Chapter 18
Hit the Books
Thursday, 18 July 1996
The next morning Harry, Hermionie, and Ginny flamed back into Grimmauld Place. This time with a plan. "Order mostly uses the Ground Floor Hall. I recommend we set up shop in the First Floor sitting room. Bill's peak scry suggests there shouldn't be anything too big and bad in here now."
"Well, except us." Gin smiled.
"I wouldn't call all of us bad." Hermione said.
Gin and Harry shared a look. "Rita Skeeter," they said in unison.
"Noted," she accepted with a smile.
"Harry, you realize this is a large house, correct?"
"I walked it with you two days ago 'Mione, I remember."
"And we're thinking of a full inventory to try to find what we don't even know what we're looking for?"
"Well I don't think it's that bad. Brainstorm session: What do we know? Gin?"
"House Black had possession of two massively dark enchanted items: the locket, and the silver cup. Both of which trigger your scar, like Riddle." Gin reported.
"And they were enchanted with necrotic energy, possibly connected to resurrection." Hermione added.
"After the locket shock I saw a repeating vision of it, the silver cup, a book, a ring, a crown, a snake, and crying lightning. And just for reference you two have no issue with the vision as part of the equation?"
"Not when it's yours, love." Gin agreed with a pat on the back.
"Agreed Harry, things around you are rarely coincidence."
"Thank you, now I agree with Bill. These are not simple charms and aren't going to be whipped up in a day. Somewhere there is a reference to it."
"I have the inventory listing for Black Vault, and there's no books in there. So that makes this place the best resource we have for a clue. So we'll take inventory here."
He walked over to a mostly empty bookshelf and cleared the last few off of it. "This will be the reviewed shelf." Harry looked around and pulled an end table over. "This will be Potentials."
Harry pulled out the blank journal. "We log them, we sort them, we shelve them."
"Hermione, you're the most well read of all of us. Review, don't read, I trust your judgment."
"Certainly."
"And I got you help. "Owls Recorder, you speak, it writes."
"Thank you."
"Gin," he said with an arm around her shoulders. "All we need to do, though, is search every room, open every door, drawer, trunk and box, and bring every book and paper down her for review."
"Are you sure we can't just summon all books? " She gave a fake pout.
"We're in London now and we're still under age. Speaking of, 'Mione, how many days are you down to, sixty something, right?"
"Sixty three, and thank you for remembering."
"I knew she was counting down." Harry whispered. Gin smiled. But then reminded her. "We're on the muggle side, gotta do this the muggle way."
"This is not how I figured we'd spend our next date. You realize you will owe me like such a major snog for this, right?"
"Yes dear," he said as he hopped upstairs. Much to Hermione's amusement.
Which Ginny caught, "Oi, don't you be laughing, Miss Waltzing in like a minute before midnight. Don't think I dont know what you were doing last night."
Which did bring smiles to both of them. "So, girl talk, you and Ron had a date night?"
"Yes." Hermione said, smiling like the cat who ate the canary.
"Okay good to hear. I don't need details, but was there any talking last night?" she asked with a mischievous grin.
"Yes." Hermione answered.
"Excellent, and were any words siad?" she asked hopefully.
"Yes, we said the words," Hermione confirmed. Which resulted in squeals and hugs.
"We are so talking later." Ginny said as she headed upstairs.
"Absolutely."
The Ground Floor was essentially the meeting hall that the Order had been using.
"Harry, you sure you want to search the hall." Ginny asked mischievously.
"That's my hall, in my house. You're damn right we're checking it out."
"Impressive." Ginny said, "I was sure you were going skip that."
"Remus, lives here, kind of, I will give his room personal space. The rest, no mercy." Unfortunately, a meeting hall was not ripe with books nor papers. But at least Harry was pleased with the principal.
Harry started in the master bedroom going through the dresser. A couple of books were already on the bed. "By the way, did I happen to hear a happy girl squeal?" he asked as he worked.
"Maybe. So what of it."
"Well, considering I'm dating one of them and best friends with the other, I can be happy for others' happiness. It is a thing."
"Ron and 'Mione said the words last night." Ginn smiled as she started going through the closet.
"The words… love? Ron?"
"Harry, I thought you'd be happy for them."
"I am. I'm just impressed Ron stepped up. Good on him. I knew he had some plans yesterday. Didn't see that coming."
"That clearly shows the gender differences. You blokes barely ever say anything and still call that friendship. We girls actually do talk about like, feelings and things."
"You going soft on me, Gin?"
The reply came as a book was thrown into his backside. "Nope."
After they had finished the first room, Gin looked around. "Harry, this is the master bedroom right?"
Harry paused to think for a moment. "Ya.. I think so, yes."
"And you are the master of this house now, right."
"Coming up with another 'Master Potter' joke?"
"No babe, no jokes for a minute." Gin said as she sat on the bed and invited Harry over.
"Okay, what are you thinking?"
"I just want you to take a moment." as she took his hand. "Just like this is your ring. This" pointing around, "is your house and your room, Master Potter. I just want you to recognize that."
Harry smiled, "Thank you Gin, I appreciate the thought. I will fully admit it is slow but I'm coming into acceptance. Meeting hall as exhibit A. The ring feels normal on my finger now. I'm even getting used to the House Potter stuff."
"Oh, I can tell, you were damn near giving orders down there."
Harry grinned, "I'm so-"
"Don't," Gin stopped him with a finger to his lips, but a smile on her own. "Don't apologize. Not for being who you are. Leadership suits you. Our fourth condition, the Man Becoming, that's exactly what I meant."
Harry took her hand and kissed the top of it. "I hear you, even appreciate you. For reference, I do recognise this as mine. But it's not home. In truth, I've really gotten comfortable considering the Burrow as home right now."
"Oh, I wasn't suggesting you move. BELIEVE me, I wasn't"
"Didn't take it that way. I have thought about this place. I'm thinking while we're finishing at Hogwarts, maybe look into hiring some help in restoring this place. I'll be respectful and coordinate with the Order. I have no issue with this place being used for the War, but it would be nice to have a comfortable house after graduation."
"We?" Gin caught, with a smile and raised eyebrow.
"Hm?"
"Harry, you said 'we're' at Hogwarts." she pointed out with a smile. "Like you plan on us still together 2-3 years down the line."
"Oh," Harry said, very calmly more amused than anything. "Guess I did. Guess, I am. Is that so bad?"
"No, it's not…" she said with a hug and kiss. "It's almost as sweet as your Ginny Drawer."
"Unfortunately, our house is a mess right now, and WE should probably get back to work."
With an overly dramatic sigh, "Yes, Master Potter."
"I'll take the first load down Gin, meet you in the next room."
Harry took the stack of books down stairs where Hermione could already be heard. "The Complete Works of Lord Byron, Slytherin's Spellbook 1982, Wizard Dueling." Hermione had pulled over a second end table dedicated for the log book and the Owl Recorder. The quill was doing as asked and writing what she said. Which was making the review faster. She simply needed to read the title. Then she gave the book a basic review, then shelved it. "Recorder, stop." she ordered as Harry came in.
"Thank you for the recorder, great help. I have already added two more categories to the sort."
"No problem," he said as he dropped his stack of books along the wall. "I said I trust your judgment, what's up?"
"Top shelf, " She pointed to with a handwritten note labeled 'BLACK', "Three so far history, financials, etc of the Black family, things Master Potter should be aware of." "Second down," labeled 'DADA'," Black family had an interest in the dark arts. No, I haven't found anything on the level of what we want yet. But with your propensity for DADA, I thought you may want them collected."
"That's brilliant, 'Mione. Thanks." He gave it a moment before, "So… you and Ron too?" he asked."
Hermione smiled, "Yes, just last light."
"Congrats," he said with a shoulder hug.
"Oh.. I've been talking with Ginny so much. I just realized I don't think I ever congratulated you! Merlin, I'm sorry."
"Yes you did, 5 minutes before the Rita interview. It's like what Ron and I were talking about when we bumped into each other. It's been a weird month."
"A good month." she clarified.
"Which is what makes it unique." Harry said as he headed back upstairs.
"Recorder, copy." Hermione ordered as she returned back to work.
They spent the morning processing the books and papers of Grimmauld place. Most of the bedrooms were average collections of books and papers from an assortment of subjects.
On the third floor Harry did stick his head into Remus's room, but it was hard to call it that. It was cleaner than the rest of the house, but it was also even more sparse. It was clear Remus was very much a man who lived most of his time on mission. "Remus has been decent to us, Even liked how we handled the Battle of the Burrow. Leave his room alone. "
"Yes, Master Potter." Gin replied with a grin.
Regulus's room was the most unique. It was like stepping into Slytherin House complete with drapes saying as much and the Black Coat of Arms touting Always Pure. Ginny rolled her eyes as she read it. "Harry, can I ask a dumb question?
"Of course," as he started looking through shelves.
"I mean I know we both are, but do you care about pure blood?"
"Mud blood is an insult that will be said in my house, remember? Like I told 'Mione the other day. Raised 10 years on this side, I consider myself essentially muggle born. Hell, I don't even have problems with the mundane people. I care a lot more about people's actions than their family tree."
"Good answer," she rewarded with a kiss on his cheek as he passed by taking a load of books downstairs. Gin popped open the steamer trunk, the lid filled with news clippings reporting Voldemort and the Death Eaters work from the 1970's. The chest was filled with 20 year old variants of what she and her brothers had today. The quickly then finished out Remus's room which covered, most everything besides the Attic, which Harry knew would be a job all to itself.
He led Gen back down stairs.. Hermione heard them coming and stopped the recorder quill. "Any news?"
"No, but we're at midday, figured we all deserve lunch. My treat."
"Pizza?" Hermione offered.
"Winner for me. Gin?" he asked, he stopped and realized.
She smiled as she could read his mind. "Nope."
"Oh, oh wow, 'Mione, I'm glad you are here to share this."he said and came behind Ginny and hugged around her shoulders. "This will be Gin's first pizza."
"What? No way."
Ginny nodded with a smile.
"Oh, wait, because you're… and Harry and I are from… Brilliant!"
The three of them made their way to a local parlor, The Leaning Tower of Pizza. "This doesn't smell like anything I've had before. It smells good but different."
"I think that is the garlic and oregano you're picking up." Hermione clarified.
"That and tomatoes are the basics of Italian food. Man, I have a lot of muggle cuisine to introduce to you."
"I'll keep my calendar clear for you," Gin smiled.
To give Ginney a wider range, they got a half pepperoni and half sausage. Both she appreciated, but pepperoni was preferred. "So burgers, and pizza are both savory, with cheese, a bit greasy, and some bready produce with sauce.-"
"Sauce on a burger?" Hermione asked."
"She means ketchup."
"Oh, okay ya, I can see that."
"Anyway," Ginny continued. "Is all food… on this side … like this?"
"Not all by a long shot." Harry clarified.
"In fact a lot of what your mom cooks, mine has too." Hermione said.
"Gin, what you've experienced is what we call fast food or takeaway. It's meant to be easy to do what we do. Stop in quickly, get a bite to eat, and go."
"Not at all healthy." Hermione reminded.
"But convenient and popular."
"How busy are you guys that you don't even have time to cook that often?"
Harry and Hermione exchanged looks.
"People are very good at distracting themselves and filling their days with … stuff." Harry said sipping his soda. Then he had an idea.
Ginny saw the grin. "What are you thinking?"
"You two want an easy O for O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.?"
"Easy O's don't exist, Harry."
"What about Muggle Studies?" he said with a grin.
Gin saw where he was coming from and smiling. "One assumes I could find an experienced tutor.
"Well, you would have to put the time in, Miss Weasley, It's going to take many study dates."
"Deal," with a beaming smile
"Calm down, they would never let us register for that." Hermione countered.
"Gin, and Ron, include him in this, are exactly who that class is intended for, pure bloods with essentially no interaction with this side. And on paper, I'm as pure blood as them. And 'Mione, third year you took like a double class load. Don't tell me they watch your registration too close."
"You're serious?"
"Oh I get it, I'm sorry, never mind." Harry grinned
Gin could see Harry was planning an angle, but she couldn't see what it was yet. Regardless, it was damn fine to watch.
"You get what?" Hermione demanded.
"You're afraid. It's okay to admit." Harry continued to grin.
"I have never been afraid of a class in my life."
"Not the class, the grade. You're afraid there is one damn class I could beat you in."
"Harry, I could school you under the table." Hermione rose to the challenge.
"Prove it, take the class with us."
"Us?"
Ginny nodded, "Oh yea, I'm in on this. In fact, Dad may love to get in on this action."
"Take one class for a cake walk, or an excuse to spend more time with Ron."
She sat back and glared at him, with that smug, cocky grin, with Ginny sitting right next to me with bright eyes and a smile.
"Oh all right! I will take the easy class for once!"
"VICTORY!" Harry cheered.
After lunch they headed back to Grimmauld place. They fell back into the repetitive tasks, now going through the attic. The attic was slow and full and surprisingly, at the top of the house. It was annoying, it was frustrating, but it was the job.
Until Hermione turned the proper page. "Personal Journal of Reguls Black," she said for the recorder. Flipped through the pages like she had so many others.. Journals she tried to look a little closer to the final entries. As she read, her eye opened wide and she froze as she realized what she had. She was trembling as Ginny brought an arm load of books. ""Mione, you okay?"
"Recorder, stop." she had the wherewithal to remember. "We did it." she said in shock "We found something. We found something! WE FOUND SOMETHING!" she screamed upstairs.
Harry sprinted down the stairs. "What? Where?"
"The Personal Journal of Regulas Black." Hermione held it like a prize.
"Help me out. Related how?" Gin asked.
"Sirius's younger brother, he died years ago." Harry explained.
"His FINAL entries!"
Wednesday, 07 Nov 1979
I was invited before the Dark Lord. At first I thought words of my deeds for the Death Eaters had made word to him and finally granted recognition. He greeted me with normal hollow pleasantries. Even spoke of recent actions. I should have known something was afoul when he addressed me as Lord Black. He never uses that title outside himself.
He said he had taken yet another step in his quest of immortality and offered me the opportunity to show House Black's support. He showed me a locket, with inlaid greed stones in the shape of a snake. He said his latest horcrux shall have a home that mortal man should never tread, as such required the services of an elf. So he asked, if you would call it as such, for mine.
Saturday, 10 Nov
Kreacher returned to me last night in such a state as I had never seen. I am certain that it is only his elf nature and abilities that returned him to me. He described some sort of underground cave with a hoard of creatures. Apparently, the delivery of the locket entails the drinking of cursed liquid and survival of these fiends. A thought gnaws at my mind, If the Dark Lord is all powerful, why does he need a house elf to assist him?
Wednesday, 01 Dec
Everything has changed. I have spent the last few weeks in study of a singular question. What is a Horcrux and the price that has been paid for it? And that HE would pay it more than once. HE is not a lord to follow. I no longer only question his judgment, I question his sanity. Sirius's warnings now come to mind. I fear in the last month I have assisted a mad man in securing one of the darkest items ever forged, and it does not sit well with me. Kreacher has recovered. I have resolved to go there myself, retrieve the locket, and destroy it. I pray HE never finds out.
"The description fits! And if Riddle made them, that would explain how they trigger Riddle headaches!"
"Oh, it's more than that, read closer. 'his latest horcrux ' meaning multiple, confirming your silver cup, likely all of your vision. "another step in his quest of immortality" . Whatever these horcurxes are, THESE are how Riddle was able to back from the dead!"
"Bill did say they were likely tied to resurrection. It fits." Gin agreed.
"So if we just find 5 more things, figure out how to destroy them, we take out Riddle?" Harry clarified.
"It sounds like it will at least make him mortal. " Hermione agreed.
"I'll take it! It's a fair fight then!"