The Ghoul in Pyjamas

The shock of losing Moody lingered at the manor for the days that followed.

Arthur knew that it was stupid to expect him to stump his way through the front door like the other Order members, who passed in and out to relay news to everyone.

Thing is, he realised that ultimately, the others were right to an extent. He knew he couldn't leave until he turned seventeen, when the Trace could finally go away. And there was also the fact that he, Mike, David and Chrys had to make plans for what they needed to do. As even he admitted that rushing off without a plan was stupid.


"I have four days until the Trace breaks." Arthur reminded Mike and David as they sat at the breakfast table. Ben and Rob have already left for work and Martha went to wake up Chrys and Mary, while Fleur drifted off to take a bath.

"But we won't be allowed to leave for another day, because they'd kill us if we missed the wedding." David pointed out. Arthur knew he meant Rob and Fleur.

"They had better realise how important our mission is." Arthur said.

"Everyone does, even if they don't know the details." David replied.

"At least they back off from learning said details." Mike said.

Arthur knew what he meant. The two have told him how Ben, Martha and Lupin alone have asked about what they're planning to do, but when told that Dumbledore said not tell anyone, they backed off, though it took longer for Martha to back off.

Initially, she believed that she, Ben, Professor McGonagall and Chrys' parents have the right to know what they're going to do and why they're not coming back for their final and seventh year at Hogwarts. But when she was told that she can't know for her safety in case she gets captured and tortured, she finally backed off. She can't tell them anything if she doesn't know anything.


During their time at the manor, they helped make preparations for the wedding, the next two days being filled up with cleaning, colour matching favours, ribbons and flowers, de gnoming the garden and helping Martha cook vast batches of canapes.

Come dinner time, Ben, Shacklebolt and Rob came. It was a common sight to see Order members arrive for dinner. This was because Merlon Manor now replaced number twelve, Grimmauld Place as Headquarters. Ben had explained that because their Secret Keeper, Dumbledore, died, everyone who he confided Grimmauld Place's location was Secret Keeper in turn.

"So with around twenty of us, that dilutes the power of the Fidelius Charm. Twenty opportunities for the Death Eaters to get the secret out of someone. We won't expect it to hold long."

"But wouldn't Snape have told them the address by now?" Arthur pointed out.

"Moody set up a couple of curses against Snape in case he turns up again. We just hope they're strong enough to keep him out and to bind his tongue if he tries to talk about the place, though we can't be sure. It would've been crazy to keep using the place as Headquarters with its protection being so shaky."

The kitchen was so crammed that evening that it became difficult to use knives and forks. Arthur found it tolerable, though, because he was crammed beside Mike.

"No news about Moody?" He asked Rob.

"Nothing." Rob shook his head.

They weren't able to hold a funeral for Moody, because Rob and Lupin weren't able to recover his body. Partly because it was difficult to know where he fell, considering the darkness and confusion of the battle.

"The Daily Prophet hasn't said anything about him dying, or about finding his body. But that doesn't really mean much. It's been keeping things quiet these days."

"And there's still no hearing for all the under age magic I used to escape the Death Eaters?" Atthur asked across the table to Ben, who shook his head. "Do you think that it's because Scrimgeour doesn't want to let people know that Voldemort attacked me?"

"No doubt. He doesn't want to admit that Voldemort is as powerful as he is, or the fact that Azkaban had another mass breakout."

"Stupid git." Arthur spat, his contempt for the Minister for Magic still as strong as ever for the fact that he's more concerned with looking good over taking action, regardless of public opinion.

"Isn't there anyone at the Ministry who's prepared to stand up to him?" David said angrily.

"Of course there are, but they're terrified." His father replied. "They're terrified that they'll be the next to be killed or to disappear, with their children to be the next to be attacked! There's nasty rumours. You probably read of Charity Burbage, the Muggle Studies professor from Hogwarts resigning. That's utter troll dung. She hasn't been seen for weeks now. Meanwhile, Scrimgeour remains shut up in his office all day. I just hope he actually takes proper action."

There was a pause when Martha magically moved the empty plates to the side and served treacle tart.

"We must device 'ow you will be disguised, Arthur." Fleur said after they all had pudding. "For ze wedding. Of course, none of our guests are Death Eaters, but we cannot guarantee zat zey will not let something slip after ze 'ave 'ad champagne."

Arthur knew that it was a snide remark about Hagrid.

"Fair point" Martha said from the top of the table as she looked through a list of jobs on a long piece of parchment. "I know you'll probably have it clean already, but I'd like you to make sure your room is clean, David."

"I still don't know why I need to keep it clean. No one will even go there during the wedding." David muttered as he finished the rest of his treacle tart.

Once they were done eating, Arthur, Mike and David went to see what else can be cleaned up in David's room while Chrys and Mary were told to change the sheets for Monsieur and Madame Delacour, who are arriving tomorrow at eleven in the morning.

As they finished the little bit that needed to be cleaned, they entered Arthur and Mike's shared room where Chys entered with her fluffy ginger part cat, part Kneazle Crookshanks and they gathered together on the floor.

"Do any of you think that Moody wasn't killed?" David asked.

"No, he was killed. Voldemort is someone who would take any chance to kill me, so he chased down Moody and Fungus and used the Killing Curse right away." Arthur argued.

"And even if the Killing Curse missed, Moody still fell a thousand feet." Chrys said.

"Plus, Fleur said his wand was blasted out of his hand, so he couldn't have used a Shield Charm." Mike added.

All four sat in silence as Chrys now started sorting various books, some of which are Arthur's into piles.

"The Death Eaters must've tidied after themselves. That may be why no one's found Moody." David said wisely.

"Just like with Barty Crouch when his son turned him into a bone and buried him by Hagrid's front garden." Arthur replied.

Chrys now started crying, much to their surprise and David moved next to her and wrapped an arm around her.

"I'm sorry… I just… I just can't believe Moody's gone. Right after Dumbledore as well…. Moody always seemed so… so tough."

"We know." David told her, giving her a squeeze. "You know what he'd say if he was here?"

"'Constant vigilance'." Everyone said, Chrys mopping her eyes.

"He'd want to tell us to learn from what happened to him. And one thing is to never trust Fungus, at all." Mike added.

This made Chrys give a shaky laugh before she leaned forward to pick up two more books.

"So what are you doing with all these books?" David asked as he took his arm away from her.

"Deciding which ones to take with us when we go hunting for Horcruxes." Chrys replied. "You never know what we need to know while we're out there."

She placed Spellman's Syllabary on top of the larger of the two piles before picking up Hogwarts: A History.

"Should we take this?" She asked the three boys.

"I think we should, just in case. Especially if there's information on Rowena Ravenclaw." Mike said, which made Chrys nod and put the book on the large pile.

"So… what have you guys done in prep for this mission?" Arthur asked.

"Well, I've packed for days, so that we're ready to leave at a moment's notice, including some difficult magic, even smuggling Moody's whole stock of Polyjuice Potion from right under Martha's nose." Chrys explained before she suddenly looked sad. "I also modified my parents' memories, making them believe they're Wendell and Monica Wilkins, and that they're ambition is to move to Australia, which they've already done. Voldemort will have difficulty tracking them down and interrogate them about me. Or you, because I told them about you."

Her eyes were now welling up.

"If we survive this, I'll find them and lift the enchantment. But if we don't… the charm's good enough to keep them safe and happy. Even if they don't know they have a daughter."

David put an arm around her again as she now started crying again, rubbing her arm up and down.

Arthur let her continue crying until she finally stopped and wiped her face.

"Mike?" He then asked his boyfriend.

"I simply told mum that helping you with this mission is more important than my education, and that Dumbledore would've wanted me to join you. Not to mention that with us being together being well known, the Death Eaters would capture and torture me to get to you." He replied, making Arthur squeeze his hand, dreading the notion of that ever happening to him.

"David?"

David took his arm away from Chrys and smirked.

"Follow me." He said, getting up.

Arthur followed him out of the room and into the hallway.

"Descendo." David muttered, pointing his wand up at a hatch in the ceiling that opened and a ladder slid down to their feet. A horrible, half sucking, half moaning sound came from the hatch that led to the attic. There was also the awful smell of what Arthur thought was like open drains.

"The ghoul?" Arthur asked, not yet understanding and wondering what it would look like, having never seen it during all the times he was at Merlon Manor.

"Take a look." David said as he climbed up the ladder.

Arthur followed after him into the rather expansive attic. He quickly spotted the creature that curled up a few feet away from them, fast asleep in the gloom with its large mouth wide open.

"Do ghouls wear pyjamas?" Arthur scrunched his face up in bafflement.

"Not really. Nor do they usually have silver hair or that number of pustules."

Arthur examined it, slightly revolted. It was definitely human in terms of shape and size, even wearing an old pair of David's pyjamas. And it seemed to be distinctly hairy and covered in angry purple blisters, which he knew wasn't normal for ghouls.

"Is he supposed to look like you?" Arthur asked.

"Exactly. I'll explain back in your room, I hate the smell." David replied and they climbed back down the ladder, which David returned to the ceiling and joined back up with Mike and Chrys, who was still sorting books out.

"When we leave, the ghoul will come to live in my room. He's definitely looking forward to it, since he nods a lot when you mention it. He'll be me with spattergroit. Understand how clever it is?"

Arthur thought about it and realised what spattergroit was and how it would look.

"The ghoul is pretending to be you, looking incredibly unwell that you can't go to Hogwarts."

"Exactly. Once us four don't turn up at Hogwarts again, everyone will think that us four will be with you. So the Death Eaters will go straight for our families and see if they have information on where we are."

"Of course, it'll look like I'm away with mum and dad, since a lot of Muggle-Borns are thinking of going into hiding at the moment." Chrys said.

"Only mum would be questioned and she doesn't know a thing, being the only family I have." Mike said.

"We obviously can't hide my whole family, that would just be too fishy and they all can't leave their jobs." David said. "So we've developed the story that I'm seriously ill with spattergroit, hence I can't go to school. If anyone investigates, mum or dad can just show them the ghoul in my bed, covered in pustules. It's really contagious, so they won't want to be near him. It also won't matter that he can't say anything, since you can't once fungus has spread to your uvula."

"Does your family know of this?" Arthur asked.

"Naturally." David replied.

There was a silence in the room now, only broken by soft thuds from Chrys continuing throwing books on either pile and from both Fawkes and Athena hooting and cooing.

Soon, Chrys broke the silence.

"I think we should decide on where we should go first. I know you said you want to go to Godric's Hollow, Arthur, but would it really help us hunt down the Horcruxes?"

Arthur resisted snapping at her. She didn't fully understand. Not only was Godric's Hollow the birthplace of his ancestor, but also where his parents were murdered by Voldemort and where their graves were as well. He just felt this pull to go there, whether it was for answers, or because he had to come full circle with the fact that he survived Voldemort's Killing Curse, knowing that he was facing the chance of repeating such a feat.

"Also, there's a chance that Voldemort is keeping an eye on Godric's Hollow. He might expect you to visit your parents' graves once you're able to go wherever."

Arthur failed to realise this possibility, though he knew he was willing to risk it.

David decided to bring his own train of thought.

"This R.A.B. They said in the note that they intend to destroy the Horcrux they stole."

"And?" Mike asked as Arthur grabbed his rucksack and pulled out the fake Horcrux and pulled the note inside it out.

"Do you think they did destroy it?" David asked.

"I highly doubt it. They may have only known of its existence but not how to destroy it, since Horcruxes aren't common knowledge." Arthur argued.

"Not to mention the fact that we have to trace the actual locket and confirm if they did destroy it." Chrys added.

"Speaking of that, how are we going to destroy these Horcruxes?"

"I've actually researched that." Chrys revealed.

"But I thought there weren't any books on Horcruxes in the library." Arthur frowned.

"There weren't. Dumbledore removed all of them and kept them in his office."

"How and when did you get your hands on them?" David asked, wide eyed.

"They were still library books, even if Dumbledore took them off the shelves. It was like he knew that we'd finish what he started. Anyway, it was actually pretty easy. I just used the Summoning CHarm and they zoomed out of Dumbledore's office window and right into the girls' dormitory."

"When did you do this?" Arthur asked, looking impressed.

"Right after his funeral." Chrys replied. "Right after we agreed to leave school and look for Horcruxes. I went back upstairs to get my things and it occurred to me that we should know as much as possible about Horcruxes. So, as I was alone, I just tried and it worked. They flew right in through the open window and I packed them."

She swallowed before saying imploringly "Dumbledore wouldn't have been angry. We're only using this information to destroy Horcruxes, after all."

"We're not complaining." Mike told her. "So, where are these books?"

Chrys rummaged through one of the piles before extracting a large volume that was bound in faded, black leather. Chrys looked like she was revolted at merely touching it.

"This one gives explicit instructions on how to make a Horcrux. Secrets of the Darkest Art. It truly is a horrible book, full of nothing but possibly the most evil magic. Dumbledore must've removed it as soon as he was Headmaster. Voldemort got all the instructions he needed from here."

"Then why did he ask Slughorn on how to make one, if he already knew?" David asked.

"He approached him because he wondered what would happen if you split your soul into seven pieces." Arthur explained. "Dumbledore was so sure that Riddle knew how to make a Horcrux when he asked Slughorn about them."

"And the more I've read about them, the more horrible it seems. It leaves me in disbelief that he was able to make six Horcruxes. There's a warning in the book that you make your soul unstable by only making one Horcrux." Chrys shuddered.

This made Arthur remember that Dumbledore told him that Voldemort was willing to move beyond 'usual' evil.

"Ain't there a way to put yourself back together?" Mike asked.

"There is, but it would be excruciatingly painful." Chrys nodded with a hollow smile.

"Why?" David asked.

"Because you have to feel nothing but remorse over what you've done. But the pain is apparently so strong that it can destroy you. But Voldemort isn't going to feel remorse. He doesn't have any."

"Then what does the book say about destroying Horcruxes?" Arthur asked.

"Well…" Chrys said as she started turning the fragile pages. "... Dark wizards are warned in his book to make pretty strong enchantments on them. And from what I've read, what you did to Riddle's diary is one of the few truly foolproof ways to destroy a Horcrux."

"You mean stabbing one with a Basilisk fang?" Arthur asked.

"It doesn't have to be a Basilisk fang." Chrys pointed out. "It just has to be something so destructive that the Horcrux is beyond repair. Basilisk venom only has one antidote, one that's incredibly rare."

"Phoenix tears." Arthur said, looking over at Fawkes, who bowed his head gracefully.

"Exactly. But there are very few substances or spells that are as destructive as Basilisk venom, all of which are incredibly dangerous to cast or carry, which I don't want to mention. This will be a problem we'll have to solve, because ripping, smashing or crushing a Horcrux isn't going to work. It has to be beyond magical repair."

"But even if we do wreck the item it lives in, what prevents the soul fragment from going to live in something else?" David asked.

"A Horcrux is the complete opposite of a human being." Chrys replied, which left the three boys confused.

"Imagine if I picked up a sword and ran it through one of you." Chrys said in response to their expressions. "I wouldn't damage your soul at all, because whatever happens to your body, your soul will still survive and remain untouched. But with a Horcrux, the soul fragment inside it solely depends on its enchanted container for survival. It can't exist without it."

"The diary did die when I stabbed it." Arthur said, remembering how it had ink pouring like blood from its punctured pages and the screams from the piece of Voldemort's soul as it vanished.

"And once the diary was destroyed, the part of his soul trapped in it no longer exists. Mary tried getting rid of the diary before you did by flushing it away, but that didn't work as it came back good as new."

"What I don't yet understand is how the soul fragment possessed Mary." David frowned.

"While the magical container is still intact, the part of the soul inside it can come in and out of someone if they become too close to the object. Not physically close, but emotionally close. She poured her heart into the diary, remember? She made herself vulnerable. So we'd be in trouble if any of us get too fond of or dependent on a Horcrux."

"What I'm perplexed by is how Dumbledore destroyed the ring if he didn't have or use any of the methods we know of." Mike brought up.

Arthur thought about it as well. He was even annoyed at himself for not asking him how he did it. He thought about what he could've used and the only thing he could think of was the Sword of Gryffindor.

That's when it hit him. He stabbed the Basilisk with the sword in the Chamber of Secrets, killing it. And considering how Basilisk venom can destroy a Horcrux, the sword must've been impregnated with the venom, therefore, it can now destroy Horcruxes. Why didn't he take the sword with him? It is rightfully his, after all.

The silence was then broken when the bedroom door opened and Martha poked her head in, looking a bit dishevelled.

"Wedding presents are stacked in my room and they need to be sorted out. Any volunteers?" She said.

"I'll do it." Mary said and she placed Secrets of the Darkest Art on the pile it came from, following Martha out of the room.


The Delacours arrived the following morning at eleven o'clock.

Arthur, Mike, David, Chrys and Mary all felt nervous about meeting them as they trooped out into the sunny front yard to greet their visitors.

Merlon Manor was already tidy, but it now looked like it was freshly constructed. Two new Flutterby Buses that stood on either side of the door in large pots, and despite the breeze, the leaves waved lazily, which gave an attractive rippling effect. The backyard was swept and the garden was pruned, plucked and spruced up.

Arthur had lost track of how many security measures were in place on Merlon Manor by the Order and the Ministry, he just knew that it wasn't possible for anyone to travel by magic directly to the manor.

This is why Ben went to greet the Delacours at the end of the path through the woods that leads to the manor, where they'd arrive by Portkey.

The sound they all heard of their approach was an unusually high pitched laugh, which actually came from Ben, who they saw leading the Delacours, laden with luggage and leading a rather beautiful blonde woman in long, leaf green robes. No doubt she is Fleur's mother.

"Maman!" Fleur cried, rushing forward to embrace her. "Papa!"

Monsieur Delacour wasn't close to being as attractive as his wife; he was a head shorter and was extremely plump, with a little, pointed black beard. Though he did look good natured. Bouncing towards Martha on high heeled boots, he kissed her on each cheek, leaving her a bit flustered.

"You 'ave been to much trouble." He said in a deep voice. "Fleur tells us you 'ave been working very 'ard."

"I just wanted to make a good impression." Martha told him.

"Dear lady!" He then said, still holding her hand between his own plump ones and beaming. "We are most honoured at the approaching union of our two families! Let me present my wife, Apolline."

Madame Delacour glided forwards, stooping to kiss Martha as well.

"Enchante." She said. "Your 'usband 'as been telling us such amusing and thrilling stories!"

Ben gave a maniacal laugh, which made Martha give him a look that made him silent.

"And, of course, you 'ave met my leetle daughter, Gabrielle!" Monsieur Delacour said. Gabrielle was Fleur in miniature form, being an eleven year old with waist length hair of pure, silvery blonde hair. She gave Martha a dazzling smile before she hugged her. She then gave Arthur a glowing look while batting her eyelashes, which made Mike growl protectively and jealously.

"Well, come on in!" Martha said brightly, ushering the Delacours into the manor.

The Delacours proved to be pretty helpful and pleasant guests. They were very pleased with everything and were keen to help out with the preparations for the wedding. Monsieur Delacour pronounced everything from the seating plan to the bridesmaids' shoes. His wife was very accomplished with household spells and had the oven properly cleaned; and Gabrielle followed her older sister around, assisting however she could and jabbered away in rapid French.

Of course, there's plenty of room for their guests as Monsieur and Madame Delacour took the guest bedroom on the first floor. Gabrielle took the guest room that remained on the second, next to Chrys' room.

Soon, Martha went and took Arthur to have a little chat while everyone else was settling in.

"The men will arrive tomorrow to help put up the tent for the wedding." She said. "Millamant's Magic Marquees are pretty good. Rob will be escorting them. It'll be best if you, Mike, David and Chrys stayed inside while they're here."

"No problem." Arthur shrugged.

"By the way, how do you want to celebrate your birthday? It's not everyday you become of age."

"I don't want something extravagant. Just a simple dinner would be nice. All of the extravagance should be for the wedding." Arthur told her.

"If you're sure. I'll make sure to invite Remus and Tonks. Even Hagrid, if you'd like."

"Thanks. Just don't go to loads of trouble. I just want a normal birthday… well, as normal as it can be, given the circumstances."

"It's alright." Martha said, patting his cheek affectionately before walking away.

Arthur watched as she waved her wand near the washing line, making damp clothes rise in the air to hang themselves up.

He hoped that if he does manage to kill Voldemort, that he'd do something as normal as that and live a good and happy life with Mike.


At least Martha doesn't try to prevent them from planning and force them to stay going to school, like Molly. I love her, but she can be so infuriating when it comes to the more serious things they have to deal with.