Author's Notes: Woot! we've passed 50,000 views and 250 Reviews!(Insert Mad Cackling Here) Thank you all so much for your interest. Right! First things first, I would like to thank Bearmauls, for some Ideas that were passed along, particularly in regards to a location suggestion.
Right! What else? Ummmm…Oh! This is the last chapter in this bundle of releases. The next bundle will be near the end of next month.
Warnings: Language
Chapter 14: You gotta take the good with the bad.
—
A couple hours later, as Harry and Hermione were sleeping fitfully in the Granger household, Dumbledore was seating himself at his desk and pondering the last week or so's events. And a most unusual week it had been too. Harry Potter, a boy he had believed himself to know well. Had apparently been, unknown to anyone in the order, missing from his place of residence at number 4 Privet Drive for a number of days. The only reason they had found out when they had was that the boy himself once again being attacked by Dementors and generally causing a fuss in downtown London. He had, as Moody had reported later, also been attacked by a number of, at the time, unidentified wizards. In addition to having managed to kill a creature largely assumed to be un-killable.
Upon arriving at the Orders Headquarters he had quite uncharacteristically ignore advice given to him by Molly Weasley to not interrupt the meeting, then proceeded upstair where he engaged in an equally uncharacteristic fight with his erstwhile friend Ronald. He had gone so far as to strike Ronald, at which point he once again challenged the quite formidable Molly Weasley ,and managed, to everyones grudging admiration, to set her on the defensive.
Unfortunately a few days later things had taken a more sinister turn from there in the aftermath of the fight with Ronald, the boy had once again gone missing, this time only for a day. It was during a meeting to address this that a number of other failures, and unforeseen complications were noted. Not the least of which was the discovery that Molly Weasley with the help of her son Ronald had in fact been potioning Harry and Hermione. The discovery of this was not at the hands of the ever brilliant Hermione but that of Harry. He had quite astutely discovered evidence of their duplicity and gone to Tonks for aid. She had with the help of others handled it quite effectively.
Perhaps most shocking to Dumbledore was the discovery that, quite on his own, Harry had managed to study up on a branch of magic known as Occlumency. He had managed to not only learn it, but manage it well enough to create a wall which concealed his minds shape from his own attempts to probe it. Most disturbing. He had resolved that he would indeed need to reevaluate his approach to a great many things. Including how much he could…
His train of thought was interrupted by the arrival of Minerva Mcgonagall, the Auror, the team which had accompanied her, and the remaining Dursleys. The two muggles were pushed into the centre of the room as the witches and wizards formed a perimeter around them.
Petunia looked about to protest, "Silence." Dumbledore ordered, all the other magicals in the room levelled wands at the slight woman, who promptly clamped her mouth shut. He waved a wand idly and a set of chairs, the most uncomfortable he knew how to conjure, popped into existence. "Sit" he ordered and the two Muggles complied.
He stared at one particular muggle for a long time, Petunia. The one he had made his bargain with. The one who was Harry's true aunt, being his mothers sister. The one who should have stepped in to stop her Ogre of a husband, her brutish son from assaulting her charge. "Petunia, do you remember what I asked you to do all those years ago on the doorstep of your house?" He asked keeping a civil tone. He watched her jerk her head once up and down in agreement. So Dumbledore recited it. "I asked you to care for the son of your dead sister, I asked you to provide, food, shelter and a home. I asked you to treat him as if he were your own. To love him." He reminded her. She squirmed under his bland stare. "You did in fact provide food and shelter. But you did not provide any of the other things I asked you to." He said sternly.
"You see the reason I placed him at your house in the first place was so that the spells bonded to his blood for his protection would function. They required that he find a home with people of his blood, who loved him, in order to function." He explained. He idly popped a lemon drop in his mouth, and stared at Petunia. He really had to struggle in order to see anything of her sister in her. "The wards, the protective spells that is, are not functioning Petunia, could you venture to guess as to why this was not the case?" He asked, he actually waited for her to answer.
"B-b-because I didn't love him." She said stammering hard.
"And why not? He is after all your sisters child? Did you truly despise your own sibling so much that you could not find even a shred of love for your sisters child? An infant at the time I brought him to you?" He asked wearily. "What could possibly spawn a hate so deep for ones own blood that you would turn your hate upon an innocent boy?" He asked.
She didn't appear to have an answer forthcoming even for herself. "Very well. You have violated our agreement in a number of ways Petunia, you did not provide a place which Harry could perceive as his home, you did not provide him love, you barely provided him food or shelter…But worst of all you allowed you husband and your progeny to abuse Harry physically." He accused his voice going cold. Petunia shivered at hearing it.
"Your nephew is marked by countless lashings, including at least one I noted which was a chain. In addition he bore the marks of a brand of some sort, though he declined to tell me specifically what kind of object made the imprints. Finally of course in the centre piece of the whole sordid affair. The cross, which was cut and branded into his flesh on his upper back." He recited letting her know just how much he had seen. She blanched.
Dumbledore turned to Minerva. "Minerva, would you please do me the favour of describing Harry Potter as you know him?" He asked. "You are after all his head of house."
She nodded eying the muggles with contempt. "Harry Potter is a dedicated and hard working student, he is a fantastic Quidditch player, he is a dutiful, honest and courteous young man, a hero to the reckonings of some, though I doubt he would agree to it. But his most defining attributes come to light when you view him in the presence of his friends." She recited. "He is a courageous and daring young man yes, but he is a Loyal, compassionate, kind, retiring and honourable friend. He loves his friends, he would die for the least of them. I am proud to have him in my house." She said smiling at her memories of the sometimes reckless youth.
"Thank you Minerva, that is a wonderful summation." He agreed and turned to Petunia. "Do you know of Harry Potter's status within our society?" He asked, she looked confused and shook her head. So he enlightened her. "While he is not universally loved, as indeed nobody truly is, and he is the focus of something of a public fervour right now, he is in fact considered by many to be a hero. Or at least an exemplar of sorts. They even wrote children's book based upon a fanciful version of him. He is known by a great many among our kind, here and abroad. In fact he is very popular with the Delacours a hugely influential family in France. He is friendly with a wizarding sports star from Bulgaria and apparently fast friends with a representative of the American covens." he said and turned up the magic allowing it to emanate from him and lap at the Dursleys feet. "And you tortured him." He enunciated carefully.
Petunia paled while her son got a surprisingly thoughtful look on his brow. "A thought young man?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"Harry saved my life a couple weeks back didn't he?" He asked thoughtful.
"More than that Dudley he saved your soul, a Dementor, the creature which Harry saved you from consumes souls, not life." He explained seriously curious where the boys mind was wandering.
"Huh, that was right decent of him, he doesn't even like me." Dudley said nodding thoughtfully.
"And yet you branded him again?" Dumbledore asked.
The boy shook his head. "Nah, I was too busy throwing up and passing out. Besides I hate the stuff with the poker." He said matter-of-fact as his mind wandered. "The smell gets to me and it looks like it hurts, they way Harry acted the one time I saw it happen, it certainly looked like it hurt." He looked confused for a time. "Not even like the belt does, I got caught on one of dads swing once with the belt, it hurts, don't get me wrong, It hurts a lot, but it passes, and it healed eventually." He said sincerely. "Those poker marks though," he shivered "They don't go away and I could tell it hurt. The kind that doesn't fade."
"And yet you didn't stop your father from doing that to Harry?" Dumbledore asked interested by the boys seemingly contradictory life style.
Dudley looked startled. "Stop dad? When he's angry like that? How do you do that?" He asked surprised. Dumbledore sat staring at the boys face for a minute while he probed his mind. He was intrigued to find the boy honestly couldn't fathom getting in his fathers way. Not that he blamed him entirely, questioning the man would be ill advised if one desired to remain unharmed.
"By calling the authorities, by telling him he was wrong to do what he did, that you didn't like what he did." Dumbledore explained frankly. The boy looked thoughtful again. "Interesting." He said to himself. "Regardless, I'm afraid that as our agreement has been breached Petunia I must turn you back over to the authorities who have recently found you guilty. Your son will likely be given leniency as he is a minor. But you will not. Vernon was sent to Azkaban and suffered for it when the fortress fell. However despite this, I am not interested in excuses or explanations, as what you, as a free thinking adult, have done is indeed by nature unexplainable and inexcusable. So to you I say Goodbye and good riddance, Dudley if you would stay for a moment, I am curious about something regarding you." Dumbledore said, the boy remained sitting as his parents were removed. Dumbledore eyed the boy who's eyes wandered the room alighting on various artifacts with a degree of cautious interest. "Dudley what have you thought of this school so far?" He asked seriously.
Dudley gave a start at being addressed, "This is a school? It's the bloody biggest castle I've ever seen, never knew anyone made one as big as this." He said sounding impressed. "I think it's even bigger than Prague Castle." He noted. "I like castles, they've got knights and stuff." He explained sheepishly.
"Indeed it is, do the schools magics not make you uncomfortable?" Dumbledore asked.
"Naw, I mean they're kinda spooky, but I'm used to spooky with Harry around over the years. Bloody impressive sight from a distance." He said.
"You could tell it was a castle from a distance? The magics protecting this place usually disguise it as a ruin." Dumbledore said watch Minerva's eyebrows shoot up at that revelation.
"Nope, just saw a friggin' ginormous castle, the moving pictures are odd though, thought the was screens at first, but they're paint." Dudley said eying the portraits around the room. Which were in turn examining him.
"Indeed they are, tell me did you feel anything painful a couple minutes ago?" Dumbledore asked referring to the time he had let his magic pulse.
"No, should I 'ave?" Dudley asked.
"Perhaps not. Minerva would you please grab the sorting hat I find myself curious about something." Albus requested. When she produced the object in question, it started complaining.
"Can't it wait? I'm composing speech here? It's hard composing a speech when you're a hat you know." It complained. Dudley just watched it with interest.
"I am sorry to bother you but could you please tell me what you can read about the boy when we place you on him?" He asked. Minerva was looking surprised but moved the hat over the boys head and dropped it on.
"Yes…" The hat said mulling through the boys thoughts. "A squib, in case you were curious, not bad in the magic department, nothing special either, but its all locked up as you know how it goes with squibs. If I were sorting him I'd put him in Hufflepuff, not bright like a Ravenclaw, not cunning like a Slytherin, and not daring or really courageous like a Gryffindor. He's got a little bravery in him but its buried, he's got a lot of loyalty though, mostly to his family, a little to Potter now that he owes him one. Shame his magics bunged though, he would make a decent Hufflepuff." The Hat explained.
"Fascinating, you may take the hat off him now Minerva thank you. I wonder…Dudley, I am perhaps to my own detriment a man fond of second chances, I wonder if you would be interested in seeing more of this Castle. Your cousin Harry spends his year here after all." He said to the boy who brightened at that.
"I'd like that, this castles huge! And Harry stay's here year round?" He asked sounding envious.
"Indeed, perhaps…Minerva, could you have Argus take Dudley on a tour of the school and its grounds?" Dumbledore suggested. "Perhaps have professor Grubblyplank show the boy a couple of the gentler creatures we have on the property?" He asked. She was giving him an odd look but nodded. "Excellent, then if you could send in Poppy me and her need to talk." He requested.
Mcgonagall got Dudley to his feet led him from the room, a couple minutes later Madam Pomfrey entered. "Albus," She greeted worriedly. "I uh, I was wondering if you might be wanting to chat after the uh…revelations?" She asked wincing in memory.
"Yes Poppy I am wondering, just to what extent did you treat his abuses?" He asked idly poking his wand at one of the odd contraptions on his desk. It squealed like a stuck pig and rolled over twitching. Odd.
"I ordered the house elves to improve his vitamin intake, and every time he came in for his regular checkups, and for his all too frequent injuries I gave him extra bone strengthening draughts." She recited.
"Very well, what about his scars?" He asked next.
She grimaced. "Most were too old, most scars resist magic anyway's, they're to ingrained into the bodies memory, burns scars, even worse, and to have all these injuries inflicted by a person wielding the weapon in hate? Well you know what hate and jealousy are like Albus…The only magic that Muggles use, emotion magic, as good as a curse for causing wounds that won't damn heal." she said thoughtfully.
"Very well, and we've been over the issue of you not reporting the injuries to me, it results from my own false reputation for being all knowing." He said raising his eyebrows at her. She looked down chagrined. "Now then a final question, how is it that you did not realize, , Miss Granger or any of the others were being potioned?" He asked.
She hung her head. "I'm sorry, that was an oversight, an unintended negligence," She explained. "Unless I know I'm dealing with a potion or poison injury it has become my habit to not run a diagnostic. In the case of , the only time I have tested him for chemical compounds in his blood was when he was bitten by that bloody great snake in second year, and you know what Basilisk venom does to anything else in the blood, it burns it right out." She recited and watched the headmasters bobbing head. "As for Miss Granger, I tried testing her for such compounds when she was petrified, again in second year, but you remember how that worked out. Ginny? I've never tested that way, Fred and George? Well they're always testing something for their damned pranks, I can never tell whats intended to be there and what's not." she said then sighed. "Dumbledore I've failed spectacularly in my duties. I have no excuse, I've fallen into my patterns and I wasn't paying enough attention. If you wish to have me sacked I understand." She said forlornly.
"Would that be why you are packing your apartment?" He asked and she goggled at him.
He smiled thinly. "I may know a great many things, such as what the portraits report, but not everything. I will not be firing you Poppy, but perhaps we need you to take a refresher course on protocol and maybe we should hire an assistant?" He speculated.
"I-I wouldn't say no to the assistant, perhaps a student from Saint Mungo's? a\And I would agree I need a refresher after this episode" She said bobbing her head.
"Then that is what we shall do, as I told a boy a few short minutes ago, I am fond of second chances." He said sadly. "Hopefully we won't need third chances hmm?" He said and she nodded agreement. It was close to three hours later approaching midnight when Dudley was returned by Minerva. "Ah, hello again, Dudley, how did you enjoy your tour?" He asked.
"I was awesome, this place is incredible," Dudley said reverently.
"How did you find Mr. Filch and Grubblyplank?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Arg's brilliant, known every corner of this place he does, little surly, but that's okay, he has plenty of work to be doing minding a place like this with just him and elves, spry little guys them aren't they?" He said enthused. "They gave me a cupcake, it was delicious!" He said happily. "Grubblyplank…is funny, she looked so put out when Professor Mcgonagall asked her to show me the gentler critters. I couldn't see the Thestrals, but she said that's all right, many people can't, she showed me Knifflers, and a…what's it called? A Bowtruckle? Met, a merperson near the lake. You have a nice place here." Dudley said sincerely.
Dumbledore chuckled. It was always interesting what hidden facets you could find in a person if you dug for it. "Indeed it is, I know your cousin is quite fond of the place too. I wonder, would you be interested in helping and the groundskeeper on a permanent basis?" He asked curious. Minerva looked like she'd bit a lemon but grudgingly nodded her agreement with his idea.
Dudley looked sad again. "Mum is going to prison too isn't she?" He asked looking upset.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, she will, as adults they had no excuse for treating Harry as they did, you can be allowed a degree of lenience where they cannot. It is unlikely Vernon will be found among the ruins of Azkaban, but you may hope. That is the prison which was guarded by the Dementors I'm afraid, they betrayed us and it fell to the Dark Lord. Your mother may be more lucky, as she did not partake in the physical abuse merely the neglect and the verbal, she will likely be sentenced to one of our lower security facilities elsewhere." Dumbledore agreed, sympathetic to the boy, even if he had helped his father in the past.
"I—well I can't stay at home without mum and dad can I? And I certainly can't go where they've gone…Here's as good a place as any I suppose, at least there's interesting stuff here and I owe Harry for keeping my soul from getting 'et." He noted, then thought about it for a while. "I guess I could live here and help out a bit. For a while at least…" the boy said sounding a mixture of depressed and intrigued.
"Then that is what we shall do with you, I will speak to the DMLE and see about getting you transferred into our care, you will likely require an extra hearing, but you will serve your time working for us as opposed to in a juvenile detention facility, you likely would receive a minimum sentence either way." Dumbledore assured him.
"Now then, why don't you go ask Argus if he can find you somewhere to stay until your hearings." He instructed. "Go on now."
Minerva waited until the boy disappeared, and watched the pleased expression disappear from Dumbledores face. "I do hope I'm not making another mistake Minerva, giving that boy a second chance, but I cannot help but feel his actions were mostly caused by following his fathers lead…" He sighed. "And now I find myself in the position of needing to request your forgiveness Minerva, you did indeed warn me all those years ago. And you were right, I was wrong. I hope to someday make it up to you." He said tiredly.
She gave him a sour look for quite some time. "Perhaps in time Albus, I will be able to forgive you, but after seeing what they did to that boy? It will be quite some time." She said sternly.
"I know, and I would not expect it to be otherwise." Dumbledore assured her. They were silent for a time, and Dumbledore remembered something. "Of course, one further detail." Dumbledore said pondering. "As is no longer suitable for the position of Prefect and none of the others meet requirements sufficiently, I must bow to your original intent to elevate Harry to the position in his place. I wonder if you have any ideas as to how we might mitigate the burden this places upon him, he has many other things on his plate after all." He asked the Deputy Headmistress.
She nodded thoughtfully. "I have always been fond of a saying that suggests that "if one requires something done, they should give it to someone who's already busy." However as that only stretches so far with someone with Harry's burdens…I would suggest asking the boy himself, he has after all just shown us that he has hidden depths, he may in fact have insight we do not." She argued.
Dumbledore nodded as he considered her words. "Then I shall speak with him tomorrow or perhaps the day after? I am also wondering if we should offer him a seat, though not active duty within the Order…Hmmm, never mind for now, I need to think on that one." He said frustrated.
She nodded thoughtfully and then left when he gave her permission to depart. He sat for some time as the light dimmed with the setting of the sun. He would need to think on how much he could trust Harry, the boy was almost certainly not under Tom's influence, but he was also clearly not who he had been so short a time ago. The question was now whether or not this new Harry, who practiced occlumency, who was so independent and proactive could be trusted, to do what was necessary to protect the Greater Good.
—-
Harry had grown to be quite fond of something he'd never truly appreciated the quality of in the past. The thing in question was that which he was coming to think of as Hermione Hugs. And he was rapidly coming to believe no other hugs could possibly outmatch them. Hermione hugs were soft, welcoming and warm, and utterly sincere.
Harry had come to enjoy getting them every morning as part of the morning ritual. Enough so he missed them bitterly on the handful of occasions a semi-comatose Hermione had forgotten to give him one.
Thankfully this morning wasn't one such occasion. In fact this morning he actually got to wake to the best Hermione Hug to date. He was lying half propped up on the wall at the head of Hermione's bed, Hermione herself, clinging to his chest with her arms around him, her head resting just below his chin and a leg thrown over one of his own. He looked down at her sleeping face and smiled blissfully. She looked utterly peaceful and content, something a little uncommon for the always thinking bookworm. Some people used that term as an insult, but he was starting to think on that quality as one of her many charms. An endless thirst for knowledge and experience.
She slowly came to over the next twenty minutes herself, and blinked mussily at him as she came back to wakefulness. She smiled when she recognized him, then frowned in mild confusion as she figured out the position they were in. She was honestly relieved they appeared to have fallen asleep fully clothed, and she didn't remember anything untoward happening. She smiled again and Hugged him close. "Good Morning Harry, guess we never finished our conversation last night hmm?" She asked, a slightly teasing tone in her voice.
"Morning Hermione, guess not, still I slept better than I have in ages." he noted and hugged her back. She slowly rocked upright and yawned as Harry did the same.
"I'm gonna head downstairs and start cooking, you get first shot at the shower." Harry offered and she nodded in thanks. Their house was bigger than some in London, but that didn't mean they had a large water heater, not large enough for the family plus guests anyways. It was a nice thought, that Harry was willing to risk a cold shower by letting her go ahead of him.
Besides, Harry made excellent breakfasts. As Hermione understood it the Dursleys all, with the exception of the hag of an aunt, liked their food practically charred to charcoal. He knew his way around the kitchen though thanks to his extensive time in the kitchen at Privet Drive and he'd come to an agreement with her parents to let him cook breakfast every other morning.
It was about thirty minutes later as he was serving breakfast to the rest of the household that his next hug came along. This was of the screaming ambush variety. Hermione flew through the air and glomped him hard enough he just about went over. Thankfully his hands were not full of white hot frying pan at the time. He managed to catch her and swing her around a bit as she babbled. "Harry, Harry, Harry, I did it, I got in—I just got the letter from Mcgonagall, I made It! I'm A Prefect!"
Dan and Emma called out their congratulations and Hermione disentangled herself from him long enough to treat her parents to hugs as well. She then seemed to remember something and turned to Harry. "Harry I've got your letter here too, check it, I bet you got in to—after all who else are they going to give it to?" She continued happily actually bouncing a little on her stool as she sat.
Harry chuckled and pulled the letter out of the padded envelope.
Lord Harry James Potter
Granger Residence,
Belsize park London
We are pleased to announce your acceptance into the ranks of the Hogwarts prefecture. This is a position which comes with many responsibilities, but also many opportunities and perks! Including but not limited to access to the private Prefects Bathrooms. As your status as Lord is recognized officially by the Ministry of Magic you are entitled to an expanded version of the Prefects quarters within the Gryffindor Tower. You shall also now be granted authority to call upon the Hogwarts elves at any time. You will be please to know that your close acquaintance and dare I say accomplice Hermione Jane Granger has been accepted into the prefecture as well. Wishing you all the best and a fruitful and productive year.
Deputy Head Mistress Minerva Mcgonagall.
Harry laughed at the small joke the usually taciturn woman had included in the letter and dumped out the rest of the contents. First was the standard annual shopping list for their trip to Diagon Alley. The second was the Badge. An almost coat of arms like red painted naval brass shield with the Gryffindor Lion emblazoned across it. He held it up happily and Hermione's eyes widened before once again hugging him. If this was any indication of how the rest of his day was going to go he was going to have a wonderful day indeed.
Tonks and Kara were chuckling, their eyes twinkling a bit from the sidelines as they acted as the peanut gallery.
"I was never a prefect myself. My Head of House said I lacked certain necessary qualities." Tonks noted smiling broadly.
Kara laughed at the expression on Tonks' face "Like what?"
"Like the ability to behave myself." She replied slyly.
Harry snorted as he picked up shopping list and started reading it. He'd noticed something a touch odd, and was about to comment on it when Hermione beat him to it. "There's no Defence against the Dark Art Texts this year." She said in surprise.
Harry considered that, it wasn't going to be Umbridge this time he couldn't help but wonder what sort this new teacher would be. "Well it could be that whoever has been selected this time is going to be more hands on. Or maybe they'll be providing the texts themselves for a change?" He speculated.
Hermione nodded frowning slightly. "Still it would be nice to get a look at what were going to be learning this year." She commented sounding a touch put out.
Harry chuckled, "Hermione you'll solve that problem the night that we get the textbooks. I wouldn't worry too much about it at this point."
She smiled then stuck her tongue out at him laughing.
Harry got the food he'd prepared for her off the stove and placed the plate in front of her. "Besides you've got that book I want you to read to take care of still." He noted wryly and she nodded eagerly, unable to talk though because she unlike Ron refused to try and talk through a mouthful of food.
Harry heard a tapping at the window, and opened it allowing Hedwig and Huginn to hop through. The both had copies of the Daily Prophet. Harry took them and handed Huginn's of to Kara before dropping the other beside Hermione. He rapped his knuckle on the headline, "Good news for a change, guess after yesterday we could use some." He noted.
"Amelia Bones has been made the new Minister of Magic," He explained to Dan and Emma who were waiting patiently.
They looked confused. "That police woman who came here after the Hospital?" Emma asked surprised.
Harry nodded "Technically she'd be an Auror, but yeah, she was the Director of the DMLE which is roughly equivalent of being the British Minister of Defence." He explained.
Dan looked impressed. "So they elected a fighter to be minister and not some stuffed shirt eh? That's something at least right?" He asked hopefully.
Harry nodded, "I imagine so, but now I'm wondering if she'll be able to show at our little meeting I've got planned this evening." He noted. "She'll be one busy woman."
Tonks appeared to be giving it some thought too. "She may end up showing. That group might entice her to come along despite her schedule, hard to say with Amelia though, she's not a typical politician." She noted.
Harry shrugged as he sat himself at the table with his own plate of food. "We'll just have to see then won't we?"
—
Sadly, as is the nature of such things, not everybody could have a day as good as the one Harry was enjoying. Some for example, like Severus Snape were forced to make an impromptu trip to a small castle on the coast of Kintyre Scotland. A drab and very damp little fortress on a spur of rock jutting up out of the sea. Snape was perhaps one of the very few people who understood some of the significance of Dunaverty Castle. It was the site of a particular brutal massacre, almost the entirety of the Male populace of the Noble House Mc'Dougal had been slain here by any army of over zealous Muggles under the command of a very pious Witch Hunter. Muggle history books claimed that the battle had been caused by religious differences, and in fact as far as the muggles were concerned there no longer was a Dunverty Castle. This was because the site had been placed under a number of privacy and security wards following the massacre and had been sitting empty ever since. Dunaverty had a sort of legendary cache among those who knew about such things. It was among the most famous sites of Dark Magic in the British Isles. Muggle History would state that the invaders were the ones who murdered the castles inhabitants following their surrender. In actuality the Castle's inhabitants had killed themselves, or rather the Dark Lord leading them did. It was one of the most famous ritual suicides in magical history, it was claimed that The Dark Lord Mc'Dougal, had sacrificed the entire garrison in order to fuel his magics so allowing him to strike at his enemies. He had apparently failed to despite the amount of raw power he had accrued by spilling so much blood, he had in his madness attempted to summon a greater demon….All that was found upon the invaders entrance into the castle was a smoulder pair of shoes with shin bones protruding from the former Dark Lord's severed legs. There were other such locations with similarly gruesome histories, T'nochtitlan in Central America, Masada in the Holy Land.
But this was on home soil, former home of a Dark Wizard of the British Isles, and the site of a great and terrible ritual. Perfect really, in many ways for someone of Voldemort's tastes. The castle was no longer a ruin of course. It was hard for such a place to remain so with so many wizards in residence, but the place was permanently dreary, even on warm summer days. A pall hung over the fortress that even regular maintenance and the clear light of day couldn't drive away. It was as if the place was infested with Dementors, even though none were in residence. Snape could only speculate of course, but he couldn't help but wonder if the atrocities of the past had left scars on the world here.
Snape had apparated to the small point those read in on the secret of the Castle's location could access now that the new ward scheme was up. He being one of the Dark Lords marked then passed unhindered through the wards themselves. He had then proceeded cautiously to the front doors, passing beneath the grey gates and requested entrance from the two sullen men on guard duty, before stepping inside. He had barely taken a step forward when he felt the press of a wand point at his neck and an unwelcome visage paced around him into view. "Well, well, look at the cowardly little worm that finally decided to show up," Bellatrix Lestrange, chuckled as she circled him, never allowing her wand point to leave his jugular.
"Ah, Bellatrix, how lovely…" He said stiffly.
She snorted indelicately then laughed at him. "Stuff your pleasantries Sevy would you, or do I need to remind you that I do not trust you enough for them to mean anything to me?" She snarled. "You were all to quick to hide behind Dumbledores Cloak when our Master…" She couldn't bring herself to speak of what had happened and moved on. "I never particularly trusted you to begin with, but I particularly dislike those who switch allegiances so easily. I wonder just how much our Lord values you now Snapey? Enough to punish me should I kill you?" She speculated aloud.
He noted the disturbing avarice in her eyes at the thought of punishment, and then of course there was the fact that Azkaban had been unkind to her visage. She was pale and gaunt, her eyes bulged more than they should and her hair was wild and unkempt. There was only one time in his memory when she had looked worse, and the thought of the time in question nearly sent a shudder through him. He had done many terrible things in his service to the Dark Lord, but his position and talents had allowed him a modicum of insulation from the insanity which had engulfed most of the inner circle. He had seen things so monstrous that they gave even him nightmares, and all except a handful of those paled in comparison to the time of her breaking. The woman he had known in school was gone, in her place was the woman before him. A woman who's mind had been shattered again and again until every vestige of her old self was erased, leaving this husk who revelled in carnage and pain. "Are you prepared for the consequences should you choose to find out?" He asked blandly.
She appeared to consider that, her eventual response being to lower her wand grudgingly from his throat. Apparently self preservation was one of the few instincts that remained largely unfettered in her broken and addled mind. "I was sent to bring you to him," She admitted, an odd look entering her eyes. "But I find myself experiencing the odd feeling, the desire really to warn you before you enter his presence." She remarked, her tone suddenly less flamboyant and energetic than was her norm. She regarded him seriously, "It is…unwise to displease the Dark Lord, as it always has been. But it is particularly so now, he has found a way for those that fail him or refuse him to serve even in death." She advised in a harsh murmur.
Snape looked up at her in interest. He'd heard the rumours that the Dark Lord had come up with a new method in his madness. "Oh, so our Master has chosen to learn Necromancy then?" He asked.
She shot him a look which was difficult to interpret, "No. He has dabbled in such things before of course, inferi and the like. I will not speak of what he has…managed, but whatever it is he does to create this…it is not that." She admitted.
Snape came to a rather unsettling realization. Bellatrix was afraid, whatever it was that the Dark Lord had done had frightened a woman who was so broken inside as to enjoy being tortured.
Bella continued as quietly motioning him to follow her. "Though he now has no shortage of those who do more than dabble in such archaic arts."
"What do you mean? He's hired a necromancer Cabal then?" He asked intrigued by the implications.
"No, however a large number of those who make that school of magic their playground end up one of two places." She admitted. "Azkaban, or in the service of the Vampire Families. And two such nests have pledged support already. London and Liverpool now serve our master and through them the Necromancers in their service. Were that that were the worst of it." She sniffed distainfully. "Greyback was here earlier today…Apparently they've struck an accord."
"Then I'd better not keep him waiting, lest he feed me to our new allies." He said allowing distaste to colour his tone.
"That would be the least of your worries," Bellatrix murmured almost too quiet to hear. They walked the rest of the path to the Lord's quarters in silence. Snape noted a great many unfamiliar faces, yet despite the relatively bustling numbers within the house, the place was quiet as a tomb. Even that jackal Mulciber was silent and wary today it seemed.
They paused at the doors long enough for the guards to open the doors and hastily stand out of the way as Snape was pushed inside. The door closed with a snap behind him.
He turned back to the rooms other occupants cautiously and froze.
Voldemort was in his customary seat upon the throne like chair before the fire, but he was not alone, one the floor being restrained was a profusely bleeding Lucius Malfoy. This in itself was not an uncommon sight when in the company of the Dark Lord, however the creatures doing the restraining were. Snape suddenly understood Bella's uncharacteristic fear, the monsters before him were like the things of nightmares. All fire and shadow, but with an innate sense of malice which was apparent the moment Snape set eyes upon them.
"Lucius…You are actually fortunate you know?" The Dark Lord noted a sort of mocking sincerity to his tone as he observed the man who's shoulder was currently being wrenched by the infernal creatures. "You may still one day prove useful to me, once the ministry and banks are back in our hands your families wealth will once again be open to you, and thus to us. It for this reason and this reason only that you are still alive." He turned his attention to the creatures. "You may release him…Go Lucius but do not wander, you are on your last chance as it is, do not waste it."
Lucius did not waste his time once he was free of the creatures grasps, Snape notes burns the shapes of the creatures hands marred Lucius clothes and skin as the man hurried out of the room without looking back.
It was then that Voldemort seemed to finally register Snape's arrival and greeted him. "Ah Severus, I see you have yet to meet my new pets? Truly magnificent are they not?" He asked faux jovially.
Snape was struggling to come up with words to describe the abominations, especially while their hollow fire filled eyes regarded him, and those ghastly grimaces leered at him from the dark. "They are…certainly unique my Lord." He hedged.
Voldemort found this amusing, "You need not obfuscate Severus, they are as they say, an acquired taste." He admitted, before looking to the creatures in question. "You may rejoin the others." He instructed and the creatures peered peered at him for a moment, almost appearing quizzical from the way they cocked their heads to the side, before turning and departing with a loping gait. Voldemort watched them leave an unreadable expression on his face before he turned to Severus and smiled. "You see Severus, even those who will not join us on the path might still help us achieve our goals."
Snape had a good idea what this meant and had to fight a shiver which ran down his spine. In all likelihood those monstrosities had once been prisoners from Azkaban who had refused to join the cause. How the Dark Lord had managed to transform them so, Snape did not wish to speculate on. "It is a wise commander who turns his enemies against themselves…The psychological impact of such creatures is certainly…impressive?" He offered carefully.
Voldemort smirked in supreme satisfaction. "As was the intent," Then he sighed theatrically. "But alas we have no time to discuss my pets any longer, we have business we must discuss. Tell me Snape what news do you bring from our enemies heart?" He ordered rising to his feet to pace.
Snape knew his orders, what he was allowed to convey to the Dark Lord, "I fear very little my Lord. Potter had sought to convene a summit of sorts as I understand it with the Headmaster…But I'm afraid it fell through before a location could be arranged. Otherwise the only additional point of note is that House Greengrass has formally aligned itself with House Potter." He reported stoically.
Voldemort did not look particularly concerned, "So sad to see yet another good family fall into decay isn't it Severus?" He noted as though finding the whole thing highly amusing.
Snape nodded promptly. "Indeed my Lord…If I may? I was wondering as to the progress of our own efforts? I have been somewhat isolated due in large part to my duties…" He offered, sounding regretful.
Voldemort waved airily. "Things progress apace Severus, perhaps even better than expected? The Werewolves and Vampires are falling into line. Some have already aligned themselves to our aims and as you know following the raid on Azkaban our numbers have been significantly bolstered. Sadly we do not have the fiscal resources we might have had not Lucius bungled his tasks so spectacularly, however we are taking steps to correct this. Our influence has spread deeper than I had initially hoped. However I feel that a number of demonstrations might be in order to bolster us further…You will see soon enough Severus, the paper is oh so efficient about reporting such things do you not agree?"
—
Sarah Evangeline Blackwood, was among those not having as pleasant a day as Harry Potter was enjoying. Sarah, was what is referred to as a Hedge Witch, meaning she unlike the majority of Wizarding Britain had not received a formal education in the use of magic. Instead learning her craft from elders within her families coven. She was Pureblood, though that was more happenstance than any sort of careful breeding on the part of her family. And she ran a wand shop in a dusty little corner of Knockturn alley, making wands that while not as famous as Ollivander's were never-the-less of good quality. Her day had started out relatively promising, having netted a few more customers than was average, she might even make enough money this month to pay for that new dress she wanted.
Sadly her day did not continue as well as it had started. Beginning with an unfortunately familiar person stepping into her shop. She looked up as the little bell over the door rang and a middle-aged man with thinning blonde hair stepped inside. The man was muscular enough however his face showed signs of rough living that Sarah recognized. Yaxley, a servant of the Dark Lord.
He paused within the doorway to peer about skeptically at the little shop before turning and flipping the sign in the front window to closed. "Ah Miss Blackwood, just the woman I was hoping to see…" he said smiling grimly. "It seems your fortunes have improved somewhat since we last spoke haven't they, you've got a roof over your head instead of doing business out of that little push cart you used to favour." He noted feigning interest.
She nodded hesitantly, careful not to draw his attention to firmly on herself. Her memories of the man before her were not good one, they were exceedingly painful to look back on in fact. "Yes, it just goes to show everything passes with time."
Yaxley nodded thoughtful agreement. "True enough I suppose. Sadly the things which pass can return again if we are not cautious and watchful." He noted seemingly rhetorically." A pit had formed in Sarah's stomach. She knew a threat when she heard one. He continued ignoring her watchful gaze as he peered about, seemingly inspecting her wares. "I mean, if a person makes the wrong choices, well anyones sins can come back to haunt them can they not? And mistakes have a nasty habit of coming back to bite a person on their pretty little behinds don't they?" He said for the first time looking into her eyes meaningfully.
She didn't need him to remind her just what mistakes she'd made, and she didn't need him to continue as he did, she understood him just fine. This was blackmail.
"For example, if a person were say to refuse to perform services for an interested party, the wrong sort might take it upon themselves to go and start spreading some rumours. Perhaps about a woman's youthful indiscretions? Or maybe about the way her ware's were manufactured without a legitimate licence?" He noted.
She had no patience for his little games, she didn't want to give him the satisfaction, "What do you want Yaxley?" She asked coldly.
He looked to her sharply. "Lord, Yaxley," He corrected a sharp tone entering his voice. "I will not have one such as you forgetting that."
"Lord Yaxley…" She corrected herself careful to keep her tone respectful if nothing else.
He nodded in satisfaction, "As for what I want Miss Blackwood, my interest in you is limited, indeed I can see little use for someone like you beyond the obvious for a young and reasonably attractive woman." He said scathingly. "However my…Employer, has seen a different use for you." He noted sounding doubtful.
She cringed at the meaning of Yaxley's implications. She'd left that part of her life behind, she wasn't about to go back if she could help it. "I hardly think your employer is looking for my wands." She noted, she knew perfectly well who Yaxley's employer must be considering the types he'd preferred to spend his time with in the past.
"No, indeed he is not." Yaxley agreed, nodding agreement. "He is however always in the market for another ear to the ground. He's always interested in what folks are saying in these troubled times. He wonders what people think about the Boy-Who-Lived, or if there are any students wandering about who might be amenable to a new career path. He's even in the market for rumours about that Order of the Phoenix group." He noted slyly.
She furrowed her brow at that last one, "I don't think I've heard anything about that last one." She noted.
Yaxley didn't seem too concerned that was the case. "No, you wouldn't, Dumbledore's private army typically isn't interested in gutter tramps after all…sorry, former gutter tramps." He corrected insincerely.
She fought the urge to glare at the man. She had done what she needed to in order to survive once she left the coven. It was insulting and demeaning to be referred to in such a manner but she had enough sense in her head to avoid antagonizing a man as dangerous and ruthless as Yaxley. That didn't mean that she was necessarily eager to do his bidding. "And if I find I can't be of service to your employer at this time?" She asked.
Yaxley gave her a look that while completely blank, managed to convey quite a bit of menace. "Well then Miss Blackwood, I would remind you that any number of things can happen in such times. None of them bear thinking upon I'm sure." He said calmly.
She knew exactly what she meant, she'd be ruined, or killed, or worse. "Very well, I'll consider your offer." She agreed tiredly.
He nodded and paced to the door, looking satisfied. "Oh and one last thing…Miss Blackwood?" He said as he stopped by the entrance to the small shop. "I feel I should pass along a warning. I hear Greyback has been spotted again in country, a girl such as yourself would be wise to see to your security in such times…Good day." he finished a smirk on his face as he passed out the door after flipping the sign again.
Sarah shuddered at the thought. Fenrir Greyback, sometimes fancifully referred to as the Wolf of the North. A werewolf and a particularly powerful and vicious one at that. The sick bastard had a reputation for slaughtering children. His appetites tended towards the cannabalistic, but he was known for other tendencies when he cornered young females. It usually ended with the young woman mutilated beyond recognition among other things.
Fortunately for Harry, and perhaps unfortunately for Miss Blackwood, she knew absolutely nothing about the things that Yaxley had asked about at this time. She didn't know for example, that Harry would be in Diagon Alley later that day like so many other Hogwarts students, she didn't know that his meeting had fallen through with the staff of Hogwarts. She didn't even know much beyond the fact that he did in fact attend Hogwarts. She'd be indulging in a little more gossip with her customers though in the future. And she'd be sure to pay better attention to conversations at the pub that evening. She just prayed a little gossip and such would be enough to save her. Or that selling what she knew for her safety wouldn't damn her soul. Somehow she suspected that despite her prayers she couldn't be that lucky.
—
Despite Dumbledore's counter productive behaviour of cancelling the agreed upon meeting, Harry was enjoying his day just fine. He had lettered Mcgonagall about transferring from Divination to Ancient Runes, and had requested permission to test out of a number of courses he was unconvinced it would be useful to retake. He and the others had visited Diagon and done the last of their school shopping before returning. He had received back word just before supper, an excellent round of steak and potatoes prepared by Dan. In the response Mcgonagall had been willing to set the gears in motion for both requested changes. Though she had cautioned she did not know how the Headmaster would respond to his second request.
Harry then spent the evening contemplating, or perhaps plotting, ways to convince Dumbledore to cooperate and actually changing things for the better at Hogwarts. He could see the beginnings of a plan but they were rudimentary at best at this point. He was just contemplating getting in contact with a few friends when he was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell.
Harry met Hermione at the door and opened it to find that Sirius had returned from his notable absence. He had, up until that point,visited frequently, almost everyday really. Today however he had failed to show all day and was only now returning.
"Hey Sirius, where have you been all day, we were starting to worry." Harry asked as his Godfather shucked his shoes in the entrance way. Emma was particular about keeping her floors clean.
"Ah—Hey pup," Sirius grunted pulling off one of his shoes. "Had some things that needed taking care of, they took a little longer than expected. On the plus side I come bearing gifts." He said smiling indicating the bag he was carrying over his shoulder.
They made their way into the living room where Tonks and Kara were watching a time traveling phone booth. Or maybe it was the guy inside who traveled time, Harry couldn't really tell from the bits he'd watched with them. "So what did you have to leave so early for?" Harry asked.
Sirius shrugged as Tonks muted the TV as said time traveling phone booth guy battled a trashcan armed with a laser plunger, using a flashlight pen thingy.* "I had to go to the Ministry today and get instated to the Wizengamot. The whole Azkaban thing muddied the waters a bit. Do you have any idea how bloody long those investment ceremonies take?" he asked exasperated.
"And that was what you were doing all day?" Hermione asked, perplexed. She knew that the Ministerial bureaucracy could be…difficult, but that was absurd.
"Oh no, that only took most of the morning, I stopped by Grimmauld for a bit to check up on things and get you some stuff I thought you might find useful—By the way Kreachers really improved since our little conversation with Tinker, I can't tell if it's me giving him orders or that blow to the head she gave him but he's coming around. He's got the house looking half presentable now. He would probably do better if he weren't so old though. He's kind of set in his ways and I think he's got a touch of Arthritis." Sirius speculated. "I'll need to look into getting him some joint pain potion." He remembered what he was talking about before. "Ah, right! I got these for you but a couple of them were broken so I ran to Diagon and saw a guy I know about repairing them. I've got enough for everyone." He said happily as Dan and Emma wandered into the room.
He started handing out what to most looked like a bunch of hand sized pocket mirrors. Harry chuckled quietly to himself as he realized what these were. The communications mirrors. "Now then I know you lot are probably wondering why I went through all the trouble of getting these repaired and such? So here it is, these—" Sirius said proudly. "Are the Black Family Communications Mirrors. They allow instant communication face to face between two or more people anywhere in the world. They fell out of favour a a couple generations back when the Floo was invented. Personally I like these better and even made use of them with the other Marauders when I was in school. I understand muggle cellphones can do something similar now, but they need to be in the right place to work or something?" He asked skeptically.
Hermione nodded agreement. "Video calls are possible now, but you do need to be near a transmitter or tower to get a good signal, also they don't work so well at Hogwarts, too much magical interference." She admitted.
Sirius nodded understanding. "Regardless I got all the old family mirrors I could find and took them in for repairs. I also password locked them and gave them an accept of decline function. You know so you're not in class and your friend goes "Hey! How're you doing, you wouldn't believe what I just did to Snape!" He said chuckling ruefully, remembering just such an incident from his own school career. "There's one each for Harry, Hermione, Kara, Tonks, and myself, but there's one left over for you two Dan, Emma." He said happily passing over the little devices.
"What's the password?" Harry asked curious, last time Sirius hadn't included that little improvement.
Sirius smiled crookedly. "Passphrase actually, and what do you think?"
Harry laughed. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
Sirius clapped him happily on the shoulder. "Exactly," Then reached into his bag. "I got a couple other things as well. One more set for everybody, and one thing for you Harry," He said pulling out a pile of watches and a small silver knife and laying them on the table.
"These," he said smugly handing out specific watches to each person in the room. "Are the latest in muggle time telling fashion I'm told, I tried to pick ones that suited each of you." He noted. Tonks held up hers smirking, a hello kitty watch with what looked like rhinestones and he chuckled. "They also, thanks to some clever work by another friend of mine, have an extra function. If you turn this frame around the face here till the little dog is beneath the little moon. Speak the password—No don't ask me for it while you've got it set like that. These are emergency portkeys." he waited till the others had returned the ring to the default position before speaking. "Right its just a word this time, Trouble" he said simply. "The frame lock is just to keep you from activating it every time you say the word." He explained. "It will take you to Grimmauld Place."
Harry was impressed. This was some excellent spell work. Hello Kitty for Tonks not withstanding. It also sparked off a vague idea he put aside for later. He picked up the little knife, another device he was familiar with and looked expectantly to Sirius. "This is a knife enchanted to break and pick most locks." Sirius explained. "It was mine back in school but I don't need it any more. So you should enjoy it."
"Any limitations?" Harry asked, already knowing the answer.
Sirius nodded. "Yeah, don't pick anything with powerful wards on it, this is a minor toy really, nothing more." He apologized. Harry nodded agreement.
They all sat admiring their new gifts when Harry had another idea, completely separate from the one sparked by the watches. "Sirius could I ask you to do me a favour?"
"Sure pup, no problem, what's on your mind?" Sirius asked eagerly, and Harry had to remind himself that Sirius, despite his new found freedom was still suffering the effects of long term isolation, he was eager for action at this point.
"I don't need it right away as I haven't come up with a place to set it up with, but I was wondering if you and Remus could see about giving me instructions on how to make a marauder's map?" He asked.
Sirius looked pleased at the idea, but it was Tonks who spoke instead. "The Marauder's what?" She asked.
Hermione answered eagerly. "An artifact made by the Original Four Marauders…" She said hurriedly.
"And Lily, though she asked to be left off the list of creators." Sirius noted smirking. "It was initially just me under the name Padfoot, Remus as Moony, James and Prongs and the backstabber Peter Petigrew as wormtail. But near the end of sixth year Lily got frustrated with our pathetic flailing about and borrowed it. She worked with Remus over the summer as I understand it. We never came up with a nickname for her as she never did the animagi thing, but she's responsible for how nicely the rune work was done. You can look at that part of the work by saying I solemnly swear that James is in deep trouble." He noted snickering.
Hermione looked impressed and continued where she left off "It's amazing work Tonks, it's a real time map of the school with moving indicators showing where every named being in the school is at that moment, it doesn't matter if they're polyjuiced or under invisibility cloak, it still shows you." She gushed. "I took a look at it trying to figure it out, but I didn't do more than a couple basic diagnostic spells though. I didn't want to damage it and it started insulting me for attempting to learn their secrets." She noted blushing slightly, as Harry chuckled remembering that incident.
Tonks looked impressed now too. "That could be an amazing security measure for places like the Ministry or Gringotts." She noted.
Harry nodded, even as Sirius looked offended at the idea, "True but there's one problem with that, you make one for those places and let to many know it exists? And you're going to have people figuring out ways to circumvent it. I like the idea in principle but…" he trailed off.
Tonks nodded frowning as she tried to think of a way around that. "The unspeakables might be able to come up with something, but that would take time…"
Her and Hermione talked with Sirius for a while about how to keep them secure as well as useful, while Harry and Kara watched the plunger wielding trash bin fight what looked like a robot with head phones permanently welded to it's head.**
Sirius quickly grew distracted though and anxious, slipping Harry uncertain looks. "What's the matter Sirius?" Harry asked eventually.
Sirius jerked his head towards the hall and Harry followed him out. Sirius looked uncertain where to start. "Harry, I'm afraid I've got some bad news." He confided looking conflicted.
Harry sighed. He should have known things could only go well for so long. "What's the problem?"
Sirius looked irritable at the thought of whatever was on his mind. "Well first off I should warn you that for whatever reason Dumbledore has gotten his back up about anyone interfering with the running of Hogwarts. It doesn't matter that Amelia's looking to roast him on a spit, he's not budging, which is why he put off the meeting today."
Harry grumbled. "I figured it was something like that. What else?" He asked tiredly.
Sirius looked conflicted again, alternating between sad and something closer to satisfaction. "I—I hate to tell you this Harry, but your Uncle Vernon was at Azkaban during the attack…" he said uncertainly, trying to gauge Harry's reaction as the boy froze. He continued, wanting to get the worst over with. "He uh—didn't make it."
Harry had to admit he was just as conflicted as Sirius was, on the one hand, Vernon was an abusive and all around unpleasant man. But he didn't think anyone deserved to die like that. He was also struck by the sudden thought that his already small pool of relatives had just shrunken even further. "What about Petunia and Dudley?" He asked uncertainly.
Sirius patted him sympathetically. "Petunia is being held at a lower security facility near Chapelcross I believe, as to Dudley, well that's the next bit of bad news I'm afraid." He admitted. "Dumbledore some how got it into his head that he needed to have a last "Goodbye and see you in hell" type conversation with your two remaining relatives and had them brought to Hogwarts so he could chastise them from a position of power or some such nonsense. During the meeting it somehow came to light that your cousin Dudley is a squib." Sirius admitted apologetically.
Harry groaned in a pained fashion. "I think I see where this is going…"
Sirius nodded grimacing. "He's been hired on as a new caretaker apprenticing under Filch and Grubblyplank. Which really raising some questions about whether or not the Old Man is finally going senile."
Harry shook his head as they headed back towards the living room. "What is he thinking, putting not just any muggle but my cousin at Hogwarts, he might as well just paint a bullseye on the guy's forehead." he growled. "God save us from meddlesome old men."
In the end he spent a lot of time ruminating on these things, it was hard not to think on the death of a family member, even if they are unpleasant. He told Hermione and Kara later that evening just before bed when they asked about the sudden downturn in his mood. Hermione had been particularly sympathetic, and they once again stayed up late discussing the morass that seemed to be Harry's life. Why couldn't things ever be simple?
—
*Apologies to fans.
** Seriously I'm really sorry. I understand Daleks and Cybermen, and Sonic Screwdrivers and the like. But it was just to tempting…
Author's Note: Right as we come to my standard message I'll ask you all to do me a favour, keep in mind that starting next bundle we'll be moving this show to Hogwarts. So…Rate, Review, Comment, recommend to friends, send questions, make predictions, make pretty pictures?, and tell me what your think should happen.