LEGACIES: The Solidus Charm Chapter 18: A Day To Remember, a harry potter fanfic

CHAPTER 18: A Day To Remember

That same evening, Albus Dumbledore was having a secret meeting with the Order at Sirius's place. Harry was fast asleep, and Dumbledore agreed with Molly Weasley to let him rest. 'It's better if he didn't know' she explained, and everyone else nodded, including Hermione.

"Tonks and Severus have pieced together vital information. It is conclusive that Fletcher is still alive, and that he is being held in an abandoned island fort near Azkaban. We need a small strike force to infiltrate and rescue him. I will be squad captain, Lupin, Tonks and Charlie Weasley have already volunteered. Anyone else?"

"The lot of ye ain't goin nowhere without me," Hagrid said. "Not with tha' Wizard Hunter on the loose," he grumbled, fingering his huge crossbow.

"Very well. The five of us should be sufficient, as we need to move by stealth. We leave at dusk tomorrow, and make our way by rowboat. Azkaban magic detectors will detect us from miles away if we try any other magical means. Siren's Rock is two miles off of Azkaban; and there is a high possibility that it may very well be Voldemort's hideout. Remember, this is a rescue mission, but any advantage we gain will help to the final goal. Get some rest, tomorrow will be a hard day." He looked at the youngest one present. "Hermione, take care. Look after him, he needs some peace, he has been through a lot recently."

"I will professor."

"Good, I hear you two would be going to a party tomorrow? Be careful. You can never take anything too lightly. Enjoy yourself, and make sure Harry does too. He needs to start acting his age and have a little fun," he winked, and the Order members got up to leave. Hagrid stayed where he was, he was to be the main guard at Grimmauld Place now that Moody was hospitalised. They all bid him goodnight, and left.

"Nuthin' to worry about Hermione, you're safe 'ere wi' me," Hagrid smiled and winked at her. "Go on to sleep, it's late."

She smiled and went upstairs, but couldn't sleep. Something happened. Something terrible. Her Occlumens protection over Harry had a slight drawback; it also allowed her to be vulnerable to the Dark Lord's emotions, so therefore she could feel faintly Voldemort's happiness. Hermione grew more worried by the second. It did not affect her as much as it would affect Harry, but never the less it was quite disturbing. What had made him so happy?

Draco Malfoy reapparated in a large abandoned plain of softly rolling hills, a serene landscape filled with white poppy flowers, smack dab in the middle of nowhere. He didn't care where he was. He was numb inside. The atrocious events of tonight was flooding into him, both of his parents were dead, killed by a monster who he thought was once human.

Not knowing what to do, his emotions snapped, a hatred growing so quickly and fiercely intense at the sight of the only person who ever loved him, laying dead at his feat. He screamed, a blood curling yell filled with grief. His eyes flared and the overwhelming sense of loss manifested itself in fire, engulfing his whole body in a huge blaze. He broke down in tears, the flames dancing harmlessly on his skin. Draco knelt down on all fours and cried as if he had never cried before. When he began to cough hoarsely with a lack of air, he crumpled , rocking back on his heels. For a while he felt nothing; said nothing, did nothing. He just simply staring forward into the empty night. When the numbness began to fade, he felt the biting cold trying to keep into his skin as it had already done to his heart.

Pointing his wand at a nearby shrub he summoned it to him, ignited it, creating a bonfire. He sat there with his legs crossed, staring at his dead mother with unblinking eyes into the wee hours into the morning, the depths of the fire reflecting in his pupils. As the morning light finally broke, he transfigured a rock into a shovel, and began to dig, the sound the shovel hitting dirt grating into his psyche, tearing him apart from the inside out.

Harry awoke the next morning, feeling refreshed, both physically and mentally revitalized. Today was Saturday! Thank god! Finally I get to use my Firebolt again. His trial was over, time to concentrate on good things like Hermione, and Quidditch- and Hermione. Wait, he said that already. To put things in perspective, he did not even give a damn about Voldemort or the Warlock right now, he was in such a good mood. Krum said he would check him at practice today and maybe have a late lunch together with his friends, a little post-trial celebration. He and Cho were on talking terms again, which was cool, even though he would have to break it down to her that they weren't together anymore. He felt pretty bad to be telling her that when she would be throwing his birthday party, but it was better he told her before she got too many ideas. Whatever, that could wait until tomorrow. Now, all he wanted to do was get ready and get down to the stadium. He missed the last two practices, and was itching to get back into the air.

He burst in Hermione's room, waking her up from a very short, and disturbing sleep. Her eyes were puffed, and her bushy hair was in a state. Her eyes felt scratchy and she generally was not in a good mood.

"Hey get up sleepy head! You're coming with me down to the stadium! I arranged with Neville, Krum, Seamus and everyone to get together afterwards and y'know, just hang out. Plus, I couldn't wait to kiss you again," his eyes sparkled and he bent low and kissed her. She mumbled something against his lips, and Harry allowed her to speak.

"I'm a total mess," clearly self-conscious, and somewhat embarrassed that Harry was seeing her so dishevelled. He realized she was still a bit shy, and smiled warmly.

"You're so beautiful, Hermione," he said softly. "You're my best friend and know me better than anyone, what more could a guy want?"

She smiled behind the sheet cover she held up to block her mouth, afraid that she had morning breath. Harry looked at her wickedly and grabbed the sheet from her and tickled her about her body. She giggled and playfully slapped his hands, his smile infecting her with his good mood. He smacked her teasingly on her rump.

"Come on! You got to get ready! Amy and the others told me we have a little friendly with Oliver's club team today, we're gonna have a practice match against Puddlemore!" He left the room, practically running with all the enthusiasm of an energetic eight year old. He was so cute at times, Hermione thought. Even as she thought this, more serious matters popped to the forefront. Her face darkened because of why she couldn't sleep last night.

Voldemort was happy, and that could never be a good sign.

If this little disturbance could affect her so much she could imagine how Harry felt in all those nights Ron heard him mumbling and thrashing in his sleep. A new wave of worry washed over her, but she couldn't bring herself to dampen his spirits with her suspicions. After last year, he must already be accustomed to the mood swings the Dark Lord imposed on him, and learned how to distinguish reality from just vague impressions. Now, it was her turn. She got out of bed and went to take a shower.

Later that day Hermione sat with Padma and her sister, alongside the Creevy Brothers and some other students from their year at Hogwarts in the stands. Most of those who trained in the DA in the fifth year were here, excluding Ron. That really brought her mood down; she thought Ron was being very overdramatic about it. She tried to think of it through his eyes, and guessed he did have a right to be pissed. But this was something trivial compared to Harry getting sent to Azkaban, and Ron's leaving the courtroom had almost done Harry in. Even Ginny was a bit reserved in talking to her, and they usually got along so well. Some of Cho's friends sat in the row in front of her, and Marietta kept shooting her irritated looks. She merely lifted an eyebrow when Marietta decided to show her some attitude and 'The Sneak' (as everyone called her now) backed down without much quarrel.

It was already the third practice match because Harry was dominating today's practice session. The first match was a shocker; it ended 170-10 to England, Harry catching the snitch thirteen minutes into the game. The second match, if you blinked- you missed it. Harry caught it in a record breaking 2 minutes, the fastest for an international player at any level. Seeing the immense advantage England had with their new star seeker, Puddlemoore's coach begged his counterpart Coach Ryan to start the reserve seeker to play so that his team could get a fair chance. So now Harry was chatting with Morrison in the dugouts, both of them quite animated about some joke or the other.

She watched Harry in his natural element, he absolutely lived for the Quidditch pitch. She smiled sadly; he was happy- he was living life for the moment, yet dark times still lay in front of him. He had been so morose and depressed lately this new Harry was like the difference between night and day. It hurt her to have to tell him about the sleepless night she had, but what would happen if she didn't? Voldemort was ecstatic about something, and Harry deserved to know what was going on. The Order was planning a rescue mission, and decided not to let Harry in on it. They did it secretly to spare him the worry, but she doubted he would see it that way. He stood up and waved at her from the pitch, and her heart did a little flip flop. She waved back at him tentatively; all the other girls were watching her now, eyes narrowed in jealousy. Hermione squirmed, trying to make herself invisible but it was a futile attempt. She kept her eyes on the pitch, stubbornly avoiding all the eyes on her.

After the last match, which Puddlemore won by a fifty point margin, Harry and the others went to the lockers and changed gear. Coach was happy with the training session, and told them soon they would be ready for the match with Bulgaria in their lead up to the Under 21 European Cup. Harry was avidly talking with Oliver Wood about a Quidditch move he was trying to explain to him while they made their way to the main lobby. There was a bar here, and Harry told his friends that they would hangout there afterwards.

"As I was saying Harry, the Tornados' have this new pincer movement that's absolutely brilliant and it-" Oliver suddenly lost all track of what he was saying.

" 'Ello Harry," a beautiful blonde haired girl said. Harry came up short. How did she sneak up on them? "It is quite good to see vous again! I can't believe I actually thought of you has a little boy, you've grown a lot since zee Triwizard tournament, non?" Oliver Wood and the other guys froze, instantly enchanted and speechless in the presence of this sensuous creature derived from every man's fantasy.

"Hey Fleur, how's it going? Coming for a drink with the boys?" Harry alone seemed to have his wits about him. Wood, Morrison and Cantonma all stared at Harry, he was on talking terms with this girl?

"Oui, I 'ave a few minutes," she smiled and jaws dropped, the remaining males on the team totally smitten. "I saw Krum somewhere around, 'ave you seen 'im?"

"Um- no not yet, saw him yesterday though. Supposed to be here in a bit…" There was a shuffle of footsteps behind him and Cho stormed up at Harry's side.

"Aren't you ze girl Diggory was wit?" Fleur said, not flinching from Cho's glare.

"What are you doing here, Delacour?" she asked icily.

"Ooo I just came 'ere to say Hi to harry, is zat a crime in England zese days?"

"Come off it Cho, we're just talking," Harry said softly, giving Cho an irritated look. He walked off in the direction of the bar. On seeing Hermione enter the doorway, he beckoned her over to the bar and she and the other Gryffindor sixth years joined the crew. Hermione narrowed her eyes at the two girls flanking him, but said nothing. They all sat at one of the tables in the corner.

"Where's Ron?" Harry asked Ginny and her brothers, seeing them file in with Luna, Katie and Alicia.

"He didn't come," Ginny said, giving Hermione a look. Hermione returned the stare. Oh she could be angry at me but all smiles to Harry?" Kind of bummed out, actually."

Harry grimaced. This 'skirting around the issue' had to stop.

"You tell him to be at Cho's place tomorrow, tell him it won't be my birthday without him around. I need him to be there, at least we could talk about things- you'll tell him for me right?" He implored to Ginny. She nodded and Harry shifted his attention to her brothers."Fred, George, if he doesn't listen to reason -I'm counting on you to bring him." He smiled at them and they returned his smile two fold.

"Aye Cap'n," George saluted him.

"Have no fear, he'll be there," Fred promised smiled, gulping down his bottle of butterbeer.

They whiled away the afternoon in good spirits, Harry, Fred and George keeping the beers flowing. The fun got another jumpstart when Viktor Krum showed up, an entourage of giggling teenagers trailing him inside. He paid them no mind and pulled up to Harry's table with a bottle of Iced Cristal, straight from the vineyards in Bulgaria.

"Fink of it as birthday present, vit is quite good- go on, go on!" Krum said, grinning ear to ear.

Harry slapped his hand in a firm handshake and invited him to sit; squeezing up against the wall to allow Oliver Wood to scoot over some more and give Krum the edge of the bench to sit. Harry sat at the 'v' of the 'L' shaped bench while Hermione, Neville then Ginny while Wood, and Krum were on his right. The usually scarce bar was now crowded with people, some coming to catch a glimpse of the two top under twenty one seekers in the world and England's future 'keeper. Viktor, Oliver and Harry were laughing and shouting, sampling the sparkling beverage Viktor shared around. Even the girls, Cho, Hermione and Ginny were on talking terms again; the drinks loosening the undercurrent animosity between them. Even the paparazzi that snuck in to take photos periodically couldn't damper Harry's spirits, they laughed and joked until it was dark outside and it was time to leave. They got up and went to pay the bartender, an old wizard with a heavily wrinkled face. Harry thought he looked very strict until he saw him smile and waved Harry over.

"My daughters would kill me if I didn't get you two to sign this, they never even looked at Quidditch until the world cup a few years back, and then came to your practice with the Cannons, and couldn't stop arguing about who was better looking between you two lads. Been driving me and the Mrs nutter to be honest."

He showed them a picture of today's Daily Prophet, on the cover it had the exact same picture of he and Krum shaking hands in the Courtroom yesterday and the headlines read "Krum vs Potter August 28th- Friend or Foe?" The two young stars grinned, and good heartedly signed below their respective faces on the cover. They looked at each other again in a slightly drunken stupor and laughed in each other's faces, really finding the whole situation funnier that was warranted. They stumbled out the bar and unsteadily made their way to the fires.

Harry was enjoying the day. Krum was okay, really, he wasn't as brooding and moody without the pressure of the Tri-wizard tournament on his shoulders.

"Hey Cho!" he barked. She looked questioningly at him in a manner that said that she did not appreciate him calling her in that tone of voice. " Izzit cool if Viktor could come to the party? Oh and Fleur too, I think I know someone who would absolutely love to see her," he smiled, thinking of Ron.

"Sure," she shrugged. "I'll give them directions," she said, smiling a bit too much to be completely sober. "Bring who ever you want, it's your party after all!" she waved and walked off arm in arm with some her girlfriends, who were giggling about some boy or the other. Hermione was laughing at some joke Fred said about Neville playing too much with his 'Mimbletemus Mistletonia' over the summer, that's why he wasn't mustering the courage to ask Ginny out again. Hermione, completely missing the double-entendre of the joke, laughed heartily, she was a bit light headed anyway and nearly anything sounded funny to her. Harry came up to her, curious to see what she was laughing at.

'Hey 'Arry, Neville- Neville has a Mistletoe, and it's playing with Ginny so that he can't ask her out because Mimbletemus would get jealous."

"What!" Harry asked, completely confused. He steadied her, and she gently moved the hair that always seemed to be falling into his eyes.

"You have the most beautiful eyes, has anyone ever told you that?" she slurred sexily into his ear, running her lips on his earlobe. At that Harry knew it was time to say his goodbyes to the few that were still mingling at the floo fires. She had inadvertently made him extremely heated with that little stunt and he wanted to kiss her senseless.

" See you guys tomorrow then," he announced without further ado, taking Hermione around the waist and helping her walk steadily to the fires. It was a good thing no one really saw that last between them, as he Cho was still within earshot. He went to the furthest fireplace. Making sure no one was in hearing distance of them, he muttered "Number twelve, Grimmauld Place". He ushered her into the fireplace and after she spun away in the green flames he followed suit and was gone.

As soon as they both emerged at Sirius' house they looked at each other mischievously, both of them a bit too intoxicated. Harry took her hand into his and slowly pulled her close. They stood there in a light embrace, smiling into each other's eyes. His hands interlocked at the small of her back and she wrapped her hands loosely around his neck. They stood there for a full 20 seconds, just enjoying being close. He caressed her face, and she closed her eyes in sensation, she was sure he was the one for her. She never felt as beautiful when Harry told her so this morning, even though she knew she looked in a mess. She saw Fred's radio where he left it that fateful day of their first kiss, and now she wanted to remember this moment, this moment when there was nothing else to distract them, he was holding her and she was holding him. She pointed her wand at the radio and magically switched it on. It was playing a beautiful song that her mother loved: Roberta Flack's 'Set the Night to music'.

She looked up into his eyes and stepped closer into his embrace. " I want to dance," she said softly, swaying gently with him, resting her head against he shoulder. Doing what was natural he took on of her hands into his, holding her close. They stepped slowly, nothing more than a step here and there, gently rocking to the music. It was so romantic Hermione closed her eyes in bliss, trying to imprint this night in her memories forever. Harry breathed in the sweet smell of her hair and her essence, hear heartbeat strong against his. He smiled, this felt so right, and he was content to just hold her close. The song ended and they kissed sweetly. Hermione ran her fingers through his hair, feeling its texture slide through them. Harry ran his hands slowly down her back and hungrily squeezed her backside. She moaned into the kiss, but reluctantly pulled back.

"Harry wait, maybe we should slow down." She put a hand lightly on his chest, putting an inch or so between them. He looked at her, he definitely did not want to slow down. But he guessed after being caught by her mother she maybe had more incentive not to do anything too reckless, so he could respect that. He wasn't even sure what he wanted either; he just did not want this to end. Harry nodded, and she smiled, giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Goodnight," she said, walking up the stairs.

"Good night," he replied, somewhat saddened to see her go. He opened his mouth to say something very important, but his breath caught in his throat and the moment was lost. He plopped down on the sofa, sprawling his arms along the back. He sighed loudly, and closed his eyes. Today was one of the best days of his life.

Things could not be more the opposite for another young man many miles away. After spending hours burying his mother and chiselling out the tombstone, he apparated back to his destroyed home, looking for anything, anything that would give him some peace. Walking up the once meticulously maintained grounds, he felt the pain of remembering the days when he and his father used to spend time here, showing him how to fly. He scoured through the water-soaked rubble, stepping in puddles of ash and water. Something did catch his eye, and he bent to pick it up. It was a sort of round, burnt-metal button, and it was tied onto a long lacing. The image of his father's last desperate attempt to inflict pain on Voldemort flashed in his mind, and he remembered the little weapon his father swung at him. Pocketing it, he left the ruins of his once glorious house. There was nothing for him here. Grabbing some muggle clothes from the neighbour's laundry area out back, he wrapped his mother's cloak around him, and walked aimlessly into the city streets.

Draco Malfoy did not sleep for that whole night, and into the next day. He was walking in Manchester, his bright blond hair sticking out like a sore thumb. The muggle clothes he wore were too big of him, and the expensive looking cloak he wore drew the attention of many of the people of the night. He walked aimlessly, his heart burning with hate. He had nothing, no one he could go to. The Blacks were dead, he was the last Malfoy, and his friends Crabbe and Goyle were idiots. Most likely their fathers would be now disintegrating into nothing right about now, but he could not feel anything for them. With the cloak wrapped tightly around him he stared down to the ground as he walked, paying no heed to his surroundings.

"Mate, you got a light?"

Draco looked up. It was a tall, tough-looking teenager, who was holding a marijuana cigarette in his hand. Draco stared at him expressionlessly.

"Blondie, I said, "You got a light? English is not your facking language is it?" Draco glanced around him, he was surrounded by four other guys, one of them holding something in his jacket, most probably a gun. The first thug came up close to him, "You see my mate there? That's fucking heat he's packing, so right about now, you should fucking give us all you've got, and this cloak too, before we fuck you up proper," grabbing the cloak. Draco's eyes glowed red, and the punk's eyes widened in shock.

"Say you're packing heat? You chose the wrong person to fuck with tonight."

"Potter has found a way to block me entering his mind. Either some way or most probably someone; my Occlumens has never failed before. Mysteries do not please me, woman. Go and find the boy!" a high voice hissed.

"My Lord, would it not be easier-"

"Crucio!"

Bellatrix Lestrange screamed out in pain, a psychotic smile on her face. She gasped out in pleasure; the veins in her neck were clearly visible as she writhed on the ground. "Oh YESS!'

Statham stood in the shadow, examining his blade for what seemed to be the millionth time. "Now that is one sick being," turning up his face at the woman who was moaning as if in the throes of exotic ecstasy. "Riddle, allow me, this blade needs wizard blood to slake it's thirst," approaching Lestrange.

"No Hunter. This is my pet, she amuses me." He kicked her nonchalantly and she yelped in delight. "I must find another way to punish her for not obeying my orders immediately, but for now this phenomenon of love for pain is fascinating."

Lestrange was still twitching on the ground, her breaths coming hard and rapid. He definitely is the most powerful wizard, she has felt many a Cruciatus curse, but this was the first time the Dark Lord has favoured her with its use, and the orgasm was beyond compare. Probably the only who has come close was that Potter boy, quite an impression he made on his first try in the dark arts. She licked her lips, maybe Master would allow her to have some fun with him before...? She shouldn't get her hopes up. Master never likes to share his kills. The hunter's steel grey eyes settled on Lestrange and he smiled, his expression all but saying, 'your time will come'. She puckered her lips at him to taunt him and before she could even finish the gesture there was a flash of steel and the blade was at her neck, a trickle of blood to dripping down her throat. She froze, and paled visibly.

"Enough." Voldemort chuckled. Statham raised an eyebrow at him, but did not object. He turned the blade so that it was broadside against her neck, and wiped the blood that dripped down on the gleaming steel, smearing it along its length.

"Very well. You will live to die another day, Lestrange," looking at the blood on his sword. He lit a cigarette, and idly watched her get to her feet.

" I will find the boy and offer him to you as a sign of my unwavering loyalty," she gasped, her body still feeling the aftershocks of excruciating pain. She bowed low, a slight smile on her lips. She spun on her heel and left the room, her dark robes flowing around her.

"Hunter, follow her. Do not let her kill the boy, and dispatch of her if she fails. When she has completed her task, find the Son of the Syth al sar Imperious, he inherits the Infernus Elemency. He will be a great asset if he could be turned."

"And what of Dumbledore's mission to save Fletcher? I would rather slay wizards than keep them alive." His voice echoed through the room.

"Fletcher is long dead. They are nothing more than sheep to the slaughter. Soon they will find all of their powers drained as they arrive, and I will have them, Dumbledore included." Voldemort steepled his fingers under his chin, and the red eyes shone through that impenetrable darkness of his hood. "The war will be over before it has begun."

"Then will you allow me to rest in peace? This human shell is cumbersome and weak. I deserve to sleep with my brethren, noble warriors who died in battle."

"Bring the boy. I decide when you should be relieved of your re-incarnation. Do not question me in the future." Voldemort vanished, and the Warlock stood alone, seething.

"Brought back to this wretched reality to be an errand boy. You will die, wizard, one way or the other." He turned and left, following the magic scent of Bellastrix Lestrange.

It was 2 am on Sunday morning, Harry was sixteen, and sound asleep in his bed. A slight noise awoke him, and he felt , rather than saw, Hermione sitting in the chair, looking over him.

"'Mione? What's wrong?"

"I'm scared Harry. Something's about to happen; I can feel it."

"What are you talking about?"

"Voldemort is happy about something, or was, I should say. I felt it yesterday morning."

"If there's anything I learnt about this whole situation, is not to overreact to anything that happens. During the year I felt all sorts of mood swings, half of them not even mine. I wish you hadn't volunteered Hermione, this is my burden, mixing up in this maybe wasn't the best decision."

"Don't be silly, what are friends for? If you did not hear me before, I love you, and I'm not scared of him," she said emphatically.

Harry paused. He did not know what to say. There was silence for nearly a full minute.

"Harry?" she said softly.

"Yeah…?"

"Could, you...you - hold me for a minute? Just for a little while…" she trailed, not quite sure how to phrase she needed a hug right now, more than ever.

"Come here," he said softly, lifting the sheet to let her climb in. She crawled into bed, and he wrapped his arm around her. She backed up into him and covered herself, a wave of pent up worry easing out of her. He held her close, spooning her, and whispered into her ear, "You're safe, I would never let anything happen to you. Ask Malfoy or Dudley if you don't believe me."

She smiled, and giggled softly." You shouldn't have blown up with them though, but I'm glad you were there to help me out. I don't know what would have happened in that bathroom if you hadn't shown up. I guess I could call you 'my hero'."

Flashbacks of the second triwizard challenge came to him, and Ron telling him off for "playing the hero" instead of finishing the mission. He thought about the dangerous stunts he did throughout the years, his reckless venture into the chamber of secrets to rescue Ginny, and the Sirius, then Cho, Hermione and young Delacour, and Sirius again, all of them times he leaped before he looked. But he knew deep down, if he were to think too much instead of act, he would have been dead many times already.

"Shhh… go to sleep, things are going to be okay." He kissed her gently on the sensitive pulse on her neck and rest his head on the pillow. She sighed contentedly, snuggled up closer to him, and soon fell asleep. Harry stayed awake until he felt and heard the even breathing of her sleep, then closed his eyes and went snoring into dreamland.