"I've just got back from talking to McGonagall," Hermione said, running into Harry and Ron's office.
"What are they going to do about the protection?" Harry asked.
"McGonagall called all the teachers into her office," she told him. "And they acted right away. Flitwick and the Defense Against the Arts Professor put up protections even I've never heard of. McGonagall is confident no one can get into the school."
"Good," Harry said.
"Your both off to Luxemburg then?"
"Yup," Ron nodded. "We're hoping to be back by Friday."
"Just be careful. Both of you."
"We probably won't find anything, Hermione," Harry assured her.
"Yes, but still," she said. She turned to Ron. "Rose and Hugo are up in my office. They wanted to see you off."
"I'll be right up," Ron told her.
"I'm going to swing by home before we leave," Harry said. "Say goodbye to Ginny and the kids."
"Bye, Harry," Hermione said, giving him a tight hug.
"See you in four days," Harry said as they pulled apart.
Grabbing his bag, he headed to the lobby so he could dissapperate to his home.
"Hi, daddy," Lily greeted her father as he apperated into the living room.
"Hi, Lil," Harry smiled.
"Do you really have to go?"
"Afraid so," Harry nodded.
"Dad!" Albus exclaimed, running down the stairs, Ginny right behind him.
"When do you have to leave?" Ginny asked softly, kissing him gently on the lips.
"In about ten minutes," Harry replied, hugging Albus and Lily.
"Can't you come back sooner?" Lily asked, looking up him. "Like tomorrow?"
"Friday will come sooner than you think," Harry said, lifting her up.
"Are you going to find that Claridina lady, dad?" Albus asked.
"That's the plan," Harry replied.
"Can I still practice with the Snitch?" Lily asked.
"Of course. Your mum's a fair Seeker. Maybe she can give you a few tips."
"I'll try to live up to her father," Ginny grinned.
"I've got to get back to the office," Harry said. "Lil, Al? I left a file somewhere on my desk with Luxemburg written on it. Can you two please get it?"
Nodding, the children ran into Harry's office. Harry to this opportunity and turned to Ginny. "Gin," he said softly so Lily and Albus wouldn't hear. "As soon as I leave, you need to place protective spells around the house."
"Harry, you're scaring me."
"It's just a precaution," Harry said quickly. "But promise me: every spell you know. If you have any troubles, have Hermione come over and help you, but I'm sure you'll be fine on your own; you're a damn good witch."
"Please, just don't get hurt out there," Ginny whispered.
"We don't even know if Claridina is there," Harry reassured her.
"Yes, but all the same… And tell Ron the same. If anything happens to him, I'll never get back the ten galleons he owes me."
"I will," Harry nodded.
"I found it!" Albus said, running into the room waving a folder. Lily was at his heels.
"You did not! I did!"
"Thank you both," Harry smiled as the two stuck their tongues out at each other.
After giving everyone a last goodbye, Harry took one last glance at his family and disappereated back to the Ministry.
Once he arrived, he headed up to Hermione's office, where her, Ron, Rose and Hugo were saying their goodbyes.
"Everyone's ready," Harry said. "But I'll tell them to wait if you want a few more minutes."
"No, no I'm ready," Ron sighed, picking up his bag.
He gave Rose and Hugo one last hug, and after kissing Hermione, he walked out of the office with Harry.
The two headed down to the lobby where the other Aurrors waited.
"Here are the Portkeys," Harry said, pulling an old tin can, a beat-up wristwatch and a broken radio out of his bag. "They're set to take off one minute apart from each other. The first one will take off in," he looked at his watch. "Thirty seconds. Will the first group come over here, please?"
About fifteen men all huddled around the old tine can. Harry handed the other two Portkeys out, and then placed a hand on the crowded can. Once he did so, the Portkey activated, and Harry felt the familiar sense of being jerked by a hook from his navel and the sickening spinning. It lasted only a moment though, before it all stopped, and he was in Luxemburg.
…
Alexandra ran out of her dormitory, book in hand. Her legs somehow managed to get to where she wanted to go even though her mind was far too confused to properly instruct them. She stood in front of the door to the Room of Requirements, thinking hard that she wanted a place to be alone. She then opened the door, and found Wretermoust, sitting in a chair, as though he had been waiting for her.
"We have a tendency of running into each other here, don't we?" he asked nonchalantly.
Alexandra didn't even feel the usual chill in her spine she got when she talked to him. She shoved the book into his hands.
"Claridina Wretermoust," she said simply. "She's your mother, isn't she?"
"Yes," Wretermoust nodded. "What's so crucial about that that you had to come bursting in here and-"
"She can't be," Alexandra cut him off. "It's impossible."
"Why's it so impossible," he asked, a slow smirk creeping across his face. "That's my mum. What's it to you?"
Alexandra slowly sank into the armchair opposite Wretermoust. "No…"
"Problem?"
Alexandra took the book back and stared at the picture of Claridina Wretermoust. All those nights of staring at the picture…how could she not have realized sooner?
"She'-s-She's-"
"Yes?"
"She's my mum," Alexandra finished weakly.
"I know that," Wretermoust said.
Alexandra looked up. "You knew?"
"Yes. I've known for years."
"But-But that means," Alexandra said slowly. "That you and I are-"
"I told you that we're more alike than you think," he said, grinning.
…..
AN- Yes, many of you already had your suspicions about this, which is why I never confirmed or denied it in the reviews. But don't sweat. Much more twists are in store.