Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Pairings: (I loved the HP/SS pairing so this story is about their love. Enjoy!) HP/SS, HP/LM, HP/TN, NT/TN, HR/RW, DM/GW, NM/LM (and many others pairs later).
Summary: Harry's lost more than just the battle when Voldemort springs a surprise attack on No. 4 Privet Drive. Will the wizarding war end there? Or perhaps the wizarding world will now be forever under Voldemort's brutal regime?
Thank you Suraiyah for beta my story.
I'm really sorry for the late posting of this chapter. Thank you everyone for the reviewed and I really appreciated the feedback. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.
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Chapter 6: The Road to Nowhere
There was a dash of light now and then from the rocky shore. A stranger who happened to glimpse it would have merely thought it a group of fireflies and proceeded to ignore it, but should one observe closely the seconds between each glow, they would have noted that it adhered to a precise rhythm, much like a signal or maybe even a secret coded message.
Rustling sounds emerged from a slight, thin figure, which moved toward the light quickly, as if impatient to reach its destination. When the furtive figure, shrouded completely in a dark blue cloak, reached its target location, the hood of the cloak was pulled back, only to reveal a pretty young woman in her early twenties, with distinguishable pushy hairs bound in coil that seemed ready to escape at any moment. There was a slight frown marring her face, but her chocolate brown eyes were darkening with delight, as well as worry.
Arms came out of the darkness to wind around the young woman's slender waist, pulling her closer to their source.
"Ron!"
A light laugh escaped the woman's mouth as she eagerly returned the embrace when a red haired man became visible. The man tightened his hug as a thin black cloak slid down onto the ground to reveal the rest of his body.
"Mione, You're looking beautiful, as ever." He whispered as his eyes pored over her face, memorizing their every contour, and there was regret penetrated his eyes and thoughts by the end of his exploration.
"Ron, you know it's dangerous to come here too often."
"I'm sorry love, but I needed to see you, but first let us talk about your days."
"I'm fine Ron, you know that. It is you who're in the front line and could have been captured on any day. I'm so worried and lately there've been ominous signs indicating that something's going to happen to you."
Ron started to laugh and pulled Hermione down onto his lap as he seated himself upon a nearby rock.
"Oh love, I'm here aren't I? Nothing Voldemort or his servants could do will do anything to us. You don't believe such things do you, 'Mione? Remember that fraud Trelawney, just think about her, and you shall forget all that nonsense. The future is what we build on and it has nothing to do with neither destiny nor fate. We are making progress 'Mione. We actually gained a few more members these last months. Things are looking up."
Ron spoke firmly and quite convincingly that Hermione pulled a face but leaned back against the flame haired man's shoulder as she released a tiny sigh of content.
"I still cannot help but feel…"
"How's the greasy git?" Ron asked in an attempt to distract her and it worked, like it did every time.
"Ron!"
"What?"
Ron asked, smiling playfully as if he had known that question would drive Hermione mad. Hermione shook her head exasperatedly but answered,
"Professor Snape is well! Though if Zonne and I've not been hassling him to eat every meal, I'm sure he would have staved to death."
"I'm glad he saved you. I didn't hear the news of your execution until it was too late. Father had to stun me to keep me from going after you. I wish I could do something to return the favour, I really hate to owe that man anything."
"Ron, the Professor may be a bit prejudiced, but he is a good man and working for him allows me to see that he is really quite brilliant. He has successfully researched many potions to cure or alleviate fatal diseases in the world. I really don't mind having a life debt to him Ron. In fact I'm honoured that he considered my life worth saving."
Hermione chided Ron; they have often had similar conversations, but Ron had yet to accept the idea that Severus Snape was anything but the overgrown bat from their childhood, although he had been persuaded to cease the name calling of his ex-professor either by emotional blackmail or scolding from Hermione.
They both dropped the subject and instead spoke quietly about their day to day activity until suddenly Ron became tense when his mission was mentioned.
"I just remembered why I'm here Mione, I've received a message from a spy at the Ministry of Magic and I'm going to London to confirm the information that was given to us. I'm not sure how long I'll be so don't wait for me on the 15th of this month."
"Ronald Weasley! London…that place is crawling with Death Eaters and his loyal followers! I knew it; I felt something bad coming. Please don't go…isn't there any way that you can get out of this mission?"
Hermione had jumped up from his lap to stand facing Ron Weasley accusingly as she hit his shoulder.
"I'm sorry love but I really must do this. It is important to the Order."
"The Order…damn! I'm sick 'n tired of this war." She declared as she started to cry.
Ron comforted her as best as he could. Sometimes he wished they could be selfish and elope to the Muggle world, forgetting all the problems that they have carried. But, they are both true Gryffindors to the core.
'Maybe Snape is right. We're foolish Gryffindors after all!'
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Tonks shoved the silvery white veil above her head as she scrutinized the small cabin she was shut in. The room was sparsely furnished, containing only a bed and a small table that lay beside her. The bottle of firewhisky and two wineglasses on that table were the only noticeable objects in the room.
Tonks had the urge to seize that bottle and knock herself out. However, her trembling hand captured her attention and her gaze quickly darted down to the third finger of her left-hand. A white ring was now placed there, a mockery of a symbol.
*Flashback*
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate…"
Tonks mechanically tuned out the customary wedding vow speech of the priest, as she fidgeted in her snowy gown. The dress was actually quite beautiful; it clung to her curvy figure and spread out at the hem like the ripples of sea foam. A transparent wizarding robe patterned with delicate roses was worn atop the garment, and instead of hiding the lovely bridal gown beneath it enhanced its elegant beauty.
Nevertheless, Tonks' mind, unlike that of most other brides on their wedding day, was racing with very different thoughts, focusing instead on ideas of escape and the actual legality of the wedding. Perhaps it was the replay of such thoughts that helped Tonks to cope with the situation. A hand soon nudged her elbow, reminding her of where she was, as she turned to hear the elderly priest repeat his question,
"Do you, Adrasteia Harriet Velius, take Theodore William Nott as your lawfully wedded husband?"
" Yee…NO!"
The priest stared in shock at her vehement reply but the elder Nott, who happened to be standing beside him harshly commanded,
"She meant yes, get on with it!"
"I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest almost whispered, but there was a disapproving undertone to his words.
Theodore pulled Tonks closer for the traditional wedding kiss, but she turned her face away at the last moment so that he was only able to peck her cheek through the thin veil. Theodore only smiled faintly and grinned at the audience, but his eyes were aflame with anger.
*End Flashback*
The wooden door opened slightly, almost soundlessly, and Theodore Nott walked in to the small cabin. He and his new consort stared at each other, although each had highly contrasting thoughts about the other. Suddenly Tonks noticed Theodore had his wand clutched in his hand. Her eyebrows rose at the object - clearly he wanted to weave a spell and Tonks was quite sure that no spell he cast would be any good for her. Her eyes frantically searched the small room to find a place to cover.
"Vivo Vinculum…"
The flash of light came straight at Tonks causing her to reflexively hurl a glass from the table beside her before dodging the curse. The curse cracked the wineglass into splinters that blew in every direction before it continued on to smack the wall, barely missing Tonks by an inch or so. Tonks immediately dashed towards Theodore's torso and knocked him onto the ground. Both were wrestling to get the wand that had dropped off Theodore's hand when he was shoved down.
"What were you trying to do, using a live bond spell on me creep?"
Tonks uppercut his jaw as she grabbed hold of the wand with her left hand.
"Father…" Tonks snapped at the word,
"Bastard, I'll kill you."
Her hand connected many punches to Theodore's face; one of them broke the man's nose causing blood to smear over his face and onto Tonks' hand. Tonks hardly noticed, fully lost to her insanity as she continued hitting Theodore. Finally, he was able to escape her control to run out of the room.
Tonks hurried after him, leaving the wand forgotten on the floor as she hastily caught up to him, both of them now on the deck of a boat.
A tradition of Boudicca was that on their marriage night the newly wedded bride and the groom spent their first night together on a boat that drifted on the Icedale Loch. It was said that by such an act, their union would be blessed by the spirits that dwell in the region.
"Stay still snake, I'll make you pay for this…"
Tonks threatened, still on her murderous rampage, rage evident on her face as her hands throttled the young man who struggled desperately to escape her, but did not want to hurt his bride. They both moved around the deck, far too busy to notice the wind change and blow heavily against the boat, as sinister clouds gathered and rain poured from the Heavens onto them. The raging loch was almost like the two figures struggling on the deck.
The boat shifted suddenly, as the fierce waves caused it to turn to one side, which flung them over the rail unexpectedly. Theodore grasped hold of the bar when he came to comprehend that they were hurled over, but Tonks only managed to catch hold of his feet by instinct. Theodore held out his arm, reaching down to grab Tonks' hand,
"Take my hand!"
He pleaded with her as he realised she was ignoring his outstretched hand,
"No! I'd rather die then owe a wizard's debt to you!"
Tonks' eyes illustrated that she was still lost in her insanity. She released his feet to fall back into the deep black icy loch waiting to swallow her up.
"Adrasteia! Please…oh Merlin! Nooo!"
Theodore's anguished cries on seeing his beloved fall into the stormy waters were engulfed by the apathetic gale.
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Ginny's finger swirled around the pond water weaving ripples upon its calm surface. She was bored with the idle time she was spending and as she turned over to be blinded by the sun, she quickly held up her arm to block out its assaulting light. Her gaze shifted over to where Harriet lay near the oak tree, well under its shade more precisely. Harriet was mumbling of cloud shapes that passed by.
No message had yet been sent to them indicating Albus was searching for them and this concerned her a great deal. Seven days had passed since they had hidden in the Moon Temple. The place was a ruin; it would have fallen completely apart if not for a strong binding spell by the last priestess that once lived there.
It was thus no surprise when Harriet recounted her tale as the tale of Elena Dumbledore. She had been Albus' eldest sister and one of the first of many victims affected by Grindelwald's tumultuous rise. Hers was a sad story, heartbroken when her fiancé died on her arm the very day before their wedding. Ginny remembered the portrait that had hung in the living room, who was very polite and kind to her since the first day she arrived to live at Dumbledore's estate. It was hard to believe that same laughing young woman perished of grief in this ruin as a lonely priestess.
Ginny bit her lower lip as she was troubled by Harriet's silence. It was unusual of Harriet to be quiet for this long but she was clearly rationalising, for often Ginny had found Harriet murmuring incomprehensibly while they were here.
"Let's go home!"
Harriet's voice penetrated Ginny's thoughts suddenly, and not expecting the announcement she sprung up, only to stare straight into a face, Harriet's face, just an inch from her own. Ginny's heart ceased its beating at that moment and she clutched her chest as she cried out,
"You nearly give me a heart attack Harriet!"
"Gee…I did call out to you." Harriet commented as she rolled her eyes.
"I thought we're boycotting!"
"I know!" Harriet exclaimed as she blushed brightly at Ginny's amused smile,
"It's just, well…I've got this feeling that's been eating at me for the last five days. I don't think I could stay here any longer and not without knowing what's going on."
Harriet's voice rose, she was confused. However, Ginny readily agreed to return, as she too had been uneasy for last few days.
When they arrived back at the estate, thinking that they had over reacted and no doubt Albus would be awaiting them with his twinkling eyes merrily dancing at them, they froze on their spot at the gate, shocked at the state of the estate. The place was like a trash heap, wrecked apart. Tears flowed freely from Ginny's eyes as she stood there witnessing her second home also destroyed while she was away. Harriet knelt down upon the ground, picking up the now charred vine that Albus had grown in an attempt to keep her inside the house. Anger and fear seized her heart.
"Grandpa! Grandpa!"
She screamed aloud when she remembered of him.
'Please not him!'
She flew to the door to heave into Neville, who happened to hear her frenzied screaming.
"Harriet! I'm so glad you're alright!"
Neville cried and wrapped his arm around her. His body was trembling from exhaustion and the stress from what had occurred, so he collapsed, fainting upon her.
"Neville!"
"Where is Grandpa? And Nym?"
Harriet shook Neville's body as if it were that of a ragged doll. Neville blearily opened his eyes to the familiar face of Harriet. He gave a relieved cry,
"Ouch… I'm so glad you're alright!"
"Harriet, please stop shaking Neville, he is injured."
Ginny yelled when she become aware of Neville being covered with bruises and cuts, all injuries that seemed to be healing. Obviously he had healing charms on him and that only meant the wounds were severe. Unfortunately, Harriet was in such a distraught state that she only had one track of mind,
"Neville, concentrate on what I'm asking. Where is grandpa?"
"Grandfather?"
"Yes!"
"Oh Harriet! I tried to fight them but they hexed me unconscious, leaving me bleeding to death as they took Grandfather off the premises Luckily, Mr Rolland and Eugene came by afterward to heal me. Mr Rolland overheard Nott ordering the Aurors to come with him to take care of Albus Dumbledore. Mr. Rolland told me when I was well enough to comprehend that grandfather had been transferred to a more secure area. He could be anywhere in Britain or even any other part of Europe!"
Neville sniffed and was in the same tearful state as Ginny, who dabbed her eyes with a lace handkerchief, however Harriet was having a hard time to take in what Neville just told her.
"How did it happen? I was just away for about seven days…Nym?"
She realised another family member was missing,
"Where is Nym?"
She ventured again when Neville became silent at her question. His breathing seemed to shallow as he recalled the tale to Harriet.
"She turned into you, at first I thought it was you, but after they left we become aware about what happened, but it was too late. Grandfather tried to stop the wedding but the Aurors detained him at the entrance. The next morning when the boat arrived back, the news of the bride going overboard was widespread over town. It was awful. I saw Grandfather cry. I've never seen him cry before; he seemed to be at a loss after the news. The next day when the Aurors came to the house to arrest Grandfather claiming that you followed his instructions, I mean Nym did, to bodily harm Nott's son on their wedding night…"
"He must have put up a fight surely." Harriet paled even further at the story.
"No, he was just lost in his thoughts. I don't think grandfather even knew what was going on."
Harriet fell back away from Neville as she moved to the corner of room to rock herself into a ball. Silence was stressed afterwards, and only Ginny came to her senses and remembered the condition of the house,
"What happened to the house then?" Ginny asked, her eyes travelling over the chaotic rooms. "It looks like it was damaged from hexes and curses."
Neville blushed brightly and replied,
"It was the Aurors and I. I tried to keep them away from grandfather but I was not good enough."
Ginny only nodded. If they weren't too busy contemplating the situation they would have showed how proud they are of Neville, who had stood up bravely to the Aurors, facing them like a true Gryffindor.
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A caring hand was laid upon Harriet's shoulder but she did not look up like she used to do when Ginny came to comfort her in the past. Instead, she seemed to recoil slightly from the touch.
"It's all my fault, isn't it!" Harriet cried softly after a long time,
"Shush Harriet! You didn't know it would turn out this way."
Ginny knew Harriet would not accept a lie as comfort in this situation.
"If I just listened to grandpa and stayed at home, none of this would have happened."
She looked up gratefully at Ginny's words, but even if it hurt, it was the truth. Tear streaks splotched her cheeks and her eyes were stained with red.
"I never I knew I'm so ignorant until now. I always wanted to attend Hogwarts when Grandpa told me about it. I'm jealous of Neville and you of being there. I had concluded that if I'd attended I would have been in Gryffindor House, where the brave and heroic dwell. I'm such a fool though, running around the town and getting into trouble. Thought I'm better than others and become too conceited of my inner born abilities."
Harriet sobbed louder as she wrapped her arms around herself even tighter.
"I'm such a brat. Merlin! I am always running into danger as if I'm invincible. Endangering others and myself. Thoughtless spoilt brat, that's what I am!"
Ginny could not let her friend delve into deeper depression so she intervened as best as she could.
"Harriet, stop it at once! You can stay and continue your self-pity or do something to about it. The past is the past, no use crying over a spilt potion; even through you may be all that you've said, you are young and allowed to make mistakes. It was expected of you to rebel against Albus' authority when he locked you within the house."
She smiled gently at the gaping face,
"You didn't make the same mistake as I did, did you?"
Harriet asked, her voice remaining unconvinced of the argument. Ginny only replied sadly,
"I'm different Harriet, but if it is any comfort to you, I did once, before the war."
"Now let us get back to the important question, what are we going to do now?"
Harriet stared at her blankly, it had always been Harriet in command, but now she was too emotional to contribute anything useful to their discussion.
"We certainly can't stay here, everyone thinks you're dead and things would worsen if anyone sees you now. We need to get Albus back, but first we need shelter and must think of our move."
Harriet nodded silently, as she considered Neville and then questioned,
"Is Neville alright? I'm such as bad sister. Gosh! He is injured…"
"He is alright but needs some rest. That is what he's doing at the moment. I put him to sleep with dreamless potion."
"Thank you, Ginny. I don't know what I was thinking when I shook him."
"You're hurt, it is understandable. Neville is too. He's just glad to see you!"
"Nym…"
Harriet echoed, while crying again,
"Gosh! Nym, she died for me. I feel like a murderer."
"Nym is anything but foolish like you, she is strong and it was her choice. She wouldn't want you to berate yourself like this. We don't have the time to mourn for her now. I'm sure Albus thought of all situations; he must have left instructions in case of an emergency. He would have some guidance for us."
Ginny suggested after a long thought over the problem.
"Well if he did, he certainly did not tell me."
Harriet was surprised that Albus would have thought that there would be situations such as this arising.
"Did he say anything about leaving you anything if he's not here?"
"Hmm, well, I believed he did once say when he died he wanted me to have his favourite telescope, the one he always used to look up in the sky at night. Oh yeah, he said, "Once I leave this world, I want you to have this telescope Harriet. It had been given to me when I first attended Hogwarts by my father, who loved the Heavens as I do. I hope when you look to the stars, you will find your earthly due.""
"Isn't it rather strange that Albus said that, finding your earthly due in the stars?" Ginny asked,
"I never thought about it, I just assumed he meant that if I set lofty enough goals for myself, I would have a successful life. You know how he is, always speaking in riddles. He knew I never cared as much about the stars as he does, so it doesn't mean as literally as it sounds."
Harriet shrugged her shoulders as a flare suddenly lit up in her eyes,
"Thanks Ginny!"
Harriet exclaimed, as she jumped up and quickly pecked Ginny on her left cheek before running out of the room.
"What?" Ginny asked, stunned and confused, as she followed Harriet.
Harriet rushed into Albus' room to take out his telescope and swiftly she removed the metal ring of the base of its outer cylinder. The mirror dropped out first before she extracted a piece of rolled papers. Harriet quickly muttered an enlargement spell to reverse the stack of documents back to their original size.
Surprisingly the documents became a small file of papers with two sets of letters on it. Harriet looked at the letters, one said 'To my beloved Harriet: Only upon my death, can you read this.' She quivered in anticipation of the worst, as she tore open the envelope. It did not budge.
'Thank you.'
She now knew with certainty that Albus was still alive somewhere.
She glanced at the second letter, on which was inscribed,
'To my beloved Harriet: Only open in case I'm not there and you are in need of assistance.'
This time she was able to open the letter, which read,
Dearest Harriet,
I write this letter in case there is an emergency and I'm not there to help you. If you find this letter then you would also have found my will. You will be unable to read the accompanying letter unless I die, so if you can't, it of course means that I have not yet crossed that boundary. The file of papers is a journal of my lifetime works, containing spells and knowledge I've been collecting and learned over the years. I hope it helps you to overcome whatever difficulty you are facing right now.
Inside this envelope, there is also a map that will take you to where you may find the help that you require. You may trust these people; they are called the Order of Phoenix. There is much I wish to tell you but it is best I keep this short.
If Ginny and Tonks are with you then they will explain and answer any questions you have regarding the Order. Take Neville and everyone with you on your journey. Please take care and remember always that I love you.
Your beloved grandpa,
Albus Dumbledore
"The Order of Phoenix?"
She turned enquiringly to Ginny who was reading the letter behind her back.
"Where do I start?"
"How about from the beginning?"
"I'm not sure, but this is all I know about the Order since I'm too young to join…"
"Nym, she is a member too." noted Harriet.
Ginny nodded, but was distracted. She was itching to take the map out because for the first time since she had lived here she knew where her family was hidden. Harriet took out the map and showed it to Ginny, who did not blink once her eyes settled upon the crinkled parchment.
"The Road to Nowhere?"
Harriet eyed the chart and ashened upon seeing the bright red written words that Ginny had spoken aloud. Where would this journey take them?
Only the future would tell.
T.B.C.
