Lightning Lord
**OO**
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
**OO**
Welcome to the fireside. There's only one more chapter after this to wrap up.
A/N - Wimborne had been warned, but no one knew for sure what it all meant. Pettigrew? Was he alive or dead? Who kidnapped Neville and where is he? Will Sally-Anne get her family back, or has she lost Gran Longbottom forever.
Where was Lassie when you needed her?
When we last left off, an old wizard found an exhausted Harry Potter by the fire where a group of harpies had planned to sacrifice Fleur Delacour before dining on tender young wizard livers.
That old wizard seemed to be looking for a new apprentice.
**OO**
Chapter 9: Trials of Would-be Apprentices
**OO**
Ever since Harry was little, he'd had nightmares involving long white beards. The first time Harry saw a picture of Gandalf on the cover of a book, he got in trouble for making noise in the library.
Harry knew that Dumbledore was the reason for his terrible life when he was younger. And while his counseling had helped some, Harry still had nightmares about the old wizard from time to time. Especially after he was kidnapped by a death eater who was apparently acting as his agent just before he started his first year at Wimborne.
The counselor felt it was likely due to Dumbledore visiting the Dursleys when Harry was too young to understand anything more than the man's tone of voice.
Harry regained consciousness slowly, and discovered he was imprisoned someplace dark. If his hands weren't bound and chained to the wall, he could do something about it. But right now, he just wanted to rest, rebuild his magical reserves, and think.
Voldemort had come back. For a minute. That was different. But was he really gone? Harry thought so.
Was there anyone free who wanted the Dark Lord back? So what, if he really could be brought back again and again, just who was going to do that? Bellatrix was in prison, several others too.
To be completely safe, maybe they should have their magic taken. No magic meant no magical ritual. Or put them in a special box, like the dementors.
Harry debated calling for an elf. But honestly? If he was missing, wouldn't Sirius have deployed them? He tried calling for first Livy then Jam. Then every elf he could think of. No luck. There were likely anti-elf wards here.
Harry felt this was Dumbledore's payback to Remus and his phoenix wards…phoenix. Harry had seen a picture of one. Gorgeous bird. Fawkes had rescued Livy. She liked to tell that story. A lowly house-elf rescued by a phoenix.
Too bad he didn't have one of the eternal birds as a companion.
Harry couldn't get comfortable very well, but the need for sleep had him taking his thin pillow and doing his best to get warm under the thin blanket on the uncomfortable cot. He'd already had ten years of this.
So, Dumbledore wasn't evil? Really? At least most didn't think so; Just a little focused on his own plans. Harry now felt he had proof positive that he really was!
Harry wished he was home with Padfoot and Amelia. Moony. And especially Tonks. He was tired! Hungry. She'd make him a sandwich, and tell him a funny story after this nightmare. If only he could wake up all the way, or finally get some sleep.
He had no idea that someone had seen his kidnap. Someone who wasn't being believed.
**OO**
Percy Weasley thought he was helping Harry Potter, and for a brief moment, thought he had solved the mystery of his disappearance. Instead, he found himself in the warm embrace of a witch he'd been getting to know better through correspondence.
"Miss Tonks? Or is it Madam something by now?
"No, I'm not married." She didn't say she'd been busy waiting for him to grow up a bit. "Thank you for getting those cuffs off me! I couldn't transform or fight, and everything is in an uproar. I knew you would have spare keys. You are a trusted and responsible person. I love that about you.
"Now, I need to get back there and help Harry."
"Miss Tonks, he's been kidnapped apparently. He was helping a French official's daughter who had also been kidnapped. The bodyguard was just headed back when he saw Albus Dumbledore! It was dark, and the guard wasn't quite all the way back to where he'd left Potter, but he was sure it was the same boy who'd been helping find Fleur Delacour.
"I'm not surprised by his actions, but he took the boy with him. Everyone in the country will be looking for Potter. Or any sight of Dumbledore."
Tonks nodded, trying not to panic more. It wasn't working. "I asked you what you wanted to call me, Dora is fine."
Percy put a calming draught in her hand. "Where do you want to start looking for him? Some brilliant person in charge decided to pull down the portkey wards. So what if people were overwhelming the staff in wanting to leave? It wasn't a good decision."
"But that means he could be anywhere in the world!" Tonks complained.
Percy took the potion back, opened it, and offered it to her again. His eyes told her to take it.
"I know. Which is why we need to use any tool we have to find them." Percy reassured.
Pouting cutely, the auror drank, and the panic that had made it impossible to plan was gone. Then she noticed his stance. Concerned. Ready to act.
"We?" She asked uncertainly.
Percy nodded, "I don't have very much gold yet, but I planned to approach your Head of House for permission to court you if you were still unattached. I do care about you, Dora. And I know from your letters, Potter is like a son to you."
"Harry, call him Harry. I don't know what he is to me, but I just know that I need to find him. Help him, and I'm having trouble thinking!
"We could certainly use that computer game he's been making. 'Where's Harry?' People follow clues. It's going to be huge, once he gets all the bugs out. Oh Harry, where are you?" Tonks bit her lip.
'Bugs?' Percy wondered why they didn't just put up pest wards around this project but didn't want to distract from their main concern.
"I have some of his things back at the tent. You took Divination; Ever done much scrying?"
"I excelled in that skill. Yes. That will give us our best shot."
Impulsively, Tonks gave his cheek a kiss then grabbed his hand.
And while Harry's tent was inaccessible, Harry had left plenty of his bathing things and shower things back at the castle tent.
There, Percy cleared off a space on the floor while Tonks gathered the materials, and he started chalking runes.
Of course he had chalk. It was a responsible sort of tool to carry.
**OO**
"I think that you should modicum your tone when talking with important people." the horribly ugly woman stated. "I don't think you apparate who I work for." Her speech was slurred. If she'd been drinking, why not take a sober-up? She had a job to do!
"Don't you mean 'modulate' and 'appreciate'? I don't think you understand the situation!" Hermione was on the verge of tears, and this Undersecretary person was somehow acting as the troll at the gate to get any help.
Pierre Dupont snorted in disgust. "Do you have any idea of who I work for?" He had gotten Fleur to the portkey point and away, but now he couldn't find Harry Potter! He had seen Dumbledore, and thought he had the boy. Wasn't he one of the good guys?
"She doesn't care. To her, Harry's just a half-blood. No big loss." Hermione now did break down into tears, wishing that Padfoot was there. But he was sticking to the camp. "If she hadn't ordered the traps be removed, we wouldn't be in this mess!"
Once, long ago, Heirs of wealthy houses were kidnapped for ransom. Lord Black was staying by the tent, just in case there was a ransom demand. He was surely praying for one.
Pierre spat on the ground in disgust. "We have a missing Heir here! Doesn't your Ministry care about that? Nevermind, we'll see what my employer has to say about this."
Hermione nodded agreement. She wondered what Luna was feeling right now. A part of her wanted to contact her friend. Another wanted to just spend the night weeping. Never in her life had she felt so helpless, hopeless.
**OO**
Never in her life had Sally-Anne felt so helpless, hopeless. Everything that had been building for her was gone!
She had gone with the witches of the village to do a special ritual. Witches magic! She'd been disappointed that Neville wasn't there at the community dinner when the women joined back up with the menfolk. At least she'd been informed of the reason he wasn't there. Well not directly, but the husbandman had gotten a cryptic note about 'the Heir was going to try a new cure to improve his magic.'
He had immediately thought it had been misdirected to him only until the future Lady Longbottom was available. She looked at it completely perplexed.
Why? Why would he do this without saying anything to her? Only his family complained about it to him, but they didn't feel his magical strength like she did. He was in touch with the earth, and could make anything grow. No one had said anything before. Not in front of her!
Luckily for her, the local aurors believed her about something being amiss at Cherry Hill, especially with the Longbottom Heir disappearing for a mysterious healer's appointment for a week!?
They were then informed via patronus that Harry Potter had been kidnapped as well. Dumbledore was known to have an unusual interest in that boy. But the old wizard was at home, listening to music, trying to ignore his unwanted guest's insistence on a piece of history that they had already much debated.
If Neville wasn't there, where was he? And everything was so strange!
"Where shall I go?" Sally-Anne asked tearfully.
"It might be a conjured cot, my dear, but you are welcome here. You'll stay with us, o'course." Mrs McNeal offered.
The MacMurray clan was well known and honored here. This girl had been welcomed, and was supposedly betrothed to the Longbottom heir. Somethin' bad was going on, and the girl needed a safe place to stay until it was straightened out.
"I can help with the children." The young witch offered, "I had younger sibs before I was…" Sally-Anne broke down into tears.
"Your help is appreciated. Now, let's get you a cup of Scots broth, and then to bed. You've been working hard all day, and your magic was stressed before this happened. Hopefully, things will be better by the morning."
**OO**
For a flickering second, Percy had tracked Harry down to somewhere in London near Charing Cross, but before he could narrow it down, the scrying collapsed.
Magically exhausted, Remus led him to a guest room to try and get some rest if not sleep.
While they were all very concerned for Harry, none of them could think of anything to do.
Tonks, after everything that happened, had fallen into bed but was unable to sleep.
**OO**
The expected letter just appeared on Padfoot's bed in the middle of the night. But the house-elf bringing it chose to pop louder than normal.
'My dear boy, I am so sad to hear that Harry is missing. Aurors came to arrest me in my cottage here in Hogsmeade. I was able to prove to them that I did not have your godson. How sad you must feel. I will give you my help, but there is something you have that I want. In exchange for my aide, I want the use of your London house for the Order. Oh yes. We'll have to get our group back together. I do hope that you and your friends will join. Voldemort is back, we must put aside our petty differences, and fight together.
'I feel for you for the worry you must have. Please accept my offer. It is sincerely made.'
'I realize, in my anxiety for the good of society, I might have made mistakes in the past. Please forgive an old man, and give me another chance. Let us pour the balm of brotherly love into each other's bosom at this time of strife. Let us rid ourselves of Voldemort. Together.
'APWBD'
The scream at reading these words woke his exhausted friends, catnapping nearby. Sirius was sure that the man with too many initials was responsible for this situation. Moony and Percy thought so too. Together, with an anxious Tonks, who came running in at his noise, they made quick plans.
The Marauders wanted to stake the long bearded wizard most painfully out in a desert. And then hand him over to a harpy to eat his liver. Not that such jerky was a treat to them.
**OO**
Harry awoke the next morning, and realized he was in a dungeon. He had not a clue where, but they'd visited the Tower of London. Strong iron doors: check. Creepy instruments of torture in view of the prisoners: check. Cold iron digging into his wrists and chaining him to the wall: check.
Dark except for dim light from high windows, too small to escape from even if they were able to somehow scale the smooth high wall.
But that was when he heard the soft weeping.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" Harry called.
"What? Oh, I thought I was alone in here. I don't know why I sorted Gryffindor. I'm useless. I bet when Gran finds out I'm missing, she'll throw a party to celebrate. No, that's unfair. She knows I do my best. Poor Sally-Anne! She must think I abandoned her. We were supposed to have dinner last night!
"Oh, I'm Neville by the way. I'd offer to shake your hand, but I'm rather chained up at the moment. I can stand, reach the facilities, and I do have a cup of water left here."
"Neville? As in Longbottom? I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
"Oh! I haven't seen you since first year. How's your computator classes going? I'm told they are very important. And people make very good money doing it."
"My computer classes have been going well. I hope to get back in time for fall quarter. Being imprisoned here wasn't on my schedule. This is not the family holiday Padfoot had planned, though I am glad I'm not here alone. Were you at the World Cup too?"
"Me? No. I had been working outside with my girlfriend. My grandmother got a letter, and for some reason sent me instead of Clive to Hogsmeade for some treats. My great-gran makes them all the time, so why would Gran send me for shortbread biscuits?
"Why didn't I question it? Gran can't stand Lady MacMillan, and refuses to have anything from her shop in the house. I should have known then there was a problem. But no, stupid me. I go, and get myself kidnapped."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Neville. You were in Hogsmeade. How many times have you been there and been fine? Your guard was down, and not looking for attacks."
"It sounds like you were? On guard I mean." Neville asked.
"Yeah, I was, but I had already been fighting for a while. I thought it was over, and I was safe. Guard down, and flat out exhausted. I'm still mad at myself."
"Ron was furious when you left."
"Yeah. He wrote me about it. Multiple times. I'm sorry if I caused problems…"
A sound interrupted the talking. An old elf came down the stairs. He looked oddly familiar.
It was Kreacher! And mocking as always. The one elf he hadn't tried to call.
"What are young masters doing in dungeon playing? Kreacher supposed to serve breakfast." He had two trays with food that looked like it could be eaten with the hands. Not very hygienic, but Harry was hungry.
It was levitated through a small slot in the door to rest on a small table, which appeared for each boy. Mugs of clean water and even a nice tea were next. Harry suddenly had enough slack in his chains to reach. Just barely.
Neville spoke softly to the elf, "Kreacher? I'm supposed to take my medicine at this time. My elf, Clive, would have it."
Harry piped up. "Same here, only my friend Livy would have it."
"Kreacher be asking greatest wizard about this. Until then, no."
Harry waited until he left. How could he have forgotten his pouch? Oh, right. He needed access to his magic to use it. Instead, he picked up a pastry. Flaky, nice. He didn't know if his heir ring would work or not, but tried to look for poisons. He didn't feel anything.
"Kreacher belongs to my godfather, and he didn't seem to recognize me." Harry shared.
"Oh? That's odd." Neville commented.
Then Harry remembered: The polyjuice. Had something happened, and he still looked like Baljeet? He couldn't ask Neville. Not while locked in a cell that was right next to his. There was a nice egg and bacon sandwich with brown sauce here too. At least Dumbledore wasn't going to starve them, it seemed.
"Do you know what he wants with us? Dumbledore I mean?" Harry asked.
"What? Is that who kidnapped me? Oh, Gran is going to have a fit. I think that's who she planned to have over for tea. You know. The tea I was sent to get biscuits for."
It wasn't the story Augusta remembered, but then, both of them had their minds played with.
Harry shared, "I know several people who live there in Hogsmeade. I just met them at the World Cup. There's Commander Montgomery: He's in charge of the Black Watch. When the harpies attacked, you should have seen them in action! Got a bunch of people away, but it was chaos! Two hundred thousand people, at least a hundred attackers, and most of the population seemed to forget they owned a wand. I don't blame Hermione. She's terrified of heights. Oh, I do hope she's okay. She looked okay when she was riding off. I hadn't even thought of her. And Tonks! And Padfoot! Susan! At least Amelia and the baby are safe. That's something."
Harry got quiet, feeling bad about how he acted. What he should have done and didn't do.
"That sounds like a mess. But I'm glad Sally-Anne is safe. She's my lady, and you couldn't find a better one. So you know Granger?"
"She's my girlfriend. I'm going to marry her someday."
"Wow, Harry. You're really lucky. I wasn't brave enough or self-confident enough to stand up for her. And she is so brilliant, very driven. Ron was always putting her down. I didn't know you two were friends, though."
Harry tried to remember what Tonks said, and decided enough was enough. "Look Neville. I don't want to lie to you. Call it polyjuice, but I was never there. I had reports of what happened at Hogwarts. I'm sorry I pretended just now. I really want to be friends with you and you can't do that with a lie. I met Hermione when she transferred to my school. Please forgive me?"
"Of course Harry! I bet you were hiding from someone."
Harry confirmed, "Dumbledore. So of course, that's who caught us. Well, me at least. I never wanted to go to Hogwarts or be anywhere near the Headmaster. By all accounts, he's the reason my parents are dead, and my godfather was in prison for ten years without a trial.
"I don't want to be here now; Within his power."
Neville was quiet. "That makes a lot of sense. And explains why you didn't live with us in the dorms. Your counterpart never saw Ron acting the berk behind his back. Taunting others that he was your best mate, and keeping me away from you."
"What? That's horrible. There's no excuse for that. Or what he said to Hermione." Harry opined.
"Yeah, you leaving had him spiraling a bit. I hear he's flunking. He's always in trouble. Dumbledore would excuse it, but not Professor McG. She's great as headmistress. The other guys straightened up a lot though. Really."
"What? Became almost human?" Harry laughed.
"Nearly there. They could bathe more. Teenagers. What are you gonna do?" Neville was also laughing. "If I could just get his sister, Ginny, to back off, it'd be great there. Especially with Sally-Anne. She doesn't care that I'm nearly a squib, or that I like to work with plants. She likes me as me."
"Oh, Luna talks about Ginevra Weasley. Same girl? Always complaining, nothing ever good enough. My Hermione is kinda bossy at times, but she's very caring. And powerful. She's brave and smart, too. Luna is kind and caring. I'm so glad she's in Sweden right now. I just hope Hermione is okay."
"Me too, about Sally-Anne."
It was an impossible situation, and yet, without seeing one another, they were bonding.
They talked some more, and Harry napped. Lunch and tea times came and went with no food, at least according to the light in the high windows. Then, at sunset came the elf again.
"Hey Kreacher. Do you know when we're getting out of here?" Neville asked gently.
Kreacher pushed in roast beef sandwiches and a broth in a cup. More tea and water was served. The Dursleys had been far worse captors.
"Kreacher not knowing."
"Kreacher? Can you please tell me what I look like?" Harry asked.
"Brown skins and eyes, dark black hair. You's have high cheekbones. Very handsome. Pureblood of Indian descent if Kreacher was to guess."
"My father, what if I told you he was a wealthy sultan who would reward you for rescuing me?"
"Rescue? Kreacher's job to keep prisoners in, feed them."
"Well, I'm used to four meals a day. Two big, like breakfast and dinner that you served, but also lunch and tea. Sometimes elevenses and even a snack before bed. I'm entitled to that, aren't I?" Harry asked. He didn't want to channel his inner Dudley, but he would if he had to.
"Oh no! Kreacher only told breakfast and dinner. Bring snack later. Sorry, young master prisoner."
Kreacher left, and Neville had awe in his voice.
"How did you do that?"
"I don't know, but I think it's because he's my godfather's elf. I don't know how Dumbledore usurped him, but his magic clearly wants him to serve me. Not enough to free me, sadly, or I could get us both out."
"Look, Harry, I don't know how to say this... If you get a chance, go. Don't worry about me. I'm practically a squib! I take a special potion that's supposed to help, but no matter what, I'm just a weakling. You? You're the hero of the wizarding world and it sounds like you rescued more people yesterday."
The sadness was all too clear in Neville's tone, "You need to get out of here for the betterment of our world. I don't."
Harry shook his head, which of course the other boy couldn't see, "I'll leave alright, if I get a chance. But Neville, you forget. I know where we are."
"You do?"
"Yep. And you hear that? The scraping of chairs? I bet that's the Order of the Phoenix. If Fawkes ever shows up here, we just need to talk him into taking us with him.
"Fawkes? A Phoenix? Is this like a magical creatures club?" Neville asked.
Harry laughed. Magical creatures club. Ha, ha. He knew they had nothing but time, "Nope. Let me tell you what Moody told me. You know of Mad-Eye Moody, right? Well, back in the day…"
**OO**
Back in the early morning hours at the Word Cup, while the guardians are waiting for word on their ward.
Sirius and Remus granted Dumbledore the use of the house-elf and of Grimmauld Place with the understanding that he would task the Order with finding Harry.
Lord Black had no idea that in granting Dumbledore access to the unwanted property that he was giving the old man exactly what he wanted. A place to store two teenage prisoners for a time. But just for a short time. Then they would be left alive, but no longer an issue for him. Dumbledore truly believed in not killing.
His wishy-washy agreement left all three Potter parents there at the World Cup cold. Remus was just as much involved in Harry's life now as Sirius and Tonks. They did send notes for Amelia to be left on the dining room table, but no one had woken her yet.
They left the tent at an early hour despite no one having gotten enough sleep. They planned on meeting at Grimmauld Place later that day. Dumbledore was gathering the old crowd.
Sirius would do anything to get Harry back. None of the elves could find him anywhere. Winky had been caught trying to sneak a butterbeer in despair for her failure. No one could blame her, and the drink was dumped out. At least they didn't keep it on hand.
The day was difficult for the family. They had sent missives and gone everywhere. They had gotten some cat-naps in, but they were all tired and cranky. They had left the elves to pack up their camp, and felt it was a horrible end to what had been a marvelous time.
Sirius had explained the situation, but didn't want to compromise his wife's reputation by inviting her to an extralegal group. The Order of the Phoenix was a strange mix of magicals and non. There were thieves there, and in the past, at least one death eater. And squibs. What they did, Padfoot wasn't sure of.
Tonks debated inviting Percy, but in the end didn't. She didn't want to risk his career, much less her own in going, but she had to. This was for Harry.
Finally, the time had arrived and they portkeyed to the dark house that Sirius had never called home, not even as a child. They hoped that someone in the Order would have heard something. Seen something.
To call the first Order meeting at a time in the evening when they should be eating dinner and then heading to bed was just cruel. It had kept Padfoot and Moony on edge all day, wanting to do something.
Albus was wearing eye-searing robes, and all were focused on him, "As everyone knows, Voldemort is back, and the Ministry is refusing to acknowledge it. He was seen. Several of his faithful are missing from their homes today, no doubt in secret meetings. Will they strike immediately? Will they wait?
"Tom was doing powerful magic last night. Most powerful."
Molly Weasley spoke up, "Harry is practically my son! I've sent him sweaters and sweets every Christmas. He's constantly writing to my younger boys. Not to mention Ginny. What's being done to find him? My lot came home with all sorts of tales, including that you, Headmaster, had been seen taking a boy away. Ridiculous, the lengths the enemy will go."
Tonks gave her an incredulous look. Besides the constant prank idea exchange with her twins, and a bit of investment in them as a business, Harry had no truck with the matron. Was she delusional? Or had someone been playing with her mind?
Confronting her in front of Dumbledore? What would that accomplish? No, she'd sit and listen. At least, Sirius had warned them of this sort of thing before they came.
"Regardless of rumors, we need to do something!" Remus pounded the table and stood to pace around the kitchen; smelling something other than the lingering odors of roast beef that had been driving him crazy.
Yes. He detected a familiar scent and noticed it was stronger near the doors to the basement. His occlumency was very good, and he kept a steady slow pace.
"Have you received a ransom demand?" Arthur asked worriedly.
"No, not yet." Tonks shared. "I'm an auror, and not that wealthy, but I would give my last knut to get him back."
"That's such a kind thought for someone who barely knows him." Diggle stated.
Sirius gave him a look as well, wondering if any of these people dwelt in the same world as he, Remus and Tonks.
"I don't want to keep everyone. We know what to do. Sturgis, you'll take the first watch? Everyone has their assignments?" Dumbledore asked. "We'll convene here, same time, in three days.
"I don't have an assignment, Albus. What can I do?" Sirius asked.
"People will be watching out for him. You'll see." Now, let me see you to the floo, and I'll lock the house down."
Remus and Tonks had rushed up a flight of stairs and were in the library while Dumbledore was still talking to the others.
Remus was drawn to the old tomes while Tonks listened at the door. It took time, but finally, it seemed they were alone.
"Listen. Are they gone?" Tonks asked.
Remus did listen, and asked the lady who was officially a member of House Black, to call for the house-elf.
"What young mistress doing in library with no chaperone? Very wrong!"
"You are absolutely right, Kreacher. Tell me, who's left in the house, and we'll go keep them company."
"Everyone else but young Master Neville and young Master...Wait! You trickings Kreacher. I'm not supposed to be saying that." the house-elf popped away.
"I think we need Lord Black." Remus stated, pulling out a mirror.
He was kicking himself for not giving one to Harry: The young inventor had asked for the instructions on how the mirrors were created. The clever lad had an idea to expand it into a small network of mirrors, and wanted to do that as a project for school.
It had left Remus feeling…well, inadequate, and more than a bit jealous. He had gotten stubborn about sharing information. James had invented the blessed thing! Didn't Harry have the right to those notes? He'd felt reluctant to share, and now he was paying for it. He'd even kept Harry away from his own mirror, so he couldn't work it out on his own.
Tonks was ready to head down to the basement, but Remus had stopped her, "What are we waiting for? What if he went to get Dumbledore? I don't want to fight him." Tonks said urgently.
"I want someone who controls these wards. I want to make sure that others know where Neville and Harry are." He turned to his mirror, "Sirius, finally! Are you alone?"
"No, I'm here with Moody and Amelia."
"Listen. Neville and Harry are here according to Kreacher. When he realized he shared a secret, he popped away."
"Moony, I know it's a risk. Go with plan A. We know where you are. I don't think he'd kill you."
"Plan A it is. Remus out."
**OO**
Harry heard movement on the stairs again. This time, it was different. It was definitely two sets of footsteps, both heavier than Kreacher.
A lot of things went running through Harry's head. It could be Dumble's minions, or Dumbledore and a minion.
Tonks and Remus? This was a surprise. Yeah!
Harry asked. "Is it really you? If so, what's the code of the day?"
"Code of the day? How do I know? I'm Dumbledore in polyjuice." Tonks shared laughing. Happy they had found Harry. She'd hoped Dumbles wouldn't hurt them.
Moony smiled in relief at finding his cub.
Tonks was looking around for keys. Remus, on the other hand, was working on the brute force method, and yanked the cell door off.
Just then, a rat squeaked. It had been sleeping in the straw of the cell right by the door and had been discommoded by its sudden loss.
Remus pushed Tonks out of the way before it fell on her.
Harry shared, "Note to self, always bring a werewolf with you for rescue needs."
The rat, however, was not so lucky. Blood, far too much for one little rat, seeped from under the door. Remus banished the mess before either boy saw it.
"Neat trick! I'm sorry I wasn't quicker to say this. The keys to my door are hanging on the left." Neville shared.
Remus facepalmed and Tonks, chagrined, grabbed the keys and opened Neville's cell. After his door was opened, they discovered the keys also worked the locks on his wrists.
Moony was trying to sneak peeks under the door.
Neville nearly fell as magic flooded back into him. Stronger than ever before. He felt it! He was magical!
Harry was next, "Tonks? In case I get knocked out, I think Sirius needs to do the spell on Neville that Milli needed. Bellatrix attacked the family, right? He says he's a squib. I don't think so."
The locks coming off Harry's wrists allowed the polyjuice to end, and Harry was suddenly himself. He too would have fallen, or would have without Remus' support. That turned into a very warm embrace. "Oh cub!"
"Moony! Moony! Thank you! Dumbledore! And he had help. I think it was Wormtail."
"I know cub. He's not a concern any more."
Tonks pushed past, and hugged Harry to her. "Harry! Harry!"
"Mum!" Harry spoke quietly, but held her close. He was a wizard! He wasn't supposed to cry.
Remus was introducing himself to the Longbottom teen. Harry wiped moisture from his eyes. Then the Potter lad turned to Neville and held out his hand.
"Potter, Harry Potter." And bowed his head.
Neville laughed, and took the hand only to pull him into a manly hug. It didn't last long.
Harry was having trouble standing. He would have fallen if Tonks hadn't conjured a chair for him.
"Sorry, sorry. I feel so wobbly. I've been kept from my magic too long."
"There's some kind of anti-portkey and anti-apparition wards here…" Remus shared but stopped talking as he heard noises coming from above. But it wasn't Dumbledore.
"Sirius! Sirius!" Harry did start to cry then. "You can't all be here! He'll kill you, I know it."
Remus shook his head, "No, he wouldn't cub. But let's get out of here. Padfoot? Can you please get Neville? Unless you want me to carry both?"
"No, let me take Harry. Come on, Prongslet. You're going to be alright. So infuriating. You were one floor below me all through that nauseating meeting. Let's go home."
Sirius called Kreacher, but he wouldn't come.
The playing with Dumbledore was done. He was removed from the wards.
Remus didn't tell the others, but the dungeon door was left on top of Dumbledore's now worthless and lifeless minion.
The house was now locked up tight as could be, but just before she got into the floo she saw it. The new house-elf head, next to his beloved mistress' portrait. She felt a bit sad for Kreacher. Now they would never know what he knew.
They headed home first, reassured Amelia that all was well, made a few calls, including one to the school healer. After everyone was in for the evening, and reports filed, they put up the war wards and sat together in the living room to plan what to do next.
Neville went to floo-call his gran and talk to his betrothed, but was stopped by Moody. "Nay lad, you need to get checked. Augusta is in Saint Mungo's right now. I'll explain more later.
Amelia took the boy's hand. "Hello Neville, I'm so glad you're safe and as well as can be expected. Please, welcome to our home. You will be staying here for a few days until everything is sorted out."
"But my Gran, Sally-Anne? Gran MacMurray?"
"All yer family is fine lad. We'll talk soon, I promise."
It was so good that his betrothed had a good head on her shoulders and wasn't fond of sweets, either.
**OO**
While Harry was kept busy showing Neville to the guest room closest to his, Mad-eye was reading Healer Marius' report on the magic burns on Harry's wrists.
"Another three or four days, and the boy would have burnt out his core? Albus was trying to make him a squib!" Moody was furious.
Squibbing someone on purpose was an automatic death sentence in this world, and Moody wasn't the only one there willing to dispense justice.
Mad-eye continued, "Neville's magic was already dangerously low, and had been for years? Why?"
"The healer shared that Neville had been taking a potion given to people like his parents. Magically powerful, but out of their minds. It was supposedly for the staff's safety. Now, I'm concerned someone used it or is maybe using it for ill." Remus stated.
Neville had been removed temporarily from Augusta's custody while she went through some mind healing. She had been left thinking that Neville was with a healer to help him not be a squib. But no one wanted her to hurt her grandson if there was something more nefarious in the compulsion she was under. He did send a note to Sally-Anne saying he was fine and checking on her.
Miss Perks was back at Cherry Hill with Gran MacMurray. She'd never been potioned or cursed as she'd had a bit of a 'bad spell' and spent some time alone in her cottage. Thank goodness!
Padfoot was preparing the spell to undo the curse Bellatrix might have cast, but everyone agreed that Neville needed to be healed before trying anything. And make sure he had no potions at all in his system.
No one there thought there was wrongdoing on Augusta's part: It was just standard procedure. But Healer Marius wanted a trusted healer to check on Neville's parents.
Moody refused to talk about Augusta though. He would await those results before saying anything.
"Do you think the potions got switched? And the Longbottoms have have been dosed with potions Neville actually…needed?" Tonks asked. She wanted his case to be benign, a mistake. Not another nightmare, like Harry's.
Moody hit his forehead. "I know why. I know why he's doing this! Dumbledore! Well, not why exactly. Let me explain.
"I was workin' a late shift last night. I found out about the meeting after it was over. Now I know why I wasn't invited though. I would have had the children out of there in minutes. Dumbledore can defeat me, but he would have had to fight all of us.
"He told me what was going on. Something being protected in the Department of Mysterious. I even volunteered to help.
"Arthur's down there now. We dare not go, not right away. My guard shift is Thursday starting at six. That will give time for Harry to recuperate."
"What? What is it?" Amelia demanded. Cassie was just falling asleep, and Livy popped in to take her.
"A prophecy. Not like Luna's that are nearly a letter. No, different. A seer with a foggy lens on her inner eye. Drunk to boot, no doubt." Alastor growled.
"I'm guessing that not only do you know her, you don't like her." Tonks stated, covering a yawn.
That got the others going.
"Can't stand the woman. Complete fraud. I dinna know if Albus can't see it, or nay wants ta. Either way, dangerous. Especially for our lads here." Moody emphasized.
"What do we do?" Tonks asked, looking a bit lost.
"I have an idea. Get some rest. I'll stand watch. All of ye. I'm fresh, as is Malcolm and a few of his lads. He'll expect a small donation to cover some new artillery. Saw the boys playing in the water at the World Cup, and now he's decided he needs a real cannon."
Amelia stood, wand in hand. "How can I help, sir?"
A semi plan made for the morrow, and a trap was laid for Dumbledore.
Where was that catalog?
**OO**
Hermione had been informed that Harry was home. It had seemed so much longer than it was. She flooed over for an early breakfast, just the two of them, and had eaten practically sitting in his lap, she was so close.
"Those harpies! It was just like they warned us! Oh Harry! Justin was one of the ones kidnapped, and told me that Baljeet had saved them all. Justin's going to send a really nice present to Baljeet's family in thanks." Hermione shared.
"Good. This is wonderful Hermione! If anyone remembers anything, it will be Baljeet that gets the credit for destroying Voldemort. Did any of the Death Eaters get away?"
"All of the ones still alive. That horrible Umbridge woman just let them go! At least we know the names. Everyone is in denial right now that anything happened besides an out-of-control celebration. Though I sent a complaint to the Bulgarian Quidditch team. Having real harpies as a mascot is dangerous! Their party plans were nothing new, and everyone seemed fine with it, as long as it was muggleborns being sacrificed. Since Blaise was with the Wimborne group, they didn't know he was a pureblood."
Harry winced. He'd be watching the paper for cheerleaders dropping out of sight. Blaise was a very stand up guy. His mother wasn't so easy-going.
Maybe he'd have to let her know the Death Eater's responsible for Blaise being captured in the first place. Hmm.
Harry nodded, "Durmstrang let me know that as a half-blood, I was barely acceptable. There were a lot of problems in the past with normal people trying to kill anyone magical. I get the resentment, but why continue to cause problems that will lead to war?"
Hermione nodded, "If they want harpies, then they can donate their own livers. I'm just glad all of our friends are safe. And you are back."
Hedwig fluttered down right then with a note from Luna.
'Rest, gather strength. See you in school. Don't forget, we're getting some of our NEWT's done early. You are loved, Harry Potter. Never forget. LL.'
Harry handed the note over to Hermione, "As much as I want you to meet Neville, I think he needs to recuperate a bit more. And I'm supposed to be resting as well."
"Harry! Why didn't you tell me Neville was here?"
"Me? I just did. So, I will see you as soon as I'm officially allowed to have visitors. But I knew you needed to see for yourself that I was alright."
He gently kissed her cheek. "I needed to see that you were alright as well."
**OO**
Baljeet's mother scanned yet another package. So many valuable gifts! And the gold! Baljeet could stay at school for a second mastery if he wished.
And the boy refused to claim that he did anything, that it was all his brother. But she was the one person who knew the truth that Baljeet didn't have a twin brother.
She would have remembered that!
**OO**
Dumbledore was worried when Kreacher didn't show up at his call. Was he with the boys? Likely so. Still. Or. What if he was dead?
Kreacher was an old elf. He didn't want his young 'friends' to die. A day without food would be fine, but water? Water was a problem. He could always send his minion, but so close to a full moon?
Werewolf senses were enhanced he had read. If Remus saw Wormtail, the results would not be pretty.
In the end, he sent a note for Pettigrew to check on Kreacher, and make sure the boys were safe.
The smart owl knew not to refuse to take a note from the grumpus. Instead, he flew a ways off and ever so accidentally 'dropped' it.
Soon after, Albus received an owl telling him a gift package from Lord Black was at the post office, and was too big to go by owl. Would he come by at his convenience to see if it was safe to shrink. It came directly from a muggle confection company.
"Trying to make nice? How kind. Yes, now that they need me. I can plan what to do about the missing elf later. I do hope there's something lemon in that package."
Dumbledore walked a little way down the lane. Turned the corner, and disappeared.
**OO**
It was a balm to Harry's soul to have a trapped Dumbledore in his hands. He shared a looksee with Neville who was amazed. The boys were parked on twin couches in the informal living room.
Padfoot and Moony were getting a bit dark with ideas of how to take care of him. Tonks wouldn't let either wizard touch the trapped old man.
Wanting to get away from homicidal adults, Harry led Neville to the ballroom where he and his friends worked on projects. He still had the plastic dinosaur.
Harry then walked him through the logic of the trap. He even helped Neville make a trap on his own. Only his was for his Uncle Algie.
"Identifiers are very important in magic." Harry explained. "What if you don't know the name of the person? Easier if you do, but what if it captures the wrong Algie. You wind up with Algae, pond scum scientist. Could happen. Now, look at… The time! Elevenses?"
"Yes please! Making magic is hard work!" Neville shared.
Harry stuck out his tongue, and showed off a creme cake to Dumbledore, who really couldn't see. "Neener, neener, bad, old man!"
Harry started to share, over cream cakes and tea, how much Dumbledore had really hurt him. How much of a pain the man was.
"You can stun him, right? From here?"
"Yeah, but not without backup. Whatcha thinkin' Nev?" Harry asked.
They had bonded closer than brothers in a short time. And they shared the same nemesis, it seemed. Well, one of them.
"Harry, if he's turned in, they'll slap his wrist and let him go. Are you sure that Volde…Vol..You know! You're sure he's gone?"
"Yep. The dark smoky prophecy orb means Moldyshorts is gone."
Harry didn't share that the goblins had done their own scrying, and yay, verily, yay, the wizard Tom Marvolo Riddle was ding, dong, dead.
Then Harry had a sickening thought. "Neville? What if it turned dark the minute we trapped him? Dumbles I mean."
"We? This is great accomplishment, and it's all you! Well, and your family. And you all did great!" Neville defended.
"I never went up against him though. I was too…he's too…I need to find someone just as angry at him as me. Right now." Harry stated.
"You know what? I know a girl." Neville's smirk was priceless.
**OO**
"So, you're the one who was petrified? I'm really sorry, Sally-Anne. But I'm happy to meet Neville's lady." Harry bowed, and kissed her hand. "You're a lucky bloke, Nev."
She and Neville shared a soft look, "Our dear headmaster was given money to heal me, and he pocketed it! Leaving me so that I might have had to repeat a year; at a very high price, I might add."
"Hmm. That reminds me. I still haven't received a refund for my Hogwarts tuition. Might as well transfer it to you, Miss Perks. If you don't find that too…ah ah. Shoot. Gee, Nev. I do try, but... Can you please tell her in your language? I'm no good at high pureblood prose."
Sally-Anne scoffed, not realizing that all her lessons worked. She acted the pureblood princess more than most, "Harry! I'm a muggleborn. That's why I was left to rot like that. And yes, if they won't give you a refund, I'd be honored to accept it. Or maybe trade you some plants. If we can work it out."
The young witch continued, "Ginny has been making cow-eyes at Neville for ages. If she was in cahoots with that contract, she'd better avoid me this coming year! Gran has already sent me an apology, and a gift certificate for Green's, Neville's favorite plant store. We'll get something nice together, later.
"He's sick, thinking he can just magic us to marry other people. Sick!"
Harry knew that he had the perfect helper in Sally-Anne, "Ok guys. Look. I want to show you a few projects of mine. Then ask you some honest questions. Oh, and Sally-Anne? I need to know the songs you just can't stand to hear. You know, you're in the food court at the mall, and the music is just in the background until that one plays?
"Oh my, yes! I do know a few good earworms. Or are they bad ones?" The Perks girl laughed. It had been awhile since her last mall shopping trip.
Harry went to go play with one of his cooking pots, and Sally made a music list. Neville's job was the best, in his mind. He was responsible for making a list of all of his least favorite foods he was forced to eat and never wanted to see again.
Sally-Anne and Neville tried the fish stew in stasis from the World Cup and declared it disgusting. Well, it had been meant to be a punishment after all for death eaters.
The trap was soon ready. Dumbledore was stunned. Sally-Anne and Neville searched his pockets as Harry stunned him every twenty seconds. Just in case.,,
He was dressed in soft mint green robes. A week's worth of clothes in a self-cleaning closet was set up. It was really too close to the same clothes closet he had designed for Tonks, so he gave it a 'dog breath' smell every fifth day.
Every sixth day, the water creation pitcher would make horrible tasting tea. Every other day, the creamer would spoil, then be replaced by fresh unexpectedly.
The warning on all pitchers, pans, plates, bowls and cups was clear - allow it to empty, and there would never be anymore. Period.
The man then had the prepared trap brought close to him, and he disappeared into it, still stunned.
The three young people looked at each other. "Do we really have the right to do this?" Neville asked.
"He tried to make you a squib, my love. Oops. I'm sorry, Neville." Sally-Anne looked fearfully at Harry.
"Look, I knew. We talked and talked. I'm sure he knows that I'm in love with Hermione too."
Neville added, "And Luna. And while she's a girlfriend for now, he thinks that it's all they will ever be. I give it two, three years. Then they'll marry."
"Is that legal?" Sally-Anne and Harry asked together. "Jinx! Double-jinx!"
"That is too scary. Yes. It's legal to marry. No, it's not legal to hold Dumbledore. So you, Sally-Anne are going home to Gran MacMurray right now. We trapped Dumbledore, a kidnapper, and someone who's going to trial soon. Maybe we'll get a bounty." Neville shooed her away.
Sally-Anne left with one final whispered word, "Harry? It was great meeting you. Don't worry, I never told, but I figured out it wasn't really you. You know. At Hogwarts?"
"Oh? How?" Harry was curious.
"I'm a dancer. Somedays, you'd be an inch shorter than me, and on another: two inches. Most people don't notice those things." The witch shared.
Harry laughed, "Good eye. Thank you for not saying anything. It was great meeting you."
Tonks was at the bottom of the stairs, looking sad. Once out of sight of the boys, she stunned the girl. Then delicately modified her memories. She knew Harry's heart was in the right place, but it was just too dangerous. She let Sally-Anne remember a nice visit with her betrothed Neville, and coming over to see about the Hogwarts scholarship. She knew that Neville had been kidnapped by a minion of Dumbledore's but had never seen him. End of story.
It was time for Moody and Harry to take a walk. Tonks needed to spend some time with Neville.
**OO**
Padfoot showed up. There was going to be a special meeting at Saint Mungo's for Neville, and he was to escort him.
Neville left for there not long after Sally-Anne went back to Cherry Hill. Visiting Harry would be easier during holidays, but they had bonded in that dungeon, and had been rescued before being starved to death. Nightmare fuel for certain.
Dumbledore had been seen in Hogsmeade, but had apparently fled when an auror hailed him.
Calls for his arrest were made, posters put out.
The Black Watch patrolled. Moody had promised a bottle of fine homemade brandy to the person finding him.
It would take them all to bring him in, but everyone was on watch.
**OO**
Augusta sighed in relief, "So, Neville is not legally bound to Miss Weasley? That is good news."
Without a legal contract, something that Dharma Briokz vetted carefully, the price had never been paid. Thank goodness she didn't have to face Arthur over the bride price. Or worse, Molly!
"Ginevra's mother is, well, I'm just glad to be back to being myself. What must Sally-Anne think of me?" Augusta was appalled at herself.
"I know what she thinks – that our family was attacked by a powerful wizard."
Neville licked his lips, "Gran! I've got wonderful news!" The boy gave her a hug, and then cast a spell. It was a borrowed wand; Sirius' spare. The light was near blinding.
"So the healer was real?" The older woman was confused.
"No ma'am. Lord Black cast a counter curse. On me, and my parents. They aren't perfect Gran, but the results are promising. We might have them home by Yule!"
"Neville's been getting a potion meant for Alice, and Alice's potion has been calming draught and nothing more. I suspect that Dumbledore had a minion here." Sirius shared.
"Healer Marius is arranging for a private healer to come live with us for a few months, or until the investigation is done. He was really mad at how I've been treated. He says he's going to pluck Dumbledore's beard strand by strand. For his greater good of course." Neville shared.
He'd been holding her hand the entire time, and he now kissed it. "I'm so sorry about the biscuits. I know how you feel about the Bonny Lad."
Sally-Anne and Gran MacMurray showed up just then with Auror O'Neal in tow.
Alice's Gran gushed, "Oh, my dear girl! You didn't get caught! I'm so proud of you!"
Sally-Anne had had chocolates delivered to her just before heading out to the coven the morning of the World Cup. They clearly weren't from Neville, "I told our good auror here that I don't eat chocolates, and they felt funny. He wants me to be an auror now." Sally-Anne pinked during her tale.
Sean nodded, "It's all true. And because she was free to act, we got you into treatment. Dumbledore's signature is everywhere, but there's a second magical signature around Cherry Hill, on some things. An escaped prisoner named Pettigrew."
Augusta nodded, "I trust that both will be brought to justice soon. Thank you, everyone. Sally-Anne, Neville? Shall we go visit your parents?"
The pair nodded, and the dowager was released.
**OO**
Before Alastor left the manor, he gave Tonks a note that said he had something painful to share with Harry. She was a good obliviator; Moody asked her to give him the memory of walking with Harry, making sure the lad was alright after the happenings of the World Cup. Commiserating about Dumbledore's escape.
Tonks thought about making him a special treat for when he got back. Neville was still going to attend Hogwarts.
Sally-Anne, his girlfriend, was there earlier. Harry was teaching Neville how to make pest traps for his greenhouses. Wasn't that nice? After their trials, they had made close friends like that.
Harry whispered in Moody's ear. They had a brief stop in Hogsmeade first for some burnt biscuits from the Bonny Lad. And a companion for Dumbledore was fetched from his home where he'd been imprisoned since Dumbledore was kicked out of the castle.
**OO**
The muggle ship was very generic, nothing special. The container was nothing special. The upper corner of it would never be seen or touched by anything muggle, so was a great place to put a little mouse trap. It even had a symbol of a mouse on it, just in case a squib noticed it. It was shrunk to a very small box indeed.
"It was kind of you, not to starve him." Moody shared.
Harry decided not to tell him about the randomly moldy bread, or liver for dinner thrice a week or any of the other pranks. Even the fish stew was edible if not desirable. Call it Justice for the Russian roulette he'd had with food for ten years. Harry doubted Dumb-as-a-door had that long to live.
The flat had some entertainment: a few old quidditch magazines, none of the articles complete. Muggle music that played randomly, sometimes for an hour, sometimes all day, none of it good. All stick in your head songs too.
Solitary imprisonment was cruel, wasn't it? Harry wouldn't torture anyone like that. Albie, the dear old man, would not be alone. His special companion? Companions?
"Kind. Right."
"Albus Dumbledore, by the emergency legislation you authorized and never rescinded, I put you in prison until your trial." Moody then closed up the container, and they made their way to shore.
It was the same powers that put Sirius in prison so very long ago that in turn condemned Harry to ten dark years.
A quick tenner disappeared into the guards pocket. The boy was doing a school project on pest control. Could he place a trap there? No problem. He wasn't bothered how the boy would record the results. Lots of things online nowadays.
When they got back, Moody had just one other thing. "You had a great visit with Neville. You two bonded during your kidnap, but Dumbledore escaped…
**OO**
Dumbledore woke. The bland clothing was one thing, the awful food another.
Binns was in the middle of a lecture. He droned on about the Goblin Rebellion of 1752 and the impact it had on the wizarding milling industry.*
But what really made his imprisonment 'special' was his new best friend.
"Peevsy, Peevsy bouncing off the wall. Peevsy, Peevsy, makes the tea fall…"
Trying to explain that conjured food was useless was…useless with the poltergeist. As was reasoning with him about anything else.. At least Dumbledore could conjure water wandlessly. Fortunately for him, Binns, as boring as he was, didn't topple over the food.
Albus knew that it was only a matter of time, and someone would come and get him. They needed him to defeat Tom. They needed him.
Splat!
Why, oh why, did Peeves' trunk of pranks never run out. No, the Tackle Box of Terror was the only item that Peeves was careful not to allow to empty.
**OO**
Moony was sharing a case of muggle treats out with a group of friends from Harry's school. Baljeet was enjoying his latest letter from Parvati, while 'Balfor' ignored his from Padma.
"Just tell her that you're dating Hermione." Milli advised. "But not Luna, or then she'd want to join. Baljeet is famous now."
"I did. She wants to be friends. We have nothing in common!" Harry declared.
Blaise took it up, and read it aloud, "'Oh Harry! Can you imagine how much fun it would be to be pen pals with you!' Sounds more like Parvati in my opinion. Look at the writing. I bet you it is!"
Four different vault keys had been sent 'anonymously' to Harry Potter via his Account Manager Spurnik. All the letters attached smelled of the magical perfume 'Deadly Nightshade' that Blaise's mother was notorious for wearing.
The vaults contained the deeds for British homes. Which used to be owned by the missing, now presumed dead Death Eaters.
Shame that.
Blaise didn't ask about it at all, and when Harry tried to ask, he merely did his cat slow blink, "Or? Missing Death Eater vaults were turned over to the hero of the wizarding world. That's fascinating. Tell me more."
Harry gave him a rude gesture instead. They were friends.
Luna came in with snacks, "Gossip? Here? Down Blaise. Harry? Would you like this? It's called Root beer. I don't approve of you drinking so young. Are you sure Tonks knows?"
"Tonks knows." shouted Tonks, "It's like butterbeer. No alcohol."
Luna looked dubious, and stole a sip of his bottle. Then proceeded to sit in his lap and take every other sip until it was empty.
"Oh my, oops!" Luna tried to suppress it, but the belch came out.
Tonks stood, "Anyone engaging in another contest has to do it outside!"
"Mum! We were so much younger then." Harry complained.
Blaise agreed, "Yeah, like last summer. We've grown. Matured…."
Hermione patted him on the back. "Nice try."
"So when is the pool going in Potter?" Neville asked. Harry had gotten to go to the World Cup, but over everything else, people raved about the moat, and how much fun they had in it.
Sally-Anne turned to hear the answer to that question. She loved to swim.
"I think Padfoot wanted it in next week, but I'm not sure. A castle with a slide sounds wicked to me, but in a couple years might be too little kid. But then, we could always jump off the parapets by then." Harry shared. "I definitely want the lazy river again. That was a blast."
Padfoot was in the process of setting the castle tent up in the back garden. After his 'adventures', Harry didn't want to travel right now. The family was happier with that plan as well.
And with the huge space, they had room to have as long a river as they wanted!
Neville laughed. Harry was looking right at Tonks when he'd said all that. She'd kept quiet.
Blaise asked a soft question, "So? I know Fudge is denying anything happened, and Dumbledore for once isn't sending in his opinion. Do you think the Dark Lord is really gone? No one has heard anything from Malfoy since that day. It's…weird. Creepy."
Harry looked at Tonks who nodded permission for him to share the news. "Look. I trust everyone here. I've just received a Will summoning. Apparently, my cousin Narcissa left me something after she passed away. Draco didn't, but Sirius got a Will summons too; he's getting something from him as well. Apparently Lucius 'died' when he lost his magic."
"Yeah, I saw him there. I wondered what happened to them." Blaise shared.
Sally-Anne added, "I don't know what happened. Do magicals travel by boat, and it sank? Something bad."
Milli spoke up. "Pansy's parents are gone. She was supposed to be at the World Cup, but Professor Snape had a weekend seminar for advanced students. She and Daphne went to that instead. There are several people who did that, rather than go to the World Cup. Almost like he Saw something."
"Or someone shared an idea with him. Lemon swizzleberry cupcake? Lemon frosting!" Luna offered.
"There's tiny footprints in this one." Milli complained.
"Shush. Not everyone gets a fairy one." Luna stage whispered. "Besides, they washed first."
Everyone chuckled softly and accepted an absolutely heavenly treat. Neville raised his cupcake to Harry as a sort of toast. Harry mirrored him.
"To Fairy Cakes and Friends!"
**OO**
*Quote from JKR.
There are likely other quotes from canon that I have not attributed.
A/N: Story recommend: by one of my favorite authors BeepKeeper: Dial-Up Dementors and Purebloods.
Coming highly recommended by MelJ
s/14063900/11/Dial-Up-Dementors-and-Purebloods by BeepKeeper
A/N: Story recommended by our friend SonotaWriter Poppy's Dilemma by Lab12
s/14255440/1/Poppy-s-Dilemma-or-The-First-Week-After-the-Fall-of-Lord-Voldemort
A/N: Your story recommendation here -
**OO**
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language