Chapter Forty-Three: The Order of the Phoenix
The Lupin Cottage had become quaint and tranquil once more. Harry, Sirius, Alyssandra, Tonks, Charlie and Cassiopeia had moved into the Black Manor in the first week of their holidays. Harry had moved under Dumbledore's orders. The Manor was much more secure than the cottage and right now his life was in constant danger.
Gienah and Ambrosia still saw Sirius everyday at the reserve but it wasn't the same. Lupin also felt his absence. Breakfasts were less chaotic and nights alone in the library solitary. Andromeda, Lyra and Pandora came to visit often and the children would usually sleep in the double room. They adored their cousins Mira and Maia and most of all, they adored Missy like an aunt. Luna was also a constant companion in the long hot days. On Sunday's the entire family would come to feast upon Lupin and Gienah's cooking and at least once a week either Narcissa or Alyssandra would host a brunch or a tea or a fancy outing to a gallery opening or the opera.
Gienah's days passed cooking in the kitchen with Lupin, reading bedtime stories to the children, in the library studying, long days at the reserve with Ambrosia on her hip as she fed the creatures, reading the newspaper and gathering any information that suggested Voldemort's involvement. The Order of the Phoenix had formed once more and Gienah was denied membership. Understandable but irksome all the same. The headquarters resided at 12 Grimmauld Place. Gienah, Harry, Molly, Sirius, Missy and Poppy had been responsible to making the house habitable once again. Mundungus Fletcher had moved in, to Sirius's vexation but they needed a constant guard despite the house being under the fidelius charm. Dumbledore himself was secret keeper.
Dear Gienah,
As much as I love my parents I cannot spend another moment isolated from the wizarding world! I would love to take up your offer and spend the remainder of the holiday with you. Mum was upset at first but dad brought them tickets to Morocco soon after I pleaded with him. I haven't told them a thing of course but I think he must suspect something. Anyway, I've told them that you were feeling lonely and after Cedric I felt it a duty to see how you were. Which is not a lie! I will be arriving a week from today at noon.
Best regards,
Hermione
Dear Ginny,
You haven't been replying to our letters, please get in touch. Hermione is coming to stay next week and you are welcome too.
Love,
Gienah
"Good morning."
Gienah looked up from her newspaper. Bellatrix had entered the library with Maia in her arms.
"Bella", Gienah gasped.
"You didn't join us for breakfast" Bellatrix pouted. "It was much too quiet for my liking."
"You need a job" Gienah said frankly, taking the coffee Bellatrix offered her.
"I applied for a position in the Improper Use of Magic office" Bellatrix said, running her finger down the shelf of books.
"Oh good!" Gienah said with a sigh. "What position?"
"Mafalda Hopkirk's secretary." Bellatrix said, looking out of the window. "Anything new in the paper?"
"Still unnervingly quiet" Gienah said, looking at Bellatrix looking wistfully out of the window. "Bella, are you happy?"
"I have a loyal husband and two beautiful daughters." Bellatrix said, looking coldly at Gienah. "Why do you ask such a question?"
"I have seen the way you look out of the windows." Gienah said quietly. "Like you are trapped. Is it that the dark lord has returned?"
"I know how Sirius looks at me these days, his eyes give away his suspicions. It is true that I am restless. I was a revolutionary, and now I am applying for jobs for an institution I have no respect for. I betray myself in becoming futile. Even my name betrays my nature Gienah, as does yours. I am a warrioress. I cannot stand in the sidelines of war."
"But you must choose the side of the Order or face death." Gienah said.
"Yes" Bellatrix laughed. "I would fight for the Order, if only to secure peace for my daughters. But would they have me? I think not."
"Working at the ministry would give you plenty opportunity to gather information the ministry will dismiss." Gienah said.
"Perhaps." Bellatrix said. "Dumbledore will ask Remus to contact the werewolves once more."
"Yes" Gienah said sadly.
"We must win." Bellatrix said.
"Indeed we must." Gienah agreed. "For the sake of our children if nothing else is worth dying for."
"They are a fool not to admit you into the Order." Bellatrix said thoughtfully. "I have seen you duel."
With that Bellatrix left the library, leaving Gienah to her thoughts.
Dear Alyssandra,
I am in need of a tutor in basic healing. I would be grateful for your assistance.
Love,
Gienah
After cataloguing various articles of minor significance Gienah went downstairs to prepare lunch. Missy was out in the garden with Mira and Ambrosia. Bellatrix was reading a book with Maia on her lap. Gienah was expecting Hermione in an hour. Switching the wizarding radio on, she began preparing her pasta.
"Gienah" Came a dreamy voice.
"Luna, that looks absolutely indulgent." Gienah smiled.
Luna was holding a large glass cake stand with a beautiful victoria sponge perching on top of it.
"I thought we deserved a treat seeing as Hermione was coming over." Luna said, skipping to the dining room. "The tortellini looks wonderful."
"Gienah!" Hermione ran forward and hugged the witch from behind, elbow deep in flour.
"Hermione" Gienah laughed.
Hermione then ran out into the kitchen and kissed both girls. Hermione came back with Ambrosia in her arms, cooing as she did so.
"Aren't you the most beautiful baby Rosie, oh yes you are, yes you are!" Hermione said, tickling the little girl.
"Gosh, I've missed this" Hermione said hugging her tight. "I've missed you all so much."
"That's awfully kind of you to say Hermione" Luna said.
"Well it's the truth, really" Hermione said earnestly. "Now, have you two heard anything from Ginny?"
"I went over to Molly's last week and Gienah wasn't in." Luna said with a small frown. "I am concerned for her. It's first year all over again."
"We'll visit her tomorrow and wait all day till she comes home." Hermione said. "If that's what it'll take.. that's what we'll do."
Gienah nodded.
"Where's Remus?" Luna asked.
"Order business." Gienah rolled her eyes. "Bella's not happy."
"How are you doing without Harry in the house?" Hermione asked.
"The place just feels more grown up." Gienah said. "I'm a mother."
"And how are you coping..?" Hermione hesitated, though Luna looked sharply at her.
"I'd rather not talk about it." Gienah said quietly.
Hermione nodded, but continued to frown.
"Missy!" Gienah called. "Lunch is ready!"
Everyone gathered in the dining room.
"Missy eats with you?" Hermione asked, pleasantly surprised.
"We don't all abuse the help" Gienah smiled. "Though Missy really is part of the family now."
"Miss Lyra and Miss Pandora is calling me Aunty Missy" Missy squeaked with a smile, shaking her head.
Gienah tried to feed Ambrosia some of the tortellini but she wasn't having any of it. Gienah sighed and summoned the tinned baby food.
"Have you heard back from the ministry Bella?" Luna asked.
"No, not yet." Bellatrix sighed. "I've heard back from Honeydukes in Hogsmeade but I would really rather not."
Gienah chuckled.
"Have you hired a nanny for the girls?" Hermione asked.
"We urm- hired Winky" Gienah replied.
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Well, we brought her." Gienah confessed.
"Winky was not doing well in Hogwarts Miss" Missy said. "I said she should work for my master and mistress, a smaller home more safe for Winky miss."
Hermione nodded.
"Is she around?" Hermione asked Missy.
"She is with Poppy miss, in the manor miss." Missy said.
"She is doing much better" Gienah said. "I don't think the house elves were very supportive in Hogwarts. Poppy is taking good care of her."
"It feels strange doesn't it." Hermione sighed. "You-know-who's back and we're have pasta in the cottage talking about nannies."
"I know what you mean" Luna said.
They finished their pasta and went out in the garden for dessert. Mira was crawling in the grass, pulling daisy's out and Gienah was feeding Ambrosia. Luna and Hermione spoke about their summers and Bellatrix returned to her book. The scorching sun was beating down on them, making Gienah feel whoozy. Missy made some homemade lemonade and iced tea. It was all too serene. Gienah felt she was trapped in a Steinbeck novel as she gazed at the rolling landscape.
Lupin returned to the cottage late that evening. Lupin knocked on the library door and Gienah called for him to come in.
"Gienah" Lupin said. "How are you?"
"Fine" Gienah said looking closely at him. "What's wrong?"
"I have to leave tonight Gienah" Lupin said unable to look her in the eye. "I'm going on a mission for the order."
"I thought you would" Gienah sighed. "Have you told Bella?"
"She understands but she's not happy" Lupin said. "I've asked Andromeda to stay here for the remainder of the holidays to keep her company. She and Ted will stay in Sirius's old room. Is that ok?"
"Of course, I think she's been lonely, especially with you away."
Lupin looked guilty.
"I'm not judging you dad." Gienah said, standing up so as to give him a hug. "Please take care of yourself."
"I promise" Lupin whispered.
The next day Gienah, Bellatrix, Hermione and Luna arrived at the Burrow with the three girls in tow. Mrs. Weasley was absolutely delighted and ushered them into the kitchen for tea and scones.
"Gienah!" Ron smiled. He had been lounging on the sofa reading a comic book. He came up to her and hugged her and then Hermione, who looked a little flushed after the contact, before settling his attention on Ambrosia. Gienah was impressed he was able to tell the girls apart.
In the kitchen they were surprised to see Fleur.
"Gienah" Fleur beamed, swooping down to kiss her cheeks. "You are looking radiant."
"What a surprise" Hermione said, looking at Ron pointedly.
"Urm, yeah Fleur and Bill are seeing each other." Ron said, with a cough, looking with sudden interest at the ceiling.
"Sirius introduced them" Gienah chuckled.
"Yes, yes" Mrs. Weasley said, placing mugs and cups around the table. "Do sit down dears."
"Where is Ginny?" Luna asked.
"Upstairs" Mrs. Weasley sighed. "See if you can call her down, I've had no luck with that girl".
Gienah looked at Hermione.
"How is it at Gringotts?" Gienah asked.
"Well!" Fleur said, her cheeks turning a little red. "Ze goblins are absolutely 'orreed! Zey treat me wiz leetle to no regard. Ze pay is good this is true but ill-mannered, all of zem".
"Now, now, it is their way." Bill entered from the back door. "Hello"
At that moment Ginny came down after Luna looking absolutely exhausted.
"Ambrosia" Ginny smiled, and reached for the little girl and hugged her close.
"Would you like a cup of tea dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"How are you?" Gienah asked Ginny quietly. "Why haven't you been answering our letters?"
"I've been busy.." Ginny said, avoiding her gaze.
"She's been locked up in that room or at the library most days" Ron said helpfully. Ginny scowled at him.
"I didn't realize I was being kept track of." Ginny said.
"You aren't acting normal Gin" Ron shrugged. "We're not going to ignore it."
"We?" Ginny said angrily.
"Yes, we" Hermione said tersely. "We care about you and it really is common courtesy-"
"Oh be quiet Mione." Ginny interrupted. "I really would rather skip the lecture."
Ron and Gienah looked at each other. Hermione thinned her lips and sipped her tea, turning towards Fleur.
"That was uncalled for." Gienah said to Ginny, pursing her lips.
"Excuse me." Ginny said.
"She's been like that all summer" Ron said.
"She is right here." Ginny said loudly.
"Stop bickering you two." Mrs. Weasley said.
"She started it," Ron said.
"He started it," Ginny retorted.
Fleur sighed loudly.
"Have you something to say Phlegm?" Ginny said.
"Ginny" Bill warned her.
"You do not speak to guests in that manner young lady!" Mrs. Weasley said.
"She practically lives here!" Ginny said. "And you hate her as much as I do!"
"I do not hate her" Mrs. Weasley hissed.
"You do too." Ginny said. "You said so to dad that you'd never thought Bill would be taken in by a veela woman".
Mrs. Weasley went a remarkable shade of red.
"Apologize!" Bill said to Ginny.
"I didn't say it" Ginny laughed. "Make mother apologize."
"Ginny really" Gienah said. "Fleur has never done anything to deserve your inhospitality."
"Never mind what mum thinks of your pre-marital pregnancy." Ginny laughed putting on a frilly voice. "Fifteen Arthur, fifteen! Her poor father! Mind you, he hasn't got the most pristine record either. Lily betraying James like that. On their honeymoon too. The scandal!"
"That's just petty. I would say all those things and more." Gienah said coldly. "But phlegm? Really?"
"Ze girl is young" Fleur said, waving her hand. "She knows not what she is saying."
"The girl knows exactly what she's saying!" Mrs. Weasley said, putting her tea towel down on the table. "Grounded for the rest of the summer."
Ginny stood up, her cheeks as red as her hair and walked back to her room without a second glance.
"You were conceived during the Potter's honeymoon?" Luna asked after a pregnant pause.
Ron chuckled.
"Did she just manage to offend four people in the space of five minutes?" Gienah asked the table in disbelief.
"Ginny?" Fred had just entered, followed by George.
"Mrs. Weasley, Fleur, Hermione and Gienah." Ron listed off.
"Told you we should've come back earlier" George sighed.
"You shouldn't encourage her behaviour" Mrs. Weasley snapped.
After Gienah had finished her tea she excused herself and went to Ginny's bedroom. She knocked on her door. Ginny opened the door. Seeing Gienah she went back to her bed and picked her book up again. Gienah came in and closed the door behind her. Her desk was piled with books and newspapers.
"You're welcome to use our library." Gienah said, taking a seat in her chair. "Dad keeps the library well stocked."
"I don't need handouts."
"I am not your enemy." Gienah said lightly. "Nor would I advise you attempt to make me one."
Ginny sneered.
"This has to do with Voldemort doesn't it?" Gienah said, gesturing at the clippings on the wall and the dark arts books littered on her desk.
Ginny froze.
"I know you want him gone as much as I do" Gienah sighed. "But how does being a heinous bitch get you anywhere?"
"It doesn't" Ginny admitted.
"When you're angry, furious, and desperate to prove yourself, show everyone that you aren't weak, the best thing you can do is learn how best to fight your demons. Whether it be a dark lord or your OWL's."
"Is that what you're doing?"
Gienah nodded.
"I may not be of age but I'm preparing myself best as possible to bring that bastard down. After- after Cedric I felt so pathetic and there was so much anger I didn't know what to do with it. Doing something constructive with it helped save my sanity. I can't imagine how you dealt with it but I want you to know you'll do yourself a disservice to self destruct now. Pay him back in kind."
"Do you ever hate your mother?" Ginny asked.
"I am quite indifferent." Gienah replied honestly.
"But if she was alive now?" Ginny pressed her.
"I would want to know what she has to say." Gienah said.
Gienah managed to bring Ginny down for dinner and make her apologize to Hermione, Fleur and her mother. Fleur hugged her and Mrs. Weasley ignored her and Hermione sighed.
They returned to the cottage late that night. Gienah was about to turn to bed when Bellatrix called her back into the living room.
"There is something.. off about that girl" Bellatrix said. "I would be on my guard if I were you."
"Ginny?" Gienah said with a frown.
"It may be a false alarm." Bellatrix shrugged. "But I felt like I should warn you."
Gienah nodded. She slept uneasily that night.
Dear Ron,
I know Ginny's been grounded but keep an eye on her for me will you? I think she's hiding something. I might be wrong but it wouldn't hurt.
Gienah
The next evening after dinner Kreacher apparated into the kitchen. Gienah jumped and turned around with her wand pointing in the air.
Kreacher coughed.
Gienah looked down and sighed.
"It is common courtesy to apparate outside the house Kreacher" Gienah scolded him.
"Mistress Black was wanting to know when the next meeting is taking place." Kreacher said.
"Yes, well?"
"Now Mistress" Kreacher said.
Gienah cursed under her breath.
"Hermione!" Gienah called upstairs. "See to Rose for me, I'm popping out for an hour."
Gienah summoned her coat, held Kreacher's hand and was transported into the dark hallway.
"Gienah?" Tonks said in surprise.
"Kreacher!" Gienah folded her arms.
"Ha!" Tonks laughed. "Planning to eavesdrop a top secret society meeting?"
"Shhh" Gienah said, disillusioning herself.
Tonks shook her head and tripped over the troll leg. Tonks said a stream of colourful curses under her breath before walking into the kitchen. Gienah snuck in after her. Sirius, Alyssandra, Mad-Eye, Bill, Snape, Hestia Jones, Mr and Mrs. Weasley, and Mundungus Fletcher were seated around the long rectangular table.
"Ms. Black" Mad-Eye growled.
Gienah cursed. She'd forgotten about his magical eye.
"Gienah?" Sirius looked around.
Moody pointed his wand at her.
"What are you doing here girl?" Moody asked suspiciously.
"Gienah, we've been through this." Sirius said, smiling despite himself.
"POTTER!"
Harry took his invisibility cloak off beside her. He had a sheepish smile on his face.
"Out!" Mrs. Weasley said, standing up looking extremely red faced.
Harry folded his arms.
"No."
"This isn't a youth club Potter" Snape sneered. "We have business to discuss."
"I've faced Voldemort more times than half of you" Harry said, pulling a chair and sitting down. "I deserve to know what's going on."
"If he stays so do I" Gienah said, folding her arms.
"Sit down Gienah." Mr. Weasley sighed.
"Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley said rounding on her husband, her hands on her hip. "He's not a member of the Order, he's only fifteen and-"
"And he's dealt with as much as most in the Order,' said Sirius, 'and more than some.'
"No one's denying what he's done!' said Mrs Weasley, her voice rising, her fists trembling on the arms of her chair. 'But he's still - '
"He's not a child!' said Sirius impatiently.
"He's not an adult either!' said Mrs Weasley, the colour rising in her cheeks. 'He's not James, Sirius!'
"I'm perfectly clear who he is, thanks, Molly,' said Sirius coldly.
"I'm not sure you are!' said Mrs Weasley. 'Sometimes, the way you talk about him, it's as though you think you've got your best friend back!'
'
"What's wrong with that?' said Harry.
'What's wrong, Harry, is that you are not your father, however much you might look like him!' said Mrs Weasley, her eyes still boring into Sirius. 'You are still at school and adults responsible for you should not forget it!'
"Meaning I'm an irresponsible godfather?" demanded Sirius, his voice rising.
"Personally,' said Arthur quietly, 'I think it better that Harry gets the facts - 'not all the facts, Molly, but the general picture - from us, rather than a garbled version from . . . others.'
'Well,' said Mrs Weasley, breathing deeply and looking around the table for support that did not come, 'well . . . I can see I' going to be overruled. I'll just say this: Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who has Harry's best interests at heart -'
'He's not your son,' said Sirius quietly.
'He's as good as,' said Mrs Weasley fiercely. 'Who else has he got?'
'He's got me!'
'Yes,' said Mrs Weasley, her lip curling, 'the thing is, it's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked up in Azkaban, hasn't it?'
Sirius started to rise from his chair. Gienah growled.
'Molly, you're not the only person at this table who cares about Harry,' said Alyssandra sharply. 'Sirius, sit down.'
Mrs Weasley's lower lip was trembling. Sirius sank slowly back into his chair, his face white.
'I think Harry ought to be allowed a say in this,' Alyssandra continued, 'he's old enough to decide for himself.'
'I want to know what's been going on,' Harry said at once.
'Very well,' said Mrs Weasley, her voice cracking. 'Gienah, out.'
'If Harry's allowed why can't I?' Gienah bellowed. "I lost the father of my child to Voldemort. I fought him too!"
"Molly.." Arthur began.
Molly sat down, glaring around at the table.
"OK, Harry . . . what do you want to know?'
Harry took a deep breath.
'Where's Voldemort?' he said. 'What's he doing? I've been trying to watch the Muggle news, and there hasn't been anything that looks like him yet, no funny deaths or anything.'
"That's because there haven't been any funny deaths yet,' said Sirius, 'not as far as we know, anyway . . . and we know quite a let.'
'More than he thinks we do, anyway,' said Arthur.
'How come he's stopped killing people?' Harry asked.
'Because he doesn't want to draw attention to himself,' said Sirius. 'It would be dangerous for him. His comeback didn't come off quite the way he wanted it to, you see. He messed it up.'
'Or rather, you messed it up for him,' said Arthur, with a satisfied smile.
'How?' Harry asked, perplexed.
'You weren't supposed to survive!' said Sirius. 'Nobody apart from his Death Eaters was supposed to know he'd come back. But you survived to bear witness.'
'And the very last person he wanted alerted to his return the moment he got back was Dumbledore,' said Moody. 'And you made sure Dumbledore knew at once.'
'How has that helped?' Harry asked.
'Are you kidding?' said Bill incredulously. 'Dumbledore was the only one You-Know-Who was ever scared of!'
"Thanks to you, Dumbledore was able to recall the Order of the Phoenix about an hour after Voldemort returned,' said Sirius.
'So, what's the Order been doing?' said Gienah, looking around at them all.
'Working as hard as we can to make sure Voldemort can't carry out his plans,' said Sirius.
'How d'you know what his plans are?' Harry asked quickly.
'Dumbledore's got a shrewd idea,' growled Moody, 'and Dumbledore's shrewd ideas normally turn out to be accurate.'
'So what does Dumbledore reckon he's planning?'
'Well, firstly, he wants to build up his army again,' said Sirius. 'In the old days he had huge numbers at his command: witches and wizards he'd bullied or bewitched into following him, his faithful Death Eaters, a great variety of Dark creatures. You heard him planning to recruit the giants; well, they'll be just one of the groups he's after. He's certainly not going to try and take on the Ministry of Magic with only a dozen Death Eaters.'
'So you're trying to stop him getting more followers?'
'We're doing our best,' Alyssandra sighed.
'How?'
'Well, the main thing is to try and convince as many people as possible that You-Know-Who really has returned, to put them on their guard,' said Bill. 'It's proving tricky, though.'
'Why?'
'Because of the Ministry's attitude,' said Tonks. 'You saw Cornelius Fudge after You-Know-Who came back, Harry. Well, he hasn't shifted his position at all. He's absolutely refusing to believe it's happened.'
'But why?' said Harry desperately. 'Why's he being so stupid? If Dumbledore - '
'Ah, well, you've put your finger on the problem,' said Mr Weasley with a wry smile. 'Dumbledore.'
'Fudge is frightened of him, you see,' said Tonks sadly.
'Frightened of Dumbledore?' said Harry incredulously.
'Frightened of what he's up to,' said Mr Weasley. 'Fudge thinks Dumbledore's plotting to overthrow him. He thinks Dumbledore wants to be Minister for Magic.'
'But Dumbledore doesn't want - '
'Of course he doesn't,' said Mr Weasley. 'He's never wanted the Minister's job, even though a lot of people wanted him to take it when Millicent Bagnold retired. Fudge came to power instead, but he's never quite forgotten how much popular support Dumbledore had, even though Dumbledore never applied for the job.'
'Deep down, Fudge knows Dumbledore's much cleverer than he is, a much more powerful wizard, and in the early days of his Ministry he was forever asking Dumbledore for help and advice,' said Sirius. 'But it seems he's become fond of power, and much more confident. He loves being Minister for Magic and he's managed to convince himself that he's the clever one and Dumbledore's simply stirring up trouble for the sake of it.'
'How can he think that?' said Harry angrily. 'How can he think Dumbledore would just make it all up - that I'd make it all up?'
'Because accepting that Voldemort's back would mean trouble like the Ministry hasn't had to cope with for nearly fourteen years,' said Sirius bitterly. 'Fudge just can't bring himself to face it. It's so much more comfortable to convince himself Dumbledore's lying to destabilise him.'
'You see the problem,' said Moody. 'While the Ministry tells every muppet out there that there is nothing to fear from Voldemort it's hard to convince people he's back, especially as they really don't want to believe it in the first place. The Ministry's leaning heavily on the Daily Prophet not to report any of what they're calling Dumbledore's rumour-mongering, so most of the wizarding community are completely unaware anything's happened, and that makes them easy targets for the Death Eaters if they're using the Imperius Curse.'
'But you're telling people, aren't you?' said Harry, looking around at Mr Weasley, Sirius, Bill, Mundungus, Moody and Tonks. 'You're letting people know he's back?'
They all smiled humourlessly.
'Tonks and Arthur would lose their jobs at the Ministry if they started shooting their mouths off,' said Sirius, 'and it's very important for us to have spies inside the Ministry, because you can bet Voldemort will have them.'
'We've managed to convince a couple of people, though,' said Mr Weasley. Tonks here, for one - she's too young to have been in the Order of the Phoenix last time, and having Aurors on our side is a huge advantage - Kingsley Shacklebolt's been a real asset, too.'
'But if none of you are putting the news out that Voldemort's back - ' Harry began.
'Who said none of us are putting the news out?' said Sirius. 'Why d'you think Dumbledore's in such trouble?'
'What d'you mean?' Harry asked.
"They're trying to discredit him,' said Bill. 'Didn't you see the Daily Prophet last week? They reported that he'd been voted out of the Chairmanship of the International Confederation of Wizards because he's getting old and losing his grip, but it's not true; he was voted out by Ministry wizards after he made a speech announcing Voldemort's return. They've demoted him from Chief Warlock on the Wizengamot - that's the Wizard High Court - and they're talking about taking away his Order of Merlin, First Class, too.'
'But Dumbledore says he doesn't care what they do as long as they don't take him off the Chocolate Frog Cards,' said Tonks, grinning.
'It's no laughing matter,' said Mr Weasley sharply. 'If he carries on defying the Ministry like this he could end up in Azkaban, and the last thing we want is to have Dumbledore locked up. While You-Know-Who knows Dumbledore's out there and wise to what he's up to he's going to go cautiously. If Dumbledore's out of the way - well, You-Know-Who will have a clear field.'
'But if Voldemort's trying to recruit more Death Eaters it's bound to get out that he's come back, isn't it?' asked Harry desperately.
'Voldemort doesn't march up to people's houses and bang on their front doors, Harry,' said Sirius. 'He tricks, jinxes and blackmails them. He's well-practised at operating in secret. In any case, gathering followers is only one thing he's interested in. He's got other plans too, plans he can put into operation very quietly indeed, and he's concentrating on those for the moment.'
'What's he after apart from followers?' Harry asked swiftly. He thought he saw Sirius and Moody exchange the most fleeting of looks before Sirius answered.
'Stuff he can only get by stealth.'
When Harry and Gienah continued to look puzzled, Sirius said, 'Like a weapon. Something he didn't have last time.'
'When he was powerful before?'
'Yes.'
'Like what kind of weapon?' said Harry. 'Something worse than the Avada Kedavra - ?'
"That's enough!' Mrs Weasley had her arms crossed and she looked furious.
She was trembling slightly as she looked at Sirius. 'You've given Harry plenty of information. Any more and you might just as well induct him into the Order straightaway.'
'Why not?' said Harry quickly. 'I'll join, I want to join, I want to fight.'
'No.'
It was not Mrs Weasley who spoke this time, but Arthur.
"The Order is comprised only of overage wizards,' he said. "There are dangers involved of which you can have no idea, any of you . . . I think Molly's right, Sirius. We've said enough.'
"Now, if you'll excuse us" Snape drawled.
Harry and Gienah reluctantly left the room.
"Well, that was useless." Gienah sighed. "I knew all of that."
"Not about the weapon." Harry said, sitting on the step. "I just feel so useless."
"Same" Gienah said.
"What do you reckon it is?" Harry asked.
"It could be anything, but it looks like the Order know and are protecting it." Gienah said thoughtfully.
"How-" Harry began.
"Didn't you see the papers on the desk?" Gienah asked. "Maps."
"That's why you were so quiet." Harry said.
Alyssandra came out of the kitchen, closing the door behind her.
"Gienah" Alyssandra sighed, and held her arms out for a hug. Gienah smiled, hugging the pregnant witch. "I've been meaning to reply. Why don't you come over tomorrow for lunch and then we can spend the afternoon practicing a few spells?"
"I would really appreciate it." Gienah nodded enthusiastically. "Is it ok for Hermione to join us?"
"Of course." Alyssandra said. "Harry you are welcome too."
"You left the meeting early?" Harry asked.
"Goodness, it gets such a bore. After the minutes I offer to make the teas." Alyssandra laughed. "Now you two, back to your homes."
Alyssandra called Kreacher and they were both escorted back to the cottage.
"Leave Harry here Kreacher." Gienah said. "We need to talk to Hermione."
Kreacher bowed.
Gienah knocked on the guest room.
"Come in!" Hermione called.
Hermione was reading a book with Ambrosia sleeping beside her on the bed. Gienah sat cross legged on the bed, Harry took the chair and they told her everything they found out.
"A weapon?" Hermione repeated, thinking hard. "Did you see what the map was of?"
"It certainly wasn't Hogwarts. No towers." Gienah said confidently.
"One thing we can be certain of" Hermione said. "Harry's life is in danger."
"When hasn't it" Harry snorted.
"What I want to know is why you-know-who never died the first time round." Hermione said. "You survived the killing curse but it rebounded onto him. Why didn't he die?"
"Harry, didn't you say something about him conquering death?" Gienah said suddenly.
"At the graveyard." Harry said. "I can't recall word for word.."
"The pensieve!" Gienah said excitedly. "There's one in the library. Dad brought it for my for my occlumency lessons with Snape. Missy!".
Missy appeared with a curtsey.
"Take Rose to her bed please." Gienah said, handing the sleeping baby to her.
The three of them went into the library. Gienah opened the cabinet between the windows with her wand and out emerged a stone basin with decorative detail etched into the stone. Gienah placed her wand near Harry's head. He closed his eyes and a silvery strand was drawn from his mind and placed into the swirling substance in the pensieve. Gienah saw Cedric's pale face swirling at the surface. Breathing deeply she lifted her wand arm.
"Gienah." Hermione whispered. "You don't have to."
"I know." Gienah said, wiping a lone tear from her cheek.
Each of them then placed their wands in the pensieve and were sucked into the memory. They were standing in a dark and overgrown graveyard; the black outline of a small church was visible beyond a large yew tree to their right. A hill rose above them to their left. Harry was tied on a gravestone. Voldemort was standing in front of him with a sick smile on his mouth. A ring of death eaters closed them in.
Gienah walked forward in awe.
"Inhuman" Hermione whispered.
Indeed he was. Voldemort was thin and whiter than a skull, with wide, livid scarlet eyes and a nose that was flat as a snakes with slits for nostrils...His hands were like large, pale spiders; his long white fingers caressed his own chest, his arms, his face; the red eyes, whose pupils were slits, like a cat's, gleamed still more brightly through the darkness.
Then the Death Eater to the right of Wormtail stepped forward, and Lucius Malfoy's voice spoke from under the mask.
"Master, we crave to know...we beg you to tell us...how you have achieved this...this miracle...how you managed to return to us..."
"Ah, what a story it is, Lucius," said Voldemort. "And it begins - and ends - with my young friend here."
He walked lazily over to stand next to Harry, so that the eyes of the whole circle were upon the two of them. The snake continued to circle.
"You know, of course, that they have called this boy my downfall?" Voldemort said softly, his red eyes upon Harry, whose scar began to burn so fiercely that he almost screamed in agony. "You all know that on the night I lost my powers and my body, I tried to kill him. His mother died in the attempt to save him - and unwittingly provided him with a protection I admit I had not foreseen...I could not touch the boy."
Voldemort raised one of his long white fingers and put it very close to Harry's cheek. The present Harry did an involuntary jolt.
"His mother left upon him the traces other sacrifice...This is old magic, I should have remembered it, I was foolish to overlook it...but no matter. I can touch him now."
Voldemort laughed softly in Harry's ear, then took the finger away and continued addressing the Death Eaters.
"I miscalculated, my friends, I admit it. My curse was deflected by the woman's foolish sacrifice, and it rebounded upon myself. Aaah...pain beyond pain, my friends; nothing could have prepared me for it. I was ripped from my body, I was less than spirit, less than the meanest ghost...but still, I was alive. What I was, even I do not know...I, who have gone further than anybody along the path that leads to immortality. You know my goal - to conquer death. And now, I was tested, and it appeared that one or more of my experiments had worked...for I had not been killed, though the curse should have done it. Nevertheless, I was as powerless as the weakest creature alive, and without the means to help myself...for I had no body, and every spell that might have helped me required the use of a wand...
"I remember only forcing myself, sleeplessly, endlessly, second by second, to exist...I settled in a faraway place, in a forest, and I waited...Surely, one of my faithful Death Eaters would try and find me...one of them would come and perform the magic I could not, to restore me to a body..., but I waited in vain..."
The shiver ran once more around the circle of listening Death Eaters. Voldemort let the silence spiral horribly before continuing. Hermione looked at the mutilated man in disgust.
"Only one power remained to me. I could possess the bodies of others. But I dared not go where other humans were plentiful, for I knew that the Aurors were still abroad and searching for me.
I sometimes inhabited animals - snakes, of course, being my preference - but I was little better off inside them than as pure spirit, for their bodies were ill adapted to perform magic...and my possession of them shortened their lives; none of them lasted long...
"Then...four years ago...the means for my return seemed assured. A wizard - young, foolish, and gullible - wandered across my path in the forest I had made my home. Oh, he seemed the very chance I had been dreaming of...for he was a teacher at Dumbledore's school...he was easy to bend to my will...he brought me back to this country, and after a while, I took possession of his body, to supervise him closely as he carried out my orders. But my plan failed. I did not manage to steal the Sorcerer's Stone. I was not to be assured immortal life. I was thwarted...thwarted, once again, by Harry Potter..."
Silence once more; nothing was stirring, not even the leaves on the yew tree. The Death Eaters were quite motionless, the glittering eyes in their masks fixed upon Voldemort, and upon Harry.
"The servant died when I left his body, and I was left as weak as ever I had been," Voldemort continued. "I returned to my hiding place far away, and I will not pretend to you that I didn't then fear that I might never regain my powers...Yes, that was perhaps my darkest hour...I could not hope that I would be sent another wizard to possess...and I had given up hope, now, that any of my Death Eaters cared what had become of me..."
One or two of the masked wizards in the circle moved uncomfortably, but Voldemort took no notice.
"And then, not even a year ago, when I had almost abandoned hope, it happened at last...a servant returned to me. Wormtail here, who had faked his own death to escape justice, was driven out of hiding by those he had once counted friends, and decided to return to his master. He sought me in the country where it had long been rumored I was hiding...helped, of course, by the rats he met along the way. Wormtail has a curious affinity with rats, do you not, Wormtail? His filthy little friends told him there was a place, deep in an Albanian forest, that they avoided, where small animals like themselves had met their deaths by a dark shadow that possessed them...
"Experiments. That's what he said." Hermione whispered. "It was his body that died but his soul remained."
"I've read about dark wizards meddling with souls." Gienah whispered back. "None survived."
"Obviously it has something to do with you as well." Hermione murmured, looking at the memory Harry. "He left a bit of him with you when he left you that scar. It's why you're a parselmouth. Why your scar hurts."
"Wormtail's body, of course, was ill adapted for possession, as all assumed him dead, and would attract far too much attention if noticed. However, he was the able-bodied servant I needed, and, poor wizard though he is, Wormtail was able to follow the instructions I gave him, which would return me to a rudimentary, weak body of my own, a body I would be able to inhabit while awaiting the essential ingredients for true rebirth...a spell or two of my own invention...a little help from my dear Nagini," Voldemort's red eyes fell upon the continually circling snake, "a potion concocted from unicorn blood, and the snake venom Nagini provided...I was soon returned to an almost human form, and strong enough to travel.
"There was no hope of stealing the Sorcerer's Stone anymore, for I knew that Dumbledore would have seen to it that it was destroyed. But I was willing to embrace mortal life again, before chasing immortality. I set my sights lower...I would settle for my old body back again, and my old strength.
"I knew that to achieve this - it is an old piece of Dark Magic, the potion that revived me tonight - I would need three powerful ingredients. Well, one of them was already at hand, was it not, Wormtail? Flesh given by a servant...
"My father's bone, naturally, meant that we would have to come here, where he was buried. But the blood of a foe...Wormtail would have had me use any wizard, would you not, Wormtail? Any wizard who had hated me...as so many of them still do. But I knew the one I must use, if I was to rise again, more powerful than I had been when I had fallen. I wanted Harry Potters blood. I wanted the blood of the one who had stripped me of power thirteen years ago...for the lingering protection his mother once gave him would then reside in my veins too...
"Then we duel" Harry said impatiently. "He boasts, wands connect, ghosts appear. The end."
Gienah and Hermione looked at eachother. They held their wands and returned to the library.
"Sorry you had to relive that Harry" said Hermione.
Harry was looking away from them.
"Is anyone in my bedroom?" Harry asked.
"No." Gienah said.
"Good night." Harry said, and left the two witches in the library.
Gienah lit the lamps and began browsing the shelves. Hermione sat down.
"I didn't know how badly it affected him." Hermione said.
"Sirius says he has nightmares most nights." Gienah said with a sigh. "And who can blame him?"
Gienah piled a few books in her arm before climbing down from the ladder.
"Merlin Gen" Hermione said flicking through the pages of one dusty volume. "These are darker than the stuff in the Restricted Section."
"Courtesy of the Black Family Library" Gienah said in a falsely cheery voice. "There's got to be something in here."
Hermione nodded and the two witches barely slept that night as they poured through the volumes. There were curses that made your toenails curl and could make one's hair stand on end. There was a manual on creating cursed objects and a guide to creating fiendfyre. There was one book which spoke in depth of the nature of the soul being immortal, untouched by death.
"Gienah!" Hermione said at two in the morning. She was reading Magick Moste Evile. "This book speaks of the ways in which wizards have attempted to extend their life. There's unicorn blood, the philosopher's stone and look-"
Of the Horcrux, wickedest of magical invention, we shall not speak not give direction.
"That must be it." Hermione said. "There's nothing else. The Horcrux must somehow enable him to keep his soul present in this world."
"Except it's just a name" Gienah pointed out.
"Professor Snape must know." Hermione said confidently, you'll have to ask him in your next lesson.
Gienah nodded.
"We should sleep, we're going to the manor for lunch." Gienah said.
Hermione nodded and they bid each other goodnight.
Dear Gienah,
I'm in Bulgaria living with a small pack in the woodlands of Montana. Benjamin Figgs is with me. There has been death eaters visiting with gifts but the Alpha is biding his time. Dumbledore visited yesterday and told them Voldemort has no interest in werewolf rights, seeking to make use of them as pawns in his war. The Alpha does not agree with Greyback so I think he is coming around. Dumbledore has promised to speak to the Bulgarian minister to provide them with civil rights if they declare themselves neutral. Really, it's not too exciting. Me and Ben spend most of the time cooking and learning to speak Bulgarian. The pack is quite peaceful. Once we secure neutrality here we're going to Russia. The packs are larger and more vicious according to my new friend here.
I hope you are well,
Remus
Gienah woke up at noon the next day and hurried into the bathroom for a shower, changed into a dress and flooed over to the Black Manor in record time. Gienah, Harry, Missy and Hermione walked out of the travel room and followed Missy to the courtyard.
"Harry" Sirius was reading the newspaper, but put it down as they walked out into the sunlight. "In the future, please tell us before you go off gallivanting somewhere else for the night."
"It's my fault" Gienah said quickly, handing Ambrosia to her grandfather. "We wanted to have a look at the pensieve."
"Do I want to know?" Sirius sighed, though he was now smiling at his granddaughter. "Hermione love, do take a seat. How are you?"
"Good" Hermione blushed.
"I was surprised your parents allowed you to stay away the entire summer." Sirius said.
"Mum wasn't too pleased but dad understood." Hermione said.
Gienah helped herself to the spread in front of them, there were wraps and different salad fillings and sauces.
"I can't believe you cooked father" Gienah said. "This is delicious."
"Give me some credit" Sirius sulked. "I can make a salad."
"Poppy made the dressings and the flatbread." Alyssandra laughed.
"Where's Tonks?" Harry asked.
"Burrow." Sirius replied. "Taken Cassie with her."
"What?" Gienah said, looking suspiciously at Sirius.
"Nothing" Sirius said quickly.
Alyssandra groaned.
"What aren't you telling me?" Gienah said, narrowing her eyes.
"Tonks is going to kill me."
"She's pregnant" Harry said.
"Ha!" Sirius said. "It's Harry's fault, not mine, I am innocent!"
"You big baby" Alyssandra rolled her eyes.
"No way! Gienah said.
"Again?" Hermione said weakly. "I thought she was focusing on her career."
"You think she planned this?" Sirius laughed loudly. "If it wasn't for Poppy I'd be looking for Charlie's replacement."
"They've gone to tell Molly the news." Alyssandra said. "So they weren't accused of excluding her grandchildren."
"She's undergoing sterilization after this pregnancy." Sirius said. "I'd love to see Molly's face when they tell her."
"Father!" Gienah scolded Sirius.
Sirius was attempting to feed Ambrosia a piece of chicken.
"You can't deny your children meat!" Sirius whined.
"Just watch me" Gienah hissed, taking Ambrosia from Sirius. Ambrosia started crying.
Sirius laughed.
Gienah grumbled.
The summer passed a little quicker after Hermione came to stay over. They spent their days in the library and at the manor being taught healing by Alyssandra and Dark Arts lessons by Snape and August the first Althena Black was born. The newspapers gave no news regarding Voldemort's uprising but no longer did she feel like she was doing nothing and though still far from being prepared she felt she was on her way.