Chapter 13: A Cottage By The Sea

Harry looked around the room with quiet exhaustion. He felt just so utterly drained. Suddenly the hand clutching his squeezed again. Susan hadn't left his side since they'd arrived. The few minutes he'd been trapped in Voldemort's mind had frightened her in ways nothing else had today. Anthony was with Hermione, who was shaky, but otherwise seemed to be fine, at least on the surface. Harry was sure that Anthony could help a lot better than anyone else could. Ron was a bit hollow-eyed, but that was mostly because of the rushed funeral they'd just held for Mad-Eye Moody. Harry couldn't help but let out a sob. That was two men he'd always seen as invincible cut down in front of him. Though of course technically Harry hadn't witnessed it in his own right. Susan put a hand on his cheek and turned his face towards her. Her eyes swam with tears and leaned in to give him a gentle kiss.

"Everything will be alright," she whispered against his cheek. Harry leaned into her gratefully.

"Harry." Amelia suddenly piped up. "Can you come tell your godfather to stop being a whiny child?"

"I can try," Harry offered before clambering to his feet, with Susan not far behind him. "But I'm not sure it will work." Madame Bones huffed. Harry followed her around the house to where Snuffles was making whinny noises and chewing on one of his legs. "I said stand still you foolish man!"

"Sirius." Harry spoke up, "just calm down. She's trying to change you back. Chewing off your own leg isn't going to help." the dog moaned at him with sad puppy eyes before he shook himself out again. Amelia nodded with a huff before waving her wand and chanting an intricate phrase in Latin. Slowly Snuffles reverted back to his human form. Sirius groaned as he flexed his fingers and twisted his spine. Then he went a little green.

"Sorry," he muttered before he turned and shoved two fingers down his throat. He heaved for several seconds, with Amelia patting his back with a look of slight disgust. It didn't escape anyone's notice that it had a suspiciously dark colour. Harry stepped forward.

"It's okay," he muttered. "I get it." when Sirius was finished he lifted a shaky hand and wiped the tears from his face. He looked pretty beat. Harry conjured a toothbrush for him, which Sirius was more than happy for.

"So your officially a murderer?" Amelia asked with narrowed eyes.

"Guilty for the crime for which I was imprisoned, yes," Sirius murmured slowly.

"Well… only part of it." Amelia offered. "And considering that it was Peter Pettigrew who murdered all those muggles, I would classify his death as more of a 16-year long protracted Auror mission… with quite a few years of deep cover." Sirius gave her a mirth-filled watery smile but didn't crack any jokes. Definitely tired.

"Go inside and ask Fleur which room is free Sirius," Harry argued. It was a testament to how truly exhausted the man was that he didn't argue, or insist to stay with Harry. Harry followed the man and Amelia into the cottage again. Seeing Bill and Fleur again had made him so happy. Learning that they'd turned their home into an order safe house had made him impressed. Right now the space was acting as a way station, as the various teams all gave their reports and returned to their designated areas.

"This was Mad-Eye's designated safe house," Bill muttered slowly. "But seeing as… well we'll need to assign someone new now I suppose."

"Is anyone else staying here?"

"Yes actually…" Bill said with a slight frown. "They'll want to see you. But maybe later." As Sirius went up to the room fleur had directed him to Kingsley came back down.

"How are Kreacher and Emmeline?" Harry asked.

"Emm is out of commission for now. Bellatrix hit her with some kind of paralysis curse." Kingsley admitted with a huff. "I'll be sending her to Weasley manor. Molly is our best healing asset right now."

"And Kreacher?" Harry asked. The man sighed.

"I managed to stop the bleeding, but he's pretty old and fragile. I'm not sure he'll be long for this world.'' Kingsley admitted. Harry felt his heart sink. He'd grown to love the strange elf, in his own way. "But I didn't know the little guy had it in him. We were pretty surprised when he showed up a few months back. He said something about finishing what master Regulus started?"

"Long story," Harry murmured. Kingsley searched his eyes, then seemed to understand that that would be all Harry said on the issue.

"But you should have heard him, Harry," Kingsley said, a grin forming. "He told Bellatrix that Sirius was better than she was. Well what he actually said was 'mistress Bella is an inferior master to master Sirius.'"

"He said that?!" Harry cried in alarm. Kreacher had always hated Sirius!

"How the times have changed eh?" Kingsley offered, before turning into the study and speaking with Bill and Ron. Ron was discussing the order's current positions, ever the strategist. Already planning their next move.

"Fleur," Harry began "where is Luna, Mr. Ollivander, and Kreacher"

"Upstairs. Mr. Ollivander did not want to be alone, so Luna offered to stay with him. Please be gentle Arry… he iz very damaged. Kreacher iz in ze small bedroom. I sent Dobby up to him." Harry winced when he heard that, and decided to make Kreacher his first stop, if only to rescue the poor elf from his over-exuberant younger.

"Can dobby get you more blankets?" Dobby offered. Kreacher scowled at him.

"Kreacher will be getting everything on his own!" the elf wheezed, even though he looked even more thing and sallow than usual.

"Nonsense!" Dobby declared. "Dobby 'll get more pillows as well!"

"It's alright Dobby," Harry called from the doorway. "I think Kingsley wanted to talk with you."

"Mr. Harry Potter! Dobby is looking after Kreacher! Mrs. Fleur told Dobby to make sure he stays in bed!" the elf declared.

"I can take over for a bit," Harry promised.

"Alright," Dobby said with a slight huff. "But make sure he stays in bed!" then he was gone. Kreacher let out a ragged sigh.

"Oh thank you, master Harry. That elf is wrong. Kreacher is disgusted on his behalf." he wheezed.

"Try to get some rest Kreacher. You were badly hurt."

"Kreacher will be fine." the elf insisted. "Kreacher has been hurt before. And Kreacher got better then." Harry tried not to show that the bandage on Kreacher's stomach indicated that he was not likely to get better. The door to the little room opened again. Winky walked in, with a cup and a blanket.

"Hello, Kreacher." The gentle elf said quietly, "Winky has come." Then she turned to Harry and bowed at the waist "hello master Harry Potter sir."

"Hi Winky." He said with a gentle smile. "Nice to see you up and about." The elf pinked.

"Winky must apologize for Winky's despicable behaviour when Winky first met master Harry Potter. Winky was a bad elf. Winky should have been more hospitable."

"It's alright," Harry assured her. "It's hard to bounce back when everything in your life changes. No matter who or what you are." The elf beamed.

"Dobby is right. Master Harry Potter is indeed a good wizard. And I'm sure Kreacher is right saying master Harry Potter is a good master too." She said merrily.

"Winky is a good elf." Kreacher croaked tiredly. "Winky is serving well. Not like that bad-elf Dobby." Kreacher shuddered again.

"Winky is staying with Kreacher master Harry Potter. Winky is making sure he is comfortable."

"Thank you," Harry said with a nod of his head. He stood up then faltered. "Did you really tell Bellatrix that Sirius was better than she was?"

"Yes." Kreacher croaked. "Though Kreacher has lived to regret it."

"Well thank you." Harry said, "it was a very brave thing to do."

"Thank you, Master Harry." Kreacher murmured, his eyes were starting to droop. Somehow Harry knew that once he'd closed his eyes, the elderly elf would be gone by the end of the hour.

"We destroyed the locket." He whispered. The elf's eyes snapped open again. Harry fished around his pocket and withdrew the destroyed necklace. "We finished it. Thank you, Kreacher, for helping us."

"Kreacher has done it, master Regulus." The Elf said with tears dribbling down his cheeks. "Kreacher has helped master Harry and master Sirius finish your work."

"Yes." Harry choked. "You did so well Kreacher."

"Thank you, master." Kreacher said, his grip on the locket was failing. "Kreacher is so proud to serve such a noble and good wizard." Then his eyes finally drifted closed. Harry took a deep breath. He could see that Kreacher was still breathing. But he doubted that would stay like that for long. He turned and left the room, while Winky settled into a chair and folded the blanket around the elf. He made his way back downstairs and blinked.

"Madame Snape?" He asked in shock. The elderly witch turned and gave him a slight smile.

"Hello, dear Harry. It's nice to see you again."

"I'm so sorry about your shop." Harry blurted out. The woman rolled her eyes.

"Don't be ridiculous. It wasn't your fault. Not in the least." She insisted. "Now I think you should put poor Narcissa out of her misery."

"She's still here?!" Harry cried in alarm. "But I told Kingsley-"

"It's your decision." The deep voice Auror insisted. "She asked you for sanctuary. Whether you give it to her or not is up to you."

"Of course I'm giving it to her," Harry said as he stepped back out to the sandbar. Sturgis and Hestia were still guarding the nervous woman and her son.

"Then it's just a question of where to put them," Ron murmured. "It can't be anywhere they might hear anything. Too risky."

"They can stay with me." Hestia offered. I've still got plenty of room. 'Specially after the move."

"But wait aren't you staying with-" Ron began before he cut himself off and grinned widely. "Never mind. That's a fantastic idea."

"Alright?" Harry agreed with a raised eyebrow. "It's settled. They'll go with Hestia."

"Alright," Hestia said with her own conspiratory grin before she grabbed Draco and Narcissa's shoulders.

"Have fun Malfoy," Ron said with an evil glint in his eyes. Draco looked a little green around the gills. Then with a crack, Hestia disapparated taking the two Malfoys with her.

"Okay, are you gonna tell me now what is going on?" Harry asked, turning to ron

"Your aunt is staying with Hestia," Kingsley answered for him. "At a muggle farmhouse," Harry's eyes bugged out.

"Well… that's… not gonna be very fun," Harry muttered, though he was forming a grin himself.

When Harry stepped back into the cottage he froze. Sirius was sobbing into his hands on the table while Dudley rubbed his back. The teen looked Dover at his cousin with sad eyes.

"Kreacher died." He murmured. Harry sighed and placed a hand on Sirius's other shoulder.

"He begged me not to put his head on the wall." Sirius sobbed, "said that mistress Petunia hated that." Harry gave another pained sigh.

"Master Harry Potter sir." Winky whispered, with bloodshot eyes "Kreacher gave these to Winky… he wanted you to have them." Harry held out his hand and two lockets fell into his hands, one twisted and gnarled, the other pristine. Sirius saw them both and sobbed again. Suddenly Eileen appeared with a bottle of fire whiskey.

"Here." She said flatly. "You need this." Sirius looked at her then the bottle and winced.

"It's not poisoned this time is it?"

"I'm not that cruel." Eileen insisted. Sirius gratefully took a swig. Harry glanced over at Dudley then nodded towards the stairs.

"What up?" The burly teen asked.

"I wanted to talk to Ollivander about something," Harry muttered. Dudley blinked then followed. When they opened the door Luna and Garrick both jumped and looked up.

"Mr. Potter." Ollivander wheezed. "It's wonderful to see you again. And in better circumstances."

"You as well. How are you feeling?" Harry asked.

"Better," Ollivander confirmed with a nod. "What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to ask why you were taken by the death eaters," Harry said quietly. Garrick's face went sallow.

"I…" the man swallowed. "He wanted to know… why your wands connected. I told him. I told him about your wands being brothers."

"I see," Harry said slowly.

"He tortured me… I couldn't keep him out." The man said desperately.

"It's alright. I understand." Harry assured him. "Did you tell him how he could fix that?"

"I told him another wand might be able to attack you… he had me make him one. But it didn't work to his liking. I told him that his wand would always be best… He wasn't pleased by that." Ollivander said shakily. "He said he would seek out a better wandmaker, and that if he discovered that I had lied to him, I would not enjoy the outcome."

"Right," Harry muttered. That explained it! He knew the name Gregorovitch had been familiar. It was that Bulgarian wandmaker! Hopefully, he was very well hidden. Keep Voldemort busy for a while longer. Then he gave Dudley a sideways glance. "Would you… could you make a wand for my cousin?"

"Your cousin?" Ollivander said with a blink "I thought he was a muggle."

"It's the best-kept secret," Dudley remarked before fishing out his borrowed wand and showing off for a bit. Luna smiled and clapped lightly when he finished with a rather exaggerated bow. Ollivander held out a hand and inspected the wand carefully.

"This is cheaply made." He remarked coldly. "A black market find I take it?"

"Yeah. A loan from Remus Lupin." Dudley confirmed.

"Hmm." The old wandmaker said. "Yes, I think I could replace this. Provided I have the tools… you wouldn't happen to have a tape measure would you?"

"Actually." Harry began with a chuckle "I think we do."

"How's Hermione?" Ron asked as Harry descended the stairs once again.

"Not great," Harry admitted. "She's doing that thing where she hyper-medicalizes her situation to cope."

"That's less than ideal."

"It's also less than ideal to talk about people behind their back," Hermione said sternly. Harry whipped around while Ron when an embarrassed pink.

"You really should be resting," Anthony said worriedly.

"No," Hermione said point-blank. The ex Ravenclaw looked skyward for guidance then sighed.

"Darling. Love of my life. Wife of my heart. I love you. But you make a teenager feel old." Anthony finally said. Hermione gave him a watery smile.

"You wouldn't have me any other way."

"No… I wouldn't." Anthony confirmed before giving her hands a kiss. Harry furrowed his brow.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"Anthony is leaving," Hermione said, without looking away from her husband.

"What?!" Ron cried in alarm, "mate you can't leave! You're our number two researcher!"

"Ollivander has some serious PTSD," Anthony said matter-of-factly. "He needs someone who knows how to help him. I took all sorts of courses on psychology to help my sister. I'm going with him to Weasley manor." Harry felt his heart breaking.

"Well… we'll miss you mate." Ron said with a sad look.

"Take care of Hermione alright," Anthony said sternly. Ron straightened and gave the man a salute. Hermione scowled.

"I can take care of myself!" She roared. "I'm not a prize!"

"No. You're a treasure." Anthony insisted. "That I love dearer every day. I know you are more than capable of taking care of yourself. But when you're not." Hermione frowned then leapt forward into his arms.

"Oh, Anthony I swear to god and Merlin if anything happens to you I will drag you back just so I can kill you again!" She cried. The blond teen smiled and kissed her everywhere he could reach. Then Dudley came downstairs, holding a wand in his hands.

"That Ollivander bloke is weird." The burly teen said even as he stared at his wand in awe.

"How does it feel?" Harry asked.

"Light," Dudley remarked as he bounced it in his hands a few times. "I never realized how heavy the old one was."

"Well, let's see then." Hermione insisted which made Ron and Harry smile. Some things never changed.

"Lumos!" Dudley cried. The ball of light at the end of his wand wasn't any brighter than it would be, but it didn't flicker or waver.

"Try Lumos maxima." Harry offered.

"Lumos maxima!" Dudley incanted. The light was comparable to a full-blown Lumos. The old one had been able to hold it at that light for more than a few moments, so that was a drastic improvement.

"I don't want to feel your stunners anymore! They might actually hurt!" Ron joked.

Dudley scowled and fired off a stinging hex. Usually, it didn't do more than cause a minor heat to lance across someone's face. But Ron jumped and rubbed his arm in shock.

"that … actually hurt," he whined. Dudley blinked.

"Wait really?" he asked in awe.

"Maybe don't go flinging those around anymore." Harry offered with a snicker. "The swelling is actually really painful, especially in the face."

"Sorry about that," Hermione said with a wince. "I didn't think it would be a good idea for you to be recognizable… not that it did much good." she finished with a bit of hollowness coming back into her eyes.

"Hermione…" Anthony began slowly. The hollow look was replaced by fire.

"No Anthony. I made my decision. I'm staying." she snapped. The blond teen sighed heavily. Dudley looked between them.

"Staying? What are you talking about? Whose leaving?"

"Anthony," Harry said quietly. "He's going with Mr. Ollivander, to help him recover from his trauma."

"But…" Dudley began with a sadness in his throat. Then he sighed and pulled him in for a tight hug. Ron stood and enveloped him as well.

"We'll miss you mate." the tall ginger choked out. Anthony beamed through the tears in his eyes. Harry watched this. Then looked up and say Fleur guiding Mr. Ollivander down the stairs. Kingsley levitated a still paralyzed Emmeline who gave Harry a strained and weak smile as she floated past.

"Goldstien." Kingsley murmured. "Time to go."

"I'll see you all again," Anthony promised, before following the small group out of the cottage. Nearly everyone followed them out, with Hermione barely holding back her tears. Then with a twist of Kingsley's heel, they were gone. Hermione let out a sob. Harry winced and stepped forward to comfort her but Amelia stuck out a hand to stop him.

"Give her a minute for her grief." she insisted. Harry blinked at her.

"You didn't go with them?" he asked. Amelia's lips thinned.

"It seems that instead of being confined to a safe house, I'm now running one. And quite an important one in fact."

"Why's it so important?" Harry asked.

"Because of the other house guest." Eileen supplied with pursed lips. "Though what the death eaters would want with that sherry-soaked madwoman I will never know."

"Trelawney?!" Harry cried in shock. "Professor Trelawney is here?!"

"Yes," Eileen said sourly. "She was here when I arrived. Seems Albus left instructions for her to be kept safe in the event of his death. Can't imagine why. The woman's hardly ever sober, much less comprehensible."

"May I speak with her?" Harry asked.

"Feel free." Eileen cried, "but maybe bring some nose plugs. The stench is liable to kill brain cells by proximity alone." then she sauntered off as best she could with her gnarled oak cane.

"She really doesn't like her," Harry muttered with a wince. Amelia chuckled.

"Apparently they went to school together." the ex-magister whispered with conspiratory air. "According to Minerva, Sybil said some rather insulting things to Eileen in their youth." Harry chuckled. Well, that definitely explained a lot. He knew better than anyone that a Snape could hold a grudge for literally decades.

"Auntie." Susan suddenly said, walking up to her aunt with a conspiratory grin. "Can you finally settle something for me?"

"What darling?"

"How did you escape?"

"Well." Amelia began before slowly drinking down before the pair's eyes. In her place was a small brown lizard. The only indication that it was different than any other lizard was a small ring of slightly iridescent scales that ringed around the lizard's left eye, a faint impression of Amelia's monocle.

"I knew it!" Susan cried with glee. Then she shrunk down herself. The lizard's mouth dropped open and the tongue flopped out slightly as if it was playing dead. Then Harry grinned and followed suit. The lizard looked between the two before Amelia switched back.

"You two! I can't believe it! Are you mad?! Think of the paperwork you'll have to fill out! You could be sent to Azkaban! Sweet Merlin, you're worse than Sirius!"

"Somone said my name with panic?" Sirius piped up from the living room.

"You!" Amelia cried with fury, "you helped them do this, didn't you! Really Sirius how could you!"

"Auntie!" Susan whined after changing back. "Calm down. I started this project on my own. Harry just helped me get some ingredients is all." the small stoat that had been dancing around their feet let out a horrified sounding squeak and darted back into the cottage. Amelia's monocle fell out of her eyes as she fumed.

"POTTER!"

"Still hiding?" Ron asked with a grin. Harry opened the door to their designated room a sliver.

"Is she still mad?"

"Nah. Susan mostly calmed her down. She might cuff ya when you go downstairs. But I thought now might be a good time to talk to that goblin fellow."

"Huh? He's still here?"

"Bill offered to take him back to the goblin city tomorrow. Since he worked with them, he's one of the only humans allowed to go to the gate. Apparently, the death eaters were after him for something, so he can't go back to Gringotts."

"Why were they after him?" Harry asked, opening the door fully.

"That's what I'd like to know." Ron offered. Harry nodded and followed Ron. Harry knocked on the door cautiously.

"Enter." Came the raspy voice from within. The two teens opened the door. The room was nearly pitch black, lit only with a small wax candle. " Ah… Harry Potter."

"Hello," Harry said then he swallowed. "Er… I don't know if you remember me…"

"I was the one who took you to your vault for the first time." The goblin muttered. "More surprising is YOU remembering ME." Harry shrugged. "Very odd."

"Why were you in Malfoy's dungeon anyway?" Ron asked candidly. Griphook's shiny black eyes flicked over to him with narrowing eyes.

"I saw something. Something they didn't want me to."

"You and two others," Harry muttered. The goblin's eyes widened and he turned to him with almost desperation.

"Gripnok and Fangtor? You've seen them?! They're alive?!"

"As far as we know," Harry confirmed with a nod. "At least they were a few weeks ago. One of our hunters spotted them by a river, travelling with a friend of ours." Griphook leaned back looking contemplative.

"Thank you." The goblin finally muttered. "I know you humans prefer such gratitude to be shown with gifts-"

"You've met some really shite humans." Ron piped up with a sad face. The goblin blinked between them.

"You're both very odd."

"What did you see?" Harry asked. Griphook narrowed his eyes.

"That is the bank's business."

"I know about the sword," Harry said quietly. "I know it's fake."

"Gripnok you blabbering scab!" Griphook sneered under his breath. He peered at Harry with his beady eyes yet again before huffing.

"Yes. I was there when Lestrange put the sword in her vault."

"What was the other thing she put in?" Ron asked with narrowed eyes. The goblin bared his pointed teeth.

"What does it matter?"

"Just tell us what it was," Harry complained. The goblin suddenly gained a glimmer in his eyes.

"You're going to try and steal it aren't you…" grip hook said before he gained a sinister smirk. "'Enter, stranger, but take heed; Of what awaits the sin of greed, for those-'"

"'who take, but do not earn, Must pay most dearly in their turn'" Harry finished blandly. "Yes, I remember the poem. But this isn't about greed. I don't want any of Bellatrix's treasures for personal gain. If I'm correct about what is hidden there I want to destroy it, not pawn it or anything like that."

"And if you're incorrect?" Griphook muttered darkly.

"Then I will have no further business with the bank beyond deposits, withdrawals, and investments," Harry said plainly. Griphook gave him a glance. It was nebulous. Then he threaded his long fingers.

"Lestrange did indeed bring the sword to Gringotts. But any goblin worth their silver could see it was a fake. Even Fangtor, and that idiot is blind as a bat on the best of days. Deep knows what my brother sees in them." the goblin grumbled. "My brother and his spouse were assigned to guard the entrance. I just piloted the carts."

"But you still saw what she had. And Gripnok and Fangtor." Ron finished.

"You all did. That's why the death eaters hunted you down." Harry muttered. Griphook sneered but a bit of sadness glimmered through.

"I gave myself up. So he and they could escape." the goblin admitted.

"So why do you want to keep it hidden?" Ron demanded. Griphook eyed the pair of them. Then he peered down at his still folded fingers.

"It was a small goblet," he murmured. "900th century. Two handles. Cheap. Definitely human-made. Nothing special really. It did have a nice embossing though."

"Of a badger." Harry finished for him with a thick swallow. Griphook narrowed his eyes.

"You've seen it before?"

"A long time ago," Harry muttered absent-mindedly. "Before…"

"Before what?" Griphook demanded icily. Harry and Ron exchanged a look. "Now listen here! My brother and sibling-in-law almost died because of that god damn cup! And whatever you humans may think-" Griphook swallowed. "I love my brother. If anything happens to him…" he scowled again. "So what is so damn important about it."

"We need to destroy it," Harry said plainly. "It's vital that we do. It's the only way to stop this war."

"You'd need to get it from the vault." Griphook countered. "And the only way you'd manage that is if you had help." the goblin's eyes lit with fire. "You need me."

"No." Ron suddenly cut in. "somehow I don't think we could afford your help."

"Then on your heads be it." the goblin offered with a sneer. "Oh. and if you see Fangtor and Gripnok, tell those idiots that they owe me. A lot." Ron nodded, then pulled Harry out of the room.

"Are you sure that was a good idea?" Harry hissed in panic.

"Oh yeah," Ron said. "He would double-cross us the second we got that cup… I've seen that look before Harry… in myself."

"What do you mean?" Harry demanded.

"The second he got us to that vault, he'd trap you inside to cut a deal to get his brother back," Ron explained. "People like that… they change when they get desperate… when they feel they have no choice."

"But what are we supposed to do about Gringotts?" Harry questioned

"We'll figure something out."

Harry followed Fluer down the hall.

"Contrary to what Eileen waz saying. It iz not zat bad… but… do try not to breaz too deeply." the French woman said with a wince. "She burnz zis orrible incense zat makes it a touch smokey."

"I'm familiar," Harry muttered with a wince. He'd always hated that stuff in the north tower. He couldn't imagine it would be any better in a confined space like the attic of this little cottage. As Harry climbed the ladder he felt a strange sense of Deja Vu. Suddenly he was thirteen again, clambering up the strange ladder of the divination classroom.

"Professor Trelawney?" He called quietly. The woman gave a squawk of terror and nearly jumped out of her chair.

"Oh! Harry! My dear boy! You've finally arrived! You're terribly late you know." Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Despite knowing that she wasn't really a hack, the played-up mysticism really grated on the nerves. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Harry said quietly.

"An aura of death hangs over you, my dear." She suddenly murmured, with sad eyes. "Would you like me to do a quick tea reading? It might settle your nerves." Harry was thoughtful.

"Sure." He finally muttered. The tea she served him was pungent, but surprisingly good, though there was no small amount of sherry mixed in. Despite this, Harry sipped it slowly and listened to Trelawney describe her rather exciting journey to the little cottage. It involved a vampire and a few mountain trolls. Harry wondered if perhaps she should have become a writer like Lockhart instead of teaching. At least her stories would be more entertaining and all her own. Though she did tend to lean towards morbidity.

"Are you finished, dear?" She suddenly twittered.

"Yeah." Harry offered before handing the cup back to her without looking.

"Hmm…" Trelawney said before she adjusted her glasses. "Oh my… your journey is fraught with danger my dear… I see… I see… a tower… a goal far from reach. A broken arch. A trip that will end in disaster. And a march of ants… there are many difficulties ahead… and of course." She looked up with the same gravity she had in his third year. "The Grim lies at the end of their path." Harry stared down at her hand as it reached out to pat his own.

"The Grim." He said again. "The symbol of death…" then he frowned. "Does it necessarily have to represent my death?"

"It's your cup, my dear." Trelawney said, returning to her own, probably much MUCH stronger tea, "though I suppose the final representation could be up to you. Though I'm afraid you never did very well in my class."

"I guess I just didn't understand the material." Harry offered flippantly. Trelawney chuckled.

"It's quite alright my dear. Very few ever do. I try to find those that do every year and nurture where I can, though as I've said before, sight isn't something I can really teach. It's is inherent in those who have it." Harry nodded slowly. "My dear… can I ask why you've come? Was it just for the tea reading or-"

"Professor." Harry cut her off, happy for the smooth opening. "Do you remember the day you were hired?" The woman blinked through her bug-like lenses.

"Hmm… well I remember it was quite chilly. For August I mean. And the pub… it wasn't the three broomsticks. It was that dingy one down the road. The one with the goats."

"The Hog's Head?" Harry offered.

"Yes!" Trelawney cried with a smile. "I think the bar hand was sweet on me. He gave me my drink on the house. I was terribly nervous. It was really such a prestigious position Albus offered. I wanted to make a good impression. Of course, I knew he would hire me. But it's always best to give a good image regardless." Somehow Harry didn't think having a drink before an interview would have achieved that. "Must have done too! Since I worked there for so long. Although," she paused brow furrowing. "Come to think of it. It seemed as though Albus might have been planning to hire someone else. But then he changed his mind for some reason."

"Why was that?"

"I'm not sure," Trelawney murmured. "Although… it might have had something to do with that fellow who was skulking about."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked with a frown.

"There was someone eavesdropping on our interview," Trelawney recalled. "He was there to interview for another position, probably wanted a leg up on the interview questions. The barman and he got into quite a scuffle before they were tossed out."

"Who was he?" Harry asked, trying to keep the desperation from his voice. Without a doubt though, this mysterious man was the one who must have told Voldemort the prophecy. It was that man who was responsible for making his life a living hell.

"I can't remember," Trelawney muttered in disappointment after a few moments. Harry felt his heart sink. "It all happened so fast… although…"

"What?" Harry asked desperately.

"Now that I think about it… I think I did see him again."

"Where?" Harry asked.

"At the school," Trelawney murmured. Harry froze. There was a whole carousel of male teachers who could have delivered the prophecy. His first thought was Quirrell. It would make sense after all. It always seemed kinda suspicious to Harry that he just happened to meet Voldemort while on vacation in Albania. That wasn't something that happened by coincidence. "OH!" Trelawney cried before she started giggling. "Silly me! How could I have forgotten!"

"You remember who it was?" Harry asked.

"Of course!" Trelawney said with a shake of her head before suddenly becoming grave. "Hard to forget now really."

"What do you mean?"

"It was Severus." the woman muttered quietly.

Time froze.

He couldn't see.

Couldn't hear.

All he felt was the pounding in his ears.

"Severus… please."

"Avada Kedavra!"

"He called her a mudblood."

"They were like siblings."

"He was a death eater."

"I TRUSTED YOU!"

"Your trust was misplaced."

"Harry? Are you alright?" Trelawney said worriedly. Harry turned to her with hollow eyes. Then he stood. His whole body shook. He couldn't stay in that room a second longer. Trelawney watched him go, a hand on her lips as he walked away silently.

Susan climbed the stairs with quiet caution. The sounds emanating from the room had finally died down. But she had a feeling it was only because there was nothing left to break. She cautiously pushed the door open and held back a gasp. The floor was scattered with destroyed debris. And in the epicentre of the carnage was Harry. He was staring straight ahead, out the window towards the ocean.

"Harry?" Susan said quietly.

"It was Snape." Harry finally muttered after a few moments. "Snape was the one who delivered the prophecy to You-Know-Who." he looked up at his girlfriend with cold eyes. "He murdered my parents." Susan's face was distraught.

"Oh Harry I'm so sor-"

"I'm going to kill him." Harry cut her off. There was no emotion in his words. No anger. No fear. No sadness. Susan's felt her lip quiver. "I'm going to kill him," he repeated as he turned back to the ocean. Susan swallowed before she took a deep breath and turned out of the room. She stood outside for several minutes. Waiting for something to change. But the room remained silent. And in her heart, Susan knew the man in that room was not her Harry.

And he might never be again.

A/N: HELLO HELLO HELLO!

Hope you all enjoyed my little April fools joke! ;)

To those of you who were asking, yeah, that's a teaser for the next story I've been working on.

I've decided to post the entire thing once it's finished, so it will probably be a month or so before it's posted. So if you're interested, keep your eyes peeled!

Now this chapter!

Ho boy this chapter!

A lot happens.

And some of it is pretty bad.

But some are also really good!

And the next chapter is gonna be really good. Especially if you like the funnier ones. ;)

MaeSilverpaws1 & ILoveGeorgeEads: Thank you!

Aslan's Princess: I had to scold the boys. It's my favourite shtick.

When I was brainstorming this with Books, we agreed that Malfoy had to happen since Sirius killing Pettigrew was always going to happen that way (at least that's the way I envisioned it when I started thinking of this sequel), but under no uncertain terms was I allowed to have anything bad happen to Dudley.

She was mostly worried I was gonna put him in a room alone with Bellatrix.

which, let's be real, given my track record, could very well have happened.

I love me some trauma.

As for the search for the cup, yes, they are heading that way.

Gringotts is bound to be interesting this time around.

I love forward to hearing from you all!

And I hope you enjoyed today's chapter!

Don't forget to keep on reading!

-TTC