Chapter 14 Of Danger and Relatives
Harry stood at the doorway of the kitchen, watching as his family laughed and enjoyed each other's company. Sirius, once again, was the life of the party. He regaled the captivated Dragon's with stories of his years at the school, aided ably by Uncle Moony and Uncle Sev. Even the normally reserved Amelia Bones couldn't contain herself, and she laughed along with the rest of the group.
'I really love this, you know, being here and just watching everyone enjoying themselves.' he thought to his wife.
'Me too. For so long it was just Mom, Dad, and me. I never knew my grandparents, my parents had no siblings, so it was always just the three of us.' said Hermione as she approached Harry. She turned, backed into him, and felt that rush of excitement as he held her tight against his chest.
'It's funny, to think back to my life before the damned tournament. Dursley's, Ron, Dumbledore…it seems a lifetime ago. But here I stand, the love of my life in my arms, a family I've always wanted sitting there enjoying each other's company, and I still wonder if someone made a mistake. I sometimes expect to wake up in the middle of Binns class, drooling, and all this just having been a dream.'
'You understand don't you that I feel exactly the same way? I don't want to wake up either! In my most amazing daydreams I would be standing in your arms held lovingly; and look at where I am right now.' she turned in his arms, wrapping them around his neck and pulling him down for a deep kiss.
"I will never get tired of kissing you, Lady Potter, I hope you know that?" he murmured in her ear.
"Good, I plan to be doing that for a very, very long time too." she said as she turned back around, and watched her family contentedly.
"You know, I had a thought regarding the Yule Ball, especially as no one got to attend because of me. I was hoping to talk to Madam Longbottom about rescheduling it sometime during the Easter Holiday. Maybe get Godric to help us plan? What do you think?"
She was really proud of her husband; his sense of altruism would be something the entirety of wizarding Britain would benefit from in a future without a Dark Lord. "Really?"
"Of course really!" he answered with a grin. "Maybe have it the night before school lets out for the Easter Holidays so that nobody misses the train ride home. I know I didn't make a lot of friends because of the Ball being cancelled; I just see this as a way to mend some fences."
"It would do more than mend fences, dear." she said smiling at him. "The holidays starts the last week of April, we could call it the Beltane Ball? It wouldn't be May, but it would be close enough. I know it's not Halloween, but it should do. And stop feeling guilty about the Ball already! No one, excepting the perpetrator, had anything to do with cancelling the Ball. And that was most certainly not my husband!"
"I wonder sometimes…" he whispered.
"Harry, you should know by now that you can tell me anything. What's wrong?"
"I don't know how to get rid of these feelings of guilt that I have. In my head I know I had nothing to do with the Ball being called off, and yet, it's still there."
Her anger grew, focused like a laser at the beasts that were the Dursley's. To have wounded her Harry this badly, things must have been really bad for him as a child. She'd read that children raised in that sort of environment sometime had a heavy guilt complex, thinking that all they'd been through had somehow been their fault. She'd talk to Bronwyn, and see if they could get Harry to visit the mind-healer she'd been seeing.
And then, she'd talk to Sirius. The Dursley's had no idea of the world of shit that they'd be facing. The Marauder's would be coming after them, and with them the very pissed off wife of Harry Potter. Her mind could never, and would never, comprehend how one could hurt a child like that. Incomprehensible; Harry was family, and as such should have been treated far better than he had.
"I don't like that look you're wearing. I hope it's not me that's in trouble?"
"Oh, Merlin no, Harry! I was just thinking of the Dursley's is all." she answered.
"Don't, love, don't even bother with it. They are now completely out of my life and have no hold over me or my life, at all. I'm never going to have to see them again, so why bother even thinking about them?"
"Why bother, why bother?" she said as her anger started to rise. "They hurt you! That cannot go unanswered, Harry."
"Just forget about them, 'Mione. It's what I'm trying to do. I've washed my hands of them, as should you. Yes, they hurt me, but it's over now and for that I am eternally thankful."
"Fine, for now; eventually I will be having a conversation with your Aunt Petunia and your Uncle Vernon, not to mention Dudley. A conversation that will include Remus, Sirius, and Severus; even Amelia wants in on the action. Which reminds me, if you do feel like a bit if revenge, how'd you like to file a complaint against them?" she asked.
"A muggle police complaint? Something to thinks about, I guess. I kind of prefer you and the Marauder's heading over there, though. Just don't kill them, okay. I'm getting used to having my wife around; I definitely do not want to see her in Azkaban."
"You and I both, dear, you and I both." A thought intruded into her mind, a question really, and turning to Harry and looking into his eyes she asked. "Love, I meant to ask you something that has been puzzling me for days now…why did you let the Beauxbaton students beat you in the snow fight like that?" she asked curiously.
Harry smirked a bit, thinking of a way to answer without sounding condescending. "Caught that, did you? It was all just a bit of fun, wasn't it? It wasn't as if I were fighting Death Eaters or a basilisk after all. It's actually something I'd been thinking about too. I seem to react differently when my life or yours are on the line. This was not one of those times; I had no danger to face."
"Yeah, but you could have wiped the floor with all of them; heck, you could have wiped the floor with all of us. Why not do it?"
"It was fun for you all too, wasn't it? It gave the girls a little boost of confidence, and only you will ever know. Of course, being betrayed by my wife was something I never counted on!" he said as he started tickling her.
"Stop!" she yelled as she tried to get away from him. "Stop!"
"Okay, okay, relax. I'm done. Now do me a favor and pay attention to our brethren sitting over there." he said glancing at his watch.
"Oh no, what have you done Harry?" she asked softly.
"Payback! You I forgive, you know, the whole being my wife thing. They, on the other hand, will face my retribution!"
Hermione watched with an impending sense of doom, hoping that Harry had not done something too over the top. It was subtle, at first anyhow. She noticed Luna's hair starting to ever so slowly change color. As did her face. Neville, who was sitting next to her, also seemed to be changing. Luna's face slowly turned orange, and her hair changed to a bright green color. Daphne noticed first, and pointing at Luna started to giggle. Giggle, that is, until she noticed the hand she was pointing with had a distinctively orangish tint to it. "Potter!" she yelled.
Every Dragon at the table now had vivid orange skin and bright green hair. "Oompa Loompa's, you changed them into…?" asked Hermione.
Harry was trying desperately to contain his laughter, but was failing spectacularly. He was trying to hide behind Hermione, afraid of what the girls would do to him. Sirius had a look of astonishment on his face; one which was matched by the rest of the adult is the room. It didn't take long though for the astonishment to pass and the laughter to take over. The twins, ever the pranksters, stood and bowed to Harry.
Daphne and Tracy had murderous looks on their faces as they ran to Harry, who had grabbed a pan from the kitchen to defend himself. Daphne lifted a hand, ready to spew forth all the wrath she could muster, when out of her mouth came "Harry Potter is our king!" Both hands flew to her mouth, eyebrows raised in confusion. Tracy had a similar look on her face, and shrugging her shoulders, tried to say something. "Harry Potter is our king!" Tracy sighed, shook her head, and looking at Harry started clapping. She was joined by Neville, Luna, and Ginny. They at least, thought it was pretty funny. Yes, Harry had pranked them. But he'd done it in Pendragon Common, away from school and other Houses. Their Harry would never put them down, for which they were very thankful.
"Well done, pup, well done! Severus? I seem to recall something similar happening during our O.W.L. year…" asked Sirius glancing at Sev.
"He showed me the formula, but insisted I had to brew it myself. It was a good learning experience. I know I haven't much of a knack for potions, but doing it was actually kind of fun." Harry said grinning at his godfather.
"Try that with me Lord Potter and I will arrest you, jail you, and throw away the key!" warned Amelia, who was smiling nevertheless.
"I'm with her," agreed Remus, "funny as hell though. Well done, Pronglet!"
Daphne had finally managed to calm down a bit. She went up to Harry, and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. "Don't worry, Daph, this should only last another few minutes." said Harry as he grabbed her in a hug. "Any longer than that and I don't want to think what the Lady Dragons would come up with in revenge."
"You've got that right!" snorted Hermione.
OoOOooOOoo
"So what do you think, Augusta?"
"Godric, this plan, if we can accomplish it would change our world!"
"And that is something to look forward to. Can you imagine a wizarding university, right here in Hogwarts?"
"It was a dream of mine, you know, mine and Minerva. We dreamed of being able to educate our students beyond what is currently offered. This would be…wow!"
Godric chuckled at the grand lady of Longbottom. "I've got to learn some of these colloquialisms!"
"What? Oh, right, sorry about that. It's just a little, well, wow!"
The portrait of Headmaster Dippet spoke. "Headmistress, Professors Flitwick, Sprout, and McGonagall are at the entry. Shall I allow them to come up?"
"Please, Armando, and thank you." said Augusta in a distracted tone, as she was still in enraptured by the miniature model of Hogwarts that Godric had conjured on her desk.
"And what is this?" asked a curious Filius as he approached the display.
"Plans, as it were, of what I'd like to see Hogwarts be in the next few years. We have the room now to open some of the closed portions of the castle and turn them into the university. However, I like the idea of opening a new campus, complete with a new building. New classrooms, new laboratories, new teachers, new courses…"
"So it would be completely separate from Hogwarts?" asked Minerva curiously.
"Sort of, I guess. We'd hire a new headmaster exclusively for the university. He or she would still be subject to Augusta here. I suppose that 'headmaster' would probably be an incorrect title, we'll have to think of another." said Godric, rubbing his chin. "In any case, part of that person's job would be to ascertain the needs of the companies that do most of the hiring in our world and see to it that the graduates are able to perform those duties impeccably. Some, like Healers for example, obviously would need much more training than say…graduates of Herbology. Those who need extra training could enter apprenticeship programs. It's a lot of work, we all have much to do if we want to see this accomplished."
"And which students would be eligible to enter into our university?" wondered Pomona, even though she was sure she knew the answer
"That's an easy question, Pomona. Ability, skill, willingness to advance ones learning, and N.E.W.T. scores…in the end it will be all about merit. Obviously not everyone will qualify for advancement, but that is something else to consider. Not everyone is meant to be a doctor or a Potion Master, as these subjects take years and years to attain masteries in. What would you all think of also offering trade skills as part of the curriculum? Think of it as a university within our university. Farmers, engineers, construction workers, all of them could benefit from learning advanced magic."
"Godric, the scale…the scope…" murmured Filius.
"I know, sounds like fun, doesn't it?" he said to the astonished professors.
"The 'pureblood' faction in the Ministry is going to have a conniption. Trust me on this; they are all going to go mental! They've had a lock on the best jobs and apprenticeships for generations." added Minerva nervously. "You will be essentially…oh, Godric, that's entirely too clever! Bravo!"
"Am I missing something, Minnie?" asked Augusta.
"Imagine if you would Augie that you are ready to hire a professor for your, say, DADA class. Before you are two resumes; one which belongs to a 'pureblood' who barely managed to squeak through his N.E.W.T.S. but because his father is Lord So-and-so, he's on the top of the list of hires for the new position. The other resume, belongs to a muggleborn witch not unlike our Hermione, who has the highest marks and is a recent graduate of our university having earned her mastery in defense. Who do you choose?"
"Well obviously I hire…oh Merlin, Godric that's ingenious!" chuckled Augusta. "The purebloods would lose out to better candidates based solely on merit."
"As a mixed-blood, I must say that I don't know if that will work." speculated Filius. "The pureblood faction that we're talking about owns virtually all the businesses in our world. It is they that have the final say in hiring, so of course they'd try to protect their own."
"True, but, imagine if Lord Potter opened his own broom manufacturing business to compete with the Nimbus brand. He hires the best of the best, all the brightest and most innovative graduates he can lay his hands on. How long do you think Nimbus would continue to be in business if they were producing substandard brooms when you compared them to the brand new Potter brooms?" interjected Godric.
"Oh, yeah, well there is that…" Filius said eloquently.
Godric chuckled at the little professor. "Between Harry and Sirius you have two fortunes large enough to start dozens of small businesses. Add in Harry's friendship with the Goblin Nation, our bankers by the way, and you've started a financial revolution. The Goblins make money, Harry and Sirius make money, and all three of them come out smelling like roses because they now employ most of our world. All the other companies would be forced to hire based solely on merit just so that they can keep up."
"How's Remus coming with the Library, Godric? You know I, well all of us I suppose, would really love to lend a hand." asked Minerva, changing the subject none too subtly.
"Is that a sneaky way of asking if you all could go back down there again?"
"Dammit Godric, please let me go back down there again? It's hard sleeping at night knowing that all that wealth of knowledge is just a few hundred feet under my bed! Please!" begged Filius.
"Oh…very well then; I suppose I should give all four of you your belated Christmas gifts." Godric pulled out four rings, which he distributed to the wide eyed professors. "Remember that your oaths are still in effect. You may not reveal this to anyone that Harry, Hermione, Sirius, or I have not approved of, okay? We should probably include Remus in that as well, as he's been the one down there the longest."
"Is he down there right now?" asked an excited Filius. "It was getting to the point that I was going to bribe the Pendragons with O's for their remaining years just so I could get back down there!"
"I don't think you need to Filius, as you well know, most of my Dragons are at the top of their years already and hardly need the Charms Professor bribing them. Even Fred and George are making great progress, top ten if I'm not mistaken?" asked Godric with a glance at Minerva.
"Top five. I wish those two had put such effort since the beginning of their schooling." she answered.
"Alright, so, those rings will transport you to either the Pendragon common room or the Library. Harry asked me to extend an invitation to you all for Sunday supper this coming weekend. I hope you all can make it. Oh, and Filius, I believe Remus is in the common room right now if you'd like to go bother him?"
Professor Flitwick placed the ring on his finger, all the while hyperventilating in excitement, and popped away. "I guess he really wanted to get down into the Library, huh?" laughed Godric.
"Well, as much as I'd like to continue this discussion, I think I will join Filius. Pomona dear, care to join me?" the two witches placed the rings on their fingers and also popped away.
"That was a very generous thing you did, Godric. Thank you for that."
Godric waved that away, "It's nothing, really, I've grown to trust all of them and I believe they deserved it. By the way, Harry asked me to convey a request to you."
"Oh, and what would that be?"
"He feels guilty for the Yule Ball being cancelled because of him. I know, I know, he had nothing to do with it but that does not clear his conscience. Hermione suggested a 'Beltane Ball' just before Easter break."
"And what do you think of that suggestion, My Lord?"
"I tend to agree with Harry; and Hermione for that matter. A nice dance before the third task would do the school wonders to raise the students' morale. Having no Quidditch to cheer for this year has taken some of the spirit from the school. It's not much, but it's at least something we can do for them, I should think."
"Yes, I tend to agree with that as well. Very well, I will speak to the head elf and see if we can make something memorable of this Ball."
"How's it going with Albus?" asked Godric changing the subject.
"Not how I imagined it would go. We mainly stay out of each other's way. Most of the changes you and I intend to implement in the school will have to wait until summer. We need to get rid of some teachers, and try to recruit some new ones to the school. In any case, if all goes as planned, Albus will no longer be part of Hogwarts and I'll be able to concentrate fully on fulfilling my duties to the school. As far as I know, he spends most of his time sequestered in his suite. He only seems to come out for meal times or for his nightly walk around the school."
"You've someone keeping an eye on him?"
"I do indeed, the portraits have all been asked to keep me informed as to his whereabouts when he's out and about school. The elves as well, although it's difficult for them as some of them still feel a little bit of loyalty toward him."
"The elves are loyal to Hogwarts herself, remember that Augusta."
"Godric, when do we want to start construction on the university?"
"Summer would, of course, be the ideal time. The elves will help in the construction, and I've already arranged with Ragnok to arrange financial backing for our endeavors. I want, at the very least, to be able to offer advanced courses in Potions, Transfigurations, Charms, and Herbology. We'll get Filius, Minerva, and Pomona to suggest candidates for professorship. We'll also need to find a competent administrator to run the facility and act as Headmaster."
"And the Library?"
"That, my friend, I will leave in the capable hands of Remus. We should think about adding him to the roster of professors, with compensation suitable for his position, along with quarters."
"It's a good idea, and it was something that Minerva had brought up to me the other day. His responsibilities are monumental given the work he'll be doing. Should we hire staff for him?"
"In due course, I think we will need to. I would leave it up to him, though. When he gets to a point where he will need the help cataloguing, which will be soon I should think, I will let him know to add staff for himself. I don't think we'll ever be able to get him out of the Library to administer, but he will be the one with the intimate knowledge of what it contains. I guess what I am suggesting then is for us to follow his lead. I have complete confidence in his ability, and he does not strike me as someone who will let himself be overwhelmed by the work. If he requires help, he'll ask for it."
"The world is going to change, Godric." she sighed.
"Everything changes, my dear lady. Such is the nature of life. The best we can do is to allow the change to happen. In my opinion, our world will be much better because of it. We need revolutions every once in a while."
"My Lord," she said a changing topics, "I have a request from the ghosts of the castle to speak to you."
"About? And why didn't they come to me, they know I would listen to them."
"Yes, Godric, and they know that. However, the subject might be a little painful for you."
"Painful, how so?"
"There is within the castle, a ghost that has been here for a very long time, almost eight hundred years or so. We know her as the 'gray lady'."
"Odd, I thought I'd met all the ghosts that reside in the castle. They all made it a point to come and see me."
"And they all have come to visit you, Godric, except for her. She was a contemporary of yours, someone you knew quite well. It's the reason the other ghosts were troubled about bringing this to your attention."
"Someone I knew? How exciting! Where may I find this 'gray lady' Headmistress?"
"I don't rightly know how to tell you this Godric, so I am just going to come right and say it. The woman we know as the 'gray lady' is none other than your daughter, the Lady Helena Ravenclaw." she said sadly.
The look of pure agony the face of the Founder made Augusta question herself for bringing up the subject. Not many in the school knew who she was. She was one of the less social spirits that roamed the castle, and hardly ever interacted with any of the staff or students.
"Helena…" whispered Godric.
"I can only imagine the pain that bit of information brings you, My Lord." she said sadly.
"But…how…?"
"I don't know her story, Godric. She's never told anyone her story."
"Her mother and I searched endlessly for her. She disappeared, just vanished from the face of the earth. I had always thought that she'd fallen in love with someone she thought we would disapprove of, and that that's why she ran away." he said with tears in his eyes. "Where is she, Augusta?"
"Summon Nicholas; I'm sure he'd take you down to see her." she said softly
"Oh, Helena, my sweet child…" Godric sobbed, as he rested his head in his hands.
OoOOooOOoo
"How about we…"
"No that wouldn't work, we'd have to…"
"That wouldn't work either, maybe if…"
"Hold on brother, that one might just work."
"You think? Seems a bit simplistic."
"We're simple people, Georgie, simply brilliant!"
"Think we'll have a batch ready for the next full-moon?"
"When is the next full-moon? We'll have to get Remus to be our test subject as he's the only werewolf either of us knows."
"Too true, brother, but I think he'd be happy to sample our wolfsbane. Especially if it doesn't taste or smell like something one would wipe of their shoe."
"Weasleys…" said a harsh cold voice coming from the doorway to the potions lab.
George and Fred froze in place, forgetting for a moment that they actually had permission to be there. The sound, that voice, was reminiscent of a former potions master that hated them with a passion. They both turned their heads toward the voice, seeing the man in black in the doorway. He had a sneer on his face and a look of utter hatred in his features. Fred looked at George, George looked at Fred, and then they both looked at Severus. They both started laughing, hard.
"Oh my, Professor, that was a masterful performance. You almost had us." chortled George.
"And the sneer, I see you've managed to reacquaint yourself with it. Took you long enough! Very Marauder of you, I might add." added Fred.
Severus couldn't contain himself either, a wide grin breaking the harsh look he'd carried for most of his career at Hogwarts. "Sorry, gents, the opportunity was just too great to pass up. I can't wait to try that on Harry!"
"Well if you do, just make sure that he's nowhere near his wand. He's not someone either of us wants to hack off."
"So, boys, how goes the experimentation with the wolfsbane potion?"
"We have an idea, but we'll have to have Remus give it a try. If what Gred and I have come up with works, we think we may have found a way to change the formula in such a way that it would smell and taste pleasant without losing its potency."
"Really? How have you two managed that when potion masters for centuries have not had any success?" asked Severus in amazement.
"Well, it's like this, Professor…"
OoOOooOOoo
Neville and Luna sat quietly enjoying their breakfast and each other's company at the Pendragon table in the Great Hall. It was busy Monday morning; bleary eyed students ate slowly in an effort to regain what strength they could from the weekend, none of them anxious to return to class. So it was rather surprising when they were approached by a lone Slytherins.
"Mr. Longbottom, Ms. Lovegood, a good morning to you both."
Neville looked a Luna with a raised eyebrow. "Miss Bulstrode, a good morning to you as well." said Luna standing up to greet the Slytherin witch they'd spent some time with after the debacle that was the Yule Ball. Millie had apologized to everyone profusely regarding her attack on the Pendragon ex-Slytherins. Intimidate by Malfoy and his cronies, she'd gone along with the plan, knowing that turning them down would have led to worse things happening to her or her family. Daphne, Blaise, and Tracy had forgiven her, as had Harry, who understood that defying Malfoy could mean more than just a beating.
"Forgive me for disturbing your breakfast this morning, but I find myself in possession of a bit of information that I believe Lord Gryffindor and Lord Black would be interested in. If it is not too much trouble, would you mind informing them that some of the members of House Slytherin wish an audience with them?"
"And what should we tell them that it is about?" asked Neville as he stood beside Luna.
"Tell them that the father of a certain blonde-haired rapist has approached some of the parents of students of Slytherin. Have either of them come find me when they have a moment. I think that sooner would be better than later. I will most likely be with Viktor most of the day; I've only Charms scheduled for today.
"I will pass your request on to them, Miss Bulstrode." answered Luna formally.
Millie winked at Luna before bowing slightly and turning around to walk back to the Slytherin table. "What was with the formality? I thought we'd at least become friendly with her over the Holidays." asked Neville curiously.
"I think she was trying to protect herself a bit from anyone curious about her behavior. See the looks she's getting from her Housemates?"
"I believe the saying is 'if looks could kill'. I assume that it is significant that only those we know have Death Eaters for parents are glaring at her like that?"
"Interesting, isn't it? I think we may have some supporters in the House of Snakes after all." she considered.
"I've got Professor Black for my first class, should I tell him?"
"Yes, Millie made it clear that time was of the essence. Go, I'll catch up with you at lunch."
Neville grabbed his bookbag and straightened his robes. He grabbed Luna's hand and kissed her forehead. "I'll see you at lunch, sweetheart." She smiled at him, and nodded.
Neville made his way quickly to his class, hoping to catch Sirius alone before class started. Luckily, he'd caught Sirius and Harry chatting away at the head of the class. Sirius sat behind his large desk, feet kicked up on his desk, while Harry sat at one of the desks at the head of the class.
"Nev, you alright, you look like you've run all the way from the great hall?" asked Harry.
Trying to catch his breath, Neville held up a hand as he tried to regain his breath. "As a matter of fact, I have come running all the way from the great hall. Give me a sec, for crying out loud, while I try to reacquaint myself with breathing! Sirius, Luna and I were approached by Millie Bulstrode just now. She's requested an audience with you and Godric. She said time was of the essence."
"Did she now?" asked Sirius.
"What do you think, Nev?" wondered
"She made a point of mentioning that Malfoy's father had approached several members of Slytherin House. She didn't go into details, but she really wanted to see you or Godric. Where is Godric, by the way, I haven't seen him in a couple of days?"
"Never mind that, Neville, Godric is dealing with some personal issues at the moment. Did she mention where we could find her?"
"Her only class today is Charms; she said she'd be with Viktor the rest of the day."
"Any of you guys share Charms with her today?"
"I think Tracy, Daph, and Blaise do. Their class schedules haven't really changed despite their resorting into Pendragon."
Sirius face took on a concentrated look as he closed his eyes. "They're still in our common room. Harry, you mind popping down there and letting them know what's going on? I'm sure one of those three would be sly enough to pass her a note. You said she approached you in the great hall, Neville?"
"Yeah, and her housemates looked none to pleased to see her approach us. Well, at least those whose parents are evil dark bastards, they were staring daggers at her." he replied.
"She's going to have to be careful. Go, Harry, make sure you convey to Tracy the importance of keeping Millie safe from being found out by the bad element in Slytherin."
"Why Tracy?" asked Harry.
"Her father is a Death Eater. If anyone understands that mentality, it would be our Tracy."
"Makes sense; okay, I'll pop on down and let her know. What time should we meet with her?"
"I'm stuck in class until three or so. Fourish? Where though?" wondered Sirius.
"How about down in the Chamber? I'll let Remus know to expect company, I'm sure he can mask the Library if he has to."
"I think that may be too risky, Harry. How about in our common room?" Sirius asked.
"Hell no!" yelled Neville and Harry at the same time.
Sirius barked a laugh, "No, I suppose not. Look guys, class is about to start. Harry, you're excused for this one. Talk to the trio, and find us somewhere we can talk to those Slytherins. Just let me know when and where, okay?"
ooOOooOOoo
Daphne and Tracy were sitting at the dining room table in Pendragon common, mountains of books and parchment piled high in front of them. Blaise on the other hand looked calm and relaxed lounging on a couch by the fire with a book in his hand.
"Geez, guys, study much?" said a grinning Harry as he approached the girls.
"Yes, actually, we do study much. Tracy and I have plans after all, plans that mean we have to bust our butts to get the best grades we possibly can to achieve our goals." said Daphne as she set her quill down and looked to Harry.
"Blaise, you mind joining us?" he called out. Blaise grabbed a piece of parchment to use as a bookmark before setting the book down on the coffee table and walking over to join Harry and the girls.
"What you reading there, Blaise?" asked Harry curiously.
"Uhm…nothing, just some light reading." stammered Blaise.
"Oh my gods, you've been corrupted by Hermione, haven't you?" smirked Harry.
"Don't know what you're talking about Potter."
"I don't suppose it has anything to do with a witch and wizard escaping the Salem witch trials, does it?" asked Harry of the now blushing Blaise. "Yeah, thought so. Hermione has corrupted you, brother!"
"I know! But I can't help myself, it so bloody addicting."
"Care to share with us what you two are talking about?" asked Tracy, grinning at the red-faced Blaise as Harry chuckled.
"Never mind that now, Tracy, as I believe Harry here has a request of us. Don't you Harry?"
"You know, Daph, you're scary sometimes."
"A compliment, wow, be still my heart." laughed Daphne.
"Alright, in all seriousness, Neville and Luna were approached by Millie at breakfast today. She's requested a meeting with either Godric or Sirius. It seems Mr. Malfoy has bent the ear of some of Slytherin House. Any ideas?" asked Harry.
Daphne glanced at Tracy, "Attack?"
"Hm, no, I don't think so. That would be too obvious. Perhaps he's in need of a spy or two now that Draco is gone. Blaise?"
"I wouldn't discount the possibility of an attack, Tracy. Lucius fancies himself a mastermind, after all." responded Blaise.
"But attack us here? Seems ludicrous, as we're all perfectly safe in the castle; even your mother and sisters are safe at Alder, Blaise." said Daphne.
Blaise raised an eyebrow at her.
"Dammit! Harry, we need to get Hermione's parents and my parents here as quickly as possible!"
"You sure?" asked Harry. "Don't answer that, of course you're sure. I'll go get Remus; he'll make sure to make sure both sets of parents are protected back here. What I need you three to do is get to Millie, and to find a place where she and her friends can talk to Sirius without being found out. You guys think you can arrange that? Sirius said to make it around four; he's stuck in class until then."
"We'll take care of it, Harry. Go, get Remus, the quicker we can get the Greengrasses and Grangers here the better we'll all feel."
"I'll leave you three to it then. Call me if you need any help, okay?" he said seriously. The three nodded at him, and with that Harry popped away.
"We see her in Charms later on, don't we?" asked Daphne.
"Yeah, slipping her a note or something shouldn't be a problem. Where to meet, though? We obviously can't bring them here, and Remus would have a coronary if we took them down to the Chamber." replied Tracy.
"The dungeons!" said Blaise.
"Really, you want Sirius to go undetected in the serpents' lair?" Harry asked sarcastically.
"Nah, Uncle Severus' office! Millie heading down to talk to her Head of House wouldn't be seen as anything out of the ordinary, even if she's accompanied by a friend or three. Sirius can just pop in there."
"I'm pretty sure that Uncle Sev would definitely have a coronary if we allow Sirius anywhere near his office." laughed Tracy.
"Be that as it may, it is the only viable option we have at the moment. Are we agreed, then? Tracy you take care of letting Millie know and Blaise and I will cause a distraction. Who's going to tell Uncle Sev that we're commandeering his office?" said casting a glance at Blaise.
"What, me? Aw, c'mon guys, that's cruel and unusual punishment. He's family and all, but I'm still terrified of him!"
"Suck it up, cupcake! Or, if you need more of an incentive, how about I let George and Fred know about your liking of muggle romance fiction?" added Daphne with a grin.
"Are you sure you're not still in Slytherin?" asked Blaise in resignation.
"Casting aspersions in my direction is not making me feel any more benevolent towards you, brother dear." she said, causing Tracy to laugh loudly. Blaise, looking defeated, could only comply.
ooOOooOOoo
'Hermione, could you meet me down in the library. There's something going on' thought Harry to his wife.
'Sure thing love, I'll be down there in a minute. Alright if Ginny joins us?' asked Hermione.
'Of course, see you two down there' he replied.
"Moony, you down here, we need your help." yelled Harry into the Library, the echoes reverberating amongst the stacks.
"Pronglet? What's up?" asked Remus as he poked his head around a bookcase.
"We need to get to Hermione and Daphne's parents as quickly as we can and bring them back to the castle. We think there is a danger that they may be attacked."
"Seriously? Who'd be stupid enough…never mind. Malfoy?"
"Yup."
"Nym, sweetie, could you join us?" yelled Remus.
"What's up Wolfie?" asked Tonks as she ambled towards them with a stack of books in her arms.
"The family outside of Hogwarts might be in some danger. We need to get them all back here quickly."
"Got it; Dan and Emma, I take it?" she asked.
"Adrian and Deirdre too." added Harry.
The popping announced the arrival of his wife, "Everything alright, dear?" she asked as she placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Hey, Harry!" greeted Ginny. "Uncle Remus, Tonks, you guys being dragged into this too?"
"Sure looks that way." responded Remus.
"Millie approached Neville and Luna today wanting to meet with Sirius or Godric. We know Godric is a bit indisposed at the moment, so Sirius is taking the lead on this. She, Millie, said that Malfoy senior had approached several of the Slytherins. I'm sure there's more to the tale, but until Sirius meets with her…"
"So what's the problem?" asked Hermione.
"I talked to Blaise, Daphne, and Tracy. Sirius wanted them to set up the meeting with Millie. After I told them about Malfoy, they all three are of the opinion that an attack was about to happen. Hermione, Daphne thinks that your parents and hers are in danger. She wants us to get them and bring them all back here."
"Mom and Dad? Well, c'mon, let's go!"
"Hermione, I was just about to ask Remus here to go and get them. Tonks, you mind giving him a hand?"
"Nah, not at all; we've been cooped up the Library since early this morning; I could do with a little outing."
"I should of thought of this happening!" growled Harry.
"What do you mean?" wondered Hermione.
"Your parents, the Greengrasses, I should have anticipated that this might happen. We could have set them up with Portkeys to Alder Glen, or here, or something." he said exasperatedly.
"Maybe we should have, but it's water under the bridge as they say." said Hermione as she walked over to a table and grabbed quill and parchment. "Uncle Remus, this is my parents home and work address; I included their phone numbers too, just in case you get a chance to call. At this hour, they're probably neck deep in work, so that would be my first stop."
"Tonks and I will head up to the common room and use the floo there. We'll go to the ministry first, Adrian should be there as the Wizengamot is in session today, and he'll be able to get to Deirdre. We'll get you parents after that."
Harry took a couple of coins from his pocket and transfigured them into a Portkeys. "Give this to Dan and Adrian when you get to them. It will take them directly to our home. Make sure you stress the danger they could be in. I'm sure that they'll understand and take this precaution."
"It's Dan and Emma, Harry, seeing you two will be enough of a reason to come." said Tonks. "Besides, I'm sure Alessa could use the company. She's been alone in that castle of yours for far too long without any adult companionship."
Hermione giggled, while Harry's cheeks pinked slightly.
"What? Something you care to share, Hermione?" asked Remus.
"Uncle Sev has been by to see her frequently. I don't think she's suffering from a lack of companionship. The wards at Alder let Harry and I both know when someone visits." she with a wide smile.
"Really? Huh! Well, I guess wonders do never cease." said the now smiling Remus. "If anyone deserves some happiness, it's Severus; Alessa too for that matter. Ready, Nym? We should get going." With a nod from Tonks, Remus grabbed her hand and popped away to run their errand.
"Uncle Remus and Tonks will get to them, Hermione." said Ginny. "Is it alright to tease Uncle Sev? Gossip like that is just too good to pass up!"
"Let him be, Gin, a happy Severus is something all of us want." said Harry.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Still, at least now we got teasing fodder we can use just in case, you know? Hey, Harry, do you think we should send someone to get my parents too?" she asked.
"Damn! I hadn't thought of them. Quickly, let's go find Professor McGonagall, she'll be able floo to them." said Harry as he led the girls toward the professor's office.
ooOOooOOoo
The young man was confused. He sat in his bedroom, looking around; trying to determine what in his life was missing. It had been since the beginning of the school year that he'd felt this way. Lost, and gripped with a great sense of guilt. But he didn't know where that sense of guilt was coming from.
He ambled down the stairs, making his way toward the kitchen to make himself some breakfast. Pulling some cereal from the pantry and some milk from the fridge, the boy ambled over to the kitchen table and sat. Almost robotically, he fed himself. He used to love eating, but now, it was more like he was going through the motions and didn't actually enjoy it.
It was sitting there that he noticed his father, still in the clothes he'd worn the day before, sitting on his favorite recliner with a thousand yard stare in his eyes. A bottle of his favorite whiskey sat by his side, the glass next to it untouched, half-full of amber liquid.
"Dad?" asked the boy.
"Son? Why are you up so late, Mother will be mad at you if she catches you out of bed at this hour."
"Dad…it's morning."
"Really? Time sure goes by quickly when you're thinking. Need me to make you some breakfast? I should probably take a shower at some point, too. What day is it, should I be taking you to school?"
"It's Saturday, Dad."
"Huh, where does the time go?" said the man, rising from his chair and walking toward the kitchen. He poured the untouched glass down the drain, washed the glass, and set it to dry on the counter. He walked back to the living room, grabbing the bottle of whiskey, and placed it in the liquor cabinet. The man reached out with a hand and grabbed the end of the cabinet to steady himself from the wave of remorse that washed over him.
"You okay, Dad?"
"Fine son, just fine; I am a little tired, though. Maybe I'll go upstairs and join your mother in bed."
"She's outside, Dad. Has been for a while now; I think she's weeding the garden."
"Well, okay. Maybe I'll go help her."
The boy looked at his father, worry creeping into his mind at the man's appearance. He'd lost a lot of weight in the past few months, as had he. The man he once thought of as a cheery portly man was no longer cheery or portly. "Come on son; let's go see if your Mom needs our help. I think it would be good for us to be together, all of us, even if it is just helping her in the garden."
"Sure, Dad, let's go help Mom." he said as he followed his father out the front door.
His mother was on her knees, a spade in one hand, staring at the rose bush in front of her. She had a vacant look, mimicking the thousand yard stare his father had sported earlier. "Mom?" he asked.
"Hi, boys." she said, trying to sound cheerful. "Come to give me a hand?"
"Yes, pet, we have." answered his Dad.
"Well, grab some trimmers and help trim back these bushes. Son, go to the shed and grab some gloves. I don't want you to hurt yourself on the bushes. The thorns are particularly sharp this year." she said waving him away toward the shed.
He hadn't been in the shed before, so spent a few minutes looking for the gloves. He noticed an old steamer trunk sitting underneath his father's workbench, and with more than a little curiosity, pulled it out from under the table and opened it. He was surprised to find that there was not much in it; some papers, a thin blanket, a broken toy or two, but not much else. They papers looked like drawings, one's made by someone very young.
He grabbed a couple of them and walked back to his parents, questions on his mind. "Mom, Dad, who's Harry?"
His parents looked at him confused. "Something you found in the shed, son?"
"Yeah, some drawings I found in a trunk in the shed. They say 'Harry' on them. Who is he?"
"I don't know, son, not a name I recognize off the top of my head. I certainly don't know anyone who could have drawn these." answered his father.
"Must have been left in the shed by the people who used to own this house; I don't know anyone named Harry, either" added his mother.
"Yeah, you're probably right. Sorry, I was just curious. I'll go back and get the gloves and come join you two. Back in a sec."
The guilt that overwhelmed the couple kneeling in the garden was gut-wrenching. Tears freely fell from both of them, staining their cheeks. Vernon and Petunia Dursley were on the verge of a breakdown, and they didn't know why.
ooOOooOOoo
"Remus? Tonks? What are you two doing here? Don't tell me one of you has a cavity? What have I told you both about flossing?" teased Emma as she spotted the pair walking into their surgery. She'd just let the last patient of the day go, and was sitting at the front desk going over the schedule for Monday.
"Emma, where's Dan? We need to get you both out of here." said Remus in a serious tone.
Emma looked at Remus, alarmed at his tone. "He's just finishing up in the back, putting away some supplies we got. What's wrong, are the kids alright?"
"Hermione and Harry are fine, it was them that had me and Tonks come get you. Come on, we need to go. Now!"
Knowing that they'd explain everything later, once they were out of danger, Emma raced to find her husband.
"Apparition! Wolfie, a group of people just apparated into the front of the building; we need to go!" said Tonks as she grabbed Remus by the arm and dragged him towards the retreating Emma.
"Emma?" asked Dan as she came barging into the supply room.
"Tonks and Remus are here, they say we need to leave!" she said in a scared voice.
"Okay, okay, let me just finish…"
"No, now, dammit!" yelled Emma. "Just drop that stuff and let's get out of here!"
Remus and Tonks came barreling in, wands drawn, "Six or seven people just apparated to the front of your office. Grab on to this coin, it will take you both to Alder. Go!" said Remus as he pressed the coin into Dan's hands.
Emma took Dan's hand, making sure she was touching the coin as well. "What about you two?" she asked.
"We'll be fine; Tonks has a portkey to the Ministry. We just want to see who your visitors are. Come on, guys, the kids will kill me if anything happens to you." pleaded Remus.
"Alder Glen!" shouted Dan, and he and Emma vanished.
"You ready for this?" asked Tonks.
"Hell no, but we need to see who's out there." he told her.
She nodded at him, and her demeanor changed into one of determination. "We look, nothing more, okay? Get a good look at them; we can go through the memories later with Amelia's pensieve."
"Got it, you leading?" he asked.
She winked at him, and crawled out the door towards the front of the building. The noise coming from the front office was very loud, and Remus noticed the flying debris that was being flung about chaotically.
"Find them!" roared a faceless voice.
"They're gone, McNair, no need to get all excitable. Potter or his mudblood whore must have provided the muggles with a portkey."
"Muggles using portkeys! It's a disgrace!"
"Did that fucker just call Hermione a whore?" whispered Tonks angrily.
"Hush, will you, you'll get us discovered." Remus whispered back.
"Amycus, Alecto, either of you find anything?"
"Nothing, Lucius, they've gone. Portkey?" asked Amycus.
"Yes, I felt it activate when we broke through the doors. Where are the others?" asked Lucius.
"Outside circling the building, shouldn't take us but a moment to set fire to this place. We may have failed to kill them, the least we can do is burn this building down."
"Father, may I set fire to the building? I've been practicing my 'incendio' spell." asked the voice of Draco Malfoy.
"Of course, my son; make sure that nothing is left standing. Alright everyone, let's get out of here. We'll head to the Greengrasses next. Amycus, leave our Mark, would you please?" Lucius asked as he led the remaining Death Eaters out the doors of the surgery.
"Come on, love, let's get to the Ministry. Amelia is going to want to know what we've found." Tonks said as she reached for Remus' hand.
"But we can save this…"
"No! I'm sure Emma and Dan have insurance on this place. There's no need to place ourselves in danger. Even if we did save this, they'd never be able to return. Let it burn." Remus nodded at his love, and squeezed her hand tightly as he felt the telltale fishhook in his belly.
ooOOooOOoo
Dobby had popped Harry and Hermione to Alder as soon as they'd felt the wards tell them that a portkey had been allowed through. Hermione ran to her parents and embraced them both in one of her signature hugs, not wanting to let go for anything.
"Harry…" said Dan.
"Don't, Dan, just don't. Hermione and I both needed you safe. Mom, are you alright?" asked a worried Harry.
Emma disentangled herself from Hermione, and rushed over to hug Harry. "Thanks, son, I think you may have saved our lives. I was so damn scared!"
"I'm just glad Tonks and Moony made it to you guys in time." he said as he looked around the study. "They didn't come with you?"
Dan shook his head, "No, they made us leave. I don't know where they are. I hope they didn't stay behind. Tonks said there were six or seven people attacking our office. My god, the surgery!"
"Don't worry about it Dan, please. We'll worry about that later."
"She's right, Dad, all that matters is that you two are safe." said Hermione, squeezing her dad tighter.
"Uncle Dan! Auntie Emma!" yelled the Potter girls as they ran into the room and wrapped the dentist in fierce hugs.
"We were so worried, Auntie Emma!" exclaimed a tearful Elena.
"Uncle Dan, are you guys alright?" asked Clara.
"Girls, we're both fine. See?" said Emma as she twirled Clara around in her arms.
"Harry, I've just had word from Severus. Tonks and Remus made it back to Pendragon safely. They had to portkey out of Greengrass Manor in a hurry, but they, along with Deirdre and Adrian, are alright and safely ensconced with the Dragons and a very happy Daphne." said Alessa as she walked in to study. She walked up to Emma and gave her a warm hug, soon followed by the one she gave Dan.
"Harry, Hermione, and the girls, me included, have been worried sick about you two. We are all glad to see that you are both okay." Alessa said gratefully.
"Physically anyways," said Emma. "It's going to take me forever to get over the fright. I'm so thankful for Tonks and Remus showing up when they did. Lord only knows what could have happened then."
"Lord Harry, I have taken the liberty of setting up the Granger's in an apartment. Dobby said he'd go and retrieve anything Mr. or Mrs. Granger wanted or needed from their home."
"Thank you Michael, very thoughtful of you."
"Mom, Dad, anything you need from home just let Dobby know and he'll go and fetch it for you. Harry, do you think they could move in here?"
"Why are you even asking me that?" he asked with a smirk. "It's your house too, you know?"
"Sorry, I forget that bit sometimes. You guys know where your rooms are. Michael and Dobby will make sure you have everything you need. I think that for the foreseeable future you should both just move in here."
"Hermione, dear, I don't know if we can do that. We've a business to run, a home that we can't just abandon. I think your mother and I both understand the danger we'd be facing, but I can't just see us both just uprooting our lives like that." said Dan seriously.
"Dan, how about you think of it as a break from work, a sabbatical?" asked Harry.
"Even if we did take a sabbatical, we can't just leave our home like that."
"I'll send a letter to Lord Ragnok tomorrow; let's see if we can have the goblins install some wards on your property that would keep it safe. Wards that would keep anyone intending harm to not be allowed access to the house or property, we can even have them place a stasis field that would leave the house looking exactly how you left it this morning."
"You'd do that?" asked Emma. "Of course you would, sorry, silly question. What do you think, Dan? Care to live in Cinderella's castle for a while?"
Elena leaned into her mother and whispered, "Mother, what's a Cinderella?"
ooOOooOOoo
"My Lord, I am truly sorry about this. I should have had the courage to tell you this, but my Gryffindor bravery seemed to abandon me."
"Pay it no mind, Nicholas. I would be hard pressed to start a conversation such as that as well. Just, please, tell me where she is."
"Of course, My Lord; she's most certainly in your wife's garden at the moment. It's where she usually passes her evenings."
"Rowena's garden over by the Ravenclaw tower?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Very well, thank you Nicholas. I hope you don't mind if I walk there alone. I need to gather my thoughts before I see my daughter once more."
Bowing deeply, Nicholas then faded into a nearby wall. Godric took his time wandering the halls of his beloved school. Too many years had passed since he'd done that. It had been one of his favorite things to do when he was Headmaster so long ago. He and Rowena would, hand in hand, walk the castle after classes had let out for the day.
He was thankful to the paintings for guiding him, distracted as he was he'd have soon found himself lost but for their help. He reminisced about the happiest day of his life, the day his wife had placed the tiny babe in his arms as tears fell down his cheeks and moistened his beard. "She's like a shining light, here to illuminate our world." he'd said to his wife.
"Then we shall name her Helena." said Rowena.
Godric looked curiously at his wife. "Oh, for Merlin's sake, Godric; I told you to learn Latin, didn't I? Helena, it means shining light."
He smiled lovingly at his wife, and turned to gaze once more at his daughter. "My Helena, beautiful just like your mother, and probably just as smart, too!"
Drawn from his daydream by a portrait giving directions, Godric thanked it and continued his walk toward his daughter. "Helena?" he said as he reached his destination, his wife's garden. It was not the beautiful garden he remembered, gone were the blooming flowers, all that was left were dead bushes and centuries accumulation of leaves and branches.
"Father, I was told you were here." said the ghostly form of the grey lady.
"And yet you didn't seek me out?" he asked.
"I couldn't…"
"But why, Helena, your mother and I missed you terribly. We spent years looking for you, why did you leave us like that?"
"Shame, regret, fear, embarrassment…I don't really remember anymore, it's been so long."
"And you've been here all this time?" he wondered.
"Yes, Father, I have. I died, and I guess you could say that I woke up here, in Mother's garden. She never saw me, I made sure of that. And neither did you."
Godric sat on one of the stone benches that decorated the garden, and let out a deep sigh. "Why did you leave us Helena? We were both devastated."
"You wouldn't understand." she said.
"Try me." he responded.
"Have you any idea how hard it was for me growing up? Being the daughter of the legendary Godric Gryffindor and the brilliant Rowena Ravenclaw, so much was expected from me."
"We never placed such burdens on you, Helena."
"I know that, Father, those were burdens I placed on myself. I wanted to be as brave as you and as intelligent as Mother. But I could never achieve those standards." she moaned.
"Neither of us expected that of you. We just wanted a happy daughter."
"And I was, until Mother created her diadem."
"What does your mother's tiara have to do with anything?"
"'Wit beyond measure'" she quoted.
"You wanted, what, to be more intelligent? You were already brilliant."
"But not as intelligent as Mother, I never could measure up to her."
"Darling, I like to think of myself as an intelligent man, but compared to your mother I was a bumbling oaf. There hasn't been but a handful of witches or wizards that could measure up to her."
"And that was my dilemma; Mother had created her diadem, which would increase the intelligence of the person wearing it. I was intelligent too, but if I added the diadem…"
"It was you who stole the diadem!" he accused.
"Yes, Father, it was I who made away with Mother's great treasure. To my great shame, I coveted something as meaningless as a piece of jewelry. I stole the diadem and fled Britain."
"Oh, Helena…"
"I took something of Mother's and fled the country, I felt disgraced, and because of that had no wish to return home. I roamed the continent for years, never staying in any one place for very long. I found myself in Albania, roaming a great forest in search of shelter. It was there that one of your retainers found me."
"One of my…who found you? I never heard anything about this!"
"He's known now as the Bloody Baron, the ghost of your friend Salazar's House."
"Thomas? It was Thomas who found you?"
"Baron Thomas had been dogging my steps for weeks, something of which at the time I was unaware of. He cornered me, told me he was returning me home. I refused. He pleaded with me, begged me to return with him, he wanted so badly to be the one to return Godric and Rowena's daughter back to her home. And yet, still I refused. He was angered, infuriated beyond control. I ran from him, frightened at his anger. He gave chase. And that man, to his utter disgrace, murdered me."
"Murdered…" cried Godric.
"Yes, Father, murdered; it was then that I found myself back at the castle, back at Hogwarts. I hid; my disgrace at the forefront of my thoughts as I merely existed in this place. Seeing Mother and you was more than I could bear, so I concealed myself from all until such time as you'd both had passed. Hundreds of years have passed since that time, and I linger here still."
"Why have you not crossed, Helena? Surely whatever is keeping you from your Mother…?"
"No!" yelled Helena. "I will remain. I will make amends where I am able; it is my penitence, my punishment for dishonoring you and Mother."
"I forgive you, Helena. And I'm certain your Mother forgives you too." pleaded Godric.
"And I thank you for that forgiveness, Father. I'm also quite sure that Mother forgives me as well. But I cannot forgive myself. And until such time as I can, I will remain." And with that, the Gray Lady faded away, leaving a disconsolate father behind.
ooOOooOOoo
'Was this blood on his hands?' wondered Ron as he came out of his daze.
He hurried to an unused bathroom, one on the far side of the castle that was well away from any witnesses. He scrubbed and scrubbed, seemingly unable to wash away the horrifying crimson that stained his hands. His hands were red and raw before he stopped; he fell to his knees and wailed like a lost child.
'What have I done?' he questioned himself.
The memory was hazy, hidden as if in a fog. He recalled hiding in his Gryffindor dorm room, waiting until his brother's had left. They'd come to hang out with Alicia and Angelina after class. They still refused to speak to him, or acknowledge him even. Only Ginny had shown even the slightest bit of sympathy towards him, but he hadn't seen her in days.
'But what happened when he left for dinner?' he tried to remember.
He'd walked through the common room, completely ignored by his brothers as he sped out the portrait hole. He walked toward the great hall, hopeful that despite the lateness he'd have enough time to have a plateful of food or three. But as he still felt hungry, he wondered if he'd even made it to dinner. He must have been stopped, but by who?
He had vague memories of two people, but they were faceless, formless even. All he remembered was the haze of red that had filled his mind. Anger and resentment seemed to burst out him, directed at one of the faceless figures. And then: nothing. Nothing at all until the moment he'd noticed the blood on his hands. He concentrated hard, trying to remember. And by will alone he was able to lift the fog, and see clearly the scene that played out in all its intense violence.
"Oh, my god…" said Ron as he stood and made his way quickly toward one of the toilets, where he dry heaved and sobbed for the rest of the night.
A/N
I gotta tell you all, I really am enjoying this writing thing. Yeah, I'm never gonna be J.K.R. or Dan Brown, or anyone like that. It's just fun. If I get stuck on this story, I have "Family" to turn to. Also, I started writing a Fleur/Harry fic when I got stuck with both of my stories. So, I'll now have three creative outlets.
Hope you enjoy, thanks for reading. TTFN!