A/N: Sorry for the extended time away from updating. I will add another chapter tomorrow as well. As for any disclaimer, please see chapter 1. Thanks to my most loyal reviewer, HermioneGreen.
Chapter 17. Memories and Old Friends
Neville and Luna watched as their newly married friends drove away. Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Granger were hugging each other, both in tears. Neville's parents were sitting quietly watching. They were so much better. His father was smiling.
"Alice?" Frank Longbottom asked. "Do you remember our wedding?"
"Most of it. What I don't remember is where it was…and I know I should remember that."
"It was at my house, Alice," said Neville's Gran. "What a night that was! Everyone was there…it was the social event of the season. We had over two hundred guests at the ceremony! Remember dancing with my husband?"
"Yes! I remember because he was so elegant, so confident. That's why I wanted to name our son after him…remember, Frank?"
"Dad was so pleased when you decided that. He always wanted to have a namesake!"
"Oh, Frank! I am so excited! I can REMEMBER!"
No one noticed one of the guests looking startled and turning suddenly to leave. No one, that is, except Remus Lupin.
***
Albus Dumbledore watched as the young couples drove away. He smiled as he stood next to Minerva and he reached over and gave her a gentle hug. She looked at him and smiled back. He was so pleased that everything went well today, minus the attack. He had managed to keep it from becoming general knowledge of the guests, but he had told Remus to let the newlyweds know.
After they were gone from sight, he nodded to Minerva and they said their goodbyes. He loved the happiness around him, but he had work to do. The mystery of how the Staff of Salazar Slytherin had come back was awaiting him.
***
After they arrived at the airport and went through security ('What will these bloody people do next, check our knickers?' muttered Ron.) Harry and Hermione led them to the gate. Hermione giggled at the sight of Ron's mouth falling open when he saw their plane up close ('These things are HUGE, Harry!'). As they were seated in first class, Ron leaned over to Hermione and confessed he was nervous. Ginny wasn't much better, but she was quiet. Harry smiled down at his bride while she squeezed his arm enough to make it fall asleep.
Ron had just settled down when the plane backed away from the ramp and started moving. Harry comforted Ginny as Hermione did the same for Ron. As they sped down the runway, Hermione looked over at Harry and gave him a smile.
Once they were airborne, they all settled quickly and enjoyed the rest of the flight. Ron was impressed by the meal they served and Ginny relaxed enough to lean against Harry and fall asleep. Before they realized it, they had landed in Athens and were making their way out of the airport to head for their hotel.
***
Albus listened to Snape's report as the Order met to discuss what to do next. Three days before at the wedding, they had managed to keep the attack from widespread knowledge. The Daily Prophet had covered it, however, and now it was well known what had happened. Arthur Weasley and his staff at the Ministry had been working extra, calming everyone's fears, but he was beginning to run out of ideas.
After Snape finished, Albus stood up. "My friends, I come here bearing a heavy burden. Once, I might have tried to shoulder this alone. But in my dealings with my Grandson, I have learned that one cannot save the world alone…well, not every time," he added with a chuckle. Everyone sniggered.
He continued on in a more serious tone. "As you know, the four founders of Hogwarts were the greatest wizards of their time. Each had a talisman imbued with certain powers. Godric Gryffindor had a sword; Helga Hufflepuff had a ring. Both Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw had a staff; of these, we had known the whereabouts of three for many years. The Staff of Slytherin was full of Dark Magic; it was this Staff that was used to create the Chamber of Secrets and charm the Basilisk. It had been lost many years ago and had not resurfaced until recently. I feel that it is the Staff that has allowed some wizard to gain Voldemort's powers." He paused looking at the shocked expressions of those watching him. "This power gives the user the same abilities as their original owner. However, the spell used to do this has many drawbacks, of which only one is well-known. No doubt the person responsible was aware that they would no longer be able to fully control their actions. However, I doubt they know this; the power can be eliminated if the Staff can be nullified, and the user must not be without the Staff for very long or they will be in excruciating pain."
"Do we know who used the Staff, Albus?" asked Minerva.
"No, but we are trying to determine that now. Severus is working on that."
"Does Harry know any of this?" asked Molly Weasley.
"Harry knows of the Staff. It is the reason he was most recently in the hospital wing. He does not know what I have told you tonight, but I feel he must be told as soon as he returns."
"Where is the Staff now?" asked Sirius.
"I have it hidden in a safe place. I must have some help in researching how to nullify it, and I believe that Hermione may be the best one to do that for us."
"Can we do anything now?" asked Remus.
"No, my friends. As of now, it is best to watch and wait. I daresay our new opponent will want to try out some of his new-found power. As Alastor has constantly reminded us, we must practice Constant Vigilance. Good luck and we will meet again here in two weeks."
***
The newlyweds had great fun visiting the Greek Isle. Sightseeing, visiting the beach and sampling the food made time seem to fly by. The day they were supposed to board the ship for their return home, they had packed and were waiting for a muggle cab to take them to the dock when a familiar young man bumped into them.
Harry looked up and smiled. "Oliver?"
"Harry!" replied Oliver Wood. "What are you doing here?"
"Honeymooning!" laughed Ginny as both she and Hermione showed off their rings.
"Whoa, mate. I knew you all were bloody close, but…"
"Oliver? Great to see you, mate!" said Ron as he walked up.
"Okay, Harry. Now I'm confused. Who is here on their honeymoon?" asked Oliver. When all four raised their hands, Oliver shook his head. "Who married who?"
After they all finally stopped laughing, it was quickly explained to Oliver. Once he had it straight, he offered congratulations to all. He then explained that he was on vacation because he had taken a rather nasty bludger to the shoulder while playing for Puddlemere and the team's medi-witch had suggested a couple weeks of quiet time. He was sad to hear they were leaving, as he had just arrived the night before. After an hour or so of catching up, they all said their goodbyes and the Potters and Weasleys headed for their boat.
***
Two days later Arthur Weasley sat in his office at the Ministry of Magic, surrounded by his advisors. He shook his head absent-mindedly as he received the latest reports. He looked at his calendar. Three days till Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione came home. He glanced at the picture on his desk taken at the wedding; He and Molly were in the center, with Harry and Ginny on one side and Ron and Hermione on the other. They were all smiling, but he supposed the one smiling the biggest was Molly. He had lost twenty Galleons on their bet that they had made in Ginny's third year that those four would end up exactly as they did. He smiled and looked up as someone knocked. "Enter."
The door opened to reveal a slightly balding wizard that Arthur recognized as Jerome Little, who was the commissioner of the BQL (British Quidditch League). He nervously came over and accepted the seat offered to him.
"Hello, Mr. Little," said Arthur. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, Minister, it isn't exactly for me," he replied. "It's for Puddlemere. You see, Oliver Wood's gone missing."
