Chapter Thirteen
Old Friends, Uncertain Allies
Harry whispered a spell in Parseltongue quickly while looking at Wormtail. Wormtail fell to the ground dead as a mass of Death Eaters crowded the door. Harry turned to them and quickly summoned his shield. He laughed as they all sent the familiar killing curse towards him, and watched them bounce off the shield and began raining down on their senders. Harry, thinking quickly and uncertainly, grabbed Wormtail's arm and brought him back to Grimmauld Place.
Harry stood before everyone weakly, although he maintained his appearance of strength and certainty. He muttered two quick spells over Wormtail before facing the Order. They looked at him curiously, and Harry saw the anger flare behind Remus' eyes.
"Why did you bring him to my house? Remus asked. "Are you going to kill him, or am I?"
"Neither." Harry said. "I merely saved him from more torment. Death Eaters attacked Azkaban. Lucius Malfoy is dead, Draco Malfoy is the secret keeper, and I can only imagine what other secrets Wormtail keeps hidden."
"Why did you bring him here!" Remus shouted again.
"Because I'm going to learn everything I can about my enemy!" Harry yelled back. "Put aside your anger at him and see him for what he is to us. The source of almost unlimited knowledge about what Voldemort has been doing. This is something we can use, and what's better is they think he is dead. He can't apparate or transform. I can take all his magical power away if its needed. So don't worry about him."
"Don't worry! He's the reason three people are dead!" Remus said.
"No, Remus. I am the reason." Harry said. "He was just terrified into being the means."
"So you don't blame him now?" Remus asked, shocked.
"I do blame him, Remus." Harry said. "More than you. But we need him now. I can't fight against this any longer."
"Why, Harry?" Serena asked.
"I just don't have it in me anymore." Harry said, collapsing to the ground.
Harry traveled through the now familiar place where Sirius was always found. He awaited the barking laugh that always announced his presence, but he didn't hear it today. Sirius came to him quietly, seeming to be angry. Harry knew immediately what the problem was.
"Please, Sirius, tell me you understand why." Harry said.
"I can't, Harry. No matter what he can tell, I can't see why he should be allowed to live." Sirius said.
"But, I need to know. I can't win this war like this, Sirius. Every time I use too much magic I feel like I'm dying. I'm worried that this is going to be how I die. I need to know how to fight him. I have to know how to win. Maybe Wormtail knows something he never thought of as important." Harry said.
"But he will still be alive, and Lily and James are dead. All because he couldn't face his fears!" Sirius yelled.
"I know, Sirius. I had to accept that as soon as I made my decision. But either way he would have lived. Had I let the Death Eaters get him the only difference would have been that he would not be able to tell me what he knows." Harry said.
"I wish I understood all of your reasons, Harry." Sirius said. "I know you feel that it is important, but too me he will never be anything but a worthless life that caused my best friend's death, the one that caused you to suffer so much in your life."
"I know, Sirius." Harry said. "I wish my parents were here now. They would know what to do, but they aren't. I'm doing what I think is the best form of action against Voldemort, but even I don't know what to do about all this."
"Stand strong, Harry." Sirius said. "If you do, you will never go wrong. Stand strong for what you believe and never be afraid. If you do that you will win."
Harry hugged Sirius then. "I love you Sirius." He said, tears falling from his eyes.
"I love you too, kid." Sirius said warmly, holding Harry tight.
"Why does this keep happening to him?" Serena asked. "He'll be fine for a while, then he'll do something and pass out."
"He is using too much magic. It is tiring him out quickly." Dumbledore said.
"Is he going to die?" Ginny asked quietly.
"Not this time. Of that I am sure." Dumbledore said quietly. "I cannot guarantee that it will always be so. I can only hope it will be."
"So he's going to be fine right?" Serena asked, tears falling from her eyes.
"Yes. Harry will live. I am worried about his actions today, however." Dumbledore said. "He brought someone to this house who is one of Voldemort's most trusted. I must question his reasons."
"For Harry to bring him here, there must have been a reason." Remus said. "Even I know that. Harry lost more than I did because of Wormtail. I cannot imagine he would let that pass lightly."
"I agree. But Peter is a very persuasive person." Dumbledore said.
"Not for Harry." Hermione said. "He only let him live before because he didn't want Remus or Sirius to be in Azkaban. He was hoping that having Wormtail found alive would be enough to free Sirius, and he'd be able to live with him."
"She's right." Ron said. "He has blamed that slimy rat since he found out what happened. Hates him more than he hates Snape, and that's saying something."
"Even so, I would feel better if someone were to watch over Peter." Dumbledore said. "Remus, could you be trusted with that job, or would it be too hard for you to restrain yourself?"
"I will not kill him. I can't help Harry if I am in Azkaban myself." Remus said. "You can trust me, Albus."
"Good. Now children, I have an important job for all of you. It will require your intelligence, as well as your ingenuity. Are you up to the task?" Dumbledore asked.
"What do you want us to do Professor?" Serena asked.
For the next two days the house was a frenzy of movement. Serena and Hermione began reading books while Ron, Ginny, and Neville began brewing potions. Remus was on constant watch over Wormtail while Sam and Dumbledore watched over Harry, who had barely moved since he fell unconscious.
Molly and Neville's Grandmother began working out all the details for their children's wedding. The rest of the Order was busy looking for the Death Eaters that escaped from Azkaban. Every time the children would scream and grab their tattoos it only encouraged them to work faster, ignoring all things like food and drink.
No one knew exactly what was happening to Harry, but they knew he had enough strength to move between life and death. His friends began thinking about what would cause him to spend so much time in death, and worried what would happen if he chose not to come back. This scared them all beyond what they told anyone.
On the third day was the first sign that Harry would wake. He opened his eyes slightly, smiling at Sam and telling her he was fine. By the time Serena had appeared he was fast asleep again, but she now had a renewed hope. She put all her faith in Dumbledore's plan and began to work harder than before.
Finally, the day before Neville and Ginny were going to be married Harry sat up in bed and observed the three sleeping near him. He smiled as he saw Serena, Hermione and Ron sleeping in chairs next to him. Waving his hand the room stretched and the chairs transformed into beds. He left the room quietly and went downstairs, ready for a good breakfast and hoping Dobby and Winky were okay.
The kitchen grew quiet as he entered. No one was expecting the newest addition to the morning ritual. Harry smiled easily and sat down next to Sam, who looked as shocked as all the rest. It seemed only two people were unaware that they were supposed to be still, and it was at that moment that he had more love for Dobby and Winky than ever before.
"Harry sir! It is good to be seeing you awake!" Winky said happily.
"Is Harry sir being hungry? We is having more than enough sir, so you is able to have a wonderful breakfast sir." Dobby said.
"Thank you Dobby. I am remarkably hungry. How long have I been asleep?" Harry asked, smiling at the house elves.
"You is sleeping for four days, Harry sir. Me and Winky is not sleeping till you woke up." Dobby said cheerfully.
"Well then, I would say after you two have a nice breakfast with me you should get some sleep." Harry said.
"We is being needed here, sir." Winky said. "No one is taking care of your friends sir. No one is being cooking but us."
"Well, then I will do the cooking. You two will rest as soon as you finish eating breakfast with me." Harry said, still smiling. "You will not be able to help anyone if you fall asleep on the job."
"If Harry sir is wishing us to sleep, we is being going to sleep." Dobby said, nodding to Winky.
"Good." Harry said. "Now lets have breakfast and you two can catch me up since no one else seems able to talk."
Harry ate his meal cheerfully, talking with Dobby and Winky about what had been happening during his long sleep. Apparently, his friends had been brewing a potion of some kind, while Remus kept watch over Wormtail. He was surprised to find that it was not normally the three of his friends, but Dumbledore and Sam who stayed with him most of the time he was out. While people had begun talking after Harry had started eating, still no one had addressed him which made him a little nervous. When breakfast was finished he nodded to the two house elves who disappeared.
"So is anyone going to tell me why you all seem to avoid talking to me?" Harry asked.
"Harry, no one is avoiding you." Sam said. "It's been like this since you fell unconscious. I think it's me."
"If that's the case, come with me will you?" Harry asked. Sam nodded and followed him to the parlor. "So where's Remus?"
"He's been standing guard over the man you brought here." Sam said. "He doesn't sleep, Dobby takes his meals to him, and he won't leave that room. He always has his wand pointed at him. Why does he feel that man is so dangerous?"
"It's because of that man that my mum and dad are dead, and Sirius spent twelve years in Azkaban." Harry said. "I don't expect you to understand why he is alive still. Sirius doesn't either, and I know Remus doesn't, but I need him alive for the moment if nothing else."
"I learned to trust you a while ago, Harry." Sam said. "If you brought a man like that here you must feel he is no danger, and that he is needed for something important. Just be careful. If he is half as dangerous as Remus is acting, then you have to take caution when dealing with him."
"He's ten times worse than Remus is acting, Sam. Dumbledore must have had a say in how he was treated." Harry said.
At that moment Albus Dumbledore entered the house. Seeing Harry in the parlor he smiled. "Ah, Harry. Up and about I see. It is good to have you back with us."
"Thank you sir. Good to be back as well." Harry said. "What is happening around here? No one seems eager to talk about anything, and they seem even more afraid to talk around me."
"Can we talk about this alone, Harry?" Dumbledore asked. "Now is not the time for Sam to know of my suspicions."
"Is it that bad?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore nodded. "If my fears are correct it is worse than you think."
"I'll leave you two alone." Sam said, leaving quietly.
"She doesn't like being kept in the dark either." Harry said. "Now you can talk freely."
"Harry, no one feels comfortable talking with you because everyone here is worried about what is happening to you." Dumbledore said. "You use so much power for your needs and at times it seems you take too much magic out of yourself. We are worried, me especially, that this power drain may cause your end."
"You're saying the power inside me is going to kill me if I keep using it like I do?" Harry asked.
"Yes, that is my concern." Dumbledore said. "I'll explain this way Harry. If you put too much air into a balloon, it will explode, and in its own way, die. The same is true for a man who pulls in too much magic. However you do the opposite. You do not keep the energy, you push it out of you at an extreme rate. That kind of use can cause death.
"You see, a wizards body grows used to having magic in it. When that is gone from the body it doesn't work correctly. By doing such things as you do in such great amounts, your body quickly looses the magic that it vitally needs to continue working in the proper way. This is one of the things that make the Order quiet around you. They do not know how you will react if you hear they did not do something successfully, that you will go off alone again and that you won't be able to control this anymore and fall in front of your enemies. Or that you will use more power than ever before and not wake up from your next bout of unconsciousness."
"Great, I finally have the power Tom doesn't know, and it may be that very power that kills me." Harry said sadly. "Why couldn't I just get a book or something tame as an inheritance? I always have to be original."
Dumbledore chuckled slightly. "I am glad you still have your sense of humor. I want you to be careful Harry. Remember that everyone in this house loves you, and wants you safe and well."
"I know, sir." Harry said. "What news about Wormtail?"
"Ah, he finally woke up the day before." Dumbledore said. "He refuses to talk to anyone but you, saying he owes you more than any other here. That did not go over entirely too well with Remus, who threatened to kill him for saying your name, but I managed to calm him down. I am curious as to why you brought him here, however."
"I have no right to kill him." Harry said. "He asked me to, mind you. Said he didn't want to face Voldemort again, that he was afraid of even seeing him. Before I could finish asking him everything I wanted to, Death Eaters stormed Azkaban. I had to think quickly, whether to keep him around to find out what I could, leave him to Death Eaters to return to Voldemort, or to get him killed. I know there are things in his head that can help us. Don't ask me how, because I don't know. I just feel it."
"I see." Dumbledore said. "Maybe you should talk to him now, before your friends awake. Keep Remus there to protect you, just in case."
"Sir, if Wormtail didn't want to be here, Remus would be the worst guard." Harry said. "His hand is made of silver, remember?"
"Quite right, but he has made no move against anyone. He might do so towards you if he feels it in his best interest." Dumbledore said. "Merely have Remus there to make an old man feel more comfortable, please."
"Alright, sir." Harry said. "You should let Remus tell Sam what is happening with me. She has earned her right to know."
"I will see to it that he knows what you think, but I will let him choose his own time for telling her." Dumbledore said. "He may feel she doesn't need to worry so much for you."
"I understand, and you are right of course." Harry said. "You are always right." Harry added, walking up the stairs.
"If ever there was a time I hope I am wrong." Dumbledore said. "It is now."
Harry entered Wormtail's room easily, nodding at Remus as he entered. The man laying on the bed looked to be in better health then he had in Azkaban, though the fear was still clearly in his eyes. Remus was sitting ten feet from Wormtail with his wand pointed clearly at the man's chest.
"Remus, will you stay here while I have my talk with Peter?" Harry asked.
"I will not leave your side, Harry." Remus said.
"Good. Thank you." Harry said, sitting down next to Wormtail. His next words were directed at him. "You have nothing to fear from me for the moment. Just think clearly about what you say, as I tend to have a problem with anger, and it causes people to get hurt. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?"
"Y-yes." Wormtail stuttered.
"Good. I am going to ask you questions, which you will answer honestly. I will know if you are lying, and you better pray I don't find out that you are." Harry said seriously.
"I-I wo-wont." Wormtail said.
"Alright, Peter. My first question is what plans do you know of that Voldemort has come up with?" Harry asked.
"I told you, I only knew of the plan to attack your wedding." Peter said cautiously.
"Alright, what students in school are Death Eaters?" Harry asked.
"Well, you know all the Slytherins, obviously." Wormtail said. "But also, there is one in Gryffindor, three in Ravenclaw, but none in Hufflepuff."
"What are their names?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. I did not recruit them, only know they are there." Wormtail said.
"I see." Harry said. "Why did Voldemort offer me a chance to escape from all this?"
"I think he has grown to fear you, Harry." Wormtail said. "He heard what you could do, and that is something he is not willing to face himself. He does not want to die."
"Everyone dies, Peter. Even him." Harry said calmly. "I only have one question, and then a request. Remember well that it is because of me that not only are you still alive, but you are away from your master."
"I understand. Ask me anything, Harry." Wormtail said.
"Why has Voldemort not started his tricks of the first war? It seems he prefers this private battle between me and him." Harry asked.
"He wants everyone to know you aren't special. He wants to show them a broken and dead Harry Potter. However, every time he goes after you, he shows them just how special you really are." Wormtail said. "This angers him to no end, and he wants you dead so people will no longer have you to give them hope."
"I see." Harry said. "Wormtail, you have not lied to me, so I will cause you no harm. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?"
"I would like some food." Wormtail said.
"As soon as the house elves wake up, I will see that they bring you food." Harry said. "Now it is time for my request."
"I understand." Wormtail said, fear creeping into his voice again.
"I want you to tell Dumbledore, Remus, or anyone else from the Order, anything they want to know. Whether it is about Voldemort, Death Eaters, or something as mundane as what you ate in Azkaban. Will you honor this request?" Harry asked calmly.
"That is all you want of me?" Wormtail asked. Harry nodded. "I will answer any questions asked of me honestly, though I do not know everything."
"That is all we can ask. Remus will still guard you. You will be safe so long as you do not try to escape. I will take turns with him as well. I will also ask Dumbledore to help us. So you cannot leave unless we permit it." Harry said, then he walked from the room calmly.
"He is letting me live?" Wormtail asked shocked.
"He doesn't kill for fun." Remus said.
Hermione woke up first looking around. She didn't remember going to bed, but really couldn't figure out why she was in bed alone. Since they had went to the flat during the summer she had never slept alone when Ron was around. Looking next to her she saw Ron in a bed of his own. She rolled over and saw Serena also in her own bed. Confused she sat up.
"Bout time." Harry said softly. "When did you three go to sleep?"
"Harry!" Hermione said loudly.
Harry winced. "Shh. These two are still sleeping you know." He said.
"Harry, we have been waiting for you to wake up for days." Hermione said. "Whenever we weren't brewing a potion for the Headmaster, we were in here with you. I think they might want to wake up."
"Well then, if they want to be awake, lets have some fun with it." Harry said, smiling.
"Ok, fine." Hermione said. "But you are dealing with them if they get angry."
"Deal." Harry said and placed his alarm on both beds before sitting on Hermione's. "Hold on, here it comes. 3, 2, 1, wake up time."
Harry bit back his laughter as Serena and Ron sailed across the room, screaming wildly until they hit the wall. Both fell to the ground in a heap. Harry finally lost all control over himself and began laughing maniacally. Serena got up angrily and only saw a laughing Hermione standing, as Harry had fallen to the floor in his fit.
"What the hell is the big idea!" Serena said. "Do you think this is funny?"
Harry stood then. "I don't know about her, but I thought it was hilarious." He said still laughing.
"Harry!" Serena shouted and ran to him, jumping into his arms as she got close enough.
Ron stood carefully, rubbing his back. "There are easier ways to announce you're awake, mate." He said smiling.
"Easier, yes. But where's the fun in easy?" Harry replied, still holding on to Serena. "It seems you missed me." He said to her.
"Of course I missed you!" Serena said. "We'd been married a day and then you just went unconscious, Dumbledore started talking about how this may kill you one day, and then you kept drifting to Sirius. What the hell were you thinking?"
"I wasn't." Harry said. "That was my body attempting to heal and die at the same time." Harry said. "Thank ancient magic for me still being here. I don't understand it much myself. I might need to talk to Phineas to figure it all out."
"What happened, anyway?" Hermione asked.
"The spell to bring the muggles back." Harry said. "It took too much magic at once, and it was used on a huge scale. That did most of the job. A few smaller spells helped to finish me off."
"What about Wormtail?" Ron asked.
"I want to know what he knows." Harry said. "I want to know what Voldemort does between attacks, how he lives, who he talks to, everything. I've already found out who the secret keeper is, and that's very important. Now all we have to do is find a way for him to tell us."
"We've been working on that one, mate." Ron said. "Professor Dumbledore insisted on us doing it. So we've been slaving away at potions books and cauldrons all the time."
"Almost got a product that might be effective, but we're not sure." Hermione said. "I never thought we would ever be making such a difficult potion."
"What are you guys making?" Harry asked.
"Veritiserum." Serena said simply.
"Aha." Harry said thoughtfully, then smiled. "Suddenly, I'm getting a plan." He added happily.