Chapter Sixteen: Heading Home at Last
Harry, Hermione, Ron, Kevin and Alex all stood uncertainly outside of the hospital wing; waiting for Madam Pomfrey to come out to tell them that Kit was okay. Cornelius Fudge, Professor Dumbledore and the rest of the staff were inside, quietly talking. Alex was pacing. Ron sighed softly.
After Voldemort had left things had quieted down immensely, with the arrival of more ministry members as a big help. The Death Eaters that participated in the attack were toted off to Azkaban. The manticores had been put in charge of demolishing the dead bodies of the Death Eaters in their enclosure.
"Alex? Can I ask you a question?" Harry asked suddenly.
"Sure," Alex replied, staring out of one of the windows.
"Is Lord Voldemort really your grandfather?" There, the question had been put out in the open. Alex sighed.
"Settle down you guys. I'm going to tell you all a story," he said softly. Kevin took one of the seats outside of the infirmary, followed by Hermione. Ron and Harry made themselves comfortable on the floor, and Alex drew himself a chair out of thin air. Settling down, he began.
"A long time ago there was a man, named Tom Riddle. He was a good guy, though he did have a temper. Didn't hurt anyone, kept to him mostly. Well this guy, he fell in love with this girl, who was half mermish right? That's rhetorical," Alex added, seeing as Ron was about to speak.
"So they started seeing each other. Went out to movies, had some fun, did the kind of stuff you guys are probably up to now. So one day Tom proposes to the girl, and she agrees. So they have this fantastic wedding, and they're happy. They have three kids, one of which was my father, and move into an old place in Little Hangleton.
"Well one day, old Tom's wife dies. Murdered actually, by this other guy, who got drunk and mad, and decided to kill someone. Poor old Tom was heartbroken. Here he was, three kids, big house, yet the one love of his life had been taken away. Yet he wasn't just heartbroken, he was angry. Thought it wasn't fair see? And the neighbors, they didn't care. Didn't know how much she'd meant to Tom.
"So one day, he decides to leave. Just pick up and go, leave his kids all behind. He morphed into his old alter ego, Lord Voldemort. He takes out his anger on anyone who annoys him. He wants them to pay, to know what it feels like to lose someone you love. No one recognizes him; they only know the name, the name that inflicts fear into every heart.
"So here's Tom. Well, now Voldemort. The years begin to pass, and he suddenly wonders what happened to his kids, two of which have already died. My father, however, lives. So Tom decides he wants to go and talk with him son, to make amends for leaving him alone so long ago. And his son and his family welcome the old man into their house. And suddenly Tom's not a killer anymore; he's not Lord Voldemort. He's a grandfather, happy to be with his family, and they're happy to be with him.
"So he stays for awhile. They have a good time, eat cookies, have tea. I remember I showed him my new toy airplane I was so proud of at the time. Anyway, he decides he can't stay. Can't live here because of the old memories. His son understands, lets him go.
"As soon as he's gone, Tom's back into his Lord Voldemort mood. Makes the family mad at him, Sirius especially, by killing your parents Harry. Then old Tom lost his power see? So he waits for a long time. Gains back his power and his followers. Then he decides to attack again. Goes back on the prowl.
"Then he tries to take Hogwarts, and sees his grandchildren fighting against him. He hits his own granddaughter. And something stirs in Tom's heart. He melts back into that old grandfather, and he leaves.
"So, in answer to your question Harry, yes, Tom Riddle is my grandfather. But Lord Voldemort is not." There was a long pause after Alex finished.
Suddenly the door opened, and Professor Dumbledore stepped out. His face was white and drawn, but he looked slightly better. Then he told them the news.
"Kit is alive. Madam Pomfrey has given her a Memory charm, since she had temporary amnesia. She'll be fine, " Dumbledore assured them with a smile. "Allow her to have some rest though. She is very tired, and very sore. You may visit with her if you like though. I myself am going to bed."
Cautiously everyone headed into the Hospital Wing. Kit was sitting up, wide-awake, in a bed near the window. Her hair was all over the bed.
"Hi," she said, her voice sounding distant. Alex looked concerned.
"You okay babe?" he asked worriedly.
"It's just like she said" Kit whispered, seemingly not having heard him.
"What is?" Alex inquired.
"Trelawney's prediction. He came, just like she said. Day of Darkness" Kit sighed.
"Right I think you need a bit more sleep hon," Alex said, kissing the top of his sister's head. "We'll see you in the morning. Kay?" Kit nodded.
"Goodnight. I'll see you all later," she called hoarsely. Alex turned as everyone filed out.
"'Night love," he replied softly.
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The rest of the remaining school term (Exactly one week) passed quietly and rather sadly. None of the students had died in the attack, though Kit did have company in the beds of the hospital wing, including Lee Jordan, Fred Weasley, Cho Chang, Neville Longbottom, Milicent Bulstrode and Justin Finch- Fletchey.
Kit also had constant visitors. Terence, Jon, and Remus had flown out from America, and took shifts staying with her in the hospital wing. Ron, Harry, Kevin, Alex, and Hermione came whenever they could as well. Though Sirius couldn't be there, he sent flowers and long letters every day for that week.
Finally it was time for the last night feast. The Great Hall was decked magnificently in gold and red, Gryfinndor colors, with Gryfinndor lions hung here and there. The Slytherins, Kevin was pleased to see, were having a horrible time, even more so when Lee, Fred, Cho, Neville, Millicent, Justin and Kevin's baby sister, with the other wounded students, walked in amongst hearty cheers from the rest of the tables.
The night was long and fun-filled, and Kevin wished it could go on forever. This last year in school had been one of his favorites; he'd had more fun here then during the whole five years he'd spent at Draagonspawn. Also Lee, Fred and George had invited him to become one of their founder for their joke company, which Kevin had of course excepted. They had named him their first over-seas employee, and would keep him in contact every day.
Harry was having a great time as well. Among the many letters to Kit from Sirius, there had been one particular one for Harry. Remembering this, the fifteen-year-old pulled the letter from his robe pocket. Opening it with ease he read,
Dear Harry,
I know the past few years have been trying on you. You've had to stay with the Dursleys repeatedly, and I personally don't think it's fair. Remember I told in your third year that you could live with me if you chose to? Well, that's what this letter is about. We all want to adopt you into our family Harry. All six-no wait-seven with Rem, want you to live with us permanently. If you don't want to or have other plans, that's fine too. If you do, just tell Alex, and he'll take you back here to the US with him, Kevin, and Kit.
Hope to see you soon Harry!
Your Godfather and (hopefully your soon older siblings),
Sirius, Katrina, Alex, Kevin, Jonathan, Remus, and Terence
Harry felt tears beginning to sting his eyes. They'd talked about him staying for the summer last vacation, but no permanent plans had been made. Now Sirius, and the rest of the Blacks wanted him to become part of their family.
Harry glanced around. Kit looked up and tossed him a nervous, pleading smile, and mouthed, Please say yes? Kevin tossed him a cheerful wave. Alex gave him a hopeful glance. The other Black brothers, and Remus too were all looking at him expectantly.
Slowly Harry nodded. Kit came over and gave him a hug. Kevin grasped Harry's hand in a firm handshake. Alex mouthed YES! Terence grinned happily. Remus laughed. And Jon just smiled happily.
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They were once again on a plane ride, and Kit was once again sitting next to Harry, though she was asleep. Jon and Terence were seated in front of them, doing a jigsaw puzzle that Jon had gotten at Hogsmeade. Alex was tossing peanuts into the air and trying to catch them in his mouth. Remus was watching a film they had on the mini airline televisions. Kevin was writing to Fred, George and Lee.
Harry was far quieter than he'd been on the last flight. He was busy doing one of those block puzzles, and thinking about the past year; especially about the story Alex had told them. He also thought about the severe changes in his life. They had moved everything from the flat onto the plane. The unneeded furniture had been sold.
Suddenly Kit turned over in her chair, opening her beautiful eyes sleepily, and sitting up.
"Hey," Harry greeted her with a smile. Kit nodded to him once and sat up, running a hand through her hair.
"Having trouble with your puzzle?" she asked quietly. Harry glanced down at the mind twister.
"You could safely say that," he replied, dropping the puzzle into his carry-on. Kit stared out the window into the darkening sky. It was five in the morning. She shook her head.
"I'm glad we used the time difference spell," she muttered. Harry nodded in agreement.
"Hey Kit, can I ask you something?" he asked.
"Shoot," she replied.
"What was it that you were doing when I took you on that tour of Hogwarts? With the book."
"Oh that. You can have it if you want. It was just a sketch of each room. It's the way I remember things," she replied, handing it to him.
"Cool. Thanks!" Harry exclaimed, thumbing through it. The pictures were great, detailed and colorful. "This is awesome Kit!" The girl grinned and turned once again to stare out the window. Harry got up and left to go to the bathroom. As he was returning, he thought he saw a huge eagle soar past through the misty clouds. When he looked again, it was gone. Shaking his head, he went back to his seat.
"That was spooky," he mumbled.
"Whatever," Kit responded. Just then the plane hit the runway.
"We're finally home," whispered Kit.
"Yeah," said Harry softly. They gathered their things and stepped off of the plane with the rest of the Blacks. Sirius was waiting for them at the gate. They greeted him with hugs and handshakes warmly, laughter rippling through them as they headed down to the carousels for their luggage. Movers would bring their furniture later in the week.
Grinning and chatting, the eight climbed into the SUV and started off down the highway. They were going home at last; as classmates, as friends, and most importantly, as a family.
