Chapter Nine
Messages, Love Ones, and Choices"What are you doing here, Neville?" Harry asked, helping Dennis to his feet. The younger man looked a little worse for wear and weary beyond belief. Neville stood leaning against the door watching the healers and the orderlies. Colin was being dragged back into the room, this time three more burly orderlies had arrived, and they brought thick straps to tie him down.
"A call came into Headquarters that a patient needed to be handled. Of course who do you call for such little things? The Aurors of course." He grinned at Harry. "Good thing I had nothing better to do. Else this bastard would've ripped you limb from limb."
"That's my brother you're talking about." Dennis snarled taking a step toward Neville.
Neville stepped back, staring at Dennis. "Damn. Is that you Dennis?" He asked, taking a good look at the young man.
"Colin Creevey." Harry said, gesturing toward the unconscious form being strapped into the bed.
Neville flushed with embarrassment. "Damn. I didn't know. I'm sorry."
"Doesn't matter, Nev." Harry said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I'm glad for your help, but as you can see…Everything's under control."
Neville glanced at Colin. 'What's going on? What happened to him?" He asked.
"That's what we're here to find out." Harry said.
Neville glanced to Dennis and then to Harry. "They're both apart of your … uh …. group. Aren't they?" He asked.
Harry smiled slightly. "Yeah. Colin and Dennis. They're apart of my group."
Neville blew out a breath, running his hand through his close-cropped hair. "Does this have anything to do with what went down in Dublin?"
Harry shrugged. "Can't prove anything." Harry responded, glancing toward Colin. The orderlies gave the straps one last tug and nodded to each other. The Healer moved in gingerly, clipboard in hand and wand out.
Neville glared at Harry. "Damn it, Harry. It's not like everyone doesn't know what you do. Your little mercenary missions, your work for Dumbledore and anyone who has enough gold." Dennis was growling with his fists clenched, but Harry gave him a flat stare that quieted him. Neville was a friend and those were hard to come by. Words could be forgiven easier than actions. "You're stepping on a lot of people's toes nowadays, Harry. You're also pissing off a lot of people in the Ministry, everyone from the Department of Magical Reversal to the Depart of Magical Creatures. Everyone's angry with what you've been doing. This is supposed to be Auror business, not some "free lance specialist" causing all kinds of hell, with no regard to property or bystanders."
"Afraid we're gonna put you out of business, Neville?" Dennis taunted.
Neville glared at Dennis. "Your brother is a friend. That's the only reason I'm not going to snap you in half, boy. My business is to protect and keep the peace, not chase after battles and foolish glory."
"Only a bloody fool chases after battles. I've seen enough bloodshed in my life and I'm not excited to see more. But I do what I have to do. To protect and to keep the peace." Harry replied.
Neville sighed, resignedly. "Do you even know the mess you caused in Dublin? How many man hours had to be put in to just clean it up and make sure the Muggles didn't take notice of nearly seven square blocks burned to ash and heaps of bodies lying about?"
Harry nodded. "The bodies I didn't cause. They were already dead when we got there." He said a bit defensively. "As for the rest, its need to know."
Neville folded his arms across his chest and closed his eyes. "Damn it. I hope you got who ever you were chasing after." He said after a moment.
Harry shook his head. "Unfortunately we had to make a quick exit, reason for the fire. Hopefully we caught a couple of those bastards in the blast, if not." Harry shrugged again. "We can always hunt them down and snuff them out."
Harry sighed, noticing the little look of fear and shock in Neville's eyes. He knew he should be used to it by now, but it always hurt when he saw it in his old friends. How much had he changed? Harry didn't know, it didn't seem much, but whenever he saw the look of fear, disgust, and shock in other people's eyes, it was always troubling. He had been a hero. No, he had been called a Hero, but…Harry shook his head. Now was not the time to be thinking of such things.
The healer was finishing up whatever she was doing. She scribbled onto her clipboard and looked at the three standing at the door.
"What's wrong with him?" Dennis asked.
"We don't know. He's running a high fever, it might be delusions, hallucinations." She ventured. "We're going to have to run a few more tests."
"Healers. All they give you is quarter answers." Dennis sneered, brushing past her. The Healer glared at him and then at Harry and Neville.
"I'll be back with the results soon." She said, pushing past them.
Harry watched Colin. Why had he attacked him? Why had be acted the way he did? The questions rolled in Harry's mind. There had to be a connection somewhere. He had been fine two days ago when they went to Dublin. He'd been himself. Something had to have happened between then and now. The only thing Harry could think of was the battle.
"Hey. He's waking up." Dennis cried. Harry looked and saw that Colin was stirring. Neville pulled out his wand again and glanced to Harry, who did the same. "Colin. Hey, Colin. It's me Dennis. How are you feeling?"
"Where am I?" Colin croaked looking about. "What happened?"
"You're at St. Mungos. You're gonna be okay, you're gonna be healed, real soon." Dennis said. Colin blinked wearily, eyes trying to focus. He saw Harry and suddenly went rigid, eyes rolling back in his sockets. "Colin!"
His back suddenly arched and mouth opened wide, a stuttering scream erupted. Harry backed off, the noise stabbing into his head. Dennis staggered back, clutching his ears and yelling, Neville also imitated Dennis' actions.
"POTTER!" A voice erupted from Colin's mouth. Harry stared at Colin. That was not his voice. Harry felt the beginnings of fear, he knew what it was. He'd seen it used before and it boded no good for anyone, especially Colin. "POTTER! I CAN SEE YOU. I CAN SMELL YOUR FEAR, YOUR ANGER."
"Who is this." Harry demanded, stepping forward.
"AH, HARRY…FORGOTTEN ME ALREADY?" The laugh that came out was chilling, but Harry stood his ground. Feeling his anger turn into a ball of raging flame. Asedemon. How did he get control of Colin?
"You bastard! Release my brother!" Dennis shouted.
"What do you want, Asedemon? Ready to give up? Scared after we crashed your little party the other night?" Harry said.
"OH, YES, HARRY. PUT ON A BRAVE FRONT, PRETEND TO BE STRONG FOR YOUR PATHETIC FRIENDS. I CAN SMELL THE FEAR ON YOU. YOU REEK OF COWARDICE."
"Big words form a monster who can't even show his face, one who has to take his power from others. Face me and we'll see how long you last, you bastard." Harry snapped.
"SOON ENOUGH, POTTER. SOON ENOUGH YOU WILL BE DESTROYED. BUT FOR NOW I'LL SETTLE FOR JUST KILLING THOSE YOU LOVE THE MOST. OUR LITTLE FRIEND HERE HAS BEEN VERY FORTHCOMING WITH INFORMATION." The laughter filled the room again. "I SHALL SEND THEM MY WARMEST REGARDS." Colin's back suddenly arched again and he began screaming. This time it didn't stop, he continued to spasm and cry out, Dennis at his side trying to hold him down. He let out one last scream and then lay limply. Dennis was sobbing and Harry saw a trail of blood trickling from Colin's eyes.
Harry stared, suddenly feeling his anger drain away and a blade of ice and fear suddenly cutting through him. Colin knew where Hermione lived. He knew where Dudley lived. The fear suddenly multiplied. Emily.
XXX
"Mornin'." Ron said cheerfully as Hermione entered the kitchen.
Hermione yawned, glancing at the wall mounted clock and smiling. "The morning's almost over." She remarked, making a beeline for the brewing coffee. She sighed remembering Harry's coffee the morning before; the coffee wasn't bad…it just wasn't Harry's. Almost violently she shook her head. Now was not the time to be thinking such thoughts.
Ron smiled at her as she levitated a plate of toast and jam toward the table, sitting down across from him. "Not feeling hungry?" He asked. Before him sat a large plate of eggs and sausage, along with a large cup of coffee.
Hermione shrugged. She concentrated upon the toast and jam. The toast tasted like sand and the jam was sickly sweet. She set both aside, sighing.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked.
"Nothing." Hermione replied, taking a sip of her coffee. It had a bitter aftertaste, but she continued to drink it.
"There's something wrong." Ron said. "What is it?"
"There's nothing wrong." Hermione said, suddenly defensive.
"Oh, come one now. There's something wrong and you're trying to hide it." Ron said a small playful grin appearing on his face. "I've known you nearly seventeen years, Hermione. You can't fool me."
Hermione frowned. "There's nothing wrong. Now drop it."
Ron watched her for a moment, then his grin disappeared. He sighed, pushing aside his plate and folding his hands before him, his face becoming expressionless. "This is about Harry isn't it? Since he came here, you've been lost in thought. You've been distracted, you've been acting strange." Ron said, his words striking to the point.
"No. This has nothing to do with Harry."
"Harry bloody Potter." Ron spat the name like a curse. "The bastard left you and Emily without a damned word for five damned years and now he comes back and hopes everything's forgiven and you'll accept him back?"
Hermione tried to keep her face still, to keep the anger out of her voice. "You don't know why he's back. You don't know anything." She said.
Ron stared at her, his face flushed. "What do you know then? Did he say he's coming back for good? Or did he just come by to toss your life around a bit, to make more problems for you and Emily than solve them." He asked. "Did he say he'd be here for Emily. Did he say he'd be here for you? Did he promise you everything you want, just to accept him back?"
Hermione was silent. She realized she didn't know why Harry had come back. She didn't know why he had come to her home; there must have been more to the excuse of 'just feeling like it' than he had let on. Could there? Did he even really care anymore? His stay hadn't been long. Just one night and the morning. Just enough time for her to patch up his wound, for him to meet Emily, and then he was gone after breakfast. Gone once again to do Dumbledore's business, once again leaving her for him.
"Merlin's Beard, Hermione." Ron whispered, shaking his head. He reached out and gripped her hands, his large rough hands enveloping her own. Hermione could feel the pulse of his heart in his hands, the steady beat and warmth of them. "You're better than this, Hermione. You're the smartest person I know, but every time Harry gets near you, you lose focus. All you can do is think of him and of what you can do for him." Ron closed his eyes for a moment. "That's what he does Hermione. That's what he's always done. He uses people and he leaves them. He's left a trail of broken bleeding people in his path. He's destroyed families and ripped apart people who loved one another for his purposes. But he's never been there for anyone when they needed him. He's never stood by anyone when they were helpless, when they needed a friend." Ron's hands quivered, his pulse beating faster now. Frantic and angry. "He destroys, Hermione. He destroys everything he touches. Everyone jumps for him, everyone stands by him, and in the end everyone will die because of it." Hermione could see the tears forming in his eyes, but he blinked them away, his eyes turning hard and cold.
"Everyone thinks he's some kind of hero. Everyone thinks he's some great person because he killed Voldemort." Ron snatched his hands back, clenching them into white knuckled fists. "No one remembers the people who died so that he could kill him. No one remembers all those that gave their lives so that he could get his glorious chance to fight that bastard." Anger was heavy in his voice now, anger and hate. Hermione shivered at the hate that radiated from him. "No one remembers my parents and brothers who died for that useless ass. All they can talk about was how he fought him. How Harry defeated Voldemort. How Harry saved everyone." He snarled.
Hermione closed her eyes. She remembered those days all too well. She remembered the pain, the terror, and the dead. The dead of so many people she knew and loved, all so that Harry could live. But she also knew the pain and the horror that Ron hadn't seen. She had seen Harry after the battle; she had cared for him, and stayed with him in the days when it seemed darkest. To say he did not care, that was too much.
"You don't know anything, Ron." She said, her voice as cold and as hard as his. "The war took many people we loved and many people we cared for, but it was not Harry's fault. They all went into battle knowing they could die and they all stood beside Harry because they trusted and believed in him. Your brothers and your parents. They loved him and they stood by him."
"They were fooled!" Ron shouted. "They fought for him because they believed that lying bastard. They followed him when they shouldn't have and they died because of his stupidity and his lust for glory! He used their love to kill them. All of them."
"I don't want to talk about this." Hermione said, suddenly feeling her head begin to ache. The old hate, the old argument. Who was responsible for all the dead? Harry reckless actions or Voldemort murderous madness? Ten years. Ten years she was caught in the middle of the bloody fight. The only thing was that the argument had been won by Ron long ago. Harry already conceded that it was his fault; he already took the blame, and carried about the pain of what had happened. Ron for all his great qualities, for all the love he had to give, could not let this go. He could not forgive and he would not let go of the hate, it was all he had.
Ron sighed, dropping his head into his hands. "How can you still love him? After all he's done to you?" He asked.
"I don't know." Hermione said, suddenly finding tears in her eyes. "You don't know what he's been though. You don't know the pain, the suffering, the agony that he feels day in and day out for those that have been lost because of him."
"Why do you think he quit being an Auror? Three years of training, three years of dedicating his life to what? More killing, more hunting of criminals? He hated the job, he hated every part of it. All he wanted was a home and a family. All he's ever wanted was peace."
"Peace? You call chasing after and killing other witches and wizards peace?" Ron asked, there was little anger in his voice, only a weary sadness.
"He…can't help it. I-it's what he is." Hermione replied, she palmed away the tears welling up in her eyes.
"All he brings is death." Ron said wearily.
"Yes." Hermione said, feeling a shudder of cold run through her.
"Mommy?" Emily suddenly pushed open the kitchen door, a stuffed bear clutched in one hand, and a look of fear upon her face.
Hermione brushed away the tears and smiled at her daughter. "What is it, dear?" She asked.
"There's a monster at my window." Emily said. She glanced back, clutching the stuffed lion in her hands tightly "It keeps scratching on the glass."
Hermione smiled faintly. Chasing away imaginary monsters she could handle. Anything was better than arguing with Ron. Hermione got to her feet and took her Emily's hand. "Now tell me about this monster?" One thing Hermione had done was make sure no creatures took root in the house. She didn't want her child scared half to death by a boggart. "We'll discuss this later." Hermione said to Ron.
Ron nodded slowly, his head still in his hands. "I'll still be here. Waiting." He whispered. Hermione wondered if she was meant to hear the last.
"Ron-"
There was a sudden roar and the house seemed to shuddered. Emily began screaming, Ron gripped the tabletop, and Hermione staggered toward the kitchen door, pulling Emily toward her in a tight embrace. She looked to the kitchen window, out toward the bright morning and saw something scurry by the window. A flash of redden eyes and glittering black teeth. Fast and deadly looking.
"What the hell was that?" Hermione whispered hoarsely.
Ron ran to the window, peering out. Then he cursed softly. "I'm going to kill you, Potter."
Then the attack began.
XXX
Our little friend here has been very forthcoming with information. The words continued to ring in Harry's mind as he paced back and forth in the cramped hospital room. Neville was shaking his head, muttering something. Dennis was sobbing over the death of his brother, and a pair of orderlies were just staring from the doorway, having caught the last portion of Asedemon's little speech. They looked pale and terrified.
Harry ignored it all. His mind was roiling with what had just been said, though a part of him harden and another name was added to the ever growing list of men and women who had died because of him. Colin Creevey, brother, friend, and the bravest person he'd ever known.
What was he after? Was he after Hermione? Was he after Dudley? Which one was in trouble. Which one would he attack?
"What are we going to do?" Neville asked, he stared at Harry, a little fear flashing in his eyes.
Hermione. She was strong. She was able. Though she may not be trained as an Auror, she had been in enough fights to hold her own. Harry nodded to himself. She could handle what came at her. Her home was also a fortress in itself. It would hold, unless it was attacked by a great power. But there was Emily. There was his daughter, his flesh and his blood that would be under attack. Could Hermione hold out against Asedemon? He knew she'd fight to last breath, but would that be enough?
There was also Dudley and Joan and Vernon and Angelica. Joan was not a fighter. She had claimed to have barely passed DADA in Hogwarts and dropped the class as soon as she could. Dudley for all his bravery and his strength was a Muggle. Then there were the children. Little Vernon and sweet Angelica. Where he had not seen his own daughter grow up, he had watched Angelica grow since she was nothing more than a screaming bundle of head and arms. They were helpless, they were defenseless. They would stand no chance against Asedemon.
Harry shouted in anger, smashing his fist into the wall of the room. There was a resounding crack and a flare of intense pain shot up his arm. Harry blinked away the white spots of pain and looked at Dennis. Could he be trusted? Would Asedemon take control of him too? Harry didn't know, but he had no choice. He had to move, already time was being wasted. Every precious second that went by, every breath was one in which Asedemon might be using to harm those he loved.
"Dennis!" The young man looked to Harry, eyes redden with pain and tears and fist clenched helplessly at his side. "Are you able?" There was no pause, no moment to think over the question. Dennis nodded, his tears drying up and his face becoming expressionless. How well you train people. Harry thought bitterly. He should mourn the lost of his brother, but there was no time.
"Where?" Dennis asked.
Harry hesitated for a moment, and then he shoved down his feelings, his emotions, anything that would cloud his mind. "Go to Hermione's." He said. With each word he spoke he felt like retracting it, doubt and second thoughts flooded his mind, but again he shoved it down. "Get her and the kid. Take them to the House. Don't let them out of your sight. If anyone tries stopping you, kill them." Dennis nodded. Harry grabbed a vase off the small nightstand beside Colin's bed. He muttered a spell and created the portkey. "This'll take you there."
"What about me?" Neville asked.
Harry turned to him. 'This is none of your problem, Neville." He said, his voice cold.
"The hell it is. Hermione's my friend too." Neville said, he had his wand out and looked for all intents and purposes ready to fight Harry on the point. "Plus I'm a damned Auror, if you forgot. If someone's in trouble, it's my duty to help."
Harry closed his eyes. Two were better than one. Neville was an Auror; if Asedemon did attack Hermione's then he'd be of help. Harry looked at Neville. The determined set of his face, the tiny glint of fear in his eyes. He had children. He had a family. He could get hurt. He didn't belong here. This was not his fight. Forgive me, Ginny. "Go with Dennis." He said.
"Where are you going?" Neville asked.
"Protect them at all costs." Harry said to Dennis, tossing him the portkey. The younger man nodded, grabbing hold of Neville's sleeve. The two vanished from sight with a surprise yelp from Neville. Harry glanced at Colin, the expression of pain and terror etched into his features, and then at the two orderlies, who were still staring. Then he vanished in a loud crack.
XXX
It was quiet and it was peaceful. Two Muggles started to scream as Harry appeared out of thin air, without though Harry stunned them. The two fell bonelessly to the ground, the dog they had been walking began yapping at Harry, but he ignored it. He made his way across the damp lawns and kicked open the door to the house, striding down the short hall with his wand out. A panic and fear was building in him. He entered the kitchen, and a sudden relief filled him.
"Back so soon, Harry?" Dudley asked from the kitchen table. He and Joan were sitting at the table, Joan with a cup of coffee and two glowing vials upon the table before her. Harry scanned the room. There was no sign of attack or anything suggesting that Asedemon had it in for them.
"What's going on?" Joan asked nervously. She was looking at Harry's face, seeing the frantically moving eyes, his ready to fight stance, and wand that was clenched in a white knuckled grip.
"You remember the Plan?" Harry asked. Dudley stared at him bug eyed and nodded. "The shit's hit the fan, Dud. Pack your stuff and let's get out of here."
'Asedemon?" Joan asked, already getting to her feet. She shoved the two vials into her pocket and raced for the stairs, Dudley following. He made it to the stairs, instead of following her up, he opened the cupboard under the stairs and began pulling out a few small suit cases.
"How?" Dudley asked.
"He managed to possess a friend of mine. Tore the information about your home and Hermione's from him, then killed him. Now he's coming, here or Hermione's." Harry said simply. He continued to look at the front door. If Asedemon was going to attack, when? Unless he was only attacking Hermione's…
Harry shoved the thought away. Dudley needed his help more. Once they were settled away, then he could head for Hermione's. This would only take a few minutes. Get them to the House and out of harm's way.
"Angelica." Dudley said, cursing to himself.
"She's still at the party?" Harry asked. Dudley nodded. "I'll go there. Joan knows the way, right?" Dudley nodded again. "You three head out. Kathryn's at the House, so you shouldn't be troubled. I'm sorry about this, Dudley."
"Be care-" Dudley began.
There was a loud screeching roar and the front door suddenly exploded outward in a shower of splintered wood and a dark figure strode into the house.