All recognisable characters are the properties of Ms J.K. Rowling and Mr Jim Butcher. The Dresden and Potter verse, their magic and creations are the property of their respective owners and I make no profit form my tale. I own only this random story idea.
Chapter 5
Potter's Keep
Lily P.O.V.
The Forest was cool, dark and quiet when they stepped off the ways back into the 'real' world. Toot Toot, who'd hidden with Bob while they'd stormed the Manor had begged off to return to Chicago and Harry'd let him leave. My world was not for Toot, it was messing with the little fairy. His wings had drooped and he'd visibly sagged whilst there. Dawn had broken and they were miles from Malfoy Manor. Thomas looked down at the unconscious Hermione in his arms and hissed "We have to get her inside and warm, she's hurt bad but I don't want to look until I know we can clean her up." Dresden nodded and they headed slowly out of the forest. My Harry was still in shock. One minute they'd been surrounded by Death Eaters, the situation hopeless, the next they were burning down Malfoy Manor.
"Where are we" Harry asked, looking about. The woods would have seemed almost familiar. Dresden smiled at him and said "Somewhere safe, I'll explain inside young Jedi." Harry rolled his eyes at him. James and Sirius chuckled and even Albus smiled. (Nosy old bugger had come to watch the fun.) Just great, another prankster. For a second I wondered why did all the males in my son's life life have to be smart-arses? They walked out into the sun and Harry gaped. On the top of the hill before him was a fenced keep, high walls of grey stone, a turret just visible over the walls.
"Welcome to Potter's Keep." Dresden said, and Harry stammered. "P Potter's Keep?".
"Yeah, it's been in your Dad's family for years. I guess it was too isolated to hide here..." Dresden trailed off, looking uncomfortable. Harry figured he knew the story, after all, everyone did, so he just shrugged. I was kind of glad Ron was too beaten and sore to get jealous though. The green eyed monster had been a demon Ron Weasley had often lost too.
The Keep was a circular 20ft barrier of smooth stone, complete with a moat and a look out tower. There was a sturdy drawbridge over the moat leading to a huge, barred portcullis. You could see little of the grounds within, barring the top of the tower. The weary travellers crossed the bridge and approached the gates which were remained firmly shut and fairly humming with magic. "How will we get in?" asked Molly. She was standing slightly behind Dresden looking rather tired.
"Harry, lay your hand on the gate please." suggested Dresden and he stepped forward. A stags head was immortalised in bronze in the centre of the twisty iron gate and he pressed his hand on the cool iron nose. "Hi Prongs" he whispered, smiling faintly. James, beside me, beamed with joy. Instantly the smooth bronze over the stag's nose warmed and the gates swung inward. A Potter had returned to the Keep, I watched as the rush of warm 'Family' magic flow over, around and through my son. It would have felt warm, reassuring and wonderful and for a moment I closed my eyes, basking in the memory of how good it felt the day I'd married James. Opening my eyes I saw Dresden smiling at Harry. He knew what had just happened to my son and respected it. "Looks like your family left you gifts, should you ever reclaim a family home." he said. I wanted to hug him myself for that as Harry blushed and busied himself with scratching Mouse's ears instead. Mouse liked that a lot and Harry kept it up, the great dog's tail hitting his legs as he wagged it happily. I liked Mouse, he was uncomplicated, he reminded me of Padfoot, and I suspected that Harry really missed his Godfather. So while he did his duty, scratching the shaggy head and getting all the itchy spots, I looked around. I'd never been to the Keep, never had the chance. James's Great Grandfather had made it into a fortress and then hid it, just in case. The circular courtyard within the walls was very bare. The grass either side of the drive was slightly overgrown and waved in the light breeze, the formal garden beds bare and swallowed by the sea of grass. The inner house was large and solid, dark red brick on the first floor then timber framed, wattle and daub walls for the one above, an older Tudor. Petunia had been crazy about programs to do with fine old houses and Harry and I had listened to a LOT of it while Harry was dusting her fussy knick knacks. Funny how he was never trusted not to break things except when she wanted things cleaned. Hypercritical bitch.
Shaking my head I continued to look at the Keep. Harry was looking up at it with wonder in his eyes. The windows and wood frame were all painted black, and the walls below white but the paint was badly in need of touching up, it was faded and peeling in places. None of the beautiful leaded glass windows were broken I was glad to see, at least from here anyway. The front door was set centrally in the North wall, directly facing the gates, the heavy wrote iron gate over the door frame matched the one in the portcullis. Behind it was a heavy wooden door. There were three tall windows to either side of the door, all heavily draped on the inside and hung with cobwebs without so no-one could peek in. The roof was steeply pitched, with twin dormer windows and huge chimneys just visible at the back, casting long shadows in the morning light. It was still cool out I realised and everyone was waiting, Hermione still unconscious and bleeding. Harry took a few uncertain steps forward and extended his hand. He took the two steps up to the gate and placed his hand on the stag. It creaked opened and he had to step out of it's way. Then he placed his hand on the door, there weren't any handles, and it swung open at his touch. Everyone crowded up behind him and peering into the dark hallway as one. Mouse sniffed quickly and loudly. The he huffed and boldly walked inside. His furry grey bulk blending with the shadows and he was gone.
"Well.. I guess it's ok then." said Dresden after a long moment of contemplative staring at the house. "Mouse seems to think it's all good, and I can't sense anything. Come on let's see what we have here and get the injured sorted out." He lifted his staff and the tip glowed, lighting the entry way.
The group stepped into a square room, with a staircase along the right wall leading up and a neat row of polished oak door to the left, an archway directly ahead. Beneath the stairs was a boot cupboard. I pulled my eyes away quickly. At least Harry wouldn't have to sleep there this time, not in his own house. There wasn't any dust and I could see faint ripples of magic. The house had been locked in stasis until a Potter returned. I pondered briefly on it, would it have broken if he'd died or would the house have just been waiting forever. Karrin opened the first door and they all peered in at a formal living room, full of sheet draped furniture and large paintings, wrapped in brown paper, leaning against the walls. The next room was a cosy parlour, similarly stacked and packed up, as was a stunning study lined with beautifully carved bookshelves. All the rooms were large with wide windows hung with thick drapes but they all would have taken too much reorganising to be any good as a field hospital. "Upstairs." said Thomas, adjusting Hermione against his chest. She whimpered and he stroked her back gently. "All the bedrooms will be upstairs." So up they all climbed. Ron was clinging to the banister with a death grip, his free arm over Harry's shoulder. His face was white and pinched, his breathing laboured and pained. Poor boy had to have bruised, possibly broken ribs at the very least. Dresden had long ago taken Olivander from Karrin and was now carrying him up the stairs like a baby. After much groaning and pausing for breath they finally reached the landing and he laid the old man down on a broad window seat, Thomas following suite with Hermione. Luna and Ron collapsing on the floor beside them, leaning weakly against the seat. "We'll go look around and come back for you." said Harry, but no-one had the energy to really respond to him. The small group headed off down the hall. The first door at the top of the stairs opened onto the master suite. All the curtains were drawn and the rooms were dark and shadowy, the furniture was all sheeted, large bulky shadows. "Master Bed" he called and continued to search. He didn't really look around except to check for beds and bathrooms. Next came the lady of the house's private parlour, then another elegant bedroom. On the other side of the hall Dresden was also opening doors and called
"Here! This room will be good for the two injured girls." Harry went to look and had to agree. The room's two slim windows faced the east and the walls were painted a pretty sunny yellow. There was a obviously feminine twin set in white wrought iron peaking from beneath dust sheets. Handmade patchwork quilts were sealed in plastic on the foot of each bed and the mattresses had been stripped and covered with thick canvas sheets. A rug was rolled against one wall beside a box of pictures. Long blinds were drawn beneath the white lacy curtains, blocking the sun's glare. A door opened onto a bathroom, old fashioned but functional. Thomas left to get the girls, and Molly and Karrin started pulling off sheets and readying the beds, making them up with sweet smelling sheets and blankets they'd found as they'd explored behind the boys. Apparently they'd found the linen cupboard and supply cupboards. Harry headed on a bit further down, finding a couple more f ordinary bedrooms and bathrooms. At the very back of the house was a tiny room with a old fashioned sleigh bed taking up most of the floor space. The bed actually took up the whole rear wall with it's heavy curling ends and the little window above it looked out to a side of the house I had not yet seen. There was a low chest of drawers topped with a plain deep green basin and pitcher jug, a carved cigar box and an old candlewick lamp. The room felt very snug and secure and Harry called to Thomas to bring Olivander, summoned sheets and blankets from the hall and quickly made up the bed, laying out a thick blanket on top so they could tend to the poor man's wounds. Molly took a pretty blue room in between the sick rooms and Harry nobly gave Dresden and Karrin the master suite, after all they did have to share with Mouse. Bob was relegated to sulking in the kitchen. He'd begged to allowed to stay in one of the girls bathrooms! Ron claimed one room at the end of the hall, it had a warm autumn theme, lots of reds, oranges and golds, so I guess he felt most at home there. Harry took the one connected to him by a bathroom and helped his bruised and beaten mate into a hot bath full of healing herbs. Down the hall Karrin and Molly were taking care of Hermione and Luna, and Thomas and Dresden were looking after Olivander. Mouse was asleep in the master suite, worn out from all the fighting.
Harry winced at the sight of Ron's bruised, torn flesh. He'd had to wash away the blood and he half heartedly swore at Harry, in a thick coarse voice. They both pretended he wasn't crying at the end. Once Ron was cleaned up Harry helped him get dry and into a pair of clean pyjama pants. God bless Hermione and her beaded bag. It had been in her sock the whole time! Then Harry went outside and found the woodshed and an axe, still sharp hung upon the wall. I watched sadly as my son took out his anger and rage at the condition of his friends on the pile of logs awaiting splitting in the wood shed behind the house. The weather was cool and they'd need the firewood tonight. Returning to the house I watched Harry tiredly sink into a chair as Karrin cooked a meal in the kitchen at the back of the house. Molly had offered but had been shot down by Thomas and Dresden. The pantry was filled with a huge variety of charmed foods, sealed tight under individual stasis until they were needed.
I love magic.
Food had been scarce so far on the kids trip, and they were all thin and hungry. Molly, Thomas and Dresden had all joined them by now and I waited with my companions and Harry to hear how about the condition of the rescued hostages.
"Your friends, Hermione, is on the mend, I fixed most of it but the blade they used on her belly was enchanted, she'll have scars. The effects of the curses they used on her have been lifted for the most part but she's still very week. She's sleeping, I put her under a sleep spell to keep the nightmares away, she'll be fine in the morning. Luna is mostly ok.. no um.. no rape or anything, just malnutrition and some major emotional and psychological trauma. She's sleeping too. There is residue of some kind of intense pain curse on all of them."
"The Cruciatis.. makes every nerve in your body, every cell react as if in great pain. It's evil" Harry mumbled and Molly paled. "Ron is much better, after Harry mended his ribs and wrist, I want to learn that spell by the way Harry, but I am unsure how to help the old man." Molly said. She looked tired. "He was a captive a lot longer then Luna and is badly emaciated and dehydrated. I don't know if his fingers will ever heal properly and his legs and chest are a mess." she sighed and looked angry, sickened.
"Why don't we send him to my brother, Bill. They could help him and Luna should go with him, to keep her from being caught again. Their already in hiding but I know where they are." Ron was standing in the doorway, a white t-shirt pulled over his thin chest and his long freckled feet were bare, sticking out two inches beneath his faded pyjama pants. He shuffled away from the door frame he was holding and sunk into an empty chair. Harry nodded slowly and looked about the kitchen while Dresden thought. The room was huge, seeming to run the length of the rear of the house. A large scrubbed table with at least a dozen chairs around it dominated one end of the room in front of the large fireplace with the hearth tall enough to walk into. Likely for the family floo connection I thought. The kitchen at the other end was banked with windows along two sides, glass fronted cabinets and the door to the pantry on a third. The stove was huge, big enough for several cooks and their was a tonne of drawers and cupboards in light, golden wood. The floor was simple light red terracotta tile that matched the red in the counter tops and the whole room had a warm, friendly feel to it. I sighed in contentment my Harry was safe, for now.
"So.. we send Olivander and Luna to Bill and Fleur.. then what?" he asked. Dresden coughed and withdrew some folded parchment from his duster. "I can help you there.." he said, smiling mysteriously.