We didn't talk any that day, or the next day. The attack had left us all quite shocked, but the loss of George, Fred, and Angelina was by far worse. We had no idea what had happened to him. Was he hurt? Captured, or even worse, was he dea-I couldn't even think it. We tried the radio every day, using the last password we had been told about, Dirk Casswell, but to no avail. It seemed like we were destined to be alone.
The rest of October faded away, leaving us colder and drearier. We couldn't find much food, so Ron was especially upset, he'd always been used to three good meals a day. Harry had practically been starved at the Dursley's so he didn't mind too much. I was miserable but I hid it as best as I could.
Finally, on November 20th, things got better. Ron had been working at the dial on the radio for over two hours, murmuring every Order member he could think of.
"Alright listeners, this is your rebel host, River, telling you we're back. Sorry about our absence from the air waves, we had a few visits from those good old Death Eaters we're all so fond of." The wonderful deep, happy, voice of Lee Jordan blasted out of the stereo and we all let out a happy cry as Harry and I rushed towards the radio.
"Tonight, along with our regular contributors, Rodent, Rascal, and Romulus, we have a special guest speaker, Reaper. Greetings, Reaper."
"Hi, River." Reaper said, letting out a barking laugh.
"Sirius!" Harry gasped, a huge grin lighting his face at his Godfathers voice.
"But before we here from our speakers, let's take a moment to report those deaths that the Wizarding Wireless Network News and the Daily Prophet don't think important enough to mention." We all tensed, drawing nearer each other as he read off a list of names, none of which we thankfully knew, that was the worst part of this program, hearing about the deaths of our friends and allies. After a moment of silence for the murdered victims, Lee continued with the report.
"Thank you," Lee said again. "and now, before we continue to our popular portion, Pals of Potter, Rapier has a very important announcement."
"Thanks River," Fred's familiar voice rang out. Ron gasped and looked pale, his face filling with relief. "We have recently come across vital, and incredibly dangerous news. The Death Eaters have put a Taboo on You-Know-Who's name! I repeat, there is now a taboo on You-Know-Who's name! Do not use it or all your defensive spells will be broken and you'll be surrounded by Death Eaters in seconds. Our regular contributor, Royal, was nearly caught a couple of days ago because of this action. I cannot stress the importance of this, do not use his name. He's You-Know-Who for a reason people, let's not give him any way of finding us. we suggest, that instead of using his real name you make up some ridiculous nickname for him. Something like Moldy Wort, Coldybort, Snake Face, or something like that."
"Personally, my favorite one is Moldywort." Lee said, speaking up. "Now we'll return to our regular contributor Romulus for Pals of Potter."
"Thanks, River." Remus, I squealed, excitement swelling up in me.
"Romulus, do you maintain, as you have every time you've appeared on our
program, that Harry Potter is still alive?"
"I do," said Lupin firmly. "There is no doubt at all in my mind that his death would be proclaimed as widely as possible by the Death Eaters if it had happened, because it would strike a deadly blow at the morale of those resisting the new regime. 'The Boy Who Lived' remains a symbol of everything for which we are fighting: the triumph of good, the power of innocence, the need to keep resisting."
"And what would you say to Harry if you knew he was listening, Romulus?"
"I'd tell him we're all with him in spirit, and I'd tell him to follow his instincts, which are good and nearly always right."
"Thank you," said Lee's voice. "And now we turn to our guest speaker, Reaper, for an update on how the new Wizarding order is affecting the Muggle world."
"Thanks River," Sirius's voice rang out. "Muggles continue to be hunted by Death Eaters, an activity which they've turned into a sport. They've sustained the heaviest casualties in this war, and yet they remain completely ignorant of the fact that this is a war. They have been attributing all the deaths to natural causes." He took a breath, and I could almost hear the pain in his voice. My own heart was beating painfully fast, both from the horrificness of the news, and the wonderfulness of hearing the familiar voices.
"Still, despite how dangerous it has become to talk to a muggle, let alone befriend one, we continue to hear wonderful stories of Wizards and Witches risking their own lives to help out their muggle neighbors and friends. I urge everyone listening to follow the same example. Hundreds of lives can be saved, could have been saved, if these simple steps are taken."
"And what would you say, Reaper, to those listeners who reply that in these dangerous times, it should be 'Wizards first'?" Lee asked, his deep voice serious and curious.
"I'd say that at the rate things are going it won't be long before 'Wizards first' becomes Purebloods first, and eventually Death Eaters." He sighed, his normally happy voice darkening slightly. "Take it from me, these people don't care if you're a wizard or not, they only care about Purebloods. Every life is worth saving, every life has value."
"Excellently put, Reaper, and now, over to Rascal for how things are going for those who are rebelling against Moldy Wart."
"Thanks River," said a wonderfully familiar voice. Tears filled my eyes and I leaned forward, trying to draw nearer the radio. It was George, he was okay, he wasn't captured or worse. Oh how much I missed him, how much I'd love to kiss him, to love him fully.
"While most wizards and witches are keeping their noses down and trying to go unnoticed, we've had a few really inspiring acts." He said, his bright happy voice lifting my spirits. "Last week, Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood, broke into Headmaster Snivelus's office, though we're not sure why. They were caught, and punished, but they are all alright and their example encourages us all."
"Thank you Rascal, and now, to Rapier for new about old Moldy pants himself."
"Thanks River. Moldy Wart is still staying in the shadows, doing what he loves to do, killing, scaring, and wreaking havoc. Now, we're receiving an increase in supposed sightings of Moldy, and if there all true then were in a heap of trouble, because there are at least twenty of him running around. We have it on good authority that Wand Master Gregorovitch, who was recently found dead of the killing curse, was killed by him. Still, even if he is abroad don't lower your guard people. If anything, you should be increasing them. I hate to say it, but safety first guys!"
"Thank you for those words Rapier," Lee said, 'Listeners, this brings us to the end of another Potterwatch. We don't know when we'll be back, but keep twiddling those dials: the next password will be 'Charity Burbage.' Keep each other safe: Keep faith, and Keep up the good fight. Good night."
"There alright." I said, my voice tense with emotion. Ron nodded his head stiffly, his blue eyes bright with tears. Harry looked winded and elated.
"That's how they did it!" I squeaked, after a moment.
"Huh?" They both asked, looking surprised.
"That's how they found us. They've jinxed Moldy's name."
"Clever really." Ron said, a begrudgingly impressed look crossing his features. "We're the only ones who ever used it. The Order that is." He said clarifying. "Only the ones who were serious about fighting him."
"Well," Harry said, looking determined. "Now we know and it won't happen again."
It wouldn't, we'd make sure of it.
{}o{}o{}
The rest of November flew by, we were in much better moods now. Hearing Potterwatch had cheered us up an incredible lot. It was amazing how secluded we had felt here. We'd forgotten we weren't alone in our fight. Hearing that broadcast reminded me why we were all fighting, that there was a reason. Knowing for certain that George was alright also was wonderful, it made me so much happier to know that he was alive and okay. I'd see my 'Rascal' again, and when I did, we'd see just how long we could go with out air with the kiss I'd plant on him.
When December arrived I decided to suggest the only idea I had, I hadn't wanted to say anything, after all, I wasn't sure it would actually work. Still, I had nothing else and it was at least a bit of a plan. I also knew Harry would go for it, and Ron would agree just for a change of pace.
"Harry?" I asked late in the night of December 10th. We had just finished dinner and were sitting inside around a fire, trying to stay warm in the freezing weather.
"What?" He asked, raising his head from the chess game him and Ron had been playing. I'd transfigured them one after hearing Ron lament the fact that they hadn't had one. It gave them something to do and made them happier so I didn't see it as to much of a waist of time.
"I think we need to go to Godric Hollow."
"What?" Ron and Harry asked together, looking shocked.
"Well, it's the birth place of Godric Gryffindor, and I think it might be were Dumbledore hid the sword." I answered, closing my book and sitting up straighter.
"Really? Godric was born there?" Harry asked, sounding interested.
"Did you ever even open a History of Magic?" I asked, sighing and setting my book down.
"Why should we, we have you to tell us anything we need to know." Ron said, smiling.
"I'd have expected you to make the connection from the names. Godric's Hollow, Godric Gryffindor, Gryffindor's sword; don't you think Dumbledore would have expected you to make the connection?" I asked, looking from Harry to Ron.
"Oh yeah . . ." Harry said, looking embarrassed.
"When are we going?" Ron asked, his knight clubbing Harry's Queen.
"Soon, but we'll have to plan some things out first."
"Plan out what?" Ron asked.
"How to get there. We'll need to practice apparating under the cloak for one thing, and how to do really good disillusionment charms…. Or perhaps we should just use polyjuice… Actually we probably better do that, it would be safer."
"How do you think of all that?" Ron asked, looking impressed. I blushed and picked my book back up.
"I don't know, I just do." I opened my book back up and flipped to the page I had been reading. "We can start tomorrow, we'll need to find some hairs first."
"Okay, that'll be fun." Ron said, looking excited, Harry had grown quiet, looking thoughtful. Tomorrow, tomorrow we'd get ready to leave.
Or not.
It actually took us a week to master the art of apparating under the cloak. We retrieved the hairs fairly quickly, taking them off a family Christmas shopping. Once we felt we could apparate fairly well we packed everything up and got ready. Harry threw the cloak over our shoulders and I passed out the polyjuice. We all changed shapes, Harry turned into a short, plump brown haired woman, Ron turned into a short, over weight man, and I shrunk into a young blond haired girl. No one would suspect us now.
We apparated to a snowy field on the outskirts of the town. Harry stowed the cloak under his jacket and we all made our way forward slowly, feeling extremely nervous and excited. Cottages lined the road, leading down a path to what looked like a war memorial. Lights were hung all over it, and little glowing orbs floated around it.
"They . . . they'll be in there, won't they? Your mum and dad? I can see the graveyard behind it." I said, pointing to the back of a church. Harry nodded his head, a look of fear on his face. Ron stepped up beside him and took his hand while I took his other. We had to act like a family, and we needed to get Harry off the middle of the street.
"Harry, look!" Ron exclaimed, sounding thrilled. We stopped, we had been passing the obelisk shaped war memorial, only now it wasn't obelisk shaped. It had transformed into a statue of three very familiar people. James, Lily, and Harry.
We stood there for a while, studying the snow covered faces in quiet. Harry eventually turned his head and sighed. "C'mon," he said and we crossed the road to the church. It was surrounded by a fence, a kissing gate being at it's entrance. I stepped forward and pushed the door open as quietly as I could, opening it just wide enough for us to slip through. Row upon row of snowy tombstones protruded from a blanket of snow. We allowed Harry to go first, investigating the rows quietly. I wandered down the row, my eyes drifting from name to name, Abbot, Brown, Collin, Debrid, Dumbledore…
Dumbledore?
I swooped down and studied the name on the tomb. Sure enough, it was a Dumbledore. Kendra Dumbledore to be exact. Beneath her name another was written, Ariana Dumbldore. Beneath the dates there was also a quotation:
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
I called the others over and had Harry and Ron check it out. Harry grew quiet, looking sad. I shouldn't have showed him. He was easily upset now adays. He was always upset about Dumbledore, feeling as though he hadn't known anything about his mentor.
We moved on a few moments later, and then Ron called.
"Here!" A moment later, after I had rushed over to him he sighed. "Oh no, sorry! I thought it said Potter."
I looked at the old tombstone and felt my breath catch. In the upper corner there was a symbol carved, a symbol I had only ever seen one other place. Inscribed in my book of Beedle the Bard.
"Ron?" I asked, trying not to sound too eager. "Whose grave is this?"
"It says Ignotus, I think that's how it's pronounced anyway." I made a mental note of that name, deciding I would investigate it further later.
"I found them!" Harry called from behind us. Ron and I both spun around and raced over to him, scanning the graveyard to be sure we were alone.
JAMES POTTER LILY POTTER
BORN 27 MARCH 1960 BORN 30 JANUARY 1960
DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981 DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
The last enemy that shall be defeated is death.
"'The last enemy that shall be defeated is death' . . ." Harry read, sounding scared. "Isn't that a Death Eater idea? Why is that there?"
"It doesn't mean defeating death in the way the Death Eaters mean it, Harry," I said, my voice soft as I stared at the grave. "It means . . . you know . . . living beyond death. Living after death."
Tears fell down his eyes, melting the snow they hit. My heart clenched at the sight and I reached out, taking his hand in mine, squeezing it tight. Ron stepped up on my other side laid his hand on my shoulder. I waved my wand and transfigured a rock into a bouquet of flowers, laying it on the grave gently.
"Thanks." Harry said, his voice constricted and thick.
"Uh guys," Ron' s voice said, breaking through the emotional silence. "We're definitely being watched."
"What? Where?" I hissed, spinning and looking around.
"I saw something move. I could have sworn I did..." Ron said, pointing at the bushes that lined the gate.
"We look like Muggles," Harry pointed out.
"Muggles who've just been laying flowers on your parents' grave?" I asked, horror filling me. What had I been thinking?
"I'm sure it's nothing." Harry said after a moment.
"Yeah, it was probably just a cat." Ron said, though he didn't sound convinced.
"Fine how are we going to find Bathilda's house?" I asked, shivering, and not from the cold.
"I thought we'd just look around." Harry said, sounding like he had no idea. I sighed and started walking, pulling the other two with me. We had barely gone twenty meters when harry suddenly bolted ahead, calling out something. Ron and I glanced at each other and then we ran after him.
"Harry?" We called, racing after him. He stopped in front of a pile of rubble. We reached him am moment later, breathing heavily as we examined where we had just run to. It had clearly been a cottage at one point, and then I realized what it was. This had been Harry's house.
. Most of the cottage was still standing, though
entirely covered in the dark ivy and snow, but the right side of the top floor had been
blown apart; that, Harry was sure, was where the curse had backfired. He and Hermione
A sign had risen out of the ground in front of the house and golden letters appeared on its wood.
On this spot, on this night of 31 October 1981, Lily and James Potter lost their lives. Their son, Harry, remains the only wizard ever to have survived the Killing Curse. This house, invisible to Muggles, has been left in its ruined state as a monument to the Potters and as a reminder of the violence that tore apart their family.
All around these neatly lettered words, scribbles had been added by other witches and wizards who had come to see the place where the Boy Who Lived had escaped. Some had merely signed their names in Everlasting Ink; others had carved their initials into the wood, still others had left messages. The most recent of these, shining brightly over sixteen years' worth of magical graffiti, all said similar things. Good luck, Harry, wherever you are. If you read this, Harry, we're all behind you! Long live Harry Potter.
"They shouldn't have written on the sign!" I said, feeling horrified. Harry was positively beaming.
"It's brilliant!" He exclaimed, his eyes bright and happy. Ron ducked under the roped off fence and walked up to the sign. He took a knife out of his pocket and knelt in front of the sign. He scratched his initials in it before writing three simple words. Never give up! He stood up then, brushing off his pants before returning to us. We didn't have a chance to talk to him though, a heavily cloaked figure was hobbling towards us. She kept her eyes on us, pausing only once to glance at the house before returning her gaze to us. She stopped right in front of us and raised her gloved hand, beckoning us closer.
Harry stepped forward, a determined look on his face before Ron's hand stopped him.
"Are you sure about that? Some old witch walking down the street and you want to follow her?
Harry looked down at Ron, a slight expression of surprise on his face. He turned back to the stooped woman. "Are you Bathilda?" He questioned. She nodded her head and beckoned again.
"Okay, that's just creepy." Ron muttered as Harry took another step forward. We glanced at each other before joining him. My skin was twitching with alarm, but I couldn't think why. If she was Bathilda we had nothing to fear.
She led us to a house overgrown by moss and shrubbery. She walked up its path and opened the door, ushering us in.
A/N: Sorry about the cliff hanger ending, I couldn't help it, it was the perfect quitting spot! I decided to do a double update today because I kind of went on a writing binge yesterday, my hand still hurts from all that typing, over 7,000 words!