"Mrs-" Hermione said.
"Miss, not Mrs.," Cheyenne corrected.
"Miss Hudson, could we come in? We need to speak with you," Hermione stated.
"Tell me your names and I may let you in," Cheyenne told them.
"This is Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Tyler Grey, and I'm Harry Potter," Harry pointed to the others as he named them.
"Ah yes. The famous Golden Trio. And this must be a new addition," Cheyenne looked at Tyler.
"He's helping us navigate," Harry replied.
Cheyenne looked them all up and down then sighed. "Come in. sit down. I'll get drinks. What would you like?" Cheyenne let them inside.
"Water, please," the trio answered.
"Glass of Firewhiskey," Tyler said.
"Living room is down the hall on the left," Cheyenne told them. She disappeared through a doorway and the trio and Tyler went to the living room. Harry sat in a leather chair. Ron and Hermione took their places on a loveseat and Tyler remained standing by the fireplace. Cheyenne came in with five glasses and a bottle on a metal tray. She placed it on the table and sat on the sofa. "So what business is the famous Golden Trio involved in that brings them to my door?" Cheyenne asked.
"We have some questions about your family. Your history. Your ancestors," Harry said, sipping his water.
"All right. What do you want to know?" Cheyenne looked around at the teenagers.
"We'll start simple. Your parents? Any siblings?" Ron spoke.
"Had a brother. Younger by four years. Carter. He was nineteen would have been twenty on his next birthday. June twenty-second. Born in 1978. He died in an accident at work a few months ago," Cheyenne said.
"What happened?" Hermione asked softly.
"Like I said, accident at work. He began working with dragons in Romania as soon as he was done school. One of the dragons got loose. He was killed trying to stop it along with five others."
"I heard about that. My brother, Bill, works there too. He told me about. Said about six died," Ron replied.
"Are you talking about Bill Weasley? Long hair, fang earring. Getting married?" Cheyenne stated.
"Got married. Just yesterday, but that's him. You know Bill?" Ron nodded.
"Yeah. Carter introduced us a few times. They were close. Carter always talked about him. Said he was hilarious, loved the work. Said Bill was his best friend," Cheyenne answered.
"Definitely have to talk to Bill," Ron said.
"Anymore family, Miss Hudson?" Hermione asked.
"An older sister by seven years. Monica. Born January sixteenth, 1967. She's thirty. She lives in Asia, last I knew. We don't talk anymore. We never got along," Cheyenne continued.
"Why's that?" Harry wondered.
"She was jealous. You see, she was the only Muggle in the family. Our brother and parents were wizards. I'm a wizard. Our grandparents were wizards. Every generation of our family has been magic. She was angry because she's the only Muggle in our entire family history," Cheyenne explained.
"That's horrible. That would be very difficult to handle," Hermione sympathized.
"Yeah, she mostly took it out on me and our father," Cheyenne nodded.
"What about your parents?" Harry asked.
"Miranda and Mark. My father died when I was seventeen. He drank himself to death. I don't speak with my mother."
"How come?" Tyler spoke for the first time since arriving at Cheyenne's home.
"She abandoned me pretty much when I put my son up for adoption when he was born. He was born on October tenth, 1994. I couldn't handle a child. I could barely afford to buy food and pay bills. I couldn't support a baby. She hated me for putting her only grandchild up for adoption," Cheyenne sighed.
"How about grandparents? What other family history do you know? Do you know about any ancestors?" Ron asked.
"Grandparents were wizards. Carrie and Joey. Both died of old age. No brutal death. The main thing that stands out is that I'm a descendant of Helga Hufflepuff," Cheyenne told them. "I get the feeling that's what you've been waiting to hear?"
"Yes," Harry nodded.
Cheyenne smiled. "I found it out when I was fifteen. I was doing research for a paper and figured it out. My parents never told me. I don't think that knew I figured it out."
"What do you know about Helga Hufflepuff?" Hermione asked.
"Lots. One minute," Cheyenne walked across the room to a cabinet. She reached in and pulled out a rather thick binder along with a goblet. It would have looked like a regular drinking goblet had it not been covered in emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. Cheyenne sat down again, the binder on her lap, the goblet on the table.
"Nice cup," Tyler said, pouring himself a third cup of Firewhiskey. Harry was watching Tyler closely who was slightly swaying as he stood.
"Thank you. It's unfortunately not the real thing. Replica," Cheyenne stated.
"Where's the real on? Where did you get this one?" Ron asked.
"My grandmother gave it to me four months before she died. I don't know where the real one is. Probably hidden with all of Hufflepuff's other things," Cheyenne shrugged.
"Hufflepuff? You mean the goblet belonged to Helga Hufflepuff?" Harry frowned.
"Yes. It was her most prized possession. She loved things bejewelled. The goblet was her favourite," Cheyenne nodded, admiring her replica.
"What if that's it? The goblet," Harry whispered to Ron and Hermione.
"It could be. It makes sense," Ron agreed.
"We need to find out where that goblet went when Hufflepuff died and where it is now," Hermione stated. She looked back to Cheyenne. "Do you have any idea where all Hufflepuff's possessions were hidden when she died, Miss Hudson?" she asked kindly.
"No, I don't. I remember reading something about someone named Lovegood, I believe, maybe knowing the location of a few items," Cheyenne shook her head.
"Lovegood?" Ron repeated.
"Yeah. I don't know if it's true or not though," Cheyenne said. She suddenly had a thoughtful look on her face and she opened the binder. She stopped on a picture and took it out. She turned it so they could see. "I've been here. I completely forgot about this. It's abandoned. When I went there, I found a ton of items. Some in every room. I believe they may have been possessions of Helga Hufflepuff. I don't know if everything's still there. It's been five years since I went there."
"We should check it out," Harry replied.
"Miss Hudson, is it all right if we take this picture with us?" Hermione wondered.
"Of course. I have another copy," Cheyenne nodded and gave the picture to Hermione.
"Thank you, Miss Hudson," Ron smiled.
"Call me Cheyenne," Cheyenne said.
"Cheyenne, do you-" Harry began but stopped when he looked at Tyler. The Firewhiskey bottle was empty. Tyler had a crooked smile plastered on his face and was swaying as he stood. "Ah, hell. I think Tyler's drunk," Harry groaned.
Cheyenne smiled. "He looks fun," she giggled.
"He's probably going to be a bigger sarcastic prick," Ron crossed his arms.
"What do we do? We still have questions but Tyler's wasted," Harry said.
"It's only two-" Cheyenne stated.
"We've been here for two hours? No wonder Tyler finished the bottle," Ron raised an eyebrow.
"As I was saying, it's only two. Go stay somewhere for a few hours. Sober him up then come back. I'll be here all night," Cheyenne told them.
"Thank you, Cheyenne," Hermione smiled.
"No problem. I'd rather not have someone who's drunk around my stuff. No offence," Cheyenne glanced at Tyler.
"I don't think he cares," Harry sighed as he put Tyler's arm around his neck. He was relieved Tyler wasn't much taller than he was. "We'll be back tonight."
"See you," Cheyenne held the door open for the four kids. She closed the door and they started down the street, Harry slightly struggling under Tyler's weight.
"Where are we going?" Harry gasped.
"There's a small forest by that park over there," Hermione pointed.
"Good. Let's get there fast. I'm dying," Harry panted.
"You're Parry Hotter. I'm hangin' with boy lived the who," Tyler slurred. He wasn't making any sense.
"That's genius," Ron said sarcastically. Harry and Hermione laughed. They walked into the forest and while Harry held up Tyler, Ron set up the tent. When set up, Harry dragged Tyler inside and laid him on the sofa.
"Let's make him some coffee," Harry sighed. They walked into the kitchen just as Tyler began singing the Hogwarts song.
"If he went to Durmstang, how does he know the Hogwarts song?" Ron frowned as Tyler started singing the song for a second time.
"Who knows. Let's get him the coffee before he passes out on us for six hours," Harry shrugged. He grabbed the mug and walked to the sofa where Tyler was still lying down and singing. "Come on, Tyler. Sit up and drink the coffee," Harry sat Tyler up and sat beside him.
"Where's 'Er-my-nee?" Tyler slurred, ignoring the coffee mug Harry was holding out for him.
"In the kitchen with Ron. Tyler, drink this," Harry replied.
"I have a secret to tell you. Come closer, Harry," Tyler leaned to Harry and whispered in his ear, "I think 'Er-my-nee should leave Ron and be with me. She is hot," Tyler chuckled.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Drink. Now," he shoved the coffee into Tyler's hands. Tyler downed the hot coffee in one drink. Leaving Tyler lying on the sofa, Harry went back to the kitchen. Hermione and Ron were at the table, eating fruit. Harry sat with them and grabbed a banana. "Besides my Uncle Vernon, Remus and Sirius are the only other people I've seen drunk," he told them.
"Really? I thought they stopped drinking when you were born and when they adopted you?" Hermione said.
"They did. It was a fun night. I talked them into it. I was fourteen. It was the summer before fourth year. Kingsley, Teddy, Tonks, Andromeda, and Mad-Eye came over. It was crazy," Harry grinned.
Flashback
"Harry, we really shouldn't," Remus shook his head at his nephew's suggestion. Harry had told his uncles that they should have people over and have a fun night of drinks and stories.
"Come on, guys. It won't hurt to have a fun night like you used to have with Dad. I'm not saying do it every night. Just tonight. You'll never have to do it again. I promise," Harry said. "I'll even stay in my room so I don't interrupt or get in the way. You'll have fun."
"You don't have to stay upstairs, kiddo," Sirius replied.
"Just invite some people over and have a night for yourselves. Please," Harry stared at them.
They looked at each other and sighed. "Fine. We'll do it," they agreed.
"Yay! You'll have fun and I'll stay in my room," Harry smiled.
"You don't-" Remus began.
"I'll stay in my room," Harry repeated. "Invite people over for eight. That's three hours." He ran upstairs.
"Did we really just agree to have a party night?" Sirius stated.
"I think we did," Remus nodded, grinning. "Let's invite some people over."
"Who?"
"Kingsley, Tonks, Mad-Eye, Andromeda, and Teddy," Remus said.
"All right. I'll send owls to Kingsley, Tonks, and Mad-Eye," Sirius replied.
"I'll Floo Andy and Teddy," Remus walked to the fire and Flooed the Tonks'.
"Hello, Remus. Lovely to see you, hon," Andromeda Tonks nee Black greeted.
"Good to see you too, Andy. I was just coming to invite you and Teddy too small get-together Sirius and I are planning."
"We'd love to," Andromeda smiled.
"Great. It starts at eight," Remus answered.
"We'll be there."
"Bye," Remus walked back to the kitchen where Sirius was reading letters. "Andy and Teddy are coming," he said.
"Kingsley, Tonks, and Mad-Eye are in too," Sirius added. "I can't believe we're doing this," Remus agreed, laughing.
"Kingsley's here!" Remus called as he let Kingsley inside. "Everyone else is already here. Just grab a seat and a drink and we'll continue," Remus told Kingsley who nodded. Following Kingsley, Remus glanced up the stairs to see Harry sitting at the top. Remus smiled at his nephew then went back into the living room. Kingsley had taken a seat on the sofa with Andromeda and Ted. Tonks was sitting on the floor at her father's feet. Mad-Eye was standing near the doorway, leaning on his staff, a glass in his left hand. His magical eye could see through everything and was swiveling around. Remus and Sirius were both in chairs.
"You two are such pushovers when it comes to that boy of yours," Andromeda grinned.
"It's Harry. He's very persistent," Sirius defended.
"Oh, come on, Sirius," Tonks laughed. "That kid has had you around his finger the minute he was born."
"It's true, Padfoot," Remus agreed.
"So I like to spoil him. What's wrong with that?" Sirius shrugged. "He deserves it."
"You bought him a Firebolt even though his Nimbus was perfectly fine," Kingsley said.
"I like to spoil him. Sue me," Sirius took a big drink of Firewhiskey.
"I was never spoiled," Tonks playfully glared at her parents.
"Anything we gave you, you tripped over or fell on and broke, Nymphadora," Andromeda told her daughter.
"It's Tonks, Mum. You know that. You could have done well by giving me a normal first name," Tonks muttered. Everyone laughed.
"When you were young, you only went by Dora," Ted said.
"Dad!" Tonks cried.
"Dora, eh?" Sirius looked at Tonks with an evil glint in his eye.
"Don't you dare, Sirius," Tonks threatened.
"Dora, Dora, Dora, Dora, Dora," Sirius chanted. He was clearly getting drunk.
"Sirius!" Tonks yelled and lunged at him. She brought him to the floor and they began fighting. Everyone else laughed.
"Why doesn't Harry come down?" Mad-Eye asked.
"Said he doesn't want to interrupt or get in the way," Remus answered.
"Harry! Get down here!" Mad-Eye shouted.
"Yeah?" Harry called back.
"Come join us."
"Alastor, he shouldn't. We're all drinking. He's only fourteen," Andromeda said.
"I'll stay up here. I'll come down when it's over," Harry raced back to his room.
After three hours, everyone was tired and pretty much drunk.
"I'm goin' home. See ya, Sirius. Remus. Everyone else," Kingsley said, his speech slurred.
"Bye, Kings!" they all yelled.
"It was fun, guys. Really fun. Really, really, really, really, really fun," Mad-Eye said. "Bye!" After a few more minutes, everyone else had gone too and it was just Sirius and Remus. Harry grinned at his drunk uncles.
"Harry!" Sirius flung himself on Harry's neck, making him stumble a few steps.
"Hi, Sirius," Harry patted Sirius on the back. He was surprised Remus had gotten drunk.
"I love you, Harry," Sirius said. "You need a haircut."
"So do you," Harry laughed. "Let's get you both to bed," Harry began leading Sirius up the stairs. They entered a bedroom and Harry laid his uncle on the bed. Harry went back downstairs to get Remus.
"I can't believe you got drunk, Remus," Harry muttered, climbing the stairs with his second uncle.
"I-I-I-I-" Remus tried to speak. Harry rolled his eyes and put his uncle on the bed.
"You and Sirius are going to have horrible hangovers," Harry chuckled. He made sure both his uncles were asleep and had a bucket by the bed, a wet cloth on the end table, and a large glass of water. He closed all the blinds in the bedrooms to keep out any light. Then he went to bed.
Harry woke at nine-thirty and was the only one awake. He made himself breakfast and read the Morning Prophet Hedwig had brought as he ate. Before settling in the living room, Harry went to the room where they kept all the potions. He grabbed two vials and placed them on the kitchen table. On pieces of paper he wrote Remus and Sirius and put each paper by a vial. Harry sat in the living room and turned on the TV. It wasn't until around one in the afternoon when Remus woke up. Harry was eating lunch at the table, reading a book when Remus walked into the kitchen.
"Afternoon," Harry grinned. There were circles under Remus' eyes and his hair was as messy as Harry's.
"Don't talk so loud," Remus groaned.
Harry held back a laugh. "Drink the potion with your name by it," he instructed. Remus obeyed. After about five minutes, Remus felt better. His headache wasn't as bad and he didn't feel as sick.
"Sirius and I had a party last night, didn't we?" Remus struggled to remember.
"Something like that," Harry nodded. "I can't believe you got drunk, Remus," he closed his book.
"Shut up, Harry."
"Definitely not the responsible one last night."
"Shove off. It was your idea."
"For the party. I didn't make everyone get drunk."
"Everyone?"
"Everyone."
Remus groaned and Harry laughed.
End of Flashback
"Everyone got drunk?" Hermione smiled.
"Everyone. It was hilarious. They've never done it since," Harry nodded.
"Wow. That would have been fun to see," Ron grinned. "I think he's asleep." Ron was right. The horrible singing had stopped and had been replaced by loud snores.
"So how long before he wakes up?" Hermione asked.
"Dunno. All I know is that he's gonna have a bad hangover and I don't have a potion to help," Harry shrugged. Ron and Hermione laughed.
"It's only two forty-five, so we still have a while," Ron replied.
"Hopefully it doesn't take too long for him to wake up. We still have stuff to ask Cheyenne," Hermione sighed.
"Yeah," Harry nodded. "I wonder where this house is?" he added, looking at the picture Cheyenne had given them.
"Don't know. Maybe Cheyenne remembers," Ron shrugged. It wasn't until it was nearing nine o'clock that Tyler finally woke up, groaning.
"Wha' 'appened?" he muttered. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all sitting in the living room.
"You got drunk, Tyler," Harry said.
"Really?" Tyler groaned.
"Yep. It was interesting," Ron nodded.
"How long 'ave I been out? What did I do?" Tyler sat up, rubbing his eyes.
"You've been out since quarter to three," Hermione said.
"And you were singing very loudly and badly. You were singing the Hogwarts song," Harry added.
"That's embarrassing," Tyler mumbled.
"I know you just woke up, but we have to get back to Cheyenne. We still have things to ask." Harry said.
"Oh, come on!" Tyler grumbled. the Trio grinned, rolling their eyes. Harry was amazed how calm Ron was acting around Tyler. Harry suspected Ron still hated Tyler, but was enjoying the fact Tyler had made a complete fool of himself.
"Let's go," Harry sighed and they began walking back to Cheyenne's house.
"You called Harry, Parry Hotter and boy the lived who," Hermione told Tyler.
"Oh God. That's-" Tyler got shushed by Harry.
"Quiet. Ron, Tyler, take your wands out," Harry whispered. Cheyenne's door was open. There was a flickering orange light shining through the window. "Stay behind me." he said and slowly pushed through the door. All the lights were off, making it dark. "Lumos," he muttered.
"Harry, what's going on?" Hermione whispered, worried.
"I don't know," Harry began breathing fast. On the floor leading from the kitchen to the living room was a trail of blood. He gazed around the corner into the living room. "Oh no."
"What?" Ron asked. The others walked around Harry to see.
"Oh my God," Hermione gasped.