Chapter 29: Have a happy Christmas
Meanwhile Harry and Neville were standing by the beds of Alice and Frank Longbottom.
The elves and Angel were guarding the doors too give the boys some privacy.
"You can talk too them you know. We don't really know if they hear us or not but I think they do. They sometimes give some reaction," Neville said quietly not looking at Harry but staring at his parents softly with a small smile on his face.
Harry nodded and said, "Er hi. I'm Harry, Harry Potter, and erm, you guys knew my parents. I don't suppose you remember me, I was only a baby when we knew each other, but apparently me and Nev here were play buddies when we were toddlers," He said in a cheery tone though his eyes showed how unsure he was to act.
"Just be yourself," Neville said too Harry seeing how insecure he was. Neville sat in his mother's bed and started talking softly, "Me and Harry are both Gryffindors, I've told you about him before. He saved the world from you-know-who, er sorry V-Voldemort," Neville whispered, "I can say his name now. Harry taught me, the whole DA actually, or HS as we are called now. We've become really good, Susan is in charge over the healer group, I told you about her remember," Neville said blushing a little and Harry smiled a bit and said,
"Your baby boy is all grown up and has got himself a girlfriend now" Harry said in a slight teasing voice.
"I have not. We're just friends," Neville said shyly
Harry smiled as Alice looked at Neville, only briefly but still meaningful. Neville and Susan had become really good friends over the last few months, Neville who was in charge of the defensive group, had spent a lot of time with her in meetings where only the head of groups, the knights and Harry would meet. Blaise Zabini was in charge of offensive group, while Terry Boot was head in research and Padma Patil was in strategy. The knights handled all weapons and other things while Harry monitored the whole thing. They truly had become a mini army.
Neville and Susan were a light in that really, they just glowed when they were together. Even if they hadn't come to see that yet, it was only a matter of time.
"Sure you are," Harry said, "Just like Ron and Hermione are only friends."
Neville blushed, everyone knew it really was only matter of time until the two gave it up and just got together.
"Oh yeah? What about you and that girl, Amanda? You seem offal comfy with her these days."
Now it was time for Harry to blush.
After Vanessa had talked to them about Amanda Harry had kept an eye on her. Then when Amanda had come to attack him again he had said some things, she had said some things, there was a huge ugly fight and name calling that Harry just hoped the first years would never repeat, then there was crying on her part and then hugging. Then the weeks after that a lot of ignoring and slowly becoming friends. Now they were pretty comfy with each other.
"There is nothing going on there. She hates me."
"Used to hate you mate. See even dad agrees." Neville said as Frank nodded, "Anyways I'm gonna go get some drinks," Neville said disappearing leaving Harry alone with the Longbottoms.
"So I guess it's just you and me huhh," He said, looking at his hands, "I guess it's really weird having a new guest like this. I just wanted to meet you guys you know, you would have raised me if there had been other circumstances." Harry said awkwardly not really knowing how he should behave. But he also knew this was his one change to come to peace with this before the war ended so he decided to take Neville's advise and relax and just be him.
"I suppose though that it's meaningless to think about all the what ifs. What has happened has happened and nothing we do can change the past. But we can change the future, and I damn well intend to change what we are heading into. I'll do my very best to make sure your boy gets the future I know you'd have wanted for him."
Harry shut up when he heard a rustle behind him. "Hey here you go," Neville said appearing next to him handing him a pumpkin juice.
"Thanks mate. I'll just give you a minute," Harry replied smiling at the boy next to him who truly had become a young man.
Neville smiled gratefully before turning to his parents and starting to talk softly.
Five minutes later Neville's gran called them back, it was time to head to the next place. But just before they left Harry noticed Neville slip a empty bubble gum wrapper in his pocket and he smiled softly.
Harry grabbed Neville who lost his balance when they landed.
"Urgh I hate these portkeys," Neville exclaimed
"Right there with you my man," Harry said absently as he was busy looking around.
They had arrived in what seemed to be a muggle place. They were on a pavement which led to a huge double iron gate. Around the gate were fancy sculptures and award winning worthy roses and behind them was an impressive parking lot
"Is this place muggle?" Neville's gran asked.
"I haven't gotten a clue" Harry confessed.
"It's both actually. It's the oldest graveyard here in England I believe. Only the rich and the famous rest here. Same goes for the magical part. It's said that the founders of the English magical community rest here." Angel said
"And my parent are here?."
"You'd expect nothing less," Neville said, "After all your father is a Potter, not to mention they are war legends, even before you they were known."
Harry only nodded and started walking briskly towards the gate.
The graveyard itself was huge, and Harry almost cursed.
"How the hell are we supposed to find it?" Harry asked no one in particular.
"Can I help you?" an old man asked at the same time making Harry whirl around,
"Er yes, I'm looking for the Potter graves."
"Which Potter would that be you are visiting?" The old man asked eyeing Harry, "And I will have to get your name and relation to the dead, and reason you are here."
"Too visit the dead obviously," Harry said before blushing at his own disrespect, "Sorry," He said hastily instantly regretting his words. They were not only an insult to the man, but also his parents.
Both to satisfy his curiosity and distract everyone from his earlier comment he asked, "But why the heavy security and what do you mean which Potter?"
"It's just the rules. Can't have any fans or someone who would want to rob something just get in there to violate the graves. Follow me then," The man said leading them too a small golf car.
"These rules have been since the beginning. Now only part of the whole yard follows those security measures. Of course it's nearly impossible work to have the whole yard under such security. It's grown so much over the centuries. Now only the most sacred are guarded so well."
"And the Potters are one of those? Why?" Harry asked curiously trying to concentrate on the man but not on the environment as they drove through the garden.
"The Potter family is of course a huge influence part of the community. We have many Potter members here. The first Potter to be buried here was Henrick the third Potter ever. He was a part of the rebellion over two thousand years ago. A legend in those matters he is, but I suppose to everyone today that pales in comparison of our newest Potter couple. Of course everyone knows of them, the parents of their son after all," The man said, "But anyway here we are, I'll need your identification please."
"Er of course, I'm Harry James Potter," Harry said uncomfortably after the old mans words but the man hardly reacted, "I am here to visit my parents graves, James and Lily Potter."
"Neville Longbottom, here to visit the graves of Lily and James Potter."
"Relation?" The man asked curiously
"They are my godparents."
The man nodded and looked at his gran,
"Augusta Longbottom, Neville's grandmother here as acting guardian of the boy. Here to visit the boys godparents."
The man nodded and then looked at the Angel and the elves,
"We are here to protect the safety of one Harry Potter," Angel said
The man nodded and wrote something on his check book.
"Alright, please place your hand right there on the gate."
"What will it do?"
"Confirm what you just said," The man said.
Harry nodded and in with five minutes they were in another part of the yard where tombs and graves were scattered around. These part seemed somehow much more older then the other.
"We have to take the rest on foot, please follow me," The man said leading then until they came to a fence, "You enter here and go straight down and then turn left and there you will find what you are looking for."
Harry thanked the man and got going. it wasn't hard to find the place at all. As soon as Harry turned left he saw it. There was... a house made of stone. Not a house really, more like an shelter over the area. Under the "house" was a small grass field, and right there in the middle were two very well kept graves, side by side.
Roses lined up the stone foundations and lilies surrounded the headstone.
Harry froze before he walked slowly towards the graves and sat down on the grass.
Neville stood besides him while the four adults stood nearby.
"The graves are at least well kept. It's nice out here," Neville commented quietly.
"Yeah I suppose. It's beautiful and all, but at the same time it's so impersonal. There's nothing here that says what kind of persons they are," Harry said looking around
"I brought candles,"Neville said awkwardly.
"Thank you. You can put them where you want."
Neville nodded and took out candles. They were rather large, white with one little golden cross in the middle but besides that they were very muggle like.
"They're magical." Neville said as he place one at each side of the graves, "Really rare too. They are charmed so they never turn out as long as the person who lid them thinks about them."
"that's really nice of you. I'll just go get your gran to turn them on then," Harry said as he knew he couldn't do magic in front of Neville.
"No they're not turned on like that. See" Neville said as he put the last candle in front of James grave and it automatically lit. It was a small flame, barely noticeable even and Harry watched it horrified,
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing. You have to touch it," Neville said amused, "Go on Harry, touch it, t won't bite."
Harry looked at Neville weirdly but complied, and as soon as he touched his fathers candle the light became a lot brighter, it nearly burned Harry even, and Harry saw a brave stag appearing where the cross had been, and then he touched his mothers candle and a beautiful strong blooming Lily appeared there instead of the cross and the light became much more intense
"See how bright they are now," Neville said smiling sadly.
"What does it mean?"
"It shows how much you love them and how much you think about them. The pictures that appear is how you remember them."
"Shouldn't photos of them then appear?"
"These candles are rare so I don't know much about them. I got these from Gran. I meant to keep them for when... my parents, but this was... good too," Neville said softly
"Thank you Neville." Harry said really appreciating what Neville had done for him "What happens when I die then?"
Neville only shrugged, "Don't know."
The two boys sat in silence and watched sadly at graves while the sky got darker.
"Alrighty boys," Angel said approaching them, "It's almost six, and dinner starts half past so we better get going. I'll give you a moment to say good bye."
Neville nodded and looked sadly at the headstones, "Er, I don't know if you can hear me or not, but I hope you are looking over us now. I'm sorry I never came visiting but I didn't know that you were my godparents. This is all just so weird. I just want to say thanks you know for being willing to take care of me and being such good friends with my parents. It somehow makes them more real knowing they had such good friends," Neville said softly before turning away and walking to his gran leaving Harry to sit alone staring at them.
"Hi." He said his voice a bit unsteady, "I'm Harry, your son. I suppose you know that. I'm sorry that I haven't been here taking care of you guys like I should. I know you guys are probably up there with Sirius now, happy and looking over me, laughing when I make a fool of myself in front of Amanda, but I feel as if I still should make the effort to show I care more. But I guess that if you really are there looking over me then you know why I haven't come before."
Harry fell silent, "I just want you to know that I'll be fine. Really. Things might be looking dreary right now, but in the end I will come out fine. My friends will be there helping me through this. I wish you could meet them. Well you have in the past, but I wish you could meet them now. They'd like that. Maybe I'll come back later and let you guys meet them properly someday. That'd be nice. They've been very good too me, I don't know how too thank them for everything."
Harry fell silent again as he lost himself in thought, "But anyways I should get going. Christmas dinner and all. Just know that I love you guys, and I really appreciate everything you've done for me."
Harry then took something out of his pocket, it were a few photo frames. One was of his parents and him as a baby, another one of him, Sirius and Remus and another one of him and his friends.
He placed them directly below the headstones and then looked at them and trailed over the lettering on them.
On the left side it said:
James Henry Potter,
A beloved friend, father and husband,
May he continue to gallop to the moon
And on the right it said :
Lily Marie Evans-Potter
A beloved friend, sister, mother and wife.
May her fire continue to burn in eternity
And in the middle it said in a small script:
they did great things among those saved the world but the greatest thing they ever did was their love for each other and their son,
Forever to be remembered with warmth and love.
Harry stood up hurriedly and whispered, "I don't care how the future will be for me, or what will happen but I will defeat Voldemort even if it is the last thing I do. For you"
Then he hurried away.
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
The portkey trip was no fun and they arrived all in a heap in the kitchen in Grimauld place where Mrs. Weasley was busy cooking and Dumbledore sat chatting softly with Remus and Mr. Weasley. The men all looked serious and had a worry frown on them and Neville could have sworn he heared his and Harry's names before they all looked up in surprise at the noise their entrance had made.
"Harry James Potter. You are grounded," Was the first thing that Mrs. Weasley said angrily. She had been very mad indeed with the incident erlier that day.
Harry looked at her his eyes glazed over as if he hadn't properly heard her. Wich he probably hadn't as his mind was still stuck in the graveyard where his parents graves lay.
Remus looked at Harry concerned, as he looked really upset and Molly wasn't really helping with her accusing tone and angry scowls and glares.
"I-I have to- " Harry started too stammer and Remus could see the Harry trying to hold back the tears.
"Now just wait a moment young man. I am not finished with you. What you just did was very irr-"
Harry only looked at her as if she wasn't even there before turning around and leaving.
Mrs. Weasley was about to follow but Remus stopped her.
"Molly let him be." He said in a soft yet firm voice.
Molly looked at him sharply, "He cannot just do that and not be punished Remus. He has disregarded the ground rules t- "
"Molly," Remusinterrupted annoyed, he was worried about Harry and other things, he was hungry and it was close too the full moon. Molly Weasley was the last thing he wanted to deal with right now, "You have no right bossing him about, about anything. You are not his mother, and not his guardian."
"I at least am looking out for him which I can't say for you," The shrilly voice of Mrs. Weasley sounded through the kitchen.
"Excuse me? You think you know him any better then me? You coddle him and treat him like a child. You are not helping him Molly. You are only pushing him away."
"I am protecting him. And he is a child and needs to be treated like one."
"He isn't and he is fully capable of protecting himself," Remus said anger burning in his eyes, "He is not a child you can coddle with Molly, he is a young man with the world on his shoulders. He has a murdering dark lord on his heals, don't you think he has more on his mind then curfew rules"
"He shouldn't be roaming the streets alone then should he? He could get killed. He is grounded and that is that." Molly said firmly.
"You are a guest in his home Molly, you can't ground him and besides he is leaving tomorrow to visit his relative in the elven realm so it doesn't matter. And he was upset here before and you were not helping," Remus yelled at the witch.
But before Molly could answer Dumbledore interfered.
"Enough. Both of you, you are acting childishly. Molly, Remus is right. You cannot punish Harry for anything, you are a friend of his, and staying in his house, not his mother. I know you care for him greatly, we all do, but there is nothing you can do. And Harry is leaving tomorrow. It is well within his rights."
"You are his grandfather Albus, stop him. Why didn't you stop him leaving tonight. God only knows what he was up to."
"He tried," Neville said, having had enough of this, though not really understanding half of it, but the day had been just as emotinalfor him as it had beenfor Harry and he was tired and worried for his friend,"Harry is a person you know and he can do what he wants. He has earned your respect of that. And he wasn't up to anything bad Mrs. Weasley, he went with me to visit my parents"
"You've been gone for hours." Mrs. Weasley replied, though her voice had gone softer.
"They also went to visit Harry parents," Dumbledore said softly, "So you can see why Harry was upset. Now this subject is over," He said with finality in his voice and Molly nodded her head a fraction stiffly clearly showing her annoyance before turning a bit to Remus, "His parents?" she asked with a spot of concern and regret in her eyes
"Their graves Molly. Harry's never been there," Remus said before leaving the kitchen.
Neville went after Harry too see if he was ok and found him in the library with the weird woman Angel and the rest of the gang as well as the elves.
"Oh hi Nev" Harry said smiling softly, "I hope I didn't make an complete fool of myself in there, I just wasn't in the mood for one of Mrs. Weasley's lectures."
Neville only nodded and seated himself while Harry continued,
"God knows I love the woman but sometimes she just doesn't understand," He said softly.
"It's alright Harry," Neville assured the boy, "It was… a new experience for me at the least. I mean how many can say they witnessed an overprotective werewolf defending the boy who lived from a mother hen with Dumbledore right there in the middle," Neville said softly hiding his confusion.
Harry only smiled gratefully and invited him to stay for dinner with his gran if he wished. They'd be having plenty of guests and it would be wonderful if he could join them.
Neville was quick to say yes if his grandmother would agree which turned out to be unnecessary to ask for Dumbledore had already taken care of it and the Longbottoms were staying for dinner.
Dinner was wonderful. It was something great and something new for Harry. He had never experienced Christmas dinner like this before. He had never been allowed to join at the Dursley's, and even if the feasts at the school were great it just wasn't the same. Of course there was the fact about the dinner in the past but that had been different. Harry guiltily couldn't decide which was better. Of course his father had hated him at the time but it had been Christmas dinner with his parents all the same.
Mrs. Weasley's dinner was fantastic as always and Harry couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he and his friends laughed and joked like carefree teenagers. Even the order members and ministry guests laughed and drank ale.
The carefree atmosphere though was broken right before desert, with a loud and painful yelp from Harry who had stopped laughing and smiling and was now grimacing and holding his forehead. Ron and Hermione looked frightened at Harry and met Dumbledore's worried eyes.
Finally after what seemed forever but was only barley a minute Harry let go and gasped, "Attack."
Everyone was in uproar. Not many understood what on earth was going on but everyone figured out it wasn't anything good.
They were all silenced however when an owl fluttered in to Ameila Bones. She paled at the exclamation and told everyone that an attack had been struck by Voldemort forces.
"Where?" Dumbledore asked hastily.
Bones looked up helplessly, "I don't know, it doesn't say. It looks like the letter hasn't been finished."
"Harry?" Dumbledore said his concern visible but also his urgency.
Harry who was almost unconscious mumbled something about London and hospital and death eaters.
"Order members you know what to do. Code five." Every order member which was about every single adult with few exceptions stood up and prepared to leave. "Tonks see exactly where the attack is"
Tonks disappeared and reappeared one minute later when everyone were ready to go. When they had the information they needed they weren't long to get to it. Dumbledore however stayed behind with Remus to check on Harry who wasn't looking to good though he seemed to be getting better.
They placed Harry on the couch where Harry looked up, "Shouldn't you guys be helping?"
"Yes. I just wanted to see how you were. Remus will be staying to take over your part.
"No" Harry said, "I can do it"
"Harry- Dumbledore started but Harry interrupted with a glare, "I am well enough."
Dumbledore hesitated but Remus took one look at how determined Harry was and took the headmaster and apparated him away knowing they were only wasting time and lives with this.
The teens were still watching the spot where the two men had disappeared when a groan from Harry took their attention back.
"How are you feeling?" Angel asked concerned.
"I'm fine. It's just this blasted headache and the scar isn't exactly helping in the soothing part," He said dryly and Neville finally came back with a vial of headache reliever.
Everyone watched as Harry drank his potion and visibly relaxed a bit, though the scar was still burning up but at least it had stopped bleeding.
"I'm fine you know. You don't have to watch me like that, we have work to do."
Ginny looked at him uncertainly before she closed her eyes briefly, She yelped and everyone eyes turned to her, where she stood wide eyed and breathing heavily, "Fine my ass Harry Potter." She muttered rubbing her own forhead distracted.
"I am fine," Harry said and then muttered something inaudible about empathy that no one really cared to know what meant.
Ginny looked at him sceptically but she knew he needed something to do so she nodded, "But you are taking it slowly the rest of the holiday," She commanded, "And Neville don't worry about your gran so much. She'll be fine, she's a hell of a fighter," She said out of the blue
Neville jumped in surprise, "How did you-?"
Ginny smiled shyly, "Er, I'm an empath,"
Neville's eyes went wide, "Wow" he finally breathed.
He was in too much of an mode too actually give it more thought then that. If he had he would remember that empaths were extremely rare, and that in fact that only ten empaths had been registered over the last century. And he would remember that empaths were regarded as somewhat of animals at the ministry, their rights were pretty much in the same category as werewolves. And they had to register cause if you didn't and you were found out then your life was pretty much over. All because the ministry was afraid of so much power. It was like this with many powers, though some like with Harry's parseltounge or aura reading it was so rare that none had thought to put up some laws and restrictions for them. Instead Neville only thought it was cool that one of his friends had secret mysterious powers. Secretly he was just too over shocked to be any more shocked. This day had been the most weird day in his life. Attacks, fights with Dumbledore, so many secrets and what more.
"But not a fully developed one. I have to have them shut at most times because I can't control them very well, so I just feel everyone in the room instead of one."
A fire blazing up interrupted their conversation going any further.
An order member Harry didn't know very well was in the fire battered and weary.
"What's the status?" Harry asked serious.
"The attack was originally planned for the children hospital in London, but has now expanded and grown. Over 500 death eaters were there when I last checked, the hospital was mostly destroyed, as well as the muggle police force. We've accounted four losses among the ord...
And the evening went away in a rush. The teens didn't have much time to worry about the happenings as they were busy taking down the status of everyone that appeared.
Their only job that night was damage control and report work, but they drowned themselves into it.
xXxXxXxXxX
Finally well after midnight the order members started to appear back one by one, all battered and weary, some hurt others not.
Harry found Remus and hugged him in relief, "They didn't know if you were hurt or not," he breathed.
"I'm fine kiddo," He said though Harry could see he was in a lot of pain.
"No you're not," Harry said, "You need to see a healer."
"I'll go after the meeting."
Harry nodded knowing there was no way to talk him out of it.
Everyone gathered around in the meeting room, even the teens.
"Silence please," Dumbledore pleaded, "There was an attack this evening from Voldemort's forces, only his second attack. It was hard, and brutal, and we lost many, but we managed to drive back the enemies forces into retreat. They were more and stronger then we had presumed. Harry you have the status?"
"Yes," He said staggering a bit as he stood, and he peered at the paper his vision starting to get blurry, he knew he had probably pushed too much this evening but he knew he had to get this over with, "At this time we presume that there were only twenty survivors at the hospital, fifteen of them injured badly, and another twenty five missing and at least 452 muggles have been counted dead, the number increasing by the minute. We lost 16 aurors that we know of, and another 19 were hurt badly or permanently. We only lost seven order members that we can tell at the moment, all of them rather low in the ranks. But even so the loss is big enough to hamper the orders work for now. Another five were badly hurt, and it is unknown if Kingsley will survive. We captured 45 death eaters and over hundred were killed but about three-four hundred got away. Among those captured was Nott senior as well as Crabbe senior. The area around the hospital was completely destroyed. The damage in the muggle world is estimated to be around million pounds give or take. The magical loss is not near as high as this battle was on muggle premises but it is still high enough."
"You have more information for us Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry nodded, but knew it had been a bad idea as he staggered as he got a dizzy spell and almost fell but Neville and Draco caught him.
"Are you sure you are well enough for this?" Dumbledore asked concern obvious in his features and voice.
"I'm fine," Harry said irritated, "He can just be so bloody annoying at times. Stupid bugger."
Dumbledore smiled a sad smile as Remus snorted softly though the rest of the order looked confused at Harry and Dumbledore.
"Even though attack was brutal and achieved only part of it's goal, and even if we managed to still more harm from happening this was not the main reason for the attack.. It was a trap. A diversion."
Every order member now took in every word he said,
"While the attack was happening Voldemort himself and few of his chosen men broke an entry and stole something. I'm not sure what, but it was... powerful," He said whispering the last word as it was horrible, "Powerful beyond imagination. I don't know what this thing is for but if it is an attack force then we are in some serious trouble."
"Anything else?" Dumbledore asked in thought.
Harry shrugged, "Not really. He killed five muggles that I know of, and three wizards whom were guarding the thing." Harry seemed to hesitate before sitting back down.
"Alright, this is enough" Dumbledore said loudly to stop the chatter that was running through the order, "We all need a bit of time to regroup and digest this information. I suggest you all go home and get some rest, those who need medical attention the healer team is still working. A Full order meeting will be held shortly following up this attack. You did well tonight, go home to your families."
Everyone stood to leave except Dumbledore, Remus, McGonagall, Harry and the teens.
"Neville, come along," His gran said tiredly, but other then her tiredness she was in fine shape.
Neville seemed to want to say something but hesitated but Dumbledore saved him, "You are more then welcome to stay here for a while if you so please Mrs. Longbottom. It might be good for Neville to stay with his friends for a while after these happenings. God knows we need all the support we can get."
She seemed to think about it before nodding reluctantly, "We can stay for few days then."
"Fantastic. Kreacher will show you too your rooms. Neville you can wait here if you want to.
After his gran had left Dumbledore looked at Harry.
"How are you feeling my boy?"
"I've been better. But I'll be fine. The best place for me to rest and regroup is at the elven city"
Dumbledore nodded, "Very well. I cannot stop you so I won't try. But you know how I feel about this."
Harry only nodded.
"Now what can you tell me further about your scar ache? Was it a vision then?"
"Yes" Harry said frowning, his head still feeling light and his vision still blurry, he could feel the sweat on his brow but he knew he had to get this over with and then he could rest, "It was really confusing. I was him again. But then I wasn't. It started like usual. He was commanding his teams, he had three by the way to guard different pass ways then he and Malfoy and someone I didn't know went through some heavy guarding thing before arriving to a small room. Then the whole thing changed and it was like I was seeing it from a third party view. There were three wizards and five muggles as far as I could gather, though I'm not so sure they were muggles. Anyway they were protecting this thing. But the weird part was" he hesitated but continued at Dumbledore's prod, "The weird thing was, it was like they were… special or something. They fought amazingly. It was like they were some fighting machines. And they didn't kill them either. Voldemort forbade it, he needed to use their blood. He drained their life-force and used their blood to open the box that was protecting the thing.
When the last guy was you know dying, he said something I couldn't understand. I think he was just cursing Voldemort or something, but the fear he showed was frightening for a lack of better word when Voldemort said something in return. Whatever this thing is it's powerful and I think Voldemort has the power to use it"
Dumbledore was about to say something but Harry continued to talk, "And yes, he couldn't touch it. They couldn't use magic on it either," He said as an afterthought
"Have you no idea what it was? A book? Jewelry?"
"It wasn't a book," Harry said, "It was larger than an amulet or jewelry but I don't really know. It was surrounded by a glow and the power was so intense I couldn't get a good look at it. But er, I think that it was about the size of one of the large plates in the living room. Maybe a bit bigger or smaller" Harry said before he yelled in pain and another fit took over.
Five minutes later he opened his eyes and found he was in a bed and Dumbledore was hovering over him concerned, "I know where those children are. He-He" Harry choked on his words before taking a deep breath and saying, "He has them. He is keeping them for something. I don't know what for though"
"It is all right Harry. Just rest" Dumbledore assured him and Harry didn't need to be told twice.
Dumbledore looked worriedly at Angel and motioned her to walk with him.
The teens looked on curiously and followed quietly as the two adults entered the library and closed after them.
Ron always being prepared for everything pulled up few extendable ears and the teens started listening.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
"What is it that I can help you with Headmaster?" Angel asked sitting gracefully.
Dumbledore eyed her suspiciously, "I can't help the fact that Harry seems to trust you implicitly. I don't know why or how or so on, the only thing I know is he does and there's nothing I can do about it. God knows I've tried.
He paused and sat down tiredly, "Something the children said to me made me start to think about my relationship with Harry. And I know I did wrong by lying to him, I know I did wrong in keeping the prophecy from him, from keeping the truth about his family from him, from not telling him he actually had family out there that loved him, that that family was I. I know I did wrong in many things by Harry and I know I approached the matter at hand wrongly when he found out I was only human and made many mistakes. I know I've handled this all very badly. But the point is I know it now and I am determined to mend my relationship with Harry. It will take time, maybe it will never happen but I will try or die trying."
"What is your point with this headmaster?" Angel asked seemingly uninterested though secretly she was curious at where he was going if a bit guarded.
"My point is that even though he maybe doesn't want me I am still here, looking out for him. Protecting him. Maybe not his way, but at least I am protecting him. I don't understand what he is doing with you, nor am I supposed to. I've puzzled over it long enough. It's time I just accept it and continue on. I will always continue to protect him. I love him. He is my last family after all," He said gravely.
"I don't trust you. I don't know you nor anything about you. All I know is that you are powerful and want something with Harry."
"I am not as powerful as you think Albus Dumbledore," Angel said, "But I understand what you are saying. Just because Harry does trust me you don't. You've seen that the right thing is not to take me away by force but protect him from afar."
"If I catch you at doing anything, anything at all wrong then you are finished,"Dumbledore in a way very unlike his kind grandfatherly figure.
"I understand. But I am only just here to help.
"Why?" Dumbledore asked, genially wanting too know, "What do you gain from it?"
"It is what I have been doing my whole existence," She replied mysteriously, "I help those in need of my service."
"You've been teaching him things. What?" Dumbledore said still not satisfied.
"You know what things. What you don't know you are not meant to know yet."
"You said you taught him occlumency well enough, why isn't it working then?"
"It is. Occlumency, clears the mind. Organizes it. It keeps lies and false information being planted there, it protects the mind from invasions. You understand what I am saying?"
"It protects him from false visions but not from real ones" Dumbledore nodded, "But his clarity should help in this matter. If he is practices his occlumecy right then it should protect him from invasion, intentionally or not. It has been doing so up until this point."
"Voldemort has realised that he can't force visions on him, he knows Harry can't fake visions to him. So he does his best to make sure he doesn't see anything real either. They are both protecting themselves form each other. This way yes it should keep them both from having any sort of visions. But tonight was different. The item Harry saw, the one that Voldemort has stolen, is something so old, so powerful that Harry could not protect himself from it, nor could Voldemort. Combined situations led to his vision Dumbledore. But don't ever underestimate the power of the item that Voldemort now has."
"You know what it is?"
"I have my suspicions. I won't tell you though. Nor I will tell Harry just yet. Voldemort does not know what power he is dealing with. Neither do you. Nor does Harry. But I am helping him preparing for that power"
Angel left before Dumbledore could say more.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Ok what is going on here?" Neville asked confused, scared, angry and hurt. This day had been too confusing for him but now that the tension was mostly gone he could focus on other things. Like the fact that there was some huge secret going on in this house.
"Neville it's not how it seems."
"What is it then Hermione? Everything here is just not making any sense. What is going on that I can so not know about? I thought we were friends."
"We are. Neville we cherish our friendship with you a lot" Ginny said desperately trying to make Neville understand that they weren't try to hurt him.
Draco snorted, "Speak for your self Gingin, I never liked Longbottom that much."
"Dray shut up" Ron snapped.
"I want to know what is going on? Who is this Angel? What was Dumbledore talking about?"
"N- Hermione started to say but Angel interrupted as she entered the room.
"You should be more careful when you are trying to spy on other people's conversations. I would have thought I had taught you better. And taking him with you?" She said looking at them reprovingly thought they saw that her heart wasn't really in it.
"Sorry" The knights chorused, though they weren't really and it showed.
"W- Neville started to ask again but again Angel interrupted,
"Neville I am Angel, as you know. I am a friend of Harry's you could say. I am teaching him to defend himself in the war so to speak. My lessons are valuable. He is learning magic that no one has learned for centuries, magic thought lost. If everyone knew they would demand it too. We can't afford that, so these lessons are kept a secret to most. Do you understand that?"
Neville nodded, "I understand. But who are you? How do you know so much magic and if you do why aren't you fighting V-voldemort?"
"It is not my place. I work solely for my lord, fighting against anything in this world is forbidden to me. I only appear to help those who need me."
"For your lord?" Neville spoke up with wide eyes.
"Do you believe in god Neville?"
Neville looked at her strangely and drew his wand, "If you are a death eater I'll hex you so bad, you'll wish you never met Harry Potter or me."
"I'm not a death eater."
"But you sa- "
"I know what I said. But do you believe in god?"
Neville nodded unsurely, "Yeah I do. I guess. I mean my mum was a firm believer and I found some of her church stuff and I sorta got into it"
"Good. I do also believe in god. He is my lord."
Neville thought it through before nodding, lowering his wand a fraction, "What about this Dumbledore issue?"
"Dumbledore really is Harry's great grandfather" Ginny said quietly, "Harry found out this summer. They've been having a huge row about it ever since. Or well not about that, they act like it never happened, but Harry doesn't trust him anymore."
Neville stood frozen for a few seconds before sitting down in shock, he had gone pale and he looked around at everyone as he had never really seen them before, "I don't understand," He said finally desperately wanting to wake up in his bed finding out this whole thing was a very weird and disturbing dream.
"It's all really complicated Nev. And really long to tell about" Hermione said carefully sitting besides him.
"I have plenty of time," He said not really sure he wanted to know this, but not ready to give up either.
Hermione looked at Angel.
"I'm going to talk to Harry, I trust you to decide what is best to tell him and what not," She said looking at them pointedly and no one missed the underlying message. Not to tell him who she really was.
Neville looked between them demanding for some explanations, "Everyone has noticed the change in all of you this year. At first I just though it was because of what happened at the end of last year but..." he trailed off.
"Neville, you have to understand that the reason we didn't tell you wasn't because we don't trust you or don't like you. You are a good friend to us all and Harry especially enjoys your company."
"Why?" Neville asked irritated, "Because of me or because of what I should have been? Is it because our parents knew each other, or because he pities me or what the hell is it? Because I don't need his or any of yours pity or- "
"Oh shut up Longbottom and stop feeling so sorry for yourself." Draco snapped at the ranting boy ,"Don't ask me why but Harry really cares about you. And he is not the kind of guy that pities people and you know it too. He sees what others don't see. Hell he befriended me after all I did,"
"Yeah. Why did he do that?" Neville asked calming down a notch but glaring at Malfoy like he was a ferret. Even if the other Gryffindors had warmed a bit up to Draco Neville was one of those who distrusted him the most. He didn't voice his opinion cause he trusted Harry's judgment but he was just so tired and confused to even try to prudent friendly right now.
"I think it's best we start at the beginning" Hermione said taking charge of the situation, "But understand we can't tell you everything. We will try though. Harry had some trouble at the start of the summer. His godfather not really being a part of that." Hermione wriggled her hands, "You know Harry is a very private person, but I think he would want us to tell you this but you have to swear not to tell anyone ever. Even if it comes out, because it would put you in danger. You understand that is one of the reasons that Harry acts less friendly to you then when we are not alone? He is just trying to protect you from Voldemort."
Neville nodded, unsure what he had gotten himself into, "Well you know how Harry's relatives don't exactly like him?" Ginny asked softly.
Neville nodded hesitantly, "Yeah. The whole school knows."
"Apparently though it was worse then any of us could ever imagine" Ron said dramatically."
"The point being that they beat the life out of him this summer and he was saved at the last minute by his aunts guilt and taken to Hogwarts half dead where he fell into a coma and almost died," Draco said bluntly staring impassively in the air ignoring the glares form the others.
Neville paled at Draco's blunt statement whereas Hermione swatted him on the head, "Don't be so insensitive about this Dray," She hissed while Draco only shrugged.
"So erm anyway we were all really worried about what would happen. We thought he might even die," Ginny said sadly thinking how bad it had been. It seemed to be a lifetime ago.
"But things only got worse after that really. On Harry's birthday Angel appeared" Ron said not really sure how far he should take this. Angel made sure not to tell him the whole truth.
"What did she do?"
"She saved his life. No one actually knows that for sure but us, she and Harry. You can't tell anyone, this all is highly confidential" Hermione stressed again.
"I understand that," Neville said feeling nervous holding such important information but also very proud to be trusted with it, "I won't tell anyone."
"You better not," She said eyeing him making Neville jump in surprise at their hostility, but it also made him understand better how important this was to remain a secret.
"So what happened was Angel appeared. No one knew who she was or anything. Something happened. We can't tell you what, and we're really sorry but the thing was that she told us that Harry's magic was about to come to it's full power and if he were in the coma his state couldn't take it. The magic would burn out and he would die. So she kidnapped him. Sorta. That's when we sorta became friends with Draco also. She did this spell and we all appeared at a room here at Hogwarts and Harry woke up. Draco by some mistake was also there. But when we came back to the hospital wing no one actually trusted Angel but us cause we knew that she was telling the truth. And then she started to teach Harry things. Us too cause we knew what was going on and Harry wanted us protected." Ron said concluding his case.
"And other things also happened that summer. You know that Harry had a trial this summer, well it wasn't his only trial. He had another secret one about his abusive childhood. Vernon Dursley was sent for life too Azkaban while Petunia got freed cause she saved Harry and he didn't press charges. Now she lives here while she is getting her act together and pleading with Harry for forgiveness. His cousin only hates him more but he's somewhere in school so there is nothing she can do about that," Ginny continued.
"And then this summer he also found out the truth about his mother. She wasn't an Evans at all. She was adopted, in reality she was the grandchild of the elven king. Harry was approached by the elves and explained that he was the heir of the throne and he has till next summer to choose if he'll decline it or not. The thing is that if he does then his really nasty cousin will get it which is not a good thing cause he's a brat. And the king found out about Voldemort and all that and send a team of the best to teach Harry and protect him until he has made his decision," Hermione breathed out.
"So you can see he has some issues" Ron concluded.
"Ok that explains a lot" Neville said, "But what about this Dumbledore thing?"
"Oh yeah, we found out he was his great grandfather. But he's not the Potter heir cause he was disowned because well he didn't agree with the rules and yaddy yaddy yadda so he took up his maiden name. Harry was really hurt and angry that Dumbledore sent him to the Dursley's even before he found out he was his grandfather cause Dumbledore knew that Petunia and Vernon hated everything to do with magic. After the truth got out it only became worse between them. Not to mention some other issues they had been having since Sirius death. Dumbledore not telling Harry the prophecy, leading him on half truths all year, Dumbledore keeping a lot of things from him."
"But he only did it to protect him right? He's not evil is he?" Neville asked.
"Oh no. He truly believed he was doing the right thing. But it wasn't" Hermione hurried to say.
"But why would you all be so scared if the thing about his trial comes out? Why should it?" Neville said thinking about what they had said earlier about Harry's abuse. He could understand that Harry wouldn't want everyone to know but it seemed to him that some of the other information was way more important then that.
"Cause well Harry is fighting a war with the minister at the moment."
"Everyone know that they don't like each other but Fudge would never risk his position like that especially now." Neville argued.
"Yeah but when he finds out Harry and the order are making a secret campaign to get him out of office and when he relishes it's a lost cause and he's out maybe he will want to go out with a bang and he'll tell the world to make Harry's case less credible or just as an revenge or whatever."
"I really need to digest all this," Neville said more to himself then the others but the others sniggered and left him to think things through.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Well this has finally been posted then... I actually had it ready the day before Christmas and was going to post it then but then in the whole Christmas cheer I completely forgot all about it. So I'm a bit later then I originally planned to post this but better late then never...right…:S….
But anyways there are some issues that I have been meaning to address, one of witch would be the whole Amanda Harry thing. By the way things are looking now this story will probably be Amanda/Harry. Now I've had some comments about how not many know who Amanda even is... so I'll just clarify that and be done with it. She's an exchange student from when the Vatican was attacked, she was sorted into Rawenclaw and her best friend Vanessa is an Gryffindor and Harry's friend. She hasn't been a big character, just someone I put in the story sorta so I could see what I would do with the character, then I just figured that since there's not that much left of the story I might as well just pair the two up... so there you have that... it isn't really important who she is, or how she got in the story, she's just a girl who Harry likes...
Another thing I wanted to mention is that it will be nearing the end of the story soon. I have some rough outlines for the what I have planned next, and I figure there are like, three four chapters maybe few moreleft... but I'll probably make an sequel. I know I haven't been the most dedicated writer but I haven't really been as motivated recently as I wished... especially after I read the half blood prince… but I said I'd finish the story and so I will... it's just taking a longer time then I had planned...
Oh and yes, I want to thank my beta and everyone who has reviewed. You've been very helpful and just a big motivation for me to get my fingers moving... and even if I don't do individual responses anymore, I still read and appreciate the reviews a lot...
Untill next time,
Cute-kittycat