Walburga Black's little secret

Life must go on. Even if evil monsters are lurking in the shadows. Ginny, Harry and Hermione decided that having sex was the best way to flush out sad emotions and horrible thoughts. It had started with Ginny crying in their arms and then progressing to something more.

The next day Harry could barely stand up, but he had to feed Hedwig. His loyal bird had to stay out because Hermione could not possibly let any animal or pet watch them while having sex.

Harry went to the room where Buckbeak was stationed. It was now officially a pet room, hosting a large hippogriff, five owls and occasionally two cats (Mrs. Norris particularly enjoyed her dinner with Buckbeak). Once he entered all the animals eyed him curiously.

"You're up early, Potter," said Alastor Moody from a corner. He was feeding his large brown and white owl.

It was early indeed. Harry was sure the sun was not up yet.

"Good morning, sir," said Harry.

"Excited for our trip to Diagon Alley?" asked Moody rhetorically.

"Couldn't we mail-order everything instead of going there?" said Harry as he gave Hedwig some food.

"We could, Potter. I certainly would have preferred that, but apparently Dumbledore's new friend thinks otherwise," said Moody. He did not like Moriarty one bit and he had made it clear time and again.

"It's something Dumbledore and Moriarty have agreed upon," continued the old auror, "They wouldn't listen to me."

"I wish they did," they heard Hermione say as she brought in Crookshanks. "Harry, would Hedwig mind company?"

"No, I don't think she will. Is Ginny asleep again?"

"No, Crookshanks woke her up. I had to save him from being hexed by her."

She looked Harry in the eyes and smiled.

"Are we going in disguise today?" said Hermione, "It doesn't feel right when you don't look like you."

"I don't think so. I guess Moriarty wants me to grab all the attention so Malfoy wouldn't get any."

"You're right." said Moriarty as he emerged behind Moody.

Moody huffed angrily, "You're endangering The-Boy-Who-Lived for the boy who played Death Eater to the very end?"

"Harry will no longer be Voldemort's primary target after joining forces with Morningstar. And a disguise would not fool her if she intends to come for him," said Moriarty. A faint hint of desperation could be felt in his words, "That is if we were going to the Alley today. I don't know if it makes you happy, but we are not shopping; My unspeakables advised against it."

"Where is Mrs. Norris?" said Moriarty after looking around, "Ah never mind, this day couldn't get any worse!"

Moody huffed but Harry could see him secretly smile. Moriarty smiled forcibly and faced Harry and Hermione.

"Could we have a private chat before you go back to whatever you were doing in your bedroom?"

They nodded politely and followed Moriarty. He guided them to a very familiar room which Harry had avoided since his first visit to it.

"We've kept this door locked at all times." said Moriarty before unlocking the door and stepping into the dimly lit room. Once they were in Moriarty locked the door again behind himself.

The faces on the wall lit up as Harry looked at them. Sirius and Lucinda smiled happily while Orion Black nodded politely. His own face which resembled James Potter winked at him. Bellatrix waved her hand for her daughter frantically as Hermione looked at her.

"Harry, we need to see your true face." said Moriarty with an uncertain look.

"My true face?"

"Yes, I have never seen your true face. I think it would be wise to see and know your true face. Surely your face now is a result of your subconscious desire to be a Potter."

Harry's eyes hardened. He pressed his lips together in an uncomfortable smile.

Suddenly, his face began to change and his face was replaced by a young version of Orion Black.

"Harry, I don't think Professor Moriarty meant your grandfather's true face." said Hermione.

"But this is my true face."

Hermione shivered while Moriarty simply sighed sadly.

"Even your voice…" whispered Hermione.

"Come on, Hermione. Don't be a hypocrite. I don't mind the fact that you sound exactly like your mother. I hope the same standards will be applied to me. Don't worry it's me… just Harry."

Harry tried to smile reassuringly which made him resemble Orion Black even more.

"Well, you probably share more than fifty percent of Orion Black's DNA, so it's only natural for you two to be similar to one another," said Moriarty uncomfortably.

Harry morphed back into his more known face. Hermione relaxed a bit.

"Thank Merlin that you're able to change back." said Hermione.

"Why would he thank me?" said Moriarty.

Hermione coughed in surprise. She had forgotten that Moriarty was in fact Merlin.

"Sorry, I forgot that…"

"...I don't have a three feet beard?" said Moriarty.

Hermione smiled. "Yes, I did."

"Well, thank you, Harry. You two should get some rest, or work on your alchemy project. Now Harry, It won't do to dwell on it. You are who you are, I am who I am, and Hermione is who she is not because of our looks. We are who we are because our thoughts are ours."

"Professor, why aren't we going to the Diagon Alley today?" asked Harry.

"The real reason is that some rumours are spreading as of this morning," said Moriarty to Harry. "An hour ago Unspeakable Rattenfanger notified me that Bellatrix Lestrange had confessed. The Ministry is trying to keep it under wraps, but people are already talking. I don't know for how many hours they can keep it as just a Leaky Cauldron rumour."

Harry looked at Hermione worriedly.

"You two will be fine," said Moriarty knowingly. "You are both very smart. You, Harry, have a unique keenness."

His words didn't inspire any confidence in them. Harry and Hermione knew they were going down a slippery slope. They knew a very dangerous force was after them. Moriarty noticed that.

"Do not let these difficult days destroy you and drive away those who are around you. Hardships are usually followed by ease."

There was a knock on the door. Moriarty looked at the door and scanned it with his wand and then he moved it in a rectangular motion. The door opened and Filch walked in. Harry turned into his normal self before Filch could see him.

"We have guests," said Filch to Moriarty.

"What? Had Albus revealed the secret to these guests of ours?" asked Moriarty anxiously.

"Dumbledore has brought the idiots." replied Filch.

Moriarty was relieved. He sighed and smiled goofily.

"Oh, it's the Flamels," said Moriarty as he faced Hermione, "I'm sure you guys are going to love them."

They followed Filch to the kitchen where the mysterious guests were waiting.

"Nicolas?" He opened the door. "Ah Perenelle! Where is Nick?"

"In the bathroom." said a middle aged woman as they followed Moriarty into the kitchen.

"Ah… Okay. Humm... Not that I'm unhappy to see you, dear, but what are you doing here exactly?"

"Nick and I wanted to talk to you." she replied, "We asked Albus to bring us here. He brought us and two other friends."

"Two other friends?" asked Moriarty perplexedly.

"You will be glad to meet them. They came as soon as they could. The doctor is still a bit unwell though."

In that moment the door opened once more and Dumbledore entered the kitchen with three strangers.

"Your husband has a prostate problem." said the almost bald man with tiny binoculars and a very large mustache.

"No, I don't, Arthur." said the other man. He was the same age as the woman in front of Moriarty. He had light brown hair and a thin face.

"Well, the symptoms are there. Ah, I see that our dear Professor Moriarty is here already." the man who Hermione recognised as Arthur Conan Doyle shook Moriarty's hand. "You're a professor once again, James."

Moriarty scoffed.

"I think he will never forgive you for depicting him as a villain in your book." said the man on the right. Harry recognised him instantly; He was Harry Houdini.

"Let me introduce this young couple to you. And vice versa." said Dumbledore, trying to change the subject.

At that moment a number of Order members came in for breakfast.

"Ah welcome, everyone, this is Nicolas Flamel, the legendary alchemist." Dumbledore pointed to the man with light brown hair. "And this gentleman here, is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, an old friend of mine." He pointed at the man who was wearing glasses. Harry and Hermione just stared at him while Tonks squealed excitedly next to Lupin.

"Let me come in," said Adriana Dumbledore as she squeezed herself through the crowd.

"And let's not forget our less known friend from America, Mr. Erik Weisz."

Weisz was also a middle aged yet handsome man who was wearing a French hat.

"Hello, everyone." he said politely.

"Albus, you forgot me." objected Perenelle.

"Ah, yes. Forgive me please, Perenelle dear…"

"I'm Perenelle Flamel. The seventh daughter of the seventh daughter and my husband happens to be Nicolas Flamel."

Everyone just stared at her. Even Hermione didn't know what she was talking about.

Perenelle smiled at Harry, "I was also a child of prophecy like you."

"Madame Perenelle is also a true seer." said Doyle.

Weisz smiled uncomfortably.

"Dear Erik does not have much faith in divination." said Madame Perenelle.

"Oh, there are prophecies, I know they exist. But before we get there, I think we should ask who our new friends are."

Suddenly, Perenelle stood up and put her hand on Harry's shoulder.

"This is Harry...Potter, the boy who shall end the Dark Lord of his time," she said, "And he hates divination."

She walked to the others, naming them one by one.

"This is Alastor Moody, the brave Auror whose family was murdered by Lord Voldemort in front of his eyes. This is Nymphadora Tonks the child of Ted Tonks and Andromeda Black and a metamorphmagus." She looked at Ginny and Hermione intensely before introducing them, "These are Harry's lovers, Ginny Weasley and Hermione Riddle, Hermione is the daughter of Lord Voldemort."

Hermione looked alert. She had hoped for a less dramatic introduction. It scared her how much Perenelle knew about them.

"For some reason I cannot read you, my dear. What's your name?" said Perenelle as she approached Lily Potter

"My name's Adriana Dumbledore." replied Lily confidently.

"Ah, I see."

Perenelle looked at Lily sadly as she moved to the next person. "I'm sorry but I don't know you either."

"Remus Lupin at your service."

Perenelle sighed sadly as she progressed to Sirius and Lucinda.

"Lucinda Black nee Malfoy and her husband Sirius Black. Congratulations Lucinda, for your little boy on the way."

Lucinda and Sirius were shocked by the unexpected news.

"I can get confirmation." said Conan Doyle. He stood in front of Lucinda and pointed his wand to Lucinda's belly. "It's a simple pregnancy test. Emvryo Revilio."

Lucinda's belly glowed blue.

"Madame Perenelle is right." announced Conan Doyle proudly, "It is indeed a boy."

"Of course she is,"said Moriarty. "Please accept my best wishes for your first child Lucinda. May he live a long and happy life."

"It seems that Mr. Moody is suspecting me a bit," said Madame Perenelle.

"Alastor suspects everyone." said Argus Filch. He walked to Perenelle Flamel and passed by her.

"Mr. S, you yourself are of a similar nature." said Conan Doyle.

"You're absolutely right, dear Doctor. Please call me Argus. That's what I'm called these days."

"Mr. S, has spent a long time as Argus Filch, doing some … intelligence work." said Moriarty.

"Ah… That job is quite fitting for you Mr. S." said Weisz.

"Oh, shut up, you little cheat. No one asked you." said Filch.

Weisz and Filch both burst into laughter. Apparently Filch knew these people really well.

"I think Nicolas has something to tell me, and he's not comfortable among strangers. No offense!" said Moriarty, demanding everyone leave them alone.

"We must inform you that we have concerns about young Harry," said Flamel, "I wouldn't blame him and his guardian if they stayed."

"Sirius Black, please stay," said Perenelle kindly.

"That is alright if your wife did, too." said Mr. Flamel.

"You on the other hand should go." said Perenelle to Argus Filch.

"I … alright, have it your way, Perry!"

Filch left with a scowl on his already nasty face. Once others had followed him out, Perenelle asked Harry and Sirius to sit in front of her on the ground. Lucinda was not asked to join them.

"I must tell you something before we begin." She looked at Sirius and put her hand on his shoulder. "I know you're Harry's father, Sirius. I have a message for you from your brother."

"Regulus!?" asked Sirius.

"Yes, Dee put the soul of a child of his into your brother's body. This essentially killed your brother, but Dee doesn't know of this fact." said Madame Perenelle.

"How much does Regulus know about Morningstar?" asked Moriarty excitedly.

"Not much. His father asked him to follow Dee, and he obeyed. John did the rest himself. You know how he is. He gets your trust from early on. He gave a totally false account of his plans and who he actually is. Poor Regulus was used by him and he was discarded the moment Dee didn't need him any longer."

Perenelle looked at Moriarty sadly as he sighed.

"I know Yeshu's pain is still fresh."

"He was not the first to be used by her," said Moriarty, "Please continue, Perenelle dear."

"From what Regulus gathered, Dee…"

"It's Morningstar now." Moriarty corrected Perenelle absentmindedly.

"Hold on. My brother is dead! He has been for many years! This doesn't make sense."

Moriarty sat next to Sirius. He slowly explained how Regulus had been alive and now he was dead. Some of the things he said were new to Harry. For a minute he wondered how much Moriarty was hiding from them. Did Perenelle and Nicholas Flamel know the whole story? Perenelle had mentioned Yeshu, and Harry knew he was a friend of Moriarty who had been killed by Morningstar. They at least knew as much as Harry knew.

"Sirius, I know it's hard, but Regulus had an important message for you." said Perenelle desperately. "You must pay attention. Your brother wants you to keep your son safe. He told me that Orion talked with Dee about using Harry in a ritual."

Moriarty stood up and walked around nervously.

"Did he specify what kind of ritual it was?" he asked.

"No." responded Perenelle.

"Well, that … helps, I suppose. I had already guessed that Orion had a plan for Harry. Now that I'm sure that's the case, I need to dig in and find if there is a way they could use Harry in a ritual. Until then we need to think of a plan to keep him safe."

"You must take young Harry and his family somewhere they can't be reached by Dark forces." said Nicholas.

"That wouldn't work. Morningstar has some resourceful people on her side who could eventually find them regardless of their location."

"There must be a way," said Perenelle.

Moriarty sat down and thought deeply. After ten minutes or so he closed his eyes and sighed.

"I think I have an idea. But it is going to be hard to pull off."

Nicholas looked eager to hear his idea while Harry and Sirius waited nervously for Moriarty to talk.

"I'll have to plan it with Dumbledore and we need Lucius and Draco to cooperate. I think it's doable." said Moriarty vaguely.

"What is doable?" asked Sirius agitatedly.

"We could send Harry to Hogwarts as Draco Malfoy."

Both Harry and Sirius burst into laughter.

"I meant it, gentlemen," said Moriarty calmly, "It is the only feasible plan that can succeed in the short term."

"Well, I think Harry wouldn't like that." said Sirius.

"I didn't say he would. And we may end up doing something else, but he has been making multiple batches of polyjuice potions for us anyway. I say we use this opportunity to…"

"You're… look you can't do this," Sirius argued but he stopped when he saw the look on Moriarty's face. It was not an angry look, or even an irritated one. He was simply disappointed.

"Sirius, Dumbledore and I had planned to send you to Voldemort. That was before he had joined forces with the most dangerous individual in the world. Going to them now is practically suicide. Keeping Harry here is not going to work and sending you guys to even the most remote areas is useless. What do you say we do?"

Sirius couldn't answer. Moriarty continued, "I'll talk to Dumbledore and the Order. If they all agree, then we will proceed with the plan."

"And how are you going to execute this plan flawlessly?" said Weisz who had remained quiet so far. "One mistake is enough for him to be exposed. One simple accident or forgetting to drink the Potion is all it takes. By the way he will be sleeping in a common room packed with other students. I don't think they'll be ignorant enough to mistake Harry Potter with this Draco Malfoy."

"Don't worry," said Harry, "I can pull it off."

"How exactly are you going to do that, Mr. Potter?" said Dr Doyle.

Harry's face began to change and within seconds Harry was replaced by Draco Malfoy. Sirius jumped on his feet and knocked a stool down.

"You're a metamorphmagus!" exclaimed Weisz.

"Yes," said Harry with Draco's voice.

"Thanks for clearing that up, Harry!?" said Moriarty menacingly.

"I want the order to know." said Harry, "Enough with these endless secrets." His grey eyes flashed coldly.

"Harry, I don't want Morningstar to find out about it. The fewer people know about your power the safer you are." said Moriarty desperately.

"Oh," said Harry with an odd expression, "I know, I was just trying to act the way Malfoy would."

"Huh, that wasn't bad, considering that your Occlumency isn't that good," said Moriarty. "Please refrain from exposing yourself left and right. I would like us to lay low"

"Why didn't you tell me?" said Sirius.

"Oh, we told nobody. We figured it out by accident and I tried to keep the number of those who knew to the fingers of my hand." said Moriarty.

"But I'm his father!"

"Funny you would say that now," responded Moriarty playfully.

"I …" Sirius froze. He suddenly realised he had refrained from calling Harry his son so far.

"Sirius…"

Sirius was shaking hard.

"No, Harry, he's right. I'm a shitty dad."

He patted Harry on the shoulder and left the kitchen without another word.

Harry reverted to his old self and yelled at Moriarty, "You didn't have to say that."

"Of course, I did. He is in denial!" said Moriarty. "Every time someone mentions that fact he gets upset. Fathers must accept their children!"

There was a lot of pain in Moriarty's voice. It surprised Harry and cooled him down. He looked around. Only Perenelle seemed to know what Moriarty was talking about. She gave Harry a tight smile.

"Is there anything else we need to know, Perenelle?"

"Yes, just a warning for you. An old friend of yours is coming for a visit." said Perenelle. "He sent us with this."

She gave Moriarty a rather small coin.

"Take a look at this, Harry," said the professor.

It was a small coin made of gold, yet it wasn't well-refined. On one side it had a depiction of a cup and on the other it had a fat man with curly hair holding a pine-cone tipped staff.

"I'm not really in the mood of meeting Mr. D," said Moriarty.

"He's coming for you, whether you like it or not." said Nicolas. "Now, Leonardo asked me to remind you what happened last time you avoided him."

Moriarty looked down.

"You met that rascal? Look, I didn't intend to do so. I know Mr D is quite… persistent."

"Good." said Nicolas. "Leo told me you would say that when he gave me the coin. He also told me you would go into hiding the moment we left you alone."

"He knows me too well," said Moriarty begrudgingly.

"We're not leaving you alone." said Perenelle. "Because he told us explicitly, 'Don't leave Niccolo alone."

"Niccolo?" said Harry.

Moriarty was stressed. His eyes were reflecting his deep fear.

"One of my older names. No matter. I'll meet Mr. D. I promise."

"Is he related to John Dee?" asked Harry.

"Oh, God. No! Don't let him hear you say that. His name is D, the letter not Dee, as D-E-E." said Moriarty anxiously.

"Doesn't he have a real name?" asked Harry.

"Oh, don't even think I am crack-pot enough to utter his real name here. Remember, we must avoid using the name of Magi, especially those who are very close to us. But if you really want to know, I'll give you a book in mythology."

*GW*

Ginny was so confused. First Harry and Hermione told her that Sirius's dead brother had sent a message through Perenelle Flamel and then he had told her that he was going to Hogwarts as Draco Malfoy.

"Harry, I don't think you could or should do it." she said eventually.

"I agree," said Hermione, "Harry, Moriarty is pushing us into his own scheme. I have got no idea what's between Moriarty and Morningstar, but whatever it is, it runs deep. They both are master manipulators and they never tell you everything. They are trying to save the world in their own twisted way and they're going to crush us in the process."

"So…"

"Look, think about it. Since the moment Moriarty entered our lives, we…"

"No, Hermione. Orion Black came to us first." Harry reminded her, "And Moriarty has told us a lot. He even trusted you with his information."

"Well, you are right, but…" Hermione paused for a moment before continuing, "Even though it didn't start with Moriarty, I don't think he has the purest intentions."

"Hey, even the Hogwarts portraits don't have the purest intentions. I don't follow Moriarty, because he is pure. I simply have to cling to him if I wish to survive."

"You just reminded me of him," said Hermione.

"Who?"

"Your grandpa, Orion Black." responded Hermione icily.

"Hold on. You and him have talked?" said Ginny.

"I have, Ginny," Hermione smiled, "I met his portrait. How did I forget about that?" Her eyes shined with excitement. "I must talk to Dumbledore. No wait. We should do this ourselves first. Dumbledore trusts Moriarty too much."

Hermione, Ginny and Harry hurried to the attic, Hoping that Orion's portrait was still there.

"Ah, Miss Riddle, you're back." said the portrait the moment Hermione cast lumos and made the small attic brightly lit.

"How do you know about my last name?" said Hermione shakily.

"Oh, that's old news! I personally witnessed the reporters bustling into the editorial office of Daily Prophet after they got your mother's testimony. It was quite interesting to hear all the details." said Orion.

"Who is John Dee?" asked Harry.

"I'm sorry, but who are you two?" said Orion.

"I'm Harry Potter." said Harry, "And this is Ginny Weasley."

Orion smiled brightly, "Ah, you are Charles's grandson! What a pleasure to meet you, my boy. And you Miss Weasley, your family produces some of the best Wizards and Witches of our society. I am honoured that you are visiting this poor old man."

"Ah, but we've already met." said Harry.

"We have?" said Orion with surprise, and then his smile faded.

"I see, then you know who you are," he said sadly, "You naturally didn't come here to see a portrait of your poor old grandfather, you came here to…"

"... Ask who's John Dee?" asked Ginny.

"Oh, that's an excellent question! He is our father, our mother, our soul and our heart. He is the first Black and he will be the last too unless … well, unless I succeed."

"You want to bring back the dead! Isn't that against nature." said Harry.

"Ah, naive child! Magic itself is against nature." the portrait snarled, "We ourselves muggle or magical are unnatural creatures. Have we ever allowed nature to stop us? Bringing back the dead is not against nature compared to what Muggles are doing to it. Billions of them are emptying the Earth, leaving it barren to their misfortunate children."

"So you're going to save the world by destroying muggles." said Hermione in horror.

"Oh, no dear child. I will sacrifice one world to save another."

"You're batshit crazy." whispered Ginny.

"Perhaps I am. Genius and madness are sometimes indistinguishable."

"That's billions of people we're talking about." said Hermione horrified by his cruelty.

"Most of whom will have earned magic once I'm done. Then all that is left is to purge the weak."

"How?" Harry and Hermione asked simultaneously.

"There is so much you weren't told. There is another race of magical people; The Magi, who will offer their gift of magic to those who are worthy of it. Then those who are not, will automatically be destroyed. I was told that Gog and Magog will be those who do the job."

"The bane of muggles," said Hermione, echoing Moriarty. "Who is James Moriarty?"

"He's the enemy of John Dee. And he thinks the most evil thing you could do is to give people immortality." said Orion with a chuckle.

"I see. I wish that would have been that simple." said Harry. "But this immortality that you're talking about must have a price. I don't think you'll like it when payment is due."

"Right you are, Harry," said a gentle voice behind Harry, "The price, I'm afraid, is our free will."

The young wizards turned around to see Dumbledore right behind them.

He looked at them grandfatherly and walked to the portrait.

"Lord Black, we meet again."

"Pleased to see you again, Dumbledore," said Orion with a nasty smile, "It seems that you are still fighting the good fight. Were you always this good, headmaster?"

"I admit I've had my fair share of mistakes," said Dumbledore regretfully.

"And poor Ariana Dumbledore was the one who paid the price, wasn't she?"

Dumbledore shook and put his hand on the wall.

"She did. That's when I learned how dangerous "the greater good" could be," Dumbledore sighed and stood straight, "We had forgotten that you had a portrait here, Orion. I'm afraid you will have to be transferred for the safety of all."

"Transferred? From my own house!?" exclaimed Orion angrily.

Dumbledore made a series of wand movements and a large portion of the wall came right off, displaying the street and sky behind it.

"We cannot remove you from the wall, but we can remove the wall from the house," said Dumbledore passively.

"You wouldn't be hurting a harmless portrait, would you?" said Orion nervously.

"I would mind destroying yours," said Dumbledore firmly, "It's nothing compared to poor Ronald Weasley's lost life."

Dumbledore snapped his wand and the portrait turned into a million pieces and then into dust.

"He escaped. He has other portraits to occupy. However, he has no access to this house anymore."

He faced Hermione and continued, "Sirius saw you running to the attic, only then he remembered that his father's portrait was there."

"What on Earth happened here?" said Argus Filch as he entered.

"I think it's a bit too bright for casting Lumos, isn't it, Hermione?" said Moriarty as he put his left index on top of Hermione's wand, making the light fade away.

"I can't believe we never thought about it," said Lucinda as she and Sirius joined them.

"It doesn't matter," said Moriarty gazing at the remaining empty portrait in the room, "I think we made a much bigger mistake than forgetting about Orion's portrait here."

Moriarty's wand appeared in his hand and he moved his wand around the gaping hole in the wall in loops to mend it. Soon the attic had a nice circular window.

"Even if Orion had told Morningstar she would have not been able to enter our Nowhere. Unless I made a huge miscalculation.

"Have any of you wondered where Walburga Black is?" asked Harry.

No one answered him. They all had been occupied by Orion's portrait. Moriarty smiled at Harry and nodded.

"Where is she indeed?" he asked softly.

He walked to the empty portrait and faced it.

"Come out, come out wherever you are," he whispered. He paused for a second and then continued, "Talk to me."

At first nothing happened, and then a familiar woman entered the portrait.

"I suppose you are Walburga Black."

"I am," said the woman proudly. He looked at Lucinda and Sirius then fixed her eyes on Moriarty.

"It's truly marvelous," said Moriarty, "I should have seen it earlier."

"Seen what?" snarled Walburga.

"Oh, it shouldn't be hard to guess," he replied excitedly.

A terrible idea struck Harry's head. A scary concept, one that simply could not be true.

"Oh, my God!" said Harry with a mix of disgust and horror.

"Show us your real face, Walburga," ordered Moriarty.

"Ah, you figured it out," said Walburga as her face began to change and take a new form, "I thought you wouldn't even think of it."

To their horror there sat Eve Morningstar.

"Unlike most portraits, the real me can hear you in real time."

"So, did you switch your own portrait with my mother's when I was in prison?" asked Sirius, failing to realise how much worse the case was.

"Um, no, my poor boy. There was no need. The portrait was here from the beginning. I installed it right before I faked my death as your mother."

"Oh, God!" said Lucinda.

"When your mother died during childbirth we saw an opportunity. I became the mother you and Regulus needed."

"Oh, good, mother. I thought Sirius was my new half-brother," said Filch with relief.

"That was a lovely story," said Moriarty calmly. "It's unfortunately a lie, isn't it?"

"So you want the harsh harsh truth, don't you?" said Morningstar with a nasty smirk, "You are right, I was lying, they are mine… both of them. Without you dear Sirius I couldn't have passed through Fidelius. But you deepen my connection to this place and that makes this place practically a part of me."

Morningstar sent a kiss toward Sirius who sat on the ground, traumatised by the news.

"Why?" asked Moriarty, "I understand that you have an unhealthy interest in this family, but what could you possibly get out of all this inbreeding?"

"A perfect specimen, perhaps. The perfect vessel for the ritual."

Moriarty stepped back and looked at the walls nervously.

"That's why then," he whispered and then cried, "We have to evacuate!"

"I'll tell everyone," said Sirius and got on his feet. He was trembling. He almost fell as he was about to pass through the door frame.

"Really I blame myself," said Moriarty, "Don't say anything important until we are out, she can hear us. I'll get us a ride to our new place."

Moriarty seemed devastated.

"Harry, Hermione, do you really think you can get away?" said Morningstar, turning back into Walburga Black.

The only response she got was Hermione incinerating her portrait.

"Well, at least she can't talk anymore," said Ginny.

Dumbledore smiled sadly and led the group out of the attic.

*HR*

It took less than an hour to pack up everything. Argus Filch was exceptionally good at packing things. The house looked rather empty.

"Packed everything up just in case. All goes to the Department of Mysteries for further examinations."

"Good," said Moriarty standing in what used to be the kitchen. "I wonder, did we really have to take the kitchen table as well?"

"Of course, I love it. It's a piece of art!"

This odd and comical interaction failed to cheer up Sirius.

Dumbledore explained to everyone that they could no longer stay in the Grimmauld Place.

"Yes, we are finally leaving this grim old place," said Sirius with a dark smile, "I was wondering Hermione, could you get off this place with … I don't know… Fiendfyre?"

"Sirius!" said Molly Weasley sternly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but where are we going to stay from now on?" asked Severus Snape.

"In a safe house," said Moriarty. "The enemy can enter this house in person. As you saw at the wedding she passed through our protective measures. Morningstar is connected to this house in more ways we imagined, and since her magic is deeply fused with this place she can enter at any point of time and choose any location within it. That's how she managed to come into nowhere, because its foundation was this place. My colleagues have prepared a nice place for us."

Before panic could strike everyone Nicolas Flamel stepped forward and asked, "Where is it?"

He slowly got closer to Moriarty.

"Well, I couldn't tell you, could I?" said Moriarty innocently.

"You are not getting away!" said the old alchemist.

"I promise I will not avoid Mr. D." said Moriarty unwillingly.

"Thank you," said Perenelle.

"You are welcome, and we're going somewhere nice. Don't worry."

The means for going somewhere nice was a bit inconvenient.

"The Knight Bus? Are you joking?" said Filch as they got in.

"It's the least expected," said Moriarty as he looked around, "And it's very fun."

"Mr. Black and Miss Riddle, you sit here with me," said a man at the end of the bus.

"Mr. Stiltskin!" said Harry.

Stiltskin was wearing a blue scarf. His face seemed a bit younger than Harry had seen before.

Ginny tried to join them but Stiltskin kindly asked her to leave them alone.

"I have a fair bit of warning for you," he said tiredly, "Your condition will not get any better, especially yours Miss Riddle. I'm pretty sure that the next few weeks will be confusing, horrible and painful, not necessarily in that order, of course."

"What is going to happen?" asked Hermione nervously.

"I expect a lot to happen. Morningstar's plans are in their final stage. She has started to remove her pawns one by one. What do you think that means?"

"She's starting a war," said Harry. His voice lacked emotions as if he had become a robot.

"It must have terrified you. You are walking into an even bigger war than the previous one."

Stiltskin looked at the street and sighed, "If we don't succeed every single one of those innocent people out there will suffer in ways you could never imagine."

The last member of the Order was in before Harry could ask his question. The bus moved abruptly and Harry felt a terrible pain in his head.

Stiltskin looked at him and the pain disappeared.

"Do either of you feel cold or hot around me?" he asked.

"No," said Harry.

"No," replied Hermione.

Stiltskin asked no further questions until they arrived at an empty field. Harry couldn't see anything but grass and a bunch of flowers here and there.

"Are you sure this is the place?" asked Ginny.

"Read this, Miss Weasley," said Dumbledore as he gave her a piece of paper.

She read it and then she jumped out of her seat.

"Oh, my!" she exclaimed.

Stiltskin received the piece of paper from Tonks and gave it to Harry.

He instantly recognised Moriarty's messy and hurried handwriting.

"The Fort HQ7002 is the Department of Mysteries' 27th stronghold in Britain."

Harry looked up and only then he noticed that the field was anything but empty. There was a gigantic fort right in front of Harry. It was black and white and had a very tall tower.

"Welcome to Fort HQ7002," said Moriarty, "Stan, would you please help our friends in?"

"Aye, sir!" said Stan Shunpike, the conductor of Knight Bus.

"Oh! I missed this one," said Filch as he walked out of the bus.

"It's the best place we could get you in such short notice," said Stan. "It's nice eh?"

"I'm afraid it's currently without any facilities or furniture," said Moriarty, "There is absolutely nothing inside."

He was right. The fort was just an empty building. There were no portraits or carpets. There were only a few sleepy owls and a couple of baths here and there. Inside the fort was dark and damp. Moriarty took them to the main hall and conjured a few sofas for people to sit on.

"Miss Riddle, if you please, use your fire method to remove the dampness and mold and basically any living thing that doesn't belong here," said Moriarty.

Hermione shivered at the thought of doing that. It couldn't be safe to cast Fiendfyre on that scale.

"Hermione?" said Moriarty looking at her questioningly.

"I'm sorry, sir. I will have to refuse," she replied.

Moriarty sighed and raised his hand. Purple angry flames burst out and spreaded wild.

The fire's warmth was pleasant. It made all the lanterns turn on and the fort was now warm.

"The owls are still here," said Tonks.

"Because they belong here," said Filch, "And so do the bats."

"We will only be using the central wing," said Moriarty, "I think it will accommodate us just well enough."

The fort had many rooms and some of them were quite spacious. Harry, Hermione and Ginny were given a room up the tower right under Moriarty and Filch's room. Dumbledore set up an office for himself right below their room. That was the highest security the Order and Moriarty could have provided.

Sirius and Lucinda were already in a better mood. The fort was a place far away from the past dark shadows lurking in their memories.

The next morning Hermione walked down to the new kitchen and she saw the oddest thing. Moriarty, Dumbledore, Lucinda and Sirius were sitting in together as Kreacher spoke to them. Sirius and Lucinda looked very nervous while Dumbledore was as calm as ever. Moriarty on the other hand was sitting straight with a very serious face. His boney face looked much more intimidating than normal as the sunlight illuminated half of it. His sharp dark brown eyes did not lose their focus on Kreacher as Hermione entered.

"And that was it all, I suppose. Is there anything you haven't told us, Kreacher?"

"Kreacher has told Professor Moriarty everything he knows," said the house elf. Unlike most of his kind Kreacher was no longer a pathetic underdressed elf. He looked sharp and witty today.

"Master Orion and Mistress Walburga were always kind to Kreacher, but they never let him know their secrets. When Mistress Walburga last spoke to Kreacher she ordered him to forget everything he knew and he did."

"Is that even possible?" asked Sirius.

"It is quite possible, Sirius," said Dumbledore, "A house-elf's magical bond to their master gives unique powers to the master."

"Morningstar doesn't do things half way," said Moriarty, "However, what worries me is that Walburga Black is technically alive and that magically binds Kreacher to her. As long as he serves house Black he will have no escape."

Sirius and Lucinda looked grimm. Dumbledore sighed sadly and Moriarty frowned.

"Kreacher walked back and sat hopelessly on the ground."

"You do know that Morningstar murdered Regulus Black, don't you? The house-elves are capable of hearing anything in their master's house."

"Kreacher knows," the elf sobbed.

"Not the first time my mother has sacrificed her children," said a voice behind Hermione, making her jump and scream.

She looked back and saw Filch right behind herself. His appearance looked more disheveled than ever. Her natural legilimency reacted and tried to infiltrate Filch's mind.

"Good luck getting into Salazar Slytherin's brain," smirked Filch and looked at Kreacher, "You've got the cloth option."

The elf was trembling with anger but he nodded.

Lucinda removed her left sock and gave it to Sirius who in turn gave it to Kreacher reluctantly.

"Now, that you are free, you may rebind your contract with either Lucinda and Sirius alone if that is what you wish."

Kreacher nodded excitedly.

"How?" asked Sirius.

"First he has to choose the right master to bind with, then he will ask you to accept his servitude and the servitude of all who come after him, meaning his children."

"Kreacher, is there anyone here who is worthy of you?" asked Moriarty.

"Kreacher will need advice," said Kreacher shyly.

"You don't have to choose anyone," said Hermione, "You don't need a master. You can live for yourself."

"I have to agree," said Filch, "Over centuries I have seen many good house-elves who happened to be free and happy."

"In my experience when a house-elf doesn't have a master they tend to look for a new one or they are so depressed they kill themselves."

"Hermione, please go and bring Harry here, we need him."

Hermione nodded and turned around, she was about to walk out of the kitchen when Harry opened the door and walked in.

"Uhm… good morning. Is everything alright?" he asked as he was met with Hermione's surprise.

"Yes, Harry. Would you please join us?" said Dumbledore.

"Harry, can you call your friend Dobby?" said Moriarty.

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand why Harry has to do it? Can't Professor Dumbledore do it."

"Good question. Why don't you try, Albus?"

Dumbledore said Dobby's name, but nothing happened. Moriarty asked everyone else to do it and then again nothing happened.

"Can you guess what is not happening?" Moriarty asked Hermione.

"I suppose the Fidelius Charm is preventing Dobby from finding us." suggested Hermione.

"How did Kreacher find us then?"

Perhaps for the first time in her life if Hermione didn't know the answer to a question a teacher had asked.

"Fidelius can only include a few species. Elves can pass through under certain circumstances, for instance if their master knows the secret. And Magi are usually capable of seeing through it if they know what they are looking for. However, all species that are not included are restricted by Fidelius to a certain degree. And that means they cannot injure or hurt anyone here, and they cannot reveal the secret to humans."

So that was how Kreacher was there. Hermione had thought that he knew the secret.

"Now Harry, you try to call Dobby?"

Even before Harry could utter his name fully, Dobby was there staring at him with tennis ball eyes.

"How can Dobby be of service, Harry Potter?" he asked excitedly.

"Dobby, Kreacher has a few questions for you," said Harry uncomfortably. Why had Dobby been able to come only when Harry had called him?

Kreacher and Dobby stared at each other for two whole minutes, one occasionally nodding to the other until Kreacher looked away and raised his hand and pointed his frail index finger at Lucinda first and then as if something terrified him his finger moved to Sirius, but it didn't stop on him. It moved on and stopped on Hermione who was too shocked to say anything.

"To serve we are born," said Kreacher. Hermione wished to disagree but some higher power was in control of her tongue. Even her Occlumency couldn't help her, and even that shadowy version of her hiding in the dept of her mind was not going to interfere.

"To wield we are born," said Hermione to everyone's (except Moriarty's) surprise.

"I shall serve you," said Kreacher

"May you always be loyal to Hermione Granger," said Hermione with tears in her eyes, "For she will always be fair to you."

Hearing that Moriarty's eyes widened. He looked at Hermione in awe.

"So mote it be," said Kreacher.

"So mote it be," repeated Hermione.

"That was the weirdest shit I've seen so far," said Filch, "And I am really, really old."

"It's an ancient bond between humans and House-elves," said Moriarty, "It was put in place a long time ago, and almost all of the house-elves took advantage of it to bind themselves to humans."

"You call slavery, an advantage!?" said Hermione angrily.

"Humans have no choice in accepting or denying the bond. I'm afraid it's compulsory. Humans only discovered later on that they could free the elves by giving them proper clothing directly."

"But most elves never wish to be freed," said Sirius.

"Their magic is at its highest when they are actively serving," said Lucinda, "The more powerful the master and their family is the longer the elf lives."

"And the vow that you saw is rarely seen by such a large crowd. Most elves do it when only their target master is present." said Moriarty, "And masters are usually very reluctant to speak about it."

"But Hermione can free him right away if she doesn't want him to serve her," said Sirius.

"She most certainly can," agreed Moriarty.

Kreacher looked at Hermione pleadingly. He clearly did not want to be freed and that made little sense to her despite knowing the advantages that servitude offered the house elf.

"Mistress promised to be fair to Kreacher," said the elves nervously.

Hermione sighed and sat on a chair, hoping for some enlightenment from the universe to make the right decision.

"Oh, come on, you got lucky, Hermione," said Moriarty, "At least you know that you are bonded to a house elf."

"What do you mean?" asked Sirius.

"Sometimes if a house-elf is deeply gravitated toward the perfect master they might initiate the bond without the vows. In this case you won't even know," explained Moriarty, "If the said house-elf has been bonded to another family they might even disobey their own master to aid their 'true master'. Now, Albus was telling me a fascinating story a few days ago…"

Moriarty pointed at Dobby who smiled nervously.

"Dobby did not wish to burden the great Harry Potter."

"I'm sure you didn't, Dobby," said Moriarty kindly, "Nevertheless, what you did is against law. You must abide by the rules of the magical community. It is against the law to have an unregistered master, Dobby."

Hermione looked at Moriarty furiously. What a twisted world it was? Owning a House elf and abusing it was perfectly legal. How on Earth was Dobby the criminal here?

"You are being a douchebag, sir!" said Hermione to Harry's horror.

Moriarty did not get angry. However Hermione knew he was an excellent Occlumens and could hide his reactions whenever convenient.

Dobby nodded at Moriarty and faced Harry.

"Dobby is truly sorry, Harry Potter," said the poor elf tearfully.

Moriarty's eyes hardened. Hermione hissed angrily.

"Dobby, no!" she begged.

"To serve we are born," began Dobby.

Harry tried with all his might to keep his mouth shut but he had little control over his body. "To wield we are born," he continued involuntarily. His body was shaking with anger.

"I shall serve you," said Dobby wishfully.

"May you always be loyal to Harry Potter," continued Harry before feeling the magic relax and let him add to his vow, "For he will protect you whenever he can."

"So mote it be!" said Dobby failing to contain his glee.

"So mote it be!" said Harry.

Moriarty's expression was empty. Suddenly, Harry realised that he was practicing Occlumency, and that terrified him. Moriarty was a god of Occlumency. Even Lucinda could not break in. Him sitting so stoically meant that a storm of overwhelming emotions was boiling inside him. Moriarty smiled tiredly and stood up.

"Harry, you own Dobby as much as he owns you. Don't get confused by titles. We do serve house-elves in our own way. Harry, Hermione, be kind to your elves. Now, I must be going to the Ministry; there is a good chance of a coup staged by Pius Thickness."

Moriarty disappeared instantly in a cloud of grey dust.

"A coup?" asked Sirius.

"That's what he said," said Filch.

Chapter 47 is over. Comment Mr. D's real name if you know it.