Chapter 19 - Listening For Silence

The Grangers left the Burrow earlier than had been planned due to the tension between Ron and Hermione. With many apologetic glances between the two sets of parents, who had agreed that it was probably best for the time being, the house suddenly felt strangely empty, and the atmosphere was cold. Although it was unsaid, Harry knew that Fred particularly was peeved with Ron, the euphoria of his and Angelina's engagement somewhat lessened by the incident. Ron, knowing full well what he had caused, had isolated himself via expeditions in his canine form, something only confirmed by the paw prints left behind. On these occasions Harry would usually become one of his airborne transformations, before following the trail to its conclusion, normally up on the hill overlooking the village. Despite following Ron, Harry never transformed, never knowing fully what to say, although he was pretty sure Ron had spotted him a couple of times.

The Christmas spirit had all but deflated, something Harry, Ginny and George did all they could do to recover. Charades, wizards' chess tournaments, mini-Quidditch: all were begun by Harry, Ginny and George, with some measure of success. Visits from Hagrid and Emily (the latter invited covertly by Harry) added some festive cheer, and a fresh bought of snow finally led to a joyous afternoon of snowball fights and sledging, something aided by Harry magically moving a huge heap of snow to create an enormous ramp. Even Ron found the energy to join in, racing the twins to see who could get the greatest distance before plummeting into the soft snow.

All-in-all Harry and Ginny were pleased at the happiness new year heralded in versus the gloom of boxing day, and Harry briefly apparated to the Grangers' to wish them a happy new year. In the renewed excitement at the Burrow Harry had, somewhat to his shame, forgotten about Hermione, and had not prepared himself for the possibility that Hermione might be feeling down. He was completely unprepared for her to be completely absent.

"She went back to Hogwarts yesterday," Mr Granger said sadly. "Said she needed to prepare some classes for the new term."

"That doesn't surprise me," Harry said, with a feeble attempt at a smile, which Mr Granger obviously understood but appreciated nonetheless. Harry, wishing them a happy new year, apparated to Hogsmeade and, transforming into a thestral, hurtled up the Hogwarts lawns to the main doors. Transforming back and shaking the snow out of his hair, Harry proceeded to Hermione's office. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door.

"Just a moment!" Harry heard Hermione call from somewhere out of sight. Harry thought he heard a sniff before Hermione came into sight, tying her hair back and, upon seeing Harry, she sank down into a chair. Harry, who had been expecting a hug, stepped forward and, bending over, gave her a warm embrace which, after a moment of awkwardness, she returned. She even gave him a small kiss on the cheek as he stood up and, conjuring a soft armchair, Harry sat back comfortably, blushing slightly.

"Happy new year," Hermione said quietly, not looking at him. "How are things at the Burrow?"

"They're ok. It was a bit quiet after – after Boxing day. Didn't fancy spending New Year with the family?" Hermione made no response so Harry cast around for another topic. "What lessons are you preparing?"

"Oh, you know, the normal stuff," Hermione hiccupped. "Taking Ginny's class through the Golden Patronus you and… you found out." There was a pause, both knowing full well who had helped Harry create the Golden Patronus. "Got to take the first years through the basic stuff, they haven't really used many practical stuff yet, I thought I should teach them the shield charm."

"Good shout at the moment, I'd think," Harry commented. "Surely you'd want some company at the moment though?"

"I have some company," Hermione answered with a small, sad smile. "No, I'm ok. I've been showing Grawp my transformation; I think he's finally starting to get it. He took a swing at me the first time I did it."

"I thought his English was getting better?"

"English doesn't cover a person shrinking into an owl," Hermione commented, shifting in her seat. "Besides, I've seen Hagrid quite a bit, and a couple of the other teachers. I still find it weird calling Professor McGonagall "Minerva". It just doesn't feel right!" Harry laughed. "She's a bit worried though at the moment, Dumbledore's portrait still hasn't appeared."

"Something odd is definitely happening at Hogwarts. Some of the staircases don't move anymore and I'm pretty sure that the missing step has shifted down a bit… what with Dumbledore's portrait missing, and that "Not Yet" bit in the Room of Requirement…" Harry ran a hand over his head. "Something's wrong."

"You should get back to the Burrow," said Hermione, unexpectedly. "Ginny will be missing you." They looked at each other for a few seconds, before Harry stood up and turned to the door, but he was certain there had been tears in Hermione's eyes as he left.

*

Shortly after new year Harry and Ginny returned to Hogwarts. After dropping Harry's stuff off with Dobby they headed into the castle to Gryffindor tower. With term not due to start until the next day, Harry entered the common room for the first time since he had left Hogwarts for his Auror training. Feeling very nostalgic he looked around fondly at the unchanged décor, bubbling fireplace against one wall, thin stairwells heading up to the dormitories, and Harry's favourite armchair still sitting as if he had sat in it only hours before. A warm glow spreading through him, Harry flung himself down as Ginny curled up on the neighbouring sofa.

"I'm surprised that there aren't more people here," Ginny commented, nodding at the pair of solemn fourth years and small but hyperactive knot of first years. "I suppose parents want their children with them at the moment."

"Undoubtedly," Harry agreed, rubbing his palms against his eyes.

Ginny adjusted herself, giving Harry a curious look. "Any joy with Dumbledore's portrait?"

"None at all. There's a space there behind the desk where he should be, but no portrait. None of the other headmasters can remember anything about the night he died, and he's not appeared anywhere else around the castle."

"The castle…" Ginny said softly, straightening up, an idea obviously having just occurred to her. "How about the room of requirement? That "Not Yet" bit?"

"It's possible," Harry considered, tilting his head to one side. "If it is though it's still not appeared, and I'm really not sure what the room is waiting for. I've been in and out of that room with as many variations as I can think of but nothing's changing." There was a pause. "But I'm going to try and speak to Dumbledore again tonight. He said the day before term began I think, though it's still difficult to understand."

"You can see him better though, can't you?"

"Definitely. I think he can see me as well, as I think he said I looked tired," Harry mused, a small smile on his face. "He's not wrong though really."

"That's true of most people these days. Just look at Ron."

"I meant to talk to you about him," Harry said, shifting uneasily in his seat. "He's… he's asked if he can move into Godric's Hollow. Just for a bit."

Ginny gave a sound that was half way between a sigh and an indignant snort. "Why?"

"He said he feels really alone in his flat. I know he doesn't live with Hermione but the flat is quite a joint thing. Besides, being in Godric's Hollow would bring him nearer to Hogwarts. To Hermione I mean." Ginny rolled her eyes, but nodded softly.

"Would give Winky something to do!" Ginny said wryly. "And if it helps them patch things up…" she trailed off. Harry knew that she too was thinking of the ramifications of a separation and, as the conversation became a bit flatter, Harry decided to go and give Hagrid a hand with Grawp's continued training. Kissing Ginny softly on the cheek he transformed into a phoenix and dived out of the window into the January air.

*

Harry sat himself by the pensieve just before eight o'clock. Having prepared himself with energy filled food Harry was buzzing, wide awake, with the feeling of positive anticipation coursing through his body like a shiver of confidence. Bristling with expectation, as the clock chimed the hour, Harry whipped his wand forward, murmuring the incantation, and plunged it into the pensieve. Immediately Dumbledore bubbled into view, no longer fuzzy, but crystal clear.

"Good evening, Harry," Dumbledore said, a broad smile on his face. Harry felt himself give a small shudder, (of hope, warmth, love, reassurance he didn't know), at the sound of the former headmaster's voice.

"Good evening Professor," Harry replied triumphantly. "It is good to hear your voice again." Dumbledore beamed out of the pensieve and let out a contented sigh.

"Thank you. Sadly this conversation won't be sustainable for longer than ten minutes or so; thus I must say a few things before we run out of time. Firstly, I wish to try and speak to you again at the same time tomorrow night. Secondly, I bring messages of love and best wishes from your parents, Lupin, Sirius and Godric. Kingsley asks that you reassure Aaron of his, for want of a better word, wellbeing. Can you quickly tell me what has been happening your realm?"

"Everyone from the Order and at Hogwarts seems to be alright, but I'm afraid that random attacks are taking place again." Harry screwed up his face in concentration as he began to feel the slight strain of maintaining the connection. "The Aurors are being kept busy keeping the peace and trying to track down Andromidus, but without any luck so far. As for Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall has assumed the role of headmistress and Hermione is now the deputy-head. But Hogwarts itself seems to be malfunctioning. The staircases aren't moving as much, the missing step seems to have shifted, the ceiling in the great hall has gone completely out of control and… well… your portrait hasn't appeared."

Dumbledore looked puzzled. "That is indeed strange," he commented thoughtfully. "And there has been no sign of it?" Harry shook his head, and Dumbledore sighed. "I can see that we are both getting tired, but I have one bit of information to impart. I visited Salazar Slytherin, who now resides back in his temple under close watch, and discovered something interesting about the pensieve through which we are now communicating. It seems that Salazar adapted his own pensieve and used it to transport himself around within the castle. He used this method to create the Chamber of Secrets unknown to the other founders of the school. I mention this only as it may explain how Andromidus entered and exited the castle the night that I left you."

Harry frowned, the effort required to hold the link becoming almost too much. "Professor, whilst that is possible, I still think I saw a second figure…" his voice wavered, and the image of Dumbledore began to fade. "Same time tomorrow?" Harry gasped through the exhaustion rapidly descending on him. He held on just long enough to see Dumbledore nod back at him before the pensieve became it's smooth, clear self, and Harry fell instantly into deep sleep.