Harry Potter and the Old Believers

Chapter 17

Friday, November 1, 1996

It was a very quiet quartet that made its way down to breakfast the next morning. None of them was certain about how the events of the night before would be affecting them, they only knew that they would be affected.

As they approached the Gryffindor table, Professor McGonagall intercepted them and sent them to the little side room where Harry had received the first Twi-Wizard instructions some two years before.

Dumbledore was waiting for them.

Their hearts fell. Each one remembered the Druid's statement that Voldemort was likely out killing someone in retribution the night before.

"Your families are safe," Dumbledore assured them right off. He then just addressed Ron and Ginny. "There was an attack on the Burrow last night, and although two Aurors have been killed, and Fred was slightly injured, the rest of your family are fine. Fortunately, your family apparates into the kitchen, not the sitting room, which is where He was waiting. Unfortunately, He made two other attacks, and seven others are also dead."

"Who. . . ?" Hermione managed to say.

"Various ministry employees; the Weasleys were the highest-ranking. It was Voldemort's act of defiance and vengeance for the destruction of his organization." He sighed. "I thought you should know before you went to class."

"Thank you," Ginny managed to say.

Harry nodded, merely saying, "Nine months." He turned and quickly left the room. The other three stared at each other for a moment, and then fled after him.

Dumbledore sat down, looking his age.

Harry flung himself into training for his up-coming fight with Voldemort. Only Quidditch and Ginny could distract him. And even when it came to Quidditch, Harry gave up being captain to Ron.

The attacks continued to occur at fairly irregular, and certainly unpredictable, intervals. Sometimes there were two a night, sometimes as much as nine days came between attacks. So, as November flowed into December, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were called into a meeting with Dumbledore, Lupin, and Pwy. All three knew what the topic of the meeting would be.

"I am concerned about how hard Mister Potter is working," Dumbledore said with little preamble as soon as the trio sat. "Especially considering that much of his work is outside of the curriculum. I understand, of course, why he is so obsessed with his training, but I believe he may be over-doing it."

"We agree," Hermione said, "but how can we get him to slow down?"

"I don't know that we can," Ron said, in a worried tone. "He has a calendar, marking down the days until he can fight Vol. . .Volde. . . ."

"Keep working on it, Mister Weasley," Pwy said. "You're getting better at it."

"We must get him to relax over Christmas," Dumbledore said. "For that to happen, he must understand that you are all happy and safe. Now, Miss Granger, your mother's recovery continues at a fairly good pace. There is a well-warded rest home and spa in Wales. I was thinking that perhaps we could have your mother transferred there for the holidays, and that you and Mister Weasley could spend your vacation there, although I expect you would spend at least Christmas afternoon at the Burrow."

"But what about Harry?" Hermione asked.

"We'll come to him in a moment. How does the proposal sound for you and Mister Weasley here?"

"Wonderful, of course, sir," Hermione answered, but her previous question hung in the air.

"Now, the Dursleys are naturally out of the question, and we needn't call any more attention to the Burrow than we have to," Dumbledore mused. "I rather doubt the spa in Wales would be relaxing for him in any manner, and I also rather doubt your mother would welcome you spending the time alone with Harry or unsupervised with Harry and two other bachelors," Dumbledore finished, looking at Ginny.

"Harry needs to be able to fly," Ron asserted. He then added, more reluctantly, "And he needs to be with Ginny as much as possible and as alone as possible. He needs to remember that he has something to really live for, that he doesn't exist just to fight Volde. . .mort. He really is counting the days down, and we need to help him deal with that pressure."

"The sticking point is Mum," Ginny said.

"And your father, and our consciences," Dumbledore added drily. "I was not aware of what the arrangements were going to be last summer. I had thought you'd be better supervised." He gave Pwy a very dirty look. Pwy contrived to look innocent.

"Find a safe place for Harry to fly, then worry about the rest," Ginny said. "If Harry knows I'm safe, maybe it would best for him to get away from everything."

"Very well," Dumbledore agreed.

Tuesday, December 10, 1996

"You wanted to see me, Doctor Pwy?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, come in and sit down, Ginny." Pwy sighed. "You know, it's not as easy as you might think to find Harry a safe place to fly in total safety this time of year. The few places that are really safe really wouldn't give him the privacy he needs, especially when you're taken into account."

"How about if I'm not taken into account?"

"How do you think Harry would like to spend. . .well, let me rephrase this. You and Harry are planning to go to the Yule Ball on the Twentieth, right?"

"Right. And the train is Saturday, the next day."

"Now, Hermione and Ron would leave the next day, but not by train. I can get them to the spa via my corridor. I'll take you home the same way on Monday, which would give you and Harry two days more or less alone, since there aren't any students staying on in Gryffindor except Harry. I'll bring him to the Burrow for Christmas, along with Ron and Hermione; you mustn't let on to anyone that he'll be there -- not even your brothers or Hermione -- just to make certain nothing gets out. I'll talk with your parents. Christmas night I'll take Harry, Sirius, and Remus off to spend some time together. I can bring Harry, and you, back here any time, from New Year's Eve to January Fifth, which is when you would all be returning anyway. Talk it over with Harry. Remus and Sirius are interested, but not about to pressure him. Still, I think it might be fun for him to get away with them, and maybe Hagrid, for a week or so."

"True," Ginny mused. "They can have some fun. . . . You know, Harry once told me that one thing he missed about not having a father, besides all the obvious things, were simple things like going fishing with him."

"Those three are ready to step in," Pwy said, "alone or together. Talk it over with Harry. I know you want to be with him, and deserve to be with him, but let him maintain these other friendships, too."

Ginny stood up. "You're a good man, Doc. I'll see what Harry says."

Harry was very uncertain about not being with Ginny for most of the holiday. She could see how torn he was, and managed to talk him into Pwy's agenda. Harry liked spending time with Sirius, Remus, and Hagrid, and Ginny managed to convince Harry that this was the best combination of their desires. Pwy refused to tell Harry what he would need on the trip, other than his broom and wand. Hagrid and the others were no help, since Pwy refused to tell them anything, either. Pwy managed to get Sinistra to agree to give Harry some extra credit if he could figure out where he ended up. Sirius and Remus pledged not to help him.

Ron and Harry stood in the common room, waiting for Ginny and Hermione to join them so that they could go to the Ball. "What was that box you gave Ginny when they went up?" Ron asked suspiciously.

"If she liked them, you'll find out," Harry answered nervously, "if they ever get down here."

"Oh." Ron became very glum.

"Ron? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Come on, Ron."

"Some times it's hard. . .when, well, when you're rich and. . . ."

"Ron. . . ."

"It is hard, Harry. I'm not blaming you, or saying you shouldn't spend money on Ginny." Ron shrugged, unable to explain much more, other than. . . . "But it's hard."

"I'm sorry, Ron." Ron shrugged again. Harry pulled Ron over to a far wall. "Would you ever reconsider letting me help. . . ."

"No," Ron was firm.

"Ron, you're my best friend. Let me help."

Ron sighed.

"Ron, you're my best mate. You know very well that I have more money than I need. Why can't I help you for a few years, until you're ready to set up with a career? You certainly help me in every way you can, and let me help you in every other way."

"How much are you giving Ginny?" he challenged.

"Just a galleon a week up-front. It's all she would take directly, although she agreed to let me set up a small vault in both our names just before we left Weston. They deposit four galleons a week."

"Hermione got her own vault there last summer, too. Ask her if she'll take any for us," Ron challenged.

"They already deposit four a week from me -- she wouldn't take more, because Ginny wouldn't take more. They do let me pay for both vaults," Harry added. "I also put twenty-five a week into our joint vault there."

Ron was stunned. "Oh," he finally said. His shoulders sagged in defeat. "Alright. One a week?"

Harry shrugged in return. "Whatever you'll let me share with you, Ron. If it wasn't for Ginny, I'd give you half, if you'd take it. You and Hermione can have up to a third of the ready money, if you want it. Honestly, I just want to help."

"Who else have you helped?"

Harry looked his friend in the eye. "I gave the twins the Tri-Wizard winnings."

Ron had suspected that Harry had given the twins part of his winnings. "All of it?"

"All of it."

Ron was staggered. A thousand galleons was more than most working class wizards made in a year.

"Now, I figure that's less than two-thirds what I'll give you, Ginny, and Hermione over a three year period. And you know what? If I gave it all to you tomorrow, that would only make a little dent in that pile of galleons in my 'ready money' vault. And by then, I'll have access to the real money." Ron was studying the floor, refusing to look Harry in the eye. "So, like it or not, you're getting some money. And, if anything happens to me, you'll get it all. They let me make out a will early. Ginny, Sirius, you, and Hermione would inherit everything, if . . . you know, anything goes wrong. . . ."

"Don't say that!" Ron muttered fiercely.

"Only Doc and Dumbledore know. Who else should I give it to? The Dursleys?"

"Harry," Ron said with quiet insistence, "if I take the damn money will you please not mention this whole will thing to me again?"

"Okay," Harry said simply.

"What are you two muttering about in the corner?" Hermione asked from the stairs.

The two boys looked up, and both smiled fatuously. "Wow," Ron finally muttered.

"We are the two luckiest blokes at Hogwarts," Harry said simply. Ginny looked especially adorable in medium green Roman-style dress robes and the seed pearl necklace, earrings, and bracelet Harry had given her. Ron didn't argue. He was too stunned by the sight of Hermione.

The quartet saw the train off Saturday at 10:00 am, as good prefects should. After lunch, Pwy took Ron and Hermione to Wales.

"I wonder what we should do for the next fifty hours or so?" Ginny wondered, her eyes wide with faux innocence.

"The library is closed tomorrow; why don't we make certain that we have anything we need for the break?"

"Are you serious?"

"Absolutely. And we'll be good students in the common room, too. Maybe they'll be less likely to do a bed check that way."

Ginny grinned. "Probably more likely. We should go to bed like normal at Eleven, and you can just come over a little after midnight, with the map and your cloak."

"It's a deal."

The two days went by very fast, and Harry was alone right after lunch that Monday. There were very few students staying over the vacation that year; just four foreign exchange students who were in Ravenclaw and three First year Slytherins whose parents were dead or in prison.

Harry and Ginny had made a determined effort to be nice to the three Slytherins, and Harry continued that after Ginny left. Harry supervised them as they flew their broomsticks Tuesday morning, and arranged with Dobby to give them each a Christmas card and a cup cake Christmas morning.

Dobby had nodded, and mentioned that two of them so far had no presents at all. Harry grimaced at that, and (after getting permission from Dumbledore), went into Hogsmeade Christmas Eve morning with Hagrid and bought each a small present.

Snape had tried to stop Harry (and Ginny) from interacting with the three young students on Sunday, or at least had questioned Harry's motives. Harry had merely replied that he remembered all too well what it felt like to be unwanted at Christmas, and he wasn't about to let the three feel that way.

Snape had looked at him strangely, but had finally nodded and said no more to Harry until he'd requested permission to go into Hogsmeade from Dumbledore at breakfast. Dumbledore had looked doubtful, until Hagrid volunteered to go in with Harry. Snape had then seconded the idea, which made Remus nearly choke on his muffin.

Snape stopped Harry just before he left to join Hagrid. "Potter, would you be willing to run an errand for me in Hogsmeade?"

"Certainly, Professor Snape." Both were still on their best behavior to each other.

"I don't know what you plan on buying those three; something silly no doubt. Please, please refrain from buying anything from Zonko's or the Weasleys or Honeydukes or anyplace similar. Two of them do need new shirts, so I got each of them one. Could you please pick up the parcels I ordered for them from Gladrags? Hogsmeade owls are very busy this time of year."

"No problem, sir."

"Thank you, Potter." Snape started to turn. "If you wish any suggestions, Mister Crabbe needs a new House scarf; Miss Avery and Miss Flint both have cats in need of everyday cat baskets. I believe the pet shop in town sells them adorned with little House seals -- ones without seem more likely to meet with . . . accidents."

"Thank you, sir. I'll keep those in mind." 'That tells me more than I wanted to know about life in Slytherin!' Harry thought.

Harry stopped at the kitchen after he returned from Hogsmeade, and dropped the gifts (he had followed Snape's recommendations, but had also bought each Exploding Snap decks as well) and parcels off, along with a gift for Dobby and one for Dumbledore (two pairs of socks in both cases, although Dumbledore's weren't as gaudy as Dobby's). This year, Harry had small gifts for Pwy, Sirius, Remus, Hagrid, and Harri Myrddin as well as his friends, Ginny, and the rest of the Weasleys. He had already sent the Dursleys and Dudley food gifts from Hogsmeade via regular mail, although he rather doubted they would appreciate the Every-Flavour Beans.

Harry didn't sleep well Christmas Eve; his scar was hurting again, and the only thing that he knew of that could help when the pain was this bad was being held by Ginny, who of course was at the Burrow. He was awake, therefore, when Dobby came to reset the fires at 4:30.

"Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby enthused when he saw Harry was awake, although he said it quietly for him.

"Hi, Dobby. I was hoping I'd see you in private this break." Harry was glad that, if he had to be awake, he had caught Dobby now. Dobby had mentioned a few weeks before that he tried to be the one to take of Harry's room whenever possible.

"Of course, Harry Potter, sir! Dobby is always ready to work in this room! And Dobby is very proud of Harry Potter, his friend Wheezy, and of course his beautiful Miss Wheezy!"

"Not Hermione?" Harry teased.

"Miss Miny is a great witch, but. . .Dobby will not criticize Harry Potter's friends!"

'Well,' Harry thought, 'at least he's not banging his head with something.'

"Dobby, may I ask you something, and will you keep it a secret?" 'After all,' Harry had repeatedly reasoned, 'you can trust a house elf with your secrets.' And Harry had to share this secret dream with some one.

"Of course, Harry Potter!"

"In four to six years, if we all survive, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and I might set up house, either together or next door to each other. Would you, or you and Winky, or you and some other elf of your choice, care to join us?"

"Harry Potter, sir?" Dobby was so shocked he wasn't sure what he heard.

"Would you like to come work for us? You'd have to take a little more pay, and one day off a week, mind, or Hermione would pitch a fit, but would you?"

"Dobby would gladly go back to slavery to be Harry Potter's!" Tears of joy formed in Dobby's eyes.

"But you wouldn't be anyone's slave. You'd be free, just working for us and staying our friend. If you don't want to, you'll still be our friend. Tell me by next Christmas, and not a word to anyone else, not even Winky or my friends. I would still need you to keep secrets, you know. If there's some other house elf, one that we'd need to buy her freedom or something, let me know by then, too."

Dobby nodded. "Dobby understands. Thank you, Harry Potter, for best Christmas ever. Now get into bed. Dobby will help you rest for a few hours."

"You're a good friend, Dobby," Harry said. "I'm sorry we don't come to see you often enough."

Dobby teared up again. "Dobby is yours, Harry Potter, sir, your servant and your friend. Now sleep." Dobby touched Harry's scar and the pain disappeared. "Just sleep, my Friend and Master Harry Potter, sir," Dobby crooned.

Pwy transported Harry to the Burrow right after breakfast, and took his and the Tuatha member's present with him. He'd be delivering Hermione and Ron later that morning.

This year, only Ginny and Ron would be home. The other Weasley boys were spending the holidays with their girlfriends' families, except for Percy, who was in the last stages of rehab -- he'd be coming home the following day (Penelope Clearwater had been the last soul recovered, and was behind Percy in terms of her rehab; they were spending Christmas together and had just announced their elopement). Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were rather speechless with Harry -- two large heavy boxes had been delivered to them in Harry's name, and they just weren't certain what to say to him.

With daily access to his small account in the Weston branch of Gringotts the previous summer, Harry had finally thought to get an accounting of how much money he had in all his accounts. The totals had both staggered and embarrassed him. Since there was only some seven months to go until he had access to truly outrageous wealth, there was no reason not to splurge a bit with the 'ready money' vault. Even so, he'd only spent a little less than a fifth of all the money between the time he'd started Hogwarts and his last little spending trip to Hogsmeade.

"So," Mrs. Weasley asked after Hermione and Ron had arrived and Hermione's mother's health been ascertained, "shall we eat first or open presents?"

"Presents, please!" Ron begged.

Mrs. Weasley had given each couple matching jumpers (amber for Ron and Hermione, bottle green for Ginny and Harry). Ron and Ginny got more clothes from their parents, while Hermione was added to the family clock. In addition to everything else, Harry had ordered a set of everyday robes for each of the Weasleys, his 'uncles,' Hagrid, and Hermione.

Ginny gave everyone framed sketches; her art work had now reached a level where it was an excellent gift. Hermione of course gave books (Harry and Ron each got "The N.E.W.T.s Are Closer Than You Wished they Were"), although Ron also got sugar quills. Ron gave Ginny a gift specially chosen for her -- a box of variously-shaded green Every Flavour Beans. He and the Twins gave Harry a mock Chocolate Frog card, which made Harry blush. ("Only a matter of time 'til you get a real one, mate," Ron had teased.) Ron gave Hermione a silver ring.

Harry gave Ron, Ginny, and Hermione gift certificates to the various clothiers and cobblers in Weston, so they could dress in the local fashion at times in they wished. ("I'm surprised they would accept the idea of a gift certificate," Hermione commented. "I talked it over with Tudor Pwy, and he helped me. They all liked the idea of getting the money then, and not having to make the clothes for two or three years.") Harry had, of course, also given Ginny the pearl jewelry before the Ball.

The two large boxes were revealed to be chairs in matching leather styles for the Weasley sitting room. Mrs. Weasley's was a large spring rocker, Mr. Weasley's was a recliner with as many gadgets as Harry could find that didn't require electricity. The Weasleys were again rendered speechless.

Harry left rather reluctantly that evening. Where ever Pwy had taken him, it was already broad daylight on Boxing Day. All four men were in the hallway of what looked like an open cottage, with screened windows with bright light and warm humid air pouring through them. The four took a time adjusting potion, and napped while their body clocks adjusted to the new time.

When they woke up, it was already past noon. A light cold lunch was laid out, as were the Christmas gifts the group was exchanging, plus a few more for Harry from Pwy and Myrddin. They decided to delay the presents, and explore where Pwy had landed them.

It turned out, they'd landed on a small tropical island (perhaps some six by nine miles in size). Harry and Sirius explored it by broomstick, while Remus and Hagrid walked down the high hill the cottage was set on, following a small stream as it made its way to a lagoon. They could see the surf crashing against a reef some two hundred yards out.

For some six days, the four fished and swam in the surf. Hagrid made friends with some of the parrots, and split the cooking duties with Remus. Harry and Sirius flew, and took care of clean-up. The only work connected with school Harry was allowed to do was plotting the island's latitude via the stars, and he was not allowed to dwell on Voldemort in any obvious fashion.

If the Weasley's provided Harry with a home of sorts, Remus, Sirius, and Hagrid were his doting uncles. While the worries that had been driving him for so long couldn't disappear overnight, Christmas and his holiday combined helped him push those worries far away for the moment.

Harry returned to Hogwarts New Year's Day mentally and physically refreshed. He and Ginny would have Gryffindor by themselves until January 5, when the rest of the students were returning.

Ginny wasn't as rested as Harry. She was happy to see that something like a spring returned to his step, however.

Hermione also returned happy and well-rested on the 5th. Although her father's soul had never been found, and that was still hard to live with, her mother's recovery was heartening. She was even happier about how close she and Ron had finally become, and that her mother accepted their relationship.

Life was far from perfect -- above all, Voldemort was still out there, but life was better than it had looked a year before.

Saturday, March 15, 1997

Harry dragged himself down to the Hall for breakfast. Ron followed him, looking even worse. Gryffindor had easily beaten Slytherin in late November, while Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw had battled to a 200 - 200 tie (Cho finally caught the snitch, since it looked unlikely that they would ever have a chance to catch up to Hufflepuff's score in any other way).

Ravenclaw had defeated Slytherin two weeks before. This morning, it was Hufflepuff - Gryffindor. If Hufflepuff could somehow defeat Gryffindor, they would be the favorite for the Cup that year, an honor they'd been lacking for many years.

The team gathered silently in the changing room after breakfast.

"All right," Ron said, his voice cracking a little from the stress, "we all know this is a big game. Beaters," he said glancing at them -- he'd learned before the Slytherin game that he should only say positions, since he'd messed up every name, including Harry and Ginny's, "remember to guard the goal. Their strength is in their chasers. One of you must be at our end the entire game. Hufflepuff's aren't likely to take any cheap shots at our seeker, so unless he calls for help, let him take care of himself. Chasers, don't get fancy in our end. Take the quaffle and run with it -- reserve passes for their end. Alight?"

"Right!" the team said.

"Anyone else?" Ron said with a quiver.

"Remember," Harry said, "they're good, but we're the best. We can take 'em. Listen to Captain Ron at our end, to Ginny at their end, and if I see anything, I'll let you know. Ready, team?"

"READY!" they all screamed.

"We're ready when you are, boss," Harry told Ron.

"Let's go!"

Scanning the stands, Harry saw that not only was Dumbledore present, but so where Arthur Weasley and Amos Diggory. The Minister looked fairly relaxed, which impressed Harry. He was still unable to enter the Quidditch field without thinking of Cedric.

The match was fast and closely played. Harry hated to admit it, but the Hufflepuff chasers were by far the best set that year. If Ron hadn't been the best keeper, Gryffindor would have been quickly far behind.

Ron made save after spectacular save. He still wasn't quite as flamboyant or certain as Oliver Wood, but then Wood was now considered one of the top three keepers in the British Isles. If Ron kept improving, he certainly would have a chance to play professionally.

Finally, Harry saw the snitch, almost right next to him. Harry ended the match, with Gryffindor winning 240 - 180.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny were subdued when the team was congratulated by Minister Diggory. They were gracious to the Hufflepuff team, and Ron and Harry could tell the Hufflepuffs were busy calculating how much Gryffindor could still lose to Ravenclaw, which might still allow Hufflepuff, but not Ravenclaw, to win the cup.

Obviously, the Gryffindors had the noisiest table that night. Ron had attacked the food as soon as it appeared; his nerves might have prevented his eating any breakfast, but they left him even more ravenous than usual. Hermione, also as usual, was trying to get Ron to alter his eating habits ("You can eat like this now," she said yet again, "but sooner or later, eating like this will blow you up like Harry's cousin!").

It was Ginny who saw Dumbledore and a very shaken Arthur Weasley coming up to the Faculty Table. She elbowed Harry, who drew others' attention as he looked up. Silence rippled from Ginny and Harry throughout the Gryffindor table, and then to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, and finally Slytherin.

"I regret to announce," Dumbledore said in a shaking voice when the Hall because quiet, "that Minister Diggory and his party was attacked just outside Hogsmeade almost an hour ago by Voldemort, five new Death Eaters, and three vampires. The Minister, and two of his party, were killed."

"Obviously, the war, which had been sputtering, has been restarted. We are asking the Old Believers to send back their law enforcers in their previous number." Dumbledore turned and stumbled a little as he did so. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione exchanged looks. Harry's face hardened, which attracted Ron's attention.

Harry stood. "Four and a half months," he said, as he turned and stalked from the room.

"Shit!"

Everyone at their end of the table stared. It hadn't been Ron, or even Ginny, but Hermione, who had expressed their opinion. "What?!" she snarled quietly at Ron and Lavender, who caught her eye, "We've managed to distract Harry since Christmas from thinking all this is on his shoulders and no body else's. You all remember what he was like. Harry's even been doing well in all his classes, and he was eating better." Hermione frowned. "Why. . . ."

"Why what?" Ginny demanded. "Face it, Hermione, Voldemort hasn't been tracked down by some of the most powerful Aurors, hit wizards, Llofrudds, and Cigfrans in the world. Harry will have to do it, somehow, and you know that he will." Ginny stood and stalked off after him.

"I was just going to say, 'why, I think he even looked like he'd been sleeping better until this morning,'" Hermione said in a small voice.

"He hasn't been having loud nightmares anymore," Neville admitted.

"Ginny hasn't either," one of her dorm mates added from down the table.

"They probably will now," Ron said gloomily.

"Shit," Hermione said. Several Gryffindors said the same.

No one noticed that, two tables over, Pansy Parkinson was smiling.