Chapter 38 – Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

Harry watched for a moment as the dragon took shape from their wands, then glanced back at Ginny. "You okay?"

Ginny nodded reassuringly. Harry smiled back, relieved; this time, there would be little time to rest. A second glimmering dragon joined theirs, and then a third, surrounding the Melinoe. Together, the ethereal dragons forced the demon backwards, ripping, tearing and breathing gossamer fire. The line of Dementors that had been advancing behind the Melinoe faltered and began to back away as a line of Patroni surged toward them.

"Forward!" Dumbledore commanded. Slowly, the combined forces of the Aurors and Order moved through the tombstones, forcing their way through the broken line of Dementors towards a knot of Death Eaters clustered near the village church.

A number of fires burned around the small village. From what Harry could tell, it appeared the objective of the Death Eaters had been to do as much damage as possible; however, as they approached, the two groups began to exchange wand-fire.

He glanced left; Jamie appeared uninjured. Harry changed direction slightly, moving closer to his sister. She shouldn't be here; damn Praetor anyway. Harry peered through the thickening smoke; thus far there had been no sign of Voldemort. He intentionally avoided reading any of the headstones in the sprawling Godric's Hollow graveyard.

The Melinoe made an attempt to flee, but the three dragon Patroni managed to force it down just outside the village. The Dementors were scattering, chased by silver shapes of light, and the Death Eaters formed a tight group and began to retreat.

"There are at least three inside," Chris said, looking at some sort of Muggle device as she turned to face Dumbledore. "Maybe more."

"Tonks!" called Dumbledore. She quickly moved beside him. Harry saw Dumbledore point twice, say something about flanking. Tonks nodded and turned to her Aurors. Two groups broke off from the main party, one to each side.

"Move forward slowly!" Dumbledore ordered. The Death Eaters continued to retreat, breaking into two groups, one going to each side of the church. As they moved past the stone building, they suddenly scattered and ran swiftly away from the Aurors and Order members. Buildings, trees and vehicles were set afire or knocked over as they passed.

"They're Apparating," Harry heard one of the Aurors call.

"Make sure none of them are left," Tonks commanded. "Then do what you can to help." She dispatched Ron, Hermione, and Draco to help with the fires; Cassandra accompanied them.

"Albus!" Sirius shouted. "The wards at the manor!"

Dumbledore turned from casting a spout of water from his wand onto a fire. "Will you and Remus investigate? Refrain from any foolhardy actions!"

Looking pointedly toward Harry, who had started toward him, Sirius nodded toward Jamie and silently mouthed, "Stay here!" Then, turning toward Dumbledore, Sirius grinned at Dumbledore and said, "Meet you halfway?" He and Lupin headed back across the graveyard at a fast trot.

"We'll be careful," Lupin called over his shoulder.

"There's an attack underway in Diagon Alley," Tonks announced. She called a number of the Aurors and dispatched them to London. Turning toward Dumbledore she remarked, "This is getting ugly fast. We're already spread thin."

"Perhaps some of the Order might -" Dumbledore began.

"Wait!" Chris interrupted. "There's still someone in the church."

"Death Eaters?" asked Harry, his frustration with Sirius evident in his tone.

"No way to tell from this, boss," Chris said, nodding at the device she held. "Could be nothing more than a couple of scared locals taking cover." She started forward. "But I suppose we'd better find out. Cover me."

Chris moved quickly toward the church, crouching low. She reached the outer wall, and then crept toward the door. She listened carefully for several moments; hearing nothing, she slowly turned the latch. After another pause to listen she made a motion, and Tonks and two Aurors quickly joined her. After a moment, Chris motioned again, opened the door a crack, and the four slipped quietly inside.

Perhaps a minute later, the door swung wide. "All clear," Chris announced, "but I think you'll want to look at this, Albus. And there're some wrapped gifts for the Ministry."

Harry, Ginny and Jamie followed Dumbledore and the Flamels into the church. The interior was in shambles. In the nave, pews and everything else appeared to have been tossed into haphazard stacks near the walls. The stone floor in the center of the room had been pulled up, and Harry could see a huge cut stone had been partially pulled from the ground; it was blocking some sort of passage.

Three Death Eaters lay nearby, bound and unconscious. Their hoods had been removed; Harry did not recognize two of them, but the third was Lucius Malfoy.

As Harry moved to get a better look at the stone and perhaps what lay beyond it, he heard Perenelle's breath catch.

"Clavis Avallonis…Cali… Brian, Mon Dieu, hold! We must secure this area, maintenat, and consider most carefully how we should proceed. It must…"

"Fight… fight for what's right," Jamie whispered, suddenly unstable on her feet. "Risin' up, back on the street…" She turned ghostly pale and would have fallen to the floor had Dumbledore not caught her.

"They should be removed before they awaken," Perenelle said softly, pointing to the Death Eaters. Her color had become almost as pale as Jamie's. "The dust and cobwebs are undisturbed. Fortunately, it would seem that they had not the opportunity to venture past the stone." She sighed wearily. "We must secure this building, at least for the moment. It would be for the best," she continued looking at Tonks and the Aurors, "if nothing were said about this. We must ensure Voldemort's forces do not gain entry here."

Tonks started to ask a question, but seeing Dumbledore's expression she stopped and nodded slowly. "I can keep a few people here, but with all hell breaking lose everywhere else it may not be easy."

"I shall contact Arthur," said Dumbledore.

0== ) =======

"I can't believe this place has been closed up so long," Sirius said, his eyes focused somewhere far away. "It seems like only yesterday…"

"Are you going to be able to open the bloody door or not?" Lupin asked impatiently. "Dumbledore said they were coming here."

"Yeah, I was here when James sealed it." Sirius paced back and forth twice and then turned toward the door again. He muttered something as he twirled his wand in blazingly fast pattern. The door shimmered for a moment, and both wizards heard the lock click.

"I told you it'd just take a second."

Lupin sighed. "Are you just going to stand there, or are we going in?"

"It's Harry's house, so I reckon we should wait for him. Should be safe enough; the seal hasn't been tampered with."

Lupin nodded. "I never thought I'd see his place again. It's… it's almost like coming home."

"Yeah," Sirius said, his voice breaking slightly. "If only…" his voice trailed off as they both remembered the summers and holidays they had spent here during their Hogwarts years.

Their reverie was broken by the arrival of the rest of the group that had left Hogwarts three hours before, other than Nicholas and Chris who had remained at the churrch.. "Welcome to the old home place -" Sirius began, cutting his greeting short when he saw Jamie lying limp in Chris's arms. "What the hell happened to Jamie?"

"She has fainted, Sirius," Dumbledore replied calmly. "I do not believe she has suffered any harm."

"What happened?" Sirius repeated.

"At this poimt, we are unsure; however, there seems to be no immediate danger. As events have unfolded," Perenelle continued, "I believe that there are fit and seemly reasons to remain in Godric's Hollow for the moment. With Harry's agreement, this seemed to be the least bad choice."

Harry nodded somberly as Sirius motioned him forward. "It's your pad, kiddo."

Harry grinned slightly in spite of himself and nodded as he opened the door. "Then come in and be welcome at Potter Manor."

0== ) =======

"I'm fine!" Jamie insisted. "I just got a little hot, or… or something." She had managed to sit up on the large overstuffed sofa, but Molly had prevented her from standing.

"That's twice, young lady. After the party, I put it off to too much butterbeer and maybe sneaking a sip or two of firewhiskey, but this time…"

"But -" Jamie tried to interrupt.

"No buts, Jamie. This fainting or whatever it is needs looking after. We should return to Hogwarts and have Madam Pomfrey give you a looking over."

"Molly," Perenelle shook her head slightly. "I must advise against removing Jamie from Godric's Hollow now."

"But… surely… we'd only be gone a short time, if nothing is really wrong. There is no telling what she may have been exposed to all those years."

"There are other considerations, Molly. For now, would you allow me to spend a bit of time with Jamie? If there is even a hint this is other than I suspect, we shall dispatch Jamie to the healer, or bring Poppy here. Will that suffice?"

Molly surrendered reluctantly. "I really don't think… but if you will take care of her."

"I shall, Molly. Now, will you give us a few moments?"

Molly nodded as she walked from the room. Both Perenelle and Jamie grinned as they heard her shouting for Harry.

"Hadn't you better go rescue Harry?" Jamie asked impishly.

"I think Harry will escape unscathed, though Hermione and Draco may find themselves taken to task over the condition of their clothing."

"What happened to them?"

"Fighting fires is often a rather messy business, mon petit chou. But at this moment, I find that I am more interested in what happened to you."

"I just fainted. It no big deal."

"As Molly observed, it is not the first time."

"No," Jamie answered quietly.

"Nor was it the first time after the party."

There was a long pause before Jamie finally answered, even more softly than before, "No."

"What is it that you see, Jamie?"

"I just fainted."

"You spoke just before you became unconscious. Are you able to recall the words you said?" Perenelle paused, and then added, "Draco said that it sounded like a song."

"I don't know what they mean. They just come to me somehow." Sighing, Jamie held out her hand.

Perenelle withdrew slightly. "No, child, at least not yet. We must proceed carefully. Will you first tell me, instead?"

"There's something I… think, maybe, I have to do, or some place I have to go, or… something."

"Go on," Perenelle encouraged.

"There's a huge crowd of people. They're all yelling and screaming. It's deafening. Then the music plays."

"And then?"

"Everything changes. It's a different place, though I can still hear the crowd. I'm running, somewhere, trying not to be seen… then it all goes black."

Perenelle nodded slowly. "When was the first time this happened, child?"

"In Atlanta," Jamie whispered. "I was still staying with Joe. It wasn't long after my scar bled."

"When the die was cast," Perenelle said softly, and then she smiled when Jamie looked confused. "I am sorry, Jamie, I was thinking out loud."

"What does all this mean?"

Perenelle sat thoughtfully for a minute before replying, "Would you first tell me your impressions, what you think?"

"Uh… I already said it's like something I gotta do, or maybe need to do."

"Do you have any sense that it is something to avoid?"

"No. I'm pretty sure about that much, anyway."

Perenelle nodded. "Are there any other details that you recall?"

"Lights… there were really bright lights… and the voices… I think it was in America… maybe… I mean… the voices were…"

Perenelle nodded encouragingly, her surprise at Jamie's last statement showing only for a fraction of a second.

"I don't think I was alone, but I can't remember who else was there."

"And this that you see, it is the same each time?"

Jamie nodded. "Each time… it seems, I don't know, closer, or something. Do you know what it means?"

"At this point, chérie, I can do little more than speculate. From what you have told me thus far, if you are still willing," Perenelle hesitated, "it may be that the best course would be to share it with me directly."

Jamie smiled slightly, placed her hand in Perenelle's, and closed her eyes.

Many minutes passed.

"Grand-mère! Jamie!" Perenelle could hear Harry's urgent calls as she slowly emerged from rapport with Jamie.

"Fear not, lapin, we are well."

Harry did not look reassured. "I called you both several times. I even shook Jamie."

"I'm fine, Harry," Jamie said bracingly, though Perenelle heard her add, under her breath, "I think." Jamie shifted her gaze between Perenelle and Harry.

"Jamie allowed me to attempt to share what she had experienced when she fainted," Perenelle explained. It required a great deal of effort to keep her voice from faltering. "As you observed, it was indeed a deeply imbedded memory."

"What -" Jamie began.

"I must consider carefully what you have shared, Jamie. I do not doubt your observations, or the validity of you visions."

"But… what were those places, the other places?"

Perenelle raised a hand. "Harry, you seem impatient."

"Sirius was going to show us through the manor, and he wanted Jamie to come, too."

"I'd like that," Jamie said. "But…"

"I do need time to consider all that you shared," said Perenelle. "Perhaps you should go now and explore your family home, and we shall talk further afterwards."

Jamie nodded reluctantly. "But when we're done?"

"Then, or soon after, I will offer what discernment I can," Perenelle said. Then, as Harry turned to lead the way from the room, Perenelle made a shushing motion, and Jamie nodded.

0== ) =======

Perenelle had remained seated; after Jamie and Harry left the room, she leaned back and closed her eyes, lost in thought.

"Clavis Avallonis?" Dumbledore asked quietly. He had entered the room several minutes earlier, standing quietly, watching Perenelle.

"Your Latin is as at least good as mine, Brian," she replied, her eyes still closed.

"I know the words," he paused as she opened her eyes, peering intently at home, "but am uncertain of their portent."

Perenelle nodded, opened her eyes and raised an eyebrow.

"It would seem that the reverse is not true," Dumbledore continued, looking at Perenelle speculatively.

"There is little of which I am certain," Perenelle sighed.

"I am troubled by other things as well."

Perenelle again arched her eyebrow.

"I find that the few times that I recall that the subject of Avalon ever came up between us, that other pressing matters suddenly presented themselves, or the subject was otherwise quickly changed."

Perenelle nodded. "Perhaps that is so."

"And… Harry and Ginny. I have come to suspect you have been training them both in the lost ways of that isle."

"The Wyvern Way," Perenelle replied, her eyes suddenly defiant. "I am."

"But… how?"

"Suffice it to say that I am the last remaining practitioner, at least on this side of the sundering mists."

"But Harry is male."

"Yes." Perenelle looked thoughtful for a moment. "I am… foresworn. Yet, even so, other exceptions have been made."

"You mean…?"

"Indeed. And that child was not even magical… even though at the last, he, too, passed through the mists."

"What lies beyond that passage?" Dumbledore asked.

"I cannot be certain. When the paths through the mists were closed from both sides, means were left by which they might be reopened. I do not find that nearly as disturbing as finding Voldemort's agents attempting to uncover them."

"Then the key might actually be there?"

"Part of it." Perenelle sighed again. "When the paths were closed, the key was in two parts. We will at best find but half there." She hesitated. "But Jamie… Jamie seems to be drawn to the other half."

It was Dumbledore's turn to raise an eyebrow. "This is related to her fainting?"

"I believe so, and from what I know, or can speculate, she – perhaps together with Ginny – may be able to find it."

"A geas?"

Perenelle nodded. "Yes."

"Then we cannot…"

"Help… or interfere."

"What have you discerned thus far?"

"Very little of which I am certain. Jamie shared her memories of the visions, but I could determine little from them. Jamie believes they were of America."

"That could prove difficult in several ways."

"Indeed. Particularly if Voldemort is also seeking it."

"Is there anything that we might do?"

"Not yet. It is my feeling that events shall now unfold quickly."

Dumbledore nodded. "I did not understand the meaning of the last word. Resurget, if I recall correctly, is 'shall rise again,' but Caliburnus?"

"Perhaps we did neglect some small aspects of your education, Brian. Caliburnus you might know better as Excalibur."

0== ) =======

"This was your father's room," Sirius said, leading the way through a half-open door. "Mine was the one on the other side."

"You lived here, too?" Jamie asked.

"Yeah, I sort of moved in," Sirius said. "I didn't exactly see eye to eye with my parents. Lupin spent a lot of time here, too. James's parents took us both in, and we pretty much had this wing to ourselves. I don't think this has been touched since we graduated from Hogwarts."

Lupin nodded. "James's books and school things are still there in that corner. That's where he stacked them when we came back here after graduation."

"That was when he brought Lily here to meet your grandparents," Sirius grinned. "That was one crazy weekend."

"What happened to my… our grandparents?" Harry asked, turning slightly so that he faced away from the group.

Sirius and Lupin exchanged a look. "They were killed not long after that," Lupin finally replied. "Here, but on the grounds, not in the house."

"That's one of the reasons your Dad wouldn't stay here… after," Sirius added.

"What were they like?" Jamie asked for Harry, her hand slipping in to his.

0== ) =======

"Ginny? Is something wrong?"

Ginny felt a light touch on her shoulder and turned enough to see Cassandra behind her.

"It's Harry. He's upset… and sad." Cassandra sat beside her as Ginny shrugged. "Sirius is taking him and Jamie through the house. I didn't go with them; I thought just the two of them should see it before the rest of us."

"I understand. It is a great deal to take in all at once. Being here, suddenly and unexpectedly, must be hard on them, especially Harry."

"The graveyard upset him, too. He was more worried about stumbling across his parents' graves than the Death Eaters, even though he said he wanted to come here just in the last day or two."

Cassandra nodded. "It is one thing to come by choice, and another entirely to be forced by events."

"Yeah, but just how much can he take? I feel like I should be doing something, but I don't know what."

"Even as you feel his worry, he feels your concern." Cassandra smiled. "That means more than mere words can express."

"And then, in the church… what did all that mean? Even Madam Flamel seemed fri… um, worried."

"I was not there, child." Cassandra's manner changed. She was now staring intently at Ginny. "Perhaps," she said, holding out her hand. Ginny placed her hand in Cassandra's and closed her eyes.

"I am not certain," Cassandra whispered several moments later. "I must speak with Albus and Perenelle. But, in the meantime, will you do something for me?"

"Okay."

"Watch Jamie closely. Regardless of what should occur, ensure that she is not left alone. And try not to involve any of the others, even Harry. Will you do that?"

"But –"

"We will talk further, Ginny, and soon," Cassandra said as she stood and walked swiftly away.

0== ) =======

"Damnedest thing I ever saw," Chris said. "Nothing any of us did made any impression at all. Magically, it was like nothing was there. But there wasn't any way we could find past it."

"That's a problem for Dumbledore and the rest of the professors." Sirius shook his head resignedly. "I'm more worried about Jamie. Why did it affect her, and only her?"

"That wasn't the first time, you know."

"What?" Sirius growled. "Nobody tells me effing anything."

"I didn't know either, till Nicholas Flamel mentioned it this afternoon. Apparently something similar happened the night of Harry's birthday party."

"Does Harry know?"

"I don't know."

"I should talk to him about it, but… right now…"

"Why not, Sirius?"

"Lupin and I were taking Harry and Jamie through the house. We ended up in James's room. All of James's school stuff was there, exactly where he'd left it when we all came back here after seventh year. For some reason it really got to Harry."

"What'd you do?"

"We ended up stopping there. Harry wanted to just sit there by himself; Jamie insisted on staying with him."

"They should at least keep each other out of trouble."

"Yeah, but I'm going to see if I can get some answers."

0== ) =======

"Hi."

"Hi, Jamie. Are you feeling okay?" Hermione asked, smiling.

"Yeah. I wanted to ask you a question."

"Sure."

"Can you tell me what 'Clavis Avallonis' means?"

"Is that an incantation?"

"I'm not really sure," replied Jamie.

"Clavis… clavis means a key." Hermione looked thoughtful for several moments. "Avallonis… I think that would be Avalon."

"Avalon?"

"It's a mythical place. It was supposed to be a magical island, in the time of King Arthur."

"How about 'Resurget Caliburnus?'"

"Resurget... I think it means 'will rise again'. Can you spell the other word?"

"I think it's C-A-L-I-B-U-R-N-U-S."

"Hmmm… that's a nominative form… I think I've heard it before or read it somewhere, but I don't remember what it means."

Jamie nodded distractedly. "Thanks, Hermione."

"Anytime. Want to do a spot of revision later? Perhaps after tea?"

"Maybe. I'd like to."

0== ) =======

"Come in," said Jamie, exasperatedly.

Ginny opened the door and slipped into the room, closing it behind her. "Something wrong?" she asked.

"Uh… no, er… I dunno; maybe. I came up here to try and rest for a bit, and every few minutes somebody comes to check on me. First it was Sirius, and then Draco, and then Remus and now you. Are all of you watching me?"

Ginny's face turned slightly red. "Um… I wanted to ask you about Harry."

"Yeah; right," she sighed. "He's down the other hall. Pity party for one, nobody else invited." Jamie tapped her foot, obviously looking at the door.

"What happened?" Ginny asked. "Did I do the wrong thing by not coming along?"

Jamie's face softened. "I don't think so. It was his father's room, and his stuff laying there just where he'd left it that seemed to get to Harry. I stayed awhile after Sirius and Remus left, but he wouldn't talk to me. He just wanted to sit there, staring at a pile of books and stuff."

"Yeah, I could feel it. He was pretty upset. How about you?"

Jamie looked surprised, then thoughtful. "I... dunno. In some ways I feel kinda guilty that he feels so bad and I, well, just don't feel what he does. And in another way, guilty because part of me feels good that I have some place to belong."

"There's nothing wrong with that."

Jamie nodded. "Yeah, but right now the hard just part is just taking it all in."

"Yeah. Stuff like this," Ginny waved her arms, encompassing the manor house, "was never what I expected. Before this summer I was just a poor little Devonshire girl wearing boys' hand-me-downs with patches on top of patches."

"At least you had patches," Jamie grinned. "But this does beat sleeping under a bridge."

"Even with all the... you know...?"

"Yeah. At least, I dunno, there's at least a reason. I just wish I could actually do something."

Ginny moved to the bed and settled. "You did the same things we did."

"While being carefully kept in the middle of you, Harry, Draco, and everyone else."

"Maybe, but Praetor wouldn't allow you to be left behind."

"I don't understand that, either. Why?"

"Perhaps you are needed," said a portrait hanging above the bed.

"Wha..." Jamie turned, startled, taking notice of the portrait for the first time. It portrayed woman, on horseback, with flowing red hair. She was dressed in what appeared to be leather; a bow was in one hand and several arrows could be seen in a quiver on her back.

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to startle you," the portrait said.

"It's okay," Jamie replied. "I guess I'm still not really used to pictures talking."

The figure in the painting nodded gravely as Ginny said, "Hi. I'm Ginny." Nodding toward Jamie, she continued, "and that's Jamie."

"I am Nivaine," the portrait replied, bowing her head gracefully. "It has a very long time since anyone ventured here."

Ginny glanced at Jamie before answering. "This house was closed for a long time. We only came here today."

"Then you must be Potters, perchance the daughters of Master James and that delightful young lady whom he was to marry. Lily was her name. She stayed in this room, you know. We talked several times."

"Um." Ginny and Jamie exchanged a glance before Ginny answered. "Jamie is. I mean, she's a Potter and Lily's daughter. I'm a Potter, too, but not by birth, but um, marriage."

"Indeed? And I had thought you sisters. Strange, indeed. I found myself wondering if the two of you could be Nimue's ... well, it is of no matter, that is no longer any of my affair. But if you," using the bow to point toward Jamie, "are Lily's daughter, then you," this time the bow was tipped toward Ginny, "must be handfasted to James and Lily's son. Was that him you mentioned earlier? Did they name him Harry?"

"Yes," Ginny replied. "Harry James Potter. And might I ask a question?" Nivaine nodded and Ginny continued, "You mentioned Nimue..."

The portrait of Nivaine laughed deeply. "Nimue, Nimue, so prim, so proper and mystical. Although 'spooky' might be a better word. My brooding, boring sister, who thought it better to have nothing at all than to have to share. You would never see her like this, dressed for the hunt, and mounted astride a steed."

"What happened to her?" Jamie asked.

"She chose to stay on the other side at the parting. I elected to remain in the hills and hollows I had come to love. Without Merlin it seemed pointless to –"

In a magnificent burst of flames, Praetor appeared. Landing on the bed between Ginny and the portrait, he trilled three notes toward Nivaine before preening his tail feathers. Nivaine laughed again. "As I reckoned, Jamie, it would seem that you, at least, have a place in someone's plans."

"Someone's?" Ginny asked pointedly. Praetor had stopped preening and was looking at Jamie.

"Indeed," replied Nivaine. "Perchance my first thought about the two of you was not in error after all."

Praetor broke into song. Jamie, entranced, moved toward him.

"Jamie! No!" Ginny yelled, rolling across the bed in an attempt to place herself between Jamie and Praetor.

Ginny heard the door opening behind her as she wrapped her arms around Jamie's legs. Everything disappeared in a swirl of flames.

0== ) =======

Finally alone, Harry allowed himself to move. He slowly sank to the floor, leaning back against the bed, still staring at the stacks of books and other school goods. One stack of books, to the left of the others, was neatly stacked, unlike the other almost haphazard piles. On top of this stack was a neatly folded Gryffindor scarf. For some reason, it struck Harry as being out of place. As his eyes wandered through the stacked tomes and boxes, another scrap of red and gold caught his eye. Looking closer, he saw another wadded scarf peeping out from under a ragged stack of books.

Harry's gaze drifted back to the orderly stack of books. Some of these, he noted, were the same as some of the books in other stacks. Did that mean, he wondered...

Slowly, almost reverently, Harry reached for the neatly folded scarf. It was soft in his hands, almost silken, unlike his own scarf knitted from coarse wool. Then, moving it closer, he caught a hint of something familiar, something seemingly just on the edge of his memory; a scent. Lavender... yes, that much he could identify from a shampoo Ginny liked; but the other... perhaps roses?

As Harry buried his face in the scarf; memories and memories of memories flitted at the edge of his consciousness. It had been an emotional experience for him just handling the items left for him in the chest; but now, this simple scarf threatened to overwhelm him; unlike dry parchments, this was real, tangible, and evoked specters of his childhood.

He tried, not for the first or even thousandth time, to recall a face, but all he could manage were the images in Hagrid's pictures, the mirror, or from the Pensieve. But this time, he felt he was close... so very, very close.

Why had they stayed and fought? Their deaths seemed so meaningless; especially now with Voldemort openly attacking at will. What had their deaths bought? A delay? A few years that the swine in the Ministry had completely thrown away and wasted instead of spending that time preparing. And blaming him, and his friends...

It's not too late now, a voice somewhere inside of him whispered. You can still walk away from all of this. You have the means to take Ginny and Jamie and Sirius and all of the Weasleys and everyone away from here. Leave it to the Ministry to deal with their mess.

But where would be far enough, another whisper replied. America? Australia? If Voldemort won here, wouldn't it still just be a matter of time? Even then, what could he do when something like Praetor kept dragging Jamie into the middle of things? Harry felt a surge of anger; Praetor, or whomever was controlling him, had no right to keep bringing Jamie into the middle of the conflict. Harry at least knew the score; he had some idea what he was walking into; Jamie hadn't even had time absorb what being part of the magical world meant. She might well have been better off alone on the streets of America than pulled into the maelstrom that was his life.

Ginny deserved better than this. Not forced to fight at his side, but to have home and hearth and children.

Children.

Would some child of his, he wondered, sit here like this one day, staring at a pile of tattered books, worn robes, a rusting cauldron, a scarred trunk... wondering about them... holding Ginny's scarf to their face... praying for some fragment of a memory of a mother?

Was this the legacy they... no, that he, was creating for them?

Is this all? And nothing more? Nothing but trail of burned buildings and broken bodies?

My hands are tied. All everyone wants me to do is wait and wait.

He buried his face in the scarf again. After a time, his eyes closed and his hands dropped away, the scarf settling on his chest.

0== ) =======

"Why have you returned here, beloved?" Nicholas asked softly. "Are not the Aurors sufficient?"

"I needed time to consider and reflect," Perenelle replied with a sigh.

"And perhaps space as well? Cassandra, Sirius, Brian and Draco are seeking you."

"That, too... and no doubt Jamie is looking, and perhaps Harry. We have lived into interesting times, beloved. But as of yet, I have no answers for them."

"Or for me?"

Perenelle hesitated. "Not as yet, nor even for myself."

"I have never pressed you."

"Indeed." She smiled. "As Jamie might say, you foolishly accepted a pig in a poke. What a marvelous and seemly expression."

"I have no regrets, beloved."

"Nor do I, but events are unfolding now that I did not anticipate, at the least within our lifetimes, or perhaps ever."

"The sundering? That was not forever?"

Perenelle shook her head. "But do you know why?"

"No."

"The Lady had visions of how Muggle technology and society would develop. She and the counsel feared that should Avalon be within their reach, it would lead to the end of everything. Her visions have proved true in many ways. In any event, the path through the mists was closed."

"That explains much. But if I understand the words on that stone, a means of opening that path exists."

"A means to do so was created before the way was closed. I do not think any of the handful of us who remained on this side knew the specifics, and I am the only one left. Voldemort is, seemingly, seeking it, and that was the Lady's greatest fear: that a powerful mage would seek to combine Muggle and magical means."

Nicholas looked thoughtful. "He has already taken steps in that direction."

"Indeed, as did Grindelwald before him. And Jamie, in some way, has attracted Merlin's attention. I have but little doubt that it is Praetor's doing that has influenced her of late. And... I have long wondered if the Lady had some hand in his imprisonment. She feared him and his casual ways with Muggles. More than one hand is in pulling at threads."

"And Ginny?"

"The sundered twins... perhaps. Of that I am unsure. Though Ginny, at least, does not seem to be Praetor's focus."

"But not totally beyond it. He gave feathers for all three of their wands."

"I know, but I lack answers. Neither Brian nor Harry will find comfort in what I can tell them. Nor will Sirius." Perenelle looked thoughtful for a moment. "You mentioned Draco. Do you know what he seeks?"

Nicholas smiled. "Jamie rather abruptly dismissed him, it would seem. Cassandra, seeking you, paid him little heed, and he hoped you might have some insight since you had talked with her."

"So... the hopes of the lovelorn are left to me in addition to less weighty matters as the fate of the Blessed Isle and its Sword of Power?"

"So it would seem, beloved."

"What do I tell them? I spoke with Brian earlier and perhaps said more than I should have without better understanding what is unfolding."

"Cassandra became quite concerned after Ginny shared with her what we found here. No doubt she has spoken with Brian."

"And Sirius?"

"He feels that all of us have kept him in the dark regarding Jamie. He fears both for her safety and how these events will influence Harry."

"At least there seems to be no immediate threat. The worst scenario I can foresee at the moment is some sort of offensive to draw us away from here if Voldemort actually understands what might lie beneath."

"The key? Or Excalibur?"

"Excalibur was not left within the mortal realm."

"And why now?"

"It may be that that, indirectly, is our doing."

"How so?"

"Merlin was trapped in the spaces between realities. In freeing Sirius and inadvertently the Melinoe, it may be that we somehow made it possible for Merlin to reach Praetor."

"The chain of events leading to finding Jamie began not long after," Nicholas said thoughtfully.

"And then Praetor intervened to protect her a short time later."

"We have also speculated he had some role in Harry and Ginny's bonding."

Perenelle nodded. "We are unsure of the questions, let alone the answers. Draco told you that I talked with Jamie?"

"No, it was Cassandra."

"She shared what she had experienced with me. The rapport was unlike any I have experienced before, save… It was so deep and complete that Harry found it difficult to interrupt."

"Do you –"

"Wait. There is more. As I said, it was quite deep, and I was not in full control. I am uncertain what Jamie may have received from me."

Nicholas raised an eyebrow, concerned. "Perhaps it is well Cassandra asked Ginny to ensure Jamie was not left alone."

"Perhaps... mais non, qui se sent mal."

0== ) =======

Draco could hear voices on the other side of the door. He knocked softly, but there was no response; only a swooshing sound and then Ginny's shout. Opening the door, he entered the room only to be knocked back into the hallway by some invisible force as the two girls disappeared in a swirl of flame.

The flames - or whatever the force had been - had been hard enough to push him across the hall and against the wall. Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, Draco considered what he should do. Ginny had been trying to stop Jamie, so perhaps he should let someone know what had happened... but with Jamie already upset with him for some unfathomable reason, perhaps it would be best not to interfere. Then, again, Ginny had been trying to stop her, and that meant something was awry.

Perhaps fortunately, he was not forced to choose. "Ah, Draco," said Dumbledore, rounding the corner with Cassandra, "we were just looking for Jamie. Perhaps you know where we might find her?"

"She was just there," Draco said, nodding toward the bedroom. "With Ginny. They left by phoenix."

Cassandra started to stay something, but Dumbledore held up his hand. "A phoenix? Are you certain?"

"Yes," replied Draco. "I do not think Ginny wished to go, or perhaps she did not want Jamie to go. She shouted 'No' to Jamie just before they disappeared."

Dumbledore exchanged a concerned look with Cassandra before asking, "Did you, perchance, recognize the phoenix?"

Draco shook his head. "It might have been the one that brought us here, but I am not certain."

Dumbledore nodded slowly. "If they should return, would you tell them I would very much like to speak with them? And I would be grateful if you refrained from speaking with anyone else about this for the moment."

Draco hesitated before reluctantly nodding his agreement.

"Thank you, Draco," said Dumbledore, and he and Cassandra returned the way they had come.

0== ) =======

"Albus, I think we need to have a little talk," Sirius growled as he spotted Dumbledore and Cassandra descending the stairs. "Just what the hell is going on with Jamie?"

Dumbledore started to reply, but Sirius interrupted, "No. I've got a better question. Why is nobody around here telling me an effing thing about anything anymore? In case you've forgotten, I'm still supposed to be her guardian."

"I do not believe they are in danger, Sirius," said Dumbledore. "I do not think Praetor would allow them to come to harm."

"What in bloody hell are you talking about, Dumbledore? I'm talking about her fainting." Sirius watched Dumbledore and Cassandra exchange a look, and his voice became hard. "What has that damned singing peacock done now?"

"I am afraid that Praetor has undertaken to transport both Jamie and Ginny away from Potter Manor," Dumbledore said calmly.

Sirius waited for Dumbledore to continue. Finally, he demanded, "Where?"

"I do not know," said Dumbledore as he raised his hands. "Please, Sirius, calm yourself. I do not think any harm will come to them."

"You do not think?" Sirius spat. "And where the hell is Harry? And Ron and Hermione?"

"I have not seen them since we arrived," Dumbledore stated. "I do not think it likely that they were..."

"Do you know anything Albus? Anything useful?" Sirius interrupted as he headed toward the stairs. "And for Merlin's sake, why are the two of you just standing there?"

Dumbledore watched Sirius scramble up the stairs two at a time, and then turned toward Cassandra. His face remained somber, but his eyes twinkled. "It seems that Sirius, a least, has correctly discerned the responsible party."

"Sirius is right in one regard. There is little we can do just standing here."

0== ) =======

"Jamie!"

"You didn't have to come. I had to," Jamie replied as she disentangled herself from Ginny's grasp.

Ginny scrambled to her feet. "What do you mean that you had to?"

"It doesn't matter now," she replied, taking several steps forward and looking about.

Ginny let that one pass for the moment. "Do you know where we are?"

"Uh..."

"It sounds like London, the Muggle part."

Jamie nodded and started walking towards the sounds of traffic. "I think –"

"Don't," Ginny interrupted. "We need to go back, or at least get you someplace safe."

Jamie slowed as they moved out of the alley they had appeared in, staring in the distance. "This isn't London. It's Atlanta, and don't even start. I can take care of myself and you, too, at least here."

Ginny had been rummaging through her pockets. "My communicator; I must have dropped it somewhere. Do you have yours?

Jamie patted her hands against her jeans, a flicker of worry flitting across her face. "No, but I'm sure I had it before."

"We need to find..." Ginny paused, uncertain.

"What?"

"We need some way to get in touch and to get back home, and maybe a place to stay for now. This doesn't seem like a very good place."

"We'll be fine here, at least in daylight," said Jamie. "

"Still, we need to do something," Ginny interrupted. I don't know how to find anything or anyone here."

"Food and a place are easy; we have plastic. I have my card with me. You know, don't leave home without it." She grinned, waited a moment and continued when Ginny did not react. "Don't worry; we won't have to dumpster dive or sleep under a bridge. But –"

Ginny interrupted again, "But I have no idea where to go over here, or who to contact, or even if we should. I'm not sure we want go get involved with the Ministry here again."

"Yeah; I think they were glad to see our backs," Jamie nodded. "I was about to say we're not that far from Joe's… remember him?"

"Yeah," Ginny nodded. "Maybe that'd be the best thing for now, at least till we can figure out what to do next."

"C'mon," said Jamie as she started down the sidewalk. "I don't think it's more than twenty or thirty minutes."

"Good. It's right warm here."

"It's not that bad yet. It's still early. By late in the afternoon it can get a lot hotter."

Ginny sighed. "I wish I knew a cooling charm."

0== ) =======

"Sirius! Is something amiss?" Perenelle had returned to the manor house and had just entered the hallway where James Potter's bedroom had been.

Sirius looked startled for a moment and then whispered, "I was looking for Harry, but I just couldn't bring myself to wake him. Not when he looks like that." He nodded toward Harry's sleeping form. "That's Lily's scarf lying on his chest. I don't know how it could have possibly gotten here. It wasn't like any of ours; she'd made it herself because the ones the rest of us wore were itchy, she said. But look at his face; I couldn't wake him to another crisis."

"Crisis, Sirius?"

Sirius swore quietly. "Does anyone talk to anyone around here? Ginny and Jamie left here by phoenix. Albus couldn't or maybe wouldn't tell me where they might be, but he tried to act unconcerned. I think that was a put-on. I don't like it. I don't like any of it."

To Sirius's surprise, he did not receive reassurance. Perenelle was visibly alarmed and reached for his hand at once. A few moments later she nodded, and then asked, "Do you know where they were?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but Jamie was sulking in a bedroom down the other hall, where Lily used to stay when we…"

"Show me," Perenelle commanded softly. "Non, non, do not wake Harry; I, too, wish to have answers before questions are asked."

Sirius nodded and led the way. When they arrived, Perenelle nodded and muttered, seemingly to herself, "J'avais espéré quec'étaitcettesalle." She took several steps into the room, and facing the portrait, asked, "Nivaine, what has happened here?"

"Ela… Perenelle! How it is that you still live? It must be…"

"I shall answer all of your questions in due time, but I must know what has occurred here just now."

"Very little has happened here in a long while," the portrait began, but stopped as Perenelle began to raise her hand. "Oh, very well. I was just having a nice chat with those two nice young girls before that annoying Praetor came and spirited them away. One of them had been here for some time; when she was alone I had thought her about to cry. But others kept coming in, and any hint of tears vanished. But tell me, are these two Ninue's sun…"

"Perhaps they are," said Perenelle interjected quickly. "But for now, can you shed some light upon where they might have been taken?"

"I know nothing of Merlin's plans or intent – now or then," the portrait replied. "Merlin's arm has grown long, and he always has wheels turning within wheels. How did he escape his prison?"

"I do not believe that he has."

"Then that leaves little doubt. His arm has indeed grown long if he can touch this world from there."

"What else can you tell me?"

The portrait Nivaine threw back her head and laughed. "Has it truly come to this, that you, a wearer of the white samite, a wielder of the secret fire, a companion of the Lady herself, would come to me for answers? Ask Nimue."

"She left the moral realms."

"But you know full well the path was left."

"Indeed. But I intentionally did not allow myself to know the details of unlocking it. I chose Nicholas and the mortal realm and did not look back."

"I chose to stay on this side, as well." Nivaine paused, looking thoughtful. "I do not recall all of the details, but one portion of the key was to be left in mortal hands. Beyond that, I am not sure I ever knew more. Unlock the path."

Perenelle stood still for several minutes, apparently lost in thought. Finally, she straightened and motioned to Sirius, who had speechlessly watched the exchange, to follow.

0== ) =======

Ginny and Jamie had walked at a brisk and steady pace for perhaps fifteen minutes; they were no longer in the sunlight after entering the shady and cooler Morningside neighborhood, much to Ginny's relief.

"You really need to level with me." Ginny finally broke the silence that they had started when they set out. "What did you mean 'you had to come'? What's been going on with you, anyway?"

"It's kind of complicated."

"Go on. We're both here, we have time, and I'd really like more of an idea of the reasons for the things that are happening. Why isn't my communicator in my pocket, and why are we back here, of all places?"

"I thought I had my communicator, too," replied Jamie. "As for why I had to come, I don't know why, I really don't. It's just something I feel I have to do. Sorta like when you get burned you jerk your hand back."

"But why here? And why are we cut off from even calling home?"

"E.T, phone home?" Jamie grinned, but Ginny didn't react. "Sorry, guess you never saw it. Maybe it's so we… or at least so I can actually do whatever I'm supposed to do. The way I was in the middle back in that 'berg makes doing much of anything hard."

Ginny sighed. "What would you have done differently? Harry would have cheerfully let them burn Godric's Hollow to the ground before exposing you as much as he did. Dumbledore practically had to beg him…"

"I wish you'd stop treating me like a fragile vase; all of you. And you should think about this; you're in my world and on my turf now. Maybe you need me to help look after you."

Ginny looked startled for a moment as Jamie's words hit home. "You're probably right. I don't know much about Muggles or their world." She paused, and then asked, much less forcefully, "Is there anything you can tell me? Is this what is causing you to faint?"

It was Jamie's turn to sigh. "Maybe so, I keep… no, maybe there's a better way."

"Huh?"

"The night I met Cassandra, when she showed me how to do the Portkey spell, she did the same sort of thing Madame Flamel does when she takes your hand. And she said it was something that you and I had to learn."

"You mean… that… You and I?"

"Yeah... maybe we could try. I've even kinda sorta of felt it with Harry a few times."

"I'm… uh… really not sure…"

"Is there any harm in trying? You asked, and I, well, don't know how to describe it, or even if there is any way I could."

Ginny stopped and stood thinking for a moment. She finally nodded reluctantly and muttered, "Mum always said be careful what you ask for," and then continued in a normal tone, "Okay, we can try." She pointed at a bench at a bus stop. "Over there?"

Jamie nodded and followed. "It's pretty open, but shouldn't be a lot of people around this time of day."

"Surely there are Mums and kids about in the summer," Ginny said, surprised.

"Not in this 'hood. Most people will be at work and the kids in camp or daycare, and any housewives at home instead of the mall will be glued to the soaps this time of day." She continued at Ginny's puzzled look as they settled on the bench. "Soap Operas, silly TV shows mostly about who's sleeping with who, and just about always someone they shouldn't be."

"How do we do this?" Ginny asked, still unsure of the connection between soap and TV.

"Madame Flamel always took my hand, and Cassandra did too. Sometimes I could sort of feel something from Madame Flamel, when there was something she wanted to know, but when she took my hand everything clicked, sorta like walking out of a thick fog into a sunny day." She held out her hand. "Let's try."

Ginny took Jamie's proffered and closed her eyes. As their hands joined she could feel Jamie's consciousness; it was unlike both her tie with Harry – a bond she could still feel, but had been unable to reach him through – and her prior experience with Madame Flamel. For one thing, she experienced Jamie's surface thoughts and feelings; she had never experienced that with Peremelle. She became aware that her thoughts were similarly exposed to Jamie.

"We're doing, well, something," Jamie thought.

"Yeah, though it's… different."

"Yeah. But let me try to show you."

Ginny received a flood of images and sounds from Jamie; of huge crowds of shouting people, of men fighting, of loud blaring music. "I don't understand any of this, where, when, or why," Jamie thought, "But I know it's important… and only realized this earlier when Perenelle did, well, whatever this is with me, it's a person I have to find, one of those in the images."

"Who?"

"One of the fighters, this one," Ginny saw the image of a tall man, dressed in tattered red and yellow clothing, looking as strange as some of the wizard folk tended to dress when unfamiliar with Muggle clothing. "I have to find him."

"Why?"

"I dunno."

"What did Perenelle think?" Ginny asked.

"We didn't really have a chance to talk after. But something was different that time. Here…" Ginny received another flood of images. "Hey! I don't remember any of that!"

"This can't be your memory, or mine," thought Ginny, "It has to be Perenelle's. Viviane! Merlin, who the hell is Perenelle? And Elaine?"

"I don't know. This is the first time I've remembered this. Who's Viviane?"

"She was the Lady of the Lake, the one who gave Excalibur to King Arthur. Perenelle actually knew Viviane."

"Huh?"

"Uh… Viviane's sort of like Merlin…. a very powerful witch., even legendary."

"What does it all mean?"

"I don't know… but I feel like we should find this guy, and fast."

"That's what I'm trying to do."

"Yeah… but for now, let's get going."

They separated their hands, both blinking as the world around them came back into focus.

"Wow," exclaimed Jamie.

"Yeah, that was intense."

"Why can't you reach Harry? I'd forgotten…"

"I tried; he's there, I can feel him, but I can't talk to him… and now I'm not sure we should, even if I could." They had continued walking along the shaded streets.

Jamie raised an eyebrow. "You believe me now?"

"Yeah… and this is important, and maybe that I need to be here, too.'

They continued on in silence for several more minutes. "That's the house, no, there," Jamie pointed. "Good, his car is there." She quickened her pace as she headed toward the door and knocked. They heard footsteps, and the door opened.

"L… Jamie! And Ginny!"

0== ) =======

"Perenelle, what has happened?

Perenelle, Sirius in tow, had entered the church. Without comment, she and Nicholas joined hands.

A few moments later, Nicholas tried to draw back. "No, beloved, I don't need…"

"No, beloved, it is time you knew."

Nicholas reluctantly nodded his acceptance.

Finally, Nicholas slowly nodded. "And you wish Pymander?"

"Indeed. Do you think it within his ability?"

"I do not know. I truly do not know. Pymander!" The phoenix appeared "Old friend, will you consent to carry a message for Perenelle?"

The phoenix extended a claw. "Actually, there are two missives I wish you to bear; one is for Nimue, and the other to Viviane, both of the Blessed Isle. Let no one turn you aside, for you act in the name of…" Perenelle hesitated, and then continued defiantly, "in the name of Elaine of Avalon."

The phoenix watched her for several long moments, and then trilled a complex and haunting melody before vanishing in flame.

Perenelle and Nicholas stood, their eyes locked, until Sirius finally spoke quietly. "Would someone mind giving me just a hint or two about what the bloody hell is going on here?"

0== ) =======

"Jamie, you look fantastic. And Ginny, it's a pleasure. But this is a surprise; I had not expected to see either of you again."

"It's… complicated," Jamie began. "Neither of us planned this…"

"But there's something we need to do," Ginny finished.

Joe looked thoughtful, the line about meddling in the affairs of wizards running though his head again. "And what is that?"

"Uh… we're not really sure," Jamie replied, and slowly, the story spilled out from the two girls.

"So, you decided to come here," Joe finally said, "When you had no way to reach anyone. And I'm glad you did; I don't think you want to get involved those official bozos again."

Ginny nodded, even if she did not know what a bozo was, the meaning was clear.. "I can feel Harry is there, but not much more than that."

"I'd have thought this a tall tale if I had not experienced what that old lady did," Joe replied, musingly. "What can I to do help?"

"A place to stay, least for a little bit, would be good," Jamie said, then grinned. "I don't think Ginny wants to try hanging under a bridge."

"I wouldn't think of that," Joe replied. "I mean helping you with, well, whatever it is you need to do?"

"I wish we knew," Ginny answered, "but I don't think it's an accident we ended up here,"

Joe smiled with a confidence he did not feel. "We'll figure it out. But I wasn't planning on company; there's not much in to eat in the house. Why don't I run around the corner to the store and grab a few things, and you two settle in and make yourselves at home."

Fifteen minutes found the girls watching the TV, with Ginny having mastered the remote and trying to find something she could at least follow. Suddenly Jamie yelled at her to stop. "That's him! That's him!"

0== ) =======

"What's with Sirius now?" Remus Lupin asked Dumbledore, "He was following Perenelle around like hurt puppy."

"He was concerned that Praetor had undertaken to transport Ginny and Jamie to parts unknown," Dumbledore replied. "I take it she had him well in hand?"

"I'm not so sure about that. He seemed… very subdued. Totally unlike him; he seemed, well, worried and frustrated."

"I had thought his intent was to seek out Harry; as his report would have doubtlessly alarmed him, it is perhaps a good thing Perenelle has…"

"Professor Dumbledore," Hermione rushed into the room, Ron on her heels. "I think you better come see this. Now!" she demanded, then started back the way she had come. "I couldn't translate all of it, but the signature…"

"What now?" Lupin asked.

"Perchance we should find out," Cassandra said as they followed Ron and Hermione to James Potter's room.

"This was just hanging there…," Hermione whispered as Harry slept on, unnecessarily pointing to a broadsheet hanging in mid-air. Look at the signature."

The parchment read. "Filiæ meæfiliamsororisiamtutus.AcNimuevidit.Ne velitis obstrepat.

Sipraesentia requiritur,iuveniscustosheredisPraetor rmittamte.

Sumspectans.Ne velitisobstrepat.

MerlinusmagumCamelot"

"Merlin… magician of Camelot," Lupin translated.

"What does the rest say?" Hermione asked. "I can make out a few words, but I'd need a dictionary to do more."

It was Cassandra who answered, barely even glancing at the writing, "My daughters' daughter and her sister are safe for now. This is as Nimue has seen. Do not presume to interfere.

"If your presence is required, my young guardian and heir, I shall send Praetor for you.

"I am watching. Do not presume to interfere.

"Merlin, magician of Camelot."