Albus Dumbledore set the leather bound journal on his desk and breathed a long, slow, tired sigh of relief. All the answers he had been seeking for these past five years had been presented to him, thanks to Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and most especially Regulus Black.
The journal that now rested on his desk had once belonged to Regulus, Sirius' younger brother, and a former Death Eater, who had apparently become disenchanted with his master, or more precisely, his master's lies and his crimes against magic itself. After reading the entirety of the journal, Dumbledore could now understand how some might have been lured to serve Voldemort. Regulus' journal had read like that of a young girl who had a very strong crush. Regulus fawned over Voldemort and the promises that had been made. He spoke of returning the wizarding world to its former glory, and his place in the new world.
But then it all changed.
Regulus had discovered Lord Voldemort's secrets, and had been so enraged at being used and manipulated like some puppet. He had then sought to undo the Dark Lord's work, and according to his journal, had very nearly succeeded.
Lupin, who had been going through some of Sirius' things at number twelve Grimmauld place and had stumbled upon the journal, which Sirius must have been reading, if the accompanying scraps of parchment were any indication. Sirius had been taking copious notes on his younger brother's journal in which was documented Death Eater hideouts, names, and old plans, some of which Sirius felt may be revitalized in the future.
Sirius had clearly not made it to the end, or the notes would have been very different, or the journal might have been brought to Dumbledore's attention sooner.
Dumbledore had long suspected the lengths that Voldemort might have gone to in order to secure immortality, but seeing all of his suspicions confirmed was truly horrifying. How Voldemort had even learned of such magic, Dumbledore could not even contemplate. But he had done so, and used his knowledge to make several Horcruxes, or soul anchors to bind him to this plane of existence.
Regulus having learned of this, made it is single mission to find them all and destroy them. Dumbledore couldn't help himself and picked up the journal and flipped towards the back to the point where the change in Regulus' loyalty was about to change.
...The Dark Lord asked me for assistance. He needed a house elf, and I was happy to oblige him. I sent Kreacher to help him. After I summoned my faithful servant home, I feared he might die. He looked awful, and he had lost much of his sanity. He kept muttering about a cave and horrible hands reaching up to take him. Just what did my master do to him?
Flipping a few pages, Dumbledore stopped and begin to scan the page.
…I noticed tonight that the locket my master wears is missing. I tried to remember when I'd last seen him wear it. It has been sometime. In fact, I am sure I last saw him wearing it right before he asked to use Kreacher for a special task.
Not finding what he was looking for, Dumbledore flipped ahead.
... He summoned us all tonight and tasked us with seeking for any sign of James and Lily Potter. He is determined to find and kill their unborn child. I admit my confusion as to why he would be so fearful of a child. Severus also appeared to be rather nervous tonight. I did not understand, especially as he sat at our Lord's side. Surely such an honor could not make one so nervous, could it?
He knows that my brother is close with the Potters, and he has tasked me to seek out my brother, and bring Sirius before him. Why I questioned the purpose, I was punished. I am very puzzled. I have never seen my master so fearful.
Dumbledore shook his head as he re-read the passage. Flipping a few more pages ahead, he found the first passage he was interested in reading again. The passage that revealed Regulus' epiphany.
...It's all been a lie. He's using us for his own gains. We've been his puppets. His sheep for slaughter. And we've all been blinded by his words and our own fear of his power. Tonight I learned his secrets, and I was horrified. What's worse, is that he is now obsessed with killing the little boy. He fears this child will destroy him, though I have no idea why. Has he not secured his immortality as he has boasted to us so often? I must find a way to stop him. I must repent for all of my sins by doing what I can to destroy him before it's too late.
Dumbledore turned the page and scanned down the page.
...there are at least five he has created. I am sure he means to make one final abomination, but I believe he is waiting until he kills Albus Dumbledore, as the Headmaster is his greatest rival. Then he will have six, and with what remains of his soul in his own body, there will be seven in all. But what is the cost of such abomination? Is he so fearful of his own demise that he is willing to offend magic itself?
Dumbledore wondered the very same question as he flipped a few more pages.
…I feel I'll never be able to tell Sirius how much I envied him for standing up to mother and father. He's living the life he wants to live while I'm skulking in shadows and pretending to serve "My Lord" faithfully. Sirius is probably in bed with two or three gorgeous woman as I write this now. We were so close as children, and now... I would give anything to be as we once were again.
Dumbledore flipped a few more pages again.
...it wasn't easy to find. The bushes and vines were so over grown that it was nearly impossible to locate. It was only by luck that I noticed a small sort of turn of the original road. The house itself was falling in on itself, but I could feel the magic radiating off of it. Darker than anything I've ever felt, save for being in his presence. I dare not enter myself. I could not or he would have known, and it isn't yet time for him to know. I summoned Kreacher, and my faithful little house elf came. I asked him to search the house and bring me everything.
There wasn't much at all. A rusted cauldron, some broken dishes, and some books that were barely holding together. Kreacher said that was everything, but I asked him to check again, and this time, look for any hidden compartments in the walls and floor. I was sure it had to be there. I wasn't wrong. After an hour, Kreacher returned with a ring with a fine cut black stone, and the Peverell coat of arms. I couldn't believe it.
Here in my hand was a part of his soul. Now I merely had to find a way to destroy it. At that moment, the Mark burned on my arm. I was afraid I had been discovered, so I ordered Kreacher to take it to my room and hide it in my special place.
The Dark Lord hadn't discovered my intrusion. He was summoning us to boast about something that I didn't care for. I have never been more grateful for Severus' instruction in Occlumency as I was then. I kept my face stoic and blank, as I did my mind. When we were dismissed, I came right home. Kreacher had done as I asked, and there, in my special hiding spot, lay the ring. One down.
Dumbledore sat back again, imagining the ring Regulus spoke of. Dumbledore had once seen a picture of that ring. It was often rumored that the Peverell line was descended from Merlin himself, though that claim could not be proven. The Peverells were a very powerful family, though, before they died out. All that remained of that once great family was the last heir of the Potters. Young Harry.
Dumbledore turned a few more pages and upon finding the passage, began to read again.
... It was too easy. Rudolphus was easy to control. His mind isn't like his wife's, my dear cousin Bellatrix. It would have been impossible to put her under the imperious curse. But Rudolphus is a simpleton. Their vault is overflowing with gold and heirlooms, so it took a very long time to find it. Thankfully, I had already seen Bellatrix with it, so I knew that I was looking for a cup. When I found it, I was shocked to see Hufflepuff's crest on it. It was then that I understood that he'd chosen special things. First Peverell's ring, now Hufflepuff's cup. I am certain that he's perverted something of Slytherin's. But what?
Dumbledore felt his insides twist as he continued reading more of Regulus' quest.
...I am now convinced that another of his abominations is inside Hogwarts, though I have no idea where, or even how to get inside to look. I am left with only one option, and that is to go directly to Dumbledore, It will have to wait for now.
Dumbledore cringed as he read this passage. One of Voldemort's foul soul anchor's was hidden inside the castle. How he was going to find it was something that the old headmaster could not even begin to figure out.
...Lucius Malfoy was given a special gift tonight. I saw him carrying a diary as he left tonight. I know that he will put it in his cellar. He has quite a collection of interesting artifacts down there, and given what I now know, I suspect that Malfoy carries another piece of our lord's soul, though he may not realize it. So that's four in total. The ring and the cup are still hidden safely, and one is inside of Hogwarts. Now that I know where two are, I can finally go after the locket Kreacher helped to hide. Then, after I have it. I will seek out Dumbledore, and tell him all that I know. I will bring the three that are in my possession and see them destroyed, and then I seek out my brother and beg his forgiveness for a life wasted.
Dumbledore skipped over more of Regulus' musings and repentance.
...Tonight we welcomed a new member into our Death Eater Ranks, and I am more fearful than 1 have ever been. Peter Pettigrew is supposed to be my brother's friend. I saw them all together in school, with the werewolf and Potter. I do know he is not trusted. Bellatrix in particular was most unwelcoming of him. Our master proclaimed that Pettigrew was inside Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix, and would be providing us with very valuable insight. I loathe the man, and I fear I will be unable to find and destroy his horcruxes before he finds the Potters.
The final entry was the most enlightening and heart wrenching.
... I awoke with a strange chill. I fear this to be my last entry. I have taken steps to assure that this journal finds it's way into the hands of my brother Sirius, and that he will be able to destroy all of Voldemort's Horcruxes. I can not shake the feeling that I will die this night. I wonder what awaits someone who's lived such an empty existence...
Dumbledore shut the journal once again and sat back in his chair, contemplating all he had learned through Regulus Black's writing. Lord Voldemort had done what Dumbledore had suspected for a long time. The proof came at the hands of two second year Gryffindors nearly four years ago. Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley had presented a soaked, ink covered diary that Harry had stabbed repeatedly with the fang of a Basilisk which he had killed that night as well. Upon hearing the story of what had befallen the boys that night, Dumbledore's suspicions were confirmed. The self proclaimed Dark Lord had indeed made a Horcrux. At first, Dumbledore was hopeful that the threat of Lord Voldemort rising again was gone. But the very next year, the woman who'd predicted Harry's fate had made another prediction, that the Dark Lord's Servant would be freed and rejoin his master.
Yet, Dumbledore now knew that one of the Dark Lord's former followers had turned on his master and sought to undo the damage he'd done. He had sought and recovered at least two of the perversions of magic. Dumbledore had merely but to seek them out, and destroy them.
"Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Dumbledore turned and saw the head of someone in his fire.
"Yes?"
"I'm Healer Cartwright. I am sorry to bother you at such an hour, but Harry Potter is asking for you. He was brought in this evening to St. Mungos, and he claims he was attacked by Death Eaters. Madam Bones was also brought in, along with two girls."
"I shall be along in a moment." Dumbledore said quickly. "In the meantime, you would do well by getting in contact with the Ministry and having Aurors sent to you to protect the hospital."
The man nodded, and his head disappeared from the fire. Dumbledore went to the fire, and grabbed a handful of floo powder, and tossed it into the flames, calling out an address.
"Alastor? Alastor?"
Alastor Moody's mangled face appeared in the fire.
"Albus?"
"I will need you, and several others to go to Madam Bones' home, and find out what you can. There was an attack, and I would very much like to know how her wards were breached."
"We're on our way." Moody nodded, disappearing immediately.
Dumbledore took another handful of floo powder and tossed it into the flames once again, this time stepping into the fire and calling out "St. Mungo's".
Susan awoke in a bed as the sun began shining on her face. She sat up quickly and look about. She was sharing a room with Hannah who was already awake.
"Hey." Hannah said. "How are you feeling?"
Susan looked at her arm, pleased to see it was completely healed, thanks to that paste that had been put on it the previous night. She was also breathing clearly, and all her bruises and cuts were all healed.
"I'm fine, I guess. How about you?" Susan asked.
"Good. What happened after I left?" Hannah asked.
"Harry called a second house elf and he came and took us both out of there, and brought us here. I tried to find out about my Aunt, but no one would tell me anything." Susan said. As she spoke, she swung herself out of bed and headed for the door.
"You might not want to do that." Hannah warned.
"Why?" Susan turned to look at Hannah who was smirking.
"I don't think you want everyone to see your pretty unicorn panties." Hannah said evenly, pointing to Susan's exposed rear end.
Susan's face turned the color of cherries as she looked and saw she was wearing a flimsy linen shirt that barely covered her front which was rather transparent, and did nothing to cover her posterior.
"Where are my clothes?" She asked. Hannah who shrugged.
"Given how charred my stuff was, I'm sure they threw everything away." Hannah shrugged. "I'm sure someone will come to check on us in a minute. There was someone a bit ago, and they said they'd be bringing food soon. Do you know where Harry is?"
Susan shook here head. The last she'd seen of the boy who had helped to save them all, he'd been being led away by a couple of healers.
"He was really amazing last night. The way he fought, and kept the Death Eaters off of us. I couldn't hit anything. I was so scared and..." Hannah began shaking her head and wiping her eyes. Susan went to her friend and climbed onto the bed holding Hannah. Susan's emotions came up as well. All the fear she had felt the previous evening and the relief that she was still alive. The two girls began to cry on each other's shoulders.
After a few moments they pulled themselves together just as young woman came in with two tray s of food. She was a petite blonde girl, whom Susan was sure she'd seen at Hogwarts in her first and second years.
"Oh good, you're awake as well. I'll let Healer Wilcox know so he can check you over."
"Can you tell me if my Aunt is ok?" Susan asked, getting back into her own bed as the young woman set a tray of food there for her.
"I'm sorry sweetie, I don't know, but Healer Wilcox will be able to answer your questions, I'm sure." The blond smiled as she turned to leave. The food smelled to good to resist, and as they had nothing better to do, Susan and Hannah ate everything.
Healer Wilcox, a tall striking looking dark skinned man, entered and retrieved his wand.
"Well, you're awake, and eating, those are good signs, though I had no doubts you'd both be fine. Your wounds were pretty superficial. We were a bit more worried about all the smoke you lot breathed in." He said casually. He gave Hannah a few passes with his wand before turning to Susan and repeating his wand movements.
"Well, you're both in good shape." The Healer smiled.
"What about my Aunt?" Susan asked.
"She was a bit worse off than you two, but she's doing well. I'll have someone bring you both robes, and you can go see her. She's just across the hall."
"And what about my boy… what about Harry?" Susan asked, blushing wildly. Hannah's neck cracked as she turned to gape at Susan.
"Harry's fine. I'm sure he'll be checking in on you two soon." The healer smiled as he
left.
"Were you about to call Harry your boyfriend?" Hannah asked, smiling wickedly.
"Shut up." Susan said quickly. "It was a slip. It doesn't mean anything, alright?"
"Sure. Whatever you say."
The door opened again, and three people entered. The first was the little blonde woman who'd brought them breakfast, who was now carrying white linen robes for both girls as well as simple slippers for their feet. The other two were Hannah's mother and father, who rushed to their daughters bedside and embraced her tightly.
"We're so glad you're alright." Mrs. Abbott said, tears streaming down her face. Susan was always impressed by how much Hannah resembled her mother. Not just in the face, but the body as well. Susan had seen pictures of her mother, but didn't se too much resemblance when she looked at herself in the mirror.
"Both of you." Mr. Abbott said looking to Susan who'd slipped into her robe and was tying it shut.
"I can't believe Death Eaters attacked your house." Mrs. Abbott said. "Do you know how they got through the wards?"
"Auntie thinks they might have used runes. If they found our base stone, they could have cancelled a lot of our protections. Excuse me, I'm going to go check on my aunt." Susan said with a weak smile.
"Of course." Mrs. Abbott said, and her husband nodded. Susan gave one last smile to Hannah, who returned it.
Susan walked across the hall and knocked on the door. She was greatly relieved when her Aunt beckoned her inside. Susan found her aunt sitting up in bed, looking for all the world like she woken up on any old Sunday morning and chose to have breakfast in bed. An empty tray of food sat on the bedside table, and Amelia was folding up the morning edition. Susan ran to her and enveloped her in a warm hug, which Amelia returned with all her love.
"I'm so relieved to see you up and about." Amelia smiled. "I was so worried I'd lost you."
"No one would tell me how you were last night, and they must have given me dreamless sleep potion, because I only woke up about a half an hour ago."
"Were you hurt badly?" Amelia asked, looking Susan over with a critical eye.
"Just a few bruises. I burnt my arm, but they healed it." Susan said offering her right arm. "I lost my wand."
"So did I." Amelia said. "We lost a lot last night, but we're both alive and we're together. Things can be replaced, but I wouldn't be able to live if anything happened to you."
"I think I now know what being with Harry could mean." Susan whispered and Amelia shook here head.
"They didn't know he was there. They weren't after him. It was me they wanted dead. Harry was an unexpected surprise, which is probably why we are sitting here talking about it. Though I imagine it won't be that different being with Harry, at least until You-Know-Who is.. .Voldemort is destroyed." Amelia smiled softly.
"Where are we going to live?" Susan asked sadly. "What are we going to do?"
"We are going to survive. I am sure that we will be fine. We might stay at the Leaky Cauldron for a few days until I can find us a new place, but we will be fine. Have you seen Harry yet?"
Susan shook her head. "I asked about him, and they said he was fine, but I haven't seen him yet. I wanted to see that you were ok before..."
There came a knock at the door, and Amelia once again beckoned her visitor to enter. Harry Potter opened the door and stepped inside. Before he had even shut the door properly, Susan had leapt from her Aunt's bed and wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight relieved embrace. Harry's arms came up around her and he returned her hug awkwardly.
"Thank you." Susan whispered. "Thank you for saving all of us."
Harry didn't know what to say, so he looked to Amelia, hoping for some clue as to what he should say, but all he saw was Susan's Aunt watching them with a tear in her eye and a soft smile on her lips.
Susan finally let him go, and apologized for invading his space, but Harry simply smiled, and gave her a quick hug to show her he was ok with her invading his space. Susan gave a soft relieved laugh as Harry let her go, and the two of them went to Amelia's bed. Susan jumped back into her original position, while Harry pulled a chair close.
"How are you?' Amelia asked.
"Bit tender. Apparently I had pretty severe burns on my back, but they said I'm fine, and that I might be a bit sore, but it should go away. What about you?"
"I'll be fine. About the same as you."
"I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused." Harry said, but Amelia gave him a stern look.
"I will tell you the same thing I told Susan. They didn't come for you, Harry. They wanted me. You were a surprise they hadn't counted on. I spoke to Alastor Moody this morning, and my suspicions were correct. They found our base stone. Moody said it was broken, and he found a few other rune stones nearby. They had set their own wards to keep us inside, and make sure no one noticed what was happening. So, none of this was your fault."
Harry nodded and he took a deep breath.
"Do you have another house?" Harry asked, rather embarrassed.
"No, but we'll find a place to live." Amelia smiled. "Our family isn't poor by any means, but I never felt the need to own more than one property, especially if I never used it."
"I talked to Dumbledore, and he says that if you want, you can stay at one of my houses. Apparently, I have a few. I don't know what kind of condition they're in or anything, but Dumbledore said he would help place protections on them, and stuff."
Thank you Harry." Amelia smiled. "You said Dumbledore came to see you?"
"Yeah. He said he'd be stopping in to see you after he spoke with some people." Harry shrugged. Amelia nodded, and turned the topic to something a bit brighter, if only to keep her own mind off of what had happened, and what she would need to do over the next few weeks.
After twenty minutes, there came another knock at the door. This time, Dumbledore, along with Mad-Eye Moody entered. Dumbledore conjure two chairs for the both of them and they sat down.
"The Death Eaters found and broke the base stone around your property." Moody grumbled. Amelia made a face, showing that she had already guessed as much. "We also found a few rune stones around the place. Shacklebolt thinks they worked together to prevent you getting out and to keep anyone from coming to help you out."
"Just as I suspected." Amelia nodded.
"Also found two dead house elves, and a dead Death Eater. Looked like he'd been hit with a piercing hex through his left eye. Your work?" Moody smiled, making his hideously scarred face look more gruesome. Amelia shook her head, and turned to look at Harry, who blanched.
"You did that?" Moody asked, looking impressed. "Might be hope for you after all."
"Do you think it is possible that Death Eaters knew that Harry was staying with you?" Dumbledore asked, but Amelia shook her head.
"They were after me and Susan. They were genuinely shocked when Harry came down and began fighting with them. I think that's why they chose to put me under the body bind and burn the house down. I think they felt Harry would try and get us all out of the house, and they'd be able to take him then, and kill the rest of us." Amelia rationalized.
"Makes sense to me." Moody agreed. "No doubt they've heard about his and his friends talent after the Department of Mysteries fiasco. Going after you would throw the Aurors into disarray, and leave the Ministry open for attack."
"I agree." Dumbledore nodded.
"Well, I for one am glad they failed." Amelia smiled at Harry who blushed again. Harry saw Susan also smiling at him, which only made him blush harder.
"We should discuss your arrangements. As I understand it, you shall all be allowed to leave this afternoon. I am sure Harry has informed you that he is in possession of several suitable house where you can live for the remainder of the summer holiday. For tonight, I suggest Grimmauld Place in London. I need to visit there myself, and now that it is Harry's house, I should like to recast the Fidelius Charm, if you are still willing to allow the Order of the Phoenix to use it."
"Sure." Harry nodded.
"It is not the nicest of houses, but it will do until you can inspect your other properties and decide on the best choice. Also, as it is in London, you should be able to pick up the essentials you'll need."
"Sounds like a good plan." Amelia agreed. "Also Dumbledore, I should like it if you brought me up to speed on everything your Order is doing, so that you and I can coordinate our forces, and take the fight to Voldemort."
Moody threw his head back and laughed heartily. "That's my girl!" He said to Amelia. Dumbledore also smirked as he rose from his seat.
"Very well. I shall return at two this afternoon, and escort you to Harry's House. From there, we shall discuss what should happen next.
"Looking forward to it." Amelia smiled.
"I'd like to speak to you tonight Potter. I want to hear about what happened, and see if we can't determine any mistakes you might have made and learn from them." Moody said to Harry who agreed.
Dumbledore and Moody left the Bones women and Harry alone then, and Amelia turned to Susan.
"Tomorrow, you and I will go to Diagon Alley to replace our wands, and then we'll see about getting you new school robes, and a few other things."
"Oh," Harry perked up. "Actually, Dobby went back and retrieved our school trunks, so you may not have to replace a lot of school things."
"He did?" Susan looked shocked.
"Yeah, he took it to Hogwarts. He said they were charmed against fire. I didn't know that."
"I forgot." Susan said, looking pleased.
"Well that's good." Amelia smiled as well. "But we'll still need to get wands, and you're going to need new school robes anyway. Harry, you're going to need things as well I imagine."
Harry nodded, and Amelia gave him a wink. "So it looks like we'll be going shopping again.''
Harry just rolled his eyes and Susan smirked.
Susan had to say goodbye to Hannah who was going home with her parents. Susan couldn't really blame the Abbotts for wanting their daughter home after what had happened. They agreed that Susan could come and visit in a few weeks, and Susan promised she'd write to her best friend.
They gathered in Amelia's room where their robes were transfigured into something more appropriate for traveling outside. Harry now had jeans and a light sweatshirt, and Susan wore something similar.
Dumbledore arrived along with Moody, and Kingsley Shacklebolt and Tonks. Dumbledore took Amelia by side along apparition. Kingsley escorted Susan, while Tonks wrapped an arm around Harry, bumping his hip with hers and giving him a sly wink, making him chuckle.
"Quite the looker there Harry. Never really figured you for a boob man though." Tonks smirked as Harry's face went crimson. Before he could reply, Harry felt as if he were being forcibly squeezed through a long garden hose. It was one of the most uncomfortable sensations Harry had ever felt in his life. When it was over, Harry found himself outside of number twelve Grimmauld Place, the one place on earth he didn't really want to step foot in again.
"Why couldn't we apparate inside?" Susan asked. Harry turned to find the redhead standing nearby with Kingsley.
'There are anti apparition wards in place." Dumbledore said calmly. "But we should get inside at once. We can talk more freely inside."
They all entered the darkened house, with Moody stumping in last and shutting the door. Moody took Harry by the shoulder and began guiding him towards the sitting room, and beckoning for Susan to join them.
The three of them sat down, Susan and Harry on the dusty sofa, and Moody taking a chair.
"Alright, I want to hear about what you two did. Start at the beginning, from the moment you knew you were being attacked until you wound up at St. Mungo's. Spare no detail no matter how small.
It took almost an hour to tell Moody all that had happened. From when Harry had awaken and heard the voices of men coming from downstairs until Dobby took them both out of the burning house. Moody listened carefully, asking the occasional question to clarify details, but mostly just listening. When the teens finished, Moody sat back, a pleased smile on his face.
"Potter, why didn't you summon the lady's wand out of the fire, or use the Aguamenti spell?"
"I didn't think about it." Harry said rather embarrassed.
"That's the first thing I'm going to point out then. It sounds like you do a lot of reacting, and you need to think. It's hard to do when you're in the middle of a situation where you could lose your life, I understand that. But you need to try. It might make all the difference." Moody said flatly.
"Now for you missy." Moody turned to Susan. "I understand that you now have special permission to use magic. It's time you started using it. It's my understanding that Potter here has been practicing defense this summer, I want you to practice with him. Work together and against each other. Learn how the other thinks so you can work together without having to communicate, do you understand?"
Susan nodded. And Moody seemed satisfied. "If you'd like Potter, I will be happy to come by a few times this summer and help to train you."
"Really?" Harry perked up.
"After what I witnessed in the Department of Mysteries, and from all I've heard about you from Tonks, I think you've got the makings of a great Auror. Plus with that tosser hell bent on skinning you alive..."
"I can use all the help I can get." Harry agreed.
"Aye. But I'm going to give you one piece of advice. Don't forget to take time for yourselves. A life dedicated to war is no life at all. Take it from me." Moody said pointedly, and Harry saw the old Auror's normal eye shoot pointedly to Susan and wink at him.
Harry and Susan nodded and Moody gave them one last smile before climbing to his feet and hobbling out of the room.
"See, even Moody thinks you train too much." Susan smirked, and Harry threw her a dirty look which made the redhead chuckle softly.
The two teens got up, and Harry led Susan into the dining room where Susan's Aunt was sitting with Tonks, Shacklebolt and a handful of others in the middle of a heated discussion.
"Ah Harry." Dumbledore smiled. "Please excuse me everyone."
Dumbledore came over, and a moment later, Harry found himself in the sitting room with Dumbledore once again.
"I would like to cast the Fidelius charm, but I will need you, as you are the owner of this property. Would you like to be Secret Keeper, or would you like me to carry the burden?"
"You can." Harry said quickly. "As soon as we can, I want to get away from this place."
Dumbledore nodded. "That is understandable. The charm is easy enough. Simply take my hand, and I shall begin."
A minute later, Harry could not recall where he was. He was sure he recognized the place, but he just couldn't think of it. Dumbledore smiled at him, and took a quill, ink, and a scrap of parchment out of his pocket, and bent to scratch out a little note to which he handed to Harry.
"This should clear up your confusion." He said. Harry read the note which told him that the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix could be found at number 12 Grimmauld Place, in London.
"Wow, that's really amazing." Harry said, and Dumbledore smiled in appreciation.
"A fairly easy spell to master once you understand how it works. You will be learning about it in your seventh year. And between you and me, it is one of Professor Flitwick's most entertaining lessons."
"I'm looking forward to it." Harry grinned.
"Now, If I may be so bold, how are things between you and Miss Bones?"
Harry's smile faded and he shrugged.
"I honestly don't know. It seems like we're becoming friends, but there's this like shadow over us. It's like we're forcing things because of the stupid contract. I mean, maybe things would be different if there wasn't a contract and we liked each other, but it's not. I mean, we had a really good day yesterday, but..." He shrugged.
"Understandable." Dumbledore nodded. "In days when marriage contracts were used regularly, the couple was not usually given the luxury that the two of you are getting now. Often they did not meet until the day they were wed. You and Miss Bones are being given time to attempt to build a foundation on which to build whatever relationship you choose. Allow things to happen between you naturally. Also, do not keep things to yourself. When you have feelings, express them. But above all, be honest. Not just with Miss Bones, who deserves nothing less than your complete honesty, but with yourself as well."
Harry nodded, thinking he understood what the Headmaster was saying, and Dumbledore smiled, patting Harry on the shoulder.
"Now, just one more thing. Besides this property, there are two other houses which I am sure you will find suitable. Though I may recommend one, Sirius had a cottage in the north that was quiet, and fairly remote. He often talked about it and I think you might find it cheerier than this house. I took the liberty of finding it's locations for both properties for you. You should be able to floo there whenever you like. Once you have decided, I should like it if you would allow me to help you set up protections. Madam Bones, I am sure would help as well. The more protections we can put in place, the better."
"Sure." Harry said simply.
"Very good. Now, If you would excuse me, I do have one more thing I need to accomplish upstairs, and then I shall leave you for the night."
"Thank you sir." Harry said, and Dumbledore smiled, bowing to Harry. "It is my pleasure to help a friend, Harry."
Harry didn't know why, but for Dumbledore to call him a friend made Harry smile. Despite being at odds with him at the end of the school year, Harry still respected the man. Harry just hoped that they had both learned lessons and that Dumbledore would be a bit more forthcoming with him in regards to Voldemort. For now, he would just have to wait and see.
Dumbledore went up the stairs and slipped his wand out as he approached Regulus Black's bedroom. As soon as he entered it, he felt the wave of dark magic, and the unmistakable signature of Tom Marvolo Riddle's specific signature. Dumbledore could hardly believe that at least two pieces of Lord Voldemort's soul was somewhere in this room.
Dumbledore waved his wand in an intricate little pattern and scanned to room for the telltale orange glow, which he found under the ornate desk in the corner. Dumbledore waved his wand again and the desk lifted and moved to the opposite side of the room. Dumbledore could see the board on the floor that had been repeatedly pried up.
Dumbledore bent down and attempted to lifted the board, and received a sharp stabbing pain that shot all the way up his arm. Hissing in pain, Dumbledore looked more closely at the board and saw several tiny runes carved into the board, almost invisible with the wood's grain.
"Very clever." Dumbledore smiled. "Very clever indeed."
The old headmaster stared at the runes for a long time before he felt he had deciphered them. Tapping his wand upon each rune in the order he believed they needed to be in. Nothing happened. Dumbledore stroked his beard in contemplation, and tried a different order, and smiled when the board popped up, and revealed the secret place Regulus spoke of in his journal.
There, resting inside and covered by a layer of dust sat the gold cup of Helga Hufflepuff. The Peverell family signet ring was also there and to Dumbledore's great surprise, Salazar Slytherin's locket as well.
"He did find it." Dumbledore said wanting to laugh with joy. He was now one great step closer to defeating Lord Voldemort.
One by one, he lifted each item out of the hole in the floor and placed them in a special bag he'd pulled from his pocket. When each item was safely inside, Dumbledore drew the bag shut by the drawstrings, and replaced it into his pocket. At once he felt the heavy weight of darkness descend upon him. His gleeful mood soured, and Dumbledore knew that the artifacts were trying to manipulate him. Dumbledore knew that the sooner he got these abominations back to Hogwarts and destroyed the better.
Slipping the board back into place, and replacing the desk, Dumbledore left Regulus' bedroom and nearly sprinted down the stairs. A moment later, he was gone.
Amelia said goodbye to the Aurors who had accompanied her and Susan and Harry to number twelve. She had spent the last two hours getting up to speed on all they had learned in regards to her attack, and several other attacks that had taken place at the same time.
After the last Auror had left, Amelia turned to Susan, who looked heartsick. Amelia couldn't blame her niece, until the previous night, the war was just something she heard about. Now she was right in the middle of it. Amelia was very grateful that Susan had come through her first battle with only superficial wounds. Amelia was actually more worried about the emotional scars.
"Are you ok? You've been very quiet." She asked Susan who nodded her head unconvincingly.
"You can't fool me." Amelia said, which brought a light smile to Susan's face.
"I just keep thinking what could have happened if Harry hadn't been there. If he hadn't acted? I just can't stop thinking that I wouldn't be here right now. You wouldn't be here. I keep thinking about all the things I never would have gotten to do. Things that I've been kind of afraid of before now."
"Like what?" Amelia asked, sitting down across from Susan.
"Getting married." Susan shrugged. "This contract thing has had me so petrified. I've been trying to figure things out with Harry, but I didn't really want to. I was only doing it because I felt I had to, you know?"
Amelia nodded and Susan took a deep breath.
"Now I want to. I mean, I still wish I could make my own choice, but there are far worse guys I could have wound up with. And who says I would have made any better choice if I was able to do so. If there was no contract, I could have met some guys who seemed great to start with, but then beat me or something."
"That's very true." Amelia nodded.
"But I'm very lucky." Susan said softly. "Yes, I have to get married, but the guys I'm going to marry is selfless, and brave, and gentle, and sweet."
"Not bad on the eyes either." Amelia said. Susan rolled her eyes but laughed as she nodded her head.
"I still want all the things I wanted before. I want to be romanced and swept off my feet and to fall in love, but why can't I try to have those things with Harry?"
"There's no reason you can't." Amelia agreed.
"I just don't know how to make those things happen." Susan admitted. Amelia took her niece's hands and smiled.
"Just spend time together. Allow him to get to know you, and when he drops his guard, you'll learn all you need to about him. Be his friend first. Do all the things you would do for any other friend, and he'll do the same. The rest will come. And when it does, don't run away from it. Embrace it, and let it flourish. And don't keep it to yourself. Tell him how you feel."
Susan smiled her thanks and Amelia stood and kissed her niece on the forehead. "Now let's find that boy and see about getting something to eat.