Chapter 5 : Voldemort's Revenge
Still unbalanced, Harry could only watch as the killing curse hurtled closer towards him. Time seemed to slow as the Death Eater, who had been following him, emerged from the cloud and was struck, squarely in the chest by the curse. The speed of the dive had caused the hood of his pursuer to come off, uncovering long blond strands of hair. It was not the first, but it was definitely the last time, that Harry would catch Draco Malfoy with a perfectly executed Wronski Feint.
As Draco's body fell from his broom and sped helplessly towards the ground, Harry fought to regain his composure and he trained his wand on the remaining Death Eater. He need not have worried, as his adversary had launched into a steep dive after the falling body, screaming, "Draco, my boy!"
Harry lowered his wand and quickly flew in the opposite direction. He landed safely in a deserted London back street, long before Lucius Malfoy regained his senses, or the Death Eater above the clouds knew what had happened. Once on his feet, Harry quickly took on the appearance of Joseph Rattyear and transfigured his broom into a walking stick. He headed towards the first Hotel that looked open, aiming to find a bed until morning. Harry was surprised to find that such a dingy looking Guest House could charge so much for its rooms; and by the hour too. It must have been popular however, as no single rooms were available.
The following morning, saw Joseph Rattyear once again attempting to eat a disgustingly fatty breakfast in the filthy, smoky East End café. He parted with another exorbitant amount of money, and received his new passport, driving licence, National Insurance Card and bank books. He was told that all post, in relation to his new identity, went to a particular address in a neighbouring street. If he wanted it, he could either collect it in person, or send someone to get it for him. All they had to do was ask the elderly occupant if he had received any mail in error.
While thanking the man for his documents through gritted teeth (he was more than a little miffed to be thanking the foreign guy for robbing him blind), Harry enquired if he knew of anywhere he could obtain a gun, for self-defence purposes. The man smiled and indicated he should follow him. An hour later, Mr Joseph Rattyear's wallet was empty, but he was armed with a small revolver and a box of bullets. Additional bullets, the man assured him, could be bought by leaving payment and an order when he collected his mail.
Although it was an impulse purchase, Harry had long thought that the wizarding world depended too highly on their magic, scorning all things Muggle without even bothering to learn them. He felt that a revolver could be an invaluable tool in a duel, should he find himself disarmed of his wand, after all Protego would offer little protection from a speeding bullet. A gun would also be harder to disarm, Harry strongly suspected expelliarmus wouldn't work on it.
Still disguised as Joseph Rattyear, Harry caught a Muggle bus towards Charing Cross. As he waited for it to negotiate the rush hour traffic he couldn't help but wonder whether he was wasting his money on his fake identity. Why had he not just asked Tonks to get him fake documents? It wasn't that he didn't trust her, he did. In the end, it was more the possibility that there was another spy within the order, the very same reason that he had not told Moody and Lupin about the Horcruxes. The fewer people that knew, the lower the risk he would be betrayed.
Harry made his way unnoticed and un-accosted down Diagon Alley towards Gringotts, where he was guided into a private room. Inside was Axeblade the goblin, who was seated, apparently writing a letter. Harry suppressed a shudder as the elderly goblin used the end of his hooked nose to blot his piece of parchment.
"Good Morning Mr Potter," he said. "How wise of you to travel in disguise, during these dangerous times."
Harry looked startled, until he realised he had forgotten to change back from Joseph. Sheepishly, he morphed back into Harry Potter in front of the goblin. "How did you know?" he asked the creature.
The goblin smiled, "Suffice to say, we have various protections on our main doors which identify anyone who enters. Identity fraud used to be our biggest problem.
Now, on to business; as was explained last week, now you are of age, you inherit the entire Black and Potter family estates. The Potter inheritance is easiest. Your guardian, the late Albus Dumbledore, allowed you full access to the Potter Family vault. While comfortably well off the Potters never accumulated large resources of gold, choosing instead to used their money to fund various good causes. So the only additional inheritance which comes to you today is a derelict property by the name of Godric's Hollow." The goblin handed Harry a sealed parchment and asked him to sign a separate sheaf.
"Moving on, we have the Black family inheritance. Again we have deeds for a property, unfortunately one, whose whereabouts I can not speak," said the Goblin once more passing over a sealed piece of parchment. This time Harry could see the name, twelve Grimmauld Place, on the parchment as he again signed for it.
"Also you inherit the contents of vault number 711. The Black family concentrated more on accumulating wealth, so there is considerably more in this vault than in the Potter one. Should you wish, I will arrange for Griphook to take you to view your new vault. However, I am aware that it does hold various questionable items, which may cause harm, or raise questions should you try to take them from here. It is the Bank's policy never to question the items placed in our vaults, unless they present a security issue. However, as a matter of course, we recommend all legatees employ one of our curse-breakers prior to entering their inherited vaults. Should you wish, I will arrange one to examine your account as soon as possible"
"Don't worry there is no hurry," explained Harry, "I'm going away for a little while. Perhaps you could arrange for Bill Weasley to have the job when he returns from honeymoon?"
"Certainly sir, and now the final part of your inheritance is one flying motorcycle. It's parked in the Muggle street under a disillusionment charm outside the Leaky Cauldron," concluded Axeblade, as he somewhat distastefully passed Harry a pair of keys.
"Axeblade, I'm a little curious, do you know how Sirius came to inherit the Black family estate, when he was disowned by his mother?" asked Harry as he yet again signed the goblin's parchment.
"Actually, I remember it well," nodded the elderly Goblin. " Sirius Black's brother, I forget his name after all these years, changed his will shortly before his death and left the entire estate to Sirius, much to the disgust of Mrs LeStrange and Mrs Malfoy who had anticipated inheriting it." Axeblade chuckled at the memory. "Couldn't happen to two nicer peo.. err is there anything else I can help you with today?"
"Could you transfer two hundred thousand pounds into this Muggle bank account?" asked Harry handing over his fake documents and bank details before hastily adding. "There is enough isn't there?"
"Certainly, sir. A wise precaution, if I may say so. Now, do not worry, there is plenty of money, you are now a very rich wizard."
As Harry thanked Axeblade and turned to leave his thoughts trailed back to Sirius. He would give up all the gold in Gringotts just to have his step-father back from beyond the veil. As he mused, he was stopped by another goblin, who asked him if he was free to attend the reading of the last will and testament of Albus Dumbledore the following Tuesday. "In the Hogs Head, at Hogsmeade." stated the goblin with a shudder of disgust.
This only served to depress Harry more. First his parents, then Sirius, and now Dumbledore's possessions were going to be divided up. How many more estates across the country would be prematurely passed to the bereaved families before this war was over?
A little later than he had anticipated, Harry found himself striding up Diagon Alley, to take possession of Sirius's motorcycle. He deftly stepped around the begging vampire again, but got held up by two witches who were conducting a very public argument about the origin and quality of each others barrowful of dung.
"It's just 'orse manure, an' you ruddy well know it, you ole Hag! 'Ow comes I can see it? Yet you still reckon its genuine Thestral droppings."
"You'd know all about horse manure, that's all your Hippogriff dung ever was," replied the other witch in a rage. "An' I reckon the sight of your ugly mug, would be enough to kill anyone, and as for yer cooking …"
Harry managed to sidestep the pair, before they started throwing the muck around, and he deftly ducked through the wall and into the Leaky Cauldron. He briefly felt like showing off the bike to Fred and George, who appeared to be having a very early, liquid lunch with a scruffy looking bloke, but they looked busy, so he didn't interrupt them. Instead, he stepped into the street, eager to see his bike. Spotting a slight glimmer against the dirty brick wall, Harry took an educated guess and cast to remove the disillusionment charm. The bike appeared and Harry slid carefully astride it. As usual, the street appeared deserted of Muggles, so Harry carefully rode down it, switched on the invisibility booster, and soared gracefully up into the air, much as Ron and he had done five years earlier, in Mr Weasley's car.
Unlike Hogwarts, there was no railway to follow, so Harry had a harder time finding the Burrow. Eventually he recognised a few sites from his other trip in the Ford Anglia, and was able to find his way towards Stoatshead Hill. He did a couple of circuits of the Weasley's home to ensure nothing untoward was happening, before he landed on the nearby road, and pushed the bike up the front path. He checked his watch, 2pm as promised. So he was in no hurry as he left his bike hidden behind Mr Weasley's shed. Although it was Harry's birthday, he was sure Ron was going to enjoy taking a ride on the bike, as would Ginny. Harry hoped he might be able to take her for a ride, alone, later at sunset if he could get past her mother.
By now, Harry had made it to the open front door. He walked into the kitchen to find that Neville, Luna, Ron and Mrs Weasley were all seated, but staring in shock, much as they had when Mr Weasley had been injured several years before. Ginny was leaning on the sink, weeping gently into Hermione's arms. Harry stopped in confusion, what was going on? He opened his mouth to speak, but by this time the others had noticed him.
"Harry?" started Ron.
"You're alive!" screamed Ginny wrenching out of Hermione's grip and launching herself at Harry. "You're ok, you're ok," she repeated between kisses, appearing as if she was checking this herself, very thoroughly. Harry wrapped his arms round her awkwardly and patted her back, as the others started questioning him at once.
"We heard about the attack ..."
"Mrs Figg told the Order ..."
"How did you get away?"
"Who was it?"
"Where did you go? Why didn't you contact us?"
Harry couldn't help but feel sheepish at this outburst of concern from his surrogate family. He chastised himself quietly for not thinking that they'd be worried by the attack, and for neglecting to send them word that he was alright. It seemed that something about flying vehicles made Harry forget the existence of owls. He tried desperately to calm everyone down and explain what had happened, while Mrs Weasley flooed to Grimmauld Place to tell The Order that he was okay.
As he got to the part about Lucius Malfoy killing his son, a very sombre looking Remus Lupin and Professor McGonagall climbed out of the fire. "Hermione could we have a word?" asked Professor McGonagall kindly, leading her into the living room.
Ron looked quizzically around and opened his mouth, "I reckon that Professor McGonagall is going to ask Hermione to be Head Girl next year. How do you think she'll react when Hermione tells her she's leaving school."
Guilt at ruining Hermione's education started to eat at Harry, so much so that he barely noticed Ron putting on a fake Scottish accent and mimicking his headmistress. His attention was caught by a loud, piercing scream came from the next room.
"Hermione!" Ron shouted and ran into the living room. Harry peered through the open door and could see Hermione rocking backwards and forwards on her heels, sobbing uncontrollably, her face buried in Ron's shoulders as he hugged her awkwardly.
"It would appear that Voldemort has regained a large enough following in order to continue his reign of terror," said Remus softly. "At around eight this morning, less than an hour after Miss Granger had left to catch the train for here; two Death Eaters were dispatched to their family home, where Mr and Mrs Granger were preparing to go to work."
Everyone gasped in shock at this news, "Are they …" started Ginny, not able to complete the question.
"I'm afraid so," continued Remus, "They were subjected to the Cruciatus curse repeatedly, which eventually killed them."
"But why? What could they possibly know, they were Muggles"
"It maybe, that they were after information, possibly they were trying to discover the whereabouts of you, Harry, after your escape this morning? Alternatively it may just have been because Hermione is Muggleborn." Remus lowered his eyes sadly.
Harry gasped, and then hung his head in shame. "We didn't even think to give them protection. Why do we…"
Harry was interrupted by the hurried entrance of a dishevelled Mad Eye Moody, "Remus, we need you urgently, there have been another two attacks." Lupin nodded and jumped into the emerald flames.
Moody then turned to Neville "I'm sorry, Laddie, but your Gran was attacked this morning as she tended the plants in her greenhouse," he said softly. "She fought bravely, she did. We found the body of Rudolphus LeStrange and we were able to prise some bits of another of the bastards away from the Venomous Tentacula. But, in the end, there were too many of the buggers. I'm so sorry, Lad, there was nothing we could do for her when we found her."
Neville and the others stood in shock, until Luna moved over to him engulfing him in her arms as he broke down in tears. Moody briefly looked shocked at Neville's tears before he continued, "She was proud of you, laddie. Only last week, she showed me your school report. She said the Defence and Herbology marks were higher than even your Father's. She was so pleased."
"Professor Moody, you said there had been two attacks?" asked Harry tentatively, desperately hoping there was not more bad news.
"Ah yes," Moody looked less uncomfortable at the subject change. "The buggers tried to attack Fred and George's store when it was closed for lunch ..." Moody was interrupted by Ginny screaming.
"Don't worry yourself, Lass, they're fine. They weren't at home, they were in the Leaky Cauldron, as usual, having a liquid lunch," reassured Mad Eye.
"What happened?" asked Harry.
"Well the twins have set up a few anti-theft devices," explained Moody proudly. "When them Death Eaters broke in through the door, the shop sealed itself to prevent them escaping. The twins had also charmed the walls to reflect any spells fired at them, back onto the casters. The most remarkable feat of charm casting, I've seen.
So you can imagine what happened, when the four Death Eaters found themselves trapped in the shop. They firstly attempted to blast there way out using the reductor spell. The rebound took care of two of them," explained Moody smiling.
"After they realised that they couldn't use Magic they attempted to bash their way out using that statue of Alberic Grunnion, which stands next to the door. What they didn't realise was that there were some anti-theft charms on that too which released dung-bombs into the air when activated. So when the twins returned from lunch they found two rather battered Death Eaters unconscious from the fumes."
"Why are these attacks, today?" asked Harry finding it easier to concentrate on Moody and not the two sobbing pairs of his friends.
"We questioned the two, after we got the statue off them. They admitted that the order for these attacks came directly from Voldemort, who was livid that you had escaped from Privet Drive. Judging on the attacks, it would appear he chose the families of those who were near you, those who faced his Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries, in an attempt to find out where you're living now. That team of Death Eaters was given orders to look for you, and also to torture their victims in order to try and find your whereabouts."
Harry flopped into the squashy armchair by the fire and sank his head into his hands. As usual, it was entirely his fault. Yet more people had died because of him. As despair welled up inside of him, he felt a soothing pair of arms encircle him. As Ginny soothed him, she turned to Moody and asked him, "How did you get the Death Eaters to tell the truth? I know Professor Slughorn isn't up to brewing Veritaserum."
"We err, an auror never reveals his methods," grinned Moody.
"What about Daddy?" asked Luna her voice wavering as she peered over Neville's shoulder. "You said they were after the ones who were at the Ministry last summer, and I was there too."
"Don't worry lass, we've got aurors stationed outside your home and the Quibbler's offices, so he'll be perfectly safe."
"But he left first thing this morning for Ipswich. He had an urgent owl, saying that a Crumple-horned Snorkack had been spotted in the Norfolk Broads…" Luna's voice failed as she realised the implications of what she'd just said. Harry caught the look in her eyes for a split second before she buried her head in Neville's shoulder.
Much later that night, Harry lay in bed unable to sleep; each time he closed his eyes, his mind relived the look in Luna's eyes. He shuddered as he recalled what hadn't been his best birthday ever. His only living relatives had been killed, his home for the last sixteen years had been blown up, he'd been attacked, killed someone for the first time (Quirrell didn't really count), and by refusing to die had caused his best friends to lose their families. All things considered, not a great day.
Harry peered through the dark across the small bedroom in the Burrow. Neville was lying on a makeshift camp-bed, very still, but clearly not asleep. Neville was one hundred percent loyal to Harry. He had been the one to come to Harry's aid in the Ministry despite a broken nose, and the only other Gryffindor to respond to the Death Eater attack last term, and look what it had cost him now. There was no doubt in Harry's mind that the right thing to do was to invite Neville to join them on the search for the Horcruxes and to live in Grimmauld Place. He couldn't leave him alone in his grandmother's place after this. Harry worried that Neville would blindly protect him, whatever the risk to himself, and while his heart was true Gryffindor, Harry wasn't overly confident in Neville's duelling skills. What if Neville died because of him? On the other hand Neville's grandmother had always stifled his confidence and independence, maybe now Neville could grow into the man he was supposed to be without living in the shadow of his father.
Harry glanced over at Ron's bed, which was empty. His best friend was still comforting Hermione. Ron had been the first to her side when McGonagall had broken the news about her parents, and he had not left her since, not even to eat. Harry was impressed at how someone with 'the emotional range of a tea-spoon' was coping. There was no doubt in Harry's mind that Ron was going to be a key player, if they were going to defeat Voldemort. It wasn't Harry that had come of age today but Ron.
Harry was unsure what to do about Luna. She had lived alone with her father since her mother died when she was nine. She had endured terrible bullying at school due to her apparent oddness, and blind belief in everything her father published. Harry, who had got to know her quite well, thought this was a defence mechanism, a way to escape a reality in which she was unhappy. Clearly, her Father meant everything to her, and Harry was seriously worried how his death would affect her mental state, which at times (Harry couldn't help but grin) seemed precarious. Had she been of age, Harry would have invited her back to Grimmauld Place with them, especially as he suspected that Neville had taken a more than platonic interest in her.
Ginny had delighted in telling Harry how Neville had confided in her, and asked her advice about Luna. It seemed that Neville had seen quite a lot of Luna over the summer. He had been helping her grow plants which Snorkacks apparently ate, to aid in Luna's quest to find and photograph one.
Maybe if Luna could stay with Ginny at the Burrow it would solve things. Ginny was a good friend of Luna's, and the Weasley family had known the Lovegoods for many years. It also might help keep Ginny at the Burrow and stop her from following Harry. He smirked to himself, as he imagined Ginny's reaction if he told her that, she and Luna could stay safe at home while their boyfriends fought the evil Voldemort. While he was not going to phrase it like that, Harry thought it would be the best solution for Luna, and hoped that he could persuade Ron to tell his parents when he returned from comforting Hermione.
Hermione worried Harry most of all. He couldn't begin to imagine how the death of both her parents, to whom she was very close, would affect her. It had taken Harry many months to get over Sirius's death. The feelings of guilt and helplessness, and he had only known him for two years. Harry was very worried about how Hermione would react. She was prone to occasional bouts of irrationality if the answer to her problem wasn't in the library, and that was just in the case of exams or homework. What if she went for revenge, Ron had summed her up when he had described her as 'a little bit scary', and she was scary when in full spell-casting flow, but she wasn't a fully fledged fighter. Harry worried about her safety and desperately hoped that Ron would continue his new found sensitive side and develop their relationship. She needed Ron now, more than ever.
Ron crept back into the room at this moment, Hermione having finally drifted off to sleep. So Harry broke away from his thoughts, to explain his idea about Luna. The Weasley family were one step ahead of Harry here, and had already invited Luna to remain at the Burrow indefinitely.
The following morning's breakfast was a very sombre affair. The Daily Prophet carried details of the previous day's attacks, along with distinguished and detailed obituaries for Augusta Longbottom and Mr. Lovegood. The Ministry, it seemed, were going to hold a memorial service for Neville's grandmother and Luna's father, but not for Hermione's parents, nor the Dursleys. Harry vowed to keep this snub to Muggles in mind, next time the Minister wanted his support.
Remus and Professor McGonagall chose this moment to floo in for a visit. At the look of sheer panic on the youngsters' faces, Remus reassured them that they were here to help protect Grimmauld Place, and had not brought more bad news. "Professor McGonagall is going to cast the fidelius charm for you, Harry, and if you'll consent, I'd like to be your secret keeper."
"But you can't be," interrupted Hermione. Everyone apart from Ron, who put his arm around her, looked shocked at Hermione's snub of Remus, before she explained. "The secret keeper can not hide permanently within the secret itself. Otherwise, don't you think Harry's dad would have been the secret keeper of Godric's Hollow, or that Hagrid would live inside of Hogwarts like all the other staff?"
There was a stunned silence as everybody digested Hermione's last revelation. To Harry it suddenly all made sense, Hagrid showed all the first years the castle when they first arrived at Hogsmeade. He had even called himself the Keeper of Keys when Harry had first met him. Professor McGonagall looked even more shocked than Harry. But her expression soon turned to one of admiration that Hermione had figured it out.
"I'm moving out," said Remus, "I'll be staying in Tonk's flat predominantly and only returning to Grimmauld Place for meetings and to check up on you lot. It'll be a bit overcrowded if we all stay there."
"You mean it cramps his and Nymphs style," muttered Ron under his breath as Professor McGonagall and Remus headed off to Grimmauld Place to set the charm. Hermione blinked at him with her swollen eyes, and flashed the tiniest hint of a grin, which Harry was thrilled to see.
After the dramatic events of the day before, Mrs Weasley was less than happy about them permanently leaving the Burrow. However with a determination Harry had never seen before, Ron led his mother away for a quiet talk. When they returned several minutes later, both had tears under their eyes, but Mrs Weasley made no more efforts to stop them leaving. She did however insist on going with them, "to make sure, that place is fit to live in and see that you have a proper meal today." She promised to return home after that – but only after another firm look from her youngest son.
Remus returned via the floo network and announced all was safe. Hermione tested out the charm by trying to floo, but couldn't remember where she was going to. In the end she had to hop out of the fire before she burned her feet.
Remus smiled and said, "Harry Potter lives at number twelve Grimmauld Place."
As if his memory had been jogged, Harry remembered the imposing House of Black. He hadn't even been aware that he had forgotten about it until now. He stepped up to the fire, grabbed some powder and said, "Number twelve Grimmauld Place". Seconds later he found himself falling out of the fireplace at his God-fathers old home. The others, including Ginny and Luna, followed shortly behind him.
"Is that you? You filthy, evil, half-bred slut of a witch," came screeching from the hallway. Their entrance had not gone unnoticed by the portrait of Mrs Black. "How dare you be-smirch the House of my glorious ancestors by your presence, lying with vermin, you're a disgrace to this family."
Harry turned to Remus with a questioning look at the unusually vicious invective. "Ah", he explained. "Yesterday, Tonks metamorphed into the old bat, herself and berated her back. The old hag was in such shock she collapsed. It's just a shame paintings can't have heart attacks." Harry snorted.
As they headed for the passage to shut the painting up, Mrs Black changed tactics. "Oh it's you. Half-bred, Muggle loving bas.."
"Head of the Black Family," corrected Harry helpfully.
"Head of the most Noble and Ancient House of Black? Never! That will fall to the Malfoy boy when the Dark Lord kills you."
"Not likely, I killed him yesterday!" replied Harry flippantly, "Now shut up or I'll ..."
"MUDBLOOD in MY house!" Mrs Black had caught sight of Hermione. "You disgusting little whore. How dare you come back here .."
Ron put one arm protectively around Hermione, as he her eyes started to water, in Ron's other hand was his wand, pointing at the painting.
"You! A Weasley, your family are a disgrace to pure-blood wizards. Look at you, you Muggle-lover. Your family are almost as bad as … LONGBOTTOM!" Neville had moved into view. "I never thought I'd live to see another Longbottom in this house after Regu..."
Mrs Black's rant was interrupted by Harry drawing the curtains firmly shut, muttering "You aren't alive, you vicious old hag."