Visitor 54

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''Ouch, Ron, careful!''

The bright glowing tip of a wand swayed back and forth when Ron tripped and bumped into Harry, who was walking in front of him in the narrow tunnel that led to Hogwarts. They had arrived in Hogsmeade a while ago, and had waited for their chance to sneak into Honeydukes. Harry's stomach had grumbled when seeing all the candy that he couldn't buy right now. The jars filled with fizzing chocolate, cauldron cakes, coffee toffee that made you jump around for hours with energy... Anyways, Harry shook his head to get his thoughts off the mouth-watering goods in the shop. He had more important things to think about, like avoiding Ron's toes that kept tripping over his heels.

''I'm trying!'' Ron hissed back. ''But it's not exactly my fault that our backpacks are so full that the invisibility cloak doesn't fit in anymore and I now have to carry it like this. This stuff is so slippery that it just keeps falling out of my hands. How do you deal with this thing when you're not wearing it? Also, why did we even stock back up on food in the last village? We could just go to the kitchens!''

''Precautions,'' Shay said. ''The less trips you have through the castle the better, and as far as I understood it, the house-elves here are loyal to the Headmistress right? They would definitely tell on you if you were to be seen! For me it's not that much of a problem as they don't know me, but you are both highly wanted by the Order.''

''How come you know so much for a Muggle?'' Ron asked, sounding slightly annoyed.

Shay replied with a sharp jab to his spine and said: ''How come you know so little for a wizard?''

Ron grumbled, and Harry tried to block their bickering out to focus on where he was walking. The light illuminated treacherous stalactites hanging from the ceiling, and he ducked, warning the others about those too. Finally, not a moment too soon, the trapdoor came into view that signified the end of their trek. Harry took off his backpack and rummaged through it, pulling the Marauders map out and studying it carefully under the light of his wand.

''Alright, most teachers, including McGonagall, are in their respective classrooms right now. Only professor Sinistra is in her office, and Snape is in one of the potion labs. Let's see... Not many students about either. Not very surprising. I mean, it's morning and most people have class. Sadly a couple seems to be snogging right in front of the Room of Requirement at the moment, so we can either sneak towards there and wait till they're done or search a different place to set up our base.''

''I recommend against suddenly changing the plan,'' Ron stated thoughtfully. ''We'd better wait it out. There aren't many other places where we can hide as easily without anyone finding out. I'd rather not go to the Chamber of Secrets. We never figured out a way to get out of there anyway, right Harry? last time Fawkes flew us, but I doubt you can just call him there again.''

''No,'' Harry said, slightly distracted by all the dots on the map. ''And you're right. While Fawkes is on our side, I can't call him out of nowhere. It was Dumbledore who sent him last time to help me, remember? Actually have you to thank for that right?''

''Well, it's still all a bit hazy,'' Ron admitted. ''I only got the memory back after the Dark Lord broke through Dumbledore's memory locks, and it still doesn't really feel like my own memory, more like something from a dreams after waking up. But yeah, I guess it was me who convinced him to help you instead of leaving you there 'to strengthen you'.''

Harry grumbled at the thought of the memory that he'd seen in Ron's head at the time. The proof that Dumbledore hadn't cared all along. ''Yeah... Also, I'm actually surprised that during all his time here, Marvolo didn't once go down to the Chamber of Secrets himself. I had expected him to... though who knows, maybe he went there when I had class. Our link wasn't that developed back then as it is now. It was very difficult to pick up his thoughts.''

''I still find it crazy that you can look inside his head,'' Ron said, a slightly awed tone in his voice. ''It's mental.''

''Also incredibly useful. And reassuring too,'' Harry said, and looked down at the map again. ''Oh, the couple moved along already. Damn, now Binns is floating down that corridor. What the hell is Binns doing, moving about? I thought he was only ever in his office or classroom. It's not as if he has guarding shifts.''

Ron snorted. ''Maybe he came from another one of Nearly headless Nick's parties? Now we aren't there to stand up for him anymore, he needs the help of other Hogwarts ghosts perhaps?'' Harry could already see it in his head: Binns lecturing the members of the Headless Hunt in favour of Nick joining them. Maybe the ghosts would be so bored by Binns that they would even accept this time.

''I doubt that he knows anything going on in the castle though,'' Harry remarked. ''So even if he'd miraculously see us, we should be fine. Let's go!'' With that, he opened the trap door and climbed out of stone hump on the statue of the one-eyed witch. Despite the map showing that no-one was near them, Harry still scouted for enemies, something that had become an automatism that stemmed from his experience on the battlefield. ''Coast clear,'' he muttered, and the waited for the others to climb out of the hidden passageway as well. Silently, the hump closed again, not even a seam left to show what was hidden under it. Harry really wondered how his father and the others had ever found it. Had they tried using revelation spells on every statue and wall in the castle? It would seem so, because the few hidden rooms that Harry knew that weren't on the Marauders map -the Chamber of Secrets and the Room of requirement- could not be found by those spells.

Harry checked the Disillusionment charms that he had cast on Shay before entering Hogsmeade. To his pride, they were strong enough to not have wavered by now. With slight difficulty, Ron struggled to throw the cloak over himself and Harry, checking to see if no parts of them were left uncovered.

Using a many shortcuts as possible, they ended up in front of the Room of Requirements rather quickly, though slightly short of breath from all the climbing of stairs. Well, Harry and Ron were, Shay was used to a bit more than this. Harry demonstrated how to get into the room, which turned into a rather comfortable round space that held similarities to the Gryffindor common room. Shay walked around in wonder. ''And you said this can turn into anything?'' she asked with a disbelieving tone.

''Anything you need,'' Harry stated. ''And the best thing is that hardly anyone knows about this thing. I learnt about it from a house-elf who works here and told my friends, but apart from them I don't think there is anyone else in the castle who has a clue. It is hard to find after all, and the best part is that other people cannot enter while it is in use, if they don't know the specific room it has already turned into and ask for that. But now, sorry to say it but I'm going to need to throw you out again. Ron and I want to go find Hermione first and foremost, but I'd like you to track down everyone else who belongs to the Dark circles and find out what they're doing. Eyolf, Sameer, Malfoy... oh, and that new Herbology teacher... of whom I forgot the name again. You can probably ask the others.''

''Will do. When do you want me to return?''

''Be here again before six in the evening. I want to use the evening to make plans for tomorrow. It's also probably better for you to avoid everyone rushing to the Great Hall for dinner. Sorry I can't give you the cloak though, we need it to find out the Gryffindor password and sneak into the tower.''

''As long as your current spells hold it will be okay, and otherwise I can ask one our spies to renew them. And of course, don't underestimate my own abilities! Well then, see you here at six.'' And just like that, she was gone. It was almost as if she had Tonks' metamophmagus abilities that they had seen during the raid at Grimmauld place, where the woman had changed her skin to look like a brick wall. A simple Disillusionment charm like this couldn't make a person disappear this well... Once more, Harry was grateful that Marvolo had hired her. Many people would have simply dismissed her as being capable just because she was a Muggle.

''So, what's the plan now?'' Harry said. It's only ten o clock in the morning...''

Ron pulled a very filthy-looking piece of parchment out of his bag. On a second look, Harry saw that it wasn't exactly filthy, just covered in doodles and ink splotches. ''Our timetable,'' Ron explained. ''We need to know when Hermione is where right? I thought it would be easier than having to search the map during every break, especially with Hermione's insanely full schedule. Here we can at least check the classes that we had in common with her, and I know that Arithmacy is at the same time as Divination. Not sure about her other courses though.''

''Sometimes, you are really a genius,'' Harrry remarked, and together they looked at the timetable. ''So now she'd have... History of Magic, right?''

''Yeah, and after that Potions.''

''Not very handy. While Snape should be on our side, I still don't trust him, plus we'd have to walk through the whole castle to go there, and she will definitely not come back up to Gryffindor tower in between those lessons. Hmm, then comes lunch, so also on the ground floor, and after that Divination...or at least, we had an hour Divination. Can you remember what Hermione had during that time? Was it Arithmacy or...?''

''Not entirely sure,'' Ron hesitated. ''I think she actually might have Runes then. But at least that would mean she'd be at the sixth floor, which isn't very far from here. Yeah, one hour, and then after is double Defense against the Dark Arts see?.''

''She might go to Gryffindor tower before her class as it's not so far. Surely she needs to switch books or look something up.'' Harry mused, biting on one of his fingernails. ''So maybe we should just wait in front of the portrait and hope she'll go there. Otherwise we'll have to wait till the evening. I don't know where the Ancient Runes classroom is, and Defense is on the third floor. Not wise to go all the way down there again.''

And so they waited, playing some more exploding snap until it was finally nearing the time that Hermione's class before Runes would end. With crossed fingers, they went to the corridor in front of Gryffindor tower. The fat Lady's friend Violet was visiting her again, having brought more alcohol. Harry had no doubt that she must have stolen it from other portraits, as he couldn't imagine it having so much of it been painted into her own, wherever that may be. A second later he remembered that the portrait had actually hung in the room behind the Great Hall, in which he'd been once when he'd been announced a Triwizard Champion.

An elbow in his side made him double over, and he gave Ron an angry look, but his friend wasn't looking at him anymore, instead having one of the most elated expressions on his face that Harry had seen on him since ages. Or well, at least about something other than Quidditch matches for a change. There was no need to follow Ron's line of vision to know that his friend had just spotted Hermione. He didn't even have the chance to do so, because Ron was moving already, and Harry had to struggle to keep the invisibility cloak in place. Ron seemed to have forgotten they even had the cloak on, because he nearly leapt forward and grabbed Hermione's shoulder to spin her around.

Harry had to commend Hermione for her fast reaction. She didn't yelp, she didn't try to hit whatever invisible being was trying to grab her, and she even pretended as if she'd turned around on her own volition and walked to the opposite wall, knelt down and started rummaging around in her bag. Her reaction after, however, wasn't really what they had expected.

''Rita?'' she whispered. ''Why are you here?''

Harry and Ron gave each other a confused look. Rita? Rita Skeeter? They knew that Skeeter and Hermione had been working together, but Harry thought that Rita was now busy writing a slander-book about Dumbledore,and not hanging around Hogwarts often enough for Hermione to instantly suspect them being the shady journalist. Harry shuddered when he thought of the woman, and all the shit she had written about him - and Hermione- last year. He didn't know if there was a person on this earth he currently disliked more. Both Dudley and Draco had beaten Skeeter before on his hate-list, but both of those were at least civil now. Well, his uncle and aunt probably still ranked higher, now he thought of it.

Without saying a word, they nudged Hermione away from the tower and into a half-hidden spot where a corner was blocked by a statue. Impatiently, Ron pulled off the cloak and came face to face with Hermione before Harry had a chance to warn her. She did let out a surprised yelp this time, and covered her mouth immediately after.

''R...Ron!''

''Hey Mione,'' the boy said, rather sheepishly. ''Erhm, not just me, Harry is here too.''

''But... but what... what are you two doing here? Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? What if you'll e seen? What if McGonagall captures you... does the Dark Lord know about this?''

''Hey, no worries,'' Ron said, smiling and putting his hands on her shoulders. ''Everything is okay, really. We just wanted to let you know that we're here. we'll be in the Room of Requirements. Just think ''I'll need a room where Harry and Ron are, that should do the trick. Otherwise, use the same as ours: ''I need a comfortable room to hide', got it?''

''Y...yes. I... wow, it's so good to see you two again! But I have class now-''

''We know, you should probably hurry. We'll be waiting for you though. Come as soon as you can. Oh, and if possible, smuggle some food with you? We did stock up but I'm not sure how long it will last, and we planned to stay for a while.''

''I'll try,'' she said, still looking shocked as she quickly walked away.

Harry breathed out in relief when they finally were covered by the cloak again. ''That was risky Ron!'' he said. ''What if anyone would have seen us, or if Hermione's reaction would have been different?''

Ron gave him a sheepish look. ''Sorry mate, it just... just came over me. I've been wanting to see her so badly ever since I left Hogwarts..''

''I understand, but try to be a bit more subtle next time?''

In silence, they walked back to the Room of Requirement, and they killed their time inside by playing games again. They even found some more, including a chess set, in a closet standing in the back of the room. The room really seemed to know what a comfortable hiding place was supposed to be like. Only a shame that food couldn't be provided. As Harry voiced his opinion about that though, Ron suddenly asked: ''But can't you call Dobby? I mean, he works in the kitchens right? Can't he provide us with food?''

''I don't know,'' Harry said, hesitating. ''Whenever we went to meet him last year we went down into the kitchens, and the few times he actually came to us was because of his own choice. Never tried calling him... Aren't house-elves only supposed to listen to their masters? In this case, McGonagall?''

''True,'' Ron sighed. Well, you want to eat something from what we bought before?''

Harry nodded, and while they ate, Ron asked him more about the Chudley Cannons, the team formations he'd come up with, strengths and weaknesses of the new players, and how they dealt with Harry being their Captain. It made the time go a lot faster, and hours later, the door finally appeared again, allowing Hermione to enter. Harry also wondered what was taking Shay so long, making a note that he would maybe have to go search for her if she didn't return after getting Hermione up to speed. It was five 'o clock already, only one hour more before her deadline. he'd actually expected her to show up faster again.

''Hey,'' the girl said, smiling wholeheartedly, hugging both of her friends. ''That's been... quite some time. But first of all, why are you here? Did something happen?''

''No... to be honest, I was getting incredibly bored,'' Harry said, shrugging shoulder. ''And we hadn't had contact with you for so long, I thought it would be nice to come visit you. Besides that, it was a convenient time to also check up on all our spies in the castle. Reports have been incomplete, scarce and heavily decrypted because of the post checking. So, lots more to do here than at home. The next Quidditch match I have is in a couple of weeks, Marvolo is pretty busy, and I pulled back out of politics. Sirius also doesn't really have time, Remus is with the werewolves...''

''You pulled back out of politics?'' Hermione frowned, while sitting down on the sofa next to Ron. ''After everything you already did? You speaking for the Dark, the battles, killing Dumbledore... and you go on to play Quidditch? I congrtulate you on becoming Captain, it was the talk of the castle for a while, but you could do so much good Harry! And at least finish your education if you aren't going to get involved with the war anymore.''

He should have known that this would be coming. Hermione never liked it when someone ran away from any responsibilities. ''Look,'' he said. ''From the very start, Marvolo told me that I could get out any time I wanted. I've been hunted down ever since I was a baby. First by Marvolo, then by the Dursleys, Marvolo again, spiders, giant basilisk, werewolf, Dumbledore... I wanted to create change, and I did. Yes, I fought in the war, yes, I killed Dumbledore. But there has to come an end to everything. Why does everyone expect me that because I did 'heroic' things before, that means I have to keep throwing myself into life-threatening situations or be a moral guiding point for the rest of the Wizarding world? I got Sirius into power as the Minister of Magic, and that was my final large political deed. You know I'm not cut out to sit in office Hermione, and I really don't want to risk my neck again by becoming an Auror or something either right now. I've had it for now. Don't you think I deserve a break too? I want to fly, I've always just wanted to fly and play Quidditch, do what I'm really good at and have fun doing it.''

Hermione looked down on her hands that were lying in her lap. ''I'm sorry,'' she muttered. ''I... I didn't realise you'd put so much thought into it. You're right, you did already much more than anyone should have expected of you... I'm surprised the Dark Lord was so easy about it though. He really told you from the start?''

''I thought I mentioned that a couple of times before when he was here at Hogwarts,'' Harry grumbled. ''Yes, really, he told me to pursue my dreams. Him telling me I didn't have to partake in the war and could just quit was the main reason why I started trusting him in the first place and got together with him so quickly. I was so thankful that finally someone told me that I could choose on my own without consequences. I must admit that I may have acted a bit hastily after that,'' he grinned.

''How is everything going between you and the Dark Lord?'' Even though she asked the question with a neutral tone, Harry could hear that she more asked out of politeness and friendship than that she really wanted any details on his romance with Marvolo. Nonetheless, he smiled enthusiastically at the question and waved his hand in front of her face.

''Engaged,'' he declared proudly.

The squeal that escaped Hermione's mouth definitely wasn't out of politeness, for which he was glad. She pressed her hands to her mouth, eyes wide.

''Oh my god, Harry, I'm so happy or you! Congratulations! Since when?''

''A few months ago, actually. Even before we got Ron out of Hogwarts. Mid-December to be precise. I didn't want to write it in a letter, even though security wasn't that high yet then. So.. you're fine with it? I mean, I know you don't like him that much.''

''The most important thing is that you like him,'' she said. ''To me, he's a bit of a far-away character to be honest. I try to be loyal to him, he gave me orders and I executed those... Even though he was in the castle for a while as Thanos, we only knew that it was him after a while, and well... even when meeting him in his disguise after that it was hard to see him as the Dark Lord in that form. He also left the castle pretty soon after, with you.''

''Yeah, had the same problem for a while,'' Ron said. ''But I've seen him more in his real form now than in his disguise, and he's far more okay than I would ever have thought. He really likes playing chess with me. Apparently Harry is crap at it.''

Hermione laughed at that, maybe picturing Marvolo and Ron playing chess with Harry sulking at the side. ''I know that you're good at it, but to be honest I didn't think you'd hold up against the Dark Lord,'' she admitted. ''How come that you had so much contact with him? Weren't you planning on helping the Twins?''

''That was the original plan, yeah, and I also did that, but then Harry suggested to the Dark Lord that I was a good strategist. I had my first game of chess with him, and he decided to promote me. I really was surprised, but it's been great working on war plans, and I came up with the main strategies regarding the London Siege.''

''I thoughts it was called' the Battle of London','' Harry remarked. ''That's what I always call it anyways.''

''But siege sounds so much better!'' Ron threw in. ''We were victorious so it's only fitting. Anways, I got to explain to the troops who had to be stationed where, what defenses had to be put into place, determine the most important points to hold etcetera. I really found my calling, I think. While it's great that we won the war, I have to admit that I miss doing all that. I've still been working on other strategies, but mainly regarding political decisions, how to approach the press on matters and such.''

Hermione looked impressed. ''I had no idea. It's great that you found a way to use all your strengths.''

''Enough about us for now though,'' Harry said. No matter how much he liked to talk about Marvolo or the war, he had burning questions for Hermione. ''What is with you? How are you holding up? I really wondered if none of the teachers suspected you having something to do with Ron's disappearance, or if you stayed loyal to me when I ' turned my back on the Light'. Also, what's the deal with Skeeter being here?''

''Whoa, first things first,'' Hermione said, throwing up her hands. ''I'm doing fine, thanks. I can fully concentrate on my studies again, and I hope to get a perfect score in the next round of exams... Because of the war and everything going on, I only got an E in several courses...'' Her face twisted in a grimace as she recalled what was undoubtedly her worst memory. Harry was briefly reminded of the fact that her Boggart in third year had shown McGonagall telling Hermione she'd failed Transfiguration. ''So yes, I'm doing well now. The teacher haven't really suspected anything. Even when Dumbledore was still here, he probably thought that his spells on me were still in place, as I didn't go with Ron. I never changed my behaviour, and though some of the teachers kept a closer eye on me for a while, there weren't any problems.''

''And Skeeter?'' Ron pressed. An expression of discomfort crossed the girl's face.

''Uhm, well, that's a bit more... complicated. You know we worked together right?''

''Yeah, that was fantastic work,'' Ron praised her. ''Because of you getting the goblins to our side, we could use Gringotts during the London siege.''

''Still thinks battle sounds better,'' Harry grumbled.

''Unimportant right now Harry,'' Ron said, rolling his eyes. ''Skeeter?''

Hermione looked as if she would have happily kept discussing what name was more fitting for the battle that had officially been the end of the inner conflict in Britain. ''Alright,'' he finally sighed, seeing their expectant looks. ''After we worked together, she kind of... stayed, I suppose. I'm still not really sure what to think of her. She hangs around, I ignore her, we get into fights... but it's somehow still nice to have her around at times.''

''Nice?'' Ron choked. ''Skeeter, nice? Hermione, have you forgotten about everything she's done? She first painted Harry as some tragic hero, and when he ignored her, made him look like he was insane and dangerous, completely destroying his credibility in the public eye. She nearly got Hagrid fired again when she reveled his back story... Hell, look at what she did to you! Don't you remember that article about you breaking hearts, which even caused you physical harm from that hate letter with Bubotuber-puss inside it? Ten minutes before our History of Magic exam, you went to the library just to figure out a way to destroy Skeeter at the end of fourth year. Before an exam, just to get your revenge on her! And now you like having her around?''

''I...I..'' Hermione stuttered, at a loss for words. ''I don't know!'' As she looked near to tears, Harry got up and crouched down in front of her.

''Hey, Mione.'' he said calmly, taking her hands. ''It's alright, calm down.''

Hermione sniffled and took a few breaths before she could speak again. ''I'm sorry. I know she did horrible things. But with you and Ron gone... You know I don't have any other friends here. Sure, I can talk with Ginny, but that's about it and she has friends from her own year as well. Rita was at least someone to talk to, someone who recognised my efforts and worked together to reach my goals, no matter how unrealistic she thought those were. She was here. Besides, it's not as if we haven't been busy forgiving enemies, right? Harry, you even forgave the Dark Lord for everything he did to you and to others. I could argue that he did quite a lot worse to Hagrid than write a sensational article.''

''Hey, I didn't say anything against Skeeter,'' Harry replied, furrowing his brow at her words. ''I do hate her, to be honest, but I know that there are more sides to people. I've only ever seen her when she was working, trying to get the juiciest pieces as possible. I don't know how she is in private.''

Hermione didn't answer, only sighing deeply and staring at her hands again. Harry and Ron shared a concerned look. At long last, Ron carefully moved an arm so he could sling it over their friend's shoulder, pulling her against him. ''hey, it's alright,'' he muttered. ''I'm sorry for going off on you about Skeeter. And I'm really very sorry about not being here.''

''I know you had to leave,'' Hermione whispered. ''But you can't come back expecting everything to have stayed exactly the same. I got used to having you two around me, friends to rely on, despite all our stupid fights in the past years. In third year, when you didn't speak to me anymore after you thought that Crookshanks had eaten Scabbers, I thought that was the loneliest I could feel. But back then, at least you were still around.'' She buried her face in Ron's shoulder. ''I missed you,'' she admitted, and Harry finally let go of Hermione's hands and sat back in his armchair, a bit uncomfortable to be here when it seemed such a private moment all of a sudden.

''I missed you too,'' Ron murmured into Hermione's hair, taking her now free hands in his. Harry got up and wandered through the room in search for something useful to do, like light candles or throw away trash or something. In the end he settled on very slowly taking out some more snacks for Hermione to eat so she'd maybe calm down a bit more. If chocolate was good against Dementors, it also had to be good for other uncomfortable situations right?

Ron and Hermione were talking softly to each other now, and Harry got the urge to just go and check up on Shay, or Hagrid, or do literally anything else than watching his friends bond in this way. Sadly, he knew that it was not a smart idea to go out on his own right now, especially not as it was evening and people didn't have class anymore. There would be too many students and teachers in the corridors to know for certain he could avoid them all, even with the cloak and map. He'd just have to get through the awkwardness.

Harry froze when he turned around, already having opened his mouth to ask Hermione if she actually wanted chocolate, only to see Ron and Hermione kissing. Okay, so now he knew how it felt to others whenever he and Marvolo showed off. Maybe he should try to do that less. It wasn't even much, just a slight brushing of lips against each other, but it was much more than Harry had ever wanted to see.

''Soooo...'' he said when they finally broke apart, both completely red, Hermione with slightly puffed eyes.

Ron gave him a weak grin. ''I would say I'm sorry for you seeing that, but I walked in on you and the Dark Lord doing much more, so I'm not sorry at all.''

''Yeah, figured,'' Harry replied dryly. ''I'm just surprised at how fast it went actually.''

Hermione became even redder, if possible. ''Me too,'' she whispered, and then groaned, putting her head in her hands. ''I'm a confused mess.'' She looked at Ron with uncertainty, and the boy was also at a loss of what to say. ''Don't get me wrong, I liked it... it felt wonderful. But I'm confused about feelings... I missed you a lot, maybe I was a bit too hurried now.''

''What I said when I left Hogwarts till stands Mione,'' Ron said softly. ''I love you, and I was a fool to not have realised it much sooner. When I was so jealous of you and Krum, I thought that I was just jealous of the attention you got, but I was in fact jealous of that you were with him, and not with me.'' He nibbled his lip, and Harry was certain that he and Hermione were wondering the same at that exact moment: were they really supposed to be surprised by that confession? It had at least seemed very obvious to Harry last year, and he knew that Hermione was also not so thick.

''I need to think about it and sort out my thoughts,'' the girl finally said, resolutely. ''No, please Ron, I need time and space to think. I want to thank you, for coming here and for stating your feelings this time at the start of your visit, not when you are leaving. But things have gotten more complicated since the last time you were here, and I need to think.'' Ron gave her a desperate look, and Hermione leaned forward a bit, hesitating before finally giving him a small peck on the lips again. ''I'll come back tomorrow,'' she whispered. ''At lunchtime. I promise to give you an answer then.''

''I'll hold out until then,'' Ron smiled. ''Thanks for not punching me again.''

''Yeah, sorry for that.. I'll go punch Draco instead.''

''Good idea,'' the boy said, getting a dreamy look. ''One of the most wonderful memories I still have is from when you punched him last time. How is the git? Still bullying first years?''

''Surprisingly, no,'' Hermione answered, frowning slightly. ''Malfoy has been weird ever since Harry went over to the Dark side. When you were still in Hogwarts it wasn't so obvious yet... Or at least I didn't notice, but that could also have been because we were busy. But ever since you were both gone and I had nothing to do, I think I started observing people more, and Malfoy is definitely different. He almost seems afraid.''

''It's probably because he hasn't heard anything from his parents,'' Harry explained. ''Lucius fell out of Marvolo's graces last summer, quite hard, and I don't think that with the war going on, Draco has had many updates of what was happening. But since I left Hogwarts, Lucius has been teaching me and found his way back in the higher ranks through fighting in battles and performing well in dangerous missions. His mother Narcissa also has redeemed the Malfoy family in Marvolo's eyes, so Draco really has nothing to worry about. And even if it's not the Dark Lord that he's afraid of, he might not know whether his parent got away unscathed from the battles. Is the Prophet allowed in Hogwarts? Must be if you knew about me becoming a Quidditch captain right?''

''Only under supervision. Students are not allowed to be subscribed to any magazines and newspapers anymore 'for security', so they have centralised issues of the Prophet in the library, but I can imagine that they are censored. Still think that at least Lucius Malfoy was named a few times, so Draco should know he is alive.''

Harry hummed and decided to take a trip to the library in the days they were hear, to see if the newspapers really were being censored, and if he could do something about that. It certainly didn't help if his generation of magicians was locked into Hogwarts with false news. ''Well, Draco doesn't have to worry much. Some of the other student do though, not everyone survived... I hope to bring most good news however. I brought some letters from parents. Mainly the parents of Slytherin students as Narcissa was the one to spread the word, but also a few others on our side.''

''That's really nice of you Harry,'' Hermione said, smiling brightly

''Ron helped, of course,'' Harry hastily said, and gave Ron a secret thumbs-up when Hermione turned to his friend, hugging the teen again.

''Oh Ron,'' she sighed as she pulled away. ''You really did grow in that short time you were away. Well, I'll leave now... Be sure to be here tomorrow yes?''

''Yeah, lunchtime,'' he breathlessly answered. ''See you Mione.'' The girl gave them both a last hug and waved as she went out of the door. Ron slid down on the couch, face completely red. ''Merlin's balls,'' he finally said. ''That was... wow.''

''Congrats,'' Harry just said, and threw the chocolate at Ron that he hadn't been able to give Hermione. ''Eat up, you look like you just ran through the fires of hell.''

''Might as well have,'' his best friend answered in a serious tone. ''But really. Girls. Last time she slapped me, now she kissed me? Bloody hell.''

''Don't ask me,'' Harry shrugged. I had one weird crush on Cho that never got anywhere, and that awkward 'date' with Parvati at the Yule Ball that also wasn't exactly pleasant. I much prefer guys. Hermione is great, but for a relationship just too complicated if you ask me.''

''You're together with the bloody Dark Lord who apparently struggled with his feelings a lot, and you think Hermione is complicated? I have to admit, I think so too, but I'd rather deal with a hundred girls than the Dark Lord.''

''Good, then we know we certainly aren't rivals in love and will never have any weird love triangles.''

They both grinned, glad to know that, no matter how often they would still have fights, it would at least never have to do with romance.

''What will you do now?'' Ron asked. ''Want to play another game?''

''Yeah, think so. I have to stay here until Shay comes back to report. It would be a waste when she returns and I'm off doing something else. Let's see if the room has any other games to offer? Got a bit tired of exploding snap and chess.''

Ron stretched and then sauntered over to the cupboard with games. ''How about a game of Magical Symbols? Think it's quite new, it was in the Prophet last year. Never played it but the article sounded interesting.''

''Sure,'' Harry answered. Anything was better than just sitting around. He wondered what Marvolo was doing right now and checked through the link. Marvolo had closed it again from his side, which meant he was doing some official business, but Harry kept pushing to be let through. In the end, their minds connected, but he only got a stream of reassuring feelings before it closed again. The teen sighed, hoping he'd be able to speak to his love again when he wasn't busy anymore, and Harry decided to keep trying later.


The cold wind battered the solid stone walls that took up most of the view on the small island the Dark Lord was standing on. The granite tower sent out a threatening message to any who saw it, which admittedly, weren't many people other than the ones who came here to die. Despair crawled over his skin when he closed in on the unyielding rock, the despair of hundreds.

In his hand, the Dark Lord held his bone-white wand, which he rose as he stood in front of the wall. He dragged it over a horizontal stripe that was painted on it, a black crust of old blood, the key to the impenetrable wards of Azkaban. Impenetrable at least, to anyone but an ally of the Dementors. Voldemort threw a passive gaze over his shoulder, looking at the men and women standing there in chains, heads low, spirits already broken. The first Muggles to be contained within this prison, and certainly not the last. Two Death Eaters stood on either side of the row of prisoners, wands out and ready to intervene if any prisoner were to suddenly fight back. It wasn't necessary.

The wall began to move, much like the one in Diagon ally, making way for a small rectangle shape after which darkness started. Only a single person could fit through at once, but right now, the Dark Lord stepped back instead, to make way for the head of the guard, a particularly large Dementor named Krixss'k'cis. Or well, that was the closest he could come as to pronouncing the name. The human vocal range, magically enhanced or not, was not exactly made for the Dementor language, which made him have just as much of a thick accent as when he'd speak Mermish.

''Lord,'' the creature screeched, a rattling breath following the noise.

''New souls,'' he answered. Or new food: the language had few words and most were homonyms seen from the perspective of more developed languages like English, even though the Dementors themselves did not differentiate in the meaning.

The inky black hood moved upwards minimally, presumedly looking at the row of prisoners behind him. Though the creatures were physically blind, souls and emotions burned bright to Dementors. It was one of the reasons why he himself was so unaffected by them: he didn't have much of a soul left anymore. He had been slightly worried about how his association with the Dementors would change during his relationship with Harry and returning emotions. The last time he'd been here was when breaking out some of his followers, and back then his relationship had only just started. Well, he'd have to see. He didn't feel anything more yet than he usually did when in their presence.

A grey-scaled, slimy hand extended from underneath the thin folds of black skin that so many thought were just tattered robes. It gestured for him to come further, and he gave a short electric shock through the chains he held in his left hand. A few surprised and pained outcries sounded, but the row began to move. Krixss'k'cis glided backwards through the opening, and Voldemort followed him. Other Dementors were waiting in the square entrance hall, and they took the chains to guide the prisoners to empty cells. the Muggles, unable to see the creatures, looked with fright to the chain that was now being pulled by empty air.

''Surprised the Lord comes himself,'' Krixss'k'cis spoke, moving to another barren room, where quite a few Dementors had guarded. If they weren't floating around and sucking out emotions or souls for food, they preferred to be packed together like moving, rattling shadows.

''A proposal.'' Voldemort answered, conjuring a wooden armchair and sitting down. ''I promised more food and freedom, I keep my word. You accept Muggles here, I allow Dementors to guard other, Muggle prisons to spread your territory.''

''Muggle souls not so satisfying.''

''You have to share less,'' Voldemort calmly answered. ''One, two Dementors, a full prison. Muggles have far, far more souls.''

The head guard seemed to consider this, pulling his hands under the folds of skin and lowering his head in thought. ''Two per prison,'' he finally said. ''We do not long for loneliness.''

Voldemort made a wide hand gesture to show it was acceptable. ''Every day, choose two Dementors who want to leave, spread terror. I wait in front of Azkaban when sun is gone.'' A pleased hissing sound came from the room. ''I go now, return tomorrow.'' The Dementors swayed back and forth in a farewell gesture, and the Dark Lord mimicked it with his cloak as well as he could before leaving. He nodded towards his Death Eaters who had waited outside, a sign for them to leave.

The prison system really would change a lot, he mused as he looked at the grey waves crashing against the rocky cliffs. It couldn't be helped. The Dementors had given their support, which had been especially useful during the Battle of France, and he couldn't afford to lose them as allies by refusing them rights. Also, he had to admit that as one trained in Necromancy, Dementors were some of the most interesting beings to him. He doubted that Harry would like to have Dementors over for tea though.

Stationing Dementors in Muggle prisons would certainly make him sleep better, and he was certain that most people would agree with it. Magicians had accepted Dementors as prison guards for hundreds of years after all, and it was a general consensus that Muggles were far too weak on their own criminals. It was certainly not uncommon for a Muggle to come out of prison early after an 'increase of positive behaviour ' and fall back into crime a short while later. Some could even get out just by paying money, or having a high position!

An added benefit was that Muggles couldn't see Dementors, and as such wouldn't be very aware of them being stationed as guards either if he hushed the details in the press and made them just look like added security. In time, Muggles would of course find out about the devastating effects the beings would have on the prisoners, but for now he needn't worry.

He apparated in front of the gate to his home and strolled through the gardens, being met with a house-elf at the door who bowed and told him the latest news. The Twins had apparently tried to contact him about their development in the industry of magic-based electricity, and Black was having problems concerning local uproars after the passing of a law that would prohibit the Magic-free zones that some Muggle scum had been trying to get.

He decided to re-contact the Twins right away, and check up on some of his other followers after. He hadn't heard from Yaxley for a while, and even Lucius had been lacking in reports. He sighed deeply. It really seemed as if he was running this country alone after all, surrounded by imbeciles.


''That was great Duddykins!'' his mother squealed , giving him a squishing hug. ''Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you! It must have been so hard for you after everything you went through!'' Dudley cringed a bit, still shocked from the meeting.

A few days ago, the day after he went to his parents again, to be precise, he'd expressed his wish to go with them to the meetings of Britain's first, the anti-magic organisation they were part of. His mother especially had been very enthusiastic about it all, insisting that he should get back at the vile witches and wizards who had captured him. He hadn't had the heart to tell them that wasn't what had happened at all. Well, it was better if they didn't know. From what he had seen today, they'd skin him alive when knowing he'd found friends among 'those creatures' and agreed with the new government.

In the past days, he'd been thrown back and forth between loyalty toward his parents and his friends, but in the end, his friends and his own conscience won out. And today, today he'd been sure. The meeting had started innocently enough: greetings were exchanged, problems were discussed... and then came the hate. Despite growing up fearing magic, and bullying Harry and other kids for being different, he'd never realised just how deep the hatred of his parents ran. He'd always done what they encouraged him to do, treat his cousin badly because he was strange and possibly dangerous, but he had no idea of the extent of it.

Now, he saw a side of his otherwise loving parents that he didn't know: screaming with a feverish expression and heated cheeks about who had to be killed first in a long list of wished executions. He did not know if he should be surprised that Harry Potter was also high on the list. He had thought that family meant at least something to them. After all, whereas they'd kept Harry in the dark about his abilities, and always made sure he got worse possessions than Dudley, they had taken him in, given him food, clothes etcetera, a fact his mother had often complained about because she said it was so expensive that they had an extra person in the house. But now, they had offered up his name to be put on a hit list?

Dudley had been asked again and again to tell his tale about escaping from the clutches of magicians, and he made sure to downplay it a bit whenever his mother tried to add gruesome details. It wouldn't do to spread even more hate by telling lies himself. Thankfully they left him alone in the end, and he could spent the time observing. He found out a lot more than he'd thought he would: Because it was a society formed by networking and strangers weren't allowed, everyone was certain that all members were completely loyal to the group, and information was shared eagerly. At the end of the meeting, he had a list of names that were up for execution. However, a method to actually kill off those wanted had not been decided yet. Dudley also doubted they would succeed in killing, for example, the Dark Lord himself. From what he'd heard from his friends, Voldemort was more powerful than even every other witch or wizard in the country.

Currently, he was penning a letter to Harry: After what he had heard and seen, he decided that it was best to get some of the information out a quickly as possible. He didn't exactly mention that his parents were part of Britain's first as he didn't want to endanger them, but he wrote about overhearing some of their friends talking about it, and that the names were rumoured to be wanted people. That should do, he thought, and sealed the letter close.

Another problem was, of course, getting the letter to Harry. Last time, there had been an owl that had waited close for a while for him to send his letter with, but now he had none, and he didn't think any Muggle post would arrive at magical addresses. So either he had to find an owl in the wild himself, or he'd have to visit his friends and borrow theirs. Leaving the house unsupervised though, became incredibly hard since he'd first ran away. His parents were terrified that he'd 'get caught' again. Sneaking out at night also wasn't an option: if either of them would catch him going out at night and see the letter, he was done for.

As it turned out, an opportunity arose. His mother went over for tea at a friend on the other side of London and wouldn't be back for the evening. His dad wanted to use that day to go see a game of football together with Dudley, and had already bought two tickets for the afternoon match. Knowing that there was absolutely no way his father would just throw away the money and miss the match, Dudley pretended to be ill and urged him to go with a friend from work, insisting he'd be fine if he got some rest and food. If it had been his mother, she'd likely stayed home for him, but she was already gone, and his dad thought that as a man, Dudley wasn't so weak as to need a parent around even when ill. And so he found himself all alone that afternoon, free to go where ever he wanted.

He picked up a spare key from the cupboard and packed some food to take with him. On a second thought he also took some candy: his friends had introduced him to all sorts of magical candy, and he had promised them to bring some of his own 'normal' favourites. It might be boring to them, as they didn't move or have any other effects, but they might like them nonetheless. As he walked out of the door, he caught sight of the crazy cat-lady of the village, Fig or Fugs or something like that. He remembered that Harry was often dropped off at her place, but hadn't really spoken to her himself. A cat, one that Dudley recognised as one he'd quite often had to kick out of the garden, walked next to her and hissed as Dudley came closer. The woman quickly bowed her head and walked by without greeting him.

''What's her problem,'' he muttered to himself, casting a glance over his shoulder. He quickly turned back and shivered when seeing that she had stopped and stared at him as well.

He hurried along, putting his hands in his pockets to keep warm. The next bus stop was a twenty minutes walk, and then he still had quite some time to drive to his friends... He tried to calculate when he would arrive, but gave up when he failed after the first few attempts. He hoped that he'd at least be able to get back before his parents were home again. If he was lucky, his dad would go drink with the friend he invited to the match when it was over.

It took more than two hours in the end to arrive at his destination as he took one wrong bus when switching, had to walk back a while and wait for another bus. Finally though, he was standing in front of the student flat that, he knew, was occupied only by magicians. Apparently most of them were training to be healers for the magical hospital in London, although there were also a few who had other training programs for various parts of the magical ministry, and even an odd pair who didn't study anything at all but who were trying to get a new type of broom on the market that combined brooms with rocket science. They hadn't had much success till now.

Slightly nervous suddenly, he wandered to the door and rang the bell at 8B, the apartment that Hadar, Cassandra, Arix and Alfred shared. They'd all been in the same year in Hogwarts, all in Ravenclaw House, and their friendship was so strong that they had decided to all study something in London and share a student house together. A stone mouth appeared out of the brick wall under the bell.

The mouth opened and spoke in de light voice of Arix: ''Surrounded by darkness, you have a candle, a gas lamp and a fireplace. What do you light?'' Dudley groaned. He'd forgotten about the 'answer the riddle to get in.' Seeing as most had something to do with magic, he wouldn't even have been able to answer most of them if he had been more intelligent.

''It's Dudley here, Dudley Dursley,'' he grumbled ''And it's very cold outside. Can you please let me in without a riddle? Can't you just make a password instead?''

The mouth giggled and disappeared inside of the wall again. A moment later, the door flew open and Dudley hurried inside. He glowered a the 'out of order' sign at the elevator. It had apparently broken down because of the overdose of magic in the building.

When he finally arrived with the stairs at 8b he was out of breath and glowered at Arix, who stood in the door opening with her arms crossed. ''Couldn't solve my riddle?'' she asked in a sickeningly sweet voice.

''What was the answer?'' he finally sighed when he dared to move again, hands pressed in his sides against the stinging.

''A wand of course,'' she spoke, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. ''None of those other items are as good at lighting up a place as a wand, and a witch always carries her wand so it was not necessary to include it in the list.''

''Who would've come up with that if you present three choices?'' Dudley spoke, exasperated.

''Quite a few more than you'd expect. Come in. Alfred is out by the way, if you're here for him.'' She blew a large blue bubble of gum that floated towards the ceiling, not sticking to anything and instead bumping along.

''I actually needed an owl,'' Dudley said. ''I urgently need to contact someone, but I can't reach him per Muggle post. I'd hoped I could borrow Cassandra's owl.''

''You mean Finster? I think he is out on an errand. He might be back already but I'm not sure. You'll have to ask Cassandra when she returns. She's still at the hospital training facility, taking an extra course that will specialise her in healing plant venoms. Who is it you need to reach?''

''Harry. You remember that I tried to track him down before and got a letter to him via some other people? I actually have his address as he sent me a letter after I met with him so I can send him a direct letter now, but it's still not going to work with regular post. And owls aren't exactly common in Privet Drive.''

''Why go through the whole trouble of letters by the way? You sent him our address already, he could have used the floo here. Just image, the Harry Potter in our apartment!'' she practically bounced with excitement.

''I told him I was staying with friends, and he assumed you were Muggles. As I hadn't asked you before if I could get a direct connection, I didn't want to just tell him it was okay. Also, we never were close, not in the slightest. It would feel awkward if he could stumble in at every moment. And I went back to Privet drive soon after anyways so it worked out...''

Arix nodded thoughtfully and blew another few bubbles. Hadar joined them soon after, heartedly welcoming Dudley back in their midst and instantly offering a place to stay. Both of his friends were disappointed when hearing that Dudley had to leave soon again. Cassandra came home half an hour later, and Dudley's heart did a few weird clenches in his chest as she approached him with a smile. Finster had apparently returned that morning, and was all too happy to get a new task, screeching with excitement and hopping around on his perch, which made it actually more difficult to bind the letter to his leg.

Dudley felt rather empty when he finally had to go again. It was so much easier to be around all these spirited people in comparison to his old friends. They'd shared candy and stories, and promised each other to write. Hadar, who was the most advanced with apparition, saved him a long trip back by apparating in an alley near Privet Drive, gave him a thumbs up and disappeared again.

His parents hadn't returned yet, thankfully, and Dudley entered the empty house, got some food and fell down on the couch again in front of the TV. No-one would be any wiser of his trip.


And another chapter done. Hope you all like where this is going. I often notice that there is just way too much in my head to all write out at once sadl, so you'll have to be patient for me to come to the main plot points...
As always, if you have any wishes or ideas for the story, please leave a comment. If I like it, I'll try to put it in the story at one point. (like Shay was)

Read and Review!
xx Gemerope