Harry Potter and The Heirs of The Founders

Chapter Four

Knowledge

Ron walked out of the information booth. Now he had instructions on how to find Old London Gaol he felt a little better. He hoped he would receive an owl when he got there, because he had no idea what he was supposed to do when he did. He wandered down the streets of London, realising that he had never really spent much time there; he only ever came to London to go to Diagon Alley or to Kings Cross. It was strange not being at Hogwarts anymore.

Ron turned a corner and arrived at the building. He'd done well so far; no one had followed him. He had no marks on his robes. He looked around and saw a man in a top hat beckoning for him to walk over. The man handed Ron a piece of parchment. It was a clipping from The Daily Prophet.

Another wizard mysteriously disappeared today from his London flat in Lambeth.

Ron looked up to ask the man a question, but he had already vanished.

What am I supposed to do now?

After staring at the parchment he figured that he was supposed to go to the man's apartment. He also figured that he may as well Apparate there to avoid being followed, so he found an empty room in the gaol and pictured the mans apartment. He was relieved when he reappeared to be standing in what appeared to be a wizard's apartment. He was also relieved to see Terry Boot there. Terry had been in their year at Hogwarts, a Ravenclaw prefect.

'Terry,' he said. 'What are you doing here?'

Terry didn't answer straight away.

'Did you get a bit of parchment?' he asked. Ron nodded in reply. 'I guess you must be my partner then. Got any idea what we're supposed to do now?'

'No,' he replied. 'I was only told that I was to find my partner. But perhaps we should Apparate back to headquarters and find out what's going on. This is all rather cryptic to me.'

Terry nodded and they both apparated back to the office of Magical Law Enforcement. Ron didn't know Terry that well and wasn't quite sure how he felt about being Terry's partner but knew he could have done worse.

There was a wizard waiting there for them. It was Alastor Moody. They both recognised him from the time Barty Crouch had impersonated him for a year in their fourth year.

'Well done both of you,' he said. 'Boot, you lose points for being hit once and Weasley, you lose them for trusting the man at the gaol but apart from that well done the both of you. You are both accepted into the program. Report back here in two days at seven in the morning.' He walked out of the room. Then re-entered almost as quickly as he had left. 'How would you boys like a quick crash course in being in Law Enforcement?' Moody didn't give them a chance to answer. 'The Three Broomsticks has been attacked. Apparate there and help question the survivors.' He left again.

Ron looked at Terry.

'Just like that?' he asked.

'I guess so,' Terry said. 'The Three Broomsticks eh?'

Ron's heart sunk as they arrived at the Three Broomsticks. It reminded him of the Shrieking Shack explosion just before Christmas. There weren't quite as many bodies though. A wizard spied them.

'Weasley, Boot?' he asked.

They nodded.

'Go and question those people over there,' he pointed towards a corner where a group of people were sitting bundled in blankets, as he handed them a piece of parchment and a quill.

Ron marched over, with Terry following behind him.

'Names please,' Ron said in what he thought was an official sounding voice.

'Fred and George Weasley,' they said in unison.

Ron looked up and saw that it was Fred, George, Angelina and Katie sitting there.

'Sorry,' Ron said extremely embarrassed. 'Didn't see you there. What happened?'

'Some guy came in,' Fred said. 'Asking for Lavender Brown. When no one replied he shot the ceiling down. Then he shot the Dark Mark in the sky.'

'All we wanted was a quiet drink after work,' George said. 'Instead we almost got blown up.'

'Do you know who it was? Terry asked.

'No idea,' Angelina replied. 'Never saw them before in my life.'

The others nodded in agreement.

Terry and Ron reported back to the wizard in charge.

'Take them up to Hogwarts,' he said. 'Get them checked out by the hospital matron and then they're free to go. So are you two. They'll be a copy of the report for you to sign in a couple of days. Thanks for your help.'

They nodded and went back to where the group were sitting.

'We're to take you to Hogwarts to get checked out by Madam Pomfrey,' Terry told them. George and Fred exchanged looks but stood up and followed.

'Nice to see you Ron,' George said with a grin.

'Thought you were in training,' Fred said winking at him.

'Crash course,' Ron replied somewhat defensively. 'Besides I passed the preliminaries thank you very much and they're going to train me. So watch out, because if you step one foot out of line I'll be on your back.'

'Nice to know,' George said. 'I'll find Charlie for you so you can get a sneak up to your girlfriend.'

Ron blushed. He knew he wasn't going to see Rose for a while, but he hadn't contemplated sneaking up to see her, even being this close to Hogwarts.

Terry looked at Ron with a touch of bewilderment.

'Girlfriend?' he said. 'I thought you were with Parvati. At least that's what Padma said.'

'I was,' Ron replied. 'I'm not anymore. By the way I'd better introduce you.'

'I know them all,' Terry said. 'The famous Gryffindor Quidditch team.'

'Ah,' replied Ron knowing that they wouldn't have the slightest clue who he was. 'Anyway, Fred, George, Angelina and Katie, this is Terry Boot. He was a Ravenclaw in my year. He's my partner. But don't tell anyone that.'

The group was silent until they reached the entrance to the castle. They spied Chrystal waiting there for them, Ron forgetting for a moment that she had been an Auror before she became their professor.

'Ron, Terry,' she said spying them. 'Madam Pomfrey is waiting for you. What's it like? As bad as the Shrieking Shack?'

'Not as bad,' Ron replied quietly keeping to himself that he still held himself partially to blame for the attack. 'There aren't as many dead, though quite a few are injured.'

'I'm on my way there,' she said as she slipped a piece of parchment into Ron's hand. 'That will come in handy later,' she whispered as she walked past him. Ron shoved the parchment into his pocket and led the group up to the hospital wing.

After Madam Pomfrey had thoroughly examined the Weasley twins and the girls, and determined that there was nothing wrong with them, they were all free to go. Terry left quickly, telling Ron that he would see him in a couple of days.

'You'd better head off quickly,' Ron replied. 'Mum'll be having kittens.'

'Nah, she'll look at the clock and realise that there's nothing wrong,' George said. 'Besides we want to see Charlie and it's not that late. You coming?'

'How about I catch up with you later?' Ron said feeling the piece of parchment in his pocket.

Fred and George snickered as the group headed down to what was now Charlie's cabin. Ron didn't care. If he was this close and he had a message in his hand he wasn't going to not see Rose.

He glanced at the piece of parchment.

Rose will be waiting for you in my quarters. You know the way. Sirius will not be there.

Most of the staff will be out assisting the investigations. There will be little chance of anyone finding out.

Chrystal...

Ron discretely moved through the passages, the way he always had to get to the staff quarters to see Charlie. He came up to the portrait of the ballerina, whispered the password and crept through. He silently crept to the door of Chrystal and Sirius' quarters, and opened the door to see Rose sitting there.

He ran to quickly embrace her, before brushing her hair away from her face to reveal the red eyes.

'Why have you been crying precious?' he asked in a soft, gentle voice.

She looked at him with pleading eyes, and he knew that he should not ask any more questions. He just held her tightly.

'Well, I don't know if you feel like celebrating, but they've accepted me in their training program,' he said. 'So can't you at least be a little happy?'

She gave him a smile. He had almost forgotten how her smiles made him feel.

'I'm sorry Ron,' she said. 'I'm just trying to cope.'

He couldn't imagine what she was going through. He knew she was having trouble to just having her family dumped on her. When she had agreed to find out, she didn't quite realise what the consequences were.

'Don't worry,' he said. 'It'll take some time, but you'll get there eventually. And in the meantime, I'm here for you. Well except for the rest of September anyway.'

He got a bigger smile out of her.

'What did I do to deserve you Ronald Weasley?' she asked.

'You didn't give up,' he replied. 'I had better go before the twins leave without me. And before your mother gets worried.' He indicated Crookshanks in the corner. Rose stifled a giggle.

Ron gave her a big kiss and then crept down to Charlie's cabin. Charlie greeted him with a knowing look, before offering him a cup of tea.

'Honouring Hagrid's tradition,' he said softly. Ron smiled. Somehow Charlie had always had a way of making Ron feel better no matter what. 'Here's to Ron getting accepted.'

On that note everyone raised their teacups and toasted Ron.

Two days later he kept that in his mind as he apparated to the office of Magical Law Enforcement for what would be one of the most intense months of his life.

*~*

Sirius and Chrystal made their way back to their quarters after what had been an exhausting night.

'Do you think we should knock?' Sirius asked Chrystal, not entirely happy that she had let her goddaughter visit with her boyfriend in their room.

'Don't be ridiculous Sirius,' she replied. 'I left Crookshanks to keep an eye on them.'

'Did Rose know this?' Sirius said laughing. 'Because if I remember correctly Crookshanks in the room didn't stop Harry and Hermione doing anything.'

'That's because they didn't know,' she said. 'And yes, before you ask, Rose does know. That was one of the conditions. Anyhow I only wanted to cheer the girl up.'

'Have you told her?' Sirius asked, slightly more seriously.

'It wasn't the right time Sirius, trust me.'

They entered the room to find only Crookshanks there. On the sight of Chrystal and Sirius she transformed.

'That's better,' she said. 'I needed to stretch my back a bit. What's it like down there?'

'Well Madam Rosmerta is dead,' Sirius began. 'In addition there's two other wizards dead, they're Rosmerta's cousins from Belgium and there's quite a few more injured. The pub of course will need to be rebuilt, but the villagers seem more than willing to do that. It won't take long with the aid of magic.'

'I'm going to need to talk to Harry,' Chrystal said quietly. It was what Sirius had been dreading but knew was coming. 'I know it puts him in danger, but I need to know if he saw anything.'

'Who do they think it was?' Lily asked.

'Voldemort himself,' Sirius said. 'It is important that Chrys speaks to Harry for another reason. Voldemort was looking for Lavender. We don't know why, but it could be because she's in The Prophecy, or it could simply be because she's a Seer who's seen the outcome of the confrontation of the heirs. But at any rate things are stepping up. There was a lot of Death Eater activity over the summer and a lot of unexplained disappearances. Our contacts don't know what's going on. It appears that Voldemort only tells those involved with each project what they're to do. By the way, when are you meeting with Draco?'

'Tomorrow,' replied Chrys. 'That's why I need to talk to Harry tonight.'

'Okay,' Lily said. 'We'll Apparate to Padfoot's Manor and I'll cast the charm, but please be quick.'

They apparated quickly and Lily wasted no time revealing her son and his girlfriend. They were lying in bed, Harry still distressed over the sight he had seen.

Chrystal and Sirius took there time asking Harry what he had seen. Harry wasn't able to add much to what they suspected except that it was definitely Voldemort who attacked the pub. Sirius handed Harry a vial of Sleeping Draught, so that he could sleep undisturbed for the rest of the night.

'Harry there's something else for you,' Chrys said. 'These are Auror training manuals and books about counter curses to every dark curse imaginable.' She pointed to a large stack of books. 'It's to help you prepare yourself. And it will give you something to do. I've also got an Arithmancy chore for Hermione. These books are Arithmancy books,' she said pointing to another stack. 'See what you find out about "character" and the characters of the founders. I think there may be another interpretation to the character reference. I just fail to believe that either Lavender or I have the same character as Voldemort.'

They bid the couple farewell before Disapparating quickly after Lily had recast the charm.

'That wasn't much help then, was it?' Lily asked when they had arrived back at Hogwarts.

'No,' Chrys replied. 'Hopefully Mr Malfoy will be of more help tomorrow. At least I've given them something to do. It would be a shame for them to waste away.'

On that note Lily farewelled them and Sirius dragged his wife into bed.

'What's up Chryssy?' he said affectionately. 'Thinking about the things we can't change again?'

'Am I that much of an open book?' she replied.

'Yes,' he said. 'So have you definitely decided to quit the Prides?'

'Yes,' she replied firmly. 'I've already spoken to Catriona.'

'I guess everyone should get to retire on a high,' he said. 'But I'd like to give you an excuse to quit.' He knew he was infuriating her by being cryptic. But he enjoyed it and wasn't going to change his personality to please his wife.

'How about we have a baby?' he said seriously. 'You're not getting any younger my dearest. And I want to have an heir to give my empire to.'

Sirius wasn't quite prepared for the look of shock that appeared on her face. He thought she'd be pleased; after all she had always wanted children.

'But then I'll pass on the curse of being the Heir of Ravenclaw to them,' she said plainly and simply.

'Then you don't have to worry about it,' he said somewhat unsurely. He honestly had no reply to that comment.

'Yes I will,' if it's my child,' she said.

'Chrys darling' he said softly. 'I don't think it will come to that. I think you know that it's your destiny. You know that you could die in this battle and if that happens I want to have a piece of you to keep.'

'That's not a reason to have a child Sirius,' she said. 'It's a bloody selfish reason in fact.'

'No the reason is because I want to,' he said. He was getting tangled in circles. Nothing he said was right. He was losing faith in his ability to convince her.

'Is that the honest reason Sirius?'

He looked carefully at her, before he replied.

'Yes.'

A smile appeared on her face.

'Well,' she said smugly. 'My last dose of Sterilis was about a year ago. I guess we could try tonight.'

She giggled as she threw the covers over his head. Sirius breathed a sigh of relief as he followed her.

*~*

Sirius looked at his wife hopefully in the morning.

'Well were we successful?' he asked.

She shook her head.

'Not this time,' she said. 'I have to go and meet with a certain young person. Have a good day.'

She walked out the door as she threw her robe over her shoulder. Sirius was surprised by the disappointment he felt and by the look of loathing on his wife's face.

*~*

Chrystal walked towards Hogsmeade with a touch of trepidation. She had no idea what Draco Malfoy would have to tell her. And she felt awful about the accusation she had made to Sirius the night before. It wasn't that she didn't want a child but she had sincere reservations about bringing a child into the world under these circumstances. She couldn't guarantee that she would be around to bring the child up, she couldn't guarantee that the child would be safe, for if she had a child it would certainly be in danger because of who it was, just like her goddaughter was. And to be honest she was surprised that Sirius had wanted a child. Harry was different. He was grown up. His and Sirius' relationship was more of good friends, with Sirius being Harry's mentor. Perhaps looking after Harry the previous summer was what had brought this on. She spied Draco Malfoy's small Hogsmeade cottage out of the corner of her eye. She knocked on the door.

Draco, not looking like Draco but like the complete opposite, answered the door with a grim look on his face.

'Thanks for being on time Professor,' he said. He showed her into his small lounge room and asked her to sit down. He produced a pot full of tea and told her to help herself.

'Things are beginning to happen, Professor,' he said solemnly.

'Please call me Chrystal,' she said almost pleadingly. 'If we are to work together.'

'Fine, Chrystal,' it sounded very forced. 'Voldemort is indeed responsible for last night. We were all summoned. He was looking for Lavender Brown and was told that she was at Hogwarts. I have been assigned to question her. I am even talking to you under the pretext of my investigation. I am to use whatever means necessary to find out the outcome of the confrontation, or more specifically the pairs.'

'I see,' she said contemplating this for a moment. 'If Voldemort finds out the parings he doesn't need to kill Harry, he needs to kill either Lavender or myself. We're far easier to get to. Less protected.'

'Exactly,' Malfoy said. 'All he needs to do is work it out. But he's given me six months to do it in. It seems excessive. Almost ridiculous.'

'So he has other plans,' she responded pondering the absurd amount of time Draco had been given to discover this. 'Any ideas?'

'He made mention of islands off the coast of Scotland,' Draco said grimly. 'I'm not certain but I think it has something to do with the abductions recently. I don't know whether or not you had noticed, but all of the missing people are Muggle-born. The Ministry is concerned naturally. A friend from the Falcons says the Board of Governors for Hogwarts are seriously concerned about Muggle-born students.'

'That's all you know?'

Draco nodded.

'He's careful, he didn't get where he is without being cautious. Only those who are involved in a project are ever told. This means I'll be out of the loop for while.'

'At least it will keep you safe for the time being,' she said. 'And Ginny too for that matter.'

'Any news on The Covenant?'

She shook her head.

'There's no sign of James anywhere,' she said sighing. 'We have a few operatives working on it, but we can't spare that many. It's not a high priority. The war is approaching. It will be fought in a different way to the last though. We won't stand for Voldemort's dominance this time.'

'Keep an eye on Ginny for me,' he said. 'Let me know if you don't think she's safe. She's the reason I'm not a Death Eater you know. She made me see what my father truly was.'

'I'll tell you a story one day Draco,' she replied. 'I'll keep an eye on Ginny. I'd better go; I have a class in half an hour. Thank you.'

Draco showed her to the door.

'When the time comes, let me know.'

She nodded and hurriedly made her way back to Hogwarts wondering if Snape knew anything about these disappearances. She hoped he did almost as much as she hoped that Hermione could solve the mystery of the pairings before Voldemort did. Draco had been assigned far too much time. There was something wrong there. She knew that Draco must not be the only Death Eater assigned to the Prophecy. Hopefully they would find out first.

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