Chapter Seven: Coming and Going
Beth took a deep breath. She was terrified of going out into the real world. Hermione had sheltered her daughter so carefully from the Death Eaters and the others who had made Wizards and Muggles alike afraid to leave their homes at times. She stepped out into the crisp, cool morning air, checked once again her note explaining her absence was in clear view on the front table, and shut the door behind her. Armed with her father's Firebolt and the legacy of her grandfather in his invisibility cloak and Marauder's Map, Beth mounted the broom and set off for Hogwarts.
The old school had been turned into Voldemort's official headquarters after Harry's "death." While the place would be crawling with Death Eaters, it was also the last place Harry had been seen alive. Beth hoped that her father would still remain there. After all, the Forest would be a great place to hide out, and why would Voldemort think to look so close to his headquarters.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," Beth recited as she took another look at the map. As she inspected the labeled dots that twisted and turned around the corridors and grounds of Hogwarts, a few familiar names jumped out at her. Draco Malfoy, who had risen to level within Voldemort's inner circle that even his father had not achieved. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were flanking him, just like always. Peter Pettigrew seemed to be nervous about something; he wouldn't stop pacing. As Beth put the map away, she noticed a bird soaring just ahead of her. The majestic creature swooped and swirled with the gentle wind. Beth smiled, recognizing it as a falcon, the same kind of falcon as one that nested near her home. She continued her flight on toward Hogwarts, and closer to the discovery of her father.
"Beth? Beth, where are you?" Hermione wandered around the house, trying to find her missing daughter. "Sibyll, have you seen Beth? I can't find her anywhere," Hermione asked as she passed by Trelawney's bedroom.
"No, I haven't seen her. And Dobby seems to be missing as well. I sent him out yesterday for a few things. Surely it doesn't take an entire night to find monkshood and mandrake root, does it?" Trelawney effectively added to Hermione's worries.
"Oh, where could that girl be? I swear, she seems to become more and more like Harry everyday," Hermione muttered under her breath.
"What was that dear?" Trelawney asked.
"Oh nothing," Hermione said a little louder. Just then, the front door opened very loudly.
"There she is. Where have you…" Hermione trailed off as she saw the figure that stood framed in the doorway.
"Hello Mother," the boy said, his voice almost humorous with the irony of the word.
Hermione stared at the teenager. Her mind fluttered back as she looked on the teenager that so resembled his father. "Sirius?" Hermione asked incredulously, then she practically jumped down the stairs to engulf her son in her arms.
"Oh Sirius, is it really you? Sibyll, come down here! Sirius is back!" Hermione yelled the last part so loud Sirius nearly clapped his hands over his ears, but was prevented by Hermione's bone crushing grasp. "How did you get away from Voldemort? Are you okay? How did you find us? Do you-" Hermione was stopped when Sirius finally spoke again.
"I found Dobby. He was the one who led me to you," Sirius made to gesture at the house-elf, but he had already slipped off to the kitchen. `Probably to punish himself some more,' Sirius thought, amused. Suddenly, Dobby ran back into the entryway at full speed, a piece of paper clutched in his hands. He gave it to Hermione, attempting to keep the contents from Sirius. After a moment, Sirius realized what the elf was trying to do.
"Do not trust the young master. He was raised by You-Know-Who. He was sent to bring you and the young mistress to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Leave now, while you still can," Hermione read aloud. "Dobby, this must be…" Hermione never finished her thought before her body roughly hit the ground from the stupefying curse.
"You, elf, carry the mudblood. And if you communicate with her or anyone else again, I will personally see that you are sent back to the Malfoy house. I heard he was your old master. How nice would that be? Like a trip down memory lane," Sirius yanked Dobby roughly by the back of his shirt.
"Sirius, don't do this," another voice called from the top of the stairs. Sirius whirled around to see Trelawney standing at the top of the stairs.
"STUPEFY!" Sirius yelled again, and Trelawney dropped where she stood.
"We will take these two back to my master. The girl will come to us. I can feel it." Sirius cast another spell to make Trelawney float down the stairs and follow him out the door. As the door slammed behind him, a small white envelope floated to the floor, bearing the simple word "mum" on the outside. Outside, a portkey awaited to take them back to Sirius's home, Hogwarts.
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