Chapter 17: Solving the Clue

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the below characters. They all belong to the world of Harry Potter so cleverly created by JK Rowling. Actually, I do technically own Corvus Black and Hermione's Prophecy.

A/N: Hey yall, I just wanted to quickly apologize for my long absence. For some reason I thought I would be able to keep up with school, work on fixing up my grandma's house, and keep up with this story and my other story. I'm not quite sure what I was thinking. Anyway, school is now out for the summer for me, so I am going to do my best to stay on top of this story and update regularly. I am going to Massachusetts next week to visit my grandma because she isn't doing so great and I haven't seen her since March when she moved, so anyway, I don't know if I'll be able to update next week, but I'll still try.

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Just as Hermione had predicted, Ron was not particularly thrilled that he had been left out at first, but to his credit, he had been much more understanding than she had expected. He had been

slightly annoyed with Harry for pulling the disappearing act the previous day though because, in his exact words "Mum was even more unbearable than ever." He had been just as shocked and filled

with wonder as Harry and Hermione had been upon discovering the news. At first he had just sat in silence for a few minutes before suddenly exclaiming, "Bloody hell! That means your my distant

cousin!"

Harry and Hermione stared at him for a second before bursting out laughing. When he stared at them in confusion Harry simply explained that it was great to have him there because he always knew

how to lighten the mood and Hermione merely smiled and nodded in agreement. Although Ron still wasn't entirely sure what was going on, he joined in the laughter just happy to be back with his

friends. As their laughter began to subside all three had flashbacks to a similar incident in fifth year when Hermione had declared that Ron had the emotional range of a teaspoon. However, just like

then, the moment passed and the seriousness of the situation settled in.

The three friends spent the rest of their day discussing what their next course of action should be. Ultimately, at the end of the day they all drew blanks. The only useful idea had come from Ron, who

after hours of hitting dead ends suggested they write down all the potential people that her father might have trusted. Hermione had of course been thoroughly annoyed at herself for not thinking of

that right away, but ultimately, it wasn't much help. The list had been extremely short and none of the names on it matched the clue her father had left. That was how things remained for the

next couple weeks. It seemed like every time they came close to making a discovery they hit another dead end.

Adding to the pressure was the need to begin the horocrux search, and the wedding that was fast approaching which meant the time for Harry to leave his aunt and uncle's was also fast approaching.

Ron had owled Harry and Hermione four days prior to them arriving to inform them that his mum had blown a gasket when he informed her of their plans, so they would have to find a new place to

stay if they decided to go through with it. He of course, had been purposely vague, but Harry and Hermione understood what he was saying. He had also added he would still stand behind Harry no

matter what he decided. Harry and Hermione spent the next day tossing around ideas before Hermione approached Harry with a plan she had been forming in her mind.

"Harry, I understand why you don't want to return to school, but I have an idea. What if we talked to Professor McGonagall and tried to see if she would allow us special privileges?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked in confusion.

"Well, she mostly knows the situation, what if we managed to convince her to allow us to continue our search from within the school? We could set up a connection between the school and

Grimmuald Place. I know you don't particularly want to return to either of those places, but I honestly believe that is our best bet. We would have more resources available to us from within the

school, especially with the library and if we needed somewhere private there is always the Room of Requirement. And Grimmuald Place would give us a place to store anything we might find that we

don't want getting into the wrong hands."

Harry stared at Hermione for a minute before he answered. She had hit on several key points, but he still wasn't thrilled about returning to Hogwarts or to Grimmuald Place. Finally he sighed, "We'll

wait to talk to McGonagall before we make our decision, but you're right. If we can get her to agree to that, then that is probably our best bet."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully before adding "Though we should probably try to talk to her before we leave fore the Burrow. I have a feeling our stay will be a whole lot more bearable if we can tell

Mrs. Weasley we'll be returning to school after all."

Getting a private audience with their professor had been a whole lot easier than either of them expected. Early the next evening the new Hogwarts Headmistress had shown up at the Dursley

residence and collected the two teenagers to bring them back to her private, secure quarters at the school.

As the two teens attempted to plead their case to their professor without revealing more information than necessary, her expression was unreadable. As they finished the speech they had prepared

earlier in the day, the room fell silent. Harry and Hermione could tell that the headmistress was in deep thought about what they just said, however her face gave no indication as to what her answer

might be. As they sat and waited, the two teens held their breath knowing that this was by far the best option they had at the moment. Finally, after what seemed like forever Professor McGonagall

opened her mouth to speak, however it was not her voice that came out.

"It would appear Mr. Potter and Miss Granger have put a great deal of thought into this and I must say I do agree with them." The two teenagers jumped and Professor McGonagall turned sharply at

the sound of the familiar voice. As McGonagall turned and moved to the side slightly, Harry and Hermione caught sight for the first time of the portrait of their former headmaster and the source of

the voice.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Harry and Hermione asked cautiously.

"It is good to see you two again. I don't get to see many people these days," Dumbledore said lightly, his blue eyes twinkling just as they had in life. The sight and sound of their deceased headmaster

caught the teens completely off guard and both forgot entirely why they had come in the first place. Professor McGonagall meanwhile watched sympathetically, allowing her students to have a few

moments to let the shock sink in. The first time she had seen the portrait she had been just as startled, in fact she was still adjusting to it. Sometimes, like earlier, he would remain so quiet that she

would forget he was there and then suddenly speak up with and opinion or just a random statement (just as he had in life, his portrait would have an eccentric moment every now and then). The

first time he had done that she had knocked over her jar of ink all over her paper and desk. Now, she didn't jump quite so badly, but like earlier, she would still jerk when he did it. She supposed it

was something she would just have to get used to.

Life must go on however, and McGonagall realized that it would take all night if she waited for Harry and Hermione to speak again so, after giving them a few moments, she drew their attention back

to the reason for their visit. "I don't like that you still won't tell me everything, however I do understand a bit better now why, and I will not push you. Although the situation isn't ideal, we will figure

something out and make it work. I already know that many students will not be returning next year, however I believe that if you return, it may give a few the courage to return. I realize that as

wrong is it may be, the greater population of the wizarding world has placed all of their hopes in a wizard not even of age yet, so if Hogwarts can shield you a little bit and offer you a safe place, then I

will do whatever is in my power to help you."

After a few more minutes of discussion it was decided that Professor McGonagall would get back in touch with them shortly before the start of term to let them know what the exact arrangements

would be. In the meantime, it was decided that Harry would return to Grimmuald Place immediately following the wedding since his birthday was two days later, and remain their until the start of

term.

The next morning, Harry sent Hedwig to Ron with a letter informing him there had been new developments and he could tell his mom not to worry and he had instructed Hedwig to stay with Ron

until they met up again. Harry and Hermione spent the majority of the day packing. Around midday, Moody informed Harry that the wards on Grimmuald place had been updated to allow only Harry,

Hermione, Ron, Remus, and Professor McGonagall to enter. If anyone else attempted to gain access without first receiving permission, they would become trapped and an alarm would go off alerting

the teens and the Order.

The next morning the house was empty as Harry and Hermione made one final check of Harry's room to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything. It was decided that the safest thing to do would

be to floo directly to the burrow. They arrived at the burrow and were greeted with a flurry of activity. It didn't take long for Harry and Hermione to get swept up into the wedding preparations, and

for the first time since they had left school, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were able to forget that they were in the midst of fighting a war, and that they were at the very front of it. It was finally just

after dinner that the trio was able to slip away for a little bit to discuss their plans. Harry and Hermione began to fill Ron in and what they had discussed with McGonagall. Ron seemed relieved but

before they had a chance to talk about it anymore, they were once again pulled into tasks. The next day passed in much the same way, so by the next morning, the trio was exhausted. They didn't

have time to relax however because it was the day of the wedding and guests were arriving. Soon enough though, it was time for the ceremony to begin and then vows were being exchanged and

then as quickly as it began it was over and Mrs. Weasley was crying. As the reception started, the trio wandered around saying "hi" to people they recognized and catching up with classmates. They

ran into Luna, who Harry noted Ron seemed suddenly awkward around. After talking for a while, they were finally able to break free and sit down and talk for a while.

It was while they were eating that Ron suddenly commented, "Oh wow, I didn't expect to see her here." Seeing Harry and Hermione's questioning looks, Ron pointed out a woman sitting with Tonks.

"That's Andromeda, Tonk's mum. She's also Bellatrix and Narcisssa's middle sister, but she's nothing like them, she was kind of shunned by them. Mum said she was in hiding for a while, during the

first war because she didn't believe all that pureblood crap, kind of like Sirius and..." but Ron trailed off seeing the look on Hermione's face. "Sorry," he apologized quickly realizing what he had just

been about to say out loud. "I wasn't thinking," he added noticing that her expression wasn't changing.

"No," said suddenly, brushing off his apology. "That's it," she said excitedly. Seeing Harry and Ron's puzzled expressions she looked around to make sure no one was listening before leaning in and

whispering, "The next one you are looking for was born in the middle but did not fit in and lived as an outcast. Find the one who broke the mold and you will find your next clue." She sat back and

watched as the magnitude of what she had just said dawned on the boy's faces. "I have to talk to her but it can't be here. After the wedding I'll ask Remus to bring her to the house." They both

nodded, and Harry opened his mouth to speak, but at that moment Luna walked up, effectively ending the conversation.

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