Soul Pieces

SOUL PIECES

Chapter 07: The Cup, the otter and the girl

September 4th

7:00 am

Godric's Hollow, Wales

Inside the public cemetery in Godric's Hollow, only a few birds heard the pops signifying the apparition of three teenagers: Two boys and one girl.

"Blimey!" exclaimed the redheaded boy. "Godric's Hollow, at last! Well, is everybody whole?"

The girl rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath while the other boy remained silent. His green eyes seemed to scan the stone garden in front of them.

"Harry?" the girl said, putting her right hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

The sound of her voice startled him.

"Sure, Hermione," he said as he took a deep breath. "Well, let's go then. Remus told me the location of-of...the grave."

Hermione and Ron nodded and followed their dark haired friend.

***

The Potter's graves weren't too far away from the Cemetery's entry. It was a simple gravestone with a Celtic cross engraved and the following words:

James Potter Lily Evans Potter

*1960 + 31/10/1981 *1960+31/10/1981

Beloved Friends and Parents.

Two True Gryffindors that will never be forgotten.

Always in ours hearts,

Your friends and son

Without noticing what he was doing, Harry dropped to his knees, tears falling from his eyes. Hermione and Ron left for a walk; that moment was only for Harry, he needed to be alone.

"Mom, Dad," he managed to say between small sobs. "It's me, Harry. I'm sorry that I hadn't come here sooner. I'm seventeen now, I don't know if you guys can see me...I live in Sirius family's house, well, the house is mine now. You know...since Sirius died...I wonder if he's with you. I live there with Remus, Sirius' cousin Tonks and my two best friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger.

"I miss you so much. It's hard, you know. There are so many people expecting me to save their lives and the worst thing is that I know that I'm the only one who can do it..."

Harry continued to talk silently with his parents until he heard Ron's voice.

"Harry, mate. It's almost nine."

"Oh," he said and stood from the grass. He had tears all over his face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to cry," he added, a little embarrassed.

Ron didn't know what to say. After all, what do you say at moments like these? Hermione came and hugged him.

"You don't have anything to be sorry for, Harry. After all you are human," she whispered into his ear and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

He smiled.

"I think it's time to see the house," Hermione said.

"Yeah," the two boys answered in agreement as they disapparated.

***

The house where Harry lived the first fifteen months of his life was, at that moment, a little less than ruins. It was a big house and if it wasn't for the moss covering the walls and the rotten wood on the windows, it could be said that it was a beautiful house.

The three friends stopped in front of the large wooden door and before they entered, Harry spoke.

"Guys, I want to tell you something before we enter the house."

"What is the matter?"

"If something happens, anything at all, I want you two to leave."

"What?"

"You heard me, Hermione. I want you two to leave. Especially you."

"Especially me? May I ask why?"

"Oh, well, you are..."

"A girl! Is that what you were going to say, Harry James Potter?"

"Er..."

"Don't argue with her mate. Listen to me, you'll lose," muttered Ron.

"Yes, I'm a girl! I'm the girl who saved yours and Ron's arses several times! Now, if that's all, I think we should go inside!" And she opened the door.

Shaking his head, Harry followed her.

The place that sixteen years ago should have been a living room, was a pile of dust, old furniture, and broken glass. Harry thought that maybe he could feel something but the truth was that he didn't feel a thing. He didn't feel any special connection with the place.

"You don't think there are spiders in here, do you?" he heard Ron whisper.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake! We came here to deal with Voldemort's soul and you're afraid of spiders!" cried an exasperated Hermione. "Harry, is everything alright?"

"Yeah, the cup isn't here. It's upstairs. In my old room," he said

"How? How do you...?"

"I don't know how, Ron. I just know. Come on!"

***

The second floor was a long hall with several doors on each side.

"Mate, do you know which one your room is?" Ron asked.

"No, I think we..."

"Here, this is your old room, Harry," interrupted Hermione, showing a door with a little wooden sight with 'Harry' painted in the middle.

He opened the door. If the living room didn't have any effect on him at all, this room was completely different. This was the place where his mother had died. He closed his eyes, ignoring the tears that started to fall.

No, not Harry! Please not Harry!

His memories stopped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Harry..."

"Hermione.... I'm sorry."

She didn't answer, only gave him a little hug.

The bedroom was in the same condition as the living room, with dusty broken furniture and toys all over the floor. The only piece of furniture that was in one piece was the cradle and they soon understood why. Inside the cradle was the cup.

"Er, guys...."said Ron. "Don't you think it's a little too easy? You know, the cup is right in front of us..."

"I think Ron's right, Mione."

"No, it's only appears easy. First, no one entered this house. You heard when Remus said that people think the house is haunted. Second, even if someone did enter, they could never get the cup."

"What do you mean never? "

"Ron, that's my patronus' job. We already talked about this."

"But perhaps I," interrupted Harry, walking near the huddle.

"Harry, don't!" Hermione tried to say but the young wizard had already tried to get the cup, but an electrical barrier threw him against the wall.

"Harry! Oh, my Lord!" Hermione cried.

"Are you alright, mate?"

"Yeah, yeah," he said weakly, as he tried to regain his composure. "I think Hermione is right."

She looked at him.

"You know, this is very clever, the patronus is different for each person. This makes destroying the cup almost impossible,"

"Yeah, but You-Know-Who would never suspect that the only person who can do this is Harry Potter's best friend."

"Yes, Ron, it's really ironic, and not only his best friend. But his mudblood best friend."

"Hermione!" both boys said at same time.

"It's alright. It's what I am."

"Never call yourself that again, Mione. Never," Harry said very seriously.

"Okay, Harry. Now, before I cast my patronus...." she said biting her lower lip nervously.

"What?" Harry knew her well enough to know there was something else.

"Well, maybe, I don't know, but, maybe, after well, you know...I'm not completely sure, I read some books, you know, after you told us your chat with Dumbledore and, um, maybe..."

"Spill it."

"Maybe I'll pass out after."

"What? Why didn't you say that before?"

"Because, Harry, I know you! And I know you wouldn't have let me come..."

He didn't say a word, only crossed his arms against his chest stubbornly. You're damn right Hermione Granger, he thought.

"Well, as I was saying before being interrupted, maybe I'll pass out. But I need to ask Ron one thing. You need to swear to me, swear in name of our friendship."

Ron looked at her with surprise but before he could answer, Harry spoke, "Why Ron? Why don't I need to swear too?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Because, as I already said, I know you too well and I know I can't trust you in this matter."

Ron really tried not to smile but perhaps Harry's murderous look made him hold it in.

"But..."

"No, buts! Now Ron, do you?"

"Of course! Anything you want. You can trust me."

"So, if I pass out, before you go check if I'm dead or alive I want you to put the fake cup on the cradle..."

"But Hermione...."

"You promised, Ron!"

Hermione's right I could never do that.

"Yes, I know I promised but I think we need to ..." he said taking off a small cup that was inside his pocket.

"Oh, right! " Hermione pointed her wand to the cup, muttered the reducto contra spell and the cup was the original size again.

"Good Luck, Hermione."

"Yeah, good luck."

"Thank you. It's been a real honor being part of your lives. I am really proud of you two. I hope you never forget me," she said in a very low voice and then, with a small smile, rose and pointed her wand to the cup, shut her eyes and cried, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!!"

A beautiful silver otter appeared from her wand. The animal floated around the room and then jumped inside the cradle, exactly where the cup was. Then, the otter jumped off the cradle but this time the cup was floating inside of the patronus, as if the otter was a of magnet. Finally, the otter came near Hermione and she took the cup.

At that moment, the room started shaking and fog appeared around her.

Harry tried to get closer but was stopped by Ron.

"No, mate."

And Harry watched in horror, as the Hufflepuff cup exploded and disappeared. In the place of the cup appeared a dark shadow that entered Hermione's body. After that, she collapsed on the floor.

"Hermione!" both boys cried at the same time.

They ran to her, but then Ron remembered the promise and went to the cradle to put the fake cup inside. When he turned around, he saw Harry crying with Hermione in his arms.

"Please, Hermione! Please, wake up! Don't die on me! We can't go on without you. I can't go on," he cried in despair.

Ron kneeled beside his friend. He also had tears in his eyes.

"Harry?"

"Her hands and arms are burned, Ron, and the shadow..."

But then she began to convulse.

"Harry, what's happening?"

"I think she's fighting the shadow! We need to get her out!"

"But we can't apparate with her in this state."

"Right. Let me think....I know, we leave the house and then take the Knight Bus."

"Brilliant, mate!"

Harry was about to say something when he and Ron heard a voice coming from downstairs.

"Are you sure the boy is here, Bella?"

"Yes, Carrow. He was seen entering the house with the blood traitor and the mudblood girl. Master had already said he probably wanted to visit Godric's Hollow. Silly Boy!"

"Harry, it's Bellatrix! What're we going to do?"

"Thank Merlin I brought my cloak. Ron, I'm going to use my cloak to hide Hermione and me. You apparate to Grimmauld Place and ask Remus for help. Go!"

"Take care, mate!" said Ron who quickly disapparated.

Harry carried Hermione behind a broken armchair and covered them with his invisibility cloak.

***

Harry didn't know how much time had passed. He could hear voices and doors being opened and closed. He could feel they were approaching.

Thank Merlin you stopped convulsing. I'm sure you will be just fine, Mione.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a male voice that he didn't recognize.

"Here!" the voice said. "Look Bella, I think this is the boy's old bedroom."

Bellatrix Lestrange laughed.

"The boy is here," she said. "He is hiding"

Harry's heart began to move very fast. He grabbed Hermione even tighter.

Please Ron! Fast!

"Look, Bella!" another voice shouted. "What's this? Do you think this cup is made of gold?"

"Don't touch it!" the woman cried. "You heard what the Master said! If we saw a cup we can't touch it, now let's find the boy!"

"Potty! Potty! I think it's time you came out! You know, you don't have a chance! Not now that your beloved Dumbledore is no more! He's with my dear cousin now! Do you miss my cousin, Potty? I'm sure you do! You know, I never felt happier than when I killed him!"

Harry was about to explode. How dare she!? How dare she talk about SÃ-rius?

He knew he couldn't do anything, not at that moment. He began to despair when he saw her come near him. He couldn't move because of the pieces of furniture behind him.

She was close.

He closed his mouth, trying not to breath. And then, the worst happened. Bellatrix's legs touched the invisible couple.

She smiled, a sarcastic smile and with her left hand, uncovered Harry and Hermione.

"Well, well, well. What have we here?"

Oh, Merlin.

Harry knew that was the end. He knew there was no way that he could fight against Bellatrix. Okay, he had his wand pointed at her, but that was useless. He was on the floor, holding Hermione and even if he didn't want to admit it, Bellatrix was a very powerful witch.

At least I know she can't kill me so...she will stupefy me then take me to Voldemort.

Bellatrix had a vicious smile on her face, she was very proud with herself. Harry noticed that she was about to say something, cast a spell...he didn't know but he was holding his wand very tight. He was about to cry out Expelliamus when he heard that same word from someone else.

Of course the devious witch also heard it and she immediately turned her face to see the source of the voice (because the position he was, Harry couldn't see) and cried out with hate.

"Lupin!"

Harry never heard if his former professor answered or not, without a chance to react or say anything, the young wizard felt someone grabbing him and Hermione. Then, when he looked around, he was inside the Hogwarts Infirmary, on the floor, holding Hermione.

"What the hell?"

"Mister Potter!" he heard Professor McGonagall.

With her, were Hagrid, Madame Pomfrey, Ron and a young man he didn't recognize.

He suddenly realized how pathetic the scene must have looked. Harry stood up quickly.

"Lay her in a bed, Mister Potter," Madame Pomfrey said.

Without a word, he did what she asked.

When the Hogwarts nurse saw Hermione's hands and arms, she almost yelled.

"What happened to her?"

Thank Merlin Ron answered for him.

"A thing exploded in her hands."

Madame Pomfrey arched an eyebrow.

"A thing, Mr. Weasley?"

"Well, er...you see...."

But then, Hermione began to convulse again. Harry, despite the nurse protests, ran to Hermione and held her very tight until the convulsing passed.

"What is this?" someone shouted.

Harry started to feel a little frustrated. Why so many questions? Why they didn't help her already

"We were at Godric's Hollow. She touched something and this it exploded in her hands and a kind of smoke entered her body! That's what happened! Now, could you please heal her? She's dying, for Merlin's sake!"

She's dying... She's dying

A loud gasp was heard. Madame Pomfrey looked at the young man. He was crying.

"Harry, I need to examine Miss Granger properly. I will take off her clothes to see if another part of her body was burned too. I don't think that she would like to know that you or Mr. Weasley were here when I did that."

Harry smiled at the thought. Hermione would take his and Ron's head off so he nodded and left Hermione's side. Behind him, he heard Madame Pomfrey closing the curtains around Hermione's bed.

"She'll be alright, Harry."

"Ron is right, 'arry. 'ermione is a strong girl," said Hagrid.

"Now, Mr. Potter, if you would please explain what happened," Professor McGonagall said. "Because Mr. Weasley didn't help very much." Ron, at least, had the decency, to look ashamed at this. "He only said that Miss Granger was hurt, a fact that you explained so well and that you and her were corned by Death Eaters."

"First, I need to know who that guy that was here is." Just then Harry realized that the stranger was no longer there.

"Mr. Perkins is an Order Member, Potter," answered the Headmistress. "He used a Portkey to bring you and Miss Granger to Hogwarts. He's already left; he needed to attend another to other business.

Before Harry could say a word, the infirmary's door suddenly opened.

I am starting to become REALLY irritated with this! he internally yelled.

Remus Lupin, Kinsley Shacklebolt, Mad Eye Moody and Charlie Weasley had just entered the room.

"Charlie? What are you doing here?"

"Not now, Ron."

"So, Alastor?"

"Luckily, there wasn't any major damage. We could take one of Cadows brothers."

"Tonks arrested him," added Remus.

"But the others..."

"They disapparated."

"Bellatrix?" asked Harry timidly.

"She escaped, boy. Now, tell me, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?" Remus yelled at the young boy.

"What do you mean?" asked Harry, in a cold tone.

"What do I mean? WHAT DO I MEAN? I want to know what the hell you were doing there!"

Ron Weasley closed his eyes. He knew his friend's temper a little too well.

"WHAT I WAS DOING THERE? I WANTED TO SEE THE PLACE WHERE MY PARENTS DIED! I WANTED TO VISIT THEIR GRAVES BUT OF COURSE THAT'S SHOULD BE DISCUSSED FIRST BY THE ORDER! THE FUCKING BOY WHO LIVED NEEDS TO GO TO THE LOO, OH, LETS GET TOGETHER AND SEE IF IT'S SAFE! I'M BLOODY SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO VISITED MY OWN PARENTS' GRAVE!"

"Harry, calm down," Remus said with his hands on boy's shoulders. "You have every right to visit James and Lily's graves. It was my mistake too; I should have thought that Voldemort would try something there. I am sorry."

"Minerva!" Madame Pomfrey had just reappeared.

"What is it, Poppy?"

"I think we have to transfer her to St. Mungo's. I really don't know what to do! We are losing her."

"What do you mean you're losing her? You're the bloody healer!"

"Ron!"

"No, Charlie! She's a healer! It's her job save Hermione's life!"

"I know that is my job, Mr. Weasley but I can't do my job if I don't know what's inside Miss Granger's body!"

Harry and Ron exchanged glances. Remus Lupin knew those boys too well.

"Harry..."

Harry closed his eyes. He needed to think, fast. He and Ron knew what was inside Hermione's body but they couldn't tell them, and even if he said anything, no one had the knowledge about horcruxes. No one except Voldemort and...

"Slughorn! Professor Slughorn! He's the Potions Master! Please, Professor McGonagall!"

The old professor looked at the nurse who hurried out of the room.

"I will call Professor Slughorn, Mister Potter."

A few minutes later, the plump professor arrived at the infirmary. He, without a greeting to a single soul in the room, asked, "Where is the girl?"

Madame Pomfrey opened the curtains around Hermione's bed. The girl was very pale, wearing hospital clothes. When Slughorn came near her, she began to convulse again. Remus and Charlie opened their eyes wide, they hadn't seen her that way yet.

The potions professor continued to look at her, his face was expressionless.

"Horace?"

He turned around but didn't look at Professor McGonagall. Instead, his eyes focused Harry.

"My memory...?" It wasn't really a question.

Harry only nodded.

"Can you help her, Professor?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter."

"Which memory, Horace?"

"Some things are meant to stay unsaid, Minerva. Now I need to prepare a potion. I don't have much time," he said and turned to Hagrid. "Hagrid, I need holly and lilies. If you could...."

"Of course, Professor."

"Please, bring those to my office. I must go get ready."

When the two men were leaving the infirmary they almost were almost knocked own by an irate Molly Weasley.

"Oh, boy," Charlie and Ron said at same time.

"RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY! THAT'S IT! YOU ARE GOING HOME! YOUR LITTLE ADVENTURE IS OVER! "

"What?"

"YOU HEARD ME! YOU ARE COMING BACK WITH ME!"

"I don't think I am, mother!"

"You don't have to think! You are coming and it's final!"

"No!"

"Ronald! I almost lost a son some months ago, I don't..."

"What did Gran Prewett say?"

"What?"

"What did Grandmother Prewett say when you told her you were enjoying the Order?"

"Ron, I don't see what this has to do..."

"This everything to do with it, Mom! What did she say? After all, she had already lost two sons. Two! Oh, don't give me that look, mom! We know very well that uncles Fabian and Gideon were Order members! What did she say?"

Molly Weasley looked down. Always hurt think about her brothers.

"She didn't like it."

"But you joined the Order even knowing that anyway, didn't you?"

"Yes," she answered in a very low voice.

"You joined the Order because you knew it was the right thing to be done! Even your brothers' death didn't stop you!"

"But it's different, son. I was already a married woman. You are only seventeen, you don't know the world, Ron. You are only a boy."

"Oh, I'm only a boy! I'm the child, along with your other youngest child, who managed to alert the Order when Hogwarts was attacked last year. But let's not talk about me! Let me see...Neville! If it wasn't for him, Harry probably would have been murdered at the Department of mysteries!"

That's damn right. Harry thought.

"Oh, but that might have been luck! No! No! I have a better example! A much better example! Let's think about another boy. He was a short lumped boy, not very brilliant. It was with those words you described him Professor McGonagall, wasn't it?"

"Whom are you talking about, son?" asked a confused Molly Weasley.

But Professor McGonagall, Remus Lupin and Harry Potter knew exactly whom Ron was talking about.

"PETER PETTIGREW! THE RAT! THE TRAITOR! He's a adult now but he wasn't when he joined You-Know-Who!"

Ronald Weasley had defeated Molly Weasley and Charlie Weasley was very proud of his young brother.

Harry didn't know exactly how much time passed before Professor Slughorn returned with the potion. After he gave it to Hermione, the professor said she would wake up in a few hours. Of course, Madame Pomfrey wanted everyone out of the Infirmary but Harry and Ron simply said that they would not move before Hermione woke up.

The two young wizards sat on chairs besides Hermione's bed. They didn't move or said a word. Each boy held one of the girl's hands.

About three hours later, Hermione began to wake up.

"Hermione! You are awake!" exclaimed Ron.

Harry simply looked at her.

Hermione looked at her friends and with a soft smile, and said, "Third Piece Down."