A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers! In honor of my 100th review, I am posting an extra chapter this week. Enjoy!
Chapter 24. Frost on the Pumpkin
Harry had little trouble recovering Luna's ring. He even had time to have a cup of tea with Sirius, who had just returned from the Burrow. He made it to the Leaky Cauldron with five minutes to spare. As he entered and waved to Tom, the bartender, he scanned the room for an empty table. He saw Neville sitting there with his parents. He walked over to say hello.
"Hi, Neville. How has it gone for you?"
"Okay so far. You?"
"Same here. Hello Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom."
"Hello, Harry. Please call us Alice and Frank," replied Mr. Longbottom.
Mrs. Longbottom looked up. "Hello, James."
Frank turned to her. "No, dear, that's Harry. James was his father."
"Oh, sorry. I am still having troubles."
Harry turned to Frank. "How are you?"
"I am almost my old self. When Alice was attacked it set her back. If only we had a trigger to help her remember." He stopped when two owls flew in and landed on the table. Harry and Neville took the notes offered and the owls flew off. Frank looked at them. "Strange business."
Harry opened and read his note:
Thor:
By now you should be sitting with Scrap and the person he was supposed to identify. Please unroll Clue 2.
Harry looked up as Neville put his note down. He caught Neville's eyes and shrugged. They got out their scrolls and read them, then laid them down on the table. Each looked at the other's scroll in amazement. They both said the exact same thing!
Compare notes and solve the case.
Neville looked at Harry and explained about what he had to look for. He looked at his parents and took his mum's hand. Harry then explained to Neville about Luna and her ring.
"I remember she was so upset when she lost it!" exclaimed Neville.
"She told me that her mother had gotten it from her best friend in school, and had given it to Luna before she died," replied Harry.
"Did you find it?"
"Yes," said Harry, as he pulled it from his pocket. Alice looked at the ring; then she smiled and slumped forward in her chair, unconscious.
***
Alice heard voices. She slowly opened her eyes to see several concerned faces peering at hers. "Mum?" asked Neville.
"Yes, dear?" she replied.
"Alice?" said Frank.
"What is it, Frank? And before you say anything Harry…" she laughed.
"Welcome back Alice." Dumbledore, Tonks and Remus stood there, smiling.
Alice smiled. "Frank, I remember EVERYTHING!"
Harry and Neville looked at everyone, then at each other. Harry looked at Tonks. "Was this part of the test?"
"Yes, but you aren't quite finished yet. You still need to solve the case."
Harry looked at Alice closely, then the ring. Inside the ring was an inscription. It read 'E. Best Friends. A.' Harry looked at Neville, then Tonks. He smiled.
"Alice, what was your best friend at Hogwarts first name?"
"Ellen, why?"
"Neville, your mum was best friends with Luna's mum."
"Congratulations, Gentlemen," said Shack, stepping from the shadows. "You have passed your test."
***
The rest of September passed by quickly. Harry and Neville settled into a routine for training, and Ginny settled into her seventh year. The Daily Prophet wanted to run a story on how Harry and Neville had helped Alice regain her memory, but Arthur refused, citing a need for Security. No attacks had occurred since the one on Arabella and Ron, but no one let their guard down.
Albus had taken to visiting with Harry more often as time permitted. Harry was often in Albus office, and the paintings of the former headmasters introduced themselves. Phineas still was not sure about Sirius and the veil, but he was friendlier to Harry than he had been during his fifth year.
Sirius and Remus were gone for periods of time; some Harry knew were spent at the Ministry, but some were not. Harry got to know Emma better. Remus was often seen with her. She told him many stories about Lily and James as kids. He got to understand his mother better and learned of a side of his father that he had not seen before.
On October first at dinner, Albus announced that the following weekend would be a Hogsmeade weekend. After the cheering died down, he reminded them to be careful, but to have a good time. That weekend was the one that Harry and Neville had off as well, so they decided to go together.
Auror training continued with Mad-Eye and Shack focusing more on advanced things, while Tonks handled cases. On the Thursday before the Hogsmeade weekend, Albus called a meeting of the Order. Everyone met after dinner in Albus' office.
"Thanks for coming. I know everyone is busy, but we have some news to share and I thought it best that we all be present for it," said Albus. "Kingsley, please give your report."
Shack walked to the front. "After a thorough investigation and an insight from Hermione, we have determined the identity of the person directing the attacks. That person is Draco Malfoy." There were a few audible gasps. "I know that he is quite young, but remember: His father was Lucius Malfoy, one of Voldemort's right hand men. Here is what we suspect has happened. Draco, who has never hidden his dislike of Harry, has uncovered the Staff of Salazar Slytherin. He used the staff to revive the power of Voldemort and fuse it to him. He has many of the powers that the Dark Lord had, but he doesn't know how to harness them—yet. They are trying to recruit others, but are meeting little success.
"They made one large mistake. They used the staff as a weapon in the attack on Sybill Trelawney and left it. Draco cannot control the power without the staff. If he does not renew the magic periodically, he will weaken and eventually the life will be taken from him. We suspect he is just now learning this and must make an attempt to recover the staff soon. With that in mind, we have asked Meryl Bek, an Unspeakable, to help us. Meryl?"
Meryl Bek stepped forward. "We have constructed a staff similar in power to the original. It looks identical to the original with one small difference: the bottom of the original staff is rounded and has one very small dot, where the one we created has two dots. Also, ours is designed that when the spell to renew the magic is used, a locater spell also allows us to track the person. We are going to allow Draco to recover the copy while the original is safely hidden where he cannot gain access to it." He sat back down.
Albus stood. "In the Daily Prophet tomorrow morning, there will be a story about the Staff being found and that it is being held at Hogwarts. Draco will summon his Death Eaters and Severus will join them. He will volunteer to try to obtain the staff for him, thereby allowing us to hand him the duplicate. If our calculations are correct, he will not need to renew the magic for two more weeks. Please make arrangements to be ready if possible at a moment's notice. Thank you for coming."
With that the meeting was adjourned.
***
Harry, Neville and Tonks sat in the Auror classroom just talking. Neville told them that St. Mungo's had completed their testing on his mum and she had been pronounced cured. They were having a luncheon on Sunday to celebrate and were inviting all the Aurors, as well as Ginny and Luna.
"Will Albus let them go?" asked Tonks.
"I think he will. I will go ask him. I will see you guys at lunch," Harry added. He walked out of the classroom and headed for the Headmaster's office. Since he was there so often, he was not even required to give the password. As he entered the outer office, he noticed Dilys Derwent, former headmistress, looking at him from her portrait frame.
"Hello, Harry. Come to see Albus?"
"Hello, Headmistress. Yes, I have something to ask him."
"Please, Harry. Call me Dilys. Albus is currently inside with someone anyway. Why don't you take a seat and we'll chat?"
"Thanks, Dilys. Why are you out here and not inside as usual?"
"Albus placed a spell on this frame which allows any of us to use it. I also have my frame at the Hospital, so I can watch what is going on. Today, I was hoping to catch you before you went in. We have always known that Albus cared about you, and we wanted to let you know that if you need anything from us former Heads, just ask. And please, call us by our first names." She laughed and smiled at him.
"Well, thanks. Will he be much longer?"
"Hang on. Let me check." She walked out of the frame so that it was empty, but returned a few seconds later. "He said it's alright for you to go in."
"Thanks, Dilys."
Harry opened the door to the office and entered. Snape was sitting in a chair holding the Staff of Slytherin. "So, Potter…barging right in, I see."
"Dilys told me it was okay."
"Dilys? Do you mean Headmistress Derwent?"
"No, he means Dilys. Hello, Harry," added Albus.
"Hello, Grandfather."
"You wanted to see me?" asked Albus.
"Yes, sir. Ginny, Luna and I have been invited to a tea on Sunday to celebrate Neville's mother's recovery and I wanted to see if it were okay with you. As I understand it, Luna's father and Ginny's parents are invited as well.
"Absolutely! I shall make an appearance as well. Anything else?"
"No, sir." He turned toward Snape. "Goodbye, Professor."
***
Draco had read about the staff in that morning's Daily Prophet. He wasn't sure if he trusted Snape, but he had always treated Potter rudely, so that was one in his favor. He had called Snape to him and bid him to retrieve the staff from Hogwarts. Snape had questioned how to explain if he was caught, and they came up with a plausible excuse. He told Draco that he would retrieve it that night and bring it back to him.
***
Sirius was sitting in his study writing when Remus walked in. "Padfoot! I have been looking all over for you! The last place I would have expected to find you is in the study, especially on a beautiful day like this."
Sirius hurriedly rolled up the scroll and turned to Remus. "Moody! It's not like I was doing homework or anything!"
Remus laughed. "No, I suppose you are right. Who's your pen pal?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you are writing, and there's an owl waiting in the hall, so it would appear you are responding to a letter."
"How right you are! Mundungus wanted my opinion on something he was acquiring. Let me just go send this. I'll be right back!" Sirius hurried out of the room, but not quick enough for Remus to miss the smell of perfume as he passed. Remus smiled.
Sirius came back in. "Well, Moony, want to go out?"
"I'm not sure, Padfoot. Besides, with Dung wearing your favorite perfume, I thought you two might want to see each other." Sirius looked in shock as Remus started laughing. "Oh, come off it, Sirius. I remember that smell like it was yesterday. So how is Katie, anyway?"
Sirius groaned and put his face in his hands. He looked up at Remus. "So, you figured me out, eh, Moony?"
"Read you like a book."
"Never could get one past you."
"When will you ever learn?"
Sirius smiled. "I'm an old dog and you know the saying…"
Remus started laughing so hard he held his sides. "Would…you…quit!"
Sirius waited for him to catch his breath. "Katie is doing okay. She owns a shop in Hogsmeade that specializes in quills and stationery. She bought it with the money her father left her when he passed away."
"Scrivenshaft's? I've walked past it a hundred times! If I had known, I would have dropped in and said hello."
"Well, she bought it about five years ago. I had Wen-Lee find her for me, and I sent her a note and she invited me to tea."
"Is she married?"
"No. She said she seriously considered just becoming an old maid."
"Unless you talk her out of it."
"Yeah, right! I barely got her to accept my invitation to escort me to the Longbottom's home on Sunday. Did you get an invitation?"
"Yes. And Emma is going with me. By the way, have you heard anything from Harry lately?"
"He owled me last week to tell me he passed his first round of tests, but he wasn't very talkative. Hey did you see the Prophet this morning? It's in there, just like they said it would be. Has anything happened yet?"
"Everything is happening just like they thought it would."
***
Severus knocked at the door and waited. It was opened by Crabbe. Severus walked in and handed the staff to Draco. "Just as you asked."
"How did you obtain it?"
"As a professor, I am not questioned. However, I did manage to further our cause."
"And what was that?" asked Draco, leaning forward in his seat.
"I left one of Dumbledore's gloves on the floor, so it looks like he was there."
"Excellent!" laughed Draco, evilly. "You have done well. Now return before you are missed."
"As you wish."
Draco watched as Snape walked from the room. He smiled as he held the staff.
***
The morning of the Hogsmeade visit dawned bright and sunny, but cold. Harry, Ginny, Neville and Luna all hurried down to the Great Hall to have breakfast. After they had eaten, they joined the queue waiting to go to the village. Harry was talking to Ginny when he felt someone tap his shoulder.
"Hello, Hagrid!"
"Hiya, Harry! Goin' into Hogsmeade?"
"Yes. How about you?"
"I expect I will go in later. Make sure you button your cloaks. There's a bit o' frost on the pumpkins this morning. Well, must go. See you later!"
As they walked into the village they met up with Ron, Hermione and her parents. After a flurry of hellos, they agreed to meet for lunch at the Three Broomsticks. They split up and Harry followed Ginny towards Madam Puddifoot's. Harry started snickering, remembering the time Cho had dragged him here; now he was going willfully with his wife. Ginny hadn't noticed it in her hurry to get there. "Come on, Harry. Let's get some hot cocoa!"
They entered and quickly found a table near the back. Harry ordered for them and soon they were enjoying their drinks. They were talking about the tea the next day when the door opened and in walked Sirius with someone. They took a table near the front and fell into a deep discussion. Harry looked at Ginny and smiled. Ginny could tell from the way that Sirius laughed and looked at the blonde woman he was with that he had feelings for her. As Harry went to say hello, Ginny grabbed his arm.
"No, Harry. For some reason, Sirius isn't ready to share her with us just yet. Did you know he was seeing someone?"
"No!" he whispered. "But she looks familiar. Wonder where I have seen her before."
Ginny and Harry watched as the other couple finished their drinks and started to leave. Harry quickly paid and grabbed Ginny's hand. They followed at a distance and quickly walked behind a bush when the others stopped in front of a store. Sirius turned toward the woman and smiled. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and disapparated. The woman, blushing and smiling at the same time, turned and walked into the shop.
Harry and Ginny walked across the street opposite the shop. The sign read Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. Harry looked at Ginny. "You need a new quill, don't you?" Ginny looked at Harry in surprise. He hadn't phrased it as a question, more like a statement. She smiled and nodded as they crossed the street.
They walked inside and looked around. There were all sorts of quills and stationery. Ginny quickly pulled at Harry's hair so that it would cover his scar. After she had selected a quill and some stationery, they walked back toward the counter. Standing behind it was the woman they had seen talking to Sirius. "Is that all?" she asked.
"Yes," replied Harry. "Are you the owner?"
"Yes I am."
"Well, Ms. Scrivenshaft, I wanted to compliment you on your shop."
"Well, thank you! But my name's not Scrivenshaft. I bought it from them. My name is Black…Katie Black."
Harry and Ginny looked at each other in shock.
