Chapter 6 - Fateful Discovery
Harry blinked slowly as his mind drifted in that pleasant space between wakefulness and sleep where none of a person's troubles can cloud their consciousness. Something feathery was ticking his face as a delicious comforting warmth surrounded him. A gentle whistling noise accompanied by a light gust of air finally brought him out of his hazy stupor and focused his eyes on the soft features of Hermione's peacefully sleeping face.
Harry felt his face warming as he realized where the rest of him was. Even though they were still fully clothed after their collapse on the sofa for who knows how long, they were now scandalously intertwined. Harry's arm was draped around Hermione's waist, she had a leg stuck between his and both her arms were around his chest, which put her agonizingly cute face about an inch away from his.
"Hermione," he whispered, "I think its time to get up."
Hermione shifted a little and made a murmuring noise that sounded a bit like a protest so Harry repeated himself. Hermione's eyes finally started to flutter in a process that Harry had just undergone a moment before. Her grip on Harry tightened before her eyes snapped open and she froze as she became aware of their situation.
"This is convenient," Hermione said, eyes dancing with mischief.
"Er, I don't know how this happened, the last thing I remember…" Harry said, but Hermione cut him off with a kiss.
"You talk to much," Hermione said between kisses, "and you never try to take advantage of a situation."
"Ad…van…tage…," Harry mumbled. Not to mention that despite his feelings for Hermione he was still rather shy about such things.
"No talking," Hermione replied. She squeezed him tighter and Harry practically melted with her soft form pressed against him like that.
Harry decided to take Hermione's advice and bask in the delightful feel of her lips playing against his. He didn't know how long they reclined there in the main room of Grimmauld Place, alone to be normal teens without the weight of a war pressing down upon them.
A coughing noise drew them back to the real world. "Its good to see you two are feeling better," Remus said. Harry and Hermione, without breaking off their kiss, swiveled their eyes over to where the werewolf was standing impatiently.
"Can we help you with something Remus," Hermione said, turning her face away from Harry with a pout.
"Have you two forgotten what day this is?" Remus asked with mock exasperation. Harry watched as Hermione's expression shifted from confusion to concentration to realization to panic.
"The new term starts today," Hermione exclaimed as she started thrashing around to disentangle herself.
"Actually it started yesterday," Remus supplied. "You've been asleep for over two days now."
"Oh no," Hermione moaned, "We missed the hat's song and new classes."
"Not to mention the feast," Harry added.
"Yes, thank you Ron," Hermione said tartly. "Plus who knows how much havoc the Death Eater's have wrecked while we were lying about."
"Voldemort seems to have hesitated after the death of one of his avatars sunk in," Remus said cheerfully. "Ron has been keeping close tabs on the situation so you'll have to ask him for details. He said to tell you that he moved most of the relevant material to Hogwarts and all incoming communiqués are being directed to there too."
"All right, we'll see into it when we arrive, but I'm sure Ron has everything under control," Harry said confidently. Ron had turned into a first rate organizer when it came to that sort of thing.
"I'm taking a shower first," Hermione said, "Since we're already this late I'm going to get ready properly."
"I guess I will too," Harry said as he watched her fly up the stairs. He was tired of bathing with nothing but cleaning charms all the time.
"Mind if I use your bathroom Remus?" Harry asked. "I guess Hermione remembered that with us going back to Hogwarts my old room is temporarily empty."
"Are you sure you don't want to follow her?" Remus asked teasingly.
Harry sent him a withering glance. "Ha…ha…aren't you just hilarious."
A few minutes later Harry was out of Remus' shower and thankful for the clean feeling that charms just couldn't quite duplicate. He put on a fresh school uniform before using his wand to gather all his things together and then floated them down to the main room. Somehow Hermione had beaten him down there and was already hugging her parents goodbye.
"Are you ready Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Hermione said, turning to him and then tugging at his shirt collar. She pulled his golden torch out from where he had tucked it inside his shirt. "Wear your emblem outside so everyone can see it. We're high profile now, remember?"
Harry waved one last goodbye to Sarah and Erwin before activating his portkey. A moment later he appeared in his room in Gryffindor tower and an instant later he sensed Hermione arriving in her room. It was mid-morning and everyone had already left for breakfast or maybe even classes. Harry and Hermione had been offered quarters apart from their classmates but had decided that for now they'd rather stay in their familiar surroundings. Harry left most of his belongings packed and hurriedly shoved them under his bed before he noticed a formal looking envelope sitting on the nightstand.
He grabbed it as he walked out and discovered that it was in fact his class list when he opened it on his way down the stairs. Hermione was already standing in the middle of the common room, her own letter crumpled in her fist. Instantly Harry knew something was up.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"I don't know, maybe nothing, but I don't have potions listed on my schedule," Hermione replied. Harry looked at his own again and saw that Snape's class wasn't printed out on his schedule either. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and started leading him down towards the dungeons.
"We've got transfiguration first," Harry pointed out. Hermione let out an annoyed huff and continued to drag.
"That insufferable man, I want an explanation," Hermione said. She finally let go of Harry when they entered the dank underground passages near Snape's class. There was no noise except for the clicking of their heels against the stone as Harry followed Hermione deeper into the dungeon. The potion room was as dimly lit as usual with a large cauldron bubbling in one corner.
"How nice of you to finally grace us with your presence Potter, I see you still think the world revolves around you so that you can just show up whenever you please," Snape intoned from behind them. With an evil glare the shifty looking wizard came gliding into their view. "Miss Granger too, I see Potter is…rubbing off on you a great deal these days."
Hermione responded politely, as if Snape had said nothing. "Professor, we were wondering why we were no longer enrolled in your class."
"Because, Miss Granger," Snape replied in an equally smooth tone, "I do not permit cheaters or those who help them to attend my classes."
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked hotly, "We would never…"
"Spare me Granger," Snape hissed, all pretenses of civility gone, "I know about your nasty little link with Potter. How amazing that he mysteriously begins to perform, howbeit still quite mediocre, at the same time as he gets a direct pipeline into your know-it-all head."
Hermione sputtered indignantly, but before she could retort Harry took over. "Stunningly brilliant Severus," Harry said in a mockingly congratulatory tone, "no doubt Hermione gave me loads of secret tips about how to mix potions that are already explained in the book complete with step by step instructions. Do you think she possesses my mind and controls my hands for me? The only reason I did so poor in your class all these years is because I either wasn't paying attention, was sabotaged by your Slytherin misfits, or was driven to distraction by your continual outpouring of unfounded hatred."
"I'll not be spoken to in such terms by the likes of you," Snape growled in a tower of rage.
"Or you'll do what?" Harry said angrily, cutting off the glowering potions master. "You'll make me write lines? Serve detentions? Not bloody likely Severus. You have no authority over me anymore and now that you've tossed me out of your class I have no incentive to cater to your miserable attitude either."
"I'll have you thrown out of this school you arrogant little snot," Snape bellowed back.
"I don't think so," Harry replied smugly, his voice becoming calm again, "I'm only here this year as a personal favor to the Headmaster. I could curse you and hang you upside down in your own dungeons if I wanted to. Let's go Hermione."
Hermione was still looking a little shell-shocked, having never before been accused of anything dishonest, but she wanted to get in one last word. "Harry's right, there is absolutely nothing I could have communicated to him through our link that would have helped him with a potion and even if there was I would never cheat for someone. I respect Harry too much to do that."
"I can't believe it," Hermione said after they reached the hall again. "Maybe it's for the best though, its not like we're going to be attending classes much anyway."
"Let's hurry this up, I'm looking forward to some Hogwarts' food again," Harry said. Harry noticed that many of the younger students were staring at them as they stalked along toward McGonagall's class.
"I suppose we can take a trip down to the kitchens after transfiguration," Hermione replied. Harry could tell she was hungry too, though she would never let on after all the grief she had given Ron about his eating habits over the years. They didn't make it there uninterrupted though.
"Oi, great, you guys made it," Ron called out when he saw the couple. "We've got several leads on Death Eater activities after so many of them exposed themselves in the attacks on our supporters. I'm planning on doing some scouting tonight since the locations are protected by wards according to the people I had take a look yesterday."
Harry nodded his agreement with Ron's plan. With their animagus forms they were the best scouts that the Light Bearers had. He winced slightly when he realized that in many ways the trio was the best that the Light Bearers had of nearly everything except for some of the old Order members who had recently joined them.
Professor McGonagall, along with several students, was already in the airy transfiguration classroom when the three teens showed up. Ron took his seat dejectedly since he knew he was going to have to sit through this class. While the red head was excused from classes when he was needed to help fight the war he was also expected to study hard at the skills he had yet to master. The same expectations were placed on Hermione and Harry too, but they still had virtually unlimited autonomy to do whatever they wanted. Not that anyone would have desired to compel them to do anything they didn't wish to at this point anyway.
"We're starting human transfigurations today," McGonagall informed them in her usual dry tone. She looked at Harry and Hermione specifically "Just the theory of course. How much do you know about this sort of magic?"
"Enough," Harry said easily. He took out his wand and gave a lazy gesture. Hermione instantly morphed into a shaggy brown haired dog and then back into herself. Being animaguses really increased a person's natural mastery of transfiguration.
"Oh, I'll get you for that," Hermione teased. She turned Harry into black cat with big green eyes for a moment before restoring him.
"Nicely done," McGonagall said. "Can you do animals other than mammals?"
After ten minutes of morphing each other into a variety of animals McGonagall finally let them go so she could get on with her class. A short walk and a tickle of a pear later found the couple in the kitchens surrounded by exited house elves. Dobby and Winky were foremost amongst the chattering bunch that set them down at a small table staked with all types of edibles.
"Dobby is so happy that Harry Potter and Miss are whole again," Dobby said excitedly. Even Winky looked happier than Harry could remember her ever looking in the past.
"I'm glad too," Harry said. "I wanted to thank you for helping take care of me Dobby. You're a great friend."
Little ears swiveled in their direction at Harry's praise of Dobby. It was still unheard of for a wizard to speak of an elf as a friend and equal. Hermione added her warm thanks too but received less attention since the elves already knew all too well how "odd" she was.
They ate in silence for a while, slightly uncomfortable at all the elves sneaking glances at them, and aware that Dobby was practically beside himself. Harry sighed after exchanging a meaningful glance with Hermione and finally addressed the bobbing elf.
"What is it Dobby?" Harry asked kindly. "You know you can say anything you want to me."
"Is it true, is it?" Dobby asked excitedly, bouncing up and down.
"Is what true?" Harry replied, confused.
"That Harry Potter sir is the Chosen One, the one who will beat You-Know-Who." Dobby said.
"Yes, I suppose it is," Harry sighed again.
"Dobby is knowing you can do it sir," Dobby said happily. "Harry Potter is a great and powerful wizard."
"He is at that," Hermione said gently. She smiled radiantly at Harry making his insides do a little loop and his heart fill with a familiar warm glow that always appeared when she was around. "Thank you for the food everyone, it was excellent as always."
"Is Miss and Harry Potter leaving already?" Dobby asked.
"I'm afraid so Dobby, we've got a lot to do, but we'll come visit and you have to promise to visit us too," Harry said.
"Dobby promises," the little elf squeaked happily.
Hermione seized Harry's arm on their way out and held onto it as they walked leisurely toward the nearest exit to the castle. They had decided that the next teacher they visited would be Hagrid. Harry had missed his extended visits to the first magical person he had met. Something always seemed to steal away the opportunity to go down to the half-giant's homey hut like he had been able to do before sixth year.
Hagrid's hut seemed to be descending rapidly into a state of disrepair, not that it had ever been the soundest looking structure. All kinds of tools, gardening supplies, and what could only be loosely described as pet food, lay scattered about haphazardly around the hut. A vague aura of decay seemed to waft through the air as they approached the squat little structure. Harry supposed that with Gwap still hidden somewhere along with Buckbeak that Hagrid had less time to make home repairs.
"Hagrid, are you in there?" Harry shouted as Hermione pounded on the door.
"Hagrid…" Hermione yelled, then stopped when the door jerked open and the kindly half giant appeared.
"Arry, Hermione, so good ter see ya," Hagrid said. He motioned for them to come inside. The interior of the hut seemed to be in an even worse shape than the exterior, if that were possible. Old Fang whined at them briefly but he didn't move, not even to wag his tail. Harry thought that the big dog looked unusually sickly.
"It's good to see you too Hagrid," Harry said. He and Hermione both gave him a brief hug, which was returned with bone crushing enthusiasm.
"Er, I got some food around ere somewhere," Hagrid said sheepishly.
"That's okay Hagrid, we just ate," Hermione said politely.
"Sit, sit, how bout some tea then," Hagrid went on.
"Tea would be fine," Harry replied.
"We wanted to talk to you about class this term," Hermione said.
"I figure that the two o ya won't be comin' so much anymore," Hagrid said sadly.
"I'm sorry Hagrid, you know this was always our favorite class, and it's the only one we'll never be able to learn on our own." Harry said earnestly.
Hagrid sat a tray of teacups along with a steaming pot down in front of them before joining them at the table. Harry flipped his wrist and summoned the sugar when Hagrid realized he had forgotten it.
"That right kind o' you ter say Arry," Hagrid replied, his face breaking into a big grin, "but we both know it ter be a lie. I figure you can learn any subject you wan ter learn."
Harry shifted uncomfortably, but Hagrid continued.
"It's really spooky Arry, how much you remind me o him. He was right keen too, but made terrible choices he did, terrible choices. Yer like him more an more, I can see it, but yer his opposite too, thankfully," Hagrid said in unusually lucid tones.
"You don't mean…" Hermione whispered.
"Just like You-Know-Who," Hagrid replied gruffly. "Dumbledore tol' me all bout him he did, tol' me who he really was. I knew him, when he was young o' course, but I knew him all the same."
For some reason Harry didn't find Hagrid's comparison bothering him like he might have thought that it would. In fact in an odd way he found it refreshing that someone was comparing him to a person other than his father even if that person was Voldemort.
Hermione looked unsettled, "I don't think you can compare people to each other like that. Harry's his own person, he isn't like anyone else, nor is his life meant to be a parallel or an opposition to any other person's life."
"I didin' mean it like that Hermione," Hagrid huffed, "I jus meant Arry has a quality o' accomplishment aroun' him, like he's destined to do great things, like he's already done great things. He's not the only one tho, you remind me o' someone too, more and more Hermione."
"I've heard all the comparisons to Molly or McGonagall that I want to hear," Hermione sniffed. "I'm nothing like them."
"Course yer not," Hagrid replied, "I was talkin' bout Dumbledore."
"What?" Hermione said sharply, nearly knocking her teacup over. "Dumbledore?"
Harry was shocked too so he paid close attention as an uncharacteristically philosophical Hagrid plowed on. "Bloody right Dumbledore. Ya were too busy at the time, but I was there the day…er…when Arry was kidnapped. I watched the whole thing. Yer a kind person Hermione, gentle spirit, I know that better then mos' after all ya done fer me an Beaky. Dumbledores like that too, mos o' the time, but he's got a fierce streak in `im when he wans' ter be. You're jus as fierce as Dumbledore can be if ya want to Hermione, not to mention yer great with magic."
"Er…thanks Hagrid," Hermione said. Harry could feel that she had mixed feelings about being compared to the often meddlesome Headmaster.
"An don' let those ruddy papers get ya down, either o' you, they're just panderin' ter people's fears," Hagrid added.
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked.
"Er, oh, well, I jus figured that ya already knowed," Hagrid said sheepishly. He dug around through a stack of loose papers and drug out a copy of a wizard paper Harry had never seen before. The headline of Diagon Daily read "Chosen One, Vigilantes, Battle Royal with Death Eaters across England." The story was a sloppy mixture of half-truths, distortions, and outright lies about the events surrounding the mass evacuation following the attack on Madam Bones' home.
"I can't believe it's not the Prophet," Hermione said through their link.
"Yeah, me to, and what's with this paper, is it a new one?" Harry asked.
"Could be, but then I never paid much attention to rags like this," Hermione said despondently.
"Well, I guess we'd probably better be going soon," Harry said. He was feeling a bit uncomfortable and put off by this point. Not to mention that it looked as if he and Hermione needed to check in to see what other kind of press they had been getting if something like this had slipped past their notice.
"We were serious about needing help to keep up with all the new creatures…" Hermione said.
"What with the war an all we're not gonna be coverin' much this year," Hagrid said wistfully. "I got ter use only forest creatures this time and you already seen most o' them. Ruddy centaurs are a right pain too when it comes to findin' critters ter show."
"If anyone can do it you can," Harry said kindly. He had always felt a special connection with Hagrid and not just because he was the first magical person Harry had met. In many ways Harry associated himself with Hagrid. They were both outcasts from mainstream magic society, they were both parentless, and they had both had rather traumatic childhood experiences.
Hermione must have felt Harry's sympathy for Hagrid as they climbed the hill back toward the castle because she entwined her long slender fingers around his and walked close to him.
"I love you," Harry whispered softly as they walked through the door.
"I love you too Harry," Hermione replied. She stood on her tiptoes, even though she didn't need to, and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.
Giggles erupted from down the hallway as several third years they hadn't noticed saw them kissing. Harry smiled broadly and kissed her again, making them both feel all tingly and warm, before they continued walking on still arm in arm enjoying their little piece of happiness in the middle of war.
"I think Ron said that the room he commandeered is this way," Harry said, giving Hermione a little tug down the next hallway. Ron had already taken the time to set up a ramshackle war room in an empty class for them to hold planning sessions during their stay at Hogwarts.
"This must be it," Hermione said when they looked into the room and saw Luna sitting with Ginny.
"Don't you two have class?" Harry asked.
"Not right now," Ginny said. "Luna wanted to come here to wait for Ronald."
"All right then," Harry replied, raising a curious eyebrow at Ginny's tone. "Hermione can you help me set up the security on the door?"
"We can't just curse the door Harry," Hermione replied.
"We don't have to, remember the present Professor McGonagall got me for my last birthday?" Harry said as he drew out the tiny troll gatekeeper that the transfiguration teacher had made for him. The little troll scratched itself and waved its club around comically.
Hermione thought about what would make a good password for a long time before coming up with something she liked. Harry set the password, libertas, after affixing the troll to the outside of the door, but left the door open so Ron could get in until someone could tell him how to get past the tiny troll.
"Who would ever have imagined that this would be so much work," Ginny huffed when Harry and Hermione had returned to their seats around the table in the center of the room.
"I wish I could apparate," Luna sighed in agreement, "Anything would be better than more paperwork."
"It can't be helped," Hermione said pensively, "Without proper organization we'd lose track of who is doing what, where, and when. I know you would both rather be in the field but until you can apparate running the bureaucracy is the most important thing you can do. Not to mention that we need the two of you to coordinate a defense plan for Hogwarts."
Hermione's obsession with order had generated so much paperwork that Ron had started jokingly calling it the bureaucracy and the description instantly stuck. Not only did the twins make detailed accounts of all their expenditures but now the wing commanders had to as well. Light Bearer members who had to spend money on equipment, lodging during investigations, or most anything else were entitled to reimbursement from Harry's vault. Most of the people who were fighting with them were not well off. They simply couldn't afford to risk their lives and cover the related expenses out of their own pockets.
"Hogwarts isn't in any danger so long as Harry's here," Ginny replied dismissively.
"Harry might be drawn away by something, like a diversion," Luna said. It was disconcerting to Harry to hear her come up with such keen observations yet always discuss them in her dreamy detached voice.
Ginny didn't reply, but Harry didn't think she looked all that convinced. He supposed that she had a point and if Harry weren't there Dumbledore almost definitely would be. Even though Voldemort couldn't be killed by the Headmaster the prophecy never said that he couldn't be injured. A debilitating injury in the center of an enemy stronghold would be the last thing Voldemort would want.
"Oi, what's this bloody thing?" Ron's voice shouted from the doorway. He was rubbing his head where the tiny troll had apparently just finished giving him a sound whack.
"That's the new door guard," Harry replied, using his wand to close the door behind the redhead, "Password is libertas."
"Like I don't have enough to remember," Ron grouched.
"Do you really want first years and Slytherins rummaging around in here?" Harry asked snidely.
Ron shot him a mock glare, "Let's get busy before it gets any later. I've got a target for you to raid that I think you're going to love."
Ron pulled out a map and a diagram of a large building. "Is that Malfoy Manner?" Harry asked.
"Yep, and we've had several confirmed Death Eater movements into and out of the premises," Ron confirmed. "Judging by the level of activity it's a major base these days."
"Then we won't just raid it," Hermione said grimly, "We'll wipe it out. We've got to start whittling away at the Death Eaters' support structure or they'll just outlast us in the long run. Look at all the refugees we've been forced to cram into fewer and fewer locations. Voldemort needs to start feeling that kind of pressure too."
Ron's eyes lit up at the prospect of sticking it to Draco, especially by wrecking his prized home. "Malfoy will be frothing with rage when we toast his house."
"Yeah, but what's he going to do? As long as he keeps pretending to be neutral he can't object to the destruction of a Death Eater stronghold even if it is his home." Harry said. Draco had returned to school like nothing had happened along with the other children of known Death Eaters. Whether they were spies or their parents just didn't want them in the way of the war, or both, Harry couldn't be sure.
"We've got to do this carefully and systematically," Hermione said with a businesslike tone as she pulled out her wand so she could mark on the diagram of the Malfoy mansion.
For the next hour they went over every detail of their planned attack with excruciating precision. Like Grimmauld Place, Hermione expected the Malfoy mansion to be full of dangerous dark wizarding items that would be very profitable yet risky to seize. She also hoped that some kind of paperwork or other records would exist to lead them to additional Death Eater bases. Beyond the expectations of an intelligence windfall there was also the consideration that the entire base could be one huge trap. Harry wasn't too worried about that though since he suspected that out bound portkeys would work. He didn't think that Malfoy would want to be unable to escape in an emergency.
A few hours later fifteen cloaked and hooded figures stood in a half circle as they waited for the remaining members to arrive for the raid on Malfoy mansion. Much to their displeasure a heavy rain had begun to fall and since they were not using magic in case of detection wards they were all completely soaked. Harry and Hermione stood in the middle of the half circle, the only people with their faces exposed, and feeling the sting of the downpour. They would have to walk nearly three kilometers from their starting point at the fringe of the anti-apparation ward network before reaching the Malfoy estate.
"I hope we don't meet heavy resistance," Harry said as he surveyed the sopping wet Light Bearers.
"We should be taking them totally by surprise and with any luck we'll outnumber them at least two to one, assuming that Ron's surveillance these last few days has gotten an accurate picture of the place," Hermione replied.
"All right, but I want you to promise me that you'll stick close to me, unless Voldemort or an avatar shows up I'm the safest to be around," Harry said.
"Harry, I can take care of myself, but thanks for trying to look after me," Hermione said warmly.
"I know you're very capable, but it only takes one lucky killing curse," Harry said.
Harry and Hermione continued to talk silently as they faced each other, standing only a few inches away, completely unaware of the stares that they were getting from the others who were watching them. At last the final members arrived, bringing their total strength to twenty. Harry had decided that even if they expected to be able to use their emergency portkeys to escape it would still be unwise to risk too many of their number. As a result no former Order members were involved and only a couple of their strongest members were along. If they ran into serious trouble beyond the run of the mill Death Eater it would all be up to Harry and Hermione to do the hard fighting.
Harry led off; Hermione at his side, trekking across the barren landscape that was scarred with rocky outcroppings that made for good concealment. By the time they approached the foreboding residence of the Malfoy family it was getting dark and the rain was still falling as heavily as ever. There were servant entrances at various locations around the house away from the main entrance. They split into four groups with Harry and Hermione each taking a separate group on opposite sides of the house. Their teams would go in first while the other two stayed back outside to hold their escape route open in case they needed to retreat and the portkeys wouldn't function.
"I'm in position Harry, are you ready?" Hermione asked over their link. The tactical advantages of instant telepathic communication were enormous.
"Yeah, on three," Harry said. They counted down together and then unleashed the devastating, unstoppable killing curse against the frail looking doors. Fragments of wood, still smoldering with green fire, lay scattered about as Harry led his group in. He knew Hermione was performing an identical action on the other side of the house.
Even with knowledge of the floor plans the mansion was a confusing place to be in for the first time. Large statues lined the massive hallways. Dozens of rooms, some of which led to no where, were scattered around with no logical pattern.
"Harry, I don't think they're up here, head for the dungeons," Hermione said urgently.
"They may already be gone, we had to have set off wards when we broke in," Harry replied.
Harry peeked around the corner and immediately discovered that he was at least partially wrong. Standing in the middle of the hallway leading to one of the dungeon's access points was a short little house elf.
"You is not welcome here," the elf bit out angrily. "Allow me to show you the way out."
Harry was well aware of what a house elf could do from seeing Dobby send Lucius Malfoy flying during his second year. As a result he was prepared for the creature's attack when the elf snapped its fingers. A blue sheen of magical energy dispersed harmlessly around Harry's body, but Harry's stunner knocked the elf out cold with his first shot.
"That won't stop an elf long," said one of Harry's teammates.
"Fan out," Harry snapped. His team had clustered together dangerously close. A single spell could wreck havoc in tight formation. "We're petrifying all prisoners and sending them to Middle Yard."
Harry quickly uncorked one of the petrifaction potion bottles and dumped its contents on the elf. Still working swiftly he next placed a tiny flat disk shaped portkey onto the prone form of the elf, which caused it to disappear to the prison fortress where other Light Bearer members would secure it. With any luck they'd net several more prisoners before they were done with Malfoy's mansion.
Hermione's group was already nearing the first dungeon level at this point since their progress had been uninhibited. Harry ordered his team to hurry but he made sure to keep their advance methodical to prevent being ambushed. He need not have worried though since they met no one during the tension filled creep toward the dungeons.
"Harry, I think there are some Death Eaters waiting up ahead," Hermione said once they had joined up. Most of the Light Bearers on this mission had seen combat before and were handling the dark foreboding stone passages quite well. Harry hoped his face didn't betray the anxiety that he felt on their behalf.
"Right, let's cloak ourselves and see if we can't take them by surprise," Harry said. Before he could cast the invisibility charm a green beam of light exploded over his head.
"We've been spotted," he shouted, sending a red stunner back down the hall. A heavy thud attested to the effectiveness of the spell.
"It's Potter," a panicked voice shouted. Harry flung himself down the hall recklessly in just enough time to see a half dozen Death Eaters activate portkeys to carry them and their stunned comrade away to safety.
"We lost them," Hermione said. "Hurry and finish searching in case there is anyone left."
"Keep your eyes out for anything we can use, especially documents, and be careful this place is probably full of traps," Harry added.
"Harry and I are going back down near the entrance that my team came in from. If you encounter something you can't handle or something you don't know what is then send us a message." Hermione instructed.
"What is it Hermione?" Harry asked as Hermione led him back up the hall. Harry took in the surroundings much better than he had during the trip down. With great irritation he viewed one display after another of gaudy, self-congratulatory, pureblood trophies. Some of the displays were literally trophies of victories in magical tournaments, but others were tokens of past conquests or accomplishments. The halls were uniformly pretentious, richly decorated, and as useless as the rest of the huge mansion was to a family of three.
"A strange looking door that wouldn't open," Hermione replied. Her voice dragging Harry back out of his self narrated tour. "If they don't want us to get in then I think we should."
"Did you try to use avada kedavra on it?" Harry asked.
"No, they might have some kind of safeguards on it if they're really serious about protecting the things inside," Hermione said. As a result of Hermione's intuition they approached the door cautiously and inspected it closely. It had an oddly reflective silver hue and was perfectly smooth.
"Any ideas?" Harry asked after the inspection drug on in the eerie silence. He watched Hermione intently, already having exhausted his limited knowledge, and noticed that she was chewing her lip worriedly, as she was apt to do when trying to solve a problem.
"Harry," Hermione scolded suddenly. "I'm trying to concentrate here."
Harry flushed and tried to suppress the intense feelings that had welled up in him unconsciously. Sharing their feelings was definitely good, but he had to admit that sometimes it could be distracting, even during times when they really didn't need to be distracted.
"Sorry," Harry replied sheepishly, "So have you found anything yet?"
"No," Hermione said glumly, "I don't think I can figure this out in time either. We can't afford to stay here much longer. Voldemort could counter attack."
"Killing curses then, we'll force our way in," Harry said. He took aim with his wand and waited a moment while Hermione stood up to aim her wand too.
"Avada Kedavra!" they yelled in unison. The two green beams of supreme destruction slammed into the door with surprisingly little effect. Fist sized gouges were dug out of the door's silvery surface, but due to the thickness the penetration wasn't even complete.
"Again, don't stop until we're through," Hermione instructed. They shouted the deadly words over and over again, reducing the metallic door to a bit of smoldering rubble. They gingerly stepped into the room only to discover that it was mostly bare. Papers lay scattered around the room along with various magical instruments and other common devices used in magical research.
"This is some kind of…lab?" Harry asked out loud.
"I'm not sure, it's been stripped, but that is what it looks like," Hermione said thoughtfully. She walked back over to the entrance of the room to pick up several chunks of the curious metallic door and then stuffed them into her hat.
Footsteps and heavy breathing interrupted their investigation. A middle aged witch and two younger wizards came running into the room, "We heard killing curses."
"The door was magically fortified," Harry said shortly. "This room was important but its been emptied."
"Voldemort was doing some kind of research here though," Hermione said grimly.
It was difficult to see, but Harry was sure that the witch paled at Hermione's words. She drew a large file out of her robes that looked vaguely muggle and was even marked with a muggle government designation of "Eyes Only."
"What is it," Hermione asked eagerly as she snatched it away.
"We've never seen anything like it before," the witch said.
"It's a potion," Hermione said quickly, then hastily backtracked, "No, wait, its, uh, I'm not sure what it is."
"Let me take a look," Harry said curiously.
"No, we don't have time," Hermione snapped. "This is my department anyway."
"Oh, uh, right, we need to get to the library," Harry said. He motioned for the three mages that had brought them the folder to follow them. The library had a scattering of books in it but it too had been stripped just like the rest of the house.
"They were pretty sloppy about this," Hermione said absently as she picked through the shelves. Most of the books that were left were not going to be of any help though. So far everything Hermione had seen was some kind of pureblood history book of questionable accuracy.
"Yeah, I doubt Malfoy would have left any of these behind, even if they're not particularly valuable. Voldemort must have had some of his grunt men take care of it." Harry surmised. A blue book with golden lettering caught Harry's attention. After making sure no one was watching he slipped it into his cloak.
Just to be on the safe side all the remaining books and documents were collected into boxes for portkey back to a dispensable holding area for further inspection. They would be relocated to a more important base if it was determined that there were no tracing charms or traps hidden in them.
"We're done here," Harry said finally. "Let's destroy this place and go."
Harry flicked his wand and sent out a stream of messenger charms to signal the evacuation. No one lost any time in getting out of the cavernous mansion and making a safe distance away.
"Harry, use fire this time," Hermione said, referring to his use of a lightening based attack when they destroyed White Acres. Thick streams of magical flame poured onto the big house ensuring that it would burn to its foundation regardless of how hard it continued to rain.
Hermione regarded Harry with a new light as she felt the amount of energy that he had put into his elemental spell. She had noticed him getting stronger ever since he used the modified black lightening spell at White Acres. It was like the growth of his natural level of potential magic had not even begun to slow down yet, let alone stop after his birthday as Dumbledore had indicated it would.
The anti-apparation wards faded along with the destruction of the structure and very soon several loud cracking sounds echoed out as the Light Bearers flickered away. Behind them a symbol of hundreds of years of pureblood pride continued to burn.
Nearly an hour later two very exhausted teens apparated to the fringe of the wards that protected the grounds at Hogwarts. The attack on Malfoy's estate was stressful enough, but it was made even worse because it was merely the latest in a very large number of fatiguing events that had happened within a relatively short period of time.
"Are you sure you're okay Hermione?" Harry asked during their trudge up towards the castle.
"I'm just tired Harry. I'll be okay after I get some rest, really, don't worry," Hermione replied reassuringly. The rain had finally stopped and with a few drying charms their cloaks were try. Harry enjoyed the feel of his dry clothes tossing about lightly in the wind much better than the heavy wet dripping feel of soaked robes.
The raid on Malfoy's home had, in the end, been almost useless. The captured house elf still sat petrified at Middle Yard. It was pointless to revive an elf for questioning; it would never betray its family. The mansion had been stripped of anything valuable ahead of time except for a single packet of documents that Hermione had taken to study. According to the witch that found them the Death Eaters that escaped probably dropped it on their way out.
"Harry, Hermione, I'm glad you have returned safely," Dumbledore said as they stepped through the main entrance. Harry knew something had to be up for the Headmaster to be waiting for them at the door. "The Minister of Magic is here to see you."
"Fudge is here?" Harry asked incredulously. "What could he possibly want to see me about?"
"More importantly, what could we possibly want to see him about," Hermione added.
"I would advise that you at least hear him out," Dumbledore said. "If the Ministry could be persuaded to aid us it would be immensely helpful."
"Fine, lets get it over with, we're tired," Harry said crossly. It wasn't enough that they did the majority of the fighting they had to do almost all of the politicking too.
Minister Fudge had set himself up royally in one of the Headmaster's guest chambers. Two house elves were catering to his whim whilst four surly looking aurors, or maybe hit wizards, were standing guard around the room.
Fudge broke out an obviously false attitude of joviality the instant they entered the room. He rushed over to shake Harry's hand. "Harry Potter, I'm so glad to meet you again."
"Er, thank you Minister," Harry said skeptically.
"I know its late and from what the Headmaster says you're an extremely busy person these days so I'll cut through the formalities Harry. I can call you Harry right?" Fudge said briskly. He didn't bother to wait for Harry's response before continuing.
"We've been watching you very closely since the White Acres incident Harry and the Wizengamot agrees that you've become an exceptionally talented wizard. However, I'm sure you can appreciate the need for secrecy from the muggles and destroying an entire village, even a small one, makes that difficult. Now strictly speaking vigilantism is illegal, and you've broken the statute of secrecy repeatedly, not to mention unauthorized use of the unforgivable curses."
"I assume there is a point hidden in this Minister, or was it merely your intention to list charges…" Hermione interrupted. Fudge scowled at her before turning back to Harry.
"We fully recognize the need for such things during this period of systemic criminal activity. We of course have no intention of pressing charges, we simply want you to know, Harry, that you've been making things very difficult for the official campaign against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's lawlessness. We want you to join the official effort so that your talents can be used in the most constructive way possible." Fudge finally concluded. Harry suppressed a snort at the politician's long winded, half threatening, laden with forced conciliatory undertones of a message.
"I don't think that would be possible Minister, it would undermine the current position of the Light Bearers too much, and most of our forces would be unsuitable to fight from within the ranks of aurors. Perhaps some sort of joint operations where the Ministry could lend teams of hit wizards and provide intelligence…" Harry said before being cut off by Fudge's renewed blustering.
"Now see here, that's quite impossible. Your little band can't possibly hope to be of any further use, it's full of civilians and…students," Fudge said, casting a meaningful glance at Hermione.
Harry sighed, "I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer then."
"Don't be a fool," Fudge said threateningly. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has a strange obsession with you already. You need the Ministry, you certainly don't want to find yourself on the outside of the law do you?"
"Cornelius, you know the prophecy, and ultimately that makes this Harry's battle. If you really want to defeat Voldemort then aid him," Dumbledore said softly.
Fudge bristled at Dumbledore's voice. "Oh yes, the bloody prophecy that only you heard, how convenient. I'm sure you'd love to see the Ministry subordinate itself under your protégé Headmaster but that isn't going to happen on my watch. In fact I find the prophecy just a little too convenient in retrospect, don't you?"
"There's nothing convenient about it," Harry said angrily.
"How can you say that after what you did last year Fudge," Hermione bit out.
"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has any number of bizarre experiments going on all the time. If he wanted to absorb Harry because of some fairy tale then why not take advantage of it." Fudge replied with a smirk.
"And just how long would it be before you decided I was expendable again?" Harry asked. "You've dared to come here, after trying to kill me, and then demand that I become your trusting lackey?"
Hermione, on the other hand, had heard something else. "What kind of experiments has Voldemort been doing? How do you know about them?"
"I can see we're not going to get anywhere tonight," Fudge said, ignoring them both. "I suggest you consider my offer while you still can."
Harry just stood and watched as the pompous Minister of Magic swept from the room with his guard in tow. After he had gone he felt the tension in the air lift and the fatigue he had been repressing seep back into his bones.
"Come on Harry, lets go get some rest," Hermione said. She grabbed his arm and together they walked back toward Gryffindor tower without another word.
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