Chapter 5: A Tragic Death

Harry stayed overnight at Neville's grandmother's home after leaving St. Mungo's Hospital. Located outside of London in a small farming community, the wooden shingled home looked like it was about to fall over at any minute. Corn stalks surrounded the mud brown home which were now producing thick amounts of juicy cobs.

Inside, the home was still rather small and stuffy. Thousands of antique dolls and statuettes littered the rooms which already had too many useless objects displayed. Their faces were round and emotionless, their eyes marbleized in place.

Harry had arrived just as he had at the Weasley's shack with no trunk. Instead of calling for his things once again, Harry decided that if he was going to be running about after Horcruxes anyway, he better get used to not having his trunk with him.

The spare bedroom which Neville's grandmother graciously gave to Harry was only a bit more spacious than the broom cupboard Harry had lived in for so many dreadful years. Floral patterns grew in weedy spirals along the quilted blanket tucked under the twin sized bed. Beside the old bed was a miniature cabinet with metal knobs poking out. There was a pink lamp with moth ball bites out of the fringed shade. And then there was the multi-colored, woven bathroom rug lying on the wooden floor.

That was all the furniture that could fit in the room. Neville looked rather ashamed that Harry had to stay in such conditions, but he didn't dare insult his grandmother by saying anything to Harry about it. Instead, all he had to do was raise his bushy brows and give a slight apologetic frown.

"It's splendid," lied Harry who didn't have it in his heart either to hurt Neville's grandmother.

Neville toured the home to Harry at his grandmother's request. The kitchen was ancient, with a coal burning stove and a steel sink. There was no fridge nor trash disposal that Harry could see. Neville smirked, seeing Harry's confused face, and whispered to Harry,

"Grandma's an old fashioned witch, you know. Doesn't really believe in a lot of Muggle machines. Thinks they're rather unreliable."

Harry have never thought about Neville's lineage. He was a pureblood, meaning his Grandmother was indeed magically gifted. The image of her flying a broomstick in Harry's mind reminded him of the Wicked Witch of the West from Baum's Wizard of Oz, only with a worse fashion sense and no green skin.

"So, she does magic, around the house?"

Neville nodded. "Not much. I mean, she's bewitched just about everything to do things for her. And well, Ella does most of the housework."

Harry didn't have to ask who that was, because out of nowhere a dwarfish house elf popped in front of the two boys.

She wore a pinkish robe around her slim body, and had curly thin hair shaped around her protruding ears. For a house elf, she was much better looking than others, but still very old. Her skin was wrinkled and stretched out against her clearly visible bones.

"Hermione would go nuts seeing this," Harry said.

"Yeah. That's why I've never mentioned her," said Neville. "But grandma treats her really well. Tries to make her wear clothes all the time, but I think she's afraid it means letting her go. Took three years to get her to wear that dress robe."

Ella stared at Harry with large plump eyes. They were brown and slightly bigger than golf balls. She batted her eyelashes, hid behind Neville's leg and then pretended not to exist.

"Must like you, Harry," said Neville.

"Guess so. What's her name?"

"Oh, sorry. Ella."

"Why hello there, Ella," Harry said trying to greet her.

She peered out from the side of Neville's leg, and without replying, darted across the kitchen and disappeared through the wall near the living room. Neville shrugged, probably expecting her to run off like that around strangers. He knew that no one really ever stayed in the house besides him and his grandmother, so having an overnight house guest must have been a shock for her.

For some odd, unknown reason, Harry knew that he would meet up with Ella again.

The next showcased stop was the living room. There was not one, or two or even three couches, but four. Each was a two-seater and had a golden interlace pattern woven into them. Two of the couches sat beside each other on the back wall. The other two sat on either side.

Opposite the main two couches was a fireplace charmed to produce images of wizards and witches inside of normal orange flames.

Harry, intrigued as to who was in the fire, immediately walked over to it as Neville talked on about how this room was grandma's favorite. Neville didn't seem to notice Harry wandering off.

For a split second, Harry thought he saw Sirius, his late godfather, in the fire. It was like he had seen him many years ago in Hogwarts, talking to him through the fiery depth. The wizard's face was hard to see though, because the man kept dancing in circles with a few other wizards cheering him on. It looked as if he were on a bar table of some sort as he kicked a mug of butterbeer to the ground.

Harry stretched out his hand to touch the flames. His fingers dangled directly on top of the twirling, amusing man. Just as his pinky finger graced the top of the flames, something pulled Harry backwards, causing him to fall flat on his back.

"Are you all right, Harry?"

Neville was staring over his shaken body.

"I, I saw someone in the fire!"

"That's my family Gobfire," said Neville. "Ever seen one?"

"I don't even know what it is," replied Harry as he leaned on an ugly couch to get up to his feet.

Neville stared at the flames with intent eyes, as if trying to recall a long story.

"A Gobfire is something only pureblood families possess, like a family tree, I s'pose. It holds the images of our ancestors and shows their memories."

"What sort of memories?"

"Depends on the viewer," said Neville. He suddenly beamed a great grin looking at the flames. "I see my dad, now! He's at Hogwarts, trying to finish a potion. I think that's Slughorn in the background. And oh," Neville paused.

"What?"

"He dropped the potion. Guess we share that talent."

Harry laughed. He then, remembering who he saw, quietly said, "I saw Sirius."

"The man that was murdered by that bloody Bellatrix Lestrange? Wasn't that your godfather?"

Harry nodded. "But he's not in your family, Neville. How come I saw him?"

Neville was at a loss for words. "I don't really know. My grandma knows more about the Gobfire than I do. We can go ask her."

"No," he said. "It's getting late, and we have to prepare for the meeting tomorrow."

"Right, well, if you change your mind, her room is right next to yours," said Neville.

And with that, the boys headed to bed, but as they both left the room, their eyes lay fixed upon the fire, both hoping to see a glance at the memories of their loved ones once again.

XXX

"You're sure this is where we're supposed to meet?" asked Hermione.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Is there any other closed down wand shops named Ollivander's?"

"Well, I'm just saying, no one's in there." She pointed inside the empty store.

It was fifteen minutes before 9 AM, and no other members of the D.A. had showed up. Ginny and Hermione had lied to their parents of their whereabouts. The Grangers thought Hermione was staying at Ginny's, and the Weasleys thought Ginny was staying at Hermione's. If either of them had told their parents they were getting involved in a secretive club, and more than likely hunting down Lord Voldemort, then both girls would be grounded for life.

The girls stood in front of the store, hiding their faces whenever a witch or wizard passed them by. Then a dark haired witch wearing a grey, knee-length skirt approached them.

"Hello, Hermione," she said softly, as if she really didn't want to see her there.

Hermione spun around and was quite surprised.

"Cho! Wow," she said.

An awkward silence passed by for several minutes. Hermione looked over at Ginny with pleading eyes to start up a conversation or do anything to break the silence.

A few years earlier, when Harry had dated Cho Chang, Hermione was a reason for their break up. She wasn't the main one, but the fact that Harry chose Hermione over Cho on several occasions started a rift between the girls that was never probably mended.

"Damn it, Harry, where are you," thought both Ginny and Hermione as they looked at a large clock that now chimed nine.

XXX

"Neville! We'll never fly there in time!" Harry shouted from outside his bedroom. He had been getting ready for over an hour.

"I'm…. I'm almost ready."

"We're late! Everyone's waiting," said Harry.

Just as Harry was about to knock on the door, it swung open and Neville stood there looking as though he had just woken up in daze.

"Neville! What have you been doing in here?"

Harry stared at the mess covering his room. Papers, books and pieces of clothing were scattered everywhere as if a massive tornado had just ripped through it.

Neville had been crying. His eyes were puffy and red. His nose was flaking from being squeezed too many time with tissues. Snot stains covered the front of his pajamas.

"Neville?"

"He's dead," said Neville quietly.

"Who?" Harry asked, thinking the worst, his parents.

"Trevor!" cried Neville.

His toad that he had had for so many years lay lifelessly on Neville's bed, right in the center. It looked as though Neville had been trying every spell possible to bring him back to life.

"Oh, Neville. I'm so sorry," he said, trying to pat him on the back. "Look, I don't think you're ready to go anywhere today."

Neville nodded. "I want to go, but, I think Trevor would have wanted a funeral." He said this slowly and paused in between every other word with hiccups and cries.

"I understand. I'll tell everyone you wanted to come."

"Are you going, now?" asked Neville.

"I should, everyone's waiting. I'll be back later, I promise."

"Thanks for understanding, Harry."

And so Harry left Neville to his mourning, feeling very guilty for not staying with Neville longer to bring him comfort. However, it was already well past 9 o'clock. There was no time for broomsticks. He had to Apparate again.

Harry entered the hallway and prepared himself by taking in deep breaths. He concentrated on the abandoned store and then inside of it, where he had first gotten his wand. He was nervous, even though he had done this before. "Just do it," thought Harry, and he did just that.

POP

Dust flew up Harry's nostrils. He landed on his butt with a loud thump. It definitely wasn't the smoothest of landings, but no matter. He had arrived in one piece at the shop.

Five people huddled outside the dingy window from what Harry could see. He recognized Ginny's red hair and beautiful face right away. Part of him wished she hadn't come just because of their situation. But of course, he desperately wanted to see her too.

Hermione knocked on the window, and Harry forgot that the door was probably locked. He wondered why Hermione didn't just unlock the door using a spell. Seeing that she wasn't doing anything, Harry walked over to the door and shouted,

"Alohomora" as he pointed his wand.

The door swung open and a small group of wizards and witches entered the empty shop.

First Hermione, and the Ginny entered. Next was Ron, and then Luna Lovegood with her hair stuffed into a dozen pig tails. He had definitely expected her to show up, knowing how much she missed the D.A. meetings. And last was Cho Chang. Harry looked at her with shock. She was the last person he had expected, but nevertheless, he was glad for her help.

"Alright, Harry, this better be good," said Ron immediately.

"Does mum know you're here?" asked Ginny.

"No! She thinks I'm visiting Fred and George's shop, so this better not take too long!"

"Depends what Harry wants us to do," Cho interrupted with a soft voice.

Ginny had not looked at her the whole time, even when they were outside the shop. Ex-girlfriend meeting the new girlfriend was never good. Even if Ginny and Harry were temporarily broken up, it would still be very awkward.

"First, thank you everyone for coming," said Harry. Everyone settled down and stared at Harry. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

"No. We couldn't really come in though. How would it look, all of us breaking into a closed down shop in daylight?"

"S'pose not great," said Harry. "But we're here now, because I think everyone here knows."

Hermione, Ginny, Ron and Luna all nodded their heads. Cho was a lost sheep in the herd.

"Voldemort is not dead yet," Harry said. "And I am the only one that can kill him."

Cho jumped at the very sound of his name.

"We know, Harry. But Hermione and I already promised to help you on your quest," said Ron. "Why do you need everyone else?"

"No one else is coming with me," announced Harry. "I'm sorry, Hermione, Ron… I know both of you only want to help, but I've thought this through. Hogwarts is remaining open, and both of you need to graduate, especially you Hermione."

"Hey!" said Ron.

"But Harry!" Hermione pleaded.

"No! You can't come with me! But there's something else I want you, and everyone else who was brave enough to show up today."

Harry then began to explain what had happened to him, how Dudley had been mistakenly hurt by the Order, how Remus Lupin was keeping secrets, and how something had to be done about it.

Cho, the only one in the group who knew little to nothing about the Order, seemed so lost and confused that Ron had to explain to her what everything was second-handedly. After about ten minutes of all the extra whispering, Harry approached Cho.

"I need to speak with you privately."

"Alright," she said gratefully.

After pulling her aside, Harry said,

"What are you doing here?"

"Because you sent for me."

"I know, the coins, what I mean is, why?"

Cho smirked. "I miss you, Harry. And, the DA meetings were great. I just thought, maybe you were going to teach us again."

"This isn't fun and games, Cho!" Harry said loudly enough for Hermione and Ron to stop chatting and look over. "I'm about to assign you all a mission that is life or death."

"How was I suppose to know that!"

She had a point. Harry didn't send out any message telling the members that whoever showed up was going on a dangerous mission. He just assumed whoever really cared about the club would show up, and be brave enough. Well, Cho did show up one way or another.

"You can stay and join everyone if you want," said Harry more calmly. "Or leave now."

Cho hesitated. "I came, didn't I?" she said coolly.

"Fine, good."

And with that, Harry walked back to the rest of the group, and took a deep breath before revealing to them their mission.

"I want each of you to follow some members of the Order. Ginny and Cho, follow Tonks. Ron, your dad. Hermione and Luna, Hagrid. I would ask you to follow Lupin, but already suspects me. Maybe just keep an eye on him. Don't ask questions or do anything obvious. Act normal. If you must, lie to them, but only as a last resort. If you find anything, use your coins to call a meeting, or come to me directly if it's very important."

"What are you going to do, Harry?" Ginny spoke to him for the first time that morning.

"I'm," Harry hesitated telling them about the Horcruxes, but then it dawned on him. Why not tell them? It would only help them when following the Order of the Phoenix members? And they would find out eventually. "I'm going to find the remaining Horcruxes and kill Voldemort."

"HARRY!" shouted Hermione, knowing fully well he was not supposed to speak about it.

"Horcruxes?" said Luna. "Those are those soul things! My father says when a wizard wants to--"

"Live forever, they split their soul up into objects by murdering someone first. That's what Voldemort has done. The only way to kill him is to destroy the Horcruxes," explained Harry.

"No! It's when a wizard wants to find his soul mate, he makes a Horcrux to capture his lover's soul."

"That's stupid," said Ron.

"Your father doesn't understand what they are, Luna. Only Dumbledore knew, and now he's dead because of it," said Harry slowly. "Look, all that matters is that I have to destroy them by myself. If you don't see much of me the next few days or weeks, it's because I am working out a plan."

"Harry, don't be foolish. You'll need all the help you can get," said Hermione.

But Harry didn't want to listen. Instead, he got up and looked as though he was about to leave.

"I won't put your lives at risk!"

"They already are with Voldemort still alive!" Hermione shouted his name as if he had no power over her anymore. She had definitely grown from years ago when she would flinch at the sound of it like many others still did.

Harry shook his head. "No, don't try to convince me otherwise! Look, I have to go. Neville's toad died. I promised I'd be there for him."

"Trevor!" yelped Luna. "Does he want us to pay any respects?"

"It's a slimey frog!" said Ron.

"So?"

"I'm not wasting my time over that diseases infested thing. Plus, mum will kill me if I don't get home soon."

"That's so typical of you! You're a mean ugly, git!" yelled Luna to Ron.

Ron's face grew a shade of plum and he looked as though he was ready to punch her mouth.

"Stop it! Both of you! Look, we probably should discuss our plans somewhere else. Why don't all of us go to Neville's house?" Hermione said logically like always.

Everyone seemed to calm down after that and nodded their heads in agreement. Harry sighed, but knew that Neville would love to see everyone pay their respects.

"Okay, okay! Can everyone Apparate by themselves?"

"Everyone except you," said Ginny.

"He's been doing it by himself since yesterday!" blurted out Ron.

"Harry!" shouted Hermione. "That's illegal! You know you don't have your license. If they find out…"

"No one's going to care, Hermione, and if they did, they haven't said anything yet. Now, imagine an old wooden home in a cornfield…"