Chapter 7 - No more hands in Pockets
Hermione certainly understood they were trying their best to be patient with her. She could see though both her parents were becoming more and more frustrated, yet she simply didn't have all the answers they were looking for. "Mum, I'm not being evasive here. I just don't know enough about house elves to answer all your questions."
Dan wasn't totally buying that. "What about you being 'Harry Potter's Grangy', I'd like to know how that came about?"
Seeing her friend floundering once more, Luna attempted to help. "What you have to understand is hero worship doesn't even come close to how Dobby feels about Harry. Dobby was trapped as a servant to the Malfoys. As you might imagine, Dobby wasn't treated well. Harry freed Dobby, and Lucius Malfoy attempted to kill Harry for doing so - but a free Dobby soon put a stop to that. Yet if you ask Dobby what the happiest day of his life is, I'll bet he'll say it was getting to work for Harry - not being set free."
Emma had turned around as far as her seat belt would allow and Dan kept checking both girls in his mirror as he drove, Hermione's mum and dad were really struggling to understand the subject of house elves. Looking at the couple, Luna thought Hermione was incredibly like her mother, except for the eyes. Hermione had her father's brown eyes. This was a mirror image of her boyfriend's situation, Harry was always getting told he looked like his father - except for his mother's eyes.
Luna's next part of her explanation helped Hermione's parents immensely.
"To Dobby, Harry Potter is the centre of his universe - everything else revolves around that one fact. Hermione is Harry's girlfriend, therefore 'Harry Potter's Grangy'. In Dobby's eyes, that also makes Hermione family, and by extension you both are too. Trying to follow Dobby's logic, and then compare that to the way we think, is a sure way to drive yourselves crazy. Elves just see things differently."
Luna deliberately refrained from mentioning that Dobby could easily see how close these two were, and that one day Hermione might be changing her name to Potter. Having shared Harry, and knowing how her friend felt about Hermione, she actually agreed with Dobby about that being a likely outcome in the future.
Both girls in the backseat could see each parent trying to get their head around this, Dan then attempted to put his thoughts into words. "Lets see if I've got the gist of this. Just because Hermione's Harry's girlfriend, these two little creatures consider us family - and will now be at the cottage tidying up?"
That drew a wry smile from Hermione. "Almost right, dad. House elves are at their happiest when they're busy helping their family, they are also magically very powerful. By the time we get to Grandma's old cottage there won't be a speck of dust in the house, the beds will have been changed and a delicious hot meal will be waiting on us. They'll even do the dishes after we've eaten, mum."
With no dishwasher at the cottage, Emma really appreciated that. Something else about this situation was bothering her though. "…and Harry's paying for all this? I don't think we can allow that, Hermione."
"Mum, Harry thinks we're being forced to leave the country because of him. That's so not the case, the death eaters would always have had the Grangers in their sights. I've been the top student in my year for the last four years running, and I'm a muggleborn - that blows all their 'purebloods are superior' shit right out the nearest window."
"Hermione, language."
"Sorry Mum, it's been a really, really hard year. Anyway, when we get Harry out of Azkaban he'll be attending Beauxbatons with Luna and me next term. I'm hoping the Grangers can extend their hospitality to cover Harry, and Luna too, for at least part of the holidays."
Dan was trying to be the voice of reason here. "What do his guardians have to say about this?"
"Nothing, and it's also nothing to do with them now. The Minister of Magic made Harry an adult in our world, purely so he could throw him in an adult prison. That decision though is binding, and magically can't be reversed when it no longer suits them. It will allow Harry to get out from under the Dursleys, Dumbledore and the ministry too."
"The more I hear about this situation, the more I can't wait to get you and your mother out of this country. Okay, here's the deal. I am not prepared to commit to Harry being with us long term, having only briefly met the boy once a few years ago. I know that is not what you wanted to hear but this is not a no. I think your mother and I should get to know him first, before reaching any decisions about our daughter's boyfriend. Is that fair?"
Both Dan and Emma were surprised to see the wide smile on Hermione's face at that news. "That's great, dad. Once you get to know Harry, you'll soon love him as much as I do."
Dan wasn't exactly reassured by that answer but he would have to leave it for now. It had been a while since he'd driven this road. When Emma's father had passed away, her mother had then sold everything and bought a little cottage off the coast.
At the time, both he and Emma had thought she was making a mistake due to her grief. Emma's mother though had spent the last years of her life very happy there - pottering around in her beloved garden. She had especially loved when they visited for weekends, Hermione and her grandmother had gotten along famously. There were so many happy memories tied to that little cottage, those sentimental reasons had stopped Emma and Dan selling it before now. It just didn't feel the same though with his mother-in-law now gone, hence why they hadn't been back here in a few years.
They were going to be having visitors tomorrow and Hermione promised to tell them everything then, saying it would be easier waiting until everyone was together. It was shaping up to be a real family meeting too, with Luna's father, Harry's godfather and a former professor of the teens who was a close friend of the Potter family. Dan was looking forward to that meeting, and had a feeling the Grangers wouldn't be in Britain much past the conversation that Hermione was clearly terrified of their reaction to.
Dan's reactions to the first sighting of Emma's mother's old cottage blew all that to the back of his mind. While the garden fell short of the immaculate condition his mother-in-law used to keep it in, it was in nowhere near the state of disrepair Dan remembered from his last visit. That time, the drive was hardly distinguishable from the wild jungle growing all around it.
It was the building however that demanded Dan's attention. On their last visit, both he and Emma had shed tears as they closed the cottage down. Now it was open, sparkling as if new and very welcoming sight indeed after a long and somewhat stressful day.
Dan had stopped the car but just sat there and stared at what was in front of them, it fell to a very emotional Emma to put their thoughts into words.
"How is this possible?"
"Magic, mum, and a couple of very dedicated house elves who love to work."
-oOoOo-
Amelia wanted to scream her lungs out in frustration, kick a certain someone's face in with the anger that was coursing through her veins, while at the same time feeling physically sick from guilt and shame over this matter. None of this showed on Amelia's face however as she stoically stared at the teenager now wrapped in blankets. For a teenager who had faced Voldemort multiple times and survived to then meet his end at the hands of a corrupt Ministry of Magic had Amelia almost in tears.
They had left Umbridge behind, deliberately sticking her in the same cell Harry had so recently occupied. Dolores screaming "You can't do this to me!" as they walked away had Amelia turning back for a final word with the bitch.
"You did it to Harry Potter, now it's time for some of your own medicine. You will remain here until I can organise your trial, we will at least ensure your cell door is locked. If I have my way, this door will never be opened again. Governor, I assume you still have written orders that the dementor presence on this wing should be doubled?"
Even their dementor guards still being doubled didn't dampen the mood of the wing's other occupants. These death eaters hadn't had anything to be happy about for nearly thirteen years, today they were celebrating the demise of the person who banished their lord.
"Hey Bones, will they start calling Potter the boy-who-the ministry-had-kissed?"
"Please give Minister Fudge our thanks, he certainly has our support."
They were now pulling into the dock, Amelia had arranged for them to be portkeyed straight to St Mungo's. Salty asked if he could tag along too, more for the free ride into London than any wish to visit the hospital. His intentions being very simple, head directly for the Leaky Cauldron and then get blind drunk.
Knowing this news would soon be all over the country, Amelia didn't see any point in asking Salty not to mention what happened today. She had no intention of letting Cornelius try to arrange the facts to make himself appear innocent. She actually intended to take Harry to St Mungo's and have an auror guard outside his room before going anywhere near the ministry - that should certainly give the truth time to spread. This news would soon be on everyone's lips and Amelia intended to see the guilty punished - including one Cornelius Fudge.
Salty watched as they levitated that young lad into St Mungo's and it was firewhisky he wanted to be passing his lips, he also knew the exact company he wanted to do that in. Jock and young Derek had been offered jobs at the Leaky Cauldron after Tom had heard they quit Azkaban, rather than be part of putting Harry Potter in that hellhole.
Harry had apparently stayed at the Leaky Cauldron one summer, impressing the hell out of Tom with his friendly attitude and overall air of wanting to be treated just the same as everyone else. The leaky Cauldron's owner had been a big supporter of the lad's ever since, and could often be heard rubbishing the so-called reports printed about Harry Potter in the Prophet.
He couldn't help but wonder how Tom, Jock and Derek would react to this news, coming after Harry publicly named and thanked both former prison guards in today's Quibbler. That James and Lily Potter died protecting their son, only for a corrupt ministry to finish what you-know-who couldn't achieve was really sickening. Hence why he, and a fair few others Salty was willing to bet, would be drowning their sorrows with firewhisky tonight.
-oOoOo-
The manicured grounds of Malfoy Manor were well accustomed to the plaintive cries of the white peacocks the manor's pretentious owner thought of as a status symbol - supposedly displaying the Malfoy's power and wealth to everyone who laid eyes on them. The cries of the posturing male peafowls were being drowned out though, by the screams of another white peacock who was also fond of posturing - their owner. Lucius Malfoy would need more than firewhisky to ease his pain, and his master gave no sign that he was anywhere near finished with his servant's punishment.
It was as Lucius had feared, listening ears had picked up what had been said on the platform - and that news had swiftly been passed on to their master.
An enraged dark lord was venting his frustration and anger on the unfortunate servant who was responsible for generating those emotions. "I gave you one of my greatest treasures and charged you with the simple task of looking after it - and what did you do with this treasure? You gave my diary away to a little girl - crucio! If that wasn't bad enough, you then let the Potter boy destroy it - along with Salzar Slytherin's basilisk - crucio!"
The doors bursting open drew deep breaths from those death eaters witnessing this punishment being administered. Interrupting the master at a time like this could easily cost the person doing that interrupting their life.
Voldemort's voice was cold as he speared the death eater who had just entered with a vicious glare from those red eyes. "Macnair, I will listen to your reason for disturbing me. If I don't like it, you will swiftly be joining Lucius here in feeling my displeasure."
Walden was respectfully down on one knee but even his bowed head couldn't hide his glee, he was also certain his news wouldn't see him punished. "Master, it's all over the Leaky Cauldron that Harry Potter has been kissed by a dementor in Azkaban."
"You disturbed me for a rumour?" The anger displayed in that question saw Walden quickly answering it.
"No Master. The news came from the Azkaban boatman, Bones just brought Potter's shell back from the island. She took what's left of Potter to St Mungo's but we all know there is no treatment for having your soul sucked out. The mood in the Cauldron was poisonous, apparently Dolores Umbridge used the cruciatus on Potter before deliberately leaving his cell door open as she left. Anyone who worked for the ministry got out of the Cauldron fast, before the riled crowd turned on them."
The dark lord took a moment to answer as he sorted his thoughts to accommodate this unbelievable news. "Now this Umbridge witch is someone who deserves to wear my mark. Malfoy, get yourself to the ministry and confirm this news. Walden, prepare a team to get Potter's husk out of St Mungo's as soon as we have confirmation from Malfoy. I need to decide whether parading Potter's kissed husk or his dead body would have a greater affect on those who see it."
Macnair bowed deeply, already thinking of who he wanted on his team for this mission. Lucius Malfoy wouldn't be one of them. Walden was actually delighted to see the pompous arse reduced to crawling along his own floor on his hands and knees - a mixture of blood and drool running down his chin from where Lucius had bitten into that not so silver tongue of his.
Voldemort meanwhile was trying not to let his elation show. He'd suffered disappointments in the past where the Potter brat was concerned, there would be no celebrations until Macnair returned with what was left of the boy. Those celebrations would also be short. This would be the perfect time to retaliate, rather than celebrate.
That the Ministry were responsible for the demise of the people's hero, the boy-who-lived, should see a public backlash that would stagnate the ministry's ability to do anything other than protect itself. A few surgical strikes against key figures could leave him having to do nothing more than march into the ministry, with his death eaters massed behind and Harry Potter levitated in front of him. They would be given the choice, kneel to their new ruler, the Dark Lord Voldemort, or end up in the same condition as Potter.
-oOoOo-
The news eventually reached as far as Hogwarts, seeing Albus head immediately for the ministry. He caught a weary Amelia Bones as she was heading for home. Anticipating the headmaster's question, she answered before it could be asked.
"Yes Albus, it's true. Thanks to a dementor, Mister Potter is no longer with us." She watched as Dumbledore seemed to age years in front of her eyes.
"How is this possible?"
"Miss Granger warned me at the station Umbridge was in Azkaban, and that she was using the cruciatus curse on Mister Potter. By the time I could get there it was too late. After torturing the lad, Umbridge deliberately left the cell door open before releasing the dementors back into the wing. I now have her locked in the exact same cell in Azkaban. Our minister is trying desperately to ensure he doesn't end up in the cell next to her, or getting lynched by an angry mob. Either way, Fudge was finished as minister the minute the news got out."
Having his worst fears confirmed had really rocked Albus back on his heels, he was sure the prophecy dictated only Voldemort could kill Harry. Something else was also deeply troubling him. "Why didn't Miss Granger mention it to me in King's Cross? By using Fawkes, I might have been able to get there in time to prevent this happening."
"I actually asked her why she was telling me, instead of you. Simple answer is Miss Granger doesn't trust you, she gave the impression Mister Potter felt the same way. We were both sure she was somehow in contact with Mister Potter, you though were the one who tried to invade her mind - and got caught doing so. Who's to say what would have happened if you hadn't done that, things might have been so different. She also mentioned horcruxes to me…"
The very thought that his actions, and also his idleness over this matter, could have led to Harry's demise was like a dagger through Albus' heart. Once more Miss Granger's phrase about him standing there with his hands in his pockets as they dragged Harry away haunted the old wizard. There were still things he could do though, things he needed to do. "Not here, Amelia. They left me lots of information on these abominations, and a method to destroy each and every one of them Tom made. I'll even show you the notes I was left, but first I need to see Harry for myself."
Even although she was knackered, Amelia consented to take the old wizard to where she had the boy in a private room at St Mungo's. That fatigue dropped away like a worn cloak the second they apparated into St Mungo's - the hospital was in chaos.
A very relieved nurse shouted over to the pair. "There are death eaters in the hospital…"
Amelia didn't need to hear anymore, she took off at a run - with Dumbledore right by her side. They could see the signs of struggle all along their route, meaning the death eaters knew exactly where they were going. This left only one conclusion for Amelia to draw. "The only person I told even what wing the lad was being kept on is the minister…"
Albus understood at once what Amelia was saying here. "Would you like to make a wager that our esteemed Minister of Magic had a visit from his good friend, Lucius Malfoy?" They both knew she wouldn't be taking that bet. The also both understood why Voldemort would want Harry Potter, to display the lad's demise to his followers and beyond. That even after suffering a dementor's kiss Harry couldn't have peace from Voldemort had Albus Dumbledore madder than he'd been in years. There would be no 'hands in pockets' tonight.
Walden Macnair was an experienced death eater, he knew how to run a raid. While six of his team engaged the pair of aurors guarding the door, the remaining two death eaters were charged with guarding their backs. Those two death eaters were no match though for an enraged Amelia Bones and Albus Dumbledore - few were.
The rescuers put both death eaters down without even breaking stride and soon came upon the remaining half-a-dozen. With the odds now six against four, it should have been a more even fight. When one of those four was an angry Albus Dumbledore however, it wasn't even close. Dumbledore appeared to just ignore their spells, hardly bothering to counter them before firing off some of his own. Five of the death eaters were down in as many seconds, with the sixth escaping by portkey. Walden may have escaped the battle, although not before Amelia's cutting curse meant he left his right leg just below the knee behind.
While Amelia summoned medical help for her two brave aurors, the seven downed death eaters could rot as far as she was concerned, Albus burst into the room the pair of aurors had so courageously just defended. He was soon back with a question for Amelia.
"Where's Harry? The room is empty."
Both aurors swore no one had gotten past them and into that room. Since they had been ready to lay down their lives protecting the only door into that room, Albus and Amelia certainly believed the aurors thought Harry Potter was still in there.
If the death eaters didn't have him though, who did?
-oOoOo-
Emma was angry at her husband, how could he sleep at a time like this?
To be fair to Dan, it was after midnight and they were in bed. His deep, rhythmic breathing that would normally have Emma snuggling and soon joining Dan in slumber was somewhat irrationally irritating the hell out of her tonight. While her body would certainly have welcomed the sleep, her mind was far too active with what had happened over the course of today to even think about dozing off.
The family had barely left the car when Crookshanks had ambled up to Hermione, followed by a gorgeous snowy owl swooping down and landing on her shoulder. They had then walked into the cottage to discover their daughter hadn't exaggerated in the slightest about the elves' behaviour or abilities, the place was spotless and the prepared dinner that soon followed their arrival was absolutely delicious.
Emma was lying wearing her own nightdress from home, her favourite slippers sat at the foot of the bed - there was even a vase of picked flowers on the dressing table. These events weren't wholly responsible for why the mother couldn't sleep though, she had seen her daughter acting strange about a few things and was really struggling with the premiss of waiting until tomorrow, make that later on today, for those answers.
Both she and Dan thought Luna was a lovely girl, and were delighted to see their daughter making a friend who wasn't named Ron or Harry. The first they had heard of this girl however was when Hermione asked if Luna could stay for part of the holidays. Seeing how close the two girls were, that simply didn't make sense.
Emma could also understand the girls wanting to share a room, even although there was a third bedroom lying empty. What had really spooked Emma though was catching a glimpse of them kissing before Hermione went for a shower, this was no peck on the cheek either. There was obviously a lot more going on here than they'd been told so far. Considering the seriousness of some of the things they had already been told about, that's what was worrying the life out of Emma.
Deciding lying here wasn't doing any good, Emma got up to head for the kitchen. A cup of tea always seemed to help Emma sort out what was bothering her, and she needed that help now. On the way past the girls' room, she stuck her head in the door to see they were all right. What she saw there had Emma entering that room and sitting on her daughter's bed.
"Want to talk about it?"
Hermione was sitting up in bed, with a sleeping Luna lying next to her. She was gently running her fingers through her friend's blonde hair yet Hermione was making no attempt to wipe her own tears that were slowly running down her cheeks.
"Oh mum, I'm worried sick."
Emma was expecting Hermione to tell some tale of confusion over her sexuality, that wasn't what she got however. It was sometimes easy to forget their daughter was a witch.
"When Luna visited Harry while we were on the express, he was being tortured in his prison cell by a ministry official. I won't know what condition he's in until they get back - why is it always Harry that has to suffer these things?"
She was really letting the tears fall now so Emma wrapped her daughter up in a hug, comforting Hermione was more important at the moment than saying she didn't understand a word of what her teenage daughter had just said.
Clinging to her mother gave Hermione the courage to reveal some of their secrets, they would be telling all of those secrets in a few more hours anyway. "Luna's spirit can leave her body, she's visiting Harry right now. I need to look after her until she gets back."
While digesting that revelation, Emma didn't think this was something beyond the realms of possibilities. She had read about people being able to astral project and assumed this was similar. There was something else that Hermione just said though that troubled Emma. "Hermione, you originally said 'they get back'. What did you mean by that?"
Still clinging to her mother, Hermione bit the bullet. "Harry has this ability too, he used it to escape from Azkaban. During the day he stays with either Luna or me, then Luna returns to Azkaban with him at night while I watch over her. His body needs to eat, drink and pee in the bucket his cell has. Harry also has to walk about a bit to keep his muscles working. Luna stays with him while they're there, then they return. I won't know how badly the torture affected Harry until they get back."
The mother in Emma focused in on one part of what she'd just heard. "How does Harry 'stay' with you?"
"It's Harry's spirit, mum, you could even say it's his soul. A dementor removes someone's soul by drawing it out their mouth..."
In a flash of inspiration, Emma put certain things together. "...and that's why you and Luna were kissing?"
"Yes mum. When Harry is visiting us, he hears, sees and feels everything we do..."
"...so you transferred Harry to Luna before you went for a shower." Emma was relieved she still knew her daughter, only to discover how much Hermione had grown.
"It's not just physical stimuli we share, mum. When visiting, Harry is literally inside my head. He's seeing me for who I really am, and all my memories too, so Harry now knows me as well as I know myself. Knowing that someone really loves you exactly as you are is a wonderful gift for both of us. The other side of the coin though is a horrible nightmare. I know Harry's in Azkaban, and I also know what that's doing to him. Our magical government is deliberately and illegally trying to break my boyfriend, using any method they can think of. It's disgusting, immoral and quite a few other words I could think off but trying to get it stopped is driving us crazy. That's why we have people we can trust coming here tomorrow, we know we need help with this. That's also why Hedwig is away giving Sirius and Luna's dad our new address"
Emma's mind was reeling at the mere thought of what these teens were trying to deal with. While she understood Dan and her would only be able to offer emotional support in this matter, Emma was delighted beyond words they recognised that help was needed - and had taken steps to get that help as quickly as possible. While her arms were wrapped around her daughter, Emma's eyes were drawn to the unnaturally still form of Luna.
"How does Luna fit into this, and why haven't you mentioned her to us before?"
Hermione pulled back from her mother's embrace and looked upon her best friend. "Without Luna, who knows what would have happened to Harry. I haven't really known Luna for more than a week but already she's my best friend. Sharing Harry between us has seen some bleed-off memories of each other passed on. Even in that short time, I know Luna far better than the people I've shared Gryffindor house and a dorm with for the last four years. She's a wonderful person who you will love as you get to know..." Hermione's scream abruptly ended their mother-daughter heart to heart, it also woke her father.
Dan shot up in bed, seeing instantly that Emma wasn't there, and sped out the bedroom door. He burst into the girls room, ready for anything - or so he thought. Dan now reckoned he would never be ready to face what he found there. Hermione was sobbing, her father was certain those were happy tears though. The fact she had both arms wrapped around a teenage boy, while planting needy kisses all over his face, was something of a major clue - his little girl wasn't upset, she was ecstatic! Hermione was also standing there in her nightgown, and this boy's arms were wrapped around her every bit as securely as those holding him so tightly. He too was barely dressed, appearing to be wearing some kind of hospital gown.
His wife was sitting on the bed, Emma too was in tears watching this unfold, while Luna lay there out to the world. Considering the scream Hermione had emitted just a moment ago, Dan just added that fact to the overall strangeness of the scene he'd just burst into. Recognising his family were in no immediate danger here, Dan was quite proud that he managed to keep his voice from shouting out the obvious. Instead he calmly asked the question that he wouldn't be deterred from having answered.
"What the hell is going on here?"
At that, the two teens parted somewhat, Hermione was still glued to the lad's side however - and didn't appear to be for letting go anytime soon. It was Harry who was left to do the introductions - and the explaining.
"Hello Mister and Mrs Granger, you probably don't remember me but I'm Harry - Harry Potter. Sorry for barging in like this but I didn't know where else to go..."
"Had you gone anywhere else, I would have clobbered you one, Harry, - after I had kissed you silly first. I think we need Luna back with us too." Hermione then moved from Harry's side just enough to let him bend down and kiss the sleeping blonde.
As Luna's arms then flew around Harry's neck, only his wife's grip of his own arm stopped Dan interrupting.
Luna had instantly transformed from looking peaceful and serene as she slept to a sobbing emotional wreck.
"Oh Hermione, that bitch arranged for Harry to be kissed. We didn't have to visit Azkaban, they'd moved Harry to St Mungo's. Harry was just drawn there to his body, and I followed. There were guards outside his door, we heard them telling anyone that asked what happened - and a lot of people were asking. Once Harry's body had recovered enough to stand, we called Dobby to see if he could get us out of there. Dobby brought us straight here. Hermione, it's gone! Voldemort is no longer in Harry's mind."
Harry and Hermione's emotional state now matched that of Luna's. Hermione practically collapsed onto the bed and all three teens were sobbing as they held on to each other.
"Are you sure, Luna?"
"Harry, I looked everywhere. I didn't want to mention it until I was absolutely sure, there's not a trace of him left - and your scar's fainter too."
The pair of parents watched as the three teens cried, laughed and hugged each other almost in celebration. It was Emma who felt she had to say something, these three didn't look like letting each other go for what was left of the night.
"I was on my way for a cup of tea before this happened, I think we could all use one now."
At that, Dobby popped back into the room. "Winky is serving tea in the kitchen, she is also making a meal for Master Harry. Dobby placed Master Harry's trunk in the other room..."
The little elf then found himself being thanked by two very grateful witches, Harry meanwhile spied his wand sitting next to Hermione's on her bedside cabinet. Picking it up produced quite the lightshow as Harry felt the magical power run up his arm.
"Wow! I remember something like that happening when I first held my wand, why would it do that again?"
Luna was first to come up with a suggestion. "With that bit of Voldemort gone, your magic must be different. Your wand just rebonded with you."
"Okay, tea and answers - now."
"Eh, Mrs Granger, would you mind if I had a quick shower and changed first? Hermione and Luna know everything that I do, they'll be able to answer your questions while I shower and hopefully eat. I haven't had a decent meal since before the third task, that was nearly two weeks ago now."
Harry was wobbly on his feet and appeared so skinny, leading Dan to ask if he would be able to manage a shower.
"It's the after effects of the torture curse, Mister Granger. They would have given my body potions to counter the effects in St Mungo's, it still takes time to recover though. We also don't know how long Umbridge kept applying that curse after Luna and I left. Thankfully she's nowhere near as magically powerful as Voldemort."
Again it was Luna who butted in, she and Hermione were pulling on their house coats to go into the kitchen for tea. "That was powerful enough for me, Harry, it bloody hurt - and don't you start apologising about it."
Harry actually smiled at that. "There are now two witches who know me as well as I know myself, I'm not going to be able to get away with anything anymore."
This earned him a chaste kiss on the cheek from Hermione. "Too true, Harry, though I think you having a shower is a very good idea. Dobby, will you keep an eye on Harry, he looks exhausted."
That was one order Dobby was sure to follow as the other four headed for the kitchen to find tea and biscuits waiting on them.
As the story unfolded, it was a relieved father who discovered just what Harry staying with the girls involved. That relief vanished as someone knocked on the front door. Wondering if it could be the local police, checking on who was staying at a cottage that had been empty for a few years, Dan answered the door with two witches standing behind him.
Hermione's cry of 'Sirius' alerted the parents who these two gentlemen were, her rushing into the arms of this man confirmed they were friends. Sirius held Hermione tight but couldn't hold back the tears.
"Moony, they don't know - and I can't tell them."
It was left to Remus to break the bad news as Hermione dragged them into the kitchen.
"There's no easy way to say this, Harry's been kissed."
"I know, we were there." Sirius and Remus were looking at Dan as if he was crazy but Hermione's smile just got wider.
"My dad is right, and I was the one doing the kissing..."
At that, Harry entered the kitchen towelling his hair. Sirius sank to his knees in disbelief while Remus wasn't in much better condition, only leaning on the wall keeping him upright. Harry ran over and Sirius' head was chest hight on him as they needfully clung to each other, his godfather sobbing in relief.
Remus was watching that touching scene while looking to Hermione for some answers.
"The simple version is Harry's soul wasn't in his body when the dementor kissed it. Of course when Harry Potter is involved, nothing is ever bloody simple."
Instead of a reprimand about his daughter's use of bad language, this comment received a growled acknowledgement from Dan. "We're beginning to find that out for ourselves."
-oOoOo-
The dark lord was enraged at the failed attempt to snatch Potter from St Mungo's, he wasn't going to punish Macnair for his failure however. Losing a leg would be punishment enough, and he wasn't about to reward Macnair's failure with a new silver limb. The dark lord knew the instant Dumbledore made an appearance at the hospital, the raid was already doomed to failure. Only he could stand up to the old fool, and Dumbledore would now have Potter squirrelled away somewhere a lot safer than St Mungo's. He would summon Severus and discover what he knew of the situation.
It didn't really matter in the long run, Potter was out of the picture and all of magical Britain would soon hear that news. He needed to plan his next moves to take advantage of this good fortune the ministry had just presented him with.
Chapter 8 - Morsmordre
Severus was finding himself caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. A disconsolate Albus had just confirmed that, not only had Harry Potter been kissed by a dementor, his soulless body was now missing from St Mungo's. While Albus didn't think the dark lord had Potter, he had nothing more than a suspicion of where the boy could be.
That Severus had just been summoned by the dark lord was not a good omen. After the death eater raid on St Mungo's failed, the dark lord would be very angry. He would also assume Dumbledore now had Potter well hidden, and expect his spy to discover that location. Not having the answers that the dark lord expected and demanded could cost a death eater their life. Severus would just have to hope his contingency plan was strong enough to see him walking away from this meeting in one piece.
-oOoOo-
As Harry was enjoying a delicious bowl of Winky's stew, dipping home made bread in the gravy certainly added to his culinary enjoyment, both girls were bringing the adults up to date with their adventures so far. While Dan was loudest in airing his scepticism over the entire roving issue, Sirius just sat quietly and stared at his godson savouring his meal.
Unlike the rest of the company, Sirius was well acquainted with where Harry had just effectively escaped from - though getting yourself kissed to achieve that feat was not a method Sirius could think of being successful for anyone else bar his godson. While he was paying some attention to the discussion going on around him, Sirius was concentrating on the godson he could only think of as being reborn. Something different about that same godson suddenly occurred to Sirius. "Harry, where's your glasses?"
"Oh, they obviously didn't think I would need them anymore. Dobby says they weren't in that hospital room, they're probably still lying in Azkaban. I actually think my eyesight is getting a bit better but still plan on seeing an optician as soon as I can."
Harry then turned his attention to his blonde friend. "Luna, we could settle this argument with a quick demonstration. Mrs Granger, would you mind if Luna visited you for a moment?"
This stopped all conversation. "Could she do that, Harry? Remember, I'm not magical."
"That shouldn't matter, mum. Harry, you could visit Sirius. That would certainly settle this matter once and for all." Hermione suggested Sirius for Harry, her new boyfriend entering her dad's mind might not be a good idea. In fact, it could be the bad idea to top all previous bad ideas in her entire life. Hermione sat on the floor as Harry and Luna lay down either side of her, with their heads resting together on Hermione's lap.
"The first time Harry entered my mind I got such a shock that I fainted. You two at least have some warning of what to expect, get sitting comfortably though, just in case. You won't see their spirits, Luna said only her mother visiting her father over a number of years eventually tuned him in to be able to see spirits. They'll enter through your mouth and can leave the same way, it's just a lot less effort for both parties if you pass them on with a kiss."
Emma felt as if something cold had just passed over her head before she heard Luna speaking to her.
"Hello Mrs Granger, I thought you might like to see Hogwarts."
The variety of expressions displayed on Emma's face was comical as she rapidly shifted between emotions. Dan was sitting at her side and holding his wife's hand. He nearly had the fingers of that hand broken as Emma let a startled shriek out of her.
"They made Harry face that giant, fire-breathing thing - are they nuts?"
There were soon tears running down her cheeks as Emma focused on her daughter. "Hermione, you were beautiful at the ball. Oh, Luna says that was Harry's memory - he really loves you, you know."
"I know, mum. When sharing Harry there are no secrets between us..."
Sirius interrupted there. "Hermione's not joking, Moony - they have no mental shields at all. I have my memories sorted into secure locations Harry... Well I couldn't think of anywhere more secure than Azkaban cells. Cheeky bugger! Oh, he says I might need to change that since three people have now escaped. Wow, I'm showing him memories of setting up my mindscape and Harry's tearing through months of work in minutes. I can actually see him building...no, your better...ah, I see - great idea. A Hungarian Horntail...that should keep them safe."
Hermione was now laughing. "Luna, did I look that funny when you gave Harry to me for the first time?"
Emma joined in that laughter too. "Luna just showed me that memory, and yes you did." She then bent down and kissed Luna, returning her spirit to her body. Emma also kissed Hermione on the cheek. "I now understand, that was amazing. Luna and Harry will be welcome at the Grangers anytime..."
"That's not bloody fair..." Sirius' outburst had everyone looking back in his direction. "...it took me ages to do that. You want to see our animagus training too? Why don't you just steal all my auror training as well? Hey, I was joking. Oh shit, we've created a monster here."
"Sirius, hearing one side of a conversation gets bloody annoying rather quickly. What's going on?"
"Sorry Moony, you know I have all my memories categorised in my mindscape. Harry wants to tear through them like Hermione hitting a library. He's already begun setting up his own mindscape after absorbing those memories and is now wanting to study how the marauders became animangi. Harry, if this works for setting up your mindscape, you can come back anytime. Hermione, he's coming over to you now." Harry wasn't going to have Sirius kissing Hermione so just pushed himself out as Luna had taught him.
This left Sirius shaking his head as if to clear it. "Wow! That is one of the strangest and yet most wonderful experience I've ever had. I can honestly say I have never been closer to my godson, and I was able to help him too. That's all good in my book."
Harry's head was still on Hermione's lap, Luna's remained there too as, although reunited, she was comfortable lying where she was. Hermione received Harry and was shocked at all the changes - there were structures and memories whizzing about everywhere.
"Harry, what are you doing?"
"I'm organising all my memories, using Gringotts vaults instead of cells like Sirius."
"…and the familiar looking Hungarian Horntail?"
"Ah, she's guarding my memories of you. I kinda assumed that's why you didn't suggest me visiting your father. Don't worry though, you still have full access to anything you want to see - unless it's a surprise I'm planning for my girlfriend."
She watched in awe at the speed his mental structure was being built, Harry had more to say though. "Once I get this finished, I'll show you exactly how to do it. Then if anyone comes snooping, your important memories will all be safely locked away."
While Harry constructed and filled vault after vault, there was one door that Hermione recognised as being the entrance to the chamber of secrets. All his childhood memories of being with the Dursleys were being dumped in there. Having seen a lot of them, Hermione didn't blame Harry one bit.
"After I show you how to do this, could you teach Luna?"
Hermione spotted at once what the problem was. "Harry, it would be better coming from you, and I honestly don't mind if you two need to kiss to get the job done. I won't get all jealous on you."
"It's just with you refusing to kiss Ron…"
"Different situation, Harry. I intend to invite Luna in at some point but this really would be better with you helping her - you'll certainly need to help me construct a mindscape of my own."
Harry demonstrated the basics to Hermione before she lovingly passed him back to his own body, letting her boyfriend see the difference between transferring and actually being kissed.
Dan also recognised the difference and cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention. "That's quite the story we've just heard. What I really want to know though is what happens next? Are we heading for Dover as soon as the sun comes up?"
The three teens were now sitting together on the carpeted floor, with Harry wedged in the middle as they leant their backs on the wall. They actually hadn't thought this far ahead so it was Harry who tried to answer Dan's question. "I think we might be better keeping our heads down for a few days to see what happens. They way things stand, I can't exactly turn up at Beauxbatons on the first of September and go - surprise! What I will say though is that the safety of everyone here should be our first and only concern - Luna, I'm including your dad in that too. Hermione told me this cottage belonged to her Gran Watson, so there shouldn't be anything linking it to the Granger family - not a link that any witch or wizard would find anyway."
Sirius was quick to add his backing to that idea of taking their time to discover exactly what the situation they were dealing with actually was. "I have a large town house in London that's impossible to even see, unless I tell you the address. The elf looking after it though hasn't been doing his job…"
At that, a certain pair of house elves popped into the room. "Dobby and Winky will look after their family. If Lord Black wants, Dobby and Winky could start cleaning his house to get it ready for their family."
Winky had her head down, not yet used to the acceptance that she was no longer a disgraced elf in the eyes of her family, she was enthusiastically nodding her head though.
Dan felt his original question hadn't been properly addressed, so was as blunt as he felt the situation demanded. "What's to stop us leaving right now? I don't want my family hanging around in a country where they could be in danger, not when we have the means to leave this very day."
Knowing this would have to come out sooner or later, Hermione thought it was time to tell her parents just how famous Harry was in the British magical community. They knew Harry had gained notoriety for something that happened when he was a baby but how do you explain the boy-who-lived phenomenon to a couple of muggles - especially when that same boy doesn't understand it himself.
"Dad, what you're missing is just how famous Harry is in our community. The Minister of Magic himself arrested Harry, and then used a ministerial decree to slap him in Azkaban. The magical community now think Harry is dead, or as good as, that will probably bring down the ministry..."
She was interrupted by Remus. "Oh I think we can dispense with the 'probably'. Sirius insisted I visit the Leaky Cauldron to see if the story about Harry was true, the mutt didn't want to believe it. The witches and wizards in that pub were ready to tear the ministry down with their bare hands, and then mount Fudge's severed head above the bar. Fudge will be lucky to escape this fiasco with his life, there's not a snowball's chance in Hell of him still being Minister of Magic."
"I would happily stick his head there myself for what he tried to do to my godson. Here's something we need to think about however, just how Voldemort will react to the news of Harry being gone. With people's spirits at an all-time low, and the ministry about to descend into disarray, this would be a perfect time for him to act. Discovering the boy-who-lived is gone while you-know-who as returned from the dead would practically crush all resistance in one fell swoop."
Dan and Emma were left staring at the teenage boy sandwiched between the two girls and couldn't help but wonder if they were talking about someone else. A clearly embarrassed Harry tried to answer their unasked question.
"Mister and Mrs Granger, I never asked for any of this. You can have no idea how hard it was to enter a whole new world and discover everyone already knew who you were - or thought they did. Apparently there are six or seven books written about my life, complete and utter fiction but people consider them to be true. Girls who have never met Harry Potter have crushes on him, Ron's little sister can't be in the same room as me without blushing bright red - she was brought up on these stories and believed them."
"You rescuing her from certain death and a sixty foot basilisk didn't exactly help Ginny get over her crush."
"Not helping, Hermione..."
Luna didn't think this would help either, but it had to be said. "…and you need to tell the whole truth, Harry. Don't forget, Hermione and I know you as well as you know yourself. Harry Potter could have told everyone he was leaving Britain, given his reasons for doing so, and happily left for France. The Harry we know however couldn't sneak away, leaving everyone to think he was dead."
"Could you really let Ron, Fred and George mourn for you, Mrs Weasley will be flooding her kitchen with tears..." Hermione was helping Luna get everything out in the open, then they could discuss how to proceed.
Luna kept up the assault. "Little Abi was so proud her dad chucked his job rather than be a part of you being placed in Azkaban, would you like to bet that picture you signed now has pride of place in her bedroom. How do you think she's gonna react when she hears the news?"
"What about Neville, Colin,…" Hermione didn't say anymore, she didn't need to. Harry was holding his hands up in surrender.
Those arms then went around both girls' shoulders as he tried to make a joke about this. "And now you see the downside to having two girls know you so well. Mister and Mrs Granger, Luna said it's time for the whole truth - so here it is."
Dan and Emma could see instantly this was the conversation their daughter had been terrified of. As Hermione and Luna burrowed into Harry for comfort, the parents tried to prepare themselves for hearing the worse.
"Britain is no longer safe for the Grangers, we are all agreed on that. Moving to France should see you safe. They want Hermione, but not enough to follow her across the channel. The same can't be said about me. Hearing about that prophecy last night changed everything - Voldemort will follow me wherever I go."
To Emma, this easily explained Hermione's terror. In the short time Luna had been in her mind, Emma had seen how close her daughter and Harry were. "Harry, since this Voldemort thinks you're dead - why would he come looking for you?"
"The girls and Sirius are right, Mrs Granger. The country thinking I'm dead practically hands victory to Voldemort and his death eaters, Hermione and Luna know I couldn't do that. Them discovering I'm alive seriously alters your position too. Hermione would be their best bet to get at me, she would probably know where I was and they will also know I would do anything to protect her. Under those circumstances, France and Beauxbatons would no longer be safe for the Granger family."
Dan could see the logic in Harry's reasoning, he needed to know where that reasoning was leading though. "What are you suggesting, Harry?"
"Sir, I don't have any suggestions - other than knowing we need help to make them. Our original plans called for all of us, and Luna's dad, to sit down and try to make some decisions abut our futures. The prophecy and the incident in Azkaban has changed so much that we simply don't know what to do next."
A quick glance between the Granger parents was enough for Dan to feel confident about what he was about to say. "Harry, we appreciate your honesty - and also the fact you three recognised you needed help. Providing it's safe to do so, I think we can take the time to have that meeting and make the decisions that are going to affect all of us."
Seeing the instant lifting of the teens' spirits, Sirius tried again to help. "While you should be safe here for at least a couple of days, my house is certainly the better option for anything longer than that. Apart from being more secure, there will be a couple of wands there if the worst were to happen. That should give Dobby and Winky time to get you to safety. I would love to accept their offer of help to make Grimauld Place into a better home for my godson and his friends - just watch out for the elf whose already in the house."
This saw Dobby stand that bit straighter. "We is Potter elves, our master is godson and heir to the House of Black. Dobby and Winky will make house suitable for their family. If lazy elf doesn't like that, he will find out just how strong our master and mistress is." Even Winky raised her head in acknowledgement of what Dobby had just said. To a house elf, there was no worse insult than calling another elf lazy. To neglect your duty to your family was to instantly lose respect from all other house elves.
With plans at least roughly in place for tomorrow, Dan was about to suggest they try and get at least a few hours of sleep when a knocking at the window had everyone looking in that direction.
"It's Pig, Ron's owl. Oh, he must have heard the news and is trying to contact me…" Dobby snapping his fingers allowed the tiny owl access to the house, it zoomed straight to Hermione and offered its letter.
Hermione was speaking as she read. "I was right. Mister Weasley was at our house to pass on some news but found it empty. Ron obviously doesn't want to put what happened in a letter, he wants to arrange a meeting as quickly as possible. What are we going to do?"
Hermione looked to Harry, this really was his decision to make. For Harry thought there really was no decision needing to be made.
-oOoOo-
Severus was right, the dark lord was not pleased at his news that Dumbledore didn't have Potter. He then took Albus' suspicions over what had happened to Potter even poorer.
"How could a mudblood teenage witch possibly get Potter out of St Mungo's before my death eaters arrived? Does he expect me to believe that, or has the old fool finally lost his mind?"
"My Lord, not only is this witch of well above average intelligence and magical power, she somehow managed to get word of Potter out of Azkaban - to both the Head of the D.M.L.E. and that newspaper."
"Again, how did she manage this? Surely the old fool knows, he would certainly have looked inside her head."
"Dumbledore tried, My Lord. She threw him right out of her mind, in his own office and in front of the Head of the D.M.L.E. too. Granger also managed to get a signed form withdrawing Potter from Hogwarts to appear on Dumbledore's desk, after the express had left Hogwarts. He travelled to Kings Cross hoping to discover how this was being done but again Madam Bones was present, he couldn't risk it."
"I think it's time I spoke to this witch..." Voldemort stopped as Severus withdrew a piece of parchment from his robes.
"I anticipated your request, My Lord. This is the mudblood's address."
Lucius was raging at that. He thought this would be an opportunity for him to begin worming his way back to his master's side, since he had placed a tracking charm on the Granger bitch - her entire family too. Lucius was just about to offer his master this information when Snape beat him to it. His night though was just about to get a whole lot better.
"I had already decided that my dark mark would once more hang in the sky tonight, this just added a target to my list. Severus, take four death eaters and burn this mudblood's home to the ground. I want the girl alive though."
Severus was left with no other option but to bow and accept his mission, his master wasn't finished however. "Lucius, take Wormtail and another four death eaters and do the same to the Weasley hovel. They are known friends of Potter - kill everyone you can. I shall lead the rest of you against Bones. Killing her should enable us to have one of my followers elected as Minister of Magic when they get rid of Fudge."
The ballroom at Malfoy Manor was full as Voldemort had summoned all his death eaters, excitement and anticipation now fuelled those followers. The dark lord intended to use those emotions for his final strike tonight.
"While these attacks have the ministry running around like scared children, our main strike will take place just as the sun begins to rise. My most faithful followers have suffered in Azkaban long enough, we shall free them as dawn breaks on a new day. The dementors will also rise up and join our cause, as will every prisoner in Azkaban - or the dementors will feast on their souls."
This led to loud cheering, tonight would be the night they began reclaiming their proud pureblood heritage. Before the summer was out they would rule over Britain, and now there was no one to stop them.
-oOoOo-
The house in Crawley was not only empty of Grangers, all their belongings were gone too.
"How is this possible? It's almost like they knew we were coming."
Severus had known the house would be empty, Albus having checked it earlier when searching for Granger. "The girl knew she and her family would be targeted, and said so. She already arranged a transfer to Beauxbatons for September, I can only assume she and her parents left for France directly from the station."
"What do we do now?"
"We follow our orders and burn this place to the ground, cast our master's mark and then leave. We have another raid to take part in tonight."
With the house soon ablaze, Severus cast Morsmordre before disapparating back to Malfoy Manor. There had been no time to get any warnings out, Severus could only hope the other targets had prepared as well as Miss Granger clearly did.
-oOoOo-
The Burrow was in chaos as Molly clutched her precious clock to her ample bosom. While Ron's hand pointed at 'visiting', he'd left with that little female house elf barely ten minutes ago to break the bad news to Hermione, the clock's hands for her, Arthur, the twins and Ginny were all indicating 'mortal peril'. Spells now striking the Burrow, indicated their wards had collapsed, and Molly was again thanking Harry Potter for saving her family. Even after he had gone from this world, Harry was still their guardian angel.
It was because of what happened to Harry that they had all been sitting in the kitchen talking, rather than in their beds sleeping - all except Ginny that is. The news about Harry had left Ginny distraught, she'd been lying in her bed crying her eyes out for hours. Arthur had raced up the stairs to fetch her, and it was on those stairs that Molly, Fred and George were all focusing their attention now.
The blasting of spells against the Burrow meant they couldn't hear Arthur as he dragged Ginny down the stairs. He took them by surprise as father and daughter burst into the kitchen, what was even more surprising was Arthur's wand shooting up and a spell flashing right at them. It actually flashed just over Molly's right shoulder but Arthur hit exactly what he had aimed for.
Arthur had to shout at the twins to make himself heard, such was the noise of their home being destroyed around them. The kitchen wouldn't survive unscathed for more than another few seconds.
"Fred, George, grab him - we're taking him with us."
The twins turned and noticed the balding man that had been behind them, his wand ready in a silver hand. Fred had the foresight to stick that wand in his robes as they grabbed the now unconscious stranger.
Arthur then made sure all his family were touching Molly's clock before activating it. As Albus had promised, the clock come portkey delivered the Weasleys and guest to the Hogwarts Headmaster's office - in the nick of time too.
-oOoOo-
Amelia Bones was also running out of time. With Voldemort himself now in Bones Manor, the battle-hardened witch was under no illusions of what fate awaited her. She was only still alive because Voldemort chose not to kill her at the moment, he seemed content to let his death eaters have a little fun trying to take her down.
Knowing every second she stayed alive gave Susan an extra second to escape was all the motivation Amelia needed to battle to the bitter end. They knew Susan was in the house and were enjoying backing Amelia up the stairs as she fought to keep them away from her niece. What they didn't know was that Susan had a portkey made by Dumbledore that would take her to safety sitting on her bedside cabinet. Amelia hoped she survived long enough to see their faces when their supposed prize had escaped their clutches.
That seemed more and more likely as the curses coming in her direction were all designed to painfully put her out of the fight, not directly kill her. Amelia thought it was all over however when an arm snaked around her neck and pulled her forcefully into a room, that was until Amelia felt the familiar hook in her stomach before she and Susan landed in a heap of tangled limbs on the headmaster's floor.
"I thought I told you to get out if the house was attacked?"
"I wasn't leaving you. I might be all the family you have left but it's the same for me. You're all I've got too, Auntie, I wasn't leaving you to them."
Both Bones witches had tears in their eyes as they clung on to each other. Susan had been scared out her wits but still hadn't run. She held their only means of escape in her hand, using it would have consigned her aunt to death - Susan just couldn't do that.
Hands were helping them up of the floor before Amelia noticed Albus had company - and not just the Weasleys. Her eyes were drawn to the figure secured to a chair.
"Hello Arthur, can I assume you had visitors too?"
"Yes, and they weren't there to take prisoners. The Burrow was being blasted down around our ears as we escaped. This thing sneaked into our house and was just about to curse Molly in the back when I stopped him. He lived with us for years as a pet rat, that's Peter Pettigrew. Ron told us he's the reason Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban, he's the Potter betrayer."
Just by habit, Amelia had visually scanned the room. She noticed the youngest Weasley son was missing - and Molly's eyes never left his hand on that clock of hers. "Where is Ron?"
It was actually Molly who answered. "He went to tell Hermione about Harry. Arthur had gone to the Grangers' home earlier but they weren't in - actually it looked as if they'd moved. Ron owled Hermione that he needed to see her, Hermione sent her elf to pick Ron up. I don't know where he is but at least I know he's safe."
Amelia tried to ease the mother's worries. "I anticipated something like her going into hiding and placed a tracking charm on Miss Granger at Kings Cross station. We can find her if we need to, Molly."
At that, Albus gave a rather nervous cough. "I placed tracking charms on the whole family, they're useless."
"You mean she found and cancelled them?"
Albus was left shaking his head, his admiration though was there for all to hear. "It's worse than that, Amelia. She transferred them onto other moving objects. Sometimes that girl is too smart for her own good. Hearing she had an elf was certainly a surprise, and explains a few things that appeared in my office, it also gives me a bit more hope that she actually managed to get to Harry before those death eaters."
That drew Ginny out of her pity party. "Harry's with Granger?"
Like Albus' admiration, the jealousy in Ginny's tone was clear for all to hear - though not as welcome.
"We can only hope so, Genevra. The death eaters attacked St Mungo's earlier tonight, their target was clearly Harry. It was fortunate Madam Bones and I arrived when we did, the auror guards wouldn't have held out much longer. On entering the room, we found Harry missing. We don't have him, and the death eaters were stopped from taking him, Harry being cared for by Miss Granger is the best we can hope for."
Ginny didn't agree with that but said nothing, her mother was still staring at her clock. "Wherever Hermione is, they seem to have lots to talk about. The longer Ron is there, the safer he'll be. Those death eaters should have left the Burrow by now so Ron will just go back to Hermione and contact us here. Then we should find out exactly what happened."
Everyone in the headmaster's office was interested in that, except perhaps the still unconscious Pettigrew.
-oOoOo-
Winky popped Ron into the cottage living room and, while he knew there were other people present, he couldn't have told anyone who they were. His attention was solely fixed on Hermione. She was smiling and obviously happy, he hated to be the one to tell her the devastating news.
"Hermione…" Ron choked and couldn't say another word, fat tears were running down his cheeks. Hermione rushed toward him and soon he was standing in the middle of the room engulfed in a Granger hug. He thought it must be so tight that it was affecting his senses, Ron could have sworn he heard Harry's voice taunting him.
"Hey Weasley, get your own bloody girlfriend. The beautiful Miss Granger is already taken - she said yes when I asked her."
Hermione giggling at that threw Ron almost as much as hearing Harry's voice, he didn't know Hermione could giggle. It was then he spotted Harry, standing there smiling at him.
The teasing in Hermione's voice just added to Ron's shock. "Ronald Weasley, don't you dare faint on me. How am I supposed to support a big lug like you if you faint?"
"My girlfriend sometimes forgets she's a witch, and could stick you to the ceiling if she wanted to…"
At that Ron staggered drunkenly over to Harry. "Is it really you? We all thought you'd been - you know?"
"Don't mention kissing, Ron. Hermione's father is just getting used to her having a boyfriend."
The loud laughter that generated around the room seemed to break the spell Ron was under. He had both arms around Harry and hoisting him up in the air, Ron's loud emotional roar would also have woken the neighbours - if they had any.
"It's really you?"
"Ron, we met on the Hogwarts Express and you asked to see my scar. 'Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow' bring back any memories? What we didn't know was the rat was already a yellow, lying, low-life…"
"Harry!" That the rebuke came in stereo from both Granger ladies just cracked Luna up. Since Luna had a most infectious laugh, soon even the ladies in question were joining in.
Ron still had his hands clamped on Harry's shoulders as he stood in front of him, he needed the reassurance this was real. "I know we've survived some scrapes in the past but how did you manage this?"
"Ron, I really appreciate how well you handled the girls not being able to tell you everything…"
"Don't ask me to go home and not tell everyone you're alive, Harry, I couldn't do that. Mum's cried buckets, I've never seen the twins so upset and Ginny - well, let's not mention that."
"I would never ask you to do that, mate, we were just discussing how to contact the Weasleys when Pig arrived with your note. As usual, we're making it up as we go along. What's different this time is we have help, and there are four of us now." Luna had been hanging back since Ron arrived, Harry saying that placed her back centre stage. As Hermione's arm supportingly slipped around her, Luna couldn't help but smile. Having friends was wonderful but Harry wasn't quite finished yet.
Knowing Ron's tendency to jump right off the deep end, Harry wanted there to be no scope for misunderstandings here. "Ron, I don't know where I would have been without Luna's help, either dead or kissed but certainly not standing here…"
"Bloody Hell!" Ron did explode, but not for the reason Harry feared. "That's how you did it! You can do the same as Luna - did they just think you were kissed?"
"…and that, Ronald Weasley, is why I nag you about schoolwork. You're easily bright enough to be doing better, it's pure laziness that's holding you back."
Rather than being insulted by Hermione's remark, Ron took that as a compliment - and confirmation his guess was right. Then he was worried about giving his friend's secret away. "Oh Harry I'm sorry. I just thought of the way Luna was on the express and the entire thing just popped into my head…"
"It's okay, mate. that's close enough to the truth without giving all our secrets away. We really need to come up with something to tell the public anyway, I refuse to hide away and let people think Voldemort's won. I remember promising Lucius Malfoy back in our second year that Harry Potter would always be there to save the day - and you know I like to keep my promises."
Having given this some thought, Luna had an idea. "Why tell them anything about how you managed it? Let's be honest here, no one knows how you survived that Halloween when you were a baby. Hermione was working on building up the myth of the boy-who-lived in a bid to get you out of Azkaban. This could really add to that myth, give the witches and wizards of Britain an enormous morale boost while driving Voldemort nuts trying to figure out how you pulled it off."
It was Ron who broke the silence, the awe he expressed easy to see. "That's bloody brilliant - and she used words I can understand! Can we keep her, Harry?"
Luna might be blushing but there was a wide smile on her face at the prospect of gaining another friend. After being properly introduced to Hermione's parents, Ron sat as the group spoke about their next move in the loosest possible terms. No plans could be confirmed until Luna's father showed up in the morning.
Feeling a million times better from discovering his best friend was still with them, Ron let Winky take him home - only to reappear mere seconds later. He was now in shock and seemed incapable of speech so it was left to Winky to explain.
"His house is destroyed with nasty mark floating in sky, Winky brought him back to safety. Did Winky do right?"
"You did exactly the right thing, Winky. Thank you for taking such good care of my friend." Noticing Remus and Sirius getting ready to leave for the Burrow, Harry needed more information. "Ron, speak to us - your family might have gotten away."
This seemed to reach Ron. "Portkey - Dumbledore made mum's clock into a portkey. It's supposed to take them to Hogwarts..."
At hearing that, Harry raced out the room - returning a moment later with a piece of parchment most of the people there recognised. The relief Harry displayed was also hard to miss.
"They're there, Ron, all in Dumbledore's office. Your mum, dad, the twins and Ginny..."
Ron stared at his best friend, wondering why he had stopped. Harry's gaze though was locked on Sirius. "Madam Bones is there too, along with another interesting name - Peter Pettigrew."
The grins both marauders now sported were feral.
Ron wanted to head for Hogwarts as quickly as possible but Hermione talked him down. "Your mother will have her clock and know you're safe. They are also all in Dumbledore's office, with no sign of Madam Pomfrey, which would mean they are all fine. I think I know where Harry will make his return public but we still need to wait on Luna's father arriving..." She looked to Harry for confirmation but he was on his knees as Dobby whispered in his ear. The conversation appeared serious and she didn't have long to wait until discovering what it was about. Harry rising and putting his arm supportingly around her had Hermione's alarm bells ringing.
"Mister and Mrs Granger, I have some bad news for you. Seeing Susan Bones in Dumbledore's office set me thinking their home might have been attacked too, and wondering if anywhere else had been targeted. Dobby checked for me and I'm sorry to say I was right, your home has been burned to the ground and the dark mark currently floats above the ashes."
He felt Hermione cling to him tightly as her tears started to fall. "I'm sorry, Hermione..."
A gentle kiss stopped his words. "This is not your fault, Harry. They were always going to come after me, we both know that. I'm just glad none of us were in that house at the time."
Dan currently had both his arms around a crying Emma as Winky appeared with a box of tissues, this war just got real for the Grangers. "It's only because we listened to you, Princess, that we're all safe. I just wish we had time to take some of our more personal stuff out of the house before this happened. The insurance will cover the building but some of that stuff is priceless and irreplaceable - how do you replace pictures of people who are no longer with us..."
Harry cleared his throat at that. "Ah, about that, Mister Granger. I have something of a surprise for you - it was a surprise for me too."
With all eyes now on him, Harry passed on his news. "Our elven friends are simply wonderful, and we have two of the best. We have to be careful though as they can take our instructions too literally. When I asked Dobby to take anything you needed out of your house, I meant things you would need to live here. Our wonderful elves though took that to mean 'anything'. That was just a shell that burned tonight, all of your belongings are shrunken and stored in my Gringotts vault where no one can get at them. When I say all, even your fridge is there - with a stasis charm on it to stop the food spoiling."
Looking from his wife, who now appeared as if she'd just been bequeathed the crown jewels, to the shy little creature standing beside them who made this possible - Dan didn't know what to say. Seeing his daughter wrapped around this boy made up his mind.
"Harry, call me Dan. This Mister Granger crap makes me feel old."