Taking Flight
"Molly!" yelled Tonks as she stumbled out of the fireplace, only just keeping her balance while supporting the unconscious man. "Molly! We need help!"
A blustering red haired woman entered the room, eyes widening at the sight of the three before her. "Oh sweet mother of Merlin! Marcus! What happened?" she asked Tonks as she began pulling a first aid kit from the cupboard above the kitchen stove.
"He turned up at Privet Drive. He was pretty banged up." She helped Molly hoist him onto the table and lie him down. "They were caught by Death-eaters in Hong Kong. Jack's dead."
"Oh, no not Jack . . ." whispered Molly in horror. Tonks nodded forlornly, her mouth set in a thin line. "Marcus managed to get the pendant back safely. Harry's coming in a moment with it."
"Ginny, I need a hand!" yelled out Molly and a moment later the two youngest Weasleys appeared in the doorway.
"Harry's coming?" asked Ron as he followed Ginny into the kitchen, eyeing Marcus with discomfort.
"Never mind that now!" snapped his mother as she pressed a wet cloth to the injured mans forehead. "Run upstairs and wake Professor Snape. We're going to need a blood restorative draught. Hurry!"
Ron left looking very queasy at the prospect of waking up the Potions Master. Ginny looked at her mother as the teen helped pull off the mans shoes. "Harry's coming here?" she asked her quietly. Molly was cut off from answering by Arabella.
"He should already be here." She frowned and looked at the fireplace. "It's not like him to dawdle . . ."
Ginny wrung the cloth out over a bowl of water, tinging the water red with blood. "Harry doesn't like to Floo. He's had a few bad experiences. Same thing with Port-keys."
The door banged open and Snape strode into the room, robes billowing around him and Ron jogging behind him to keep up. "What has the mangy dog gotten himself into this time?" he snarled as he swept over to the table Marcus was laid out on and pried one of his eyelids open. His fingertips were coated in blood as he pulled away. His nostrils flared in distaste and he wiped his hand on his robe before pulling a small box from his robe. Opening it he selected a vial of potion from the contents within and uncorked it.
Arabella glanced back at the fireplace before nodding resolutely. "I'm going back to check on Harry." She said stepping into the fire and flinging some Floo powder into the flames. "Arabella Figg residence!" she exclaimed.
Nothing happened.
Arabella frowned. "Arabella Figg residence!" she exclaimed again waiting for the telltale rush of emerald flames.
Still nothing.
The others in the room were beginning to look at her rather worriedly. She tried once more. "Arabella Figg residence!"
Molly stepped forward. "Try the Floo-Operator Arabella." She said softly, a stricken look crossing her face for a moment.
"What's going on? Where's Harry?" asked Ginny. Nobody answered her.
"Floo-Opperator please." Asked Arabella. A moment passed in silence before a cool feminine voice rang out from the fireplace.
"This is the Floo-Opperator. How may I help you today?"
Arabella cleared her throat. "Could you please tell me why I can't seem to reach the residence of Arabella Figg?"
"One moment please." Soft soothing music began to play, echoing out of the fireplace. The occupants of the kitchen glanced at each other worriedly. A moment later the music was cut off abruptly. "Thankyou for waiting. The fireplace connecting Arabella Figg's residence is no longer in working order as it was destroyed approximately fifteen minutes ago. Thankyou for calling the Floo-Opperator. The Floo-Network wishes you a pleasant evening."
A deathly silence followed this revelation. A white faced Ron was the first to break the silence.
"What's happened to Harry?"
"Why Potter, fancy seeing you here!" jeered Bellatrix in delight as she focused her wand on Harry's heart.
Harry's hand flew to his wand at his waist but froze when the remaining six unfriendly wands were whipped out and pointed straight at him.
"Don't do anything foolish Potter . . ." warned Bellatrix softly, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
Harry dropped his arms to his sides and smiled humourlessly. "Bellatrix." He greeted coldly. "Can't say I'm particularly pleased to see you again so soon."
Bellatrix laughed hoarsely. "I could say the same to you boy. Though I must say it is a surprise to do so. To think that the Dark Lord has been searching so fruitlessly for your whereabouts for weeks, and we simply stumble over you one night." She grinned showing white teeth against pale bloodless lips. She was the only Death-Eater not wearing a white mask over her face.
Harry's eyes darted around quickly searching for an escape route, a way out. The windows of the house had been blasted out when the explosion had rocked the fireplace and the only other exit was the collapsed wall behind Bellatrix and the others.
Bellatrix continued talking a predatory glint in her eye as she surveyed Harry standing before her. "We can do this very easily Potter. Cooperate with us and there will be limited suffering before your death. Choose not to do so . . ." she smirked and cocked her head to one side never taking her cold black eyes from Harry's. " . . .and we can do this in a much more fun and more painful way."
Harry watched her every movement as she stepped forward. "Now let me ask you a few questions." She circled Harry keeping at least three meters away from his body. Harry watched her with his eyes otherwise keeping his body still and focused ahead. She was behind him when he heard her first question. "Where is he?"
Harry kept his face blank and focused on occluding his mind. "Where's who?" he asked coldly.
Bellatrix was cut off from answering by one of the largest robed men.
"Marcus Dougherty, the scum thief!" he snarled, brandishing his wand before him threateningly. "Don't try denying it boy! He was here! I could recognize the smell of his blood anywhere!"
Harry raised an eyebrow at this. "So sorry –" he frowned. " - well actually no I'm not – but I've got no idea who you're talking about."
"Someone's telling lies . . ." Bellatrix said softly in a singsong voice. The Cruciatus curse hit him before he had the chance to act. Harry fell to his knees as the pain rushed through his body. It was blinding, agonizing, burning through his veins. Refusing to cry out he bit hard inside his mouth to keep from screaming. Finally the curse was lifted and Harry lay panting on the floor, left with the coppery taste of blood flooding his mouth and the ghostly pain of the curse throughout his limbs. The Death-eaters were laughing, and he could feel Bellatrix close to him.
"Remember Harry," whispered Bellatrix. "That's how the Cruciatus curse is really done."
Harry spat blood out of his mouth and pulled himself to his feet, clenching his jaw against the ache in his body that had yet to subside.
"Perhaps a description could help." Continued Bellatrix. "The thief is about six foot, coppery hair, bleeding heavily from the head and chest area. Ring a bell at all?"
Harry wiped the last of the blood from his lip with the back of his hand and smirked. "I don't seem to recall anyone of that rather vague description. So glad I couldn't be of any help."
Bellatrix sneered at him. "If it makes you feel any better Potter, we won't kill him. We're merely after a little gift for our Lord. A very pretty necklace, I'm sure you would have noticed one lying around." When Harry remained silent she continued anger permeating her voice. "Would you prefer to answer our questions here Potter, or in the Dark Lords torture chamber? My Lord has recently acquired several new toys that I've been dying to try out. Now where – "
Bellatrix stopped dead as the squealing of breaks were heard outside accompanied by the shrill scream of the police sirens.
"This is the police! Get out of the house and lay down on the ground! Refusal will force us to use force! Vacate the house, get down on the ground and put your hands behind your head!"
Harry closed his eyes in regret. The muggles outside were about to die.
"Deal with them." He heard Bellatrix hiss and he opened his eyes to see the other Death-Eaters leave the house with a swish of cloaks, wands drawn.
Bellatrix remained behind him. Harry closed his eyes again as he heard gunfire on the front lawn and the muggles screaming. An explosion rocked the side of the house and Harry could feel the heat of the flames just outside the open front door. He started as he felt hot breath in his ear.
"Tragic isn't it?" Bellatrix whispered softly. Harry felt her fingertips brush the back of his collar threading through the hair at the nape of his neck. He held back a shudder of revulsion and held his ground. He could feel the tip of her wand trace down his spine making the flesh beneath his clothes crawl. "All those innocent lives . . ."
Harry opened his eyes and watched the glow of the flames from an overturned police car out the corner of his eye. "Innocence is an illusion."
Bellatrix chuckled softly in his ear and he felt her body move around so she faced him. Her fingers were still curled in his hair and she looked at him as though considering what he had said for a moment. "You learn fast child. Now lets see if you learned your first lesson. Where is the pendant?" Harry again remained silent. An evil grin swept over Bellatrix's once lovely face. "It's here isn't it? Dougherty didn't get the chance to take it with him." Something must have flickered on Harry's face for a moment, as a moment later a triumphant grin graced the woman's features.
The hand twisted in his hair let go and she caressed his face tenderly. "Imagine the two things the Dark Lord has been searching for delivered to him as one. The key to the Temple, and you. " She moved in closer to him so their faces were almost pressed together and breathed into his ear. "I look forward to seeing you chained and bloody in the Dark Lords private dungeon."
Harry flicked his wrist sending the dagger down into his left hand before moving swiftly to plunge the knife into his godfather's murderess' flesh. She saw the blow coming at the last second and spun away, but not before the blade was driven into her shoulder. She let out a cry of pain and fell to the ground. Harry didn't stop to think, he merely wrenched the knife from her body as she fell from him and ran for it.
Pitching out the window he hit the ground and rolled onto his feet in one smooth motion. His feet started pounding the ground before he had time to order them to, his survival skills kicking in. He pelted around the corner automatically taking the shortcuts and back alleyways towards Privet Drive. He scaled the fence with ease and hit the ground on all fours not even pausing for a second before continuing to run. One thought was in his head. Get a head start. His hand travelled to his jacket pocket and he felt the pendants box inside his shirt. Relief flooded him. He still had it.
He raced around the corner into Privet Drive and vaulted over the short hedge running alongside the Dursley's house. Wrenching open the door he slammed it shut behind him and hurdled up the stairs. Whatever the strange pendant was, Voldemort was after it. Had been searching for it for months apparently. Harry had to get it to headquarters.
He burst into his room and flung open his wardrobe grabbing a rucksack from the back. Only two days into the holiday, Harry had made sure to pack this bag in case the unspeakable happened and Voldemort tracked him down. He wanted to be ready to be run at any moment. Inside the rucksack were three days worth of clothes, a compass, his fathers invisibility cloak, and a large quantity of both wizard and muggle money. Thrusting the still bloody dagger back into its sheath he swung the rucksack over his shoulders and raced to his desk. Scribbling a note onto a piece of parchment he hastily tied it to Hedwigs leg, giving a prayer of thanks to whatever deity listening that he hadn't let Hedwig out to hunt tonight.
Throwing his window open he carried the snowy owl over to the windowsill. "Fly low!" he ordered the owl quickly. "Get this to Dumbledore as fast as you can. Just keep out of sight." The bird hooted concernedly at him, nipping his finger affectionately. "Now go! Safe flight!"
And with that the bird soared off into the night. Harry watched her for a moment before running out of his room and down the stairs. He had to get to headquarters. That much was certain. There was just the matter of how he was going to get there. Flying his broom would mean certain capture. There was no other Floo connected fireplace in all of Little Whinging. The Knight Bus would be taking a risk. It could be flagged down easily by all manner of wizards no matter what their intentions.
He threw open the refrigerator and began cramming food into the bag. If he had to travel by muggle means he would need to get moving. The only thing to think of was how he was to get to London. Thinking quickly he ran to the garage, opening the automatic door. Harry grimaced. Dudley was going to kick his arse.
Moving quickly Harry pulled the black helmet over his head, snapping the visor down, and swung his leg over the great hulking black motorcycle. Checking his jacket pocket one last time, he made sure that the box was safe inside before revving the motor and taking off down the driveway. And without a look behind him he disappeared into the darkness, leaving the flames and screaming sirens from Wisteria Walk behind him.
Grimmauld Place was in chaos. Mere hours ago, an attack had occurred in Little Whinging. Eight muggles had been killed; Arabella Figg's home had been partially destroyed, as had several other homes and police cars. The artefact Marcus had worked so hard to bring back to England was missing, and worse of all Harry Potter too was missing and presumed dead or captured.
Three teenagers sat on the highest step of the stairs, watching the confusion below them with distressful expressions. Hermione Granger sat close to Ginny holding her hand tightly as they watched the mass of aurors and Order members swarm below them. Both girls' eyes were red and swollen though no tears could be seen on their faces now. Ron's hands grasped the wooden banister so tightly his knuckles had long ago turned white. They sat in absolute silence. In the middle of the mass of confusion wreaking havoc on the ground floor of Grimmauld Place, was a small table, laden with maps and paperwork, which the Headmaster of Hogwarts was poring over alongside Mad-eye Moody, Remus Lupin and Minerva Mcgonnagal, all talking in low anxious tones.
Not three hours ago the alarms had started going off in the House indicating that a large scale Death-eater attack was underway at Little Whinging. Aurors had flocked to the scene immediately to find Death-eaters blasting everything within wand-reach and Bellatrix Lestrange screaming like a Banshee to "Find the Boy!"
They had been driven off within twenty minutes and now Bellatrix wasn't the only one looking for the Boy-who-lived. Harry Potter had disappeared without leaving so much as a clue as to what had happened to him or to where he had gone. The Dursleys had returned to find Order members combing the house for a trace about what had happened to their nephew. It was needless to say that the Dursleys were not happy. Petunia had shrieked every time someone had approached her while holding a wand, Dudley spent the entire investigation squatting in a corner with his hands clamped firmly around his rather large buttocks, and Vernon had began screaming that they were all well shot of that unnatural child, and that all the freaks had better get out of his house right now!
It had taken three aurors to stop Remus from launching himself on the overweight muggle. Mad-eye Moody had been close to hexing Vernon Dursley after finding seven locks on the outside of Harry's bedroom door, and a great deal of black energy coming from both Harry's bedroom and the cupboard under the stairs.
All the Order had been able to find was the fact that someone (most probably Harry) had quickly ransacked the house of any food and some of the boy's possessions. The invisibility cloak was missing as was Harry's wand and owl.
Remus glanced around the room taking in the confusion and despair. His eyes locked on the three people huddled in the shadows at the top of the stairs. Frowning he moved away from the table and waded through the fray of anxious Order members. Finally climbing to the top of the stairs he crouched down and gave the three teens a weary smile. "How are you all?" he asked softly.
Ron turned his eyes away from the busy scene below him just long enough to give his ex-professor a disgusted look before turning back angrily. The two girls gave him similar looks.
"How do you think?" the red haired wizard spat angrily.
Remus nodded. "We're doing all we can to find out what happened-"
"Stop." Said Hermione softly. "Just tell me what has happened to my best friend. Where is my brother?"
"Just please!" cried Ginny, finally losing the battle with her tears. She swiped at her face angrily. "Please tell us what's happened."
Remus sighed, about to refuse, when he looked up at the three young wizards before him. Despair and utter sadness were written across their faces. He closed his eyes tightly before opening them again.
"Early this evening, Marcus accessed Privet Drive in search of an Order member to assist him. We don't know why he went there of all places and as he is still unconscious, we are unable to question him just yet. He was severely injured, too much so for Tonks to heal him herself. With Arabella and Harry's help she managed to stabilise his condition but needed to get him back to Headquarters for him to be properly healed. Death-eaters were already hunting him as he possessed a certain artefact that Voldemort has been after for the last two months."
The three teenagers were giving him their complete attention now.
"Arabella, Tonks and Marcus came through the Floo first. Harry was to go straight after them but the Death-eaters ambushed the house before he had a chance. He managed to escape while the Death-eaters were ridding themselves of the muggle police. We don't know where he is. Right now we have Aurors searching the remains of Arabella's home, and the Dursley's residence, for any sign as to where Harry may have fled.
Remus sighed and rubbed his eyes before continuing.
"To make matters worse, Harry is in possession of the artefact Marcus worked so hard to try and get to Headquarters. Voldemort wants both Harry and the Key desperately. Death-eaters are hunting Harry as we speak and I'm afraid they have a head start on us. Do any of you know someone Harry would seek out if he needed help? We are drawing a complete blank on where he would head to."
Ron and Ginny both shook their heads desolately. Hermione however, bit her lip and glanced at the grubby carpet of the stairway.
Remus frowned. Hermione was trying desperately to avoid eye contact with any of the others. "Hermione, if you know where he's gone – even a vague suspicion as to where he might be right now – you have got to tell us. Death-eaters are already hunting him. They could already have found him for all we know!"
"There's a place." She whispered softly. "A safe haven. Harry told me about it if I ever needed protection outside of Hogwarts and I couldn't contact any of the Order or the Ministry."
Ron frowned. "Why wouldn't he tell me or Ginny about this place?"
"You're pureblood." Hermione bit her lip. "The Sanctuary is a place for the muggleborn and muggle-raised to turn to when they need a safe place. It's sort of an underground organization. Harry said he's used it a lot while he's at the Dursley's. Whenever his Uncle used to get too violent with him or when Harry just needed some time to himself, Sanctuary would welcome him back every time."
"What do you mean 'violent'?" asked Remus, anger flaring in his gut as he watched both Hermione and Ron give each other a knowing glance before turning back to the werewolf.
Ron was the one who answered him. "Harry's Uncle used to get sort of physical with Harry sometimes . . . It stopped ages ago!" added Ron hastily as Remus' eyes flashed from warm brown to almost dirty gold.
"Harry made us promise not to tell." Whispered Hermione fearfully. "Please don't tell anyone. It stopped by the time we started fourth year."
Remus clenched his jaw. "We'll discuss this later. With Harry present." Growled Remus as he closed his eyes. "Tell me about Sanctuary."
Hermione cast her eyes downwards and fidgeted with a stray piece of hair which had escaped from the ribbon that held the curly mass back off her face. "I don't know a lot. Only what Harry told me. He started going there when he was nine. One of the teachers at his school recommended it after Harry went to class with a split lip. He found out later that the teacher was a Squib who volunteered at Sanctuary now and then. He knew exactly who Harry was and what he was going through at the Dursley's, so he gave Harry the address. It took Harry a while to try it out, he told me he was scared, he didn't want to find help, and he knew what would happen if his Uncle found out."
Hermione pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket. "Harry gave this to me at the end of fourth year before we boarded the Hogwarts Express. He told me that every town in Great Britain has at least one entry to the Sanctuary, if not more. If I was ever in trouble I must get my parents and myself to Sanctuary. He said they would keep my family safe until he could reach us. He said someone named Lex would ensure my protection if I hunted him down and told him Harry sent me, something about Lex owing Harry a favour."
She bit her lip and passed Remus the slip of paper. He unfolded it hastily.
"Seventy-four Gleefield Park." He read aloud.
"No-one else must know of this.," said Hermione, looking Remus straight in the eye now. "Harry made me swear to never tell a soul about the Sanctuary. If Voldemort ever found out about it . . ." she trailed off shivering slightly. "It would be a massacre. The shelter has its defence, from what I've heard Harry volunteers there, spends huge amounts of his inheritance on making the security tighter. But there are massive numbers of those who shelter there. Mostly runaway kids and orphans. If Death-eaters managed to find out about the Sanctuary and to gain entry, they wouldn't stand a chance."
Remus nodded grimly. "Why have I never heard of this place before? Shouldn't the Ministry have alerted the public that this place exists? That it's a safe house for those seeking help?"
Hermione shook her head violently. "The Ministry can never know of this place. There are far too many spies inside the Ministry and if even one gateway was made public knowledge, you know that Voldemort would jump at the chance to slaughter hundreds of muggle-borns."
"Very well I will keep this quiet. Is that everything you can remember?"
Hermione nodded. "Keep it safe." She whispered, closing Remus' fingers over the piece of paper in his hand.
Remus nodded once again, slipping the piece of paper inside his coat pocket as he stood. "You know I will." He turned to walk back down the stairs when a loud screech sounded behind him. He whipped around to see a snowy owl soar over his head and into the fray below. "Hedwig!" yelled Ron.
The entire house seemed to fall into silence as the owl circled down and landed on the table before the aging Headmaster.
The three teens leapt down the stairs past Remus and shoved their way through the crowd of people. Remus paused at the foot of the stairs, his hand resting on the banister to prevent his knees from giving way. Her locked eyes with Helga across the room and nodded grimly as she gave him an encouraging smile.
Dumbledore reached for the scrap of parchment tied to Hedwig's leg. Wasted old fingers flicked open the ties with remarkable dexterity, before freeing the owl of it's burden and allowing it to fly over to land on Ron's shoulder. She nipped the redhead's offered fingers affectionately, before ruffling herself in a dignified manner and settling herself down.
Dumbledore's eyes moved quickly behind their glasses as he scanned over the letter. Relief flooded the old mans face as he recognised the writing. "He's alive!" he announced to those watching silently with bated breath.
There were cries of relief from those listening. Remus leant against the banister as relief flooded him. Molly Weasly was sobbing in relief while the twins patted her on the back as they grinned at the news.
"He has the Key, and is making his way to Headquarters. He asks that no owl be sent in response as he doesn't wish it tracked to him." Dumbledore frowned. "Bellatrix knows about the Key." He looked up from the letter. "Kingsley, I want aurors stationed at all entry's into London. They must be on full alert for any Death-eater activity and for any sign of young Harry. Voldemort will no doubt have the majority of his forces searching for him and we cannot under any circumstances allow Harry to be captured."
"Of course Albus." Replied Kingsley, hurrying away to floo to Auror HQ.
Dumbledore turned back to the roomful of people. "We will have a member of the Order stationed at the Office of Underage wizardry at all times over the next week. One sign of Harry's magical signature is to be reported to me immediately.
"None of this is to be reported to the Minister. Fudge will alert the media immediately and cause a panic we don't need while running this operation. Until Harry Potter is safely back at Headquarters with the Key, I want this kept silent."
Snape gasped suddenly and grabbed his forearm. He looked up meeting Dumbledores eyes with his own. The old man nodded. "Go. Find out all you can of this." Snape nodded grimly and turned to leave the room. "Severus," called Dumbledore. Snape turned back at the doorway. Dumbledore nodded to him. "Stay safe."
Snape turned and swept out of the room, robes billowing out behind him as he left.
"What about search parties Albus?" growled Moody. "I can assemble a team in the hour and-"
"No." ordered Dumbledore shaking his head. "I cannot allow that. Even if we managed to catch Harry's trail, which I doubt severely, Voldemort would be on top of us faster then we could blink. We would lead the enemy straight to their target, and I will not allow Harry to be endangered by our actions."
"But Dumbledore," cried Tonks in disbelief. "Voldemort's on Harry's trail, you said that yourself! It's only a matter of time before he finds him!"
"I do not believe so Nymphadora. Harry Potter has my full confidence in his abilities. I have worked closer with that young man then any other here, except perhaps Severus." The old man chuckled slightly. "Although that partnership did not go as preferred. Harry is an extremely resourceful, intelligent and powerful wizard. The only reason that I have not allowed him to be more active in the field during this war is the fact that he is a mere sixteen years old. He has done more for the side of light during his short sixteen years then many of the wizards standing in this room. And by this I do not speak of the temporary defeat of Voldemort but of his other less well-known triumphs over Voldemort and the Dark side. There is more reason then that of revenge that drives Voldemort to kill the boy. And that is fear.
"Harry was prepared for an attack on Privet Drive, there's no other explanation as to how fast he managed to escape. He has been ready to run. Harry must have a plan of some kind if something like this was ever to happen. I believe he has somewhere or someone he will run to, but if we interfere we could jeopardize both Harry and the Key."
"That's another thing Dumbledore," spoke Minerva quietly. "The Key. It's a powerful magical object. Will Harry be able to carry it without being affected by it? Marcus had it for less then forty-eight hours and if Poppy's findings are anything to go by, he's showing signs of altered magical genes. It should take Harry three days to a week to reach London if he's travelling by the muggle way. That's more then enough time for the Key's magic to seep into his own."
"Harry is very strong willed, as most who know him are well aware." The Headmaster chuckled to himself. "He will have no problem bringing the Key to Headquarters, and even if the Key does influence his magical genes," Dumbledore smiled serenely. "I fail to see why that would be a bad thing."
Remus frowned. "Dumbledore, Harry's already powerful. You've said so yourself. He excels in some of the most complicated Defence spells of the century. He has huge amounts of raw power and he's yet to reach his magical peak yet. Changing his magical genes could – it could make his magic unpredictable, uncontrollable even. Harry's been known to lose control of his magic at the level it's at now. How will he be able to control it if it suddenly doubles - or triples?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "I do not believe that the Key will effect Harry to that magnitude. I have known Harry to exercise brilliant control when he puts his mind to it. Extra Occlumency should help keep everything in check." He looked around the group. "Now if that is all I think we should wrap things up and draw up a watch-duty around the city. I want every possible entrance covered. That is all we can really do. The rest is up to Harry now."