Harry Potter and the Triptych
By Vickles
Disclaimer: Even after Book 6 and that incident on Mugglenet, JKR is still awesome, and I would not steal anything from her. These characters are hers and I am only borrowing them for a while.
Author's Note: Welcome to the first chapter of my new fic, Harry Potter and the Triptych. This story begins a couple weeks after HBP ends, and I am entering this in the Felix Felices competition, so please read, rate (when the time comes), and review! With that said (I think this is my shortest A/N yet!) please read and enjoy!
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Chapter One: The Triptych Uncovered
"Allow me to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Weasley!"
Everyone clapped and cheered for the bride and groom, now husband and wife, as they walked down the aisle. When the bride and groom were gone the guests began to gather their things and leave their seats.
Harry turned to Hermione and Ron, "You two can head along to the reception if you want. I have to make a couple stops before we go anywhere anyway. Don't worry," Harry said in response to Hermione's concerned expression, "I'll be fine. I have my invisibility cloak if I need it."
Hermione nodded, seeming content with that, "Okay. Do you have any idea how long you will be gone?"
Harry shrugged. "I'll be back before the reception is over, I promise."
Ron smiled a little and patted Harry on the shoulder. "Okay, we'll see you later then, mate."
Harry smiled a little in return, aiming his glance mostly at Hermione, who he could tell was worried despite the fact that she was trying very hard to hide it. Then, with a pop, he was gone, having apparated straight to the Leaky Cauldron.
It was only the second weak of June and he was not yet of age, but Harry, realizing that he wouldn't be able to accomplish much without the use of magic outside of school, had gone straight to the Ministry of Magic the morning after Dumbledore's funeral. After getting his wand checked, Harry requested a meeting with the Minister, doing something he rarely did, if ever: He used his position as The Boy Who Lived, or The Chosen One, so he could get what he wanted, or rather needed. Unsurprisingly, Harry found himself in the Minister's office, talking to Rufus Scrimgeour not five minutes later.
"Okay, here's the deal," Harry began, "I agree with you. Now, don't get your hopes up too much." He responded when a look of elation fell across the Minister's face. "I am still Dumbledore's man; more than ever, in fact, but I do think that the public needs to hear certain things.
"I'll work with you, but only under my terms," Harry continued, "You accept this for what it is, or I walk out this door and you will never, and I mean never, get this chance again."
The Minister looked at him for a moment, clearly trying to figure out if Harry was, indeed serious. Harry forced himself to keep his face stern and unreadable, "So what is your decision, Minister?"
Scrimgeour spoke hesitantly, "What are these terms?"
"First, I want to be granted permission to practice magic, now. This includes Apparition, but I will consent to test for it. I would also like Ronald Weasley to be able to test to. He is of age, of course."
"Your friend may test, but you are not of age, Mr. Potter. I'm afraid it simply isn't possible," The Minister seemed pleased with this.
Harry did not waver in his demand, however, "Make it possible. I'm sure you can arrange it, Minister."
Scrimgeour chose to simply move on, "I will consider it. Your other terms?"
"Stan Shunpike is to be released from Azkaban immediately and reinstated working at his job on the Knight Bus. We both know he is innocent, Minister, and he has been locked up far too long. Also, I will do an interview, and the story can be put in the Daily Prophet, but only if Rita Skeeter does the interview, and Hermione Granger and Mr. Lovegood are allowed to edit it. I will not tell any lies about the Ministry, and if I am misquoted once, I will publicly go up against you."
The Minister debated these requests, or rather demands, as Harry sat there. Truth be told, Harry expected the Minister to call the whole thing off, saying sorry, but they simply don't need him that badly. Harry was gambling that the Ministry was desperate enough for good publicity that they would get it on any terms, even his.
Finally, after what seemed like eternity, the Minister rose from his desk, extending his hand to Harry, "Very well, Mr. Potter, I accept your terms." Harry held back the sigh of relief that threatened to escape him as he shook the Minister's hand.
Not wanting to waste time, the interview had been arranged for that afternoon, and Hermione had accompanied him as Ron retested for his license. The story was written fairly well, considering it had been Rita Skeeter who wrote it. Once edited by both Mr. Lovegood and Hermione, Harry was pleased, and the interview would be printed in the next Daily Prophet, as well as the next edition of the Quibbler. Harry wanted to reach everyone.
Harry had tested for his license and passed, along with Ron (who turned out to have left behind a particular mole but the examiner didn't notice and Ron didn't miss it). Stan Shunpike was released, thanking Harry profusely and offering him free rides on the Knight Bus for the rest of his life.
Now Harry waved to Tom as he slipped through the Leaky Cauldron and headed to the back, tapping that familiar brick. Upon entering Diagon Alley, Harry headed straight to Gringotts. The three friends would be leaving after the reception and Harry knew that it would definitely be a good idea to have some money on him since he wasn't sure when he would be back.
Before Harry could make it to Gringotts, however, he saw a commotion near Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and was distracted. Not thinking, Harry headed toward the store in a hurry, pushing through a crowd of people to get to the front, where Fred and George were standing, talking to the local Enforcers. "What's going on?" Harry asked the twins.
George turned to Harry as Fred continued talking to the man in uniform. "We've been robbed!"
"By who?" Harry asked, rather stupidly.
George didn't seem to mind the question, though, and simply shrugged. "We don't know. We were at the reception when suddenly this man here showed up and told us. There isn't even much missing. Just some shield hats and gloves, along with some of our decoy detonators and instant darkness powder." At this Fred finished talking to the man, who continued taking notes, and turned to them.
"We reckon it was just someone who's a little shaken up by all of the danger. Figure they couldn't afford it so they took it. If it was a major robber there would be some money missing from the register, and we'd expect them to have taken many more products." Fred said with a shrug.
"The Enforcers are still going to look into it, though, right?" Harry asked and the twins nodded.
"So why are you here, mate? We didn't see you at the reception," George noticed.
It was Harry's turn to shrug, "I just came down to pick up some gold at Gringotts, before we, you know…" Fred and George had been let in on the fact that Harry, Hermione, and Ron would be leaving after the reception.
They nodded knowingly. Fred spoke seriously, "Has Ron told Mum yet?"
Harry shook his head, "I don't think so. I figure he reckons that if he tells her right before we leave she has less time to persuade him not to. I mean, she can't really stop him, since he's of age."
"You know that when he makes that argument she's going to point out that you aren't of age, right?" George asked.
Harry nodded, "But I'm not her son. I know she likes to consider herself my honorary mother, but, well, she's not."
"You don't have to tell us, mate," Fred said, now closing the store up as the crowd dissipated, "But that doesn't mean she wont try."
"I know. You two want to come with me to Gringotts quick and we can go back to the reception together?" Both twins shrugged and nodded.
So the three of them headed into the bank, Harry pulling out his key as they stepped inside. Ensuring that this would be a quick trip, Harry had gotten clearance from the Ministry a week ago when they had gone to visit Mr. Weasley so he wouldn't have to spend five hours waiting to get his money. He headed straight to the goblin that he had been told to speak to, setting his key on the counter as Fred and George came up behind him. "I wish to make a withdrawal." The goblin nodded and stepped out from behind the counter and led them to one of the small carts heading down to Harry's vault.
When they reached it the goblin opened the door as the three stepped out. "Wow," Fred and George said together.
"Yeah, I know it's a lot, but…whoa," Harry looked up in disbelief. Harry had forgotten that all of Sirius's things had been transferred into his vault. Not only had his already small fortune tripled in size, but also there were what seemed to be some Black family heirlooms. "Well, come on," Harry said, heading into the vault with Fred and George shortly behind him.
Quickly taking a reasonably large amount of gold and putting it in his moneybag Harry turned to Fred and George, who were looking at what appeared to be three necklaces, talking in soft voices to each other.
"Are those…"
"I think so…"
"But I thought that they…"
"Me too."
Harry looked at them, "What?"
George looked up, "Harry, have you always had these?"
Harry shook his head, "No, I only had my parents' gold in here before. This was all moved in with the Black Family Fortune, I believe."
Fred, still looking at the necklaces, let out a low whistle, "I can't believe it, the Triptych."
"Pardon?" Harry asked, having no clue what they were talking about.
"The Triptych," Fred, now facing Harry, repeated, "Awhile ago at Hogwarts, George, Lee, and I were looking for ways to communicate with each other when we couldn't use floo or owls, such as when trying to pull off a large prank," He said with a happy reminiscent smile.
George continued, "When we were looking up things in the library, we found information on these," he motioned to the three necklaces, "the Triptych. Essentially, they bind the three people wearing them together. They can be removed at any time, but only by the wearer, if he or she is still alive, and only if they want to."
"So no one can make you take them off, like a teacher or something," Fred said.
"Or dark forces," Harry said just above a whisper.
"Exactly," George went on, "It only works if three people are each wearing a necklace. When it works, the necklaces allow the wearers to do all kinds of things. I don't remember what exactly, but I reckon if you ask Hermione, she'd know. That girl's a walking encyclopedia, she is."
Harry smiled with pride like he always did when people complimented Hermione's brainpower. "Yeah, I'll ask her when we get back," Fred and George nodded.
"We're not even positive that these are the real thing," Fred said, "When we read about them the book said that no one's seen the Triptych for nearly a thousand years. Everyone figures they've been destroyed."
Harry shrugged, putting the glass back over the necklaces and exiting the vault. "Well, let's get going, then. I expect Hermione will figure it out."
Once the three of them had apparated to the reception in the Burrow's back yard, Harry pulled Hermione aside, not wanting to bother Ron, who was in the middle of dancing with Fleur.
"What is it, Harry? Is something wrong?" Hermione asked with concern.
"No. I don't think so. I doubt it," Harry said in a hurry as he pulled her up the stairs to the room he and Ron shared, closing the door behind him. He went and sat on his bed; pointing to the spot in front of him, "Sit down," he said.
Hermione seemed to hesitate for a moment before she did as he asked, sitting about a foot in front of him, pulling her legs up under her as Harry sat with his legs crossed pretzel style. "So what's this all about?" She asked curiously.
"Have you ever heard of the Triptych?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded, "Of course, who hasn't?"
Harry tried to ignore how dumb he felt at that comment, "I think I have it."
Hermione gasped, "How? Is that what you went to do? Harry how did you manage it? Wait, what do you mean you think you have it?" Hermione asked rather quickly and Harry struggled to keep up.
Harry shook his head, "No, I just went to Diagon Alley to get some money, but I ran into Fred and George…"
"Oh that's right they were robbed! Was everything okay?" Hermione asked with concern.
Harry nodded, "Just some of the Defense products were taken. Anyway, they came with me to Gringotts and while I was putting some gold in my bag they noticed the Triptych, or what may be the Triptych."
Hermione gasped again, "But how did it get into your vault?"
Harry shrugged, "All of the Black Family Fortune was moved in there as well as some other heirlooms. I suppose that would be where it came from."
Hermione's brow furrowed as she thought, "But why would they have it?"
"I don't know," Harry said, "But I was just wondering if you could come with me down there some time so we can figure this out."
"Sure," Hermione replied seemingly distracted for a moment before snapping out of it, "Speaking of which, could you come with me to my parents' house in a bit while Ron talks to Mrs. Weasley? I figure we can get it all done with at once. Plus, if you come with me Mrs. Weasley can't try to stop you, and, between you and me, my parents like you better than Ron. Don't ask me why."
Harry stopped himself from asking if that was an insult, "They do?"
Hermione was about to reply when the door burst open, causing Hermione to jump and Harry instinctively move into a protective position in front of her, wand at the ready. Looking at who was at the door, both Harry and Hermione let out sighs of relief, Harry settling back down next to Hermione. "Ron, Ginny, you scared us!" Hermione said next to Harry, who was chuckling now, remembering the little squeak Hermione let out in her moment of shock. Hermione noticed his laughter and turned to him, stern, "What on earth is so funny?"
Harry stopped laughing and smiled at her, "You, Hermione Granger, just squeaked."
Hermione looked surprised. "I did not!"
"Did too."
"Did no- Oh, this is silly. I know for a fact that I do not squeak, and look who's talking. You're the one who jumped in front of me and pulled your wand on your best friend and girlfriend!"
At this Harry and Ginny exchanged an uneasy glance. "Actually, no. Me and Ginny broke up," Harry said. Hermione looked at him in disbelief, turning to Ginny for confirmation as Ron did the same thing. Ginny simply nodded and then smiled and shrugged a little, trying to show them that it was okay with her.
"It's okay guys, we talked about it," Ginny said, "Anyway, I just came with Ron to help him find you two. Now that you have been found doing Merlin knows what I'm going to head back to the party before all of the cake's gone." With that she turned around and headed back down the stairs.
Ron looked at Harry with murder in his eyes, and this time it was Harry's turn to jump and hide behind Hermione. "Ron…" Harry said, trying to calm his friend down.
"You…you better have an explanation, Harry," Ron said, slowly walking towards the bed, Harry holding Hermione's shoulders now and putting his head behind her back. What was it that Dudley always called in that game to keep Harry from beating him? It began with an s. What was it though?
"Sanctuary! Sanctuary!" Harry cried in desperation, causing Hermione to laugh.
"Harry! Do you even know what that means?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head, "It always worked for Dudley."
Hermione laughed again, "Since when do you take tips from Dudley? Besides, I am neither a church or cathedral, so how can I be your sanctuary?"
Harry thought a moment, "You're my safe place, Hermione. Sanctuary!" Harry cried again as Ron stood two feet from them.
Hermione blushed a little and rolled her eyes, holding up two fingers in a sign of peace and addressed Ron, "I suppose he's right enough for now. This man is under the protection of sanctuary," She turned her head back to Harry, who's face had a tight wince on it, "But don't expect me to let you get away with this again. I refuse to be your human shield. And don't look at me like that." Harry had put on a sweet smile in an attempt to please her, "I wont fall for it, Harry," she said sternly.
Ron, seeming deflated due to their lack of paying attention to him, sat on the bed heavily, "Did you hurt her?"
Harry sat up again next to Hermione and shook his head, "No, I did it to protect her. There's no need to make her a target. It's bad enough that you two are." Harry stood up when Ron nodded, seeming temporarily pleased with this answer. "That cake sounds tempting. I'm going to go get some. Meet me down there in a few minutes and we can go, okay?" Hermione nodded and Harry left the room, heading downstairs.
He found Ginny next to the dance floor, where a slow dance was playing, and walked up to her. "Want to dance?" he asked, holding his hand out to her. Ginny looked up and nodded, smiling a little as Harry led her to the dance floor, placing an arm around her waist and holding her other hand gently.
"Is it really okay?" Harry asked, looking down at her.
Ginny nodded, "Yes. I hate to admit it to myself, but I don't think I loved you, or that I ever would." Harry opened his mouth to speak, but she gently placed a finger on it. "I've thought a lot about this, Harry, so please let me talk. I mean, I did like you from the moment I meant you. Or, rather, I liked The Boy Who Lived. Over the years I got to know you, but still, when I looked at you, it was through fogged-up glasses.
"It wasn't until these last few weeks, when we were together, that I actually got to know you. Just Harry. If you hadn't broken up with me, I would have stayed with you, no doubt, but I'm glad you did break up with me. Once you did, I started to see that we were only ever friends. Good friends, but that's it."
"But we…" Harry began but she cut him off.
"Yes, we kissed, I know," she smiled a little, "And you are a very good kisser, may I say," Harry blushed and grinned, "But once you get past the kissing, what were we? We never really talked or anything like real couples, did we? I'd be willing to bet that you talked more to Hermione when we were together than you talked to me."
"Hermione's my friend…"
"I know. I'm not jealous like Cho, trust me," she made a face, "I'm simply pointing it out. Besides, I know you felt, or feel the same way I do, even if you don't want to admit it."
Harry didn't say anything, but just kept dancing. What did she mean? He had felt something for her, something real. He still felt something for her! And so what if he happened to talk to Hermione more than he talked to her. He'd been talking to Hermione since he was eleven, he was used to it. Who said couples had to talk? As the song came to a close Ginny kissed Harry on the cheek and went off to dance with one of her brothers.
Harry turned around to see Hermione sitting in the chair Ginny had vacated, looking at him intently. Harry sighed a little to himself and stood in front of her, "Hey."
"Hey," she replied, standing up inches before him, "Are you okay?"
Harry shrugged and nodded, "Where's Ron?"
"He's talking to Mrs. Weasley, since the reception's almost over."
"Is all of our stuff already there?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I asked Tonks and Remus to take care of it this morning."
"Are you ready to go?"
Hermione smiled weakly, "Yes. It will be hard to make them understand what is going on."
"That's okay," Harry said, "We should leave a note for Ron so he knows where we are."
Hermione smiled, "I already told him. Do you need to grab anything before we go?"
Harry shook his head. Hermione nodded, "Okay, well then take my arm since you don't know where it is."
Harry gently took a hold of her arm and immediately got that familiar feeling of being cork stuffed in a bottle. Harry vaguely heard a *pop* and they were gone.
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A/N: I want to thank my fabulous beta, Dedi! You rock Dedi!. Like I said, please rate (when you can) and review!
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