Chapter 17
We are in this together
Harry awoke with a start his scar burning for the first time since he's been back from Alfheim, it seems the contact with Voldemort reopened some of his shields. Thankfully some of them still held, he didn't have any nightmares or shared in any of Voldemort's activities but he still needed to get his shielding back in place he didn't want a repeat of what happened last year. He pulled back the curtains surrounding his bed and went to stand by the window looking out his mind deep in thought. Voldemort was up to something he just wished he knew what it was. He could tell from the his emotions during his brief contact before his scar started burning that he was desperate and he viewed Hogwarts as a threat to himself. He was also very upset at the lost of Lucius and even worst he knew how Lucius had died and by whose hand. There was no telling what he will do to Draco for losing him one of his most influential servants. Harry was so deep in thought that at first it didn't register but then he stiffened, someone was standing behind him. He relaxed after a moment when he felt who it was.
"What are you doing out of bed?" He asked telepathically.
"I felt when you awakened, is anything wrong?"
"I think so, but first we must speak to Dumbledore. I think we have a spy amongst us."
"I see, well he is awake we could go up and see him."
Dumbledore seemed to have been expecting them when they teleported to his office.
"Harry, Amelia have a seat, would you like some tea?" He asked pouring them each a cup of tea and then settling himself back in his chair eyeing them. "I know this is not a social call so what can I help you with?"
Harry took a sip of his tea and placed the cup back down before replying.
"I believe we have a spy on our side."
"What make you say that my boy."
"Because I was in Voldemort's mind tonight and he knows how and who killed Lucius and that is not common knowledge. And the worst of it is he is planning on recruiting Draco and if he don't join freely he's going to force him and if that don't work he plans to kill him." Harry finished taking another sip of tea.
"I see," began Dumbledore leaning forward in his chair. "So Voldemort knows that it was young Mr. Malfoy's action that led to the demise of Lucius, but that would mean the spy is within the order itself since no one outside knows what really happened."
"What about the aurors don't they know what happened?" Asked Amelia speaking for the first time.
"I'm afraid not Miss Emrys." Dumbledore began. "I only told them that there was a fight during which Lucius was thrown against the wall and died. The only people that knows exactly what happened is us within the order."
"Professor, what about Mrs. Malfoy did anyone tell her what happened?" Harry asked.
"I'm afraid not my boy, I'd left the decision to tell her up to young Mr. Malfoy and I'm afraid he was in no position to talk while she was here. And he hasn't spoken to her since."
"So that proves it then," Harry began. "We have a traitor within the Order."
"I'm afraid so my boy."
"So how to we go about uncovering the traitor?"
"Who says that we have to uncover him?" Began Amelia who have been deep in thought the entire time. "Why not use his effort against them?"
"Miss Emrys surely you don't mean-"
"That is exactly what I mean professor. You know you have a spy within your midst so why not use him to your advantage? Through him you can give Voldemort the information you wish him to have and thus catch him unawares."
"That is all good in theory but I don't think you understand the enormity of the situation."
"I assure you I understand the situation perfectly professor, the only thing I don't understand is why are you so surprise to discover you have a spy within your midst. After all this is a war and we do not believe the enemy wishes to know what they are up against, you said it yourself professor knowledge is power and Voldemort is power hungry so all you have to do is play him at his weakness."
"I understand your reasoning but I still don't know how you're going to deceive Voldemort without deceiving the members of the Order also." Dumbledore stated shaking his head.
"I have the solution for that already." Harry began. "I was going to wait for the next Order meeting and show it to everyone at the same time but I guess the situation requires me to let you in on it beforehand."
"Let us in on what?" Amelia asked suspiciously.
"I think it would be better if I show you." Harry replied heading for the door followed by a confused headmaster and Amelia.
"Harry where are we going?" Amelia asked, coming alongside him.
"You'll see in a minute." He replied smiling to himself.
They went up four flights of stairs then turned left on the sixth floor. Dumbledore was somewhat surprised to see where they were headed, there was nothing on the sixth floor, no doors or windows or anything the sixth floor consist of only a long corridor spanning the length of the castle.
"Harry," Dumbledore began. "Exactly what are you searching for?"
"A room."
"I'm afraid you will not find any rooms up here, the sixth floor is just a long corridor and nothing else. It has been that way for as long as I or anyone can remember, they've been countless searches trying to figure out why the founders built a floor with no rooms and I'm afraid we still have no answers."
"Oh but we do professor." Harry began, walking toward the end of the corridor smiling. Professor Dumbledore watched dumfounded as a huge door started appearing at the end of the wall the closer Harry came to it. Professor Dumbledore stared at the door in awe. The door in itself wasn't at all extraordinary, it was what was carved in the door that left him speechless. It was twin doors made of a dark wood polished to perfection, and carved into the very center was a crest of Hogwarts resting on the shoulders of a two dragons with a giant phoenix perched on top. Harry walked up to the door and it slowly opened by itself revealing a very large room with a round table off in a corner to the right with carved phoenix details going around it and the crest of Hogwarts superimposed in the center. The chairs were made of the same wood with padded seats and back in leather emblazoned with twin dragons. The walls of the room was covered in various weapons and banners and hanging above the table was a banner bearing the crest of Hogwarts and the banners of the four houses two on either side. One side of the room seemed to be dedicated to practical training, it had weapons upon racks and padded floors when they walked over to that side they noticed that it was also shielded so that spells could not leave the assigned area. The corner directly adjacent to the one containing the table seemed to be reserved for research as it contained shelves of books and comfortable chairs with a worktable off to one side and cupboards containing cauldrons and all the necessary tools for brewing potions. The headmaster and Amelia was speechless as they admire the room and its contents, it was Dumbledore who broke the silence.
"Harry my boy I dare say that I am at a lost for words. How did you come up on this?"
"Hogwarts led me to it just now."
"I see, I guess it's like the room of requirements then."
"I don't think so." Amelia answered from across the room where she was admiring a tapestry. "This room is nothing like the room of requirements. This room contains a lot of magic, old magic. Can't you feel it?" She asked, spinning around her arms outstretched. Both Harry and the professor lowered their shields a bit and felt the magic flowing around them like waves. Harry looked over to where Amelia was standing and was surprised to see a soft glow emitting from her, that haven't happened since they left Alfheim, so this was sort of unnerving.
"Amelia what's going on? You're glowing."
"Can't you feel it? There is Elvin magic here. Elvin magic was used in the creation of this room, all the charms associated with this room was cast using Elvin magic, very old Elvin magic. That's why I'm glowing it recognizes me and is calling to me."
Both Harry and Dumbledore was staring at her dumbfounded but it was Dumbledore who asked the question on both their minds.
"Amelia are you telling us that Elvin magic was used in the creation of this castle?"
"That is exactly what I'm saying professor. I've suspected it for a while now, I've been feeling it ever since I got here. But now I am certain of it and this is where it is where it is mostly concentrated. I'm surprised you hadn't felt it." She finished looking around.
"I have felt it but I thought it had something to do with me being one of the heirs. Besides it doesn't feel like any Elvin magic that I've been around." He answered looking around also "Amelia what are you looking for?" Harry asked, following her movement.
"The heart stone." She replied offhandedly.
"The heart stone? What heart stone."
"The heart stone of the castle of course. I wonder where they hid it."
"Where who hid what? Amelia could you please explain to us what you are talking about." Harry asked in exasperation.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to get preoccupied. As I was saying, Elvin magic was used in the creation of this castle especially in this room, and for magic that old to still be so strong there has to be a heart stone. A Heart stone is basically the heart of the castle, the place where the castle pulls its magic. We are the only ones that I know of that uses heart stones and we only use it in places and buildings that are under our protection."
Both Harry and Dumbledore were staring at her as if she'd just sprouted a second head with horns and a fork tongue.
"So," Harry began, shaking himself. "You're telling us that Hogwarts has one of these heart stones."
"Yes."
"And it is somewhere in this room?" Added Dumbledore.
"Maybe."
"What do you mean maybe?" Harry began. "You just said you felt the pull of it, so what do you mean maybe? Is there a heart stone or not?"
"Of course there is a heart stone there is no question about that. The question is, is it in this room or not?"
"So is it?"
"Shh, I'm trying to focus. Besides if you had paid more attention to Sliedmier's teaching you would have figured out that there was a heart stone." She finished as she walked away leaving him red faced with embarrassment.
Amelia sat on the floor where she was standing with her legs crossed and eyes closed, after a few minutes she suddenly spun around as if someone had grabbed her shoulder and spun her around like a top. Then just as suddenly she stopped and was facing the center of the room. Harry and Professor Dumbledore were watching her curiously. Then she started to glide across the floor and stopped in the center of the room and opened her eyes smiling.
"I found it, it's right here in the center of the room beneath us. It was forged by the elves and contains the magic of the founders plus one. What is beneath this room?"
"I'm not certain, why?" Dumbledore replied.
"Because this heart stone is very strong which means it's drawing power from the earth itself. Wait here I'm going down to check." She finished and was gone before either of them could get a word out.
"You know," began Dumbledore. "I know you two can teleport but it is still a bit disconcerting whenever you do it."
Before Harry could respond Amelia was back and smiling broadly.
"It's just as I'd suspected, the heart stone runs all the way up from the earth through the center of the castle."
"But this is not the center of the castle." Dumbledore stated.
"Oh but it is Professor." Began Amelia conjuring up an exact replica of the castle. "Look at this, we are right here," she pointed at their position. "Now measure the distances on both sides stopping at the entrance hall."
"The lengths are the same." Harry began. "But they don't look as if they're the same."
"That's the beauty of the whole thing, the castle was built irregular so that it would be near impossible to locate the center. Therefore you couldn't locate the heart stone."
"But you found it."
"That's only because one, the stone recognized me and pulled me towards it. And two, I knew what to look for."
"So what does all this means?" Dumbledore asked taking a seat in one of the many comfortable chairs.
"Nothing except the castle is virtually impossible to destroy as long as the heart stone is undamaged. And also anyone that is tied to the castle by blood can draw power from the heart stone if their reserves gets depleted."
"Which brings us back to this room," Harry began, also taking a seat. "I was wondering what to do about the spy amongst us and how to use them to our advantage. I was thinking of replicating the spell that I had placed on your office but that would need replenishing. And that's when I remembered that Hogwarts had shown me this room and that it had a permanent concealment charm in place, so from now on the Order of the Phoenix will meet in this room. That way we can discuss everything and only what I wish to leave this room will leave this room." Harry finished.
Dumbledore nodded in agreement as he leaned back in his chair deep in thought.
Harry and Amelia left him to his thoughts and went to further examine the room then afterwards Amelia showed him how to distinguish between the layers of powers involved in the building of the heart stone. He soon realized that she was right, if he had paid closer attention to Sliedmier when he was trying to teach him how to identify magical signatures he would have been able to discern the subtle differences between each of the spells used in the creation of the heart stone. Once Amelia had shown him how to meld with the magic in the stone he could easily discern who had done what. It was like walking through layers of cloth each one had a different texture, a different feel. It was as if each person involve left a peace of themselves behind in the spell. The spell in itself was amazing, Harry found that it was made so that others could add to but not change the existing protections or the castle itself and none of this could be done unless you had blood ties to the castle and the heart stone. Sitting there mingling with the magic of the stone Harry learned a lot of things about Hogwarts and her creation. It was as if someone was forcing the knowledge in his head. He now knew everything about Hogwarts and its environ. Harry was still immersed in what the heart stone was revealing to him when he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder jolting him back to the present. He turned to see the Headmaster regarding him with concern.
"Professor is something wrong?" Harry began, taking a step towards Dumbledore.
"I was about to ask you the same question." Replied Dumbledore. "For a moment there I thought you were in a trance of some kind."
"Oh that, it was nothing, I was just learning about Hogwarts and the founders. This heart stone is a well of information." Harry answered raking his fingers through his hair. "Well enough about that, I think we should all try to get some sleep and discuss this more in the morning." He finished, stifling a yawn.
"Of course, you're right but first I was wondering how you plan to inform the members of The Order about the fact that we will be using this new room because there may be a spy within our midst?" Dumbledore asked coming to his feet.
"I'll tell them the truth I suppose." Harry stated with a shrug as if the answer was obvious.
"Yes well that may be easier said than done my boy." Dumbledore sighed. "I'm almost certain that your announcement to have the meetings here and what that entails will me met by a few disapprovals."
"Why?" it was Amelia who asked the question.
"Pardon me, why what miss Emrys?"
"Why would anyone disapprove of having the meetings here?"
"Well some may feel as if you don't trust them or see this as an affront to their dignity."
"Oh I see, well in all my experience I've never seen anyone take offence to a necessary precaution unless they were guilty of something."
"I'm afraid Professor Dumbledore is right love." Harry began, coming to stand next to her. "Things aren't as simple here as they are in Alfheim, we humans tend to get offended by just about any and everything even when it's for our own good."
"Simple? I thought you said Alfheim was complicated? And I find it hard to believe that the same people who are fighting along side you for the same thing will take offense to some precautions."
"Oh don't get me wrong, Alfheim is very complicated regarding certain things but not as complicated as we are when it comes to emotional baggage. And as for these being the same people fighting alongside me, that is the very reason why they would be affronted."
Amelia looked from Harry to Dumbledore who only nodded and shook her head. She feared she would never truly understand humans. At least the elves don't concern themselves with protecting everyone's feelings all the time, if one of her warriors was suspected of being a traitor she would asked him a direct question and if he was guilty then he'd have to face her in a duel. Too bad everyone can't be like the Sidhe, not being able to lie to a direct question does tend to make life a bit easier but then again the Sidhe do have a talent for sidestepping that makes getting answers somewhat tiresome at times. But she never has to worry about hurting their feelings. The Sidhe placed a higher value on the truth than on ones feelings, where humans placed more values on emotions than truth. She would just have to learn to adapt to their customs the same way Harry has adapted to hers. Besides their customs were partly hers too.
"I still don't understand but I admit that there is a lot I need to learn about how humans operate. But I still believe if you didn't wear your feelings on your sleeve so much you wouldn't have to worry about them getting hurt all the time. You two can sit there and try to come up with the best possible way but I'm going to bed." She stated heading towards the door. Then turned once more hands on her hips to ask, "you do realize that neither the Bill of Rights nor the Wizarding Code of Conduct contains anything about protecting peoples bloody feelings don't you?" She finished then turned on her heels leaving a stunned Harry Potter and an amused Albus Dumbledore.
Harry was still staring at the door when Dumbledore spoke bringing him out of his stupor.
"Maybe you should let her make the announcement to The Order." Dumbledore began, eyes twinkling madly. "I doubt anyone would argue with that kind of logic." He finished, chuckling softly.
"She is something else isn't she?" Harry began, a smirk playing on his lips. "Can you imagine her telling Molly and the others that there are no legal documents protecting their bloody feelings so get over it?" He asked chuckling also.
"Oh I can my boy I can even imagine the look on Severus' face at being told to stuff it by a mere child." Dumbledore answered trying to control the laughter that was threatening to escape. They looked over at each other and that was all it took, the two men started laughing so hard that they had to hold their sides as they thought about how everyone would react to Amelia telling them to stuff it.
Harry awoke the next morning with a feeling of foreboding that he instantly blamed on the grey skies outside. The morning was very overcast and dreary with the promise of rain. During their workout Harry saw that he wasn't the only one feeling the effect of the gloomy day. No one seemed able to focus this morning. It was if they were all waiting for something to happen. They decided to cut the training short for today since everyone lacked concentration. They showered and headed down to breakfast. In the great hall the mood was the same even though there were only a few students around being as it was still quite early. Harry looked up to the staff table and noticed the grim look on Dumbledore's face and realizes he probably had the same feeling of unease that he was experiencing.
They were halfway through their first class of the day when the Headmaster's voiced resonated throughout the castle.
"All students will report to The Great Hall immediately and await further instructions. All teachers please assemble in the teachers lounge."
Harry entered The Great Hall to see Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the other prefects trying to calm the younger students who were panicking over why everyone has been summoned to The Great Hall. Harry and Amelia took a seat at the end of the Gryffindor table and waited for The Headmaster and the rest of the teachers to arrive. It seemed as if everyone had the same feeling of unease that he'd had since waking this morning. The atmosphere within The Great Hall was so tense you could actually feel the static charge in the air like the calm before a storm. Professor Dumbledore walked into the room along with the other teachers each wearing an expression of dread, it was just as Harry had thought something terrible had happened and he was willing to bet that Voldemort had something to do with it. Dumbledore stood regarding them with sadness in his eyes while everyone looked up at him expectantly, then he utter five words that brought cries of outrage, shock and terror from all present.
"DEATHEATERS ATTACKED LONDON THIS MORNING." He had to wait until all the cries had died down before he could continue. "This morning Death Eaters attacked the London Underground and a Double Decker bus killing over fifty people and wounding over seven hundred others twenty two of which were in critical condition. It seems the Death eaters blew up a Double Decker bus and three commuter trains including one leaving from Kings Cross Station. There are deaths and injuries on both the muggle side and ours. I'm almost certain that some of you here will be feeling the loss greater than others and at this time I would like to implore everyone to support your fellow schoolmates. Do not let petty differences keep you from lending a hand where it is needed. We are currently at war and the only way for us to emerge from this war victoriously is to unite within our walls, forget house rivalries and come together because after all is said and done we are all just one house, Hogwarts, and in order for her to stand we must all work together for a house divided cannot stand but a house united will never fall." Dumbledore finished. The applause that followed was deafening, almost everyone was on their feet cheering including to Harry's surprise Draco Malfoy and a few other Slytherin. The look of determination was apparent on almost every face, this was their time, and their life and they weren't about to let anyone take it away without a fight. Dumbledore waited until all the applause had died down before continuing.
"Due to the enormity of the situation I am hereby canceling classes for the remainder of the day so we can all contact our loved ones to be sure of their wellbeing. The staff will be available to you in case you have any questions or concerns. If anyone have any questions at this moment I will do my best to answer them." He finished looking around at them all. A hand shot up from the Hufflepuff table. "Yes Miss Jones?"
"Professor I just wanted to know if you had any word on who the people that had been killed were?" The dark haired girl asked.
"I'm afraid the names of the decease will not be release until after the families have been notified." Dumbledore answered then dismissed them when no one else had any questions.
Upon leaving The Great Hall Harry led the others up to the sixth floor so he could show them the new room for The Order of the Phoenix. The room impressed them all but their enthusiasm was somewhat subdued as they explored the room in silence. They were so lost in their own thoughts that they hadn't heard when Dumbledore entered until he'd spoken.
"I'm afraid I bear some very disturbing news." He started looking at each of them in turn finally stopping on Hermione. Who started sobbing before he'd said anything. "Miss Granger I'm very sorry but it seems your mother was on one of the trains that was attacked and I'm afraid she didn't make it" he finished as Hermione let out a strangled cry and fell on a couch sobbing uncontrollably while Ron tried to comfort her. Dumbledore was still standing he looked tired and defeated, he seemed to have aged tremendously since last night. He looked as if the weight of the world was pressing down on him. Everyone had gathered around Hermione trying to comfort her finally her sobs began to subside a little and she was able to sit up and face them. Harry looked up from his friend to the Professor.
"Who else did we lose Professor?" He asked coming to his feet.
"Well to put it bluntly my boy these attacks have hit closer to home than we've expected. Along with the lost of Miss Granger's mother is also the lost of both of the Creevey's parents and Miss Abbot's father. Mr. Zabini lost an aunt and Mr. Boot an older sister and both Mr. Thomas' parents were injured. It would seem that the attacks have been coordinated to happen at approximately the same time and to target Muggles and anyone associated with them in any shape or form."
"Why'd you say that?" Amelia asked.
"Because Miss Emrys The Burrow was attacked at approximately the same time of the attacks on London." There was a sharp intake of breath followed by a strangled cry as Ginny buried her face in Amelia's shoulder and Ron stared blankly ahead. Amelia held her while she cried soundlessly, Amelia didn't say anything she just held her and let her cry even when she felt her own chest tightened she held her and let her cry. Finally it was Ron who asked the question that was on everyone's mind.
"What about our folks? Are they all right? They didn't die did they?" He asked, tears rolling down his face.
"No Mr. Weasley fortunately no one was hurt. It seems that Arthur was already at the ministry and the wards had alerted Molly to the invasion and she was able to get out in time. She is fine but I'm afraid the Burrow was destroyed."
This revelation brought another sob from Ginny but this time she was crying with a mixture of relief and grief. Hermione flung her arms around Ron and sobbed into his chest while Neville and Luna just held each other. Harry looks over everyone and rose to leave.
"Harry where are you going? Neville called after him as he walked out the door.
"To check on Colin and Dennis." He replied and disappeared out the door.
Harry didn't know what he was going to say to the Creevey's he just knew that right now they needed someone to be there for them and that is exactly what he intend to do. This was not supposed to be happening. If he'd just killed the blasted snake last year when he had the chance all these people wouldn't be suffering. Hermione would still have her mother, the Creevey's would still be a family, the Weasley's wouldn't have lost their home and all the other people that were suffering wouldn't be suffering. This was his fault, he knows what he has to do so why is it he hasn't done it yet? What the hell was he doing? Voldemort is his responsibility so how come he was letting him kill innocent people? Voldemort has to be stopped and come hell or high water he was going to stop him. But right now he needed to speak to Colin and Dennis and make sure that they are being taken care of.
Harry entered the common room to find Colin and Dennis on a couch crying on each others shoulders while the other students that were there offer their condolences. Harry walked over to where they were sitting and sat down next to Dennis and touched his shoulder. When Dennis looked up and saw him he threw himself on him sobbing uncontrollably while Colin stroked his brother's hair in an effort to comfort him. Finally Dennis sobbing subsided to soundless crying, Harry wanted to tell them that everything would be fine but he couldn't. Harry would have given anything at this point to have the excitable, somewhat irritating duo back to the way they were. But that would never happened now he thought as he reached out a hand and squeezed Colin's shoulder. The Creevey's were now changed forever and all Harry could hope for was that they would be able to return to some semblance of their former self as time goes by. Dennis had finally stopped crying and looked up at Harry with tear stained face.
"Oh Harry, they're gone. Our parents are gone, he killed them and now we have no one to go home to." Dennis wailed fresh tears rolling down his face once more. Harry felt his heart broke at the look of grief on Dennis' young face and he made a silent vow that if he had anything to do with it that look would never again mar his young face.
"We have no family or home to go back to," Colin began tears rolling down his face as he stared ahead wide eyed. "That bastard took away our entire life." He spat vehemently "I want him dead, I want him to die a thousand times over, I want him to experience the same pain that he'd caused in others."
Harry was looking at Colin incredulously he couldn't believe this was the same easy going Colin he knew. He felt his anger at Voldemort increase at what he'd done to Colin. Colin was supposed to be out there smiling and warm and enjoying his life not sitting here grief stricken and cold. Harry made a vow to himself at that point Voldemort was not going to win, when the time comes he was going to die even if he Harry had to die along with him. It didn't matter, all that mattered was that the world would be rid of Voldemort.
After leaving Colin and Dennis Harry went up to see Dumbledore in his office.
"Professor what is going to happen to Colin and Dennis?"
"Well Harry as you already know both their parents were killed today and I'm afraid the only family that remain is an estranged brother of their father's in Hampton who from the looks of it is somewhat of an alcoholic so naturally that rules him out. I'm afraid the only other option open to us is for them to be sent to an orphanage." Dumbledore finished rubbing his temple.
"You can't."
"I know it seems terrible Harry but that's the best we can do."
"You can't just ship them off to an orphanage like that."
"I'm sorry Harry but that is all we can do-"
"The hell it is-"
"Harry!"
"Sorry professor, but I'm not going to just sit here and let you ship them off to some godforsaken place in Merlin knows where just because that's the best you can do."
"What do you propose we do then?" Dumbledore asked tiredly.
"They could live with me."
"What at the Dursleys?"
"Of course not at the Dursleys, they would have been better off going to the orphanage. I mean to Alfhiem or one of the other places I own."
"Harry you know you have to go back to your relatives until you come of age, that's how the protection works."
"Professor I thought I explained about the protections, besides I don't need them anymore. I more protected in Alfhiem than anywhere else."
"Sure you are, but what about your aunt and uncle and that cousin of yours? Your being there is what has protected them from being attacked all this time."
"Yeah that is true but it still doesn't make any sense really. Say I went back there for a couple of months until I turned seventeen then I leave what is to protect them from being attacked then?"
Dumbledore was staring at him dumbfounded. He hadn't thought about it but the boy was right what difference did it make for him to go there if they could be attacked after he left?
"Alright Harry I will speak to the authorities and see what can be done. But what about Miss Emrys and the Creevey's are they in agreement with this decision?"
"I'm sure Colin and Dennis will agree, and as for Amelia let me worry about that but I would be very surprise if she said no."
"Good, I'll send a letter to the ministry right away, before I do is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
"Oh yes, the funerals, how are they being taken care of?"
"The Muggle government has agencies that are going to take care of it since the boys are so young and there are no other relatives to assume responsibility."
"Could you take care of it professor? You can charge any expense to my vault. I don't think a bunch of strangers should be handling this after all they are family."
"Right you are my boy, right you are. I believe that is precisely the attitude we need to adapt in order to win this war. Now I believe that there are a few people waiting to speak with you and I will contact the ministry and make the necessary arrangements."
Harry was thinking of all the things that had happened and how Voldemort had managed to ruin even more people's lives. He was so deep in thought that he hadn't notice the person following him until they'd called out to him causing him to stiffen at the voice.
"Potter."
At first Harry didn't answer, this was the last thing he needed right now. Maybe if I ignore him he'll go away, Harry thought to himself as he kept on walking.
"Potter I know you heardme, I need to talk to you."
"What is it Malfoy?" Harry asked turning around to face him.
"I want to know what you're planning to do about the attacks." Draco asked expectantly.
"What are you talking about Malfoy? Why would I be doing something about it? Isn't that the ministry's job?"
"Yeah it is the ministry's job but you've been doing their job for how long now? And besides you're the self proclaim hero of the wizarding world aren't you?"
"What the hell are you on about? When have I ever said I was a hero?"
"Well never actually but that's besides the point, you know what they say Potter actions speak louder than words. So according to that you've been speaking volumes besides whom else have as much experience as you do fighting You-Know-Who? You've faced him what, about six times right? And you're still alive I don't think there are a lot of people that can say that."
Harry just stared at Draco for a moment. He wasn't aware that he had been so up to date on his encounters with Voldemort.
"Why Malfoy, I didn't realize you're a fan. I must say I'm touched by your consideration." Harry answered with sarcasm
"Get over yourself Potter, all I'm saying is that you've face the man more times than anyone else and that Gryffindor courage won't let you stand by and let him just slaughter innocent people especially ones that are close to you."
"Okay, say I was going to do something about what happened, what does that have to do with you?"
"Nothing except I want to help."
Harry was dumbstruck did he hear correctly? Did Malfoy just say he wanted to help fight Death Eaters? This had to be some kind of joke, what the hell was going on here? Maybe there was something wrong with him, maybe he'd awaken in an alternate universe were hell is frozen over, because that would be the only explanation for Draco offering to help him catch Death Eaters. This was too much he had to get away from Malfoy before he said something to get himself in trouble. He shook himself mentally before replying.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Malfoy and if I plan anything I will be sure to inform you as soon as possible." Then he turned and left before the other could reply. Harry entered The Phoenix Room (as he'd taken to calling it) still deep in thought about his conversation with Malfoy.
"Alright Harry?" Ron called to his friend a bit anxiously after he'd walked in looking somewhat dazed.
"Alright Ron." He replied looking around the room, Ginny and Amelia was sitting with Hermione talking softly (obviously trying to comfort her). Ron was sitting with Neville and Luna was admiring the many paintings on the wall. He was wondering how to tell them what Malfoy had just said when someone spoke.
"Harry are you okay? You look as if you just swallowed something vile." Hermione asked concern evident in her voice.
"I guess you could say that depending on your point of view." He replied.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Ginny asked.
"It means that I've just received the shock of my life." He began, and then continued before anyone could interrupt. "Malfoy just asked me if he could help in the fight against Voldemort." He finished looking at them. They all wore the same shocked expression except for Amelia who had the ghost of a smile playing upon her lips.
"WHAT?" They all cried in unison.
"Harry did we hear you correctly?" Ron began.
"Did you say Draco Malfoy" Neville interrupted.
"Future Death Eater has offered-" Hermione asked.
"To help" faltered Luna.
"Fight Death Eaters." Finished Ginny.
"Yes." Harry replied.
"You're joking right?" Asked Ron.
"No I'm not joking, he just stopped me in the halls and asked me what I was going to do about the attacks and that he wants to help."
"What did you say?" Hermione asked.
"I told him that if I decided to do anything I would let him know."
"What I want to know," began Ginny "is why would he want to get involve?"
"No I believe the question should be why wouldn't he want to get involved?" Replied Amelia speaking for the first time. "I mean Voldemort have destroyed his life also or are you all too blind to see that?"
"How'd you figure that?" Asked Ron. "For all we know his whole family are Death Eaters and he's the leader for the junior Death Eaters club."
"You're probably right, we know his father was a Death Eater and his mother is possibly one also but obviously he doesn't want to travel the same path as his father so why can't you give him the benefit of the doubt?"
"Why would we do that? Besides he's been nasty to us ever since we've known him and he's going to continue being nasty."
"Well people can change can't they? Besides he's not the only one that has been nasty."
"What are you trying to say?" Ron asked glaring at her.
"I'm not 'trying' to say anything. I 'am' saying however that both you and Harry haven't been the poster boys for the angelic clubs now, have you? Think about it Ronald it takes more than one person to start a quarrel." Amelia replied glaring back at him. They were only a few inches apart now both on the verge of losing it. Harry rose to step between them but before he could Ron started talking once more.
"Why are you always defending him anyway? Is it because he's a bit keen on you?"
SLAP! That was it, she was tired of all the insinuations from everyone. She'd been trying to rein in her temper but this remark was the last straw. She stepped closer to Ron so they were only a mere arm length apart and started in a low voice.
"Now you listen here Mr. Ronald Weasly the reason I keep defending him is because you all are always attacking him. I am the first person to tell you that Draco's personality leaves a lot to be desired but he is not at all what you think he is. I've been around him for a while now and I have yet to sense anything truly evil about him. I'm not saying that he is cute and cuddly or anything like that because he is not, as a matter of fact he can be downright cruel at times but that's just his insecurity. He creates this persona to mask his true feelings about everything and that is all that is, a façade do you understand? So before you go around thinking you know someone maybe you should take the time to really know him or her. And another thing if you ever come at me with a comment like that again you can rest assure that I will do more than slap you."
No one said anything at first they were too busy trying to digest what just happened. Amelia had just slapped Ron who by the looks of it was still too stunned to respond. Harry decided he needed to change the subject before the situation escalated since he knew Ron didn't exactly know when to shut up.
"I spoke to Colin and Dennis earlier."
"Oh yeah, how are they holding up?" Ginny asked grateful for the subject change.
"Not too good I'm afraid. It seems they have nowhere to go home to."
"What do you mean don't they have any family?" Hermione asked looking up from checking Ron's cheek where Amelia has slapped him.
"They have an uncle on their father's side but he is a drunk so the only other option is for them to be sent to an orphanage."
"No," began Ginny. "They can't be sent to a place like that. Dumbledore can't be seriously considering sending them their."
"He was since he had no other choice."
"And I take it he now has a choice?" Amelia asked knowingly.
"Well I couldn't just sit there and let him ship them off to some godforsaken place now could I?"
"No luv you couldn't." Amelia smiled at him.
"Do you mind letting the rest of us in on your little secret?" Ginny asked irritably.
"Oh right, sorry, it's just that I told Dumbledore that he couldn't send Colin and Dennis to an orphanage instead they would come and live with Amelia and myself."
"Harry that's great." Cried Neville.
"Yeah mate that's great. What did they say when you told them?"
"I haven't told them yet, I wanted to see what Amelia would say since I hadn't discussed it with her."
"What is there to discuss?" Began Amelia "besides Donella will be thrilled to have someone she can show around for a change."
"Yeah I think we'd better warn them not to fall for her sad eyes or she'll have them eating out of her hands." Replied Harry with a fond smile.
"You mean like she has you?" Amelia asked poking him in the side.
"Excuse me," began Luna, interrupting them. "But who is Donella?"
"Oh sorry, Donella is our little girl and I must say she is a-"
"YOUR LITTLE GIRL?" All five of them cried in unison.
"Harry you didn't tell us you had a kid." Began Hermione.
"Yeah mate and don't tell us she slipped your mind because something like that don't just slip your mind." Added Ron.
"Well she didn't exactly slip my mind it's just that the occasion never really came up."
"Whatever Harry," began Ginny. "How old is she anyway?"
"She's eleven now."
"Eleven?" Began Hermione "But that would mean that you two-"
"Hermione before you dig yourself in a hole she is not our biological daughter. Her mother was a childhood friend of Amelia's who'd died and her father had passed away before she was born."
"Okay I get it but where is she now?"
"With my mother in Alfhiem." Amelia answered.
"How long has she been with you two?" Ginny asked
"Since the day she was born."
"Oh so that means her mother,"
"Yes Oliwen died right after giving life to Donella." Amelia answered softly.
"I'm sorry Amelia I shouldn't have brought it up."
"It's fine Ginny, it's just that sometimes I really miss her. She was one of the first to accept me in Alfheim apart from my relatives and we'd been inseparable ever since. But after Ronat died I think a part of her died along with him and she just held on long enough to give birth to Donella then she gave up."
"That is so sad," began Luna. "I guess she was lucky to have you, you realize there aren't a lot of people that would take on the responsibility of raising a child especially when they're so young."
"There was never any question about what would happen to Donella. After Oliwen passed away not even the council questioned my decision, and as for Donella she is perfectly happy with the way things are. We make sure that she never forgets her parents by talking about them all the time and she believes she is the most special person in Alfhiem because she has two mommies and daddies." Amelia finished with a wistful smile.
"Enough about Donella you'll all get to meet her soon." Harry began trying to change the subject. He'd seen the fresh tears started to roll down Hermione's face at the mention of Oliwen's death. "I think we should go get some lunch and see if there is anymore news."
Everyone rose to leave but Hermione hung back telling the others to go ahead. After they left Amelia turned back saying that there was something she had to do and would meet them in the Great Hall. She walked back into the Phoenix room to find Hermione lying on her stomach on a couch sobbing uncontrollably. Amelia walked over to were she was and quietly sat on a chair facing the sofa and watch her cry. She didn't offer any words of comfort because she knew it wasn't the time for that yet. Right now what Hermione needed was to give vent to her grief and not hold it in. Amelia knew from experience that it was better to cry yourself dry than to hold it in and pretend that everything was just fine. She sat there and watched Hermione cry until her sobs became hiccups and then she went over and laid a hand on her shoulder. Hermione sat up with a start then relaxed once she saw who it was. She took the hanky that the other offered and wiped her face wondering why she was there, she hoped she wasn't there to tell her she should talk about it because she didn't feel like talking to anyone right now. But Amelia didn't say anything instead she stood and extended a hand to help her up.
"I think we should get something to eat don't you?" Amelia asked as she pulled Hermione to her feet. Hermione nodded thankful that she wasn't about to press her to talk about anything or offer her any empty useless words of encouragement. They walked to the Great Hall arm in arm in silence. They made their way to the Gryffindor table and sat next to the others who were deep in conversation and only looked up when the sat down.
"You okay Mione?" Ron asked eyeing Amelia suspiciously.
"I'm fine Ron." She answered reaching for some pumpkin juice. But Ron kept looking from her to Amelia suspiciously, until finally Amelia turned to face him.
"Will you stop looking at us like that? If she says she's fine then she's fine. For crying out loud I give you my word that I didn't molest her or anything, does that make you feel better? Honestly Ron you need to get your mind out of the gutter." She finished causing Ron's ears to turn a nice shade of pink while Hermione spat pumpkin juice on the table as everyone within hearing distance turned to look at the group. A few of the boys looked as if they would say something but thought better of it when they say Harry scowling at them. Hermione decided to change the conversation since this one wasn't suitable for public discussion.
"Where are Colin and Dennis?"
"They are with Dumbledore." Ginny answered. "Professor McGonagall came and got them a little while ago."
"Oh, well what about Dean, has anyone seen him?"
"Oh yeah his parents were taken to St Mungos and he went to go see them." Ginny answered. They spent the rest of the time in silence barely picking at their food thinking about how close the to them the war was and each vowing to do their best to win it.