Chapter 15
Dinner that evening not only included Remus as a guest, Amelia and Susan were quickly becoming regular visitors while Croaker was there to provide an update on his horcrux search. Since the focus of that search would be moving to Hogwarts tomorrow, Remus was also being brought into the loop.
"We recovered a hidded ring that we think may have belonged to Salzar Slytherin. It's definitely a horcrux and fits exactly into the pattern my formula forecast. We can now confirm that there are two more to discover, with hopefully one of them being at Hogwarts."
This news was greeted enthusiastically, though a worried Dan asked the question of when they thought they would be able to get their hands on the remaining horcruxes?
"If we find another one in Hogwarts tomorrow, it then becomes a case of systematically checking properties of known and suspected death eaters. Unless we get really lucky, that could take a while."
Harry was reminded of a conversation with his first magical friend. "Hagrid once told me that there was no place safer in the magical world than Gringotts, could it possibly be there?"
This floored everyone for a moment before Amelia finaly gave her thoughts on the matter. "I would have to say that's a distinct possibility, I have to also say its one I hope is wrong. I have no idea how we would go about gaining access to someone's vault. I can't imagine the goblins cooperating in any search, far less getting our hands on anything that search throws up."
The magical users there all apparently agreed with that opinion, all except Harry and Hermione. "I think the goblins would want to see Voldemort gone just as much as we would."
Hermione agreed with Harry. "The may not let us search vaults, or even enter them, but we don't have to. Croaker's detector should be able to pinpoint the exact vault, could a goblin then enter and finish off the horcrux?"
Harry could see exactly what his betrothed was proposing. "Nothing would be taken from the vault as the destroyed horcrux could just be left in there."
Amelia and Croaker shared a glance before she answered for the ministry. "I think that's such a good idea, I will approach Gringotts tomorrow and ask for a meeting with the director. It may take a few days but that will allow Hogwarts to be searched, along with the more prominent death eater properties."
There was a great deal of delight around the table. The trial had been a spectacular success for them and they were making amazing progress in the horcrux hunt, it was now time for Amelia to dish out the bad news. "As the entire trial was public, all of magical Britain now knows Harry here is vital to defeating Voldemort. I don 't think there was enough information broadcast for anyone to tie Hermione's vital role in the process, but again everyone knows just how deep your relationship is. Even with an auror guard, I really don't think it would be safe for you two to return to Hogwarts until this is over."
Both Harry and Hermione glanced over at the pile of letters Remus had brought them from Hogwarts. They planned on reading them after dinner and had been looking forward to seeing their friends on Wednesday.
Amelia attempted to soften the blow. "You both can get underage exemption licences so you can practice magic here, and of course Tonks will still be asigned to you so she can help with lessons too!"
Harry glanced toward his godfather. "Sirius, if we got permission from Hogwarts, could we have some of our friends stay here for a weekend?"
Sirius thought this was a great idea. The last thing he wanted was these two isolated from people their own age. "We certainly have the room, and you know Dobby and Winky just love having guests. I have no problems whatsoever with your friends staying here."
Sirius wasn't the only one who thought this was a good idea, Amelia could clearly see her niece enjoyed it here. "I think I can speak for the ministry when I say that any reasonable request from Harry Potter will be met with a very big yes. By resonable, I think anything less than asking to be minister of magic would get a positive response."
This drew a chuckle from Croaker, he really liked these people and hadn't enjoyed himself as much in years. Intelligent and meaningful conversation was so hard to find yet, once again, they were sitting around this table and helping make the world a better place."Personally, I think either Harry or Hermione would make a better minister than the person currently in that office. Then again, I also think Dobby would probably do a better job than Fudge."
The two of them not going back to Hogwarts really pleased Emma. Not only would Hermione and Harry be staying at home, she would get to see them performing magic and meet some of their friends. She also couldn't help but notice her husband's reaction every time the horcrux hunt was mentioned. Dan was doing his best to cope with an impossible situation, and that situation appeared to be heading toward them at breakneck speed. They were going to have to speak about it again when they were alone.
With the school only getting back up and running on Wednesday, they decided to ask their friends if they could visit the following weekend. Now they would need to read the letters and work out who they wanted to invite. From the pile of parchment on the table, it appeared as if half the castle had written.
-oOoOo-
Minerva McGonagall sat alone in her cell with only her tears for company. Hermione Granger's wand in her face today had been a life-changing moment for the former Head of Gryffindor. There was not one shread of doubt in Minerva's mind that the witch would have carried out the threat to blow her head off.
Miss Granger reminded Minerva so much of herself when she was a lot younger, both with her ideals and total commitment to them. The young witch had faced down the minister of magic and head of the Wizengamot in defence of her wizard, clearly prepared to pay the ultimate price for that action if she had to. Minerva had done the same with Dumbledore for many, many years, but she now realized the similarities between her and Hermione ended right there.
While Miss Granger had Harry's full confidence and was clearly heavily involved in their decision making, Minerva had blindly followed a wizard she thought had all the answers. Today had shown her just how foolish that course had been. Yes, Albus certainly had answers. Those answers were not necessary the right ones though, and definitely not all the answers available.
It was now clear to her that, right from that night they left Harry with those terrible muggles, Albus had decided the boy had to die. That the son of James and Lily had such a terrible life, and she played a major part in that, was eating away at her soul. The dementors weren't here yet but Minerva doubted if she would ever have a happy thought again for them to feed on. Still, the old witch knew she would need to work fast before the debilitating effects of being in close proximity to those abominations robbed her of the will to do what was needed.
She had already ripped and braided the thin blanket her cell came furnished with, the complimentary wooden bucket for personal relief would also be needed. By upending the bucket and standing on it, Minerva could just reach the metal bars that adorned her cell's tiny recessed window. It took a bit of doing with her hands trembling so much but she eventually managed to firmly secure one end of her improvised rope to the sturdy chunks of metal that were intended to ensure she was contained in Azkaban.
Minerva could feel the dementors approaching, and that actually made the next bit easier. If this is what the rest of her life now held for her, it was time to end it. Minerva McGonagall, former Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts kicked the metal bucket away.
She was found hanging there the next morning, the word 'sorry' scratched on the wall of her cell.
-oOoOo-
After their guests left, Harry and Hermione retreated upstairs to read the letters from their friends and start to work on their replies. It was well over an hour later when Tonks stuck her head in the door to check they were okay. The sight that greeted her was so cute, she just had to get the other three up to see this.
Hermione was cuddled into Harry as the letters were scattered all over the bed. Both clearly had a trying and tireing day as they appeared to have been sleeping for some time. Emma had just wondered out loud how they were going to get them to bed without waking the couple when Dobby popped into the room. A few of snaps of his fingers saw the letters piled neatly on the bedside cabinet, Harry and Hermione changed into their sleepwear, the bedcoveres pulled back and the now floating couple gently lowered back into the bed, still holding each other.
Dan was slowley shaking his head. "I could have done without seeing that for at least a few more years."
Sirius had immense sympathy for the troubled father. "I have known Hermione for less than a year but already she means the world to me. If that was anyone else but my godson in that bed with her, I would be standing here wanting to rip his lungs out."
"I've watched them for a couple of months now and can honestly say I've never seen a young couple more devoted to each other. We all saw what they did today, Hermione was out her seat the moment she saw Harry in trouble. I couldn't have stopped her, even if I wanted to. Harry was the exact same when he knew she was at the bottom of that lake. After hearing what Dumbledore had planned for her, I'm now so glad he was."
Sirius was nervously running his fingers through his hair as Tonks' comments saw his thoughts returned to that trial. "Nearly gave me a bloody heart attack! I still can't believe they pulled it off. Dumbledore thought he had all his bases covered and yet still ended up in Azkaban. I hope they parked his ancient arse in my old cell. Planning the murder and enslavement of children in his care makes him worse than any death eater in my book."
Tonks was in total agreement but then asked the question that had troubled her since her boss brought it up earlier that night. "How do you two feel about having to leave your house for now, and needing an auror stationed at your practice?"
This drew a shrug of the shoulders from Emma. "Amelia made a very good case for it. If they can't get to Hermione or Harry, they might come after us. Staying here won't be a hardship and she promised to assign an auror who will at least be comfortable in a non magical environment."
"Hey, maybe they could take over for Janet on reception?"
Emma liked her husband's idea immediately. "They would need to be pretty bad not to be better than Janet. Perhaps she'll take umbrage and hand her notice in?"
Dan didn't think they could be that lucky. "Janet outlasted the last dentists in that practice, and will probably still be there when we leave."
Sirius had a suggestion he was sure would work. "Perhaps you should get Hermione to stick her wand in the woman's face? Scared the life out of me, and I wasn't even the one she was pointing it at."
The four withdrew, leaving the young couple unchaperoned tonight. Since it was beginning to appear as if they would effectively be married within a few weeks, none of the adults really saw the point.
Emma already had a long and detailed talk with Hermione regarding available methods for not making her a grandmother anytime soon. Now that they were going to receive underage exemption licenses, Sirius intended to fulfill his duty as godfather by teaching his godson the contraceptive charm tomorrow.
-oOoOo-
Remus expected the enquiring faces that greeted him at breakfast, he just wished there was better news for them. "Sorry guys, Harry and Hermione had a meeting with the DMLE and the unspeakables last night, they didn't get a chance to read your letters until after I left. I'm sure you'll hear from them within the next few days."
With Cedric being older, and his father working in the ministry, he caught the undertones contained in the professor's words. "So they won't be returning on Wednesday?"
Remus wouldn't lie to them, and he wanted the surprise the couple were working on to be just that, a surprise. "It was decided last night that, until Voldemort is defeated for good, they really do need the security of a secret location. I'm sure they will tell you more about it when they write."
Watching the disappointment in their faces, and knowing about the invitations that would soon be winging their way to Hogwarts was almost as good as a prank for the marauder. The map in his pocket was a great reminder of his past, as was the person who loaned it to him. Remus thought Harry grew more like his father by the day, and couldn't be happier with the lad's choice of life mate. If there was one thing Remus knew with all his heart it's that James and Lily would be immensely proud of their son.
He was also delighted to play any role in the final defeat of the monster who murdered his friends that fateful Halloween. Even if that role was only to assist Croaker with his search of the school, Remus wanted to play his part. With Croaker's detector now proven to work and the marauders' map to aid them, he was sure if that piece of filth was in Hogwarts then they would find it.
-oOoOo-
Harry and Hermione were in high spirits the following morning as they discussed with their parents the compromise they had reached before falling asleep last night. All four adults were delighted to see them so happy after the events of yesterday.
"…we just realized from reading their letters how little they actually knew of what was going on…"
"…we also felt terrible about placing the other three hostages in more danger…"
"…but we still have the problem of Cho not being able to stand Ron…"
"…and Ron not being able to stand anywhere near Fleur…"
"…so we would like to invite them as two separate groups…"
"…over two weekends…"
Watching them finish each other's sentences just underlined to everyone there just how close these two were. Tonks though asked the all-important question. "Good plan, but which group do you ask first?"
The couple blushing told everyone they'd gotten right to the heart of the matter. Hermione gave their answer while Harry explained their reasoning.
"…we would like to invite the other champions first…"
"…we walked away and left them that morning barely having time to say cheerio!"
Their auror bodyguard could only smile at that. "I was there remember, I think we had enough on our plates that morning though I agree with your choice. What about Susan, what group are you putting her in?"
"We were actually thinking of asking her both weekends. She's the only person our own age who actually knows what's going on."
Emma couldn't help but pull her daughter's leg here. "And it gives you someone to talk about your boyfriend with…"
The couple were saved the further embarrassment of having to answer any more questions by Dobby's announcement that Amelia Bones wished to see them. She was invited right in and it only took a casual glance to determine she wasn't here with good news. "There's no easy way to say this so I'll just come out with it. Last night, Minerva McGonagall hanged herself in her cell."
Hermione emitted a sound that was half shriek, half gasp of terror and found herself smothered in Harry's arms before anyone else could react.
Amelia had expected a reaction like this and pulled no punches. "Hermione, you need to listen to me. This was in no way your fault. McGonagall spent her time in her ministry cell reflecting on her choices in life. The only thing keeping her functioning was her belief that Dumbledore knew what he was doing. When that was shown to be nothing more than some demented ramblings about the greater good, her world collapsed."
Amelia was now kneeling beside a sobbing Hermione, trying to ensure she had the distraught witch's attention. "We have professional people at the ministry who should have spotted this, and didn't. We were all too busy celebrating the capture of Dumbledore, and anticipating the final end to Voldemort. The ministry dropped the quaffle on this one, not you. You two caught the snitch and won us the game, we're the ones who messed up."
Hermione had trouble speaking through the sobs, she eventually managed to get her message out. "I can still see her eyes as she appologised for putting me down there. McGonagall desperatly wanted me to believe she knew nothing about the mermen, I just blew her off."
Tonks was now also kneeling beside the sitting girl. "Harry said yesterday he didn't know if you two could have carried out your threat and I applaud that honesty. That doubt didn't show though, which was what won us the day. McGonagall placed her faith in Dumbledore while you chose the young man currently clinging on to you for dear life. There is no doubt in my mind who chose the better wizard, and that was her downfall."
Amelia could understand this reaction, the witch in question had been their head of house for nearly four years. She didn't know if this would help but decided to give it a try. "She left a final message scraped into her cell wall. I may be making assumptions here but I personally think it was meant for you two. It was only one word but it spoke volumes. It simply said sorry."
Harry was now sobbing too as Dan and Emma took over. They helped the young couple to their feet and headed off in the direction of what they were all begining to regard as Harry and Hermione's bedroom.
Amelia felt awful for having to tell them that news and attempted to appologise to Sirius.
"It's better they find out about it this way, rather than discovering tomorrow's headlines. Just a pity Dumbledore hadn't decided for once in his life to do the decent thing and hang himself with that ridiculous beard of his. That would have seen me celebrating."
This didn't get the reaction he expected from Amelia, Sirius soon discovered why.
"Getting thrown in Azkaban didn't appear to bother Dumbledore nearly as much as the shock of discovering all his secrets were known. McGonagall's death though has hit him pretty hard. She was his most trusted lieutenant and this would seem to be the most extreme way possible of saying she no longer believed in him. Dumbledore is sitting there and you can practically see him questioning every decision he's ever made. We've already got him on suicide watch."
This saw Tonks enqiring about the other prisoner, her boss' disgust was plain to see. "If there is one person currently in Azkaban I would like to see kissed by a dementor, then it is Severus Snape. It's hard to say who that man hates most, Harry, his father or his godfather. He really was looking forward to seeing Sirius kissed last summer and also wanted the Potter line to die with Harry. The man has no morals whatsoever. Why Dumbledore thought this thing was suitable to be in charge of children is as much a mystery as it is a disgrace."
"It's hard to take that so many death eaters escaped without any punishment yet I found myself in Azkaban. The corruption in our society goes all the way to the top, and everyone just accepts it as normal. That more than anything has to change."
"I think Fudge is finished. The entire country heard that he'd given Dumbledore a ministerial pardon and only Harry's quick thinking saw them get what they deserve. We're concentrating on the demise of Voldemort but putting our own house in order will quickly follow. Snape gave us a lot of information on his death eater compatriots but so far we've not been able to do much about it. With Dumbledore now in Azkaban and the end of Voldemort closing in, we will be rounding these criminals up when Harry and Hermione finish him off."
Their discussion was interrupted by Winky with a Gringotts owl for Amelia. "I can't believe this, I have a meeting with Ragnot today at one. They have also asked if I could bring Harry and Hermione with me. It would seem we gave more information away yesterday than we thought."
Sirius was concerned whether they would be able to attend but Tonks disagreed. "I think this is exactly what they need, something to take their mind off this. If possible, I would like to see some of their friends here this weekend?" She left to see how her charges were, and give them the news.
Amelia too had to leave, though promised to be back in time to collect the young couple for their visit to Gringotts.
-oOoOo-
Both searchers were beginning to get frustrated. The detector had unerringly led them to the seventh floor yet, the minute they got there, it began acting up. The unspeakable had never seen anything like this. "It's almost like one minute its there and the next not, anything on your map?"
Remus shook his head by way of an answer, all he was getting from the map was the two of them walking up and down an empty corridor. "Perhaps we should have brought Harry and Hermione with us, they seem to have all the answers?"
This drew a chuckle from Croaker. "There is no reason to doubt they would have eventually found it. They did after all discover the chamber of secrets, and that had been hidden for a millennium."
"You really do rate them that highly?"
"If they complete seven years of Hogwarts, they will undoubtedly be the top two students in the school. Whichever order they finish in, only those two will decide. Both are incredibly powerful and, while Miss Granger is frighteningly bright, Mr Potter's insightful way of looking at things makes them a brilliant team."
Remus couldn't argue with that. "Sound's as if you've already got your eye on them as future unspeakables?"
"I have, and they know this. Amelia has also offered them jobs in her department, and that was before most of this kicked off. We both know they are only going to get better as they mature so got in quickly before they were flooded with offers. I can't wait to see just how powerful any children they have will be."
"Do you really buy into that theory?"
"Oh, I this case, most definitely. I don't accept all the pureblood nonsense though, that just illustrates what can happen when a good, sensible idea is taken to extremes."
Remus had never heard this argument before so was eager to learn more. Croaker loved talking over his theories with people intelligent enough to understand them, and open enough to listen. He wasn't going to pass up on this opportunity.
"In the early days of magic, our ancestors must have noticed that a child produced from the union of a witch and wizard resulted in a magically more powerful offspring than if they only had one magical parent. The pureblood philosophy that generations of magical ancestors increased this effect is where all the trouble starts. They casually ignore the initial power of the parents and, more importantly, just how closely those same parents are related. This isn't a sound theory they adhere rigidly to, nor is it a religion, it's a recipe for disaster that leaves our society in the state we are in today."
Remus thought he had the gist of it but wanted to make sure. "So you're saying any kids should be powerful because their parents are powerful, and the only way their family history enters into the equation is that they're not related before marriage?"
"Yes, while nothing in life is ever certain, I think the numbers certainly favour that outcome. Had they been cousins, there would have been a lot of other factors that would introduce degrees of uncertainty to those same numbers. The entire concept of pureblood supremacy is so flawed as to be laughable. That its supposed champion had a muggle father just about sums up the credibility of their entire argument."
Those comments set Remus thinking. "I suppose it's ironic that Voldemort's first defeat was masterminded and executed by a muggleborn witch, and then his final demise will be brought about by another. All due to their love of the same wizard too!"
Croaker hadn't really thought about the current situation in those terms before, he liked it though as this appealed to his sense of neatness and justice.
Remus' frustration was now beginning to show at their lack of results, people were counting on him and he didn't want to disappoint. All he could think of was he needed to find that horcrux while he repeatedly walked up and down the corridor, studying his surroundings for any hidden passages. Croaker's "Where the hell did that come from?" had Remus spinning around to see a large ornate oak door where there was previously only stone wall.
As the horcrux detector indicated this was where they needed to go, both headed through the door and entered an Aladdin's cave of discarded objects. It would have been so easy to become distracted with the immense hidden treasures the vast chamber contained yet both wizards managed to retain their focus. They were on a mission and that came first. Both intended to return here and explore their discovery fully though, once they figured out how they got in here in the first place.
The detector was once more working perfectly and led them unerringly to an object that Croaker recognized immediately. The former Ravenclaw had trouble believing what his eyes were telling him. "That's Rowena Ravenclaw's lost diadem, its been missing since the time of the founders." His spell then confirmed the worst. "It's also a horcrux, which means we're going to have to destroy it."
Remus understood not wanting to destroy a priceless founder's relic though, to finally destroy Voldemort he would wipe out a castle full of them. The unspeakable levitated the item into his protected bag before heading back toward the exit. All thoughts of searching through the vast room were now forgotten, due to the unenviable task facing the former Claw. Being remembered throughout history as the man who destroyed Ravenclaw's diadem was not something Croaker had contemplated when he'd gotten out of bed this morning.
-oOoOo-
Tonks had been half right, giving the couple something to do had helped them recover from the shock of McGonagall's death. Harry's comment that they could use this trip to Gringotts to get Hermione an engagement and wedding ring instantly completed that journey as once more excitement reigned.
Amelia was rather surprised to discover two chirpy teens on her return, she was not surprised in the slightest that Tonks insisted on accompanying them. She was soon very grateful for her young auror's insistence as the portkey deposited them on the steps of Gringotts bank. Their sudden appearance drew quite a bit of interest but Amelia could certainly have done without the green killing curse that tried to close their accounts.
Tonks pushed her two charges out of the curse's path, and in the direction of the bank doors. Harry and Hermione didn't need telling twice, they raced into the relative safety of the enormous marble building. Amelia meanwhile was laying down some covering fire, shooting stunner after stunner in the direction the curse had originated from. The two goblin security guards also took off in that direction so Amelia followed them into Gringotts where the quartet soon found themselves surrounded by a goblin security squad. As their razor sharp weapons were all pointing away from the four in the centre, they felt it safe to assume the goblins were there on protection detail.
The shaken quartet were led directly into Ragnot's office where the goblin leader awaited them. Harry didn't even take the offered seat before demanding to know what had just happened. His question was directed at Amelia but it was actually Ragnot who offered an answer.
"Please take a seat and I will explain. I'm afraid Monday's trial painted a very large target on you Mr Potter."
This saw both Harry and Hermione slump onto a large chair, not caring if them sharing upset anyone. They had almost been killed again and needed the comfort of holding on to each other.
When the room settled, Ragnot took up his tale. "Mr Potter has already experienced the trouble a magically binding contract can cause, I'm afraid those troubles are far from over."
Hermione couldn't accept that. "Harry's out of that competition. Professor Moody's impersonator paid the price with his magic, that takes Harry out of that contract."
"You are of course correct Miss Granger, I was referring to other contracts which you have just discovered can be just as deadly."
They were interrupted by a goblin entering the room and speaking with Ragnot in their native tongue, the goblin leader translated as his officer left. "I'm afraid your attacker got away, your DMLE are now on site and wish to interview you all when we are finished here. After you hear what I'm about to say, you'll probably want to perform those interviews inside Gringotts."
Amelia just nodded to acknowledge Ragnot's generosity, she had no intention of giving any assassins another shot at the two teens.
"The magical contracts I am referring to are the ones between the dark lord and his marked followers. They swore on their magic to serve him always and, should Voldemort meet his final demise, that's what it will cost them. They of course didn't realize that when they agreed but that won't matter now, a contract is a contract."
Hermione caught on at once. "Oh shit! We went and announced to the entire country that Harry's just about to finish him off for good. They don't know that killing Harry will do the exact thing they're trying to avoid."
This had Ragnok sitting back in his chair. "Ah, It is as I feared then. You intend to perform a soul bound ritual to force the piece of Voldemort out of Mr Potter?"
Amelia fielded this question. "That was our intention, after we disposed of all the other pieces. Do you foresee a problem with this?"
"Unfortunately yes. Driving a horcrux out by destroying the object cannot be defended against, Mr Potter is an entirely different case. Voldemort survives as a wraith because he can draw a trickle of magic from all his marked followers. That is the force you have to defeat if you wish Mr Potter to survive the expulsion, the combined magic of all the death eaters."
Hermione was now on her feet, everyone could hear the pleading in her voice. "Please sir, please tell us you have a way to do this?"
"We have a way to help Miss Granger, but it will require an even bigger sacrifice on your part."
Harry was beside her before Hermione could answer. "Hold on Hermione, this is one of those things we discuss as a couple. I'm the one who dives into things without thinking, remember?"
"Well said Mr Potter. I also need to ask Madam Bones just how serious the ministry is on destroying Voldemort, now that you know some of your most prominent citizens will lose their magic?"
Amelia didn't hesitate. "The main focus of my department is to bring down Voldemort, and his organization. We were coming here today because we think the final piece of the puzzle may be held in a Gringotts vault…"
The goblin leader cut her off. "You have the full support of the goblin nation on this matter, Voldemort is an enemy of us all. I'm sure we can work out procedures that lie within our banking treaties."
Hermione was holding Harry's hand as she asked the question they needed to know the answer to. "Sir, what sacrifice do I need to make to help Harry?"
Both teens paled as they heard the price they would need to pay, Hermione recovered first. "Okay Harry, but you get to tell my dad."
"Oh shit! He'll probably just kill me on the spot, save the death eaters the trouble."
Hermione didn't give a fig about protocol at the moment, she kissed Harry before stating her demands. "Just make sure you've got another ring on my finger first Potter, my father would never kill my fiancé."
This even drew a smile from the goblin leader. "Assuming Mr Potter survives his encounter with Miss Granger's father, I shall begin plans at once for the ceremony. When would be the best time?"
Hermione blushed as she realized all eyes were on her, and what she was actually being asked. "Probably the weekend, isn't there spells to determine that?"
"Yes, but we want as little magic as possible to interfere with this. That gives us a few days to search the vaults…"
It was now Amelia's turn to cut across the goblin leader. "Actually, we've created a horcrux detector that should lead us directly to where it's hidden."
That really drew a smile from Ragnok though Tonks missed all the byplay, her entire focus was on the young couple staring into each other's eyes. She just had to ask. "Are you two sure about this?"
The determination in Hermione was there for all to see. "Yes, I will not lose my Harry over something the both of us want anyway. He still gets to tell my dad though, but this time I'll be there."
"I think I better sit in on that one too!"
This gave Harry an idea. "Do you think Ragnok would lend us that squad of guards that escorted us in here?"
-oOoOo-
Tonks led Harry and Hermione back home, only to walk straight into an emotional storm. Emma was sobbing uncontrollably while Dan appeared ready to kill dragons with his bare hands. Hermione shot towards her mum, hoping to learn what the problem was. She was even more worried on discovering that her mother was so distraught as to be unable to speak. Her father though had no such problems and was ready for a good loud rant.
"The bastards just destroyed our home. Matt Davies called me on my cell phone. Said he saw a couple of strange characters hanging about the back garden so phoned the police. While he was on the phone, the entire house just burst into flames. Matt said it was an inferno and nothing could have survived that, everything's gone."
This was also hard on Harry. "I'm sorry Mr Granger. This is my fault but I can pay to have your house rebuilt…"
"This is not your fault Harry. Sirius explained that we were at war, now I believe him. The house was well insured but that's not the point. It's the fact these bastards will get away with destroying our home that's driving me crazy."
Tonks couldn't think of a worst time but they all needed to know. "The war visited us today as well, a killing curse was fired at these two on the steps of Gringotts."
This saw Sirius shoot out his seat and engulf his godson in a hug. "We're okay Sirius, Tonks hustled us right into the bank while Madam Bones blasted away at whoever attacked us. Like here though, they got away"
Emma was clinging onto her daughter, she was distraught for another reason rather than the guilty not being punished. "All our memories and mementoes were in that house. How can insurance pay for the loss of Hermione's baby pictures? Those are priceless and irreplaceable."
Like Tonks, Hermione couldn't think of a worst time to bring this subject up but it had to be done. "What if I told you we had a way to make every guilty wizard and witch pay, end the war and replace those baby pictures?"
In the resulting silence, Tonks let her wand slip unnoticed into her hand and hoped Dobby was still in 'protect Harry' mode.
Dan quietly answered his daughter, the fervour of revenge clearly visible in his eyes. "I think that is something we would all really like to hear."
Harry kept his promise to his new fiancée and told her father, the scream of 'WHAT?' could probably have been heard all the way to the ministry of magic.
Chapter 16
"Okay, I'm calm. Now kindly tell your little thug here to release me."
Dobby just glared at Dan, that Hermione's father was currently magically restrained to a chair brought him down nearer the elf's height. "You will not harm Harry Potter, Dobby is following his orders to protect his master."
"Yeah? Well this same master of yours wants to knock-up my fifteen year old daughter on Saturday night, I think I'm entitled to at least punch him out." Dan then returned his rage to its main focus. "Tell me again why this has to happen?"
Harry perfectly understood Dan's anger so repeated the story for the third time. "If we don't have enough power between us to force Voldemort out of my head, then we lose. I'll be dead, with Hermione and Tonks only seconds behind me. He'll then come out that room and start killing everyone he sees."
"Now explain to me again, remembering I'm a simple dentist, how impregnating my daughter makes this bad man go away?"
Trying to keep his cool was difficult, Dan referring to Voldemort as a 'bad man' was not helping. Didn't he grasp just how serious this was? "Creating a life is the most magical event in the world. Our magic will recognise this and react accordingly. As love is the power Voldemort knows not, this should also tip the scales heavily in our favour."
Harry was starting to get angry too, he'd had this entire senario dumped on him just after a death eater shot a killing curse at them both. "You asked me the other day if I really could have killed Snape and I honestly wasn't sure. Let me tell you this though, if it was my family's lives that were on the line I would blow his fucking head clean off his shoulders. No questions, no hesitation, I will fight to protect what's mine."
Dan was getting his first glimpse of the wizard who'd faced trolls, basilisk and a dragon. This was Hermione's future they were talking about here though, so Dan had no intention of giving an inch. "What happened to the lad who was going to walk away from Hermione, rather than cause trouble for her family?"
If anything, this saw Harry stand that bit straighter. Dan had intended to have a 'facts of life' talk with the young wizard, Harry was now getting ready to return the favour. He was sure Hermione's father wasn't going to like this either. "I had the error of my ways rather forcibly pointed out to me, and it's just as well Hermione did."
The magic started to pour off Harry as he was becoming visibly emotional. "Had I actually left, your daughter, your wife and you would probably be dead right now. Those death eaters burned your house down because they couldn't get hold of you. Today in Diagon Alley, Hermione and I were meant to die. I'm really sorry you and your family have been dragged into this sir, but you need to understand the situation that we're now in right up to our necks. I have been told by people I respect and trust that this is our best chance of surviving this situation, I will do whatever it takes to make sure Hermione is safe and well. She's easily the most important person in the world to me and I will protect her with my life."
Watching the young man in front of him, Dan could easily believe that. He turned his attention to Sirius, looking for some support. "What's your take on this?"
Sirius could lend some authority to his answer, this was one area he certainly had expertise in. "I know these people Dan, some of them are even related to me. That's why I ran away at sixteen to stay with Harry's father and was on the opposite side of the last war. Had you been home today there would have been one of two outcomes. Emma would have been raped and tortured in front of you while they tried to find information on where these two were hiding. The other outcome is actually worse."
Dan, who was already on a short fuse, exploded at this. "How the fuck do you get worse than that?"
The muggle once more had the facts of life concerning death eater behaviour explained to him. "By using the imperius curse on you, they could have forced you to carry-out whatever perversion they concocted. Imagine Hermione giving you a hug, you then take out a concealed blade and slash her throat wide open. You would know what you were doing but be unable to stop yourself. They use this curse on wizards and witches too during the last war, with devastating effects. That's why Harry paid a fortune for those necklaces Hermione and Susan wear. Harry here has such an aversion to being controlled he can throw the curse off, it also helps that he's immensely powerful too."
Dan felt physically sick at the very mention of that curse. His glance shifted to his wife and daughter, both of whom had clung to each other since Hermione returned from the bank. Emma made her feelings on the matter quite clear. "Do I think they're too young for this, definitely! Do I want them to wait until they are older, not a chance. My little girl has almost been killed twice in the last few weeks, if making me a grandmother can put a stop to that threat then it gets my vote."
She kissed Hermione on the forehead before continuing to explain her reasoning to her husband. "I know this is not what we had imagined for Hermione but I just want her to live. A baby might be forever Dan but so is Hermione being dead, I know which option I prefer. Tonks here has now saved her life twice, how can we possibly not trust what she tells us? Every single person in this room has the best interests of our daughter at heart."
Tonks was also able to give Dan her honest assessment, pitying the father for the impossible situation they all found themselves in. "It really hurts me to say this Dan but I can't guarantee their safety if Harry or Hermione stick one foot outside this house. We also don't know who we can trust at the ministry. Apart from Croaker, Madam Bones doesn't plan on telling anyone else what the consequences of Harry being free of the horcrux will be."
Dan began to understand the seriousness of the situation when the head of government wasn't being told just what was happening. This was his daughter's future though, and his concern for Hermione swamped everything else.
The young auror attempted to explain further. "Without magic, these people will find themselves unable to access their funds in Gringotts. Most of them will find the wards of their own homes will deny them access, far less allow them to continue living there. Harry would have been able to survive without magic but these people won't, they simply don't know anything else. That is why the ritual is planned for midnight on Saturday, the ministry will be as empty as we can make it. Ragnok is providing security as the goblins are the only ones we can trust not to be death eaters. They will also be warding the ritual room to stop Voldemort being able to draw magic from his marked servants."
Hermione rose from her position beside her mother, gave Harry a reassuring kiss as she passed, before kneeling at her father's side. "Dad, you're forgetting I'm a witch. This is a different situation for me."
"How is this different Hermione? Your mother gave birth to a witch and I remember the process as if it was yesterday, it didn't seem any different to me."
"Yes dad, the biology is the same but everything else is different."
She then attempted to explain this to the other man she loved. "When I leave that room on Sunday morning, I will be Mrs Hermione Jane Potter, legally married to my husband. There is also the fact that my husband-to-be is rather wealthy, we're talking millions here dad. How many other sixteen year old mothers can claim that much?"
"Money isn't everything love, I thought we taught you that?"
"You did dad, along with many other things that I will be eternally grateful for. What I meant was that this will not be the end of my education, we can have tutors, return to school or even attend university if we want. Having a baby won't be the end of our lives, not having one might be. This will save me, you, mum and Harry, and it's only the timing that's unfortunate. I was always going to have children with Harry so how could I possibly say no to this?"
Hermione sensed she might be getting through to her father so unleashed the big guns. "We also have something other young muggle family's could only dream about, a couple of magical family members who will look after us and our baby. What do you think about Harry and I starting a family Dobby?"
The smile Dobby wore at that question left no one in any doubt of the elf's opinion, he answered his mistress anyway. "Dobby and Winky would love to be helping raise little Potters."
At that point, Winky popped in and agreed wholeheartedly with Dobby. As she took Dobby's hand though, Hermione wondered if the female elf had plans to raise some little Potters or Blacks of her own. Hermione certainly had her own agenda at the moment and couldn't allow herself to be sidetracked. Getting her father on board was vital and she was prepared to go to any lengths to achieve her aims.
"This baby will have parents who adore them, a godfather who will dote on them and an Aunt Tonks who will pull funny faces until they laugh themselves silly. As much as we'll rely on Dobby and Winky for help, this baby is going to need their grandparents. My Harry spent his first ten years of life living in a cupboard, Sirius' family was so bad he ran away. With Tonks not too much older than us, who else have Harry and I got that we can depend on to keep us on the right track?"
Dan was openly crying as Hermione rested her head on his shoulder. Dobby released the body bind and her father's arms snaked around her. "I'm sorry darling, I only ever wanted the best for you."
"Dad, that's exactly what I've got, I'm going to have everything I ever wanted. This is a new beginning for all of us. It's not just phoenixes who can rise from the ashes, our family will too."
Dan's nod of acceptance was the signal for a lot of the tension to leave the room, Sirius though had something else that had to be said right now.
"Dan and Emma, you need to close your dental practice right now. If they can find your house, that will be their next logical step. So far we've been lucky and avoided any deaths, you need to do this before the death eaters solve your receptionist problem permanently."
Both could see immediately that Sirius was right. If they burned down their house, the practice would be next. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be empty. Dan grabbed his cell phone, hoping they could get everyone out of there before disaster struck.
-oOoOo-
Amelia and Croaker cast every silencing charm they knew on her office but both still spoke in whispers. "Are you sure about this Amelia?"
"Who knows magical contracts better than the goblins? If they say that's what will happen, I believe them."
"That wasn't what I meant, doing this could devastate our society. Families will be torn asunder and some bloodlines could even be wiped out."
"The death eaters practiced their own form of genocide for years, we're just going to finish the job and do it legally too. My department has been tasked by the minister and the Wizengamot to put an end to Voldemort for good, that's exactly what we're going to do on Saturday night. You're not going soft on me are you?"
"Just playing devil's advocate here Amelia, I wanted to see if you had thought through the consequences. Our world could be a very different place come Sunday morning."
The smile on Amelia's face was almost feral in her anticipation of revenge. "My family were certainly not alone in suffering at the hands of these bastards. To see people still walking the streets when we both know they've murdered innocent witches and wizards is something that has tormented me for years. They may have escaped Azkaban but this is one form of justice their position, gold and family name can't protect them from. In the next few weeks, I was going to be sending out my aurors to arrest these dangerous criminals. That task just got a hundred times easier so don't expect me to feel any sympathy for them."
"I'll go to Gringotts first thing in the morning. With the goblins assisting us, we could be horcrux free by tomorrow evening. Excepting Harry of course, I assume that you're keeping him safe?"
"He's for all intents and purpose under house arrest. Apart from Auror Tonks, I can't be absolutly cerain of anyone else. Even aurors I've known for years could be tempted by the vast sums the death eaters would pay to get their hands on Harry. The next time they leave that house will be Saturday night when they come here. After the day they've just had, I didn't have too much trouble convincing them to stay put."
-oOoOo-
After absorbing the shock of McGonagall's death, the castle was also agog next morning as the Daily Prophet proclaimed that Harry Potter and Hermione Granger had lucky escapes in Diagon Alley. Susan approached the Gryffindor table, almost in tears.
"I just got a letter from my Aunt Amelia and it's all true, Tonks barely managed to push Harry and Hermione out of the path of a killing curse."
Ginny also had tears threatening to escape. " They just can't seem to catch a break, how bad have things gotten when you can't walk down Diagon Alley without someone trying to kill you?"
Their discussion suffered an interuption at this point by an unannounced visitor to Hogwarts. "Oh it's worse than that Miss Weasley, I also had to stop them writing replies to their friends. I simply couldn't take the chance of any information leaking out, we really need to keep them safe and secure."
Amelia felt terrible for doing that to Harry and Hermione, so had come to Hogwarts herself to explain to their friends. Harry and Hermione were putting their very lives on the line, Amelia felt it was the least she could do. There was also another reason for her being here though, after giving Susan a quick hug she headed for the headmistress.
"Headmistress Sprout, I'm afraid I must take one of your students and a professor into protective custody."
Pomona wasn't about to let just anyone walk out the castle with one of her students. "Only if you have the proper paperwork and signed parental consent Madam Bones."
This actualy drew a smile from Amelia as she handed over a scroll, Pomona's attitude softened the instant she read it.
"I feel a lot happier with you in charge of the castle Pomona, you keep right on putting everyone in their place. I'm sending you an auror to teach Remus' classes until he can return, and I can't give you any clue as to when that return will be."
Pomona caught on quickly to what Amelia was doing here. "You are taking the people who know Mr Poter's whereabouts into protective custody, are things really that far along?"
"I'm afraid so, the death eaters will stop at nothing to get a hold of him. I'm closing down any and all potential sources of information."
Remus was at least aware of what was actually going on, current up until yesterday that is, so happily went with Amelia. Susan was still talking at the Gryffindor table though there appeared quite the crowd present now. There was no easy way to say this, and it would paint a target on Susan, but it had to be done.
"Susan, I'm afraid I need to remove you from Hogwarts."
This stopped all conversation but it was Ginny who blurted the reason out. "Of course, you know where Harry is? You didn't tell anyone, did you?"
"Certainly not!"
"Oh I'm sorry Susan, I know you would never say anything. We're all just worried about Harry and Hermione. Madam Bones, could you tell them not to worry about answering our letters, we all understand."
One of the main purposes of her visit appeared to be accomplished as Ginny's suggestion met with lots of agreement. "They said that they had great friends, you just proved that Miss Weasley. They are well and will be in touch as soon as it's safe to do so.
Remus and Susan walked out the hall with Amelia, both reckoning they would end up in Crawley and also that they wouldn't be staying there too long.
-oOoOo-
Breakfast that morning in Crawley was a strange one, especially when Harry and Hermione plonked a large carved stone bowl in the middle of the table. It appeared to be full of something like watery soup and Dan had already decided to give this wizarding delicacy a miss. Hermione though seemed particularly excited about this dish.
"Sirius told us about these things last night and Dobby managed to buy one. We know yesterday was hellish for you both so this is a gift from Harry and me."
Neither Dan nor Emma had the slightest idea how to respond to that, everything changed though when Hermione touched the bowl with her wand. The Granger parents were each rendered incapable of speech.
Both were mesmerised as they watched a four-year-old Hermione playing at making sandcastles with Emma while Dan was cooking lunch on the barbecue. Dan remembered the incident well, it was just the day before he'd put the sand pit in their back garden. Emma also remembered that after lunch, she and Hermione would splash each other in the large paddling pool. That was before filling Hermione's pail with water and chasing Dan around the garden while their daughter's laughter spurred them on.
Here were real three-D images, in full colour and with sound. It was so realistic, it instantly transported any watcher into the scene. It was astoundingly accurate, magnificantly detailed and must have cost a king's ransom to enable the figures to manoeuvre around the bowl. It was almost as if the 'soup' was the stage and their younger selves performed on top of it.
"Harry, this is so thoughtful and absolutly fantastic, but we can't possibly accept this..."
The wizard in question instantly cut Dan off before he could say anymore. "Sir, I won't pretend that this wasn't expensive, but it's what's placed inside it that's priceless. I think what we are trying to say is that the only thing that's irriplacable is life itself. Did I get that right love?"
Harry found himself being kissed by the other Granger girl. "I think you got it just perfect Harry."
"Could we give the 'sir' a miss Harry and try Dan? I don't think either of us are quite ready for dad just yet."
Hermione was ecstatic at this developement, her mother kissing Harry while her father held out an olive branch, and then Sirius decided to get involved. Placing a silvery memory into the bowl, he offered a suggestion.
"Why don't you just earmark it as the family pensieve?"
At that, his memory started to play and it was an emotional group who watched the wedding of Lily Evans to James Potter.
Hermione was snuggling in Harry's arms as the memory finished playing, witnessing that beautiful yet simple ceremony saw her reach an important decision. "Harry, I want to get married. I want to be Mrs Potter before walking into that room on Saturday night."
She was going to get no argument from Harry on this. "I've got the ring love, but I don't know how to arrange the rest."
Their family came rushing to the rescue with Tonks getting the ball rolling.
"Madam Bones has the legal power to marry couples."
Sirius quickly chipped in with the next suggestion. "We could hold the ceremony here?"
Emma raised the problem about a dress before Winky popped in and announced she could make any dress the mistress required. Dobby was right behind her with an offer to bake and decorate their wedding cake. it was already a given that the elves would be catering for any reception.
All eyes then turned to Dan for his opinion, the tears he was struggling to hold onto were a major clue. "I'll get to give my little girl away on her wedding day!"
Amelia, Susan and Remus weren't sure what to expect when they entered the Potter / Black household, laughter and excitement weren't exactly high on their lists though.
-oOoOo-
Draco Malfoy was ignoring everything that was happening around him, attacks and suicides meant nothing to the Slytherin when compared to the letter held in his hand. His mother just had their worst fears officially confirmed. Lucius had done a runner out the country with the Malfoy family wealth, leaving them homeless and broke. She was currently staying in a rented room at the Leaky Cauldron, and had to sell some of her jewellery to be able to afford even that.
Uncertain wasn't nearly a strong enough word to describe their future though Draco was already positive Hogwarts wouldn't feature in his. They would need a roof over their heads and food on the table more than paying for him to be away for most of the year. Add in the expense of school supplies and such, well there wasn't really a decision to be made.
His tuition was already paid for the rest of this term, giving his mother some breathing space to try and plot a future for their diminishing family unit. What that future would be was currently out of Draco's hands. What he did know though was that he hoped to meet his father sometime in the future, Draco would love a chance to remind the selfish bastard of a lesson that had been drummed into him since he was a todler. That lesson was you never crossed a Malfoy, not and still expect to live that is.
-oOoOo-
It was a delighted Amelia who quickly agreed to perform the wedding ceremony but she had to scupper their other plans.
"I understand your reasoning that it wouldn't really matter, since it will all be over on Sunday, but I still have to say no. The Durmstrang headmaster is a death eater who escaped prison by informing on everyone he knew. If he's smart enough to avoid Azkaban and then hold a headmaster's job, he's clever enough to understand what's going on if all your friends suddenly start leaving Hogwarts."
Amelia held her hands out to avoid their interruptions before she could explain her reasoning fully. "At the moment the death eaters aren't organised, we believe some won't even be aware of what will happen to them when we finally rid the world of Voldemort. The last thing we want to do is give them any hint of our timescale. As Mr Krum is his student, we would have to inform Karkaroff of when Victor would be returning. This development could change worried death eaters into frantic animals, animals that would do anything to survive. How would we be expected to respond if they snatched a group of children and demanded Harry as the price of the kids safe release? I will aid you in anyway I can but, as head of the DMLE, I can't sanction risking innocent lives so your friends can attend your wedding."
Remus, like everyone there could see how much this hurt the young couple. Perhaps it was holding a certain map in his hands again after all this time that caused the defence professor to let his inner marauder out to play for the first time in years. "Madam Bones, perhaps I could make a suggestion that may help?"
-oOoOo-
Ron Weasley was having a bad day. That someone tried to kill his two best friends was certainly the start of it, now he would have to wait even longer to discover if they accepted his apology for not writing sooner. His day though just got worse as their stand-in DADA professor appeared to take an instant dislike to him.
Jibes coming in his direction all period were hard enough to ignore but the mention of an impromptu duelling tournament was the last straw. As there were an uneven number of students in the class, Ron got to take on the large black auror who'd been on his case from the instant he walked in the door. Not only that, they were going to be up first.
They were making preperations to begin dueling when the auror got close enough to Ron so that only the redhead could hear what was being said. Ron then discovered why this geezer with the bald head and hoop earring took an instant personal dislike to the youngest male Weasley.
"I'm stuck here with you snot-nosed brats because everyone has their knickers in a twist concerning Harry bloody Potter. Well I'm just going to console myself by kicking his best friend's arse all over this classroom. I can only hope that the next death eater to take a pop at Potter is a better shot."
Ron's firey temper was well known, and his reaction to the auror's remarks utterly predictable. The Gryffindor exploded in pure rage and began screaming obscenities while firing curses at the auror, an auror who was unfortunately far too well trained and experienced for the fourth year student to make any impression. Ron was disarmed and in a full body bind within a matter of moments.
"Pathetic, if that's all this class has got to offer then it's a good job I'm here. Not that this will be your concern anymore Mr Weasley, take this note to the headmistress at once. Oh, and take your stuff with you, you won't be coming back."
Ron was heading toward the spiral staircase with his head down, thinking this day couldn't get any worse when the headmistress once more proved him wrong. "Mr Weasley, I can't tell you how disappointed I am in you. After putting all your earlier detentions behind you, I thought we had turned a corner with your behaviour. Clearly I was wrong. You leave me no other option but to suspend you from Hogwarts."
Ron was handed a portkey and didn't even have time to say anything in his defence before feeling the now familiar hook behind his navel. Ron then naturally assumed he was in a lot more trouble than he first thought possible. This assumption was understandable, considering he was obviously in the Head of the DMLE's office and Madam Bones had her wand trained on him.
It was only after the spell washed over Ron that the scary witch smiled and lowered her wand. "My apologies for the subterfuge Mr Weasley but it was necessary. No auror of mine would ever behave so unprofessionally as your defence professor just did, but we needed a viable reason to get you out of Hogwarts without raising anyone's suspicion. As you can probably guess, the story of you being sent home will be all over the castle by dinner tonight. Doing it the way we did should put you in the clear."
"Madam Bones, can you please tell me what the bloody hell is going on? What was that spell you hit me with?"
"That spell Mr Weasley scanned you for tracking or monitoring charms. You're father gave his permission for this to happen, though it cost him a secrecy oath and he doesn't know where you will be going."
"Where will I be going?"
"Wherever this portkey takes you."
Ron wasn't really happy with that answer but didn't seem to have too much choice in the matter. He took hold of the object Madam Bones gave him and once again felt the hook behind his navel. His ribs being crushed soon replaced this feeling and his vision was blocked off by a mass of wavy brown hair. His eardrums also underwent an assault as Hermione's scream of greeting nearly deafened him.
"Oh Ron, it's so good to see you."
Hermione let him go and then Harry was shaking his hand. "Got a favour to ask you mate. Hermione and I are getting married tomorrow and I need a best man?"
The combination of seeing Harry and Hermione again, and also what he was being asked, nearly had Ron's eyes bulging out his head. All he could managed was one word. "Really?"
This one word though was enough to set Hermione off as she attempted to explain the situation to Ron in under thirty seconds. "Well, I know we're not exactly the proper ages to get married but, after what happened at the ministry trial, they're allowing us do this. Apparently there are some old laws regarding Harry being the last male survivor of …"
"Hermione stop! What I meant was do you really want me to be best man at your wedding? I've been a bit of a prat this year."
Both grabbed an arm each and led him from the front steps of the house into the entrance hall. "Who else would I ask Ron? It wouldn't feel right if you weren't there. You'll be wearing a tux, just like the one I got at Christmas. Winky will be measuring you later and making a copy of mine to fit you."
They chatted away as the trio mended some fences from earlier in the year. They both had felt it was appropriate to inform Ron about horcruxes, but neither was comfortable talking about what would happen on Saturday night at the ministry. It wasn't that Harry and Hermione didn't trust Ron with the information about the ritual, they just didn't want to be in the same room as their friend when his head exploded from embarrassment.