Chapter 4

Do you see what I see?

The darkness brought a chill with the moist air around the Old Riddle House. A single room was alight by fireplace with a man looking out the window. With a 'pop' he left and was standing outside two towering doors inside a grand house. The doors were ornate with a symbol containing a live snake moving in a circle then forming an "S" to resume again the circle. As he stepped towards the doors, they opened inward to a grand room with a single throne at the end. Sitting on a high backed chair, fitting of a king, sat Lord Voldemort. One could only describe him as evil, though once a handsome man now saw one with dark combed hair on an elongated white face, with sparkling red eyes that seemed to glow. Resting in his right gnarled hand sat a long wand. Kneeling before the throne was a one of his servants, withering in pain. Standing to the side stood Severus Snape, the Dark Lords most recent honored subject. He had recently enjoyed the new status upon killing one the Darks Lords oldest nemesis, Albus Dumbledore. Snape looked down on the subject with his arms crossed, his lips curled clearly enjoying the tonight's entertainment.

"Severus" Lord Voldemort commanded, "You will take this coward and train him to serve me properly. It is only because he accomplished part of his task, that he has not been fed to Nagina," gesturing to a great snake curled at his feet.

Snape grabbed the robed figure by the collar and hauled him to his feet. He had blonde hair and was in great pain. Tears flowed uncontrolled from his face as he was dragged out from the room. The newcomer stepped forward, bowed and only raised his head when the Dark Lord commanded "Speak".

Standing at attention, his arms locked at his side, he spoke hurriedly but clearly. "My Lord, the Minister of Magic will have a meeting with the Potter boy in his office in three days. The Minister wants something from him, but I have not been able to determine what as yet. Whatever it is, he is willing to offer him anything for it. His assistant has been instructed to insure that he is given the royal treatment. It is also believed Potter is staying at the assistant's father's house."

"Good, good", he replied looking into his servants face. "Find out what this meeting is about, who will accompany him and anything else that may be important. Return when you have word.

The man bowed and left through the doors he had entered. Wiping his brow, he pulled his wand and apparated back to the room he previously occupied. After stoking the fire in the fireplace, he sat down in a chair and resumed his vigil.

In the empty office of the Minister of Magic, a slight glow emitted from a painting on the wall.

Morning came to the Burrow with the sounds of birds in the air. Looking out the window, Harry could see Hermione's ginger cat Crookshanks sneaking up on several gnomes in the garden. Further out were several Ministry Aurors in their blue cloaks talking by the field where they played Quidditch in the summer. Stretching and looking around the room, his eyes fell upon the note wrapped around the fake Horcrux necklace Dumbledore had retrieved in the cave. He now carried it with him everywhere he went as a constant reminder of the price one could pay for a mistake and being unprepared. Dumbledore had taught him many things that night. Dedication, following instructions, planning ahead, and to keep a cool head, these were just a few things he would have to make sure were clearly understood by everyone he worked with. Getting dressed in the jeans he wore the day before and a fresh black t-shirt, he used the bathroom and went downstairs, leaving Ron snoring in his bed. Mrs. Weasley was just coming in the back door carrying a basket of fresh eggs. Ginny sat slumped over the kitchen table with her head resting on her arms, still dressed in her night cloths and hair askew. He moved to the stove and whispered a "Good Morning" to Mrs. Weasley as he gave her a hug. She was the mother he never had, always ready to fuss about him, worry about him and was the first person he could remember to ever make him something personal. Even though he had clearly out grown it years ago, he still had the green sweater she made him for his first Christmas at Hogwarts. Grabbing a cup of tea and some toast, he exited the back door and sat on the steps. He sensed rather then saw someone looking at him.

Slowly putting the cup down with his left hand, he drew his wand with his right. Instincts he'd honed on the quidditch field kicked in telling him someone was coming round the corner and trying to be quiet. He pointed his wand and waited. Moody came around the corner. "Very good, Potter. I'm impressed. How did you know I was there? You haven't got my eye and I know you couldn't hear me."Harry smiled, "Oh, it's called constant vigilance" while lowering his wand."Well, are you going to ask me a question? Isn't that what the pamphlets say your supposed to do?" his face contorting as he smiled while still advancing.Answering very nonchalantly, "Why? I learned several years ago, that asking someone if they are who they say they are isn't a very good way to determine if they are who they say they are. Looks, voice, mannerisms can all be deceiving. The fake Moody taught me that. So the correct answer is your motto.""Constant Vigilance" they said together. Moody pulled his hip flask out from his cloak. He looked at Harry and tipped some out. "Not polyjuice as you can see. It's Turkish cold coffee. Hate the stuff, but it's so strong it will keep you awake if it doesn't kill you first." he said with a husky laugh. "I've come to talk to you about security and some of your plans. Lupin mentioned you want to go to Godric's Hollow. I take it you mean the Potter Manor since the cottage was destroyed. We could go, but my security won't be able to check it out until you arrive. What with the wards your mother placed on it, I don't doubt anyone has even been able to see it, much less enter." He said taking a pull from the flask.

"Potter Manor?" Harry asked in a surprised voice. Standing up and spilling his tea on his pants, " Is there really a Potter Manor? Are you able to see it?"

With a snarling smile, "Yes, and so can you, but I don't think many others can. With this eye, I can see through most any charm, and being that your blood is part of what made the charm, you should be able to see it too. Just because I can see it doesn't mean I will be able to enter uninvited. The gate won't recognize me, but you're a different story. The gate should open for you and anyone you tell it to. I'm sure you've heard your mother was a very powerful witch. Very much so like your girl friend, hell they even look alike, except Lily was taller and had eyes like yours, but overall the resemblance is striking. Haven't you ever noticed? Heck, you should have noticed, you could clearly see in the photo I showed you last year."To tell the truth, I don't remember ever being to the manor before, but I heard tales of it. I only heard about it the other day", looking away and not wanting to admit that he really hadn't thought that much about the photo, although it was interesting that Ginny looked like his mom. He also didn't want say that it was Dumbledore who first told him about the manor and recommended that Moony go with him. There were things that Remus needed to show and explain to him. And of course, Dumbledore didn't tell him what it was. No one knew for certain that Dumbledore's ghost had paid him a visit while at the Dursley's. "I'd like to go this morning if we can."

"You're probably thinking of bringing your friends, but I would advise against it this first time. We are dealing with an unknown. There is no reason to put them in jeopardy when we don't have to. We can go, bring about a half dozen guards and check the place out first. If it's OK, then we'll bring the rest. Sound good to you?" Moody said, his eye scanning the area at the same time.

"When do you think would be best then?" wondering how much Remus knew about the manor.

"When? Well that would be up to you. What do you think Miss Weasley? If you're coming out, might as well bring Potter some more tea. He is wearing half of it."

Ginny opened the door, a pixy smile on her face. She still looked tired, small bags appeared under her eyes. She had dressed in jeans also, but wore a green corduroy shirt over a yellow t-shirt. It looked striking on her. Harry just couldn't take his eyes off her.

Carrying the teapot, she poured Harry another cup and offered some to Mad-Eye. He looked at her suspiciously, but then everyone knew he was always reluctant to accept food or drink from others. Opening the door again, she put the pot on the stove and sat on the steps, next to Harry.

Sitting and looking at Harry, she bit her lip before speaking. "Well, I'd like to see it too, but if you think it should be checked out first, then I will have to agree. Harry, you should ask Remus to go with you. He probably knows his way around the house."

Harry looked at Ginny. There it was again, in so many days, she had said exactly what he had been thinking. As he studied her face, she looked right at him. Biting her lower lip, she claimed it was still chilly and went back inside the house. Watching her leave, Harry decided he needed to talk to her. Private would be best. Something odd was going on and he intended to find out what it was. Looking out the window, Ginny lowered her eyes and nodded to him as if agreeing.

"Why don't you two go for a walk? It looks like you need to talk. Just don't leave the compound." Moody said as he walked away.

Harry sat on the steps again. It was time to think of how he would break it to Ginny and find out just how she knew what he was thinking all the time. He just didn't want her getting too close to the action. He knew she was determined, and that she could take care of herself, but that wasn't the point. He didn't want to be distracted from making decisions that could hurt her. If he just could think of how to tell her without her blowing up at him, or thinking him silly. He'd tried before, and gave in. She knew how to manipulate him, but at the same time, she also was the calming force around him.

At first he thought he heard a phoenix singing. As he looked up, he saw Luna and Neville walking over the hill by the pond. Luna was singing to a small little bird standing on the side of her hand. She had a beautiful voice, and the song was pretty, but the words were in a language he hand never heard before. Looking around, he noticed other animals coming out to watch. Ginny came back out and sat next to him, then Fleur and Bill appeared in the window above them. Luna just kept singing her song as they approached the house. It spoke of love, of peace, of joy, of togetherness. As she ended her song, you could hear the bird coo softly before taking flight. Neville ran up the rest of the way leaving Luna behind to watch the bird.

Beaming Neville exclaimed "Isn't she amazing." He took a deep breath and looked back at her "She has the most beautiful voice I've ever heard, and a wonderful garden. I didn't want to leave, but she insisted that we had to come this morning. What she sees in me, I have no idea, but I couldn't be happier." Neville said proudly. He turned back to her as she approached the group.

Ron and Hermione appeared at the door as everyone stood up to go inside. "Where have you two been?" Ginny asked with a smirk on her face. Hermione blushed and Ron changed the subject fast. "The living room is clear if we want to talk in there." turning away.

"Well I've got to go with Mad-eye. We are going to Godric's Hollow, and if the coast is clear, I'll floo you." Harry said as they crossed the kitchen.

Ron looked hurt. But Ginny set him straight. "He just doesn't think we should go and look at it before he has a chance to see that it is safe. Harry is only going because Mad-eye doesn't think he can get in without Harry. They are going to Potter Manor, and there's some family wards set up. So we'll go when they say we can. In the mean time, Ron, you have to come up with the plan for talking with the Minister. You're the strategist, so strategize." Hermione beamed at Ginny, knowing that she really did know how to get on Ron's good side.

"If the meeting is tomorrow, Neville and I can't go. He promised to introduce me to his grandmother and parents. We're spending the day with them at St. Mungo's." Luna said taking Neville's hand. Neville looked nervous, but determined. We all knew this was a big step for him. He was usually shy about letting people meet his parents.

Harry turn to leave when the fireplace erupted with a green flash as Remus came out. Looking around, he moved straight to Harry. Noticing everyone in the room, he spoke quietly as though not wanting to be overheard, "We got a problem, Harry. All of the wards that Dumbledore made at Grimmauld Place are gone. I've just put some up, but they aren't enough. Hagrid is there now, keeping watch."

"Remus, follow me, Mad-eye is here. He can help." Harry said hurrying to the back towards the kitchen.

Molly was coming out the door and Moody was sitting at the kitchen table waiting for them. His flask was out and his eye was swirling around in a glass of pink liquid. "I'll be ready in a moment. Just let me finish cleaning my eye, and we'll be gone."

"We've another stop to make before we get to the manor. We need more wards up at

Headquarters. So we're best only taking Order members with us." Harry said watching the eye and getting queasy. "Remus and I will see you there."

He quickly moved back to the living room, only to see Ron leading his friends upstairs. Ginny was the last in the queue. As the two made eye contact, unspoken words were conveyed to each other. Harry nodded his head before speaking, "I'll be careful, I promise."

He turned to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of green powder from the jar over the mantle. He entered and faced about. Throwing the handful of floo powder to his feet, he spoke in a clear precise voice "Grimmauld Place". In a flash of green bright fire, he was gone from the room, only to reappear at the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix and his house. As he stepped out, he saw a giant of a man holding something at arms length.

"Hagrid, what you got there?" he said as the giant turned. The giants' hand was holding a scrawny man by the neck and about a meter off the ground.

His face a mask of fury, "Harry. Guess what I found upstairs with a bag of your goodies", he said. Fighting a losing battle to breath and get away was Mundungus Fletcher.