The Legend of the Phoenix Well

AmethystPhoenix

Story Summary:
Normal people have unexciting school lives. Harry's not a normal person. His seventh year may be the most chaotic of all. First, Voldemort is immortal. Second, he's got a necklace everyone wants, but he doesn't want at all. Third, he just might be becoming more Slytherin... over a girl! What's Harry to do?

Chapter 10

Chapter Summary:
Normal people have unexciting school lives. Harry's not a normal person. His seventh year may be the most chaotic of all. First, Voldemort is immortal. Second, he's got a necklace everyone wants, but he doesn't want at all. Third, he just might be becoming more Slytherin... over a girl! In this chapter: a fight, and a dream!
Posted:
12/22/2003
Hits:
1,868
Author's Note:
Merry Christmas, everyone!

Chapter Ten: At the Edge of a Well

"Harry?" Lupin said gently, pulling Harry away.

"He killed my father, Remus, and he killed my aunt," Harry said, still looking at Wormtail with wide eyes.

The Death Eaters had Disapparated as soon as they could, and only a few were left, bound and being roughly pushed around by the Order and the Ministry Aurors who had just arrived.

Harry didn't see the Malfoys or Bellatrix in the ranks of the captured Death Eaters, and was a little disappointed. However, he knelt beside Aunt Petunia. "I'm sorry, Aunt Petunia," he said. He was roughly pushed aside by Dudley and Uncle Vernon.

"Move!" Dudley said as he began to sob large theatrical sobs.

Uncle Vernon, however, turned to face Harry. "You killed her!" he hissed vehemently.

"I killed her," Harry said, looking down and blinking.

Uncle Vernon was taken aback by the immediate agreement. Scowling furiously, he began to twist Harry's cut arm, which Harry had momentarily forgot about during the encounter with Wormtail. Harry winced.

"Mr. Dursley!" Lupin said.

"I'm going to kill you... you little..." Uncle Vernon said, his sausage like fingers closing around Harry's neck.

Harry refused to fight. I might as well let Uncle Vernon kill me now, he thought. I'll get the Kiss anyway...

"Harry, get out of there!" Ron said. Ron began to fight with Uncle Vernon.

"Ron, get off," Harry said weakly.

Ron's mouth opened, then closed. "You idiot!" he suddenly said. "You're the only one who can defeat Voldemort!"

"He's immortal..." Harry said.

"Harry..." Ron said, now frantically trying to pry Uncle Vernon's fingers off and getting violently slapped away. Ron's image was beginning to darken. "Harry!" Harry heard Ron's voice say as if from very far away, and then everything went black.

***

"Harry! Harry, wake up!" came Ron's voice again. Harry's eyes snapped open. Everything was too white...

"Where are we?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"St. Mungo's. Bloody hell, Harry, you scared us a few times. Hermione's out there... they would only let one of us in..."

"How long have I been here?"

"Two days. They wouldn't let anyone come in, but we beat them to it," Ron said. "Everyone's been so worried... your grandmother's been hysterical... it's been crazy."

"My grandmother has been hysterical?" Harry asked, grinning.

"Barking mad. She was crazy," Ron said. "And Ginny's been worse. Blubbering on about how you could die hating her... Icicle came over, and had to give her this stuff that her dad makes... it calmed her down a little..."

The door slammed open as Hermione rushed in. "Miss! Miss, no one is allowed!" came the voice of the frantic guard at the door.

"Harry! You're all right!" she said. Immediately, she began to sob and hug him, as usual.

Ron rolled his eyes. "Poor old dejected me," he said.

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"Well..." Ron said. "After you went out, your uncle began to laugh and throttle you some more. He's mad... and I mean medically mad... he's here in the hospital. Your cousin began to grow a backbone and helped me free you, screaming that his mother wouldn't want you to die."

"We... we thought it was too late," Hermione said. "The healers rushed you here with the rest of them... it was all a big mess, since everyone was home for Christmas..."

Ron laughed nervously. "But wait until everyone finds out you're okay..." he said. "Mum was worried that the last words she spoke to you would have been to stay at Grimmauld Place."

"What about Aunt Petunia?" Harry asked softly.

"Oh... Harry..." Hermione said. "She... her funeral's tomorrow. That was the farthest we could hold it off."

"And Pettigrew?" Harry asked.

"The Ministry's going to visit you," Ron said. Harry nodded. A healer came into the room, gasped happily, and rushed out.

"Were the Muggles Obliviated?" Harry asked.

"There were so many that they're still Obliviating them," Hermione said. "Down near where Lockhart and the Longbottoms are."

Harry was looking down the rows of beds. "Is that..." he said, looking at the old man smiling benignly at him, eyes twinkling.

"Hello, Harry," Dumbledore said. "I wasn't expecting you in here with me," he said, his eyes giving him away.

"Professor!" Ron said. "I didn't notice you!" He looked mortified. "Oh, sorry, professor."

"Quite all right, Mr. Weasley. He is your best friend," Dumbledore said. "Besides, I blend in quite well with these sheets." He chuckled.

Harry got up out from the sheets, and swung himself upright. He was still wearing his school uniform. Hermione smiled. "You might want to change. I brought some of your normal clothes."

Harry took them gratefully, and changed behind a curtain.

"I expect the rest of them will be here soon," Ron said. "The healer went to tell them you were awake."

As if on cue, Grandmother rushed in and enveloped Harry into a tight hug. Harry was momentarily surprised at the... grandmotherly behaviour, but hugged her back. Grandmother seemed to realise what she was doing, let go of him, and straightened her robes. "Sorry, dear, lost control..." she said. Ron snickered silently in the background. Grandmother cleared her throat. "Anyhow, glad you're all right, Henry, dear..."

Harry rolled his eyes at the 'Henry', but said nothing. Mrs. Weasley bustled in, and hugged Harry as if he were a life buoy.

"Oh, you could have been killed! What would I have felt like if my last words to you were sharp?" Mrs. Weasley sobbed.

"Now, now, Molly... he's all right now..." Mr. Weasley said soothingly.

"Yes, you're right, Arthur..." Mrs. Weasley said, sniffling and wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

"The rest of them are at Grimmauld Place," Mr. Weasley informed Harry. "The hospital won't let them come..."

"Why not?" Harry asked.

"There's too many," Mr. Weasley explained. "We'll floo to Grimmauld Place... it's safer than Apparating..."

"Wait," Harry said. "I have to speak to Dumbledore." He walked over to Dumbledore's bed, and said softly, "It's the necklace they wanted when they attacked us," he said.

"Ah, yes, I thought so. Careful, Harry, with the necklace... and whatever you do... do not tell the Ministry when they come to question you," Dumbledore said. "It is to be kept secret."

Harry lowered his voice a bit more. "Professor... the necklace... it was glowing when I wanted to kill Pettigrew," he admitted.

Dumbledore nodded slowly and pensively. "Yes... I was afraid of that... I will think about that, Harry."

Harry felt like his question had been unanswered, but he backed off the old Headmaster.

"Thank you, professor," Harry said.

"Good bye, Harry," Dumbledore said.

"Good bye." Harry walked back to the Weasleys, Hermione, and his grandmother. The door was opened, and Harry suddenly found himself blinking as cameras flashed and reporters rushed to him with questions.

"Harry, is it true that you used Avada Kedevera?" Rita Skeeter said.

"Go away, you stupid cow," Hermione said to Rita, to everyone's surprise.

"Well!" Rita said indignantly. "Excuse me, Miss Perfect, for just being a reporter and doing my job!"

"You were the one who wrote the article about love squares!" Hermione said.

Rita smiled. "Ah, yes, Granger... care to comment? I know you and Harry were very close in fourth year..."

Ron's eyes flashed as Harry's eyes widened. Hermione, however, snapped and slapped Rita across the face. "Shut up, Skeeter... we're friends. Obviously, you didn't seem to notice that Ron and I are a couple, you complete fraud!" Hermione hissed.

Rita looked affronted. She decided to ignore Hermione. "Harry," she said, turning her smile towards Harry. "How is your relationship with Miss Velour and Miss Weasley?"

Harry wanted to walk up to Rita, and slap her, but didn't for the obvious reasons. "Yeah, I've formed a trio with them," he said sarcastically. "We're planning to involve Malfoy in it too, so he doesn't feel left behind," he added, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Henry," Grandmother warned.

Harry didn't hear her. "Is that enough lies for your bloody Quick-Quotes Quill?" he asked viciously. "Yes? Good bye, Rita."

A Healer rushed up to the group, and whispered, "The reporters are clogging the front. We have to hide you in a ward until they leave."

He ushered them through the building, until they entered a familiar ward, the one with Neville's parents. Harry spotted Neville, who was looking at something with fright. Harry followed his gaze. His eyes landed on a very angry Uncle Vernon, who was quickly turning red at a frightened-looking Healer. The two Aurors behind him were starting to move in.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN, I HAVE TO LEAVE?" Uncle Vernon bellowed.

"Sir, your time limit here has been reached. You are to attend a trial at the Ministry," one of the Aurors said. "And then you will be brought back here... you see, sir, we need to keep you here..."

Harry knew why. Uncle Vernon was insane, and they couldn't have him spouting about the wizarding world in an institution. Harry met Dudley's eyes, and saw that Dudley was sitting next to a vacant looking Aunt Marge.

"I WILL NOT STAY IN THEIS CRACKPOT PLACE! I WILL BE ALLOWED TO GO BACK TO MY NORMAL HOME!" Uncle Vernon yelled. He suddenly spotted Harry, and an insane grin appeared on his face. "You," he said delightedly. "I killed you, didn't I?" he said, giggling.

Harry looked at his uncle with a disgusted look on his face. "You are insane," he said softly. "You will stay here, Uncle Vernon, if you know what's good for you."

Uncle Vernon suddenly jumped backwards, screaming. "Not you! No, not you! You! Not you!" he moaned, obviously having lost his mind.

The Aurors mouthed a quick "thank-you" as they strapped Uncle Vernon to a transportation device.

"Perhaps we should find someplace else," the Healer who had led them there said. "I know... perhaps we should go to the Obliviating Ward."

"Where all the Muggles are?" Mr. Weasley said in an excited voice.

"Yes," the Healer said as they walked through the corridor. "Here we are."

The group moved as a few unconscious Muggles were wheeled out on stretchers. "We have to get them out without them seeing the hospital," the Healer explained. A small group of scared-looking Muggles sat waiting in the room. An Obliviator came out of a side room, beckoned to one of the Muggles, and waited until he had entered before shutting the door.

"Hello," Hermione said to one of the Muggle women, sitting down next to her.

The woman shivered from fear. "H-Hello," she stuttered. "Are... are you like us? Not them?"

"I... I used to be, then I found out I was magic," Hermione said.

The woman winced. "Oh," she said.

A small boy of about two came up to Harry and pulled on his jeans. "Why can't I keep the mem'ries of magic?" he asked.

"Because..." Harry said, not knowing what to say.

"Blimey! Molly... look..." Mr. Weasley said softly. The little boy was somehow levitating a small ball behind himself. "I... I don't think his memory should be wiped."

"What is your name?" Mrs. Weasley asked kindly.

"Kevin. Kevin Whitby," the boy answered smartly. "I want..."

He was interrupted by the door opening again, and the Obliviator beckoning to him.

"Leave him, Arnie," Mr. Weasley said. "He's showing signs of magic, and wants to keep his memories."

"I promise I won't tell," Kevin said sincerely.

Arnie sighed. "Very well. But no one can find out. No one," he emphasised. "Your family is downstairs. Make sure you don't mention magic to anyone until you receive a letter from a place called Hogwarts. All right?" he asked Kevin. Kevin nodded.

A Healer came to Kevin and led him out the door. "You did magic," he said to Harry. "I want to see you again one day."

"All right," Harry said, grinning. "I'll see you again, then."

"Bye," Kevin said, turning the corner.

***

Grimmauld Place was as silent as ever. "They're in the kitchen," Mrs. Weasley informed him.

"Ugh, this place is so gloomy," Ron said. "I can't wait until I go back to the Burrow."

"I miss Hogwarts," Hermione said. "Are you going back to the manor, Harry?"

"I suppose," Harry said.

The bright light of the kitchen nearly blinded Harry as Mr. Weasley opened the door to it. Loud cheers filled the room as the Order members realised that Harry was back.

"Harry, mate!" Fred said, clapping him on the back as soon as he entered the room. "We haven't seen you in a while!"

"Good to see you, Harry," Lupin said.

"Remus, dear, how nice it is to see you again," Grandmother said. "I trust you have been well?"

"Very well, Mrs. Potter," Remus said. "And you?"

"What do you think, Remus, dear?" she said airily. "My only grandson, Henry..."

"Harry," Harry mouthed, scowling.

Remus looked back at him with amusement. When Grandmother had moved away, he said, "Be glad she's not in her 'cute' stage. She called James 'Jamsie-poo'. In front of everyone, including Snape."

Harry thought, and felt sick at the thought of his grandmother calling him 'Harry-dinkums' in front of Malfoy. "Right," he said gratefully.

Percy walked by, shooting a venomous glance at Harry. Next to him was... was that Cho? What was she doing there? A moment later, however, Harry was sure he had imagined Cho, since a girl he didn't recognise was hanging onto Percy's elbow.

"Wotcher, Harry," said Tonks' voice weakly. At first thought, Harry thought she was ill, but when he turned, he jumped in surprise. Tonks looked ill indeed, but a man that looked a little like Oliver Wood stood next to her, smiling.

"Hello, Harry," he said. "I'm Joe Wood."

"Oh!" Hermione said. "You and Tonks got married, didn't you?"

"Yes, and I really have to go to the loo..." Tonks rushed away. Hermione stared after her, an expression of realisation dawning on her face.

"What's wrong with her?" Ron said. Harry agreed.

"Morning sickness," Hermione said.

"Ah," Harry said.

"I still don't get it," Ron said.

"She's pregnant!" Hermione hissed.

"Pregnant?" Ron said.

"Shut up, Ron!" Harry said as Joe turned back to them after watching his wife rush off.

"Of course, she can't be an Auror anymore," Joe said sadly. "We've found that women who have been pregnant are hurt more by curses. Besides, their children can be used as bait. That's why a lot of the older Aurors are male. She's not too happy about that..."

"Oh..." Hermione said sympathetically.

Harry, however, was looking at Ginny, who was looking at him coolly from a corner. She certainly didn't look as if she had been worrying too much about him. Suddenly, she quirked her head towards the doorway. Harry inclined his head a tiny bit, and headed for the door.

"Hey, where are you going?" Ron said, his voice hostile.

"It's too crowded in here. I'm getting some air," Harry said.

"Oh, all right," Ron said, looking relieved. "Thought you and Gi--never mind."

Harry was confused. Ron had wanted them together, then admitted that he hadn't been too keen about it, then was outright hostile. He knew Ron was suffering from Older Brother Syndrome.

Ginny joined him outside the kitchen after a minute. "In here!" she hissed, pulling him into a dusty broom cupboard. Once inside, she dropped her icy manner and suddenly hugged Harry, holding him like a mouse and its cheese.

"I'm sorry..." she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks and landing on Harry's shirt. "I'm so sorry... you almost died, and I realised that I wasn't really mad at you... that it wasn't your fault or Icicle's... I've been so worried..."

Harry stood frozen to the spot. Half of him didn't want to believe it, the other half wanted to apologise for his behaviour right then and there. "I'm sorry for the way I acted," he said finally. "I was a total git..."

Ginny sighed. "No, I started it by accusing you..."

"I shouldn't have lost my temper with you..."

"No..."

"Really, Gin," Harry said 'Gin' for the first time in months. "I'm sorry..."

Ginny giggled. "Friends?" she asked.

Harry smiled. "S'pose I'm stuck with you, Ginny," he said teasingly.

"Ginny, dear? Are you in there? Ginny, dear, Harry's back, you don't need to worry," Mrs. Weasley's voice said.

Harry looked at Ginny questionably. "It was my hiding spot," Ginny mouthed.

The door opened. "Oh!" Mrs. Weasley said in surprise.

Harry was confused for a second, then realised he and Ginny were still holding each other. Ginny seemed to realise this too, and the two sprung apart from each other as if they had been electrically shocked.

"Oh, my!" Mrs. Weasley said in a delighted voice.

"No! Mum, it's not what it looks like!" Ginny said.

"It really isn't!" Harry added.

Mrs. Weasley practically clucked with excitement. "Oh, this is wonderful! No, dears, no need to deny it..."

Ron and Hermione appeared behind Mrs. Weasley. "What's going on?" Ron asked.

"Oh, dear, this is wonderful! Ron, they're together in the closet!" Mrs. Weasley sang, skipping off to tell everyone else. Harry and Ginny winced.

"What?" Ron said in a dangerously soft voice. Hermione cringed. "Took a walk to get air, hmm?" Ron said.

"We're not together, Mum's just overexcited. We were talking," Ginny said.

"Yeah, in a pretty incriminating pose," Ron snarled.

"We. Were. Talking," Harry said, beginning to lose his patience.

"Sure you were," Ron said, advancing on Harry. This time, Harry doubted it was the necklace.

"You don't believe me? After seven years of being your best mate?" Harry asked, his voice becoming dangerously soft.

"And what if I don't? After all, it's my mum you're calling a liar."

"I'm not calling her a liar."

"So you admit you two were..."

"In a closet together? Yeah."

"Why you little..." Ron called Harry something that would have made his mother faint from the horror.

"Ron! He didn't say..." Hermione said.

Neither boy heard her. "Say that again," Harry dared Ron in a dangerous voice. Ron repeated it, adding more insults to Harry's mother.

Harry snapped. He insulted Ron and his mother, not realising he was insulting Mrs. Weasley. Ron punched him.

"Ron! Harry! Stop it! Harry, you're Head Boy! STOP!" Hermione said, to no avail. "You're best friends!"

"Son-of-a-Mudblood!" Ron yelled, punching Harry and landing them both on the ground.

"Well, your mother looks like the back of a bus!" Harry said, punching him back.

"That's my mum you're talking about, Harry!" Ginny said.

"Sorry!" Harry said back as he pushed Ron against the wall. Ron pushed him against the opposite wall, and Harry pushed him back.

"LAY OFF MY SISTER!" Ron yelled.

"I'M NOT ON YOUR SISTER!" Harry retorted. They continued to push each other back and forth, until Harry's shoulder blades ached and he imagined it was beginning to look quite comical.

"What is going on here?" an annoying, pompous, unwelcome voice said. Percy stood, arms crossed. "What are you two doing, making a racket like this?"

Ron ignored him. In fact, he probably didn't hear him. "YEAH, SURE, AND I'M THE QUEEN'S OTHER SISTER! LAY OFF HER, YOU MUDBLOOD!"

"I'm not a Mudblood! In case you didn't notice, a whole bloody side of my family is 'pure'!" Harry said, pushing Ron back to the wall again.

"What is going on?" demanded a new voice. Grandmother had arrived, along with an appalled looking Mrs. Weasley.

"Ronald Weasley, what did you just say?" she demanded.

"LAY OFF MY SISTER, YOU HEAR? AND IF I SEE THIS ONE MORE TIME, YOU SICK LITTLE..." Ron then swore so vehemently that his mother gasped and promptly fainted.

"DON'T YOU GO INSULTING MY MOTHER AGAIN!" Harry yelled back. He called Ron a few more names that caused Grandmother to stride towards them, and pull them apart violently with amazing strength.

"Enough!" she said. "I thought you two were friends. Friends don't fight with each other. This was highly immature of you!"

Mrs. Weasley groaned and sat up. "Are you all right, Mum?" Ginny said as she and Hermione rushed to help her up.

"I'd best not catch you two fighting ever again! And the language! Your mother would be turning in her grave if she heard you, Harry James Potter!" Grandmother said, spit flying into Harry and Ron's faces. Harry had figured out that Grandmother used "Harry" whenever extreme emotions were involved. And Grandmother was certainly not happy. "Go! You'd better clean yourselves up, the both of you! Now! In the kitchen!"

Harry and Ron marched robotically into the kitchen, glaring at each other briefly a few times. The room quieted as they entered.

"Blimey... did you two get attacked by Blast-Ended Skrewts?" George asked.

"No," Ron said briskly, grabbing a cloth and wiping his face.

"Buckbeak, then?" Fred suggested.

"No," Harry said in the same brisk tone.

"How about Ginny? She's awfully insane..." Fred cackled.

Harry and Ron scowled.

"It was Ginny that attacked them!" George said with mock surprise. "Bloody hell, Fred, I think we've got a XXXXX rated creature in this house! Hagrid will love having her in Care of Magical Creatures!"

"Uh oh," Fred said to Ron. "Here comes Ginny... looks like she wants to finish the job of killing you..."

Ron's scowl deepened. However, Ginny strode rebelliously to Harry, and suddenly kissed him. Harry was totally surprised, and found himself pinned to the wall by Ginny.

Ginny let go of him. Ron was fuming behind her. "You see, Ron, he didn't kiss back. We're friends, but that's it," she said with finality.

"Well, would you look at that," Fred said.

"Get her," George said with amazement. "A few years ago, she would have run away, blushing. Now Harry's liable to do that whenever Ginny enters the room."

***

"You're to stay at Grimmauld Place," Grandmother informed him.

"What?" Harry asked.

"You're to stay here. And Ronald is to go back to the Burrow with his sister and parents, and Hermione will be going back to her home."

"What?" Harry repeated.

"Your things will be sent here," Grandmother said, ignoring him. "I will be returning to the manor."

"Wait... why can't Hermione stay?" Harry said.

"The Order doesn't want you four around. However, the headquarters are safer than the manor, so you will stay here." Grandmother left. It was obvious she was disappointed in him about that morning.

The Order didn't want them around... were they perhaps doing something secret? Something which even he couldn't know about?

"Hey, Remus," Harry said glumly as Lupin sat down next to him at the table. He felt extremely low. Aunt Petunia was dead, and he had killed Pettigrew. Ron was mad at him, and now his Grandmother was disappointed in him.

"Hello, Harry," Lupin said. "Did she have a good yell at you?"

"No," Harry said dejectedly. He wished his grandmother had yelled at him. There hadn't even been one comparison to his father in their 'conversation'.

"Ah," Lupin said. "Are... are you and Ron all right now?"

Harry turned to face him. He said nothing. "I see," Lupin said. "You'll make up if I know you two well enough. After all, in your fourth year..."

"That was a stupid argument over jealousy," Harry said bitterly. "This time, it's a matter of trust, sir."

"Harry?" Lupin said. Harry never called Lupin 'sir'.

"That's right," Harry said. He was suddenly feeling angry at everything and everyone. Even Lupin, who was only trying to help him. "Professor."

Harry found himself stalking off into the hallway. He could hear Lupin calling his name, but he ignored him. Harry walked around aimlessly until he walked into his and Ron's old room at Grimmauld Place. The room was empty and cleared of all inhabitation. Sighing, Harry lay down on his old bed. What is wrong with me? He thought. Throwing Remus off like that. And Ron, he thought bitterly. I thought we were better friends than that. After seven years, he still doesn't trust me. Our fourth year... fine, we were young, but now? He sure changes his mind quickly...

Harry felt himself becoming drowsy. I'll go downstairs in a minute, he thought. The ceiling turned black as Harry felt himself slipping into sleep.

The room was inhabited again. It was the summer before Harry's fifth year, and he and Ron were happily playing chess on the floor.

"Check," Ron said happily.

"Bloody castle," Harry muttered.

The door opened, and Sirius poked his head in. "Sorry to say this, but your mum wants you two downstairs to help with the dust," he said to Ron.

Harry and Ron sighed, and followed Sirius down the stairs. Mrs. Weasley was waiting with Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and George. "There you are!" she said. She handed them brooms. "Sweep up!"

Suddenly, Ron turned into Wormtail, and pointed his wand at Harry. "I killed everyone," he hissed. "Everyone. Avada Kedavra!"

The green light enveloped Harry, and he found himself at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. He glided down the path, all the way until he reached the cliff overlooking Orkney again. He turned slowly and started to glide into a different forest, this one full of fir trees, like the Black Forest.

Slowly, he began to go down a different path, this time winding through trees and hovering over tree trunks. He reached a clearing that seemed to glow with an ethereal light.

In the middle of the clearing was a well, made of stone. However, the water inside glowed blue, and Harry's phoenix necklace began to glow blue as well. Harry made his way to the edge of the well. The edges were carved with a strange language that looked like the ancient runes Hermione liked to study.

Harry went closer to the water. His necklace touched the water...

Harry's eyes snapped open. He was back in the room at Grimmauld Place. Faint rumblings of speech were coming from the kitchen, and there were many bangs and clatters. Someone was coming up the stairs.

The door to the room opened, and Lupin poked his head in. "Knew I'd find you here," he said quietly. "The Ministry is here. They just want to know what happened with Peter."

Harry nodded, and followed Lupin out. His mind was buzzing. What was with the well in the forest? Had that been what his dreams were trying to show him before?

The kitchen was full of Ministry officials and a few Aurors. Tonks sat at the table, looking quite miffed and grouchy. "Harry," she said in greeting. "They're here to question you." She scowled and yawned.

"I was told," Harry said. He was feeling quite angry himself.

"Ah! Harry!" Fudge said in a fatherly fashion.

"Hello," Harry said dully.

"Now, now, Harry, don't worry about the, er, curse," Fudge said. "That was taken care of. Self-defence and all. We just want to know about... events, we might say, leading up to this. And how exactly Pettigrew was alive."

"Mr. Potter!" said a breathy, girlish voice. Umbridge walked over to him quickly. "How nice to see you again!" she added.

Harry was inwardly retching. Did he have to see Umbridge of all people?

"Now, now, Dolores, not the time," Fudge said. "Later on, perhaps, but not yet."

An Auror rushed over. "Please, Mr. Potter, tell us from the start: How did Pettigrew fake his own death?"

Harry raised an eyebrow at the irony. A few years before, the Ministry had called him mad. "He was an Animagus," Harry said. "After Sirius came after him, he cut off his finger, blew up the street, and transformed. Sirius was innocent. Pettigrew was my parents' Secret Keeper. He worked for Voldemort," Fudge and the others flinched, "and he told him about the plans. When Voldemort was defeated, Pettigrew hid as a rat. Sirius and Professor Lupin knew about him being a rat, so they found him and tried to kill him. I saved him, though, since he was begging for his life. But he escaped, and rejoined Voldemort, helping him rise."

"I-I see," the Auror said. "Thank you."

"And I," announced Fudge. "I am fully pardoning Sirius Black, posthumously, of course," he said pompously.

Harry was annoyed. Happy, yes, but annoyed that Fudge hadn't taken his word before. If he had, Sirius could have still been alive. "That you, sir," Harry said rigidly.

"You're welcome," Fudge said, winking.

Harry felt disgusted, but he nodded back. "Well, if that's all," Fudge said. "We'll be going, then."

All the Ministry officials turned at Fudge's words, nodded a quick goodbye, and started out the kitchen door.

"Sure have changed a lot since before," Tonks said as the door closed. "Back when it was all beginning, I was shunned."

"Hmm," Harry said in agreement.

"So," Tonks said. "I heard you and Ron had a fallout," she paused and winked. "Over his younger sister."

Harry turned red. "Ginny was apologising to me, and Ron jumped to conclusions," he said, scowling.

"Yes, I thought so," Tonks said. "I knew you and Ginny weren't on good terms for a while."

"How?" Harry asked.

"How did I know? My friends were at the ball. The Wand Girls. All three were in my dorm at Hogwarts. Sarah, Nancy, and Kate."

"Selena, Nimue, and Kiara," Harry said. "So those weren't their real names?"

"No," Tonks said. "They used to call me Nora, since I hated Nymphadora. And I'd call them Selena, Nimue, and Kiara. Anyway, they told me how you two were quite stand-offish at each other. Kiara practically worships you."

Harry coughed at this new fact. Tonks giggled. "Only joking, Harry."

"So, what's the baby? Boy or girl?" Harry asked.

Tonks laughed. "You don't know anything about babies, do you? We don't know yet, of course, but we're thinking up names."

"Like?" Harry asked.

"Oh, Joe was thinking about the name Catherina, but that's like naming it Nymphadora. Besides, I said it could be a boy, so I suggested Jack. Can't go wrong with that. Joe didn't like it."

"Right," Harry said. He felt much better after talking to Tonks. Fleur came into the kitchen, shivering, her cloak covered in snow.

"It's snowing out zere!" she said.

"Fleur! Your accent's nearly gone!" Harry said in surprise.

Fleur beamed. "Yes, Bill 'elped me while you were at school. We did a lot of work on my English. Is it good?"

"Very," Harry said, grinning.

"So, 'ow 'ave you been?" Fleur said. "I wasn't here zis morning. Bill and I were doing something for the Order wiz Viktor."

Harry shrugged. "Girl trouble," Tonks informed Fleur.

"Girls?" Fleur said, her eyes laughing. "Ah, yes, my sister, Gabrielle, she eez in Beauxbatons now. She talks of all ze boys there. She doesn't know what to do," Fleur said. "Well? 'Oo is the lucky girl?"

"The one and only girl he doesn't want to be with if he wants to avoid trouble," Tonks said mischievously. Harry was blushing furiously.

"We're not together," he mumbled, deciding whether hiding under the table was a good idea.

"You are not talking about Mademoiselle Ginny, are you?" Fleur said to Tonks. "She 'as become pretty in the last few years, I have noticed. She has had many boyfriends. And 'arry," Fleur said. "'arry, did you know zat my sister- she... oh, 'ow do you say it? She drools over you at 'ome in France? Ever since ze tournament." She giggled.

Harry turned, if possible, redder. Fleur went on nonchalantly, yet Harry could see the mischievous look in her eyes as well. "Yes, she 'as hung up pictures of you on her wall at 'ome. I caught her kissing one over ze summer."

Harry's mind worked furiously. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to contact Rita Skeeter, kiss Ginny passionately in front of her photographer, Bozo, and get the word out to public that he was with Ginny Weasley, and was therefore taken.

"Ah, you see? He is thinking of a way out," Fleur said. "'arry, that was a warning. Gabrielle eez waiting outside that door. She wanted me to tell you before she came in. Of course, eet was to show her devotion."

Harry paled to his normal colour in seconds. The door opened, and a mini-Fleur stepped in. "Fleur! Comment êtes-vous? Où est-il? Où, Fleur, où? Je veux le rencontrer! Il m'aime?" Harry didn't understand one word, except for 'Fleur', but he could tell she was very excited. That was a bad sign.

Gabrielle spotted him. "'arry! 'arry Potter! You must speek ze French; you are ze 'ero!ry! Comme vous moi? Je suis beau, non? S'il vous plaît vous dire comme moi!"

"Er..." Harry said, struggling to remember his primary school French. "Excuse moi. Je ne peux pas parler maintenant. Je dois aller. Au revoir," Harry said slowly. He knew he was strangling the language. Taking Gabrielle's silence as permission to leave, he nearly bolted out of the room.

"Oh, 'e eez so charming!" Gabrielle said to her sister in English. "'e spoke French!"

Harry could hear Fleur giggling in his mind.


Author notes: Remember to review at the end of the next chapter!

Thank you to Favrielle and ephemera for beta-ing! You're the best!

Also, thanks to jwilliams, Nonya, jgwatsonjg, neha_dkulkarni, MoNkEyBeAtEr, AgiVega, Dean Ahlberg, airbaggy1, Elder Rogue, blackeaerials, DarkWitch13, argos, coolcat761, dernhelmsdeep, pucca_fan, Dracoluverforever, and DarkWinterPrincess for reviewing! Hope I didn't forget anyone!