Trinity

Katling

Story Summary:
Harry now knows what he has to do - find and destroy the Horcruxes and Voldemort. Ron and Hermione refuse to leave his side and they choose to become something that the Dark Lord will fear...the Trinity.

Chapter 02

Chapter Summary:
Harry moves from the Dursleys' to Grimmauld Place, and he is then joined by Ron and Hermione. The place is made safe, and Harry discovers what you can find when you talk to house elves.
Posted:
07/29/2005
Hits:
2,548


Chapter 2

When they arrived at King's Cross Station, they stood and dragged their trunks onto the platform where the Weasleys were waiting for them. They were quickly ushered into the station proper and Harry saw Uncle Vernon waiting impatiently.

"I'd better go," he said quietly.

Mrs Weasley drew him into a motherly hug. "I spoke to Professor McGonagall and she said we could come and get you in a couple of weeks."

Harry nodded, not wanting to get into an argument with Mrs Weasley. He got a hug from Hermione and he shook hands with Ron.

"See you soon," Ron said soberly.

Then Ginny walked over and pulled him into a hug. "You look after yourself," she whispered in his ear. "Look after Ron and Hermione and let them do the same for you. I'll be waiting." With that she kissed him on the cheek and walked over to join her mother.

Harry stared after her for a moment then turned and walked resolutely towards Uncle Vernon. The beefy man sneered at him and started walking towards the car. Harry followed along and manhandled his trunk into the boot. He then climbed into the backseat, balancing Hedwig's cage on his lap. Uncle Vernon started the car and they were soon on the road home.

About halfway there, Harry cleared his throat. "I won't be staying long this summer. I'll be out of your hair permanently in a day or two."

The car swerved suddenly as Uncle Vernon turned to look at him incredulously then quickly turned back to watch the road. "What are you talking about, boy?"

"You heard me," Harry said flatly. "I'll only be staying for a day or two and then I'll be leaving. You won't ever have to see me again."

For the first time in his life, Harry received a full-blooded pleased smile from his uncle.

"You'll never come back?" Vernon asked.

"Nope."

"We won't ever have to see any of your freaky friends again?"

"Nope."

"Good," Uncle Vernon said settling in his seat with satisfaction.

"I'll need you to drive me to London though," Harry said, wondering if this was pushing his luck.

"Whatever you need to get out of our lives," Vernon said expansively then his piggy eyes narrowed. "That Headmaster of yours won't get angry?"

Harry was silent for a moment. "No," he said shortly. "He won't mind."

"Good," Uncle Vernon said.

The rest of the trip was accomplished in absolute silence and when they arrived back at Privet Drive, Uncle Vernon startled Harry by helping him get his trunk out of the car and into the house. Once that was done, Uncle Vernon headed into the kitchen. Harry shook his head as he dragged his trunk up the stairs to his room; clearly his leaving had really delighted the man. He let his trunk drop with a quiet thud then opened the window and let Hedwig out of her cage.

"We won't be here long, Hedwig," he told the snowy owl. "We'll leave tomorrow or the next day."

Hedwig nibbled gently on his fingers then flew out of the window. Harry watched her go for a moment then sank down on the edge of his bed.

"Is it true?" Aunt Petunia asked from the door, startling him out of his thoughts.

"That I'm leaving?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Aunt Petunia said through pursed lips.

Harry nodded. "Tomorrow, the day after. Not sure when."

Aunt Petunia stared at him. "Will we be safe?"

Harry considered that. "You'll be as safe as any other Muggles," he said finally though he wasn't sure of the veracity of the claim. "Maybe you should all go on holiday for a while though."

Aunt Petunia eyed him for a moment longer then she whirled around and Harry soon heard her walking down the stairs. Harry gave a sigh then pushed himself to his feet and closed the door. He leaned against the door and closed his eyes. He intended to spend as much time as he could in the next day or so sleeping. He had a couple of vials of Dreamless Sleep that he'd talked out of Madam Pomfrey. He wanted to be as rested as possible before he got into the training he wanted to do and he wasn't sure how well he was going to sleep as Grimmauld Place.

He gave a start as he heard Aunt Petunia call him down for dinner and he sighed before pushing himself off the door. He opened it and slowly walked down the stairs, reminding himself that he wouldn't be here for long and he could be polite for the next couple of days.

****************************************************************************

Two days later he stood in the hallway, his trunk at his feet and Hedwig's cage in his hand, waiting for Uncle Vernon to finish his breakfast. He had agreed to take Harry into London this morning with almost frightening cheerfulness. Harry had had very little to do with his relatives since he got back, taking advantage of the potions and sleeping as much as he could. The times he slept without the potion were riddled with terrible nightmares but he had gotten enough sleep to feel ready for almost anything.

Uncle Vernon came striding out of the kitchen and within ten minutes they were in the car. It was a long silent drive into London; Harry only spoke to give Uncle Vernon directions to Grimmauld Place. Once they got there, Uncle Vernon looked around at the dingy, dilapidated houses with a scornful expression.

"This is it then?" he sneered.

"Yes," Harry replied. He looked at his uncle silently for a moment then shook his head and got out of the car. He opened the boot and hauled his trunk out. As soon as he slammed the boot closed, Uncle Vernon started the car and drove off. Harry watched him go then snorted sourly. He turned and eyed Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place with distaste and reluctance then slowly dragged his trunk up to the front door. He knocked quietly and the door was opened after a moment by Dobby.

The little house elf beamed as soon as he saw who it was and he gave an odd little wave of his hand.

"Harry Potter sir! Dobby is very pleased to see you."

With a snap of his fingers, Dobby had levitated Harry's trunk into the house and was heading up the stairs. Harry closed the door behind him and followed Dobby.

"Has everything been alright?" he asked quietly.

Dobby nodded. "No one has come, Harry Potter sir, not even the good witches and wizards who used to. But Kreacher has been..." He broke off and scowled. "Dobby will not talk of Kreacher."

"I don't blame you," Harry said dryly as they continued climbing the stairs. He frowned as they passed the floor that held the room he and Ron had once used. "Er, Dobby? Where are we going?"

"When Harry Potter told Dobby he was coming to stay at Grimmauld Place, Dobby thought he would prepare a proper place for Harry Potter," Dobby said then he peered up at Harry nervously. "Did Dobby make a mistake?"

"No, no, that's alright," Harry said hastily.

Dobby beamed as they got to the third floor and the little house elf led Harry along the corridor. "Dobby has prepared rooms here for Harry Potter and for Wheezy and Hermy."

Dobby opened a door and led Harry into a large well-lit bedroom. The room was clean and neat and decorated in shades of scarlet and gold. There was a large four-poster bed on one wall, a couple of bookshelves, a large wardrobe and a desk and chair on another. There was a door in a third wall that stood half-open and Harry could see a large bathroom through it. Dobby levitated Harry's trunk and lowered in the middle of the room and Harry walked in and put Hedwig's cage down on the desk. Hedwig was making her own way here.

"Wow, Dobby, this is wonderful," Harry said with a smile. He certainly hadn't expected anything like this.

Dobby beamed. "Thank you, Harry Potter. This was once the room of Sirius Black. Dobby thought you would like it."

Harry swallowed at the memory of Sirius then he nodded. "I do like it." He took a deep breath then let it out. "Have there been any messages delivered?"

"No, Harry Potter," Dobby said.

Harry nodded. "If one comes, please let me know."

"Dobby will. Would Harry Potter like lunch?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, thank you, Dobby."

"Dobby will let you know when it is ready." With that Dobby disappeared with a pop.

Harry drew in a deep breath then let it out slowly. He walked over to his trunk and opened it, unpacking his belongings and putting them into the wardrobe. He grimaced as he pulled out Dudley's old clothes. He really wanted to replace them but that would have to wait for the moment. He wanted the Fidelius charm on the house before he did that. He didn't want to take too many risks right now. If he took too many risks, the adults would have valid arguments for shoving him back to the Dursleys.

He was staring out of the window when Dobby came back to announce lunch and he was glad of the distraction as he went downstairs.

******************************************************************************

The next morning Harry was woken by a rather overexcited Pig bouncing around the room being chased by a scolding Dobby. He propped himself up on his elbows and grinned at the sight.

"Dobby, it's alright," he said quietly.

Pig flew over to him and whizzed around his head, hooting excitedly. Dobby scowled at the little owl then disappeared with a pop. Pig flew around his head a couple more times until Harry snatched him out of the air with amused exasperation. The tiny owl hooted happily in his hand as he removed the letter from his leg. He let Pig go and the owl flew over to Hedwig's empty cage to drink out of the dish. Harry looked at the front of the letter, realised it was from Hermione and quickly opened it.

Dear Harry,

Ron loaned Pig to me so that I could get the answer on the Fidelius to you as quickly as possible. I've found it. It was far easier to find than I thought it would be and it seems to be relatively easy to cast though I think it will take a lot of energy. Whoever casts it (the Secret Keeper does not need to be the one that person) will probably be exhausted for a couple of days. That's why I think I should cast it. You might need to do things while I can just stay at Grimmauld Place and read while I recover. You know I'm right so don't argue. Anyway, let Ron and I know when we can join you. The sooner we get this done the better.

Love,

Hermione

Harry leapt out of bed and strode over to the desk. He grabbed a couple of pieces of parchment and a quill. On both pieces of parchment he wrote:

Come to Grimmauld Place as soon as you can.

He folded each letter and wrote Ron and Hermione's names on them. He walked over to Pig who immediately started jumping up and down in excitement. He stroked the little owl's head to calm it and tied the letters to his leg.

"Take these to Ron and Hermione," he told Pig and the little owl leapt into the air and zipped out of the window.

He watched the little owl disappeared into the early morning sky then turned and headed for the bathroom. Once washed and dressed he headed downstairs where he allowed Dobby to fuss over him and make him breakfast. Kreacher came in at one point, muttering dire maledictions under his breath and Dobby was about to chase him out when Harry stopped him.

"Kreacher?" he said, firmly pushing his disgust at the house elf down. "Was Regulus Black living here before he died?"

"Master asks Kreacher about Master Regulus," Kreacher muttered. "Master Regulus was such a good son. Master Regulus did not leave his mother."

"Did Master Regulus go somewhere a few days before he died?" Harry asked carefully.

Kreacher glanced up at Harry. "Master refers to Master Regulus properly. Kreacher will answer Master. Master Regulus went away for two days just before he died. Master Regulus came back looking strange. Kreacher had to help Master Regulus."

"What did Master Regulus ask you to do?"

Kreacher gave Harry an angry look. "Master wants Kreacher to betray Master Regulus."

"You won't be betraying Master Regulus," Harry said after a sudden brainwave. "Master Regulus went away to do something for...his mother. He didn't finish that task before he died. That task needs to be finished. How did you help Master Regulus, Kreacher?"

Kreacher rocked back and forth as he thought about what Harry had said. "Master says he is helping Master Regulus but Master is not loyal to Mistress' Lord. But Kreacher must answer Master. Kreacher helped Master Regulus to hide something for him. Kreacher did this and Kreacher still hides it."

Harry carefully kept himself calm. "What did Master Regulus ask you to hide?"

"A necklace. Kreacher must hide a necklace."

Harry clamped down on his shout of joy then leaned forward. "Bring me this necklace, Kreacher, so that I can finish Master Regulus' task."

"Kreacher has been given an order and Kreacher must obey his Master," the house elf muttered. "Kreacher just hopes Master is telling the truth."

Kreacher disappeared with a pop then reappeared a moment later clutching a gold locket. He handed it to Harry then disappeared again. Harry looked down at the locket in his hand and had to swallow a sudden urge to cry. The gold locket was large and heavy with an ornate serpentine 'S' carved on it. Here it was hidden securely at Grimmauld Place and Harry took several deep breaths. A single tear slipped out of one eye.

"Harry Potter sir?" Dobby said softly, worriedly.

Harry looked up at him. "It's okay, Dobby. Um, Ron and Hermione will be arriving at some time. Possibly today, maybe tomorrow. Could you make sure their rooms are ready?"

"Dobby will do this," Dobby said still looking worried.

Harry pushed his empty plate away from him and stood, walking out of the kitchen. He wandered around the house aimlessly for a while, the gold locket clutched in his hand. Then he came to his senses a bit and took the locket up to his room, hiding it a pair of Uncle Vernon's old socks. He stood in the middle of the room for a moment then turned on his heel and headed down to the library. Maybe it was time to start looking for information on Horcruxes.

He was still in the library when he heard the knock on the front door. He heard Dobby open it and greet whoever was outside. He walked over and stuck his head out the door to see Ron walking up the corridor after Dobby, his trunk floating after the little house elf.

"Hey, Harry!" Ron said with a grin. "I take it Hermione's found the answer."

Harry nodded as he came out into the corridor. "Yeah. Hopefully she's on her way right now. Look, let Dobby get you settled in then come back downstairs. I've got something to tell you."

Ron nodded and followed Dobby upstairs. He had just rejoined Harry in the library when the doorbell rang. They both poked their heads out into the corridor as Dobby answered the door. Hermione was waiting outside and was swiftly granted entrance. Dobby took charge of her trunk and she walked up to the boys brandishing one of the books she had borrowed.

"It's in here!" she said triumphantly.

"Great, Hermione," Harry said with a grin. "Let Dobby get you settled in then we'll get stuck into it. I've got something to tell you anyway."

Hermione shoved the book into Harry's hands then rushed after the house elf. Harry and Ron exchanged amused looks and went back into the library. Harry placed Hermione's book on a table.

"You're not going to have a look?" Ron asked.

"And spoil all of Hermione's fun?" Harry said. "She'll get irritated at me if I do that."

Ron laughed and the two boys leaned against the table and waited for Hermione. She very quickly came rushing back into the library and made a beeline for the book. She flipped through the pages until she got to one about halfway in.

"There it is," she said, slapping the page.

Harry and Ron leaned over and read the page in question. The Fidelius charm was, as Hermione had written in her letter, not overly difficult. But it did take a large amount of personal power from the person casting the spell. Harry read it through twice then slowly nodded.

"I see your point," he said to Hermione.

"What point?" Ron asked.

"I said that it might be better if I cast the spell," Hermione explained. "Harry might need to do things and whoever casts this spell is probably going to need to rest for a couple of days. I can still read while I'm doing that."

"Oh, okay," Ron said. "When are you going to do this?"

"I can do it now," Hermione said confidently. "In fact, I think I should do it now. Snape knows where Grimmauld Place is so the sooner we hide it the better."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked worriedly.

Hermione nodded. "I can do this, Harry. And this is important."

"Alright, what do you need to do?" Harry said.

"I think part of it will have already been done," Hermione said. "I need to place that rune at the four external corners of the property. It shouldn't be too difficult. The remnants of the runes from the Fidelius Dumbledore cast should still be there. I can just place mine over them."

"Okay, Ron, go with Hermione and help her," Harry ordered. "Keep an eye out for trouble. I've got to go upstairs and get something."

Ron and Hermione nodded and walked out of the library. Harry followed them but he headed upstairs while they walked out the front door. He headed up to his room and grabbed the pair of socks that held the locket. He walked back down to the library but he did not have to wait for too long for Hermione and Ron to return. Hermione had a look of satisfaction when she came back into the library while Ron looked impressed.

"Done!" Hermione said. "It was a lot easier than I thought. The remnants of the Headmaster's runes made it much quicker."

"Excellent," Harry said. "Now what?"

"Now I cast the spell," Hermione said. "Harry, if you could stand in the middle of the room. Don't move while I'm doing this."

Harry did as Hermione asked and waited with just a hint of trepidation. Hermione pulled out her wand and braced herself in front of him. She pointed the wand at him and began a series of intricate wand movements as she spoke. With each wand movement, Harry and Ron felt the magic build.

"Fidelis aedificium Twelve Grimmauld Place, London celo Harry Potter," intoned Hermione.

The power spiked and seemed to flow out from Hermione. It swirled through the walls in all four directions, obviously towards the runes she had set, then it returned and swirled up and into Harry. Harry gasped and clutched at his chest as the power settled into him then it disappeared and he felt normal again. The same could not be said for Hermione. The moment the power settled into Harry she paled and would have fallen if Ron had not leapt forward and caught her, helping her over to a nearby armchair.

"Are you alright?" Ron asked urgently.

Hermione nodded. "Yes. The writer wasn't kidding when they said it takes a bit out of you."

Harry caught his breath and rushed over to Hermione. "Are you sure?"

Hermione smiled wanly and nodded. "I'll be fine. Now what did you want to show us?"

Harry eyed her for a long moment then nodded. "Okay, first thing. Home is at Twelve Grimmauld Place, London." Ron and Hermione nodded and grinned as Harry continued. "Remember how we were talking about the locket Horcrux on the train?"

Ron nodded as he leaned on the back of Hermione's chair. "You and Hermione thought it might be that locket we took out of those cabinets in the drawing room."

Harry nodded. "I spoke to Kreacher this morning about it." He walked over to the socks he had left on the table and pulled the locket out from them, dangling it from his fingers. "Look what he had."

Ron and Hermione looked shocked. "Is...is it the real one?" Hermione asked weakly.

Harry nodded. "It's the right one," he said in a slightly choked voice.

"Is it still a Horcrux?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged as he turned and tucked the locket back into the socks. He pretended to have some trouble to give him some time to recover.

"I don't know," he said in answer to Ron's question as he turned around again. "And considering what happened to Dumbledore's hand, I'd like to see if we can find anything about Horcruxes in here before I go trying anything."

"Good point," Ron gulped. "So where do we start?"

"I've spent this morning just looking around, trying to get a feel for what kind of books are in here," Harry said. "I suggest you do the same. Maybe bring some interesting prospects over to Hermione."

"What are you going to be doing?" Hermione asked.

"I'm going to go shopping," Harry said with a hint of an impish smile. "I refuse to wear any of Dudley's hand-me-downs anymore."

"I think Ron should go with you," Hermione said firmly.

"I want him to stay here with you, just in case," Harry countered. "I'll be very careful and I plan on staying in Muggle London anyway." Harry held up a hand to forestall Hermione's protests. "You were the one who told me that the person who casts the spell needs to rest. I think that means not carrying enormous books around as well."

Hermione gave an exasperated sigh. "Oh, alright! But be careful!"

"I shall take absolutely no risks," Harry promised. "And I won't be too long."

"Do you have any Muggle money?" Hermione asked.

Harry shook his head. "I planned on making a short trip to Gringotts to get some then heading out into Muggle London. I'll take the Knight Bus. I've got enough wizarding money on me."

Hermione nodded worriedly then turned to Ron, issuing some brisk orders about what she was looking for. Harry grinned at them then grabbed the socks containing the locket and headed upstairs. He shoved his wand into his back pocket and pulled on his oversized jacket. He grabbed his money bag and shoved it in one pocket before heading downstairs. He ducked into the kitchen long enough to tell Dobby where he was going then had to stay long enough to convince Dobby that he didn't need to be accompanied. When he finally got away from the concerned house elf, he let himself out of the front door and walked down to the footpath. He looked around and when he was sure there was no one there, he pulled his wand out and held it up, hailing the Knight Bus.