Chapter 21
Respite and Revelation
"Retreat is not synonymous with cowardice. War is often about attrition, and you cannot kill your foe if you do not survive."
General (ret.) Jigme Dorji Wengshuk
Harriet couldn't sleep. She was curled up on the bed, staring at the wall. How could she sleep? She had a lead. At long last, she had a lead. Weak though it was, it was something.
Despite her excitement, she also felt utterly alone. She'd wanted to be alone for so long, yet now she had it, she desperately wanted to be back in her dorm.
The room was too quiet. She could hear her own heart beating in her ears. It was unnerving. She missed Ronnie's snores. Even back in Privet Drive, she'd had the sounds of Uncle Vernon and Dudley snoring at night, reminding her she wasn't alone.
There was also the building guilt. She'd learned about Finn, but that hadn't been why she'd dived back into his memories in the first place. It had been her selfishness. She'd put both the Pensieve and Finn away in her trunk right after, burying them both at the very bottom, both for safety and to cut down on future temptation.
Harriet thought she heard feet just outside her door. Was she paranoid? She must be. She was exhausted. She must be hearing things. What time was it? It was too dark to read the clock on her little bedside table, and Harriet didn't care enough to bring it closer to read it properly.
There was a knock. Light was coming in under the thick curtains. She must have fallen asleep for at least a little bit. In the lightened room, she could read the clock. It was just after seven in the morning. Harriet ignored the knock. No more came.
Half an hour later, there was another knock.
"Harriet?"
It was Holly. Harriet didn't want to talk to her. She felt ashamed. She got nothing done with Umbridge, then freaked out. She was useless as an investigation partner.
Useless.
More time passed. The room got brighter and brighter as more light slipped in under the curtain. What was going to happen now? She was starting to get hungry, but she forced herself to remain on the bed.
Just before ten-o-clock, the door practically exploded open. Harriet flung herself out of bed in shock. DIDS screeched and rocketed up the curtains of the window, hissing at the door.
Harriet scrambled, trying to find her wand, but before she could, strong arms embraced her. A strong but soft body held her, silky smooth hair fell against her face, and a sweet smell filled her nose. Harriet recognised all these signs at once. It was Mum.
Mum was home.
"Mum!" Harriet said, hugging her back.
"It's okay, darling," Mum said. "I'm home."
Harriet's eyes filled with tears and she fought hard to keep herself from breaking down. She was home. Mum was back.
"Come on, darling," Mum said. "We'll take you home."
"It was Professor Snape," Harriet said. "It's all his fault!"
There was the sound of hurrying footsteps and Percy puffed into the doorway.
"Mrs Dusk," Percy said, panting heavily, leaning on the doorframe. "Please understand—"
"I understand you listened solely to one side of the story while giving my daughter no benefit of the doubt, nor cared to hear her side before you locked her away," Mum said stiffly.
Harriet remembered the gala last spring. She half expected her to punch Percy in the nose. The other half of her wanted it.
More puffing. This time it was Umbridge.
"Mrs Dusk," Umbridge said, even more winded than Percy. "You cannot barge into my house—"
"You and Professor Weasley forced my daughter from her house," Mum said. "I am her parent. I am also a professor at this school. I have access everywhere, and I especially have access to my child. She has been put through enough. I am taking her home."
"I am afraid, Mrs Dusk—"
"Professor Dusk, to you," Mum said.
Umbridge paused. Harriet hugged Mum tighter. She felt safer than she had in ages in the wake of Mum's indignation and protective attitude.
"Professor Dusk," Umbridge corrected. "Under Educational Decree Number Twenty-One, all students of British citizenship are required to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Attend, Counsellor Umbridge," came the voice of Professor McGonagall. "Attend, but not live."
Professor McGonagall stepped into the hallway. Her austere demeanour, always so intimidating to Harriet, now came off like a beacon of hope and power as she looked down her nose at Umbridge and Percy.
"She's right, Dolores," Percy said. "Attendance is not residence."
"Well reasoned, Professor Weasley," Professor McGonagall said, though she did not sound approving.
"As headmistress, I give Miss Potter-Dusk full dispensation to stay at her family home in Hogsmeade and attend classes until she is deemed fit to return to the school dormitories by a licensed counsellor of my approval."
"Professor Mc—"
"I am the headmistress, Dolores," Professor McGonagall interrupted. "That title still means something around here. Decisions regarding our students are ultimately mine. Come along."
Professor McGonagall turned to Harriet and Mum. Harriet was so transfixed by everything that was happening she barely noticed DIDS hopping onto her shoulder and burying himself under Harriet's hair, curling up in the back of her collar.
"I shall see you both to the carriage which shall return you home," Professor McGonagall said.
Mum swished her wand and Harriet's trunk floated up into the air. Mum kept an arm around Harriet's shoulder, guiding her from the room. The trunk floated along just behind them.
Harriet glanced sideways at Percy and Umbridge as they passed them into the hallway. Percy looked confused and upset, as though he wasn't sure how to feel about anything happening. Umbridge, however, was giving Professor McGonagall the same burning look behind her back that she had given Captain Kane during their first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson.
"You're okay!" came a stereo exclamation as Harriet and Mum passed out of the hallway and into the common area.
Harriet was caught in another tight embrace by the twins. There was a hooting twitter, and Harriet felt the sharp, taloned feet of Hedwig land on top of her head.
"I'm okay," Harriet replied, mostly lying, hugging the twins back before reaching up so Hedwig could hop onto her forearm instead. DIDS hissed a little from under Harriet's hair.
"We shouldn't linger," Professor McGonagall said in a hushed voice, looking back into the corridor where Percy and Umbridge were whispering to each other.
"Come along, girls," Mum said to the three. "We're going home."
Professor McGonagall ushered the four out the front door of Ursula House. As she left, Harriet took a glance over her shoulder. She saw both Fern and Holly. They were sitting on opposite sides of the common area, but both of their worried expressions were identical.
Harriet put them both out of her mind. Everything felt like it was moving in fast motion again. It was as though her mind had checked out, entirely. Her eyes drifted up to Hogwarts Castle. A feeling almost unknown to Harriet came over her.
She didn't want to go back there.
A carriage was already waiting for them. Harriet appreciated not having to walk all the way to Hogsmeade, even if she found the sight of the winged dragon-horses as unsettling as ever. She couldn't care very much at the moment. She was going home.
Despite the ample seating, the little family was cuddled together on one seat. Harriet sat on Mum's left, Nan cuddled up to Harriet's left, while Mum had her right arm around Rosie. Hedwig was nestled in Harriet's lap. It was then that something finally struck Harriet as she stroked Hedwig's fluffy wings.
"Where's Daddy…?" she asked in a cracked voice.
Mum's lips tightened. "He'll be along, darling. I'll tell you everything when we reach Mountain Home."
The carriage began trundling forward. Harriet tried to ignore the sound of the clawed dragon-horse feet on the ground. She shut her eyes in her exhaustion. The moment her eyes closed, she saw the dragon-horse galloping towards her, a tall, masked rider upon its back, raising an axe high, swinging it down at a huddled crowd.
Harriet gasped and sat upright. Her eyes flung open and her heart began racing.
"It's alright," Mum said stroking Harriet's hair. "We've got you. You're safe."
Harriet slowly started her breathing exercises. Her heart slowed, and at once exhaustion began to wash over her. She wanted to close her eyes so badly, but she was worried she would revisit the graveyard, or maybe the attack, or some other terrible event.
"What's that?" Rosie asked, leaning her head out the window of her side.
Harriet heard it, too. Voices. Many voices.
Mum leaned out the window as well. "Oh, for…" Mum trailed off.
Mum quickly opened Harriet's trunk, drawing out her cloak.
"Harriet, darling, put this on, now," Mum said.
Harriet was too tired to question. She put on the cloak as told, hiding Hedwig under it as well. The voices grew louder, almost to a fever pitch. Mum pointed her wand at Harriet's trunk, and it vanished with a pop. Nan shrieked as a man's face appeared in their window. He had a camera like Colin Creevey's and with a blinding flash and poof of smoke, took a picture of the family.
"Get out!" Mum snarled, aiming her wand in his face.
The photographer, however, merely looked disappointed and hopped back out of sight. "She's not in!"
"Mrs Dusk!" exclaimed a woman who appeared in the other window. "Is it true Harriet got into a fight with one of her teachers?"
Another man appeared in Nan's window. "Is it true she's been put in some sort of solitary confinement!"
There was an ear-splitting bang.
"CLEAR OFF, YA LEECHES!"
That was Mad-Eye Moody. More bangs followed. Mum took advantage of the chaos to open Nan's door.
"Inside, quickly!" Mum said.
None of them needed to be told twice. Harriet and the twins hopped from the carriage and ran inside the house. Remus was standing on the front porch, holding the front door open for them. Harriet felt relief as she crossed the threshold. DIDS and Hedwig were both hissing with agitation at the jostling they'd received.
Mad-Eye stamped inside after them. He slammed the door shut, blocking out most of the noise. All of the blinds had been pulled shut.
"That was insane," Nan declared. "What was that about?"
"The media," Moody snarled. "Vultures… absolute vultures! Could have been plenty of Death Eaters and Kinney's goons hidden amongst them!"
"They appeared out of nowhere," Remus said. "They showed up only minutes before you arrived. Someone must have tipped them off."
"Someone in the know," Moody said, gritting his yellowed old teeth.
"You already know about what happened?" Harriet asked, taking off the cloak. Hedwig hooted with agitation and fluttered up onto a grandfather clock.
"Of course we know," Moody growled. "In the Order, aren't we?"
"Oh, yeah…"
Remus gave Moody a cold look. "The Order has already moved to try and cover up as much as we can of what happened. The cover story, for now, is you and Malfoy were serving detention with Severus."
"That's it?" Mum asked, disgust in her voice. "That's the best you could do?"
"That was Minerva's story," Remus said, both looking and sounding wounded.
"Sorry," Mum said, running a hand through her hair.
"It was just to distract the Ministry and the press until a more convincing story could be created," Remus continued.
"Where's Dad?" Rosie asked, now.
"I said we'll tell you at the house," Mum reiterated.
"We should get out of here," Mad-Eye said, his magical eye spinning in circles, keeping an eye on the house from all directions. "They don't seem to be taking 'no' lightly…"
"Excellent idea," Remus said.
He held out a hand. Nan was closest and so took it, much to Rosie's irritation as she reluctantly took Moody's gnarled hand. Mum took Harriet's hand. The three adults exchanged looks and raised their wands.
Hedwig fluttered back down onto Harriet's shoulder. Mum gave Hedwig a sad smile and softly rubbed the back of Hedwig's head with a fingertip.
"Sorry, beautiful," Mum said. "You won't like Apparition. You stay here and watch over this house for us. If anything happens, you can fly straight to Mountain Home to warn us, and tonight you can come up to stay with us. Is that alright?"
Hedwig gave a dignified twitter and hopped back up onto the clock. Harriet was looking up at Hedwig sadly. She wanted Hedwig around.
Mum took Harriet's hand again. Harriet closed her eyes. Apparition was not as fun as most of her classmates hoped it would be. Mum swung her arm wide, and at once, Harriet felt as though she'd been stretched into a long, thin sliver, held by tight bands that made it impossible to breathe.
As soon as it started, it was over. Harriet's feet hit solid ground. She opened her eyes, and warm relief filled her at last.
Harriet was never so relieved to see anything in her life as she was the circular front door of Mountain Home. If she weren't so utterly exhausted, she would have run for the door. She was leaning heavily on Mum, both for comfort and support.
Remus stepped forward, opening the door for them. Mum hurried Harriet inside slightly faster than Harriet was anticipating and she almost tripped on the oddly shaped threshold.
Relief kept Harriet's mind buoyant as she looked around the pretty, familiar, and welcoming setting. DIDS scampered down Harriet's arm and hopped down onto the floor. Harriet smiled sleepily watching him scamper towards her room.
"We should get back to the house," Remus said. "Before they break in…"
"Of course, Remus, thank you," Mum said, sounding more relaxed in the safety of Mountain Home.
Remus smiled kindly and closed the door behind him.
"Let's sit down," Mum said. "And I'll tell you girls everything that's happened."
"You didn't go on a honeymoon, did you?" Rosie said shrewdly, studying Mum's face carefully.
"No, we did not," Mum said gently, guiding the trio to the sitting room.
"How did you know?" Nan asked.
Rosie shrugged. "Mom doesn't have a tan."
Harriet sank into the large sofa, weariness washing over her. Mum laughed softly.
"That's right," Mum said. "Your father and I did not have much time to sunbathe where we went."
"Where did you go?" Nan asked.
"Ireland," Mum replied.
Harriet's eyes popped open. "Ireland?"
Mum smiled sadly. "Yes, dear."
Harriet was staring, her mouth gaping. Why were they in Ireland? There could only be one reason.
"Your father and I went to Ireland to look for Finn…"
Harriet stood. "Mum…"
Mum smiled, rising and taking Harriet in her arms. Harriet knew better than to ask. Mum wouldn't be saying this if they had found him. But somehow just knowing that they were still looking, still trying to help, meant everything.
"We haven't found him yet," Mum said. "But we're close, we think."
"Is that where Dad is?" Nan asked. "Still looking?"
"Yes, dear," Mum replied.
Harriet hugged her even tighter. Mum lifted Harriet's chin, studying her face closely.
"Oh, darling," Mum said, cupping Harriet's cheek. "You haven't slept or eaten anything, have you?"
Harriet shook her head.
"Let's get you to bed," Mum insisted. "We'll get you a hot bath, then into some comfy PJs, and while you're in the bath, I'll make you some nice eggs and toast. You'll go to bed with a full tummy, clean and warm, safe at home."
That sounded amazing. Harriet rested her head against Mum's arm as Mum led her towards her room. The bed looked so inviting that Harriet was tempted to collapse into it without bothering with a bath.
"I'll let you get to it dear," Mum said, gently putting her hands on Harriet's shoulders and kissing her forehead.
Harriet froze. It was the subtlest of gestures on Mum's part, but the kindest. Harriet threw her arms around Mum again.
"Oh, sweetie," Mum said softly, hugging Harriet back.
"I missed you," Harriet said, her voice trembling slightly.
"We missed you too, sweetie," Mum replied softly.
"I know where Finn might be… or doing…"
"What?"
"He…" Harriet thought. "He might be… fighting…"
"Fighting?"
"Like boxing?" Harriet said, looking up at Mum.
Mum's brows were furrowed.
"Boxing? Finn…?"
Harriet grimaced. "I… used a Pensieve… It's a sort of basin."
"A Pensieve," Mum stared. "Where on earth did you get a Pensieve?"
"It was Dumbledore's. He gave it to me so we could fix Finn's memories."
"Dumbledore gave it to you? When?"
"My birthday," Harriet replied. "He sent it in the middle of the night."
Mum shook her head in amusement.
"Anyway… I… explored some of his memories last night. I was too… I just… needed an escape. But in the last memory, he'd been fighting."
Harriet sat on the bed. Her legs felt too weak. Mum sat beside her.
"I see…"
"It's not like that!" Harriet said quickly. "He was defending his little brother. People pick on him because he's… different. Anyway, Professor Howe caught him and told him to stop. Then last night I saw a later memory… Finn had been fighting again, and one of his friends told him he should box. Finn said something like: 'maybe in another life.'"
Mum was thinking. Harriet grimaced. "I know, it's a weak link, but… it's something, right?"
Mum gave Harriet a sad smile. "It is, dear. I'll talk to your father and tell him."
"Promise?" Harriet asked.
"Promise, dear."
Harriet's shriek of delight filled the little valley before Mountain Home. Daddy caught her from her running leap outside the front door and spun her around in a circle. The twins collided with them next, and all four collapsed to the grass.
"ACK!" Daddy laughed. "No fair, you're all so big now!"
"You're home!" The twins chorused.
It was Sunday morning, just before noon. Harriet hadn't been up an hour. She'd slept since Mum took her breakfast plate around noon the previous day.
Daddy sat up, ruffling the girls' hair. "I swear you're all an inch taller and it's only been a week."
The twins' identical grins only grew.
Daddy smiled more delicately at Harriet. "Hey, Harricane… sorry I wasn't here…"
Harriet buried her face in his chest as she hugged him tighter. "Thank you…"
Daddy gently rubbed her back, kissing the top of her head.
"We think we're close…" Daddy said. "We're looking into underground boxing rings. Problem is… there's a lot more than you'd expect, and it's just me."
The four got to their feet and headed into the house. Harriet kept her arms around him. A tiny, childish part of her mind was afraid he would vanish if she let go.
The family made their way into the kitchen. The table was laden with fresh sandwiches, and there was a steaming kettle of tea on the stove. Harriet's stomach grumbled. She was still starving.
"So you've been investigating underground boxing rings?" Rosie asked with a hungry glint in her eye.
Daddy chuckled. "Yes, sweetie."
Daddy and Mum exchanged looks.
"What?" Harriet asked.
"We need to have a talk with Rosie," Daddy said.
"What about?" Rosie asked, sounding guarded.
"It's alright, sweetie," Mum said.
Daddy and Mum knelt beside Rosie in her chair.
"Rosie, you know your father and I love you and only want the best for you."
Harriet exchanged a glance with Nan. She looked just as confused as Harriet felt.
"Yes…?" Rosie said, still defensive.
"We understand you've been spending a lot of time with your friend Niamh from Rathlin."
"Well yeah, she's like my best friend," Rosie said.
"We know, sweetie," Mum said. "But we have been hearing very unsettling things about her house, and the woman who runs it."
"We're worried you might tell Niamh something that will get to Umbridge," Daddy said.
"Like about the Order?" Rosie asked. "Of course I haven't said anything about the Order!"
Rosie got to her feet. "You think it's easy? 'Oh, hello best friend! I've missed you so much! We used to share everything, but at the same time I can't trust you and have to keep things from you!'"
Rosie spun on her heel and stormed from the room. Daddy rose and made to go after her, but Mum put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"Let her cool down," Mum said, leaning back on the table. "This is hard for everyone…"
"You're right," Daddy said, running a hand through his hair.
Harriet and Nan were shifting uncomfortably in their chairs. Harriet knew exactly how Rosie felt.
As a result, a half hour later, Harriet knew exactly what to say when she knocked on the door to the twins' room.
"What?" Rosie asked through the door. She still sounded angry.
"It's me," Harriet said. "Just wanna talk."
The door opened. "Going to tell me stupid stuff I already know, too?"
"No," Harriet replied. "At least… that's not what I'm trying to do… just wanted to talk about it, because I know how you feel…"
Rosie looked away, but Harriet could feel Rosie's guilt rising and her anger abating.
"Sorry," Rosie said, backing away from the door.
Harriet stepped inside. Rosie walked over to her bed and sat on it. Harriet joined her.
"I can't say anything to Scott because he might say something to Colm. I can't say anything to Kieran, who might say something to Scott, who might say something to Colm…" Harriet said.
Rosie grimaced. "That does kinda suck…"
"I can't say anything to Fern… because she's all about Umbridge…"
"I don't like Umbridge," Rosie said. "Not really. She's weird… and kinda creepy… but I've missed Niamh so much."
Harriet put an arm around Rosie's shoulder.
"I'm proud of you that you haven't," Harriet said. "It's hard…"
"It is," Rosie said. "Then Dad and Mom talking to me like I'm stupid… like I don't know better…"
"They're worried," Harriet said. "We all are… about a lot."
Harriet thought. After so much sleep, and good food, her mind was clearer than it had been in a week. The Order was in a particularly perilous position now. They'd taken in Fern over the summer. What had Fern told Umbridge? What had Scott told Colm already?
Harriet's sense of dread was starting to rise. There was a terrible, dark irony in the fact that Harriet herself was perhaps one of the Order's most significant vulnerabilities.
"I'm sick of it," Rosie said, her voice sounding a little choked.
Rosie buried her face in her hands. "I know I have to sound so whiny, but… I just… Dead people have attacked me; my friends have been through hell, and I have to keep stuff from them, and I have to lie to Nan and Emma and pretend, so Niamh doesn't think I'm abandoning her…"
Rosie took a deep breath. "Life was just so simple before…"
Harriet didn't say anything. What could she say? Most anything she could think of would probably make Rosie feel even more attacked. Life had never been simple for Harriet, but that wasn't Rosie or Nan's fault. That was Dumbledore's fault, the Dursleys', and Professor Snape's…
Harriet was pleased to see that her talk with Rosie did get Rosie to calm down. She apologised to Daddy and Mum that afternoon, and Nan and Harriet gave them space to talk.
Harriet couldn't help but think about Fern. She must have felt the same way Rosie had when her friends confronted her.
Fern. What was Harriet going to do about Fern? And Scott?
It had barely been twenty-four hours, yet already being away was helping Harriet think straight again. She would be taken to Hogwarts every morning by Mum and brought back every evening.
Nan and Rosie were opting to return to Hogwarts. Harriet didn't blame them. They had their friends there, and she would still see them in classes.
Professor McGonagall gave Harriet dispensation to remain at home as long as she saw fit. Harriet was not yet sure how long she would remain at home. She was sure she would miss her friends before long, too.
There was something else. According to Remus, reporters and photographers were still hovering around Hogsmeade, trying to get a story. Mad-Eye Moody caught one trying to climb down the chimney. Remus said that Mad-Eye was getting even more irritable than usual, having to remain at the headquarters and guard it all the time. Unfortunately, with his magical eye, and his horde of secrecy sensors and dark detectors, there was no one better for the job.
Harriet would have to face them every morning and evening on her way to school, most likely. Someone had snitched that Harriet was not living inside Hogwarts. It had to be someone in Ursula House unless someone in the castle saw her leaving the school. It was late enough in the day that plenty of students would be awake and could have seen.
Harriet was lying on her bed, listening to Finn. It was about four in the afternoon. She'd just started to get the floating sensation of the verge of sleep when there was a knock on her door. Daddy poked his head in, grinning ear to ear.
Harriet sat up, taking off the headphones. "Something happen?"
"Oh, just a visitor," Daddy said, eyes twinkling.
"A visitor?"
"Yep," Daddy grinned. "And a new secret."
Harriet hopped off the bed, setting the Walkman down. Daddy led her down the hall, but Harriet stopped halfway. She heard a voice. A voice she remembered with deep fondness, but she hadn't been sure she would hear again anytime soon. The slight hiss was unmistakable.
"SEBASTIAN!" Harriet cried and rushed past Daddy.
Sebastian was indeed sitting in Daddy's armchair, chatting warmly with Mum and the twins. His smiling, orange tabby face filled Harriet with a joy she couldn't remember feeling.
"You're back!" Harriet said, hurrying over.
"I am—goodness, you are a hugger—yes, I am back," Sebastian chortled.
"How? Aren't you still wanted by the Ministry?"
"I am," Sebastian said, his ears drooped a bit, but his smile remained.
"Thanks to the Flamels and the French ministry, we have an extra layer of security to Mountain Home, which allows Sebastian to join us freely, with our Ministry none-the-wiser," Mum said, her warm eyes bright and twinkling.
"Private Floo channel," Daddy said, patting the mantelpiece over the fire. "It connects directly, and solely, to one of the fireplaces in the big house at Avalon."
"Which means it's an added layer to our escape strategy," Mum said, more seriously. "You girls remember the original plan?"
"If anything happens we squeeze our little medallions," Rosie said, pulling hers up from the front of her shirt. "And wait for an Order member to come to us."
"Or if we're in Hogsmeade, we go for the fake house," Nan added.
"Then we Apparate along with the Order members there to here," Harriet finished.
"Precisely," Daddy grinned. "So now, when you reach here, you take Floo Powder, throw it into the fire, and step in. You don't even have to say Avalon or anything like that. Avalon's the only connection."
"You girls never feel trapped," Mum said. "There's always one more place to go if things go wrong."
Daddy sat next to Mum. His face was set, but he was still smiling. "We know this is hard on all of you," Daddy said, looking from face to face. "But always remember we're here. The Order is here. We have your backs."
"You're not alone," Mum added. "Not even at Hogwarts. Remember you have Professor McGonagall and Professor Spring."
Harriet noted they left off Professor Snape.
"Yes, Mom," Nan replied.
Mum turned to Sebastian. "We'll show you to the study where you and Harriet can have a session in peace."
"That would be most kind," Sebastian smiled.
"Would you care for some tea?" Daddy offered.
"That would be even kinder," Sebastian laughed. "But you don't need to trouble yourselves."
"No trouble," Daddy replied.
Harriet felt world's lighter. The session with Sebastian had lasted over two hours. She told him everything that had happened in the course of her first week. She told him about Finn's memories. She told him about her worries about her friends.
She told him about what happened with Professor Snape. Every single detail. Sebastian was trying his hardest to keep himself composed, Harriet could tell. His claws kept slipping out slightly, and only the tip of his tail was twitching.
She couldn't tell anyone else what had happened, even though she sincerely wanted to. She couldn't tell Daddy or Mum. They'd kill Professor Snape. Daddy would, for sure.
The part she appreciated most was that he wrote out a note to Professor McGonagall prescribing Harriet one week of bed rest. Mum was going to get all her homework for her so she wouldn't fall behind, but she had one glorious week away from the strange, new Hogwarts she had returned to. A Hogwarts with new faces, old faces missing, and everyone on edge.
Harriet was lying on her bed. Hedwig had arrived and was sitting on Harriet's pillow. Her fluffy chest feathers were soft and warm on the top of Harriet's head as she preened Harriet's fringe.
DIDS was curled up on Harriet's stomach, twitching now and then, as if dreaming. Harriet shook her head at the little toy dragon. Since Harriet had time to play with him, he'd started acting livelier again.
There was a light knock on the door. Harriet sat up a little.
"Come in."
It was Daddy. He had a tray of tea and walked over, setting it on Harriet's desk and pulling out her chair.
"Hey," Daddy said gently. "Just thought we should finally have some time to talk."
Harriet smiled, but she was also worried. She was sure he wanted to talk about what happened with Professor Snape.
"I'm hoping we're close to finding Finn…" Daddy said running a hand through his hair. "But there are some things I have to be upfront with you about."
Harriet blinked.
"We're not sure what's going to happen with him," Daddy sighed. "You see… on the one hand, I know how you two feel for each other… which has been tearing me apart a little."
Harriet furrowed her brow.
"Life's just so hard for you already… and to have this poor kid added to your worries…" Daddy snorted. "Maybe I'm selfish… just worrying about you. But this kid… you really like him?"
Harriet nodded.
"He came through for my little girl when even I couldn't," Daddy admitted. "I owe him for that… but here's the thing."
Daddy took a bracing breath. "After we find him, things are going to get complicated."
"Complicated?"
"You see… The Order wants him because of his memories. So does Captain Kane's team. As far as we know, he's the only student who was there where we have unaltered memories of what happened."
Harriet's eyes widened. She hadn't thought of that. Why hadn't she thought of that?
"We tried to get testimonies from Rathlin students before, but… at the same time we had to keep ourselves secret," Daddy explained. "We're in a constant rock and a hard place. The Ministry was keeping a close watch on all the students. Now with Dumbledore gone—wherever the hell he is just when we need him most—"
Harriet's lips tightened.
"—The Ministry isn't paying as much attention to us. Which would be good, but since they're ignoring Voldemort and us, they're throwing their whole lot in on controlling this Rathlin incident."
"So that's why the Ministry is after Finn?" Harriet asked.
"We don't think they know any of Finn's memories survived," Daddy replied. "But the fact he's not accounted for worries them. So we have an advantage on them there, because we're looking a lot harder."
Harriet gave a short laugh. "I guess he's kind of like Jackson then…"
"Jackson?"
"Another American," Harriet explained. "The Unionists attacked his town, and both sides wanted him because of what happened… funnily enough, it was Captain Kane who helped him escape…"
Daddy shook his head, chuckling. "That sonu— the guy's everywhere."
"Seems like it, sometimes…"
"Guess I see why their president trusts him," Daddy admitted. "He's dedicated, but… he'll do what's right, I guess."
Daddy smiled down at DIDS, lost in thought. "Anyway, tomorrow after we take the girls back to school I'm heading back to Ireland."
"By yourself?"
Daddy gave her a sad smile. "Everyone else has business here," Daddy said. "Don't worry about me."
Harriet set DIDS aside and sat up to give him a proper hug. "Be safe…"
"Of course I will," Daddy said. "Not going to try and find someone for you, just to lose the both of us."
"Don't joke about that…"
"I'm not," Daddy said sincerely. "I'll find him. We'll help him. Things are hard, but not everything's terrible."
"News to me," Harriet said, a little bitterly.
Daddy ruffled her hair. "Cheeky."
Harriet smiled as Hedwig puffed up her feathers in agitation. She'd spent an hour straightening Harriet's hair.
"Have some nice tea… it has the special potion Sebastian prescribed you in it already. Listen to your music and sleep well, Harricane."
Harriet smiled, taking the still steaming cup. The scent of chamomile washed over her mind like a comforting quilt of relaxation. Daddy kissed her forehead and strode from the room. Harriet sipped the tea, relaxing.
"Night, hun," Daddy said.
"Night," Harriet smiled back.
He closed her door for her and Harriet rose from her bed, stretching. She made her way to her trunk. She was relieved he hadn't asked about Professor Snape, but she was sure it would be coming soon.
She knelt and opened her trunk, pulling out a pair of pyjamas and the Walkman. She thought and rummaged around for her parchment and ink. She wanted to write her friends a letter to let them know what was going on.
There was the clunk of Finn's jar in the Pensieve. Harriet closed her eyes. No, she can't give in. She promised. She had to stop invading his memories.
Finn must know.
Harriet's eyes snapped open. Finn must know. And so Harriet must know, too.
Harriet hefted the Pensieve out once more. This wasn't an escape. This was important. Who had carried out the Rathlin attack?
Harriet fell flat on her back. The world was spinning. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be. But it was.
Her mind was reeling from what she'd seen. Children and teens running everywhere, screaming and terrified. Teachers being disarmed, stunned, arrested if they did not leave. Some, she assumed Muggles, were being obliviated as well. Professor Watkins was doing his best to calm everyone. Where was Professor Howe?
Harriet turned around, back and forth. She couldn't see Finn anywhere, but he must be close by. There was just so much going on. Aurors were forcing students around at wand-point. It was a nightmare. There was a child who looked no older than seven or eight crying.
Finally, the students were cornered. Harriet now recognised some faces here and there. There was Fern. She saw Krystelle and Portia. Where were Finn and Colm?
There! Just behind the group, Harriet saw them jump up. They had slid under a fence. Finn was acting reluctant. He kept looking back, but Colm was frantically pulling his older brother away. Harriet moved to follow. She wouldn't be able to stay here much longer. She'd be dragged along after—
"Aaben, Emil."
Harriet froze. She knew that voice. How could it be?
Harriet turned. The sight made her leave the memory at once. The shock launched her right out to reality. She'd spent an hour with her not two days ago. That sweet, simpering, sympathetic voice. All that pink.
Dolores Umbridge. Dolores Umbridge had led the raid.