Snorkacks and Traveling
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, get your lazy bottom out of bed this instant!"
Ron sat straight up in bed at his mother's shout, "I'm up mum, I'm Up!"
"Well then get moving, you have thirty minutes to get over to the Lovegoods' house." Molly put a stack of toast on his dresser as she left.
Grabbing a slice of toast he dashed into the bathroom to take a quick shower. Ten minutes later he was quickly consuming another slice of toast as he pulled on his clothes. With fifteen minutes to get over to their house he headed downstairs. His mother had his trunk slung under his broom and waiting on the back porch.
"Thanks Mum."
"Now Ronald, I want you to be careful on your expedition. Please make a good impression on Mr. Lovegood. He was very upset about Fred and George's last prank, though apparently he has not retaliated in The Quibbler."
"Ok, I'll try."
"I know you will Ron, just be yourself. I packed your extra warm clothes as it is very cold in Switzerland."
Ron mounted his broom and hollered, "Thanks again mum," over his shoulder, another piece of toast in hand.
He quickly flew along the now familiar path to Luna's. He had met her dad several days ago. He was quite strange, though not quite as strange as Aberforth. That got him pondering last night's events again.
What a whirlwind it had all been. First the funeral, Harry had made a rather stirring speech, and then the memorial. Harry announcing his and Hermione's engagement. They looked so happy up there together. How could he ever have been jealous of them? He snorted, how could I not be jealous of them, they have everything when they have each other. What did he have? Well he had something special with Luna. She was a lot of fun and though he knew she was much smarter than he was she seemed to enjoy being with him.
Then that couple pulled out a pair of knives and lunged at Harry's back, Hermione screaming, pulling him out of harm's way, then that shimmering shield appearing around them both. Dumbledore must have done that, to keep them safe. Then all hell broke loose as a lot of people he thought he knew pulled out knives and started hacking at those around them.
Most of the real guests had scattered out of the tent, Dumbledore had summoned him so he had run to him. "Help guard the Granger's please Ron." He had rushed to join Remus and Tonks who had already taken up defensive positions near Hermione's parents. Only when he got there did he realize that Luna was right on his heels, wand in hand and that look on her face he hadn't seen since the night they had gone to the Department of Mysteries. He had quickly greeted Hermione's parents then turned to watch for anyone coming onto the stage and towards them.
Dumbledore had disappeared just after shouting to Kingsley, "Stop this stampede now." Then the shield around Harry and Hermione had vanished and they both sprang up ready to defend themselves. Harry had Godric's sword again? When did he get that? Remus had quickly explained what had happened and Harry asked Remus to get the Granger's home safely. Harry and Hermione stormed out of the tent, Remus then asked Hermione's parents if they had a portkey. Then Remus turned to him and Luna, "Join your parents Ron, we'll take them home. Thanks for helping us Ron, Luna." A moment later Remus, Tonks and Hermione's parents disappeared. Ron and Luna started helping his parents tend the wounded. After that it was a blur until mum had woken him this morning.
He swung around and stepped off of his broom onto the Lovegood's porch. Luna was sitting in a chair a stack of sausages, toast, and two tall glasses of pumpkin juice beside her. She was dressed like some hunter about to go on safari to Africa. The only thing missing was what muggles called a, umm, gun, that's right. "Hey Luna."
"Good morning Ronald, fancy some breakfast? Father should be out in a few minutes."
"Sure I'm starving, thanks." He quickly sat and tucked in.
Luna laughed hysterically for a few moments as Ron ate and grinned back at her. He had started to understand she laughed whenever she had guessed something right about him.
"I knew you wouldn't get up early enough to eat before you came over. So, what did you think of last night Ronald? Look at today's Prophet." She pointed to what she had apparently been reading before he got there. The headline read Massacre at Sirius Black's Memorial; 55 dead, 183 confirmed at St Mungo's: He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is blamed. Another column read Harry Potter engaged to Hermione Granger: children engaged, outrageous! Then Harry Potter receives a million galleons after the Wizengamot pardon's his godfather Sirius Black. Director Deazle was quoted as saying that Mr. Potter has donated all of it to St Mungo's.
"At least they blamed Voldemort for last night's attack. That means they are finally taking this all seriously. Apparently there were over two hundred attackers who were all under the affects of a Polyjuice potion, the people they resembled were found stunned at their homes. I was wondering what he was going to do with all those Dementor's. Someone needs to discover a way to destroy them, not just drive them away. Quite a brilliant attack actually but no one has ever claimed that Voldemort was stupid."
Ron had flinched at each mention of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. "So what does a Crumple Horned Snorkack look like? Are they as big as a Dragon or small like a Crup?" This had the effect he had hoped, she immediately forgot what they had just been discussing and her expression almost glazed over.
"Oh Ronald, they are so fascinating! They are thought to inhabit the mountainous terrain of Switzerland because it is so remote. Father has a few pictures where you can almost make out just what they look like. They seem to be about the size of a horse, maybe a bit bigger or smaller. We think they live in herds but all father's pictures are of just single ones. He got a tracker from a buddy of his who has also been trying to catch one for ages. Father's got us a tent and everything for the expedition." She pointed to a stack of crates and bags on the edge of the porch.
Ron had nearly finished eating when Mr. Lovegood came out onto the porch. He was a powerful man, and Ron had discovered, very intimidating. He was dressed like Luna, in a tan outfit, knee high boots, and a wide brimmed hat.
"Hello again Ronald, good to have you along. Extra pair of eyes and all that you know. So, we ready to be off?"
"Good Morning Sir."
"Sure, Ronald just finished eating and everything is packed. Did you get the portkey arranged?"
"Should be here any second really." A large trailer suddenly appeared in the middle of their yard, "Ahh, there it is." He pulled out his wand, "Locomotor supplies," all of the boxes, several bags, Ron's trunk, and their brooms quickly flew into the trailer. "All aboard," Mr. Lovegood called as he strode towards the trailer. Ron and Luna scrambled to catch up to him. He certainly walked fast.
They climbed into the trailer and each grabbed a handle. "One minute before port out," Mr. Lovegood was looking intently at his watch.
"Got everything Father?"
"If we don't we'll do without, we're off!"
Ron felt a wrenching from just behind his naval and the world spun sickly.
When they landed it was much colder. They were in a small valley in the middle of a mountain range. There was no one, nor any man made object in sight.
"All right coats on, let's get this tent set up shall we?" Each of them scrambled to find their coats in their luggage. Mr. Lovegood was already pulling a tent out of one of the crates by the time Ron had managed to get his coat on. "Here Ronald, let's set this up over here, Luna dear can you tell us how it should work?"
"Umm, I helped Harry and Hermione set two tents up at the Quidditch World Cup, I think I have the general idea at least." Ron volunteered.
"Ahh, good chap but Luna has read the manual on it haven't you dear?"
"Of course father. First unfold it with the shiny side down. No not like that turn the whole thing over."
After about thirty minutes of struggling to follow Luna's directions the tent was finally erect. On several occasions all three of them had collapsed in laughter at their attempts to follow her directions.
Mr. Lovegood unloaded the rest of the supplies from the trailer, "Locomotor Supplies." They all obediently floated into the tent then he looked at his watch again. "Oh we just made it in time," with a soft pop the trailer disappeared. "Ok, we have one week, the trailer will return on Sunday night to take us all home, let's see what we can find while we're here." He strode into the tent, Ron and Luna followed. There were four rooms, a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and a large dining room area. The bedroom had a bunk bed and a single in it. Apparently they were all sleeping in the same room. They spent about an hour unpacking the supplies, most went into the bedroom or were piled into the corner by the table. The kitchen was apparently already stocked. Mr. Lovegood pulled a compass looking device out of his pocket. "This is the locator my friend gave me. It only works within a mile though apparently. Let's get our brooms and go exploring shall we?"
Ron grabbed his Omnioculars out of his trunk and followed them outside. The three of them headed out into the wilderness, moving slowly on their brooms so as not to startle any animals they came across. Meanwhile Ron wondered just when they would remember he had no clue what he was supposed to be looking for.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I'm starving, thought Harry. He glanced towards the clock but couldn't quite read it without his glasses. He reached for them and that woke Hermione. She sat up startled and glanced at the clock.
"Harry we overslept, it's nearly ten!" She threw off the sheets and dashed towards the bathroom, pausing briefly by the dresser. He heard the shower start a moment later as he finally got his glasses on.
He stood and quickly conjured breakfast they could eat on the run; toast and juice. Foregoing his own shower for now he shoved a slice of toast in his mouth and dressed hastily. As he ate his third slice of toast he decided to try Tonks packing spell. He got his trunk out of the closet and then thought for a minute. Trying to envision just what he wanted to happen he waved his wand in a sweeping motion as he had seen Tonks do last year, and cast, "Pack!" in a commanding tone. Harry's clothes flew out of his closet and dresser. It was a lot neater than he remembered Tonks but definitely not folded like she had described her mother's. He thought for a minute then pointed his wand at the bookshelves, "Minimus," and not only the books but the shelves themselves shrunk. Oops, he thought, as he chuckled, over did it a bit there. He pulled out Hermione's trunk and packed first the books then her clothes. Her stuff ended up a lot neater for some reason he couldn't quite fathom. One more, "pack," later and he had cleared all of their school supplies, the DADA contract, and study materials into his trunk. He knelt then pulled up the loose board under his bed and took out his photo album, Invisibility cloak, and broomstick servicing kit. He had just placed them into his trunk when Hermione emerged from the steaming bathroom. She had on her baggy jeans and an old sweatshirt, her hair was under a towel still but she looked stunning. He spoke from his heart. "Good morning Beautiful!" and beamed a smile towards her.
She had looked very flustered and worried as she rushed out of the bathroom. Now she stopped and stood gaping at him, she recovered quickly however. "Thank you, Oh, and you've packed almost everything already? How did you do it so fast?"
He stood, "Let's say I got some packing advice from Tonks last year. Now give me a hug." He held his arms out to her.
She came to him quickly and did just that. Then she kissed him gently on the cheek. "Ok, your turn to shower mister off you go." She patted his behind and shoved him towards the bathroom.
With a soft chuckle he headed into the bathroom, "You shrunk the bookshelves?"
"I got a little carried away." He replied, still chuckling, as he closed the bathroom door.
"You can carry me away any day Mr. Potter." She spoke quietly to Crookshanks who had just climbed out from under their bed to rub against her leg. She scooped him up and absently petted him with one hand as she sat at their table to eat. Life with Harry was more wonderful than she had ever imagined. To think just a few days ago she had written to Dumbledore. Though there were uncertain days ahead she resolved once again to help him meet them as they always had, together.
When he emerged from the bathroom ten minutes later the room was once again shrunk. She had gotten rid of the couch, tables, the chairs, and the bookshelves. Only the desk and lone chair remained, she held the elaborate silver key that had come with Sirius's will. She had her shoes on and his, along with his socks were on the bed. He sat next to her and started putting them on, careful to avoid sitting on Crookshanks. "You think that's the key to Grimmauld Place?"
"Yes, it has to be really. Notice it has snakes carved into it just like the door handles there?"
"Oh I hadn't remembered that, but you're right." She held it for him to look at it, sure enough, snakes. He took the key and placed it in the pocket of his jeans and took another piece of toast from the plate she held out to him.
They sat together on his bed, "Well we have about an hour before we need to go out front, my parents are usually early. How about a training session in the Room of Requirement?"
"Oh, ok," He finished his shoes, stood, drained his glass of juice, and strapped on Godric's sword.
"There's a pocket in that sheath for a wand, look," she pointed to the pocket.
"Hmm, interesting," he slipped his wand into it, "interesting."
"How about a duel today?" She smiled mischievously at him.
"What? With you or against you?"
"Against, then if we have time we will do one together all right?" She stood and waited for his answer. He seemed to be having a hard time deciding, "Come on hero, afraid of little old me?"
Quite seriously he replied, "Terrified actually, what if I hurt you?"
"Humph, You should be more afraid of me hurting you!" She playfully punched him in the arm. "Come on, I need to know I can defend myself too, you know."
"All right, but I don't like it, not one bit."
"Leave Godric's sword out of the fight if that makes you feel more comfortable."
"Oh, good idea," he quickly shrunk it to wand size so it would be out of the way. Then turned and walked in front of the Room of Requirement. She joined him and together they paced in front if it. A moment later the door appeared, she stepped forward and opened it. Inside was an arena, similar to the old Roman coliseums, the floor was tightly packed sand, many obstacles stood around the arena. They both stepped inside and then noticed that bludger-like objects flew rapidly around the arena. The bludgers did not appear to be coming after them though. Without thinking Harry pulled her to him and crushed his lips to hers, he slowly pulled back. "I love you, don't you ever doubt it, but I will try my best to stun you. I will not hold back, ok?"
She met his steady gaze with her own, "I wouldn't expect anything else and you had better not doubt that I love you, just as much." She quickly kissed the tip of his nose and dashed towards the other side of the arena, giggling as she ran.
He smiled after her and walked the other way around the arena so they would start at opposite ends. He took out his wand and tried to keep track of where she had gone but he had already lost sight of her. There were a lot more obstacles than he originally thought; it was almost a maze. Suddenly he could see her, there was a clear lane in the center of the arena, and a pair of circles were drawn in the sand with chalk about a hundred feet apart. She had just stepped into the one furthest from him; he started towards his and waved at her. She waved briefly but he could tell she was concentrating on her plans, he decided he had better concentrate as well. Jinx's and counters went through his head quickly, she probably knew more than he did but he thought he was faster. He could see she was standing still, wand at her side looking intently at him. He composed himself to match her and bowed towards her.
She returned the bow and both raised their wands together; she sprinted off to the left lowering her wand. He ran forward a little before heading off into the obstacles on the left. He walked quietly, and listened carefully. One of the bludgers suddenly flew at him from around the corner.
Reflexively he cast, "Reducto," and the bludger blew apart in front of him.
"Impedimenta," he heard Hermione yelled kneeling around the corner the bludger had just come from.
He had no time to react. He found himself flying backwards through the air. He landed about fifteen feet from where she was and slammed into one of the obstacles. She stood and started walking towards him, wand at the ready. His lungs were burning for air and his head spun but he scrambled to his feet and sprinted away from her, around the wall he had hit.
"Stupify," she cast after him but missed.
He knew she would be running after him so he dodged among the walls and tried to regain his breath so he could at least defend himself.
"Stupify," he heard again from behind him, he threw himself flat onto the sand. The spell flew over his head as he rolled onto his back to point his wand towards her.
"Expelliarmus," he yelled a green beam of light flew towards her.
"Protego," she quickly replied slashing her wand downwards, the green light flew back at Harry.
"Protego," he repeated, the green light flew upwards into the air. He scrambled to his feet and ran around another obstacle. He had to get ahead of her a little.
"Tarantallegra," he felt his legs start to twitch as she caught him with the dancing charm.
"Finite Incantatem," he pointed his wand at his legs, they stilled instantly, he whirled to face her. Running was not working; she stood about twenty feet away, panting from keeping up with him. But her wand was pointed steadily at him.
She cast, "Impedimenta!" Followed quickly by, "Reflecto."
This time Harry was ready, "Protego," what was reflecto he thought briefly. A shimmering shield appeared before Hermione. It was too bright to look at as her impedimenta flew back towards it from his shield.
He held his arm over his eyes then was slammed backwards once again. Damn he thought, no obstacle met his back this time and he was able to twist in mid-air and almost control his landing. He tumbled on the ground a few times then sprinted off into the obstacle field. He spun around after a few turns and knelt ready to stun her if she came around the corner behind him. Apparently he had lost her; maybe the shield she had used had blinded her for a moment too? He tried to figure out what to do; she was easily winning this duel. She knew a lot more spells than he did and there was no hesitation in her casting either. She had both speed and knowledge on her side currently. He thought briefly about using Godric's sword but dismissed that, if he was going to be defeated let it be Hermione. She still had not come around the corner. HHhHe decided to move off more from where he was hiding. He had become so turned around he had no real idea where he had last seen her.
She was getting worried. No matter what she hit him with he kept slipping away somehow. How was that possible, she should have won after that first attack! She crouched behind a barrier waiting to see if he came after her now while she thought. She thought about every combat Harry had been through, this seemed to be following the same pattern, he was on the run but in the end he had always won somehow. She was determined not to let him win because she made a mistake; she had to make him attack her. She stood and brought out a ward; it was entirely transparent but would move with her. It would only reflect the first spell but that should be all the time she needed to react. She walked cautiously back to the circle she had started in, and waited for him to find her.
He came across the central lane and quickly checked both directions, he didn't see her. He wished he had his invisibility cloak. Suddenly she walked into one of the starting circles, she was about fifty feet away, and he ducked back so she wouldn't see him. He worked his way a little closer; he crawled up to a short wall that should be about thirty feet from the circle she had gone to, if she was still there anyway. He stood suddenly pointing his wand at the circle; she was looking right at him. Harry cast first, "Expelliarmus."
She seemed to wait a moment on purpose then as his spell seemed to bounce off of nothing she cast, "Petrificus Totalus!"
He cast a quick, "Protego," but he knew it wasn't going to be enough, it wouldn't block both spells. He tried to duck behind the barrier but suddenly found himself frozen in place, lying on his back on the sand. Damn so this is what it's like to be petrified. He could see but was totally unable to feel anything or move at all. Suddenly she loomed over his face. Kneeling over him she held his wand and Godric's sword for him to see, her mother's engagement ring glinting in the light. She was absolutely beaming with pride in her accomplishment. She was talking but he couldn't hear her at all. Then she pointed her wand at him and he read her lips this time Finite Incantatem. Suddenly he could move again. He took a deep breath and struggled to a sitting position, as the adrenaline faded he realized he was going to be very sore after the beating she had just given him.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you much?" The arena faded to be replaced with a small empty room, the door stood open leading back to their room.
"Just my pride dear, oh and maybe my back, it's awfully sore." But he was smiling at her. "Help me up. Do we have time for me to lie in bed for a little while?"
He did look exhausted. She glanced at her watch as she helped him stand. She returned Godric's sword and his wand to the sheath at his belt. He put his arm over her shoulder and she wrapped one arm around his waist to help support him if he needed it. They walked into the bedroom together. "About twenty minutes to noon."
"Oh good," he collapsed onto the bed, startling Crookshanks. He turned onto his back and pulled Crookshanks onto his stomach where he settled and started purring as Harry started petting him absently.
Hermione pulled her hairbrush out of her school bag, sat next to him on the bed and started brushing her now dry hair.
"How did you beat me so easily?" He had tried to be nonchalant but she could tell this was hard for him, he didn't take defeat well.
"It was far from easy, though I think anyone who knows you less than I do…"
Harry interrupted, "Meaning anyone else on the planet?"
She chuckled quietly, "Yes, I suppose I do. Anyway I knew how you would react and I tried to use that to my advantage."
Something suddenly dawned on him, "That bludger was no coincident was it?"
"No, I charmed it to go around the corners ahead of me. I thought you would destroy it, then I would know where you were before you knew where I was. It worked perfectly. You were looking up where it had been when I crouched and came around the corner, catching you with the Impedimenta. But that wasn't enough, you kept getting away. Everything I threw at you, you either blocked or seemed to be only mildly affected by. I decided I had to try something different so I cast a protego ward and went looking for you to attack me."
"That's what reflected my spell. I was rather curious about that. So if I dueled someone like Draco, you think it would be entirely different?"
"Yes definitely. The two of you would have stood in the middle and cast spells at each other until one of you was unconscious."
Harry laughed at that, "You're probably right there."
"I beat you by out-thinking you. If we had just stood there battering at each other you would have won, I am pretty strong but you are much stronger than I am."
"Well then I need to work on my thinking and you need to work on your strength! Hmm, maybe some more push-ups?" She hit him on the leg with her hairbrush. "Oww, ok, I deserved that. Seriously I think strength in magic is related to your will for something to happen. Not in how forcefully you say the spell or gesture with your wand." He abandoned Crookshanks to gently rub her back.
"You may well be right I remember reading a few theories on that topic."
"Do you know of something we could try to test it? How about trying to roll a ball magically, you push one way and I push the other?"
"You mean like a tug of war? Yes I think that would work but I am not sure if that would make my will stronger or just be a gauge as to our relative strengths."
"Well you think about that, I need to read more of Moody's books, He wrote a lot about strategies between his spell descriptions."
"All right, though next time I want to try us dueling against the room… I guess we will need to have Dumbledore move the door again."
"What about our training today with him? We won't be at Grimmauld Place by 4 today will we?"
"No I don't think so, I guess when he shows up there tonight we can ask him." She stood and put her brush back in her school bag on top of her trunk. "Time to go out front, in case my parents get here early."
He struggled to his feet, still holding Crookshanks. She held his carrier out to Harry and Crookshanks with only a soft meow of complaint went inside. "It'll be ok boy, we're moving to our new house today is all." He closed and latched the carrier for her.
"Duru Aparen," Hermione incanted and the door appeared again in the blank section of the wall.
Harry pulled out Godric's sword and pointed it at the blank spot where the Room of Requirement was. "Colloportus," he heard a satisfying click as though a latch was thrown somewhere. Then he pointed the sword at the door to his room, "Alohomora," several latches instantly released. "It feels a little weird using a miniature sword instead of a wand, otherwise it works fine." He answered her unasked question then held it out to her, hilt first.
She took the miniaturized sword and pointed at their trunks, "Locomotor Trunks," the trunks obediently rose into the air. "Actually it seems much easier to cast through the sword; Dumbledore did say it amplified magic. It seems odd that both of us can use it though, I got the impression that Dumbledore was very impressed that you could use it. We should ask him about that." She handed the sword to him and he conducted the trunks towards the door. Hermione carried Crookshanks and her school bag so Harry had to move in front and open the door.
"You can't go walking around with a sword on your hip."
"Oh," he stopped and put the sword away, then thought a minute before he opened his trunk and found the first sweater Mrs. Weasley had knitted for him. He wrapped it around his waist, making sure it hid the sword, "better?"
"Much better."
He opened the door and pulled the trunks along behind him. She closed the door behind her as he started down the stairs. Again the house seemed to be empty. They opened the front door and placed the trunks out on the stoop, he closed the door and they sat on their trunks waiting for her parents to arrive.
"Do you know how to get to Grimmauld Place?"
"Only by broomstick."
"I think I could find it from Platform 9 and ¾, I got there at Christmas last year."
"Ok, that should work then." Just then a blue Mercedes turned down Privet Drive.
"That's dad's car coming now," they both stood.
Dan and Emma waved at them as they parked in the driveway. They both quickly got out but Dan left the car running. Hedwig was in the back seat on a perch; she flapped her wings excitedly but stayed in the car.
"Hello there kids, here let me help with those Harry."
"Hi mum, dad. Thanks for coming."
"Of course dear, ready to go?"
Emma came and hugged both of them before letting the boys take the trunks away. When Dan opened the trunk of the car Harry was rather surprised to see three trunks already inside. There still appeared to be room for both of theirs though.
"Remus made it big enough for everything, amazing things you folk can do." Dan smiled at him as they put first Harry's then Hermione's trunks inside. Hermione climbed into the back of the car, placing Crookshanks on the seat below Hedwig. She was stroking Hedwig's chest as Harry climbed in the back seat beside her.
"Hello girl, I was wondering if you were mad at me." Hedwig gave a welcoming hoot then ruffled her feathers before settling down again.
Dan climbed back into the drivers' seat and they pulled away from #4 Privet Drive. "How about a bite to eat? Or have you eaten already?"
Hermione pulled out the long center seatbelt and Harry took it from her and fastened it around them both.
Harry answered first, "Yes please, I'm starving."
"We didn't eat yet. Oh here, take your ring back before I forget again." Hermione pulled off the engagement ring and tried to pass it over the seat
Emma pushed her hand back, shaking her head no, "Keep it dear until you get your own. It's all right."
"Thanks a lot, it will be soon though I hope." She bit her lower lip.
"We can go to Gringott's and Diagon Alley tomorrow Mione."
Her parents looked at Harry; Hermione glanced at them quickly then smiled first at them then at Harry.
"Don't you two start that, only Harry is allowed to call me that. All right?"
Both of them laughed at her fierce defense of Harry.
"What?" a bewildered Harry asked.
"Hermione has adamantly refused any shortening of her given name dear. Not even Gran who used to call her Hermy was allowed to get away with it. And Hermione adored her."
"You really do have our little girl wrapped around you don't you."
"Dad!" Hermione remarked indignantly then smiled as she realized she had been sitting with both arms around Harry. Very much as her dad had just described.
Harry refused to look at anything outside of the car, he would never return here if he could help it. He snuggled into Hermione's embrace. She smiled at him and placed her head on his shoulder.
"Where would you both like to eat?"
"Anywhere… Wherever," were their replies as they held each other suddenly lost in thought.
Dan and Emma looked at each other and smiled, "Ok, we'll find somewhere then."
Twenty minutes later they pulled into a McDonald's parking lot, went through the Drive-thru and ate on the road. "Mum do you know where we are going?"
Emma held up a colorful printed map. "Of course dear, we looked up 10 Grimmauld Place on the web and printed driving directions. Number 12 it said was an invalid entry."
"Wow when Professor Dumbledore makes something un-plotable it means un-plotable I guess." Everyone laughed at Hermione's joke.
After they finished eating Harry and Hermione fell asleep snuggled tightly together. Several hours' later they were awakened when they stopped for petrol. Hermione pulled Moodys book on wards out of her school bag. That reminded Harry he needed to recast the ward on Hermione's hand so he pulled out his wand. She seemed to be thinking along the same lines and held out her left hand keeping it low in the car as he incanted, "Wardus Expellarium Protego," touching the tip of his wand on the back of her hand. Once done he quickly put his wand away, "There that's back in place now."
"What was that?"
"Last night when we got attacked the umm force-field that surrounded us. Harry just recast the trigger so we can do it again if needed."
"Oh, quite interesting."
Harry and she spent the rest of the trip carefully reading through the book and discussing just how they could use the wards described. It was just about dark as they parked in front of the mansion. It looked much worse than it had last summer. No lights could be seen through the grimy windows and it seemed to be brooding over the square. The battered, peeling door with its tarnished serpent knocker.
"What about the car, we can't leave it outside all summer."
"I think there is a garage out back."
Dan drove slowly down the overgrown driveway beside the mansion. Sure enough there was a battered, black two car garage. It was built of rough stone up against the tall wall of the back yard. Harry and Hermione got out when Dan stopped. They approached the door together, Hermione glancing all around them, her fingers around the handle of her wand; Harry was focused on the garage. He pulled out the silver key and touched it to the handle of the door. Immediately he heard creaking as though the metal locks had rusted shut, then the door slid slowly upwards. Harry stepped back, hand on Godric's sword hilt. Other than a motorcycle that Harry found hauntingly familiar, it appeared mostly empty. Dan slowly drove in and parked on the right side. They emerged carrying Hedwig and Crookshanks, neither was in a cage. Harry pulled the door closed and they walked back to the front of the mansion. No one seemed in the mood to talk.
Harry seemed to be rehearsing something in his head as they came up to the front door. He took off the sweater; it was the one Mrs. Weasly had given him that first Christmas, now far too small for him to actually wear. He held it loosely over Godric's sword. Hermione stood close behind him and held her wand along her arm; she looked afraid but willing to face anything that stood in their way. The Grangers hung back just off of the stoop; waiting with Hedwig and Crookshanks.
Harry nodded at them and took out the key again. He touched it to the door handle at once, they heard many loud, metallic clicks and the door creaked open, he slipped the key into his pocket. In a clear voice, as though talking to someone just inside Harry spoke. "I declare myself master of this house and grant Dan, Emma, and Hermione Granger permission to enter and exit at will." He waited a moment but nothing happened. "All right, everyone inside quickly and close the door." They nodded and followed him inside.
Harry pulled out Godric's sword, "Torca Ignis," the old fashioned gas lamps came to life revealing the hallway just as Harry remembered. Threadbare carpet, peeling wallpaper and old portraits. Mrs. Black looked up indignantly, drool running down her chin, and started screaming at them as Emma closed the door.
"Filth! Scum! Half-Breeds, Freaks, begone from this place! How dare you befoul the noblest house of Black with your presence. The Half-breed and the Mudblood have returned? Kreacher remove them from my house at once! I will not have a Half-Breed and Mudblood Whore in my presence…"
Her next word was cut off by her scream as suddenly an enraged Harry plunged Godric's sword through her. She immediately crumpled around the blade letting out a howl. Now full sized, the sword had cleanly pierced the portrait and sunk deeply into the wall behind it.
"No one insults Hermione!" Harry snarled back at the portrait, clearly audible over the screams. He stepped back and pulled the sword free of the wall, the canvas was now entirely black as though burnt. It writhed within the frame as though in pain, the screaming growing fainter.
Harry heard a guttural growl and something flew at him from the first landing of the stairs. Instinctively he swung Godric's sword at it as Hermione raised her wand and yelled, "Stupify," her spell caught Kreacher square in the chest a moment before Godric's sword beheaded him. The now empty frame of Mrs. Black's portrait suddenly fell off of the wall. It hit the floor and Kreacher's remains came to rest beside it.
"Harry! I had him stunned! You didn't have to kill him!" Hermione screamed indignantly at him.
He looked over at her and held up the old sweater. "I was going to give him this actually." He quickly wiped Godric's sword clean with the sweater and threw it on the ground by Kreachers remains. Suddenly the other portraits started falling off of the wall; they had also become black as though burned. Hermione, her anger forgotten clutched his arm tightly. The house began creaking and groaning as though settling for the first time in ages. They all jumped when the house elf heads all fell off the wall and rolled to the foot of the stairs. A moment later the creaking and groaning stopped and the foreboding presence seemed to leave the house.
Dan and Emma were huddled in the corner, pressed up against the door. Crookshanks squirmed free and bounded off up the stairs. Hedwig took flight after him. Everyone stared after them then looked at each other and shrugged.
"Wingardium Leviosa," Harry had shrunk Godric's sword again and now the house elf heads, Kreacher's body, the sweater, and the portrait frames floated into the air. They proceeded to follow him as he walked through the hall into the kitchen and out the back door into the yard. A tall rough stone wall surrounded the overgrown yard. Hermione followed him closely still clearly angry but unwilling to leave Harry's side, her parents lagged behind. Once outside he walked to the back wall, pointed the sword at the ground and the earth erupted as though a giant shovel had suddenly dug into it. The portrait frames, sweater, and house elf parts flew into the hole he had just created. Once they were there the earth fell back into place over them. Harry turned to walk back into the house but Hermione stopped him and turned him back around to face the grave. Her parents came up behind them watching cautiously.
"W-we're s-sorry Kreacher, rest in peace now that your greatest desire has been granted. To-to be beheaded like your ancestors," She wept as she picked a wild daisy from the grass near her and threw it on top of the grave. Still glaring she turned to Harry, "Happy now?"
He shook his head sadly and pulled her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and cried on his shoulder, "It's better this way, I'm sorry, that I killed him but it had to be done, for all our safety."
Dan and Emma stepped over to them and hugged them both. Once again Harry felt what it was like to be part of a family that cared for one another. It was now almost completely dark. They slowly separated, then arm-in-arm, with Hermione, Harry started heading back towards the mansion.
"What about the trunks?"
At Hermione's reminder he veered towards a door set into the stone wall; it should lead into the garage. He unwrapped his arm from Hermione and put away Godric's sword then pulled out the silver key once again. He touched it to the handle and they immediately heard a loud clank, as though a bolt had just been thrown back. He tried to pull it open but the door didn't budge. Dan came forward and joined Harry at the door they began tugging and pushing at the door, not quite sure if it should open outwards or inwards. Hermione pulled out her wand and gave them all some welcome light, "Lumos." Hermione handed her wand to Emma and deftly snatched Harry's wand out of the scabbard. Emma brought the lit wand around so the boys could see what they were doing. Hermione stepped back and waved Harry's wand at the door, "Alohamora." Harry and Dan, who happened to be both pulling on the door quite hard, went sprawling as the door flew open. They both landed with a grunt and stayed there for a minute. Emma laughed at them and went to help them up. Hermione only glanced at them then returned her attention to the dark garage. "Lumos," Hermione stepped forward into the garage; Harry who had once again drawn Godric's sword was close behind her.
Nothing leapt to the attack so Dan moved to the back of the car and opened the trunk. Harry cast, "Locomotor Trunks," and all five trunks obediently came out of the car and at Harry's direction out the door into the back yard. He pulled out the key and locked the garage door then followed Hermione outside into the back yard again. Hermione had picked up her schoolbag, Hedwig's perch, and Crookshanks cage. Dan took the perch and cage as Harry locked the back door to the garage then directed the trunks towards the house. Emma led the way, Hermione's wand aloft in her hand, then Dan, followed by all of the trunks. Harry and Hermione walked side by side she held Harry's lit wand aloft as they went.
"Head upstairs, we need to tell Dumbledore that we're here."
"All right," Emma replied from the front of the procession as they entered the kitchen.
"Nox," Hermione put his wand away in its sheath then moved forward to take hers back from her mother. Another, "Nox," soon followed. She continued up the stairs but stopped in the first hallway once upstairs. Harry put down all the trunks and walked into the room he had shared with Ron last summer. There was Phineas portrait, empty as usual. Putting away Godric's sword he addressed the empty portrait. Dan and Emma looked on in interest.
"Phineas?" he waited a minute then tried again, more forcefully, "Phineas!" A moment later Phineas stepped arrogantly into his portrait.
"Oh, it's Mr. Potter and friends. So you have arrived at last?"
"Please tell Professor Dumbledore that we are here now."
"Very well," he stepped out of the picture again, reappearing a minute later. "He will be there directly, please do nothing rash." A moment later the clang of the doorbell was heard.
"We'll get it," Dan remarked as he and Emma headed downstairs.
"Ahh, that would be him I suggest you hurry before Edora goes into another tirade."
"Edora? Was that Sirius's mother's name?" Hermione queried Phineas.
"Yes, run-a-long now children," He shooed them away.
"Well Edora's portrait no longer exists!" Harry spoke quickly as he and Hermione ran out of the room.
Phineas's, "What?" was ignored behind them as they ran down the stairs giggling.
When they got downstairs they saw that the door was open and Professor Dumbledore stood outside on the stoop talking with Dan and Emma, apparently they had just finished describing Harry's actions when they had all arrived.
"Been busy already I hear Harry, Hermione."
Suddenly a voice piped up from behind Professor Dumbledore, "Mr. Potter Sir! Dobby has come to serve you sir."
"Winky is also here to serve, though what two house elves would do in the same house she knows not."
"Very glad you both came too." Harry moved so he could see the elves. Dobby wore several layers of Hermione's knitting. He had gone down to just three hats; Winky was resplendent in a fresh Hogwarts tea cozy, "I hear-by grant Albus Dumbledore, Dobby, and Winky permission to enter and leave this house at will. Please, come inside," he motioned them in.
"Thank you Harry," Professor Dumbledore walked inside followed closely by Dobby and Winky.
Harry closed the door behind them. Dobby looked up at him and wrung his hands painfully before speaking. "Mr. Potter Sir? We hears what you have done to nasty Kreacher, betraying his master, you are too kind sir. Dobby swears to be a good elf to you and your family sir!"
Harry knelt to get down to Dobby's eye level. "Dobby you are my friend, not my slave, I want you to talk to Hermione about your pay while you are in my employ. Thank you for coming to help us, I am sure you and Winky will be invaluable in rebuilding and maintaining this mansion."
Winky had been looking around the entry hall, her expression filled with disdain. "Master Sir, Winky knows that Kreacher was a bad elf sir. The condition of this house was his responsibility and he obviously didn't do his job sir, we will make your house presentable sir, as quickly as we are able."
"Thank you both, we will need to have the first two bedrooms on the second floor prepared for us to sleep in tonight. I believe Hermione and I will take the second, Dan and Emma will be in the first, for tonight at least." Harry looked up at Dan and Emma, they nodded reassuringly. "Tomorrow we can inspect the mansion and decide on more permanent arrangements. Our trunks are in the hall."
Dobby snapped to attention, "Yes, Mr. Potter Sir, Dobby is happy to help Sir." He and Winky disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Harry stood and noticed that Hermione had pulled Professor Dumbledore down the hallway and was speaking to him intently. Professor Dumbledore was paying careful attention to whatever she was concerned about. She'll tell me if I need to know later I'm sure. Dan and Emma seemed unsure what they should be doing next. "Let's all head to the kitchen, I feel like some dinner. Anyone else hungry?"
Emma smiled warmly, "Definitely dear, it's well past time to eat."
"Oh, my we didn't bring anything though, whatever is here is surely not good anymore is it?"
"Dad! We can just conjure whatever you want to eat." Hermione grinning broadly slipped between her parents and pulled them down the hall towards the kitchen. She smiled at Harry as they passed him in the hall. "Hurry down, I'll save you some of course."
Harry started to follow them but Professor Dumbledore stepped into the middle of the hallway, blocking his progress. "Let me see Godric's sword please." Slightly confused he pulled out the sword and handed it to Professor Dumbledore hilt first. As soon as the sword left Harry's grasp the ruby pommel seemed to grow dim. "Hmm as I thought," Professor Dumbledore inspected the sword carefully then pointed it at the dried blood on the floor, "Scourgify." Harry was very surprised when nothing happened. "Quite intriguing indeed," he absently held the sword to Harry. Looking at Harry over his half-moon spectacles he asked, "You do it please."
Still rather confused Harry took the sword and pointed at Kreacher's dried blood. "Scourgify," not only the pool where the body had lain but the threadbare carpet and wood underneath suddenly became clean.
"Now switch to your wand please and clean that pool there by the wall." Harry did as instructed though he had no understanding of why.
"Scourgify," the pool of blood was gone but the carpet and floor were just as dirty as they had been before. Finally Harry began to understand, "you said earlier Professor that Godric's sword amplified not just focused magical energy."
"Yes, I did, but Miss. Granger just pointed out to me that she was able to use Godric's sword as well. As you just saw I cannot, a Dragon Heart core is very selective of those who may use it. Traditionally only those of the same mind set are able to use it." At Harry's blank look Albus tried again. "Let me try this, he pulled two small metal beads out of an inner pocket of his robe. One he held up to his own forehead, a minute later he pulled it away. He then touched the second one to Harry's forehead. It felt cool but otherwise nothing special appeared to happen. He then touched the beads together and let go; they hovered in place appearing to be stuck together. Two wisps of silver smoke appeared from the beads, they each formed an outline, vaguely human. Then they solidified slightly but maintained a very blurry edge. "Here are representations of our aura's, these are like fingerprints, no two are precisely the same, observe." He gestured with his wand and the two images moved so that they overlapped. "Look at the edges, the two images are very different, yet both being silver it demonstrates that we are both good wizards of similar attitudes."
"So only those who's auras are very close to mine can use Godric's sword?"
"Actually only those who's aura is very close to the dragon heart core can use it." He pulled the beads apart and touched one of them to the ruby on Godric's sword. Then put the beads back together. This time only one humanoid form appeared, the other was only a squiggly pattern in the air. Once again Professor Dumbledore gestured and the two images overlapped. "See how the patterns around the border match almost precisely? That is why you can use the sword as a magical focus."
"Oh so Hermione's has to be similar to that as well, I understand. Why is that so interesting though, I mean there are probably hundreds of witches and wizards out there that would be similar right?"
"Actually no, lets look at Miss. Granger's aura, I believe she will be most interested in seeing this." he then grasped both beads and swiftly walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Dan, Emma, and Hermione were at the large table eating. Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Harry, walked over close to them, Hermione gestured to the seat next to her on the bench, and she had already set out a plate of food for Harry.
"One moment please then I will leave you all to settle in." Professor Dumbledore held out one of the beads and touched Hermione on the forehead; she was surprised but tried not to move. He then took the second bead and once again touched Harry's forehead. Then placed the beads together, when the beads stayed in the air she was suddenly standing at Harry's side watching them intently. Even before the two images overlapped Harry could see they were very similar. Once they did overlap something different happened, a gold border appeared around the combined images. This new border seemed to search for minute differences in the auras a few seconds later the golden border disappeared leaving only three gold spikes.
Hermione clapped excitedly, "Let me Professor please?" when Albus nodded she continued. "This top one is because I'm a girl and he is a boy right?" Grinning Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Ok then this one must be from Voldemort, and I would guess the one next to it was from Lily?"
"Excellent Arithmancy, ten points to Gryffindor! Oh wait we are not in school. Most excellent Arithmancy Miss. Granger." Hermione beamed with pride at such a compliment.
"That's Arithmancy? I thought it was all numbers and such."
"I can turn this into the numerical equation if you would like Harry?"
"Please Professor, I want to see it."
Still smiling Professor Dumbledore touched the joined beads with the tip of his wand. Suddenly the picture was replaced with a long very confusing equation. Three sections were outlined in gold; apparently those were the spikes from the graph. Hermione began studying the equation intently as Harry looked on utterly confused. "So it's all true sir? But that would mean that Harry and I are…?"
"Precisely Miss. Granger, I believe your theory was correct. I shall investigate your other issue and get back to you with the results." She nodded at Professor Dumbledore then went back to studying the equation intently.
Emma spoke into the silence "Harry dear, I suggest you come and eat, she'll be there until Albus turns it off I dare say." Dan gestured to the plate of food.
Harry looked at the intent expression on Hermione's face and squeezed her hand briefly before joining her parents at the table. Suddenly he remembered, "Oh, Professor, can you please move the door for the Room of Requirement here?"
"Of course, where would you like it?"
After he thought for a minute he replied, "How about just outside of the room Buckbeak was in?"
"Very well, I will attend to that then be on my way. You are both progressing quite nicely already Harry. You will be going to Gringott's tomorrow?"
"Yes sir, I need to meet Sirius's solicitor and then get Hermione a ring." At the mention of the ring Hermione looked up from studying the equation and grinned excitedly. She quickly returned her attention to the numbers though.
"Then until tomorrow, I shall return at four to begin your Dark Arts training." With a soft pop he was gone.
Harry allowed Hermione a full fifteen minutes to study the equation before he dragged her, protesting, to the table to finish her dinner.
"He left the beads dear, you can look at it more tomorrow if you wish, and meanwhile can you explain, so that I understand what that all actually meant?"
Between mouthfuls she did just that. "Well the first one is simply because you're a boy and I'm a girl. The other two are much more complex, when your mother sacrificed herself she somehow changed you're aura, thus when Voldemort tried to kill you it protected you. But apparently Voldemort had some rather nasty curses that were triggered when the rebounding spell killed him. Those are probably what caused your scar and ultimately the connection you have with him. It's all in the numbers there; I wish I had Voldemort's numbers to compare it to though."
"Ok so let me get this right, other than those three differences you and I are identical? That can't possibly be right as you are not a Quidditch seeker and I can't memorize things nearly as easily as you."
"Have you ever tried to Harry? This doesn't care about those things, this goes deeper. Have you ever heard a couple referred to as soul-mates? Well that is based on the theory that a soul can be split in two and each part occupy a separate body. This is as close as anyone could ever get to actual proof of such an occurrence."
"Oh!" Harry seemed to have more to ask but was interrupted as Dobby and Winky suddenly appeared in the kitchen.
"Harry Potter Sir. You're rooms are ready for tonight, we will try and make them better for tomorrow sir."
"Thank you Dobby, I am sure they will be great."
"Where does you want all the books Misses Granger?" Winky asked timidly.
"Leave them in the trunk for now Winky, we will need to think about that tomorrow."
"Yes Misses Granger, I have drawn warm baths for the Ladies if they wish to relax before retiring to bed."
"Oh thank you Winky that would be wonderful."
"Yes most definitely, thank you."
"Winky is doing her job as a good house elf she is. Winky needs no thanks for her job." But the timid house elf was blushing and looking anywhere but at Hermione.
Hermione kissed Harry quickly on the cheek then she and Emma stood and headed upstairs, "See you in a little while Dan."
Winky and Dobby began rapidly moving around the kitchen. Dan and Harry sat in awe as they worked, so this is how elves did their job. The floor went from being a dull brown to clean light oak which was polished and waxed before their eyes, all of the metal fixings in the room were polished. The old musty smell was replaced with a smell Harry could only think of as Hogwarts kitchens. The cabinets and counters were similarly cleaned, within thirty minutes the entire kitchen was unrecognizable as what it had been before. The blur that was Dobby stopped before Harry and Dan. "Are you sir's done eating? Winky wants to clean the table sir."
Harry and Dan quickly got up and headed towards the stairs. Neither could keep themselves from gaping at the magical transformation that had happened before their eyes. As they climbed the stairs to the entry hall they both recovered a bit.
"I wonder what they did to the rooms if that's what they can do in thirty minutes." Dan asked.
"Guess we are about to see Mr. Granger." Dan put his arm fatherly around Harry's shoulder and squeezed tightly.
"Call me Dan please, I realize that Emma and I are mostly strangers to you and we are lost here in the magical world. Please remember we are the parents of the woman you love and you are a part of our family too. We'll do whatever we can to help and support the two of you."
"Yes sir, I mean Dan. I could never forget you are her parents, and thank you for helping."
"You know when I watched you and Hermione work earlier; clearing the house I am impressed with how you work. It is as though you can read each others thoughts."
"We almost can sir, umm Dan. I actually want to get to that point so we will be better able to defend ourselves. I want her to be able to tell me for example that someone just attacked her in the bathtub upstairs and I need to get there now."
Dan stopped and looked at Harry, shocked by that statement. He whispered, "Has she been attacked?"
"No, and I do feel that I would know if she had been. There is no fear in my heart right now; she is relaxing in a bubble bath I believe."
"Oh good you had me scared there. I realize that constant danger is something that the two of you have grown accustomed to but we certainly have not."
They had reached the first bedroom door, "goodnight we'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight," Harry called as he proceeded to the second room. He had seen this room on several occasions but the transformation was unbelievable. It was like a suite in some fancy hotel. There was a large canopied bed; the entire room appeared to have been scrubbed from top to bottom. Their trunks stood in the corner; Hedwig was asleep on her perch, Crookshanks was curled up in an overstuffed chair next to the warm fire. The door to the bathroom was closed and he could hear humming coming from there. He smiled and quickly undressed, feeling rather silly he strode into the bathroom with only the scabbard containing his wand and Godric's sword. He had promised to never be without either so they went with him. Hermione was sitting back in an immense tub, only her head and right arm were out of the water. The tub was full of steaming water and bubbles; she hummed some nameless tune as she relaxed in the water. As he opened the door her eyes snapped open and her right arm, snapped up bringing her wand to bear on Harry's naked chest.
She smiled at him mischievously, "Accio Harry!" To his utter amazement he found himself flung into the tub on top of her, the splash was truly impressive. He managed to drop the sword onto the counter as he flew bye it. Hermione was giggling as he pulled himself up; he planted a very wet kiss on her lips then settled down into the tub. It refilled itself in an instant.
He pulled her onto his lap, kissing her again; she grew serious at last and returned his passion. His last conscious thought before his passion took over completely was how amazing it was to have such a wonderful woman in his arms.
A/N: Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. This story is just about finished now. That is I am almost done with the last chapter. That will be chapter 13 in this version, 27 in the original.
Once again I am not making any major changes in the plot of this one from the first. Mostly what I am doing is correcting errors in my understanding of the world. For example when I first wrote this we had no idea what Ron's middle name was. Now we know it is Bilius so I corrected that in this update. The same with Hermione and her birthday, originally thought to be younger than Harry and Ron, now JKR has told us that she was actually born 9-19-79. This makes her 9 months older than Harry. I have adjusted this version of the story to reflect that.
Once again