Chapter Five
A Cold Dish Called Revenge
"Revenge is a dish served best cold"
-Klingon Proverb
Sweat poured thickly down Heather's face and it laid her hair substantially against her face. It has been at least a year since she last picked up a sword and her enemy used it to her advantage. As she dodged yet another hit from Hermione's bamboo rod, all she could think about was what had happened between Danielle and herself. Even in Heather's own mind it didn't make sense. All Heather knew was Danielle changed sometime between the junior high and senior high years at the Chicago Institute. As she continued to spar with Hermione she vowed nothing like what had happened between Rachel, Hector, Danielle, and she would happen with the friends she had now.
"Heather, I said uncle!" Hermione called from the floor. With this Heather came back to reality and realized she had gone a bit too far in their joust.
"Sorry." Heather apologized as she lowered her weapon and helped her sister-in-law from where she laid on the floor.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
Heather wiped the sweat from her brow with a towel from her bag as she analyzed her thoughts. "No, I guess not."
"What's wrong?"
Heather eyed her for a moment, trying to put into words what she felt. "I've been here, back in the wizarding world, for a whole month. Before that I was in training to be a nun…"
"You're trying to figure out if you can kill people since you were going to take your vows." Hermione puzzled together.
"How did you know that?"
"I thought it was rather obvious." Hermione smiled as she sat her training weapon back into the cabinet.
"Hermione, how can I kill someone when my religion teaches forgiveness?"
Before Hermione could respond, Harry and Ron slowly walked into the Room of Requirement. As the duo came toward them, Hermione knew it wasn't going to be good news with the expression on their faces. She asked them, "What's going on?"
Harry handed her the piece of parchment in his hand. Hermione's eyes went wide and tears threatened to roll down her cheeks. "How could they?" She moaned as Harry went to embrace her.
"What's going on?" Heather grabbed the parchment out of Hermione's hand. Three words accompanied a picture:
More to come.
Heather took a look at the picture and ripped it apart. "This can't be! There is no way that this is real! It's got to be a fake!"
"The Aurors on the scene had to have them confirm it was them by their dental records, Heather." Ron grabbed her shoulder as if he was going to shake her back into reality. "Heather, they're dead."
"No shit!" Heather yelled as the tears she was damming inside her poured down her cheeks. Ron gathered her into his arms and held her as her body shook with grief. She hit him in the chest as she wept and Ron pulled her closer. No pain he felt would be able to compare to this loss.
*****
Harry Potter had met with Headmaster Dumbledore on many occasions. It usually happened after a significant battle with Lord Voldermort had ended. Sometimes, they were pleasant meetings, but all the time they had a purpose. "This time is no exception." Harry thought as he rounded on the staircase headed toward the office. Before he knocked on the door, he heard the Headmaster call him into his office. Harry opened the door and entered inside. "How did you know it was me, Professor?"
Professor Albus Dumbledore didn't answer him, but asked. "How is your sister coping with her loss?"
"She's making arrangements to fly home. She's hoping that Sergeant Duckhorn will let Ron come as well."
"You are here to see if you can go as well, I take it."
"Partly, Hermione and I have a few concerns that perhaps you can help us ease." Harry mentioned as he stepped toward the Headmaster's desk. On his way toward it, he stopped to pet Fawkes on the head. Harry handed his boss the note and the photo which was sent to Heather. "Hermione had to fix it once Heather was done with it. We have some concerns about the well being of a few families that a closely linked to us: the Snapes, Grangers, and the Weasleys to be specific."
"I figured as such." The Headmaster stood up from his desk and rounded it to meet him. "I have already secured them at a location even they do not know exactly where it is. They are under the watchful eye of several whom I would trust with my life."
Harry knew better than to ask anything specific about it because he knew the Headmaster wouldn't be able to tell him. "Thank you, Professor. We appreciate it."
"As for the chance you and Hermione wish to have of going back to the United States with your sister is commendable and I am sure she would appreciate any support you may give while you are there. I will personally see to it that your students do not fall behind in their studies while you are absent."
"Professor," Harry started, not sure if he was willing to admit to his next concern.
"Yes, Harry."
Harry looked down at his feet nervously. "The thing is I've never been to a wizard funeral before. In fact, what is the proper burial for a wizard?"
The older wizard patted his former student on the shoulder. "It is fortunate you have never attended a funeral until this time. As for your question about the burial rituals, they vary from area of the world to another. I believe in Egypt they still mummify their dead."
"What about the Americas?"
"Interesting custom, the American Wizards have for their dead. They cremate the bodies and then turn the ashes to gems. Some wizards make them into precious jewelry so the descendants can have for a long time. Most choose to dump the remains in the ocean or a family vault. Your parents chose to follow this custom. Your sister has a thumb ring with the gem made from your parents' ashes. I believe ashes were set aside for you if you chose to do the same."
"Thank you, Professor, but I think I'll leave them where they are. There is something a little odd with that custom."
Professor Dumbledore chuckled. "As you wish, but if you do change your mind, I'll keep the business card of the wizard who performs the transfiguration." The Headmaster took a moment to smile at him. "How does your house hunting go? Have you found a suitable location for you and your family?"
"Honestly, we haven't had time to look. With the whole situation with the Death Eaters, Ron, and Heather has made it quite difficult. We know we want something close by, preferably in Hogsmeade since we work here for the time being."
"As you know, Harry, you and Hermione are always welcome to stay here at Hogwarts for as long as you like."
"We know, Professor, and we greatly appreciate it. Hermione and I just want to start to have a family. It would be rather difficult to do that when we live here at Hogwarts."
The Headmaster smiled knowingly. "I can understand why. Would you like it if I were to assist you in this matter?"
"Hermione and I would appreciate it." Harry mentioned as they walked toward the door to leave.
"Have a safe trip, Harry." Dumbledore turned to face him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Owl me once you arrive at your destination."
Harry nodded to his superior before he exited the headmaster's office. As he climbed down the stairs, Harry couldn't shake the feeling something horrible was yet to come.
*****
The scent of Parsley, Rosemary, and Thyme woke Petunia Snape from her afternoon nap. Even though her baby was sleeping majority thru the night, Persephonie occasionally didn't sleep well. It was if the infant knew deep within her soul something wasn't right with the universe and there was nothing neither Petunia nor Severus could do to help the child.
Petunia stretched and followed the delicious scents into the kitchen where she found Molly Weasley busy with preparing their evening meal. When Molly noticed their presence, she called over her shoulder. "Have a nice nap?"
"It was nice." Petunia leaned with her arms crossed on the counter.
"You want some tea?"
"Yes that would be lovely." Molly reached over the boiling pots to where the tea kettle sat on the stove. She poured Petunia a cup and then went back to her dinner preparations.
"What's for dinner?" Petunia asked casually as she watched Mrs. Granger chopped onions.
"Roasted herb chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, yeast rolls, green beans, and Mrs. Granger is making a lovely salad and French Onion soup." Molly stirred the potatoes and the green beans.
"Is Persephonie still asleep?" Mrs. Granger asked as she dumped the chopped onions into the beef stock.
"Have you heard her scream lately?" Molly chuckled. "No, Severus took her when they left with Arthur, Percy, and your husband."
"You think it might be colic?" Mrs. Granger asked as she began preparing the cake to be iced. "Hermione had a very bad case of it when she was born."
"Had?" George commented as he and his twin entered the room.
"She still does." Fred took a tasted the cream cheese icing for the carrot cake. Mrs. Weasley promptly hit the back of her son's hand with a wooden spoon. "That's for dessert. You two better go wash up for dinner. Are the rest of you done playing Quidditch?"
"You should have seen Dudley, Mum. One of the best keepers I've seen." Fred winked at his twin.
"Yea. Ginny scored a ton of goals with his help." George agreed as the two of the m quickly stole a cookie from a tray laying on the counter, cooling before their mother told them to behave.
"Those twins must have been a handful when they were younger." Mrs. Granger chortled as she scraped of f the onions into the broth from the cutting board.
"They still are." Ginny agreed as she began setting the table with the help of Mrs. Snape.
The next few moments happened as if someone flicked a wand. Mr. Weasley rushed inside the kitchen with a crying Persephonie in his arms. "Take her and the Grangers to the safe point now! We may have been followed."
"Arthur, what's going on?" Molly accepted the child into her arms. Mr. Granger raced into the room with the twins. "How could you have been followed? No one knows we're here."
"I don't know. Quickly, we don't have much time." Arthur commanded and the members of the assembled Weasley clan did as they were told.
After they disappeared, Petunia eyed Arthur. "What's going on?"
"Come with me. I am going to need some help getting them out." Arthur led the way into the Living Room where Severus Snape lay limply on the couch as was Percy Weasley on one of the arm chairs.
"Arthur, what happened?"
"We were attacked on our way back from town. I don't know how the Death Eaters found out about us, but they did." Mr. Weasley went over to the window and peeked out. "It's obvious what happened."
"What curse where they hit with?" Petunia asked, fearing the worse.
"Severus was hit with the Crucio curse. Percy wasn't so lucky."
"You mean he's…" Petunia gasped.
Arthur could only nod. "I'll take my son's body if you'll assist with your husband. He has to have immediate medical attention if he's going to survive."
"Where are we going, Saint Mungo's?"
"No one is supposed to know where we are."
"It's kind of too late for that."
"We can't go there anyway. There are too many people there who have connection with the dark side. We should go to Hogwarts. It's safer." Arthur lifted the body of his son in his arms. "We have to go thru Hogsmeade."
"I know. It may have been a while since I used magic, but I'm not completely daft." Petunia rolled her eyes as she leaned her husband's unconscious body against her.
*****
"Concentrate!" She scolded to only herself. Danielle MacNeal meditated often as it was part of her daily cool-down routine after her various vigorous training scenarios.
For some reason, her mind went back to the summer between her the third and fourth years at the Chicago Institute. It had been the year she went thru the "Awakening" ceremony as it was called by her parents' society group when she joined. Not that she had much choice because it had been her parents dream since the moment she was born. The Crusaders, as they called themselves, followed the teachings of Salazar Slytherin and Lord Voldermort.
Danielle shifted her focus in her meditation to focus all thoughts onto those memories. It was only after her "Awakening", she realized how wrong she was to befriend Heather Potter, Rachel Wido, and Hector Grey; they were the blood traitor, the half breed, and the Muggleborn. They were everything in which plagued the wizarding world.
"You're mother is proud of you." A voice called her back to her room in the Malfoy Manor. Danielle's eyes popped open and her Aunt Louise's petite form leaned against the door frame and then just as they quickly as she appeared, Louise crossed the room to where her niece sat. Danielle stood up and hugged her.
"How was your crossing?"
"Damn muggles and their methods of travel. I sat in front of a screaming infant the entire way. I had half the mind to turn around, pull out my wand, and really give that child something to cry about, but I figured three murders within a forty-eight hour span of time would be a bit much." Louise smiled evilly. "You were right about Turpin calling the muggle's detectives to help with the investigation."
"Of course they would have. The only thing it will be good for is slowing the investigation down since there is no way they can pin-point it to anyone in the house since there is no physical evidence pointing to anyone specific. If there was any good use for muggles it would be that law. I take it mom is vouching for you?"
Louise Goodie smiled. "I was staying over with them last night before I left on my vacation. The files in the muggle airline would prove nothing suspicious since I bought them in advance."
"What did you do with the gun?"
"Put it in my pocket before I put it back in the drawer. Silencers are an amazing thing."
"What about the bullet? You didn't use his bullet, did you?"
Louise laughed heartedly. "You see, that's the lovely part about it. Nelson always had me run out to get the bullets when he went to the firing range…"
Danielle joined her laughter. "So he bit his own bullet. That's sick, Aunt Louise."
A knock came on the door and their attention turned away from their conversation. The scar heads arrived in America a few moments ago."
"Has word gotten to them about "Plan B"?"
"Nothing, yet, but it's kind of hard for it to get them when I am having their owls intercepted."
"That's just plain mean, Draco."
"Oh, they'll get word, love. I just want to enjoy them scramble to try and figure this whole thing out."
Louise Goodie tapped her niece on the shoulder and her eyes twinkled mischievously. "He'll be a nice addition to the family, Danielle."
*****
Heather had been quiet on the flight over from England. Not this surprised her brother too much considering she just lost the only parents she ever known. Harry Potter watched his sister while he stood in the corner of the ballroom. She busied herself with the preparations for the reception after the funeral and the other post-burial activities requiring her attention.
Harry took a moment to asses her. Physically, dark circles littered under her eyes and she dressed gloomily in a pair a black trousers and a black short sleeved collared dress top. Her hair was pulled tightly against her head in a bun and around her neck was a pearl necklace. Heather had told him once her parents had bought her the strand of pearls for a concert she had performed in. She, according to Heather's memories, never wore it until now.
"Harry, could you please move. You're blocking the doorway and the florists are trying to get through." Heather called to her brother and it shook him from his reverie.
Harry nodded and quickly stepped out of their way. As the florist brought in the flowers, he noted the scarlet and gold roses. "You need any help, Heather?"
"Yes, go and watch for the guests. The detective in charge has asked me not to allow anyone in their room while the investigation is still underway. He wasn't very fond of the idea of the whole wake and funeral being held here while it was still going on, but he said nothing else after I told him it was part of their custom. Granted, there are guards posted at the door, but I really don't want guests to have to deal with them. They're rather unfriendly." Heather pointed her finger were she wanted the arrangement and the florists moved it from where they had originally sat it down. "I locked it for good measure, but that never means anything. Just let Miles know the guests need to come to the ballroom for the wake."
Harry gave his sister a half smile and headed down to the foyer where Miles was already greeting guests. As he climbed down the stairs, he called to the servant. "Miles, Heather says she wants the guests to come to the ball room."
"Very well," Miles attention turned back to the guests on site. "Please make your way to the ballroom. Climb the stairs to the second floor, then follow the hallway to the end of the hallway to another staircase much like this one to the third floor…"
"I'll show them where it is." Harry offered as he interrupted the man.
"That would be nice." A dark haired middle aged witch smiled fondly at Harry. "Thank you."
"It's not a problem." Harry shrugged as they began climbing the stairs.
"I'm Alex Dickenson and this is my husband Robert." The dark haired woman introduced. "I was Roger Nelson's cousin."
"Oh," Harry offered his hand. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Harry Potter, Heather's brother."
Alex and Robert Dickenson stopped suddenly in the hallway. "You're joking, right?" Robert asked. "You're really the Harry Potter?"
"The last time I checked I was."
Robert reached out to his stretched out hand and shook it vigorously. "I cannot believe I am actually getting to meet you! It's a real pleasure, Mister Potter. I just wish it were a better occasion, however."
"The same here," Harry gestured for them to continue down the hall. "What is it you do, Mister Dickenson?"
"Please, call me Robert. I teach magic at the Salem Academy. Are you still with the auror training facility at the Great Lakes Academy?"
"No, I am currently teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, ever since I shattered my knee on a mission two years ago." Harry then turned the conversation back to them. "What is your specialty?"
"The same; however, I never in my wildest dreams would I ever to expect…"
"You can stop drooling now, sweetie. I'm sure Mister Potter tires of everyone pointing and gawking over him." Alex tapped her husband shoulder as they arrived at the ballroom. "Besides, we're here for a wake remember?"
"It's been a pleasure talking to you, Mister Potter." Robert vigorously shook Harry's hand. "Will we see you at the reception?"
"More than likely, yes you will. I'll introduce you to my wife, Hermione."
"That would be lovely." Alex nodded and escorted her husband into the room.
Even though Harry had been famous his entire life, he still could not shake the awkward feeling he would get when wizards and witches alike would recognize him on the street. Even though Ron, Heather, Hermione and himself saved the wizarding world from Voldermort, it still shocked him whenever someone became star struck over him.
"Harry."
Harry swerved at the sound of Hermione's voice. He examined her expression and she shook her head. "You're not pregnant."
"According to the test, I'm not." Hermione reached for him and pulled him into her embrace. "I'm sorry. I thought I really was this time."
"We'll just have to keep trying, that's all." Harry hugged her tighter and lightly kissed her forehead. "I am sure it will only be a matter of time."
"I just hope it is a matter of sooner rather than later." Hermione sighed as they began making their way into the ballroom for the wake.
"You look nice today." Harry smiled at her, noting her light blue button down blouse, he mentioned. "That color looks nice on you."
"Thanks. You don't look half bad yourself." Hermione noted his charcoal grey suit and emerald green button down dress shirt. It was one of the outfits Heather had bought him.
When the duo entered the ballroom, down where the gold scarves that usually decorated the railing along the balcony, black silk ones took the gold scarves usual place. The curtains were pulled open to allow the natural sunlight to enter the room through the large windows and the light focused on the two caskets in the center of the room. On top of one of the closed caskets lay an American flag. Harry could only assume it belonged to Roger Nelson since the master of the house had once been a member of the presidential cabinet. There had been no choice as to if the bodies would have an open or closed casket ceremony. Their bodies couldn't be seen due to the damage the bullets did to the Nelsons' faces.
"The difference between a wake and a funeral in the wizarding world than the muggle is the way is a very public affair. It's where the public can come in and pay their last respects. Since Roger Nelson was such a high public official his body is required to lie out for a week. Once the week is over, the bodies will be cremated and made into diamonds. It's sort of like one last transfiguration." Hermione offered him as they went to get in line to view the caskets.
"What about Hector and Rachel? Rachel was half and half and Hector was a muggle born. They were buried."
"Wizarding law in the United States prevents the cremation of underage wizards due to their lack of ability to control their powers. Even after a wizard is dead, their powers are still in them. It's not like their powers are apart of their soul." Hermione explained as they made their way toward the front of the line.
"Where is Ron?"
"He's up there…with her." Hermione gestured to the front of the line where Heather kneeled next to her father's casket. As she placed a ruby red rose on top of it, Ron kneeled slightly behind her, consoling her.
"When did this happen?"
"It's always been there, Harry. It's not something you can just shot off at the flick of a wand." Hermione laughed lightly as Harry rolled his eyes. "I know, I know. They don't act like it, but they seem to have it figured out now."
"I wish they two of them would make up their minds." Harry grumbled low enough for only for the two of them to hear as the line moved along.
Once they reached the head of the line, the duo were given a rose to place on the casket. After they placed roses on the large coffins, Harry noticed his little sister crying over in the distant corner of the large ballroom. Harry and Hermione walked over to where Ron and Heather were standing and Harry wrapped his arms around her. Tears streamed down her face and she violently shook with sobs. "It's going to be okay."
Heather continued to sob and Hermione enveloped the both of them in her embrace. All Ron could do is drape a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Once the crying fit subsided, she looked up into her brother's eyes and but said nothing. Before he could hear what she had to say, Harry's attention went from his sister over to the voice of Cornelius Fudge's echoing voice as he spoke to Head Auror Alexandre as they passed by. "Bad timing, very bad timing indeed. The Nelson's death, the attack on those people last night in London…"
"Excuse me, Minister. Attacks? On who?" Ron interrupted.
"You haven't heard, my dear boy?" Fudge seemed shocked at his mere presence.
"No. What attacks?"
"Merlin, they were your own…They didn't owl you?"
"Minister, maybe I should tell him." Alexandre offered. "Ron, have you heard anything from your family within the last twenty-four hours."
"No, not actually now that I think about it."
"No response about coming here today?"
"No."
"Don't you find that rather odd?"
"No, not really. I just figured they didn't have time to send word they were coming." Ron began to put together what his former head auror. "What's wrong with my family?"
"Your brother is dead, dear boy." Fudge blurted, and then turned to Harry and Heather. "Dumbledore tried to keep it quiet too. Your uncle, Harry and Heather, was severely injured and so close to death in the attacks the grim reaper was knocking at Hogwart's door. I personally intervened and sent him to Saint Mungo's."
"You did what?" Harry roared at him. "Do you even know what type of danger you just put him in? Let alone the rest of them."
"What? Where are you…?" Before Fudge could finish his question, Harry darted out the door with Ron, Hermione, and Heather running not too far behind him.
"We have to get a message to Dumbledore." Harry explained as he raced past the guests. "I hate to say it, Heath, but I think MacNeal and Malfoy had your parents killed as a distraction to what they're really up to."
"What do you think they're up to, Harry?" Heather asked as they raced up to her bedroom.
"I'm not sure, but I have a hunch."
*****
End of Chapter