A/N: I am well aware of the fact that this chapter is a jumbled mess of ideas. There's like five different opening and closing ideas. Plotlines start and finish and I can't tell you how many times I rewrote this chapter. Could some of this have been spread out over the school year? Yeah... probably. But I needed a clear break when summer ended, and the school year began.
Anyway, enjoy.
Chapter 11: The Girl with the Answers
Ginny bit her lip as she fidgeted with the wooden Ford Anglia Harry had made for her birthday. She couldn't help the sense of dread that had enveloped her since the Quidditch World Cup. She had only just begun to truly reconcile with the events of her first year, and though she knew the loud and humorous outer shell of confidence that she had constructed around herself would crack eventually, it still bothered her that it had to come down so fast. She had constructed it to numb the anger and resentment she felt towards herself and Tom Riddle, but now she felt like a bit of an idiot for doing so. She'd pushed it all aside, instead of dealing with it properly. She'd subconsciously built a mental block over what she'd seen. It had been worth it though. If she didn't have to feel, she didn't really care what the effects of her pushing those feelings away would have on her.
But now, as she sat cross-legged on the bed that sat in a room that no longer felt like home, she let the all-consuming flare of emotion rush through her. She felt wrong-footed. She didn't blame Harry for imprisoning Lucius. Not at all. But she had never truly considered the implications of imprisoning Lucius until now. If they had let him go free, if Harry hadn't interfered, what would have happened once Tom inevitably returned to a body? And Ginny knew that he would. She understood that the Diary was more than a memory but that's all that could really be garnered from the brief glimpses she'd received on the rare occasion of her breaking through the Diary's mental defences. Slowly, she unblocked the memories of her first year. If there was going to be a war, and she was going to be a target, she had to know her enemy.
And she knew him well.
She had remembered falling asleep. That's how she knew she wasn't truly awake. Absently, Ginny realized that she must watching one of her blackout periods that had been occurring over the past week. She turned around in the strange dark abyss where she stood. Before her were two orbs. One was a shining gold.
'My Soul.' she understood without having to think. There was no thought wherever she was. It was just instinct. She just knew things. It was simpler here.
Next to her soul was another orb. Or rather, half of an orb. The cut was not seamless either. It looked as though the orb had been torn apart rather forcefully. It was an angry red, as though still recovering from the injury it had been subjugated to. Pity welled up within her as she stared at the red hemisphere. She reached out with the left hand and rested it on the orb. Like a portkey, there was a tug behind her navel as she landed sprawled in the Hogwarts library.
She righted herself and looked around. There before her was a handsome young man of around sixteen. She knew who he was, she didn't need to think about it. She just knew this was Tom Riddle. The voice of the Diary.
Tom was bent over a book that radiated dark magic. Not physically, no, it just gave off that idea. The cover seemed to be made of human skin. She shuddered at the implication. She didn't try to be quiet. She knew this was a memory. She strode towards Tom and the book he was reading. His finger traced a line of text, something he always did when he was paying extra close attention to something. Ginny did not know how she knew this, but she attributed it to the fact that she must be in his memory. She couldn't read what was inscribed as it was written in runes, but Tom's thoughts echoed loudly through the memory, almost as though she herself was Tom, and she was remembering this particular event.
'Horcrux. Horcrux.'
He thought the word twice before jotting it down in a little black book to his right. This was the Diary. Only it wasn't writing back to him. He was taking notes furiously as he abandoned the skin-bound book and began to pace while taking notes.
'It'd only make sense for the Horcruxes to become weaker after each consecutive split, there's less soul matter within each object. The first will always be the strongest. Therefore, it could naturally hold the most defenses.' His thoughts rung loud and clear to Ginny as she took in every word. 'The possibility to weaponize the soul. If I make more than one, I won't need to keep each one safe. They can work for me, complete my tasks while I myself can work towards other goals.' He paused and turned to look at a girl with round glasses who was silently crying as she took part in a vicious argument with her friends.
Myrtle.
The girl had seen far too much. She had watched him slip into the girl's lavatory a few too many times to brush off. He was only lucky that she didn't talk too much. If the girl had an ounce of confidence, the old man would have clued in to what his trips to the third floor really meant. He turned back to the Little Black Book and continued to write. 'Her soul is weak enough to murder. The stronger the mind, the more difficult the curse is to perform. I need someone I don't care about, someone who holds no weight. I can move on to stronger and more meaningful people once I get the hang of it.'
Ginny furrowed her brow. She knew Tom rather well. She had confided in him, and he in her. But this was a side of him she had never known. From what she could interpret, Tom was planning a murder. A murder through incredibly ambiguous means. A curse that requires a detachment to the subject to reduce the amount of power required was unheard-of to Ginny. Though, she had been told by many that she was rather useless when it came to magic. Her knowledge of the thing can't be any better either.
She watched as Tom continued to take notes in the Diary. 'The mudblood dilemma can be delt with by the first. It'll take a substantial piece to command the Basilisk, but Slytherin's monster will wish to complete the task.' he paused and glanced up to watch Myrtle run from the Library crying.
'My glasses are not revolting!' she screeched as the librarian hissed in her direction. Tom stood up and eyed the diary in his hand. It held far too much information, and though Tom had to write down his thoughts to be able to correctly process any form of information, this was far to incriminating. No amount of concealment charms could fully dissuade Albus Dumbledore. That meddlesome old fool would pay. Eventually. That was not a job for one of his Horcruxes, however. That was something Tom wished to complete himself.
He tapped the Diary with his wand in a way none could truly understand. It was runic in nature, tied in with a complex equation. The array was left open, however, for the weapon was now primed. Now was the time to embed the core. The power source behind the rune.
Tom threw his bag over his shoulder and strode out of the library. Ginny running after him. Tom knew that the girl would be hiding in the bathroom, as she always did after an encounter with Hornby. He watched as she fled down the corridor and pushed the door open. Tom followed and wasted no time. He looked to the snake etched in on the sink.
'Open.'
The grinding of stone echoed through the bathroom.
'Go away!' cried Myrtle from behind the closed door. A rush of excitement flew through Tom as he pictured what was about to happen. He had dreamt it, yes, but seeing it happen was different. Harming the muggles in the orphanage didn't mean anything anymore. They were worthless targets.
But a witch? There was so much more to them. They served purpose, they had power none had. And the fact that they were magical, well it meant they could put up a fight. It was a challenge, more than that, it meant something.
This was a life that held power. It had weight to it. It was exhilarating to know, no, feel the ability to end something so easily. Very quickly, he changed his mind. He would not be casting the curse. Not yet. He did not wish to kill someone as meaningless as one who knew too much. He held that privilege for others. Meaningful deaths that took power out of him. If they mattered, it needed to matter to him too.
Killing Myrtle with the curse would be too simple. Too easy. And this way, it couldn't be tied back to him. The sound of the serpent rising through the pipe could be heard and Myrtle once again told Tom to go away. The stupid girl really thought he was Olive Hornby?
The Basilisk's head came out of the pipe and turned town to look at Tom. He averted his eyes and pointed to the stall. Hissing in parseltongue, he told the beast to wait for the girl to arrive, to make sure she died. The serpent obeyed, perhaps it could taste the stench of the dirty blood.
The door to the stall burst open and Myrtle leapt out of the stall in a towering rage.
'What did I tell you? Go-' but she'd never finish her sentence. Her eyes were burned into the back of her skull before she could even scream.
Commanding the basilisk to leave was a simple task. It couldn't eat her; they needed a body. Absently, Tom figured Hagrid could make for a good scapegoat.
He focused on his mental shields, as the text had instructed, and prodded his own mind to find the crack. There it was, at the back of his soul. It wasn't a true, direct murder, but the fissure was still there. It would have been more defined had he cast the curse himself. Pulling out the Diary, he touched the wand to his temple and focused all of his might on digging through that crack. Splitting, no, ripping the soul in two. It was pain beyond anything he had ever felt before, but it was also satisfying. It gave a pleasant sort of tingling that ran down from his head to his toes. He shivered and flexed his shoulder blades before guiding the red hemisphere towards the Diary. Muttering under his breath and drawing the completion runes in mid-air above the Diary, he finally tied down the rune with an arithmetic equation before finally succumbing to exhaustion. He couldn't stay here, he needed to be anywhere but here. He grabbed the Diary and shoved it deep within his bag. Tucking away his wand, he ran out of the toilet and disappeared down to the common room. It was time to plan. This was the first weapon.
Ginny shook her head to clear the memory. When she looked back on it now, she understood why she had blocked out the majority of her experience with the Diary. Not only that, but when she had woken up from that specific blackout, she had purposefully built defenses around what she had just seen. She didn't want to think that her friend could do such a thing. Now, Ginny knew that was foolish.
He had split his soul, and he had planned to do it again. Harry had said that there was a piece inside of him. Surely that had to have been accidental. How could Tom have intended to leave Harry as a Horcrux.
There had to have been more to it. Harry was important somehow, that much she was certain. Tom wouldn't go after anyone for no reason. He didn't kill for sport. He enjoyed killing, oh yes, he found it quite exciting, but they needed to be meaningful. Myrtle's death was the exception. The only meaning it may have had was that she was a murder that Tom had committed right under Dumbledore's nose. He needed her taken care of, something more powerful than a memory charm. He needed to remove any possible suspicion he could have garnered over the years by blaming Hagrid for the recent attacks and the death of the girl. The Horcrux was a weapon. The first of many. But what were the others? She had to tell Harry, but not through a letter. That was far too risky.
She would see Harry in Diagon Alley the day before the start of term. Her mother had politely explained to the Weasley children that they were no longer welcome at Potter Manor, so that was out of the question.
This was complete bullshit.
Harry had no problem with the Weasleys coming over, in fact he encouraged it. The problem wasn't Harry, it wasn't Sirius, and it wasn't even Remus. Remus was irritated with her behaviour, but it was on Harry's part. He had lived through enough slandering to ignore it. The problem was her mum.
Luckily, the twins, Ron, and herself had all seen through their mother's statement. Ron had been quite adamant on the fact that her mum was a coward and misinformed. Ron was still serving his punishment. Garden work until the term started. Ginny had remained silent during the conversation. The twins had asked her if something was wrong, and truthfully, she was still reeling at the thought of an upcoming war. What bothered her most, however, was how wonderful her life had been going throughout the summer.
Harry had been writing to her. Often. And only to her. She had let go of her hero-worship over the past year, it had been replaced by a different form of longing, one she couldn't quite describe. She was drawn to Harry, and she was glad to see that he at least reciprocated her wishes for friendship. Harry was a really interesting person and she liked interesting people. The worst thing someone could be is boring. This is philosophy Ginny lives by. The more she learned about Harry the more interesting he became.
It was nearly impossible to think that not two days ago her greatest worry and goal in life was Harry.
Now it felt like the world had slumped all of its weight on her shoulders. What she needed right now was, ironically, Harry. Not the way she needed him before. She didn't even give a damn if he'd notice her or not anymore. She knew he would accompany her in this upcoming daunting journey that lay ahead. They were in this together. And no matter what happened, Ginny would stick with him. Remus said they were the only two alive who had come out and properly beaten him. That had to mean something.
Right?
Ginny didn't feel powerful, though, and she knew Harry felt the same way about himself. She didn't know how she'd thrown off Riddle for so long and Harry had explained that his mother's love for him was what had shielded him from Tom's killing curse.
She sighed and buried her face in her hands. A part of her truly despised how well she understood Tom. She could pick apart his every decision and explain his motivations and behaviour. She knew him better than anyone because she had shared a mind with him for an entire year.
For the first time, she didn't shiver at the thought. A grim smile unwillingly spread across her face. He had designed the Diary as a weapon, it had almost worked, but Ginny had fought it. Not only fought it but broken through. She knew Riddle, and she was going to use his weapon against him.
With newfound determination she stood up and walked to the window that overlooked the paddock where Quidditch games and midnight flies had taken place. Carefully avoiding stepping on her current bedroom-mate, Hermione. The Burrow hadn't felt like home in a long time. Hogwarts didn't feel like home.
She didn't belong, and for a long time this had bothered her. Ever since the car ride back to London, however, Ginny had found a home.
Whether romantic or platonic, she'd stick with Harry. He could understand her, and a part of her believed that she could possibly understand him. What Elizabeth said was right. Befriend him, and if there was a spark, let the fire grow. Ginny quite liked Elizabeth. She was exactly what she'd want out of an older sister. Insightful despite her lack of experience, and fun as hell. She didn't care what people thought of her and didn't care much for other people in general. Her friendship with Harry was really strange. Sometimes Ginny could have sworn they were legitimately flirting, other times, they'd each be aggressively taking the mickey out of each other.
She fiddled with the wooden car's door before opening it and looking inside. Etched into the rough steering wheel were the words 'Marauder Mobile'. The gift had been rather unexpected. She figured he'd get her a gift, but she'd assumed it would be a box of chocolate frogs or some other candy. This supposed hand crafted wooden car was really neat. She'd thought "supposed hand crafted" because Harry had admitted to using magic to carve it properly. It was a lot of cutting charms and muggle knives, but magic was used, nonetheless. It was really a great gift. It signified the start of their friendship and the card had made her laugh.
'Mother's thoughts think my carving skills are rather pathetic so here's her apology through me.'
Then a second message was written below it which read: 'My son is a bit thick.'
She played with the car doors for a moment before laying it down on the windowsill. She looked up into the sky as the cloud uncovered the full moon. She could almost hear the sounds of howling through the wind against her windows. She wondered what Harry was doing. Whether or not his conversation with his mother in his head was worthwhile. She wondered if he'd summon the idea of his father again or refrain.
Again, the half-formed idea came to her. It was an idea that had begun to form back on his birthday the night he told her about his condition. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. Four friends, three animagi. Harry had Sirius, sure, but Ginny felt like she could be of use.
She had no idea how to become an Animagus. It wasn't something she had ever considered, and even if she had, she was only thirteen.
'But Sirius and Harry's dad were only thirteen when they started, right?' she thought.
At first, she had considered asking Sirius for help. He had written her a few letters and had even sent her a birthday gift along with Harry's. But this was something she wanted to achieve on her own. As the only girl of the family, she tended to receive more things that belonged to her and her alone than the rest of her siblings. Ron had it the worst, he'd never owned anything that truly belonged to him besides a few books. Until his third year, his wand had been second hand. Her point was, that she'd been handed things (more or less) her whole life. This was something she could accomplish herself. The way Bill mastered curse-breaking. Or how Charlie professionalized in dragons. They had all claimed their one great achievement. Maybe Ginny could become an Animagus.
Thoughts of Ron's new wand brought on an old memory. Ginny had been rather excited at the fact that she had gotten her own wand. Though the way Ollivander had reacted to her wand ceremony was rather disconcerting. He had eyed her up and down in a way that made her skin crawl. He'd said it was 'Interesting, very interesting. Fate, it seems, plays its hand in peculiar ways.' But hadn't said much more. For a while this had been at the forefront of Ginny's mind, but the possession and her slow slip into what she had thought was insanity had driven the thought of the crazed wandmaker from her mind.
Now however, as she was mentally going through her life's events, she thought about that encounter again. She was visiting Diagon Alley with her family, Hermione, and Harry, the day before term began. Perhaps she'd get a chance at asking Ollivander if he'd had any more information on her wand and what made it so 'interesting'.
She turned and looked at Hermione, sleeping peacefully on the camp bed set up on the floor. Hermione had pissed Harry off, and Ginny was sure it had to do with the full moon but there was something else there.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she turned and walked back to her bed. Hermione mumbled in her sleep as she passed but didn't wake. Ginny sat down on her bed and folded the covers over her. Tomorrow was a new day, a new beginning.
And she'd be ready for it.
Harry was once again in his mindscape. This was his second transformation, but something was wrong. He had just spent the night talking to his mother and speculating on what Voldemort was up to. They had discussed Horcruxes at length and theorized on the purpose behind the Diary. They both agreed it was a weapon of some sort and therefore he had most certainly created more than one.
'But what are they.' Lily had repeated over and over again.
Eventually their conversation fell to Sirius and how he was fairing now that he was out of Azkaban. Remus and Harry's presence had swayed many of the nightmares and the haunted look in his eyes wasn't as noticeable, but Lily figured there was something there that made Sirius act the way he did.
'He's much more responsible.'
'Don't you think that just comes with age though?' Harry asked.
'I think,' Lily paused. 'That whatever the Dementor's made him see, he was focused on you and only you. I think he was using the thought of getting to you, of protecting you, to keep him sane. And now that he has you, well, he doesn't want to make any mistakes.' she bit her lip and looked out onto the beach Harry had made in his mind this time around. 'I'm worried that if Pettigrew does anything, Sirius will kill him.'
Harry nodded and frowned. 'I've stopped him before. Maybe I can be his voice of reason.'
Lily smiled. 'That's what your father would call me. His voice of reason. Didn't stop him from being a prat though.'
The night had continued in a light-hearted manner from there on out, but then Lily had vanished. Harry figured it was probably time for him to wake up, for the night to be over. But it wasn't. Harry was still in his mindscape, and he was still in control. He sat down on the sand and let the waves roll over his toes. His mother would return eventually.
'WHAT DO YOU MEAN, HE WON'T WAKE?' Sirius was frantic. It had been a full five days since the full moon, and they'd finally decided to call Madam Pomfrey. He and Remus had been forcing nutritional potions down Harry's throat for the past few days, but Harry wouldn't wake. When the Hogwarts matron had arrived, she'd inspected Harry for a long time. They were holed up in Harry's room for nearly three hours. And now she had come out with the verdict.
Madam Pomfrey typically held a stoic expression, but the way in which she was holding herself was unfamiliar to Remus and Sirius. She looked… broken.
'It's… similar to the cruciatus. His mind isn't responding to anything I'm doing. He's awake and somewhat cognisant, but his mind… it's damaged, Sirius.' she choked back a sob. 'After everything he's been through, I truly thought he'd be able to get through his first few transformations without issue.'
Remus groaned. Pulling at his hair. 'I don't understand! I was only five and I went through my transformations just fine. Both of his previous transformations have resulted in a long recovery time.'
'Remus, I'm sorry but I don't know enough about lycanthropy, no one does. I can't see the transformation being too painful, that makes no sense. No one would survive their first transformations if that were the case.'
Sirius clenched his fists together and bit down on his tongue hard. 'I can't do this. There has to be a way.'
Poppy suddenly flared with anger. 'And you think I haven't tried? You think I haven't done everything to the best of my ability to try!' Sirius glared at her. 'You're not the only one who cares about Harry, Sirius.'
'Oh, that's rich!' cried Sirius, his face contorted with rage. 'You've treated him quite a few times, haven't you?' he didn't wait for her to respond. 'And yet, you never noticed that he was underfed? You never noticed that he was FUCKING MISERABLE! ALL THE BLOODY TIME!' Poppy remained stony-faced as she stared back at Sirius defiantly. 'You're telling me that you never once thought that maybe, just maybe, Harry was having troubles at home.'
'It is not my responsibility-'
'IT BLOODY WELL SHOULD BE!'
'You got yourself locked up in Azkaban-'
'Don't you dare.' Sirius pointed at her with an accusing finger. 'Don't you dare bring my mistakes, my failures, into this. YOU. FAILED. HIM.'
Poppy threw her arms up. 'YES, I DID! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR?' she roared. 'I sat and watched as he'd come back the next term looking pale and thin. Did I say anything? No. I never did. Because Albus refused to move the boy. If you were in my shoes, what would you have me do? Do you not remember how I treated you when you'd come to school after holidays with bruises and scars? I'd asked you about it, and you pushed me away. Believe it or not, Sirius Black, I've dealt with abused children for decades. DECADES. I know a thing or two in how to handle them, at this point. Any way I could have reached out to Harry would have been denied. You know that Sirius.'
Sirius put a hand over his mouth as he stared at his godson. His eyes stung with tears as he stared into the unknowing gaze of Lily's green eyes.
'We all failed him.' said Remus, quietly. 'I don't even know… I mean honestly, I was told not to interfere with Harry's life, and I just accepted that.' Sirius could have sworn he'd seen Harry's eyes twitch in recognition. Sirius turned to his friend and took in the pained look in his eyes. Remus continued. 'If I had gone over, simply strolled passed the house and taken a moment out of my moping and brooding I'd have stopped Petunia before she'd even started. I could have helped Harry.'
'Except you wouldn't have.' Everyone whirled around at the woman's voice coming from Harry's lips. Harry's eyes were focused on Remus, and they were angry. It was a look Harry had only donned once. When Pettigrew had revealed himself in the Shrieking Shack. It reminded them of-
'Lily?' Sirius whispered.
Harry nodded and got up out of bed. Poppy ran forward to help him up, but Harry swatted her away. He walked up to Remus and punched him square in the face.
'That, Remus Lupin, is for a lot of things.' Lily said through Harry. 'For one, it's for trying to feel sorry for yourself over biting Harry. Second, that's for lying to yourself over the fact that you'd have taken Harry in. Because you wouldn't have. You'd be so focused on your self-loathing to accept that you have a place in Harry's life. I guarantee, GUARANTEE, that you would have avoided Harry if you'd been fired at the end of this past year. He had to beg you to stay and be there for him. You should be ashamed of yourself.'
She turned and rounded on Sirius. She eyed him up and down and if Sirius wasn't so terrified of what Lily might do to him, he might have laughed. Or cried. He couldn't say. It was like the old days, back in Godric's Hollow before… before Wormtail. 'If I'm being honest, you'll never repay Harry for your actions after we died. If you'd only waited for Dumbledore and explained everything, you'd have been able to raise Harry. But no, instead, you decided to be the hero and go after Pettigrew. Because you wanted revenge. You listen to me now, Sirius Black. You are going to be there for my son, you are going to teach him things, be the man in his life.' She turned to Remus. 'And you… you will do the same. You cannot be his father; it is too late for that. But you can be role models. You already are. Understand the weight of such a burden. You're responsible for him now. Understand? I can only do so much. Harry is your priority now. Your number one priority.'
They all stared at Harry in shock. A part of Sirius desperately wished for Lily to truly be here. For her to be able to mother Harry the way she should have been able to. For Harry to have that true role model to look up to. This was exactly what she was getting at. Sirius was doubting himself, even though he had vowed to be there for Harry. The end of the summer was rapidly approaching, and it was time to grow up. Properly.
'He's not James.' said Sirius quietly.
Harry shook his head. 'He's better. He's better than me and James.'
Remus finally spoke, and his voice shook. 'Can you save him? Can you pull him out?'
Harry turned to Remus and looked into his eyes. 'Yes. I'm his werewolf. I'm here to protect him.' Harry closed his eyes and the occupants of the room fell into an uneasy silence as they waited for Lily to pull Harry out of whatever lie he'd buried himself in.
Harry Potter was rather concerned at the amount of time he'd spent in his mindscape. Truthfully, he had no idea how much time had actually passed. On top of that, he wasn't bored, so he hadn't had much time to dwell on the fact that his mother had been gone for a really long time. It was sort of nice, being stuck inside your own head. There was nothing real here. Everything was up to him. The looming possibility of an upcoming war was completely irrelevant here.
That was until he stopped and thought about how long he'd been here.
And that's where he found himself now. Standing on an imaginary beach that smelled a little off. Like someone had only described what a beach in the Caribbean should smell like. The sound of iron against iron pulled Harry out of his mental contemplation and he whirled around to see a beautiful steam locomotive pull into a station that hadn't been there a moment ago. It resembled the Hogwarts Express, only it was an emerald green instead of the typical scarlet.
The door to the first carriage opened and out stepped Lily Potter. She looked around and smiled when her eyes met her son. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. 'Ready to go home, sweetheart?'
Harry looked at her. 'I don't understand.'
Lily bobbed her head back and forth. 'Basically, you receded into your own mind during the transformation. You enjoy it a lot here, the time we spend together, and I guess you just didn't want to leave yet. I think next time you'll have to exit to your wolf form for a bit to break the attachment before you transform back. You've been in a sort of coma. I'll explain everything once we're out.'
Harry cocked his head to the side. Realistically it was safer in here and he liked the control he had. The lack of stress made it a far more inviting living area than that of the real world. Here, there were no werewolves, there was only him and his mother.
'Harry, you have to come back.' she spoke softly, it was inviting. He wanted to stay, but he had to leave. Harry shook himself and grabbed hold of his mother's hand. She walked in front of him, pulling him towards the emerald train.
'Wait.' he said, tugging on Lily's arm. 'Where does the train take us.'
She turned to him then. 'This isn't the last train, Harry.' She smiled sadly at him. 'I don't know how long me, and your father waited in that station. When you didn't come with us, we realized you'd survived.'
Harry nodded. Not because he understood her words, not really. He knew she was talking about dying. Harry wasn't dead. He knew that though, right?
'Werewolves have an interesting relationship with death. It's an interplay we don't quite yet understand. Come, Harry.' They stepped onto the train and Harry felt the tug behind his navel. His eyes flew open, and he felt his shoulders being gripped by calloused hands as his knees gave out. They slammed into the floor with a crack and Harry groaned. Someone-Sirius, he thought- muttered a spell under his breath. He felt his knee right itself and he looked up in to the worried and tired eyes of his godfather.
'Are you alright?' he asked. Harry nodded and brought his hand up to his forehead.
'Fuck.' was all Harry said before everything went dark again.
When he next woke, he was in a room, the same room as before. It smelled different though. There was a flowery scent nearby and another smell… like ozone. The smell of rain. The flowery scent was identified by his wolf senses as Ginny. The other smell took a while to distinguish. He'd smelt that before, but it had never been very close to his nose. Wait… that's not true. There had been two times where it was incredibly close to his nose. Elizabeth.
Harry sat bolt upright and looked around. Elizabeth wasn't here; but curled up in a ball at the foot of the bed was Ginny. Sat in a chair next to his bed was Ron. Sound asleep. Slowly, Harry began to piece together the events and people that had transpired in this room.
Sirius, Pomfrey, and Remus. They had all been here at some point. In fact, both Remus and Sirius were still here. Dozing on a love seat near Harry's balcony doors. Sirius's head was resting on Remus's shoulder. This was a behaviour Harry had seen many times throughout the summer. It seemed to be a natural routine for the pair. Like some long-lost habit reignited after years of separation. Elizabeth thought it was cute, Harry found it confusing. His uncle had always said such actions were vile. Then again, nothing Uncle Vernon had ever said carried any merit. If there was something between them, they didn't show it except for accidental circumstances. Like this one. Harry shook his head to clear his mind.
Another smell came. It was older than the others. Oily, dark… Snape? What the hell had he been doing here? Then there was the smell of a muggle perfume. That was either Tonks or Hermione. Coincidentally they shared the same smell, thought Tonks had a magical undercurrent from her metamorphmagus gene that was lost in the amount of time passed since her visit. Harry, therefore, couldn't distinguish between the pair. She'd been here around the same time as Snape. Both Molly and Arthur had been here at some point. The smell of sulphur indicated the Twins presence.
Harry tilted his head back to allow his nose better access to the air around him. The twins, Arthur and Tonks or Hermione were all still in the house. Molly was… outside. And awake, by the feel of things.
Harry wanted to talk to her. Really talk to her. He'd been short with her before the full moon, and though her behaviour was reprehensible, he still felt badly. She'd been nothing but kind to him, perfectly understanding, and yet when she acts upon her natural instincts the first thing Harry does is yell and belittle her? Shame washed over him. He'd treated her horribly over the last month. Had never once given her time to explain her point of view. In the end, he had done what the Wizarding World had when Sirius was locked away. No one listened.
Trying not to disturb Ginny, who was curled up like cat, her brow furrowed in sleep. She had a little nose which had a spattering of freckles. Her face was losing its childish extra skin and she seemed to be growing into her own. She was almost-
'Don't think about her like that.'
He could hear the mental laughter from his mother but kept his face straight. He slid out from under his covers and padded over to the door. He was oddly touched by the fact that both Ron and Ginny had come and stayed in his room. Frowning slightly at the possibility of Hermione having left, Harry walked down the stairs, gently running his hand along the banister. He used the end of the rail to swing around and walk straight to the back of the house. Following his sense of smell out the back doors and down through the gardens. The topiaries were asleep as it was still very early in the morning. The sun had yet to come up and the moon was nowhere to be seen, shrouded in clouds.
Harry could see a bluebell flame alight in the gazebo found at the center of the Topiary gardens. He walked purposefully towards it before he faltered. In the firelight, Molly looked very young. Vulnerable, almost. Her hands were in her lap as she looked out towards the sea, which was completely shrouded in darkness. The only way one could tell there was an ocean out there was the sound of the water crashing against the low cliffs. She seemed deep in thought, though her face remained expressionless. It was something in the eyes that showed the whirring of her mind. Harry stepped onto the first of the old wooden steps. It creaked and Molly turned around. Harry waved his wand absently and the lanterns in the gazebo came on. 'Sorry to startle you.' Harry said, quietly.
She nodded and turned back to the sea. It was remarkable how much her face resembled Ginny's, in her strange younger appearance. Harry sat down a respectable distance away from her. Taking up the same position of folding his hands together on his lap and letting his jaw jut out towards the sea. Eventually he let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. 'I'm sorry… for the way I've been treating you.'
She turned to him and smiled sadly. 'I should be the one apologizing to you. Not the other way around.'
Harry shook his head and sighed. 'No. That's the thing. I've completely ignored why you feel the way that you do. I should have at least given you the time to explain your perspective. There's no point arguing with someone if you don't know where they're coming from.' After Molly had sort of refused to ever visit Potter Manor again, Harry was surprised that she'd come to visit him. He knew he'd been in a coma for five days, but how long had he been asleep since then? How long had the Weasley's been here.
They sat in silence for a while. Both were deep in thought before Molly began to tell her story. 'I wanted to join. The fight, I mean. There was an organization. The Order of the Phoenix. I couldn't because I had just had Bill and well… My brothers, Fabian and Gideon were both a part of it.' Harry was surprised that Molly was talking about the war. Both Ron and Ginny had told Harry that their mum never told them anything about the first war. It was always an adult only subject. Even Bill and Charlie had to learn through other means. Molly refused to allow her children's lives to be tarnished by such things.
'They were brilliant fighters.' she said, wistfully. 'There was a mission, high in the French Alps. I don't fully understand the purpose, but they were there. They were just there. You see, when you lose people, it doesn't matter what they were fighting for. It doesn't matter that they were working to make the world a better place. All that matters is that you'll never see their smiles again, you'll never hear their voices.' she spoke calmly. As though under the effects of veritaserum, though without the monotone aspect. 'They fought off nearly a hundred Death Eaters. That's what hurts the most. They were almost out. From what I've been told, they were just leaving the building when they came. Three werewolves. Greyback, Himulrean, and Fennu. None of them are in Azkaban. Not that I know of.' she paused and looked down at her hands. 'It made me… I don't even know. I've never been that angry. It wasn't even the full moon. They just killed them with their hands… mouths.'
Harry's stomach clenched. Remus had told Harry about the number of cannibalistic werewolves who had grown to desire human flesh over time. It had made harry physically ill upon hearing about it. He was almost about to spill his guts here, but he clamped his jaw shut.
'So, when Remus says he's a werewolf… I just.' she sighed. 'I see their faces. You know, Fabian and Gideon. I was called to identify the bodies, you see. They were pretty sure it was them, but… Only I would know for sure.' Harry saw her cheek twitch, likely due to her biting it from the inside. 'I couldn't recognize their faces. There was too much missing. But we had this charm, see.' she raised her forearm and showed Harry a small bracelet without looking towards him. 'It has our initials on it. All Prewetts had one. That's how I knew it was them.'
The gentle breeze that had been flowing across their faces shifted slightly and Harry looked away from Molly and back to the ocean. She continued. 'But then I meet Remus and I'm told these amazing stories. I'm told of the respectful and knowledgeable man from Percy. I'm told of the pranks the Twins' favourite teacher pulls on them when they least expect it. I'm told of this brilliant teacher who makes learning enjoyable from someone who hates studying.' She chuckled and sniffled slightly, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. 'And then I'm told of this man who didn't hide anything from my daughter. A man who taught her how to fight her nightmares. A man who taught her to accept that the blame wasn't on her. And I grow confused.' She flexed her fingers and bowed her head. 'It's like everything I know, been taught to know, and have held onto my whole life is a lie. Harry, I've watched you from afar. Whether through letters or while I spend time around you. You've grown and changed so much this summer.' She turned to face him finally. Her eyes were a bit glossy, as though tears were on the verge of forming. 'You've become this strong, funny, confident young man and I love to see you so happy. And while a month ago I would have been loath to admit it, that happiness is in part due to Remus, and I know that now.' She moved a bit closer to Harry and cupped his face in her hand. 'I know that I've been a fool, Harry, but you're…' she paused and blinked rapidly, drawing in a deep breath. 'You're one of my boys, Harry. You're a son to me and Arthur. So, when I see you smiling and laughing, making jokes and writing letters to our daughter. Seeing you so care-free. It warms my heart. Werewolf or not, Harry, Remus is good for you. I know that now.'
Harry opened his mouth but couldn't find anything to say. She patted his cheek twice before drawing her hand back. Harry glanced down at his hands again and looked back up into her eyes. 'Why the sudden…' Harry trailed off. He didn't really know how to continue.
'Change?' she supplied, easily. 'Sirius floo-called me a few nights ago and told me you were sick. He asked if I could bring over Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, maybe the twins. I agreed and decided to come through with them.' she paused and smiled to herself. 'When I came into the room, there was Remus, laying a cloth over your forehead with such care, like that of a father. He looked so concerned. Biting his lip and fidgeting with the covers.' she chuckled lightly and fell silent for a moment. 'It was then, I think, that I noticed my mistake.'
Harry nodded and they both fell into a comfortable, but heavy, silence. 'You speak about the war. I've never heard you talk about it before. Ginny says you never talk about it.'
Molly sighed. It was a drawn-out breath. 'It all comes down to trust, doesn't it?' repeating Harry's own words from the aftermath of the World Cup. She rose from the bench and leaned against the fence of the gazebo. 'You're right, of course. Don't tell me how you came to be so wise.' Harry gave a wry smile at that. Wise? No. Survival was all Harry had thought about when he said that. 'If there is going to be another war, and you and Ginny are both in the middle of it. Well, I suppose that makes me a part of it too.' she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. 'I wanted to keep my children young and care-free. Ginny lost that in her first year, and you… well… You've always known you had a place in all this. There's no point hiding the war from you now. Ignorance will only lead to catastrophe, I think.'
Harry watched her for a long moment before eventually saying, 'Thank you and…' he paused as he began to walk back to the house. 'I'm proud of you, Mrs. Weasley.'
Diagon Alley was surprisingly quiet for the day before term. Harry had gone back up to bed that morning to find Ginny now sprawled over it with a hand on Harry's pillow. He'd gently nudged her so he could find his own little space to lay down. She'd complained through her sleep but never woke. Harry curled up in a ball, much in the same way that he had when he slept in his cupboard and fell to sleep. Later that morning, he woke to a red-faced Ginny, two snickering twins and a thoughtful looking Ron. It had been surprising to discover that today was August 31st. The day before the start of term. He'd quickly jumped up to the general shock of those present. They'd thought Harry would remain on sick leave for the start of term, but they were all pleasantly surprised to find Harry full of energy and refusing to take any medicinal potions. 'I'm fine! Honest!' he'd said.
Harry didn't have much to get before term started. He'd purchased his course books well ahead of schedule. It was handy having only one teacher with an unpredictable book list. Luckily, that one teacher was also his legal guardian, so he'd known before the letters had arrived what books he'd need. He'd read through them in mid-July. His knowledge and comprehension of magic was bolstered by the merging of magic with his mother's imprint.
So, while he waited for Ron, Hermione, and Ginny to finish shopping for books, Harry meandered around Floorish and Blotts aimlessly. Due to the lack of people present in the street, the lines were short. It being the last day before term, however, meant that the stock was low in most of the shops.
'Harry?' he turned around at the sound of Ginny's voice.
'Hey Ginny, what's up?' Ever since she'd stopped blushing and stuttering that morning, she'd been uncharacteristically grim. Her brows were furrowed, and she hadn't smiled. He knew it likely had to do with the possibility of a second war on the horizon but he hadn't gotten a chance to talk with her in person.
'I need to speak with you.' she paused and looked around. 'In private.'
Harry nodded. Again, he'd sort of been expecting a conversation with the youngest Weasley after the events of the World Cup.
Ginny pulled Harry behind a bookshelf, snapping at a collection of romance novels that were singing at the female presence that had just walked by. They sat themselves on a small bench for readers to sit and browse. After a quick look-around, no one was nearby, so Ginny felt it safe to begin.
'I need to speak to Ollivander, and I want you to come with me.'
'Ollivander? Why?'
Ginny bit her lip. 'I have a hunch. Not that it's leading anywhere… I just mean that he said something strange when I got my wand and I want to follow up on it.'
Harry narrowed his eyes. 'What did he say?'
'He just said that it was interesting that my wand chose me. Said that fate plays its hand in peculiar ways.'
Harry nodded absently and wound his fingers together. 'He said something similar to me. He said it was interesting that my wand chose me because it shares a core with Voldemort's.'
'Phoenix feather core?' Ginny asked. Harry looked up at her and cast around for a time he had mentioned his wand core to anyone. He couldn't remember discussing it with anyone other than Ron and Hermione. Then again, Ron had said that Ginny was asking about him all summer before his second year. It's possible that Ron had told her what type of wand he'd had.
'Yeah. Phoenix feather. Except it came from the same phoenix.'
'What about the type of wood? I've heard that if the wand wood came from the same tree, it could form a similar, though less powerful, connection to its brother wand.'
Harry cocked his head to the side, staring intently into Ginny's brown eyes. 'Well, mine is holly. I don't know what Voldemort's is.'
Ginny shook her head and looked out into the distance. 'Tom's was Yew. Thirteen and a half inches.'
Suddenly Harry understood her previous deduction over a phoenix feather core. 'The Diary. That's how you know this stuff.'
Ginny nodded and turned back to Harry. 'I sort of built a block around what he'd shown me that year. I don't know if I'd built it or if he had in case I'd learnt too much.' she fiddled with the end of her muggle t-shirt. 'But I broke through it the other night. On the full moon, funnily enough.'
Harry gave a humourless snort. 'Yeah, shit night that was.'
Ginny nodded and hummed her agreement. 'I just figured that if he's going to be after me and you, well… Best to know your enemy.'
Harry leaned back into the bookcase and looked at Ginny appreciatively. 'You're brilliant, I hope you know that Gin.'
She smiled. A real smile this time. As though she was proud of herself for having overcome her fear and allowing herself to understand Riddle. 'Of course I know I'm brilliant. I have Ron for a brother in comparison.'
Harry sighed and shook his head, though he was smiling. 'Ron isn't stupid. He can't be, seeing as he's so good at chess. He's just lazy.'
'Maybe if his best mate wasn't just as lazy, he'd grow up and start trying.'
'Lucky for him, this year I'm not going to lay about.'
'Good.' Ginny nodded her head approvingly in his direction before standing up. She brushed her hands over the muggle pants Hermione had told her were called "Jeans". They weren't exactly uncomfortable, just unfamiliar. Still, anything was better than robes. It was one of her favourite birthday presents. 'Let's go.'
Harry followed Ginny out and shouted to Ron and Hermione that he and Ginny were going off to the next shop. He had to admit that he himself was curious over the significance of Ollivander's words over two years before.
They opened the door to the shop, Ginny holding the door open for Harry, with the bell ringing to notify Mr. Ollivander of their presence. The pair stood together, fiddling with the hems of their clothing while they waited for the odd man to appear.
Finally, with the shuffling of footsteps, Ollivander came out to see who had arrived.
'Ah… it seems fate has made its next play.' he smiled broadly, as though this was a most delightful event.
'That's why we're here sir, we don't exactly know what you mean.' said Harry, frowning.
'What Harry is trying to say, Mr. Ollivander, is that I want to know why you thought it so interesting that my wand chose me.' said Ginny.
Ollivander looked pensive for a moment before flicking his eyes to Harry and back. 'I suppose, considering who is here with you, that it would be acceptable to learn this information now.'
Harry frowned and turned to Ginny. She didn't seem nearly as confused. In fact, it seemed like a light had switched on in her head. Her eyes were aglow, and she was biting the inside of her cheek. 'Although, it appears that you have already made the connection.' Ollivander chuckled lightly. 'Miss Weasley, you share the same wood as the wand of the man who so happened to have possessed you in your first year.'
Harry's head snapped back to Ollivander. 'Yes, Mr. Potter. Much like how your previous wand shared the same core, Miss Weasley's was taken from the same tree as that of You-Know-Who.'
'Just say the bloody name.' snapped Ginny. 'You know his real name anyway. Surely that has no fear behind it.'
Ollivander looked appraisingly at Ginny before smiling. 'You are quite correct, Miss Weasley. Tom Riddle performed extraordinary magic with his wand. It is a common misconception to say that the core is the only aspect that fuels that magic. The core is important, yes, but it is meaningless without the wand wood.'
Harry had always subconsciously disliked Mr. Ollivander. He was strange and gave off an odd aura whenever you were around him. The back of his neck always seemed to prickle as though someone was watching him when he was near Ollivander. Now a thought came to him that nearly set him into the motions of stunning the man. 'So then why would you have any grounds to say it was interesting that Ginny herself had earned the wand's respect? You said wands choose their wizards or witches. Did you know that Ginny was going to face him?'
Ginny seemed to understand what Harry was getting at because she whirled around and glared daggers at Ollivander. He seemed unaffected by their behaviour and simply frowned. 'No. I did not know. But I had made that wand a long, long time ago. And no one had ever earned its trust. Mr. Potter had earned a few sparks, but nothing special. Though, it is safe to say that the wand would perform for Mr. Potter, yes, no doubt about that… However, I did not know He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would impact your life, Miss Weasley, I only knew that there was something about you that earned Mr. Riddle's sister wand's respect.'
'Sister wand?' Harry asked. He had known that his wand was referred to as a brother wand. What was the difference?
'A sister wand is one that shares the same wood, from the same tree. It has rare magical properties when the two meet, though these properties are not the same as that of a twin core.'
'Are you saying that if my wand met with Voldemort's, that it would do something special?' Harry asked. He had never intended to meet Voldemort with a wand. But with the way things were going, and the prophecy to consider, it was becoming more likely.
Ollivander held a finger up. 'Ah, that it would. However, you are no longer carrying your old wand, are you?' Harry's eyes widened. How had he known that? He turned to Ginny who was eyeing the end of the long and ancient handle of the Elder Wand that was sticking out of his back pocket. 'I'd recommend keeping the tip away from your back pocket, Mr. Potter. Elementary wand safety.'
Harry flushed and pulled the wand out of his pocket. He eyed it warily before settling on tucking it behind his ear. It seemed to stick to his very skin when he placed it there, as though no force on earth or heaven could let that wand slip from his ear's tight hold on it.
'I do not know where or when you received that wand, Mr. Potter, but I'd wager you're more comfortable with that one than you ever were with your own.'
Silently, Harry disagreed wholeheartedly. While yes, the Elder Wand could perform extraordinary magic, and the magic he did perform felt fantastic, he still preferred his holly wand. Unfortunately, Dumbledore had been rather adamant on Harry always keeping the ancient wand in sight. Ownership of multiple wands was perfectly legal. Carrying more than one, however, was not. In the end, Harry had had to make a choice. His old wand, the one that had cast his very first Patronus, was lying tucked in silk wrappings at the bottom of his school trunk. For outwardly appearance, however, Harry nodded to Ollivander's statement.
'Right, well, thank you Mr. Ollivander… for erm… clearing that up.' Ginny said in a false cheerful tone. She gripped Harry's arm rather forcefully and pulled him out into the street. 'We need to talk. Now.'
'Now?'
'Yes, Harry, now.'
They walked towards Madam Malkin's, a store neither of them needed to visit, but it offered loads of areas to hide and discuss secret topics of conversation behind the many racks. The pair slid in between the men's dress robes section. An area far in the back corner of the store that few frequented.
'Listen, Harry, I know a lot more than you think I do-'
'Trust me, Ginny, I know you know a lot more than I do. So, what do you want to know from my end?'
She paused for a moment and looked over Harry's shoulder, through the window. 'Tell me everything you know about this upcoming war.'
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. 'I don't know much. Me, Remus and Sirius have some ideas and theories but that's all.'
'Give them to me.' Ginny seemed to think that her defiant tone and facial expression were necessary for Harry to tell her what he knew or speculated on. In truth, Harry had planned on telling her either way. She was his equal in all of this.
'There was a prophecy made, before I was born. Voldemort doesn't know the whole thing… Honestly, I don't even think I know the whole thing.' Harry frowned at the thought. 'Anyway, the prophecy basically said that I would be the one to kill him one day. I think it meant properly kill him, not the strange half state my mother's protection put him under.'
Ginny's jaw hung loose for a moment. This was the importance behind Harry Potter. So much began to fit into place. 'So that's why he went after you. It wasn't your parents after all.'
'Exactly. Dumbledore had kept it from me. He apologized a lot over the secret but I'm a bit pissed all the same. I mean, it's my life he tried to meddle with.' Ginny frowned at that. Dumbledore had truly let her down in her first year. She'd lost a lot of respect for the man, but she kept this to herself mostly. 'Anyway, so that's why Voldemort wants me dead but I'm sure that desire has only grown now that I've technically helped defeat him twice. Even though both times were either through luck or a lot of help.'
Ginny rolled her eyes. 'Harry, you've still accomplished some extraordinary things. You should be proud of them.'
Harry shook his head. ''The only thing I'm really proud of is making the Quidditch team and my Patronus. The rest is just coincidence.' Ginny just stared disapprovingly while she waited for him to continue. 'Anyway, we don't think the war will truly start until Voldemort is back in a body. He isn't strong enough to command an army.'
'No, Tom relies on fear to manipulate and control his followers. If he's in a weak state, he'd have no control over them. No matter how powerful he was or still is, he needs his physical presence.' Ginny stated matter-of-factly.
Harry stared at her in disbelief. 'You're amazing you are.' he continued to stare at her admiringly while Ginny tried to fight back the blush. It didn't come nearly as strong this time around. Maybe her ridiculous nervousness around Harry was finally ebbing away. 'Right, well, as you said, Voldemort can't really do much in his current state. He's probably using people the way he used Quirrell and you. Though at the moment we don't know who that could be.'
Harry glanced around the room again to make sure their conversation was still private. He waved his wand and muttered a spell he'd seen in his mother's memories. 'Muffliato'
'Right. Have you heard of the disappearance of Bertha Jorkins?'
Ginny shook her head.
'She's been missing for months. Was on some form of Ministry business. She was part of the department of Magical Games and Sports. I don't know if you've been getting strange hints and teases dropped to you all summer or not, but something is going on with that department and Hogwarts this year, I'm sure of it.'
'I agree. Percy and my dad just keep teasing us about it. Percy was the one who let it slip that it had to do with some sort of game.'
'Or sport.'
That earned him a smile, but it was short lived. Harry pressed on. 'Bertha Jorkins; working on a project for Hogwarts, disappears. Guess where she vanished.'
'Where?'
'Albania. The place Voldemort always recedes back to.' Harry looked pensive for a moment. 'I don't suppose you know why he continues to hide there?'
Ginny shook her head. 'I know a lot… not everything, but a lot until the creation of the Diary.'
'And that would be…'
'Myrtle's death. When Riddle first split his soul.'
Harry's expression suddenly shifted entirely. 'No, that doesn't make sense. The Diary showed me a memory of framing Hagrid. That was after Myrtle's death.'
Ginny frowned. 'I never saw anything past the creation of the Horcrux. I don't know how it showed you anything after that.'
Harry seemed to be thinking hard. 'I suppose he could have added the memory to the diary after the fact. It wasn't important to you because you weren't asking about the Chamber of Secrets. He'd have no reason to show you.'
Ginny nodded. 'Yeah, that makes sense.'
'So, you know about his soul pieces then?'
Ginny sighed. 'What? Horcruxes? Yeah. He wanted to make more than one. That's all I know. The fact that you were a Horcrux is rather confusing to me. You're a living vessel, that can think and act on its own. You're not some unintelligent animal like a snake or toad or something. You're a human. You're magical. You can fight him.'
Harry didn't question how she had deduced his Horcrux. He had told her he'd had a piece of him inside him. Her knowing the name of such a piece was not farfetched in the least. 'It wasn't intentional. At least, I don't think it was. I reckon it was a consequence of the curse backfiring.'
'I don't understand enough about Horcruxes to really get a gauge on the situation, but I don't really want to know either. I'm sure Dumbledore knows. It doesn't matter anymore it's destroyed. Right?'
Harry nodded his head vigorously. 'It's gone. Destroyed. Trust me, I feel so much better now.'
Ginny looked up at him and took in his expression. His eyes had that glow about them again. Something that only ever appeared when he was passionate about what he was talking about. His brow had a slight crease, as though he had been frowning for weeks on end. 'What about the Death Eaters are the World Cup?'
'Right, that's the thing that we actually think the Ministry may have gotten right.'
'What?' Ginny nearly shouted in disbelief. This whole worrying cycle was started over the fact that there was a Death Eater threat.
'Obviously not in the way the Ministry is talking about it. Just that it may not have been Voldemort's orders.' She continued to stare at him in disbelief. 'Look, this is what Sirius and Remus have pieced together.' he paused and collected his thoughts. He could hear the distant sound of thunder and the slow splattering of water droplets on the cobblestone street outside. Rain was beginning to roll in. 'They think that the Death Eaters at the World Cup were just there to scare people. To remind them that the Ministry didn't capture all of them. That's all that was. No orders from spirit Voldemort.'
Ginny held her questions for later. Awaiting Harry to continue his guardians' theory. He bit the inside of his cheek, something he always did when he was explaining something. It was sort of cute, in a way, how predictable his mannerisms were. 'The Dark Mark, however, was probably someone who is currently working directly with Voldemort.'
'What? How did you come to that conclusion?'
Harry held his hands up in surrender, framing his face. 'Not my theories. Listen, Sirius said that the second the Mark went up, which by the way was sent from the forest not twenty metres away from us, the Death Eaters scattered. They were terrified of the mark appearing out of the blue.'
Ginny grew pensive for a moment and asked the last question that was eating away at this theory of Sirius and Remus. 'Why would they suddenly terrorize the camp with no orders from their dead master? I mean, surely there was a reactant.'
Harry bit his lip to stop himself from laughing at the use of muggle chemistry terminology. That book Remus had gotten her was already showing. 'Right, well, Snape gave us that answer.'
Ginny couldn't even hide her shock. 'Excuse me?'
'Yeah. Sirius, Remus and Tonks, the auror, paid a visit with Dumbledore to ask what he thought about the World Cup.'
'And?'
'He's not concerned about the Death Eater rally, but he is worried about whoever cast the Dark Mark. Snape said the reason the Death Eaters attacked the camp was brought on by the fact that their marks have darkened over the summer.'
Ginny frowned. 'Marks?'
Harry nodded. 'Yeah, Voldemort marks his followers on their inner left forearm. The mark has been pretty pale since he disappeared. Now they've become a little clearer. Snape thinks that the people at the rally likely don't know their master is actually still alive, but they took action all the same.'
'I'm assuming Snape knows the mark is getting darker because-'
'-Because his own is, yeah. The git's a Death Eater. Apparently, he's a spy for us but… well who knows for sure.' Harry finished for her and tapped his fingers against his leg. 'There's nothing for him to spy on, but Dumbledore has kept him around so that once Voldemort does return, Snape is in reach to use.'
'So, Dumbledore kept around an incompetent teacher, stalling everyone's potions grades for years, because eventually he'll need a spy.' Ginny was fuming. She wasn't even half bad at potions. Not as good as Loony Lovegood, but better than most. Yet still, she received terrible grades based on her family name and her House. She'd had to teach herself everything in potions. He'd never once supplied any valuable information.
Harry seemed to agree with her. 'It's total bullshit. Sirius lost his mind when he found out. Let's just say that Dumbledore isn't a popular subject of conversation at home at the moment.'
'You know, I keep my mouth shut on loads of Dumbledore's decisions, but he's sort of useless.' Ginny paused to see what Harry's reaction would be. When she had brought up this point to Ron around Easter of last term, he'd gone mental. Harry just seemed curious. 'I mean, he hides the stone in the school. Really there was only one viable defense there. Then there's everything that happened in my first year. I mean… You, Hermione and Ron found me, figured out the monster, and discovered the location of the Chamber of Secrets while the almighty Albus Dumbledore was telling my parents that there was nothing they could have done.' she paused and gaped at Harry. 'I mean… what that fuck?'
Harry nodded. 'Trust me, that's only the half of it. Everyone instantly believed that Sirius was guilty, even though according to… everyone… my dad and Sirius were like brothers. Then you have everything with the prophecy, which I still don't know in full, I might add.' Harry paused and bit his lip. 'Sirius doesn't know the whole thing. He just knows what my dad told him; that I'm the one prophesized to kill Voldemort.'
'Ginny! Harry? Where are you two!' The voices calling from the street were loud and clear to both of the missing teens.
'Alright, so in summary: The war won't start until he has a body. Tom has probably murdered a ministry official for information on this mystery event happening at Hogwarts this year, which is again, probably going to be fucked with by Tom. So, while there's no war, we should still be prepared.' said Ginny in a rushed whisper as the pair walked towards the exit of the shop.
'Yeah, I reckon that about sums it up.' Harry whispered back. 'Ron! Hermione! We're over here!'
They all met up near the exit of Diagon Alley and entered the Leaky Cauldron. When Harry hugged Hermione, he turned to Ginny and hugged her tightly, and whispered in her ear. 'Remember, we don't know if he's after you for sure. We don't know if he's made the same conclusions as we have. He may just ignore the Diary incident.' It was a long sentence, and it made the hug appear extremely prolonged to the intrigue of both Ron and Hermione. Harry pulled away and looked at Ginny to interpret her reaction. She gave him a weak smile and promptly flooed to the Burrow. Ron and Hermione quickly followed, before finally, Harry dropped the powder in and said 'Potter Manor!'
It was later that day that Harry paid his final visit of the summer to Elizabeth's café. He was just finishing his tea and rising from the counter.
'I'll write, yeah?'
'You better. I want to know about how that potions professor of yours treats you this year.' said Elizabeth as she smiled at her first true friend in years. Her summer with Harry had been one of the best things to ever happen to her. She couldn't say she fancied him, that wasn't exactly what she felt. It was a different kind of affection. Plus, Harry was Ginny's man. Anyone with a brain could see that. No, it wasn't romance that had bonded her and Harry. It was friendship. One that ran far deeper than any she had previously known. There had used to be other children around the village. They'd all packed up and left long ago. Her friendships with them had been shallow, she'd enjoyed herself but with Harry, it was… different. The world was so awe-inspiring to him, and it would rub off on you. You'd appreciate things more, the way the waves moved or the smell of rain. It was sort of fascinating how much Elizabeth's life had changed. The Wizarding World was amazing and overwhelming but with Harry around, he just made it feel like a normal day. Somehow, she knew that Harry drew comfort in Elizabeth's accepting presence. She still felt like there was more to Harry than what met the eye. But it wasn't bothering her as much as it had before. Apparently, there was a wizarding war on the horizon, and though she wasn't technically a part of it, she wanted to help. When the time would come, she'd be there. For Harry and maybe Ginny, the girl who had sort of become a little sister in the limited amount of time they'd spent together.
'I will. Don't you worry Edwards, I'll write so often you won't get a chance to miss me.'
'Oh, shut up.' Elizabeth smiled and hugged Harry. 'I'll miss you. Don't die, alright?' she had been filled in on Harry's adventures thus far and could confidently say that Harry Potter was not only an idiot, but a very lucky idiot.
Harry chuckled. 'I'll try. Trouble typically finds me.'
Elizabeth nodded against his shoulder and backed away. 'See you at Christmas?'
Harry frowned. 'No. Apparently, there's some event taking place at the school this year. We've been told to get fancy robes. Anyway, Pads won't tell me what it is, and neither will Remus. I've been told that if I don't stay over Christmas, I'm a pansy.'
Elizabeth nodded again and bid her farewells. Harry walked out the door, heard the bell ring and started the trek out of the village and up to the manor grounds.
Kings Cross was bustling as always. More so now with the constant downpour from outside that had many taking up shelter within the station's walls. Sirius and Harry walked through the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Without the constant fear of Sirius Black coming after Harry, Remus wasn't required on the train this year. He had flooed to Hogwarts earlier that morning.
Platform 9 ¾ was practically empty when they arrived. Harry was carrying only his owl, Hedwig, on his shoulder. The cage and trunk had been brought to Hogwarts by Remus. Sirius had to get to work, which was why Harry was on the platform so early. He'd wanted to see his godson off for the first time. Sirius clapped him on the shoulder and smiled proudly at Harry. 'You've grown so much over the summer.' Harry snorted and Sirius shook his head. 'I don't mean in height or in muscle. I mean as a person. You've let yourself have fun and breathe. You've gotten a chance to live. I don't know, maybe it's because I was locked up for so long but seeing you with a smile on your face and hearing your laugh, honestly, Harry it's the most wonderful sound.' he paused and looked around the platform. The only people around were house elves preparing the train for its journey. 'I am so incredibly proud of you. You've handled your affliction so well, and you've been great for both me and Remus.' He pulled Harry into a hug and squeezed him until Harry's ribs hurt. Harry, competitive streak coming in full stride, held him just as tightly. 'I love you, kiddo, really.' Sirius whispered into Harry's ear.
Harry smiled to himself and said back, 'I love you too Sirius, really.'
That earned him a chuckle and a sigh as Sirius let go of Harry and grinned. 'I'll make it up there for Christmas. I don't care what kind of Ministry event they're hosting this year; I will be spending my first free Christmas with my godson.'
Harry started walking backwards towards the train carriages, pointing a mock accusatory finger at Sirius. 'You better!'
Sirius laughed and waved him off. 'Of course, I'll be there for your furry little adventures too.' he winked before disapparating from the platform. Harry just shook his head and entered the empty train. He found himself a compartment and let Hedwig stand on his knee. Harry loved his owl, stroking her feathers always seemed to calm him down. If he was honest with himself, without the wolfsbane, his greatest fear would be accidentally eating his owl.
The platform slowly grew populated, and the train filled up. Eventually, not ten minutes before the train had to leave, the Weasley's arrived. Ginny, Ron, and Hermione all got in the compartment with Harry as the train departed for yet another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Lucius Malfoy shuddered as the dementor finally left the bars of his cell. Azkaban was far worse than he'd ever imagined. He'd half expected his wife, Narcissa, to feel sorry for him and bail him out. But it seemed that she had taken the opportunity to split with him for good without complaint.
The whore.
She was worth nothing to him. She'd said she'd loved him, but when he'd told her that their son would have made a great death eater, she'd suddenly turned cold towards him. As if she hadn't married a death eater to begin with. Granted, it had been a betrothal, but still, she had seemed pleased with the arrangement. Potter had interfered with more than his marriage. He'd shamed the family name, he'd taken his riches, he'd taken his own son out of his sphere of influence. How could that possibly be legal?
His thoughts turned to Draco, who would be boarding the Hogwarts express by now, perhaps even already arrived at Hogwarts. He knew there'd be no way to reduce the influence of his mother now that he was in prison. He prayed that he'd influenced his son enough to stop him from going soft. Draco needed to save the Malfoy name, not further squander its reputation.
He heard the crack of apparition and figured he had imagined it. Azkaban makes such things impossible. But then he heard the distinctive sound of heaving breaths and wheezes. He whirled around and gripped the bars of his cell. He saw a woman limping towards him. A wand gripped in her left hand. She lit her wand and Lucius flinched away from the bars. The body before him could be nothing more than a corpse. She was familiar, nonetheless.
'Bertha?' Lucius hissed in a low whisper. 'Bertha Jorkins?'
The voice that came from her throat was not that of Bertha Jorkins. It was high and menacing. A voice Lucius had never thought to hear again. 'Was. Lucius. Was Bertha Jorkins. Her body is weak, her mind has already failed. I can only possess her form for a short while, but I must fulfill tonight's task.' Voldemort paused and chuckled through Bertha's lips. 'I will return as the sixth month dies, Lucius. I will come for Bella, Redolphus… the others. I will come for you, Lucius. You will pay for how you have treated my… possessions.' Skin began peeling away from Bertha's face as the body quickly began to deteriorate. Her eyes shriveled up and Lucius fought the urge to vomit. It was a revolting sight. 'Lost your touch, Lucius. You cannot watch a corpse fall. I will come for you, Lucius. I will make you pay.' The body began to shudder as Lord Voldemort said his final words: 'But you have done me a great service nonetheless. The girl is strong, it would do well to know the ones with the power to defy me… for that' he wheezed. 'For that, I thank you…' The body collapsed in on itself as it fell limp to the floor. The rushing of human guards and the sound of caterwauling charms echoed through the Halls of Azkaban.
Lucius paid them no mind. His eyes were wide as he stared at the corpse before him.
The Dark Lord would return.
A/N: Notes of explanation or key details that may have been missed:
1. In Ginny's flashback at the beginning of the chapter, she describes seeing two orbs in a black abyss. She recognizes her soul. (The golden orb) and the red hemisphere being the piece of Tom Riddle. This description mirror's how Harry sees his magical core and that of the werewolf back in Chapter Seven: Accidents and Transformations. Are souls the same as the magical core? Are they different? Or perhaps they're stored within the same object. Questions and answers... later.
2. Harry doesn't know the whole prophecy, and all James told Sirius was "Harry is the one who will kill Voldemort.' Harry doesn't know that the actual meaning is that Harry is the only one who COULD kill Voldemort. As far as Harry knows, he's going to kill him and that's that. (This removes a lot of Harry's self-doubt. Because he just thinks he has to do it so he will. This has consequences)