Disclaimer: I own nothing involving Harry Potter except for a bunch of fun action figures.
A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews, everyone! I love hearing them, good or bad.
Mudbloodpotter05: Do you really think I'd answer those questions:) Thanks so much for the compliment, because that is really what I am trying to do.
As for all of the R.A.B. questions, I just went with my gut, and you'll all see my "gut" in a minute. Did you all agree? (MeTaMoRpHoSiS gUrL, I know you said you had a guess)
Actually, the "big" revelation idea I had for this story still hasn't come quite yet- it'll happen around the same time Hogwarts starts up- but when it does finally happen, I'd really like to hear what people think. Some (okay, all) of my friends think the theory is crazy, but I really like it, so I hope you all do, too.
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Chapter 7: Anger and Love
Harry held the letter from his father in his hands, trembling. A real clue! Finally! Better than a clue. Hermione said impatiently, "Well, read it to us already!" Harry nodded, and began,
Harry,
If these words are visible to you, it means I have passed. I love you so dearly, and am sorry I am not here to be with you. I have confidence Sirius will be taking great care of you, however.
Unfortunately, I am writing this to pass on information that will make your life more difficult. As you know, your mother and I are aware that Voldemort is after our family. We have Snape's word that he will do everything to protect us from his side.
Harry stopped reading long enough to say, "stupid Git, crucio-ing me," before continuing,
Yet we know someone in the Order is passing information on our whereabouts and actions. Thus, we have placed ourselves in hiding, even from the Order of the Phoenix. I have been working in utmost secret with Regulus Black. Reggie is still believed to be a death eater by all on our side- but he has given me, for I keep this work secret even from your mother, the knowledge to defeat You-Know-Who. And it is my duty to pass it on to you- because prophecy says that you are the one to defeat him.
He has created horcruxes- torn his soul in order to have eternal life. To defeat You-Know-Who, we must destroy these horcruxes. I have no idea how many he has created, or will create. But Reggie, who discovered this as a death eater, has since passed, leaving the knowledge with me alone. He found one horcrux- it had been a locket owned by Salazar Slytherin himself. Black destroyed it, but the death eaters took his life shortly after.
I am sorry I can give you no more help other than this- but you must find the horcruxes- confide in Dumbledore- perhaps he can help. I am sorry I have placed such a burden on you. This picture was found on Regulus' body, perhaps it may lead you in your search.
Your mother and I will always love you dearly,
Dad
P.S. I'm so sorry I wasn't around to watch your first quidditch match- I bet you are brilliant….it's in your blood.
"Reggie?" snorted Ron.
Hermione shushed him, "Of course! BRILLIANT! R.A.B. is Regulus Black! Remember? Sirius said once, 'he got in so far, then panicked about what he was being asked to do and backed out'. But everyone must have been wrong! He must have been right in the inner circle as a spy, and someone just found out about what he was doing!"
Instinctively, they all turned to the tapestry baring the words, "The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black" Ron looked at it and groaned. "All those hours at the library and it was right here!"
Harry had remained silent since reading the letter aloud. Hermione looked at him, and understood immediately what was passing through his mind.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione gushed, running up to him and giving him a hug, "I'm so sorry about your parents."
Harry backed away from the hug. "I'd never thought about it before," he said slowly.
"What, mate?" Ron asked, confused. Harry answered, "My mum…Voldemort gave her the choice to live. But my dad, he wasn't given the choice. Why hadn't I ever wondered that before? It is because my dad knew. Why didn't he tell anyone else?" Anger erupted in Harry's voice. "He could have told Dumbledore about the horcruxes back then! It has been sixteen years! We could have stopped him before we'd even started Hogwarts!" Harry was livid. "WHY WOULD HE HAVE KEPT IT A SECRET?" he screamed, pounding his fists on the table. It snapped in half, the family portrait falling to the floor.
Hermione said timidly, "Harry, we're keeping it a secret, too." Harry's foot stopped in mid-kick; he'd been aiming for the family photo. He turned and looked at her. "BECAUSE Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of all time, TOLD us to!"
Ron stood, looking anxiously between the two. He was at a loss for words.
Hermione stood tall. "Harry James Potter! Your father was trying to protect the world, just like we are. You refuse to be with Ginny, to protect her. Your father refused to tell your mother, TO PROTECT HER! You're just like him, and you probably wouldn't have told Dumbledore if you were in his place, either!"
Harry shook angrily, and stormed out of the room, kicking things as he went. He grabbed his broom, slid on his invisibility cloak, and left.
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Harry hadn't flown in a long time. He simply felt the breeze, and he wished he could forget his argument with Hermione. He tried to reason through it, but he couldn't help blaming his father. He thought back to the images he'd seen in the pensieve. He'd always been so cocky- why was this any different? Pestering Snape just because he was bored. But then, his behavior only harmed Snape- now, now? His father's actions may have cost Harry everyone- his mother, even Dumbledore. Harry was shaking, but it wasn't from the cold wind.
Every person James mentioned in that letter was dead! And it was probably all his fault. If only he'd told Dumbledore so long ago. But no, his ego was always too strong. Snape had been right about his father. Snape! Well, Harry admitted that Snape wasn't dead, yet. Harry screamed out loud, "Because he is a death eater!" Several birds flying nearby squawked at him.
How could his father trust him? They hated each other. Why? His father seemed to trust Snape? And Dumbledore? And they were both "DEAD" Harry screamed again.
Harry flew until his fingers were numb and he was soaking wet from the clouds. Reluctantly, he returned back to Number 12, Grimmauld Place. He had no where else to go. He had hoped to cool down, but had instead simply worn himself out.
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He walked back into the drawing room, dripping wet. Ron and Hermione weren't there. A large sheet of parchment had been posted on the wall reading:
Body
Ring
Diary
Locket
Cup
Ravenclaw/Gryffindor
Nagini
New Body
The first four had been crossed off. Harry forced a small smile. Four more to go, he thought, although that thought was quickly followed by anger in the fact that the Dumbledore should have had the chance to do this years ago. Then he, Harry, would be living a normal life, and about to celebrate his birthday with his girlfriend and would be looking forward to his senior year of school. And the name "Voldemort" would only be a memory. And, maybe, just maybe, Harry's parents would be alive. He would have never had to endure life with the Dursleys. But no, Harry was stuck with a cursed scar on his forehead and the biggest challenge in the world.
He was about to finish destroying the table he had broken earlier when Ron and Hermione walked in. Hermione snapped at him, "Grow up and pull yourself together." Ron and Harry looked at her in amazement. Harry decided to abandon the table kicking, but continued to sulk as he slipped onto the couch, staring at her in anger. Hermione was obviously in a dangerous mood, and as much as Harry wanted a fight, he knew fighting with her would not bring the solution he wanted. He grinned inwardly at this revelation. He was an adult today, after all.
She said smoothly, "That's better. Now, re-read this letter and I'll write it down so Ron and I can have a copy of it."
Harry had forgotten he was the only one who could read the letter. He sighed, but obeyed Hermione's order, though with gritted teeth. After he finished, rather reluctantly, he felt slightly calmer. His dad had only been trying to protect the people he loved. As he re-read one sentence, curiously got the better of him.
This picture was found on Regulus' body, perhaps it may lead you in your search.
Harry flipped the paper over, but there was no picture. He guiltily picked the family portrait up from the floor, where he had tried to kick it earlier. He turned it over, looking for the picture his father had mentioned. Ripping the back of the paper further, it fluttered out. It was small, and appeared to be taken with a muggle camera, as the two people in it did not move. The first person was a man with dark black hair and gray eyes; clearly Regulus Black- the resemblance to Sirius was striking. He was standing next to a thin woman with long and lanky light brown hair and large rounded gray eyes. Harry looked at her closely. Although he felt as though he should know her, he had no idea who she was.
He showed the picture to Ron and Hermione. Neither knew who she was, either. All three were glad for the new mystery that had temporarily stopped Harry's anger.
Just then, Ron looked at his watch and cried, "We're late for your party!"
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They apparated to The Burrow immediately, though they all felt they should stay and study the picture.
"Just two hours," they promised each other. Remembering their argument with Mrs. Weasley that morning, they walked to the front door with a bit of trepidation. Mr. Weasley answered the door. "Who's there? Declare yourself!" Ron groaned. "It's just us, Dad. Your son, Ronald Weasley, and his two best friends, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger." "And how do you prove your identity?" Mr. Weasley asked. Ron rolled his eyes and said, "We just told Mum we weren't going back to Hogwarts. Now let us in."
But Hermione asked back, "And how do we know that you are who you say you are?" You could tell by his voice that Arthur was thrilled someone took him seriously, "Because I collect plugs!" The door opened and they stepped inside.
Mr. Weasley shook Harry's hand solemnly. "Congratulations on becoming an adult, Harry. And I heard you two passed your apparition test today!" He gave Ron a jolly slap on the back. "Both very worthy causes of celebration."
"Er…thanks," Harry said cautiously. "And, er…Mrs. Weasley? How is she doing?" He could tell from Mr. Weasley's voice all was not well at The Burrow.
"Ah, well, she still isn't too happy," Mr. Weasley said, lowering his eyes and the jubilation leaving his words. Harry asked, "And what about you, Mr. Weasley?" Arthur paused and said simply, "Harry, I trust you. You have saved Ginny, Ron, and myself. Dumbledore trusted you. I'm not…happy…that you are leaving school, but I trust your judgement in making this decision." He added, slightly sternly, "But I would like it if you three finished up your schooling at some point in your life. And it would make it easier on all of us if you would tell us what your mission is."
Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged looks of amazement and smiled. Hermione spoke for them all when she said, "Thank you so much, Mr. Weasley. That means a lot to have your support."
Harry added, "But it is Dumbledore's orders that we tell no one about what we are doing." Still, never before had Harry had such a strong urge to share what their mission was. It felt incredible to know someone out there trusted him- trusted him with his son's life.
Briefly, Harry wondered if perhaps Regulus had put his father through similar vows. Harry began to feel slightly guilty about his display of anger earlier.
None of them acknowledged the "finishing up your schooling" statement Mr. Weasley had included. Harry really didn't believe he'd make it through the war, and didn't want to give Mr. Weasley a promise he may have to break.
Fortunately, Mr. Weasley seemed to not notice this pause, and continued, "Molly has decided not to mention it tonight, although I don't think she is done speaking with you three."
The three nodded in understanding. "So," Ron spoke up, "Who's here today?"
Mrs. Weasley said, "Well, Molly invited Remus and Tonks, and then just the twins and Ginny. Charlie is back in Romania, and Bill and Fleur are still on their honeymoon." As usual, no mention of Percy was made. Although he had briefly appeared at the wedding, his abrupt departure had once again made the name "Percy" a banned word in the Weasley household.
"Just as a warning, Molly told everyone that you aren't planning on returning to Hogwarts. Fred, George, and Tonks have been trying to cheer Ginny up, but she hasn't left her room since she heard the news. I think she's going to miss you three at school."
A loud explosion from upstairs, followed by Mrs. Weasley's booming voice, confirmed what Mr. Weasley had just said. Harry sighed. He just wasn't any good dealing with girls. It was his fault Ginny was upstairs, probably crying. Why did he always make girls cry? He should probably go up there and talk to her, he thought. He headed toward the stairs, desperately trying to think of something to cheer her up.
He passed Mrs. Weasley in the hall. She sniffed and turned her head. Great, Harry thought. I've got both of the Weasley women upset with me. He hoped, when it was all said and done, they would both forgive him. Or at least speak fondly of him at his funeral.
He met Tonks on the way up the stairs. "Wotcher, Harry," she said. "I wouldn't go up there right now, she bat-bogy hexed Fred and George. I only just escaped." She grinned, obviously enjoying the sight of the twins with bats flapping on their faces. "I had to set 'em right, though. Molly wouldn't have been too pleased if I'd left her sons like that. But you've got your hands full with that girl."
Harry smiled and thanked her, but said he'd take his chances. He noticed Fred and George were no where to be seen, and knocked on Ginny's door. She issued, "knock again and I'll curse something else!" Harry decided the best course of action would be to push open her door, as he didn't want "something else" cursed.
George's head popped out on the staircase and he said, in a very serious voice, "Give her hell from us, Potter," before ducking away. Harry had to chuckle, and he pushed opened her door. She was sitting on her bed, wand out and menacing. "Oh, it's you." Her voice lost some of its anger.
Harry took this as a good sign and walked in. Although he'd been visiting The Burrow for years, he'd never been in Ginny's room. It was a disaster. Robes were strewn across the floor; spell books were scattered everywhere. Arnold was resting in a corner on what looked like Ron's old dress robes. She had a green floor, and painted clouds on the blue ceiling. "I never knew your room looked like this," Harry said in surprise. Well, he wasn't surprised about the mess, he admitted to himself. Just the, well..girly.. ceiling.
Ginny just looked at him. "I guess there is a lot of stuff about each other we don't know." Her voice shook, "Harry, I…I'm in love with you. How could you not tell me you were leaving?" Her voice was now laced with anger. "How do you think I feel learning it from MY MOTHER! I thought I meant something more than this to you!" Harry thought she sounded remarkably like her mum when she was angry, although he rather wisely kept that comment to himself.
Harry's heart sank as Ginny continued to yell. He hadn't realized he would be hurting her. That was the last thing he wanted to do. Could he never do anything right? Sirius was gone. Dumbledore was dead. Mrs. Weasley wouldn't speak to him, and the girl he loved had now fallen silent and was looking like she was doing her very best to hold back her tears.
He sighed and cautiously walked into the room. He sat down tentatively on the edge of her bed. "Ginny, I'm so sorry," he said, grief in his voice. "I'm doing everything I can not to hurt you, and I keep messing up." He shook his head. "How can I ever save the world when I can't even keep the person I love from crying?" Ginny managed a smile, "I haven't quite cried yet." But her face was still contorted in pain.
Harry took her shoulders firmly in his hands and looked in her eyes. "Ginny, I should have told you first. You are right. I'm so sorry." His voice cracked. Oh, not now, he prayed to himself. He couldn't cry in front of Ginny.
Ginny looked back at him and sighed, her anger dissipating. "Harry, I should be the one who is sorry. I told you I would accept your decision." She smiled a rather suggestive grin, "at least until you-know-who is gone. It isn't fair of me to suddenly ask you to include me." She smiled again. "I'm just as strong as you are, and I can handle it. Just remember it is only a temporary situation until he's gone. Then I'm right back in your life." She crossed her arms confidently, her face relaxed.
Harry was floored with emotions. How does she do that, he wondered? Somehow, just talking to Ginny made Harry feel as though all was right in the world again. Just looking at Ginny confirmed it. Harry leaned back against the wall and held her hand.
"You know, Tonks was up here earlier," Ginny said casually. "Oh, yeah? And was she giving you any advice on how to seize me back?" Harry teased. Ginny grinned at him. "You're lucky it is me you are in love with. Look at poor professor Lupin. He spent a whole year telling Tonks she couldn't be with him because it was too dangerous- and now they are planning a wedding!"
"What?" Harry jumped off the bed. "They are getting married?" Ginny bobbed her head. "Yeah, she proposed to him last week. Awfully quick, don't you think?"
But Harry knew better. Everyone married quickly last time Voldemort was in power. This time around was no different.
He pulled Ginny up from the bed and gave her a hug. He placed his hand under her chin, and tilted it toward his lips. But Ginny said softly, "Please don't." Harry's heart dropped, but she added with a smile, "we don't want my family thinking I'm some sort of a scarlet woman, do we?"
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Harry led Ginny down the stairs, where she stared at everyone defiantly, challenging them to question her earlier tantrum. No one did, although Fred and George were wearing identical headless hats, so no one could see their reactions toward Ginny's appearance. Of course, Harry mused, Ginny does seem to have quite a few tantrums. Must come with having so many brothers.
Harry rushed up to Lupin and pounded him on the back. "Congratulations, Professor!" he said heartily. Lupin blushed just like Hermione. Tonks was bouncing around the other side of the room telling everyone who could hear just how she proposed.
"Well he always gets so depressed around the time of the full moon, you know? And tries to shut me out- Literally! He puts a curse on his door!" Well, this time around, I waited- the curse always starts at dark, and so, five minutes before it got dark, I started pounding on his door. He opened it up, just a tiny crack, panicked when he saw me, and told me to go! Can you believe that?" She shook her head as if she was in disbelief. "Yelling at the woman he loves." Remus just laughed and blushed slightly.
Tonks continued, "And so, I just said, well, I'm not going until you answer a question. And Remus, of course, wanted to get it done with as soon as possible so he could transform- you know it is much more painful now that he doesn't have access to the wolfsbane potion-" At this point in the story, Remus flushed. "But I wanted to make him a bit happier. So I simply whipped up some roses and said, "Will you marry me?" And I thought he was going to actually open the door the whole way!"
Her eyes widened at that, as it would have clearly made the story more exciting. But she finished, with a hint of sadness, " But he didn't." Her voice picked back up her excitement and she continued, " He just narrowed his eyes, said, 'yes' and slammed the door shut!" Everyone cracked up at that point in the story, as Tonks imitated her reaction.
Tonks smiled. "And so, the next day, he came up to my door, and said, 'I'm not going until you answer a question." And he pulled out roses, and said, "Will you marry me?" And so I decided to say 'yes' and slammed the door shut!" Everyone laughed again. Tonks quickly added gleefully, "But I opened it back up and let him in."
Harry didn't trust himself to look at Ginny throughout the story. He noticed Ron and Hermione blushing each time they glanced at each other. All the talk about love made him think about Dumbledore. "Focus, Potter," he muttered to himself.
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After they ate their dinner and cake, the trio decided to leave. They really wanted to search Regulus Blacks' (Harry couldn't bring himself to call him 'Reggie') room for more clues about the horcruxes. So they left amid lots of laughter and apparated back to Number 12, Grimmauld Place.
"Which room was Regulus'?" Ron wondered. Harry stopped to think. "Well, Sirius never mentioned him much, did he? Do either of you remember cleaning a room Sirius was extra foul about?" He watched as they both concentrated, thinking.
"Well," Hermione said finally, "There is an entire floor we didn't touch. If I remember correctly, it is up there."
"Excellent," Ron said. "Um..where's the door to that floor?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't you remember?" Ron grumbled under his breath, "obviously not," but fortunately, only Harry heard him. Hermione continued, "It is blocked by that tapestry at the end of the hall. By the blank look on Ron's face, Harry knew that school wasn't the only thing Hermione was better at paying attention to.
They raced up the stairwell to the tapestry. It was large and red and had various images of people being tortured. Screams could be heard by several of the victims. Harry had a sneaking suspicion the people being tortured were muggles. He looked at it in disgust and was about to pull it away when Hermione shouted, "WAIT!" Harry dropped his hand, "what?"
"There is an incantation we have to say." She stopped. Harry couldn't help himself. "Well? What is it?"
Hermione shot him a dirty look. "Obviously, I'm trying to remember it. Sirius had said it was an old family saying…"
Harry suggested, remembering the family tree in the drawing room, "The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black?" Nothing happened, although a few sparks shot out of the tapestry in a menacing way.
"Toujours pur?" he asked cautiously.
The tapestry fell silent and slowly rolled itself up. "Brilliant, Harry!" Ron congratulated him. They waited for it to finish. It was completely dark through the doorway.
They muttered in unison, "lumos," and stepped through. "AHGH!" Ron and Hermione yelled as they were thrown back against the wall. The tapestry abruptly fell back down, creating a barrier between Harry and his friends.
"Harry?" Ron asked through the wall. "Are you okay?" Harry answered back "yeah," through the screams being emitted by the tapestry and could hear Hermione fuming as she slapped her hand to her forehead, "I completely forgot! Sirius said only members of the family could go through the doorway."
Harry, sick of hearing the muffled voices, muttered, "Toujours pur" and (rather fortunately, the password must be the same each way, Harry thought) the tapestry opened to reveal his friends. They were still sprawled out on the ground, their hair sticking straight up. They reminded Harry exactly how Piers Polkiss looked once when he stuck his finger in an electrical outlet after Dudley dared him to do it.
Stepping out, he asked, "So only I can go through the doorway?" Hermione shook her head. "No, we just need your 'permission' to go through."
Harry looked at her. "My permission? What, do I write the tapestry a note?" he said sarcastically.
Ron picked up at this point. "I remember- we just have to be touching you." Harry rolled his eyes. "Not very good 'permission'. You could just force me through then." Ron answered defensibly, "well, that's what we did with Sirius." Harry said angrily, "you probably were forcing him- he hated this stupid house and being stuck in it!"
Hermione finally cleared her throat loudly and said, "Stop squabbling already. Harry, just take us through." She stood up and attempted, in vain, to smooth back down her hair.
"Fine," he said. The tapestry was still rolled up and silent. Harry stuck his wand in his back pocket, and, feeling slightly silly, offered his hands to Ron and Hermione. They each took one, and they walked through the tapestry once more. Once through, remembering Moody's advice, he checked to make sure his behind was still there. It was. Wands high, they wandered through the dark corridor.
"Let's walk the whole length of it, shall we?" he suggested. "Sounds good, mate," Ron answered, and Hermione nodded in agreement. They counted the number of doors: four on each side.
"Either of you remember which room was Regulus'?" Harry asked. "I don't know if Sirius ever said," Hermione answered. "He mostly showed us this hall one day when we were bored. I know his room, before he moved out, was up here someplace, though."
Harry nodded in understanding. "Okay, let's just do them one-by-one. They were standing at the far end of the corridor. He selected a door and opened it. "Urgh," he coughed. "This one has as much dust as my parents' house." "They probably all do," Hermione said knowledgeably. She performed her dust-removing spell. "Thanks," they said in unison. Harry held up his wand.
"Well, this certainly isn't our room," Ron said. "Check out that sink, though!" They were in a bathroom. The walls were blood red and the taps were shaped like snakes. "Reminds me a bit of the Chamber of Secrets," Harry said.
The room opposite proved to be a similarly decorated bathroom.
"This one is a girl's room" Hermione said, opening a closet in the third room. It had what appeared to be guest pajamas and robes. Harry said bitterly, "Maybe this is where dear cousin Bellatrix stayed."
One by one they opened the remaining five rooms. None appeared to be very occupied except for the two closest to the tapestry.
"Oh, this may have been Sirius's," Ron said. "look, all of the remaining clothes are still kid-sized. And this is definitely an old Gryffindor robe." He picked it up and looked at it curiously.
"Then that means the last room must have been Regulus'." Harry concluded. "Let's go." He opened the door to Regulus' room. Under all of the dust, it was still full of clutter, suggesting someone had indeed occupied it for many years.
"So," Hermione said, taking charge, "Let's look for anything that might give us a clue to the horcruxes- old journals, pictures, anything. Your dad said he destroyed the locket- maybe the remains are here."
See if we can figure out who that woman was, too." Ron added. Hermione gave him an appreciative glance. Ron smiled. Harry turned, embarrassed to catch them in an intimate gesture.
They looked around, and each took a corner. While Hermione was checking under the bed, she stood up suddenly. "HARRY!" She whispered in an urgent voice. The barrier I set on the front door- it is broken! Snape is back!