A formal warning: This story will contain abuse, non-con/rape, death, dark themes, it will not contain graphic descriptions of such.
*****And I don't own HP, or the excerpts from the book/movie you see below*****
*I changed the Godric's Hollow scene, moved it to October- BUT, whatever, here's a chapter that includes a longer Harry-Hermione-Sirius scene*
Tonks and Kingsley were sitting on a fallen tree, concealed from view of the old house by thick shrubbery. They had been there nearly two hours before they saw two Death Eaters entering the house. Kingsley gestured to her and they quickly crept closer to the house, sitting out of sight of the door but close enough that Kingsley could see through the window. He cast a quick Muffliato so they could talk quietly, and he pulled out a pair of Extendable Ears. He moved quietly, feeding one end under the front door and rejoining Tonks, handing her one end. Kingsley cast Disillusionment Charms on them so they could remain hidden, and shifted so he could watch the Death Eaters.
"I'm just saying, it doesn't seem like the Dark Lord knows what he's doing." A gruff voice said.
"You dare doubt the Dark Lord, McLaggen?" Another voice, a female, demanded.
Tonks' head snapped up. "McLaggen?" Tonks asked quietly. "The Auror? He's a Death Eater?"
"It would seem so." Kingsley replied quietly. "His son would have just finished school, I wonder where he is."
"Look, Alecto, I'm grateful you agreed to meet me, but-"
"If you don't have information, McLaggen, tell me now." Alecto Carrow growled. "I am a Professor now, after all."
"Ah, your brother can spare you a while longer, it doesn't take two of you to torture an eleven year old." McLaggen said. "I have information about Potter."
"Do you?" Alecto asked. "Well, what is it?"
"Oh, no, I'd prefer to tell the Dark Lord myself."
There was a scuffle and a surprised gasp. "I'm sure the Dark Lord would enjoy the information, but you did just say you don't trust him, so I doubt your reward would be very worthwhile." Alecto said. "Now, what's the information?"
"Barely an hour ago, I heard that Potter has been spotted with Black and the Mudblood a few times." McLaggen said, and it sounded like he was in pain. "If they're with Black, you know who might know where they are?"
"Who?"
"Moody, isn't that the only reason he's been kept alive? For information?" McLaggen asked. "And we know he was living with Shacklebolt and Bellatrix's niece- the one that married the werewolf, who-"
"Is friends with Black." Alecto finished. "And no doubt, the Order would believe a house full of Aurors would be the safest place."
"Even if the address the Ministry has is false, no doubt Moody would know the home's location and any spells they may use." McLaggen said. "Now, imagine being the Death Eater who leads the Dark Lord to so many Order members, and Potter himself?"
"Why did you contact me and not his most loyal? Surely, Snape or Bellatrix would value this information a lot more."
"You know why I contacted you, Alecto."
"Well, Rupert, I'm not supposed to leave the school. Do you know how much trouble I could be in?"
"What if I make it worth your while?" McLaggen asked.
Alecto giggled, startling Tonks, and Kingsley grabbed the Extendable Ear from Tonks quickly. "What are you doing?" Tonks asked as he sat next to her.
"They're snogging, Dora."
"Oh, and I wouldn't know about snogging." Tonks said, as Kingsley gathered the Extendable Ear and hid it in his robes. "You'd be absolutely scandalised to know that I know what shagging is. Or, Merlin forbid, an orgasm-"
"Dora."
"Granted, I did stay a virgin until marriage, so at least you and Alastor's ideals were preserved there."
Kingsley chuckled, shaking his head. "You remind me a lot of Alastor before the first war." He said. "I'm somehow not surprised that you two share a similar attitude."
"You know what we should do? If Alecto isn't supposed to leave the school?"
"What's that?"
"Say his name and leave, get these two in big trouble." Tonks said, and paused for a moment. "And, you know, perhaps save our house from being discovered."
"Was the house an afterthought?" Kingsley asked.
"Kind of." She said. "I mean, I don't think Alastor would tell them, but we don't know Alastor's current condition. He could be weak, unable to fend off the Imperius Curse or resist someone looking into his mind. We know he'll fight as much as he can, but-"
"Eventually, even the strongest can't." Kingsley said. "Come on."
Kingsley dropped the charms he had set, standing and helping Tonks up. They rushed away from the house, back towards the fallen log they had been sitting on.
Tonks was quiet for a minute after they sat down. "Kingsley, can I ask something?"
"I suppose."
"What did you and Alastor argue about?" Tonks asked. "I don't think I ever saw you two argue."
"Lots of things, we just never let you see." Kingsley said. "Money was one, until you were old enough that we could both work. The first war was another. We argued about whether or not to keep you where we were or find a safe place out of country. And some minor things, but nothing major. Why?"
She shrugged.
"You don't like arguing with Remus, do you?"
She shook her head.
"It's normal for couples to argue." Kingsley said. "And you two have a few factors working against you right now. You've got stress from the war, Remus' condition, your pregnancy, the incident from July, Alastor's disappearance- no one would expect you two to be perfectly fine right now."
She nodded slowly, but didn't say anything.
"How are you feeling?"
"Not terrible. My clothes feel a little tighter today, but I figured that would start soon anyway."
"It's not noticeable-"
"Well not to you." She said, as the door to the house opened and they fell silent, watching as McClaggen and Alecto left the house and went two different directions. "To be honest, I expected them to be in there a little longer."
She heard Kingsley sigh. "Alright, well, we know they're using this place and have new information to go to the others with. We'll have to tell Sirius and the others to be more careful." Kingsley said, standing. "We can head home now."
Tonks nodded, standing. They walked through the forest, back to where they had Apparated. Kingsley held out his arm, and they both froze when they heard a twig snap. They turned to see McLaggen and four cloaked figures.
"I thought I saw someone when I arrived. Did you enjoy listening to us? Did you like what you heard?" McLaggen asked. "I have a feeling the Dark Lord would be very pleased to see you two."
The living room was very dimly lit as Sirius, Harry and Hermione were talking. Remus was resting on the couch, after refusing to go back to bed after Tonks and Kingsley left. He was quiet, listening to their conversation, but not adding any opinion of his own. Harry had the Marauder's Map spread out on the coffee table, and other pieces of parchment spread out.
"I want to go to Godric's Hollow." Harry decided.
"Godric's Hollow?" Sirius asked, although he wasn't sure he wanted to return to Godric's Hollow. "Are you sure?"
"I- yes." Harry said. "It feels right, like maybe-"
"But You-Know-Who will expect it!" Hermione said. "We can't!"
"Dumbledore probably wanted-"
"I agree with Harry." Sirius said, and Hermione huffed, glaring.
"It's a stupid idea!" Hermione cried. "He'll be expecting it, it could be a trap!"
"Hermione, think about it." Sirius said patiently. "The sword could be there. A Horcrux could be there. Don't you think You-Know-Who may find Godric's Hollow important?"
"No! I think it's an extremely foolish idea, and I really don't think we should go." Hermione said. "I don't see why he'd hide one there-"
"Listen, we need to find them." Harry said. "And Godric's Hollow might be our best bet."
"I just don't- I'm sorry, I don't agree." Hermione said.
"Look, Hermione." Harry said. "I think we need to go to Godric's Hollow, and I know you don't agree, but it feels right."
Hermione stared at him, and then sighed. "Harry, if you really think..."
"I think it's the right place to go." Harry said.
"Well, I suppose we're going to Godric's Hollow, then." Sirius said quietly. "We should use Polyjuice-"
"No." Harry said firmly. "If I'm going back there, I'm going as myself."
Sirius was quiet, and then nodded. "I can understand that." He said. "Remus, will you be alright?"
"Hmm?" Remus asked, opening his eyes and looking at Sirius. "Oh, yeah, I'll be fine. Dora and Kingsley should be back soon."
Sirius had to admit, he didn't exactly want to return to Godric's Hollow, but he also figured Harry was right. Maybe there was something there, something that could help them.
They left immediately, Apparating together.
Godric's Hollow was quiet. In a little over a week, he realised it would be sixteen years since James and Lily had been killed. He knew exactly where they'd be buried, and realised he had never had the chance to visit their graves. They had been buried a few days after he had been imprisoned, and he had been on the run from the Ministry until the year before, and had been immediately too preoccupied by the Order and had never found enough time to come to Godric's Hollow. He realised now, part of him dreaded it.
Harry and Hermione followed him as he walked. They reached a square at the end of a row of cottages, a church on one side with stained glass windows glittering in the setting sun. There was a war memorial in the middle of the square, a post office and a few shops with a pub on the other side. There were a few villagers walking through the square, but none paid the witch and wizards any notice.
"They'd be in there, right?" Hermione asked quietly, pointing towards the church. "In the cemetery behind it?"
Sirius nodded, as they passed the war memorial. Sirius paused as it seemed to transform, and he saw Harry was staring at it too. It had changed into a statue of three people, and Sirius felt a lump form in his throat as he recognised the figures. A man with untidy hair and glasses, a woman with a warm smile and long hair, a baby in his mother's arms...
Sirius wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders. After a moment, he dropped his arm and they continued on, towards the church. They entered the gate slowly, entering the cemetery, where there were rows and rows of tombstones.
"Abbott." Harry read on the nearest tombstone. "Must be a relative of Hannah's!"
"Keep your voice down!" Hermione begged, looking around them, as they moved further into the graveyard.
They continued on, and Hermione paused at a grave. "Harry, look!"
"Is it...?" Harry asked, as they walked back to her.
"No, I'm sorry, but look!"
They peered down at the grave. Kendra Dumbledore was engraved in the stone, and a little ways below two dates, Ariana Dumbledore was also engraved. "The Dumbledores?" Sirius asked. "Did he ever-?"
"No." Harry said firmly. "Let's keep looking looking."
They continued on, reading countless names. Sirius wished he had thought to ask Remus where the graves were, but he realised with each passing moment, he was almost afraid to see the graves.
"Here!" Hermione cried, a few rows from them. "Oh no, sorry! I thought it said Potter." She was rubbing at a crumbling, mossy stone, gazing down at it, a little frown on her face. "Wait, come back a moment."
Harry and Sirius walked back towards her, but Sirius could tell Harry didn't look too interested in whatever Hermione had found. "What?" Harry asked.
"Look at this!" Hermione said, pointing to the grave.
It was extremely old, so weathered that the name was barely readable. Hermione pointed to the symbol beneath it. "That's the mark in the book!" She said.
They peered at the mark. The stone was so worn that it was hard to make out what was engraved there, though there did seem to be a triangular mark beneath the nearly illegible name.
"Yeah… it could be…" Harry offered slowly. Hermione lit her wand and pointed it at the name on the headstone.
"It says Ig—Ignotus, I think…" She said slowly.
"I'm going to keep looking for my parents, all right?" Harry said, sounding a little annoyed.
It was getting darker quickly, and Sirius wondered how long they had been looking before Hermione spoke again. "Here. They're here."
This time, it was obvious she meant James and Lily. Sirius and Harry walked over, and Sirius could feel dread settling in. Here it was. They stood quietly, staring at the stone, staring at the two names engraved in the stone.
JAMES POTTER
BORN 27 MARCH 1960
DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
LILY POTTER
BORN 30 JANUARY 1960
DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." Harry read quietly. "Isn't that a Death Eater idea? Why is that here?"
"That's not what it means." Sirius said. "It means... well, living beyond death."
Harry was quiet, staring at the stone. Sirius felt tears in his eyes, as he stared at the grave as well. Did James and Lily know? Did they know it had been sixteen years, but Harry was still here? And now, Sirius and Harry were finally here, finally standing before the grave.
Sirius stared at the ground, well aware that below this cold hard ground, James and Lily were resting. The man he knew as a brother, the woman he knew as a sister, nothing but bones by now.
He wrapped an arm around Harry again, who had tears on his cheeks that he made no attempt to conceal or wipe away. Hermione was the only one who moved, lifting her wand and moving it in a neat circle, a wreath of flowers appearing on the grave.