Chapter Three

At exactly six o'clock in the morning the curtains to Harry's bed were pulled aside and Ron stared down at his girlfriend wrapped in the arms of his best friend. They came awake when the sun hit them in the face. It was Hermione who was the first to sit up and look dumbly over at Harry. He had fallen asleep with his glasses on and knew immediately who was looking down at him. He was a little amazed that his arm was numb from the shoulder down and Hermione was sitting beside him fully clothed and looking up at Ron.

"What!…what?" Ron stammered. Two other heads appeared around the edge of the curtain; Neville and Seamus.

"Oh my!" Hermione squealed and jumped out of the bed, "Meet you down in the common room in fifteen minutes," she said to Harry. "We've got to rush, if I'm going to make the train." She was out of the room before Harry sat up.

"Hey, Harry… ." Seamus was grinning. "That could get you expelled."

"That or a fat lip," Ron said roughly, gawking at him, the red in his face rising.

"Neville?" Harry noticed the boy and ignored Seams' remark, "Would you and Seamus meet us downstairs in a minute. I'd like to talk to Ron." The two left and Ron was standing looking out the window while Harry dressed in a robe. He hurriedly told Ron what he and Hermione had talked about including the whole prophecy. Harry could see the shoulders drop as he spoke. "Honestly Ron, you don't think Hermione and I…?"

"No," Ron answered, "I didn't. It was just a shock. What did she mean she's going to catch the train."

"We think my aunt was sent here to bait me out into the open. Hermione's going with her on the train and I'm going to apparate to Gringott's. In the meantime, someone needs to keep a constant watch on Snape- every hour. I'll leave the invisibility cloak and the map and you have to be in charge." Harry was gathering his clothes and headed for the shower. Ron followed. He remained dressed in his school clothes from the day before.

"I'll try Harry, but that's not going to be easy," Ron said, mumbling. For once he looked like Neville did whenever Snape's name was mentioned. Neville still had not overcome his fear of the Professor.

"You're telling me!" Harry was already soaping his hair. Five minutes later he was dressed, although a bit damp and racing down to the Common room with Ron still in tow. He pulled his wand and was trying to dry spots on his clothing as he walked.

"You know you could have told us," Ron said, "about the 'you-know-what." He referred to the prophecy.

"Yes, I could have," Harry said and stopped long enough to look him in the eye. "Sorry. It took awhile to absorb it. Then I got sort of…" Harry dropped his head, "depressed about it. Dumbledore told me the day Sirius died."

Ron patted his arm, "Understand, mate. I do." He was looking uncomfortable and just kept patting Harry on the arm.

"It's all right," Harry said and took the hand and shook it firmly. "So you'll take care of things here?'

"Oh, yeah." Ron nodded as Hermione came into the room. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and pulled Harry through the portrait hole leaving Ron blushing wildly.

"Harry, we've got to hurry." Hermione was already running along the corridor towards the front entrance. He was hurrying along with her. They ran across the grounds and stopped at the front entrance. "Harry, I've got another idea about who told your aunt." She was almost breathless. "Apparate to Hogsmeade in front of the Inn and I'll tell you then. In a minute then?" She disappeared with a Pop! and Harry followed.

She talked as they climbed the stairs to his Aunt's room, "You know how I used to always defend Professor Snape with Ron. He always believed Snape was against you. Well, I still believe Professor Snape is on our side. I mean it's so hard to believe with all that's happened that he would give Nadya up and reveal the prophecy about you."

"Then who could it be?" Harry asked. "I want to believe in him, too. It's awfully hard when we don't know how anyone else would know that information.""

"It could very well have been Snape who was thrown from the Hog's Head the night Professor Trelawney made the prediction to Dumbledore. He also could have told Voldemort about it and then changed sides when Voldemort killed your mother. Once done he couldn't take it back but he could protect you or the child of the prophecy."

"Hermione, we're back where we started," Harry said, huffing to keep up with her.

"Harry, it's just intuition or…" she stumbled and he caught her and held on. "I think Nadya told your aunt. Or sent someone to her."

"Nadya!" Harry let go in surprise. "But why?"

"I think she's in trouble and this was the only way she knew how to reach you. She made me swear, and Snape swear to protect her secret. You said it on the day she left; 'Hermione, if you swear, it's like writing it in blood to her people'. She wouldn't have told anyone unless it was an emergency. Harry did you ever tell her about the prophecy?"

"No. But her people know anyway," he said. Hermione stopped to look at him with a puzzled expression. "They just know. Don't ask me how. The Roma have powers, they…"

She interrupted him by pulling his arm, "Your Aunt just knows too much. Only Nadya knew that kind of information. She gave it willingly or…had it forced from her." She frowned and looked at him with deep concern in her eyes, "I'm sorry, that was cruel to you, but I think we need to expect it you know."

He nodded and couldn't bring himself to say anything. How would they have gotten to her, he wondered. Snape was her secret-keeper. Once again the memories of his parents and Sirius and Peter Pettigrew scratched painfully at his mind.

They discussed their plan as they hurried along. It was to look like he was getting on the train with Hermione and his Aunt and then step off the other side and apparate. If someone were watching they would believe he was still on the train.

"What do you think we need to do?" Harry asked, sick with worry.

"Follow the plan," she answered, "I think she is leading us to her. I was wrong in thinking it was to draw you out and away from Hogwarts. At least, I hope I was wrong. Harry, I just have this feeling this is a trail of breadcrumbs. Still, either way it's safer for you, if you are the target, to have you apparate to Gringotts."

"If you're right then we need to go back to Hogwarts and make Snape tell us where she is. He's her secret keeper." Harry was facing her. They were in the hallway of the second floor. "How could she be in danger unless he revealed her whereabouts?"

Hermione pulled him close and whispered, "We shouldn't talk about this here. It's too late to go back to Snape. Besides how would you make him talk? Come on." They knocked on the door and were met by a woman in a pink nightgown and curlers. Harry was very familiar with the look of his Aunt early in the morning. "Aunt Petunia, our train leaves in an hour. We thought we should wake you so you could have breakfast. We'll meet you downstairs." Harry said and stepped down the hall happily leaving Hermione with her.

Petunia Dursley walked into the room, her pink purse grasped tightly in her hands. She was dressed, however, in a witches clothes. It was obvious to Harry that Hermione had a hand in dressing her. His aunt looked almost like a normal person in his world. She saw them and hurried towards them.

All Harry could think about was how difficult the day was going to be. If his aunt was this frightened in a wizard Inn with fairly normal people around them, how was she going to be when they went to Gringott's and saw the goblins and took the cart to the vaults? Even that had been a shock the first time it had happened to him.

Hermione smiled pleasantly, and said, "I'm so sorry we woke you so abruptly. I know I hate to have that happen." She poured the woman coffee and offered various foods on the table. "Would you like some of this Mrs. Dursley?"

Harry's aunt ate sparingly and didn't speak to Harry throughout the meal. As quickly as he could manage, he paid for their meal and hurried them to the station.

"Hermione, do you think I should go ahead an apparate?" he asked as they were boarding.

"Yes," she whispered. "Go on ahead. It's safer for you. I'll try and talk to her," Hermione watched as Petunia moved down the aisle of the train and found a compartment. "Better go now," she said and gave him a quick hug. "We'll find her Harry don't worry."

He was mildly relieved. Hermione seemed to be thinking on her feet better than he was. He watched her enter the compartment and then he stepped off the other side of the train away from the platform and apparated.

He waited at No. 12 Grimmauld Place, now officially his home. Sirius had given it to him in his will. Harry found it difficult to be in the house which was still being used for the meetings of the Order of the Phoenix. He had been initiated into the Order along with Hermione and Ron during the previous summer but stayed away from the gloomy house and its' sad memories.

He wandered the halls, now clean of portraits and dark arts instruments, of which there had been plenty. He walked from room to room, each empty of furnishings except for the few that were in use. Each room held memories of the Weasleys, of Remus Lupin, a friend and an old professor, and especially of Sirius. Harry thought it felt like old wounds were opened, not as sharp as fresh ones, but still painful.

The present situation was aggravating but he could deal with his aunt and his uncle and probably get them out of his life forever. If Remus had been right- who also inherited money from Sirius- Harry had more money then he could ever hope to spend. He sat in the sitting room and thought about it. He didn't want the money, it was tainted by the dark arts and the Black family. He could only guess at how it had been gotten.

The large clock in the hallway chimed the hour. He still had time to wait until Hermione and Petunia arrived on the train from Hogsmeade. He grew curious. Each time he had been to No. 12 Grimmauld Place he had not seen the old house elf, Kreacher. He started at the top of the house in an old attic stuffed full of old furniture and unidentifiable objects. He moved from floor to floor searching down long hallways and had to back track several times when he reached strange situations; like a stairway that led to a ceiling and doors opening into walls.

After an hour, the clock someone had moved into the hallway, again chimed. Tired and dusty and completely confused Harry gave up the search and headed for the kitchen. It had not been used for several days, although it was clean. He waved his wand and made a cup of tea, sitting at the long wooden table. He could almost see people seated at the table; Mad-eye Moody, Shacklebolt, both alive but in Voldemort's hands. The Weasley's lined the table, including; Bill and Charlie, Mr. & Mrs. Weasley, the twins- George and Fred. This brought a slight smile to his lips. Hermione and Ron of course, and Tonks and Sirius.

This isn't any good, he thought. He finished his tea and set the freshly scrubbed cup and saucer back in the cabinet. He was thinking of other things rather than allowing his mind wander to Nadya. It will be unbearable if something happens to her because of me, he thought. He didn't think he could go through another death of someone he loved. He glanced around to make sure nothing was left when he heard the front door open.

Harry opened the kitchen door cautiously, having learned to distrust everything from his harsh training under Snape. He knew it was unlikely anyone other than a member of the Order could get through the enchantments and charms placed on the entrance door. For a moment, he even thought Sirius had come home and would walk down the hall and greet him.

Harry you've gone mental, he was thinking to himself and almost said aloud. He reached the hall and saw the man shaking out a wet umbrella. It was Remus Lupin.

"Remus!" Harry said and startled the man.

"Harry! Good heavens!" The man held his chest and then smiled at Harry. "I didn't expect anyone to be here."

"I'm so glad you're here," Harry said. "I thought you were on tour, promoting your book on werewolves?" Since they had invented a cure for werewolves there were very few left in the world and it had made Remus a celebrity when he wrote the first book of its kind.

"I was and then I received a letter from Dumbledore asking if I wouldn't stop here," Remus answered. "Do you know why he would do that, Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "I'm only here for a few minutes Remus. I have to meet the train." He proceeded to explain what had happened with his aunt and the arrangements he and Hermione had made. He neglected to mention Nadya.

Remus studied him carefully, "I don't think Dumbledore would have sent me to guard you, Harry. I'm pretty sure Dumbledore knows you can take care of yourself." The man frowned slightly and then hung a wet coat up. "Well, I'll hear from him eventually. Do you have time for a cup of tea? I'm chilled."

"Had one, but I'll join you," Harry said. "I don't like being here alone much," he admitted.

Remus glanced over and replied, "Know what you mean, Harry."

Harry followed him to the kitchen. Ever since Lupin had been his teacher Harry found it comforting to have the wizard around. He had always been very kind and helpful and was Harry's father's last living friend. It was almost like having his father near again.

They talked for a half hour and then Harry noticed the time. "Remus would you like to go and help me fetch my aunt and Hermione? I have to take her to Diagon Alley and then I think she'll just go home. "Of course it would be helpful to have someone keep watch on her. I really want to know who her informant is after she gets home, but I'll talk to Dumbledore about that."

Remus smiled and said, "Might as well, Harry. Like you said, it's stuffy here in this old house alone."

"By the way Remus," Harry walked with him down the hall and got his own cloak, "do you know what happened to Kreacher? Did he finally die or something? I searched all over the house and couldn't find him."

Lupin's face whitened a little and he hurried with his cloak and umbrella. "No idea, Harry, no idea."

They arrived just as the train pulled into the station. Petunia was one of the first to step off with her bag in her hand. Harry walked up to her and stopped. He glanced at the windows and didn't see Hermione. In the meantime, Petunia was looking at Lupin who finally introduced himself and held out a hand for her to shake. She shook once and quickly withdrew her hand.

"Aunt Petunia," Harry stepped up on one of the stairs and peered into the compartment, "where's Hermione?"

Petunia paled. "I don't know. Some man stopped by the compartment and asked her to step out. They went down the hall and never returned. She left me all alone on this …this train." Petunia looked at the train with some measure of distrust as she did everything in the wizarding world. "Shall we proceed to this Diagon Alley place," she began, pronouncing it Di-agon Alley. "I want to be getting home."

Harry stared at her and then turned to Lupin, "Remus will you take that end and I'll take this one." He pointed his finger at his aunt, "YOU stay here and don't move!"

"WELL! I…" she began.

He had already sprinted up the remaining steps and was in the train moving from compartment to compartment. Hermione where are you, he thought furiously. You'd just better be on this train!

He stepped off at the end and ran towards Lupin. They met next to the startled woman. "She's not here!" Harry exclaimed. Remus shook his head. "Remus would you help me," Harry took one of his aunt's arms.

"Harry, what are you going to do?" Lupin asked, startled by his behavior. He took the other arm of a now terrified Aunt Petunia and held her waiting for Harry's answer.

"I'm going to apparate with her to Grimmauld Place. That's the first thing I'm going to do. Are you coming or not?" Harry demanded.

"Harry, she's a muggle. We don't know if it will hurt her or not." Remus was protesting even as Harry was dragging her along.

"Don't…don't hurt me," Petunia huffed, cringing from their touch.

"I don't care if she's muggle and gets hurt!" Harry said hotly. "On the count of three, you apparate with me or I go alone. I have to tell you, Remus, I haven't ever done a side-along apparation." He started counting, "One."

"Harry..." Remus protested, struggling to hold the whining woman.

"Two," Harry announced.

"Oh, all right," Remus said and nodded.

"Three." They apparated.

Harry almost had to drag his mewling aunt up the steps of No. 12 Grimmauld Place when she saw the house become visible between the two adjoining houses. By the time they got through the front door she had scratched him and they were all soaking wet from the pouring rain.

"Harry," Remus shook the water from his eyed. "Calm down. Go fetch your Aunt a towel," he demanded.

Harry didn't want to go anywhere. He was gripping her arm so tightly his fingers were white and she was screaming. Remus straightened himself and used a more commanding voice, "Harry, do as I say. I will stay here with your Aunt."

Harry knew he could magically make a whole roomful of towels appear if he wanted to. He also knew he was very close to strangling his aunt with his bare hands and left the room to let Remus calm her down.

He stood in the bathroom wiping his own hair and cleaning his glasses with trembling hands before he could pull himself together enough to grab the towels and ascend the staircase. He found them in the sitting room. Petunia had a cup of tea in her trembling hands. Harry could see bruises on her arms where he had gripped her and he didn't care.

"I insist we complete our business so I can go home," she said the minute she saw him.

"You're not going anywhere, Aunt Petunia," Harry said and stood before her glaring.

"Now, Harry," Remus began and then stopped when he saw his face, raised his hands in defeat and stepped back.

Petunia tried to give Harry one of her glaring looks, that would, when he was young, send him to his cupboard. It failed. He advanced on her, "You are in my world now, Aunt Petunia. I am the one who sets the rules here," he began. "We're not going anywhere until you tell me what happened to Hermione. While you're at it, I also want to know who has been providing you information."

"You can't do this to me!" she shrieked. The teacup dropped to the floor unnoticed.

"I can and will. I will send a note to Uncle Vernon that if he wants you back alive he will keep his mouth shut or you will die." Harry pulled out his wand, "I have already killed once; a rather nasty, horrible person not unlike yourself." He voice was steady and he felt a calmness coming over him. "If you're feeling very lucky, Aunt, you can walk away with millions of dollars in gold. Of course, there will be a guarantee that you will not interfere in my life again. If you are not lucky or choose to be stubborn, I shall..." He pointed the wand at her and she shrank back, terrified.

Remus spoke, his voice shaky. "Harry you don't mean that! She is your only living relative."

"She's no a relative of mine. She denounced my mother years before I was born and she came to Hogwarts to extort money from me. I would have no trouble in ridding the world of her," Harry said the words coldly, continuing to point his wand at her face. She was obviously aware of the potential in the wand. Her eyes crossed as she stared at its' tip. She remained frozen in place, mouth gaping open.

"Mr. Potter, what have I told you about controlling your emotions?" A voice came from the doorway. Snape stood dripping onto the oriental carpet, his own wand pointed at Harry.

Harry held his wand steady, not moving a muscle and said,. "I am not going to give her up. She knows who is doing this, whose threatening Nadya. And now Hermione has disappeared. I will kill her before you can do anything to me."

Snape's voice was calm, as he said, "Very well kill her…or use her, I won't argue the point. I'm only saying you're not getting high marks from me for this little stunt."

Harry looked up in astonishment. "High marks…high..." he choked in surprise.

"EXPELIARMUS" Snape snatched Harry's wand from the air. "There. Now. Shall we all calm down. You didn't follow Dumbledore's instructions, Mr. Potter," he said. "And you are not the only one who knows how to track someone. Mr. Weasley's attempts to follow me were pretty pathetic and we will have further discussion on the matter at a later date. However, now," Snape was shaking out his cloak and holding his wand still pointed at Harry when Ron stepped through the doorway from behind Snape. "Now, we must discuss other pertinent issues. Don't you agree Mr. Potter."

Remus interrupted, looking curious as well as relieved, "Do you know where she is, Severus?"

Snape glanced at Lupin and tucked his wand away.

"Harry," Ron looked wild with anxiety, "did she tell you anything?" He was referring to Petunia who had been stunned into silence by Harry's threats. "Do you know where Hermione is?"

He didn't question how Ron would have known about Hermione's disappearance only that it was likely Snape had told him after following him. He was more interested in his Aunt and continued to glare at her. "No, but we are about to find out what she knows," Harry answered staring at her.

"Hello, Remus," Severus said politely and stepped further into the room. He sat in a high-back chair and spoke conversationally, "Mr. Weasley was kind enough to tell me what's been going on over the past twenty-four hours. Added to what I already know, all of this is already complicated even more by Miss Granger's disappearance, sorry to say." He looked at Petunia and said, "Maybe it would be wise of you to tell us what we wish to know Mrs. Dursley. Your nephew does have a bad temper and I'm afraid he won't be able to control it for much longer."

"Your…your helping him?!" she stammered. "I'll…I'll have you all put in jail…that prison, Azkaban!"

Snape raised his eyebrows, and murmured, "You are aware of it then? Interesting. What else do you know Mrs. Dursley? Your sister has been dead for many years. Who has been keeping you informed of current events, may I ask?"

"I know a great deal, Professor Snake."

Harry watched her tilt her head haughtily as she always did when she thought she was among lower class people. It angered him even further.

Snape's eyebrows went up a notch, but he maintained his calm demeanor.

"Do you?" he answered. "Well, we will just have to perform a little 'mind-reading' just to see what you know. Don't worry I will wipe out your memories of these events," he said. He pulled his wand from his pocket and stood. "You will have no memories for awhile, but that will pass. However, I will have to take a peek at what's in there before we do that, and I'm afraid that WILL hurt."

Harry was sure Snape was bluffing. He might do Occlumency on her and he might modify her memories but he doubted any of it would hurt. Harry was sure he was trying to frighten her into confessing and so, he stood back, arms crossed and waited. He thought he might enjoy this.

"Severus!" Remus exclaimed, stepping forward and looking alarmed.

"You won't…you can't!" Petunia cried and threw her arms up protectively in front of her face. "That Professor Dimbledoor promised me..."

Harry stood breathless as he watched Snape. He had wondered over a period of several years just how much his Aunt really knew about the wizarding world. In the presence of his Uncle, she had slipped several times, letting on she knew more then she was willing to admit to. He thought he was about to find out.

"Where's Hermione?" Ron shouted at her.

Faced with four men, Petunia shrank into the chair and began to weep uncontrollably.

"That's enough!" Remus snapped, standing in front of her. "I'm ashamed of you Harry and you…Severus. Torturing muggles? I've only just stepped in the door and what a mess it is. Boys leave the room! Harry...Ron." He roared at them and turned to Snape "Severus?!" Remus glared at Snape who sat down and stared at him, unmoved by his outburst..

"I'm not leaving Remus," Harry growled, "not until she talks."

"Me either," Ron said, looking just as determined.

"You will get nothing out of this woman with these threats," Remus said firmly. "Leave me with her for a few minutes. I will join you shortly." He glared at Harry, who stepped back and nodded to him, wishing to show him respect.

"We'll be in the kitchen," Harry said and swept from the room in anger. Ron followed a moment later.