Chapter Two: Beginning to Understand
Life's a voyage that is homeward bound. Herman Melville (1819-1891)
Dinner was a solemn affair. Told they would discuss what needed to be discussed after they ate, Death sat with another group of people as they ate, every eye but two on him. Luna seemed content just knowing that he was there, so she left him alone. Lupin was off convincing his wife of some things in regards to his appearance. It was a part of the deal that they had made, that she be partly filled in once he had arrived. He was glad as he planned on speaking with them shortly after dinner or the next day, whichever came first.
He could not help but grimace as he watched the interactions around him. While Hermione and the Weasleys all acted in control outside, here they were anything but in control. In military fashion, there was a hierarchy that seemed to be forcing their own directives onto everyone else. He did not like that, he did not like it one bit.
"What is your rank soldier?" An officer said as he took a bite of bread.
"Nunya," Death muttered before dunking the bread back into the gravy. While not up to Hogwarts' fine standards he remembered, it was better than what he had lived off. The meat had been a little rough, and undercooked, unlike anything he had tasted before.
"I believe the officer gave you an order," another one said. Death stood and looked at them for a moment.
"And I believe that because I was neither hired by you, nor do I work for you, that I have to answer to you," Death said.
"And yet you are eating our food," the man said. Death looked at the man, quickly assessing strengths and faults to take advantage of. He may be strong, but balance was against him.
"I was told that it would alright," Death said, leaning against the table. He could sense others rising and turning to face him. Well, the more the merrier.
"It would have been, had you been hired by me or answer to me," the officer said.
"Oh, is that the problem Al?" Death asked, looking at the two of them. "I mean if that it, I can fix it easily." Concentrating for a moment, it was another before he had retched his dinner onto the officer's uniform. "There you got it back." In a swift movement, the wands were pointed again at him and he had taken a step closer to the officer. "Tell them to drop them, Al." He pushed his revolver further into the man's chin.
"Do as he says," Al said. Death gave him a grim smile before
"Good, now I'll refrain from eating your food, and you leave me the hell alone while I get my job done," Death said. He wiped his mouth with his hand before cleaning in upon the officer's shoulder. He turned his back to them, and walked out of the hall, knowing that he could have hurt them so badly.
"Where are you going?" Remus asked as Death walked past them.
"Out, care to join me?" He said, turning around without stopping. Both Remus and his wife hurried to catch up with him. "I'm got some food in my saddle bag, while it may not be great, at least I'm allowed to eat it." There was a combined look of outrage and shock on their faces.
"But they said they're willing to offer food to anyone," Remus's wife said. Death scoffed at the notion. People in this day and age were rarely willing to help without something in return.
"Yeah, well, I ain't just anybody Tonks," Death said, turning back around to them "I'm the asshole that just retched on that damn officer's uniform before deciding that it was an awfully good idea to threaten him at gun point."
"Really you must control you temper," Dumbledore said, floating over to meet Death. "I've checked all of the wards, and they are holding though still preventing me from entering."
"Understandable, we'll start work on that tomorrow," Death said before whistling off in one direction. Both Tonks and Remus stood in one direction, in awe of the man before them.
"Professor….is it…..is it really you?" Tonks managed to get out as Dumbledore's eyes twinkled slightly.
"Yes, I am afraid that for a little bit longer, you must handle an old man's rambles," he said with laughter in his voice.
"Where is that damn horse?" Death asked, whistling again. "She's normally here by now. Professor explain what you want, I'm going off to find my horse."
"Death, I believe that it is best if you stay here for a bit more." Death looked at the man for a moment before nodded, understanding that he was to learn something important at this point. While he had the experience, wisdom was still something he was gaining. "Now, it seems that you have allowed the army to taken up residence within the school. Care to explain why?"
"Sir, the school needed protection after the ministry fell," Lupin said. "They are mainly farmers and other wizards who have gone through training. They are protecting the school."
"Is that what you call it?" Death snorted. "Seriously, half of those men could be dead without me breathing hard. Where is that horse?" He turned his back on them, whistling harder.
"But H-" Tonks started
"Death, my name is Death," he turned back and gave them a sad smile. "And it will be until we can sort a few things out."
"I'd much rather call you Fawkes," Dumbledore said with a smirk.
"Not until we sort this out," Death turned and gave everyone a pointed look. "Til then I'm Death, end of story."
"Fine, Death, why do you think that you could take them all down?" Tonks asked.
"I could have taken the rest of you out before you know what hit you earlier tonight," Death said with a shrug. "I know how to defend myself, that's about it I guess. Few can stop me once I get going." He paused and began looked down at his feet. "How is she?"
"Ginny? I guess she's-" Lupin started, but Tonks stopped him.
"Hermione's had it rough, Death, she's doing the best she can, but today was the first time in a long time I saw her assert herself," Tonks said. "She's taken Harry's absence very hard, harder than I think the rest of us combined." It was her turn to give Death a pointed look, despite his back being turned to her.
"Understandable," Death muttered. He looked up and whistled once more. "Where the hell is my horse?"
"Horse, you looking for a horse?" They all turned to see Al the officer and some of the other soldiers. They all were chuckling at a private joke. Dumbledore faded from view, but Death knew he was still there. "We brought her inside for you."
"She was fine outside," Death said. There was a moment of silence as it dawned on him what had happened. He turned and glared at them. "You bastards." He drew his revolver and marched forward, pointing it at Al. "You bastards. I should kill you right now."
"Do that and every one of out here will die," Al said, a smug look on his face.
"That hardly solves any problems considering I am already dead," Dumbledore said, his blue-form visible once more.
"Albus….." Al's voice trailed off.
"I'm used to younger men addressing me as Headmaster, Professor, or even the polite Sir," Dumbledore said, floating over to Death's side. "Now, what seems to be the problem here?"
"Problem, well the problem was with dinner, Albus," Death said. "The problem is what they served. The problem is I lost a very good friend tonight, Albus."
The pale face of Dumbledore grew paler as the wind around them began to pick up. He turned toward the officers, who for the second time that evening had moved away from Death. "Explain."
"We saw the horse running about the grounds," Al said, shrunken away from them. "We figured it was a stray and checked to make sure it wasn't magical. It wasn't so we killed it, and used it for meat."
"What did you do with the saddle?" Dumbledore asked, preventing Death from speaking. Both knew only trouble would come if he did. Death's ears picked up footsteps of a young woman and the scent on the air told him whom the steps belonged to. He did not acknowledge her, nor ignore, she did not exist to him at that moment. All the more reason for him to carry out his method.
"We saved it," Al said. "Sir, we've got to eat." There was pleading note in his voice as Al spoke, but he would have none of that. There were always more options. Death unto others without reasonable cause, in his mind, was inexcusable.
"Then start growing some damn vegetables," Death said. "I look out here and can see this beautiful land before us, ripe for growing, and you kill a defenseless creature. Not even raised for livestock." His voice was raising in volume with each phrase and the other began to back away. "She was all the family I had left, and you killed her." He raised his revolver at the man. No one moved to help him. "For that I should kill you."
"You do, and you're fired," Hermione said, stepping forward from the hall. "We hired you to protect search for something, not kill our protectors."
"Protectors, lass, that what you call them?" Death asked, his revolver still raised. "Well, miss, I believe that there is much for you to learn about protection, and taking advantage of." He pointed the revolver at the ground, and a collective sigh was released. "You also must remember, I am the only one who has arrived alive to reply to that ad." He pulled the trigger of the revolver, a single round piercing the boot of Al, the officer.
Al quickly picked up his foot and hopped around, screaming in pain. Death pushed him over and walked over to Hermione, as Dumbledore held back both Remus and Tonks. "I refused your money up front, because I knew others had take it and run. You want proof of my abilities, get me my saddle bag, then we will speak. For now, I will live out there." Death pointed toward Hagrid's hut. He knew it had been abandoned for quite some time, as the gentle half-giant had taken to living in the castle. "I suggest if you wish to speak to me again, ask them to come with you. Else we have very little to say to each other, miss. You barely understand the war before us." A crack of thunder could have been mistaken for the slap that Hermione used against him.
"Don't you dare presume what I understand," Hermione said. Death could see the tears in her eyes as she looked up at him, and knew the pain she had held. He nodded.
"I apologize then," he said. "But I still believe that there are things you do not yet realize." He ran a hand through his black, yet short hair, turning from the confused woman.
"If there is nothing more you wish to discuss," Dumbledore asked. Death shook his head and Dumbledore faded from view once more.
"He's off to do some more scans and sweeps," Death said with a shrug. "I'll need that saddle bags returned to me. Have Remus here send them out to me." He waved his hand at the soldiers who seemed to have slightly recovered. They nodded as Al limped away. They managed to heal him, yet it did not surprise him that he still had a limp. Minimal talents in the healing arts. Maybe there was permanent place for him here yet.
He walked away to the hut, looking inside. It would do for the day before he fixed it up. Looking back at the shadows cast by the moon, he shook his head in wonder. It was in the simple things, he had come to realize as he watched the trio of people watching him depart. It was in the simple things that beauty was truly found. He entered the hut, knowing that he would survive the night, and his saddlebags returned.
I0I
"Why am I not surprised you are up this early?" Dumbledore asked as Death entered his hut. He had been out foraging for food and the like early in the morning. Much of what he had found was edible, possible better than the slop they prepared in the Great Hall for the large group. He'd start with his own plot soon enough to get some things growing. Hagrid might like that. It'd be a fight to keep the land from him.
"I've found that there is little reason to sleep at the moment, Albus," Death said as he moved the teakettle off the fire he had made and his pot in its stead. In the pot he poured some of the tea before adding some of the more edible plants and nuts he had found. Sitting back on a makeshift stool, he gave Dumbledore a small smile.
The hut around them had survived fairly well. There was minimal work that he had to do to fix it up, and found that he was planning on additions as well. The bed would need the most work, and his gunblade rested upon the table, in reacting distance in case of any thing.
"It has been a long time since I've ever heard a student call me by my given name," Dumbledore said with a wider smile than before. "I must say, while the respect is still there, I am glad we've had gained such a level of trust."
"So am I, professor," Death said. "I've never really got a chance to thank you for returning like this, Albus. You don't know what it means to me, or to them."
"I have no doubt it will mean the same when their Chosen One returns as well." Both men share a twinkle as Death pours himself a glass of tea into an older jar he found. "What does surprise me is the comfort you can find living so simply."
"I find that there are some things that would make life more comfortable," Death said. "I apologize that I can not offer you tea."
"Couldn't find another glass?" Dumbledore asked. Both men laughed at this. The laughter died out though, as the sadness of between them returned.
"I'm sorry," Death said, looking at the dirty bottom of his glass.
"For what, allowing me to say goodbye this time?" Dumbledore asked. "It takes a strong soul to hold someone here, Death. And an even stronger one to say goodbye. I suspect that when the time comes, you shall do what is necessary." Death nodded, though his grim features did not leave him. A scratching sound could be heard from outside the door, Death stood, his revolver in hand just in case.
Before him was a young dog. He could not call the black haired mutt a puppy, as he seemed too big. He was lifting his right front paw, as if it was he was in pain. He was wounded though, the blood dripping from his paw made that evident enough.
"Well, don't think I need this," Death sheathed the revolver into its holster. He knelt beside the dog, petting his head gently. "I think we can fix something up for you."
"When you lose one friend, Death, another comes," Dumbledore said to him. The sadness of the words only made the pain even harder for him. He had not made too many friends over the years. Death nodded, lifting the dog up and out of the doorway. He placed the dog onto his bed, letting it get comfortable before removing several bandages from his jacket. Wrapping the bandage around the dog's leg, Death sat back to watch him get comfortable.
"Remind you of anyone?" Death asked, smiling lightly at the dog that now rested his head upon his front paws.
"Aye, and I agree, it would be a fine choice in name," Dumbledore said, leaning back slightly.
"Lets not be obvious about it though, I mean they'd pick up on it too fast, where would the fun be then?" Death said as he began to pet his dog again. "I think Grim will suit you nicely." There was short bark of approval before Grim seemed to completely relax into his sleep, stretching out onto all of the makeshift bed.
"Why do you insist upon hiding from them?" Dumbledore asked. "You are more than capable of explaining yourself to them all. Even if they truly do not deserve your explanation, from what I understand of that note."
"I hide, because I know they will judge me, and I don't want them to do that," Death said. Emerald eyes met blue as the two men stared at each other. The moment of silence barely lapsed. "You really don't know what it was like to feel them die, hundreds of miles away. I felt this tearing sensation burning inside of me and then nothing. I lost them, Albus, I lost them all." Tears filled both eyes as Death placed his head in his hands, holding back his tears. It was not the first nor would it be the last time that Dumbledore wished he were corporal enough to hold the man before him, who had sacrificed everything he had created to finish the quest for a world that hated him.
Another knock on the door, and the shields returned. Death had snapped upward, grabbing his gunblade in the process. Grim only rolled over, to which Dumbledore chuckled.
"Some attack dog," Death muttered, smiling lightly at Grim. "Who is it?" He said louder.
"Its Remus and Tonks," a voice said. Death glared at the door.
"Prove it, or I will kill you both." No one thought it was a joke at the frosty tone of his voice.
"You're the goddamn bastard that thought it would be funny to slip in that color changing potion with his Wolfsbane," Tonks said. Death began to laugh, and Dumbledore smiled. It was not a full one, but it was the best he had heard since he returned. Well after the incident Death spoke of.
"Yeah, I remember, pink wasn't it?" Death said, sitting back down as Remus and Tonks entered.
"Yeah, my hair stayed that way for a week," Remus mumbled, but there was smile on his face. They both knew it was a good prank.
"Please have a sit," Death said. There appeared to be only one seat in the room, and Tonks the ever-forceful person she was had Remus sit first before she sat on his lap. Death had leaned up against the wall, his feet on the table with his gunblade close by. Dumbledore was floating with a content smile on his face and twinkle in his eyes. "I take it your brought my saddle bag?"
"Yes we did," Tonks said, tossing it at him. He caught it and gave a smile to her glare. "Why must you question who we are? You know who we are."
"There are more than one way to trick the senses," Death said to her. "As an ex-Auror, you should know this. Give me a day or two, by then I'll know who you are in a room of crowded people, with your form different Tonks. To you it may have been only five years, but I've been gone decades, close to a century." He gave them a sad smile, knowing they'd want an explanation. "Let me adjust back to this place."
"Fine, but you still need to tell us everything," Tonks said, leaning against Remus.
"Love, we didn't tell him everything," Remus said to which Death nodded.
"As it should be," Dumbledore commented. "Secrets remain secrets until they are needed."
"Some hold heavier burdens than others though, Albus," Death said. "Ah, forgive me. Where are my manners?" He stood from his seat and moved over to the pot now boiling. Adding a few more ingredients he removed the pot from the fire, and over to the table. "Care to join me for breakfast? Some tea perhaps if not anything else?"
"Sure, I missed breakfast," Tonks said, blushing slightly. "After what you said last night, none of it sat well with me."
"That's quick alright," Death chuckled. "I can't promise this will taste better, but it sure will make you feel better." He proceeded to pass out bowls and jars to be used.
I0I
Hermione began rehearsing her apology since she had exited the school. It was upon hearing a deep chuckle that she forgot everything she had thought she wanted to say. While not relaxed, the laugh seemed to revive a sense of happiness within her. How she wanted to hear it again, know that it would be okay. That the laugh made everything seem all right, even if it wasn't.
Taking another deep breath, Hermione stopped in front of the door. She had lost everything in her train of thought, from her apology to how familiar the man was, everything. "Miss Granger, if you would be so kind and come in, I'd be delighted to have you for breakfast." Her jaw dropped as the door swung open and her ex-Headmaster held it for her.
"Forgive me if I don't get up," Death said. She looked at him to see the head of a black dog in his lap. He was scratching the dog's head that had managed to form a content smile. "His name is Grim."
"I didn't know you had a dog," Hermione managed as she entered. She stood next to Remus and Tonks, noticing them, but transfixed on the man before her.
He had to be more than six feet tall, that much she had realized from the night before. His hair was black with whitening hair at his temples. What startled her the most though, were the green eyes that pierced her. She had only seen one other with eyes like that, only one other that could stop her in her tracks.
"Just got him today," Death said. "Please have a seat." Looking around, she found an empty one next to Remus. She sat down, still stunned by the group before her. "Would you care for some breakfast? For what I hear it's pretty good."
"Pretty good? Try wonderful." Tonks said, finishing off her bowl. "I don't think we've eaten that while in a year."
"Time makes that heart grow fonder," Death said. "Besides, good food is good for the soul." He placed a bowl in front of her, along with a spoon. "Would you like some tea?"
"Yes please," Hermione said, her hands in her lap. He placed the cup of tea in front of her as she stared at the bowl, surprised that he was hospitable to her. She stared at the bowl for a few moments before gathering her courage again. "I wanted to apologies to you, for slapping you yesterday."
"Miss, I must say-" Death started.
"Please, I had no right to do that to you, and you were here to help us," Hermione said. Looking at her lap she continued, her voice much softer. "We hired you, and I knew that you did things in a less than conventional way. It should have respected what you are offering, and not force my opinions onto you. I'm sorry if I did.' There was a moment of silence, after this. Hermione looked up to see everyone looking at Death, who seemed stunned by her remarks. "I'm sorry if I offended you again." She stood to leave. She was about to move toward the door when he spoke.
"No, its me who should be apologizing," Death said, standing up. He moved around to the door, stopping her from going anywhere. "I'm just going to tell you that I'm not accepting the apology." She looked up at him, shocked. He led her back to her chair, leaving her staring at him. "I'm not accepting you apology because I do not feel that your actions warrant one from you."
"Why not? I slapped you, I was rude, and I insulted you," Hermione said. "I'm surprised you're even talking to me."
"Hermione, I am a man of many things," Death said with a chuckle. "Grudges are not one of them. Though you were serious, if I took everything said against me seriously, I would be insane, as well as angry all the time." He sat back down. "I used to live in England, before I jumped the pond and headed to the States." He had changed the subject, much to her relief. "Eat, you look like skin and bones." He said. His smile disarmed her, and she nodded. She felt hungry, but gave most of her food to the younger children. They barely had enough, and she couldn't tolerate how they were treated. But what could she do?
"Why did you leave? England I mean," Hermione asked. She blushed under his gaze and slowly began to eat. He must have paused as she did because she heard nothing from him as she felt her body reacting to the melody of tastes. She finished it quickly, surprised at how hungry she was.
"Hey, Mikey, I think she likes it," Death commented, causing Dumbledore to chuckle. Both Tonks and Remus had confused looks on their faces as Hermione stopped eating, a telltale blush on her face.
"Thank you, it was very good," she said.
"Then have some more," Death said, switching her bowl with his. "Please eat up." He chuckled again as she took the bowl. She felt her face heat up again as she ate a little slower. "I left England because it was would cause less problems if I did. I had messed up big time and lets just say, time marches on. Without me as the case was."
"Your response intrigued us," Remus said. "You told us you'd come, and identify yourself by a scar along your right arm and with a ghost from the past. Well you certainly did."
"Honestly, I'm surprised you took my word on those two alone," Death said as Grim placed his head back into his lap. Hermione smiled lightly at the doors content look. She felt a pain for Crookshanks, who had disappeared on her less than a year again. She watched as he rubbed his right arm, where the scar was.
"I could heal that for you," she said.
"Thank you, but it's a reminder of my mistakes." Death said. "I…..I threw away the best type of friendship and love in the world, because of my pride. That is the result of the despair that followed."
"You tried to kill yourself?" Hermione asked. Death looked at her, oddly, and she thought he was about to yell at her. So many people had done that to her in the past year, a lot of the men. She reasoned that was the reason she didn't speak out as much. The fear.
"Miss Granger, if you apologize, I will not accept it," Death said. He moved his dog's head back onto the bed. He walked over to her, placing a hand upon her shoulder. "You just happened to beat out Tonks and Remus, that's all. But yes I did." He went back and took his chair, placing it next to her. Hermione felt her face heat up once more as he sat down. "Mister Potter would be quite disappointed in you." He had changed the topic away from himself again, not that she minded.
"What?" Her face turned pale at the mention of Harry. She had tried her hardest to forget him, to hate him like the rest but she couldn't. Her hatred, when it came around, was deeper than the rest, but so was her loyalty.
"I had the pleasure of talk to him on my travels," Death said.
"But why didn't you bring him with you?" Tonks asked. Hermione looked at the woman before looking at Death, thankful someone else asked the question.
Death gave them a sad smile. "There are questions that need to be answered today, I deeply apologize, but that is not one of them."
"He has a point," Dumbledore said with a sad smile as well. "There are some other things that we must take care of first, before anything else is attended to. I for one, what to know how far you all have proceeded."
"With what, sir?" Remus asked.
"With the Horocruxes." Dumbledore said plainly. "Five years is a long time to have let this go on, and I understand that you were working on some leads before Harry left."
"Well, sir we only found out about it after Harry left, from Hermione, and Harry had said he would return to assist us," Remus said.
"We've waited for his return," Tonks said. Hermione nodded, and avoided Death's gaze as he looked at her.
"Understandable, you do know what he was off doing, right?" Death asked. His voice had turned very formal, and almost rehearsed as he spoke. Hermione noticed the changed, but said nothing as the other did not.
"He said he needed to believe in magic again," Hermione said. "He was going to go off for some training as well, I think."
"Understandable as well," Death said. "The man just lost his mentor, and his faith in the world around him, why do you resent him for leaving."
"Because he hasn't responded to any of the methods that I've- I mean, we've tried to contact him with," Hermione said. She blushed slightly under the gaze of death as she drank some of the tea, which like the meal was the best she had in a long time.
"Would it be reasonable to say that Mister Potter would have responded, if he got these contacts?" Death asked.
"Yes, but five years," Tonks asked.
"Nymphadora, please tell me that you have a reason why you remain in this world of darkness?" Death asked. She blanched at the use of her given name, yet looked ashamed, as she remained silence. "There is a book, by a man that goes by the name Tim O'Brian. One of my favorite lines from any form of literature or spoken word is this. `I was a coward. I went to war.'
"To stand up for your beliefs, whenever one else pushes against you, is one of the hardest things I have ever felt," Death said. "I failed once, and now I carry that mark." He rubbed his right arm unconsciously. "There is a red badge of courage, that everyone who goes through war earns." He looked at them, and Hermione could see the depths of sadness in his green eyes. "It pains me to even say this, but you've all yet to earn yours."
Hermione's eyes snapped back at him, as she stood up, anger welling inside of her. "How dare you tell us what we've earned and haven't? Haven't we too seen the death and destruction that war causes, that war brought to our door? We fought on these grounds to defend the children inside Hogwarts. We've fought hard and long, and you come in here on your high horse, and tell us we haven't seen war?" Death looked at her for a moment but wisely said nothing. She felt the energy exploding within her, needing to come out. Vaguely she heard a popping sound as she continued. "Where were you when Voldemort attacked the castle?" He flinched at this, finally some kind of reaction of out him. "You didn't have to bury those other students, those children. You didn't have to hold the young ones close at night." She broke down, the memories of what she had. Death made a move to comfort her, but stopped. Part of her wanted him to hold her, the part of her that saw Harry in him. But she didn't want him to touch her.
"Maybe I was wrong," Death said. He looked toward Dumbledore before continuing. "But I look out there, and I see people hiding. Hiding from something that they could have done something about. While other people are doing their jobs for them." He stood up and grabbed the saddlebag. Hermione looked up to see him toss a misshapen goblet onto the table. "How many are left?"
"You destroyed one?" Remus asked, pushing Tonks off his lap. He made a move over to the table to examine it. "Have you checked it?"
"For what?" Death asked, a twinkle in his eye. Remus seemed to miss it, but Hermione caught it as Remus cast the spell. There was a moment of silence as they waited for Remus to finish. She looked at Death, who had a Cheshire cat smile
"Its gone," He sank back on his heels, leaning against the wall. "Where did you find it?"
"Some shop in the Alley," Death said with a wave of his hand. "It wasn't what I was looking for, but then again, I was never one to pass up opportunity."
"You destroyed a Horocrux," Remus said. "How long ago?"
"Less than a month, when I first found your ad," Death said. "I found the ad in the same store, as I found that. Hurt like hell, trying to break it." He chuckled at it.
"Why did you want to break it, if you didn't know what it was?" Tonks asked.
"Oh, there was a jewel in there." Death said. He reached into the saddlebag, fishing for what Hermione assumed was the jewel. "Ah, here it is. I didn't know what it was used for, so I thought it would be best that I brought it with." He placed the light blue jewel on the table. Hermione gasped at the size of it.
The jewel was nearly the size of her fist, and she could hardly imagine it upon the twisted wreck before her. Light reflected off of the sapphire before in a way to illuminate the table in a light blue. She reached out, as if it called to her, but stopped as Death held her hand.
"I wouldn't suggest touching it." Death held her hand carefully. "There's something not right about the gem there. I don't know what it was, but I can tell you, that whatever it is, isn't right."
"Then maybe this is the Horocrux," Remus said. He quickly cast the spell again, as confusion marred his face. "No, its not, but it feels evil."
"That's why I saved it," he said. "I don't know why, but to me, it feels like it could reach out, and take every warm emotion you've ever held away from you."
"Like a Dementor's essence crystallized," Hermione said. "How could he have done this?"
"Riddle?" Death asked, scratching his head. Hermione shot him another look. "Hey, he explained it to me." Death pointed at Dumbledore who smiled at them.
"I did find it was easier for him to understand what was occurring, so that we may get some work done," Dumbledore said. "Death sought me out, and I have parted some of my knowledge up him. We both talked about it, and neither of us have any conclusive thoughts in regards to the essence." There was a momentary silence. Hermione felt the jewel calling her again, but she did not reach again. She was preoccupied with the question of why Death was still holding her hand.
"Now, how many are left?" he asked, taking the jewel back. He placed it inside his saddlebag again before tossing next to his gunblade. Hermione let out a sigh as Death released her hand, once the jewel was away.
"There are three left. The locket from Sirius's brother, Nagini, something of Gryffindor's or Ravenclaw's," Remus said. "Working together we figured that Regulus stole the locket from the cavern in the first place."
"Have you begun to look for it?" Death asked.
"No, our resources are limited in such a way that we can't let anyone leave, less they're with the army," Tonks said. "We managed to move them in about a year ago, right after the confrontation here with Voldemort. We barely managed to hold him off."
Death nodded, letting everything sink it. Hermione watched for a moment, wanting to ask more questions of the enigma before her. Yet she couldn't, the fear of him yelling was too much.
"Death, who are you?" Hermione asked in a small voice. In the silence of the room, though she might have as well yelled it. Instead of yelling at her, like she thought he would, he took her hand and kissed it lightly.
"I am a man, younger than my hair shows, trying to repent for his mistakes," he said. "Don't ever be afraid of me. I will not harm you." She nodded and relaxed. The pounding on the door, however, knocked everyone out of the quiet moment.
"Open this door right now," the female voice said.
"Blessed, can't she learn to quit?" Death said, standing up from his seat. He threw the door open, and glared out at the people there. "WHAT?!"
The crowd of people outside flinched, and Hermione watched as the man before them seemed to grow. If not in size, but in pride and anger, like his peace had been interrupted. Grim had gotten off the bed and limped over to Death's side, growling at the people. She could only imagine what everyone was looking at.
"We wanted to know what you were doing here," Ginny said. Hermione spotted Ron standing off to the side, shaking his head. She could not help but smile at the gesture.
Ron had grown over the five years. They had grown closer, but nowhere near as close as she and Harry were. She wouldn't let anyone that near. No, but they still were best friends. He had upgraded to the emotional capacity of the teacup, so there was hope for him. No, he was still dense at times, and wanted to still go out with her. But she couldn't. Not until some of the other things were sorted out.
"Well, if you must know I'm currently plotting to kill every single person that interrupted me, starting about a minute ago," Death said, looking at a watch on his left arm. Hermione and Tonks could not hold back their giggles as Dumbledore and Lupin smirked. The frightened looks on their faces was priceless.
"I'm serious," Ginny said, stomping her foot on the ground.
"Really, cause I thought your name was Ginerva," Death said. The people inside the hut burst into laughter, including Ron and the twins. Everyone else glared at him as he stepped out of the hut, with Grim by his side. "Now, really, what can I help you with?"
"Why yer in my hut? "Hagrid asked. That was not the question most of the people had on their minds, obvious from the glares he received from Ginny and Mrs. Weasley.
"I meant to ask you about that," Death said. He pushed his way through the throng of Weasleys to the half-giant. "Now, I'm going to be staying here for a while, is it alright if I use it until I can build a place of my own?" Hermione stood up and moved toward the doorway to watch them better. Everyone else had gotten up and left the hut, sans Dumbledore, who seemed to disappear someone where. She felt safer inside the hut, but she wasn't going to admit it to anyone.
"Yeah, sure, I live in the castle now, easier to protect the youngins," he said.
"Well, I plan on helping with that too, but I think I might be able to rebuild the pen out here," Death said, pointing toward the broken fence. "Gets some cows out here to get those kids some fresh milk."
"I think that'd be a wonderful idea," Hagrid said with a large smile.
"Why are you doing all this?" Mrs. Weasley asked. There were tears in her eyes; Hermione could tell they were from fear as well.
"Doing what?" Death turned back from the pen. "You mean taking a stand, even if it's against you folk? Forcing you to see things beyond these school walls, by coming out here to intimidate me? I won't back down. I will stand my ground. Will any of you? When was the last time any of you left those walls? I can tell you right now, the only person was Lupin, and that was two weeks ago to meet with me. Before that no one for six months."
"How do you know that?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Him," Death pointed at Dumbledore. Hermione never noticed his return, but she could not help but jump slightly at the presence of the ex-Headmaster. "I've had him checking up on this place so I know what I'm getting into."
"You've been back for six months, and you haven't told anyone," Mrs. Weasley turned on him. She appeared to be going into rant mode, which Dumbledore seemed familiar with.
"Why I've been dead for five years, everyone knows that. I'd hardly call how I am right now back, bound maybe, but not back," Dumbledore said to them. "Now, I do believe that there are more important things for you to be doing right now, instead of bothering Death and I. I'm going to have to ask you all to leave."
"May I stay?" Hermione turned in surprise. Partly is was because she had wanted to voice those words, but had not the courage, but she turned mainly because she was surprised to see Luna speak those words. Death looked at her for a moment before nodding. "Thank you." She ran up to hug him. Hermione could only watch it for a moment before turning away. She felt something break inside of her, a part that she thought she had lost to a man so many years ago.
"Thank you brother." Luna said to him. Hermione turned back to look as she walked away as the young blonde nodded as she held onto the larger man. The little that had broken inside seemed to fix itself as she received a smile from the man called Death. Yet he did not bring any such thing to her, just hope.
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