Disclaimer: I own nothing and gain nothing except for useful writing tips and experience.
A/N: I have been asked some questions about Mafalda and I want to go record in saying that I did not think of her; it was Jo Rowling's original idea. If you would like farther research and evidence that she DID exist, check out Jo's sight… when you arrive there go to "Extra Stuff" then "Edits" and on the second line (under Dean Thomas) it will read "Mafalda (Goblet of Fire)" She will then go into explanation of who Mafalda was (which I kind of used in my story) and why she did not make it into GoF. I really thought I could use her in my story and took the idea of her and added it. I did however, REPOST THE LAST CHAPTER (the part where it talked about her was changed)…I get why you were confused. Her last name wasn't Weasley so I changed it to Grimm. (She never had a last name). There you go, maybe read the new posting again…I hope this clears everything up! ANYWAY…
Thanks to:
Consuming Fire: Here's a new chapterChinese Phoenix: WAIT NO LONGER! At least for one of the answers
RyougaZell: I hope that you read above which explained Mafalda a bit. Anyway, I messed up and that's really how got the last name Weasley. But I fixed it. Maybe re-read the old chapter. Anyway, thanks for mentioning that and correct my mistake.
gardenergirl: I'm really glad that you like it. And if I do need help with anything I will prolly look you up. Thanks.
LaT4892: lol. Thanks. Three words: Here's another chapter….
Disclaimer: I own nothing and gain nothing except experience and useful writing tips.
Chapter 8: Into the Memories
"What is it Harry?" Ron asked from across the table. "What's in the box?" Harry looked to him and Hermione.
"It's Dumbledore's pensieve…and a journal," Harry looked at Ginny, and everyone else's eyes followed.
"Where did you get that Ginny?" Mrs. Weasley asked her. She looked at Harry and then back to Mrs. Weasley's eyes.
"I told you—He gave it to me. He told me to take them to Harry, that Harry would need them." Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were having a stare-off, trying to read each other's thoughts. Mrs. Weasley's gaze was caught off-guard by Charlie's voice.
"Yes Ginny, but how did he give them to you. Dumbledore's dead and there's no way you could have gotten them before he died." Ginny looked around her. They don't believe me! What a bunch of gits…the whole lot of them! How do they not understand this? Ginny tossed a look to Hermione but she didn't catch it.
"Look, I get that this seems weird but I promise you that he gave them to me last night at Hogwarts."
"Ginny, we're not understa—" Mr. Weasley was cut off by Hermione.
"I can't believe it took this long…He did give it to you didn't he?" Everyone was know looking at Hermione as if she were off her rocker. Thank you Hermione. Ginny shook her head. Hermione looked around at all the confused faces and stopped at Harry's. "Don't you get it? What happens to all the headmasters when they die Harry?"
But it was not Harry who answered…it was Ron. "They get hung up in the office….like Sirius' grandfather."
"Well, their portraits do, yes," Hermione added.
"Dumbledore's portrait is up already? That was quick wasn't it?" Lupin asked from the corner.
"It was there that night…we saw it in his office," Harry whispered. "So," His voice strong as he spoke. "You spoke to his portrait and his portrait told you to bring this to me?"
"Yes." Ginny smiled, thankful they finally understood her.
"That settles that then," Mr. Weasley said loudly. Harry smiled at Ginny when the party resumed. She smiled back. They had said it was settled but as she looked back at Harry, who was looking at the contents of the box with confusion and awe, she knew that it was far from over. It had actually just begun to start.
(sc)
Harry couldn't sleep. The clock said it was 12:15. Harry turned over and when he decided he couldn't sleep in any longer, he got out bed. Harry knocked on Ron's door. And within a second he was there in front him. "Hi mate."
"Did I wake you?" Harry asked as Ron opened the door so he could come inside. Hermione was sitting there on his floor. Obviously not, Harry joined them. They made small talk for a few seconds about the wedding and Harry's party. He couldn't really think about what they were saying; his mind was racing too much to think.
"It's really quite a simple spell. And it can be a huge time saver—" Hermione was talking to them about a way to make themselves something…Harry wasn't sure what she was talking about anymore.
"Do you want to look at a memory?" Harry asked bluntly in the middle of Hermione's speech.
"What?" Ron asked, though he knew what Harry had said.
"Do you want to look at a memory? One of Dumbledore's?" Harry saw thrill and fear mixed on their faces.
"Do you want to show us one?" Hermione retorted.
"Well, I was thinking about it…maybe if you could see what happened then you would really know what you were getting yourselves into tomorrow." Hermione looked at him.
"Harry, we already know but, yes, if you would like us to see something, we would honored to look." Hermione smiled.
"Yeah, mate. That's what we were talking about before you came in…his pensieve."
"Ron!" Hermione shrieked.
"Well we were. What?" Hermione glared at Ron as Harry left for the pensieve.
(sc)
"Where are you going with that?" Ginny asked in the hallway, catching Harry off-guard.
"I'm…er…I'm taking it to Ron's room." Ginny looked at him with a sudden excitement in her eye.
"Are they going inside a memory?" When Harry didn't reply she knew they were. "Can I see it too?" She looked him with those eyes and though everything inside of him wanted to tell her to go away, he couldn't do it.
"What are you doing here Ginny?" Ron asked his sister as she entered his room with Harry.
"She's going with us…to see." Ron started to protest but with a look from Hermione he held his tongue. Harry and the others stood there before him as he tried to think about what he was going to show them. He wasn't exactly sure what memories Dumbledore had in here…if any at all. But the silvery substances were circling inside. There had to be some in here. But Harry was still unaware of what. Bugger.
"What is it Harry?" Ginny asked him. He had said it out loud, not in his head.
"I was thinking…the memory I wanted to show you, probably is not in here. In fact, I know it isn't. He never got the chance to put it in," Harry whispered the end of the sentence. The nervous, awkward silence that filled the small room took control.
"Can't you put it in? If it's your memory?" Hermione asked him. That was brilliant, but then she was brilliant. Why didn't I think of that? He thought to himself. Then he remembered why.
"I'm not sure if I know how to do that. I've only ever seen someone else do it," Harry thought of what he was going to do now.
"Well, if Snape can do it, then I'm sure you'll have no problem!" Ron said a little too viciously. Ginny and Hermione held back their laughter. But Harry nodded. He was right. He had to do this. He had to let them see what really happened that night…all of it.
(sc)
"You almost had it that time," Ron commented as Harry sat back in frustration.
"We've already been at this for an hour! It's not working!" He fumed.
"Well, that's the problem isn't it? You want it too much." He stared at Ginny, who continued. "Don't want it so much…Just do it. If you think and dwell on it then you'll never get it right."
She had a point. He did want them to see this. And if she was right about that, she was probably right about him wanting it too much. He sat up in the chair again and put his wand to head. Without a second thought, a small, silver swirling line followed the end of his wand. But this time, it was floating in the air. Hermione gasped as Harry pointed the memory to the pensieve.
"Come on," Harry said. "But I do want to tell you that you won't like this." Everyone peered around the pensieve.
"What exactly are we looking at?" Ron asked. Harry looked more serious than ever.
"Everything that happened that night." In one second, they were lookin through a transparent fog. Then they were falling through darkness and spinning. The next instant, they were standing in the hallway and there was a loud crash. The real Harry motioned the rest of them to follow him. They turned the corner and saw Professor Trelawney lying on the floor, surrounded by broken bottles.
They stood there and watch the scenes play in front of their eyes, even though Harry had seen it all before, he watched quietly. "Who was in there?" Harry heard himself demand.
"I have no idea," she replied to him. "I walked into the room and I heard a voice, which has never happened before in all my years of hiding—using the room, I mean."1 Harry heard Hermione give a loud huff as Trelawney and Harry continued their conversation. From the reactions on the faces around him as she told him about her thoughts on why Dumbledore had allowed her teach here, how their conversation was interrupted by Snape so many years ago and how Harry had left her there while she yelled after him…he began to wonder if he'd done the right thing in bringing them here. But it was too late now. They were here and it there would certainly be no one turning back now.
They now stood in Dumbledore's office. Harry was embarrassed that they were seeing him yell at Dumbledore, rightfully or not. They were in the conversation now where Harry was questioning Dumbledore's certainty of Snape being on their side. As much as he didn't want to think it, he couldn't avoid the thought of Dumbledore being a bit of a git…doing something like allowing Snape forgiveness. He was turning red at the thought of Snape, when Ginny reached out and grabbed his hand.
He looked over at her and stifled a smile as he heard Dumbledore question him. "If I tell you to leave me and sacrifice yourself, you will do as I tell you?"i
"I—"
"Harry?"
"Yes sir." Harry now, looking back, wished he hadn't promised him that. The memory moved to the commons room where Harry gave Hermione and Ron the Marauders Map, the Felix Felicis and passed on their final orders.
(sc)
"This is where the horcrux was?" Ginny asked as the entered the area beside the cave.
"Sort of…" Ginny said nothing else nor did Harry. He was beginning to regret bringing her along. It was as if he was breaking his promise to tell no one except Ron and Hermione...but was he really? Dumbledore must have known she'd find out…otherwise, why would have given the pensieve and journal to her to deliver to him?
He was thinking so much he had barely realized that he and Dumbledore had reached the middle of the river. It seemed to be happening much faster in this time around. He saw Hermione cringe and Ron pulled her into a hug as Dumbledore begged for Harry to stop making him drink. Ginny too began to cry silently as the vile undead creatures attacked and Dumbledore fought to take a drink of water.
No one said a word as they watched Dumbledore and Harry return to shore. "It's going to be alright, sir. I can Apparate us back…don't worry…"3 Harry said to Dumbledore. The words that the real Harry knew Dumbledore would say made him shiver.
"I am not worried, Harry…I am with you." And there it was. The same feeling he felt that day when Dumbledore spoke was still with him. Then it was assurance and hope that he would bring them out of the trouble; that feeling was now replaced with regret and deep angst.
(sc)
The next thing Harry knew they Dumbledore and Harry were flying to Hogwarts, the dark mark lighting up the sky. As the four of them stood there, watching the events that were occurring all around them. Harry was still holding Ginny's hand as they listened to Dumbledore instruct Harry to go to wake Severus. Hermione and Ginny both gasped as Dumbledore's magic pulled Harry back to the ground beside him still covered in his cloak.
They watched Draco Malfoy step from the stairs toward Dumbledore, a smile on his face. They listened intently to the conversation that was developing. "Draco, Draco, you are not a killer."4 Harry closed his eyes as the words continued to flow around him. He didn't need to see what was happening…he saw it every night as he dreamed.
He could hear Hermione cry out with sadness as the two continued on. Dumbledore almost had him broken as he told of Voldemort's plans for his family. Dumbledore's voice caught Harry's attention again. "No harm has been done, you have hurt nobody, though you are very lucky that your unintentional victims survived…I can help you Draco."
"No, you can't." Malfoy's voice with voice lingered in Harry's mind. "Nobody can. He told me to do it or he'll kill me. I've got no choice."
"He cannot kill you if you are already dead…"5 Dumbledore continued to talk but Harry no longer listened. He had never realized that was said before. What did Dumbledore mean? How was he already going to be dead? But his thoughts were brought back to normal as the three he was with let out a gasp. He knew why…the Death Eaters and the werewolves were there now.
He opened his eyes when he felt Ginny jump. There on the stairs stood Snape. He looked at the scene around him as the others talked to him. In a small voice, Harry heard Dumbledore speak. "Severus…" Ginny was beside Harry crying and he pulled her close to him almost instinctively. He glanced at Ron and Hermione, who were both in tears and each other's arms.
Harry looked back at Dumbledore in time to hear him plead. "Severus…please…"ii Harry watched again and saw something else he missed: Snape had a look on face…a look of revulsion…and it was something he had only seen him wear a few times before, like when Harry went into his memory. Then, as Snape's cape billowed in the wind, he pointed his wand and muttered those unforgivable words and they all watched as Dumbledore fell.
(sc)
They traveled with Harry's memory to Snape's escape. They had pasted Hagrid, who was fighting off Death Eaters and watched the scene unfold between Harry and Snape. Harry could still feel the anger welling up inside of him. Snape was a coward and he still feel that hatred. Hermione let go of Ron and listened intently as Snape gave Harry a final lesson. "Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed Potter!"7
Hermione was still studying the scene before her as Snape and Harry shared more words and then lead the Death Eaters all away and left Harry alone, unharmed. When Harry walked to Hagrid the real Harry spoke up, "Ok. Let's go." With another swirl of light they were back in the Burrow.
(sc)
It's been weeks, man. Pick yourself up and do what is supposed to be done. You had a job and you still you worthless ha— the cloaked man at the bar took another drink of his butterbeer. Try to drink away your pain you worthless scum, but it will never help. It won't change anything you Mud-blood. The man couldn't believe what he was calling himself. But then, he had to because there was no one else to do it.
Great. He had to sit by me. "Hiya there," the newcomer said. The man just nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Tough day?" he asked, eyeing the six empty mugs that had collected before him. The man shook his head and took another sip. "I know how that goes, always is. I'm Josh. You are?"
The man looked his way, without revealing his face. "Randy." He replied quickly.
"Well, Randy, we are two tortured souls tonight," Josh took a drink. You have no idea…Randy thought but merely nodded his head and smiled. "You know what they say, sorrow loves company." Randy said nothing just took drink after drink.
Suddenly, he felt a burning sensation on his arm. He did not move though, he was used to it by now. Maybe if I just don't go…no…that would be a bad decision.Randy stood up and took a step out of the bar. "Do I know you? You look familiar to me." Josh asked him mid-step.
"No," he said coldly, "No one knows me." Then with a flick of his billowing cape he was gone.
(sc)
The silence was getting to him. He wasn't sure what to say and it was getting to him. But he wasn't good with words…that was Hermione. That was why they were so good for each other. As he watched her bite her lower lip, he couldn't help but let his mind drift to her.
"I know you told us on the night it happened but seeing it like that…there before me made it so…real." Ginny searched herself for more words but there were none.
"There's something I don't understand. Why would Snape, in the middle of a battle, give you a D.A.D.A lesson?" Hermione asked Harry.
"Hermione! Why does Snape do any of the bloody things he does?" Ron yelled.
"Well I am only asking. It doesn't make sense. Nothing makes a lot of sense actually. I don't know. Maybe it was nothing…but it sure did seem like something."
"The man killed Dumbledore and you're asking for his reasons?" Ron shot back. He loves her but she was daft sometimes.
"Ron, no one does things like that for no reason!" Hermione was fired up now.
"Yeah, Herm—"
"Hey! This is not the time to start a row. It's really late and I for one am going to bed." Ginny said roughly. "And I think you lot had better follow suit."
"Yeah, me too," Harry said gathering up his things. "I'm exhausted. Good night." He and Ginny walked out the door, leaving the two fuming ones alone. Ginny walked Harry down the hall and opened his door for him. He came back out and faced her.
(sc)
"Hey, Mione..." He said pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry."
"That's ok. It's what we do," she smiled. "I think I'm going to bed. Ginny is probably waiting."
"I doubt that," Ron smiled. "But it is late. Goodnight Mione."
"Goodnight Won-Won." She laughed at the look that spread across his face.
"That was uncalled for. I'm trying to be sweet and you do that." He smiled at her.
"Goodnight Ron." He kissed the top of forehead and she left the room with a smile.
(sc)
"I'm really sorry for how I acted last time we were in a hall together. I was upset." Ginny told him with a look.
"I understand. You don't have to apologize." Harry smiled at her.
"Thanks for letting me come along."
"You don't wish you had stayed?"
"No. If I had stayed then I wouldn't understand it. But I do," Ginny smiled at Harry and turned in the hall. "Goodnight." Do something git! Don't just let her walk away! Move it!
"Ginny…" Harry grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Goodnight." He smiled. Ginny smiled back at him and walked down the hall to the room she would be sharing with Hermione on her last night at the Burrow.
A/N: That was it. I there are some footnote references below for the things I used from the book…anyway thanks for reading. Don't forget to review!
1 This line was found on page 542 of HBP (25—The Seer Overheard)
i
2 This was on page 551 of the same chapter
3 This line was found on page 554 (same chapter) as was "I am not worried, Harry…I am with you"
4 Line from page 585 (26- The Lightening Struck Tower)
5 Lines from pages 591-592 (same chapter)
ii
6 Lines from page 595 (same chapter)
7 Lines from page 603 (same chapter)