Chapter Seven Godric's Hollow

Harry woke once again in an unfamiliar room, sweating from the aftereffects of a particularly nasty dream. He had been traveling since meeting with Ron and Hermione, trying to stay out of sight and getting ever closer to Godric's Hollow. And yet, he was finding things were getting in the way of his trip to his parent's home and in a sense, his own long abandoned home.

The dream was a montage of flashing lights and figures running through the halls of Hogwarts and one of a tall, blond Deatheater shooting spells and curses in all kinds of directions. He woke with a start when one of the spells struck Ginny in the chest and she reached for the spot, looked up and fell dead at his feet. He knew the look of death on her face; he had seen it before. He'd seen it on Cedric Diggory's face the night he had come face-to-face with Voldemort in the cemetery. And, Harry had found the cemetery again.

It had been the bones of Tom Riddles own father that had resurrected him and it was in the Little Hangleton cemetery where the grave lay. He was back in the little village wandering among the stones for a good while until he found the tombstones with the Riddle name cut into the surface and the ones scorched by the marks of the spells cast at him the night Voldemort used ghis blood to resurrect himself. Although what had taken place that night was horrific, the grounds were peaceful now; somehow ridding itself of the evil Voldemort had cast on it. Harry sat in the pale, cold sunlight and unfolded the parchment once again. The letter had arrived just before he'd left the last place he'd been.

He knew immediately who had sent the letter, although it was not signed.

Dear Harry, I will keep this short. I have been thinking about this information and think that it solves part of the puzzle. Let's see what you think.

When Madam Prince returned to Hogwarts, she taught for a year. Harry, I think that job is truly jinxed and I think we both know who did it. When he couldn't get the job himself he made it impossible for anyone else to have it without dire consequences.

Anyway, at the end of that year, her husband was killed by Snape. I did some research, and don't ask me how we learned about this because it was extremely difficult to get this information, but, Madam Prince did not end up in Azkaban. She disappeared immediately after the death of her husband. He, of course, did not live with her at the school because married teachers were not allowed. But it seems he located her- hunted her down is my guess- and found her here. I think Dumbledore allowed her to return so he could help protect her. Hagrid didn't know she was married remember?

Harry rolled his eyes and squinted at the headstone in front of him. Yeah he'd figured out as much for himself. He was sitting quietly on a stone bench near the Riddle graves.

Hermione, whatever are you going on about Madam Prince for? he growled silently as he glanced at the paper again. Harry felt mildly frustrated. Snape's mother was dead and gone. It was a waste of time to concern themselves with her. And yet, Harry knew Hermione was a bulldog about such things. He unrolled the paper further.

Now, this is an interesting detail in Filch's records (yes, I did manage to go through the older ones). In your father's 6th year, Dumbledore punished him and Sirius, himself, for having been off limits in a room in an abandoned part of the castle. It seems they encountered a spectral figure, a woman who appeared demented and wild. Filch wrote in the record that they ran into a Haunt. I will explain that in a moment. It also appears the only record of this event was in the card catalogue and everyone connected with the situation had his or her memories obliterated. It was probably Dumbledore who performed the charm because we know Filch couldn't do that kind of magic. I don't think Snape knew a record had been made or chances are he would have destroyed the information and there would be no history of the event at all. He certainly would not have wanted you to stumble into it when he made you copy everything out as punishment.

Putting it all together, I wonder if the woman your father and Sirius saw wasn't Madam Prince kept in the castle, maybe against her will…. her son, Snape was her jailer and Dumbledore helped hide the truth. They would certainly have recognized their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. It might not have been a bad thing at all, given that she might have been mad, or evil, or even worse. Maybe she was the one who really killed her husband and Snape covered for her. Anyway, its' very likely the Dark Lord wanted to get her back. But that's a mystery for another time.

"Right you are on that, Hermione," Harry hissed aloud and then turned quickly to survey the area for eavesdroppers. He was completely alone sitting under an oak that was dropping golden leaves in the fall afternoon. "Can we move on?" he said talking to the paper.

Oh yes, I said I'd tell you what a Haunt is. I wasn't aware of this either and went to Nearly Headless Nick to ask about it. It's a ghost who apparently isn't aware they are a ghost. They think they are still living and can be really dangerous because they are capable of doing very strange things like following you around, sticking to you like glue and they can even harm you. But truly Harry, I believe it wasn't a Haunt but a living, breathing woman your dad and Sirius found. I can't tell you what became of her and maybe Snape was right in saying she was dead. Anyway, she is probably dead now. She would be getting fairly old. I just can't track her after the initial report of the husband's death. It just seems to be connected and I can't shake the feeling. I'm going to see if I can find that particular room in the castle.

Perhaps I'm getting side tracked,...

"NO KIDDING!" Harry snarled and smashed the letter against his leg. "I need information Hermione, not this!" He opened the squashed letter again.

...but I want to emphasize that you shouldn't trust, Snape. Remember this was his mother, the one who introduced him to V. Do you expect to meet with him again soon? I didn't ask you what your plans were about him when we last met.

By the way, Madam Prince, in her own days at Hogwarts, was in Ravenclaw and a Prefect. She later became Voldemort's first Death eater. Do you suppose she was an heir to Ravenclaw or had some object that he could use to make a you-know-what? Just a thought.

Well, that is all I've found. I also wanted to tell you that the means to travel directly into Hogwarts remains in place, with one difference; your arrival will be known ( by several people), Professor McGonagall had to promise to tell Scrimgoer if you showed up. Also, please let us know when you arrive at Godric's Hollow. Remus wants to know so he can have someone in place just in case. I think that would be a good idea. He also doesn't know what we know about Snape. I guess Snape will have to take his chances. There are a lot of people looking for him and Draco. I think if Remus finds him it'll be death on sight.

I can see I've gone on long enough. There is no other new information. The Daily Prophet has not printed a word about you now for a week. Do you want me to send Rita Skeeter something?

Keep us in your thoughts; you are in ours. Love Hermione

Keeping to the side roads, and crossing fields Harry made his way towards the village of Godric's Hollow. From what he could tell on the map, it was hardly a village anymore. Since there was no direct road going through the little town, it had been sidetracked and almost abandoned. There was a huge manor house that sat in the bowl of a large deep valley and the small town sat at the opening of the spoon-shaped bowl was Godric's Hollow. There were only a few houses there. The manor itself was supposedly the ancient home of Godric Gryffindor, although it had not been occupied for centuries and was said, by the locals, to be haunted.

Harry was almost there when nightfall came earlier than usual. It was late autumn and the once sunny blue sky had clouded over and it was drizzling and gloomy. He pulled the cap down over his brow to keep rain off his glasses and walked to the stone entrance gate. It had been built of rounded field stone and was the marker for the entrance to the valley. It no longer held a gate, but looked like a prehistoric megalith or the last crumbling cornerstone of an ancient ruin.

He stopped and waited in the dark, feeling himself grow colder and colder. The rain was soaking his coat, trousers and shoes; the ground was turning to mud. Two dark figures stepped around the stone. He knew who they were and twisted his wand between his fingers out of nervous habit.

Snape, dressed in muggle clothing with a flat-brimmed hat on his head, stood beside Draco, also wearing muggle clothing. Draco stared out into the dark in his usual vacant way and did not acknowledge Harry. Snape nodded once, but didn't speak.

Harry yanked his satchel further up on his shoulders to show his irritation and then walked past them down the dimly lit road. They turned and followed silently and disappeared into the gloom.

Shelter for the night was an ancient muggle hotel. They arrived late and wandered down the short street of the tiny little hamlet staying to the shadows, which were plentiful. Harry entered the lobby first and talked to the old but congenial woman at the desk. She was chatty and he stood in the dim light of a single lamp until he could pull away with a key grasped in his hand.

"It took you long enough," a deep voice mumbled behind him as they climbed the narrow stairway to the upper floor. The room was an attic room and small. Harry dropped his satchel on the floor near the only window and opened a door to a miniscule bathroom. He turned to watch Snape gently guide Draco to a chair and remove his soaked clothing. Squeezing past Harry, Snape noticed the small tub and withdrew his wand, touching it and instantaneously filling it with water.

Harry wasn't interested in watching Draco get bathed by his former potion's master. He grabbed a towel from the rack and rubbed at his hair and wandered to the desk in the corner. He was in Godric's Hollow and that's all he cared about at the moment. He sat and stared at the faded wallpaper and drew the map from his satchel. He was studying it when a cup of steaming tea appeared at his wrist. He looked up to see Snape sitting down in the only other available chair in the room, a cup of his own in his hand.

Harry nodded at the bathroom door. "Is he all right?"

Snape nodded.

Harry studied the man. It was unusual to see him dressed in muggle clothing. A little too American wild west, Harry thought. At least he's got it right, he pondered. No strange shoes or bowler hats to offset the look. The hair, amazingly, was cut short and swept back. It gave the man a whole new appearance, one, Harry was sure, he was glad to have.

They sat in silence for a moment and Snape finally turned to stare back. "Yes? Do you have a question, Potter, or are you just normally rude?"

Harry felt the bile rise in his throat. "Only around you, Snape and I think I'm hardly as rude as you can and usually are."

The black eyes surveyed him and a smile curled on the thin lips. "I would advise you to tread carefully, Mr. Potter. I can be a dangerous man."

Harry smiled back wickedly and answered, "You're in my world, Snape. Besides I think you know you need me as much as I need you. My understanding is the muggle Prime Minister is interested in me as well as Minister Scrimgoer and a few others. You are also no longer my Potion's professor but a wanted fugitive and can no longer abuse your authority over me."

"Let us not play games, Potter," Snape sighed wearily. "The Dark Lord wants both of us. He has many spies. If either of us were seen, word would get back to him. We are on a short rope and all he has to do is to begin to draw it in."

Harry turned back to his map and spoke as he studied it, "What about Draco? Voldemort possessed him once. He's a homing device and dangerous to keep around." There was silence and Harry turned back. Snape was watching him. "You know? Homing device?" Muggles track people electronically so they can find them. They bug them. Put devices in their clothes...whatever. Draco has already been possessed once. He could lead Voldemort to us."

"I have placed a spell on him that should protect him from such an invasion," Snape said and waved a hand as if to dismiss such a notion.

Harry thought about it. Snape was actually in more danger than he. Voldemort was furious at his treachery and treason. Harry reasoned that if Snape was telling the truth and he had not killed Dumbledore, had escaped with Draco and fled, then he would be willing to give more information.

"What does he want?" Harry rushed on, "I know he wants immortality, which he almost has with his Horcruxes. He wants dominion and he seems to get pleasure from terrorizing everyone. I know he wants to get rid of the half-bloods and it seems he's almost done it. No one seems capable of stopping him now. What else does he want?" Although he did not want it to, he heard panic in his voice and he knew blood was rushing to his face.

Snape leaned back and stared at the opposite wall, taking a sip from the cup and setting it aside. Harry waited. The man finally answered, his voice a droning, monotone. "He is looking for something. If it is true that he has made more than one Horcrux as Dumbledore thought and two have been destroyed- the ring and the diary- then he will seek to protect the others. He must insure that they are not harmed. In protecting them, he will draw upon his army which grows more immense everyday." Snape's eyes drifted back to Harry. "Perhaps he seeks to undo what has been done, I don't know. He will use Azkaban as his fortress, that I know already. Other than that I cannot tell you anything."

Harry considered what he was saying with horror. "When you say he will try to undo what he's done, are you saying he will try and put his soul back together?"

"Rather crudely put, but yes," Snape nodded solemnly. "I do not know if it can be done or who would have the knowledge to do it. I don't think he foresaw the danger to himself in splitting his soul into pieces and losing track of the objects he used, a major flaw with his personality, I believe." Snape rubbed his lips with his index finger appearing to be talking to himself as he spoke." I don't think he knew Dumbledore would investigate to such great lengths and come upon his secret. It does show us he has his weaknesses bu they are minor."

"Who would have that kind of knowledge?" Harry asked. "The kind to reverse the spell?"

"That is not important now," Snape said and rose to his feet to go into the bathroom. It will be almost impossible to get near him in Azkaban. If he hides the items you told me about in the fortress, then we cannot reach them. It is imperative they be destroyed first, as you are aware. If they can be destroyed, then eventually, we must think of a way to bring him to us. It will not be as difficult. If he knows he can kill you or me, he will come to us to do it personally. One of us must be the bait that draws him out." Snape turned at the bathroom door and smiled again. "Care to volunteer?"

"If it comes to it," Harry said gravely, "I would not give you up. I might hate you, but I wouldn't dishonor Dumbledore by giving you up. He trusted you even to the moment of his death. You may see it as a weakness on my part, especially since you gave my parents up to Voldemort. It may be my undoing to even trust you with that. Understand Snape, there will come a time, I hope, when I can meet you, one-on-one without Voldemort between us. I hope you have enough honor to duel with me then."

Snape stopped with his hand on the door knob, the smile fading from his lips. He gave a small bow. "Yes, when the time comes I will meet you on the field and duel with you."

Harry nodded and returned to the map. He wasn't really looking at it any longer.