Chapter Fifteen – Making mad plans
Luna looked around at the gates of the old castle and sighed.
"What's the matter Luna?" Harry asked the young girl.
"Nothing really Harry, it's just a long walk and I'm still tired from yesterday" she moaned eyeing the long pathway up to the castle.
Harry laughed and with a nod to Hermione, took hold of her hand. Luna looked up in surprise and then at Hermione who had taken Harry's other hand. They all started walking up to the castle when the world blurred around them, and they were all stood in front of the two large wooden main doors of the school.
"That better Luna?" Harry asked with an amused smile.
"What? How? That not possible, you cannot apparate in Hogwarts, everyone know that." Luna said in disbelief.
"Hogwarts Heirs remember, and who said we apparated? But we can only do that at Hogwarts." Harry told her.
"Wow, what did we do then?" Luna asked.
"Not sure what it's called, but since our little incident in the tent, I seem to know how to do it. Anyway it beats walking. Come on let's get to Professor McGonagall's office." And he opened the main door and started to walk to the office. As it was still early in the day, the castle was quite with most of the students in class. The odd student was walking the corridors and spotted the trio as they walked hand in hand; most just nodded to Harry, but a few said 'Hello' as they walked past. Harry started to feel a sense of unease coming from his wife as they were noticed, so with a wave of his hand he conjured Hogwarts robes for them all. Instead of the Gryffindor image on his and Hermione's and the Ravenclaw's on Luna's they all wore the image of the four founders, with a silver sword shining in the centre; the image of Excalibur and the sign for house of Emrys.
"Much better!" Hermione muttered, admiring the delicate fabric that her husband had conjured. "It feels like silk" she said.
"Acromantula silk love, nothing but the best for you. And the conjuring is permanent."
"Wow, thanks Harry, these are a lot better than my other robes, but why the new image on mine?" Luna asked.
"Because you are with us now, and we are not really returning to school yet." Harry told her.
Soon the trio had made their way to the entrance to the headmistress's office. As soon as they arrived the gargoyle moved out of the way with a salute.
"She is up there, but not alone sir. The young girl you saved and her parents are with her."
"Thank you Cecil." Harry replied and they all ascended up the spiral staircase to the main office. Getting to the top, Harry politely knocked on the door and after a muffled "come in" they entered the office. Seated were Mr and Mrs Perkins with young Charlotte sat in-between them, Professor McGonagall was standing, serving tea.
"Harry, Hermione and Luna! What a pleasant surprise; what brings you three here?" She asked the trio. Before any of the trio could answer Charlotte jumped up shouting "Harry!" and ran over and flung herself at him. "Oh Harry, its soooo good to see you." She said as she tried to cuddle up to him.
"Charlotte! Let that young man go." Her mother told her. "I'm sorry Mr Potter, but it seems our daughter has a bad case of hero worship." She told him.
Harry had meanwhile managed to move the young girl so she was now stood next to him. "It's okay Mrs Perkins. It is good to see her looking so well."
The headmistress had just conjured a new large sofa for the three to sit on. Harry and Hermione were about to sit down when the room was invaded by another presence.
"MUMMY! DADDY!" A small young looking blonde haired girl appeared out of thin air and raced to the pair, flinging herself at the couple. As she did she also held Charlotte. "SIS!" the young blonde shouted creating a four-way hug.
Finally Harry managed to disentangle himself from the scrum of arms. "Lady Hogwarts! What happened to you?" he asked the blonde.
With a smile the young girl stood and slowly morphed into the older, serene looking woman that they had meet in the ward room. "Is this better? Since you two are my parents I figured that you would like the greeting of a small child. Was I in error?" she asked in a singsong voice, that seemed to have many facets all overlaying each other.
"No off course not, you just surprised up that's all." Hermione told her. Finally the trio managed to sit. Charlotte immediately sat in Harry's lap, sticking her tongue out at her mother as she did. Lady Hogwarts sat on Hermione's lap, having reverted to the small blonde child and Luna was sat in the middle. All in all the sofa was looking rather full.
"Well yes, Lady Hogwarts, I thought you said you would not appear to me anymore, only to Harry, Hermione and Luna?" the Headmistress asked the young girl.
"I lied!" came the child-like reply. "Well okay I didn't lie, but since I gained a new sister and new parents I have found myself more 'alive' than I have in centuries. So here I am."
The two parents of Charlotte looked around in confusion. Finally Mr Perkins spoke.
"Can someone tell me what is going on, why is that girl calling our 'Lotte her sister?" he asked somewhat annoyed.
"Mr Perkins..." the headmistress began.
"Call me Frank please." He interrupted.
"...certainly, Frank, I know this is all very confusing for you; Merlin knows it is for me; The young girl you can see sat on Mrs Potter's lap in not in fact human, but as far as I know she is a representation of the castle itself. You see after centuries of magical children passing through the school, their magic became imbued into the very fabric of the castle itself, so much so that the castle became alive, sentient and aware. Lady Hogwarts is the magical representation of that magic. She is the 'child of the castle' as it were. Now it appears that Lord and Lady Potter are the direct descendants of the original builders of this castle and as such are considered to be the Heirs of Hogwarts, so the Lady Hogwarts..."
"Call me Cassiopeia or Cassie for short..."
"...Thank you, Cassie considers them to be her 'parents'. Now as it seems that your daughter is now forever linked to the castle, Cassie has 'adopted' her as her new sister."
Cassie was nodding and smiling as Minerva spoke. "And I will look after her forever, we have been speaking since her re-birth and we know a lot about each other now. She can help me to become more real and I will help her adjust to her new life here. She is forever linked to me now, but she will never be lonely. I have created some new rooms for her to live in and also allowed for the creation of a permanent portal between her quarters and your house. However Daddy...sorry Harry will have to create the actual portal. You will be able to visit anytime out of term time until 'Lottie graduates. After then you will be able to visit her quarters anytime you wish."
Both Charlotte and Cassie looked up at Harry, who with a small smile waved his hand and muttered some arcane words. With a small flash he glowed red and smiled.
"The portal is now created as you requested daughter." Cassie grinned up at him and then shouted
" Calla!" with a pop a young house elf appeared.
"You is calling Lady Hogwarts?" she asked the young blonde.
"Yes, this is Charlotte Perkins or 'Lottie if you like. She is magically bound to the castle for all eternity. Can you and your kin look after her for me?"
"Yes My Lady, it would be an honour to look after her." Calla replied bowing to the young girl before walking over to Charlotte who was still sat in Harry's lap.
"My Mistress, I is Calla. Will you consent to bond with me as your Elf?" she asked in a formal voice.
Charlotte looked at Harry first and upon seeing him smile and nod at her she turned to the small creature stood in front of her. She slid off Harry's knee and bent down in front of Calla.
"Calla, I will bond with you, but not as a servant or slave, but as a friend and companion of that is allowed."
Calla's eyes widened and tears sprung in her big eyes. "Yes, my friend it is allowed." Magical light embraced the pair and when it faded Calla was a little taller and her face had taken on a more human look. Gone were the large eyes and were replaced by much smaller slitted cat like eyes, a deep purple colour. She had long purple tinted hair and was wearing a small dress.
"Thank you my friend, we will talk later. Is there anything I can do for you at the moment?"
"Thank you Calla, if you don't mind could you move my things from my dorm to my new room." Looking up at Cassie she asked.
"Off course my friend!" and with a 'pop' Calla vanished.
"Are my new rooms near the Hufflepuff common room, I still would like to be with my friends if possible?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes my dear, there is a new opening behind one of the tapestries that only you and anyone you allow can see and open." Cassie replied.
"Thank you. Err Headmistress, how are we going to let the school know about me? No one has seen me since I came back, and I know that you told the school I was dead. Won't it be a bit of a shock for them?"
"Yes I guess it will be. We can present you at the evening meal if you wish. I will make some announcement and ask that you be allowed to reintegrate with the school."
"Err okay. Harry will you come with me when we do this please. It would help me enormously if you would be there." She replied with a blush
"Now Charlotte, you haven't got designs on my husband have you?" Hermione asked with a slight grin.
Charlotte blushed from head to toe and looked up at the older witch in shock. "No Lady Potter, of course not...but you do have to admit, he is a bit a looker" she said with a rare grin.
"CHARLOTTE PERKINS!" her mother shouted, causing everyone to laugh.
"It's okay Charlotte, but just remember, he is mine." Hermione told her, smiling but with some steel in her voice. Charlotte gulped and nodded, before moving back to her parents.
Mrs Perkins looked at the young blonde girl sat in Hermione's lap.
"May I ask a question Lady Hogwarts?"
"Off course, Sarah."
"Err how did you know my name?" Sarah asked.
"Easy, 'Lottie told me, just now" Cassie replied.
"How, I never heard her speak?" her mother asked.
"Oh, she told me in her mind. I told you we are linked."
"That's amazing. Anyway, earlier you mentioned that our 'Lottie was going to be linked with the castle for all eternity. Surely you mean until she gets old and ... er passes over."
Lady Hogwarts smiled and winked at Harry before turning back to the parents. "Well, that's not so true. When Harry brought her back, he slightly overpowered the spell. It was his first time an all, so that's not so surprising. Thing is, both he and the Lady Potter are immortal, and they passed a little of that over to Charlotte. Whilst she is not truly immortal, she will live a very long time, and then when she finally does pass over, her spirit will become one with the castles. In a way she will live forever with me."
"How long will I live?" Charlotte asked in an awed voice.
"Well baring accident, many centuries, maybe more. You will age very slowly once you reach your maturity."
"But I will have to live here...forever?"
"Well yes, but you will be able to leave for a few hours, maybe a day at the most."
"Sorry Charlotte, but it was the best I could do." Harry told the young girl.
"Harry, after spending a few days as a ghost, this is a small price to pay. I know I will always have a home and I will always be loved. I am alive and that is a gift that I will not squander."
"You are a brave girl and you will turn into a wise witch. The world is better with you in it." Hermione told her.
"Thank you, do you all mind if I take Mum and Dad to my new quarters?" she asked.
"No that will be fine." The headmistress told her.
"Come on 'Lottie, I will show you the way." Cassie told her. "Will you two please not leave until I can speak to you? There is much to discuss." she asked Harry and Hermione. They both nodded and with a final wave, the Perkins left with the child of the castle.
"Well, now it's just the four of us, what can Hogwarts help you three with?" Professor McGonagall asked the trio.
Harry looked at his ex Headmistress and sighed. "Minerva, we have managed to find another Horcrux but we will need yours and Albus's help if we are to safely retrieve the item."
Minerva looked over at the portrait of the ex-Headmaster. Since Snape had tortured it, Albus had not spoken to her. He just sat in his chair, shaking slightly with a vacant expression on his face. She wasn't sure what was matter with the portrait but it saddened her to see 'him' in such a state.
"Harry, I think Severus did something to the portrait of Albus. He has not spoken not given any indication that he is still in there. Can I ask what and where this Horcrux is located?"
"Well, the Horcrux is Helga Hufflepuff's old cup, but it is its location that's a problem. You see Bellatrix Lestrange kept it in her Gringotts vault, but it seems that Voldemort asked her to move it. The Goblins placed a tracking charm on both the cup and Bellatrix when she took the cup away. She took it to the Lord and Lady for safekeeping in a forest in Transylvania. She took it to the castle there, Castle Dracule."
"Oh shit!" Minerva swore. "The Lord and Lady are monsters, how are you going to get the cup from them?"
"That's why we are here. We need to use the library to see if we can find anything to help us." Hermione spoke up.
"Hermione, you need not even ask. As Heirs to the Founders, even though you don't own Lady Hogwarts herself, you DO own the school building and contents. I looked it up in the charter for you. Any book in the library is yours to peruse."
"Thank you Minerva, we sorta knew that we owned to contents, but you are still headmistress and we owe you the curtsey of asking for your permission." Hermione replied with a smile.
"Well thank you, but you have full access to the library. Is there anything else we can help you with?"
"Well, yes I need to go to Rowena's private room, The Eagles Nest. I need to speak to my ancestor and something is telling me we will find her there." Hermione replied.
"You know where it is?...of course you do Lady Ravenclaw." Minerva asked before answering her own question with a smile.
"Which do you want to do first love?" Harry asked her.
"I think the Nest; we may find some books there that may help us as well considering Rowena's love of learning."
"Ok, no time like the present. Coming Luna? Minerva?" Harry said with a grin.
Luna nodded but Professor McGonagall looked sad as she shook her head. "Sorry you three but I have got a class in five minutes. Even though I am now the Headmistress, I still take the Transfiguration class as we have not been able to hire anyone else. We are also struggling with a Defence teacher as the Carrows are indisposed...or dead" she said the last with a grin.
"Well I would suggest Remus, but what with Tonks about to give birth any moment, I'm not sure he would accept. What about Bill Weasley. He's not working at the moment." Harry mused.
"Hmm, good idea. I'll send an owl to him asking him if he could help." The Headmistress replied. Just as they were about to leave, Albus's portrait began to glow, and the slumbering figure stopped twitching and opened his eyes.
"Harry, Hermione may I have word?" he asked. "Minerva and Miss Lovegood, you may stay too."
"Albus, but how?" Minerva asked.
Harry looked closely at the portrait, his eyes narrowed before he grinned. "Ma'am, I don't think that that is the Headmaster's portrait speaking, is it Sir?" he turned to the painting.
Albus grinned and suddenly glowed, the figure stepped away from the wall, his legs appearing from behind the stonework, leaving the twitching portrait behind. The glowing figure moved to the centre of the room and smiled broadly at Harry.
"Well, well. Fancy you figuring it out my boy." He grinned as he spoke, the figure losing his 'Albus' look and taking on an ageless look about him. His beard was short, but white, and his face kind. His eyes glowed gold and he wore a blue cloak.
"Well, I guess I must be addressing the entity responsible for mine and 'Mione's immortality."
"Yes, my son you are. I'm sorry for placing the burden on you both, but it was the only way to bring you both back."
"Well, yes. I'm not sure if we can thank you yet, but I am grateful that I can be with my beloved 'Mione. What do we call you sir?" Harry asked.
"I have had many names over the eons, with Albus Dumbledore been my most recent; but my favourite over the years has been Merlin." He replied with a smile.
Both Harry and Hermione gasped. "Merlin, as in Emrys? That means we are related to you?" Hermione asked in a stunned voice.
Merlin smiled and nodded. "When I took human form that time, I didn't expect to fall in love and have children, but I did. I had one daughter and one son. Harry you are related to my daughter and Hermione you are related to my son. As the two lines diverged both sides grew apart, but you two have reunited them. You both get your enormous power for me in some part."
"Wow, that's just...amazing. How come you are here?" Hermione asked.
Merlin laughed and shook his head. "I wasn't supposed to be, but the Gods of Time have allowed me one brief moment to speak to you. I need to tell you that Voldemort is not the biggest threat, not now. You both need to kill him first, but the creature that you both know as Ron is a threat to the whole of creation if he gets hold of the power he craves. You need to stop him before it is too late. To do so, you will need to use the power of the Soul Goddess. Only with her help can the world survive."
Harry laughed and replied. "Well I see where Albus got his annoying habit of been cryptic from. Could you explain that somewhat?"
Merlin smiled and shook his head once more. "I'm sorry Harry, that's all I can say to you. My time is growing short, but I will be watching you two over the coming eons. When the time is right, you will both be given the greatest gift. Before I go however, I need to speak to Miss Lovegood alone for a few seconds."
The pair looked over at Luna, who had a serene look on her face. "It will be okay you two I'll meet you at the bottom of the stairs." She told them. With a final smile Harry and Hermione left with the headmistress.
The Creature of light shifted into his true appearance. "My child, are you ready for the sacrifices you must make?"
"Yes father, I am." Luna replied.
"Good then we need to talk..."
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
Harry and Hermione had only been at the bottom of the stairs a few moments, before Luna rejoined them. She was smiling as she descended the stairs, and a very serene aura seemed to cover her.
"Well, what was that about then?" Harry asked.
"Sorry Harry, but I cannot tell you except that I was receiving some instructions. Now shall we go to the Nest? I am looking forward to seeing it."
"Er ok. It's this way." Harry replied, and he began to lead the trio to a remote section of the castle. They ascended one of the mostly unused turrets in the south tower and soon they reached the very top of the turret. Here was an empty small room with a small fireplace set in the wall. Tiny windows were scattered on the walls, all looking out around the turret. There was obviously no more room for anything else. Luna looked curiously at Harry who had moved to the fireplace. Carved into the stone fire place on the right hand side was a tiny Eagle in flight, its wings extended. It was a beautiful piece of carving, and if you looked closely enough you could even see the individual feathers on the bird. Harry motioned for Hermione to come forward.
"Mione, if you would do the honours." He asked. Hermione moved towards the fireplace and placed her hand over the carved Eagle. After a moment she removed the hand and the Eagle had gone. Suddenly there was a loud cry of a bird and as they all looked outside, the Eagle could be seen flying around the tower. It flew faster and faster around the small tower until all that could be seen was a blur. Suddenly a set of ladders magically appeared in the centre of the room, and a hatch in the ceiling, much like the one used in the Divination class. Harry smiled and climbed the ladder, throwing open the trap door, and then climbing into the new room that had appeared on top of the top floor of the turret. Impossibly the new room was much bigger than the space the turret would allow, almost three times the size of the room below. A small desk was sat in one corner but most of the room was taken up by large bookcases full of books. Hermione was practically drooling at the sight of all the books, and had totally ignored the ghostly shape of Helena sat on one of the comfy looking sofa's sat in the centre of the room.
"Welcome to my mother's rooms. Hermione...HERMIONE!" she repeated.
"What?...oh hello Helena." Hermione replied, startled out of her stupor.
"Well yes, anyway, Hermione all these books are yours...Oh she's gone again. Mother used to do that when faced with new learning, Harry would you mind."
With a laugh, Harry took hold of his dribbling wife and soundly kissed her. Her eye lids fluttered and finally focused on Harry. As he released her he looked lovingly at her. "Better now love?" he asked.
"Sorry yes, but when I was told all these were mine, I sort of lost it a little." She apologised, desperately trying not to look at the shelves containing her new books. Helena actually gave a laugh as the young woman apologized.
"No matter Hermione, It's good to see my mother's books in good hands. All I can tell you about their content is that what you currently seek will best be found in the main library. Mother's books will contain very little about that what is Dark. Now come and sit with me my dear."
Hermione slowly sat next to the ghost of her great-great plus a lot of more great's grandmother. They spoke for a long time about both of their lives, about Helena's sad brief life and about Hermione's home and school life. Both learnt a lot about each other as well as themselves. As they came to the end of their talk, the room glowed and the Eagle that was still flying around outside, flew in through one of the windows. The Eagle landed on the floor in the centre of the room and stood for a while, before blurring into a raven haired beautiful woman. She looked around thirty years of age and had flawless skin with chocolate brown eyes. She smiled at the people in to room, who looked at her startled. It was Helena who spoke first. "Mother!"
At this everyone was surprised, and all stood. "Lady Ravenclaw, it is an honour." Harry eventually said.
"Thank you young Lord Potter, I see that my friend Godric has his name in good hands. And the new Lady Ravenclaw, it is good to see you my ultimate grand-daughter." She said taking Hermione's hand, who was surprised that she felt solid and warm. With a laugh Rowena looked at her descendant.
"Yes, I am real, but I only have a short time here. I came to speak to both you and the Lord Ravenclaw, yes Harry; you are also the Lord Ravenclaw due to your marriage, as Hermione is Lady Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Slytherin due to your union. I have come to ask a boon of you both."
Harry moved over to his wife and took her hand before replying to the impossible woman stood in front of them both.
"Anything my Lady."
"I need you to both forgive me, for only with the forgiveness of the living can my daughter be reunited with me in the next world. I wronged her in life, and drove her away from me. I was stupid and blind to her needs and desires and this drove her away. I tried to get the Baron to bring her back to me, and the child was the result. I was so cross with them both that I cursed them to a life of emptiness and loneliness, which resulted in Helena running away. I sent the Baron after her but this resulted in them both been killed. People blame the Baron but it was my hand that cursed him and for this I beg your forgiveness." As she spoke the Bloody Baron had appeared in the room.
"Rowena? But how?" he asked in his gravelly voice. Helena had moved away from him, hissing under her breath as she did.
"Calm yourself child. Even though you don't remember, you loved Godwin greatly. Hermione I need your forgiveness to allow the curse to end."
Hermione had tears running down her face as she had listened to the story. "Off course I forgive you, you all have suffered for far too long and you all deserve peace." As she spoke a deep bell like sound was heard and an air of peace came over the room.
"Helena? Is that you my love?" Godwin asked, as if waking from a dream.
"Godwin, my Godwin. Oh how I missed you." Helena spoke as she floated over to the Baron. They both embraced and slowly the blood that had forever stained the Baron faded. After a while Helena looked up at her mother.
"Mother, I'm so sorry..."
"Darling, you have nothing to be sorry about. I wronged you both and I am glad that you are back together. We can all move on now if you are ready." They both nodded.
Rowena looked once more at Hermione. "Thank you, from all of us. Look after this man of yours; you will need each other in the eons to come."
The three began to glow and a bright light began to fill the room. Without a second look back, both Helena and Godwin walked to the light and vanished, their eyes locked on each other. Before she left Rowena looked over at Luna and her eyes widened as she saw something that no one else could see. She curtsied to Luna, and bowed her head. "My Lady!" was all she said before she also walked into the light and faded from view. The light dimmed and soon the room was empty once more except for the trio left behind.
"That was beautiful." Hermione sniffled, "but why did she curtsy to you Luna?"
"I have no idea Hermione" Luna lied to her friend. She felt bad for lying but these two couldn't know the truth yet, there was much to be done before all of that, and some of it was going to be very painful for all concerned.
"Well we need to get going. Hermione what are we going to do with your new books?" Harry asked.
Hermione positively glowed when Harry mentioned her new books and looked longingly at them. "Well we cannot leave them here. With Rowena gone, once we leave this room will cease to exist, so we will need to move them." She looked at the books and finally closed her eyes. With a wave of her hand the books all vanished. "I have sent them to our main vault in Gringotts. We can look at them later." She said with a touch of sadness in her voice.
"Don't worry love, when this is all over you can spend as long as you like reading them." Harry said with a smile.
With final look at the room they all descended down the ladder to the small room below. As Harry shut the trapdoor and climbed down the ladder both the ladder and door faded from view. The fireplace remained but the carved Eagle was gone.
"Come on then you two, we need to hit the library." Luna told them. They all walked down the spiral stairs to the main castle and made their way to the main library.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
Ten minutes later the trio were safely sat in the library surrounded by books from both the general section of the library as well as books from the restricted section. At first Madam Pince wasn't going to allow them either access to the library itself as they were not students there nor the restricted section; once they had persuaded her to allow them in. It had taken Harry to admit to been the heir of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Slytherin as well as Ravenclaw through marriage to allow admission to the restricted section.
They spent the next hour or so looking through the books; looking for anything that would help them defeat the Vampires. Harry wasn't so much worried about been turned, he was sure his immortality would combat the curse; he was more worried about been overrun by numbers allowing the cup to be moved once more.
"Hey Harry try this bit." Hermione pointed to an obscure book that she had found. Harry read the section she was pointing to and a slow smile crept on his face. This was perfect, now how to get there and how to pull the plan off. After another hour of reading they left the library to talk to the Headmistress. As they approached the gargoyle, they could hear the headmistress approach from the other corridor and she wasn't alone. Bill and Fleur Weasley were with her talking in low voices.
"'Arry! 'ow are you?" Fleur asked as soon as she saw the trio. She walked over and hugged Harry, kissing both cheeks. This she repeated for Hermione and Luna. By this time Bill had also walked over and had taken Harry's hand, which he shook firmly.
"Harry, good to see you. Thank you for recommending me for this. It's good to be doing something useful for a while. Since the war began, Gringotts have suspended all my work, and I'm going nuts with nothing to do. It's good that Hogwarts can also take Fleur on as assistant Defence teacher."
"Bill, I'm glad you are here, you may be able to help us with a little problem." Harry told him. They all followed Minerva up to the office where she had tea waiting for them. As they sat Harry explained their problem.
"Bill we need to go to Castle Dracule, and quickly..."
"Castle Dracule, are you nuts? You will be killed for sure, that is where the Lord and Lady live and they are surrounded by hoards of Vampires. They say that the Lord and Lady were the first to be turned by Dracula himself and are all but invincible."
"Yes, we know that, but we have a plan. We just need to get there. Apperation is out of the question as we have never been there before and have no image to form in our heads. I did think about catching a muggle plane, but without passports that is impossible, even if we had them, we would still need to get there from Bucharest."
"Harry, if you must go then the best was is via floo from the Ministry. They will have a direct floo network to the Romanian ministry building and then you can floo to the village near the castle. It's called Bran and is only a few hours walk to the castle, but I really would advise against going. If you are not killed you will be turned."
"Bill, please don't worry, we have to go. If not then Voldemort will be undefeatable. Hermione and I will be safe."
"Harry, I will be going as well." Luna stated.
"Luna, you cannot go. Harry and I are protected, you are not. We cannot do that to you." Hermione told her in a worried voice.
"Then you will surely fail." Luna relied with a grave face.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked.
"If I don't go with you, what needs to happen will not, and the world will fall to darkness. Trust me Hermione, I need to go."
Harry sighed and looked over at Hermione who was looking unhappy. "I guess it's the three of us then. Now all we need to do is to get into the ministry without been detected, and I don't think they will fall for Polyjuice a second time."
They all spoke for a while about how to get to the ministry safely before finally coming up with a plan. As the day was getting on Minerva asked them all to come with her to evening meal. After all they had to re-introduce Charlotte to the school and all were very hungry. Agreeing they all left the office and began the walk to Charlotte's quarters to take her to diner.
Chapter Sixteen – Off we go to the Ministry...again!
"You ready love? Charlotte?" Harry asked as they stood next to the closed door to the main hall. Both Hermione and Charlotte nodded their heads, as Harry opened the door and they walked into the hall. Luna was already walking down the hall way with her usual disregard for anything unusual. They were assaulted by the roar of the whole school talking, chatting, laughing as they ate there evening meal. Initially they were ignored, that was until one of the Hufflepuff's saw Charlotte and screamed. Slowly the conversation died and one by one, every set of eyes turned to look at the trio as they slowly made their way down to the end of the room.
"Harry! There all looking at us!" Charlotte hissed.
"Yes, Charlotte, I can see that. Just smile and nod your head. That's what I always do."
They had now made their way to the front of the school. Luna skipped to the Ravenclaw table, sitting in a vacant spot and smiling at her fellow students. Harry and Hermione peeled off to the Gryffindor table, but not until they had hugged Charlotte as she made her way to the Hufflepuff table. The pupil at the 'Puffs table hastily made room for her, so much so that she was left alone with no one wanting to sit with her. Her fellow pupils were all eyeing her with fear and suspicion. Harry upon seeing this scowled and walked back to the young girl. Bending he kissed her gently on the cheek and in doing so presented his exposed neck for her. The rest of the school upon seeing that she didn't immediately bite him all sighed in relief.
"Honestly she's not a bloody Vampire, you lot!" he told the 'Puffs. They all managed to look ashamed and slowly moved back to their places. With a sad look at them Harry moved back to the Gryffindor table and sat back down with Hermione on one side and Neville on the other. Most of the Gryffindor's had noticed the new badge on their robes.
"Welcome back you two. How are you both doing?" Neville asked.
"Fine Nev, how are you?" Harry asked as he helped himself to a plate full of food.
"Well, what's with the new badge on your robes, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Well as I'm descended from all of the Founders either through birth, Conquest or marriage, and as I technically own the castle; I thought I would design a new badge that has all the founders in it as well as the sword of Merlin."
There was a gasp of surprise from the students around him as he told them this.
"You mean that you really are descended from Merlin Harry?" Parvati asked.
"Yeah, Mione too." Harry replied shyly.
"Who is that girl you and Hermione escorted into the hall Harry?" Seamus asked.
"Oh, that's was Charlotte Perkins, a new friend of ours." Hermione replied for Harry.
"What!? But McGonagall told us she was dead." Seamus replied.
Hermione snorted. "PROFESSOR McGonagall was right at the time, but Harry and I brought her back to life."
"Whoaaa! That's impossible; no one can bring back the dead!" Dean shouted.
"Normally yes, but Charlotte didn't die a normal death, her soul was still in this realm. Harry and I just allowed her soul to go back where it belonged."
"Sweet Merlin, just how powerful are you two?" Neville asked in awe.
Harry just smiled and winked at him. The talk slowly turned to more mundane matters as the dinner progressed. Before the puddings arrived, the Headmistress stood and cleared her throat. The conversation died away as everyone turned to look at her.
"Good evening students. You will have all noticed that we are joined by four guests today. Lord and Lady Potter as well as Miss Lovegood. We also have a bit of a surprise. It seems that Lord and Lady Potter were able to rejoin young Miss Perkin's soul with her magically restored body and return Miss Perkins to us. I want you all to welcome Miss Perkins back to us and please treat her as you would any student. One of the side-effects of the magic used is that Miss Perkins is now magically connected to Hogwarts and she cannot leave the castle grounds for any extended period of time. For that reason she will live her life here and during the holidays her parents will be staying with her in her new apartment. She is not any sort of dark creature and other than having to be magically tied to the castle for her life, she is as normal as you or I. We all thank Lord and Lady Potter for their help in this matter."
She sat back down to applause aimed both at her, the Potters and towards Charlotte, who now had a large crowd around her, congratulating her. Harry and Hermione both blushed under the scrutiny but eventually the hall settled once more as pudding was delivered.
As the evening wore on, Harry turned to Hermione. "Where are we spending the night love? Here or home?"
"Home Harry, I cannot sleep without you now, and I'm certain that Dean, Nev and Seamus wouldn't not be happy sharing the dorm with me."
"Hermione, don't forget this is our castle, we now know all of its secrets. I'm sure we can use one of the married quarters."
"Oh yeah I forgot, still that would seem wrong. I want to go home; Harry take me home and make love to me." She whispered the last part in his ear, causing him to shudder with anticipation.
Harry stood and motioned to Luna, who walked over to the pair.
"Are we going now? Oh I see, you too want to be together for the night. That's good, I will come with you if you don't mind." She said in her spacey voice. Hermione looked shocked at her announcement, causing Luna to laugh.
"No Hermione, not in that way, I mean I love you both, but not in that way. What I meant was I will come with you to the cottage. We will need to set off early tomorrow for the Ministry.
"We?" Harry asked. "Luna, it's far too dangerous for you to come, we will be going into a nest of hornets and Vampires. Mione and I will survive but you may be hurt."
"Harry we have already been over this. If I don't go with you, you will fail and the world will fall to the darkness." She stated simply. Harry just gaped at her.
"But Luna..." he began
"Harry, I know what I know, and I have to come with you both or we will fail."
Harry didn't know what to say and turned to Hermione who just shrugged.
"Okay come on then." He told the blonde, taking hold of her hand. He caught the Headmistress's eye and nodded. She gave a little wave and Harry and Hermione vanished silently taking Luna with them.
"Good luck." Professor McGonagall whispered , her sentiments echoed by Charlotte and Lady Hogwarts at the same time.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
Harry woke slowly, as the pale sunlight shone through the partly opened curtains of his and Hermione's room. It was still early, judging from the paleness of the light, but as he blinked his eyes he smiled as he remembered last night. Hermione was like a woman possessed and they had made love several time, all of them noisy and rough. He glanced down at the woman laid next to him and smiled even more. She was lying on her stomach, with her hair fanned around her head. Her skin was pale and perfect, with only the faintest of freckles sprinkled across her shoulder blades. The thin sheet was just covering her bottom and her shapely legs were bare. As he watched he could see her moving gently as she breathed, her breath gently tickling his body. As he watched her breath he couldn't quite believe that he was going to spend all of eternity with this goddess laid in front of him. He couldn't resist himself, he bent down and gently started to kiss her back and shoulders, moving slowly up to her neck. He heard her moan slightly as she began to wake and after a while she turned over.
"Morning you" she said gently. "What a lovely way to wake up." Harry bent down and slowly and gently kissed her lips and face. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her for a slow and long kiss. Her tongue gently teased his lips and he allowed her entrance and they lost themselves in each other for a while.
"Harry we need to move, we have a lot to do today." Hermione whispered to him
"Don't wanna, let's stay here." Harry whined, causing Hermione to laugh at his expression.
"Do you really mean that?" she whispered in his ear, causing him to shudder.
"Tempting but I suppose we have to save the world...again." he said. She smiled and suddenly slapped his bum. "Come on then lover-boy, let's get showered and dressed. World saving will have to wait until after breakfast."
With a shout of surprise he rolled off her falling to the floor with a loud bump. She giggled and quickly made her way to the bathroom, holding his hand and pulling him up with her. "You can wash my back!" she told him as the bathroom door shut cutting off further conversation.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
In a quite unused storeroom, deep in the bowels of the Ministry there was a sudden flame and three people and a phoenix flashed into existence. The young man was still grumbling to the bird as he arrived.
"Bloody phoenix. What use is the ability to flame if you cannot take us where we need to go."
"Young one I told you last night. Like you I cannot flame to where I have never been before. That is just not possible. You will have to do this the hard way. Bye!" and with a flash the phoenix vanished.
"Sodding bird!"
"Harry, language!" Luna and Hermione told him together, laughing slightly.
"Sorry, but he's just so..."
"Infuriating? I think he does it to wind you up Harry." Hermione told him.
Harry muttered some more before straitening up and pulling out his new staff and allowing it to regain its normal size. Waving it over Hermione and Luna and then himself he then conjured a mirror for them to view there altered appearance. Luna was now a brunette with wavy brown hair and deep brown eyes. She was taller and had a slightly fuller figure as well as looking in her late twenties. Hermione was a platinum blonde with a short bob cut. Her eyes were a startling blue colour and she was tall and willowy, and looked in her mid thirties. Harry was tall, about six foot with light brown hair and dark brown eyes. He looked about forty as there were traces of grey in his hair and he was sporting a neat beard.
"What do you all think? Will we pass muster?" he asked the girls. The both were still looking at their altered appearance. "Is it a safe charm, I mean can it be broken?" Hermione asked.
"No I used the staff, no one but you or I can break it, nor can anyone see through the glamour." He replied. Even his voice had been altered into a much deeper version of his normal voice.
"Good then we had better go. Are we all happy with the plan?" Hermione asked. They both nodded and walked to the closed door. Opening it a fraction Harry peered out to see if anyone was around. Upon seeing an empty corridor he hurriedly opened the door and ushered the girls out.
"Come on, we need to get to the atrium to make our way to the transportation department."
"Which way are the lifts?" Luna asked. Harry subtly took out his wand and whispered "Point me" to it. The wand spun in his palm before pointing to the left. They all slowly walked towards the end of the corridor where the wand spun to the right. Following the wand they quickly made their way to the lifts. Calling for the lift they cast a 'notice-not-me' charm on themselves for added protection. Soon the lift arrived and they entered. They had arrived in one of the almost unused section of the ministry as it had been decided by Bill that that would be the most un-populated section. This did mean for a long lift ride but that was soon interrupted when they stopped on another floor and two people got in. Harry's heart dropped when he recognised the pink cardigan wearing toad that was Delores Umbridge. She was accompanied by a cruel looking man they recognised as Pius Thicknesse the so called Minister of Magic. As they entered the continued a hushed conversation, not noticing the three people stood behind them.
"Delores, how goes the camps?" Thicknesse asked in his gruff voice.
"Brilliantly Minister, we have already got another batch of the half-breeds and muggle born pigs to go to the work camps. The last batch are nearly finished."
"What are you going to do with the last lot once they are exhausted?"
"Well I was going to let the Dementors have all the adults and give the children to Greyback and his friends for some sport."
"Well you can give the children to the wolf, but I have had orders from the Dark Lord. He wants the newest batch of Death Eaters to have some training with live targets. We will go and herd the beasts together and bring them to his presence."
"You are coming to the camp sir? Is that wise, what if you are seen?" Delores asked in a sick sweet voice.
"So what if I am seen, no one can doubt that the Dark Lord is going to win this war. Who's going to stop him now that Potter is dead?"
"Potter is dead? When did this happen?" Delores asked in a surprised voice.
"Word came from the Master that Snape and the Malfoy boy managed to kill him when they fled Hogwarts. It was only this news that kept them both alive for the Master was very annoyed that Hogwarts is no longer under his control, well at least for the moment." Thicknesse told her.
"And the Master is sure that the Potter brat is dead?"
"He fell from the tallest tower whilst unconscious. No one could survive that, his body must have practically dissolved when it hit" he said with a gleeful voice. Delores giggled and with a flushed expression pulled the Minister down for a loud and sloppy kiss. Before it could go any further the lift pinged to signal its arrival and the doors opened and everyone got out. Just before they all left Luna, unnoticed by the other two cast a small charm on the Toad. Harry, Hermione and Luna left quickly and found their way to a deserted corridor before turning to each other. Hermione looked angry and Luna was looking green around the gills as she remembered the toad kissing the troll.
"Harry, we have to stop them, they are going to kill innocent people and feed the children to the werewolves. We cannot let them do that" she told him, her eyes flashing dangerously.
"Mione, we will stop them, I promise but how?"
"Well we could just follow them and you know...do our thing" Hermione said
"What make it up as we go?" Harry replied with a wry grin.
"You got it!" she said with another grin.
"What about the report that I'm dead, are we going to let them think that because it may put Hogwarts in danger if Moldyshorts thinks no one is around to stop him."
"We need to stop Thicknesse and Umbitch first though" Hermione countered.
Luna looked up at the pair with a smile on her face. "Who's to say doing that won't solve both problems?"
Harry took in a long breath, slowly releasing it. "Okkkaayy, we need to do this before we can go to get the cup. We need to find Toady first."
"Okay how?" Hermione asked, knowing that the "point me" charm would not work on people.
Before Harry had a chance to answer Luna piped up. "We could always use the tracking charm I put on her."
"What? How, why did you do that?" Harry asked gobsmacked.
Luna smiled at him and for a brief moment, her eyes returned to their usual silvery blue colour. "Because I knew we would need it Harry, why else?"
"Luna Lovegood, you are amazing and don't let anyone tell you different." He told her kissing her forehead. Luna beamed at him, despite everything she knew and what she had to do, she still harboured a secret crush on Harry. She knew she wouldn't ever do anything about it; her future lay in a different path, but it still gave her a thrill. She could feel herself blushing and when she looked up she could see Hermione looking at her with a knowing look. Hermione nodded just once and Luna blushed even more. Harry was totally oblivious to all of the byplay between the two women, he was just glad that they had a way of finding Umbridge.
"Well come on then, no time to lose." He told them.
With a smile, Luna activated the charm and soon they were following a corridor to the office of Umbridge. She had moved offices since the last time they had confronted her, this one was a lot larger. They were about to try to open the door when they heard footsteps approaching the closed door. Quickly they pulled away and watched as the door opened and Dolores walked out. She had black robes on and was carrying something that looked a lot like a silver mask. Harry raised an eyebrow as he recognised the mask and they followed the now confirmed Death Eater as she made her way to the Ministers office. Unaware she was been followed she knocked on the door and let herself in, not really noticing the brief movement of air as three other people came with her. Thicknesse was just finishing putting on his black robes and looked up at his lover.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Looking forward to it Pius." She replied.
The Minister and marked Deatheater took out a Portkey and held it up.
#Mione, will a tracking charm work if the subject uses a Port-key?#
#Yes Harry, but we would have to apparate to the location quickly as the trace will fade.#
#Why not hold on to one of them and go with them?#
#They will feel it and when we land...well you know how you are with Portkeys#
Hermione felt a mental laugh in her head, as they watched the two Deatheaters vanish.
The three stood up and looked around the office briefly before Harry gazed into Luna's eyes. Luna felt his mind graze against hers and she gasped at the enormity of the power he possessed. Using the location charm she found her subject and passed the location to Harry. It seemed that the camp was in North Wales somewhere.
"Everyone ready?" Harry asked as he took both Luna's and Hermione's hand.
"Harry, there are anti-apparition wards in the Ministry building, we need to get out of here first." Luna said.
Harry just grinned at her and with a wink they silently vanished from the room.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
"Harry James Potter, don't do that to me without warning me first!" Luna told him as they re-appeared in a wooded forest.
"Sorry Luna, we had to get here quickly." He replied looking around. They were in a small grove of trees with a slight path leading off. Now that Harry was aware of the tracking charm he could practically see the route that Umbridge had taken towards the path. They all followed the path until they came to a large clearing. What they saw shocked them to the core. In front of them was a large muggle style barbed wire fence with guard towers located at every few hundred feet. There were a small number of rude huts in the centre and surrounding the perimeter were Dementors flying in all direction. They could all feel the coldness that the evil creatures created.. At the gates to the facility a few Death Eaters guards were stationed, all dressed in their usual black robes but without the masks. There was a four meter pole with the body of a witch impaled on the spike, she had obviously been tortured before her end, and had a look of horror on her face. Surrounding the pole was the decaying bodies of previous occupants of the pole, no attempt had been made to give the dead a dignified burial. Harry could smell the scent of death even from where he crouched. The guards were laughing at something and occasionally throwing stones at the dead witch. From inside the camp, screams could be occasionally heard as the systematic destruction of humanity was performed.
Harry heard Hermione heaving as she caught scent of the smell, before she turned to him.
"This stops today!" she snarled.
"Yes love, I promise. I will do a quick check of the place before we do something. Do you think you two can deal with the Dementors whist I get rid of the rest? We will need to move fast, because they will be aware of our presence as soon as we attack."
Hermione nodded and watched as Harry blurred into a small falcon. With a quick wink, he launched into the air. He had to shut down his much more powerful olfactory senses to avoid been ill due to the smell, but soon he was flying above the camp. What he saw with his powerful eyes made him almost loose his control. Umbridge and Thicknesse had called out the guards and they were dragging the prisoners by any means they could into a large group in the centre. Some were been dragged by their hair, and some by other body parts. The group was been split into adults and children, with parents obviously trying to stay with their loved ones. Harry could hear the cries and moans of the prisoners as well as the laughs of the guards. There were about twenty guards and a handful left in the observation towers. They were clearly not expecting any sort of trouble from any outside source. Flying quickly back to the girls, he swiftly blurred back to his normal form, swearing as he did.
"We need to be quick; they look ready to move them out. Hermione, you need to be fast with the Dementors and we cannot hold back. Aim to kill. Luna are you okay with this?"
Luna nodded and took out her wand. "Harry this has to be done." She told him.
Harry nodded and with a quick kiss to Hermione he took out his new staff. "Ready?" he asked. Upon seeing the nods of the girls he set off to the gate. As soon as he was in range he blasted the gates and the two guards stood in front of it apart with one swift blast of pure magic from the staff. The noise was deafening, as the explosion shook the ground. He could hear Hermione and Luna casting the Patronus charm, and was aware of a silver hare and a massive golden otter attacking the foul creatures. Ignoring that for the moment, he casually walked through what was left of the gates and into the camp itself. The guards and prisoners were equally stunned and no one moved as a figure strode through the smoke. Having cancelled the glamour's on himself earlier no one was on any doubt who was coming towards them.
"Potter? But how, you're dead!" Thicknesse gasped in shock and fear.
Harry laughed grimly, "It appears not, you Death Eater scum. Now let these people go and I may let you live." He told them, not expecting them to comply.
"Kill him, destroy him now." Thicknesse shouted, with spittle flying from his mouth as he shouted. Like all cowards as soon as he gave the order he scuttled away, taking Umbridge with him. The remaining Deatheaters were weighing up the odds. It looked like Harry was alone and they liked the odds. They slowly lined up, wands drawn and with grins on their faces. Harry casually watched them and allowed them line up.
"Hello Boys!" He drawled, moving his staff into position. A few of the more intelligent Deatheaters recognised a staff and there grins faded somewhat. No one seemed to be prepared to cast the first spell as they looked at the grinning Potter.
"Kill him!" Thicknesse ordered from the other side of the compound. This seemed to be the catalyst that the Deatheaters needed and they all started firing curses at the lone boy. The air seemed to turn dark with curses and the dust was whipped up so much that Harry became impossible to see. After a few minutes of this Thicknesse called a halt and gleefully came back over, convinced that when the dust settled they would see the broken and bloodied body of his Masters enemy.
Slowly the dust settled and with an audible gasp they were all shocked to see Harry stood with the same grin on his face. He was however not alone, he had been joined by Hermione on one side and Luna on the other. The Dementors had either been driven away or destroyed and the girls had decided to join Harry.
"That's the best you got?" Harry asked before quickly pointing the staff at Thicknesse. Before the Minister could blink, Harry cast a spell at him. It was like nothing he had seen before and would ever again, because the very atoms that made up his body were violently blown apart. Nothing was left, not even a smear of blood on the ground. Before any of the other Death-Eaters could react the spells started to come thick and fast from the trio. Soon all that was left was a pile of either dead or injured bodies. Harry whirled on the spot and one by one blasted the observation towers into pieces. Soon the only person left was Umbridge who was stood shaking with fear and fury at the scene in front of her. Harry slowly walked to her, aware that Hermione and Luna were seeing to the prisoners'.
"How dare you Potter, the Dark Lord will make you pay for this a thousand times. Killing me will not stop his vengeance."
"Delores, Delores, I have no intention of killing you...yet. Go back to your Half-Blood master and give him a message. Tell him Harry Potter said "Hi" and that like the poor marksman that he is, he just keeps missing the target. Tell him that and also tell him to run, because I will be coming for him and I will finally kill him. Tell him that Delores." And with a grin he touched her forehead with his staff. She glowed blue before vanishing. Harry stood for a while before turning to the crowd behind him.
"Mione, how are they?" he shouted.
"Bad Harry, they need medical attention and quick."
"FAWKES!, You mangy bird!" Harry shouted to the air. With a flash the phoenix appeared.
"You hollered Milord!" he said.
"Yes, Fawkes. Can you possible take these people to Hogwarts, specifically to the Great Hall? Madam Pomfrey and her healers will need to see to them. Once you've done that, can you also take the injured Deatheaters for medical attention? I will not become like HIM and let them die, they can be treated and then have their magic bound like the others in the dungeons."
Fawkes looked at him for a while before a mental grin could be felt.
"Yes Harry. You are a good man, and I am proud to be bound to you." He said sincerely.
Harry smiled and looked embarrassed for a moment, before shooing the bird away.
"Get on with you, bloody bird!" he said warmly
"Language!" came the reply before the phoenix flew around the huddled group of injured prisoners'. As he flew trails of fire were left behind until the entire group was surrounded by the red fire. With a whoosh the group vanished.
Harry slowly walked back to Hermione who took him in her arms. She held him as with her other hand she took out Ravenclaw's wand and destroyed the rest of the camp.
"Come on Harry, we need to get back to the Ministry and find our way to Romania."
Harry nodded and beckoned for Luna to join them. He concentrated and they vanished with a slight pop. The camp remained quite other that the groans of the injured, before soon they also vanished in a whirl of phoenix fire.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
It was a relatively easy job to find their way to the magical transportation department. Finding it almost empty, the trio quickly stunned the few guards and workers before Hermione found the correct floo address. Quickly activating the floo they all jumped into the green fire and vanished to Romania.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
"NOOOOOOOOOO! AVEDA KEDAVERA!"
The green fire hit the cowering Dolores in the chest and the toad knew no more.
"How can he be still alive? This is not acceptable! Someone find me Snape and that blasted Malfoy boy."
Snape was listening to this from a hidden alcove he had discovered. He was shocked that Potter was still alive, a condition that if he didn't get out of the way soon he would not be able to claim for himself. Casting a disillusment charm upon himself he crept away. Mexico sounded good about now. As he crept away, he could hear the screams as Voldemort started on young Draco. He briefly regretted not been able to help his godson, but only briefly. He winced at a particularly loud scream could be heard as he left the building. Whistling to himself he walked away from England and Voldemort. Yes Mexico was looking very nice.