Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Candles flickered happily in the dark basement laboratory. It was rather large with many little homey details. Spread around the charts and graphs hung pictures of the three children who called the upper levels of this place home. The parents of these children were all in different parts of the lab working on their own things. They had all grown used to the low hum of work from the others that seemed to be the only thing that ever interrupted them. That or whatever business Charlie got into if he floated down to the basement. Bright lights suddenly filled the room and strange whistled accompanied them.
They all looked up and met each others eyes. They knew exactly what sound that was. Honestly they were stuck somewhere between shock and pride. The children should never have been able to get passed any of their wards. Luckily they hadn't undone the location wards, possibly because they were still to young and green to detect them. For now at least.
Jean was the first to move.
Quickly she filled a nearby messenger bag with a few items she might need. She might not be able to use magic in the traditional sense anymore but after a few years she had learned more than a few tricks. Blood runes could be used to pull at a persons dormant magic and she had become quite good at it. A hand landed on her shoulder and she turned to face her husband.
"Are you sure you're ready? We know exactly where they are heading, someone else can bring them back. Petunia already has a standing relationship with the goblins, they could help her.", he said with worry heavy in his tone.
She had been pulled into his arms and as she looked into his eyes Jean knew she couldn't hide anymore.
"It's time Will. A bit earlier than we planned but plans often go awry."
Will sighed and hugged his wife tightly before nodding to her and letting her go.
Petunia stood near the door with a frisbee in her hands. Seeing that Jean was no longer preoccupied with her husband Petunia waved the plastic disc towards her.
"You forgot to pack this.", Petunia said.
Jean accepted the frisbee gratefully.
"Thank you Petunia, that will make our trip home much easier."
Jean noticed the worry on Petunia's face and as a mother she too was feeling the exact same as her. Their children had gone and it was only a matter of time before someone found them. Whether it be from their side or the others.
"I need you to call Moony for me Petunia. I need to finish his seal.", Jean said as she touched a cold stone in her pocket.
With one last look to her husband Jean left.
Petunia called to an owl that had been hiding in the shadows as she rummaged about for some paper. Quickly she scribbled out a note and attached it to the owl.
"I need you to take this to Remus Lupin.", she said to the owl.
It spread its wings slightly and suddenly it was off. The owl took off from the room in search of a window. Petunia turned around to find Will brooding silently in a corner. She came up to him and patted his shoulder.
"Your wife is still immensely powerful in her own way Will. This will be easy for her.", she assured him.
Will turned around and smiled painfully at his now dear friend.
"It's honestly not her I'm worried about. Sometimes my Jean can be a bit rough."
Running a hand through his hair he laughed darkly. Petunia continued to listen to her friend.
"I just hope no one tries to stand between her and the kids.", he said.
Inside Petunia whole heartedly agreed with him.
Jean landed between two stores in Diagon Alley. A few unsavory people looked her way and she raised her hand. A tattoo could be seen peaking out of her sleeve as it slipped down a bit. The tattoo glowed a strange purple color against her and an invisible force shot itself from her body and lightly cut up the surrounding area in warning. The unsavory people turned away with one of them noticeably scuttling off. Her eyes narrowed as slightly as she watched him go.
Jean wasn't the same young woman she was when she left this world and she could handle whatever they threw at her and then some.
Returning to the task at hand she concentrated on her link to her daughter. She could see her daughter's magical signal nearby and she opened her physical eyes to look around. Jean spotted all three children a few stores ahead.
They all looked fine and she released a relieved breath.
Keeping to the shadows she started forward. She had only gone a few feet when an overly large hand grabbed her and pulled her into yet another side alley. Expecting something like this from either of the sides Jean had been prepared to get a little dirty. She activated her blood runes and focused the power into her elbow before hitting backwards with her full force. The extremely large body she had been pulled against grunted let go and fell against the alley wall.
Dusting herself off she turned to face her assailant.
Hagrid lay against the wall breathing heavily and holding his ribs.
She raised an eyebrow.
She had known that the lab accident which had sealed her surface magic had strengthened her core. She was surprised to see that it was strong enough to down a half giant. The things she had discovered after the accident were strange and what happened to her had affected her blood which she had passed down to her daughter. Jean had yet to fully uncover Hermione's capability but she knew it had already exceeded her own control of her blood magic. She shook her head clearing her thoughts and looked at Hagrid.
"Miss.." She cut him off quickly.
"Its Mrs. now but your people wouldn't know that so I forgive you.", she straightened herself up before beginning again.
"I don't care what you or any of your lot have to say Hagrid. Many of you have done unforgivable things and I refuse to hear any of what you have to say."
She glared at him all her hate reflected in her eyes and the half giant shrunk in on himself. He knew she was right and he himself had played a part in some of the things that happened to her.
Jean turned away from him speaking once more as left," I'll only say this once, stay away from my children."
She left him in the side alley and continued on to find the children.
It only took her a few moments before she was close enough to hear Harry call out for the others.
"There it is! C'mon guys pick up the pace we've almost made it.", Harry called out as he took a running step forward. He had only taken a few steps before he ran straight into a body that hadn't been there before. He looked up slowly already recognizing the smell of the perfume this person wore.
Jean stood in front of Harry, hands on hip looking quite miffed with her hair a bit out of place.
"When I felt you pass through the wards I told the others that it had to be a mistake."
Harry slowly backed up till he was once again huddled with his companions. The three would be escapees stood stock still. Internally Jean preened at her ability to inflict such fear on all those she considered her children.
"I told everyone that you all were far too smart to be doing something so stupid, but apparently I was wrong.", she said the disappointment heavy in her tone.
"I told them it- ", Jean waved her hand and Hermione was silenced.
"Whether you told them or not isn't the issue. The point is that you all deliberately disobeyed orders set in place to keep you safe."
Jean looked on at the children. Her own daughter smarter and braver than she could ever hope for, and these two boys strong, courageous and growing brighter every day. What they had done had almost cost them all very dearly. They huddled together seeking comfort in each other and she softened her tone just a bit.
"You three do not understand the danger you were in today.", she closed her eyes briefly before continuing.
"If I hadn't come you three could have been taken by people who would've exploited you and your powers."
The children all looked up at her with worry in their eyes. Harry held onto Hermione's hand with one hand and thde other he held onto his brother's forearm. Jean sighed and pulled the children towards her.
"I love you all and I would hurt many people before I allowed anyone to harm you all.", she said embracing them tightly.
After a few moments of hugging Jean stood back from the children a bit. Pulling a small frisbee from inside her robes many pockets she motioned for them all to grab onto it. They couldn't apparate in the normal sense thanks to the many people who were closely watching for any strange travel signatures. After a few painstaking weeks, the adults had figured out something close to a portkey that they could keep under wraps. The only downside was that it was activated with blood.
The children waited calmly as Jean pulled out a small dagger and pricked her finger. She grabbed onto the frisbee with the hand she had cut. As soon as the blood touched the frisbee it began to glow.
"Alright everyone deep breaths. Remember you're all still in loads of trouble.", she sang out happily as they were suddenly zipped away.
The dark empty alley seemed to become darker after the small group had left. Almost imperceptibly a shadow unattached itself from the others and slinked away.
They landed in their shared living room. Petunia and Will rushed forward to hug their respective children.
Hugging Harry and Dudley Petunia began to scold them, "I cant believe you boys would drag poor Hermione out there. Do you know what kind of danger you were in?"
It was very reckless agreed a voice the children hadn't heard in some time. Pulling himself away from his mother Harry ran towards the owner of said voice.
"Uncle Moony!," He threw himself into Remus' arms and laughed happily. Patting Harry's back he chuckled and said, "I came while you lot were off on your little adventure."
With a hand on her daughter Jean addressed all three of the children.
"There is a reason you three are in hiding. It does mostly center around Harry and those who would wish him harm but you three are close in a way that any harm to one of you would be disastrous for the others.," She turned to Dudley holding his gaze.
"One day you will lead your own pride and all your decisions will affect them. You need to learn now what that means so from now on your training is doubled Dudley."
Still in his mother's arms Dudley hung his head.
"The same goes for Harry and Hermione as well. With extra combat and weapons training. We need you three to wake up and realize this is not fun and games."
The children knew their time site seeing wasn't safe but the way the adults were reacting was scaring them a bit. Where they really in that much danger?
Patting Harry's shoulder Moony spoke to the room at large.
"Well I guess there is no time like the present. Boys with me and the young lady will go with her mother for now."
All three made eye contact gulped audibly.
What had they done?