Trinity

Chapter 20

The newly minted and slightly uneasy truce lay between them for a moment before Harry gave Snape a curious look.

"Aberforth's been getting his information straight from you, hasn't he? All those Death Eater wannabes he supposedly overhears are just phantoms."

"It was a useful way of passing on information," Severus replied.

"So why didn't he tell us that you and I presume Draco are staying here?" Harry asked.

"Because he suspected that you and the Order would not exactly react rationally to that news," Albus replied.

Harry grimaced. "Good point. So what else is going on that I should know about?"

"Fenrir Greyback has brought his pack up to the Forbidden Forest," Snape said. "They have instructions to create as much havoc as they can. Their targets also include the centaurs and anything else in the Forest as well as any students that wander in."

"Will they be able to get through the wards?" Harry asked, looking worried. "Minerva's enhanced them as you saw tonight. Will they keep Greyback out?"

Snape shook his head. "I presume she and Filius have altered the wards to keep out anyone with the Dark Mark?" Harry nodded. "Fenrir and his pack do not bear the Dark Mark. I doubt they will be stopped by the wards."

Harry grimaced and rubbed his shoulder where Greyback had gnawed on it. "Dammit. When were you planning on getting that information to me?"

"As soon as we worked out a plausible way to do it," Albus replied. "That was proving somewhat difficult."

Harry thought about that for a moment then snorted with wry amusement as he continued to absently rub his shoulder. "Good point."

"Harry? What is wrong with your shoulder?" Dumbledore asked with a worried frown.

Harry blinked and looked down at his hand before snatching it back and firmly placing it on the arm of the chair. "Er, Aberforth didn't tell you I got hurt by Greyback at the wedding?"

"He mentioned you were injured but not the specifics of it," Dumbledore replied.

Harry shrugged. "Greyback bit my shoulder a couple of times. The scars make it look like he chewed on it but it's all healed well. Thankfully this transformation that Greyback's gone through also means that he can't pass on his lycanthropy to anyone."

Both Dumbledore and Snape looked a little shocked though whether that was at the news of the actual injury or Harry's blasé response was unclear.

"So what were you and Draco meant to be doing other than trying to subvert Nott?" Harry asked, ignoring the looks.

"Be seen and create trouble. Try and draw you, any of the teachers or Order members out of Hogwarts," Snape replied then he gave Harry a curious look. "Has Mr Nott truly joined with you?"

Harry nodded and smirked. "Yup! He made that clear on the train. He's a prefect this year." He snorted. "Not that that's much of a surprise. He and Daphne Greengrass were the only Seventh Year Slytherins to return to Hogwarts this year. When were you planning on telling me about your plans?"

"I believe the answer to that is the same as the one about Greyback," Snape replied. "Surely you suspected Aberforth's loyalties when you entered and saw me?"

"Yeah, I did," Harry said slowly then he nodded "You're right. There's no way he could have told us about you and Draco and not had us suspect him of being a traitor."

"Harry? If I may ask? Why did you specifically point out the fact that I pleaded with Severus?" Dumbledore asked suddenly.

Harry looked at him with surprise. "Um, it's something Hermione was talking about. She thought it was odd and a little out of character for you to do that." He gave a laugh. "She was right."

"Do you plan to tell her?" the Headmaster asked.

Harry nodded firmly. "Her and Ron. They can be trusted and I'll need to tell them. I don't know how you were planning on getting the information about the Horcruxes to me since Aberforth couldn't have used the overheard conversation trick for something like that. This way he can just tell me, I can tell Ron and Hermione and no one else needs to be any wiser as to where the information's come from."

"Why tell them at all?" Snape asked sharply.

Harry tapped the Trinity symbol at his throat. "This is why. The Trinity. Me, Ron, Hermione."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, so Aberforth was right about that. Very well, I shall endeavour to talk up the Trinity with the Dark Lord if that is the path you wish to take."

Harry nodded. "Yes. Let him know that just because the Headmaster is dead, it doesn't mean he can get away with anything. We'll make him pay a heavy price as much as we can."

Dumbledore smiled at Harry. "I must admit, you are taking this much better than I thought you would."

Harry gave a wry smile. "If I'd found out about a month ago you probably would have got the reaction you were expecting. Moody's been teaching me how to control my temper. My little...spot of idiocy the night we went to the Gaunts' house made that a priority."

"Yes, Aberforth mentioned that but I hadn't expected the results to be so impressive," Dumbledore replied. "I was...disappointed with your reaction that night."

"How did..." Harry's voice trailed off and he shot a glance at Snape. "Oh yeah. Well, do you blame me for being angry? As far as I knew, you were dead because he murdered you. He was a traitor and a Death Eater."

"You deliberately exposed yourself," Dumbledore chided. "And was it really necessary to try and provoke in such a way?"

Harry gave an exasperated sigh. "Headmaster, I've already had the lecture about this from Moody. I was trying to pick a fight. I was angry and I wasn't thinking clearly. It was a mistake. It won't happen again."

They were interrupted by the sound of someone hurrying down the stairs. Aberforth burst into the room and froze when he saw Harry sitting by the fire.

"Well," Aberforth said, looking stunned. He then collected himself with admirable speed. "This is unexpected."

"Yes, I've found out your little secret, Abe, and we'll be talking about this later," Harry said dryly.

Amusement bloomed in the both Albus and Snape's eyes as Aberforth managed to look both startled and sheepish.

"What did you need, Aberforth?" Albus asked gently.

Aberforth raised an eyebrow at Harry. "Ron and Hermione are in the bar. They're looking for you and are a touch worried. They were wondering if I'd seen you. I think they were worried that Severus had got hold of you." He raised an amused eyebrow.

"Oops," Harry said with a sheepish look. "I told them I'd be right back. Bring them down here, Abe."

There were indrawn breaths from the three men and Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm going to be telling them anyway. They might as well come down here then they'll believe me right away and you lot can answer any questions they might have."

Albus chuckled and waved a hand at his brother. "Bring them down, Aberforth. Harry does have a valid point."

Aberforth shook his head then disappeared up the stairs. He was back a moment later with Ron and Hermione in tow. The two students looked around curiously as they walked into the room then came to a sudden halt as they saw the Headmaster.

"Headmaster?" Hermione said weakly as Aberforth disappeared back upstairs.

Ron's attention had been caught by something else and he stared at Snape with shock, surprise and anger. "What the hell is going on here?" he said sharply.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he briefly explained what he and Snape had done and what was currently going on then he drew up two more armchairs and gestured for Ron and Hermione to sit. The two students collapsed into the armchairs weakly and stared at the Headmaster.

Hermione was the first to collect herself and she looked at Ron with a hint of smug satisfaction. "I told there was something odd about what happened."

This seemed to settle Ron down and the red haired boy rolled his eyes and groaned. "Please don't start that again, Hermione."

"But I was right," Hermione persisted with a hint of amusement.

Ron threw his hands in the air. "Fine! You were right! Are you happy?"

Hermione settled herself into the armchair and smiled brightly. "Delirious."

Harry snorted with amusement. "If you two start snogging then I'm leaving."

"Not in the middle of the Headmaster's rooms, Harry," Hermione said with mock-disapproval. "That would be rude."

"Ah, of course," Harry said dryly. "You two are taking this well."

"We're taking our lead from you," Ron replied. "If you're calm then it must all be legitimate." He looked around the room. "Guess Moody's training has worked though. The room looks remarkably intact."

"Ha, ha," Harry said flatly. "If you keep that up, I'm sure I could figure out how I blew up Aunt Marge. You'd look good floating back to the school like a balloon."

Ron snickered while Hermione rolled her eyes. She then eyed Dumbledore and Snape archly.

"Is Draco involved in all of this?" she asked abruptly.

"No, Miss Granger," Snape replied coolly. "Draco's loyalties very much lie with the Dark Lord."

"He always was stupid," Rom muttered then he gave the Potions Master a sharp look. "He portkeyed out during tonight's little confrontation. Where would he end up?"

"At Riddle Manor," Snape replied.

Harry snorted. "Oh, that's going to go down well. Not only didn't he bring along Nott but he got himself involved in a confrontation and lost." He gave Snape a curious look. "Shouldn't you be there as well?"

"I have a certain amount of leeway," Snape replied calmly. "Certainly I shall have to leave soon but I can merely say I was trying to avoid you and the rest of the Order and I was ensuring I did not lead you to the Manor."

Harry stared at Snape for a moment longer; he knew from the visions he used to have that Draco and Snape were likely to be punished for their failure then he shivered. He didn't envy them one jot.

"Have you managed to get close enough to find out anything about the Horcruxes?" he asked instead.

Snape shook his head. "Not as yet. The Dark Lord has taken me into his confidence regarding the existence of the Horcruxes but no further."

"You're poisoning Nagini, aren't you?" Hermione asked warily.

Snape nodded. "That is more of a long term project."

"But you're sure you're going to succeed?" Harry asked.

Snape sneered. "Of course, Mr Potter."

Harry didn't react to the tone of voice though Ron bridled and Hermione gave the Potions Master a sharp look.

"Then we'll leave Nagini to you," he said calmly. "I take it you know how to destroy the soul fragment after Nagini dies?"

"Of course," Snape said irritably.

Again Harry ignored Snape's tone of voice except for a brief roll of his eyes. "That just leaves Hufflepuff's cup and the Ravenclaw artefact then."

"Did you still want to try the orphanage?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded. "Tonks and Kingsley are trying to track down those three children. They've got some leads and think they'll have answers for us in a month or two." He poked over at the Headmaster. "Am I on the right track here?"

"I had intended for the two of us to make an expedition to the orphanage this year," Dumbledore said with approval. "It was a place of great importance for Tom Riddle. While he never liked it or the people in it, it was nevertheless significant."

"Would it still be an orphanage after all this time?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Unknown," Dumbledore replied. "Your decision to talk to the three children most directly affected by Tom is an intriguing one. What do you hope to gain from it?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know really. I guess I'm just fishing for information. That's if they even remember him after all these years. They'd have to be...what? In their seventies at least. And they're Muggles so that is a real issue."

"You might be surprised at what they could remember," Dumbledore said quietly. "Tom Riddle had a profound effect on them."

Harry nodded slowly as he remembered what Dumbledore had been told by the orphanage's Matron about the young Tom Riddle's actions. "I was hoping they might remember if Riddle liked to hide in certain areas of the orphanage or something along those lines."

"An interesting idea," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "Why do you think he had a hiding place?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his chair and looked down at the floor. "It's...been mentioned more than once that...Tom Riddle and I have a bit in common. Our parents died when we were babies, we grew up...unwanted, we're both Parselmouths..."

"And he's a raving nutter and you're...well, you," Ron interrupted with a frown. "Harry, you're nothing like Voldemort."

"Not Voldemort," Harry said uneasily. "But I can see the similarities with Tom Riddle." He sighed. "Riddle wasn't always like Voldemort, Ron. I mean, he didn't seem like he was a very nice kid but he wasn't a megalomaniac at eleven either." He frowned down at the carpet again. "I could have ended up like that, Ron. Maybe if things had been different. I don't know."

"I think you're wrong," Hermione said firmly. "I don't really come down on either side of the nature versus nurture debate but I do know that you've got a good heart, Harry. If years of living with those horrible Dursleys didn't make you uncaring then I doubt anything would." Her gaze sharpened. "Tell me, what was their reaction when you said you were leaving almost immediately?"

Harry froze then sighed. "Uncle Vernon was thrilled," he said reluctantly. "He even drove me into London without complaining."

"Did he say goodbye when he dropped you off?" Hermione asked challengingly. "Or even wish you well?"

Harry looked even more uncomfortable and flicked glances at Snape and the Headmaster, both of whom were watching this with confusion and dawning realisation.

"He didn't say anything," Harry admitted. "He just drove off."

"See what I mean," Hermione said with satisfaction. "That is something you would never do, Harry. In spite of having the worst examples of parenting in front of you for ten years, you've turned out to be a wonderful person."

Harry shrugged diffidently. "I just figured if the Dursleys did something one way then I should do the same thing a different way. Any way other than their way seemed like a good idea. But that's beside the point. I know I haven't ended up like Riddle, Hermione, but the point is I could see how it might have happened." He shrugged and gave a small grin. "Besides for the last six years I've had the Weasleys as my family. How could I go wrong with that example in front of me?"

His smile broadened and Hermione and Ron grinned as well; they both remembered Bill's speech from the wedding and Harry's reaction to being named an honourary little brother.

"Well, that 'honourary' won't last long after Voldemort's death if Mum's got anything to do with it," Ron said with a roll of his eyes.

"Ron, if your Mum's got anything to do with it, my 'honourary' won't last long after Voldemort death either," Hermione said dryly, causing Ron to blush furiously, his ears going a bright red. "That mother of yours has visions of creating a dynasty and taking over the world."

Ron stammered a bit. "I don't think Dad would let her do that," he said weakly, still flustered by Hermione's first statement.

Hermione snorted. "Your Dad eggs her on," she said tartly. "He just does it subtly so that none of us notice what he's doing and therefore don't blame him. He likes the idea of Weasleys taking over the world."

"It's better than Malfoys taking over the world," Harry observed with a grin. "And that's Weasleys and Potters taking over the world, Hermione. I kind of like the idea of a big family."

"Does Ginny?" Hermione asked archly.

Harry cocked his head to one side thoughtfully. "I don't know. I'll ask her next time I see her."

Hermione snorted with laughter. "Oh, I so want to be a fly on the wall for that conversation."

"I don't," Ron muttered with a pained expression. "Harry, mate, she's..."

"Your sister," Harry finished for him. "I know, Ron, I know. Anyway, we're getting sidetracked here. I used to have a few hiding places that I liked and I was hoping that Riddle might have had some as well. It might give us a starting point for our search when we go to the orphanage."

"Interesting," Dumbledore mused, choosing to leave the other revelations alone for the moment. "And a good idea. I see that I need not worry about your ability to handle this task."

Harry gave him a flat look then turned to Ron and Hermione. "How long do we have before we're missed?"

Hermione glanced at her watch. "We told Professor McGonagall that we were going to wait for you. The teachers all went up to their own rooms. I doubt she'll check on us."

"She won't but what about Moody or Remus?" Harry said with an arched eyebrow.

Hermione grimaced. "Remus trusts enough to not check but you've got a point about Moody. He's going to want to speak to you anyway. We'd better get back. It's enough of a risk that we know the truth. I don't think any of the others need to find out. There's an old saying that the risk of a secret being spilled is inversely proportional to the number of people who know it."

"In English, Hermione?" Ron asked with a pained look.

"Loose lips sink ships," Hermione replied tartly. "We can't talk about this at school, Ron."

"Yes, we can. Muffliato," Harry said abruptly then he looked over at Snape. "Unless there's a problem with that spell."

Snape scowled at the reminder that Harry had used the spell he had spent so much time and effort developing. "It is acceptable for your purposes," he said stiffly. "It has no counter and very few know of it."

Ron and Hermione looked surprised by this response but chose not ask questions when they saw Harry nod calmly in acceptance.

"We can use the Room of Requirement and combine it with Muffliato then," Harry said then he gave the Headmaster an arch look. "Or I suppose we could always just come down here."

Albus chose to ignore the undertones of that statement and take it on its merits. "I would love to have your company," he said with a gentle smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

Harry blinked then his expression softened as he realised that Dumbledore must be incredibly bored stuck here in this room, unable to leave without risking more lives than just his own.

"It might be safer talking about it here and it would certainly be useful getting the Headmaster's thoughts as well," Hermione said quickly, having also seen the slightly wistful expression on Dumbledore' face.

"People are going to get suspicious if we keep disappearing at the time," Ron warned. "You two are Head Boy and Girl and I'm a prefect. We have do occasionally have to be where we're supposed to be. The Slytherins at the school might be neutral or on our side but not everyone that follows Voldemort was a Slytherin."

Snape gave Ron a look of disdainful surprise that the young man caught. He glared at the Potions Master before saying, "What? Did you think Harry's the only one Moody's been training? He's been training all of us in various ways and it's been working."

"Ron's got a point," Hermione admitted reluctantly. "We can't be seen sneaking out of the castle all the time."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Who says we'll be seen," he said, gesturing towards the cloak that still lay crumpled on the ground near the door. "It's not like we have to sneak all the way down to the gates. We can use the tunnel to the Shrieking Shack or..." His voice trailed off and he gave Snape and Dumbledore speculative glances before shrugging. "Or we can use the tunnel that leads to Honeydukes."

Dumbledore looked amused at that admission and his eyes twinkled madly while Snape raised a very arch eyebrow. Harry shot them both a very cheeky grin before looking over at Ron and Hermione.

"Well, if we come at night when we're not likely to be missed as much it should work," Hermione said dubiously.

"Good," Harry said bounding to his feet and walking over to pick up his cloak. "We'd better get back." He draped the cloak over his arm then hesitated and looked back at the Headmaster soberly. "Professor, I do understand why you did what you did; I just wish you'd chosen a different path. You have no idea what the last few months have been like for me."

Dumbledore closed his eyes momentarily. When they opened again Harry, Ron and Hermione could see the sorrow and apology in them.

"I do apologise, dear boy," Dumbledore said gently. "But there was no other way. The only way to avoid what happened was to leave you behind that night and I fear what might have happened in that cave had you not been there. The strength and courage you showed that night shone like a beacon for me, Harry. I truly believe I would have failed had you not been there. Unfortunately that meant that you were an unwilling witness to what happened later. I had hoped that Draco would not move so quickly. I had hoped to have a fraction more control of the situation."

Harry swallowed hard then nodded briefly before looking over to Snape. "Howlong do you think it will take for you to get close enough to find out about the Horcruxes, sir?"

Severus raised a curious eyebrow at the 'sir' Harry had used. "Unknown. The Dark Lord will be displeased with our failure tonight which will cause an inevitable set back. I shall likely have to permit Nagini to recover somewhat to restore my position in his good graces. I shall inform Aberforth when I have more information."

Harry nodded. "Thank you."

With that Harry and his friends gave brief nods of goodbye to the two older men and climbed back up the stairs before disappearing into the night.

"Well, that was unexpected but rather worthwhile," Dumbledore said after several minutes.

"You are relieved," Severus said bluntly.

"Yes, I am," the Headmaster replied. "My greatest regret about that night was that Harry had to witness all of that. After everything he has gone through that was a terrible cruelty to be inflicted upon him."

"He seems to have handled it well enough," Severus said irritably.

"Try telling Remus that," Albus said archly. "Still you are right in many ways. He has taken on the role of leader with admirable aplomb. He has perhaps not done things the way I might have but that is to be expected. And Fawkes keeps a close eye on him."

"Fawkes?" Severus said harshly. "You mean the phoenix Aberforth mentioned? The one that appeared for Potter? But how? Surely Potter would have recognised him immediately."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Fawkes is quite capable of disguising himself when necessary, Severus. And I felt it prudent to provide Harry with someone who was canny enough to realise when he might need comfort or help that perhaps others could not provide. He has always been comforted by Fawkes' presence before."

"Do you intend to tell him about that?" Severus asked archly.

Dumbledore chuckled again. "I will eventually but I shall also stress to him that this was Fawkes' decision. That wretched bird can be rather strong-willed at times. Personally I believe that this is his revenge for me asking him to perform that melodramatic mourning act after my death."

Severus gave his mentor a look of exasperated amusement then stood. "I must go, Albus. I have delayed returning to the Dark Lord long enough. Any longer and I would not be able to explain it adequately."

Dumbledore immediately sobered. "Very well, my boy. I shall not tell you to be careful, I know that this must play out as it will. What do you intend to tell him?"

"That Potter and his Trinity were there and chased me down," Severus replied as he pulled his cloak around his shoulders. "That I had to work hard to evade them."

Dumbledore nodded then watched with worry and concern as Snape marched up the stairs.