healed up nicely over night that you might be able to get out of bed tomorrow for your birthday." Hermione took over.
Birthday? The fact that it was his birthday was completely forgotten by Harry. "Is that why you're all here then?" Harry said.
"Well of course silly, did you think we'd just come to hang out together in your home until you got here?" Ginny said smiling.
"Well…er…no, I guess. I just never really had time to think about why any of you would be here in the first place. At the time I found out, I was more relieved to know that you all were safe." Harry replied.
"Well we are here, and so is Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan but Madam Pomfrey wouldn't allow any more visitors in the room." Neville said.
"Yeah and so are the twins, and Bill and Charlie said they might stop in tomorrow as well." Ron said cheerily. "I got five OWLs myself by the way."
Just as Harry thought that a good conversation was getting underway a pop came from the foot of Harry's bed and the small of image of Winky appeared in the room. "Master Harry Potter must be getting his rest." Winky said sternly. "Pomfreys is telling Winky she is to make sure that Master is sleeping and undisturbed until tomorrow."
Hermione snapped out of her silence when the elf disrupted the flow of conversation and instantly remembered her sense of responsibility. "Winky is right, now everyone should return to bed so that Harry can rest."
"Misses Hermione is to be leaving too." Winky demanded.
Hermione made to argue but judging by look on Winky's face it was clear that no argument would be accepted. Slowly everyone got up, and after saying good night to Harry, they left the room. Winky watched until all of them were gone and then turned to Harry.
"Winky is a terrible house elf to Master Harry Potter. Winky will take clothes from master as soon as he is better. She is only hoping to help Harry Potter sir heal quickly so that her punishment can be given." Two tears fell from her large white eyes.
"Winky, friends don't give up on each other, even when one of them has let the other down. I know that you have difficulty with butterbeer and I will always be there to help you with that. As I know that you will always be there for me." Harry said.
"Winky is not there for Harry sir when he is needing her, Winky is not being able to help Dobby when he is hurt while saving master sir." Winky bawled.
"You're here for me now Winky, and that means a lot to me." Harry comforted.
"Master Harry Potter sir is too kind. Sir is not knowing what he is saying."
"Thank you for seeing to me tonight Winky. Maybe you and Dobby can join my friends and I tomorrow for my birthday."
"Good night sir." Winky sobbed once more and then popped out of his bedroom.
Harry relaxed one last time onto his pillow and closed his eyes to let sleep fall over him. Had he stayed awake for a few more minutes he would have seen his five friends sneak one by one back into the bedroom, and into their places around Harry.
Harry awoke next to Madam Pomfrey reapplying the bandages that kept his shoulder immobile. The mediwitch looked studiously down at the young wizard as he woke and gave him a soft smile.
"Good Afternoon Mr. Potter, I'm glad to see that you finally got a good dose of rest. And look at that, you've managed to heal up quite nicely as a result. Maybe now you'll agree that I do know what I'm talking about."
Harry only grunted and started to clear the sleep from his eyes. "erm, time is it?" Harry said as he flexed his body into a controlled stretch.
"Only a little past two o clock." Madam Pomfrey paused, "Harry, I trust that you didn't have any…dreams while you were resting." Harry couldn't see the look of concern without his glasses, but the lady's sudden change in tone conveyed the image well enough.
"No Madam Pomfrey, no dreams." Harry replied.
The concerned tone faded instantly to the lady's normal business as usual voice when she began asking how he felt. For the most part Harry felt good, the pain in his head was completely gone and the absence of discomfort from his leg reminded him that it too was sore when he was last awake. The pain in his shoulder was also missing, for that matter he couldn't feel anything from his shoulder.
Madam Pomfrey left the room for an instant only to return with another vial of potion. "Drink, it will help to accelerate the tissue growth around the re-developing bones in your shoulder. It seems that you have been taking a particular interest in improving your fitness this summer Mr. Potter." Madam Pomfrey added.
The off topic question came as a surprise to Harry, who was now very aware of the fact that he had no shirt on.
"I only mention this because in the past this potion would not have been necessary for you. Your sudden increase in muscle requires that I provide this, particularly as the muscles around the shoulder significantly support the joint. It is about time you took these steps as injury prone as you have been, the added strength will be a much needed help."
She finished administering the potion and gave Harry a last look over before deciding that she was done. "Your friends will be allowed to return in a moment and I will allow you out of bed for today. However, you must find another resting place, preferably one that supports your shoulder and arm, as soon as you settle in downstairs." Madam Pomfrey got up and walked away towards the door. Looking back she added, "Happy Birthday Mr. Potter," a smile formed on her mouth, "I never thought you'd live to see sixteen, but I'm pleasantly surprised to be wrong."
Harry smiled at the usually stern mediwitch's chidings and muttered a dry "Thank you". Before the door could shut behind her Harry's friends crowded into the room led by Mrs. Weasley. A series of "hellos" and "how are you doings" ensued followed immediately by several jubilant "happy birthdays".
"Harry dear I've fixed you a meal as soon as you're ready." The motherly lady began fussing with the pillows and sheets around Harry. "You mustn't be too active today so your shoulder can clear up properly. Whatever you need you be sure to ask and we'll take care of it for you straight away."
"Give him some room mum, you're going to suffocate him." Ron said.
Mrs. Weasley paid her son no attention as she continued her coddling. "Now Harry, I'll go get you some clothes and you let me know when you're ready to get dressed, we don't want you straining yourself."
The thought of having Ron's mother dressing him wasn't too appealing. He looked over to his friends begging for someone to help him.
"So did Madam Pomfrey say you could get up, or should we bring all of your presents up to the bedroom?" Ron said hoping a change in subject would work.
Harry smiled gratefully at Ron, "She said I could leave the room but I have to find a place to settle in downstairs."
"Oh I'll get on that this instant Harry, you dears help poor Harry with his clothes when he's ready to come downstairs." Mrs. Weasley said looking over to Ginny and Hermione. The Weasley matron never took the opportunity to see the girls embarrassed faces as she hurried out of the room.
"Winky" Harry called out. In an instant Winky popped into the room and was staring angrily at all the guests who she thought were bothering her master from sleep. "Master Harry Potter sir is calling?"
"Yes Winky, I was wondering if you might bring me some juice and I also wanted to know how you were making out this morning." He looked over the elf who was wearing a now clean paisley dress. He looked up to his friends, "Doesn't Winky look very pretty in her nice clean dress?"
The comments managed to earn Harry several confused looks, and Ron motioned to check the back of Harry's head again. Eventually everyone mumbled in agreement led on by Hermione's confident approval.
Winky blushed and vanished out of the room only to pop back an instant later with Harry's Pumpkin juice. Harry finished his drink and slowly got up with some help. After a rather uncomfortable moment while he was helped into some trousers he and his friends made their way to the living area.
FILTH, HALF-BREEDS, SCUM, BILE OF THE EARTH, LEAVE THIS PLACE AT ONCE! THIS HOUSE WILL NOT SUFFER YOUR DISPICABLE PRESENCE.
The curtains covering Mrs. Black's portrait flung open as the group of students passed. The painting of the women looked at Harry in his bandaged state and continued her rant. "WHY ARE YOU IN MY HOME? MY BLOOD TRAITOR OF A SON FAVORED YOU, GET OUT, YOU'RE AN ABOMINATION AS WELL!
Ron and Neville hurried past the group to shut the curtains over the portrait. But before they could get them closed Kreacher crept over towards the portrait. Harry saw him at once and instantly boiled with rage. "You!"
Kreacher's head snapped up from his quiet mumbling and saw Harry staring daggers down at him. The insane old elf looked away from Harry, possibly figuring that if he didn't see Harry there, than the angry wizard wouldn't see him either.
"Kreacher! You disgusting animal, you liar!" Harry fumed.
Kreacher continued his hunched walk ignoring Harry, "Filthy scum in the house of my mistress, talking to Kreacher like he is master. No, master is gone, disgusting master, most hated son of my mistress. Kreacher knows master's fate."
Five students looked on in absolute disbelief at the crazy elf. Harry however did not carry the same astonishment, his hate and anger consumed whatever shock may have been possible.
"You will never talk about Sirius again!" he hissed at the elf. "And your master is not gone Kreacher, your master is right here."
This comment managed to snap Kreacher from whatever distant world he was conversing to. "Master is gone, there is no master." Kreacher replied.
"Haven't you heard Kreacher? Sirius left the estate, title and deed to me. I am your master." Harry said.
Kreacher's eyes widened in disbelief, "You are not the master, Kreacher is sworn to the family home of Black, not to the disgusting filth that my mistress' most hated son left the house to."
"I don't think that's going to be important. After all you are right, I will not be your master!" he said and then called out, "Winky, Dobby!"
"Harry what are you going to do? Don't hurt him!" Hermione began pleading.
Harry looked angrily over to Hermione, "Oh, I'm not going to do anything to Kreacher. But he will pay for what he did to Sirius, and for what he is doing to Winky."
This new information curbed Hermione's prepared retort, "To Winky, what has Kreacher done to Winky?" she asked.
There were two quick pops in succession, and then Dobby and Winky were both there standing at Harry's feet. The two elves looked around happily at the students behind Harry until they turned and saw Kreacher. The elves pulled their ears back tight to their heads and sneered at the old elf causing Kreacher to flinch.
"Winky, Dobby, it's time that we dealt with Kreacher's betrayals." Harry announced.
"Harry don't, you can't do this, please you're better than this." Hermione resumed her pleading.
"Winky," Harry said ignoring the young witch, "Dobby tells me that Kreacher has been placing butterbeer in your room in order to tempt you to drink. Is this true?"
Winky recoiled from the shame of having her addiction spoken so frankly about in front of others. A look that Hermione didn't miss. "Winky is not knowing where all the butterbeers is coming from. They is just showing up in Winky's room."
"Where they there the day that I was attacked and Dobby came to save me?" Harry questioned.
Tears were beginning to fall from the poor elf's eyes. "Yes, they was in the room after Winky finished cleaning, she didn't want to sir, Winky is most sorry Harry Potter sir."
The look on Hermione's face was torn between outrage and confusion. "Kreacher didn't." she said.
"Kreacher, didn't you lie to me the night that Sirius left for the Ministry of Magic, the night that I spoke to you in the fire – the night that Sirius died!"
"Kreacher does not know what false master is speaking of." The old elf muttered.
"Interesting, another lie." Harry turned his stare from Kreacher to Dobby, who was growling with anger. "Dobby, I want you to tear every house elf head off of the walls and drop them at Kreacher's feet."
Dobby held his threatening stare and snapped his fingers stiffly together. Instantly all the elf heads were torn from the wall and fell at Kreacher's feet. "NO! Master is most cruel!" Kreacher moaned throatily.
"Oh, did you think that I was going to be so kind as to let you join them?" Harry said with a tone of satisfaction at the elf's despair.
There was no reply, the elf only sobbed.
"Kreacher, have you been placing butterbeers in Winky's room, did you place them there yesterday when I was attacked?"
Kreacher didn't reply to the question, he only continued moaning over the elf heads in front of him. Then he looked up hatefully and growled at Harry.
"Really," Harry replied to the sound. "Dobby, burn Mrs. Black's portrait off of the wall – slowly."
Another snap, and Mrs. Blacks portrait was screaming as her portrait, from the edges inward began to burn slowly away.
YOU FILTH, STOP THIS, I CURSE YOU, YOU HATED AND DISGUSTING THING, YOU CAN'T DO THIS, KREACHER YOU WORTHLESS ELF…
Dobby snapped his finger's again and the sounds from the portrait were silenced. The image of Mrs. Black cowering into the center of her frame away from the flames, while mouthing soundless insults held the old house elf's horrified gaze.
"MY MISTRESS, NO! You can't do this! You are a horrible, filthy abomination!" Kreacher screamed as the portrait burned to silence.
"Harry stop this at once, this is cruel. I won't allow you to continue torturing Kreacher like this." Hermione cried.
Harry turned to her in rage, "Do you think he doesn't deserve this? He was the one who told me that Sirius was not here the night that Voldemort gave me that vision, it was because of him that I thought Sirius was in fact being tortured by Voldemort." A series of winces made their way across the room at the speaking of the name. Hermione however, stood resolute.
"He's been trying to tempt Winky with butterbeer since she got here, torturing her with it when he obviously knows that she is addicted! Had it not been Remus and Moody who showed up at my house after the attack, had it been more Death Eaters, I would be dead, or at least captured by Voldemort! When Dobby showed up to save me, Winky was drunk off of the butterbeer he put in her room! And as a result, she wasn't coherent enough to help Dobby and I!" Harry stared and waited for her retaliation.
Hermione couldn't reply but didn't falter in her hardened stare.
"Is it fair that he can betray his master, and continue to torture Winky?" Harry continued. "No it's not, and he will pay for what he has done." Harry turned to Winky and looked at his upset elf with caring eyes, "Winky, it wasn't your fault that you were drunk when I was attacked. Kreacher put you in an unfair situation and intentionally tried to harm you. I don't blame you at all."
Harry looked up and stared at Hermione, tears falling from her eyes. "Winky, I will let you decide what should be done with Kreacher, as you are the only one here that he has directly harmed."
Kreacher wasn't paying attention any longer to what was happening around him, the loss of his only acquaintance seemed to have snapped his hold on whatever little sanity remained.
Winky looked at the old elf sobbing and muttering to himself. "Winky is not the only one Kreacher has harmed." She said. "Kreacher tries to hurt the hippogriff in the attic too."
Harry had completely forgotten about Buckbeak, and was now even angrier that he knew Kreacher had the nerve to also try and harm the animal that had once saved Sirius.
Winky watched the anger grow in her master's eyes. "Kreacher tries to injure hippogriff, and gives him bad food to eat, to make him sick. Winky thinks bad house elf should be sent to hippogriff for punishment."
Hermione's couldn't believe what she heard. She looked at Ron hoping for support, then to Ginny and Luna, then Neville, all of them saw her face but didn't make a motion to help her. In fact, Ron returned a look that suggested he agreed with what was happening.
"Harry please." Hermione begged one last time. "You wouldn't let Sirius and Remus kill Peter when you found out that he betrayed your parents to Voldemort. How can you now justify killing Kreacher. Please don't do this Harry, you're better than this."
Harry looked up to Hermione with the intention of giving her another berating. But the terrible pain on his best friend's face dissipated his rage enough for him to take pause. He thought about her words, about the way he felt when he watched as Sirius and Remus went to kill Wormtail. It struck him that had he let them kill Pettigrew, Sirius may still be alive and Voldemort most certainly would not have been resurrected the way he had. And his resolution would have returned if not for the tears in Hermione's eyes. The tears he knew he was causing her.
Harry looked away from Hermione and over to Ron. His other best friend only returned a look that suggested he couldn't help. "Bloody hell!" Harry yelled startling everyone in the room. Harry stared into Hermione's pain filled eyes. "Winky, don't send Kreacher to Buckbeak, the hippogriff will only wind up killing him. However, I leave it up to you to find a way to detain Kreacher permanently to one room in this house." Harry looked down at Winky and then to Kreacher, "if I ever see him again in my life, I will not hesitate to end him."
Harry walked away from everyone and headed across the room into the living area. The rest stared at each other for a moment and then looked down to Dobby and Winky. "Harry Potter is a most kind and generous wizard." Dobby said to no one in particular and then began cleaning up the mess that was Mrs. Black's portrait. Winky looked over to Dobby and shook her head vigorously in agreement with her counterpart. She looked to Kreacher who had fallen onto the floor and snapped her fingers. In an instant the elf and all the heads that surrounded him were gone.
Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes and followed after Harry without a word. Eventually everyone else followed behind her.
Dean and Seamus, who were playing a game of exploding snaps, had witnessed the entire scene from the living area. Mrs. Weasley walked through the door from the kitchen, apparently oblivious to the situation, as Harry approached the two boys.
"Well that was interesting." Dean said as Harry looked up to him.
"Never a dull moment when you're around Harry!" Seamus added.
I'd ask how you're feeling after everything, but apparently you're managing well enough." Dean said. "Happy Birthday by the way."
Seamus looked over to Dean and laughed at his out of place salutation, "Yeah Harry, happy birthday, remind me not to get you a house elf for Christmas."
Harry smiled at the jokes, "Thanks, I guess I'm doing pretty well for not having any bones in my shoulder."
The rest of Harry's friends made their way into the living room and got Harry settled into the spot Mrs. Weasley had prepared for him. "What's all this nonsense about a house elf for Christmas." Molly asked.
"It's nothing Mrs. Weasley, I had a little run in with Kreacher this morning is all." Harry said calmly. "By the way, I had Dobby take care of those elf head and Mrs. Black's portrait."
Mrs. Weasley dropped the knife and fork she had in her hand. "You did what?" she screamed in her familiar high-pitch.
"Well, they weren't doing much for the ambience of the house, thought I'd get rid of them." Harry said.
"Oh…well that's nice dear." Mrs. Weasley replied with a confused look on her face. "I'll just go…another knife and fork, yes I'll get you another plate set. Do you need anything else?"
Harry shook his head no and smiled gratefully at the lady. Molly turned and headed back to the kitchen while muttering to herself.
Looked around the living room Harry saw that everyone was giving him anxious stares. Unsettled by the looks Harry decided to catch up on the news, "Do we know how many attacks there were yesterday? Were a lot of people hurt?"
The group shared an uncomfortable look. Apparently this wasn't the change of topic they had hoped to transition into. Ron spoke up first, "We don't know much from the Order because no one besides Tonks and Remus has been willing to talk to us. We did manage to find out that some of the muggle-born and mixed blood students were attacked."
"But there were very few serious attacks, from what Remus said most everyone were contacted before any attacks occurred. Remus said it was lucky that you managed to escape Lestrange or there would have been no way of knowing how bad it could have been." Ginny added.
Harry just stared at everyone waiting for someone to actually tell him if anyone had been hurt – or killed.
"Lisa Turpin a mixed blood Ravenclaw and her family were attacked, each of them were tortured before they were hit with the killing curse. Two muggle born students from Hufflepuff along with their families were also killed. Justin Finch-Fletchley and his family were attacked. Justin managed to survive long enough for the Aurors to arrive but they killed his father." Neville said before anyone else could delay the news.
Harry took a heavy breath and looked down at the food, suddenly he wasn't so hungry anymore. "Were there any other attacks that we know of?" Harry asked.
"Tonks doesn't think there will be anymore. Almost all of the muggle born or mixed blood students from our year have been contacted. We guess that the Order and the Ministry are still working to get in touch with the rest of the students." Ron answered.
"It really was fortunate that you survived your attack Harry." Ginny tried to encourage.
"Harry, for once you can't blame yourself for this attack. If anything you have to feel better that you probably managed to save several of the fifth year students and their families from Death Eaters." Hermione said sternly her eyes cleared of their tears.
Harry clenched his jaw and sat there with his face to the ground listening to his friends share this terrible news. He remembered the hopelessness he felt when he returned to Privet Drive after having loss Sirius. The pain and anguish filled him but it wasn't for himself or for his own lost, it was for the loss that each of these innocent families would suffer needlessly. The fact that so many had to mourn loss because some maniac wasn't pleased with the cards life dealt him brought a rage to Harry. His head snapped up from its saddened stare.
The fact that Harry didn't have a shirt on had managed to catch the eyes of pretty much everyone in the room at some point this afternoon. But when Harry's head snapped up and everyone saw him tensing every muscle in his body, the words that followed this impressive sight were only more emphasized.
"Voldemort will pay for this." Harry hissed.
People flinched, and everyone thought that it was because of how Harry spat the Dark Lord's name so hatefully. The truth was that the sudden and violent change in Harry was intimidating.
"Tomorrow we start making changes, tomorrow we start fixing things." Harry said still flexed with anger.
He looked around at the shocked look on everyone's eyes. He noticed how some of their expressions made them look so young to him. It made him remember that he was only 16, and only that old as of today. But it also made him recognize that he would have to be very careful in what he shared, and who he trusted to be a part of his plans. Finally he relaxed.
"But today we enjoy each other's company. We haven't seen each other for almost a month and I don't want to think about Voldemort or his madness for one day. All I ask is that we each resolve to do something to help Justin with his loss as soon as we can." Harry finished.
The wizards tone had been so matter of fact that no one really thought to argue. Harry grabbed some toast off of the plate of food beneath him. He wasn't interested in waiting for a response or looking to see how his friends reacted.
Dean broke the silence, "Well it seems like Harry decided he was going to get started with the changes a little bit early huh? Cool stuff, you getting the decree for underage magic and the apparition age restrictions removed."
"Yeah Harry how'd you manage to pull that one off?" Seamus said excitedly.
Harry stopped eating and looked up to see fourteen eyes looking intently at him. "How did you all find out about that?" Harry asked.
"What do you mean how did we find out, it's plastered all over the Daily Prophet." Dean said.
"Harry, it seems that Minister Fudge believes the attack at your home gave you a privileged position to suggest changes in Ministry rules." Luna said in her dreamy voice.
"It's got a pretty cool picture of you talking to Fudge, though it doesn't look like you're counseling him. The look on your face is pretty nasty, but I guess you were just wincing from the pain." Dean said.
Ginny got up and brought a copy of the paper to Harry for
him to see. There was a picture of
Harry and Fudge in the front yard of Privet Drive. It was taken right after Fudge placed his
hand on Harry's shoulder so it didn't show Harry pointing his finger angrily at
the Minister. However the limited
motion replaying in the wizard photograph did show Fudge murmuring some words,
and Harry looked like he was yelling a seething reply down at the short
Minister. Harry looked at the headline.
Boy-Who-Lived Survives Death Eater Attack:
Minister Accepts Harry Potter's Counsel to Reprieve
Underage Magic Laws
"That slimy git, he put my name to my threats in order to pass the blame from him." Said Harry.
"You threatened the Minister of Magic?" Seamus said astonished.
"Threatened him, I told him the truth. I told him he was a fat worthless man, and that the attack on my house and every other house yesterday was the fault of his inept administration." Harry said with satisfaction.
"Harry you didn't!" Hermione covered her mouth.
"Way to go mate! I wish I could've been there to see the look on his face when you said that!" Ron was almost jumping up and down with excitement. "It's about time someone told it like it was." he said.
Harry was smiling at his best friend's encouragement. The rest of them just sat there wide-eyed and unable to speak.
Ginny was next in line, "But Harry what made you go off on him like that. I mean, I know he's horrible but, well, he still is the Minister of Magic."
Harry told them the story about how Fudge had come storming up to Harry while he was trying to find a Healer for his injured relatives. And how Fudge went off, threatening to take his wand and expel him from Hogwarts. They already new that Lestrange was the one who told Harry that they found him by following the OWL results.
"I guess when Fudge started yelling at me I thought about how many students might be hurt, and how my relatives were hurt, because Fudge's Ministry was too careless to consider the dangers." Harry finished.
"And then while I was yelling at him I remembered how Lestrange laughed at the letter the Ministry sent. It just seemed right at the time, well, it was all I could think of" Harry continued. "Fudge knew the press was there, he kept looking at them, and so I threatened him that if he didn't change the laws I was going to tell the press how everything was the Ministry's fault."
"Lestrange was laughing at you…well at the owl, in the middle of when she was attacking you?" Neville was a little shaken talking about the women.
Harry looked at his friend and his reaction from the talk of Lestrange. The image of her lifeless face flashed through his mind and he felt like telling Neville about it. "Yeah Neville, she laughed, she was going to use the Cruciatus curse on me, but Dobby came in and saved me."
Neville shivered as Harry told him what Lestrange was going to do. "I hate her Harry." He said.
Luna moved closer to Neville and took his hand. The rest of the group just looked around at each other not quite sure what to say.
Neville broke the silence, "I think you were right to yell at the Minister too. I can't believe he came to your home threatening you after you had been attacked by Death Eaters, and while your family was still injured."
"Damn right!" Seamus, Dean, and Ron all said at the same time.
Hermione huffed but didn't say anything to rebuke the comments.
"Harry your going to have to put that conversation into a pensieve, I absolutely have to see you having a row with Fudge." Ron said, the excitement still in his voice.
The pensieve! Harry suddenly felt the desire to find Remus so he could make sure Sirius' pensieve was safe. He wanted to visit his godfather too. He had to tell him about everything that happened. All the things he had said and done – About Lestrange.
AN: Well, this update comes a little before Wednesday! Had a fairly productive week of writing and am almost sufficiently ahead. You think at some point Harry's going to have to return to Hogwart's, I just wish that Harry and his lot would stop doing all this other stuff so I could get them there. Not too many answers in this chapter, sorry about that.
I've put to rest the question about the wards around Privet Drive. I think it's safe to say that there are several varying theories out there regarding the significance of the wards, but none that are solid enough to conclude that an attack on the house is against anything written in canon. Kyntor made the point that if the wards didn't protect Harry from the Death Eaters to begin with, than why would Dumbledore have placed Harry at Privet Drive specifically to guard him from the remaining Death Eaters after Voldemort's first fall. A good point, (and only for the sake of keeping my story in line with canon) I will argue that Dumbledore placed Harry there because he didn't believe Voldemort's surviving DE's would think to search for him in a muggle home. The simple tactic of misdirection is all. Hopefully, if it so requires, you can suspend your disbelief on this one (keeping my fingers crossed that it will only be one) occasion.
Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed. I really do appreciate all the insight. Please check the review page for my responses to your reviews.
~ Omagic