Chapter 7
"Damn. Dumbledore's been having a bad week, hasn't he?" The glee in Sirius' voice wasn't feigned. He squealed with delight as he rustled from the front page of the paper to page four. "Why is the story always continued on page four?" he wondered aloud. With loud sloppy bites, Sirius ate his way through an apple as he finished reading the latest rant about the Headmaster's poor judgement in hiring and supporting a convicted murderer and child abuser. Throwing his apple core at his sleeping godson, Sirius called, "Midnight! Wake up you slob!"
The now half awake Boy-Who-Lived rolled over before blearily asking, "Whozzat?"
The night before had been the first full moon since Harry and Hermione had made their successful transformation as animagi. The new Potions professor, Horace Slughorn, had made an acceptable Wolfsbane for Remus, but the Family was all looking forward to a good Full Moon Run. The weeks had been tense and all were looking forward to the inevitable rambunctious play while transformed. Well, all looked forward to it except Minerva. The middle aged Transfiguration professor had protested that she was too small as a tabby cat and too old to run, so Sirius reminded her, "Don't cats climb trees?"
Her glare had been vintage Professor McGonagall. "Sirius Black, if you think for one moment that I'm going to spend a late November night sitting in a tree just to please you, then Azkaban has rattled loose more than one bolt in your head!"
So it was that Harry, Hermione, Sirius and Remus had tromped out to the Whomping Willow, slipped through the passage to the Shack to await the moonrise.
Some quick Transfiguration, Cleaning charms and Warming charms left what was suggested to be a Parlour in a fairly comfortable condition. The waxy and drained Remus sank onto a sofa, closed his eyes and waited for his cursed change.
Harry and Hermione traded a look of concern before turning to the expert. Sirius waved away their anxiety. "He's always like this just before turning. Leave him be." Settling on a wingback chair, Sirius eyed his godson and goddaughter-in-law with an amused eye. "It's a tradition amongst the Marauders for us to have nicknames based on our animagus forms. Now that you two have completed the change and we're coming up on our first full moon together. Moony and I've decided to tell you what we decided upon for your names."
"We don't get to name ourselves?" Hermione asked with a sardonic tone.
"Did you give yourself your birth name?"
"Not likely," she muttered in response.
"Right. You, sir," he pointed at Harry, "Are now to be known throughout Marauder-dom as Midnight."
Waving his arm in what was supposed to be a grand gesture but came off looking like he was falling over, Sirius turned to Hermione. "You, good lady, are to be known throughout Marauder-dom as Longtooth."
With a half smile obliquely showing on his face, Harry turned to Hermione. "I like it," she told him. Turning to Sirius she told Padfoot, "Missus Longtooth approves and agrees with her name."
"As does Mister Midnight."
"Excellent," Padfoot replied.
"Excellent," Moony groaned. "By the way, it's time for you all to transform. It's time."
.oOo.
Hermione curled up next to Harry in bed. She'd been up late with Minerva helping with the funeral arrangements for Arthur and Molly. Bill and Charlie had turned to their old Head of House for guidance and help in their time of need. Hermione had volunteered to help coordinate the events for Minerva.
In the Future that Was, they'd missed the immediate destruction of all their friends and family. As such, they missed the downfall of the civilities surrounding death. The touches that separated humans from animals, wherein witches and wizards had the opportunity to indulge in the finer aspects of death like funerals.
By the time Harry and Hermione had rejoined the magical world, they were lucky to be able to claim their dead, much less celebrate the life that'd been lost with a funeral.
The destruction of Azkaban was less than a week behind them, Molly and Arthur's funeral was scheduled for the next day. Neither she nor her husband had raised the issue of discussing their acts. For all intents and purposes, they'd murdered over five hundred inmates when they'd torched the island prison. As she snuggled next to Harry she murmured, "Love?"
"Hunh," he grunted in reply.
"Wake up, I need to talk."
Rubbing his face, Harry asked, "What's the bother?"
"How are you about Azkaban?"
"You mean killing all those people who had no way of escaping or defending themselves?" His precise wording told her that he was thinking on the same wavelength. She nodded into his chest as a reply.
"Maybe I'm a cold hearted bastard, but I'm perfectly alright with it."
She sighed in a mixture of relief and sadness, "Me too."
"We'll see how we feel about it in a year or so," he concluded.
.oOo.
"How're you guys?"
Harry sat on the sofa next to Fred, Hermione sitting in her husband's lap. George, on the other side of Fred shrugged for the both of them. The funeral had been extraordinarily sad. All seven of Molly and Arthur's children had put on a brave face while trying their best to keep from sobbing their hearts out.
Ginny had clung to Fred as a lone tear had tracked down his face. Bill, stoic and tall had done his best to fill the role his father had left behind, but on occasion little Billy Weasley poked through and his anguish was plain to see. Ron looked bewildered, suffering from the fate that so many teens experience when the worst comes calling at their door. 'Yes, it can happen to me after all,' is a traumatic realization for all.
Percy had busied himself greeting the numerous Weasley relatives. Hiding in activity did nothing to lessen his grief, though. As the bier for his mother was lit, Percy was the first Weasley sibling to break down and openly weep. Charlie held his younger brother amidst his own tears.
George had been quiet the whole time. Wordlessly watching all, but saying nothing.
Cornelius Fudge and the upper echelons of the Ministry for Magic had attended the proceedings. At the request of the family, though, no speeches were delivered. For that small show of decency, all were grateful.
Harry and Hermione had attended alongside, Minerva, Sirius, Remus and Albus Dumbledore. The old Headmaster was obviously grief stricken and said nothing to the other attendees outside of murmured greetings.
Bill and Charlie had talked it over with their brothers and sister, collectively deciding it best for the youngest five to stay in school. It's said that maintaining one's routine helps a person deal with grief. That person must have never had a parent die when they were a child.
A profound quiet settled about the friends as they sat in their common room. The air was heavy with anticipation and moment. Recognizing the situation, Harry and Hermione sat in silence with their friends.
The normally rambunctious Twins had been pliant and accommodating to all and sundry over the previous week. They'd been the shoulders to cry on for their younger siblings as Ginny wailed and Ron bawled. They'd described the events in painful detail to Percy when he insisted on knowing all. They'd gone to the funeral of their parents and accepted the condolences of the attendees. They'd helped Bill move home to the Burrow while Charlie put in his notice. They helped Charlie as best they could to find an apprenticeship to work on his Beastmaster qualifications while in Britain. They'd done their duty to their family.
Now, they needed something for themselves. The common room filled and emptied, still the four friends sat in silence. Students worked on essays and practiced spells, still Harry and Hermione sat with their friends. Around eleven o'clock, with the common room empty, George turned to Harry.
"We want to help."
Harry gave the Twins an appraising look. It was obvious that they had deduced the perpetrators of the destruction of Azkaban. They wanted in on any further activities that would be along the same lines. George said nothing to incriminate anyone, but intimated that they were fully aware of the stakes. The ante for this game was pain while the wager was death; theirs or someone else's.
"Come on," Harry told them. Hermione stood without comment, her silence indicating her consent.
Four quick Disillusionment charms later allowed the foursome to move at will through the halls. While they glided through the dark passageways, Harry reflected on the public's reaction to the destruction of Azkaban and the associated killing of all the inmates and their non-human guards.
The rescue of the human guards of Azkaban had provoked the reaction for which Sirius had hoped. It had swayed the common folk that the destroyers of the prison were working for 'the good guys'. The public generally considered their action to be a public service.
After the infamous Halloween defeat of Voldemort in 1981, most of the public just wanted the problems to go away. There had been so much death. So much pain for so long they wanted to move on with their lives. 'Lock up the scum, make the problem disappear and stop talking about it' had been the general atmosphere. With Snape's attack in the courtroom, it reminded the older generations of the first Blood War. It brought back, all too clearly, the memories of Voldemort and his Death Eaters' rampages through the UK during the seventies.
No one wanted to go back to those days. When the list of the presumed deceased prisoners was published in the Prophet, the general attitude had been 'good riddance to bad rubbish'.
The DMLE was duty bound to investigate the destruction, but the two Aurors who were assigned to the job concluded there was insufficient evidence to press the issue. Their entire evidence collecting efforts had consisted of a day kicking at the still smoking rubble trying to find any kind of gruesome remains which they could sell in Knockturn Alley. The Fiendfyre was thorough, though. Nothing was left.
Approaching the door, Harry dispelled his charm, signalling to Fred and George to release their own spells. Hermione had already moved to the door to open it. The young men followed her into the sitting room where Remus and Sirius were pouring over drawings and property plats.
Sirius cocked an eyebrow in question to Harry when he saw the grim faced Twins. "They want in," he replied to the silent question.
Turning to Longtooth and Moony, he waited for their input. Hermione nodded her assent while Remus rubbed his chin in contemplation. Finally, he told Padfoot, "They deserve the opportunity."
With a blank expression, Sirius told the Twins, "You may get killed."
"Yeah, we know."
"You will most likely have to kill people."
While George silently nodded, Fred replied for both of them, "We know. We aren't real chuffed about it, but realize that it's a possibility."
Looking around the room, Padfoot gestured to the others before saying, "We've all killed. It isn't glamorous or 'cool'. It's brutal, revolting and you'll have nightmares about it the rest of your life." With a gruff laugh, he continued, "A person who can kill without any damage to themselves or guilt is, by definition, a sociopath. Insane." The silent nods of agreement and identification from the rest was stronger support than the loudest shout.
"You need to really consider if you can live with yourself if you're required to kill. At the same time, beware that you can never really know what it feels like until you've actually cast the spell which ends a person's life."
"It's the most important decision you'll ever make," Hermione echoed.
"It's also the one you'll most regret," Remus continued.
"And the one you'll most second guess," Harry finished.
"But in the end, we've saved more than we've taken. We've protected those who were unable to save themselves," Sirius finished.
With a friendly expression, Sirius rose before clapping the Twins on their shoulders. "We want you to be on board, but you need to make as informed a decision as you can. There are no do overs here. Dead means dead, for you and them. Take the time to think it over. Come back in a week or so. Talk to these losers," he playfully poked at Harry and Hermione who, mature adults which they were, each stuck out their tongues at Padfoot.
"Talk to them and maybe they'll tell you a bit of their stories."
Before Harry could reply, George told the group, "We've been working on Occlumency about six hours a day since…" They all understood when 'since' was. It was the day their parents had fallen to their deaths.
Nodding, Harry stood. "Right, let's go do some more work."
.oOo.
Harry and Hermione were heading from Arithmancy to the Great Hall when it happened. Arithmancy had been mind bogglingly boring for Harry so he was still a bit punchy as they meandered down the halls. Hermione had been rattling on about the latest theorem they'd discussed which, no matter how well she knew the subject, she still became excited. Harry was sure that if Hogwarts had a Maths club, Hermione would be president.
They were in a little used section of the castle, cutting through to make their journey shorter when they heard him.
"You fucking blood traitor, you should be begging to service me."
The whimpering reply precluded identification beyond a female teen in pain. The male was most definitely Draco Malfoy.
Harry's eyes snapped open. Together, the Potters dropped their satchels and sprinted down the hallway. Turning the corner, they saw that Malfoy the younger had pushed Ginny Weasley into an alcove. He was behind her and was in the process of forcing her to bend over.
In later years, Harry would honestly say - if he talked about it at all - that he had no recollection of his actions that afternoon. With a confusing mixture of pride and revulsion, Hermione remembered it all too well.
In a flash, Harry had drawn his wand. A jabbing motion later and the Fire Whip sprouted from the eleven inch holly and phoenix feather wand. Like a cowboy, the whip snapped and cracked as it flipped up and down. A flick of his wrist sent the rope of fire lashing out, wrapping itself about Malfoy's neck.
Hermione said nothing to stop her man as she ran for Ginny.
Harry pulled with all his might. He wasn't sure if he was trying to pull Malfoy off Ginny or to achieve another aim.
Either way, the meaty thumping of Malfoy's severed head as it bounced on the ground was the most unique sound they'd ever heard.
Hermione engulfed Ginny in her arms as the redheaded girl tried to cover herself. Her ripped blouse and torn skirt gave more evidence against the dead boy's depredations. Ginny's breaths came in rapid pants, a low scream keening out in an undertone.
"It's Ok, Ginny, he's gone now. He'll never hurt you, I'm here. He'll never hurt you…"
Harry stared at the wild eyed girl for a long moment. The bile rose in his gorge as he saw his wife console the distraught girl. Disgust fuelled his physical reaction until, unable to contain himself, he turned away to vomit on the floor. Wiping his mouth, Harry Vanished the sick and freshened his breath.
Unable to face the wreck that was Ginny Weasley, he turned his attention the corpse of the Malfoy heir.
A memory from fourth year inspired him, so Harry cast two quick spells. The cauterized pieces of Draco Malfoy were now two bones. A quick Translocation spell and the bones appeared in the deepest reaches of the Forbidden Forest where Harry was sure a predator would enjoy the snack.
Steeling himself, he turned around to see Hermione's face awash in tears as Ginny broke down. A Summoning charm brought their satchels to them. Pulling his invisibility cloak from his satchel, he gently wrapped it around Hermione and Ginny.
Hermione's eyes were hard and desperate at the same time. She'd seen horrors in war. She'd perpetrated horrors in war. This, though, was beyond the pale. A monstrous act by a boy they should have executed months before. She'd even decided to eliminate the foul boy, yet been swayed by others from what she knew to be right. Hermione had never hated herself more than she did now.
"Let's take her to Min," Harry whispered.
Slowly, the one seen and two unseen teens moved through the castle to the head of Gryffindor house's quarters.
.oOo.
Minerva dispatched Harry to retrieve Madame Pomfrey when told of what happened to Ginny. Ashen faced, she silently asked Harry about her assailant.
"I took care of it," he told her.
A jerky nod was her only reply.
After telling Poppy that she was needed in Minerva's quarters, Harry ran back to Gryffindor Tower. Bursting in the common room, he spied Oliver at a work table. "Where's the Twins?" Harry asked.
Without looking up, Oliver pointed to the stairs for the Boys' dormitory. Sprinting up the stairs, Harry turned into the fifth year dorm where he found Fred and George reading on their beds.
"Come with me. It's Ginny."
Books flew as the boys ran to follow Harry.
Harry paused as he went past the third year boys' dorm, but decided to leave Ron where he was for now. He'd let the Twins or Bill break the news to him and Percy. They ran to McGonagall's door where Harry stopped them from barging in the office.
"Ginny was attacked and almost raped." When the Twins' faces paled and tightened, Harry told them, "I took care of him. The pieces of his body are probably being eaten in the Forest right now."
"Malfoy?"
Harry nodded.
"Lads, Ginny is pretty torn up. She'll need her big brothers, right?"
George nodded, "Can you get Bill here? Billy has always been her favourite."
Giving the password to Minerva's door warden, Harry opened the door. Entering, they saw Hermione sitting on a chair. Ginny, Minerva and Poppy were missing from the room.
"They've got her in the other room," Hermione explained. "Doing an exam."
Hermione's red eyes belied the palpable rage which trembled her hands. She reached for Harry so he flowed into her arms. Fred plopped in a chair, his head in his hands while George stared out the window.
Harry gave her a squeeze and a kiss before moving to Minerva's fireplace. A pinch of Floo powder turned the fire green. After a cry of "The Burrow!" he forced his head in the fire.
Bill had a stack of parchment on the kitchen table which he was sorting through when Harry's head popped through the Floo. "Bill!" he called.
Surprised, Bill turned to the fireplace, his wand in hand. "You're needed at Hogwarts, step through."
Nodding dumbly, Bill stood and moved through the fire. When he saw the Twins, he scowled, "Are you two in trouble?"
"It's Ginny, Billy." George told him as he continued to stare out the window.
"What?"
Harry explained the situation, leaving out the execution of the perpetrator.
Bill sat in the chair next to Fred, adopting his brother's pose. "Dear God, what next?" he muttered. Sitting upright, Bill asked, "Have the Aurors been called?"
"Not needed, Bill," George told his brother. "It's been taken care of."
Understanding what was and wasn't said; Bill nodded and never brought it up again. The five some sat in silence, waiting for the door to Minerva's bedchamber to open.
.oOo.
"So, does she want to be Obliviated?" Harry asked.
Bill shook his head. When Minerva had come out of her bedchambers, Bill and the Twins had rushed in to see their sister. Minerva's ashen complexion had told volumes about her own self recriminations.
Harry had warned her. He'd told the Transfiguration Mistress that Malfoy would hurt others when they'd discussed eliminating the worst of the worst future Death Eaters. Minerva had fought the notion that they execute children for their actions to come.
Now Ginny Weasley had been sexually assaulted and nearly raped.
Minerva's jaw had worked twice but the words hadn't come. Harry looked away while Hermione had merely nodded, indicating the guilty had been punished.
The Deputy Head had then left to inform her supervisor of the assault and that Draco Malfoy had absconded to parts unknown.
Madam Pomfrey had escorted a puffy faced, red eyed Ginny Weasley to one of the private rooms in the infirmary where she'd spend at least one night.
Bill and George had wandered out of Minerva's bedchambers while Fred had walked Ginny to the infirmary. The foursome walked toward Gryffindor Tower in a grim silence which was only broken by Harry's question.
"She said that the diary took enough of her memories, she didn't want to volunteer to lose any more." He pulled a face of disgust, "She did agree to revisit the issue if she was having problems coping."
"Is she going to see a mind healer?" Hermione asked.
Bill was silent for a short period of time which indicated only one thing. "Bill, don't worry about costs. I'll cover everything."
Sighing, Bill nodded. "I'm not my dad, so I'll accept your generosity. It would have been hard…" Harry waved away the new head of clan Weasley's expressions of gratitude.
"Least I could do," he mumbled.
They all paused outside the Fat Lady. George scuttled in the portrait hole to fetch his brothers as Bill waited. Harry and Hermione waved their exit to the tall redhead and moved off down the hall.
After turning the corner, Harry gently steered Hermione into a broom closet. She didn't even try to complain or pretend she didn't know what her better half was doing.
"Say it," he cajoled after casting a hasty Privacy charm.
"I KNEW and didn't do anything!" she screamed. "I had decided to kill the little fuck and didn't do anything! I let them talk me out of doing what I knew was right! And now…oh, poor Ginny," she trailed off into sobs. "That little FUCKER!" she ranted again. Turning away from Harry she kicked a bucket as hard as she could muster. Kicking it again and again, it bounced off the walls, bent and deformed.
After breaking a few mop handles she collapsed into Harry's arms. Her sobs of grief and shame were more cleansing now. Both knew, but would never say aloud, that they owed Ginny Weasley far more than could ever be repaid.
Sniffling, she straightened Harry's robes. "Come on," she told him after a quick kiss, "Dumbledore will want to talk to us soon."
.oOo.
In the hallway heading toward the Headmaster's tower, the Potters bumped into Remus.
"You heard?" Harry asked.
Remus nodded. His shame was palpable and similar to Minerva's. "Are you two alright?"
"We will be," Hermione lied.
Not bothering to challenge what all knew to be false, Remus asked, "Albus?"
Harry shrugged, "We figured he'd be calling for us, so we decided to just wait at the foot of his stairs."
"A wise decision, Mr Potter," the voice of the Headmaster called from behind the three friends.
Harry spun, drawing his wand as he did so. Hermione dove to the left, rolled and came up with her wand levelled at the old man. The aged Headmaster blinked at both teens, an expression of curious surprise on his face.
"Jeesuss, don't do that!" Harry hissed under his breath.
"I apologize," Dumbledore intoned slowly. "The two of you have had a…stressful day and I'm sure that has you on edge." Gesturing toward the gargoyle which guarded his office, he asked, "Shall we?"
Remus peeled off as unobtrusively as possible. It wasn't enough, though. As they ascended the stairs, Dumbledore called over his shoulder, "I didn't realize you were so close to Professor Lupin,"
Harry didn't say anything. They'd already been too indiscreet this day and didn't want to compound the injury by playing word games with the experienced debater. When neither Harry nor Hermione replied to his observation, Dumbledore merely pursed his lips and casually indicated for the youngsters to sit in chairs across from his desk.
Harry had noticed when they entered the ornate office that they were alone. No Aurors were present which meant they hadn't been called or were interviewing Ginny. Harry was willing to bet the Potter Trust's next quarter dividends that Dumbledore hadn't called the Aurors yet.
Hermione was obviously on the same thought train as her husband. "Sir, I thought we'd be discussing what happened with the Aurors."
A placating smile on his face, Dumbledore replied, "In good time, Miss Granger. Now, please tell me the full story. I'm sure that you may have accidentally left a few details out when you told Professor McGonagall what happened. You must have been quite shocked, after all."
Harry and Hermione frowned in unison at the implication in the old man's statement. He obviously didn't know anything beyond their fabricated story and was fishing to see if his statements could break loose information he didn't have.
Shaking it off, Harry told the Headmaster, "I don't believe we left anything out, sir. We were heading to the great hall after Arithmancy and were cutting through the old hall as it cuts quite a bit of time off the walk." Dumbledore nodded his understanding.
Hermione continued, "We heard Draco Malfoy say, 'You fucking blood traitor, you should be begging to service me'." She blushed a bit with the profanity and the directness of the statement. "We heard a girl sob or whimper so we knew something bad was afoot. Dropping our bags, we rushed around the corner to see Ginny collapsed in that little alcove there and Draco Malfoy running the other direction. I moved to Ginny, while Harry tried to catch Malfoy."
"Why did you try to catch Mr Malfoy, Harry?"
Looking at the old man as if her were insane, Harry replied, "Because it was obvious that he'd attacked Ginny, sir. Her shirt and skirt were torn and she was crying."
"I gather you failed to catch him then."
"Yessir, he scampered so that by the time I got to the entry hall he was gone."
There was a long evaluative silence from the Headmaster until he extended his hand, the long fingers reaching toward Harry. "May I see your wand, Harry?"
Slowly drawing it from his forearm holster, Harry asked, "To what end, sir?"
A forced smile preceded his answer, "Indulge an old man his curiosity, if you would."
Shrugging, Harry handed the holly and phoenix feather over. Dumbledore drew his own wand and muttered, "Priori Incantato."
A series of transfiguration spells preceded a Summoning charm. "Summoning charm? That's fourth year work. Who taught you that, Harry?"
Without blinking, Harry replied, "I've learned that I need to do a bit better in my studies, sir. With all that happened during first year and second, I would rather not rely on luck anymore."
A sincerely sad expression crossed Dumbledore's face, "I'm sorry you feel that way."
"A sixty foot Basilisk has a way of waking one up."
"True enough."
There was another long silence before Harry extended his hand. "My wand, sir?"
"Yes, quite. Well, that will be all."
"The Aurors sir?" Hermione persisted.
Another condescending smile. "In good time, Miss Granger. That will be all."
At the bottom of the stairs, Hermione huffed, "Unbelievable. He's no intention of calling the DMLE."
With a roguish grin, Harry asked, "Let's give Padfoot a Floo call, shall we?"
.oOo.
The Aurors arrived after dinner.
Harry and Hermione were interviewed by Tonks and Dawlish, once again. Sirius was silent this time as the subject matter was much more solemn. They told the same story to the Aurors that they told to Dumbledore.
This time, Dawlish didn't complain when Tonks told him that she was going to talk to her head of house for a bit and she'd see him back at Auror headquarters. Without a word, the Family walked the short distance to Remus' quarters. They found a still pale Minerva waiting for them.
"What really happened?" Tonks asked in a deadpan voice.
"We found him trying to rape a second year and I cut his fonging head off. After a quick transfiguration, I translocated his body to the middle of the Forest. I'm sure it's been devoured for a snack by now."
Tonks nodded approvingly. Sinking onto the sofa next to Remus, she snagged his hand before asking, "Who's next?"
"We have to be very careful. Malfoy was the only one stupid and brash enough to do what he did today. However, I wouldn't put it past Nott, Crabbe or Goyle to be almost as stupid, though. Dumbledore will be all over us like white on rice if his students start showing up 'missing' all of a sudden," Harry observed.
"He doesn't believe in coincidence," Minerva agreed.
"Sirius' escape, Harry's improvement in spellcasting, he and Hermione getting together, saving Ginny Weasley, the assault by Severus…I think he must be suspicious already," Remus offered.
"He checked my wand earlier," Harry offered.
"Luckily, you'd already cleared it," Hermione told him.
"Luck had nothing to do with it. I always do what you tell me," he teased back.
She knew he was trying to cheer her up a bit, so Hermione gave him as genuine a smile as she could.
"It'll be Ok," he reassured her.
"I want names, Midnight," Sirius ordered.
Leaning back in his chair, Harry stared at the ceiling. "Nott, Crabbe and Goyle for sure." Turning to Hermione, he asked, "Bulstrode and Boot?"
Sadly, she nodded her agreement.
"Flint, Stebbins, Carmichael, Entwhistle and Bole."
They discussed names late into the night, all their faces becoming paler as the discussion drew out. Harry and Hermione found themselves retelling the peripheral aspects of the Future that Was in order to explain some of the situations
Realizing that there needed to be balance and common sense, Harry told the Family, "Look, I'm sure that some of these fucks wouldn't have done what they did had it not been for the situations they found themselves in 'before'. The worst of the worst, though, would have been like Draco and didn't need to go bad, they already were."
All present hung their heads for different reasons. Some for a misplaced sense of guilt, others castigating themselves for failing to act when they knew they ought.
Tonks was the one to address the point.
"Listen up," she snapped at the others. When the shocked expressions turned her way, she gave a chagrined grin before she added, "Look, I'm the new kid here, but even I know that no one here is responsible for what Lucius' spawn did to Ginny Weasley."
"You're no more responsible for Cousin Draco's assault than I'm responsible for Snape's attack in the courtroom. I knew he was capable of such an action, but am I responsible?"
"Yeah, but we were the only ones who knew he could do that kind of thing," Hermione whispered.
"Bollocks to that," Tonks countered.
They all regarded her with surprise. "From what I saw my seventh year and what I've heard since, every Professor, including old Grandpa Whiskers in his tower, knew that young Malfoy could and would pull a stunt like this. He learned at his daddy's knee and there's only one thing that Uncle Lucius teaches better than pureblood bigotry and it's violence."
Sighing, she leaned back into Remus' arms, "As for the other fucks, well…we need to deal with them post haste."
.oOo.
In the end, Sirius and Hermione set to work on devising a plan to eliminate the worst offenders that were current Hogwarts students. The hard part was to create a plan that still kept themselves out of the gaze of Dumbledore or the DMLE.
Harry was working overtime with Fred and George on their Occlumency. They had great motivation to excel at their studies and progressed rapidly. Neither was close to being able to consistently protect their minds, but Harry had a different idea.
"Lads, I need you to think about something for me."
George just cocked an eyebrow as a query.
"Think about diversions. I want someone looking left while ignoring any and all activity to the right."
"Are we talking distraction between two different sites or between two different areas at one site?"
"Both."
Slowly nodding as they thought, Fred asked, "Destruction?"
After contemplating for a few minutes, Harry finally told them, "Either. One case where it doesn't matter and the other where I want no destruction. Preferably remotely activated."
"Right, give us a week or so and we'll get you some options."
Impressed, Harry let it drop as he got back on track, "Right. You're both doing well with holding your focus, but the shield is flimsy. Remember, this is wandless and incantionless magic. Just like in transfiguration, your mental focus is key."
.oOo.
Her mother never came out and said it, but Nymphadora Tonks knew that Andromeda Tonks, née Black, hated her sisters. When Bellatrix was consumed in the inferno of Azkaban, Andromeda never mentioned her sister's death. Rarely did Andi Tonks ever talk about her sisters and the only time that Dora could remember an occasion where her mum ever discussed her sisters, well, it is safe to say that Andi was stinking drunk.
Bellatrix had been her favourite playmate when they were children. Narcissa had been the baby and a good ten years younger than Andromeda, so the two weren't close. Bellatrix was only three years younger than Andi and had adored her older sister. Until Bella had turned twelve, that is. During her second year at Hogwarts, something happened to Bella and she had started down the path of insanity and sadism that led to her death while incarcerated.
Dora was well aware that her parents loathed Lucius Malfoy and Rudolphus Lestrange. They would shed no tears when they read the paper in the morning.
Cinching up the laces of her boots, Dora double checked her weapons. Primary and backup wands - check. Matching daggers on her belt - check. Various potions, healing and explosive in her belt satchel - check. Walking up to Remus, she inspected his gear for him. Tightening a few straps, she playfully patted his bum.
"Sirius, you ready?"
Padfoot nodded to his cousin before turning to the others. Harry and Hermione were ready and waiting. Remus nodded his readiness. Minerva was not accompanying the team to their destination. Rather, she was going with the Twins to set the diversion.
Harry stood. "Alright, Minerva, you ready?" When she nodded, he checked his watch. "Set the bombs to fire in twenty minutes unless otherwise directed. Godspeed."
Minerva paused before embracing each of the assault team, kissing Harry and Hermione on the cheek before she left to find Fred and George.
"Let's go."
Hermione held out the rope that they were using as a portkey. With a quick tap of her wand, the informal strike team was whisked away from Rowan Hill to a remote clearing in the woods in Wiltshire.
Immediately, the three animagi shifted their form and spread out in a fan shape. Midnight had point with Padfoot and Longtooth on the flanks. Moony and Tonks ran on the panther's heels as the group cut through the woods to their destination.
Within minutes, they found the spot where Remus and Sirius had been working on the wards for the past week. With Sirius cleared from any wrongdoing, he had full access to the Black vaults. Deep inside the back of the Black Family Vault, there had been a nondescript box inside which had been a series of dragon bone tiles. Carved on each tile was a repeating series of runes. When placed in a specific pattern, these tiles created a gap in wards which didn't cause the ward itself to fail. Having access to these little gems was one of the few times that Sirius was glad to be a Black. If the Ministry had been aware of the existence of these ward breaking tiles, they would have been confiscated in minutes.
It took a full week for Remus and Sirius to weaken the wards in the localized area so that they could insert the tiles. Last night, they'd finished their efforts and tested their work. Both Sirius and Remus had been able to safely traverse the ward line.
This evening, none of the Family paused in their run. In single file they sprinted through the hole in the wards.
Tonks' Auror conditioning and Remus' werewolf nature showed as they all ran at full tilt toward their destination. Breaking free of the trees, the manor house came into view. A few windows on the first floor were still lit. Bending to the left, the assault group headed to the back door. On the run, Remus and Tonks cast Obscuring charms over their faces. At the back door, Midnight, Longtooth and Padfoot all shifted back to their human forms.
Three quick Obscuring charms later and they were ready. Harry nodded to Remus who silently opened the door. The arrogant fools were too overconfident in their wards. The door wasn't locked.
Ghosting through the doorway with wands out, Hermione and Sirius took point. Heading toward the light spilling out of the doorway ahead, they heard the low sounds of classical music. Per the plan, Hermione sprinted toward the door, Sirius on her heels. Harry pounded after the lead two, Remus and Tonks covering their back.
By the time Harry entered the study, Lucius Malfoy was dead. He had a one inch hole drilled through his forehead. The channel drilled all the way through his head allowing bits of his brain to dribble out the back of his skull.
The Malfoy line was officially extinct, though the public wouldn't know it for years.
Without pause, the group reversed its line as Remus and Tonks took point, Harry following with Hermione and Sirius covering their rear.
Running now, the group pounded up the stairs. Remus and Tonks headed into the east wing while Harry and Hermione took the west. Sirius waited at the head of the stairway in case dear cousin Narcissa got by the attackers.
Thirty seconds later, the Potters heard Tonks shout, "Clear!"
Walking back, he found Remus and Tonks walking toward the stairwell. Without pausing, Tonks told the group, "She'd offed herself. Vial of poison on the nightstand. There was a shattered life force tracker next to it. Guess she figured out about Draco."
Ten minutes later, the group activated their return Portkey. Once again, they left their target burning behind them. The once ornate and beautiful Malfoy Manor was quickly consumed by Fiendfyre.
.oOo.
MALFOY MANOR DESTROYED took the headlines in the Prophet the next day. Just below the flickering picture of the remains of the burnt out Manor house was a secondary headline. VANDALISM AT MINISTRY.
Fred and George's prank bombs had been wildly successful. They'd managed to replicate the explosive qualities of the Mimubulus Mimbletonia and melded it with the odour of a stinkbomb and the viscosity of swamp mud. The end result had clogged all the fires in the Ministry Atrium and prevented all Floo travel and communication to and from the Ministry. It's a little known fact that the Atrium fireplaces are the master fires for the entire ministry. By shutting down the master fires, they shut down all the fires in the Ministry complex.
It had been a simple thing for Minerva to Apparate into the Atrium while wearing James Potter's invisibility cloak, set the twelve bombs and Apparate away. If Lucius had had the opportunity to call for help, he'd not have got any response.
Hermione noticed the furrowed brow of the Headmaster at breakfast the next day. Albus Dumbledore was worrying a bone. It was a most dangerous place for a bone to be.
.oOo.
End of term tests were ridiculously easy. Harry actually fell asleep during the history final. Hermione prodded him awake with thirty minutes to go. He dashed through the test, handing it in as the charmed bell sounded to end the lesson.
"You prat," she muttered as they headed back to Gryffindor tower.
He cheekily teased her back, "You love me."
A warm smile stole across her face. "Come on, admit it," he cajoled. "You love me."
Wrapping her arm in his, she leaned into his shoulder, "Ok. I do love you, you great prat."
"You packed?" she asked as they sat in the common room in front of the fire. When he nodded, she curled into his arms. "I'm not looking forward to being away from you," she admitted.
"Me either," he replied softly.
"It's not like we'll be apart very long. During the day, I'll Apparate home to Rowan Hill and return when my parents are due home from work."
"What if they call?"
"That's what a mobile is for."
"Will it work in at home?"
She nodded as she closed her eyes, "It should, the coverage extends over the area."
They sat there quietly as the room filled with other Gryffindors coming back from exams and whatnot. "Are you scared?" she asked.
He half shrugged which was answer enough. "I don't like being away from you after…"
The 'after' was plain to The Smartest Witch of the Age. After she was killed, he meant. Wrapping her arms more securely about him, she snuggled deeper into his arms, trying vainly to get closer.
Ten minutes later, George plopped down on the chair opposite the Potters while Fred headed up to the dorms. Hermione caught the tail end of his mutters that sounded something like "hate" and "fucking Herbology."
"George, language," she reproved mildly.
"Sorry, Hermione."
"What're your plans for the hols?"
The calmer of the two twins flinched at the question. Eventually, he replied, "We're going to be low key and all get together at the Burrow. Charlie has moved home with Bill, so we'll all be there…except mum and dad, that is."
Reaching out, Hermione took George's hand and squeezed. "May we visit?"
Nodding, he told her, "That would be nice. I think Ronniekins would act like a human being even."
"And if he doesn't, Bill'll hex our little bro' into the next millennium," Fred told the Potters as he sat next to Hermione.
They all fell silent as Ginny hurried through the common room to the stairs for the girls' dorm. George watched her go with a look of contained fury. Fred's eyes narrowed, "I wish you hadn't taken care of the mess, Harry."
Like most men would feel, Fred and George wanted to hurt their sister's attacker. No one commented, but all recognized the Twins' need to do something to help their sister. She was slowly making progress with the mind healer she saw three times a week, but her brothers could only be supportive and wait. Fred winced as he remembered what Ginny's roommate had told her the other day; Ginny 'only' woke up screaming two nights a week. Minerva had disabled the security feature on the stairs of the girls' dormitory, allowing Fred and George to go to Ginny during the night. For probably the first time in their life, they didn't exploit the capability in any way. It was the only way they could help her. She didn't want Percy or Ron. Since Bill couldn't be there, she wanted her twin big brothers. They had to wait for her to let them help in more concrete ways besides 'just' loving her and that was damn near driving them 'round the twist.
.oOo.
The next day the school packed up to head home for the Christmas holiday. Remus had already Apparated off to Rowan Hill; Sirius was to await Harry at the platform. Niceties must be observed as it would raise a few eyebrows for him to Apparate home by himself.
The train ride was quiet. Fred and George had holed up in a compartment with Ron and Ginny. Ginny had isolated herself to only her family. Between her odd behaviour her first year and the backlash of Malfoy's attack this year, Ginny Weasley had few friends at Hogwarts.
Harry and Hermione were sharing a compartment with Neville and Luna. Hermione and Luna had become much closer over the term. "She is totally bluffing about those imaginary animals," Hermione had told Harry one night in bed. "She was raving about some dock-tailed whatsit when mid-sentence; she stopped and gave me this little impish smile. Totally bluffing."
The conversation was light amongst the four friends. Neville was describing the Yule celebrations that the Dowager Lady Longbottom usually planned for the hols. "I hate the dance for New Years," he grumbled.
While Neville and Luna chatted about some of the people his grandmother associated with, Harry leaned into his wife's ear, "Would you care to accompany me to the dance, love?"
A surprised smile jumped on her face. Beaming, she turned to him, "Really?"
Her smile was infectious. Harry grinned back to her, "I screwed up 'before' when I had the chance to take you to a dance, so I'll jump on the chance early."
"I'd love to, but we're not invited."
Rolling his eyes, Harry turned back to Neville, "Mate, can Hermione and I come to the dance?"
"You want to come?" he asked, a hopeful expression on his face.
"It'll be neat to experience a purely magical celebration. We've never been to one before," Hermione replied.
"Yeah, that'd be great!" Neville excitedly told the duo.
Harry widened his eyes a bit and minutely nodded to the crestfallen Luna. Predictable, Neville had no clue to what Harry was hinting. After smacking himself in the forehead because of the thick headedness of the male gender, Harry mouthed, "Luna" to his friend.
"Oh." Visibly nervous, Neville turned to the petite blonde, gulped then asked, "Luna…would you, er, could you, no that's not it."
Hermione had her hand over her mouth in a vain attempt to stifle her rising giggles. Harry just smiled. Luna, on the other hand, had cast away her dejected expression and was now waiting for Neville to get it together.
"Bugger all," he muttered before sitting up straight. "Luna, would you please accompany me to the New Year's celebration at my home."
A faint smile on the corners of her mouth, Luna replied, "I'd like that very much Neville."
Exhaling loudly, he told her, "Good." Hermione's giggles escaped, bubbling over in a beautiful sound. Harry just chuckled as he slowly shook his head.
.oOo.
"Mum, dad, this is my Harry."
A small smile crept on his face as she introduced him as 'her' Harry. Extending his hand, Harry shook Steven Granger's hand. The male dentist Granger was a big man. Well over six feet tall with thick brown hair, he had a kind, open face. There was an aura about him, though, that hinted at danger. He was very fit, with large hands that looked like he could not only palm a basketball, but pop it with one squeeze. Harry never asked Hermione what her father did before becoming a dentist; it might be a profitable question.
Alice Granger was, in short, a beautiful woman. Her blonde hair was the only attribute distinguishing her from her daughter. If Harry hadn't seen first-hand the beauty that Hermione would grow to become, he'd have been convinced in that moment that Hermione was a supermodel in the making. If Sirius had been there, Harry was sure he'd have commented, "Damn, she's hot."
"It's so good to meet you, Harry. We've heard so much about you from Hermione's letters that we feel we know you already."
Ducking his head as he blushed, Harry replied, "It's good to meet the both of you." Despite being a grown man mentally and emotionally, Harry still craved loving parents. Minerva filled the role of 'mother' but she wasn't his mother and both knew it. It's reasonable to assume that he would always want loving parents, regardless of his age. Steven and Alice were his in-laws, so he was entitled to use the terms 'mum' and 'dad' with them and it scared the crap out of Harry.
His aunt and uncle were such horrific beasts that Harry had idealized the perfect mother and father as he grew up in the dank airless hole that had been the cupboard under the stairs. No one could live up to the standard he'd built in his mind, but he was casting in the wind with no return at Privet drive. Subconsciously, he made a decision when Steven and Alice had welcomed him so warmly. He'd do what he had to do in order to have these people accept him. He wanted to be their son, or at least their son-in-law.
Hermione was nervous as well. Her parents were good people in every aspect of the description. At the same time, they were remarkably stubborn on some issues. Her fear since mid-term, when they'd first discussed how to deal with her parents, had been a complete rejection of her and Harry by her parents if they told the truth about their time travel.
At the same time, it was so good to see her parents again. She'd no idea how much she'd missed her mum and dad until this moment. She hadn't seen them in well over a decade, in her time stream that is. To see her mum so youthful and happy, her dad tall, strong and so dad almost brought her to tears of happiness.
"Harry, is your godfather picking you up?" Alice asked.
Looking about him distractedly, Harry told her, "He's around here somewhere. We'll hear him first."
At the quizzical expressions on the elder Grangers' faces, Hermione explained, "Sirius has a larger than life personality which usually shows up in volume."
"Amelia! How are you toots!" a voice boomed from the middle of a scrum on the platform.
Rolling his eyes, Harry jabbed his thumb in the general direction of the commotion, "That'd be Padfoot."
Steven asked, "Padfoot?"
Harry and Hermione traded mischievous grins, "I'll tell you later. Better, I'll show you," Hermione explained.
"You little hellion, Longtooth," Harry teased.
"Not anything on you, Midnight," she snarked back.
Now Steven and Alice were really confused, but held back their questions. The small group was spared a new topic as the mountain of personality known as Sirius Black made his appearance.
"HARRY!"
Sirius shouted to his godson as if he'd not seen him in over a decade instead of the night before. Flinging his arms wide, the Lord Black ran to his godson, wrapping him in a tearful embrace.
Hermione couldn't help it, she broke down in laughter.
"Padfoot! You menace!" Harry's muffled voice shouted.
"Oh, ickle Harrikins, I've dreamt about this!" Sirius sobbed in a dramatically histrionic shout.
"You moron, let go of me!"
Hermione was leaning on her knees, her breath squeaking out, she was laughing so hard.
"Oh, my beloved godson, say you love me and shall let me care for all your needs!" Sirius continued, pulling a fake hitch in his voice.
"I'm gonna sic Moony on you if you don't leave off!"
Dropping the act like a bad egg, Sirius stood back straightening his robes and replying, "Fine, be like that."
Noticing the Grangers for the first time, Sirius turned to them, stuck out his hand to Steven and introduced himself, "Sirius Black. I'm the runt's godfather."
"OI!"
Steven couldn't take it anymore and began to chuckle, "Steven Granger. This is my wife, Alice."
At his smoothest, Padfoot gently grasped Alice's hand, turned it and bowed low, "I'm delighted to meet you, Mrs Granger."
Harry poked his godfather in the side, "You'll have to pardon Sirius, Mr and Mrs Granger, he's a lunatic."
"Am not! That's Moony!"
Rolling his eyes, Harry turned back to the reeling dentists, "I'd like to invite your whole family to my home over break. You could come over for Christmas dinner and stay through New Year's."
The Grangers traded doubtful glances. "Well, that's very nice of you, Harry. Maybe you could come to our place…"
They stopped when Sirius chuckled. "You don't need to worry about the house. It's got, what," he turned to Harry, "Fifteen spare bedrooms?"
Harry shrugged, "Something like that."
Hermione leaned into her mum's ear as she whispered, "Mum, Harry's a billionaire and the house is a mansion. He's got a magical servant to cook and whatnot."
"Oh. Well, then, we'd love to come. We were planning to take that week off anyway. Where do you live?" Alice committed the family.
"We're on the coast of Cardigan Bay in Wales. Don't worry about transport, though, we'll provide a magical means of getting to the house."
Steven stepped into the conversation, "Well, if you can move about easily, why don't you come over tomorrow so we can all get to know each other better?"
Harry knew exactly what Steven wanted to talk about. Despite being a trained and hardened soldier, Harry gulped. No man wants to face the father of the woman they loved. Especially since he'd been shagging Hermione blind for the last three months.
"I'd like that very much, Mr Granger," he lied.
With a toothy grin, Steven smiled. "Excellent. Now, we must be off, traffic you know."
Hermione reached for Harry's hand to give it a squeeze. She saw the barely supressed panic in his face and gave a warm smile. "Love you," she whispered.
Mastering his fear, Harry took a deep breath. He had to remind himself, that they'd only be separated for a few hours. He'd have her in his arms this evening and every night for the rest of his life. Returning her smile, he nodded, "Love you, too," he replied in a similar whisper.
With one last squeeze of his hand, she turned to follow her parents.
Harry watched her until he could no longer see her or her parents. She turned back to him twice and each time he waved to her. Each time she returned it. Finally, her mum wrapped her arm about Hermione's shoulder and leaned in, obviously starting a 'girl talk' type of conversation.
"It'll be alright, Midnight," Sirius told his godson in a comforting tone. He wasn't being facetious for once. He knew all too well the hell that Harry went through in losing Hermione for he'd been engaged to Dorcas Meadows when she was killed by Death Eaters. They were four weeks from their wedding when he buried her. Yes, Sirius knew all too well the agony of losing the woman you loved.
"Come on, mate. Let's head home."
.oOo.
They arrived in the entry hall of Rowan Hill with a double pop-pop. Dobby arrived a nanosecond later, making off with Harry and Sirius' cloaks as well as, Harry's shrunken trunk. The Boy-Who-Lived had no doubts that his belongings would be unpacked before Harry even left the entry hall.
Hearing holiday music emanating from the family drawing room, Harry headed that way. Inside, he found Moony and Tonks decorating. Dora was hanging garlands of real pine that were charmed with snow and sparkles. To Harry's delight, she was singing with the song in a very good voice.
"Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head…"
Leaning on the door jamb, he watched his family prepare for Christmas. Moony was positioning an unadorned tree in the corner while a large log fire crackled on the hearth. In the other corner, unseen until now, a strikingly handsome blonde woman called, "Dora, where did you put those red bows?"
"That's cousin Andi," Sirius told him from behind Harry.
Turning back to his godfather with a quizzical expression, Sirius beckoned. Harry followed him to the main study where he sat in his chair. Sirius sat across from the large mahogany desk after pouring two tumblers with a finger of whisky each.
Handing Harry his, Sirius told his godson, "Look we're family. Despite all the shit out there, you and I both need the family around us whom we love and who loves us in return. James' mother was a Black - my aunt Dorea - so you and I are second cousins anyway. Andi and Ted are good people. They've not been let into the secret and I'd advise not letting them in on it. That doesn't mean we can't celebrate with them, though."
Sitting back in his chair, Harry sipped his drink. It was hard. He'd dreamt of a loving family all his life. Now that he was presented with the opportunity, he was afraid. Afraid that they'd turn on him like the Dursleys had. Afraid that they'd die and leave him like everyone else had.
Shaking away the phantom fears he'd been plagued with the entire day, Harry nodded. Downing his drink in one go, he cast a quick Breath Freshening charm on himself.
He'd had so much confusion about family this day that he had to laugh at himself. Fear, anticipation, longing and desire all warred inside himself as he was presented with opportunity after opportunity; first the Grangers and now the Tonks. Despite his fears, he decided to trust Sirius.
"Let's go meet the family."
A/N
1. I own nothing. Thanks to all who reviewed the first six chapters. Story status can be found on my Author's page on FanFiction (dot) net.
2. Recommendation for the chapter is Growing Up Granger, but MattD. He's picked up the thread with year 2 and added some surprises. Very enjoyable.
3. Thanks to omegahurricane for his (?) recommendation for Harry's animagus name of Midnight. It works really well for me. Longtooth just came to me and seems to fit in as an obscure reference to Hermione's animagus form (just like Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs).
4. The decision to kill another human being isn't to be made lightly. Even in war, where killing the enemy is widely accepted as a necessary evil, soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines always suffer for their efforts. I wanted to explore that a bit with the Twins. As a military veteran who has served in war, I can attest that it's not an issue to be taken lightly. The enemy doesn't get up and go home when the scene is over. They get buried in the ground. Their wives, children and parents all grieve their deaths. While it may be necessary, it isn't to be discussed flippantly. It's far too serious for that.
5. Talk about bad luck, my desktop PC died. Fortunately, I'd learned from the laptop debacle and had been backing up every night to the external. Whew. Only lost a few paragraphs this time.
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