Chapter Thirty-One
A Way Home
Paradise was staying with Aurora and flooing to Ursa-Upon-Heavens, but Harry had gotten permission to take the Hogwarts express with his friends. He was squished into a compartment with Able, Hermione, Sarah, Neville, Eddie, Nora, Persephone and Selene. Sarah was stretched out on the floor. Harry was next to the window and Selene, with Persephone and Eddie. Nora, Able, Hermione and Neville were on the other bench.
Somehow, the four Ravenclaws and Slytherins had become so integrated in their group. Sarah seemed a little uneasy around the four extra fourth years, but she and Persephone were finding several things to talk about. The elder Grant girl liked art and Sarah was veritable encyclopedia on art and art history. Harry watched, calmly, as within an hour Sarah was completely relaxed around the older students. Then Able suggested they play two truths and a lie or some other sort of talking game.
Twas fun. Persephone was really good at confusing everyone, but her twin sister was in the compartment so she only managed to win a few rounds. Harry, in actuality, came out with the most victories. Which made Hermione really chagrined. She was supposed to be his best friend, or at least, his friend for the longest amount of time. Hermione was awful at the game. And it was kind of funny, how frustrated she got when she repeatedly failed to confound her friends. Nora was equally as bad; she and Eddie didn't catch on to Selene and Persephone's silence regarding each other's truth and lies. It was a fun way to pass the time.
A bunch of people stopped by, but there wasn't space for any of them to stay, so all of them moved on. Su joined Sarah on the floor for the last half an hour of the train ride. She didn't fit into the group well, but she connected with Hermione and Harry knew that Su wasn't really liked outside of Hermione. She was respected, very well respected, but she wasn't liked. Sort of like Persephone. Harry was loved and revered. Neville was well known in certain circles but disliked in many – most people didn't even know why he was disliked, Sarah and Able were complete unknowns. Eddie, Nora and Selene were barely well known, respected for a few things but not known. Sarah knew – and Hermione suspected – that one day they'd all be known simply as Harry Potter's friends, but she didn't mind that.
And so Harry decided that he'd try and help Su integrate into the outer circles of his close group of friends. He already knew that she and Hermione were spending the holidays together, half of it at Su's place and half of it at Hermione's. So she'd be involved in anything he did with Hermione over vacation. It was… Oh geez, the first term of school this year had completely changed his outlook on things. But it was mostly a good chance, right?
"Harry?" Neville said, "You're zoning. We're almost at the station."
"Right," Harry shrugged. "Sorry." He adjusted his hat again. Part of his wardrobe contained hats of nearly every style, color and size. And as hats couldn't be worn with the Hogwarts uniform, he hardly ever got the chance to wear hats. Today, his hat was a bright red, not-quite-fedora. "Everyone game for Thursday?" He'd see most of them at some point before Thursday, but his huge vacation party was scheduled for Thursday. Aurora hadn't wanted to chaperone, so they'd talked Dan and Emma Granger into coming over to Ursa-Upon-Heavens so that they could experience a little of magical community and chaperone the kids while Aurora went to various Hogwarts related meetings. Harry didn't think fifty was a lot of people… right?
They had long since stopped playing the game, moved through a detailed analysis of the workings of the Intelligence Bowl and started talking about the Ball. When they got on the subject of the Ball, they got on the subject of Harry and Natalia and how well their robes went together. "Well, duh, I own a clothing company." Temperance was passing by the door at that exact moment.
"Hang on, you had those specially made?"
"I paid for them," Harry retorted, petulantly.
"You are basically paying yourself," Hermione interjected.
"I liked the glitter," Temperance said, smirking. She moved off, still smirking.
Hermione frowned at Harry. "Did you pay for Natalia's robes as well?"
Harry nodded.
"Oh."
"What's the problem with that?" Able asked. "They looked great together. I saw Colin get some pictures. Do you want any?"
"Aurora took some too," Harry said, grinning. "And 'mione, don't call Nat Natalia. She doesn't like it."
"Don't call me 'mione!"
"Game, set, match," the three other Gryffindors cooed. The three Ravenclaws and the two Slytherins laughed. The train lurched to a stop at Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Harry had sent his trunk with Aurora, so he helped Sarah handle her trunk. Hermione and Selene and Sian and pretty much everyone knew not to leave until he'd met their parents. Well, those who were being picked up would know. Many of the purebloods would just floo home. They joined the throng of students exiting the Hogwarts Express. Persephone and Selene found their parents first. They dragged Harry over for the formal introductions. Poseidon joined them, while Harry was greeting Lord and Lady Grant. They had two pre-Hogwarts kid with them. And Hades. And Athena. Wow. There were a lot of Grants.
Lord Grant was a little aloof, but Poseidon and Lady Grant actually joked around a bit. Harry said his adieus and turned straight into Artemis and Pallas Ingraham. Who just had to introduce him to their parents! Lord and Lady Ingraham were kind, and they seemed to take a genuine interest in what Harry was interested in. But they did keep talking and Harry was getting anxious. He had a lot of parents to meet! Pallas rescued him by pointing out Sian with her parents and saying "Don't you need to go talk to her?"
Harry thanked her, said goodbye to her and Emi and their parents before darting over to speak with Sian and her parents. The Hallabrands shook his hand and thanked him profusely. It was a little annoying, but Harry smiled and told them he was always willing to help. They also seemed rather shocked to see how young and small he was.
He ran into Mr. and Mrs. Spinnet by accident. He'd been hoping to avoid them… Thankfully, Alicia distracted them and Harry managed to dart away with the elder Spinnets knowing who he was. He was kind of surprised to see Temperance and Chastity talking with an older man who was obviously their father. They probably could have apparated… Harry went over and finally met the man behind his wardrobe and dramatic increase in wealth. Julius was jovial and fairly close to epic. But then, Harry had made him a rich man, so he didn't exactly give the guy a reason to complain.
After Julius, Harry greeted the venerable Lady Longbottom, before getting ambushed by Vicky and Vicky's mom. The ambush by Mrs. Frobisher reminded him far too much like Mrs. Weasley's hugs. And Mrs. Weasley's hugs had taught him to not fight the hug! Mrs. Frobisher was sobbing and thanking him over and over by the time she let him go. Harry gave Vicky a hug and told her to have a good Christmas.
Harry had only managed to get away from the Frobishers when Nat grabbed his hand and dragged him over to meet her dad and the boys. And by Merlin's bloody trousers, meeting Kingsley Shacklebolt Sr. was terrifying! The man was tall, black, imposing, had his ear pierced, and seemed looked like he knew how to kill. He shook Harry's hand rather formally and didn't seem like he was trying to be scary. Harry was still a bit scared. Nat introduced him to all four of her brothers: Elias, Carter, Kingsley Jr., and little Lance, who was only five. He talked with the boys for a few minutes, found out all their favorite Quidditch and football teams (halfbloods had the best of both worlds) before he excused himself and finally reached Hermione and her parents.
Hermione was grinning at him. "Popularity, huh. And did you notice how many gi—"
"Shut up."
"Heartbreaker," Hermione retorted, sing-song-ish. "Harry, my parents, Dan and Emma Granger. They're still on for Thursday."
"Awesome!" Harry shook Hermione's parents' hands and they chatted about the past term and various inconsequential things. As they walked away, Harry heard Emma mutter something about how much he'd changed since they'd seen him last. Huh. He'd have to ask Hermione about that. By now, the platform had thinned to the point that most everyone had left. He could still see the Towlers, deep in conversation with Penelope Clearwater. None of them seemed to have parents in the vicinity. The girl he thought was Elizabeth Thorn – Slytherin, sixth year – he thought. On the good side, walked by.
Something smashed him in the back of the head.
Harry crumbled.
And Sal started screaming.
o.o.o.o.o.o
Hedwig hadn't been in the owlery during the vacation clean out. When she got back, most everyone was missing. Ah well, she'd just have to fly home with this newest message. She perched for a few minutes, intending just to calm herself and rest up before taking wing again, but Fawkes messed that up.
The phoenix flashed into the middle of the owlery, terrifying the remaining birds out of their minds. Daughter of the night, I must converse with you.
Hedwig tried to straighten herself, but her feathers were ruffled from pruning and she had to look a frightful mess. Of… of course, oh Father of Fire.
Fawkes eyed the other owls. There weren't many. Scat!
All of them, excepting poor, clueless, adorable little Taygete, fled. Hedwig flicked her minion with a bright golden eye. Do as he says. I will converge with you at home, and the frumpish little owl took to the sky.
She is loyal to you, Fawkes said, with a hint of pride in his voice.
This is my perch, Hedwig thought, snappishly. Taygete, Jasper, CiCi… they served her in this dominion. And, while she respected and feared the phoenix's power, she disliked being reminded that the entire sky was not hers to own. What did you need to tell me?
Fawkes sagged. His golden feathers drooped. Hogwarts is crying. Her heart is broken. The world has shattered and your human is the one in the best position to heal it. And Hogwarts needs to be healed!
Hedwig cooed.
The magnificent phoenix bowed his head. I gift you a feather. Tell him to grow his circle. Tell him he must complete his campaign, not only within Hogwarts, but within this crying land. Tell him he must complete this before Hogwarts cries herself to nothingness!
Hedwig hooted. How long, oh Father of Fire?
I do not know. Soon.
And that was when the feeling hit. Her human had been hurt and probably… probably… Without waiting for the phoenix's consent, Hedwig took to the sky and winged in the direction her bond told her to go. She'd find Harry. He'd be okay.
o.o.o.o.o.o
Harry woke in a nursery. An old, disused, somewhat abandoned nursery, but at one point in time, the room had definitely been home to little children. There was a broken but open toy chest lying in one corner. Two cribs had been pushed against a far wall. Dust had coated the floor, but it was scuffled and disturbed by drag marks and at least two pairs of footprints. His hands were bound and, and… his magic wouldn't funnel through his hands. Did they have some sort of magic suppressors? That was a scary thought.
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The walls of the nursery were silver and green. That implied that it was a Slytherin by heritage family. But… that meant it was most likely the Flints, Malfoys, Crabbes, Parkinsons, or Higgs. There were other families, but those children would have been at the platform without standing out at all.
"You know he's awake now," said a voice, just outside the nursery.
"Yeah, I know." That was Malfoy. Draco Malfoy.
Harry sighed. Did the boy have no sense? And the other voice, it was older, feminine.
"I can't believe you talked me into keeping him in my old nursery," said the female. The door opened and Harry stepped through, followed by Maria Flint.
Malfoy walked up to Harry and slapped in across the face. Harry spat at him. Malfoy spat back. "I was thinking of contacting Black, you know. He was one of Voldemort's favorite. He would want you so, so, dead." Draco shrugged. "But I guess I wanted to have my own little fun with you first. We can always pin it on Black later, right Maria?" The older girl snickered.
"You're both idiots," Harry said.
"We got you this far," Maria retorted. "It's been three days and they haven't found you yet."
Three days? That would mean…
Harry morphed his arms smaller. He hadn't tried it before and normally he could only do his hair and facial expressions for a few seconds. But he needed… It worked. The shackles slipped of his wrists and Harry caught them before he managed to fall. Ha.
"We've got your wand," Draco said. "Don't you know that casting with rock is useless?"
"Don't you ever pay attention?" Harry spat back. He dropped the shackles and fired his largest of patroni at the two Slytherins. They stared. Harry jumped to his feet and cast three quick spells that Professor Lupin had taught them: two expelliarmus charms and one charm that would bind Flint and Malfoy's hands together. They just stared at him, astonished. "Real idiots." And Harry took off running. He was always good at running. Thing was, he didn't know the house. Still, it was large and empty. He didn't even see a house-elf. It was still a long while before he found a fireplace with floo powder. "St. Mungo's, Healer Kensington!" He didn't know if that last part would do anything, he just hoped he wouldn't pop out of some random fireplace in a populated area of St. Mungo's.
He didn't. He tumbled out, covered in soot, into a very small office. Vince Kensington shot up from his desk. "Harry, what on earth?"
Harry sent a message through his link with Hedwig, telling her that he was okay. His owl was frantic. "What's the date?"
"The 20th," Kensington replied, easily. "What happened, are you hurt?"
Harry relaxed. "I don't think so… but… could you call an auror?"
"Harry, what happened?"
Harry wasn't entirely sure. "I think I got abducted by a pair of imbeciles."
Kensington called for an auror. Hedwig arrived at the window. Harry scribbled out a note for her to take to Aurora, saying his was fine and that he'd be home as soon as possible. She left. Auror Trainee Tonks, who'd be unofficially assigned as Harry's semi-official auror for all things insignificant, popped through the floo. "You got abducted?" where the first words out of her mouth.
"By Draco Malfoy and Maria Flint," Harry said.
Tonks blinked at him.
"Okay, so I was brained at the platform and then woke up in this nursery in Flint's house and Malfoy and she were there and they were talking and said they'd turn me over to Black," Kensington and Tonks winced, "but that they wanted to have some fun with me first. They hand these handcuffs or something on my hands. I morphed my wrists smaller, disarmed them, and attached their wrists together. I didn't grab my rock, though; they probably still have that."
"Your rock?" Tonks asked.
"Oh, the focus I've been using since my wand broke."
"A rock."
"Yes."
"A rock."
"Yes."
"A rock!"
"…Haven't we been through this?"
"A ROCK!"
"Tonks!" Harry shouted back at her.
The auror blinked at him. "Right. Sorry."
The floo activated. Kensington and Tonks leaned over the fireplace. Harry curled into one of Kensington's chairs and just watched. He heard a random auror telling Tonks about five frantic Hogwarts students claiming that Harry Potter had been kidnapped by Draco Malfoy and Maria Flint. The auror in the floo didn't think it was possible and was being derisive. Harry started snickering. And Tonks just reamed into the other auror. She started shouting again, which was kind of funny. Harry just snickered as Tonks and Kensington gave the poor older auror a lesson in proper procedure. Tonks even darted through the floo to reassure the Towlers, Penelope and Elizabeth Thorn that Harry was actually okay.
Kensington looked back at Harry. "This is gonna be one of those things that you're laughing about in a million years, yeah?"
"Already am sort of laughing about it," Harry said. "What do you think they're going to do with Flint and Malfoy?"
"How old are they?"
"Third year and fifth year," Harry said. He picked up one of Kensington's books on Mind Arts and read the table of contents. It was beyond his understanding, but it was still something to do.
"Some sort of juvenile reformation, probably." Kensington moved behind his desk. "You studied that book at all?"
Harry nodded. "Katie and I both. We've gained some limited control over the empathy, but not much more in shielding."
"You're still coming in for lessons and check-ups the Wednesday after Christmas?"
Harry nodded.
Tonks popped back through the floo. "You can go home now. You'll probably be needed for a juvenile trial at some point. But that'll probably be after school starts up again."
"Great," Harry grumbled.
"You can head home now," Tonks said. "As long as Ken here releases you."
"You're fine," Kensington said. "You can get home through the floo?"
"Yeah. Bye guys."
"Oh, Harry, congrats on that morph," Tonks said, as he stepped into the floo. Harry grinned at her and disappeared through the fireplace grates.
He stepped out in Ursa-Upon-Heavens to find Paradise and Aurora staring at him from the dining room table. "Hi."
"Why did you end up at St. Mungo's?" Aurora asked, levelly.
"I got abducted."
"What?"
"Oh, Malfoy and Flint abducted me. What time is it, I forgot to ask that."
"About seven," Paradise pointed out. "You hungry?"
He joined them at the table. "Yeah. You know, I don't understand why Malfoy would do it. I mean, I wasn't even properly secured."
"You got abducted."
"I'm fine." Harry said. He snatched an apple from the table and bit into it.
Paradise cocked her head. "Your scar is back." Harry blinked. She rolled her eyes. "Your burn scar."
Harry looked down at his hand. The finger tips on his right hand had reverted to folded, black skin. The burn really was back. But why? It itched, but it hadn't itched until Paradise pointed it out. Huh. It had faded a while ago, just a couple of days after the Snape incident, so why was it back? Maybe… maybe the metamorphing skills had something to do with it? "Odd. Is Hedwig okay?"
"Yeah. She and Tay went for a flight right after Hedwig got in with your letter," Paradise said. "She was a little frazzled, but all right."
"Good."
"I'm going to go get dinner ready," Aurora said, standing. "Harry, don't, don't do that again."
Harry shrugged. "Wasn't my fault."
"Well," Aurora muttered, somewhat awkwardly. "Try? It could be worse next time."
Harry looked at her, cocking his head. "Of course it's going to be worse next time."