Harry Potter and Unexpected Beginnings

Chapter forty-four

The mood inside the castle was solemn and dark in the days that followed Malfoy's disappearance. Harry was excused from detention considering the circumstances, while many students looked at him suspiciously. Rumors that he had caused the disappearance echoed in whispers around the classrooms and the Great Hall. The Daily Prophet had caught hold of the fight between Malfoy and Harry, displaying their usual array of speculations and accusations directed to Harry. New stories appeared daily, each one worse than the first. By the following Friday, the Daily Prophet had once again accused Harry of being an outlandish liar and cheat in order to secure the House Cup, while in the next sentence assuring the readers that Malfoy's disappearance could easily have been an act of his father, still in exile. Stories of the reward placed on Malfoy's head began casting shadows across the Gryffindor table and once again Harry found himself isolated from the other students. At least this time he had Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna to support him. Most of the D.A. was backing him up, while many of the professors threatened detention for anyone caught spreading rumors.

Saturday morning came with an unusual rainstorm, bringing a cold wind and a deeper sense of dread to the school. Harry found himself sitting absent-mindedly in a chair in the Gryffindor common room, staring at the fire. He had spent the past week regretting a great deal of things that had happened. He felt bad for the fight he had with Malfoy, especially after being convinced that he was the fifth point of the star - which he still believed. He regretted the argument he had with Ginny, who was still angry with him to a small degree, but most of all, he felt horrible about forgetting the young woman's birthday. He had planed on spending her birthday - the same day as the final Quidditch game, alone in Hogsmeade with her. He still worried about the premonition he had, but knew that Hogsmeade was currently being patrolled by Aurors. He had planned on making her sixteenth birthday a memorable occasion. In a bizarre way, he guessed he had done just that.

Hermione and Ron sat across from him on a couch, aimlessly reliving the information surrounding Malfoy's disappearance. It had been determined that he had been taken by Portkey. A student from Hufflepuff remembered seeing him receive a letter from his personal owl. That was the last anyone saw him, or the letter. It was speculated that the news of his secret owls to his lawyer and his sitting alone on the Quidditch Pitch at night, had made its back to the Dark Lord, who took advantage of the news. People were looking at Crabbe and Goyle suspiciously, who were rather pleased with themselves since their leader's disappearance. Even the Slytherin House was trying to avoid the robust dual.

"I don't care," Ron was saying, his temper rising in the quiet room. "I will never accept Malfoy as a defender of our side. He's an evil little rodent."

"But Harry believes he's the missing part," Hermione said, her tone softer than Ron's as not to attract any further attention from the first years sitting in the corner. "You have to trust in that. Even Dumbledore believes he's in the running."

"Well you'll never convince me he could possibly turn good. He's a creepy little worm and you can't trust him."

"Chances are he isn't even alive," Harry said softly, receiving a look of disbelief and concern from Hermione and an almost hopeful expression from Ron.

"Don't think like that," Hermione scolded. "We'll find him."

"How?" Harry snapped a little louder than he'd have preferred, receiving frightened looks from Sabrina and her new friends sitting at the corner table. Harry lowered his gaze, his tone following suit. "We don't even know where he is, or where Voldemort is hiding out."

"There has to be some record, somewhere," Hermione said.

"I'm open for suggestions," Harry said, tossing himself against the back of the chair, unconscious he had even sat forward.

"You know, I'm the last person who wants to find him," Ron began, ignoring the expression from the girl next to him. "But has either of you considered checking with the orphanage where he grew up? Granted, they wouldn't give information on children currently under their jurisdiction, but I heard my dad once say that it was easy for Muggles to get information on ancestors through the Wide World Cobweb."

"You mean the World Wide Web," Hermione corrected patiently. "That may be an idea Harry. I can owl my mum and dad and see if they can research it for us. We have the internet at home. At least it's worth a try."

"At this point I'll do anything," Harry said in frustration.

"I'm surprised Ron," Hermione said in total awe of the young man's aid. "You actually came up with a good idea."

"Don't worry, I won't let it go to my head."

"Can I use Pig to send the owl?"

"Sure, he's up in the Owlery. I'll go with you." Ron and Hermione hurried out of the common room via the portrait hole, leaving Harry to continue sitting in frustrated silence.

"You don't look very happy," Sabrina said, as she stepped up beside him. Harry glanced up at her and forced a smile across his lips.

"I'm just irritated with everything going on," he told her as she sat on the couch Hermione and Ron had just vacated.

"I don't believe what everyone's saying about you being involved in Malfoy's disappearance," she told him with a soft blush.

"Thanks Sabrina. That really means a lot coming from you. I'd hate it if I lost your friendship."

"You won't. There are others who feel the same as I do. We're all supporting you."

"You're not alone," Ginny said from behind him, causing Harry to look across the back of the chair to where she stood listening. "There's a lot more supporting you than accusing you."

"Thanks," Harry said in an awkward whisper. They were still arguing and the tension between them was still thick, though now they were able to talk without biting each other's head off.

"I've got homework to finish," Sabrina said with a smile. "Don't give up Harry. It will all work out eventually. You'll see."

"With friends like you, I'll never have a need to worry," Harry told her, watching the blush creep up her neck, tinting her cheeks and nose. He watched as the young girl returned to the table with her friends, and then looked up as Ginny took her seat.

"What about the rest of us?" she asked him with a half smile. "Are you worried you don't have enough followers?"

"I don't want followers, Ginny. It makes me sound like Voldemort."

"No, you're too cute to be compared to him." Harry smiled, his turn to blush.

"I didn't think you still thought of me like that," he said softly.

"Why shouldn't I? Just because you've been acting like a prat, doesn't mean I don't still love you. Nothing will ever change that."

"You're sure?" Ginny leaned forward, placing her hand on his and smiling sweetly.

"Positive."

"I owe you an apology," Harry said after a few moments of staring at her. "With everything that's happened lately, I forgot about your birthday."

"It's all right," Ginny smiled, her eyes lowered to the ground. "I know how weird things have been around here."

"That doesn't give me an excuse. I had plans for a really nice evening in Hogsmeade. I'm sorry I never got a chance to show you."

"When things settle down, you can show me then."

"That doesn't change the fact that I forgot it."

"Hey you two," Ron interrupted as he and Hermione rejoined them. "You finally talking again?"

"We never stopped, Ronald," Ginny snapped as her brother sat next to her, pushing her into the arm of the couch.

"You could have fooled me."

"Did you get the letter sent already?" Harry asked, watching as Ginny tried to struggle free from her prison in the corner of the now, very uncomfortable couch.

"Yeah. They should get it in a few hours. Hopefully they can find the information we need before summer holidays." Hermione sat close to Ron, her hand tucked inside his assuring Harry silently that they spent a little more time in the Owlery than actually necessary.

"What are you talking about?" Ginny asked finally standing up from the penned corner she was trapped in. Harry reached out a hand to her, and then pulled her onto his lap when she took it. It had been several days since they had been this close and right now, Harry was content to just be holding her again.

"Hermione owled her parents to see if they could get information on Tom Riddle from the orphanage he grew up in," Harry told her with a smile.

"Do you think there will be anything of use there?"

"Hopefully. All we can do is try."

"I just hope we can find Malfoy before anything bad happens to him."

"Another bleeding heart," Ron grumbled under his breath.

"Did you know Malfoy's father promised him to Voldemort when he turned 16?" Harry said in an absent tone.

"Bloody hell," Ron said with wide eyes. "You mean like a sacrifice?"

"No, like in servitude. He was born to be a Death Eater. That's why his mum turned against the dark side. She was afraid for him."

"Are you feeling sorry for him?"

"No, I'm just starting to understand him a little better."

"Harry, have you forgotten the bloody bastard tried to kill you during Quidditch?"

"No, Ron, I haven't forgotten, but that doesn't mean I have to ignore everything else around me. There's more to life than Quidditch you know?"

"Bite your tongue!" Ron exclaimed in surprise.

"Look, Ron, we have to start thinking about our futures. I can't keep hiding behind these walls hoping to find a way to defeat Voldemort. He's already proven Hogwart's isn't as safe as we had always thought. He made it into the Forbidden Forest and now he's managed to snatch Malfoy. We can't ignore what's happening around us."

"We're not ignoring them, we're just ignoring Ferret-Face disappearing." Ron looked at Harry and sighed, rolling his eyes. "All right, so we're not as safe as we had always thought. That doesn't mean we have to run right out and find him."

"He has a warrant on his head, Ron," Hermione said angrily. "Every dark follower in the wizarding world, would surrender their own mother in order to get it. If Voldemort doesn't have him, then it's only a matter of time until he gets hold of him."

"And then what?" Ron snapped at her. "Do we rush in and save his worthless arse and pat him on the back when he insults us?"

"Why do I bother talking to you?" Hermione asked aggravated. "I'm going to the library. There has to be something there I've missed." She left the room, ignoring the pleading look on Ron's face as stepped through the portrait hole.

"That's just bloody great," he grumbled. "We were going to take advantage of the Room of Requirements, but instead she's run off to the library again. I swear, if I had my wish I'd burn every book in the place, just so she wouldn't have an excuse to hide behind them."

"Well if you weren't acting like such a bloody git, she wouldn't have a reason to hide." Ginny watched her brother's expression narrow as he considered her words.

"Look, why don't we all go help her," Harry suggested, hoping to put an end to any argument that may develop. "With all of us looking, I'm sure we can find something."

"Fine. I doubt I'll get anything beyond a paper cut this weekend anyway." Ron stood and followed the other two out the door, grumbling his way to the library. Reading and researching was not exactly how he planned on spending his time.

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Harry and Ginny walked silently to the Great Hall. News of Malfoy's disappearance still echoed through the castle walls, even after three long weeks. Those who spoke his name did so in a soft reverent voice, as though news of his death had already reached them. The mood had taken on a tense air of anticipation. Every student in every house, was reacting to the tension. Classes and activities had become less a chore and more a necessity; something to help occupy the minds and souls of those living within the massive stonewalls.

Ginny walked with her hand securely inside Harry's, squeezing it on occasion to reassure him that she was still there. His concern for her had grown worse over the past three weeks, making him seem paranoid and nervous. He knew it was only a matter of time before Voldemort struck again, but knowing that and wondering when were two different things entirely. He turned and smiled at the girl next to him, his heart welling with emotions. The feeling was bittersweet. He knew on the one hand that fate had a way of showing its head, changing the outcome of a situation when it felt bored or temperamental. On the other hand, it wouldn't take much to cause this beautiful girl to stand and fight, just as he knew he would do.

They walked behind a small group of Ravenclaws, through the massive doors to the Great Hall. Sitting at the Gryffindor table was Ron, along with Seamus, Dean and Neville. The Creevey boys were close by as usual, reviewing notes from the last D.A. meeting. Harry nodded at them, smiling to Sabrina as they passed, taking up the seats next to Ron. Harry reached for a plate of sausages, but didn't feel much like eating. He couldn't believe he was not hungry, especially since he hadn't eaten more than a few morsels since yesterday's breakfast. He sat the plate next to Ginny, and then reached for her hand, kissing the back of it. He couldn't help but remember the premonition again. He couldn't seem to let her go, he couldn't be more than a few feet from her without sensing a rise of panic close around his heart.

Harry looked up as Hermione came hurrying toward them, her face flushed; her hair seemed bushier than normal. She sat between Ron and Harry, gasping for breath as she waved the letter she had received from her parents.

"My mum has a patient who works in the Muggle Department of Child Services," she said excitedly. "There was no record of Tom Riddle at the orphanage, because of the length of time since he was there, so my mum called her patient who went through the achieves and found this." She opened the letter and held it out for them to read.

"'Tom Marvolo Riddle, born to Anna Felicia Marvolo Riddle, died due to complications associated with child birth. Father, Tom Riddle of Little Hangleton, deceased. No living relatives. Child placed in custody of Stockwell Orphanage.'"

"Little Hangleton?" Harry asked in a mixture of surprise and excitement. "That must be where he's hiding. Wormtail said he was staying at the one place his father sought refuge and the bones of the father was used in the potion that restored Voldemort to human form. It makes sense. He's still there, I know it."

"We have to tell Dumbledore," Hermione whispered.

"After breakfast," Ron insisted. "If we get up and bombard him now, there's going to be a lot of people listening. What if there's a spy here, like everyone's been saying?"

"Good point," Harry said, glancing toward the Headmaster, who, as usual was watching them with interest.

They continued eating their breakfasts, each feigning interest in the sausages and eggs, pancakes, French toast, hash browns, ham, juice and milk. Harry sat next to Ginny, as they listened to something Ron and Hermione were saying about Malfoy, but didn't really hear any of it. He raised the girl's hand, kissing the back of it, then smiled, allowing her to finish her meal. He knew he had to ease up on her, but it was difficult to let go. His love for her was intoxicating and he couldn't find the strength within him to let her go. At least with the news of Riddle's hiding place, he had a brief glimpse of hope. Harry glanced to the attractive young red head next to him, smiling, as she shifted in her seat, her wand slipping from the inside pocket and falling to the floor. Ginny sighed as she retrieved it, setting it on the table next to her plate.

"I really need to get a case for this thing," she complained.

"Why don't you order one from Ollivander's?"

"Because I don't have the money for one thing. My mum would complain about it being an extravagance I can do without."

"What if I bought it for you? I never got you a birthday present, we could order you one to make up for my negligence."

"I did get an advertisement in the mail yesterday that had several really nice ones in it."

"Then pick one out and I'll get it for you."

"I think I brought it with me," Ginny said softly rummaging through her bag. "It was a really nice flyer. It had a lot of wand supplies in it besides the cases."

Within the span of a blink of the eye, Harry watched her vanish in front of him. Her bag fell from the seat she had been in, a flickering light the only reminder of the girl's presence. Harry jumped up from is seat, staring blankly at the spot she had just occupied, her wand still sitting on the table. The room became deathly quiet, as every student looked on. Ron and Hermione were at Harry's elbow in a split second. There was nothing to do, she was gone and his premonition had come true. A horrible feeling enveloped inside Harry's stomach, twisting like a knife in the knots that had just formed. The scraping of chair legs across stone echoed like thunder in the room as Dumbledore stood followed by McGonagall, Snape and Tonks.

"All Prefects are to escort their students back to their houses. You are to remain there until otherwise notified. Mr. Potter, come with me," Harry glanced up toward the Headmaster, his face displaying the misery and shock he felt raging inside his soul, while Dumbledore laid a reassuring hand on the young man's shoulder. Harry followed the aged wizard to the room behind the head table, being joined by McGonagall, Snape and Tonks. Ron and Hermione reluctantly turned to their tasks of taking the students back to Gryffindor Tower.

Halfway up the stairs, Seamus, Dean and Neville stopped the two Prefects. They looked around as other students from all houses joined them.

"We're not going back to our houses," Seamus told them. "Harry needs our help and it's time we put our skills to use." Hermione opened her mouth as if to speak, but Ron beat her to it.

"Meet us in the Room of Requirements," he told them. "We'll be there as soon as we get the younger years settled." Seamus turned and led the rest of the D.A. members to the room indicated, while Ron and Hermione continued on their way. They escorted the students inside, ordering them to remain there until McGonagall sent word that they could leave and then left the portrait hole again. Hermione instructed the fat lady to refuse any student entrance or exit until either Dumbledore or McGonagall told her otherwise, then hurried down to the Room of Requirements.

The D.A. members were already assembled, each had their wands out and each knew what was expected of them. They became silent when Ron and Hermione joined them, unsure what to ask or how much to say.

"We don't even know where she is," Hermione complained. "I think we should wait until Dumbledore tells us what's going on."

"He's taken her, you know that. We have to go to Little Hangleton, that's where he's hiding. Besides Hermione, you know about Harry's second premonition," Ron snapped. "She's been taken to Voldemort and he's going to kill her in order to get to Harry. I won't stand by and let that happen."

"Neither will I," a voice said from behind them. They turned to see Harry standing there, a look of determination etching his face.

"What did Professor Dumbledore say?" Hermione asked quickly.

"He ordered me not to do anything foolish. He said I'd be walking into a trap, but I know where she is and I know how to get there. He wants me and I'm going."

"You're not going alone, mate," Ron told him, as the members gathered around.

"He's expecting me, but he's not expecting all of you. I'm gong to use the floo network, but I'm pretty sure I'll be directed straight to him. All of you can go to the house next to the Riddle house."

"What house?" Hermione asked, fear etching her delicate features.

"I've seen it in my dreams. There's a small house like a caretakers cottage next to the main house. I'm sure you can get them there Hermione. I'll go by way of the main house."

"How do we get there?" Dean asked, as Harry reached into his pocket, pulling out a small canvas bag of floo powder.

"Someone will have to distract Filch, once he's out of his office, we can use his fireplace to floo there. Dumbledore said I shouldn't go, but he's the one who gave me the floo powder, He knows I'll go after her, just as Voldemort knows," he explained, seeing the questions in Hermione's eyes. "It's dangerous, you should all know that. I have to go, but the rest of you don't."

"She's my sister and I'm going," Ron said sternly. "I won't stand by hoping for the best."

"She's our friend and we won't stand around waiting to hear that she's gone," Neville said. "We were together in the Ministry last year and we'll be together now."

"We won't walk away," Luna added in an unusually strong tone.

"Then lets go. We need someone to distract Filch," Harry told them.

"Dobby will do it, sir." Harry heard the small voice from the open door, turning to see the house elf standing with his mix matched clothes and a determined look on his face. "Dobby will help Harry Potter save his Ginny."

"Thanks Dobby," Harry told him. "You can get in my trunk and take all the socks you want."

"No sir, Dobby doesn't do this for Harry Potter. He does it to end the evil in our world."

"Lets go," Harry said, smiling back to Dobby. They walked out into the hall, watching as Dobby signaled for them to stay behind. He hurried up the stairs and out of sight. A few moments later they heard an earth shattering crash, seeing pieces of a chandelier bounce down the stairs toward them. Immediately the sound of Filch's angry voice could be heard screeching through the castle. Dobby came bouncing back down the stairs with a huge smile on his little face.

"Harry Potter must hurry," he told them.

"Come on," Harry said, leading the way to the dark dismal office of the castle caretaker. They stepped to the fireplace and Harry handed them the bag. "You have to give the order to take you to the Riddle caretaker's cottage. Wait for a signal. If you don't hear from me within twenty minutes, get word back to Dumbledore. Don't' do anything rash," he told them looking to Ron. "I can't save Ginny and you too. Just be careful, and remember what we've learned."

"We're right behind you Harry," Seamus said with a stern, proud tone in his voice.

"So are we," a voice said from the open door. Harry turned quickly, his wand in his hand pointed directly at Blaise Zabini who stood in front of a group of Slytherins.

"What are you doing here?" Ron snapped, his wand pointing at the group, as did those of the other members of the D.A.

"Not all of us believe in what He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is doing," Blaise said. "We want to save Malfoy as much as you want to save Weasley. Not all of us dream of being Death Eaters you know."

"Fine, but stay out of trouble. If you cross us..." Harry began, watching as Blaise stepped forward, his head raised proudly, his hand reaching outward. Harry stared at him for a moment, then reached forward and shook his hand.

"We're on your side Potter."

"Then lets go. You have your orders," Harry glanced to Ron. "Remember to wait for a signal."

"What kind of signal?"

"I don't know, but I'll figure something out." With a final glance back to the group, he stepped inside the fireplace, taking a handful of floo powder from the bag Ron held out to him. He drew a deep breath, and then spoke in a clear strong voice.

"Riddle Estate in Little Hangleton," he said, dropping the powder and disappearing. Ron turned back to Hermione and the others, determination shining on his face.

"This is what we've been working for," he said boldly. "Now's the time to back out if you're scared." There was no noise and no sense of retreat and Ron smiled back at them.

"Then let's do this." He stepped into the fireplace, taking a handful of powder and looked back to Hermione.

"To our destiny," she told him. Ron smiled back to her then spoke again, just as clear and strong as Harry had.

"Riddle caretaker cottage in Little Hangleton." Hermione watched as he disappeared, then drew a deep breath.

"Destiny, here we come," she said as each one followed suit and disappeared into the vast darkness of the floo network.