Chapter Twenty-Seven
Alone At Last
Harry fell out of the fire, landing heavily on the floor. Dobby and Winky appeared when they heard the noise, brightening when they saw Harry. Harry smiled at them.
"How are you two doing?" Harry asked.
"We is doing fine Harry sir." Dobby said happily. "We is cleaning your house and waiting for you to come. Dumbleydore sir said you is coming."
"Well that was very good of him, seeing as I forgot to mention it to you two. Do you like working here so far?" Harry asked.
"Oh yes sir, Winky is liking it very much. Always very busy here. Dumbleydore said it won't be so busy till you is going back to school, but that you will leave the house extra messy for us." Winky said beaming at him
Harry laughed. "I will do my best to leave this house in desperate need of a cleaning." He said smiling. "I'm sorry, you two but I've had a long day, and I need to have a rest. It is good to see you two again. If anyone follows me, please tell them that I am not accepting visitors. Also make sure, unless its Dumbledore himself, that no one be allowed any further than the parlor till I leave."
"Yes, Harry sir." Dobby said.
"Harry Potter sir, is you going to be eating breakfast in the morning, sir." Winky asked.
"Yes, Winky, that would be nice. Not as large a breakfast as last time I was here though. I fear I may not have much of an appetite." Harry said. Winky nodded happily.
"Yes sir." Winky said.
Harry trudged up the stairs slowly, walking straight to his room. He entered and sat on the bed. Removing his trunk from his pocket he restored it to its regular size. He fell back on the bed, his arms stretched straight out. The day had taken its toll on him to be sure. Laying there, staring at the ceiling, he felt all his anger drain away. What was replaced was a loneliness he had not felt since he found out he was a wizard. Placing a silencing charm on his door, he changed and, once in bed again, was soon fast asleep.
Serena burst through the fire looking around the room. Just as she was about to head upstairs, Dobby and Winky popped into the room.
"Dobby, where is Harry?" Serena asked quickly.
"Harry sir is upstairs, Miss Serena." Dobby said cheerfully. Serena headed towards the stairs only to fly backwards onto the couch.
"Harry Potter, sir, is saying no visitors except Dumbleydore, Miss." Winky said apologetically. "You may not go any further than this room Miss."
"Please, I need to see him. Its very important." Serena pleaded, looking at Dobby.
Dobby looked down sadly. "I is sorry Miss Serena, but Harry sir is our master now. We must follow his orders, above all others. I is very sorry."
Serena sighed and sat back down on the couch. "I can stay in this room, right?" She asked. They nodded happily. "I will wait here for him."
Dobby and Winky nodded and went back to work cleaning the house. Dobby brought Serena a pillow and blanket, informing her that Harry was asleep. She fell asleep shortly after and the house elves looked after both children before they would move to another room. Dumbledore asked them both to make sure that Harry stayed safe there, and they assumed he wanted them to look after Serena as well.
Serena found herself waiting in the parlor all day. When she awoke, Dobby had bought her breakfast from the kitchen, informing her that Harry said he would not come down. She sighed and spent the day sitting on the couch starring up at the stairs, silently praying Harry would change his mind. Dumbledore appeared after dinner that night and looked at Serena frowning.
"Why did you not return, Miss Black?" Dumbledore asked calmly, seeing the upset look on the girls face.
"He won't talk to me. He won't even see me." She said sadly. Dumbledore nodded.
"Give him time, Serena, Go back to school and give him this week alone. He will need the time to get over what happened. I will plead your case to him, and try to get him to open up again." Dumbledore said cheerfully.
"Alright, Sir. Please tell him I'm sorry for what they did to him, and that I had no idea." Serena said as she walked to the fire and returned to Dumbledore's office.
Dobby and Winky appeared in the parlor and smiled happily at Dumbledore. Both were upset to see Harry not moving from his room. They were hoping Dumbledore would get him to leave the room.
"Dumbleydore, sir!" Dobby said happily. "I will be bringing Harry sir to you right away."
"Please sit, Dumbleydore sir. I is going for tea for you and Harry Potter sir." Winky said, equally cheerful.
Dumbledore sat in an armchair, looking at the two elves smiling. Both disappeared in a wink and he smiled. These two house elves were taking better care of Harry than he did at school. He was also worried about Harry, though. It seemed the elves a bit too cheerful to see him, which meant Harry had either gotten hurt or just refused to do anything. Harry walked down the stairs calmly, and smiled briefly at Dumbledore and nodded to him. Dumbledore returned the expression in kind, not speaking till Harry sat down.
"Good day, Sir. I take it that with me and you being the only ones here that we are alone, or else you have an invisibility cloak of your own." Harry said jokingly.
Dumbledore chuckled slightly. "I do have one actually. However today we are alone, I felt it better that I speak to you in private." he said. The elves popped in quickly with tea and took their leave.
"They have been in a right state since I've been back. I'm starting to worry about them." Harry said, looking worriedly after the house elves.
"They are worried for their master, Harry. You did not seem to be in good spirits yesterday. If you have been like that today then they are even more worried." Dumbledore said, his smile never leaving his face.
"Actually sir, I drove Dobby a bit mad. Got him to play chess with me quite a bit. He kept popping out to clean while I was making my move." Harry said, laughing.
"Ah, that explains Dobby's happiness." Dumbledore said smiling.
"No it's actually probably because he was worried he'd be in trouble after all the times he'd beaten me. I told him I didn't mind." Harry said shaking his head, still smiling.
"Yes, Harry, house elves, Dobby in particular, are quite worried about showing up their master's." Dumbledore said.
"I don't like that term really. I'm not their master. I would much prefer to be their friend, like I am with Dobby. I wish I knew if Winky felt that way. Unfortunately, I'm afraid she'll start crying like Dobby did the first time I called him friend." Harry said.
"Yes, that might happen. However you do have friends at Hogwarts as well. Those two and I are not the only ones you have." Dumbledore said knowingly.
"Yes, but you three didn't do that to me." Harry said softly. He looked at Dumbledore and nodded. "We have to talk about it don't we?"
"I'm sorry, Harry, but I think we must." Dumbledore said. "I learned of what happened yesterday, and I wish to tell you what I have learned. Would that be alright?" Harry nodded. "Thank you, Harry. It seemed that only two of the people you know were involved in the plan until after you knew. Ginny gave Serena the same potion Remus gave you. That was the plan they were working on the day of the before your pranks started on each other.
"That was their cover, you see. They used the war, which Remus asked me to assure you the Marauders really did do, which is true, as a cover for being around each other to brew their potion correctly. They never told me what the potion was, just what it did. With a hair from two people, it will erase any memory of any reason they would have to stay apart. Illegal to be sure, as it is classified as a love potion."
"How did Remus know about it?" Harry asked curious. Remus was not a person to take laws lightly.
"He said it was how your father got your mother to go out with him on their first date." Dumbledore said, chuckling at Harry's shock. "It seemed those two could not get over James' ego. He got Remus to brew this up so that they could. It was only one date, Harry. James needed to get his foot in the door, so to speak."
"I never knew." Harry said quietly, thinking about this. "Please continue sir."
"Well, it appeared that Ginny noticed something about Serena that upset her. She asked Remus to find out if you felt for Serena as she felt for you. Remus launched his plan to make the potion. He waited only for Ginny's approval, as he could have gotten everything he needed without her help."
"But, if this is a love potion, couldn't it have made me feel things that weren't there?" Harry asked. Dumbledore shook his head.
"No, Harry. Your father was mischievous, but he would never have used something like that on Lily. Often he went out of his way to spare her feelings. This potion only brings out what you already feel, making it easier for a relationship to start, not causing one regardless of anything." Dumbledore said.
"Okay, I understand." Harry said, silently urging him to continue.
"Well, he made a bet with you, as I was told. He knew he could win, of course. If not he could cheat to succeed in a plan blaming it on needing to make it a successful plan. When you lost, he came to me for something. He said you and Serena needed to go to Hogsmeade for something of extreme importance after the full moon. I agreed of course, and offered Order members to be in the town.
"The strange part of the request was that he asked me to pretend that I didn't know you two would be there if I saw you coming from the passage. I still agreed of course, thinking that this was a joke on you and Serena. I did as I was asked blindly, trusting Remus. So you see Harry, I am partly to blame too.
"Serena knew nothing of this plan, indeed she was one of the victims, the same as you were. She had resigned to being like your sister, Harry. She wasn't as happy as she could have been, but she was still rather happy. Now, however, she is miserable I feel. Ron and Hermione were not involved either, they only wanted to help you talk about what happened." Dumbledore said.
"How could Remus do that to me though, Sir? He knows that my mind has been messed with enough. Couldn't he have just left me alone and let me deal with things myself?" Harry asked.
"I believe he could have, but he worried that you would never think of what he saw. He knew the truth before, but chose to stay quiet. What he did was very wrong, Harry, but his reasons and intentions were good." Dumbledore said.
"I see." Harry said simply.
"I only tell you this, Harry, because they are in a great deal of pain. They did not know to what extent Voldemort had taken tampering with your mind and feelings. They expected you to be upset, but get over it quickly when you saw they were doing it for a good purpose." Dumbledore said.
"I know. I still can't go back yet though sir. I will return on Sunday after dinner. Maybe by then I will have figured out what I need to do with this information. Could I ask you to take a few notes to my friends for me?" Harry said.
"Of course, Harry. I will make sure they are received, but I must leave soon." Dumbledore said. Harry nodded and waved his hand. Five quills, parchments, and an inkpot flew downstairs and landed on the table in front of him. Harry closed his eyes for a moment then waved his hand again, and all five quills began writing letters.
"This won't take long. Also its a wonderful way to finish homework quickly." Harry said smiling.
"I see. Maybe we should talk about this one day." Dumbledore said, laughing. "Speaking of homework, yours is too review work from all your classes."
"Alright sir." Harry said. Looking over the letters that were now finished, he waved his hand over them, and the ink dried. Waving his hand to Dumbledore, they rolled themselves up and landed gently in Dumbledore's lap. Harry smiled. "I'm improving, by the way."
"I see that, Harry. Is it getting easier to control or taking less out of you?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, I haven't tried blowing anything up in a while, but there was a time when what I just did would be exhausting." Harry said calmly. "I can control it fairly well now, sir. It slips out sometimes, when I get angry quickly. Well, when I heard what Remus had done, nothing happened. So I guess that is improvement."
"Yes it is. Before I leave, I would like to know if you would still like to be involved in a duel with me?" Dumbledore said.
"Nothing but wand magic?" Harry asked.
"I would appreciate it, Harry. I am an old man after all." Dumbledore said smiling.
"Sounds fun. Wouldn't miss it. After finals?" Harry said.
"Of course. The Saturday after your finals, this way all the students can attend and enjoy the show." Dumbledore said happily. "Without any other duelers there, maybe we can enjoy a nice conversation as well."
"I would like that." Harry said, smiling again. Dumbledore stood, holding the notes that Harry had written.
"I must go now, Harry. I trust you will be fine." Dumbledore said.
"Of course. I can handle being alone. Besides I have Dobby and Winky to keep me company if I get too bored." Harry said smiling.
"Alright, I will take my leave. Goodbye, Harry." Dumbledore said. He walked into the fire and left.
"Dobby, Winky, could you come here for a moment?" Harry said, and the elves appeared right in front of him.
"What can we be doing for you Harry sir?" Dobby asked. Harry waved his hand and two cups appeared.
"You two can sit. You have done your jobs well, my friends. I would like to have tea with you now and have a talk if that is ok?" Harry asked.
"Harry Potter sir, is you calling Winky friend?" Winky asked.
"Yes, Winky. You as well as Dobby are my friends." Harry said smiling.
"Winky is honored to be called friend sir. I is happy to be having tea with you Harry Potter sir." Winky said.
"Please Winky, just call me Harry." Harry said laughing lightly.
"What did Dumbledore talk to him about?" Ron asked Serena the next morning.
"I don't know Ron. He sent me back here." She said, sadly.
"Harry wouldn't talk to you at all?" Hermione asked.
"Mione, he got Dobby and Winky to keep people from getting any further than the parlor. Harry is their master, as they put it. I can't even make a request unless Harry permits it." Serena said. "They said only Dumbledore was welcome to move freely around the house."
"Wow, he really is angry." Ron said. "But why is he angry at us? We didn't do anything!"
"Ron, you two tried to stand up for us at a time when he blamed all three of us for a very horrid thing. I wasn't even involved in the plan and he blamed me. I didn't even side with them, you two did." Serena said. "I think Ginny and Remus have it worse than all of us though. Guilt for what they did and Harry's anger would seem to be a bad combination."
"Well, it serves them right! They know Harry doesn't like his mind played with!" Hermione said angrily. "I hope they are grief stricken for quite a while, too." Ginny, who was sitting about halfway down the table from them, heard this and left the great hall with tears in her eyes.
"Don't worry, Mione, I think they will be." Serena said.
"When Harry comes back, Serena, I'm going to stand by his side again. I know me and Harry aren't as close as you two are, but he is my best mate." Ron said. Then he looked at Hermione. "I'm sorry, Mione, but if that means pulling pranks with him, I won't turn away from it."
"I know, Ron. I only worry that I will do the same." Hermione said. "I might actually enjoy it is what really worries me."
"That's what happened to Remus, Mione." Serena said smiling. "Used to be like you, then he met me and Harry's Dads and he became infamous." Serena said laughing, then grew serious. "I understand what you are saying Ron. Do that well, as Harry will need a good friend to stand beside him. I will be with you both in spirit, and you too, Mione, if you join them."
Dumbledore walked up to the three of them with a smile on his face. "I see. This is quite interesting. Provided that is the case, am I to fear that we will have two more animagi in the school by the beginning of next term?" He said smiling.
"Hello, Sir. How are you today?" Serena asked, her eyes hopeful.
"Well, after a long talk with Harry last night, I am feeling better. I would suggest you three not make any plans other than to watch a duel between an old man and a young boy the Saturday after your finals." He answered.
"He's coming back!" Serena said happily. She jumped up and hugged Dumbledore. Dumbledore laughed softly.
"Of course, dear. Had you not rushed from my office, you would have known that this is but a small time away for Harry. For leaving without permission. He will return Sunday after dinner at Grimmauld Place." He looked at the parchments in his hand. "Oh dear, he did not write a name on these."
"What are you talking about Professor?" Hermione asked.
"Harry handed me these letter, but did not address them on the outside." Dumbledore said shaking his head.
"Just sit them on the table sir." Serena said smiling.
Dumbledore did as was told. Suddenly a letter jumped off of the table and flew out of the great hall. Dumbledore looked perplexed at this.
"Ginny." Serena said.
Another flew to the staff table and hovered in front of Remus' eyes, waiting to be grabbed. The other three just hovered in front of the eyes of the three children at the table. Serena laughed and shook her head.
"Damn that boy and his jokes. Even when he's mad, he's still willing to joke around." She said grabbing the letter. She read it quickly, and a smile began to appear on her face. As she continued reading the letter, her smile grew broader. When she got to the bottom of the letter, her eyes widened and she jumped from the table. "YES! I can't believe it!" she said and ran from the room, throwing her letter at Ron and Hermione. They picked it up and began to read it.
Padfoot,
This will be a bit short, as Dumbledore is in a hurry. I knew you didn't have anything
to do with the plan from the beginning. You just didn't seem as upset as me about it,
and that made me angry as well as what they did. I didn't mean to take it out on you.
I'm sorry I didn't see how you felt before. I feel even worse that you had to feel that
way with no one to return those feelings. I don't know if it will work out for the better,
but if you are willing to forgive me for being a prat, then I would like to see.
Tell Moony his plan worked, but if he does something like this again, not even
Dumbledore can save him. Keep up the pranks while I'm gone, as that school really
needs laughter. Get Ron and Hermione to help, since I know they will. We are a right
bad influence on them. Any plans they have will be golden.
I will return on Sunday, so be prepared for a wonderful prank to celebrate my return.
Also, tell the teacher's I have no idea what's going to happen to the Slytherins
upon my return, after all I was suspended. See you soon.
Love
Snuffles
"Professor, he took Sirius' names." Hermione said, her eyes wide.
"What do you mean, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked.
"He signed the letter 'Snuffles'. And he called Serena 'Padfoot'." Ron said, looking at Dumbledore in shock. "Does that mean.."
"Yes, Ron. Harry is finally getting over Sirius' death. This is a good sign. Maybe he will be alright after all." Dumbledore said, as Remus came to the table. He looked at all three of them.
"Come with me. You should read this, but not here. Meet me in my office." He said to the children. "Professor, we need to find Serena and Ginny, as this will concern everyone here." Dumbledore nodded.
Sitting in Remus' office they all looked at him confused. Remus still had not spoken. He looked at them all curiously. None seemed to be upset anymore aside from Ginny. He looked at Serena, Ron, and Hermione. They smiled at him cheerfully.
"You three got letters as well I see." Remus said. They nodded happily.
"Mine is private Remus." Serena said, still angry at what had been done.
"Alright, does everyone else feel that way?" Remus asked. No one else spoke. "Have you all read your letters?" Ron, Hermione, and Ginny shook their heads. "Alright read them. If you feel them too private then I will not ask to see them, though I will show you mine."
They all began looking over their letter. Ron's and Hermione's faces lit up after reading theirs. It seemed that Harry had given them good news. Ginny, however, continued to read with tears in her eyes. When Ginny looked up at him she handed him her letter. She was clearly broken up. Instead of reading it she handed it to the children to read.
Ginny,
That was not the proper way to treat a poor boy who didn't know
what was going on. I feel that you have betrayed me more than
anyone else, regardless of intentions. You, of all people, should
have known that was a bad plan.
I have chosen to forgive you, though I will not be able to speak to
you for quite some time. Of that I am certain. I will not be able to
be your boyfriend anymore. Not only because I love someone else
but because you have also betrayed my trust. For that alone I would
have ended this.
I'm sorry to say this in a letter, as I know it is bad form. I just wanted
everything known before I return. I wish everything could stay the
same, but we both know it is different. Farewell Ginny.
Snuffles
Ron and Hermione nodded grimly, while Serena sighed with her eyes closed. Hermione held her letter so both of the others could read it.
Hermione,
You know me well, so no need to explain. I'm sorry for being angry with
you. I just wanted to get away from school to think about everything. It
also seemed a plan that only you could have come up with. Much too
clever for Moony. Turns out it was an old plan of my Dad's, so it makes
sense.
Take care of Serena, as she will need a friend who can help her out. You
are still the smartest witch in Hogwarts, so you will be needed to make a
proper plan. Expect my return when I'm not expected. And expect me to
return with detention. Have a good snog with Ron from time to time, to
relieve stress and all that. Most of all, have fun in my absence.
Your best mate,
Snuffles
Ron actually laughed at this letter. "Finally, Harry's looking out for his mate, he is!" He said. Hermione hit him playfully while Serena rolled her eyes. Ron showed his letter to the girls.
Ron,
Well mate, I put my foot in it again. Sorry for being a git the other night
It was a bad time, as I'm sure you know now. I decided I can't be with
Ginny anymore mate. I don't feel like I will ever trust her again.
However, this means I will need at least one new Marauder for our group.
Two would be better, so threaten Hermione with no more, shall we say
intimate encounters, until she becomes one of us. Since she will no doubt
end up reading this, Mione, you are one of us. It was only a matter of time
anyway.
Anyway, upon getting Mione as a Marauder, start planning with Serena. Pranks
are not a gift, but a necessity to make life move faster. The faster it goes, the
quicker I will return!
See you soon mate, but you may not see me! Ha, I'm giving you a clue. Ask
Serena, she'll have it figured in no time. Till I return.
Snuffles
Serena and Hermione were laughing now. It seemed Harry still couldn't put the jokes aside at all, and now he wanted more accomplices in his random acts of mischief.
"So are you going to threaten me?" Hermione asked Ron, grinning.
"Do I have too? After what you said this morning, I rather felt it wasn't needed." Ron said, smiling brightly. "Besides, Mione, he was right. It was only a matter of time."
Hermione sighed dramatically. "I guess you're right, Ron. You have no idea how hard it is to admit that." She said in mock frustration.
"If you three are done, I would like to see your letters if you don't mind." Remus said holding out his hand. They handed him Ron, Hermione, and Ginny's letters. Remus looked at the letters and then back to them. "Did you do this?" They looked confused. "Of course not. This would take someone who thought like James did."
"What are you talking about Moony? Going a bit senile are we? We just read the letters ourselves. Why, you can't see it?" Serena asked, venom in her voice.
"Well I see that all these letters say something very similar. My personal favorite is 'Moony, you git, get your eyes off other peoples letters! Haven't you learned not to mess with other peoples lives!' That is quite an interesting move." Remus said.
"Serves you right, Moony!" Serena said, smiling triumphantly.
"Would either of you mind giving me the highlights?" Remus asked. The three shook their heads.
"If Harry doesn't want you to know, I won't tell you." Serena said sweetly.
"I wont say a word." Ron said.
"I'm with them." Hermione said.
"Fine, then just read this and see if any of you can make any sense of it!" Remus said and threw them his letter.
Moony,
I feel you are no longer fit to be a guardian. Therefore I will have this changed.
You have done something that no one should have done to me. I have devised
my own method of torture for you, to make you pay for everything you did to me.
I will no longer accompany you on the full moon, seeing as I now cannot tell how
far you will go to cause me pain anymore. I found out about my mother from a
dear friend of hers. I found out about her from the diary Sirius left me.
Deciding I am not honoring Sirius enough with my pranks, I decided me and his
daughter should take his namesakes. So I shall now be Snuffles, leaving her
Padfoot. I know you won't mind at all.
Tell Dumbledore I hope the Dursleys are ready for a lot of fun when I return, cause
I learned my pranking well this year. You will stay at Grimmauld Place, as well as
Serena, because I feel that should be my final thanks.
You are now an enemy, so be prepared to be faced as one. Your illegal potion will
be our secret, though I am disappointed you would get a girl who was still in school
to help you brew it.
Best of all, Moony, I learned a new trick. I have to go meet with Sirius now, so I have
to go. You understand of course. He is my godfather. I can't be expected to keep him
waiting. Have fun while you can, cause soon I'll know my own secrets. I'll tell Sirius
you said hi.
Snuffles
All three of them were shocked. None understood this letter. They just looked from one to the other, their eyes wide. They could only think this meant one thing. However none of them wanted to think that Harry had done anything close to what they were thinking. Harry didn't seem like he had gone mad when he left.
"He wouldn't" Ron said, looking at Serena. "Would he?"
"I don't think so. He wouldn't have said he was coming back if he wasn't." Serena said. "Unless he didn't mean come back alive."
The rest of the week passed increasingly slowly for Serena. She kept thinking about what Remus' letter said. She worried constantly whether Harry was willing to go as far as she thought to see Sirius. She kept hoping he was joking, or knew something she didn't. She became extremely worried when Sunday arrived.
She went to Dumbledore to ask if he had talked to Harry, only to find Harry gave the house elves new orders. Harry was not to be disturbed for any reason, not even to eat. Dumbledore was also only allowed to go as far as the parlor. When dinner came she sat looking blankly at her food. She never looked up even when the doors to the great hall slammed shut violently.
"Now, Moony, you face your punishment!" Harry shouted causing the whole school to face him.
He stood firmly in the center of the room. As everyone looked at him he smiled at them all. When he looked at Serena however, his face changed, and Serena's eyes lit up. He looked happy again, like before Sirius died. She hadn't seen those eyes that bright since that day at the department of mysteries. He smiled quickly and winked at her.
"So long, Padfoot." He said softly. Then he dropped to the ground.
Serena ran to him, and cradled him in her arms. She glared at the staff table as all the teachers ran to where Harry lay. No one could understand what happened. He looked strong, and there was no one even holding a wand. When they looked at Harry, tears began to fall from the eyes of the teachers and they all knew what happened, though they did not know how.
Harry Potter was dead.