CHAPTER 3:- Farewell
Ennervate! Common Harry get up, we are under attack. This was the third time Ron tried to wake Harry up into consciousness and it worked. Harry blinked his eyes and tried to take in his surroundings. Somehow he had landed up in the kitchen with Ron and Hermione surrounding him. When there was a loud hiss and a huge snake came attacking Hermione from behind; she gasped and fainted. Harry managed whispering to Ron to apparate her away. Ron looked utterly devastated and shocked. Nagini was coming for her second attack when there was an unmistakable whisper, "Not now Nagini one at a timeee" Harry screamed for Ron to take Hermione away, and geared up to face HIM. This awoke Ron and he quickly took Hermione but not before blasting the ceiling off which Harry was sure to have harmed the snake since it retreated in the corner and this gave Harry the much needed time get his wand out but nothing could have every prepared him to see blazing red eyes with only one gleam to kill.
There was dust everywhere, his eyes were tearful, his scar hurt him insanely but he managed charming a brick to act as a defender at the red eyes which could be seen from all the dust around. This time Voldemort wordlessly aimed his wand at him and green light started coming towards him in slow motion, Harry took a deep breath and prepared himself to face death when a fireball came in between, it was but a second late since the green light had scraped through Harry and he disappeared at that time. The last he saw was Voldemort being thrown away and he knew no more.
Harry felt he was floating in the night sky which was a brilliant black with millions of stars twinkling and the moon shinning radiantly over him; he was just admiring the beauty wondering how much time had passed and was this heaven. He saw a small light in the distance, he started following it and after sometime he came to a clearing which seemed familiar, there was a fountain with sparkling water. He had a sudden urge to drink; the minute the water touched his lips there was huge change. He felt his body was being split open and he knew at that moment he wasn't dead but alive.
Everyone had surrounded Harry's bed by midnight except for Ron who was at Hermione's bed just holding her hand. Eleanor, Remus, Mrs Weaseley gasped when finally Madam Pomphrey found a pulse on Harry. He was going to be ok. It was going to be a painful recovery but he will live. Madam Pomphrey told them that his magical core was divided but now it was repairing itself so he will take a lot of time to heal internally. She shall be sending all the potions that Harry had to take to make sure there is no relapse. Dobby was summoned to be taking care of Harry and they all went to Hermione's room. It was a big room with a couple chairs conjured everyone had taken a seat.
Hermione gave a weak smile with Ron beside who was possessively holding her. Remus and Tonks were directly opposite them with Tonks fussing over him. Mr and Mrs Weaseley were in shock though the latter was staring constantly at Ron's hand. Bill, Fleur, the Weaseley twins, Kingsley, Mad-eye moody were all sharing two large couches though one could say that Fleur was almost sitting on Bill's lap. The small surprise in the gathering was Abbeforth and McGonagall. As soon as Eleanor entered the room everyone looked at her expectantly which showed no change in her demeanor. She looked calm.
It was Abbeforth who started addressing the group. "As you'll are aware we have suffered no great losses and we should thank Eleanor for the right decision in consulting Remus and me for what happened earlier tonight. I would like to tell you'll we are at Phoenix mansion which is her house and for the time being our safe house. It will be possible to accommodate everyone comfortably. Eleanor came to me earlier this evening with the information on Voldemort (a few shudders were in the room at the name) attacking Harry. How she came to know about that I know not but it helped us save Harry so that's what matters. The bigger gasp was at the end of this sentence since it brook no questioning. I was asked to head the Order if anything happened to the Order but I would like Remus to take over from now on. The Order…"
Mrs Weaseley cut in sharply; "I will not have any order business being spoken in front of the children". Before anyone could say anything Eleanor addressed; "With all due respect ma'am at this time we know more information than the Order will know and have been entrusted with a task already. We are all adults who willingly want to participate in fighting against the dark forces; it will be with or without your guidance. I don't want to be impenitent but I am just stating a fact that there are no more children in this room remaining. Voldemort made sure he took our childhood from us."
This speech had everyone with their mouth open while only Remus gave a half smile nodding at Eleanor and the Weasely twins were almost about to give a standing ovation but were held back by Bill.
"Molly as Eleanor said we have more important stuff to take care of like how they came to know about our plan to take Harry away today. After going to Grimmauld Palace I came to know our meetings used to have one spy who was none other than Kreacher who did so out of loyalty for the Black family. The Malfoys have tortured him for all information and in the end he was slaughtered". Hermione started sniffling 'Poor elf'; Ron in his shock at Eleanor's speech rekindled her hand and started soothing her.
They discussed a couple more matters in terms of the giants, werewolves and rising infiltration of the dark forces in the Ministry. Kingsley was of the opinion that it was a more matter of weeks before the death eaters would have a complete. The situation looked grim on the whole. The interesting thing that was noted was the security at Department at Mysteries which was intensified even more. They couldn't understand the cause for it and Mr. Weaseley and Kingsley were given the task to snook around. After having hot chocolate served around by the elves; everyone retired to their rooms except for Eleanor and Ron. Mrs. Weaseley wanted to stay back but Mr. Weaseley guided her out reluctantly.
Do you mind? Eleanor asked Hermione and at her nod she put a Muffialito charm. How are you feeling Hermione, except for the letter and the brief meeting we haven't got the chance to talk properly especially about the mirror and the books. As I told you'll in the letter we I am asking your permission to join your famous trio for the horcrux expedition and would really like to be a part of this hunt. I won't go into all the details since we rather wait up for Harry to wake up. Ron and Hermione nodded at the same. Ron asked about the house and the mirror. Eleanor explained all the charms and defense mechanisms placed on the house and also handed them a chain each which was a portkey to the mansion which could be used on emergency purposes. They talked in brief since Hermione was really interested in knowing Eleanor's schooling and everything and they were both shocked to know that she was home-schooled with two other people since she seemed the outgoing types it kind of didn't match her personality. Ron invited Eleanor to Bill's wedding which she happily agreed to attend. She also told Hermione that she will have an elf named Sara at her beck and call. Hermione frowned and asked directly; "how many elves are there in this house, do they get paid? Eleanor looked confused while Ron was just blushing red, "umm we have about 10 here for the mansion save mine and Uncle Carthainn. At the surname; Ron's eyebrows shooted up and very abruptly he asked; so are you a Carthainn. Eleanor blushed at this and nodded. Ron explained that Hermione cared a bit more about elves, Eleanor seemed to understand this and assured Hermione to go down the elf house and interact with them if she waned. This seemed to satisfy her for the time being. 'My room is just across the hall of Harry's so if you need anything at all feel free to come in. Wish you a speedy recovery Hermione. Goodnight Ron'.
Hermoine asked Ron about the Carthainn which Ron readily supplied saying that they were the oldest and most powerful wizarding families in the world and were well known in all the magical community. They are blood line of the royalty of wizarding families; and they had an ability for wandless magic. This explained a lot to Hermione and she seemed satisfied while Ron was just pure impressed with the stranger going to become their friend. Together they agreed that they would require her help and agreed to make her more comfortable.
The next couple days just passed the same way, Hermione recovered quickly since they had a strong anti-venom already prepared when Mr. Weaseley was attacked by Nagini. Ronald with his twin brothers were busy exploring the place and enjoying the vast grounds since his family had left immediately for the Burrow the next day to prepare for the wedding and to pick up Ginny from their Aunt Murial.
Hermione and Eleanor seemed to be holed up in the latter's rooms for hours on end and even Ron wasn't admitted in her chamber or sitting room. Harry's condition remained the same. He was stable but not conscious. At the end of the week the girls had become best of pals and only when Hermione was around could you see a smile on Eleanor's face or it would like she was in mourning.
It was a week and two days when it was just a usual day, Ron started his day with the usual routine, he freshened up went down to the dinning area for breakfast where Remus and Hermione were already sitting and were in a serious discussion about something relating to the Ministry and there was another person who looked very familiar, Remus introduced the man as Mr. Carthainn who seemed like a very solemn guy. The twins entered the room and even they felt quietand were almost in awe of the man. Later they all came to know the reason was that Carthainn had caught them trying to sneak out to the village outside, they were struck back by the charms at the gate and intruder alarm sounded. The right time of the head of the house made sure there were no injuries with the twins. The amount of wandless magic done by the man had made the twins starstruck. It was funny to see them look upto someone other than Sirius and Remus. Ron was busy gulping his food down when Dobby popped in the dinning area saying Harry Potter was waking up.
Harry awoke in strange surrounding; his head felt like it was being constantly hammered. His body felt stiff like it hadn't been moved for months on end; but he surprisingly had clean clothes and smelt fresh and the bed was really comfortable. He moved his hand to the side table to get his glasses when Dobby came in quickly and assisted him to sit up and wear the glasses with constantly muttering; Harry Potter is awake at last sir, we been missing your company, Dobby should get the mistress. He gave some water to Harry and asked his permission to be back but not before answering Harry's query about the place he was at.
Harry looked around and found himself in a huge room which was decorated lavishly with gold and red reminding him of Hogwarts but with richer fabrics. There looked like other rooms attached at both the sides of the fireplace which was at centre of the room, there were couches in the room itself, the best thing was the view from the floor to ceiling windows which showed the entire front lawn of the house with a fountain. Harry shivered as he remembered the fountain from his dream. There was a knock on the door and Eleanor entered looking really good with her hair open and still in her night clothes with a gown which looked like it was wrapped quickly.
Good morning Harry, though I think it's a tad late you decided to join us. She gave a bright smile at him which made her look even prettier with the dimples. Harry was dumbstruck but managed smiling which felt like an effort itself. He asked on how long he had been unconscious when Eleanor corrected him saying he was merely resting. Harry wanted to ask so much but at that time, Ron, Hermione and Remus entered the room. They were surprised to see Eleanor there and smiling but were glad to see Harry awake. Harry asked about Hermione at which she replied happily on her recovery while Ron was talking about playing quidditch and something about the Weaseley wins getting almost knocked out. Remus shushed them since Harry looked drowsy and asked them all to leave but Eleanor instructed Dobby to make sure that Harry some broth before he slept again. Harry slept full stomach and had funny dreams of running behind a lion who looked scared on being caught on.