Chapter 6
Harry was in a quandary…how to warn Dumbledore without revealing his knowledge of horcruxes.
He could tell Snape, but Snape would tell Dumbledore. He could send an anonymous letter, but he might leave enough of a trace to lead straight back to him.
Wait! What if someone else gave the warning?
"A word, Davis?"
Tracey eyed him doubtfully as everyone else filed out.
Harry raised his voice. "You might as well come back in, Greengrass, since Davis will tell you anyway."
He turned to the brunette. "You offered me a favor in exchange for the tutoring?"
Daphne's face clouded. "What are you asking her to do, Potter?"
"It's simple…I need you to warn somebody!"
Tracey frowned. "Why can't you do it?"
"Because I'm not supposed to know about the danger!"
Harry decided to fill them in about the nature of horcruxes; they paled at the mere idea, looking like they wanted to retch at the thought, but at least he convinced them to take the need to issue a warning seriously.
"Who will I warn?" Tracey was still suspicious.
"Dumbledore."
"How do I do that?"
Harry threw up his hands in exasperation. "I don't know! Maybe an anonymous letter?"
Daphne interceded. "Why would he obey an anonymous letter?"
"Look, I don't care how you deliver the warning…just make sure he's warned!"
"You think Potter is right about the…" Tracey gulped…."horcruxes?"
"It would explain a lot," Daphne conceded. "Including how You-Know-Who survived!"
They had checked the library and found no mention of horcruxes.
"We have the same problem Potter has," Tracey frowned. "How do we mention something we aren't supposed to know about?"
"I have an idea."
"Good," Daphne breathed, "Professor Snape is sitting beside Dumbledore. There'll never be a better time."
She led the way to the Head Table, grateful they'd come to dinner so early.
Tracey began, "Professor Snape, isn't it true that, if you come into contact with any cursed object, it could possess you?"
Daphne noticed they'd caught Dumbledore's attention. "And possibly kill you?"
Snape fixed them with his obsidian eyes. "Why do you ask?"
"We were wondering why Ginny Weasley didn't die, in second year?" Tracey suggested. "She was taken into the Chamber of Secrets by some cursed object, right?"
Dumbledore frowned. "What makes you think it was Ginny Weasley who was taken? No student was ever named."
"Oh, everybody knows." Daphne shrugged gracefully.
"Hogwarts grapevine," Tracey added helpfully.
"I see. Well, it is definitely wise not to handle any magical object without gloves, unless you are absolutely certain it is harmless," Dumbledore assured them kindly.
"It doesn't take a genius to realize that," sneered Snape.
Tracey and Daphne retreated quickly.
"That should do it," Tracey whispered, in satisfaction.
Daphne stared at Luna Lovegood. "How?"
Luna smiled at her. "I had a good memory. It was when Harry said he would be my friend…that was my happiest day!"
Daphne nodded, watching Luna's silvery hare loping around the classroom. She tried again, but all she could produce was a bit of mist…nowhere near a recognizable patronus.
"What am I doing wrong?" she cried in frustration.
"Perhaps you need a stronger memory?" suggested Harry. "That was my problem at first."
She scowled and cast once more.
The rest of the class dispersed, but Daphne stubbornly remained.
"Why not leave it for tonight?" Harry said kindly. "You can try again once you're rested."
She looked at him, at his messy hair and vibrant eyes…no one she knew had ever had eyes that color. Gryffindors forge ahead, she thought. Suppose she could be…just a bit brave, to get what she wanted?
Daphne dropped her wand on the floor, strode up to Harry, pulled his head down and kissed him on the mouth.
He stared at her in shock.
She turned to pick up her wand. "Expecto Patronum!" The little greenfinch fluttered before her, and Daphne gave a cry of triumph. "Knew that would work!"
Harry wondered if he should feel a bit miffed, but was still somewhat dazed. "You kissed me to get your patronus memory?"
"Yes." Daphne blushed.
"So, what now?"
"Oh, now? I think you'd better be my boyfriend," Daphne decided. "That way I'll have lots of good memories!"
Harry blinked. "Er…very practical."
"Isn't it?" she beamed at him. "But my patronus needs to be stronger, I think. Harry?"
Harry had to laugh. "Happy to help."
Dumbledore had forgotten one thing when he warded 4 Privet Drive- the wards only kept out those with evil intent for Harry.
The Dursleys were not included in that protection.
Sirius Black, in his animagus form, watched as Vernon's car pulled into the driveway. He'd waited until Remus was away, then slipped out.
"Payback time," he thought, as he trotted across the street.
"Why are you here?" Petunia shrilled.
"Dumbledore promised, if we took the freak in, he wouldn't interfere!" shouted Vernon.
Sirius grinned. "What makes you think I listen to Dumbledore?"
"I'm calling the police!" Vernon started for the phone and Sirius sent a stinging hex at him. Vernon yelped in pain.
"Damn," Sirius said pleasantly. "I'm using a stolen wand, so it doesn't work perfectly for me. I meant to break your arm!"
Petunia screamed, "Get out of this house!"
Sirius laughed aloud. "No." He sent a hex at her, and her entire body erupted in painful-looking sores. She screamed again as Vernon charged forward.
A flick of his wand, and Vernon crashed painfully to the floor.
"Huh. That time I intended to shatter your knee, and I only sprained it," Sirius pouted. "I must get another wand soon. Oh well, if at first…"
He cast again, and there was a resounding crack as Vernon's leg shattered, a bone protruding.
"Stop it!" Petunia cried. 'Why are you doing this? What do you want from us?"
Sirius considered the questions. "What I want…is to make you hurt. The same way you hurt the innocent child in your care!"
Fury swept through him…so much that he never felt the wards falling…never had a chance to react as the door was blasted in.
Bellatrix, flanked by the Lestrange brothers, fired a killing curse at the one wizard she could see, and left her husband and her brother-in-law to torture the Dursleys to death.
Fire engulfed 4 Privet Drive as Bellatrix, satisfied with their work, cast the dark mark overhead.
The Lestranges apparated away, having been there for less than ten minutes. By the time the police and fire services arrived, there was little left of the residence.