Hello everyone! Thank you so much for being so so patient, unfortunately I didn't get a couple of documents back including the story so I've had to do a whole lot of writing to get back to where I was. I just completed this today and to warn everyone I haven't looked over spelling, punctuation or grammer because I just wanted to get the thing out! Still hope you all enjoy and please do review.
The 2nd of August brought everyone's excitement levels up. Knowing that the Unspeakable's would be there soon to talk about everything they had discovered meant Harry was trying to find things to distract himself with, unfortunately nothing seemed to be working. Linky found him pacing back and forth in front of the fire in the library while he muttered worse case scenarios to himself.
"Master Harry? Master Just Harry? Master Harry!?"
"Hmm? Oh sorry Linky I was lost for a moment, is everything alright? They're not here already, are they?"
"No sir, but Mistress Euphy and Master Fleamont wish to see you."
"Oh alright then, thank you."
Leaving the room he quickly made his way to the parlour where he found his grandparents eyes on him as soon as he entered. The comfy red armchair was already placed in front of them with a glass of orange juice next to it.
"Am I in trouble? I feel like I'm in trouble."
They both laughed at him and gestured him closer.
"Only in your own head maybe, dear." His grandmother stated with a gentle smile on her painted features before a frown took over. "We were just worried about you thats all."
Harry sighed and made his way over to sit cross-legged on the chair.
"I just hate the not knowing, and it feels more real and I know that Remus and Sirius are going to freak out too and I just don't know what they'll have found."
"Are you so sure its something bad?" His grandfather asked gently.
"It must be, if it was good they'd have simply sent a letter. But you're right that it doesn't have to be super duper bad." Harry said glumly.
"Darling you know it'll be okay. You have heard the scariest thing of your life already. Anything you learn now will simply help you get past that."
"She's right, oh grandson of mine. Everything you hear now will prepare you."
"You really think so?"
"We know so! I felt the same way when Euphemia told me she was pregnant. I was absolutely terrified, and when she told me it was going to be a boy, and when she told me all the ins and outs of labour and the pains of pregnancy. But you know what, although some of what she said didn't make me feel better it all helped me learn how to be a better husband and father to her and James."
There was a moment of silence that had Fleamont looking quite
"Well I think you have quite used up you moping allowance for the day so how about we simply try to distract you from your thoughts?"
"Please!"
"Excellent because we realized we have yet to tell you about your mothers first Christmas here." Euphemia beamed. "It started out as such a brilliant idea and we thought a rather lovely one and then ended with...well..."
"Your father and his friends causing a ruckus." Fleamont added with a wink to Harry who grabbed his juice and snuggled down a bit.
"Quite, it all started during the summer, I asked James if he would stay with us for his final Christmas. I knew it was a lot to ask especially as it would have been his last one in the castle but we were hosting our New Years Ball and introducing him to the wizengamont and we also it was his final Christmas we'd really be able to spend with him as a child."
"He was seventeen years old! Eighteen in March!"
"Don't even start, Fleamont."
Harry sniggered as his Grandfather held up his hands in surrender.
"Of course, it had nothing to do with missing her baby by the time the second week of September came." Granddad injected.
"You never complained when I told you the plan! Anyway of course the arguments started. What about his final Christmas at Hogwarts? What about his friends? What about-"
"Studying! He even mentioned studying as a reason for wanting to stay behind, do you remember my love?"
"Oh that was very funny, he said we didn't have material here." Scoffed Grandma.
"Eventually we convinced him to stay as long as all of his friends could come and the train didn't leave too early for the holidays. We even agreed to the lovely Miss Evans accompanying them after she and James had made it official, your grandmother was quite insistent she attend."
"Well of course, every mother wants to meet the woman their son has been smitten with."
"It didn't hurt that all the times she turned him down made her quite anxious to make her acquitance."
"Can you blame me?"
And both men found themselves grinning at the sound of bafflement in the Lady's voice before she shook herself.
"Anyway James agreed as did all the usual suspects as well as Lily, Alice and Mary. I think he invited a few others but they wanted to spend their last Christmas in the castle – which I can understand."
"In all honesty the speed that it took James to change his mind should have warned us in hindsight. We were so disillusioned."
"What do you mean?" Asked Harry barely noticing when Coodly popped up beside him with a bowl of porridge and fruit.
"Well he went from begging us to let him stay to suddenly appearing quite amenable to the idea...it really should have been our first clue."
"Yes Fleamont, thank you. So slowly everyone starts to arrive and the boys are milling about and greeting people, James was particularly good at waiting in line of attendance and being quite correct and formal. He even managed to resist throwing barbed comments unlike certain other individuals." Grandmother said with a firm glare at his Grandfather who lifted his head up high and took a sip of the painted scotch at his side. Harry grinned at his Grandmothers sigh and his Grandfathers cheeky grin before Fleamont carried on.
"Miss Evans was also behaving admirably, as you know we hold no ill will towards muggle borns but those we had interacted with were already married to our colleagues or had some connection, your mother turned a lot of heads with her elegance and wit as she took on some of the older traditional folk and of course won." He said with a slight smugness about him that showed his appreciation for his daughter in law.
"Yes she did absolutely exquisitely, I knew then she would make him a fine Lady."
"Oh then you knew?"
"Well I actually knew when Lily started to help the house elves, the poor things were so confused when she started to clear the table and had to practically shove her from the kitchen when she tried to wash up, so yes I knew then; do you wish to start a quarrel darling?"
"With you, always." Fleamont said, raising the hand of his wife to kiss it tenderly and Harry glanced away to give the figures a moment.
"Yes, well where were we? Ah yes so soon enough the ball was well under way. Lily and her friends were gathered with some of the younger members of society and keeping them entertained and your Grandfather and I were standing in the middle of the floor having finished our speeches and now mingling as the house elves brought out the food."
"They really did plan it well."
Harry watched as his grandmother's head slowly turned to glare at her husband while he busied himself with another drink and Harry himself took a few bites of his porridge.
"We were just being congratulated by Lord and Lady Knowlworth when he heard a high pitched...noise? Sound? What would you call it dear?"
"Shriek, sweetheart. It was a shriek, don't try to sugarcoat it."
The Lady of the House laughed as she turned her focus back onto her Godson who was looking much better than he had 10 minutes ago."
"Okay yes it was a shriek, I recall we just looked at each other and sighed...oh the memories of random shrieking that simply echoed through the house. We realized that things were too good to be true."
"We left the ballroom and had only just made it to the doorway when your godfather came zooming down the stairs on his backside! He spun straight through us and waved before disappearing into the ballroom shouting 'make way!' He was quickly followed by Peter-"
"Who had his eyes shut." Interrupted his Grandmother
"And Remus who –"
"Who had the audacity to yell "'excuse me Lord and Lady Potter, sorry!'" Lady Potter said with a giggle.
"And of course then our dear, delightful son."
"Who merely took off his top hat to us." She finished with an eye roll.
"Then there several more shrieks and large...smushing sound?"
"Hmm, would we call it a smushing sound or a squelching sound? Harry?" Grandmother said with a twinkle in her eye and a straight face.
"Ohh lets have a squelching sound, sounds more realistic." Harry said with a grin.
"Right you are! So we head back into the room with our guests and are halted by the sight of the four of them plastered against the far wall and absolutely covered in pieces of cake."
"Poor Coodly, she'd spent all morning on that cake, it was her masterpiece and her baby all in one." Grandmother Potter said shaking her head sadly.
"She screamed blue bloody murder at them, our guests were shocked and appalled that we allowed an elf to talk to them like that but they quite deserved it and it was entertaining."
"What was entertaining?" Came the voice of Sirius Black and soon the hands landed on his shoulders and Harry looked up to see his guardian grinning at his pseudo-parents portraits.
"Watching Coodly rip the four of you to shreds for wrecking her Christmas cake." Grandfather Potter replied promptly.
"Ah yes, the great Christmas cake catastrophe of '77. That was hilari- I mean awful, terrible. A complete joke."
"Hmm, my thoughts exactly son."
They all shared a laugh until Sirius squeezed Harry's shoulders.
"They're here already?"
"Been here a while Pronglset, we just didn't want to rush you. You ready?"
Harry breather in deeply and released it slowly, then looking up he caught his grandparents smiles at him and nodded.
"Yes I am."
He stood and they started to move towards the door before Harry paused and glanced back.
"Thank you both, this was wonderful."
"But of course. Come back soon." His grandfather saluted.
"We're here any time, darling." His grandmother said with a wave and Sirius gave a bow as they left.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay." At Sirius' disbelieving look Harry amended his statement. "I'm okay now, I was kind of freaking out earlier. But the grandparents helped."
"Hm they can be good for that, so you're really okay? We can always postpone."
"Padfooooot..."
"I know I know, I just want to make sure that you're sure."
"I am, besides they're only telling us what they've learnt. It can't be too bad compared to what we already know, right?"
"Ha true, sounds like someone has been listening to Mama Potter?"
"Huh...yeah she actually makes a lot of sense, anyway where is everyone?"
"We're back up in the library, figured it was the best place to be oh and Theo has gone to Neville's for the day."
"Really? I wouldn't have minded him staying."
"I know, and no doubt he would have had some great ideas and theories but sometimes things should be kept between a smaller group of people at least for the first time hearing about it."
Together the two entered the library to see the pensieve already standing by the table with the Unspeakables and Remus standing around talking about the last few days.
"Ah Harry there you are, did you have a great birthday?" Robbins asked.
"Yes thank you, it was brilliant! Best one ever! Is everything ready?"
"Yep, now please remember that this is just a memory, everything that you see has already happened and we're clearly all okay." Vexmoor said.
"Well doesn't that just fill me with glee." Sirius responded as he and Harry came to stand by the rest of them and as one they stuck their heads into the ornamental bowl filled with swirling silver liquid.
When Harry next opened his eyes, the group were standing outside Riddle Manor, the place was clearly deserted and overgrown. The roof was partially caving in and the weeds and climbed up the sides and joined with the ivy creating walls of greenery, the windows were boarded up and there were random shapes people had made with grafitti as well as a few broken bottles.
"We're going to be walking up that hill in just a second." Arrans said and true to his word the soft sound of leaves under shoes reached their ears and they saw the Unspeakables walking towards them.
"Well isn't this a jolly place." Memory Robbins stated." I think I want my birthday party here please."
As a group they retrieved their wands and started a series of spells that even Remus struggled to identify and Killick quickly explained.
"They're more complex revealing spells, not just for human beings but wards and runes as well as...well...human remains. We figured it was better to be prepared."
The group watched as the Unspeakables finished and started towards the door, with a simple unlocking charm the double doors opened swiftly and the others headed in after the memories.
"Ah the beauty of art decor..." Memory Arrans said dryly.
The interior of the house was garish and old, the family clearly not having decorated since the 30's. The doors had opened out in the lobby with a large case twisting up the wall in front of them and few doors to either side. The wallpaper was mint green with garish gold geometric shapes and there was a wooden chest and large twisting metal gilded mirror along the wall. The entire place had a thin layer of grime and dust coating it and air smelt stale, the floors creaked ominously as the Unspeakables moved onwards casting another few spells.
"When we walked around we found windows cracked and carpet torn up, plus some rodents have clearly got into the lounge/parlour space and there was a nasty smell in there." Arrans described as they all halted.
"I have traces of dark magic but its faint." Memory Killick said calmly.
"Faint as in from a few weeks?" Memory Robbins asked.
"More like a year ago."
"That follows with Harry's visions, I think we should explore the rest of the place." Memory Vexmoor stated.
"We've already done numerous spells and theres nothing here." Memory Arrans complained
"Something physical or maybe undetectable with a spell. I think we owe it to Mr Bryce to double check everything, even if it seems unlikely. Killick, you and Robbins head upstairs, we'll do the downstairs."
As the memory gang started to move away, Vexmoor halted the others.
"We might as well wait here, we found nothing of importance. But Killick has a good idea which is why we're not leaving the memory, but lets wait in the parlour, its slightly cleaner."
They moved through the foyer and Harry spotted an ugly white statue that had been knocked over and broken. It wasn't until they entered the parlour that he froze. The chair was still in the same place, slightly turned into the fire so you couldn't see if anyone was in it. Green eyes flickered down, he idly took note of the cleaner floor, the darker wood worn and scuffed. He could still see the old mans body lying so still, the terrified gleam in his eyes and his mouth open in the starting scream.
"Harry? Harry!? Do we need to leave?" Sirius demanded as he suddenly realized that his godson was barely breathing. His eyes were wide and staring over the floor. Sirius was just about to reach a new panic level when Remus appeared at his side and gently removed his hands from where they'd been on Harry's shoulders.
"Padfoot calm down, I think he's just remembering his visions again. I thought it might happen, he'll be okay."
"Well why didn't you warn me?!"
"He'll be okay, Pads. And there was nothing we could really do to prepare him, Harry, you here? Come on Prongslet."
Harry shook his head slowly, his eyes coming raising from the ground gradually and coming to rest of Remus' where he blinked furiously and glanced between his two guardians.
"Sorry, what did I miss?"
"You just blanked out for a moment, you okay?"
"Yeah just...just took a second for it to...you know?"
"Its all okay, want to continue?"
"Definitely, just needed a minute. Sorry."
"No no its okay, take your time."
The two remained with him as he closed his eyes and took a moment to calm down and simply breath, pushing the memories away and remembering who he was with and how he had changed while the Unspeakables waited a few feet over and started up a conversation about birds.
"Okay I'm back lets keep going, guys."
"While we wait, Harry tell us more about the politic party? Did it go okay? How was the maneuvering?" Robbins asked, as the others quickly opened up the circle.
For the next half an hour the seven of them discussed the feats of politicians and how the preparation for the wizengamont went.
Soon Vexmoor and Arrans returned to the foyer.
"Well that was a waste of time, on to the shack?"
"I think so but we'll wait and see what the others come up first."
"Anything down there?" Asked Memory Robbins as he came down the stairs, followed closely by Killick who was frowning slightly.
"Nothing, just dust and more dust. You?" Memory Arrans deadpanned.
"Clear, but Killick has an idea?"
"I had a thought, why would Riddle come back here?"
Arrans and Vexmoor glanced at each other.
"Its his ancestors home? He wanted it a trophy?" Arrans clearly guessed.
"But it wasn't, was it? And why would he? They weren't his family. They were muggles, and he hated that connection. He disguised it and got rid of it as soon as it was possible."
"So you're thinking...?"
"I'm thinking what part of his heritage would he be proud of? What part would he not mind having a connection with and therefore is most likely to hide something there?"
"You think he hid something in the Gaunt shack?" Vexmoor asked, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away in thought.
"I'm saying its a possibility, being the Heir of Slytherin was incredibly important to him and it makes more sense that he would hide something in the magical side than the muggle even if the muggle side was more influential, they were still beneath him." Memory Killick stated calmly and with no expectation in her voice.
"It does make more sense than having him hide it in Bryce's" Memory Robbins said promptly.
There was silence before Memory Vexmoor came to a decision.
"Alright first we head to Bryce's to check over his shack, even with nothing here there could still be something and we owe it to his memory to find out everything we can. Then we will go to the Gaunt shack, however at the first sign of foul play we leave, none of us have protective gear and I will not lose one of us simply because we are eager for answers, are we clear. Good. Lets go."
They began to leave and make their way through the overgrown undergrowth. Harry looked around in wonder, the outside was only slightly nicer than the interior. The grass was obviously in need of tending and most of the shrubs and hedges were outside of their borders. But it was not as bad as the complete lack of attention the manor had.
"How is it so nice?" He asked as they followed the Unspeakables through the garden.
"We think Mr Bryce must have stayed on as a groundskeeper, maybe hoping that if the place ever did sell he'd still have a job or it was just something to do." Arrans said with a shrug.
They wondered through the greenery and eventually found the shack.
"Again, there's no need to go inside we found nothing."
"Do you really think there could be something at the Gaunt shack?" Sirius asked the group as a whole as they watched the Unspeakables head inside.
"I think that there is just as much chance as it being there as it being in Hogwarts or Gringotts. Something like this, well there is no point in simply not investigating because it seems improbable; if anything that should make it probably." Vexmoor responded with a slight smile.
"Who will own the manor now and this surrounding area?" Remus asked as he looked around.
"Bryce's cottage will simply be returned to the estate, he never owned it but was given it while he worked here. The estate, which unless Tom Riddle senior had a will that left it to someone it will belong to Tom Riddle Junior as part of a natural inheritance as he will be the closest living relative. I assume if it stands empty long enough then the local government will attempt to become involved but after Riddle's demise the ministry will have to track down another heir." Robbins said.
"Like if I had simply rotted away in Grimmauld place and the Ministry wouldn't have been bothered to follow my will?"
"Exactly, though in your case I think the long reaching and generous arm of Mr Lucius Malfoy would have convinced the Minister that as husband to a Black he had rights or at least his son would."
"Hmph, little toad. I still need to send Cissy a letter about tea. Remind me to do that later, Moony."
"What am I? Your secretary?"
"Or my steward, whatever you prefer?"
Before a fight could break out the Unspeakables returned.
"Apparate to just outside the borders of the shack, we're not on a main road so there shouldn't be anyone but disillusion yourselves just in case." Memory Vexmoor ordered and the others followed suit.
Quickly the scene melted into another and the group found themselves standing on an overgrown road that seemed in the middle of nowhere, tall trees cast long shadows over the pavement and Harry could just make out a small path between the trees that looked like it had once been used a lot but now stood hidden by grass, the shack was visible and was tiny compared to the manor and even Frank Bryce's cottage.
"Everyone who gets murder vibes say aye."
"Aye."
Hesitantly they turned off the main road and onto the path; spells being cast along the way and staying in a tight formation.
"Wait, I have something. Not a human presence and definitely something connected to a spell." Memory Killick said suddenly and the whole group halted as she swiftly moved her wand in a complicated pattern. "Its a physical presence and certainly dark, but I cant get a deeper sense of what it is."
"How dangerous is it?"
"Again, I can't get a solid read. I'm going to move forward."
The others stayed closed as the woman stepped forward, her eyes peeled and peering into the darker shadows as her wand slipped into movements quickly and without pause. The group followed with Remus and Killick discussing the spells she had used and what the order did to them. Harry was the first to hesitate as he heard a quiet voice that he was sure was growing louder.
"Can you guys hear that?"
"No what?"
"Stay back. Begone. Master doesn't want it. Leave. No more. Master wants you gone. Go. "
"Snake." Squeaked Arrans
Snake was an understatement, it was 15ft in length and as thick as a person. The cobra was huge and even though they knew it was a memory, everyone took a step back. So far it remained on the ground about 4 metres away from Killick who was watching it carefully, the hissing carried on slightly distracting Harry from the human conversations.
"Anyone know how to deal with it?"
"Run away?" Memory Robbins asked mildly.
"Can you understand it?' Arrans whispered to Harry who nodded and shrugged.
"It just keeps telling you to get back and that its master wouldn't like it."
Memory Killick had started to twist her hand and immediately the hissing grew more aggressive and the cobra rose slightly, warning them off.
"Killick..." Memory Robbins trailed off, a warning in his voice.
" Let me just...try... this." She responded slowly, eyes and brain focused on her task of weaving magic around the creature that lay in front of her and she took a small step forward.
Unfortunately the creature seemed to recognize what she was doing.
It rose high into the air, its hood flaring out dangerously and the aggressiveness turning even more violent.
"No. Go Back. Leave. Master will be angry. Be gone. No. Leave."
"Killick, get back." Ordered Vexmoor.
Killick took another step forward and the snake instantly moved, its body tensing angrily before it shot forward, mouth wide, fangs bared and eyes focused. Killick stumbled back her wand slashing in front of her and the snake managed to see the opening and dived through latching onto Killicks forearm before a flash of red from Robbins and Arrans sent it careening back where it coiled up snapping at them angrily and Harry had to wince at the loudness of its speech.
"Get back! Get back! Master will be angry. Get Back!"
"Oh you guys made it mad..." Sirius said as he looked wide-eyed at the scene. Killick had retreated back, holding her arm close to her and Vexmoor was standing near with an endless stream of healing spells and diagnostic charms while Robbins kept an eye on the snake that had quietened down now they had stepped away.
"Can we destroy it? Or is it magical?" Memory Robbins asked cautiously.
"I think we could but its magical, those spells should have knocked it out at least and instead its just...sssss at us." Memory Arrans responded.
"Plus what if there's more inside? Or traps?" Memory Vexmoor mentioned as she started winding a bandage around Killicks arm.
"So what's next?"
Arrans glanced between them all.
"Well you know what we need, right? Someone who can speak to it and actually get us somewhere."
"That is never happening, we all know that." Robbins immediately responded.
Harry felt a small shiver of excitement mixed with fear run down his spine even as Sirius wrapped an arm around his shoulders and was already shaking his head furiously.
"They would never allow it. Especially as we have no way of knowing whats inside?" He continued.
"They have a reason to be, we have no idea the dangers that could be in there." Killick said reasonably.
"The least we could do is ask, we need to know whats in there and having a parslemouth would be extremely helpful."
The memory faded and pushed them out and not even a second later Sirius was stalking around the table, muttering.
"Nope, nuh uh, not happening. Hell no, how could you even think that?"
"Padfooooooot..."
"No Remus don't Padfoot me, did you see that snake? And the creepy shack anyway!?"
"Sirius, we'll all be there and –"
"No! Did you see the speed it moved, its not happening."
"Okay but just listen –"
The Unspeakables watched in interest as the two carried on their argument with a lot of head shaking and finger waving and arm raising. Vexmoor glanced at Harry who hadn't even bothered to enter the conversation and was merely watching it with an amused smile.
"You're not getting involved?"
"Absolutely not, its just worry and care anyway. After he calms down he'll understand."
"You think?"
"Yeah, you'll see. We'll talk to him after he's finished...you know...being an overprotective parent. He's good at that."
Vexmoor smiled at the look on the younger mans face and then back to the two guardians who were quietly yet furiously arguing in the corner of the room.
"So you think he'll agree?"
"Definitely, its too important."
Four hours later the seven of them were standing in the foyer doing the final checks. It had taken three hours to fully convince Sirius of the good idea of it all and then an hour for them to put together a rough plan and prepare. Harry had floo called Griphook and he had immediately sent over two fully equipped goblin warriors.
"Wow, he must really like you." Arrans had said in surprise.
The Unspeakables were checking their outfits for the final time. They had swept away the second Sirius had reluctantly agreed to the plan they had in place, they had returned in full dragon hide armour, wands in place with small bulges over them where they simply had classified as 'weapons' when Harry had asked. Killick had even brought a few books on cursed object and animals and was scanning through them quickly.
Sirius and Harry also were decked out in dragon hide with fire resistant and level two charms on their cloaks that would protect them for the lightest defences and leave them to focus on the heavier spells. Harry had his daggers in his boots and one on his forearm opposite his wand.
Remus was the least protected, the werewolf side of him defending the man from a fair few things, he had a dragon hide vest and trousers on with thick boots and that was it. He did carry a backpack filled with vials for various antidotes for various things as well as blood replenishing and several bars of chocolate. " Just in case of emergencies" He'd said defensively at their disbelieving glances.
"Okay and you know you don't have to do this, right?"
"Yes, Sirius I do."
"And you have everything?"
"Yes I have everything."
"You got your wand and your weapons and you've got the cloak."
"Clearly."
"And you definitely want to do this?"
"Yes!"
"Okay okay...you're sure you have your wand?"
Harry shut his eyes and breathed in sharply repeating 'it's just because he loves me, its just because he loves me, its just because he loves me.' In his head, releasing his breath he opened his eyes and nodded to his guardian.
"Yes Padfoot I have everything, we are all prepared and we have a plan or as much as we can under the circumstances."
"I know, okay we're okay and we're gonna do it. Remus, you ready?"
"All set, Vexmoor what time is the portkey set?"
"3.45 on the dot."
"Alright lets take our places." Sirius said as he finally took himself away from his Godson and clapped his hands onto his best friends shoulders.
Three minutes later, the whirling sensation hooked them and flipped their world upside down and two seconds later they were standing on the same patch of road that the Unspeakables had been standing at.
"Are we ready? The snake will come out only when we're a bit closer and we'll warn you." Robbins said as they each took out their wands.
Together they started to move forwards, the Unspeakables first then Harry and Sirius with Remus bringing up the back.
Slowly the shack came into view and they all felt the adrenaline begin to kick in as they tensed and readied themselves.
'And any moment now..." Arrans murmured.
Harry heard the hissing first, the words gradually becoming clearer and they watched as the snake gradually slid through the undergrowth towards them.
"Leave. Be gone. Go. Master won't like it."
"Alright Harry, you're up." Robbins said quietly.
Taking a breath and feeling his godfathers eyes on him he stepped forward.
"Hi, I'm Harry."
The snake reared back in surpirise.
"A speaker! You speak! You must go, my master does not like his kind here."
"His kind?"
"Humans and speakers. I protect his land. I protect his things! You must leave. Now."
"But why?"
"He has ordered me. Go."
"But he wanted us to go in there. He wanted us to get something."
The snake curled up as it considered the people standing in front of it before it shook itself.
"No Master would have told me. Leave."
Harry turned to the others who were still tense, waiting for an attack.
"He just keeps repeating that his master would want u to go, that we're not wanted here. But I do think there's something inside."
"Do you think you can reason with it?" Killick asked.
"I tried to tell it that its master wanted us to get something, I don't think it worked."
"Tell it that we are his masters servants, that his master would be upset if we did not collect." Arrans recommended.
Harry took a step toward the snake who rose up once more and bared its fangs.
"Please, we don't want to do any harm. We're your masters servants. We have to get something from inside. Please he'll be upset with us all if we don't retrieve it for him."
The snake stopped before it violcently shook it itself once more and its eyes snapped wide open.
"No! Master lets no one near! You must leave! Be gone!"
"We can't do that."
As soon as the last syllable left Harry's mouth the snake lunged forward not even getting a foot ahead before a spell crashed into it, leaving it silent on the ground.
They all turned to look at Sirius who had a blank mask of Lord Black on as he stared at the creature, his eyes moving to his godson where he asked in a perfectly calm and controlled voice if he was okay.
Harry nodded shakily. "What did you do to it?"
"Old Black spell, not very pleasant. It'll keep it knocked out for a while. Shall we go on, I think its safe to say that Riddle has most certainly left something of interest here, don't you?" He said mildly as he walked forward and led the way up the remainder of the path, keeping Harry close behind him. Remus paused at the snake and quickly cast a few strong containment charms just in case it did wake ahead of schedule.
By the time they had neared the door of the Gaunt cottage, everyone was far more on edge than when they had first arrived. Numerous revelio charms had been cast as well as detecting dark magic or anything cursed. Something had been picked up but its detection was uncertain. None of them could get a grip on what it was or what it meant and they decided to enter. The shack was smaller than the cottage, vines grew along the edges, slipping through the cracks in the wood and climbing up their way to the roof that was derelict with the rafters showing through. The Unspeakables went first who waved the others in after several quick charms were cast and revealed nothing.
Harry looked around, his nose wrinkling at the dust that coated everything. The room they'd entered in was smaller than Bryce's cottage, dark and grim with two chairs in the corner by a toppled table and at the other end was a tiny stove and a couple of cupboards. At the other end of the room, there were two doors. The whole place was filled with an odd smell that came from being unused and deserted for a long time, cobwebs coated the corners and a damp, musty odour rose from the floorboards that creaked ominously as they moved about.
"Anybody else hear that?" Remus asked, breaking the silence that had occurred as they each took stock of the depressive, suffocating atmosphere.
They each froze in their investigation of the space and strained their ears.
A soft tune was rising to their ears, it wasn't particularly musical but it commandeered their attention. It was of low pitch and warbled slightly and Harry was at the door before he realized it. His hand reaching out for the doorknob and twisting it open before he even thought about changing his mind. As the door swung open he was immediately enveloped in a light blue bubble, recognizing it after a moment he turned with a sheepish grin to Sirius who had cast the shield at him. The man was glaring at him as he took measured steps closer to the door.
"Maybe next time we wait for those who have experience with cursed objects to go open the door to the creepy tunes, okay?"
Pulling his godson away, he gestured to Killick who immediately slid into place and cast a few indeterminable spells that made the room glow briefly.
She nodded to the rest of them and took a step inside with everyone following.
The room they were in was 4ft by 4ft, the walls were peeling and cracked, the roof was partially caved in and it even seemed colder to the rest of the shack. It was totally devoid of everything except a small treasure box that sat in the idle of the floor. They all stared at it from their place in the doorway until Arrans nudged Robbins who pushed Remus who bumped into Killick who was pushed further into the room as a result and so the others quickly crowded in after, standing in a circle around it. The music was lower here, more soothing and softer and thrumming gently through them all and Harry started to feel a nudging and quickly put his stronger shields in place.
"Before anyone asks I have no idea what it is except that its magical, it doesn't have a signature." Killick said evenly.
"What do you mean it doesn't have a signature?" Robbins asked.
"Exactly that. Outside, there was a definite strong sense of dark magic but now its...dwindled to nothing."
"I think we should open it, nothing to be gained by standing around staring at it." Arrans said determinably.
Sirius immediately moved next to Harry while Remus took his place on the other side and even pushed Harry back a bit. The others shook out their limbs and held their wands steady and their eyes focused on the box, it seemed quite ordinary. Metal and glinting a smooth silver, no patterns carved into its surface and a simple lock.
"Everyone ready? Killick, will you do the honors?"
With a quick nod Killick took a small step forward and lifted her wand.
"On the count of three. One...two...three!"
The box sprung open and immediately Harry found himself moving towards it, as a voice echoed through his head.
"Wear me...touch me...I will make you strong."
Whatever was in the box needed him, it wanted him and he had to have it. The voice got louder in his head and he stepped towards it, hand stretching and breathing picking up but something was stopping him. What was stopping him!? The voice was getting louder, it felt attached to his very soul.
"I see what you want...I see what you need...I can bring them back to you..."
He needed the box! He struggled against the weight that was resting pulling him away and with a lunge he got a few steps closer before it all went dark. He was back inside his mind, he was searching for something, something was pulling him one way. His skin didn't feel like his own, there was a restlessness surrounding him. As he moved deeper he felt satisfaction start to flow as a power grew inside him. Suddenly he realized where he was and what he was nearing. He paused and he could feel the urge settle over him again as he resisted before he felt himself going on. The shade pulsed in front of him, drawing him closer. It oozed persuasiveness and satisfaction, greed and desire. But he didn't want it, there was something else, something dark clinging underneath it. He tried to take a step away but the shade was urging him on, the voice in his head grew louder. The shade turned angry before returning to encouragement, he could feel the strength behind it, the allure and the manipulation he was now recognising. The pain grew stronger; throbbing its way though him and stealing his breath.
"Put me on...I will make you powerful...I can give you anything..."
It was turning angrier and he felt the pull becoming more authoritative. He tried to move away but the hold was too strong, he didn't want this, the shade was turning darker. The voice was compelling and forcible and Harry felt his hand stretching towards it.
"No I don't want this. Stop. Enough." He said firmly and he felt waves of amusement coming from it.
"You're not strong enough...you are mine. Stop resisting."
"No this is not what I want." He responded louder as he fought his way back.
The shade was still amused but rage was gradually taking over. He pulled and pushed but the shade was too much, he started struggling in earnest trying to evade the tendrils that were stretching out to him. He started to feel suffocated like his entire being was being dragged through mud. In hopeless desperation he reached into his core, and pulled onto his magic, firing it wildly at the shade. The energy spilled over the darkness causing it to flare in rage and retract slightly.
He stumbled back drawing on his shields and various safety nets but the tar was reaching for him again. He sent more magic to it and it flared furiously but it kept coming at him, feeling infuriated now he pulled on a larger amount sliced angrily at the shade. It pulsed; incensed but hesitated now as Harry grabbed more and sent it sliding through his mindscape at the entity that screamed with rage as the power seeped into it.
"Enough! I end this now!" It shrieked and Harry could feel it building up, the pressure became immense in his head. Pain spilling out of it and coating him in heat. Everything hurt! Straining against the tidal wave that was forcing him back; making a plan, he froze, going deeper into his soul and drawing on his magic, on his very being and wrapped it around himself, layer upon layer. Warmth enveloped him, with protectiveness and power following closely then he slowly started to push it out, inch by inch letting his memories of his family and his friends help him gain strength. Then all of a sudden it became easier, as though he had stopped sliding through tar and was now gliding over ice. Gradually he took back his place, the pain eased and he felt like his actions were his own again.
"Harry, come on Prongslet you have to do some of this your stuff."
"I don't think he's delibratley staying unconscious, Pads."
"Well you never know he can be very dramatic when he wants to be."
He slowly opened his eyes and found himself staring up at a darkening blue sky with streaks of purple and gold.
"If you two would stop yelling and get me a headache potion I'd really appreciate it."
Two floating heads suddenly appeared in his vision, both were grinning down at him, relief extremely present in their eyes.
"And he's back! There you! How are you feeling?"
Sirius asked as he took his Godsons hand and pulled him into a seated position.
"Like I've been hit by the Hogwarts express."
"Here." Remus said, pushing a vial into one hand and a chocolate bar into the other.
Harry gulped down the vial eagerly and immediately felt the ache ease and he happily ate the chocolate.
"So uh...what happened?" He asked after a pause and watched the two adults exchange glances.
"Well as soon as the box opened you started moving towards it and before you worry you weren't the only one. Killick and Vexmoor had to restrain Robbins while Remus held Arrans."
"Why were we so affected?"
"Shields weren't as tightly in place as we hoped. Killick and Vexmoor both had locked their defences basically, Remus has the natural strength of his wolf to help him. I of course have my shields but also my ring...its my fault you weren't protected." He looked wretched with himself and as much as Harry wanted to reassure him, he didn't understand enough. He glanced at Moony for an explanation who had already started to defend his friend.
"Sirius is wearing his head of house ring, Harry. Those rings, well the added protection they give simply strengthened the occlumency as well as protected him from the compulsion charms that were in affect."
From the corner of his eye Harrycould see the gleaming Black ring on his guardians fingers before Sirius stood abruptly and paced in front them, the the darkening environment casting long shadows across his face and his eyes glinted angrily.
"I should have checked you were wearing it before we left. It's my fault that that thing managed to get a hold of you so quickly. I should've-"
"Padfoot you checked everything else, there was no way of knowing." Remus tried.
Sirius shook his head.
"Its not good enough, Moony. This is our cub that we're talking about here, I should have gone down every possibility and his ring can offer so much protection that I clearly can't give."
"Padfoot that is ridiculous and we both know it!" Harry suddenly said firmly, glaring up at the man in anger who looked a little suprised at the bite in his voice. "You protect me just fine, you have protected me from so much! We forgot one detail but look at me! I'm alive, I'm fine and don't you dare say that that is not because of you otherwise I swear I will hex you so bad you will permentantly go bald!"
There was silence after the teenagers impassioned speech; Moony was looking a little wide eyed and even the Unspeakables had stopped their conversation. Sirius stared at him before a smile twitched the corners of hi mouth up and he returned to his place and put an arm around Harry who greedily enjoyed the contact.
"Alright Prongslet, I'm a pretty good protector. Do you want to hear the rest?"
"Feel like I might need to know."
"Well there is no need for sarcasm." The dark haired man said with a wink before continuing the tale. "Anyway, you were fighting to get to it, then it was like all the fight had left your body and you kinda fell unconscious. By that time Killick had managed to stupefy Arrans and slammed the lid closed on the box, which is why we think you knocked out too. We pulled you outside but you were restless, kept shuffling, flinching. Then the murmuring started..."
"Murmuring?" Harry asked, not sure if he wanted the answer.
"Yeah, you started talking to yourself but as though you were two different people." Remus said slowly, delicately.
"Oh...right..." Harry responded faintly.
"It was like you were arguing with yourself. It was a little...terrifying." Sirius said, recalling the fear when the hoarse, raspy voice escaped his godson's mouth.
"Your movements got a little more erratic and your voice kept flashing back to your voice and then a harsher tone. We had no idea what to do, and that was when Sirius started fiddling with his ring and the idea came to us that your ring might help. By this point you had already stated to relax, you had stopped talking and was only twitching occasionally but you were breathing easier and weren't all tensed up like before."
"Then we put the ring on and you relaxed even more, colour returned to your cheeks and it was like you were just sleeping and five minutes later you were waking up."
Harry nodded as he looked around, the sunset was full of dusky colours, the sun only just glimmering through the trees. The Unspeakables had finished their conversation and had come a bit nearer.
"How you feeling?" Robbins asked as he held out a hand and pulled him to his feet.
"Not as bad now. What was that thing?"
"The Gaunt ring. And clearly filled with dark magic even though it was undetectable. I think we have one, Killick has taken it back to our department. Don't worry she has more experience with...well dark magic than any of us and she will ask a fellow collegue to oversee her charms." Vexmoor responded and Harry just then realized that Killick had indeed vanished.
"Anyway you know what happened with us, can you remember anything at all?"
Harry nodded and thought about the best way to phrase it.
"Its definitely a horcrux." He eventually ended up saying and looked up into Sirius' eyes. "I felt it try to connect with me, I think I was starting to defeat it but it was strong."
The grey hardened and Sirius turned to Vexmoor.
"I think we need to schedule a session now." He turned back to Harry whose green eyes were filled with the same fire that his mothers were.
"We're getting through it, one step at a time."