Harry Potter and the Headsman's Hostage

Chapter 12
Condonation

"I love you as deeply as many years could make me,
But less deeply than many years will make me....
Everything I loved before has come to one meeting place in you,
And you have gone out into everything I love."
-----Alizon Eliot, in Christopher Fry's
The Lady's Not for Burning

"It is easier to get forgiveness than permission."
Stuart's Law of Retroaction

Harry awoke to the sensation of Cho's soft lips brushing against his. There wasn't an instant of confusion, of "Where am I? What's happening?" He knew exactly where he was, and what was happening. He was at the center of the universe, and he knew who was there with him....

They kissed gently at first, then passionately, hungrily, as awakening senses sparked awakening desire. At length Cho put her hand in the middle of Harry's chest and gently pushed him away, murmuring, "Lie back, love, there's something I want to try."

Harry rolled onto his back and gazed raptly up at her as she straddled his waist and slowly, inch by glorious inch, sank down upon him until he was completely inside her. Her face scrunched up in discomfort for a moment, and he asked, "Are you all right?"

"A little sore from last night," she said. "But I still want to do this." She raised herself up until he was just barely inside, then lowered herself again, faster this time, as Harry reached up to cup her breasts in his hands, his thumbs brushing lightly across her erect nipples. Cho arched her back, bracing her hands on her heels to keep from tumbling backwards, and moaned deep in her throat as Harry grasped her hips and began thrusting upward, rising to meet her as she slammed herself down on him. She increased the tempo until she was riding him even more vigorously than he had thrust into her the night before. Her eyes screwed shut in ecstasy and her moans turned to short, sharp cries as she once more clamped down on him, the sudden constriction pulling a deeper groan from his throat as her climax triggered his a second later.

When it was over, Cho collapsed across Harry's chest, her long, silky black hair spilling over his shoulders and tickling his neck and chin as they both gasped for breath. They lay like that for perhaps ten minutes, murmuring soft, incoherent sounds of love to one another, before they rose. Then they showered together, washing each other thoroughly between passionate kisses and slippery, soapy embraces under the hot spray.

Breakfast that morning was a quiet affair. Harry and Cho were too overwhelmed by their feelings to talk very much, and Sirius and Liu mercifully refrained from embarrassing them with teasing or congratulations; they merely smiled knowingly as they bade the younger couple good morning.

They were just finishing up their morning meal when the front door opened. In the doorway stood Albus Dumbledore and a tall, athletic-looking young witch with pale skin, a pretty, heart-shaped face, and electric-blue hair cut in a pageboy bob. She wore baggy jeans with numerous patches and a scoop-necked t-shirt emblazoned with a photograph of the Weird Sisters playing one of their quicker tunes.

"Good morning, Tonks," called Sirius, as the four of them rose from the table and went to meet the newcomers. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Nymphadora Tonks."

"Wotcher, Harry," the woman said, extending a hand. "Pleased to meet you. Just call me Tonks."

"I remember you," said Liu with a grin. "You were the biggest troublemaker in Gryffindor the last couple of years I was in school."

Tonks gave her a matching grin. "Not an easy title to earn, with you for competition. I thought I'd have it all to myself after you left, but then Fred and George Weasley started school; those two put us both in the shade. 'Course, I had a hand in getting them started on their career of mischief." She turned to Cho. "Wotcher, Cho. I hear you're an even better flyer than your sister was, and that's really saying something."

"Thanks," said Cho, shaking her hand. "Say, I remember you, too... you were the one who sneaked into the kitchen after Slytherin won the Quidditch cup my first year and spiked the hot fudge sauce for their party with that weird potion... what was that stuff, anyway?"

"Polyjuice," said Tonks reminiscently. "With a couple of minor tweaks to delay the effect so they'd all have some before it started to kick in, and finished with a bit of down from my owl instead of human hair. I must say, some of that lot looked much nicer with feathers."

"Despite her rather checkered past," said Dumbledore, "Auror Sergeant Tonks is presently the most junior member of the Auror Division of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement - and also of the Order of the Phoenix." As before, the Headmaster was careful not to meet Harry's eyes. "She works under Auror Superintendent Kingsley Shacklebolt, also a member of the Order; he has assigned her to work undercover in the Changs' shop."

"I'm going to be your double," said Tonks, grinning down at Cho.

"Using Polyjuice?" asked Harry.

Tonks grinned at him and shook her head. "I don't need Polyjuice," she said. "Just a mirror. Professor?" Dumbledore drew his wand and conjured a full-length mirror, which hung in the air in front of Cho; Tonks moved to stand next to her. Then her blue hair began to lengthen and darken; at the same time, her body shrank and her fair complexion turned to a golden tan. Her features shifted, cheekbones and chin sharpening as her face shortened, her eyelids lowering at the corners and her irises darkening to near blackness. The transformation took less than a minute, and when it stopped the girl who stood before their startled eyes was Cho's identical twin.

"How did you do that?" asked Harry in astonishment.

"I'm a Metamorphmagus," said the duplicate Cho; her voice, too, was a perfect match.

"Is that like an Animagus?" Harry asked.

"Not exactly," said Tonks. "Animagi only have one form, that of a particular animal. Metamorphmagi can't become animals, but we can change our appearance any way we want within human limits. Also, Animagi have to learn to transform, but Metamorphmagi are born with the talent -- sort of like Parselmouths."

"I remembered that you were a Metamorphmagus," said Cho, openly staring at Tonks, "but I hadn't realized how well you could imitate someone."

"It takes training," said Tonks, "and it's not perfect; I couldn't fool someone who knew you for very long. But it should fool any Death Eaters who might come looking for you long enough for you to escape."

"What happens to you, then?" Cho asked. "I wouldn't want to run away and leave you in the lurch."

"I can take care of myself," Tonks assured her. "Auror training makes a big difference when you're dealing with scum like Macnair. And I can call for reinforcements or Apparate away if I have to."

"Miss Tonks' presence is only part of the protection we have placed around your home," Dumbledore added. "The shop and your family's flat are now warded against magical attacks from without, and certain items have been installed which should provide some warning if anyone enters the shop with the intent of harming you or your family. Your sister will show you the detectors and explain their functions in detail when you arrive home."

The headmaster reached into a pocket and withdrew what looked like a compact cosmetics case. "I advise you to keep this on your person or within reach at all times until you return to Hogwarts. The mirror inside it is a Portkey; touch it, and you will be transported here, to the common room of the Harrington Arms. The urn on the mantelpiece contains Floo Powder, and the fire itself, while not in the Floo network proper, is linked to the Order's headquarters. The witch or wizard on duty there will know how to reach me."

"Thank you, Professor," said Cho, accepting the compact.

"Now, Harry," said Dumbledore, still studiously avoiding eye contact. "It has not, of course, escaped my attention that you and Miss Chang have formed a rather close attachment over the past few days. I presume that you will wish to see a good deal of each other at school this year?"

Harry cautiously replied, "We don't expect to visit each other's rooms or anything, but yes, I do want to be with Cho as much as possible."

"And I want to be with Harry," said Cho firmly.

"Of course," said Dumbledore. "There are, however, certain rules which limit the scope of romantic relationships between our students."

Harry blushed. Glancing at Cho, he saw that she had colored as well, but she went on determinedly, "We've probably broken one or two those already; I won't promise we're never going to break any at school."

Though Harry didn't look at Dumbledore's eyes, he felt quite certain they were twinkling as he said, "It is true that the rules of Hogwarts frown on intimate relations among the students; we would be remiss in our duty to their parents if it were otherwise. However, it is equally true that amorous young witches and wizards have been finding ways to circumvent those rules since the Founders' time. I have great faith in your ingenuity, Harry."

"You won't try to stop us?" Harry asked. "I know that you keep an eye on me even when nobody else knows where I am or what I'm doing. I haven't forgotten the Mirror of Erised."

"Have I ever interfered in your escapades since then, Harry? No, I will not stop you. However, I will not assist you, either; escaping the attention of professors, prefects, and Mr. Filch will be entirely up to you, and should you be caught out of bounds you will serve whatever punishments they feel are appropriate. I trust, too, that after the events of the last few days I need not remind you of the potential dangers of straying from the castle and grounds, and that you will at least consider Miss Chang's safety, if not your own."

Chastened, Harry said quietly, "Yes, sir."

"Cheer up, Harry," said Sirius. "Ask me later and I'll tell you all about sweet Polly Plunkett; we never had much trouble making private time when we wanted it."

"I can tell you a few things about the castle, too, little sister," added Liu. "There are lots of places to hide at Hogwarts, if you know where to look."

"And Filch can't be everywhere at once, even with that mangy cat of his helping him to keep an eye on things," said Tonks. While they were talking she had resumed her original appearance, except for her hair, which was now spiky and an extremely intense lime green.

"Now," said Dumbledore, "if there is nothing else, we should all say our goodbyes. Dobby will have packed all of your bags by now; Molly Weasley is expecting Harry and Sirius, and the Changs' customers are expecting their shop to reopen this morning."

"Just a minute," said Harry. "There is one thing...." He stepped close to Sirius and whispered in his ear, "Do you still have the fourth broom you took from the cottage?"

Sirius gave him a quizzical look. "Yes," he said, "Ron and Lupin took theirs with them, but mine and the spare are up in my room. Why?"

"Could we give it to Cho?"

His godfather blinked in surprise. "Certainly, if you want to; no one could say you didn't earn a share of the spoils from that fight."

"After what Cho went through, I think she deserves it more than any of us," Harry said.

"What are you two talking about?" Cho asked.

Harry grinned at her and squeezed his eyes shut, concentrating on forming a picture of the racing broom in his mind. Then he lifted his wand and said clearly, "Accio broom!"

Five seconds later the Nimbus came sailing down over the stairs and into Harry's outstretched hand. "Cho," he said, "I'd like you to have this."

Cho's eyes widened as she gingerly took the broom from Harry and ran her fingers lightly over the smooth, honey-colored wood of the handle. "A Nimbus Hyperion," she said reverently. "Where did you get it?"

"Sirius found it at the cottage after we rescued you."

"And you really want to give it to me?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Harry asked.

"Well, barring any more Triwizard Tournaments or unforeseen disasters, we will be playing Quidditch against each other sometime this year...."

Harry shrugged. "I still have my Firebolt - this just evens the odds a bit. I couldn't be sure last time whether I really outflew you, or just your Comet; this time, we'll know who flies the best." He grinned and added, "And you should be able to fly rings around Malfoy."

"I... don't know what to say."

"'Thank you' would be a good start," suggested Liu.

Cho threw her arms around Harry in a fierce hug. "Thank you, Harry, oh, thank you! For the broom, for saving my life, for everything in between... God, I love you!"

Harry hugged her hard, nearly overcome by a rush of emotion. He blinked away a tear as he whispered, "I love you too, Cho. You've made me happier than I ever knew I could be, and I wish I could spend the rest of my life with you. I'll write to you every day."

"So will I, Harry," Cho promised. "Every day. I'm going to miss you so much...."

"I'll miss you every moment we're apart. But we'll see each other soon... I'll look for you as soon as I get to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters."

"I'll be there." They held each other a moment longer, then Cho kissed Harry softly on the lips and stepped back. "I'm ready, Professor."

"Very well," said Dumbledore. "Dobby?"

The house-elf hurried down the stairs. In front of him, Harry and Sirius's trunks and Liu's duffel bag floated gracefully through the air. Harry's Firebolt, Sirius's ancient Silver Arrow and new Nimbus Hyperion, and Hedwig's cage were strapped securely to their trunks. The snowy owl fluffed her feathers and hooted irritably as Harry's trunk came to rest beside him.

Sirius and Liu had said their own goodbyes while Harry and Cho were occupied with each other; now Liu picked up her bag and stood between Cho and Tonks. "Here is your Portkey," said Dumbledore. He produced a box of jelly babies from his robe and offered it to the women.

Liu and Tonks took hold of it, and Cho placed her left hand on it, holding her new broom firmly in her right. She smiled once more at Harry and said, "I love you," just as the headmaster raised his wand and said "Portus!" The sisters and the young Auror vanished in a small thunderclap of inrushing air.

Sirius sighed. "I suppose there's no reason to delay any longer," he said.

"What about Buckbeak?" Harry asked.

"I will bring Buckbeak along with me," said Dumbledore. "Now, Harry, in order to pass through the protection of the Fidelius Charm, you must know the location to which you travel. Please repeat after me: the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix is at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place."

"'The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix is at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place,'" Harry repeated.

"Very good," the headmaster said. He pulled a bag of lemon drops from a pocket held it out. Harry and Sirius each took a corner of the bag, and Dumbledore said once more, "Portus!"

They landed in a large room with rough-hewn stone walls, a large fireplace that did nothing to brighten an air of gloom and darkness, and a long table with numerous chairs. Several of the chairs were occupied: Ron, Fred, George, Ginny, and Molly Weasley and Hermione Granger were seated around one end of the table. Looking up at the sound of Harry and Sirius's arrival, they all cried "Harry!" in what seemed a single voice. Harry spent the next few minutes being hugged until he could barely breathe. Eventually, Ron, Hermione, and Sirius helped him carry his things up three flights of stairs to a bedroom.

Setting down his end of Harry's trunk, Sirius said sardonically, "Welcome to my house, Harry."

"Thanks, I think," Harry replied, glancing around dubiously at the frayed rug, peeling wallpaper, and the empty portrait frame hanging on the wall. "You weren't kidding about the place, were you?"

Sirius shook his head. "Not even a little. Don't go into any of the rooms unless we tell you it's safe - they haven't all been cleaned out yet. Oh, and you have to keep quiet in the ground floor hall, or my mother's portrait will wake up and start shrieking bloody murder."

"Never mind that now," said Hermione impatiently. "Tell us about Cho! How is she doing?"

"Yeah, mate, how did you two get on?" Ron asked. "Bill and Lupin told us about your meeting with Fudge and Percy - the git - and that Umbridge toad, but what have you been up to for the last two days?"

"Ah. Well...." He cast Sirius a look of supplication, but his godfather merely grinned at him and said, "I think I'll leave you three to catch up; I need to talk to Remus. See you at lunch." He winked at Harry over his shoulder and disappeared down the corridor.

"Well, come on," said Ron. "What happened? Did you two snog?"

"Ron!" said Hermione indignantly. "What kind of a question is that?"

"A jolly good one," said Ron. Hermione gave him a withering glare, but Ron ignored her, gazing expectantly at Harry.

Harry sat down heavily on the edge of the nearest bed. "Yeah," he said. "I guess you could say that."

"Well... what was it like?"

Harry tried hard to come up with an answer that would deflect his best friend's curiosity, but then a flood of memories overwhelmed his thoughts: Cho's hot tears soaking through his shirt as she cried in his arms, the mischievous spark in her eyes as she took another of his chessmen or bluffed him out of a hand of Double Fanucci, her incredulous joy when he gave her the broom... the taste of her mouth when he kissed her that first time, the satin softness of her skin, the way her dark nipples crinkled and hardened at his touch... the light in her face at the climax of their lovemaking... he realized he was grinning like an idiot. "It was wonderful," he said. "Just... wonderful."

Epilogue:
Consecration

"By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes."
-----The Weird Sisters, in Shakespeare's Macbeth

The masked wizard knelt on the cold flagstone floor, eyes downcast, avoiding the penetrating stare of the reptilian red eyes that gazed out from beneath his Master's hood. At last, his Master spoke.

"You have served me well, Higgs."

"My Lord?" The young man glanced up in surprise. "The mission failed, my Lord."

His Master gave an almost imperceptible shrug. "Even I have been known to fail, Higgs," he said softly. "The fault in this case was Macnair's; he failed to anticipate that Potter might not be alone when he received the challenge, or that he would so easily vanquish the dementors." The sibilant voice sharpened with irritation. "Thanks to Macnair's blunder, they have broken off our negotiations for the release of my faithful servants languishing in Azkaban.

"Macnair has been suitably punished for his lack of foresight - and unless he redeems himself by succeeding in his next assignment, I may permit Dolohov and the Lestranges to express their... gratitude for the extension of their incarceration. Macnair fancies himself the most vicious of all my Death Eaters; I believe he may have forgotten what Antonin and Bellatrix are capable of...." The red eyes glinted maliciously.

"In any case, the information you provided was correct, and may yet prove useful."

"I see, my Lord."

"You do," his Master agreed. "And that is why you will be the first wizard to join the ranks of my Death Eaters since my return. Hold out your left hand."

Higgs felt long, cold white fingers close about his wrist in an iron grip. His Master touched his wand to Higgs' forearm and hissed, "Morsmordre Stigma!" Higgs gritted his teeth at the searing pain but remained silent as the Dark Mark was burned into his flesh.

And at that moment, Harry Potter awoke in an upper room in Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, his scar burning into his forehead like a hot knife.

"Wuzzat?" Ron mumbled, half-asleep, from across the room.

"Nothing; it's nothing," Harry lied. "Just a bad dream. Go back to sleep."

Ron was already asleep again before Harry finished the sentence. And, hard as he tried to recall it, he'd started to forget the dream as soon as he woke up. It was another half hour before he dropped back into sleep, feeling deeply troubled.

Finis