Harry Potter and the Secret Horcrux

Chapter Eight: Tilly's Tale

The excitement from the escape had left Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny with a sense of exhaustion. There was nothing left for the four to do but wait for the train to arrive at its destination. As it trudged along the tracks, Harry felt himself slipping into a comfortable lull. His chin tucked into his chest and his arms wrapped themselves snuggly around his torso.

Ginny sat across from him looking out the window with a far-off expression, Ron was at his right snoring softly with his head bowed low, and Hermione was across from Ron with her nose in a book. Ginny had reminded everybody that they would be meeting Fred and George when they arrived at Newport if all went well. The twins would likely have a blow-by-blow description of Mrs. Weasley's reaction to finding the note the four had left for her.

As Harry's gaze rested on Ginny staring out the window, his eyelids grew heavy. He felt the gentle motion of the train sway him, and with a deep sigh, he gave way to his exhaustion.

The room suddenly filled with a pale fog and Harry felt a gentle pressure on his right side. Ginny grasped his hand and passed him a worried look. "Follow me, Harry."

Her voice was hollow and distant. Harry glanced at their interlocking hands and then he turned around. His breath caught in his throat as the blank face of Albus Dumbledore stared up at him from the ground. Ginny continued tugging on his hand, urging him away, but he couldn't move.

Dumbledore's lifeless eyes blinked and Harry stumbled slightly as a tingle of fear ran through him like a bolt of electricity.

'Horcrux,' Dumbledore mouthed.

"Horcrux," Harry repeated.

The air began to swirl as forks of green lightning scattered across the sky, illuminating a hazy skull and protruding serpent. Chills rose on Harry's neck as low rumbles of thunder pierced the fog. In the distance, he could hear screams.

"Harry," Ginny repeated still watching him with her worried expression and vacant voice.

It was a place Harry had never seen, but he had heard those screams before. The horizon burned with flames and the air seemed damp with remorse. The sky gave another heinous rumble.

"Harry."

Harry turned back towards Ginny, who was staring at him with an anxious face. Her hand found his shoulder and he felt a jerk snap through him.



"Harry, wake up."

His eyes snapped open and saw Ginny staring down at him with an inquiring expression.

Hermione looked up apprehensively, and then ducked back behind her book. She drew in a quick breath and muttered, "You were talking in your sleep again."

"Shouting is a better description," Ginny corrected, as Ron grunted loudly before settling back into a regular snore. "You were drawing attention."

"Sorry," Harry said quickly before turning to look out the window. The screams from his recent dream rang in his ear as he concentrated on calming his racing heart.

Ginny frowned. "What's a Horcrux?"

"What?" Harry responded instantly to Ginny question.

"A Horcrux?" Ginny repeated. "You yelled out the word Horcrux."

Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat, which caused Ginny to look at her.

"It's nothing," Harry finally answered.

Ginny sighed. "It didn't sound like nothing."

The train arrived at Newport Station on time and Harry half expected a group of Order members to be waiting for them on the platform. Luck was on their side, though, and it appeared the Order had not yet found them. They studied the crowd with apprehension until Ron pointed.

"There they are."

Fred and George were incognito. They both had on long black trench coats and mysterious-looking fedoras with purple feathers. George made a sharp motion to Ron's comment as the twins quickly approached.

"Mind your mouth; you're going to blow our cover," Fred hissed.

George pulled a pair of dark sunglasses off his nose and tucked them into his coat pocket. "Mum is livid. Don't think we've ever seen her so wound up."

"But I think you guys made a clean getaway," Fred added. "As soon as they discovered you four had split Lupin and Tonks traced your Apparation. Hermione's charm did the trick."

"Hermione's charm?" Ron asked.

Hermione grinned. "I placed a Trace Scrambler Charm on our Disapparation path. I made it appear as if we had Apparated to Kings Cross."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Ron asked.

Hermione blushed. "Well, I sort of decided to do it at the last minute."

"Lupin is a smart bloke; he wasn't put off too long," Fred said quickly, as he tossed the four a couple of Invisibility Cloaks.

"You best put those on," George instructed.

Harry snatched one of the cloaks Fred had tossed out of the air. "I asked Lupin about Wales."

"Right you are," George nodded. "While some of the Order members combed all the possibilities of Kings Cross, Lupin made mention that you were looking for information about Wales."

"Then Tonks said she had mentioned to Ginny that Harry's great aunt once lived there," Fred finished.

Hermione gasped. "So we're caught?"

Fred winked. "Not exactly--apparently Harry is the only one who can find his aunt's place. It has something do to with some charm of Dumbledore's. Lupin is trying to figure it out so we volunteered to patrol the platform at Newport in case you lot tried to take a Muggle train."

"Which is why you four need to put on those cloaks," George added.

"So how are we going to get to Porter Glenn?" Ron asked.

Fred grinned. "Glad you asked that, ickle Ronnie."

"We made a Portkey," George explained. "Though it isn't exactly legal."

"Won't the Ministry be able to track that?" Hermione inquired.

Fred winked at George. "Don't worry about that, Hermione. The Portus Spell isn't the only way to make a Portkey."

"Besides, Belinda in the Portkey Office fancies Fred," George laughed.

"That she does," Fred cheeked before turning mock serious. "Come on, stop dawdling and put those cloaks on."

George chuckled as Ron tossed one of the cloaks over himself and Harry. "I think there might be more room if you pair up with Hermione, Ron. She's a bit smaller than Harry."

Hermione stole a glimpse at Harry, realizing the awkwardness of the situation. "George is right," she said quickly before throwing the cloak she was holding over Harry's head.

Harry suddenly felt a surge of gratitude towards Hermione. He wasn't sure he could handle being under an Invisibility Cloak with Ginny, and from the scarlet creeping into Ginny's cheeks, he didn't think she was ready to be in that situation either.

Ginny moved underneath the other cloak with Ron and Fred held out a shabby-looking pocket watch. The group extended their hands and in the same moment they all touched the watch.

Harry felt the familiar tugging from behind his navel. It was a sensation he now associated with unpleasant memories and death. With a thud, they arrived in their predestined location. George dusted off his trench coat and Fred tucked the watch back into his pocket.

"Porter Glenn," George announced in a whisper.

"This is Porter Glenn?" Ron asked as he tossed the Invisibility Cloak off Ginny and himself.

"Keep that on," Fred snapped. "You're going to get us caught."

Porter Glenn was no larger than the Quidditch Pitch at Hogwarts. The trees were covered in vines, and the air smelt of a dusky dank swamp. There was a solid row of small houses that reminded Harry of the Gaunt's. At the end, there was a larger home, but it was just as unkempt as the others. Harry guided Hermione down the road towards the larger home and called for the rest of the group to follow. The shutters hung loosely on their hinges, and as Harry took a step onto the porch and ducked from under the Invisibility Cloak, he noticed a few splintered boards.

"What are you looking at?" Ginny asked slowly, as Harry scanned the damage.

Harry turned back around. "Don't you see it?"

"See what?" Ron inquired. "All I see is an overgrown field."

"The house," Harry explained. "I'm standing on the porch now."

Ron suddenly stumbled backwards as if he had been smacked across the face with a Beater's bat and Hermione gave an audible gasp.

"Blimey," Fred cried out. "How did you do that?"

"Remember what you told us Lupin said? Only Harry could find the house. It must be part of the charm Dumbledore used," Hermione deduced.

Harry blinked in disbelief before reaching out and grabbing the door handle.

"Shouldn't you knock?" Hermione interjected.

Harry paused for a second. "Nobody lives here anymore."

The door squeaked open and revealed a large, open room that resembled a library more than a house. Harry had expected the inside to look as rumpled as the outside, but to his surprise, it was immaculate. The floor had such a shine that he could see his reflection.

"Are you sure nobody lives here?" Ron asked, as he followed Harry inside the house.

Just as the words left Ron, there was a shattering sound of glasses crashing against the floor. Harry looked up instantly and standing at the base of the stairs was the smallest house-elf he had ever seen.

"Master James?" the tiny elf squeaked.

Harry looked at Hermione as if he was hoping she'd have an answer, but before she could respond, the small elf threw itself around Harry's legs.

"Mistress said that you be dead, but I told her that you'd be coming back," the elf continued, as large tears rolled down her cheeks. "Master James, why did you stay away so long?"

"Harry stumbled, as he attempted to shake the creature off.

"He's not James Potter," Ron said in amusement, as Hermione passed him an irritated look.

The tiny elf looked up at Ron with her big blue eyes, then back up at Harry.

"Not James Potter? Baby Harry?" the elf asked. "Can it be? Is Tilly seeing her Baby Harry again?"

The elf let out another large wail and wrapped even tighter around Harry's legs.

"Are you the Potter's house-elf?" Ginny asked, as she tried to pry the elf's fingers out of their grip.

"Oh," the elf sobbed. "The Potter's house-elf."

"This is bloody ridiculous," Ron said under his breath as Tilly continued bouncing.

Fred grinned at Ron. "No, your haircut is bloody ridiculous. This is rather funny."

"Tilly will get Master Harry..." she started before breaking down into a loud sob and clutched on even tighter.

"Tilly, does anybody else live here with you?" Hermione asked, as she jumped in front of Ginny and touched the tiny elf on the shoulder.

The house-elf slowly released Harry's legs and looked up at Hermione. "You called Tilly by her given name. Nobody has called Tilly by her given name since the Mistress passed."

Hermione nearly fell over as the elf latched itself onto her legs and let out another deafening sob.

"Tilly is sorry. She is just so happy to see her family again," Tilly said with a loud wail.

She looked up at Harry again from her position on Hermione's legs, and then gave a watery smile.

"Master Harry has Miss Lily's eyes. Tilly always liked Miss Lily," Tilly screeched. "But the Mistress says Miss Lily is dead too. They all left Tilly alone. Tilly is a good house-elf. She keeps the house clean so when her family comes back they'd stay."

"So what exactly are we looking for?" George asked Harry, as Ron pried the house-elf off Hermione's legs.

Harry didn't answer but walked towards the back of the house and peered out the window. Tucked in the corner of the yard was a small cemetery. Harry felt a lump form in his throat at the sight of the gravestones. He felt the hot sting of tears building behind his eyes as he fought to keep himself together.

Suddenly, Harry felt a soft hand on his arm, and he looked down to see Ginny staring up at him with a worried look.

"Is that?" Ginny asked.

Harry simply nodded.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

The question caught Harry a bit off-guard. He knew he should say no and do it alone, but at the same time, he knew he couldn't do it without her. In a selfish moment of weakness, he nodded his head.

Ginny slowly led him to the back door, threw the Invisibility Cloak over their heads, and glanced back at the rest of the group who were now trying to calm the wailing house-elf.

"We'll be right back," Ginny said quickly.

"Master Harry is leaving?" Tilly cried.

Hermione patted the house-elf softly on the back. "No, Tilly. Harry will right back."

Ginny took Harry by the hand and led him through the back door and across the garden. There was an aging cast iron fence surrounding the overgrown cemetery. A couple of the gravestones were cracked and crumbling, but not all of them. In the far corner there was a stone that was solid white and looked the least aged.

Harry felt his knees buckle and he collapsed. Ginny knelt by his side as she gave his hand a comforting squeeze.

Here Lie James and Lily Potter
Loving Parents and Faithful Lovers
May They Rest In Peace
Died: October 31st 1981

Harry let his fingers trace the engravings. He had always known his parents were dead, but for some reason this was the proof he had always been denied. Harry felt tears begin to sting his eyes and on instinct, Ginny pulled him into a hug so he could cry into her shoulder.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but finally the tears subsided and he made a motion to stand. Ginny rose with him and made another reach for his hand. She passed him a glance and Harry knew it to mean that she was making sure that he was all right.

"Thanks," Harry said in barely more than a murmur, as he wiped his eyes on the back of his sleeve.

Ginny smiled. "Don't mention it."

"I don't now what I thought I'd find here. I just thought..." Harry started.

"For someone to know where they're going, they first need to know where they've been," Ginny said softly before brushing a strand of hair with her hand, a hair from Harry's cheek
Harry felt a chill rise on the back of his neck at Ginny's touch. He hastily took a step back, but he didn't release her hand.

"The others are going to wonder where we've been," Harry said in a tightened voice.

Ginny nodded, though it was apparent Harry's reaction had not been the one she had expected. She pulled her hand out of his grasp and the two walked silently back towards the big house.

George gave them an odd look when they walked through the door and Fred frowned. Harry was quite positive he had never seen either of the twins frown, with the exception of the time that Mr. Weasley had been attacked while patrolling the Department of Mysteries.

Ginny shook her head as Ron started to ask a question when they reached the main room; Hermione leaned up and said something into Ron's ear that made him turn a bit pink. Instead of asking a question, he picked up a crumpet and took a large bite.

"Your house-elf is an excellent cook," Ron said as he swallowed.

Harry cleared his throat. "Where is...err, Tilly?"

"She's in the kitchen cooking more food," Ron grinned. "It was the only way to calm her down."

Hermione rolled her eyes and flashed Ron an icy look before turning her attention back to Harry.

"You are going to free her, aren't you?" Hermione asked.

"Of course he isn't. It would kill her. Not all house-elves want to be free," Ron exclaimed.

Hermione reared up and Harry could have sworn her hair became bushier.

"I can't set her free," Harry said before she could respond to Ron's point.

"Don't you remember what happened to Winky? Do you want Harry's house-elf to become a Butterbeer addict?" Ron argued.

"Well, he can't leave her here," Hermione retorted.

Ron seemed to contemplate the thought. "We could bring her back with us. I'm sure Mum wouldn't mind the extra help."

Fred's frown faded slightly. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind the crumpets."

"Sorry to break up the party, but what are we looking for here?" George asked.

Harry sighed. "I don't really know. Something told me I had to come here."

"Oh, Tilly has not seen Master Harry since he was a wee baby," Tilly continued, as she reappeared from the kitchen with a large tray of biscuits and tea. The tray was so large Harry had a time convincing himself that the scene he was watching was even possible.

"The big hairy man brought baby Harry to see the Mistress and Tilly."

"Hagrid," Hermione affirmed.

Tilly nodded as a few more tears ran down her cheeks. "He tells us that he is taking baby Harry to his Aunt Petunia. Tilly never liked Petunia."

Harry did a double-take. "You knew Petunia?"

"Yes, Tilly knew Petunia Evans... awful witch. She is jealous of Miss Lily," Tilly continued.

"Witch?" Harry asked, looking dumbstruck.

Tilly nodded. "Tilly hears she is a Muggle now."

"What else did Hagrid tell you?" Harry asked.

"Hagrid tells Tilly nothing," Tilly smiled. "He tells Tilly's Mistress to keep a box safe."

"A box?" Hermione asked.

"The letter box," Tilly exclaimed. "Dumbledore gave her a letter."

"What did the letter say?" Harry pushed.

"Tilly is a good house-elf. She dare not read her Mistress's private letter," Tilly frowned.

"Where is the letter now?" Hermione changed course.

Tilly blinked. "In the box."

Ron complained, "This is going nowhere."

"Would Master Harry like the Mistress's box?" Tilly asked, as she turned to Harry.

Harry suddenly felt a pair of eyes burning through him and he turned to see Fred giving him a dreadful look.

"Yes, Harry would like to see the box," Ron answered, but it didn't satisfy the house-elf.

Harry suddenly shook off Fred's look and turned back towards Tilly.

"Where is the box?"

Tilly shrilled loudly as she suddenly disappeared from sight. She reappeared a moment later and dropped an ancient-looking box into Harry's lap.

"Thanks, Tilly."

Harry examined the box carefully, then clicked open the latch. Hermione and Ginny both leaned in closer to get a better look as Harry opened the lid. He removed a yellow slip of parchment.

The Dursleys

"What does that mean?" Ron asked.

Harry glanced back down into the box and removed a medallion covered with a thin film of dust. Hermione took an audible breath as Harry held it between his fingers.

"That looks like the one we found at Godric's Hollow," Ron voiced.

"Identical," Harry whispered before pulling the medallion they had found at Godric's Hollow out of his pocket.

Ginny's face creased with confusion as Fred and George watched with interest. Harry jumped to his feet as if a sudden light had come on.

"Where are you going?" Ginny demanded.

Harry turned to look at his group of friends. He knew where he had to go and he also knew he had to go alone.

"There is someplace I've got to go," Harry said quickly. "I'm going alone."

Hermione was the first to object. "No you're not. We've been through this, Harry."

"Hermione, I've got to do this alone."

Ginny glanced at Hermione and then Harry. "Then we'll follow in the shadows. Just in case you need us."