AN: Wow. Summer has flown, school has inundated me, and I'm temporarily breaking the surface for some air.
Or that's how it feels. I will soon be drowning again.
But England was amazing. I especially fell in love with Wales-- the endless countrysides, the sheep, the people, the language, the history. ::sigh:: And to top it off, when we were at our English homestay, we went to GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL (i.e. the film setting for HOGWARTS)!!!!!!!!!
It was amazing. We were staying in the town next to Gloucester. We took the train... it felt just like waiting for the Hogwarts Express. We hurried through the muggle parts of town. And then we were there.
My pictures didn't come out very well. I'm so mad. But I have been to HOGWARTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ::ecstatic happy!dance::
You should go. Like, right now. Actually no, you should read and review this fic first, and then go.
Enough ranting by me, enjoy the fic!
Last time: ( "Where will the Order go?" said Ron, struggling to form words.
Dumbledore looked directly at Harry. "Godric's Hollow." )
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"Godric's Hollow." The words seemed to echo in Harry's mind. His parents' home. His birthplace. Their deathplace.
He couldn't be sure if Ron and Ginny understood the significance of the place, but he knew they heard him gasp. He refused to look at them and focused his gaze on Dumbledore as he struggled to respond. "Why. have you. returned?" he gulped.
"Several reasons, Harry," said Dumbledore calmly as he peered over his half-moon spectacles. "After Grimmald Place, the best available headquarters is in Godric's Hollow. Though the new location does not have quite as much protection as the Black mansion, the Potter manor has many natural defenses."
Harry couldn't believe his ears. "Potter... manor?" he said, dumbfounded. "But my house was destroyed!"
"Voldemort destroyed the home of Lily and James," corrected Dumbledore as Ron and Ginny flinched. "He did not know of the older forgotten manor."
The room was silent. Harry glared at Dumbledore accusingly. "I thought you were going to tell me everything."
Dumbledore lowered his head in shame. "One forgets that you were not raised knowing this already. Truly, Lily and James often forgot about the manor themselves."
"Forgot about a manor?!" echoed Ron.
"Albus, would it be better to speak to Harry alone?" asked Lupin tentatively.
"Whatever he has to tell me, Ron can hear," snapped Harry.
"And Ginny?" said Lupin cautiously.
"She can stay too."
"Very well," said Dumbledore as he adjusted his glasses. "It seems it is time that I teach you what you never learned of your family history."
"The Potters, though of mixed blood and forgotten ancestry, are an ancient wizarding family and traditionally well-off. Their home has traditionally been in Godric's Hollow. However, your great-grandfather was exceptionally affluent and loved modern muggle and wizard technology. He left the ancient family manor of Godric's Hollow in the care of some house elves and built a summer house on the shores of the sea. Later, your grandfather and his sons lived exclusively in this newer house."
"Sons?" echoed Harry. He felt that he couldn't take much more of this.
"James had an older brother," said Lupin slowly, looking down. "Michael. He became one of Voldemort's earliest supporters."
Harry felt his world crumbling in as Ron and Ginny gasped. He had an uncle on his father's side? His uncle was a Death Eater?!
Slowly Dumbledore's soothing voice penetrated his consciousness. "Michael's father, Phineas Potter--your grandfather-- was in school with Tom Riddle," explained Dumbledore. Harry noticed Ginny shudder in remembrance. "Before Tom had even changed his name, he visited a few of his more influential classmates and tried to turn them to his cause. He succeeded in some cases, but Phineas would not be swayed by his flowing words. However, ideals of "unity" and the "existence of the wizarding word revealed to muggles" appealed to young Michael. He began to follow and support Tom Riddle, but too late he realized what Voldemort was really planning. Poor Michael. He became one of many who could not get out. The Death Eaters tortured him to death for trying to escape."
The room was silent in shock. Lupin lowered his head sadly.
"The house by the sea was ransacked and taken by Death Eaters not long after Michael's death. In their first defiance of Voldemort, Lily and James saved a dying Phineas and apparated to Godric's Hollow. The aged man died soon afterwards, his spirit broken by Michael's death. The old manor was left to James, but Lily insisted that she wanted to raise her children among muggles and wizards alike."
"She was overcome by the age and the vastness of the place," commented Lupin with a smirk. "Besides, it was crumbling in places."
"And still is, unfortunately," continued Dumbledore. "They left the ancient manor to the care of the house-elves once more, and built their home in a muggle neighborhood nearby. Later they helped found the Order of the Phoenix, and lent the old manor as our original headquarters."
"And now you will return," finished Harry, confusion and awe in his voice.
"All other places have been taken or destroyed," said Lupin sadly.
"I had no idea I had a house," said Harry in the same awed voice.
"Nor did anyone else," smirked Lupin. "I think James rarely remembered any house besides where he grew up by the sea. I found out later, through the Order, that he never even knew much about the house, except that it existed. He had only visited Godric's Hollow once or twice in his childhood. He never even thought to speak of such a 'dull' topic in school."
"Which will be one of our protections," explained Dumbledore. "No one knows of or remembers the existence of any Potter manor. Most recall the home among the muggles. Some recall the house by the sea. It is our hope that none will recall the crumbling manor."
"And none should speak of it," said Lupin, staring at Ron and Ginny. "Never in Hogwarts, nor anywhere until you are safely within the manor itself. Secret ears can easily listen without your knowledge."
"What about Hermione?" blurted out Ron suddenly.
"Ah, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore carefully, polishing his glasses. "I debated inviting her to this meeting, but I decided against it. We cannot have too many ears know. And after all, she is not directly affected by the kidnapping of Arthur or the return to Godric's Hollow."
"She's like a part of our family!" blurted Ron again before Harry could protest as well.
"Indeed. And she will undoubtedly be invited to the Burrow for the winter holiday, but will instead find herself led to this place where she will be safe among the Order. But until that time, I would advise you not to speak of it."
"You're asking us to keep a secret like this from her for all these weeks?! Why couldn't you have just invited her here in the first place."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, but when all other reasons failed, I realized you would need someone to help you with all the Potions work you have undoubtedly missed."
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Harry's mind was a whirr as he stumbled down the hall. Ginny bade them farewell and hurried off to History of Magic. Ron and Harry didn't look at each other as they moved towards the Charms classroom.
How much had happened in Dumbledore's office? Mr. Weasley was kidnapped by Death Eaters. Sirius' house was taken. The Potter Manor. James' brother. Michael, a Death Eater. Godric's Hollow, the new headquarters of the Order. Don't tell Hermione.
And Fawkes. Fawkes had burst into flame. "From the ashes, I will rise from the fire." Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the strange red gem. The torchlight danced across its surface, but the gem seemed to burn with an inner flame. It was still warm to touch.
Was this the first solution to the riddle?
"Oh, you're finally back! You missed so much in Potions! Snape is trying to overwhelm us with new material!"
Harry drifted back to reality as Hermione hurried towards them. He opened his mouth to say something, but didn't know where to start. Ron acted similarly.
Hermione eyed them strangely. "What's wrong with you two?"
Harry tried to move his mouth, but a squeaky voice echoed from within the classroom. Hermione jumped. "C'mon, we're gonna be late!" She dragged them inside before either could say anything.
The warm red gem continued to rest in Harry's closed palm.
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AN: Sorry for the shortness, but I honestly haven't had any time to check in the past month, let alone write. When all this college stuff is done, I will be able to write longer and more frequently. But until then, please be happy that I chose this fic to update. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review Responses:
KoKo Belle- mwhaha. Mina may be in the Mirror, but remember that it's merely smart fans than have realized what the enscirption means. Harry only read it once and forgot it. mwhahaha!
Tsuki no Tenshi- Hope this answered your question bout Hermione. :D Thanks for reminding me haha.
Kitoky- haha, enter moody!Harry. I need to do flashbacks for R/U, because Usa's taking to long to get here haha.
angelwings6117- yep, mina's in the mirror, but this will be one of those things that the audience knows but the characters don't realize. We may be shouting at them soon... heh. And I love Arthur. Sorry he keeps being hurt/kidnapped. He will be ok, I hope...
Seren Lunar Echo- YES!!! My Lupin is a moustache-free sandy blond too. :D Don't like movie!Lupin rarr!
Heroine of the Valley- yep, this is after the Stars and in the 6th year. I'm not a big fan of the 5th book through. GRRRR!!!!
labellily- ::cowers:: Err... sorry for the delay. I hope the Green Day concert went well. heh.
Shi no Hakari- yah, I should definitely do more flashbacks to the MWPP era. Thanks! Will be sure to include that in the future.
MidnightGodess- so many questions, I love it! :D I adore R/U pairings. Did you check out "Moonshadow"? You should. :P And the other pairings are still fluid as of now. The Seed of Mars was the first crystal found, as you have now seen. Wonder who'll be next. ::wink::
Moon-n-Universe-Goddess- eep! sorry for the shortness. I keep wanting to just get them out that I don't focus on the length enough. So sorry!
shelum- yep, the gem indicates the spirit of Mars, but I can't say more than that. :D
MFlower49- So sorry! Though I'm afraid this chapter may have provided more questions than answers.
Maiden Genisis- haha, Usa's return will be the big surprise. Sorry, can't tell. ;D
Sunshine Fia- Sorry no more Seeds yet, had to set the plot first. More soon! And yes, England was amazing.
Thanks also to:
serinde miriel
momocolady
setsuna-3000
AznMetalHeadGurl
Sugar sweet
Lady Light
Sylverwind
Thank you everyone for your continued patience and dedication. Ja for now!
-Calli-chan
P.S. For any LotR crossover fans, join SilverRose82's C2 group. On my profile or hers!