Finally time to go to Dumbledore again! Got some grandfathering to do. Got some old friends to talk to.

Oh yeah, there's gonna be some good stuff in this one.

Let's go!

0—

The cheery flames within the crooked brick fireplace of the Burrow flickered and popped as Molly Weasley sat in her chair. The witch had set aside her knitting and begun to rock back and forth, her mind on nothing but her shattered family, which had fallen apart in her own hands.

"I'm so sorry… Ron, please… I'm so sorry…"

The clock on the wall chimed, causing her to look up and see that her twins were 'home' while Charlie and Bill remained in 'work'. Percy's hand had moved, along with Ginny's, falling into the tiny section that read 'lost'.

Her poor children.

"What have I done…"

Molly shakily took the Weasley family ring from the necklace around her neck and looked at it. She remembered how regal it looked on the day that she and Arthur had married. How the Prewitt and Weasley crests had come together into a beautiful gold ring with ruby inlays. The crest had changed from the Prewitts own small Lion, which denoted their connection to Gryffindor, to be a fox twisted around a sword. A mark of union between the lineage of two branches of the Gryffindor family, with the fox showing the Weasley vassalhood to the ancient and most noble house of Potter.

What would James and Lily think of her?

The thought of the deceased couple brought Molly once more to tears. Life wasn't supposed to be this way. Their children were supposed to grow up together. She was supposed to have a family that got along with one another.

Molly sobbed and clutched the ring as she rocked back and forth. "Please… please… I didn't mean it. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it!"

The fireplace roared up and turned green, a gout of flame spitting out Albus Dumbledore, the head of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.

"Albus!" Molly scrambled to stand up. "W-what are you-"

"Your son wrote to me Molly." The man sighed, waving his wand to place a kettle on the fire. "Shall we talk?"

Molly stred, before breaking down into sobs again and collapsing in her chair. "Albus… I've done something horrible!"

The man sat down in Arthurs usual chair, waving his wand again to set up two teacups for when the water was ready, and taking out a tiny bag of muggle candies from his robe pocket. "Young Charles did give me a good recounting in his letter. Why don't you tell me your side of the story? Starting from the beginning of course."

Molly nodded and took a lemon drop when it was offered to her. "A few weeks ago, Arthur came home and said he had returned to his old job as a cursebreaker. I was unhappy because the muggle studies division was his dream job."

"Arthur has always had a knack for the non magical world." Albus nodded. "So he returned to being a cursebreaker?"

Molly nodded. "He said it came with nore money, and that his first paycheck was up front. A thousand Galleons, Albus. It was ten times what he had made in muggle research."

The man nodded, popping one of his own candies into his mouth. "Leave it to Arthur to take the avenue that best supports his family."

Molly nodded. "He was so happy… he cursed out his last job, saying the woman that oversaw his position was as rotten as they come! He took Ginny and Ronald to geth their school supplies. They've never had their own brand new clothes or books you know."

Albus sighed. "Molly… Hogwarts does have a fund for families who aren't as well off."

The woman shook her head. "But Lucius Malfoy is on the school board. You know what he would do to Arthur when he found out-"

Albus leaned back and looked at the ceiling. "I do. Lucius is a darkhearted man. It is a shame…"

Molly sniffed. "A week into his new position, he came home again. Talked about a joint mission between the Ministry and Gringotts. He had been called specifically, because of Bill, and because of the job specifics."

"How is young William?" Albus pondered. "Last i saw him he was beginning his work with the goblins."

Molly sighed. "He was okay until the job. Then I went and mucked everything up…"

"What was this job, Molly?" The elderly wizard leaned forward. "I know little of Arthurs work during the war, only that he was a great fighter for the order."

"Arthur was a cursebreaker back in those days. He snuck a few dark textbooks through Hogwarts when we were young." The woman gave a dry chuckle. "He was… uniquely qualified for the job."

"His magical gift is just like Williams, correct? He can decipher most languages at glance."

"Languages just translate themselves for him. He can easily see how to break wards and disable runic arrays." Molly nodded. "His work took him away from me for many days every week. He was part of a team searching for dark artifacts connected to he who must not be named and his followers."

"Dark artifacts?"

"The unspeakables believed that he had found a way to live on after death. They flew under the rest of the ministry's radar, and employed Arthurs team to search for these objects, hoping to cut off the snake at the head."

Albus pursed his lips, understanding exactly what Arthur did. "Did he ever find any of these artifacts?"

Molly sighed. "One… linked to Bellatrix Lestrange. By the time he returned with it to the ministry however, it was too late. His team was killed in cold blood, and he barely escaped with his life. He couldn't find a way to destroy it, so he instead trapped a ghoul in the attic, and tied the thing to a necklace around its neck."

'A horcrux belonging to Bellatrix? How did this escape my notice? Then again… I was not in control those years…'

"Did this new job have something to do with that?"

Molly nodded. "The goblins were doing vault maintenance after a cave in, and had discovered another dark object hidden in the Lestrange Vault, only this one was truly bound to the dark lord. Helga Hufflepuffs cup."

Albus winced internally. The artifact was a sacred one, and Tom had defiled it. "And knowing that Arthur had experience, they brought him into their workings."

Molly nodded. "They devised a way to track down any more artifacts, and found one in muggle London. That night, they left, and everything went well. I got the kids to bed, cleaned up down here and even had some time to knit. Then Bill stumbled in…"

Albus held up a hand as the tea kettle whistle, and poured the boiling water into the two cups he had prepared. "My apologies. Continue, if you would please."

Molly nodded. "He was holding his arm, and had Arthurs wand. He kept rambling about the attic and how he needed help to get there. Then he called Charlie and explained how they had found the artifact. Arthur stayed behind to save him, and his hand hasn't come out of mortal peril since."

Albus looked up at the family clock, seeing that Arthurs hand indeed had not strayed from 'mortal peril.'

"I see… what did his arm look like, Molly?"

"I could only see his hand… but it looked bad Albus. His skin was all warped and blackened, like it had been burnt."

"Hm… I see."

'A withering curse. Arthur must've known that Bellatrix is one of the only ones who can fix it.'

"Then they went upstairs. There was scuffling and banging, and then I heard screams. I ran upstairs to find them in Rons room, with Bill rolling all over the floor. He was in pain."

Dumbledore nodded. "I believe that young William was struck with a witherimng curse. It is one of Voldemorts favorites for traps."

Molly winced at the use of the name, before her face turned to one of horror at the mention of the curse. "Bill… I should've taken him to Saint Mungos-"

"That would have done far more harm than good." Dumbledore shook his head. "There are only two people who know how to cure that curse. Bellatrix Lestrange, and Voldemort himself. William would be dead now."

Molly broke into sobs at Albus's words. "I could have killed Bill!"

Dumbledore sighed, his posture softening. "Molly… you tried your best and did what any mother would have. Have some tea, and tell me. What happened next?"

The woman nodded. "They had been asking Ron for help, though I didn't know why. When Percy and Charlie started arguing, he broke down. I scolded him, but Charlie silenced me, and then… then Ron used it."

"It?"

"It." Molly's eyes sharpened. "All of my babies are special, Albus. Bill has Arthurs gift, Charlie is stronger around dragons. Percy can speak in many languages, much like how Arthur can read them… The twins… well, they share a connection that is beyond normal. Ginny is related to fire creatures. Her hair is the most vibrant and she can warm up a room by simply walking into it. It sounds like a mothers fantasy but I can sense the magic."

"Okay Molly. I believe you." Albus nodded. "What about young Ronald?"

Molly sucked in a breath, her voice getting quiet. "He always kept to himself… when he was little, he said he heard voices coming from the walls and outside in the grass. I had a healer come to the Burrow to check on him, but they found nothing."

The woman stood up and shuffled over to the fire, tossing a bit of wood in to keep it burning cheerily.

"I thought him touched, Albus, Many days went by where I believed him to be insane. Then he was of age to go to Hogwarts, and we got his wand…"

"Blackthorn and black walnut. Garrick typically keeps me informed." ALbus stroked his beard. "Er… what was the core again?"

"Acromantula venom." Molly spat, her eyes blazing with malice from the firelight. Then, her posture slumped, and she slinked back to her chair and collapsed. "I took it from him Albus… Locked it up. Could you imagine being robbed of your wand?"

The elderly man kept a tight grip on the gnarled elder wand that remained beneath his robes. "I can't say that I have… it wouldn't make much of a difference to me, of course. I have enough tricks to get by."

"I starved him of his first connection." Molly shook her head. "All for stupid predjudice. We gave it back to him this year… and he seemed so… elated. I hadn't seen him smile like that in such a long time."

Dumbledore sighed, the tea leaves in the bottom of his cup remaining shapeless clumps. 'I would have loved to know more of divination right now…'

"Charles said that you cast Ronald away."

Molly nodded. "Albus… it's because of his gift. He has that gift."

"What gift, Molly? If it saved Williams life, how horrid can it be?"

"He hears the spiders. He can speak to them." Molly looked up at the old headmaster. "You know exactly who has a gift that does the same."

Albus's heart froze. "Bellatrix Lestrange. It is Black magic, connected to her maiden family."

Molly nodded. "I overreacted… I cast him out. But I had seen what magic like that could do. The Longbottoms are gone now because of it."

Albus sighed, pushing himself to his feet. "Well… now I know the full story. I apologize Molly, for the toll this has taken on you."

"Will you find him, Albus? I know that I have done wrong… but I must make it right."

"That may be out of the question, my dear. Unfortunate as it is, perhaps this could be a turning point for your family. I feel as though after everything has passed, you will all be stronger than ever."

Molly sniffed as Dumbledore walked to the fireplace. "Thank you…"

"Of course Molly."

"I have one more question."

"Ask away."

"Do you think… after knowing about his… gift." Molly's voice cracked. "Is it possible that he isn't mine?"

Albus's heart melted again. "Oh dear… Molly. Arthur would never. He loves you too much."

"Then why-"

"Perhaps it is ambient magic connected to the artifact that Arthur brought home. It may have influenced Ron s development, and from thereon, his magic as he grew."

Molly nodded. "Maybe…"

"I will leave you for now Molly. Use these next weeks for some self reflection. Maybe then, you'll find an answer to heal your heart."

With a pinch of floo powder, the headmaster was gone, leaving Molly once again, alone.

0—

Arthur coughed as he stood to his feet. The horcrux had not even tried to disable the wards of the small shack, instead using Arthur to breach the protections with a steady throw. The magical blowback broke the imperius, but Arthur was still far too weak to put up a fight.

The girl with the tiara strode in smoothly, a sanctemonious smirk on her face. "Now… time to find my ring."

A series of hisses caught Arthurs attention. Three large snakes had slithered out from hideaways within the rotting out shack.

"Ah yes… the protectors. They will not listen to me in this body…" The girl smirked. "You can distract them."

Arthur let out a quiet yelp as magic hurled him into the snakes path. His yelp turned to a scream as they attacked, constricting and biting at his arms and legs.

The horcrux chuckled at the mans agony, stooping down next to a patch of crumbling wall. "Just a few moments more, then you shall be weak enough."

As Arthurs screams filled the air, the girls body drew its wand, and repeated a gentle tugging motion, causing the floorboards to split apart and reveal an ornate ring box.

"There we are… ah, I should probably remove this…"

With a flick of the glass wand and a mutter of foreign language, magic surrounded the box, before melting away.

"Perfect."

Arthur lay panting, his breath ragged as he could no longer speak. The pain was unbearable. The horcrux waved their wand and turned the snakes to dust, before leaning down and taking Arthurs hand.

"Now, you became a part of something greater."

Arthur screamed as hundreds of needles slashed through his mind. His thoughts were torn to shreds as a silky voice invaded his brain, taking over his consciousness.

And then he was adrift… Alone and unconnected. Watching through a haze as his body moved of its own accord, and spoke in a voice that was not its own.

"Back to the living…"

The girl with the diadem bared her teeth in a ferocious grin. "Perfect…"

"Who- Ah… I see. Me."

The girl chuckled. "So you understand."

"With that body, you must be in the lions den! Perfect. Then we will get a body to return to once more." Arthurs mouth spoke.

"I have found one who could pose a danger." The girl spoke. "But her blood is prime for the ritual."

Arthurs body threw back its head and laughed. "A perfect anchor! Very well. You get close as I prepare to let us rise once more. The dark lord shall be reborn in his own flesh."

The girl grinned once again, and spun on her heel before walking away. Arthur was left alone, with the Horcrux in control of his body.

"Hm… what a form this is… such magic. Such… knowledge." His hnds went up to his face and meticulously felt around, before a chuckle escaped his lips. "Lucius will be furious… Oh I cannot wait. Perhaps he shall be my first visit. But first… a wand."

The man checked his body for one, but found nothing. With a shake of his head, he walked out of the shack and made his way towards the decaying structure that was Riddle Manor.

"Of course, I know where I can find several spares."

0—

Albus rubbed his head as he sat down in his chair. He had spent hours searching the countryside for the Weasley boy, but to no avail. While he traveled, he kept an eye out for Arthur as well, but it was as if he was truly dead.

It had been a long day, for certain. His biggest problem was that the ministry knew about Ronalds disowned status, and would be out to snap his wand.

The flames of Dumbledores fireplace roared upwards into a green curtain, from which stepped an ould friend.

"Alastor. It is good to see you!"

The past retiring age auror huffed as he plunked himself down in one of the headmasters soft armchairs. "Always good to see me in a crisis. I heard about the Weasley boy."

Albus nodded. "Indeed. It is a tragedy."

The old auror shook his head and reached down to his mechanical leg, twisting a few bolts to ease up pressure on one of his old war wounds. "Always thought I was the one with screws loose, but then again, the war took its tolls on all of us."

Albus nodded. "Indeed. I fear however, that we have simply been in a state of ceasefire while Voldemort gathers his power."

"Yeh still think the old fart is kicking around?"

"Don't think, I know." Ablus leaned forward. "Arthur has gone missing, which is what started this whole mess. He was called back to cursebreaking."

Moody's magic eye whirled around in its socket. "Cursebreaking eh? What would bring him back to that death chasing job?"

"Horcruxes."

Moody froze, his eye landing on Dumbledores face. "Are you certain."

"More than certain. It was the goblin nation that brought him in. They found one."

Moody leaned back, his false leg creaking. "Madman made more than one. That heathen…"

Albus nodded. "Of course, you know what this means."

"That we are not prepared. And with Fudge in office, we never will be."

The headmaster smiled, tapping his fingers along his desk. "I will be doing my best to run damage control from here on. I need you to find the boy."

Moody nodded. "Done. We can't afford for the Weasleys to fall apart on us."

Albus nodded. "Along with that, I have a favor to ask."

"No, I won't be your defense against the dark arts professor."

Albus chuckled. "On the contrary. I have a certain student that you may get along with. Last year, a first year girl by the name of Merlot Scortwit was caught in the middle of a dark plot by one of Voldemorts fragments. She was injured by dark magic, and exposed to heavy cruciatus use. Now she requires a cane to walk, and her wand hand has tremors."

Moody pursed his scarred lips. "Why was the ministry not informed?"

Albus leaned back. "The thing is that they were… Lucius just assured Fudge that the incident was with minimal damages."

The chuckle he received reminded him of older days, before the wizarding wars.

"Good ol' Lucy at it again." Alastor shook his head. "So… what of this girl then?"

"She has permanent injuries Alastor. She is a genius when it comes to runes and magic in general. She flies on a broom better than the best seekers of today. She has a spark Alastor. That same spark that I once had."

"So… you want to make sure she can stay alive?"

"I believe she could do more, but for now, yes. Nobody could connect with her like you could. Your injuries, your history-"

"You know it all by heart Albus!" Moody barked out a laugh. "You could do it, could you not?"

"I fear what may happen if I try. She is too young to be drawn into this mess Alastor. Please… teach her?"

The man massaged the patchy scruff of his neck. "I'll see what I can do… The ministry will frown upon anything lethal."

"She has said time and time again, she wishes to do no harm to others." The headmaster responded. "Teach her about dodging, moving with a cane. Teach her about casting shield spells on instinct, about how your environment is your greatest ally."

"Still remembering my words from so long ago? When i bet them into James Potter and Sirius Black. Heh. I'll see Albus. Expect a visit from me within due time."

Dumbledore nodded and the Auror adjusted his leg, before leaving through the fireplace that he had entered from. Fawkes trilled lowly on his perch, cocking his head at Dumbledores face.

"Yes dear friend. I am just happy that I still have a few connections to this old soul…"

0—

And that's it! Nother chapter. You all understand what I have in store for Arthur!

He will be gone until the fourth book. Sorry not sorry. There might be a few snippets of him here and there, but that's it.

A few more chapters covering the summer months, and then we'll be back to school.

Leave a review, and as always, I'll see you next time.

Adios.