A Snake in the Nest, Chapter Nine
A.N. Votes are as follows:
Fred/ George: 2
Scabbers (NOT Peter): 1
Luna Lovegood: 3
Sirius Black: 3*
Remus Lupin: 2*
James Potter: 1*
Peter Pettigrew: 1*
Peeves: 1
* This person voted The Marauders. So they managed to get four votes.
This is the last time I'll write the votes. Sirius and Luna tied for first; awesome.
Cooro remembered the huge grin Remus had had when the paper had come in a week ago. It had been an article announcing that Sirius Black had escaped. The six children had been rather amused when Mrs. Weasley, apologizing to Remus for disturbing the household, had literally dragged Ron back home. Remus had taken Harry home later that day.
Two weeks after that, they'd gotten a letter from Ron, explaining that Harry was at his house, and would be for the remainder of the summer. There had been another letter enclosed, from Harry.
I can't explain who has been taking my letters, but I know why now. There's something dangerous happening at Hogwarts, and they want me to stay away. I think it might be a prank.
The twins are saying that it was probably a house elf, which rules out pretty much everyone I know. We can't ask Mrs. Weasley, she's still wound up from Sirius' escape. Can you ask Remus what he makes of it?
Nana showed the letter to Remus, who examined it carefully, frowning.
"A house-elf… they're magically bound to an old Pureblood family, to serve them until they die. Hogwarts has thousands working there, though they're much better treated there than most homes, these days…" he looked up at them, their faces curious.
"In answer to your question, yes, a house elf could be doing this. If it was just stopping the mail and blowing up a cake, I'd say it was on orders. But the letter… I believe there may be more going on than meets the eye." And he didn't say another word on the subject.
Neither would photo Remus, when Husky tried to ask him a few more questions. Sirius shrugged apologetically.
"It might be there's nothing to tell. We had a house elf, when I was growing up. I've never heard of them going out on their own to do something like this, but it would depend on the family, the elf and the circumstances. Ask Harry if he could try and talk to it, somehow."
X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_
Harry looked at the letter, curious. How could he try and contact it, whatever it was? He felt reassured that Remus and Sirius both said that a house elf was entirely possible. He'd been worried it might be worse than that.
Well, no use sitting here. Might as well try it.
"Erm… whoever has been taking my letters, could you please come out? So we can talk?" There was silence for a long moment, and Harry felt ridiculous. He'd snuck out of the Weasley's, and was sitting in the back garden, with a torch next to him.
Then a loud crack sounded, and in front of him stood a strange creature, with large bat ears and wearing a pillow case.
"Harry Potter called, and Dobby is here. Is Harry Potter reconsidering? Will he stay safe, away from Hogwarts?" Harry stared. This was nearing the top of his 'Weird things' list.
"Why? Why should I stay away from Hogwarts?"
X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_
Husky stared out the window, where the moon hung, shining innocently. It was waning, still three quarters. Remus wouldn't have to worry about it for a few weeks, at least. That was something. School started in a few weeks; they'd gotten supply lists already. Everyone was meeting in Diagon Alley in two days, and Harry said he'd tell them what happened then. He'd grown suspicious of the post.
Nana and Cooro were flying outside, he knew. They'd fallen into the habit of doing so at Hogwarts, and now it was habit. They'd go out during the day, though. During nice, clear ones, with little breeze and white poofy clouds that dimmed the sun enough to block out the sun.
Senri sat on the bed, watching out the window as well. They could go downstairs, to wait for them, but neither of the two outside wanted them to stay awake for them. So they sat in Husky's room, waiting.
X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_
Two days later found them all waiting in Flourish and Blotts, waiting for the Weasleys. Hermione was showing her parents around, Remus and Neville's grandma were talking about something, and the five children were sitting at a small table, talking about school. Cooro looked up in interest when he saw someone putting a poster up, showing a smiling man with blond hair.
"Who's that?" Neville glanced at it, then laughed.
"Gilderoy Lockhart. Rather famous, going about defeating really powerful Dark creatures and wizards. He's having a book signing later; that's why we got here early. Didn't you notice? All his books are on our lists." Husky had noticed, but had thought nothing of it.
"Probably a witch as the new teacher, then. Ridiculous, isn't it?" They looked up, to find Ron grinning at them, slightly covered in soot.
"Ron! Here, have a seat, tell us what's been going on. Where's Harry?" As he sat down, the other Weasley's came in. All were covered in soot as well. The twins and Ginny walked over, sitting around them. Mrs. Weasley looked excited, and was peering at the posters with growing pleasure.
"Harry got off on the wrong grate. Dad's looking for him. Mum's all happy, she gets to see the great Lockhart in person." George scoffed.
"I've read a bit of his books; they seem like a load of rubbish to me." Fred nodded, though Ginny scowled at them.
"Just because he has a brain in his head doesn't mean you need to insult him every turn." Fred turned to her, grinning.
"NO need to get defensive. If I didn't know better, I'd say you liked him!" She blushed, but was saved from answering as Harry walked in, with Hermione (when had she left?) and Mr. Weasley. The two of them walked over, and Arthur went to join the adults. From his vantage point, Cooro could see him growing more animated as he spoke to the Grangers.
He was about to point this out to Nana when he saw she was staring at the poster in interest. Hermione got her attention, and the two of them and Ginny walked off, talking about something he couldn't hear.
He looked at Husky and shrugged. Harry was talking about his small adventure in Knockturn Alley, with the twins listening with rapt attention. Senri was watching with a detached expression.
Husky leaned forward, about to ask if anything had happened regarding the Thing-That-Might-Be-House-Elf, but before he could, people began to pour into the shop, all looking forward at where a table sat, empty save a large, obnoxious peacock quill and a pile of books.
The people coming in were all older witches, Ron noted, and said as much out loud. The twins laughed, then, saying they were 'escaping the madness,' they left.
Remus walked over, arms filled with books that the boys hastened to take from him. He smiled thankfully.
"Well, we're all done in here. You three can stay, if you want…" He stopped, as all three of them were violently shaking their heads.
"No! Let's get finished, we can meet the others after this is all done." Husky said. Remus looked relieved, though he tried to hide it.
"Well then, shall we go? I believe Nana wants to stay here, so I'll tell Molly…" He looked up as Harry, Ron and Neville stood as well.
"My gran's leaving as well; she doesn't care for Lockhart." Ron and Harry looked at him hopefully.
"Can we leave with you?" Remus laughed at them.
"We'll have to ask your mother. I believe she is still worried about Black's escape, though." Ron scoffed a bit.
"She shouldn't be. Prophet's saying that they have evidence he's hiding out in Russia, of all places." They all, discluding Neville, shared an amused look. Remus nodded and they walked over to where the other Weasleys stood. Percy had left as well, so only Arthur and Molly were left. Remus explained the situation, and after a bit of persuading, she let the boys leave.
Remus stopped for a moment, looking at the cover of a book, when they heard a voice.
"Potter. Running away from the Weasleys? Finally realized how worthless they are?" Malfoy stood in front of them. Ron wasn't visible from that point. The three girls walked over to say goodbye, not noticing the blond in front of them.
"Ah, I guess not. Trying to get even more famous, Potter? Running around with famous fakes like Lockhart?" Now the girls saw him, and were frowning. Remus glanced up, and began walking their way as well.
"Leave him alone, Malfoy!" Ginny practically spat out the name. The twins, Husky remembered, had said their father hated the Malfoy family; they were far too immersed in the Dark Arts.
Malfoy turned to Ginny, a malicious smirk on his face.
"Well well, Potter. You got yourself a little girlfriend." She went scarlet, but didn't move away from them, still glaring. A man who could only be Mr. Malfoy came up behind his son just as Remus walked over, glancing at the blondes before ignoring them.
"Ah, Nana. We're going to pick up some things at the apothecary. You can stay here, if you want.""Well. Lupin. Finally out and about, then?" Something in his tone indicated that he knew where Remus had been before, Husky thought. Remus looked at him in vague annoyance.
"Yes. Is that a problem, Lucius?" He didn't wait for an answer, and instead led the boys away, just as Arthur walked up. They could hear heated words being exchanged, but were too far away to hear what they were. Right before they reached the door, a shout made them turn.
The two men were engaged in a brawl, knocking over books and all manner of objects. Remus gestured for them to stay and ran forward, where he and Hagrid, who'd come back for something, Harry guessed, pulled them apart. There were a few moments of talk, then Remus rejoined them, annoyed.
"Come on, I'll tell you what happened in a moment. Let's just get out of here before he comes." He ushered them out, and they didn't stop until they reached the door of the apothecary.
"Now, what is going on?" Ron looked a mix between shocked and elated.. It wasn't every day your dad beat up your enemy's father.
"He was insulting your family. I believe that with all that's happened in the last few weeks, with the raids and Black's escape, your father snapped. You'll be pleased to know that he appeared to be winning." He sighed, and, seeing their curiosity hadn't been absolved, continued.
"As for wanting to get out of there… I went to school with Lockhart, and let me tell you: until I find very convincing evidence to the contrary, I won't believe he did a bit of what he wrote about. He wasn't all that skilled in school." Harry frowned.
"Why hasn't anyone called him out on it?" Remus chuckled, but it was dark.
"Many who were in school with him at the time are dead, Harry. Besides, most people don't notice those things. I did, but only because I was tutoring those that needed help." Cooro cocked his head a bit.
"And he was one of those people?"
"Often. I will concede, though, that perhaps he learned faster when it was needed, out in the field, as it were. But I am skeptical. Now, let's get your things."
There were few things they still needed, really. The books, of course, and potion ingredients, but that was it. Remus lingered as long as he could in the shop, before sighing and leading them out. They walked back to the bookshop, where the others were thankfully waiting outside. Molly handed the boys their books, smiling happily.
"They're all signed as well. I believe he was a bit annoyed that we had so many, but when he found out some of them were Harry's… I believe he wrote a special message in them, dear." Hermione was bouncing on her heels, and the other two weren't much better, though they restrained themselves to huge grins. Warily, Ron asked what it was.
"He's going to be our teacher this year!" Harry let out a loud groan.
X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_
They got to the Leaky Cauldron, and had lunch. The children sat at their own table, where Harry related what had happened with Dobby.
"He said that terrible things were about to happen. I tried to convince him that I'd be safe, so he'd leave it alone, but he wouldn't listen. Funnily enough, he didn't say a word about Sirius Black." The twins, who were sitting in on the conversation, grinned.
"Maybe he knows something about him. If he does serve the Malfoys, they'd know all about dark wizards, wouldn't they?"
"And you know, no Death Eater has ever mentioned Black being on their side. Ranted about him killing or capturing their fellows, sure."
"But never him on their side?" Hermione frowned, confused. "Shouldn't they look in on that? What if he was framed?" The others looked at each other. There had never been evidence to prove he'd help murder the Potters, they knew.
"The street that blew up was evidence enough, I suppose. But if Pettigrew did that, or someone else…"
"And then they Apparated away…"
"And he couldn't have been entirely sane at the time, his best friends were dead…"
"It'd look like he was guilty. Even if he was just trying to avenge his friends." They all looked at each other, realizing what they'd just said. Harry shared a long look with the other five that knew of Sirius' innocence. There were slight nods all around.
Just as he opened his mouth to tell them, Molly and Arthur walked over.
"Weasleys and Potters! We have to get going, I'm afraid. We'll see you all in September." They stood, and Harry glanced at Ron, who was shaking hands with Husky. He had a momentary look of surprise, then nodded, tucking his hand into his pocket.
They flooed back to the Burrow, and between packing the supplies up and helping with supper, Harry nearly forgot about the strange exchange.
X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_
"What'd you give Ron, Husky?" Cooro didn't forget, however, and asked the moment they'd flooed back to the house.
"Just a note. It's nothing you don't know, I was just making sure they knew." At his and Nana's blank looks, he rolled his eyes.
"You know, that they can tell the twins and all. Sirius being innocent and a few other things." He changed the subject quickly.
"We should talk about all of this on the train, anyway. I just wanted them to know we all trust the twins, Hermione and Neville. And Ginny, I suppose." He added as an afterthought. She'd been so quiet he'd almost forgotten about her even being there.
"Well, we can't have a face-to-face for a few weeks, remember? Got to wait until school." Husky nodded, and Cooro grinned a bit.
"It's only three weeks! What could happen?" They all paused, looking at one another. Nobody answered.
The line sounded strangely ominous.