Harry Potter and the Reign of Darkness

Chapter Five - Something Sinister

The few weeks left in summer before Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny would travel back to Hogwarts were largely uneventful. Harry and Ginny talked as if nothing had happened on the night of his birthday. Harry still felt he needed time to get his feelings in order and Ginny was appearing to respect his space. Pigwidgeon had returned after a long stay away with a quick reply from Bill, promising to tell Ron more about what had happened at Gringotts once the "commotion had died down." One week after Harry's birthday, Fred and George had made their way back to Hogsmeade to start "lookout duty". Harry was pleased that they had decided to move their business from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade, he would be able to visit much more often. The twins had started lessons with Harry on the finer points of apparating, but after they'd left, Ron was the only person consistently around who was licensed to practice, and he wasn't much help. Soon, Harry's lessons were filled with Ron turning green and Hermione reading off instructions and practice exercises to Harry for him to attempt. Finally, in the week leading up to Harry's test at the Ministry offices, Mr. Weasley managed to work a few lessons into his schedule. Apparation, unlike other areas of magic where Harry seemed to struggle, came relatively easy, and he soon was popping up on all corners of the room. Harry had discovered the actual disapparation itself wasn't difficult at all. Making sure your whole body came with you, however, that made it difficult. Regardless, as the morning of Harry's test rolled around, he felt somewhat confident.

Harry was getting dressed in jeans and a hooded sweatshirt when Mrs. Weasley called upstairs to make sure he was up. Ron's eyes fluttered open.

"Good luck, Harry," he said groggily. Harry smiled at him.

"Thanks, Ron." Harry then turned and walked out of the bedroom, heading downstairs. Mr. Weasley was reading the Daily Prophet and absentmindedly nibbling on some toast when Harry appeared in the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley walked out of the family room and smiled at Harry.

"Good morning Harry. You feeling ready?" she said encouragingly.

"I think so, Mrs. Weasley, thanks to Mr. Weasley." Harry nodded in his direction.

Mr. Weasley looked up and smiled at Harry, then his wife. "Oh, it was no trouble, Molly. He's a natural." Mr. Weasley finished his piece of toast and stood up, taking a deep breath, "Well, Harry, are you ready to go?"

Harry nodded, yawning. Mr. Weasley smiled at Harry, and then after a kiss from Mrs. Weasley, made for the small staircase that led out of the Order's headquarters. Harry followed. As they walked, Mr. Weasley turned his head back to look at Harry. "Now, we're going to have to take Muggle transportation to get there. The Ministry's a bit of a jog, and I don't want to call attention to the Order's headquarters by taking the Knight Bus. Besides, after today, you won't have to worry about transportation anymore."

"I hope so," Harry said.

"Oh don't worry, Harry, you'll do just fine. Now, just remember to keep that hood up and tied real tight so no one gets a good look at your face. I'll have my wand with me in case someone starts getting wise, but it's been a while since that picture was on the Muggle news. They can never seem to keep their attention focused on one thing for too long." Mr. Weasley turned his head back as they reached the top of the staircase and he slowly pushed the trapdoor away. Harry was still a little concerned about him being recognized, but until he could legally apparate, Harry would have to travel by Muggle means unless he was at Hogwarts. It seemed like it would be safer for him to just get it over with and the Weasleys had agreed. They quickly scrambled up onto the pavement and Mr. Weasley let the door seal itself again, the creases disappearing upon contact with the ground. "Alright, there's a Muggle bus stop that comes around here somewhere. They've got so many signs I can't keep track of them." Mr. Weasley began walking to the end of the alley, and Harry kept close to him. When they reached the end of the alley, Harry saw that it was a beautiful morning in London. Much of the past week had been rainy and glum, weather that London had a reputation for, but it was a relief to see clear skies ahead. Mr. Weasley turned back to Harry, digging in his pockets. He removed an assortment of coins and notes and held them out to Harry. "This will be enough, I hope?"

Harry looked down at what appeared to be approximately twelve pounds, and nodded at Mr. Weasley. "I'd say it is."

Mr. Weasley smiled. "Oh, excellent. Just had to make sure, you know. Don't want you late for your appointment. Have you got your receipt?" Harry dug in his pocket and removed the small piece of parchment that Mr. Weasley had presented him on his birthday. Mr. Weasley smiled. "Good, okay, hood up!" Harry reached behind him and pulled his hood over the top of his head, pulling it extremely tight, Harry thought he must look like an Eskimo. "Now where's that bus stop...." Mr. Weasley looked to his left and immediately started walking hurriedly in that direction. Harry, however, had looked right. About ten feet away a small bus stop sign had been posted, and a few morning commuters were sitting on a bench next to it. Harry turned back to Mr. Weasley, who was beckoning at Harry as he stood underneath a large stop sign. Harry grinned at Mr. Weasley, finding it quite comical, and then beckoned for him to come back as Harry made his way over to the bus stop.

When Mr. Weasley caught up with Harry, he leaned in. "Very confusing, these Muggle signs. Stop here, stop there, it's a wonder they get anywhere!" Harry didn't reply, but was still grinning underneath his hood. After a few minutes, spent with Mr. Weasley looking wildly about, trying to covertly inspect the surrounding Muggle's morning habits, although Harry noticed that the people he had been standing near had slowly and politely edged away. When the bus arrived after a five minute wait, Harry had waited for Muggles to board first before stepping up and paying the fare. He turned and handed Mr. Weasley the correct change, who, before dropping it into the slot, gave the machine a once over, wide-eyed. As Harry and Mr. Weasley moved into the bus itself, Mr. Weasley muttered under his breath. "Astonishing." As the doors to the bus swung shut, Harry grabbed onto a railing, but with a jerk Mr. Weasley collided into him.

"Mr. Weasley!" Harry called out, and then began to whisper, "You've got to hold on...."

Mr. Weasley pushed himself off of Harry and then looked up to the railing Harry had grabbed, a look of recognition appeared on his face, and he grabbed a rail. Mr. Weasley then turned to inspect the bus route, continually counting out to Harry at each stop how many they had left to go. The trip itself lasted fifteen minutes, and had grown more and more congested in the bus with each stop, so much so that Harry took a large breath of relief when he and Mr. Weasley exited the bus. After glancing at his watch, Mr. Weasley pointed to a small street in front of them that Harry recognized. He had traveled with Mr. Weasley to the Ministry once before, but on much more grave circumstances. Harry recognized the seemingly broken down telephone booth as they rounded the corner, and he and Mr. Weasley were soon inside. After Mr. Weasley picked up the phone, he dialed 6, 2, 4, 4, 2, and then waited.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business," said pleasant female voice.

"Arthur Weasley, Misuse of Muggle Artifacts department escorting Harry Potter to the Apparation Test Center for a 9:15 appointment."

"Thank you." The voice resounded through the entire booth. "Visitor, please take the badge and attach it to the front of your robes." A small, silver tag dropped out of the coin return slot. It read Harry Potter, Apparation Test. Harry pinned it to his sweatshirt.

The female voice continued, "Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium." A rumble beneath them shook the booth for a moment, and then the floor slowly began to descend. "The Ministry of Magic wishes you a safe day."

After a minute or so of traveling in dimly lit conditions, during which Harry had pulled off his hood, the door to the booth swung open revealing the Atrium. Harry recalled his last time here, where he and Dumbledore had confronted Lord Voldemort himself. A chill ran though his bones accompanied by a deep sadness as he also remembered that it was here, that he had lost his godfather, Sirius Black, to a secret door in the Department of Mysteries. Just like when Harry had been to the Ministry for his hearing in front of the Wizengamot, numerous wizards and witches were standing near a collection of fireplaces, some appearing in a flash of flame before going about their business. However, Harry noticed two very stern looking wizards pacing about the many fireplaces. Harry assumed that they were more Aurors. Mr. Weasley led Harry over to the security desk, mouthing a greeting to the guard as Harry stepped forward.

"Wand, please," the security guard said in a bored tone. Harry set his wand into the guard's hand, who then placed it on a brass weighing instrument of some kind. The instrument vibrated briefly before producing a small piece of parchment. The security guard tore it off from the base and looked at it. "Eleven inches, phoenix-feather core, been in use six years." Harry nodded in agreement. The guard handed the wand back to Harry. "You're free to go." Harry and Mr. Weasley made their way to the lift at the end of the hallway, Harry admiring the group of statues standing in the center of the St. Mungo's donation fountain as he walked by, and crowded themselves in with a group of other very official looking witches and wizards.

After entering the lift, Mr. Weasley and Harry turned as the doors closed in front of them and the lift began to move. A woman's voice addressed the elevator. "Level seven, Department of Magical Games and Sports, incorporating the British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters, Official Gobstones Club, and Ludicrous Patents Office." The door swung open and one wizard, who appeared to be struggling to hold onto a very enthusiastic bludger, exited quickly. The lift doors shut and they continued downwards.

"Level six, Department of Magical Transport, incorporating the Floor Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office, and Apparation Test Center."

Harry stepped off the lift, and turned back to see Mr. Weasley give him a reassuring look. "Just hand them your receipt, and he'll have some tasks for you to perform so you can receive your license. Afterwards, find me in my office, you know where still-" Mr. Weasley couldn't finish his sentence as the lift doors closed. Harry only sighed and turned around. A gleaming sign in front of showed that the Apparation Test Center was to to his right. Harry turned a corner and made his way down a hallway littered with office doors. Finally, on his right, a forest green painted door read APPARATION TEST CENTER in golden letters. Harry turned the knob, stepping inside.

The Apparation Test Center office was large and barren. The floor was covered with gleaming green marble, and the walls were a light gray and the ceiling was extremely high. In the corner of a room sat two desks forming an L. A slim wizard was standing next to one of the desks, holding a clipboard. He looked up as Harry shut the door behind him, the noise reverberating throughout the room. "Can I help you?" he said slowly, as if selecting each word very carefully.

"I....I have an appointment. Harry Potter," Harry called out, feeling like he was talking in a cave.

The wizard glanced down at his clipboard, and then began walking towards Harry, scribbling as he did so. When he reached Harry, he held out his hand. "Receipt please." Harry produced the small piece of parchment Mr. Weasley had given him. The man snatched it up and affixed it to his clipboard quickly. He looked over the parchment for a moment before finally looking up to address Harry directly, "This seems to be in order. Follow me please." The man turned on his heel and began walking back to his desk. Harry walked after him. When they reached the desks, the wizard turned around and Harry noticed his hand resting on a wand. "To my left, please," the wizard commanded, and Harry moved accordingly. Lifting his wand from his desk, the wizard flicked it once and the room began to rumble and shift. Three of the marble blocks that made up the floor began to rise out of the floor. After they had finished moving, the wizard set his wand down and walked behind his desk, leaning down and out of sight for a moment. When he arose, he was carrying a small potted plant with a single flower, a large book of spells and, to Harry's confusion, a rubber chicken. The wizard then walked over to each of the blocks, placing one of the objects on each. He then walked back over to Harry, who was looking very confused. "Alright, Mr. Potter, your first task will be as follows. I will call out an object from those in front of you, when I do so, I want you to apparate next to said object. Is that clear?" His neck turned slowly to gaze at Harry, who didn't even have time to nod in agreement before the wizard continued. "You will have five attempts, you must have three successful apparations to pass. Chicken." Harry blinked, and the wizard's head snapped back to him, his eyes boring into Harry. He coughed. "Chicken."

"Oh! Right," Harry blurted out, and he began to concentrate on the rubber chicken sitting on a block across the room. With a crack, Harry found himself standing next to the chicken, he turned back to the wizard and smiled.

"Book!"

Another crack, and Harry found himself next to the book of spells.

"Chicken!"

Harry concentrated, and once more was next to the chicken, the cracks of his apparations still echoing throughout the room.

"Tulips!"

Harry found himself next to the plant, and turned to look at the wizard again, who was shaking his head as he marked his clipboard. "Instructions, Mr. Potter, you must listen."

Harry looked confused, "Excuse me?"

The wizard sighed, "That is not a tulip, Mr. Potter. It is a simple daisy. Much different than a tulip." Harry frowned, the testing wizard's play on words wasn't particularly funny at the moment.

"Chicken!"

Harry apparated next to the rubber chicken, not bothering to return his gaze to the irritating wizard testing him.

"Very well, Mr. Potter. If you'll proceed to the next room, please," the wizard said, with a touch of disappointment in his voice.

"What ro-" Harry stopped as he the wall in front of him begin to shift as the gray marble began to peel away, revealing a carpeted room on the other side and a portly, bearded wizard smiling at him. "Well, come on then!" the bearded wizard called, and Harry walked through the new doorway. The tiles quickly closed back up after he did so. The bearded wizard shepherded Harry over to an extremely large wooden chair. "I must apologize for Kessler, he's a real nasty one sometimes. Always trying to trick people, he gets a kick out of it," the bearded wizard paused, as if he had lost his train of thought for a moment, and then found it again, "My name is....is, uh....Oh, what is it...." The bearded wizard looked deep in thought, whispering a large collection of names to himself before a sudden look of delight sparked on his face. "Marvin! Marvin McThorpleton!"

Harry nodded to him. "Hello."

"Right. Now, I'll be testing your ability to apparate somewhere you haven't been before." Marvin motioned with his wand to the wall on his right, which was covered with hundreds and hundreds of pictures, all landscapes. "The room on the other side of this wall can mimic any of the places you see here. So, first, let me find a suitable place...." Marvin walked over to the wall and began speaking to himself in hushed tones. "Ah, yes, thirty-six. Thirty-six will do just fine." Marvin tapped the picture he was gawking at with his wand twice, and then walked over to the small desk in the corner of the room. He pulled out a large drawer filled with files, digging through them before removing a picture from the stack. Marvin turned back to Harry with a big smile and handed the picture to him. "Okay, now, study the picture."

Harry looked down at a picture taken of a grand ballroom, decorated with chandeliers. He looked up at Marvin as a sign of looking what to do next. Marvin nodded. "Alright, alright now, what I want you to do is concentrate on that room. Concentrate real hard and then, poof. I'll be able to see if you make it." Harry set the picture down, a little concerned. He had yet to try apparating to a place he couldn't see, much less had never been. Finally, with a look of determination, Harry focused on the mental image.

In a split second, Harry found himself standing in a huge, regal grand ballroom, standing underneath a grand chandelier. All around him were tables with fine china with golden trim and beautiful silverware. Harry twirled around twice, gazing in awe. He had done it! As Harry came to a stop, he caught something, a person perhaps, in a doorway, cloaked in shadows.

"Harry...." the voice whispered, as if gasping for breath. The figure took one step forward. It was shrouded in black, hands clawing at its face. Harry could see bits of flesh and bone seemingly drooping from its face as its gloved fingers ran over it. There were no features he could begin to make out that resembled a human. Harry started to open his mouth to address it when a shock of pain rippled through his body and he dropped to his knees, clutching his ignited scar. "Harry Potter...." The cloaked figure took another step in approach and then stopped abruptly, whipping its vague shape of a head around as if being called, and then disapparated before his eyes. Harry shook his head in disbelief and then quickly concentrated. With a crack, he apparated next to Marvin. "Th-that man! You must have seen him," Harry cried.

"Wh-, what's that you say?" Marvin looked confused, "I didn't see anything of the sort, well other than you passing with flying colors! Congratulations!" Marvin grabbed Harry's hand and began to shake it violently. "I'll go draw up the paperwork for your license!" Marvin turned back to his desk, removing a quill and starting to dig through his drawers. Harry turned and looked at the picture, the ballroom where he had just been, and concentrated on the hallway where he had seen the wizard in the mask. There was nothing there.

After a few minutes of digging, Marvin scribbled a signature on a piece of parchment and turned to hand it to Harry. "Here you go, Mr. Potter. You may now legally apparate. I'll just turn in your registry to the Ministry for processing, so until that's done, you will not be permitted to apparate more than one kilometer, understand?" Harry nodded. "You will receive an owl when we've processed your paperwork and have you all registered. Well done!" Marvin walked forward and patted Harry,who still looked deeply troubled, on the shoulder. "Alright now," Marvin pulled Harry by the arm to a wooden door, "Right out, this way, this way, the lift is on your left. Goodbye!" With a small fling, Marvin expelled Harry out of the door to his office and slammed the door behind him. Harry gazed down at his new Apparation license and frowned. Was he just going crazy? Harry shook his head. "No," he thought to himself. "There was definitely someone there." Harry quickly took a look down the far end of the hall, but only the occasional Ministry official could be seen moving from office to office. Memos sailed above his head, going to and fro. Harry turned to walk the few steps to the lift, pressing the button. After a few moments, the doors swung open and Harry had to sidestep a couple of well-dressed wizards before heading inside and pressing the floor for Mr. Weasley's office. When the doors swung open on the level holding the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office, Harry was the only one to step off. He nearly ran as he neared Mr. Weasley's office, still very wary of the figure he had seen earlier. He could still hear that breathy whisper calling his name. When Harry reached the door to Mr. Weasley's office, it was swung open and Mr. Weasley was at his desk inspecting an iron.

As Harry stepped over the threshold, Mr. Weasley looked up and smiled. "How'd it go?"

Harry held up his certificate of Apparation. "Passed with flying colors," he said in a glum tone. Mr. Weasley didn't seem to notice.

"That's wonderful, Harry! Now, I thought I'd be able to take an early lunch to bring you home, but my appointment with Amelia Bones has been moved up, so I've arranged for Tonks to escort you back," Mr. Weasley said, his attention slowly returning to the iron. Harry nodded. "Just be sure to keep your hood up and you'll be fine. If you encounter any trouble, just apparate out of there, do you hear me? We'll take care of the consequences, it's more important to keep you safe!" Harry nodded once again, and then turned around as he heard a rap on the door. Mr. Weasley raised a hand in greeting, "Ah, Tonks!"

Tonks was sporting long, fuschia hair and a nose ring, and was holding a large bag in her right hand. She was wearing a black biker's jacket and jeans, and looked very much like a rebellious young Muggle. "Ready to go, Harry?" she said eagerly. Harry nodded. He didn't like the idea of being left alone with Tonks after he'd seen her in Knockturn Alley, only to have her lie about it later, but since Harry wasn't supposed to be there in the first place, he wasn't about to call her on it. "Well, let's go then!" she said, and turned to walk back towards the lift. Harry waved to Mr. Weasley before he stepped out the door to follow Tonks, but he didn't notice as he was poking the iron in various places with his wand. "How'd your test go, Harry?"

"I passed," Harry said curtly.

"Great!"

The rest of the walk to the lift was spent in silence, memos zooming by. As they stepped inside the lift, Harry noticed that Tonks' bag was slightly open, and there was something shining inside. As Tonks looked for the right button to press, Harry stole a closer look. It was the lens of a muggle camera. Harry wouldn't have been so suspicious if Mr. Weasley had been carting a Muggle camera around, it was both his job and his passion to investigate Muggle technology, but Tonks was an Auror. Harry suddenly felt very bold.

"Did you find the camera?"

"Say again?" Tonks turned back to Harry after pressing the button for the Ministry lobby, a confused look on her face.

"The camera, the one that put me at the Leaky Cauldron."

"Oh! Oh, no. Sorry, Harry. It hasn't turned up." Harry noticed Tonks' hand subtlely switching the bag to her opposite hand, away from Harry's sight. When they reached the Lobby, the two headed back towards the small lift that headed to the telephone booth above. After reaching the street, Harry pulled the hood up over his head and walked back to the bus stop where he and Mr. Weasley had gotten off, but the posted schedule said that one wasn't due for a half an hour. Realizing that the money Mr. Weasley had left with him was more than enough for a taxi, Harry stuck his hand out and hailed one. Harry opened the door to get in when he turned to look at Tonks, who was slightly confused. "Come on!" he cried, being very terse.

"Oh! Sorry!" Tonks cried out, covering her lips with her free hand before settling in next to Harry.

The taxi ride only lasted about five minutes, much faster than the public transportation Harry had taken earlier. Harry had the cabbie leave them off on the corner near the alley. After paying the fare, Harry and Tonks stepped out on the sidewalk, made sure the cabbie had gone out of sight, and then headed into the alleyway. Standing behind the dumpster, Tonks turned to Harry and smiled. "Want to try and apparate in?" Harry shrugged.

"I suppose so."

Tonks smiled at him, and then disapparated with a crack. Harry concentrated, and then found himself standing in front of Mrs. Weasley.

"Wh-Harry! Oh, you must've passed!" Before Harry could even look around, Mrs. Weasley was squeezing him in a big hug. "Excellent work! Just like Ron and the twins, first try!"

"I've got to go drop a few things off elsewhere before I get back, Molly, so I'm gonna leave. Congrats Harry." Tonks smiled at him briefly and then disapparated with another crack.

"The whole lot of them are upstairs, Harry, starting to pack."

Harry nodded, "Thanks," and headed upstairs to join Ron in their room. Harry stepped through the open door and saw Ron tossing an assortment of socks, sweaters and robes into his trunk haphazardly. Nearby, Hermione was shaking her head as she was neatly folding a selection of Ron's shirts and setting them to one's side. Ron looked up from his pile, "Hey! How'd it go!"

Harry smiled. "I passed, no problem."

Hermione looked up and smiled, "Oh, that's great Harry! I asked Mr. Weasley to get me an appointment once I'm of age. I should be able to test during Christmas break!" Hermione looked genuinely thrilled at being able to legally Apparate. Harry smiled back at her as he walked over to his trunk and began stuffing in the clothes he had strewn about. Harry had been debating whether or not to tell Ron and Hermione about the incident in the ballroom. He had never been one to hold back the things he'd seen or felt from his friends before, but Harry wasn't even sure that he'd seen anything. Marvin McThorpleton sure hadn't. Finally, with a sigh, Harry pushed it out of his memory, and switched his focus to the camera he had seen in Tonks' bag. Harry walked over to the door to the bedroom and quietly shut it.

"I saw something very strange on the way back here, in Tonks' bag."

Ron looked up, confused. "What were you doing with Tonks?"
"Your dad was busy at the office, so he arranged for her to escort me home. I can't Apparate too far just yet."

"What did you see Harry?" Hermione said, obviously eager to find out.

"A camera. A Muggle camera. When I asked whether or not they had found the camera that put me outside the Leaky Cauldron, she said no, and after we arrived, Tonks mentioned she had to drop 'some stuff' off elsewhere."

Hermione frowned and Ron shrugged. "I wouldn't put too much into it, Harry. She doesn't really come across as the Death Eater type," Ron said reassuringly.

"I don't know, Ron," Hermione said, sounding concerned, "You heard what Kingsley Shacklebolt said at the meeting, about the Ministry thinking it was a bewitched Muggle camera that made it look like Harry."

Ron only shrugged, "I'm not sure I buy it. I mean, Tonks was there at Hogwarts when....When V-Voldemort attacked!" Harry was surprised that Ron had used the Dark Lord's name.

Hermione replied quickly, "But she was one of the last ones to arrive, Ron. Between the Order, the Giants and the D.A., we had them routed."

Ron looked deep in thought for a moment, before returning to his haphazard packing. "I don't know, Hermione, I just don't know."

Hermione nodded, "I'm not ready to call her a Death Eater yet, but I do think we should watch her a little more closely, don't you think Harry?"
Harry nodded. Despite the rash of strange incidents, Harry wasn't ready to believe Tonks was a spy either. Not yet, anyway. The door behind Harry creaked, and he turned and saw Ginny stepping in through the door. "How'd the test go, Harry?" she said hopefully. Harry produced his license, waving it. Ginny smiled. "Congratulations!"