Starting Fires
Harry plucked at a strand of curly red hair. "I'm a Weasley now."
Theo, disguised as a sandy-haired nobody, nodded solemnly. "A fate worse than death."
Everything at the wedding was gold and white. The sole exception was the wedding aisle runner in royal purple, flanked by delicate gold chairs. It hurt to look at.
Harry transfigured his robes to be slightly larger to accommodate the body he had stolen with polyjuice. It was some boy from the nearby village, and Harry was now known as Cousin Barny.
“It’s for the best,” Harry said, admiring the freckles scattered across his borrowed face. “Though Riddle could make a reasonable guess I would be here, it’s better not to provoke an attack.”
“Har—Barny! The guests are starting to arrive!”
Harry looked up at Theo.
“I’m not kissing you when you look like that,” Theo stated. He was remorseless.
“Alas, a crueler fate than I hath known,” Harry said, walking over to join Ron, Fred, and George.
People began filing in from the apparition point outside of the property, a magical procession of enchanted hats covered with flowers and birds, precious gems, vibrant and playful robes in colors that drew bees in from the garden to explore.
After Harry had sat an old couple, he heard a familiar, “Wotcher.”
“I could have been a Tonks instead,” Harry said, leading Tonks and Lupin to their seats. “Why did you two run off last night?”
“The Ministry’s being very anti-werewolf at the moment and we thought our presence might not do you any favors.”
“I’m pro-werewolf,” Harry said. “I wouldn’t mind being a werewolf myself.”
“Harry,” Lupin said, “it’s not something to make light of.”
“On the contrary, I think you take it far too seriously. You’ve been indoctrinated to think dark creatures are subhuman and by their very nature evil. I disagree. You’re an example of that concept being flawed. You’re a git all on your own, being a werewolf has nothing to do with it.”
“Thank you for that, Harry,” Lupin said drily.
“Haz is right,” Tonks said. “Except for the git part.”
“Especially about the git part. I’ve got to go, Hagrid’s just crushed half a row.”
After Hagrid found his own reinforced seat, Harry rejoined Ron at the front of the queue. He was talking to a white-haired man in blindingly yellow robes.
“Xenophilius Lovegood,” he said, extending a hand to Harry, “my daughter and I live just over the hill, so kind of the good Weasleys to invite us. But I think you know my Luna?” he added to Ron.
Harry noticed he was wearing the Peverell coat of arms, the symbol of the Deathly Hallows. Also Grindelwald’s symbol. Listening to Xenophilius talk, Harry could see where Luna had gotten it from.
Luna ran up from enjoying the garden’s gnome infestation.
“Hello, Harry!”
“Hey, Luna. I see you matched outfits with your dad.”
She beamed at him, a giant sunflower bobbing in her hair.
“Daddy, look—one of the gnomes actually bit me!”
Ron laughed when Xenophilius explained the talent-granting properties of gnome saliva.
"Ron, we make a healing salve out of the back tentacles of an aquatic rat. Who knows what powers gnome secretions hold."
"Well said!" Xenophilius exclaimed. "There are many mysteries of the magical world to which we humans are blind."
"My father had done a lot of research on gnome magic," Luna said, before skipping after him.
An elderly witch, the notorious Aunt Muriel, latched onto Ron and began complaining immediately. About the Lovegoods' omelette-colored clothes, Fleur wearing her goblin-made tiara wrong, Ron's hair, the breeding rate of the common Weasley, the lack of Harry Potter, the French, Hermione's bad posture and skinny ankles, being one hundred and seven…
Viktor Krum showed up and Ron renewed his one-sided rivalry. Perhaps one day Hermione would see the light.
Harry sat next to Ron for the service, wondering where Theo had gone off to. Sirius had decided not to come, being far too associated with Harry, and not close enough to the Weasleys to justify his presence without his godson.
Once Bill and Fleur were declared bonded for life, the chairs rose up and a gold dance floor appeared. The chairs resettled around tables, and Harry followed Hermione and Ron to one where Luna sat alone. A few moments later, Theo sat next to him.
"Luna tells me people are meant to wear sun colors to weddings," Harry said.
"Yellow stains easily," Theo said neutrally.
"That's ominous."
The band began to play and the newly married couple started the dance, soon joined by their parents. Luna got up to dance dreamily by herself.
Harry steeled himself and turned to Theo. "I wanted to ask you to the Yule Ball, in fourth year."
"I wanted you to ask me," Theo said quietly. "I was murderously jealous of Crookshanks."
Harry didn't know why he felt so nervous, the butterflies in his stomach. He was about to stand and ask Theo to dance when Krum sat down next to them. He did not look happy.
"Who is that man in the yellow?" Krum asked.
"Xenophilius Lovegood," Harry said. "Why do you ask?"
Ron abruptly stood and took Hermione to the dance floor.
"Are they together now?" Krum asked.
"Sort of," Harry said.
"Who are you?" Krum asked.
"Harry Potter. I'm using polyjuice. It's nice seeing you again."
Krum raised his eyebrows. "You as well. Do you know the man Lovegood well?"
"I'm friends with his daughter. Why?"
“Because,” Krum said, “if he was not a guest of Fleur’s, I would duel him here and now, for wearing that filthy sign upon his chest."
"Grindelwald stole that symbol," Theo said. "It's far older than him, by centuries."
"And who are you?"
"Harry's boyfriend."
They watched Luna dance as if she were batting the wrackspurts away.
"Are you quite sure about the symbol?" Krum asked.
"Very," Harry answered. "I've seen it on an old grave where my family is buried. It's nearly a thousand years old. The Nazis did the same thing with the swastika."
"I see."
They sat in silence for a while.
"Did you get your wand made by Gregorovitch?" Harry asked.
"I did, why do you ask?"
"Our wandmaker went missing a year ago," Harry said. "Is Gregorovitch still in business?"
“He retired several years ago. I was one of the last to purchase a Gregorovitch wand."
Harry nodded, watching the dancers. He screwed up his face and took Theo's hand. "Let's dance."
They drifted around, Harry feeling increasingly uncomfortable in someone else's body. He wondered if Crouch let the polyjuice wear off before using the bathroom. A glamor would have been better, but Lou Nette's shop was one of the many that had shuttered, and while Theo was equal to the task it was time consuming.
After some time Hermione found him and Theo and sat down to take off her heels. Ron was off getting drinks, and Harry thought Krum might be dancing with Ginny.
"What if I'm trapped in Barny forever?" Harry asked Theo. "Would you leave me?"
"I'd cut you out," Theo said seriously.
"It's not a suit I can take off and on!"
"I could try."
A lynx patronus interrupted them by landing in the middle of the dance floor.
“The Ministry has fallen," Kingsley's voice said. "Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."
Panic ensued. So many people began disapparating on the spot that the jinx around the Burrow broke. Hermione was shouting for Ron. Harry jumped up and stood next to Theo, wand in his hand. Fleeing people knocked into them, then broke for the safety of the night.
"What should we do?" Harry asked, looking around for signs of fighting. "Stay and help the Weasleys, or run?"
"You're the most important person here," Theo said. "We should—"
Harry lost the rest of his words as someone had grabbed him and apparated him away.
Furious, Harry shook off the person's hold and looked around. They were in the middle of a busy street, and next to him were Ron and Hermione.
"God damnit. Hermione, where did you take us?"
“Tottenham Court Road,” Hermione panted. “Walk, just walk, we need to find somewhere for you to change.”
"Let's find an alley. I'll just transfigure my clothes."
Hermione had packed her and Ron's things into a beaded bag with an extension charm. Harry kept a look out while they changed, and sent a patronus to Theo.
"What are you doing?" Hermione hissed.
"Telling Theo where we'll meet him. Did you forget about my boyfriend? What if I'd been holding onto him? We could have been splinched!"
"Don't yell at her," Ron snapped.
"I'm sorry, I panicked! I just knew you had to get out of there and that we would be safer in the muggle world. Do you have your cloak?"
"Am I still polyjuiced?" Harry asked. "I didn't bring it with me, but I can disillusion myself."
"That would be for the best," Hermione said.
Harry tapped his head and felt the spell trickle over him. It was improved over what he had done in fifth year, and now he was nearly see through.
“Come on, I think we ought to keep moving,” Hermione said.
“Just as a matter of interest, why Tottenham Court Road?” Ron asked Hermione.
“I’ve no idea, it just popped into my head, but I’m sure we’re safer out in the muggle world, it’s not where they’ll expect us to be.”
“True,” said Ron, looking around, “but don’t you feel a bit...exposed?”
They walked past drunks and cat callers. Ron was about to shout back when Hermione suggested they sit down somewhere. She pushed them into an all-night cafe, and they slid into the booths. Harry took an outer seat.
“Theo and Sirius should be at home,” Harry said, hoping Theo wouldn’t have lingered for him to apparate back. He had left him behind again, intentionally or not, and he was battling anxiety at what was happening back at the Burrow, and anger at Hermione for stealing him away. “We have another place, but there are some issues with going straight there.”
“You know,” Ron said, “we’re not far from the Leaky Cauldron…”
“Ron, we can’t!”
“Just to find out what’s going on!”
“We know what’s going on! Voldemort’s taken over the Ministry, what else do we need to know?”
“Okay, okay, it was just an idea!”
They lapsed into silence. Harry tapped his wand idly, not sure what to do. He could just grab Hermione and Ron and apparate them somewhere else to wait to hear back from Theo, or just take them straight to Nott Manor, whether or not Theo’s father was puttering around. They had the man under a rather strong Imperius, forced to ignore the happenings in his home and keeping to only a few rooms. Harry was worried about tampering with his mind too much.
Hermione ordered herself and Ron cappuccinos. Since Harry was invisible he didn't get one. Two burly workmen entered the cafe and got into the next booth over. Harry hated when people did that. There were plenty of other seats.
“I say we find a quiet place to disapparate and head for the countryside,” Hermione whispered. “Once we’re there, we could send a message to the Order.”
“Can you do that talking patronus thing, then?” Ron asked. “I know Harry can, he just did.”
“I’ve been practicing and I think so,” Hermione said.
Ron nearly spat out his drink, insulting the waitress. Harry caught a look at one of the men near them as he waved the waitress off. He immediately recognized him.
“Suffocare,” Harry whispered, watching as Thorfinn Rowle was invisibly strangled. It wasn’t immediately noticeable, and the other didn’t have time to react. “Stupefy.” He slumped forward over the table and Rowle began thrashing around. Harry disarmed him and snapped the wand he caught.
“Harry!” Hermione shrieked, alerting the waitress. She ran out to see what was happening.
“Damnit, Hermione,” Harry said, casting a dormio at the waitress. She slumped to the ground.
“What’s happening?” Ron asked, looking around for him. “What did you just do?
“That’s Thorfinn Rowle and Antonin Dolohov,” Harry said. “How the fuck did they find us so quickly? It doesn’t matter, we need to get out of here. Ron, use that thing you got from Dumbledore to get the lights. Hermione, take these two in the back.”
“Harry, what did you do to him?”
Harry turned to look at Rowle, who was turning purple. “Strangulation curse. I’ll use the counter," he added, releasing Rowle from the curse. "Stupefy.”
His two friends kept sitting in the booth, dumbstruck, their wands not even out. “Ron, the lights!”
“Oh, right…”
When Ron finally used his Deluminator, Harry locked the doors and levitated the two Death Eaters to the back of the cafe. Once in the back room, Hermione and Ron trailing behind, Harry removed his disillusionment.
"What are you going to do?" Ron asked. “Kill them? They’d kill us."
"I'm not going to murder two people in the back of a cafe," Harry said drily. "And they're more useful alive, for now.
"We could wipe their memories," Hermione suggested.
"That can be undone. Kreacher.”
Kreacher popped up next to him, then grabbed onto his legs. “Young Master is supposed to be at a wedding. Master Theo came home alone. Master Theo says the Ministry has fallen and young Master was taken!”
“I’m fine,” Harry said, patting his back. “Hermione apparated me and Ron away.”
“Harry, what is this?” Hermione asked. He could already hear the judgment in her voice. Kreacher glared up at her.
“Don’t answer her,” Harry said. “Kreacher is a house-elf who has been bonded to our family for centuries. He is part of my family.”
“Kreacher lives to serve—”
“Not right now, Kreacher,” Harry said, putting a stop to that. “I’ve captured two Death Eaters. Can you take them to the cellar?”
“Kreacher will take them. Master will not be happy.”
“Yeah, well, Master can suck it.”
Kreacher grabbed the two men and vanished.
“Harry, mate, what’s going on?” Ron asked. He and Hermione were both still scared from the wedding, by Harry suddenly attacking two people, and now by him summoning a strange house-elf.
“Give me a moment to think,” Harry said, closing his eyes. “I don’t have the Trace anymore, they can’t have tracked me that way. Apparition can’t be tracked, so we’ve been told. There were no Death Eaters who could have tagged us with a spell at the wedding. Hermione brought us to a random muggle location, which Death Eaters generally aren’t familiar with. So we must have done something to alert them."
“But what?” Hermione asked.
“We’ll have to ask them,” Harry said. “Kreacher?”
The elf returned. “They are secured, young Master.”
“Great, don’t tell Sirius or Theo yet. I need to show these two what we’re doing. Can you apparate us all into the cellar please?”
“Kreacher will.”
Hermione and Ron stumbled when they landed, not used to being apparated by house-elves.
"Where are we?" Hermione asked, standing up and looking around. The cellar was dimly lit, packed with racks and boxes of various supplies.
"I won't tell you yet," Harry said. "Not until you decide whether or not you can work with me."
"What are you talking about?"
Harry sighed, thinking about how much to tell them. "We need information about what—" Harry stopped himself. "I'm going to find out how they found us before saying anything."
"How?" Hermione asked nervously.
Harry sighed again. "Remember when I told you to think about the kind of magic you would be willing to do?"
"Yes, but—"
Harry walked to one of the rooms they had set up. Using his wand, he cut a shallow line across his palm and pressed it to the door. The runes Theo had carved flared to life, and the door swung open. Inside the plain room was an unconscious Thorfinn Rowle chained to a chair.
"What…"
"I need you two to be quiet," Harry said, turning to look at them. "Can you do that?"
Ron's freckles stood out against his pale skin. "What are you going to do?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Hermione gasped and put a hand over her mouth. "Harry, you can't!"
"Kreacher?"
Kreacher appeared next to him. "Yes, young Master?"
"Keep an eye on these two for me. Don't let them interfere."
"Harry!"
"Mate…"
"You two wanted to help, right?" Harry asked coolly.
"Harry," Hermione tried again. "You can't—"
"Now isn't the time to have a moral crisis," he snapped. "We are being tracked somehow and we need to know why so it doesn't happen again, or to someone else who can't get their wand out of their pocket like you, Ron! Kreacher, you know what to do."
"Yes, young Master."
"What's he going to—"
Ron's voice cut off as Kreacher silenced him. Harry ignored the two people behind him and turned to face Rowle.
"Rennervate."
The bulky man gasped awake, blinking disorientation away.
"Hello," Harry said. "How did you find us?"
Rowle spat at him.
Harry snorted, spelling himself clean. "I'll find out one way or another. If not from you, from Dolohov. I don't need both of you."
"The Dark Lord—"
"Ignis os," Harry whispered, pointing his wand at Rowle's hand.
"Have you heard of this spell?" he asked over Rowle's grunting. "It burns the bones within your body, one at a time. Your bones char inside your flesh. I know you are used to the Cruciatus. You must be bored of it. Isn't this more interesting?"
"Fuck you! The Dark—"
Harry cast it again at Rowle's mouth, at his teeth. Rowle's mouth opened and closed; he didn't know which would be less painful. The answer was neither.
Harry stepped closer, Hermione and Ron completely forgotten, and looked into Rowle's eyes. "Legilimens."
Harry knew that Voldemort regularly employed legilimency. Snape's proficiency with occlumency told that by its very existence. He knew Bellatrix Lestrange had taught occlumency to Draco Malfoy. Voldemort's spies would be useless without it. He also knew that it was very hard to clear your mind when in excruciating pain.
Rowle's mind didn't yield immediately. The Veritaserum hadn't finished brewing yet, it took an entire lunar phase. The options to get the truth unwillingly were limited.
Harry was starting to get a headache.
Half of Rowle's teeth were gradually reduced to sizzling nubs, and his wand hand was a smoldering wreck. Rowle had screamed himself hoarse, unable to even grit his teeth against the pain, red and sweating, straining against the chains that held him down.
Harry watched him struggle, smiling slightly, hoping to unnerve the man.
"I can burn your eyes right out of your skull," he said, watching Rowle carefully. "I did that to one of your friends last year. Did they ever grow them back?"
"The…Dark…Lord…" Rowle said, barely able to form the words.
"Your Dark Lord isn't here," Harry said softly. "But I am. Legilimens."
It was like sifting through pudding. Most of Rowle's thoughts centered on what was currently happening to him. It was strange seeing himself from Rowle's perspective. But also thoughts of the Dark Lord, fear of failure, fear of punishment, elation at the Taboo being triggered, finding the mudblood and blood-traitor, hearing the filth talk about their plans so openly…
Harry pulled back, pressed a hand against his eye. He was exhausted, had no idea how long this interrogation had gone on. His head was killing him.
"Kreacher," he said, throat dry. "There is a Taboo on Tom Riddle's chosen name. Tell Theo and Sirius, spread the word. People need to be afraid to use it again."
"Yes, young Master."
Harry turned away from the gasping Rowle when he felt the enchantments break off Hermione and Ron. Hermione was shaking and crying while Ron held her, eyes wide with shock.
"Do you know how many people would have died if we didn't know about the Taboo?" Harry asked. "How many people would have undone their own enchantments and drawn Death Eaters right to them?"
He watched them, waiting for a reply.
Hermione wiped her tears away. "How could you do something like that? Do we even know you anymore? Dumbledore wouldn't want this!"
"I don't give a bloody fuck what Dumbledore would have wanted," Harry said. He didn't need to justify or explain himself to these two. What was the point? "Kreacher."
Kreacher appeared again, looking annoyed. "Yes, young Master?"
"Take these two to Nev's house. They'll be safe there."
"Hey!" Ron yelled at Kreacher. "What do you think you're—"
The room was silent, save for Rowle's strenuous breathing.
"The Dark Lord—"
"Is that all you have to say?" Harry asked, irritated, light headed, scar burning, head throbbing, sickened by the smell of burning bone and flesh, at the destruction he had wrought on this man's body. At least with the training dummies he knew they didn't feel pain, however much the enchantments screamed for him to stop. "Stupefy."
Harry's scar was on fire, it felt like his brain was being boiled. He had rarely used legilimency, he wasn't that good at it, and now he was vulnerable and knew Voldemort was in a rage.
He backed out of the room and closed the door, sitting down with his back against it and gripping his head.
Voldemort—Riddle—was angry at being called back. Rowle wasn't there. Dolohov was missing too. How dare they! He was in a long, firelit room. Draco Malfoy was there, using the Cruciatus on someone at Riddle's behest.
“More, or shall we end it and feed you to Nagini? Lord Voldemort is not sure that he will forgive this time…I was called back for this, to learn that Harry Potter has escaped again? Draco, give her another taste of our displeasure. Do it, or feel my wrath yourself!”
With effort, Harry pushed Riddle out again. He chuckled darkly at Malfoy being forced to torture someone. And wasn't this interesting news, that Riddle was doing something to be called back from.
Harry hadn't recognized the room Riddle and Malfoy were in. They could be anywhere. He leaned his head back against the door, touching his still tender scar. He needed to check Dolohov was secured. Check with Neville that Hermione and Ron were safe. Make sure word got out about the Taboo. Go home.
Footsteps thudded down the stairs and Harry raised his wand.
"Harry?" Sirius called.
"I'm here," Harry said, closing his eyes again.
He was being pulled into familiar arms. "I'm sorry," Harry said to Theo. "Hermione just grabbed me and apparated. She triggered the Taboo and…"
Harry explained what had happened. When Sirius came back from dosing the two Death Eaters with the Draught of Living Death, Harry repeated his story.
"They just sat there," Harry said. "Ron hadn't even taken his wand out. Rowle was at Hogwarts the night Dumbledore died. Dolohov killed his uncles! Hermione didn't bother with any privacy charms—"
Harry felt something in his pocket heat up. He pulled out a mirror and saw Neville's worried face reflected in it.
"Harry? What's going on? We just found Ron and Hermione outside of the property. They said a house-elf brought them?"
Harry sighed. "Can they stay with you?"
"Of course! Did something happen at the wedding?"
Harry explained the situation to Neville. Sirius rejoined them, having drugged the two Death Eaters.
Neville had blanched, but set his jaw and nodded. "I understand. They can stay here. My gran is friends with Ron's aunt. They can go to her house in the morning. I—"
"What is it?"
"We've just got a patronus from Ron's dad. He said their family is safe, but being watched."
Harry breathed out. "That's good to hear. Thanks, Nev."
"You're welcome. I'm glad you and Theo are safe."
Harry put the mirror away and leaned against Theo. "I want to go home."
Things were not any better in the morning. But Harry was home at Grimmauld Place. He knew Theo and Sirius were safe, as well as Ron and Hermione, for the time being. He didn’t know what happened at the Burrow after he had left, and from what Neville said he was wary of contacting anyone lest they were being followed and watched.
Harry sat in the library with Theo, playing with the old snitch Dumbledore had left him. Sirius was off trying to make contact with his remaining family, Andromeda, Ted, and Tonks. Theo was making plans for their research into the Dark Mark.
“There was a barrier that night on the Astronomy Tower,” Theo said. “You heard people trying to get through, and Snape walked in easily. That night in the hospital wing, Lupin said he ran right through. It must be connected to the Dark Mark, that’s what they have in common.”
“And if there’s a spell that only allows entrance to people with the Dark Mark, there must be one that keeps them out,” Harry concluded. “The spell that lets them in was probably created by Riddle.”
Harry was being careful to avoid the name Voldemort. He was used to calling the man whatever he wanted, but he didn’t want to strain the Fidelius on the house.
“Rowle or Dolohov probably know the spell,” Harry said. “We can get it from them, or your father. Or the Carrows, they were on the Astronomy Tower that night. One of the Death Eaters there must have cast it.”
Theo nodded, taking notes. “Any progress on the snitch?”
“No,” Harry said, shaking the small golden ball again. Something rattled inside. “I open at the close, it says. Does it mean close as in when something shuts? Or close as in when something is nearby?”
“Maybe both,” Theo said. “Dumbledore put a full stop at the end, so the sentence isn’t unfinished. The latter would make sense if the snitch opened in proximity to something.”
Harry released it, and watched it flutter weakly in the air. “Can’t believe they drove a species of bird to near extinction for a game.”
“The close,” Theo said, looking up from his work. “The close of something. What happens when something closes?”
“Like a door, or a book? You close a book when you finish reading it. When a business closes it means it’s shut down. What does that have to do with a snitch? When you catch it, the game is over…”
“Like Mario,” Theo said. “When he dies, the game is over.”
“You think close means death?” Harry asked. “I have to die to get this thing open?”
“Maybe you only have to be near death,” Theo suggested.
“Oh, that’s so much better!” Harry said, snatching the snitch out of the air. “I have to be about to die for whatever Dumbledore put in here!”
“Try telling it that.”
“That the thing I am close to is death?” Harry pressed the snitch to his mouth. “I’m going to die,” he mumbled, annoyed, “or I’m about to die, or death is close!”
The snitch broke apart. Surprised, Harry opened his hand and looked at the two halves. A small black stone sat within.
Harry and Theo stared at it.
“It’s the Resurrection Stone,” Harry said, eyes tracing the crack that ran down the symbol of the Deathly Hallows. “Why would he want me to have this when I’m about to die?”
“More importantly,” Theo said quietly, “why did Dumbledore anticipate you dying?”
After having the Resurrection Stone for several days, Harry understood why Dumbledore might not have used it. He didn’t know if it would show him what he wanted to see, pulling images of his parents from his mind, or if it would actually call their souls back from wherever they were.
Harry knew the magical world believed in souls, that Riddle had done something to his own soul to keep himself alive even when his body was destroyed. He knew about that eerie veil flapping in the bowels of the Ministry.
The story was that a personification of Death, or Death itself, created the three Hallows. Harry had put them together but nothing had happened. He didn’t feel like he’d mastered anything, just that he had three interesting magical artifacts.
“If he wanted me to have them,” Harry said, “Dumbledore could have given them all to me directly instead of all this.”
“I can’t believe you stole Dumbledore’s wand,” Sirius said, face in his hands, coffee forgotten.
“He’s buried with his original wand,” Theo said. “Harry confirmed that. So it isn’t really Dumbledore’s wand, just a wand he was using.”
“Dumbledore got it from Grindelwald,” Harry said, almost certain of that. “And I don’t think Grindelwald bought it from Gregorovitch, he must have gotten it some other way.”
“Dumbledore gave Granger that book of childrens’ stories, and Harry the Stone," Theo said. "He believed there was some validity to the tale. Though we strongly suspected it, this confirms it.”
“Why did he give Ron that Deluminator?”’
“So he wouldn’t feel left out.”
“I’m more concerned about the snitch being enchanted so that Harry had to tell it he was going to die to get it open!” Sirius exclaimed.
“If I tell the Daily Prophet I’m now the Master of Death, think it’ll make the front page?”
"Are you really?" Theo asked. "Snape is the one who killed him."
"But Malfoy disarmed him. If I read Grindelwald correctly, who was defeated and not killed by Dumbledore, that's enough to have captured the wand. I disarmed Malfoy, and I have the Elder Wand in my actual possession. I've captured it twice over."
"Does it do anything special?" Sirius asked, once he had recovered from his godson's capricious ways. "Have you tested it?"
"I used it to cast imperio on Dumbledore—"
"You what?"
"—but other than that, it just seems like a really old wand."
The Daily Prophet appeared on the table, bringing a premature end to their conversation.
"How do these things keep happening to you," Sirius said, picking up the paper. "Three legendary artifacts simply fall into your lap…"
"We know Dumbledore planned for two of those," Theo said.
"Maybe there's another prophecy?" Harry suggested. "We could get into the Department of Mysteries again. I don't think I broke all of them."
"Maybe save your raid on the Ministry for another time," Sirius said. Harry looked at him and saw his face rigid with anger and worry. "They want you for questioning about Dumbledore's death."
"A pretext," Theo said, looking at the picture of Harry splayed across the front page. "But now everyone who wants to ingratiate themselves to this new Ministry will be on the lookout for Harry."
Harry glanced over the article, not feeling much of anything. He wasn't surprised, he knew Riddle wanted him dead and would use every resource to achieve that. He was technically involved in Dumbledore's death, having forced him to drink the potion in the cave, and having stood by and watched Snape kill him. Anyone who thought Harry was responsible for it wasn't worth mentioning.
"They've started a muggleborn registry," Theo read. "They need to go into hiding, or leave the country. Their families too."
"I've been working on that the past year," Sirius said. "This has to convince them." He sighed. "They announced yesterday that Hogwarts attendance is compulsory. And that Scrimgeour stepped down—was killed—and they put Thicknesse in his place."
"I don't even know where to start," Harry said, draining his tea. He flipped the cup over. "We need to find the last horcrux, Hufflepuff's cup. Killing Vol—killing Riddle would be the fastest way to end this, followed by eliminating the Death Eaters. Nagini will be harder to find and get to, and then Riddle himself. There is no chance I can beat him in a duel, no matter how many special wands I have. Maybe I can buy a gun and make basilisk venom bullets. But then I'd have to learn how to shoot…"
Harry flipped his cup over and frowned. The tea leaves made the rough shape of a cat. "Crookshanks? I think he was at the Burrow."
"What about Crookshanks?" Sirius asked. Harry showed him the leaves. "Could mean McGonagall," he said.
Harry shook his head. "She doesn't know anything about Riddle, unless she knew him in school."
"Umbridge has a thing for cats," Theo said softly.
"Says here she heads the Muggleborn Registration Commission," Sirius said. He looked up from the paper. "Getting rid of records of muggleborns would be a major blow to them."
"So we are breaking into the Ministry!" Harry said excitedly. "Now's the best time, it's going to be disorganized right after a change in regime."
"It's already a bad idea," Theo said. "Unless I'm the one going. You and Sirius would be captured or killed on sight. And there is only one invisibility cloak. We have no idea what means of detection they've installed."
"Then we Imperius someone to do it for us," Harry said. "That's how they took over the Ministry in the first place. Maybe Umbridge herself."
"I feel like we should be panicking more," Sirius said. "But we've been waiting for something like this to happen, waiting for the other shoe to drop." He flipped through the rest of the Prophet. "Oh, will you look at that," he said flatly. "Skeeter's book came out today."
Harry and Theo stood in line at Flourish and Blotts with their copies of The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, by Rita Skeeter.
“You really should be the one wearing these,” Theo said, pushing up his glasses. “You’re getting a lot of attention.”
“That’s the point,” Harry whispered back. “Harry Potter, living his normal life. Harry Potter, last seen in Diagon Alley.”
There were only a few other nervous customers. That the release of Skeeter’s book happened to coincide with a Ministry takeover was simply bad luck.
“I don’t know if I can sell this to you,” the jittery clerk said. He kept looking at the door.
“Then I’ll just steal it,” Harry said. “I don’t care. Alert the aurors.” Deciding to not actually steal it, Harry dumped some galleons on the counter and marched out of the store, Theo following close behind.
“I think he has altered the aurors,” Theo said, grabbing him and apparating back to Grimmauld Place.
“If I wanted to attract Death Eaters I would break the Taboo,” Harry said. “It’s an obvious way to lay a trap for them, but they’re too arrogant to worry about someone using it against them.”
“Hubris, like you said about the cave,” Theo said. He’d taken them into the back garden, and Winky hurried over to make sure they weren’t stepping on anything important.
“Master Theo will use the designated point!” Winky said, stomping her foot.
“I was in a rush. I apologize, Winky.”
“It’s the power he knows not,” Harry said, sitting under a tree to read. “Humility.”
“Back again, child?”
Fawkes tittered as Harry approached Grindelwald’s cell. He noticed the man was wearing the ridiculous socks.
“A writer for the Daily Prophet just released a book about Dumbledore,” Harry said, sliding it through the bars then backing away. “I thought you’d get a kick out of it.”
“Why are you here?” Grindelwald asked, not moving from his mattress.
“I’ve just said, to give you the book. It’s not like you’ve got much to do up here. I think most people would prefer to forget you’re even alive.” Harry paused. “I did have a question.”
“And why should I answer any questions you have?”
Harry crossed his arms. Fawkes made the room much warmer, as this tower in the mountains was chill even in the middle of summer. “People are saying Ariana was a squib, but I heard that she didn’t have control of her magic. What’s the truth? I’d ask Aberforth but I’m a little too popular these days, since Riddle’s taken over the Ministry. His other name has a Taboo, by the way, so don’t use it unless you want to draw attention to yourself.”
Grindelwald smiled at him, baring browned and missing teeth. “She was an obscurial, a child whose magic turned against her. The boys her father killed did it to her.”
Harry hadn’t heard the term before and kept his face neutral. “Dumbledore came back to look after her while Aberforth was still in school. That’s when you met him.”
“I’m tired,” Grindelwald said suddenly, looking away from him.
Harry watched him for a while longer, then turned away, his steps echoing through the tower as Fawkes sang a quiet tune.
Once outside, Harry turned to read the words carved over Nurmengard.
For the Greater Good
“I’ve just got a patronus from Remus,” Sirius said, walking into the drawing room. He stopped to look at them. “What are you four doing in here?”
Harry, Theo, Kreacher, and Winky were crouched around pieces of parchment spread out across the rug.
“Having a dance party,” Harry said.
Sirius looked at the silent gramophone, then to Walburga’s portrait, who was pretending not to be there.
“Right. I’ve just got a patronus from Remus. He’s gone to ground. Tonks is pregnant and with her parents. Everyone associated with you is being watched.”
“Tonks is pregnant?” Harry asked. “That’s bad timing.”
“And married to Remus,” Sirius said, sitting down on the settee.
“I hope they’re happy,” Harry said dubiously.
“Oh, I’m sure Remus is miserable and guilty and generally being a martyr,” Sirius said loftily.
“So nothing's changed,” Theo observed.
“Is that all he said?” Harry asked.
“He wants to meet with you, to offer his help,” Sirius said. “I sent a patronus back telling him no.”
“Thanks,” Harry said, turning back to their parchment.
“Now, what are you really doing?”
“We’re going to have Winky find Umbridge,” Theo explained. “She’s the most innocent looking of all of us.”
Winky smiled. She was particularly adorable for a house-elf, in her blue pinafore dress with capped sleeves, and her wide, innocent eyes. “Winky will find the bad woman!”
“She’s going to observe her for a while,” Harry said, “so we know what her work schedule is like. Whatever we do, we need her back in place on time. I was thinking we take her over a weekend.”
“We also need to work out exactly what orders to give her,” Theo added. “So we need to know what her job entails. The ultimate goal is to prevent muggleborns from being brought in, and if they are brought in, have a means for them to escape.”
Harry pushed up his glasses, rubbing his eyes. “There’s so much to do. Can the Order help at all?”
“Everyone’s scattered,” Sirius said. “Purebloods like the Weasleys can go on with their regular lives. Andromeda and Tonks as well, as much as they can. Ted is a muggleborn, he might have to go on the run.”
“He can stay here,” Harry said immediately. He knew a lot of muggleborns, and people with muggle family members. Hermione. Ted. Colin and Dennis Creevey. Dean... “Right? Or we can put another house under Fidelius. He can leave the country, take a plane to America.”
“I’ll talk it over with them,” Sirius said. “The sooner the better. They're asking people to voluntarily register, but we all know it's only a matter of time before they begin rounding people up.”
"We could use Privet Drive," Harry said, smiling mischievously. "Mrs. Figg is right across the street, she can keep an eye out, and her kneazles as well."
"Putting it under Fidelius would be too conspicuous, given the neighborhood," Theo said. "But space expansion, protection charms…"
"We can stick Lupin in Nott Manor," Harry said, smile growing. "Actually, that might be perfect. We can't do everything ourselves."
"Thank you for meeting me, Harry," Lupin said. Harry knew he always looked in poor health, but in the week since the Ministry had taken over he had been on the run and it showed. Harry had suggested meeting at a cafe in muggle London. Lupin took a cup of coffee gratefully. Harry put up a muffliato.
"Where did you learn that spell?" Lupin asked.
"I found Snape's old potions book in a cupboard," Harry said. "He had a lot of useful notes. I've tested it all, don't worry."
Lupin smiled slightly. "May I ask why you agreed to speak with me? I know we've had our difficulties."
"Sirius said you wanted to help. I've recently learned that some people cannot tolerate the kind of help I need."
Lupin frowned. "Is this to do with the task Dumbledore gave you?"
"It's tangential," Harry said, glancing around the cafe. "Have you heard from Hermione or Ron?"
"Only that they are at Muriel's house," Lupin said, "and that something happened after the wedding which they refuse to talk about."
Harry sighed. "That would be my fault. I did something they didn't think…people think of me as some kind of hero, you know? The chosen one, the savior of the wizarding world, I've heard it all. And it's true, in a sense. There is a prophecy, and it says I'm the one with the power to defeat him. Dumbledore thought that was the capacity to love, or to understand love. He thought Riddle lacked that. You've heard about the Taboo, right?"
Lupin nodded, sipping his coffee.
"Right, well, I disagree with Dumbledore. Riddle knows what love is. He knows why my mother's sacrifice worked. I don't know whether he is capable of love, but he has emotions. I know him better than anyone else…" Harry didn't want to explain why that was. He still didn't know how he was connected to Riddle. "That's besides the point. My point is, people expect me to win this war for them, but they never consider what I'll have to do in order to win."
"What do you mean?" Lupin asked. "I know you may have to kill…"
"I've killed before," Harry said bluntly. "When I was eleven. When I was fifteen. It'll probably happen again before the week is out."
Lupin had a grave expression. "Harry, I'm…"
"It's fine," Harry said. "But that's not what I'm referring to. I need, we need, information. It's best if I just show you, then you can make your decision."
Harry apparated them directly into the cellar of Nott House.
"Where are we?" Lupin asked, looking around the room.
"An undisclosed location," Harry said. "If you back out…I don't want any liabilities. I didn't tell Hermione or Ron either. Bad enough they know it exists."
"That what exists?"
Harry cut his hand open and placed his fresh blood on the door. It opened. Harry wrinkled his nose at the smell inside.
"Blood magic? Harry, that's—"
"Dark?"
Harry walked into the room, where Thorfinn Rowle had been chained up for several days. He was still dosed with the Draught of Living Death. His hand was a blackened, oozing mess. His teeth looked like a twisted mockery of a checkerboard. His clothes were soiled, and he stank. They hadn't bothered cleaning him up at all.
"Good lord," Lupin said under his breath. "What have you done?"
"Rowle and Dolohov found us in some crap cafe after Hermione unknowingly broke the Taboo. I stunned both and brought them here, along with Hermione and Ron. They've been going on about helping me."
"And you showed them this?"
"Yes," Harry said, turning to look at Lupin. "They watched me torture Rowle. I needed to know how they found us. I used legilimency after he was weakened to learn about the Taboo, and spread the word immediately. Once I'm finished brewing Veritaserum, I'll be using that instead. Or you will be, if you want to help. We're also using one of their tactics, placing people under Imperius to get information or undermine their efforts."
Lupin's eyes scanned Rowle. "You've used dark magic."
Harry shrugged. "I can obliviate you if you want. I don't think the nature of the magic matters. Simple cleaning charms could kill someone. I saw Snape's memory of my dad using scourgify on his mouth."
"That isn't the same."
"Only because he stopped before Snape began suffocating." Harry pinched his nose, getting frustrated. "Whatever issue you have with dark magic doesn't matter. This isn't about dark magic, it's about a group of people taking over our government and killing the opposition, or anyone who they believe is beneath them. Muggles, muggleborns, werewolves, people with non-human parents. People associated with Harry Potter. It's about control, about power. I've heard that straight from Riddle himself."
Harry turned back to face Rowle. "We lost our main spy, Snape. Riddle's Death Eaters are his worshipers, across the board. You've never had success with other werewolves. You'll be forced on the run as an Order member." Turning to Lupin, Harry said, "What I'm doing here cannot get out."
"No, I can see that," Lupin said faintly. "I need…I need some time to think this over."
"That's fine," Harry said. "Do you know anything about space expansion enchantments?"
Lupin frowned. "I know some. Why do you ask?"
"I've got something else to show you that might be more to your taste."