Author: Magiquill9
Chapter 4: Godric's HollowShips: Harry and Ginny, Hermione and Ron, Bill and Fleur, and Lupin and Tonks.
Chapter Synopsis: Harry has a vision, and is forced to show his hand earlier than he would like. The trio takes off to Godric's Hollow, and surprises abound.
Story Summary: HBP raised as many questions as it answered. How can Harry find a horcrux? How can he destroy the horcruxes? Everything was laid out, and we were about to jump off the cliff. Here's where the cliffhanger ends and the adventure begins. Join Harry and friends as they struggle to lead the wizarding world out of despair, fight the good fight, and put an end to the evil that is Tom Riddle.
Disclaimer: Well guys, my apologies, I really did think it would end on a high note, but I had to pop that little scar attack in, its important. I am so sorry for the cliffhanger (well not really, it's an expression, but I digress.) I was planning on doing the wedding last chapter, but I took too long getting Harry out of Privet Drive. So here now, is the wedding, at least I hope. I take that back... We will not be seeing the wedding this chapter, repeat, we will not be seeing the wedding this chapter. My apologies. So I submit for your entertainment Chapter 4, Godric's Hollow.
Harry vaguely heard someone screaming his name. It was almost like he was either hearing an echo in the mountains, or else he was drowning underwater and could catch bits and pieces of what was going on, and, like with the muffliato spell, the words he heard made no sense. Harry felt like he was being pushed in on all sides, and when he fought to regain consciousness and break the surface, he felt Ginny's delicate hands giving him warmth and energy to fight. He finally made it out of his own subconscious and gasped for breath.
"Water," Harry croaked. Ginny conjured a cup, used the aguamenti spell, and handed it to Harry, her arm shaking all the while. He slowly drank some, and the water did what everything else could not; it brought Harry back to his senses. Unfortunately, he also remembered the vision he just had. The Order members pressed him for details, their wands already out and preparing to apparate at a moment's notice. Harry began to recount the tale.
"I saw him again, Voldemort. I don't know if he has stopped using Occlumency or else he really wanted me to see this. I think I may have to try and learn Occlumency and Legilimency. But all of that will come later." Harry noticed Remus giving him a strange look, but Harry ignored it for now.
"He was talking to Wormtail;" Harry spat out the name as if to hold it on his tongue was to poison himself. The room got a few degrees warmer as Harry began to pulsate with his magic. Harry however, wasn't the only one; Remus looked like he would tear the rat limb from limb. Harry took a breath to calm himself and continued.
"He was angry at Wormtail for something. It seemed like Wormtail had lost something, or forgotten something. I'm really not sure. But Wormtail was the only one who could get it. I think I know where itis but I'm not sure. Voldemort was saying something about how the object was left somewhere because of 'difficult circumstances' and Wormtail was irresponsible because he left it right there and just ran away. Now though, Voldemort needed it, and he told Wormtail to go and get it. Any ideas guys? Hermione?"
"Ummm. Harry?" Hermione asked tentatively. Harry saw her start to raise her hand into the air and catch herself. Harry laughed silently.
"Yes Hermione, I'm here," Harry said with subtle sarcasm, which Hermione promptly ignored.
"When you fought V-Voldemort- oh Ron get used to it- and your wands connected, you saw your parents right?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Harry said slowly.
"So that means that the wand Voldemort had was the wand that killed your parents right? And that was Voldemort's wand?" Hermione asked to Harry again, virtually ignoring everyone else in the room. Harry could feel her escalating excitement, as it matched his level of confusion. He already understood what Wormtail had to do, but no idea how Hermione's questions were related to that.
"Yes," Harry said, equally slowly but with a trace of confusion. He had no idea where she was going with this.
"And Pettigrew gave it to him right?" she asked again, almost cutting Harry's answer off.
"Yeah," Harry said with a nod.
"So, when Voldemort attacked you when you were a baby, he was stripped from his body. So he would not be able to hold anything. So how did his wand leave Godric's Hollow? He didn't go back for it; Pettigrew had it for him in the Graveyard. That's what you just said."
"And that's important because?"
"Oh Harry don't you see? Pettigrew was with Voldemort when your parents were killed, and when Voldemort died, he took the wand and ran off."
"Oh!" Harry suddenly understood the importance of what she was saying. She had made the connection of Pettigrew being at Godric's Hollow that night the same way Harry had, but she had gotten there a different way. "And that means what he forgot was-"
"The intended-" Hermione cut him off.
"Hermione you are brilliant!" exclaimed Harry, not wanting her tosay the word horcrux, because he had told no one else of their plans yet.
"But wait, what about when Sirius saw him-" Harry began.
"But that was with his own wand, and he might have just transformed-" stated Hermione.
"And hid them somewhere, ok fine, but then that means-" said Harry.
"We have to go to Godric's Hollow. Now." Hermione stated emphatically, and looked around the room, finally noticing everyone else's confused looks.
Ron coughed to interrupt them. "Is anyone else as confused as I am, or am I wrong in saying that you two are the only ones who understand what you just said?"
"Honestly Ronald, if you would just pay attention for a minute you would know exactly what we were talking about," Hermione said as if she were talking to a person with the intellectual range of a teaspoon.
"Honestly Hermione, you never spoke a single sentence," Ron mimicked in a high-pitched voice.
"Think it's funny Ronald? Well you'll see. Harry, let's go." Hermione proceeded to grab Harry's arm and they were about to apparate before Harry turned around.
"Um, Hermione. I don't know how to get there."
"Oh, sorry Harry. Professor Lupin? Could you apparate Harry and I to Godric's Hollow? Quickly please."
"What about me Hermione?" moaned Ron.
"Oh alright fine!" Hermione snapped. "Just try not to be rude. I don't want to have to put up with you."
Ginny whined in the background. "Can't I go? It's always the three of you running off to who knows where. And you always leave me behind!" exclaimed Ginny.
"And I'm glad they do," interrupted Mrs. Weasley. "You aren't going Ginny."
"Muuuuummm," Ginny whined.
"No. You are staying and that's final. Ginevra Molly Weasley, do you understand? You will not go to Godric's Hollow. It's dangerous."
"Fine! But you need to learn that I'm not a little girl anymore." Ginny snapped. "I'm going to my room." With that, Ginny stomped off before glaring at Harry, who was thrown off by her hostility.
"Well, we'd best be off Mrs. Weasley," said Harry.
"I'll have them back before you know it Molly," Remus said, effectively calming Mrs. Weasley.
"Thank you Remus dear." Tonks ran over to him and kissed him, in front of everybody, then smiled larger than they had ever seen her smile in a long time. Remus blushed and side-apparated Hermione to Godric's Hollow. He returned to take Ron. Finally, it was he and Harry. They side-apparated together, Harry feeling the familiar whooshing feeling, and landed in a small village. Harry immediately noticed Ron and Hermione wandering around on the other side. Remus grabbed his arm and Harry turned to face him.
"Can you handle this Harry? This is going to be- more difficult than you could imagine. And why exactly did we have to hurry here anyway?" Worry laced Remus's voice, and Harry felt warmth spread through his body at the fact that someone truly cared for him because he was Harry Potter, not the boy-who-lived. Those people were hard to come by. They could be counted on two hands. Harry nodded in reassurance, and then realized Remus's situation.
"I'll explain fully later. Are you going to be ok though Remus?" Remus was shaken out of his reverie and looked at Harry questioningly.
"You have known them longer than I have, I'm sure this will be tougher on you than me. Will you be ok?" Harry asked Remus, concern evident. Harry noticed a tear slide down Remus's cheek as he wrapped his arms around Harry and pulled him into a hug.
"You really are more like James than you could possibly know Harry. I don't know how my life would be if it didn't have a Potter in it." Harry smiled and hugged Remus back. They walked towards Godric's Hollow, and Harry called for Hermione and Ron to follow.
"Uh, Harry?" Ron asked timidly.
"Yeah Ron?"
"Where exactly are we going?"
"Godric's Hollow," Harry said simply.
"Yeah I know that, but I don't see it."
"What do you mean you don't see it? It's right there." Harry pointed at the house that he saw, and everyone followed his finger.
"Umm Harry. There's nothing there. It's just a field." Hermione looked at him worriedly. Harry matched her gaze.
"You all really don't see it?" Harry asked.
"Ahhh. The Fidelius Charm must still be in place," Remus said, ending the confusion.
"But you two can see it?" asked Ron.
"Yes, I've already been there, and obviously, so has Harry. I suppose it's just the two of us then. Why don't you two take a walk, or else stand watch. Don't do anything stupid. Ron. Make sure of that please Hermione?"
"Hey-" Ron started indignantly before being nudged by Hermione
"We'll be fine Professor. Go ahead."
Together, Harry and Remus walked towards the house. It was beautiful in Harry's eyes. It didn't look like anything had happened at all. Harry approached the house and opened the door. Everything changed. Harry heard Remus take an involuntary breath. The house was a wreck. Most of it was in ruins. There had seemingly been an appearance charm to keep it looking normal on the outside. The remains of a duel were evident in the living room and by the doorway.
"It happened right here," Harry whispered. Unbidden, the voices of his parents rose inside Harry's head.
"It's him- Lily, take Harry and run. I'll hold him off."
Harry clearly pictured his father sending his mother and his baby self upstairs as he dealt with Voldemort. He could see where the reductor curse had been cast, see that paintings and chairs had been summoned to take the hits of other curses. Then, Harry noticed the piece of floor, scorched from a curse. Harry didn't know how he knew, but he knew that in that spot, was where James Potter landed and never stood up from. Tears flew into Harry's eyes. He shook them off and walked on, not knowing how he knew where to go, but he just did as if something inside told him to. He followed the path taken by Voldemort sixteen years ago. The door was open, and cold to the touch. He walked in and saw where his mother had made her last stand. The room was a mess. Everything was charred from the failed Avada Kedavra curse. Harry's eyes pulled him away and back into his fake memory.
"Stand aside you foolish girl!"
"No, not Harry, anything please. Not Harry."
"Move out of the way."
"Not Harry- please, I'll do anything."
"Move!"
"No please, take me, kill me instead. Not Harry, anything."
"Fine, Avada Kedavra."
Harry's eyes remained closed, and he walked, almost in a trance to where his mother had fallen. He stopped suddenly and reached out his hand, as a blind man does when he feels for a wall. He saw in his mind's eye a faint glow around the image of his baby self as his mother had died. It was almost as if she had made an oath with Voldemort, to kill her instead of Harry. He watched as another image from somewhere came into his mind. He watched as Voldemort attempted to kill Harry. He noticed Pettigrew in the background, standing and staring. He turned away and scampered out of the room as Voldemort attempted to say a curse. Harry fired a stunner at Pettigrew and heard a thud. The image of Voldemort waving his wand and muttering was replaced by a green light flying in front of Harry's eyes. Harry slowly opened them and turned around.
Remus was on the floor, stunned. Harry realized he had gotten too much into the moment and stunned his favorite professor, and last link to the life that could have been. He cast an enervate and Remus's eyes flew open.
"It happened right here, didn't it," Remus asked quietly. At Harry's nod in response, Remus sat up and looked around the room. Harry followed his gaze, and stopped in front of where his baby self had been, where Voldemort had marked his equal and met his match. Harry looked at the ground and noticed something that didn't look like it belonged.
"Accio Horcrux." Harry waited for a second. Nothing. Two seconds. Still nothing. Harry sighed. It was worth a shot. Then he realized Remus was in the room. He eyed the marauder warily. Remus was staring thoughtfully at Harry, but didn't seem to notice the spell Harry had cast. Harry wondered vaguely if he had done it non-verbally. It didn't look like it worked though. Or else Harry's non-verbal spells were rubbish. Both seemed likely. A horcrux didn't seem to be in this room.
Harry walked over and scanned the room. There was a scorched bookshelf by the door, a small crib in the middle, some remains of what used to be clothes off to one side, a wand underneath the crib, presumably his mother's, a closet off to the side, and a few things haphazardly lying on the floor, such as a toy snitch, a couple of stuffed animals, and a watch. Harry stared at the watch and wondered if that was what Voldemort had intended to make into a horcrux. Harry picked it up, along with the wand, and pocketed them both for further viewing later. The wand vibrated softly in Harry's hand, but he deposited it into his pocket absentmindedly, as his thoughts strayed over what to do next. Harry looked at Remus, who was still soaking in everything that had happened. Harry helped him up by the shoulder, and together, they walked out of Godric's Hollow.
Remus directed him to the backyard, where Harry was shown the Quidditch field, along with the graves of his parents further on. Harry stopped and stared at the graves, tears stinging his eyes.
Lily Rose Potter
1960-1981
Loving mother and wife
May her sacrifice be honored
and the debt repaid.
James Harry Potter
1960-1981
Loving Father and Husband
Died to insure his family
would live. Let his sacrifice
not be in vain.
Tears coming to his eyes, Harry sat between the two gravestones. The tears splashed onto the graves and Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"Dad thanks. You were awesome. You fought to save us. I have always been told how much I look like you, and how much I act like you. I'm always proud to hear that. It's the highest compliment that I can be paid in my eyes. I had at first thought of you like Mum used to, arrogant, stupid, and a real jerk. Remus showed me the real you though, and the real you was nothing like the version I had heard. I don't even know why I listened to Snivellus. But I'm not here about him. I needed to talk to you all. I don't know if you know, but it's my job to kill Voldemort. And I am definitely going to do it. I just don't know if I'll survive the experience. I have once before though and Mum, thanks. I don't know what I would have done without you. You've protected me through all these years. I wish we could have had more time together. Remus has told me so much about you all. It's been a rough life. But thanks for making sure I had one, Mum. And thanks for marrying Dad. I don't know what he would have done without you. I've found someone I love too Mum. She's a lot like you. Her names Ginny, Ginny Weasley. She's a redhead like you and is a year younger than me. She's my best friend's little sister. I really do think I love her. I would do anything for her. I would die for her. That's what love is isn't it? To be willing to die for someone, to willingly give your life so that they may live. That's what you did for us Dad. That's what you did for me Mum. You loved me. And after all these years, I can still feel your love inside me. Thank you. I really don't know what to say. I've always had this gaping hole inside me that Ginny was starting to fill. That hole was you and Dad. I know that. I can't wait to see you all again, but I can at the same time. Because I don't want to have to leave Ginny alone in this world. But I will if it means she can stay in this world. And I will avenge you and Dad. I promise. As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, Tom Riddle will meet his match. No one messes with a Potter, right Dad? Thank you, both of you, for allowing me to live. I love you. Until we meet in the next great adventure. Goodbye."
Letting his tears fall freely, Harry walked away, and headed down the path that led him back to the entrance. Harry kept on walking and looked for Ron and Hermione. He saw them, and he saw Ron pointing his wand at the one man he couldn't stand to see: Peter Pettigrew.
"Wormtail," Harry snarled.
"Harry, how good to see you aga-"
"Shut up! It's because of you their dead! It's all because of you. How could you do that to them? I don't understand. After everything they had done for you! How could you just sell them out like that? You disgust me Wormtail." Harry drew his wand. Harry's eyes flickered towards Ron, and saw Hermione on the floor, stunned. Ron knelt down to enervate her and Harry looked back at Wormtail but saw he had transformed. Harry swore. He had escaped again. Well, for another day. In the end, everything would be served properly.
Harry saw Remus running towards them. Harry explained what happened, with Ron and Hermione filling in how they had ran into Pettigrew while they were talking, how he had stunned Hermione, and how Ron had gotten his wand on the traitor before he could do anything else. The four of them decided to apparate back to the Burrow, with Hermione taking Ron to make sure his eyebrows weren't left behind, and Harry went with Remus. After they heard a pop, Harry turned to his former professor.
"Are you ok Remus?" Harry asked.
"I think I will be. I had it out with Lily and James back there. I think we are all understood. Thank you Harry," Remus said sincerely.
"For what?" Harry asked, curious.
"For- for being you; For being Harry James Potter. No amount of gratitude can express how much it truly means to me for you to accept me as I am, just as your father and Sirius did. So thank you for that Harry."
"Anything for you Remus, anything."
And together, they apparated back to the Burrow, and Harry, after being congratulated again on his coming of age, wandered up to Ron's room, and without removing his clothes, collapsed onto the bed and promptly fell asleep.
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