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Beta: Roman's Sundial

Chapter Twenty-Two: Harry's Response

Harry Potter – Present Day

December 31, 1999

Dear Gellert Grindelwald,

You want something from me, the Deathly Hallows, but I want something from you, too.

I shall give you my Invisibility Cloak if you answer one question for me.

You shall have the Resurrection Stone if Gloria and her family remain unharmed.

I don't have the Elder Wand, but I know who does. As you know, you need to forcibly take the wand from the owner to gain its allegiance to you. I can tell you who has the wand if you do something for me.

Send word with Gloria of a time and place where we can meet and do our exchange.

Harry Potter

P.S. Yes, I am in agreement; Albus Dumbledore was a great man.

Harry re-read his letter several times before finally folding it up. He hoped that Grindelwald would let Ginny go and agree to meet him. He didn't know what his game plan was after that, but at least it bought him time and Ginny's safety. He decided to add the "P.S." as a sign of good faith. He had meant that he only agreed with what Grindelwald said about Dumbledore, but he hoped that Grindelwald would assume that he meant that he was in agreement to much more. He hadn't really lied in this letter; there was information that he needed and that was the Abracadabra spell. Harry knew that Grindelwald knew the countercurse and he needed that information desperately to save George, Magdalena, and who knew who else. "Here," he said, handing the completed letter to Ginny.

"It's blank to us," she frowned.

"I figured as much," said Hermione. "Can you attempt to tell us what it says?"

"It says-" Harry attempted to explain, but of course, thanks to Grindelwald's spell, no sound came out. "Be Vague," Harry whispered out loud. After a few minutes, he looked around at the room filled with Order members and said, "trading… information…" Then, as an after thought, he said, "How is George doing?"

"He's the same, as you know…" said Ron, confused.

Hermione gasped. "You're trading him the Hallows for information about Abracadabra!" she concluded.

Harry smiled. "Or so he thinks!"

"Brilliant!"

"I quite agree," said Kingsley. "Ms. Weasley," he said, turning to Ginny. "Are you quite sure you're ready to do this?"

"I am," she nodded, confidently. "And I'm not saying bye, either," she said, turning to her parents. "I'll be fine." She turned to Harry and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "The cloak?" she asked him.

"No." She nodded her understanding, and headed out of the house, with the letter tucked securely into her cloak. Harry instantly started to pull his hair. That was the hardest thing he had ever done, but he needed to trust her and so, reluctantly, and as he had promised, he let the love of his life go.

Ginny Weasley – Present Day

December 31, 1999

It was snowing heavily when Ginny arrived at Les Bonbons Des Renee. Helen had informed her earlier that day that Pius Thicknesse had been seen apparating at the same location. She knew that he would not have returned to the cottage, but she figured she would head that way first and go from there. She was about three quarters up the big hill when she noticed something off in the distance. The first time she had traveled here, there was nothing to be seen anywhere. Now, however, stood a large mansion just past the little shack. She made her way over it, feeling the strength of the wards as she passed through them. When she finally reached the mansion, she didn't bother to knock, but instead pushed her way through the unlocked double doors. "Grindelwald!" she called out, knowing that he was the one occupying the mansion.

"Gloria!" he said, walking down the spiral staircase towards her. "Welcome back! Come in, come in!" Ginny walked towards him but stopped when she noticed Thicknesse approaching her from the side.

"Wand," he said, putting his hand out and waiting for her to hand it over.

"Seriously?" she said, putting her hands in her robes and pulling her wand out, all the while staring at Grindelwald. "Is this necessary? I came back, didn't I?"

"Precautions, my dear girl, nothing more! You will of course receive it once more when you leave." She scowled at him, but handed her wand over to Thicknesse. "There's a good girl! Now, let us start with my cloak please."

Ginny acted surprised. "What do you mean? Harry made it seem like your letter indicated that you no longer wanted it. Of course, if you had let him tell us, I would have known for sure and would have been able to comply."

Grindelwald smiled, but his voice was full of authority and anger. "You knew that you were to return with the cloak, Gloria, and knew the consequences if you did not."

"Well, maybe this will explain," she said, handing over the letter from Harry. Grindelwald hastily grabbed the letter from her and read quietly.

"He thinks this is a game," he said, more to himself. "Does he not value your life then, Gloria?"

"Harry isn't a murderer, nor does he allow people to be murdered. I trust him."

"Do you know what this letter says?" he asked her.

"No, you made sure Harry couldn't tell us."

"It seems that Harry Potter has proposed a trade."

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Ginny responded.

"Easy, Gloria, let us not forget who is in charge here."

Ginny dropped the conversation, but then started another. "How come I couldn't see this place before?" she asked, curiously.

"The Fidelius Charm, of course!" responded Grindelwald, not looking up from his letter. "It was lifted just now so that you may enter, and then put back instantly. This way, you may attempt to tell your little Order where I am, but none of them would be able to get in." He was silent for several minutes before he finally lifted his nose from the letter and looked at Ginny. "It seems as though we have a problem," he sighed.

"With Harry's letter?"

"No, I'll deal with him. The problem is with you, Gloria."

"Me?"

"You assured me that you would bring me the cloak. That was a deal I had with you, not with Harry Potter. You did not keep up your end of the bargain."

"Harry took it from me; what else was I to do? He told me that you and him were working it out in your letters, so of course I trusted him! If you had just told me what your letter said, this never would have happened!"

"What is the name of Harry Potter's girlfriend?" Grindelwald asked, randomly."

"Ginny," said Ginny, surprised but honest. The least amount of lies she told him, the safer she would be. Besides, he thought that she was Gloria, anyway, not Ginny.

"And the Horcruxes? What have you found out?"

"Actually, Harry told me himself that Rita Skeeter is an animagus."

"Is she?" Grindelwald repeated, unsurprised.

"Yes, a beetle," she responded, bothered by the lack of his reaction.

"And?"

"And she must have gotten all of her information from Voldemort himself, in her animagus form, of course."

"Here, we call him Tom Riddle. He is nothing more than that."

"Well, there's something we agree on," Ginny snorted.

Grindelwald smiled. "You know, Gloria, I like you. For that reason alone, you will live. Pius, my friend, do you happen to have a quill?" Grindelwald spent the next few minutes scribbling another note to Harry. "Here you go," he said, handing her the letter. "See you soon, Gloria."

Ginny took the letter and then turned to Pius Thicknesse. "My wand?" she asked, holding out her hand.

"No, I don't think you'll need that," Grindelwald said, before Pius could make a move towards her.

"I need my wand back!"

"Consider yourself lucky that I am letting you leave here in one piece. You did not keep your word; therefore, you do not get your wand. The next letter has very specific instructions: make sure Harry Potter follows them this time. Go, Gloria, and be sure to have that cloak with you at our next meeting."

"I need a wand to apparate," Ginny said, not giving up.

"Take the muggle way, that's what you did with that muggle girl, after all. Oh, surprised that I know?" he added, seeing the look on her face. "Go, before I change my mind." Ginny knew how far she could push. Without a word, she turned on the pair and headed out of the mansion, back up the large hill, and on her way to the nearest train station.

Hermione Granger – Present Day

December 31, 1999

The Order members had dispersed after Ginny had left. Nobody knew how long she would be, and so there was no point for everyone to sit around waiting. Hermione was one of the few who had remained at Grimmauld Place, however. She was pacing back and forth in the room that she shared with Ginny. Used to share, was more like it, however. Since Harry and Ginny had made up, the pair had moved into Sirius' old bedroom and eventually, so did their belongings. Hermione was slowly bringing her own belongings from Hogwarts to Grimmauld Place, as she only had one NEWT left. She had originally packed up her belongings to take to Viktor's Estate, but she somehow found herself bringing them to Grimmauld Place instead. She couldn't bring herself to drop them off yet; she couldn't even bring herself to start referring to his estate as her home. Draco had asked her a few times where they were headed after Hogwarts. After all, he only had two NEWTs left, and he knew that he would be finished with school before his next hearing, so he assumed that he would have to go wherever Hermione went. She had already looked into it, and that was indeed the case, but she never told him where they were going. She had dropped hints about finding her own little house, or even rooming with Ginny at the Burrow for awhile, (much to Draco's displeasure), but she never mentioned Bulgaria to him. She felt her galleon grow hot, and read the message that she had just received from Viktor. He wanted to bring in the new year with her and had been asking about it for awhile now. Due to her concern for Ginny, Hermione thought it would not have been a good idea as she was incredibly stressed, so she had lied and told Viktor that she had already promised Draco that she would let him out on the Hogwarts grounds to watch the fireworks. She knew it would have upset him, but there were more pressing matters to deal with at that moment. His most recent message, however, put her in a difficult spot.

I want to bring in the new year with you, regardless. I will join you both at Hogwarts.

"Darn," she said outloud. She quickly messaged back, putting herself into a further lie.

We are actually going to his mother's manor. I was going to bring a book and read while they catch up.

It wasn't long before Viktor's reply came in.

Send me the apparition points.

"Darn!" she said again. She rushed out of Grimmauld Place and apparated back to Hogwarts. As she raced towards the dungeons, she pulled out her galleon again, but this time messaged Draco.

Get ready and get out here, we are celebrating New Years with your mum.

By the time Hermione arrived outside of the Slytherin common room, Draco had finished getting ready and was meeting her out front.

"Did I read that correctly? With my mother?"

"Yes, can you owl her? Do you think she will be there?"

"I know she will be there."

"Wonderful, let's go!"

"Hermione," said Draco, as he hurried alongside her. "Not that I am not grateful, but why are we going to the manor?"

Hermione sighed, but did not slow her pace. "I lied and told Viktor I was taking you to see your mum, and now he plans on joining us so we need to be there. And you!" she said, stopping abruptly and turning to him. "You better not tell him the truth!"

"Relax, I won't," he said, putting his hands up in defense. "But, why did you lie?"

Hermione continued walking again and did not answer until they apparated outside of Malfoy Manor. "It's Order stuff, I can't really explain. Look, there's your mum." Narcissa Malfoy must have heard them apparate and was making her way to main gate. "Hello, Mrs. Malfoy, I thought you would enjoy watching the fireworks with Draco."

"Indeed I would," replied Narcissa Malfoy. "But why the sudden kindness?" she asked skeptically.

"I believe that's my business," answered Hermione. She did not show much respect to Narcissa after the treatment that was given to her when she was still Draco's girlfriend. "My boyfriend will be arriving shortly, please let him in. You and Draco may sit privately and enjoy the evening, provided you stay in my eye sight, of course." Draco nodded and Narcissa made to speak, but Hermione cut her off. "I do have one rule, however: neither of you are to speak to Viktor when he arrives."

Narcissa made a noise as if she were to argue, but Draco placed a hand on her arm. "Mum, we don't get much time together. Please just follow her rules."

Narcissa nodded to her son. "Very well," she said.

"Wonderful, and I think I see Viktor now!" Hermione smiled, watching the tall figure approach them. "Hello, love!" she said, tiptoeing to kiss her boyfriend.

"Hello, beautiful," he said, kissing her back. "Draco," he nodded to Draco, clearly being respectful in front of his mother. "And Mrs. Malfoy, thank you for haffing me."

"This way to the backyard," said Narcissa, turning her back on Hermione and Viktor, clearing keeping her word. Once they reached the backyard, Hermione and Viktor set up a bench at one end of the lawn, and Draco and his mother set up a table and chairs at the other end, just out of ear shot, but still within Hermione's eyesight.

"You are an exceptional vitch, Hermione," Viktor told her about twenty minutes into their visit.

"Why do you say that?" asked Hermione, smiling.

"Letting him visit vith his mum," he said, nodding towards Draco and Narcissa. "I vould viss my mum very much as vell, if I vere in his shoes."

"As would I," Hermione agreed quietly.

"Perhaps ve can vork something out so that she can visit him in his ving vonce you guys move in."

"That would be really nice, Viktor, thank you."

He kissed her hand gently. "Your last NEWT is on Tuesday," he said, not as a question but rather a statement. "Should I expect you Vednesday, then?"

Hermione froze; she could not put this off any longer, she supposed. "The weekend actually, if you don't mind," she responded, trying to by herself as much time as possible. It was not that she did not want to, but she didn't believe that she was ready to move in with anyone yet, yet alone her boyfriend.

Viktor nodded in agreement. "The next veekend, then. And him?" he asked, referring to Draco.

"He doesn't know, actually," Hermione laughed, nervously. "I didn't want to tell him until necessary, simply to avoid any arguments from him."

"He can argue all he vants, but it is not up to him," Viktor said, slightly angry.

"No, of course not, but I just didn't want to have to deal with his attempt at arguing, that's all."

Viktor nodded in understanding. "So vat vill you do then?"

Hermione thought for awhile before responding. "Well, he has one of his NEWTs this Wednesday, then his other one isn't until the following Monday, so perhaps I'll bring him Thursday after his NEWT to see the place, and I guess tell him as well." She sat there quietly, thinking some more. "Yes, I think I'll tell him once we are there, then I'll bring him back to Hogwarts, let him pack up all of his things, and bring him back on the following Monday, after his final NEWT."

"I like this idea very much," said Viktor, kissing her hand again. "It vill give us the weekend to ourselves."

Hermione blushed; but not more the reasons Viktor was thinking. "Viktor, you do know I have plenty to do though, with St. Mungo's and the Order…"

"I understand, just like me and my Quidditch," he responded. "That is vy this is the best for us. At least after our busy days are over, ve can still see each other all of the time." Hermione smiled instead of providing a response, and turned the conversation over to Quidditch. For the rest of the night, there was no more mention of Krum's estate, and Hermione actually enjoyed herself as much as she could, despite constantly thinking about Ginny and where she might be. As midnight rolled around, the couple kissed under the moonlight and fireworks, while Draco happily shared a toast with his mother on the other side of the lawn.

Neville Longbottom – The Past

June 26, 1997

Neville was almost out of breath as he ran through the unknown forest. After Dumbledore's death, Hogwarts had fallen to shambles and Neville had received an owl from his grandmother to come home. After receiving permission from McGonagall, Neville apparated home, where he received a stern warning from his grandmother. "Now that he is back, Neville, they are going to come for you. They came after you all those years ago, but your parents had stopped them. Don't think that they won't do it again." It was the first time that Neville had learned the truth about what happened to his parents, but the truth was more painful than he could have imagined. For some unknown reason, the death eaters were after him, but his parents had sacrificed themselves to save him. As he was making his way back to Hogwarts, he came across a few wizards who were talking loudly about the rise of Voldemort and the death of Dumbledore.

"About bloody time that Dumbledore is dead," said the first wizard.

"And now that the Dark Lord has returned, he can finish off what he had started," said the second, excitedly.

"You're a supporter, are you?" asked Neville loudly. Had his mind been clear, he would have known that he was being foolish, but anger and despair were flowing through his veins and he wanted revenge.

"Of the Dark Lord, yeah," said the first. "And you?"

"I'm Dumbledore's man," said Neville, taking out his wand. It had been a fast duel; both full grown men had much more experience than Neville. In fact, Neville had been incredibly lucky to escape with his life. He was badly injured however, but knew he had to keep running or they would for sure find him and finish him off. Finally, after running for almost an hour, Neville collapsed in the middle of the unknown forest. He had just closed his eyes when he heard a girl call out.

"Are you alright?" Slowly, due to the amount of pain he was in, he started to remove his wand from his robes, but then he saw the girl coming towards him with a white little box. "I have a first-aid kit here, are you bleeding? I have band-aids?" He hastily put his wand back in his robes when he realized it was a muggle, but finally passed out from the pain before he could say anything to her.

Author's Notes: Hello! First, I wanted to talk about some technical issues. The last three chapters I've posted, I've gotten an error. So they post, but followers aren't getting the notification about it. I am truly sorry and I have messaged the support desk for help, so hopefully this will be resolved soon.

Not much to say about this chapter as it's pretty straight forward. I wouldn't mind hearing your thoughts on the current situation though. Do you think Ginny is safe?

To reply to a review: you will definitely find out Sirius's secret, but it won't be for awhile I'm afraid. My focus right now is Grindelwald, but he will pop up here and there in flashbacks.

I really really really like the next chapter, I've had it planned since the beginning so I hope you enjoy it too!

Thanks as always! Looking forward to some more reviews!