Hello! I'm so incredibly sorry (as always)for the delay. So many things have been going on, but I enjoy writing this fanfic so it will go on! No worries!
Chapter 6: Supposed to be Dead
Previously:
After a few more farewells and many tears from Mrs. Granger and Mrs. Weasley, Harry, Ron, and Hermione apparated to Godric's Hollow starting a brand new journey. The trio stood in a line in front of the Potter's house, which did not appear to have previously been a murder scene. Harry gulped loudly compelling Hermione (who was in the middle) to grab the hands of the two most important people in her life. They continued to gape at the house, each excessively anxious to make the first step.
Harry grated his teeth loudly, soaking up the overall atmosphere of Godric's Hollow—the musty odor, the fervent silence, the dismal willows. For some reason, he couldn't gather enough courage to proceed further. His feet were cemented onto the paved sidewalk, his hands sturdily placed at his sides. He cursed at himself for being such a coward. Suddenly the memory of Dumbledore's death swam through Harry's mind causing him to wriggle his hand free from Hermione's and march straight into the house not once looking back.
He swallowed hard upon viewing the inside; though he couldn't remember a thing about it, he felt somewhat of a connection. His eyes glanced at a striped, dingy couch in the corner of the room and winced as if by instinct. A woman's scream echoed through his ears forcing him to cover them with his hands and run out the back door. Harry found himself sprinting down a row of trees with the woman's shriek still pervading his every thought. He threw himself atop the tall grass and heard it swish as two feet stepped before his head…
Ron and Hermione silently walked toward the door—hand in hand—both too overwhelmed to speak, but what, Ron thought, were they to talk about, anyway? Quidditch? NEWTs? It all seemed so irrelevant now.
"Ron?" Hermione spoke in a hushed voice.
"Yeah?" Ron said as they made it to the door. He grabbed the doorknob, but Hermione placed her hand on top of his. He looked at her, confused, but at the same time happy. Ron couldn't believe that a single touch from Hermione could make him feel all giddy inside…even if they were in danger.
"Before we go in…I want you to know that…if we don't make it…"
"I love you too, Hermione." The corner of Ron's mouth twitched forming a sweet grin. She responded with a squeeze from her hand that lay on top of his.
Ron turned the knob slightly and pushed open the door. He heard Hermione gasp loudly at the site before their eyes—everything was in place. There were no broken vases or spots of blood scattering the floor, just a plain living room that seemed to speak for itself. Voldemort was here. Hermione left Ron's side to scan the room, scrutinizing everything from the table lamps, to the tiny cracks in the walls.
"We should go find Harry," Ron stated while following Hermione with his eyes.
"Yes," she said while staring at the pictures on the walls, "we should." She looked at him and nodded briefly before calling out Harry's name.
"Where do you think he went?" Ron asked.
Hermione simply shrugged and shook her head worriedly.
Feeling faint, Harry slowly raised his head to meet eyes with a figure towering over him. He couldn't quite make out who it was due to being so light-headed and the murkiness outside. The figure held his hand out, which Harry hesitantly took. It was stiff and skeletal, but as Harry finally became eye-level with the person, he quickly dropped the hand in shock.
"S-Sirius?" he felt the sting of tears behind his eyes.
The figure shook his head swiftly; he smiled grimly and replied,
"Regulus…"
On impulse, Harry felt himself shove Regulus with all his might, "You bloody…Death Eater! I've had about enough of you lot!"
Harry tried to disengage himself from the tight grip Regulus now had on his arms, but it was no use; he swore bitterly at the man and kicked him in the shin. Regulus cried out in pain and released Harry as he fell to the ground.
Hastily, Harry ran back to the cottage and found Ron and Hermione staring widely at him.
"There you are!" Ron whispered sharply.
"Where did you go?" Hermione asked in a worried mother-like tone.
"Outside…he's…Regulus…bloody tr-traitor…" Harry said between breaths. He felt two hands clasp his shoulders tightly.
"Harry!" Hermione yelled while shaking him, "Who? Who is outside?"
"I am," Hermione lifted her hands from Harry's shoulders to see Regulus standing in the backyard doorway. She covered her mouth to stifle a gasp.
"Well I was outside," he limped toward the three, his black boots clunking loudly, "but now, I supposed I'm inside, yes?"
"Don't come any closer!" Hermione warned forebodingly.
"You're supposed to be dead!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs. Regulus gave him a sinister glare and then sank himself on the striped couch.
"You know, Harry," he began, "for someone who is very helpful toward you right now, you're not giving me enough credit. But you did manage to kill my leg!" He chuckled as he rubbed his shin. Harry merely glowered at him. Regulus raised his eyebrows and sighed deeply. "Alright," he started softly, "did you lot give any clue to who R.A.B. was? Where he was? Why he betrayed the Dark—I mean, Voldemort?"
Harry's heart sank when his mind traveled from R.A.B. to the locket to the cup to Dumbledore…But suddenly, R.A.B. popped in again making his mouth drop as he gawked intensely at Regulus.
"Bloody hell…" Harry heard Ron murmur, and he nodded, thinking the exact same thing.
"How do you know that we know about R.A.B.?" Harry asked wryly giving Regulus another disgusted look.
Regulus looked at Harry incredulously but shrugged it off, "I suppose I should tell you my story then?
"Yes, well, you're partly correct about me being a Death Eater, Harry. I'm not one anymore—please don't interrupt, Harry. Anyway, I was a Death Eater. I was very much fascinated by all of it, but in the end, it was a bit too much for me. I guess that makes me sound a tad weak." Harry snorted resentfully, but Regulus continued. "Nevertheless…I as assigned a task by Voldemort, but, being the "all-talk" person that I was, I couldn't go through with it. I deserted the Death Eater and…"
"Lupin told me you were killed," Harry interrupted.
"Well…I…no, as you can clearly see, I was not killed. I managed to escape and find refuge…"
"Here?" Hermione asked quizzically.
"I guess you could say that," Regulus replied.
"Why here? Why Godric's Hollow?" Harry's calm and collected voice had turned into a furious yell.
"I knew Voldemort wouldn't find me," Regulus smiled coolly, "a criminal never goes back to the scene of the crime, does he?"
"There's another reason why you're here!" Harry shouted once more. "Y-you were…you were going to kill my parents!" Harry couldn't believe Regulus! He is sitting there acting all innocent! The nerve of him!
Regulus looked taken-aback by Harry's increase in impulsiveness; he sat there for a while staring at Harry as if looking right through him. "You're right, Harry."
Harry's eyes popped as he felt the already warm cottage become even warmer. He ran his hand swiftly through his hair, completely speechless.
"But I didn't. Did I?" Regulus asked rhetorically. Harry simply shrugged at Regulus' mock-innocence.
"But you were going to," he said matter-of-factly.
Regulus sighed briefly. "I suppose you three need my help then? I have a tiny hint as to why you're here because I know you wouldn't be here on holiday," he smirked at his joke. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared at him with raised eyebrows, obviously not finding his joke funny. "Harry, still got that locket?"
Harry reached into his pocket and brushed his fingers across the smooth, silver locket. He grasped it and nodded sharply at Regulus while keeping his eyes narrowed. "Where's the real one?"
"I left it at Grimmauld Place," Regulus answered while shrugging. Harry's eyes widened…Mundungus Fletcher.
"It's not there anymore," he mumbled somewhat to himself.
"What did you say, Mate?" Ron asked.
"I said…IT'S NOT THERE ANYMORE!" At this point, Harry was standing up, shaking furiously. "M-Mundungus Fletcher stole things from Grimmauld Place…t-to…sell them! He probably sold the locket!" Harry felt a sudden rage fill every part of him. He hated everyone right now; no one understood…no one would ever understand.
"Now, Harry," Hermione spoke calmly, tugging at his hand to sit back down, "you don't know that Fletcher took the locket. Don't jump to conclusions." Harry stared Hermione down with all the anger pent up inside him. He felt a jumble of harsh words climb to the tip of his tongue, but he gulped, attempting to rid his mouth of them. His stomach, however, wasn't all inviting. The words flew out quickly and a bit too rudely.
"Merlin, Hermione, could you just be quiet…for once?" Harry could feel his eyes glowing and burning right through Hermione. She stared at him keenly, and he could see the tiny formation of tears in her eyes, but somehow it didn't faze him. Angrily, he stormed off, muttering inaudible curse words.
Hermione looked down at her lap, trying to suppress the tears that filled her eyes. She didn't want Ron or Regulus to see her crying; she had to be strong. Harry was just being…Harry. The lump in her throat was making it extremely difficult to breathe, but she couldn't go outside; she just couldn't face Harry right now. But he is my best friend! Recalling this, Hermione covered her face as she whimpered quietly. She felt a strong arm wrap around her waist and drag her close to his body. Ron gently rubbed her back murmuring apologies in her ear.
"I'll just…be outside, then," Regulus said feeling rather awkward. Ron chuckled as Regulus opened the door to go outside.
"It's not funny, Ron," Hermione's reprimanded against his chest. She smiled, all the same, when hearing Ron's deep laugh, and continued to cling to him. Every bit of him was so comforting.
"All right, Hermione?"
Hermione looked up into his sincere blue eyes and sniffed. She kissed him soundly before whispering, "Yes, thank you, Ron." Her heart fluttered as his mouth twisted into that adorable lopsided grin. She embraced him once more, settling her head in the crook of his neck.
"Would you like me to talk to Harry?"
Hermione closed her eyes and sighed when hearing those words. Ron would do anything for her, and it just made her love him even more. "I'd like that but…not right now," she smiled warmly and buried her face in his neck. "Ron?" her voice muffled.
"Yea?"
"Did Regulus follow Harry?" Ron's head snapped down to look into Hermione's concerned eyes. She read his expression as he read hers.
"Oh, bloody hell…"
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs, inching backwards as Regulus stepped closer.
"Harry, we have to go to Grimmauld Place," Regulus said, ignoring Harry's lack of interest. "We have to go. The locket might still be there. In fact, Kreacher probably has it," he smiled at the mention of Kreacher.
"KREACHER?" Harry shrieked, "That elf isn't even at Grimmauld Place! I sent him to work at Hogwarts! And what's with this we business? Who said you're coming?"
"You need me, Harry."
"What else could you possibly know?"
"Actually, I know quite a bit. Former Death Eater, remember?"
Harry snorted, "Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater."
"I suppose you're right," Regulus began nonchalantly, "but that still doesn't change the fact that you need me." Harry glared lividly at Regulus' smug expression. He sighed, knowing he'd later regret the next words he was about to say,
"Hogwarts, then?"
Regulus smirked and nodded.
The silence that filled the living room was actually quite peaceful to Ron. Harry's constant complaining and yelling (much like that from fifth year) was quite annoying. But he really couldn't blame Harry…except for when he hurt Hermione. That's when things got personal; he needed to talk to Harry, but at the moment Hermione's warm hug was keeping him in place. They decided not to follow Harry and Regulus; Harry had to work that issue on his own. He twisted the ends of Hermione's hair, finding her presence all too soothing. His world was sitting right there in his arms.
"I love you, Hermione."
He felt a weight literally lift from his shoulders, which disappointed him a bit, as Hermione lifted her head to look back at him. She cupped his cheek, "I love you too, Ron."
Their moment of peacefulness was soon interrupted by the sharp swing of the back door. Harry stood in front of them with his arms crossed.
"We've decided to go back to Hogwarts," he stated bluntly.
We? Ron thought to himself. He then heard loud clunks and saw Regulus Apparate next to Harry. "Whoa," he said while trying to find balance, "I haven't done that in a while…"
A/N: I know, this was short. But I just wanted to introduce Regulus and get his story straight before anything else. Anyway, once again, I'm so sorry for the delay, but please let me know what you thought of this chapter! Thanks!
fernie
by the way, Goblet of Fire was amazing! 11:59 opening night! Though I do wish they included more Ron and Hermione and a little less HARRY and Hermione.