CHAPTER 10: I have a bad feeling
A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen, we've arrived at the moment you've all been waiting for, or not. Anyway without further ado...
Interior, Dining room, The Burrow – Night
Harsh gasps, followed by tense, thick silence filled the room. Every pair of eyes locked on to the figure who just seconds ago stepped out of the fireplace, every face depicting a form of shock, not unlike a fish out of water, their eyes wide, lips parted, except one, Dumbledore, who had a small smile curling his lips wide and a twinkle in his eyes as he peered over his half-moon glasses.
He nodded at Harry who was looking straight at him but unlike his grandfather he appeared to be in great distress, as if it was physically hard for him to keep his eyes locked on to his. His fists were clenched into tight balls at his sides, and he was shaking.
His breathing was coming in short, ragged puffs. It appeared he was trying very hard to not shift his gaze, to sneak a peek at the other faces staring at him wide-eyed, but for the moment kept the urge under bay that was trying to claw its way out.
"Life doesn't evolve around you! You're not the bloody center of the universe! No matter how much you may want to believe that!"
Harry's knuckled cracked under the pressure.
"God Harry! Enough with the self-pity! I'm sick and tired of it. It's been a year. You need to move on!"
His breathing turned even more harsh, and his eyes turned a darker shade of green.
"You think you were the only one affected by it! That we are not grieving! We are...ALL OF US!...But we're learning to cope with it by not destroying our lives!
Thick veins started forming on the side of his head, close to his eyes.
"Merlin, just look at him. He looks even terrible than last time"
"Poor Hermione, imagine how hard it must be for her"
"It must have taken some conviction to get him to come. Lily said that he stays locked up in the basement when not at work"
"Well, I don't think he's staying for much longer."
"Hmm...merlin I can't even look at him. It just breaks my heart."
His left leg was trembling badly at this point.
"Did you read Skeeter's article today in the prophet?"
"Yeah..."
"I mean it makes you think. Why would Harry agree to go to Dripko's if there was even a chance of an attack"
"It's Rita, Molly. I know you love rumors and gossiping and conspiracies but believe me...if there was even a slight risk of danger, Harry would've never agreed to it no matter how much he was persuaded."
"Then why were there aurors. If there was nothing to worry about tell me why were there aurors?"
"I don't know Molly! What do you want me to say!...It doesn't matter now...Ka- Harry! D-did you needed anything!"
Harry's face was red, and sweat was trailing its way down his forehead.
"WHY DID YOU GO TO DRIPKO'S! YOU KNEW THIS COULD'VE HAPPENED!...IT-IT HAPPENED AND NOW...Oh my god..."
"Hermione please..."
"GET AWAY FROM ME!"
"Mione...baby please don't leave me...mum-mum tell her please...Stop her please...Dad..."
"...Harry, I think it's better if you just let her be...j-just give her some space son."
"...NO!...no-no- I-I need her...I need her...need her"
"Harry, we're all...we're all still trying to come to terms with it son. Look at your mother for heaven's sake, she hasn't said a word in two days. Come, I'll take you to your old room"
"NO! D-don't leave me alone...please don't leave me alone...I-I can't be alone"
Blood started seeping through his closed fists as his knuckles turned white.
"All you do is sit and stare at the bloody wall! IT'S NOT FUCKING HEALTHY"
"You don't even spend any time with me anymore, dad. Y-You didn't even come to the yule ball. I told all my friends you'd come. You promised"
"Son, you need to think about Hermione and Rose. They are your future"
"Mr. Potter, is it true that you knew Dripko's was not safe."
"Mr. Potter, what do you have to say about the rumor going on that the DMLE was afraid something like this could've happened. That's why there were aurors patrolling, not only on the day of the attack but a few days prior too"
His pupils were dilated wide and he looked close to hyperventilating.
"Get the fuck up! Your mood is affecting everyone around you."
"I don't care!"
"Then you bloody well learn to care!"
"Why do you care!"
"Because I'm your fucking mother! Because it's Rose's birthday. A day she has been waiting for ever!...and I'm not going to let you ruin it for her by being an arse!...God, I don't even know if it's all real anymore"
"What the fuck you say! What the fuck did you just say!"
"Exactly what you heard!"
"You think I'm pretending! Is that what you think!"
"YES!...That's exactly what I think!...I think it's become an excuse for you...to shield yourself...to hide behind it, to use it every time someone questions you, so you don't have to justify why your life has become what it has, so that you can continue living this-this pitiful existence because you can't put in the effort to change your life around. You can't be bothered to take care of your family, people who need you, who rely on you. That's what I think!"
"Get out"
"Wow! Now it's come to this...Telling your mother to get out. How very gracious of you."
"GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE! YOU'RE NOT MY FUCKING MOTHER AND I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN YOU HEAR ME. NEVER"
"...you know what...the sad part is I'm not even surprised and that should tell you something...I never thought I'd say this but I'm ashamed of you...I'll say this one last thing because whether you like it or not, I'm still your mother and no matter what happens, doesn't matter what you do...kill someone, rape someone, blow a fucking children's school or even tell me to get out and say that I'm not your mother...I'll always love you...always...so listen to me carefully, it's easy to go down the rabbit hole, even when it gets tight and you feel suffocated or dark, even when you get lost, especially lost, but the hard part is to turn around and make your way back towards the light. You've been in this situation before...it may seem like a lifetime ago but it wasn't that long when you were lost, when you shunned everyone around you, when you were alone but...you eventually found your way back to the light. You know why, it wasn't because you were the most powerful wizard or that your wand was quicker than Voldemort's...it was because you believed in what you were fighting for...truly believed in it. You need to dig deep inside you and find that belief once again...because I've come to realize that no one can tell you what it is...we've all tried, and thing is you know what it is...it's your family, your loved ones, your wife, your daughter...but knowing and believing are two very different things."
"Get out!"
Harry blinked and exhaled a sharp breath as he turned his gaze down. His eyes turned wide as he saw Dumbledore staring right up at him, his wheelchair almost touching his leg. The old man had a sad smile on his face as he slowly coaxed Harry to open his palm.
He waved his hand over it, cleaning the blood. He repeated the motion with his other hand as Harry kept staring at him as if he didn't know what was happening or where he was or what he was even doing, looking utterly lost.
"You're okay" Dumbledore smiled warmly as he gripped his hand firmly. "C'mon" He maneuvered the wheelchair and slowly started moving forward, his hand never leaving Harry's as he pulled him along.
Every person kept their eyes locked on to him, their expression portraying uncertainty mixed in with fear, shaken up by what they had just witnessed.
"Here we are" Dumbledore stopped next to Rowan before looking at Roslyn. "Rose darling, why don't you run and grab a chair for your dad."
Startled, Roslyn mutely nodded her head before pushing back her chair and walking off. Dumbledore tapped his forefinger on the table and muttered a spell under his breath. The table grew in length to make room for another person. The remarkable thing was that everyone remained in their spot.
Roslyn came back and placed the chair next to the wheelchair.
Harry's eyes never leaving her, but she ignored him completely.
Dumbledore pushed the chair a little further towards Roslyn who was staring down at her plate before motioning Harry to take a seat.
Harry sat down heavily and gripped his hands tightly under the table.
Dumbledore turned to Molly and flashed her a smile. "Molly dear, if you would be kind enough to do the honors"
Molly, who had been dumbly staring at Harry the whole time snapped out of her daze and blinked at Dumbledore. "O-Ofcourse" she stammered, before clearing her throat.
She shifted her gaze forward and plastered a smile on her face that seemed unnatural. "Please, tuck in"
No one moved.
"Oh, bloody hell" Ron grumbled, before leaning forward and scooping a healthy portion of mash on to his plate before moving onto the scrumptious looking beef wellington.
"Thank you, Ron" Dumbledore winked. "I know I could always count on you for diffusing tension"
Ron chuckled. "Yeah, well" He bit a piece of the drumstick. "I was about to lose my bloody mind if I had to wait any longer"
"Language Ron" Molly scolded.
"And we're back to normal" Dumbledore said under his breath as his lips quirked at the corner. He filled his glass with red wine and took a sip.
As per Dumbledore's comment, although the tension still lingered in the background it had been largely diffused, all thanks to Ron.
Everyone started filling their plates and soon the sound of cutlery filled the room along with quiet conversations.
Dumbledore nudged Harry with his elbow and waited until he faced him to tilt his head towards his empty plate. "Eat up, son. A meal this good doesn't come everyday"
He turned to Molly who was watching them. "The food is delicious, Molly"
"Thank you, Albus."
Molly shifted her gaze to Harry and her eyes softened and it looked like she was holding back tears. "Harry dear"
Everyone stopped eating as silence once again enveloped the room.
Harry slowly lifted his head towards her.
"Would you like me to fix you a plate" she asked with a hopeful smile.
The smile disappeared from her face as Harry kept staring at her, his expression darkening with every second. His nostrils flared and his breathing quickened.
Molly gulped as her eyes turned wide.
"Thank you, Molly!" Dumbledore beamed at her. "I think Harry is a little flummoxed with all the options before him and can't seem to decide on what to ravish first. Maybe you can help him." he grabbed on to Harry's forearm under the table and squeezed it.
Harry dropped his gaze and shot daggers at his empty plate.
Molly fervently nodded her head before taking out her wand and filling Harry's plate with a little bit of everything.
"There you go. I hope you like it" she said in a small voice.
The tension was back. Everyone had their heads ducked down but no one was eating.
Dumbledore leaned towards Harry. "You got this." He whispered in his ear. "Remember why you've come. They don't matter" He patted his leg before going back to his meal.
Harry kept staring at his plate before finally, after what seemed like an eternity, lifted his hand and picked up the fork. He brought his other hand up and picked up the knife before cutting a piece of the steak and bringing it towards his mouth. He chewed slowly as Dumbledore filled his glass with wine.
He nodded his thanks before gulping it all in once.
"Here we go" smirked Dumbledore, before refilling his glass. "Maybe, slow down a bit. Remember, I'm too old to carry you out"
Harry's lips twitched at the corner as he cut another piece of the steak.
A shift in mood happened not long after as drinks started flowing and the kids ran off to play outside, taking their plates with them, their parents all too happy to let them.
Almost everyone was in a conversation with someone.
Harry had just finished his second steak and was now munching on the sausage rolls.
Every so often everyone's eyes would drift towards him, none more frequently than Hermione who was sitting opposite Harry. She would sometimes glance towards Rose who had her back turned towards Harry and was chatting with Scorpius and Caroline.
She tried to sneak a peek at him from under her lashes once again but to her surprise Harry looked up as well and they both locked eyes. They didn't turn away.
Simultaneously, both their jaws tensed immediately, and a hardened expression took over their faces.
Hermione's cheeks turned red and her knuckles turned white from how tightly she was gripping her fork.
Harry kept staring at her coolly, almost as if he was taunting her, to do something, to create a scene.
"Hermione, can you pass me the salad, please" Rowan asked her, snapping her out of the eye staring contest.
She faced him and nodded before passing over the salad bowl.
"Thanks" he smiled.
"All good" she turned her gaze down and pinched a pea with her fork before bringing it towards her mouth.
"Merlin, how can you eat that" Rowan grimaced.
She shrugged. "I like 'em"
"Mental, she is" Ron shook his head as he stared at her plate filled with half eaten Ceasar salad and a helping of fish on the side.
She glared at him. "Shut up and eat"
"Shut up and eat" he mocked her in a high pitch voice, earning himself a laugh from Rowan.
"Gotta say, that was a pretty good impression, Weasley"
Ron seemed a little to please with himself as he took a large bite of blueberry pie before glancing at Hermione who was moving her fork around her plate.
"What, no witty comeback this time"
She simply shook her head.
Ron glanced a look in Harry's direction to find him staring down at his own plate.
He turned his head and caught Draco's eye. Draco arched an eyebrow. Ron shook his head before turning his head down.
Roslyn, Scorpius and Caroline got up before heading towards the archway. Harry's eyes trailing Roslyn before she disappeared.
He dropped his gaze at her empty chair, a faraway look on his face. He kept staring at it for several seconds before he pushed his chair back, which got everyone's attention, and got up.
They all looked at him but he paid them no mind as he walked out of the room. Dumbledore exhaled a small sigh as he turned his head and looked at Hermione who still had her head turned in the direction Harry had walked off.
Sensing someone's eyes on her she turned her head and locked eyes with Dumbledore. He was staring at her with a blank expression but it still somehow made her uncomfortable as she quickly turned her head down.
Exterior, Back Garden, The Burrow – Night
The door closed behind Harry as he stepped on to grass and put his hands in his pocket, sweeping his gaze across the vast open area. His eyes stopped moving when he caught sight of three figures sitting on a small hill next to a large tree.
He moved his feet in their direction.
Caroline and Roslyn were sitting cross legged while Scorpius had his long legs stretched out and was leaning back on his arms.
Caroline took a large puff of the joint before she passed it to Scorpius. "Mmm...this shit's good. "Whom did you buy it from?" she asked him. "Because I can tell this isn't Herbert's. His weed is much sweeter. This one's got a bit of tang to it"
"Nah, I got this batch from a guy in Hogsmeade. Jordan hooked me up with him" he took a drag and let it out slowly, closing his eyes blissfully.
"I like it. It's got a much nicer kick"
"Yeah" he smiled, before taking a long drag. He leaned towards her and brought his hand to the back of her head and pulled her face towards his. Her lips lifted at the corner as he pressed his lips into hers. He swiped his tongue across her bottom lip and she opened her mouth. He hollowed his cheeks and exhaled the smoke from his mouth into hers. She closed her lips and eyes as she leaned back a little before inhaling. A few seconds later the smoke came out of her nostrils and she opened her eyes.
She let out a small giggle before leaning forward and capturing his lips in a passionate kiss.
They pulled back a few seconds later and she looked over his shoulder at Roslyn who had a forlorn expression on her face as she stared into the distance.
She pushed Scorpius to the ground, who let out a loud snort, before reaching a hand out and placing it on her friend's shoulder. "Rosy-" she stopped, her eyebrows furrowing in a frown. "Who's that" Scorpius turned his head from where he was lying on the ground and narrowed his eyes. "Oh fuck! That's uncle Harry!" she whispered, as the figure grew closer.
Roslyn whipped her head around as Scorpius sat up, throwing the joint and swiping his hand furiously in the air.
"Uncle Harry!" Caroline stormed up, sending a wide grin at him.
"Carrie" he nodded his head. "Come here"
Caroline's smile turned a little nervous before she hesitantly walked over to him.
Harry brought her in a one arm hug and she wrapped her arms around him. "Fuck, you've grown up"
She giggled. "I see you've kept up with the swearing" she pulled back and gave him a mock glare. "I told you to stop it"
"Sorry darling, I'm a weak man. It's hard for me to let go of old habits"
She snorted. "Yeah, right. Weak" she shook her head as she punched him lightly in the stomach. "You've gotten even bigger than before." She looked him up and down. "Plus, that beard and hair...I'm almost scared to be standing so close to you."
"Don't worry, you've nothing to be worried off"
"I know, but I would advise you to net get too close to children"
"Duly noted" he raised an eyebrow. "What's that smell" he smirked.
Her cheeks blushed bright pink as she ducked her head.
"Having a little fun are we" he chuckled, his voice sounding even more gravelly. He brushed her hair. "It's okay. Your secret's safe with me"
She looked up and gave him a shy smile. "Thanks. It's just you know...with NEWTs coming up and-"
"Hey" he cradled her chin. "No need to explain. You do you. As long as you do it in a limit there is no harm. Just be mindful if you have an addictive personality"
"I don't" she shook her head.
"Then it's all good. You'll probably get sick of it in a month or two" he sighed. "Why don't you go inside. I need to speak with Rosy for a moment"
She nodded before turning towards Scorpius. She tilted her head for him to come along. He nodded before jogging over to her, stopping once he reached Harry.
"Uncle Harry"
"Scorp, you've almost caught your father. What are you, 6,1."
"Just a smidge over" he smiled. "Dad thinks I'll pass him before graduation but I'm not so sure"
"Nah, I think he's right. You're peeking at the right time. Some kids have a growth spurt when they're fifteen or sixteen and then stop."
"Still two inches shorter than you though. Guess I'm losing the bet"
"You never know"
"Yeah..." Scorpius ducked his head and swiped his shoe across the grass. "it's-it's good to see you"
Harry ruffled his hair. "Good to see you to kid" he said, before walking over to Roslyn as Scorpius wandered off.
He stopped a few yards from her and just stared at her profile. She had arms tucked around her bent legs. His lips tugged at the corner as a glazed look came over his eyes.
"Daddy!"
"Yes honey"
"Piggy back ride, piggy back ride"
"But honey, daddy's tired"
"No! Piggy back ride, now!"
"Oh alright. C'mon then squirt, jump up"
"Yay!"
"Alright then, what's it going to be squirt. Broom, Airplane, Train, Apparate, Floo or Portkey"
"Mmm...Apparate"
"Apparate huh, well it's going to be a bumpy ride. "Hang on tight. Don't let go"
"Never letting you go, daddy"
Harry blinked his eyes and focused his gaze back to his daughter.
He walked the remaining steps towards her before plopping himself down next to her. She immediately moved away and widened the distance between them by a couple of feet.
A hurt look came over his eyes but he didn't let it linger and schooled his features back to normal.
He plucked a blade of grass and twirled it between his fingers.
"It was your seventh birthday and we were celebrating it here. It was the biggest bash you'd had up until at that point. Everyone was there." He paused. "After it was all done and everyone had left you and I were sitting right here, on the exact same spot." He turned his head towards her. "Only difference is you were sitting on my lap and we were counting the stars." A rueful smile came over his lips as he continued. "You told me that you had gotten up to 20,000." His face twisted into mock seriousness as he leaned towards her. "A little secret, I never believed you even though I told you so at the time" he chuckled.
"What's this" she snapped, sending him a furious look.
His laughter seized immediately.
"What are you trying to do...you-you think that by telling me some sap story from my past is going to change anything. No, it's not so don't even try. Flash news, I'm not seven anymore in case you haven't noticed. I'm not the same little girl who use to sit on your lap and count stars. I've grown up but it seems you haven't." she was fuming by this point.
"Rose, I-"
"You know what it's not surprising that you would have to go that far to fish out a memory with two of us because as far as I can remember you have been practically non-existent all my life. So, I'm sorry if I don't remember that I had a dad who did care for me once when I was little because this me" she pointed at herself. "She barely even knows you." a scornful expression came over her face. "That's how good a job you've done" she spat, as tears started forming in her eyes.
She furiously wiped them away as they started rolling down her cheeks. "I h-have s-so much hate for you. I-it makes me hate myself because I know I shouldn't feel this way. No daughter should feel this way about her own father." a dry sob escaped her lips as more tears came tumbling down.
"Rose" Harry's voice was filled with pain. He tried to touch her but she slapped his hand away.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" she screamed, glaring at him. "I'm never forgiving you for what you did to me in that class. Never." she whispered the last part.
He brought his arm back and turned his sorrowful eyes towards the ground.
"You forgot a long time ago that you had a daughter and I think it's best if it stays that way"
He whipped his head back towards her, his eyes wide in shock as the colour drained from his face.
"It has taken a long time b-but I've finally moved on" she sniffled. "I've convinced myself that I don't need you anymore, that I don't crave your love, your attention...I can't do it all over again so please just leave me alone. I don't know what's changed now...if you've finally grown a conscious or if it's because I'm leaving...but either way I don't care and if you still care about me than you will respect my wishes" her face twisted as more tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Look at me" Harry's voice was thick with emotion as he crawled over to her and perched himself on his knees before her. "Look at me" he lifted his hands and slowly pried her hands away from her face. He softly rubbed his thumbs over her wrists. "It's going to be okay. Everything's going to be okay"
She started shaking her head. "No, it's not" she sniffled.
"Yes, it is" the determination in his voice made her look up. He gave her a soft smile and waived his hand over her face, wiping the tears away. She blinked as he placed his hand over her cheek. "If you think that I ever for even a second forgot about you...then I need to remind you all over again who I am. I have done it once and I've no problem doing it again."
She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and his smile widened.
"For the first four years of your life I hardly ever saw you. I was always away, most of the time out of the country and every time I would get back after a month or two you would hide behind your mother's leg, scared of this stranger who apparated straight inside the house, unannounced. Every time I'd try get near you it was a disaster. You would start crying and run off. Now, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I've only cried three times in my life and one of those times is so embarrassing that I've thought about obliviating the memory. I was once again away on a mission, in Moscow, and like every night when I was away, I would talk to your mother. This one night she told me that the kids were tasked to draw their parents." He paused. "You only drew your mother and I remembered sitting on the couch in my hotel room being hit by this gut-wrenching wave of emotion and suddenly, I felt tears rolling down my cheeks."
He chortled. "Your mother was so shocked she thought I was playing a prank" his face became serious once again as he continued. "But it was no joke to me. Far from it. So, I completed my mission as quickly as I could and in doing so barely escaped with my life. Your mother nearly took my head off when she saw the state I was in but that's other matter altogether. I took a leave from work for the next ten months and in those ten months it was just you and me. Every day, every night. We would stay up till three at night and watch movies, mainly Disney. One night I even showed you Gladiator because I was worried you might lose interest in movies when you get older and it's my favorite movie and I so badly wanted it to be yours and it was, for a day before you watched Kiki's delivery service."
Rose snorted as dimples started forming in her cheeks.
"What I'm trying to tell you honey is that I know how much I've fucked up and I know how much of a shitty person I am and how much of a shitty father I've been to you but I also know how much I love you...it's infinite...always has and always will be for as long as I draw breath and I'm so, so sorry that you feel the way you do" his breathing got heavier and he clenched his teeth. "I give you my word that I will change the way you feel about me. I will remind you that you still have a father whose entire existence revolves around you. I'm not going to make lofty promises and say that it's going to be easy or that it'll happen in a flash. I know that's not true. It's going to take time and lot of hard work on my part but I'll make it possible, don't you worry about that. You just keep doing what you're doing and leave it all to me but-"
He ducked his head before looking the side, biting the inside of his cheek. "I-I'm not trying to emotionally blackmail you honey, but I-I'm pretty alone at the moment" He scoffed and shook his head. "That's a lie. I've been alone for a long time and that's partially due to my own fault. Nobody likes me, give or take a few" he chuckled, but there was no humor. His face darkened and his jaw tensed. "There are going to be some who will tell you to stay away from me, tell you it's not safe being near me, that I can't change." He turned his gaze towards a loose tendril of hair that had fallen over the side of her face. "Don't listen to them, or me, make your own decision." He twirled the tendril between his fingers. "You're so smart, so beautiful." he shifted his eyes back towards her and smiled. "My beautiful girl" he lovingly caressed her cheek. The smile dropped from his face as he brought his hand down. "I'm so sorry for how I behaved. It's not who I am. I would never hit you. That's not me, never has, never will be. Okay"
She kept staring at him with tears pooling behind her eyelids.
"Okay then" he stood up. "I'm gonna go now but I'll see you soon"
He turned around and started walking.
"Dad" Roslyn's soft voice stopped him. She stood up as he turned around. "Mum told me" he frowned. "About the divorce" she said.
Harry's expression remained neutral as he slowly nodded his head. "Yeah" he shrugged his shoulder as he looked away.
He turned and resumed walking.
"What happened?"
He stopped and once again turned around. A questioning look in his eye.
"Mum dodged the question every time I asked her. What I want to know is, why now. Is it-is it because of me" she asked unsurely.
"No" Harry answered. "It has nothing to do with you, you hear me" she nodded. He let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
"Whose decision was it" she asked.
"It was a mutual decision. You'd be happy to know your mother and I finally agreed on something" he said with a wry smile.
"I have a hard time believing that" she frowned. "Even on something like this. Why do I feel like you're hiding something from me"
Harry scratched his beard. "Ain't that the truth" he muttered under his breath. "it's done and dusted, honey. No point wasting your time thinking about it. Trust me it will do you no good. Besides, wasn't that one of the reasons you said that prompted you to leave"
"That doesn't mean I wanted it to happen"
"So, you wanted us to stay together" he inclined an eyebrow.
She shrugged her shoulder in response. "I don't know" she mumbled, trailing her gaze down.
Harry heaved a sigh. "Well, either way I can't do anything about it, not that I want to."
She raised her head back up and gave him an inquisitive stare.
Harry tore his gaze away. "Well, I should get going" he cleared his throat.
"Mum-"
"I don't want to talk about it anymore, honey" he said, not looking up.
"No, mum's coming this way"
Harry looked over his shoulder and saw Hermione walking towards them at a rapid pace.
"Goodbye, squirt" he gave her a small smile before walking back towards the house.
"You stay right there" Hermione pointed a finger at him, making him stop dead in his tracks. He raised an eyebrow at her tone as she stopped before him. She looked past him towards Roslyn. "Rose, go inside"
Rose kept turning her head between them, her mouth parted slightly.
"Rose!"
Rose gave a little jump and looked at her mother. "Mum, Dad and I talked. You don't need to-"
"Rose!" Hermione's tone didn't leave room for an argument. "Go inside"
"Whatever" she started making her way towards the house, walking past her parents who were staring at each other.
Hermione turned her head in Rose's direction. She was now nearing the back door.
She shifted her gaze back to Harry and her nostrils flared in anger. "Who the fuck you think you are" she hissed. "We kept it hidden from the world what a true fuck-up you are for your and our sakes but you had to fuck that up as well, didn't you." she strode towards him until only a few inches separated them. "I'm warning you, Harry, you do anything of that sort ever again and I will strangle your neck." she pointed towards the house. "That poor girl was a mess. I had never seen her like that before and it is all because of you. You gave her a traumatic experience that she is never going to forget, forget the people who witnessed it. You were going to hit her!" she exclaimed incredulously. She looked him up and down in disgust. "You're not even worthy to call yourself a man." she snarled, inclining her head up towards him. "You disgust me"
Harry tilted his head. "The feeling's mutual honey, and let's not pretend that you're the standard every woman should aspire to be."
"I'm well aware. That's the difference between you and me." she paused. "I don't fool myself into believing something I'm not. Unlike you, I'm mature enough to know and understand my faults"
"And how's that working for you, huh? How does understanding your faults make you feel. Do you give yourself a pat on the back when you go behind your husband's back and fuck somebody else because you had the conscious to recognize that you fucked up" he smiled sardonically.
Hermione glowered in return before turning her head towards the house. She looked back at him and grabbed his hand before dragging him towards the tree.
She dropped her hand when they were hidden behind the tree and faced him. "Let's get this over with, shall we. Once and for all. Go on then" she stuck her chin out.
"You're not worth it" Harry turned around and moved his feet but she pulled him back by the shoulder to face her.
"No! Don't you walk away! I'd be damned if I let you keep bringing that up every fucking time you feel like it"
'Why, don't want to be reminded of your sin" he snarled, towering over her.
"No, don't want you to run to it like a child ever time there is an argument."
His smile turned dark. "Why the double standards, honey. We both know how much you love reminding people of their past mistakes"
"Because your mistakes hurt everyone around you. It's just not your life that reaps the effects of your blunders, you slimy piece of shit. I long gave up caring about that. If it was just you, I wouldn't give a damn. But when it starts affecting me, my daughter, my parents, the people I love than you better damn well believe it that I will not simply sit like a good little wife while her husband continues to fuck up. But this, this affected no one, certainly not us or what was left of us. It died when you-left-me" she emphasized each word by jabbing her finger against his chest.
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that" he scoffed.
"Why is it that you leaving me is somehow better than me kissing another man. You were gone for 6 FUCKING MONTHS. What spouse does that! Doing God knows what. For all I know you could've been sleeping with different women every night and drinking your weight in some seedy pub. You certainly looked the part when you finally remembered that you had a wife back home"
"I never thought about another woman let alone touch one" he growled. "I stood by my commitment, my values, my morals and you know it." He'd gotten so close that their noses were almost touching. "I would never do that you, ever"
She shrugged her shoulder. "I don't believe you" she replied coolly. His eyes narrowed into slits and a dangerous look formed over his face. "You lost my trust a long time ago"
His jaw cracked under pressure as he seethed. "You have some nerve to talk about trust, you backstabbing bitch"
He caught her hand before it connected with his cheek.
"This shit's getting old"
"Let go of my hand" she hissed.
He pushed her until her back hit the tree and a gasp left her lips. "Why...do I make you uncomfortable... hmm"
"Let go of my hand" she kept trying to move her arm but his grip was too strong.
A sardonic smile came over his lips as he leaned closer to her until a hair's breadth separated them. "What would Rose think if she found out that her mother is a cheater"
Hermione's eyes turned wide.
"She told me she wasn't sure if she wanted us to separate." he inched forward until his mouth was hovering right next to her ear. "Imagine her reaction if she were to find out that not only her mother is a person with loose morals but that she is the reason her parents are no longer together." He pulled back. "How do you think she would react. I'm an open book. She already knows every fucked-up thing I've done but you...you've painted a picture of a goody too shoes can-do-no-wrong idol in her eyes. I bet that'll take a big dip if she were to find about your little affair and since you don't seem to have a problem admitting that you did anything wrong, I don't think you would mind that, would you, since, you always believe in knowing the truth and despise lies more than anything."
She gulped as she gave him a murderous look. "You wouldn't dare" she whispered.
He scoffed, letting go of her hand. "Because I care about her" he pointed behind her at the house. "And because I would never belittle you in front of anybody. You can take that to the bank"
He stormed past her and headed towards the house.
Hermione laid her head against the tree, closing her eyes.
Interior, Burrow – Night
The door flew open as Harry barged in, everyone came running into the living room just to see him climb the rickety staircase.
He reached the landing and opened the first door to his left before locking it. He took out a little baggie filled with white powder from inside his robe and ripped it open with his teeth. He poured the powder onto the shelf before taking out a crumpled five-pound note. He dropped to his knees and made three uneven lines with the tip of his fingers before rolling the note into a thin tube.
He snorted all the lines in less than ten seconds.
"Harry!" Draco shouted from the other side of the door as he knocked three times. "You in there"
Harry closed his eyes and laid his head on the shelf. He kept staring monotonously as Draco kept banging on the door and trying to turn the knob.
A clicking noise followed by the door being pushed open and Draco was standing on the threshold, looking wildly at him, Ron right behind him.
"Oh fuck" muttered Draco. "Ron, don't let anyone come up" He looked over his shoulder when Ron didn't move and kept staring wide eyed at Harry, his mouth open in shock as his eyes kept switching from the folded note and the remaining remnants of the powder. "RON!"
He jumped back and turned to Draco.
"Don't let anyone come up"
Ron nodded fervently before he finally moved his feet and ran.
Draco turned back to Harry whose eyes had turned hollow and if it wasn't for the light puffs escaping his parted lips one would think he was dead.
"Merlin Harry" he shut the door behind him before taking out his wand and cleaning the residue before grabbing the note. He put it in his pocket along with his wand before putting his arms around Harry from behind and lifting him up. "Get up, you big oaf"
Harry grumbled nonsense as he shrugged him off. Draco hit the wall but stabled himself before he fell.
Harry exhaled a deep sigh as he stared at himself in the mirror, running a hand through his hair. He looked at Draco through the mirror before turning the tap on and washing his face. He turned off the tap and dried off his face before walking out the bathroom, Draco right behind him.
He walked down the stairs to find the adults huddled together in a circle, whispering to each other. Dumbledore was sitting a little to the side, an anxious expression on his face. They all stopped when he reached the last step and turned to him. He swept his gaze across them before stepping onto the floor and walking towards his grandfather.
"I'm leaving"
"Okay" nodded Dumbledore. "I'll come with you. Let me just say my goodbyes"
Harry nodded and walked outside through the front door.
Exterior, Burrow – Night
He stuck the cigarette between his lips and lit it up before taking a long drag. The door opened behind him but he didn't look. Ron came to stand beside him.
"Mind if I have one" he indicated towards the fag.
Harry opted to take one out but Ron stopped him. "Actually, never mind. Mum will kill me if she caught me"
"It's not like you haven't smoked in this house before"
Ron chuckled. "Yeah but, that was behind closed doors" he sighed. "Besides, I was a lot more daring back then"
Harry inclined an eyebrow. Ron shrugged his shoulder in response.
"Whatever you say" Harry muttered.
Ron cleared his throat a couple of times and rubbed his hands nervously.
"Just say it"
The redhead stopped fidgeting with his hands and turned to face him. He laid a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I didn't know it was that bad. You haven't touched coke in a long time, mate"
Harry took another puff. "Yeah well, as I always say, old habits die hard"
A scowl came over Ron's face. "This isn't funny"
"It's funny to me" Harry shrugged his shoulder. "I find it to be very amusing" he said sarcastically.
Ron looked down before he opened his mouth. "Does it have to do with Hermione" he asked tentatively.
Harry let out a long breath. "It's got to do with lots of things, Ron, but to answer your question, yes, she is part of the reason. Tonight, for example" he mumbled under his breath as Ron narrowed his eyes.
"You want me to talk to her"
Harry chortled, facing him. "And what are you going to say." He shook his head. "Leave it, Ron. This is beyond your reach"
"But then tell me what to do" insisted Ron. "I can't see you like this. Everyone's worried"
Harry's eyes turned dark and his nostrils flared. "Tell them to fuck off! I've seen their worry. It's no good than your enemy saying, take care"
Ron stared at him in disbelief and was about to speak when the door opened and Sirius, James, Remus and Severus walked out.
Ron shook his head, motioning them to go back inside. They didn't listen and walked over to them.
"Son" Harry looked over his shoulder for a split second before turning his gaze back forward. He took out a puff.
"Leave, before I do something you're all going to regret"
"Harry-" Sirius started but stopped when Harry lifted his finger.
"Turn around and go back inside"
"Harry, please listen to us" Remus pleaded in a soft voice.
"No, sorry. Leave. Now" his voice sounded more gruff than normal as he took a long drag.
"Son, we're not leaving till you tell us what's wrong" James said firmly as he walked around to stand before him. His eyes were steeled with determination.
"Nothing's wrong, dad. Just...leave me alone and tell your little cronies to fuck off. Oh wait, Severus can stay"
"Watch your mouth, boy" Sirius warned, as they all came to stand beside James. "You're not talking to your friends, though I'm not sure you even have any at this point, but show some respect"
Harry turned his head towards him and made a gurgling sound before spitting. It landed on his left shoe. "That enough respect for you" He wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve.
Sirius's face fumed with rage before lunged towards him. But Harry was too quick as he swiveled on his feet and grabbed him by the back of the neck and with his other hand twisted his arm behind his back before pushing him to the ground and placing his knee on his hips to stop him from moving.
"Harry!" they all grabbed on to him and pulled him away.
"I'm okay, I'm okay" he lifted his hands, a twisted smile on his face as he looked at Sirius groaning in pain. "You've lost a step, old dog" He lifted his gaze and saw that nearly everyone was standing before the door and staring at him with different measures of horror and disbelief.
Ivy ran towards Sirius and pulled him to a sitting position, sending daggers at Harry.
"You've lost your mind!" she screeched, before looking over her shoulder. "What are you all staring at, someone help me"
Bill and Charlie ran forward and helped Sirius stand up.
Dumbledore moved his wheelchair forward and stopped when he reached Harry.
"C'mon, let's go" he grabbed his arm.
"You're a fucking monster" screamed Ivy, as Scorpius, Rose and Caroline came running from the side of the house.
"C'mon Harry" Dumbledore pulled on his hand. "Just look away"
Harry turned around and they started making their way forward.
"You okay, Sirius" Rowan asked as he walked over to him. Sirius nodded his head but his face twisted in pain.
"Bastard dislocated my shoulder"
Rowan shook his head. "He's a fucking idiot. C'mon let's get you inside"
Harry stopped walking. Dumbledore closed his eyes and swore under his breath as Harry turned around.
A manic gleam in his eyes as he stared at the back of Rowan's head.
"Say that one more time" he yelled.
Rowan turned his head and frowned. His face shone with confusion as he looked to the group behind him to find them all staring at him before turning back to Harry. "You talking to me" he pointed at himself.
"Of course," Harry grinned. "The one and only Rowan Kyle" The grin dropped from his face. "Now, say that one more time"
"Say what one more time"
"That I'm a fucking idiot."
Realization dawned on Rowan's face and a flash of fear passed his face before he stared back at him defiantly.
"What's there to say. What you did was very wrong"
Harry tutted as he kept walking towards him, slowly. "That's not what you said. What you said was that I'm a fucking idiot."
"Harry" Dumbledore warned him but Harry ignored it as he kept moving forward.
"Harry mate, stop" Ron put a hand on his chest and begged him with pleading eyes. "Please, not now, not here"
Harry looked at him before sweeping his gaze across everyone behind Rowan. His eyes stopped on Rose, whose eyes were filled with tears. She shook her head at him. He lowered his gaze to the ground and closed his eyes.
He took a few deep breaths before looking back at her but his eyes caught Hermione, who wasn't there before, standing behind her, looking flushed as if she'd just ran a mile.
Her eyes were moving rapidly across from one person to another and it looked that she was trying to put the pieces together of a scene she missed.
Harry shifted is gaze back to Rowan. "Pisshead" he growled, before he turned around.
"Wanker" Rowan shot back.
It all happened in a flash as Harry's fist connected with Rowan's jaw, sending two of his teeth flying out of his mouth, along with a trail of blood, in the air.
Screams and shouts filled the area as Rowan landed on the ground with Harry straddling him. He pulled back his arm and landed another heavy blow right under his eye before he was flown back ten feet in the air.
He got up and found himself at the end of Lily's wand as she stood a few yards before him. Everyone was by Rowan's side and trying to help him up but Harry paid them no mind as he kept staring at his mother whose hand was shaking terribly.
He looked down at his clothes and dusted himself off.
"Harry!" Draco came running towards him, his glass device gripped tightly in his right hand. "Harry, there's been an attack at IMA!"
Everyone stopped still and looked at him as he skidded next to Harry.
"It's a code red. It's bad, very bad" he gulped.
"What sort of an attack" Harry narrowed his eyes.
"I'm not sure. They think it's a heist gone wrong but can't confirm if that's the only motivation"
"How many?"
"Again, they're not sure but estimate half a dozen. Harry, twelve aurors are dead and fifteen are injured badly."
A sharp gasp escaped several mouths as Rowan stood up, a large bruise already forming under his eye.
"Check your Halfway Mirror" Draco said.
Harry took out his mirror. It was glowing red.
"They have been trying to call you for the last five minutes"
Harry placed it back inside his pocket and took out his wand.
"Wait!" shouted Rowan. "I'm coming with you"
"No, you're not" Draco scowled. "This has nothing to do with you"
"It has everything to do with me. It's my fucking building!" he walked over to them.
"I don't give a fuck if you live there!" thundered Harry. "I don't want to see you anyway near it"
Rowan stopped and glared at him.
Harry turned to Draco. "What about the backup"
"Harry, anyone who is available is already there. Headquarters is empty."
"What the fuck! How can six bloody wizard's cause this much havoc."
"One more thing" Draco paused. "They have taken hostages. The squad believes that's their way out."
Harry turned to Rowan. "The IMA floo closes after closing time, right"
Rowan nodded as he rubbed his jaw. "Aero Katz. He is the chief of security. He is the last person to leave the building after shutting down the floos."
"So, unlike everyone he exits through the main doors" Draco asked. Rowan nodded before he continued. "Which means he must have a key"
"He does. Except from me he is the only other person with the key"
Draco turned to Harry.
"They didn't break in" Harry said. "If there are hostages it means they walked in when the building was open, hid somewhere or maybe neutralized this Aero Katz fellow and waited until everyone had left"
"Not everyone. Remember the hostages" Draco supplied.
"A couple of people, not too much hassle. Could've been anyone. Main point is the floo is open and I can also bet you they've locked the main entrance."
"Then we need to get to the ministry. It's floos are connected to IMA"
Draco took his wand.
"Wait" Harry stopped him. "If the floos are open..."
Draco's eyes turned wide before they ran towards the house.
"Wait!" Rowan's voice stopped them. "Personal floos are only connected to IMA once the person has confirmed their meeting."
"Fuck" Draco cursed.
"But I can side-apparate you inside" he added.
Harry and Draco seemed to have a silent conversation between them before turning to him.
"Fine" Harry grunted. "But, you're apparating right back" He pointed a finger at him as he walked over to him. "I'm warning you, Kyle. I'm not letting my team's lives be in any way under harm or jeopardize the operation because of your incompetence"
Rowan lifted his hands in surrender. "I understand"
They stopped next to him and grabbed on to his elbow.
"Dad wait!" Rose came running towards him. "I-I have a bad feeling. Don't go" she whimpered as tears escaped her eyelids.
Harry bent low and hugged her. "It's okay, honey. Everything's going to be okay. You don't need to be scared. It's going to be a piece of cake." he pulled back and tapped her nose.
"Please, can't you sit this one out. I just have this feeling that something really bad is going to happen"
"Honey" Harry sighed. "If I don't go something bad will happen"
He wiped away her tears with his hand before kissing her head. "I'm sorry for the way I behaved. Won't happen again, I promise"
She chuckled. "Don't make promises you can't keep"
"Okay" he smiled. "How about this then. Let me take you to Diagon Alley, tomorrow, hmm. Now, that's a promise I can keep"
She nodded before hugging him once more. Harry laid his chin on her shoulder. "Please be careful"
"Always" he whispered, before pulling back. He swiped back a tendril of her hair before she moved back a couple of steps.
He turned his head towards Dumbledore and gave him a subtle nod which he reciprocated.
"Alright then" he said to Rowan.
He turned his head to the side and caught Hermione's eye, staring right at him, worry written all over her face. Their contact remained intact until with a loud bang he was gone.
Interior, Ground Floor, IMA – Night
They landed near the reception desk where a bunch of aurors were taking covers.
"Holy fuck" whispered Rowan, as he looked at the bloodied mess that surrounded them. Blood was splattered across the walls, on the floor.
"What's the situation" Harry yelled.
A young officer with light brown hair and a mustache turned to him. His eyes turned wide for a brief second before he spoke. "Sir, it's a shit show, sir. Fifteen officers are dead. Twenty injured. The hit team arrived just a couple of minutes ago. There's six or seven of them. They're all wearing these steel masks."
"Where are they?"
"Up on the third floor, sir. We got two teams blocking the corridor to the floo chambers"
"Then what the fuck are you doing here!"
"There is something else, sir" he gulped. "A dark shadow. It's blocking the path to upper levels. We're the distraction so others could sneak past it. It was Senior Auror Whitlock's order, sir!"
"What dark shadow!"
Suddenly a body landed on the reception desk with a loud thump. It was hard to discern if it was male or a female because there was no head and the entire chest area was ripped open. Intestines were sticking out in different direction and the lower part of the legs was chopped off.
"What the fuck" Draco whispered.
They all looked up and their eyes turned wide.
Up above them, zooming in the air from one corner to another was an enormous ball of black matter.
A/N: As always put your comments down and let me know your thoughts and I'll catch you on the flip side.