Chapter 20
Harry and Neville were looking at tent catalogs in the library at Potter Manor. They had already ordered tents, and owned one, but Persephone wanted one just for the girls even though there were plenty of rooms in the others. Harry had tried to argue, Ares had put his foot down about it.
Harry did not need to follow in Padfoot's steps for anything relating to girls. Not at his age. Not ever.
"A swimming pool? Who needs a swimming pool as part of their tent?" Hermione demanded.
"Well, when you're camping, sometimes it's nice to come back from collecting plants, and relax in a nice refreshing pool." Neville explained. They hadn't done much last summer with Persephone and the new baby, but they did go out for a hike in the Welsh mountains near their home. And got to use the old Potter explorer's tent.
It had been a lot of fun!
Harry had even found an old overgrown stone ring. The stones were tiny - just inches tall, but the magic radiating showed that it had once been used regularly.
The Potter heir looked forward to getting the Grimoire out of the Potter family vault. Why it had been put there, he didn't know. No one could access the vault until they were 25. Was Charlus worried about James losing it? Lending it?
Or worse, was he worried that Dumbledore would destroy it to prevent their magic from being known? At least Dumbledore hadn't had access to that vault! No money or artifacts missing from there.
Every modern-day era painting was gone from Harry's trust vault where the items from the Godric's Hollow cottage had been placed. Dumbledore hadn't been able to break into Potter Manor, but all of the paintings were in storage in the family vault, the places where they used to hang, had been completely bare Persephone had placed artwork, mostly still-life, landscapes, or simple ironworks to cover the missing work.
The inventory of the vault showed more than 100 paintings. But how many had ended up in Hogwarts, or some other home. The count was off by more than 50 paintings. Paintings that Dumbledore clearly didn't want Harry to have access to growing up.
Dumbledore's regency of House Potter was a crime that would never be punished now. Harry had to take solace that at least the man couldn't hurt him anymore.
He was shaken from his musings by his friends.
"We don't need another pool though Neville. The one we have is big enough for us, the twins, and their girlfriends. What we need is one tent where we can have all of the girls. And hire a chaperone. Hey! Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Johnson would like to come. Angelina is getting invited. There's plenty of room in the box seats. Is that alright with you Nev?" Harry asked.
"Sure! That's great! All of the boys will fit in the Potter tent, plus Mr. Johnson, if he agrees. We still have a few rooms left. Just be sure to invite Hannah and Susan. They didn't come for any of the preliminary games."
"Adding to the harem, my husband to be?" Daphne asked. Rumors of their supposedly steamy relationship had somehow been slipped into Herbology Monthly of all things! The article was written very much in the Rita Skeeter style. It hadn't taken the House Black solicitors long to get a retraction and a gift of several plants from all over the world as an apology.
Neville liked that better than getting gold! Daphne took it all in stride.
"No, just trying to keep allies happy. I don't want to be the reason that Lord Black never sees the girls he considers grandchildren, after all." Neville explained.
"Lord Black will likely not stay too long after the game ends, but get back to the house. But Ares wants to stay. Persephone wants to come for the shopping and ambiance, but she's not much of a quidditch fan. I bet she and the babies, if they come at all, will stay in Ares' new tent. Of course, they'll bring a few extra human servants. At least they aren't insane!"
"Did Lord Black really threaten to kill Dobby?" Hermione asked in a whisper.
"Sort of. Lord Ogden sent him a really, really nice gift. A decanter of some special vintage of firewhiskey. Dobby brought it to him. Just as grandfather poured a tumbler, Dobby set everything on fire around it! It was a mess! And Grandfather got hurt! He pulled his wand, and said some ugly things that I'm not repeating, and blasted the little guy, but he popped away.
Lord Black did say that the next time he saw Dobby, he was getting clothes. Hopefully, he'll just quietly serve the rest of the family, and recover from whatever mental defect he has. It's getting bad." Harry explained. "He doesn't look that old to me."
Daphne had been thumbing through the catalog, and suddenly stopped. She took it aside and showed it to Hermione who started bouncing up and down.
"You said that the tent that we are buying is for the girls?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. And I want you to be happy. Have you found something?"
"Aye, my lord, I have. It's a little expensive, and you haven't given me a budget yet for the tent or for provisions, so I don't know..."
In a show of pureblood manners, Harry sent her a raspberry. "Daphne, give me the order form, and tell me the number. I'm ordering it already!"
Hermione watched in fascination at a different level of pureblood shopping. In the back of the catalog were individual or group size meals. Pre-prepared, and easy to serve for events such as this.
The cost was far less than a muggle restaurant or catering either. And Daphne knew the company, and said that the food was quite tasty.
Just then, Dobby popped in. His tea-towel was filthy and it looked as though he hadn't bathed in weeks.
"Harry Potter must not go to the World Cup! Bad things is happening there! Bad things!"
"Dobby. I like you, remember me, Hermione? I want to know what bad things are planned so that I can tell the aurors."
Dobby hit himself with a cast-iron fry pan that he took from a pocket somewhere. "No, Dobby can't betray Master. Dobby is good house-elf."
"Lord Black has threatened clothes, Dobby, because of the way that you have been acting. It isn't normal." Neville said in a soft voice.
"No! No Clothes! Dobby wants to protect his Great Master Harry Potter Sir!" Dobby got a look in his eye. "If Harry Potter sir in hospital, he can't be going to World Cup!"
The elf jumped at the boy, and brained him hard with the pan. Harry had no chance to defend himself. He had crouched down to talk to Dobby, to try and reason with him, and was now on the Potter library floor bleeding.
Several things happened at once. Several Hogwarts and Black house-elves popped in and tried to capture Dobby without success. The insane elf had used magic to block them, and popped away. Why Hogwarts elves would come to his rescue was something to be pondered later. Hermione cried out, and ran to her best friend. She knew from before that head injuries were very serious, and knelt down next to him, trying to remember what to do. She also remembered that Poppy had been concerned about Harry ever being reinjured.
The family used this excuse as why Hadrian did not play quidditch when he was such a good flyer.
Neville froze at first, and then remembered his mirror. He called his Uncle Ares, who answered, and he gave a very coherent and quick report, and requested help. Ares promised to call him right back, and disappeared from view. Neville knew he was out somewhere, and would likely be home soon.
Daphne had run to the floo to get help.
It was Hermione who took charge. Her parents had recently enrolled her in a first aid course. She got Jexter to bring Harry a blanket to keep him warm, and a clean cloth compress to reduce the bleeding. She used no magic at all.
By the time that the healer arrived with Ares, the bleeding had stopped. Lord Black followed on their heels.
"Good job, young lady. Most people fall apart in emergencies, and you've done all of the right things. And none of the wrong things, like trying to move him. Talk to me when you're older if you're interested in healing. We need people like you."
The woman waved her wand, and effortlessly conjured a stretcher.
"Do you have a carriage Lord Black? It would be the best transport."
"Aye, hasn't been used in some time. Jexter, go to Lesander Bulstrode. See if we can hire a team of Pegasi. If he says no, we'll have to use the thestrals."
Jexter bowed and popped away.
The Bulstrodes raised racing and pleasure Pegasi, and it was a business that was just keeping afloat. Barely. With Draco being out of pocket last summer, and neither Neville or Hermione enjoying flying, Harry had not been renting any of the magnificent creatures lately. And they had never rented the full team before.
So many people did not travel by carriage anymore.
Jexter popped in, and told the company that the flying horses would be here soon. He had popped the carriage there, since it was easier to keep a flight together in harness.
"Good lad. You've earned a nice merit. Remind me tonight, after our boy is out of danger." Arcturus said with a grim nod, his attention fixed on his heir.
Cassiopia came running in just then, and saw the blood. She started shrieking, but was suddenly silenced. It still woke Harry for a moment.
"That's a good sign. Let's get him up to the dock upstairs. Mr. Black, if you would take point. Mr. Neville, there you go lad. You girls can help too if you are of a mind to do so."
Harry was all muscle, so surprisingly heavy for his age. Still, the five of them managed to get him up to the sitting room at the loading dock well before the carriage arrived. The place had an unused smell to it, but it was clean.
When the coach pulled up, it appeared to be somewhat like the Queen's magnificent carriage. Mr. Bulsrode himself was at the reins. He tipped his hat to Lord Black.
But inside was huge! Plenty of room for all of them. Ares and Neville managed to get Harry situated on the middle long couch, and Lord Black conjured restraints to keep him in place. Daphne normally would wait to be handed in. She was not dancing attendance here, this was an emergency. She took a seat in the back, allowing the seat next to Harry for another. Ares sat next to her, and waved Neville to a seat in the rear. Hermione sat near Harry, but allowed the healer the seat next to him.
Lord Black loved flying like this, and went to sit next to the driver. Besides, it was better security to have an extra wand out there, just in case.
Hermione bit her lip in a moment of fear just before take off. But she was in Gryffindor for a reason. She really hadn't liked any magical travel so far. Maybe this would be better.
Ares made sure that the notice-me-not runes were engaged and functioning
The moment the footman got to his place after shutting the door, they were off! And oh, what a flight!
The carriage fell abruptly 10 feet upon take off, but the Pegasi soon had it aloft. From where they were in Wales to London by train would take anywhere from 2 and 1/4 to 3 hours depending on connections.
The flight was short, far too short to cover the roughly 300 km from Potter Manor, and the healer was fidgeting the whole way.
Hermione was surprised to see the official landing place on top of the hospital. There was even a place for multiple carriages to park.
They offloaded Harry first, and burley orderlies took over carrying the lad from the family. The healer following.
As the rest poured out of the carriage, Neville heard Lord Black promise 1,000 galleon bonus for his quick response of help.
The man looked shocked, then took his hat off in respect.
"Anytime you want to go for a ride for pleasure, my lord, let me know. This is a fine carriage."
"Maybe we can work a deal for you to use it once in awhile. But later. I need to see to my grandson."
Mr. Bulstrode waited to make sure that everyone was inside before departing.
'Shame about the boy getting hurt, but oh, I love flying this baby!' The man thought to himself.
With a whoop that started a flock of pigeons, they were gone.
-00-00-00-
Jexter was on the rug, literally, and Cordelia and Persephone were grilling him. Daphne, of course, had called her mother for help. And she came. With Neville and Daphne's betrothal, House Black was family even more than before.
"How could this happen? A house-elf attacked the heir! How did he not lose his magic!"
Jexter pulled his ears. That stupid, insane Dobby.
"Jexter is not knowing my ladies. Mistress, Jexter is so, so sorry!"
"I'm buying a new security elf. No, a dozen new security elves. We can't dismiss Dobby until he appears, and he won't answer my call! If anyone in the house sees him, they are to seize him! Wait, that will confuse you! We have to catch Dobby in order to set him free! Urgg!"
She whirled to the distressed elf and tried to calm herself.
"Jexter. I didn't mean to sound angry with you. You are a good elf. Whatever treat you get when you do something special, on my order, you get double. Now, please go."
Jexter gladly popped away. Mistress was kindly most times, but when she was mad, she was scary witch!
Persephone went to the fireplace. She wanted to hit something. She wanted to curse something, or someone, or something.
'Temple was a good security elf! Where did he go?' Persephone asked herself for the 1000th time.
No one had seen him since the baby's burial. He had stood guard over the grave in the wet and cold. No one in the family had held him responsible. Only the murderers were held responsible for the loss of the baby. But the house-elf had not responded to calls after that, and it was feared he had died of a broken heart.
"What do you think it means? 'Bad things at the World Cup.' Daphne will be so disappointed if she can't go. But if the children are in danger?" Cordelia Greengrass asked.
"Harry is in danger just breathing. He can't even spend a day with his friends in his own home, in his own library without people attacking him!" Persephone broke down into tears. Cordelia went over and patted her on the arm. It was the pureblood matron's version of a warm hug.
"He'll be all right. The healer said so.
-00-00-00-
"Minister, did you get my report?" The toad woman asked, barely suppressing a smirk at her cleverness.
"Why Miss Umbridge, I did. And I so wanted to reward you myself. Please. I have something special in mind. You are without doubt deserving of this. I cannot tell you how invaluable your help has been."
"It was nothing, Minister. Please don't mention it."
It would be a long time before someone noticed that Delores Umbridge was missing from the Ministry of Magic.
When asked, the minister would admit to allowing the woman a vacation, but didn't know exactly where she went or where she was.
Apparently, she had a little portkey problem.
-00-00-00-
"Hello Harry, how are you?"
It was the middle of the night, the third day that Harry had been there. He didn't recognize the voice, and it was very dark.
"Who's there?"
"It's me. Your Aunt Alice, or at least that's what you would have called me growing up. You healed me last Yule. At least I think it was last Yule. It took time to find myself. Frank took a little longer. Neville is such a wonderful boy. I'm glad he's staying with you now. Much better than with my cold-hearted mother-in-law."
"If I healed you, why are you here?"
"Frank and I. We talked about it. We're not completely better, certainly not strong enough to go against Augusta and Algie. Why didn't she have us treated, Harry? Why? Frank is her son, her flesh and blood. We're safer just being as we were. So we sleep during the day, and read and whatnot at night. Don't worry. I'm good at runes. I have alarm wards to warn us if anyone checks on us at night. We really have minimal care.
"I would have starved to death if I didn't feed myself. Now, enough about me. Let me finally get to ask you questions, rather than you just rambling when you visit. Which I'm proud of you for doing. And also, you need to tell me why you are here."
They talked for what seemed like hours, and then a man's voice spoke softly. "Time to go dear."
"We'll be back. I love you, my godson. I'm very, very proud of you."
"Thank you Aunt Alice. I will do my best to get you out of here soon." Harry promised.
And he meant it.
-00-00-00-
The Daily Prophet somehow got a bit of the truth - Harry Potter had been attacked, and at death's door in St. Mungo's.
Thankfully, Persephone was prepared, and had hired a small squad of goblins already in place. The most rabid fangirl squeaked when seeing those blades.
None dared pass.
-00-00-00-
It was a small group of no-doubtedly well-meaning witches and wizards who met.
"The Prophet said that his friends were to go, but he was too hurt to attend."
"If he's not coming, what will we do? My daughter tried to visit him, get a feel if we could take him now, but his security is very, very good."
"I have news." The man walked near silently into the room, capturing everyone's attention with his silky voice. "I've heard that Potter is getting released the day the event starts. He will be attending, even if he has to be carried in by servants. He will go straight to the campsite. We can confirm then whether he is there or not. If his plans have changed, I have this."
The man held up a cup. It looked familiar to most, but none could place it. Well, one did.
"That's a St. Mungo's cup! From spell-damage."
"That's correct. It's also a portkey, keyed to Potter's signature. Hogwarts has such poor security. Anyone has access to that file. It's pathetic."
"You mean, all the boy has to do is touch it?"
"Yes, all he has to do is touch it."
"And then?"
"And then we start the ritual."
Murmurs of agreement meant that the backup plan was approved.
-00-00-00-
Harry Potter was far too happy for having to stay in a hospital bed for a couple of weeks during the summer holiday.
He could tell no one that he spent time with his godmother and her husband. The goblins were his guards after all. He could clear his godmother to see him. As he learned far more stories of his mother than he ever expected to hear.
It sort-of hurt to find out she wasn't perfect, she wasn't the all-loving, model mother that Harry's initial image of her was.
But even as that shrine was torn down, a different image, feet of clay model appeared. Loving, oh yes. Kind too. Fed birds in the yard, and gave meals to the neighbors when they were sick.
Healed hurt wild animals.
Fought with his father over the last biscuit, yelled about James leaving his socks on the couch, and terrorized the terrors of Hogwarts when pranks went too far, and turned into bullying.
Harry had to find a way to rescue Alice and Frank without Augusta finding out about it too soon.
He just had to.
Harry was still banned from floo and portkey travel - the spinning would be horrible, but was allowed to attend the game as long as he went by muggle means.
Or Lord Black's carriage, when he asked about that.
So Lord Black's amazing carriage it was. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson lived in London, so they and their daughter, her friend Alicia, and the Weasley twins met them at the hospital. Neville and a nervous Hermione showed up. A robe wearing Emma Granger showed up to see them off - she wanted to see the carriage.
Lord Black stayed far from the muggle woman, and stayed on the carriage seat next to the driver, trying and failing to be invisible.
Two goblins escorted Harry to the roof, orderlies carrying the boy by a plain but functional palanquin. They then easily got him into the flying carriage.
"You shouldn't be leaving yet!" His healer hissed.
"You are invited to come with us. Plenty of room in the box for the game, food and a nice room in a tent provided. Otherwise, I'll be back after the game ends. Well, likely an hour or two after the game ends. But yes, I won't drink alcohol. I'll wear my communication bracelet, I'll drink my potions, and eat my green vegetables."
"Wait. I didn't order you to eat green vegetables!" She declared.
"Hear that Grandfather! I have a healer's permission to not eat my green vegetables." Harry watched from inside the carriage as the healer spluttered.
"Oh you! You little, You!"
The twins said nothing, but gave Harry high fives in passing.
Soon, the staff had everyone loaded up. The elves took charge of people's luggage, and they were on their way. Emma and the St. Mungo's people waving their farewells. It wasn't everyday that anyone left by carriage anymore.
It was a wonderful flight. And Mr. Bulstrode took the scenic route, coming over the cliffs of Dover as the morning light was still upon them.
A makeshift landing field was made from a nearby grassy airfield. The muggles never saw them come or go, and Bulstrode didn't hang about.
Once there, the goblin vanguard showed up with an extremely fancy two seater palanquin that looked like it had been made in India. Not a bit of magic about it. Harry was ordered into it, and he held out a hand to Hermione.
"Come on Hermione! It'll be fun! And goblins would never allow themselves to be enslaved, I promise. They are getting paid good gold for this.
Hermione looked at the armed and armored beings. One nodded at her, and before she could object, had picked her up and put her next to her friend. She squeaked when he first touched her, but once in the chair she couldn't figure out how to get down, so just sat back to enjoy the ride.
The phalanx stopped in front of the Potter tent.
"We will return this afternoon at 2 to escort you to the shops for 30 minutes. No more, per your healer. We will return here. We will then report back 30 minutes before the start of the game, no sooner. We will carry you to your box. No arguments. When the game is complete, we escort you back here." The goblin leaned in. "Any questions, Heir Potter?"
Harry gulped, looking at the axe in the man's hand, and wondering how a wizard faced such without needing a change of pants.
"No questions, Senior Guardmaster."
The goblin nodded, and set out the watch.
The House Black was serious about security, especially with the heir being attacked again.
No one but a few knew the attack came from an insane house-elf.
-00-00-00-
Mrs. Weasley was on a mission. Two weeks earlier, her twins asked if they could go to the World Cup with their girlfriends. They had been planning on going for months. It was the addition of the girls that was new. She sent a letter to Mrs. Black, and explained her concerns of her underage boys being under-supervised with underage girls. It was requested that she be allowed to attend, not the quidditch match, but the camping before hand.
"I will earn my place. I love to cook, I have done so for large crowds. I would be happy to prepare food for the group of young people in exchange for being able to keep an eye on them.
It was a reasonable request.
She even offered to bring her own tent.
Ten days before the event, Mad-eye Moody contacted Hadrian at the hospital, who sent the note on. He offered his services as guard for Harry during the event, or any other time.
Remus Lupin, having recently finished another book, also offered to be security.
Harry appreciated having people he could trust there.
And it was a bit more adult supervision. Harry provided a tent for the group of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Mr Lupin, and former Master Auror Moody.
Ares was worried. Something had to be up, for so many of the Order to congregate, didn't it?
-00-00-00-
When the goblins began to set the wards, a new visitor showed up, coming from the Weasley tent.
Deputy Headmaster Snape was there.
He asked to see Lord Black.
"We've heard some disturbing rumors of people wanting to take advantage of Mr. Potter's recent attack. I'm sworn to protect the boy."
"Something is going on." Ares commented. "What aren't you saying?"
"There are those who would use the boy for their own purposes. I try to listen, fit in. Be a part. So that one day, if needed, I might be in a position where I could help."
"Even if you are then targeted?" Lord Black asked.
"Even if I die. Yes."
"What do you request in exchange?" Lord Black demanded.
Severus looked into Harry's eyes for a long moment.
"What I want, you cannot give me. What I need, I have. I ask for nothing."
"A future favor, if you put your life on the line to save my grandson's."
"The limit?"
"My life."
"And you would give it?"
"To save Harry, in a heartbeat. He's already saved my life twice. Once, when he was 5 years old."
"Grandfather, no!"
"I won't be using your family for potions ingredients, Potter, think!"
"I don't understand." Harry said unhappily.
"I hope you never do. We have an accord, Lord Black. It would be best if Mr. Potter was in his tent immediately following the game. And watch your drinks." He held up a cup from St. Mungo's for a moment before banishing it.
"But Seamus and Dean invited us to their party if Ireland wins! I said we would stop by." Harry whined horribly. If they had been at school, he'd be cleaning cauldrons without magic for weeks.
"Ignore me at your peril young man. Be sure to come straight back. Now, I must go. And please, I was never here." Professor Snape was clearly needing to leave.
"We understand, professor, and thank you for your time."
"Well, I don't understand." Hadrian huffed, but the professor was gone.
The goblins asked if the people from the Weasley tent were to be included in the protection scheme. Professor Snape was already on the list for emergencies. All of them were trusted (well, Harry didn't trust Ginny, but she wouldn't harm him) and the warding continued.
-00-00-00-
The pool was a perfect place for Harry to be during the day when they weren't shopping.
He could float, sip his fruity drinks, and overall have fun with his friends without running everywhere.
The girls went shopping in a pack, and brought back moving figures from both teams, bright green hats with giant clovers that waved and shot sparks, and little pennants that swirled the names from the teams.
Ares had bought a huge box of omnioculars before the event for everyone. But he was looking sad all day.
"What's wrong, Padfoot?" Harry started to ask, but was cut off.
"Not here, son. My friend Moony has a wolf like hearing, you know.
"Yeah, and if we need a distraction, we tell the twins that he's one of their heros." Harry offered.
Ares still looked unhappy.
"There's too many of the old crowd here. They expect trouble, and I don't think it's the tooth fairy."
"Right. The Rotfang conspiracy. Well, Moody is here, and you trust Lupin, right?"
"He would never join Vol..."
Harry put a hand over his mouth. "I know that Dumbledore was brave saying his name. But do we know that the taboo was broken? For sure?"
The animagus shook his head in acquiescence. "I just wished that you were 100%. You look terrible."
"Thanks, Uncle. I think you look very dapper and handsome." Harry stuck out his tongue.
"Just be careful. I think that the warning you got was in a code I couldn't figure out." Ares said.
"I think so too. Should have told it to the girls. They'd have it solved before we could drink a cup of tea." Heir Black stated with assurance.
Ares snorted. Harry wasn't wrong.
-00-00-00-
Harry and Hermione were treated like a royal couple, being carried up to their private box.
Hermione at first complained about being seated next to Harry in the carry-chair until Daphne pointed out that there were approximately 50,000 witches there, and every single one would be willing to take her place. She didn't say 'including me', but Hermione heard it.
The private box that Lord Black had rented was very busy. Among them were friends, allies, and guards, lots of guards.
Near them were Minister Ogden and his lovely wife Narcissa, and her son Draco. Her baby daughter was somewhere. Likely left at home or in the tent with a nanny. Polite waves were sent, but Draco was seething with jealousy over the attention Harry was getting.
The less said about Hermione the better.
Lord Black exchanged polite nods with Narcissa. That was until Dobby brought something that Draco demanded. He nearly drew his wand, but it was only his eyes sending AK's to the elf. Now the mad thing was threatening Narcissa! And she just had a baby. He swore under his breath, promising himself he would see the elf dead just as soon as possible.
They settled into their seats, Harry ordered up the crispy treat that Neville enjoyed, making sure that his friends had beverages and omnioculars. It was show time!
-00-00-00-
"Did you see him? Wow! Just dove down, like a demon, and ploughed Aiden good" Daphne said, using her Krum figure to diagram the attack. "Wasn't that amazing?"
Daphne kept looking at Harry though, knowing how much he loved quidditch. They had gone to many matches together over the years.
"Yes, my dear. And I thought it was amazing the first 37 times you told me too!" Neville said, gently teasing his future bride. She had a moue of disappointment that Hadrian hadn't commented yet.
Neville and Daphne were in front of Harry and Hermione, but behind the procession heading to the tent.
The goblins had decided it was safer to wait for the crowd to thin a bit before carrying the couple down the stairs. They would be facing backwards, as it was so steep, and would be very uncomfortable being carried frontways.
Lord Black looked at his pocket watch. "We really should be going."
Just in case, he was going for safety, after all.
But the crowd pushed close.
Harry commanded that they stop at Seamus' tent 'for just one minute' to say hello and congratulations, before pressing back into the crowd.
They finally reached the safety of the wards, and were met by a smiling Mrs. Weasley.
"So good to see you all! I know you didn't want to eat before you left, but I've a nice stew ready. And some tea and hot chocolate, there's just a bit of nip in the air."
She waited for Harry and Hermione to unload from the goblin carrier, and handed them both a mug. A very familiar mug.
Ares tried, he really tried. "Harry, no!"
In a flash of light, he was gone.
Molly looked around everywhere. "Where did he go? What happened?"
It was a goblin that answered. After swearing in his language. "I've failed my mission. Harry Potter has been taken captive."
"Well, just don't stand there! We've magic! Let's look for him!" Mrs. Weasley said.
Hermione burst into tears. "We were supposed to go straight back to the carriage. But Harry didn't want to disappoint anyone. We're supposed to leave right now!"
"There, there dear. We'll find him. You'll see. I'll just go get my old scrying mirror. See if I can't help."
She left the serving of the food to others, and said she was going back into her tent to look for it.
-00-00-00-
There was much shouting and blaming before Lord Black sent a cannon blast. He called for order and got it. He tasked Ares with contacting Amelia, he tasked the goblins to secure the perimeter - no one in or out until they said so. Anti-apparition and anti-portkey wards went up.
The goblins looked very confused about that - they had been up when they left.
"Obviously, someone clever broke through some of the wards. Someone could have been spying when they were set up. I don't have answers, just questions." Ares said, trying to calm himself, knowing that this time, Harry might die.
A portkey ride alone right now could kill him. It certainly would incapacitate him.
But the biggest question, the one that they had to solve was just one.
"Where's Harry?"
-00-00-00-
The man sitting at the head of the table wanted to leap for joy. It worked! His simple plan worked, and now the boy was here, incapacited, bound, and humbled.
He would help his friend, his mentor, his master rise again. No one so powerful would remain dead. No, his master was immortal.
Part two of the plan was next.
He hoped it worked as well as the first part did.
-00-00-00-
Harry Potter felt sick, very sick.
And powerless.
Those stupid cuffs were on his wrists, but he was tied up. He couldn't release them without his fingers loose, and right now, the world would not stop spinning.
"Oh, you poor dear! You look like you are not doing well. Here's a stomach soother for you."
"Mrs Weasley?" Harry tried to say, but potion was poured into his mouth, and suddenly, everything was right with the world.
Ginny was there. She was so pretty! One day, he would have to marry that girl. And there was one of his mentors, Mad-eye.
"Hey Mad-eye! Did you like the game?" Harry asked far too brightly for someone in his condition.
Dying slowly.
"Yes lad." He sounded sad. Probably bet on Bulgaria. Oh well.
If he lost too much, Harry would be willing to help him.
Remus was there, sniffing at him, the old wolf, as was that auror, what was his name? Oh yeah, Kingsley.
"Hey, I know you! Hi!" Harry tried to wave, but found his hand bound to the armed chair he was in. He waggled his wrist happily. It just wasn't that important that he was bound just now.
"Hello lad." The tall dark-skinned auror greeted politely, frowning at the chair.
"Can we please get on with this? I have no desire to join the Harry Potter fan club in this life or any other." Professor Snape had his patented sneer going.
Someone clearly forgot their homework. Oh well. At least the professor would have some help cleaning cauldrons.
Ginny came to his rescue. She always did, didn't she? "You just don't like Harry because he's smart and handsome and rich and practices good hygiene! You don't know anything!"
That was telling the greasy git. Wait, what? Why did Snape look sad?
"The potion is ready. The ritual needs to begin. Who will be the servant?"
The room started playing eye-ball tag. Not it, not it, not it.
A short man. Hey wait! The guy who took over Hagrid's job.
"I know you - you're Dadalus Diggle!"
"Quite right Mr. Potter. Quite right. Well, maybe once you get your power back, you can heal me. This is all for the greater good after all."
"I'd be happy to try." Harry said helpfully, not knowing or understanding, or really caring what was happening. Because everything was just perfect.
He was here with family after all.
"Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will resurrect your son." Professor Snape intoned, and Harry could hear a splash.
"How is a muggle bone going to help raise a magical lord?" someone whispered.
"His father was a wizard!" someone argued back louder, but was shushed.
"Flesh of the servant, willingly given, you will resurrect your master." Snape had the most amazing voice. Wonder if he would come read stories to the children. After all, at least one of the boys would have to be named after him.
A yelp, tears and another splash. Sobbing. The sound of someone drinking down a potion with yet more sobbing.
Poor man. Harry wanted to help him, and tried to go to him, but found he was bound to a chair. Huh.
"Here we are. Mr. Potter. You have annoyed me and been a problem since day one of school. I'm going to enjoy this. Just remember that the blood of an enemy forcibly taken is powerful in resurrecting your foe."
Harry's head instantly cleared, and he focused. 'Forcibly taken' had been the key to his head clearing.
'I willingly give my blood to Professor Snape. I want to give my blood to Professor Snape.' The mantra repeated as the knife plunged into his arm, and he screamed.
Everything was not alright, and everything was not okay.
"Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe." Snape intoned.
Harry could hear movements, and gasps of the assembled people.
"Robe me." A voice said. An all too familiar voice.
At his command, Harry's chair was turned.
There, in shocking orange and pink swirl robes, stood Albus Dumbledore.
"Harry, my boy, I can't tell you how disappointed I am in you." He said over recently donned half-rimmed glasses.
With the blood loss, the portkey, lack of real food for several hours, and shock, Harry fainted.
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