Chapter 13
The house that Bill had managed to rent for them was like nothing Ginny had ever seen before. It even had an internal courtyard that boasted a fountain in the centre of it, she could easily imagine herself sitting there quite happily during the hottest part of the day. She'd been quiet as Bill had led them through a local market that he called a bazaar, Ginny wasn't sure if that shouldn't be bizarre with some of the wares they had on sale. She'd enjoyed the food they'd had for dinner though definitely didn't want to know what it was or what was in it.
Now her apprehension was reaching record levels as her opportunity to have a quiet word with her oldest and favourite brother was getting closer.
Bill was many things but stupid wasn't one of them, he'd picked up on the tension between his parents immediately. This was such an unusual occurrence for it to be practically unmissable. That the rest of his siblings appeared to have major problems with their mother was also obvious.
Bill had been in the middle of nowhere on an absolute swine of a dig when the owl from his father found him. He'd been forced to call in quite a few favours to get the time off and make all the arrangements. Bill was really pleased to see nearly all his family but had no idea why they had suddenly descended upon him or how they were able to afford it. He was looking forward to having a quiet word with his dad to find out just what the hell he'd missed in the last couple of months.
His sister though had other ideas, "Bill, can I have a word with you? In private."
The only other person still up at this point was Arthur who also wasn't stupid, he was aware that Ginny always looked up to Bill in more ways than just their differences in height accounted for. His daughter's idea for a holiday in Egypt suddenly made more sense to her father. Arthur smiled as he got up and kissed his daughter on the forehead before heading off to bed. He did have a parting comment for her though. "You can speak to me about anything Ginny, you don't have to take the entire family on a two thousand mile trip just for a chat!"
Ginny would never hurt her father and tried to convey that. "I know dad and I love you for that. This is just something I need to discuss with Bill first."
Arthur couldn't be upset with his little girl, especially not after almost losing her. "Ok princess, just don't stay up too late though. We've got a busy day tomorrow and some pyramids to see."
Bill was now really worried, what could be so bad that Ginny couldn't tell dad but had to come all the way to Egypt to see him? If it was something some boy had done to her, Bill would be back in Britain tomorrow and murder would be on the agenda.
As soon as her dad left, Ginny couldn't hold it any longer. She blurted it out while bolting into Bill's now waiting arms. "It's mum Bill, I can't speak to dad about it because he would cast her from the family. We came here because I couldn't think of anyone else to tell."
Bill had a horrible vision of his sister catching their mum with another man before ruthlessly quashing it. Their mother was far from perfect by any means but that was just something she would never do. Bill sat Ginny on the couch beside him, still keeping his arms around the now crying girl. "Ok, I think my favourite sister needs to start from the very beginning and tell me the full story."
Ginny hadn't travelled all this way to leave anything out, she laid bare her soul. She told her brother about crushing on Harry Potter, only to come down to breakfast one morning and find him sitting at their kitchen table. He'd at least heard of dad's fight in Diagon Alley with Lucius Malfoy and wondered why Ginny was bringing it up now. When she mentioned writing in a diary that wrote back to her, every one of Bill's highly honed curse breaking senses were screaming danger at him.
When Ginny said she was lonely at Hogwarts Bill resolved to be having words with his brothers in the morning, that was until he remembered his own time there. Bill was in sixth year and Charlie fifth by the time Percy arrived at the castle. Between being buried in course work, Quidditch and chasing after girls, neither of the two elder brothers did anything more than ensure Percy was at meals and nobody was bothering him. He was surprised at Ron though until Ginny exonerated him.
"Ron is so close to Harry and Hermione that it would be difficult for anyone to break into that group, they're already famous at Hogwarts, make that Britain! He was there for me when I really needed him though. It turned out that the diary was a horcrux of Tom Marvelo Riddle, better known as Lord Voldemort. It was taking control and forcing me to set a basilisk on the rest of the school. I ended up lying dying in Slytherin's secret chamber while the school was getting ready to be closed. Mum and dad were sitting in the head's office crying."
Bill was now holding his sister tighter, even the idea of a horcrux or a basilisk scared the shit out of him, both didn't bear thinking about. The mantra of 'she's here and ok' was going through his head while trying not to imagine the terror that their parents must have been going through at the time. Ron just earned everlasting forgiveness from Bill with Ginny's next words.
"Hermione was petrified in the infirmary but had managed to find out what was going on before it happened. She had it all written down and Harry found it, he and Ron came for me! Ron got trapped underground by a cave-in but Harry managed through and fought the basilisk with Gryffindor's sword before pulling its fang out of his own arm and destroying the diary with it."
Bill had to interrupt. "Ginny, have you any idea how crazy this all sounds?"
She nodded in agreement before pulling out the Prophet articles she'd brought to Egypt for this very purpose. Ginny well understood her brother's scepticism, she was there and still had trouble believing it.
Bill was silent while he read article after article, his eyes would continually keep shifting toward Ginny. It was almost as if to make sure she was still sitting there, alive and well.
"Ginny, this is pretty amazing stuff but I still can't see what this has to do with mum?"
Ginny lowered her head, she couldn't face Bill and say the next bit. "Mum is determined I'm to be Harry Potter's girlfriend."
Bill fought hard not to laugh, "Ginny, I would imagine every mother in Britain with a daughter between the ages of seven and twenty seven would want them to be Harry Potter's girlfriend!"
Ginny cut him off from saying anymore. "I'll bet they wouldn't insult his present girlfriend to her face when they came to their house to make that same daughter rich. Nor would they suggest to their daughter there are ways to get a certain boy if they really want to. Harry is now Lord Potter and betrothed to his girlfriend Hermione, do you know what would happen when mum tries to interfere? You know what mum's like when she takes something into her head, everyone of us has told her she was wrong but I just don't see her giving up on this. The whole thing's got me terrified Bill. Even if Harry didn't press charges, dad would throw her out the family."
Bill got Ginny to tell him the rest of the story and found himself agreeing with his now rich little sister. If their mother was prepared to have the rest of the family not speaking to her over this, she wasn't going to give up on it easily. He also understood Ginny's fear of their dad casting their mother out of the family if she took this any further. People who dismissed Arthur Weasley as nothing more than a hen pecked husband did so at their peril. They would soon get a rude awakening if Arthur's family or the Weasley family honour was threatened.
He hugged his sister before kissing her goodnight on the forehead. "Ok Ginny, time for you to call it a night. I'll take it from here but give me some time to think this over before I confront mum. Do you want to be there when I do?"
Ginny couldn't decide, she did feel so much better though after having told Bill everything. "I don't know, I'll go with whatever you think is best."
Bill nodded in agreement. "I'll let you know before I speak to her but you need to stop worrying about it, let me deal with it now. I'm sorry my favourite sister couldn't have the prince of her dreams, this Harry Potter seems such a nice guy too."
Ginny cuddled into her brother's broad chest before replying. "I think Ron said it best the night we were all in the infirmary. Harry came for me while the famous Gilderoy Lockhart was pissing himself with fear, what more could you ask for in a friend? Hermione is also really nice and a friend now too."
Bill sat alone in the quiet of the Egyptian night, trying to sort out his thoughts from Ginny's quite incredible tale. She'd left him the articles and his eyes kept returning to the one of Ron, Harry and his now betrothed Hermione. Bill understood his father's position perfectly, Ginny would have been dead but for the actions of the people in the photograph. To actually then insult them in any way was practically unforgivable, especially when they were there to make his two youngest siblings rich beyond their wildest dreams.
Bill hadn't seen Ron in quite a while and the changes in the lad were nothing short of astonishing, if Harry's friendship played any part in that then his mother's behaviour was even harder to explain. Ginny had done her bit and Bill was loath to involve her further, it was up to him now. He would watch his family closely tomorrow and then try to engineer a discussion with his mother, preferably somewhere he could set up silencing charms. Bill had a feeling those charms would be tested to their limit.
-oOoOo-
Frank felt totally useless, probably because at the moment he was. The expectant father was relegated to the role of holding Sibyl's hair out the way as she threw-up again in the toilet. He was at least able to offer some comfort and rub her back with his other hand as the morning sickness had once more made its presence known. Frank wanted her to see a doctor but she had no records of any kind in the muggle world. She also vetoed the idea of approaching one of her own type of doctors since they were both currently carrying about bits of dark lord inside them.
Frank's concern skyrocketed when Sybil suddenly began to convulse, these severe reactions were soon accompanied by black tar-like gunk oozing from her nostrils. Frank had a cool wet cloth ready to put on her brow when she was finished throwing up but now used it to wipe away the worse of the mess, he was really concerned her airways may become blocked. Passing the last of the black gunk coincided with her convulsions stopping but the mother of his unborn child was now unconscious. Frank's hearing was so poor he couldn't rely on it to check Sibyl's heart was still beating but his shaving mirror steamed up when held at her mouth. There was some relief that Sibyl was at least still breathing.
Frank possessed neither the strength nor agility to lift Sibyl into their bedroom but was desperate to make her more comfortable. He hated leaving her even for a moment but the toilet floor was not the best place for his pregnant love to be lying. He quickly returned carrying a quilt and a pillow and at least tried to keep her warm, with Sibyl now wrapped in the quilt and her head resting on the pillow on his lap, all he could do was wait.
It took almost twenty minutes for Sibyl to gradually wake up, twenty of the worst minutes of Frank's life. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "You, young lady, just about scared the bloody life out of me!"
Sibyl couldn't help but smile back up at him. "I think our baby just pushed Tom out of me. Did you feel the backlash?"
"No, I didn't feel a thing. Are you sure he left?" Frank then had a horrifying thought. "He couldn't have moved into our baby, could he?"
Sibyl tried to reassure her man. "That's not possible Frank, our baby isn't physically or mentally developed enough to support Tom yet. I can't sense him at all, he's really gone!"
Frank still wasn't one hundred percent convinced. "You felt the one on the train and we both were hit by the surge when I shot that goblin thing. Why would Tom dying be any different?"
"I don't know love, he's been getting weaker for days. It almost feels as if he just passed away. Perhaps it's like dying from natural causes, not that there is anything natural about a horcrux."
Frank wasn't totally convinced but had other things to deal with first. "Let's get you up off this floor and into bed, then I'll fix us both a cup of tea. I know I could bloody use one."
Frank helped Sibyl to rise before she then had to help him to his feet. His old war wound didn't take too kindly to sitting on a cold toilet floor with Sibyl resting on it. When they were both standing, there was a hug of relief before heading in the direction of the bedroom. They got on so well together because both thought they were the lucky one in the relationship, a relationship neither of them expected nor could still quite believe.
Frank tucked Sibyl into bed before heading off to the kitchen to brew the promised tea. When he returned Sibyl could see he'd made more than a cuppa, Frank had made his mind up about something. "Frank, what are you planning? Please don't do anything rash without discussing it with me first."
Frank held her hand, "Sibyl love, the last horcrux is in my head. If I go then so does he."
Sibyl was puzzled, "Where would you go Frank?" Realisation dawned for the former divination professor. "No, I refuse to let you do that. This baby of ours will need his or her father to be there, nothing else is acceptable."
He was still holding her hand as he tried to explain. "Listen to me love, you and our baby are the most important things in the world to me now. We both know what would happen if this sick bastard ever got a new body. You, me and our baby would only be the first people he would kill. By doing this I can guarantee both your safety. I've lived my life and the last few months have easily been the best of it. I would have no hesitation in ending my life to protect my child and their mother, the woman I love."
Sibyl pulled Frank down on to the bed with her, all thoughts of tea forgotten at the moment as she held him close. "You listen to me Frank Bryce, I got Tom out of me without putting a bullet through my head. We've got time to work out why and try the same with you love."
Frank smiled at her, "I've listened as you described some of the wonderful things magic can do but I've never heard you mention it could get a man pregnant!"
Sibyl caught on fast that Frank was trying to divert her from changing his mind, she had no intention of being dissuaded. "You don't have to be carrying this baby to love it every bit as much as I do! Together the three of us can beat him, I won't have you sacrificing yourself before we have tried everything we can. You said yourself that Riddle is getting weaker all the time, we can beat him! Yes we're on a time limit but that also means you don't have to do anything right now."
Their mugs of tea were ignored as the couple tried to resolve their most unusual problem, the tea wasn't the only thing being ignored in the Riddle house. The spirit that was Voldemort had watched from the background as the morning had played out. On the one hand he was incensed that he was being totally discounted and spoken about as if Lord Voldemort was of no consequence. While on the other hand, with only one horcrux now left, he was closer to death than at any time since before he finished Hogwarts.
That his remaining horcrux was lodged inside an old muggle who was currently having to be persuaded not to put a bullet through his own head terrified him like nothing before. He was going to have to leave Little Hangleton in search of some gullible followers, they would need to be coaxed or bullied into giving up one of their children for him to possess.
Being parents to the new dark lord could be made to seem attractive to a few of his followers, the names of Crabbe, Goyle and Bulstrode jumped to the fore as being stupid enough to believe his empty promises. His time teaching at Hogwarts reminded him that the Bulstrodes had a female child, if his geography was correct though, they were the nearest to his current location. There wasn't much between the three children in question by the way of their intelligence or magical power, perhaps he would have more luck as a dark lady than he did as the dark lord.
The main reason for deciding on this course of action was time. When these two eventually noticed he'd left here, the old muggle could quite easily decide it was now time to put an end to his own life and Lord Voldemort too! It was ironic that the evilest and most powerful dark lord this century had to stand there helpless while his fate hung in the balance, dependent on the love of a squib for an old muggle being strong enough to save both their lives. Voldemort also couldn't miss the irony that it was the love of a mother for her child that got him into this entire mess in the first place!
-oOoOo-
Cornelius remembered nearly everything that Lucius had drummed into him as the Minister of Magic made his way to the new Headmistress of Hogwarts office. Yes, he may remember it, didn't mean he had to like it though! "Ah Amelia, so good to see you again. Are you settling into your new job?"
Amelia couldn't for the life of her think what this arse was doing here, she didn't intend to waste any time finding out. "I'm settling in fine Cornelius but I find myself incredibly busy. What can the Headmistress of Hogwarts do for you?"
Cornelius may have been well rehearsed in what to say, he just didn't possess Lucius Malfoy's skill for pulling it off. "My dear Amelia, it's more about what we can do for each other."
Amelia wasn't too sure what he meant by that, the facial expression he was attempting also failed miserably. She guessed he was going for reassuring but it looked more like he was constipated. For one awful moment there, she thought Fudge was making a pass at her. If he was then her new office would soon have a new decoration, the minister's reproductive equipment, framed and hanging on the wall, should make a nice conversation piece. It would at least give her somewhere else to hang her hat! "As I think I said Cornelius, I'm very busy. Could we please get to the point?"
He was annoyed that all the stuff he'd spent hours learning wouldn't be needed but consoled himself with the thought at least it would get him out of here quicker. "Amelia, I think it is in both Hogwarts and the ministry's best interests that the boy-who-lived remains in Britain. I'm sure you'll agree that Harry Potter attending Beauxbatons would be a disaster for us all."
The light of understanding finally went on in Amelia's mind, now all that she needed to do was decide how she wanted to play this. She decided to give the minister a little nudge, just to see how Cornelius would react and try to gauge exactly how serious he was about this. "Minister, in part I can't help but agree with you. To those ends I and Hogwarts have done everything in our power to get the school to a point where Lord Potter would wish to return. A point I was pleased to say we'd reached only for the ministry to make a complete balls of the situation. Setting Umbridge on him and his family? Really Cornelius, what the hell were you thinking?"
The minister's face was scarlet as he fought valiantly to control his temper, Lucius had warned him that losing it was the worst thing he could do. "I am thinking that perhaps we could work together to achieve our mutual goal. You know the boy Amelia, what does he really want? I will of course apologise for the mistake over ministry employees entering his house uninvited, we just can't find him to do it properly. What will it take to keep the boy-who-lived in the country?"
Amelia didn't hesitate for a second. "Lucius Malfoy's head on a stick!" It was quite amusing to watch actually, she didn't know a human face could turn all those different colours. Amelia thought she was going to have to remind Cornelius to breathe after his shock at her answer. Amelia could be a lady if she wanted to be, she could also become an utter bitch when the occasion demanded it. She decided to put the boot in! "Lord Potter has stated publicly that he was pleased with the changes taking place at Hogwarts and was ready to return here in September. He also stated publicly that the ministry were the ones who screwed the entire situation up. There is also real animosity between him and the Malfoys. I've personally watched the boy's memories and there is no room for doubt in my mind that Lucius Malfoy was responsible for the Basilisk that was released in this castle last year. Harry will never listen to or believe a word you say while you associate yourself with that man."
Cornelius was now starting to panic, "You're wrong Amelia, Lucius couldn't be responsible for that atrocity, not Lucius! Surely there is something else I can do to appease the boy?"
Amelia was well aware of his arguments to protect his friend Lucius, she'd heard them many times before. She reiterated her usual counter in the vain hope that this time he might actually listen. "Minister, if you're so sure that Lucius is completely innocent then you have nothing to fear. Have a hearing where he's questioned under veritaserum and that would clear everything up once and for all." She gave him a moment to ponder this before offering something else for consideration. "There is one other thing that might help you, Harry asked for a transcript from the trial of Sirius Black. That, combined with a public apology over the Umbridge incident, would be a start at mending fences with the boy."
Fudge was now looking a colour that resembled his lime green bowler hat, "I'm sorry Amelia but I just can't do that."
Amelia was now shaking her head, "Cornelius, if you are not prepared to apologise then I find myself questioning why you bothered even coming to Hogwarts today."
"I am quite prepared to apologise Amelia, I just can't hand over a copy of that trial transcript.
This refusal had Amelia puzzled, she could see no reason behind this decision. "Why ever not Cornelius, surely that is the least you can do? The whole of our world knows that Black betrayed the Potters and Harry has since discovered the man is actually his godfather. The boy wants to know, no, needs to know why Black did it. What possible reason could you have for denying him that right?"
"Amelia, nothing would please me more than to meet the boy's request. I can't hand it over because there is no transcript. There is no transcript because there never was a trial! Black was caught red-handed at the scene of Pettigrew's and a dozen muggle murders, they slapped him directly into Azkaban."
Amelia shot to her feet. "Are you telling me that Sirius Black has spent twelve years in Azkaban, and the dementors have been given permission to kiss him on sight, without the man ever having a trial?"
"Black was guilty Amelia, there was no need for a trial."
"So is Lucius Malfoy but he isn't getting a trial either, is he Cornelius? I think Harry Potter has the right idea, get as far away from the British ministry of magic as possible. I am now reconsidering my decision not to let my Susan go with him!"
Cornelius was rocked back in his seat by the venom contained in Amelia's voice. "I thought the ministry and Hogwarts could work together on this matter, it would appear I was mistaken."
Amelia had not sat back down yet, her temper still flaring. "Being mistaken is not exactly a new experience for you or your ministry Cornelius. I have to say though, admitting you were mistaken is a good start. As to the Lord Potter situation, I fear you may have burned your bridges. You set Lucius Malfoy free without the need for a trial, his godfather went to Azkaban again without trial. You set Umbridge on him after sacking the father of his best friend. I think it's fair to say you won't be on the boy's Christmas card list."
It was a thoroughly dejected minister who left Hogwarts to make his way back to the ministry. Amelia was back sitting behind her desk, rapidly reaching the conclusion that there would be no more work done here until she had spoken to Harry. This was something he needed to know and as quickly as possible since he was leaving to go on holiday tomorrow. If things went as she feared on the continent, this might be one of the last times Amelia would see the lad. That she could no longer concentrate on what she'd been doing before that arse Cornelius showed up, and with Susan and Hannah already at the Grangers for a defence lesson, she made her mind up. Amelia would go now and get the bad news over with.
-oOoOo-
Sirius had been searching all night, again with no luck. This had usually been his cue to hide for the day but he now felt forced to continue searching in broad daylight. He just couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out fast. His animagus form that had kept Sirius safe was now going to work against him.
He'd learned enough about muggles from Lily to understand that two dentists would have a house in one of the better neighbourhoods. He'd now spent the last couple of nights sniffing around some really nice houses and reading the nameplates on the doors. He'd found Gardiners, Gordons and Grahams but so far no sign of Grangers. He'd also come across the occasional disillusioned Auror keeping watch. Sirius Black would probably have missed them but Padfoot had sniffed them out. One had been hiding behind a large scented shrub yet the smell of firewhisky had been clearly discernable to the dog's sensitive nose. The auror had obviously used a little help to put the night in, Sirius had been so tempted to lift his leg and take a leak on the bush. An auror drinking on the job deserved nothing less but his main priority had to be finding his godson. Pissing on and off aurors who'd been drinking would probably not help his chances of achieving this.
The big black dog that was such an advantage at night would stick out like a sore thumb in the lovely July sunshine. House owners with manicured lawns and regimented flower beds do not wish to see a large mangy mongrel walking up their garden path. In this neighbourhood during daylight, Sirius was probably in more danger from the local dog wardens than he was from the aurors searching for him and his godson. That was why he had hid out the last two days, he just didn't think he could do the same again today.
It was a very tired Padfoot who was making his way as inconspicuously as possible down the street when he picked up something Sirius Black would have surely missed. The strength of the wards he just touched literally made the hair on the dog's back stand up. With all signs of fatigue instantly forgotten, Padfoot went off to investigate.
-oOoOo-
Cornelius was making his way through the ministry en route back to his office when he was joined by Lucius, they spoke only about mundane matters until reaching their destination. The minister sat behind his large desk before giving his friend the bad news. "I'm sorry Lucius, it would appear the only thing the boy will be satisfied with is you going on trial under truth serum. Since you've done nothing wrong then we should be fine and able to put this whole mistake behind us. This will soon get the magical public back on our side."
This was Lucius Malfoy's worst fear, the last thing he was about to do was allow himself to be asked questions after taking veritaserum. He had to nip this idea in the bud immediately. "I'm sorry Cornelius but I can't agree to that, none of us are truly innocent and questions could be phrased in such a way as to see us both in trouble. The many gifts and campaign contributions I have given you could, under the right set of circumstances, be misconstrued as bribes. Of course, if you have registered all of them with the Wizengamot then neither of us has anything to fear."
Lucius took no delight in the expression of utter panic that crossed the incompetent fool's face, he had averted disaster once more but was running out of options. The Potter brat citing him and Fudge as the reasons he was leaving Britain would be disastrous for the Malfoy family. Perhaps it was time to take a vacation to their colonial mansion in Bolivia, it wasn't the centre of fashion or very chic but it was eminently preferable to spending time in Azkaban. As boltholes go, it was at least very comfortable and the last place anyone would ever look for the Malfoy family.
-oOoOo-
The big black dog was poking his head out from behind the wheely bins and was in total awe at what he was seeing in this muggle back garden. He'd focused on his godson immediately and his heart broke again for the brother he'd lost that Halloween . Seeing Harry Potter in the flesh, his resemblance to his father was a hundred times more pronounced than any photo. His mannerisms and the way he carried himself was pure James Potter.
He also couldn't miss that Remus was there and appeared to be teaching Harry and his friends defence, unfortunately there didn't seem to be a Weasley or a certain rat anywhere in the garden. Padfoot was frozen by the scene in front of him, it was the most beautiful thing he'd laid eyes on since before he was carted off to Azkaban. All he needed to do now was figure out how he was going to approach his godson. It was a massive risk but so was anything he did until he could catch the rat, anything worth having was also worth the risk. He'd seen his godson now, there was no way he could just walk away and leave him again.
Harry had been working at helping Luna again until Professor Lupin got the rest of them started. He was going to try Harry on the anti-dementor spell though he was warned it was very advanced magic.
After carefully explaining the emotions that fuelled the spell with the incantation and wand movement needed, Harry was ready to give it a shot. He managed a partial shield but felt tired after a few seconds, that wasn't going to offer much protection! Remus though, was delighted, he gave Harry some chocolate before explaining that next try he should try to use a happier memory to help power the spell.
Luna was carefully watching and thought she knew how she could help Harry for once.
Hermione found herself working with Hannah today, trying not to giggle at Susan's rather blatant attempt to get closer to Neville. The poor boy was totally oblivious to the girl's ploy though and spent all his time concentrating on his spells. It was funny watching Hannah and Susan swapping glances about the hopelessness of the situation.
Hannah then wondered if perhaps the smartest witch of their year could help them. "Hermione, how did you get Harry to notice you were interested in him?"
Hermione couldn't contain the giggle this time. "Well, after spending the night in his bed didn't work, I just kissed him!"
Hannah was gobsmacked, Gryffindors really did bravely charge ahead. "Oh I can't see that failing to work. Even the most clueless boy in the country couldn't fail to get the message after that!"
They were interrupted by Luna, "Hermione, Harry needs a really happy memory to cast this spell. Perhaps you could help him for a minute?"
Everyone stopped as all eyes were now on Hermione. This Hermione though had a ring on her finger that said she was one day going to become Mrs Potter, she could handle the attention. She slowly walked over to her betrothed and placed her hands on his cheeks before giving him a loving kiss. "Mmm, chocolate kisses! Don't let mum or dad see you eating that, it's not only dementors that can be scary. Did I tell you I bought a new green bikini for our holiday? It's the same colour as your eyes love so I couldn't resist it. Try casting that charm now."
The image Harry now had in his head wasn't exactly a memory, more something he was really looking forward to seeing. He didn't know if that would work but it was certainly a happy thought so he gave it a try. A golden white stag shot out of his wand and started prancing around on the grass, the positive energy radiating from the spectral animal had an effect on everyone in the garden.
Susan grabbed Neville by the forearm, "You ever need help with a spell like that, you give me a floocall!"
Remus had to practically pick his chin back up off the grass, the only thought going through his head was that prongs rides again. His thoughts were obviously focused on the marauders because he could swear he'd just seen another one.
It did Padfoot's old heart the world of good to see his godson so happy. When the lad's girlfriend walked over and shared such a loving kiss, well Sirius just discovered he could shed tears in his canine form. Nothing in this world or the next could have prepared him for what happened then. A ghostly prongs was suddenly in the garden and walking directly toward him. For a person who'd been denied any positive feelings for so long, the power radiating off the patronus had the greatest effect on Sirius. He was momentarily transported to another place and time as the big black dog left his concealment and staggered out to greet his best friend. Here was his chance to say sorry for swapping secret keepers and not looking after his godson, being in Azkaban was no excuse. This had become a real red letter day for Sirius Black.
The red beam struck the dog mere seconds before it was bound tightly by ropes.
"Remus, what are you doing to that poor dog? It wasn't doing anything."
Remus was actually trembling with his attempts to control his temper, the wolf in him wanted to rip the dog to pieces for all the pain he'd caused him. "That's not a dog Harry, that's an animagus who also goes by the name of Sirius Black!"
Chapter 14
The golden stag had disappeared the instant Remus's stunner hit the dog, now Harry's temper was flaring to match that of his professor's. "He's trying to take my new family away too. Not this time, I won't let anyone harm them."
Hermione's hand was placed gently on his shoulder, offering support but holding him back at the same time while her voice advised caution. "Harry, that's impossible. The wards would prevent it."
Her words were like a bucket of iced water on his flaming temper. If Hermione was trying to tell him something, it was time to listen. His betrothed continued to explain her thoughts, "The wards that protect the property won't let anything through that means any of us harm. Do you honestly think the goblins wouldn't have thought of animagus?"
Reus wasn't so easily convinced, "Why else would he be here?"
Hermione shook her head, "I have no idea, is there any way to change him back and ask him? Both you and Harry have questions that you need answers to, well here's your chance. There's enough wands here to make sure he doesn't escape, especially if he's tied up before you revive him. When you're finished questioning him, we can dump him on the ministry."
Even as angry as he was, Remus could see the sense in her words. He called on Dobby and asked the little guy to create a strong chair and chains to hold a prisoner, if Sirius made a move on Harry in Dobby's presence then there would only be one winner. Watching Harry's memory of the little guy dumping an enraged Lucius Malfoy onto his arse was compulsive viewing as far as the marauder was convinced.
Dan and Emma had also appeared to see what was going on, as Remus removed the ropes and changed the dog into a man, Dan headed into the house while Dobby restrained Sirius. Dan soon returned with a three iron and stood ready to brain the dark haired wizard, Remus could see Harry had found another protector.
Remus had quickly removed the wand Sirius must have stolen and couldn't see any way out of this for his former friend. Still, he'd got out of Azkaban so it paid to be careful. "Ok, he's been disarmed and restrained. I'm about to revive him so everyone stay alert." Remus wasn't sure who looked scarier, Dobby or Dan? Both appeared ready to attack if Sirius as much as twitched.
Sirius awoke to find himself once more in human form, that didn't bother him too much. The chains and stares of utter loathing he could defiantly have done without. He managed to croak out 'Harry!' before Remus abruptly cut him off.
"Don't you dare even speak his name, you gave up that right twelve years ago. All we want is to find out why you betrayed James and Lily, then we'll be handing your sorry arse over to the aurors."
Sirius thought Remus was being very reasonable, had the positions been reversed he was sure there would have been curses flying before now. "Fair enough Remus, you'll find something in my pocket that will answer most of your questions."
Hermione moved forward to retrieve the object but Remus stopped her. "That seems too glib an answer. If you're trying to pull something here Sirius, I swear I'll kill you."
"Remus it's a picture of Harry, this lovely young lady here and the Weasley boy. The one that appeared on the front page of the Prophet."
Emma was moving before she finished talking. "I've got a copy of that inside, I started keeping a scrapbook. I'll be back in a minute."
It took her longer than that but she arrived back with the newly arrived Amelia Bones, the ex-auror had been quickly told what was happening. Amelia decided to let them proceed for now, she also had her wand out though in case it was needed.
Sirius didn't need to see the picture again, he knew every detail of it so well from many hours spent studying his own copy. "Look at the Weasley boy's pocket Remus, all your answers are there."
Emma gave an involuntary shudder, "You mean the rat?"
Remus now almost snatched the picture out of Emma's hand.
Hermione as usual attempted to explain. "Oh that's just Scabbers, Ron's pet. I already told him mum's terrified of rats so he doesn't bring the thing here." Once again all eyes were on Hermione, though this time they were looking for more information. "The rat used to belong to Percy, he had it for years before handing it over to Ron. I can't be more specific with times and Ron took Scabbers on holiday with him to Egypt."
Sirius nodded in understanding, "I'd bet the Black fortune that it was about twelve years ago, making Scabbers uncommonly long lived for an ordinary rat. Look carefully at the front paw Remus, notice the missing toe? That was the clincher for me, I watched as the little bastard cut off his own finger." This produced some gasps at that bloody deed from those listening, Sirius misunderstood and offered an apology. "I'm sorry for that ladies but the environment I have been residing in for the last twelve years wasn't exactly conducive to making me remember my manners while amongst polite company. I apologise unreservedly."
Dan was still gripping his favourite club but wondering why everything had to be so bloody different in the magical world. Even the escaped mass murderers weren't what he was expecting. This one looked and smelled like a demented vagabond yet spoke and acted more like a gentleman. That the man was also Harry's godfather just confused him even more. Why couldn't magical people do simple and straightforward, was that too much to ask?
Remus was staring at the proof in front of him but fighting against it, accepting this would mean he'd failed his friend for the last twelve years. "If Peter is still alive, why didn't that information come out at your trial?"
Amelia decided to provide the answer to that one. She didn't really want to give Harry another reason for leaving Britain but was appalled that this could have happen at all. "I may be able to help there. I just had a meeting with Fudge, he wanted my help in appeasing Harry. I told him Malfoy's head on a stick would work but the transcript of Sirius Black's trial would be a start. He said that was impossible because Sirius Black never had a trial."
Sirius actually growled, "I was so shocked that little shit Peter got the better of me I just stood there. Next thing I know I was waking up in Azkaban, not questioned, never seen a lawyer and definitely no trial. When I saw in the Prophet that Pettigrew was close to Harry at Hogwarts, I just had to get out of that hellhole to protect him. Peter wasn't getting the last of the Potters while I still drew breath."
Dan had had enough, "When you're all quite finished, do you think you could take the time to explain what the hell is going on here. In English, please?"
Sirius may have been addressing everyone but his eyes never left Harry. "I was not the Potter's secret keeper and could never betray them, we thought we were being so clever in changing to Peter and not telling anyone. We didn't tell you Remus because everyone knew there was a spy amongst us, turns out the rat really was a rat after all. Your friend's rat Scabbers is really an animagus called Peter Pettigrew. After you defeated his master, he went into hiding. Peter knew that if the death eaters didn't kill him then Remus and me would. I thought I had him but he blasted a large hole in the street before escaping down the sewer as a rat. He didn't give a shit about the dozen muggles he killed doing it either, Peter doesn't give a shit about anyone except himself. Again, sorry for the language ladies."
Dan thought he had the gist of it now but wanted to make sure. "Are you saying you were innocent yet they threw you in prison and just left you there? No trial, No charges, not even questioned?"
"Yes sir, that sums it up nicely. Case closed and everyone then got on with their lives while I was left to rot!" Sirius once more focused on Harry. "Your father was like a brother to me Harry, and Remus will tell you we all adored Lily. I've loved you from the moment your father placed you in my arms on the night you were born. The proudest moment of my life was when I was asked to be your godfather, I then let you and them down and will never forgive myself. When Hagrid took you to Dumbledore that night I lost it and let my grief take over. I went seeking revenge when I should have been looking after you."
Harry looked toward Remus for conformation. "I had three friends who all became animagi while still at Hogwarts, Sirius was a dog, Peter was a rat while your dad was exactly like your patronus, a stag. The only thing they found of Peter Pettigrew after his supposed murder was a finger, Scabbers has a missing toe. The Weasleys have been looking after a death eater for over a decade, the man who betrayed your parents."
Emma was forced to ask a question she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer to. Having Harry stay with them had made their home come alive, Emma hated the thought of him perhaps leaving to live with his godfather. "So, what happens now?"
Amelia was trying to work this out and not liking the answers she was coming up with. "In an ideal world, we catch Pettigrew. He stands trial and Sirius goes free but I just don't see that happening."
This upset Hermione's ingrained sense of fairplay and following the rules. "Why not, surly it should be easy to clear Mr Black's name?"
Amelia could understand where the girl was coming from. After all, that was the way things were supposed to work. "Hermione, Peter Pettigrew answering questions under truth serum could see careers ended and some high profile members of our society facing charges they couldn't dodge. I doubt he would even make it to trial, killed while trying to escape solves their problems but doesn't help Sirius. The new head of the DMLE will do anything Fudge says and we all know who he listens to. A great many people could have their lives destroyed by this, catching Peter Pettigrew is the easy bit."
Harry was staring at the man who was his godfather and claimed to love him. Judging by the warmth in his eyes and the fact he broke out of Azkaban to try to protect him, Harry was forced to concede Sirius Black was telling the truth. His godfather really did love him, Harry felt he had to say something. "Can we at least take the bloody chains off him? He's already been locked up twelve years for nothing!"
Remus shook his head as Dobby removed the chains, "Padfoot, you've been back in Harry's life less than an hour and already you're corrupting him." He pulled his friend out of the chair and into a hug. "Good to see you again you old dog, but you need a bath!"
Sirius hugged him back, there was so much they wanted to say to each other but banter came first. The serious stuff, especially what they were going to do to a certain rat, would come later. "What about you? I heard some of these young witches and wizards call you Professor Lupin. Since when did you become respectable?"
Sirius moved to talk to his godson. "Harry, I happen to know a certain someone has a birthday coming up. I have quite a few birthdays and Christmases to make up for, whatever you want is yours for the asking." Sirius noticed Hermione studying him carefully. "Please don't let the clothes fool you Miss, the Blacks are quite a wealthy family. Just because I can't go strolling down Diagon Alley with him doesn't mean I can't get Harry whatever he wants."
Hermione realised what the man was assuming, "Oh no Mr Black, I was just thinking I've never seen anyone more in need of a holiday than you are. Would you care to join us on our trip to France?"
Sirius cringed, "Hermione, please call me Sirius. Mr Black makes me sound so old!"
Dan realised there was a good chance they were about to pick up another stray but felt he had to be the voice of reason here. "Hermione dear, even if Mr Black here travelled with us as a dog, we would still need a passport and current vaccination certificate before the dog could get through customs."
Harry couldn't help but smile at his godfather's comment to his betrothed, the state he was currently in and all Sirius was worried about was feeling old? He also had a solution to the customs problem. "If he was under my dad's cloak it wouldn't matter what form he was in."
Hermione let out a little squeal at that suggestion, "Oh Harry, that's a brilliant idea. If we get stopped by customs, he could sit there and be invisible." His solution earned Harry a kiss on the cheek.
"Ahem, just when were you thinking of telling us you had a cloak that could make you invisible?" Dan asked.
"Oh we've been so busy I just forgot. It's in my room and I'll let you try it later."
The thought of him being able to become invisible totally erased from Dan's mind the objection he was about to raise.
Sirius was watching this and enjoying seeing Harry be so comfortable with these people. He couldn't help but let his mischievous side out to play, it had been forced into hiding for so long. "Hermione, I couldn't quite hear what you said to my godson that had him casting the most powerful patronus I've ever seen. Perhaps you could tell us all?"
Hermione refused to blush, she was very proud of her betrothed. She wrapped her arms around him before answering. "I just told my Harry that I had bought a green bikini for our holidays, which start tomorrow!"
Harry kissed her forehead before lifting his arm and casting it again. Now that he knew his patronus looked like his dad, he really wanted to see it once more. The effect of the golden stag up close was remarkable, they could actually feel the love that Harry had used as his inspiration to cast the spell.
Emma wrapped her arms around her husband, "Don't worry dear, I bought one as well. I don't think it will have quite the same effect on you though!"
Luna looked at Susan holding tighter onto Neville's arm and couldn't help but wish Ron were here. "Is there any point of me saying that I bought one as well?"
Hannah was also looking at her best friend holding on to Neville's arm, she was also thinking that the rest of their summer was going to be very boring when this lot left for France. It was such a pity there wasn't room for another two to tag along, she was sure Susan would agree with that.
Harry was the first one who answered their friend. "Luna, I'm sure both you and Emma will look beautiful at the beach. I don't think I'll be looking anywhere else but at my Hermione though."
Sirius shook his head. "He's on the Quidditch team, betrothed to a beautiful young lady and already smoother with the girls than I ever was. What the hell am I supposed to teach him?"
Remus put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Sirius, you don't know the half of it!"
As the stag faded, Amelia was once more struck by how big a loss Harry Potter not going to Hogwarts would be for the school. "Harry, I came here to tell you about the minister's visit. I didn't expect you to have company. I will say nothing about Sirius being here and will help anyway I can to clear an innocent man's name. I'm sure Susan and Hannah will do the same. Actually, after that visit from Fudge, I'm reconsidering my decision not to let Susan go to school abroad with you. Getting her away from the British ministry seems like a good idea at the moment."
Dan interrupted before Hermione could say anything. "I'm sorry girls, we would love to take you but there just isn't enough room and we leave in the morning."
Amelia could see she'd been misunderstood, "Oh no Dan, I couldn't impose like that. I just meant going to school outside Britain."
To see the girls' expressions turn from hope to crestfallen in the space of seconds was heartbreaking to watch, the two marauders quickly put their heads together as Remus gave Sirius the gist of the problem. Remus decided to offer the solution Sirius came up with since he knew everyone better. "There is an easy way to do this, we simply get a wizarding tent and pitch it beside the RV. Sirius will buy a fully equipped three bedroom one and either the adults or the kids could sleep there."
Dan couldn't keep the distaste from his voice as his inner snob made an increasingly rare appearance, "Camping?"
Remus was laughing at Dan's obvious reluctance, "A wizarding tent is nothing like muggle camping, some of them even have chandeliers inside! It will have as a minimum indoor plumbing and at least three bedrooms. You can get first pick of where you want to stay Dan."
Hermione was now bubbling with excitement at the thought of them all going, "With Dobby there it wouldn't be a problem to shrink anything and he will be doing all the cooking and cleaning anyway."
Dan looked towards his wife for her opinion, an opinion she quickly gave. "We wanted this holiday to be different, if you spend part of it exploring France in an RV, some of it staying in a wizarding tent and then ending up living in Harry's château, I would say that was pretty different! We've had the girls stay before so I'd have no problem with them coming with us. I suppose it's up to Amelia and if they can get packed in time, bearing in mind we would be doing a bit of shopping over there."
Amelia could maybe have coped with just the two pair of eyes on her begging for a yes answer, with their four friends increasing that number to six she was done for. "I agree with Remus, Sirius is back for less than an hour and he's already creating mayhem! It's really good to see you again Sirius and sorry, I never knew you didn't have a trial. I trust you'll help take good care of these girls!"
A very happy Hannah then engulfed Amelia in a hug, the aunt was wondering where her niece was but didn't have to wonder long. A very happy Susan was kissing a stunned Neville. "Ok, I'll get these two home and have them pack, then have a few words with my niece!"
Susan was blushing like mad but didn't care, Neville certainly knew she was interested in him now.
Luna had a quiet word in Hermione's ear, "If I did that to Ron, do you think he would notice me?"
Hermione could only smile at the girl, "Oh I think he's noticed you, now all we have to do is get him interested in having a girlfriend. Neville appears to have got one now."
Emma thought their holiday was now turning into an expedition, and she loved it! "Amelia, when you bring the girls back, could you stay for dinner? Your last dinner invitation was interrupted by that git Dumbledore's appearance."
Sirius was immediately interested, "What happened?"
Remus answered first, "Your godson and his two friends had the imposter stunned and trussed-up in seconds. I'm telling you nothing more until you've had a bath and we burn those clothes!"
Amelia took both girls and promised to return later, Neville just about managed a small wave to his potential new girlfriend as she left. The poor boy had received such a shock to the system he may have progressed to being able to speak again by the time Susan returned.
-oOoOo-
Fudge had copies of the Daily Prophet from the last few weeks spread out on his desk. When one looked at the current situation like that, the results were not only predictable, they were irrefutable and also personally devastating for him. Here was the boy who had defeated you-know-who multiple times, slew a giant basilisk with a fabled sword and then took down the most powerful wizard in the country after the fool crashed their dinner party. Whether it was a pissing contest or a public popularity one, Cornelius Fudge was always going to lose to Harry Potter. When he looked at what was displayed in front of him Cornelius had to concede there should be no shame in that, any witch or wizard in the country would lose to the boy-who-lived. Why then was he, the minister of magic, being so confrontational against the boy?
The answer to his own question sent shivers of fear down his back, Lucius Malfoy. An apology over a genuine misunderstanding and some galleons to Hagrid in compensation would have seen the lad, perhaps not on his side but at least not his enemy. The massive stumbling block had always been Lucius.
That Lucius all but admitted to his guilt this morning was not lost on the minister but, with hindsight, it was a few of his other actions that really worried Cornelius. It was inviting Dolores out to the former Slytherin's mansion that should have seen his mental alarms sounding danger. Dolores was now the new head of the DMLE and Lucius appeared to be already grooming her to take over if this situation blew up in the current minister's face. Cornelius had no problems with Dolores succeeding him, it was the replacing bit that stuck in his craw. Cornelius decided to apply his usual form of problem solving to this mess and see what he came up with, he asked himself what would Lucius do in the same situation as him.
The image of the current minister's head on a silver salver immediately came to mind, that it was a head he faced every morning in the mirror in no way lessened the shock. In the image he even had an apple in his mouth as Cornelius Fudge was served up like a rare delicacy to appease a disgruntled magical population. With Dolores waiting in the wings, normal service would be resumed for Lucius in next to no time. The more he studied the problem, the more the obvious answer stared him in the face.
Could he do it? Would his most trusted lieutenant back him up or would she play her own game? If Dolores had switched sides then he was already done for. She knew that Cornelius intended for her to take over when he retired, it was time to find out if Dolores was prepared to wait that long.
-oOoOo-
Sirius sat enjoying the best meal he could remember eating. The company was great, the food was fabulous and the offered wine was being left strictly alone for now. After twelve years without alcohol, Sirius reckoned he could wait until they reached France before renewing a friendship with that old acquaintance. He was also trying to ignore the sniggering every time one of the dinner guests glanced in his direction. If he didn't, he would probably burst out laughing himself.
Dobby had taken his written permission, and a drop of blood, to Gringotts so the elf could access the Black vaults and do some shopping. Dan had been knocked sideways when they erected the wizarding tent on the back lawn. Spacious en-suite bedrooms, a large, fully equipped kitchen and a separate dining area with a dining table that would seat everyone travelling was truly mind-blowing to the dentist. There wasn't enough room in their back garden to fit all this space, never mind how it all somehow squeezed into the small tent. Dobby had done a wonderful job and got Sirius everything he asked for, allowing the elf to choose some new clothes for the marauder to wear was perhaps a step too far.
Sirius was sitting down to dinner wearing mustard coloured trousers with a red and blue striped shirt. The purple ruffled frill down the centre of the shirt was the piece de resistance and the cause of all the sniggers. Sirius himself thought it was very funny and could see it being worn again as a joke. Saying so though would upset the elf that worshiped his godson, not something he was prepared to do. Anyone who could dump Lucius Malfoy on his arse while protecting Harry was all right in Sirius's book. The clothes were clean, new and fitted him perfectly, what else was there to complain about?
His new goal in life was to be the best godfather to Harry he could be. His godson appeared to have a good group of friends around him and the Grangers were top notch in his opinion. Amelia Bones making house calls to inform Harry what happened at a meeting she had with the minister was something he couldn't quite get his head around yet. Sirius had a growing list of questions that he would hopefully be getting answers from Moony later. Remus was avoiding answering him about certain things as he didn't want an angry godfather seeking retribution and getting caught by the ministry. He'd promised to sit down, along with Dan and Emma, and answer all his questions once they were on the other side of the channel. Sirius could wait that long.
Harry now had two links to his parents and both were going on holiday with his new family and four friends. His previous summers may have been pretty horrible, bars on his bedroom window was a bit much for anyone to take, but this years appeared ready to make up for them all. The excitement around the table was palpable as everyone was anticipating what was to come. Hermione was using that fantastic memory of hers to clue the three newcomers in on what was in front of them, she knew their entire schedule and route off by heart. There were busy days interspaced with relaxing as they made the journey to Harry's chateau. No one had forgotten about the trip to Beauxbatons, or what that could mean for them. It was their summer holidays though and even Hermione wasn't going to be thinking about school during them, this year at least.
-oOoOo-
Dolores had a decision to make, a life defining decision. Her life's ambition was to be minister for magic, an ambition she was now closer to realising than at any time in her life. The decision she was being forced to make here was whether to stick with Cornelius or switch to Lucius Malfoy, both could get her into the minister's office with only the time scale and conditions being different. Malfoy would promise her anything if she turned on Cornelius, she would become the next minister but soon fall under Malfoy's control.
If she stuck with Cornelius then the position would one day be hers, with no strings attached! What the minister was trying to pull here could still blow up in his face and cost Cornelius his position, the skill for her would be in carrying out his orders in such a way that the minister didn't take one Dolores Umbridge down with him.
Politically she might support a lot of Malfoy's opinions, that didn't mean she was going to hand the ministry over to him by being his puppet. When it came time for those beneath her to feel the full power of the ministry, she wanted them to know it was Minister of Magic, Dolores Umbridge who was responsible for their misery. Those without the proper breeding and pedigree would soon discover there was no place for them in Britain. She disagreed with the death eaters in one major point. You didn't have to murder those unworthy of their wonderful wizarding society, just make their life so unbearable they would all soon leave.
-oOoOo-
Dan loved driving this wonderful machine, trying to ignore the celebrations taking place behind him as he concentrated on driving on the wrong side of the road. They had breezed through both sets of customs, appearing nothing more than a family group travelling abroad on holiday. The custom officers in the British passport control point had barely glanced at their documents while the French had simply waved them through. Dan was having a quiet little chuckle to himself.
He was aware his reputation down the golf club was that of a rather staid and stuffy individual. Yet here he was, Dull Daniel the Dentist, smuggling one of the most wanted criminal in Britain over the channel into France. That the RV was also full of witches, wizards and the most amazing house elf would see many of the club members choking on their ultra conservative gin and tonics. Dan wasn't sure if the euphoria he was feeling was part of some mid-life crisis or even living a second childhood but he felt more alive than he had in years. This was so much better than buying a convertible sports car, hoping to impress the gullible but ultimately just appearing rather sad. A balding, middle-age man with a paunch would still be an overweight, follically challenged, middle-aged man, regardless of the expensive car he was driving. Dan thought this way was so much better, it also meant he didn't incur the wrath of both Granger girls. The senior Granger girl kissed his cheek before sliding into the passenger seat next to him. Emma's wide smile and the glint in her eye boded well for the rest of their holiday and left Dan wondering just how thick those walls were inside that magical tent.