Different Paths

Chapter 8: Many Reunions

"What do you mean you´re leaving?!" Ginny Weasley´s voice thundered through the Leaky Cauldron. It was the day after the entire incident with the Ollivanders.

Harry tried to explain patiently. "I feel like it´s necessary for me to lie low for a while. That Death Eater, Chucky, said that his primary mission was to spy on me while I was here. He´s in custody now but I still want to disappear before Voldemort has a chance to send another one of his agents to spy on me. Otherwise, they´re going to target anybody I come in close contact with. If possible, I would like to avoid any more situations like we encountered with the Ollivanders."

"That´s codswallop!" said Hagrid. "Yeh´re getting´ all high and noble again. You´ve done it before, thinkin´ that yeh´re fighting a personal war agains´ You-Know-Who,"

"I know it´s not a personal war!" shouted Harry. "But I still can´t help but feel responsible if the Death Eaters attack innocent civilians again. I´m sorry but nothing you say is going to stop me. But I´m not leaving, only laying low for a while, until Remus does a certain favor for me."

"Oh, and what favor is tha´?" asked Hagrid.

"He´s searching for someone for me," said Harry. "I´m leaving Hedwig here for now. Remus is going to use her to contact me when he finds the person I´m looking for. Until then, I´m going to be alone so I can think things over." Before he could move however, a tawny owl flew through a window and crashed into Harry. Harry was knocked off his feet as the owl landed on Hagrid´s arm. "Owe," said Harry.

Hagrid had just finished reading the letter delivered by the owl. "Guess wha´," he said. "Members of the Order of the Phoenix are all ready ta come down here fer battle. They´re available any time."

"That´s good, but lets hope we won´t have to use them," said Harry. He wrapped his invisibility cloak around himself and disappeared. Ginny wasn´t finished.

"If this all about the fact that you´re still worried that you´ll turn into another You-Know-Who, then you have nothing to worry about!" she shouted. "If anything your duel with that Death Eater yesterday proved to us all that you´re not another dark wizard in training! You are not a danger to us!"

"I know," said Harry´s disembodied voice, "and I intend to keep it that way."

"Well if you know that why are you leaving?" Ginny demanded. But by then, Harry was gone.

* * *

Three days later, Ginny was still in a bad mood. "Damn Potter! Damn Potter! Getting all high and noble," she muttered as she rolled around on her bed.

"Ginny?" asked Remus as he poked into her room.

"Sod off, Remus," Ginny said heatedly.

"Now that´s not a nice thing to say to your mentor," said Remus. "You´ve been moping in here for three days now. Harry hasn´t left; he´s just lying low. You should get some fresh air. Go outside for a change. Eat out. Go visit your brothers."

"Fine," grumbled Ginny. "I´m going to visit Fred and George. If you have Yorkshire pudding tonight, save some for me."

* * *

Across Diagon Alley, an interesting argument was taking place.

"What the bloody hell is this!" Ron Wealsey yelled. The "this" he was referring to, was the frilly apron he was wearing and the blue ribbon tied in his hair.

Fred and George Weasley, the owners of Weasley Wizard Wheezes Joke Store laughed out loud. "That, little brother is the new uniform for employees of WWW," said Fred. George couldn´t help snickering.

"Get me out of it!" hissed Ron.

"Now, now, Ronniekins," said George. "We´re letting you and Hermione stay here for free. In exchange, you´re our employees until further notice. That was the agreement Ron."

"Besides, you don´t see Hermione complaining," said Fred.

"She´s a girl. She´s meant to look good in this... `thing´," hissed Ron.

"Oh come on Ron," said Hermione looking attractive in her apron and ribbon, "I think you look cute in that apron and ribbon. And I´m sure Maggie would like seeing you in it as well." Ron couldn´t help but blush at that final comment. Margaret Chapel, or Maggie to her friends was Ron´s current girlfriend. She was an American Muggle-born witch, about a year older than Ron with long wavy auburn hair and hazel eyes. She worked at the Three Broomsticks where she had first met Ron during one of the Hogsmeade visits and the two had instantly fallen in love. In fact, Ron was firmly convinced that she was the one for him.

Ron grumbled. "You just introduced these uniforms because I was going to work here, didn´t you?"

"Oh come on Ron, how could you say that about us?" said George. He and Fred couldn´t hide the guilty grins that emerged on their faces however.

"I still don´t understand why we have to do this," Ron grumbled as he and Hermione went down to the store. "Why aren´t we out there looking for Harry?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I´ve already explained this to you Ron. We´ll make more progress finding him if we stay in one place gathering information rather than going out looking for him. Knowing Harry, he´s probably hiding from the public eye so we´ll never find him if we go out looking for him."

"I still prefer that rather than waiting around dressed like a girl."

"I´m not even going to bother arguing with you. Come on Ron. You go greet the guests. I´ll go back and pick up a few boxes for stock," said Hermione.

"Fine," grumbled Ron. He made his way over to the entrance just as Ginny Weasley entered. "Welcome to Weasley Wizard Wheezes. How may I help you?" grumbled Ron, without even realizing who it was who had just entered the store.

"Sod off Ron," Ginny said automatically without even realizing that it was indeed Ron she was speaking to. She walked past him and started browsing the store.

"Ginny?" Ginny turned around to find another girl around her age.

"Hermione?" Ginny´s bad mood instantly disappeared when she caught sight of her old friend. The two girls squealed and embraced each other.

"What? Ginny?" said Ron finally realizing whom it was who had just entered the store.

"Oh my God Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" asked Hermione. "I thought you were still at Beauxbatons."

"I came back a little early, long story," said Ginny. "I´m so glad to see you again. And Ron," Ginny noticed her brother for the first time and burst out laughing, "what is that you´re wearing?"

"I´m going to murder Fred and George," said Ron.

* * *

Weasley Wizard Wheezes had a few booths lined up along the windows where guests were aloud to test the various products. Ginny and Hermione were soon seated at one of these booths facing each other while Ron, Fred, and George stood around them.

"You have no idea how great it´s to see all of you again," said Ginny as she sipped her tea.

"Same here Ginny," said Hermione.

"I´m serious," said Ginny. "You have no idea how much of a bad mood I was in earlier. I mean I was just with Harry and..."

"Harry? What about Harry?!" Hermione exclaimed. She leapt onto the table and grabbed onto Ginny´s shoulders. "What about Harry?" she said again, her eyes alight with hope.

Ginny was startled by Hermione´s actions. She also noted that Ron was surprised and looking hopeful as well. "What?"

"Do you know where Harry is?" said Hermione, looking even more hopeful.

Ginny chuckled a little bitterly. "I did up till about three days ago. We were staying together at the Leaky Cauldron."

As soon as Hermione heard that, she froze in shock and sunk back into her chair. While taking another sip of her tea, Ginny noticed Hermione´s reaction and was about to ask her what was wrong when Fred leaned in with a malicious grin and said, "Staying together? You mean the two of you were staying under the same roof together? Perhaps even, the same room?"

Ginny spat her tea out accidentally drenching Ron. "No! Hermione! It´s nothing like that! Don´t listen to what Fred´s saying! Harry and I just met on the road and we were traveling together when..."

"Traveling together?" said George. "You mean traveling together like say, a honeymoon?"

"No!" Ginny shouted. "It was nothing like a honeymoon...I mean. It wasn´t a honeymoon...I mean, we were just traveling together! That´s all!"

"So it was just the two of you on the road, eh?" said Fred, still grinning.

"That git," muttered Ron. "I knew he was popular with the ladies but I didn´t think he´d stoop that low."

"You´re not helping Ron!" yelled Ginny. "And what do you mean by stoop that low? I´ll let it be known that Harry enjoyed my company very much!"

"Oh, so he enjoyed your company did he?" said George.

Ginny screamed in frustration. "Oh sod off, all three of you! Hermione, I can explain." However, her explanations appeared to be falling on deaf ears as Hermione just sat there as still as a rock.

* * *

A snowy white owl landed in a deserted alley right next to Gringotts Wizarding Bank. She hooted a few times as she looked around as if she were searching for someone.

"I´m right here Hedwig," said a disembodied voice from right in front of the owl. Harry Potter emerged from underneath his invisibility cloak. Hedwig flew to his shoulder and affectionately nipped his ear.

"You got something from Remus for me?" Harry asked. Hedwig stuck her left leg out: it had a letter tied to it. Harry took the letter and read it silently. "Remus has found out where he lives," he said to himself.

A few minutes later, Harry was back at the Leaky Cauldron, talking to Remus Lupin.

"Thanks for this information," said Harry.

"He was very difficult to track down," said Remus. "It took a while just to trace his whereabouts but I finally found out that he now resides near Dover. Here´s his address." He handed Harry a small note. Harry packed the note into the pocket of his cloak and mounted his Firebolt.

"Wish me luck," he said. He took off into the air and had soon disappeared over the horizon.

"Good luck," muttered Remus.

* * *

"Do I have to spell it out to you, Hermione?" Ginny exclaimed. "There is nothing between Harry and I! Nothing happened! OK, I admit I used to have a crush on Harry but..."

"Used to? Don´t you mean still do?" said Fred.

"Admit it little sister you finally had the chance to act on your crush for Harry didn´t you?" said George. "Hmm, we had better not tell Mum and Dad about this yet."

"Definitely not," said Fred.

"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! And NO!!!" Ginny screamed while stamping her foot. `How the bloody hell did this get out of hand?´ she thought, `It´s Draco I have a crush on now! It´s all about Draco for me now! I dream of being Ginny Malfoy now not Ginny Potter! It´s Draco who I want to do all these things Fred and George are describing, not Harry! Harry and I are just friends!´ She took a few calming breaths and said, "Look Hermione. You´re upset, you´re in shock, but I can explain if only you´ll listen..."

"After parting like that," Hermione whispered in a dangerous tone. Ginny swallowed. "After leaving me behind in a miserable state, feeling like my world has just ended, this is what I find when I finally locate him?"

Then, as if the calm before the storm had passed, Hermione leapt out of her chair and screamed, "I´ll kill him!" The Weasleys backed off as Hermione continued shouting, "I´m going to give him exactly what he deserves for leaving me like that!" She grabbed hold of Ginny´s shoulders and pinned her to the wall. "All right Virginia Weasley! Tell me where Harry Potter is right now so I can give him a piece of my mind!"

Ginny groaned and thought, `Oh no, how in the world did I end up in this misunderstanding?´ Ron on the other hand, was smiling.

`Well what do you know,´ he thought. `Just a few weeks ago she was lying in bed feeling as if her world had ended. And yet, now she´s back to her old bossy no nonsense self again. I can´t believe I´m thinking this but it´s great to see the old Hermione again!´

Just then, a few more guests entered the store. As Fred and George went off to serve them, Ginny couldn´t help but overhear a little of their conversation.

"Did you see that owl?" said one of the guests. "Never seen anything like it."

"Yeah," said the other guest. "White as snow."

`A snowy white owl?´ Ginny thought. `Hedwig! Remus sent Hedwig to Harry! That must mean that if we get to the Leaky Cauldron now, we can see Harry.´ With that thought, Ginny took hold of Hermione´s shoulder and said, "Hermione, tell me one thing."

"What?" said Hermione.

"I´m sure that you´re fully aware that Harry´s involved in a war that means everything to us, to him, and that he can´t back out of it. Right?"

"Of course I do."

"Then tell me Hermione Granger. Tell me that your feelings for Harry aren´t just a crush or an infatuation. Tell me that you truly need Harry and that that is why you came all this way to find him again."

For about a minute, two pairs of brown eyes stared into each other. Finally, Hermione smiled and said, "Tell me Ginny. Do you think a girl will come all this way for just a crush or an infatuation?"

With a start, Ginny realized that Hermione had done the same thing she had. `She came all this way for Harry, the same way I came from Draco.´ Ginny smiled and said, "Come on, I´ll take you to Harry."

* * *

"We just missed him?" Ginny asked disbelievingly.

Remus sighed. "He just left for Dover a few minutes ago. I´ve got the address he´s heading toward if you need it. But why the sudden rush to see him?"

"I was hoping to reunite Harry with Hermione again," said Ginny. It was only then that Remus noticed Ron and Hermione right behind Ginny.

"Hermione," Remus said as he put his hands on her shoulders. "I´m sure that you´re fully aware that Harry´s involved in a war that means everything..."

"Uh, I already asked her that Remus," said Ginny.

"Oh, well in that case, its good to see you again Hermione. And you too Ron."

"Er, its good to see you again Professor Lupin," said Ron.

"Please call me Remus."

"OK...Remus. Gee that´s going to take some time getting used to. But we really want to go after Harry," said Ron.

"Take the broomsticks I have in the back of the pub," said Remus, "Nimbus 1000s. Not as fast as Harry´s Firebolt but they should still get you to Dover in no time. Here´s the address," he handed Hermione a note with the address written on it, "Good luck."

* * *

Harry had arrived at the address Remus had given him in no time. He was now in Dover, and the sun was setting in the horizon. Harry walked down a path that led through a thick wood. He eventually came upon a small cottage; the sort of place a hermit would live. In front of the cottage was an old man. He was facing away from Harry, seated in front of a fire he was tending. From behind, he had long silver hair and was wearing elegant dark purple robes. He appeared to have not noticed Harry.

Silently, Harry walked up to the old man. When he was just behind, Harry pulled out his wand and said, "Expelliarmus!" Just as the red beam was about to hit, the old man leapt high into the air and landed right behind Harry.

"I would believe it is rather impolite to suddenly curse a harmless old hermit," said the old man.

"I was unaware that Albus Dumbledore was a harmless old hermit," said Harry still facing away from the old man.

"Ah, Harry. It is good to see you again," said the old man.

"It is good to see you as well, Headmaster," said Harry, finally turning toward his mentor.

* * *

"The residence of Professor Albus Dumbledore," said Ron as he, Hermione, and Ginny trudged up the path leading to Dumbledore´s cottage. "So this is where he´s been staying all this time. Man, it´s going to be great seeing him again. But why would Harry come out here seeking him out?"

"The Dark Magic Cleanser," said Hermione.

"The what?" said Ron and Ginny at the same time. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Haven´t you two read Hogwarts: A History?" she said. "No, sorry. Bad question. Anyway, I´m sure you´re both aware that during You-Know-Who´s original reign, Dumbledore was the only wizard he feared, right?"

"Of course," said Ginny.

"Well," continued Hermione, "what most people didn´t know is why You-Know-Who was afraid of Dumbledore. Rumor has it that Dumbledore is in possession of a certain spell: an ancient, powerful spell. A spell that was said to be able to purge all forms of Dark Magic within a Dark Wizard; in effect, leaving them powerless. They say that the spell was first conceived by Merlin to protect Camelot from the dark forces of Morgan le Faye. After that, it was passed on to only one wizard or witch in each generation, usually the number one pupil of the previous possessor. Godric Gryffindor was said to be one of the wizards to possess the spell. Apparently, Dumbledore is the most recent possessor of this spell and that´s why You-Know-Who feared him."

"So, you´re telling us that Harry has come here to learn this all powerful spell from Dumbledore?" said Ron obviously excited.

"Oh my God!" squealed Ginny. "He´s so powerful already and he´s going to become more powerful? That´s incredible!"

"It´s so cool!" said Ron. "It´s like Harry´s not even human. He´s beyond human or something like that!"

"You´re right! He´s beyond human!" said Ginny. "He´s like a demon or a demigod or something! It´s just incredible!" While the two Weasleys were getting more and more excited, Hermione smiled wistfully.

"And yet, all Harry´s ever wanted was to be normal like everyone else," she said rather sadly.

"What?" said Ron and Ginny, instantly stopping their murmurs. Hermione brushed it off.

"Never mind," she said. "Come on, let´s go see Harry."

* * *

Dumbledore still looked the same as he always had. "He had long silver hair and a beard long enough to tuck into his belt. His blue carried the familiar sparkle behind his golden, half-moon spectacles. He was currently seated behind his desk in his cottage while Harry was seated in a chair facing him. The inside of the cottage looked a lot like Dumbledore´s old office back at Hogwarts, mostly because it contained many of the old items and trinkets the office had contained. Behind Dumbledore on his perch was the scarlet and gold phoenix, Fawkes, the original carrier of the magical cores of both Harry and Voldemort.

"Harry, it is not that I am displeased to see you but why have you come?" said Dumbledore.

Harry took a deep breath. "OK, no point beating around the bush. Professor Dumbledore, you are in possession of a powerful spell and I was..."

"No."

"What? Sir?"

"I said `no´," replied Dumbledore rather bluntly. "I cannot teach you the Dark Magic Cleanser, Harry."

"But Professor, if I´m going to face Voldemort I need the Dark Magic Cleanser. There´s no other way to defeat him and you know it sir."

"Of course I´m aware of that," said Dumbledore, "but is that the reason why you want to learn the spell?"

"What?"

"Is that the reason why you want to learn the Dark Magic Cleanser? To defeat Voldemort?"

Harry said nothing. Dumbledore continued speaking.

"Remember this Harry. The Dark Magic Cleanser is one of the most powerful spells in existence. It´s very use warrants victory for the one who uses it. The most important thing one must realize when using it is that it must be used responsibly. Despite it´s awesome anti-dark magic powers, even the Dark Magic Cleanser can be corrupted for the use of evil. You, Harry, are suggesting that you only want to learn this spell so that you can defeat Voldemort."

Meanwhile, just outside, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione had arrived. It was already night and the only source of light was from the moon, stars, and the light shining through the windows of Dumbledore´s cottage. "Well, all we can do now is knock," said Ginny. She walked up to the door intending to knock when she heard Dumbledore´s last sentence:

"If that is the case, then you are not worthy enough to learn the Dark Magic Cleanser."

"What?!" both Ron and Ginny exclaimed. Without knocking, they threw the door open, startling Harry.

"Ron? Ginny?" he said surprised at seeing his old friends. Then, he saw someone behind them standing in the moonlight as beautiful as he had seen her in many dreams. The one person whom had been a constant presence on his mind ever since he had parted with her weeks ago.

"Hermione?"

To be continued...