Harry Potter and The Heirs of The Founders

Chapter Twenty Six

The Cost of Freedom

He slowly followed the men with the Orb, careful to remain a fair distance behind them. As he ascended the staircase he could hear voices. He watched as the men disappeared into a room and shut the door quickly behind them. Ron waited for a few minutes to ensure that nobody was around. He crept towards the door. He listened carefully and when he finally heard voices he breathed a sigh of relief, several of the voices were familiar and one of them was almost certainly Lavender's.

Quickly he withdrew the hipflask from his pocket and added a silver coloured hair to the mixture inside. It hadn't been easy to try and get that hair either. Knowing how besotted with Malfoy his sister was, Ron had figured that it was likely Ginny would have some of his hair. He had mixed feelings when he discovered he was right. Ginny had reluctantly parted with some of Draco's hair after she had grilled Ron thoroughly on why he wanted it. He just hoped that Draco wouldn't be around to mess things up.

As he proceeded to the door of the room at the top of the stairs he heard an eerie change in Lavender's voice.

'The Dark Lord will triumph in his latest struggle and his power will be greater than that of the other Heirs. A young boy however born between January and July of this year will rise up and defeat the Dark Lord. Permanently this time. There will be no mercy spared. The Dark Lord will suffer the way he has made others suffer.'

Ron shivered as he listened to her. Somehow he couldn't help but feel that this wasn't a real prophecy. Ron knocked on the door.

'I'm here to take her,' he said, imitating Draco's voice to the best of his ability. 'She has told us what she knows. It is perhaps best she be returned before anyone gets too worried about her.'

The others didn't flinch as Ron untied the bonds that held her hands together and led her out of the castle. As soon as they were outside, Lavender began to yell at him.

'I always knew you were bad Draco,' she said angrily. 'I knew that nobody should have trusted you.'

'It's not Draco,' Ron said, reverting back to his own voice. 'It's Ron. I've got to take you back to Hogwarts as soon as possible. I've got a Floo point set up. Hurry and pretend that you're not enjoying it.'

'That's not a problem,' Lavender replied. 'But to keep me going can you tell me how Seamus is?'

Ron didn't know what to say. He hadn't even contemplated the thought that Lavender didn't know about Seamus. He had figured that whoever was holding her would have told her, just to see her suffer. Ron saw the look of hope and expectation in her eyes. He just couldn't break it to her.

'We'll talk about it later,' he replied hastily hoping that she wouldn't push the subject any further until there was somebody else who would be able to explain it to her better.

'Are you hurt at all?' he asked.

'A little,' she nodded as they continued down the steep mountain. Ron noticed that she was also slightly short of breath. 'My chest hurts a little and I'm covered in bruises.'

'Do you have a temperature?' asked Ron hoping that the answer was no.

'Listen Ron,' she said slightly more confidently. 'I know when I'm going to die and it's not right now. I appreciate your concern but for now I'll be fine. Just get me home.'

They soon reached the cottage where Ron had established temporary Floo access and they Flooed to the central Floo in Madrid from which they would Floo to London and then to Hogwarts. Ron breathed a sigh of relief as they entered Dumbledore's office. He also breathed a sigh of relief when Dumbledore excused him from the room. He had to talk to Ginny or better yet to Malfoy as soon as possible.

Ron began to scour the castle in search for Ginny. It was difficult to try to avoid the students however Ron knew it wouldn't be good for certain Slytherin's to see him there. That would almost certainly make it back to the Death Eaters.

Ron turned the corner and bumped into Ginny. He breathed a sigh of relief.

'We need to talk,' he said. 'It's important.'

Ginny gave him a questioningly look but agreed. She led him into a classroom and slammed the door.

'Is Lavender okay?' she asked. 'I'm glad you're okay. What you did was pretty risky.'

'Lavender will be as fine as she could ever be,' he replied. 'I need to talk to you about Draco.'

'What's there to talk about Ron?' she replied. 'I know you don't like me going out with him, but I care about him. You just need to get over it.'

'Listen Ginny, I can accept that for some strange reason you've got it in your head that you like that dope,' he replied. 'I can also accept that he's actually been very useful to the Order. However I think you need to know a few things.'

Ginny looked at him with a certain reluctance that did not inspire too much confidence in Ron.

'Okay,' she said. 'I'm listening.'

'When I walked into that room as Draco,' he continued, 'my authority was absolute. Those Death Eaters where completely loyal to Draco. They just let me take Lavender. Draco needs to know about this because he may get questioned as to what he did with her. I need you to tell him. It's also important because we might be able to use it to curb Death Eaters from carrying out Voldemort's instructions. I'm still unsure about his loyalty though. Someone's betraying us. Please be very careful about anything he asks you to do Ginny. Buckle down for the next couple of months, do the best you possibly can in your NEWTs okay?'

'If the situation wasn't so serious I'd be in tears from laughing so hard,' she said with a smile. 'Imagine Ron telling me to do as well as possible in my exams. Look Ron, I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself. At least to a certain extent. I'll let you know if he asks me to do anything dodgy.'

'Thanks Gin,' he said as he gave her a goodbye hug. 'I've got to run.' He headed towards the door and made his way towards the secret passage that would lead him to Honeyduke's. He hoped that no one had seen him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Petunia looked at her sister carefully.

'Are you serious?' she said.

'Of course,' replied Lily. 'It's not the kind of thing I'd joke about.'

'Why on earth would I want you to do that?' replied Petunia.

Lily looked at her sister with some surprise.

'Because he's your husband,' she replied. 'Surely you want him to live?'

'I don't give a damn what he does,' replied Petunia. There was a coldness in her voice that made Lily feel awkward. She shouldn't have been too surprised; after all she barely knew her sister however she just had some intrinsic feeling inside that told her that her sister could not possibly be like this.

Lily just stood there. She didn't know what to say. And she didn't know how she should react to such a comment.

'Listen Lily, I'm not about to get all sisterly on you,' said Petunia sharply. 'It's not my style. But I will be glad to be rid of Vernon. I will finally be free. I don't know if you can even understand what I'm trying to get at. You haven't been trapped into being someone you're not for years on end, just because you were too proud to admit you made a mistake. Thank you for your offer to heal my husband. I'd like you to leave now.' Petunia remained standing there. 'Please.'

Lily apparated from the room extremely bewildered. The reaction from Petunia was quite unexpected. Lily began to get the feeling that she didn't know her sister at all. She wandered around the castle until she located Harry reading in the lounge room.

'Hi Harry,' she said with a smile as she sat down on a seat opposite him.

'Hi Mum,' he said giving her a smile.

'Can I ask you something?' she asked him. 'About Petunia?'

'Of course but I don't know if I can help you?' he said in reply.

'What was her relationship like with Vernon?' she asked. Harry remained silent for a while before he finally spoke.

'I can't say that I really know,' he said. 'To me they always just seemed to be an entity, the one person. Why do you ask?'

'I offered to heal him,' she said. 'I know I shouldn't have but Petunia will always be my sister no matter how she's treated the both of us. But she refused, telling me that when he's dead then she'll be free.'

'I guess there's more to Aunt Petunia than I originally thought,' Harry replied with a smile. 'She was always very worried about what people thought, perhaps she was more worried about what Uncle Vernon thought.'

'Thanks Harry,' she said. 'You might be right. I need to find your father, have you seen him?'

'He was out with the horses,' said Harry. 'About half an hour ago.'

Harry watched with a smile as his mother walked off. He was glad she had gone to see Aunt Petunia, however he wished he'd been there to see the look on their faces when they realised it was Lily. It would have been much better than Dudley's reaction.

Ron arrived in the fireplace not long afterwards. Harry had been waiting somewhat impatiently for Ron's return when his mother had found him not long earlier. He needed to know what had happened. He felt it was very important. He sensed that something had happened. He had a sense of his lion tattoo. It wasn't painful, he was just aware of its presence. He also had a dull ache in his scar, not painful enough to worry him but there all the same.

Harry could tell immediately that Ron was worried about something. His face was pale and washed out. He had big dark circles underneath his eyes.

'You've had a long day, haven't you?' he asked. 'How about we find Hermione and talk about it? We can fence some other time.'

Hermione wasn't too difficult to find. She was in the kitchen obviously looking for something. Harry figured that there has to be enough food in the kitchen to fill her up, but lately it seemed she was always asking someone to pick up something for her. He didn't understand the cravings that she was getting, not at all.

'Hi Hermione,' he said with a smile. 'What do you want this time?'

'Actually I was after some plain ordinary Muggle fruit,' she said. 'And as usual I can't find any. Hi Ron.'

'Hi Hermione,' he said. 'Got something important to tell you. Why don't we get the House Elf to get us something to eat and we can talk. I need some dinner.'

Ron quickly spoke to the House Elf, before they made their way to the more informal dining room.

'Honestly Ron don't you ever think of anything but your stomach?' asked Hermione.

'Look who's talking,' replied Harry.

'That's not fair,' she winged. 'I'm sure I'm eating for more than two.'

'Yeah, you have an elephant inside you Hermione,' replied Ron. 'I found Lavender.'

Ron recounted everything that had occurred, stressing the absolute authority that Draco had carried. Harry listened carefully while they silently ate the roast beef the House Elf had provided.

'I think we need to consider placing Draco in hiding,' Harry responded.

'Think of the risk that will put Ginny in,' Ron said raising his voice. 'I will not put my sister in that position.'

'We can hide her when she finishes school,' said Hermione. 'She's fairly safe at Hogwarts, at least while Dumbledore's there. I agree with Harry, Ron. Draco is at risk because you did that. When Voldemort finds out...'

'Then he can say it must have been Polyjuice,' Ron interrupted.

'I know that it's the truth, but there's always the possibility that Voldermort won't believe him,' replied Harry. 'Think of how Ginny would feel if he was killed.'

Ron was silent. Harry knew he must agree with him on some level.

'Listen, why don't we talk to Draco and see what he thinks,' said Hermione. 'After all it has to be his decision. We can't force him to do it and I know how difficult it is. I do think it's the best idea though. For him and for Ginny.'

'What do you want me to bring over for you tomorrow Hermione?' Ron asked sounding somewhat defeated.

'You're wonderful Ron,' she said smiling. 'Can you bring me some plums and grapes?'

'Sure,' he said. 'Whatever you want. I'll be around tomorrow evening.'

Harry watched as his friend apparated away. He was sure that there was more that was unsettling Ron, although he couldn't be sure what it was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Snape finished his lesson and headed into his office surprised to see an ill looking Chrystal there. Something immediately put Snape on high alert. Instantly he knew something was terribly wrong. She looked almost ghostlike; her pale face splattered with bruises and her hair as pale as the sands he remembered from his childhood.

'Are you happy?' she spat at him.

'About what?' he snarled in reply.

'Look what he did to me?' she said raising her voice. 'Look what the bastard did to me.'

'Did he release your husband?' he asked with only a slight amount of concern in his voice.

'He said he would,' she answered. 'I believe he will. Why didn't you tell me the truth Severus? After everything we've been through how come you couldn't tell me the truth?'

'Would you have believed me?' he asked as he glimpsed the chain that hung around her neck. Voldemort had a hold over her. He could see it in her eyes and hear it her voice. Snape had no idea what the Dark Lord had done to her. He watched as she walked out of the room, a defeated woman.

Damage control was important now. He had to find out exactly what had happened. His arm began to sear with burning pain. The Death Eaters were being summoned. No point going after Chrystal now. He could get the information he needed from the Death Eaters.

He walked over towards his fireplace, grabbed a handful of Floo powder and left Hogwarts behind him. Once he had left the abandoned building to which he always went on leaving Hogwarts he immediately apparated to the Riddle graveyard. His Lord was there waiting, along with many Death Eaters whom Snape had not seen for many years. Snape wandered to the back of the crowd where he had spied Draco Malfoy.

'We need to talk when this is over,' he told the young man. 'It's very important.'

Malfoy only nodded in acknowledgement before The Dark Lord began addressing his loyal servants.

'The time is drawing near,' he said. 'Soon I will have squashed the Potter boy and we will continue our work to rid the world of those unworthy to be in it. But first we have more pressing issues to deal with.' Snape watched as a pretty blonde-haired girl was brought in. He recognised her but it took a while to realise who she was.

Fleur Delacour.

The last time he had seen her had been at Grimmauld Place, with Bill Weasley the day of Reade's christening. She had been so happy then, smiling, laughing and obviously in love. Now she looked almost defeated. Snape knew that the Dark Lord was going to kill her.

'We appear to have succeeded with Finnegan,' his Master continued. 'Not only did we destroy him, but we have destroyed the Heir of Hufflepuff. Well done my loyal servants. Now we must continue our work. We must try one more person. Her.' He pointed at a petrified Fleur. 'She is the eldest Weasley's. I intend on bringing that family down one at a time, starting with the eldest. Administer the potion.'

Snape watched in horror as a vile smelling liquid was forced down the young women's throat. She was trying to resist, trying not to swallow, however she was no match for the four wizards who had hold of her.

'Wipe her memory and leave her at Dumbledore's door,' he said with a laugh. 'With this letter.' The Dark Lord propelled a piece of parchment into the hands of one of his assistants. 'Anyone who brings me the Granger girl will be greatly rewarded.' On that remark he turned and then disapparated.

Snape walked over towards Malfoy.

'Meet me in the Potions Dungeons,' he said. 'Later this evening some time after eight.' Then he too, feeling as if his body had turned to ice, disapparated.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dumbledore sat Lavender down once Madam Pomfrey had tendered to her injuries. He had had to tell many people before that a loved one had been murdered. In fact there were many years where it was an extremely regular occurrence. But he had never had to tell someone who had actually seen them tortured. The scared young lady looked at him intensely.

'I know something's wrong Professor,' she said finally. "I just can't see what it is. Something is blinding me.'

'I hate to tell you this, but Seamus is dead,' replied Dumbledore. He studied the face in front of him. It was hard to tell if she even felt anything. 'Is there anything that can be done for you?'

'Someone needs to take care of Katie,' she said softly. 'I'll be alright.'

Dumbledore watched as she stood and walked out of the room. There was something not quite right about Lavender. It would have to wait until later. There was more trouble coming. He could sense it. And somehow he knew that many lives would pay the price.

He walked out towards the Great Hall. He wanted to ensure that everything was ready for the next morning. He opened the door to find Fleur Delacour there.

Dumbledore had not seen Fleur for quite a while. She had been working on and off for the Order and had managed to bring some important information back from her travels overseas. She looked quite ill and Dumbledore couldn't help but feel this had something to do with Voldemort.

An exhausted Fleur dropped her hand to reveal a piece of parchment. Dumbledore knelt down beside her and cautiously examined the parchment. It looked harmless enough. He cautiously opened it and gazed upon the writing of Lord Voldemort.

Here is a little gift for you Professor Dumbledore.

He had always known that Voldemort had a sick sense of humour but this only confirmed it. Dumbledore ran to find Madam Pomfrey. Something must be done immediately to try and save the girl.

Madam Pomfrey followed immediately when she saw the look on his face.

'What is it Albus?' she asked.

'It's Fleur Delacour,' he replied. 'I can't wake her.'

Making a quick inspection of her, Madam Pomfrey cast a spell on her that allowed her to breathe.

'She needs to be taken to the hospital wing immediately,' she said.

Dumbledore levitated her to the hospital wing and watched over with worried eyes as Poppy cared to her. When she was done she turned to him with a grim look in her eyes.

'I've never seen anything like this before,' she said. 'It doesn't look good.'

'Let me know if there's any change,' he said. 'Anything at all.'

Dumbledore sighed as he made his way back towards his quarters.

The war had changed. This was personal. Voldemort was directly attacking the Order and himself. He sat down feeling old and tired. He couldn't let Voldemort get the better of him. Not just yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He slowly crept into the room, unsure as to what would be waiting there. He was almost relieved to see the figure there, lying peacefully asleep, breathing in and out slowly. He walked over and sat down on the bed beside her watching her lie there. He watched as the pale moonlight lit her face. She was perfect except for the platinum hair that was falling from her head. There was something very unsettling about it. Sirius felt as if he had been whisked back in time.

As soon as he saw the hair he knew that not everything was well. There was no way in the world that Chrystal would have ever done that to herself by choice. As he gazed at her if he hadn't known better he would have thought he was staring at Nathaira Àille.

For some reason Sirius could not explain, Chrystal's mother had always unsettled him. There was something odd about her that Sirius had picked up from an early age. The way she interacted with her family was strange and at times the way she treated Chrystal was just downright cruel. Seeing his wife appear the splitting image of her mother led Sirius to one conclusion and one conclusion alone.

He was free because of her.

He felt his heart constrict at the thought. He knew she must have gone to the Death Eaters to get him freed. If he ever doubted her feelings he certainly didn't now. Sirius just wondered at what cost his freedom had come.

He reached out and pulled the eerie hairs out of her face. The sight of her bruised and battered face almost brought him to tears. He lay down beside her wishing he'd never left and held her closely. He could sleep now. He was home again.

She awoke to feel someone breathing lightly on her neck. She turned around hoping against hope that it was Sirius. She had to restrain herself from jumping for joy when she saw it was. He looked tired, exhausted, she didn't want to wake him. She was so glad that he was there and was okay. She watched him breathing softly until he woke up and gave her a smile.

'I'm sorry,' he said. 'I did the wrong thing.'

'So have I,' she said. 'Sirius, I need to tell you a few things.'

'I don't care Chrys,' he said. She almost couldn't bear the look on his face. It almost hurt. 'I love you and I should never have left. I trust you. We've lost so much.'

'I need to tell you something,' she said. 'Please just listen to me.'

Sirius agreed and Chrystal poured her heart out. She told him everything she should have told him earlier. And when she had finished he hugged her and said,

'I love you.'

~~~~~~~~~~~