A/N: Warning- There is a reference to transgender in this chapter, that part was already written before certain people came out and said certain things. I have left it in as a bit of jab at those people.
She had of course recognised one of the men three men who had walked onto the ward unannounced. They stepped up to her bedside, pulled the curtains closed and one had drawn a wand to cast a spell that made the sound from the other side of the surrounding curtain cease. Years ago, he had been the attractive but arrogant friend of Lily's husband and she had hated him in equal proportions to the crush that she had on him. The next time she had seen him, had been on his wanted posters, and the years had twisted things so that she felt that it was justice that one who had betrayed her sister had fallen so far. But now he appeared at her bedside, like a knight in shining armour, with a lawyer and a healer in tow.
The ensuing conversation was eye opening and once again she was baffled by the goodness that was her nephew. They had spoken with the police and the lawyer, Samuel McMillan, had prepared divorce papers for her. The healer, Addison Baldric (Petunia wondered why the wizarding world could not stick to commonplace names), after a quick flick through her chart, had offered potions that could help her heal quicker. And Sirius, at the behest of Harry, had set her up a little townhouse, not far from Dudley's school, and would ensure that his fees were kept up. Apparently, Harry thought that his cousin needed the consistency and that the relationship Dudley had built up with his coach and teachers should not be disturbed if at all possible.
It was so confusing…..and depressing. All those years ago, despite having fought just the day before, Lily had snuck into the room where Petunia was preparing for her wedding. Lily had begged Petunia not to go through with it. With eyes as red as her hair Lily had wept as tried to convince Petunia that she'd had a horrible feeling about Vernon. Petunia of course had called her sister jealous and had her bridesmaids push Lily out of the room. Petunia should have known. There had been so many times when they were little where Lily would get a feeling, and those feelings had always turned out to be right. It had taken years to be proven, but it turned out that Lily was right again.
Petunia was conflicted there was a part of her that did not want to let go. It had not been a bad life. Petunia ran a finger over the paperwork McMillan had bought with him as she considered things. It was proper paper too, not that stiff stuff the wizards used. She did not want to admit that she had been wrong. There had been good times. Part of her wanted to hold on and see if things got better. Somewhere deep-down Petunia knew that it would not get any better, not now that Harry was no longer there to take the brunt of Vernon's temper, and Dudley was not there to set a good example for. She ignored the thought, pushing it roughly to the side. Perhaps now that it was just the two of them, things would be like there were when they were newly married? Perhaps once his probation was over things would improve? Maybe she could convince him to go to anger management classes?
Sirius had stopped, frozen when she had voiced that thought. Immediately offering to find someone for Vernon to talk to. Petunia could tell that he was hesitant, even as he said the words.
"Don't you think that nearly twenty years, are worth fighting for?" she demanded more rudely then she had intended.
Sirius starred over with his silver eyes. Releasing a big sigh, he took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "First of all, Lily loved you more than anything." He swallowed awkwardly and dropped his eyes. "I remember just after the holidays when you became engaged, I'd had a fight with the guys and had gone to the Astronomy tower to just….look at the stars I suppose but when I got there it was already occupied. Lily was sitting with her legs hanging over the edge. I wondered if I should just leave her be, but she knew I was there. 'There's room for two you know,' she said. What could I do after that but join her? Once I sat down, I caught a glimpse of her face and realised that she had been crying. She told me how she had been weeding the front garden so that the house was all done up nice for your engagement party, but when you came home, you drove the car over the gutter, and she had to apparate to avoid being hurt."
Petunia looked down, blinking away guilty tears. Truthfully, she had just thought it would be a laugh to give Lily a fright. At least until Lily had disappeared, Petunia had not realised how close she had come to driving over her sibling.
"She was upset about that, don't get me wrong but she was more upset over the fact that after the dinner, Vernon pinned her in the hall outside the bathroom. He pressed her up against the wall and threatened her, going so far as to spit in her face. She still had bruises on her arms. But you know what? It wasn't that he threatened her that she found distressing, it was the fact that you were going to marry him, and did not seem to have a clue what sort of man he was. We spent hours trying to come up with a way for her to let you know." He sighed and closed his eyes, tilting his head towards the ceiling for a moment, "The point is that while you may have been blind to it, he has been that way the entire time you have been together. If you have any doubts, you need to consider what type of person," hard silver eyes were turned on her once more, "would lock a fifteen month old in a cupboard and call it his room, feeding him only scraps and leftovers, not allowing him to do homework and giving him all the house hold chores. That is not normal in the Wizarding world Petunia, and I highly doubt it is normal in the Non-magical world either."
She gasped a breath refusing to look at any of the men, even though she could feel their disapproval. "I..I'm sorry," she finally whispered.
"That's lovely," Sirius said sarcastically. "I'm not the one you should apologise to. I'm the vindictive sort, if it had been up to me you would have to get yourself out of this mess. But Harry, well let's just say that Harry makes us all want to be better people."
"I can't move out of that house," Petunia said softly.
"Why ever not?" Sam McMillan asked.
"It was in the letter that was with him when he arrived. He has to live in a house where his mother's blood dwells and call it home, in order to provide us with protection from the magical world. He….Harry said that the man who killed Lily was back. What if they come after us and hurt Dudley?"
And there is was, the reason for everything. She was afraid.
"Ha," Sirius barked out a laugh. "Sure, living in the house counts for something, but I doubt Harry has ever thought of your house as a home, certainly not after he started going to Hogwarts. It has been his prison more than anything. Not only that but the moment that you left the limits of the yard you would no longer be protected. Regardless of anything else, Harry won't be returning to live with you."
"But how can I protect my son?" if it could have been possible Petunia would have become paler.
Sirius reached a hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small clear sphere about an inch in diameter, "Should anyone come to the unit, break this. It will send an alarm to the matching one that I have, and I will come. I have already put up ward around the unit, to…..encourage people with bad intentions t stay away. I'll get something for Dudley to keep with him as well."
"Oh," she said in surprise as she took the ball from him, "Thank you."
"Like I said, thank your nephew. Now we need to go, I am sure that Mr McMillan and Mr Baldric have other appointments today…." Sirius stood.
"Please Mr Baldric….the potions? Do you think they would work?"
"Certainly Mrs Dursley. It has been well documented for hundreds of years that the potions work on squibs."
"Then I should like to try them please."
He smiled at her kindly and pulled three vials out of a pocket, "Be warned they taste foul," he said as he handed them over. "Take one in the morning for the next three days. They won't interfere with any of the muggle medicines you are currently on," he added as an afterthought.
"I thank you."
There was a knock at the door, followed by Dudley peek into the room, "Mum?"
"Oh," his forehead scrunched in thought, "Mr Black?"
"Well done Dudley. I am Sirius Black, Harry's Godfather, this is Addison Baldric Harry's healer and Samuel McMillan his lawyer."
"Thank you for coming to see mum," he said to the three. "Can you tell Harry thank you? I will send him a letter, but I know sometimes it takes a while for him to receive them and I know Hedwig was here just yesterday. It's a long way to Scotland!"
"Not to worry, Magical owls have a few advantages their non-magical counterparts do not. However, I will pass the message on. It was a pleasure to meet you Dudley." Sirius nodded goodbye and followed Addison and Sam from the room. As they walked away up the hall, they could hear son entreating mother to leave her husband.
They had all packed their bags the evening before, allowing the group of Gryffindors to congregate in the Great Hall for Breakfast while many of their peers (the ones catching the express home for the holidays at least) were still running around their dormitories trying to find all the things they wanted to take home. Hedwig swooped overhead. Truthfully, she was a bit tired, with all the letters being sent recently it seemed that she had been flying all over Britain non-stop for weeks. Still she had seen the red metal dragon that would huff its smoke and carry her boys back to London waiting at Hogsmeade this morning. That meant that she would get a bit of a rest. Even if there were still letters to go to Surrey, it was much closer to London than Scotland. She let out a hoot that got her first boys' attention as she released the paper that she was carrying and flew out the window, not stopping to steal her usual treat of bacon. She might just take a rest before flying back to London.
The paper fell, turning end over end, before finally landing in Seamus' porridge. "Barmey bird!" he complained, fishing it out and passing it to Harry, who siphoned the back page clean.
"Sorry Seamus, I think she's a bit tired." Harry helpfully passed Seamus a new plate of porridge, and the honey pot. "Huh!"
Harry had unrolled the paper and there on the front page was a picture of Cornelius Fudge, looking around sadly, his bowler hat clasped in front of his body like a shield.
Fudge's Folly the title read.
Today following the trial of Delores Jane Umbridge, see article page 2, Mr Fudge was called to defend his actions regarding her case, including his possible involvement in the acquisition and possession of several class A restricted articles and their use on several children. While testimony under veritaserum revealed a lack of knowledge of the aforementioned possession and use of the item, Mr Fudge disclosed that he had encouraged Ms Umbridge to 'do whatever she deemed appropriate' in relation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, particularly with regards to the punishments administered during detentions. Because of his lack of knowledge of her possession and the use of the articles he was declared not guilty, by simple majority of being an accomplice to their acquisition and use. However immediately following the end of the trial. Dowager Lady August Longbottom moved a motion of no-confidence in the Minister citing his actions in actively garnering Wizengamot approval for Ms Umbridge's use of the items through the Educational Decrees that have been enacted since the First of September. By introducing the decrees, he facilitated her ability to use them on the students. Dowager Lady Longbottom argued that as her immediate superior he should have been more aware of her actions. The motion was seconded by Lords Fawley and Bell. In a near unanimous decision Mr Fudge has been stood down as Minister, with no pension and an enquiry will commence into his actions while in office…
Harry stopped reading and looked at the other Gryffindors, "Well…"
"Has that happened before?" Dean asked.
"What?"
"A Minister being stood down?"
"Yeah loads," it was Angelina Johnson who answered, she sat a little further up the table and had been watching the group. "The first one I remember was Damocles Rowle in 1726, I can't remember what it was for, but it was something about muggles."
"Yeah there was also Priscilla Dupont 1858, for Muggle baiting. More recently there was Hector Fawley in 1939, because he did not take Grindlewald as a serious threat," Fay Dunbar added.
"Huh! I wish Binn's would cover some of that stuff it's way more interesting then Goblin wars," Dean complained.
"He does," Katie Bell laughed, "It's just that by the time he reaches it nearly everyone is asleep."
They all had a chuckle about that.
"Do you know what I just heard?" Hermione said as she came and sat next to Neville practically pushing Lavender Brown off the seat. Everyone quickly shovelled food into their mouths. "Well, do you?" she continued indignantly before glancing around at the chewing faces. Huffing she continued, "I just over heard Susan Bones and Terry Boot talking about an extra credit assignment they have for Transfiguration!"
No one paid her the least bit of attention, but she continued on anyway. "I'm going to go and ask Professor McGonagall if I can do it too. After all my marks are the best in the class."
Harry absolutely refused to make eye contact with the girl, silently cursing the other two for not being more careful.
"But Hermione, it's holidays," Ron could not help saying. "I'm sure McGonagall has already set the assignment for those she wanted to offer it to."
"Perhaps she thought you were too busy with Prefect's duties," Parvati offered.
"Well, I'm not going home so I have plenty of time to do it. I'm going to go and see her," the girl said dismissively.
"Suit yourself," Parvati said, standing up. "Come on, if we don't go now, we are going to be late."
The others all stood.
"Where are you going?" Hermione glanced around as the group rose from their seats.
"If we want to sit together on the Express, we need to get down there early Hermione," Dean pointed out.
"But why are you getting up Harry? Surely you aren't going to the Dursley's for Easter?" she crossed her arms across her chest, frowning at him. Harry leaving for the holidays was not part of the plan!
"Aren't I?" he said and turned his back on her.
"Harry!" she called out. "Harry James Potter!" she yelled louder when he ignored her.
She quickly grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table and chased after them. Stubling as her bag caught on her foot. Hermione reached the castle doors just in time to see the carriage the group climbed into set off towards the station.
"Argh!" she stamped her foot.
Professor Dumbledore had promised that Harry would be staying at the castle this break, after all there was too much study to be done and she knew that the boy was behind. It was the perfect opportunity for her to show him just how much he relied on her by helping him with his study. Despite his words at the start of the year, she just knew that he was not coping without her. It would take a terrific effort on her behalf to get him up to speed now! Still Professor Dumbledore had been distracted of late, perhaps it had something to do with whatever that Bones women had said to him when she had come to take Professor Umbridge away, so he possibly had just forgotten to tell Hermione the change of plans. With a groan Hermione turned around and headed back into the castle determined to make an appointment to see her Head of House as soon as possible.
Percival cast an extension charm so that the Gryffindor fifth years, could all squeeze into the one carriage. The boys sat closest to the door, playing exploding snap while the girls gossiped near the window. Suddenly the door slid open with a bang revealing the pointed face of Draco Malfoy.
"Finally ditched the Mudblood Potter?" he sneered.
"I never knew you cared Malfoy, and please do not use such terms. Remember my mother was a Muggleborn," Harry said calmly.
"Well we all know how that ended don't we? And things will go just as poorly for you!"
"Mr Malfoy?" Percival arched a brow at the boy. "I believe your mother was a Black was she not?"
"What of it?" Draco looked Percival up and down. "Who are you anyway?"
"Percival Graves, Godson of Seraphina Picquery," a shark's smile was less predatory than Percival's, however Draco failed to notice.
"Ah the Yank!" Draco scoffed turning back to Harry, deeming Percival beneath his notice.
"Malfoy given that Percival knows more spells than the rest of us combined I suggest you listen to him," Harry said softly.
"I just thought it was unwise for Mr Malfoy to instigate a confrontation with the Heir of his mother's house. I believe Lord Black mentioned the other day that he was going through and correcting any discrepancies with regards to the family name. To tidy things up as it were. Imagine the fuss if his mother was disowned because of actions against his Heir?"
Draco flushed a brilliant pink, "He cannot be the Heir! My father said that I am the oldest male of the closest line…"
"Well you aren't the oldest, that would have to be Arthur Weasley wouldn't it?" Percival reminded Malfoy, "and come to think of it he would be closer too. Given that his mother was the sister to the previous Lord Black where as you are only what? A… second cousin?" it sounded like a question, "to the current Lord Black."
"A Weasley the Heir to…"
"An argument could be made for Frank Longbottom as well," Parvati Patil chimed in.
"He's mad so there is no way that….!" Draco said.
Lavender nodded, "He is but that would then make his son the Heir, wouldn't it?"
"That squib!" the blonde scoffed.
There was a pause and the group grinned at him. Draco felt the air move behind him and slowly turned around. Slowly he looked up into the hazel eyes of the Longbottom Heir. Neville had grown significantly over the year and Draco had to look up a lot further than he was expecting.
Arms crossed in front of his chest drawn wand clearly visible. Draco wondered with a start when exactly had Neville become a solid pillar of muscle? Where had the plump and timid boy gone?
Neville said in a voice, that was significantly deeper than it used to be, "Got something to say Malfoy? Because personally I don't think the whiny son of a family that got thrown out of France for acting in poor faith towards magic, should be the one commenting on other people's heritage." He stepped into Draco's personal space, forcing the boy to have to tilt his head even further to maintain eye contact. "I think you should leave, now don't you? It seems your bookends, might have been sampling some of the twin's products. I suggest that you go set them to rights, before they injure themselves." He moved sideways, leaving an opening to the door, through which Draco bolted.
"Wow Neville!" Parvati said fanning her face as if she was flustered.
"Five years that's all it took for you to show your inner Lion!" Ron chuckled.
"Oi!" Harry protested, prodding Ron in the arm. "We knew he was a Lion back in first year, when he threatened to fight you, me and Hermione all at the same time."
Neville was blushing fiercely, "Alright you can stop it now."
The group subsided gradually, though a little later Harry leaned over to his friend squeezed his forearm and whispered, "I think they'd be proud."
Neville gave a small smile in return.
Lifting a hand, she knocked on the door, "Come in," there was the ever so slight residual Scottish burr.
Pushing the door open Hermione peered into the room, "Professor McGonagall."
The Professor was sitting at her desk, parchment work spread out covering the surface. Noting the gaze of the girl who had entered her office, Minerva waved her wand and the parchment formed neat piles.
"How may I help you Miss Granger?" she peered over her glasses, certain she knew what this visit would be about. She had hoped that Harry could have kept it a secret for a while longer at least. Still she supposed, Lily would never have been able to keep such a thing secret from one of her friends either, Marlene would have been knocking on the door asking to be included the next morning. James would have spilled the secret just because he had been told not to.
"I overheard an interesting conversation to day Professor, between Susan Bones and Terry Boot."
Well that was interesting, Minerva thought, internally apologised to Harry. She hummed which was all the encouragement Hermione needed to continue.
"They were talking about an extra credit assignment that they had been given in Transfiguration. I was wondering if I could do it too?" Hermione bounced a little on the balls of her feet.
"No," Minerva said flatly, causing the girl to cease fidgeting and move to sit in the chair opposite Minerva's desk. While it seemed a reasonable cover story, she made a note to talk to Miss Bones and Mr Boot, about being more careful.
"But Professor why?" Hermione whined her protest, wiggling in her seat in angst. "I get the best results in class, why won't you let me do it too?"
"Whatever made you think you were my best student?" McGonagall asked slightly confused, certain that she had never implied such a thing.
"When my results came out at the end of last year I was at the top of the list, as I have been every year. And Professor Dumbledore said I was the brightest witch of the age. As did Professor Lupin in third year."
"I think they might have said the brightest witch of your age, which is not quite the same thing," McGonagall frowned, why would Albus do such a thing and when? "I regretfully must inform you that regardless of where you were at the end of last year, that was some months ago and you are no longer in the same position."
"But that can't be right! I still get Outstandings on all my assignments," Hermione protested.
"Yes, but other people score just as well, and this year has seen a number of students make rapid improvements in their marks. I have noticed before that some students are…late bloomers…we'll call it. They seem to struggle for the first few years then suddenly in fourth or fifth year, things seem to fall into place for them and they improve dramatically."
"But, shouldn't a good consistent performance count?"
"Indeed, it does Miss Granger. We also notice that some students seem to do spectacularly well initially and then all of a sudden, their grades start to fall. Perhaps it is the pressure of the OWLs or perhaps they have burnt themselves out doing too much too soon. Their work becomes inconsistent, they begin to fail to hand in assignments," she said the last with a heavy emphasis. "Do you understand what I am saying Miss Granger?"
"I do, but I don't see what that has to do with me. I have consistently worked hard…"
"Let me speak plainly. You failed to hand in your last assignment to me, Miss Granger! Professor Snape bought me your last potions essay in concern at the poor quality, and you have missed at least two Astronomy and one Herbology class for no reason. I know this, because both Professors have spoken to me. Professors Vector and Babbling have both commented on missing assignments and less care taken in your work as well. I actually had a note to ask you to come and see me to discuss how you are going. I was going to arrange it tomorrow. Perhaps being a Prefect has been a little too much with the workload you have?"
"No! No Professor, I'm a great Prefect. I tutor the others all the time, and all of them come to me for help!"
Minerva frowned, taken the top sheet off her pile of parchment, "I have here a written complaint from the Head Boy that you have missed two Prefect meetings and have not attended rounds on a number of occasions, leaving your partner to walk the halls alone."
"But…they didn't need me, and I had an assignment to do," Hermione tried to defend her actions.
"Miss Granger, if you have overdue homework, you may negotiate with another prefect for them to cover your rounds for you, preferably by swapping with one of theirs. And rounds must always be taken in pairs, if for no other reason than if someone is found injured r there is trouble of some kind, then one can stay at the site while the other finds a member of staff. Besides that it is a safety issue. Both these things were explained in the Prefects Handbook and at the Prefects meeting on the Hogwarts Express."
"I still don't understand what this has to do with not letting me do the extra credit work!" Hermione complained.
"Let me be even clearer then Miss Granger. No, you will not be offered the extra credit assignments, because you are currently failing to meet all the requirements to do so. Those being that your attendance and work is exemplary, in all of your classes. For example, missing classes for any reason other than being admitted to the hospital wing and the failure to hand in an assignment on time are considered a failure to meet these criteria. Next you must be meeting the basic requirements of all of the positions that you hold. For example, if you were Quidditch Captain," she held up her hand as Hermione opened her mouth. "It is an example Miss Granger, then you would need to be holding the trials, practices, arranging uniforms for the new players, mediating any player complaints or arguments, failure to attend Prefect meetings is a failure to meet the requirements for being a Prefect. Then your behaviour around the school must also be beyond reproach, no starting arguments, no hitting other people. Miss Granger, I have seen you in the Great Hall yelling at the second years and hitting Mr Potter! Finally, you must demonstrate that you will be able to cope with the additional work. Now can you see why you have not been offered the work."
"Yes Professor," Hermione said grudgingly, clearly not believing that she had failed to meet any of them nor taking on board any of her Head of house's comments.
"Good," McGonagall granted her a tight smile. "Now, how are you coping with this year, Miss Granger? As we were discussing, several of your Professors have some concerns."
"Everything is fine, Professor," Hermione replied stiffly.
"I was worried, after you were so badly affected by that tome, earlier in the year. Have you got any residual concerns?"
"No."
"No desire to find that book again, or to cast the spells in it?"
"No," Hermione managed to say firmly, despite the mere mention of the book making her fingers itch to grasp her wand. She was only able to quieten the urge as there was another text, waiting for her, even slicker and more seductive then the last, hidden in a locked and cursed box in her trunk.
"That is good," McGonagall said, accepting her response. "Well perhaps it has just been a lack of focus, with the extra responsibilities. Time Management is the key, perhaps one of those Homework planners would help?"
"Yes Professor."
"Well if there is nothing else, I do have a lot of parchment work to be doing," Professor McGonagall dismissed her.
"Thank you," said Hermione, and left completely dissatisfied with the meeting. One thing was for sure, she was not giving up. If her Head of House would not help, then she would take the matter to the Headmaster.
"Delores Umbridge," the voice was silky, cold but full of power. It was the same one that had come and arranged her rescue her from her imprisonment. The man had not attended himself of course, but the masked figure who had released her and bought her here had pointed the man out as they walked passed a room where he was holding a meeting.
One thing was sure Amelia Bones and the rest of the useless twits would pay for imprisoning Delores Umbridge. Didn't they know who she was? They were just brainless witches and wizards who were led around by Albus Dumbledore. In fact, stopping her was practically treason. What she was doing was for the betterment of witches and wizards everywhere. Well the ones in Britain at least, after all they were the only ones that counted. It seemed that the Dark Lord agreed. she had always admired him. His noseless face was a bit off putting, though she would only admit that in the quiet space of her mind, but otherwise his physique was strikingly fierce.
"Umbridge," the voice called again, and there was a hiss of warning in his voice.
"Yes, My Lord," she simpered.
"Tell me about the boy," he rasped.
"Harry Potter? He is nothing."
"Does he appear disturbed? Does he complain of visions or dreams? Disturbed sleep?"
She thought carefully, "No My Lord, he seemed well rested. There was no talk of visions."
He hissed angrily, before calming. He was not going to tell this minion that he had been sending the boy ever increasing visions in order to slowly integrate into his subconscious. All that time had been wasted! Had Severus deceived him when he had said that he was not teaching the boy Occlumency? If he discovered that he had been betrayed Severus would suffer a most painful death.
"I have a task for you."
"Anything My Lord," the breathy tone her voice took, would have had even Bellatrix Black cringing.
"You need to find a way to get Harry Potter into the Department of Mysteries. There is something there that I need him to get for me."
"I….." her mind whirred as she thought through various possibilities. "What is it?"
"There is a prophecy about the boy. Once he has it, my loyal will take it from him and bring it to me. I plan to use it against him."
She snorted, "A prophecy?"
Red eyes glared at her menacingly, "Do not mock what you do not understand."
"But he is too weak to be the focus…."
"Your opinion was not asked for! You need to concern yourself only with how you will achieve this?" the 'S' was a hiss.
"Y…yes My Lord."
"Good, you may go. Ask Lucius if you need anything. And Umbridge…" he waited for her to pause in her escape, "next time you even think about questioning me, you will be punished."
Delores gave a little cough, "Yes My Lord. Thank you, for your leniency, My Lord," she curtseyed and hurriedly left the room discarding one plan after another.
"Sirius!" Harry called as he pounced on the older man, strong arms wrapped around him in a hug.
"Harry, it's good to see you." Standing up and releasing his son, Sirius turned to acknowledge the other children standing there, "Percival, Neville and who might the rest of you be."
The group had stuck together as they made their way across the platform.
"Right, um, Da…Sirius," Harry began a little awkwardly. He knew that Sirius had accepted him as his son but calling him Dad in public was just a little too far as yet and he did not want anyone at the Prophet getting wind of it. "This is Parvati Patil, Fay Dunbar and Lavender Brown, the fifth year Gryffindor girls. Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, Gryffindor boys, and you already know, Ron, Neville and Percival. Guys this is my fa….Godfather Sirius Black."
"Hello everyone. Neville, I think I saw your Grandmother up the other end of the platform chatting to Catherine Greengrass." Neville nodded his thanks, quickly said goodbye and headed through the crowd. "Now…" he was interrupted as Padma came up to lead Parvati to their parents. "Right, so Seamus and Dean will your parents be meeting you on the platform?"
"No Sir," Dean replied.
"Please don't call me Sir, just Sirius will do."
"Sorry Si…Sirius. Seamus is staying with me. Mum and Dad will pick us up on the other side. See ya on the train back guys." The pair waved and ran off to queue at the exit to the Muggle side.
"And Ronald?" Sirius looked around for Molly.
"Ah, looks like Dad has sent Bill," Ron nodded up the platform to where Ron's oldest brother was making his way towards them, Ginny in tow.
"Bill," Sirius nodded by way of greeting.
"Lord Black," Bill returned.
"Given the lack of Weasley's at my current abode, I assume that you have attended to the wards at the Burrow?"
"Yes. Thank you for allowing the family to stay with you while I was sorting it out. I'm surprised mum didn't let you know. I had to pull the old ones down and start from scratch. I've replaced them with ones I came across in Egypt, over a thousand years old, and work really well when layered. Then Poppy Pomfrey let me look at an array for a set of detection wards that had been placed on the hospital wing, I managed to modify them and use them at the Burrow too. I believe I have you to thank for the original Harry."
"Madame Pomfrey just said that someone had removed the wards that let her know when someone was in the hospital wing. So, I made it my runes project. Professor Babbling has looked over it and is using it as the evidence for me to test into fifth year runes."
"Well I'm very grateful. Now should anyone break through the walls at the Burrow, Dad, Charlie and I will be notified. Ron where's your trunk?"
Ron tapped his pocket.
"Oh, well that's good then. See you lot later. Grab an arm you pair," and with that last farewell Bill disapparated.
"Right you two, ready to go?"
"Sure, Sirius but how are we getting home?"
"I actually thought we could walk. There's no rush today, it's a lovely evening, and we pass by a really good pizzeria, that I happen to know Mooney loves."
A small note had been slipped to her that morning, advising that she could attend for the requested meeting at any time. Today's password was 'Droobles Best'. Using it she found herself at the door to the Headmaster's towers straight after breakfast. She knocked on the door and as was usual a voice called her into the room.
The Potions Master was standing in front of the desk his back to the door, but he turned as he heard it open, "Do you need a witn…." he began to offer.
"That's alright Sir," Hermione replied dismissively. She did not want the potions professor to stay. He would surely encourage the Headmaster to turn her down just because he did not like her. Which was obvious as he had given her an Acceptable on her last assignment, when it was clearly should have been an Outstanding.
"It might be alright with you; however, it does not satisfy the needs of proprietary. I shall send your Head of House to join you," he said firmly turning away from the Headmaster, and making his way past the girl.
"Well as our time is limited, I will begin," the old man said frowning at the departing figure of the potions master. "It seems that Harry has left the school."
"Yes Sir, he looked far too happy to be going to the Dursley's and Percival went with him so I assume he has gone to Grimmauld place."
One of the portraits frowned.
"Ah yes, that does make more sense. I had wondered. Obviously, this disrupts our plans, but they can pushed back until the start of the new term."
"Yes Sir."
"Now how have you gone with that last book?"
"Oh, it is fascinating," she gushed.
He could tell by the look on her face that she was hooked, the enraptured expression, the quickening of her breath.
"Good, that is good. Now Miss Granger….Hermione," he said seriously. "There comes a time when harsh decisions need to be made, and the discerning wizard or in your case witch, prepares for those times." He paused to look over his half-moon spectacles, with twinkling eyes. "To do such, no matter how abhorrent in might be, some witches and wizards must step out of the theoretical study of the Dark Arts and progress to its practice. In order to better understand it so that they can defend against it. Do you understand?"
Hermione nodded. This was obviously the reason that McGonagall would not give her the extra credit assignment. The Transfiguration teacher already knew that Hermione would be taking on additional lessons with the Headmaster.
"These are dangerous times, you are the brightest witch of your age, and people will look to you to lead as you have been leading the Boy-Who-Lived," he said it with great gravitas. "You will need to know more, understand spells more deeply and be able to do more than others. It is a very great responsibility," he said solemnly. "Return tomorrow and we will begin. Now….."
The door to the office opened, "Albus? Severus said that Miss Granger had a meeting with you?"
"Ah, Professor McGonagall, sherbet lemon?"
"No. Albus I have just finished breakfast!"
"It is never too early to indulge one's sweet tooth," he chuckled merrily. "Now I was just saying to Miss Granger that I am afraid that we cannot extend a place to her on the extra Transfiguration assignment as she has enough responsibilities to be getting on with. Don't you agree?"
Minerva McGonagall was stunned. She had entered the room ready to do battle and defend her decision, "R…right you are Albus."
"Good." Albus Dumbledore hoped that his student would pick up the lesson. It could be beneficial to allow your opponent to have apparent victories. If nothing else it kept them off balance, and as such they would be too busy to look for where the real trouble was. "Off you go then Miss Granger," he dismissed her.
"Thank you for your time Professor," she smiled and left the room happily.
Severus Snape was perturbed as he left the Headmaster's office. Why on earth was the Headmaster meeting with Hermione Granger? Something about her behaviour had jarred against all the senses that he had developed over his years of spying. Something was very, very wrong. Having delivered the message to Minerva he headed to his rooms, there was a lot of work to get done.
"Grimmauld place," Severus called out as he stuck his head in the flames.
"Oh Professor!" Harry nearly dropped the plate of biscuits he was preparing. "Can I help you with something?"
"Yes! Tell the mutt to let me through!"
"Oh, sorry Severus," Sirius apologised, moving to kneel in front of the fire. "I set a password up last week."
"Well mutt, what is it?" the dour man hissed impatiently.
"Asphodel."
There was a pause. "Fine. Now get out of the way, I'm coming through," he warned.
It was not quite enough time however and Sirius was still sitting on his knees before the fireplace when Severus stepped out. His silver eyes followed the lines of the man.
"What would my teenage self say if he could see you now," his deep voice murmured as black eyes met the silver ones, a lopsided quirk twisting his lips.
"I think he would say, innocent children are present," Harry chirped brightly from where he was now sitting at the table. "Mooney made hot chocolate and it is the best. Even you can't say no Professor."
"You're only say that because you never had a hot chocolate before," Percival murmured, pulling out a seat.
"Yes, I did, at Christmas," Harry reminded his boyfriend.
"But that was also made by Remus. His is the only hot chocolate you've ever tasted, so my point stands."
"Your mother," the velvet tone of the Potions master interrupted them, "introduced me to the wonders of hot chocolate. She even taught me how to make it, she said it had to be made the muggle way because it made it taste better. Perhaps one day I will show you how it is done and then you can judge which way is better."
"Really? I'd really like that Professor," Harry grinned.
"I find that it might be acceptable, when we are not at Hogwarts that you might refer to me by my given name if you so wish," the professor sat down opposite the boys and a smirking Remus placed a warmed cup of frothy brown liquid in front of Severus.
"I can only claim to have learnt to make hot chocolate from your Grandmother, Harry. I do confess that it is made the magical way," the werewolf smiled as he placed the next mug in front of the boy. "But it will have to do for now."
"Thank you, Mooney," Harry took a sip leaving a foamy moustache behind, drawing a smile from Percival and a laugh from Sirius.
"What?"
"You seem to have a little something on your face Mr Po….Harry," Severus said. "About there." He mimed to give an indication. A quick wipe on the back of a sleeve and the mess was gone.
"Now Severus, not that we don't appreciate your company but why are you here?"
"My weekly meeting with the Headmaster this morning was interrupted by Miss Granger. I believe that she was there to complain about not being included in the group who are doing the extension work. It was a wise decision to keep your involvement in that project a secret."
"Pup?! Extension work?" Sirius said with a smile.
Harry blushed and locked his eyes on the table, "I might have to get you to help me with my Transfiguration though."
"Of course, what is? Has she started you on conjuring?" Sirius asked eagerly.
"Animagi," Harry whispered, cheeks a bright red.
"She wha….." Sirius gaped like a fish.
"Yeah. We've been given a book to read. Percival already knows how, so he is going to help us."
"Wow Pup. I'm impressed and I just know that Lily and James would be so proud of you."
Severus was frowning, "I feel that…"
Silver eyes flicked towards the Potions Master, "Exactly, I am sure that Severus was going to say that you need a firm grounding in the theory before you take any steps towards trying the transformation. There is a potion to make as part of it, and you will not under any circumstance brew it without supervision. Which," here he glanced at Severus again, "will be either Severus or myself as there are several steps in the process that can be quite….volatile."
"But you and…."
"I know Harry. We were reckless and foolish, and that might have been how the explosion in the library occurred, do not ask why we were brewing the library. I do not want to see you hurt or on the wrong end of Madam Pince's wand, the woman knows an alarming number of hexes and holds a grudge. While Percival can help you learn the theory he is not of age and is not someone who should be supervising either the potion making or the transformation."
"Fine," Harry huffed. "You're a hypocrite you know," he accused sullenly, causing Percival to chuckle.
"I know," Sirius admitted smiling softly. "I made a lot of mistakes when I was your age, and now I know better. And I am trying to teach you to have at least a modicum of self-preservation."
"He is right to do so, you have showed very little of it so far," Severus agreed. "Mr…Harry, when you return to school, you Percival and the others will be invited to attend a class to brew the potion. To avoid suspicion it will be under the guise of remedial potions."
"That won't work for Blaise though, the other Slytherins already know he's good at potions," Percival pointed out.
"Indeed. I had intended to give him detentions where he will help me with the remedial class. We will use the same excuse to hide our next excursion into the Chamber, though that will have to wait until after your exams."
Harry yawned and rubbed a hand across his eyes.
"Right kiddo, time for bed."
"But Sirius…."
"Go on brat. If you miss out on anything, I'll catch you up in the morning."
"Fine."
The two boys said their goodnights and made their way up to bed. Remus levitated their cups to the kitchen and set them on the counter. A second later Kreacher popped in and spelled them into the sink to begin washing.
"For someone who has allegedly died, you look surprisingly well, Wolf," Severus commented drily.
"Don't let his healthy looks deceive you," Sirius said. "He very nearly made that allegedly a literally. "
"I'm getting much better," added Remus.
"Do you mind me asking what happened? I only have Albus' words."
Remus told the story of his trek through the countryside, of meeting with the tribes, and deciding to continue to see if there were any outliers from Fenrir's pack who could be swayed. Then the half-overheard conversation between the so familiar voice and the man who owned the steading. He stumbled over the words to describe his capture and subsequent torture at the hands of Fenrir.
"I wish I knew, who it was that told them I was coming."
Severus and Sirius shared a glance.
"I believe it must have been Dumbledore, though I cannot think why he would do so," Sirius said.
"Yes, it is time we all faced that he is not as good as we once believed," Severus agreed.
"Why do you think it that it was him?" Remus asked.
"I was with Harry, when he was called to a meeting with Albus. During the meeting he informed Harry that you had been killed. It was not long after Percival had been injured. Sirius had only raised the issue of your whereabouts at the previous Order meeting."
"Still he might have…"
"First of all, wolf, you are sitting right in front of me. Second, how would he have known?"
Remus shook his head, "I just don't…."
"No one likes to believe that their childhood hero is in anyway imperfect," Sirius said conciliatorily.
"No, its not just that. I knew that voice, perhaps you are right. I think I'll follow the kid's example. There is a whole world of research I need to start in the morning. Goodnight." Dejectedly he made his way out of the room.
"Another drink Severus?" Sirius asked moving into the kitchen.
"Please. Tea if that is alright."
"Of course," Sirius tapped the kettle with his wand to start it heating.
"It seems to me that there is more to this visit then telling us about Hermione's meeting with Albus," Sirius pried as he scooped tealeaves into the pot. He leant against the counter to wait for the kettle to boil.
"Something is not right. It…..seeing Miss Granger in the office, nags something in the back of my head. I can't quite figure out what bothers me about it. As ridiculous as the notion is, I find that being in this house allows me to think sometimes."
"Well…feel free, the floo is always open," Sirius said with a shrug. Turning as the kettle started to whistle a merry tune. He poured the water into the pot and levitating two cups to follow him to the table, rejoined Severus.
"When did you ward the floo?" Severus asked curiously.
"The moment I realised that Molly had moved out and was not coming back. If I had realised that she was waiting for the wards to be finished on the Burrow, I would have headed round there and cast them myself, so they did not have to wait for Bill to come back from Egypt."
"I rather think you would have upset the cauldron if you had done so."
"Hmm," Sirius nodded in agreement. "I snuck around to the Burrow," he confessed. "Just for Harry's peace of mind and checked them out. Bill's done a really good job. He even managed to slip in some of the really nasty wards that have a backlash. How he got those past Arthur and Molly I don't know."
"I do not believe either of them have ever studied warding," he frowned. "Neither have you."
"Ah yes but we needed to protect the preparation sites for some our pranks back in school. By the time we finished, apart from Worm…Peter, we were all quite proficient. Then as members of the Order Moody took us aside and gave us some, not so legal, training. Not to mention all of the research that Lily did…. sorry," he apologised as a flash of pain flickered across Severus' face. "I know you loved her."
Severus dismissed the apology with a wave, "She was my sister in everything but blood. No matter how many years pass her loss will always bring pain."
"I think Harry appreciated the story you told tonight. I don't have many happy stories to tell of Lily. Just random moments here and there. From what I can gather Petunia never told Harry anything, so I know it meant a lot to him, especially the offer you made."
Clearly uncomfortable Severus excused himself, "Well as touching as that is. I had best return to the school before I am missed. Goodnight Sirius."
"Nite," Sirius sat and watched as Severus disappeared into the flames his task incomplete. He sat for another hour just watching the flames, slowly flicker and die, before he made his way to his rest.
"What's he doing in there?" Harry asked Sirius curiously as he peered through the door into the parlour. There was a werewolf, pacing from one side of the small room to the other. "I wanted to get into the library to grab some books out for my Homework, but I'm kind of afraid to disturb him. Especially when he mutters that way."
"Ah that is Mooney's research mode. I believe your mother influenced him around fifth year when they were prefects. You'll find he has conjured a blackboard and chalk and drawn up some kind of flow diagram."
"Really?" Harry asked dubiously.
"Yep."
"So, what is he researching then? Oh, it's those things of Riddle's isn't it?"
"Yep. Now we are certain that we can get rid of them with the ritual we need to find them all."
"Can I help?"
"In the research phase?" Harry nodded.
"I don't see why not, though Homework first."
"Alright," Harry agreed.
There was a list on the black board, four chairs placed facing it in a half circle.
Harry- accident?
Locket
Diary
Crown
Snake
"Five seems like an odd number," Harry stated.
"Yeah though it depends if you are counting the one in Harry or not. We also can't forget the soul piece actually in Riddle," Remus said entering lecture mode.
"So do we count it as six then?" Harry asked.
"No, I think you were right that we are safe to assume the one in the scar is accidental so there are five other soul pieces that we know of. Which as you said is odd. Three or seven seems more likely."
"What if he was going to make seven, but then he was ….well whatever you call what happened when Mum and Dad died?" Harry suggested.
"Disembodied."
"Yeah that."
"So, the Crown, Locket and Diary were done before that so maybe that is all he has. With the Snake being a replacement for the Diary and Harry being an accident?" Sirius suggested.
Remus stared at the list with his head tilted to one side, "No because there was still him. So that would still have made four pieces of his soul."
"What do all these things have in common?" Percival asked, staring at the board.
"We don't know," Sirius shrugged. "Maybe he liked cross dressing."
The others turned to stare at him.
"What? Let's be honest the tiara and locket, I mean come on. Then a teenage boy writing in a diary? I don't think so," he grinned.
"I don't think whether or not he like to wear women's clothes is going to help us," Remus said exasperatedly.
"He wears robes," Harry grinned. "That's pretty much like a dress. In fact the one he wore after his resurrection was definitely a.."
"Harry!" Remus pinched his nose. "I don't care about Riddle's transgender tendencies, he is still the current Dark Lord and we…"
"Wouldn't that be Dark Lady then?" Harry piped up cheekily. "If he still prefers male pronouns then it is crossdressing, but if he considers himself to be…herself then…"
"Regardless…." Remus snapped.
"No, I think it is a valid point," Percival said thoughtfully. "It's a bit stereotypical, but women are more of the collectors of memorabilia."
"Accept sports, James had that snitch remember," Sirius said.
"But pretties and momentos. Maybe the objects were significant to him in some way."
"Right so who owned them first?"
"Well the Diary was owned by Riddle himself, it had his name on it," Harry offered, and the information was added to the board.
"Clearly the locket is Slytherin's," Sirius stated surely.
"Why would you think that?" Remus asked.
"Because it has a 'S' on it."
"Slytherin is not the only Family name to start with 'S', there is also Smith and Selwyn."
"Come on it even looks like a snake, and Slytherin was famous for talking to snakes," Sirius protested.
"I thought he was famous for starting up a school," Remus said blandly.
"He could speak to snakes!"
"So can Riddle," Harry pointed out.
"See and he claims to be the Heir of Slytherin, and they are the only ones who were…are known to speak to snakes."
"Really Sirius, the only ones? One thousand years of history and only two people ever, have been able to speak to snakes? With the way the purebloods intermarry over here, it's a surprise that everyone doesn't speak to snakes. Besides what about Harry?" Percival argued.
"Did you never wonder why the muggle symbol for medicine is a snake?" Remus asked. "It's because the best healers, before the Statute of Secrecy, were always those that could speak Parseltongue. You know it is still a prized talent in India."
"It's prized in a lot of places around the world, I believe the amazon might be another," Percival added.
"Well that doesn't help us then," Sirius finally gave in.
"That's what the library is for Sirius," Remus pointed out.
"Fine, I'll go up the back and see what I can find."
"Ha I was right!" Sirius crowed, as he rushed into the parlour. "See here," he pointed to a hand drawn picture on the open page. "Slytherin's locket." Flipping a couple of pages, he pointed out another picture, "Ravenclaw's Diadem."
"Diadem?" Harry asked.
"It's just a fancy name for a tiara Pup."
"Well then if he is collecting founder's items what did Gryffindor and Hufflepuff have?"
"It seems each of the Founders had an item that they symbolised their traits. The locket with the snakey 'S' on it was said to enable any non-speaker to understand and converse in parseltongue. Slytherin originally had it made for his betrothed. Ravenclaw's diadem was supposed to increase intelligence. Helga Hufflepuff had a cup which was said to aid in her work in the Hogwarts kitchens and infirmary, though it says that no-one knew how. Godric Gryffindor had a sword. It was goblin made and enchanted to aid in the slaying of dark creatures."
"I know where that one is. It's at Hogwarts," Harry said surely.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I used it to kill the Basilisk."
"Right so it is not a Horcrux then."
"It didn't affect me like the others did, so no."
"I think Hufflepuff's cup is a definite possibility though." The new details were added to the board along with the cup written in its own column."
"I think we are looking for one more item," Remus mused.
"Why that's six and then the piece that is well….him, right," Sirius questioned.
"Yeah. But the one in Harry was made accidentally. Besides he is trying his best to kill Harry, so he obviously isn't worried about losing that soul piece, if we assume that he figured it out after the events with Arthur at Christmas."
"Speaking of which," he turned to look at Harry. "You have been keeping up your Occlumency practice haven't you."
"Yes Dad."
"Right so we are missing one Horcrux and then we need to figure out where he would hide them." Sirius and Remus were still in the parlour.
"Well get your chalk out again. Harry said the diary was at the Malfoy's. The Locket was in some cave according to Kreacher. The Diadem at Hogwarts. The others could be anywhere," Sirius sounded frustrated.
"So we need to figure out how all these thing relate to Tom Riddle," Remus mused.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle," Harry added as he walked into the parlour, carry a tea tray. "I thought you guys could use a snack."
"Ooh did you bake?"
Harry smiled shyly, "Yeah. I hope that's ok."
"Well, I will miss the treats when you go back to school. What did you make this time?"
"Just some choc chip biscuits. Where are you at?"
"We need to know more about Riddle."
Harry frowned, "Last year…." he started speaking hesitantly.
"Have a seat Harry," Sirius drew the boy all the way into the room.
"In the Graveyard, I was…..they…he had me pinned to his father's grave," he swallowed, closing his eyes.
"Do you know where it is?"
"They didn't say, and I was taken there and back again by portkey, but I…I can give you the memories," he offered in a near whisper.
"That might help," Remus said thoughtfully, "and perhaps the one from your second year in the Chamber?"
"Yeah that would be ok. How do I do it?"
"Just think about the event, say from when you and Ron went down into the Chamber, all the way until the end, so when Fawkes carried you out of there."
"Alright."
"And I just hold my wand beside your temple like this and say Recedere Praeteritum. A memory comes away like so." There was now a silvery thread hanging from his wand. "And we place it in a vial," he clicked his fingers and held out a hand to Sirius, who quickly summoned a vial, uncorked it and passed it over. "Done. Now the next one," he said clinically, corking the vial, "Should start from…"
"It's ok, I've got it," Harry said hurriedly.
"Right then," Remus lifted his wand again. "Recedere Praeteritum."
A second strand of silver was withdrawn. It made Harry feel…lighter.
"Strange feeling isn't it," Sirius said. "It kind of deadens the memory."
"Feels like it is further away," Harry agreed.
"Thank you, Harry," Remus said.
"I just hope it helps."
"It's amazing how many extra details there are when a memory is looked at closely, things that you don't even realise that you noticed."
"Now finish your tea, and then go and find Percival and get up to some mischief, you've spent enough time in here. Let Remus and I take care of this."
"Alright," Harry drained his cup and left.
"Marvolo isn't a very common name is it?" Remus mused.
"Nope, I can't think of it being used amongst the Purebloods for a while, and even then, it was predominately all within the one family."
"Which family was that?"
"The Gaunts."
"Well at least that gives us a place to start."
It was the morning that they were to catch the express back to Hogwarts.
"Right, before I take you boys to the station. I have something for you," Sirius said.
"You didn't need to get us anything," Harry protested,
Sirius just smiled, "Think of this as something to save my sanity." He withdrew two identical silver coloured cuffs, from his pocket. They were covered in runes.
"What are they?" Harry asked curiously.
"Have a look and see if you can figure it out," was all the reply he got.
"Well, these," Harry pointed out a row, "speak of transportation, but these," he pointed to another five runes, "are all about wards. It looks like this is a portkey but with way more power than usual. Which is odd because there is a spell for that."
"They are ward busters," Percival said surely.
"Right you are Percival, but don't go telling anyone as while they are not exactly illegal, they are certainly frowned upon by the people in authority. I made these so that no matter where you are if someone attacks, you have a means of escape, even if they have anti-portkey wards up. They will send you to the front step here, and alert me at the same time."
Harry threw his arms around Sirius, "Thank you."
"Do they have a password."
"Yes, you just need to touch it and say, 'home safe'."
They boys nodded and slipped the cuffs into place.
"Sirius," Percival said staring thoughtfully at the closed curtains around the portrait of Walburger Black. "Do you think someone could have done something to your mother's portrait? It does not seem normal for it to scream and yell like it does."
"She hated me in life, and she hates me in death," Sirius said.
"But Kreacher said that things weren't so bad before you went to school," Harry added.
The tall man stopped and thought. Even though he had made a lot of process, he still had a lot of the memories from his early years still needed sorting out. Shaking his head, it would take longer to sort out then the time they had available currently.
"It's possible I suppose, Kreacher would have had to pick the portrait up from the artists, so someone could have cursed it while it was there. Or perhaps it became tainted from spending so long locked in a house with the Horcrux. I'll look into it when I get a chance, but honestly it isn't high on my list at the moment. Right, now let's get you to the train."
"They're away?" Remus asked as Sirius walked into the parlour and stopped in front of the board.
"Yep, I saw them safely to the train."
"I've been thinking."
"Don't strain anything," Sirius joked.
"That would be you Pads," Remus chuckled before the smile slipped from his face. "I… think you were right about Dumbledore. Mooney….. is always more alert in his presence."
"What made you change your mind?"
"I think…no, I'm sure it was him….at the farm," he clarified. "I know it was a voice that I know, but it was muffled because they were in another room. I remembered when we were at Hogwarts standing outside his office, waiting to be let in and hearing his voice through the door. I'm sure that it was him, and Mooney agrees."
"The question is what are we going to do about it? I think it would be dangerous to let Albus know that you are still alive."
Remus nodded his agreement, "There is not much more that we can do until Dumbledore is…..removed. No-one would take my word over his."
"Is there some way we can start to discredit him?"
"I don't know, he has always seemed so impeccably good."
"Accept for his dealings with Harry, but I don't think Harry would appreciate us using him that way."
"No. I doubt he would like the additional attention it would bring."
"Still it would be useful to do something while Amelia is investigating his actions at the school. Perhaps if there is already doubt some of her charges might actually stick."
"Right, I'll add it to my list of things to research."
Remus wrote in a new column on the board and reached for the stack of old newspapers he had been searching though.
"What was that name again, you know the one that you mentioned when we were talking about the name Marvolo?"
"Gaunt."
"I thought so." He folded the paper in half. "Look at this." He passed the paper over.
"Morfin Gaunt imprisoned for killing his father Marvolo, leading to the end of the line. Huh, and they mention that they are the last of the direct line descended from Salazar Slytherin."
"Do you think he is related? I'm sure that there was a funeral notice for Morfin in one of the other papers." Remus reached for the stack.
"Let me just," Sirius moved to the shelves and pulled out a copy of Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy and quickly flipped through the pages. "It appears there was a daughter as well, Merope. She is listed as having been married to a Muggle, though there is a small note here that she was then stripped of her family magic and disowned. Do you think she could be Riddles mother?"
"If she married a Muggle then the wedding would be recorded in the parish records. Does it say where they lived?"
"Yeah, his body was found in Little Hangleton."
"Alright, I'll head out tomorrow and have a look around."
"I'll get the pensieve out so you can have a look at Harry's memory before you go," Sirius suggested.
Remus retrieved the memory while Sirius was finding the bowl.
"Are you going to look to?" Remus enquired, seeing Sirius staring at the bowl.
"I…don't know if I should. Would Harry want me to?"
"He gave it to us so we could watch it."
"Right."
Remus looked at him sympathetically, "You just need to remember that he is ok. In fact, he is doing much better."
"Yeah," Sirius reached out a hand and the pair tumbled into the memory.
There was the shrill blast from a whistle, and a roar from the crowd. Harry had started the memory from the beginning of the maze.
"I guess we follow him in?" Sirius gazed after his son apprehensively.
They watched as he split from Amos' boy only for their paths to cross again a short while later. The lack of obstacles somewhat surprise. Then there was the not-dementor and Sirius was proud how quickly Harry deduced it was a Boggart. Again Harry travelled without opposition, until he faced the golden mist. Which while being interesting was rather easily overcome. Then he came across the Skrewt. What ever Hagrid had done to breed those was clearly not legal and Sirius cursed the large man. The a cry of 'Crucio' tore through the air and Harry was off. Unsurprisingly, thought they wished otherwise, running towards the danger. The champions separated again. Not another obstacle until Harry came upon the Sphinx, despite the fact that they could hear other things moving in the nearby lanes of the maze. Sirius cried out it fear for his Godson, when they again found Cedric only for an Acromantula to bear down on them.
"Of course, you would Harry," Sirius muttered as he watched Harry put forth the idea of both boys taking the cup and then they were whirling away. The pair landing heavily in the Graveyard.
"I'll go look around, you keep an eye on things here," Remus instructed and started walking between the tombstones and markers.
Eventually they were spat out into the parlour, Sirius collapsing onto the soft carpet. "He's ok, he's ok, he's ok. I left him after that I left him! Remus how could I? I was there when he told Dumbledore what happened and I still left him! Merlin Harry."
"Breathe Padfoot. He is safely on his way to Hogwarts. He's safe and he has Percival with him. Addison has already approved the ritual. He has forgiven you for leaving him."
They clung to each other, reassuring themselves. It was just as Sirius had calmed down that Remus' eyes went wide.
"He took Harry's blood! How on earth are the blood words supposed to keep working? He can't go back there Sirius! It's like Riddle has been given a free pass into that house! What was Dumbledore thi….Oh," he shook his head in defeat.
"I know, I know, that was one of the things that made us start to reassess him too. I doubt they ever really worked if they were powered by Lily's love. We know that was in short supply in that house until recently."
"How's she going?" Remus asked rising the reference to Petunia as a distraction.
"I don't really know. Vernon did a job on her that is for certain. Harry asked me to look after it. I warded a new house for her and Dudley to live in and paid for Dudley's school fees."
"Harry asked you to?"
"Yeah. He's a better man than I."
"Me too."
"Right, enough of this," Sirius said determinedly, standing up, scrubbing a hand across his face. "Pass me some of those papers."
Finally, Petunia was being discharged from hospital. Eventually, just the previous evening, she had listened to her son, his emotive plea doing what Sirius' words could not and had signed the papers Samuel McMillan had left for her. Calling the man to come and collect them. He said it would take a little while for them to be processed but he guaranteed that he would arrange for Vernon to sign them and she would never have to see her husband again. They had used the address for the Law firm, so her new address was not divulged. Dudley had been given permission to come home for the holidays and help her move in.
"Alright luv?" the nurse asked watching Petunia scan her bedside.
"Just checking to see if I have forgotten anything," Petunia gave a tight smile.
The nurse bent to look under the bed.
"Is this yours?" she picked up an envelope from the floor. It was the registered letter that Petunia had signed for the day that everything had happened.
"Oh, thank you," Petunia tucked it into her bag without a thought.
"Well if that is everything. I'll just get you to sign this and you are right to go," the nurse smiled.
"Thank you. You've all been a great help," Petunia said as she signed the paper work, then hitching her bag over her shoulder she walked off the ward.
Dudley had been at home waiting for her, keys to the front door in his hand. He showed her how to turn the security system on and off. That it looked completely non-magical was reassuring. With a sigh she pushed open the door. She was dreading having to head to the shops to buy furniture and wondered if Vernon had already cancelled her access to their joint account, though she had not dared to contemplate how she would manage if he had. It took her two steps into the front room to realise that on at least one front she had been worried for nothing. Not only was the house furnished, but when she checked there was even food in the fridge and pantry. Petunia burst into tears. It took two cups of tea and many reassuring words from Dudley for her to calm. He left her in the sitting room, with her feet raised on a pouffe and a cup of tea on the side table saying he had some homework to do but that she could call him if she needed anything and he would be right back down. It seemed that his teachers had dropped him off an hour before she arrived and he had already had time to unpack.
Looking around it appeared that her nephew and his godfather had thought of everything. The obvious care they had taken made her feel even more ashamed. She noted that there was no cupboard in the space under the stairs instead it was filled with a small open bookcase. This led to another bout of tears. A quick search of the little draw in the side table in the hall, produced a pad of paper and an envelope, but there was no pen to be seen. With a sigh she returned to the comfortable chair she had been sitting in and picked her handbag up off the floor, to look for a pen. Rifling through the contents she was distracted as her had touched the now crinkled envelope of the registered letter. Hoping it was not a fine, she slit it open with a nail. Inside was a sheet of the thick paper she recognised from Harry's letters. Why would someone from the Wizarding world contact her? Harry would surely use normal post being one of the few to know her new address.
Dear Mrs Dursley,
Due to circumstance beyond our control ,an administrative error has been made that impacts your account. When you accepted Mr Harry James Potter into your care on the morning of the First of November 1981, as per the last Will and Testament of his parents, Lily and James Potter, you were entitled to a payment of Five Hundred pounds per month for his upkeep. Unfortunately, this payment was re-directed to another account. The accumulated amount (including interest) of ninety thousand pounds has now been transferred to your account at the Bank of England. Please find attached a copy of the receipt of transfer. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Sincerely
Striknott
Petunia hurriedly pulled the slip out of the envelop, hoping that the money had not been transferred into the joint account she shared with Vernon. Sighing with relief when she saw the listed name. Petunia had always held on to her childhood bank account. For the many years after she had stopped work it had languished nearly empty, but for some unknown reason she could not bring herself to close it. In fact, over the years she had quite forgotten about it, only reminded by the occasional statement that the bank had sent. Now though, seeing the numbers listed next to her name (Petunia Evans- she had never gotten around to changing her name on the account either) lifted part of the weight off her shoulders. The little nest egg would provide her with the breathing space she needed to get back on her feet. She sent a silent thank you to her sister into the ether.
cut-
"Try again Miss Granger," the voice snapped.
Perspiration was running into her eyes as she screwed up her face and tried to draw on the necessary power.
"This time put more emotion into it. You have to really meet it."
Another spell left her wand and fizzled before it reached the target.
"Think about all the times you have bullied and belittled for you brains. When you have been cast aside. How that makes you feel…" he coaxed.
"Crucio!" she cried, and the rat squealed, muscles spasming against the force of the spell that held it petrified.
"Well done."
Hermione smiled at the praise, she had done it. She was good enough. Oh, how they would regret ever having made fun of her. Throwing her head back she began to laugh.
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