INTRODUCTION

Dearest Readers,

To each of you who choose to read my story, I must first say – Thank You!!! Your time is valuable, and there are many stories for your consideration, so I’m grateful that you’ve decided to give mine a try. I hope that you love reading it as much as I loved writing it. It took a year, but I enjoyed every moment of it, and I’m quite proud of the result.

I have meticulously researched Jo’s canon and have tried desperately to stick to it. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, give it time – it will probably be explained. (Please remember that the story is from Harry’s point of view, and if he doesn’t know, we don’t know – at least, not yet.) If, however, you do not find it explained later in the story, please feel free to inform me, politely and respectfully, of the error, and I will do my best to adjust it. I want to be spot on and do appreciate being corrected!

With regards to non-canon inventions, if you do not like them, that is certainly your prerogative, but rude messages are uncalled for. However, if you hang with me until the end of this, you will see that these things are essential to my version of the story. And reviews are encouraged and downright adored, especially the complimentary ones, hehe.

As for other writings, you can find many interesting things on my website. I am primarily a singer/songwriter, so if you’d like, you can download my songs (including wizard rock songs) for FREE! here: http://www.sunnychristian.com

Thank you again for your time and interest. We all share this marvelous love for Harry Potter and his world, and these are truly special times, awaiting the seventh book together. I hope that my story will keep you satiated for a bit in the meanwhile.

Love, Sunny Christian

P.S. I, personally, think that the best version of this story can be read here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3288453/1/

BOOK SEVEN
Harry Potter and the Progeny of the Pure-Blood
Sunny Christian

Chapter One – The Magic Carpet

They had advanced beyond the large iron gates. Breathing heavily from the escape, the man seized the boy’s arm, and with a loud cracking noise, disappeared from the spot where they had been standing.

It was so dark that they could barely see around them. The night was soundless and heavy. Severus Snape looked about uneasily as he knocked his fist insistently on the large wooden door of the mansion that now stood before them.

“I told you that I didn’t want to come back here,� the boy hissed at him.

“Quiet!� Snape snarled back.

The door opened upon a tall, thin woman with long white-blonde hair, whose face was harsh and cold. Another blonde head stood behind her, but this girl was much younger, much smaller, and her features were not at all severe.

“Draco!� exclaimed Narcissa Malfoy, welcoming the boy and his companion into the house. It smelled of incense and antiques, a place bursting with proud ancestry.

“Is anyone else here?� Snape asked as they entered, his voice almost inaudible.

The woman shook her blonde head in response as she put her hands on her son’s shoulders and began to examine him. His pale face was flushed, his equally pale hair windblown, his breathing heavy and inconsistent.

“How are you?� she asked him.

“Fine,� the boy replied with a petulant look. “Don’t nettle, Mother.�

She frowned disapprovingly at her son, but she turned to the man who stood on her left and breathed gratefully, “Thank you, Severus.�

Snape nodded curtly to her, the greasy black curtains of hair falling into his face.

“So it’s done?� asked Narcissa, taking the boy’s chin and turning his head from side to side, inspecting. He swatted in irritation at her hand.

“Albus Dumbledore is dead,� Snape confirmed, regarding the pair of them with distaste.

Narcissa released the boy and smiled wickedly. “I am very proud of you, Draco.�

Her son shamefully averted his gaze.

“Severus?� Narcissa asked, turning to the man, uncertainty clouding her eyes.

“I was forced to do it myself,� said Snape dryly.

“But…� Narcissa began, “but the Dark Lord will not accept this!�

“No, I suspect that he won’t,� Snape agreed.

Terror spread over Narcissa’s pointed features.

“But he’ll kill us both!� she squealed. “What are we to do, Severus?�

Snape turned his eyes to the small girl who had been watching silently. She had a hand to her stomach, as if something wasn’t sitting well with her.

“I assume, by now, that the Secret Keeper has revealed to you the location of the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix?� Snape asked her.

The girl met his gaze and simply nodded in response.

“Narcissa, you are to take Draco to the headquarters. The Dark Lord will not find you there,� Snape said to the mother who was still neurotically studying her son. The stately boy continued to appear annoyed by her attention.

Narcissa halted and stared disbelievingly at Snape. “There must be some mistake! They would never allow us in!�

Snape’s upper lip curled into a knowing grimace. “Arrangements have been made. They are expecting you.�

“I will not congregate with blood traitors who work against the Dark Lord!� she cried, clearly distressed.

“Very well. But he will soon find you and I do not expect he’ll be very forgiving.�

Narcissa looked frightened at this thought. She glanced questioningly at the young girl.

“I can only protect him to a certain extent if we stay here,� the girl confirmed.

“Protect who? Me?� Draco interjected at this point. “Mother, who is she, anyway?�

Snape answered him instead. “She is here to see that you survive.�

Draco looked at the girl suspiciously, and then said, “No one can protect me now.� His face remained stoic, but his voice was layered with trepidation.

She confidently returned his stare, replying, “I can. And the Order can.�

The boy looked doubtful and seemed as if he wanted to argue, but he said nothing more, merely narrowing his eyes at her.

“I must go,� Snape declared abruptly. “The Dark Lord will be expecting me.�

He turned again to the young girl. “I can only presume that I will be wanted for murder. Therefore, contacting me may prove difficult at first. I will contact you. See to it that I can reach you by floo.�

She bobbed her blonde head in accord.

“Severus,� Narcissa pleaded, “you will defend Draco to the Dark Lord? You will tell him that all of the Malfoys are loyal to him?�

“Yes, but I don’t know what good it will do,� answered Snape, moving languidly towards the door.

Narcissa let out a muffled whimper.

“You will be safe with the Order,� Snape said serenely. “Go there tonight.�

The tall woman nodded.

Snape turned back unexpectedly and spoke quickly, firmly, “And you must make your repentance obvious to them and conduct yourselves as though you are no longer serving the Dark Lord. You will not spy on them, cause any trouble, or draw any unneeded attention to yourselves. Is this understood?�

Narcissa exchanged a disobedient glance with her son.

The thin man looked at them coldly. “You will do these things, or they will be rid of you, and you will be easy prey. It is your choice.�

He addressed the small blonde girl once more. “You will see to it that they remain… inconspicuous?�

“I will do my best,� she replied, but she sounded as though she knew that it would not be easy.

“What about my father?� Draco asked hastily, his tone still fearful.

Narcissa nodded to convey that she, too, wanted the answer to this question.

Snape looked carefully at the pair of them. “He is safe in Azkaban… for now.�

Then, speaking to Narcissa, he continued, “And see to it that you sever all contact with Bellatrix. She is devoted to the Dark Lord and will betray you.�

“She’s my sister!� argued Narcissa in outrage.

“She is first, and foremost, a Death Eater,� Snape countered calmly.

“We are all Death Eaters!� retorted Narcissa.

“Yes,� agreed Snape, “but the Dark Lord is not so displeased with others of us.�

A wounded expression came over Narcissa’s face.

“We will regain his favor, Mother,� Draco comforted her.

“Yes,� she muttered absently.

“In time,� said Snape. “For now, you will take shelter with the Order.�

Then Severus Snape saw himself out, into the warm summer night, leaving the other three to travel to a place where they were very unwelcome indeed.

----------------------------------------

Harry Potter was standing on a ledge. No, it wasn’t a ledge. It was the window of the Astronomy Tower. Far below, a crumpled body lay in the grass. He was contemplating a jump. What was another body anyway, joining all of the countless bodies to go before him? Besides, the end of him could very well mean the end of all of the turmoil that he brought to anyone with whom he came into contact. The wind was in his hair, carrying a sweet fragrance to his nostrils. Was he brave enough to jump? Cowardly enough? Could he leave behind his supposed destiny? Save the people that he loved? He placed a toe into the air, keeping his balance on one foot. His glasses slid down his nose as he surveyed the ground below. Then suddenly, two arms grasped his waist, pulling him back into the tower. He struggled to turn around, to see the person, but when he finally faced the inside of the room, what he saw wasn’t a person at all…

He awoke in a cold sweat, the blood pumping in his ears. He could feel the adrenaline in his gut, a chemically induced motivation. He sat up in bed and looked into the blackness around him. The objects were perfectly clear in his head – a diary and a ring. This wasn’t the first time that he’d seen them. In fact, he had had this dream almost every night, and every time, he’d awoken in frustration. He had never been able to make the jump. And he had always turned to see those two objects, the objects that were already destroyed. His problem was finding the remaining Horcruxes. The task was haunting him. Unless he located them and managed to wipe them out as well, there would be no hope for him when he faced Voldemort. And he would face Voldemort. He had to.

During the course of his last summer with the Dursleys, Harry’s sleep had been repeatedly bombarded with nightmares. Even in the waking hours, he continually felt as though he were in limbo – unable to change the past and unable to take any forward-moving action. Unfortunately for Harry, he had had a lot of time to think. He had spent most of it reliving Dumbledore’s last hours. He had felt the overwhelming fear and agony, over and over again. The image of Dumbledore lying on the grass beneath the Astronomy Tower bled against Harry’s eyelids, and he couldn’t burn it out. He kept remembering how Dumbledore had trusted him, and he had failed, by little fault of his own. This realization always brought on anger and regret. Why had Dumbledore let Snape kill him? Would Harry ever know the answer?

The locket, the cup, the snake, something of Ravenclaw’s or Gryffindor’s, Harry thought, counting them out on his fingers. He couldn’t recall how many times these same thoughts had run through his head. He didn’t know where to start or where to look. He knew he could probably use some help, but wouldn’t ask for it. There was one thing of which he was certain – he was on his own.

His first stop would be Godric’s Hollow, where he hoped to find something that might guide him. Then he would search the places that made sense, like Hogwarts and anywhere that Voldemort had spent any length of time. And he would do it alone. He wouldn’t risk losing any more of the people that he loved. He knew that Ron and Hermione would try to accompany him, so he intended to sneak away before the new term started, sometime in the night, when no one could follow.

His head throbbed, but his scar, itself, had been unproblematic. Harry didn’t know whether this was a good omen or not. Voldemort had been practicing Occlumency against Harry for a long time now. He sometimes wished that this weren’t the case, however, because he could use the insight, but he certainly didn’t miss the awful dreams and crippling pain that he’d known in his fifth year at Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

He sighed and looked around his small bedroom. The various broken toys and shelves of unopened books that belonged to his cousin, Dudley, stared back at him through the darkness. Though it was only nearing the end of July, this was his last night here at Privet Drive. He was leaving the Dursleys' earlier than usual, in order to attend Ron’s brother’s wedding. He was also going to spend his seventeenth birthday away from here, which gave him something bright to anticipate.

Tomorrow, someone would come for him. Then, he would see Ginny again. Ginny. He had missed her. Her flowery scent, her long, soft hair, her welcoming smile, her kiss… Stop it, he upbraided himself. He knew that he couldn’t be with her now, or maybe ever, but, of course, it didn’t change the way that he felt about her. Yes, tomorrow would be welcome. Harry longed for a distraction from the desolation that he felt in the home of the Dursleys.

Though he knew that desolation was now the path that he must travel. He had known this since Dumbledore’s death. He had realized that the last of his protectors had abandoned him. He was by himself now, and destined to search for the Horcruxes and to face Voldemort, all alone. These notions loomed over him like a storm cloud.

Harry put a hand to his rumbling stomach. Just as the previous summer, he had spent the last few weeks shut up in his room, refusing almost all of the food that Aunt Petunia was delivering through the cat flap in his door. He had been much too miserable and troubled to worry about eating and had only left his room to visit the bathroom.

For some reason, Hedwig hadn’t delivered a single copy of the Daily Prophet to Harry this summer. This was aggravating, as it was Harry’s only link to his own world. He had a sneaking suspicion that Hedwig knew that the headlines would cause Harry nothing but more anxiety, and therefore, she was refusing to accept the paper.

Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had each sent numerous letters throughout the several weeks, but none of them had ever given Harry any insight as to what was going on in the wizarding world. He had always felt so shut out over the summers, and this one had been no different. Nevertheless, the letters from his friends had been the only light in his life. He had loved reading Hermione’s description of Crookshanks’s battles with hairballs. He had thoroughly enjoyed Ron’s excitement over beating Fleur at chess. And he had relished every single word that Ginny had written. He couldn’t wait to see them again.

Harry did, however, have an odd feeling that he might grow to miss the Dursleys eventually. After all, they were the only family that he had left. He wouldn’t miss their insufferable behavior or the way that they treated him, but there was certainly something that he would miss. Missing was pretty much all that he did lately. But missing was living backwards, and Harry had to move forward, no matter how ominous the future seemed.

Now that his heart had slowed back to a normal pace and he had resigned to the fact that there was nothing to be done in this moment, he lay back down and pulled the quilt up to his chin. He tried to push all thoughts from his head. Then he closed his eyes, but just as he was beginning to drift back to sleep, a knocking roused him.

He sat up, fumbling for his glasses. Shoving them onto his nose, he jumped from the bed, searching wildly around the room. The rap came again, and his eyes went to the window, where Mrs. Figg could be seen, gesturing for him to open the pane.

“What the…?� he said aloud, but he went to the window and slid it up quietly.

“Evening, Harry,� said Arabella Figg cheerfully.

“Evening?� he croaked. “It’s three o’clock in the morning!�

“Is it?� she asked. “I wasn’t keeping up. Far too much going on, you know.�

“Going on? What’s going on?�

“Well,� she began conspiratorially, her voice low and hushed, “rumor has it that Severus Snape was spotted lurking around our neighborhood just this afternoon. He’s still at large, of course, but the wizard who saw him was unable to apprehend him.�

Simply at the mention of Snape, Harry became enraged. He swallowed the emotion and choked, “Our neighborhood? What could he possibly be doing?�

“Keeping an eye on you, they say,� she answered. Then her tone grew motherly and she went on, “Harry, stay indoors and be on the lookout. The Dark Lord must be sending Snape to fetch you, and we certainly aren’t going to make it easy on him, if this is the case.�

“Snape is powerful,� Harry replied, almost to himself. “If he came for me, there’d be nothing that I could do about it.�

“Codswallop!� exclaimed Mrs. Figg.

“Shh!� he reacted instantly.

“Yes, yes, sorry,� she apologized, lowering her voice, “but you needn’t worry, Harry. I’ve only come to warn you to stay on your toes. Keep your eyes open, be wary, that sort of thing.�

“Someone from the Order will be coming for me tomorrow.�

“Is it that time already?� she asked. “The days sure do fly by, don’t they?�

“Not really,� he griped crossly.

She ignored him and went on, “You’ll be of age soon, isn’t that right?�

“Right,� nodded Harry. Then, “Wait! How are you up this high?�

She beamed at him. “Squibs may not be able to perform magic, but we can still make good use of magic items,� she answered jovially, indicating below her.

Harry poked his head through the window and saw something very peculiar – she was standing upon a small rug, which was flapping in the breeze, but it remained sturdy and was definitely keeping her afloat. He grinned.

“Sorry about the rude awakening,� Mrs. Figg said sheepishly. “Had to get my facts straight before I came to you.�

He shrugged. “I never sleep well anyway.�

Frowning, she shook her head. “Shame for a boy your age to have so much weight on his shoulders.�

When Harry didn’t respond, she sighed, “Try to go back to bed. And lock this window.� Then she sunk beneath his field of vision and he lowered the pane, fastening the dead bolt.

He did go back to his bed, but he never managed to get back to sleep. There were far too many thoughts chasing each other around in his brain. What was Snape doing sneaking around the neighborhood? Was he really after Harry? Or was he just spying for Voldemort? Harry’s blood boiled. Well, if Snape was arrogant enough to show his face, Harry would put up a damn good fight.

Chapter Two – Uninvited Guests

The next day, just as Harry had finished packing his belongings, never again to return to number four, Privet Drive, there was a knock on the front door. Downstairs, he heard Uncle Vernon’s heavy footsteps thumping towards the head of the house. The door creaked open. Harry heard voices, but he couldn’t decide who had come to collect him.

Hedwig safely in her cage, Harry locked the little iron door. “Say goodbye to this place, Hedwig,� he told her. She rustled her wings and clicked her beak happily.

As Harry came down the stairs, carrying Hedwig in her cage and dragging his trunk behind him, he saw Aunt Petunia and his cousin, Dudley, standing closely behind Uncle Vernon. The three of them seemed to be huddled together for safety. Dudley, who was wearing a large Smeltings sweater, was ogling at someone in the doorway. Harry looked up to see who stood there. He stopped, suddenly, in his tracks, suspicion crashing through him.

It was Arthur Weasley, and beside him stood a very small girl who couldn’t have been much older than Harry. He wouldn’t have thought her older than him at all, except that she wore Ministry robes just like the ones that Mr. Weasley was donning. She was unreasonably pale, and her long white-blonde hair was settled upon her petite shoulders.

She looked up at Harry and caught his gaze. Her eyes were green, but no, too pale to be green; they were almost gray. She smiled at him and looked back towards Mr. Weasley, apparently expecting an introduction.

Instead, Mr. Weasley said, “Hello, Harry. I trust you’ve had a lovely summer?�

Harry nodded, but didn’t speak. He was still staring distrustfully at the stranger.

Taking notice, Mr. Weasley offered, “This is Luci Keegan, from the Ministry of Magic.�

“It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Harry,� the girl said in an accent.

Her tone was friendly, but Harry narrowed his eyes at her and uncouthly mumbled a greeting.

“Well, then, dear Vernon, we’ll be taking Harry off of your hands now,� Mr. Weasley said to the plump man, whose face always seemed to turn a few deeper shades of purple when he was in the presence of Wizards.

“Very well,� he growled, as Harry took the next few stairs down into the entryway.

“Well,� Harry began, turning to the Dursleys, “I guess this is goodbye.�

“Yes, yes, goodbye, then,� Uncle Vernon said hurriedly, nudging them out the front door.

Harry turned back again, just in time to see a glimpse of Aunt Petunia’s face before the door closed in his. Perhaps it was his imagination, but she had looked bereaved.

He stared unblinkingly at the large brass “4� on the door for a moment before turning to follow Mr. Weasley and the young woman in the Ministry robes.

“Lovely folks,� the blonde girl was saying.

“They aren’t the most pleasant of Muggles,� chuckled Mr. Weasley.

“That’s putting it mildly!� she agreed.

It was a beautiful summer day as the three travelers made their way past the rows of houses along Privet Drive. Birds were chirping melodically and the sun was peaking through the puffy, white clouds.

In front of Harry, Mr. Weasley chatted casually with the stranger. He was enthusiastically asking her about some Muggle artifact of which Harry had never heard. Though they seemed nonchalant, Harry could see that they were both clutching their wands tightly inside of their robes. He wrapped his fingers around his own.

“I understand you traveled here upon an… airplane?� Mr. Weasley asked her incredulously.

She nodded, smiling at his fanaticism.

“And how, pray tell, do they stay up?� His voice was quite a bit higher with excitement.

She shrugged. “Beats me. Muggles have a magic all of their own.�

Mr. Weasley agreed wholeheartedly with this statement.

They were approaching the alleyway between Magnolia Crescent and Wisteria Walk, where, two years prior, Harry and Dudley had been attacked by Dementors. Harry appreciated that his last summer at Privet Drive had been fairly uneventful.

To his surprise, the girl suddenly slowed her footsteps, so that she was walking side by side with him. Something heavy fell into the pit of Harry’s stomach, and he realized that he wanted her to go away.

“I’m sorry there was no warning that I’d be joining Arthur,� she said to him.

When he didn’t respond, she continued, “I hope you don’t mind, but I have to admit that I really just couldn’t wait any longer to meet The Boy Who Lived.�

“I’m not a boy anymore,� Harry blurted angrily. Then he didn’t know why he’d said it.

She grinned, despite his frosty tone. “I can see that.�

“Here we are,� said Mr. Weasley, stopping in the alley. “Now, Harry, you haven’t yet received your Apparition license, so I’ll have you take my arm.�

Mr. Weasley extended an elbow and Harry clutched it.

He had almost forgotten the discomfort of Apparating. He felt like his body was being squeezed through a narrow tube and his lungs were being crushed. Just when he thought he’d suffocate, he was gulping a deep breath of air. He tried to shake the sensation as the three appeared before the large wooden door that lead into Grimmauld Place, which was now Harry’s home, he supposed.

He hadn’t known that they’d be coming here. He felt an abrupt melancholy as he realized that this was his first time back at Grimmauld Place since Sirius had died. The thought seemed to displace all of the oxygen. He watched hazily as Mr. Weasley tapped his wand once against the door, right underneath the silver serpent knocker. Harry heard the locks clinking inside and then the door swung open quietly.

Harry, Mr. Weasley, and the uninvited guest tiptoed through the corridor, so as not to wake Mrs. Black’s portrait. But it was in vain, for a chorus of voices immediately greeted them, causing Sirius’s mum to erupt in accusatory bellowing.

“Silencio!� someone commanded, and her shrieks were quieted. This had never worked before, so Harry assumed that the members of the Order had finally gotten rid of some of the portrait’s enchantments.

“Harry!� Hermione exclaimed, running towards him. He hugged her eagerly.

“How was your summer?� Ron asked, approaching him and beaming in welcome.

“Welcome back, mate!� he heard the twins chime from somewhere in the vicinity.

“’Arry!� Fleur was chirping. Then she emerged from behind Mad-Eye Moody and planted a kiss on each of Harry’s cheeks. Harry noticed that Bill, who stood beside her, looked much better than he had the last time Harry had seen him. His face was scarred, but the wounds were fully healed.

Mrs. Weasley shooed Fleur out of the way, saying, “Harry, dear, how have you been?�

It was quite a welcome and everyone seemed to be happy to see him.

Just as he was looking for her, Ginny came towards him, throwing herself into his arms. He took hold of her, in an affectionate embrace. Her flowery scent filled his nostrils and it was as if he were breathing vaporous sunshine that flooded his body with warmth. This was what he’d been waiting for all summer…

As she pulled away, he smiled down at her. “Hello, Ginny.�

She grinned back at him.

“Come, come!� Mrs. Weasley was saying, cheerily, ushering everyone into the basement kitchen.

Harry followed the small crowd downstairs, where people were seating themselves along the table.

Then his eyes fell upon the unfamiliar blonde girl again, and she was sitting towards the back of the room with… Malfoy?

Harry froze. “What is he doing here?� he spat, with disgust.

Hermione turned to him. “Don’t overreact, Harry…� she started cautiously.

“Overreact?� Harry exclaimed. “He tried to kill Dumbledore!�

He pulled out his wand and started towards Malfoy, but Hermione grabbed his arm, holding him back.

“But he didn’t,� she said. “And he wouldn’t have. You know that. He needed protection and his mother brought him here. Voldemort would kill both of them if he found them.�

“I don’t give a damn!� barked Harry, who knew all of these things very well. “I want him out of here!�

Harry noticed that the girl, Luci, was looking apprehensively in his direction.

He turned to his friends. “This is my house and they’ve had him here without me knowing about it? And his mother too? And this… this girl I’ve never heard of?�

“We don’t like it anymore than you do,� Ron replied. “But we’ve had no choice.�

“Well, I do,� Harry retorted. “I’m gonna kill him.�

Ginny stopped him this time. “This is your house, Harry, and you have the right, but do the decent thing and let him stay. He hasn’t bothered anyone. We’ve hardly noticed him, actually. Luci seems to keep him calm.�

Harry was bewildered. His heart was hammering with anger. “He’s the enemy! He’s always been the enemy! Why are you all suddenly his defenders? Let him stay because it’s the decent thing to do?! You’ve gotta be bloody joking!�

“Harry.� It was Lupin. “Can I have a word?�

Harry grudgingly strode over to him. He watched as Ron, Hermione, and Ginny went to sit around the table.

“Glad to have you back,� Lupin began, clapping his hand against Harry’s shoulder blades. “Arthur wanted to tell you about Draco when he went for you, but we were afraid that you wouldn’t come back at all.�

“I wouldn’t have,� Harry snarled, glancing at Malfoy and feeling fury overtake him again.

“Just relax, Harry,� Lupin coaxed. “Dumbledore would have wanted him here, and he would have wanted you to be a gracious host, and you know that. Try to control your temper. Draco is not the enemy. He made a mistake and he regrets his actions.�

“But…� began Harry, irritably.

“Be the bigger man,� Lupin recommended, steering Harry back towards his friends.

Reluctantly, Harry took Lupin’s advice and pocketed his wand in defeat. He went over to sit beside Ginny, but not before shooting a menacing glare down the table at Malfoy and his two equally unwelcome companions.

“I’ve missed you,� Ginny cooed in his ear as he settled himself on the bench.

He tried to swallow his rage and smiled at her. “I’ve missed you too.�

“How was your summer, mate?� Ron asked him, for the second time.

Harry shrugged. “Lonely, boring. You know, the usual.�

“Well, you won’t be lonely around here, or bored, for that matter,� Hermione commented. “Though Professor McGonagall did choose to open Hogwarts for the year. I, for one, have spent the summer revising for my N.E.W.T.s.�

“Of course, you have,� Ron teased her.

Harry thought it odd that, instead of her usual defensive attitude, Hermione just smiled warmly at Ron and kept talking.

“I was really surprised that they decided to open the school, but we’re just as safe there as we are anywhere else, aren’t we? And if people want to come, I think that they should be able to.�

“Where’s Snape?� Harry asked, abruptly.

“No one knows,� replied Ginny in a hushed voice.

“Malfoy and his mum just showed up here at the beginning of the summer, asking the Order for help,� Ron explained. “They said they didn’t know where Snape had got off to.�

“You’ve all been here all summer?� asked Harry, neglecting to mention that Snape had been seen in his neighborhood not more than twenty-four hours prior.

“Well, no,� said Hermione. “We only just arrived a few days ago, but Lupin told us they’d been here with him and Tonks for the last few weeks.�

Harry scowled. “Hasn’t anyone considered that they could be feeding information about the Order to Death Eaters?�

He glanced loathingly across the room at Malfoy and noticed that Luci and Fleur were whispering and giggling about something.

“I’m sure someone has,� Hermione replied, after a thoughtful pause. “But how could they? No owls have come or gone, and they wouldn’t dare leave this place.�

“Well, there are other ways to communicate, Hermione,� Harry pointed out sarcastically.

Hermione nodded, but said, “From what I understand, they aren’t welcome with the Death Eaters. It’d be stupid to contact them. They’re safe here, and they know it, and I don’t think they’d jeopardize that.�

Harry must have looked as if he were becoming enraged again, because Hermione continued hastily, but quietly, “You know, Harry, I have some wonderful ideas about what we discussed at the end of last term.�

But Harry had stopped listening. He’d taken notice of the bizarre occurrence at the other end of the table. Luci and Malfoy were now talking casually to one another, and Malfoy was laughing, something Harry couldn’t ever remember him doing, except when it was malicious.

“Harry,� Hermione prompted, “are you listening?�

“He has no right to be so cheerful,� Harry growled, still paying no attention to Hermione.

“He’s like that a lot, lately,� Ron replied. “I think he’s gone mad.�

“It’s like I said,� Ginny added, “Luci seems to be good for him. Lupin says he was a mess when he got here. Scared of being killed by You-Know-Who and all.�

Then a thought occurred to Harry. “Are he and that girl…?�

“God, I hope not,� said Ron. “You’d think she could do a little better than Malfoy.�

“She’s an Auror,� Hermione chimed in, “and she’s three years older than him. I would doubt if she had any interest in him. I think she just realizes that he’s gotten himself into a right mess.�

Ron scoffed. “Maybe she’s mad too. Who would want to spend any time with–�

“She’s an Auror?� Harry interrupted. An Auror gone bad? he thought to himself.

“And apparently, a really good one,� Ginny answered.

Harry was impressed, but not to the point of throwing aside his misgivings about her.

“Anyway, it’s more important that Bill and Fleur’s wedding is tomorrow!� piped Hermione.

“I can’t believe he’s going to marry Phlegm,� Ginny said, sounding disgusted.

“It’s not fair,� added Ron, glancing sideways at Fleur.

“Ow!� he then exclaimed, as Hermione jabbed an elbow into his side. “Sorry! I can’t help it, you know.�

“Try,� snapped Hermione.

Ron gave Harry a guilty smile and shrugged. Harry, of course, knew exactly what Ron meant. Fleur could enchant any male within a ten-mile radius. He looked down the table at her, but instead, his attention fell on Malfoy, who was still smiling happily, as the blonde Auror seemed to be telling him a rather amusing story. Narcissa Malfoy was watching this interaction quietly, and Harry couldn’t help but notice the look of displeasure on her face.

----------------------------------------

Grimmauld Place actually looked, and felt, quite a bit different than it had upon Harry’s last visit. It appeared that various members of the Order had continued to tidy up the place and it seemed much more vivacious overall. The absence of Kreacher also did a lot to boost the house’s positive energy.

Mrs. Weasley had told Harry that he could now stay in Sirius’s room, if it pleased him, but this idea actually nauseated Harry, and he had opted to stay in the room that he’d always shared with Ron.

Hedwig’s cage and his trunk had been placed in the room at some point, unnoticed by Harry. The large cage, which sat next to Pigwidgeon’s small one, was empty and Harry assumed that Hedwig had gone out to hunt.

He was sitting on his bed, next to Crookshanks. Ron and Hermione sat together on the bed across from him.

“And we’ve just been mulling around the house, listening to Fleur plan the wedding,� Ron was saying.

“Still beats my summer,� remarked Harry.

“At least it was your last one there,� Hermione encouraged.

“I guess,� replied Harry, glumly. “But that just means that I’m no longer protected by anything or anyone.�

Neither of them said anything.

Finally, Hermione asked carefully, “Harry, you aren’t still planning to go off alone, are you?�

Harry looked at her. “You know that I have to,� he responded after a moment.

She took a deep breath.

“I’ll be OK,� he said to her.

“I still think that we should come with you,� Ron agreed.

“This is my responsibility, and enough people have been killed already. I need to do it alone.�

Hermione gave him an exasperated look. “We’ve always helped you in the past. And we’ve got the D.A. and lots of Aurors in the Order too!�

Harry hesitated.

“What?� asked Ron.

“I just thought…� he began slowly.

The two of them looked at him with interest.

“Well, Voldemort has an army, doesn’t he? What if I had an army? I mean, ultimately, I have to finish him, but there’ll be a whole load of Death Eaters with him, won’t there? I could use the back-up.�

Ron and Hermione looked at each other.

“What do you think?� Harry asked them.

“I don’t know, Harry…� Hermione began.

“I think it’s brilliant!� exclaimed Ron.

Hermione gave him a reproving look.

“What?� he asked. “He’d have a much better chance with an army of his own. It’s only fair.�

Harry and Ron both watched Hermione.

“I suppose…� She seemed to be thinking aloud.

“You’ll go back to Hogwarts and keep the D.A. meetings going?� Harry inquired.

“And you’re going to Godric’s Hollow,� Hermione said, but it wasn’t a question.

“If I can find it,� nodded Harry.

Hermione looked at him incredulously. “You don’t even know where you’re going?� she cried.

“Well, I intend to find out,� Harry replied defensively.

“Oh, all right, I’ll help you find it,� said Hermione, maddened.

“I didn’t ask.�

“No, but you may as well have,� she sighed.

Harry exchanged a grin with Ron.

“Someday, the two of you are going to have to learn to do things for yourselves,� she scolded.

“Someday,� agreed Ron teasingly.

“But Harry,� Hermione said abruptly, “you aren’t going to go looking for Horcruxes by yourself too, are you?�

Harry, caught off guard, stuttered, “Um…�

“Harry, you mustn’t!�

“I just thought I’d pop ’round to Riddle’s old orphanage and take a look,� said Harry casually.

Hermione looked incensed.

Ron asked, “How would you even know if you found one?�

Harry shrugged.

Hermione sighed, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, and said, “It’s such dark magic that most accomplished Wizards can sense the presence of a Horcrux, and Harry, if I were to guess, I’d say that your scar would tell you.�

“So, yeah, that’s how,� he said sarcastically to Ron, who shook his head.

“We want to go with you,� said Hermione firmly. “I understand why you need to go to Godric’s Hollow on your own, but we want to be there for the rest.�

“We can’t all go to the orphanage,� replied Harry impatiently, “and you lot will be at Hogwarts.�

Hermione appeared stumped by this. “Fine,� she said, after a moment, “but then we’re going with you for the rest, Harry, no arguments. We’ll leave school. Send an owl and we’ll meet you wherever you like.�

Harry gave her a doubtful look. “What about your N.E.W.T.s?�

Hermione bit her bottom lip, and Ron watched her expectantly.

Finally, she answered, “Some things are just more important.�

Harry smiled. “OK, we’ll do it your way. Just be sure no one catches on.�

Ron and Hermione nodded, but Hermione looked as if she were devastated that she’d be missing the joy of revising.

“So…� Harry said, struggling to downplay his curiosity, “what do we know about this Luci person?�

“Not much,� replied Ron. “She spends a lot of time with Malfoy, so she can’t be all right in the head, that’s for sure.�

Hermione interjected, “I think she’s hiding something.�

“Like what?� asked Harry.

“Haven’t the slightest,� she answered.

“So you think she’s a bit dodgy?�

Hermione hesitated. “Well, no, she seems nice enough. She just kind of appeared out of the blue, though, didn’t she?�

“Luci’s mates with Fleur, so that kind of fuels the fire,� said Ron surreptitiously.

Looking affronted, Hermione responded weakly, “That has nothing to do with it.�

“So maybe she’s a spy or something?� asked Harry, thinking of Snape slinking around neighborhood streets.

Hermione shook her head. “I have no reason to believe that. I’m just saying that you should be careful.�

Ron chortled. “Luci’s harmless. Look at her! She’s tiny.�

Harry hoped that Ron was right, but he knew that Hermione was seldom wrong.

Chapter Three – The Wedding

The house was full of excited voices when Harry and Ron had made their way downstairs the next morning. The girls were preparing to leave for the Burrow, where the wedding was to be held, before Bill could get a glimpse of the bride. The groom and his party would follow a few hours later.

Harry had wondered aloud why none of the Weasleys were staying at the Burrow long term, and Ron had informed him that Grimmauld Place was the safest location for everyone, considering all of its enchantment.

In the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley was flustered, her cheeks reddened, as she was hurrying the girls around, shoving a piece of toast at each of them.

“Oh, I couldn’t eat!� Fleur shrieked at her, tossing the toast over her shoulder. It hit Ginny, who glared at Fleur. Harry and Ron both laughed at this.

“Save yourselves!� Mr. Weasley called to them as he was toasting bread with his wand. “It’s too late for me!�

Happy not to be involved, Harry and Ron each snagged a few slices of toast and hurried from the kitchen.

Once back in the room that they shared, Harry watched Ron pace nervously, nibbling his toast.

“I’ve never been in a wedding before,� he was saying.

“Aren’t you just going to be standing there?� Harry asked him.

“Well… yes. But it’s very important, isn’t it?�

Harry shrugged.

Ron appeared sick, much as he had done before the Quidditch Cup match the previous year.

“You’re worried about pleasing Fleur, aren’t you?�

Ron looked at him out of the corner of his eye.

Harry laughed. “I promise you, mate, she’s not even going to notice you.�

“Gee, thanks,� grumbled Ron.

“You know what I mean.�

Ron put a hand to his stomach.

“Fancy a game of chess?� Harry asked, hoping this might distract Ron.

Ron nodded gratefully, and they enjoyed a lively game, with Ron easily beating Harry, as was expected.

Mr. Weasley knocked on the door a short while later, signaling that they would be leaving soon for the Burrow. He also delivered two freshly pressed sets of dress robes – one for Ron, along with a pale gold tie, and one that Mrs. Weasley had obviously picked up for Harry.

Ron gave Harry a look that said that the game of chess had only been a temporary diversion.

----------------------------------------

Once at the Burrow, Harry realized that he was much better off if he was out of the way, safely watching the goings-on. Fleur was locked in Ginny’s room, along with Ginny and Gabrielle, until the ceremony began. All of the Weasley boys were upstairs, dressing and taking care of last minute details.

The back garden was elaborately decorated in gold. Harry had seated himself beside Hermione, in one of the many chairs that had been set up. Mrs. Weasley was still rushing around anxiously, directing people who, in turn, paid her no mind.

At one point, she had stopped in her tracks on her way past where Harry was sitting. She had smoothed her hands over Harry’s head, muttering, “This hair of yours,� in exasperated tones. Harry was relieved when she had finally given up and went back to welcoming the arrivals.

Guests were entering the garden intermittently and seating themselves all around Harry and Hermione. Most of them, Harry didn’t recognize, and he assumed that they were people who worked with Mr. Weasley at the Ministry.

Harry noticed a tall, thin couple talking with Bill near the back door of the house. They were both blonde and surprisingly striking.

“Must be Fleur’s parents,� suggested Hermione, who had also noticed the couple.

Charlie Weasley, who Harry had only met twice before, in his fourth year, had also appeared. He came over to say hello to Harry and Hermione.

“All right, Harry? Good to see you again,� Charlie said enthusiastically, pumping Harry’s hand.

Harry grinned. “You too.�

“And Hermione, I imagine you’ve been keeping Harry and Ron in line?�

Hermione blushed, but nodded in response.

“Well, see you lot after,� said Charlie, who was abruptly being pulled away by a frenzied Mrs. Weasley.

To Harry’s great surprise, he saw Percy Weasley seating himself, inconspicuously, in the back row of chairs. He nudged Hermione, who turned to look and gasped in delight.

“Bill will be so pleased!� she whispered.

Soon, the rows were filled and the hour was nearing. Bill, still looking anxious, situated himself underneath the awning, next to the Ministry representative who was to officiate. When he seemed settled, a plump witch with graying hair began softly playing a harp.

At this point, Mrs. Weasley hurried down the aisle, looking frazzled, and plopped down beside her husband in the front row of chairs.

Almost immediately, Charlie appeared from inside the house, escorting Gabrielle on his arm. Fleur’s younger sister was as awe-inspiring as Fleur herself. The tall, thin woman watched proudly from her seat in the front row.

Ron, looking tense, followed shortly, ushering Ginny. Harry smiled at her. She, too, was very pretty in the dress that Fleur had chosen and his heart fluttered. She grinned back at Harry as she and Ron passed.

Fred and George surfaced from the house and traipsed towards the awning together. Harry saw that they were wearing gold dragon skin jackets. He chuckled to himself.

When the wedding party had gathered at the front, all of the guests stood to welcome Fleur, who emerged, bright-eyed and glorious, on her father’s arm. Harry swiftly felt very lightheaded. He looked up at Ron, who had turned bright red and closed his eyes, also looking woozy.

Bill was beaming and finally looked relaxed. Fleur floated down the aisle towards him, the sound of the harp accompanying her flawlessly. He took her hands when she met him under the canopy, and Fleur’s father stepped to the side to stand next to her mother.

“Please be seated,� the Ministry official said to the guests. With a rush of noise, they obeyed.

“We are gathered here on this lovely day to witness the union of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour,� the official continued.

Harry saw Fred and George making revolted faces. He smiled. Hermione, who had also noticed, looked appalled at their behavior. She huffed quietly and shifted in her seat.

What followed, Harry could not recall. He tried desperately to concentrate, but his thoughts were scattered, and he found himself pondering the Horcruxes, once again. He realized that wedding procedures were terribly dull, and slightly nauseating, if he was honest about it. He knew that there had been vows and rings exchanged. Then, after what felt like an eternity, Bill and Fleur were kissing passionately and everyone was standing and applauding.

The crowd began to disperse and people were gravitating towards the refreshments.

“I’m going to go check on Ron,� Hermione told Harry, who responded, “Don’t be too hard on him about drooling over Fleur.� She narrowed her eyes and then walked away without another word.

He noticed Mrs. Weasley fawning happily over Percy, thanking him for coming. Her son wore an expression of annoyance and patted her indifferently upon the back. Harry shook his head in anger.

A few moments later, Harry saw Malfoy’s little mate, Luci, who must have arrived for the reception, joyfully embracing Fleur. The girl was seemingly offering her congratulations, and they exchanged a few giddy words.

The harpist had continued playing and people were dancing in the garden. Fleur broke away from the blonde girl and went to dance with Bill, who opened his arms lovingly in welcome. A tall mousy-haired man was taking photographs, and Harry thought to himself that the newlyweds were absolutely glowing.

Luci wasn’t left alone for very long, as Charlie had asked her to dance, and the pair of them were laughing together as they moved around with everyone else. Harry found himself wishing that Charlie would trip and fall flat on his face…

To his bafflement, he then noticed that Ron and Hermione were also dancing together inside of the crowd. A strange feeling came over him, like he was suddenly very alone. He watched them silently, the awful sensation swelling more so, the longer that he looked.

“Wanna dance?� came a lovely voice.

Harry turned to see Ginny grinning up at him. She handed him a glass of punch.

Still struggling with the odd feelings that were gathered together in his gut, Harry swallowed.

“Maybe later,� he mumbled, forcing a smile, and then he left her standing there.

Harry found a path into the house and stood out of the way in the back of the room, sipping his punch, the punch for which he’d forgotten to thank Ginny. He watched the people around him for a long while, glad to be in the background for once. He decided that he wasn’t very fond of weddings.

Eventually, Luci the Auror came through the back door, saying cheerfully, “Oh, hello, Harry,� as she was passing.

He smiled awkwardly and began to murmur a greeting, but noticed Fred and George approaching her.

“Luci,� Fred called to her.

She turned to acknowledge the twins.

“Listen, we have a feeling that our brother is going to ask you out,� Harry heard George tell her.

“Which one?� she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“A reasonable question,� said George.

“That’d be Percy,� Fred answered her, pointing towards his brother.

“And what makes you think he’ll be asking me out?� questioned the girl.

Fred grinned. “We heard him telling someone from the Ministry that he fancied you.�

“Ah,� she replied in understanding. “Obviously, he’s blind, yes?�

Harry was floored, but George just grinned and said, “We thought it’d be fun if you told him that you were dating us.�

“Both of you?� She looked interested.

The twins nodded.

Smiling, the blonde girl said, “That seems a little mean-spirited, doesn’t it?�

“He’s an awful prat,� said George.

Fred nodded. “He deserves it; believe us.�

She hesitated, and then, sounding amused, replied, “Well, why not? If he asks.�

“Perfect!� the twins said in unison. They clapped her encouragingly on the back and walked away, Fred calling after himself, “We’ll be listening from afar!�

The Auror drew nearer to Harry. He felt a swooping sensation in his stomach as he realized that they were alone.

“They’re fun, eh?� she said to him.

“Yeah, a riot,� Harry answered, grinning despite himself.

“Was it a nice ceremony?� she asked.

Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, “I guess so.�

“Wow, they weren’t kidding,� she whispered abruptly. “Here he comes.�

Percy approached, extending his hand to Luci. She took it as he said, “Percy Weasley, Assistant to the Minister of Magic.�

“Luci Keegan,� she offered in return.

Percy glanced at Harry as if he were the only thing standing in the way of true love. Harry took this as his cue to leave and went over to join the twins, who were looking mischievous.

“Here,� Fred said, handing him a long flesh-colored string.

“Four-pronged Extendable Ears,� George explained, at Harry’s questioning look. “New product this year. Group eavesdropping, you know.�

“Nice one,� Harry commented. He noticed that Percy was chatting haughtily to the girl, who nodded cordially, but Harry could tell that she was bored.

“Turn around, you idiot!� Fred commanded him. “He’ll be suspicious.�

Harry hastily turned his back to Percy and inserted the Extendable Ear.

“I have a lot of responsibilities and the Minister trusts me implicitly,� Percy was saying. “I accompany him wherever he goes and keep records of all of his important matters. I’ll have his job one day.�

Harry found this rant to be entirely uninteresting. Then he heard Percy say, “I understand that you’re an Auror?�

“Yes,� Luci started to answer, but Percy hadn’t stopped talking.

“As personnel of the Ministry, we have a lot in common. Therefore, I wondered when you might like to discuss these commonalities over dinner with me?�

This seemed to be the first time that Percy had paused to let her speak.

“I’m sorry, but I’m seeing someone,� she replied.

“Oh?� Percy sounded astonished that anyone had gotten to her before he did.

“Two someones, actually,� she continued.

“Two?� croaked Percy.

“And seeing as how Fred and George are just over there, it would be quite impolite for me to accept.�

“F-Fred and… George?� Percy stammered.

“Mmm hmm.�

Percy didn’t say anything, but Harry imagined him gaping at her and grinned to himself.

“Don’t worry,� Luci said then. “I won’t tell them that you hit on me.�

Harry heard Percy take a sharp breath. Then he stormed past the three listeners a moment later, casting a repugnant look at Fred and George, who sniggered.

“That was brilliant!� Fred exclaimed to Luci as the three of them joined her.

She shrugged. “All in a day’s work!�

The twins heartily shook Luci’s hand and departed, appearing extremely pleased with themselves.

“I’m going to go say goodbye to Bill and Fleur,� Luci then said to Harry, and he watched her walk away, thinking that she might not be so bad after all.

----------------------------------------

After Bill and Fleur had gone, and the guests had made their exits, the others stayed to clean up. Harry was helping Ron fold up chairs, while Hermione was demanding “Scourgify,� at the lawn, where cake, punch, and confetti had been strewn. Ginny, who was still underage, was gathering the litter by hand.

“Glad that’s over,� Ron muttered to Harry as he waved his wand over the folded chairs, causing them to disappear before their eyes.

“Yeah, I thought you might pass out before it was over,� Harry teased him.

“Thanks,� replied Ron sarcastically. “You can’t say you didn’t come near passing out too.�

Harry inclined his head in agreement.

“Wasn’t Fleur just beautiful?� Hermione was saying to Ginny. Ginny was pretending that she had found Fleur to be absolutely repulsive.

“Hermione’s being so girly over all of this,� grumbled Ron.

“So?� replied Harry.

“So,� Ron said. Then his cheeks reddened. “So it’s annoying, that’s all.�

Harry glanced at him inquisitively. “OK?�

At that moment, Mr. Weasley came into the garden.

“Looks like we’re just about all done here?� he asked the four of them.

They all nodded, as they had just been finishing up.

“Back to the house, then,� said Mr. Weasley, disappearing again through the back door.

The four of them filed into the Burrow and came to find that Mrs. Weasley had been crying. Luci was patting her comfortingly on the back.

“Percy left without saying good-bye,� whispered Fred.

Disgusted, Ron asked, “How thick can he be?�

“Pretty damn thick,� replied Ginny, angrily.

George patted Ron on the back. “Take care of her for us, little bro.�

Then, with a loud CRACK, the twins Disapparated.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,� Mrs. Weasley was saying to Luci, who was offering her a glass of water. “I just need a nap. Stressful day, you know.�

As they were all leaving, Harry noticed Charlie catch Luci’s arm.

“It was really nice to meet you,� he said to her.

Luci smiled brightly at him. “Likewise.�

Harry watched them skeptically. Perhaps he should warn Charlie...

“Harry!� Mrs. Weasley was insisting.

“Huh?�

“If you’ll take my arm, please,� she replied, her voice still choked up from crying.

Harry noticed that she had been holding her elbow out to him. Everyone else, aside from Charlie and Luci, had already gone. Reluctantly, he took Mrs. Weasley’s arm and found himself back at Grimmauld Place just a few moments later.

Luci didn’t return for some time after that, and Harry had a disturbing feeling that she’d run off and married Charlie. When she did come back, it was just in time for supper, and she wore a suspiciously pleased expression as she sat down with Malfoy at the table.

Beside Harry, Ron and Hermione were speculating on who might teach Defense Against the Dark Arts this year.

“Perhaps McGonagall will give the job to Trelawny so she’ll stop whining about having to share her subject,� Ron suggested.

Ginny laughed.

Harry was half-listening to all of this. The new Hogwarts professors were the least of his worries.

Chapter Four – Coming Of Age

Harry and Ron were already digging through the pile of presents at the foot of Harry’s bed when Mrs. Weasley stuck her head through their bedroom door.

“Happy birthday!� she chirped. “Do you like them?�

Harry had just discovered a pair of newly knit socks in the Gryffindor colors of maroon and gold.

“Thanks, Mrs. Weasley,� he smiled appreciatively at her.

A pleased grin spread over her face. “Everyone is downstairs waiting for the two of you. This is the most important birthday you’ll have, Harry, and it should be celebrated properly.�

“We’ll be right down, Mum,� Ron assured her.

She nodded and closed the door.

“You think I could wish for Voldemort’s agonizing death and be done with it?� Harry asked Ron.

Ron chuckled. He’d obviously gotten used to Voldemort’s name, probably thanks to Hermione.

“If only. But at least you’re finally of age.�

“Yeah,� replied Harry apathetically, continuing to look through the presents.

Ron and Hermione had pitched in together to get him new Quidditch gloves, in hopes that it would persuade him to return to Hogwarts. Harry shook his head at Ron and he frowned in disappointment. Ginny had given him an album of clippings from all of the newspapers that had been hailing him as a hero. There was a large box of Pumpkin Pasties from Lupin and Tonks. Hagrid had sent over a package of rock cakes. And, of course, the twins had been quite generous, sending over loads of treats from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. The Dursleys had even sent something, but Harry found that it was only the Quidditch Through the Ages book that he’d left in his room at Privet Drive.

Downstairs in the kitchen, a lavish celebratory breakfast awaited Harry. He and Ron entered to a chorus of birthday greetings. They joined Hermione and Ginny around the table, Harry smiling at the room at large.

Harry noticed Malfoy and his mother at the far end of the table. Malfoy looked very unenthusiastic about all of this birthday business. He had always hated when Harry had gotten attention. Of course, so had Harry himself.

However, Malfoy’s discontentment delighted Harry, so he would enjoy this birthday as noticeably as possible.

“The food looks great, Mrs. Weasley,� he said loudly.

“Thank you, dear,� she smiled.

Luci came into the room a few moments later. As she passed Harry, she put a hand on top of his head and said cheerily, “Happy birthday, Harry.�

It was as if her touch had sent warmth trickling down his entire body. He grinned up at her and he wanted to say, “Thank you,� but the words somehow got lost on the way to his mouth.

She returned his smile and went to sit beside Malfoy, who was still shooting murderous glances in Harry’s direction. The two of them instantly started bickering about something, but Harry couldn’t hear their voices over the festive chatter around him.

The food didn’t only look great, but it tasted great too. Mrs. Weasley had really gone all out for Harry’s seventeenth birthday. He’d also received more presents than he ever had on any single occasion in his life.

During the evening, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting in the drawing room together. Hermione was attempting to put together a map for Harry that would guide him to his parent’s house in Godric’s Hollow and then to Voldemort’s orphanage. She had reminded Harry that he could have looked in various history books to find the location of Godric’s Hollow, and even the exact spot whereon the house sat, if he’d only made the effort.

At present, she was sporadically sighing in frustration, but when Harry and Ron offered to help, she growled at them that they would only make things worse. So they were playing a game of hangman instead.

There was a soft rap on the frame of the door, which stood open.

They turned to see Luci, who looked very small in the overly large doorframe. Harry’s heart did a somersault.

“Sorry,� she said. “A late birthday present.� She held out a small black box.

Harry stood and, feeling more lightheaded than the situation warranted, came over to take the box from her.

His hand brushed hers and he felt goose bumps erupt all along his arm.

“What is it?�

She shrugged. “I’m just the messenger.� But there was definitely a twinkle in her eye.

Harry felt a ridiculous rush of disappointment at the realization that this gift wasn’t from her.

“Thanks.�

“Happy birthday… again,� smiled Luci, and then she was gone from the doorway.

“Well, let’s see it,� said Ron, when Harry was seated again.

Hermione watched as Harry began to open the box. “Maybe you’d better not, Harry.�

“Why not?�

“It could be anything… from, well… anybody.�

“It’s fine,� Harry sighed.

With Ron and Hermione watching curiously, he opened the small box. Inside, they found a large, rather unique key. Harry picked it up to examine it. It was scarlet in color, with an ornate handle shaped like a phoenix. He turned it over in his hand. There were no engravings or anything that might tell Harry what this key would unlock.

“Is that a phoenix?� asked Ron, leaning in to get a better look.

Harry nodded.

“What does it unlock?� asked Hermione.

“No idea.� Harry turned it over again, studying the handle.

Ron frowned. “No instructions?�

“Nothing,� Harry replied.

The three of them tried a few spells on it. It did nothing and told them nothing. Finally, they gave it up as a bad job, and Harry returned it to its box and slipped it into his pocket.

“Guess you’ll just have to ask Luci about it,� shrugged Ron.

“Guess so,� Harry agreed.

Hermione still seemed deep in thought and very mistrustful of this present.

Harry tried to concentrate on his game with Ron, but he couldn’t get the mysterious birthday gift out of his mind.

Eventually, Hermione said, “Harry, I don’t know where your parents are buried.�

Harry looked up. “There’s nothing in the books?�

Hermione shook her head. “No, sorry.�

With a sigh, Harry replied, “Hagrid knows. Will you get it out of him?�

Ron and Hermione nodded.

Just then, Ginny sauntered into the room. Hermione hastily handed the finished map to Harry and announced that she was going to bed.

“Me too,� agreed Ron.

“It’s a bit early, isn’t it?� Harry asked them.

“Not at all,� replied Hermione, though she seemed a bit flustered by this question.

Then she hurried from the room, Ron close behind her, calling, “Good night!�

This left Harry and Ginny alone in the drawing room. It was the first time that they’d been alone since Harry had called things off. For some reason, it felt as if there was a cloud of awkwardness floating over their heads.

Harry had stuffed the map into his pocket and Ginny had sat down beside him, in the chair that has previously occupied Ron.

After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Harry cleared his throat.

“How was your summer?�

He knew they’d already discussed their summers. That was a stupid question.

“Missed you.�

Harry grinned. “Yeah.�

Neither of them said anything for a moment.

Then, Harry began, “Listen, Ginny, I need to tell you something.�

She looked up at him.

“I’ve got to go visit my parents’ old house, so I’ll be a bit late getting back to Hogwarts.�

Ginny’s face contorted in surprise. “Why?�

“It’s just something that I need to do.�

“By yourself?� she asked, concern evident in her voice. “But… what if…�

Harry smiled teasingly. “Are you worried about me?�

“Of course, I am,� she pouted.

He put his hand over hers. “I’ll be careful.�

Ginny gave him a doubtful look.

“I promise. And I won’t be gone long.�

She nodded in accord, and then she leaned over the table and kissed Harry softly.

He looked at her in surprise.

“I know we can’t be together,� she said quietly. “But I just needed to do that one more time.�

Harry nodded, but he wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Night, Harry,� said Ginny, and she left the room.

Harry sat alone in the drawing room for the rest of the evening, studying Hermione’s map. Before going to bed, he tried to find Luci to ask her about the key, but he was told by Tonks that she had gone out. When he had asked where to, Tonks had changed the subject.

----------------------------------------

The morning of the Apparition examinations had finally arrived. For their continued safety, Wilkie Twycross was coming to Grimmauld Place to test Harry, Ron, and Malfoy.

Malfoy seemed to believe that taking the test alongside Harry and Ron was somehow degrading.

“Think your luck will see you through this one, Potter? We all know you can’t rely on talent.�

On their way to the drawing room, where they were to be tested, Harry and Ron had met Malfoy on the landing.

“Shut up,� snarled Ron.

Malfoy snickered. “Can’t stand up for yourself, I see.�

Harry narrowed his eyes. “Now if you thought that was true, Malfoy, you’d have the guts to face me alone, but you never have, have you? Are you lonely without your mates? I’m sure Crabbe and Goyle are lonely without you.�

Malfoy let out a low hiss and began to retrieve his wand.

“Don’t even think about it.�

Harry felt his heartbeat increase significantly, and it had nothing to do with Malfoy and his wand.

The three of them turned to see Luci approaching.

She addressed Malfoy. “I leave you alone for one second and you pick a fight with Harry?�

Malfoy glowered. “How do you know he didn’t start it?�

Luci glanced sideways at Harry and then looked back at Malfoy.

“Did he?�

Frowning, Malfoy replied, “I’m tired of you babysitting me!�

“Yeah, well, whose fault is it that you need a babysitter?� she reminded him.

He glared at her. “I hate being here.�

Luci’s expression softened and she said gently, “I know you do.�

She paused, looking up at him, and continued, “But shall we discuss the alternative?�

Malfoy recoiled at this question and gave her a defeated look.

“Behave,� she said playfully to the three of them, and then said softly to Malfoy, “And go pass your test.�

Then she started up to the second landing, where her room was located. Harry watched her go, his head filled with what seemed a bit like fog.

A few minutes later, the three boys, along with their instructor, were standing in the drawing room. In front of each of the students stood a large ring, the same as the ones they’d used at Hogwarts for practice.

“Now then,� said Twycross, clearing his throat. “We’ll go one at a time, and I’m sure I’ll be issuing three licenses this afternoon.� He smiled encouragingly.

Then, gesturing to Ron, he said, “Go ahead, Mr. Weasley.�

The others looked at him expectantly. The presence of Malfoy seemed to derail Ron quite a bit.

Clearing his throat, Ron closed his eyes. Malfoy coughed obnoxiously.

Ron’s eyes shot open. He threw a scowl at Malfoy and then closed them again, trying to concentrate.

He had just disappeared when Malfoy gave another loud cough. This caused Ron to reappear, without his left leg, in the ring in front of him. He toppled over. Malfoy laughed aloud.

“Now, Mr. Malfoy, please refrain yourself,� Twycross scolded impatiently, as he righted the problem.

Once he was back on his feet, Ron was allowed to try again.

This time, he succeeded. Harry clapped him on the back encouragingly, while Malfoy glared.

Twycross was making notes on a clipboard. “Well done,� he commented to Ron, who was grinning happily.

Next, it was Harry’s turn. Twycross told Ron that he was excused, but Ron said that he’d stay until Harry had passed as well.

Harry, feeling suddenly nervous, stared at the center of the ring.

“Cold feet, Potter?�

Harry met Malfoy’s gaze.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?�

Malfoy sneered back in response.

“Don’t forget – you’re only here because I allow it,� said Harry, casually.

Malfoy scoffed. “That’s what you think.�

Harry gave him a questioning look, but Malfoy just continued to sneer.

Glaring, then turning away, Harry concentrated on the ring once again.

After a moment, he felt himself being pulled into that narrow tube. Almost immediately, he emerged, gasping for air. But he wasn’t inside of the ring. In fact, he didn’t know where he was.

Chapter Five – Godric’s Hollow

Harry looked around. There was a large four-poster bed directly before him. To his right, there was an oak desk that was piled messily with papers. Was he still in Grimmauld Place? It felt as though he was indeed, as this room had the same gloomy feeling of the entire house. There were no windows, and, apart from nails and wires dangling haphazardly, the walls were bare, leading Harry to believe that they’d been stripped of their hangings. In a corner of the room, someone had compiled a collection of portraits, their faces against the wall.

Harry shuffled through the large black frames. There were a lot of people whom Harry didn’t recognize. Names such as Belvina Ursula Black and Pollox Cygnus Black were printed in beautiful gold lettering beneath the occupants. Another frame read Regulus Arcturus Black beneath a portrait of a handsome young man, whom Harry knew as Sirius’s younger brother. But there was also one blank canvas. Harry’s eyes moved to the bottom of the frame, where the gold lettering read: Sirius Orion Black.

With a gasp, he dropped the heavy frame onto his toe. Harry took a sharp breath and ignored the pain. This was Sirius’s portrait! But where was Sirius? And why was this portrait even here? Wouldn’t Mrs. Black have gotten rid of it?

An irresistible hope came over Harry. He stared into the blank canvas and breathed, “Sirius?�

He received no response from Sirius’s portrait, but Belvina said nastily, “Do you mind?�

Harry glanced into her frame. She was frowning up at him.

“Sorry,� said Harry. “But do you know why Sirius isn’t in his portrait?�

She raised her eyebrows at him. “Of which Sirius do you speak?�

“What do you mean – which?�

Belvina gave him an exasperated look. “This is a very large family, boy. I’m sure he’ll return shortly. Now, if you would, please.�

Harry sighed and turned her portrait back to face the wall.

Then he went over to the oak desk and began sorting through the mess. It was mostly clippings from the Daily Prophet, dating all the way back to Harry’s third year at Hogwarts.

Harry pulled on the handle of the solitary desk drawer. It resisted at first, but he was able to wrench it open. Inside, he found still more newspaper clippings. There, also, were a quill, an inkpot, and a few envelopes.

Harry pushed his hand to the back of the drawer. He withdrew… a small, square mirror. It was filthy and appeared to be very old. The mirror Sirius had given him two years ago! Was this his godfather’s room? Had he been thinking about Sirius when he’d Apparated? What was his mirror doing here? He was sure it was in the trunk in his room, and it was still shattered, whereas, this one was intact.

He turned the mirror over, expecting to find the note that Sirius had scribbled onto the back. Instead, the flipside was blank. This wasn’t Harry’s mirror at all! This was the mate that Sirius had kept, hoping that Harry would contact him, and never receiving word. Harry felt a jolt of remorse. If he’d only opened the parcel sooner, Sirius might still be alive.

Harry tried to push this thought from his head. He pocketed the mirror, looking around guiltily, and then laughed aloud at himself, as he was quite alone. He continued to search the desk, but found nothing more of interest. He wondered how long he’d been up here.

He went to the door, opened it, and found that he was, indeed, on the third landing at Grimmauld Place.

When he returned downstairs, Harry discovered that everyone had been frantic over his strange disappearance. He explained to them that he’d ended up in a field somewhere and finally managed to Apparate back, but had just barely missed his destination and found himself on the third landing. He received a few doubtful glances, but they all seemed to be so relieved that they didn’t question him any further.

He had to sit for his license again that afternoon, as did Malfoy, since they’d all abandoned the examination when Harry hadn’t shown up in his ring. They both passed easily and Twycross informed them that all three licenses would be sent home with Mr. Weasley as soon as they were processed.

That night, Harry told Ron and Hermione where he actually had Apparated and that he’d found the mirror’s mate upstairs in Sirius’s desk. He then realized that he hadn’t yet informed either of them about the first mirror, which he had shattered, so he also recounted that story.

He retrieved his original mirror from the bottom of his truck and handed it to Hermione, who was sitting next to Ron upon his bed. After mumbling, “Reparo,� she stated, “Looks like a match.� She held it up for Harry to see, and he noticed that the glass was still cracked and there were missing slivers, which were most likely somewhere in Harry’s trunk.

“So if I can just get one of these through that veil to Sirius, maybe I can talk to him!� Harry explained excitedly.

Ron nodded with enthusiasm, but Hermione looked doubtful.

“I don’t know, Harry…� she hesitated.

Harry snatched the pair of mirrors back from her and shoved them into his trunk. “Well, I’m going to try.�

Hermione gave him an unconvinced nod, but Harry told himself that he had to hold fast to the hope that he would be able to speak to Sirius again.

----------------------------------------

The remainder of the summer passed surprisingly quickly, and Harry was not at all ready to start his search by the time that August was coming to an end. He was having a wonderful time lounging around Grimmauld Place with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, though Hermione kept suggesting that they revise for their N.E.W.T.s. They had, so far, however, managed to avoid doing this.

They’d used their long summer days to play Exploding Snap and to continue practicing their defensive spells on one another. Harry had spent evenings talking to Ron and Hermione about the Horcruxes and strategizing over what he might do when he finally had to face Lord Voldemort. More than once, he’d noticed that the pair of them had disappeared and he’d wait with Ginny, trying to reduce the tension between them in whatever ways he could think up. It was getting better, but there still seemed to be an unspoken discomfort.

Malfoy and his mother had mostly stayed out of everyone’s way. Harry only saw them for meals in the basement kitchen. This suited him just fine, except that it meant that it was also the only time that he saw Luci. Harry figured that he could probably see her more often, if he’d liked, but he had been much too focused on enjoying the time he had left with Ron and Hermione.

On one of the last evenings in August, Mr. Weasley brought home the Apparition licenses and the book lists, along with badges for Ron and Hermione, as they’d been named Head Boy and Head Girl. Mrs. Weasley was thrilled with this and told Ron that she would pick up something special for him when she went into Hogsmeade next day to get their things.

“Another Head Boy in the family!� Mrs. Weasley was chiming merrily. “And Hermione! How proud your parents will be!�

Hermione’s parents couldn’t possibly be any prouder than Hermione, herself. She spent the rest of the evening gliding smugly around Grimmauld Place, her badge pinned to her sweater and her bushy hair billowing behind her.

----------------------------------------

The ceiling was in bad shape. Harry studied the cracks as he lay in bed on the second to last night of August, unable to sleep. Across the room, Ron was snoring loudly.

Giving up on trying to rest, he pushed his glasses onto his nose and quietly climbed out of bed, careful not to rouse Ron. The floorboards creaked as his feet met them. He stood motionless. Ron snorted and rolled over, but did not wake. Stepping lightly, Harry silently made his way out of the room and down the stairs. He planned to do some research in the drawing room. He would be leaving the next evening for Godric’s Hollow, and this would be his last chance.

Stepping through the intended doorway, he noticed Luci sitting on one of the couches, with her back to him. Suddenly uncomfortable and extremely aware of being in his nightclothes, he turned to start back up to his room. However, in his haste, he forgot about the floorboards, which immediately gave him away.

“Harry?�

He closed his eyes and shook his head. He couldn’t escape now.

“Sorry,� he muttered, flustered.

“No, it’s OK,� Luci said, waving him towards her. “Come on in.�

Harry exhaled in defeat. He turned and continued into the room, at last sitting stiffly upon the couch that was facing Luci.

“Can’t sleep either?� she asked.

He shook his head self-consciously, keeping his eyes on his bare feet.

“Do you want me to make you some tea or something?�

Surprised at her offer, he looked up into her pale green eyes. “No, thank you,� he replied, awkwardly.

He noticed the book in her hands. “What are you reading?�

“Oh, I’m just refreshing my memory on some things,� she replied, vaguely.

Harry nodded.

“But it’s also a dreadfully boring book and should help me to fall asleep.�

He played with his hands, clumsily, and kept his eyes on the floor.

“You are a man of few words, Harry Potter,� she laughed.

The sound of her laughter (or was it her use of his name?) made Harry’s stomach feel as if it was trying to crawl out of him.

“Can I ask you something?� he requested, pushing back the tension that he felt.

“Of course,� responded Luci, focusing on him as she closed the book and laid it in her lap.

“How well do you know Draco Malfoy?�

She looked at him intently, considering the question. Finally, she answered, “He’s really not that bad, Harry. He’s made mistakes just like the rest of us.�

Harry felt irritated by her response. “Everyone seems to want to defend that slime.�

Luci winced at Harry’s comment, and he wondered why.

“Sorry. I hate him,� he apologized, half-heartedly.

She shook her head. “He isn’t too fond of you either. He’s combative; you have a temper. It’s no wonder the two of you can’t get along.�

“You think I have a temper?� Harry asked, defensively.

She gave him a knowing look.

“Yeah, OK,� he admitted. “But he provokes me.�

“I have no doubt.�

“So you expect me to just put up with him and let him stay in my house?� questioned Harry.

She looked uncertain of how to respond.

“Do you have any idea the things I’ve taken from him?� Harry said, when she hadn’t answered.

“Yes, I do, actually,� she replied. “And I know the things you’ve done right back to him. You’re not innocent.�

Harry was stunned by this retort, but Luci didn’t look angry, and she didn’t sound reprehending.

She sighed. “Listen, I understand that you’re upset about him being here, and I want you to know that I’m keeping close watch on him. He isn’t a threat to anyone. He’s scared and alone and you’re doing a good thing by letting him and his mother stay here.�

“No one really asked me,� Harry replied.

“I know,� said Luci. “But you didn’t kick them out, and that says something wonderful about you.�

“It’s what Dumbledore would have wanted,� he shrugged. “If that weren’t the case, I would kick them out.�

“Somehow, I doubt that.� She paused. “He would be very proud of you, you know. Dumbledore, I mean. For this, and for many other things.�

Harry looked down at his hands. “I miss him,� he said, in the most nonchalant tone he could muster.

“I know you do,� she sighed. “We all do.�

“You knew him too?� Harry asked.

Luci nodded thoughtfully. “Certainly not as well as you did, but he was good to me.�

A wave of grief washed over Harry. “He was good to everyone.� He took a breath. “Even people who didn’t deserve it.�

“Perhaps he knew something about those people that you didn’t know,� she countered.

Harry found himself desperately wanting to change the subject. He cleared his throat. “So what brought you all the way here from your Ministry?�

“Oh…� she started, and then spoke quickly, “Well, what’s going on here affects all of us, and they basically wanted someone to report back to them and keep them informed.�

“But you’re an Auror, right? Wouldn’t they give you a little more responsibility?�

Grinning, she replied, “I’m here to help, as well. We Aurors are great at multi-tasking.�

Harry felt a surge of admiration towards her.

“I think I’d like to be an Auror,� he said.

“You’d be terrific at it.�

“If I live to see the end of this year, that is.�

“You will live to see it,� Luci encouraged.

“How do you know?� He hadn’t meant to sound so unsure.

“I have a feeling,� she smiled. “You didn’t survive in the first place to die in the end.�

He considered this. “Well, one of us did – me or Voldemort.�

Luci didn’t flinch at the name, as Harry was accustomed to seeing, but continued to watch him intently.

“The prophecy?�

Harry nodded, solemnly. The news of the prophecy had been everywhere; she was sure to have heard about it.

Luci took a deep breath and shook her head, as if she thought that the prophecy was a terrible tragedy.

“His name doesn’t bother you?� he asked her.

“Who? Voldemort?�

“Yeah.�

She shrugged. “No, his name doesn’t really have the same stigma in my country. I guess it’s just not as close to home. It’s really only a word anyway, isn’t it?�

Harry appreciated that she shared his attitude. “Yes, it’s only a word,� he smiled.

Reverting back to the subject, Luci said, “Voldemort will be looking for you, especially now that no one stands in his way, as far as he’s concerned. That’s why you’re safest here and at Hogwarts.�

Harry looked down at the floor. “I’m leaving tomorrow,� he said quietly, and then silently scolded himself. He hadn’t planned to tell that to anyone but Ron and Hermione.

Luci eyed him, curiously, but she didn’t seem surprised. “May I ask why?�

Hermione would be furious if she knew that Harry was being so open with Luci, but he didn’t care. Somehow, he felt like he could trust her. Then again, Dumbledore had told him that he should only confide in Ron and Hermione… But he needed someone else, someone who could give him a different perspective. But would Luci tell other members of the Order, or worse, Malfoy?

Harry continued to argue with himself, and he must have been quiet in thought for too long, because Luci said, “It’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have asked.�

Harry looked up at her. “No, it’s just that…�

“It’s OK,� she interrupted. “No one will hear from me that you’re leaving, but you don’t have to tell me your reasons. We hardly know each other.�

Harry wanted to know her, and he wanted her to know him… But maybe not just yet.

“You’re going by yourself?� Luci asked.

He nodded.

“No Ron? No Hermione? Not even Ginny?�

How did she know about Ginny? Was it obvious? Or had someone told her?

Harry shook his head.

“All right,� said Luci. “I can see you don’t want me asking questions.�

“It’s just so much pressure,� he sighed, suddenly, in frustration.

Luci raised an eyebrow. “Whatever it is, you don’t have to do it alone…�

“Yes, I do,� stated Harry, resolutely.

“Why?� she inquired, as if she genuinely didn’t understand.

“When I care about people, terrible things happen to them. If everyone stays away from me, they’ll be safe.�

Harry stood, abruptly, and stepped hurriedly towards the door.

Luci stood, as well. “Harry.�

He turned back, but kept one hand on the doorframe, partly to signify that he didn’t want to discuss it any further, and partly because his name on her lips had unsteadied him, once again.

“This is war,� she said. “There are casualties, and they’ve happened to be people that you loved, but, in no way is any of it your fault. You need to know that. You can’t walk around with that kind of guilt inside of you.�

Harry gaped at her. She sounded as if she knew everything, and it was exactly the right thing to say; though it didn’t change his belief that it was, indeed, entirely his fault.

“Thanks,� he muttered, as he started back down the landing towards the stairs.

“If there’s anything that I can do for you, you’ll let me know?� she called after him.

He nodded, but kept walking.

“Oh, and Harry?�

He turned and met her gaze.

She was now standing in the doorway of the drawing room, watching him.

“Please be careful.�

----------------------------------------

The conversation with Luci had calmed the waters raging in the rivers of Harry’s mind. He felt more focused than he had since the end of term last year. Still with no desire to sleep, he decided that there was no reason to wait until tomorrow to leave.

He returned to his room to quietly change and collect a few necessary items. At one point, Ron seemed to wake up and look at Harry, but instead of saying anything, he just rolled over. When Harry felt that he had what he needed, he started for the door. Then he realized that he might require a quick return, and he took a galleon from his pocket.

“Portus,� he mumbled, almost inaudibly. The galleon quivered, emitting a soft blue light, and then came to rest in his palm. He pocketed it again. Then he threw the Invisibility Cloak over his head.

When he returned downstairs, he was relieved to see that the drawing room was dark and that Luci must have gone to bed. He crept silently down the corridor inhabiting Mrs. Black’s portrait and slipped through the front door, locking it behind him with his wand.

Outside Grimmauld Place, the moon was low and the night fading as Harry mounted his broom and kicked off into the sky. He felt the wind hit his hair. This was still his favorite method of travel.

Hermione had given him very accurate directions. It didn’t take him long to find the cottage, located exactly where Hermione had said it would be, in a small, seemingly deserted, Muggle village.

He touched down softly in the moist grass, which made a squishing sound beneath the weight of his trainers. Harry froze there, motionless, paralyzed by the epic reality of where he stood.

This had been his parents’ front yard. But that was a long time ago. It was obvious that no one had been here since that fateful Halloween night almost sixteen years ago. What was left of the small house was dilapidated, the roof caving in at places, not a single window intact. There was no front door, just a gaping hole where it once had been. It looked as if Voldemort had almost destroyed the place completely, and then time had taken its toll on what remained.

Harry realized that he was panting. A grouping of exhilaration, dread, and astonishment stirred within him. He felt the breeze of a new day’s dawn on his hot face and noticed the faint morning sun beginning to play upon the dewdrops in the grass. He must have traveled longer, and farther, than he’d realized. But it was still dim, shadows haunting the shell of the structure before him. It gave Harry the creeps.

“Lumos,� he said, and the end of his wand lit up. Hesitantly, he took a shaky step into the house, looking around vigilantly as he went. He propped his Firebolt against the inner wall to his left. Then he removed the Invisibility Cloak and stuffed it into his pocket.

He could scarcely move due to the vast amount of debris. The wind had blown in a multitude of rubbish, including leaves, tin cans, and so much dirt that Harry couldn’t tell what color the floors had been. He stepped out of the way as a mouse scurried past him.

“Ugh!� he croaked, as he noticed a dead rabbit lying within the rubble. It hadn’t been there long.

Seeing his parents’ home this way engulfed Harry in a myriad of gloomy feelings. This might have been a temporary hiding place for them, but it had certainly been filled with love at some point. Harry might have played in that yard or had family dinners in this room. He could only figure that he was standing in a combination living and dining area, because he had noticed a small dining table toppled over in the corner.

He moved through what was once a doorway and into the kitchen. It was small, and most of the appliances were still in one piece. He didn’t think he’d ever seen so many bugs, however. He shuddered.

Harry stepped backwards out of the kitchen and tripped over one of the many boards lying chaotically on the floor. He fell with a thud, scraping his arm on a rusty nail that protruded from somewhere in the ruins. He yelped with pain and put his sleeve to the cut, which immediately became soaked through with blood. He cursed angrily at the nail.

Getting to his feet, he made his way up the small staircase. There were two rooms awaiting him. He stepped to his right and entered the first.

He felt his breath cease. This had been his parents’ bedroom. The ceiling had fallen in upon the small bed to Harry’s left. To his right, in a crumpled pile on the floor, was what had once been his cot. It was in pieces, and he had no idea how he’d survived its demolition. He touched his finger to the scar on his forehead.

A flash of green light obliterated Harry’s field of vision. A high voice cackled with laughter, and his scar seared with explosive pain. He put his hands to his head as his knees hit the floor, forcefully.

----------------------------------------

Harry was on the lawn of the cottage again, but it was the dead of night, and the house was entirely undamaged, small, cozy, and welcoming. He looked down to find that he was wearing black robes. He was suddenly much taller.

He was striding towards the house, but he wasn’t moving his legs. What was happening?

Harry lifted his wand, except that it wasn’t his wand, and the front door flew off of its hinges. He made his way into the house, throwing things around in the process. He was blowing holes into the ceiling and walls with his wand, and he couldn’t make himself stop.

Stop! he was screaming, inside of his head.

Behind him, someone else was also creating destruction all around them, but Harry couldn’t see the person.

Then, he heard his father’s voice from the top of the stairs. “Lily, take Harry and go! It’s him! Go! Run! I’ll hold him off!�

“No, James, please!� came his mother’s voice.

Harry felt horror surging up inside of him, but the body in which he traveled was functioning just fine, with no reaction to these pleas.

Then he saw his father standing before him, at the foot of the stairs, looking fierce and protective.

“Take me,� he said from between his teeth. “But leave them alone.�

His father’s eyes then went to the person behind Harry, who sniggered. Harry recognized the disgusting sound, but he couldn’t place the person’s identity. He had just noticed his mother peeking guardedly down the stairs and into the room.

Harry laughed shrilly, and then said in a cold voice, “You think I have come here for you?�

But it wasn’t his voice. In fact, he knew exactly to whom this voice belonged, and the realization rocked him.

James had brandished his wand and seemed prepared to fight for his family.

“Go now, and no one has to get hurt,� said James, but his voice was shaking.

Harry jeered at him. “You dare to command the Dark Lord?�

James held his brazen stare and then shouted, “Expelliarmus!�

Harry had blocked the spell.

“Give me the boy.�

James clenched his jaw. “Never,� he hissed.

Then, nonchalantly, Harry said, “Have it your way.�

He raised his wand and flippantly chanted, “Avada Kedavra!�

But James had flung himself out of the way and the spell instead blew a massive hole into the wall behind him.

Harry heard his mother scream, and she disappeared from the top of the stairs.

“You are only making this harder on yourself,� said Harry casually.

“You thought I’d just surrender?� James spat, getting to his feet amidst the rubble.

A cold smile spread over Harry’s face, but, of course, it wasn’t his face.

“So courageous, so proud…� he drawled coolly. “Such a pity that you’re no match for me.�

Then, lifting the wand again, Harry felt the words leave his lips once more. “Avada Kedavra!�

“NOOOO!� the voice inside of Harry’s head was shrieking. But it was in vain.

In a blast of green light, his father had fallen to the floor in a crumpled heap.

The body, which Harry could not control, desperately though he tried, started up the stairs, continuing to destroy the house as it went. Another set of footsteps followed closely behind.

Finally, he found Lily standing over the cot.

“Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry,� she babbled through her tears.

“Stand aside, you silly girl, stand aside now.�

“Not Harry! Please no! Take me! Kill me instead!�

“I said – STAND ASIDE!� Harry growled.

“Not Harry! Please! Have mercy!�

Lily flung herself over baby Harry, her long auburn hair falling into the cot and covering him.

Harry felt himself sigh heavily. “Very well.�

The green glow flooded the room, accompanied by shrill, harsh laughter. His mother was lying on the floor and he was now peering down at himself, hardly more than a year old, his black hair tousled and his face pink and round.

Suddenly, staring into his own sparkling green eyes, he felt himself grow dizzy.

“You will not live to defeat me!� he yelled at his child self.

But he became feebler still. Those eyes, his own eyes, were weakening him.

He aimed his wand into the cot. “Avada Kedavra!�

Then everything went black.

Chapter Six – The Distant Relative

When Harry came to, the sun was peeking quite solidly through the hole that was formerly a window, illuminating the ruins around him and warming his body.

He couldn’t bring himself to move. Once again, he had been inside of Voldemort’s mind, seen things from Voldemort’s perspective. But why this? Why did he have to endure so much turmoil? He had never remembered suffering this much emotional pain. It had felt as if he had been killing his own parents. He curled himself into a tight ball and sobbed over this for a very long time.

Finally, when he had achieved composure again, Harry pushed himself onto his knees. He groaned, reaching for his wand and rubbing his sore legs. He straightened his glasses, which had fallen haphazardly from his nose and were hanging from his right ear. Blinking repeatedly, he tried to tell himself that it had been nothing more than an extremely realistic memory.

“Pull yourself together,� he said aloud.

Harry staggered across the room, tracing the wall with one hand in order to keep his balance. He peeked into the small closet. A few moth-eaten articles of clothing still hung in their places. He ran his hands over a long black traveling cloak that must have belonged to his father.

Standing high on his toes, Harry reached up to the shelf above the hanging racks, feeling around for something, anything. Furry legs crawled over his outstretched fingers. He jerked his hand back in repulsion. Luckily, the shelf had been bare and Harry wouldn’t have to risk his hand again.

The dresser towards the back of the room was the only other piece of furniture, aside from the bed and the shattered cot. Harry approached it slowly.

Two picture frames had toppled onto their faces on the top of the dresser. Harry stood each of them up. He stared longingly at them.

The first was held in the frame only by a few remaining shards of glass. It was a very faded photo of his parents holding him. He must have just been born. They were waving happily back at Harry, and his infant self grinned sleepily.

The second photograph featured only his parents. His father stood grinning behind his mother, with his hand on her very pregnant belly. His mother was winking. The glass was entirely gone from this photo. He ran a finger gingerly over his parents’ faces.

There was a dull ache in Harry’s chest. It felt horribly like the sensation he’d had when standing before the Mirror of Erised. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he pushed them back. He was being bombarded with so many emotions and he knew that he had to control them, at least, for now.

Clearing his throat, he opened the topmost of the four dresser drawers. It was filled with nicely folded socks. They seemed so out of place in the mist of the disarray all around Harry. Aside from a few holes nibbled through the fabric, the socks looked pristine and were perfectly aligned in tidy rows.

“Sorry, Mum,� Harry mumbled quietly, as he began to sift through the socks, spoiling his mother’s impeccable laundering. He wanted to make sure that nothing was hidden underneath this perfect filing. And nothing was.

Harry moved on to the second drawer, which contained underwear. He sorted through these items, as well, finding nothing but a stray bolt that had been rattling around inside.

Drawer number three held wool sweaters of varying colors, also neatly folded, but it held nothing more. The final drawer was empty. Harry found this to be very unsettling, but he didn’t know why.

He straightened himself and took another appraising look around the room. There was nothing here that could help him. There was only his single worst memory. Harry glanced again at the remains of the cot. Swallowing the sick feeling that was rising in his throat, he quickly exited into the hallway.

The last room in the house seemed to be undamaged, apart from the effects of time passing and the presence of a family of small gray birds that had made their home in the ceiling’s beams. A sliding glass door opened onto a small wooden balcony, and a sturdy desk stood to Harry’s right. The adjoining wall accommodated two shelves, both of which held a few books each.

Someone had cleaned the place out! This insight awoke the fury that often lied dormant inside of Harry but was currently boiling so very close to the surface. He released a cry that would have shocked him under any normal circumstances. Then he began swearing and throwing objects across the room. He stormed the desk, tearing it open and chucking its contents onto the floor.

In his rage, Harry then picked up the few books on the shelves and hurtled them at the wall facing him. A letter fell from one of the book jackets as it crashed into the wall with a thud. Harry was just about to toss a lamp when he noticed this. He stopped, realizing that his face was sopping with tears and sweat, and replaced the lamp onto the desk.

He crossed the room, wiping his eyes with the back of his sleeve, and kneeled on the floor in order to pick up the letter. It was an aged piece of parchment. Harry unrolled it slowly.

“Dearest Lily,� began the letter. Harry’s heart surged into his stomach as he realized that he was holding a love letter from his father to his mother. Yes, the handwriting was definitely familiar.

“Please don’t apologize for your long letters. I look forward to each and every one of them – the longer, the better. As I’ve said before, it was my pleasure to tutor you in potions. Stop thanking me! I just can’t believe that you ended up being better than anyone in our year, including me!

I was sorry to hear that summers with your sister are difficult. She’s only angry that she can’t do magic. Try not to be too upset. Whatever she says to you, remember that you are beautiful and talented, and she’s just jealous. At least your parents are supportive. I’m lucky to see a day when my father doesn’t hit me. �

Harry’s grandfather had hit his father?

“Talent and hard work don’t seem to make a difference to him. No matter what I do, I can’t please him. I wish my mother were still alive. He was so different then.

I can’t wait to see you again. Only two weeks until we start our fifth year at Hogwarts! I hope that you enjoy the remainder of your summer. Yours always, Severus.�

“Snape?� Harry exclaimed, leaping to his feet and cutting his finger on the parchment, in the process. He stuck the bleeding finger into his mouth, but retrieved it immediately when he remembered how dirty his hands were.

This letter was from Snape, not his father! Was his mother going out with Snape? Why would she do that? Questions exploded inside of Harry’s head like firecrackers.

He picked up the book from which the letter had fallen, realizing that it wasn’t a book at all. It was a wooden box posing as a hardbound. Inside, Harry found numerous letters. They all seemed to be from Snape, in the same handwriting, addressed to his mother.

Harry sat down on the floor, curiosity defeating the abhorrence swelling inside of him. He began to read through each of the letters. They were all fairly similar. Snape wrote charming things to “Dearest Lily,� and Harry couldn’t help but wonder how his mother had responded. And had his father known about these letters?

He had probably been sitting there for hours. The late afternoon sun was growing hot, and Harry found that the room had become quite stuffy. He gathered the letters and placed them back into their box. Getting to his feet and dusting himself off, he returned the book to the shelf. He thought that his mother would want them to remain there. He also knew that, had these letters had any real significance, the person who had cleaned out the cottage would have taken them along with everything else.

Harry picked up the books that he had thrown, looking through each of them, just in case, and then placing them back onto the shelves. Then he went to the sliding glass door. He was pleasantly surprised to find that it opened easily. The wooden balcony overlooked a small garden. The scarce foliage was entirely dead, save for one prominent oak tree. Harry knew that he should go, but he couldn’t seem to talk himself into it. He felt like, if he left this place, he’d never return, and he simply couldn’t bear the thought of that. He closed his eyes.

After a long time, he opened them again to find that the dusk had fallen around him. He was so exhausted that his legs were barely holding him up. Perhaps he could stay here, just until the morning…

His eyelids heavy, Harry started back into the house. He closed the glass door. There was a bed in his parents’ old room, but he knew that he wouldn’t be able to tolerate spending the night in there. Instead, he sat against the wall in this room, near the desk. He draped the Invisibility Cloak over himself, just to be precautious. Then, he put his head into his folded arms and deep, dreamless sleep immediately took him.

The dark, early morning hours came quickly. Harry felt as if he’d only slept for a moment when he opened his eyes, but the pain in his neck and shoulders revealed otherwise. He’d been there for many hours. He groaned and rubbed the back of his neck, rolling his head around to stretch it.

He inched his way up the wall, slowly getting to his feet. The cloak slid to the floor and he bent to pick it up. His head hurt terribly, as if he’d banged it on something, and he could only see spots of blackness before him. He was very dizzy and a bit nauseous. He closed his eyes and stood against the wall for a few moments, gulping deep breaths to wash down the qualmish feeling.

When Harry opened his eyes again, his vision had returned. He drudgingly started back through the house, down the stairs, and into the front room. He glanced distastefully at the place where he knew his father’s body had fallen. He felt a jolt of horror as he remembered the experience from inside of Voldemort’s body, and then he shook his head, hoping that the memory might fly out of one of his ears and never return. No such luck.

When he reached the front doorway, Harry took up his broomstick, which had waited patiently for him. He stood looking into the living room for a few moments, trying to pry himself away. Finally, he said aloud to the house, “Be back soon,� and stepped back onto the front lawn.

The day was dawning and the summer air was humid and heavy. Harry threw the Invisibility Cloak over himself again, mounted his broomstick, took one last look at the cottage, and sailed back into the gray sky.

Harry traveled for many hours. Eventually, he was soaring over London, watching houses fly by beneath him. According to Hermione, the orphanage would be somewhere past the residences, in a more open area, surrounded by vacant land. The warm breeze was fogging his glasses, so that he had to repeatedly wipe his arm across them in order to see below him.

Harry spotted the orphanage some while later and landed softly in the trees near the outskirts. He removed the Cloak, shoved it back into his pocket, and leaned his broomstick against a tree. Then he began the long walk to the front door of the square building.

It was still fairly early in the morning and a gray fog was settled over the grounds. It made Harry feel very cold, even though the air was warm and moist. The large, looming structure before him was somehow forbidding and made Harry feel rather gloomy. He entered the grim courtyard, surrounded on all sides by high railings. He slowly climbed the stone steps and knocked purposefully on the door.

Harry was greeted by a small, round woman with graying hair. This surprised him, until he remembered that Mrs. Cole would have been long dead by now.

The woman was gaping at Harry, as if she’d never seen such a sight.

Then Harry realized that he was bruised, bleeding, and downright filthy. He imagined she must think he was an orphan seeking shelter. I am an orphan, Harry thought miserably to himself.

“C-can I help you?� the woman stammered.

Harry cleared his throat. “I’m…�

Well, he couldn’t very well tell her who he actually was…

“…A distant relative of a boy who lived here many years ago. I… I thought I might visit his old room?�

She gave him a scrutinizing look, then said, “Well, you look terrible. Follow me.�

Harry followed her into the building and down a long hall, where they passed numerous children, all wearing gray tunics. As he looked around, Harry saw that the place hadn’t changed much. It was slightly shabbier, thanks to time passing, but still spotlessly clean. Mrs. Cole’s old office, however, looked entirely different. The mismatched pieces were gone, and had been replaced with cheap pine furniture and a large pink sofa.

“Have a seat,� the frumpy woman said to Harry, gesturing to the sofa.

Harry hesitated, but then sat down.

The woman settled behind her desk and faced Harry. She looked tired and careworn, much as Mrs. Cole had done when Harry had seen her in the Pensieve.

“Now,� she began. “If you need help, you can just say so. We have plenty of room…�

“Oh, no,� said Harry quickly. “I’m seventeen.�

The woman frowned at him.

Muggles weren’t of age until eighteen, Harry remembered.

“I mean, I’m fine,� he stammered.

She looked unconvinced.

“Really,� he said. “I just… I wanted to visit my, um, cousin Riddle’s room. You see, I’m doing research on my family history.�

The woman was watching him closely, as if searching each word for a hint of what the real truth might be.

After a moment, she said, “Riddle, you say?�

“Tom Riddle, yes,� replied Harry.

The woman’s eyes grew larger, but she was silent.

Then she breathed, “The stories I’ve heard about that young man…�

“What stories?� asked Harry.

But at that moment, an untidy boy with dirty blonde hair, whom Harry thought was only a few years younger than him, popped his head through the door.

“Miss Staten,� he said. “It’s happened again!�

The woman groaned, “Oh, dear,� and stood up hastily.

Harry stood too.

Miss Staten looked at Harry anxiously, but then gave an exasperated sigh and said, “Fourth floor, second room on the right. It’s Timmy Duncan’s room now, but he’s not here today.� She paused. “Just… don’t take anything.�

“Thank you,� Harry said, trying to pour the sound of gratitude onto the words. “I won’t.�

She hesitated for a moment, giving Harry another look over, and then followed the blonde boy from the room.

Harry wanted to stay in the office and search through the files to see if he could find out more about these stories that Miss Staten had mentioned. But, since he thought he had a pretty good idea of the things that may have happened, he followed them out and back down the hallway.

When he reached it, Harry started up the large wooden staircase. The banister had been replaced recently, but the stairs creaked with age. He passed each floor, counting them out as he went.

Finally, he reached the fourth floor. He came to the second room on the right and found the door standing ajar.

A young brunette girl eyed him timidly as she passed on her way down the stairs. He smiled warmly at her, hoping to deflect her suspicions. This only caused her to hurry more quickly down the stairs. Harry thought he must look quite a mess.

He entered Riddle’s old room, and, looking around to make sure he wouldn’t be seen, closed the door and said, “Colloportus.� The seal made its squelching noise and Harry felt certain that he wouldn’t be disturbed.

He turned around to find that the room looked precisely the same. The iron bed sat before him and the same old wardrobe was on his left. The room had the same bare, inhospitable feeling. In fact, a chill traveled down Harry’s spine as he recalled Dumbledore’s memory. But then, Timmy Duncan had left the small window open and a breeze was flowing in, so perhaps that was what had brought on the chill, though Harry found this unlikely.

If there were a Horcrux here, it certainly wouldn’t be in plain view. With this knowledge, Harry began running his hands along the walls. He was paying particular attention to his forehead, remembering Hermione’s words that his scar would react if he got near a Horcrux.

After traveling the length of the room, he got onto his knees and searched the floor. He checked under the bed and even beneath the mattresses, just for good measure. At one point, he thought that there had been a twinge in his scar, but then he decided that he’d just imagined it. He felt ridiculous. If there even was a Horcrux, it seemed impossible that he would find it, especially using these methods.

Beginning to feel quite hopeless, Harry got to his feet and went to the wardrobe. He opened it to find one pair of pants and a gray tunic hanging neatly beside one another. Then he thought he saw something glinting out of the corner of his eye, but when he looked back, nothing was there.

His hands traveled along the entire inside of the wardrobe, discovering nothing, but picking up a rather thick splinter. Harry pried the sliver of wood out of his skin and closed the wardrobe with a bleak sigh.

Then an even more depressing thought occurred to him. He had only been near one real Horcrux, and he had felt absolutely nothing from Riddle’s diary. Hermione was wrong about his scar.

Tearing Harry from his thoughts, he noticed something sparkling above his head. When the thing realized that Harry had noticed it, it zoomed out of the open window. Harry immediately ran to the windowsill, looking frantically for it. Then he followed his instincts as quickly as possible.

“Accio Firebolt!�

His Firebolt responded with surprising speed. Harry jumped onto the broom and flew after the tiny dazzling object. For a few minutes, he couldn’t find it, but then he caught a glimpse of it in the distance. He leaned into his broomstick and zoomed in that direction. When he got closer, he realized that it was a tiny pair of golden wings, but that there was nothing attached to these wings.

As soon as he was within reach, the wings rocketed off again. They seemed to be teasing him, but the glittering object didn’t know that Harry had been the youngest seeker in more than a century of Hogwarts history. He hurtled himself towards the wings, which seemed to look back at him in fear, obviously alarmed by his speed.

Harry seized them fairly quickly, but he nearly let them go again when he realized that they were charring his skin. He stuffed the wings into his pocket and held the fabric closed so that they couldn’t escape.

Once Harry had landed in Riddle’s old room again, he kept his left hand over the pocket but examined the one that had been singed. It was blackened and throbbing where the wings had touched his skin. It felt as if a million tiny needles were boring themselves into his flesh.

Unexpectedly, a cold enveloped Harry. He knew instantly. Turning, he saw the Dementor floating through the window towards him. What was it doing here? He felt his mind sink into the almost-familiar darkness. He was out of practice. Something happy. Anything.

He stumbled backwards into a wall, his Firebolt still gripped between his knees. His head was muddled. He fumbled for his wand, trying to keep his other hand over his pocket in order to secure the golden wings. The Dementor was leaning into him, and Harry felt his body go cold and his soul plunge into shadows. Luci was right – he shouldn’t have done this alone.

Luci.

Suddenly, the blackness lifted.

“Expecto patronum!�

Harry, feeling as if he simply didn’t have enough hands, shoved his wand into his mouth and reached into his other pocket, fumbling for the portkey. Suddenly, he felt the odd jerk behind his navel and the rush of wind. Then his body slammed hard into the floor. The last thing he remembered was the shrieking of Mrs. Black’s voice.

Chapter Seven – Snape’s Secret

Someone was touching his forehead. Panicked, Harry grabbed for the hand, his eyes flying open. He heard a soft gasp of surprise.

“Sorry,� came Luci’s voice. “I was just… Your hair was in your face…�

“If I had known it was you, I wouldn’t have…� Harry began.

She smiled awkwardly and this was when he realized that the room was full of people looking down at him. Mrs. Weasley was holding his hand, though he had just noticed. He felt heat rushing up to his face.

“How are you, Harry, dear?� asked Mrs. Weasley, softly.

“Er…� Harry started, sitting up in bed. “I’m all right.�

He saw that someone had dressed him in his pajamas and that the wounds that he had sustained had all been bandaged meticulously.

“I found you in the entryway. Where the hell have you been?� Mad-Eye Moody was standing at the foot of the bed.

Harry looked at Luci gratefully. She hadn’t told anyone that he was leaving.

“Luci, you knew about this?� Tonks asked in astonishment, catching Harry’s glance.

Luci blushed. “I…�

“It’s not her fault,� interjected Harry. “I didn’t tell her where I was going.�

“It’s not about that, Harry,� Lupin said. “We were all worried sick about you!�

Tonks nodded. “Remus looked everywhere for you! And poor Ginny! We could hardly get her onto the Hogwarts Express this morning!�

“I’m sorry,� Harry murmured.

“What do you have to say for yourself, Luci?� Mrs. Weasley asked her.

Luci glanced at Harry, who gave her an apologetic look. “Harry’s of age… and so am I, for that matter.�

Mrs. Weasley scoffed. “Hardly!�

Luci looked at her insolently.

“This is inexcusable, Miss Keegan. Harry’s life was at risk,� said Mad-Eye.

Luci’s face had gone crimson, which was a drastic contrast to her usually very pale skin.

“I’m sorry,� she replied meekly.

Harry felt guilt boiling in the pit of his stomach like hot acid.

“It’s really not her fault,� he said again.

Mrs. Weasley frowned disapprovingly. “It was her responsibility to inform us of anything that could harm you, including the fact that you were planning to run off by yourself to who knows where!�

Luci was still hanging her head in shame.

Anger was swelling in Harry’s mind. “I’m not a kid anymore! And I won’t let you take this out on Luci!�

Mrs. Weasley gasped in shock. “Harry, I never…�

“Sorry. Look. It’s no one’s job to protect me anymore. I’ve faced Voldemort plenty of times and been fine, and I’ll do it again. This was no big deal!�

Everyone fell into silence at these words.

At last, Luci stood and then hurried from the room.

Slowly, the others began to follow her out, until only Mrs. Weasley remained.

She let go of Harry’s hand and got to her feet. “We all love you very much, Harry. I just wish you’d be more careful. You know you’re like one of my own. And once you’re rested, I expect you to explain where you’ve been and what the devil happened to your poor hand!�

Guilt continued to rumble through Harry’s insides.

Mrs. Weasley bent down and kissed his forehead, saying softly in his ear, “Don’t get too attached to Luci.�

Harry gave her a curious look as she straightened up, but she just smiled and left the room.

Waiting a few moments to make sure that she was gone, Harry leapt out of bed and went to his clothes, which were folded on Ron’s bed. He fumbled in his pocket for the golden wings. They were gone.

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That evening, Mrs. Weasley brought Harry’s dinner upstairs to him. She had refused to let him leave his bed.

“Mrs. Weasley?� he asked, as she was putting his dinner into his lap.

“Yes, dear?�

“Moody found me in the entryway?�

She looked at him curiously. “Yes… why?�

“Is he still here?�

“Why do you want to see him?�

“I need to ask him something,� said Harry, vaguely.

Mrs. Weasley looked suspicious, but she agreed to send Mad-Eye up to the room.

Harry was just finishing his sandwich when the door flung open.

“Looking for this?� growled Mad-Eye, holding out the pair of golden wings, which were now perfectly immobile and didn’t seem to injure Mad-Eye’s skin at all.

Harry’s eyes widened.

“Hard to miss. Fluttering around in your pocket like a mad bat.�

Harry gulped. “Does anyone else know about it?�

Mad-Eye shut the door behind him. “No.� He paused. “Do you know what it is?�

“No, sir.�

This was true. Harry had no idea what the wings were, but he hoped…

Mad-Eye grunted. “It’s a Horcrux, Potter. And what were you doing with a Horcrux?�

Harry had no idea how to respond to this question without getting himself into a whole mess of trouble.

“Did you… Is it…�

“I will take care of it,� growled Mad-Eye.

Harry sighed with relief. One down. Three to go.

“You haven’t answered my question,� Mad-Eye said, gruffly. “What were you doing with this?�

Harry looked uncertainly at Mad-Eye. He wasn’t getting out of this one.

“I found it at Voldemort’s orphanage,� said Harry, hoping that he wouldn’t have to admit that he was actually out hunting for Horcruxes.

“And what were you doing there?� Mad-Eye frowned.

“I thought going there might give me some insight on him.� This was also the truth, however simplified and slightly shrouded.

Mad-Eye looked doubtfully at Harry. “What do you know about Horcruxes, Potter?�

“Nothing.� This time, Harry had lied.

Mad-Eye narrowed his eyes but remained silent.

So Harry asked, “What are they?� He gestured towards the wings, as he didn’t want to seem at all interested in Horcruxes.

Mad-Eye grunted again, as if he knew that Harry was withholding information, and therefore, he wanted to do the same. But he said, “Belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw. Stolen from the Hogwarts trophy room in 1943.� He turned the wings over in his hand, examining them. “Very magical item, these wings…�

Of course! Ravenclaw’s heirloom!

Then he looked up at Harry again and said, “Is this how you sustained that burn?� while nodding towards Harry’s bandaged right hand.

Harry averted his eyes. “Why don’t they burn you?�

Mad-Eye gave Harry a significant look. “I’m not The Boy Who Lived.�

Harry had just opened his mouth to ask what this meant when Mrs. Weasley bustled back into the room to take Harry’s dishes.

With a small smile, Mad-Eye said, “I’ll make sure this is returned to its proper place,� and exited the room, leaving Harry with innumerable questions and a desperate need to know what Mad-Eye was going to do with that Horcrux.

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The next morning, after Mrs. Weasley had insisted that Harry have breakfast in bed, he had gone to visit the bathroom. As he was drowsily heading back to his room, he was feeling very dejected at the recurring thoughts of his mother and Snape.

At the end of the hall, he encountered Luci and Malfoy, who seemed to be arguing about something.

Going instantly silent at the sight of him, Luci gave Harry a concerned look. “Are you OK, Harry?�

“Fine,� said Harry flatly.

Luci turned to Malfoy. “Go ahead and start without me. I’ll be right there.�

Malfoy looked disappointed about whatever he was supposed to start on his own. He gave Harry a spiteful jeer, ostensibly just for good measure, and went to his room.

As soon as Malfoy was out of earshot, Luci turned to Harry. “What’s wrong?�

“Nothing.�

Her eyes narrowed.

“You’re lying to me,� she said, as if this deeply wounded her.

Harry just looked at her.

Luci was still studying his face.

“If you won’t tell me, you should at least tell someone,� she said.

He shrugged.

“Remus?� she suggested.

Of course! Lupin knew both his mother and Snape! He would have some answers!

Harry’s delight must have been evident in his eyes.

Luci smiled at him and turned back towards Malfoy’s room.

“Wait,� Harry said, abruptly.

She turned to face him again. She was so close that it made Harry dizzy.

He took a breath. “I’m sorry that I got you into trouble.�

She smiled softly. “Don’t worry about it.�

Luci seemed unruffled at the moment, but Harry had seen that she’d been totally humiliated when Mad-Eye and Mrs. Weasley had berated her over Harry’s disappearance. Where had this confidence been then? He suddenly got the unpleasant feeling that she was very good at hiding.

Harry frowned at her. “They seemed pretty mad at you.�

“They’ll get over it,� she replied. “And they don’t have any authority over me, so I’m not bothered by it, and you shouldn’t be either.�

Harry kept forgetting that she was of the same rank as the rest of the Order.

He cleared his throat. “Well, thank you for not telling anyone that I was leaving.�

Luci touched his arm softly and responded, “Wouldn’t of dreamt of it.� Then, she walked away from him, down the hall, and into Malfoy’s room, where she shut the door.

Harry’s skin burned where her touch lingered. He inhaled deeply in order to clear the haze.

Then he went downstairs to find Lupin.

He was in the kitchen with Tonks. They were going over something on the table in the middle of the room.

When Lupin noticed Harry’s arrival, he swiftly muttered, “Evanesco,� and whatever was on the table disappeared.

“How are you feeling, Harry?� he asked.

“I bounce back pretty quickly these days,� replied Harry.

Lupin smiled thoughtfully. Tonks giggled.

“Something we can do for you?� she asked warmly.

Harry hesitated, glancing up at Lupin.

“Loud and clear!� Tonks chimed, and she hurried from the room.

“Sorry,� mumbled Harry.

“She understands,� Lupin replied. “What’s the problem?�

“I wanted to ask you…� Harry trailed off. “About my mum, actually.�

Lupin sighed deeply. “Have a seat, Harry.�

Harry sat down upon the long wooden bench and Lupin seated himself opposite.

“You see, Professor, I…�

“Harry, don’t you think it’s time you called me by my first name?�

Taken aback, Harry nodded, but he didn’t think that it was time for that at all.

“I went to Godric’s Hollow,� he said instead. He figured he might as well just say it. “That’s where I was.�

Lupin looked startled by this information, but he was silent.

“I didn’t find much, if that’s what you’re thinking,� Harry went on.

Lupin gave him a patient nod.

“But I did find… letters…�

“Letters?�

Harry nodded. “From Snape to my mum.�

Lupin took a shallow breath but didn’t seem surprised.

Harry went on, “I think they were… love letters. I mean, I only had his letters to her, so I don’t know what she was writing back, but they seemed pretty friendly.�

Lupin nodded, and then began carefully, “They were friendly, yes. Severus tutored your mum in potions in our fourth year – that’s how she got so good – and they kept in touch over that summer. Severus was madly in love with Lily, and I think that she felt fondly for him too, but during that year at Hogwarts, he was terrible to her, and I don’t think that she ever forgave him. In our seventh year, she began going out with James. Severus was furious, of course, but he’d done it to himself.�

Harry was gaping at this point.

“No wonder Snape hates my dad!�

Lupin shrugged. “That wasn’t even the beginning.�

“What do you mean?�

“Severus hated James because Lily loved him, but even before that, in our sixth year, something else happened that made him hate James infinitely more.�

“What happened?�

Lupin took a deep breath. “Your dad saved Severus’s life.�

Then Harry remembered something. “Yeah, Professor Dumbledore mentioned that.�

Lupin nodded. “Yes, Sirius had tricked Severus into going after me in the Whomping Willow during the full moon, but James stopped him.�

Harry nodded. He’d heard this story and knew that Snape owed his father a life debt.

But all of this still hadn’t absolved the sickened feeling that had knotted itself in Harry’s stomach.

He looked up at Lupin, dreading the answer to his next question, but he had to ask it anyway.

“Did my mum… love Snape?�

To Harry’s surprise, Lupin smiled, then replied, “Is that impossible to believe?�

Harry shook his head, though he thought he might throw up.

“Your mother was very compassionate, and she saw whatever good there was in Severus. Obviously, none of that good remains, but it must have been there.�

Harry swallowed hard, forcing down the revulsion.

“So she loved him?�

Lupin shook his head. “Only your mother knows the answer to that question, Harry.�

“But you think that she did?�

Please say no, Harry thought.

Lupin gave Harry a scrutinizing look. “Do I think that she felt about him the same way that she felt about your father? No, I don’t. Do I think that she felt something for him? Yes. But she loved James. Whatever had happened in the past didn’t take away from how very much she did love him. And you.�

Harry met Lupin’s gaze.

“Your mother didn’t betray your father, Harry.�

Harry frowned. “Then why did she keep all of Snape’s letters hidden in a box that was parading as a book?�

Lupin narrowed his eyes in thought, and then said, “Your mother was very sentimental. That’s all it was. I’m sure of it.�

But Harry thought that he didn’t sound very sure at all.

“So my dad knew that she’d had feelings for Snape?�

Lupin laughed, disrupting Harry’s somber mood.

“James never let her forget it, in fact. He was always teasing her about it. She humored him, but she never said anything negative about Severus, not once. She did, however, eventually cease to defend him.�

“So maybe she realized that there was no good left in him?� Harry asked hopefully.

Lupin shrugged. “Perhaps.�

He looked considerately at Harry for a few moments.

At last, he said, “Do you feel any better?�

Harry nodded. But, in truth, it troubled him deeply that Snape was a good part of the reason that his mother had died, yet, he’d claimed to love her, and she had been nothing but wonderful, in turn, to him. Harry was no longer curious and confused; now, he was upset and angry.

Chapter Eight – Midnight Duels

Harry spent the next few days in a bit of a trance. He was struggling with all of the feelings that rippled through him. Mrs. Weasley was insisting that he spend most of his time in bed, but Harry was starting to become very restless. He needed to leave again, but he wasn’t sure where to go next. Nevertheless, he couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. He missed Ron and Hermione immensely and fairly often found himself wishing that he were with them at Hogwarts. There was so much to tell them when he did see them again. He knew they were expecting an owl from him, so he’d scribbled a quick letter explaining that he was resting at Grimmauld Place and would be in contact soon. Hedwig had yet to bring a response.

Nightmares continued to afflict Harry, but now, not only did he dream about Dumbledore’s death, but he relived the experience of his parents’ murders, as well. Each night, he would struggle to put the day away, to clear his mind, to empty the questions and the dreadful, cyclic feelings. However, each night, it was in vain, for the visions never failed to return. Harry was grateful for the arrival of every single morning.

Members of the Order were frequently coming and going from the house. Harry hadn’t seen Mad-Eye Moody since the day he’d taken the Horcrux, but he was greatly curious to know what had become of it. He needed proof that it had, indeed, been destroyed, before he could truly move on to the next one. He should have never let Moody take it, but the Auror had been very suspicious of the circumstances, and Harry couldn’t afford to explain them to him. He’d already almost let the secret slip to one person.

He had spent a good while trying to avoid Luci, because she made him nervous. Eventually, though, he’d realized that he enjoyed being in her company. It was the exciting kind of nervous, and Harry had started to like it. She was bright and expressive, and she even seemed to cheer up Malfoy, who was, possibly, the dreariest person Harry had ever known, if you didn’t count Snape.

Luci did have a terrible habit, however, of frequently criticizing herself, which Harry found a bit disconcerting. She would do it in subtle, self-deprecating ways, and she would always cover it with a joke. No one else seemed to notice this, but it had begun to irritate Harry, because he thought that she was wonderful. He had a gnawing suspicion, though, that she was truly herself very seldom and poured a great deal of effort into shutting out anyone who might want to get to know her. She was often locked away with Malfoy in his room, which gave Harry a very disagreeable feeling, but which also kept him from spending much time with her and stole any hope of him truly befriending her.

One evening, well into the month of September, Harry realized that he’d been procrastinating about leaving Grimmauld Place, but this was a luxury that he could no longer afford, unless he was doing something productive with his time here. In fact, he was starting to feel much like he imagined Sirius had felt when he was cooped up in this uninspiring place – bored, dispirited, like he hadn’t seen sunlight in ages. But he had been letting his self-doubt dissuade him from leaving. Sometimes, Harry felt as if he could defeat Voldemort easily, driven solely by rage. Other times, he was mired in such all-consuming insecurity that he wanted to crawl into a hole somewhere and never come out again. Sure, he had taught his classmates advanced defensive spells, but how much did he really know? Most of his escapes from danger had been only by the skin of his teeth and they had all involved some assistance from someone or something.

But now, Dumbledore was dead. He had always been there to see Harry through, but Harry was now left with no one to advise him or protect him. He had no idea what tools he might need in order to fight a battle against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. All he knew was that he had to fight that battle and he certainly didn’t feel ready to face this looming truth on his own.

Harry was spending numerous nights alone in the drawing room, but on this particular occasion, Luci also wandered in, and Harry’s watch told him that it was almost one o’clock in the morning. He hadn’t been prepared to see her, and his pulse began to quicken.

“Oh,� she said, as she noticed him. “Sorry, I’ll go…�

“No,� he shook his head. “Up late again?�

Luci smiled. “Look who’s talking.�

She came in and sat down across from him.

“You were right,� he said.

“That’s always nice to hear. What about?�

“I shouldn’t have left here alone.�

“You did what you thought you needed to do,� she responded, after a thoughtful pause.

“It was arrogant to think that I didn’t need any help,� he admitted.

“Seems to me like you did fine on your own, and you’re actually pretty selfless, I’d say,� disagreed Luci.

“How do you figure?�

“The last thing you told me was that you were going by yourself because you didn’t want to put anyone else in danger. How is that arrogant?�

Harry shrugged.

“So you found what you were looking for?� she asked.

He glanced curiously at her.

She smiled and said teasingly, “It was just a guess. I don’t know any of your secrets.�

Harry must have looked relieved, because she frowned and said, “You really don’t trust me at all, do you?�

“Well, you can’t blame me,� replied Harry, but he immediately regretted it.

Bemused, Luci retorted, “What the hell is that supposed to mean?�

Harry knew he was blushing furiously, but he threw caution to the wind. “You spend a lot of time with Malfoy, that’s all. Bolted up in his room. It’s a bit dodgy, you have to admit. What are you up to, anyway?�

Her eyes widened in surprise, and her voice conveyed annoyance, but mostly hurt, when she answered, “What I do with Draco is none of your business.�

“This is my house,� growled Harry.

She narrowed her eyes. “You keep saying that, Harry. Do you want us to leave?�

“I want him to leave.�

“Where Draco goes, I go.�

This statement hit Harry like a sack of bricks.

“What? Why?�

Luci looked as if she wished she could take it back. She seemed to be struggling to find an answer.

“What are you doing with him? Is there something going on with you two?� Harry asked, accusingly.

“Oh. Wow. Absolutely not.� Luci’s voice was quiet and she was visibly stunned.

After a moment, she seemed to have composed herself and replied steadily, “I’m helping him to prepare for his N.E.W.T.s. Minerva said that, under the circumstances, if he took them and passed, he wouldn’t have to repeat his seventh year. We’re not doing anything dodgy, as you put it.�

Regret unexpectedly swept over Harry, followed by an equally unexpected wave of relief.

“I’m sorry,� he mumbled. “I just… You acted like you had something to hide. I was just…� He swallowed and said again, “I’m sorry.�

Luci stood and said moodily, “I’m not hiding anything. I’m a private person, that’s all. And now, I’m going back to bed. I’m sorry I came down here in the first place.�

“Luci,� he started, standing too.

When she gazed up into his eyes, he could see that he had deeply upset her.

Harry looked away and focused, instead, on the floor.

“You have to understand, I hate Malfoy. He’s always up to something, and you’re just… always with him…�

“We’re going in circles here,� said Luci. “I told you what we were doing. You don’t trust me. That’s fine.�

“I do trust you,� he responded weakly, though he didn’t know how true it was.

She sighed heavily. “I just… really can’t believe that right now.�

“What do you want? Proof?� exclaimed Harry.

“I don’t want anything from you! Your trust issues are your problem, and to be honest, they’re understandable, considering your past, so like I said, it’s fine.� But her voice didn’t sound like things were fine at all.

Harry realized that she must know pretty much everything about him. He suddenly felt very exposed. Somehow, though, the feeling didn’t bother him.

“Duel with me,� he said abruptly.

Luci shook her head in confusion. “What?�

“I’ll prove to you that I trust you. Ron, Hermione, and I always perform defensive spells on each other. Now that they’re gone, I need the practice. And it’ll help with the boredom.�

She was looking hesitantly at him, studying his face, as if she thought he was joking.

“Seriously?�

He nodded.

Luci sighed again. “You don’t have to prove anything to me.�

He could tell that she meant it, but the idea of practicing defense with her was actually quite exciting to him. She was an Auror, and she could teach him all sorts of things! If she’d forgive him, that is.

“I want to,� he replied. “And it’ll be… fun.�

“I don’t know how much help I can be to you, Harry. I may surpass you in knowledge, but you greatly surpass me in real experience, which is a far better teacher.�

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Knowledge is what I need.�

“I’m exhausted,� she said then, though he was sure this was a lie. “Tomorrow night, same place, same time?�

Harry smiled. “OK.�

She nodded, and without saying good night to him, left the room.

----------------------------------------

The next evening, Harry arrived in the drawing room before Luci did. She had avoided him for most of the day, except when she’d asked him, very tartly, to pass the sugar at lunch. He was sitting there, in the dark, still feeling rather remorseful about his accusations, when she flipped the switch to turn on the light in the room.

With no proper greeting, she began coolly, “I’ve thought about it, and I’ve decided that I’m not a worthy opponent for you.�

Harry frowned at her. “You know that isn’t true. You’re just still mad at me about last night.�

“A little of both,� replied Luci.

“Well, get over it,� he said angrily. “I’ve apologized, and you’re brilliant enough to become an Auror, so you can obviously duel circles around me.�

After gaping at him for a moment, to Harry’s surprise, she laughed.

He gave her a questioning look.

Still smiling, she said, “I love how you’ve just called me out, but you should know that I don’t normally take criticism very well.�

“Except from yourself.� That had escaped his mouth without his permission.

Luci tilted her head to one side. “Touché.�

Her mood had changed so suddenly that Harry really didn’t know what to make of it. He stared incredulously at her.

“So, where shall we begin?� she asked.

“I… uh…�

“Well, come on, Harry, this was your idea. You must have some routine,� she said cheerily.

Harry watched her, perplexed, and finally said, “We just… throw spells at one another…�

“OK, prepare to be owned,� smiled Luci, raising her wand at him.

“I… what? Owned?�

She laughed. “Was that too American? Sorry. I was just saying I was going to cream you, but it’s not true, of course.�

Harry shook his head. “Whatever you say…�

He, too, put himself into the dueling position.

“Expelliarmus!� she said, before he was even ready.

“Hey, that wasn’t fair!� he shouted.

“Oh,� she smiled playfully. “I didn’t know we were playing fair.�

Harry grinned, retrieved his wand, and hit her with the Body-Bind curse before she could block it.

After he’d lifted the spell, the pair of them spent hours into the early morning, dueling and laughing. Harry hadn’t had that much fun with anyone, other than Ron and Hermione, in so long that he couldn’t even remember.

----------------------------------------

The next day, Mad-Eye Moody finally returned to Grimmauld Place. His right arm was bandaged all the way up to his elbow, and he was more silent than usual. No one even bothered to inquire about this new injury, but Harry certainly intended to ask.

After lunch that afternoon, he managed to corner Mad-Eye as he was, once again, leaving the house. The entryway was narrow, and Harry was able to move past the Auror and step in front of the large oak door, blocking the way out.

“What happened?� began Harry, gesturing towards the bandages.

Mad-Eye grunted crossly and then replied in a hushed voice, “That’s thanks to your Horcrux.�

“How did it do that to you?� Harry continued, feigning ignorance.

The aged Auror frowned. “Very dark magic, Potter. That’s all you need to know.�

“Where are the wings now?�

“Back where they belong, as I said before.�

“Professor,� stammered Harry.

Mad-Eye gazed searchingly at him.

“That’s not all I need to know…�

“I have a feeling you know more about these things than you let on, and if that’s the case, you do know more than you need to know. Now, you can rest assured that I’ve taken care of it.�

Harry had to ask. “So the wings are no longer a Horcrux?�

Mad-Eye gave him an appraising look, and, seeming as if he wanted to say more, simply stated, “No,� and made his way past Harry and out the front door, leaving him standing in the entryway with his blissful relief.

On his way back up to his room, Harry encountered Luci on the landing. They didn’t look at one another, but when she passed him, she whispered, “See you tonight?�

He grinned. “Yeah.�

She continued down the landing and into Malfoy’s room, which was three doors down from Harry’s own.

Hedwig was waiting patiently for him, perched inside of her cage, which sat near the window. She had a piece of parchment tied to her leg. Harry rustled her feathers affectionately and then relieved her of the letter. He unrolled it and found a short note from Ron.

“Harry,

Glad to hear you’re all right. Things are OK here. Two new teachers – Arnaud Finnister is teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts and Clares Todge is teaching Transfiguration. Neither of them is very interesting, and Hermione wants me to tell you that you could teach D.A.D.A much better.

I got Quidditch Captain! Brilliant, eh? Can’t hardly replace you, but it’s cool, anyway. Hermione is having far too much fun being Head Girl. Being Head Boy is OK.

Hagrid is Head of Gryffindor now! We talked to him and got the answer. We’ll tell you when we see you. Be sure to stay in touch.

Ron

P.S. Keep a look-out for House Elves.�

“House Elves?� Harry said aloud to himself.

An aching had filled his chest. He folded the letter and tossed it into his trunk. He missed Ron and Hermione, and he missed Hogwarts, and he missed Quidditch. Harry wasn’t one to feel sorry for himself, but no one could deny that life had never been very fair to him.

Chapter Nine – Dobby Helps

Harry and Luci spent the next fortnight meeting in the drawing room late each evening. The time had been flying by, and it was now early October. Harry knew that he needed to continue his search for the Horcruxes, but he was really having a splendid time with Luci. He’d totally forgotten the feelings of being stuck in a dismal, sunless place. By day, they were pretending not to notice one another, so as not to alert anyone to what they’d been up to, but by night, she’d been teaching him a few new things. For instance, there was a spell that blinded your enemies, which they obviously didn’t practice on each other. She cautioned that he should only use this one in extreme situations, because it was almost never reversible. There was also an interesting enchantment that reminded Harry of the Bubble-Head charm, except that it enwrapped your entire body in a protective shield. It was nearly impossible to conjure, however, and Harry wasn’t even close to succeeding.

This evening, Luci greeted him merrily with, “OK, I’ve got one you surely haven’t learned!�

He turned to see her in the doorway of the drawing room. She still gave him that swooping sensation in his stomach. “Oh, yeah?�

“It’s the Traitor Hex,� she answered, entering the room.

“Traitor Hex?� Harry repeated.

“It temporarily turns a person against their allies. Very helpful in any kind of battle situation.�

He grinned. “Brilliant!�

“Yes,� she agreed.

“We could get Death Eaters like Snape and Bellatrix on our side!� Harry realized excitedly.

“No!� snapped Luci.

Harry gaped at her in surprise.

She cleared her throat. “It won’t work on Snape.�

Harry looked at her skeptically. “How do you even know who Snape is?� He tried to remember whether or not he’d mentioned his old Potions teacher to her. He was fairly certain that he hadn’t.

A fleeting look of panic flashed in Luci’s eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly, and she said unperturbedly, “Everyone knows Severus Snape, and it won’t work on him.�

He thought her answer was a bit suspicious, but instead of probing further, Harry asked, “Why not?�

“He’s much too talented.�

“So it only works on weak wizards?�

“Not necessarily. But it won’t work on Snape, and certainly not on Voldemort,� she replied. “And besides that, it’s temporary – only lasts for several minutes, depending on the person.�

Harry was very displeased with this.

“Well, let’s see it anyway,� he sighed in disappointment.

She looked contemplative. “I don’t know how you could practice it…�

“I could try it on Malfoy,� Harry suggested.

Luci laughed, but then clapped her hand over her mouth.

“Not funny,� she said from between her fingers, but he could tell that she was smiling.

Composing herself, she flicked her wand and, at their feet, there appeared four mice, two brown and two white.

“Addo Ferito,� she said, and the two brown mice began to bite and scratch at the other pair.

“All right, Harry, the incantation for the Traitor Hex is Abeo Proditio. Give it a try.�

Harry brandished his wand. He’d finally been able to remove the bandages from his right hand, which had now healed, thanks to a salve that Mrs. Weasley had been applying daily. Each time, she’d demanded an explanation for the burn, but he’d always refused to tell her.

He said clearly, “Abeo Proditio.�

He watched the mice, but nothing had changed. They were still sparring, two on two.

“Here,� Luci said. “It’s more of a wave, like this.� She demonstrated the motion with her wand.

Harry mimicked her, saying again, “Abeo Proditio.�

One of the white rats began to try to bathe its partner.

Harry blushed, but Luci smiled.

“Keep trying,� she encouraged.

And Harry did. He tried five more times, each attempt resulting in odd conduct from the mice, but never the desired behavior, though he seemed to get closer with every go he had at it.

After a long period of time and the ninth failure, he sighed in frustration. He was feeling very self-conscious, with Luci watching him, and with his inability to get this right.

“Why don’t we try this again later?� proposed Luci.

Then, at her murmur of “Evanesco,� the mice vanished as instantly as they had appeared.

“Stupid mice,� muttered Harry.

She laughed. “It’s a tough one, but I have no doubt that you’ll get it. You’re really quite gifted.�

He stared at her for a moment. His cheeks were burning. “Thanks,� he mumbled.

“OK,� she began. “So try the bubble shield on me again. You’ve almost got it. Just remember not to actually envision bubbles when you do it.�

Last night, he’d tried it on her for the first time, and she’d blown up like a balloon, after which she’d floated around the room, giggling at him, until she had finally decided to fix the problem.

“I’d rather not,� he said, hesitantly.

“I want you to try it on me before you try it on yourself. It’s safer that way.�

Harry frowned.

“Come on,� Luci encouraged, giving him a welcoming gesture.

Slowly pointing his wand at her, he said firmly, “Clypeus.�

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, Luci opened her mouth and bubbles began pouring out of it.

Harry gasped in horror.

But Luci was doubled over with laughter, which, in turn, was filling the room with incandescent suds that floated towards the ceiling.

“I’m sorry!� he moaned.

She was shaking her head at him and just continued to laugh.

After a few moments, she pointed her wand at herself and said something, causing more bubbles to erupt. Then, without another word, and to Harry’s puzzlement, she laid down on the floor, her long blonde hair spread out beneath her head like a halo, her arms at her sides. She was watching the bubbles hovering above them, but she was still giggling at him. Harry was mortified.

“Are you all right?� he asked.

“Yes, very easily solved,� said Luci, smiling. “And so pretty too.�

Nothing emerged from her mouth, so she must have righted the problem.

Harry, relieved, lowered himself onto the floor beside her and looked up at the ceiling of suspended spheres that reflected the colors in the room. She was so close that he could smell her – sugary, as if he’d just walked into a sweet shop. He inhaled indulgently, feeling all of his walls come tumbling down around him. He wasn’t quite sure if he’d proven to Luci that he trusted her, but he’d certainly proven it to himself.

The two of them lay there for a while, silent, on the drawing room floor. Harry felt his body relax as he listened to Luci’s soft breathing. Eventually, he gave in to his intuition.

“Luci?�

“Hmm?� she answered lazily.

He took a deep breath. “Do you know anything about Horcruxes?�

Luci bolted upright, spluttering, “Wh…?�

A residual bubble popped from her mouth. They both ignored it.

Harry sat up too.

She was gaping at him. “Why would you ask me that?�

They stared at each other for a few moments. Her wintergreen eyes were piercing.

Then, she said, “That’s your secret? You’re making Horcruxes?�

“No!� exclaimed Harry. “No, that’s not it at all.�

Luci shook her head, baffled.

Harry figured he might as well just tell her straight. “Voldemort made six of them. Three have been destroyed and I have to find the others.�

Luci’s eyes had grown increasingly wider with every word from Harry’s mouth.

“Tell me you’re kidding.�

He shook his head.

She gazed at him as she turned this information over in her mind.

“Harry…� she began cautiously. “Do you have any idea…�

“I know,� he interrupted. “It’s dangerous. But I have to do it.�

Luci was looking contemplative. “Yes, of course, you do,� she said, almost to herself. “If you want to destroy Voldemort, you have to get to the Horcruxes first…�

Harry felt a glimmer of hope. “So you do know about them?�

“A little, yeah...� she said, still frowning and staring at the floor in thought.

Harry knew that he wouldn’t have a better opportunity than to ask an Auror for help.

“How do I destroy them?�

Luci looked up at him. “Assuming you can find them?�

“Yeah.�

She sighed. “God, they’re all different. It would depend on so many things.�

“Like what?�

She began chewing thoughtfully on her right thumbnail. Harry found himself thinking that this was tremendously attractive.

“Well, I assume that Voldemort’s Horcruxes’ll be particularly difficult to destroy… No, that probably wouldn’t work, at least not on its own…�

She was mumbling to herself at this point, and Harry watched her patiently. Finally, she looked up at him and sighed, “I’m sorry; I wouldn’t know unless I could see it. And then, I probably still wouldn’t know.�

“Isn’t there anything?� asked Harry desperately.

Luci smiled softly. “I don’t have all of the answers, Harry.�

Disappointed, he asked, “Well, can you at least tell me how to know when I’ve found one?�

She pondered the question. “Um… I don’t know… I’ve only read about them, but, from what I understand, it’s such dark magic that you can almost feel it in your gut when you’re near one.�

Harry sighed. “That’s what Hermione said, but I’ve never felt anything.�

Luci looked incredulously at him. “You’ve been in contact with Horcruxes before?�

He nodded. “Two of them.�

Harry proceeded to tell her about Riddle’s diary and Ravenclaw’s golden wings. He also informed her of the third destroyed Horcrux, Gaunt’s ring. He’d only seen it in Horcrux form in the Pensieve and had never had any actual contact with it until after Dumbledore had destroyed it.

When he’d finished, Luci breathed, “Wow, I’m… totally blown away…�

He was discomfited to see that she was gazing admirably at him. “You really are something, aren’t you?�

Harry shook his head. Heat was slithering up his neck and spreading over his face. He averted his eyes.

“Yes, you are,� said Luci. “And now you’re going to continue risking your life to find the remaining Horcruxes?�

“I have no choice,� replied Harry quietly.

“Of course, you do,� she countered solicitously. “We always have choices. Your choice is to follow a difficult and dangerous path for the greater good. That’s… mind-blowing.�

He shrugged, very much wanting to change the subject.

“I don’t mean to embarrass you,� said Luci gently. “I’m just in awe over you sometimes.�

Now, he was definitely going to change the subject.

“You’ll keep this between us, won’t you?� It was a little late to ask that question, and he knew it.

She smiled faintly. “I thought dueling together was going to help you to trust me?�

“It has. That’s why I’ve just told you all of this.�

She took a breath. “It’s a lot.�

“Yeah.�

“You can trust me, Harry.�

He smiled wearily. Glancing up, he noticed that most of the bubbles had now disappeared.

Luci observed this too, along with Harry’s fatigue, and said, “I’ll clean this up. Why don’t you go to bed?�

“You’re sure?�

“Yes. Get some sleep. Tomorrow, you need to start thinking about leaving here again.�

Harry sighed. “I know.�

Luci sounded troubled as she said, “We’ve been wasting precious time.�

“I don’t think it’s been a waste of time at all,� responded Harry.

She smiled, as if this greatly lifted her spirits. “Go to bed.�

And he did.

----------------------------------------

Harry was looking forward to his last night with Luci, as he’d looked forward to every night that had preceded it, but he was dreading the morning that would follow. He’d decided that he would spend one more evening here, and then he really had to go, though, where, he wasn’t sure yet.

That afternoon, Harry went to Luci’s room to ask her if she’d spend one more night with him. He had a feeling that she’d protest, insisting again that she was a waste of his time, but he would ask anyway. He had just put his knuckles to the wood and was about to knock, when he realized that Luci was talking to someone.

He put an ear to the door.

“Everything’s going fine,� she was saying. “How are things on your end?�

Harry expected to hear a separate voice respond, but instead, there was only silence.

Then it was Luci’s voice again. “So the Dark Lord is still buying it?�

The Dark Lord? thought Harry, every nerve in his body tingling unpleasantly.

“He continues to be insolent and aggravating, but I think I have a handle on things,� Luci carried on.

Who was insolent and aggravating? Harry wished that he had those Extendable Ears right about now.

Then, Luci spoke again, “I know. I just want to keep him safe.�

A brief pause.

“Harry? Harry is… well, he’s quite amazing, actually. I had no idea…�

Harry felt as if someone had turned him upside down, shaken him, and then set him upright again. Luci thought he was amazing!

“Oh, I don’t think he’s arrogant at all.�

A pause.

“Well, it’s a difference of opinion.�

Another pause.

“No, I’m not distracted. I have everything under control. Why don’t you worry about your job and I’ll worry about mine?�

Harry, who had been trying to get into a better position in which to eavesdrop, had hit the door with his foot.

He heard Luci whisper hastily, “I have to go!�

Harry fumbled in his pocket for the Invisibility Cloak, which he’d taken to carrying with him at all times, and threw it over his head. He pressed himself into the wall and held his breath, trying to remain as silent as possible.

Luci poked her head out of her door and looked up and down the hallway.

“Hmm,� she said aloud. Then she closed the door again.

Harry exhaled in relief.

Who was Luci talking to, and how were they communicating?

He stripped off the Cloak, grateful to have had it with him, and started back downstairs. Luci would notice that he hadn’t left yet and would meet him in the drawing room, as usual. And then he would ask her about that strange conversation. He was sure that there was a perfectly reasonable explanation.

----------------------------------------

Harry was waving his wand at the two pairs of mice. He’d been trying the Traitor Hex for a while now, with Luci watching patiently from a chair behind him.

Finally, he noticed the mice beginning to fight with their partners instead of their opponents.

“I did it!� he bellowed.

“There you go!� Luci cheered from her seat. “Nice job. Bit more difficult on humans, of course, but I don’t think you’ll have a problem.�

Suddenly, there was a loud CRACK.

Harry and Luci turned to see a pathetic little creature staring up at them.

“Dobby has a message from Miss Granger, sir, for Harry Potter, sir.�

The elf handed a folded letter to Harry, who said, “Thanks, Dobby.�

Dobby bowed low, his nose brushing against the floor.

“It is my honor and pleasure, Harry Potter, sir.�

Harry unrolled the parchment to find a neatly written letter from Hermione.

“Dear Harry,

I hope you’re being watchful and taking care of yourself. Be on guard, because I don’t know who around you can be trusted. Anyway, Ron and I have continued the D.A. meetings. But a lot of people haven’t returned to school or have finished, of course. Seamus’s mother didn’t let him return, and the Patil twins are gone, as well. So here is the new list. Cho and Lavender are still here, but they won’t join us, for obvious reasons.

Love from, Hermione

Hermione Granger
Ron Weasley
Ginny Weasley
Neville Longbottom
Luna Lovegood
Dean Thomas
Ernie Macmillan
Justin Finch-Fletchley
Dennis Creevey
Colin Creevey�

It was still an impressive number. Harry was pleased that his friends were still standing by him, and, not to mention, they were being remarkably courageous.

“Is it good news, sir?� Dobby asked Harry.

“Yes,� Harry replied. “Thanks for bringing this.�

Suddenly, Luci had jumped to her feet. “I’m sorry… Dobby, is it?�

The house elf looked at her cautiously, as her abrupt rise seemed to have startled him.

“What’s that around your neck?� Luci asked.

Dobby took a step back, grasping the item protectively.

Luci moved slowly towards him. “I just want a peek…�

Dobby shook his head adamantly.

“Let her see it, Dobby,� Harry interjected, curious to discover what had caught Luci’s attention.

The elf’s bottom lip quivered as he glanced up at Harry. Finally, he reluctantly pulled the trinket out from beneath his pillowcase shirt for them to see.

Harry gasped when he recognized it.

Luci looked at him questioningly. “Do you know what it is?�

He nodded.

“Really, really bad vibes coming from that thing… Dobby, I’d better take that.�

“No!� cried Dobby, looking fiercer than Harry had ever seen him.

“Give it to me,� Harry commanded.

Once again, the elf grudgingly obeyed, lifting the necklace slowly over his head and handing it to Harry, who let out a loud yelp when the locket met his skin. He dropped it onto the drawing room table.

“Are you OK?� Luci asked.

Harry nodded, looking down at the necklace and holding his injured hand to his chest. The heavy golden locket was the same one that he had seen in the Pensieve, with the serpentine “S� engraving.

“Dobby, where did you get this?� he asked the trembling creature.

“Dobby won it, Harry Potter, sir, fair and square.�

Harry glanced questioningly at him. “You won it?�

Dobby nodded. “From the nasty Kreacher, sir.�

“Kreacher had this?�

The elf nodded again.

Harry stared again at the locket.

“Dobby has helped Harry Potter, sir?�

Harry nodded, not looking away from the necklace. “Yes, Dobby, you’ve helped me.�

The house elf emitted a shrill note of joy and hopped about animatedly, seeming to have forgotten how precious this item had been to him just moments before. Then, with another cracking noise, he disappeared again.

When he was gone, Harry glanced up at Luci, who was also studying the locket.

“Is it a…?�

He nodded.

“Holy Horcruxes, Harry,� she said.

He gave her a perplexed glance.

“It was a joke.�

Harry frowned.

The smile slid from her face. “Not the time for jokes... OK…�

“What do I do with it?� he asked her.

Luci met his gaze. “You haven’t told anyone else about this hunt of yours?�

Harry shook his head. “But Moody suspects.�

She looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. “Did it burn you when you touched it? Like the wings?�

He held out his hand for her to see. It was red and swollen where his skin had come into contact with the gold. He’d only just gotten this hand healed, and now it was burned again, though certainly not as severely.

“That’ll heal in a few days,� said Luci.

She removed her cardigan, and, picking up the locket, wrapped it tightly inside.

“It doesn’t burn you?� Harry asked.

She shook her head. “I think they burn you because of the connection you have to Voldemort. Horcruxes appear as nothing more than inanimate objects to anyone who doesn’t know better.�

“The diary never burned me,� countered Harry.

Luci nodded. “Yes, but didn’t Riddle want you to read it? He would have removed any enchantments that might harm you, maybe?�

Handing him the sweater, she continued, “I think you know where to take this.�

Harry shook his head in a lack of understanding.

“You haven’t opened your birthday present?� she asked disbelievingly.

“What?�

She frowned. “The one that I gave you.�

He’d totally forgotten about it.

“I… I forgot.�

Luci’s eyes were wide. “You… forgot?�

“Yeah, I just…�

“You’ve had a lot on your mind, I know. Nevermind. You should open it.�

“But I did!� replied Harry. “It’s just a useless key!�

She gave him an exasperated glance. “Look in the box.�

“OK…�

Luci nodded. “Look in the box, and you’ll know what to do with the Horcrux.�

Harry dashed from the room, with Luci on his heels. Soon, he was digging underneath his mattress for the small black box that he’d stashed there. Luci was watching him from the doorway.

He sat down upon his bed and opened the box. The scarlet key laid still and indescript inside. Harry removed it, placed it on the bed beside him, and started to take out the stuffing of its container. At the very bottom, he discovered a small piece of parchment, which he eagerly unfolded.

“Dear Harry,

I hope that this letter finds you well and that you are continuing what we started together. The enclosed key will open the Hogwarts headmaster’s office at your convenience. I hope that you will come and visit me.

Sincerely, Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore�

Harry looked up at Luci, gaping.

“Where did you get this? Is this really from…?�

She nodded.

“How did you…?�

Luci smiled. “Let’s just say that I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Hogwarts.�

Harry’s head was filled with so many questions that he couldn’t separate them in order to get them out through his mouth, so he just stuttered, “I… but I can’t get into Hogwarts!�

“You were supposed to go with everyone else for the beginning of the term,� said Luci.

“Right, but I didn’t,� replied Harry impatiently. “So how am I supposed to get in now?�

Luci looked at him hesitantly.

“Just tell me,� he sighed.

She pursed her lips. “I have a Professor’s Pass.�

Harry knew that these were the medallions that the Hogwarts professors wore in order to come and go from the school grounds as they pleased, without being constrained by the castle’s many protective enchantments.

“Why?� he asked.

“Well, I needed to get this key for you,� responded Luci surreptitiously.

He frowned at her. “You’re hiding a lot of things from me, aren’t you?�

She took a deep breath.

“Luci, I’ve told you everything,� he griped.

“I know,� she nodded. “But these are not entirely my secrets to tell.�

Anger was quickly flooding Harry’s mind.

“Do I even know you at all?� he barked at her.

Luci stumbled into the doorframe, obviously startled by this outburst.

“Harry, you have to understand…� she faltered.

“What do I have to understand?�

She stared at the floor. “There are some things about me that I can’t tell you, and if you can’t handle that, then maybe we shouldn’t be friends. But, yes, you know who I am. I’ve always been myself with you.�

Then Harry remembered something.

“Who were you talking to in your room?�

Luci’s expression had now changed to anger as well.

“Are you spying on me?�

“No,� he replied. “It was an accident.�

She shook her head. “I can’t believe you.�

“Who was it?�

Luci sighed in defeat. “Would it help if I told you that it doesn’t affect you?�

“No, I want to know,� said Harry.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t say,� she responded, but Harry thought that she’d nearly given him a straight answer.

He glared. “I’ll need that Pass. I’m leaving.�

Luci looked into his eyes, and the anger was gone. Now, she looked almost… scared.

She whimpered, “Forgive me, Harry.�

Her voice was so defenseless that he couldn’t interrogate her anymore.

“I need to go,� he sighed.

With a brisk nod, Luci went to her room to retrieve the medallion.

Chapter Ten – How To Destroy A Horcrux

Harry had Apparated to just outside the large wrought-iron gates that enclosed Hogwarts. Covered with the Invisibility Cloak, he took a look around. It was the dead of night, and everything was tranquil and stifling.

The autumn chill was moving in, and he clutched Luci’s cardigan to his chest, careful to keep the locket covered. He was still infuriated at her, even with her cotton candy aroma bombarding his senses. He hissed angrily. Why did she get to him this way? Why couldn’t she just be honest with him? He’d been entirely honest with her.

The stone columns of the gates rose up in front of Harry, topped with their winged boars. He put a hand to the gate and pushed. It opened easily. He looked down gratefully at the medallion around his neck.

He began the long walk up the sloping drive that led to the castle. After awhile, the turrets and towers were drawing nearer, and he was able to see that there were very few lights on in the windows.

Soon, he reached the steps that led up to the giant oak front doors. He pulled them open quietly and stepped into the large entrance hall, where the torchlight glowed eerily over the marble staircase before him. He started up it, as silently as he could, and headed for the headmaster’s office, which was located in a tower by itself. He slid the Cloak from his body and stuffed it into his pocket as he went.

No sooner had he done this then, halfway up the landing, and to his immense dismay, he encountered Peeves.

“Potty!� shrieked the poltergeist.

“Shut up,� Harry snarled.

“Where’ve you been, Potter, you rotter?�

“Leave me alone.�

Peeves blew a raspberry. “Boring here without you, you know.�

“I imagine,� sighed Harry.

“But your two little friends haven’t missed you,� said Peeves conspiratorially.

Harry looked at him questioningly. “What do you mean?�

Peeves cackled loudly and did a somersault in the air.

“Oh, just go away,� Harry groaned.

He cursed himself for having removed his Cloak and continued on his way.

Peeves sidled along beside him. “Nasty mood you’re in, Potty.�

“I said, sod off!�

Peeves hooted in amusement and floated off in the opposite direction. Harry could hear the horrible giggles growing fainter as he walked.

Finally, he reached the office, where the stone gargoyle stood just as he remembered it. He quickly searched it for some kind of keyhole, but found nothing.

Then, Harry heard a reproachful mewing.

He looked down to see Mrs. Norris, who gave him a suspicious glance, before trotting dutifully in the direction of Filch’s office.

Harry had to get through the entrance, as quickly as possible, before Filch found him here. He took the key from his pocket and held it up to the gargoyle, searching for the lock. He ran it along the cold stone surface and, to his surprise, the mouth of the statue opened slowly, emitting a scarlet glow.

Harry forced the key into the mouth and turned it clockwise. The gargoyle leapt aside. He then retrieved the key again and watched the wall that had stood behind the statue split in two and reveal the familiar spiral staircase. Harry mounted it quickly and it began to rotate upwards as the entrance closed behind him. He exhaled in relief.

When he reached the oak door, bearing the griffin knocker, he heard voices coming from the room. He pressed his ear to the wood but couldn’t make out any distinct words.

He pushed the door open and stepped into the large circular room. Someone had been in the fireplace, but the person disappeared at the sight of the new arrival.

“Hello, Harry,� said Dumbledore’s portrait.

Harry’s heart lurched in his chest at the sound of the voice that had always been such a comfort to him, the voice that he thought he’d never hear again. The fact that a remnant of a person lived on in his or her portrait had slipped his mind, even though he’d seen Dumbledore sleeping in his frame just after his death.

The portrait’s face was illuminated by the candlelight in the room. Dumbledore looked rested, something that Harry had rarely seen in the wizard. Death had agreed with him. He was so happy to see that face and hear that voice that Harry was literally quivering with… What was it? Relief?

“Professor, I’m sorry it took me so long… I didn’t find the letter until – �

Dumbledore’s portrait waved its hand casually. “You are here now, and that’s what matters.� Then, gesturing towards the chair before the desk, he continued, “Sit down.�

Harry did as he was told. He found himself pretending that Dumbledore had never died at all and that this was just another night of uncovering mysteries, with the headmaster as his guide. His body relaxed in a way that it hadn’t for a very long time. He looked around the room and noticed that all of the strange silver instruments had vanished, though the Sorting Hat still sat before him, on a shelf behind the desk.

“Minerva is in her quarters upstairs, so we must remember to keep our voices low,� Dumbledore said, reminding Harry that the previous headmaster was, indeed, dead after all.

“Sir, who was in the fire?� he asked.

Dumbledore’s portrait smiled furtively, responding, “Nevermind that. I understand that you have found another Horcrux?�

“Two more,� Harry nodded.

“Oh?�

“Ravenclaw’s wings, did Mad-Eye Moody bring them to you?�

Dumbledore continued to smile. “He took care of them himself, I believe, but I heard that they were returned to the case from which they’d been missing for decades, with no explanation. This means that you didn’t keep the matter of the Horcruxes to yourself, Harry.�

“He found the wings and knew what they were,� Harry explained. “I didn’t tell him.�

Dumbledore’s portrait shook its head. “No, but you did tell someone else.�

Harry swallowed. How did Dumbledore know that he’d discussed this with Luci? Had she been back to the headmaster’s office to inform him? Did this count as a betrayal of Harry’s confidence?

“I… I shouldn’t have…� he faltered.

The old wizard smiled knowingly. “Do you like her?�

“I don’t know what you mean, sir,� replied Harry, who tried, in vain, to keep from blushing.

With a wink, Dumbledore said, “I thought you might.�

Frowning, Harry asked, “Can I trust her?�

The portrait looked thoughtfully at Harry. “I trusted Severus, and you refused to join me in that, so would it be any different with Miss Keegan?�

“It is different.�

“How so?� asked Dumbledore.

“Snape is –�

“Professor Snape.�

“He’s not a professor anymore,� replied Harry angrily, and then he continued, “Snape is a murderer. You were wrong about him. Can’t you admit that now?�

Dumbledore nodded curtly, and then asked, “What is the second?�

Harry, who was happy for the change of subject, however sudden, pushed back his temper. He placed Luci’s sweater on the table before him and unwrapped the locket.

Dumbledore’s portrait watched silently, patiently. Then, upon seeing the necklace, it looked at Harry in confusion.

“This is the Horcrux that we retrieved from the cave, is it not?�

Harry shook his head. “No, the real Horcrux was taken by someone with the initials R.A.B. and replaced with a fake. For some reason, Kreacher had this and Dobby won it from him and… here it is.�

“Regulus got there first then,� said Dumbledore, almost to himself.

“Sirius’s brother?� asked Harry in bewilderment. “Sirius’s brother is R.A.B.?�

Regulus Arcturus Black, Harry’s brain reminded him. He had seen the portrait in Sirius’s old room at Grimmauld Place. Why hadn’t he thought of it before?

Dumbledore nodded. “Yes, I would say so. It would explain why Kreacher would have such a valuable item. I think, perhaps, that you should visit the kitchens and speak with him.�

“That’s on the list,� agreed Harry. “And the Chamber of Secrets.�

“Best to take Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger along,� suggested Dumbledore.

Harry nodded.

“Now, about this,� the portrait gestured. “You cannot touch it?�

“No. They’ve both burned me.�

Dumbledore tilted his head. “Ah.� He looked contemplatively at the locket for a long while. Finally, he said, “I suppose it’s best to try some revealing spells first. There will be a vast amount of dark magic protecting this item, and we don’t want your hand to end up like mine.� He held up his charred hand, grinning.

Harry, who didn’t find Dumbledore’s shriveled hand the least bit amusing, brandished his wand readily.

“Now, I want you to perform the spell and then step back as quickly as you can,� instructed Dumbledore’s portrait. “We cannot be sure what protection the locket may hold.�

Harry nodded obediently, saying, “Aperio,� and flinging his body abruptly backwards.

The locket lit itself on fire, quickly burning through Luci’s cardigan.

“Aguamenti,� said Harry quickly, putting out the flames. “Well, that wasn’t so bad.�

Dumbledore clicked his tongue musingly. “I’m afraid that is only the beginning.�

“How do we remove the spells so that we can destroy it?� Harry inquired.

“It is a complicated process… but it is necessary in order to protect you when you perform the final destructive spell. First, we must determine every curse that protects it. Then we must remove each of them, one by one.�

Harry sighed. “Fantastic.�

“All is not lost,� smiled Dumbledore. “It is merely a time-consuming procedure.�

Nodding, Harry repeated, “Aperio,� unenthusiastically.

A black cloud emerged from the locket, which remained sealed despite this, and quickly began to fill the room.

“Clypeus,� chanted Harry instinctively, pointing his wand at himself. Miraculously, a large bubble enclosed around his body. The black smoke was everywhere now, swirling about outside of his shield. Harry watched it, wondering how he was going to get rid of it, and what it was doing to everything around him. Before he’d had to come up with something, however, the fumes were sucked back into the locket, as if it were a vacuum.

Harry removed the Clypeus charm, asking the portrait, “What was that?�

“Poisonous gas, I’m sure,� replied Dumbledore. “I see you’ve learned some new tricks.�

Harry nodded but did not elaborate.

“Let’s continue.�

Harry executed the revealing spell again. Oddly, the locket burst into flames once more. He doused the fire and looked questioningly at Dumbledore’s portrait.

“Curious,� said the wizard, eyeing the necklace skeptically.

“What?� Harry asked.

“It wouldn’t repeat a curse it had already divulged. It would go through the lot and then begin again.�

Harry frowned. “So there are only two curses on it?�

“It would seem so,� replied Dumbledore quietly. “Which would mean that Regulus removed the others but was unable to complete the cleansing.�

“Brilliant!� exclaimed Harry, encouraged.

“I suppose we can begin the removal process,� agreed Dumbledore after a few moments of deliberation. “The incantation for this would be Purgatio, followed by the name of the curse - for the flames, Incendio, and for the poison, Toxicem.

Harry raised his wand, beginning with, “Purgatio Incendio.�

All of a sudden, he was flung powerfully into the wall behind him. This knocked the breath out of him and caused him to black out for a brief spell. Getting slowly to his feet, Harry groaned.

“Perhaps not,� Dumbledore said to himself, running a hand thoughtfully along the length of his beard.

Harry was still heaving for air.

The portrait shook its head. “It did seem too easy…�

“Professor,� breathed Harry. “What now?�

“I’m not sure, Harry. It would appear that there are curses that we cannot eradicate. Yet, if you were to try to destroy the Horcrux without removing them, I fear that it would cause you great harm.�

“I don’t have a choice though, do I?�

Dumbledore’s portrait eyed Harry intently for a moment. Finally, he replied, “There is something I’d like for you to see. While you are gone, I can ponder this matter.�

“Gone?� asked Harry.

“Would you retrieve the Pensieve, please?�

Curious, and knowing that Dumbledore intended to show him a memory, Harry went to the black cabinet that held the Pensieve. He noticed then that Fawkes’s golden perch, which once stood beside the cabinet, was now gone. This, somehow, weighted his heart and his body felt heavier as he brought the Pensieve to the desk, but did not lighten even when he’d put the basin down again. He ran a finger along the runes that were carved upon the edges.

“Now, Harry, I can see that you are carrying an enormous load of guilt and anger, and I hope that this little trip will relieve you of a bit of it.�

Harry looked up at the portrait, feeling very transparent all of the sudden. He wanted nothing more than to be relieved of his burdens, but he knew that this relief would never come. The reality of it made him want to throw things. He took a deep breath, staring down into the silver liquid of the Pensieve.

“Sir, I don’t think anything can make it go away.�

Dumbledore smiled warmly. “Well, at the very least, the Pensieve can answer some of your questions.�

“Questions?� asked Harry.

“Professor Lupin informed me that you had some inquiries about your mother,� answered the portrait.

There was a horrible whirling in Harry’s gut at the returning thought of his mum with Snape.

“Fortunately, he left a memory with me that may shed some light on your troubles.�

Harry frowned. “Why wouldn’t he tell me himself?�

“I think it’s very important,� began Dumbledore, “To see this for yourself.�

Harry nodded.

“Go ahead,� encouraged the portrait, gesturing towards the Pensieve.

Harry took a deep breath and plunged his face into the swirling clouds. He felt his body falling through emptiness before he landed on his feet in a dark hallway. There was a shallow breathing next to him and Harry turned to see a 15-year-old Lupin at his side. They were still at Hogwarts, in the familiar corridor that led to the Gryffindor common room. Lupin was watching something intently. Harry followed his gaze and realized that soft voices could be heard a few feet from the pair of them.

A small redheaded girl stood next to a skinny boy with greasy black hair.

“Lily, please,� the boy was pleading.

Harry gasped. He left his place near Lupin and stepped closer to his mother and Snape.

“Stop it, Severus!� hissed Lily. “You can’t treat me like dragon dung all year and then expect me to still want to be your friend!�

“I’m sorry!� whimpered Snape.

“Are you?� she barked. “You put on a show for James Potter and his friends, pretending that you’re not hurt by them, but I know you. You’re sensitive, and guess what? So am I. So when you call me a Mudblood in front of half the school, it hurts, Sev.�

Snape looked as if he might cry. “I didn’t mean it.�

“It doesn’t matter. You said it.�

Snape stepped closer to Lily, their faces only a few inches apart. Lily’s eyes were angry, but Snape’s were nothing but gentle. Harry’s stomach turned as he watched. It was like a horrible car crash – it disgusted him, but he couldn’t turn away.

“If you know that I don’t mean it, why are you so angry?� asked Snape softly.

“It’s the principle of it, Severus. It’s like you can’t bear the thought of people knowing that we’re friends. Then, we’re alone, and you’re… different. I find that pretty insulting.�

“Friends?�

Lily frowned. “Of course.�

Snape shook his head, as if trying to clear it. “A person has to protect himself in whatever way he knows.�

“But you act like you have to protect yourself from me!� huffed Lily.

He studied her face, replying, “I do.�

“Why?�

“Because I’m more vulnerable to you than I am to James Potter,� said Snape uncomfortably.

Lily narrowed her eyes. “I don’t understand.�

Before Harry could blink, Snape was kissing his mother. He was going to throw up. He just knew it.

Then, Lily was shoving him away. “I can’t…�

Snape eyed her, visibly wounded. “Now who’s ashamed?�

“It’s not that… How dare you just…?� Lily took a deep breath.

“I…� he began, but stopped.

She glared at him and then began to march away.

He called after her, anger and humiliation practically emitting in rays from his body, “You really are a Mudblood, aren’t you, Evans?�

Lily stopped in her tracks, but she didn’t turn to face him.

Finally, she snarled, “Don’t ever speak to me again,� and continued towards her common room.

Harry would never forget the expression that he witnessed on Snape’s face at that moment. It was a look of absolute heartbreak. The boy stood there for a few minutes before slowly leaving the corridor.

Glancing over at Lupin, Harry saw that he was cowering in the shadows, so as not to be seen. When Snape was gone, Lupin, too, headed purposefully for the Gryffindor common room.

Harry followed him, but on their way, he was pulled from the scene, falling again through space. This time, he landed back in the headmaster’s office. At first, he thought that the experience was over, but then he saw Dumbledore, alive and well, sitting behind his desk, absorbed in his reading.

“Professor?� asked Harry, but Dumbledore did not look up. Harry noticed that he was quite a bit younger. He must be in a new memory. Another of Lupin’s?

Then someone burst through the oak door and into the office.

“Professor!� cried a frantic voice.

“I’m sorry, Albus,� said Professor McGonagall, who had followed Snape into the room. “He was absolutely insistent. I know it’s late…�

Dumbledore stood calmly. “Thank you, Minerva.�

She nodded hesitantly before leaving the room again.

“Professor!� bellowed Snape once more, when she had gone.

“What is it, Severus?� asked Dumbledore, peering curiously at him from beneath his half-moon spectacles.

“The Dark Lord!� he said breathlessly. “He’s… Lily and James Potter! He intends to kill their first born!�

The headmaster stood staring at Snape, who was panting, for a few moments. Finally, he replied, “You are a known Death Eater, Severus. How am I to know that you’re telling me the truth?�

To Harry’s enormous shock, tears began to pour down Snape’s face. “Please,� he sniveled. “You can’t let him hurt Lily! I’ll do anything! You have to help me!�

Dumbledore appeared calm, but Harry could tell that he was just as stunned by this confession.

“First, we must warn the Potters,� he said.

“Yes,� Snape agreed, sniffling. “Yes, they have to run. If something happens to her…�

He stopped, and Dumbledore prodded, “Yes?�

“It’s all my fault!� Snape bawled. “I heard… something… and it could be nothing, but I told the Dark Lord and now he’s decided he has to kill this boy and if I’d known that it was Lily’s boy, I never would have… It’s all my fault and we… you… you have to help me protect her!�

Dumbledore was listening quietly. Harry was gaping, as he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Snape hastily pulled up his left sleeve and began scratching at his Dark Mark, shredding the skin, causing blood to drip languidly onto the floor at his feet. He was grunting angrily, resolutely.

“Stop it, Severus!� Dumbledore ordered suddenly.

It was the same thing that Lily had said to him. Harry suddenly realized that this was not the cool, enigmatic Snape that he knew. The boy standing before him was not much older than he had been when he’d passionately kissed Lily Evans, and now, he was petrified, completely incapable of concealing his emotions.

Snape had ceased tearing at his skin instantly at the headmaster’s command.

“We will keep her safe,� Dumbledore was saying reassuringly. Then he glanced at Snape’s forearm and continued, “The Mark is permanent but the way of life is not.�

Snape inhaled slowly, cleared his throat, and then recovered his arm.

“I’ll do anything,� he said again, miserably.

“I can see that,� responded Dumbledore. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to send an urgent owl.�

“What can I do?� Snape asked.

“This is enough for one night.�

“But…� began Snape. “I can’t go back to the Death Eaters.�

Dumbledore paused. “No, I suppose not. Well, you will just have to stay here. You were always rather good at Potions, weren’t you?�

Snape nodded, a brief look of pain flashing over his face.

This was the moment when Harry was jerked abruptly from the room, only to appear there once more, just a few seconds later. He pulled his face from the Pensieve and inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

“Learn anything new?� asked Dumbledore’s portrait casually.

Harry gritted his teeth. “I’m sorry, Professor,� he seethed, “But I think I’m angrier now than when we started.�

“Are you?� the portrait inquired in surprise.

“Of course, I am! Snape claimed to love my mum but he’s the reason she’s dead!�

Dumbledore blinked before responding, “I think we can agree that he is only part of the reason. He has shown great remorse for his mistakes, as you can see, and will carry the grief for the rest of his life.�

“Snape will carry the grief? What about me? I'm the one stuck with the real grief! He probably wasn’t even truly sorry! It was probably all an act!� Harry’s ears were hot and he felt as if acid were boiling inside of him, ready to spew out at any moment.

“Professor Snape was an excellent Occlumens, even then� said Dumbledore calmly. “Yet, that night, he made no attempt to shield his thoughts from me. He was truly sorry, and will remain so for all of his days.�

Harry was so overcome with fury that he wasn’t sure what to say to this. He didn’t believe it, and he would never trust Snape, the man responsible for his parents’ deaths. He flung himself despondently into the chair in front of the desk.

“Harry, do you still not see why I trusted Professor Snape?�

Harry glared up at the portrait. “He killed you! Or have you forgotten? You’re stuck in that stupid frame, because of Snape!�

Before Dumbledore could react to this outburst, there was a loud crackling in the fire and Harry looked up to see Tonks standing before them. He got to his feet in surprise.

“We did it!� she chimed. Then, “Harry!�

They looked at each other for a moment.

“How did you get in here?� asked Tonks.

“You’ve finished it?� Dumbledore’s portrait interrupted.

“Yes, though I still don’t know why you need this,� replied Tonks hesitantly.

“What is it?� Harry asked.

“Wonderfluff!� she answered brightly.

“I’m sorry?�

“Wonderfluff,� she repeated. “It’s a purifying agent. Remus and I have been working on it for months!�

Harry remembered Lupin clearing the kitchen table when he had come to ask about his mum.

“Purifying agent?� he repeated.

“I think Harry will be needing some of that,� suggested Dumbledore.

“What on earth for?� asked Tonks.

“The reason is inconsequential at this point,� replied the portrait.

Uncertainly, Tonks handed a small vial to Harry. It was filled with glittery, silver powder, as if someone had bottled a finely ground piece of the moon. Harry thought that it was magnificent. He found himself wanting to show it to Luci, knowing that she would appreciate its beauty.

He’d only just noticed that the sun had risen. It was early morning now, and Harry felt a glimmer of excitement at the thought that Ron and Hermione would be up soon, and he would at least be able to share the Wonderfluff with the pair of them.

“That will be all,� Dumbledore was saying to Tonks.

“But… I…� She looked a bit put out.

The portrait smiled warmly at her. “All will be explained in time. I am very grateful for this.�

“OK… I’ll be going then…� Tonks stepped slowly back into the fire, looked questioningly at Dumbledore’s portrait once more, and disappeared.

“What does it do?� Harry asked immediately.

“It’s exactly what we need!� answered Dumbledore cheerily.

“What do you mean, sir?�

“Tap out a bit onto the locket,� Dumbledore advised, as Harry obeyed, pulling the cork from the vial and tipping it over the necklace.

“Careful not to touch it,� continued the portrait. “It’ll strip your skin, much like the Muggle substance by the name of bleach.�

Harry carefully shook out a bit of the silvery powder and took a step back, resealing the bottle.

The locket quivered slightly but nothing significant happened.

“I’m afraid, Harry, that perhaps you will need to empty the bottle,� suggested Dumbledore.

Disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to take any of the Wonderfluff with him, Harry begrudgingly emptied the vial onto the necklace, which immediately began to rattle upon the desk, as if it was very angry. Harry heard a faint sizzling noise coming from it. After a few seconds, it ceased and remained still again.

“Do you think that worked?�

“Let’s see,� replied the portrait.

“Aperio.�

The Horcrux remained motionless.

“I think that we can destroy the soul now,� said Dumbledore.

“Are you sure?� asked Harry uncertainly.

“Quite,� Dumbledore nodded.

“And how do I do that?�

“That would be a very difficult spell by the incantation of Sepelio,� he replied. “I have every reason to believe that you will have no difficulty performing it accurately.�

Harry sighed. “Don’t be so sure.�

“Oh, but I am,� smiled Dumbledore’s portrait.

Harry returned the smile, instantly warmed and encouraged by Dumbledore’s continued faith in him. He raised his wand confidently and chanted, “Sepelio!�

The locket flew into the air, shattered, and came crashing back down onto the remnants of Luci’s sweater, making a soft thudding noise as it met the desk beneath the cotton. A black, swirling cloud emerged from the now-open locket, rising into the air before Harry, and then disintegrating into a million tiny particles.

Harry exhaled, feeling the oxygen slowly leave his chest, relaxing his body.

“Excellent work, Harry!� chimed Dumbledore proudly. “What does that leave? Two more?�

“Two more, yes,� agreed Harry.

“That would be Hufflepuff’s goblet and perhaps the snake, Nagini?�

“Perhaps…� Harry frowned. “But where is the real question. And how.�

“How?� asked Dumbledore. “There will be more of this purifying agent.�

“There will?�

“I’m sure,� nodded the portrait.

Harry sighed. “It isn’t the real problem anyway.�

“What is the real problem?�

“Hopelessness. Discouragement. Self-doubt.� He had never said these things aloud.

“For what reason?� Dumbledore inquired. “Have you not proven your ability to yourself?�

“It comes and goes,� replied Harry.

“Perhaps because you do not fear your inadequacy, but your own power?�

“No, I fear my weakness,� Harry sighed.

“What would that be?� Dumbledore eyed Harry significantly. Then, “Ah, we speak of the same thing.�

Harry looked up curiously.

“Love is not your weakness, Harry. It is your power. I’ve tried to teach you this.�

Harry took a deep breath and shifted his weight uncomfortably. He should have never mentioned it.

“I don’t agree, sir,� he said simply. “Sometimes, it’s like I can’t see straight.�

Dumbledore shook his head. “You must not confuse love with anger, Harry. Love may cause anger, but it needn’t. That is a decision that you make.�

Harry sighed in defeat. Perhaps anger was his weakness. He was entirely unable to control it most of the time.

“Your temper will become easier to manage with time,� encouraged the portrait, as if reading his mind. “But time is a luxury that we do not have, I’m afraid. For now, you must focus on love. Let it be more powerful than anger. It will save you.�

Silent, due to the love currently surging mightily through him, Harry stared at his feet. He had needed this so badly. He wished that he could stay here with the portrait forever.

“Well, I believe that your fellow Gryffindors will be heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast shortly. Perhaps you should join them.�

Harry nodded and stepped towards the door.

“Sir?�

“Yes, Harry?�

“Can I trust her?�

Dumbledore smiled. “It was nice to see you, Harry.�

“Thank you, Professor, for… everything.�

“Thank you, Harry.�

Chapter Eleven – Caught Kissing

Neville Longbottom was on his way out of the Fat Lady’s portrait when Harry approached the Gryffindor common room.

“Hold the door,� he said.

“Harry!� exclaimed Neville, who didn’t even make an effort to hold the portrait ajar. “What’re you doing back?�

“Just popping in for a visit,� responded Harry vaguely.

“Oh,� said Neville, who had turned a sort of maroon color. “For how long?�

Harry shrugged. “What’s wrong with you?�

Neville swallowed and averted his eyes. “Nothing.�

“OK…�

The round-faced boy was shuffling his feet uncomfortably.

“What’s the password?� asked Harry.

“Fever Fudge,� Neville replied, obviously relieved to end the conversation.

The portrait swung open and Harry stepped through, calling, “Thanks,� to Neville, who had already hurried away towards the Great Hall.

Harry intended to sit by the fire, waiting for Ron and Hermione and pondering over the memories that Dumbledore had shown him. He saw a couple kissing in one of the dark corners, but otherwise, the room was empty. He ignored the pair and started towards the best chair. He had just put down the things that he’d been carrying when…

“Harry!� exclaimed a girl’s surprised voice.

He turned to see Ron and Hermione. He froze in shock.

The three of them looked at each other. Harry could tell, even in the dimly lit room, that Ron’s face was a brilliant shade of red.

“You two?� choked Harry.

Hermione nodded.

He gulped. “How long?�

“Couple of months,� Ron shrugged.

“Months?� Harry exclaimed. “Did you ever plan on telling me?�

This is how Ron must have felt when Harry had kissed Ginny. It was not the best of feelings.

“Of course, we did,� Hermione began. “We just thought you had enough to worry about as it was.�

Harry stared at them. He was suddenly very much like a third wheel, as if their trio had become a twosome and he was no longer wanted or needed. Not knowing exactly what to do next, he just stomped away towards the Fat Lady’s portrait.

“Harry, wait.�

Hermione had come into the light. Ron continued to cower in the shadows.

“Please don’t be upset,� Hermione said.

Harry blinked. “I’m just… surprised…�

“Are you really?� she asked. “I mean, no one else was.�

“No one else? Everyone knew but me?�

At this point, Ron stepped up beside Hermione, as if to defend her from a tirade he thought might be coming.

“You had loads to deal with and it didn’t concern you,� he said.

“Didn’t concern me?� hissed Harry. “You’re my best friends!�

“Look, I let you go out with my sister, so you have no right to be mad about this,� Ron countered.

“I’m not mad,� Harry said. “I just hate being the last to know.�

“But can’t you see why we didn’t tell you?� pleaded Hermione.

Harry shrugged. Yes, he could see why. And he really wasn’t mad. But he did feel very excluded from every aspect of his life that he’d previously known, and this sensation did anger him. He wasn’t allowed to spend time with his friends or keep up on the latest Hogwarts couples or even to revise along with everyone else. He had a mission that was so much bigger than himself, and sometimes, he wished that this had happened to someone else.

“What are you even doing here?� Hermione asked then, interrupting Harry’s thoughts.

“Oh…� Harry held up the scarlet key. “Opens the headmaster’s office.�

Hermione gasped.

“You went to talk to Dumbledore’s portrait?� asked Ron.

“Yeah, and it was… informative.�

Hermione had taken Harry’s hand and was dragging him to the fireplace. “Tell us everything!�

Harry settled into one of the large chairs and Ron and Hermione did the same, opposite him.

He sat there, trying to clear his head of the vision of his two best friends that seemed to be burned behind his eyelids. For some reason, he found himself wishing that he could talk to Luci. He always felt better when he was with her. Then he scolded himself.

Ron and Hermione were watching him circumspectly.

So he asked, “Hey, what’s up with Neville?�

They shared a furtive glance.

“He’s been dreading running into you,� Hermione started.

“Why?� asked Harry, surprised.

“He likes Ginny,� interjected Ron.

“What?�

“But that’s all it is,� said Hermione quickly. “He just didn’t want you to find out and be angry with him.�

“I don’t care. Loads of blokes like Ginny,� Harry said, but he was feeling a sense of possession rising in his chest.

“You are planning to get back together with her when all of this is over, aren’t you?� asked Hermione.

“I can’t think about that right now.�

“Well, she’s counting on it, Harry,� she continued. “She’s turned down a lot of requests for dates, because she thinks you two will be together again.�

Harry inhaled deeply. He couldn’t be with Ginny right now, but he didn’t want her to be with anyone else either. Yet, something in him didn’t want the obligation when it was all over, and this realization instantly brought on a bout of guilt.

“So tell us what happened with Dumbledore,� said Ron, changing the subject.

Harry gave him a grateful smile. Then he explained the past month and a half to his two best friends, though he left out the bit where he’d told Luci about the Horcruxes, pretending that he’d recognized the locket himself. They listened intently, with a few intakes of breath here and there, especially from Hermione.

When he’d explained his experience at Godric’s Hollow, she had gasped, “Oh, Harry, that’s awful!� and her response at the tale of Ravenclaw’s wings went something like, “Of course, it all makes perfect sense. Lucky Moody was around.�

Finally, when Harry’s mouth was dry from talking and he’d finished conveying his adventure inside of the Pensieve, Ron said, “Snape and your mum, that’s disgusting!�

“Yeah, you’re lucky you didn’t have to see it,� agreed Harry, his stomach turning at the memory.

“Harry, what if Dumbledore was right in trusting Professor Snape and he really is on our side?� offered Hermione.

“Don’t be daft,� chortled Ron.

She narrowed her eyes at him, but before they could begin to bicker, Harry said, “Ron’s right. It doesn’t matter what he has or hasn’t done. He killed Dumbledore, and that’s proof enough to me that he’s still a Death Eater.�

Ron nodded and Hermione frowned thoughtfully.

“So you’ve done away with two Horcruxes,� said Ron. “Maybe you could take a break and stay here a while, watch some Quidditch, you know. I’ve kept the team alive without you.�

“I have some things to do here, so that sounds all right,� agreed Harry.

“We can’t lose our sense of urgency,� Hermione huffed. “We’re not ahead of the game until we’ve destroyed all of them.�

“Can’t you see the man needs to rest, Hermione?� asked Ron.

“Yes, but getting rid of two Horcruxes that quickly just seems too easy to me. If it was a stroke of luck, we may be in for much more difficult endeavors with the remaining ones.�

Ron and Harry exchanged a significant glance.

“Oh, all right,� sighed Hermione. “But just a short break.�

----------------------------------------

None of them had been down to the kitchens in a long while. When Harry reached up to tickle the pear in the painting that transformed into the kitchen door, he realized that he’d been much shorter the last time.

Inside, the house elves were very busy, bustling around with their breakfast duties. Harry’s eyes ran over the brass pots and pans along the walls, towards the brick fireplace in the back, and across each of the house tables, searching for Kreacher.

“There,� said Hermione, pointing towards the Hufflepuff table.

The three of them made their way over to where Kreacher was standing, lazily scrubbing a teacup with a small, white rag. He looked exactly the same as the last time they’d seen him, his wrinkled skin folded along his body and his face aged and grumpy, wearing the same filthy loincloth about his hips. Harry tapped him on the shoulder. He turned with a terrified squeak, mumbling something like, “Filthy,� at the sight of them.

“Got some questions for you,� said Harry.

Kreacher blinked. “Kreacher knows nothing.�

Harry held up the locket. “No?�

The house elf shook his head.

“Look, I know that Dobby won it from you, so where did you get it?�

Kreacher scowled at Harry and said, “It belonged to Kreacher’s mistress and Kreacher rescued it from her home, desecrated by the friends of Mudbloods, filthy, dirty...�

“How did you get it?�

The house elf hesitated.

“I demand that you tell me exactly where this came from,� said Harry firmly.

“Kreacher must do what his despicable Master wants,� snarled Kreacher. Then, he continued, “But it is a horrible story to relive.�

“Too bad.�

Then, Harry had an idea.

“Perhaps you could show us?� he asked.

Kreacher, who seemed to need no further explanation, went to a nearby shelf and retrieved a glass jar. Unscrewing the lid, he put a finger to his temple. After a moment, a silvery strand of mist followed his crooked finger and swirled into the jar, after which, he replaced the lid. He begrudgingly handed the jar to Harry.

“Did you see that?� asked Ron, poking Harry in the arm. “Didn’t even need a wand!�

“Wand?� scoffed Kreacher. “Stupid, ignorant, knows nothing…� Then he walked away from the three of them, mumbling hatefully as he went.

“That was easier than I thought it’d be,� muttered Ron.

“Come on,� said Harry. “We have to get back to the headmaster’s office before breakfast is over so that we can use the Pensieve.�

“Headmistress,� Hermione corrected him.

“Right.�

The three of them hurried from the kitchens and back up through the castle to the tower that contained Dumbledore’s old office.

Harry forced the key into the gargoyle’s mouth and they rode the staircase up to the oak door. They were relieved to find that the room was still unoccupied. The Pensieve sat where Harry had left it on the desk. He’d forgotten to put it away. Dumbledore was gone from his portrait and Hermione was looking into the blank frame, tears in her eyes.

“Hurry,� Harry said, stepping up to the Pensieve and emptying the contents of the glass jar into it.

Ron and Hermione were standing to his right.

“Ready?� he asked them.

They nodded, and then, all three of them plunged their faces into the basin.

After a long fall through space, Harry was back on that tiny little island. It was exactly as it had been the night with Dumbledore, except that Ron and Hermione stood beside him. The air had the same fragrance, the same chill. Every hair on Harry’s body was standing on end, his nerves alive with tension. Being here again was worse than he could have ever imagined it.

It was dark all around them, but they could see Regulus Black’s lit wand as he and Kreacher approached in the small boat. The house elf was blaspheming wildly, calling Regulus all sorts of rude things.

“I’ve told you to stop your complaining,� Harry could hear Regulus say as the boat hit the shore of the island, just a few feet from the three onlookers. He was not as attractive as his older brother had been at the same age, but they were unmistakably related. His shaggy brown hair fell into his dark eyes and his chiseled jaw was set as he hauled the small vessel onto the bank.

“Don’t touch the water!� he commanded the house elf, who was now making his way out of the boat.

“Why Kreacher had to come, betraying the family, betraying your poor mother, Kreacher’s poor mistress…� Kreacher was growling as he went.

“Quiet!� Regulus hissed.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione watched in silence as the young man stood, looking around the flat expanse of rock, his eyes immediately falling on the stone basin that Harry remembered so vividly. Its green light illuminated a small circle around the pedestal.

“The Horcrux will be in there,� Regulus said, pointing.

“Dangerous, reckless, stupid ideas,� replied Kreacher.

“Cambias said that you must drink the liquid to get to the bottom,� he said, pondering aloud. Then he gestured to Kreacher, “That’ll be your job, I think.�

“Kreacher refuses!�

Regulus smiled, his handsome features brightening. “Oh, if only you had a choice,� he laughed.

Kreacher stomped in place, turning angrily in a circle, as if he were a child throwing a tantrum.

“Who, do you suppose, is Cambias?� Ron whispered, leaning into Harry, who shrugged.

“He can’t make that poor house elf drink that stuff!� Hermione objected.

Harry glanced at her. “You can’t expect Regulus to drink it.�

Hermione’s bottom lip quivered, but she didn’t reply.

Regulus was removing a small cup from his pocket and approaching the basin.

“Come here, Kreacher,� he said to the elf.

Kreacher sauntered over begrudgingly, the liquid’s phosphorescent light casting a glow over his ripened face.

Regulus, who appeared to have been clearly instructed on how to retrieve the Horcrux, perhaps by this Cambias person, dipped the cup into the green liquid with no difficulty. He handed it to Kreacher, who took it, but shook his head adamantly.

“I command you to drink it,� said Regulus.

Harry saw Hermione grip Ron’s arm and bury her head in his shoulder, her face hidden by her bushy hair.

Kreacher had drained the cup and Regulus was refilling it. The three of them watched as Kreacher emptied cup after cup of the green liquid. It seemed to have no effect on him.

But gradually, after many helpings (Harry thought they might be up to nine), Kreacher’s tiny little body began to twitch convulsively. His whitened face looked up pleadingly at Regulus. “No more!�

Regulus frowned sternly at the house elf, thrusting another cup-full into his hands.

“I command you to drink it,� he said again.

And Kreacher did. He consumed three more cups before falling to the ground, begging, “Please, no more, Kreacher begs, Kreacher begs!�

Hermione was sobbing. Ron was looking on in horror. Harry, who found this all too familiar, could suddenly hear Dumbledore’s frightened voice in his head, begging, crying the same things. He couldn’t prevent it – he turned from Ron and Hermione and threw up onto the cold, hard rock. But the vomit disappeared as it hit the surface of the island. Perplexed, Harry clutched his stomach and forced his eyes back to the horrible scene.

Kreacher was screaming, “Don’t make Kreacher! Please! Kreacher wants to stop!� His wrinkled body was flailing on the ground. He cowered as Regulus offered him another cup-full.

“Death! Kreacher wants death! Kill Kreacher!�

Another cup.

“Kreacher is so thirsty…�

Harry could see that Regulus’s features were now soft and sympathetic, and he was revolted by what he was doing. Harry knew this feeling well. He thought that he might heave again, but before he could, he heard a whooshing sound, and as he turned towards it, he realized that Ron and Hermione were no longer beside him. A wave of panic swept over him, but it was immediately replaced by the sensation of sailing through the air.

All of the sudden, he was in the office again, and Professor McGonagall had him by the scruff of the neck.

“What do you think you three are doing?� she snarled wrathfully, fire practically erupting from her ears.

Harry swallowed and looked from Ron to Hermione. They were both frozen in shock.

Without waiting for an explanation, Professor McGonagall shrieked, “OUT! Out this instant!�

Harry, Ron, and Hermione rushed from the room, tore down the staircase, and didn’t stop running until they were many yards from the stone gargoyle.

Bending over, his hands on his knees, Ron breathed, “Mum and dad’ll be furious!�

At that moment, a small man wearing billowing red robes rounded the corner. Harry didn’t recognize him.

“Arnaud Finnister, the new Defense teacher,� said Hermione, as if reading his mind. He looked at her, and her face was blanched and tear-stained.

“Shouldn’t the three of you be getting to class?� Professor Finnister asked as he approached them. His sandy hair was clean cut and he looked remarkably as if he were a Muggle who might have wandered into the wrong attire.

His young face adjusted into a striking smile as he continued, “Right, off you go then.�

The three of them began to continue past him, but suddenly, Finnister had seized Harry forcefully by the arm.

Chapter Twelve – Attack on Hogwarts

Turning to face the new professor, Harry wriggled his arm free and started to object.

But Arnaud Finnister was studying the lightning bolt scar upon Harry’s forehead.

“I haven’t seen you around here,� began the young man. “Are you new?�

“No,� said Harry.

Finnister squinted again at Harry’s forehead, examining it closely.

“Could it really be… Harry Potter?�

Harry nodded.

His face breaking into a wide smile, Finnister took Harry’s hand and shook it enthusiastically.

“So nice to meet you!� he gushed.

“Er… you too,� Harry replied.

Then they heard the clicking of very uncomfortable shoes. Professor McGonagall was approaching.

“Professor Finnister, a moment please,� she said.

“Most certainly, Headmistress,� replied Finnister, who released Harry and looked at her attentively.

Harry wiped his hand on his jeans. The man’s grip had been firm and clammy.

“With these three,� she clarified, gesturing towards Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

“Oh, yes, of course!� said the professor. He turned on his heel and hastened back along the corridor, calling again behind him, “So nice to meet you, Harry Potter!�

McGonagall was observing them suspiciously. She seemed to have gotten her wits about her, after the surprise of finding trespassers in her office, and was now debating what to do with the guilty party.

“What are you doing here, Potter?� she said, after a few moments.

“Thought I’d come back to school,� Harry lied.

“I mean,� she continued. “How did you get here? I was not told that you’d be returning.�

Then her eyes fell on the medallion around Harry’s neck. She reached out for it and he took an instinctive step backwards.

“That explains it. Give it to me, please.�

Harry shook his head. “It’s not mine.�

McGonagall narrowed her eyes. “Luci Keegan gave that to you, didn’t she?�

Ron and Hermione gaped at Harry, who said nothing.

“Accio Professor’s Pass,� said McGonagall, and Harry felt the chain break against the nape of his neck as the medallion floated away from him towards the Headmistress. He clenched his jaw in anger.

McGonagall pocketed the Pass and cleared her throat. “In the future, I would appreciate it if you could abstain from entering my office without permission. Good day.�

Before Harry could argue, she had gone on her way.

He looked at Ron, and then Hermione, who said, “I didn’t even think to ask you how you’d gotten into the castle! What else haven’t you told us?�

Without a word, Harry walked away from the pair of them, back towards the Gryffindor common room.

Hermione was instantly at his side again, and he could hear Ron’s footsteps following.

“Why d’ya think she was so easy on us?� asked Ron musingly.

“You’ve never kept secrets from us before, Harry,� said Hermione, ignoring Ron, and sounding very disappointed in Harry.

“You’ve never kept secrets from me either, but things change, apparently,� he replied, refusing to look at her.

“Yes, but that was for your own good.�

“Right.� Harry picked up his pace.

“Do you really feel like you can trust Luci?� Hermione asked gently.

Harry stopped abruptly and Ron almost barreled into him. He glared at Hermione.

“I don’t know, OK? But she’s helped me and she’s kept things to herself. And that’s the end of it.�

Then he started off again, and the three of them traveled the remaining distance in silence.

----------------------------------------

After the morning’s onerous events, Hermione had gone up to her dormitory in a terrible distress, muttering about resurrecting S.P.E.W. right away. The common room was empty and Harry and Ron were sitting quietly by the fire, neither looking at the other.

Eventually, Ron broke the silence. “The team has been good this year. Ginny’s doing a great job as Seeker.�

Harry nodded distractedly. His thoughts were bouncing back and forth between Luci and the tasks ahead of him and the image of Ron and Hermione kissing in a dark corner.

After a few more minutes, Ron began again, “Hagrid told us where your parents are buried.�

This got Harry’s attention. “I almost forgot! Where did he say?�

“Near your grandparents,� Ron replied.

“Which set?�

“Oh, the Muggle ones.�

“And where is that?� he asked Ron, who shrugged.

“Dunno. Forgot to ask that, actually. Figured you’d know.�

“We should go down and see Hagrid anyway,� said Harry, rising. “Let’s find out.�

Ron glanced at the stairs leading to the girls’ dormitories as he, too, got to his feet.

“Let her rest,� Harry suggested. “Come on.�

They strolled leisurely down to Hagrid’s hut. The grounds were empty, as most of the students were in class. The October air was chilly, but fresh and clean, and Harry breathed deeply as they walked. He had missed the scent of this grass, these trees, the aroma of home.

“So who made the first move?�

“Sorry?� asked Ron.

“With you and Hermione.�

Ron blushed. “Who do you think? She did, of course. I’d never! She’s out of my league.�

Grinning, Harry asked, “When?�

“At the Burrow, before we came to Sirius’s place. I’d been teasing her about spending her holiday studying for the N.E.W.T.s and she said, ‘We’re too old for this, Ronald,’ and planted one on me. What could I do?�

Ron’s imitation of Hermione had been spot on. Harry laughed.

Though he still felt somehow excluded, and this bothered him, Harry was happy for his best friends. It had been a long time coming.

Their knock on the hut’s door was answered promptly. At the sight of Harry, Hagrid grinned broadly, his eyes shining beneath the dark, tangled masses of hair and beard.

“C’min, c’min,� he said cheerily.

Harry and Ron entered and, at Hagrid’s gesture, settled themselves into chairs around the table. Fang came over immediately and put his head into Harry’s lap. Though he felt his jeans instantly soaking through with drool, he stroked the dog’s head affectionately.

“Tea?� asked Hagrid, shoving a plate of cookies at them. But before they could answer, he’d continued, “Heard Finnister an’ Todge talkin’ abou’ yer return, so knew yeh was here. They were a bit too excited, if yeh ask me.�

Harry raised his eyebrows. “Too excited? What do you mean?�

“Finnister could hardly contain ’imself, an’ Todge, well, she’s a quiet ’un, but she looked pleased.�

Before Harry could raise any more questions about the new Hogwarts professors, Hagrid had gone on, “Anyway, to what do I owe the pleasure?�

“Harry doesn’t know where his Muggle grandparents are buried,� Ron chimed in.

“No?� asked Hagrid, giving Harry an astonished frown.

Harry shook his head.

“To tell yeh the truth, I was surprised yeh didn’ know that yer parents were buried wit’ ’em. It was in the letter ’at Dumbledore left fer yer aunt an’ uncle. ’Course, those Muggles didn’ tell yeh nothin’! Rotten of ‘em! James an’ Lily Potter, in a car crash! Rubbish!� Hagrid was growling angrily.

“What letter?� Harry inquired.

“The one ’at Professor Dumbledore left on the doorstep with yeh, tellin’ yer aunt an’ uncle what had happened, an’ why they had to keep yeh, an’ where yer parents had been buried.�

“I never knew about any letter.�

“No, ’course not,� Hagrid said. “Told yeh abou’ it the night I first met yeh, mind, but doubt yeh remember, eh?�

Harry shook his head. “What else do you think they didn’t tell me?�

“I can’ remember the whole thing, but I think ’at was the lot of it.�

Harry knew, in that moment, that he had to get his hands on that letter.

“So my parents? They’re in a Muggle graveyard?�

“Righ’ there in Little Whingin’, near yer mum’s old house. Nice green grass, matter o’ fact. Took ’em ’ere myself,� he said, with a proud smile.

“Hagrid,� said Ron slowly. “These cookies are actually good!�

Hagrid grinned. “Work o’ Olympe, those are!�

“Where is she?� asked Harry.

“Has a school to run, but sends me packages now an’ again,� replied Hagrid, whose sparse visible skin had shone instantly red at the mention of Madam Maxime.

Harry and Ron smiled knowingly at one another. They were pretty sure that Hagrid and the French Headmistress had become an item.

The two boys spent a good deal of the early afternoon in Hagrid’s hut, drinking tea and enjoying the suspiciously tasty cookies. Harry told Hagrid about his tiresome summer with the Dursleys and about visiting Godric’s Hollow, and Hagrid had wept at the mention of Harry’s parents.

When Harry and Ron returned to the common room, Hermione gave them both an earful about being sure to always tell her where they were going so that she didn’t worry. Ron had humored her and, when she was quite finished, had kissed her softly and told her that she was very cute. Harry, uncomfortable, had turned away.

----------------------------------------

That evening, Harry joined the rest of Hogwarts in the Great Hall for dinner, though there were few students remaining after the summer’s events. Even still, it was good to be back, beneath the beautiful enchanted ceiling, surrounded by the various house colors. But looking up at the staff table, however full of familiar faces, Harry felt that there was an air of emptiness without Dumbledore.

A good deal of pointing and whispering had been taking place, but Harry tried to ignore it as he dove into his shepherd’s pie. Ron told him that most of the students were forbidden to speak to him, due to their parents’ fears that he would drag them into one of his notorious adventures. He laughed aloud at this and noticed Ginny glance up at him. She was positioned down the table and they both decidedly avoided eye contact. Neville, who sat beside her, was also looking anywhere but at Harry.

Suddenly, the casual chatter in the Hall was interrupted by a thunderous disturbance from the Hogwarts grounds. A small girl from the Slytherin table went to a window and, after accessing the situation, emitted a high-pierced scream. The whole room exploded in commotion. Harry glanced at Ron and Hermione, who each gave him a nonplussed expression.

Filch burst through the oak doors of the hall, shouting, “Death Eaters! Death Eaters on the grounds!�

“Everyone to their common rooms!� commanded Professor McGonagall, without missing a beat.

There was a mad rush for the door. Dishware shattered, sobs rose amongst the crowd, and people mowed over one another in their haste to reach safety. But Harry, Ron, and Hermione remained in their seats.

“The Death Eaters are in Azkaban!� Ron screamed over the noise.

“Certainly not all of them!� responded Hermione.

“What do they want?� yelled Harry.

“My guess is YOU!� Hermione answered.

“But how…� Then Harry knew the answer to his own question. “Finnister and Todge! They know I’m here! Maybe one of them is a Death Eater?�

“McGonagall would never hire a Death Eater to teach us!�

“Dumbledore let one slip through, so she could make the same mistake!�

Hermione bit her lip.

Harry leaned into the two of them so that no one else could hear him, but he was still shouting. “If they want me, I can’t let them come in here and attack innocent people!�

Ron and Hermione shared a worried look.

“We’re going out to face them!� he continued. “Come on!�

He led them towards the back of the Great Hall, through the door that Hagrid had often entered to join the feasts. It took them directly out onto the grounds, where they could see many hooded Death Eaters advancing upon the castle. The Hogwarts staff was bursting through the oak front doors, throwing spell after spell at the intruders, who retaliated viciously.

“Out! Out!� Professor McGonagall was shouting at the lot of them.

Harry was keeping a close eye on Arnaud Finnister and a tall, yet plump, woman whom he didn’t recognize, but whom he assumed was Clares Todge. He thought one or both of them might show signs of treason.

“Give us the boy!� someone shouted.

“What boy?� Professor Slughorn asked.

“Potter! We want Potter!�

“Well, you won’t find him here, you idiots!� snarled Professor Sprout.

She was on her back before Harry could take another breath. Hermione made a choking noise.

“We know he’s here!� said a familiar voice, and Harry’s gut dropped out, because he knew that the voice belonged to Bellatrix Lestrange, the woman who had killed Sirius.

The rest of the professors instantly descended onto the hooded figures, who stood their ground, wands held high.

“We have to help them!� said Harry, gesturing for Ron and Hermione to follow him.

“Harry, we can’t! We’re just students!� protested Hermione.

He continued forward and didn’t look at her, but replied, “You don’t believe that any more than I do.�

“Wait!� hissed Ron.

Harry stopped and followed Ron’s gaze, out towards the Forbidden Forest. In the distance, the three of them could see Grawp emerging from the foliage, led by Hagrid.

A squeal of delight emerged from Hermione’s mouth. “Everything will be fine now!�

Harry, who thought this was quite an overstatement, moved back into the shadows with Ron and Hermione, and they watched silently as Grawp joined the professors, flailing his massive arms into the cluster of Death Eaters. They released screams of protest as, one by one, they were flung into the air, sometimes landing yards away. One of them didn’t get up again.

This went on for some time, with the Death Eaters and the Hogwarts professors swapping curses, and Grawp throwing his weight around. At one point, someone had lit Professor Trelawny’s shawl on fire and she had hopped around in a circle, trying to extinguish the flames. Several people fell on each side, but the three onlookers had trouble seeing what exactly was happening. They could only observe helplessly.

“We can’t just do nothing!� Harry said to Ron and Hermione. “Let’s put on the Cloak and see if we can sneak into the middle of it.�

His best friends agreed, though hesitantly, and Harry took the Cloak from his pocket and stretched it over the three of them. They began a slow walk towards the battle, trying to keep their feet hidden and to remain silent.

Once they were on the outskirts, Ron’s voice came, gruff with emotion, “Is that Hagrid?�

The gamekeeper was, indeed, on his back on the ground, near one of the Death Eater’s, who had lost his hood. The tubby man looked remarkably like Gregory Goyle, and Harry knew that it was probably the boy’s father.

Suddenly, Hermione gasped, “Look!� and pointed as much as she could beneath the tight Cloak.

A herd of centaurs were materializing from the Forest, their bows in hand, looking fierce and reluctantly ready for battle.

At the sight of them, the Death Eaters who were still standing seemed to realize that their attack had failed. They scattered and began to dash away, towards the cast-iron gates of the castle.

“After them!� shouted McGonagall.

“We need to get them to Madam Pomfrey,� said Finnister, gesturing to the bodies strewn upon the ground.

Harry was trying to get a better look at Hagrid. He couldn’t see any blood, but the large chest wasn’t rising and falling in its usual manner. Harry felt his insides growing cold.
“We have to get back inside!� said Hermione. “Hurry!�

She tugged on Harry and Ron until they both grudgingly turned back to the castle.

----------------------------------------

The three of them had made it back to their common room without anyone noticing them. Harry had a nervous churning in his stomach, and he was anxious for news on Hagrid. He paced in a small corner of the room, and Hermione chewed her bottom lip, as the rest of the room gossiped about the incidence. Ron sat cross-legged and unvoiced near Harry’s feet.

McGonagall entered through the Fat Lady’s portrait almost an hour later, her face pale as frost, her hands visibly shaking.

“The Death Eaters have been eradicated from the grounds,� she said slowly, her voice quavering.

There was a cheer from the back of the room.

“But,� the Headmistress began again. “At a great cost.�

Murmuring began to spread throughout the room.

McGonagall cleared her throat and choked, “Professor Sprout…�

She stopped and wiped a handkerchief across her eyes, knocking her glasses askew. To Harry’s left, he heard Hermione breath, “She’s not even trying to seem composed.�

“Professor Sprout and… and Professor H-Hagrid… have… fallen… in the fight.�

“F-Fallen?� stammered Neville.

McGonagall took a deep breath. “They’ve… passed on, Longbottom.�

With this, and a small sob, the Headmistress hurried back out through the portrait.

Chapter Thirteen – The Mouth of Slytherin

Harry’s knees had locked beneath him. He felt frozen in place, an obnoxious buzzing filling his ears. As he looked around the room, he saw the Gryffindors comforting each other, the girls crying, the boys looking horrorstruck. Hermione had collapsed into Ron’s arms and he could see that she was wailing, but all he could hear was the buzzing. He backed himself into the nearest wall and felt his body slide to the floor. He closed his eyes.

Please not Hagrid.

“Harry,� Ron was saying.

He opened his eyes and looked up. Ron’s face was red and blotchy, his shirt soaked with his own tears and those of Hermione, who was cowering in the fetal position upon the floor.

“Harry, help me with Hermione.�

Together, the boys lifted her limp body and, since they were unable to enter the girls’ dormitory, hauled her up to their own and laid her in Ron’s bed. She had yet to open her eyes once, but she pulled the covers over her head and continued to weep loudly.

Ron sat down at the end of the bed and Harry took a seat on his own. They stared blankly at each other for a few seconds. Then Harry, too, curled up feebly, not bothering to draw the hangings or to change out of his dirty clothes. At that moment, he counted himself very fortunate to not have slept at all the night before, because he avoided his pain by dozing off almost immediately.

He had a horrible dream that Death Eaters, riding monstrous dragons, were storming the castle, blowing fire through the windows. His four-poster bed was burning. Hagrid was there, and his beard was on fire. He was trying to get Harry out of the room, but Harry was looking for the Professor’s Pass. He kept telling Hagrid that he couldn’t leave without it, until finally, he looked up, and Hagrid wasn’t in the room with him anymore. Ron’s bed was in flames now too. Then Harry turned to exit the dormitory, but the door was blocked, though he couldn’t see the person’s face.

He awoke abruptly, soaking in sweat.

It was early morning. Ron was lying face down on the floor, snoring loudly. Hermione was still in his bed, her wavy hair matted to her tear-stained face, her fists beneath her chin, clutching the sheet.

Both Neville and Dean must have gone down already, because their beds were empty.

Harry sat up. His head was aching.

The Death Eaters had come for him. And Hagrid had paid the price. How many more people would he get killed? He stared at his best friends for a long while, knowing that he could lose either or both of them at any time.

Eventually, Ron stirred upon the floor. He stretched, and then groaned, “My back!�

Noticing Harry watching him, he said hesitantly, “Morning?�

“Morning,� replied Harry dully.

“My-on-ee,� Ron said softly, still half-asleep, as he prodded Hermione gently.

“I’m staying here forever!� she moaned wretchedly, pulling the sheet over her face.

“Let’s go down and have something to eat,� Ron encouraged her. “It’ll help.�

Hermione peered out and hissed, “Nothing will help and you know it!�

Ron sank to the floor miserably and then looked at Harry, who shrugged.

“Do you mind if we go down?� Harry asked Hermione.

“Do what you want,� she mumbled.

Ron got to his feet and bent down to kiss the small bit of Hermione’s head that remained uncovered.

Unexpectedly throwing the sheet from her body, Hermione growled, “Fine, I’ll go!�

Ron shook his head uncertainly, but Hermione was already stomping from the dormitory. The two boys followed her down to the Great Hall.

The whole room was solemn, silent, weighted. The three of them sat down quietly at the Gryffindor table.

Dean Thomas whispered to them, “Lotta parents came and took kids home in the middle of the night. Place is nearly empty.�

Harry looked around. Dean was right. There had never been so few students at Hogwarts, except during the Christmas holidays.

Serving trays heaping with food appeared a few moments later. Scrambled eggs, sausages, and other breakfast items met Harry’s eyes, but he couldn’t make himself take any of them. He almost felt as if he didn’t deserve to eat.

Ron was poking a piece of toast absentmindedly and Hermione was staring, stone-faced, into her empty plate.

The silence in the room was broken by the scooting sound of a chair being pushed back. Professor McGonagall was standing before the room, clearing her throat. She looked exhausted and harassed.

“After last night’s tragic events, I have come to the conclusion that we must close the doors of Hogwarts, if only temporarily.�

A wave of gasps cycled through the room.

“This afternoon, we will have a ceremony for Professors Sprout and Hagrid, for those of you who wish to attend. Following this, you will all be sent home. Letters have been delivered to your guardians, explaining the situation, and you will be invited to return to Hogwarts if and when the school is reopened.�

At this moment, the rushing sound of wings flooded the air as the morning post arrived, just as it did every morning, even though this morning was quite different from all other mornings.

“I will let you return to your meals,� McGonagall finished, seating herself again.

The sight of Hedwig gave Harry a small bit of comfort. She landed before him, nibbling his arm affectionately as he untied the heavy envelope.

When he opened it, something fell with a thud onto the table. It was the Professor’s Pass! Harry pocked it quickly, looking around to assure that no one had seen it. Not even Ron and Hermione had been paying attention. They were still gazing dejectedly, their eyes unfocused. Harry unfolded the enclosed note.

“Harry,

Minerva told us what happened. I’m SO sorry about Hagrid! I understand that you were close to him. Please give Ron and Hermione my sympathies, as well. And if there’s anything that I can do for any of you, please let me know. Really. Anything.

I don’t know exactly what went on there, but I hope that you aren’t blaming yourself for this. Terrible things happen, albeit strangely often, but they are not your fault, Harry. You are far too good a person to be responsible, in any way, for bad occurrences, trust me.

The Pass was returned to me, but I’m sending it back to you, even if I’ve been practically commanded not to by a stern woman that we all know so well... You’ll have to explain to me how you lost track of it.

Somehow, it’s dreary here without your presence. And I’m pretty bored, to tell you the truth, so I hope you’ll return soon. But even though the school is supposedly closing for the time being, I have a feeling that I won’t be seeing you for a while, so please take care of yourself.

And I want you to know that I hate the way that we left things.

-Luci�

The paper was scattered with dark spots where it seemed that she has crossed out her work and begun again. Perhaps she hadn’t known what to say to him about Hagrid. Harry read the letter multiple times before folding it and putting it back into its envelope. As much as he hated himself for it, he missed her. She drove him crazy with her secrets. And he was supposed to be pining for Ginny. But he missed her. It angered him that she presumed to know him so well, but she was right; he was blaming himself, because he was to blame. He sighed aloud at these thoughts.

“Who’s it from?� asked Ron dismally, as if it could be from the Queen herself and it wouldn’t matter a bit.

“Luci,� Harry answered.

“Did she hear?� Hermione looked worse than Ron, her eyes swollen and somber.

Harry nodded. “Says she’s sorry… for all of us…�

“Nice of ’er,� Ron said softly.

“And she sent back the Pass.�

“Who cares?� said Ron. “We’re all going home anyway.�

“I’m not,� replied Harry.

“What?� Hermione asked, her eyes darting up to his.

“I can’t,� said Harry. “I have to go into the Chamber again. I can’t just overlook a place that may very well be housing a piece of Voldemort’s soul.�

“Shh!� hissed Hermione.

He looked around. No one seemed to be able to see beyond his or her own little world, so Harry was unconcerned about being overheard.

“If you’re staying, so are we,� Ron said in monotone, looking to Hermione for approval.

“Fine,� she said.

At that moment, all three of them looked up to see Ginny seating herself down the table from them. She kept her head down, with her lovely red hair falling over her face, but Harry imagined that, beneath the curtain, her eyes were as puffy as Hermione’s.

His first thought was to go over and comfort her, but as he started to get to his feet, he saw an arm being draped around her shoulders – Neville’s arm!

----------------------------------------

The funeral for Hagrid and Professor Sprout would be starting any minute. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were racing towards the Owlery in the West tower, so that they could watch the proceedings. They had managed to make their way out of the group, knowing that everyone would be sent home after the service. They needed to remain unseen so that they could stay at the castle. Ron had told Ginny that they didn’t intend to leave and she had protested half-heartedly but hadn’t seemed to have the energy to try to stop them.

Hermione was leaning into Ron, who had an arm around her, as she wept quietly. Harry wondered if she might run out of tears soon, and then questioned why he, himself, had yet to cry at all. Was it because he was too angry with himself? Or because he felt that he had no right, since he was the reason that Hagrid was dead? Luci didn’t know what she was talking about – disaster followed him everywhere he went.

The two of them, standing there together – it made Harry feel very left out. There was no one to comfort him, to hold him, to keep him warm, and he felt empty and alone. Were he not such an idiot, he might have Ginny standing here beside him now. But if that was what he wanted, then why was he imagining Luci’s sugary scent?

Stop thinking about her, he scolded himself. He had to get Luci out of his head, for the same reason that he’d broken up with Ginny - he was dangerous to anyone he cared about, or anyone who cared about him. What better proof was there of this than the goings on below the Owlery window?

Below, he could see people gathering around the black tombs that held Hagrid and Professor Sprout. It all felt so final. Yet, there was a part of him that didn’t believe that Hagrid was gone. It was the same part of him that just knew, knew, that his parents and Sirius and Dumbledore were all still alive. It was hope. But Harry knew that hope was hopeless.

“How d’ya think they…� Ron began. Clearing his throat, he continued, “How did they kill Hagrid? He seemed so… indestructible… didn’t he?�

Hermione, half-choking on tears, responded, “Hagrid might be… might have been… larger… than normal, but I think a killing curse works the same on him as it does on anybody else.�

Harry sighed aloud. Someone was speaking below the window, but the words were being carried away by the wind. They looked down to see that it was Professor McGonagall.

“There’s Madam Maxime,� said Harry, pointing. The giantess was wiping her eyes with an enormous handkerchief as she sat in the front of the crowd.

“That poor woman,� Hermione sniffled.

Harry noticed Ginny sitting a few rows back. He could barely see her from this height, but she seemed to have her face in her hands. Once again, the urge to comfort her struck him, but Harry saw that Neville was there, continuing to move in on his territory. Harry gritted his teeth.

He strained his ears to hear anything that might be being said, but it was in vain, so he just watched bleakly, feeling heavy, yet strangely empty at the same time.

McGonagall spoke for a long while, and then various people stood addressing the group, including Mad-Eye Moody, Professor Flitwick, Madam Maxime, and Rufus Scrimgeour, the current Minister of Magic. Grawp sat awkwardly in the back of the crowd and made random pitiful noises that Harry could hear very well from all the way up here. At one point, Lupin got to his feet, and it looked as if he might speak, but he quickly sat back down again next to Tonks instead. Quite a few members of the Order were there, in fact. Harry was just wishing that Luci had come too when an owl hooted loudly above his head, shaking him from his thoughts.

“We should probably go,� said Hermione. “We can’t hear anything anyway.�

Her face was blanched and Harry knew that the real reason that she wanted to leave was because she was tired of crying and needed something to take her mind off of Hagrid.

That weighty emptiness still plaguing him, Harry silently followed Ron and Hermione from the Owlery.

Once in Myrtle’s bathroom, they resolutely made their way to the sink that they knew housed the Chamber of Secrets. Without wasting any time, Harry identified the tiny snake scratched on the side of the copper tap and hissed, “Open.�

The tap glowed with brilliant white light and began to spin as the sink slowly descended out of sight, leaving a large pipe exposed.

“What do you think you’re doing?� came Myrtle’s ethereal voice.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned to her, but none of them answered.

“People die when that thing opens,� she said in a scolding tone. “Believe me, I know!�

“I killed the Basilisk years ago,� Harry told her. “It’ll be fine.�

Myrtle crossed her arms huffily, snorting, “No good can come of this!� Then she dove headfirst through a wall.

Harry shook his head at Ron and Hermione, who both remained silent, and Harry thought that maybe they agreed with Myrtle. He turned his back to them and slid himself into the shadowy tunnel before they could protest.

He was immediately rushing down the dark, slippery slide of the pipeline, other channels branching out on either side of him as he went. Soon, he felt it leveling out, and he shot from the end of the tube, onto the damp floor. The impact knocked the wind out of him. He stood and was attempting to catch his breath when he heard Hermione screaming, the sounds growing closer and closer. Then, she landed at his feet, followed shortly by Ron.

“See, that wasn’t so bad,� Ron said to Hermione, who scoffed.

“That,� said Hermione, “was horrifying.�

“Follow me,� Harry said to both of them, and they began to make their way towards the Chamber, their footsteps slapping on the wet floor as they walked. Shed snakeskin and small animal bones remained littered on the floor from the days that the Basilisk had occupied the tunnels. The crunching beneath their feet prompted intermittent sounds of disgust from Hermione.

At last, they reached a solid wall with two carved serpents entwined together, their emerald eyes seeming strangely alive. Harry’s heart flip-flopped as he was reminded of standing in this same place, only five years ago.

“Open,� he said again, in Parseltongue, and the serpents parted, the wall cracking open. The halves slid out of sight, much like they did behind the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore’s office.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were greeted by a dimly lit chamber, glowing gloomy green, and full of towering stone pillars, each engraved with serpents.

“This way,� said Harry, and they continued past the pairs of pillars, the ceiling above them hidden in darkness, the eerie green glow all around them.

Finally, they reached the huge statue of Salazar Slytherin in his long robes. It stood against a back wall, its giant monkey-like face staring blankly ahead.

Ron and Hermione gasped simultaneously.

“That thing gives me the willies,� whispered Ron.

“I feel cold,� said Hermione.

Harry didn’t respond. He was trying to remember what Riddle had said to the statue in order to open it. He knew that, if there was a Horcrux in the Chamber, it would most likely be hidden in the mouth of Slytherin, where the Basilisk had once resided.

When he’d been standing there for awhile, Ron asked quietly, “Harry?�

“I’m thinking,� Harry replied.

The three of them remained there in silence for many minutes longer, until, at last, Harry remembered the correct phrasing of the password.

“Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four,� said Harry, a chill running down his spine as he remembered Tom Riddle’s command. If Ron and Hermione had been able to understand him, Harry imagined they’d have been just as unsettled by the words.

The stone mouth opened slowly, the long beard lowering as it went, the sound of stone against stone echoing throughout the Chamber. A huge, black hole was revealed, and Harry heard Ron and Hermione stepping backwards in fright.

“I’m going in,� he said to them.

“Harry, no!� cried Hermione. Then, more calmly, she said, “We don’t know what’s in there.�

“We’re about to find out.�

Harry took out his wand, said, “Lumos,� and started to climb into the stone mouth. It was like being in another tunnel, though he was unable to stand, and he wondered how the Basilisk had slithered through such a narrow space.

Ron and Hermione were crawling along behind him and he smiled to himself. He’d known that he could count on them to follow him anywhere, even if it was to their deaths. This last thought wiped the smile instantly from his face, and he locked his jaw and carried on.

“It smells bloody awful in here,� said Ron, who was right behind him.

“What do you expect?� came Hermione’s voice from further back. “A big, nasty snake lived in here for who knows how long! It’s revolting!�

Eventually, the passageway ended, dropping Harry into a large, rectangular space. He reached his hand out to Ron, pulling him into the room, and then Ron assisted Hermione.

“What is this place?� asked Ron.

“Dunno,� answered Harry, who was still looking around in wonder.

The floor was covered with animal bones, the walls with slime, the whole space with an unnatural green glow. But this area was different than the rest of the Chamber. Along the walls, there hung moving pictures, documents, trophies. Harry began to make his way around the room, studying each of the items.

First, there was a photograph of the four founders of Hogwarts. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff sat in chairs, and Gryffindor and Slytherin stood behind them, their arms around each other.

Next, there was a framed certificate stating the official approval of the school to be opened for academics.

Ron and Hermione were following him, also examining each of the hangings.

There were mostly souvenirs of the school’s origin, records of its accomplishments, and other mementos. Slytherin had obviously been very proud of Hogwarts. But the last article was a photograph of Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin standing alone. Gryffindor was shaking Slytherin’s hand and giving him a small item. Harry squinted at the photo.

“The ring!� he exclaimed.

“What?� Ron and Hermione said together.

“It wasn’t Slytherin’s!�

“What do you mean?� asked Hermione.

“Gaunt’s ring,� said Harry again. “Gryffindor gave it to Slytherin!�

He pointed to the photo and Ron and Hermione peered over each of his shoulders.

“Are you sure that’s the same ring?� asked Ron.

“Of course, I’m sure! There was a lion on it!�

Hermione narrowed her eyes, leaning into the photo.

“The Peverell Crest,� she said.

“It’s on Gryffindor’s sword too,� said Harry. “So the ring wasn’t a relic of Slytherin! It was a relic of Gryffindor! So we have all of the houses – we just have to find that damned cup!�

Ron and Hermione were both looking at him attentively.

“And it’s not here,� Harry sighed. “Sorry for dragging you two down here.�

“Well, it wasn’t entirely fruitless,� smiled Hermione. “Just creepy.�

Harry grinned. “Yeah, sorry about that too.�

“No need to stay in the creepiness any longer,� encouraged Ron.

“Agreed,� said Harry, and he lifted himself back into the tunnel.

Ron and Hermione behind him, he started for the light at the mouth’s opening.

Was it growing smaller? He frowned.

“The mouth is closing!� he called to his friends. “Hurry!�

He began crawling faster, and he heard Ron and Hermione scuffling along behind him.

Then Hermione screamed.

“What is it?� shouted Harry.

“Her hair!� Ron shouted back.

Harry didn’t know why they were yelling in the first place. It must have been the exigency, because it was very quiet in here.

“What?� said Harry.

“It’s caught!� whimpered Hermione.

“Caught in what?�

“I don’t know!� she cried.

“Harry, help me!� said Ron.

Harry looked towards the mouth. It was closing slowly, but it was definitely closing.

He carefully turned himself around and came face to face with Ron’s backside. He scowled.

“It’s too narrow,� said Harry. “I can’t reach to help!�

“Go back!� said Ron. His voice was panicked. “When it closes, just use the password and open it again.�

“I have a feeling that won’t work, Ronald,� replied Hermione.

“Cut it,� said Harry.

“Absolutely not!� protested Hermione.

“Cut it, or get stuck in here,� Harry repeated.

Hermione made a muffled sound.

Ron reached into his pocket for his wand. “Diffindo,� he said, and Harry heard a snipping, much like scissors.

“Noooo,� moaned Hermione.

“Let’s go!� said Harry.

He backed quickly from the tunnel, watching Ron following backwards. His feet reached cooler air and he lowered himself to the floor. There was only a yard or so remaining before the cavity was closed. He could see Ron’s shoes emerging.

“Hurry,� he said urgently.

“I’m hurrying, I’m hurrying!�

Ron was out, and the opening was almost entirely blocked. He grabbed Hermione’s hands and yanked her as hard as he could, and she toppled to the floor. He helped her up just as the mouth was slamming shut.

Harry almost laughed aloud at Hermione’s hair, which was now long and bushy on one side and short and frizzy on the other. He turned away from her so that she wouldn’t notice his smile, but she said, “It’s not funny,� and started for the door.

“We’ll fix it!� Ron called after her, but he grinned at Harry, who returned the smile, and then they pursued Hermione back through the Chamber.

She huffed irritably the whole way, so Harry and Ron stayed a few feet behind her. The back of her head, however, was just as amusing as the front, and they had to stifle their sniggers.

They were soon back at the large pipe that led up to Myrtle’s sink. At this point, Harry realized that they had no way to get back up it. Last time, Fawkes had been there to fly all of them out.

“Anyone have a broomstick?� he asked satirically.

Hermione glanced sideways at him. “You mean to tell me that we can’t get out of here?�

“Well, we can, if one of you has a broomstick, or if you’d like to climb up,� replied Harry.

Hermione sighed exasperatedly, flicking her wand, and then crawled into the large pipe and disappeared.

Ron poked his head in too. “A ladder!� he called to Harry.

“Smart girl, that Hermione,� muttered Harry, embarrassed that he hadn’t thought of it first.

He followed Ron up the tunnel, pulling himself along the ladder, until he was back in Myrtle’s cold bathroom, where the sound of laughter greeted him.

Moaning Myrtle was pointing at Hermione’s ridiculous lopsided hair, turning somersaults in the air as she giggled uncontrollably.

Ignoring her entirely, Hermione asked, “What would you two do without me?�

“I don’t know about Harry,� said Ron, ignoring Myrtle too, “but I’d be miserable.�

Hermione grinned warmly at Ron, and Harry said, “Enough of that. Let’s go home.�

Back in the common room, they realized that Ron and Hermione’s trunks had been sent ahead of them, so they gathered beneath the Invisibility Cloak and made their way out of the castle. It was dusk by now, and the skyline was a lovely orangey-red. The Pass seemed to count them all as one person, as long as Ron and Hermione were touching Harry, who still wore it around his neck.

Once outside the gates, Ron said, “Mum will kill us for not coming back with everyone else.�

“Better brace yourself then,� suggested Harry.

Then, the three of them Apparated back to Grimmauld Place.

Chapter Fourteen – Spilled Butterbeer

A shrieking voice greeted Harry’s ears. For a moment, he thought that it was Sirius’s mum again, but then, he realized that it was Mrs. Weasley. Though, why wasn’t Mrs. Black yelling too? That was odd.

Ron had ended up in another room, while Harry and Hermione were in the entryway. The two of them hurried towards the screaming and found Ron cowering before his mother just outside the kitchen, his face red and frightened.

“How dare you endanger yourself this way! Just because you’re of age!�

Then Mrs. Weasley noticed Harry and Hermione.

“And you two!� she screeched. “You’re not my own, but I love you as such, and you continue to have no consideration whatsoever, worrying me incessantly!�

By this time, Mr. Weasley, Lupin, Tonks, and Ginny had gathered behind Mrs. Weasley, all of them nodding in agreement and checking to make sure that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had arrived in one piece.

“Oh, Hermione, your hair!� Ginny said miserably.

Harry heard the wood above him creak and looked up to see Malfoy and his mother on the second landing, both glaring, as usual. Then Luci’s small frame peered over the banister too.

Her eyes met Harry’s. They gazed at each other for a moment, and then she smiled slightly, one eyebrow raised, as if testing the water with him. Harry had fully intended to return her smile to assure her that things were fine between them, but Mrs. Weasley was pulling him into the kitchen.

“Insensitive, reckless, all of you!� she was carrying on.

Harry was beginning to feel guilt-ridden again, but the fact remained that he was of age, and there were things that needed to be done. How was he supposed to explain that to Mrs. Weasley?

“So?� she demanded, after she’d lined the three of them up in front of her. “Why didn’t you come back with Ginny? What could have possibly been more important than your safety after Hogwarts was attacked by Death Eaters and professors were murdered?�

Harry swallowed.

“We were curious!� Hermione jumped in.

Harry and Ron both gaped at her.

“We stayed to see if we could figure out how the Death Eaters got in!� she continued. “Last time, Malfoy had let them in through a wardrobe, and we wanted to see if it was still there.�

“Why on earth would it even matter?� exclaimed Mrs. Weasley. Then she sighed and went on, “Of course, the three of you have always been too nosy for your own good, oh, the trouble you get into…�

Hermione nodded in agreement. Harry was still stunned at how much her lying had improved.

“Well, did you find what you were looking for?� asked Mr. Weasley. Harry had almost forgotten that there had been anyone else in the room.

“No,� said Hermione. “So we hurried back as quickly as we could, knowing you’d all be worried.�

Mrs. Weasley scoffed, then snapped, “And don’t encourage them, Arthur.�

“A healthy bit of curiosity never hurt anyone,� he replied.

“Please!� groaned Mrs. Weasley. “These three have always found a way to get themselves hurt!�

Then she seemed to realize that this line of accusation was getting her nowhere, so she said, “Well, you’re stuck here until the school reopens, so that’s enough punishment for you. Hermione, what are we going to do with your hair? What happened to it?�

“I got it caught… in a door… and we couldn’t get it open again, so Ron had to cut it,� Hermione lied.

Mrs. Weasley sighed. “Go get ready for dinner, then come see me before you sit down to eat.�

The three of them, with Ginny tagging along, hurried up to the second landing and shut themselves up in Harry and Ron’s room.

“Thanks, Ginny,� said Ron. “What’d you tell her when we didn’t show up?�

Ginny shrugged. “Said I’d lost you in the commotion to get out of the castle and didn’t know where you were. Mum looked as if she might not believe me, but she didn’t ask any more questions.�

Harry, who suddenly felt very tired, collapsed onto his bed.

“What were you doing, anyway?� asked Ginny.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged glances.

“Oh, I see,� huffed Ginny. “I’m always left out.�

She appeared as though she might become enraged, so Hermione came to the rescue again, saying, “You knew about Ron and me before anyone else. Harry knows now, but you were the first one in on it!�

“That’s only because I walked in on you two snogging,� Ginny countered.

“Yes, but still,� replied Hermione.

“I’m going to wash up for dinner,� Ginny said curtly, and she left the room, slamming the door behind her.

“Maybe we should tell her,� proposed Ron.

“No,� said Harry. “Dumbledore said just you and Hermione.�

Harry had already disobeyed this, of course, but his best friends didn’t know that.

“Listen, Hermione, Hagrid told Ron and me about a letter that Dumbledore had left for my Aunt and Uncle, and I need to have a look at it. I know we’ve been imprisoned here, but I need to go to Privet Drive and see if I can find it. Any ideas?�

“What’s in the letter?� she asked.

“Hagrid said it was all of the stuff about Voldemort killing my parents and my Aunt and Uncle having to keep me safe. I just want to know what Dumbledore could have said to make them scared enough to put up with me for all those years.�

“Well, couldn’t we just take the Cloak and go have a look ’round the house?� suggested Ron.

“Too risky,� said Harry. “I need a distraction so that I have time to search for it.�

Ron laughed.

“What?� Harry and Hermione asked together.

“We could have Hermione hit on Dudley some day when your Aunt and Uncle are out,� said Ron, grinning. “That’d make a good distraction.�

Hermione smiled. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, Ronald, but I don’t think I have a universal appeal.�

Then Harry remembered something.

“But you know who could distract Dudley…�

“Who?� Ron asked.

“Luci,� answered Harry. “He was practically drooling when she came with your dad to pick me up.�

“I don’t know, Harry,� said Hermione, like she always did. “I’m not sure how much we can trust her, and, really, would she even do it?�

“How much do we need to trust her to have her entertain Dudley for awhile? She’d have no reason to sabotage that.�

“No, I suppose not…� Hermione said hesitantly. “But he’d wonder why she was there.�

Harry thought about this for a moment.

“I’ve got it!� he exclaimed. “If she came telling Dudley that I was in trouble and she was looking to arrest me, he’d be thrilled to let her in!�

“But Dudley saw her come to pick you up,� said Ron, “so why would she be looking for you?�

“I escaped or something.�

“But your family would have no idea where you were, so, logically, wouldn’t Dudley wonder why she’d look for you there?� Hermione pointed out.

“Right,� said Harry, “but Luci could pretend that she doesn’t know that, like she thinks I might hide out with relatives or something. And you give Dudders way too much credit. He’s pretty thick.�

“I’m starving,� Ron interrupted. “Let’s go eat and talk about this later. We don’t even know if she’ll do it yet.�

“She will,� said Harry.

“How do you know?� asked Hermione.

“I just know.�

----------------------------------------

Downstairs, Mad-Eye Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt had joined the group for dinner. They both greeted Harry, Ron, and Hermione with apologies about Hagrid. Lupin joined in with these regrets, recounting a humorous story about Hagrid’s fascination with dangerous creatures. Everyone laughed warmly, but there was heartbreak in the sound too.

Harry and Ron walked past Luci, who was across from Malfoy and his mother, on their way down the table, and she didn’t even acknowledge Harry. It made him feel as if his heart had dropped a few inches in his chest. As Harry sat down across from Ginny, he saw that she was now ignoring him too.

Meanwhile, Hermione was in the back of the kitchen with Mrs. Weasley, who was trimming her bushy hair with the tip of her wand.

“I could have regrown this,� said Mrs. Weasley, “but I think you need a reminder of your bad judgment.�

Hermione was whimpering sadly as she watched her locks fall to the floor at her feet.

Tonks was bustling quickly along the table, conjuring Butterbeers. In her haste, she bumped into Malfoy, who glared hatefully at her and accidentally knocked over the glass bottle in front of him. It shattered, spilling amber liquid onto his clothing.

Malfoy stood, jumping back from the table.

“Clumsy,� he muttered, with a disgusted look at Tonks, and then he left the room. His mother followed, as she always did. It was as if neither of the two was courageous enough to be alone with the Order.

Luci leaned across the table and began to pick up the pieces of the bottle.

“Ouch!� she exclaimed, dropping a shard of glass and retrieving her hand rapidly. Harry instinctively got to his feet and was immediately beside her before he’d realized how obvious this move had been.

Mad-Eye had also moved towards her. “Let me see.�

“No, no, I’m fine,� Luci insisted, covering the hand that she had cut. “Really, it’s fine.�

Harry, who was looking over her shoulder at all of this, saw a drop of blood spill onto the table.

“Let me see it,� Mad-Eye said again, firmly.

Luci begrudgingly held out her hand to him. “There’s nothing to see.�

She was right. There was blood, but Harry couldn’t see a wound.

Mad-Eye looked into Luci’s face with a mixture of astonishment and suspicion.

“Just a tiny cut,� Luci said coolly, retracting her hand.

Harry narrowed his eyes. Yes, it must have been a very tiny cut.

Tonks was apologizing profusely.

“No, I’m sorry,� Luci was saying. “Sometimes I forget that there’s magic for these things.�

Mad-Eye, still looking doubtful, said to Luci, “You’d better get that cleaned up.�

She nodded and hurried from the room.

Harry watched her go, noticing her long hair billowing behind her, and smiling dreamily in spite of himself.

“So that must make things confusing,� Mad-Eye murmured to him knowingly.

“Sorry?�

“Miss Keegan there.�

Harry felt himself growing hot, but countered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about,� and went back to his seat at the table.

“What got into you, Harry?� asked Hermione, who had joined Ron. Her hair was very short, hardly past her ears now, but it did look tremendously better than it had before Mrs. Weasley had cut it.

Harry’s face was still flushed, but he replied nonchalantly, “Just wanted to make sure she wasn’t hurt.�

Hermione was frowning at him and Ron wore a surprised expression. Ginny had moved down the table, near her mother, and was refusing to look at any of them.

“She’s still mad at us for keeping secrets from her,� muttered Ron, nodding his head towards Ginny. “But she’ll get over it.�

Hermione sighed. “I hate this. I can’t wait until this whole thing is over!�

“No pressure, Harry,� grinned Ron.

“Right,� Harry smiled back.

“Oh, my poor hair,� Hermione was whining.

“You look beautiful,� Ron assured her, and she forced a smile, though she seemed thoroughly depressed.

“Yeah, it looks fine,� agreed Harry.

“Fine?� she sighed. “Oh, everything is just awful! My hair is ruined and the school is closed and we’ll have to repeat our seventh year and Ginny is mad at us!�

“There are worse things,� said Harry glumly.

Hermione stopped and looked at him. “Yes, of course, there are. I’m sorry.�

He shrugged.

Tonks was tidying up the spilled Butterbeer with her wand, while Lupin tried to reassure her that she may have been clumsy, but she was lovely, nonetheless. She didn’t seem to be encouraged by this. In fact, she tripped inelegantly before she’d finished the cleaning (on what they’d later discover was a piece of the glass that had fallen), and upon standing again, ran from the room with tears in her eyes.

----------------------------------------

That night, Harry was staring at the ceiling again. It wasn’t that he couldn’t sleep, because he was actually quite tired, but he was toying with the idea of going to the drawing room, in hopes that Luci might have the same idea. He envisioned himself entering the room, and in his mind, she smiled at him, telling him that she’d missed him. At the thought, his heart began to race.

Harry sighed and pushed the idea from his mind, focusing instead on the ceiling above him. The cracks looked deeper, if possible, than they had before. He put on his glasses, but he didn’t move from his position on his back. Yes, the cracks in the ceiling were longer and more pronounced.

He lay there for a while, arguing with himself, before putting the glasses beside him again and rolling onto his side. It was unlikely that Luci would be in the drawing room anyway.

It wasn’t long before he’d drifted to sleep. He dreamt that Voldemort had found his way into Grimmauld Place. Tonks had hidden Harry in Kreacher’s cupboard in the kitchen. He was sitting there alone, listening to the screaming of the people that he loved as Voldemort was killing them. Yet, he made no effort to rescue them. He felt tired and helpless. Then, Mrs. Weasley came for him. She told him that she was going to cut his hair off, so that no one would recognize him. She took her wand to his head and said that he had always had very bad judgment. When Harry was nearly bald, Mrs. Weasley seized his hand and led him from the kitchen, but Voldemort spotted them. Harry recalled wondering why Mrs. Weasley had taken him from the cupboard when he was unlikely to be found there. The last thing that he remembered before he awoke was Mrs. Weasley’s command, “Run, Harry!�

----------------------------------------

“It’s Saturday,� Harry said, a few days later. “I have to ask her today or I won’t have another guaranteed chance until next week.�

Ron was getting dressed to go down to breakfast.

“You really think Luci will help you without asking any questions?� he asked. “No one’s that uninterested!�

“I’m not worried,� replied Harry.

“How’re you gonna get her alone without Malfoy?� Ron asked.

“That’s a better question.� Harry didn’t know the answer to it himself.

When they joined her in the kitchen, Hermione was equally doubtful about Luci’s participation. Harry was beginning to become annoyed with the both of them. He didn’t know why they were so opposed to her. Hermione was carrying on about how it was dangerous for Harry to be alone with Luci and how either she or Ron should go along too, just in case.

As always, Luci entered the room with Malfoy and his mother, and the three of them sat together, a bit separated from everyone else. And, as always, Narcissa ate silently, while Luci and Malfoy laughed together. Harry continued to find this one of the oddest things he’d ever seen, and this was quite a statement, because he did live in the wizarding world, after all.

Harry waited until the three of them stood to leave the kitchen. Then he walked towards Luci, who watched him as he approached, as if she thought he might continue right past her. When, instead, he stopped before her and said, “Can I talk to you?� the look on her face clearly said that she was surprised that he was speaking to her at all.

“What could you possibly have to say to her?� sneered Malfoy.

“That’s none of your business,� Harry replied.

“She doesn’t want to talk to you, do you, Luci?� continued Malfoy.

“Of course, she doesn’t,� Narcissa agreed.

Luci, silent, seemed to be trying to figure out a way to talk to Harry without it appearing that they were friends.

Finally, she said, “I have better things to do, so make it quick.�

“What?� Malfoy spat.

“Go ahead. I’ll be right up,� Luci said to him.

Malfoy pouted, but then said, “I wouldn’t associate with that kind of riff raff, if I were you.�

“You’re a prat,� said Harry casually, as though he was commenting on the weather.

“Who asked you, Potter?� Malfoy said, retrieving his wand.

“Put it away, Draco,� Luci scolded.

Malfoy ignored her and, instead, addressed Harry. “Why don’t you just stay away from her, huh? Keep with your own kind?�

Harry scowled. “Did I miss someone putting you in charge, Malfoy? We’re not at Hogwarts and you’re not a prefect here.�

“And I’m free to associate with whomever I please,� Luci interjected.

Narcissa took Malfoy’s elbow and said, “Let’s go, Draco.�

Malfoy glanced at Luci, and then sneered at Harry. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.� He pocketed his wand and continued past them.

Looking back at Harry, Luci sighed, “Sorry about him.�

“I’m used to it,� Harry shrugged.

“That’s no excuse.�

“Why are you apologizing for him?�

“Someone should apologize for him. And I didn’t mean the ‘make it quick’ thing, you know.�

“I know,� smiled Harry. Then he nodded towards a corner of the kitchen and she walked with him until they were out of earshot.

“How’s your hand?�

It was dim, but he noticed that her cheeks flushed. She put both of her hands behind her back and responded, “It’s healing well, thank you,� in a very odd, formal tone.

Harry shook his head. Sometimes, she was so weird.

“Listen, I need your help.�

“I thought we weren’t friends anymore?� Luci replied.

“I never said that!� said Harry, stunned.

“You left here acting like I was the worst person ever and then you didn’t respond to my letter and you haven’t talked to me since you got back. It’s been days. What am I supposed to think?�

He frowned. “I’ve been a little busy.�

“Oh,� she said tartly.

“I appreciated the letter, especially the Pass, but I had things to do. You know that.�

“OK.�

He raised his eyebrows at her. Why was she being this way?

“I’m sorry,� she said with a sigh, but she didn’t explain herself. “I just thought, after the way you left, and then I hadn’t heard from you, and I was… worried, I guess, and…�

“Luci, I told you, I just don’t like people hiding things from me,� he interrupted.

“There are things that you don’t tell me,� Luci countered.

“Like what?�

“Like, you told me about Voldemort’s orphanage, but you were gone for two days, so I know that there was something else, but I never demanded that you tell me. And, oh, let’s talk about Ginny. That always seems to derail you. What’s going on there?� Luci nodded towards the pretty ginger-haired girl who sat with her ginger-haired parents at the kitchen table.

Harry blushed and turned his eyes to the floor.

“That’s what I thought. And you and Ginny has nothing to do with me, so I don’t need to know. Do you get it? Does that make sense to you?�

“Fine,� he muttered.

Luci exhaled wearily.

“So what is it that you need?�

“I need you to come with me to get something at my Aunt and Uncle’s house.�

“I can’t leave,� she scoffed, as if this was the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard.

“You leave all the time!� Harry said, in an elevated whisper.

She averted her gaze. “I can’t just go anywhere.�

“Why not?�

She hesitated and then answered slowly, “There are people who can’t know that I’m here.�

Harry wanted to ask her exactly what that meant, but he had to focus on getting that letter.

“We’ll take the Invisibility Cloak. No one’ll see us.�

Luci gaped at him. “You have an Invisibility Cloak?�

He nodded.

“I don’t know, Harry…� She sounded like Hermione, and it made him want to shake her.

“Please, Luci. You’re the only one who can get me in.�

“Why?�

“Because you’re beautiful,� he said, before he could prevent the words from tumbling out of his mouth.

Luci raised an eyebrow, and Harry was sure he’d never been more mortified. Ginny was only a few yards away. Could she have heard? No, she couldn’t possibly have.

“I mean… Dudley thinks so,� he stammered. “I… I saw the way he looked at you when you came to get me with Mr. Weasley. You’ll be able to get us in.�

Harry looked down at his hands, wishing that the heat would just go away. Of course, thinking about it made him feel even hotter, so he just started wishing that she’d speak instead. Could his friends see his face, which he imagined was completely inflamed?

Finally, she broke the silence. “I’m not beautiful.�

He looked up in surprise.

“What? Of course, you are!� It was another elevated whisper.

Luci shook her head.

Harry didn’t have time for this.

“Will you help me or not?� he asked impatiently.

“You can’t crawl through a window or something?�

He was beginning to get frustrated. “No! I need to get Dudley there alone and then I need you to distract him so that I have time to search the house. Can you do that?�

Luci took a deep breath. “All right.�

“You’ll come?�

She nodded. “But we have to Apparate and we can’t be seen. And we can’t be gone long.�

“Right,� Harry said. “Let’s go then.�

“Now?�

“Yes, now. I can’t really do anything in a leisurely fashion, under the circumstances.�

She glared. “No need to be sarcastic.�

“Sorry. You’re just making things difficult.�

“I’m a difficult girl, in general.�

He sighed. “No, you’re not. I didn’t mean it like that.�

“How do you know that… what’s his name? Dudley? How do you know he’ll be there alone?�

“On Saturdays, my Aunt and Uncle always go out for brunch and Dudley watches the telly.�

“And what am I supposed to tell Dudley to get us in there?�

Harry had thought this out and decided that it would definitely work. “Tell him that you’re looking to arrest me for some horrible thing and you need someone who will testify to my awfulness.�

“What?�

“Trust me. He’ll love it and be very cooperative. I’ll be under the Cloak; he won’t even know I’m there.�

“What are we looking for anyway?� asked Luci.

“A letter, from Dumbledore to the Dursleys.�

Luci tilted her head to one side. “I need to tell Draco I’m going.�

“Why?�

“Because he’ll worry.�

Harry laughed. “Malfoy? Worry?�

Luci frowned at him.

“Look, just don’t tell him where we’re going,� sighed Harry.

“I’ll tell him I’m going to Hogwarts. If he knew I was going anywhere with you, he’d kill us both.�

It sounded as if Luci was joking, but Harry knew that it wasn’t entirely unlikely that Malfoy would do just that. He figured Malfoy must be in love with Luci by now, after spending all of this time with her, and the Slytherin boy was very possessive. Then Harry wondered to himself if a Death Eater was capable of love at all.

“Okay, I’ll meet you in the alley where we Disapparated before,� said Harry.

Luci nodded and left the kitchen.

Harry, avoiding Ginny’s gaze, gave Ron and Hermione a nod that said he’d been successful, and then he left the room as well. When he was sure that no one could see him, he Disapparated.

Chapter Fifteen – Twenty-Four Hours Missing

Harry had been waiting in the passageway between Magnolia Crescent and Wisteria Walk for quite a while now. He was leaning against the wall, starting to think that Luci wasn’t coming. She had been mad at him for not staying in touch with her. Could that mean that she just wanted to keep track of him? When he listened to his intuition, it told him that he could trust her, but he would give anything to be able to read her, to know for sure.

Luci appeared beside him a few minutes later.

“Sorry that took so long,� she said, sounding breathless, as if she’d been running.

“How’s Malfoy?� Harry asked sardonically, without even looking at her.

“Cheeky as ever, thinks you’re up to no good.� Luci glanced up at him with a lighthearted expression.

He felt his breath catch. She had done herself up for this role, and she looked impressive. She had always been pretty, though not excessively so, but this was an inebriating façade.

“You’re trying too hard,� said Harry, grinning.

“You can never try too hard,� she replied, gazing up at him.

They were both silent for a moment. Then Luci said, “Harry, are we OK?�

“What do you mean?�

“You seem like you’re still angry with me.�

He took a deep breath. She stripped his defenses, and he couldn’t understand it. The loss of control unnerved him.

“Yeah, we’re OK,� he told her.

She seemed to exhale in relief.

Harry took out the Invisibility Cloak and threw it over their heads. Since Luci was much shorter than he was, he had to wrap his arm around her to keep his own feet hidden. He could feel the heat of her body so close to his and he couldn’t shake the tension in his stomach.

They walked slowly towards number four, Harry hoping that Dudley would, indeed, be there alone.

“Why did you think I was mad at you?� asked Harry.

“All of the reasons that I said before,� Luci answered. “We hadn’t talked in days. It was… bizarre.�

“There’s a lot going on.�

She tipped her head in agreement. “There always seems to be. Is it Hagrid?�

Harry didn’t respond.

Luci sighed heavily, and then she pressed herself into him in a kind of half-hug, saying, “I wish that I could take it all away. I just don’t know how to make it better.�

He wasn’t sure how to respond to this, so he said, “It’s not your job to make it better for me.�

They both lapsed into an awkward silence.

Finally, he said, “It’s Ron and Hermione,� though that was only a very small part of the unrelenting pain that plagued him without respite.

“What is?�

“What’s been bothering me.�

“Oh,� she nodded.

“I caught them… kissing,� Harry said, softly.

Abruptly altering the mood, Luci stifled a laugh. “Hmm,� she said.

“It’s not funny!�

“No, of course not,� she grinned.

Harry frowned.

“I’m sorry you’re upset, but I could see that coming a mile away!�

She must have discerned the look on his face, because she said, “Oh, Harry, don’t feel guilty. You’re dealing with far more than anyone should have to. It’s not your fault that you didn’t notice your best friends falling in love right under your nose.�

“In love?� He stopped walking.

“Yes, I think so.� She stopped too, hindered by the Cloak.

He gaped at her.

She laughed. “It happens!�

Harry took a deep breath as they both started up walking again.

“They’re still your best friends,� Luci continued. “You dated Ron’s sister. That’s pretty huge and everyone survived that, didn’t they? You and Ginny seem to be widely accepted now.�

Harry nodded. He felt his nerves tighten. He still didn’t want to talk about Ginny with Luci.

“So you’ll get used to this too,� she concluded.

“I guess,� Harry agreed.

“Why haven’t you talked to them about this?� Luci asked him.

“I usually go to Ron and Hermione with my problems, but considering that they were the problem…�

She smiled. “I’m always happy to listen. Well, here we go.�

They were now standing on the doorstep of number four, Privet Drive.

Harry rang the doorbell, and they listened for Dudley’s heavy footsteps. Luci was tapping her foot nervously. When he heard his cousin’s hand on the doorknob, Harry pulled the Cloak from Luci’s body and made sure that he was still covered.

Dudley opened the door hesitantly, wearing his Smeltings sweater again.

“Whatever it is, we don’t want any,� he snapped.

“Hello, Dudley.� Luci’s smile was so charming that, for a moment, Harry, himself, couldn’t breathe.

Dudley stared open-mouthed at her. He was moving his lips, as if to speak, but nothing was coming out.

“Remember me?� she asked sweetly.

He nodded and made a gurgling noise. Harry had to try very hard not to laugh aloud at his cousin.

Luci was still grinning brightly. “Mind if I come in?�

Dudley made a new choking sound and stepped out of the way.

Luci glided past him, and Harry followed close at her heels, though he needn’t have. Dudley was so distracted that he left the front door wide open and dreamily pursued her into the sitting room.

Harry stood just outside, so that he could go upstairs when he felt that it was safe.

Luci seated herself casually, as though she visited here often. She patted the space beside her and gestured to Dudley. He sidled up to the sofa and perched himself on the very edge.

Sweeping the hair alluringly from her face, Luci put a hand on Dudley’s knee, which caused the frumpy boy to slide abruptly to the floor. He hastily climbed back up, his face purple with embarrassment. Harry sniggered quietly beneath the Cloak.

He found Luci’s charade entirely unnecessary. Dudley had probably never had this much attention from a female in his life, and Luci could have been totally hideous, and he still would have fallen at her feet.

“Now, Dudley,� Luci began. “I need your help.�

This was the first time that Dudley had managed to speak. “W-with w-what?�

“Well…� she said silkily. “It’s a matter of vast importance, so I need to know that you’ll keep this just between the two of us.�

Dudley’s fat cheeks wobbled as he nodded.

As much as Harry wanted to continue watching this amusing scene, it seemed that Luci had things under control. He tore himself away and quietly saw himself upstairs to his Aunt and Uncle’s bedroom.

Without wasting a moment, he began to search the room, peering into Aunt Petunia’s trinket box, the closet, the drawers, and even under the mattress. He didn’t discover anything even remotely interesting, however, so he glanced around to make sure that everything was as he’d found it, and then he tried Dudley’s room.

The place was a disaster, with underwear and socks strewn on the floor. Harry imagined Aunt Petunia would clean it up when she got home, so this must be only the morning’s mess. He grimaced and looked everywhere he could think to look for the letter, but found nothing.

Back in the hall, he saw that it had been almost half an hour since he’d left Luci with Dudley. He had to search the other rooms quickly.

The spare bedroom was the emptiest of all of them, the drawers and closet entirely vacant. Then, he hunted through the bathroom, in the medicine cabinet, under the sink. Finally, he tried his own room, though he knew it wouldn’t be there.

Halfway through searching his own closet, Harry remembered something. There was a safe in the kitchen! He’d never seen anyone go into it, but he had seen a key in Aunt Petunia’s trinket box!

He hurried back down the hall and retrieved the key. Then, he crept quietly down the stairs, past where Luci and Dudley sat together on the sofa, and into the kitchen.

The tiny silver box opened with no difficulty when Harry inserted the key. Inside, he found a few valuable jewels, some documents, and…

“Aha!� he whispered aloud.

The first article was a love poem that Uncle Vernon had written to Aunt Petunia. Harry gagged before shoving it back into the safe.

The second piece of paper that he unfolded was Dudley’s birth certificate. This, too, he returned to its place.

Then he came across a letter with a Hogwarts seal. It was from Dumbledore, warning Aunt Petunia that Harry would be returning for the summer before his seventeenth birthday. It was recent, and must have been written shortly before Dumbledore’s death. Harry ignored the pain in his chest and pocked the letter.

Next, he found what he’d come here for in the first place.

“Dear Petunia,� it read, and Harry thought it odd that Dumbledore would address his Aunt by her first name.

“It is my regret to inform you that your sister and her husband, Mr. James Potter, have been murdered by a very dark wizard who goes by the name of Lord Voldemort. It is highly possible that you, also, along with your family, may be in danger. However, I believe that the same thing that protected the Potters' son, Harry, can also protect you. Therefore, I am sending Harry to live with you. This will insure his safety, which will, in turn, insure the safety of you and your family. Please inform Harry, when he is old enough, that his parents died bravely, and that they loved him very much. When Harry reaches the age of eleven, he may attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, assuming he is, indeed, capable of magical ability. We will send word when the time comes. I will be in touch as the need arises. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance.

Yours sincerely,
Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore
Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry�

Harry was busy pushing back tears, but then he noticed that the date of the letter read November 2nd, 2:33am. Weren’t his parents killed on Halloween night? Wouldn’t he have arrived at the Dursleys’ the following day, November 1st? There were twenty-four hours missing. Had he been in Godric’s Hollow alone for twenty-four hours?

He’d figure this out later. He folded the letter and put it into his pocket with the first one. Then he quickly shuffled through the pile to find anything with a Hogwarts seal. He found one additional envelope, and then he returned the remaining papers to the safe.

After hastily putting the key back in its place in the trinket box, Harry returned downstairs. He was just in time to hear Dudley telling Luci how Harry was terribly ugly and smelly. He tapped lightly on Luci’s shoulder to signal that he’d found what he’d needed. Then he went to the front entrance and waited for her.

“Well, Dudley, I think I have enough,� he heard Luci say.

She appeared around the corner, Dudley waddling quickly behind her.

“Can’t you stay?� asked Dudley eagerly. “I have tea and cakes. Anything you want.�

“Thank you, but I really can’t.�

Dudley looked disappointed. Harry knew that he wasn’t used to not getting what he wanted.

“You’ve been very helpful, though,� Luci said to him.

“B-but…� stammered Dudley. “I need your help too.�

Luci turned to him, an expression of curiosity on her face. “With what?�

Dudley looked as if he’d swallowed a bee. He shook his head.

“It’s OK,� said Luci warmly. “You can tell me.�

She was doing such a marvelous job of acting that it actually frightened Harry. A horrible sick feeling presented itself in his mind, but it flew right back out again when he heard the next thing from Dudley’s mouth.

“Harry did something to me.�

Harry’s mouth fell open, but no one saw this, of course.

Luci was intrigued. “What do you mean?�

Dudley gulped and continued to appear hesitant.

When he hadn’t said anything for a few moments, Luci stated, “Well, I can’t help you, then.�

“No, wait!� exclaimed Dudley.

Luci nodded patiently.

“I keep having nightmares…� Dudley began.

Luci raised an eyebrow. “And how did Harry cause this?�

Dudley licked his lips, as if he still wanted to reconsider telling Luci all of this, but then he said, “It started when he attacked me in an alley a few years ago.�

“Harry attacked you?�

Dudley nodded.

Harry was growing angry. He’d have to explain to Luci about the Dementors.

“Now I can’t stop having nightmares.�

“And what are you having nightmares about?� Luci asked in a concerned voice.

Dudley slammed his eyes shut. He was taking deep breaths, his massive chest rising and falling.

“I keep seeing my mum… w-with a… a… one of those w-wand thingies… and she’s waving it around and chanting something… but nothing’s happening and she’s mad and yelling…�

Luci was listening silently to this, and Dudley still had his eyes closed. Harry’s heart was pounding. Was his Aunt Petunia a witch? It certainly wouldn’t be far-fetched.

Finally, Luci asked, “Did this actually happen to you, Dudley?�

Dudley opened his eyes and nodded. “When I was six.�

“And has it happened since?�

Dudley shook his head. “Only in my nightmares.�

Luci was chewing on her right thumbnail in thought.

“Can you make them go away?� pleaded Dudley.

Luci looked up at him sympathetically. “No, I can’t. I’m sorry. But they’ll go away on their own, with time.�

“They will?� Dudley asked hopefully.

“Yes, I think so.�

Dudley smiled in relief. Then his expression turned to anger and he growled, “I hope you do catch my nasty cousin and put him away for what he’s done to me, and to loads of others, probably.�

Before he could stop himself, Harry lunged forward in fury. At this moment, Dudley squealed like a stuck pig and jumped back three feet, pointing frantically at the floor and mumbling nonsense.

Luci and Harry both followed his finger. Harry’s right trainer was sticking out from under the Invisibility Cloak. He really was getting too tall for it. Could this thing be stretched?

Luci swore under her breath.

Dudley was still shrieking incoherently.

“Calm down!� commanded Luci, and Dudley ceased instantly.

Harry, who had gotten what he needed and wasn’t the least bit afraid of Dudley, tore off the Cloak.

“Hi Dudders.�

Dudley wailed, turned a bright shade of magenta, and sprung at Harry. He threw a fist into Harry’s jaw, and Harry heard it crack. Pain seared through the side of his head and he groaned loudly.

Suddenly, Luci had flown Dudley into the air and pinned him against the wall, her wand pointed at his throat. He was looking terrified and had his hands up in surrender.

She was glaring at him. “Now that wasn’t very nice,� she hissed.

Dudley shook his head in frightened agreement.

Then, strangely, Luci slammed her eyes shut and clenched her jaw, standing there in silence for a moment, though Harry couldn’t imagine what she was doing. He was about to ask her if she was all right when she appeared to return to the present, opening her eyes slowly.

“I’m sorry, Dudley,� she said calmly, but sternly. “Harry is very important in our world. I can’t have you hitting him. Do you understand?�

Dudley nodded obediently.

Harry realized that he could now use magic outside of Hogwarts, but it was much too exciting to watch Luci defending him. He got to his feet, but continued to observe silently.

“Now, I think that we can forget that this ever happened, yes?�

Dudley nodded again.

“Good. I appreciate it.�

Luci slowly lowered Dudley back onto his feet and backed away. The chubby boy was pressing himself into the wall and didn’t dare move.

“Episkey,� said Luci, turning her wand to Harry. He felt his jaw click back into place and the pain subside.

“The Cloak, Harry.�

Harry threw it over the two of them.

Luci called behind her, “Thanks again, Dudley, and don’t worry about those nightmares!�

Harry and Luci stepped outside together and shut the door behind them, leaving the shocked Dudley staring after them.

“That went well,� Luci grumbled sarcastically.

“Sorry.�

She shook her head but didn’t say anything. She was looking down, checking to make sure that they were both completely covered.

“Are you OK?� she asked him. The sullen mood conveyed in her voice was very different from anything he’d heard before, and he wondered what had caused it.

“Yeah. Thanks.�

He got the indication that she was in a foul mood, so they walked on without another word.

After a few minutes, Harry longed to break the silence, so he said, “Oh, here!� and handed Luci the Professor’s Pass, which he’d been carrying in his pocket.

“Thanks,� she said dully. Then she seemed to force herself into normal conversation and asked, “So your aunt’s a witch, eh? You never told me that.�

“I didn’t know,� replied Harry.

She shrugged. “Maybe she’s not. Maybe she wants to be. Dudley made it sound like she couldn’t do magic.�

Harry tried to look back throughout his childhood, but he couldn’t recall Aunt Petunia ever showing any signs of magical ability. In fact, she had always appeared to loathe magic. Was it just an act?

“So you found the letter?� continued Luci, still sounding strangely despondent.

“Yes,� Harry replied, only just remembering.

“Notice how I didn’t demand to know what was in it,� she said, though her voice had now become teasing.

“Yeah, yeah,� he responded. “Hey, thanks for your help. You were brilliant! Sounded as if you really cared about fat old Dudders.�

Luci glanced sideways at him. “I did care.�

Harry gaped at her. Of course, she would. She was sympathetic to Malfoy, of all people, and Dudley wasn’t half as bad as all that.

“I don’t understand you,� he said. “Besides, you threw him!�

“Only because he hit you, and you can’t help but pity a boy like that,� she sighed. “He seemed really tortured by those nightmares.�

“He deserves a lot worse, believe me.�

She smiled faintly. “Sometimes, you have to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Just because a person has treated you badly doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve any compassion.�

He looked at her incredulously before replying, “And I didn’t attack him. It was Dementors.�

“That explains a lot, because I wouldn’t pin you as an attacking kind of guy,� said Luci.

“I’m not.�

“Poor kid,� she muttered, and Harry rolled his eyes. “What do you think they feed him?�

He laughed.

They had reached the alley between Magnolia Crescent and Wisteria Walk, whereupon, at the count of three, they Apparated back to Grimmauld Place.

In the entryway, where they landed, they were greeted by Ginny, who looked livid, her face almost as cherry colored as her hair.

“Where the bloody hell have you been with her?�

Chapter Sixteen – Possession

Harry gaped at Ginny, who stood before him, her features contorted in fury, her hands on her hips.

They were still under the Cloak. Harry glanced at Luci, who looked at him anxiously and bit her bottom lip.

“I know you’re both under that sodding Cloak!� seethed Ginny. “I heard you Apparate!�

Harry, remembering to take his arm from around Luci, pulled the Invisibility Cloak from their heads.

Luci’s face was as red as Ginny’s. “I’ll leave you two alone,� she muttered, and she left the entry, nearly knocking into a portrait in her haste.

“Well?� Ginny demanded.

“It’s nothing!� said Harry. And even though it was nothing, Harry felt entirely culpable.

“If it’s nothing, then you can tell me where you took her, can’t you?�

“Ginny, will you calm down?� pleaded Harry.

“Give me a reason to calm down!�

“I needed to get this letter from my Aunt and Uncle’s house,� explained Harry, retrieving the envelopes from his pocket as proof. “Luci came with me to distract Dudley so that I could look for it.�

“Why couldn’t you take Ron or Hermione to distract him?� asked Ginny, still irate.

It was a very good question, one that Harry did not want to answer.

He hesitated, which seemed to infuriate Ginny even more, so he spewed, “Dudley has a crush on her.�

She narrowed her eyes. “And what about you?�

Harry simply was not going to answer that one, so he just gawked at her.

“There’s nothing special about her, you know,� fumed Ginny.

“Why are you so jealous all the sudden? You don’t see me yelling at you for hanging all over Neville!�

Ginny gasped. “Neville has been there for me when there’s been no sign of you! There’s nothing going on between us, but he’s been a good friend to me. That’s more than I can say about you.�

Harry was enraged now too. “Neville wants to be more than friends with you, in case you’re too thick to see it, so don’t pretend to have some innocent friendship with him!�

“At least we’re not sneaking around together!� countered Ginny.

“Hey, what’s going on out here?�

It was Mr. Weasley. He had poked his head out from the basement kitchen.

“What are you two doing in the entryway, yelling like an old married couple?� he asked.

Ginny huffed angrily. Then, without another word, she traipsed past her father and out of sight.

“Harry?� asked Mr. Weasley. “Having a row with my daughter?�

“No,� Harry replied, shaking his head. “Everything’s fine.�

Mr. Weasley raised his eyebrows. “Too many secrets around here,� he said. “You’re lucky I don’t tell Molly you were slinking out again.�

Harry just stared at him.

“Harry, you’re an adult now, and I trust you to make good decisions,� Mr. Weasley continued in a fatherly tone. “Just don’t go proving me wrong now, all right?�

“All right,� said Harry.

He stood in the entry alone for a long time, trying to calm down. Ginny had not been herself, and this worried Harry. The last thing that he wanted to do was hurt her. Whether they ended up back together or not, he wanted her in his life. She was his best friend’s sister, after all.

The only thing to do was apologize, so he started towards her room. But when he’d reached the first landing, he heard someone shouting directly above him. He stood outside Ginny’s door and listened as hard as he could.

“Tell the truth!� came Malfoy’s voice.

“That is the truth!� replied Luci.

“You’re lying! I heard Weasley’s sister say you’d gone somewhere with Potter!�

Luci was either silent, or she said something so quietly that Harry couldn’t hear it.

“Explain yourself!� seethed Malfoy.

“I don’t have to explain myself to you, Draco! I’ll go where I please!�

“But POTTER?� Malfoy snarled. “I deserve to know why you’re consorting with the enemy!�

Harry had known that Malfoy would be possessive of Luci, but he hadn’t expected such an uproar. His first thought was to barge in and defend her, but he had to make it up with Ginny.

He knocked on the door that stood before him. Hermione answered.

“She’s upset, Harry,� she whispered.

“I know. I came to apologize.�

Hermione smiled approvingly. “So who’s yelling upstairs?�

“Malfoy,� said Harry.

“He’s wound tight. Did you get the letter?�

Harry nodded.

“And did you visit your parents’ graves?�

His mouth fell open. “I forgot!�

Hermione tilted her head exasperatedly and opened the door to allow him in. Then, she gave him a significant look before she exited the room, leaving Harry and Ginny alone together.

Ginny’s back was turned to him, and she sat on her bed, facing the window. Harry thought that he heard her sniffle quietly. His stomach was in knots, but he didn’t know why. It was the same odd feeling that he’d had at the Wizengamot, when he was awaiting his trial.

“I’m really sorry, Ginny,� he began.

She didn’t say anything, but she turned her face towards him. She’d been crying, but Harry thought to himself that she was still very beautiful.

“I didn’t mean that stuff about Neville.�

She nodded. “And you and Luci?�

Harry hesitated. He didn’t know how he felt about Luci. He just knew that he felt something. But he replied, once again, “It's nothing.�

Ginny smiled. “I’m sorry too, for screaming at you.�

“I really had only gone to get the letter,� said Harry. “I just needed some help, that’s all.�

“But why her?�

“What’s wrong with her?� frowned Harry.

“She’s… strange… and she hangs out with Malfoy. They’re yelling up there like a couple of gits.�

“You’re right about that,� Harry agreed, grinning, “but Dudley is fond of her, and she diverted him long enough for me to search the house.�

“What’s in the letter?� asked Ginny, nodding towards his pocket.

“It’s from Dumbledore. Just the stuff about my parents being killed. Nothing new.�

“Then why did you need it?�

Harry shrugged. “I thought it might be important, but I was wrong.�

Ginny nodded, and then she just looked at him for a few moments.

“What?� he asked.

“Are we going to get back together?�

Surprised by her frankness, Harry said, “Uh…�

“Because, if we’re not, I’d rather you tell me now.�

“I don’t know if I’m even going to be alive at the end of all this,� Harry stammered.

“Don’t say that!� scolded Ginny.

He sighed. “I don’t know if we have a future. I wish I did, but I don’t.�

“Do you want us to?� she asked, and her eyes were diffident, as though she feared his answer.

“What kind of question is that?� He had a sudden impulse to run for his life.

Ginny shrugged, her fiery hair falling over her shoulders and into her face.

Harry shook his head, muttering, “Look, I can’t do this right now.�

“OK.�

“OK,� he said, and he left the room without another word.

----------------------------------------

Days upon days turned into weeks upon weeks. Mrs. Weasley was keeping close watch on everyone, making sure that people weren’t leaving Grimmauld Place, “for their own safety,� she said. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were still dueling together, as well as trying to figure out where the remaining Horcruxes might be. Ginny spent a lot of time with them, but she was often very quiet. It reminded Harry of the years when she had had a crush on him and had been afraid to speak to him. She hadn’t mentioned their conversation again, but Harry had a feeling that he wasn’t off the hook. Ultimately, he would have to face her, one way or the other.

The third letter from the Dursleys’ safe had also been from Dumbledore, informing Aunt Petunia of Harry’s birth and warning her that Voldemort was out for the Potters, and that she and her family should be on their guard, just in case. Ron and Hermione, having read all of the correspondence, agreed that there was nothing important to be found. Both of them seemed to think that the twenty-four hour gap in time was of no significance whatsoever, but Harry continued to feel that it was very crucial, indeed. He just didn’t know how or why.

Harry hadn’t talked to Luci since their visit to Privet Drive. It seemed to him that she was leaving fairly often again, as she would show up late for meals. She had also taken to preening herself most of the time now, which Harry knew, from experience, meant that she was trying to impress someone. Despite the desire, he hadn’t attempted to meet her in the drawing room. He didn’t want to give Ginny any more reason to yell at him.

It was now mid-November, and Harry’s whole body had begun to tense up at the sheer boredom and discomfort of the place. He couldn’t imagine living here permanently, though he feared that he might eventually. Everyone seemed to be feeling claustrophobic, gloomy, burdened. Harry thought that they could all do with some fresh air, but Mrs. Weasley forbid it. Her overprotective tendencies were getting on Harry’s nerves, but he knew that she did it all out of love.

One afternoon, as Harry and Ron sat playing a tedious game of chess, Hermione strolled into their bedroom, wearing a wide smile.

“I have a surprise for the two of you,� she announced.

Ginny appeared at Hermione’s side, looking equally self-satisfied.

“What is it?� asked Ron.

“Well, I was going to wait until Christmas, but considering how terribly dull it is around here, I thought you might like your gift now.�

“Please tell me it’s duplicate versions of all of us, so that we can leave this place and Mum’ll never know,� begged Ron.

Hermione smiled. “How would the two of you like to play Quidditch?�

Harry and Ron were both instantly on their feet.

“How?� asked Harry.

“Follow us,� Ginny answered.

Hermione and Ginny led Harry and Ron to the third landing of Grimmauld Place and through a door that Harry couldn’t remember having been there before.

As they entered the room, Ron gasped.

Harry looked above him. The ceiling was gone, replaced by a clear, blue sky, though Harry knew that this was only a trick of magic. There were goals on both sides of the arena, a few benches at the base, and in the middle of the field, a trunk that Harry imagined contained the playing balls.

“Hermione…� he began. “How did you do this?�

“Ginny and I have been working on it for a few weeks now. Do you like it?�

“You’re our saviors!� exclaimed Ron, throwing his arms around his sister and his girlfriend, simultaneously. Then he jumped upon a broomstick and sailed into the air, laughing heartily and making loops around the room.

“This is amazing,� Harry said to the girls, who smiled satisfactorily.

“Give it a try,� suggested Ginny.

Harry also took up a broom and soared around the room. It genuinely felt like he was outdoors! The wind was in his hair and somehow, he could smell fresh grass. He’d have to try this on his Firebolt.

Ginny flew up beside him.

“Can I play Seeker?� she asked.

Harry grinned. “And what am I supposed to do?�

“Well, you’ll have to be a Chaser, won’t you? It’s just the three of us.�

Hermione had opened the trunk below and the spheres were rising into the air.

“Better get after that Snitch,� Harry said to Ginny with a smile, and then he flew off towards the Quaffle.

The three of them enjoyed a magnificent game, while Hermione watched smugly from below. Harry felt so alive and at home on this provisional Quidditch pitch that he forgot every single one of his problems, if only for the time being.

----------------------------------------

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny could be found on the third landing of Grimmauld Place every day, and the weather was always warm and mild. Mrs. Weasley had not supported the idea, claiming that Harry and Ron had both sustained numerous injuries from the sport, but she didn’t prevent them from playing. In fact, she would smile cheerily at them as they came down for meals, and she seemed pleased that they had found something enjoyable to do.

This early-December afternoon was no different than all of the afternoons had been, ever since Hermione had built the pitch. Harry had just scored a goal against Ron, who complained, unconvincingly, that he’d been blinded by the glint off of the Snitch. Ginny said that this was impossible, because the Snitch had been on the other side of the field.

Then, Harry heard Ron call, “Hey, do you wanna play?�

Harry, Ginny, and Hermione all turned to see Luci standing in the doorway.

“Out of the question!� she called back. “I’m atrocious, believe me. I was just watching.�

“Come on!� encouraged Harry. “I’m sure you’re not that bad.�

“Absolutely not!� she protested.

Harry lowered himself down to the ground, stopping just in front of her.

“Why not?� he asked.

“Because I have no desire to make a fool of myself.�

“We’re just playing around,� he said.

“Actually,� she began slowly, “I wanted to see if Draco could play.�

Harry took a step back. “No way.�

“Please, Harry. He’s bored and miserable, just like the rest of us. And he loves it. He’ll play fair; I’ve already talked to him about it.�

Harry gaped at her.

“Hurry up, Harry!� Ginny called from above him.

“Play a round with us and I’ll think about it,� Harry said to Luci.

She inhaled deeply before replying, “Fine, but you have to promise not to laugh.�

“I promise,� said Harry. He couldn’t imagine she could be that terrible, and he knew that she had a tendency to paint herself in the worst light, no matter what the truth might be.

So Luci took up a broom, mounted it, and they sailed back into the air together.

“Do you know the rules?� Ron asked, flying over to them.

“Sort of,� responded Luci. “Don’t you just get a ball through that hole over there?�

Ron chuckled. “Harry, you’ll have to let her be the Chaser, I think.�

Luci looked terrified. “What does the Chaser do again?�

“Just get the ball through the hole, like you said,� explained Ron.

She nodded.

“And I’m going to try to stop you,� Harry warned her.

She nodded again, biting her lip nervously.

“And I,� yelled Ginny, “will ignore you all!�

“Me too!� Hermione called up.

“OK, are you ready?� Harry asked Luci.

“Which ball am I supposed to be throwing?�

“That one.� Harry pointed to the Quaffle.

Then, he said, “Hey, Hermione, pass me that bat!�

Hermione, not taking her eyes from the book that she was reading, casually levitated a bat to him. Then she apathetically blew the whistle.

Luci was a decent flyer, but that was all that she could even remotely do well. Harry had to put very little effort into his Beater duties. The few times that she managed to get possession of the Quaffle, she couldn’t grip it without almost falling off of her broomstick, and every time that she threw it, it veered decidedly to the left. In fact, Ron was picking at something on his shirt, as he obviously felt there was no need to defend the goal.

Ginny would pass by now and then and give Harry a strange sort of smile, as if she were amused at Luci’s utter lack of talent for the game.

After attempting to catch the Quaffle in her right hand and accidentally hitting herself in the face, Luci finally groaned, “Screw this! I give up!�

Harry flew over to her, and she had tears in her eyes.

“It’s OK,� he assured her, trying desperately to refrain from laughing, because he’d promised not to. “You can’t be great at everything!�

“Yeah, but I’m great at nothing,� she whined.

“Oh, shut up,� smiled Harry.

Then the Bludger came hurtling towards them, striking Luci in the side and knocking her powerfully from her broomstick. She fell fast, hitting the floor with a loud thud.

Hermione was immediately by her side, and Harry sped towards the ground.

“Are you all right?� he asked, offering her a hand, but she was already getting to her feet.

Shoving Harry in the chest, angrily though not forcefully, Luci spat through her tears, “Dammit, Harry, I told you, I hate this game!�

“You and me both,� Hermione muttered.

Ron landed beside them. “That was quite a fall. You all right?� he asked.

Luci nodded.

“Sorry,� Harry said to her. “I didn’t know anyone could be that bad at Quidditch.�

“Yeah, well,� she mumbled. Then she looked up with a vicious glower. Harry turned his head to see that she was staring daggers at Ginny, who was smirking. Had Ginny launched the Bludger at Luci? No, that was impossible. Ginny would never do that. Then again, lately, she hadn’t been the Ginny he knew.

“So can Draco play or not?� asked Luci, interrupting his thoughts. “Don’t tell me I did that crap for nothing.�

“If you’ll be here to keep him in line,� nodded Harry, who knew that Luci’s presence would be necessary, but he also just wanted to see more of her.

“Deal,� she said. Then she left the room, limping slightly, and Harry saw that her right elbow was bleeding.

“Did Ginny do that?� Harry asked, turning to Ron, whose mouth fell open.

“Ginny wouldn’t send a Bludger at someone!� he replied.

“Never,� Hermione concurred, reseating herself on the bench and going back to her book.

“No, I know,� said Harry, with a sigh. “I guess Luci just jumped to the wrong conclusion.�

“She’s crazy!� agreed Ron. “Did you see how she sprang right back up, as if nothing happened? After a crash like that? She must have been really mad! Worst Quidditch player I ever saw!�

Then, chortling to himself, Ron flew back up to his goal, Harry followed, and they continued their game.

Chapter Seventeen – The Smith Sanctum

“Listen to this, you guys,� Hermione said to Harry, Ron, and Ginny, as the three of them were preparing for a game after breakfast the following day.

“According to this book, Godric’s Hollow, where your parents hid, Harry…�

Harry nodded, annoyed that she would explain this to him, when he’d been there, for Merlin’s sake!

“…was founded by Godric Gryffindor! It says here, ‘Godric’s Hollow is known for its unexplainable occurrences and powerful energies.’ Even more so than by wizarding standards, it says.�

Ron was pulling on Harry’s Quidditch gloves, which he’d been borrowing. “Boring, Hermione,� he said.

“It’s not!� she argued. “I think it’s very interesting, don’t you, Harry? Ginny?�

Ginny shrugged. “I’m with Ron, for once.�

“Maybe it explains what happened to me in that house,� said Harry.

“What happened?� Ginny asked.

Harry stopped, realizing that he hadn’t told Ginny any of this. “Just had a weird flashback,� he replied vaguely.

“Oh,� she said distractedly as she mounted her broom.

“Hey, what’s that?� asked Ron abruptly.

Everyone glanced down at Hermione’s book, where a piece of parchment was peeking out from between some of the pages.

“Just parchment, for notes,� Hermione answered, but her voice shook a bit.

“That’s the same parchment that Krum used when he wrote you letters!� exclaimed Ron.

Harry, who thought it odd that Ron had ever paid attention to such a small detail, had a feeling that his best friends were about to come to blows.

“Let me see it!� Ron insisted, when Hermione hadn’t said anything.

“No,� she finally replied, stuffing the letter farther between the pages.

“Why not?� demanded Ron. “If you’re holding on to Krum’s old love letters, I deserve to know about it!�

Hermione stared up at him from her seat on the bench, her expression timid.

“It’s recent,� she said meekly.

“Recent? That’s worse!� exploded Ron. “Give it here!�

“Ron, it’s nothing! We’re just friends! We’ve stayed in touch, that’s all!�

Hermione was standing now, ready to defend her right to receive the post.

“Does he know you’re just friends?� fumed Ron.

“Yes, of course! I’ve told him that I love you, you dimwit!�

Ron’s angry expression slid from his face. “Really?�

“Yes, really,� said Hermione, softly.

Ron was just leaning in for a kiss, and Harry was just becoming nauseous, when Luci and Malfoy appeared in the doorway.

“Disgusting,� drawled Malfoy. “Are we in the wrong room? I’m looking for Quidditch.�

Harry saw Luci jab Malfoy in the side with the elbow on which she’d fallen just the previous day.

Malfoy scowled at her.

“Are we in time for a game?� asked Luci.

“Just getting started,� Harry replied. “What’ll you play, Malfoy?�

“Seeker, of course,� answered Malfoy, as if this was the stupidest question he’d ever been asked.

“I’m Seeker,� stated Ginny matter-of-factly.

“Not anymore,� Malfoy spat.

“Draco, we’re guests, remember?� Luci was leading him into the room by his wrist.

“Look, Malfoy,� started Harry, “do you think you can handle playing Chaser?�

“Why not Beater?� Malfoy asked.

“Because I don’t trust you with a Bludger,� said Harry, coolly.

Malfoy glared.

“He’ll play Chaser,� announced Luci, and then she handed him a broomstick.

“Fine,� grumbled Malfoy, who took the broom and flew it up expertly.

“Well, are you lot coming or not?� he asked, once he was in the air.

Ron and Ginny soared up after him, but Harry turned to Luci.

“Keep an eye on him,� he said quietly.

“Oh, I will,� said Luci, “in between catching up on my reading, of course.�

“What have you got?� Hermione asked her, as Luci sat down beside her on the bench.

“Ancient Runes,� replied Luci.

Harry laughed.

Both girls looked up at him curiously.

“You two will have your own kind of fun then,� he grinned, and then he sailed his Firebolt into the air.

Below them, Hermione blew the whistle, and Harry immediately began trying to prevent Malfoy from scoring. However, Malfoy was excellent on a broom and a very good Chaser. He got the Quaffle past Ron quite a few times before Ron realized that he needed to take this seriously. Malfoy was playing as if the House Cup were on the line.

Harry had just come around to send the Bludger towards Malfoy when his opponent scored another goal against Ron, who groaned.

“Always were useless, Weasley,� burred Malfoy.

“Shut it, Malfoy!� seethed Ron. “We can kick you off the pitch any time we want!�

Malfoy, looking fierce, zoomed menacingly towards Ron.

“Don’t make me come up there!� Luci called from below.

So Malfoy rerouted his broom, grumbling angrily.

The entire match continued on this way. The three boys just could not get along, but Harry found that he was having a good time anyway. Eventually, Ginny, who had been off by herself, returned to the center of the field with the Snitch securely in her hand, therefore ending the game.

As they all sat down to lunch a few minutes later, Hermione was going on about Luci to Ron. “She knows loads of things and she said she’d be happy to study with me and, oh, it’s a dream come true! Finally, someone who appreciates academia!�

Luci was at the other end of the table with Malfoy and his mother, unable to hear Hermione’s praises.

“I thought you didn’t like her?� asked Ron, taking a plate.

“I never said that. I said I didn’t trust her.�

“And you trust her now?� Harry cut in.

Hermione gave a curt nod. “She did something very decent.�

“What’s that?� asked Harry.

“I’d rather not say,� replied Hermione, and that was the end of it.

----------------------------------------

“Ron, Harry, wake up! I’ve had an idea!�

“What the…�

Harry and Ron blinked at Hermione, perplexed.

“I was doing a bit of leisurely reading before going to sleep, and I came across this passage about the Smith family – you know, Hepzibah? – and I thought of something! Harry, what if Hufflepuff’s cup isn’t hidden? What if it’s exactly where it’s supposed to be?�

“What? Where?�

“At Hepzibah Smith’s house!�

“Hermione, the woman’s been dead for fifty years!� Harry reminded her.

“Yes, but the house is still there,� she replied.

“We can’t just go banging on someone’s door in the middle of the night and ask to have a look around!�

“We can do it like you did with Dudley - one of us will go under some pretense and the other will go under the Cloak and do the looking.�

“Uh, hello?� said Ron.

“You can go with Harry,� said Hermione, “and I’ll pretend I’m… selling something?�

“Go to bed, Hermione,� Harry sighed.

“Harry, this is the most important thing we may ever do! You’re going to have to face Voldemort, and don’t you want to have the assurance that you’ve destroyed all of his Horcruxes?�

“Yes, but I’d also like to be well-rested.�

“Oh, please, when are you ever well-rested? In order to get there by morning, including talking strategy and sufficient travel time, we need to get started right now.�

Ron was snoring.

Hermione stomped over to his bed and poked him in the chest with her wand.

“I’m up!� he snorted groggily.

Hermione turned on the light in the room and began, “OK, here’s the plan…�

----------------------------------------

It was much too early in the morning to be calling at the home of a stranger. Hermione had just rang the bell to the residence that she had determined belonged to the Smith family.

Hermione’s mouth opened along with the door. Harry knew that she was going to have to change her tactic. There, before them, stood Zacharias Smith, looking haughty, as usual.

“Hermione Granger?� he asked.

“Um…� Hermione started. “Do you… do you live here?�

“Of course, I live here! I wouldn’t go answering the door of a house in which I did not live.�

“Right,� agreed Hermione. “Well, I… I’d like to talk to you about… about a petition regarding the freedom of House Elves!�

Hermione looked panicked, and this was not going to work. So Harry did the only thing that made sense to him – he tore the Cloak from Ron and himself.

“Potter? Weasley?� Zacharias looked at the three of them suspiciously. “What’s going on?�

Before anyone could answer, Hermione did something entirely un-Hermione – she shoved her wand into the throat of Zacharias Smith, whose eyes grew wide with surprise.

“You wouldn’t,� he spat.

“I would,� said Hermione, “so be cooperative. Is anyone else here?�

“No. What do you want?� Zacharias looked as though he might believe Hermione’s threat to be serious.

“There’s a small goblet with a badger on it,� Harry cut in, following Hermione’s lead and throwing caution to the wind, along with their plan. “A gold one. We need it.�

Zacharias narrowed his eyes. “Why?�

“No questions!� commanded Hermione.

Harry almost laughed aloud at her, with her new short crop and her equally new fierce glare. She really did think that what they were doing was the most crucial thing they’d ever do.

“We keep nothing valuable here. It’s all in the Sanctum,� Zacharias answered.

“Sanctum?� asked Ron.

“Yes, a museum of sorts. But only family may enter.�

“You’ll have to take us then,� said Hermione.

“Very well,� replied Zacharias bitterly, “follow me.�

He turned and Hermione thrust her wand into his back, trailing him closely. Harry and Ron weren’t far behind.

“I knew you and your lot were misfits, Potter, but I had no idea you’d stoop to petty thievery,� grumbled Zacharias as they walked.

“It wasn’t my first choice, believe me,� Harry replied.

Zacharias led the three of them through the kitchen of the house, into the small back yard, and stopped at the edge of the fence. He bent down and tugged at what appeared to be a square of grass, but was actually a trap door. He slid his thin body down into the hole, and Hermione, Harry, and Ron followed, respectively.

There was a ladder, but it was very dark, so Harry lit his wand. The dank mud along the passage smelled of mildew and he attempted to breathe only out of his mouth, but then he could taste it too. Ron, above him, made a choking sound, as he seemed to be suffering the same experience.

Harry’s feet hit the ground fairly soon, and Zacharias had turned on a light below. Hermione still had her wand at ready, and Zacharias was pressing his hand onto some kind of keypad. Just as Ron got to the floor, a large cement door had begun to creak open, the sound of the stone echoing through the small space.

“You first,� said Hermione, forcing Zacharias through the entrance.

The Smith Sanctum was reminiscent of a mausoleum, cold and dark, with an eerie energy, as though gravity were somehow heightened. Harry felt as though he were being pushed into the floor as the four of them entered. The gray walls rose up alongside them, meeting at the edges of the nearly twenty-foot ceiling. It was one large, square room - the floor, cracked granite tiles and the walls, lined with shelving.

“Astonishing,� said Hermione.

Valuable artwork, trinkets, and other items were placed neatly on the shelves, with the larger pieces piled in the corners, upon the floor. A large dresser with ornate glass doors stood towards the back of the room, also crammed full of treasure. Everywhere Harry’s eyes could see, there sparkled gold or jewels or some other magnificent piece.

“Yes,� said Zacharias, “impressive, isn’t it? I don’t know if what you’re looking for is here, but have at it. You should know, however, that as soon as you go, I’ll be reporting this incident.�

“Keep an eye on him while we look,� Harry said to Hermione, who nodded.

“I’ll check this dresser,� said Ron, “and you check the shelves.�

Harry and Ron went to work, rummaging through the items. There was a nomenclature among the shelves, everything arranged meticulously. Harry tried not to touch anything, afraid that he would, somehow, tarnish the beauty. He admired the items, many of them engraved with the same badger that could be found on the cup, but he moved his eyes along the pieces quickly, searching.

“Here!� called Ron eventually, holding up the small golden cup with the finely wrought handles.

Harry couldn’t believe it. The likelihood that it would be here was so slight… Hermione was a genius – Voldemort had hid it where no one would look!

He went over to confirm the goblet’s identity and Ron tried to hand it to him.

“Can’t touch it, remember?� said Harry, backing away. “But that’s definitely it. Unbelievable.�

At that moment, a chill moved down Harry’s spine, and he became aware of a familiar despair. He turned to see a Dementor sinking down into the room, as though it had come right out of the ceiling. Ron gasped and stumbled backwards into the dresser, which fell over on top of him, shattering and spilling things everywhere.

“Ron!� shrieked Hermione, who ran towards him, leaving Zacharias unattended.

Hufflepuff’s cup had fallen to the floor at Ron’s feet.

“Grab the cup!� Harry said to Hermione, who obeyed, “and I’ll get Ron out from under this thing.�

Zacharias was standing dumbfounded on the other side of the room, seemingly unable to move.

The Dementor, which realized that Hermione was now in possession of the Horcrux, bore down on her. Harry heard her squeak, but he was focusing on lifting the dresser.

“Harry!� cried Hermione. “You’ll have to do the Patronus! I… I can’t…�

Harry turned to see that she was holding her wand up feebly, the cup in her other hand, and the Dementor was slowly pulling her spirit from her body.

There was a sense of chaos, with too many things happening at once. Harry moved towards Hermione, readying his wand and leaving Ron beneath the dresser.

But suddenly, she had forced the cup in front of her, using it as a shield.

As though it didn’t know the difference, the Dementor kept feeding, sucking the soul right out of the cup. However, the essence in the cup was smoky black, where Hermione’s had been a silvery shade.

Harry, Hermione, and Zacharias watched in wonder.

Finally, the Dementor coughed wretchedly and backed away from Hermione. It seemed confused and sickened by the consumption of the Horcrux. Harry couldn’t feel its icy affect, as though it had been weakened.

The Dementor, disoriented but still in search of prey, turned to Harry, who raised his wand and shouted effortlessly, “Expecto Patronum!�

Without any attempt at resistance, the hooded creature floated back up through the ceiling, disappearing from sight.

Knowing that they couldn’t waste any more time, Harry said, “Hurry, we have to get Ron out from under this thing!�

“Harry,� said Hermione, and he turned to her.

She threw the goblet to him, and he caught it in his left hand. It didn’t burn him. He stared at it incredulously. This had been far too easy. It had all been far too easy. Harry’s stomach went into a sour uproar at this apprehension.

“You’re bleeding,� Hermione said, interrupting his thoughts.

He looked down and saw that a large piece of the stained glass was lodged in his left pectoral muscle. He hadn’t even noticed it before, but now a surge of pain went through his entire upper left side. He dropped the cup in response. Blocking out the pain, he gave up on lifting the dresser and he began to try to drag Ron out from under it.

“Wingardium Leviosa,� commanded Hermione, and the dresser lifted lightly from Ron’s frame, crashing down again a few feet away when Hermione lowered her wand and ran to his side.

Ron was unconscious and covered in blood, cut in many places from the broken glass.

Hermione looked up at Harry with tears in her eyes, and he said, “Let’s get him out of here.�

“Morbilicorpus,� Hermione said faintly over Ron’s body, and it rose limply into the air.

“We won’t be needing the cup after all, Zacharias,� said Harry faintly, as he was growing dizzy from the blood loss. “So no thievery committed. Thanks for your help.�

Harry, Ron, and Hermione left Zacharias standing there, flabbergasted by what he’d just seen.

Hermione dropped Ron onto the entryway floor as soon as they’d gotten safely back to Grimmauld Place. Then she collapsed beside him.

Luckily, lunch was being served in the kitchen, and Harry merely had to saunter unsteadily into the room to indicate that help was needed.

Things were growing hazy, and he heard something break. His legs felt weak and he fell into the doorframe. Soft hands were touching his face and he heard Luci’s voice, then Lupin’s, then Mr. Weasley’s, though it sounded like they were all under water. Then he felt strong arms around him, lifting him into the air, and that was the last thing that he remembered.

Chapter Eighteen – Confrontation Christmas

Ron had been taken to St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, and Hermione had been confined to her bed, as had Harry. He’d awoken nearly a full day later to the news that Ron would survive, but that his face and body would be badly scarred. Mrs. Weasley was often by his bedside, scolding him for his antics and treating his wound. She would run her hands over Harry’s forehead and mumble about how much she loved him. It made Harry’s chest feel very warm. Or was that the salve that she kept slathering on him?

In and out of consciousness, Harry was unsure about the passing of time. Sometimes, he would wake up and Luci or Tonks or Ginny would be beside him, instead of Mrs. Weasley. At one point, he thought that he might have said something embarrassing to one of the four of them, but he wasn’t sure which, and he wasn’t sure what. And he was terribly aware, however drowsy, that he was shirtless, and he remembered thinking that he’d be very uncomfortable over the presence of Luci, Tonks, and Ginny, were he more sentient.

When he first felt a real sense of being alert, Tonks was sitting in a chair to his left, reading a book.

He groaned, and she jumped to attention.

“What do you need?� she asked.

“I’m so tired,� he muttered.

“The glass punctured your pleural cavity,� said Tonks.

“What?�

“I don’t know,� she said, “has something to do with your lungs. But you’ll be all right.�

Harry, suddenly aware of his naked torso, pulled the quilt up to his chin.

“How’s Ron?�

“Fred and George are bringing him home any minute, but he’s in a bad way. You should be prepared.�

“Prepared for what?� asked Harry, sitting up, but still clutching the covers around him.

Tonks smiled in a strange motherly way at his modesty, but then responded, “The damage. He’s pretty cut up.�

Harry’s heart sank.

“Why are Fred and George coming?�

“You’ve slept almost to Christmas!� replied Tonks. “It’s less than a week away. The whole Weasley clan will be arriving shortly. Now, I’d better go tell everyone you’re really awake this time.�

Tonks left the room, but she was gone no longer than ten minutes when Mrs. Weasley brought Ron into the room, Fred and George on her heels.

It was true – Ron looked awful. He had large cuts over his left eye, on his right cheek, and above his top lip.

“All right, Harry?� mumbled Ron.

“Yeah. You?�

“Been better,� he said, groaning as his mother lowered him into his bed.

“Another attempt on our brother’s life, eh, Harry?� said Fred, grinning.

Harry didn’t find this remotely funny, and he scowled in response.

George held up his hands in capitulation. “We’re only joking. You’re going to have to work on that Christmas spirit of yours.�

“Got it, Mum?� asked Fred.

“Yes,� responded Mrs. Weasley. “You boys can go up to your room and unpack.�

Fred and George disappeared from the doorway, and Harry watched Mrs. Weasley tuck the quilt around Ron.

“Now, I want both of you to rest,� she said to them. “Is that clear?�

Harry and Ron nodded, and Mrs. Weasley left the room with a distressed sigh.

Harry turned to Ron. “I’m sorry, mate.�

Ron shrugged, though he was lying down, so it was hard to tell for sure.

“Hazard of hunting for evil cups.�

“Yeah, but it’s my fault we were there in the first place,� said Harry.

“Technically, it’s Hermione’s fault,� disagreed Ron, “but I can’t blame her, due to loving her and all, you know, so…�

“Gee, thanks,� came Hermione’s voice, and she stood before them in the doorway. She was only there for an instant, however, because she proceeded quickly to Ron’s bedside.

“How are you?� she cooed.

“They tell me I’ll live. You all right?�

But Hermione didn’t answer, because she was now kissing Ron ferociously. Harry turned away, wishing that he were still asleep.

----------------------------------------

A few days later, Bill and Fleur arrived at Grimmauld Place, and they had brought Charlie with them. Harry and Ron were both feeling well enough to go down to dinner in order to welcome them all. The three of them apologized copiously for not being here when Ron was hurt, but they said they’d tied things up in their respective locations as quickly as was possible. Bill and Fleur told everyone about their tropical honeymoon, including how a large lizard of some sort had fallen onto Fleur while she’d been sunbathing, which brought hearty laughter from all.

Mrs. Weasley’s joy at having her whole family home was obvious, but she could be heard mumbling about how Percy’s presence was all she needed to complete her holiday. Harry hoped, for her sake, that the estranged son would make an appearance.

Harry noticed Charlie sitting beside Luci, chatting with her while Malfoy glared disapprovingly, and he wondered why she hadn’t been to see him since he’d awoken. The thought caused a heavy sensation in his heart, so he tried to focus on the warmth of being surrounded by the Weasley family and their overwhelming love.

----------------------------------------

Christmas was upon them before they knew it. An ample pile of presents greeted Harry that morning, glowing up at him from the foot of his bed. Ron was busy unwrapping his own parcels, which, so far, consisted of a box of Chocolate Frogs and a new pair of Quidditch gloves.

“Happy Christmas, Harry!� Ron said jovially, obviously infected with the holiday spirit and having forgotten his troubles.

Harry smiled through a yawn. “Happy Christmas.�

First, he opened a collection from Fred and George, which included the Four-Pronged Extendable Ears he’d sampled at the wedding. How many times had he needed these before now? Better late than never, he thought.

Hermione had given him a N.E.W.T. preparation journal that assisted you in scheduling your study time for each subject. Harry groaned. Ron held up an identical journal and rolled his eyes.

The next package was small. Harry didn’t know who had sent it, and nothing was attached to reveal the benefactor. Hermione would have been appalled and scolded him until she was blue in the face, but he began to open it anyway.

It was a beautiful pocket watch with his name imprinted on the front. He opened it.

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live,� came Dumbledore’s voice, sounding oddly far away.

Harry gasped, dropping the watch into his lap.

“What was that?� asked Ron.

“I… I don’t know…� Harry replied, picking it up again. On the back was engraved Dumbledore’s Man. He felt a stab of pain in his chest and his nose began to sting as his eyes watered.

He opened the watch again.

“Strange how nearsighted being invisible can make you,� chimed Dumbledore, in that same ethereal tone. Harry studied the odd watch, which had twelve hands, and tiny planets moved along the face, where numbers should have been.

“Ruddy brilliant!� Ron exclaimed. “Who’s it from?�

“No idea.�

“Really? Lemme see.�

Harry handed the watch to Ron and continued to look through his presents, but he was very preoccupied. Who had given him such a personal gift? And it was expensive too.

Downstairs, Draco Malfoy had also received an anonymous Christmas present. He sat at the table with an extravagant emerald green cloak around his shoulders. Harry overheard him telling Luci that there was no note attached, but that he was sure it was from his father. Harry was sure, however, that his own mysterious gift was definitely not from Malfoy’s father.

“Merry Christmas, Harry,� Luci grinned up at him as he was walking past her seat.

He stopped and smiled back at her. “Merry Christmas.�

Harry’s attention to Luci seemed to upset Malfoy, because he spilled pumpkin juice all over his new cloak.

“Oh!� Narcissa exclaimed as she began to vacuum the liquid with her wand.

“My father will get me a new one,� Malfoy drawled portentously, batting his mother’s hands away.

“Your father’s in Azkaban,� Harry pointed out.

Malfoy sneered. “At least my father is alive!�

Immediately overcome by fury, Harry leaned across the table, clenched his right fist, and plowed it into Malfoy’s face, so hard that his glasses slid down his own nose.

Malfoy shot up from his seat, his hands going to his face. Blood trickled down his chin.

“How dare you?� his mother spurted, getting to her feet.

“Episkey,� she chanted, and Malfoy’s nose healed itself.

“Have you gone mental, Potter?� he spat.

Harry was so engulfed in his rage that he could barely speak. “You asked for it, Malfoy,� he hissed.

“SHUT! UP!� Luci yelled, now standing too.

Harry and Malfoy ceased their bickering and both turned to her. Silence drifted through the room and all eyes were suddenly on Luci.

“My god!� she continued, furiously. “What is it with you two?�

After a moment of quiet, in which everyone apparently thought that the question was rhetorical, Malfoy replied derisively, “He hit me!�

Luci turned on him. “Can you blame him?�

Malfoy gave her a reproachful look. “You’re on his side?�

“I’m not on anyone’s side!� she groaned, exasperatedly. “I’m just exhausted from trying to referee the two of you! Can’t you be civil to one another? It’s Christmas, after all!�

Malfoy started to open his mouth again.

“I don’t wanna hear it!� Luci said, holding up a hand.

“You can’t talk to my son that way!� growled Narcissa.

Everyone continued to watch in fascinated silence. For the kitchen never having been so full of people, it was astonishing at the lack of sound.

“Well, someone needs to talk to him that way,� Luci retorted.

Narcissa scowled, started to reply, thought better of it, and closed her mouth again.

Luci then turned to Harry, whose stomach knotted up under her gaze.

“I know he provokes you, but must you always resort to violence?�

Harry could only stare back at her, dumbstruck. They were less than a foot apart and all he could think about was that intoxicating sweet smell.

“You two are infuriating!� she sighed, throwing her hands in the air and stalking angrily from the kitchen.

Malfoy glared at Harry and then also traipsed out of the room, his mother following closely behind.

“Wow,� Harry breathed to Ron, lowering himself into the seat beside his friend.

“Yeah,� agreed Ron. “Guess Malfoy can drive anyone mad.�

“Nice blow, Harry,� Fred called to him.

George nodded. “He had it coming.�

The twins proceeded to reenact Harry’s punch and Malfoy’s stunned reaction. Ginny giggled.

At that moment, to everyone’s shock, Percy entered the kitchen, causing another wave of silence to crash into the room. Mrs. Weasley, tears streaming down her face, jumped from her seat to hug him.

“Happy Christmas, Mother,� Percy said dryly.

“How did you get here?� she asked, beaming. “Who told you where we were?�

“Never mind that,� replied Percy, though Harry would have really liked to hear the answer. “I can only stay a little while. There is work to be done at the Ministry, even on Christmas.�

“I’ll take you for as long as I can get you!� said Mrs. Weasley happily, but the rest of the Weasleys did not look so pleased. Since Percy had turned his back on the family, he had not been a very welcome sight.

After the buoyant holiday celebration, Harry, feeling guilty for upsetting her, broke away to find Luci, whom he prayed was not with Malfoy. Her door was closed, and she didn’t answer when he knocked, so he looked elsewhere and eventually found her in the drawing room with an unopened book on her lap. He could have sworn he heard her humming a Muggle Christmas carol.

“Luci?� he called quietly, because she hadn’t seemed to notice his entrance.

She ceased the humming, instead letting out a small cry, and the book hit the floor with a thud, as she’d gotten to her feet in surprise. Her face flushed. “I… didn’t know you were there.�

“Sorry,� Harry replied, stepping forward to retrieve the book from the floor.

She took it from him and smiled slightly. “About all of that down there...�

“I came to apologize to you,� Harry interjected. “I shouldn’t have hit him.�

She shook her head. “What he said to you was inexcusable. I can’t believe his nerve sometimes.�

“Yeah…� Harry trailed off, turning his eyes to the floor. “Don’t know how you can stand him.�

“He’d ask me the same about you… But I know it hurts. Life without your father, I mean, and no one should ever throw it in your face that way.�

“Is your father… dead… too?�

Luci smiled sadly. “Something like that. I’m really in an awful position here. I care about you both and you hate each other. I can’t take sides, so I just have to try to mediate, I guess.�

Luci admitted to caring about him! He couldn’t help but smile at this.

“What?� she asked.

“Nothing,� muttered Harry. “I’ll try to get along with him.�

She tilted her head to one side. “I appreciate that, but I don’t think he’d make the same gesture, and it’s a two-way street.�

“Yeah, he’s always been a jerk.�

“Listen to me, Harry,� Luci said suddenly, firmly.

He was taken aback by her tone and looked at her attentively.

“You have to learn to control your anger, especially if you intend on becoming an Auror. You can’t go around losing your temper at everyone.�

Despite these warnings, Harry felt resentment mounting in his chest.

“Why are you suddenly talking to me like I’m a child?� he asked, defensively.

“It’s just friendly advice,� she replied. “You have to get a grip on your emotions.�

He was suddenly seething, and she could tell.

“Look,� she sighed. “I understand anger; believe me. Better than you know. But it’ll own you, and you can’t let it. Your destiny is too great.�

“I have every right to be angry.�

“I’d be far angrier than you are if I’d experienced half of what you have,� agreed Luci. “But you need to control your reactions to that anger. Not because you don’t have a right to it, but because it’s dangerous not to.�

Harry narrowed his eyes at her. “You’ve never talked to me like this before. What’s really wrong?�

“Nothing’s wrong. That’s ridiculous.�

“No, it isn’t. We’ve hardly spoken in days.�

Luci looked away, grumbling, “No, you’ve hardly spoken to me in days.�

Harry frowned. “Well, I was unconscious… and with Ron and Hermione here, I’ve just…�

“Exactly,� Luci cut him off.

“Do you have a problem with my friends? Is that what this is about?�

She looked at him in surprise. “No, it’s just that, since you’ve all gotten back, since way before…�

She stopped.

“What?� he demanded.

She looked down at the floor and mumbled, “I’ve… sort of… missed you, that’s all. Nights in the drawing room and stuff…�

Harry’s stomach lurched. He swallowed and choked, “Oh.�

Luci was still staring at the floor, her white-gold tresses falling into her face, chewing on her thumbnail. She looked so… vulnerable. He had an almost unstoppable urge to kiss her. Appalled by this, he took a step back.

Ginny, he reminded himself.

Thinking that his recoil meant that she’d said the wrong thing, Luci, with her nose scrunched up in humiliation, muttered, “Forget I said that.�

“I don’t want to forget it,� blurted Harry.

She looked up at him, her brow furrowed.

He gathered all of his courage and continued, more composedly, “I’ve missed you too. I just thought that we were keeping to ourselves because you didn’t want Malfoy to know.�

She nodded, “We are,� and then shook her head, “I’m just an idiot.�

Sighing in frustration, Harry asked, “Why do you do that?�

Luci gaped at him. “I…� She closed her mouth and shook her head again.

“No, I’d really like an answer,� he continued.

She took a sharp breath. “I guess I just… don’t like myself very much sometimes.�

“That’s crazy.�

“I’m crazy. Unfortunate character flaw.�

Bewildered, he studied her face.

“You know, I don’t like myself half the time either, but it seems like you’re trying to make sure that no one else likes you either,� Harry pointed out.

She smiled faintly. “You have me all figured out then?�

“No!� he said in vexation. “That’s the problem!�

“What do you want to know?� she asked. “Seriously. I’ll answer anything that’s mine to answer.�

Thinking of the Christmas song that she had been humming, he asked, “Are you Muggleborn?�

“Half-Blood,� she nodded. “My mother’s a Muggle. But Draco can never know that, for obvious reasons. God, I miss my mother…"

He saw pain cloud her eyes, so he continued quickly, “And you said your dad is dead?�

“I said, ‘Something like that.’ He’s dead to me.�

“Did he do something…?�

Luci shook her head. “I don’t wanna talk about him.�

“You said you’d answer anything I asked,� he reminded her.

“Yeah, well, I lied,� she said tersely.

Harry was about to accuse her of having a nasty pattern of lying, but he bit his tongue. Instead, he said, gently, “Tell me about your dad.�

Luci averted her eyes. “He’s a bastard,� she said hatefully, so flatly that it seemed more startling than if she’d shouted it.

“What could he have possibly done…?�

“He left, that’s what!� she interrupted, and then she gritted her teeth and concluded, “The end.�

Harry desperately wanted to know the rest of the story, but Luci had become distraught, and he thought it best not to push her. Suddenly, she seemed uncharacteristically fragile.

“OK,� he agreed.

“Thank you,� she said softly.

Harry nodded, but she wasn’t looking at him. She was still staring at the floor. After a moment, when she did glance up at him, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes teary.

“Someday, Harry,� she began slowly, “I will tell you everything, much more than you ever wanted to know, but that day is not today.�

Then, without waiting for his response, she Disapparated.

----------------------------------------

Luci was coming towards him.

“I’ve always wanted to kiss The Boy Who Lived,� she breathed, softly.

Harry eagerly reached out for her.

Suddenly, it was Ginny in front of him, saying, “We can be together again once you kill You-Know-Who.�

He smiled at her. She sent a Bat-Bogey hex upon him. His hands flew to his face.

But when he looked down at his hands, it wasn’t bogies that he saw, but blood. Not his own.

Then he saw Dumbledore lying on the floor before him.

“NO!� Harry heard himself cry out, throwing the quilt from his body.

“All right, Harry?� Ron asked drowsily, awoken by the commotion.

“I… um… bad dream,� Harry responded, slowly, looking down at his hands, just in case.

Ron made a muffled noise of understanding and immediately fell asleep again.

Harry rolled over onto his stomach. Sometimes, after these nightmares, the pounding of his heart was all that he could hear. He lay awake for a long time, his mind churning.

Chapter Nineteen – The Unwelcome Headline

Something had happened to Harry since that dream. He would find himself staring at Luci, his eyes following the curve of her neck, his skin prickling at the thought of her touch, his temperature rising every time she entered a room. What was wrong with him? He couldn’t stop thinking about kissing her. He would repeat Ginny’s name in his head, and he even considered getting back together with her, in hopes of making these emotions go away. He didn’t have the guts to feel like this.

The days following Christmas were all this way. Charlie was still around, and he seemed to have a growing interest in Luci, which perturbed Harry greatly. He couldn’t tell, for the life of him, however, if she returned Charlie’s affections. He often wondered if it would be improper to just ask her. And how improper would it be to just seize her and kiss her? Very improper, he decided. Harry even found himself growing jealous of Malfoy, who spent plenty of time with Luci and certainly knew her better than he did. Envy towards Malfoy was surely the most shame-worthy emotion Harry had ever experienced.

Bill and Fleur, sickeningly and obviously still newlyweds, floated about the house, but Harry had to admit that it did brighten up the place. Fleur, of course, was like moonlight, dusting everything and everyone around her with her enchanting luminosity. It was no wonder that Bill was never seen without an enormous grin on his face. Harry, too, couldn’t help but smile in Fleur’s presence, and Ron was beside himself, much to Hermione’s dismay. The two boys had tried to explain, repeatedly, that Fleur was irresistible, but Hermione seemed to harbor the belief that they just weren’t putting up a good enough fight against her charms.

Luci seemed to also be cheered by Fleur’s presence. The two were often seen giggling together. Hermione had even complained that Fleur had stolen Luci’s attention from her, as well, giving the impression that Hermione was missing her academic partner.

Mrs. Weasley continued to make random comments about Percy, who had stayed all of one hour on Christmas day. Her husband nodded but did not reply, though there was anger and disappointment in his eyes. Fred, George, and Ginny, however, were unabashed about insulting Percy in response.

“What a troll,� Ginny would say.

“He’s a credit to the troll race,� Fred agreed.

“King of prats everywhere,� added George.

Ron’s cuts had healed as much as they would ever heal, they were told. The scars were noticeable, but they weren’t hideous, and Ron had even said, “Perhaps they’ll call me ‘the boy with the scar’ now,� and Harry had laughed.

New Years Day arrived.

Harry and Ron were still unable to take up Quidditch again, though they knew that Malfoy was making good use of the pitch while they were gone.

It was late morning, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione were pouring over books in the drawing room. Hermione had been entirely derailed by her experience with the Dementor, and she couldn’t understand how it could have sucked the piece of soul from Hufflepuff’s cup.

“They feed on fear,� she was saying at the moment. “The cup couldn’t have produced fear, so how could it have happened?�

“They suck souls out of people. Why not inanimate objects?� suggested Harry.

“It was too easy,� argued Hermione.

“Easy?� exclaimed Ron. “Permanently disfigured is not easy, thank you very much.�

A striking pain hit Harry in the gut, and he recognized it as his familiar companion – guilt.

Hermione was gazing at Ron lovingly. “I wouldn’t use the word ‘disfigured,’ Ronald.�

“Yeah? What word would you use?�

“Experienced,� she said simply. “You just have visible memories, that’s all.�

Ron rolled his eyes.

“It was the blackest soul,� said Hermione, suddenly sounding distant, as though revisiting the memory.

“Well, it was Voldemort,� Harry reminded her. “Whose soul could be blacker?�

“And if the Dementor swallowed it, is it destroyed, or do we now have to extract it from that awful creature?� Hermione continued, ignoring Harry’s jocular comment.

“Now that’s a good question,� said Ron.

“Ahem.�

Mrs. Weasley stood in the doorway.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you all,� she began, sternly. “Wanted to wait until you boys felt better.�

“Uh, oh,� Ron said, under his breath, as his mother stepped into the room.

“Now, this has been going on ever since the three of you first met at Hogwarts. You keep chasing after these silly notions and you always end up getting hurt. You hardly ever explain where you’ve been or what’s happened to you. I never know when you could disappear and I’ll have seen you for the last time. When will it be enough?�

“When Voldemort’s dead,� said Harry plainly.

She shivered at the name, and then replied, “Even if you end up dead too?�

“Yes,� he replied. “But I’ll protect Ron and Hermione with all I’ve got.�

He stared at the pages of the book, the words swirling before him, trying not to catch anyone’s eye.

Mrs. Weasley sighed and shook her head in frustration. “Whatever you kids are doing, I know you think it’s important, but don’t forget that there is a plethora of people who are willing and ready to help you. There is safety in numbers. All you need to do is ask.�

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were silent. So Mrs. Weasley nodded hopelessly, and though she looked like she had much more to say to them, she left the room.

Harry felt so torn. He had to go after Voldemort and the Horcruxes. But he was risking lives by doing it. Sometimes, he thought he’d just do nothing about it, but he knew that the responsibility was on his shoulders, and he’d have to face it someday. At this point, he just wanted to get it over with.

“Thanks, mate,� Ron said softly.

“Now about the Dementors,� cut in Hermione, abruptly. “Maybe I could ask Luci. You know, offhandedly, like I’m just curious.�

Harry gaped at her, forgetting his dilemma. He wondered what on earth Luci had done to earn Hermione’s trust. Then he realized that it might very well be time to tell his best friends the truth.

“You both should know,� he started, “that I’ve told her everything.�

“What?� Hermione dropped her quill.

Ron didn’t look surprised, but when Hermione glanced at him for support, he feigned disapproval.

“What were you thinking, Harry?� she screeched.

“You said, yourself, that you trust her,� shrugged Harry.

“This is different! This is something that we haven’t even told Ginny! Oh, Harry!�

“Hermione, it’s done. I’m just saying that you can ask her openly.�

Hermione was still fuming. “How long has she known?�

“Since before I came to Hogwarts,� answered Harry.

She squeaked. “Oh, she could have told anyone by now!�

“I think we’d know if she had,� said Harry unperturbedly.

“Why, Harry?� Hermione continued. “Can you at least tell us why? What is it about her?�

Harry frowned.

“She’s too old for you, Harry!�

“Hermione, Krum was four years older than you! And you weren’t even of age!�

Ron had been silent, up to this point, when he interpolated, “Can we not talk about Krum, please? Just give it a rest, Hermione. Like he said, it’s done.�

She opened her mouth to respond, but then she sighed and nodded. “I’m going to ask her then.�

“We’ll go together,� agreed Harry.

The three of them headed to Luci’s room, but instead, they met Malfoy and Luci, together, on the second landing. Malfoy was wearing a very satisfied smirk.

“Why do you look so happy?� Harry asked him, uncouthly.

“My father’s escaped from Azkaban,� Malfoy proudly replied.

Hermione gasped, and Luci’s expression told Harry that she didn’t share Malfoy’s pleasure at this news.

“That’s right, Potter; you should be scared!�

Harry realized that the fear must have shown on his face, so he distorted his features into a stone-cold glare.

“No one’s scared of your dad, Malfoy. He’s just a big bully.�

“My father is a greater wizard than you’ll ever be!� snarled Malfoy.

“Oh yeah?� Harry scoffed. “Is that why he ran around claiming he’d been under the Imperius Curse when I defeated his old mate, Voldemort, the first time? Sounds like a coward to me.�

Malfoy lunged at Harry.

“Enough!� shouted Luci, grabbing the tail of Malfoy’s shirt to hold him back.

“Lucky for you, she’s always here to make sure you never have to actually defend yourself,� Harry jeered.

“Stop it, Harry.�

He turned to Luci and her eyes were cold. He felt as if she’d just slugged him in the gut.

“Fine,� he spat. “Protect him. But eventually, he’ll have to face me on his own, and then we’ll see who’s a great wizard.�

With this, Harry stalked away angrily, followed by Ron and Hermione, who remained in stunned silence.

A small crowd had gathered in the kitchen, and Harry pushed his way to the table, where the Daily Prophet lay spread open, the headline reading, “DEATH EATERS ESCAPE AZKABAN FOR SECOND TIME!!!�

“Oh, Arthur!� Mrs. Weasley was saying as her husband held her.

“At least it was only a few of them,� said Mr. Weasley.

Harry turned to Lupin, who stood on his right. “Which ones escaped?�

“Malfoy, Crabbe, Rabastan, and Mulciber,� Lupin answered.

Relieved by the small number, Harry released a long breath.

Professor McGonagall was standing towards the back of the room.

“Ahem!� she called over the noise.

The voices ceased and everyone looked up at her.

“For those of you who have read this article, you now know that Professor Clares Todge is a Death Eater. I had no knowledge of this when she was hired, of course, and I am greatly regretful, especially for the deaths due to her employment.� McGonagall stopped and sniveled quietly. “After her dismissal, I see no reason why Hogwarts cannot reopen its doors.�

The room erupted and Professor McGonagall held up a hand, quieting everyone again.

“Unless anyone disagrees?�

Mrs. Weasley stepped forward. “Now there are even more Death Eaters out there, and half of them know their way around Hogwarts. You can reopen the school but none of my children will be returning. Harry, Hermione, that includes you.�

This time, the room was silent.

“Very well,� said McGonagall finally. “I will take your feelings, and those of other parents, into consideration when making my decision.�

Then she nodded politely to the room at large and Disapparated.

“Can we still get in touch with the members of the D.A.?� Harry whispered to Hermione.

She held up the Galleon, and asked, “Why?�

“I have a feeling I’m going to need quite an army.�

----------------------------------------

Harry spent the entire day seething at Luci because she’d taken Malfoy’s side. He wanted to confront her about it, but he didn’t see her again. She’d apparently locked herself in her room and was refusing to come out. Because of this, Malfoy and his mother were free to saunter smugly around the house, something that seemed to irritate everyone immensely.

As the evening was drawing to a close, Hermione ventured, “We should ask her about the Dementor.�

Harry glanced at her and took a moment to respond. He wanted to see Luci by himself. “Let me.�

“But…� she began.

“She trusts me,� he cut her off.

“She trusts me too,� Hermione countered.

“She trusts me too,� said Ron, and then he grinned. “Just wanted to be included.�

Harry shook his head and smiled at the pair of them. “I’ll be right back.�

He knocked softly on Luci’s door. They hadn’t spoken privately since the conversation about her father, and he was unusually nervous about talking to her now, as though she were likely to be in the same troubled mood.

“Go away,� she called, confirming his suspicions.

Crestfallen, he started to leave the landing, but then he thought better of it.

“It’s Harry,� he called back, hoping against hope that she would want to see him.

After a moment, she opened the door only slightly and peered out. Her eyes were red, and Harry could tell that she’d been crying. Something about her frailty took his breath away.

“What’s up?� she asked him, but her voice was apathetic.

Harry frowned. “Are you all right?�

Luci forced a smile. “Sure. Fine.�

Wondering what she was hiding, Harry asked, “Can I come in?�

She hesitated, but then she widened the door and Harry stepped inside. He noticed that her room, like most of the bedrooms in Grimmauld Place, contained only a bed and a desk. However, it was the only other room, besides the kitchen, in which Harry had seen a fireplace. Suddenly, it struck him that this was her method of communicating with people outside of Grimmauld Place.

Upon the desk, he saw the current Daily Prophet, with the same blaring headline.

Harry must have been silent for too long as he was looking around the room, because Luci said impatiently, “Is there something I can do for you?�

Wounded by her iciness, he considered just stomping from the room and leaving her to do her crying.

Instead, he swallowed his pride and said, “Why do you have to be like that?�

She bit her lip. “Sorry.�

He moved closer to her, even though the proximity made him feel tremulous.

“Are you sure you’re all right? You’ve been up here all day. I thought you were mad at me.�

“Mad at you?� she asked in surprise. “No, of course not. I shouldn’t have snapped at you earlier. I’m just... It’s a bad day and I’m just having a bit of a conniption, that’s all.�

Harry looked at her uncertainly. “Why are you so upset?�

She hesitated. “Oh, I’m easily upset. I’m just… homesick and so tired of this place…�

Noticing the injured look on his face, she corrected herself, “This place, not you or anyone else. Poor Draco. At least I’ve been able to go to your family’s house and to Hogwarts. Imagine how it must be for him and his mother.�

Harry scowled. “They both deserve to be in Azkaban, so they should count themselves lucky.�

Luci shook her head and smiled. “So bitter.�

Harry opened his mouth to protest, but she carried on, “I know, I know, you have a right to be bitter. I’m immensely bitter over some things too, obviously, so I don’t hold it against you.�

He sighed and then redirected the conversation.

“Did you see the paper? One of our professors was a Death Eater, again!�

“Oh, yeah?� said Luci, going over to get the Daily Prophet.

As she walked back towards him, Harry continued, “I knew someone had told the Death Eaters that I was at Hogwarts. It was one of the new professors, a woman called Todge.�

“Hmm,� said Luci, trying to unfold the paper to read the story. Attempting to shake the pages straight, she dropped it onto the floor.

Harry bent down to retrieve it and heard a clunk, followed by, “It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.�

The gold watch had fallen out of his pants.

He snatched it up quickly, shoved it back into his pocket, and handed the newspaper back to Luci, who was grinning brightly.

“It’s just a pocket watch,� said Harry.

“Oh,� she replied, but her eyes were glittering.

Harry gawped. “You didn’t…?"

She grinned.

"Did you?�

“He wanted me to give it to you, but it was my idea to engrave it and to enclose his voice in it. So it’s kind of from both of us. It was his, you know. He’s had it for ages. Not much use in death, of course.�

Harry just looked at her. He was experiencing a marvelous upsurge of affection, like fire in his veins. He was so moved by her gesture that he couldn’t find words, so he just stepped closer to her, putting a hand gently on her arm. He fully intended to kiss her, but then she stepped back uncomfortably.

Clearing her throat, she said, “Sorry, I’m not much of a hugger.�

He almost laughed aloud. Instead, he said, “It’s all right. Thank you. This is… brilliant.�

“You like it?�

“Very much. It’s the best thing I’ve gotten, next to the Invisibility Cloak. Why didn’t you say it was from you? I’ve actually been a little scared of it, not knowing who sent it.�

“I shouldn’t have told you now, but I’m losing my resolve. Anyway, it’s inappropriate for me to give you a gift,� answered Luci.

“Why?�

“You know why,� she smiled.

“What do you mean – your resolve?�

She vacillated for a moment, but then replied, “It gets harder and harder not to completely spill my soul to you.�

He blinked, astounded. After a long moment, he managed, “Then why don’t you?�

“Because I still have some self-control,� she grinned.

Harry, baffled by this line of conversation, merely said, “Oh.�

Then, searching for something to redirect this awkward conversation, he continued, “We need your advice.�

“We?�

“Me and Ron and Hermione.�

“OK?� she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“We found another Horcrux,� he began, and then he told her about the events with Zacharias.

“So, in the end, Hermione is stumped on how the Dementor could have removed the soul from the cup,� he concluded.

Luci, who had been shaking her head disbelievingly throughout the whole story, now took a deep breath.

“You’re all lunatics,� she said, smiling, “but it has to be done, I guess.�

Harry nodded.

“I don’t know… I mean, perhaps a piece of a soul is as capable of fear as the soul in its entirety. Maybe it fears the end of its existence as much as we do.�

He frowned. “Possibly. But Hermione’s concern is that the piece of soul isn’t destroyed – now it’s just stuck in that Dementor.�

“No, when a Dementor steals your soul, it’s gone forever. They don’t carry it around with them. Imagine the suitcase they’d need for that! But I told you, I don’t know much about the splitting of the soul. I’d have to research it too. I could help, if you’d like.� She said this last bit as if she were preparing herself for rejection.

“Ron and Hermione know that I’ve told you everything,� said Harry, “so you could join us.�

Luci pursed her lips. “Why don’t you check with them first and get back to me?�

“OK... The watch, I don’t know how to thank you.�

She beamed. “The look in your eyes was thanks enough. I’m just glad you like it.�

He nodded. “See you tomorrow?�

“Yep. ’Night.�

She closed the door, and Harry returned to his room, where he relayed Luci’s thoughts to Ron and Hermione, who agreed, after some slight persuasion, to allow her in on the research.

Chapter Twenty – Done With Hiding

Harry bolted upright, breathing heavily, his heart pounding. His temples were throbbing and he swallowed hard. He was becoming accustomed to these rude awakenings. Ron, per usual, was sleeping deeply.

Putting on his glasses, he climbed out of bed. He quietly opened the door of the room and tiptoed down the hall towards the bathroom. He yawned silently, rubbing his eyes as he walked along the corridor.

Unexpectedly, he became aware of soft voices. He slowed, following the sound, and stopped outside a door that was two down from his own – Luci’s room!

“I don’t care where you think you come from,� he heard Narcissa say. “I don’t believe a word of it anyway. I’ve had no confirmation from my husband, and Dumbledore was a fool to his dying day!� Harry felt anger rising in his throat.

“Believe what you want! There’s no denying it,� Luci’s voice countered, barely recognizable to Harry. His chest tightened. Why was she arguing with Narcissa in the middle of the night?

“I’m starting to think that you are not loyal to the Dark Lord, after all,� snarled Narcissa.

After an unpleasant jolt of the heart, Harry gasped aloud.

“My loyalty to Voldemort is none of your business,� Luci retorted.

Narcissa hissed at the name, as if she’d been scratched.

“Oh, don’t be a coward!�

“It’s called respect, you silly girl,� Narcissa spat. She paused, but then continued, “You’ve spent far too much time with Draco and it ends right now. You will do your job and keep your distance. I don’t want my son associating with a Mudblood any longer.�

“Watch it,� Luci warned, coldly.

“I will say what I please,� Narcissa growled. “I have no obligation to speak kindly to you.�

“If you care at all about Draco, and I know you do, you’ll carry on as we planned,� Luci replied, sternly.

“What are you doing, Potter?�

Harry jumped, spinning around and coming face-to-face with Malfoy.

“What are you doing?� he stuttered, trying to compose himself, so as not to look guilty.

“I asked you first,� Malfoy spat. “Why are you sneaking around outside Luci’s room?�

“I’m on my way to the bathroom,� Harry answered, gesturing towards it. “I was just…�

Suddenly, the voices in the room elevated. Curious, both of the boys pressed their ears to the door.

“You will never have any relationship with Draco! He is my son and I will protect him!� Narcissa barked.

Luci then yelled back, “He’s my brother and I can protect him too!�

A stunned moment of silence. Then…

“Your what?!� Malfoy yelped, throwing open the door. It slammed against the inside wall of the room, the noise echoing through the large space. Harry was sure that the whole house had been awakened.

Narcissa and Luci froze, mouths agape, with their eyes on Harry and Malfoy, who both stood there, wide-eyed, in their pajamas.

“Mother, what in the bloody hell is going on?� Malfoy shrieked. His eyes were on Luci. Harry could see his fists shaking at his side. He looked down and realized that his own hands were shaking too. She’s Malfoy’s sister. His stomach turned at the thought.

“Draco…� Luci began.

“Is this some kind of joke?� Malfoy cut her off, turning his eyes to his mother’s face. Narcissa stood in baffled silence.

“It isn’t a joke.� Luci sounded as if she’d almost choked on the words.

Malfoy’s eyes were begging his mother for a rationalization.

“I can explain…� Luci said.

“You’ll do no such thing,� Narcissa snapped suddenly, glaring at her. “I will take care of this.�

She walked towards Malfoy, who didn’t make another sound, and put a long, scrawny arm around his shoulders. As she led him from the room, she glowered at Harry, who stood motionless in the doorway. Harry watched them walk to the adjoining door and enter the room in which Malfoy was staying.

He slowly turned to face Luci. Her skin was even paler than usual. Her eyes were bright and filled with tears. She looked stunned and helpless, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

She met his gaze. “Harry… I’m sorry. I… All this time, I wanted so badly to tell you…�

He took a step back. She took a step forward. “Harry, please…�

Everyone had been right about her. Did he even know her at all? If she shared that blood, he didn’t know if he wanted to know her. It was bad blood.

“So it’s true?� Harry managed, his voice barely escaping his throat.

She nodded. She was watching his face, cautiously, as if she were afraid to scare him away.

“But… how?� he pleaded.

She took a deep breath and then turned away from him, facing the window.

In the neighboring room, they could hear Malfoy yelling recklessly at his mother.

Harry’s legs felt rickety. He slowly walked into the room and collapsed onto the end of Luci’s bed. Expectantly, he watched her. He could see the moonlight playing upon the side of her face, and he thought that she was devastatingly beautiful. This only increased the ache that was quickly filling his entire body.

But his thirst for answers outweighed his anger. He swallowed. “So you’re a Death Eater?�

She whirled around to face him. The tears had made their way from her eyes to her cheeks, which were now flushed with emotion. Harry felt the overwhelming urge to take her into his arms and comfort her. Then he shook the thought, realizing that he still had no idea what was going on.

“Oh, god, Harry, no!� she exclaimed.

He must have looked like he didn’t believe her, because she marched over to him and raised her sleeve to show him her left forearm.

Harry studied the pale, ivory skin, absolutely flawless and unmarked, and then he looked up at her distrustfully.

She sighed, removed her small mahogany wand from her pocket, and handed it to him.

“Aparecium,� he murmured.

When nothing appeared, she gave him a look that clearly said, I told you so, and paced back towards the window.

“Then I… I don’t understand,� he stammered, as he watched her pocket her wand again.

Luci shook her head slowly and whimpered, “I didn’t mean for this to happen.�

Words failed him, as his brain seemed to have jammed. He just looked at her.

“Before you left for the orphanage, you asked me why I was here…� Luci started.

Harry nodded.

“And I told you that it was to report back to the Ministry.�

He nodded again.

She looked defeated. “And that was partly the truth… but I’m here because Professor Dumbledore asked me to come.�

“Dumbledore?� Harry asked, in disbelief. “But Dumbledore’s dead!�

Luci smiled slightly. “Is he?� she asked.

Harry raised his eyebrows. He supposed that Dumbledore wasn’t entirely dead…

Without explanation, Luci continued, “But he contacted me before his death. He told me that my family needed me.�

“Your family?� Harry echoed, still shaken, but attempting to understand.

She began hesitantly. “When I started to show signs of magic, my mother was terrified. She hadn’t known that she’d been involved with a wizard all of those years ago. See… Lucius spent a few months in the states and took up with my mother. When he found out that she was pregnant, he ran off, and she never saw him again. I imagine it was pretty important to him that no one ever know that he’d had a relationship with a Muggle. He married Narcissa almost immediately when he got back here.�

The shock on Harry’s face must have prompted Luci to stop. She looked at him, studying his expression. “You can ask me anything you want, Harry,� she encouraged. “I’m obviously done with hiding.�

“It just explains… so many things…� Harry trailed off. He remembered Narcissa calling Luci a Mudblood, the whispered conversations he’d witnessed, and Luci’s reluctance, numerous times, to give him straight answers. He recalled all of the attention that Luci had paid to Malfoy, and almost laughed aloud at himself for ever being jealous.

“Malfoy’s father must have known that it would come back to haunt him eventually,� Harry pointed out.

Luci shook her head. “He was very young, and I don’t think that he was the same person then as he is now. I think he was just scared. His pure bloodline was always important to him, even then.� She paced in the path of moonlight that streamed through the window, her pale skin and hair aglow.

Harry was silent. He had so many questions, but he didn’t know where to start, and his mind was muddled.

Luci took another deep breath and continued, speaking slowly, as though weighing every word. “So my mother immediately took me to doctors and specialists, who knew nothing, of course. Finally, one day, one of them referred her to a school in Europe for children with similar ‘disorders,’ he called them. That’s when she got in touch with Professor Dumbledore. I assume he told her that Lucius had gotten married and had a son. I don’t really know the details at that point - I was young - but the two of them managed to put the pieces together. I went on with my life. I went to school and became an Auror. It was always in the back of my head that I had a brother and a father, but I… I never thought I’d meet either of them.� She was wringing her hands, anxiously.

She moved towards Harry and sat down on the bed beside him, squeezing herself between him and the footboard. Somehow, the moon dust still shone on her face, even though they were both now sitting in shadows.

“So why would Dumbledore ask you to come here after all of that time?� Harry asked.

“It was the best way to protect my brother from Voldemort, after all the trouble he’d gotten himself into.�

Harry was confused. “But how would Dumbledore know that Malfoy would need your protection? None of it had happened yet.�

Luci looked down at her lap and chewed on her thumbnail. She seemed to be trying to find the right words. She sighed and glanced sympathetically up into his eyes. “Dumbledore knew that he was going to die, Harry.�

Harry’s heart began to race so fast that it hurt. “What are you talking about?�

She placed her hand over his, running a finger over the engraved words: I must not tell lies. An oddly warm shiver crawled up his arm as their skin met.

“It had to happen,� she whispered.

He pulled away, standing up suddenly, the bed scooting noisily across the floor. “He… planned it?� Harry asked quietly, but he knew the anger was evident in his voice. He felt like he was suffocating, his insides writhing.

“Not exactly,� Luci said, standing and moving closer to him. “Dumbledore knew that Voldemort had sent my brother to kill him. He knew that Draco would try. And he had to protect him. He had to make sure that Draco didn’t have blood on his hands.�

“What about me?!� Harry cried. “What about protecting me?� He became aware of hot tears on his face and looked away in embarrassment, wiping madly at them.

He felt Luci’s hand on his arm, gently drawing him back to face her. He surrendered.

“He knew that you had a journey to travel on your own,� Luci spoke gently, tears sliding down her face, as well. “He couldn’t help you anymore. And he knew that you were ready.�

“But I’m not ready!� moaned Harry.

“Of course, you are! Look how far you’ve come, on your own,� Luci responded. He saw the faith in her eyes, and he almost believed her.

Looking away, Harry swallowed. Everything was coming together in his mind. It all made terrible sense. Malfoy was her brother. He felt the familiar contempt in his gut. Dumbledore had asked Snape to kill him, so that Malfoy wouldn’t have to do it. He remembered Hagrid telling him the previous year that Dumbledore had asked Snape to do something that he hadn’t wanted to do and they had argued. Anguish boiled inside of Harry.

“God, I…� Luci had begun, but Harry cut her off.

“Why didn’t anyone stop him?� he asked, hearing his voice become uncharacteristically shrill. “Why did he have to die?�

He replayed the fateful night in his head, for what had to be the millionth time. He thought he might be sick. He felt his legs buckle. Swiftly, Luci’s arms were around him, guiding him back a few feet onto the bed. She sat down beside him again and he saw the concern in her features.

“He had his reasons.� Her voice was tender. “I don’t know what they were.�

Harry was silent for a while.

Finally, he asked, trying to keep his voice even, “So that’s who you were talking to in your fireplace? Malfoy’s dad? I mean… your dad.� He’d almost choked on that last bit.

“No, that wasn’t who I was talking to.�

“It wasn’t?� asked Harry suspiciously.

Luci laughed bitterly. “Do you really think my father would have anything to do with me? I’m his greatest shame. He doesn’t even know I’m here.� She paused. “Well, he might know now that he’s out.�

Harry frowned. “Then, who?�

She hesitated.

“I thought you said you were done with hiding?�

She bit her lip.

“Dumbledore? Someone was in the fire in his office,� Harry prompted.

Luci nodded in defeat. “That was me, yes, but… most times… I was talking to Severus.�

“Snape?� Harry exclaimed.

She nodded again.

“The coward who killed Dumbledore?� he asked, his voice and temper rising in unison.

Luci looked nervously at him. “Severus didn’t want to do it, Harry. He did it for Draco and he did it because Dumbledore asked him to. I think it’s killing him.� She shook her head, as if out of pity.

Then she said softly, “And don’t call him a coward.�

“What?� shrieked Harry, which caused Luci to shoot away from him in surprise.

Harry glared at her. “I can’t believe you could defend Snape!�

“Look,� she started. “I know you and he don’t like each other, and I agree that he’s not a warm person, but he only did what was asked of him… and I have to be grateful that he saved my brother. And he’s been… since I’ve been here… I’ve been able to depend on him.�

“Snape has you all fooled,� hissed Harry. “He’s a murderer.�

“Murdering someone doesn’t make you a bad person,� said Luci.

“How can you say that?� he asked, his tone stifled by emotions. He was trying to refrain from shouting.

“You’re going to murder Voldemort, aren’t you?�

“That’s different! I’m not evil! Snape is evil!� he snarled.

“What is wrong with you, Harry?� Luci spat back. “Is it impossible for you to see anything from any other viewpoint than your own?�

Harry felt his mouth fall open in surprise. He was sure that the hurt was evident on his face.

Luci sighed. “There are just aspects of this that you don’t understand.�

“Oh, and you do?� Harry retorted, his rage becoming difficult to control.

Luci blinked, but her expression remained calm.

“Don’t you think you’ve lied to me enough?� he barked.

She looked as if he’d slapped her.

“I… I didn’t mean that… I just…�

Harry took a sharp breath. His skull was throbbing. He put a hand to his forehead. Loathing filled his chest as he tried to grasp all of the things that Luci was saying. Intuition told him not to trust Snape or Malfoy. Yet, Luci trusted them both. And he trusted her. Whose side was she on? The room was spinning.

“I need some time, Luci,� Harry murmured, rising slowly to his feet, gripping the back of the bed to steady himself. “You and Malfoy and Snape… it’s just… a lot.�

Luci nodded sympathetically, standing to face him, and when she spoke, there was a note of desperation in her voice. “Please don’t hate me.�

Stunned, Harry stammered, “I… I don’t… hate you…�

“I need you to know that I’m still the same person. The same girl from the drawing room. And I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you this in the beginning. My brother was my priority at that point and I didn’t know that I’d meet you and…�

She stopped and seemed to redirect herself. She sniffed. “Now that he knows, it could be a disaster.�

Harry looked at her, and he could see the lament in her face. Had her priorities changed?

“You’d better go talk to him,� he said then. “It’ll be better coming from you.�

Luci nodded, mopping the tears from her face with her sleeve. “I hope you’re right.�

She started towards the door, but then turned back. “Thank you for hearing me out.�

He nodded wearily.

She stood gazing at him for a few moments before saying, “Good night, Harry.�

“Good night, Luci.�

As he watched her leave, he realized, all of a sudden, that he was exhausted. Emotionally and physically drained, he meandered back to his room, forgetting entirely that he’d meant to stop by the bathroom.


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My beloved readers,

For the few of you who review, thank you! I love them! I only ask that you don’t spoil the “surprise� in the review, if you can help it. =)

Love, Sunny

Chapter Twenty-One – Flight of the Malfoys

Sunlight shone through Harry’s window, playing upon his face and waking him. Ron was still sleeping. He thought it must be quite early, so he rolled over onto his stomach and closed his eyes again. The previous night was clear in his head. He’d meant to contemplate it all before falling asleep, but he’d been unable to stay awake.

She’s Malfoy’s sister, his brain reminded him, causing an acidic sensation in his gut.

But she’s different, he argued with himself.

Or was it all an act?

No, she’s still the same girl who makes you feel like you’re flying when there’s not a broomstick in sight, he told himself. Then he smiled. He was becoming rather maudlin.

Feeling downright silly, and unable to take any more time alone with his thoughts, Harry stretched and clambered out of his bed, retrieving his glasses and sliding them onto his nose. He wondered what scene would greet him when he went downstairs. In fact, he wasn’t sure what he would do when he had to face her. Would he still see her the same way?

He quickly dressed and made his way to the kitchen. The house was quiet. He heard the clinking of eating utensils as he approached. Lupin and Tonks sat there alone. Dread gripped Harry. Maybe she’d gone, after the terrible way he’d treated her. But it was early still. Maybe she was just sleeping late, due to being up most of the night.

“Where is… everyone?� he faltered.

Lupin looked up. “Good morning to you too.� He frowned. “Is there something wrong?�

Harry hesitated.

“I’m sure it’s none of our business, Remus,� said Tonks, a twinkle in her eye.

“Right,� agreed Lupin, returning her smile.

Harry sighed. “Did you know Luci was Malfoy’s sister?�

Lupin exchanged a troubled glance with Tonks, who said, “Your territory, not mine,� and walked away.

“Who told you that?� asked Lupin.

“I overheard.�

“Sit down, Harry,� he said gently.

Harry complied, walking over and taking a seat.

“There are people who can’t know about this…� Lupin began.

But Harry cut him off. “Malfoy’s heard already. He was pretty upset.�

Lupin raised his eyebrows. “I see. And can you tell me why you’re so upset about it?�

Harry feigned disinterest. “I’m not upset about that. I don’t care who or what she is. I just want to know why no one tells me anything that’s going on in my own house.�

Mrs. Weasley bustled into the room and immediately began about the business of breakfast.

“We only keep things from you for your own good,� Lupin explained in hushed tones.

“My own good,� Harry repeated. “That’s what they tell me.�

“You keep a lot of things bottled up inside, Harry, so I know that you can understand why we don’t tell you everything,� continued Lupin. “And it’s perfectly all right if you do care about Luci.�

Harry scowled, but Lupin grinned.

“So much like your father… You know, he adored Lily, even though she was very friendly with Severus, and we all warned him that anyone that close to such a strange… person… must have something wrong with her. We were mistaken, of course. And you are sheltering your feelings for Luci the same way that your father did for your mother. He often threw me that identical glare.�

Harry, who had been listening attentively, took a deep breath.

Lupin carried on, “I’m out of the loop here, but your father was right to follow his heart. You inherited great instincts, Harry. Think. Have they ever failed you?�

Was Lupin encouraging him to pursue Luci? It would be a first from anyone in this house.

At this moment, Ron entered the kitchen and groggily sat down beside Harry, oblivious that he was interrupting a very important conversation.

“Didn’t sleep too well last night,� he muttered. “You?�

“No,� said Harry.

“We’ll talk later,� Lupin said with a smile, and he stood and walked away.

“Did I miss something?� asked Ron, rubbing his eyes.

“Yeah, actually.�

Hermione and Ginny came in together, seating themselves across from Harry and Ron.

“Harry says we missed something,� said Ron through a yawn.

“Sorry?� asked Hermione.

“Dunno,� Ron shrugged.

“Luci,� said Harry.

Ginny let out a low growl.

A pang of guilt pierced Harry’s chest. But he was coming to terms with it - he wanted Luci. He couldn’t help it. None of it mattered anyway. He was a marked man. Besides that, Luci still thought he was the boy who lived. And she was Malfoy’s sister. There could never be anything between them. He would just have to get over this preposterousness. He’d be crazy about Ginny again in no time. He was sure of it.

“What about her?� Hermione asked.

Harry wavered, but then responded quietly, “I found out last night that she’s Malfoy’s sister.�

“What?!� all three of them shrieked together, as Bill and Fleur swept into the room.

“Keep it down!� Harry shushed them. “Everyone here knew but us anyway.�

“This is brilliant!� Ron exclaimed. “How does it work?�

“Ron!� Hermione scolded. “What happened, Harry?�

He took a bite of the toast that Mrs. Weasley had placed in front of him and mumbled his thanks to her. “Lucius Malfoy had an affair with a Muggle, and that Muggle was Luci’s mum.�

“That’s impossible,� Hermione snorted, incredulously. “The Malfoys hate anyone who isn’t Pure-Blood.�

“Well, now we know why,� replied Harry. “It’s all an act, isn’t it? No one would suspect that Malfoy’s dad had a Half-Blood daughter.�

“Excellent!� Ron grinned through a hearty bite of eggs. “Does Malfoy know?�

“Yeah, we found out at the same time, and he didn’t take it very well.�

“Figures,� said Ron.

“How did you find out?� Ginny asked.

Harry didn’t look at her, but he replied, “I couldn’t sleep. I ended up in the hall with Malfoy and we overheard it all. The worst of it is that Dumbledore basically committed suicide.�

“What?!� they said again.

So Harry explained what Dumbledore had told Luci, including why she was here in the first place. He didn’t mention that Luci was in contact with Snape, however.

“Dumbledore informs one person of his plans to have Snape kill him, and it’s some girl no one’s ever heard of?� asked Ginny. “Harry, you were close to Dumbledore, and he didn’t mention anything to you, so why a stranger? Sounds to me like she’s fed you a load of bull.�

Harry glowered at her.

“Well, it would be necessary, wouldn’t it?� said Ron. “She would want to know why Malfoy needed her protection.�

“Oh, don’t defend her!� Ginny retaliated.

Ron blinked. “I’m not defending her.�

“I hate that girl,� mumbled Ginny.

Harry was thunderstruck. Ginny got on with everyone. He’d never met anyone who didn’t like her, aside from Malfoy, who was a dolt, and she was congenial to everyone in return.

“Ginny, we’ve talked about this,� Hermione was saying. “Just let it run its course.�

Ginny’s nostrils flared. “But she promised me!�

“Let what run its course?� asked Harry.

Hermione looked furtively at Ginny.

“Your stupid crush,� spat the redhead.

“You’re talking about me behind my back?� exclaimed Harry.

“Oh, Harry, it’s not like that,� Hermione replied.

“Right,� he said.

“Look, we’re sorry that the lines of communication haven’t exactly been open between all of us. Luci comes along and you’re telling her all of your secrets! Poor Ginny has been a wreck!�

She got up angrily. “Sorry, Ginny,� she said, and stomped away from the table.

Ron gave Harry a chastising look and then followed Hermione out of the room. Both of them had entirely forgotten their breakfasts and Mrs. Weasley was now staring suspiciously in Harry’s direction.

He looked at Ginny and she was crimson with embarrassment.

“I’m sorry,� he muttered.

She shrugged and said sadly, “We ended things. And I gave up on you weeks ago.�

“What? Why?�

She was refusing to look at him. “You said her name in your sleep. Once, when I was watching over you. I tried to convince myself that you were just delirious, but after a while of paying attention, I knew.�

Harry didn’t know what to say, so he just mumbled, “I’m sorry, Ginny,� again.

“Is there anything going on between you?� she asked quietly.

“No,� he answered.

“But you’d like there to be?�

Harry didn’t respond, and instead, stared into his plate. They sat there in silence for a few moments. Then Ginny slowly rose, and with her back to him, dashed from the kitchen.

Harry finished his breakfast alone, listening to Bill and Fleur as they told Charlie, who had also come down to the kitchen, about the new house they’d bought in London, and how they were planning on moving in the next day.

None of the Malfoys made an appearance in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place that morning.

----------------------------------------

When Harry returned to his room, he found Ron waiting for him.

“So you’re just going to break my little sister’s heart?� he greeted him.

“We broke up!� Harry defended himself.

“Yeah, so you could go save the world,� countered Ron, “not so you could go find someone else!�

“I haven’t found someone else,� Harry snapped. “We’re just friends.�

“Oh, come off it, Harry! I see how you look at her. I just want to know why my sister isn’t good enough for you anymore.�

“Ron, you’re being an idiot.�

“An idiot?� Ron scoffed. “Listen, I put up with you dating Ginny, but I never liked it. Let’s face it, Harry; you’re not normal. And you did exactly what I knew you would – you hurt her.�

“I didn’t mean to hurt her.�

“But you did.�

Harry stared at the floor.

“Will you just promise me you won’t start anything with Luci? It would crush Ginny.�

“I can’t promise that.� Harry paused. “I think I love her.�

Ron eyed him skeptically. “You’re joking.�

Harry shook his head.

“Bloody hell,� Ron swore.

“It just happened,� Harry tried to explain.

“And she feels the same?�

“Dunno. Haven’t said anything.�

“Are you sure? Maybe you just think you love her because you can’t have her,� Ron suggested matter-of-factly, crossing his arms satisfactorily in front of his chest.

Harry looked up at him, suddenly very angry. “I know how I feel,� he said, between gritted teeth.

“You just told us she’s a Malfoy! Doesn’t that make a difference?�

“She’s not like them,� he spat. “She’s…�

“You hardly know her!�

“That’s not true; we’ve spent loads of time together!� Harry countered.

“What do you know about her?� asked Ron. “Half of it, you found out last night!�

“Maybe, but I know how I feel,� Harry said again.

“This is mental!� exclaimed Ron.

“Look, I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve tried to fight it and deny it and everything else, and I just can’t make it go away.�

“Then how do you know it’s real? You wouldn’t want to fight it.�

Harry shook his head in frustration. “Well, how did you know with Hermione?�

Ron looked away. “I just… felt it…�

“And how long were the two of you in denial?� Harry pointed out.

“Years.�

“Right.�

“Does your chest hurt?� Ron asked abruptly.

“I… what?�

Ron’s face reddened. “Hermione,� he hesitated. “Sometimes, she…� He put a hand to his chest, but didn’t continue.

Harry smiled. “Yeah, I know what you mean.�

They looked at each other for a moment.

Then Ron shrugged. “You’re my best mate, Harry. And I really do like Luci. But Ginny’s my sister.�

“I know.�

“So there’s no hope for the pair of you?�

Harry shook his head. “I was never any good at Divination, Ron.�

“But you’re going to date Luci now?� Ron questioned.

“I haven’t told Luci anything. And since it’s not safe for me to date anyone, I’m not going to tell her. I broke up with Ginny because I’m dangerous. So how can I turn around and put Luci in danger instead?�

“So you’re going to wait this out?�

With a sigh, Harry responded, “Yeah, I’m going to wait. I’m not sure if I can take the rejection on top of everything else that’s going on anyway.�

Ron shifted his weight uncomfortably. After a few moments, he advised, “You should tell her how you feel.�

Harry was stunned. “Y-you think?�

Ron nodded. “But this doesn’t mean that I’m not bloody furious at you for hurting Ginny.�

“Fair enough.�

“And now I have to worry about her rebounding towards some prat who doesn’t deserve her, and that’s your fault, Harry.�

Harry shook his head. “Ron, I…�

But Ron cut him off, muttering, “Good luck with Luci,� and leaving the room.

Harry, feeling arrantly guilty about upsetting Ron, but also somehow encouraged, ceased battling his desires and finally made his decision.

----------------------------------------

Harry rapped softly on Luci’s door. He was going to tell her! He was going to tell her how he felt, and then he was going to finally kiss her and make sure that she knew she was forgiven for everything. He was going to inform her that it wasn’t safe for them to start anything now, but that he wanted to be with her, as soon as Voldemort was dead. And he was going to hope that she felt the same way about him. Otherwise, Harry was about to make quite a fool out of himself. His heart was beating so fast that he thought it might jump from his chest.

But there was no answer. Was she still asleep? Malfoy and his mother hadn’t emerged from their rooms either.

He pushed open the door and peered inside. Luci wasn’t there. In fact, he noticed that many of her things were gone. He felt his racing heart plummet into his stomach. Where was she?

Darting into the hall, he threw open the rooms where Malfoy and his mother had been staying. They were empty, as well. The Malfoys had gone.

Chapter Twenty-Two – The First Taste

Harry had been unable to sleep. Passion was surging through him, tightening every nerve in his body. Though he knew that it was somewhere around three o’clock in the morning, he had dressed again and went to the drawing room. He sat there, alone, with an open book on his lap, but he hadn’t bothered to turn on the lights. What would be the point? He could hardly see straight, due to the ire. He couldn’t believe that she had left with Malfoy and his mother. Their friendship had meant nothing to her.

In his hands, he was turning over a lovely silver quill that Luci had left in her room. It smelled like her, like a sweet shop. Maybe he’d never see her again. How could she go before they’d had a chance? He’d wasted so much time, fighting with himself. Now, he very much felt like fighting with her.

He knew he should go to bed, and he was certainly worn out, but the sofa was so cozy, and his eyelids were so heavy, but not as heavy as his legs…

The noise of a door opening. He had dozed off. He looked out to see the light on in Luci’s room, the door standing ajar. A powerful surge of some intense emotion shot through him, half anger, half excitement. He scrambled from his chair, the book and quill forgotten, and stalked down the hallway.

“Welcome back.�

Luci gasped and stopped cold in her tracks, dropping something onto the floor. She turned slowly to face him, and her expression was definitely one of panic, like a caged animal.

He was so angry with her that he felt as if he might detonate on the spot. He clenched his hands to stop them shaking.

“Harry…� she began.

“Where the bloody hell have you been?� he shouted at her.

She staggered backwards into the desk. She looked terrible, completely exhausted, her eyes puffy and bloodshot.

“I… Draco disappeared… I had to go after him! He’s not safe!�

“And you couldn’t bother telling me?�

“I thought you pretty much never wanted to see me again, so I just… left…�

“That’s mental, Luci, I…� He broke off. He wasn’t going to reassure her. Not this time. He continued, “If you thought that, why did you come back?�

“Because I couldn’t find him. I need help.�

“No one here cares about him, so you’ll have to go somewhere else for your help.�

Luci made a noise that sounded a bit like she was being strangled, and then nodded slowly.

Harry felt guilt creeping in, but he pushed it away. She had hurt him, and this was the least she deserved.

She said softly, “So you do hate me.�

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “You know that’s not true.�

Neither of them said anything, but she was staring at him with a strange expression that he couldn’t distinguish.

“What happened with Malfoy?�

She shook her head. “Well, he hates me, anyway. He was too arrogant to listen, and Narcissa was furious, so they ran off. I’ve been trying desperately to find them and I’ve looked everywhere. I finally decided that I needed to regroup.�

“Why didn’t you go to your good friend, Snape?� he spat at her, trying to ignore the sorrow in her voice and his own impulse to take her into his arms.

“Harry, I told you, I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you everything. What more can I do?�

“This isn’t about you and Malfoy. This is about you leaving here without even considering me. I thought I’d never see you again,� he said hotly.

“So did I. I meant for it to be goodbye.�

Harry blinked, literally feeling his heart ache with misery. “Has it all meant nothing to you?�

“No! Just the opposite,� she whimpered.

“The opposite? That doesn’t make any sense. Why would you-�

“I’m such a disaster, Harry,� she cut him off. “It’d be better if you never saw me again.�

“How can you say that?�

“You’re so angry…� Luci said abjectly.

“What do you expect, after all you’ve done?� he exploded.

She bit her lip and swallowed. Her voice was trembling when she spoke. “I don’t have the right to expect anything. All I have the right to do is try to leave here without ruining anything more in my wake.�

Her eyes anywhere but on his face, Luci hastily went to the desk and picked up a few items before starting towards the door. But he couldn’t sustain his fury at her and he couldn’t let her walk out, so he seized her arm before she could pass him.

She stopped but still didn’t look at him. They stood there silently for what must have been several minutes, his hand on her pale skin, their bodies almost touching, her breathing shallow, as if she was frightened. There was so much energy between them that it was making Harry lightheaded. He was too scared to ask if she felt it too.

At last, he took a deep breath. “Why did you leave without saying anything to me? I thought we… I mean… Did you really think that I never wanted to see you again?�

She finally gazed up at him, and then replied, hesitantly, “Yes. I thought you’d be happy to get rid of the daughter of a Death Eater.�

He swallowed. When she said it like that, it made him want to throw up.

“No, I… We were friends, weren’t we?�

“Aren’t we?�

He said nothing.

“I don’t know how we can be,� Luci continued, shaking her head. “I’ve wrecked it all. And there are too many ‘I’m sorry’s for me to say. I can’t expect you to ever forgive me for everything. And I know that you’ll never see me the same way, now that you know. But can’t you see why I didn’t tell you? Don’t you wish that you’d never found out?�

Harry didn’t know how to respond to this. She was wrong – he didn’t wish that he’d never found out; he wished that it wasn’t true.

“So I will go find my help elsewhere,� she said, when he didn’t respond. “Thank you for… everything. I can’t tell you what y- what it’s meant to me…�

“So you’re just going to leave me again?� He still had a firm grip on her arm.

“Leave you?� She glanced back up in surprise, her eyes searching his face.

He inhaled, holding her stare. “Yes.�

“Harry… I’ve hurt you so much and I never meant to and I’m so unbelievably sorry. All I wanted was to keep Draco safe, and now, so many other things have become important, and I’ve done everything wrong, and I’m just… I shouldn’t have left without saying anything. I was just so scared of what you must think of me and I couldn’t bare to face you and I’m just spineless in general and I’m sorry, I really am. I wish that we could start over.�

She meant it. She had barely made it through the dialogue, and there were tears in her eyes as she gazed remorsefully up at him. Her body was still only inches from his. Harry, forgetting his rage, realized now that he couldn’t go any longer without knowing what it felt like to kiss her. He leaned down and touched his lips to hers. He almost expected her to shove him away, but, instead, after a soft noise of surprise and after dropping everything in her hands, he was thrilled to feel her kiss him back. Electricity shot through his body. He became aware of a feeling that he’d never known; it was as if nothing terrible had ever happened to him. He was just here, in this single moment, and there was nothing else.

He began to pull her closer, her body heat seeping into his skin, but she broke their kiss and took a step back, almost tumbling over the items on the floor. She looked up at him. They were both breathing deeply.

“What does this mean, Harry?� she asked, carefully.

This simple question seemed to weight the air heavily.

Harry wanted to tell her what it really meant to him. But he couldn’t slow his blood after the rush, and his head was buzzing, so instead, he stammered, “I’ve just… wanted to kiss you…�

Luci raised an eyebrow. “I see.� She had a hand to her chest.

They looked at each other for a moment. This wasn’t going right at all.

“Oh!� she exclaimed, turning away from him. “This is so wrong!� Then, looking even more panicked, she gasped, “I’m going to lose my job.�

“I’m of age, Luci,� Harry reminded her, hoping that this would make a difference.

“Yes, but I’m still a Ministry Official and you’re still a Hogwarts student!� she said, continuing to look fretful and avoiding his gaze.

He could say so much, but he didn’t know where to start, so he just stood there and watched her.

“What about you and Ginny?�

“There is no ‘me and Ginny,’� he replied.

“Oh, god, she’ll think I…� She didn’t continue, but she kept pacing back and forth.

Finally, she stopped, faced him, and declared, “We can’t do this, Harry.�

“Why not?�

“Because… it’s… inappropriate,� Luci said, slowly, but she sounded unconvinced.

“But you do feel something for me?� His voice was shaking.

She shook her head. “This is all my fault… If I’d known this was happening…� But she stopped.

“What?�

“I would have stayed away from you. I should have.�

Harry could see that she was clenching her jaw.

“Why?� he asked.

She looked trapped. “Just let it go, Harry.�

“No.�

“Please. Just… You need to go.� She sounded as if she were pleading with him.

“Not until you tell me that you don’t feel the same way. Don’t you… I mean… there’s something here, isn’t there?�

She murmured an inaudible reply and stared at the floor.

“Look at me,� demanded Harry. If she didn’t feel something, she wouldn’t be this distressed. Right?

Luci finally looked up at him, and the color in her eyes had changed. Then she responded in a very hollow voice, “I don’t feel the same.�

A wave of humiliation hit Harry powerfully in the stomach.

“But, Luci, I…�

She shook her head. “I don’t.�

“You’re lying. Again. Why can’t you ever be straight with me?�

She wouldn’t meet his eyes. She simply said, “Just go.�

He stared at her for an instant, and then said quickly, “Fine,� and moved towards the door.

“Harry.�

He kept his hand on the doorknob and didn’t turn to face her.

“I’m… so sorry. You have no idea.�

“You’re always sorry,� he replied.

Harry couldn’t see her expression, but she made a muffled noise.

“Just… stay here tonight, OK?� Then, with a heavy heart, he left the room, slamming the door behind him.

----------------------------------------

Harry had pulled the quilt up over his head. He couldn’t believe he’d done it. His lips still burned. Part of him was elated; the other mortified. She had rejected him. But she had kissed him back… Hadn’t she? Was she incapable of telling the truth, or was that the truth, and she really felt nothing for him? He was so confused. He’d finally made up his mind… And now this.

He was running it over in his head, for what had to be the tenth time, the butterflies fluttering in his stomach at the memory. Then, all of a sudden, he heard voices downstairs. They were a mixture of hurried whispers and shrieking voices, one of which was definitely Sirius’s mum. Ron had woken, as well. They exchanged a questioning look and, as Harry hastily threw on his glasses, together, they rushed out of the room.

All three landings were filling with curious voices as everyone emerged from their rooms. Luci had hurried out, as well, and, at the sound of her name on Narcissa’s elevated voice, stopped near Harry and Ron.

“Now she wants my help,� Luci grumbled to them.

They both smirked.

“Luci!� Narcissa repeated in a panic. “He’s taken Draco! The Dark Lord has taken him!�

Harry heard Luci gasp and felt her grip his wrist. His heart skipped a beat at her touch. He glanced at her, and the little color she had was faded from her face. She quickly let go and hurried past him and Ron down the stairs.

“We’re going after him,� she stated resolutely, as she took the stairs two at a time.

“We can’t do that,� Narcissa moaned. “He’ll kill us all!�

“Well, we have to try, don’t we? We can’t just leave him there!�

Harry could tell that Luci was choking back her terror as she spoke.

“It’s too late!� Narcissa shrieked. “He’ll kill my Draco!�

“No, he won’t,� Bill said from the side of the room. “The Malfoy boy is bait.�

“Bait for whom?� asked Mr. Weasley.

Bill’s gaze moved up to where Harry stood motionless on the second landing. All eyes followed.

“Me?� Harry exclaimed. “Why would I care if he had Malfoy?�

Then he stopped, looking down at Luci, who had tears in her eyes. Voldemort knew. Of course, he did. He and Harry were connected. Damn if he hadn’t tried harder to learn Occlumency.

The room was silent. Harry took a deep breath. “We’d better be off then,� he sighed.

“But Harry,� he heard Hermione call from the landing below. “What about… you know?�

Harry considered this. “It’ll have to wait.�

----------------------------------------

Luci had insisted that they leave Grimmauld Place immediately, but Mrs. Weasley had forbid it. She had said that they needed a distress signal, and Hermione had suggested her own clever Galleon method. The members of the Order had agreed to this, and Hermione was upstairs, charming the coin. Her only condition was that she and Ron would accompany Harry and Luci to the Ministry of Magic. Narcissa had pointed them to this location, claiming that she knew it was a holding quarter for captives of the Death Eaters. Harry found this fishy, but Luci was unrelenting, babbling that they needed to get there as quickly as possible. He figured that they wouldn’t find anything at the Ministry and would have to search elsewhere, but he wasn’t really in a hurry to find Malfoy anyway.

Harry had dressed alongside Ron, snatching the two-way mirrors before he returned downstairs. If they were going to the Ministry of Magic, he had to find out about that veil.

Back in the kitchen, he found Luci, fully dressed and whispering with Charlie, who was still in his nightclothes. He didn’t catch anything that they were saying, but they looked pretty cozy.

Harry made an obnoxious noise.

The pair of them glanced contritely up at him. Then, without another word, Charlie scooted from the room.

“You know this isn’t going to be easy?� Harry said to Luci, deciding that this was not the time to confront her about Charlie.

She was looking at him, but she didn’t reply. She had put two fingers to her lips and a distance had appeared in her eyes.

“Luci?�

She seemed to snap out of it. “Sorry - what?�

“You don’t have to come with us.�

The idea of the four of them leaving unaided grated on Harry. If he were going by himself, it would be different, but this would put the three people he cared about most in grave danger, and the thought made Harry feel like he was plunging into concavity.

“That’s crazy. Of course, I’m coming with you. I’ve gotta get Draco out of there. I’m the only one who cares what happens to him.�

“You’re right, I don’t care about Malfoy.�

Luci looked at him pleadingly. “Do you care about me?�

“You know I do.�

“OK then,� she said tartly.

“You’re… important to me.�

“Harry, please don’t do this right now.�

“No, listen to me,� he commanded.

She nodded grudgingly.

“It doesn’t matter whether or not you feel the same. Voldemort knows how I feel and that means that you could possibly be killed.�

Suddenly, he realized that he’d broken up with Ginny for absolutely no reason. Voldemort would have known his feelings, despite whether or not they were dating, just as he knew Harry’s feelings now.

“I don’t care, Harry. He’s my brother and I have to go after him.�

Once again, he’d laid his heart on the table and Luci had totally disregarded it. It was fantastically depressing, and his stomach ached. He thought maybe she had just been hiding her feelings, but now he considered that she really might not feel anything for him. Malfoy had always been first with her. Harry had never had a chance.

“Fine,� he spat coldly.

“I should tell you…� began Luci.

“What?�

Her chest rose as she inhaled deeply, but she didn’t say anything.

“What?� he asked again.

“We’re ready,� said Ron, as he, Hermione, and Ginny entered the kitchen. “Mum has the Galleon, and the Order will come if we need them.�

“And the D.A.?� asked Harry, wishing he’d been able to continue his conversation with Luci, even though all they did was talk, around and around in circles.

“We’ll get the message,� Ginny replied, looking warmly at Harry.

Before anyone could say another word, she marched over to him and threw her arms around him. He had a sudden panic that she was going to kiss him, but she just murmured in his ear, “Please be careful, Harry.�

At a loss for words, he just nodded. Then, to his further shock, she turned to Luci and said, “Good luck finding your brother.�

Luci’s mouth fell open, but then she recovered and stammered, “Th-thank you, Ginny.�

“All right,� sighed Harry, “let’s go rescue someone we don’t even like.�