Chapter 9
Arthur and Harry arrived at the estate at two. Harry noticed that much of the furniture was missing.
"Korv? What's going on?" Harry asked perplexed.
"Miss Ginny Weasley asked Korv to be making changes. Is Master Potter not liking this?" The elf look horrified that he could be doing something wrong.
"No, no it's fine." He heard Arthur snicker beside him. "It's not funny." He said in an undertone.
"Actually, Harry its damned funny." Arthur smiled and walked into the sitting room.
Harry sighed. "We will be having guests. Legal matters need to be attended to. We will need a table and some chairs in the sitting room. Perhaps some refreshments as well."
Korv disappeared and shortly Harry saw an elegant oak table appear in the sitting room, several tall-backed chairs obviously made to be part of the set lined the sides. Harry pulled one out and sat in it marveling at how comfortable the chair was.
Shortly Korv returned with two other elves leaving quills, parchment, and ink as well as plates of sandwiches and a pot of tea.
"Master Potter." Korv interrupted Harry's train of thought a while later. "Visitors has arrived."
Harry stood and nodded to Arthur. With a slightly trembling hand he poured himself some tea.
"Harry, sit. It places you in a position of authority." Arthur said to him.
Harry complied, and was just raising his cup to his lips when he heard the door to the room open. "Master Harry Potter sirs." The elf bowed the two older men in and closed the door behind him.
"Mr. Potter?"
"Remain calm Harry, and follow my lead." Arthur said softly as the solicitors were escorted in. He sat back, and sipped his tea.
The two older men walked in carrying leather briefcases, and appearing stogy. The leader of the two extended his hand, and introduced himself "Roger Penfield III and you are?"
Arthur slowly sat the cup down and laid his hands in his lap. "Arthur Weasley and this" he said indicating Harry "is Harry Potter.
"Mr. Penfield, might I enquire as to the identity of your associate, and the reason for this meeting?" Arthur had none of the warm tones Harry was used to, he had become all business.
"We are here to validate this gentleman's claims to be Harry James Potter." One of the solicitors pulled out a small box, not unlike the one Harry had used earlier for the Apparation test. "This is Albert Jornsen, he's our firms specialist on tracing."
"Tracing?" Harry asked curious.
"Why yes, we detect the magical signature using special equipment and can the trace similar signatures from our client. It let's us know if the person is innocent or guilty. It's a simple and harmless test."
They went through the paces of the verification and an hour later, Jornsen proclaimed Harry to be, well – himself.
"Thank you Mr. Jornsen, I was beginning to doubt it myself." Harry said dryly. The two solicitors took it all in stride. "Well then we must be off Mr. Potter. Good day."
Arthur and Harry looked at one another for a moment, and finally Harry asked the questions burning inside him. "Is that normal?"
Arthur thought for a minute. "Well, in the case of a high-profile inheritance I'd say probably. And your case is rather unique in that you are from an old family line, and quite frankly being who you are. Still…" He gazed out over the snow-covered lawns. "Still Harry, there was something, well contrived about the whole affair."
They quietly sipped their tea, and finally Arthur stood. "Well, Harry, let's return to The Burrow, we'll discuss this with Albus over dinner."
Harry left instructions for the elves, and the two Disapparated.
The sun set on the Potter Estate, revealing an odd scene. Korv stood before a painting of a young couple, looking anxious. The woman in the painting smiled down on the elf. "So they are settling in then Korv?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Good. Oh, and Korv, remember to keep us out of sight. It would not do for Harry to discover us so soon."
"Yes Ma'am."
"Korv?" the man said softly.
"Sir?"
"In the bottom of my wardrobe is a parcel. Make sure he 'discovers' it next time he's here."
"Of course Sir. Will there be anything else?" The elf looked to the young couple.
"No Korv, for now we'd like to rest."
Korv bowed and headed out to do his master's bidding.
The next morning Ginny looked around the manor. Harry had been giving the elves tasks to complete. Painting, remodeling, and redecorating had been going on at breakneck speed, and she had never seen a happier bunch of elves. She approved of most of the changes, and had been slipping small changes to the elves since realizing that Harry basically had no fashion sense. The manor was coming together quite nicely she thought. 'This is going to be a lovely place.' She thought to herself 'not that it wasn't charming in its own way now, but this is still Lily and James' house. I want it to be ours.'
She watched Harry walk Ashton out, and Korv tugged on the hem of her robes. "Miss Weasley? Could you be looking at this choices of Master Potter?"
She gathered the material in her hands and stared at it, her eyebrows furrowed. "Korv, where did he ask for this to be put, and on what?" He nose wrinkled at the colors.
Korv fidgeted and twisted his hands in his lap. "The master bedroom draperies."
Ginny made a tutting sound and frowned even more deeply. "He's mad; the only thing this wouldn't clash with is shite." She muttered and handed the offending fabric back. "Korv, something in a pale green sheer with a bone drape."
The elf smiled with relief and bowed deeply to her. "Many thanks Miss Weasley."
From the doorway Harry grinned, and then affixed a neutral look as he made his way noisily into the room. "Well, all we have left to do is to finish a year of school, get married, go about the business of getting rid of a seriously evil wizard, and we can have our happily ever after."
"That is not even a little bit funny Mr. Potter." She pulled a face and suddenly stopped herself. "And I am hardly acting like a young lady."
"Personally, I'd rather you didn't myself." Harry walked up behind her and pulled her in close to him. "What do you say we go examine the master bedroom for cracks?" this last he whispered into her ear.
"Harry! We are due back in the Burrow in fifteen minutes!" Ginny tried to sound scandalized, but she was already trying to figure out how late they'd be, and if she could pacify her mother long enough to make it worthwhile. Grinning wickedly she turned to Harry, kissed him deeply, and made for the stairs. "Last one up has to lock the door!"
Harry grinned wildly and followed close on her heels.
An hour later they Disapparated to the Burrow; Harry and Ginny stuck to their rather lame story of losing track of time Ron finally pulled Harry aside. "Mate, I know we said we weren't going to talk about 'It', but Harry," he dusted off the back of Harry's robes "next time, do try and be discreet?"
"Oh hell, did you mum see?" Harry appeared worried.
"Mate, she'd have to be blind, or stupid." Ron paused "and mum never has been either."
"Shit."
He headed up to his room to change. Ron followed him and started laughing at Harry as he was pulling on a clean robe.
"What?" Harry looked in the mirror to see if he had anything on his face.
"I take it you and Ginny have matching socks now?" Ron slid down the door that had been supporting him. Harry lifted his robs and saw one blue and one black sock.
"Damn." Harry sank onto his bed. "Today is just getting better and better." He said dryly.
"Well mate, I'm off to Hermione's for dinner." Ron stood and prepared to Disapparate.
"You mean you aren't staying?" Harry looked at the door worriedly.
"As much fun as it would be to sit in a kitchen and watch my baby sister and best mate get tarred and feathered, I think I'll just give that one a pass. Besides, Hermione's parents love me." He winked at Harry.
"That's only because her dad enjoyed being transfigured." Harry glared at Ron moodily. "And Hermione wasn't there to catch your little cock-up."
Ron snorted "Well if you weren't playing footsy with Ginny all the damn time, perhaps I'd not have been dropping in at tea time."
"Ron you ignorant git! You are always at Hermione's!" Harry glared at his friend. "And besides, we don't play footsy."
"Gah! Stop right there Potter, we agreed!" Ron placed his hands over his ears.
Harry stood over Ron and an evil grin slid over his face. "Ron." He said in his kindest voice. "Your right, I'm sorry mate." He extended his hand. Ron smiled and took it. "Besides, your sister is bloody brilliant in the sack."
Ron's face went pale. Harry was laughing so hard he was grasping his sides at the look on his friends face. "You bloody bastard!"
The two were wrestling when Molly opened the door; half of Harry's possessions were strewn over the floor or broken. "Harry James Potter! Ronald Arthur Weasley! What has gotten into you two?"
The two stopped and looked around the room. They felt twelve again, and this time Molly was glaring at them both. Harry looked up guiltily, and wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. "We were just – er well…"
"I know what you two were doing. Now you march downstairs right now and get cleaned up for dinner." Molly glared at them.
Ron stood up, and brushed of the front of his jeans, and pulled out his wand. "Where do you think you are going Ronald?"
Ron froze. "Hermione's?"
"You will be eating at home tonight, and that's final."
Ron sulked off after Harry. Molly looked around the room and decided to let Harry clean up after himself. Just as she was getting ready to leave, she noticed one of Harry's old school robes; it appeared to be torn in some places. She shrugged and took it with her to fix up. He must be wearing it when he is working at the estate. Something seemed to be nagging at her mind about that though.
He had dinner ready to serve and placed the robes in her sewing basket. The Weasley's who were home gathered for dinner, and were seated, food was passed out and they were just tucking in. The conversation was lively as always.
"So what did that prat barrister say Harry?" Ron asked.
Harry sighed around a mouthful of food, and animatedly retold the tale of their meeting that morning.
"Oh Harry, I took your ripped robe and am going to mend it dear." Molly said "How did it get torn anyhow? I thought the house elves were doing most of the work."
Harry froze, and his eyes went wide as he looked at Ginny, who turned bright red, and sunk down in her seat. Molly watched the two of them suspiciously.
"We erm, were looking through some closets, and my robes got snagged on some nails. I guess that's when they got ripped."
Molly seemed to consider the story with growing wariness. "So Ron how's Hermione?" Ginny asked trying to diffuse the conversation.
"Well if what Harry said is any indication, about as good as you." Ron said, and instantly regretted it.
Ginny looked at Ron and then Harry. The embarrassment turned to livid anger "You told him?"
The next twenty minutes became pure chaos. Voices were raised, fingers pointed and much blame was passed around. A few minutes into it, Hermione appeared and waded into the fray with much gusto and vigor defending Ron.
A loud 'BANG' shook the house and the family went silent. There in the doorway stood Dumbledore with a wry smile and a twinkle in his eyes. "I do hope you'll forgive the intrusion on what was a spectacular display of either Rugby or a family moment; however I am in dire need of Ronald, Virginia, Harry and Hermione."
The four followed Dumbledore into the living room, and oddly enough, there sat Cornelius Fudge. "Thank you Albus." Fudge said dismissively.
Harry, still brassed off from the fight in the kitchen, was definitely not in the mood for Fudge's flippancy. "What do you want, Minister?" He tried to make Minister rhyme with scum, and came close to doing it.
"Harry…" Ginny placed a hand on Harry's arm to stop him from saying anything rude.
Fudge didn't seem to realize anything and continued "I understand you lot are going to be part of the Department of Mysteries once you graduate this year."
"Yeah, that's the gist of it, look if this is what you came here for is idle chit-chat Minister I'm really quite busy at the moment."
Ron choked on his juice.
Fudge looked scandalized. "Mr. Potter! Need I remind you who I am?"
Harry's eyes narrowed. "Say what you came to say Minister I have important things to discuss with my family, and none of them requires the interference of someone as incompetent as you."
Ginny smiled 'and they say the Weasley's have a temper.' "Minister Fudge." She said sweetly "You needed us for something?"
"Why yes, yes I do, I wished to discuss some advanced training you will be tending to."
Harry nodded his eyes still watching Fudge carefully. "And?"
Ron's brow furrowed, and he glanced over at Harry and then to Hermione. Ginny had seen this before, an almost secret handshake between the three of them. She smiled to herself, they still didn't have the closeness she had with Harry.
Her fingers interwove with his, and she concentrated on the feel of his skin on hers. 'He's worried about how Fudge is acting.' She gave him a comforting squeeze of the hand and felt a bit of the tension ease away. She thought something horribly wicked, and concentrated hard on the image.
Harry was glaring at Fudge he felt the calming presence of Ginny's hand in his, and felt that reassuring closeness. It always worked to ease his tension, he relaxed subtly.
"So what I'm here to discuss is the advancing of your training in physical combat. You'll be met by a Mr. Howard Tsing on your return to Hogwarts after the break. Mr. Tsing will be your personal trainer in hand to hand combat."
Harry was about to blurt out something but suddenly an image flashed in front of his eyes unbidden. His mouth dropped open, and he flushed scarlet. His eyes widened and looked at Ginny who was standing beside him looking innocently at Dumbledore.
Albus Dumbledore watched with interest at the surge of power as Ginny calmed Harry down, and was quite surprised by the surge that followed it. 'Indeed Ms. Weasley may very well be as powerful as Harry.' This would require some time with his pensive. He was actually quite amused at Harry's reaction, 'so Ms. Weasley has learned that trick.'
"Well Cornelius, I think we have taken enough of their time." Dumbledore smiled and bowed to them. "Give my best to the rest of your family." The aged wizard bowed to them.
"Yes, well then…" Fudge popped his bowler on his head and the two Disapparated.
The four turned back to the kitchen, Harry sighed, it was apparent that the earlier 'discussion' was teetering on renewing itself full-force. He turned to Ron "So how about those Canons mate?"
Ron smiled at Harry weakly and launched into his patented Canons rhetoric, slowly gathering the rest of the household into the conversation. He lifted his and Ginny's clasped hands, and brushed his lips over the back of her hand.
That night, Harry dreamt of Riddle again. He seemed to be gloating about this whole affair. "Potter's hands are tied we have that pathetic man under our thumb and he'll make sure Potter and his little friends are kept busy; he won't even be able to prevent us from walking into Hogwarts and taking students."
The assembled Death Eaters seemed to find this funny. Harry found it revolting, he felt the power surging through him, and for the first time ever, Riddle felt the presence of Harry Potter. His red eyes went wide, and then narrowed. "Well Mr. Potter, thank you for taking time out of your no doubt busy schedule to have a chat.
"Make yourself comfortable Mr. Potter, I am sure we have much to discuss." He steeped his hands in front of himself. "Yes, much indeed..."
Harry woke with a start, breathing heavily and shaking he scrawled out the dream and called Hedwig over. "Get this to Dumbledore as quickly as you can." The snowy owl hooted, and bolted out the window. Harry eased himself back into his bed and stared into the murky darkness that hid the ceiling.
His watch indicated the time was four am, and so he sighed, and got up, ambling down to the kitchen for some water. He stood by the kitchen window and in the end drank three full glasses staring out at the snow-covered ground. He was filling the glass for the fourth time absent-mindedly, when he heard a creak of the kitchen door opening.
Ginny stood in the doorway looking at Harry, as he turned to face her. Images flashed through his head as he saw her trying to focus on the world around her, still more than half asleep.
At that moment there was a diversion in the form of a small, redheaded figure in a long nightdress, who appeared in the kitchen, gave a small squeal, and ran out again.
"Ginny," said Ron in an undertone to Harry. "My sister. She's been talking about you all summer."
"Yeah, she'll be wanting your autograph, Harry," Fred said with a grin, but he caught his mother's eye and bent his face over his plate without another word. Nothing more was said until all four plates were clean, which took a surprisingly short time.
Harry chuckled to himself, 'well; she got a lot more than my autograph Fred.'
Ginny, blinked a few more times focusing on Harry, and her face lit up, and a warm smile formed on her mouth. Harry moved over to her, and kissed her softly. "You are not an early riser love, bad dreams?"
She nodded, and took the glass from Harry draining it, and walked to the sink to refill it. "Yeah," she half-whispered. "Harry, I know you dream about him, is that what woke you tonight?"
Harry nodded to her, and sat in a chair behind her, pulling her into his lap. She sat the glass on the table and shifted so that she was in as much contact to Harry as was possible. "Did he see you this time?"
"Yes, he did Gin…" he looked into her face. "How did you know?"
"I was there too." She sobbed and buried her face into his chest.
Harry ran his hand up and down her back softly, "It's ok Ginny, think I have come up with something."
She looked at him with confusion evident in her eyes. Harry grinned wickedly at her. "Mr. Potter, what exactly are you thinking?" Her face bore a scowl, but he saw the confusion shift to mirth dancing in her eyes.
"Yesterday I found this package in my parent's room; it hadn't been there before I am sure of it…" He went on to describe the package and its contents.
Ginny clapped her hand over her mouth to muffle the laughter and held him tight. "I'm engaged to a genius."
Harry put on a false hurt look, "You are going to marry Hermione? Ron is going to be put out, and honestly, I just don't like him that way."
Ginny slapped him on the arm, and huffed. "Your right, I'm marrying a prat who gets an occasional good idea." She folded her arms in front of her.
Harry grinned and leaned forward whispering in her ear for a minute. Her face melted from a frown to a grin matching his. "I take it back; you Mr. Potter are the root of all things evil." She threaded her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. "And you are rapidly corrupting me."
"Corrupting you?" He said teasingly. They held each other and watched the sun rise over the paddock.
The couple turned at the sound of someone entering the kitchen. Albus Dumbledore sat and with a flick of his wand a tall glass of water appeared. "So Harry, I'm to understand you had a vision, and this time Voldemort felt your presence?"
"Yes, however there's more that I didn't know until just a few minutes ago. Ginny had the same vision."
"Indeed? And did Tom feel you as well Ms. Weasley?"
"No, but he definitely felt Harry's presence."
Dumbledore sat and thought this out. "I will be in touch."
He stood and left, shortly the glass on the table vanished as well. Harry had been watching it thinking something himself.
"Ginny, love."
"Yes Harry?" She had remained by his side quietly watching him.
"Get the others together, as soon as possible. Come to the estate." He stood up and prepared to Disapparate, and paused. "Don't let anyone else know where we are. Ok?"
"Mum and dad will be furious." She was already heading up to get Ron.
"I'll deal with them later. I'm feeling uncomfortable." He vanished with a pop.
Ginny sighed, and headed up the stairs, being careful not to make any noises.
Harry arrived and walked into the sitting room to find the table still there. He smiled to himself and took a seat and began writing.
A few minutes later, Korv arrived. "Master Potter! You is not being sneaking about! Not seemly for a Potter!" The elf seemed highly scandalized by the though of a Potter roaming about in the middle of the night.
Harry smiled at the elf. "Korv, would you fetch some tea, and two cups please?"
The elf bowed and left the room darting for the kitchen.
Harry finished his notes when the elf returned. Placing the pot and cups on the table the elf looked around expectantly. "You is having guests then?"
"Yes, but not for a bit yet." Harry gestured to the chair beside him. "Please, Korv, have a seat, and some tea. I wish to discuss a few things with you."
"Master Potter! House elves is not to be sittings with their masters!"
"Korv, please." Harry knew his time with the elf was limited. "You are in the charge of the Potter Estate, correct?"
"Yes. For many years. Many generations of Korv's family serves the Potters."
"Right, that means that what I say goes, correct?"
"Of course Master Potter."
"Right. Then what I am saying is you plant your arse in that chair, and allow me to pour you some tea so we can talk."
The elf nervously sat in the chair and sipped tea from the cup as if he were on trial.
"Now shortly there will be a large number of guests here, and I need you to be prepared for this. All total there will be ten of us, and we'll have regular frequent visitors."
The elf looked considerably better. "How long will Mater Potter's guests be staying?"
"We will remain until term starts again in January." Harry looked at the elf for a moment. "I've written some instructions on this piece of parchment. Make sure they are carried out to their fullest."
"Of course Master Potter." The elf made to go.
"Not yet." Harry placed a hand on the elf's shoulder. "I – could you tell me something?"
The elf looked at Harry. "Of course Master Potter."
"Could you tell me about my childhood?"
The elf looked confused. "Master Potter, I is not understanding."
"I…" His voice drifted off, and he stared out on the lawn. Figures were walking to the house. "Never mind Korv. We'll talk again ok?"
"Certainly Master Potter." The elf bowed and left clutching the missive from his master in his hands.
Harry stood and walked to the door, opening it, and inviting the remainder of Telsin House into his home. They walked into the sitting room, and settled in at the table.
"I am so sorry for the secrecy, but I believe there is a problem."
The idle whispers ended. "I think we are not learning everything, and a lot of people know something they aren't telling us. This house is the only place I know is perfectly safe." He stood looking over the young men and women. "We aren't being told something, and I don't like it."
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – Two Weeks Later
The term was in full swing, and the coming Friday night was the date for the promised Winter Ball. All four of the houses seemed to be talking about little else. Students were twittering and giggling in halls between classes, last minute dates arranged and angst was running high.
In a small common room ten young adults arrived from a particularly difficult training match.
"I hate Tseng." Ron moaned from his position on the floor. He had flopped unceremoniously down as soon as he stopped moving forward.
"Ron if you don't stretch you are going to be sorry tomorrow."
"Hermione, back off. I feel sorry now." He did however roll over and half-heartedly began stretching his aching muscles.
Ginny and Harry were on 'best of five' as Harry had become highly adept at beating her at rock-scissors-paper. "Damn you Potter! I want the bloody shower first!"
Cho leaned over and whispered something in Ginny's ear, and they both looked at Harry evilly. "Well," Ginny said slowly lifting the bottom of her soaked shirt. "I am getting out of these clothes."
Harry's face turned red. "Ah, no… why don't you guys take the showers first then…"
The girls laughed and took off.
"Oi, mate what did you do that for?" Ron scowled at Harry. "You could have won."
Dean looked at Ron and laughed. "I just think Harry was more concerned in keeping your sister's charms to himself."
Harry turned to Dean his eyes near smoldering in anger. "Don't you dare speak about Ginny like that." A wave of fatigue washed over Harry making his knees buckle.
Ron leapt forward, and gave Harry a supporting hand. He shot a death glare at Dean.
An hour later all ten of them were clean dry and readying for their next class. They opened the door and noticed the trolls were appearing nervous.
"Trog!" Harry said as they passed the leader of the trolls.
"Oi 'Arry Pott'r."
"What's wrong Trog?"
"Trog feel strange tings 'Arry Pott'r. Strange tings." Harry shrugged it off and they headed to the classroom where Madam Pomfrey was teaching them basic medical practices.
Just as they were nearing the hospital wing, Harry stopped, and looked about, concerned. Not a single student or professor appeared to be anywhere. It took them several minutes before they began to get nervous. "I'm sure" he said shortly "that there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this."
Hermione was looking around sharply. "Harry," he could hear a hit of fear in her voice "Do you notice a distinct lack of, well, noise?"
He listened, for anything. "Back to the common room. Now!" They moved as if rehearsed. They reached the trolls and the stature. And as one the practically shouted "Voldemort" and the statue moved aside. They piled into the common room and waited. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Ron looked at Harry. "We need the map."
Harry nodded. As a group they left the common room heading for Sirius's office. They knocked, and receiving no reply opened the door. The room was as Harry remembered it from the previous night's meetings with his godfather. On the wall the Marauder's Map was still working.
Harry went to it, and concentrated on the map. "As far as I can tell, we are the only humans in the castle. The trolls and house elves are here, but it's just us right now."
"Ok, I officially do not like this" Susan said finally. "Harry, let's get our field gear."
Hermione looked over at Harry "I could not agree more." She headed for the back of the room opened the cabinet and started pulling out rucksacks and handing them out.
Each of the Companions removed their black robes, and opening their rucksack pulled out the grayish looking robes instead. Once on, the robes shifted color to more appropriately match the background. Harry noted with a smile that the robes had become almost black. 'Wow, impressive change.' He thought sarcastically, and shouldered his rucksack. "Ready then?"
Nod's all around and he turned to the door. As an after thought he moved to the wall and pulled down the Marauder's Map, and studied it for a moment. "Gryffindor Tower first, then Hufflepuff, then Ravenclaw, and finally Slytherin." The nine students facing him nodded. He handed the map to Ron. "Keep an eye out."
They headed off passing from shadow to shadow, straining to hear any noise that would give away something, any clue. They reached the portrait of the fat lady, and Ron looked up from the map "Yea Verily"
The portrait swung open. "You have got to be kidding." Harry scoffed as the entered what used to be home. They split into two groups the girls up one set of stairs, the boys up the other. They met in the Gryffindor common room and compared notes.
An hour later found the ten of them sitting in the great hall, confused, and more than a little scared.
"Ok, so basically, it looks as if over a thousand students and teachers suddenly stood up and took a holiday?" Harry was becoming irritated.
"Now what," asked Justin clearly shaken "Do we just sit here and wait?"
"No." Everyone turned to look at Harry. "No, we are going to figure this out. Hogwarts is still safe, or at least we are while we are still here. Something kept us here. We need to find out what's happening."
They left for the owlry; Harry wrote a quick note to Dumbledore and tied it to Hedwig. "Find Dumbledore". The owl took to flight.
"What if they are being held?" asked Ron, I mean what did you just tell him?
"I asked him if he got his Christmas Wish." Harry answered. Ron looked at him confused. "It's a code Ron, Dumbledore gave it to me in the advent I wasn't sure where to find him, and if it's possible owl post is being interfered with."
"So what is his Christmas Wish then?" Ron asked.
"Socks." Harry answered, and they filed back down to their common room to plan.
They sat at the table the map in front of them, discussing various ideas when Hanna looked up at Harry. "There's someone here besides us." She was pointing at a dot moving into the main hall. Harry turned the map; there it was a dot moving towards the great hall. The label on the dot read 'Cornelius Fudge' Harry was already moving towards the door.
The ten students flitted through the corridors until they saw Fudge sitting at the head table eating, and apparently talking to himself. Harry was surveying the scene when Ron spoke up. "So, wands out you reckon?"
Harry winced, "Don't ever say that again Ron." Harry, however, did draw his wand, and the others followed suit. They spread out moving in pairs. Harry felt a small hand on his shoulder. Ginny leaned over to him and kissed him quickly. He smiled at her and moved up. Ron and Hermione were traveling up the left-hand side of the hall, Harry and Ginny up the right. Cho and Justin were moving up the middle with Hanna, Susan, Lisa and Dean following them in a small fan. They reached the head table, and Harry leveled his wand. "Pertificus totalus"
Hermione raised her eyebrow and looked at Harry. He shrugged "It's the first thing I could think of."
She summoned a stretcher and they made their way back to the common room. Hermione performed the counter curse, and Fudge sat up. "Dear me, I am so sorry I fell asleep."
"Erm, Minister Fudge?" Harry asked "Are you ok?"
Fudge looked over at Harry; his eyes had an almost glazed look to them. "Harry lad! Aren't you going to be late for the second task?" He blinked a few times "Potter? What are you doing in my office?"
Ginny looked at Harry, "He's under Imperious. I can tell the signs." Harry nodded, Ginny was their ace medic, oh they all had training, and in a pinch could set a broken arm or leg, but Ginny just knew this stuff.
Harry looked at Hermione, she shook her head sadly. "Right, so we can't break it. We also can't let him go, nor leave him alone." He sighed. "Ron, take Justin, Hanna and Susan. Go to Filtch's office, and bring back a set of manacles."
Ron nodded, Justin looked at Harry. "Are you sure about this Harry, he is still the Minister of Magic."
"Yeah, I'm sure" Harry said after a short thoughtful pause. "Go, and get back here. Take the map." He pointed to the map still lying with Ron's gear. The four left the room at a slow jog.
Harry looked a Lisa for a second. "Lisa, I need a dreamless sleep draft, and make plenty, I don't know how long we'll need to keep Minister Fudge sedated." She nodded and tapped Dean on the shoulder. They rose and left heading for the potions room.
Hermione, Ginny and Cho sat there watching over the Minister. Harry looked at Fudge one last time sadly. "I'm terribly sorry Minister." Harry leveled his wand and reapplied the full body bind on Fudge. He patted fudge down, withdrawing a wand and an envelope from Fudge's jacket pocket.
He glanced at Hermione "Keep him like that until the manacles or potion arrive. I don't want him going anywhere."
Harry set the wand and letter on the table. He was looking at the wand oddly, it seemed familiar. He closed his eyes trying to remember. "SHIT! It's a trap!" Harry bolted for the door. "Oi! Trog! Get in here!"
The lumbering troll entered the room, "Yers?"
"Don't let that man move. Not one inch understand?" The troll blinked once and nodded. "Kill him if he moves, understand?" The troll grinned and nodded.
"Harry…" Ginny rarely challenged him, but this was too much. "What are you doing?"
"He's a fucking spy." He spat the words out. "This isn't Fudge's wand. It belonged to Cedric."
Cho's head snapped up. "Harry, what are you talking about, how could you…"
"Cho, I have relived the last minutes of Cedric's life for six months now every night. Trust me, this is Cedric's wand." Harry's face brooked no argument, and none was given.
"Now, the real question is. Who in the hell is he?" Harry looked at his watch. "We should know in about twenty minutes."
Ron was moving in the lead Susan just behind him. Susan was studying the map "All clear still, the castle is still empty." Ron leaned back and waved Justin and Hanna forward as they left their spot for the next one.
They continued until they reached Filtch's office. "This is spooky, I hated this place when he was here, and I certainly don't like it now." They gathered the manacles that, true to Filtch's words were well maintained.
They were easing themselves into a hallway just before the entranceway when Susan placed a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Hold up. There's someone else in the castle."
Ron stopped. "Where?"
"In Dumbledore's office." Her finger pointing to the dot on the map.
Ron thought for a minute. "Justin, take Hanna and the manacles back to Harry, tell him everything. Susan, you're with me. We are going to find out who is in Dumbledore's office, and how they are masking their name."
Justin glanced once back at Ron and then moved into the deeper shadows of the hallway opposite them. In just a few minutes they'd be back with the trolls. HA! That's funny, finding trolls' comforting. He mused as they slipped from shadow to shadow.
They saw the post, and he noticed in a panic one of the trolls was missing. "Hanna, wait. There are only three trolls. Where's the fourth one?" His voice was edged in panic. "You don't suppose its inside do you?"
She shrugged "Only one way to find out."
They moved into the light area of the hallway, the three remaining trolls regarded them mutely. They moved past them, uttered "Voldemort" and the chimera slid aside.
Harry looked up seeing Hanna and Justin. "Where's Ron and Susan?" he demanded.
Both were taken aback by the forcefulness of his tone. "Harry, Ron saw something moving in Dumbledore's office. He and Susan went to see who it was and why they didn't show up on the map."
"DAMN THEM!" He wheeled on Fudge. "Hermione free him. Trog, don't kill him unless he makes any sudden moves, understand?" Trog blinked once and nodded raising his club preparing to strike.
Hermione reluctantly let Fudge out of the bind, and stepped back. Fudge relaxed visibly.
Harry looked at him. "I know you are not Minister Fudge. So who are you?" the man looked at Harry with the same bleary look. Harry felt the calm wave again, "You and I know you are not Fudge. What is your name?" the wave left him, and he felt weak. Ginny was already there to hold him up.
The figure of Fudge cringed and raised his arm to his cloak pocket. His hand never made it in to find the wand missing, Trog followed his orders well. Harry sighed heavily and collapsed.
Hermione encased the body in ice. "Well we don't want it to stink the place up." Was how she explained herself. They moved the corpse into an unused classroom.
"Ok, we know that was not Fudge, so who was it?" Ginny was brooding after sending Trog back out into the hall. She looked at Harry still sleeping on the couch. "If this like the last time, he'll be out for another couple of hours and eat like a small tribe of famished trolls." She looked around the room. "Justin, Hanna go to the kitchens. Tell the house elves to bring our food here until told differently. Bring back enough food for a week."
Justin hesitated and looked at Harry.
Ginny raised her eyebrow and with a slow nod the two left the room. Cho looked at Ginny. "Sleeping with him does not infer command." She said softly.
Ginny's eyes narrowed at Cho dangerously. Hermione had been watching this build over the course of time, and knew it was due, but now was not the time. "Both of you swallow whatever pride has bubbled up in you and listen to me. We do not have time for this, not now."
Cho nodded slowly still glaring at Ginny. Ginny's head inclined and paused then she too nodded. "For now." Was all she said to Cho.
Cho moved to the table and started examining the parchment notes. She picked up a quill and started adding the latest events into the log that they had started. Her brows were furrowed in concentration when the door opened and Justin and Hanna came in with a bundle of food and some golden plates and goblets. "They said we could just order food any time." He shrugged off his rucksack and set the large sack of food down on the table near the fire.
Harry moaned softly, and sank deeper into his sleep. "He is going to be ok?" Hanna asked inclining her head towards Harry.
Ginny looked up at Hanna and nodded. "Yeah, last time it took a couple hours for him to recover."
"It must have been a hell of a lot of magic. I felt like answering him, and he wasn't looking at me." Justin admitted awe touching his words.
Ginny stood and looked at Justin and Hanna. "I'm sorry about ordering you two out, but we needed food for when he wakes up." She pulled a face and said in mock disgust "He eats like a pig when he does this."
Hanna giggled and Justin smiled. "Its okay Ginny, we are just so used to Harry calling the shots I'm not sure we were ready for him to not be there for us."
Cho stood up from the table an hour later frustrated with the progress, or lack thereof on the meager information they had so far.
Harry moaned and his eyes blinked open. A smile crossed his face when he saw Ginny. "'Morning love." He struggled to sit up and saw the food in front of him.
A full twenty minutes later Harry sat back finally sated. "Gods Harry." Justin breathed. "I mean, where in the hell do you fit all that?"
Harry chuckled. "I wish I knew." With that he stood a bit shaky at first, but his strength returning rapidly.
"Now, what happened?" he asked sitting at the table, and glancing around "Where is Ron and Susan?"
"They haven't returned from Dumbledore's office yet." Cho answered. "Ginny didn't think it wise to send anyone else out after food was brought in for you."
Harry looked at Ginny "Right. Good call actually Ginny." He sat thoughtfully. "And Ron has the map."
"Well there's nothing for it I guess." He rummaged in his pack, and pulled out a silvery cloak. This intrigued the rest of the team immensely.
Justin half whispered. "That's an invisibility cloak!"
Harry nodded. "The map can see through it, but people can't. Ginny, you are with me." He stood and looked back at the team thoughtfully.
"Hermione, you are in charge until we get back." He opened the door, and was about to swing the cloak over themselves when Ron and Susan tumbled in.
Harry and Ginny leapt out of the way allowing the two to get back in the room before closing the door and barring it.
Harry looked at Ron, grimacing and clutching his leg, obviously broken. Hermione was by his side immediately, and Ginny was dropping her rucksack and digging for supplies. She mended the break and muscle tears, and finished by giving him a draft for pain relief and the last of her sleeping potion.
"I'll need some time in the potions room to re-supply." Harry nodded. "Cho, go with Ginny, bring back Lisa and Dean, and clean out every item from there you might need." They nodded and took off at a run.
Harry looked at Susan. "What happened?"
Susan looked at Harry and nodded, pulling out the map. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." The map formed on the parchment. She pointed to the moving dot on the page. "It appears Hogwarts has a new ghost."
Harry looked at the dot carefully. "Who?"
"Severous Snape" was Susan's reply.