What Your Parents Didn't Tell You
Disclaimer: I own nothing Harry Potter. Nothing at all.
Kingsley was quite right; Trafalgar Square was crowded with Muggle tourists, with it being the end of May and all. Harry quickly crossed the busy, crowded street, avoiding the near bumper-to-bumper of cars as he went. Neither Ron, Hermione, nor Kingsley were there yet, so Harry sauntered up the memorial's steps and up to one of the enormous lions that sat glaring at the London traffic.
Kingsley's unexpected letter had been most puzzling to both him and Ginny, who seemed to sense that the whole thing was more complicated than Harry believed it to be.
"It might be another issue that Dumbledore never got around to telling you. Or never bothered to tell you. You know that things are never simple when it comes to you, Harry. Just be careful."
Ginny's words were true enough, but for once, Harry wanted to believe that it was just some little thing left over from his Hogwarts days, which is why Kingsley wanted Ron and Hermione to come as well. However, there was a nagging voice in the back of his head telling him otherwise…
Harry shook his head and adjusted his glasses, turning to look over the lion's head, when he broke out into a smile as he spotted some familiar looking people coming from the Charing Cross side: a tall, ginger-haired man and a brown, bushy-haired woman.
Ron and Hermione Weasley walked briskly toward Trafalgar Square, hand in hand. Ron was as tall and lanky as ever, his freckles only slightly faded. His penchant for jumpers had evolved from pullover to button-up, just like his father. Hermione never really grew out of dressing less than smart casual, and today was no different. She had a knee-length skirt with a matching jacket, along with mid-heeled shoes. Her bushy hair was tied back neatly out of her face in a knot. The two spotted Harry and hurried through the crowd as Harry ran down the steps to meet them.
"Harry!" Hermione rushed forward and hugged him in greeting, nearly knocking the wind out of him. "How are you?"
"Brilliant!" Harry gasped, patting Hermione's back. "Just brilliant, Hermione."
"Careful, Hermione," Ron grinned. "Don't kill him." He and Harry clapped each other on the back once Hermione had pulled away. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah, fine," Harry said. "You?"
"Everything's quite well. Hugo's getting excited about starting at Hogwarts and Rose is already looking into O.W.L.s," Hermione said proudly. Ron rolled his eyes.
"Just like her mother," he smirked. "She's only a third year and she's worrying about what's ahead." Hermione smiled and lightly prodded her husband in the ribs. "How are things at home?" Harry sighed and gave a grin.
"The boys are…well…boys, as usual. Lily's starting Hogwarts this year, she can't wait to go with Hugo." The joy of catching up with his two best friends deflated suddenly, and he bit his lip. "Kingsley didn't say why he wanted to see us, did he?" Harry asked in a low voice. Ron shook his head, looking just as bemused.
"No, he didn't, Harry," Hermione said. "I can't think of why he would call us. Voldemort's gone, and you've caught most of the Death Eaters that were still at large."
"Unless, there's something that we overlooked," Ron said, frowning. Harry shook his head.
"Impossible. I'm pretty sure we covered everything Voldemort related. There's been nothing concerning him, nothing at all. Ginny thought it was something Dumbledore 'forgot' to mention, like there's still something else that Voldemort had out there and it's hidden." Ron snorted.
"It wouldn't be the first time Dumbledore's done that."
"Ron," Hermione said reproachfully. "If Dumbledore had no reason to tell Harry of something, then it probably wasn't important or crucial to the overall plan." Her brown eyes, however, told a different story, showing Harry that even she was second-guessing herself. Suddenly uncomfortable, he looked out into the crowd surrounding them; thankfully, he saw a tall, bald, black man coming towards them.
"We'll soon find out," he said, nodding over their heads. Ron and Hermione turned around to see Kingsley Shacklebolt making his way through a group of Muggle tourists. The Minister of Magic was dressed just as neatly as Hermione, if not even more smartly; the little golden earring in his right ear glittered as he walked. He gave a subdued smile upon reaching the trio.
"Good morning, Harry, Ron, Hermione," Kingsley greeted them all. "I'm very glad you are all here."
"Kingsley, what-?" But Harry was cut off as the man held up a hand.
"We need to move," he explained. "Even though we're able to blend in as Muggles here, it'd be better to have this discussion somewhere private." Ron and Hermione caught Harry's eye and nodded, all three of them knowing exactly where to go.
"Of course," Harry said quietly. "Grimmauld Place. Apparating will be the quickest way to get there." Kingsley nodded and nonchalantly began to stroll away from the memorial. Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed suit, masking their burning curiosity with indifference. Grimmauld Place had been the only place nearby that Harry could think of; he had reclaimed Sirius' family home after Voldemort died, and he and Ginny kept it clean, but they rarely used the house. But now was a good time for it…
They followed the Minister down an empty alleyway filled only with rubbish bins. Kingsley looked around carefully before nodding at Harry. Harry closed his eyes and, concentrating hard on seeing the old Black family home in his mind, and turned on the spot.
He could feel the air rushing past him and the others following him as he apparated in front of Number Twelve. Three popping noises told Harry that Ron, Hermione, and Kingsley had arrived safely, so he pulled out his wand and tapped the keyhole. Instantly, the house recognized its owner and the front door swung open. Everyone hurried inside and settled down in the drawing room on the first floor. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all shared one couch while Kingsley sat in the one facing them.
"All right, Kingsley," Ron said. "What's this all about?" Kingsley looked at them gravely.
"Last night, I received news of a trespasser on Hogwarts' grounds. Normally, the castle's protective enchantments should have taken care of everything, but whoever broke in somehow worked around every spell the Hogwarts' teachers keep up year round, even during summer holidays." Hermione frowned worryingly.
"Does this have to do with Voldemort?" she asked quietly.
"No, at least, not on the surface," Kingsley replied. "You destroyed all of the Horcruxes twenty-one years ago, Harry. By all means, Voldemort is dead once and for all." Harry's green eyes narrowed as Kingsley trailed off.
"But?" Harry prompted. "What happened, Kingsley?" The older man looked at the three friends before staring straight into Harry's eyes.
"Dumbledore's tomb has been broken into again. The Elder Wand is gone."
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