Chapter 15
Peter was getting more and more nervous, the Potter brat should have been here by now. All Igor had to do was plant the portkey in the correct hostage's bindings, it was timed to activate when the task began and would bring the next person to touch the hostage directly here. It would also bring the hostage but his orders were very simple, kill any spares.
His master was not noted for his patience, five minutes after the deadline was enough, "Potter is not here therefore Karkaroff's incompetence will cost the fool his life."
They had just begun to walk away when the portkey delivered a bound Ronald Weasley with two floundering mermen into the graveyard. Peter followed his instructions and quickly dispatched the creatures while the dark lord had his wand trained on the terrified Ron.
"You are not Harry Potter, Crucio!"
Peter watched the boy writhing in agony and was aware it was dangerous to interrupt his master, but it would soon be too late to act. "Master, Potter must not have been able to save the boy in time. Perhaps Harry Potter is not as powerful as everyone thought?"
This stayed Voldemort's hand and made him reconsider, "You may be right, his founder's heir status would only help him within the castle walls."
"This boy here is most definitely your enemy my lord. Can you imagine Potter's pain when he couldn't save what he'd miss most, only for you to take it from under his and Dumbledore's very noses? It will totally destroy the boy."
Peter could see his master liked the idea, and it would save him having to go chasing after Potter to somehow bring him back here. He continued to press his luck. "We could use this boy for the ceremony, then send his blood traitor friend back to Potter." Peter thought he might just have pushed things a little too far so quickly added a proviso. "Of course, sent back a small piece at a time my lord."
The opportunity of returning to a real body which had the added bonus of causing Potter so much pain was just too great a temptation for Voldemort to resist, especially since he didn't actually have to touch the Potter brat to kill him. "Very well Wormtail, we'll use the boy we have. Just remember how I reward failure so make no mistakes!"
Ron was barely conscious as Peter secured him to a headstone before triple checking his preparations. He'd seen it happen enough times to know exactly how his master rewarded failure, it was not an easy way to die.
-oOoOo-
All eyes were on Harry but it was Hermione who reacted first, "Harry you can't, not now."
"Hermione, you of all people know I must. I was the one who left him down there, I even made a flippant comment to Dumbledore about finally getting rid of the prat. If it were you Voldemort had captured, I would already have left!"
"Then I'm coming with you!"
Harry held her face gently in his hands and brushed her lips with his. He knew this decision could be disastrous but it had to be this way. There would be lethal spells and curses flying about soon and Hermione wouldn't be protected outside the castle. The mere thought of her being attacked by that psycho filled him with dread. "Not this time love, it's too dangerous for you to be there. Voldemort is going to be raging that his trap missed me, this is going to be brutal. I can't and won't allow anything to happen to you. Anything else you can ask me for, but I'm sorry, not this."
Hermione looked into his green eyes and saw the determination set within them. All she could think of was that Harry didn't want or need her and Hermione's world crashed. She pulled away and ran out the room in tears. Harry's rejection unleashed the friendless little girl inside her that Hermione misleadingly thought she had banished forever. Those feelings of loneliness and heartache came rushing back with a vengeance and totally overwhelmed the crying girl.
Harry was not entirely surprised by her reaction but still felt gutted, an argument he could have handled better than the tears. He couldn't change his mind though, he didn't want Hermione anywhere near Voldemort. She may hate him for it but at least she would be alive to do so. Harry attempted to focus on what needed to be done, there was no time to lose. "I placed a tracking charm on Ron so I can make a portkey that will lead me directly to him."
"Lead us directly to him you meant to say," Victor quipped.
"Yes, he's getting forgetful in his old age," answered Fleur
Cedric always thought actions spoke louder than words so just drew his wand and stood by Harry's side.
"Shit, you know we're coming!" Sirius may have just volunteered Remus as well but Moony didn't seem to mind.
Amos just had to say something, "Harry, I can have the aurors handle this, that's what they're trained for."
"I would love to let them deal with it sir but Ron doesn't have that luxury. If he follows his usual procedure, Voldemort will spend some time spouting rubbish about how he's the greatest, baddest, coolest, cleverest wizard on the planet before he tries to kill Ron. He's probably got less than ten minutes left to live."
Amos tried again, "What about Dumbledore? He's the only wizard you-know-who has ever been afraid of."
"Sir, I've fought Voldemort twice before. Both times inside Hogwarts and he didn't seem too scared of Dumbledore. I suspect that's a rumour started by the old coot to enhance his dwindling reputation. From what I've heard, Dumbledore wasn't fairing too well before Voldemort cursed me as a baby. We're wasting time here, time Ron doesn't have."
Fred and George stepped forward only for Harry to shake his head, "Sorry guys, not this time."
Barchoke was a different proposition altogether. "Harry, I have ten goblin guards outside. All would be willing to accompany us."
Harry smiled at the 'us' part and the room heard the ring hiss as he considered the offer. "Thank you Barchoke but I would feel better knowing your guards are here to protect those we leave behind. I don't believe this is a feint but we can't take that chance."
Claude Delacour, Marko Krum, Graham Bulstrode and Amos all kissed their wives before stepping forward, Harry didn't get to say any more as he was attacked.
Emma had raced after her daughter and found her lying face-down on her bed, sobbing her heart out. She none-too-gently grabbed her daughter by the shoulder and turned her around so she could see her face. "Hermione Jane Granger, I've never been ashamed of you before but I am now. That young man you profess to love is leaving here to try and perform a dangerous rescue, and you're in here, crying like a baby!"
"Harry doesn't want me mum," she sobbed.
"Hermione, do you honestly think your father or I would have let you go? There is not a hope in hell we would have stood there and let you leave. Harry is just being very sensible, unlike you."
She could see that penetrated her daughter's brain, Emma pressed home her advantage. "You should be down there reminding Harry what he has to come home to, not letting him leave here worried if you're going to speak to him when he does return. It's time to grow up Hermione and face the facts. You yourself told me this is who Harry is, of course he's going to try to rescue this boy. If you can't accept that then…"
Emma never got to finish her sentence as Hermione leapt from the bed and shot off down the corridor as fast as she could run, praying she wasn't too late and he'd already gone.
Spying her love, she screamed "Harry!" before pouncing on him. Her kiss pushed away any thoughts of hurt out of both their minds. When it ended she whispered in his ear, "Tonight I'll be in your room, you'd better be there Potter. This you can and will allow."
Harry gave her a quick kiss, "That's a date love, sorry but we've got to rush." When he saw Barchoke with the blade in his hand, Harry called for the Sword of Gryffindor and placed it in his shoulder holster before turning a piece of rope into a portkey.
Harry looked at all the faces watching them, "I promise we'll take care and be back as soon as we're able. Dan please look after everyone." He activated the portkey and the eleven of them disappeared.
Hermione felt slightly better when she saw the number of people accompanying Harry but still dropped to her knees crying the moment they had left.
The room was descending into tears as Gabrielle hugged her mum and cried, Ginny cried in Neville's arms, Millie had to be comforted by her mum and Hermione was a basket case.
It was Luna who took command, "We are so not doing this, Harry promised they'd be back and he never breaks his promises." The little blond was just getting into her stride, she began barking out orders. "George, go and fetch Madam Pomfrey, we may have injured returning. Fred, inform your parents exactly what's happening, if they're beating up Dumbledore don't dare interrupt until they're finished."
It was the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Slytherin girls turn to be given orders from Lieutenant Luna, "Girls, can you turn the training room into a makeshift infirmary? We hopefully won't need it but better get it ready just in case. Dan you need to let the guards know that there will be people coming and tell them who's allowed entry." She then turned to Colin and the vulnerability she was feeling wasn't as easily hidden, "Colin, could you get my dad?" He gave her a quick hug before running out the door.
Luna felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to find Tabitha Diggory there. "You know, there's a perfectly good infirmary at the castle and St Mungo's available as well."
Luna couldn't manage a smile for the kind woman who was the minister's wife and Cedric's mum. "I know ma'am, it's more to give people something to do rather than sitting worrying about what could be happening."
"You're a very bright girl Luna, I just wish you had something for me to do."
"I know exactly what you mean," Luna then knelt beside Emma who was trying in vain to comfort a distraught Hermione.
-oOoOo-
Down at the temporary dock, the leader of the merpeople was conversing with Dumbledore while Cho and Roger were being handed over to the waiting arms of their relieved families.
Arthur didn't need to speak mermish to understand that something was seriously wrong. If the body language indicated by their leader was anything to judge, he was currently tearing strips off Dumbledore.
When he saw Fred come racing round the corner, Arthur was sure that Ron's hand on the family clock was now pointing at mortal peril. He'd never seen either of the twins appear so serious, therefore it must be really bad news.
"Mum, Dad, Ron's been taken by you-know-who, portkeyed right out of the lake."
Dumbledore attempted to get a grip on the situation before it got out of hand, "We don't know exactly what's happen yet…"
Fred was furious, "Yes we do! Harry had tracking and monitoring charms on all the hostages."
This stunned Albus and Fred couldn't believe what he was seeing. "The great Albus Dumbledore hadn't even considered doing that! You claimed they were all safe while Harry was the only one keeping watch on them."
This was too much for Arthur, his fist connected with Dumbledore's jaw and the old fool ended up in the lake. The merpeople rather pointedly left him splashing about before Amelia Bones levitated him out.
Fred could see his mother was in a state so got to the good news, "Harry's leading a rescue party to go and get him back, you're to come up to his accommodation and wait on them returning."
Dumbledore got shakily to his feet, "A rescue party? I'd better get up there right away, they're sure to need me." The old man, standing there dripping wet with a bloody lip and offering to rescue someone suddenly appeared ludicrous. Albus looked as if he'd have trouble getting a goldfish out a bath with a net.
Fred drowned the last of Dumbledore's illusions. "They've already left and besides Harry, there's French, Bulgarians, a goblin, a couple of Hogwarts professors and even the minister of magic. All left to save my brother, my brother that you kidnapped and put down there. Your name was mentioned but nobody trusted you enough to stand with them."
Amelia Bones had been called when the champions left, she was intending to charge Dumbledore with endangering these children. Now that the Weasley boy was missing, the charges just got a lot more serious. "Dumbledore, you have an appointment at the ministry, the length of stay will depend on the outcome of Mr Potter's rescue mission. Your future's tied to that boy's welfare because I'm quite prepared to charge you with anything that happens to him."
-oOoOo-
The rescue party found themselves appearing in a graveyard with wands and weapons ready, there were obviously wards up since the portkey hadn't led them directly to Ron. There was no trouble locating him though as his cries for help could clearly be heard. They spread out and cautiously made their way forward, Ron was at least still alive so this was not the time to go charging into an unknown situation.
They found Ron tied to a gravestone and Peter standing over him with a wand in his hand, "Bone of the father, unknowingly given. You will renew your son."
His wand began transporting something from the ground to the biggest bloody cauldron Harry had ever seen, the fire underneath it had the contents bubbling away like mad.
"There's no escape this time Peter," Sirius growled.
Peter's response was to instantly fire of a brace of killing curses aimed in their general direction. Amos just managed to pull Cedric to the ground as the green beam flew through the space his son had been occupying a split second earlier. Their good fortune was short lived however as they found themselves at eye level with Nagini. The giant snake was in mid-strike when the razor-sharp blade wielded by Barchoke halted its forward process. The severed head landed beside the minister of magic and his son, both of whom looked toward the goblin with gratitude.
Peter had transformed into his rat form and scurried away, dodging curses as he went, only to transform back behind a large headstone and fire another couple of killing curses.
They were all forced to take cover as Peter continued this deadly game of hide and seek which saw pieces of marble shrapnel flying through the air as both sides blasted headstones apart, attempting to connect with the person hiding behind it.
Peter's animagus ability, and the fact that he was throwing killing curses while in human form, was keeping their superior numbers pinned down. They had no idea where he would pop-up next and those green beams had to be avoided at all cost.
It all ended with a high pitched squeal as Peter tried his trick just once too often and a big black dog emerged, violently shaking the squealing rat in his jaws. Padfoot tossed the rat onto a clear patch of grass and multiple stunners hit Wormtail. Sirius transformed with a huge grin on his face, only to be punched on the shoulder by a raging godson.
"Sirius, next time forget the grandstanding. We don't need to announce our presence, just stun the bastard where he stands!" Harry ended his words by pulling the shocked marauder into a hug before checking that everyone was ok. Remus and Graham were cutting an unconscious Ron free, the killing curses flying all around him had caused the terrified Ron to faint. The worst damage they had taken was cuts and bruises from all the marble shrapnel, they had been very lucky.
When Sal started hissing the entire group quietened down, Harry as usual was left to translate. "Sal says they were attempting an extremely dark ritual here, not used since the time of the Pharaohs. Voldemort's spirit is in that cauldron, which will explode in a matter of minutes and return him to that wraith form again. Sal reckons we might be able to adapt the ritual to bind him for good, but we only have seconds here to make up our minds."
All eyes turned to Amos, so glad that it wasn't Fudge where they would have to wait until he'd run a poll to see how it would affect his public standing. "Does it involve anyone getting hurt?"
Harry glanced down at the unconscious Wormtail, "Well not anyone who matters."
This seemed to be the clincher for Amos, "That bastard nearly killed my son, do it!"
Harry was spurred into action, "Marauders, I need that rat in human form, we also need to find a headstone that says 'Tom Riddle' on it."
"Here Harry!" Graham shouted, "It's the one Ron was tied to."
He turned to his fellow champions, "I want a couple of large chunks of that placed in the cauldron."
They didn't hesitate, Victor hit the headstone with a reducto curse, then Fleur and Cedric levitated the two largest pieces over the bubbling cauldron.
"Stone of the father, unknowingly given. You will confine your son." After Harry's words, Fleur and Cedric dropped the large lumps of stone into the now hissing liquid as Harry marched over to Peter.
"Revive him!"
Peter awoke and could be forgiven for thinking he was back in the shrieking shack, leaning over him were Sirius, Remus and Harry Potter. This was a different Harry Potter though, a Harry Potter who had determination in his eyes and had just pulled the deadliest looking knife Peter had ever seen from behind his back.
"You picked the wrong side Peter and now it's time to pay!" Harry's knife flashed faster than the terrified wizard's eyes could follow as Peter screamed.
Harry dug the point of his knife into the piece of flesh now lying on the grass. Peter looked on in horror as the Potter brat walked away with his ear on the point of his knife, skewered there like some bizarre shish kebab.
Harry approached the cauldron, "Flesh of the servant, forcibly taken. You will restrict your master." He knocked the ear off the end of his knife and the cauldron emitted a great belch of steam.
Harry drew the sword of Gryffindor from his shoulder holster before verbally exploding. "What the fuck do you mean, 'get everyone clear of the blast zone', you never mentioned anything about a frigging blast zone?"
Every one waited with bated breath as Sal conversed with Harry, he didn't appear too happy with what he was hearing. "Ok, there's a good chance this whole cauldron could explode. You need to take cover now."
Sirius was at his side in an instant, casting a shield charm at the cauldron. "You think I'm going back to tell the Granger girls I hid behind a headstone while you got injured, then you my boy are nuttier than squirrel shit. I would end up needing my own headstone by the time they were finished with me."
Remus and the other three champions joined him as well, Victor gave the champions point of view. "We've stuck together so far and it's worked for us, this is not the time to change things."
Harry called a halt before things got totally out of hand. "We need some people to transport us home if we get injured, just make sure the bloody rat doesn't get away again."
Barchoke took a disk out his pocket, he twisted the centre and it transformed into a large metallic shield, a shield that accidentally and solidly whacked Peter on the head as the goblin joined Harry.
"He's not going anywhere now and neither am I." Barchoke placed himself, and his shield in front of Harry. Everyone else cast shield charms at the cauldron as Harry prepared himself.
Harry ran the edge of the sword along his palm, drawing blood which he then used to coat the blade, "Here goes nothing!" taking a deep breath he completed the ritual, "Blood of the enemy, willingly given. The sword and stone will seal your foe's soul forever!"
Harry plunged the sword into the cauldron; a blood-curling scream was the last thing he heard as it exploded with a force that made a mockery of the shield charms. Darkness overtook him.
The magical backlash Harry's actions released blew them all away like leaves in an autumn wind, their bodies lay scattered and still. There aren't words to describe Amos Diggory's feelings when he reached his son and found him still breathing. The minister glanced over to where the cauldron had stood, the sight that greeted his eyes was way easier to describe. A roundish black boulder, at least a meter in diameter with veins of red and green running through it, had the Sword of Gryffindor embedded almost to its hilt into the rock.
"We need to get some people here to help, that blast took down all the wards."
It was Claude Delacour who sounded the voice of reason, "Wait Amos, we can't let what happened here become public knowledge. We need help but we also must get that thing somewhere that nobody can ever get their hands on it."
A groaning and bleeding Barchoke just about managed to sit upright, "I agree with our French friend here, this has to be kept a secret. The blood that Harry placed on that blade means only he, or a direct descendant of his could ever remove the sword from the stone. That young man deserves some peace in his life for once. Let it be known that we prevented Voldemort returning to a body and banished him again, that is all that need be said."
Marko and Graham had been checking the extent of the injured, "Harry and Sirius are the worst, the kids armour saved their lives and Remus being a werewolf is helping him for once."
Barchoke expected this news from Graham, "The magical backlash was focused on Harry because he was the one doing the binding. I suggest getting the sword and stone to Gringotts and locking it in our deepest, most secure vault."
Amos didn't have to think for too long, "Can we do that for now and make a final decision when the entire company can give their opinion? These young people have every right to have their say as well."
Barchoke had made it shakily to his feet before clutching the medallion around his neck, a minute later four heavily armed goblins arrived, ready for a fight.
Barchoke spoke to them in their native language and the four goblins hit their blades off their shields before surrounding the item and portkeying it and them away.
A groan from Victor signalled he was coming around, Fleur wasn't far behind him. "Graham, Barchoke and Marco, could you take Harry and Sirius back, we'll follow as soon as we can." Amos could see Cedric also beginning to stir and reckoned that shortly Remus would be the only one needing levitated.
Ron Weasley awoke and looked round at the total devastation in the graveyard. Headstones were smashed to smithereens and there were bodies everywhere, he recognised Harry lying unconscious with blood coming out his nose and ears.
He also recognised that bastard Peter and hoped he was dead, hard to tell with all the blood covering his balding head. Then Ron remembered who else had been here, "You-know-who's here, we have to get out of this place."
Amos approached the terrified boy, "It's ok son, he's been dealt with. You can leave with the first batch, I'm sure Molly will be past distraught by now."
Ron's gaze fixed on his former friend, without being told he knew it was Harry's idea to save him, just as he knew it was Harry who'd 'dealt' with the problem. Ron Weasley reckoned he could live to be a hundred and still never figure out Harry Potter.
He found himself helping a goblin to walk, though hobble would be a better description. Apparently, without Harry making the portkey they had to appear outside the Hogwarts wards, as the cube came into view the goblin guards raced to help them.
Harry and Sirius now had a goblin at each corner of the conjured stretchers their unconscious forms lay on while the injured goblin was also receiving help. Ron was finally going to see inside the cube he'd heard so much about, it only took being kidnapped, then rescued from you-know-who in a graveyard to make it happen.
-oOoOo-
A clearly agitated Dobby popped into the lounge, "Mister Granger you are needed to be giving your permission, some of them have returned."
Hermione went from being barely able to function to beating her father out the door as she sped out the cube, the sight of the two stretchers just focused her determination to reach the group.
Hermione didn't ever notice Ron as she rushed right past him, Ron approached the door but was engulfed by his sobbing mother before he could step inside. Once she and his siblings had verified he was alright, Ginny and the twins headed back inside with the rest of the returning group. Ron was marched by his parents down to where Madam Bones and Headmistress McGonagall were finishing interviewing the other two un-rescued hostages.
There was relief he was alive and everyone wanted to know what happened, this was Ron's moment in the sun. He noticed Cho Chang eyeing him speculatively and Ron thought that this was more like it, all the girls loved a hero. He had no idea Cho was thinking that if Harry would risk his life to rescue this prat, then perhaps there was still a chance for her with Cedric. Turns out both of them were delusional.
"Last thing I remember in school was Professor Dumbledore approaching me, when I woke up it was in a graveyard that had Pettigrew and you-know-who there. Pettigrew killed the two mermen while you-know-who put me under the Cruciatus, after that they tied me to a gravestone. I was in and out of consciousness but I remember the rescuers having a big fight, when I was finally cut down there were bodies lying everywhere."
Amelia needed more information, "Mr Weasley, could you be a bit more specific about these bodies? Who was down and what condition were they in? Was the minister ok?"
Ron tried to remember as best he could, "The minister was ok, all the champions and professors Black and Lupin were on the ground. Harry's goblin friend was also hurt. I think Harry and Professor Black are the worst though, that's why they brought them back first."
"What of you-know-who and Pettigrew?"
"Oh Pettigrew was definitely on the ground while the minister said you-know-who had been dealt with. From the state Harry was in, I would say it was him that did the dealing with."
Amelia had learned all she could here, she needed to get to that graveyard. "Do you have any idea where this graveyard is?"
Ron shook his head, "Sorry Madam Bones, between the torture and spells flying everywhere I just wanted to get out of there. It never crossed my mind to ask just where there was."
Arthur had also heard enough, "Minerva, it would appear Poppy is going to have her hands full very shortly. We'll take Ron to St Mungo's to get him checked over, then he's coming home with us until this can be investigated. Amelia could you please keep me informed with what's happening? My son has just been kidnapped and tortured by an unforgivable curse, someone's going to pay."
Ron was struggling to hide his disappointment, not only did he not get into Harry's home but there was nobody at the Burrow to play hero to. Even his twin brothers and sister appeared more concerned with how Harry was than his condition.
Hermione was at Harry's side and nothing or no one was going to remove her, the stretchers were heading for the make-shift infirmary. Poppy wanted to move them to the castle but all her potions and lotions then appeared, well ordered and aligned on shelves just waiting to be used.
Poppy didn't want Hermione there but was beaten into submission before she could even start to complain, Harry's armour was impervious to spells or any blade she had at her disposal. The suits were charmed-sealed and Poppy had no idea how to take it off the young wizard.
Hermione ran her finger down the centre of his chest to reveal a zipper, the same at the top of his hips and they were able to remove both articles from his heavily bruised body. With Hermione present, Poppy was pleased to see he was at least wearing underwear though she had no idea who this Calvin Klein was.
There were no tears now, her Harry had come back to her, battered, bruised and unconscious but he had come back. Hermione had been here before, ever since first year she'd visited Harry in the infirmary so this was at least familiar territory.
Poppy had completed her scan, "There doesn't seem to be any serious internal injuries, he has a concussion and two broken arms. It would appear both he and Sirius were directly in line with a blast of some sort, Harry got the brunt of it but his basilisk armour saved him from serious injury. Sirius is pretty much the same except broken ribs instead of arms."
Back in the lounge Graham was telling a captivated audience what happened, "So we had just got Pettigrew then Harry stabbed you-know-who with his sword. The magical backlash sent everyone flying but the other three champions were coming around as we left. Barchoke was in front of Harry with a metal shield of some sort, it was lying on the grass all buckled and dented when we left. I reckon it probably saved both their lives"
Emma and Dan had waited to hear what had happened before going in to see Harry, they also wanted to give Hermione a few minutes with him. They and Luna entered the modified training room to find her sitting beside Harry while running her fingers through his hair. Poppy had her lift his head as she manipulated his throat to get some potion into Harry, Dan helped her do the same for Sirius.
Hermione never took her eyes off Harry as she spoke, "He's going to be ok, I know he looks bad mum but this is where magic comes into its own. Harry will be back with us shortly."
"Graham Bulstrode said Harry defeated Voldemort, it would appear the whole thing was a plan so he could capture Harry."
Her daughter just nodded, "We both knew that the second Ron was taken, why else would Voldemort want the prat? How is everyone else?"
"From what we can gather your friends all stood with Harry and got hit with some magical blast when he finished Voldemort."
Hermione was still slowly running her fingers through his untameable hair, almost as if to reassure herself that Harry was really here. "I should have been with him mum."
It was Lieutenant Luna who answered her, "That's rubbish Hermione and you know it, Harry wouldn't have been able to concentrate with you there. He places a higher value on your life than anyone else's, including his own! Harry would have been so concerned about you getting hurt that he could have ended up worse than he is. This is when he needs you Hermione, to be there for him when he wakes up. Don't you dare give him a hard time for the decision he made today, the Harry Potter we both know and love couldn't have done it any other way. How would Harry feel if he came round and the first thing he saw was you lying injured in the bed next to him?"
Their discussion was saved from going any further by the remainder of the rescue party arriving, Cedric, Fleur and Victor were effectively walking wounded while Remus was being assisted by Claude and Amos. Their families were all delighted to see them as Amelia hovered in the background, desperate for news but could understand Amos being more concerned about his son at the moment. Once Amos had assured Tabitha he was fine and they both could see Cedric was going to be ok, he headed straight for Amelia.
"Pettigrew is at the front door, under the watchful eyes of the goblin guards. No chances are to be taken with him, a trial and then the verdict carried out. You-know-who has also been dealt with by Harry."
"I need more information than just 'dealt with', what the hell happened in that graveyard?"
Amos shook his head, "What happened there is known to very few and that's the way it's going to stay, let's just say Harry Potter shoved the Sword of Gryffindor so far into you-know….Voldemort we're not going to be seeing him again. There was no body but the magical backlash caused what you see here. A lot of people in this room deserve awards for their bravery but we don't want this being looked at too closely. The last thing we need is some maniacal follower trying to bring him back!"
Amelia had been an auror long enough to know that sometimes it was the information you weren't being given that told the story. If there was the slightest chance Voldemort could be returned, then she agreed that information should not be shared.
Amos was in full minister of magic mode now, "I'll make you a portkey to take you there, we need to collect the bodies of two mermen and repair a lot of damage. Anything beyond repair will just have to be credited to muggle vandals. I want someone, not Dumbledore, to be able to translate to the merpeople how sorry we are at their loss and have the bodies returned to them. Where is Dumbledore anyway? I expected him to be here."
-oOoOo-
Albus looked around his cell, it didn't take long in this eight by six box. Revealing that Igor Karkaroff had assisted him with placing the hostages in the lake had proved a revelation too far for Amelia.
What he couldn't believe was that Harry had gone off to face Voldemort and deliberately left him behind, he understood their relationship was strained but that had really hit home to him just how badly it had deteriorated. Since Halloween everything that Albus touched appeared to turn to shit, he wondered if there was a polar opposite of the Midas touch and imagined it being christened the Dumbledore grope.
Harry's name coming out of that goblet had left him groping in the dark, trying to get some control over a situation that kept spiralling more and more out of his grasp. Now he found himself jobless, booted out of the castle and the review of his position as Supreme Mugwump could no longer be in any doubt.
Amelia had also informed him that she was including the charge of casting spells on a muggle, and the far more serious one of trying to break the betrothal of Harry and Hermione.
If Harry was successful in his rescue attempt, the public would adore him and Albus was screwed for trying to break his betrothal. If Harry failed then Amelia had already promised to implicate him in the boy's murder and Albus was screwed again. He'd been sitting trying to think of a third option but so far had come up with nothing. Basically, Albus Dumbledore was screwed!
-oOoOo-
Harry emerged from his darkness to the soothing sensation of someone running their fingers slowly through his hair. He carefully opened his eyes and couldn't mistake the shape beside him, even in the dark and without his glasses. As his brain gradually came online, the results his senses were transmitting to aforementioned brain were both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. He was in a bed with Hermione Granger.
A gentle kiss on his lips was way more than he expected, getting his head chewed off was more in line with what he was prepared for. "I thought you would be angry with me?"
Hermione could hear the rasp in his voice so produced a tumbler of ice cold water for him before answering, "I wasn't angry Harry, I was bloody furious. You've been unconscious for two days though which has given my rational side time to take control, that and Luna threatened me with terrible retribution if I gave you a hard time over this."
"Two days?"
"Yes Harry but let me finish before we move on to that. My rational side understands why you did it and both my parents swore they wouldn't let me go anyway but I was still hurt. If we're together then that means we're together, facing the good and bad, as long as we're together I don't mind."
"I have no problem with the good and the bad love, it's just facing Voldemort when you're fifteen I have a big problem with."
"Well since you've 'dealt' with him, can you promise me I'll never be left behind again? I've discovered I'm really bad at sitting waiting to find out if my betrothed is alive or dead."
Hermione's tears hurt Harry far more than his various injuries did, he held her tight and spoke softly to her. "I couldn't finish him for good love but I've done the next best thing." He could feel her entire body stiffen with fear so continued his tale, "His soul is trapped in rock, held there by the Sword of Gryffindor. Only someone of my bloodline can remove the sword from the stone."
Hermione understood immediately, "Like Merlin did with Excalibur, only Arthur could remove it."
"Yes, and I'm hoping that story doesn't get out as it paint's a large target over me and my descendants. The death eaters will want us to revive their master while someone like Dumbledore would think it acceptable to wipe out the Potters for the greater good. No more Potters and Voldemort has no way back. Did everyone make it back all right? The rumours must have been flying about like confetti for the last two days."
"The only thing reported is that you stabbed Voldemort and the magical backlash knocked you out. No lies but apparently not the whole story. Sirius woke this afternoon and everyone else was ok after a good night's sleep."
Harry had only a few worries, "I think Ron was out of it and Barchoke whacked Peter with his shield, the only thing he would be seeing was stars."
Hermione snuggled in, "He's not seeing them anymore, they kept him in a cage overnight while organising his trial. The result was never in doubt and he received the Dementor's kiss. Dumbledore is also in jail while Amelia builds the case against him, as well as endangering the hostages he's also being charged with cursing Dad and trying to break our betrothal. It looks as if he's headed for Azkaban."
Harry was suddenly very worried, "Did you sneak into my bed? What if your parents come in?"
Hermione just got comfortable so had no intention of moving, "Madam Pomfrey said it was ok to move you and Sirius back to your rooms yesterday, we set an emergency infirmary up in the training room and I have been by your side since. Mum decided I would be as well sleeping beside you since I was going to be spending the night anyway, I think they trust you more than they do me. You won a massive amount of brownie points by refusing to let me go with you, my parents love you even more for that."
Harry couldn't believe he had permission to have Hermione in his bed, he gave her a kiss before asking what he'd missed in the last two days.
"Well Colin's pictures were spectacular and showed clearly what you all faced under the lake, I didn't think Graham Bulstrode could respect you four any more until he saw those pictures. There's no chance of him saying anything after you four saved his daughter, especially as Victor hasn't left Millie's side since you returned. The Krums and Delacours are still here, with the Bulstrodes and Diggorys popping in and out. Molly and Arthur were here, trying to thank you for saving Ron. I think they're hoping for a reconciliation between the three of us but the prat is walking about playing the hero. Fleur says he looked really heroic before fainting, tied to a gravestone and screaming for help."
Harry couldn't hide his disappointment, "I thought this might have made him grow up a bit."
"Ron thinks it makes him attractive to the girls. The only one who will go anywhere near him is Romilda Vane, a little second year who loves to hang about with older boys."
"What happened with the tournament?"
"Well Karkaroff has done a runner, they think he set Ron up as a portkey to capture you. Looks like Dumbledore did you a favour by separating the hostages, didn't save him from jail though. Arthur was in no fit state to hand out marks and Barchoke was with you, fighting Voldemort." Hermione paused to gather her thoughts, "The general feeling seems to be the whole tournament has been a farce since the beginning. The picture of you four fighting the mermen to rescue Millie has swung public opinion to the champions and away from the organisers. Luna's story highlighted that the mermen were following orders from Dumbledore to be aggressive. That two of them died in the cemetery and you lot had to rescue Ron has totally destroyed Dumbledore's reputation."
"So you think they'll cancel it?"
"You couldn't be that lucky, I don't want Fleur or Victor to leave though. You need to get some rest Harry, Pomfrey recommended rest for recovery."
"Hermione I've been out of it for two days, the last thing I need is more rest."
"Oh you have no idea how much I hoped that would be your answer." There weren't too many more words exchanged after that.
Chapter 16
Breakfast next morning was a noisy but happy affair as Harry was brought up to date with everything that had been happening during his stay in bed. Remus, and Sirius both had classes to teach so they made arrangements to meet tonight after dinner. Invitations were sent out to the Diggorys, Bulstrodes and Barchoke, they would retire to the library after Dobby and Winky spoiled them again with a sumptuous meal.
The numbers meeting in the library were increased to twelve with the inclusion of Hermione. Harry's comment of, "She will bear the Potter heirs so she needs to be here,' pleased the young witch on so many levels.
Barchoke brought the assembled company up to speed on what steps they had taken to secure the article. "It currently sits in our highest security vault, I have a few suggestions on how to increase that security but would like to hear what everyone else has to say first."
Sirius thought the answer was simple, "Why don't we just destroy it? Muggle explosives? Drop it into a volcano? Something it couldn't survive!"
Sal hissed and Harry translated, "If we destroy the sword or stone, it will release Voldemort. The magic involved in creating his prison should render it pretty indestructible but I wouldn't like to chance it. The only way to kill him would have been to complete the ritual as the rat intended, let Voldemort get a body and then kill him. That task is a lot easier to say than do!"
Harry could see from the looks he was receiving that option didn't appeal to anyone sitting here either. "We've effectively trapped him like a genie in a bottle, we now have to kept that bottle safe and unopened."
Amos shook his head, "Any ideas I had focused on destroying the bloody thing, knowing that will have the opposite effect of what we want leaves me with nothing to bring to the table."
Claude had obviously been giving the problem a lot of thought as well. "I like the idea of having it locked away, rather than dropping it in the deepest part of the ocean. If the pressure cracked the stone he would escape. What we need here is layers of security to enhance the protection even Gringotts can offer."
Barchoke was impressed with the Frenchman's reasoning, it exactly matched his own. "The strongest protection we at Gringotts offer are blood wards. As with the sword, only a customer whose blood matches exactly would be able to open the vault."
They all liked the idea but who to choose, everyone there had children at present or hoped for them in their future. This was a burden they didn't want hanging around their family's neck. Barchoke continued, "If I may, I would like to offer myself as the keeper of the door. My wife died young before having any offspring and we goblins mate for life. I am the last of my line and when I pass, the door would be sealed forever."
Marko could see the logic behind this, "So the article is practically indestructible, the vault can only be opened by Barchoke and the sword needs a Potter to remove it. Add to that it's probably in the most secure part of Gringotts and nobody outside this room even knows it exists and I think we may have the layers that Claude was looking for."
It was a measure of how far this group had come that the thought of this dangerous artifact being effectively in goblin control didn't worry them in the slightest. They had fought alongside Barchoke and trusted the goblin implicitly, this indeed looked their best option.
"I would like a few of you to be present when I seal the vault."
Harry interrupted Barchoke, "I don't want to be anywhere near that vault, in fact I think we should erect wards that specifically prevent Potters from getting anywhere near that vault."
Barchoke agreed, "That can be done easily Harry, now about that other business…"
"My mind is made up Barchoke. I publicly gave my word and I am delighted, as well as honour bound to keep it. This is the way it has to be."
Barchoke appeared resigned and handed Gringotts envelopes to the entire company, apart from Harry and Hermione.
Sirius was not amused when he opened it, "Harry, what the hell is this?" There was undisguised anger in his voice.
"It's simple really, I offered a hundred thousand galleon reward for the capture of Peter Pettigrew. You lot captured him therefore I am honour bound to pay it. Please don't be insulted, I did the same for Hermione with her share of the Basilisk gold. Give it to charity if you must Sirius but that gold was placed in a separate vault specifically for this purpose, the goblins have to pay it out. Barchoke's objection was that he didn't want a share, he was there and fought well so of course he deserves a share."
The Bulstrodes and Krums were not wealthy families. With a combined twenty thousand between them and living in Bulgaria, Marko and Victor could make a lot of changes to their lives. Graham kept staring at the paper in front of him, ten thousand was enough to take the financial worry out of life for his family and enable him to spoil the two Bulstrode ladies.
Remus was also about to object when Harry headed him off. "I would have been happy to see that money go to some stranger for capturing the rat, I'm delighted to present it to my friends instead. I just hope Amos here doesn't think I'm trying to bribe him?" This got them seeing the funny side of this and ended their objections.
Amos was now laughing, everyone in Magical Britain knew of the reward for Pettigrew, just as they knew who had captured him. He didn't think there would be a problem over this. "Oh Harry I will of course declare it and probably give some of it to charity, I think Tabitha deserves a good holiday this year though."
"I'm working on that sir so please don't go making arrangements just yet," this drew looks from around the room. "What? I want to spend at least some of the summer with my friends and you will all be invited. We just haven't worked out any details yet."
The minister for magic could only shake his head. "You, Mr Potter are something else! I don't suppose you have any ideas to rescue the disaster this bloody tournament has become? The other two schools are going home and their champions are desperate for any excuse to stay."
"As a matter of fact sir I have."
Sirius hid his face in his hands, "Last time he did this I ended up head of Slytherin, Merlin only knows what he'll come up with this time!"
When they heard the idea it was quickly expanded upon until everyone was excited, now all they had to do was sell it to McGonagall. Most of them in the library knew that was going to be an incredibly easy task.
-oOoOo-
Minerva McGonagall addressed the packed great hall, "Now that you have enjoyed your dinner, I will answer the question of why Miss Delacour and Mr Krum are still at Hogwarts after their schools left. Due to bad planning and even worse security, the tri-wizard tournament became a disaster. Whoever thought staring at the Black Lake for an hour would be exciting needs fired!"
"He already has been," was shouted out from Professor Black.
"Now the castle's owner has been working closely with the goblins and the major Quidditch suppliers to support a new initiative that was scheduled to begin next year. I'd like to introduce you to representatives from Nimbus, Golden Arrow, Firebolt and the French company Vitesse."
The applause inside the great hall was thunderous, these people were regarded by the students as representing some of the most important companies in their world.
"Our champions of course need no introduction and I'll now hand you over to the minister of magic to give out the details."
Amos knew he couldn't lose. He had a captive audience and he would be telling them things they wanted to hear, it didn't get any better than that for a politician. "Quidditch is a wonderful sport that focuses young people's minds and generates countless emotions. Come to think of it, that's not restricted to young people. I get such a thrill watching Hufflepuff play and knowing they have the best seeker in the school."
This generated some laughter but Cedric's answer of, "Gee dad, thanks! I think you're the best minister currently in the school as well," had everyone laughing.
"What we want to do is to encourage more young people to play, so starting in September there will be a Hogwarts Junior league for students of third year and below." This definitely had them cheering until Amos had to hold up his hands for quiet. "The people that you see beside me have all agreed to sponsor one of the houses, supplying all the equipment needed for playing Quidditch."
Amos just let them go this time, the students were standing on their seats and cheering like mad.
It took some time to regain control but the students wanted to hear what was coming next."Now to get things started we are holding a competition weekend where each of the champions will be allocated a house to select and coach their junior team. You are all well aware of our three seekers potential but I would like to point out that Miss Delacour's knowledge of the game and skill on a broom is certainly a match for any of them. It is only her Veela heritage that prohibits her playing the game competitively."
This was a surprise to the hall, quite a few had Fleur classed as a 'dumb blond' though it was obvious her fellow champions didn't think so.
Amos then produced three bowls and explained the procedure, "The first bowl contains the name of the champions, the second will be the house they will coach while the third has the company who will sponsor that house. Rather than having fancy flames spitting out names of students who didn't enter, I thought we would just keep it simple. Miss Gabrielle Delacour if you please."
Gabi was sitting with Hermione and Luna before coming forward and drawing out the first name. "Harry Potter."
"Nice to be out first for a change!" he joked.
When the next bowl provided 'Slytherin', everyone held their breath for a moment until the Slytherin table started cheering. Tracy, Daphne and Millie were dancing and waving at the twins while chanting "We got Potter! We got Potter!" Much to the delight of the older students who remembered Harry's sorting.
When the third bowl produced 'Firebolt', brand-new Firebolt brooms, uniforms and equipment appeared on the Slytherin table and the entire house erupted. Harry and the company representative went over and sat with the delighted students.
The other three tables were now eagerly awaiting their house being drawn, after having seen what was on offer.
Gabi was smiling as she drew her sister's name, that smile broadened when Fleur was allocated Gryffindor house as they probably knew more students in that house than the other two that were left. When Gabi then drew 'Vitesse', her smile illuminated the massive room.
Romilda wasn't a happy second year, she wasn't sure if her potential boyfriend was drooling over the beautiful French Veela or the beautiful French racing brooms. Her problem being he wasn't drooling over the precocious thirteen-year-old. She stood up to attract the minister's attention before the draw proceeded any further.
"Excuse me minister, but are we supposed to help this French woman beat our Harry? That doesn't seem fair."
Hermione just acquired an instant and intense dislike of the girl. "Fleur Delacour happens to be one of me and MY Harry's best friends, we expect Gryffindor house to embrace this fabulous opportunity that it's being presented with."
"But Hermione, you know we've been trying to embrace Fleur since she got here."
George of course agreed with his twin, "Yes but she keeps laughing at us and turning us down."
"Wait George, you're getting us mixed up with Ron, Fleur just turns us down."
The twins had moved, creating a space for Fleur and the representative from Vitesse to sit, the fact that the rep was young, female and gorgeous had nothing to do with it.
"Miss, this whole thing was Mr Potter's idea and that's exactly what he expects Gryffindor to do. The representative from Nimbus has just reminded me that I didn't mention it's not just the junior teams the four companies are supporting, the senior teams will all receive brand-new equipment as well."
The resulting cheering meant Romilda was instantly forgotten about, even by her potential boyfriend. The plan to get herself noticed had backfired on the young girl.
When Victor was assigned to Hufflepuff with Nimbus sponsorship, Cho was ecstatic. You didn't need to be in Ravenclaw to deduce that they were getting Cedric and Golden Arrow. This could be the chance she needed to get back with the handsome champion, he would surely need someone from Ravenclaw to help him coach the younger Claws. Miss Chang couldn't wait to volunteer for extra practice drills.
Minerva watched as the announcements had her whole school buzzing with the excitement and enthusiasm that Albus had hoped for with his flaming goblet. It just reinforced what the headmistress already knew, it wasn't about flashy packaging but more to do with the product inside. She'd discovered the last task was supposed to be a giant maze, hundreds of people sitting watching hedges would have been wonderful entertainment. Now the four champions could give full rein to their friendly rivalry and have some fun while the younger students had a fantastic opportunity. All four had asked that the prize money be donated to the families of the mermen that were murdered by Pettigrew, which had made her proud to know these fine young champions. They alone were solely responsible for engineering something good out of the shit tournament Albus had lumbered them with.
She noticed her guest of honour couldn't seem to take his eyes off Harry, Barchoke was apparently smiling though Minerva couldn't be sure. "He really is a remarkable young man, isn't he?"
"You have no idea headmistress, and that's probably for the best."
"Barchoke, you can't just say that and not follow it up, that would be cruel!" Minerva's smile told the goblin there was no malice in her words.
"Think of the group who went to rescue the Weasley boy, some of them had never even met the lad before. They went because Harry was going and they refused to let him go alone. Everyone in Harry's home wanted to go, all his friends and especially Dan Granger but they realised they would have been a hindrance."
The goblin was deep in thought for a moment. "Leaving his betrothed behind showed a level of maturity that surprised even me, it hurt him but was the correct decision. In all honesty Harry was also too young to be there but seems to have an inner strength he can call on in times of need. He has a heart bigger than anyone I've ever met and always tries to do the right thing. His friends are incredibly loyal an even their parents have fallen under his spell. There are a group of mothers from different countries, never mind walks of life, who are forming close friendships based on their charges. Could you imagine six months ago that the mother's of Miss Bulstrode and Miss Granger could be friends?"
Minerva couldn't imagine it now, never mind six months ago.
"That young man has been the catalyst for change in our world and I am more proud than I can say to have played a small part in it. Look around you, Merlin you don't even have to look because you can feel the change. The entire castle appears charged with positive energy, you have played your part in this Headmistress but it all started with Harry Potter."
She couldn't help but smile at the memory of Harry calling Albus a shit headmaster, Barchoke was right in that it began with Harry. It was now up to everyone though to take what they had and move forward with it, she would resign before allowing Hogwarts to slip back to the way it was. The amazing thing though was that it wasn't just Hogwarts. With an honest minister, the goblin nation being trusted as friends rather than feared and a newspaper that told the truth, their entire world had changed for the better. Harry Potter had played a major part in all of the above.
Amos had pulled Harry aside for a quiet word. "Dumbledore is insisting on speaking to you before his trial. Apparently he has some big secret to tell you that's going to make everything all better."
"That must be some bed time story if it's going to end happy ever after, what would you suggest sir?"
Amos was touched that Harry trusted him enough to ask his advice. "Well I would suggest you get used to calling me Amos, I don't see how it could hurt to talk to him. The old coot always played his cards far too close to his chest, he may have information that can help us."
"Ok I'll come to the ministry tomorrow. Who knows, the old man might even tell the truth for once."
-oOoOo-
Harry and Hermione walked into the interview room where Dumbledore was waiting on them, "I'm sorry Harry but I must insist on speaking to you alone."
"Ok," he said before turning to Hermione and leading her back out the door, "Let's go and get some ice cream so our trip won't have been a total waste of time."
Dumbledore was nonplussed, "Harry?"
"Let me make it as plain as I can old man, your days of insisting anything with me are over. I got a message you had something to tell me. I'm here so talk or we're gone."
"Fine but first you must tell me what happened with Voldemort, I understand you stabbed him with the sword of Gryffindor. Did he have a body? Where did he get it from?"
"That information is on a 'need to know' basis, you don't need to know. Start talking or we're out of here."
"Very well Harry, I think you will change your mind about a lot of things when you hear this. Everything I have done has been for your benefit and I know Miss Granger here is a very smart girl. She'll soon realise you'll have to break off this betrothal and train with me to face your destiny."
Albus mistakenly took their shocked silence as acceptance and continued his tale, "Before you were born a prophecy was made concerning you and the dark lord. Originally it could have indicated another but that scar on your head marks Harry Potter as the chosen one in more ways than you know."
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not...and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...
The silence that followed was shattered to smithereens as Hermione's temper exploded all over Dumbledore. "You stupid old bastard, you ruined my Harry's life over a piece of illiterate mumbo-jumbo that could have thousands of interpretations…"
Albus stood his ground, "It is quite specific, 'Either must die at the hand of the other…"
A raging Hermione cut him off, "For neither can live while the other survives. What the fuck do you think Harry's been doing for the last fourteen years? Granted you did your best to ensure he didn't have much of a life but he is most definitely alive."
Harry was in awe of Hermione, he'd never seen her like this before. Squaring-up to the most powerful wizard in the country and ready to rip his whiskers out by the roots with her bare hands. It was the swearing though that really alerted him to just how angry his betrothed was, that comment about breaking off their relationship must have triggered something deep within her.
For Hermione it was like drawing back the curtains to reveal a bad play, more like a Greek tragedy with Harry being cast in the leading role by producer / director Dumbledore. She could see it all playing out in her mind like a series of acts and could only come to one conclusion. "You've planned out his whole life haven't you? What's the final scene in this production of yours? Harry dies a tragic death, ridding the world of Voldemort? While his mentor and only confidant Albus Dumbledore weeps over the body, proclaiming loudly that it should have been him lying there?"
Albus had just admitted Hermione was very smart but her insight and brilliance here caught him off guard, both teens could see it written all over his face that Hermione had come a lot closer to the truth than Albus thought was possible.
Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione, while glaring at Dumbledore. "Listen carefully old man, there is more chance of Vernon Dudley running the London Marathon this year than there is of Hermione and I splitting up. Not going to happen! Voldemort is after me? That's hardly a shocking revelation. As Hermione here so eloquently pointed out, I am living so either Voldemort's dead or your prophecy is a load of hippogriff shit. If Voldemort comes back, my friends and me will deal with him. You would have me cut myself off from everything that makes life worth living and be solely under your control, it leaves me wondering why?"
"Harry I am far older and wiser than you, there has to be an element of trust here…"
Hermione was struggling in Harry's arms to get her wand on Dumbledore, her worship of authority figures long gone. "Over my dead body you old bastard! Where was this wisdom when you employed Voldemort to teach us or there was a Basilisk bigger than a bus roaming freely around Hogwarts? I will gladly place my life in Harry's hands; I wouldn't trust you to make me a cup of tea. There's no telling what you would put in it!"
"This ends here old man. As Hermione said we don't trust you, why the hell should we? The next and last time we see you will be at your trial, we are putting forward every charge we can. You had no right to interfere with my life as you are neither parent nor guardian, just a meddling old man who couldn't keep his crooked nose out of things that didn't concern him. It's such a pity that's the way history will remember you, does anyone remember what a brilliant Hogwarts student Tom Riddle was?"
Harry led a still raging Hermione out the door. He had no idea what this power he was supposed to have could be, but reckoned he might need it to save his skin if her temper was ever directed at him.
Albus just sat there, if Hermione had set about him with a beater's bat she couldn't have done anymore damage. He'd played his last card and not only been trumped, he'd been kicked from the table. Albus had been a player for well over a century, to have his arse handed to him like that by two kids really hurt. Not a word was spoken by Albus as he was led back to his cell, there was nothing left to say.
-oOoOo-
There was nothing left to say at Privet Drive either, the removal men had just taken the last of their belongings onto the truck. Dudley receiving a pig's heart through the letter box on Valentine's Day, that proved to be the final straw for the Dursleys The accompanying card proclaimed it was to match his tail.
This meant that either their neighbours knew about Dudley's affliction from that giant buffoon or the freaks were taunting them. The only choice left open to the Dursleys was to move house.
They were going to have to live in a furnished flat while waiting on their house selling, before discovering how much money they had to buy a new home. Normally houses on this estate sold very quickly, but their recent run of bad luck had seen number four buck that trend. The black grass and shrubs didn't bloody help either, they had new turf laid to replace the back lawn only to have it turn black by the next morning.
Their only crumb of comfort was that they had no intention of leaving a forwarding address. Thoughts of the freak boy turning up at number four, with his trunk and bird to find someone else living there was the only thing that could bring a hint of a smile to their faces.
That Harry was incredibly wealthy and could quite easily have bought the entire estate without putting a dent in his vault escaped their grasp of the situation. They also had no way of knowing that the young wizard had decided immediately after being recognised as an adult that he would never set foot in Privet Drive again.
-oOoOo-
Dumbledore's trial was like a three ringed circus but with Amelia as the ringmaster it ran very smoothly. To prove the prosecutions case for reckless endangerment of children entrusted to his care, she started with bringing a magical artifact that he admitted the dark lord was desperate to get his hands on into a castle full of children. To then place deadly traps with only a verbal warning between the students and a Cerberus was at least negligent. Compounding the matter by employing the dark lord to teach defence was utter madness.
Amelia moved on to the following year. With the knowledge the chamber of secrets had been opened before and a student had died as a result, the headmaster had done nothing to protect the children trusted to his care. Thanks to the Quibbler everyone had now seen pictures of what petrified four students and saw another having to be rescued from the chamber by Harry Potter. Amelia left the Wizengamot chamber in no doubt that the school should have been closed after the first child was petrified. Leaving the students in what was clearly an extremely dangerous environment and could easily have resulted in many deaths was reckless endangerment.
Albus sat and listened as Amelia built a rock solid case against him. With Harry also pressing charges over his attempted interference in the Potter betrothal, Azkaban was always going to be his new residence. It wasn't until Albus had the time to sit and reflect on what he'd become that he had his epiphany, it was said confession was good for the soul, he would soon find out.
Amelia was stopped in mid-flow as Albus suddenly stood up, "I think we've heard enough Amelia, you have made your case very eloquently. I will admit to possessing information that could negate this through extenuating circumstances but I won't bore you with it today. Instead I will ask you to forgive an old man whose pride and arrogance led him to assuming he alone knew better than everyone else. It took two extraordinary teenagers to highlight the error of my ways." He spotted Harry and Hermione in the chamber and directed his remark to them, "Thank you both for so articulately highlighting the error of my ways, and so giving me the opportunity to change them."
Albus turned his attention back to an opened mouthed Amelia, "It is my intention to leave these shores forever and spend the remainder of my life working to redeem the name of Dumbledore."
Amelia shook herself back to reality, "Excuse me Albus, did you just plead guilt too all the charges? I really don't remember the suggestion you just mentioned being offered as a solution?"
"Ah Amelia, I just couldn't see myself sitting in Azkaban when there is so much good I can do in the world. You have my word you will never see me again." Albus held his hand above his head as if he was making an oath as a flash of flame had him out of there before anyone had time to react.
With all the security surrounding the trial it was an embarrassment to the ministry that Albus had escaped so easily. They just had to tell the truth, there simply was no security against a phoenix!
Albus Dumbledore's dramatic exit in a blaze of glory had ensured his name would be remembered in history, and indeed the myth would eventually become greater than the man. Lodged at the back of everyone's mind was the thought, if he could flash out of there, who knew where he could turn up next?
-oOoOo-
It was this thought, amongst others, that had Hermione sneaking into her betrothed's bedroom.
Harry was just beginning to slip off to sleep when he felt her body spoon into his, "Hermione, have you any idea the trouble we could get into for this?"
"I couldn't sleep Harry for thinking of Dumbledore."
"Not exactly what I wanted to hear Hermione, kind of kills the mood you being in my bed was generating."
A slap to the back of the head was accompanied by a noise demonstrating her disgust at his comments. "You may have just killed any chance of even getting kissed tonight. I'm worried that he's still out there and may try to interfere with our lives again."
Harry rolled over and pulled her into his arms. "Godric said the only way Fawkes would have saved his ancient arse was if he truly repented what he's done and was determined to make amends. The best way for him to do that is to stay out of our lives forever. Both he and Sal figure the old goat's headed somewhere they've never heard the name Dumbledore. Can you imagine the impact he would make flashing into a magical village deep in some jungle with Fawkes on his shoulder?"
Hermione could see Harry's point, "He would be Emperor Albus before the week was out. Does this mean we're not changing any of our plans?"
"If our plans include the Quidditch tournament, a long, lazy holiday with our friends, a visit to Charlie's dragon reserve and the small matter of becoming engaged then there is no change there."
This earned Harry a kiss that curled his toes, Hermione had to ask her question twice before he could answer. "Do you think you'll win the competition?"
"It's not about the winning, its showing them what the game of Quidditch is all about and allowing them to appreciate and love the sport."
Hermione just continued to stare into his eyes, "Ok, so we're going to beat the stuffing out of them. Millie and Victor have some sort of side-bet going on, the details of which I don't want to know, but she says it's imperative that we win."
This set Hermione off with a bout of the giggles, "Did you know Cedric has made Luna his assistant coach?"
"I didn't know Luna was that into Quidditch?"
"Oh she's not, it was the only way Cedric could get any peace from Cho following him around like a lost puppy. Luna's his bodyguard! Fleur laughed her head off before having to get Colin to do the same job for her in Gryffindor. Do you need a bodyguard Mr Potter?"
Hermione was loosening the buttons on his pyjama top as she spoke, "Only from you love!" He tried to change the subject before they got carried away, "I was thinking we could all get together at the villa in Cyprus for the start of the holidays, Victor begins training in August so that would give us July together."
"What about the Weasleys? I will not put up with Ron for a month and, to be perfectly honest, my mum can only stand Molly for a short period before wanting to strangle the woman for the way she treats you. When I told her that by my reckoning you'd spent a total of five weeks your entire life at the Burrow she was shocked. I've only been there the once for the world cup and Molly acts as if she's known me all my life, it's the trying to run our lives that mum really objects to."
"I wouldn't want the twins and Ginny to miss out though I agree about Molly. What if we asked them for part of the month? I don't see anyway she would let them out of her sight for longer that that."
"She might have to focus those beady eyes on Ronald, Ginny caught him leaving a broom closet with Miss Vane. That girl is an accident waiting to happen, she's not nearly as grown up as she pretends to be and I just can't see Ron being the responsible one in any relationship."
"Now she's talking about another boy, real mood killer!"
She kissed away any objections, "What I really wanted to talk to you about was becoming engaged sooner. I know you want to place another ring on my finger first but watching you leave to face Voldemort frightened the life out of me. Watching Dumbledore escape today brought it all back at full force, I don't want to wait any longer Harry."
Hermione was playing with his hair while staring into his eyes, praying that he wasn't disappointed with her. "You have been the perfect gentleman Harry and I so want that other ring on my finger, I guess you really can't have it both ways."
Harry kissed her gently on the lips, "What if I told you that your ring was in the drawer of my bedside cabinet and I would love to slip it on your finger right now?"
"Then Mr Potter, my answer would be yes. Yes to anything you ask me."
Harry's hand immediately shot out to open the drawer.
The End