Chapter 5
Remus watched Dobby put breakfast on the table with a pleased nod. Just a minute or so ago Winky told him Harry had just finished his shower and would be down shortly. Good. Like normal anymore, Alastor had seated himself next him and would join them for the meal.
By now it pushed towards the last week in June and Harry was in much better shape. While he felt for certain the potions played a huge part, it appeared more was in play than just those. Harry seemed as though he was doing it himself. Not sure what he spent his time doing in Sirius’ room, though it appeared like researching something pulled his attention, it wasn’t anything off, so he would let him have at it since it had Harry helping himself. He had, as he and Alastor discussed, tried talking to Harry about so much, attempting to get him to open up, but it didn’t work. Harry flat out wouldn’t talk about his home life and so much else, making it right clear. In very blunt terms as well. Sirius—he wouldn’t delve into the topic in the normal way either, assuming it wouldn’t end well. Instead, he and Alastor decided to go about it another way.
Today the two were going to see what Harry had to say about the Hallows research he and Sirius did. They thought it might be a good segue into other areas. Then they would go from there. After all, it appeared Harry and Sirius had bonded over the topic, so he doubted it would end badly. Their idea ran along the lines it was easing the door they needed open.
Over the last few weeks while he tried working with Harry to get him in a better place, the ex-Auror had continued to nosy around about so much and nothing he turned up they liked. Not only did the whole Dursleys topic anger both of them, but there were issues about Albus, and so much which went on, coming in a close second.
Alastor managed to wheedle plenty out of folks without them realizing what they gave up since it ended up couched as something else. No, none of it sounded good. Now they wanted to hear Harry’s end of the story before they truly judged it. However, Remus now understood why the older man wanted Albus’ fingers left out of so much. While he thought Harry held Albus in some esteem, wanting to please him, he found himself doubting it now. He just wanted to hear what the younger wizard had to say on the topic before they moved on.
“I have all the notes on the Hallows from Sirius’ old room,” Alastor told Remus after a drink from his flask. “Hopefully the lad doesn’t blow up on us about going in there and finding them.”
“As do I,” Remus agreed with a sigh and nod after sipping his tea. “If we go about it right, we might manage to hold the issue off.”
“I’m going to pull out the books Lovegood gave me and see if we can get him to explain,” Alastor groaned as he shifted around. “If we start him talking about this area, it might not bring about a blowup we don’t need, thus a setback.”
“If he’s as obsessed as James and Sirius were, it will,” Remus told him with a chuckle and smile. “It could get them off any track they were on, no matter how mad.”
“Seen that before as well,” Alastor told him with an amused snort. “It’s one of those obsessions which, when it takes over, it’s all encompassing. Hopefully, the lad follows the same path. Once we get him talking we can move things another direction.”
“I hope,” Remus agreed with a nod. However, he didn’t continue since he heard Harry coming.
Remus gave a genuine smile when he saw the son of one of his oldest friends. Harry looked pretty good. Well, honestly, he looked better than he had seen him in the past. He was still very underweight, but had new clothes which fit and looked nice, adding to how much better he looked. “Good morning, Harry,” he said. “Feeling fine I take it?”
“Doing good,” Harry told him, sitting down, putting his wand by his plate. After a quick drink of his milk, he eyed the potions lined up in front of his plate. Since they were helping with all he wanted to accomplish, he would take them. Grabbing the vials in the order they were lined up, he took them before starting to dish up some food. Because Dobby knew the foods he liked best after the elf asked him, he made sure to cook them. Just the smell made his stomach growl and he felt ready to dig in.
Though not taking the portions of someone his size normally would, Remus gave a pleased nod as Harry took what he knew he could eat then began to devour the food. It could only help everything else they were dealing with since the not eating hadn’t devolved into an eating disorder of some sort, something they worried about. From what he and Alastor read, those happened with depression and everything else Harry dealt with.
Once he piled food on his own plate, Alastor told the lad he now really liked after getting to know him once he started pulling himself out of the state he had been in, “Remus and I thought about taking a trip out of the house today. Nothing huge, mind, just a walk down to the shoppette not far from here so you can pick up some snacks. Would do you good to get out of the house for a little while. We’ll have to stay vigilant, of course, but we’ll manage.”
“I’d like that,” Harry nodded after swallowing a bit of food with a little smile. “I have plenty of Muggle money for whatever.”
“Good. Because Alastor and I have some for you, but both of us are pants at figuring out the exchange rate,” Remus chuckled, though happy with the enthusiasm. If this worked out well, they’d do it more often. It would do Harry good to get out more rather than stay locked in the house all the time with the memories of Sirius all over.
“No issue there,” Harry told him, already figuring out what he wanted to buy and what he thought the two across the table from him might like as well. After all, he wasn’t going to buy just for himself and be selfish.
Remus then pressed on, “To put this out there so you know we’re not sneaking around or not telling you; we went through Sirius’ old room looking for some items.” When Harry’s head came up, looking very unhappy, bordering on angry, he pressed on, “Nothing nefarious, I assure you. I knew you both were closer than anyone thought, just not the exact relationship. It’s the latter we were trying to figure out. While doing so we did find a document we desperately needed.”
Harry tried to keep his temper in check over someone snooping there, though he knew nothing ‘bad’ or what they didn’t want anyone knowing was hidden, it upset him. However, he honed in on the last part. “What did you find we need?” He didn’t have a clue what it might be since he knew Sirius didn’t keep anything important in there.
“Sirius’ will,” Alastor jumped in. Before the lad could say anything, he explained, “While Remus knew Sirius left everything to you, the documentation wasn’t there. Yes, there are spells to check, but it’s not definitive proof. Without the real will Bella or Narcissa could try to claim the house and estate. It’s now in the right place, so they can’t try.”
With a nod, Harry relaxed slightly then gave a nod, “Understood.” While he hurt a bit when they mentioned the will, he shoved it aside. Instead, he focused on what he needed to do to bring Sirius back. Since he now had all the research Sirius did on the topic, he could manage. He just had to figure out two parts and he could start.
Alastor figured this is where he would jump in. Pulling out the books on the Hallows, he put them on the table then the notes he found in Sirius’ old room. “We wanted to discuss the Hallows with you. I assume this is the area which drew you together. Remus said he and your dad bonded over it as well.”
“It is,” Harry smiled, nodding. “We spent tons of time talking about it and doing research.”
“Nothing wrong with doing so,” Remus said with a smile of his own.
“I’ve loved it since he introduced me to lore and how it relates to what’s going on now,” Harry told him, eating some more.
Remus had heard plenty from James and Sirius over the years about the topic, but never heard from Sirius after he opened the house. A glance at Alastor showed a confused look there as well. “I’ve never heard the last part, Harry. What do you mean by ‘relates to now’?”
“It has to do with the prophecy you lot were guarding and the other three related to it,” Harry explained, looking between the two.
“Wait,” Alastor said, holding up a hand, confused. “We know we were guarding a prophecy since Albus said it related to so much, but nothing about others dealing with the topic. Hell, we don’t even know what the one we were guarding says still.”
“I know what it says because I have a copy,” Harry told him after polishing off the rest of his food. “I also have copies of the others.”
Eyes wide, Remus looked at the obviously more confused Alastor, then asked, “How do you have copies?”
With a shrug, Harry explained, “We sent off for them. Sirius knew how to request prophecies, so he sent off a request for any relating to me. Since it’s just an automated spell, no one knows we sent for them. Even now I’m still waiting to see if there are more related to what two of them say. If there are any more, I’ll receive them like we did the others. We thought there might be more and some dealing with the Hallows.”
While Alastor ignored the part about the Hallows, though would come back to it, then inquired, “Do you mind if we see them? All the Order knew is we were guarding one, not what it said.”
With a vigorous nod, Harry called Dobby then had him fetch not only his cloak, but the research journal and folder containing all the mass of proof they compiled about the Hallows plus how it related to the prophecies.
Then, quietly, he added, not sure the reaction to what he had to say, eyes flitting between the two, “It’s because Professor Dumbledore didn’t want anyone knowing what it said. He knew if you lot found out, most everyone would end up right furious over what it means.”
“How would it make everyone angry?” Remus asked, brow drawn down in confusion. While they had a plan going in on how to handle what they wanted, this-it already ended up far afield from the matter. And he felt highly curious, and wary, over what might end up said.
When a smiling Dobby returned with all Harry wanted and refilled his milk, Harry told the elf a distracted thanks then put his cloak and the research journal aside before starting to go through the segments of the folder to find the prophecies.
After a glance of the cloak, Alastor inquired, now quite curious about what the lad knew in many areas and how it might relate to the Hallows, “Is there a reason you had Dobby bring your cloak?”
“Both of you will want real proof for some of what I say and areas in the prophecies,” Harry told him distractedly as he fished though the paperwork for what he needed.
Hand over his mouth, gut clenching slightly over what might come of it because of Harry’s comment about Albus, Remus looked at Alastor, who was looking at him as well. He had a real bad feeling about this, too.
While the lad shifted and sorted, Alastor cast a spell to alert them if someone came in. Also a note outside to leave them be unless it’s an emergency. He would let them think it came down to an issue with the lad in some way and not give any details to lean them to thinking something was off. Now he just had to wait for what Harry had then go from there.
After finally finding all four prophecies, Harry nodded to himself. He then handed the prophecy over everyone had guarded, but held onto the explanation the Unspeakables had for it. “Go ahead and read it then I’ll give you what they say it means in plain language,” he told them. Then he waited.
Alastor took the parchment then held it out in such a way both he and Remus could read it at the same time. Brow wrinkled and gut clenching slightly over what he saw, leading to an already not good speculation about what it could mean. When he finished, his face taking on a grave cast, he glanced at the lad then to an also concerned looking Remus. “While a muddle like most prophecies, I think I understand parts. Would like their explanation, though, before I get too far ahead of myself and jump to conclusions.”
While Harry knew the ‘translation’ could end up with some severe reactions, though he couldn’t be sure in what way, he handed it over then said, quietly, “On the top it says being fulfilled, which means it valid.”
After a glance at the header which did indeed say being fulfilled, Remus, gut clenching more tightly, read through what it meant, not liking anything it said.
Alastor, too, didn’t like any of the words on the damned parchment or what it meant. “Damned old goat,” he muttered, referring to Albus. “No wonder he didn’t tell us what the thing said!”
“Because if he did, he would have lost a lot of the Order,” Remus replied, shaking his head, angry himself.
“Makes me wonder what else he is hiding from us,” Alastor snorted out, not thinking what the lad may take from it. Hell, he didn’t care if Harry heard. This just shored up plenty he found out about the aging headmaster. Plus they needed to protect the young man from him from the sound of things. He planned to do so, too. At all costs.
Remus had his mouth open to agree with Alastor and speculate more when Harry cut him off.
“He’s hiding plenty,” Harry added, no longer as worried what the two might think of some of what he might come across with. Then he added, “He doesn’t know about the other three prophecies, though, and how they tie in.”
“Right, Harry, we want to hear what you know about so much,” Alastor started, keeping his tone the same as normal since this scheme started, not wanting the lad upset over how angry he grew. “Can we start with the other prophecies then move on to how you say it relates to the Hallows? It’s best to do this in order.” While dubious about the Hallows being involved, he wanted a full picture before outright rejecting anything.
“If we have questions, we’ll stop you and ask,” Remus assured him. At this juncture, after the prophecy and Harry saying something about Albus hiding plenty, he was ready to listen. Once it had all been aired out, they would put together what they could and go from there.
Genuinely surprised, but pleased, the two wanted to listen, Harry gave a small smile then pulled out the second prophecy. Before handing it over, he explained, “This also says on the top it relates to the one you just read and applies to me. As well as being fulfilled.” Then he handed it over and waited. Here is where the Hallows came in, sure there would end up skepticism over it.
Once more holding the paper out the same way he did the other so both he and Remus could read it, Alastor’s face took on a grim cast as he followed along. While he’d wait for the explanation, he thought he understood. Eyes following along very carefully so he could take in everything, missing nothing, he read.
Their life became a fable, but their line descends long. The brothers three left the Wizarding World a legacy.
The Wand.
The Ring.
The Cloak.
As they passed through their lines and others, none could fulfill the true destiny the brothers set out for their world. Never has anyone held the three at the same time. No one could take on the role they needed of them. The legacy waited until the world needed it most.
The time of strife and fear abounds, so the moment comes. One man with a boy’s face who has confronted more than those much older, the brother’s descendant has come to take on the mission.
The Walker Between Worlds lays claim to the legacy the brothers wanted.
Only those true to him will see the man as he is, the rest will see Death when he combines the three. Power and understanding, he will use them to defeat the evil which walks; but will also use it to take on the evil yet to come.
During the horrific time he claims his legacy, he knows worse is yet to come.
The time of the Master of Death has finally begun.
Head shaking as he read, Remus tried to remember all James and Sirius imparted about the Hallows, not sure what to make of it.
Alastor looked grave, not sure what to say or ask, mind all over.
When they both finished, Harry passed over the explanation to them without a word then waited.
After reading the translation, Alastor looked at Remus, a concerned expression on his face, gut giving the signal it always did when something bad presented itself. While not a big believer in prophecies, this one rang true. Now he wanted to understand.
Remus digested everything then stiffened. Not sure what to make of this, eyes drifting to Harry’s name and how the parchment said ‘being fulfilled’, he had so many questions.
“Read the other two then I’ll put it all together for you and you can ask your questions. Both of these have my name on them and say being fulfilled as well,” Harry told them, happy they weren’t out and out rejecting anything, yet anyway. Then he passed the next one over.
The two older men glanced at each other before delving in once more.
The great evil planned to ensure his conquest over Death. Objects were set for his immortality. Smart beyond his years, he made a secret to ensure his legacy continued if all else failed.
Someone agreed.
Once the event was certain, he walked away, never looking back or engaging again.
Sweet, but worshiping the evil, she raised his offspring to idolize their father then walk in his footsteps. If the worst came, the child would know their role.
The inevitable came, as prophesied, and their hatred grew. Sights set on the man who took their father.
War comes once more, worse and deadlier than any before.
The feeling in his gut growing worse, Alastor lifted his eyes and looked at Harry, saying nothing. He really didn’t need the translation for this one, but needed to see it as well to confirm if he had it right.
Remus felt a cold chill dance down his spine as he read. Shaking his head over what he felt the prophecy imparted, he wasn’t sure he wanted to read the next one, honestly.
Again, Harry passed over the translation. While Remus read the parchment, Alastor, as the man insisted he be called, didn’t, just rereading the prophecy. While what these parchments contained were nightmarish no matter how many times he read them, knowing it involved him, he felt better because it seemed the two across from him were taking it seriously, not scoffing. More than anything, them not doing so helped. He would just have to wait and see how much, though.
“Pass on the last one then we’ll discuss all this, lad,” Alastor told Harry, though not sure if he really wanted to know what the third said since the last one was the thing nightmares were made of.
Without a word, only a nod, Harry passed the final one over then waited.
With a shuddering sigh, not at all certain he wanted to know, Remus began to read after a glance at the top to see Harry’s name and the words being fulfilled.
Alastor, too, began to delve in, sure this would end up worse than the others.
They lay waiting, growing and learning. Taught at their mother’s knee and by others close to their great and terrible father, they grow into their own.
The Wizarding World trembles at their first step. Destruction and fear abounds. They walk the path of their great and terrible father, but are far worse. Having learned from mistakes made in the past, they target the one who ended his life then to fulfill father’s legacy.
All of Europe will tremble at their presence.
The UK is in their sights to make them pay, but will wait, engendering more fear before they move to the birthplace of their father.
It’s the one who ended their father who they target by trying to hit them where it hurts most.
A war the likes the UK has never seen will commence as Death and Evil face off. With the future of all Europe in the balance.
Alastor had been right; he didn’t want to know this, but needed to. Yes, much needed discussed.
Though he took the translation from Harry, Remus just put it down, not needing it. Then he took a bracing sip of tea before the time to launch in.
“Right,” Alastor started after a long pull off his flask, “let’s discuss this. We need you to tell us all you know and how so much relates.”
“And if you know parts which are cloudy even with the explanations given of them,” Remus added after having Dobby refill his beaker. From all contained in those parchments, he felt certain this would end up a long and involved discussion. Not to mention him rethinking matters he thought were nothing more than myths.
“The best place might be the prophecies, going one by one,” Harry suggested, still pleased the two seemed as though they were taking them seriously.
“Yes,” Alastor nodded, a grave look on his face. “My feeling is you know plenty more than what’s written about them.”
“I do,” Harry admitted softly, looking between the two. “Took a long time to figure out so much, but Sirius and I did.”
Once more pulling out the prophecy Dumbledore had everyone guarding, he said, looking between them, “Their interpretation doesn’t really say explain some parts. And it doesn’t mean just the face off, though it has to happen. Other things need destroyed before he can truly die.”
“Before we go further, I want to make a suggestion,” Remus said quietly. “Let’s move everything to the parlor on the top floor. Not only will we be more comfortable, but if anyone takes it in their head to come in, they won’t hear anything said.”
“Good suggestion,” Moody agreed with a nod. After seeing Harry nod as well, he stood with a groan then called Dobby to move everything for them and set up some drinks. Then began to usher everyone towards the stairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once they were all settled in on the top floor, Alastor said, “Before we go into the rest, I have a question, Harry.”
“Sure,” Harry nodded.
“Is this what you and Sirius were working on? I assume so with the prophecies and the amount of papers you have in the folder.” Alastor inquired, though sure of the answer.
“Yes,” Harry told him. “He started piecing plenty together then pulled me in because he said I needed to know. It was before he even opened the house. He slipped in a few times to gather what he needed plus the mirrors he and dad used in school. We talked though those a lot.”
“Now I think I understand more,” Remus nodded, smiling slightly. “It also explains a lot.”
“Once he opened the house it seemed like everyone tried keeping us apart, so we had to wiggle a bit,” Harry added, though quietly since he wasn’t sure how it would end up taken.
“Did rather seem like it, didn’t it?” Alastor told him. Once he started digging into the dung pile and looking back, he had noticed. Shaking his head, he then tacked on, “Let’s not go into it yet. I’m sure it’ll come up as you explain so much. When we get there, Remus and I have plenty of questions about Albus.”
After taking a biscuit and sniffing it, he prompted, “Go ahead with explaining what you need to. If me or Remus have questions we’ll stop you.”
After a sigh, trying to think were to start, Harry finally launched in, “When it comes to the prophecy you lot were guarding, it’s true I have to face him and one of us has to die. It’s just vague on something else. There are objects which need destroyed before it can get there. If he dies before all are destroyed, he can come back.”
Remus straightened up, eyes wide, “What?” That cold chill down his spine grew colder and his stomach clenched almost painfully over what this could mean for so much, especially Harry.
Having been an Auror for so long, Alastor felt certain he knew what kind of ‘objects’ the lad mentioned, feeling his gut clench and roil at the thought, feeling ill. Deciding to just toss it out there rather than dance around since Harry wasn’t being cagey on matters, “Does it mean Horcruxes, do you know?” Since it appeared the lad and Sirius did plenty of research, he thought he might know.
“Yes,” Harry said with a nod, looking at him. Then fishing around in the folder for the paper on the evil objects, he handed it to a confused looking Remus so they didn’t have to explain it.
While Remus understood You-Know-Who was the epitome of pure evil, what he just read went beyond what he could imagine. Feeling sick, he shook his head. Then he muttered, “Merlin!”
“You said objects, not object, is that right? More than one?” Alastor asked, wanting it clear before they pressed on.
“There are more than one. For sure two are gone. Quirrell since he hosted Voldemort. The diary I destroyed the second year is also gone.” Harry explained, nodding, then passed over the paper he and Sirius compiled about the topic. “It’s all the info we were able to come up with on them. There is also a spell to detect one.” Stopping, he looked between the two then said, quietly, “We know of two more, though.” Once more calling Dobby, he had the protected package in his room, making sure to tell him not to touch it.
“You said two, right?” Alastor asked, wanting to clarify. When Harry nodded, he inquired, “Any hint if Albus is hunting for them, did you two ever know?” He felt damned sure the old man might factor in after the prophecy bit. If he knew what it meant, he probably figured out the other.
“We thought he might,” Harry nodded then had a pale Dobby put the malevolent feeling package on the table. Thanking the elf, he pointed to the box then explained, “That’s one of them. It’s the Slytherin locket. Sirius found it in the house. For once he managed to get information out of Kreacher about it. Regulus found it and tried to destroy it. He couldn’t so he told Kreacher to. Even elf magic couldn’t, obviously. The paper there says only two things people know of can manage. Since we couldn’t do either way, Sirius packed it up and hid it.”
While eyeing the package, shivering at the malevolence roiling off it, Remus shook his head. At this juncture he couldn’t even formulate what to ask. Hand over his mouth, he looked at Alastor. Hopefully he knew what information they needed.
Magic eye looking through the package, Alastor shook his head rigidly. “It needs destroyed.”
“It’ll happen,” Harry said confidently. “There’s another way. I’ll talk about it when we get to the second prophecy.” Then he sighed and added, “We know of one more Horcrux.”
“Any chance of getting to it?” Alastor asked, leaning forward, elbows braced on his knees, looking intent.
“Yes,” Harry nodded. With a shake of his head, he said, “Take the spell in the parchment and cast it on my forehead.”
Eyes wide, Alastor straightened up again, not liking the implication the lad came across with. However, he took the sheet from the confused looking Remus and read over the spell. Steeling himself, he then cast the spell at Harry’s head. Instantly, it read for a Horcrux. “Merlin’s beard,” he muttered, as he lowered his wand.
Remus looked sick, staring at Harry’s forehead. With a shake of his head, he just muttered, “How?”
“The night mum and dad died,” Harry said quietly. “It’s why he didn’t die.”
“Which means we need a way to get it out without harming you,” Alastor said determinedly, mind already working over the issue.
“Don’t worry about it,” Harry said, shaking his head again. “It’s figured out. Same with the locket if we don’t go about it another way. We’ll get to it when it comes to the second prophecy.”
“Are you sure there’s a way which won’t hurt you, Harry?” Remus asked. Though lost, he couldn’t help but feel concerned. The more he heard, the more he didn’t like.
“I’m sure,” Harry assured him with a small smile.
Alastor then changed tracks, asking, “The diary—did the two of you think he knows what it is?”
“That’s the leaning from us, though we can’t prove it,” Harry nodded.
“Do you have any idea how many there are?” Remus inquired, not really sure what to think or ask.
“Sadly, no,” Harry sighed. “Just the ones I told you about. If Professor Dumbledore knows, he’s going to have to tend to them before this can end. Unless one of you can wheedle something out of him, we won’t know. Well, or we can figure it out on our own. There might, maybe, be a way on my end, but not sure.”
“Lad, if you can find a way, we’ll give all the help we can,” Alastor told him, sounding determined. Going in, he expected something straight forward, nothing like this. Now he had to shift gears and work with everything presented. In his mind, there was absolutely no doubt about the truth of any of it. So far the lad had everything laid out perfectly and it melded with what they knew from the Order meetings. Those prophecies backed it all up. Especially the first one.
“Only way I can think of is getting it out of Professor Dumbledore. How is the question. Since it relates to me, it won’t be easy,” Harry muttered, rolling his eyes at the last part.
“True,” Remus grumbled, shaking his head, mind all over the place as he processed all the information Harry tossed out.
“I’m going to give it a try,” Alastor told them, straightening up. “Let me take the locket to him. Since I know about such areas, I’ll lay it out plainly. It might start me down to road to getting information.”
“Might work,” Harry agreed. “You have a better chance than most of us, I think.”
“Will go tomorrow and see what I can manage,” Alastor assured him then nodding to Remus.
With a sigh, shaking his head, Remus still eyed the box, mind all over, not sure what to do or say to aid anything. This—it was so far beyond what he knew to handle. After focusing his thoughts, he said, “You said much of this relates to the second prophecy. Why don’t we cover it now.”
With a nod, Harry pulled the second prophecy out. “Right, this relates to the Hallows in so much. And it’s going to take some explaining.”
“Take all the time you need,” Remus told him with a smile.
“The tale never did say what the Master of Death meant and there are plenty of theories,” Alastor said, focusing in. “I take it from the prophecy you know more?”
“I do,” Harry nodded. Fishing into the folder, he pulled out a massive family tree then laid it down on the coffee table so the two could see it. “What we figured is this: the Potters are descended from the Peverells. We’re descended from the brother Ignotus,” he explained, tracing down that side of the tree. “The cloak was his then it passed down through the generations. Unlike ones you can buy, this one has never needed the charms refreshed and is like new. It seems as though it’s indestructible as well since nothing has ever harmed it.”
“James never did, he confirmed it,” Remus said, looking between the two. “In fact, he mentioned plenty of times he, nor his dad, ever had to.”
When it didn’t appear there were questions after Remus confirmed it, he pressed on.
“However, Cadmus’ line is the only maybe clue about the ring,” Harry explained. Pointing to the last name on the tree, he looked between the two then asked, “Do you know who he is?” He and Sirius weren’t sure if anyone in the Order knew Voldemort’s real name.
“I’ve not heard of a Tom Riddle, no,” Remus admitted with a shake of his head. “Is he someone we should know?”
“I haven’t either,” Alastor said, wondering where this is going.
“It’s more Professor Dumbledore is hiding then,” Harry said, shaking his head once more, as he looked at the two. Before they could ask, he explained, “That’s Voldemort’s real name. He told me in the chamber and showed how he formed Voldemort from the name.”
Head coming up, frown on his face, he looked at the stunned Remus then back to Harry after flinching at the name. “I never knew. We know Albus called him Tom from time to time, but never mentioned his real name.”
“Sirius and I didn’t think he told anyone,” Harry grumbled. “It’s him. We also think since he’s descended from the line which had the ring, he would know about it and may have it.”
“A possibility,” Alastor admitted, thinking it over.
“If he does, there isn’t a chance of anyone getting it. I know what the second prophecy says, but it’s something no one will get away from him.” Remus said, eyes overly wide.
Then Harry just smiled a little and continued, “The wand and linage doesn’t matter. Even the fable said Antioch lost it to someone else.” Once more fishing in the folder, he then pulled out a list which showed the line purported to trace those who owned the wand. Then he added, pointing to Gregorovitch’s name, “This is where we start tracing it. No sense in going through the whole thing.”
Alastor and Remus focused on the breakdown of the wand’s history. Brow furrowed, Alastor gazed at the old wandmaker’s name then who took it. “Did Grindelwald hide the wand or something? There is no one listed after him. One would have thought someone took it from him and it would claim another owner.”
“I know who it went to next,” Harry told him softly. Then looking between his two guardians, he explained before they could ask, something which looked like was coming, “Professor Dumbledore has it. Sirius recognized it from drawings. We assume he managed to take it and the wand claimed him at some point in the battle he had with the man.”
Eyes wide, Remus leaned back, shaking his head, not certain what to say. All he could utter was, “Are you sure?”
“I am,” Harry nodded vigorously. Then he pulled another sheet of parchment out of his folder and handed it over. “This is a drawing of it. Think about Dumbledore’s wand. It’s the exact same. Sirius even cast a covert spell on it to double check. It came back as an elder wand which has the exact same core and such.” After explaining, he pointed to the text under the drawing which showed the properties of the wand.
“Well, that’s not good,” Alastor muttered, looking over the drawing. While prophecies were dodgy at times, these—well, they were different. The being fulfilled part alone leaned him there. Then the evidence Harry pulled out so far seemed to back up what he said. From the look of the folder he had plenty more, he would bet his wand on it.
Remus, too, leaned towards believing what Harry said since he pulled out plenty of evidence. However, he had so many questions because of some things said and the prophecy. He decided to start with the prophecy and ask. After picking it up, he inquired, “In the prophecy—there’s a line about the Walker Between Worlds. Do you know what it is? It’s not something I’ve heard of.”
“I know,” Harry said as grinned slightly then began pulling more sheets of parchment out of his folder. “It refers to Astral Projection.” Passing the description and definition, plus some documentation on it, he continued, “It’s something many can do, even Muggles. Wizards and Witches are more easily able to, though. While so many can learn it, others seem like their magic is compatible with the ability, almost as if it’s passed along in the family lines or something.”
Having heard of Astral Projection before, knowing in their world the skill is common, Remus nodded. “Now I understand.” Once more looking at Harry, he asked, “If this refers to you as it says, do you need to learn the skill or do you already know it?”
“I’ve been able to do it naturally since being little, before school even,” Harry told him honestly. “I didn’t realize what it was, of course, but I managed while locked in the cupboard. Probably to help deal with it. Since then I’ve honed it and can easily manage.”
Brows drawing down, Alastor looked at the lad then to Remus, who had a startled look at his face, glancing his way as well, he then focused on Harry, asking, “What do you mean cupboard? As a punishment or something?” Already his mind skipped to what it could be and his ire started to rise.
Unable to help himself, Harry folded his arms over his chest then grumbled, “It’s where the Dursley’s forced me to live until my Hogwarts letter came.” Before they could ask more, he gave the briefest of rundowns about the cupboard and how he finally ended up with a real room.
Muscle in his jaw ticking, Alastor took a drink from his flask more to make sure he kept his temper under control than being thirsty. Not sure what to say, he just shook his head, trying to formulate how to put into words all he wanted to say about the topic.
Remus, too, felt very upset and angry over what Harry revealed. However, he kept a leash on it then asked, trying to keep his tone and voice normal, “Did Albus know?”
“Oh, yes,” Harry told him with a roll of his eyes and shaking his head. “My Hogwarts letter, the first ones anyway, were addressed to me with it reading the cupboard under the stairs. I’m sure he knew from that alone. If not, Mrs. Figg knew as well since Vernon mentioned it around her a few times. You can’t convince me he didn’t.”
“Harry, you will not be around him any more if we can at all help it. If he’s around when you are, one of is sticking to you,” Alastor told him bluntly, angry as hell.
“I agree,” Remus nodded, highly upset. No, Albus had something up his sleeve and he wouldn’t allow Harry to end up drawn in. “We’ll make sure he can’t have access to you in a way where he can draw you into his plans or schemes.”
“Thanks,” Harry said honestly. He hadn’t been sure their reaction, but he liked this, smiling a little at what they said. “Sirius and I figured out he’s been plotting something for a long time from all that’s happened.”
“Later on, when we finish with this, we’re going out to get you the sweeties then relaxing. As we do we’ll talk some areas over so we can get an idea of so much,” Alastor imparted. This area is what Remus had been trying to talk to the lad about, but didn’t get anywhere. Maybe now they could manage. Even small bits and bobs could help them piece together plenty.
Though not used to talking to anyone about such areas, other than Sirius, he did like the reaction from the two and assurances. Sirius tried keeping him out of so much, but hadn’t managed. Maybe they could. He wasn’t sure, but would give it a try. “We can a bit. Not something I’ve done with anyone but Sirius before because no one would listen,” he told them, looking between the two waiting for their reaction to judge plenty.
“We will Harry,” Remus told him reassuringly. “You have my word. Once we hear what you have to say, we’ll go from there. I do agree, though; Albus needs to stay away from you.”
“Appreciated,” Harry replied, smiling slightly. “He’s plotting plenty from what me and Sirius could figure out.” Not wanting to go down the road yet, he shifted back to the original topic.
“I can easily Astral Project. While I have a natural ability for it, Sirius sent me books on how to hone the skill because it’ll end up needed for this part of the prophecy. Since then, I can easily navigate the in-between world, as it’s called.”
“Any idea why you need to use it?” Alastor inquired, wanting to know since he wasn’t sure how it related to what the lad had do.
“I’ll need to so I can gather the wand and ring then step through the doorway to the afterlife,” Harry imparted honestly. Seeing both looking startled and about to say something, he continued on, “It’ll get rid of the Horcrux then cement me as the Master of Death once I walk back to this side of the afterlife. Once I do, I can use the three as I need to.” Then he tagged on to reassure them, “It’s a guarantee I can come back and a painless way to get rid of the Horcrux. Sirius and I couldn’t find any other way to do it unless someone wants to cast the AK on me.”
Taking deep breaths to calm himself and ponder what Harry told them, Remus shook his head then imparted, “This is—I don’t know. The thought of you stepping into the afterlife fills me with dread and feeling like so much can go wrong.”
“We’ve researched it plenty,” Harry told him distractedly as he went through the folder again, trying to find the research. “Everything out there says I have to die to get rid of the Horcrux. This is the safest way. If I don’t get rid of it, he can come back no matter what happens to the rest of them.” Finding the research, he passed it over to the two then waited.
With a shuddering breath, Remus took the paperwork then held it out so both he and Alastor could read what the two accumulated. He hoped it would give him some reassurance. Even if it didn’t, Alastor might know enough since he knew going in what a Horcrux was to impart something which would put his mind at ease over it.
Alastor read though the research findings on the paper with a skeptical eye to ensure it was correct. Like with everything else Harry had produced, it was well researched and annotated with the sources. From all he knew on the topic, they had it right. The two had the conclusion correct and this would end up the best way to go about the operation, causing the lad no pain like anything else they could come up with.
With a nod, Alastor glanced at Remus then told the obviously concerned man, “It’s the best way to handle the issue. Even if he doesn’t have the wand and ring, he can come back because the Horcrux will die, not him. The plus comes down to it’ll cause him no pain, just some disorientation, nothing more.”
“As long as it’s a guarantee I can handle it,” Remus told the two, looking between them. If Alastor said it would work, he would take his word for it.
“It will,” Harry reassured him. “We made sure to check everything out there we could find. It’s the best way.”
Taking what they said as all they needed to say on the matter, though he would add some private assurances later to help Remus lower the stress level on the matter. Rather than delve more into the matter, Alastor switched to something else. “Onto the wand and ring—you said there is a way to get them. From the way you worded what you said it’s without a battle. How will you manage? I don’t see you trying to take on Albus to get the wand away from him.”
“No, I won’t have to,” Harry replied with a chuckle and shake of his head. “If I go about the operation this way it’s doubtful he’ll even know I took it. While I have to take it from his hand for the wand to transfer and accept me, what we worked out will do the same.” Before they could ask, he pressed on, “I take it while Astral Projecting. While I’ll be in the in-between, I can still interact with this world. If I go about it this way I can trade my wand for his then use the Elder Wand to change mine to look like it. With the power he has, he won’t noticed the wand not acting the same.”
“An ingenious way to go about it,” Alastor said, impressed the two had come up with this idea. “And it should work. The wand is powerful enough to transfigure another wand.”
“It’s also powerful enough to change itself to look like my current wand,” Harry added. “It won’t do to take it if it’ll end up recognized. I can do the same sort of thing with the ring if I can figure out where it is. I’ve been looking for it the last few weeks by going through the research we’ve done, but no luck yet. Still going through more of the research we’ve done to find it.”
“Any good hints?” Remus asked, not wanting to think about all he heard before about Harry passing into the afterlife.
“Not really,” Harry admitted with a sigh. “We couldn’t find much about it, honestly.”
“Give us what you have and we’ll see what we can come up with. Maybe a fresh set of eyes will help.” Alastor told him, wanting to help all he could.
“I will,” Harry told him with a smile, pleased he had help with this mess. “As I said before; all I have are hints, nothing to give me a direction to really look.”
“We’ll help all we can,” Remus assured him.
“Now, onto the rest of this nightmare,” Alastor started, taking a biscuit then giving it a sniff before taking a bite.
Before Alastor or Remus could ask, Harry admitted, “I don’t know about the seeing Death bit, nor did Sirius. Since there really isn’t much out there about the Master of Death bit, we couldn’t find anything. I think it’s something we’ll have to wait and see on until the time comes.”
“Understood,” Remus nodded.
“While I’ll have a nosy a few places and talk to some about it, those interested in the Hallows, I think you’re right,” Alastor tossed out there, sure he wouldn’t find anything if the lad and Sirius couldn’t turn anything up with as good as their research was on everything so far.”
“Right,” the ex-Auror started, bracing himself for what he knew would be a nightmare, “let’s move onto the other two. What do you know besides the Unspeakables interpretation of them?”
“This is one we don’t have much on,” Harry grumbled, pulling out their research on the two prophecies. After passing over the research, he continued, “Since we have no clue about the age or where they are, not even the sex, the most we have are guesses.”
As the two continued to read, he continued, “If we look at Hogwarts, we both thought Gryffindor and Slytherin would end up discounted. Gryffindor because of me and others being in it and no one is that good of an actor to hide so much. Hermione alone would sniff out something off.”
“True,” Remus nodded, still taking in all of the research there, pleased the two were good and thorough at it.
“Why Slytherin?” Alastor asked, also still reading the parchment, taking it all in.
“Too obvious,” Harry said with a shrug. “I’m sure they’d want to end up in their father’s house and the place where they’d gather the most followers, too much could slip out, especially with those like Draco around. He’d spill the beans in a second to look good.”
“Very true,” Remus nodded, thinking over what Harry said. It made sense.
“Good deduction skills,” Alastor told him, leaning back.
“That’s just Hogwarts,” Harry sighed, shaking his head. “They could be somewhere else, like Durmstrang. It would make more sense since they would be out of the UK and could gather followers.”
“With what they say about Europe being first, it does make more sense,” Alastor admitted, thinking it over. “We know plenty who turned out bad came from Durmstrang because of how they focus on the Dark Arts. They could easily pick up followers there then have a start without having the eyes on them like they would the UK.”
“What we thought, too,” Harry told him. “While they only admit Purebloods, I’m sure they could sneak through because we bet the mother is one. Doubtful the evil git would do anything with a Half-Blood or Muggleborn.”
“A very good point,” Remus said, also leaning back after he finished reading. “They wouldn’t end up scrutinized as much either. Also, they could be themselves, well mostly, since no one is apt to believe they are You-Know-Who’s child. Yet anyway.”
“Again, what we thought,” Harry said. “There is also the Russian school which might be where they go or are since we don’t know the age. We just thought away from the UK would be the better bet for school.”
“Betting the guess is right myself,” Alastor chimed in. “If it’s the case, we’re not going to know squat until their firsts steps on the European stage.”
“Sadly, I think your right,” Harry sighed. “We couldn’t come up with any way to trace them with the information we have. Doubt you two can either.”
“There’s nothing on my end,” Remus grumbled, shaking his head. “Not enough information to formulate something.”
“Same on my end,” Alastor tossed out. “Until we get something we can put together, I doubt we’re going to know until we’re in the middle of the muddle. You both did plenty and I can’t think of anything to add to it.”
“While I hoped, I didn’t think you’d have anything,” Harry shrugged. “And what I showed you is all we have on the last two prophecies. Until or unless we get another batch of prophesies from the Ministry, there’s nothing to work with.”
“We’ll wait, but plan what we can in the meantime.” Alastor told the lad. “What little we can anyway.”
After Harry agreed, Alastor told him, “Let’s go get you some snacks. When we come back we’ll talk about what you know dealing with so much.”
Hearing both Harry and Remus agree, the older man stood with a groan. Time to go and pay attention. While he didn’t expect problems, he wanted to stay on the lookout for them. One couldn’t be overly cautious after all, not with everything going on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After taking a sip of his brandy, Alastor leaned back in his chair. Though far later than he normally went to bed, he and Remus were still awake. Harry had gone to bed about a half an hour ago after answering all the questions he and Remus had for him. And the whole discussion ended up quite eye opening. With a grunt, he told Remus, “This is all a right mess. And there is more at play than we could have ever imagined.”
“Albus,” Remus started after a sip of his Gillywater, “well, we need to keep him away from Harry. It seems Harry knows just what he has to do and we can’t let Albus interfere in the mission.”
“For more reasons than the lad’s mission,” Alastor said, putting his snifter on the side table by his chair. “I have a feeling he’s a danger to Harry. In several ways. The family—it’s just one example of his meddling. I don’t want the lad near him if we can at all help it.”
“With all we learned tonight, I agree,” Remus sighed, shaking his head sadly. “Wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but—nothing we heard I could have ever imagined. And Harry backed all of it up with facts and research. I have to hand it to him and Sirius when it comes to the research and knowing how to go about so much. It just gives me a bad feeling and the shivers over the whole muddle.”
“I agree,” Alastor grumbled, dour look on his face. “Let me see what I can get out of the old man tomorrow. Then we’ll go from there. And prepare for hell. It’s coming.”
“Oh, yes,” Remus groaned, leaning back and shaking his head. “Alastor, we need to work with him on defense. He’s going to end right in the middle of so much, so he needs to be able to defend himself.”
“I’m breaking the Trace on him tomorrow then we’ll start,” Alastor stated, mind already working on the magnitude of everything revealed tonight and what needed to come. “Wouldn’t normally do so, mind, but we need to teach the lad more than he’s learned in school. With Snape teaching Defense this coming year, I’m sure Harry won’t learn how he should because of the relationship there. Same with so many others in the school.”
Though startled Alastor of all people wanted to do something such as this, Remus nodded determinedly. “We will. Between the two of us we’ll make sure he knows all he needs to.”
After agreeing, the older man tossed out there, “I think Sirius was damned good for the lad. It seems Harry has more self confidence after working with him. In the past I don’t think he would have had the confidence to come across with what he did tonight, let alone put it out there with how insane it sounded. Then there came the talk about his home life. He didn’t like it, something you could easily tell, but he did. I chalk so much up to whatever Sirius did. The man did a damned good job of giving Harry what he needed in so much, not to mention preparing him ahead of time for all it seems is coming.”
“He did,” Remus agreed with smile. “I think it—well, it turned out for the best no one knew what they were up to. Many wouldn’t have believed him, no matter the research. Sirius did plenty to help and know what to look for. We need this. More than we could have ever known. While blindsiding, everything Harry produced tells me it’s real.”
“It is,” Alastor agreed. “And I’m glad we have the heads up about it. This way we can back the lad up if he needs it.”
“We need to,” Remus agreed. With a sigh, he then added, “And it needs to stay between the three of us.”
“Oh, yes,” Alastor told him, determined thread in his voice. “We can manage to do what’s needed and gather information. Not pulling anyone else into this unless it looks to head south quickly. Then we’ll decide from there.”
“I have a feeling if Harry gets his hands on what he needs, he’ll set everything in motion. If he does, it’ll move quickly forward. We need to ensure we’re ready.”
“Agreed,” Alastor grunted. With a sigh, he then said, after downing the last of his brandy, “We’ll deal with it more tomorrow. I need sleep.”
“As do I though I’m not sure I’ll sleep well, I need to try,” Remus said, reaching up to rub his tired eyes.
Alastor then stood with a loud groan and bid Remus a good night. Mind troubled after all he learned, he was also dead certain he wouldn’t sleep well either.
Remus downed the last of his drink then stood. After a stretch, he let out a tired sigh. Then, with a shake of his head, he began to move towards his room, still feeling troubled by all Harry imparted. Sleep would help him put some distance with all Harry told him then he could think better. Come tomorrow they’d lay out some plans and tend to other areas.