Harry Potter and the Secret Horcrux

Chapter Six:

The door to The Burrow burst open and Charlie Weasley began to search the room carefully.

"Where are Fred and George?" he sighed in a slightly bemused tone.

Harry could see the urgency in Charlie's face and knew that the prank of pranks had finally been revealed, and that Bill was either comforting his new bride or off hunting the twins down.

"I haven't seen them for a couple hours," Mr. Weasley replied, as he rose to his feet. "What happened? What did they do?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know," Charlie answered with a cheeky grin.

"Those two never know when to quit. I told them to leave Fleur alone after they turned her hair blue last night," Mr. Weasley said as he took a long-suffering breath. "How bad is it?"

"Bad," Charlie grinned. "Our little petite flower, well, she isn't so petite anymore."

Mr. Weasley grabbed his wand off the table and nodded towards Remus Lupin, who joined him, as they followed Charlie. Bill and Fleur hadn't even been gone an hour and Harry could only imagine from Charlie's description what Fleur might resemble.

Ron grinned slightly. "Brilliant! How do they think this stuff up? I bet Ginny isn't going to stay angry at them after this."

Hermione sighed. "They don't think; they never stop and think before pulling one of their stupid jokes."

"Oh, Hermione, lighten up. Be glad it wasn't a prank on you," Ron retorted. "They only did it to make up to Ginny. Fleur has been driving her mad."

The day was nearing its end and the tranquility of twilight crept through the window. Harry knew as the sun set on this last day of normality that it would rise on a new dawn where the world would not seem so carefree. Laughs would grow to be few and far between, and love would be a forgotten dream that only fools dared to remember. As each moment on the clock ticked by, and guests parted and went on their way, Harry felt the icy grip of fate tighten on his arm.

"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione asked suddenly.

Harry swallowed hard. "I dunno."

Ron shifted suddenly at Harry's response, but he looked unsure of what to say. It had been an odd day, and here they were sitting in front of the fireplace relaxing as if it had just been another day.

"Mione?"

Ron's head jerked towards the silhouette of Viktor Krum standing in the doorway.

Hermione stood and brushed a few wrinkles out of her dressrobes. She passed Ron an unsure look before tutting under her breath and stalking off. Viktor offered his arm and Hermione took it.

When they had disappeared from view, Harry turned back towards Ron. "You all right, mate?"

Ron looked calmly into his hands. "Why shouldn't I be all right?"

"So you aren't upset?" Harry pushed.

Ron grinned as if he were trying to remember a fond memory and then shook his head. There were times for words, and this wasn't one of them. What had happened between Ron and Hermione wasn't his affair, and Harry had a feeling he was better off not knowing. Cupid's logic had already proven a nasty temptation and he was unsure if he'd safely emerge after another round with the god of love.

"I'm going for a walk," Harry announced.

"I think I'm going to sit here a bit longer," Ron returned, as he leaned back, with a deep and anxious look, against the chair. "Yeah, I think I'll wait."

Harry didn't question his best mate's motives, mainly because he doubted Ron would have been honest about them. It appeared as if the entire evening might prove a waste of an opportunity.

Hagrid had proved most unhelpful for once. The half-giant was distracted by Madame Maxime for the evening and simply managed to sidestep all of Harry's questions about Wales. Lupin had proven too clever and even went as far as telling Harry 'not to leave The Burrow or the Weaselys care.'

"Don't concern yourself with Wales, Harry. No good can come from chasing ghosts," Lupin had warned.

The selection of useful contacts to interrogate was dwindling. The music still flowed softly as a few lingering couples continued to enjoy the dance floor. Ginny and Fleur's cousin, Phillippe, were sitting on the ice altar stairs, chatting. It was
an innocent enough scene, but it still caused a deep-pitted rage to roar in Harry's chest.

"Ready for your seventh year?"

Harry felt a hand grip his shoulder as he turned around to face Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Sure," Harry responded emotionlessly.

Kingsley nodded. "We're working hard to get new security set up at Hogwarts. Hopefully the governors will vote to reopen the school. Slughorn is pushing for it; I think he feels he owes it to Dumbledore."

"I thought Professor Slughorn might leave Hogwarts even if it did reopen," Harry admitted.

"Enough small talk. What was it?" Kingsley asked in a serious voice.

"What was what?"

Kingsley grinned. "What you found at Godric's Hollow. Yes, Harry, I know you found something. Frankly, I thought you might have brought it to the Order's attention by now."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry said quickly, as he studied Kingsley for a reaction.

Kingsley sighed. "I'm a member of the Order. You can trust me. I won't run off and blab to the Ministry."

Harry swallowed hard. "I can't tell you. I promised Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore is dead, Harry. If it's important ... Sometimes you can ask for help. Nobody will think less of you or your promise to Dumbledore."

"It's complicated," Harry continued.

Kingsley frowned. "What isn't? All right, don't tell this big secret, just show me what you found."

"If I show you-- you can't tell anybody. Could you test it?" Harry whispered quickly.

Kingsley raised he eyebrows. "For what?"

"A Dark curse...Dark magic," Harry said quickly.

Kingsley slowly nodded. "Most curses are simple enough to detect. I would have imagined you or one of your other halves would have already done any basic tests. Do you have it with you?"

With a nervous breath, Harry pulled the medallion from his pocket and handed it to the Auror. Kingsley took it from his hand and studied it.

"It's very old," Kingsley commented, "and you found this at Godric's Hollow?"

Harry nodded.

Kingsley frowned. "That patch of land has been combed through more times than I can recall. I can't believe we missed this."

"Do you think it's Dark?" Harry asked.

Kingsley pulled out his wand and set the medallion down on a chair before tapping it gently with his wand. Nothing happened.

"It doesn't appear to have any signs of Dark magic. Still it's difficult to say for sure; it might be wise to test it more thoroughly. You can never be to sure with such things. You really ought to have brought this to the attention of the Order before now if you
suspected Dark magic."

Harry sighed. "It would be difficult to trace this kind of magic."

"If it's that important, I won't ask questions. However I'm afraid I can be of no further help. You'd have to tell me what I'm looking for," Kingsley insisted. "If it's complex magic, then I'd need to know precisely what sort of test to do."

Harry held his hand back open and Kingsley placed the object back in his hand. "You understand, don't you?"

"The Order is not above treason. We've had leaks before and I think if what you're protecting is as important as you claim, then it's wise not to reveal such secrets," Kingsley nodded. "Dumbledore trusted your judgment, and so will I."

Harry tucked the medallion back into his pocket, feeling empty of answers. Perhaps it was just a trinket with no magical properties. If it was important, surely the Ministry or the Order would have found it years ago. He collapsed in a nearby chair in frustration when he heard Hagrid's alert voice.

"What'cha saying, Alastor?"

Harry spun around at the sound of Hagrid's voice and saw Moody with his wand drawn-- his magical eye spinning rapidly.

"Something isn't right," Mad-Eye warned as his eye spun around and focused on Harry. "Get inside now!"

Harry felt a lump form in his throat as he watched several remaining guests rise to their feet and approach Moody. Part of him hoped that Mad-Eye was just being paranoid since he made such a habit of it.

Kingsley surveyed the area. "Where is Arthur?"

"He went with Charlie and Lupin," Harry answered.

"I told you to get inside," Moody barked.

Harry felt a tug on his hand and glanced sideways to see Ginny urging him to safety. She looked nervous, but determined as he finally gave in and rushed back towards the house.
He glanced backwards and saw Fleur's cousin, Philippe, racing towards them and farther in the distance, a group of cloaked masked figures neared.

"Get inside," Harry whispered, as he tried to push Ginny through the door.

Ginny frowned as she stopped herself on the doorway and let her eyes travel the line Harry was looking. She gasped and he felt her grab his arm.

"What's going on?" Ron asked, as he appeared at the door.

"Get Ginny inside," Harry ordered, as he looked desperately at Ron.

Ginny snapped, "No."

"Ron, get Ginny inside," Harry repeated.

"No," Ginny yelled again. "I want to fight."

"Fight what?" Ron asked apprehensively.

A few more guests made their way into the house using the other entrances but none of them were Order members. The sound of Moody's tone and warnings played on a constant repeat in Harry's mind.

Harry saw Hermione running across the garden with Krum a moment later. They were making their way over when a large blast knocked everybody off their feet, and the roof of The Burrow erupted into flames.

"GET OUT OF HERE!" Tonks screamed, as she lifted herself from the ground.

There were the sounds of Disapparations all around as the various guests disappeared, but many of them stood paralyzed by fear.

"Ginny" Philippe cried, as he fought through the panicked crowd.

Philippe looked defiant as he reached out to take Ginny's hand. "I will not leave you 'ere."

Even in the tenseness of the moment Harry felt the sudden urge to hex Philippe

"Expellarmus," Tonks shouted over Harry's head.

Harry's felt heavy beads of sweat building on his forehead as he looked over his shoulder and saw a group of Death Eaters approaching quickly. His eyes quickly scanned the crowd for Hermione, but she was nowhere to be seen. A window shattered causing them all to duck again. Tonks jumped back to her feet and brandished her wand. Moody was right behind her, limping as quickly as his wooden leg would allow.

"Damn Death Eaters have us outnumbered. "Grimmauld!" Moody croaked, as he grabbed Philippe's arm, and the two disappeared with a loud crack.

Tonks glared over toward Harry, Ron and Ginny. "What are you three waiting for?"

"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked.

Tonks glanced around before responding. "She's probably already Disapparated. There isn't time..." Tonks jerked her head to the right and barely dodged out of the way of a curse aimed at her head.

Ron glanced at Ginny and made a reach for her.

"I'm not leaving without Harry," Ginny cried.

Ron frowned, and Harry could see the fear in his eyes. "We've got to get out of here."

Ron was right; they had to get out of there. The Burrow was a glowing ball of fury as the billowing yellow and red flames danced across the darkened sky. Harry cast Ron a glance, and both boys nodded in agreement. Harry grabbed hold of Ginny around the shoulders and Disapprated. The sensation wasn't much better than he remembered. The last time he had Disapparated he had been with Dumbledore. Harry heard the sounds of cracks around him and knew others were arriving.

"Harry," Hermione wailed, and he felt a swift pair of arms cling around his neck. "Where's Ron?"

Another loud crack sounded and Harry felt Hermione's arm release him. He turned just in time to see Hermione engulf Ron in a crunching hug.

"Has anybody seen Arthur or Charlie?" Mrs. Weasley cried frantically, as she scanned the room for her family.

"They're fine. Tonks went to warn them," Kingsley assured, as he clutched an injury he had suffered. The dark-skinned witch, who had been sitting next to him at the wedding, was attempting to mend it.

It looked as if all of the Order members who had been lingering after the wedding were now safe, but Harry feared The Burrow itself would not share their fate.

Kingsley flinched from his wound. "There had to be twenty of them if not more."

Mrs. Weasley let out a stifled sob as she nearly collapsed onto her knees. "Has anybody seen Fred or George? I don't want them trying to go back."

"We'll find them, Molly. Don't fret," the dark-skinned witch assured as she shook her head, indicating that she couldn't mend Kingsley's wound.

"I warned Arthur we needed biting dustbins. It could have spared us some more time," Moody said angrily. "I hate having to run."

"We're all safe, that's the important thing," Mrs. Weasley choked out weakly.

Harry turned to see Ron holding Hermione against his chest trying to offer her comfort as she sobbed. They both looked a bit rattled, but they were safe. Ginny was sitting on the couch holding her knees against her chest, and Philippe had his arm around her shoulder looking confused, but still defiant.

"What 'as 'appened?" Philippe asked in a shaky voice. "What eez zis place?"

Moody slammed his wooden leg against the floor with a loud thump. "Damn. Philippe is it? Would you care to follow me?"

"Alastor," the dark-skinned witch said wearily, "you know the rules."

"It's a stupid rule," Moody barked. "What would you have me do, Aeval?"

The dark-skinned witch spat. "He isn't some Dark wizard. Just send him home."

"Just send him home? That's insane!" Moody roared.

Kingsley held up his uninjured hand. "She's right. We don't need the Ministry causing us any more grief."

"Fine," Moody barked, "I'll take him home. You, come with me."

Philippe looked a little uncertain, but finally rose and followed Moody out of the room. Ginny didn't seem to notice as she continued to stare off blankly into space. A couple more minutes passed before Tonks Apparated into the room, looking pale and breathless.

"Molly, they're fine. Arthur told me to tell you that he and Charlie will be along shortly."

"Oh thank goodness," Mrs. Weasley sighed. "Where are they now?"

Tonks glanced at Harry and grinned. "Nobody told you then?"

Molly gave Tonks a frustrated look.

"Fleur was, err--having a bit of an issue, and Charlie and Arthur are lending their services," Tonks stumbled.

Mrs. Weasley's face flushed. "Fred and George?"

"Ah, Molly, thar jus' bein' kids. It prolly was er good thin' Arthur an' Charlie wern't around when we were attacked" Hagrid sighed, as he rubbed his forehead with his large hand.

Tonks lowered her head and slowly walked over to Mrs. Weasley and lowered her voice. "Molly, there isn't anything left. The Ministry has arrived at the scene, but there wasn't much they could do. The Death Eaters also attacked the nearby Muggle village."

Harry could barely hear Tonks as she spoke, but the softness of her words made it feel all the more unreal. Ginny jolted with a deep sob as a few tears escaped down her cheek. She kept her eyes focused straight ahead.

"All our things... all our memories," Ginny whispered.

"We're all safe, and that is what matters most," Mrs. Weasley said firmly before turning and disappearing into the kitchen.

Tonks collapsed clumsily into the nearby couch. "It was bold, even for Death Eaters."

"But not unexpected," Kingsley commented heavily.

"Bit more o' them than I remember," Hagrid added. "Must 'ave bin doin' sum recruitin'"

"Or using the Imperius," the dark-skinned witch commented bitterly.

"The wedding should have had more Ministry-provided security," Tonks put in.

Kingsley let out a sarcastic laugh. "Scrimgeour wouldn't have allowed it. He's still bitter because he never discovered what Dumbledore was up to. He's a brilliant man, but just as blind as Fudge was when it comes to power."

Mrs. Weasley appeared a moment later though her eyes were a bit puffier.

"It's been an eventful night. I think a good night's rest will suit us all," she announced.

Tonks groaned. "Wish I could. I'm on duty in an hour."

"Kingsley, we need to get you to St. Mungo's and get that wound looked at," the dark-skinned witch said sharply.

"It's fine, Aeval. I'll have Remus look at it when he returns," Kingsley argued.

The witch scowled. "I'm reporting back to the Ministry. What should I tell Scrimgeour?"

"Tell him I've taken the Weasleys into hiding since they've become a priority target," Kingsley replied. "It must be because of their relation to Percy Weasley. It's no surprise that families are being targeted, and their connection to Harry Potter make them a priority."

"If he asks where you're hiding them?"

Kingsley smiled. "I'll include it in my report."

"You four, off to bed. These aren't the worries of children," Mrs. Weasley sobbed, as Harry felt a gentle nudge on his shoulder.

Ron nodded as he led Hermione up the stairs quietly. Ginny slowly rose to her feet and followed, but Harry lingered behind.

"I'm not tired," Harry said firmly.

"Well, I'll be reportin' back ter McGonagall. She'll be wantin' ter hear 'bout this," Hagrid said, as he cleared his throat.

"Tell Minerva that I'm sending Savage over to Hogwarts in the morning as an extra precaution. We have to assume that You Know Who doesn't want Hogwarts reopened," Kingsley instructed.

Hagrid nodded before passing Harry a concerned look. Unlike the others, he took the door. Tonks rose a moment later.

"I should go notify Hestia that we might need her for an extra watch tonight."

"That's a good idea," Kingsley agreed.

Mrs. Weasley placed a motherly hand on Harry's arm. "Dear, why don't you go get some rest? There isn't anything more you can do tonight."

Feeling exhausted and not wanting to argue any longer, Harry's feet found the floor and he traveled up the stairs towards the bedrooms. He had hoped he would never again have to set foot in Sirius's old house. There were too many memories he wasn't ready to face.