Chapter 10: Disappearances, Dates, and Dreams
Wormtail made his way to his newfound "friends" with the food that the house-elves had prepared. Over the course of time the girls had learned that while Wormtail was a Death Eater, he wasn't like the others. He had a sense of morality.
The girls could tell that he was awkward around them because of their clothing situation, and on more than one occasion, he had conjured clothing for them while he visited, though it had to be taken away when he left, leaving them once more in their undergarments in the freezing room.
The three girls looked nervous when their door opened, but seeing Wormtail with food calmed them somewhat. Wormtail conjured clothing and blankets for them and took his place on the floor. "I can't stay long today, girls. The girls were used to this; Wormtail always sat and waited for them to finish eating. Occasionally they would talk, though it wasn't without a hint of bitterness on the girls' parts. Today was no different, and much like every time, their conversation was about Harry and the Weasleys.
"Why won't you tell us why you're so interested in them, Wormtail?" One of the girls said, evoking a long sigh from Wormtail.
"Ok, I'll tell you…" he said, steeling himself. "Forever ago, or so it seems, when I was a student at Hogwarts, two of my former friends and I became Animagi to keep another friend company during his monthly Werewolf transformation... I'll go ahead and tell you that our friend was Remus Lupin, since you had him as a teacher.
"My other friends were Sirius Black," the girls gasped and backed away slightly, "Don't worry, he was innocent… he was falsely imprisoned because everyone thought he killed twelve muggles and me. Anyway, the fourth of us, and our unofficial 'leader' of sorts was James Potter."
Wormtail sighed again, a solitary tear rolling down his cheek. "I was named James and Lily Potter's secret keeper, not Sirius Black. I'm the reason Harry grew up without parents… my best friends…" another tear escaped his eye. "I was actually at their home in Godric's Hollow hours before it happened. James and Lily had Remus, Sirius, and I over for a Halloween celebration. Remus left early because of the full moon. Sirius had arranged to meet a young lady for the evening, so he left soon after that. I had plans of my own, though they had drastically changed when I felt the Dark Mark burn on my arm. I had just changed Harry's nappy and put him to bed when it began to burn."
The three young ladies were crying silently. Each of them had known, much like everyone in the wizarding world had known, what had happened on Halloween in 1981. "I honestly thought the Dark Lord would go after the Longbottom boy, as he was a pureblood and Harry was a half-blood. When I Apparated to him he demanded the location of the Potters, and one cannot refuse the Dark Lord…
"After I tracked down Sirius and placed the blame on him, I blew up the street, transformed into my animagus form and sought a wizarding home. I ended up with the Weasleys. I spent twelve years with them, most of the time living in Gryffindor Tower. When Sirius escaped Azkaban he came there to find me. He was never after Harry. When he slashed Ron Weasley's curtains open he was looking for me.
"I regret the things I've done. I don't deny that I did it only to surround myself with power…" Wormtail sobbed openly now.
The three girls attempted to comfort the only male Death Eater that they would ever feel remotely safe around. Any other would make their lives more of a hell than they already were. The same was probably true for the female Death Eaters too. It was a female Death Eater that had stripped them of all but their undergarments, after all.
The pudgy little man seemed to regain his composure after a few minutes. He excused himself, saying that he would be back for their dishes.
Harry, Amanda, Ron, and Hermione would be taking a Portkey back to Hogwarts from the Burrow. They weren't scheduled to leave until noon, but everyone gathered for breakfast. The morning was going great until nearly an hour before they had to leave when the post arrived. Hermione's usual Daily Prophet landed in front of her with a most disturbing headline.
Potter's Female Friends VanishEarlier this week, Daily Prophet reporter Rita Skeeter was sent an anonymous letter stating that any and all females associating with the Boy-Who-Lived are prime suspects for Death Eaters. Perhaps it isn't such a coincidence that Potter's ex-girlfriend Cho Chang and two of his former Gryffindor Quidditch team members, Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell, have gone missing. The letter advises all females who have had contact with Potter in the past to…
Hermione stopped reading, balled the Prophet up and ignited it with their wands. "Pay no attention to it, Harry. Fred and George have told us that they received letters from Katie and Angelina saying that they were traveling with Angelina's family, remember?" The look of mixed shock, despair, and fury had not disappeared from Harry's face.
"Where is the Daily Prophet located?" Harry's calm voice seemed out of place.
"D-Diagon Alley…" Ron replied, hoping his best friend wouldn't do anything stupid. Before Ron had blinked, Harry was gone in a flash of flames.
A screaming witch drew the attention of many reporters and photographers at the Daily Prophet. Harry was standing in front of her, flames surrounding his body, asking for Rita Skeeter. Many flashes told Harry that his picture would certainly be making the Evening Prophet. Tapping into the phoenix powers he and Amanda had recently discovered during their time alone, he set the film in each camera on fire with a wave of his hand. As he turned around, he saw Rita meekly trying to slip away.
"Let's talk, Rita." Harry said, using his phoenix Apparation to appear in front of her. She nodded and led him to a desk.
Amanda paced the floor. She could feel Harry's unbridled fury at Rita Skeeter. Knowing that Harry couldn't fully control his phoenix powers, she worried that he might accidentally burn the place to the ground. Hermione and Ron were looking anxiously at her, as though asking what was going on with Harry.
"When he gets back…" Amanda stopped in mid-sentence, causing Ron and Hermione to stare. "He knows something. I can tell that he's recognized something, but I don't know what."
"What is it, Harry? Why did you stop talking?" Rita asked, surreptitiously positioning her Quick Quotes Quill on a bit of parchment.
"I know who wrote this." He said, slapping his palm onto the desk, the letter beneath his hand.
"Who?"
"Draco Malfoy. I've had to hand back his homework on occasion, I know this handwriting." Harry heard the scratching of the acid green quill. "Put the parchment on the desk, Rita." His voice allowed for no protestation, and she did as she was commanded.
"You know, with that tone of voice making it impossible to refuse anything, you could get into trouble." She said with a suggestive wink. Harry was taken aback at the husky voice that the woman who was nearly thirty years his senior had used.
"Er… right…" he ignited the parchment and Quick Quotes Quill before phoenix Apparating back to the Burrow.
Amanda was startled when Harry emerged beside her in the same fashion that he left. She saw a piece of parchment in his fist. "Everyone, can any of you recognize the penmanship?" he said, spreading the parchment on the table. After only a few seconds, Hermione came to the same conclusion as Harry.
Before they could decide on a course of action, Molly rushed into the room with their Portkey. "Have a good term, dears. Do try not to get these girls in trouble." She said with a glare at Ron and Harry. Amanda could sense Harry's confusion and leaned over to whisper "Trouble means pregnant, dear." Harry promptly turned the same shade of red as Ron.
"If only they knew we were technically married." Harry whispered back.
The four of them gathered together and touched the Portkey with one hand while grabbing their trunks with the other. Within seconds they felt the familiar jerk from behind their navels and the Burrow was replaced with the Gryffindor common room.
"Very good, Harry, very good indeed!" Albus Dumbledore praised one night. The N.E.W.T.s seemed to be a lot closer on this side of the Christmas holidays and with Harry's extra lessons with Dumbledore he was hard pressed to find any time to spend with his friends, and more importantly, with Amanda, outside of the library. Harry began to slightly resent the time he was spending in the headmaster's office. The only reason he remained was so he would have a chance of surviving against Voldemort.
January had slipped by and February was nearing its halfway point. The halfway point of this particular month, however, was causing Harry and Ron great distress. Ron was on his own with the problem, but Harry had an idea. The trick was to convince the headmaster of it.
"I've never seen anyone master this spell so quickly, Harry. The Love Shield is vastly more complex than any other shield charm, and the fact that you managed a shield on your first attempt… well, it's unheard of!" Dumbledore seemed awed by Harry's mastery of the charm. The Love Shield was essentially a shield charm that used the love given to the person who cast the charm to form a protective shield. If used with enough love, it was theoretically possible to stop the Killing Curse, though no one had ever attempted it for obvious reasons. Dumbledore and Harry took their seats at the headmaster's desk.
"Sir?" Harry began. "Valentine's Day is Saturday, and I know we're going to be allowed into Hogsmeade and all… but I was wondering if Amanda and I might stay out past curfew… Tea at Madam Puddifoot's might be great for most couples, but I don't think it'll work for us. I've heard of a quaint little restaurant in the village…" Harry looked pointedly at his hands in his lap.
"I'm afraid not, Harry. I've been unable to avoid using Legilimency on you, your close proximity combined with the way your mind is working… I'm sorry; I do not mean to intrude upon your thoughts." The headmaster noticed Harry's disappointment.
"Normally I would allow it, but I'm afraid that Lord Voldemort might also be listening in on your mind." Dumbledore paused and thought for a moment. "I believe that Dobby might be persuaded to help you with your dilemma. Ask him for help."
"Th-thank you, Professor." Harry nodded and took his leave, wondering what Dobby would be able to do.
The two days remaining until Saturday had passed in the blink of an eye. Harry was woken rather violently when Amanda jumped onto his bed.
"Get up, love, you're my slave today…" Amanda laughed as she ran her fingers through his sleep-tousled hair. "You promised, remember?" Harry sat up and reached for his glasses.
"You said that I'm supposed to drag you around and make you do my bidding until your surprise for me is ready. If you get up, maybe I'll give you a present."
"Oi, why does Potter get special treatment? The rest of us need presents too." A sleepy voice called from Seamus's bed.
"He's getting his present now because he's mine. I daresay you already got a present, Finnigan. Lavender didn't make it back until three this morning." Amanda retorted. Harry failed to suppress a snort.
Not too long after that morning's half-exasperating, half-exhilarating awakening, Harry found himself struggling to keep up with Amanda as she darted from shop to shop in Hogsmeade. It seemed as though he were in Honeydukes one second and in fifteen different shops that he had never entered before in an equal number of seconds.
Not that he was complaining. He had promised, after all. When he finally managed to catch her up and remain in one spot long enough, he would find himself admiring the present she had gotten for him… well, one present, anyway. Something similar to a pocket watch that, when opened, produced a sort of star map. The map, however, showed false constellations as well as some real ones and had each labeled: Canis Major, with Sirius labeled by the brightest star and "Padfoot" in parentheses, Lupus with "Moony" in parentheses beside it, and a stag labeled as "Prongs. There were also others in the shape of humans. The human constellations were extremely detailed and Harry didn't need the labels to tell him who they were. The ones labeled "Harry Potter" and "Amanda Potter" stood beside one another much like the ones labeled as "Ronald Weasley" and "Hermione Granger" did, but when Harry pressed in on the button that opened the star map when it was closed, the Harry and Amanda constellations began to dance around the galaxy. Amanda was always quick to hit him before someone noticed her constellation's labeled surname and forced him to put it back in his pocket.
Harry almost collapsed when he and Amanda returned to the common room that evening. He marveled at her ability to run around the village, stopping at nearly every shop, and show no signs of weariness. The energetic blonde was bouncing on her heels in front of him, smiling brightly.
"Today has been perfect Harry." She said as she calmed down and sat half on his lap and half on the arm of his chair.
"It's not over yet," Harry laughed as she raised an eyebrow. "Not even remotely what I meant. Get your mind out of the gutter." She glared at him but he could see humor and mischief sparkling in her eyes.
After nearly an hour of snogging, Harry moved from their chair, leaving Amanda sitting alone. She groaned her disapproval, causing Harry to laugh. He ignored her glare and helped her to her feet, claiming it was time to eat. Amanda immediately pointed her wand at him and tried to check for any glamour charms on him. When he asked what she was doing she replied that she had to make sure that she hadn't been snogging Ron Weasley.
Harry blindfolded Amanda and the couple made the familiar trek toward the Great Hall, noticing that no students were in the common room or the corridors on the way. When they reached the third floor, Harry led her away from the usual path to the Great Hall. She could sense that this wasn't the right way, but she didn't say anything about it; Harry had been at the castle for nearly seven years, while she had merely transferred for her last year. When they stopped Amanda finally spoke up.
"Where are we, Harry?"
"Dancing Dragon" Harry replied, watching as the stone wall opened to reveal a staircase. "Come on, this way." He took her hand and led her downward.
At the bottom of the long, spiraling staircase was a dimly lit corridor with ten or so doors spaced evenly on both sides of the hallway. Harry walked down and counted the doors on the right side, finally stopping at the sixth door. Tapping his wand three times, he said "Aphrodite's Rose" and gasped as it opened to allow their entrance.
Amanda was desperate to find out what was going on and started to reach for her blindfold, only to be stopped when Harry grabbed her arms and led her into the room. "Are you ready for your present?" he asked as he moved her to a chair and instructed her to sit.
"Of course." Was her half exasperated reply, "but why all the secrecy about where we are, Harry?" He laughed softly and removed her blindfold. Her breath caught in her chest and her jaw dropped.
"I take it that you like the room, then?" Amanda mutely nodded.
The room was almost the size of the Gryffindor common room. It was lit with a chandelier bearing seven large scented candles. The circular walls were covered in sparkling curtains that Amanda was certain were made of rubies turned into cloth. A large bed, circular to fit against the wall, had its own curtains around it much like the ones around the walls, though these were a deep blue and sparkled like sapphire, was across the room, and an elegant marble fireplace was on the opposite side of the room from the bed. Their small table was in the center.
Harry waved his hand and a roaring fire appeared in the fireplace. Amanda had finally managed to close her mouth, but her jaw dropped again when Harry turned back to her. He snapped his fingers and an intricate oriental vase full of the most beautiful red roses she had ever seen had appeared on the table.
"Aphrodite's Roses," Harry said as she reached out to touch one. "Ever-blooming, so you don't have to worry about them dying, and if you plant them they'll grow, even though they've been cut."
"Oh, Harry…"
Harry turned and mumbled something. The curtains covering the wall behind the bed opened to reveal the Hogwarts grounds and the lake. Amanda's awe increased tenfold as a unicorn left the woods and drank from the lake before returning to the safety of the trees.
"Harry… h-how did you find this place? It's… it's…"
"I know." Harry said, smiling. Harry took his seat across from her and tapped the table with his wand. Dobby appeared, dressed in a small tuxedo.
"Dobby is most pleased to serve Mr. Harry Potter and his lovely miss. What may Dobby bring you?" the elf asked in a quiet voice, quite unlike his normal exuberant self. Harry and Amanda placed their orders. Their food appeared on the table immediately.
After enjoying their dinner, Harry waved his wand and music filled the room. Walking to her, he extended his hand and asked for a dance. Only fifteen minutes into their dancing, Amanda lifted her head from Harry's shoulder and whispered in his ear "We're staying here tonight, husband."
They were running for their lives. Something knew… it had to know, why else would they be running? Through the castle, down a long spiraling staircase… Someone's voice, her own or his… maybe both, nothing was certain anymore.
Harry fiercely kissed her lips, then her stomach before leaving in a burst of flames. The room sealed itself as Harry appeared on the other side of the see-through wall. Death Eaters and members of the Order battled furiously in the darkness.
Glowing red eyes… yellow liquid… panicked screams… blood, lots of blood… bodies everywhere… She wanted to help, to fight, but she knew she couldn't. That wasn't an option for her. Damn Harry! It's all his fault!
Amanda bolted upright in bed and glanced down at Harry sleeping beside her. "What was that all about?" she asked the silent room. The sun was attempting to peek out on the land from behind a cloud. Sleep would not be possible at this point. Imitating Harry's action from the previous night, she tapped her wand on the table and ordered something to eat while she pondered her dream.
A/N: wow… I'm getting lazy. Though I can probably claim HBP as a good excuse for the time between updates. That book has replaced PoA as my favorite. Too bad my cousin borrowed my copy… if I don't get it back soon, I'll hurt him.
A question that one of my idiot friends asked me was… well, his colorful vocabulary might be a bit much for some people... it's just not proper to type… (Wow, I'm a hypocrite… I'm no better… at least I keep words like we normally use out of my fic…) anyway, he asked about their relationship in the bedroom. I honestly didn't care up until now… now they have slept together. Sorry if that bothers anyone, but it fits with the sequel and will probably be important in this fic too. As you can see, I didn't describe anything, so it shouldn't be bad or offensive. They are technically married, you know.
Besides, Ron and Hermione shag on a regular basis… which will be important too, I think.