A/N – I rather thought I'd give you a cliffie for the weekend... the LONG weekend. Here in Canada, Easter means a four day weekend... so this will have to last you until Tuesday, unless I take pity on you all over the weekend and slip in a chapter or two...
To those who observe the Christian holidays, Happy Easter.
CQ
Chapter Twenty Seven: Return to Hogwarts Once More
They returned to Hogwarts after dinner that evening via floo from Potter Manor to Dumbledore's office. Harry and Ginny flooed through, followed by Hermione and Ron, and for once, Harry didn't stumble stepping out of the hearth.
"Wow," Ginny laughed. "You can do it."
"I told you I could," he grinned back. "Apparently, you doubted me."
"It's just I had no proof..." she giggled.
"Yes... well, how was your little break, then?" Dumbledore smiled as Ron and Hermione stumbled out of the floo.
"Ron! Would you try to not trip me, please!"
"Me?" Ron looked affronted. "I've been flooing all my life, Hermione... unlike you..."
"Oi!" Ginny said, glaring at the two of them. "Hush, you two. Our weekend away was very nice, Professor... thank you."
"Yes... very nice..." Hermione flushed, glancing at Ron.
Ron grinned. "Nice to get away."
"Yes..." Dumbledore looked at each of them carefully. "Well, you should all be off to your rooms... Harry... if I might have a word?"
"Of course..." Harry nodded to the others, who left quickly, only Ginny glancing back at him curiously.
After the door closed behind them, Harry turned back to the Headmaster.
"Take a seat, Harry."
"Professor?" Harry was concerned. Dumbledore seemed almost... uncomfortable.
"Harry... I feel it is my duty..."
"What's happened?" Harry was immediately on guard. Dumbledore smiled sadly as he watched the boy's back straighten and his hand go for his wand.
"Harry..." he sighed. "It has become common knowledge that you and some of your classmates have been removed from classes."
"We knew that it would, Professor," Harry didn't relax... he couldn't. Dumbledore had something to say that he didn't care to, and it was making Harry nervous.
"Harry... over the weekend..."
"Who?" Harry asked, cold realization hitting him.
"Colin and Dennis Creevy's home was attacked. They were, of course, here at school... their parents were not so lucky. Nor was the family of Mr Boot."
"It's possible that it was just a random... isn't it?" Harry watched as the old headmaster shook his head.
"Blaise Zambini's father... who we always suspected of being a Death Eater, but could not prove it, disowned young Blaise... and there was an attack in Southhampton earlier today."
"Southhampton...?" Harry took a swift breath. Hermione's parents lived in Southhampton. "Mr and Mrs Granger? They're okay?"
"Yes... they... the Aurors were watching, after the attack on the Creevy and Boot families... and well, they were removed before the attack... just before the attack... but they got out. They are..."
"Where?"
"We've put them at Grimmauld Place until Miss Granger can be..."
"Hermione needs to be told!"
"Yes, Harry," Dumbledore looked levelly at him. "She does."
"But..."
"The Grangers have requested that you speak to her first... they seem to be under the impression that..."
"What?"
"That the two of you are... close."
"We are!"
"No, Harry... apparently, Miss Granger has not shared the... details... of your rather unique relationship with them. They believe..."
Harry looked at the headmaster, confused, for a moment. Then he realized what Dumbledore was saying.
"They don't think..."
"Apparently, they do."
"But... they were at the house at Christmas... they saw Ginny and I..."
"Apparently, they think that you have not yet realized Hermione's feelings for you... but they felt that she would take this news better from you than from them. They seem to be under the impression that Hermione thinks that, should they find out the danger she is in in our world, that they will remove her from the school."
Harry, who knew that Hermione regularly kept things from her parents, as did most of the muggleborns in the school, nodded. "That's exactly what she thinks."
"Perhaps you should dissuade her from this belief, Harry. I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth... the Granger's understand that training Hermione is the only way to keep her safe."
"I'll talk to her."
"Good. They are at Grimmauld Place... assure Miss Granger that they are fine, and they hope to see her at Easter, but..."
"Why Grimmauld Place?"
Dumbledore looked curiously at him. "It was most convenient..."
"But... Hermione was at Potter Manor over the weekend. Why didn't you just bring them there?"
"They were unwilling to disrupt the festivities, Harry."
"Oh..." Harry nodded. "Well, they're welcome to move there now, if they like... I can see how having them in headquarters might pose a few problems..."
"Indeed," Dumbledore agreed. "Thank you, Harry... they would perhaps be more comfortable in your home than at headquarters, although I understand that Hermione's father is fascinated with Remus..."
Harry, who knew full well where Hermione got her drive for knowledge from, smiled.
"I'm sure that Remus is thrilled. There is more space at Potter Manor, Professor... feel free to move them there."
"Excellent, Harry. Perhaps you could speak to Miss Granger this evening?"
"Of course. Professor?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"They are okay?"
"In perfect health, I assure you."
"But the house...?"
"Completely gone."
"I see."
After a moment's silence, Harry looked up at the professor once more. "Professor?"
"Yes?"
"The other students are curious."
"Of course they are."
"I'm not surprised that it's gotten around... and out..."
"Nor am I, Harry."
"This is part of what you meant, wasn't it? When you said that our lives would change dramatically?"
"Yes, Harry."
Harry nodded. "We have to stop this."
"Yes."
"It's coming soon," Harry mused, gazing at Fawkes. "I can feel it."
"I know, Harry... I, too, feel the evil approaching."
"I want..."
"What?"
"Professor Dumbledore... how do I...?"
"What, Harry?"
"How do I make a will?"
Dumbledore sat back in his tall leather chair, a look of surprise on his face. Apparently this was not what he had expected Harry to ask.
"Harry?"
"I..." Harry sighed. "If I could, I'd marry her tomorrow, Professor. Mrs Weasley would lose her mind if I suggested it, though. I need... I need to know that Ginny, and her family, will be okay. If the worst happens."
"Do you really think that they would be? If they lost you?"
"I... I need to believe that they would be. I don't want... I want to know that she's taken care of."
"Harry, I assure you that Ginny Weasley would be taken care of, should the worst happen."
"But I want to be the one to take care of her, Professor."
"Harry," Dumbledore spoke softly. "The worst thing about war is watching what it does to the young... what it robs them of. You and Ginny Weasley..."
"I know, Professor... but I can't guarentee anything... to anyone."
"No... but perhaps..."
"Perhaps?"
"Well, leave it with me. If you feel the need to make a will, we can do so... nothing more formal than a written record of your wishes, witnessed by two signatures, need be done... but we can arrange for something more... formal... should you like."
"Yes, sir."
After a moment's silence, Harry stood, then looked back down to the elderly wizard seated behind the desk.
"Sir?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Why did you leave me there? When you knew that Potter Manor was there... that Remus would... why did you leave me there?"
"I had to try," Professor Dumbledore said sadly. "I'm sorry, Harry, but I had to try."
"For what?"
"For Petunia... I'm sorry, Harry... but you aren't the only one I've made promises for."
Harry, knowing that Dumbledore had known his grandparents, suddenly understood, and nodded. "Thank you, Professor."
"I have no idea for what," the old man had crystal tears in his eyes as he shook his head.
"For telling me the truth when I asked," Harry said. "It's all I ever really wanted."
Ron, Ginny and Hermione were actually waiting in the corridor outside Dumbledore's quarters when Harry exited.
"Harry?" Ginny took in his white face, and paled. "What's wrong? What's happened?"
"We need to go to the Room of Requirement... straight away."
"What's happened?" Ron parroted his sister.
"We need to talk... but not here," Harry glanced around. The hallways were empty, but one could never tell. "Come on."
Once they were settled in the Room of Requirement, a cosy fire burning in the hearth and large squashy couches for them to sit on, Harry sighed.
"What has happened?" Hermione asked, her eyes showing her concern.
"There... there have been some things happen this weekend, things that directly affect the group... us and the others..."
"What?" Ron asked, watching as Harry paced. Harry took a deep breath and came to sit beside Hermione.
"There were some attacks this weekend..."
"Who?" Hermione's eyes showed her fear. "Harry... who?"
"Your home... your home was destroyed, Hermione... but your parents are okay."
Hermione let out a sobbing sigh of relief. "Where are they?"
"The Aurors got there... got them out... before the attack. Immediately before the attack. They're at Grimmauld Place."
"But..." Hermione looked confused. "Why didn't they come to Potter Manor?"
"Dumbledore said that they didn't want to disrupt Percy and Penelope's wedding..."
"Disrupt?"
"I've... spoken to him about that, Hermione. Your parents will probably be moving to Potter Manor shortly..."
"I need to go..." Hermione stood.
"Hermione... there's more."
Quietly, she sat back down.
"Listen... your parents seem to have gotten the impression..."
"What?"
"What have you told them about us?"
"Us?"
"Us," Harry flushed. "You... and me."
"What do you mean?" Hermione looked at him, confused and more than a little impatient.
"They asked that I speak to you... that I... break the news of the attack to you... because they seem to be under the impression that you and I..."
"What?" Ron stood, glaring down at Harry.
"They have no reason to think that, Ron!" Harry glared back.
"Of course they don't!" Hermione gasped. "I swear, Harry..."
"Hermione, I'm fully aware that it's just a misunderstanding... but I think it's important that you share the truth... the whole truth... with them."
"But..." she suddenly looked frightened again.
"Hermione, they know that you think they'll pull you. They've assured Dumbledore that they have no intention of doing that... they know that being properly trained is the only chance you have... they know that you wouldn't become less of a target if they were to remove you from the school."
Hermione's eyes were surprised. Then she nodded, and turned into Ron's arms as he sat back down next to her. "I'll owl them..."
"There's more," Harry said, tiredly.
"There's more?" Ginny gasped.
"Hermione's family wasn't the only one attacked... but they were the only ones who survived."
"Who else?"
"Colin Creevy and Terry Boot. Both their homes were decimated. Their families weren't so lucky as the Grangers."
"But how did my family...?" Hermione looked at him.
"The attack on the Boots and the Creevys came first," Harry explained. "Aurors were on their way already to the other homes when the attack on your parents came. And.."
"There's more?" Ginny gasped again.
"Blaise Zambini's father has publicly disowned him. He cited no reasons, but..."
"But?" Ron asked in a dull voice.
"But..." Harry took a breath. "The Order has long suspected that he's a Death Eater."
"Merlin..." Ron sighed. "So they're targetting our group?"
"It would look that way."
After a moment of silence, Ginny spoke. "I don't want to go back to the dorm tonight. Can't we just stay here?"
Harry looked around the room, the cosy fire, the comfortable couches.
"I'll stay here," he agreed.
Ron and Hermione exchanged a look, and seemed about to agree when there was a knock on the door. Harry stiffened, pulled out his wand, and pointed it at the door, removing the privacy charm he'd placed.
"Who is it?"
"It's me... Harry... I figured you'd all be here," Blaise Zambini's voice called through the wood. "Let me in."
Harry released the door and it opened quickly, closing behind the Slytherin boy.
"Thanks," he panted.
"Blaise?" Harry stood, looking at the other boy, shocked.
"What the hell...?" Ron stood, too, pushing Hermione behind him.
The other boy, taller though not so broad as Ron, leaned back against the door, his robes were torn and there was blood trickling down the side of his face from somewhere in his hairline. He had a rapidly blackening eye, and a scorch mark was visible on his shirt beneath his robes.
"What happened?" Harry said, feeling fury beginning deep inside.
"My father disowned me..." Blaise said on a sigh. "Which, in Slytherin, basically means you get to be a punching bag for those who followed the Malfoy line of thinking..."
"I want their names," Harry said.
"Leave it, Harry."
"Blaise..."
"Harry..." Blaise met his eyes. "Leave it."
In the end, Seamus and Neville showed up as well, pulling a visibly upset Colin Creevy along with them, and Luna and Terry Boot shortly after that. The ten of them sat around the fire, talking until the early hours.
Shortly before two in the morning, there was a soft knock on the door, and Harry opened it to find Dumbledore standing there.
"As I suspected," the elderly wizard nodded, seeing the others in the room behind Harry. "You do realize that Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall did not know where you were?"
"Sorry, Professor... we just..."
"Yes. I understand," Dumbledore stepped into the room. "Yes, I... Mr Zambini?"
"Yes, Professor?"
Dumbledore looked at him closely for a moment. "Anything you would care to tell me?"
"No," Blaise shook his head, a hard look in his eyes.
"Very well," Dumbledore nodded. "You would all perhaps benefit from getting some sleep..."
"We need to talk, Professor.."
"Yes, I know. You may transfigure beds in here for the night, rather than chance running into Mr Filch or his rather... observant... cat. I shall speak to you in the morning... please do not leave here before I come... I'm sure that the room can provide for all of your needs until then."
"Thank you, Professor."
Dumbledore had been gone for several minutes when there was another knock on the door.
"Bloody hell..." Ron huffed.
"Is there a party going on in here?" Susan Bones stuck her head around the edge of the door, followed closely by Ernie MacMillian.
"The gangs all here..." Seamus smiled.
"Dumbledore stopped by our dorm... and told us we might be needed. Everyting okay?" Susan looked closely at Terry Boot, sitting down next to him and laying her hand on his arm. She'd apparently heard.
"We're just... talking." Terry nodded.
"This won't be the last," Hermione said softly. "They know about us now. They know that we've been pulled out for something special... and knowing what Voldemort knows about Harry... it's not a stretch for him to have figured out it has nothing to do with Muggle University."
Ron snorted.
"There will be more attacks," Ginny agreed, looking at her brother. "Ron...?"
The light of understanding immediately lit Ron's face. He swallowed. "Harry?"
"They'll be fine, Ron. I'm sure they'll be fine. Dumbledore knows to move them... if need be."
"But how will he know... if he needs to?" Ginny asked, lifting frightened eyes to Harry's as he held her close.
It was three in the morning before they transfigured beds and curled up to sleep. Ginny refused to leave Harry's arms, despite Luna and Susan's offer to have her share with them. No one even suggested that Hermione leave Ron's side.
The others sprawled where they could find room, and Harry was the last awake. He watched them all in the dim light of the fire, kissed Ginny's forehead and closed his eyes, praying that no one else would lose loved ones in the night.
It was a vain hope, really. Harry realized this the moment he saw the look on Dumbledore's face the following morning.
"Who?" he asked softly, sitting on one of the sofas they'd changed back from a bed.
Dumbledore sighed and sat down heavily. "Harry..."
"Who?"
"There were several attacks in the night."
The others moved around, edging closer, sitting down on the floor nearby. Everyone listened intently, silently.
"Miss Bones..." Dumbledore turned watery blue eyes to the pretty blonde Hufflepuff. Harry noticed the twinkle was gone from the headmaster's eyes.
"No!" Susan cried out. Terry Boot pulled her close, holding her tight.
"Your home was attacked... your parents have gone to stay with your aunt. They will be fine, Miss Bones."
Susan sagged in Terry's arms, burying her face against his chest and sobbing silently. The Ravenclaw boy's eyes closed. When they opened again, Harry saw tears in them. Whether they were of relief or of pain, Harry didn't know. He didn't think he wanted to know.
"Harry..."
Harry's eyes turned to the aging Professor.
"Remus?" he asked flatly, praying it wasn't so, but knowing that prayer seldom worked for him when it came to losing loved ones.
"No... Remus is fine... I... I'm afraid that there was an attack in Little Whinging last night..."
"Aunt Petunia?"
"Your aunt is... she will be fine. She was injured... but she... she will survive. However..."
"Dudley?"
"No, Harry... your uncle."
"Where is Dudley?"
"Staying with your uncle's sister..."
"Are you insane?" Harry asked. "He's still a target... and now Marge, too..."
"No, Harry... they do not know where he is. No one does... but you... and I... and..." his eyes strayed to the others seated nearby.
"But..."
"Harry, he will be fine."
"Aunt Petunia...?"
"Is in St Mungoes. She will be fine, Harry."
"Who?"
"Who?"
"Which bloody Death Eater attacked my aunt's home?"
"We are not sure. However..."
"However?"
"Draco Malfoy was sighted at the scene."
Harry snorted. "Great. Just great."
"Harry..."
"What?"
"I wish to send your aunt to your home... to recuperate."
"She won't go."
"Yes... she will."
"She won't. She wants nothing more to do with me."
"Harry... there is more."
Harry stopped, looked at the headmaster, and stilled. "What?"
"She has... she has lost all memory of the event... she... she seems to think that her injuries... that her injuries were acquired... during the attack on her parent's home."
"She what?"
"She's lost her memory. Petunia Dursley believes that she is Petunia Evans... it's as though the last twenty years have been wiped from her mind... she thinks... she thinks that she's nineteen years old... and she's asking for your mother."
