Torn Away: Scenes From A Memory
-Hyperion07e
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter."Hello": Speech
"Hello": Spells
'Hello': Thoughts
Chapter Four
Solitaire Unravelling
"So Luddie, what is it that you do?" Hermione asked Tonks' fiancé as she, Harry, Ron, Luddie, and Tonks sat in front of a fireplace at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place after Christmas dinner over break.
"It's an odd sort of mish mash", Luddie responded after hesitating for a few seconds, "Technically, I am an Unspeakable, but I do work as a Hit Wizard also. My job basically revolves around 'eliminating' people who are hard to get to and the Ministry doesn't want people to figure out what happened to them."
"So you're an assassin then?" Hermione responded with a cold voice; she had surprised many when she had become adamant in her opinion that no one deserved to die, for any reason what so ever. Many attributed this to her parents being murdered despite being under the protection of a Fidelius Charm.
"For all intents and purposes yes", Luddie responded, while Tonks grabbed his hand, "But I always try to do it in the most humane way possible. I don't torture people, and I don't play games with their head. I just get the job done, and get whatever else I need to get."
This softened Hermione slightly, but she still said, "I just still don't agree with killing people."
Later that night, Harry was walking down to the kitchens because he couldn't sleep and was going to make some hot chocolate when he heard two people talking in the kitchen. Listening closely, he noticed that it was Luddie and Tonks. Stopping right outside of the kitchen, he started to listen in on the conversation.
"...it's nothing, Dora honey, just some odd dream that I haven't had in many years that just popped up again tonight", Luddie was saying, "No need to get all harped up about it-"
"Ludwig", Tonks cut him off with a sharp whispering voice, "We have been together for more than 6 years, I think I have the right to worry about you."
"Sorry Dora, I was just slightly bothered by this and taking it out on you", Luddie say in a slightly placating voice, "But now I think we should stop with this discussion seeing that Mr. Potter is right outside the door."
Harry, stunned that Luddie knew he was outside the kitchen, chose that moment to walk in, with a sheepish smile on his face, "Sorry, I didn't want to intrude."
"Don't worry about it Harry, I knew you were there the entire time", Luddie said with a slight smirk on his face, "I'm not a Hit Wizard for nothing. It's in the job description."
They all laughed, as Harry set about on his original task of getting himself a cup of Hot Chocolate while Luddie and Tonks talked in hushed tones.
"Tonks has been telling me you want to become an Auror when you get out of school?" Luddie asked when Harry sat down with his cup. Harry noted with an odd interest that Luddie was also drinking Hot Chocolate.
"It's seems the logical course to go", Harry said, leaving off 'because of Voldemort and the Death Eaters.' Luddie got a sad look on his face for a moment, like he knew what Harry had tacked on in his head.
"Ja, that does appear to be the most logical course", Luddie said with a slightly far away look in his eyes. Suddenly he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package that was wrapped without much flair, "Here Harry, I didn't give this to you when you were opening your presents earlier because I felt it would be better to give to you one and one."
Harry took the package from him as Tonks looked on at the exchange. Harry cautiously unwrapped the package to reveal an unmarked box. Luddie gestured for Harry to open it, which he did to reveal a very striking necklace. Lifting the chain out Harry saw that a vial filled with a green mist was attached to it. Harry gave Luddie a slightly questioning look.
"I found this a couple weeks ago, and when talking to Dora here thought that it would be of use to you", Luddie said in a way of explanation, "It has a small protection charm on it to alert you when someone untrustworthy is nearby, however, it's main use for you will not be apparent now, but in time you will discover it. I'm afraid that is all that I can say."
Harry only nodded, and was about to say something back when Hermione came into the room, who walked straight over to Luddie, only giving Harry a small nod in recognition.
"I want to say that I am sorry for my attitude earlier", Hermione said, cutting directly to the point, "This war is really messing with my view on the world and I know I have a slightly hypocritical stance, but I just want to say I'm sorry for drawing you into it, you're only doing your job, and..."
Hermione trailed off as Luddie held up his hand and started to speak, "Do not worry about it; it happens to the best of us."
Hermione nodded her head, before looking to the group as a whole and speaking, "I'm sorry I've been a bit of a snot lately, it's like I said-"
"It's fine Hermione", Tonks cut her off, seeing Hermione getting slightly emotional, "We understand."
"Of course Hermione! Remember how I was last year?" Harry said, causing Hermione to crack a small smile.
"Thanks guys", she said, hugging herself, before saying, "I'm going to go sit outside on the veranda, to think. I just need some time alone at the moment."
"Of course..."
That was the last time anyone saw Hermione Granger alive.
The next morning her cold, dead, lifeless body was found on the veranda with a surprised look on her face. An obvious victim of the Killing Curse, probably by someone in the Black family that knew the location of the house that was sending a warning to the Order. It was also the last time that the Order used Number Twelve Grimmauld Place as their Head Quarters...
Harry grimaced as he awoke, almost instantly after Hermione's body had been found the whole of the house had been cleaned out and all the occupants were sent to various 'safe-houses', except the students, who were sent straight back to Hogwarts. Sighing, he lifted himself out of bed, and started to get himself ready for the day, today was the day he was to meet Dumbledore at Hogwarts to get sorted into a house.
Harry relaxed into the cushions in his booth in the Leaky Cauldron. He and Tonks had agreed to have a late lunch together before Harry went off to Hogwarts to be sorted. Harry sighed as he recounted the past week and a half to himself; it had been one of the most interesting in his life.
He and Tonks were hitting it off great, and usually hung out with each other every day in some capacity. He had been over to her house a few more times, and had to say that he understood slightly were Tonks' slightly rebellious nature came from: Mrs. Tonks almost gave her a free pass to do whatever it was that she wanted, but within reason of course.
Harry looked up as he saw Tonks enter the Leaky Cauldron, with Edgar on her arm. He smiled slightly thinking about his raven. It was almost as temperamental as Hedwig had been, except that this one could actually tell him what was on its mind; including tips on how to dress and how to alter his body "to appeal to that lovely young witch friend you have."
"Wotcher Luddie", Tonks said, sliding into her seat carefully, as she was wearing a skirt and didn't want her clumsiness to cause any embarrassing situations. Harry grinned at the name that Tonks had taken to calling him; he liked the ring to it.
"Guten Tag Dora", Harry replied as Edgar jumped up onto his shoulder. Tonks flashed him a brief smile, it seemed she didn't mind when Harry called her 'Dora', although he had noticed he was the only one that got away with it. Harry had also picked up on how Tonks liked it when he spoke in German. He continued on, giving a small piece of bread to Edgar, "How are you doing today?"
"Oh pretty good", Tonks replied, placing her order with Tom the bartender, "My dad is fascinated by Edgar." He and Tonks chuckled for a moment before she continued, "I mean, even though he technically is a wizard, he just acts like a muggle so often that you would never know."
Harry laughed at this; Mr. Tonks did remind him of Mr. Weasley, only he didn't collect plugs.
"So what time are you heading up to see the Headmaster?" Tonks asked, as her food arrived.
"Four", Harry replied, looking at his watch, "So that gives us about three hours."
"Want to go to the cinema", Tonks proposed, polishing off the sandwich that she had ordered.
"Never thought you'd ask", Harry replied, causing Tonks to laugh. Harry got out of his seat before helping Tonks get to her feet. She blushed slightly, before they both paid their bill and left to go catch a movie.
"I've been forgetting to ask", Harry commented as the pair strolled out of the theatre, "What house are you in at Hog-varts?"
"It's Hog-Warts", Tonks said with a small smirk, getting a glare in return, "And I'm in Ravenclaw believe it or not."
"You are a bright one", Harry remarked back to her causing her to glare this time as he got a look of triumph on his face.
"Very funny Luddie", Tonks said as they continued to walk back to the Leaky Cauldron so that Harry could grab his port key so he could go to Hogwarts to be sorted.
'I wonder if the sorting hat will know it's me traveling through time', Harry mused to himself, as the sorting hat did seem to be very intelligent, and (at least Harry suspected it to be) very strong in Legilimency to boot. Before Harry knew it he was standing in front of his door at the Leaky Cauldron.
"How long do you think you'll be at Hogwarts?" Tonks asked Harry, suddenly looking very shy as Harry leaned against the door, his key in hand.
"Shouldn't be that long, I'm only getting sorted, and from what you've told me it shouldn't be that long", Harry responded, looking into Tonks eyes.
"Perhaps if you come back early enough you would like to come over and eat with my family tonight", Tonks said, continuing to look shy, "My mother suggested it and all, but it would be great if you came over."
"I would love to", Harry responded, wondering why Tonks was acting as shy as she was.
"Great!" Tonks said, perking up a bit, "See you later tonight then Luddie!"
With that she leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before walking away, leaving a stunned Harry in her wake, who stood there for a few moments before opening his door and getting ready to be transported to Hogwarts.
"Ah, Mr. Waechter", Dumbledore said as Harry appeared in the middle of his office, letter in hand, "Ready to be sorted?"
"Yes sir", Harry responded, noticing that the four heads of houses were present, most noticeably Snape who was looking like he did not want to be present at all. Dumbledore conjured up a stool for Harry to sit on before taking out the sorting hat and placing it on his head.
'Doing a little bit of time traveling, eh Potter?' came a slightly amused voice in his ear the minute the hat was placed on his head.
'You could say that', Harry thought back to the hat, thinking once again that the hat was most defiantly versed in Legilimency.
'Yes I am Potter, one of the greatest in history if I do say myself', the hat replied to his thought, 'It's one of the skills that I use when I sort students. I can tell right now that I am going to have a bit of time with you in a few years just by briefly looking through your thoughts right now.'
Harry grimaced slightly, he still remembered his first sorting and how he almost went into Slytherin.
'But that's then, and this is now', the hat went on, 'And let's see, no not Hufflepuff, you are to strong willed. Slytherin and Gryffindor are strong in you, they almost cancel out each other...'
'What about Ravenclaw?' Harry suggested to the hat, remembering that Tonks was in that house and wanting to be were she was for some odd reason.
'Yes, you do seem to be bright like Ravenclaws tend to be, not to mention you have a few 'quirks' about you that are common for most Ravenclaws', the Hat mused to itself for a moment, before continuing on, 'Yes, that is where you will go. A word of advice though, Potter, before you go: What you seek isn't as hidden as you think it is. Just by these few moments I have been on your head I have unlocked to myself what you seek. You have all the tools that you need at your disposal, but you have yet to learn how to use all of them. It is good then, that I am placing you in the house that I am, because what you will learn there you will not learn anywhere else. Have fun Mr. Potter, and do proud the house of RAVENCLAW.'
The hat yelled the last word for all in the office to hear. Harry heard a mild round of applause as Dumbledore took the hat off his head just in time for him to see Snape quickly exiting Dumbledore's office. Professor's McGonagall, and Sprout offered him congratulations before they, too, took their leave of Dumbledore's office. All that now remained were Professor's Dumbledore and Flitwick, the diminutive Ravenclaw Head of House.
"Congratulations Ludwig", Dumbledore said to Harry, "Now why don't I leave you here with Professor Flitwick, the Ravenclaw Head of House, so he can tell you a bit more about your house? When you are ready to return back to the Leaky Cauldron, just tap your wand onto the parchment that allowed you to come here and say 'Return.' "
An hour later Harry was back in his room at the Leaky Cauldron. He had learnt all about the Ravenclaw house, including that Ravenclaws possessed their own personal library in their common room that was almost half the size of the Hogwarts Library (excluding the Restricted Section). He had learned that he was to be sharing the sixth year dorm with five other students, who Flitwick said he would personally introduce Harry to when September 1st came. He had also learned that it was a Ravenclaw tradition for after all the students returned to the common room for the Head of House to give a short speech introducing the existing students to the new ones, and expectations for the year.
Looking at the clock on the wall he noticed that he had returned in time in order to join the Tonks' for dinner. He just had to alert them that he was coming over, but he couldn't remember the Floo call name for their house.
"Edgar, what's the name for Tonks' house on the Floo?" Harry asked the raven, which was currently perched next to Harry's bed reading a book on potions that Harry had left out.
"Tonks' Residence", Edgar crowed out, sounding slightly annoyed, without looking up from the book.
"Thanks", Harry replied as he walked over to the fireplace that was in the room, grabbing some Floo powder off of the mantel, and throwing it into the fire.
"This chicken is delicious Mrs. Tonks", Harry commented after he had started eating. He had arrived just in time for dinner, much to the delight of Tonks', who still had Harry wondering why she had kissed him earlier in the day. In fact, she was still acting shy towards him.
"Oh thank you dear", Mrs. Tonks replied to Harry.
"What house did you get into Luddie?" Tonks asked Harry, speaking to him in a full sentence for the first time that night.
"Ravenclaw", Harry replied with a slight smirk, as Tonks' eyebrows reached their hilt.
"A fine a house as any", Mrs. Tonks said thoughtfully, "I know I was in there, and so is Nymphadora, and Professor Flitwick is a fine fellow. I should know based on all the times I've talked to him due to your antics dear."
Tonks blushed slightly at the comment her mother had directed towards her.
After dinner was over, Tonks was escorting Harry back to the fireplace so he could return to the Leaky Cauldron.
"I'm going to be visiting some of my father's relatives for the rest of the holidays, so I won't see you again till the first of September", Tonks said, sounding slightly sad, "Speaking of, how are you getting to the Kings Cross?"
"Catching a cab", Harry replied, grabbing a handful of the dust-like substance known as Floo Powder.
"Well, want to meet at Platform 9 and 3/4?"
"Sure, I'll meet you there a half hour before the train sets off", Harry said, with a smile on his face. Hearing this, Tonks smiled too.
"Great, you'll be able to meet some of my other friends", Tonks said.
"See you on the first", Harry said, throwing the powder into the fire. Suddenly Tonks kissed him on the cheek again, causing Harry to gape slightly.
"See you Luddie."
Harry woke up the next morning to Edgar impatiently pecking him and cawing at him.
"What do you want?" Harry asked the bird, face still down on his pillow.
"Message for you", the raven cawed, sounding slightly exasperated. Harry slowly got up to see there was a regal looking owl sitting quietly next to his bed. Taking the note off of the owl, which immediately took off, Harry leaned back down onto the bed in order to relax while he read the letter. Opening it up, he found out that it was from Patrick, the Unspeakable from the Ministry.
Dear Mr. Waechter-
How are things going for you? Settling in nicely? I have some things that I need to discuss with you concerning your prospective career. If you could meet me in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic at noon today, we can have some lunch before going over what needs to be done. If you can't make it (for whatever reason), just send me a return owl. Otherwise, I will be waiting for you.
Hoping to see you then,
P. O'Shannon
Dept. of Mysteries
'That's interesting', Harry thought to himself. Looking at the clock he saw that he had a little less than three hours to get ready and be at the Ministry of Magic. Speaking, he looked over at Edgar, "Want to help me get ready for the day? I have to go to a meeting at the Ministry."
"Gladly."
"How are you settling into this time?" Patrick asked Harry as they sat at a table in the Department of Mysteries.
"I am doing pretty well, I have met one person in particular who has been really helpful", Harry replied, thinking of Tonks, who at the moment he was missing more than anything else in the world.
"That's always good", Patrick replied, finishing up his cup of tea "Now listen, and I know you're going to be having it kind of rough this year, so I feel compelled to offer this to you. If you ever need any advice on anything, ANYTHING at all, just owl me. I won't mind it at all; I need something to distract me every now and then."
"Thank you", Harry said, shyly.
"Now, for why you are here", Patrick continued on, standing up and motioning for Harry to follow him, "Every person that wishes to become an Unspeakable, and states that they would for the record, has to undergo a battery of tests to place them were they are the most likely to succeed. I, for example, am a field officer."
"Do you normally take these tests before your sixth year?" Harry questioned.
"No", said Patrick, grinning, "But seeing you technically have already been through your sixth year, we can make an exception."
By this point they had come upon a door marked TESTING AREA. Here, Patrick's grin only got bigger.
"Now, I will only send you into this room when you are certain you are ready, because the test starts almost immediately", Patrick explained, "I can't really tell you what to do, but you should know what to do, it is pretty much common sense. Wand ready? Oh, and remember, don't trust everything that you read."
With that, Patrick opened the door and Harry walked into a dark room. A couple of seconds later the lights flickered on and Harry almost fainted dead away at what he saw.
Standing in front of him was a Hungarian Horntail.
Almost instantaneously, Harry's instincts took over as he dived out of the way to what was an almost immediate roar of fire from the dragon. Hiding behind a rock that was in the room, Harry saw some words that were over a door in the back of the room:
To Proceed Knock Out the Dragon.
"Great, just bloody great", Harry said under his breath, as a stream of fire came over his head. Rolling out from behind the rock he threw three Stunning Spells in quick succession at the dragon, not to knock it out, but to hopefully distract it in order to buy himself more time to hide behind another rock. His plan was successful, as he was able to get behind another slab of rock, and quickly formulated a plan in his head, as the Horntail wasn't distracted for long.
Jumping out from behind the rock, he quickly muttered an incantation that had the same effect as a 1000 suns shining brightly in the room. This allowed Harry just enough time to get up closer to the dragon, and hit it with the most powerful Stunning Spell he could manage in its face, its weak spot. Seeing that the dragon was only partially stunned, Harry quickly let loose on another powerful Stunner, which took care of the dragon.
As soon as the dragon slumped against the floor, Harry saw the door in the back of the room open. Catching his breath for a second, Harry entered the next room, and found himself bathed in light. Looking across the room, Harry saw another set of words floating in the air:
Walk Across The Room In Order To Proceed
'Simple enough', he thought to himself, until he took a single step and quickly found his leg in quicksand. Muttering a quick spell to disengage his leg from the sand and pulling his leg out, Harry noticed that the whole floor seemed to be shifting. It was all quicksand, except for a small patch on the other side of the room. Just as he saw this a swarm of vulture-like creatures came flying out of no where. Thinking as quickly as he could, as the creatures started to try to attack him causing him to have to use quick successions of stunning spells, he cast the same spell he had cast with the dragon causing the light to expand beyond all comprehension.
Crying out "REDUCTO!" to clear a path in front of him, he quickly followed that with "ACCIO SOLID LAND!"
Immediately, Harry felt himself being pulled across the room. He remembered reading at one time that if the object you were trying to summon was immensely stronger than yourself, you would be pulled towards the object, much like what happened when two people were tugging on a rope, and the stronger of the two would always pull the weaker. In seconds, Harry was on the other side of the room. Scoffing at the sign, which Harry suspected to be what Patrick had meant by not to trust everything that you read as he put his hands on his knees to rest for a second.
Casting one last look over his shoulder, he walked through the door to continue the "test"...
About an hour later he walked out of a room in which he had just had to solve a puzzle that required him to use every bit of logic he had, while trying to ward off creatures flying around his head. Over the course of the past hour he had been through many physical and mental tests, forcing him to use all of his abilities to the maximum that he could, including his Metamorphmagus and Parseltongue ones. Exhausted, Harry walked through the door to see a slightly smirking Patrick and another Unspeakable Harry recognized as Bode from the Quidditch World Cup.
"Mr. Waechter I would like to introduce Agent Bode to you, he helped me observe your testing", Patrick said to Harry, introducing the man, who only nodded his head before Patrick continued talking, "I have to say Ludwig, you did an amazing job. In fact, you did better than most candidates who come through our door. Bode here told me you did better than any candidate in the past 20 years. We were able to deduce that no matter where we put you, you would thrive, although, we did narrow down a few possibilities for where you would be best suited."
Patrick stopped for a second, grabbing a chart and a folder off of a table. Looking over them really quickly, he handed them to Harry, before saying, "We feel that you would be best suited to be a Hit Wizard for the Department of Mysteries, taking into account your incredible accuracy with a wand, your ability to think on your feet, and your Metamorphmagus abilities."
"Wicked", Harry said, sounding slightly out of breath, not processing all the details in his head.
"All the details about the Hit Wizards of the Department of Mysteries, which are a bit different than those in the Magical Law Enforcement Department, can be found in that folder, which has been charmed for only you to be able to read", Patrick went on, "I will also be contacting Hogwarts to send regular reports over here about how you are doing so we can keep track of how you are doing.
"Also, we finished creating your new identity for you. Your past, as long as former school records, family history, everything like that is included in the folder for you. If you have any question, once again, owl me. Well, that's it for today Ludwig."
Harry only shook his head in acknowledgement, still slightly out of breath as Patrick walked him out a door that found the pair back in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic.
"I'll be contacting you later, and remember, if you need anything, just send me an owl", Patrick said, shaking Harry's hand.
"Thank you once again", Harry said, as Patrick turned around and walked back to the Department of Mysteries.
Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts, before walking back towards an exit that led to Diagon Alley. He was going to be starting Hogwarts, and he was excited as ever over that. He also couldn't wait to read the information that Patrick had given him on the Hit Wizard Unspeakables.
Suddenly something clicked in Harry's mind, like two pieces of a puzzle being put together. A feeling of deja vu flashed through his head of a slightly over 6 foot tall wizard with blonde hair, German accent, and who was a Hit Wizard Unspeakable. Almost as quickly as the feeling passed through him, it wasn't there anymore, and he couldn't remember what he was just thinking. Making a note to himself, Harry decided that he would have his first sit down with the Pensieve Dumbledore gave him later that night. But first, he needed to get back to the Leaky Cauldron.
As he was walking he started to read the 'history' of the Waechter 'family' which 'resided' in a manor in Northern Germany and was a pure blooded family that tended to keep to themselves...
End Chapter
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