22) Trust your Instinct.
Harry had no idea how long he had been flying but his numb hands told him he needed to get off his broom. Lightning was by his side enjoying the freedom of flying as much as Harry was. He looked down and smiled, They were obviously very far south as there wasn't any snow, the down side was that he doubted there were any wizard shops and he only had wizard money. He chose to land behind a small building, that looked deserted. Knowing he looked extremely out of place in his robes he took them off and smiled when he caught sight of himself- he looked just like a muggle now.
'Lightning, you need to hide- you'll attract too much attention. How about you stay here whilst I have a scout round?' Harry whispered pulling out his invisibility cloak and making sure that it covered his broom and bag.
'Yes I will stay here, if I think something is wrong I will sing in my head, you will hear me. If you need help, just call, I'll bring your things and come straight to you.' Harry nodded and looked carefully round, the place felt familiar yet he couldn't understand why. He walked round the front of the building and stopped dead. He knew why the place felt familiar now. It was the village in which he had taken the killing curse again, yet how he knew he wasn't sure. He felt a pull towards one direction and shrugged. Trust your instinct.
The house looked deserted, Harry knew better though, he knew that there were order members everywhere, but he really did need some muggle money. Sighing he walked boldly up to the front door and turned to face the gardens.
'I need you help.' He said to nobody. He waited and watched as ten order members walked out into the open wands raised, he held up his hands to show that he had no wand and looked for a face he knew, almost passing out with relief when he saw Moody.
'Your supposed to be in London.' He growled, his face showing he didn't think that it was Harry at all. Harry smiled sadly.
'There was a change of plan, it seems that I had to go on a little quest, I need to find a locket that my mum gave to me before she died so that I can gain my powers that he knows not.' He spoke the last bit quietly, in case there were death eaters around.
'Prove it's you.' Moody growled again, and Harry began to worry slightly, what if he didn't believe him? He was as good as dead.
'Ask me something.' Harry said trying to think of something that he didn't know and praying he wasn't asked that.
'What is your patronus?' Somebody called, Harry smiled slightly.
'Too easy, a lot of people know that it's a stag- my dads animagus form in fact, Prongs.' Harry looked again at Moody
'What did Voldemort do when he possessed you in June?' Kingsley said loudly, causing Harry to shudder as he remembered.
'He wanted Dumbledore to kill me, Voldemort's exact words- if death is nothing Dumbledore, kill the boy. But Albus wouldn't, because of the prophecy. The reason Voldemort couldn't stay in my body is because I wanted to die so that I could join Sirius and as I thought this my body filled with love- something that Voldemort couldn't survive. He was forced from my body, he left straight away as the atrium filled with voices, as people began to arrive.' Harry wiped the tear away from his eye, he had never told anybody about what had caused Voldemort to be gone from him.
'How did Sirius escape in your third year?' Moody asked smiling, if Harry knew this then it was definitely Harry, Harry to smiled.
'Me and Hermione used a time turner to rescue Buckbeak, we then flew to the window and Sirius climbed out- thanks to Hermione and an unlocking spell, we went to the highest tower and we climbed off. The last thing he said too me- we'll see each other again, you truly are your fathers son Harry. there are you going to hex me or do you trust me now, because I could beat you all hands down, but I'm tired and I'd rather not have to.' Harry sighed and sat down suddenly aware how tired he was.
'Sorry Harry- we have to be careful you know. What can we do for you?' Tonks said running forward to help him, he hadn't seen her at the back of the group.
'I need somewhere to sleep, and I need some muggle money.' He said yawning, she nodded and helped him up, he remembered Lightning and looked round quickly. 'Lightning.' He called quietly, but everybody heard him. Seconds later the great black phoenix flew towards him, carrying a parcel, dropping it gracefully he landed on Harry's shoulder.
He woke the next morning with Mr. Weasley sat next to him, Harry smiled slightly remembering where he was.
'Good morning Harry, are you feeling better? Lightning has gone to find himself some food.' Harry nodded sitting up in bed.
'Nobody else is here are they?' he asked nervously.
'No- I'm here because I'm on duty, Remus and Sirius will be here in about half an hour though, and I can tell you they are worried sick. They had such a go at Albus when they found out it was him that said you should go. Only your friends and parents seemed to understand. Ginny was the one to thank for that.' He replied smiling at him.
'It wasn't Albus, I've known for a while that I would have to leave, I was just hoping that I got to spend Christmas with you first. I'd better get dressed.' He added Arthur nodded and left. Harry stretched out on the bed. It was about 6.30 am judging by the way it was still dark outside. He would need to leave by 8 am at the latest. He dressed quickly using a cleaning spell on his clothes he walked down the stairs. The house was exactly as it had been in his dream, well nightmare really. He had looked into the room where he had been hit and smiled. It had been cleared, the only thing that remained was a picture of Harry as he got hit with the killing curse for the second time.
He wandered round waiting for somebody to come back in with some food, the house reminded him of another, and as soon as he realized he almost passed out with shock. He was in Godrics Hollow. This was his house. Which at once confused him- why would a stranger be in his house? He removed his shirt to look once more at his scar and saw once again as he had last night when he had entered the house that it was glowing. He traced the pattern with his hand, feeling the roughness of the scar tissue, but it gave him comfort. Made him feel better.
He had no idea how long he had stood there, until Remus and Sirius walked in, almost knocking him over in there haste to hug him. He pushed them off at once causing them to both freeze.
'What was Rachel doing in my house? And I want the truth.' He glared at them both, seeing the nervous looks they shared.
'How did you know that this was the Hollow? How did you find it anyway?' Sirius asked nervously, and Harry realized that it was under the secret keeper charm, he shouldn't be able to enter unless Peter told him where it was.
'Oh no Harry- Dumbledore is the secret keeper now, we changed right after you got hit with the killing curse again. As to the question you asked Rachel is my wife, the child she was protecting was mine.' Harry gasped in surprise, he had never known that Remus was married, let alone that he had a child.
'Wow- why doesn't she live with you then? She could come and live with us at school- or at #12. But I mean the little girl- she must be starting Hogwarts this September anyway.' Harry asked quickly, he knew that they were hiding something.
'She cant Harry, Voldemort is desperate for my daughter to join him because then he knows that he would have us all. You see I would go after her, and who would come after me?' Harry sighed and nodded.
'I would go instantly, as would my friends, and my mum and the marauders. Yeah I see your point, oh well, best I hurry up and kill him then so that you can be family again.' He added cheerfully. He grabbed the bag containing the food that they had bought with them and began wolfing down the contents. He didn't stop until he was completely full, and smiled guiltily.
'I haven't eaten for a while and I am starving.'
'Yes I had noticed.' Remus remarked dryly. 'You'll be pleased to know then that Albus has had a great idea. Wherever you are click your fingers together and call Dobby. He will appear instantly at your side, to do whatever you want, he can fetch help, food anything.' Harry grinned, that would be extremely helpful.
They talked for another half an hour until Harry realized that he must be going. They didn't try and stop him though he knew they both wanted to.
'I have to do this you know?' He asked quietly as they said good bye. Remus nodded forcefully.
'We know, but Harry I'm being deadly serious here, please don't wait until its too late to call for help. We want you back alive- we would all rather live in a world with Voldemort than without you, at least for as long as we can.' Harry smiled sadly.
'Your both great you know that?' He hugged Remus and turned to Sirius, watching as tears fell down his cheeks. Harry nodded slightly at the unasked question and Sirius grabbed him into a breath taking hug.
'If you come back with a single mark on your body- I'll kill Lightning OK?' Harry grinned and nodded.
He didn't look back as he climbed onto his Firebolt, he knew that if he did he would cry. He didn't wave to the order members as they stood and watched him leave. He flew up in the air and sat perfectly still. Lightning appeared at his side, and Harry felt it, felt the pull to go South West. He closed his eyes and nodded, taking his hands off of his broom as he allowed it to go the way it was being pulled.
'What's he doing Remus?' Sirius asked quietly.
'He's following his instincts, the locket, it was designed for him, it will pull him towards it all the time, it wont rest until it is with its master again.' Remus replied watching until Harry was but a dot in the distance.
'He's going to the Riddle manor isn't he?' Tonks asked quietly. Remus nodded.
'That's where we think that it is. I know that Voldemort tried to use the locket when he was first returned to his body, but he couldn't wield the power because it is made from pure love. I hope that he can get it without being hurt.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry continued flying all day, he ate on his broom knowing that he couldn't stop, but at the same time he wished that he wasn't going where he was heading. He knew where the locket was, knew because his head told him it was the only place it would be. He saw the outline of Little Hangleton as the light began to fade. Realizing that this was a disadvantage to him as he wasn't familiar with the place he knew he would have to wait until day break, but he could use the darkness to see who guarded the place.
He landed lightly in the cover of some trees, Lightning landed just above his head on one of the branches.
'What do you think lightning?' he asked quietly.
'I agree we should wait until morning. And that we should look around. Although I know my way round very well already. But of course you do not. Do you have a plan?' Harry smiled slightly.
'Capture as many death eaters as possible and retrieve the locket- by tomorrow night. That sound OK to you?' Lightning chuckled softly, it still made Harry smirk when he had conversations with the phoenix inside his head. Darkness came quickly which was good.
Harry ate some food and then once the guards had changed he began walking silently round the grounds to decide where he could attack from best. The grounds were huge and overgrown but he smiled at this, it would be a huge advantage. The house looked run down and neglected, and Harry thought silently how beautiful it must have once looked. He shook his head and continued on, Lightning flying high above keeping an eye out for any death eaters. Harry walked round one rose bush and froze, for there sat around a huge fire, were at least ten giants. He recognized one at once- Grawp.
Harry didn't understand, he thought that Grawp and Hagrid were recruiting more giants. Maybe he is spying. Yes that must be it. He thought to himself, there was no way that Grawp would change sides. Never.
'I agree, although you should find out before tomorrow.' Lightning told him.
'Yes- it is a good thing that I bought that mirror, I only hope that Sirius has his on him. Although he should do.' Harry replied and continued walking round making sure that he didn't interrupt the noisy arguing giants.
The manor was quite well protected, but there weren't as many death eaters stood guard as he had assumed there would be. He smiled inwardly at this, ten death eaters, all spread out would be easy. He decided he had tested his luck enough when a sight made him froze. Peter Pettigrew.
'Master- not now, we must wait, we will catch him tomorrow, I will make sure.' Lightning told him urgently, Harry sighed and nodded, if he caught him now he wouldn't stand a chance to get his locket. He had to wait, but he just hoped that patience would come to him.
Harry had no idea how long he had been flying but his numb hands told him he needed to get off his broom. Lightning was by his side enjoying the freedom of flying as much as Harry was. He looked down and smiled, They were obviously very far south as there wasn't any snow, the down side was that he doubted there were any wizard shops and he only had wizard money. He chose to land behind a small building, that looked deserted. Knowing he looked extremely out of place in his robes he took them off and smiled when he caught sight of himself- he looked just like a muggle now.
'Lightning, you need to hide- you'll attract too much attention. How about you stay here whilst I have a scout round?' Harry whispered pulling out his invisibility cloak and making sure that it covered his broom and bag.
'Yes I will stay here, if I think something is wrong I will sing in my head, you will hear me. If you need help, just call, I'll bring your things and come straight to you.' Harry nodded and looked carefully round, the place felt familiar yet he couldn't understand why. He walked round the front of the building and stopped dead. He knew why the place felt familiar now. It was the village in which he had taken the killing curse again, yet how he knew he wasn't sure. He felt a pull towards one direction and shrugged. Trust your instinct.
The house looked deserted, Harry knew better though, he knew that there were order members everywhere, but he really did need some muggle money. Sighing he walked boldly up to the front door and turned to face the gardens.
'I need you help.' He said to nobody. He waited and watched as ten order members walked out into the open wands raised, he held up his hands to show that he had no wand and looked for a face he knew, almost passing out with relief when he saw Moody.
'Your supposed to be in London.' He growled, his face showing he didn't think that it was Harry at all. Harry smiled sadly.
'There was a change of plan, it seems that I had to go on a little quest, I need to find a locket that my mum gave to me before she died so that I can gain my powers that he knows not.' He spoke the last bit quietly, in case there were death eaters around.
'Prove it's you.' Moody growled again, and Harry began to worry slightly, what if he didn't believe him? He was as good as dead.
'Ask me something.' Harry said trying to think of something that he didn't know and praying he wasn't asked that.
'What is your patronus?' Somebody called, Harry smiled slightly.
'Too easy, a lot of people know that it's a stag- my dads animagus form in fact, Prongs.' Harry looked again at Moody
'What did Voldemort do when he possessed you in June?' Kingsley said loudly, causing Harry to shudder as he remembered.
'He wanted Dumbledore to kill me, Voldemort's exact words- if death is nothing Dumbledore, kill the boy. But Albus wouldn't, because of the prophecy. The reason Voldemort couldn't stay in my body is because I wanted to die so that I could join Sirius and as I thought this my body filled with love- something that Voldemort couldn't survive. He was forced from my body, he left straight away as the atrium filled with voices, as people began to arrive.' Harry wiped the tear away from his eye, he had never told anybody about what had caused Voldemort to be gone from him.
'How did Sirius escape in your third year?' Moody asked smiling, if Harry knew this then it was definitely Harry, Harry to smiled.
'Me and Hermione used a time turner to rescue Buckbeak, we then flew to the window and Sirius climbed out- thanks to Hermione and an unlocking spell, we went to the highest tower and we climbed off. The last thing he said too me- we'll see each other again, you truly are your fathers son Harry. there are you going to hex me or do you trust me now, because I could beat you all hands down, but I'm tired and I'd rather not have to.' Harry sighed and sat down suddenly aware how tired he was.
'Sorry Harry- we have to be careful you know. What can we do for you?' Tonks said running forward to help him, he hadn't seen her at the back of the group.
'I need somewhere to sleep, and I need some muggle money.' He said yawning, she nodded and helped him up, he remembered Lightning and looked round quickly. 'Lightning.' He called quietly, but everybody heard him. Seconds later the great black phoenix flew towards him, carrying a parcel, dropping it gracefully he landed on Harry's shoulder.
He woke the next morning with Mr. Weasley sat next to him, Harry smiled slightly remembering where he was.
'Good morning Harry, are you feeling better? Lightning has gone to find himself some food.' Harry nodded sitting up in bed.
'Nobody else is here are they?' he asked nervously.
'No- I'm here because I'm on duty, Remus and Sirius will be here in about half an hour though, and I can tell you they are worried sick. They had such a go at Albus when they found out it was him that said you should go. Only your friends and parents seemed to understand. Ginny was the one to thank for that.' He replied smiling at him.
'It wasn't Albus, I've known for a while that I would have to leave, I was just hoping that I got to spend Christmas with you first. I'd better get dressed.' He added Arthur nodded and left. Harry stretched out on the bed. It was about 6.30 am judging by the way it was still dark outside. He would need to leave by 8 am at the latest. He dressed quickly using a cleaning spell on his clothes he walked down the stairs. The house was exactly as it had been in his dream, well nightmare really. He had looked into the room where he had been hit and smiled. It had been cleared, the only thing that remained was a picture of Harry as he got hit with the killing curse for the second time.
He wandered round waiting for somebody to come back in with some food, the house reminded him of another, and as soon as he realized he almost passed out with shock. He was in Godrics Hollow. This was his house. Which at once confused him- why would a stranger be in his house? He removed his shirt to look once more at his scar and saw once again as he had last night when he had entered the house that it was glowing. He traced the pattern with his hand, feeling the roughness of the scar tissue, but it gave him comfort. Made him feel better.
He had no idea how long he had stood there, until Remus and Sirius walked in, almost knocking him over in there haste to hug him. He pushed them off at once causing them to both freeze.
'What was Rachel doing in my house? And I want the truth.' He glared at them both, seeing the nervous looks they shared.
'How did you know that this was the Hollow? How did you find it anyway?' Sirius asked nervously, and Harry realized that it was under the secret keeper charm, he shouldn't be able to enter unless Peter told him where it was.
'Oh no Harry- Dumbledore is the secret keeper now, we changed right after you got hit with the killing curse again. As to the question you asked Rachel is my wife, the child she was protecting was mine.' Harry gasped in surprise, he had never known that Remus was married, let alone that he had a child.
'Wow- why doesn't she live with you then? She could come and live with us at school- or at #12. But I mean the little girl- she must be starting Hogwarts this September anyway.' Harry asked quickly, he knew that they were hiding something.
'She cant Harry, Voldemort is desperate for my daughter to join him because then he knows that he would have us all. You see I would go after her, and who would come after me?' Harry sighed and nodded.
'I would go instantly, as would my friends, and my mum and the marauders. Yeah I see your point, oh well, best I hurry up and kill him then so that you can be family again.' He added cheerfully. He grabbed the bag containing the food that they had bought with them and began wolfing down the contents. He didn't stop until he was completely full, and smiled guiltily.
'I haven't eaten for a while and I am starving.'
'Yes I had noticed.' Remus remarked dryly. 'You'll be pleased to know then that Albus has had a great idea. Wherever you are click your fingers together and call Dobby. He will appear instantly at your side, to do whatever you want, he can fetch help, food anything.' Harry grinned, that would be extremely helpful.
They talked for another half an hour until Harry realized that he must be going. They didn't try and stop him though he knew they both wanted to.
'I have to do this you know?' He asked quietly as they said good bye. Remus nodded forcefully.
'We know, but Harry I'm being deadly serious here, please don't wait until its too late to call for help. We want you back alive- we would all rather live in a world with Voldemort than without you, at least for as long as we can.' Harry smiled sadly.
'Your both great you know that?' He hugged Remus and turned to Sirius, watching as tears fell down his cheeks. Harry nodded slightly at the unasked question and Sirius grabbed him into a breath taking hug.
'If you come back with a single mark on your body- I'll kill Lightning OK?' Harry grinned and nodded.
He didn't look back as he climbed onto his Firebolt, he knew that if he did he would cry. He didn't wave to the order members as they stood and watched him leave. He flew up in the air and sat perfectly still. Lightning appeared at his side, and Harry felt it, felt the pull to go South West. He closed his eyes and nodded, taking his hands off of his broom as he allowed it to go the way it was being pulled.
'What's he doing Remus?' Sirius asked quietly.
'He's following his instincts, the locket, it was designed for him, it will pull him towards it all the time, it wont rest until it is with its master again.' Remus replied watching until Harry was but a dot in the distance.
'He's going to the Riddle manor isn't he?' Tonks asked quietly. Remus nodded.
'That's where we think that it is. I know that Voldemort tried to use the locket when he was first returned to his body, but he couldn't wield the power because it is made from pure love. I hope that he can get it without being hurt.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry continued flying all day, he ate on his broom knowing that he couldn't stop, but at the same time he wished that he wasn't going where he was heading. He knew where the locket was, knew because his head told him it was the only place it would be. He saw the outline of Little Hangleton as the light began to fade. Realizing that this was a disadvantage to him as he wasn't familiar with the place he knew he would have to wait until day break, but he could use the darkness to see who guarded the place.
He landed lightly in the cover of some trees, Lightning landed just above his head on one of the branches.
'What do you think lightning?' he asked quietly.
'I agree we should wait until morning. And that we should look around. Although I know my way round very well already. But of course you do not. Do you have a plan?' Harry smiled slightly.
'Capture as many death eaters as possible and retrieve the locket- by tomorrow night. That sound OK to you?' Lightning chuckled softly, it still made Harry smirk when he had conversations with the phoenix inside his head. Darkness came quickly which was good.
Harry ate some food and then once the guards had changed he began walking silently round the grounds to decide where he could attack from best. The grounds were huge and overgrown but he smiled at this, it would be a huge advantage. The house looked run down and neglected, and Harry thought silently how beautiful it must have once looked. He shook his head and continued on, Lightning flying high above keeping an eye out for any death eaters. Harry walked round one rose bush and froze, for there sat around a huge fire, were at least ten giants. He recognized one at once- Grawp.
Harry didn't understand, he thought that Grawp and Hagrid were recruiting more giants. Maybe he is spying. Yes that must be it. He thought to himself, there was no way that Grawp would change sides. Never.
'I agree, although you should find out before tomorrow.' Lightning told him.
'Yes- it is a good thing that I bought that mirror, I only hope that Sirius has his on him. Although he should do.' Harry replied and continued walking round making sure that he didn't interrupt the noisy arguing giants.
The manor was quite well protected, but there weren't as many death eaters stood guard as he had assumed there would be. He smiled inwardly at this, ten death eaters, all spread out would be easy. He decided he had tested his luck enough when a sight made him froze. Peter Pettigrew.
'Master- not now, we must wait, we will catch him tomorrow, I will make sure.' Lightning told him urgently, Harry sighed and nodded, if he caught him now he wouldn't stand a chance to get his locket. He had to wait, but he just hoped that patience would come to him.