Disclaimer- Nope, I don't own any part of Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros have that happy arrangement.
Note- Getting close to finishing this story now. Hope you all have enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it. For the record- this will not be a two part story, It will be finished when completed here. Since summer is coming, and coming quickly, my writing will probably slow down for the summer months, and I will pick up again in the fall. This story will be finished before that happens.
Special Thanks- To all those who have taken the time to read this story, and also thanks to those who have taken the time to review it. Your suggestions have been taken to heart. Y'all Rock!
Now- On with the story...
Chapter 53
Harry had to think for a few minutes about his ideas. He felt like he had just been put on the spot, or maybe given a pop quiz of some kind. He wasn't sure he liked it. However, this was his opportunity to directly affect the way the search for Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, George, and Angelina was going to go. He wanted to make the best of it.
It looked like Kreacher would be okay much to his relief. Teddy Tonks was his responsibility with Harry being his godfather. He knew that for the time being at least, Teddy was safe. Still, it would be reassuring for them all if Harry were to talk to them. Besides, Andromeda Tonks was a formidable woman. Maybe she saw or noticed something about the Death Eaters that could be useful.
Harry also wanted to go back to Grimmauld Place. He didn't know why, but it felt like there was something there he was missing. Something the Aurors missed somehow. Maybe it was the fact that Grimmauld Place was the last place where he had seen Ginny and Hermione. Mrs. Weasley too. It worried him that time was slipping away and they were no closer in finding the people he loved.
Looking around while trying to think, Harry felt the eyes of everyone there in Kreacher's room gathered around him. It was time to make a decision.
"I think," Harry said, "That we need to go see Mrs. Tonks. Maybe she saw something or heard something that will help."
Ron and Mr. Weasley nodded. Kingsley smiled and answered, "I think that's not a bad idea," Kingsley held his hand towards the door, inviting everyone to leave before him, "Harry lead the way."
When the group of Aurors and Mr. Weasley arrived at the place where Andromeda Tonks was staying with little Teddy, it caused something of a stir. The home was an older one, set just outside of a dark but friendly feeling forest. It was a cottage of the kind that reminded Harry of the ones he'd seen in muggle fairly tales as a child in school. It would have fit right in with any of them.
He knocked on the door which was opened by an older witch. While she was obviously advanced in her years, older than Mrs. Tonks anyway, it was clear that she still was possessed of all of her faculties. Her eyes were clear, bright, and suspicious. Her wand was in her hand, and she held it pointed in the general direction of Harry and those behind him.
"Yes? What do you want?" She asked.
"Uhh...Hi," Harry began uncertainly, "I'm Harry Potter. I'm here to see Mrs. Tonks. Can I talk to her please?"
"I know 'oo you are, laddie, who are them there be'ind you?" The old woman asked.
"This is my friend, Ron Weasley," Harry said introducing Ron, he then went on to introduce the rest of the people with him, "This is Ron's dad, Mr. Weasley, and this is..."
Then came a voice from the other side of the door, "...let them in Jetta, let them in."
The old woman, Jetta, looked back over her shoulder and then at the group of wizards outside her home. She nodded her head once and opened the door to admit them. Harry ducked inside followed by Ron. Mr. Weasley was on his way inside when Kingsley turned to Gleason and the three other Aurors with them.
"Perhaps you had better wait outside. Keep a look out."
"Yes, sir." Said Gleason. He turned around and flipped his hand at the other Aurors. The group dispersed to walk around the yard and into the forest surrounding Jetta's home.
Harry walked into a surprisingly large sitting room. There was a tea service on the table, and the room had more than enough seating for everyone. Clearly the room and probably the whole house had been magically modified so that the inside of the house was bigger than the outside would logically lead you to believe.
There were shelves of books, pictures, portraits, house plants of various kinds, and in an area behind the sofa was a playpen with little Teddy sleeping away inside it.
Teddy looked to be healthy and happy. He had the little toy wand Harry had gifted to him clutched in one wand, and the broom was sitting propped on the outside of one corner. The baby's face was peaceful. He had no cares in the world. His little tuft of hair was a bright lemony yellow that seemed to pulse in brightness.
"He never sets down that wand. Never." Andromeda said, now standing next to Harry," He gets very angry with me if I take it away from him. Even for a short time."
Teddy sighed in his sleep and his mouth started making a kind of sucking chewing motion. He was probably dreaming about his next meal, Harry thought.
"How has he been?" Harry inquired tenderly.
"He's doing well. I think he's missed you. We both have," Andromeda said quietly.
"I'm sorry, I know I should write more..." "Don't be sorry, Harry. You have your schooling and that's important. Or at least it was until this mess happened..." Andromeda said quietly.
"I'm sorry," Harry began.
"Didn't I just tell you not to be? Do you think that I am of the opinion that this is your fault? If that's correct then let me set the record straight. The fault for this, all of this, does not lie with you Harry. It never has. If you're carrying around some sense of guilt over everything that's happened you can bloody well stop. You're not doing any of the living any favors, and you're not honoring those who died by it either." Andromeda said firmly. Her tone would allow no argument.
Andromeda's voice took on a much kinder and gentler tone as she continued; "My dear, dear, Harry. If you want to honor those around you, either living or dead, then live. Live well. Live generously, but above all live your life so that those around you are happy to know you. They will only be left with a memory of you when they're gone."
Upon hearing this Harry was overcome with the emotion of the situation he was in. He missed Ginny terribly. Hermione too. He missed George, Mrs. Weasley, and everyone who had died. In an effort to stem the flow of emotions that were welling up inside him, Harry asked: "Can I hold him?"
"He's your Godson, of course you can hold him," Andromeda said as she reached down and ever so gently picked up the baby in the crib.
Harry took Teddy and gently brushed a finger along the side of his face. He could see features of both his parents in the child he held. He thought about what it would be like when this was his child. And what it would be like when it was Ginny standing there with him.
The upwelling of emotion that he'd tried to stem before came back with force. Holding Teddy had been a bad idea in that holding him had only helped to intensify the emotions Harry was feeling. Before he could stop it first one tear and then another welled up and slid down his cheeks. Harry quickly passed Teddy back to his grandmother.
He turned around to see Ron, Mr. Weasley, and Kingsley all staring at him. He felt badly that he'd not yet told anyone why they were there. Harry started to turn back towards Andromeda until he noticed Mr. Weasley. He too had been affected by emotions. Whether it was due to the scene he had just witnessed or something else Harry didn't know.
"Mrs. Tonks, I'm sorry to intrude..." Harry started.
"I know why you're here, Harry," Andromeda said suddenly brusque, "I know you want to know about those goons that attacked me in my home."
"Yes. They took Ginny. They took Hermione and Mrs. Weasley and George and Angelina and I don't know where they are. Did you hear anything when they were coming after you?"
Mrs. Tonks studied Harry closely for a minute. "You really love her, don't you?"
"Yes," Harry replied with feeling, "With all my heart. I don't know how I would live without her."
Mr. Weasley could be seen wiping his eyes when he heard Harry say this. This was very hard on him too.
She sat down and gestured for her guests to sit down as well.
"Tea?" Jetta offered abruptly.
"No, thank you." Said Harry quietly. The others in the room also declined. They weren't there for tea, they were in a hurry. Time was of the essence and there was a distinct feeling that they had precious little of it to spare.
"Harry, I have no qualms in telling you that the experience of having those men come barging into my home trying to capture me was one of the most frightening of my life. I understand that you've faced these men yourself. You understand where I'm coming from. I would love nothing more than to help you reunite with your loved ones. I am sorry to say that I don't have any information that will help you."
Harry nodded feeling a little deflated. He had hoped to maybe get something, anything, that he could use to track down Ginny and those others who were taken. He was going to stand up when he heard Kingsley say;
"Mrs. Tonks, please. I know you've been through a lot. I understand that. We all have. We wouldn't be here if we weren't in desperate need of your help. Is there anything, anything at all that you can think of? It doesn't matter how small or trivial it might seem. Even the smallest thing could be the biggest help."
"Even the smallest thing?" Andromeda asked.
"Yes, it could be anything. Something on their robes, a smell that was on them, something they said, anything that stands out in your mind." Kingsley urged.
Andromeda closed her eyes for a moment thinking back and reliving the attack on her. Harry knew that it could not have been easy. He knew that it wouldn't be easy for him if he was in her place. So he greatly appreciated her taking the time to try and help them. Then the matronly woman opened her eyes and looked at Kingsley.
"Their robes were all remarkably dusty. They were covered with it."
"Their robes were dusty?" Asked Ron. He had thus far been quiet up to this point.
"You heard correct; their robes were very dusty. It was like they had been somewhere that had been boarded up for a very long time. They also smelled like it too. You know, that old musty smell clothes get if they've been sitting in storage for a long time."
"Is there anything else?" Harry asked.
"No, I'm sorry, Harry. That's all that I can remember," Andromeda said apologetically.
The group stood up and was shown to the door. The Aurors who had been walking around the gardens and the forest returned and the group walked down the forest track away from the cottage.
"That was helpful," Ron said doubtfully.
"More so than you might think," Kingsley replied, "Don't count that out just yet."
"What do you mean, Kingsley?" Asked Mr. Weasley.
"Well for one thing, it tells us that wherever they are, they aren't in the open. It sounds as if they've gone to ground." The group came to an open clearing under the trees. There were wild flowers around and birds could be heard chirping from the branches above. "I could be wrong, but I'm betting when we find them it won't be anyplace that has people in it on a regular basis. Probably won't have seen people for some time."
They apparated back to the Ministry. It was evening and Harry still didn't feel like they were any closer to finding them. He was frustrated, tired, and felt powerless to do anything about it. Word had come back by way of Bill that no one had made an attempt on Ron's Auntie Muriel. That was much to the relief of Mr. Weasley, Ron, and Harry.
The group from Grimmauld Place and Shell Cottage needed a safe place to stay, and so it was back to Ron's Aunt's place. The Ministry Aurors put new spells on the home to keep unwanted guests out; repelling muggles, making it unplottable, and even making those who might stumble upon the home by accident suddenly remember an urgent appointment elsewhere.
Bill took Fleur there to get her settled in for the evening. Harry watched them go. He knew that Bill was very upset over the kidnapping of his sister, mother, and brother as well as the rest. However he had a priority with his pregnant wife. He needed to get her somewhere where she could rest.
Harry knew that Kingsley and Gleason were very tired, as were he, Ron, and Mr. Weasley. However none of them made any indication that they were going to quit for the night. Even if they did, Harry knew that he would carry on alone if he had to. But then he also knew that it would never come to that. He knew as sure as he was breathing at that moment that Ron and Mr. Weasley felt the same way he did.
"Well," Ron said thoughtfully, "We've been to see Kreacher and we've been to see Mrs. Tonks. Does anyone have any ideas of where to go next?"
"The old woman said something about dusty robes on the Death Eaters?" Said Gleason.
"Yeah, and that old woman has a name, its Mrs. Andromeda Tonks." Ron replied with irritation. It was clear to Harry that Ron didn't think very highly of Gleason.
Gleason looked back at Ron for a minute before going on, "So, as I was saying there was that bit about the dusty robes."
"I think that's our only real lead at the moment. The thing is that dust could really have come from anywhere." Said Kingsley.
"Do you think it has significance?" asked Mr. Weasley curiously.
"Only in respect to what I said before, that it could be that wherever the Death Eaters are laid up, it's not someplace out in the open. It's most likely somewhere like the old Riddle house. Somewhere that will offer them some privacy to work on whatever it is that they want to accomplish."
"But the Riddle house is gone," Said Ron, "So we know it's not there."
"Correct, but maybe it could be somewhere else that might have some meaning to the Dark Lord. Or maybe something with some significance to those that are following him. Harry, you were with Dumbledore quite a bit when he was hunting the Horcruxes, and you're the closest person we have to anyone who has been in the Dark Lord's mind. Can you think of anything?" "I wasn't with Dumbledore when he did any hunting," Harry corrected Kingsley, "I was only there that one time, at the end when we found that locket. A place like that wouldn't be very dusty."
"But what about somewhere else? Anywhere? Can you think of anything?" Gleason prompted.
Harry thought hard and remembered back to his sixth year. He remembered all those meetings with Dumbledore in his office. All those times looking into the pensieve. All that time speculating. He couldn't think of anything.
"I'm sorry, I've got nothing." Harry sighed. He felt like he was letting everyone down, especially Ginny.
"Don't worry, Harry. We'll think of something." Kingsley said half heartedly.
Harry walked off to be alone for a few minutes. He felt like everyone was looking to him for answers he didn't have. He couldn't help but wonder if Professor Dumbledore ever felt like this. He had a sneaking suspicion that he would have said yes.
He wondered where the Death Eaters could be. For a moment he considered the orphanage where Voldemort was placed when his mother died, but then discounted it almost immediately. The place had been torn down and rebuilt as a block of office buildings.
Where else then? Not the Malfoy's. From what Lestrange said before, the Malfoy's were on the Death Eater's list of targets as well. Besides their home was so clean that it wouldn't have made the Death Eater's look or smell the way that Mrs. Tonks had described.
Continuing to wrack his brain Harry was lost in thought. He was oblivious to the looks he got from the others who were continuing to wait on him for a suggestion, or come up with one themselves.
It felt like an impossible task, though Harry knew it wasn't. He went through a list of places in his mind, tossing out one idea after the other. The Burrow, Godric's Hollow, Bathilda Bagshot's home, the Shrieking Shack, even Hogwarts. None of the ideas really struck him as likely.
Then, what about Hogwarts? There was something there that the Death Eaters were after. There was a reason why they had frozen Harry with the Wyrstone after all. They weren't there to kill McQuarrie that was done after the fact. What was there that they were after? Were they there now that the school was closed? It may not put them any closer to an answer but Harry had a sneaking suspicion that there was something at Hogwarts that the Death Eaters didn't want found.
"I think we should check Hogwarts." Harry said with conviction.
Four sets of eyes looked over at Harry. Some, like Ron's or Gleason's, held mild surprise.
"Hogwarts, Harry?" Asked Mr. Weasley, "What do you think is there?"
"I'm not sure exactly, but the Death Eaters made it a point to get me out of the way while they were there the last time. I think we should check it out."
Kingsley looked at Harry; his expression was one of deep thought.
"I think you might be on to something." Kingsley said slowly.
"You do?" Asked Gleason, surprised. Harry didn't particularly like the way he said it or the expression of surprise on Gleason's face.
"Yes, I do. Harry's right. When the Death Eaters attacked Hogwarts last time, they didn't kill him. They made it so Harry couldn't do anything about them being there. They effectively kept him out of the way." Kingsley answered Gleason tolerantly, "Not bad Harry."
Harry couldn't help but smile. Both at the compliment and the look on Gleason's face. He looked as frustrated as he was surprised. That coupled with Gleason's large frame and blond hair reminded Harry suddenly of Dudley. Especially the way he seemed to sulk when Kingsley seemed to side with Harry. He would have to watch Gleason, he decided suddenly.
It was very late that night when they arrived at Hogwarts school. Harry, Ron, Gleason, Mr. Weasley, and Kingsley stood outside the grounds looking up at the school. They were on the other side of the main gate which was chained shut.
They had tried several different ways of opening the gate and had no luck with any of them. Ron had reached out to touch the gate and was immediately thrown backwards by some invisible force the moment his hand made contact with it.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked as he came forward to help his friend stand up.
"Yeah, got a bit of a shock. Don't touch that gate," Ron said, wringing his hand.
Mr. Weasley was there next to Harry and Ron. It was clear he was reassuring himself that Ron was okay. Harry understood why. The poor man had just had three members of his family taken from him.
"I'm okay, dad." Ron said gruffly.
Mr. Weasley turned towards Kingsley, a look of concern on his face; "I don't remember the school having any charms like that on the gate before,"
"Nor do I," Kingsley answered, taking out his wand, "This is new. But who put the charms there? Was it Professor McGonagall? Or was it a Death Eater?"
At that moment however, there was a loud barking. Hagrid came walking over the rise. His crossbow cocked and loaded in his large dishpan sized hands.
"Who's there? I'mma warnin' yeh, I'm armed!" Hagrid said grimly.
"Hagrid!" Harry shouted, "Hagrid! It's us!"
"Harry?"
"Yes!" "Whose tha' there with yer?" Hagrid said, cautiously approaching the gate. Fang was on his heels, tail wagging madly.
"I've got Ron, Mr. Weasley, the Minister of Magic here with me, and some Aurors."
"Blimey Harry, wha' in blazes are yeh doin' 'ere?" Hagrid asked as he stepped up to the gate.
"It's a long story, Hagrid. Can you let us in?"
"Wait just a mo'," Hagrid said, bringing his crossbow up suspiciously, "How do I know it's really you?"
Harry sighed in frustration. He couldn't blame Hagrid for being cautious. He'd probably been ordered to do so by Professor McGonagall before she left.
"The first time we met was when you came to get me from my Aunt and Uncle who were staying in that little cabin by the ocean. You had to convince me that I was a wizard, and then you used magic to.."
"Alright! Tha's enough! It's really you, Harry cause only you would know tha'!"
Hagrid said quickly. He stepped forward and took out his umbrella. He tapped the gate above him three times and then slid the tip of the umbrella down the crack between the gates. There was a blue shimmer as the charm was lifted, and the locks unclasped.
"C'mon now, quickly! Quickly!" Hagrid said letting the group inside. As soon as the gates were shut, he repeated the process. The locks shut tight and there was another blue shimming as the charm was reinstated.
"C'mon now," Hagrid said as he turned and walked back to the castle grounds. The group followed him.
"So Harry," Hagrid asked as he walked along briskly, "Wha' brings yer out tonigh?"
"It's the Death Eaters," Harry explained quickly as he jogged to keep up, "They've taken Ginny. They've taken Hermione, Mrs. Weasley, George and Angelina Johnson too,"
"What? No, it can' be!" Said Hagrid in surprise.
"I assure you Hagrid, Harry is telling the truth," Mr. Weasley said in a dead voice, "They also tried to go after my other son and his wife too. Not to mention Andromeda Tonks and little Teddy."
"What?" Hagrid said looking more and more outraged.
"It's true," Said Ron, "But Mrs. Tonks got away with the baby, and Bill and Fleur got away too. They've all gone into hiding."
"Well tha's good, but Ginny and Hermione? Wha' abou' Charley? I always liked Charley,"
"Charley has been in Romania, and he's still there as near as we can tell," Kingsley answered. At the inquisitive looks from Ron and Mr. Weasley, Kingsley added; "When it was clear the attack was on your family, I made it a point to check."
Harry smiled, relieved that at least one Weasley seemed to have escaped the assault of the Death Eaters. At least for now anyway.
"You don't know for sure?" Ron asked.
"Well, where he's at in Romania it's difficult to get to. I have Aurors dispatched to go out and talk to him directly, but they've not had much time to get to where Charley is at."
"Well, I don' think tha' there's any Death Eaters here," Hagrid said, "It's jus been me an Mr. Filch since Professor McGonagall left. She lef' the day after yer all did."
"You say it's you and Mr. Filch?" Asked Kingsley for confirmation.
"Yeah, jus' us two. I've offered for him to come over for a cuppa, but he likes ter stay locked up in the cas'le. He pretty much keeps to 'imself."
"Have you seen him since we left?" Harry asked.
"On'y once er twice, why?"
"I wonder if he's seen anything." Harry said.
"Harry, I really don' think yer gonna find any Death Eaters here."
"Maybe not," Harry agreed reluctantly, "But they had a reason for being here when they used that Wyrstone thing on me, and I'd like to know what it was. Maybe if we can find that out, we can find something that will lead us to Ginny, Hermione, and the rest."
Hagrid looked at Harry for moment with an expression Harry couldn't place. Then he nodded,
"Alrigh' Harry. If that's wha' you want. I'll let yer into the cas'le. C'mon now."
The group changed direction so that instead of walking towards Hagrid's hut on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest they were now heading to the castle itself. As the castle came into view, Harry looked up at it. It was strange seeing the castle this way. Totally dark, it was eerie. He saw that Ron was looking too. However Ron had a look of confused curiosity on his face.
"Hey Hagrid," Ron began?
"Yeah, Ron? Wha' is it?" Hagrid replied.
"What do you think Mr. Filch is wanting up in Gryffindor tower?"
"Wha's tha'?" Hagrid asked looking first at Ron confused, then back up to the castle.
Then Harry noticed it. There was light coming from the windows of Gryffindor tower. From right about where the seventh year dorm rooms were. He hadn't noticed it before. Who could be up there now? What did they want? Harry knew that he wasn't the only one who wanted to find out.
