In the Crosshairs
Dragon Voldemort
Chapter 55: Nagging
"Thought I had gotten rid of you," Percy said as Ron woke up Friday morning. Percy, already in his pinstripe work suit, stood over the back of the sofa.
"Lasted a day," Ron said, "Before…before they were back at it."
"I suggest you keep trying," Percy said.
"You now what it's like," Ron said as he stood, "To have to worship the almighty Albus Dumbledore! He's great and all, but he's not infallible. Nobody seems to want to fucking understand the mistake he's making!"
"Lets see how well you get along today," Percy said, "I'm late for work, don't let the door hit your arse on the way out."
Percy disapparated.
Ron wished he could simply hang out in the pub, however, it's what landed him into this mess in the first place. Ron's stomach growled, dictated his priorities, and he knew Percy's larder to be spare and locked. Ron grabbed his bookbag and the hat, and activated the Portkey.
Ron landed in the familiar guest bedroom, went down the steps, into the living room.
"Hey, ready go to out?"
Ron glanced up, the familiar black hair, the bottle green eyes, the scar on the forehead, and a red Gryffindor T–shirt. Ron read the eyes, the ones wanting to be Harry, of Professor Tonks. Ron leveled his wand.
"That's not very nice," Tonks said.
"You're not Harry," Ron said, "Nice try."
"Should I mention how many times I've been assaulted dressed up as your friend?" Tonks said, "None are the ones we're trying to avoid, still, it'd be nice to know where Harry really was, have him run a fundraiser for St. Mungo's or something."
"Nice idea," Ron said, "Get your own hat and pander for money on Diagon Alley."
"Surprised you're not doing more to keep your friends safe," Tonks said, "That includes allowing others in to help in the matter."
"I'm protecting him in more ways than you know," Ron said.
Ron quickly went up the stairs, activated the Portkey, landed in Gia's bedroom. Ron set the portkey, the book bag, and the hat on the bed. Empty perches, he went down the stairs.
"Where would Harry take Gia?" Kristen asked, dressed in her police uniform.
"Mind?" Ron asked as he went into the kitchen, "Stayed with my tightwad of a brother—the others, well, they're badgering me about that same topic, only concerned about Harry, not Gia."
"Clean up after yourself," Kristen said as Ron put a bit of bacon onto a skillet.
Ron cracked a pair of eggs, dropped them in to join the bacon. "Guess I picked a bit up from Mum…first holiday without her."
"I'm sorry," Kristen said.
"We got suspended—my fault," Ron said, his tongue felt a bit loose, "And Harry got…injured—"
"He does that a lot," Kristen said.
"So I was sent away before he left school—we've got a healer there," Ron said, "I'm guessing, based on the missing…" Ron bit his tongue to avoid the term Firebolt, "He grabbed her, without much packing, and left for their holiday. If I'd go looking, I'd start with the honeymoon suites at the holiday resorts, and the fewer the clothes required, the better."
"He's got a credit card, right?" Kristen asked.
"Debit," Ron said, "Though, he's laying low, he'd know better than to use that."
"Best lead—" Kristen started.
"Please, don't look," Ron said, "Others are searching for him, ones that'd bring them great harm, and it'd be best not to draw attention to it. You don't want to be the one to hand them over, you couldn't live with that."
Ron popped a couple of slices of bread into the toaster. Ate at the bacon and eggs now on a plate.
"I simply want to know they're not laying in a ditch somewhere, dead," Kristen said.
"To know that," Ron said with his mouth full, "Gotta find them, and those others would make him dead."
Ron swallowed, drank a bit of juice.
"I wish Harry did leave me a note, but he didn't," Ron said, "Gotta trust him, that he'll return in time for school. Until then, there's nothing that should be done."
"How serious are these threats you're describing?" Kristen asked as Ron finished the toast.
"Likely the same ones that been giving us trouble all term long," Ron said as he went back to the living room, "Same ones that we went on that skiing holiday to try to expose. But been saying too much—I think Harry could handle himself, though, if pressed. That's the other thing, nobody thinks we're capable of some self–defense!"
"Have you had any training?" Kristen asked, "A mugger comes in here, could you handle him?"
"Um…maybe," Ron said, "Not trained like that, though. We've had some…stuff at school."
"I need to schedule some refreshers for the force next month," Kristen said, "Might be persuaded into several openings."
"Ta," Ron said.
"I'm already late," Kristen said, "I'll expect to chat again."
"Sure," Ron said.
Kristen left the house.
"Talking about the refresher courses?" Richard asked as Ron came up the stairs.
"What of them?" Ron asked, turned for Richard's bedroom, spied him on the chair for the desk.
Richard twisted a bit from the open book on it.
"Think I talked Mum into offering," Richard said, "If you're in danger, you know, how to fight like a cop."
"Um…ta," Ron said.
"Suppose you've got other ways?" Richard asked.
"All involve…" Ron stopped himself, realized that muggle techniques might be good, "Need more details."
"She'll need your schedule," Richard replied.
"Regardless of Harry or the others," Ron said, "I'd like to."
"She'll want Harry," Richard said.
"He'll return by the seventh," Ron said, "He knows when the suspension is over as much as I do."
Ron went for Gia's bedroom and wondered about Hermione.
Earlier that morning, the darkness had already lifted in the blinds as the tap came to the window. Hermione climbed out of bed, glanced outside, JJ was standing there, outside. Hermione went out, down the steps, unlocked the door, and shivered as she went outside.
"JJ," Hermione said.
JJ stepped closer as she ran her hands up his shirt, felt the stomach with its naval.
"Love to," JJ said, "Came over to let you know duty calls."
"Again?" Hermione asked.
"Last minute," JJ said, "Hey, it looks good for me to pitch in, be a team player—you know the jargon."
"Was hoping for time," Hermione said.
"Tomorrow, I promise," JJ said, "Have you the whole weekend, alright?"
"Guess so," Hermione said.
JJ pulled away, went down the street. Hermione shivered, returned into the house.
"Your boyfriend's not staying?" Uncle Jarod asked.
"Has work," Hermione said.
"Tell you what," Uncle Jarod said, "Get ready, and we'll go out for a stroll. Bring that camera."
"How far of a stroll?" Hermione asked.
"As far as we want, as far as we need to," Uncle Jarod said, "Layer up though, I can lend you something."
"I'll do fine," Hermione said, "I mean…I'll take you up on the offer."
Hermione went upstairs, dressed, including her pink jumper. She left the camera behind as they left the house. Their breath billowed in the air.
"There's a kingfisher," Uncle Jarod said as he pointed on the River Taff.
Hermione paused, leaned over the railing, studied the colorful blue and orange feathered creature with a long black beak.
"Birdwatching's a good way to take your mind off things," Uncle Jarod said, "You've had a lot to worry about."
"True," Hermione said as they kept walking, along the path of the river.
"Boyfriends, parents," Uncle Jarod said, "I expect you're a mess about now."
"JJ's…" Hermione said, "Nice to have someone."
"Nothing serious on these walks," Uncle Jarod said, "Alright?"
"Suppose not," Hermione said.
"Otherwise, I'd tell you about this one time," Uncle Jarod said, "Cindy's idea, when they were…you know, kids. She played this prank on your Mum, for two weeks, she'd sneak water into her bed at night. Your Mum started sneaking diapers in an attempt to hide her supposed problem."
Hermione laughed.
"Chaffinch," Uncle Jarod said as he pointed.
"Seen that all over the place," Hermione said.
"Everything has its place out here," Uncle Jarod said.
"Hagrid's point of view," Hermione said.
"Who's he?" Uncle Jarod said.
"A big oaf that tends to the grounds," Hermione said, "Friendly, makes me and…them tea. As long as it'd handle a collar, he'd turn any creature into a pet, even a three headed dog."
"You're pulling my leg," Uncle Jarod said with a laugh, "But you know the type."
They kept walking, pointing, and talking.
Ron returned to Blackfoot Yard early that evening, the smell of fried chicken came through the living room.
"Was hoping for Ginny," Ron said to Professor Lupin.
"Come over and join me for a spot of dinner," Professor Lupin said, "It'll be some while until the others show up."
Ron walked over to the table.
"You're going to try—?" Ron started.
"A simple civil meal with light conversation," Professor Lupin said, "I won't ask you to betray a friend."
Ron sat, grabbed a drumstick, ate on it.
"How is it going with Hermione?" Professor Lupin asked.
Ron paused, that wasn't the question he was expecting.
"Believe it or not, we do pay attention," Professor Lupin said, "And I know that's been on your mind. You two still, a thing?"
"Dunno," Ron said, "She…we…I know she's alive and well, staying with relatives, but I don't know where. I'd love to know more, but so far, she's refused all my owls."
"Really?" Professor Lupin said, "Chocolates, rarely go wrong with chocolates."
Ron snorted.
"She's not fooled by chocolate," Ron said before he worked into a fluffy biscuit.
"You'd be a fool to try," Professor Lupin said, "Still, many people are willing to at least listen when there's chocolate at stake."
"True," Ron said, "Though imagine she's stressed out, I mean, you never know when the last time will be with your folks."
"For all our intellect and our power," Professor Lupin said, "One thing cutting our potential short is us. A wizard or witch is able to live twice the lifespan of an ordinary muggle. What do we do with our extra time? Kill each other over it. I've seen too many children die before their time—Harry's parents included."
"They're not children," Ron said.
"Perspective," Professor Lupin said, "Even I'm a kid compared to Albus Dumbledore's hundred sixty—I think."
"And I'm a kid to your eyes?" Ron asked.
"It's why it's easy to mistake a sixteen year old as being six, as you put it," Professor Lupin said, "Still, if you're to be sixteen and wanting to be an adult, best to act like one."
"You've got everything I know," Ron said.
"Was trying to avoid that," Professor Lupin said, "Not until you're well buttered."
Ron snorted.
"For formality, though," Professor Lupin said, "You wouldn't know where Justin Finch–Fletchley is?"
"No," Ron stated.
"Harry's name has come up," Professor Lupin said, "People have consulted with the muggles, used their cameras, and it was an impostor of Harry that kidnapped him."
"Damn," Ron muttered.
"Even though you've been…pardoned for Diagon Alley," Professor Lupin said, "I would not recommend it."
Professor Lupin brought out a small box, opened it as he handed it over to Ron. Ron recognized it, a soft cake, from Sibley's Cakes.
"You're—" Ron started.
"First one is on the house," Professor Lupin said.
Ron sniffed at it.
"No tampering," Professor Lupin said, "Came straight from their shelf several hours ago."
Ron ate into it, tasted the chocolate chip goodness inside the soft–baked doughy round.
"Before I tell you the price for the others," Professor Lupin said, "Have any guesses for the Quidditch Cup? Puddlemere?"
"Chudley," Ron said, between bites, "Definitely Chudley."
"You played for Puddlemere," Professor Lupin said.
"Them second," Ron said.
Motion at the fireplace, the cane that tapped, Professor Dumbledore stepped out.
"Oh—that's why—" Ron started.
"Greetings Ronald," said Professor Dumbledore.
Ron felt the gaze from those twinkling blue eyes, the ones that wanted to dive further into the soul. Ron stood, and returned the glare.
"I was hoping for civility first," Professor Lupin said.
"I am worried about Harry," Professor Dumbledore said.
"I worry about him all the time," Ron said, "So, butt out!"
Ron caught the glare, the one that considered him a child who didn't know better.
"Civility!" Professor Lupin said.
"I will," Ron said as he approached the Headmaster, "I will when you're convinced I've got nothing further on Harry's whereabouts. I like you very much, but you've milked me dry, and it injures me for you to keep on trying."
Ron made a fast dash for the door, went out into the evening sky, with the hat on his head. A tap to the Portkey, and Ron was in Percy's living room.
"Take it today didn't go as well?" Percy asked.
"Lupin—he tried to butter me up first," Ron said as he sat. The hat went down onto the coffee table. "Nice and all, before Dumbledore came in, wanted to roast me for more. I stay here and I don't have to put up with that."
"Considered they might be right?" Percy asked.
"Not you too," Ron said, "You can only squeeze so much juice out of a lemon—that's it!"
"You've not seen me at work then," Percy said, "Everybody's hiding something. Reminds me, how'd you spot that forgery?"
"Simply did," Ron said, not wanting to divulge the sorting hat or that he had used Harry's wand.
"That charm," Percy said.
"Um…not sure the incantation," Ron said, "Simply did. Why?"
"Some accusations at work," Percy said, "Not me, but still, they're asking me how."
"Tough to share," Ron said, "Simply is."
Ron adjusted himself as he laid lengthwise on the sofa in Percy's living room Saturday morning. He grabbed The Daily Prophet and opened it up in the air, when Percy came, sat between Ron's legs, at the end of the sofa.
"It is my sofa," Percy said as he leaned back against the cushion, "I paid for it."
"Whatever," Ron said as he read the newsprint.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Hogwarts to Upgrade Security
The Board of Governors has accepted the Ministry's offer to station Aurors at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in an effort to bolster the security and safety of the students. Unmentioned in their statement is the reason for this need being to protect the students from the antics of the increasingly troubled Harry Potter.
UHP Urges Caution Among Members
The Unofficial Harry Potter Fan Club has issued a statement advising its members refrain from dressing up as Harry Potter or his friends while in public. The UHP cited a rise in attacks upon its members as the reason for the press release.
"Well," Percy said, "You're rising in popularity."
Ron frowned and arched his eyebrows.
"Rumor is—" Percy said as he poked Ron in the stomach, "You know the whereabouts of Harry Potter—"
"Not you too!" Ron said, "You know that—"
"Oh, wasn't going to badger, because I know your side," Percy said, "Still, that's the gossip around the Ministry, because it's been noticed, otherwise, why is Dumbledore so focused on you? You honestly thought that, with the size of his little gang, that a secret could be kept forever? The bigger the conspiracy, the harder it is to keep that secret."
"Speaking of the Ministry," Ron said, "You don't seem to be heading into work."
"I'm required to take at least one day off every two weeks," Percy said, "I was forced to—at least the mandatory two weeks is months away."
Ron chuckled.
"Not funny," Percy said, "I've tried petitioning for an exemption."
"If I knew," Ron said, "That'd be a reason to tell you where Harry is. Alas, I do not."
"If you ask me—it's better to keep it a secret anyways," Percy said, "I mean—I still like the kid, for some odd reason. However, with some editorials demanding the Demeantor's Kiss for lot of you—best to keep him out of sight. Works right into that committee's plan to encourage you lot to abandon the Dark Arts—it's not like they can think for themselves. At least the Minister is trying to stir some sense into them—encouraging them to evaluate the boy first."
"Evaluate?" Ron asked.
"You know, see if he's nutters," Percy said, "Any guesses how I should wager in the office pool? Nutters, yes or no?"
"Fat chance of Harry cooperating," Ron stated.
"They'll force him," Percy said.
"Doubt it," Ron said.
Percy glared as Ron chuckled.
"Can you wipe my arse?" Ron said, "I can't get up."
Percy stood, Ron swung his legs and stood. Ron's wand out, he tapped the Portkey.
"At least Fred and George have a hot shower, think I can put up with them for a few minutes," Ron said, "Be back tonight."
"Wonderful," Percy sneered.
Ron felt the tug behind the naval, landed in the guest room at Fred's and George's.
"Pardon!" came Ginny's snap at him.
Ron glanced at her, on the bed with Colin .
"My room!" Ron snapped.
"You abandoned it," Ginny said, "Fair game."
Ron opened the door, left.
"I did as Ron suggested," Sirius said.
"Fruitless as they've gone their separate ways," said Professor Dumbledore, "Any results?"
"None," Sirius said, "She disappeared around the same time that Harry did."
Ron took another step, entered the living room.
"Any news on Harry?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"As I've already said a thousand bloody times before," Ron said, "Check back on the seventh—I know nothing until I see Harry myself, on the seventh."
Ron went into the bathroom, took his shower.
"Even if you lack the direct knowledge," Professor Dumbledore said as Ron returned, "You know how Harry thinks."
"He's sixteen," Ron said, "How many years have you been a teacher at Hogwarts?"
Ron put a frying pan on the stove, took out bacon and put it on. Ron kept his back toward them as he cracked the eggs.
"Teenagers can be exceptionally bright and exceptionally stupid at the same time," Professor Dumbledore said, "Such as you're being right now."
"The smart thing—" Sirius said.
"Did they ever teach you to think for yourself?" Ron said as he turned around to face Sirius, "Or, you outsourced all that to him?" Ron pointed toward the Headmaster.
"One joins the order to swear vigilance against those who seek to bring darkness to everybody," the Headmaster said, "To collaborate, to weigh our options, for the best chance to advance our mutual cause, is an expectation we have on every member. Our mutual problem—"
"Our mutual problem," Ron said, "Is you don't see the bloody obvious, and if you can't see it without my help, I don't need your counsel on how to bloody act. While we agree on the ultimate goal, how your way helps Harry escapes me. Were I to search for Harry and find him, I'd hide with him until it's time to return to Hogwarts. Think hiding's a good idea, bye."
Ron put the bacon and eggs on a plate along with a slice of cheese and a pair of English muffins. He carried the plate out the back into the small courtyard. He grabbed the Portkey from his holster, tapped with his wand, and landed in Gia's bedroom. Ron stashed the Portkey, went down the steps, through the living room, into the kitchen. Bacon and egg and cheese to each muffin, Ron brought them to his lips and bit down into it.
"I could run the query again," Richard said as he entered the kitchen, "Figure out where Harry would take her."
Ron shook his head as he finished his food.
"It's best to leave them be," Ron said as he drank from a bottle of orange juice, "I know it's risky, but it's the best for Harry."
"Have you considered doing the same on Hermione?" Richard asked.
Ron studied those eyes.
"I know you're worried. So's Mum on Gia as are your friends on Harry!" Richard said, "We know Hermione's alive, she'd try to find you if it were important, wouldn't she?"
"Um…" Ron muttered.
"You both fought—so maybe give her space?" Richard said, "Let her come back to you instead of seeking her out?"
"I still—" Ron started.
"You've been here a bunch of times," Richard said, "She'd know to leave a message with me, right?"
"Suppose so," Ron said.
"Focus on being her friend," Richard said, "Resolve the lover's quarrel later."
Ron sighed.
"Cheer up," Richard said, "Nobody's perfect, we all need the reminder from time to time."
Ron went for the door.
"Wonder what Hermione's up to," Ron said to nobody particular as he walked along.
Hermione stumbled for a moment as she left the roller rink, JJ caught her.
"That wasn't that bad, was it?" JJ asked.
"A good library…suppose that was okay," Hermione said, "More of a book type."
Hermione sat on the bench, he switched the roller skates back for her regular shoes. JJ took his own skates off, walked both pairs up to the desk, and returned. She glanced at the toes that stuck out beneath the trouser leg.
"Like them?" JJ asked as he wiggled his toes.
"A reminder," Hermione said as JJ put his socks and shoes on.
"I checked the clock," JJ said, "Not enough time for to grab a bite of lunch."
"That's alright," Hermione said as she cinched up the zipper on her jumper.
They left the building, onto the cold and breezy street beneath the cloudy morning sky, and faced each other.
"You deserve to know me in detail," JJ said as they walked, "I'd like to explore you in detail too."
"It's not you," Hermione said, "It's me." She didn't want to go over the betrayal she felt in Ron, or how she felt toward Harry, emotions she'd have to reconcile.
"I'll wait, for a while," JJ said, "You know what I want, and I think you want it, am I wrong?"
"No, you're right," Hermione said, "Not going to get there waving a magic wand." Hermione realized she lied, there were charms and potions, but best avoided, as she felt she shouldn't have to cheat. "Being with you is helping, maybe…"
They paused, turned toward each other.
"New years resolution?" JJ said, "Days away, make a decision, alright? Even if not ready…let me know if we're talking days or weeks."
"Yeah, sure," Hermione said.
JJ leaned in, his hands slipped beneath her jumper. JJ brought his lips to hers, kissed, their tongues touched.
"Simply want to know your mind," JJ said, "Nearly late for work—know your way back?"
"Yes," Hermione said.
"It'll be at least a double shift," JJ said, "Might extend through tomorrow."
"Later," Hermione said.
A quick kiss to her cheek, and JJ spun around. His legs flexed as he ran. Hermione cinched her zipper on her pink jumper, and headed back. A black cat crossed in front of her, when she remembered.
"CROOKSHANKS!" Hermione exclaimed, unsure what happened to her ginger cat amidst the house fire.
Ron left the florist with a bouquet of red, white, and yellow flowers in his hands. He made his way, back to the street, back to the darken remains between houses, the large empty void where the house used to sit, the rest of the brick walls having collapsed. Ron laid the flowers down next to the makeshift memorial to Hermione's parents.
"A solemn occasion," the Hat said.
"Hermione'll miss them the most," Ron said, "But her mother—well, I had lost mine, seemed a nice thing to have."
Ron went along the police tape that surrounded it, to the broken hot tub in the back. A trickling sound, and Ron crept behind, into the thin line of trees, to the creek that ran behind. Ron walked along, to the small pond, one they'd made use of.
Meow! Meow
Ron glanced down, the fluffy ginger cat with a bottle–brush tail rubbed against his leg.
"Hello," Ron said as he picked Crookshanks up, "Not sure where Hermione's gone off to, but she's alive, and I can take care of you until she returns. Got some of your friends there too."
Ron felt better as the purring came, in response to the petting. A bit of normality came back to Ron as he walked, along the stream, until he came to the road, carried Crookshanks to 26 Oak Street, entered. Up the steps, he brought him into the room.
Hoot!
Hedwig's eyes were open. Ron thought about it, opened Hermione's trunk, several of her shirts on top, and set Crookshanks down onto them. Ron sat on the carpet, reached over, petted Crookshanks, the room filled with purring.
"Told you," Ron said, "Now I just need Hermione to stop being mad at me."