Late that morning, Danny woke up, feeling achy but otherwise fine. He had a splitting headache and his leg could barely hold him up, but he was able to hobble into the kitchen and get a glass of water which he desperately needed after getting sick that morning. He then painfully made his way upstairs to his given bedroom where he pulled off the ripped robes and tugged on a new t-shirt. He had brought a rucksack of clothes and essentials with him from Amity Park. Narcissa had cleaned his laundry for him. He then reported to Voldemort saying that he only survived the fall because he hit a tree on the way down. It was dark and no one, including himself, knew where he fell. No one would be able to tell he was lying. Voldemort, oddly, had expressed a detached happiness that Danny had survived, bringing the teen into a hug. Danny, despite his aching muscles and tender ribs, couldn't pull away until Voldemort released him. Danny was excused for the time being to recover.
Danny decided to take the opportunity to check in with the order, feigning wanting to take a walk to clear his head which was still a little sore from the fall the previous night. Somehow through the fall and subsequent teleporting and apparating, he'd managed to keep his fake wand intact. It was a relief as that wand was not replaceable. He decided to ask the order to replace the spells on it to avoid suspicion. Snape couldn't be friends with Danny and helping him without the order learning of the wizard's true intentions.
Danny found a dark, secret corner of the vast gardens where he could change into his ghost form and teleport in privacy, unseen by anyone in the house or on the surrounding grounds. He appeared near Ted and Andromeda Tonks' house. He put a hand to his spinning head.
"Ugh, maybe a bit too soon," he groaned to himself before walking to the door, he didn't feel capable of floating right now. He knocked on the door. Tonks opened the door and exclaimed in relief and happiness, pulling the teen into a tight hug, ignoring his protests and radiating cold.
"I'm so relieved. I was afraid I killed you," she whispered in his ear.
"Tonks who's at the door?!" Lupin called from inside.
"Danny," she answered, pulling the teen inside and kicking the door shut. Lupin rushed to the front door and smiled at Danny.
"Thank goodness. Tonks told me what happened. Are you alright?" Lupin informed him. Danny nodded, a little stunned by the warm welcome.
"Unless you want my parents to know about you, you might want to change," Tonks advised as she herded him to the worn couch beside the empty fireplace. Danny numbly obeyed.
"Did you change to survive the fall?" Tonks asked.
"Er, no. I couldn't do that in case someone spotted me. But I was able to slow down my fall. Not enough though to stop myself getting hurt. But when I woke up this morning I was able to get help and they took me to where Voldemort's staying. They got me a healer," Danny explained, slowly shaking off his surprise.
"Was he angry?" Lupin inquired worriedly.
"No. He was asleep when I got there I think. I had a concussion so not entirely sure of everything. But when I saw him a little while ago, he looked happy that I was okay. I think they all thought I was dead. But I managed to convince them all that I hit a tree on the way down and that slowed my fall enough so I could survive," Danny told them. The newly married couple blinked in surprise.
"Good idea with those extra Harrys by the way. Completely threw us, myself included. Who was the Harry behind you Tonks?" Danny remarked.
"Oh, it was Ron. Remus had one of the twins," Tonks answered. Danny nodded.
"Good. Ron will tell Harry that he saw me. I hope I was convincing enough," Danny commented.
"You were. About that by the way. You're a muggle right? How is it that you could cast Stupefy?" Tonks inquired. Danny smirked and pulled out his fake wand.
"Gift from Dumbledore. It's a special wand, no core though, that can store certain spells for me to use later on. Only have one of each spell though. I used up my stupefy. Remus, mind replacing it for me?" Danny explained and handed the wand to Lupin when he nodded.
"Okay, what about avada kedrevra? Because-" Tonks began.
"Not on it. I knew you'd hit me before I could hit you. Thought it would look good," Danny interrupted. Tonks blinked before smiling in understanding.
"You know, you really are something. I was nearly convinced and I know your secret. You really want to convince Harry and his friends that you switched sides don't you," Tonks remarked. Danny shrugged.
"I told you guys. Harry and Voldemort are connected. If I convince Harry, I convince Voldemort," Danny confirmed. Lupin handed Danny his fake wand and the halfa pocketed it.
"How about you guys though? How did last night go for you?" Danny asked. Both adults grew silent and upset.
"You didn't hear?" Lupin muttered.
"Only been awake for a couple of hours, if that. What happened? Harry's okay isn't he?" Danny replied worriedly.
"Moody's dead," Lupin told him. Danny felt the world stop for a split second. Moody. Alastor Mad Eye Moody. Dead. It didn't seem possible. The gruff, battle worn auror was gone.
"How?" Danny croaked.
"Mundungus was one of the Harrys. He was with Moody. The coward panicked when Voldemort went after him and apparated. Killing curse hit Moody instead," Lupin explained. Danny shook his head slowly.
"I always thought that Mundungus would let down the order. But… I never thought… Any sign of the coward?" Danny mumbled, completely dazed.
"No. But we can't really blame him. Moody forced Mundungus to volunteer. He hadn't wanted to be on that mission. It was why Moody insisted on taking him. Thought the coward would bolt. Unfortunately, he was right," Tonks replied. They were silent for a minute out of respect for Moody and for Danny to digest the news.
"Any-any others?" Danny whispered, hating having to ask.
"No fatalities. George lost an ear. Cursed off by Snape. But he's fine. Already cracking jokes," Lupin answered. Danny nodded slowly. That was a relief.
"Bet Harry was upset. Has he tried to run off yet?" Danny commented.
"Tried last night. Ron and Hermione talked him out of it," Tonks answered.
"How did you know that he tried to run away?" Lupin inquired.
"I think you're forgetting Remus, I followed the guy around for a year. I know Harry pretty well. He'd feel guilty about Moody. Would want to protect everyone. Running away would be the only way he could think of. To be honest, I'm surprised that he let you go through with the plan in the first place," Danny retorted.
"Oh, he didn't want to. But we all talked him around," Tonks confirmed. Danny smirked at that.
"Oh, Bill asked me to pass on a message when we next saw you. Bill and Fleur would like you to come to the wedding next week still. Wondered if you could attend invisibly or overshadowing someone," Lupin recalled. Danny blinked in surprise before biting his lip uncertainly.
"I don't know Remus. Your wedding was one thing. Hardly anyone there, set up last minute. Bill and Fleur's is different. A lot of people, well publicised and I can't get away all the time. Let alone for a long evening," Danny reasoned uncertainly.
"Just thought I should pass on the message. You don't have to be there the entire day though Danny. Just pop in, say hi and go. We all understand your cover is important and your hands are tied. But Phantom can turn up without question. At least say you'll think about it," Lupin replied. Danny sighed and nodded.
Danny's fine. Yay. But Moody's gone. Not yay.
Let me know what you guys think so far.
Until the next chapter.
