Chapter 12 It's in the Blood
Ginny burst into the Weasley residence. "Mum! Mum!"
An astonished and instantly worried Molly Weasley rushed into the living room in a dressing gown and slippers, still holding a teacup suspended mid-sip in her hands. "What is it, Ginny?"
Hermione and Ron, finally catching up with the anxious Ginny, all spouted different versions of the same thing; requesting to check the Weasley clock.
The Weasley clock was a magical clock that monitored the whereabouts of each member of the Weasley family. Over the years, they had changed the clock to include additional family members such as Harry, Hermione, and Fleur, and the devastating removal of others, such as Fred. It reported with amazing accuracy where each family member was located.
George sauntered out of the kitchen, munching on a slice of toast.
"What are you doing here?" Ron asked.
"Enjoying a little breakfast, or trying to, until you lot trampled in. What's up?"
"Harry didn't come home last night," Ginny replied.
All eyes moved to the clock, which was behaving in a way they had never seen before. The hand for Harry was nearly a blur, flitting back and forward between Lost and Mortal Peril.
Molly put a hand to her chest, "Oh, no!"
Ron and Hermione looked at one another and held one of those secret conversations long-married couples are capable of, simultaneously reaching a decision, none of which had been missed by Ginny.
"What?" Ginny asked.
"We need to get to Grimmauld Place and talk to Teddy. I, we, think it has something to do with him," Ron replied.
"Let's go then," George said as he finished his toast.
With a flick of her wand, Molly was fully dressed, including a hat and pocketbook in her hands. "You're not going without me."
A few moments later…
"Teddy!" they all cried as they found an unconscious Teddy slumped against a wall.
"Let me see him," Hermione commanded, moving her way to the front of the group. She knelt next to Teddy and began a clinical exam, pressing here and there on his body.
"He's breathing!" she announced. Wand now in hand, she moved it from toe to head, where the tip began to glow a bright red. She pulled his head forward, pressing gently with her fingers, which elicited a low moan from Teddy.
Her fingers came back stained with blood. She reached for her bag. "Accio dittany!"
A small bottle shot out of her bag and into her hand. She opened it, and using the dropper, placed a single drop on the back of Teddy's head. Teddy drew in a sharp breath, opened his eyes, and tried to sit up, but Hermione pressed a hand to his chest to stay his progress.
"You need to take it easy for a minute, then we can move you to the sofa."
Teddy eased back down to the floor, but after a moment, patted his chest in a panic. He rose to sit despite Hermione's warning.
"It's gone! I can't believe it! He took it!"
"Who took what?" Hermione asked, already afraid of the answer.
"Harry! He took the stone! I found it. In the forest. The Resurrection Stone. I saw Mum & Dad!" Teddy's gaze darted at their concerned faces, but the effort to sit had sapped his strength. His eyes rolled back as he slid into unconsciousness.
Elsewhere…
She turned the stone in her hand three times and smiled at the figure that appeared before her.
"I found it, father. I found the Resurrection Stone."
"Well done, my child."
"I have so much to tell you." The figure listened with rapt attention to her plan.
"You have exceeded my expectations, Delphini."