All characters are property of JK Rowling and I do not make a profit from this story.

Beta: Roman's Sundial

Chapter Forty: Voldemort's Old Habits

Harry Potter – Present Day

May 3, 2000

"Now remember, Teddy has no idea who you are. We have been telling him that his mummy and daddy were coming to get him, but I am sure it is all very confusing for him."

"Of course, I understand, I just need to see him, Molly."

"Absolutely, Dear, right this way." Harry listened to Molly take Tonks through the Burrow to the room where Teddy slept. A lot had happened in the few days since his engagement announcement to Ginny. First, after Percy's surprise wedding announcement, Molly literally ordered Percy to bring Audrey to the Burrow for everyone to meet prior to the wedding, so yesterday, May the second, everyone gathered at the Burrow once more to meet the almost new Weasley. The meeting had not lasted long, however, when Fleur went into labor and was rushed to St. Mungo's with Bill and Molly in her wake. It was only a few hours later when they received the news that Fleur had delivered a healthy baby girl. Since it was also the anniversary of the Hogwarts battle, they were told that Bill and Fleur decided to name their daughter Victoire, which was French for victory. The news had brought so much happiness to everyone at the Order, that Harry felt he needed to help keep the happiness in place. So the next day, he transfigured Tonks, brought her to the Ministry, and woke her up. After more wonderful happy tears from everyone, she was finally brought to the Burrow to be reunited with her son once again. Harry left Tonks with Molly for the reunion with Teddy, and instead made his way to the kitchen.

"Hey, Harry," came the voice of one of his best friends, Ron.

"Surprised to see you here," Harry said to him.

"Why?"

"I expected you to be at your new cottage."

"I live there, but my girlfriend lives here."

"And you don't bring her there because…?"

"Because mum doesn't think it's a good idea for Jessica and Amelia to travel just yet."

Harry laughed. "So it has nothing to do with the fact that you live with Hermione?"

"No, Harry! I bought that cottage when Hermione was my girlfriend because she wanted it, and although we aren't together anymore, I see no sense in wasting a perfectly good cottage."

"I see," was all Harry could say. It sounded like Ron was trying to convince himself more than he was trying to convince Harry. "And Jessica has no problem with all of this?"

"Of course not; she knows Hermione and I are only friends. Besides, Hermione is engaged."

"Not for real."

Ron lowered his voice. "Well, I didn't exactly tell her that, didn't see the point."

Harry laughed again. "It's your funeral, mate."

"Oh, are you dying?" asked Jessica, as she entered the room.

"Of splattergroit; wouldn't be the first time, would it, Ron?"

"Wizard stuff?" asked Jessica, clearly not wanting to know the details if it was.

"How's Amelia?" Harry asked her instead.

"Great; she's gotten really attached to Teddy though, I don't think I'll be able to ever separate them."

"Well, sounds like it's settled; you and Amelia will have to stay here forever, then, for the sake of Teddy, of course."

"Oh, of course!" replied Jessica sarcastically, sitting on Ron's knee and going in for a kiss. Reluctant to witness a private moment, Harry looked for a distraction and picked up a nearby Daily Prophet. Had Harry been drinking anything, he would have spat it out all over the paper after reading the headline above a photo of Voldemort: He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named: A teacher, an ally, and a Horcrux. Noting that the author was Rita Skeeter, Harry groaned and turned to the page where the story began, and started to read:

There is no denying that the infamous He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was indeed a dark and notorious wizard, but Mr. Henry Hughes, 51, says that there were some positive traits to the Dark Lord. "Of course he was evil," said Hughes, from his home last night on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. "But we can't deny that he taught us 'lots, with all the knowledge that he had." When asked what he meant by "us", he confirmed that he was never a Death Eater, simply someone who had learned from his tactics. "He brought the topic of Horcruxes to the surface, didn't he?" continued Hughes last night. "If it weren't for him, folk like me wouldn't know that we can preserve our lives for as long as we want." Hughes also went as far as to say that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was an ally. "He was an ally in preventing death; now we all know the secret." When reminded that creating a Horcrux involved killing someone, Hughes commented that he wouldn't make one. "It's just good to know, ain't it?" he said to me, famous reporter Rita Skeeter. "If I were to make one, I would use his body, who would want to go near that?" He confirmed that he was referring to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named directly, and that he knew exactly where the body was put to rest. "Of course I know, but I can't say, can I? Horcruxes aren't illegal, only killing someone is, but I'll find a way around it for sure." It was hard to determine exactly how Mr. Hughes knew the location of his "ally", but it does confirm that the release of the Horcrux information has indeed had an impact on several people in the community.

"You've got to be kidding me!" said Harry, throwing the newspaper back on the table. "I knew that this would happen!"

"What's up?" asked Ron, taking a break from snogging Jessica.

"Rita Skeeter released all that information about Horcruxes in her book and now people are trying to do them left, right, and centre!" Ron walked over to the article and read it silently to himself.

"He can't really know where You-Know-Who's body is, can he?"

"Of course not! I had it destroyed after the battle."

"Oh, right. But Rita's book never said how to make a Horcrux, so how do people know?"

"Nobody knew what a Horcrux even was until she wrote about it," said Harry angrily. "Obviously people were intrigued and went and did their own research on it. This is horrible! We are going to have bodies upon bodies of people attempting to make Horcruxes now, and we still have to deal with Grindelwald and his gang of followers terrorizing the city!"

"What's a Horcrux?" Jessica asked.

"It's when you insert a piece of your soul onto something else by killing someone," Ron answered blatantly.

"Forget I asked," was her response. "I'm going to go check on Amelia." Jessica left the room just as Hermione entered it.

"Hey, what's going on?"

"Did you see Rita's latest article?" Harry asked her, shoving the paper into her hands. Hermione read the article quietly to herself, except for the gasps here and there. When she was done, she placed the paper down and looked at both men.

"What do we do now?"

"I don't know," Harry replied. "We knew from the moment that she published that book that there would be trouble."

"I don't know, but we need to stop this."

"What if we release a statement? We can tell people why they are illegal and dangerous…"

"Hermione, that's not going to stop people from doing it!" said Ron.

"It will stop some, Ron! Right now, all people know is that they can prevent death by making a Horcrux. Whether we like it or not, Horcruxes have been leaked and there's nothing we can do. What we can do, however, is educate everyone with the facts, the true facts, and explain why they're horrible. At least we can deter most from trying it."

"And give the others more of a push to do it," Harry said bitterly.

"What other choice do we have?" asked Hermione.

Harry shrugged. "Go ahead and organize it; the sooner the better I suppose."

Hermione Granger – Present Day

May 11, 2000

Hermione stared out into the crowd of people that were gathering around the podium at the centre of the Ministry of Magic. She saw several reporters and photographers, Xenophilius Lovegood, editor of The Quibbler, and to her horror, both Rita Skeeter and Dolores Umbridge. She also noticed the muggle correspondent was present, as well as the entire Wizengamot, the Sacred Twenty-Eight, and nearly one hundred other witches and wizards. "Are you alright?" asked Harry, as he joined her near the podium.

"Not really," she responded honestly. "How do you openly talk in front of all of these people?"

"Easily; I just say what I need to say and don't care what people think," he said shrugging.

"Well, you're Harry Potter, things come easily to you."

Harry cocked an eyebrow. "Really, Hermione?"

"Well, no, I suppose not. But still, I wish I could have your confidence!"

"Would you like me to start for you?"

"Would you?" she said, looking at him desperately.

"Sure."

"Oh, thank you, Harry! Thank you so much!" Before Harry could walk up to the podium, however, they saw Kingsley Shacklebolt walking towards them.

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, what is going on here?"

"We are releasing a public statement," Harry responded coldly.

"My office has no knowledge of this."

"Our office is allowed to make public statements without approval; we created those terms together, Minister," said Hermione matter-of-factly.

"Regardless, if something is being released, especially at this time-"

"Do you need to approve what Rita Skeeter prints in the Daily Prophet? Because maybe you should; her latest article is the reason we are being forced to do this today," Hermione continued.

Before Kingsley could argue, Harry cut in. "We may have our differences in who we can trust," he said, motioning to Umbridge with his eyes, "but don't forget, Minister, we are fighting for the same side here."

After a very long moment of silence, which allowed for the Minister to think things through, he asked, "this has to do with stopping Grindelwald, then?"

"Indirectly," answered Hermione. "But Skeeter released crucial information about Horcruxes and we are trying to do damage control before Grindelwald's supporters or anyone else start trying to make them."

"Very well," said Kingsley with a short nod. "Then I shall stand next to you to prove that the Ministry supports you."

"Thank you," was all Hermione said, but Harry just walked away.

"Ready?" he asked, once Hermione was next to him at the podium. She nodded but didn't speak; she was currently trying to prevent herself from throwing up. "Good morning and thank you for gathering here. I am Harry Potter of the Dobwig Association, and I am here today along Hermione Granger, also of the Dobwig Association, to discuss a matter of great importance." Hermione heard the Minister quietly clear his throat, and she watched Harry add him into his introduction, while he struggled to prevent his eyes from rolling. We stand here today in solidarity with the Ministry of Magic. I will now turn the attention over to Hermione, who will provide you with important information."

Hermione took a deep breath, stepped forward, and began her well-rehearsed speech. "Thank you, Harry. As many of you may recall, Rita Skeeter of the Daily Prophet released an article recently that mentioned something known as Horcruxes. Prior to that, she had also mentioned Horcruxes again in her latest book about Harry Potter. I am sorry to inform that the information released was not accurate, and the Dobwig Association, and the Ministry," she added in an undertone, "feel that it is our responsibility to properly inform you on the risks and detrimental outcomes of Horcruxes. To be begin, a Horcrux was explained to you by Rita Skeeter as a way to preserve your life; similarly to how the Philosopher's Stone would work. This is NOT how a Horcrux works. A completed Horcrux is an object that literally contains a piece of your soul; you cannot perish whilst that piece of soul exists." She carefully selected her words when speaking; she chose to only say "object" as she did not want it known that a living thing could also serve as a Horcrux. "To successfully create a Horcrux, part of the ritual includes murdering someone. I do not think I need to remind you all that murder is illegal and, therefore, making a Horcrux is illegal. Another component that Ms. Skeeter failed to mention when she painted the pretty picture of a Horcrux to her readers, is that every successful Horcrux tears your soul apart. One Horcrux leaves you with half of your soul, two Horcruxes leaves you with a quarter of your soul, three Horcruxes leaves you with one eighth of your soul, and so on and so forth. Removing even a sixteenth of your soul changes you completely. You lose a part of who you are and things such as happiness, love, and compassion leave you and it does not return. If this does not affect you, then perhaps think of Voldemort." She paused to allow people to react to the use of his name. "Voldemort created seven Horcruxes and left himself with a soul so small that made him more vile than ever before. Thanks to the memories of the late Albus Dumbledore and others, we were able to learn about Voldemort's progression as he made more and more Horcruxes and how it affected him. By the end, his skin was stretched over his skeleton, he had no nose, no hair, and was frightening to look at. His soul was so small that not even his devoted Death Eaters could love him. Should none of this deter you from walking the path of Horcruxes, then let me leave you with one more thought. You can never die as long as your Horcruxes are intact, but that does not mean you cannot suffer. You can be stabbed, stunned, burned, torn from limb to limb. You can be destroyed, but yet you will live. So, until your Horcrux is destroyed, you can live in agonizing pain as nothing but a tiny piece of your physical self left, possibly for eternity. The Dobwig Association and the Ministry did not wish to release this information to you as there is absolutely no benefit at all in creating a Horcrux, but thanks to Rita Skeeter, the information is now out there and also in the minds of dark witches and wizards. Thank you, Rita," she said, looking directly at Rita Skeeter. "At least like this," she continued, turning towards her audience again, "the truth is released and people will now know what the risks really are. Thank you." As Hermione walked away from the podium, Kingsley walked forward and addressed the crowd.

"As Minister of Magic, I would like to reiterate that creating a Horcrux is illegal and a serious matter. Should anyone have any information on potential Horcruxes or of someone attempting to create one, please contact the Ministry immediately." As the crowd started to depart, Harry walked up to Hermione.

"How did I do?" she asked him.

"Brilliantly! Do you think it will work?"

Hermione shrugged. "For those who thought that it was simply an elixir of life, then yeah, I think it will deter them."

"I suppose it's better than nothing," Harry grumbled. Hermione grabbed his arm and started to push him towards the exit of the Ministry.

"Let's get out of here before people start wanting to ask us questions; Kingsley can handle it."

Harry nodded and allowed Hermione to lead him out. "Good idea."

Draco Malfoy – Present Day

May 23, 2000

"Back here again?" Hermione asked him, as she arrived by his side-along apparition back to the woods where the Quidditch World Cup was held.

"I told you that this place meant a lot to me," he said, producing a blanket and laying it on the ground in the middle of a clearing. "And since you're going to be my wife," he said, patting the spot beside him so that she could sit next to him, "I want to give this place some meaning to you as well."

Hermione sat next to him but frowned. "You know this is just an act, right? We aren't really engaged."

"Are you not enjoying the time that we are spending together?"

"Draco, the ritual knot wasn't really ours-"

"Answer the question."

"Yes, I am enjoying myself, but I-"

"Then that's all that matters. Firewhiskey?" he asked her, pulling a bottle out of his cloak.

"Draco, this whole engagement thing, it was only to get you out of trouble…"

"I know, Hermione. But you said it yourself, you're enjoying the time that we are spending together. We have to pretend for awhile, otherwise we are both in trouble, and I love you and I haven't forgotten that you admitted to loving me, too." He paused to allow her to take in what he was saying. "So, why can't we really do this? Why do we have to pretend?"

"Draco, I have no interest in getting married! Not for several years!"

"I can wait," he said smiling. "But in the meantime," he continued, reaching for her face, "I'm willing to start slow."

"We've been down this road already," she said sadly, but didn't push his hand away. "I just can't put myself through it again."

"It's different now, though."

"How?"

"Because you showed my mum that muggle-borns aren't what she thinks they are."

"Don't you mean Mudbloods?"

Draco sighed. "Calling you that is the biggest regret of my life and I'm sorry, but will you ever let me live it down?"

"Your mum is going along with this because she knows it's the only way her son will be released, but she will never truly accept me."

"What if I told you that I don't care what she thinks?"

"That's a lie, though."

"Is my mother the only thing stopping you?"

Hermione hesitated. "I won't allow myself to be hurt again; I can't."

"Look, I'm not going to lie to you; it will never be easy when it comes to my family. But that shouldn't matter. No, hear me out!" he said, when he saw the look she gave him. "What matters is us. I won't allow my family to blind me again; I've learned what I have to lose and I have no intentions of ever losing you again."

"Draco, I can't-"

"You can," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her. She allowed him to kiss her, but it didn't last long. Not because she had pulled away, but because another voice interrupted their moment.

"Morsmordre!"

"What was that?" Hermione asked gasping as she pulled away.

"It was a spell but from where?"

"Draco… Look!" she said, looking up into the sky. Draco followed her stare and saw something that he had not seen in a very long time: The Dark Mark.

Frank Longbottom – The Past

September 6, 1981

"Alice? Alice, where are you?" Frank ran frantically through his house looking for his wife and son.

"Frank?" came his wife's voice. "We are just in here, what's the matter?" A sigh of relief came over him when he saw his wife in the living room coddling their newborn son Neville. "Is everything okay?" Alice asked him, when she saw his face.

"No, actually, it isn't. Albus just came and found me; he told me that we are in danger!"

"Well, everyone is in danger, Frank; this is war!"

"Mum! I didn't know that you were here."

"Where else would I be? This is my only grandchild and you are my only son; where else would an old lady like me likely to be?"

"Mum, can you take Neville and go into hiding?"

"Take Neville?" asked Alice, pulling the baby closer to her. "Why?"

"It's just for today, Alice. Albus said that we need to meet him at Headquarters and he will explain. He's also sending someone to put the Fidelius Charm on our house."

"But why, Frank? Why are we in more danger than anyone else?"

"I don't know, Alice! But I trust Albus, and he said he will explain it all. Mum, the Fidelius Charm is still on your house?"

"Of course! You can never be too careful."

"Okay, take Neville there, then. Alice and I will go meet with Albus and then we will come get Neville."

Alice lifted Neville to her face and gave him a soft kiss. "You go with Grandma, Neville, my love, Mummy will see you soon." She handed him to her mother-in-law. "Thank you, Augusta."

"No problem, Dear," she said, taking Neville. "I shall see you two soon, then."

Frank walked his mother to the door and watched her apparate away with Neville, before going back to his wife. "Alright, let's go meet Albus then, so we can find out what's going on and then get back to Neville." Before he could move, however, he heard his front door open. "Mum? Did you forget something?" he called out, walking to the door.

"As a matter of fact, I did," came the voice of a woman he did not know.

"Who are you?" yelled Frank, pointing his wand at her.

The woman cackled gleefully. "My name is Bellatrix Lestrange - and we are going to have so much fun!"

Author's Notes: I have been trying to post for quite some time but the site has been down so I'm very sorry for the delay; I promise I tried! Not much to say about this chapter except that I am opening up something new with the Dark Mark. In case any of you are wondering, Horcruxes are definitely going to be a problem thanks to good old Rita!

For all you Ginny lovers, you'll like the next chapter.

That's all I have to say today! Please keep reviewing and thank you as always!