This chapter is a bit shorter then the last one, but they will get longer, eventually, as the story progresses.
No one managed to guess who sent Harry the note unfortunately. I'm being very tricky with the identity of the writer and I hope that their identity will stay hidden until the time they need to be revealed. Which will not be for sometime! Clues will be given throughout the story though!
Enjoy!
Chapter 5: Godric's Hollow
When Harry showed Hermione the note the next morning she insisted on showing an elder yet Harry was reluctant to do so. He found that it seemed impossible that someone could've sneaked into the house, given him this note, and just as quickly disappeared, but then Hermione said they could apparate from inside the house but only at selective periods of time such as in the morning and in the early evening. So it came down to it that someone had been in the house since the charm sealing the property from discovery had been sealed at the time. It was all very confusing.
"Harry, the Order will understand what this means. I have a suspicion but it's a good idea to alert someone we trust to this note!" Hermione said sharply.
Harry folded his arms: he expected Hermione to unravel the mystery quickly but she seemed to think showing an adult was the better thing to do. "I don't know Hermione. What if they think we're joking?"
"Don't be silly, Harry!" Hermione said, "As if anyone wouldn't believe you!"
Harry growled angrily. "You can say that can't you?"
Hermione quickly put her hand over her mouth. "Oh, I'm sorry, Harry, I forgot."
"You forgot that the whole Wizarding community thought I was a liar for an entire year!" Harry said, his temper rising. "Quite easy to forget isn't it?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you like that." pleaded Hermione.
Harry dismissed and took the letter from Hermione. "If I tell anyone it will be Moony."
Rid of his sudden good mood Harry proceeded away from Ron and Hermione and went through the house to where Buckbeak was being kept. The Hippogriff looked up as he entered the room but ignored him when he sat down by the wall, holding the piece of paper in front of him. He began to concentrate as if trying to read through the lines: there was something there nagging in his mind. What did it mean?
They betrayed you, he knows, get away from no. 12 before they come.
The words rang through his head. Could it be possible someone from the Order had betrayed their whereabouts to Voldemort? The note certainly implied it. It did tell him to get away from number 12 as soon as possible. Was it possible that, if Voldemort knew where headquarters was, he would send his Death Eaters to attack it? Surely not in the middle of London?
There came a knock at the door and Lupin came in looking low and shabby. His cloak was dirty and he looked worn out. "Hermione tells me you've got something to show me."
Harry's eyes widened; he felt angry at Hermione for informing Lupin but was also glad that he could trust Lupin with this. "Well," he hesitated, "I woke up last night and found this note that wasn't there before right by my bedside. Here."
Lupin took the note and read through it. His eyes swiveled from the note to Harry and then to the note again. His breathing came quicker, faster, and Harry thought he was having a heart attack.
"Moony?"
"We have to get out of here, out of headquarters, everyone." Lupin demanded.
"What? Why?" Harry asked.
"Because this means that Voldemort knows where we are. Someone has betrayed us but only the secret keeper knows where the exact position is…unless Dumbledore has been right all along about 'the situation'." Lupin was now hurriedly muttering to himself, Harry catching only few words.
"What situation?"
"Nothing," Lupin shushed, "we must evacuate this place now. Harry, go get Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Bill and Charlie. All of them are back in your room. I'll alert the other members of the Order."
Harry was rushed out of the room. Confused but a little frightened he made his way back to his room he shared with Ron, entered and found Hermione rushing towards him. "What did Lupin say?"
"He's evacuating everyone. He seems to think Voldemort will attack. I don't believe the note implies that!" Harry said.
"Of course it does!" Hermione replied, "Harry, someone doesn't want you to get hurt in this attack…"
"If there is one!" Harry interrupted hotly.
Hermione ignored him, continuing. "…so they've warned you that there will be one!"
"Who would betray us?" Ron asked. "Dumbledore is secret keeper for the Order, he wouldn't give our position away."
"Maybe, but it could be one of the members. Lots of people have joined since Voldemort was declared active. Dumbledore would only let them join if he knew they were completely trustworthy, but some of them could be under the Imperious Curse." Hermione frowned, obviously trying to work out the answer.
Charlie, one of Ron's older brothers spoke up, Harry had completely forgotten that both Bill and Charlie were in the room. "Perhaps the traitor is Will Shaken-Pear? You know that Wizard who was kind of shifty when he came here first time. He joined after dad went to the Ministry and started telling people about the Order. I don't think dad trusts him that much, bearing mind he was once under the Imperious Curse before."
"He was?" Harry and Hermione asked, shocked.
"Yes. He was one of the few Wizards who claimed he was acting under the curse but dad doesn't believe it. Apparently Will always had this fascination about the Dark Arts and he came from a family who detested half-bloods and Muggle-borns. Though he did teach at Hogwarts for a while. I think he taught Potions when your father was at school, Harry." Bill said.
"So he could betraying us?" Ron asked.
"Definitely little bro." Charlie said.
"Why does Dumbledore trust him if he hates people like Harry and Hermione?" Ginny asked, "Sorry if that offends you."
"Dunno. Maybe its like Snape. Maybe he turned traitor on You-Know-Who." Charlie said.
There came a knock at the door and Lupin entered looked disheveled. "Come on you lot. We've got to leave. Leave your things! Everything will be collected at a safer time!"
Harry looked doubtful but complied, slipping his wand out of his pocket, in case something was going to happen. He looked around at the others and saw that they too had done the same: all looked anxious. Was Harry the only one who wasn't taking this seriously?
They quickly descended the stairs. "To the kitchen!" Lupin hissed. "We're going to Floo to the Ministry. Fudge has been alerted to the circumstances."
Harry nodded and led the way, aware of the sudden tension that was building up behind him. His scar suddenly prickled, immense pain scorched through it and he realized that he had fallen down to the floor. His hands came to his head, he struggled not to cry but the pain was so blinding and in his agony he heard a cry of help shouting his name: "HARRY!" but it was no one near him as far as he could tell.
Then as he lay there, people stepped over him and he heard shouts of voices echoing spells around him. Though his head throbbed, he struggled and at last opened his eyes and saw with horror Death Eaters shooting spells around them; Lupin, Bill, Charlie, and a few other members of the Order Harry couldn't identify.
He pushed himself to his feet and was pulled back by Hermione into another room where she, Ron and Ginny were sheltering. "Harry, what happened?"
"My scar." He said simply rubbing it. "Where did the Death Eaters come from?"
"Through the kitchen. They just came through as you fell to the floor." Hermione explained, looking petrified. "I just hope mom and dad don't come here during their break at the Dentists."
Harry heard a yell, and realized it was Lupin. Without thinking he dived out of the room holding his wand. He did not hear Hermione shout 'Harry, no!' all he cared about was helping Lupin. He was not ready to face another death, another person he cared deeply about. Lupin was the only connection to the past that Harry had, and he wasn't ready to give him up so easily.
As he rounded the corner a Death Eater jumped out at him but Harry was ready and shouted "Petrificus Totalus!" His attacker froze in mid-air and slumped to the ground still. Grinning, Harry ran forward and into the fray of Death Eaters and Order members.
He saw Lupin, unconscious on the floor, bleeding from his head and Harry, anger pursing through his veins through an 'Expelliarmus' charm towards the nearest Death Eater calling their wand to them and stripping them of their power to fight.
A stunning spell came his way but in the blink of an eye Harry conjured "Protego!" and the original stunning spell bounced away back to its owner and hit the Death Eater.
Another Death Eater came rushing at him and Harry felt anger rise in his chest: it was Bellatrix Lestrange, the woman who had killed Sirius. He pointed his wand at her and shouted: "Stupefy!" She blocked the spell and Harry ducked as the spell came back to him.
He ran back as she came closer and into the room where Hermione, Ron and Ginny were still hiding. They crowded up against the wall terrified when they saw Bellatrix enter the room after Harry. She sent a stunning spell at him again but he shielded it and sent his own. It narrowly missed her, and in the briefest of seconds she cast the "Expelliarmus!" spell. Harry's wand shot from his fingers and hurtled away.
He was wandless. Looking around he saw his wand scatter to the ground in the corner. Bellatrix raised her wand again, a cruel smile licked across her features, and she cried: "Avada Kedavra!"
Harry didn't have time to think. He ducked and rolled away, narrowly missing the death curse. He tumbled forward, attacking her quickly with his hands and feet. They were on the floor, Bellatrix trying to curse Harry, but he was not letting her. He hit her wherever he could reach.
Then he was flung away from her as someone grabbed him from behind. He hit the wall sliding down it.
"Come on, leave him, Dumbledore's here." Came a voice that Harry recognized but his senses were too scrambled to register what was happening.
There was a scramble for the door and then Harry heard it bang and the clutter of feet dulled away.
Harry lay by the wall trying in vain to clear his head. When at last the pain had ebbed he looked around and saw Hermione, Ron and Ginny huddled in the corner, uninjured, but looking frightened.
"They gone?" he asked.
Hermione nodded.
The door to the room in which they sat in opened and Dumbledore, Charlie and Bill strolled in. They looked tired. Dumbledore surveyed the situation, nodded to Hermione and then went over to Harry, kneeling down to him and speaking: "Harry, I heard about the note. Do you know who sent it?"
Harry shook his head. "No, Professor."
The headmaster nodded. "Good. We're going to take you to the Ministry of Magic. For now we are safe. The Death Eaters will not dare return while I am here. I will be along shortly."
Harry climbed to his feet, retrieved his wand, smiled at Dumbledore and left with the others, flooing to the Ministry with Charlie.
When they arrived at the Ministry of Magic Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were led away from the main bustle of the Ministry: frantic looking Wizards and Witches rushing around comparing reports and flustering over people who had yet to turn up for work. They were settled into a room, a room decorated from head to foot in the color of blue, various books scattered the floor and in an effort to keep their minds occupied, they each picked up a book and began to read. However none seemed keen in actually reading: only Hermione delved deep into hers.
Within the hour Charlie came to them. "Professor Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge would like to speak to you, Harry."
Looking side-long at the others, Harry followed Charlie out of the room and through the Ministry into the lift that took him to the floor of Cornelius Fudge's office. Waiting for him in this room was Dumbledore and Fudge, both wearing vacant expressions. Indicating a seat, Harry sat down facing Fudge, then Charlie left, shutting the door.
Before he could even speak, Dumbledore spoke first. "Harry, can you show me the note?"
Surprised, Harry fished out the note from his pockets and showed Dumbledore who quickly read it and passed it onto Fudge.
"Do you know, have any idea who might have sent it, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"None, professor." Harry said.
"What about you Albus?" Fudge asked.
"There's a possibility who I think it might be but I will not discuss it so openly here." The headmaster replied, taking a side-glance at Harry.
"Right." Fudge said, giving the paper back to Harry who pocketed it. "What about headquarters? If You-Know-Who knows where it is then our operation is no longer safe nor is the house."
Dumbledore was frowning. "If you must know Cornelius there is a back-up place for Order members. Simple but hidden. The cottage in Godric's Hollow."
Harry felt his stomach lurch at that name. Where had he heard it before?
"You mean the house where the Potter's lived?"
Harry's fears were confirmed. He'd have to go there now.
"Yes. The house has been rebuilt, but now it is hidden from all Muggle view. Only myself and a select few know where it is. The village where Godric's Hollow is, is now deserted. People believe the place to be haunted. Many Witches and Wizards hide there when they are in peril or being hunted."
"You are suggesting to move headquarters to Godric's Hollow?"
"Yes I am. The safest place in Britain. I am secret-keeper for it. We can Floo Order members to the house so neither of them will know where the location of Godric's Hollow is even if they step outside they will not recognize it," Dumbledore explained. "The same is with the Dursley's house. Even if Voldemort was standing outside the house he would not see it."
"Excuse me, professor," Harry began, "Couldn't Voldemort just use Floo powder to get to Privet Drive?"
"No. Your Aunt and Uncle's house is not connected by Floo Powder. 12 Grimmauld Place was and that's how the Death Eaters got there and escaped, also Godric's Hollow is protected and Voldemort would not suspect Order members to go there," Dumbledore said, "so its agreed, headquarters is Godric's Hollow?" he held out his hand and Fudge took it.
Harry span round and round, keeping his elbows tucked in, his head clenched to his chest, hoping fervently he wouldn't fall out of the wrong fireplace. Then he landed, hard on his feet, falling over but quickly stopping himself and standing up. The room he was in was a sitting room, quite big and pretty. Ron, Hermione and the Weasley's (including Percy) was there, as well as Lupin (with a bandage round his head), Tonks, and, quite surprisingly, Neville Longbottom.
"Hi," Harry said, brushing dust from himself. He looked towards Percy Weasley who was standing timidly between Charlie and Bill with his mother just behind. Harry couldn't think as to why Percy was here, mainly because Percy had urged Ron to ditch Harry as a friend, and had believed Harry and Dumbledore to be a raving, loony. His questioning gaze was caught by Mrs. Weasley and she stepped forwards.
"Percy has accepted that Dumbledore and you were telling the truth, Harry. He has apologized and now is a member of the Order of the Phoenix. It is good to have him back."
Percy then spoke up, his voice was steady but his eyes showed a sign of fear when he looked at Harry. "I'm sorry for being mean to you Harry, I mean that by informing Ron to not be friends with you. I do regret my actions. I see now that I thought my career was in jeopardy, especially when you came out of the Triwizard and everything."
Harry listened. "That's okay. I believe you." After all, Harry had believed that Percy cared more about himself and his career then his family, and his confession proved it.
As the various people began to crowd away into the house Harry was left with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville.
"What are you doing here, Neville?" Harry asked.
"My gran wanted me to be protected. She said she wanted me to be safe. I was due to go to Headquarters, I believe, but Dumbledore came to us and said I had to come here instead."
"I've just had a thought, are we allowed to do magic still, even if we are not at Grimmauld Place?" Ron asked, "It'll be rotten if we can't!"
"I think its still in effect," said Hermione, "they wouldn't issue us with genuine certificates if they were going to take them away again. Besides if anyone found out where this place is, we'd be allowed to fight."
"That is a good point."
"You can do magic?" Neville asked, "But you're not seventeen!"
Hermione was shrugging but she explained what Cornelius Fudge had done.
"You're lucky! My Gran wouldn't want me doing magic at that age!"
"I suppose we are just lucky." Ron said.
That night Harry's dreams were tormented again, once more about Sirius but then abruptly changing to something completely different. Though he had practiced Occlumency before he had gone off to sleep, it seemed to not work:
Spells rained down and around them. Harry did not care as he ran forward and into the Veil, shouting 'SIRIUS!" he held his wand tightly, perspiration on his forehead. He ran forward, his eyes searching and then catching movement: two figures stepping through a door and vanishing. Screaming, Harry reached the door, found it unlocked, opened it and ran through. Then he saw a sight he so did not want to see. On the other side of the Veil shrouded in darkness was two figures: one was Voldemort as Harry could hear his whispery, snake-like voice, emanating through the air. Another figure crouched on the floor, one that Harry did not recognize, was being punished for something, something that Voldemort hadn't wanted done but had. The man on the floor gave a scream, his body twitching and then lay completely still. No movement and all that Harry could hear was the cruel, malevolent laughter of Lord Voldemort, echoing throughout the realm of dreams.
Harry woke up, sweat dripping into his eyes, shaking violently, his scar thumping with agony. Ron was beside him shaking him; Neville on the other side.
"Harry?" Ron asked., "Are you okay?"
"No," Harry stammered. "I had another dream…another vision I think. Someone was being hurt. Something Voldemort didn't want done, happened."
He lay his head back down on the pillow, the sudden coolness of it calmed the pain. "I'm getting fed up with the same dreams."
"I'm sure it'll get better," Neville said, "Go back to sleep, Harry."
Closing his eyes Harry fell asleep however questions burned his mind once more: Who had been the man Voldemort was punishing? What had happened that Voldemort hadn't wanted done?
TBC
Each chapter is most likely to end with Harry having a dream or receiving a note and the puzzle getting bigger. He will start figuring a few things out once he gets to Hogwarts which will be in, I think, Chapter 7. Chapter 6 will be Harry going to Diagon Alley, getting his O.W.L results and setting off for the train station, hopefully!
Review Responses
Ash Knight: Unfortunately, as I put at the top of the post, no one guessed who the mysterious letter writer is. Its not Snape or an OC. Good guess though! Thanks for the review!
Moon Lace: I firmly believe that authors should always respond to reviewers. I didn't know what Lupin should give Harry for his birthday: I toyed with the idea of giving him a pensive and showing him memories of the Marauders, but I thought that a book written by them would be a better present. I don't like Wormtail in it either but he had to be. The letter writer is not Severus Snape. I think Harry/Bonnie might become a couple later on. I've decided to aim that way, if possible. Thanks for reading, reviewing, and leaving such nice comments.
LunaShadows: You've worked out most of what the note meant apart from who sent it. Harry and Ron are a bit silly ignoring the letter till morning but they didn't understand it. You mentioned about Sirius being alive…um…well…I will settle with saying nothing: I'm toying with the idea at the moment! I think the idea of the book was different from what other authors have done. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
