All characters are property of JK Rowling and I do not make a profit from this story.
Beta: Roman's Sundial
Chapter Eighteen: Beauty and the Beast
Ginny Weasley – Present Day
December 25, 1999
Ginny arrived beside Les Bonbons des Renee and headed towards the big hill that she knew led to Grindelwald's hideout. It was just as windy as it had been during her first visit, so she hugged the invisibility cloak around her tightly, hoping that the flapping fabric at the bottom would not give up her feet. After replying to Harry's message, she placed her galleon into her bag, ensuring that if it were to heat up again, she would not feel it. She was determined to reach the cottage this time, and was not going to allow anything to get in her way. She had reached the front door of the cottage, only to find it open about a foot or so. Not believing her luck yet again, she tightened the cloak around herself, and very quietly tiptoed into the house. She heard a muffled sound coming from the top of the stairs, and as she made her way closer, she was able to determine that it was the voices of two men. They, of course, must have belonged to Grindelwald and Thicknesse. She very slowly tiptoed up the stairs and stood quietly outside of a closed door where the voices were coming from. Holding her breath, she placed her ear to the door and listened.
"It is not about killing, Pius, I do not wish to kill anyone, I simply wish to do what is necessary for The Greater Good," came the voice of what must have been Gellert Grindelwald.
"The Greater Good?" questioned Pius.
"Have I not explained to you what that is yet? Have a seat, Pius, I shall explain exactly what it is that I want." Ginny strained her ears; this was exactly the information that she needed to take back to the Order and finally find herself working with them. Unexpectedly, the door was thrown open, and there stood the infamous Gellert Grindelwald. "You may remove your cloak," said Grindelwald, starring right at the spot where she was hidden, "and come inside. I am about to explain the purpose of my return, Ms. Weasley."
Hermione Granger – The Present
December 25, 1999
"Are you ready?" Hermione asked Draco, secretly dreading their trip.
Draco nodded. He carried a bag over his shoulder, probably carrying his mother's Christmas present. "Thank you for doing this, Hermione. She would have been all alone today."
"Just remember my rules, Draco. She isn't to speak to me. I'll sit there silently and allow you two to spend some time together, but you are to always be in my eye sight, and we aren't to be more than an hour."
"No problem." They walked through the halls of Hogwarts, heading towards the exit and then to the apparating point. "Are you seeing Krum after this?" he asked her casually.
"He has Quidditch, actually, but I'll see him tomorrow."
"So you're alone today?"
"I'm having dinner with Harry at the Weasley's."
"I think that got switched to Harry's house, actually."
Hermione raised her eye brows. "And how would you know that?"
"Kreacher told me," Draco smiled. He watched Hermione send Harry a message on her galleon, probably confirming the location of dinner. "How come you never told me it was Potter's house elf?"
She shrugged. "I didn't see the point. I simply needed an elf I could trust, and since Harry has ordered Kreacher to listen to me, it worked out perfectly."
"Is that why Kreacher was sent to Hogwarts?"
"No, he was sent there awhile ago, for unrelated reasons." The pair had reached the apparition point, and Hermione allowed Draco to apparate them to Malfoy Manor. They arrived just outside of the gates, and Hermione tensed up.
"I've spoken to Mother, she knows not to say a word. This will be okay, I promise."
"Okay," she said, barely audible. "Let's go." The two were greeted by Narcissa at the door, and were lead inside. Draco hugged his mother and, as promised, Narcissa ignored Hermione. Hermione made her way over the sofa she had sat on only once before, where Narcissa had laid out biscuits and tea. Only two cups had been laid out, however, clearly for Draco and Narcissa only.
Picking up on the scene, Draco offered to get her a cup. "I'll just grab one from the kitchen for you," he said quietly.
"No need," Hermione shook her head. "Just enjoy your time with your mum." Draco and Narcissa sat on the sofa across from Hermione and spoke as if she was not there. He kept glancing in her direction, with an apologetic look on his face, but she kept shaking her head and smiling. She was quite fine with being ignored.
"How will it work once you finish your final NEWTs, Draco?" Narcissa asked. "Will they allow you to be locked in a room here at the manor?"
"I'm not sure, Mother," he looked towards Hermione, but then looked away. "I will find out and get back to you," he said, choosing not to ask Hermione at that moment, since he had promised that he would not involve her in any conversation.
Hermione, however, thought it best that they knew the truth; some of it, at least. "Draco has to be wherever I am, so if we both complete Hogwarts, he would move in to a room at my house. But," she added quickly, "hopefully his next hearing will put an end to all of this monitoring, and he can return home."
"Thanks for clarifying," Draco said to her. Narcissa almost glanced in her direction, but thought better of it. Before Hermione knew it, an hour was up, and she was standing to leave. Draco pulled a neatly wrapped box out of his bag and handed it to his mother. In return, she handed him a slightly bigger box, and he placed it in his bag. He then hugged his mother, and promised to owl her the next day. The pair left the Manor, apparated just outside of the gate, and arrived in Hogsmeade, making their way back to Hogwarts. "Can we stop for a moment?" Draco asked her suddenly, approaching a nearby bench.
"Whatever for?" she asked him.
"I would like to open the gift from my mum. There's nobody in the Slytherin common room and it's kind of pathetic to open gifts alone," he said, smirking slightly.
Hermione rolled her eyes, but obliged. "Alright, let's see it then."
Draco took the present given to him and unwrapped it. Inside was a brand new black dress robe, with the Malfoy emblem embedded on the chest. "Leave it to my mum to be traditional," he laughed.
"It is a nice gift, I wish I could receive a gift from my mum," Hermione said sadly.
"Speaking of gifts…" Draco trailed off and reached into his bag, pulling out a long, thin, box. "This is for you, he said, handing it to her, "Happy Christmas."
"Draco," she started. "I can't accept this…"
"Yes, you can," he said. "It's nothing expensive, I promise, and it's my way of saying thank you for not letting me go to Azkaban." Seeing her hesitation, he added, "it kind of has to do with your muggle life."
Frowning, and concerned that the gift had other motives, Hermione accepted the gift and hesitantly began to unwrap it. A small gasp escaped her lips. Inside, lay a beautiful glass rose, far more beaufitul and delicate than a real rose could have been. "It's beautiful," she whispered.
"I did some research about your childhood," he said. "Potter told me about some muggle stories that you probably grew up with. One of them really stuck out to me; Beauty and the Beast, he had called it. He told me the premise of the story, and I thought that the rose symbolized you. Not that you're an ugly beast!" he added quickly, watching her facial expression, "but that the rose signified true love and beauty. See, the rose in the story died, even though Belle and the Beast ended up in love. But this rose here," he said, indicating the glass rose, "this rose will never die. It will remain the same, just like your beauty, and…" Hermione looked into Draco's eyes; she had a feeling he was about to mention his love for her. He sighed, however, changing the course of his words. "Let this rose be a reminder of your parents, of your muggle life, and let it always remind you how beautiful and loved you truly are."
Hermione was at a loss for words. She did not recall ever receiving such an incredible gift, but the gift was coming from Draco, her ex-boyfriend, someone she could not allow herself to love. "We should go," she whispered, still clutching the glass rose. "Thank you, Draco," she added, and she escorted him back to the Slytherin common room, both of them lost in their own thoughts.
Harry Potter – Present Day
December 25, 1999
Harry arrived at Number 12 Grimmauld Place early, after sending a message to the Order members, scheduling a late meeting. Since Molly Weasley learned that her only daughter would not be joining them for Christmas dinner, she moved the dinner from the Burrow to Grimmauld Place, and invited any available Order member to attend. Once dinner was completed, the remaining members who did not join the rest for dinner, would arrive for Harry's meeting request. Harry walked into the kitchen and headed for the fireplace; he needed to floo Professor McGonagall and speak to her before the meeting. Harry had not told anyone about Ginny's message, but it was tearing him up inside and he needed to speak to someone he trusted. He kept Ginny away from the Order to protect her, yet here she was, putting herself in possibly the most dangerous situation, and there was nothing Harry could do, as arriving at the hill would only compromise Ginny's already life-threatening situation. He threw some floo powder into the fire and stuck his head in once the flames turned green. It wasn't long before he saw Professor McGonagall's legs approach the fireplace, followed by her head reaching his level.
"Potter, what on earth couldn't wait for tonight's meeting?" she asked him, clearly annoyed with the unannounced intrusion.
"I'm sorry, Professor, but it's rather urgent, and I have no one else to turn to."
"I will arrive there shortly, Potter."
"Thank you, Professor." Harry backed out of the fireplace and found himself looking at the kitchen of Grimmauld Place once more. It wasn't long before McGonagall showed up at the front door.
"What can I help you with, Potter?" she asked him, skipping the traditional hello's.
"It's Ginny, she's found Grindelwald."
Minerva McGonagall threw her hand against her chest. She immediately drew out her wand and chanted "Homenum Revelio." As the spell was casted, a single shadow appeared over their heads. "That must be Mr. Weasley; Good, that means we are alone. Now, explain to me exactly how Ms. Weasley found the one wizard that the Order of the Pheonix cannot find!"
"Er, do you know that I have an invisibility cloak?"
"Naturally. The amount of times that you, Mr. Weasley, and Ms. Granger would leave Gryffindor tower without getting caught, lead me to such a conclusion."
"Right, well Ginny took it." Harry began to explain everything that he knew about Ginny and her visit to the big hill, right down to the galleon message that he had received recently.
"Ms. Delacour had said she felt someone grab her arm, I presume that was Ms. Weasley apparating under the cloak?"
Harry nodded. "I think so, and now I don't know what to do because if I show up, I'll compromise her!"
"Indeed you will, as will any member of the Order. Mr. Potter, I'm afraid to say that we must let Ms. Weasley finish her quest." Harry made to interrupt, but she cut him off. "I do not like it either, Mr. Potter, but what other choice do we have? Appearing there will only have Ms. Weasley killed!"
"Do you think I should tell Mrs. Weasley?" Harry asked his professor.
"Her parents ought to know, before the meeting, I think, but still while the other members are gathered in the next room. Should they try and go after their daughter, and they will, I will need the support of the members to hold them back, for the purpose of saving the girl."
Harry nodded, but slammed his fist on the table in frustration. "Potter, I know how frightening this may be, but you must not go after her! Even sending her a message on her galleon could risk her position if she has not been seen."
"I know!" Harry yelled in anger. "I kept her from the Order to protect her! How did this happen?"
"Perhaps you would not like to hear it, Potter, but keeping her away is what may have prompted her to move forward. Humans are a curious being, and denying them something makes them want it even more."
Not wanting to admit that she was right, Harry stood from the table and walked away. "Kreacher!" he called, looking for the house elf that he had instructed to return to Grimmauld Place that day.
"Sending him will be just as bad, Potter."
"Master called, Kreacher is here," came the voice of the old house elf as he entered the kitchen.
"Kreacher, go find Pius Thicknesse, but don't let him see you, then come back and tell me where he is."
"Kreacher lives to serve his Master," the elf replied, and he disappeared at once.
"If I can't go after Ginny, I'll at least go after Thicknesse," he told his Professor.
"You do as you see fit, Mr. Potter, but I will leave you with one piece of advice before I take my leave. Do not make a hasty decision whilst you are emotional. Sometimes it is best to allow others who are not personally involved to decide for us; only then will the decision be unbiased." Harry nodded once, simply to acknowledge that he had heard her. "I shall return again just before the meeting is to commence, and I will help you speak privately to Arthur and Molly."
"Thank you," was all Harry could say. He heard her leave through the front door, just as Kreacher had apparated back. "Well?"
"Pius Thicknesse is in a cottage with the Weasley girl," Kreacher told him. "Kreacher saw through a window, but Kreacher was not seen as Master had requested."
Heart hammering, Harry asked what he was terrified to know. "Was anyone else present?"
"Yes, Master, an older man."
Flipping through a box stacked in the kitchen with Order items, Harry found a picture of Grindelwald and held it up. "Kreacher, is this the man?"
"Yes, Master, he is the man with Pius Thicknesse and the Weasley girl."
Harry Potter – The Past
July 31, 1998
Harry picked up the parcel that had arrived that morning by an unfamiliar owl. The note attached was very short:
How ironic that I release my book today, on your birthday! Best wishes as always!
Xx Rita Skeeter
Harry unwrapped the package, and out fell a thick, golden-yellow book, with his face staring back at him.
The Chosen One: The True Tale of How Harry Potter Took Down the Darkest Wizard of Time
"Not a very original title, Rita," Harry said to himself, reading the caption above his photo. He would eventually read what she had written, but since his interview with her back in June, he was anxious to read what she knew about Horcruxes. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been incredibly careful with that information, and had refused to even tell the Order about it. Nervously, he flipped to chapter twenty-three, and began to read:
What Albus Dumbledore failed to understand was how the Dark Lord was still alive. Surely after the killing curse had rebounded on him back in 1981, he should have died. It is unknown to anyone, including Harry Potter, how Albus Dumbledore came to the discovery, but it was soon learnt that the Dark Lord had created one of the rarest magical items of all time: a Horcrux.
I know many of you are wondering what exactly a Horcrux is, as information on such a rarity is hard to find. I, Rita Skeeter, used my wonderful connections to define exactly what it is for you! A Horcrux is literally a part of your soul embedded on an inanimate object, that…
Harry skipped the details of what a Horcrux was, as he already knew very well, and continued on to the part about it's connection to Voldemort.
The Dark Lord had created six intentional Horcruxes, and one by mistake. Upon casting the killing curse on Harry Potter on October 31, 1981, the curse backfired and a part of the Dark Lord's soul attached itself to the only living thing left in the Potter household: the baby Harry. This was unknown to the Dark Lord until he attempted to kill Harry on May 2, 1998. The Dark Lord had finally succeeded in using the killing curse on Harry, but he only ended up killing the Horcrux inside of Harry, and, with the other six being destroyed already by Harry and his friends, Harry was free to finally put an end to the notorious wizard.
The journey to end the first six Horcruxes had not been an easy one for Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, and his friends. The first horcrux had been destroyed by Harry himself in the Chamber of Secrets, before he had even known what a Horcrux was. In Harry's second year of magical education at Hogwarts, the Chamber of Secrets had been reopened…
Harry stopped reading at that point. Rita Skeeter knew, in detail, about the Horcruxes, and now, so did the rest of the world.
"Harry?" came Hermione's voice, as she hurriedly entered his room. "Have you seen…" but she stopped mid-sentence when she saw the book in his hands.
"How does she know?" he asked her.
"Harry, I don't know, but this is bad, really bad!"
"How is it bad?" asked Ron, entering the room, but evidently knowing what they were discussing.
"Because Ron," answered Hermione, "now the majority of the wizarding world will know about Horcruxes, and soon thousands of witches and wizards are going to be making some themselves!"
"The wizarding world is about to drastically change, and not in a good way," added Harry, brow furrowed, and a heavy weight in the pit of his stomach.
Author's Notes: STRONG Ginny chapter coming up. I believe she is a very strong and confident character and I enjoy writing her point of view. Also, LOVE Arthur in the next one, as well! Basically, I really like chapter nineteen!
For my Ginny lovers/Harry haters.. I thought I would release the title of chapter 21 for you guys.. Ready? It's... "Redemption".. Lol I'm sure that will make you happy!
As always, thanks for reading and commenting!