Chapter 6- Discussions and Doubts
"-Grawp," Amanda finished.
Ron and Harry gave her a surprised look, while Hermione looked as though she was sure she had not heard it right. Eliza raised her eyebrows.
"Grawp? Hagrid's half-brother, you mean?" Hermione asked, still looking as though she did not dare believe her ears.
"Yes," Tonks confirmed, her shoulder-length violent purple hair bobbing up and down.
"What's wrong?" Lupin asked, a frown creased on his forehead.
"Nothing," Ron said and no one missed the sarcasm in his voice. "Unless you count his favourite hobby: ripping ten foot tall trees to pieces,"
"He's a giant, Ron," reminded Tonks. "What do you expect?"
"Exactly my point," Ron said, as though he was trying to talk some sense into them. "He's a giant, so how do you expect him to guard Azkaban?"
"And the Ministry is fine with that?" asked Hermione in a faint voice.
"Of course not," said Amanda briskly.
"But then, how-" began Harry.
"He's going to be disguised as a security troll," said Tonks.
"Security troll?" repeated Ron.
"Yes, the Ministry is going to hire a few of them for Azkaban and Grawp will be one of them," elaborated Lupin.
"And the Ministry can't differentiate between a giant and a troll?" asked Ron.
"You don't get it," said Tonks, exasperatedly. "Grawp is going to be disguised meaning transfigured into one,"
"It is foolproof," added Amanda.
"Right, I promised Mum I'd come home," Tonks said, looking at her watch, "so, bye everyone," she said and Disapparated.
"Amanda, have you had a look at the Prophet?" Lupin asked.
"No," she replied. "What's up with them? Digging stuff about the Ministry again, are they?"
"Yeah, wait until you see this," Lupin said as he looked around for the newspaper. He finally found it on the floor, and handed over the paper to her. There was a large picture of Severus Snape, in dull black robes, sneering at all of them. Harry looked at the article. "SEVERUS SNAPE SLIPS" claimed the headlines in huge bold letters. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Eliza looked over her shoulders to read the article.
Things continue to look bad for the Ministry as they once again allowed a dangerous murderer and a top Death Eater, who could also possibly be a madman, Severus Snape, slip, after being so close to finally imprison Albus Dumbledore's murderer.
Kingsley Shacklebolt, the famous Auror, had an encounter with Snape around midday yesterday in Spinners' End, a Muggle street. Snape had reportedly told him that he had murdered Dumbledore only because You-Know-Who had forced him to. Snape had claimed innocence and Disapparated before the Auror could react. It is also to be noted that this is the first time Shacklebolt has failed in his capture. Though he was unavailable for comment, a trusted source within the Ministry confided that Shacklebolt, might be losing his touch, but refused to divulge into further details. (contd pg 3, col 4)
"Losing his touch?" Amanda cried incredulously, throwing the paper down in disgust. "Who do they think they're talking about? Kingsley's one of the best Aurors around."
"Wait, there's more to come," Lupin said calmly, as he picked up the paper, and showed them the third page. There was a photograph of a grim-looking McGonagall below which was the headlines "MINISTRY DECIDES TO REOPEN HOGWARTS - MINERVA MCGONAGALL, THE NEW HEADMISTRESS"
The recent decision of the Ministry of Magic to open Hogwarts for the upcoming academic year, even after the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore was murdered by one of his own staff member, Severus Snape; has evoked mixed responses from the Wizarding Community. While most of them have expressed their opinion that Hogwarts may not be the safe anymore, there remain a few wizards who are of the opinion that the reopening of Hogwarts might put an end to a few, if not all, problems. Mrs Augusta Longbottom says, "I have no second thoughts about sending my grandson back to Hogwarts. It's the safest place there is. As for the choice of Minerva to be their new Head, I have nothing to complain about." While Mrs Longbottom expresses her whole faith in the school, other parents like Mr Smith, have expressed their concern to oppose the Ministry's decision, "I'm still in two minds about this. Though McGonagall might turn out to be a better Head than Dumbledore had been, many of us remain worried about the safety of our children. There's no assurance-"
"I don't need to read anymore of this," Amanda threw the paper into the dying fire nearby. Silence fell for a few minutes. Harry's thoughts returned to the Horcruxes. There were four more Horcruxes to be destroyed, apart from the maimed soul in Voldemort's body, and he still had not started on the search for them. He let out a deep breath when Lupin voiced exactly what was in Harry's mind.
"So, Harry," Lupin began seriously. "Any plans on where to start looking for the Horcruxes?"
"Er-" he glanced immediately at Ron and Hermione who looked deeply interested.
"What do you know about the Horcruxes, Harry?" Amanda asked.
"Well, there are seven in all and two of them: the ring, and the diary, have been destroyed. What remain, are the snake Nagini, Hufflepuff's cup, something of Ravenclaw's or Gryffindor's, and the locket," he counted them off his fingers.
"Right," said Amanda. "We need to start looking for the Horcruxes as soon as possible. I think we've got a fair amount of information of where to begin our search," she paused and Harry waited for her to go on. "I think we need to start looking at places which the Dark Lord valued highly. Any ideas, Harry?"
"Er- some place he valued highly? Maybe somewhere that's somehow connected to great wizards and witches like the Hogwarts founders?" he asked doubtfully.
"Very good," Lupin smiled at his former student. "Do not forget the other places Dumbledore showed you through his Pensieve. Those places would be potential Horcrux hiding places."
"Can you name them, Harry?" said Amanda.
"Um… first we saw the Gaunt house." Harry paused, trying to recollect whatever he had seen in the past year, "Then, there was the orphanage were Riddle grew up, and then there was Hogwarts…wait a moment, you don't think a Horcrux could be in Hogwarts?" Harry tried to hide the shock from his voice.
"It could be anywhere, Harry," Amanda frowned slightly at this thought.
"Yeah, but Hogwarts?" he said, looking sceptical.
"Harry, you know how much The Dark Lord valued Hogwarts; it was almost like a second home to him. So it's definitely possible, if not probable. There could be at least one Horcrux at Hogwarts," Amanda elaborated.
"Right," said Harry. He was still unable to digest the fact that Hogwarts, his virtual home, could hold a Horcrux. "And then, that lady's house, I think she was called Hepzibah Smith or something," his brow furrowed, as he thought hard. "That's it, I guess,"
"Right, we would need to check all these places, before we do anything else," Lupin muttered, he then turned his attention back to Harry. "But before that, have you got your Apparation licenses and your registration done?" he asked.
"What registration?" Harry asked
"Oh, you need to register with the Ministry that you are of age, so that they would stop monitoring you for any underage magic," Amanda explained.
"We haven't got the registration stuff done, but I've got my Apparition license," Hermione said.
"You two haven't got yours yet?" Lupin asked.
Ron and Harry nodded in response.
"Oh, then you need to get them first thing. I'll just pop into the Ministry and check if there are any old pals in there." Amanda gave them a small wink and Disapparated.
"If you've got nothing to do, then why don't you check out Amanda's library?" Lupin suggested, for he saw that the four of them looked definitely bored.
"Great idea," said Hermione jumping to her feet.
"Eliza, you'll show them the way, won't you?" he said at her. She just nodded up at him, and motioned for them to follow her. Though Harry and Ron did not feel like poring over books in the Library, they got up to their feet and followed Eliza. When they reached the third floor, Harry saw that there was only one door in the entire corridor. Eliza pushed open the magnificently carved oak doors; Harry felt his jaw drop. A dim chandelier lit the room giving it a pleasant ambience. It was as large as the entrance hall below; there was a small round table near the door with five chairs around it. Harry looked up at the rows of books and he could count about ten columns, each containing hundreds of books. How anybody had managed to acquire such a collection of books, Harry could not imagine.
"This is it," Eliza declared. Harry turned to look around at Ron and Hermione and saw that they felt exactly as he did.
"There are books on defensive spells and such, here" –she indicated the first column – "and the column after that has books on Transfiguration skills, Animagus skills, Metamorphmagus skills and the next one has books on all kinds of Charms, and the next column is entirely devoted to Potions - all kinds, mind you. And the next column should be the one you need to look in; it contains books on the Dark Arts, effective charms and skills to help fight them."
"Shall we get started, then?" Hermione asked; her face glowed with enthusiasm. Ron and Harry nodded and they walked towards that column, and picked out a book at random. They walked towards the small table at the corner. Harry opened his book "The Dark Arts- A Study" and began to pore over its tiny print.
"Why not take down notes of important spells or charms?" Eliza suggested, looking at Hermione. "It always helps,"
"Good idea," said Harry as Hermione conjured quills, ink and parchment for them to write down. Every time they came across a new spell, they jotted it down. It continued for two hours, and Harry did not notice time tick away. He was too engrossed in his reading.
"Good to see you aren't wasting your time," said a voice. Harry turned around in his chair, and saw that Amanda stood by the doorway with a smile on her face. "Regarding your registration, you need to come with a parent or a guardian to the Ministry of Magic at four o' clock." She looked at Ron and continued, "I visited The Burrow and Arthur's coming here to take you, Ron." She turned towards Hermione and said, "We need to go to your home to inform them, Hermione," She finally turned to Harry, "As for you, Harry, you would need to come with the Dursleys."
Harry let out a long sigh. He needed to ask the Dursleys to come, which was as easy as taking fifty Blast-Ended Skrewts for a walk.
"Don't worry, Harry," she said simply. "The Dursleys can be persuaded easily. We'll go as soon as you've had some food, come now," Motioning all of them to follow her; they went downstairs to the first floor to the dining hall. After a scrumptious meal, Amanda said, "Remus, can you Apparate with Hermione to her house? Bring her parents here? Oh, and before that, let me remove the Muggle Repelling Charms from this place." She waved her wand in an elaborate sweeping motion, uttering a long incantation. "Fine, the charm's removed now, and Harry and I would be headed for the Dursleys. Ron, you stay here with Eliza." They all nodded in response.
Harry and Amanda walked out of the room, when she said, "Wait here, Harry," and disappeared into a room. When she came back, Harry saw that she was wearing Muggle clothes, and had done quite a neat job of it, for she looked exactly like a Muggle. They then walked to the entrance hall, and opened the door, muttering the password. She flung out her right hand; the Knight Bus came into view with a bang. Before the conductor, a short grubby wizard, could speak, Amanda said, "Two to Privet Drive, Surrey, please,"
"That's twelve Sickles, Miss," he said gruffly. She handed over the silver, and they climbed in. After an uneventful ride, they reached Privet Drive.
They got down, and Amanda rang the Dursleys' doorbell. It was Uncle Vernon who opened the door, and casted a frightened look at the pair of them, but he stood his ground. "What do you want?" he asked rudely.
"Oh, are you Mr Dursley? Pleased to meet you. I'm Mrs Rosenay," Amanda cheerfully introduced herself as she held out her hand.
Uncle Vernon did not take her hand, but repeated his question, "What do you want?
"I need to ask a small favour of you, Mr Dursley," Amanda said. "Perhaps we can discuss this inside?" without waiting for a response, she barged into their sitting room. Uncle Vernon looked furious, but was too befuddled to speak his mind.
"You and your wife, as Harry's guardians would need to accompany Harry to the Ministry of Magic today at four o' clock. Can you make it?" she requested politely.
"What makes you think we would?" Uncle Vernon sneered.
"Oh, the fact that you are Muggles, of course," Amanda said with a smile, drawing out her wand, and twirling it between her fingers. Uncle Vernon cast a frightened look at her wand, and gulped. He knew that he did not have a chance with her.
"Right," said Uncle Vernon and gulped. "I'll - I'll come,"
"That's better." Amanda said, and replaced her wand. "We'll take a Portkey to the Ministry of Magic at four o' clock, sharp. I'll come back for you, Mr. Dursley. I hope you'll be ready for me," she added in an asserting tone.
Uncle Vernon gulped again, and nodded slightly.
"We need to take leave now, Mr. Dursley, have a nice day," she said with a smile as they walked out of the house.
"Mrs. Rosenay, how did you manage to do that?" Harry asked, looking amazed.
"Oh," said Amanda, smiling. "Your uncle was rather easy. It would have been difficult had it been your aunt,"
"Do you know them?" Harry asked suspiciously, as she flung out her right hand.
"We've met, although that was years ago," she said. Before Harry could ask anything more, the Knight Bus came into view. "Two to Godric's Hollow please." She drew out some silver and handed it to the grubby conductor.
"Where did you meet them, Mrs Rosenay?" Harry said, resuming the conversation.
"Oh, we were all invited for Petunia's wedding by Lily," she said, as her face became clouded. "I'll show you photos of it when we get back," she added with a smile.
They reached Godric's Hollow in fifteen minutes. Lupin and Hermione had not arrived yet. Ron and Eliza were in the middle of a game of wizard's chess.
"What happened, mate?" Ron asked, looking up.
"Oh, we or rather, she" – Harry nodded towards Amanda – "managed to persuade Uncle Vernon,"
"That's good news," Eliza said, smiling.
"I'll be in the Library if you need me," Amanda informed them before she walked away.
"What about your registration?" Harry asked Eliza.
"Oh, it was over in France before I came here," she answered.
"So, you can Apparate now?" Ron asked, looking rather resentful.
Eliza just nodded in response to him, and Harry sat down to look at their match, which was quite closely fought, involving a violent bishop and an interesting check mate.
Mr. Weasley Apparated into the room with a resounding crack; Harry saw that though he looked cheerful, there were distinct worry lines across his forehead, and he seemed a little tired.
"Hello, Harry, Eliza," he said, smiling at them, and clapping Ron at the back.
"Hello, Mr Weasley," they chorused in reply.
"Tomorrow's the marriage, at The Burrow," he added proudly. It was only then that Harry was reminded of Bill and Fleur's wedding. He nodded at Mr. Weasley, who continued to smile.
"Where's Amanda?" Mr Weasley asked, looking around the room.
"In the Library, third floor," Eliza said, pointing upwards. Mr Weasley left to join Amanda upstairs. Fifteen minutes passed by and still there was no sign of Hermione or Lupin; Harry was beginning to get worried.
"It's getting late, isn't it?" Eliza said, glancing at her watch, and it was a quarter to four. Harry glanced uneasily around at Ron, who looked just as Harry felt. He could hear footsteps and he turned to see Amanda, and Mr Weasley hurrying downstairs.
"We've just received news of another Death Eater attack," she panted breathlessly. "I'm afraid there might be a fatality, though I'm not too sure. You lot will not leave the house until I return, got that? Right, we need to hurry, and do not leave the house!" Amanda and Mr Weasley then Disapparated.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, as though their worst fears had been confirmed. Eliza trembled uncontrollably and after a long restless pause, Ron whispered in a shaky voice, "You don't think they got Hermione?"