Invisible Scars
To all of you, my cup runneth over.
Chapter 5 – Explanations Are In Order
After dinner, Mrs. Weasley had recruited her children for wedding details, dismissing Harry and Hermione's offers of help.
"Don't be silly, dears," she'd said with a smile. "Besides, tomorrow is going to be filled with enough things to keep everyone busy all day."
Which is how Hermione had found the opportunity to drag Harry upstairs to Ron's room, where he was currently reading the lengthy letter she'd shoved into his hands. Hermione tried reading his face as he scanned the page, the light reflecting off his glasses. When he'd reached the end and placed the letter on Ron's desk, Hermione raised her eyebrows. Where was the shock? Didn't he understand?
"Harry," she said, almost impatiently, "R.A.B…from that first note inside the locket. R.A.B. is Sirius' brother, Regulus. He has to be."
Harry sighed heavily, the weight of the circumstances almost visibly bearing down on his shoulders.
"Who else could it be? The person said he knew people intimately connected with your family," she continued when he remained silent for way too long. "It's the only thing that makes sense."
Harry seemed to come to himself then, looking up at her with an unreadable expression. "Sense? None of this makes sense, Hermione," he said, gesturing at the note. "This whole situation…and besides, I know for a fact that Regulus is dead."
Hermione stared evenly back at him. "Who told you that?"
"Sirius," Harry answered, feeling the small pang of grief he always did when he thought of his father's best friend. "He told me when we stayed at Grimmauld Place. He said his brother joined up with Voldemort, then panicked at what he was being asked to do, and tried cutting away. Sirius heard later that Voldemort murdered him, or at least sent someone to do it for him."
Hermione nodded, digesting the information. "But isn't it possible Regulus survived and went into hiding? Your parents did," she reasoned.
Harry shrugged helplessly. "I don't know."
"I think the best thing to do at this point is get in touch with Lupin," Hermione suggested, hating the look on Harry's face. She stepped forward and grabbed parchment off of Ron's desk. "I know he's coming for the wedding the day after tomorrow, but maybe you'll feel better if you talk to him before then."
Harry nodded at her and reached for a quill. "Okay, but what do I say? Dear Remus, how've you been? Ron just received a letter from Sirius' dead brother and he says he knows how we can take Voldemort down. Please advise."
Hermione smiled at his tone, then shrugged. "Why not? Sounds about right to me."
"Hermione, I was kidding," he said, the quill poised above the parchment.
"I don't know why," she said. "It's short and to the point."
Harry laughed at her as he began to scribble what he assumed would be read with a very confused, wary look from Lupin. "Fine, but when he comes barreling over here demanding answers, I'm pointing right at you to do the explaining."
He finished the short letter, tied it to Hedwig's leg and opened Ron's window. Then he turned to Hermione and sighed again. "So, what now?"
She grimaced as she sank into the chair behind her. "We wait," she said tersely. "I hate waiting."
"Well, while we're waiting, is there something you want to tell me about you and Ron?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her. She looked up at him, startled, then recognized the teasing look on his face.
"It's not nice to make fun of your friends," she said, scowling slightly. "I didn't have a go at you when you took up with Ginny, did I?"
The teasing look slid from Harry's face, replaced with one of apology. "No, you're right…sorry," he said.
Hermione felt silly all of a sudden. After all, what had he really asked? "Sorry, Harry," she apologized. "I guess I'm just not used to all of this yet."
The truth was, she really didn't know what exactly to say in response to his question. What would she tell people? Were they dating, or was it more than that? Were they…what exactly were they?
"S'okay," he said, smiling at her. "Ron told me that you two…well, that you've moved on from last year." She blushed crimson at his words, causing Harry's grin to grow. "I take it that you forgave him," he said seriously.
She expelled a breath in an effort to clear her thoughts. "It's so strange. I mean, one day we're just friends, and now…" she trailed off, looking at him helplessly. "It's confusing and exhilarating, but the really weird thing is that it's not weird at all. Am I making any sense?" she asked, when she saw that his expression had remained the same throughout her little rant.
"Actually, you're making perfect sense," he said, still smiling. "It kind of felt like that with me and Ginny. One minute friends, the next, something else entirely."
Hermione felt much better knowing that he understood what she was going through. "So what exactly did Ron tell you about us?" she asked, letting her curiosity get the better of her.
"Oh no," Harry emphasized, shaking his head. "What Ron tells me stays with me. Just like what you and Ginny tell each other stays between you."
Hermione shot him a look, but grinned all the same. "Fine. Be that way."
Harry was about to retort when they heard footsteps in the hall outside the door. A moment later, Mrs. Weasley appeared, looking out of sorts.
"Harry, Hermione, Remus is downstairs. He says he needs to speak with you both," she said, the panic she was obviously feeling evident in every word she spoke. "May I send him up?"
Harry came away from the window as Hermione rose swiftly out of her chair. "He couldn't possibly have gotten our message this quickly," she reasoned with an incredulous look at Harry.
"What message?" Mrs. Weasley asked, her hands now clasping and unclasping at a rapid rate. "Is something wrong?"
"No, Mrs. Weasley," Harry assured her, crossing to the door. "Really. I just had some questions about Sirius and my parents, and I didn't want to talk about that stuff at Bill's wedding," he explained honestly.
Mrs. Weasley didn't look convinced, however, but she relaxed her hands all the same. "I'll send him up so you can have some privacy," she said, including Hermione in her sharp gaze. "You let me know if there's anything you need."
As she left, Harry's eyes met Hermione's and she shook her head. "I have no idea," she said in response to his silent question. "There's no way Hedwig found him that soon."
When Lupin appeared in the doorway, he looked tense and hesitant.
"Hello Harry…Hermione," he said in greeting, no trace of a welcoming smile or look anywhere on his face.
"Hi, profes – Remus," Harry said, looking shy all of a sudden. Hermione knew that Harry had a very complicated relationship with Lupin. The older man was no longer his professor, and had been one of his parents' closest friends, but she knew Harry couldn't help look at him as he had in Hogwarts. Lupin was neither parent nor godfather to Harry, but was the only link remaining to James and Lily, and therefore was thus far an undecided entity in Harry's life.
"I'm sorry I haven't been in touch lately," he said, looking deeply apologetic. "Things have been quite busy at the Order's headquarters."
"We understand," Hermione said, smiling at him. She had always been rather fond of Remus. "Are you still at Grimmauld Place, then?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, that's where I'm coming from right now," he said, his expression darkening at the question. "I'm afraid there's been a bit of a situation that I need to make you both aware of."
Harry glanced at her, and she could see the weariness in his eyes. Her heart went out to him as he turned to face Lupin with his shoulders straightened.
"Is it Voldemort?" he asked.
Lupin nodded. "Yes, but it's not what you think. He hasn't killed anyone yet," he said, his face appearing very haggard all of a sudden. "He attacked a Muggle town outside of Lancaster. There were no casualties, but I don't think that was the point. Voldemort left his message with the poor family he tortured within their home. He's going to go after the muggle-borns first…try and get us to come after him full force…"
He paused, and turned to Hermione. "We have had someone in the Order watching over you and your parents all summer, and kept him in place after you left. He reported back tonight, saying there had been unusual activity in the area all day."
Hermione's eyes widened more and more the longer he talked. Her parents…
"Are they alright?" she asked, her voice sounding very high-pitched in the silent room.
"They're fine, but we felt it best that they come to Grimmauld Place until we've had a chance to make sure things are secure. Just as a precaution," he added assuredly when Hermione's posture didn't relax. "That's why I'm here. I thought you could come back with me and explain things to them as best you can. They've been asking for you."
Hermione nodded, already moving past Lupin in the doorway. She was already on the middle step when she heard Lupin tell Harry to come along as well.
Hermione reached the living room just as Mrs. Weasley rounded the corner with Ron and Ginny in tow.
"What's going on?" Ron asked, taking in her worried expression at once. "What is it?"
She looked back at him, and before she knew it, her hand was reaching out for his. As Lupin reached the bottom landing, she felt Ron's hand slide into hers, and she moved closer to him.
"Can Ron come with us?" she asked, looking first at Lupin, then Mrs. Weasley. Lupin nodded, then referred to Mrs. Weasley. "If it's alright with Molly."
"Just where are you all off to now?" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "All of this secrecy…I don't like it one bit!"
Lupin placed a hand on her shoulder and it seemed to have a calming effect. "Molly, Hermione's parents are at Grimmauld Place, and they want to see her. Harry's coming along because I must speak with him about something."
Mrs. Weasley looked at Hermione then, a softness coming over her features that Hermione had never seen before. "Of course," she said, straightening her shoulders much like Harry had earlier. "Of course. Hermione, you let them know that if they need anything, all they have to do is ask."
Hermione nodded absently, feeling almost numb. If her parents were in trouble, she didn't know what she would do. They were all she had, and if she lost them…
Ron tightened his hold on her hand then, and her wits returned to her. They were fine, and she would see to it that they always would be. That's why she was going off with Harry and Ron in the first place.
They crossed to the fireplace as a group, Ron grumbling something under his breath about the stupidity of eyebrows, and only when they were standing in front of the grate did Hermione see Ginny's face. She looked as if she was either about to burst into tears or begin tossing apart the entire living room.
Hermione's gut twisted painfully, but she couldn't focus on that right now. She had to see her parents with her own two eyes, and then she could worry about everything else.
They were thrown from the grate in the drawing room of Grimmauld Place, and Ron put a hand on Hermione's arm to keep her steady. Lupin and Harry quickly followed.
"Where are they?" Hermione asked immediately, brushing herself off haphazardly. Her eyes looked out the open doorway into the hall, as if she could force her parents to materialize by sheer will. Her eyes landed on someone, but it wasn't her parents. "Mr. Weasley?" she called out, drawing his attention to the room they were in.
Ron turned and followed her gaze. "Dad, what are you doing here?" he asked, as his father stepped into the room.
"I thought I'd come on ahead and see if I can help at all," he explained, giving Hermione an encouraging smile. "I've met your parents before, and I think they've seen enough strangers for one night."
Hermione looked thankfully at him, then turned to Lupin. "Where are they?" she repeated, this time much more calmly. Ron told himself to thank his father when he got the chance.
"They should be in the kitchen," Lupin answered. "Tonks was fixing them a bit of supper when I left earlier."
Hermione strode out of the room quickly, the rest of them following close behind. When they reached the main hall, Ron saw Hermione's parents coming toward them from the direction of the kitchen.
"Hermione!" her mother cried, quickening her pace and enveloping her daughter when she reached her. Hermione stood in her mother's embrace, her face a mask of barely contained control.
"Are you both alright?" she asked, as her mother released her and her father stepped in to hug her.
Ron saw Mr. Granger stiffen at the question, and as he released Hermione his face became drawn and very, very tired.
"If you call being taken from our home alright…worrying about you, wondering what is going on…" he said, trailing off. Then he cast a look at the portrait of Sirius' mother, which, to Ron's amazement was oddly silent despite the ruckus they were creating right under her nose.
"And if you consider being called filthy, contaminating animals by a talking portrait alright, then I suppose we're just fine," he said, reaching for his wife. Mrs. Granger didn't seem nearly as concerned with the portrait as she did with the group of people standing next to it.
Hermione's eyes were bright as she faced them, seeking Ron's out immediately. He tried smiling encouragingly, but couldn't seem to do it. Luckily, his father sensed that what they needed right now was a bit of an explanation, and he stepped forward to greet the Grangers.
"Harold…Helen," he said, extending his hand to Mr. Granger. "I wish we were meeting again under better circumstances."
Mr. Granger accepted the handshake with weariness etched into every feature on his face. "Arthur, what in the world is going on here?"
Ron's father sighed heavily at the impossible question. "I don't know if I can answer all your questions," he said, gesturing to the drawing room, "but between myself and your daughter we'll give it a go."
Ron watched as the Grangers followed his father into the other room. Hermione followed them, looking back at him quickly as if she needed reassurance of some kind. Ron didn't know what he could do to make this easier, or better, so he simply nodded at her. It must have been enough, because she gave him a faint smile and turned to follow her parents into the drawing room.
Lupin expelled a heavy breath once the door had shut between them. "I didn't know what else to do," he explained helplessly. "They didn't want to come, but I don't know how else to keep them safe."
"You did the right thing," Ron said, his eyes still trained on the door. "Hermione would agree. Their safety is the most important thing."
"Why is the portrait so silent?" Harry asked suddenly, turning to face it with disgust on his face. "Shouldn't she be spewing all that garbage she usually does whenever we set foot in this house?"
Lupin gave the portrait his own disgusted glance before leading them out of the hall and into the kitchen. "She hasn't spoken since her tirade when the Grangers first arrived. The closest thing we can come up with is that one of the thousands of spells we've tried on her finally worked."
Tonks looked up from her plate when they entered the kitchen. "I tried to keep them as calm as possible, Remus," she said, rising out of her chair and crossing to him quickly. "As soon as they heard the commotion in the other room, they took off."
"It's alright," Lupin said, smiling at her. "Hermione and Arthur are with them, and hopefully they'll be able to explain things better than either of us can."
"Wotcher Harry…Ron," Tonks said, acknowledging them over Lupin's shoulder.
"Hey, Tonks," Ron said, watching in mild amusement as Tonks tucked her hand into the crook of Lupin's arm so naturally that it left little doubt that the two of them had also found their own relationship this summer.
"Remus, have you asked him yet?" she asked, nodding her head at Harry.
"Asked me what?" Harry asked, looking back and forth between Lupin and Tonks.
Lupin pulled out a chair and motioned for Harry and Ron to do the same. "I received a letter from your aunt yesterday," he said, the look on his face showing that he had been just as surprised as Harry now was.
"You did?" Harry asked, his brows wrinkled in confusion. "Why?"
"She said you've packed your things; almost as if you were preparing to move out. She was concerned about her promise to Dumbledore, and was wondering if she should try to stop you." He kept his gaze level with Harry's. "She didn't seem aware of the fact that you're of legal age now, so I sent a reply to her. I hope you don't mind."
He paused for a moment, considering Harry closely. "I'm assuming you're going to stay at the Burrow then, until further arrangements can be made?"
For some reason, Ron felt slightly uncomfortable at the turn the conversation had made. Was Harry going to inform Lupin of their future plans? Ron turned to watch Harry closely as well. Whatever Harry decided, he'd back him up.
"Only for a week or so," Harry said, staring down at the table. "After that, I was thinking about going to Godric's Hollow for a while."
If Lupin thought it was a bad idea, he didn't say so straight off. In fact, he didn't say anything for quite some time. Then, as Tonks rose to begin putting the dishes in the sink, he leaned forward and lowered his voice.
"Do you think that's the wisest thing right now?" he asked, and Harry stiffened immediately.
"It's what I need right now," Harry answered resolutely.
Lupin leaned back in his chair and ran a hand through his ragged hair. Ron thought that he had never looked so worn and tired, and that was saying quite a bit considering his monthly transformations.
"Fine," he said. "I'll make sure that someone is stationed in the neighborhood in case you need anything."
Ron could tell that Harry wanted to argue the point, but instead he nodded once and decided to close the subject. Ron figured that now was as good a time as any to bring up the letter he'd received.
"There was something we had to tell you, too," he said, straightening in his chair. He spent the next several minutes describing the letter's contents as best he could, and knew that they had been on to something when Lupin's expression changed to one of shock when he mentioned the initials.
"But that's…" he said, shaking his head, "it can't be. Regulus died the year you two were born. The date is on the Black family crest…"
"Well, if it isn't him, we sure need your help in figuring out who it is," Ron said, frustration creeping into his voice. "Because whoever it is knows Hermione and I are friends with Harry, and claims to know how he can help us with Voldemort."
Lupin ran his hands over his face tiredly, looking back at Tonks for support. "Your parents ever talk about Regulus?"
Tonks had frozen where she stood in front of the sink, her gaze not really focused on anything in particular. "No, never. My mother was always closer with Sirius."
"Maybe if you ask her now, she'll recall something that might help clear this up," he offered, getting out of his seat and placing a hand on her elbow. She looked down at his hand almost blankly, then she seemed to come to herself and nodded.
"Of course. I'll go write her now," she said, walking quickly out of the room.
Lupin watched her go, then resumed his seat across from them with a weary sigh. "Let's just assume for a moment that it is Sirius' brother, and that somehow, he was able to hide himself away all these years. Do you honestly think that anyone in the Order will allow him anywhere near the lot of you?" he asked.
"If he can help us bring down Voldemort, the Order doesn't have a choice," Harry argued emphatically. Ron watched the two of them square off against each other, tension mounting slowly in the quiet room.
"Former Death Eaters don't often prove to be trustworthy," Lupin continued quietly, pointedly. "I would assume you knew that by now."
Ron watched Harry's face drain of all color, and he stood so quickly that his chair toppled to the floor. "Snape is a murderer, a traitor and a coward! He never looked out for anyone but himself!" Harry shouted, his fists balling up at his sides. "And if R.A.B. - whoever he turns out to be - can help me find him, I'll meet with him tomorrow if he contacts me!"
Harry stormed out then, slamming the door behind him and leaving Ron and Lupin sitting across from each other in the empty silence.
"I should probably go check on him," Ron said, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. Something stopped him, however, before he pushed away from the table. Lupin's face was drawn so tight that Ron was afraid he'd pass out cold right there and then. "Look, Harry gets like this," he explained, gesturing helplessly. "He gets an idea into his head, and it's hard to talk him out of it."
"Don't you realize just how dangerous that attitude can be?" Lupin asked dejectedly. "His father was exactly the same, and there are a dozen situations I had to literally pull him out of because of his recklessness."
"Well, I kind of figure that's why we all became friends in the first place. We each have a specific role for each other," said Ron, thinking carefully on the matter. "I mean, Hermione is the logical, realistic one. She keeps Harry from making any rash decisions. I'm sure once she's sure her parents are fine she'll focus some of that rationality on Harry and he'll come to see things clearly."
Lupin considered him closely, leaning back in his chair as he did so. A small smile came to his face, dawning slowly as if he was recalling some far off memory.
"What?" Ron asked.
"What would you say your role in all of this is, then?" Lupin questioned lightly, the smile growing ever more prominent.
Ron paused before he answered. What was his role? He had spent countless nights wondering over this exact question. He knew he was not the hero, nor was he the brains. He was good for a laugh from time to time, and he wouldn't back down from a fight, but how did he truly figure in?
"I don't rightly know," he finally admitted, shrugging. "I guess I just try to be there when Harry needs me. Sometimes I have to play the go between for Harry and Hermione. I have to make Hermione see that rules need to be broken sometimes, and I have to make Harry see that she's just looking out for us."
Lupin nodded at him, then let out a soft laugh as he shook his head in amazement. "That's exactly what Sirius used to do for me and James," he said, his voice ringing with remembrance. "James would get something into his head, I would immediately shoot it down because I'd thought about all the possible outcomes, and Sirius would step in and make the decision."
His eyes took on a very far away look, and the smile faded from his face slowly. "I've lost my best friends, Ron, and I don't want to see that happen to any of you," he said in a quiet voice. "Please make Harry understand that."
Ron nodded silently, his chest tighten painfully. He looked away from Lupin, feeling almost intrusive at this moment. "I'll try," he said, getting to his feet. "Well, I'll see you at the wedding then, right?"
Lupin nodded, looking very much lost in his own thoughts. "Yes, of course," he answered. "Wouldn't miss it."
When Ron reached the hall, he stopped in the middle of it and gave himself a minute to collect his thoughts. He glanced up the stairs, assuming Harry had gone off somewhere private to stew over things for a bit. Then he looked toward the drawing room, wondering if Hermione was alright. Not knowing where he was needed most, he stayed completely still.
Barely a minute later, the drawing room door opened, and Hermione came out, wiping at her cheeks with both hands. Every muscle in Ron's body reacted at the same time, carrying him towards her without realizing he was moving.
"Is everything okay?" he asked, taking in the red puffiness surrounding her eyes. She didn't say a word; only shook her head and walked into his arms. He held her, waiting for her body to stop trembling. After some time, she pulled away from him and he could at least see some clarity in the depths of her eyes now.
"They are so angry," she said heavily. "They don't want to leave our house, their practices, their friends…but they know they have to. My mother – she looked so scared, Ron," she said, her voice shaking slightly. He kept his arms around her, trying to give her as much comfort as he could.
"Are they going to stay here, then?" he asked. She nodded, looking around the dimly lit hall.
"Not the best place, but the safest," she concluded. "At least I'll know that they'll be looked after, what with the Order still meeting here from time to time. And I think Lupin is staying here as well."
"Is my dad still in there with them?"
Hermione smiled then, a slight, sad smile; but a smile nonetheless. "Your father was amazing. He answered all their questions and was so patient with them. He reassured them in ways that I couldn't. I don't know how I'm ever going to thank him."
Ron silently agreed as Hermione laid her cheek against his chest wearily. Just then, the door opened again and their parents came out of the room. All three adults stopped short when they saw Hermione and Ron in the middle of the hall, and within an instant, they broke apart as if they'd been caught doing something indecent.
The hall became eerily quiet as Ron looked between his father and Hermione's parents. Her mother appeared shocked at first, then she looked at Hermione and a soft expression took its place. Her father had no such look on his face as he sized Ron up from across the room.
Ron's own father was looking steadily at him, as if he'd known about this all along.
"Where's Harry?" he said into the long silence, looking about the hall as if Harry would jump out from behind a potted plant or a light fixture.
"I don't know," answered Ron truthfully. "I came out here and saw Hermione upset so I…" he stopped himself, realizing that at any moment he'd probably say something incredibly stupid.
Mr. Granger took a few steps forward, still looking over Ron as if he was trying to gauge his exact height and weight. Ron squirmed under his stare, but pulled himself up as straight as he could.
"My daughter has always spoken very highly of you, Ron," Mr. Granger said, his tone one of begrudging admiration. "Every year, when she returns home, all she can talk about is you and Harry. How the two of you look after her and keep her safe. In fact, her opinion of you both is the only reason I'm trusting her to go off with the two of you this year instead of insisting she return to school."
Ron saw his father stiffen next to Mr. Granger, and his eyes closed briefly. This was not the way he wanted his father to find out about their plans.
Harry came down the main staircase just then, and Ron was never more pleased to see him in his life. His father pinned him with a stare that kept him rooted to the spot, but he spoke to the group as if nothing at all was wrong.
"Well, I'd best be getting this lot back to the house," he said. "We have a busy day tomorrow." He turned to the Grangers and shook hands with both of them. "I hope you consider coming to my son's wedding. Molly and I would love to have you."
Hermione stepped forward to hug her parents, and while she was chatting in a low voice with her mother, her father stepped forward and grasped Ron's hand, shaking it firmly.
"She is the most important thing in my life," Mr. Granger said in a low, calm voice.
Ron gulped at the increasing pressure of the hand squeezing his. "I know," he managed to say. "I won't let anything happen to her."
Mr. Granger sized him up once again, and after a moment, released the pressure on Ron's hand with a satisfied look on his face. "I believe you."
He turned then to say goodbye to Harry, and Ron felt his father's hand on his shoulder.
"When we get home we're going to sit down and have us a nice little chat, you and me," his father said, the tone of his voice indicating that there would be no getting out of it. Ron sighed and nodded in understanding, letting his father nudge him toward the fireplace so they could floo home.
From my end, this was a very interesting chapter to write, because it was the least shippy…but I like it. I finally have the whole story planned out where I want it to go, and I started getting antsy to write it all, but I'm tired and I have to stop. So I'll leave you with this chapter, and I will most likely have another done by tomorrow night (the wedding), and then we can get on with things.
Thanks for all your suggestions and helpful points. I plan on addressing quite a few of them. I addressed the Regulus one in this chapter. I went back to OotP and read the part about his 'death'. Sirius talks about his death, but it isn't crystal clear. Enough room for me to get in there and say, hey, maybe he could still be alive. I found all the info on pg. 112 of the book if you want to go back and check it out. I'm such a dork…doing research for fanfiction! (Ah well, anything for you, my readers).
I wasn't aware of Ginny's bday, and I'm glad it was pointed out to me because her age would have in fact worked its way into the story…so now we can all just pretend that I said her bday was in August.
As always, you keep me inspired, my friends! Hopefully more to come tomorrow!