Here is the updated version of this chapter. Thanks for the reviews and I agree with the constructive criticism. The way it was written before made the characters seem too mature, especially Ginny. I gave some of Ginny's lines to other characters and added a portion where the older twins worry about their young sister coming. I left Hermione and Ron acting more mature than normal for their age because I feel like her parents' deaths and the train attack would have caused them to grow up a little quicker. I also explain part of the reasons Ella knows so many healing spells . So, I hope this is better.
The translation for a phrase of this chapter is at the very end by the star (*), I don't think the translation is that necessary to get the chapter so don't worry about reading it before the end.
A Slytherin Plan
After the failed search for Harry, breakfast was a quick and quiet affair. An order meeting had been called and no Young Phoenixes were invited. Ginny and Hermione went to their room and were soon joined by Ron, Fred and George.
"You reckon Harry went with them?" asked Ron.
"That would make the most sense. But where would they go?" answered Hermione.
"Is Ella's trunk here?" asked George.
"Yeah, why?" said Ginny.
"I just have an idea. Would one of you two check if two metal jars are in there?" he asked looking at Hermione and Ginny.
"Why don't YOU look in there?" Ginny asked.
"Because…"
"Ella would have his bullocks," mocked Fred with a big grin. Ron and Ginny laughed also.
"I'll look," George answered.
"No, I'll look," Hermione said, thinking that the last thing she wanted was to have one of the boys look in this trunk and find anything related to what they had talked about the previous night. She looked thoroughly and found no jars.
"She went to Swanson Mansion," said George.
"How do you know?" asked Ron.
"The last time Dumbledore met with her, he gave her their will and the urns with Ely and Mel's ashes. If the urns are gone, she has to have taken them to Swanson Mansion like they asked."
"But why would she take Harry and Draco?" asked Hermione.
"Her note said Pretty Boy and I need to take care of a few things. She's taking care of a service for Ely and Mel, what would Malfoy need to take care of?" asked Fred.
A long silence followed.
"His mum!" exclaimed Hermione.
"What?" asked the others in unison.
"His mum! She's the one thing in his mind. He told us this summer, after the big fight with Harry, the only thing that would make him risk everything again was his mum. Draco and Ella weren't comforting each other when they were alone! Tricky Slytherins! They were planning this! They are going to try to rescue her!" said Hermione, completely convinced of their plot.
"From Malfoy Manor!" exclaimed an anxious Ron.
"Let's tell the Order so they can go and get them," said Ginny.
"No!" ordered Hermione.
"Why not?" asked Ron crossly.
"If there is one thing I've learned about Ella this summer is that she doesn't want to keep anymore secrets. If she kept this quiet, there has to be a good reason. What if there is a spy in the order? Or what if her and Draco are counting on the element of surprise?" said Hermione.
"Surprise! We can't just sit here while Harry and the Slytherins try to slip into Malfoy Manor! Didn't you see what Lucius Malfoy was capable of during the train attack? And what if McDavol is there? They can't beat them! We have to do something!" yelled Ron, clearly irritated.
"If there is a spy then telling the order would put them in more danger!" she replied, facing him with a fierce look.
"So what does miss know…" Ron cut himself short remembering his promise to never call her that again.
"Miss what? SAY IT!" Hermione responded in clear anger.
"Urrghh! Your bickering isn't useful!" screamed Ginny. Silence followed.
"We have to help… and if we can't tell the order then…" George said before his voice trailed off.
"We go and help them ourselves," Fred finished.
"And how do you geniuses suggest we do that? We don't know where any of these places are," said Ron.
"Swanson Mansion is in an island that can only be seen from the top of Llanmadoc Hill in Wales," said George, completely proud of himself.
"She really does tell you her secrets," said Fred with a small grin.
They made a plan in haste and quietly crept out of the house while the older Weasleys and Snapes were in the meeting. The Weasley boys insisted on leaving Ginny behind saying she was too young, but she wouldn't have it. She was a brave Gryffindor that was not about to be left alone to deal with their mum. So they agreed to take Ginny to Swanson Mansion, but not to the manor. She settled for the time being, but had a plan in mind to change things after they got to the mansion. She would try to help.
They took the broomsticks from the shed and quickly began their flight to Godric's Hollow. Hermione held onto Ron tightly feeling a mix of nervousness, pleasure and anger. 'I can't believe I'm enjoying this closeness after he practically called me a know-it-all. Prat! At least he will keep me from falling from this thing' she thought as she looked down and wrapped her arms even tighter around Ron's waist. She really couldn't understand how Ginny was so comfortable on the broom she was sharing with George. This was mental!
All too soon they were hidden in a back alley in town and the twins activated an untraceable portkey to take them to Llanmadoc Hill. They all hoped no one noticed the blue glow that signaled their departure.
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They arrived at the top of the hill and from there could see the island to the southwest.
"Mansion my arse, that's a bloody castle!" said Fred.
"Yeah, but we have the brooms," stated George.
"You mean we have to ride brooms over the ocean?" said Hermione while biting her lip and wincing.
"Are you a Gryffindor or not?" asked Ginny.
"Alright," Hermione answered hesitantly and looked at Ron.
"It's okay, I won't let you fall," Ron said giving her a sweet grin as she climbed on the broom right behind him.
Hermione felt like this flight was taking forever; she kept her eyes shut and clung to Ron like her life depended on it. Ron felt on top of the world and a part of him hoped it would never end. He wanted to stay on the broom forever with Hermione holding onto him.
Finally they saw a beautiful ocean shore and when Ron said they would land she let out a sigh of relief. The feeling didn't last long as she heard Ginny and George scream. Ron turned the broom in time to see a huge creature that was half-eagle, half-lion hitting and grabbing them with its claws. Worry was apparent in all of them as they saw the beast that had snatched Ginny and George from their broom dropping them onto the island.
"Griffins!" yelled Hermione, getting her wand ready as she saw a lot more of the creatures approach. One of them was carrying a rider on its back.
"Don't do anything! Put your wands away!" screamed Estella. Soon they saw her dismount one of the beasts and approach the area where the Griffin had dropped Ginny and George.
"George!" she yelped as she ran to him, but the Griffin that had attacked got in her way.
"Paleaus, they are friends," she said as she moved by the beast and then gently stroked the fur on his back and then the feathers on his head. The Griffin moved away and joined the rest of the herd.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Yeah, just soar from the fall. Gin!" yelled George as he turned to see his unconscious sister and everyone gathered around Ginny.
"Leita!" Estella called and a wrinkly house elf wearing a blue pillowcase with a strange crest on it apparated next to her.
"Por favor trae los antídotos que están en el estudio de mi tío*," she ordered and the elf apparated away. Everyone looked at her a bit confused and she simply said "Leita is originally from Spain."
"Hermione help me," ordered Estella before muttering 'diffindo'.
Hermione winced at what she saw. It was awful, Ginny's chest seemed to be dented and she had marks from the griffin's claws. Estella muttered incantations with a wand that wasn't hers.
"Three broken ribs, no organs punctured, but she has venom from the Griffin's claws inside her. Hermione put your hands on her shoulders and if she wakes up try to hold her still," she stated and uttered more charms. They soon heard Ginny's bones cracking in place before Ella and Hermione covered her again with the torn clothes.
The elf returned with a small potions kit. Estella enlarged it, grabbed a potion and a small knife and got closer to the Griffin that had attacked them. The beast let her prick its claw with the knife and she put a few drops of Griffin blood in the vial. Soon the potion seemed filled with sparkles and Estella and Hermione forced it down Ginny's throat. After a few minutes Ginny woke up.
"You'll be sore and weak from the venom for a few days, but otherwise alright," Estella ensured her.
"Thanks," Ginny said as she stood up and held her chest tenderly.
"You're welcome," she said and gave her a small smile.
Fred, George and Ron ran to their sister and hugged her carefully. Fred took off his jacket and made Ginny wear it.
"Now, what exactly are you doing here?" asked Estella.
"We know you are going to Malfoy Manor to get Draco's mum," informed Hermione.
"We came to help," said George in a challenging tone. Estella's sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
"You shouldn't have come," she said with sad and worried eyes, looking straight at George.
"We'll discuss this more in the house, hop on," she instructed pointing to the Griffins.
"Are you crazy? Those things just attacked us!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Paleaus and his herd protect the island, you showed up uninvited so he attacked. Now that you are with me they are harmless. Flying on them is the easiest way to get through the rocks and forest and get to the house. You really don't want to try your luck in there, trust me," she said as she mounted Paleaus.
"Ginny you should ride with someone since you are still hurt. Rub the feathers on their heads gently before mounting, they like making new friends," she said before giving them a reassuring nod and flying away.
They all began to pet the Griffins, mounted them and flew after Estella to the Mansion. As they arrived Ron thought that Fred was right. This was definitely more than a mansion. It was a bloody big castle. Not as big as Hogwarts, but ridiculously bigger than the Burrow.
They entered the place and saw Harry and Draco in the sitting room.
"What happened? Ginny!" exclaimed Draco.
"Griffin attack, she's fine now," said Estella.
"Harry!" exclaimed Hermione and ran to her friend to give him a big hug. "We were so worried. Lily and Severus are going mad with fear and called an order meeting. I think half the wizarding world is looking for you. What were you thinking leaving us? You should have gotten our help, are you going to let us help you? You better, you can't go all by yourselves. It's too dangerous,"
"Hermione give him room to breathe," Ron exclaimed while thinking that the bloody hug for Harry had lasted far too long.
"Ummh… sorry I worried you. This was sort of a last minute thing, I only found out I was coming at dawn when Draco woke me," said Harry.
"I know your plan," said Hermione looking at Draco.
"We're coming with you," said George.
"Draco, show them the loos and take Ginny to my room to get some clean clothes and then... well... meet me in the room. George, a word with you," she said as she went through large wooden door clearly expecting George to follow.
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"Let's go to Ella's room and then get back to business. I want answers," said Harry. Draco nodded and everyone else followed.
"Alright, pay attention it's really easy to get lost in here. If we get separated, look for the main hallway with the bronze trim and blue gemstones on the ceiling, following this always brings you back to the main room," Draco said as everyone looked above them at the beautiful trim and ceiling.
Ella's room was huge, bigger than any of the rooms at Godric's Hollow. Spell books along with jars of ingredients were messily thrown in ornate shelves that were close to a potions station, while notes on healing charms were lying on her desk under a layer of dust. The walls were covered with images of famous healers and magical creatures and enchanted photos on the bedside tables replayed the grins of Estella, Ely, the older Swansons and Mel. There was also a picture of Estella as a child on Severus Snape's lap. A Gryffindor jumper was balled up on the floor close to the bin and nightclothes were lying carelessly on the floor close to the bed.
"Ella said the elves have not been on this level of the house since the Christmas Holiday. All the rooms are the same as they were when they left in a hurry to Spain," explained Draco as he opened a closet.
"Take anything you want, she likes wizard and muggle clothes, so there is loads to choose from," said Draco.
Hermione felt her heart sink at the mention of Christmas. She had worked so hard to not remember, and now she felt like she was being slapped by the events of that awful night and the day of the train, especially the loss of her parents and the Swansons. There was no way to ever fully forget. Ron and Harry noticed Hermione looking to the floor and holding her hands together with a look of pure sadness. Ron moved next to her, put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a sweet and caring grin. Harry followed his lead and tried to comfort her. Once Ginny chose new clothes they left.
"We're going to the memory room," said Harry.
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Inside the Memory Room
"There is no more arguing on this, I just want to go to make sure you are safe, are you really alright after the service?" asked George.
She nodded and gave him a hug and then a kiss. He began attacking her lips and then her neck.
"You might be getting way too good at the comforting and making sure I'm happy thing, but I know you're still pure trouble," Estella exhaled as George kissed her pulse point.
"Trouble... this coming from a memory thief who's plotting all sorts of sneaky schemes... Plus I'm good because I never want my witch unhappy," he said and looked tenderly at her.
"Who is this sensitive git and where is George Weasley?" she teased.
"Hey!" he said before tickling and kissing her again.
"Just don't tell anyone about the sensitive git, you'll ruin my reputation."
"As long as you don't tell anyone about the giggly schoolgirl, your secret will stay safe with me."
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They made a quick stop at the loo so Ginny could change and then began the trail to the room in question. As they approached the room the heard Estella say "Your secret will stay safe with me," followed by pleasurable moans.
"Seriously! We're on a schedule here!" exclaimed Draco "Sassy girl we're coming in! Feel free to spare us from another sight of you snogging Weasley."
When they entered the memory room they saw Ella and George standing in front of a small chair with silly grins on their faces. Fred looked at them and chuckled while shaking his head. The room had a few chairs close to the walls and the stone basin in the middle was surrounded by tall circular shelves filled with small vials that glowed in different colours.
"Alright the plan is to find all the vials related to the old war and take them with us, so let's keep moving," ordered Estella.
"What about Malfoy Manor?" asked Hermione.
"What about it?" asked Estella.
"Well are you sure is a good idea to even go? And are we going together? If we do what exactly is your plan?"
"Hermione bloody hell, you never just let her answer,"
"Ronald! Honestly, I was just…"
"Enough of you too, if we seat hear listening to your arguing we would never finish. And yes Hermione I'm sure about going to the manor. I didn't get to help any of the Swanson's or Mel, the least I could do now is help pretty boy save his mum. She's an innocent helper just like they were,"
"Ella, it wasn't your fault," said Draco.
"Whatever, I'm going to help you and that's it,"
"Thanks," he replied.
George moved close to Estella and took hold of one of her hands. She looked at him, sighed and said "I guess you can come with. And the plan this time is mostly Draco's since he knows the Manor in and out. He'll put everyone up to speed soon enough."
"Ginny you are going back to Godric's Hollow, you are too young and mum would have all our bullocks if you came with us to the manor," added George.
"What? I'm perfectly capable, I got trained just like you last year!" she protested.
"Ginny you are still weak from the Griffin venom," said Estella.
"I'm fine!" she replied.
"No you are not! If you come you won't be able to keep up and I refuse to see someone else getting killed because of anything I helped plan! Plus I have an important task you can take over and be brilliant at," Estella stated forcefully.
"I reckon this means I'm coming to Malfoy Manor then," said Harry.
"Yes,"
"Good. Draco and I can keep looking while you tell the others about this room and tell Gin what to do," said Harry.
Estella nodded and Harry and Draco went by the shelves, started to choose vials and placed them in a shiny blue trunk.
"Alright, this room holds many memories from people involved in the war. Since professor Snape is getting weaker his jinx on me is wearing off and I'll be able to tell Harry all I know soon."
"You are under a jinx?" asked Ginny.
"Oh, I guess you and Fred don't know. Well... there are things I know that the Swansons, Severus and Dumbledore wanted to keep a secret. Severus put a jinx on me that prevents me from telling. But, like I said, since he's weaker the jinx is fading and I'll be able to tell Harry everything sooner or later. And I reckon Harry is eager to discover what's really happening here. The thing is... I'm sure there is more to know than what I've been able to find out from Severus. That's why we need these memories, and I want to take them before Dumbledore makes his way in here. I think Harry and I deserve to know everything since we are both... sort of stuck in fighting the Black Hand."
"And how are we supposed to carry all this and get into Malfoy Manor?" asked Hermione.
"The original plan was for Harry to hide the memories and take them back with him to Godric's Hollow while Draco and I went to Malfoy Manor. But, now that you all are here and must come with, I think Ginny should take them and the rest of us can go to the Manor to get his mum."
"There are too many of these for Ginny to be able sneak right under the Order's noses," said Hermione.
"That's where that trunk comes in," said Estella pointing at the trunk that Harry and Draco were putting memories in.
"Ely enchanted it for me with an undetectable extension charm, a featherweight charm and a secret compartment so I could bring things into Slytherin, like Sneakoscopes and dark magic tracers, without McDavol and any of his goons knowing. I left it behind when we ran off to Spain. The point is we can put loads of these memories in the secret area and then fill the rest of the trunk with other things from this place that might be needed in the future."
"He was really smart, wasn't he?" asked Hermione sadly.
"Yeah... the best," answered Ella trying to smile.
"Did you..."
"Yes, Hermione, I put their ashes in the pond"
"I'm sorry, I..." said Hermione before Ella interrupted again.
"It's alright, it's done," she said sadly before taking a breath and talking again, "let's get to work. Find any memories from people that you knew lived through the war or simply memories that have dates that fit the war years. We have only two or three hours before it gets dark and then we have to head out."
As they looked for memories Draco explained how they would secretly enter Malfoy Manor. Ella told them about the Felix Felicis her uncle kept and the spell that Ely and Mel had finished for her to use in occasions like this when it was necessary to temporarily get rid of the trace. Two hours passed quickly and they still had a few shelves of memories to go through.
"Estella it's time," said Draco.
"Oh, bloody hell... alright. Stay here and try to finish getting all the memories and set them on the floor until we get back. Ginny and Hermione come with me," she said as she grabbed the trunk
"Alright... I'll leave you in my room to pack whatever is around while I get into Ely's and my aunt and uncle's, we need things from there."
Ginny packed all sorts of clothes while Hermione focused on the notes and books that she had noticed inside the room.
"Oi! Hermione! This is not let's-be-impressed-by-bloody-books time! We're packing in a hurry!"
"I'm sorry, but these books look fascinating. Ella's notes are really advanced healing potions and charms. And these books… this one was written by Ralph and Esther Swanson, and this is a compilation of notes from Professor Snape and this one says it's an original by Rowena Ravenclaw. Could this be real?"
"As real as it gets," said Estella as she re-entered the room with her hands and arms balancing books, notes and potions and a couple of full satchels hanging from her shoulders.
"All the healing spells I know are based on Severus' and my aunt and uncle's work, I've been studying their notes and books for ages. The mansion is quite amazing too, it was designed by Ravenclaw herself before she left the island to start the Hogwarts project with the founding fathers. Uncle Ralph's great great grandfather was her cousin and she gave him this place. It's somewhere in the family tree that's in the main study. I reckon that's how that book ended here. Makes sense, every Swanson has been sorted in Ravenclaw since Hogwarts opened."
"So how come you are a Slytherin?" asked Ginny.
"I'm not a real Swanson, they just took me in… This place is filled with surprises that are passed from one Swanson to the next, like the memory room and the pond. Anyhow, most of it was taught to Ely only, but Ely passed a lot to me without permission. He said it was important that someone else knew just in case. He was right, as usual," answered Ella.
"Sorry," said Ginny
"It's fine really, nothing we can do about it now. Good job, there's plenty of cover for the memories now," she said looking at the full trunk and moving close to where the Gryffindor jumper laid.
"It's George's, isn't it?" asked Ginny. Estella nodded.
"When did you get it? And why is it tossed there?" asked Ginny.
"I got it last year and I was a bit hacked off at your brother around Christmas so I hexed it and threw it at the bin," she said as she pointed her wand at the jumper. She muttered some incantations and then packed it along with her notes and the pictures from her night tables.
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In the memory room the boys continued to sort through the vials.
"I wonder where we can get some food," Ron asked himself quietly. Suddenly an old wrinkly elf turned up with a platter of sandwiches.
"Bloody hell!" he screamed.
"The friend of my young mistress wanted food," said the elf.
"When DOESN'T Ronnie want food?" asked Fred laughing, but soon the laughter ceased as they all began to devour the sandwiches.
"Thank you Kreacher,"
"My pleasure Master Draco," he said before they heard the girls return to the room.
"Mistress! Mistress!" exclaimed the elf in joy as he saw Estella.
Hermione felt outraged, that was two elves she saw in this place already. Were they treated well? Were they getting paid? How long had they been here? How many more were there?
"Hello Kreacher, I'm sorry I didn't stop to see you today. Leita said you weren't feeling well."
"Mistress shouldn't be sorry, Kreacher is fine. My old wife worries too much. Is my mistress staying?"
"No Kreacher, not today. But, thank you for the food. Now please go lay down, Leita said you were really sick with a magical bug a few days ago and even if you are feeling better you should rest."
"Yes mistress," he said before he disappeared with a crack.
'Well at least she seems to treat him well enough' thought Hermione.
As soon as they were done eating, they finished packing the trunk and send Ginny in her flight back to Godric's Hollow on Paleaus.
It was now dark and they each mounted Griffins of their own, ready to set their way to Malfoy Manor. They looked back at the mansion that was now covered in darkness and Estella muttered spells to set up wards.
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* Translation - Please bring the antidotes from my uncle's study
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