This chapter was brilliant in the first telling with the editing of my editor at that time. This time around, he worked some more of his magic and made it more beautiful.
Lion's Den
Things had been tense in the Lion's Den ever since Harry's name came out of the Goblet of Fire, compelling him to be the fourth Tri-Wizard champion. Since Dumbledor's shocking announcement that Voldemort was back and that Cedric had been murdered, the tension reached a whole new level. Of course, everyone wanted to ask Harry about what really happened at the end of the third task, but he wasn't talking.
For a change, Harry was grateful to Ron for his bluntness when it came to keeping the groupies and the gawkers away. Since Harry's release from Madame Pomfrey's care, Neville had not only joined the group, but taken up discouraging the groupies too. Most of the lions got the hint and kept their opinions and questions to themselves, either out of respect for Harry or embarrassment that they had doubted him before the first task. Sad to say Hermione and the Quidditch team were pretty much the only ones that never doubted him. That all changed for the better when they watched Harry face mortal danger in the form of the Hungarian Horntail and out fly it. The rest of Harry's critics changed their minds quickly when they became the targets of pranks courtesy of the Weasley twins. But, there was one particularly abrasive and persistent sixth year that never got the memo and just could not resist baiting Harry and his friends.
Harry was sitting in front of the common-room fire, discussing the events of the tournament and plans for the summer with Neville, Dean and Seamus, when Leonard Taylor entered from the boy's dormitory stairway. Since none of the prefects or the twins were around, he thought he'd have a go at Harry yet again, "Basking in your glory, telling your underlings all about your rule breaking, Potter?"
Harry pretended not to hear the muggle born bully. This routine was so old that it just faded into the background noise as far as he was concerned. Taylor was an idiot, too stupid to know when to quit. Dean spoke up, "Read the room, Taylor. Nobody's laughing."
Harry already knew how this was going to be. He excused himself, "I'm going to the library, mates. See you there later, Neville." And putting action to words, he exited through the porthole behind the Fat Lady portrait.
As he left, Taylor still trying to get a rise out of him, called out, "That's it, Potter. Run away. Run away like the coward you are! You're giving Gryffindor a bad name. You…"
He didn't get to finish that sentence because Neville instantly went from sitting to grabbing him by the front of his robes, pointing his wand right between the bully's eyes. He growled, "Go ahead. Finish that sentence. See what happens."
The transformation was shocking. Neville had always been quiet, easy going and frankly a bit of a joke. But this guy, with his magic oozing from every pour, red in the face, nostrils flared, his scowl laser focussed on the git's face didn't seem to be anything like that. Taylor had poked the bear one time too many.
Taylor shuddered with dread but managed to squeak, "What is it to you Longbottom? Potter cheated and..."
Taylor's limbs and head flailed about like a rag-doll as Neville shook him with the one-handed grip on the git's robes.
Taylor went cross-eyed as Neville pointed his wand between his eyes, "You ask me a question then continue to spew bilge from that festering gob. Keep it shut while I explain it to you and I'll use small words so your pea-brain will get it. Ever since the longboats of the Vikings landed on the shores of Avalon, from the first time that the Potters subdued the berserker hordes of the Viking raiders, my ancestors have been the allies of the Potters. He is my god-brother. Anyone stupid enough to mess with Potter will incur my wrath. I have loads of family magic to cut you down where you stand. And I'm not the only one you should be worried about. He has the ear of our Headmaster. He has dozens of allies in the noble houses. He is The Boy Who lived. And you? You have nothing! Keep shooting your mouth off and we will all use you for a whet-stone."
Taylor was struck dumb. He just stood there, trembling with fear, weak in the knees and quickly getting drenched with cold sweat. But Neville's grip on the older boy's robes held him firmly in place. Neville's fierce, red aura made it clear that his was no idle threat. Those who understood these things realised how powerful Neville Longbottom really was. The sheer amount of magic oozing out of him could make them faint if they were any closer.
Most of the pure bloods and some of the half-bloods knew about his family. Neville was a descendant of the Vikings who had raided Avalon to conquer new magics and add to their own as was their way. In their long journey, they had conquered every foe that they faced until they came face to face with the Potter-Bones-MacMillan alliance a millennium ago. Then Lord Hardwin Potter made an alliance with all the powerful families and raised a substantial force against the Vikings. A long weary and bloody war followed but at last, the Potter-Bones-MacMillan alliance prevailed and the advance of the Vikings was halted. After the Vikings were defeated, Lord Hardwin Potter convinced the Vikings to settle down in Avalon because he could see that they were powerful and would make good allies. A blood forged pact was made between House of Potter and the Vikings who started the Longbottom clan.
Since then Potters and Longbottoms were inseparable and lived by the motto "Wherever a Potter goes, a Longbottom will follow and a Potter will never abandon a Longbottom." There had been betrothals between the two Houses as recently as a few generations ago. Neville knew Harry did not know about the alliance but he was told of it by his grandmother. As was his duty, he was defending his ally and god-brother.
Neville shoved Taylor so forcefully that he tumbled head over heels and landed in a heap on the floor. Scrambling to get back to his feet, he fled as if being chased by Banshees.
The entire house was looking at Neville Longbottom in awe. That day, people realised one thing- You do not mess with Harry Potter unless you want Neville Longbottom as your enemy and an angry Longbottom can make a dark lord look like a puny kid.
Ronald Weasley who happened to enter the room just in time to witness the scene, opened his mouth to say something and perhaps put his foot in it, but one glare from Neville and he ran up to the fourth-year dormitories and did not appear again until it was time for dinner.
At the Tri-Wizard champion selection, Ron was miffed with Harry over the alleged cheating, not because Harry had somehow put his name in the Goblet of Fire, but rather because Harry had not shared with Ron, his best mate, how he did it. Ron flatly refused to believe Harry's insistence that he had no idea how it was done. It was Ron's own need for gold and glory that kept him from taking his friend's word.
But that all changed after Ron watched Harry face a full-grown dragon in the first task. The cold reality that his best friend could have died snapped him out of his jealousy. Even though Ron apologized the moment he was able to and had helped Hermione to prepare Harry for the next two tasks, the rest of the Gryffindors could see that things had cooled between the two of them.
The altercation between Longbottom and Taylor never made it to Harry's ears. Even the Hogwarts grapevine knew better than to speak of it when Harry was around. The tale of the display of extraordinary magic or that the display of sheer power by Longbottom was the talk of the castle for a few days and people started seeing Neville in a new light.
Since the end of the third task, the students understood that Harry was keeping a distance between himself and them. Ron and Hermione were always with him, like a shadow, but even between the golden trio they were quieter. Hermione refrained from her usual end-of-year badgering to get everyone to revise the year's work. Even Ron was holding his peace, keeping his foot out of his mouth. Students speculated and they were mostly correct, that Harry was still traumatized from the events of the third task and gave him space to get through it all.
This after noon, while Ron and Hermione were otherwise occupied, Harry was sitting in his usual chair near the fire in the Common Room when Neville Longbottom took the adjacent seat.
"Ha... Harry, how are you?", he began.
"If it's all the same to you, Neville, I'd rather not talk about that. However, I have some questions for you and I'd appreciate it if you could be straight with me.", Harry answered cooly.
"Sure Harry", he mumbled.
"You are my god brother', he said poking him in the chest, "and yet you never told me. You know of my family and you knew that I do not know anything about it yet you did not tell me anything. Why?"
Neville sighed and shook his head, "Yes, I know a few things about your family and the history of our house alliance. Just like every other kid, I read all the books about 'the Boy Who Lived'. Imagine my surprise when my Gran told me you are my god-brother. That's when she told me about the alliance and how my Mom insisted on being your god-mother. But, when I saw you on the train, I didn't connect you with the hero of the books. Then you were sorted into Gryffindor and I knew who you really are. I'm sorry. I tried to tell you a hundred times, but Ron was always making things difficult and you seemed happy with Hermione and Ron for friends and my courage failed me. I mean, what proof did I…"
Ron chose that moment to pop up, "Hey Harry. It's a beautiful day out there! What say we go flying? Maybe I can have a go on your Firebolt?"
Harry, irked by the interruption, sternly said, "Ron, as you can plainly see, I'm talking to Neville. I do not want to go flying right now."
Ron, eyes downcast, slumped off toward the boy's staircase.
Harry turned to Neville, "It would be better if we take our discussion elsewhere. This talk is long overdue and I don't want to be interrupted again."
Taking a cue from his words, Neville exited the portrait hole behind him and they found an empty classroom on the 6th floor. After locking the door and sitting down, Neville continued, "I tried to talk to you about these things lots of times but Ron had this idea that since you are his best mate, you won't be friends with others. There is also the fact that he claimed that since you did not know about the Great Alliance it was irrelevant to you. If you needed, you would make new alliances, especially with the Weasleys. I know for a fact that children of House Potter's allies of the Great Alliance have tried making friendships with you in the past but Ron actively discouraged them."
"Hang on! What do you mean by Family's allies and alliance with the Weasleys?", he asked, confused and angry that nobody told him anything, "What is this alliance? And where does my family come in it? I mean if they were significant then Dumbledore should have mentioned them."
Harsh Vardon's voice came from the open doorway that Harry had just locked, "Quite to the contrary Mr. Potter, your family has an identity independent of you". The Mystic entered and locked the door behind him.
"Mr. Harsh Vardhan, we were just talking", said Harry trying to change the subject.
"I can see that", Harsh said, "And I know about your and his family. Now won't you introduce me to your friend here?"
Harry knew nothing of the sort. In his mind, he thought that since Harsh knew about Harry then he would definitely know about Neville.
Harsh Vardhan began again, "My apologies, heir of Longbottom but since Heir Potter is lacking his manners, I would introduce myself. My name is Harsh Vardhan and I am a healer trainee at this school for the moment. In my profession, it is one of my habits to gauge other's powers and how they fare on the Wizarding Power Index. I have noticed that you and Mr. Potter figure quite high on that list but I don't find that surprising considering your family's history."
"You know of my family?"
"Yours and Mr. Potter's", Harsh said and then turned to Harry, "and I had been hoping to talk to you and Mr. Longbottom before the summer vacations began since there are a few things I wanted you both to know. Now as I was saying, your family has an identity that is quite separate from your identity as the boy-who-lived. Your grandfather Charlus was a warrior in his days of yore and fought in the Grindelwald wars with his sworn brother Jeremy Longbottom and his friend Arcturus Orion Black. When he returned to private life, he continued his research in potions and invented the Sleekeazy potion which is one of the most selling cosmetic potions in the world. During the war, Charlus Potter and Arcturus Orion Black had even confronted Grindelwald and got him once with a dark cutter to his abdomen. Afterwards, Grindelwald actively avoided the duo of Potter and Black. It was due to the friendship born on the battlefield that Arcturus proposed that Charlus marry Dorea Black. It also helped that your grand-father knew Dorea from Hogwarts and was smitten with her. Your father, though a prankster during his time in school, was an exceptionally gifted student when it came to Transfiguration. Shortly after graduating, he joined the Aurors with your mother who was a part- timer in the Auror forces. Together, they defied Voldemort three times. As for your family history then your family is very old having descended from one of the older families which produced fearsome war mages and have had the most impressive family magic. Your ancestor, Linfred of Stinchcombe, was one of the 13 wizards who helped Merlin establish Avalon i.e. magical Britain. When his son, Hardwin Potter married the last descendant of the Peverells, Iolanthe Peverell, the grand-daughter of Ignotus Peverell, the two family lines were combined through her. Your family came here from ancient Rome where the Potters were generals in the magical army and were very formidable. There has never been a war where there wasn't a Potter in the middle of it. Your family made its name for courage, bravery and chivalry.
The Longbottoms were magical Vikings who were going around the modern Europe conquering nations and assimilating new magics into their family magic when they reached the shores of Avalon. Your ancestor Hardwin Potter with his allies the Bones, the Greengrasses, the MacMillans and many other families raised a formidable force and clashed with the Vikings. After a long drawn out battle, the Vikings were defeated and their leader Edmund Longbottom was taken captive by the allies. Later Hardwin Potter released him and convinced him and his Vikings to settle here. When the Longbottoms settled in Avalon, Hardwin Potter proposed an alliance between the House of Potter and Longbottom clan. Since then, there has never been a Potter without a Longbottom. They famously say about you two, "Where a Potter goes, a Longbottom will follow and a Potter will never abandon a Longbottom'. There has always been a Potter with a Longbottom. Like when Neville's father was at Hogwarts, your father James was here and now you both are here."
Harry's mind was reeling with all the information that he had been given. There was so much that he did not know and who knows because of his ignorance and Ron's jealousy, how many people he offended because he did not know about his family, his allies and the Great Alliance as it was known. He resolved to have words with a certain red headed Weasley and lemon-drop loving old man. The Head Master had his best interests at heart but he made so many decisions for Harry which were not for him to make. There was also the fact that he had only two friends for the last four years and if they were to make it through this war, he needed to make more friends.
Harsh was already talking to Neville, "Now Mr. Longbottom, I have heard that you are a very good student at Herbology. I also know of your family so I know what you are going through at this time. I have some questions to ask, if it is agreeable to you."
Neville merely nodded because he did not had much to contribute in the way of communication since he didn't know Harsh Vardhan or what he may want to talk about.
Harsh continued, "I wanted to know about the condition of your parents. Do you have any idea of their prognosis? What does the healers of St. Mungo's have to say about it? I know that they were subjected to over-exposure of Cruciatus curse and have never recovered. But did any of the healers not find anything that would cure them?"
Neville was trembling because he was ashamed that he had never told anyone about his parent's condition and Harry might think badly of him for not telling. It was not that Neville was ashamed or embarrassed about it. Quite to the contrary, he thought very highly of his parents because others often touted of them as heroes. Apart from whatever the Longbottoms had done in the past, Frank Longbottom commanded respect for his own prowess on the battle field.
Harry put a hand on his shoulder and said softly, "It's alright Neville. I know death eaters cowardly ambushed your parents and tortured them for any information on Voldemort when he was vanquished the last time. They were heroes of our world. That is what I have heard."
Gathering courage from Harry's reassurance, Neville started in a whisper, "Ever since I have been conscious of them, I have never seen anything change in them. Over the years, a lot of healers have seen them, prescribed medications and treatment for them but nothing worked. Around 5 years ago, a healer saw them who told us that there was a treatment which he had found described in some very ancient medical journal which could be helpful but woefully, he could not recollect it. All that he remembered was that it involved some very elaborate ritual which has to be performed by someone very well versed in the arts of mind magic. Since mind magic is prohibited in this country and the few practitioners we do have are not into healing, there was little that could be done. He said that if he could find someone who knew the cure, he could arrange for the same to be performed by a wizard powerful enough to do it. My Gran even told them she would reward him as per his wish if he could find the treatment and she would go and beg Dumbledore to help us, if she had to. She was hopeful that the headmaster would help them if she asked but the healer could not recall the information that we desperately needed."
"To keep it between us, but I am well versed in the healing aspects of mind magic. From what you describe, I can remember only one ritual which can be successful in helping your parents", Harsh said, "For the sake of old friendships and for everything that your family has done for the wizard kind, I can take a look at them to see if any treatment is possible. Mind you that I am not giving any guarantees but there is a sliver of hope. Can you arrange a meeting with Dowager Lady Longbottom?"
Neville's face lit up in hope at the man's words and despite his caution that it could all be for naught, Neville's demeanour was not dimmed. Harry watched his friend looking the happiest he had been since the day Harry met him. He hoped that Harsh would be able to cure Neville's parents.
Oblivious to Harry, Harsh continued, "There is something else that I wanted to talk about. I have heard people make fun of you, but the thing is that you are powerful than most of the students and some of the teachers themselves. You have so much raw power that you would easily be a sorcerer by the time you are magically matured. I want to test a theory about this."
Conjuring a dummy, he asked Neville, "Will you use a blasting hex on the Dummy, Mr. Longbottom?"
Straightening himself, Neville levelled his wand at the dummy and firmly incanted while doing the required wand motion, "CONFRINGO!" A pale blue spell left his wand and impacted the dummy, chipping away a little from the dummy.
Harsh observed the damage done to the dummy and was not satisfied with what he saw, "Again, Mr. Longbottom and this time I want you to put more power behind this spell."
Neville again tried and this time, the right arm of the dummy was blasted away. But it was also visible on Neville's face that he had put a lot of power behind the spell.
"Mr. Longbottom, the amount of power that you had put in this spell should have blasted the dummy to dust. If your wand is not broken, it should be able to channel your magic effectively. Since I see no problem in you putting power behind your spells as you desire, therefore, it stands to reason that there must be some problem with your wand. Did you buy your wand from Ollivanders as most English children do when they turn 11?"
"No, it was my father's wand. My grandmother gave it to me when I started at Hogwarts because she thought I could honour my father by using this wand", Neville said.
"Show me your wand", Harsh commanded and Neville extended his wand to him.
Neville handed the wand to the Mystic. He took it in his hands and inspected it very closely. Then he held the wand close to his ear as if listening to it. When he was done, he turned to Harry, "Do you have a question, Mr. Potter?"
"When I got my first wand, Ollivander told me that the wand chooses the wizard. Is that the reason that Neville has problems performing spells with this wand?"
Harsh nodded, "You are right, Mr. Potter." Then he turned to Neville, "Mr. Longbottom, wizards cannot just select a wand and use it. The relation between a wand and a wizard is very intimate and very familiar. Only a wizard whose wand has chosen him will get the best results out of that wand. The wand will remain loyal only to that wizard until he is defeated. This wand that you have been using for the last four years is not loyal to you. This is your father's wand and since you did not best him and he still alive, therefore, its loyalty isn't towards you. That is the reason that this wand has opposed you whenever you try to use a spell with it. Any results that you have got out of it has solely been possible because you put too much power in your spells to overcome the will of the wand. You may benefit from a visit to Ollivander's in the summer but to satisfy my curiosity, would you use this wand?"
Neville took the wand that Harsh offered him. As he caressed it lovingly. He could feel his magic begin to sing. A sense of warmth pervaded his body as he touched the polished wood and intricate carving. It was like nothing he had ever experienced with his father's wand. A part of him that had always been asleep was awake at last. A sense of completion filled him. He levelled the wand at the dummy and incanted the spell. This time, instead of a feeble pale blue, a blinding, brilliant violet bolt of energy shot from his wand and with a deafening report, all that remained of the dummy was a cloud of settling dust and a few tiny fragments.
"Good show Neville!", exclaimed Harry, impressed, "Remind me not to get on your bad side."
Neville looked in astonishment at his own hand and the wand. He had trouble believing what he just did with a strange, new wand that was not his. With his father's wand, it was a battle to cast any kind of spell but this wand served him without any effort whatsoever, to devastating effect. When Harsh held out his hand, he reluctantly returned the wand, with yearning in his eyes and wanting to have another taste of the power he had just seen.
"It appears that I was correct in my observations", Harsh said smiling, "Your problem was the wand and not your magic. You are powerful than most of the students and some of the teachers at this school. Now please honour me by accepting this wand for your own."
Neville was utterly gob-smacked. He had trouble believing that such a magnificent gift could possibly be his. He questioned his good fortune, "But, isn't this your wand? Why are you giving it to me?"
"Oh no, this is not my wand, Mr. Longbottom. You see, this wand had come to me through someone and I am merely keeping it. This is a family wand and it belongs to the Longbottom family. I was never meant to use it but to keep it safe until the time came for a Longbottom to claim it. When I saw you, I realised that the time had come for this wand to go in the hands of its rightful owner. It is a funny thing how wands without an owner can lie around for decades showing no affinity to anyone but would awake suddenly for someone. Now if I were you, I would be cautious in bragging about that wand. It has different materials in the core than are normally used by wand makers. If I am being honest, it is a wand which fits legends and fables. Any wand maker who would know that you have this wand would be tempted to borrow it to study. If you would take my warning, then never show this to anyone except your family. In fact, if you were to show it to Ollivander, there are chances that you won't see it again. And trust me when I say that if Ollivander knew that you have this wand, he would offer you his entire vault just to get a chance to study this."
Neville looked at the wand recognizing the Longbottom crest on the hilt of the wand and the Longbottom motif, the Hippogriff, carved into it. But he did not recognise the wood or the core material.
He looked toward Harsh Vardhan who returned his curious gaze. Harsh answered his unasked question, "This wand was a gift to your family. A repayment for a deed of valour by Lord Harfang Longbottom who had saved a family of wand makers from a horde of dark creatures and a dark lord. The wand maker had access to woods of the mythical grove of Dodona from where he picked up a piece of wand wood and infused it with the magical powers of the sacred grove. The core for this wand comes from Pravirakarna, a species of immortal owl found in the Himalayas which is famous for their mythical powers such as wisdom, power and strength. They are like the phoenixes though the phoenixes have burning day, they do not and they are very few in numbers. They are not born but made. If anyone else except your family ever asks about your wand, tell them it is a family wand."
Neville was elated. He had just been given a gift like nothing he had ever known. He could feel the power in himself and the wand. It was a beautiful thing but it was also a tool of destruction. Maybe, now he could make his parents proud. What he did not realise at that moment was that destiny had forged a special path for him.
"Mr. Harsh Vardhan", Harry said, "You said something about an index. What is that?"
"The 'Wizarding Power Index' as it is known classifies witches and wizards into categories based on the level of their powers. Any wizard who has any special powers would obviously rank up higher on the index. A muggle would show a 0 on the index, while from 0 to 20 is a squib. From 20 to 60 are wizards who can do magic but not perform those which require more power behind them. Above 60 to 150 are normal wizards who can perform all the magic that is normally taught at Hogwarts. From 150 to 280 lies the Sorcerer, from 281 to 450 lies the Grand sorcerer, above 451 to 700 lies the mage, 701 to 850 lies the Grand mage and anything above 801 is arche mage. There aren't that many archmages in the world because they are so rare. When a child turns 5, they are measured for the first time. The second time they are measured is when they turn 11 and their magic starts settling. Lastly they are measured at 17 when they reached majority. Usually any wizard's power levels can increase when they reach their magical maturity which generally occurs when they are 21. There are a few exceptions where the wizards reached maturity before 21 and they were very powerful wizards."
Harry nodded. This was a satisfying conversation that he had with Harsh. He had told him a lot that he had no idea about. A lot about his family and Neville's history that they shared together. By his act, he had brought them closer than they were previously. He already knew that James and Lilly were Neville's godparents and he promised himself that he would get closer to his god brother as he should.
Thinking of his parents he remembered that Alice Longbottom was his godmother. May be, with Alice Longbottom being cured and Sirius being free, he could have some semblance of family and happiness. He and Neville had so much more in common than others students his age. Both had grown up without parents and craved parental love. Both had their lives messed up by others. Both were subject of a wretched prophecy and it could have been either of them. Remembering Dumbledore telling him about the prophecy, suddenly Neville's high power levels made sense. If it could have been either of them then it was logical that both of them would possess power equal to Voldemort, if not greater. Another similarity which made him snort was that they both were tormented by Snape. He still had a message for Snape and it was time to deliver it and set the record straight.
"Now Mr. Potter, there is something that I want to tell you. As you know, there is a war coming and you cannot win a war by being a single soldier. A single soldier becomes a martyr and not a winner. If you want to win this war, you will need people on your side who could be your shield when you need them and your weapon when you are threatened. Your family had a lot of allies and you would need to connect with them as was the custom of your forefathers before you. You are a leader and it is time for you to take up the reins. And Mr. Longbottom, the bond of god brother is a very sacred one especially when your families share a history that is older than history of this nation itself."
Harsh Vardhan took his leave of them and left the younger boys in silence, pondering over the entire conversation.
Snape's Office, the Dungeons
Severus Snape was sitting in the Potion Master's Office, a bottle of Ogden's best fire whisky open before him and a half filled glass in hand. On the table in front of him was a photo of Lily during her time in Hogwarts. This picture was clicked a month before the O.W.L. exams. Margret McVeigh, a muggleborn Ravenclaw in their year had convinced them to pose for a picture together. In this picture, Lily was laughing heartily looking at the camera while Severus was trying to smile which came out more as a grimace but still watching Lily laughing was his best memory and that was what fuelled his patronus.
After her MARRIAGE, he had thought he was done with her but then he had to hear that wretched prophecy and tell the Dark Lord about it which led to Lily's death. He should have moved away then, but he had not and now he was paying for it. He had to watch the brat all the time while he went off to one adventure after another, risking his life just like his father before him. When he looked at Harry Potter, he remembered James Potter and his infamous friends, who defined themselves by their stupid name, "Marauders'. This year was hardest on him since Harry Potter had come to Hogwarts and this would get worse before getting better. Damn the old fool and his manipulations.
Suddenly there was a knock on his door. He banished the bottle to the cupboard with a flick of his wand, vanished the glass and grunted, "Enter'. The door opened and Harry Potter stood on the threshold. The day just had to get worse.
"Potter, I have no patience for any nonsense from you. This better be important.", he sneered.
"Professor, I would rather not disturb you, but I have a message for you from my mother", replied Harry soberly.
"Are you trying to prank me Potter? Just like your father and the mutt?", he barked.
Harry's expression turned stern, "I had this message that my mother gave to me when I was in the magical coma. I can assure you it was real, Sev."
The emphasis on the word was not missed by Snape who knew that only Lily called him by that name. There was no way that anyone else could have told the brat about that name. Black would have called him Snivellus. Was the brat telling the truth? Did he really meet Lily? Eager for any answer, he beckoned Harry, offering him the other chair and waited for Harry to start telling the story.
"While I was in the magical coma, I went to a cottage in Godric's Hollow where I met with my parents and Potter grand-parents. My mother said you were her friend and that she was disappointed that you could not rise above petty grudges and you treat me like my father. You forget that I am not my father but my own person", Harry said, "she also said that she has forgiven you for everything that happened between you two and that she is at peace now, but; the path you have trodden hurts her. She also told me to convey that if you do not mend your ways, she will have words with you when you turn up."
Severus flinched at the tone of the message. Lily was indeed angry with him and she had a right to be so. He had solemnly promised himself that he would look after Harry Potter, but he never did. He had only satisfied his grudges against James Potter. He had already fallen too far to get any redemption. But maybe, he could still turn things around. Yes, the boy did remind Snape of his father, James, in so many ways, but this boy also had her eyes and if he could sum up Lilly in one trait, it was that she had always been unfailingly kind.
"Potter... Harry, your mother was my best friend. In fact, she was my only friend and I knew her from her parent's place. Your grand-father Harrison was a successful businessman and lived in the wealthy part of the town while my muggle father lived in the poorer section. I saw Lily with Petunia doing some magic and helped her to understand what was happening to her. We came to Hogwarts together and I hoped that we would be sorted into the same house but I was sorted into Slytherin and she went into Gryffindor. We remained friends even after that and we were friends until our OWLs. In fourth year, I was sought after by scions of the dark families who wanted my talents for the Dark Lord's purposes. The Dark Lord was a force to be reckoned with and we were enamoured with him. I refused initially and kept on refusing, but they kept trying to seduce me to the dark side with gifts, promises of a better future and what not. They painted a rosy picture of a world where the wizarding world would be living in harmony with each other but alas! I did not realise my folly until it was too late. I had a falling out with your mother because I said something I could not take back when she was only trying to help me. That rift never healed to the end of her life. Then your father gained some maturity in 6th year and he finally wooed your mother after years of trying. I am sorry that I kept taking my anger out on you when you came to Hogwarts", he said finishing.
Normally, Snape would never have said so much or so honestly to Harry, but he was pretty deep in his cups and the boy had just brought him a priceless gift, that being forgiveness from the only woman he had ever loved. His grudges melted away as he realized how unfair he had been. Harry may look like his childhood nemesis, but the boy had his mother's eyes and his mother's heart. In that moment, Severus resolved to do everything in his power to make sure that Harry Potter survived his next encounter with the Dark Lord.
Harry had always wanted to know the reason for Snape's hatred towards him. Hearing all this from him was a surreal experience. He did not know if he liked it or not that Snape was his mother's friend. To clarify, Harry asked, "If I may be so forward as to ask, Professor, have you carried a grudge all these years because you fancied my Mom but my Father won her heart?".
At that, an expression crossed Snape's face that was difficult to describe. Harry thought that perhaps Snape almost laughed. He answered, "Oh no, Hary. There was much more to it than that. However, perhaps that is a tale I will share when The Dark Lord is defeated."
Deciding to leave before he over-stayed his welcome, he said to Snape, "Professor, my father told me that he was sorry for all the stupid pranks on you and that you can be a better man than you are. Good Night, Professor."
"Good night, Harry", Snape could barely say.
Harry Potter turned his world upside down today. The messages from two people who impacted his life the most made him rethink his actions. He had done nothing to merit praise from anyone but only garnered hate and prejudice. Students hated him and called him a greasy slimy dungeon bat when they thought he could not hear. He wore black robes ever since Lilly died to mourn her. His life became even darker when he took sadistic pleasure in harassing and menacing students so much that they hated his name. He had become his father. He treated Longbottom so badly that the boy's boggart was him! He was disgusted with himself and decided to change things as soon as he could.
Lion's den
Harry Potter sat in his usual place in the common room reading through a book of defensive magic which was gifted to him the previous year when he heard tapping and saw Hedwig at one of the windows. He opened the window letting her in and took the letter from her claws. It was addressed to him and there was the seal of Gringotts on the envelope. Wondering what the Goblins wanted with him, he opened the letter.
"Dear Mr. Potter,
We have tried to contact you in the past but all our efforts failed till now. We have been sending you letters since you returned to the magical world and your quarterly statements and requested a meeting a couple of times to discuss your finances with you and the state of your vaults but you never responded and thus, lost very lucrative opportunities to invest in some good businesses.
"Since there has been a major change in your account status, we decided to send this letter through your familiar since she can get through any wards you are behind if she carries your ordinary conversation. We request a meeting at your earliest convenience.
"We are sending you your heir ring. Wear it when you enter the bank. On showing it to the teller, you will be given admittance to my office immediately.
May your gold ever flow.
Regards
Ragnok,
Lord of Goblin Nation
Harry was flummoxed. What did this Ragnok mean by accounts? All he knew about was his trust vault with a bit of gold in it that he was using frugally to fund his education. Was it possible that he had more than that? He decided to ask Sirius when he met him at the platform in London.
"Harry mate...", Ron's voice interrupted his musings, "can I talk to you?".
Harry was not in the best mood for a conversation with anyone since he was going over the thought of Severus Snape and Lilly Potter being friends over and over again but he nodded nonetheless. His first and best friend just might divert him from his mad speculations of how things might have been if his mother married the dungeon bat and Ron had some questions to answer. Harry wanted to get that sorted before the long train ride back to platform 9 .
Looking at the letter, Ron asked, "Who wrote you?"
"Ragnok from Gringotts", he answered shortly. Then looking at Ron, "He wants me to meet with him about my accounts? But surely, all I have is the trust vault, enough to get me through Hogwarts."
Ron sputtered in reply, "What?! You mean you don't know? Neither Dumbledore, nor Sirius or even Hagrid or any of the Goblins ever told you?"
Harry, vexed, growled, "Told me what? What do you know?"
Ron laughed out loud, shaking his head, "Harry! Your parents were the only heirs of wealthy families on both sides. The Potter fortune is older than England! Haven't you ever noticed that no matter how much you use up from your trust vault the pile never gets any smaller? Where do you think that comes from? It is refilled from your family main vault. You, like other ancient families, probably have a whole bunch of vaults: one full of gold and artefacts, a Dowager vault, another full of furniture and paintings, and another full of armour, weapons and books, including Grimoires. And accounts, I'll bet you have properties, estates and investments everywhere. I'm sorry, but I thought you knew. I thought you were just being modest because you never said anything about it. You have enough gold to make Malfoy look like a beggar!"
"How do you know so much about it?", asked Hermione who had come to sit beside them while Ron was having his say.
Ron's ears turned Weasley red and Harry stifled a snort.
"I am a pureblood Hermione. Just because I choose not to prance around like Malfoy, lording it over everybody, doesn't mean that I don't know anything", he said, "Harry's family is very old and influential. The House of Weasley was also an Ancient and Noble house once but due to some mistake made by one of my ancestors, the other Ancient and Most Noble Houses took our status away."
"Did the House of Malfoy lead the other families to do so?", asked Harry.
Ron snorted, "Malfoy may act like he owns the place but his family is hardly an ancient family. His ancestors came here from France around 300 years ago. The House of Malfoy isn't even worthy of sitting upon the Wizengamot."
"Wizenwhat?" asked Harry, confused.
"Honestly Harry, don't you read? The Wizengamot is like the muggle parliament and the houses sit on it and act like the government. The Minister is the head of the ministry but the real power lies with the Houses. They have the power to vote", Hermione said in her all so familiar bossy demeanour, proud of having answered a question that he knew nothing about.
Before Harry could choose what to say in reply to her, there was a pop and Winky appeared beside him and curtsied with a bow and said, "Master be sending letter for Harry Potter."
"Thank you, Winky", said Harry taking the letter from Winky who disappeared with a pop while Hermione was glaring daggers at him.
"Harry, isn't she Barty Crouch's elf? Who is she bonded with? Why would anyone willingly enslave anyone? This is inhumane and barbaric. What about their rights?", she shot off a volley of questions along with her opinion on the matter.
"She was Crouch's elf but he freed her. Sirius later took her into the service of House of Black. And he is paying her for her work. By the way Hermione, did you do all the research on house elves? Like why they bond with wizards or witches?", he calmly asked her.
"It is obvious Harry that they are brain washed into serving the wizards who chose to enslave them thinking they are...", she was starting to go on ranting.
Harry cut her off mid rant, "Hermione! 'It is obvious'? The only thing that is obvious is that you don't know what you are talking about. Before you go on and on and offend every well-meaning pureblood here and some of the half-bloods too, answer my question. Have you done any research into the wizard-elf bond?"
"No", she said embarrassed.
"I would appreciate it if you would go and do your research or go down to the kitchens and ask the elves about it. I know the answer to this question, but I would rather that you find this answer by yourself", he replied calmly.
That shut Hermione up but he was surprised at his own behaviour. If it had happened earlier, he would have been terse towards her but lately, he had been noticing changes in his behaviour. No longer was he the rash, abrasive boy who rushes headlong into a situation. Now he looks into the situation, figures out a plan and then executes it.
He had also started reading anything that he could get his hands on. In the last few days since he was released from the infirmary, he was either in the library or his dorm, reading his books. It was like someone had started a fire under him and he now had to sate it any way he could.
Hermione started up again, "OK, I'll do the research, find out how right I am and then I will say, 'I told you so.'". Then she left in a self-righteous huff for the library.
As she left through the portrait hole, Ron brought Harry back to the topic, "What do the goblins want, mate?"
"They want a meeting as soon as possible. I suppose I can go meet them when the holidays start", he replied offhandedly.
"But you will be coming to the Burrow, right?", Ron asked him anxiously.
"I want to, Ron. There's just some stuff I have to do first. I don't know how long it will take. This reminds me Ron, I wanted to ask you some questions", he said sternly.
"Yeah", Ron gulped knowing what was probably coming.
"You can start by explaining why you did not tell me about my family. I mean you seem to know all about them: houses, wealth and alliances. You know I was raised under a rock by muggles and you never said anything. What's that all about?"
"You see mate, I was afraid that after you learned about your family and your wealth that you would start hanging out with the rich kids and not be my friend anymore", Ron said, haltingly.
Harry knew that Ron envied his fame and fortune. What he failed to see, however; was the price Harry had paid, the pain he had suffered, or that Harry didn't care for any of it or that he would have gladly given it all up to have a family like Ron's. For that matter, he would have gladly shared his gold with Ron, but couldn't because Ron would never accept it.
Harry gave Ron a thump on the shoulder, saying, "Ron, you prat, you are my first friend and your family is brilliant! I love the way you all get along and your Mom makes me feel more welcome and loved than my muggle aunt ever did. And, as for hanging out with the rich kids? Well, you can see how I get along with Malfoy and his lot. You are my friend, have been since the moment I met you and that's not about to change."
A few people in the common room watched this with bated breath. They thought that Harry was really going to let loose on Ron, perhaps treating him to some of the hexes Harry had learned in the last few months, while demanding answers. But, what they saw was anti-climactic. It seemed that Harry had grown more thoughtful and deliberate, quite a change from the boy they all knew.
Ron began to apologize, "Thanks for that, Harry. The fact is that I need to apologize for being a huge git and chasing off the other students that were trying to renew the old alliances with you. I had no right to interfere when what I should have done was introduce them and help you to know who they are. I'm really sorry Harry. How can I make it up to you?"
Harry relaxed a bit while he thought things over. Then he began, "OK, Ron, Since you ask, here's what I want you to do. First, apologize to every one of our school mates that you offended. Second, help me to understand how these old alliances work. Get that done and I'll consider us square. There's a certain candy loving Headmaster and a mangy mutt that owe me some explanations, but that's not on you. The best I can hope for is to sort this all out before I offend anyone else."
Ron, seeing that Harry needed answers, could only say what he knew. He tried, "Mate, Harry, I am sorry. My Dad already dressed me down for the very same thing. I have already apologized to Susan Bones and I will apologise to others. I know it seems lame now, but I really was just trying to keep the groupies and gawkers away from you, you know, so they wouldn't bother you too much. And yes, I have to admit, that I was jealous. All these kids from wealthy families, trying to be your friend and everything I own is second-hand rubbish. But that's still no excuse. I should have just let you make up your own mind about who your friends are. I mean, after all, you showed remarkably good judgement when it came to Malfoy."
Harry said sadly, "I thought that after all we have been through together, that you would trust me by now. But when it came right down to it, you didn't believe me and joined in with all the rest, believing that I put my name in the goblet of fire. When Hermione was there for me. She believed me, but; where were you? I'll tell you where you were, feeling sorry for yourself, shutting out your best mate. As we later found out, it was a stinking death eater that put my name in the cup with some wonky plan to sacrifice me to Voldemort and I had to compete whether I liked it or not. I nearly died Again! And then I find out that I'm some big-shot in some grand alliance that I never heard of, that you know all about it and you're driving people away that I have obligations to? That's a lot to take in. So far, you have yet to earn my trust back. Maybe, someday, we might be best mates again, but not today."
As good as his word, Ron spent most of that day and the next tracking down the people he had been rude to and helping Harry to understand who they were. Most were very understanding that Harry had been kept in the dark about so much that he should have known. Many of them even thanked Ron for finally coming around.
His head spinning with all the proper introductions, Harry was on his way to the Great Hall for lunch when he was confronted by a very teary Cho Chang. She wanted Harry to tell her how Cedric died. Although he had a crush on the Ravenclaw seeker at the beginning of the year, all he felt now was sorry for her in her grief. Without getting into the nasty details, Harry only told her about how brave and fair Cedric was and how sorry he was that their friend was dead. It didn't dry Cho's tears at all, but Harry knew that grief has to run its course.
He met the real Moody in Dumbledore's office where the Auror impressed him with his fortitude and resilience. Dumbledore told him of his plans for Harry before he goes with the mystics. The Order of the Phoenix would escort Harry from Kings Cross back to his aunt's home. Harry protested that he did not want to ever see those people again, but Dumbledore insisted that it was necessary and it would not be for long.
Susan Bones met with him a couple of times, during lunch and in the library to spend some time together. While he didn't really fancy her, she was pleasant company. She listened to everything he said and offered her opinions only when asked. She also told him that she would be taking Auror training over the summer. Harry was tempted to ask if her auntie would arrange something for him too but decided that training with the mystics would already keep him occupied for most of the summer, but maybe next year.
When Hermione learned the true nature of the house elf bond, she accepted that her approach to seeking justice for them would have to change. For the house-elves, it wasn't slavery, it was their source of life. Harry was right, of course.
Train ride back to London
On the train ride, Harry took the last compartment as usual and was joined by Neville, Hermione, Susan, Ronald, Hannah Abbott who was Susan's best friend and the Weasley Twins.
A really interesting moment came during the train ride when Harry asked the compartment in general, "I wonder what happened to Skeeter? I mean she doesn't seem to have written anything about the third task or, for that matter, anything at all since then. With her ability to spy, I don't think that even Fudge could keep her from telling all about it."
Hermione failed miserably at trying to keep a very smug grin off her face. "About that", Hermione said, "She won't be writing anything for a while."
"Why?", Harry asked.
"You remember when you told me to research on the magical methods of bugging?", she asked as Harry nodded, "I researched every method known to wizard kind. We know she wasn't using an invisibility cloak, she could have used eaves dropping charms but they have a limited range and there was no way else that she could spy on people except being an Animagus."
"Are you joking?", Harry asked incredulously.
"No, she is an animagus. I found her on the window sill of the hospital wing on the night of the third task", she said as she brought out a jar from her bag. There was a beetle in the jar nibbling on a few twigs.
"See those markings around her eyes like those hideous glasses she wears?", Hermione said pointing out, "I got the idea of her being an animagus from Sirius. I mean we knew there were three unregistered animagi out there so it was quite possible that she could be one. I have placed an unbreakable charm on the glass and I will release her when we reach London after she promises not to write anything for a year."
"Hermione, can you give her to me?", Susan said, "Auntie can make some very good use of her. She has caused a lot of damage to ever so many people. I am sure that they would all love some payback."
Hermione thought about it for a moment before she handed the jar to Susan, "Sure. I wash my hands of her now."
Mid-way during the train ride, Draco Malfoy came for his customary visit but seeing the people in the compartment, he scarpered before he got into trouble with the niece of the head of the DMLE. As the train was nearing London and students were getting ready to disembark, Harry took the Weasley twins aside and gave them the 1000G he had won as prize money. When they tried to refuse, he told them that he wanted to be a silent partner in their joke shop and that he would provide more cash if they needed it. When they asked why he was doing this, he replied that it was simply good business and that people would need to laugh more in the immediate future and no one could do it better than Fred and George.
On the platform, he was engulfed in the trademark Weasley hug and then Remus embraced him but he did not see Sirius or Padfoot on the platform. As Remus escorted him past the barrier, he was surprised to see the headmaster, wearing a muggle suit along with the mystic who was looking like an ordinary muggle in his jeans and t-shirt. Together the three men took him to #4 Privet Drive.
Privet Drive
As Harry rang the doorbell, the mystic had his wand out, casting a series of spells. When the door opened, Vernon barked at him, "Don't just stand there, boy! Get your worthless backside inside before the neighbours see you."
Harry glanced over his shoulder and saw that he was all alone! Perhaps Dumbledore had played him. He dragged his trunk inside the house and was surprised to see his uncle hanging upside down by one ankle near the ceiling, while a menacing looking Remus was pointing his wand at him, the aspect of the wolf plain in his eyes and growling throatily. It was clear that Remus would like nothing better than to rip Vernon limb from limb. Petunia was slack jawed, her eyes wide in horror while Dudley was slumped on the floor looking fearful with his hands on his backside.
"Take a seat, Harry. We won't be here for long.", said a disembodied voice and Harry was surprised to see Dumbledore appear out of thin air. Seeing his mouth hanging open, he chuckled and said, "Disillusionment charm, Harry. Quite a useful trick since none of us has an invisibility cloak as brilliant as yours."
"Indeed", said the voice of Harsh Vardhan as he appeared beside Dumbledore.
"Now onto business", Dumbledore adopted a professional demeanour, "Petunia, we have come here today to take young Harry away with us. The wizard who killed your sister has returned from the dead. He will almost certainly come after your family. Harry will be going with us forever and you will be free of him. As soon as Harry sets foot out of this door, the wards protecting you will fall and you will be in peril. We could have simply taken him away but after the tender care you gave Harry all these years (Harry snorted), we felt that we should at least give you a warning so that you can run."
"He's back? But he's dead, isn't he?." squeaked Petunia while Vernon was still hanging from the ceiling, his face turning purple from all the blood rushing to his head. Dudley was nowhere to be seen.
"I am afraid not. He is back and he will come after you just because you are related to Harry", Dumbledore said gravely, "If I were you I would leave this place as soon as I could."
"Now that we have got the pleasantries out of the way, let's get down to serious business", said Harsh Vardhan turning to Petunia, "in the wizarding world, children are considered very sacred and are loved and protected because of our low population. Your nephew is a celebrity for the magical people and anyone would have gladly taken him in and raised him but we gave him to you believing that you would take care of him and love him like family. If I let it slip how Harry Potter has been treated by you all these years, even the dark wizards will line up to avenge for all the harm you caused him. I know for a fact that if something had happened to you, Lily Potter would have taken your son in, raising him like her own. Yet you did not do her memory justice."
"We took him in, gave him a roof and food and clothes to wear", said Petunia defiantly, apparently angry at being called out like that but inwardly she was quaking with fear that their reckoning had come due. Lily had often told her of tales about how wizarding families settled their grudges. She hoped they would not face something like that.
Lupin who had been spinning Vernon all this while, growled throatily, "the way you have treated my cub, my inner wolf is asking me to tear you all to shreds and shed every drop of blood in your body for every harm you inflicted upon him, but I know if I did that, my brother James and Lily will never forgive me. Be thankful that your sister had such a big heart."
Petunia balked at this. She knew that they could do what they said but chose not to reply as to avoid offending them despite inwardly fuming at the treatment they were being given.
Harry was sitting quietly with some amusement, watching everything. Even if he did not wish such things upon the Dursley's, someone doing this for him meant a great deal to him.
"You know, we can curse you with so foul diseases that your healers will not be able to cure you and you will die eventually of such curses in much agony and pain, but we will not do that. We are not such bad people. However, Petunia Dursley, your reckoning has come due and it is time to pay the bill", Harsh said with a malicious smirk on his face.
"I have an idea", said Remus with a feral glint in his eye which Harry knew too well. Remus was up to no good but, Dumbledore decided to humour him, "Of course Remus, my boy. What do you have in mind?"
"We don't injure them but do some creative hexing. Then, we will let Amelia know about all the kind and loving treatment Harry has received here and I am sure that she will see to it that they are richly rewarded, to the full extent of the law", Remus concluded grinning.
"I know the perfect hexes for them', said Harsh Vardhan, "Vernon Dursley is so proud to be a normal person that he can't accept anything out of the ordinary. He desires everything to be as they should be and his face looks like he has smelled something pungent. Let's hex him to smell as rotten meat. No one would ever approach him and he will realise what it means to be shunned by people. For Petunia, she is always the prim and proper lady who keeps cleaning her house which is already sterile, we turn her personality and make her the worst street urchin that can be there and we add another hex that will make her speak gibberish or bad mouth anyone who wanted to talk to her. As for the son, he already is on path of destruction. we simply leave him be as he is. If he gets any wiser without the influence of his parents, he would get better. As I told her, we do not punish children or cause them deliberate harm."
Harry had feared that they would torture the Dursleys but this was much better. They would learn their lessons and may be Dudley could be saved. True that his cousin had never been good towards him but he was raised that way by his parents and it was not Dudley's fault. May be there was hope for him yet.
Dumbledore whipped his wand out and started casting a myriad of hexes at Dudley who hobbled back into the room sometime during the conversation and did not understand a word of what was being said. Watching his eyes closely, Harry suspected one of the three men had confounded him. Harsh Vardhana was hexing Vernon. When he was done, Vernon smelled like rotting meat, his hair was coming out in clumps and his moustache was gone leaving behind only a few wispy hairs. Remus hexed Petunia. When she opened her mouth to speak, all she could say was gibberish. Hearing her voice, she clamped her mouth firmly shut.
When they were satisfied with their work, the quartet left the house, leaving Vernon still hanging. Remus said that he would come down eventually, in a few hours.
Outside the door, they steered Harry through the alley-way to the next street. It didn't take him long to realize that they were heading towards Mrs. Figg's house. Mrs. Figg opened the door a crack and seeing the three men; she yelped and jumped aside pulling the door open. As soon as they were in, Dumbledore whipped out his wand and locked the door while Remus raised a silencing ward around the room.
"Harry, I am sorry that I could not tell you sooner but I was kept here to keep a watch on you", she said nervously.
"Hang on, you are saying you are a witch and you never told me?", Harry said in indignation, "all the times I came here, you could have told me my story. You could have told me about the magical world and everything, but you never did."
"Not quite, Harry. I am a squib. As such, I am largely cut off from the magical world. Besides, I am sorry but, I could not blow my cover. I was to keep an eye on your house and to immediately report if I saw anything suspicious. I moved in here in November, 1981 a week after you-know-who was defeated. In the ten years before you went to Hogwarts, I reported at least 7 death eaters that attempted to enter your house at different times. If I blew my cover and was forced to move, you could have been in danger. Will you forgive me?", she asked hopefully.
Harry knew what she said made sense and he kind of liked her. She always treated him well and gave him a lot to eat. She was a good lady and he could do nothing but forgive her.
"What do we do now, Albus?", she asked Dumbledore.
"Your work here is done, Arabella. We have had young Harry's reckoning from the Dursley's, the consequences of which you will know soon. You can decide to remain here or move. Amelia Bones will soon start an investigation into Harry's living conditions and she will be looking for witnesses. If you wish, you can have a little reckoning of your own from them", he said, his eyes twinkling.
"That I will, Albus. Oh, the stories I can tell them", she replied, a maniacal grin on her face which was mirrored by Remus.
Harry snorted. He never could have believed that the head master would do something like this but it felt real good.
"Now Harry, let us be off. We have to go to the headquarters of the order and we are already running late. We can't risk the Black Marauder coming after us for unspeakable things we did to his godson", said Dumbledore amused.
Harry grinned at the Head Master while Remus merely smirked. Harry imagined Sirius Black raging through Privet Drive breaking down the door of #4 demanding to know about him and laughed at the mental image and Remus soon joined in.
"But Professor, if the Dursleys decide to move, wouldn't it be hard for the Auror department to track them?", Harry asked, confused.
"That's managed, Harry. We added a tracking charm to the hexes so they can run but they can't hide", explained Remus.
"Now Harry, listen carefully- 'The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix can be found at number 12, Grimmauld Place'. The floo can be accessed by the password- 'Phoenix'."
Telling him so Dumbledore hustled them to the Floo network and Harry went first into the grate.