Potter Manor (just after Sirius and Harry left)
The rest of the group made their way down to the entry.
"What was all that about?" Asked Molly.
"Lucius Malfoy has been abusive to Draco and Narcissa. We've been helping Draco at school in secrecy. Draco's terrified of what his father could do for should his father find out that he has been talking to anyone. It's a miracle that we know. Sirius is aware of the abuse and has been wanting to do something about it…with so much that has gone on it must have slipped his mind…finding out that Malfoy Manor is so close…I guess he just couldn't take it any more. Harry going after Sirius…well I am sure that Harry went after Sirius to help…if need be." Replied Hermione.
"He's only thirteen…" Argued Molly.
"Yes, he's thirteen but also a descendant of Merlin. Not to mention that Harry does have his dads invisibility cloak with him. He always has the cloak with him." Said Hermione defensively.
"Still…I think that we, the adults, should go down there." Said Molly.
"I agree dear, but it's only been about ten minutes. Lets wait a while and see what happens. I am sure that if there is anything going on that would require help we would hear it."
"Oh all right." Molly said.
"Hermione did say that Harry has an invisibility cloak, so I wouldn't worry too much mum. I'm sure that Harry will keep himself concealed." Said Charlie.
"Look…it's Hedwig…what's wrong with her?" Asked Ron.
Hedwig had flown in through the open door and was flying around in circles as though unsure of where to go.
"Hedwig." Hermione called out softly while holding her arm out.
Hedwig flew straight to Hermione and landed on her outstretched arm. Hedwig hooted happily as Hermione removed the envelope from Hedwig's mouth. Hermione noticed a small scroll of parchment attached to Hedwig's leg, as she removed the scroll fumbling she dropped the envelope.
"Mr. Wesley, this is for you."
"Oh, thank you Hermione. You dropped something."
"Thank you." Said Hermione as she bent down to pick up the envelope.
Mr. Weasley unrolled the scroll and attempted to softly read it to Mrs. Weasley. He was not as quiet as he thought, Charlie, Ron, Fred, George, Hermione and Ginny all heard,
"Arthur, I have been looking for you at the Burrow, the new house and now Sirius's. It's not an emergency. In a way it is work related. I know you have taken some time off from work so you can move into the new house, so I am not sure if you are aware of what is in the works for the up coming school year. I thought that I would give you and Molly the details so neither of you will worry. Find me when you can or let me know where you are so we can talk.
Oh, I have to tell you about this free house-elf that is over here at Sirius's. He is a bit strange but he made me smile and laugh, so I have to share it with you. It might even give an explanation or information to someone that might be around. Any way this elf's name is Dobby. Well, while I was talking to Kreacher, Dobby over heard me saying that I wanted to talk to you about something. Dobby said that he has a letter to send and that if I write you a note he will send it with his letter. He is sure that both his letter and my note are to be delivered to the same place or at least that my note to you will be given to you. From what I saw of the envelope it looks as though it is concealed so I am assuming that this letter Dobby has is for one of your children or a friend of theirs. Dobby refuses to tell me anything about the letter or who wrote it or who it's too. He has been mumbling about one place that he has not checked but that he does not want to be anywhere near that area again. It makes no sense to me, but Dobby is really animated about the letter he has being delivered. He seems concerned, as he has been trying to deliver the letter for a day or so. I do hope this letter reaches you and whoever is supposed to receive the letter receives his or hers.
I assume the owl here belongs to Harry Potter, I know Sirius does not own a Snowy White Owl. Any way the owl is beautiful. Good day and I'll be waiting somewhere waiting to hear from you. Kingsley."
Hermione looked down at the envelope, at seeing her name in writing she did not recognize she softly gasped and attempted to open the envelope.
"How can you tell what the envelope says?" Asked Ron.
"Because I can."
"Is it in runes?"
"No it is not in runes. You know Ron sometimes you…oh never mind."
"So how can you read it?" Asked Fred
"It's a bunch of shapes and symbols…unlike runes." Added George.
"That's the whole point. I can read it, I'm the only one that can, aside from the writer."
"So it's in code?" Asked Ron.
"Sort of. I don't have to decode anything. I just have to touch it to be able to read it."
"So, one of us would only see the shapes and symbols…"
"Correct Ron."
"Who are you secretively corresponding with? And why?" Asked Ron.
"Draco and it should be obvious why. With what Lucius has already done based on suspicion…I don't want to know what he'd do if he actually knew. I did this because I thought 'how could Draco send for or reach out for help if he had no way to get to Sirius's', so I put this together."
"But how? I have an idea of what you did, it's just I believe that you would have to have at least traces of each person's magical signature…"
"Well, Charlie, obviously I have mine at the ready. It wasn't too difficult to realizes how to get traces of Draco's magical signature."
"And how did you do that?" Asked Ron.
"Three weeks before school let out…in transfiguration…so I stole what Draco transfigured and extracted the traces of Draco's magical signature. I made a potion with it and drank it. Anything I write with or write on, as long as I write Draco's name on it, he'll be able to read it through the concealment spell…"
"In other words Ron, the potion Hermione drank, as she writes it flows through onto the parchment into the written words. Once Draco touches the parchment the words will reveal to him but no one else. You have to place a concealment charm on the letter when finished so that no one can read it. As long as you and the person you are corresponding with have drank the signature potion he or she can read it without removing the concealment. Now, Hermione I am impressed as well as curious as to how you managed to find it and how to do it. I am not questioning you ability, it's just that I know for a fact it's more advanced magic than just third year." Charlie explained as he glanced back and forth between his brother and Hermione.
"The week before I stole what Draco had transfigured I was in the common room, it was really late and I…it wasn't thievery…a sixth or seventh year left his or her books out. One of the books caught my eye and I looked through it. I came across how to 'conceal from detection'. With letters it shows up as shapes and symbols. You have to make the signature potion and drink it before you write the letter or note. Once you are finished writing the letter or note you have to perform the concealment spell. The spell can be reversed. Any way, I copied all the information and put the book back where I had seen it. Now if you don't mind, I would like to find out what Draco's letter says."
"But…"
"I'll read it out loud Ronald."
Hermione opened the envelope, pulled out the parchment, unfolded it and read,
"Hermione,
I have to say that you are absolutely brilliant! How, where and when did you discover this and figure it out? Most importantly thank you for this. I am that much more relieved knowing I will have a way to reach you and everyone else for should I not have a way to get to Sirius's.
Just so you know I'm just fine. I've managed to avoid my father so far. I overheard a fairly loud and heated conversation between my parents. It started out with them discussing me. My father wants to know why I am avoiding him and intends on finding out why. My mother claims that I am not avoiding him and that there is nothing wrong with me studying. And then they started talking about a baby girl…my father is glad that he only has to deal with one child that is not acting appropriately. My father was really upset because my mother had given the baby up for adoption instead of killing it. My mum yelled at him to stop brining her up. It would seem that I have a little sister somewhere. My mum had told my father that she wished she had taken the baby girl and me and ran for it. My father told my mum to not fool herself into believing that she would have made it long. Then he said that it would have been perfect if she had left with the baby girl that way it would only be him and me.
If my mother had, had another son my father would have been so pleased since he feels I am ruining the Malfoy name and he would have been able to send me packing. He even referred to me as 'the poor excuse for a Malfoy heir.' He also said that my mother would have been sent packing. He accused my mother of not being strong enough to give him another son. He doesn't want any bratty girls. My mum got so pissed that she threw a crystal vase at my father's head. He ducked (unfortunately), but the vase still grazed his head. Of course that pissed him off and he used the cruciatus curse. It really didn't affect my mum that much…my father on the other hand…well one would think that 'maxima' was added onto it. My father attempted to use this other curse or spell…well my mum placed some kind of protective shield around her and whatever my father was trying to do to her didn't go as planed. It hit the shield around her and vanished. Then my father gasped and yelled out in pain. There were several lacerations spread out over his chest. I only saw them when he fell to the floor.
My mother noticed that I was standing at the top of the stairs…so did my father. He yelled at me to get down there and help him. I told him no and a bunch of other stuff. As much as it felt good to stand up to him…I wish that I had not lost control. I know that if he manages to find me he is going to try to kill me if not actually kill me. Don't worry though, he won't find me…as long as I stay where I am. I'm hiding out in my attic.
Well I should really go. I'm going crazy not being able to safely roam around the house and not having anyone to talk to. I promise to write the twice a week requirement. I know that if you don't hear from me at least twice a week that you'll send everyone you can think of, but I can tell you that it will be bad, real bad…for me. Possibly worse than you might think. I am going to go this time, it might take me a while but I will get this sent out to you. –Draco."
"You know it is really fortunate that Draco wasn't reaching out for help. With all the questions and explaining…it should have been discussed after the reading of the letter." Said Ginny.
"Ginny you have a valid point." Said Charlie.
"The point is Draco is okay." Said Ron.
"For now." Said Hermione and Ginny.
"He has to leave sometime." Said the twins.
"It shouldn't be to hard to nick some food." Said Ron.
"He won't to leave to get food. Rosie, I am sure can and would bring food to Draco. If nothing else I am sure that Draco knows that he can call on Dobby." Said Hermione with a harsh tone in her voice.
"What else would he need or have to leave the attic for? I mean other than to return to Hogwarts." Said Ron.
"Um…let me see…to use the bathroom! He won't be able to stand being cooped up in an attic all the time. The temptation of roaming around the house would be difficult if not impossible to resist. I'd like to see how long you'd last cooped up in an attic." Said Ginny flustered.
"All right now you three. As much as I am unsure about leaving the five of you without adult supervision, I'm more concerned about what is happening at the Malfoy Manor. Arthur, Charlie it has been long enough. I am going down there with or without you."
"I'm going with you." Said Charlie and Arthur.
As the three adults were about to head out, Harry and Sirius appeared in the entry.
"We were just about to head down to Malfoy Manor." Said Molly.
"So what happened?" Asked Arthur.
"Sirius and Lucius got into it, verbally. Sirius kept telling Lucius to get lost and that what he had to discuss with Narcissa had nothing to do with Lucius. All of you should be proud of Sirius I know I am. Sirius never once reached for his wand."
"Sirius are you okay?" Asked Molly.
"I'm fine. Thanks to Harry and Draco."
"What happened?" Asked Ron.
"Lucius was pulling his wand out, he was going to use the killing curse on Sirius. I panicked a little I threw the cloak off as I said, 'no way'. Talk about getting people's attention. Come on, I appeared out of thin air. All I could think of during the momentary shock I stunned Lucius. I knew that I needed something better, something stronger. I was feeling a little desperate and I said something, I just don't know what it means. At the same time I casted whatever it was at Lucius he was attempting to curse me. What ever I casted collided with Lucius's curse and slammed into him and Draco had casted 'crucio' and hit his father in the back. The mix of all of it made Lucius fly up in the air and as he hit the floor he crumpled into a ball on the floor and his body was twitching pretty violently."
"Harry, do you remember what you said? The words you said." Said Hermione.
"Um…'Aufero memoria dies', and 'Reverto pestifer septiformus'. Why?"
"It sounds Latin. The word 'memoria' means memory. That is obvious, but the rest I have no idea." Said Hermione.
Harry quickly looked at Sirius questioningly.
"It has been so long since I studied Latin…not all of it is familiar. I do recognize two of the words. As Hermione said, 'memoria' means memory, now 'pestifer' means injuries. I am sure that the library here has a Latin language translator."
Hermione's face lit up and she ran up to the library to look for the translator.
"We might as well go up there. She'll be pleased that we are interested in what the hell I said. To be honest…I am interested…I want to know what I said."
"Well, I don't know about anyone else but I am curious to know what you said." Said Ginny as he walked up to Harry and took his hand into hers.
Harry and Ginny made their way up to the library. Ron followed reluctantly. Fred and George were reluctant to be in any library but wanting to know what exactly Harry said made them go up. Arthur, Molly, Sirius and Charlie apparated into the library.
"Oh good, you all came up here." Said Hermione when she looked up.
"So what did I do?" Harry asked nervously.
"Well, 'Aufero memoria dies' means remove memory day. And 'Reverto pestifer septiformus' means return injuries seven-fold. In other words…in simpler words Lucius's memory of the past twenty-four hours from the time the spell hit has been erased. And whatever injuries Lucius has ever had will return seven times worse than originally. Draco won't have to worry about his father right a way. With any luck Draco will make it through the whole summer unharmed. The injuries will be able to be healed, the injuries he sustained from Professor Snape's curse…I don't know if they will get worse when attempting to heal them. But those injuries will be seven times worse than when he first received them, but then if you think about it…he tried to heal them on his own and they only became worse injuries and now they will be seven times worse. Only time will really tell. Lucius will remember wanting to talk to Draco about the avoidance but at least he won't remember you and Sirius being there nor will he remember his son casting a curse on him."
"How do you know that Draco has been avoiding his father?" Harry asked curiously.
"Draco sent me a letter telling me that he has been avoiding his father."
"How did that happen? I mean Lucius…"
"I sent Draco a letter explaining how to conceal written words from unwanted eyes." Hermione answered cutting Harry off.
"That's great. But I still don't quite understand."
Hermione explained how she found a student's schoolbooks, lookin through one of the books, about the magical signature potion and the concealment charm and how it all works.
"Brilliant."
"Thank you Harry. Oh…I need to write back to him. I'll get started on the letter, in the mean time someone tell Harry what the letter said."
"Can you believe it? Draco has a sister." Said Ron after Ginny had told Harry about the letter.
"Yes. I can believe it. And I know she was adopted out. Not from Draco's letter but from the family tree tapestry at Sirius's."
"You know who she is?" Asked Hermione.
"Yes I do. But don't tell Draco. Not yet that is. I don't want Draco to leave his attic much and this…he'll want to tell his mum if she wants to know. I will not be the reason that Lucius catches Draco and does who knows what. In the meantime we'll just have to wait and see. Actually on second thought mention to Draco that I have a good idea as to the identity and whereabouts of his sister. And that I, we have every intention on telling him but we don't want him to leave the attic. We want him to be safe and unharmed. Oh…tell him to cast 'muffliato' on the attic door and any windows that the attic has. This charm is so much better and a lot stronger. No one outside of the attic will hear a thing."
"Okay, well I think this will do it for now. I do want to find as many spells and such as we can to help Draco and Narcissa and send a list to Draco. Oh, does anyone know how to change the outer appearance of an animal? Hedwig is just to recognizable and if any were to be around that recognizes her and who she belongs to…"
"Good thinking Hermione, but we might not have to change Hedwig's appearance. I've seen a few owls around here, all we have to do is ask Sparky or Muri if they are mail delivery owls or just wild owls." Said Sirius.
"They is mail delivery owls. Sparky apologize for interrupting and startling everyone. Sparky notice the time. If anyone thirsty or would like a snack, Sparky and Muri fix it and brings it up, if you like."
"We'll come down Sparky. Make something light for a snack. Thank you Sparky." Harry replied.
"Goodness, it is pretty late. Arthur and I should go." Said Molly.
"I need to let Kreacher know that we won't be at Grimmuald Place. Also I need to apologize to him for not being there for dinner and not letting him know that no one would be there. I'll be back shortly. I am sure that the rest of you will want to stay here."
"Yes." Answered all six children.
"I'll stay until Sirius returns. I do suggest that we all go down to have a snack and something to drink before anyone leaves." Said Charlie.
All four adults apparated down into the dining room, the twins, Ron and Hermione headed down the stairs. Harry couldn't resist wrapping his arms around Ginny and apparating them down to the entry. Those that didn't know that Harry could do this were not around Harry couldn't help it he just had to do it.
"I need an owl. Sparky…" Said Hermione.
Sparky whistled and a light brown owl flew in through an open window from the dining area.
"Thank you Sparky."
As Sparky left Hermione quickly finished the letter and addressed the envelope. Before she folded and placed the letter in the envelope she tapped each piece twice while muttering 'occulto ex deprehensio'. Once the letter was sealed in the envelope she secured it to the owl and told the owl to deliver it to Draco Malfoy at Malfoy Manor and to stay there until there was a return letter to be sent back. The owl hooted excitedly and flew off.
After having a snack and juice Sirius, Molly and Arthur left. Charlie followed the rest back up to the library.
"Hermione how are we supposed to find spells that will help Draco and Narcissa? How many books are there here? And how are we supposed to know what will help them?" Asked Ron.
"By looking in the sections that state whether it's defensive or protection. And anything that will help one to defend and protect him or herself, will help Draco and Narcissa."
"Do we have to do this now? It's late after all. Any way there's a lot to do already. I've seen all the boxes in the study." Said Ron.
"There's six…sorry seven of us. I'm sure that Charlie can help us make a list of strong spells, charms and enchantments." Said Hermione.
"That I can do. Don't forget that Harry can help out with that too. He has been through some of this, thought there have been a lot of changes made…"
"Charlie knows?" Asked Hermione.
"Yeah…I didn't realize that he was at Sirius's and I said a bit too much, so I had to tell him everything."
"Well that helps. It will really make it easier to talk about it when Charlie's around. We won't have to try and come up with something to explain…I know, I know you all get it. Well, enough talking, we should be…Ron the sooner we search and make a list the sooner we'll be done. We have all summer to…sorry Harry."
"Apology not required. I agree with you Hermione. Draco's situation takes priority over the boxes in the study. I have a lifetime to go through everything, no one can take it away from me. Draco and Narcissa do not have a lifetime…"
The spent the next hour and a half searching the books and making a list. Not one of them realized that Sirius had returned and had been watching them for a while.
Sirius gently cleared his throat causing all seven to jump, a few books went flying and Ron missed his chair as he was going to sit down.
"I apologize. It's really late. You all can resume the search after you've all slept. Charlie really needs to go and get some sleep, he is helping Molly and Arthur move after all."
Charlie quickly stood up and disapparated to his parents house.
"So, where are we all going to sleep? In sleeping bags in the Parlor?" Asked Ron sleepily.
"If I remember correctly, there are nine bedrooms on the third floor. If you count the Master bedroom and the nursery there are eleven bedrooms in all."
"There are nine bedrooms on the third floor!" Exclaimed Harry.
"Yes. Not that there were ever that many witches and wizards here at once or all the time. At least not with the Potter family, I have no idea who lived here before the Potter family. I do know that the Manor was passed down through the generations over a span of at least a few thousand years."
"I wonder if any of the Peverell line lived here?" Harry softly questioned to himself.
"Huh?" Asked everyone.
"I'm related to the Peverell's through Ignotus Peverell. He originally had the invisibility cloak. It's a bit of a story, I was going to say that it's a long story but it's not really a long story. I'm not going into it right now thought. One thing at a time and right now we all should get some sleep."
"Goodnight. I'll see all of you when you wake up." Sirius said as he headed towards the staircase.
"Where are you going?" Asked Harry.
"For one, to let Sparky and Muri know that there will be seven staying the night. And secondly I'll be crashing on the couch in the living room, the rooms on the third floor would be a bit crapped for me these days."
"Why? You can sleep in the Master…"
"Oh, no, no, no. I will not sleep in that room."
"Why not? Is there something wrong with the room?" Asked Harry.
"No, not exactly. Most importantly I am not the Head of the House of Potter."
"What do you mean 'not exactly'?"
"Well, would you want to sleep on the bed in there? Your father was…let me say… um… made…"
"Okay, okay. I get it, unfortunately." Harry said somewhat creeped out.
Sirius laughed as he walked down the staircase. He didn't care if anyone thought he was being strange using the staircase, he was too tired to apparate safely.
Harry walked out of the library, half way to the staircase that lead to the first floor, around the staircase in the middle of the open space and climbed the steps to the third floor. As he reached the top of the staircase he could see a two-foot high slab of the Black Golden Portoro Marble with a large bowl made of the crushed Red Jasper stones witch stood another three feet up. On his left he saw three rooms, on his right another three rooms and on the back wall behind the heat space were three more rooms. Harry walked around the heat space, in the corner on the left there were two doors. One led to a bathroom the other led to what looked like a large storage closet. In the corner on the other side of the floor he could see a couple of doors.
On further investigation he discovered that the door on the left, next to the three rooms on the back wall was another bathroom. The other door lead into a changing room that had two doors leading off the room and a vanity in the far corner. On the other side of one door was a shower room with adequate space to be able to change in. The other revealed a bathtub with adequate space to be able to change into. Both bathrooms, the shower room and the room with the bathtub were all lined with tile. The flooring in the changing room was tigerwood, matching the rest of the flooring on the third floor. Harry walked back out to find his friends looking around with only their eyes.
"Feel free to claim a room." Harry said making his friends jump a little.
Fred and George claimed the two rooms on their left closest to the staircase. Ron claimed the room closest to the changing room, Harry claimed the room directly across the heat space, Hermione claimed the room to the right of Harry's next to the bathroom and Ginny claimed the room on the other side of Harry's next to the storage closet.
"Hey Harry, if I were you I'd change the bed in the Master bedroom…" Said Fred.
"As soon as possible. And I would look into adding doors in the rooms…to make them joining rooms…what if there were a set of twins staying here?" Added George.
"I'll add it to the list of things to do." Harry said with a smirk on his face as he walked into his room.
Everyone settled into his or her room for the night. Nearly everyone was asleep instantly. Harry tossed and turned and last saw that the time was four in the morning before he finally fell asleep.
Just after eleven in the morning Harry started to wake up. As he stretched he realized that he was not alone. Harry's eyes flew open but all he could see was a blur of red. He quickly put his glasses on, now that he could properly see he began to worry about what she heard. Harry knew very well what he had been dreaming about.
"Ginny…w-what…um…are you d-doing here?"
"I couldn't sleep so I decided to curl up next to you. It worked for a while."
"Oh. Only for a w-while?"
"Well you started talking in your sleep." Ginny said with a somewhat knowing expression and smile on her face.
"I…oh…I…I did. Huh?" Harry said stumbling for words as he slowly slid out of bed.
"So what were you dreaming about?" Ginny asked coyly.
"I…uh…what? Oh…just…noth…stuff."
"So were you dreaming about your…um…broomstick again?" Ginny asked with what looked like a combination of a smirk and a smile on her face.
"I wasn…I…breakfast should probably be ready by now." Harry said flushed and left his room quickly.
"I knew it!" Ginny laughed out and followed after Harry with a glowing smile, she knew he once again had been dreaming of her.
Fred and George looked up as Harry walked into the dining room. The look in Harry's eyes and the flushed tone to his face, the twins looked at each other and couldn't resist.
"You sleep okay Harry?" Asked Fred.
"Or was it a…rough night?" Asked George.
"What? Oh, I…I slept all right…" Harry sputtered for lack of words.
Hermione glared at Fred and George. She wanted to hit both of them and hard, but she was not close enough to do so. Though the twins jabs at Harry weren't anywhere near Percy's attitude, Hermione was still pretty upset and on the verge of being pissed at Fred and George. She could not understand why they just had to take jabs at Harry, especially with Percy's behavior.
"So…"
"As soon as Harry and Ginny have breakfast we need to finish the list for Draco and Narcissa. Oh, Ron get a grip! It won't take all that long. Just a few more to add and we can call it a day." Hermione said cutting off the twins.
"What? You mean we'll be looking for more tomorrow?" Whined Ron.
"No. I mean we'll be done for now. We will have to wait and see if Draco and Narcissa need more or simply just that we need to get them out of there. Although, I'm sure that Sirius will find a way to do something. He is the Head of the House of Black, so he could look over the marriage contract and depending on what he finds he could revoke the marriage."
"It really could be that simple? I've been wondering about that for a while. I was planning on going to the Ministry to look into it, but with the recent confrontation with the Minister…I do not want to be anywhere near him. Hermione how do you know about being able to revoke a marriage contract depending on what it says?"
"Before I came down for breakfast I looked through the library and found a book on marriage contracts. If Lucius has violated any part of the marriage contract, you, as the Head of the House of Black can revoke the marriage. Narcissa could then legally go back to having the last name of Black. From what I read the same could be for Draco. It just all depends on what is in the marriage contract."
"Okay…I will look into to it. Today. I am trusting the six of you to be here without an adult. I'll be going through the documents at my house, I'm not going to bring it all over here. Only what I specifically need to bring. If need be, since the full moon isn't until tonight, Remus could be up here keeping an on things. The only reason he went down to the cellar last night is because he prefers to be safely confined somewhere so that no one forgets the full moon, including him…especially him. We nearly did forget…so thank you Harry."
"Sirius please don't worry, we'll be fine. I promise. It's not like you'll be gone all day, and you could easily check up on us." Harry assured Sirius.
"You do have a point about checking up on all of you. Okay, I'll see you all later."
Just after Sirius left the group of kids went back up to the library. Not long after they resumed their search Hermione set her book and quill down.
"Okay, that should do it." Hermione said just after an hour, she was feeling a bit worn out searching.
"Seriously?" Ron asked hopeful.
"Seriously. This should have them set for a while. I think we should help Harry with the boxes in the study. At some point today that is." Hermione confirmed Ron that they were done searching for things to help Draco and Narcissa.
"Hey, Harry weren't we supposed to go back and talk to Harrison after we checked out the tapestry?"
"Oh, yeah. I'd asked him what he wondered and he said to check out the tapestry first."
Harry quickly left the library, walked into the study, snapped his fingers as he said, 'Illuminate' and went straight to the portrait of Harrison.
"Ah, Harry. I take you have checked out the tapestry thoroughly."
"Yes. Grandfather…"
"Where is your young lady?"
"Right here." Ginny answered grinning as she entered the room.
"Wonderful…really wonderful. Oh…I see there are more today."
"Yes. Fred, George and Ron Weasley and yes they are three of Ginny's brothers. And this is Hermione Granger. So, Grandfather yesterday after Ginny and I told you about 'Merlin's Shield' and other stuff you said that…"
"Oh yes. Now that you know you are a descendant of Merlin, I can tell you his love story and I believe you will understand or at least get what I was wondering."
"Merlin's love story?" Asked Hermione puzzled.
"Yes, he has a love story but it does not have a happy ending. There are several accounts of Merlin's love story around the world so it's not just a story passed down through out the family line."
"So, what does Merlin have to do with what you were wondering?" Harry asked puzzled.
"Quite possibly everything. When Merlin was about your age he met a girl by the name of Morgan le Fay. She was just as powerful and talented as Merlin. They formed a strong, solid instant friendship. As they grew older and closer they felt that they understood each other better than anyone else as well as understood each other when no one else did understand them. They fell in love in their early teens. No one noticed that this had happened. All anyone thought was that they were best friends, considered family. Merlin and Morgan spent as much time as they possibly could. As the years went by, the more time they spent together, the more it was spent as more than just friends. Merlin, not thinking, asked Morgan to marry him and she said yes. The following day they realized that they had not gone about it properly. Back then the men asked the woman's father for permission to ask his daughter for her hand in marriage and if the father gave his permission then the man could then ask the woman to marry him.
Morgan and Merlin made a plan, they were going to wait a few days and then Merlin would ask Morgan's father for permission. Until then they knew that they had to be very careful. If it were to be discovered that Merlin had asked Morgan to marry him without her father's permission it would have literally meant war between the families. It would have been seen as though they went behind her father's back and it would have been assumed that Morgan was pregnant. Even if they were honest and said that they had never been intimate like that it would not have been believed. It would have processed that they were lying to avoid the consequences. Merlin would have been, or well an attempt would have been made to hang him or an attempt to kill him in other means. Morgan would have been disgraced and sold to the highest bidder as a slave.
Several days passed and still no one noticed anything beyond friendship between Morgan and Merlin. Secretly they started making plan for their life together. They couldn't wait for her father's permission and they thought it would not matter it they made the plans. Morgan was sure that her father would give his permission and thought that her father would have realized or suspected that they were becoming more than friends. But their families were to wrapped up in family affairs that they did not notice how much time they actually spent together nor did they notice the countless times they would return to their homes really late or night or sneaking out late at night to meet.
Once night they talked about having their own family. Both wanted a big family. Once again they confessed their love to each other and shared their first pure passionate kiss together. Not that they had never kissed before, oh they had quite a few passionate kisses. This kiss was like none other, it was one full of only passion. Things went fairly far that night. Both came to their senses and managed to stop what was going on before they made love for the first time, but only barely managed this feat. They knew Merlin had to get her father's permission as soon as possible. Fortunately when they returned to their homes they had not been seen.
The following morning Merlin arrived at Morgan's house. He requested a meeting with Morgan's father, Robert le Fay. Robert granted Merlin a meeting. Merlin asked Robert for permission to ask Morgan to marry him. Robert did not give his permission. Merlin did not and could not understand Robert's answer and inquired why not. It turned out that Robert had already agreed to a marriage contract and could not back out of it. The contract had been drawn up, signed and registered. Robert had done what he felt was right for his daughter. If Robert had known or noticed that there had been more than a friendship attraction he would not have agreed to the marriage contract. At that moment Robert realized that Merlin was the absolute best match for his daughter but it was too late. Robert promised not to back out the contract for any reason, even if someone better for Morgan came along.
In Merlin's time one's word or promise carried more weight as to the person you are than your actions. If one were to go back on their word or break their promise it would have appeared that you are a liar and never to be trusted again regardless of the reason you did so. Any way, Merlin left heart broken and devastated. He did not go home, instead he went to a meadow that he and Morgan had spent many hours together. Just as the sun started to go down Morgan found him in the meadow that they loved. She had some questions but Merlin would not answer them. He did not know how to tell her that their plans were dead. Merlin could not help it he allowed one last kiss filled with more passion then anyone could ever hope for.
Merlin finally told Morgan what had happened when he asked her father for his permission earlier that day. Morgan was so devastated that she left Merlin in the meadow and went home without an explanation.
Merlin eventually went home and it was very late when he did arrive home. His father, William, was not mad and did not punish his son, he knew something was really wrong. Merlin finally, numbly told his father what had happened. William was sorry that his son was hurting so much. But even if Robert had given his permission Merlin would not have been able to follow through with his proposal to Morgan because William had agreed to a marriage contract with another family and the contract could not be backed out of.
Yes, Merlin and Morgan followed through with what their fathers had done. In those times it was the honorable and right thing to do. Because they loved each other and it was known, they were forbidden to ever see each other or make contact again. Not even as friends in public. Because of their love for each other they could not be trusted to be in contact with each other.
Many years passed and they crossed paths. In the split second they saw each other they knew that the other was miserable. They took a chance and snuck off to talk. And they only talked, both being honorable individuals they did not engage in any type of affair. Only they know exactly everything they talked about. Before Morgan left she cast a curse on her body and bloodline. From that day on no male heir would be born from her line until she could be with her true love, soul mate. If a union between a descendant of Morgan and a descendant of Merlin the curse would be lifted even if she and Merlin were never to be united themselves. A union between the descendants would be as though Morgan and Merlin themselves had managed to find a way to together.
As the years passed Morgan only produced daughters as well as the children and grandchildren she already had. So far it is unknown if a descendant of each ever found each other. Once the descendants meet they would only have to, obviously fall in love and get engaged and Morgan's curse would break."
"S…Harrison, what if the descendants did find each other?" Asked Ginny.
"Well, let us say that they did find each other and started a family. The first child born I am sure would be a son and he would be very powerful. He obviously would be able to produce 'Merlin's Shield'. He would also be able to in a sense deflect a memory charm for example."
"Wait…Grandfather…you're wondering if I could be a descendant of the two most powerful families…but…well it's not possible…my mother was Muggle born."
"How can you be so sure Harry? The detection of new young witches and wizards has not bee updated or strengthened for a very long time. I am sure that you know that in a magical family if a child never shows any magical ability by a certain time he or she would be forced to live like Muggles. They would not talk about or discuss that they came from a magical family so they could truly live as Muggles. The children born of these 'squibs' as the magical world calls them would believe that they are Muggles. They would not know otherwise, as well as the children they have and so on. At some point it would seem as though let me say, Muggle born. As you know the years passed with a weak detection of young witches and wizards. Only extremely powerful young ones would register. So, dear Harry you very well could possibly be a descendant of Merlin and Morgan le Fay."
"That does make sense. You have to see the possibility of it." Said Hermione.
"The detection of young witches and wizards is still very weak. They don't know what they are doing at the Ministry. If they'd only listen to me it would be at top notch in no time."
"Is that you Harrold?" Asked the portrait of Harrison.
"That would be Great-great-great-great-great Grandfather to you Harrison."
"Humph." Replied Harrison.
"Excuse me, but why should they listen to you?" Asked Ron.
"Because I was the last one to update and strengthen the detection."
"But that was only what, how many years?" Asked Ron.
"A good seven hundred years ago. They must update and strengthen it at least three times a day, every day for as long as it takes. They will know that it's up to properly detecting the young ones. There will be such an overflow of young ones and nowhere for them to go. I am sure that there aren't enough schools around to handle it even if the schools remained open all year long."
"But how could I find out if my mother was actually a half blood witch? If it's within the boxes it will take me quite a while to find it even with all the help I have available to find it, if we'd even know what we were looking at."
"Simply go to Gringotts or the Ministry of Magic and have a blood line test done. If dear sweet Lily was not a Muggle born there very well could be another inheritance for you waiting to be claimed Grandson."
"That would be a lot quicker than going through the boxes, Harry." Said Ron.
"I'd still want to go through the boxes Ron. Yes it will be a quicker way to find out, that is if there is even anything to find out."
"That's what I meant Harry." Ron said defensively.
"Well of course you'll still want to go through the boxes. If you wee to discover that your mum was in fact, as you said a half blood witch and an inheritance with say another house…don't you have an Aunt?"
"My Aunt and cousin could have the house…if there is one."
"Harry, if it turns out that your mum was not a Muggle born…you'd be a pure blood and that would be in a way a slap in the face to quite a few." Said Ron.
"Not that it would change several witches and wizards opinion of me. I wouldn't be a half blood anymore just another blood traitor…in their eyes I mean."
"So, what are you going to do Harry?" Asked the portraits of Harrison and Harrold.
"First, I'm going to have lunch and then figure out if I'll go back to Gringotts or not."
"Why not just go not?" Asked Ron.
"Because I'm hungry, only a small handful know that I can apparate and I don't want Sirius to kill me. I'll ask him when he returns."
"Are you saying that you children are here alone?"
"Not exactly Grandfather. Remus Lupin is here."
"Remus Lupin? Wait…do you mean Moony?"
"Yes."
"Where is he? When is the full moon?"
"The full moon is tonight and Moony is in the cellar. The part that my d…the part that was modified. Well, I'm going to go ask Sparky and Muri to fix lunch." Harry said just before he apparated out of the study.
"Oh dear. Good one Harrison. You upset our Grandson."
"Where do you see that it's my fault, Elizabeth?"
"Humph. Men."
Ginny ran out of the study and all the way down to he dining room to see Harry sitting at the table resting his head on his arms that were crossed and on the table.
"Harry are you alright?"
"Harry did not look up when Ginny spoke. He only nodded his head in response.
"Are you sure?"
Again, Harry only nodded his head in response.
Ginny walked around the table to where Harry was sitting. She sat down next to him and rested her right arm over Harry's back with her hand on his shoulder.
"You know you can always talk to me. I'll always listen and do whatever I can to help."
"Why can't I ever think or talk about them without reacting they way I do nearly all the time?" Harry asked choked up, tear filled and muffled due to no looking up at Ginny and talking into his arms.
"Because it still hurts so much. You still feel the loss of them. You feel the loss of what could have been if they were still around. I honestly don't think that I cold be handling what you are so well. If I were the one in your shoes, I'd be a complete mess. I'd probably be completely insane."
"I think you would handle it better. You're strong Ginny. Really strong. That kind of came out a little wrong. I know that I am not weak…I just…" Harry said clearer due to looking at Ginny.
"I know you don't think or feel that you are weak. I think I know what you are meaning. I want you to always remember that I'm always here for you."
"I know you're always here. You're always here when I need you. I won't forget…I didn't forget…I was just…"
"Hit with an overwhelming feeling. In time it won't affect you so strongly, be patient. I will be right next to you when you go through all of the boxes. And if you want me there when you view…"
"Will be with me with me when I view the vials from them? I want you there with me."
"Of course I will be there. When you are ready to view the contents of the vials let me know and I will be here as fast as I can, unless of course you come and get me. That is if I'm at home. If I'm already here then it will be simple for me to be with you. Now that doesn't quite sound right…I hope you know what I mean."
"I do know what you mean."
"Good. By the sound of it, I would say that Sparky and Muri are about finished preparing lunch."
I wouldn't be surprised. Hey, where's everyone else?"
"Hermione is probably doing everything she can to keep them from charging down here."
"I was trying to keep them from doing just that. I don't think that I accomplished that task. Harry…how are you?" Asked Hermione as she walked into the dining room.
"I'm fine Hermione. Really I am. Thank you for asking though."
"You know that you don't have to run off when your…parents are mentioned or…well, we're all here for you."
"I know. Really I do. I can't help it but to run. I'll try not to, one day I probably shouldn't and it would be best if I can break myself of running off. I also know that I don't have to do this or go through this alone. Sometimes it's just really overwhelming."
"I understand. And I'm sure that they do as well, or at lest will try to understand."
Just after they had lunch, Sirius finally returned.
"Sorry for taking so long. I was looking for the marriage contract and a few things caught my eye and I have to go to Gringotts and look at some things."
"Like what?" Harry asked curiously.
"I came across two Black vaults that have been changed over to their married last names and I cannot find authorization from Head of House. If there is no Head of House authorization the change over will have been done illegally and if that is the case I will see to it that it is reversed and all gold and Black family items are returned to said vaults. Being the Head of House has its delightful perks."
"The vaults you are referring to belonged to Narcissa and Bellatrix, didn't they?" Asked Harry.
"Yes they did."
"Sirius, would you be able to go through the vaults? Would you be able to pass through any charms or spells or curses or enchantments that might be placed on the vaults?"
"I don't see why I wouldn't be able to. If the vaults were changed over to Malfoy and Lestrange without authorization then any enchantment, curse, spell or charm would be useless against me. I am the current Head of the House of Black."
"If you found and object or something you know that does not belong to them, would you be able to remove it without facing the down fall of the warning at Gringotts?'
"I should. I wouldn't be after personal gain. Why?"
"There is something in the Lestrange vault that I know does not belong to them. It's a small cup, identifiable by Hufflepuff insignia on it. It's a Horcrux and obviously needs to be destroyed. It originally belonged to Helga Hufflepuff and was then passed down to Hepzibah Smith. The cup will be on a high shelf. If you are able to gain access to the Lestrange vault and able to remove things without consequences, try to get the cup. It has to be destroyed. I know that you know it has to be…I just…well…"
"I'll try Harry."
"When were you thinking of going to Gringotts? I need a word with Gobbes. It's just something that I want to look into. I'll explain after I find out what I am after."
"Hmmm…well I wanted to go today. I'm not sure if we'd make it back in time, before the full moon. Molly and Arthur would kill me if I left with the rest of you behind."
"I don't think that they would mind too much if Ginny went with you leaving the rest of us behind. Sirius we'll be fine. If Mr. and Mrs. Weasley show up I'll explain that you and Harry had matters to tend to at Gringotts that couldn't wait and that Ginny went with you. Don't worry about it." Said Hermione.
"Amazingly I'm all right with that. I really need to go to Gringotts. Harry, do you remember the alley we popped into?"
"I've been trying to forget, why?"
"Well that is where we will arrive. Do you think that you can handle taking Ginny with you?"
"I'd rather Ginny go with you this time. I want to be sure that nothing goes wrong. It's pretty far, farther than any of the apparating I have done and I've only been to the alley once and that was with you. The first time I apparate there I think it would be best if I apparated alone."
"Okay. Ginny are you ready?"
"Yes." Ginny said grudgingly as she walked over to Sirius and took his hand with a tight, very tight grip.
"Here we go." Said Sirius just before turning on the spot and disappearing.
A second later Sirius, Ginny and Harry appeared in the alley. This time Harry noticed it wasn't quite as overrun with trash. Carefully and quickly all three stepped out onto the street and reached their destination. Minutes later they were walking through the second set doors in Gringotts.
"How may I assist you this afternoon?" Asked a Goblin.
"I need to speak with Grover in regard to the Black family finances and vaults."
"And I need to see Gobbes."
"Very well. Who shall I say is to speak with whom?"
"Sirius Black to speak with Grover."
"Harry Potter to speak with Gobbes."
"Please have a seat until Gobbes or Grover calls you."
"Thank you." Said Harry and Sirius.
After an hour an angry looking Goblin walked out.
"Sirius Black." The Goblin called out roughly.
Sirius got up and followed the Goblin to the right side of the bank and through a door just to the left of where one would go to make a withdrawal or to deposit items into his or her vault.
A half hour later an old Goblin appeared.
"Harry Potter." The Goblin called out with a wheeze.
Harry and Ginny got up and followed the Goblin to the left side of the bank and into the first office on the left. Ginny had a solid grip on Harry's left hand.
"I am Gobbes and in charge of all inheritances. What can I help you with today?"
"Well, it has come to my attention that I may have other inheritances. I do not have any documentation with me and am not sure if I have any documentation at all. I was wondering if I could do a bloodline test and if it would tell me if there are any other inheritances for me."
"Not a problem Mr. Potter. It can be done it. If there are any other inheritances, it will tell us. It won't take long. If you have inherited anything else we will know fairly quickly."
"Thank you."
"Please hold out your wand arm with palm facing opposite wall."
Harry did as instructed. Gobbes produced a small knife and gently ran it along Harry's palm. It felt like a feather being ran over his palm. A minute later as blood dripped into a basin, similar to a Pensieve, which was just below his hand a sharp, piercing pain washed over Harry's palm and up his arm. Reflexively Harry gripped Ginny's hand with his left briefly. As quick as the pain hit, it disappeared. Harry looked at his palm to see no blood dripping from it but a faint pink scar instead where the knife had ran along his palm of his hand.
Gobbes swirled the bronze liquid as he murmured in the Goblin language. Twenty minutes later two sets of numbers appeared in the pensive looking basin. Gobbes stood up, walked through a door from within the office and looked back at Harry and Ginny.
"I will be back soon. Please be patient, I have a distance to go to find these case numbers."
"Okay." Harry said quietly in shock.
"Harry, you realized that your mum may not have been a Muggle born and we just might find out. Depending on what the case numbers a linked to."
"It could be possible, but lets just wait until Gobbes returns before we react or start thinking of what could be and then find out we were wrong."
"Harry you are right, we should just wait until Gobbes returns."
"Just because there seems to be another inheritance or inheritances doesn't mean that my mother wasn't a Muggle born. It could very well be something to with my father's side."
"That's true. If it does turn out that your mum wasn't a Muggle born…"
"It doesn't mean that I am a descendant of Morgan le Fay like my Grandfather seems to think."
"I know, I was just…"
"I know Ginny. I'm sorry if I…"
"I know and you don't have to apologize. Okay…lets just wait like you said."
Harry nodded and smiled.
It had been forty-five minutes since Gobbes had left the office. Harry was about to give in to the desire to kiss Ginny when Gobbes walked back into the office. Harry noticed that Gobbes had two files with him. Gobbes sat down at his desk and placed both files in front of Harry.
"These are your copies to keep for your records."
"Thank you. So is this all one…"
"No…each file is separate but related."
Harry and Ginny exchanged confused looks as to what Gobbes meant by the files are separate but related. Harry looked back at the desk and down at the files. His eyes bulged as he sucked in a quick breath. One file was labeled Granger and the other was labeled Evans.
