PB9

Disclaimer – Just having fun taking a joyride with JKR's characters.

Chapter 9

The teachers and students were happily winding up the last few days before the winter holiday. Hermione and many of the other muggleborns were quite curious about the taboo on the Dark Lord's name. Hermione asked Professor McGonagall quite bluntly at the next tea – with Ron and Harry – as to why, if it was so dangerous, the Headmaster encouraged the use of Lord Voldemort's name.

Minerva was taken aback and answered a bit nervously. She and Albus had never expected anyone to address that … they were supposed to just believe that the Great Albus Dumbledore was simply brave and expecting others to be as brave. The fact that they were encouraging this in vulnerable children was somehow 'overlooked'. Being called on that fact was startling … Less than a year ago being brought to task on anything regarding Albus simply would never have occurred.

She, herself, didn't quite get why he wanted that – although he insisted there was no danger since the Dark Lord had disappeared.

"The taboo was placed on 'He Who Must Not Be Named's' title during the last war … and yes, it was dangerous to use back then … but after Harry defeated him, the magic was broken, and his name is safe to use again." Minerva bestowed a proud smile on the unimpressed Harry.

Harry simply gave her a level stare in return. "But he is not gone … not totally. Everyone whispers that he'll be back. The Headmaster believes it as well, and then the name will likely be taboo again and all these people will be in the habit of saying his name and at risk … after all, habits are hard to break."

Ron watched the exchange with a puzzled frown. Yes, the Headmaster said 'He Who Must Not Be Named's' name without flinching … but so what? That just showed bravery. Ron had never seen him insisting the name be used … at least not when he visited the Weasleys, and surely he'd be insisting on that with members of his Order first?

To Minerva's dismay, Ron leaped in with that very argument. "The Headmaster never asks that of my family – and I've never seen him try to get any of my family's friends to say it … are you sure he really wants you to say 'Lord …. Um Thingy'?"

Minerva quelled the urge to strangle the redhead, while Harry just smiled. Hermione froze, her mind quickly making connections. The Weasleys were purebloods … and likely the majority of their friends were as well – or at least well established half-bloods with ties to Dumbledore, or members of his "Order". He wouldn't risk them. It was muggleborns or those with little ties to the wizarding world that were of little use to him that he was encouraging to make such fatal mistakes.

Minerva watched Hermione pale and sit back in her chair, setting the teacup down. Miss Granger had no more questions for her Head of House, it seemed. Ron looked puzzled. He knew something important was escaping him, but what?

Harry sipped at his tea. He'd barely had to do a thing. He was quite sure he would not need to dodge Granger anymore … she might even become useful after she had worked all of this out in her head.

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Harry had his trunk out, getting the majority of things packed. They would be leaving for home in two days. Ah, home … that sounded so very good. He started packing books into the 'library' section of the trunk. He'd been making a list of books he intended to order for his own collection. He knew that Malfoy Manor had a brilliant library, but he intended to have one of his own as well.

Draco and Seamus had run down to lunch already, exchanging last minute plans. Draco wanted to visit and see a real pub … and a game or two on the 'telly' with Seamus. Dean hoped to meet up with them. He just had to convince his parents to let him floo from the Leaky Cauldron to Seamus' home in Ireland. Harry intended to check with Dudley and Uncle Vernon before committing to the plan.

Seamus had invited Ron as well. Ron had said he would ask his parents, and took down Seamus' floo address. He'd been thinking hard since the tea with their Head of House. It was slowly seeping in that his family didn't have any muggleborn friends and only a few acquaintances that were muggleborn. Ottery-St-Catchpole had several wizarding families in it – all of them pureblood or close to it. The Diggorys, the Fawcetts … not much in the way of muggleborns there.

There were several half-bloods in the Order as well as some muggleborns, none of which seem to have much to do with the muggle world anymore – and none of which the Weasley family had ever had over for dinner. True, his father Arthur was fascinated by muggles, but that didn't seem to translate to having any family friends that were muggleborn.

He'd never questioned his family's loyalty to Dumbledore and the Order. It was simply a fact of life that Albus Dumbledore was always correct and the Weasley family followed his lead. Now, it was seeping into his mind that, perhaps Albus was wrong in encouraging the use of 'He Who Must Be Named's' title by Muggleborns and some of the halfbloods. He likely was just trying to stir them into action against the Dark Lord instead of scurrying back to the muggle world. However, they really needed to be warned of the danger beforehand, so they had a choice.

Ron sighed, it was a blow to realize Dumbledore was not infallible, but that was no reason to abandon his cause. He would need to impress that upon Harry … and the others.

Ron glanced over at Harry, who was packing his trunk, leaving just a few changes of clothing out. Ron grimaced. Harry was unlikely to listen to him … perhaps he should wait until after Christmas. He was tired of the constant bickering with his dorm mates. None of them ever sided with him and he was sick of being the odd man out.

He'd made up with Dean and Seamus and was talking with Harry, now. It seemed better to just pretend the pointy prat Malfoy didn't exist. He knew he had no subtlety, he would have wait and simply point out Albus' good points and instances when Albus was correct. After all the history books were full of Albus' exploits against Grindelwald and of his heroics in the first war against the Dark Lord.

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Harry wandered out of the dorm the evening before they would depart. It had been an interesting few months. He adored Hogwarts … but he would be glad to get back to his home. He missed his Uncle and cousin … and very much missed the horses. Rusty was running in a race the end of December, along with the grey.

Draco had run to the dungeons for a few last-minute words with the Slytherins. Blaise and Pansy, along with Theo had gradually warmed up to Harry and his friends. Their parents were seeing the need to keep any and all wizards and witches in the wizarding world … not driving them out and their children were getting orders to get friendly with Harry and Draco, if they could.

It was a sad, but obvious fact that they needed the muggleborns and half-bloods. But, Slytherins were realists and quickly switched ideologies to that of "everyone is welcome". The only irritation being that they now were adopting the Hufflepuff code.

Harry strolled around the seventh floor – not intending to go far, just wandering to look out windows. He found a convenient alcove and curled up behind a curtain and gaze out across the lake, watching the snow fall. It would soon have been a year since Aunt Petunia had died. So much had changed since then.

He heard whispering and footsteps and he pulled back further, hoping to not be seen. Ah – the twins. They likely were planning a prank – hearing ahead of time would let him sabotage whatever they'd planned.

He clearly heard the twins say, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good" which made him poke his head around the curtain. To his surprise they were holding what appeared to be a map. From what they were saying the little moving dots that were labeled were the occupants of the castle.

Ingenious. He'd obviously greatly underestimated the twins ability … then he heard them crowing about having nicked the map from Filch. "Those Marauders were geniuses … coming up with this map – we owe them so much."

Harry froze – weren't the Marauders? ... yes, he was sure that his father and his friends had called themselves the Marauders. Aunt Petunia had mentioned it once. Harry's temper started to rise. He had only a few mementos of his parents … and the twins had something belonging to James. He thought about demanding it of them … but they would object and if taken to a teacher it would likely be confiscated.

Harry listened to the plotting by the twins and then heard "Mischief Managed!" Obviously the Marauders liked whimsical activation and deactivation phrases. He watched one of the twins shove the map into his pocket haphazardly, reminding him of the rich owner at the track – and the wallet he'd made fall from his pocket. He fought briefly with his conscience … he hated stealing and didn't like doing even this – although, could you steal a stolen object? … and the map had belonged to his father – it was his, surely?

Harry stretched out his left hand – he'd found that he was still better with wandless magic when the spell called for a delicate touch and being subtle. The map quivered and worked its way out of the pocket and then flew into Harry's hands. Harry quickly left the alcove and went the opposite way down the hall just as he heard a shout from the twins, who realized the map was gone.

Harry gave up trying to be quiet and ran around a corner and down a hall, there was a large tapestry – perhaps he could hide behind it, it was of some wizard and a bunch of trolls in tutus. No – they would see the lump – and his feet since the tapestry didn't reach the floor. He could hear the twins and looked down the hall – it was a dead end. He needed somewhere to hide and quickly.

To his astonishment a door suddenly materialized in the wall across from the tapestry. Harry hesitated and then opened the door and after closing it, placed a strong locking charm that Severus had shown him, followed by another that Lucius had made him learn. He sighed and turned around and laughed – the room was huge, and pack full of things. He wandered down a few of the aisles between objects. People must have been hiding things here for centuries. He picked up a few of the books; some were ancient and nearly unreadable. He snickered – a few were 'girly magazines', and there were quite a few steamy muggle romance novels with scantily clad women and impossibly handsome men on the covers.

There were some chests – some had clothing spilling out of them, one appeared to be full of gold coins and jewels. He hesitated to touch anything or open any closed chests – and he carefully avoided the potions vials with malevolently glinting liquids. He gaped at the winged catapults that were floating in midair.

Harry wandered back to the door and pulled out the map. The room itself was not on the map … maybe the Marauders never found it to place on the map. He did see that the twins were now in their dorm – with Ron and Percy. Likely a family strategy session. Still – it was safe to leave after removing the locking spells … he wasn't sure if they worked or if the door had disappeared after he'd entered.

Harry raced to the dungeons and knocked on Severus' door. He eagerly told Severus of his adventure, handing the map to him and waving both arms to describe the Room.

Severus stared at the map and carefully blanked his face for a moment, struggling with old feelings of fury at wrongs done. Finally he simply pushed them aside to deal with later. Harry - and the here and now - were more important. He gave Harry an approving smile as Harry's tale came to its conclusion.

"… and then I came straight to you!" Harry ended with a brilliant grin.

Severus carefully handed back the map to Harry so he wouldn't be tempted to incinerate it. All this time he'd thought the Marauders had been skillful at ambushing … instead they'd been cheating. No matter though … he had the map at his disposal now. That alone would have James Potter turning over in his grave. He firmly reminded himself that living well was the best revenge.

"You may have solved several problems at once, Harry." Severus smiled while Harry settled in a chair and took a macadamia nut / white chocolate biscuit Severus offered from his private stash. "Albus has been getting impatient. Our little 'stories' we've been making up about how are now looking for a Horcrux hidden in the school at his request … and how you are becoming 'suspicious' of Professor Quirrell – they kept him happy for a time, but he's itching for something tangible. This 'Room of Hidden Things' is perfect – even if the Horcrux is not there, you have obviously been busy doing the task the Headmaster has set you on … or at least it will seem that way to him."

"Brilliant." Harry beamed, he'd been afraid they would start making him have tea with Dumbledore – maybe this would satisfy them.

Harry and Severus made their way to the seventh floor – avoiding students and Minerva with the map.

"Maybe you should hang onto the map, for now, Professor." Harry said brightly. "If you have it I know it can't get stolen or confiscated … you'll give it back if I need it."

Severus smiled and nodded. He was heartened by Harry's trust. He might need the boy's implicit trust if his plan A, B or C did not work and he had to resort to plan D, E or … Merlin forbid, plan F.

They entered the Room and, although he'd been warned, he still gasped in astonishment. The Room was just so … so … big!

"We've destroyed the cup and the diary … Albus is after the ring … so it is either the Slytherin necklace or Rowena's diadem we are looking for." Severus said as they started searching around the room. Severus stared longingly at the mountains of books and wondered about all those potions vials. He vowed to come back during the winter break and excavate.

A yelp and "Hey, look at this Professor!" alerted him and he wove his way back to Harry. Harry was staring at a bust of an important looking wizard that had a wig and a diadem on his head. "That kind of looks like the one on the statue of Rowena in the Ravenclaw common room – Padma showed it to us when Pavarti took us with her to visit her sister."

Severus raised an eyebrow – such mingling among the students would have been unthinkable last year – now it was more and more common. Severus waved a spell over the diadem – definitely a dark artifact. He reached a hand out hovering it over the object. The feel of it was sickening and caused a searing pain in his left arm where the faded mark was.

"Yes, you have definitely found it, Harry." Severus smiled at the boy again. He conjured a bag and hovered the diadem into it, taking care to not touch it directly. He and Harry left the room in triumph and Severus shooed Harry to the dorm. He needed to decide how much to reveal to Albus.

Harry changed into pajamas and got the trunk packed except for a changed of clothing and a cloak. The pajamas he could toss into the laundry here. He held a whispered conversation with Draco, telling him about the 'adventure' and Draco whispered the results of his visit to the Slytherin dorm. Harry was curious to see the dorm and Draco was eager to see 'the Room'. So they had things to look forward to when they returned.

That night was filled with happy dreams of racing brooms and dragonhide boots. The 'send-off' breakfast was perfect. The prank that Harry had overheard the twins planning back-fired perfectly, just as Harry and Draco had arranged. The bowl of porridge they had sabotaged erupted and hit the twins, covering them with the pasty goo - and turning their skin an amazing pink and orange plaid pattern that clashed rather unfortunately with their red hair.

The entire school erupted in laughter and the hilarity followed them onto the train home. The twins tried to grin at the snickers and pointing, but it wore thin rather quickly. They found little sympathy with the other students. Even the Hufflepuffs sneered just a bit. Cedric just glared and answered their complaints with anger.

"You did the same prank last year on one of us Hufflepuffs – you said he was just a poor sport and had no sense of humor for complaining and being angry." Cedric turned and shut the door to his compartment on them.

They eventually found a compartment of older Gryffindor boys who spent a lot of time making poor jokes about the clashing colors. They thought long and hard on what Cedric said and about whether they would want the pranks they had been doing done to them.

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Harry and Draco met Lucius and Narcissa at the train station and apparated home with them. Uncle Vernon and Dudley were waiting for Harry and the three trooped into their house, eager to catch up. Harry brought them up to speed telling them of the latest Horcrux he and Severus had found. Vernon just shook his head … the whole 'splitting ones soul' thing sounded dodgy to him.

Dudley looked puzzled, "Why does this Headmaster act like he supports muggleborns – and at the same time tries to be rid of them? There must be a reason?"

Harry nodded. "Severus is trying to get to the bottom of that. Severus says it is a good cover, though. If the Headmaster wanted muggleborns and half-bloods to either be completely loyal to him – or totally gone from the wizarding world with no middle ground, this would be the way to do it. Muggleborns and half-bloods that don't do exactly as he wants are likely a danger to whatever he's after."

"Wow, that's pretty messed up, Harry." Dudley mused. "Severus better watch his step – Dumbledore is sneakier than we thought."

Harry nodded emphatically.

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Severus entered Albus' office with trepidation. What would he do if the Headmaster didn't want to destroy the Horcrux right now? He absolutely needed all the Horcruxes gone – except for Harry. Luck was with him, though and Albus beamed at the diadem and urged Severus to dispose of it. Then, Albus looked thoughtful.

"Exactly how can the Horcruxes be destroyed? When I find the ring … I don't want it totally destroyed – just the Horcrux part." Albus looked anxious and this confused Severus.

"Well, fiendfyre is the one spell that is sure to destroy the Horcruxes … but that will destroy the artifact as well …" Severus thought swiftly. Why this anxiety over a ring? "I've read that there are some substances that will kill a Horcrux – Basilisk venom was mentioned."

Albus perked up. "So I would just need to inject some into the stone to destroy the Horcrux and the ring will be intact?"

Severus nodded slowly in response. "That does seem to be the case …" But why go to all that trouble over a ring? "Of course even the few drops you would need for that would be ruinously expensive." Severus watched Albus closely. There was a wince at the mention of the cost, but he still seemed resolved to do it.

Severus was uneasy over this, but Albus still refused to explain. Severus had to be satisfied that another Horcrux would be destroyed, but the importance of what it had been encased in would remain a secret … for now. But, Albus moved along to another touchy area – he wanted to visit Harry to give him a gift on Christmas. Severus had consulted with Vernon and Lucius by owl and they had decided the best course of action.

"Well, Christmas Day is going to be just family at the Dursley's and the day after they will be at the Leopardtown Racecourse for their Christmas festival and racing – his favorite is running." Albus looked impatient at Severus' dissertation. Severus sneered, and of course Albus thought it was at Harry's devotion to a horse that didn't even belong to him. "However, I have persuaded Lucius to have you come to the little Christmas Eve get together. The Malfoys and Dursley – and Harry Potter will be giving each other gifts and opening any other gifts that are not from immediate 'family'. You can give the gift then."

Albus shifted and frowned. He'd hoped to give the cloak in private – hopefully win Harry over with a gift of Harry's father's most treasured possession as a boy. Swearing the boy to secrecy could have been accomplished and if the cloak had stayed fairly secret it would have been easy to get back after the lad was dead. After all – he had the wand, was about to get the ring – the cloak would be the final link. He was only willing to relinquish it in an all-out effort to get Harry Potter to trust him.

There was the added bonus of course of encouraging risky behavior in the boy … after all, if he got killed doing something – well, childish, and ended up dead it couldn't be laid at his feet … and then the wizarding world would have only Albus Dumbledore to look to as a savior when the Dark Lord appeared.

Still better, if the Malfoys and Dursleys were aware of the cloak and Harry was harmed – Lucius' reputation would be shattered and it would be whispered he'd been plotting to get The Boy Who Lived killed all along. And if he was only injured … perhaps Dursley's guardianship could be challenged. Yes, he thought with a small smile … this could work out.

Severus shivered a little at that smile … it never boded well.

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Severus assisted the three boys in decorating the large Christmas tree after lunch. Albus wasn't due until seven, so they had plenty of time. Vernon and Lucius were finalizing the arrangements for Rusty and his friend the snotty grey to spend their Christmas festival racing in the cushiest stables they would arrange while they were in Dublin for the events at Leopardstown Racecourse. Lucius was lingering over it to avoid having anything to do with tinsel and fairy lights.

The boys had already done the smaller tree at the Dursleys with the mostly muggle trimmings. Narcissa had helped Vernon get some wizarding decorations to surprise the boys with … ornaments with holiday scenes that moved – dancing snowmen and prancing reindeer, Santas doing a jig.

The Malfoy's tree was bigger and some of the decorations were obviously more expensive, but there were homey ones as well – there were ornaments with pictures of the three of them – Lucius, Narcissa and Draco - from each of the Christmases from the time Draco was a baby. They waved from out of the glass ornament at the wizards trimming the tree.

One scene from inside the bulb had a very excited Draco waving a beginners broom. Draco sent that one to the top of the tree where it would not be seen, he hoped.

The house elves helped here and there, Dudley would hand them a bulb and point to where he wanted it and the elf would wave it up to the braches Dudley couldn't reach. Dudley loved watching the ornaments levitate.

The boys were trying to make up a song for Severus while they decorated. Harry had started it out, having come up with "Deck the dungeons with …" He warbled, but could not think of what Severus was likely to decorate with.

"… with Gryffindor entrails …" Draco continued with giggles. Narcissa tsked at him disapprovingly.

"or … with hemlock and nightshade …" Dudley offered in sing-song tones.

"They would at least be useful." Severus answered, unperturbed by pre-teen humor.

Lucius sighed, just months ago Draco would never have been so brash. With constant exposure to lions his son and heir was being turned into a rash ruffian. He shook his head slightly. He and Narcissa would have to resign themselves to a lifetime of saving Draco from himself, most likely.

Still, Draco would be well - respected, 'on the right side', a friend of Harry Potter, and alive. They would learn to deal with reckless behavior if that was the trade-off.

The tree was finally trimmed and the Christmas song now had several verses though not all of them rhymed. A slightly early dinner was served while the presents from everyone not of immediate family were placed under the tree by the house elves.

They gathered around the tree after dessert and presents were passed around. Harry had several from members of the Wizengamot and Cornelius Fudge, there was even a red and gold plumed never-out quill from Rita Skeeter. They had all sent a present to Dudley as well, though they stuck to candies as they didn't seem to know what to buy him. Draco, as well, had presents from business associates of Lucius' to open.

At last they got to the presents from Vernon, Harry and Dudley for the Malfoys. They'd sent a large number of owls to each other, thinking about it. Harry had discussed the difficulty of muggle fixtures around magic … although Harry had not disturbed much with wandless magic after he practiced a bit. Dudley had wondered if solar power would be as affected. Vernon had found a fair number of little gadgets that were solar power – a windmill that turned, a small lighthouse that lit up and things like that. Lucius was quite mesmerized by the actions of the little gadgets and Narcissa could almost see plans whirling in his brain.

Dudley had bought a small stack of books on solar power – he'd even found 'An Idiot's Guide to Solar Power' and then hadn't had the nerve to actually give it, so it was still stashed in his room.

Harry and Severus had gone back to the Room of Hidden things just before Harry was to leave. Severus managed to clear a small space and then they had both incanted "Accio Malfoy's stuff" They had needed to dodge quickly before a small hill of belongings had fallen on them - after all, the spell was sending them every belongingthat was a Malfoy's that was present in the room. They'd sorted through the mess of old clothing, worthless junk … and found several things they were sure the Malfoys would want returned. They put together a box and put both their names on it as a gift to the Malfoy family.

Lucius was definitely surprised and pleased at the returned books. " … in particular this book on Arithmancy – it is part of a set, and quite irreplaceable. It's been missing since the 1700's. And this picture album that was my grandmother's … also thought lost forever."

There was an old necklace that Narcissa smiled over. It was delicate scrollwork with tiny jewels picking out a pretty design. Not particularly valuable, but it had been in the Malfoy family since the time of the founders and priceless because of that. There was also an old broom with the name Titus Malfoy on it – an antique as it had been made in 1743 for a great – great – something Uncle of Lucius'. Draco immediately wanted it to mount on his wall. Lucius shook his head and said "Why not?"

Severus was quite pleased with the rare potions ingredients and latest potions paraphernalia that the Malfoys had found for him. He never needed to buy new gadgets – he always got them for Christmas.

Vernon, Dudley and Harry had conspired together and had presented him with a box full of leaves and cones. Harry had waded through potions books and journals and found the rarest ingredient that could only be found in America. Vernon had a trainer friend with several ties to the States. When Harry said Sequoia leaves and cones from the ancient trees were what they needed, Vernon got the address of a friend of his friend and had Dudley write to him, pleading the need for a box full of leaves and cones for a science project at his school. The man had indulged him and sent it. They quickly snatched the box from Severus and placed it with the rest of his gifts … they could see he was slipping into 'planning his next potion project mode.'

The Malfoy's gave Vernon, Dudley and Harry the books on getting muggle things to work in the wizarding world and promised to help them however they could if there was something Vernon or Dudley would prefer not to do without.

Narcissa waved in some elves and they trooped in carrying five planters with small rosebushes. "I went to your old house and talked to the woman living there now … I'm afraid I made her cry with the story of how you had to leave the place … and then I asked for cuttings from your Aunt's roses. She was quite eager to let me do so … we can plant a garden at your new house if you like and put them in there." Her gift was met with hugs and a few happy tears … they had part of Petunia's garden back.

Lucius smiled at Narcissa – it had not been easy for her to navigate the muggle world even for something relatively easy like this, but she had done it – for Harry and Dudley as well as Vernon.

The floo sounded and they tensed a bit … Dumbledore had arrived, with his gift.

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A/N – And the plot continues to thicken, but Hermione is starting to catch a clue, at least.