Harry Potter and the Death Eaters' Revenge

Harry Potter and the Death Eater’s Revenge

By S’Eleene Paris and Sable’s human

Rated: pg-13 (or K+ on fanfiction.net)

Pairings: Harry Potter/Hermione Granger; Ron Weasley/Other Character;

Draco Malfoy/ Other Character

Synopsis: Book 3 of the Girl Who Lived Series, a another threat to the

Wizarding world by newly release Death Eaters causes Harry, Ron,

Heather, and Hermione to team up once again. Will they be able to settle

their differences in time to fight off this latest threat?

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns all lefts, rights, and eyelashes belonging to

the Harry Potter universe. We own Heather Potter and the rest that doesn’t.

Chapter One

Coping

The morning sun peaked out from behind the trees and the birds amongst

them began their morning song. Their timeless song floated to the heavens

blissfully much like the on going morning hymns of the local convent. A postulant

bowed in the direction of the alter before moving into the pew. She kneeled at the

pew and began reciting the prayers of the Rosary.

Although most of the members of her convent where already headed to

their morning prayers the Mother Superior, Mary Kathryn, was holding conference

with a man she never would normally hold a conversation with. His black hair

was disarray and his emerald eyes were filled with hope. They had already

communicated once at the topic at hand and he felt they should continue the

conversation in person.. “How did you get that limp, Mister Potter, if you don’t

mind me asking.”

“Flying accident.”

“Oh, are you a pilot?”

“Something like that.” Harry chuckled as they strolled the convents gardens.

The bottom of his cane clicked as it hit the stones on the pathway.

“How old would you say your sister was?” She asked as her ebony robes swayed

in the light Autumn breeze.

“She’ll be eighteen come Halloween.”

“Does she look anything like you? I am sure I would have recognized those eyes

you have if she was here.”

“Vaguely. She had brown eyes.” Harry offered. “Your sister wrote me saying you

found her.”

The Mother Superior smiled. “Minerva has known to get excited about things. I

told her that we did have a girl who did appear around the date your Heather went

missing. I just hope she’s the right girl so I don’t let the both of you down. She was

in an American convent when she came to us. Terribly hurting and not saying why.”

“Where is she? I would like to see her.”

“Morning prayers, but I’ll send for her as soon as they are over.” She offered

as she stopped under a sour cherry tree. “For now, I’ll pray the Lord forgive me for missing

mine and enjoy your company. What is that you say you do, Mister Potter?”

Harry chuckled. “Call me, Harry. I teach at your sister’s school.”

“A noble profession. I use to teach at a school near here? What do you teach?”

“History.” Harry said quickly. “You could say.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Well, its not really just history. Its more like a life application class.”

“Like auto shop or home economics?”

“Yeah.”

“I see.” The duo stopped to recline on a cast iron and wooden bench.

“Is there a Mrs. Potter, Mr. Potter?”

“We were married a year ago this past May.” Harry glared down on

the simple platinum band on his left hand.

“Lovely. How long did you two know each other before you were

married?”

“Since we were eleven.” Harry smiled at the fond memory and

whispered. “All because of a toad.”

“Excuse me?”

“We were on the train on our way to school and one of our fellow

students, now a good friend of ours, lost his pet toad Trevor. She was helping

him find him when we met.”

Before Mother Mary Kathryn could respond, the chimes in the bell

tower pealed the hour. “Let’s retire to my office, where I shall send for her.”

As the two of them climbed up the several steps toward the Mother

Superior’s office neither of them noticed a brunette and brown eyed postulant

walked out of her morning prayers.

Heather Lillian Potter looked up in the bright morning’s sky and felt an

overflowing peace she had not felt in a long time. Granted she had been praying

for it for several months, but she didn’t think it would engulf her. Her body had

been aching over this peace and when she did feel it, she nearly fell over.

“Are you alright?” Sister Mary Agnes asked as she caught the postulant

before she fell to the ground. “You haven’t been quite yourself today.”

“I’m fine Sister Agnes. Thank you.”

“You sure?”

Heather smiled brightly. “I’m fine. I just feel wonderful.”

“I’ve noticed. It was like a piece of you had been missing.”

Sister Mary Agnes looked up at the sky. “At least the storms have

stopped. I was beginning to think the Lord was never going to let

the sun grace our presence again.”

Heather bit your lip to refrain herself from snapping an

answer about God not having anything to do with it, rather than it being

about her and her moods. “I have to stop this. I just simply cannot

perform magic, again. Its simple as that.” She thought to herself

as she looked up at the bright blue cloudless sky.

“Pardon me, Sister Agnes, but the Mother Superior wants to

see Sister Rachel in her office.” A voice brought Heather out of

her reverie

Heather froze. “Did she say why?”

“No, but she did say it was rather urgent.” The newcomer,

Sister Mary Roberta, mentioned.

“Is there any idea of what this could be about?” Sister Agnes asked.

“There was a man sitting in her office. He looked like you, Mary

Rachel, except for the eyes. Do you have a brother?”

“What color are those eyes?” Heather cringed, muttering in hopes

they were any color other than…

“Emerald green.”

“Damn!” Heather closed her eyes as her mind screamed.

“The Mother Superior told me to escort you to her office.”

Mary Roberta mentioned as she took Heather’s hand and escorted her

to their leader’s office.

“Of course she would have you escort me. She thinks I am going

to run away again.” Heather thought inwardly at Mary Roberta. “Well,

since she left no real way to get away. I suppose I’d have to talk to him

eventually.”

Heather’s heart raced faster and faster as they came closer to the

office door. When they reached the door, Mary Roberta knocked on the

door. “Come.” The voice of the Mother Superior called through the door.

The door opened ant he duo stepped inside. “Thank you for coming

Sister Mary Rachel. Please have a seat. That will be all Mary Roberta and

please make sure we’re not disturbed.”

The sister bowed slightly and exited the office. Mary Kathryn

looked at Harry and asked. “Is this her?”

Ever since she stepped into the room, Harry’s eyes never left the

woman in question. “There’s only one way to know for sure.” Harry

pulled his sister’s diamond and phoenix feather wand from his cloak

and placed it on the desk in front of her.

Heather played dumb. “What do you want me to do call for it?”

“Something like that.” Harry commented. “Say Accio Wand

while concentrating on it in your hand.”

“Mother, he can’t be serious.” Heather scoffed.

“Very.”

“Even if I say “Accio Wand” do you really think it will work?”

Heather gestured with her right hand to indicate she thought it wasn’t

right to be asked to do something like this. No sooner had Heather

complained, she felt the cold stone object in her hand.

“Yes because you just did.” Harry smiled at her then turned

to the Mother Superior. “Thank you, Sister Mary Kathryn. We’ll be

leaving shortly.”

“We’ll?” Heather mocked. “Who said anything about me going

anywhere?”

“You will after what I have to say to you.”

Heather huffed. “Do you know how predictable that just sounded?”

“Will you excuse us for a moment.” Harry asked Mother Mary

Kathryn. “I need to talk to my little sister in private.”

“Sure.” Mary Kathryn stood up and walked out of her office.

“Well?”

“Ron’s been looking for you, you know.”

“So.”

“He’s worried about you. We all have.”

Heather paused. “I have a new life now.”

“No, you’re just hiding from your old one.”

Heather ignored his comment as she rolled her eyes. “Who died and

made you my mother?”

Harry sighed, sounding defeated. “Heather please.”

Heather looked deep into her brother’s eyes. “There is something

else isn’t there? What is it?”

Harry sighed because he knew for some reason it would have to

have come down to it. “Obviously since you haven’t been able to read

a copy of the Daily Prophet or been in the Wizarding world lately, let

me catch you up. A year ago, before you disappeared, Hermione took

the Onyx Spell Book when we came to rescue you. Unfortunately,

we didn’t expect Malfoy and MacNeal to make another.”

“You mean a copy?”

“No, another. This one; however, doesn’t have Voldermort’s

soul preserved in its pages. It has Malfoy and MacNeal’s souls.”

“I take it you haven’t been able to figure out how to destroy

the Onyx Spell Book.” Heather concluded.

“No, that’s another reason why we need you.” Harry admitted.

“You’re our team’s expert on Dark Magic items.”

Heather was silent for a long time before she observed. “You

use a cane.”

Harry nodded solemnly. “My leg is still pretty banged up

from the fall I took when we came to rescue you. Madame Pomfrey

is doing all she can help me. She has called in some of the most

powerful healers at Saint Mungo’s.”

“Are they helping at all?”

“Yes, some what. They say, though, the leg may not get

back to the way it as before the accident. The only good thing

about the whole this is my cane.”

“What so special about it?” Heather asked eyeing it.

“I had it specially made. I’d seen one of them before.

Lucius Malfoy, Draco’s father, had one.” Harry tossed Heather

his cane. “The end of the cane holds my wand.”

Heather grinned as she eyed the cane. The whole thing

was made of the same wood as his wand: Holly. The handle was carved

into a lion; the symbol of Gryffindor house. “Its nice, Harry.” It was

when she handed back the cane, she noticed his wedding band. “You

and Hermione got married then?”

“A year ago last May.”

“Am I going to be an aunt yet?”

Harry took his turn to chuckle. “We’re working on it.”

“That’s wonderful!” Heather exclaimed. “So, what are you

two doing now that you’re not in Auror training?”

“Currently, we’re looking for a house in Hogsmeade so

we can be close to Hogwarts. I’m teaching Defense Against

the Dark Arts and Hermione is in training to be a healer. She

takes her test during Christmas break.”

“What about Ron?” Heather asked with a slight pause.

“How is he?”

“As well as can be expected.”

“What is he doing now?”

“He’s still an auror. His main mission is to find you. Red

squadron is still at Hogwarts. We were all worried, Heather.”

Heather stood up, walked over to the window, and grazed

out the window expressionless. `I’m going to need some time

to think about it.”

“I’m going to be in town until tomorrow.” Harry offered.

“I’m leaving in the morning. I’ll make a stop on my way out.”

Heather nodded as Harry stood up and sauntered over to

his sister to hug her before leaving the office. When Sister

Mary Kathryn came back into her office, she went over to the

window where Heather stood with tears on the brim of falling

down her cheeks. “Why did this have to come today?” She

sobbed in the Mother Superior’s arms. “I was going to come

to you today to tell you I was ready to take my vows.”

“Heather, my child,” the woman consoled using her

real name, “God brought you to us for a reason. The same

could be said about him bringing your brother here to find you.

God will never give you more than you can handle. Remember

that.”

Heather sniffed. “So, you’re sending me back?”

The graying haired woman smiled, warmly. “Consider

it a mission. Find out if the sisterhood is your calling. An

affirmation if you will. If it’s not, you know where you belong.”

“But how can I go back? After all that has happened?”

“You know the prodigal’s son asked the same thing.”

*****

Ron Weasley paced back and forth, frustrated. His friend,

Hermione Potter watched him cross the room back and forth. She

had claimed the couch in the teacher’s lounge and he’d been in too

grand of a tantrum to claim the other cushion. “Would you just calm

down, Ronald. Harry just felt he had a better chance of getting her to

come if you weren’t there.”

“He had no right, Hermione. This is my mission and my fiancée.”

“And his sister.” Hermione pointed out as she took a sip of her

steaming green tea.

“Yeah.” Ron exclaimed, exasperated. “She may be his sister, but

I’m the one who loves her.”

Hermione chuckled. “You’re getting yourself very confused, Ron.”

Ron growled impatient with his best female friend. “You know

what you mean.”

Hermione smirked playfully. “No I don’t, Ron. Maybe you

should try explaining it to me.”

The auror straight from boot camp rolled his eyes as the

healer-to-be continued to work on her review notes for her exam.

“So when is the big test.”

“After this term ends.” Hermione noted the change of topic

as a clear sign Ron didn’t want to talk about Heather anymore. So

it came to no surprise to Hermione when Harry sauntered into the

room with Heather in tow. Ron became speechless for the few minutes

his face turned from pink to scarlet. “What the bloody hell? Where the

hell were you?”

“I don’t have to answer to you.” Heather snapped.

“Like hell you do.” Ron volleyed back. “You have a lot to

answer to.”

“That’s enough the both of you.” Harry growled. “Right now we

have bigger problems to deal with rather than listen to the two of you

squabble. We have Death Eaters to find.”

Both Ron and Heather simultaneously cross their arms. “How

lovely.” Heather offered. “We’re going on a witch hunt.”

“Kind of ironic isn’t it?” Hermione giggled.

*****

Heather climbed the stairs toward the red squadron’s tower. She

had a bone to pick with Ron and Heather was determined to have her say.

He had no right saying she had to answer to him.

The dark corridor was lit only by torches lining them and Heather

shivered although it was fairly warm inside The last time she had ever seen

Hogwarts was right after she had been attacked by the very same Death

Eaters they were now going after. “Its ironic how the hunters become the

hunted.” She mused to herself.

Once she came to the entrance to the tower, she gave the password

Harry gave her upon their arrival to the castle. “Death Eaters are asses.”

“I agree.” The statue of Godric Gryffindor mentioned as he stepped

aside to let the two lions on either side of him guard the entrance. Once inside,

the statue would step back into place to block the obvious entrance to the tower.

Once inside of the landing, Heather climbed the spiral stair case to the

common room.

Heather froze at the top of the stairs when she witnessed what was going

on in the room with out her. Tears quickly filled her eyes as she watched Ron

embrace then kiss Sarah Campbell on the forehead. “Thanks, Sarah, I really

needed to hear that.”

“Don’t worry, Ron.” Sarah smiled warmly and that was when Heather

noticed the matching gold bands on their left hand. “Give her some time.

She’s been through a lot this past year or so.”

“And you don’t think I haven’t?” Ron raged. “Merlin, Sarah, the

woman I was going to marry lied to me and then left me.”

“She was probably scared out of her wits. You can’t blame her for

that.”

“Like hell I won’t.” Ron crossed his arms and with that statement

Heather made her presence known. She stormed across the common room,

past him to the door where her bed room was, and slammed the door shut

after her entrance so hard it rattled the lamps on the side tables by the

common room couch.

“That was real smooth, Ron.” Sarah noted as she reached over to

prevent one of the lamps from falling off the table and shattering on the

floor.

*****

End of Chapter One.

-* Chapter Two

Breaking the Ice

The tension between Ron and Heather was thick as molasses and

almost as quick to resolve. The two said nothing to one another and frankly

both Harry and Hermione were quickly growing tired of it. Neither Ron nor

Heather seemed to want to work things out.

“This has to stop.” Harry mentioned to Hermione as she sat there with

him in his office, grading his sixth years essays on the founder’s defensive

spells on the school.

“Agreed, but how on earth are we going to do it without them

suspecting anything?”

“Oh, we’re not going to do anything sneaky. We’ll just tell them

we need to talk to them, say what we have to say, and lock them in a room

together until they solve their problems.”

Hermione laughed. “Are you serious?”

“As Heather once said. “Damn straight”.” Harry edited one of the

papers extra vigorously to prove his point. “Until they work out their

differences we’re going to have a tough time tracking down the escaped

casualties down to a minimum.”

“Agreed. If there is anything that should be the most important

thing right now is getting them to talk. I just hope they will.”

Harry nodded and rested his hand upon hers for a moment; allowing

the platinum band to glisten in the candle light before shutting his grade book

and placing his class essays back into his bag. “Dinner is in a few minutes. You

coming?”

“Yeah,” Hermione shut her book on healing potions that Madame

Pomfrey gave her to help her with her H.E.L.P. (Healer Examination of

Level Proficiency) test at the end of the semester. “A break would be nice

although I really need to get back to studying afterward. I really only have

one semester to go and I’m going to need as much time as I can study.”

Harry chuckled. Hermione was in her element. “Alright, we’ll

get back to work after our meeting is over with Ron and Heather. More

than likely, they’re going to have to duke it out. So, we’ll have to study

In our room.”

Hermione smiled playfully. “I mean be too distracted if I study

in our room.”

Harry grinned as he held up his hands in protest. “I solemnly

swear that I will be good.”

*****

After dinner was over, Harry sent Hedwig with notes to both

Ron and Heather letting the both of them know he wished to speak

with them in his office. Hermione stood next to him and rubbed his

back for support. “Who do you think will arrive first Ron or Heather?”

Harry chuckled. “Knowing the both of them, they’ll both be

late and they’ll arrive at the same time.”

Hermione continued to rub his back and she nodded in

agreement, until Ron arrived dressed in his drill uniform. “Sorry

I’m late. Sergeant Duckhorn insisted while we were here to get

in several hours worth of drills to stay in shape.”

“That’s alright.” Harry offered as he walked over to greet

his best friend. “I actually have to run a quick errand. I’ll be back

in a few minutes.”

Once Harry stepped outside of his office, Harry sighed.

“Its going to be a long night.” Harry thought as Heather walked

down the hallway wearing her postulant’s robes.

“Hi, Harry. You needed to see me?”

“Yes, would you step inside my office?”

“Sure.” Heather smiled as she walked into his office,

but stopped just beyond the threshold. “Harry, is this some sort

of sick joke?”

Harry quickly locked the door to his office wandlessly

and wordlessly. Ron stood up while Harry did this to get up

to leave, but his body pulled him back down to the chair. “No

joke, Heather. We’re just trying to calm down a situation before

it blows way out of proportion.”

Heather continued to stand even though Hermione

Offered her a chair. “I really don’t have time for this,

Harry.”

“Too damn bad. Harry gestured for his sister

to sit in the chair and she continued to rebel. Harry

walked over to his desk to claim the winged arm

chair behind it. Hermione claimed an empty patch

of Harry’s desk next to him. “Hermione and I feel this

childish situation between you two needs to stop in order

not to compromise the mission.”

Ron half stood up, again, and his body as pulled

back down. Ron rolled his eyes. “Really, Harry, a

sticking charm? You really can’t make us sit here and

talk about what happened. What is done is done. If

she wants to be a bitch about it, then fine the bloody

hell by me.”

“A bitch?” Heather countered. “How dare you?

Every time I have wanted to talk about it this past month

you ignore me. If anyone is a bitch its you!”

Ron opened his mouth to speak, but Hermione

stopped him. “Ron, don’t say anything before you

had a chance to think about it.” Hermione paused.

“Then again, go ahead. Its not like you’ll be able

to leave this room anyway until the two of you

resolve this.”

“You can’t be serious.” Heather questioned

in pure disbelief.

“Very.” Harry folded his bad leg over his

good one as if to prove a point. “No one is going

to leave this room until the two of you figure this

thing out.”

“Come on, Harry. We’ve both moved on.

There’s nothing more to discuss.” Ron protested.

“Yeah, you moved on all right. Right into

Sarah Campbell’s bed.” Heather folded her arms

in defiance. “You were probably doing her while

you were with me.”

Ron huffed. “Its not like you have been

sleeping with other people.”

Heather laughed. “Yeah, his name is Jesus

Christ.”

“Who is this jerk and where is he at so I

can beat the crap out of him?” Ron turned red in

anger. “As for Sarah, I haven’t been shagging her.

She’s been one of those who’ve been having to

Deal with me looking for you.”

With the last statement, Hermione and Harry

were too busy laughing to hear his confessing about

his relationship with their former teammate. “What?”

“Ron, she’s a postulant!” Hermione offered,

though her laughter.

“So what should I care about the way she stands?

What does it have to do with this Christ guy?”

Heather rolled her eyes. “A postulant, Ron. Not

posture. A postulant is a girl who is trying to become a

nun in the muggle religion Catholicism. A nun will take

three vows to Christ, the Son of God, and a vow of

chastity is one of them.”

“You mean you haven’t loved anyone

since me?”

“I still do, Ron.” Heather sighed unfolding

her arms and taking the chair next to him. “That

has never changed.”

“Then how come you ran away?” Ron asked

sounding like a child “We could have worked it out.”

Tears formed in Heather’s eyes. “I was scared,

Ron.”

Not really noticing Harry and Hermione had

slipped out of the room. Ron collected Heather in his

arms and she cried. “I was too.”

After her crying subsided, she looked up at him

with her tear stained face. “I’m sorry.”

Ron placed his hands on both of her cheeks to

wipe her tears away. “Me too.” When he looked into

her eyes at that moment, he saw instead of loathing,

he found love.

*****

Azkaban Breakouts

Continued from page one

The Ministry of Magic is continuing

its investigation as to how and who broke out

the known followers of He-who-must-not-be-named.

Among the many who are now on the loose

are Belatrix Lestrange who was being held

for using the unforgivable “Crucio” curse

(For specifics on this particular spell see page 5)

against the aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom

nineteen years ago (see page 7 for more information

about the Longbottoms’ career and page 4 for an

interview with their son Neville.).

The Daily Prophet reminds its readers

that these “Death Eaters” are considered armed

and dangerous. Any reports as to their where

a bouts or any other suspicious activities

should be immediately reported to the Auror

Department at the Ministry of Magic.

“I’ll give you three guesses who,” Ron

laughed as he dug his spoon into his oatmeal, “and

I’ll bet you can figure out who broke them out in the

first two.”

“I wonder, Ronald.” Heather noted as she

took notes from the book she was reading. “If

you enjoy stating the obvious.”

“I do actually.” He grinned playfully at

her. “Where’s Harry and Hermione this morning.”

Heather smirked knowingly. “Perhaps they

slept in.”

“Maybe.” Ron dove into his oatmeal,

eagerly. “Harry has class in an hour and Hermione’s

got Healer training.”

Heather giggled. “Wrong type of “sleeping in”.”

“Oh, you mean…” Ron trailed off. “Heather,

that’s just wrong! He’s my best mate! Not to mention

Hermione…”

“Ron, reality check. Hermione and my brother are

married.”

“It’s still wrong.”

“They’re trying for a baby.” Heather refreshed

his memory. “How do you think you’re parents got you?”

“OY! Thanks for the mental image.”

“No problem,” Heather grinned evilly, “but

its not like we’ve never…”

Heather was interrupted by the arrival of Harry

and Hermione. “Good morning.”

“Some people are having a better morning than

others.” Heather smiled at Harry then smirked again at

Ron.

“What do you mean?” Hermione asked as she

reached for the oatmeal.

“It’s a private joke between Ron and I from

before.” Heather told them at Ron’s silence. “You

had to have been there.”

“Where have you two been?” Ron asked when

he found his voice.

“We slept in late.” Harry stroked Hermione’s

back. “It’s a good thing Hermione has an internal

alarm clock otherwise I would have missed my

class this morning.”

“We had a late night last night.” Hermione

yawned. “Harry had quite a few papers to grade and I

had to study for my H.E.L.P. exam.”

“That’s understandable.” Heather winked at

Ron. The duo knew exactly what Harry and Hermione

were actually up to.

*****

Hermione Potter strolled down the corridor

hours later her break from reviewing her notes for her

examination. She resisted the urge to sprint down the

corridor while the students were in the hallways. To

her it would be too painfully obvious as to her intentions

with her husband.

She stopped at the Defense Against the Dark Arts

classroom and he noticed the students in her husband’s

room were still assembled and in their seats. She quietly

leaned against the door frame to listen to him lecture to

his first years. “Never underestimate the simplest of spells

because they can be your lifesaver in the thickest of

situations. This is often a mistake of the dark side because

they underestimate its worth.”

A girl I the front row from Gryffindor raised her

hand. “Yes, Miss Hill.”

“How is that? I mean you had to use an

unforgivable to defeat HIM…”

“Lord Voldermort, you mean?” Harry asked

and shivers went through out the classroom. “That’s

very true, but it was some very simple spells that saved

me, Ron, and Hermione more often than naught. Spells

like the Bat bogey hex and Lumos.”

“And don’t forget “Wingardium Leviosa”.”

Hermione called from the back of the room. Every

head turned to where she stood at the door way.

Feeling slightly conscious that she interrupted his class,

She added. “That’s the one that saved me from a fully

grown Mountain Troll in my first year.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Potter. May I ask why you’re

interrupting my class?”

“Period ended five minutes ago.” Hermione

grinned playfully. “I’m sure your students don’t

want to be tardy to their next class. Besides, I have

something to discuss with you.”

“Oh,, really? Time does fly then. Class is

dismissed and don’t forget to read the next chapter

in your books. There might be a quiz on it tomorrow.”

A collective groan came from the majority of

the students, except for Miss Hill. Once all of the

students left the room, Harry’s attention went back to

Hermione. “Merlin, that girl reminds me of you.”

“Who? Miss Hill?”

“Pricilla is her name, a very bright girl. She

should have been in Ravenclaw.”

“Boy, that does sound familiar.” Hermione

grinned, walking toward him and meeting him at the

front of the classroom. “Does she have two male

friends who always seem to get her into trouble?”

“It’s not quite Halloween yet, so we’ll have

to wait and see.” Harry chuckled as the two of them

climbed the stairs to his office. Once inside and the

door was locked behind them, Harry pushed her up

against the door to begin nibbling just below her right

ear. “What takes you away from your books to come

and see me?”

“I thought it was rather obvious.” Hermione

huskily said as she pulled off his belt victoriously

and threw it to the floor. She then began unzipping

the front of this pants. “Madame Pomfrey said this

week would be one of the best weeks for us to try

to get pregnant.”

Harry smirked down at her lovingly. “It’s a

good thing its my free period now isn’t it? How

very convenient for us.”

It is isn’t it?” Hermione gave him a wicked

smile she only reserved for him as she began

un-tucking his shirt. “Why don’t we get started

making your sister an aunt.”

*****

Author’s notes: First of all I would like to thank all of you

for your wonderful response to this story. Sable’s human and

I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, we were forced to write a flash

scene or two. Normally, I’m against flashback scenes due to

the fact most fan fiction authors (Not even Harry Potter either)

over use this trick of the trade and it has cheapened it for me

as a reader. I was pacing back and forth with Sable’s human

trying to figure out a way to avoid it. Well, we decided to write

one to see how it would turn out. After we went ahead and wrote

it, we decided we liked it the way it was. So here it goes…yep…

its still in the third person point of view. The Flash back scenes

are in italics in case you didn’t know already.

God bless,

S’Eleene Paris

Chapter Three

Solemn Moments

A chill hung in the late autumn air and the full harvest moon

loomed above, watching tenderly upon the Hogwarts school of Witchcraft

and Wizardry. It’s rays danced playfully on the rippling water of the Black

lake. Not very many students were up this late, having most of them

tucked away in their warm four poster beds and if they weren’t they were

kept warm by the lit fires in the common room hearth.

Heather Lillian Potter shivered. It was cold inside the castle, but it

was nothing to the brunt Scottish air; which threatened to turn the ground

to frost. Anyone who went outside with out the comfort of their winter

robes or at the very least a warming spell, would more then likely suffer

with pneumonia in the morning.

She shifted the books she was carrying back from the Headmaster’s

office. After reading just about every book she could find that even related

to the topic on dark magic and not finding anything to dark magic spell books

such as the Onyx Spell Book in the archive; Heather turned to the Headmaster

for help. It was only after a few minutes of telling him what she needed, Albus

Dumbledore took several books down off their home in their locked cabinets.

Once in the Red Squadron’s tower, Heather sat her books down

on the table next to a window. The fire in the hearth as in full flame, so

Heather was thankful for the slight draft coming from the window.

Before she opened one of the books to begin her read into the dark magic

items, a scene outside of the window caught her eye.

Someone, obviously male, was skating on a frozen part of the

Black lake. From the way he turned to the way he raced around the

shallow end of the lake, it reminded her of someone she knew very

well. “Hector?”

“What did you say, Heather?” Harry asked from where he

and Hermione were cuddled on the couch.

“Nothing.” Heather now was watching the ice skater

as he tried a more complex move and as the result of not having

the proper lift, fall on his behind. It was then she realized there

was no way it could have been Hector, after all he had been dead

for almost three years now.

Heather stood up with out a preamble and almost racing into

her dorm room to grab her winter cloak. As she climbed down the

many stairs on the spiral staircase, she cursed herself for being

so stupid for assuming it had been Hector. “You know very well

he is dead. Why would I think its him?”

“It wasn’t until she reached the frozen part of the lake

and the full moon came out from its hiding place, the clouds,

it was revealed to her who she thought had been Hector. She

breathed his name as she clutched her cloak tightly against her.

“Ron.”

Startled, Ron glanced in her direction in mid lift and fell

face first into the ice. “I’m okay.” He claimed as he stood back

up and skated over to the edge.

“When did this come about?” Heather unbelievingly

gawked.

Ron took to looking at his skates. “I stated to teach

myself not too soon after you left.”

Heather nodded. He would never openly, but she

knew it was a way for him to still feel connected to her.

Without much thought about it, she transfigured her

shoes into ice skates and took off her winter cloak.

“Well, if you’re going to learn, you might as well learn

to do it properly. You’re not ready at all, but I can teach

you some of the more simpler jumps.”

She skated around the perimeter a couple

of times and performed the toe tuck flawlessly.

When she came back over to where he was

standing, she commented. “Considering I really

haven’t been on the ice for at least two years,

that wasn’t too bad. You’re main problem is

you’re not getting enough speed. Try it and I’ll

guide you.”

Ron nodded as they skated around the ice

on the Black lake. Once he got the momentum,

he tried the jump again. This time his leg caught

his pant leg and he tripped; he landed on top

of Heather. Neither one of them said a thing as

they stared into each other’s eyes. Ron began

to lean down to capture her lips, but her voice

stopped him. “Can you get off me, Ron? My

leg is starting to go numb.”

Disappointed, Ron slowly sat up. “Are

you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She said to him as she found

her footing and he helped her to stand up. She must

have pushed up too quickly because he caught her

in his arms.

“Heather.”

“Yes, Ron.”

He hesitated only a moment before asking

her almost child like. “Why did you go away?”

It was Heather’s turn to hesitate. “It wasn’t

because I don’t love you, Ron. It was because…”

“Because what?”

“Because I was ashamed.” A tear rolled down

her cheek. It was then her single tear became several.

“What’s worse, Ron is that I knew. I knew the entire

time. I knew the entire time and I knew the consequences

if something would have happened. I didn’t care. What’s

more worse than that is that I never told you.”

“How come you didn’t tell me? You know how much

family means to me.”

“I was going to tell you, but I couldn’t. I was too

afraid you’d make me leave the squadron. I worked too

damn hard to be kicked off. Not that it really mattered

in the long run.” Heather threw up her arms, grabbed

her cloak from where it lay on the ground and went to

the willow not far from the lake’s edge. Ron went

after her and once he reached her, the moonlight filtered

through the empty limbs of the tree and it lit up her

features. Her eyes coasted downward to nervously

pick at her nails.

“You’re right. I would have made you leave

the squadron, but it was never about controlling you.

It would have been because I would want to protect

you and our child from being hurt.” He reached out

and lightly caressed a few strands of hair bore he took

hands. He brought them to his lips and kissed them

lightly. When he had kissed both of them, he brought

them away from his lips while he watched her. She had

closed her eyes obviously enjoying the passion for once

that was built up inside of her. When no verbal response

came, he realized there was something he wanted to

share with her. “Come on, there is something I want

to show you.”

Ron lead her away from the lake toward the

broom closet. He took out a broom and together

they flew to Hogsmeade, but the duo didn’t stop there.

“We just need an apperation point.” He confessed as

he took her arms and he wrapped them around his waist.

When they arrived to the destination point, Heather

took in their surroundings. “We’re at the Burrow.”

“Actually, what I want to show you is in the woods.

Come on.” Ron took her hand and led her into the woods.

The followed a creek bed a way until they came to a marble

and granite building. Over the pair of Corinthian columned

doorway was scroll work and it labeled the owners inside:

Weasley.

“What are we doing here?” Heather asked as she

noted how cold it was in the entrance and could only imagine

what it was like down the stairs where they were headed.

“The Weasley family tomb. Its where all my

ancestors are buried.” Ron lit his wand and lead the way

down into the crypt. “There is something I need to show

you.”

Heather didn’t say anything as they continued

down the stairs. The musty smell of decaying flesh

made Heather cover her nose. They followed the corridor

down further into the crypt. As she followed him, she

noted several doors of which had names and dates. The

earliest date in this particular tomb was 1082. Decorating

the walls inside the crypt were several paintings, portraits,

and tapestries all featuring people with fiery-red Weasley hair.

When they came to the end they came to a room with a

brand new door. Ron opened the door and they went inside.

There were no bodies laying out as Heather had expected;

however, Ron gestured toward a bronze plaque mounted

on the wall. When Heather read the plaque, tears formed

and rolled down her cheeks.

This plaque is in remembrance of the unnamed Weasley child of Heather Potter and Ronald Weasley. Even though this child was not able to live for long, it will still be missed and loved. 1998. “Mum come down here about once a week to put flowers in the vases.” Ron indicated the vases on either end of the plaque. “Usually white roses.”

“Even though she’s got to be thoroughly pissed at me?”

“It still would have been her first grandchild.” Ron

then offered. “We were all upset about it. Even Percy who

is usually a giant git.”

“Percy?”

“He was the one who suggested we put up the memorial.”

Ron shivered as he hesitated only for a moment to reveal those

solemn moments.

*****

“Ron!” Hermione called as she raced down the corridor

after him. He had nearly blown off the hospital wing doors.

“She left me, Hermione.”

“Ron, I know you’re upset…”

“Upset?” Ron snapped and abruptly severed to confront

her. “The girl I love just left, forgetting to tell me she was

pregnant with my child. My child, Hermione.”

“Ron, she’s scared. When she realizes…”

“She’s never coming back, Hermione, at least not on her own.

I have to go and find her.” Ron began scanning the corridor. “If you’ll

excuse me…”

Hermione watched as Ron walked down the corridor back in

the direction of the Red Squadron’s tower. After watching him until

he was out of sight, she walked back to the hospital wing.

“How is he?” Harry asked as Hermione walked over to his

bed.

“Not good, you know how Ron is.” Hermione sighed. “He

needs to grieve. Give him time.”

“Has anyone informed the Weasleys’ of what happened?”

“I haven’t had a chance to and I’m not sure if anyone else

has.”

“Maybe we should let Ron do it.”

Hermione nodded. “Maybe we should let them come here?”

“Or maybe it would be better if he went there.” Harry thought

out loud. “Then they could grieve as a family.”

Hermione nodded. “I’ll take him. You should stay here in bed

and rest.”

“No, I want to be there.”

“You can’t walk, Harry.” Harry pointed at the crutches beside

his bed, insistently. “There is no way, Harry. You need to rest. There is

no way Madame Pomfrey is going to release you after all that has

happened.”

“I don’t think she could stop me if she tried.” Harry swung his

legs over the side of the bed and reached for the crutches. He kept his

bad knee extended as he stood up with the assistance with the muggle

devices. To prove to her he could use them properly, he sauntered down

the length of the hospital and back to where she stood.

Hermione huffed a sigh and called to the school nurse. “Madame

Pomfrey…”

*****

After a long debate with the school nurse, Harry limped down the

corridor with the use of the crutches. He had been fortunate school had

been released prior his first attempt to walk the length of the school

for he would not have made it this far down with out being stopped a half

a dozen times.

Once down the stairs and outside, Hermione sat down

on a bench. “I’ll wait for the two of you here. We have a long way until

we’re outside of the apperation wards of Hogwarts and I need to conserve

my strength as much as possible.”

“I already thought of that. While you were debating with Madame

Pomfrey, I sent Hedwig with a note to Hagrid. He is getting a horseless

carriage ready, so you don’t have to walk. Once we’re in Hogsmeade, we

can apperate to the Burrow, but we’ll ask Madame Rosemarta if you can

use some floo powder because there is no way you’re ready to apperate,

even a side-along apperation, quite yet. Let me go get Ron and we’ll be

ready as soon as Hagrid gets here with the carriage.”

Harry nodded and kissed his wife. Once she disappeared back

inside of the doors, Harry stood and took his time climbing down the

stairs where Hagrid arrived with the carriage. When he saw Harry,

he quickly ran up the stairs to help him. “Blimey, ‘Arry, out and ‘bout

‘lready?”

“I’m fine, Hagrid.”

“Ya sure, now are ya?”

Harry nodded as he reached the bottom stair. “I could use

some help, though, getting up in the carriage.”

“’lright.” Hagrid took Harry’s crutchs once Harry leaned

against the carriage for support. After he tucked them inside, it was

Harry’s turn. In one quick motion, he scooped him up into the carriage.

“Thanks, Hagrid.”

Before he could respond, Hermione arrived with Ron in tow.

“Aren’t you even going to tell me where we’re going?”

“We’re going somewhere.”

“Couldn’t be anymore vague, now could you?” Ron stepped

into the carriage and noticed Harry’s presence when he sat down

across from him. “Bloody hell, Madame Pomfrey let you out?”

“She didn’t have much choice.” Hermione grinned as she took

the seat next to Harry, “from what I heard from the corridor anyway.”

“She was starting to drive me nutters.” Harry complained.

“So, you’re alright then, Harry?” Ron asked as be picked off

some imaginary lint from his auror robes.

“Yea, I’m fine. Madame Pomfrey says I am going to start physical

therapy soon. She’s having a healer apperate in and I’ll start in a day or

so. You?”

“I’m not the one who fell 75 feet into a half a dozen tree limbs.”

“But you lost…” Hermione started, but Harry put his hand on

her knee to stop her. The three of them knew exactly what he had lost.

The trio stayed quiet for the rest of the trip.

Hermione led the group into the Three Broomsticks where

she went up to the bar to talk to Madame Rosemarta. Once she sat

a bowl down with floo powder, Hermione took it and handed it to

Harry. “You want me to take your crutches?”

“If you would.” Harry said as he hobbled over to the

fireplace. Hermione watched as he braced himself against one

of the hearth’s walls. “I’ll wait until you and Ron are gone before

flooing.”

“Alright.” Hermione smiled at Ron. “Grab my arm.”

“We’ll see you where ever we’re going then.” Ron

offered as he took Hermione arm. With a slight “pop”, the

duo disappeared. Harry looked at the gray powder glumly

for a moment before declaring “The Burrow” his destination

of choice.

*****

Once they arrived at the apperation point, just beyond

the security barrier of the Burrow, Ron knew where he was.

“Why are we here?”

“You’re here to tell your family what happened. Ginny

swore she wouldn’t tell them.”

“Now there is a cheerful conversation. “Hello, mum,

dad, how are you? Oh, by the way, you were going to be

grandparents until heather went off and got our baby, of

which I didn’t know about, killed. Now she’s missing. Yea,

Hermione, that will be quite lovely.”

“They’re your family, Ronald.” Hermione offered

as they rounded the driveway to the Weasley family home.

Once they arrived, the opened the door and Molly

noted their arrival as she attended to Harry, who reclined

on one of the family sofas. She gave him a tray with cookies

and tea. The rest of the Weasley clan claimed the other

various arm chairs in the living room.

“Ron, Hermione, come in! Harry just arrived a

few moments ago.” Molly embraced them and it was

then she noticed something wasn’t quite right. “What’s

wrong?”

It was only then, in the safe confines of his family,

Ron expressed how he was really feeling. With out

realizing it, a single tear trailed down his cheek. Molly

embraced her son, consoling him, and over his shoulder

to Hermione gave a questioning gaze.

The room went abnormally quiet and all sets of

eyes were upon her. Tears welled and trickled about

down her cheeks as she explained. “Something terrible.”

Was all she could muster before she was too enveloped

in tears.

Harry hobbled over to her and gave her his shoulder

to cry on. The eyes turned to Harry for an explanation. He

stroked Hermione’s hair before telling them what happened.

“Apparently, Heather and Ron were expecting a baby…”

“Really?” Arthur exclaimed. “That’s great news!”

“No it isn’t! They aren’t married yet.” Molly swatted

her husband’s arm. “You’ll just have to move the date up,

that’s all.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, I wasn’t finished.” Harry

cringed.

“Oh, sorry, Harry dear.” Molly turned her attention

away from her son for a moment to put away some of the dirty

dishes in the sink in the cabinets with their clean brothers.

“Its alright.” Harry paused. “While we were on the

mission, Heather didn’t tell Ron she was pregnant. She was

later abducted…”

“Again!” George laughed. “Really, Ron, you need

to keep that girl on a leash.”

“Or maybe she was just trying to get away from him.”

Fred suggested to his twin.

“Would you two quit! You interrupted Harry, again.”

Ginny snapped. “Go on, Harry, tell them the rest.”

“She was kidnapped and tortured by our targets. Before

she had a chance to tell Ron, she lost the child.”

At that moment, the room went deafly silent. It stayed this

way for what seemed to Harry, an eternity. When Molly dropped

a plate on the ground, all chaos broke loose. Molly raced back

over to her youngest son and embraced him. As she did, tears

poured down her cheeks; heart broken at her son’s loss. “Oh, Ron!”

Quietly, Arthur approached his son and his wife and laid a

consoling hand on his son’s shoulder. Upon the situation’s reality,

Ginny burst into tears and raced up the stairs to her bedroom.

After seeing this, Percy raced up the stairs after her to consol her.

The twins, not really knowing what else to do, stood there unable

to express themselves.

Once Hermione stopped crying, she suggested to Harry.

“Why don’t we leave. They need time to grieve.”

“Yea.” Harry limped over to where his crutches leaned

against the hearth. He took a hand full of floo powder and

commanded. “The Three broomsticks.” And in a swish of green

flames, he disappeared and Hermione followed him.

*****

After he finished telling her of his tale, more tears swelled

in Heather’s eyes. She flung her arms around his neck and she took

her turn to embrace him.

It took him a moment to react, but when he did, he wrapped

his arms around her and held her there in his embrace. “Oh, Ron,”

She moaned once she looked up at him. “I’m so sorry.”

“Me too.” He breathed as he stared into her eyes. “Heather?”

“Yes.”

“Can I kiss you?” She gave him no other response as she

captured his lips with her own.

*****

End of chapter.

Author’s note: Okay, I just wanted to let all of you know that I know this chapter is very dark and I’m very much prepared for any hate mail headed my way. I know it’s darker than most of the things that I write normally and it will continue to be this way for a little while. The worst thing about it is; I couldn’t resist. It was just too wonderfully dark to pass it up. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m trying to grow as a writer and this requires me to do things I am not comfortable writing. Well, I hope you all understand why I wrote this the way I did, and I don’t get too much hate mail.

By the way, the information about the Samurai can be found in this lovely book: The Ways of the Samurai by Carol Gaskin and Vince Hawkins. I don’t own that information either.

God bless,

S’Eleene Paris

Chapter Four

A Family Plot

Draco had been right about the Red Squadron taking the Onyx Spell Book. Deep down, Danielle MacNeal was jealous. The thought simply never crossed her mind. As she thought back to the past years, she aided Bellatrix Lestrange with a complex healing potion. “Are you paying attention, MacNeal?”

“Sorry.” Danielle shook her head. “I suppose I have a lot on my mind.”

“Focus!” The older Death Eater spat. “I do not want to have to show you how to do this again. Malfoy said you were bright. All I have seen so far is the complete opposite.”

“I was the one who duplicated the Onyx Spell Book.” Danielle snapped.

“Any idiot could have done that.” Bellatrix snapped right back.

“You’re right.” A voice floated into their ears and the duo turned around to greet Draco Malfoy. “Any idiot could have duplicated it, but it would have taken a complete moron not to.”

“Be glad you’re father isn’t here at the moment. He would have smacked your mouth for not showing any respect.”

“I highly doubt it.” Draco countered. “In order to show respect, one must first be superior: a feat of which you are obviously not.”

“How dare you!” Bellatrix rounded, stepping toward them.

“Enough.” Danielle stepped in between the duo. “Let’s not forget why we’re here.”

At this point, the two of them relaxed their stance. “We can’t take our time on this either. Granted, we do have a window of opportunity, but we can’t blow it.” Bellatrix began as she turned back to her brew.

“I agree.” Danielle added the final potion ingredients. The solution turned light lavender and the vapor turned cadet blue. “The longer it takes for Weasel and Chaos to fix their personal issues the better.”

“After we brew this potion, what’s next?” Bellatrix asked as she stirred the concoction.

“Oh, I have some things plotted.” Draco smiled evilly as he claimed the only armchair in the room. He folded his arms while he kicked up his feet on to the coffee table where the cauldron bubbled. “Something very special indeed for the scar heads.”

“Care to enlighten us o’ evil one?” Bellatrix rolled her eyes at his corny theatrics.

“Inferi.” Draco offered simply as a smirk crossed his face.

“Those are the revived bodies of the dead that can do what we bid them to do, right?” Danielle asked.

“Correct.”

“So what does this have to do with have to do with the plan?” Bellatrix asked as she began ladling the potion into bottles.

“Don’t you see? The Potters couldn’t fight against inferi when it’s their own parents.”

“Oh, that is right. They are dead aren’t they?” Danielle rubbed her hands together deliciously.

“They were killed by the master himself.” The full Death Eater now understood what the duo was getting at. “That is excellent, Draco. Continue thoughts like that and the Dark Lord will reward you greatly.”

“But Draco, you know Dumbledore will more than likely have protection charms around of the burial site. If he’s anything he’s not dumb.” Danielle cleaned the potion remnants out of the bottom of the cauldron. “Scourgify!”

“I suppose you’re right, but it’s nothing a confundius charm and a polyjuice potion couldn’t handle.” Draco offered.

“It would have to be a pretty powerful charm for it to work.”

“I know that, Bellatrix. Unlike you, I’m not a complete moron.”

“Cheep shot, Draco.” Danielle rolled her eyes.

“Watch it, Danny; I have work for you to do.”

“Like what?”

“I need you to enlist your aunt to do something to shake them all up.”

*****

“So this isn’t a wedding band.” Heather asked as she twisted the gold band around Ron’s middle finger.

Ron chucked as they lay on the common room sofa. They returned from the Weasley family tomb only hours ago and now they were warming themselves by the fire. “No.”

“So then what is it?”

“My diploma.”

“Your diploma from boot camp?”

“Well it wasn’t from my graduation from Hogwarts was it?” Ron took off his ring and tapped it with his wand. “Reveal.”

A mist formed around the ring. It then projected the script work:

This certificate and ring of promotion is presented to Ronald Weasley upon is completion of boot camp on May 2, 1998. It certifies

he has completed his training and can apply at any Auror department

with in the Wizarding world with all rights, privileges, and obligations

according to the Auror officer’s code and oath.

Head Auror Alexandre

-Head of the Auror training

Department at the Great Lakes

Academy of Auror Training and

Advanced Magic Sergeant Duckhorn

-Sergeant Leader of the Red

Squadron.

“It has a spell I take it, for when you’re in uniform it disappears.” Heather offered as she fingered the gold band.

Ron nodded. “It also allows me access into any building and in any room. We’re only allowed to use it on official Auror business, though.”

“That is good to hear.” Heather smiled evilly. “I won’t have to worry too much about you coming into my room when you’re not supposed to.”

“Only when something big is going on,” Ron nodded in agreement, “if the school was being attacked or something to the likes of that.”

“Perish the thought.” Heather stood up and walked back to her books.” I have to get back to this.”

“You still haven’t found anything yet?”

Heather shook her head. “No, I haven’t. One wouldn’t normally think of destroying a book would be this much trouble. Most people would just lock it away in a high security vault at Gringotts.”

“Why couldn’t we just do that?”

“Oh we could, but there still would be a chance someone would steal it. Harry and I are both really sick and tired of Voldermort and his followers constantly interrupting our lives. We want this to end once and for all.”

“And how is destroying this book going to do that? Are we even sure destroying the book is even possible?”

“Harry destroyed Voldermort’s journal in second year, remember?” Hermione voiced as she continued to read her notes for her healer’s examination. The duo swerved in the direction of her voice where she sat across the common room where she was seated against the bay window engrossed in her book and lightly scratching Crookshanks behind his ear.

“How long have you been up?” Ron demanded.

“Since about dawn, I thought I would get a head start on the review for this last chapter before breakfast.” Hermione claimed as she looked up from her notes. “Just before the two of you showed up, actually. Where were you coming from?”

Before Ron could retort, Harry burst into the common room. “We’ve got a message from MacNeal and Malfoy. Professor

Dumbledore summoned me to his office earlier to help him figure it out.”

“What did it say?” Ron asked.

“There wasn’t a note.” Harry gestured to the sheath in hand. “All was left was this? It doesn’t make sense.”

“This is a wakizashi sword sheath.” Hermione said with her eyes wide in disbelief, and then she turned to Heather. “The message is for you.”

Heather nodded as she crossed the distance between them and took the silk woven sheath. The familiar forest green Japanese silk was decorated with storks in gold and black. “This is MacNeal’s sheath for her sword. We took a class at the Chicago Institute while we were still friends for our Muggle Studies credit. It was a class about Muggle styles of fighting; it covered swordsmanship and archery.”

“So what does this have to do with you?” Ron tried to connect the pieces together.

“In this class we learned about different types of swords, their customs, and how to use them.”

“This is a sword typically carried by a samurai.” Hermione offered to them. “You usually don’t unsheathe a samurai sword unless you intended to use it. It was considered a great insult to touch someone else’s sword with out permission. If it is unsheathed, the blade must taste blood before it can be sheathed again.”

“Bloody hell, how did you know that?” Ron asked mystified. “You read that in Hogwarts: a History did you?”

“No, I was a Sensei in my hometown’s dojo.” Hermione turned to Harry catching his worried gaze.

“So she sent you the sheath.” Harry nodded in understanding.

Heather confirmed. “I’m bonded, by my honor, to fight her. You can be assured I will. I will also guarantee you blood will be spilt.”

*****

Louise Goodie hated her employers. It wasn’t that they treated her horribly because anyone who would assess her situation would say she was treated impeccably well. She was paid well, had benefits, and her employers paid for her food and boarding.

Even with the hospitality they showed her as Keeper of the Nelson household, she could do nothing but loathe them. After all, the whole lot of them was enemies of her family and their adoptive daughter; she was nothing more than a good for nothing blood traitor.

When her niece approached her with a plan to rid the world of her employers; she looked at her in a completely new light. She was proud of her little Danielle. Her niece had suggested poison, but the keeper of the house knew it would require a large dose or arsenic or cyanide to kill either one of them because they both had built a tolerance to any poison she could get her hands on. No this murder would require some thought.

Louise made her way down the darken corridor to the janitor’s closet and she found what she needed: a pair of latex gloves. The cleaning crew often wore them while they used bleach to clean the tile floors and hard surfaces in the bathrooms and the kitchen. If there were a conviction made against her, there wouldn’t be any proof.

Once the gloves were on her hands, she turned off the light in the closet and shut the door. Silently, she crept along the corridor to her employers’ bedroom. Once inside she shut the door and took out her murder weapon of choice: the thirty-four-caliber pistol Mr. Nelson kept in his office’s top desk drawer.

As she loaded her weapon, she smiled as she found Roger and Virginia Nelson sound asleep in their bed. She pulled out the silencer from her bathrobe pocket and screwed it into the barrel of the pistol. As she walked over to the bed, the smile she had on her face grew to a large grin. “I’ll see the two of you in hell.” She whispered as she took her aim and fired the gun.

*****

End of Chapter

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

Chapter Six

New Fits

Light flooded through the windows as Heather Potter sat at her desk in her bedroom, typing on her laptop, trying to figure out the reasons why Danielle MacNeal would want to go so far as to kill her parents. Loud menacing heavy metal music pounded from the speakers of the device and Heather knew deep within her soul her sworn nemesis was behind this. The evidence; however, was lacking to point it at her.

Danielle never had done anything in the past with out there being something in it for her in the process. She had always lived by the “If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” policy. So why would this have to be anything different? Heather scratched her head, trying to come up with a reason as the music’s mood changed to something lighter.

Heather’s thoughts wondered back to all the people in her life who had to die because of people like Danielle. First her biological parents, then Hector, Rachel, and the countless others who died in the Chicago Institute incident (as it was come to be known as), and now the only people she ever known as her parents and one of Ron’s many brothers. “Someone is going to pay.” Heather thought aloud to no one in particular as she signed off on the Nelson’s will. “Someone is going to have to pay big time.”

She also knew deep within her heart there would be no turning back at this point. Thoughts of killing were just as bad as performing the deed itself. Heather stood up, walked over to her closet, and opened it. Once inside she headed toward the back corner to her trunk. She opened it and began strapping on the leather stealth uniform from her time at the Great Lakes Academy of Auror Training and Advanced Magic. Once on, she looked at her image in the mirror. She adjusted her wand holster and turned to the side. The uniform fit her differently than she last remembered.

“You know, you always looked incredibly sexy in uniform.” Ron’s voice floated into the closet and Heather served to see him standing against the door frame.

Heather smiled flirtatiously. “You think so?”

“Yea,” Ron’s ears began to turn a bright shade of crimson.

“Well, I have some work to do, but I think I’ll have it fitting properly soon.”

“Where do you think you have to trim? You look good.”

“My chest is way too big for this. I feel like I’m spilling out over the top. Some sit-ups for my stomach and some squats wouldn’t hurt for my butt.” She glanced back at her reflection in the mirror, again.

“I think your arse looks fine.” Ron smiled appreciatively and she returned the smile with a bit of a chuckle. Heather hadn’t chuckled or smiled for him in a real long time. It comforted him somehow to have her do it again.

“Have you heard from your family, yet?”

“No. Hermione thinks perhaps the mail is being intercepted. Not this surprises me any. Anyone really could have figured it out.”

“Except you of course,” Heather grinned evilly. When Ron pouted in response, she confessed. “Come on, Ron. Even you must admit that logic and reasoning has never been your strong point. You feel with your heart way too much. Harry does it too.”

“Yea.”

“So what did you need? I doubt you came all the way here just to tell me that you like my ass.” Heather eyed him carefully.

“I wanted to give you something.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“This,” Ron unloaded his left hand from his pocket and removed a small diamond ring which was rapped around his pinky finger. He slid the ring off his finger and offered it to her.

“What’s this?”

“What does it look like? It’s your engagement ring. I thought perhaps we could give it another try.”

Heather stood rooted and stared at him. She wrestled with it and Ron prayed he just didn’t loose his chance with her, again. She took the ring from him and fingered it. When she finally spoke, she was still fingering the ring. “Ron, I don’t know if you know this, but I’ve changed. I’m not the same girl you fell in love with at Hogwarts. You may want to get to know me before asking, again.”

Heartbroken, Ron’s head lowered. “Oh, I see.”

Heather handed him the ring, but he waved it off. “It belongs to you. No one else could ever wear it.” Solemnly, he walked out of the room as if his entire world had been crushed.

Once Ron had shut Heather’s bedroom door behind him, he closed his eyes and wished for a moment that everything would go back the way it was before the baby. “Maybe Harry can help me sort this all out.” Ron sighed as he went to go find him.

*****

Water trickled down the creek as a warm spring breeze carried seeds in the air to transplant them miles away. It had been warmer than the typical spring in Illinois. In fact, it had been overall a warmer than normal winter with the temperatures reaching a high of almost 50 degrees F.

Hermione had packed Harry and herself a picnic lunch. The couple decided to take advantage of the warm weather and the horses by taking a horseback ride following the creek to the lake on the former Nelson estate. Harry had chosen Heather’s horse, Stargazer and Hermione took the horse which once belonged to Rachel: Orion, leaving Supernova (the black and white pinto with a spitfire attitude) at the stable. “Awfully strange weather, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.” Harry agreed as he poured some hot cocoa into her cup. “Remember a couple of years ago when we were sitting on the Nelson’s plane and it was sub-freezing outside?”

Hermione laughed heartedly. “Of course I do. Remember the twins’ faces when Heather told them? It was hysterical!”

“Yea, it was.”

“You don’t think the weather change might have something to do with the things going on magically?” Hermione handed him a small bag of potato chips.

“It wouldn’t surprise me much really.”

Hermione paused, trying to figure out if she should admit to him her thoughts in which had plagued her past couple of days. “Harry, I am scared.”

“You’d be foolish if you weren’t.” Harry sighed as he wrapped an arm around her. “It’s going to be okay, I promise.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“I know, but you can’t blame a guy for trying.” Harry chuckled until he realized she wasn’t laughing with him.

“I’m serious, Harry. What if the Death Eaters…”

“Do what, kill me?” Harry rolled his eyes. “Come on, Hermione. We’ve always known about they’ve could kill one of all of us. That never stopped ups from doing what need to get done.”

“Yes, but that was before we were trying to have a family, Harry. What if what happened to Heather and Ron happens to us?” Tears formed and threatened to roll down her cheeks from Hermione’s eyes.

Harry took a leaf from a near-by bush and transfigured it into a handkerchief wand-less. He offered it to her and pulled her closer to him. “Hermione, I know I can’t promise tomorrow. I wish I could, but I can’t. I’m not a seer. I wish I was, but I’m not. All I know is that we have what’s here.” He took her hand and placed over his heart. He moved a stray hair out of her face.

Hermione smiled, knowing what he meant. She often appreciated their relationship didn’t need them to speak everything they thought in order to know what the other was thinking.

The saccharine moment was interrupted with Ron approaching with Supernova. Fear filled in his eyes as the horse decided to gallop at high-speed the entire way there and not looking like he wanted to stop. “Ron, straighten your legs!” Hermione called from the blankets as she quickly stood up.

“I’ve tried that, but it doesn’t work with this thing.” With it said, Supernova suddenly stopped, flinging Ron off of him.

Time stopped for Harry and he was vaguely aware of Hermione’s death grip on his arm while they witnessed their best friend being thrown from the horse. Once on the ground, the duo raced to his side. Ron lay limp and Hermione reached him first. “Ron, are you okay? Oh, Merlin! I wish I had my medical bag!”

Suddenly Ron’s eyes fluttered open and he looked up to see Harry and Hermione hovering over him. He shook his head and declared, “Thank goodness I wore this helmet!”

“Ron, you okay? Can you feel your toes?”

“Of course I can.” Ron rolled into a sitting position.

“We’d better get you back to the house so Hermione can check you over better.” Harry offered his best friend his hand and helped him stand up.

“Yea, but I’m not getting back on that horse, again. He’s completely mental!”

Harry nodded as he gathered Supernova and Stargazer’s reigns. Supernova tugged to get away from him, but Hermione caught them before the reigns completely left Harry’s control. Hermione looked the horse square in the eye and voiced her thoughts. “You will be one lucky horse if you don’t get sold after this and I’m not talking about another stable.”

Supernova’s eyes grew hefty; at least that is what Harry thought. Either way, her words must have had some effect on him because he behaved the entire way back to the stable.

Once the horses were put away in their alcoves, the three of them noticed a car sitting in the drive. “Who owns that car?” Hermione asked aloud.

“I don’t know.” Ron admitted.

“There is only one way to find out.” Harry offered as he turned the doorknob and opened the front door. Instead of a noise as he was expecting, he was met with silence. He lifted a finger to his lips and the three of them entered the house carefully. They rounded the staircase to the second floor and began listening for any sign of intruders. They then came to the rice paper door of the dojo and heard grunting behind it. The sounds of grunting and rustling came from behind it.

Hermione nodded to Harry as she peaked through the door. She heaved a sigh of relief when Mika Salena and India Jade conducted their spells against one another. She stood from her crouched position and opened the door, announcing their presence. Mika and India stopped their duel and welcomed them. “Who owns the car is that out front in the driveway?”

“It’s mine! Do you like it?” India giggled. “It’s only a Toyota. Not as nice as Heather’s car, I know but it gets great gas mileage. I wish it were any color but beige though.”

“You could get it repainted, you know.” Mika suggested. “Perhaps magenta color if you like.”

India lifted an eyebrow at her. “I was thinking more like blue or green.”

“Or you could add some decals.” Hermione offered.

“How did you two get here?” Ron asked, interrupting. “Don’t you two live on the opposite ends of the country?”

“You’ve lived around muggles way too long, Ron.” Mika rolled her eyes. “I floo-ed here.”

“I was here in town anyway. I am looking away from my bobbie*. She’s absolutely driving me crazy.” India admitted. “Heather called me and mentioned you guys might need a couple extra wands.”

“I guess we could.” Harry nodded.

“She also told us you’ve trained for wand-less magic. Can I persuade you to give us a demonstration?” Mika asked bashfully.

India clapped her hands ecstatically. “Yes, please. After all, wand-less magic abilities vary from person to person. Some people can do it incantation-less.”

“Oh, he can do it incantation-less.” Heather smiled knowingly as she stood up from her seat on the mat. Hermione had not noticed her sitting there until she said something. Heather cracked her knuckles eagerly. “He used it on Ron and me at Hogwarts. You didn’t I didn’t know about that, Harry. Well, I did. Now it’s payback.”

“Oh, you think so?” Harry playfully teased his sister as he took a spot on the mat. “You’ve been out of practice, little sister. Remember last year…you know your sabbatical?”

Heather laughed as she took her stance opposite from him. “Talk about deja vous.”

“I know, tell me about it.” Harry chuckled as he waited to strike until Ron and Hermione were seated safely out of danger. Hermione had pulled out her medical kit from the cabinet where they kept the weaponry. Hermione pulled out her wand and began to cast several spells to diagnose him.

“What happened to Ron?” Heather asked once she deflected Harry’s first spell.

“Supernova bucked me off.” Ron admitted as Harry and Heather fought. “I’m alright though.”

“Of course he’s alright; he landed on his thick head.” Hermione spat as she finished her scan. “Don’t worry, though. It protected him from too much long-term damage. Fortunately, he only has a mild concussion and a few missing brain cells.”

“Thanks a lot, Hermione.” Ron offered sarcastically as the pounding in his head began. “Can you give me anything for it? My head hurts.”

“No, actually I can’t.” Hermione admitted. “Concussions and medicine, magical or not, is never a good combination. Give it a day or two. Maybe I’ll give you something then.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“No problem.”

The duel continued until both Harry and Hermione summoned swords from the opposite wall. The two of them hesitated before continuing their spar. Heather heaved to catch her breath. “You’re stronger than I last remember.”

“More confident, actually,” Harry was also trembling to catch his breath. “You of all people should know that.”

Heather grinned knowingly as she went for the ‘kill’. Before she could take aim for the final strike, a blue light reflected off her sword and the power behind it was enough to throw her backwards into the bamboo rod cabinet.

“Heather!” Mika and India gasped as they ran toward her with Ron following not too far behind.

Hermione went over, mouth agape to Harry in enough time to witness the blue cloud lifting from his eyes. “Harry, are you okay?”

When the blue cloud lifted, he shook his head. “I’m alright.”

“What the bloody hell was that?” Ron asked as Heather sat back up. “How did you do that, Harry?”

“I don’t know.” Harry imediantly went over to Heather’s side. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to hurt…”

“I know you didn’t, Harry.” Heather winced. “Hermione, could you please make sure I didn’t break anything, please.”

“Kvetch, Kvetch, Kvetch**,” India waved her off. “I’ve had hangnails worse than what you’ve got.”

“Kvetch? Bobbie? Are you even speaking English?” Ron guided Heather off the floor and out of the room.

“Yiddish, actually.” Mika explained. “India’s grandmother is Jewish.”

“Harry, so I guess not only are you a wizard but a mage.” India commented, not hearing the conversation about her heritage. “Who would have known? Your parents must have been very powerful to have you as their first born. It’s no real wonder how you and Heather kicked Voldermort’s ass.”

“Does it really matter if I’m first born or not?”

“Of course it matters. The placement of the child in a family is everything. How powerful they are and what kind of powers they have.” Hermione rambled off. “It’s kind of like the theory of birth order. Each child has a unique quality due to their placement in the birth order. It’s like their magical birthright.”

“Oh.”

Harry didn’t listen to Hermione continue her ramblings as Ron was trying to figure out how India’s grandmother was Jewish and she wasn’t. “But if her grandmother is Jewish doesn’t that mean she is?”

“Not according to Jewish law. It was her father’s mother’s side that was Jewish. The law states that you are Jewish through your mother not your father unlike most cultures. The reason for this is because it used to be the other way around. Way back when the Romans ruled the world, Roman soldiers would rape Jewish women. The children would then in turn not be Jewish and then they would have to take time to convert them. The law later changed and this is why she’s not Jewish. She acts like it though because she’s lived with her grandmother since she was six.”

“What happened to her parents?” Ron asked. “I don’t believe she’s actually talked about them.”

“What’s to mention about them? They’re dead.” India offered as she caught the last part of Ron and Mika’s conversation. “They died when I was six years old.”

“I’m sorry. Did they die during…?”

“No, they weren’t killed by a Death Eater or a Voldermort supporter. They were killed in a car crash on the way home from a convention. My mother was a witch and she and my dad eloped. To say the least Bobbie wasn’t exactly excited about the match made with out her blessing. My mom was a Herbologist and my father was her assistant. Like I said, they were on their way home from a convention and they were hit. Some idiot decided he wanted to go drinking and then drive his car into their lane. My dad swerved to miss and he ended up flipping the vehicle. It was after I was sent to live with Bobbie, my powers exploded because I was grieving. That was when she sent me to Salem Academy. They had a magical elementary program and she knew she couldn’t control me.”

“Oh,” Hermione breathed. “I’m sorry.”

“What’s to be sorry about? They truly loved each other. They did great things you know. They were really in love too. One didn’t breathe with out the other.” India shrugged.

Harry glanced at Hermione, reached over, and took her hand. “I love you.”

Hermione smiled at him and mouthed back at him. “I love you too.”

No one else noticed this display of affection between them because Miles entered the room. “The car is… Miss…are you okay Heather?”

“I’m fine. I am just winded from a spar.” Heather admitted. “I’ll be okay.”

“Are you sure?”

Heather nodded. “Is the car loaded, Miles?”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Good, I’m ready to kick some ass.”

*****

The flight over back to England took forever. Hermione spent most of the trip with her nose stuck in one book or another. It wasn’t until they were boarding the Knight Bus Hermione said anything at all. “How could I have been so stupid?”

“Uh, I don’t know Hermione.” Ron volleyed to her. “Considering you say just about every time you’ve over looked the simplest answer.”

Hermione rolled her eyes and the other in the group urged her to continue. “Harry, do you remember what you used to destroy Tom Riddle’s diary?”

“A Basilisk tooth; we’ve gone over this about a hundred times.” Ron was exasperated they were going over the events of their second year yet again.

“It wasn’t the actual tooth, Ron, which actually destroyed the journal. It was the venom inside of it, wasn’t it?” Harry was catching on.

“Exactly,” Hermione pulled out the book she had been reading. “All we need to do is find some Basilisk venom and we’ll be able to destroy it.”

“And where do you expect to find a Basilisk?” Heather asked as she adjusted her corset top. The leather top pushed her chest up suggestively out of it. As she adjusted the red ribbons, which was the only thing that kept her inside her top, Ron stared intently at her while she secured it. “It’s not like they’re running all over the place.”

“Wait a minute, Harry; didn’t you have an encounter with a Basilisk while you were at Hogwarts?” Mika was twisting a bit of suede around the rim of the dream catcher she was working on; taking care not to get it tangled in the feathers dangling in her long black hair.

“Why?”

“We could take a sample of the poison, put it on a sword, and stab the shit of the spell books. We could use it on the pain-in-the-ass Death Eaters too, if you’d like.”

“There is only one small minor problem with that.” Ron began as his attention faded from Heather’s chest. “Harry defeated the snake in his second year. That was close to ten years ago. The snake would have decayed by now, wouldn’t it?”

All conversation stopped and everyone turned their heads. It was India who said anything first. “Oy Vey! I take it you didn’t pay attention much in Care of Magical Creatures, did you Ron?”

“No, he didn’t.” Hermione smiled smugly at him.

India sighed. “The Basilisk’s bones wouldn’t have decayed so quickly due to the lack of humidity underground. The bones should be well preserved.”

“Why the bloody hell would we want the bones anyway? When it’s the venom we want.” Ron asked her.

“Not to mention there is a lot of water down there. Wouldn’t that have an effect on the humidity?”

“Not if the underground is as deep as you said it was.” Mika paused then turned to Ron. “Expecting the actual venom sack would still be in the same condition as it was the day Harry killed it would be foolish.”

“Not to mention that soft tissue decays a lot quicker than bone tissue. If we can find the remaining fang and grind it, we may be able to get enough of the venom off to destroy both books.” Hermione explained as she opened the book and faced the page to him. “All we really would need to deliver the blow would be something to penetrate all the pages. A sword, like Mika said, would be an excellent choice. We could cover the blade with the potion and both would be able to destroy it.”

“Well, sorry to tell you this, Hermione, but I left all my bloody swords back at Heather’s house.” Ron grew quickly irritated with Hermione for making him look stupid in front of the entire group.

“What about Gryffindor’s sword?” Harry offered. “I’m sure Dumbledore would let us use it.”

“That’s a great idea, Harry!” Mika hit her hand to her head, “But what about Dorko and his little Western Whore? What should we do if they decide to make an entrance? They have to know about the whole Basilisk thing themselves.”

“Red squadron is still there, aren’t they Ron?” India asked.

“Yea.”

“Do you think they’ll be willing to help?”

“If it means ending this once and for all, they’d be all about it. I’ll send them a message once we get to King’s Cross.”

“Well, then. The stage is set. Time to get this show on the road.” Heather beamed at the group and they responded with groans and eye rolling.

“Okay, Heather. You can stop with the bad clichés already.”

“What do you mad clichés? Those aren’t bad.”

Mika shook her head. “If you say so, Heather; if you say so.”

*****

End of Chapter

Author’s notes:

* Yiddish for Grandma

** Yiddish for “Complain, Complain Complain”

Chapter Seven

The Chamber of Secrets

Danielle MacNeal hated being cold, let alone wet, and that is exactly what she was experiencing. In order to gain entrance into the Chamber of Secrets, they had to first fall down into a pit of decaying chicken carcass, then thru a crumbled tunnel, and finally she had to use her gift as a parseltounge to open the door to the chamber. Once inside, she slipped on the ladder and fell into the stale, freezing water.

“Yes, Salazar Slytherin knew how to design a room.” Danielle joked to herself as she shivered. Draco was the one who knew where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets was located. Thanks given to his father, of course, whom was a long time follower of Lord Voldermort; one the Dark Lord’s chosen few. They were in the hole of a room to destroy the only possible item in which could destroy both the Onyx Spell Book and their own spell book. Only the Basilisk’s dagger remained of the very powerful creature and the only place in which the venom could still be removed. She knew once Harry, Heather, and the rest of their geek squadron picked up the scent of what they were doing, they would come after them and try to stop them. She had promised Heather her death and she was going to see it her sword tasted her blood.

“Come on, Danielle. We have to get the tooth out before Dumbledore gets whiff of us.”

“Draco, this castle is huge. There is no way that old bat can know everything happening in the walls.”

“Remember rule one.”

“What?”

“The first real rule of being a Death Eater,” Draco grew irritated. “I know you know it.”

“Besides all those who are not pure in blood are inferior?”

“No. The most important thing they’ll teach you is never to underestimate your opponent or their abilities.” Draco pulled on the incisor in question, trying to manually pry it out from its base. “Dumbledore especially is someone you don’t want to tango with. He has eyes and ears all over this place. It wouldn’t surprise me if that statue over there of Slytherin was one of his informants.”

“You’re paranoid, Draco. The next thing you’ll tell me is those snake statues over there are in on it too.” Danielle giggled at him, but soon she realized he wasn’t laughing with her. “You can’t be serious.”

“Very,” Draco yanked hard, pulling the tooth successfully from the skull with a loud resounding crack ringing through out the chamber. “Let’s get going just in case the scar heads heard that.”

Before he was even able to get off the floor, Draco heard the thunderous sounds of racing feet headed toward the chamber door. Realizing the pounding of at least four feet was heading toward the chamber; Draco wordlessly took her by the shirt and ran behind the large statues of the mascot of the Slytherin house. In doing so, they trudged though the stale icy cold water.

“Damn! Twice in one day!” Danielle’s attention went to her shoes, “and those are of course my 100 galleon Italian leather QwickSew boots! Great! Just Great! Those damn bitches are going to pay!”

“Would you just shut the bloody hell up? You’re going to give us away.” Draco spat and she quickly said nothing more.

All she could do was grip her breath as the group entered the room. Draco wanted to sneak past them as if they had something to hide, but she had other plans.

*****

Once they arrived at Hogwart’s castle, Harry and Hermione broke from the rest to head for Professor Dumbledore’s office to retrieve Gryffindor’s sword. “I guess now would be a bad time to admit I think the last time we took was defective, right?” Hermione asked as they climbed the stairway toward the Headmaster’s office.

“You’re still getting sick I take it.”

“Every morning like clock work,” Hermione confirmed.

“Once we get the tooth, I think we should go see Madame Pomfrey. She would be able to give you a more definitive answer. I’ve always been told, by someone who shall remain nameless by the way, its always less definitive to cast any healing charm on your own.” Harry grinned evilly at her once they reached the statue guarding Dumbledore’s office, “Lemon drop.”

The statue moved out of the way and they climbed the final staircase to reach the Headmaster’s office. Hermione knocked on the door and they were allowed entrance. They didn’t see the elderly man at first, but once they reached his desk they realized he was looking out his telescope. His attention didn’t sway from his stargazing when they entered the room. “Ah, Professor Potter, you have returned.”

“How come you didn’t tell us about the attack on the Grangers, the Snapes, and the Weasleys? Ron’s brother died.” Harry hit the principal’s desk with a lightly closed fist.

“I did indeed send word. I take it our communications was intercepted, I’m afraid.” Dumbledore continued to look out thru his telescope.

“The Minister of Magic told me Snape was also injured and he was sent to Saint Mungo’s hospital.” Harry admitted, still slightly peeved at the communication issue. “Is he still there?”

“He was sent back here yesterday. Petunia says she’s having a difficult time keeping away from his potion laboratory.”

“We might need his assistance with a potion if he’s up to it.” Hermione admitted and the admittance shocked the Headmaster. His attention went away from the stars to her. Once he faced her, he raised an eyebrow.

“No, we don’t need his help.” Harry threw at her. “You can do the potion. I know you can.”

“It’s nice you have a vote of confidence in me, Harry, but there is no way I can do that kind of magic. At least since not until I actually know something about it. I haven’t read anything about it. Professor Snape knows all there is to know about potions and potion making. If anyone can find a way, it will be him.” Hermione took his hand. “Come on, Harry. He’s your uncle.”

“I’m still sure you could do it.”

“What is this about?” Dumbledore asked, trying to make them realize he was still in the room.

“We may have found a way to rid ourselves of the Onyx Spell Book, not to mention the book Malfoy and MacNeal made.” Hermione admitted to the Headmaster.

“We need Gryffindor’s sword in order for it to work, though.” Harry interjected.

Albus Dumbledore nodded as he descended down the staircase to the lower level of his office. He stopped at the bookcase which housed the sword and the sorting hat. He brought the gilded silver and gold sword over to them. The ruby in the handle glistened in the candlelight and Hermione allowed a small gasp escape her mouth. Dumbledore picked up the sword off the shelf and gave it to Harry. “I’m afraid to say if this is the last time we see each other, I pray you will have no unfinished business to keep you here.”

“Don’t worry; it won’t be the last time.” Harry grinned. “I have no intention in becoming the next Professor Binns.”

*****

Sarah Campbell hated public restrooms. No matter how clean they seemed to be to the average person, they were always a germ factory in disguise. She shivered to even think how many butts sat on the toilet seat prior to her and even more so when she learned she was to stand guard in front of one of the girl’s bathrooms at Hogwarts. The team received an urgent text from Ron asking for them to stand guard to this girl’s bathroom. He didn’t give them a reason. Of which meant three things: it was an emergency because he came back early from funeral leave, he was in range of the castle, and he was on his way to the castle because whatever threat he felt compelled enough to leave America for was going to happen very soon and very dangerous.

She stretched then yawned. Ron hadn’t left a very complex order. Just “Don’t let anyone in the second floor girl’s bathroom with Moaning Myrtle under any circumstances. I’ll explain when I get there”. Each member of the remaining Red squadron took a one to two hour rotation guarding the bathroom. Sarah was lucky enough to draw the highest number out of the hat, which meant she would guard the room last. It also meant while everyone else as asleep, she had an easy time guarding the room.

Occasionally the sounds of the moaning spirit in the bathroom would cause Sarah to get up and check on her. Nearly Headless Nick, one of the many school’s house ghosts, had explained to Sarah that Myrtle was there because the female student had died in the very same bathroom fifty years ago. Being murdered by the very snake they were after, was reason enough the girl spirit wasn’t too sociable.

Sarah took a drink of her pumpkin juice. Surprisingly, the drink appealed to her even though her taste buds preferred something sweeter. When she put the drink down, she felt herself grow tired and pass out. Her last coherent thought before she fell dead to the world was the acknowledgement she had been drugged.

Once she was completely out, Danielle MacNeal and Draco Malfoy came out of hiding. It had been Draco’s idea to put a ‘knock out’ potion into the guard’s drink. When she left to check the inside of the bathroom, thanks to Moaning Myrtle for the distraction, he sprung into action and poured the whole vile they stole from the hospital wing into her drink. The odorless, tasteless potion took effect almost immediately as she collapsed onto the floor.

“You’re just going to leave her there?” Danielle asked as she crossed her arms in mild protest.

“No, dead weight is just too heavy for me to lift on my own. Come over here and help me lift her back up into the chair.”

Danielle sighed and went over to help him with the team lift. Once she was back into the chair, her head drifted to one side as it propped against the high back of the purple butterfly chair she had just transfigured when she had arrived earlier for her shift. “Lovely color, really it is. Next time, though, perhaps you should consider lime green. It’s a better color for you.”

Draco chuckled. “Come on, we need to get inside before the scar heads return.”

*****

Ron knew Draco and Danielle were at Hogwarts the moment he stepped inside the halls of his former school. Why wouldn’t they be? The only thing in which could possibly stop what they were doing was inside the halls. After Ron and Heather retrieved Kamal, Anthony, and Heather’s katana, they waited for Harry and Hermione in the corridor outside of the Great hall where India and Mika were waiting for them.

“Where is Sarah?” Harry asked as he and Hermione found the group at their meeting point.

“She’s guarding the bathroom.” Kamal admitted as he adjusted his wand holster.

“We drew straws.” Anthony clarified as they began making their way to the second floor.

Once they reached the hallway where the girls’ toilet was located, as Anthony and Kamal said Sarah sat in a butterfly chair at the entrance. “Sarah fell asleep by the looks of it.” Ron admitted as the group came closer.

Heather hesitated at the first then ran toward her, calling over her shoulder as she ran. “I don’t think she’s asleep, Ronald.”

After she said this, the group sprinted after her. When they reached their teammate, Hermione grabbed her medical bag and pulled out her wand. “She’s not dead, thankfully. She’s just unconscious.”

Harry picked up her cup of pumpkin juice from where it had been knocked over, making a puddle on the hard stone floor. “She was slipped something by the looks of it.”

“I’ll bet they’re down there already.” Ron whipped out his wand. “They probably know about the tooth.”

“What should we do? Should we go down there and go after them or wait for them to come back up?” India asked as she peeked through the open door. “I don’t think they came back up. I don’t think they would have had enough time.”

“Mika, why don’t you go and get Madame Pomfrey and India, you stay here with Sarah.” Harry commanded as he pushed open the door. “Kamal, stand guard at this end of the entrance and Anthony, you’ll stand guard at the other. We’re going down there.”

The group nodded and Mika left to fetch the healer. Kamal followed Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Heather into the bathroom with Anthony close behind. Heather was the first one inside and also the first one to voice her thoughts when they went inside. “How do you get inside?”

“Like this,” Harry then hissed like a snake, “open up.”

The sinks parted from each other and the group stared down the large hole. “It’s not as impressive as I thought it would be.” Kamal admitted out loud as he stared transfixed down the hole. He took a moment to transfigure a piece of toilet paper into a rock and threw it down the pit. He waited a moment and listened for the rock to hit the bottom. “How do we get down there? Is there a ladder we don’t know about?”

“Unfortunately the answer is no. Last time we just had to fall down.” Ron admitted as he turned to Hermione. “So how are we going to get down this time? Let alone get back up.”

“Why don’t you try to come up with something, Ron? You graduated from Auror training. You don’t need my help.” Hermione rolled her eyes.

“You’re just so good at it, though.” Ron protested much like he did when they attended Hogwarts. “You’re bloody brilliant too.”

Heather huffed and then proceeded to push Ron down into the entrance. The rest of the group stared at her as if she lost her mind. “What?” She exclaimed. “He was getting too deep in the pile of shit he was making.”

“Ron, are you okay?” Anthony yelled down the pit.

“Yea, I’m fine. It smells awful down here, though. You might want to use the bubble head charm.”

“Well, I guess there is no time like the present.” Harry offered as he jumped down into the entrance followed by Anthony, Hermione, and then Heather.

“Oh, gods,” Heather gagged as she cast the bubble head charm on herself. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“It gets better.” Harry admitted as he turned to Hermione, he noticed her flushed face. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Does this cavern open up farther along?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Let’s get there quickly.” Hermione commanded and Harry began leading the group the way down the tunnel, except for Anthony. They passed the cave-in where Ron had cleared a hole for them to climb through ten years ago. As Heather was taking off the bubble head charm to be able to get through, a loud echoing crack rang through out the cavern. Heather quickly passed through the clearing quickly just in case the tunnel wanted to collapse again.

When it didn’t, the group exchanged glances at one another. Heather voiced, “Draco and Danielle?”

“It has to be. No one else knows about this place.” Harry offered as he began running the rest of the way to the Chamber of Secrets. Hermione, Heather, and Ron followed until they came to a large circular doorway. The door was decorated by two twisting serpents. Harry commanded to door to open and they descended down the ladder and into the belly of the Chamber.

*****

End of chapter

Author’s notes: I apologize for the delay of posting these latest chapters. I really could go into why they were delayed as much as they were, if you really would like to know they consist of my evil computer crashing and not having a computer until recently, my grandfather being deathly ill, and several of the people I love not doing too hot either. I hope no one will be too upset with me for these reasons. For those of you who are wondering, really one of those reasons have been rectified. Grandpa is still in not so great shape (he’s been battling prostate cancer for a while now and the doctors informed him not too long ago there was nothing more they can do for him and now it is just a matter of when rather than if.) and the love ones I’m referring to are still not feeling too hot. Got to love my life, right?

I am praying the next chapters or so will not take quite as long as these past three. In fact, Sable’s Human is keeping me focused. We’re guessing about 2-3 more chapters and then finite incantatum! There has been talk about possibly doing another small short with Petunia and Snape, but we’ll have to wait and see how it goes. The outline is done for this so we know where we are headed.

Until we have another update,

S’Eleene Paris

Author’s notes: This chapter is a little graphic and not to mention shorter than most of the others. It’s bloodier than anything I know for sure I’ve ever written before. It’s not something I typically write because I’m really not a fighter. I’d prefer not to have confrontation at all, but that doesn’t make a good story. So, consider this a moment to stretch my quill and do something to grow as a writer. Also, see if you can find my reference to the musical Newsies.

-S’Eleene Paris

Chapter Eight

Blood Spilt

Once Harry stepped down onto the chamber floor for the second time in his life, he realized how much it was almost a joke that this room was indeed called the Chamber of Secrets. It wasn’t much of a secret anymore, even though the room required you to be a parseltounge in order to enter or at least know someone who was.

As he helped the rest of his entourage into the chamber, he took in the musty air and the surroundings. It had not changed much since he had defeated Lord Voldermort in his second year. Granted, this time around the chamber contained a corpse of a giant snake instead of a live one. Harry was relieved this time he didn’t have to kill another basilisk and almost killing himself in the process.

“So this is the Chamber of Secrets.” Heather began as she glanced around the room taking in the sights. When she caught sight of the snake carcass, she gagged. “I take it that is the basilisk.”

Harry turned around once Hermione stepped down off the last rung off the ladder and on to the chamber floor. “Yes. That’s the snake.”

“Bloody hell, Harry, the snake is huge!” Ron expressed as he went over to it and began examining the creature in detail. Heather galloped over to join him, but before she could make it over to him Ron was hit with a spell. The spell flung him against the giant reptile and was knocked unconscious.

“Ron!” Hermione exclaimed as she and Harry ran over to him. Heather quickly unsheathed her wand and flung a disarming spell in the direction the spell came from, hoping to disarm whoever took the cheep shot as Hermione examined him.

“Is he going to be okay?” Harry asked once he too unsheathed his wand.

“I’m not sure.” Hermione began as she took in his graying features.

This angered Harry and Hermione could see the fire beginning to fill in his eyes. He dropped his cane to one side as he joined his sister taking a defensive stance with the intruders. “Come out and show yourselves. Malfoy and MacNeal, I know it’s you. Come on out so we can finish this.”

Applauding came from behind the statues of the Slytherin house mascots. From behind them, Danielle MacNeal appeared clapping her hands and Draco Malfoy followed behind her, looking rather annoyed with her. “Bravo, Scar head. Bravo! It took you a shorter amount of time than we thought to figure out what we were up to. I applaud you.” Danielle teased. “Now if only you could figure out what happened to the tooth you were looking for? It’s not as if we didn’t know why you were coming down here. Don’t think we were going to allow you to get the only thing to destroy the books we have in our possession.”

“Oh, good, you’re going to make this interesting.” Heather voiced while pointing her wand at MacNeal. “I had hoped you would.”

“Are you ready to die, Heather?” Danielle smiled at the thought.

“Are you ready to go to hell?” Heather volleyed back, “Because I’m ready to send you there.”

“Now, now, Heather, that’s not a very nice thing to say coming from a nun.” Danielle’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she tossed her wand on the ground and pulled out her wakizashi. “I called you out on your honor, Heather. You’d better put down your wand; etiquette after all.”

Heather hesitated for only a second before putting down her wand. Her hand dropped to the sheath of her sword and pulled it from where it hung around her waist. The steal hummed with glee as it was pulled out from the darkness and into the light and Heather was determined to allow the sword to be placed back into the darkness properly.

“Let’s do this. I’m tired of playing around.”

“With pleasure,” Danielle bowed slightly as Heather did the same; neither one of them actually wanting to go down all the way in fear of strike from the other. When they ascended, Danielle skimmed the surface of Heather’s out stretched blade teasingly.

Heather rolled her eyes at her opponent’s opening mock. Having used it often, Danielle was predictable. This would be Heather’s advantage. Heather took evasive action as Danielle stepped back and raised her weapon straight above her head. As she came down, she swung a curve and hit Danielle on the side with the sharp edge of the blade. Blood sprayed out and the younger girl squinted in pain. Heather was surprised the girl was still standing and pushed her onto the ground with a swift kick.

Danielle landed on the ground with a thud and Heather calmly walked over to her and stepped on her chest and pointed her sword at the Western House alumni’s throat. “You give?”

“Bite me, Heather.” Danielle spat.

Heather moved her sword to the girl’s small of the neck, “how about now?”

This time Danielle actually spat up at Heather. “I take it that would be a no.”

“Go on, Heather, kill me. I know you want to.” Danielle taunted as Heather’s blade tip grazed her neck. “My death has been on your mind since the moment we met.”

“No, it wasn’t. You were my friend, remember? How could you betray me?”

“Betray you? How could I betray you?” Danielle squinted. “You betrayed me becoming best friends with a mud blood and a half-breed. That is everything that is wrong with the wizarding world, you know. Magic belongs to those who were born into magical families. Not their bastard children. You know horses, breeding is everything.”

“There is one small thing wrong with that theory. I’m not a horse.” Heather said as she pressed down hard on the grip of the sword. Blood squirted up and covered Heather’s clothes as it hit her carotid artery. Once all the way through her neck, Heather pulled the sword out of the neck of her dead nemesis. Guilt immediately flooded her as she sank to her knees. She shook, filled with grief for what she had done.

Harry had watched up the scene until a spell flashed next to his face. Draco, enraged with the loss of his lover, sent a spell toward Harry in hopes it would have hit the wizard. When it just grazed the air next to his shoulder, he grew irritated. “Come on, Potter! Why don’t you just let me kill you?”

“Because I’d rather irritate the shit out of you, really,” Harry offered as he pulled out his wand. “Let’s get this over with. I’m tired of you ruining my life.”

“And how are you going to do that, Crutchy?” Draco offered as he kicked Harry’s cane away. As Harry fell to the ground with the sword of Gryffindor landing on his stomach, he continued “It would hardly be an even match, really. I’d kick your arse.”

“Well, that would be an accomplishment.” Harry offered as he tried to stand up, but his attempts were abolished by Draco having his wand pointed at his throat. “Beating up someone who had a disability is a real honor, Malfoy. What’s next? Screaming at a deaf person? Or perhaps showing a blind person a photograph?”

“Shut it you.”

“Can I say one last thing before you kill me?”

“What?” the Death Eater grew irritated.

Harry smiled as placed the tip of his blade on Draco’s chest, “Expelliarmus!”

Draco flew across the room in one direction and his wand in another. He hit the statue of Salazar Slytherin. As he hit the floor of the chamber, the Basilisk tooth fell out of Draco’s robes. Harry slowly hobbled toward him after he picked up his cane, picked the tooth up, and checked to see if his nemesis was still alive. Once he found a pulse, he went to check on Ron. “Is he going to be alright?” He asked Hermione as he crouched down beside her.

“He’s going to be fine, but I’m not so sure about Heather.” Hermione gestured with her head to where Heather still was on her knees, looking at the body of Danielle MacNeal. Harry cautiously walked over to her to see if she was alright.

Her breath was still heaving when he lay on his hand on her shoulder. She jumped and swung around in defense, allowing the blood to fly off her sword tip. “Whoa, Heather, it’s me Harry.”

“Harry,” She breathed, coming back to her senses. “Oh Merlin, Harry I almost attacked you.”

“It’s okay.” Harry put his hands on his sister’s arms. He brought her into his embrace. “It’s going to be okay, Heather. It’s going to be okay.”

Sobbing, Heather melted into his embrace and cried for a few moments until Hermione came over. “Did you check them for the spell books?”

“I haven’t checked Danielle yet, but Malfoy is clean.” Harry said as he tried to let go of his sister’s grip on him, but she wouldn’t let go. “Could you check for me, she’s not letting go.”

Hermione nodded as she bent down to meet her level and began shifting through the various folds of MacNeal’s robes. When she began lifting up her shirt, Harry grimaced. “You really don’t think she could have hid them there could you?”

“In her bra, it’s very possible if she shrunk them.” Hermione unclasped the front closing bra and checked the cups. “Nothing there unfortunately which means the only other place the spell books could be is back at Malfoy Manor.”

“I was hoping they would have been stupid enough to have the books on them rather than keep them at Malfoy Manor. You remember what happened last time. I’m really not looking forward to a similar situation.” Harry sighed as Heather finally let go of her embrace. He turned his attention to her. “Are you going to be okay?”

Heather nodded her head. “There is no way I can go back to the convent now. Killing someone is definitely against the rules. I have no idea what I am going to do now.” of her embrace. He turned his attention to her. “Are you going to be okay?”

Heather nodded her head. “There is no way I can go back to the convent now. Killing someone is definitely against the rules. I have no idea what I am going to do now.”

“You don’t have to.” Harry offered her. “For now, just take your time and recover. You don’t have to make any decisions until you’re ready.”

Heather nodded as she took her sword, wiped the blade clean, and placed it back inside the sheath. Harry and she then went back over to the body of Danielle and Heather said a prayer. “I hope you have found the peace you never found in life.”

Harry spread his hand out over Danielle’s body and summoned her body to float along behind them. Hermione met them over by the entrance with Ron and Draco’s lifeless body. “Do you have a full body bind on him, Hermione?”

“Yes, Harry.” Hermione replied, annoyed. “I always do.”

“Ron, you’re awake!” Harry noted as he quickly changed the topic. An annoyed Hermione was not what he needed at the moment.

Ron squinted as he let go of Hermione’s hold on him. “I woke up at the worst time ever, though. What the hell did you guys do to them? Are they…” Ron trailed as he glanced over at Danielle’s body.

“She is. Malfoy is just knocked out.”

“Boy, do I know when to make an entrance.” Ron shook his head. “You guys need any help?”

“Not until you’ve been checked over by Madame Pomfrey.” Hermione interjected as she began ascending the ladder. Once they were out of the chamber, they followed the tunnels until they were back where the entrance was. They met Anthony at the bottom of the chute allowing them entrance.

“What happened?” Anthony questioned as approached them when he spotted them.

“Malfoy and MacNeal decided to make our lives a little more complicated.” Ron admitted as he stepped out of the way and allowed him to see to the extent of force they had to use.

“Are they dead?”

“MacNeal is. Malfoy is just knocked out.” Harry accounted for the second time. “We need to get them back top side so Madame Pomfrey can give everyone a look over.”

“I take it you got the tooth back then?”

Hermione pulled the tooth out of her robe. “Here it is.”

“That had to be some large snake.”

“It was.” Harry nodded once Anthony took control over Danielle’s corpse. He began transfiguring rocks into a ladder for their exit.

*****

End of Chapter.

2 more chapters to go.

Chapter Nine

Aftermath

The combination of disinfectant on the surfaces of the room and medicinal herbs bubbling away in a potion being prepared always made Harry’s stomach turn. Unfortunately this is how the medical wing at Hogwarts always smelled like. It often reminded him of the time Aunt Petunia tried to dye some clothes for him so he could attend the local high school instead of going to Hogwarts.

“Out of my way,” Madame Pomfrey exclaimed as she flew past him as she went to Ron’s bedside. “That chamber is going to be the death of me. I hope after this Professor Dumbledore takes my offer to seal it up. A good pouring of muggle concrete will do the trick nicely.”

“I’m fine.” Ron protested as the school nurse pressed him back down on the bed.

“I’ll be the judge of that.” She protested as she took out her wand and began performing the necessary charms to determine what needed to be done. When she found nothing to be fixed, she turned back to Hermione. “You did an excellent job, Mrs. Potter.”

Pomfrey turned back to the man on the cot and offered him the only thing she could. “You’re very lucky that Mrs. Potter was down there. You could have been killed.”

“Like always,” Hermione winked at him.

“Yea, she’s always saving your butt, Ron.” Sarah Campbell said from the next cot. “It sounds like you guys had a great time down there. Too bad I wasn’t able to come down.”

“Sarah, you’re crazy.” Anthony offered.

“And you love me for it. Come on, admit it.”

Anthony’s ears turned pink from embarrassment. He said nothing, but the smile he had on his face said it all. He turned his head to look at Kamal. “Is the prisoner awake yet?”

“No and if he’s smart he’ll stay that way because there are quite a few things I would like to do the son of a…”

“That is where you’re finished, Habib.” Sergeant Duckhorn entered the room gracefully with Professor Dumbledore. She smiled fondly as all the former members of the Red Squadron now assembled together in the same room for the first time in two years. She took noticed the group looked relieved and it could only mean the end to the whole madness was near its end, “Report.”

“The prisoners are secure, Sergeant. All of Red Squadron is here and accounted for. Minor injuries include Aurors Ronald Weasley and Sarah Campbell. Even though we have captured the prisoners, the team and I agree that we need to investigate Malfoy Manor in order to secure the MacNeal and Malfoy spell book to destroy both it and the Onyx Spell Book.” Harry jumped into command mode.

Sergeant Duckhorn smiled. “Professor Potter, I appreciate your enthusiasm; however, I was hoping my team would be able to answer my questions.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright.” The Red Squadron leader chuckled. “Old habits are hard to break aren’t they?”

“For some more so than others,” Hermione offered as she sat down across the room from Sarah where Heather was reclining on the bed with her wand arm laying across her forehead. Hermione patted Heather’s left arm.

“It’s nice to see you again, Heather.” Sergeant Duckhorn offered as she crossed the room to her bed. She smiled down at the former cadet as she pulled out some paperwork. She offered them to her and Heather took them. “They are your discharge papers. I wasn’t able to give them to you the last time our paths met.”

Heather solemnly went through the paperwork and noticed her signature was already signed. “How come it’s…?”

“I hadn’t officially given your paper work for your dismissal. No one actually gets discharged unless you have paperwork signed and dated. Technically, you could have been arrested for desertion. If it hadn’t been for your brother’s defense and your sister-in-law’s craftiness with a wand, this would have been the case.” Sergeant Duckhorn offered a wink, “Lucky for you.”

Before Heather could respond, Professor Dumbledore interrupted. “Sergeant Duckhorn, I believe haste should be observed. Through out my years of knowing Harry, if he feels there is a significant threat is still in observance; we need to make haste to secure it. It would be advisable to listen to his suggestion and secure a warrant to search Malfoy Manor.”

“You really think the spell book is at the manor?” Sergeant Duckhorn asked him once she looked away from Heather.

“I know it is. It was on neither him nor MacNeal when they were down in the Chamber of Secrets. It just feels right and that’s all I really can tell you.” Harry admitted as he limped over to the bed next to Heather’s cot.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think I can allow the three of you to go with the squad.” Sergeant Paula Duckhorn sighed as they were about to protest, she held up her hand to stop them before they even again. “Harry, you know the procedure. You know I can’t allow Hermione, Heather, and you to go to the raid at the manor with out extensive okays from several hundred people. It would take more time to even get the approval for you to go in then it would be for you to actually raid the place. It would be different if we were back in America, but British laws are much different.”

“We understand, Sergeant.” Hermione offered.

“Besides, I don’t think I’m really feeling up to do a raid.” Harry began rubbing his bad knee. Upon noticing his pain, Madame Pomfrey came over with a pain relieving potion and suggested he’d lay down to get his weight off his knee.

“You okay?” Hermione asked.

“I’ll be fine.” Harry reassured her as he lay down. Madame Pomfrey put a couple of pillows under his bad knee. It had become second nature to her after all; the injury had taken hold only two years prior. “It’s not like I’ve never had my knee hurt before.”

“Sarah, you okay enough to go with the team?” Sergeant Duckhorn turned to the Auror lying in the bed across from Heather.

“Yes, ma’am I am.” Sarah flung the blanket and the sheets off the bed and stood up.

“Alright then, Kamal, Anthony, and you will search Malfoy Manor for the spell book…”

“What about me? I’m going too.” Ron interrupted. “Bloody hell, if you think I’m staying here to lie around, you’re mental.”

Sergeant Duckhorn stifled a laugh and it came out into a snort. “Alright, Mister Weasley, if you feel up to it.”

“Yes!” He exclaimed as he tore himself out of bed.

“Alright then, pair up and search floor by floor or room by room if you have to. Find that book. I want it destroyed before the night it over. If you find anything else that could be incriminating, by all means bring it back. These two irritated the crap out of me and I want them put away for as long as we can get.”

Once the Red Squadron left to prepare for their raid, Madame Pomfrey came over with a bottle to give to Heather. “Is she going to be okay, Poppy?”

“She’ll be fine. I’m more worried about you, though.”

“Why are you worried about me? I’m not the one who got hurt.”

“Stress like the kind you felt down there in the Chamber of Secrets is never good when you’re pregnant.”

“But, I’m not…” Hermione stopped once she realized what the nurse meant to tell her. She gasped, “Oh, my.”

“When did you take another test?” Harry asked as he shot back up, trying to absorb the information.

“Right before we met back up with Ron, Heather, and the rest and after we were finished getting the Sword of Gryffindor from the headmaster’s office. You know how I had to go to the loo? I came here instead.” Hermione admitted. “I left before I knew the results.”

“Merlin,” Heather exclaimed from her bed, “congratulations!”

“Thanks.” Hermione grinned.

“I’m going to be an auntie; I’m going to be an auntie.” Heather chanted and then looked back over at Hermione. “I hope you realize that child is going to smell really bad. It’s going to be so spoiled!”

Harry chuckled. “No really and I’m sure you are going to be the one doing the spoiling.”

“What kind of aunt would I be if I didn’t?” Heather offered as she sat up on her bed. “Spoil them, feed them sugar, and send them home. That’s going to be my motto.”

“Oy,” Harry rolled his eyes, “Merlin help us.”

*****

Once Sergeant Duckhorn received back the permission to raid Malfoy Manor, Ron separated the team into pairs. Anthony and Sarah were assigned to check the subterranean and the first level rooms. Kamal and he took the upper two floors. They started with Danielle’s room which no incriminating evidence appeared. The only thing they did find was a couple of wizard photographs of her posing in sexy lingerie. “I think I finally see what Malfoy saw in her.” Ron admitted aloud. “She must have taken these recently because why wouldn’t they be in Malfoy’s room.

“Don’t let Heather hear you saying that.” Kamal offered as he took the photos from Ron’s hand and put them into his coat pocket. “I think I’ll hang on to these.”

“That’s gross, man.” Ron cringed, “and I think you’re right about Heather. Not a word.”

“I think we should be moving on to Malfoy’s room.” Kamal said as he stood up from the floor in front of her bureau. It was then they heard a scream coming from downstairs. The pair eyed each other before racing down the stairs. Kamal pointed to the stairs leading to the subterranean floor. “I think it came from the basement.”

Ron nearly ripped the door off the hinges and race down into the maze of rooms. When they finally located Anthony and Sarah, Ron and Kamal were appalled of the evidence in the room.

*****

Clanging and clattering rang throughout the basement floor of the Malfoy manor. In addition to all the access noise, the occasional swear word escaped the lips of Sarah Campbell. “Man, you have the vocabulary of a sailor.”

Sarah chuckled. “Did I mention my grandfather served in the Great War?”

“Which one, may I ask? The muggle one or is it the magical one?”

“Which do you think asinine?” Sarah rolled her eyes, making sure to emphasize the first syllable of the word as she scanned the nearest bookshelf. “My grandfather served in the United States Navy.”

“Oh, so was he like a draftee?”

“No,” she continued to chuckle as she took a book off the shelf. “You do know why I refer to him as Admiral, don’t you?”

“You know, I have never really thought about it.” Anthony admitted as he began searching through what looked like a promising pile of papers on a desk top. “I take it he was the admiral of a boat…” Anthony trailed as he picked up a note off the desk. “Get a load of this.”

When Sarah came over to him, she read the note.

Danny,

Bella left the spells and the potions needed to turn the ashes back. Along with it instructions to do what you two want to do. I took the liberty and gave the two of you a hand and turned the bodies back. Unfortunately, since some of the ashes are missing they are not as whole as we all hoped. I placed their bodies in the next room. I figured it was out of sight enough for any typical investigation magical or otherwise. I don’t know how this is going to affect your plans, however. As for me, I’m leaving the country and heading to warmer waters. The Bahamas are nice this time of year and perhaps I can find a nice cabaña boy to keep me company. After being ‘shocked’ about the ‘tragedy’ of my employers, I need a nice long vacation to take my mind off things and recollect myself. Take care, love, and I will see you later.

Aunt Louise

“Bodies of who?” Sarah wondered aloud.

“Well, there is only one way to find out.” Anthony placed the letter inside of his cloak and looked for the entrance to the next room. When he found the book entitled Pure Blood Families of the Wizarding World by Hemo Feliah, he pulled on the tome to release the door to the next room. “It’s a good thing I read Harry and Ron’s report of the last time they were down here.”

“Yes it was.” Sarah said as they followed the corridor down to the room with the four colored doors. “You know, I always felt this was rather a stupid room.”

“You and me both because who in the right mind would actually choose to do this besides someone who has a lot of time on their hands.” Anthony offered as opened the green door. The duo hesitantly entered the room and once they entered the room Sarah screamed.

Lying before them on a table were a man with dark raven hair and brown eyes hidden behind a pair of bottle cap glasses and beside him lay a woman with strawberry blonde hair and emerald green eyes. Anthony mouth went agape with horror and upon inspection they were missing patches of skin. Sarah asked as she finally scraped up the nerve to approach the bodies. “Do you know who these people are?”

“Yea, they are Harry and Heather’s parents.” Anthony almost whispered. “I know they were cremated, so why are they’re bodies here?”

“Remember the note from ‘Louise’? She turned their ashes back into the bodies.” Sarah gasped once she heard someone enter the room behind them. The two of them swerved to meet Ron and Kamal standing in the doorway. They must have seen the bodies because the look on Ron’s face as they approached them looked like he was going to be sick.

“Oh, Merlin, those are the Potters’ aren’t they?” Kamal was the first to speak up since Ron was turning a rather bright shade of green.

“Yea,” Ron confirmed, “that’s Lily and James Potter.”

“Did you guys find anything?” Anthony asked, and then nervously chuckled, “because boy we sure did.”

“We found nothing.” Kamal said as he went over to the cabinet in the room. As he thumbed through the contents, he came across a vial. He opened it and took a waft. “That’s smells awful.”

Ron grabbed the vial. “That is what I thought. It’s polyjuice.”

“Why would they need polyjuice?” Anthony asked.

“To get into the family vault, you see over here family vaults are almost sacred. In order to enter one, you must be blood related to someone in the vault. You can’t go inside at all if you’re not related. The reason the spells were set up like that is because pure blood families would raid muggle born tombs and vice versa during medieval times. The Minister of the time finally got tired of all the raids and how they would interrupt the magical world to the point even the muggles would noticed. You may notice things in their stories of King Arthur and the likes about the magical realm. That was about the time where these raids exploded.” Ron explained and the rest of the group looked at him shocked. “What? I paid attention in History of Magic.”

“Paid attention to Hermione’s notes after you took a nap in History of Magic is more like it.” Sarah chuckled as she opened a locked compartment inside the cabinet. Once inside of it, she found a book. When she opened it, she felt the rush of what she could only describe as pure evil. Just as quickly open, she shut it. “I believe I found the Malfoy-MacNeal spell book.”

Ron took the book and opened the leather bound book for himself. After he received the same result Sarah and he conclude she did indeed find the spell book. “This has to be it; Sarah’s right. We should get this back to Hogwarts.”

“What about the Potters? We should probably bring them with us.” Sarah asked allowing her gaze to turn back to where the parents of their former leader and his sister lay. “They deserve much better than this.”

The rest of the group silently agreed. It was Anthony and Kamal who rose first and prepared the bodies to be transported back to Hogwarts. Sarah had picked up what she assumed was their urn, shrunk it down to fit in her pocket and placed it inside her cloak.

Before Kamal shrouded them with a cloth he had transfigured from a couple of candles, Ron went over to Lily and James. He whispered into the two of them. “You two would have really liked Harry and Heather. Take it from me, I know. They’re doing okay. They miss you; you know.”

Sarah laid a hand on his shoulder. “They know, Ron. I know they do.”

Ron nodded as he watched Kamal placed the sheet over them. “Well, the least we can do for them is to get them back to Hogwarts. Dumbledore will know what needs to be done to put the bodies back to rest.”

“Yes, all we need is a bunch of mad zombies running around here.” Anthony chuckled. When no one laughed with him; his laughter quickly faded.

*****

As the sun set in the west, Harry was called up to the Headmaster’s office to meet him and give him a debriefing about the past couple of days. He had often had conversations with the Dumbledore following the events of a major event. As he climbed the stairs to the headmaster’s office, he became overwhelmed with closure. Something deep within his soul told him he could relax for the first time in nearly ten to fifteen years.

Once he opened the doors to the office, he was greeted with the headmaster sitting at his desk. His gaze didn’t leave his paper work, but greeted him anyway. “Come in, Harry. Please take a seat. I’ll be with you in a moment.”

Harry took a seat in a wing-back arm chair next to the window where on a side table tea was being kept warm in a silver tea pot. There was two bone china tea cups sitting on either side of the table. He concluded this was where the headmaster wanted him to sit there.

A few minutes ticked away and the sounds of the snoring former headmaster paintings made Harry drowsy. Once Albus Dumbledore put down his quill, he made his way to the professor. “I apologize for the delay; those papers you saw me signing are reports from Sergeant Duckhorn.”

“Did they find the spell book?”

“Yes they did and Professor Snape is in the process of making the potion required to destroy both of the books; however, the red squadron also found something quite disturbing in their search.”

“What?”

“They found your parents.”

“You mean their ashes.”

“No, I mean them.” The headmaster affirmed. “They found their bodies in the basement and a letter about their intent to make them into inferi. Red Squadron is on their way back with the bodies. This will require you and Heather to put the bodies to rest.”

“Why us?”

“I am going to assume the two of you are going to want to secure them into the family vault. In order for this to be done both you and Heather need to be the ones to seal it in order to prevent someone from being able to get inside again with the polyjuice potion again. This is how Red Squadron assumes Mister Malfoy and Miss MacNeal gained entrance this way because they found a bottle of polyjuice potion in which was half used. When they died, the two of you were entirely way too young to do it and it requires a blood relation to perform the spell. As you can probably guess, we searched for someone related distantly to James rather than Lily. Considering your mother’s heritage, it was all we could do at the time. Sirius, your Godfather, was the closest match and he sealed the vault.” Albus poured his tea and then poured Harry’s tea. “I had hoped this was all that it would require. Obviously, I was mistaken.”

“There was no way you could have known they would have been devious enough to do that.” Harry offered.

“This is true, but I still feel like I’ve could have done more to protect your parents, your sister and yourself.” Dumbledore took a sip of his tea somberly. “I also wish I could have prepared you for your mage powers. Mage powers are a rare gift and not many manage to master the powers in such short of time.”

“I guess you heard about that.”

“Your wife and sister were very enthusiastic about it. I am with them when they said they were quite impressed with your ability to control it. I will ask you when this is all over to show me your abilities and perhaps I can show you some of the techniques you can apply to help to continue to control it.”

“Thank you, Professor.” Harry sighed. “Now all I have to worry about is finding Hermione and me a home.”

“On the contrary, I believe the opposite is true.” The headmaster pulled out a piece of legal parchment out of his robes. He handed it to Harry.

When he read the address, Harry chuckled. “I take it this is my parents’ old home in Godric’s Hollow.”

“I know you said something about being near the school to be closer to work; however, the house already belongs to you since you are the legal heir.” The Headmaster smiled. “The house is connected to the floo network, so your question as to getting here for school is already answered.”

“I’ll have to talk it over with Hermione before we make a decision.”

“Of course, for now I believe we have at least several dozen parties to be getting to not to mention to prepare for the second burial of your parents.” The Headmaster set down his cup and rose from his seat. Harry followed once his cup was empty.

“One thing still bothers me, Professor. Some of Voldermort’s followers are still out there. Do you think we’ll ever be able to capture them all?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll ever be able rid the world of all the evil in the world. All we can do is to strive to promote diversity and understanding among the wizarding world.” The headmaster offered as he and his former student exited the office. “After all, we are all human; muggles and wizards alike. There is bound to be some radical who wants to kill a certain group of people for one reason or another, unfortunately.”

“I take it you aren’t a fan of Utopian societies?” Hermione offered as they made their way down the stairs when she over heard their conversation.

“Alas, I’m stating the truth.” The headmaster sighed. “If only a utopia could exist. For now, the Great Hall beckons with guests and we’ll have as close as we can get to one for the time being.”

“Agreed,” Harry smiled at Hermione and placed his hand upon the spot where their child was growing. “Right now is the closest we’ll ever have to a utopia.”

*****

End of Chapter

Epilogue

4 Years Later

Ron shivered subtly; he hadn’t been prepared for the cold air inside of the arena completely. He had remembered how cold it was when Heather went to her last ice skating practice. One would have assumed he would have been use to the chilly air of the new arena Heather and he gave money to build, but the natural climate to the area was still something he was adjusting to let alone this artificial one.

As he watched Heather gracefully glide across the ice, he smiled fondly at her. She was showing one of her students to perform a double toe tuck and the teacher was obviously was showing signs of frustration due to her student not catching on as quickly as she had hoped. She made a motion for the man in the audio box to stop the music and told the student to take a fifteen minute break. She skated over to Ron, and he handed her a cup of hot tea. “You look like you’re having a tough time out there.”

“It doesn’t help I’m so nauseated. I can’t wait for this is all over.” Heather took a sip of her green tea and enjoyed the warming of her throat. “Did Harry call?”

“Yes, their flight lands in a few minutes. As soon as we’re done here we can go and get them from the airport.” Ron offered as he readjusted her skull cap over her ears. “Do you just want to go home? I can have Miles pick them up.”

“That actually sounds like a good idea. You can rub my feet too.”

“Rub your feet? I don’t think so. They’ll probably stink once you’re done here.”

“I’ll take a shower first, silly.” Heather chuckled. “Perhaps you’d care to join me?”

“Now it’s scenarios like that which put you into the condition you’re in now.” Ron smiled as the couple laughed together. “I still can’t believe your obstetrician is allowing you to still ice skate. I figured he would have made you stop a month or two ago.”

“Do you actually think I’d listen to him if he did?” Heather rested her cup on her slightly protruding belly. “It’s going to be way too soon for me before I have to stop coaching. My students have a competition coming up this week and the doctor wanted me to stop yesterday. They’re not ready, so I’m not ready to stop.”

“Promise me after the competition you’ll stop. I’m not really looking forward for something like what happened last time to happen again.”

Solemn, Heather took another sip of her cocoa. “I don’t plan on it; especially since there isn’t an evil wizard coming after us.”

“Touché,” Ron then noticed Heather’s student returned to the ice. He looked at his watch. “You’d better get back to your student. I’ll go get the group at the air port.”

“You excited to see your mom again?”

“I am, but the moment she sees you she’s going to go mental to see you still on the ice. My advice would be end practice early and not mention it to her.” Ron offered as he zipped up his coat and wrapped his scarf around his neck once.

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll go and finish up with my student and I’ll see you back at the house.” She kissed Ron on the cheeks and skated off to meet with her student.

Ron chuckled as he left the skating rink. Once outside, Miles greeted him with the door to the limo open for him to get inside. “Is the misses coming?”

“No, she’s driving herself home. She’s finishing up with one of her students and then she’s heading home.” Ron answered. “To the airport, Miles, but take your time. We need to give Heather enough time to finish with her student and get home before we can arrive there ourselves.”

“Your mother wouldn’t be too happy with her still ice skating I take it?”

“Not really, but you know my mother. She always means well…”

Miles chuckled as he pulled the car out of the parking lot and began driving down the road. “Yes I can imagine.”

The short ride over to the airport arrived way too quickly in his own mind once the car pulled up to the unloading zone. Once the car stopped in front of the plane, Miles got out and opened the car door. Simultaneously, the door to the plane opened and Harry Potter was the first to step out. Once down the stairs, Ron gave his best friend a hug. “No cane?”

“My therapist took away the cane two years ago.” Harry smiled as he looked his friend over. “You’re looking well for someone who should be a nervous wreck.”

“What is there to be nervous about?” Ron asked him once he spotted Hermione and pulled her into her embrace. “She’s just pregnant. It’s not like she’s got some disorder or something and undergoing muggle medical treatment.”

“True, but you must be feeling somewhat nervous.” Hermione offered as she glanced around. “Harry, have you seen the twins?”

“They’re with Fred and George. They mentioned something about needing their help with something.”

“You left Lily and James with Fred and George. Are you mental?” Ron jeered.

Hermione dashed back to the plane and just as she was climbing the stairs and when she reached halfway up the stairs, Molly came out holding Lillian Heather Potter on her hip. Arthur, the head of the Weasley clan, carried James Sirius Potter. When Hermione saw her children in the older Weasley’s arms, she breathed a sigh of relief. “Look, see Lily, we found mummy and daddy. They just came out side to see your Uncle Ron. You want to go and see your uncle?”

The young red-headed girl nodded, allowing her spiral curls to bounce up and down. Once down the stairs, Molly set the girl down on the ground and the little girl ran over and hugged her uncle. “Uncle Ronnie! Uncle Ronnie! Look, I made you something.”

Ron had not noticed the piece of paper in her hand when she had flown out of his mother’s arms and into his. When she handed him the paper, he saw multi colored scribbles. Not wanting to hurt his niece’s feelings, he kissed her. “Thanks, Lil. It’s beautiful. Aunt Heather is going to love this.”

“It’s a rainbow. See the pot of gold under it? The leopard cans put it there.” She pointed to a black scribble under several different colors. In Ron’s mind, at least the three year old got the colors of the rainbow right.

“I think you mean leprecon. Does the leprecon have a name?” Ron was almost afraid to ask the child, knowing she had the most active imagination than any other child he knew.

“No, he doesn’t because leprecons aren’t real. They are fake like fairies, unicorns, and sprites.” James interrupted him.

Ron chuckled knowingly. If only the boy actually knew the truth. It had been obvious Harry and Hermione had not informed their son of his heritage and more than likely due to his lack of showing magical ability. Lily had shown signs since the moment she was born. Occasionally, there would have been a book thrown across the room. Not this surprised Ron much. Lily was the first to be born. “Now how do you know that?”

“He probably got it from that muggle day care he goes to. If he were taught at home or even a magical daycare, he would know…” Molly mentioned as she adjusted James’ black hair nervously. “Why did you have to inherit your father’s hair?”

“Let’s not start that again, Molly. If they want to send him to a muggle school then so be it.”

“But Lily doesn’t go to one. She goes to a magical day care.”

“You know how it goes, Molly. The female body develops quicker than the male. The same applies to magic. Girls just develop quicker. She needs to go to a magical daycare to keep her from killing anyone. Not intentionally mind you. She doesn’t have control yet, but considering her parents and their heritage the quicker she learns to control it, better.” Arthur offered as he patted James on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, Jim, you’ll develop soon. Your Uncle Ron didn’t really come into his powers until he was 7. He threw one of the cast iron skillets across the room.”

Jim scoffed. “Magic doesn’t exist.”

Under his breath, Ron smiled as he said as he patted his nephew on the head before Lily and he entered the vehicle. “Aren’t you in for a big surprise?”

“Hi, Ronniekins!” Fred announced as he beat his youngest brother to the car. Ginny followed close behind him. “Lovely day for a drive isn’t it?”

“Yes, especially once it torrentially down pours. Maybe we’ll have a tornado.” George glanced up to the sky before following his twin inside the car. “Wouldn’t that be bloody brilliant?”

“That only happens when Heather gets extremely pissed and right now I really don’t think we want her consuming alcohol.” Bill offered with his arm around his wife Sandra. They were followed by Charlie who was carrying a few bags left over from the plane. Miles took the bags and put them inside the trunk.

“And why is that, Ron?” Hermione grinned knowingly once the car door was shut behind Ron and Miles began pulling out of the airport.

“Well, I don’t know, Hermione. Maybe it’s because she’s scary when she’s plastered.” Ron warned her with his eyes. Heather and he hadn’t told his family about the pregnancy yet and he wanted to tell them with her around. It was one of the things on his agenda for the two weeks they were planning on staying.

“Oh, I could just see her being completely pissed.” George grinned.

“I could too.”

“Is this limo new?” Ginny asked as she opened the refrigerator in the bar. When she found there was soda stocked, she frowned. “There is no Vodka, Ron, really?”

“Yes, a new one. Heather likes the S.U.V because of the roomy interior. We sold the old one for this one. She wanted to keep the old one, but it just wasn’t practical.” Ron offered as he watched his father tapped at one of the light fixtures. “We let Cosmo Cyrus and India Jade use the old one at their wedding before we sold it. Heather says it was quite the ceremony. I had to teach a class the day of the wedding at Great Lakes otherwise Heather would have made me go too.”

“Not a big fan of weddings, Uncle Ron?” Lily asked as Ginny gave the girl a grape Ne-Hi.

“Are you kidding me? He probably purposefully made something up to get her off his back about going.” George voiced as he grabbed root beer. “Don’t even get me started about what happened about what happened at his wedding to make him so late.”

“What did happen for him to be late for his own wedding? You told me that he was late due to muggle traffic.” Molly demanded as the car pulled into the driveway to the former Nelson estate.

“Thanks for getting me into trouble, George. I’ll remember that when you go to get married.” Ron told his brother as he stepped out of the car and into the warm Illinois sunshine. “I swear Illinois only has two seasons: winter and summer; often occurring in the same day of course.”

“Is it just me or does it not feel like its room temperature out here.” Harry offered as Hermione helped their twins out of the car.

“It’s the humidity.” Hermione rambled once everyone was out of the car. “The area often has a humidity issue due to the climate, the proximity to multiple bodies of water, and so forth.”

“Getting back to the whole wedding issue…” Molly began, but was interrupted when Heather came out of the house to greet them. She would never learn what happened to her son to make him so late. “Heather, it’s good to see you again, dear.”

“Everyone come inside. It’s a lot cooler. I’m sure all of you are tired from your long trip, so I had Ami and Rose turn down the guest bedrooms.” Heather mentioned as she took her husband by the hand and they lead the family inside. James, Miles, and Jonathon left the house to get their luggage.

“Who are Ami and Rose?” Hermione asked as the group headed up the stairs to the guest wing.

“Amethyst, or Ami, Pierce is our new head of household. She came highly recommended from a few of my parents’ friends, the Oaks, in Washington. Rose Macintyre is our new maid and was also recommended by the Oaks.” Heather entered the farthest room where she found Ami and Rose turning down the beds. “Almost done, I see.”

“This is the last one.” Ami smiled at the Mistress of the house then turned to look at the newcomers. “Are these the guests, Ma’am?”

“Oh, yes. This is Hermione and Harry Potter with their two children Lily and James.”

“Jimmy.” James protested the use of his given name and folded his arms across his chest. The group chuckled.

“Alright, Jimmy.” Ami smiled as she and Rose moved closer to the group from where they where standing next to the bed. “Is this the Master’s family?”

“Yes, this is Molly and Arthur Weasley and their children. Bill and his wife Sandra, Charlie, Fred, George, and of course Ginny are the other red heads.” Heather introduced. “Please show them to their rooms, Rose. Ami, have Jon begin dinner. I’m famished.”

“At once,” Ami smiled as she and the rest of the group exited the room. “Would you like me to bring tea for you in your room with your snack to warm up after your practice?”

“Yes, bring it to my room. I think I’m going to lay down for a nap afterward. I’m exhausted.” Heather ordered as she headed down to the master suite.

“That’s odd. Heather usually doesn’t get that tired after skating practice. Does she?” Molly asked her youngest son as she entered the room she and her husband would be sharing during their stay in the United Sates.

“Not usually, but lately she’s having to get up real early.”

“Practices I take it?” Arthur asked. “If she’s not too careful she’s going to wear herself out.”

“Yea, I agree. That’s why after today she isn’t going to do them anymore. I told her if she didn’t I would set her alarm four hours later and she would be late.” Ron kissed his mother on the forehead. “Why don’t you two lay down for a bit, and then come down to dinner. There is something Heather and I want to tell you.”

“Well, why not tell us now and get it over?”

“Because,” Ron smiled at his mother, “we want to tell everyone at the same time.”

“You two aren’t having problems again, are you?” Arthur asked his son attentively.

“No, actually, we’re not. It’s actually something really good.” Ron hinted to his parents as he exited the room. “Now, get some rest and you’ll see at dinner.”

Arthur eyed his wife. “What do you think it could be?”

Molly folded her arms across her chest and thought about what her son had said. “Either they’re moving back to England or she’s pregnant, again.”

“That’s a bit of an extreme difference between explanations, dear.”

“Yes and when have you ever known Ronnikins and Heather to do anything that wasn’t extreme?”

*****

Black-eyed Susan and Queen Anne lace dotted the landscape along the trail. Their scent wafted in the breeze along with the scent and sounds of trickling water. Birds chirped and a red-tailed hawks swooped down catching their pray among the massive prairie preserve in between the former Nelson estate, now appropriately called Red-Tail Manor due to the pair of hawks were released on to the estate grounds when the couple who were given the land were married, and the woods in the farthest section of the estate.

Harry Potter thought about how serene it was to have his entire family, including his newly extended and adoptive family. He laughed as he watched his children wade waist deep in the lake splashing around. Jim had splashed his sister and she had retaliated with pulling him under the water level unexpectedly after she had submerged. “Quit!” He had screamed.

“Only if you do too,” She called back from where she had climbed up on the rope swing and flung her body in the deeper part of the lake.

Hermione laid her head on Harry’s shoulder and smiled. A wave of content passed through him once she did. All was right with the universe, for at least the moment. Deep inside, Harry always knew there would always be someone trying to underhand moments like this. “You realize that in seven years, the kids will be off at Hogwarts and you and I will be able to get back to trying to find time to be with each other.”

“Yes, but at least this time we get to keep on eye on them as we do it.” Harry offered as he pulled a root beer out of the picnic basket. “Where are Heather and Ron? I thought they were going to be joining us.”

“They are, but they wanted to tell Mr. and Mrs. Weasley about their delivery that’s coming in nine months.” Hermione sighed. “With all this talk about babies, it kind of makes me want to have another one.”

“Really,” Harry raised an eyebrow. “No wonder we’ve been getting some extra practice in.”

Hermione giggled as she swatted his arm playfully. “You’d enjoy it way too much.”

“Always,” Harry grinned impishly back at her. He stole a kiss from her but before the ringing sound of Molly’s excited scream rang through out the wooded area. “Sounds like the Weasleys know about the newest member of their clan.”

“Yes it does sound that way, doesn’t it?” Hermione offered then she called to the only other adult in the area. “Ami, would you take the children back to the house and change them for dinner? Harry and I will be along in a moment after we clean up here.”

“Are you sure? I can clean up if you would prefer.”

“No, Mrs. Potter and I have it.” Harry’s lustful eyes never left Hermione’s. “You guys go along. We’ll be along shortly.”

Sensing what the couple needed more was time alone, she silently took both Jim and Lily and lead them back to the house. When they were finally only among the animals of the wooded area, Harry grinned lustfully. He nipped at her earlobe and began caressing her behind.

As he made his way down her neck, Hermione asked. “Harry, are you happy?”

He stopped his attentions only to look into her eyes. He was silent as he thought about how to answer her. When he finally answered her; his answer was as simple as the question she asked. “Yes.”

*****

End.