Harmony Not Understood

Despite being foiled twice, the murderer did not stop. Two other Miseresse killings took place in the next week, a fact that made the office a place of emotional quiet. However, the runes at the scene of each death finally seemed to be making some sort of sense. Though a strange sort of sense it was...

"Drone?"

"Potter, that is the third time you’ve said that today. You’re sounding more like a broken record than usual." Sneered Draco from his corner.

"Shut up Malfoy, or I swear, I’ll lock you in that cellar until I feel more obliged to you, which I cant see happening ‘til the afterlife at least."

Hermione rolled her eyes and stood between them. "I wish you two would stop bickering. Honestly, I cant hear myself think for you two acting like old women. And yes, the letters spell ‘Drone’. Draco, Recticulum, Orion, Norma, Equuleus. Drone."

Harry shook his head. "I dont get what a drone has to do with anything. Anyway, are you all set for tomorrow?"

Hermione’s eyes lit up. "The wedding? Yes, of course. I can’t believe its finally coming, after it was postponed and all. I probably wont be able to believe it until I put the dress on tomorrow."

Harry smiled at her. As he turned back, he saw Draco was sulking. He frowned irritably. "What now Malfoy?"

"I dont see why I cant come. You can only cope with this place for so long you know. And I haven’t seen natural light in ages."

Hermione looked at him sharply. "The reason you aren’t invited Draco is because of the way you treated both of us at school!"

"But that was in the past!"

Hermione promptly pulled out her wand and pointed it at him. "Capillus viridis." she said firmly. A flash of light emitted from the wood and landed on Draco’s hair, which turned a fluorescent green.

He gaped. "What the hell did you do that for Granger!?"

Hermione smiled sweetly at him. "What does it matter, its in the past. C’mon Harry, let’s leave him to look up the counter charm."

Harry followed her out of the door, barely suppressing fits of laughter as Draco grumbled in indignation.

* * * * *

Harry double-checked the rings in his pocket for the last time as the organ started up to announce Hermione’s procession down the aisle, on Remus’s arm. He knew that they were there, but as best man, he was paranoid something would go wrong.

As bride and groom took their vows, Harry cast his eyes over the bridesmaids. There were only four. Lyca, Ginny, Lavender and Parvati. The fifth should have been Orenda. But again, she was working overtime. Harry was beginning to wonder if the woman ever slept.

Lyca caught his eye and smiled at him. He smiled back, waiting patiently for the ceremony to end. As much as he wanted this to be the best day of his friend’s lives, he couldn’t help hating weddings.

Finally, it was all over. The bells rang loudly as the newly married couple led their guests out of the church. Harry fell in beside Remus, a little way behind them.

His former teacher sighed. "In a perfect world, Hermione’s parents would have been here."

Harry gripped his shoulder. "Remus, this isn’t a perfect world. And if Hermione had got a problem with it, we would have heard by now. They are dead, and that is that. We can’t undo Voldemort’s deeds, though we may like to. You’re doing a grand job, so stop worrying."

Just then, Lyca popped her head between them. "I need to go somewhere. It’s really urgent. I wouldn’t go if it weren’t. Cover for me at the reception will you?"

With a glance at Remus, Harry turned to look at her. "Go on then. Just be careful, Ok?"

Before she could reply, they were caught up in a storm of enchanted confetti. When the mists of pink and white paper cleared, Lyca had gone.

* * * * *

The reception was neither big nor expensive. It was simply a cosy dinner for just over 20 guests (of which the Weasleys took up a good percentage.) Afterwards, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Remus all headed back to the office for a final friendly drink. The couple was not going on a honeymoon, preferring to remain amongst friends. They spent several minutes on the doorstep as Hermione explained the Muggle tradition of carrying the bride over the threshold. Ron refused point blank. Laughing, the four of them went inside as the rain began to fall.

"Lyca?" called Harry from the entrance hall. There came no reply. He went into the office, to find Draco, back with his original blond hair. "Seen Lyca?" Harry asked warily.

"She’s been and gone again Potter."

"Oh." Harry frowned. Where would she have gone at this time of night? And why?

Draco pulled a letter from his pocket. "She left this for you. Tales of undying love no doubt."

"Hand it over Draco."

"Do I have to? I’ve always wondered why anyone would want a bespectacled stick with a stupid scar on his forehead-"

"Now Draco!" said Harry firmly, barely stopping himself from pulling out his wand. He snatched the letter from the former Slytherin and began to read:

 

Dearest Harry

I’ve discovered who the murderer is. How could we not have realised! Her name is an anagram of ‘A Drone’ Maybe she wasn’t mis-sorted after all. I have gone after her.

Lyca

It took three read throughs for it to sink in. Harry slammed his fist on the desk. "I dont believe this!"

Hermione took the letter from him and read it so the others could hear. She shook her head in disbelief. "It can’t be...."

Harry looked at her. "A Drone. Mix the letters up and what do you get...Orenda. It must have been her! That would explain it all...those meetings with Nilorn...everything."

Draco looked up. "There’s more to her than meets the eye."

"What do you mean?" Asked Lupin sharply.

"Oh come on, all us Slytherins have an ambition of some kind, otherwise we wouldn’t have been put there now would we? The Sorting Hat is rarely wrong."

Hermione frowned. "How can it be her though, when she’s been doing all this overtime?"

Harry shrugged. "I dont know, but, wherever she is, Lyca has gone too. Ron, pass me the phone."

"The what?"

"The lump of bone shaped plastic on the desk. I need to ring the Ministry."

"What the hell for?" persisted his friend as he handed over the handset.

Harry punched in the numbers ruthlessly before replying. "Because they might know where the...suspect is."

The other end was picked up quite quickly. "London branch of the National Needle-Threaders Guild." Squeaked a voice.

"Drop the act," Harry snapped, "Can you put me through to Orenda Abscond’s office please?"

"No, I’m afraid I cant."

Harry’s face went as dark as the thunder brewing outside. "Excuse me?"

"Sorry sir, but Miss Abscond is on leave, due to the death of her close colleague. She has not been at work since Ms Astuci’s murder."

"Ok, do you know where I can find her?"

"Try her home on Cape Wrath sir. Good day."

Hermione raised her eyebrows as he slammed the phone down. "Well?"

Harry looked furious. "Overtime my ass! She hasn’t been anywhere near the Ministry since the first murder!"

Hermione’s eyes widened. "Do we know where she is?"

"Secretary said to try Cape Wrath, that’s apparently where she lives."

"Then what are we waiting for?" asked Ron, face white behind his freckles.

Harry looked at Lupin. "Will you go to Saskia? She needs to be told."

The man nodded. "Of course." He Apparated out straightaway.

Harry the turned back to Hermione. "Do you want to change?"

"No time. "She replied matter-of-factly. She gathered up her skirts on her right hand side, and tied them in a knot just above her knee. Ron and Harry, following suit, removed their hats and jackets.

"Enjoy yourselves." Drawled Draco, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ignoring his comment, the three of them Apparated out with a pop.

* * * * *

When Saskia opened the door, her face lit up to see Remus Lupin standing there, hair dripping from the rain. "Remus I’m-" Her face fell when she saw his grim expression. "What is it Remus?"

"Saskia, it’s about Lyca." He seemed not to notice the rain falling heavily upon him, making his robes cling to him like a second skin.

The woman bit her lip. "You had better come in then."

* * * * *

Harry, Ron and Hermione Apparated into a small clearing. Rain was pouring relentlessly down from the black sky. In the distance, thunder rumbled loudly. The sound of waves lashing cliffs could be heard nearby.

The trio set off at a quick pace, none of them speaking a word. Then, a scream pierced the silence.

"Nooooooooo!"

Harry stood straight, not moving a muscle, before launching forward thrashing at anything that lay in his path. Ron and Hermione stumbled along behind. Finally he burst out of the forest and onto a blustery cliff-top. There stood a sinister looking Orenda, swathed in black, her chestnut curls lank and dripping. Her wand pointed at a twitching strawberry-blonde that was their colleague. Lyca’s face looked pale and drawn as pain seared through her small frame.

Harry dived between them and pushed Orenda back. Hermione ran to the now still girl and crouched beside her. Ron loomed in the shadows, ready to do as he was bid.

There was a long silence, broken only by Lyca’s shallow sobs. After what seemed an eternity, Orenda spoke.

"Move out of the way Potter!"

Harry stood tall and pulled out his own wand. "No Orenda. There will be no more killings, tonight or any other night."

Orenda’s face contorted with malice. "I must have my revenge. She is one of them. She must be killed!"

Harry waved the comment away with his free hand. "What are you talking about? Lyca is no more Miseresse than you or I!"

There was another pregnant silence. A roll of thunder rumbled over the Cape. A muffled voice came from behind him. "I’m not Harry."

Orenda’s lips curled into a sneer as Harry’s eyes opened wide.

* * * * *

"She’s done what!"

"She’s gone after Orenda," said Lupin in the calmest voice he could muster, "But she’ll be alright. She isn’t Miseresse. She’ll be safe." He tried hard to hide his frustration. He wanted to be with the others. But he knew they had sent him here not only to tell Lyca’s mother but also for his own safety. Not to mention the fact it was a full moon. Tame or no, he would be no use in wolf form.

"Remus, she won’t be!" Said Saskia, who was pacing with worry.

"She wont be what?"

"Safe! She’ll be anything but safe!"

"You say that, but you dont really understand..."

"But nothing Remus. You are the one who doesn’t understand."

"How so?" he asked, a little taken aback.

She looked him in the eye. "She’s a werewolf."

* * * * *

"She’s a werewolf." Said Orenda in a low voice.

Harry tensed. It took a moment for it to sink in. "A werewolf?"

Orenda laughed sinisterly. "So, she neglected to tell her best friends. How pathetic. I have a little more pity for those scum that at least dont hide their true identities. I only torture the secret ones."

"So that’s why Viola Salsang’s death was so disgusting, yet the Delacours, Astuci and Dhaet so clean."

"Well done Potter, you catch on quick. Salsang’s father was a vampire. Though I had a particular quarrel with that family."

Harry continued to buy time though he very much doubted help would come. "Why is that?"

Orenda scowled, face chalk white and eyes ablaze. "That vampire made me an orphan. All Miseresse are scum Potter. Just move out of the way!"

Harry stood taller still. "No Orenda. The only ‘scum’ as you put it, are those who stereotype and punish those with it. You, Gridelwald, Voldemort, Hitler...the list goes on. So, if you want to get at her, you go through me."

Orenda shook her head, before levelling her wand. "Crucio."

* * * * *

Lupin sat down hard. "Oh god."

Saskia turned and sat next to him, eyes welling. "Now do you see? If the others dont find her..."

Lupin shook his head in shock. "When did she receive the bite?"

She didn’t reply.

"Saskia?" he asked firmly.

"She......didn’t. She wasn’t bitten." Came the quiet reply.

"But...how..."

" She was born a werewolf Remus."

The man looked at her sharply. "But-that only happens if she has werewolf parentage."

Saskia looked away from him, refusing to meet his eyes. Tears were flowing freely down her smooth cheeks. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Saskia, are you....I mean...were you ever...."

She shook her head. "No, no; her father is a werewolf."

Lupin frowned. "Is? You mean, you are still in contact with him?"

"Oh for god’s sake Remus!" Saskia looked at him with frustration in her brown eyes, "Think about it! I left you 18 years ago. Lyca is 17. You both have the same golden eyes and same damn rebellious streak. And how many wizarding male werewolves do you meet in a lifetime, let alone in a year?"

His eyes widened. "You mean..."

"Yes. She’s your daughter."

After a moment of confused quiet Lupin stood, picking up his cloak. Saskia looked at him with weary eyes. "Remus, where are you going?" she asked as she brushed the salt water from her eyes.

"I’m going after them. As much as I’d love to stay and catch up with my daughter’s life, and actually let it sink in, she’s in danger. In one way or another, it’s my fault she’s out there. I got her into this mess by being what I am. I plan to get her out of this."

Saskia herself stood and kissed hi gently. "Do be careful Remus. And let’s just hope the storm clouds don’t clear."

He smiled ironically. "For Orenda’s sake that is. I’m not sure I could stop myself in wolf form."

* * * * *

Harry felt for the first time since Voldemort’s downfall the unbelievable pain of the Cruciatus curse. Unlike most wizards when they went under, Harry could keep his awareness during the curse. Not because of any special inherited power, but simply through ‘practice’. He’d felt this particular Unforgivable more times than he cared to remember.

He could hear Ron come over, though he couldn’t see him due to the flames painted in vivid colours on the back of his eyelids. He heard Lyca scream behind him, and Hermione try to calm her though she sounded frantic herself.

As the pain came to an abrupt halt, Harry scrambled back to his feet. Orenda had an evil smile on her lips. Feeling nauseous

Harry took a step towards her. "You are sick Orenda. By killing innocent people, you aren’t doing anyone any favours."

The witch raised her eyebrows. "A lecture on killing from Harry Potter. The man who has killed twice himself. How amusing."

"I have never killed!" Protested Harry.

"Oh, but you have," said Orenda in a smug voice, "Were it not for you, your mother would never have died. And you led Cedric Diggory to his murder."

"Don’t listen to her Harry!" Called Hermione shrilly.

Orenda tensed, her face contorting further with malice. "Who asked you, you good for nothing Mudblood!"

Ron also took an angry step forward. "Keep your mouth off my wife!" he yelled with fury.

Orenda’s wand was up in a snap. "Cruc-"

She broke off. Everyone watched in amazement as an arm Apparated round her throat. The rest of its owner’s body quickly followed it. Harry heard Lyca slump against Hermione as Remus Lupin levelled his wand against Orenda’s temple, his free arm still keeping a relatively tight hold on her neck.

"Drop the wand Orenda." He ordered.

"Get...off...me...werewolf...." she gasped with choked hatred.

"You aren’t deaf Orenda. Nor are you stupid. But I’ll obviously have to repeat myself. Drop the wand, or I swear on my daughter’s life, you’ve breathed your last!"

A lightening flash, followed by a crack of thunder rolled over them. Slowly, Orenda opened her icy wet fingers, and let her wand drop to the muddy ground.

Lupin nodded matter-of-factly, before muttering a spell. Orenda’s limbs sprung to her side, and the man let her fall to the ground in a full body bind.

Harry limped over to him, bones still aching. "Thank the lord you came. But....what was that about a daughter Remus?" he asked in a quiet and tired voice.

The older man clapped his shoulder. "Later Harry. I need to see to Lyca."

Harry pointed over to where Hermione was holding the girl’s still form. "She’d fine. Out cold though. Fainted when you arrived. I think was all a bit too much."

Nodding, Lupin walked over, and prising her gently from Hermione’s hold, lifted her into his arms. "Let’s get you all back to Saskia’s. We need to dry you all off, before you catch your death. I think Miss Abscond has kept you here in this storm long enough."

One by one, they all Apparated out, Harry taking Orenda, leaving only Lupin with Lyca in his arms. Looking down on the wet face, so peaceful despite the tearstains and rainwater there, he smiled. He kissed her forehead before casting one last look over the clifftop. He Apparated out, leaving the wind and rain for the warmth of Phoenix Cottage.