Ginny looked up when she heard the car horn. Seeing the Granger's Range Rover drive by she waved happily. Hermione looked up and waved too but she saw something else that made her smile fade. Coming across the park where three girls she had not seen in two years. Veronica, Candace and Leslie, her own version of Malfoy and his goons. Veronica had tormented her since she entered school. She was not looking forward to this even if she could cast magic she didn't know any spells that could help right now.
"Guys maybe we should head back home."
"How come Mione, I'm having fun." Harry said from his perch on the branch hanging upside down above them. He had his back towards the girls coming towards them.
"Because I think its time to go home."
"Really mom I agree with daddy its too nice a day to be home. I wanna stay here." Ginny huffed. Unfortunately she said it loud enough to carry across to Susan.
"Well well, what sort of game are you playing with your friends beaver face."
"Hello Veronica."
"What aren't going to introduce me to your little girl here. Or is it your girlfriend." Her and her goons laughed at their little wit.
Harry flipped himself out of the tree to land in front of her. "Actually Hi. I'm Harry Potter and I'm Hermione's boyfriend."
"No you're her husband daddy." Ginny said from behind him causing Veronica and her pets to laugh again.
"Oh what a precious little retard there. She's not playing is she?"
Harry was trying to control his temper. "Ginny is a very special person and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't insult her or Hermione."
Veronica put her hand on Harry's chest "Oh I'm sure she's special. But if you're really looking for someone to play family with why not someone that's actually hit puberty instead of the Beaver there. I mean unless you like em looking like boys. You're not a bit on the bum chum side of things are you? IF you don't know yet I could help you decide." She said as she thrust her speed bumps forward trying to appear more enticing.
Hermione just couldn't take any more and jumped up. "I'll have you know Harry likes the way I look and I've got boobs too I just don't feel like I need to parade around in a tight shirt acting like a common slag!"
Veronica looked like she was getting ready to escalate to physical violence when he saw a small shiny thing flying towards them. His Seeker reflexes caused him to grab it before it hit Hermione or Ginny in the face. Unfortunately Veronica had decided to push forward and hit Hermione for her comment so was in physical contact with Harry when he caught the object. The next thing he knew he felt a hook behind his navel and he was gone. Spinning through a cloudy silvery gray limbo unable to tell what was up or down. After an un-measurable time like that he landed very painfully on a hard flat surface that was cold. Veronica came tumbling down on top of him.
Harry shoved her off of him and drew his wand from his belt where he had stuffed it. Looking around they seemed to be in the hall of a large house. Before Harry could say or do anything else Veronica who had grabbed his arm was hit by a jet of red light. A familiar voice greeted him as the Headmaster walked through the wall.
"Ah Harry I see those seeker skills served you well. You must have intercepted the portkey I sent Dungus with. How unfortunate that his aim is so bad."
"Why did you kidnap me."
"Well you see it was not you that I was wanting to get Harry. I was hoping to tie up some loose ends. However I suppose we could have a little talk you and I."
"What about. You know we where in a public park and this girl is a muggle. How many laws have you broken sir?"
Dumbledore smiled at him, "Oh Harry you should know by now that laws are more like guidelines when you reach my power levels. Besides I am working for a much higher goal than what the short sighted fools at the ministry are. I am working for the greater good of all humanity. Their small minds could never understand the things I need to do."
Watching Dumbledore monologue made him very concerned as he was acting like a bad Bond villain. Harry was trying to see if there was a way to escape but he didn't want to abandon Veronica to the Headmaster. Even if she was a bully she did not deserve to be abandoned.
Dumbledore seemed to notice Harry looking around furtively while putting himself between Dumbledore and Veronica. "Harry please relax. I am not going to harm either you or this girl. I promise you this."
"Did you promise Ron you wouldn't hurt him too?" Harry spat out. "Or did you make him some other kind of promise. What about Ginny or Molly Weasley. What kind of promises did you make them?"
Dumbledore chuckled under his breath. "Oh my boy I did not promise them much. The usual sort of platitudes and empty things. A bit of your gold here and there to make sure they stayed bought. A promise for Ron to have your bushy haired friend when they where older."
"WHAT!" Harry bellowed and brought his wand up to point at the Headmaster. He dimly realized he had utterly no chance in the universe of so much as touching him but still the flaring temper of the beast inside needed to do something.
Dumbledore did not even react, acting as if he had no cares in the world. He even turned his back on Harry. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a galleon and tapped it with his wand. He then turned and faced Harry. "You might want to take hold of the young lady. I suppose we can delay the discussion until you're in a more reasonable mood."
Harry wasn't sure of what the headmaster's plan was but he did notice the shiny object flying towards him so he dove and grabbed Veronica. When the coin hit him he felt that tug behind his navel again and was spinning wildly. He held his eyes closed until he fell on the ground rolling away from Veronica who was groaning.
He heard a person say Stupefy once again and then felt arms grabbing him in an air removing squeeze. "Hermione stop, breathing, need to..." He managed to gasp out before she let go.
"Oh my god Harry are you ok? Did you get hurt. What happened? Where did you go?"
Ginny was hugging him and crying too.
Harry was trying to calm everyone down when a voice interrupted everyone. "Mr Potter. Excuse me but we need to check to see if you are injured or altered in any way. Then I'll need your statement."
Harry stood up to see Mrs Bones and several aurors there. "Okay ma'am I understand."
"Mrs Potter if you and your daughter would please step back for a moment you may attempt to hug him to unconsciousness if he's cleared." Ms Bones said gently.
Hermione and Ginny stepped back and someone in a dark navy blue uniform instead of the gray and gold of the Aurors stepped forward. He waved his wand around Harry's head and over him a few times while muttering things under his breath. After a few moments, "Aside from something strange with his aura he seems to be under no compulsions and has had no obliviation. Also no tracking or other observations spells."
"Very well thank you. Please make sure the young lady gets taken home."
Nodding the Auror's all moved out except for a tall black man who had a very serious look on his face. Ms Bones pointed to a nearby picnic table and the group made their way there. Harry and his family on one side, Ms Bones and the auror on the other.
"Harry this is Kingsley Shacklebolt. He is chief Auror on the investigation of the actions of Albus Dumbledore. Since this was an attack on your family I presume that he was involved."
"Yes ma'am. He was rather upset when Veronica and myself showed up. He complained about the aim of someone named Dungus?"
The tall man spoke, "Mundungus Fletcher. Common petty criminal used by Dumbledore for dirty deeds. Nothing much in his jacket except theft, petty theft, public drunkeness, public indecency with a lamppost, fencing stolen goods, receipt of stolen goods and jaywalking."
Ms Bones nodded, "Very well. Did he say anything else?"
"He was quite upset and sounded like a Bond villain talking about how he knew more than the Ministry and was working for the good of all humanity. And that he had promised Ron could have Hermione when they where older."
Since Hermione was holding his hand when he said that she squeezed hard enough he was concerned about his bones but she relaxed her grip before any serious damage was done.
"Promised him Hermione?" Ms Bones did not like the sound of that. "May I have a copy of your memory please Harry?"
He nodded then closed his eyes trying to think about the last several minutes. He felt the tip of a wand gently touch him on the temple and a strange taffy like pulling sensation. When it ended he opened his eyes to see Ms Bones corking a small vial with a glittery silver substance inside. He tried to remember the event and discovered that it was still there.
"Yes Harry I made a copy I would not remove any memories from you unless it was a grave situation to protect the secrecy act or with your permission."
"What made him do this? Was he trying for Ginny again?"
"I do not know. And before you ask I have already sent a pair of Aurors to Hermione's parent's office. I do not know if they will be targeted but I have to assume the worst. Dumbledore is not reacting the way I had expected to the investigation. I had hoped he would be more cooperative."
"Maybe we had better go home."
"That would probably be a good idea. Hermione does your house have a fireplace?"
"Yes ma'am. Dad sometimes puts a fire in it for Christmas and we sit in front of it and drink hot coca."
"Well I will see about getting it connected to the Floo network so you can travel to your friend's houses in the magical world. I believe your parents own a small farm Ms Brown?"
"Yes Ma'am in Hampshire. Not far from Portsmouth."
"Perhaps a day there might be nice. Or at your friend Ms Lovegood's"
"Do you think we should or could visit the Weasleys?
Ms Bones took a deep sigh before answering that. "No Harry I don't. We have searched the Burrow and there is no trace of her left. Her wand was apparently taken and none of the Weasleys remember her now. Its as if she had never existed."
Harry stared at the table for a few moments. "Oh but do they remember me? I was going to give Mr Weasley our condolences."
"I'm sure he would appreciate that Harry but a letter might be better at this time as they are still gathering their thoughts and memories. It would be best not to disturb them too much."
"Ok Ma'am."
Standing up Ms Bones called out, "Muldoon please escort the Potters and their friend back to the Granger's house. Stay with them until you are properly relieved please."
"Yes ma'am." A short wiry man came up and nodded at the Potters with a smile. He was dressed in a tweed suit with a green sweater and a black bowler hat. As wizards went he was one of the best at passing for a muggle. One from the 1920s maybe but as he was an older gentleman it might be ignored.
"From now you will have around the clock Auror protection. Until Dumbledore has been apprehended we will consider him a threat to you."
"What about my parents?"
"If they are not at your home with you they will have their own officer watching them. I doubt they will be targeted but it is better to be safe than sorry. Dumbledore could use them as leverage against you."
"Thank you ma'am. I'm glad not all adults are useless." harry glumly said.
Ms Bones shook her head at the things that had happened to Harry to give him that impression. "Yes I know. I'm sorry that too many have failed you Harry. I hope we can change that impression."
Nodding at the seriousness of the situation they began the walk back to Hermione's house. The Auror introduced himself as Francis Muldoon, originally from Ireland but moved here in the years after the first war. To try and help build the numbers of the department back up. He seemed to be a nice man but his eyes where always watching the area.
"So why are you not looking over your shoulder or anything?"
"Ah lass that's because I'm using a Super-sensory spell that lets me sense all magical beings, all living people or creatures etc in a 360 degree bubble around me. I've gotten so used to it I can filter out the sensations between an earthworm and a mugger coming up from behind. Plus I have a Danger Sense spell up that should give me enough time to at least shove you lot down and throw up a shield or dodge."
"Could you teach us that spell?"
"Hmm maybe wee ma'am. They are rather advanced but then you two being who you are I can at least give it a go."
"Thank you sir."
"Ah don't be calling me sir. I'm Francis or Muldoon if you have to be formal like. You're the ones I'm guarding so should be calling you sir and ma'am you know."
Harry and Hermione both looked embarrassed about that.
"No need to be looking like that. You're important folks and even if you weren't who you where I'd still be respectful cause that's the way a person ought to be."
"I still don't understand why I'm important." Hermione huffed but quietly.
"Well young miss. You're associated with Mr Potter here who is regarded as somewhere between the second coming of Merlin and Dumbledore hisself. Being with a national hero folks tend to regard you as something special. So that makes you something special."
"But I didn't do anything to be a national hero." Harry wailed.
Muldoon considered that while they walked. Tipping his hat to a neighbor of Hermione's as they passed before he answered, "Lad I've traveled the worlds quite a bit. Both magical and mundane. Rubbed shoulders with heroes and villains in my life and you know what makes the difference?"
Harry and the others shook their heads and shrugged.
"The difference between a Hero and a Villain is how their actions are taken by the public. One person's hero is another's Villain. Most of the heroes I've known where just plain folks doing their job or where in the right place at the right time."
"Well that explains me I guess. I mean I was a toddler when Voldemort attacked me."
"Magic is a strange and wonderful thing Mr Potter sir. For all the guff and bellow the teachers at Hogwarts and the folks in the Ministry say about the rules of magic it is alive. It does what it wants to do and that's all there is to it."
Hermione's face took on a very grumpy appearance. Ginny giggled, "Mommy doesn't like that idea Mr Muldoon."
As they had reached the Granger's house Muldoon asked them to wait while he checked it out. He cast several detection spells and then took them inside where he physically checked the house. Once he said it was clear they retired to the living room.
"Well young Mrs Potter what about the idea of magic being alive don't you like?"
"The entire concept that magic is alive. Its illogical. Magic is a force like gravity or heat or atomic forces. There are principles of energy and scientific method that can describe it."
Muldoon laughed gently, "Ahh yes I'm sure you think so. Let me ask you this when you change a matchstick into a needle. How do you do it?"
"Well Einstein described that matter cannot be destroyed only transformed into energy. So you transform the matchstick into a needle by changing the pattern of the energy."
"Ah. And Mr Potter or Mrs Brown how do you do it?"
Harry frowned and knitted his brows. He was not really sure how he did it." I just kinda do it.
Lavender just said, "I picture turning it into the needle. If you see it, believe it then its real."
Muldoon sat back in the chair and put his hands over his belly. Chuckling he turned back to Hermione, "So which one of you lot have the right answer?"
Hermione bit her lip in her thinking mode. Harry watched the wheels turning in her head. "I suppose it depends on from what perspective you're looking at it."
Muldoon shrugged, "From the perspective that you wanted a needle from a matchstick."
Hermione's face showed her brain worrying over that thought like a dog with a bone. Then she seemed to come to some realization "From that perspective all three ideas are the correct one although Harry's is the least descriptive or methodical."
Muldoon grinned and nodded, "Aye that's the right answer. From the perspective of making it work any one of those methods is right. Magic is more about intent and will than it is any particular wand waving or words you say. You work with magic and she'll work with you."
"You sound like magic is a person Mr Muldoon." Hermione grumped.
"Well you might as well think so. Magic comes up with some strange ideas and works whether you think about it or not. I've not questioned the way my spells have worked just that they have. So far that's kept me alive you know. And in the end that's what matters."
"Where you ever a teacher Mr Muldoon?" Hermione was looking at him curiously.
"Not in as much no. I was born just after the great war in 19 and 19. When I got old enough I took out and explored the world. Fought against Grindelwald and worked with the muggles. After the second war wandered the land. Fell in love. Had a family. Had them get killed in the Voldemort war. And stayed here since then. I figure if I can do something to help then I might as well stay here and help. Til my dying days."
"You said his name." Harry observed. "Not many adults do."
"Aye old habits die hard. Last time he put a taboo on his name so that he knew if it was one of his followers or not who spoke his name. Ever hear the phrase speak o the devil and he'll hear ye?"
Both muggle experienced magicals nodded.
"Aye that's what he did. He had a team oh them masked devils ready to jump on you the moment you said his name. So it became habit to talk in circles. Speak around him. He used fear and terror the way we use a knife and fork. One o the reasons folks are so cowed by him and one o the reasons why they didn't ask any questions when it showed that he had been destroyed. Without him his followers where reduced down to only the most fanatical and rabid mad dogs. Which meant they had enough brains between the lot of them to fill a pint mug. But they more than made up for it in an animal cunning. The ones that managed to avoid the island though they where the smart ones. The rich ones. The ones able to buy or make a deal for their protection.
"Malfoy." Harry spat the name like it was poison.
"Aye he was the biggest to the lot. He was high up in the order I would bet my hat. And he's the biggest one in the government right now that stands in the way of a clean and free world. But don't you worry there are still plenty of us who know which side of the line to stand on. Ms Bones is a fair and good woman. She believes and trusts you. Fudge is a politician when the wind blows against him he tacks his sails. So right now he's on your side because its beneficial to him eventually he may change his tack. When that happens just hunker down and keep going. Good people will always remember no matter what in the end. I've seen good and bad people. Good and bad governments. In the end it all comes down to family and friends."
"So how do you think Voldemort got defeated the first time.?"
"Well you where a toddler. And barring the biggest example of miracle magic ever seen since the red sea I would bet your ma had a lot more to do with it than you did. That's why on that night every year I light a candle and raise a pint to her and yer dad. I never met them and I doubt half the things written about them are true but the fact they where there in the end is enough to do that much."
Harry quietly considered that while Hermione held his hand. Ginny sat watching her parents and hugged Harry, "Don't be sad daddy. You have family here."
Harry smiled and hugged her back, "Yeah I do."
Muldoon sensing he needed to cheer up the charges he was protecting clapped his hands, "Alright you asked about learning those spells. So which one first the Danger Sense or the Super-sensory? I might as well show you a few tricks of the trade as that's protecting you. Plus making you better at protecting yourself. Not a bad thing ever."
Hermione and Harry both chose the danger sense lavender said she didn't mind. That made Ginny pause though. "Do you think I can do magic?"
Hermione sighed, "I don't know. You might." She handed her wand over and Ginny swished it at the fruit bowl on the table. When nothing happened she sighed.
Muldoon hummed thoughtfully. Well that might not be the right wand. I've heard folks say that the wand chooses the wielder which is kinda true from a certain point of view I guess. But the better way to look at it is that the Wand and the Wielder have to be compatible. Have to want to work together, sort of like you and the missus."
Harry let Ginny try his which caused the orange to fall out of the bowl but nothing more. "Can I try yours Lavender?"
Lavender looked awkward and hesitated. Muldoon interrupted with a gentle voice, "Young miss asking to use another wizard or witches wand is something reserved for only close family or special friends. Using your mother or fathers is not uncommon among a lot of magical families, using a siblings even sometimes. But a strangers or a close friend of the family is not at all common. Its not illegal just not customary. Sort of like using someone else's shoes."
"Oh I didn't know that." Hermione and Ginny both echoed.
"No problem. I guess they don't teach theory of magic in school anymore do they?"
"No sir. Mother says they have let the standards slide quite a bit since she was in school."
Muldoon grunted in response. "No doubt due to the pure-blood bigots in the board of regents. They can get tutors and know all the old traditions. While muggle-borns are all shafted."
Hermione's face glowered at that.
"I know it isn't fair and it isn't right. But until someone or enough someones all stand up it will remain. All you can do is get the best foot you can under you and take it from there. Now do you want to know the spell or not. And young miss you can watch and see and maybe you'll get it."
Several hours went by with only a break for lunch. Harry, Hermione and Lavender getting taught several new spells and new ways to use the ones they already knew. They where getting to know Muldoon and enjoying the stories he was telling when he suddenly stopped and stood up with his wand out. A split second later there was the popop of multiple apparates in the backyard. Muldoon waved his wand as he approached the backdoor then looked out the window.
He opened the door a crack and said, "Ma'am. Knight to queen three."
"Muldoon...," A voice said before being interrupted, "Pawn to king's two Grindelovich 1947"
"Ms Bones." Muldoon said as he opened the door the rest of the way. Of the three people in the group on the Granger patio only 1 was grimly smiling. A gruff looking scarred warrior with a strange spinning eye and prosthetic leg. "Good job Muldoon. IF that's you."
"I suppose its me and if not then I'll be playing snooker with that spinning orb you call an eye old man by nightfall."
The short barking laughter from the scarred man before he clasped Muldoon's arm in a fierce handshake showed they knew each other. "Good job. Glad you're here."
"If the two of you are done I would like to get inside."
Hermione was shocked at the trio that made themselves comfortable in her parent's living room. There was Madam Bones, the tall wide man who looked like he lived under a bridge and a short, pompous looking dandy.
"Mr, Mrs Potter this is Alastair Moody. He is a specialist in many things, mostly fighting against dark wizards and witches. This is Millard Ambrose. He is a specialist in forensic mentalism. As part of the investigation I would like your permission Mr and Mrs Potter if these men could examine your daughter's mind. There is obviously something in there that is important enough for Dumbledore to abandon Hogwarts, and behave in a most suspicious and criminal manner."
Harry and Hermione held a rapid conference with Ginny and Lavender before turning back to Ms Bones. "Will it hurt her?"
"I'll try to be as gentle as I can. But it will be as in depth as I can make it. I know she's had some rather massive difficulties recently. We've seen her medical reports." Ambrose sniffed.
Moody on the other hand, "Well it ain't gonna tickle but I need to search her head after who all was in there. See if they left any presents behind."
Ginny gulped and grabbed her parent's hands. Harry whispered calming and encouraging words in her ear before she nodded. "We need to know." Hermione agreed.
Madam Bones had them sign a permission slip before Ambrose slid over to in front of Ginny.
"Okay Ginny? I need you to just relax and try to not fight me. Just let me see inside your mind. Relax. Look into my eyes. Just focus on my eyes." He said in a soft calming tone. Locking his deep blue eyes on Ginny's Hazel. After a few moments he stopped talking and except for an occasional twitch or jerk by Ginny they sat like they where in some schoolyard staring contest. It went on for several minutes.
"Well?" Hermione asked.
Ambrose looked to Ms Bones. "They are part of the investigation Millard. They deserve to know."
"Are you certain of this? It is not the usual way things work."
"Specialist Ambrose. You are sitting in front of Mr Harry Potter and his wife after having examined their daughter. You will at the very least give a general report of your findings. Anything detailed can be written up and given to myself or Shacklebolt."
"As you wish Ma'am. Miss Potter has a lot of large empty gaps in her mental landscape. Its like a freshly grown field. Appropriate to an individual of 10 years old. There are some pockets of rough areas. Things that have not been smoothed out yet but nothing detailed. There is utterly no trace of anything before she came here. Nothing. She has no memories of Hogwarts, being sorted or having cast magic. Aside from those memories that she has received second hand from being told about those things."
"So you cannot find anything that would be of interest?"
"Nothing specific. I need to return to my office and analyze things a bit further."
"So is she going to be alright?" Harry pushed out of concern.
Ambrose sighed and turned to Harry, "No Mr Potter there is nothing in there that would be a threat to her health and safety though as her basic core personality while altered is still strong. There is a set of morals and ethics and the usual basic skills which while vague and could stand to be tightened up she should pose no more threat to the secrecy act than any other magical child. Might I make a suggestion."
Harry and Hermione nodded.
"I would suggest though that she not be taken among muggles until she can learn to not refer to you as her parents in front of others. The girls who where in the park earlier keyed on that."
"Maybe as a sibling or something?"
"But that would be lying and lying is bad." Ginny frowned.
Ambrose sighed like he was not happy working with children.
Moody gruffed, "Young lady, yes lying is bad. However sometimes you got to do a small bad thing to keep from having a big bad thing happen."
"So why is it bad to call mom and dad, mom and dad?"
"DO you know how old you are?" Moody asked.
"I'm... I think I'm 10 cause that's what he said." Ginny said pointing at Ambrose.
Ambrose scoffed, "I said MENTALLY you are ten." Stressing the word mentally. "Mentally and emotionally you are a ten year old girl, physically you are somewhat older."
Ms. Bones clearing her throat caused Ambrose to stop and put a false smile on. "yes well you are a 12 year old girl physically. But Mentally you are 10. Almost everything over the last 2 years have been removed. Anything to do with the Weasleys has been removed. You have very large gaps in your mind don't you?"
Ginny looked down at the floor before nodding.
"Well unfortunately I would say those memories are gone. Completely totally irrecoverably gone. She will grow and lay down new memories but anything that was in there has been plowed over and planted under. Now unless there is anything else ma'am I should return to the office and being analyzing what little dregs there where able to be recovered." Ambrose said standing and with the nod from Ms Bones left.
"Sorry about him. He is a bit of a stuffed shirt but he is really the best in his field."
"So if he's the best in his field why do you need him?" Hermione said pointing at Moody.
"Because I'm the best in MY field. I have put more bad guys in the ban or the ground than a dozen other aurors. I've been on the front lines for 50 years and if a dark wizard is anywhere I can find him."
Harry laughed a bit hollowly, "So where where you when my mother died?"
Moody had looked like he was going to snap at harry when he laughed but hearing his question the grizzled auror chewed the inside of his cheek for a minute. "I was flat on my back in Saint Mungo's getting used to the idea of being a one eyed old fat man with half a leg gone. I had been jumped by about a half dozen or so Death Eaters and took several of them down with me before they got lucky. Never forget boy that luck is one of the biggest factors in any battle. You can be the best you can be but one lucky shot and..." he left off as he tapped his wooden leg.
"Now instead of coddling you, or talking down to you let me blunt and to the point." He sat down in front of Ginny. "From what I was told you had an echo of Voldemort rattling around in your head for almost a year. You've had multiple people trampling around inside your head so its probably going to look like King's crossing in there. But you've also drawn the attention of Albus Dumbledore. Someone I used to consider a friend and those are few and far between. Now he's done some mighty bad things and crossed the line. So I need to take a look in your head little girl to see whats got such a hornet nest stirred up. I'll be as gentle as I can but I may need to turn over a few stones and peek under. I'll not say or do anything to embarrass ye. Your girly stuff don't concern me. Ok? I've seen and done more than what you could ever believe."
Ginny nodded. Hermione appreciated the more honest wizard's comments squeezed Ginny's hand in support.
"Alright now when I get in there. Don't break contact no matter what you two. I know it may wind up looking rough but if you break the contact early you could injure her more than me. Got it?"
Harry and Hermione nodded. "We understand."
There was no calm chanting, no smooth easy hypnotic rhythm Moody took his wand placed its tip between Ginny's eyes which crossed to watch it. Then her eyes closed. Moody's face took on a pensive questioning look. Several minutes went by. Ginny started whimpering and shuddering. Moody looked grim. Ginny let out a scream that sounded like the girl was being murdered before their eyes. Hermione almost stunned Moody but her broke contact at that exact moment and settled for grabbing Ginny in a deep hug as she sobbed her eyes out.
"Amelia send someone to get Ambrose. I don't know what game he's playing but there is no way he missed that."
Amelia was already talking into a pocket mirror, giving orders and not asking if the person was going to follow them.
Harry was very concerned by this, "What's going on?"
"I'll tell you in a few. Get ready to move. Muldoon grab Brown and Harry. I got the potter girls. Site R"
Standing up Harry and Lavender where grabbed by Muldoon and suddenly squeezed through a straw. When they arrived wherever they where Harry fell to the floor and unloaded his lunch, his breakfast and every meal back to his first solid foods it felt like. "I will never be mean to a glass of water again." He said rolling over onto his back.
"Yeah sorry that was a combat apparate, a wee bit more uncomfortable than a normal." Muldoon said as he cleaned up Harry's mess. Lavender was sitting on the ground with her head between her knees harry saw so he did not feel quite so bad.
The pop of two more people apparating in made Harry wince but he sat up and saw Muldoon pointing his wand at Moody who held his wife and daughter. "Huntsman 56."
"Warrington 63"
They both lowered their wands.
Ms Bones stepped up, "Ok Moody report. What happened?"
Ignoring her Moody turned to Harry, "You got House elves right?"
"Yes."
"Have them clean that house out of everything. I don't want a skin cell left in it. Muldoon get the Granger Parents."
Muldoon popped out just as Harry called for Dobby.
"Dobby!"
"Yes Mister harry sir."
"Go back to the house. Clean the place up and bring everything here?" He said looking at Moody who nodded.
Dobby sensing the stress and urgency started popping in and out so fast he was a blur. Hedwig's startled screech was only calmed when she flew over to Harry.
The Grangers returned with Muldoon. Looking only slightly green.
"Ok Now can I please know what's going on Moody?"
"Ms Brown? You're Charles and Amanda's girl right?"
"Yes sir."
"Why don't you take the young miss Potter into the other room there and get some hot coca. I need to talk to the adults in the room."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other in surprise as they where being counted among the adults.
Ginny didn't look like she wanted to go but with a hug from Hermione and Emma she went with Lavender. Walking drunkenly holding on to Lavender like a scared little girl. This gave Harry a moment to look around and see that they seemed to be in some kind of warehouse. Rapidly filling with the entire contents of the Granger home. Neatly arranged into a parody of the rooms. Right down to the carpets.
Daniel looked around and got a rather curious expression. Not quite sure if he was seeing what he saw. "Uh are we in a Victorian warehouse having the entire contents of our house being replaced here?"
Moody grinned at the man, "Yes you are. Nice catch on the age of the building. Care to guess where?"
Daniel cocked his head in a very strange parallel with Luna. "Hmm. I can't hear much sound so either you're using your magic or we are not in a big city."
"Good notice. I see where your daughter gets her brains from."
Daniel grinned, "Well half of them at least."
Emma shook her head. "Well I too would like some sort of explanation." She said as her Renault from the garage suddenly appeared in the corner of the warehouse.
Moody walked over to the living room and sat in an easy chair. Ms. Bones looking like she wanted to beat the man with his own wooden leg walked over and pulled up a dining room chair. Everyone else settled in a chair or on the couch.
"Amelia I don't know what game Ambrose is playing but he saw the same thing I did. I followed his psychic footprint right to it. And let me tell you it was not easy picking his out because there have been more footprints running around her head than the ground to the jakes at a Quidditch cup."
"So the grassy plain and stuff isn't accurate."
"It is. But a lot of it is an artificial construct. It was very subtly done and is a masterpiece. Without it though she would be a vegetable."
Those words took the breath away from everyone in the room.
"Are you sure you're not a mind healer." Hermione snapped at him.
"No I'm not. I'm someone who has seen the end result of long term imperious, confundus and other things. She was possessed multiple times by a none too gentle Voldemort. She had a strong mind erasing potion dumped on her. And She had Albus messing around in there. Lucky for us he was trying not to tug on the strings she and Voldemort wove in there.
"I'm confused. So are her memories in her head or not?" Emma asked.
"Nope. When Voldemort possessed her he overwrote parts of her life. I'm not sure if he did it on purpose as a way of taking her over or if it was an accident because of the method he used or what. But bits and pieces of her where destroyed with each possession. They are gone. Her childhood, her growing up with her siblings, her parents all gone. But you see the mind is a fun and tricky thing. She wove a blanket to hide that ugliness, to cover up the gaping holes. That blanket is a false construct but since her own mind made it it looks like to most people like that's the way its supposed to be. Now I'm trained and experienced to pull at the little threads and see whats underneath. But that could be a problem. Because if I tear too hard or pull on too many strings that can tear that nice blanket she built away. Unfortunately there isn't enough of his memories in her to build a person, and there isn't enough of her own to build a person. And if we took the two that are there and tried to build a person well that wouldn't be very good either."
"So can you tell what Dumbledore was looking for?"
"Not without tearing up too many of those threads Amelia. I can see where Albus was worrying on some of them and caught a glimpse of some of the memories underneath. Some pretty bad things."
"That means if he gets her and pulls on those threads to get after Voldemort's memories that will kill Ginny?" Harry was shaking his head unsure how to rectify the thought of the headmaster being the kindly grandfather he tried to let the students see and the man who would kill or destroy people.
"Yep. I thought Albus was a better person than that. But I think the last war he started losing his marbles a bit. Sometime before your parents took down Voldemort he started playing his cards a lot closer to the vest. Ever since then he has been downright hoarding information. A dangerous thing if he expects people to work with him."
Harry's mouth fell open. This was the second person to not think he had somehow destroyed Voldemort when he was a toddler. "You don't think I did something to stop him?"
Moody outright laughed at that, "Oh that's a good one there. You where a toddler. Your mum had to be one of the smartest witches I've ever had the pleasure to know. And your father man he could throw spells fast as you please. Between the two of them they had to have done something that night. Though no one really knows. Everything about that night is supposition and comes straight from Albus Dumbledore. Which makes it very suspicious given recent events."
Before anyone else could say anything else the mirror in Ms Bones pocket started buzzing. She pulled it out and stepped off to the side.
"You knew my parents?" Harry quietly asked. Finding someone else who seemed to know his parents and was willing to talk about them was not going to be wasted.
"Sonny, I not only knew them I fought alongside of them and cried some of the few tears I ever have shed over their graves. Your parents where tough yet loved deeply. They fought like a single mind and when they where teamed with the Longbottoms it was a beautiful dance. Like watching predators moving through a herd of gazelles. His buddies the Marauders didn't mesh as well as the four of them. Too much ego and not enough bite. Like that hotshot Black who would take off and do his own thing no matter what he was told. And Lupin with his monthly problem taking him out of things for 3 days each month and whinging on about it the other 27. Then Pettigrew, that little worm was a weak little jerk standing in their shadows so no surprise how he turned out though."
Harry wasn't able to say anything before Ms Bones came back over, "Well Moody you called it. Ambrose never showed up at the office or his home. He's gone."
"Any idea whose side?"
"None. I have teams searching his office and home. And I've put a bulletin out on him."
"Good enough I guess. So for now looks like you guys are going to be under protective custody."
"What about going back to school?" Hermione was worried about that of course.
"Minerva already has made a lot of changes to the security of the school. Dumbledore has been blocked from the wards and Snape was discharged. Better than being discharged he is sitting in a cell in the ministry basements." Ms Bones stated. "So I suppose if you wanted to we could escort you there. Ginny is going to be the prime target wherever she is though."
"Dumbledore is always going on about how Hogwarts is the safest place in all of the U.K. So maybe putting them there wouldn't be a bad idea. Besides I think it would be quite the laugh if we could get the Granger's to teach muggle studies for Minerva." Moody said.
Bones looked like she was channeling Professor McGonnegal at what he said, "Somehow Mad-eye I doubt the board of regents or the Wizengamut would find it as humorous."
"Amelia. You and I both know the only two people on the board of regents with any brains or power are Longbottom and Malfoy. Longbottom may be a stuffy old battleaxe but she is not going to turn down putting intelligent people in the right spot, especially if you sell it to her as getting one over on both Voldemort and Albus."
"And as for Lucius. He will no doubt recognize the name Granger and figure things out."
"Well you let me have a little talk with him and I'll garuntee you he will not get in the way."
"And you won't hurt him?"
"I won't harm a pretty hair on that ponce head of his."
Turning to the Grangers Ms Bones asked, "Well if I could convince Minerva to go along with this mad scheme would the two of you be willing to go along with it?"
Hermione turned to her parents with an excited gleam in her eyes, "Oh Please Mom, Dad, it would be so wonderful to have you guys there.