Unofficial Portkey Archive

Dumbledore and Pappy-Chapter 11

Harry grabbed Hermione immediately that morning and took her with him to Dumbledore's chambers. They were let in and had to wait for Dumbledore to come down. "You'll have to forgive an old wizard for being slow to start in the morning." He immediately saw the reddening and rawness of Harry's scar. "What happened, dear boy?"

Harry sat in silence with Hermione holding his hand. "He's been like this except for telling me that he needed to see you quickly. I am worried sick Professor."

Dumbledore walked to their seat on the large leather couch. "Harry, you must tell me. I know that you must have had a dream about Voldemort because of the appearance of your scar, but what happened?"

Harry stared a Fawkes. "I saw Voldemort and the snake. This time I think he put his thoughts in my head." Harry began to shake.

"Hermione, go get Madame Pomfrey," Dumbledore said.

"NO." Harry screamed. "It is time that I am treated like the adult I will die like." Harry was agitated and unbalanced. "I have been trying to reason this out. Why me? Why when I have the girl of my dreams, do I have to face death? After all the shitty years living with the Dursley's, I find out that someone more powerful than anyone but you, Professor, or Voldemort lived six blocks from me?" Harry demanded answers.

"Harry, no man or wizard controls the fate of any man, not even himself. I do not pretend to know why the things that have happened to you and to him have occurred. What do you want me to say to you? That everything was a miscalculation on my part and the universe spun out of my control and Harry Potter is suffering for it." Dumbledore was as angry as Harry, but not at Harry. "I would change places with you if I thought it would solve the problem." Dumbledore put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "You are right though, Nathaniel is probably the most powerful wizard besides you and those you mentioned."

Harry looked at Dumbledore in shock. "Me. You have to be joking."

"Harry, what you lack in magical knowledge you carry with you in your heart. And the skill with which you execute that knowledge makes you more powerful than you can know at your young age. Are you as strong as Voldemort, or I, or Pappy? Probably not for many years, but there are no wizards here at Hogwarts, including Snape, who don't know the hidden power that lies within you." Dumbledore expounded.

"I don't feel so strong when I have a headache that pounds like a kettle drum in a tin house; or, when my scar burns like I am being branded." Harry said. He told Dumbledore the entire dream start to finish.

"You and Hermione were destined to be together, just as Francine and Pappy. I am going to see Pappy today. I have just decided that it is high time I stop relying on the word of others." Dumbledore said. "Go see Madame Pomfrey for a poultice for your scar and a powder for the headache. I will see you after I talk to Nathaniel or Pappy as you call him."

Harry and Hermione walked out arm in arm with Hermione holding Harry steady. "Harry, if she offers something for a short nap, ask if you can take it with you to the dorm. We'll go to the Room of Requirement. I'll stay with you." Hermione looked at Harry with a sad heart that he had to withstand so much pressure and responsibility.

They received all three and proceeded to the Room of Requirement.

Dumbledore sat quietly in troubled meditation. He was able to discern some of the elements facing Harry. Voldemort was happy. Harry was seeing things projected through his own mind. And, that meant that Voldemort was close. The ability to force thoughts through another person's mind meant that there had to be some close connection. But what could it be?

Dumbledore's thoughts turned to going to see Pappy. He needed to get more of a firsthand knowledge of Pappy's visions than he had now. Dumbledore turned and walked toward his staircase as he heard Fawkes' song. That was unusual. He turned to look at Fawkes.

"Hello, Albus, it's been many years." Pappy was now just as old as he had been described by everyone who'd seen him, but he stood tall with a beard as long as Dumbledore's and a lightness to his eyes that none had seen. "I keep my true appearance a secret from everyone. No one here will recognize me either, including Harry or Tonks."

"I knew you and I were the only ones strong enough to Apparate into Hogwarts. Why have you come? Did you sense my visit?" Albus asked kindly as he walked toward the still standing Nathaniel. "I still prefer to call you Nathaniel, is that permissible?"

"I'm in your world now Albus, I will play by your rules." Nathaniel stood taller than Dumbledore but only by an inch. He was broader of shoulder from years working in his garden and in the shop.

"I appreciate that Nathaniel. May I offer you something? I don't want to forget my hospitality, especially since you treated Minerva and Tonks so well." Dumbledore felt an obligation as well as a desire to accommodate his old student.

"I know you never understood, Albus, how I could just leave it all behind and pretend to be a muggle. As you know I hated the divisiveness of the arguments between those who supported only pure blood wizardry, those you thought that if at least one parent were full-blooded it would be permissible, and those who felt anyone with magical powers should be taught. I, of course, supported the later. I didn't want the headaches you now endure." Nathaniel finished with a bow of respect and deference to his old teacher.

"Many do not know I maintain the balance, but it is the love for the children that makes it worth it to me." Albus answered.

"Had Francine and I known then that children were not in our family's future, our decisions might have been differently made. Even muggles use the saying that hindsight is 20/20, Albus." They laughed, for they each knew the saying had applied to them through their lives more than once.

"It seems that there are so many things we'd wished we'd done better. But we have the opportunity to reject that guilt and do something right for this generation." Albus provided a start for their conversation.

"Ah yes, Harry Potter. Albus, I have no desire for that young man to endure even one more day such as this morning. I felt and shared his dream. That is why I am here."

Nathaniel admitted.

"You are aware of the boy's dreams? How can this be?" asked Dumbledore.

"I am not sure, Headmaster. There have been very few of them, but they all have a common element. Extreme emotional stress for Harry or Hermione." Nathaniel answered.

"I'm not sure what I want from you now that I see you and have spoken with you." Dumbledore said as he offered Nathaniel some tea and sat across from him leaning in as they discussed everything.

"I have some things to offer you, Albus. Some musings that were once just that and now seem to have become far more important. First, do you know my birthday?" Nathaniel asked.

"Why no I don't remember. I am sure I once knew it and I'm sure Harry would have mentioned it if he knew." Dumbledore admitted.

"July 31^st," Nathaniel said. "I am sixty years to the day older than Harry. Second, I was at the rear of the cottage with Francine when Voldemort came. I saw him arrive. I know this is disputed because there was no proof in official records. I was deafened and blown clear of the wreckage as the windows and walls collapsed, but I have flash burns. I know the prophecy refers to Harry, but we are inextricably linked, I believe, to the events of that night."

"I know the story, Nathaniel. Except for the common birthday, I admit to being confused." Albus said shaking his head.

"Harry heard the words, the screams, and everything. I was made deaf by some unknown force, just as these things transpired. I was spared when I was just feet away from Francine. Somehow, I find this intriguing. I believe I was spared to help Harry. Just as no one knows that you have heard the prophecy and chased away the eavesdropper; I was left with clear memories of many things I saw, but they were devoid of sound. To this day, I see many of Harry's dreams, but without sound." Nathaniel finally spoke words that intrigued Dumbledore.

"The details of his dreams may be clearer to you, but what was said and who spoke would not. Are you asking to sit with Harry and discuss his dreams?" Dumbledore asked.

"I don't want to reveal my complete nature to him yet; the stories you may have told him will suffice for now, but could you review for me what he has told you of previous dreams-focusing on voices and sounds he mentioned?" Nathaniel patiently listened and asked questions for the next few hours as Dumbledore used the pensieve to recover his own memories of some events.

Finally, "That's all I can remember Nathaniel. Does it help?" Dumbledore asked.

"I have seen a map in Harry's dreams that he has not told you about. Do you have any knowledge of it?" Nathaniel asked.

"A special map, other than ones made by our own mapmakers at the ministry?" Dumbledore thought for a moment or two. "No. None of which I am aware."

"The nature of this map is what I am unclear on, but it gives Harry a means of power that others here do not possess. I don't know what that is. It's appearance is blank until the incantation is used. Of course, I can't hear it. But it shows the castle in great detail, even it's secret paths and corridors." Nathaniel looked gravely at Dumbledore. "As great a weapon as this is for Harry, it is greater for the Dark Lord should he obtain it. Ask Harry about it, please, Albus."

"I will, Nathaniel. I find it interesting. Could this map have been developed by students as a ruse?" Dumbledore began to think of who may have created it.

"Why, yes of course. The title shows the names Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs present, "The Marauder's Map," recalled Nathaniel. "I'm not sure of the order but I do recall the names very clearly."

"I need not involve Harry," said Dumbledore. "Do you recognize the second name?" Dumbledore asked.

"For Merlin's sake, how did I not catch that until now? The word was spoken in the dreams and I saw the transformation from rat to Pettigrew. Who are the others exactly?"

Nathaniel asked.

"Two are dead, Nathaniel. Padfoot was Sirius Black, Harry's godfather and Prongs was Harry's father." Dumbledore related. "Moony, however is one of our greatest assets. I wonder why he would not have informed me. He is Remus Lupin, werewolf extraordinaire. He is completely trustworthy with the exception of this, if he knew Harry had it. Lupin is due here later today to teach an honors class in Defense against the Dark Arts tomorrow." Dumbledore didn't want alarm Nathaniel by saying that Harry was teaching defensive tactics to the other school children.

"I see, would that be the same class that Harry teaches in the Room of Requirement we used as teenagers for our liaisons with our girlfriends?" Nathaniel asked, realizing that Dumbledore was holding back.

"Yes, you are still very gifted Nathaniel. How, might I ask, did you know that?" Dumbledore asked.

"As I said, I cannot channel his dreams, but often his dreams of passion are linked to the ones of danger," Nathaniel said in obvious reference to the recent ones involving Wormtail and Hermione where the previous dream had been of the DA meeting.

"What do you suggest, Nathaniel?" asked Dumbledore looking for another opinion.

Nathaniel outlined his proposed plan. "I think we should go on the offensive. Begin holding meetings with each of the students in small groups. I could be an old friend who is assisting. We can look for those who may be under the Imperious Curse, look for those who seem to be hiding things and delve deeper into their minds, and finally find out what that map can and cannot provide us or our enemy."

"How do we make these small groups? Ah, you are suggesting that we attend a class here or there and teaching. The announcement of the new idea would make it seem normal." Dumbledore sat in thought. Snape would have to be used whether he liked it or not. "Yes, a very good idea."

"Well, Albus, I have an antique store to run. If you have any pregnant young women or cats to send my way, make sure the women are single and the cats don't have to leave for work." He laughed as he spoke. "I will come see you like this more regularly. Today's events for Harry could not go unmentioned. I find him delightful."

"Yes, yes. One more thing. Is there anything that we should know about the gifts? Do they have powers that could be used against us?" Albus asked as they stood face to face.

"No, Albus, their magic is based on the oldest type known to man, love. The Dark Lord can make lust appear like love, but he cannot long stand love in his presence. That I believe is the reason he hated the Potters so intensely. It is also why Harry and Hermione are in such danger. Good day, Albus." Pappy disappeared.

Dumbledore stood thinking of his old friend's last comments. `It is true. It is also what protects them,' he thought.

Harry and Hermione skipped their next few classes as Harry attempted to get rid of the anguish of the night. "Harry, does your scar hurt still?" The poultice that Madame Pomfrey gave him had a ghastly smell to it, but it relieved the burning sensation almost immediately.

"No, this nasty thing keeps it from hurting too bad." He had it wrapped around his head with a bandage which made him look like one of the walking wounded from a war movie.

When they arrived they walked into a very quaint little bedroom without any frills with a radio of sorts. It was actually a little clock radio. "I am amazed what this room can do on its own," said Harry with the first lighthearted comment he made all day.

"Harry, I want you to climb into that bed right now and get some sleep. I will be right here." Hermione said as she nestled into an overstuffed chair near the bed.

"Hermione, lie down next to me and hold me." Harry looked like a little puppy wanting to be picked up.

"Harry, I can't with that thing on your head." She said making an excuse. Harry stripped it off quickly which to his surprise didn't effect the sensation of the scar much now anyway. "It doesn't hurt like this now anyway."

Hermione looked at him with a sidelong glance and a curious smile. "Is this an elaborate plan to seduce me, Harry Potter?" She was serious, but only wanted the truth. She'd thought about it on the way up.

"I'm not in the mood for seduction at the moment and about ten minutes after I take the sleeping draught I'm out for a few hours. The worst that could happen is that I'd have a real hot dream from feeling you beside me. The draught is designed to rob me of even that, so…." Harry had made his case. He knew any more would just be rubbish.

Harry took off his shirt, shoes and pants, climbed under the covers and beckoned her again by holding the blanket up. Hermione paused for a moment did the same and stripped to her bra and panties. "Close the blanket for a minute and take this." She handed him the sleeping draught. "You forget you're not the only one with temptation on your mind." Once he'd taken the draught, Hermione made Harry move so she'd be behind him holding him. That way she wasn't feeling things pressed against her that she'd end up regretting.

"There. How's that, Harry? Satisfied." She felt his warmth and knew she'd sleep well too. She was mentally exhausted from the worry about Harry this morning. She knew she wouldn't sleep long and she'd be up and dressed again before Harry awoke.

"So you wouldn't consider being starkers would you?" Harry asked playfully.

"Harry, go to sleep or I'll knock you out and the draught won't matter," a smile crept across her face. `As if I hadn't thought it too.' "Sh." She moved enough to kiss him on the temple and whisper, "I love you, Harry." She nestled in behind him with her arm at his waist.

Hermione felt his strong teenage body against hers and admired the firmness of his stomach as lay with her arm about his waist. Only a tiny hint of the poultice remained the rest was the scent of Harry. `I hope this isn't the only time I'll enjoy your smell,' she thought ruefully as she fell off to sleep.

Harry felt her soft smooth flesh at his back. He knew it was best that she slept where she was for obvious reasons. He had smelled her hair and the slight perfumed smell she presented as she climbed over. It excited him to sleep with her. With the sounds softly playing from the radio, he too quickly drifted off to a dreamless sleep.

Ron was worried all day about Harry. He told Luna about the incident and she'd reacted as she always did. "Poor Harry, all the time worrying about You-Know-Who. Sometimes I think he should just get it over with, you know, Ronnie."

"I wish he could get rid of all this too. My brothers say that it's all some big secret as to why Harry's the target of Voldemort. They tried to listen through these extendable ear things they made, but my Mum caught onto them before they could hear." Ron explained.

"The Order has been scrambling a little since Sirius died. So they're not quite ready to take on You-Know-Who yet." Ron explained a little more.

"The name again of the order is…" Luna was stopped in mid-sentence.

"The Order of the Phoenix, silly. I told you before. For someone as smart and sexy as you, your memory is sure not that good. Dumbledore is trying to recruit your father too." He said good-naturedly.

"Well, I'll just write Dad with what I know and he can decide for himself. How would that be?" Luna asked.

"I think it would help. Maybe with you knowing some of the members you saw last year, he'll be more convinced." He added.

Luna's smile broke wider than usual. She remembered. She remembered well. "Absolutely." She could feel the latest effects of the Polyjuice Potion wearing off. "I'll just be a minute." She left Ron sitting in the chair in the library where they were doing their project for Divination.

Ron read through his book on charms that could divine the life, danger or death of a loved one. "Wow," he said out loud. "That's the charm used with the clock at The Burrow." He read further.

These charms are used so that only the person who owns the object can use it effectively. The charm can be done in many ways. It can be used to provide pictures, voice memories, or even whole scenes from the life of a loved one. More commonly used in the past for keeping the memories of the deceased alive, more and more, these charms are single purpose to show us our loved ones who maybe separated by long distances with another object to provide memories of the dead. Examples, of objects used often today are: jewelry boxes to store the deceased prized belongings with a mirror in the lid, wall-mounted mirrors, and grandfather clocks for the dead; combination jewelry and music boxes which play the owner's or their loved one's favorite music, watches, pendants and wall mirrors for the loved ones who are living.

The change was brought about after the fall of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. The reason was clearly that people no longer wanted to keep daily reminders of the terror he had wrought with reminders of the dead constantly on their person or in daily view. They could purchase a separate heirloom for reflection and designate an area in their homes specifically designed for reflection on the dearly departed or for wishes gone unfulfilled. The most famous is said to be the Mirror of Erised.

Luna returned from the powder room. "Look at this," Ron said. "Tell me what you think this means."

Luna read it carefully. She read the paragraph before just to be sure she wasn't reading it out of context. "Well, it looks to me like older, antique objects have the power to show both the living and the dead. The newer ones are designed for the living to inspire us daily." She explained. `Oh, don't tell me, the mushy stuff again. Isn't sex enough without making me act all romantic.' Bellatrix thought.

"Let's get ourselves one next week right before Christmas holiday break. We can get it in Hogsmeade." Ron was excited.

"That's so sweet my love. We could celebrate later in our favorite place too." She cooed like the vixen she was. She had to turn the love into lust before it curdled in her heart and made her explode in hatred.

Hermione awoke much sooner than Harry after a soothing dream of a massage and sitting in a Jacuzzi in a beautiful hotel somewhere. She loved both the sex dreams and the ones of pure unadulterated spiritual bliss. The sexual ones tended to leave her more depressed because she had not experienced that aspect of life yet and wanted to with Harry before something horrible happened. But events like being together today gave her hope for the future after the dream.

She stood in the floor length mirror and admired herself in her underclothes. She was as becoming as Harry often told her. She didn't linger long, but she'd realized that it was the first time she'd seen herself as she'd grown. She was tempted to see herself completely naked, but resisted. She wanted to listen to the music from the radio. It elicited waking dreams in her that sometimes made her sad and sometimes made her want to shout for joy. She remembered one that touched her as though it were sung by Harry himself. It was a very rock oriented song and was out of place with most of the easy listening songs that were played. It was called When I'm Gone, she laughed at the name of the group called Three Doors Down. It was funny to her because if they removed the wall between the girls and boys dorms, Harry would be living three doors down. The song went like this:

When I'm Gone

Copyright Three Doors Down and Universal Records (2003)

There's another world inside of me that you may never see / There are secrets in this life that I can't hide /Somewhere in this darkness there is a life that I can't find / Maybe it's too far away or maybe I'm just blind, maybe I'm just blind /So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong / Hold me when I'm scared and love me when I'm gone /

Everything I am and everything in me / Wants me to be the one you wanted me to be / I'll never let you down even if I could /I'd give up everything if only for your good / So there.

That first verse was all she could remember, but it sounded like Harry. The other song was Time in a Bottle. She knew that song because her parents played it in the home stereo at least once month as she grew up. She thought about the lyrics and realized she'd save this moment if she could.

As she slipped into and out of her daydreams, Harry woke up looking much more refreshed. She realized that she'd heard that song by Three Doors Down just as she was going to get dress, but got distracted. There she sat in her underclothes staring at Harry in bed yawning. "Come over here," he said.

She was tempted to get dressed first but something told her no. She walked over as Harry looked past her at her reflection in the mirror. "You are beautiful." Her white winter pale skin was now being touched by the only man she'd ever love as his hand touched her thigh.

"Harry, not here, not today." She pleaded as though the resistance were necessary to maintain the illusion that she didn't want him.

"No, darling, but I want to touch you. You're not dressed any differently that you would be at a beach," he said.

"Oh yeah! Well, I wear a one-piece at the beach. So there, Wizard Boy." She smiled as he kissed her thigh. She could see his rising manhood under the sheets. "Harry, we can say no with our brains all we want. We know where this will end."

"Do we? Maybe we love each other enough to enjoy these forbidden pleasures without sacrificing our vow to one another." He pushed himself up and sat on his knees in front of her. He kissed her neck and lightly traced his tongue to the edges of her bra. Hermione couldn't see how he could manage as he strained against his shorts. He kissed her lightly in every spot imaginable from under her chin to her navel and beyond to the very edges of her panties. She closed her eyes and finally succumbed to his pleads for her to join him in bed. With those clothes on, they tantalized each other for another hour. Never giving in to the sweeping urge to dive into the lust that burned within them.

Dumbledore called for Tonks, Minerva, Snape, Hagrid and Remus Lupin. He must inform them of the impending danger and the need for haste in their quest to find if the danger genuinely lurked inside Hogwarts or whether Pappy's warnings were premature. As they all took a seat, Dumbledore reminded them that except for Tonks all of them were to conduct themselves as if this were a staff meeting and not a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix.

"With that understanding, we need to address the most pressing discovery I have made in probably 20 years. And I believe Mr. Moony can tell us?" Dumbledore wasted no time and turned directly to Lupin.

"I…I'm not sure that I understand the question, barring the nickname. Many people know that as my nickname. I'm surprised to hear you use it, I must say." Lupin had no idea how to answer but he was sure by the time frame that it was the Marauder's Map to which he referred.

"Remus, am I not making myself clear? I am not just bringing this up because I was unaware of a teenage prank that meddled in the affairs of everyone here at Hogwarts. Please be the one to explain it. It will be so much easier on everyone." Dumbledore said with a tone of finality he rarely used with his staff.

"Third year, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and I made a map of the whole of Hogwarts which displays the whereabouts of every student, faculty member, staff member or visitor. It can be used all the way to Hogsmeade on the one side and under Hagrid's cabin on the other. We stopped at that point, figuring no need since we would never use it for other places in any case." Remus was pained to divulge the information, because he knew many in attendance who would use it to point out that they'd doubted his fitness to teach-namely, Snape.

"So one who is a member of Voldemort's inner-circle has knowledge of this map and can use it to assail anyone he chooses once he gains access." Snape said with a sharp emphasis on `assail anyone HE CHOOSES once he gains access.'

"Why would this information be kept from me all these years?" Dumbledore said with a pained look on his face.

"It was a harmless prank," Lupin said in his defense. "We used it to get to various places around the grounds. You know yourself that at the full moon it was essential that the coast be clear so I didn't harm anyone."

"So that was the reason?" Dumbledore prodded.

"At the first it was the only use. We also were afraid that our identities taken as unregistered Animagi would be used against us if all were known," Lupin continued contritely. "Then we found that we could get to Hogsmeade undetected with James' invisibility cloak…oh, yes, we had one of those too. We would sneak around the castle and give the dickens to Filch just as some of the ghosts do now."

"So who has the map now?" Dumbledore asked quietly.

"I don't know, but I do know it was stolen from Filch's desk several…maybe six or seven years ago. Harry Potter had it, but who's had it since I have no idea because I have only been here one year." Lupin truly didn't know who had the map now.

"Harry Potter?." Dumbledore said.

No one was surprised except that they'd have reasoned why not Ron or Ginny.

Dumbledore told them a fair bit but not all about Pappy and told of a visit he had with him where he'd mentioned it from a dream. Dumbledore told a white lie that Harry had confided in Pappy that he had it. He wanted to maintain Pappy's illusiveness insofar as the nature and extent of Pappy's power.

"Now I must ask how the Marauder's Map derives its power to display the locations of people within Hogwarts." Dumbledore phrased his statement so there was no mistaking it as a question. "You and your cohorts, undoubtedly, had delved deep into the Dark Arts for this."

Lupin was abashed at this statement. "Yes, Headmaster. We toyed with how to display the soul of a man, not just the physical essence. In this way we could get rid of such things as rats, mice, bats, the owls, and others." Lupin's eyes were down in disgrace.

"Had Mr. Potter had the Marauder's Map prior to Wormtail's escape he would have found his secret? The Weasley twins didn't care because they had no knowledge of the story surrounding Black and Pettigrew. It was not significant because they were only concerned about avoiding teachers and staff. Is that correct?" Snape asked pointedly.

"Correct, Severus, if they'd paid attention even an Animagus, Metamorphamagus or otherwise bewitched individual would show up as their true selves. Meaning, the map could not be fooled." Lupin asserted.

"Unless the most powerful Dark Wizard was to have it. He could find a way to hide Death Eaters among the students, couldn't he?" Minerva said with a frightened look.

"I don't see how; it was designed to destroy itself if it were tampered with. That's why we felt safe with it." Lupin said trying to defend their magic.

"He doesn't need to change the existing one, Lupin, you fool. He only needs to duplicate its function with his own ideas as the basis for the magic." Snape said with a glare.

Remus' face went stone cold. It was as if he'd never move again. `How stupid and full of ourselves, we were?' He thought.

"Well, no matter, we need to find the Map now and find out if it has been tampered with. As of tonight, we are going to go on the offensive here at Hogwarts to weed out intruders. Can you duplicate the Marauder's Map, Lupin?" Asked Dumbledore.

Lupin was still immobile and inexpressive. "What? I'm sorry what?" he said. "I just was thinking how absolutely arrogant we were." Tears were a rarity for wizards such as Lupin, but he was choking them back successfully.

"Can you duplicate the Map?" Dumbledore asked again.

"Professor, it took us months to complete the drawings. The charm I could duplicate, but the Map. I'd have to have the old one." He said.

"Well, we'll just have to find it then, won't we?" Dumbledore said. "Everyone here has the responsibility to question students as to their destination after supper. Each class tomorrow will have a few questions designed to put people out of their comfort zone. It will be a means of indicating that we know something and who ever did it should fess up now. Maybe we can ferret out someone who knew Harry had the Map and took it for themselves or lost it? We will meet again in the morning for five minutes in the ante room to the right of the head table in the Great Hall. Go out and monitor the students." Dumbledore commanded. "Tonks, remain for a moment."

"Tonks, I want you to disguise yourself as Harry Potter this evening after lights out. I think the culprit uses it after hours. He or she can't very well walk around school with it in his hand during broad daylight can they? Let's see what happens?" Dumbledore asked.

"Do I put Harry in your chambers? Your chambers are secure from its vision aren't they?" Tonks asked.

"I imagine not Tonks; they were trying to avoid everyone when they designed the Map. I would not have put a charm here to prevent that in any case." Dumbledore said.

Tonks thought for a moment. "What if Harry were given a Polyjuice Potion to become another boy in school or I go out and get the hair off of a muggle boy in London or something." If they're not using the soul search variety, they will think Harry is out walking around. If they are they'll just see me walking around and Harry in your chambers." Said Tonks.

"Let me think. That will account for being able to have an intruder, but it will not account for timing. If they don't look at the Map or don't act…there won't be anything proved…" Dumbledore stopped to think again. "Okay, try getting the material you need from someone in London. Someone obscure…no, wait…get one of the Weasley twins…explain only what you have to. Can you do that?" Dumbledore had an idea, but wouldn't tell Tonks what it was.

"Why them?" she asked.

"If I tell you, you may be tempted to tell them. You can do it without drawing attention to yourself, right? I mean, a sexy young woman like you could talk one of them out of a kiss or a lock of hair, don't you think?" Dumbledore smiled.

"I could get their you-know-what's down in public if I had too." Tonks smiled slyly.

"I'll bet you could, but that won't be needed nor asked for. Can you be back by ten o'clock?" he asked.

"Yes, or shortly after." Tonks said as she headed for the door. `Too bad, Polyjuice won't let you change gender,' she thought.

"Yes, Tonks, too bad. Guard your thoughts my young Auror friend. Guard your thoughts." He warned.

Harry and Hermione sat looking at each other longingly in the library that night. The both remembered every emotion and tingle their interlude produced. With the joy of their closeness came a little sadness.

"Harry," Hermione whispered. "Maybe we should have made love today. I mean, what if we never touch each other the same way again?" She didn't cry but her face carried a bit of fear.

"Hermione, how can we live our lives like you or I are going to die soon? Dumbledore, Pappy, and everyone we know is doing everything they can to protect us. Let's just love what we have and be satisfied in our hearts." He had tears. "I lived alone for so long with no one that I refuse to give in now."

"Sweetheart, I just feel that it's like…my choice to remain chaste…literally speaking…," she giggled. "It may not be yours."

"What was the giggle?" Harry said.

"We didn't exactly walk away without an idea what…" she whispered even lower "what orgasm was like." Hermione blushed she couldn't believe she'd said it out loud or whispered it.

Harry smiled, "But that's the love part, satisfying your lover. The other is just another way to accomplish that." He said seriously.

"No matter what, I will love you forever Harry. I will not rest if something happens to you until whoever did it is dead or I am." Hermione's tears burst forth noiselessly.

Harry took out his pocket watch and looked at her face. It was the picture of her at that moment. He knew it was a moment he'd never forget.

"Hermione, just let it be what it is. It's the uncertainty of life, death and love." Harry said.

__________________________________________________________________

In the middle of the night, around four o'clock, Harry couldn't sleep. He hadn't done this before, but he strayed from the dorm. He walked to the Great Hall and looked out of its magnificent windows toward the stars. He walked the length of the room. He'd heard that he might have to spend the night in Dumbledore's quarters, but he'd never gotten the word to move.

He thought intensely about Hermione. She loved him so much. He loved her. He pulled his watch out and saw the face of his dear Hermione. He ventured out of the Great Hall again and toward the Astronomy tower, still thinking of Hermione. When he arrived, he saw a vision of himself standing with her at the parapet clinging to one another to ward off the cold.

He turned and saw a friendly familiar face smiling at him, "Hi…," he fell hard as he heard the spell. "Stupefy!"

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