Soul Weaver

“Harry, wake up … Mum says something has just come for you through the Muggle post,” the voice of Ron said.

Harry took a moment to consider this information and then he opened his eyes and sat up. He reached for his glasses and put them on.

“What? Something’s come for me?” Harry muttered groggily.

Harry had come upstairs last night to play chess with Ron, only to find his best friend asleep and snoring. At first Harry figured it was all the cleaning they had done and his friend was as worn out as he was. Instead, as Harry closed the bedroom door, Ron had muttered for him to pretend he was asleep so Mrs. Weasley wouldn’t inspect his room.

Even though Harry had climbed into bed for the sole purpose of helping his friend escape room inspection, shortly he and Ron actually did fall asleep.

Now Harry sat with morning light streaming in through the window and his friend standing at the end of the bed. Harry slowly got up and stretched.

“Dad says it was a Muggle postman who came to the door,” Ron began as they headed to the door. “Dad was excited actually … Mum said the man looked scared, handed Dad the package and hurried off,” Ron went on. Harry followed Ron out of the bedroom and down the stairs and they proceeded into the kitchen area.

The first thing Harry noticed was the large box wrapped in brown paper on the kitchen table. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stood close by the table as Harry came forward.

“Careful, dear,” Mrs. Weasley cautioned as she kept Harry from reaching for the package.

“Harry, have you ordered anything? Are you expecting anything in the post?” Mr. Weasley asked. He already had his wand in hand and pointed it at the package in reference to it.

“No, Mr. Weasley … nothing,” Harry answered.

“Very well, we can’t be too careful, Harry,” Mr. Weasley explained. Mr. Weasley moved closer and began to study the package closely. He seemed very curious about the handwritten address on it. He was also fascinated by the stamps in one corner and studied them for a moment as well.

“That curly handwriting, it’s very like …” Arthur paused in his comment and turned to look at his wife. She moved forward, studied it a moment and gave a curt nod to her husband.

“What’s all the fuss for … can’t we just open it?” Ron asked impatiently.

“It could be a trap, Ron,” Mr. Weasley stated.

“Who else would know I’m here?” Harry asked.

Molly and Arthur exchanged glances. Harry thought it was as if they knew something he might not know. Harry turned now to stare skeptically at the package.

“We can test it. If it’s from a real Order of the Phoenix member then there is one way to check it,” Arthur informed.

“So … it’s an Order member you think this is from?” Harry questioned.

“Let’s just test it first, and since you two are now adults I see no reason why you can’t become official Order members,” Arthur announced and seemed a little proud as he said it.

“Really, Arthur. No member has been assigned as the new leader yet, we can’t go approving members at random,” Molly scolded.

“Ah … yes, r-right,” Arthur stammered and stared at his wife a moment. “Well, Ron and Harry are already practically members, dear. If they can’t be trusted members…who can?” countered Arthur in an upbeat tone.

“I suppose I can’t argue with you on that,” Molly allowed. A mischievous twinkle appeared in her eye; it then also appeared in Arthur’s.

“My lucky day, I suspect,” Arthur proclaimed in an even more upbeat tone.

Harry watched as the two just stared at each other and they both were grinning in a way Harry thought was odd.

“Dad,” Ron said in a very impatient tone. “You were going to show us something,” he insisted. His parents had seemed to have forgotten what they were doing only a moment before.

“Oh … Right …” Arthur muttered as he turned from staring at his wife to his son and Harry. He reached out and drew Ron and then Harry closer to the table. Molly walked away only to come back with a blank parchment. She laid it open on the kitchen table.

“Now, watch closely, Harry, Ron,” Arthur began. “Many times we use a Patronus to communicate with each other in the Order, it’s faster and more direct usually.”

“Mr. Weasley … I don’t mean to interrupt,” Harry said before Arthur could continue. “But how do you use your Patronus to send a message?” he asked curiously.

“It takes a bit of focus to use them to send a message,” Arthur explained. “Usually in seventh year Defense class is when one starts to learn the Patronus and develop the skills to make them.”

“We already have learned how, thanks to Harry,” Ron stated.

“Yes, but to give it a message to send or have it seek out someone to warn them or direct them to assist you requires much more skill than just making one,” Mr. Weasley informed. “Regardless of that, a Patronus can’t send a package or item. So Order members have still needed a way to identify if something was a real letter or item sent from another member, or a trap set by a Death Eater,” Arthur described.

He paused a moment and seemed to be giving Harry and Ron a few moments to take in the information.

“So, you do something to the package to let other Order members know it was sent by a friend?” Harry asked.

“Exactly, Harry,” Arthur replied and patted his shoulder in a friendly manner.

“So, how do we find out? How do we check?” Ron asked impatiently.

“First, if you want to install the phoenix seal, you touch your wand to the item,” Arthur began as he moved his wand to touch the parchment Molly had laid out on the table. “Then you clear your mind and think only of the phoenix and then say, Tutamen practico.”

From Arthur’s wand a white spell erupted and spread over the blank parchment. The paper burned with the impression of a phoenix in flight and then it slowly faded away to disappear as if it had never been there.

“Wicked!” Ron said and seemed quite impressed with the new spell for some reason.

“Okay, so how do you check to see if it’s there?” Ron asked and sounded a little excited.

Harry thought Ron seemed more eager than usual to see a spell.

“You simply press your wand to it,” Arthur began but he paused and then pulled Ron forward. “Here Ron, try it out for yourself,” he offered, seeing that his son seemed so excited. Ron took out his wand and touched it to the parchment.

“Now, you simply say, Tautamen cesso,” Arthur explained.

Ron quickly repeated the spell a couple of times under his breath to test it. He then touched his wand to the parchment and said the spell forcefully.

The paper erupted in a clear bright outline of the phoenix seal that Arthur had put on it. A moment later it faded and disappeared.

“I can’t believe it!” Ron stated as if in shock.

“Really, son … it’s not that impressive,” Arthur insisted with humor.

“No, not that,” Ron said as he put his wand away. “Now I know a spell that Hermione doesn’t know,” he explained.

Harry began to laugh and patted Ron on the shoulder. “Let me guess - you’re going to gloat about this, aren’t you?” he asked Ron cheerfully.

“Bloody right I am,” Ron responded. “Don’t any of you tell her either. I’m going to show her myself that I know a spell … and teach it to her,” Ron announced in triumph. Harry laughed again; Arthur and Molly simply stared at their son as if he’d just walked in with purple hair.

“Alright, perhaps Harry would like to try to check if there is a seal on this package?” Arthur asked as they all now turned their attention back to the package.

“Arthur, is this wise? Being that certain members are … well …” Molly began but stopped as if trying to think of the right words.

“If you’re talking about that traitor, Snape…just say it,” Harry persisted defensively. Molly and Arthur exchanged glances and nodded.

“Obviously many of our secrets will now be revealed,” Arthur began as he studied the package again cautiously. “This very simple spell is something we’ll probably not use anymore … but …”Arthur stopped and stared at the handwritten address carefully.

“But?” Harry pressed.

“If you’ll notice the packing paper, Harry,” Arthur indicated the brown paper with his wand. It appeared a little older than something just freshly wrapped and sent out. “Even just looking at it as we are now says it’s a little older than a couple of weeks … though it is hard to tell exactly how old it is really,” he went on and again studied the address closely. “The handwriting is familiar too,” added Arthur.

“Who does it belong to?” Harry asked warily.

“It’s Dumbledore’s, dear,” Molly said gently.

Harry’s chest constricted and he jerked his hand down to get his wand. He pulled it out and pointed it at the package.

“Tautamen cesso,” growled Harry harshly at the package. The paper on the outside erupted with the outline of the phoenix and then it slowly faded away.

“Well, we know it has the seal at least, but that still doesn’t … Harry, wait!” Arthur cautioned. Before Arthur could stop him, Harry had grabbed hold of the paper and ripped it, revealing a brown cardboard box.

“Let’s just … carefully see what’s inside,” Molly demanded. Harry nodded. He and Arthur both pulled back the clear plastic tape that sealed the box and then opened the flaps. All four of them leaned forward and stared down into the inside of the box once it was open.

Inside was what appeared to Harry to be plastic Styrofoam packing material.

“Oh great, someone has a sense of humor,” Ron muttered.

“Petrified Worms!” Mrs. Weasley cried in revulsion. “Why would Albus send these odd little worms?” she questioned in confusion. Harry did his best not to, but he couldn’t help it - he began to laugh, it was just too funny.

“Apparently they are important. Do you suppose they are poisonous?” Arthur asked. He seemed unsure about the contents of the box and Harry’s reaction to them.

“They’re … not … worms,” Harry managed to get out as he laughed. He picked one up out of the box and squashed it between his fingers. The Styrofoam made a loud squeaking noise as he did so. Molly, Arthur and Ron all stared at it in horror.

“It’s a screaming worm?” Ron asked, which caused Harry to laugh even more. Harry threw his hands into the box and pulled out a handful of the packing material. He squashed them all in his hands causing the material to squeak and squeal as he destroyed them.

“Gah! Harry … stop torturing them. That’s worse than a Mandrake,” Ron complained.

“They’re not alive, it’s just plastic. It’s used for packing things so they don’t get damaged,” Harry explained after he had calmed his laughing.

The three nodded as if they understood but they still stared at the little packing ‘worms’ warily. Harry decided to just go ahead and dig whatever was inside out. He tried to not make a mess but the Styrofoam kept flying out all over the table and then floating downwards to glide across the floor.

“They float …” Arthur commented as he watched the packing material with rapt interest.

“Just dump it, Harry,” Ron said. “We can clean it up later,” he added.

“These things are going to be all over the house!” Molly complained sharply, but Harry had already turned the box on its side and dumped out the packing material.

They fell across the table and even more found their way scattering across the floor. Arthur and Ron became completely distracted for a few moments watching the bits float about on the floor, caught up in a morning breeze.

Harry finally found and dug out another smaller cardboard box from the inside of the larger one. He pulled it out and cleared a space for it on the table. It was a box somewhat larger than a shoebox. Harry pulled back the tape and then opened the flaps to peer down inside.

On the inside the first thing Harry saw was an envelope with his name on it. Harry picked it up and under it was another envelope, but this second one had no name written on the outside. Underneath that was something wrapped in a dark blue velvety cloth.

“Perhaps open the letter first,” Molly suggested. Harry nodded and placed the envelope with no name back inside the box. He opened the first envelope and pulled out a folded letter.

On the outside of the fold was written in bold letters the words:

“Do Not Read This Letter Aloud, No Matter Who Is With You.”

“Does he mean us as well, do you suppose?” Ron asked.

Under the bold letters appeared the words:

“Yes - Only Harry.”

“Dumbledore was a smart man,” Arthur stated firmly.

Harry proceeded to unfold the letter and began to read it silently. While Harry read it Molly, Arthur and Ron cleaned off the table and all the packing material that had scattered everywhere.

Dear Harry,

If you are reading this letter, I have died.

While I will admit I have said many times before that death is a great adventure, I will say even at my age it is a little scary to consider dying. It is acceptable though to be fearful, because I truly believe that we are all afraid of it; in a way deep down we all have an understanding we can share.

We all know that one day the moment will come when we realise how mortal we are, and it becomes a real and nagging presence over us. It is a difficult thing to handle, but I’m sure grief is an even worse thing to have to come to terms with; to lose a friend is always very hard to deal with.

I ask you to do your best to push aside your feelings about my death for now because we have important things to do.

Firstly, it is essential for you to keep the information in this letter close to you. Please do not read it aloud to anyone or allow anyone else to read it. This request includes even your most trusted friends. There is some information you will need to part with, but only what I will tell you is acceptable to share.

I was not quite sure at first where I should send this letter, so I took the liberty of assuming you would be at The Burrow.

I also thought it would be wise to send this package through the Muggle post. The Muggle post is quite interesting, and the people that work there were very helpful to me. I was a little confused why they needed to put my items in another box and then a larger box, and also why they filled it with what they called packing material. The man in the Post Office said it was to protect the item against damage. I suspect that the postal workers they employ are not as reliable as owls.

Well, I should get on with the importance of this letter. I will now ask you to please inform Arthur Weasley that you will need his help to purchase passage to a particular destination. I think a Portkey would be more expedient and preferable to a ship.

I would not normally suggest a Portkey for such a long distance, but I am sure time is not on our side so the fastest way seems best.

Simply inform him you will need his assistance, but do not tell him where you are going; you must tell no person of your destination except the person you will be purchasing the Portkey from. Also, do not buy the Portkey from the British Ministry of Magic.

I am aware that Miss Fleur Delacour and Mr. Bill Weasley will be married in the summer. If this letter arrives before the wedding then this situation has worked out perfectly for us.

I am sure you will be going to the wedding, but if you are thinking of not going I will require that you do attend. While in France you will purchase the Portkey from the French Ministry of Magic under the pretence of it being a wedding present. Tell the person you purchase the Portkey from that it will be a gift for Bill and Fleur.

In this way no person in England will be aware of the purchase and thus no gossip will spread as to where you might be going.

I am sure that the Weasleys, especially Molly, will at first express concern about a Portkey for you without knowing where it is taking you. She is a very wise woman and why wouldn’t she be? Look at all the wonderful and talented children she has. If she is worried, simply tell her the following anecdote to assure her that this letter and package are indeed from me.

Once, many years ago, I called on Molly after the first war had ended. I wanted to visit her and see her new baby. That baby was Ginny and I expressed an interest that I might be allowed to hold the little girl. She was a very beautiful baby and as Headmaster it was very rare for me to enjoy the opportunity to hold an infant.

I informed Molly she was a lucky woman to have so many children. As I held Ginny, an odd premonition came over me and I told Molly that Ginny would one day be a light to guide future members of the Order from the darkness.

If you tell Molly this information of our past meeting, I am sure it will clear up any doubt about the origin of this letter.

With that out of the way I am sure you have many questions and a great desire to share the information about where you are going, but you must tell no person. It is vital that you do not tell anyone.

I am sure now that I have died Voldemort will be pleased and also seem invincible. Hogwarts must remain open; it is important that the school not close. Voldemort wants us to abandon Hogwarts, I am very sure of this. I believe he did not just want to take up a job there in order to find acceptable Horcruxes or to gather an army.

I believe it is his fondest wish to make Hogwarts his base of operations. It is the only place I think he has ever really called home, so it is very important for him to gain it and call it his. It would be a great conquest for him if he manages to claim Hogwarts. We must at all costs not allow this to happen.

I have, after the situation at the Ministry, let my feelings be known about this to both the Minister of Magic and I also expressed these thoughts to Professor McGonagall and Hagrid as well. I hope you will endeavour to keep the school not only protected, but open and out of Voldemort’s hands.

Look at this letter - I have rambled away on other subjects and forgotten to tell you where it is I wish you to go and why I wish you to go there. Forgive me, at my age my mind is filled with thoughts and worries and I want to be sure to say all the things that are important to you before I end this message.

I wish you to purchase a Portkey to the United States of America. Your destination is a town called Westbrook, located in the state called Virginia. This place is a Wizarding community and it is protected by magic. I am also told it is a very safe place; I have even heard it called a birdcage it is so secure.

I personally have never travelled to America but I hear it is a very interesting place.

Once you arrive in Westbrook, you will need to find a woman named Celeste Fairstone.

Remember you must only ask for Celeste Fairstone, you should not have to tell anyone else who you are; simply tell anyone that asks you must speak to Celeste Fairstone. Look for the house with lots of roses.

You must give Celeste the envelope inside the box, the envelope with no name on it. That letter is for her. You will also have noticed the item in the box wrapped in a blue cloth; that item also is for her. It is a wooden box that belonged to me. You will be unable to open it so please do not try.

At first she will probably not seem to want to talk to you. If she tries to avoid you, simply tell her that she left half of it in England. She will know what you mean, even if you don’t.

Give her the box and tell her she must keep it and inform her it is a very important thing for her to have. Tell her she will know who to give it to when the time is right.

I’m sure you are very curious about who this woman is. Celeste was once a Professor for a year at Hogwarts, in fact she taught Defence against the Dark Arts.

I’m sure after many years of putting up with Defence teachers, you are curious as to why I would employ an American teacher. I know that some of our teachers have been somewhat lacking in skill and I apologise for some of my poor choices in regards to the Dark Arts position.

Remus Lupin was an exception to those less than desirable Professors, and I would put Celeste Fairstone into a category along with him. Though Celeste had flaws, she gained a distinction in her teacher studies.

Usually after leaving Hogwarts, if a student is interested in pursuing a career in teaching, they must go through further study much like an Auror does. It is not so different in America and Celeste gained very good qualifications in all areas of teaching.

She did turn out to be a rather good teacher I will say and, while I don’t like to pick favourites, she was probably the one I have the deepest regard for.

I will now ask another favour of you along with travelling to America to meet Celeste: I wish you to persuade her to return to England and teach Defence again at Hogwarts.

I’m quite sure she will resist this idea, but I am well aware that you have certain charms and that if you press her properly she will yield and agree to come back to England.

To gain her trust, perhaps you might ask her help with learning certain skills in magic that you are lacking; this will help you to stay longer in her company. Nothing is more rewarding for a true teacher than to have a student to teach. If anything, Celeste enjoys being a teacher; it is what she was born to do.

Celeste is to be trusted with any information, including anything you and I have spoken of in private. It is important that you tell her as much as possible; the more you tell her about yourself and what has been going on at Hogwarts, the more likely it is she will return. Once the shock of meeting you wears off, you will find her to be a very agreeable and friendly person. Do not let her fool you into thinking she is not friendly.

If you can persuade her back to Britain, it will help me correct a regret I have had for many long years.

It seems only right to tell you this is my last request of you. I could have asked someone else to do it for me, but you are the right man for this job. I have great faith in you, Harry, and I know you will not fail me in fulfilling my final wish.

I think now it is the right time to say other things I have wanted to say to you. When one writes a letter like this, it is always important to admit certain things about one’s self. I have few regrets, and the ones I have I can admit freely.

I did wrong by two friends, Celeste being one of them. That is why I wish you to correct my mistake for me, since I am no longer able to.

Another regret I have is that I never married and had my own family. I have spent many years taking care of other people’s children. You were all very much mine for a while; even the ones that broke my heart. Even though I can call every student my own for a few years, it is still not the same as having one’s own children.

When I finally realized that I really did want a wife and children, it was too late. When a charming lady came into my midst that I could easily imagine my life with, I found I was much too old for her. I will also tell you that she was very much taken and in love with another man.

The reason I tell you all my regrets is I hope you will do your best to avoid them. Tell the people you love that you love them. Never let the evil people of this world make you bitter. If you do, you will drive yourself mad and hurt the person you love the most in the process.

I do wish I could be there for you and see you become a man. I have watched you grow up, and you, out of all the students I have taught over the years, have made me the most proud to be Headmaster of Hogwarts.

If it had been possible for me to do so, I would have become your guardian and taken you into my life as my own son. This is my last and possibly my greatest regret: that I could not do what I so longed to where you were concerned.

Know then that it has been and always was my fondest wish that you could have grown up in a home where people loved and appreciated you. I hope that at Hogwarts you at least found friends and people who have given your life meaning. Know also that I have always loved you and appreciated you. As Headmaster I have only told this to one other student, but you and he have always been very much like sons to me.

Thank you, Harry, for your devotion and loyalty, but most of all thank you for your love.

Your most loyal friend,

Albus Dumbledore

“Harry, are you alright?” Ron asked with concern. Harry nodded but it took him a few moments to compose himself. To calm his emotions he took a few ragged breaths. His chest was hurting from the effort he was making to keep himself from crying. He swallowed hard and folded the letter back up and stuffed it into the envelope.

“So, what was in the letter?” Ron asked. Molly and Arthur were both now staring at Harry with rapt attention.

“He’s asked me not to tell anyone what he’s written, I have to keep the information a secret and only tell what he’s said is okay to say,” Harry replied. Ron frowned slightly but nodded. Harry turned to stare at Mr. Weasley.

“I … I’m to ask you to help me purchase a Portkey,” Harry said cautiously.

“A Portkey? To where?” Arthur asked.

“Can we really be sure this letter is from Albus Dumbledore?” Molly cut in; her face was tense with worry now.

“Good point, Mum. It could be a Portkey straight to You-Know-Who,” Ron suggested darkly.

Harry quickly described to Molly the events of Dumbledore’s visiting her when he held Ginny as a baby. Molly appeared to be moved by this story and pulled out a chair from the table and sat down. She seemed so emotional that she wiped a solitary tear from her face.

They were all silent for a few moments, allowing Molly to compose herself. Arthur moved to also sit down at his usual spot at the table. He studied his wife another moment before he spoke.

“Did that happen?” he asked her. Molly nodded vigorously.

“You never told me,” Arthur commented with concern.

“I know I didn’t…I just thought he was being kind, I didn’t even think about it again once he had left,” Molly answered. “The war was over then, I didn’t even think we’d need the Order anymore. I really believed … it was over,” she persisted.

Arthur nodded and gently laid his hand on hers, “It’s alright, I’m not angry…but did anyone else know this? Did you tell anyone about it or was anyone else there?”

“Ron was napping then, the other boys had all gone outside,” Molly replied.

“Well, there’s no doubt that the letter is from him then, I suppose,” Arthur said and turned back to Harry. “I will help you obtain that Portkey, Harry.”

“He said I should buy it in France and say that it is a gift for Bill and Fleur … for their wedding,” explained Harry. Arthur seemed to take a moment and consider this information.

“Yes, very good idea. If you bought one from here people would talk; if you buy it in France and as a wedding gift it will be less noticeable,” Arthur said. “Especially buying it in France, they are not all that interested in our problems with You-Know-Who,” he added.

“So, you can’t say where you are going?” Ron asked as Harry sat down at the kitchen table as well. Ron moved to also take a seat.

“Ron,” Arthur warned in a firm tone.

“Sorry, but maybe I could go with him…to wherever it is he has got to go,” Ron suggested. “Did he say you had to go alone?” Ron questioned as he turned to Harry.

“Ron, Harry can not say. Obviously Dumbledore is sending Harry on an important mission,” Arthur insisted. “Perhaps it is a good idea for Harry to do whatever this mission is alone.”

“But, if it’s dangerous he might need help … maybe Hermione … and I should go with him,” Ron asserted passionately.

“I…it doesn’t sound dangerous,” Harry cut in before Arthur could reply to Ron.

Molly, Arthur and Harry stared at him curiously. Harry now realized it could be very easy to let slip some information. His mouth thinned out and he tried to reassure his friends that it sounded relatively safe.

“It is a last request. He says it’s important to him, but I don’t think it’s dangerous,” Harry explained.

“Then I should go with you if it’s not dangerous,” Ron persisted.

Ron seemed concerned about him, but Harry also wondered if the idea of going off somewhere unknown excited Ron a little. He seemed unusually forceful about this to Harry either way.

“You’re not going and not another word,” Molly scolded as she stood up and moved over into the kitchen. She began to start cooking breakfast and continued to berate Ron as she did so. “Albus Dumbledore is sending Harry somewhere safe, I’m sure. Maybe it’s even a good idea.”

“A good idea?” Ron questioned a little glumly and seemed almost disinterested in hearing his mother’s rant.

“Yes, Harry will be somewhere else, nobody will know where, and that is sure to annoy You-Know-Who,” Molly suggested and went on in an almost cheerful tone. “I’m sure he and his followers will assume Harry is here. Well, when word gets out he’s not here and none of us know where he is, I just think it’s brilliant,” Molly praised.

“But, Mum…”

“No buts,” Molly ordered as she continued to cook and seemed exceedingly pleased with herself for some reason. Harry wondered why that was.

“Your mother is right,” Arthur informed. “It would be a good idea for Harry to disappear for a while and lie low.”

“If You-Know-Who doesn’t know where he is, don’t you think it will make him want to find out … like maybe try to get the information from one of us?” Ron asked darkly.

Molly had been coming over to the table to set some food down when Ron said this and she went white in the face, as if the question scared her.

“Am I still in the room?” Harry asked in a defensive tone. He felt awkward hearing Ron call him ‘he’ and ‘him’. He was talking almost like Harry wasn’t even there.

“Er, sorry, Harry,” Ron apologized.

“It will make the Ministry ask questions as well,” Arthur considered. The room became quiet and it seemed to Harry that Arthur Weasley was thinking very hard, as if trying to find an answer to some difficult puzzle. Arthur broke out in a smile a moment later and seemed quite pleased.

“Let’s stage an argument,” Arthur announced.

“What!?” Molly, Harry and Ron said in unison.

“After we get back from the wedding, we can all have a big row publicly with Harry … Diagon Alley would be a great place to put on a show for everyone,” Arthur began.

“We can all get angry, shout and create a scene for all the wizarding world to see. Can you imagine the gossip?!” Arthur went on. “We can all have a fight and Harry can storm off saying he’ll never return or live with us ever again … Harry could even accuse me of spying on him for the Ministry!” he finished and seemed quite happy with the idea.

“That’s …” Molly stopped and seemed to think a moment. “Well, Arthur, that’s the … It’s brilliant,” was all she seemed to be able to come up with.

“How exactly are we going to pull that off?” Ron complained grumpily.

“As moody as you are, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to act angry and offended,” Molly answered. Ron’s cheeks burned red with embarrassment. Molly moved back to the kitchen area and then returned to finish setting the table.

“Ginny could pretend to want Harry to buy her something expensive…and he can refuse and then they can have an argument,” Arthur went on as he seemed to be thinking of ideas they could use.

“What am I pretending?” the sleepy voice of Ginny asked as she entered the kitchen a little groggily and sat down beside Harry.

“Who’s going to believe we’re angry with Harry?” Ron questioned.

“You were angry with me before, remember,” Harry interjected as Ginny seemed to be utterly confused as to what they were talking about and stared at them in bewilderment.

“But…that was different.” Ron insisted.

“You were jealous…thought I’d put my name in the Goblet of Fire without telling you…thought I was seeking fame and glory,” Harry said as if Ron hadn’t just excused anger from fourth year.

“I’m not jealous of you! Who ever said I was jealous of you!?” Ron announced in an offended tone.

“See, you can get angry with me and be believable,” Harry praised.

Ron opened his mouth to complain but the twinkle in Harry’s eye and the grin on Ginny and Harry’s faces stalled him.

“That was a dirty trick,” Ron muttered dejectedly.

“We’ll just plan it all out ahead of time, we’ll all have our parts and know exactly what to say and do,” Arthur stated and then began to fill his plate with breakfast. Ron and Harry seemed to take this as a cue and also began to pile food onto their plates.

“We’re going to be like a little acting troupe … this is a little exciting,” Molly said as she brought juice to the table and sat down to fill her plate as well.

“We’re going to pretend to be angry with Harry…but why?” Ginny asked, still quite confused as to what this was all about.

“Because Harry’s got to…”

“Ron,” Molly cut in sharply. Ron frowned and proceeded to begin eating his breakfast instead of arguing with his mother.

“I’ve got an important thing to do after the wedding,” Harry explained.

“You said you were going somewhere,” Ginny replied. “Hermione told me you were going to Godric’s Hollow, to visit the place you lived, and see your parents’ grave.”

“This is something different. I’ll have to do that when I get back I think,” Harry considered aloud. He felt a little disappointed that he would have to put his trip to Godric’s Hollow off for a little while.

“He can’t talk about it and I think it best if none of us think about it anymore…this mission Harry has to do is a secret and I’m sure is very important,” Arthur explained to Ginny.

“You’re still coming to France … you’ll still do that, won’t you?” Ginny asked hopefully.

“Oh yeah, I’m going…wouldn’t miss it,” Harry announced in a playful tone, trying to be cheerful even though Dumbledore’s letter still left him feeling a little depressed.

“Thank goodness, I was so nervous that I’d have to walk down the aisle alone!” Ginny stated with relief. Then she blushed when her innocent words registered and the alternative meaning seemed to hit everyone at the same time.

Arthur squirmed uncomfortably in his seat and Molly stifled a laugh, Ron simply gaped at his sister as if she’d gone mad.

“I mean…all those people I don’t know…staring at me…”

“We understand, dear…it’s alright,” Molly cut in as she patted her daughter’s hand. Ginny was staring nervously at her father who was studying her and Harry with an expression that Harry wasn’t sure he was entirely comfortable with.

“Yes well, we’ll all have a nice family outing in France and get away from all this war nonsense for a while. A wedding is sure to lift all our spirits,” Arthur stated with confidence.

“I hope you’re right, Dad…nothing like a good French wedding to lift an Englishman’s spirits,” Ron suggested with humor. Molly covered her mouth to keep from laughing but it burst from her and a moment later everyone joined in.

“What ees so funny … what ees ze joke?” Fleur asked as she and Bill both entered the kitchen.

“Er…we…um…” Harry stammered but couldn’t come up with a good answer.

“We were just joking with Harry and hoped he wouldn’t trip when he walked down the aisle at the wedding,” Ron announced coolly.

Fleur’s face lost all its color. “We will practice…yes…before ze wedding…” she stated jerkily and seemed to worry that her wedding might now be ruined by someone tripping during the ceremony.

“Ahh…Harry’s not going to trip, dear…he’s battled dragons, ridden Hippogriffs…fought off You-Know-Who and some Death Eaters…nothing to worry about where Harry’s concerned, right Harry?” Bill asserted cheerfully as he sat down at the table and began to fill his plate.

“Right…no worries in walking down an aisle,” Harry replied and tried to sound cheerful. Even his comment didn’t seem to reassure Fleur and for the remainder of breakfast she kept eyeing Harry nervously.

He certainly hoped he wasn’t going to ruin the wedding. Harry thought he could manage to walk down a silly aisle, as if he didn’t have enough pressure on him right now. At least he’d be in a different country and away from this war for a little while, so there was something to be thankful for.



Many miles away from the Weasley breakfast table a young man gave a cry of pain as his mother tried to soothe him.

“WHERE IS HE!?” Draco screeched angrily.

“He’ll be here soon. Please Draco…try and relax,” Narcissa soothed gently and laid the wet cloth on top of her son’s head.

“…IT HURTS…the LIGHT…it’s horrible…the pain!” Draco cried and moaned. Narcissa got up and pulled the curtains as tightly closed as she could.

“Is this what you spawned and risked your life for…this whimpering, mewling baby?” Bellatrix asked as she stood on the other side of Draco’s bed. She stared at him with indifference as he moaned even louder.

“Don’t insult him!” Narcissa hissed. “I didn’t hear that you offered any help to him when he was brought before the Dark Lord,” Narcissa snapped at her sister. Narcissa moved back to sit down on the corner of Draco’s bed again and pressed the cloth to his forehead.

“Oh. I thought you wished me to be quiet…I didn’t want to speak up in case I let slip you and that filthy half-breed’s little vow…wouldn’t want to say too much now, would I?” Bella insinuated darkly.

“You were just as much a party to it as I. Who was it that was teaching Draco to keep his mind closed…who was it teaching him to keep secrets from me and from Severus as well?” Narcissa scolded, glaring at her sister angrily.

“I did that so he could follow through with the Dark Lord’s orders…obviously it didn’t give him the courage to be a man, did it?” Bella insulted.

Draco moaned loudly again and Bella simply rolled her eyes as Narcissa soothed Draco and tried to placate him.

Even though Bella had no sympathy, even for her nephew, it was still easy to see that Draco probably was in a lot of pain. He was sickly pale and his eyes were red and puffy from crying and also from the torture he had endured at the Dark Lord’s hand.

It did not do to fail the Dark Lord - all Death Eaters knew this. Draco had been let off lightly in truth. Snape had kept his word to Narcissa and pleaded Draco’s case. Bella had been with them when he had spoken for Draco. She herself had made no comment at all and thankfully the Dark Lord had not questioned her.

Snape had relayed the events with a soft voice but in a direct manner that even the Dark Lord took notice of. Bella was thrilled when Snape informed the Dark Lord that he had finished the job for Draco.

One would have expected the Dark Lord to be overjoyed at hearing the news Dumbledore was now dead.

Bella knew the Dark Lord well and in his eyes a hint of distrust appeared she saw it. He had studied Snape intensely in those first few moments after Snape had spoken. The long moments had dragged out and a nervousness had moved among all the assembled Death Eaters.

“Failure is never rewarded,” Voldemort had said sharply but instead of staring at Draco he was staring at Severus Snape. Bellatrix had almost been hopeful that Snape would suffer the Dark Lord’s anger and displeasure.

Snape had quickly explained how weak Dumbledore was when he had arrived. He also submitted that Draco had not fully failed truthfully.

Voldemort almost appeared on the verge of taking out his wand and using it but they all had listened as Snape made a plea on Draco’s behalf. Even though he had not gone through fully with the deed, there was still no doubt whatever that Draco had done had weakened Dumbledore enough for the group of Death Eaters to overcome him.

Snape also made a case that Draco had done something no other had accomplished: gaining access to Hogwarts for the Death Eaters. It would be a shame to waste such a talented boy since, even though he did not fully succeed, he did accomplish a great deal more than any other Death Eater had, himself included.

The Death Eaters who where there on the tower were quickly questioned. They all answered that yes, Dumbledore had appeared to be very weak and that Draco had been the one there when they all arrived on the tower.

For his part in this meeting with the Dark Lord, Draco had remained silent the whole time. Bella studied the form of her nephew as the other Death Eaters spoke. He was groveling in a bow on the ground before the Dark Lord. Voldemort motioned for him to rise and come forward once the other Death Eaters had again become silent.

He stared into Draco’s eyes with a power that very few people could look away from. He questioned Draco on Dumbledore’s apparent further weakened condition.

He seemed to be aware Dumbledore was already weak but Voldemort wanted to know how Draco had managed to corner and weaken him further. The only thing Draco seemed to be able to reply was, “I poisoned him.”

“Liar,” Voldemort hissed and flicked his wand at Draco. The boy crumpled to the ground and thrashed about in pain. A moment later it ended and Draco was panting and sobbing on the floor in front of the Dark Lord.

Bellatrix was not concerned even though this was her sister’s son. She had seen and committed enough torture not to be moved so easily by this sort of thing; Azkaban also had hardened her. Truthfully she had no affection for the child because she barely knew him.

Her eyes took note though that Severus had become unusually tense from Draco’s plaintive wails and though she could not see his face she wondered if Snape’s expression might reveal a revulsion to this act.

In her opinion he had never really been one of them. He had always found a way to wriggle out of action on behalf of the Dark Lord. Now that she knew he was a half-breed, she knew he was not loyal. She had to find a way to demonstrate that he was not loyal to the Dark Lord; she made a vow to herself in those moments of Draco’s torture that she would find a way to prove it.

Voldemort questioned Draco again and this time the boy easily admitted that he had found Dumbledore on the tower in a weakened condition and that the Headmaster had come back from somewhere but Draco didn’t know where. He explained about the coin, and his use of the Imperius to control the Hogsmeade barwoman but he had no idea how Dumbledore was further weakened.

Again, Voldemort flicked his wand and Draco gave a loud cry of pain that even gave Bellatrix pause this time.

“For your failure, for your father’s betrayal and for your lies,” Voldemort said coldly as Draco whimpered in pain and cried out again from the torture he was enduring.

“Master…”

“SILENCE!” Voldemort yelled, cutting Severus off. “Where is the mother…Narcissa Malfoy? Too long she has avoided my company,” he complained.

“No … p-p-please,” Draco gasped and reached out to touch the bottom of Voldemort’s robes. The Dark Lord kicked Draco’s hand away as if it were a bug.

“I’ll do whatever you want…whatever you say…please…my mother,” Draco begged.

Bellatrix scowled at her nephew in revulsion and wondered was he really this weak?

“Mothers and sons, is it my lot to suffer this problem constantly?” Voldemort announced in an ironic tone that was filled with rage.

He flicked his wand again and Draco squirmed on the floor in agony. This time he seemed to be incapable of crying out.

“I warned you…they would die if you failed me,” Voldemort pressed as he stared down at Draco with cold indifference to the boy’s suffering.

The torture ended a few moments later and Draco lay gasping on the floor. Voldemort stood and circled Draco a moment as if stalled by indecision. He turned abruptly to move forward to Severus.

Bellatrix watched with hope as the Dark Lord stood in front of Severus and closely examined the man’s face. She could see Voldemort’s eyes as they bore into Severus’, she watched as the Dark Lord’s mouth thinned out and then turned down into a deeper frown. To her disappointment Severus did not suffer the same fate as her nephew.

“You will make me a potion, you know the one I want,” Voldemort ordered. “I require the boy to remember this night…and remember it well, Severus,” he continued. “Go, and do not keep me waiting long,” he added in a dangerous tone.

Snape took a step back, bowed humbly to the Dark Lord and turned to leave. As he walked by, he met her gaze and Bellatrix saw the truth there in his eyes, a small fleeting hint of emotion. He was displeased to be doing this job for the Dark Lord and she knew it. She would remember this moment and use it to her advantage in the future.

Draco did remember. Even many days later as Bella stood watching her sister, he still suffered, or pretended to. That night, after the Dark Lord seemed satisfied that Draco had learned his lesson, he had been given another mission.

“Do you wish the pain to stop now?” Voldemort had asked.

“PLEASE…m-master…” Draco had voiced weakly.

“You will serve me then. The filth that are Harry Potter’s most loyal followers, who are they? Name them for me,” Voldemort ordered.

“Granger….and…the Weasleys!” Draco had cried desperately.

“You will see that they die in pain, every Weasley…the Mudblood Granger as well. This is your task: I give you another year, Draco Malfoy. Do NOT fail me this time,” Voldemort had stated.

With Voldemort satisfied he dismissed everyone from his presence and Bellatrix was forced to suffer the company of Severus Snape as he brought Draco back to Narcissa.

Now for the last few days she had to endure the wails and moans of her nephew and she was on the verge of torturing him herself.

Narcissa had finally contacted Severus and begged his help. Draco could not possibly be in this much pain so many days later, Bella had thought angrily. Yet he did not eat and lay in bed complaining bitterly of pain and revulsion to the light.

“I’ve had enough of this, I’m leaving,” Bellatrix announced. As she turned though she stopped dead and was confronted with the filthy half-breed Severus Snape. He entered the house unannounced as if he owned it. How dare he, she thought angrily.

She gave him a wide path as he strode into the room without even requesting to be allowed entrance. He moved around and pulled out of one of his robe pockets a potion vial that he handed it to Narcissa.

“Give him this once an hour, but not too much or it will put him into too deep a sleep and he may die,” Severus explained. “Only a little each hour…do you understand?” he asked.

Narcissa nodded and quickly moved to give Draco a sip of the potion. A few moments later Draco seemed to have fallen into a peaceful sleep.

“Thank you, Severus,” Narcissa said weakly and laid the potion vial on a small table beside the bed.

“You must make him understand that he cannot linger too long in this self pity and pretense of pain…the Dark Lord has ordered him to fulfill another task. Draco must at least appear to be doing his utmost to comply,” Severus explained in a soft tone.

“Appear to be? Are you suggesting he not do as the Dark Lord says?” Bellatrix questioned sharply.

Narcissa and Severus both scowled at her as if she were an unwelcome guest.

“Some are much better at killing than others, Bellatrix. Perhaps you would assist your nephew in this, since you are so well versed in that area of being a loyal supporter of our Master,” Severus insinuated as he moved around the bed to leave the room.

“I’m not the only killer here…or is Dumbledore not really dead?” she questioned angrily, “Maybe it’s a trick and you are not really loyal to the Dark Lord. Maybe it was just a show put on for all of us to believe you really killed him,” Bella suggested as Severus reached the door. He stopped and slowly turned to stare at her with malice.

“I assure you, the former Headmaster of Hogwarts is dead and I am the one that ended his life,” Severus stated firmly. “Shall we both travel to Hogwarts where his body is now entombed? Shall I prove it to you, Bellatrix?” he asked in an almost idle voice as he started towards her. Bellatrix scowled but did not answer him.

“Perhaps a demonstration of my skill would better suit you? The Dark Lord trusts me and though he might not have been fully satisfied with the exact details…I can still say he is very pleased with the outcome, regardless of what you might think,” he insisted.

Bellatrix frowned and continued to remain silent.

“Shall you come with me so I might … prove my abilities to you, Bellatrix?“ he asked and had moved even closer to her; he now stood directly in front of her.

Severus leaned slightly towards her and Bellatrix stepped back in revulsion. His lips curled up in a mocking smile to see her so disturbed by his presence. This little hint of weakness from her was very revealing to him and he decided he would use it to his advantage.

“Come Bella, you and I…alone…torturing some unsuspecting person. I’m sure that must excite you,” Severus suggested in a dark and devious tone.

“You are repugnant and vile! I’ve never trusted you and I never will…GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE!” Bellatrix insisted and folded her arms across her chest. His words and the comment disturbed her more than she cared to admit.

“Such a pity, Bellatrix…that you call me vile when you yourself are no better than I,” he suggested.

“Of course I’m better than you … you are a half-breed!” she shrieked.

“Bellatrix! Enough!” Narcissa cried and had come around the bed. “He has protected us all, even you,” she stated as she moved toward her sister.

Severus bowed mockingly to Bellatrix and left the room and then the cottage. He felt no need to witness the interaction between the two sisters. He would not argue with the stupid woman. Bellatrix Lestrange could yell and rant all she wanted. The Dark Lord trusted him, and that was all that mattered.

As he left he paused in the shade of one of the tall trees that surrounded the small house; it was well hidden in a dense forest. He studied the surroundings a moment. It was odd: he had never had the desire to wander and enjoy a forest, yet all of a sudden the distinct urge came over him.

He walked deeper into the forest behind the cottage but stopped only a little distance away from it, wondering what had come over him to cause him to want to linger in this area. Perhaps it was the way the sunlight seemed to be like a golden waterfall. It was like a memory but he couldn’t put his mind around whatever it was; an odd sensation came over him in that moment.

Something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. It had been like a waver in his eyesight; he thought he had seen someone move over to his right, just out of his sight. Severus became sure someone was following him.

Was that a very faint laugh? It seemed to be right inside his head instead of near him, it was as if it had passed right through him; it frightened him and he could not move.

Again there came a slight waver in his vision but this time he felt it more than saw it; a presence was about him. His heart began to hammer in his chest without warning and he gave a sharp intake of breath. A stabbing pain pressed at his temple and he was sure someone or something was attacking him.

He turned around once to find where his attacker might be, but as quickly as the attack came over him it disappeared. The pain was gone and his heartbeat slowed to its normal level.

In his mind he could sense a presence; this sensation had occurred a few times since Dumbledore’s death. If he were to be honest with himself though, it had happened before on a number of occasions but not as intensely as this time.

Severus shook himself and cleared his mind. It was nothing, just a slight headache, nothing a potion could not cure he assured himself.

When he had convinced himself he was not being followed, he apparated away from the hidden home of the Black sisters, sure that he was the only man who now knew everyone’s secrets.