I'm back ◡̈⋆🅷🅸(●'◡'●)ﾉ
New chapter that i hope it is good and you like it...
Thank you Beta-chan you are my hero, thanks to you I'm able to update shortly...
Also I thank : udm17, Freudentraene, KnowPein, bdwilliams3, Vegdeg
Your reviews made me happy, thank you all my readers as well, for reading my story you encourage me for letting my imagination leave it cage.
Thank you...
Enjoy (づ￣³￣)ˣₒˣₒ
Chapter 15
Bill held his mother as they walked through the corridor of 's hospital, his heart fearing the worst but as the eldest son he would have to be strong
A healer led them through a labeled door of what was a 'morgue'. He turned to them asking who would enter to identify the body.
Bill looked at his mother who turned to the healer.
"Both of us," she said, gathering some courage to keep herself still, yet Bill knew that his mother wasn't mentally prepared. He told her to wait but she insisted on entering.
The mother and son bravely entered the sterile room.
Molly couldn't help but let out a pitiful moan when she saw a body on the table instead of bed. It made his death look more real. They approached to see the face covered with a sheet.
"Mum, " Bill's voice cracked, wanting her to change her mind. He didn't want to see the pain on his mother's face.
Molly had barely heard anything Bill was saying since she entered the morgue.
She gathered her courage and let her shaky hands pull the sheet off the face praying for it to not be her husband, her Arthur.
Molly let out a gasp of pain and disappointment as she saw the face and Bill closed his eyes.
It was truly Arthur Weasley's body.
Molly's lips quivered as she brushed her fingers on Arthur's cold cheek.
"My Arthur…what did they do to you? They should have covered you, you're cold!" she whispered, taking his hand in hers and pulled it to her cheek.
"Wake up, honey. This is not your place, " she said, trying to lift up his head and pulling it to her chest.
Bill tried to stop her but she ignored him.
"You're so cold, I will warm you, don't worry," she said, tears flooding off her like a river.
Bill tried to pull his mother away but she refused to let go of her husband.
She took off her scarf and covered him with it crying.
"Please, don't do this to me Arthur! " She yelled in a scolding way like she does to him every time.
Bill didn't know what to do out of shock, this was his father, he looked peaceful yet his body wasn't. Whichever monster did this to him, it had no soul.
"Bill...your father, he's cold cover him up, be a good boy and help your father! Don't let him go!...please," she wept begging, her son.
Bill hugged her as if his life depended on it.
The agony in her voice ripped apart his soul.
"Mum that's enough, let's go." He tried to pull her away but she refused to go as she cried over her husband's body.
" Mum, please," he begged her with a tormented voice.
After she cried out everything her energy left her. And when they were out of the room, once she took the first step to walk, her feet slipped and passed out. Thankfully Bill was holding her.
Fleur, who had just arrived at the hospital and saw the scene, she went straight to hold Molly. The healers saw her and after checking on her, they gave her some calming draughts. Tonks and Andromeda soon came and took Molly to the burrow.
Bill remained back to finish the hospital papers and Fleur stayed with him.
"Mum won't be able to do anything, tell Andromeda not to leave her alone," he said as he finished the papers.
He decided to see his father one last time, Fleur offered to go in with him but he did not want her to see his father like that.
"Inform Hogwarts, my siblings must know. Charlie and Percy as well," He told her and she nodded back.
Bill tried to control his emotions seeing his father, who had raised him to be the man he was now, who washed and played with him, who was the reason for the joy in their lives and his home.
Who would protect them now…
Back in Hogwarts a patronus in the shape of a Swan appeared in the headmaster's office narrating .
"...We are at nuh hospital St. Mungos, Monsieur Weasley 's death 'az been confirmed...'' A weak female voice belonging to Fleur echoed in the room.
"Dad!" the Weasleys cried in unison and Harry was shocked, unable to move.
He was in darkness, no one was around him. 'Arthur Weasley is dead, he killed him'
Harry's inner self believed, in his deep thoughts he heard a scream.
"GINNY! " Harry heard Hermione yelling, once he turned around he saw the Weasley brothers around their sister who had fainted,
"Gin! " he called at her, she was unconscious, Snape stepped forward between them to check on her.
"She's in shock, take her to the infirmary," he ordered them,
Between the boys , Fred lifted her to take her, but Dumbledore stepped in.
"No, you're going to Sirius's place…All of you! " He said the last part, eyeing Harry, an affirmation that it was truly Voldemort's doing.
"Bu-," before Ron could say something, Dumbledore boycotted him with a worried tone.
"Change of plans, the burrow isn't safe now… your mother will be there too . I'm sorry for your loss children," he said giving a hug to each Weasley.
McGonagall burst into the room in a hurry.
"She knew that they were missing," said McGonagall referring to Umbridge.
Dumbledore nodded at her and showed them a portkey to leave.
Once all of them grasped it , they were taken inside Grimmauld Place's kitchen within moments.
In a flash Sirius came hurrying to the kitchen with a brush in his hand, apparently it was the only thing near him when he heard a thumbs up and noise in the kitchen.
" Sirius? " Hermione asked the man in front of her in a way she didn't believe it was him.
When Harry turned to face him, he himself was surprised.
Sirius was well shaved, wearing clean clothes and his hair tamed in a bun at the back. He wanted to hug him but it wasn't the right moment.
"Harry? What are you all doing here? And… WHAT HAPPENED TO GINNY!? " he asked worriedly, looking at the unconscious girl in her brother's arms.
"Harry will explain, we're taking her up to the girl's room," George said instead of Fred who was holding their sister and the pair left while Hermione was looking for water to give it to Ron, who looked pale.
"I'm going to take Ron to the drawing room, it's good to see you Sirius by the way," she said, wrapping an arm around Man's waist and left. Leaving the godfather and the godson alone in the kitchen.
Sirius turned his attention to Harry, who was still in shock.
"Arthur Weasley was found dead this morning," he said in quick breath , sinking to the chair of the table as he told Sirius of what had transpired.
Sirius's eyes widened at the shocking news.
"Merlin! the kids? Are they alright? Molly?" he asked him.
"You saw them, Pads," he said, tilting his head towards the kitchen's door.
Sirius was shocked by the news that Arthur, a real nice man in every sense of the word was no longer alive.
He went to the corner and brought eggs and coffee.
Harry eyed him with confusion.
"They need to eat, they will need energy later, come and help me," Sirius said over his shoulder.
Harry said nothing and followed his lead and prepared the table for them.
He stood next to Sirius helping him, preparing milk and orange juice.
"They will need you, now more than ever," Sirius said as he cooked bacon.
"Why are you so calm?" Harry asked.
Sirius couldn't help the faint smile on his face.
"Will madness change anything...why aren't you?" he glanced at him. And Harry couldn't hide the surprise on his face as if his moody godfather had grown another head.
Harry didn't know the proper answer to this question, why was he so calm. Harry had always known that Voldemort would start coming after him and everyone else who were against his beliefs at some point and he knew from his old nightmares that there was no escape from falling victim to him.
Daphne herself had told him that in war there would be no mercy.
"The truth is…," he was about to say how he would panic, and for a moment he thought all the Weasleys were looking at him as if it was him who had killed their father. Harry was trying his best to stay on his best behaviour. Besides, he was still tired from last night's fight with Daphne.
"It's his way to warn me," he said instead in a low voice that only Sirius could hear.
"Not just you, all of us," he corrected him. Sirius didn't want for a second to let Harry believe he was a reason for anything bad happening. Even if he was, he would protect him.
He called all the teenagers and ordered them to eat, but they refused, he repeated himself more firmly.
"Your mother will need you to stand by her side now. You're Gryffindors? Prove that," he told them.
He didn't need any more words, they all sat down to eat.
"Where is mom?" asked Ron faintly .
"At the burrow probably, Tonks and Remus sure are there with her, don't worry kiddo," he said to him patting his shoulder and sat down to watch over them and make sure they ate.
Ginny came down seconds later with an unreadable expression on her face, she sat down quietly and ate without looking at any of them.
While the twins kept eying Harry as if he was the one who killed their father, which made him shift uncomfortably. Could this day be any more worse?
Ginny was barely eating anything, only if the twins didn't force it on her.
"I want to sleep," she simply said while she rose from the table.
George made sure to take her to her room.
Sirius stood and left them alone in the kitchen.
"I will send a message to my parents, telling them that I'm not joining them," Hermione announced without looking at any of them.
Sirius told Kreacher to prepare all the rooms of the house for the guests, the Weasleys and maybe some others too.
Dobby appeared next to him offering help. At first Sirius got suspicious of the elf but Harry came behind him and told him that it was him who had summoned him, he had also called Winky as well to work. The three elves disappeared in the house to fix everything.
The two glanced at each other knowing how hard the next few days would be.
Daphne felt no energy in her body the next morning when Tracey came to wake her up. Resting her arm on her eyes, Daphne refused.
"I have no energy to get up, leave me alone please," she pleaded simply in a low weak tone. And covered her head with the sheet.
Tracey didn't want to push any longer, it seemed that her friend was feeling down for some reason or for some bloke.
She wished to know who Daphnis was seeing, to cover up for her all the time.
She did it because she had never seen Daphne this happy before, she was no longer forcing herself to study or eat like she used to do for the past four years.
The girl in front of her now smiled. She kept her mouth shut knowing that it was because of the mysterious knight in shining armor.
Daphne stayed in her bed for the whole day, hoping Harry might ask about her like usual but nothing happened. He didn't even bother to send Dobby or Winkey to check on her.
By the end of day Tracey came, sighing how much the day was longer than usual,
"You have no idea what happened today. So, I told him I'm gonna stay in Wales with my family during Christmas–" Tracey kept babbling while Daphne tried to catch on.
"...which was weird that all the Weasleys and the golden trio were absent all day–," Tracey continued.
Wait, what? This stole Daphne's attention.
Harry and his friends didn't attend their classes.
She didn't want to look worried or suspicious so she pretended not to care but she was panicking on the inside.
Molly soon came to Grimmauld Place alongside Tonks and Andromeda just as Sirius had said.
The house was silent as the members of the Order trickled in one after the other and waited for Dumbledore.
Andromeda dismissed the children to their room as she prepared dinner while Fleur gave Molly company, knowing that she wasn't fully herself.
The meeting started as soon as Dumbledore arrived.
"Arthur's mission was supposed to be top secret Albus!" Mad-eye snapped, breaking the silence.
Everyone nodded while Sirius was sending death glares in Snape's direction.
"Do you have something to say?" Snape asked bitterly.
"I don't know, maybe you have something to say?" Sirius mimicked, narrowing his eyes.
Remus tried to hush him that it was not the best timing for his childish arguments.
But Sirius shrugged.
"I don't see it as a coincidence that on the same day Arthur was in the department someone attacked him randomly," Sirius blurted and everyone went silent.
"Do you think someone betrayed us?It is impossible!" McGonagall snapped.
"Minerva is right Sirius, we can't accuse someone without proof," Dumbledore said in his usual calm tone.
Sirius pursed his lips shut. He feared saying something he would regret later.
"Now more importantly since Mr Weasley has been discovered, his family is not safe," Snape said.
"I'm afraid you are right Severus, they can't go back to the Burrow in the meantime," Dumbledore said.
"Bill, Molly, the children and Fleur can stay as long as you want," Sirius said to them. Molly barely nodded.
"Thank you Sirius I appreciate your offer but the Burrow is our home, we can't just abandon it," Bill said.
"Yet, till we see there is no longer danger for any of you there, you should stay here," Remus said. Bill didn't argue anymore.
The rest of the meeting went in a blur and Dumbledore didn't want it to be longer as a respect for their dead member and friend.
"The funeral will be in the Burrow, in his home," Molly said out of the blue before everyone left.
And Albus Dumbledore nodded at her.
"I respect your decision Molly, but if we are going to hold it there, then we have to cover Arthur's death for a few more days and declare it as a natural death," Dumbledore said.
"Then I will speak with the head Healer, thank Merlin's beard, he is our friend and helped us cover until now," Mad-eye said.
Dumbledore nodded at his friend.
Once the dinner was over the Weasleys headed to their room to sleep for the next day.
"–Thank you for staying Andy," Sirius said.
Tonks and Andromeda were leaving as soon as they had checked on the other family.
" What are you saying Sirius, it's my duty. Check on them from time to time, okay. " She said, squeezing his arm.
"I will be here, first thing in the morning," she said and left.
Sirius rubbed his neck and moved to the drawing room to find Harry and Hermione sitting on the sofa, Hermione reading a book while Harry was in deep thought, gazing at the fire.
Harry tried to solve the puzzle in his head, how had he witnessed the attack? how had he been present during the attack? He scratched his chin, thinking of possibilities.
Sirius sighed as he sat on the chair side, taking a glass of firewhisky in his hand.
"Alright, now that we are alone, spill it out," Hermione said, closing the book and looking at Harry.
"What do you mean? Harry asked, confused.
"You are not alright, what's wrong?" she asked, crossing her arms.
That took Sirius's attention and he looked at the two.
She rolled her eyes and let out a groan "Harry… I didn't want to talk in front of the others," she eyed Sirius then turned to him.
"Does this have anything to do with Cho?" she asked in a low voice.
"WHAT!?" Harry yelled then hushed himself.
" 'Mione what are you saying , No.. I'm just sad about Arthur," he hissed.
"Harry when you returned to the tower, you were depressed and you were shivering from cold, the hem of your trousers were wet and obviously it wasn't water and your cheeks were pink and it wasn't out of shyness. It means you were outside, probably at Hagrid's or in the forest, what happened?" she finished.
"T-That," Harry stuttered, and Hermione fixed her eyes on him, yet Harry refused to say a word.
Hermione shrugged. "Whatever," she murmured and left.
Harry didn't know what to say to her and was out of words.
He didn't even realize that Sirius had jumped to the spot that had been vacated by Hermione .
"Harry, Cho?" Sirius asked, trying to remain calm, the last thing he wanted was his godson to become a womanizer.
Harry lifted his hands to stop him from any false accusation and hurried to close the door.
Sirius understood and muttered a Muffliato, waiting for Harry to talk.
"We had a rough fight last night, that's all," Harry ended the conversation before it could even start, wished goodnight to his stunned godfather, heading to his room.
He took a quick cold shower, thinking in all the crazy things that had happened today,
Now things had turned pretty ugly with Arthur's death.
What will happen to his family, he was the only financial support.
He wrapped a towel and went to his bedroom, he passed the mirror, so he approached looking at his reflection. He looked pathetic.
He couldn't even tell his godfather about what had transpired out of shame.
Now his thoughts wandered to Daphne. Shit! Despite their fight, the girl would panic and worry about his absence.
The disappearance of the golden trio created a fuss especially around dinner, as no one knew anything.
Daphne was dragged to the dinner forcibly by Tracey. At first she didn't panic seeing the craziness but once she stepped inside the great hall, she felt a huge wave of coldness hitting her as she didn't sense Harry's presence. Was he affecting her that much?
And what made her more furious and worried was the silly behavior of Draco Malfoy and his gang.
She even lost her temper on them and snapped telling them to shut up.
She felt suffocated around them by the end of dinner. She made it to the Astronomy tower and knelt , her head looking up at the starry moon and stars. And her fingers tangled in front of her chest.
'The god of the seven lands, heaven and earth, hear your humble fellow's prayers for her, for she,
She is asking for guidance and forgiveness, she lost her path and seeks for light.
Dear God of gods, the one and only one, the creator of death and life,
Let the fates have mercy on us, shower us with your own mercy , you who are most merciful, we are the sinners of this land, asking you to forgive us.
Asking you to keep the evil and wickedness of our fathers away from our path, help us ' she prayed from her heart, fear crawling into her heart.
She was deep into her prayers for Harry and herself when an elf popped up and pulled the hem of her robe.
"Winkey!" her eyes flashed with joy and hope at the appearance of the elf she realized that she came with news from Harry.
"Mistress, Master Harry sent you this letter, and he is telling you not to worry," she whispered and disappeared.
Daphne wanted to jump from happiness and relief while she held the letter to her chest. She had been worried to death about him, fearing that she may have been the reason for his disappearance. Now that there was news from him she released a breath she didn't know she was holding.
She leaned over the balcony reading the letter and her lips parted reading the shocking news.
'My lady, I apologize for my sudden disappearance that will cause some unwanted gossip. Unfortunately last night a horrible accident happened because of me and the others, we had to leave the school. Mr, Weasley was found dead at his work. Do not worry I'm with Padfoot.'
H'
She folded and put it inside her pocket,
Something hurt her from his way of writing, he had been formal with her.
"I need to go," she said with worry .
Walking hurriedly along the corridors, Daphne thought of what had happened.
And on her way she saw the last person she wanted to see crossing path with hers.
Cho Chang, it felt as if time had stopped as the Ravenclaw girl passed her. She was the reason for the fight, and Daphne tried to keep herself calm. If she had been her old self, she would have pinned her to the wall immediately threatening her. Or worse, she would have used the Cruciatus curse on the girl, torturing her mind to the point of insanity and she would have ended up in St. Mungos or would have been dead.
She shook her head at the demonic ideas and walked away.
'How dare she kiss him with those filthy lips, my husband, mine! ' her inner self cursed with all curses she knew.
She saw Marietta behind the Asian girl and that made her blood boil even more.
Once she saw Cho getting out of sight , Daphne grasped Marietta by her elbow and pulled her harshly to a dark corner, pinning her hard against the wall.
"What's wrong Marietta, afraid?" Daphne tilted her head mockingly at the frightened girl.
"What happened with that thing?" she asked dangerously.
Marietta pulled a folded parchment out of her pocket with shaking hands and gave it to her.
Daphne pulled away from her and took the parchment between her fingers.
She made sure that it was real then straightened her look and gave Marietta an innocent grin, "Thank you Miss Edgecombe," she smiled innocently and wished her a good holiday.
Daphne bursted into Umbridge's office which made the woman jump out of surprise.
"Miss Greengrass!" she said, surprised.
Daphne apologized for her sudden behavior and asked for some time.
After Umbridge approved Daphne sinked into the seat in front of the desk.
"I told you once before that I'm willing to help you Professor," she smiled mischievously.
"And I'm thankful for your help Miss Greengrass," Umbridge replied politely.
"Indeed, you are!"
Daphne pulled out of her pocket a folded parchment and put it wide open on the desk. Umbridge grabbed it and read it. Staring between the parchment and Daphne she didn't hide her grin.
"Do you recognize this?" Daphne said in a cold tone.
Umbridge nodded and her grin got wider.
Daphne snatched it back in a flash from Umbridge's hand.
"Miss Greengrass, what kind of behavior did you just show? Umbridge screeched.
"Help me to help you, " Daphne smiled softly.
"Miss Greengrass, I'm afraid I don't understand what you are trying to say." A wicked smile was playing on her lips.
"Professor, you work in politics–" she said in a soft low tone, tilting her head to the side.
"I believe you know how negotiations work, don't you?" Daphne gave a mischievous smirk.
Umbrigde blinked. Daphne knew easily what Umbrigde's next words were going to be.
"Hear my proposal before you answer," Daph interrupted her.
Umbrigde was too flabbergasted to say anything. Daphne took her silence as permission to proceed.
"Firstly, let's take into consideration your situation both here and at the Ministry," began Daphne, "You are alone without any shield to protect you, nothing will buy you your safety, the Ministry will deny any action you had taken previously with it's support, and the headmaster will side with his students. Not to mention the evidence of torture on some students, besides…," she paused for a moment, "If my calculations are correct, it won't take long for the Aurors to start an investigation...that would lead them to new doors of an unpleasant past," Daphne paused her monologue in order to gauge the woman's reaction.
Umbridge didn't expect such words, the past…
"What will happen to Dolores, tsk , Azkaban or maybe something worse?" she muttered in pity.
"What are you after Miss Greengrass? Are you going to send that complaint?"
"No! I'm not that horrible that I will ruin someone's future," Daphne commented.
But Umbridge doubted that Daphne was telling the truth.
"If you are not going to tell, then what do you want?"
Daphne went silent for a moment and her focus was on the cats.
Then she turned, fixing her eyes sharply on Professor Umbridge.
"I told you I'm going to take care of the complaint but this is not how an exchange works."
" So your plan is to threaten? bribe? blackmail me?"
"That's up to you, but I want you more as an associate than as an enemy," Daphne pointed out as though she was stating the obvious.
"You seem certain that I will accept your proposal," Umbridge replied.
"I think you will, and I believe you think so too. Don't forget that I'm part of the upper society of our community, part of my position is to get rid of any threat or bad herbs in the all what's the world of a half-blood compared to a pure blood witch and a member of the Sacred twenty eighth. I understand a lot more about you than you perhaps think about yourself."
"What do you want from me then?"
"What is Fudge's plan? " Daphne coolly asked, laying her chin on her fingers. The answer was key for Harry's next moves.
"I'm the minister–"
" that's not important to me " Daphne interrupted her.
"And so it is up to you," she eyed her up and down.
"It's career secrets."
Daphne couldn't hold her chuckle at the woman.
"Professor I thought you and I, we had an agreement."
"Does it make sense Professor,
leaving all the powers, positions, and authority granted to you due to a small complaint? Let me help you."
Umbridge gulped thinking of Daphne's offer.
"Fudge wants to eliminate any danger that threatens the peace of our world," she answered, trying to sound calm.
"I'm all ears," Daphne kept her focus on what the witch would say. Umbridge started explaining what she knew. After what seemed to be important information to Daphne, she jumped to the next question.
"And is this the reason why there are six missing Gryffindor students today?" Daphne interrogated.
"We believe they are involved as well," Umbridge stated.
"Well they are not, allow me to remind you ..they are just weak, poor children… I don't believe for an instant that they are involved in this silly game," she pointed, preparing to leave.
"Ah, I forgot," she turned to face her and grabbed the parchment that was on the desk.
"This will stay with me," she said, taking the parchment from the table, waving it in the air as she marched to the exit .
Umbridge stood snapping "That wasn't the deal!"
Daphne shook her head then straightened, " The deal was that I handle this, not to give it to you."
"What!?" Umbridge's confusion was appearing on her face.
"Since it is Christmas and I personally don't believe in Santa...but out of respect to the traditions … I decided to keep it with me instead," she said moving to the door.
"Happy holiday Professor," Daphne said smiling over her shoulder as she closed the door behind her.
Umbridge slammed the disk with her fist clenching.
"Who does she think she is, to threaten me...ME!" she hissed.
Daphne was walking down to the dungeons silently.
She entered the common room and sat on a sofa by the fire and scratched her chin thinking.
'Fudge is afraid of Phobos just as I had expected. Of course he will, his head will be off his body if an imbalance will be caused to the peace of the countries. Phobos has just walked out of an inner war,and the last thing he would want is wizarding war.
More importantly there is fire by each side, and Harry is completely defenceless. Dumbledore is hiding something from him, what is so important to him that he had sent Arthur Weasley? And it was a true fact that it wasn't a coincidence, there was a traitor among the order, but who? .
How can a man be found dead suddenly inside the ministry ? '
Daphne's mind was playing with hundreds of theories and suggestions. Harry didn't say much in his letter but she was able to read between the lines… his sudden departing was an assurance to her beliefs… the order was attacked.
She looked around her at the snakes. Draco and his gang were on the other sofa laughing at something Pansy said.
She returned to her thoughts.
Voldemort on the other side was gathering supporters.
He would try to cause war between the Ministry and Dumbledore, distracted because of each other.
Killing a man from Dumbledore's Order inside a department of the Ministry had been just a warning.
If the ministry found him first, they will cover up the whole thing to be nothing but an accident… which causes the weasleys to interfere, the order will not remain silent if the weasleys made a scene…
And since the school is keeping quiet about it, if by tomorrow his death hasn't been announced, then all her theories would be true.
'Dead during his work hour. It was obvious that it was a murder, '
And Harry was determined to fight Voldemort face to face.
The problem was who would support Voldemort and who would remain neutral.
Wicked conspiracies to hide the truth, if only her brother interfered and ended this war before it started, or else too much blood would be shed.
The argument between her and her brother was personal and it couldn't be above the duty to the state.
She stood by the fireplace of the common room and re-opened the parchment that included the complaint signed by the names of Umbridge's opponents and read and memorized every name that was written on it before throwing it in the fire and watching it burn to nothing.
'This is no longer needed especially with the recent events that occurred,'
All she wanted now was for Harry to be fine.
That psycho would chase him now. But she must admit, this was a clever move from him. 'Very clever, very wicked, '
She made her way to her dormitory, and found the girls sleeping.
By the next day, the students were heading back home for the winter break.
Daphne and Tracey had a final breakfast before leaving.
When Daphne went to her room to make sure her stuff was taken, she found Millicent Bulstrood searching among her things.
"What do you think you are doing? " Daphne cleared her voice causing the girl to jump.
"Ah, Daphne! You scared me, I was looking for my eyeliner, have you seen it by any chance," she said with anxiety.
Daphne faked her shrug and told her to look under her own bed.
Once Millicent found it she ran off the room.
Daphne gave a half look toward the exit.
"She said an eyeliner, huh?" She arched her brow with a chuckle.
Whatever she was looking for she won't find it anyway.
She had burnt the complaint for reasons like this knowing that Umbridge can't be trusted.
The Greengrass manor
Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass welcomed their daughters with a festive dinner.
"Before we start, I thank you father for accepting my request, it meant a lot to me," Daphne said, bowing her head.
"Don't thank me at all, it was all thanks to you," Cyrus replied.
"Cyrus is right, what you did for the family was very generous of you," Cyrus's wife said with an elegant smile crossing her face.
"What family?" Astoria asked with confusion.
''Your sister here wrote to me months ago asking me to provide a job for her friend's father, they seemed to have a difficult time," Cyrus explained to his brunette daughter with a tone that she should learn from her eldest sister.
"And it will please me if you didn't tell him anything," Daphne glanced at Cyrus.
"Don't worry, apparently charity runs in your blood," he praised her.
"It's for the happy hour, father," she smiled.
The food appeared on the table and they talked about the first term of the year, and Astoria reported everything that was happening in Hogwarts from A to Z .
"...So, she has been a living hell for the Boy Who Lived," Cyrus said between his bites.
"Yes father," Astoria said between her giggles.
"I felt sorry for the boy," Daphne commented without even looking at them.
"I always wondered if the propaganda the Daily Prophet is showing against the boy is true?" His wife Eleanor Greengrass asked.
"He is in the same year as me mother and I don't think a liar is one of his specifications," She pointed out, not daring to look at them .
Eleanor raised a brow at her husband.
"Have you talked to the boy?" Cyrus turned his attention to Daphne.
Daphne hesitated a bit.
"Not in a direct way, however he helped me once or twice in the library, he seemed nice," she managed to say.
Cyrus shared a look with his wife and Daphne felt something unnecessary was coming.
"Daphne, my dove, will you join me at the study room after dinner?" Cyrus requested gently.
Daphne nodded, her deal with the Edgecombes was sealed and done.
Soon after the dinner ended, Daphne followed Cyrus to his study room and left her mother and sister in the drawing room.
Cyrus, as usual, interrogated her in a twisted way to get answers from her, and she, as usual, gave him what he wanted and preferred to hear. She had played this game with him for years.
After what seemed to be an hour, Daphne after making sure he was pleased, she asked him forward.
"Father, is there any news from the palace?"
Cyrus eyed her and went to his cabinet for a glass of the finest Firewhisky.
"There is, there is, the king will hold the yearly meeting next week to draw new laws," He said as he sank in his chair behind the desk.
Daphne arched a brow 'how smart' she mocked .
"––My dove, the upcoming days are not the best for Britain, try not to associate with any student, especially the males," Cyrus explained.
Daphne did not like where this talk was going, however she did not bat her eyelid and remained still.
"You and your sister are growing up and this age is the most difficult because every decision you make, you think is right," he said taking sips of his finest drinks.
"Father, with all my re–" Daphne tried to defend whatever accusations she was facing.
"It's just a fatherly advice, boys in school will always try to get along with girls, and-"
" With all my respect to you Father, there is no need for you to tell me how to behave and whatever you are aiming to tell me I have no intention to listen to it," Daphne said coolly, hiding her irritation. Who did he think he was to talk to her about such private matters?
Cyrus was mocking her with his noble, fake arrogant smile.
"Of course it's not what you think it is, Daphne you are my daughter, and I love you, but I heard from your sister that the boys are trying to-' " he pointed clearly by calling her with that name to remind her she was not a princess anymore.
"Father, I was raised with honor and dignity to hold onto, and I assure you there is no boy who will ever try to dishonor me as long as I'm not married," she said standing up and leaving.
"Whatever Astoria heard she is mistaken, I live for my own reputation," she stated not even able to look at him,
Daphne wished him a good night with a smile that reflected the burning fire inside her.
Before she was able to reach the knob of door,
"Do you want to keep your usual schedule for the break? " Cyrus asked without lifting his eyes from whatever parchment he was occupied with.
"If you allow it of course."
"Very well, " he whispered.
Once she left the room and walked in the direction of her chambers, her mind became concerned of what Harry was doing right now.
She would be busy with her own activities during this week but what about him, what he would do with the latest tragic event.
She decided to go back to Cyrus and ask him to approve a personal visit to Muggle London.
When she reached the doors she overheard him talk.
"Have you found something strange?" The voice belonged to Cyrus.
"No Master, I searched over all her things." It was his house-elf Rolf's voice.
"Dear, are you sure, her brother left it for her?" Eleanor questioned.
"I'm certain," Cyrus replied.
Daphne left to her room without a single reaction.
Once she closed the doors behind her, she went straight to her bathroom, it was already prepared.
The bathtub was already filled and rose petals were swimming in the water. The whole room smelled of flowers which calmed her down.
She stripped off her clothes and slipped into the warm water.
She leaned her back and let a long moan of relaxation, pleasure started to find its way to her.
She looked aside at the plate of strawberries and glass of champagne, things she loved having at the Manor.
"Fools," she muttered looking at the ceiling.
As if she will bring the great treasure of her dynasty here with her.
Her eyes skimmed over her bath water, the red of the roses looked like a trail of blood.
When she found Millicent searching her things, she went to Tracey's trunk and looked for the sealed box of hers.
Only a fool would hide her things in her own stuff. She took the box and went straight to the Forbidden forest.
With a flick of her wand, the soil shifted to form a pit under an oak tree. She buried the box there so that no one would find it here. She created wards around the oak tree with her hands still on the earth. No one would find it except for her.
Closing her eyes and letting the sensation and relaxation of the warm water mixed with the scent of roses get into her, sending her to clouds of comfort and pleasure.
She brought a wet hand to her hair, pushing it back.
More importantly as she recalled what she heard previously, she wondered if they truly knew what her brother had left for her.
How would they know, only the family does.
The family?
What family, she had no one to hold onto except Harry and she had ruined everything with him. She had thought if she cleared out her idea about love to him, it would be easy but once it was out, it felt so wrong.
That night when she slept, she dreamed of a beautiful man, standing beside the Vasilian throne. He was holding a bloody sword, and had the stance of a warrior. A raw fierceness was in his eyes. The rest of his face was blurred.
He shouted a soundless command and sat on his throne. A bodiless voice called out, "Long live the king."
She jolted awake of the dream, one hand on her chest, breathing hard.
She got up from her bed walking straight to the window, once she opened it , a strong wave of cold wind hit her, she wrapped her robe tightly around her body as she leaned over the balcony.
"What was that?" she wondered.
The first week of the winter vacation was not as usual for Daphne. Eleanor included her in the preparations for the holiday unusually. Eleanor took Daphne with her to shopping and included her in the morning tea sessions.
But this did not make her feel any difference,she was thankful for the woman's attitude but rather that she was more lonely. At school she never felt lonely with Harry by her side. But staying with people who did not have any connection or relation with her, who were claiming loyalty as their goal, only God knows it.
Yet she felt his absence.'Oh Harry' she prayed every night for his health and wellbeing.
While she was having her breakfast with the Greengrass, she wanted to laugh at her fate.
Last year precisely on this day, she was spending her holiday with her beloved brother. He used to shower her with gifts but the gifts were not what she wanted, but rather she wanted him to accompany her, his laughter and his jokes.
Now he was dead and she was married. Her spring had gone away with him and she had entered a very cold winter, but Harry appeared before her, and his presence made her forget the sadness and grief that she was in.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a shocked gasp from Eleanor.
Daphne already knew why, this morning the Daily Prophet surprised it's readers with shocking news for those who cared.
Revealing and announcing the death of the head of House Weasley, Arthur.
Daphne was sad for the family and what had happened to them. But she knew that Dumbledore and the OoP won't leave them alone especially in this hour.
"Such a tragedy" Eleanor sighed dropping the papers on the table, praying initially for him to rest in peace.
"–I wonder who will take care of them, poor Molly,I studied with her younger brothers, she is a very nice person and a good mother," Eleanor continued taking a sip of her tea while her other daughter was drawing something.
"Seven children is a big number," Astoria commented.
"They will find a solution," Daphne replied, hoping truly for them to find a solution.
"I will convey my sympathies to Molly, " Eleanor said, finishing her breakfast.
"...however , Astoria tonight is the ballet's final show of this season, would you like to come with me?" Daphne invited her sister.
Astoria looked up at her adoptive sister then glanced at her mother who nodded approving.
"I would love to, " she said smiling,
"Then we will go at seven, I wish you to come as well mother, " Daphne said politely.
"Don't mind me, Annette Parkinson insisted for me to attend her party," she said, wishing not to go.
"Have fun girls," she encouraged them, smiling.
It's the day of Arthur's funeral.
Harry and Hermione were at the Burrow getting ready.
The funeral ceremony was being held in the Burrow just like Molly had desired.
And Harry in his long five years of knowing the Weasleys had never seen them in such sadness, the sorrow filled them.
Harry was looking at his reflection in the mirror. He wore black robes, he never thought that he would wear them that soon
and was deep in thought. Harry stared at the floor and heard muffled sobs from below. How could he have let this happen? If he had just known what would happen , he could have stopped it, and saved Mr Weasley's life.
The healers said to Bill that the fangs of the snake that had attacked their father held a unique poison. Each time they healed a wound it reopened, they couldn't stop the blood and lost Mr Weasley as a result.
He looked closely at his face and saw dark circles under his eyes. He didn't sleep at all in the past few days. How could he after he accidentally heard Mad-eye talking with Sirius, Remus and Tonks about him.
And that there was a reason why Harry witnessed the attack.
'"Is there a way that Harry possessed the snake or the opposite?" Tonks suggested.
"Are you saying that my godson did it?" Sirius asked, trying to hold his anger.
" I'm not saying...I'm guessing," Tonks remarked.
"This is a serious accusation, Tonks. Don't say it if you're not sure." It was Remus's turn to reply.
"Whether or not they are possibilities, we must consider them all," Mad-Eye cleared his throat, "The boy somehow connects to Voldemort's snake," he finished.
''And Voldemort, too.'' Tonks added.
''He will be under surveillance, and be careful around him,'' Mad-eye notified them.
''You don't need to tell me to be careful around my godson,'' Sirius said, slamming his hands down on the table.
The conversation kept playing in his mind these days, and he somehow blamed himself for the whole thing.
Ron walked into the room, when he spoke his voice was croaky from crying.
" Hey ... um mum says we are ... the reception will start soon we should go ... you know for ... ,"
Ron paused , he looked pained but before he could finish Harry stood up and spoke.
"You know you can talk about it with me."
Ron wanted to say something but he held himself.
"Thanks, mate… I will head down before you," he managed to say and left closing the door behind him.
Harry didn't know what to do, not anymore.
Sirius came and told him some encouraging words and Harry had to fake his smile and tried to look normal.
Except for the mealtimes, it was mainly just Harry and Hermione these days, even though he sometimes disappeared and hid in the attic under the excuse of feeding Buckbeak. Leaving Hermione trying to help with everything around the house, because for many days, members of the Weasley family would disappear from the table, usually crying. Mrs Weasley was so strong and would make meals for everyone and care for them knowing that no one would want to eat if she didn't make sure they did, but he could hear her crying every night. Sirius insisted on cooking breakfast every morning because Mrs Weasley couldn't bring herself to do it nor did they want her to do anything at all.
Andromeda visited frequently to check on everyone.
The funeral for Arthur Weasley took place a week after his death.
Three days after the attack on Mr. Weasley, the family announced his death under normal circumstances saying that he was sick for some time and then fate had meddled and took his soul away to rest.
They stood waiting for the ceremony to start in the back garden of the Burrow with rows of white chairs facing the front of the casket.
A lot of people were there that Harry recognized as the family's friends from school and members of the Order. There were also a lot of unfamiliar faces that Harry assumed were from the family thanks to the red hair.
The group tried to look brave. Harry approached a sobbing Ginny and sat down next to her at the front of the rows and was shortly joined by Ron and Hermione.
Harry noticed Ginny reaching down and taking his hand. He knew that at the moment it was a completely platonic gesture as she was grieving the death of her father. But he couldn't help but notice that when she did so she was looking for something to hold onto. Didn't she have a boyfriend, where was he? Wasn't he supposed to be with her?
Ginny looked so vulnerable.
Bill and Charlie stood at the entrance, shaking hands and thanking all who came to pay their last respects.
The twins and Ron joined next to Harry and Ginny and Hermione sat by Fred's side. Percy arrived at the ceremony but the family remained distant with him. To save the unwanted gossip no one said anything to him and let him sit by their side.
People had started to show up in groups and many members of both the Weasley and Prewett clans had come. The place was starting to get crammed up with red heads.
Once the place was full, Bill sat next to his mother and put a hand on her back, comforting her. Charlie sat next to them.
Atop the podium, Bill took the freedom. As the eldest to give the speech, he looked at the crowd, and spotted his extended Weasley family.
Harry looked around during Bill's speech and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mrs. Weasley wiping silent tears with the hem of her sleeves.
He felt Ginny squeeze his hand. He looked down at her and noticed that her eyes were red and puffy from the tears that were now flowing freely.
No one but Daphne touched him this way, what was she doing?
He wrote to her only once, a week ago, but she didn't reply.
Was this it? The end for their relationship? Would he be trapped in a loveless marriage?
Would this marriage be as it was supposed to be from the very beginning, just a cover and a business? He always admired and wished to have the same thing his parents had.
'Guess I will never have it' he thought.
Once the funeral was over and Arthur's body was laid to rest, Molly couldn't stop sobbing anymore, and she broke down, unable to hold anymore.
By the evening, the Weasleys decided to stay at the Burrow.
Harry didn't stay, he couldn't after the sharp looks he was getting in his way.
He knew without hearing them saying it, that the Weasleys blamed him, Hermione disagreed with all his ideas saying that it was grief that made them act like this.
It didn't work with him , soon as the ceremony ended he fled to Grimmauld place, locking himself in his room.
The messy dark haired wizard, once he closed the door behind him on a worried Sirius, managed to catch his breath and calm his heart and let out a sigh.
Walking over to the bed he leaned against it and looked out over the grounds. Oh, how he wished his life was simple and that he didn't have to go through all this madness,all this darkness,this world . All Harry wanted was to play Quidditch, finish school and become an Auror , walking freely ,talking freely, dating his wife freely. But instead he was being forced to do something that he didn't want to do with the threat of death Voldemort left on him.
Voldemort was determined to destroy him, mentally and physically. His thoughts of being possessed made him realize that he could lead the order, his friends, his godfather to their graves.
Harry was just so on edge and stressed that he didn't know what to do. Hermione had told him she would help him but he didn't want to be seen as weak. He had to find out and solve this mysterious link between him and Voldemort's snake, no matter what. But he didn't know if his heart could take it when he found out.
'Why? Why I feel his presence Harry thought,
Daphne on the other hand had left him too, she was the only one that understood him and she had left him.
Tears of stress and frustration fell from his emerald eyes as he began to sob freely.
Sirius tried to get him out of the room for dinner or a drink but it didn't work.
Sirius, Hermione and Remus sat around the scrubbed kitchen table. Each of them had a mug of hot chocolate in front of them.
"It's been a long day, huh?" said Sirius, staring into his mug.
"Hmm. It certainly has been," said Hermione, doing the same.
"I'm just glad that it's finally over. Maybe now we can get back to our lives," said Remus. "I don't think the Weasleys can though."
"What about Harry?" exclaimed Hermione loudly. "He is blaming himself Professor Lupin," she hissed in a low voice.
"We will speak with him, and I'm no longer a Professor to you, Hermione," said Remus.
"...," Sirius said nothing, looking up from his own mug.
"It has been a long day, good night," Remus said leaving the kitchen.
"You are silent," said Hermione with a suspicious stare.
Sirius stood up from the table and started pacing around the kitchen. "Well, what should I do, I'm of no help to him," he said defensively, his face getting red.
Hermione, noticing this, hastily changed the subject. "What do you think of a night out? Take him to a pub in muggle London, freshen his mind " she asked Sirius.
"I love him like a brother and it hurts me seeing him like this, if you don't I will! " she admitted.
Sirius was in awe, the bookworm of Hogwarts, the brightest witch of her age, admitted her real feelings toward Harry.
Sirius couldn't hold the grin.
"How about you? What do you want kitten?" he asked, raising a brow.
Hermione blinked, what did she really want?
'What do I want?' Hermione tried to find the answer to his question.
Suddenly she found herself staring at the handsome Marauder in front of her and the hair in back of her neck stood, she felt her cheeks burning, she shoved her face from his direction quickly in panic.
At the Burrow
Bill saw Charlie sitting outside the house in front of the fire drinking.
"Is there any left for me?" Bill appeared by his side conjuring a chair.
Charlie handed him a bottle of Butterbeer and the two had shared a sip staring at the blazing fire.
"Do you remember when we used to hide this from mum in the attic? Charlie said, referring to the bottle.
"Then mum found it and we took the beating of our lives we would never have imagined," Bill chuckled.
"Dad always knew how to calm her down, I still remember their biggest fight," said Charlie, his laugh dying.
"The twins were only six back then and Ginny wasn't even able to spell your name right, 'charni', " Bill laughed at the way Ginny used to call Charlie.
"It took dad weeks to bring mom back home. "
The two drove back in a sea of memories.
" I can't believe that the whole fight was because Dad accidentally met his ex-French-girlfriend in Diagon Alley."
the two stared at each other.
"Claudette." They both said in a French accent and burst out laughing.
"How did it happen again?" Charlie asked.
"Yes, and it was the best day of my life," George said from behind.
"Georgie!, hello," Bill welcomed him.
"It was the shopping day," George started.
Molly and Arthur were shopping in Diagon Alley when they entered Molly's favorite meat shop. The owner as usual gave them a seat to rest while he prepared the meat for the gathering. As they chatted someone they thought they would never see again appeared.
Claudette!
"Arthur!" she yelled at him.
Both looked at her. A woman in her late thirties with wavy sandy hair and wearing an elegant dress was telling her house elf to wait.
''Oh mon dieu! c'est vraiment toi? (oh my god! It's really you? ) 'My God, It'z really you.'
Arthur stood
"How are you? What a beautiful coincidence!"
"Claudette,how are you Claudette? Can't believe it, it's really you,'' he said, squeezing her arm laughing and Molly's eyes widened.
Claudette hugged him and kissed him on his cheeks smoothly. Arthur tried to avoid indirectly Claudette's kiss as he glanced from the corners of his eye at Molly whose face was reddening.
''desole(sorry)Arthur, we French like kissing haha.. Mon dieu! (my God!). Mais vraiment tu n'a pas changé à tous( but really you haven't changed at all) . Time has passed and left nothing on you..these beautiful eyes are still the same haha haha...'' The woman started to flirt with Arthur. And he was blushing awkwardly .
' Tu sais, j'ais jamais oublier nous moments ensemble(you know I never forget our moments together), I never forget zeh, wonderful days Ahh,'' Claudette sighed,remembering the memories.
Molly stood lifting her arm in the air, "Come here my dear ! Let me help you remember it, I haven't seen you for twenty years!'' Molly exploded as she pulled Claudette away from Arthur then punched her on the face. Claudette tried to reach for her wand but Molly was faster than her, holding her from behind then the elf tried to save his mistress but Molly pushed him as she jumped on Claudette. Everyone was watching and Arthur stood aside taking biscuits from his pocket and eating it.
The three brothers bursted laughing at the typical peaceful reactions of their dad.
" Now we know why mom hates Fleur, " Charlie winked at Bill.
The Malfoy manor..
A powerful dark wizard, whose name the whole world was afraid of whispering, sat on a black chair facing the fire that played in the stoney fireplace… in his long pitch-black robes zoning in deep thoughts enjoying the silence.
A certain minion of his, approached quietly.
He opened his crimson eyes slowly as the footsteps echoed closer.
"My Lord" Lucius Malfoy kneeled in grace of the most powerful Dark wizard, who was the guest in his family home. It was a blessing for the blonde wizard.
Lord Voldemort raised his hand to let him stand up and come front of him.
Lucius walked forward and stood silently waiting for a sign to talk, after Lord Voldemort's eyes stared at him.
"It happened my Lord, just as your heart desired." He said with a smirk on his face. Silence filled the air again.
Voldemort nodded slowly at him and dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
He stared with his red eyes at the crackling fire and let out a long sigh.
"Heart? And what is my heart's desire, Nagini? " He asked his favorite pet in Parseltongue only she could understand.
The snake hissed to him as he patted her head.
He stood and walked towards the large, tall windows staring at the snowstorm outside the walls .
He had been bored for so long, he missed action, returning to life even in that body and gathering his men took some time but with patience good things came.
"Wormtail!" Voldemort snapped at his minion, who appeared from the darkness curling in his steps until he stepped in front of his Lord kneeling at his feet.
"Yes, my lord," Peter Pettigrew answered in a shaking voice.
"Bring the lady of this humble house," Voldemort ordered.
The animagus and ex-Marauder ran on his feet.
He returned to the chair with a mischievous smile on his face.
"Let the game begin."
What of this chapter it was really hard for me to sacrifice Arthur but it is part of the plot...
What is Voldemort's motivations, what will Harry do, and Is he and Daphne will make up...
See ya in next chapter, don't forget to let your reviews, opinions, and ideas . I respect them all.
(●ε●)ゝᶜⁱᵃᵒ