Chapter 3
Harry dropped his gaze to his feet, instantly fascinated with the way his toes wiggled. He tried to keep his mind off of the implications her words had and he was thankful of the roomy cotton shirt he was wearing over his jeans so that she couldn't see the effect her words had on him.
"You see. I made a fool of myself again."
Harry's head snapped up when he heard the hurt and anger in her voice. He saw tears in her eyes and immediately felt awful. He had to make something happen, to make everything right. He couldn't explain it. He just needed to do something.
He took a step forward, closing the space between them. "Ginny, don't cry. I couldn't bear it."
"Why couldn't you bear it? Because I'm Ron's sister?" she asked, bitterness clouding her voice.
"No. Because you are Ron's sister, I can't.I can't." He wanted to say it, but he couldn't. Right then, he wanted more than anything to taste her and feel her lips pressing against his.
And then she was pressing her warm, wet lips against his. They were full of feverishness and sugar and unending meaning. She tasted like nothing he had ever experienced, no other girl before her. He cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss with his tongue.
They heard a small gasp and jumped apart. Harry wiped his lips with the back of his hand, wanting to get rid of the evidence. He relaxed, but only slightly, when he saw it was Hermione.
"I.uhm.good night Harry," was all Hermione could say as she ducked behind them and into Ginny's room.
Ginny turned back to Harry and looked up into his eyes. Her coquettish sent a rush through him, but worried him at the same time. "We'll talk about this in the morning?"
Harry nodded slowly. "Yeah. In the morning." He wanted to kiss her again. And again, but he settled for once, tasting her sweetness and letting it flow over his senses. He pulled away reluctantly.
"Night."
"Night," Harry said and turned to go to the room he shared with Ron. When he opened the door, Ron was on his side, lightly snoring. The pale shaft of moonlight highlighted his shockingly red hair, reminding him of Ginny.
Harry sighed and took off his glasses before he got into bed. Now, they couldn't keep it a secret, not with Hermione knowing. Things wouldn't be the same.
~*~
Harry woke with a start. The sun, rather than slanting onto Ron's empty bed, was hitting him in the face. He blinked a few times, trying to push away the haze of sleep. He didn't want to, sleep was much safer than living.
He got out of bed and got dressed. His scar had been sore when he had woken up, but now it was edging into a dull ache. He rubbed it nervously, knowing that when it started to hurt just like this Voldemort was close to killing.
He stumbled downstairs, to where everyone had gathered for breakfast. He sat down hard in the chair next to Alex, swallowing back bile. The pain had worsened to the point where he could barely see.
"Harry? Harry, are you all right?" Hermione asked.
Harry tried to nod but his eyes fluttered closed. He felt cool fingers under his chin as Alex lifted his chin so that he was facing her.
"Harry?" Through the slits his eyelids had become, he could see Ron had rounded the table, a worried look on his face. But the words came to him, almost as if from a great distance.
"It must be his scar again."
Harry felt those same cool fingers on his forehead and there was a roaring in his ears. He tried to lift his hands to cover them but the wind was whipping at his arms, keeping them by his side. All of a sudden, the unintelligible cacophony stopped.
He was standing in that room again, the door slightly ajar. What was the significance of this place? He could hear soft sounds coming from down the hall.
"Harry?"
He whirled, thinking wildly for a second that maybe there had been a portkey he had touched. There stood a bewildered Alex.
"What's happening? Where are we?" There was no fear in her voice, just a slight curiosity.
Harry shook his head. "For a minute, I thought we were in one of my dreams. Every time my scar hurts that badly, I always find myself in some sort of dream state near Voldemort. He can't see me but I can see him. But.now I'm not so sure. What was the last thing you remember?"
"I was touching your scar and then.here I am. Wands out?"
Harry looked at her oddly. "My wand is in Ron's room. And I thought you couldn't use magic."
Alex smiled enigmatically. "Appearances can be deceiving," she said as she pulled her wand out. She beckoned for Harry to follow her as she left the small room and went down the hall. Harry recognised it from his dreams. He wondered, with a shiver, if Voldemort had managed to transport him magically to this location.
He felt a rush of cold air over his body and the strangest feeling as he watched someone walk through him. He could hear Alex's gasp as the person walked through her as well. She clutched her hand to her chest, breathing hard.
"Oh God Harry, what happened?"
Harry shook his head. "That was a first for me. I have never had someone walk through me, but." He tailed off with a shrug as they continued to walk down the hall, following the man. Although he was walking faster than they were, they could still see him turn and walk into a room. They approached it cautiously, still not sure they couldn't be seen.
Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle stood along with others in a circle, surrounding a tall thin man. His skin was slightly more flesh-coloured than last time, but it made him look even stranger than when Harry had seen him last year. Especially with those beaming red eyes.
Alex stiffened beside him. Harry looked at her, but she was staring at Voldemort with so many emotions running across her face that Harry couldn't put a name to. Her hand tightly gripped her wand and she lifted it warily as she walked into the room.
Harry followed her towards the circle of Death Eaters as Voldemort began to speak.
"Our day has come when we shall begin anew. It starts now. Power will become ours and no one will ever be able to take it away from us. And it all starts with killing Harry Potter."
Harry stopped, his legs frozen as if he were a victim of the leg locker curse. Alex looked at him from across the room, where she stood by Malfoy and Crabbe. She looked as stricken as he felt.
"While you idiots haven't been able to get it right for two years now, I have been gaining my strength. I have returned, stronger than before. I will never be defeated again.
"But now, we have a new problem. Alexandra Ross."
Harry felt like the wind had been knocked out of him, like that time Malfoy had sucker-punched him outside of Charms. He looked quickly at Alex, only to find she looked thoughtful, rather than shocked.
"She is the key, the moon to the sun. I thought she had been rendered a Squib back when she was seventeen but I have come to find out she is not only an accomplished witch, she is also a powerful one. She must be removed.
"Make no mistake. This will happen. I will not allow it to be otherwise. It will happen today, while they still think they are safe. We can not Apparate there because of the wards that the Weasley's thought they were smart enough to erect. So we will just walk in the front door, just like I did on the Potters."
Voldemort walked between Snape and Nott, heading for the door that was open. Harry stepped to the wall, not wishing anyone to walk through him again. It was bad enough the first time.
Alex walked over to Harry, shaking her head. "I just don't get it. How do they think they can get there. We have anti-apparating wards up for several miles around to keep us safe, not to mention we were taken off the Floo network last night after our trip to Diagon Alley."
Harry shook his head and stared at Alex. "Why did he say you were the key?"
Alex looked at him, her eyes narrowed. She glanced away for a second, looking out the window across the lush green fields. Her expression changed from discomfort to one of horror.
"Look Harry, out that window. The Burrow!"
Harry looked out. He could see the Weasley's home in the distance, almost two kilometres away.
"Harry, how do we get out of this dream state?"
"I don't know! It normally just happens! I'm never in control of these. They just.happen." Just as he said the last word, he could feel the world dissolve and the sound of rushing air as he rushed back to reality.
The blast as they came back to the kitchen in the Burrow blew them apart, knocking them out of their chairs. Noise was abound as they were helped up by various members of the Weasley family. Alex waved them off. She was trying to catch her breath as Harry said, "We have to get out of here."
Everyone looked bewildered except for Mr. Weasley. "They're coming! I got the signal just now."
Alex nodded as she raced up the stairs. "Everyone get their wands. We have very little time. Leave everything behind and meet in the living room. Now GO!"
Everyone scrambled at her orders, Harry included. He and Ron raced to the room they shared, Harry opening Hedwig's cage as an afterthought, shouting to her, "Go!"
Hermione was struggling down the stairs with a wiggling Crookshanks while Ginny looked near tears. "Harry, what's happening?"
Harry shook his head, not wanting to scare her. "C'mon Gin, we have to get down there."
Everyone was gathered in the living room, gathered in a messy circle with Alex holding a small hat. "This is a portkey from Albus. This will take us to Hogwarts-" She was interrupted by Crookshank's howl and Hermione's cry as the cat scratched her. Alex murmured something and a blue dart shot out of her wand, past Hermione and hit the cat in the back. The cat went limp in her arms.
"We are out of time for explanations. Everyone grasp the cap."
"What about Percy?" Ginny wailed.
Alex shot Mr. Weasley a nervous look. "He's already gone. Ginny, grasp the hat!"
The wrench of Harry's stomach nearly made him sick but it pulled him forward as he heard the front door explode open from the force of the Death Eaters' magic.
Harry tripped forward, landing awkwardly at the other end of the portkey. Darkness enveloped his senses and fear enclosed his heart. Where had they landed? Was this some sort of safe house? Harry was just reaching for his wand when he heard a soft murmur and then there was a light coming from Bill's wand. Slowly, everyone lit their wands.
They were in the old, abandoned tunnel that led from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. Harry recognised it as the same one he had used during his third year when he hadn't been allowed outside the school. That prohibition was not only to keep him safe from the Dementors, now in the service of Voldemort, but supposedly from his godfather Sirius Black.
Sirius Black's name hadn't been cleared quite yet with Peter Pettigrew, the traitor that had handed his parents and him to Voldemort back when he was a baby, still at large. Maybe this year, Harry thought. Or not.
At least now he knew why Voldemort had been after them. Harry knew he was one part of a puzzle. He couldn't figure out what. Dumbledore had been rather tight-lipped. But from Voldemort's words, the other part of the puzzle stood across the tunnel from him.
Alex was looking up at the ceiling, studying the intricate stone patterns. "This way," she said clearly starting to walk along the tunnel towards the top. She murmured something and the wall opened, next to the stone witch.
There stood Dumbledore, his eyes worried. "I hoped you would arrive safely. Is everyone accounted for?"
"Everyone but Percy," Alex said, "but he will check in soon at the Ministry. Arthur, you should immediately head to the ministry and report the security breach and please check on Percy. Somehow, they knew I am not a Squib."
Charlie stepped up to Alex. "What are you going on about? I saw you the day you came back from the Forbidden Forest. You couldn't even transfigure a match into a needle!"
Alex stared up at him hard. "Charlie, there are things about me I haven't been able to tell you, not anyone except for Albus. You don't know how hard this has been for me."
Charlie crossed his arms across his chest. "How about telling me right now?"
Alex gave an exasperated sigh as she pushed Charlie aside. "We don't have time. Bill- head to the Dursley's and check on them as well as Arabella. Charlie, would you please check on Hermione's parents while I check in on mine? They are bound to go after the people we care about most next."
Harry felt Hermione stiffen and heard her gasp. Ron put his arm around her shoulders and pulled him into her, cradling her face gently against her shoulder. "They'll be just fine, Hermione," Ron said softly, pressing a gentle kiss against her forehead.
Charlie shook his head. "I'll go check on them, but what about you? What if you meet up with the Death Eaters? And most importantly, how will you get there?"
Alex looked at him and smiled cattily. "Watch me." And she turned away and walked off into the tunnel. Once she had reached a certain distance, she disappeared with a soft pop.
Arthur took a deep breath and walked towards where she had disappeared and then he too, was gone.
Charlie shrugged his shoulders, trying his best to look casual. "Well I guess I might find out about all of this when I get back." Then he and Bill were gone as well.
Molly pressed her tightly curled fist against her mouth and closed her eyes for a second before turning to them. "Well, children, let's go up to your rooms. Maybe we can get settled in."
Albus smiled benignly. "Yes, that would be a wise idea. I did take the liberty of sending the house elves up to ready your rooms. Molly, you and Arthur will be staying in the suite next to Professor Ross' rooms. There should be plenty of rooms there for you and your family."
"Albus, we couldn't possibly-"
"Molly, you can't go back to your home. At least not for now. Fred and George, I believe your shop at Hogsmeade is doing well?"
"Yes sir," they said in unison, for once quite serious.
Albus nodded and smiled. "You are both more than welcome to stay here, even though you have your flat in Hogsmeade. Charlie and Bill should stay here, at least for the time being."
Ron looked thoughtful. "There's something missing here."
Harry sighed. "There's a whole lot missing here. Like what is going on?"
Albus nodded. "There is much training to be done Harry. Alexandra has been an Auror for the past four years now, touring the United States and many countries of Europe, learning from local witches and wizards. She has been doing this in secret and under the guise of being a tourist. But now, she has come back. She knows now is the time to defeat Voldemort."
Hermione, calmed now, nodded. "I wasn't clear on what she was, Squib or Witch, but I knew she had to be good."
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. This is a good time for certain things to happen. But all questions shall be answered all in good time. I am sure that you have many questions, but they aren't for me to answer. Everyone should be back soon enough and I believe they will be joining you in your common room. The password is Faithful Frogs."
Ron walked a sniffling Hermione towards the dormitories. She kept mumbling something about her being a witch and how she only wanted her parents to be safe. Ginny rubbed her friend's shoulder comfortingly as they ambled up the staircase. They gave the password to the Fat Lady and they walked through the portrait hole.
Mrs. Weasley looked around the Gryffindor common room. "Well, this hasn't changed one bit. The tapestries are still gorgeous, although I think those have a magical spell to protect the colours in it so the never lose their beauty. Oh dear, I think I'm not feeling well."
Harry and Ron scrambled to hold up Mrs. Weasley and help her to the sofa. She had tears in her eyes and she held her hand to her head. "My babies," she murmured.
Ginny sat down next to Mrs. Weasley and put her arm around her mother's shoulders. "Shh, mummy. Everyone will be just fine."
Hermione looked at him. "Harry, why don't you get a calming potion from Madam Pomfrey for Mrs. Weasley."
Harry nodded, walking out of the Portrait Hole, glad to be of use. He felt at odds with everyone, feeling utterly useless but at the same time feeling like he should be heading out with the forces to find and kill Voldemort. Instead, he was locked up inside this castle. Plus, he had no idea where to find him now. Maybe they should have stayed and fought, like the Gryffindors they were.
He stepped into hospital wing and saw one of the beds was occupied. The man's eyes were fluttering and he was moaning as blood seeped from his nose. Harry stared at his Potions Professor as he muttered, "Please stop." Stop what?
Harry dropped his gaze to his feet, instantly fascinated with the way his toes wiggled. He tried to keep his mind off of the implications her words had and he was thankful of the roomy cotton shirt he was wearing over his jeans so that she couldn't see the effect her words had on him.
"You see. I made a fool of myself again."
Harry's head snapped up when he heard the hurt and anger in her voice. He saw tears in her eyes and immediately felt awful. He had to make something happen, to make everything right. He couldn't explain it. He just needed to do something.
He took a step forward, closing the space between them. "Ginny, don't cry. I couldn't bear it."
"Why couldn't you bear it? Because I'm Ron's sister?" she asked, bitterness clouding her voice.
"No. Because you are Ron's sister, I can't.I can't." He wanted to say it, but he couldn't. Right then, he wanted more than anything to taste her and feel her lips pressing against his.
And then she was pressing her warm, wet lips against his. They were full of feverishness and sugar and unending meaning. She tasted like nothing he had ever experienced, no other girl before her. He cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss with his tongue.
They heard a small gasp and jumped apart. Harry wiped his lips with the back of his hand, wanting to get rid of the evidence. He relaxed, but only slightly, when he saw it was Hermione.
"I.uhm.good night Harry," was all Hermione could say as she ducked behind them and into Ginny's room.
Ginny turned back to Harry and looked up into his eyes. Her coquettish sent a rush through him, but worried him at the same time. "We'll talk about this in the morning?"
Harry nodded slowly. "Yeah. In the morning." He wanted to kiss her again. And again, but he settled for once, tasting her sweetness and letting it flow over his senses. He pulled away reluctantly.
"Night."
"Night," Harry said and turned to go to the room he shared with Ron. When he opened the door, Ron was on his side, lightly snoring. The pale shaft of moonlight highlighted his shockingly red hair, reminding him of Ginny.
Harry sighed and took off his glasses before he got into bed. Now, they couldn't keep it a secret, not with Hermione knowing. Things wouldn't be the same.
~*~
Harry woke with a start. The sun, rather than slanting onto Ron's empty bed, was hitting him in the face. He blinked a few times, trying to push away the haze of sleep. He didn't want to, sleep was much safer than living.
He got out of bed and got dressed. His scar had been sore when he had woken up, but now it was edging into a dull ache. He rubbed it nervously, knowing that when it started to hurt just like this Voldemort was close to killing.
He stumbled downstairs, to where everyone had gathered for breakfast. He sat down hard in the chair next to Alex, swallowing back bile. The pain had worsened to the point where he could barely see.
"Harry? Harry, are you all right?" Hermione asked.
Harry tried to nod but his eyes fluttered closed. He felt cool fingers under his chin as Alex lifted his chin so that he was facing her.
"Harry?" Through the slits his eyelids had become, he could see Ron had rounded the table, a worried look on his face. But the words came to him, almost as if from a great distance.
"It must be his scar again."
Harry felt those same cool fingers on his forehead and there was a roaring in his ears. He tried to lift his hands to cover them but the wind was whipping at his arms, keeping them by his side. All of a sudden, the unintelligible cacophony stopped.
He was standing in that room again, the door slightly ajar. What was the significance of this place? He could hear soft sounds coming from down the hall.
"Harry?"
He whirled, thinking wildly for a second that maybe there had been a portkey he had touched. There stood a bewildered Alex.
"What's happening? Where are we?" There was no fear in her voice, just a slight curiosity.
Harry shook his head. "For a minute, I thought we were in one of my dreams. Every time my scar hurts that badly, I always find myself in some sort of dream state near Voldemort. He can't see me but I can see him. But.now I'm not so sure. What was the last thing you remember?"
"I was touching your scar and then.here I am. Wands out?"
Harry looked at her oddly. "My wand is in Ron's room. And I thought you couldn't use magic."
Alex smiled enigmatically. "Appearances can be deceiving," she said as she pulled her wand out. She beckoned for Harry to follow her as she left the small room and went down the hall. Harry recognised it from his dreams. He wondered, with a shiver, if Voldemort had managed to transport him magically to this location.
He felt a rush of cold air over his body and the strangest feeling as he watched someone walk through him. He could hear Alex's gasp as the person walked through her as well. She clutched her hand to her chest, breathing hard.
"Oh God Harry, what happened?"
Harry shook his head. "That was a first for me. I have never had someone walk through me, but." He tailed off with a shrug as they continued to walk down the hall, following the man. Although he was walking faster than they were, they could still see him turn and walk into a room. They approached it cautiously, still not sure they couldn't be seen.
Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle stood along with others in a circle, surrounding a tall thin man. His skin was slightly more flesh-coloured than last time, but it made him look even stranger than when Harry had seen him last year. Especially with those beaming red eyes.
Alex stiffened beside him. Harry looked at her, but she was staring at Voldemort with so many emotions running across her face that Harry couldn't put a name to. Her hand tightly gripped her wand and she lifted it warily as she walked into the room.
Harry followed her towards the circle of Death Eaters as Voldemort began to speak.
"Our day has come when we shall begin anew. It starts now. Power will become ours and no one will ever be able to take it away from us. And it all starts with killing Harry Potter."
Harry stopped, his legs frozen as if he were a victim of the leg locker curse. Alex looked at him from across the room, where she stood by Malfoy and Crabbe. She looked as stricken as he felt.
"While you idiots haven't been able to get it right for two years now, I have been gaining my strength. I have returned, stronger than before. I will never be defeated again.
"But now, we have a new problem. Alexandra Ross."
Harry felt like the wind had been knocked out of him, like that time Malfoy had sucker-punched him outside of Charms. He looked quickly at Alex, only to find she looked thoughtful, rather than shocked.
"She is the key, the moon to the sun. I thought she had been rendered a Squib back when she was seventeen but I have come to find out she is not only an accomplished witch, she is also a powerful one. She must be removed.
"Make no mistake. This will happen. I will not allow it to be otherwise. It will happen today, while they still think they are safe. We can not Apparate there because of the wards that the Weasley's thought they were smart enough to erect. So we will just walk in the front door, just like I did on the Potters."
Voldemort walked between Snape and Nott, heading for the door that was open. Harry stepped to the wall, not wishing anyone to walk through him again. It was bad enough the first time.
Alex walked over to Harry, shaking her head. "I just don't get it. How do they think they can get there. We have anti-apparating wards up for several miles around to keep us safe, not to mention we were taken off the Floo network last night after our trip to Diagon Alley."
Harry shook his head and stared at Alex. "Why did he say you were the key?"
Alex looked at him, her eyes narrowed. She glanced away for a second, looking out the window across the lush green fields. Her expression changed from discomfort to one of horror.
"Look Harry, out that window. The Burrow!"
Harry looked out. He could see the Weasley's home in the distance, almost two kilometres away.
"Harry, how do we get out of this dream state?"
"I don't know! It normally just happens! I'm never in control of these. They just.happen." Just as he said the last word, he could feel the world dissolve and the sound of rushing air as he rushed back to reality.
The blast as they came back to the kitchen in the Burrow blew them apart, knocking them out of their chairs. Noise was abound as they were helped up by various members of the Weasley family. Alex waved them off. She was trying to catch her breath as Harry said, "We have to get out of here."
Everyone looked bewildered except for Mr. Weasley. "They're coming! I got the signal just now."
Alex nodded as she raced up the stairs. "Everyone get their wands. We have very little time. Leave everything behind and meet in the living room. Now GO!"
Everyone scrambled at her orders, Harry included. He and Ron raced to the room they shared, Harry opening Hedwig's cage as an afterthought, shouting to her, "Go!"
Hermione was struggling down the stairs with a wiggling Crookshanks while Ginny looked near tears. "Harry, what's happening?"
Harry shook his head, not wanting to scare her. "C'mon Gin, we have to get down there."
Everyone was gathered in the living room, gathered in a messy circle with Alex holding a small hat. "This is a portkey from Albus. This will take us to Hogwarts-" She was interrupted by Crookshank's howl and Hermione's cry as the cat scratched her. Alex murmured something and a blue dart shot out of her wand, past Hermione and hit the cat in the back. The cat went limp in her arms.
"We are out of time for explanations. Everyone grasp the cap."
"What about Percy?" Ginny wailed.
Alex shot Mr. Weasley a nervous look. "He's already gone. Ginny, grasp the hat!"
The wrench of Harry's stomach nearly made him sick but it pulled him forward as he heard the front door explode open from the force of the Death Eaters' magic.
Harry tripped forward, landing awkwardly at the other end of the portkey. Darkness enveloped his senses and fear enclosed his heart. Where had they landed? Was this some sort of safe house? Harry was just reaching for his wand when he heard a soft murmur and then there was a light coming from Bill's wand. Slowly, everyone lit their wands.
They were in the old, abandoned tunnel that led from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. Harry recognised it as the same one he had used during his third year when he hadn't been allowed outside the school. That prohibition was not only to keep him safe from the Dementors, now in the service of Voldemort, but supposedly from his godfather Sirius Black.
Sirius Black's name hadn't been cleared quite yet with Peter Pettigrew, the traitor that had handed his parents and him to Voldemort back when he was a baby, still at large. Maybe this year, Harry thought. Or not.
At least now he knew why Voldemort had been after them. Harry knew he was one part of a puzzle. He couldn't figure out what. Dumbledore had been rather tight-lipped. But from Voldemort's words, the other part of the puzzle stood across the tunnel from him.
Alex was looking up at the ceiling, studying the intricate stone patterns. "This way," she said clearly starting to walk along the tunnel towards the top. She murmured something and the wall opened, next to the stone witch.
There stood Dumbledore, his eyes worried. "I hoped you would arrive safely. Is everyone accounted for?"
"Everyone but Percy," Alex said, "but he will check in soon at the Ministry. Arthur, you should immediately head to the ministry and report the security breach and please check on Percy. Somehow, they knew I am not a Squib."
Charlie stepped up to Alex. "What are you going on about? I saw you the day you came back from the Forbidden Forest. You couldn't even transfigure a match into a needle!"
Alex stared up at him hard. "Charlie, there are things about me I haven't been able to tell you, not anyone except for Albus. You don't know how hard this has been for me."
Charlie crossed his arms across his chest. "How about telling me right now?"
Alex gave an exasperated sigh as she pushed Charlie aside. "We don't have time. Bill- head to the Dursley's and check on them as well as Arabella. Charlie, would you please check on Hermione's parents while I check in on mine? They are bound to go after the people we care about most next."
Harry felt Hermione stiffen and heard her gasp. Ron put his arm around her shoulders and pulled him into her, cradling her face gently against her shoulder. "They'll be just fine, Hermione," Ron said softly, pressing a gentle kiss against her forehead.
Charlie shook his head. "I'll go check on them, but what about you? What if you meet up with the Death Eaters? And most importantly, how will you get there?"
Alex looked at him and smiled cattily. "Watch me." And she turned away and walked off into the tunnel. Once she had reached a certain distance, she disappeared with a soft pop.
Arthur took a deep breath and walked towards where she had disappeared and then he too, was gone.
Charlie shrugged his shoulders, trying his best to look casual. "Well I guess I might find out about all of this when I get back." Then he and Bill were gone as well.
Molly pressed her tightly curled fist against her mouth and closed her eyes for a second before turning to them. "Well, children, let's go up to your rooms. Maybe we can get settled in."
Albus smiled benignly. "Yes, that would be a wise idea. I did take the liberty of sending the house elves up to ready your rooms. Molly, you and Arthur will be staying in the suite next to Professor Ross' rooms. There should be plenty of rooms there for you and your family."
"Albus, we couldn't possibly-"
"Molly, you can't go back to your home. At least not for now. Fred and George, I believe your shop at Hogsmeade is doing well?"
"Yes sir," they said in unison, for once quite serious.
Albus nodded and smiled. "You are both more than welcome to stay here, even though you have your flat in Hogsmeade. Charlie and Bill should stay here, at least for the time being."
Ron looked thoughtful. "There's something missing here."
Harry sighed. "There's a whole lot missing here. Like what is going on?"
Albus nodded. "There is much training to be done Harry. Alexandra has been an Auror for the past four years now, touring the United States and many countries of Europe, learning from local witches and wizards. She has been doing this in secret and under the guise of being a tourist. But now, she has come back. She knows now is the time to defeat Voldemort."
Hermione, calmed now, nodded. "I wasn't clear on what she was, Squib or Witch, but I knew she had to be good."
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. This is a good time for certain things to happen. But all questions shall be answered all in good time. I am sure that you have many questions, but they aren't for me to answer. Everyone should be back soon enough and I believe they will be joining you in your common room. The password is Faithful Frogs."
Ron walked a sniffling Hermione towards the dormitories. She kept mumbling something about her being a witch and how she only wanted her parents to be safe. Ginny rubbed her friend's shoulder comfortingly as they ambled up the staircase. They gave the password to the Fat Lady and they walked through the portrait hole.
Mrs. Weasley looked around the Gryffindor common room. "Well, this hasn't changed one bit. The tapestries are still gorgeous, although I think those have a magical spell to protect the colours in it so the never lose their beauty. Oh dear, I think I'm not feeling well."
Harry and Ron scrambled to hold up Mrs. Weasley and help her to the sofa. She had tears in her eyes and she held her hand to her head. "My babies," she murmured.
Ginny sat down next to Mrs. Weasley and put her arm around her mother's shoulders. "Shh, mummy. Everyone will be just fine."
Hermione looked at him. "Harry, why don't you get a calming potion from Madam Pomfrey for Mrs. Weasley."
Harry nodded, walking out of the Portrait Hole, glad to be of use. He felt at odds with everyone, feeling utterly useless but at the same time feeling like he should be heading out with the forces to find and kill Voldemort. Instead, he was locked up inside this castle. Plus, he had no idea where to find him now. Maybe they should have stayed and fought, like the Gryffindors they were.
He stepped into hospital wing and saw one of the beds was occupied. The man's eyes were fluttering and he was moaning as blood seeped from his nose. Harry stared at his Potions Professor as he muttered, "Please stop." Stop what?