Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Third Time's a Soul Bond?	By : Wilde_Guess Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Ron Views: 6735 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Chapter 13, “Banks, Ranks, Badges, and Broomsticks” where Ron finds a heart…
-BANG!- -BANG!- -BANG!—
“It's five to six. All of you need to get up!"
"Thanks, Mum, we're moving" I replied as I turned down the covers and sheet, only to have it pulled back up again.
Out of a bed of six people, it would seem that only Hermione and I are able to wake up quickly, and wherever she is, it's not in the bed with the rest of us. I decided to take things into my own hands.
Reaching down below the covers, I cupped the bum of each of my two bond mates, giving each a tender squeeze, followed up by a wandless stinging hex. Harry had the height advantage, but Luna had more "hang-time." They also let go of the blankets, which allowed me to pull them down a second time, only having to overpower Ginny.
Neville was now self-propelled, and was already getting dressed. He had Mipsy vanish the covers, encouraging Luna, Harry, and Ginny to finish waking up and start dressing.
Harry and Luna complained in unison, "What the hell, Old Man?"
I replied, "And good morning to the both of you. After we get dressed and have breakfast, Harry, Sirius is meeting us with a Portkey to Gringotts, which they don't normally allow, by the way. We'll be there half of the morning or better reviewing your accounts and doing other business with the bank."
As I put on my underwear and black socks, I continued. "After that, since you finally decided to join the DOM with Neville and me, you need to be sworn-in, and we all need to get our credentials. If we're lucky, that will only take the rest of the morning."
Ginny and Luna were getting dressed in their school uniforms, since that was the dressiest magical clothing any of us had at that point. Neville was already dressed, and headed downstairs. Harry had just grudgingly put on his y-fronts and was putting on a white t-shirt and black socks. I was already in my waistcoat, and waiting on them to catch up.
I continued, "If we're lucky, we will have time to eat lunch and maybe change over into casual clothes before Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch arrive at half-two for our flying lesson. You can be thankful that we know Hooch can't become an Animagus and we let McGonagall into the wards year ago. Otherwise, they'd be even earlier."
Harry was now in his trousers and wing-collar shirt, with his sleeves pushed up. He finally put his wand holster on, and started looking blearily for his cufflinks and studs, which Sirius had sent over with Mum yesterday evening.
I first handed him his glasses, saying, "You might find your cufflinks easier if you're wearing these?"
He sheepishly and sleepily took the glasses and put them on, while I started putting the studs in his shirtfront and buttoned it closed.
He mumbled, "Thanks, Old Man. But that was still a mean trick zapping us."
I kissed him good morning, and replied, "You're welcome. We need the loo and breakfast. You can finish dressing downstairs after breakfast."
He was the first out of the room. I kissed a still half-asleep Luna as I followed him.
Harry and I used the commode at the same time with the seat up, and lowered the seat while we flushed. We shared the sink to brush our teeth as Luna came in for her turn. She stood behind us as Ginny came in.
Five minutes later, we were eating breakfast as Sirius and Croaker knocked at the back door. Mum let them in. Sirius joined us at the table and Mum served him a plate. Croaker walked up to me and handed me a three-foot long piece of fine rope.
He said, "Mage Weasley, the rope is a Portkey for the six of you to Portkey directly to the Personnel Section. When all six of you are done, it will return you to just outside of your back door here."
He turned to Harry and asked, "Do you plan on joining up?"
Harry, who was finally awake, answered, "Yes. Will I be able to take the oath this morning?"
Neville looked at Ginny and him, and interjected, "You shouldn't have any problems."
Croaker said, "Neville, Harry and you will be sworn-in. Both of you, along with Mage Weasley will also need to be issued your credentials, and Harry will need to provide his vault information for deposit of his salary, since I already have your personal vault information, and Mage Weasley has been on-payroll for a while.
"You also receive a 'swearing-in' bonus of 13 Galleons, 13 and 13. The name of the depositor will be a 'shell company' that is run by the DOM. Personnel section can answer any other administrative questions you may have. Do any of you have questions for me?"
Surprisingly, Luna asked, "Why are the three of us girls going along for the 'swearing-in' and stuff?"
Croaker answered, "As spouses of Battle-Mages, you receive benefits that are slightly different from most Ministry, or even DOM employees' spouses. Due to the potential danger involved in your husbands' work, you are entitled to a survivor pension if your husbands die in the line of duty. In addition, life insurance for your husbands is provided as additional compensation. Lady Longbottom has some understanding of the Muggle MOD. The Battle Mage Office is quite similar in purpose. While we don't have special housing or shopping facilities, you will be issued identification to allow you in to the special rooms reserved for hospitalized DOM Personnel should your husbands be injured in the line of duty."
"Anyone else?" he asked.
Mum asked, "Will Arthur and I need to get these ID's as well?"
"No, Molly. Your Ministry ID is sufficient. When we have DOM personnel with relatives in the Ministry, we simply record the ID's as needed. As I'm sure Arthur can explain, while we are part of the Ministry, we are not spoken of. Anyone else?"
Receiving a chorus of "no's," he said, "In that case I'll bid all of you a good day, and I'll see you in the Personnel Section this morning. He politely let himself out of the door, closing it behind him. The crack a few moments later announced his departure.
We were mostly finished with our breakfasts by then. Harry had already finished and put on his socks. Mipsy had tied his bow tie, and he was buttoning up his waistcoat.
Sirius said, "Now that that's out of the way, good morning all!"
Everyone returned his greeting.
Harry said, "Thanks for helping out with this, Sirius. While we got to bed at kind of a reasonable hour, most of us are still just waking up.
"What time are we expected, and what do we do when we get there?"
Sirius answered, "It's five to seven now, and we will get there at around 7:20. Our appointment is with the account manager for both the Houses of Black and of Peverell-Potter. Blordak is his name, and we will meet him at 7:30, along with Remus who will meet us there.
"This is mostly to get an overview of your accounts, Harry. We will also add access on the same level as you to both Ginny and Ron, since you're married to both of them. As your Chief Seneschal, Ron will automatically see every report that you do.
"We will also review Ron's personal vault, and add Luna to that one. Ragnok is the Longbottom account manager. He was gracious enough to set up an appointment at the same time for Neville and Hermione, and his office is directly across the hall from Blordak's.
"Most Gringotts employees are Goblins, including both account managers. Be courteous with them. Courtesy is free. It may not gain you anything, but being rude will cost you. Also, don't stare at them. They are slightly taller than house-elves, and look like a cross between a house-elf and a human. While Blordak is civil enough, many Goblins resent anti-Goblin attitudes amongst the wizarding public, and can tend to take offence more easily because of this.
"Blordak has also done a wonderful job managing the accounts for both houses. Even before the Peverell-Potter accounts were officially unfrozen, he was able to make a series of very shrewd and very successful investments, and has doubled the overall value of the portfolio over three times in ten years. He has reduced the size of the investment pool 'at risk' steadily while doing so, too.
"He was originally your grandfather Fleamont Potter's account manager, and stayed on since then. Between your father's estate, and the estates of your Uncle Charlus, Aunt Dorea, and Cousin Charis Potter, who were all killed earlier in 1981, the accounts stood at roughly 250 million Galleons. They are now worth just over two thousand million Galleons.
"In the process, he has quietly purchased back most of the Sleekeasy stock your Grandfather Fleamont sold off when he retired, and has invested in other businesses, both magical and Muggle. So, in short, this is one investment banker you do not want to lose."
Mipsy delivered our robes and cloaks. We finished dressing, and it was time to leave for the morning. We hugged and kissed Mum goodbye, grasped the hoop that Sirius had, and felt the pull behind our navels.
§§§
We met with Blordak at 7:30 exactly. Blordak was of average height and weight for a Goblin, was clean-shaven, and had a full head of greying hair that he parted down the middle. He and Remus Lupin stood around a conference table with various reports laid out upon it.
He was also rather refreshing, in that he didn't act particularly "war-like." Though he was certainly a proud Goblin, he was also a very successful Account Manager and Investment Banker. With the returns, Sirius described being net, and his commissions being not small, he could quite literally afford to be more relaxed than most of his race.
He greeted, "Good morning to you all. I am Blordak."
He walked up to a rather nervous Harry and shook his hand. He then said, "Young Lord Potter, It is a pleasure to finally meet you. You look a lot like your Grandfather Fleamont when he was your age."
Harry visibly relaxed, and replied, "Thank you, sir. I understand that you have worked very hard on my accounts these last few years?"
Blordak laughed gently and said, "Quite, my Lord. All Gringotts Account Managers work hard. We share the good fortune that I have also worked successfully.
"Your former Chief Seneschal and current Deputy Seneschal has also supervised my work, along with your godfather and regent. While I'm still not sure why you needed to claim your lordship in the manner that you did, you were wise enough to leave those who were actually in place running your affairs in place and unencumbered.
"I have of necessity and in confidence been informed of some of your circumstances, namely the Soul Bond marriage the Ministry did not publicly announce Saturday Last. Seneschal Lupin has continued to be of great help providing guidance as to how you wish your accounts and estates managed.
"Since you have wisely claimed your title without removing your regent and guardian, you have much more time to get up to speed, as does your Chief Seneschal. While a vault of his level is not normally my concern, I have taken it on as well to simplify things for all of us.
"First, Harry, I'm informed you have one of your elves back. Can you call him?"
Harry called, "Odo, I'm at Gringotts. Come to me."
Odo appeared moments later and answered, "Odo is here to serve, as Master would bid."
Blordak asked, "Lord Potter, if you would place the key to your trust vault on top of Odo's head?"
Harry did so. First, the key glowed, then Odo himself glowed, before the glowing ceased altogether.
Blordak said, "You may retrieve your key, my Lord. Your house-elf may now withdraw funds as needed from your trust vault in either Galleons or Pounds. Do be careful to keep an eye on your account balances. While the amount of gold in your trust vault is quite substantial, I have seen other heirs spend the money faster than it came in.
"Do you with either or both of your spouses to have access to your trust vault?"
Ginny asked, "If I may, sir, Lord Potter and I haven't had the time to even think about discussing finances, much less decide how quickly either of us should start accessing our accounts. Besides, if I really need something, I should only need to send Odo for it if it is reasonable, or have Harry make the purchase if it is major. For various reasons I am not able to talk about, Harry and I live at my parents' house, and will do so until we graduate from Hogwarts."
Harry told Blordak, "I'll give Ron access to my trust vault. Ginny and I will decide how quickly I should give her a key, since she does not feel comfortable having one just yet."
Blordak replied, "This is fair enough. Set your vault key on the grey tray."
Harry set his bronze key on the grey tray, and a duplicate key appeared in a white tray to the immediate right of the grey tray.
Blordak said, "The duplicate key is for your 'private spouse.' Tap each key once with your wand."
Harry did so, and both keys glowed momentarily.
Blordak said, "Now, while Lord Potter taps the master key, his 'private spouse' will tap the duplicate."
Harry and I did as asked. The keys glowed again.
Blordak told us, "The master key can be recalled by Gringotts if it is lost or stolen. The duplicate can also be recalled to the master key by the owning spouse only by tapping the master key ten times with your wand. You may pick up your keys now."
We did, as Blordak spoke again.
"Your key may also be used at some, but not all wizarding shops in the UK. If the shop has an image of a vault key on the front door, they will accept a key print the way the Muggle shops accept credit cards.
"From what I am told, you will also need to present account information to an employer later on. Giving them your trust vault number should be sufficient."
"I have two other major items of note. Both concern the estates of your late relatives.
"First, you now own fifty-four percent of Grunnings Drills LLC. The company is generally well run, is solvent, and is profitable. The interim Managing Director will likely be recommended to be appointed outright. The stock started to decline noticeably on Wednesday, when we held forty-six percent. We purchased the shares we did Thursday, and after doing so the stock returned to its normal trading range.
"Secondly, both inherited homes have been released to you by both the Aurors and Muggle Law Enforcement. Your Deputy Seneschal has already seen to the proper cleaning and exorcising of both properties. They both have all utilities kept in service under your name. Your Deputy Seneschal will have proposals to either sell or retain for each property.
"Do either of you have any other questions before we review the Peverell-Potter and Weasley account statements?"
Harry and I both answered, "no," and we started reviewing the account statements for the next hour.
§§§
We left Blordak's office with Remus Lupin in tow at 9:30. The accounts, as expected, were all well in order. While a lot of the value of the fortune was tied up in investments, there was more than adequate cash flow to live in a far grander style then were currently enjoying. Since we did not plan on blowing vast sums of money, this was even more reassuring.
Neville and Hermione were waiting across the hall until we left. Since Neville was only the heir to his family accounts, he only had his combination trust and personal vault to be concerned with, and to add Hermione to it.
I told Remus, "We will be Portkeying to the Ministry. Ask Sirius what it's about in some place that isn't a corridor if you need to know. We will try to be back to the Burrow no later than half-one to have lunch before Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch arrive to give us our first flying lesson at one-thirty. Let us know what you recommend for the two houses."
Harry said, "Thanks for setting this up, Remus, and thank Sirius for us two. We need to get going while we still have time for lunch afterwards."
Harry hugged Remus. I took out the Portkey, and the six of us held on to it. I activated it, and we were whisked away to the DOM Personnel Section.
§§§
The Department of Mysteries actually occupies three separate areas within the Ministry. In addition to the main research areas on level nine, the DOM Personnel Section is on level two next to the Wizengamot Administrative Services office, and the Battle Mage Headquarters is located across from the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office on level two as well.
Our Portkey landed us in the lobby of DOM Personnel, where were met by Chief Battle Mage Hadrian Wallace. He was an imposing figure, standing six feet and four inches tall, muscular, and in good physical condition, He was clean-shaven, with grey eyes and hair.
As he shook my hand, he greeted me with, "Congratulations, Senior Battle Mage. Get your credentials, probies, and spouses taken care of and come by the shop."
"Yes sir," I answered. Nothing more to say, really.
As "Chief Wally" left the room, Harry asked, "Who was that, Ron?"
I answered, "Our new boss, or at least new to Neville and you, though I've yet to meet him." The 'in this lifetime' was understood.
One magical oath and two hours of "brick-to-the-head" paperwork hell later, rounded out with six magical photographs and six magic samples given, saw our credentials and ID's issued. They also started Harry's pay, and we updated all of our life insurance and emergency data.
We walked over to Dad's office and stopped by for just a moment. He and Perkins had obviously returned from a raid somewhere, and were having a cuppa before writing up the reports.
I said in greeting, "Hey, Dad. Since we were in the neighbourhood, I thought we'd stop in. How bad was the raid?"
"Not that bad, Ron, just a hassle to deal with. It was a clandestine biting doorknob shop in Berkshire. What made it a pain was that the Muggles were in on it too. When the Muggles discovered that the knobs bit everyone who approached their front door, they queued up in the street to buy them, in hopes of getting rid of door-to-door salesmen. The actual shop we could have raided in our sleep, and took just under ten minutes. We're here on break and to start the reports. We're going to have to check every house in that village and the next five over from that, though, to make sure we capture all of the biting doorknobs. The Obliviators have been playing merry-hell on this too, let me tell you
"So, going to play in the broom cupboard?"
"You know you shouldn't speak of such things, Dad," I replied in good humour, with only Neville getting the joke right away, and Harry shaking his head as he read my thoughts.
"But, we do need to run off. We want to get back to the Burrow in time to eat before the Professors show up to give the 'mandatory' broom-riding lesson. See you tonight?"
Dad answered, "I hope so. I've no intention of staying late if I can avoid it."
We all waived and let Dad and Perkins get back to it.
Across the hall was a janitor's closet. I told the rest of us, "Enter the closet and close the door. Cast Lumos, and pull the glowing mop head."
With our help through our bonds, we got first the girls, then ourselves into the Battle Mage Squad Room. Other then entering through a "trick entrance" in the back wall of a janitor's closet, the Squad Room was quite similar to the Auror's Squad Room and the Hit Wizards' Squad Room elsewhere on the same floor. The room was filled with desks, some of which actually had Battle Mages sitting at them doing paperwork. There were eight offices for Senior Battle Mages that opened into the main Squad Room, though we normally only ever had six. There were also offices for the Training Officer, Assistant Chief, and the Chief himself.
As everyone else looked around, I told them, "Welcome to the Squad Room. Unless you stay on after this mission, you may only see it a dozen times or so more at most. You spend most of your time in the field.
"The Patrolmen and Aurors are told to bring them in alive. The Hit Wizards are told to bring them in alive if convenient. We're told to bring in enough of them that what we don't bring in won't cause any further bother. We do try to make arrests if it is feasible. But, we're usually called in because it's not feasible. They can also send us anywhere in the world where the Ministry has an interest.
"We're nicknamed 'Attack Dogs' or 'Dogs,' because we are in effect the 'attack dogs' for the DOM. There are any number of people who deal in the phenomena we study in such a manner as to deliberately cause harm to people or society. There are also circumstances where a small but effective group of fighting wizards is required to protect British interests in many parts of the world. For these and other reasons that are not routinely spoken of, the DOM is obliged to maintain the Battle Mage Force.
"The Hit Wizards were copied off us by the DMLE back in the late 1920s, after some high-ranking DMLE bureaucrat read some Muggle newspapers from America about how American gangsters kept discipline in their organizations, which were made up of people who didn't exactly believe in discipline.
"We call Hit Wizards 'Crispies,' because one of their first missions went just about as bad as one can possibly go due to a lack of training and skill. Someone was supposedly poaching live dragons from the Welsh Dragon Preserve in 1931. The Aurors wouldn't touch it. We were getting ready to send in a team to take care of things, but DMLE decided to send in the Hit Wizards instead.
"DMLE sent in fourteen Hit Wizards. Not only did they screw things up so badly that even the poachers couldn't prove they were poaching, but the entire squad got flash-roasted and eaten.
"Needless to say, their training was improved a lot after that, particularly since their Training Officer and Chief Hit Wizard were part of the 'gang of fourteen,' and needed to be replaced anyway. By the time the Grindelwald war really heated up in '39, they were a respectable force of Dark Wizard fighters.
"Our mission and the mission of the Hit Wizards don’t quite overlap, on paper. In reality, they overlap a lot, the biggest difference being that our missions and 'gigs' originate from DOM, and the Hit Wizards' missions and 'hits' originate from DMLE.
"Our particular mission is being handled by one newly promoted Senior Battle-Mage – me, along with two probationary trainees. This is actually, what the mission calls for, and the three of us are exactly the right people for the job. Depending on how good a job we do, when compared to the job the one we're going after does, it could remain just us. Or, it could take every Battle-Mage, Auror, Hit Wizard, and Patrolman in the UK to clean up the mess."
We walked as a group to Chief Wallace's office. I knocked on the door, and he bid us enter. We walked in respectfully and stood in front of the Chief's desk. He looked all six of us over as he sat quietly.
After a minute or so, he spoke. "My Name is Hadrian Wallace, and I am the Chief Battle Mage. I have been read in to the circumstances and complications of your mission, including the unique qualifications of at least two members of your light squad. Senior Mage Weasley, do you at least have an idea for a fourth member for your squad?"
I answered, "I had one, but she came down with a case of Soul Bond, complicated by pregnancy. All three of our wives are trainable, and will be able to help out with the mission, but I would prefer them to remain civilians, and defending as much as possible. I might be able to come up with a fourth, but I'll actually have to come fully off of paid convalescent leave and get back to Hogwarts to be sure.
"I might be able to use a second squad on the 'outside.' I only say 'might' because I'm still gathering and confirming intel, and don't want to waste manpower. I know the chief target of the mission, but I don't know who else is involved. The people who had been the most dangerous 'pulled a Darwin,' and I haven't found out if they've been replaced. I haven't given Croaker my mission statement yet because I want some proof to go with it, and because the mission statement will likely be and remain 'eyes only' to Croaker unless or more likely until things get truly pear-shaped."
He paused in thought for a moment, and said, "You think that Croaker doesn't know your mission statement already?"
I answered, "The betting money says that he knew it in 1990, when he put me back on payroll. Has he read you in that far, Chief?"
"No, Senior Mage; that is why I'm concerned. By the way, do you know about the Gringotts robbery on the 31st of July?
"Yes. It was the primary target's attempt to get something they think they can use."
"Can the primary target actually use what they tried to steal?" he asked.
"Themselves, not a chance. With the help they have available, probably not, Chief. I'm worried about the 'probably' part, though."
Wallace said, "It's a simple potion."
I replied, "It's a simple poison if brewed by the wrong person. I don't believe that the primary target has access to the right person, but I don't know. I do know that he is much less dangerous if he doesn't actually know how to use the item, and I also know that it is protected much more thoroughly than the primary target realizes."
"How soon do you anticipate needing additional support?"
As he asked, I thought about an item that needed to go away very quickly.
I answered, "I might need a crucible and some basilisk venom on fairly short notice."
"You know that stuff is almost as expensive as it is dangerous, right?" he asked.
"Yes, Chief, but if I find the proof I need, which I suspect I might, the proof will need to be dealt with quickly. With the basilisk venom, we might have enough left over for study, and we will have physical proof. If we use Fiendfyre or the Veil, we won't."
"How big of a crucible are you talking, Senior Mage Weasley?"
"Between fifteen and twenty-one centimetres inside diameter, filled between fifteen and twenty-one inches deep. I don't have the likely proof, and am going from memories of reports. Unless you have a goblin-forged sword that has been anointed with basilisk venom?" I answered.
Chief Wallace sat silently in frustration, rubbing his forehead. In his place, I'd be doing the same.
He replied finally, "You know I'm going to need to clear this with Croaker, right?"
I stated, "If he turns us down, it's a matter of can't rather than won't. The venom will be safer for us than the envenomed goblin sword, but either should work leaving behind proof that is safe. Even that proof will be 'eyes only' for Croaker, the seven of us, and a few civilians who are trustworthy enough and have a need to continue knowing.
"Fiendfyre and the Veil should also work, but anyone we would need to show proof beyond a Pensieve memory would have to be present in the Death Chamber when we toss the item, or be present wherever we 'roast' it."
Shaking his head again, Chief Wallace asked, "Were you always such a pain, Weasley?"
I answered, "Chief, this is really the 'mission of a lifetime.' We're not only trying to succeed in our mission, but do so with a true minimum loss of lives and property. With the right motivation and a little bit of luck, a group of truly untrained teen-agers could win. There would just be a lot of good people dieing or being tortured and imprisoned that need not suffer those fates."
Chief Wallace opened up his desk drawer and withdrew two pocket notebooks. One had my name on it, and the other had Harry's. He sat them on the edge of his desk closest to us.
I asked, "Has Neville been issued his notebook, Chief?"
He answered, "Yes. Go ahead and talk Potter through claiming the notebook."
I told Harry, "First, tap the crest on the front cover with your wand."
We both drew our wands, tapped the notebooks, and holstered our wands back.
I took my penknife from my pocket, pricked my thumb, and left a bloody thumbprint on the crest. Seeing me do this, he followed along with his penknife. I healed first his thumb then mine wandlessly. I finally drew my wand and tapped the cover three times. He followed my example, with both of us holstering our wands afterward.
I said, "Keep that notebook handy at all times, in an interior pocket of your clothing. If it vibrates and turns noticeably warm, you have a message. You may also write notes in it with a pencil. These notes are magically transmitted to those who need to receive it.
"Do not lose the notebook! While they can normally be read only by the person to whom the notebook is issued, and while there are numerous safeguards to either recall or destroy the notebook, they are quite the bother. If you do mess up and lose it, report the loss at once. Most compromises of sensitive information are either minimized or made much worse in the first fifteen minutes after the loss is discovered, depending on whether and how quickly the loss is reported.
"If you're sure you've just misplaced your notebook, there is a charm that can recall it, and also let you know if someone other than you has tried to read it. I'll teach that to Neville and you back at the house. Once learned, the spell works without fail. If the spell does fail to work, report the loss at once.
"If the notebook appears to be irretrievably lost in such a manner that no one will be able to attempt to discover its contents, report it at once. If your observations are correct, the notebook issue register will confirm them. If not, then you have reported it, and other means will be taken.
"Harry, you and I might be able to read each other's notebooks due to our Soul Bond. Since I am your first-line supervisor and trainer, I will be able to read both your notebook and Neville's."
"Girls," I add, "Do not try to read any of our notebooks. It will only cause all of us a world of trouble if you do."
I finally ask, "Chief? Do you need anything else from us?"
He handed me my office key, and said, "No. Go to your office and Portkey home, back to your office, and home again with your credentials. The rope will Portkey your wives directly to your home. Let me know where you want that crucible should I be able to get it for you?"
"Will do, Chief," I answer. "As for where, the Fiendfyre room on nine should work."
The six of us shook hands with Chief Wallace and left his office. We walked through the Squad Room to the door marked "R. Weasley, Senior Battle Mage." I noticed that Harry and Neville had desks assigned right outside of my door. Using my key to unlock and open the door, we went inside.
The office was only slightly crowded with the six of us inside. The office was just smaller than Dad's, but was for only me where Dad shared with Perkins. There were two wooden chairs facing my desk, with a reasonably comfortable looking chair behind the desk for me. There were two filing cabinets at the far end of the office, along with the doors to a small cupboard and very small ensuite. All of this screamed "mid-level-bureaucrat," but was par for the course. Seeing that I was at the tender age of eleven (in this life,) this was actually quite the accomplishment.
I said, "Girls, your IDs are just that. Our credentials are also permanent port keys between our homes, here, and St. Mungo’s. We can carry another person along with us if we are conscious, not under duress, and not under the Imperius. Otherwise, all 'riders' find themselves in a ministry holding cell tagged 'hold for DOM.' "
I continued, "Guys, the Portkey sequence Chief Wallace told us to do is to make sure the Portkey is set to exactly where it needs to be. Look at your credentials. The address on them should be 'The Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon.'"
I looked at both Neville and Harry. Harry nodded.
Neville asked, "If and when I quit staying at yours, do I need to get my credentials changed?"
I answered, "Yes. If you quit doing your 'everyday' living at the Burrow, you need to get your credentials changed to your 'new' address, whether it's moving in with Hermione, moving back to your actual home at Longbottom hall, or wherever. The address on the private side of your credentials is where it will take you when you go 'home,' so best make sure you live there." I said the last with a grin.
I added, "No worries, Neville. You're not even close to wearing out your welcome with us. If your Gran wants Hermione and you to move back instead of just visiting more frequently, we'll work with it. You are just 'sleeping over,' after all, even if the 'sleepover' will last for as much as seven years. You didn't move out or get thrown out. It's just that if you 'go home' at the end of your shift, you will go to whatever address is magic'ed into the credentials."
Getting back to all three of us, I said, "What we will do now is 'fine-tune' our credentials by moving several times between our desks here and the Burrow. Girls, I'll want you to stay here for the moment so I can leave my door open. Guys, when I ask you to, go stand behind your desks, leaving a little bit of room between the desk and you. When I say 'now,' the activation phrase to go home is 'there's no place like home.' To come back to your spot by your desk, the activation phrase is 'it's off to work I go.' After we go back and forth three times, we'll have one more set of checks to make. It's five after noon now. Let's go for being done and eating by 12:30. Go to your desks."
Neville and Harry stepped out of the office. They took a moment, but found their desks without any problem based on their 'issue nameplates' already being on the desks.
Harry said loudly, "We're ready!"
I answered, "First two times vocalize, last time silent. Now!"
With the activation phrase said by each of us, we swirled away on the 'navel-hook.'
The three of us were standing by the kitchen table about ten seconds later. Mum, who was making bangers and mash for our lunch, was startled.
I said, "Hi, Mum! Sorry to startle you, but we're testing our credentials. We'll be done and remaining for lunch in the next half hour or so. We'll pop in twice more, be gone for a bit, and then we'll all be back. The girls should Portkey to outside of the back door when we send them on. Bye, Mum!"
As Mum watched bemused, I said, "Now!"
We each said, 'it's off to work I go.' and were gone again.
Round two was much easier. Round three, being the first silent one, felt kind of shaky, so I had us do the silent activation two more times.
Back at the office, I said, "Ok, we will do two silent rounds between here and St. Mungo's. The activation phrase for them is, 'medic!' Your credentials will also automatically Portkey you to St Mungo's if you are seriously injured or cursed to the point of needing medical attention. They will also 'punch through' most hastily erected anti-Portkey wards and some permanent ones as well. I would rather not try punching through one of Voldemort's hasty wards, but most anyone else just doesn't have the power to stop these.
"Ok, silent to St. Mungo's - now!"
We each activated our credentials, and rather quickly were at the receiving desk on the fourth floor. The mediwizard working the desk asked, "New credentials?"
I answered, "Yes. We'll be back once more in just a tick, and be out of your hair again in no time."
Nodding at Harry and Neville, we returned silently to the office.
I said so they could here, "That desk is the receiving desk for the part of the fourth floor reserved for DMLE and DOM. I was in hospital there once in 1990. They are very good, and do not gossip. Again!"
We silently activated our credentials, and were back at the receiving desk. The mediwizard said, "Try not to need us for an emergency, but if you do, we're here."
We thanked him, and returned to the office.
I said, "I'll be out in half a tick!"
I walked out to their desks, and said, "Two last things before we leave. First is to key you in to your desks. Move your blotters to the side so you can see the DOM Crest."
They did so, and I continued, "Do it just like we did for our notebooks."
They did the wand tapping and blood prints just like for their notebooks. I healed their thumbs, and had them open and close all of their desk drawers.
I told them, "The desks read your magic. Since I am your supervisor, I can also open both of your desks, but you cannot open mine. Only Chief Wallace and Croaker can. Since the two of you are partners, you can also open each other's desks. No one else can.
"Do not try to open anyone else's desk! If you do, the desk you try to open will hurt you. If you have a legitimate need to get in to someone else's desk, have me talk to their Senior Battle Mage, or Chief Wallace or Croaker."
I took out my notebook, checked the inside front cover, and took the included pencil. I wrote: "Brat, Neville, hello world." followed by the pound sign. The pound sign turned red, and both Neville and Harry jumped.
I said, "This is the quick class on how to use the notebook. On the inside front cover, you will find the names of the people you can send notes to, along with a magic pencil. You can use any pencil you like, but don't use ink. The pencil that comes with the notebook will fit inside the notebook, lasts a long time, and are 'free-issue' at DOM Personnel.
"As you felt, I just sent the both of you a message. Go ahead and read it. And, Harry, I don't know why that name came up instead of 'Harry,' so don't bother asking."
Harry read his notebook first, followed by Neville. As each read the message, their names turned green. After both names were green for about five seconds, the coloured writing turned back to graphite dark grey.
Harry asked, "How did they get your name like that, too?"
I answered, "I don't know. Croaker has a sense of humour, I guess."
Getting back to the lesson, I said, "That's how you receive a message. To write a message, you write it to the person who you are allowed to send notes to, using their name as written on the inside front cover of the notebook. You end your message and cause it to be sent by writing the 'pound sign.' If you actually have to specify a weight or 'number designation,' just write out the word pounds or number as needed."
I put my notebook in my pocket. When Harry and Neville finished writing their notes back to me, my notebook heated up and vibrated. I opened the notebook.
Neville's note read, "Got it, 'Old Man.'"
Harry's note read, "Do you want to 'break in your desk?' I'm sure Luna and Ginny would like to help, too?"
I put my notebook back in my pocket and said, "Once an item is answered, draw one line through it from top left to bottom right if you need to keep it for reference. Draw two lines to clear the note completely. Also, a message with a question mark at the end requires a written response.
"If you look at the messages you sent, the pound sign turned red. When I read the note, the pound sign will turn green. If you sent the note without needing a reply, the pound sign will remain green for five seconds, and turn back to pencil colour. If you concluded your note with a question mark, the pound sign will turn green and remain green until the recipient sends an answer. If you need an answer more quickly than the recipient seems willing to provide, you can tap the pound sign with your pencil and it will re-alert the recipient. What colour are your pound signs?"
Neville answered, "Pencil."
Harry answered, "Solid green."
I said, "Harry, tap your pound sign with your pencil."
He did, and my notebook heated up and vibrated again.
I opened it up and the message was still there.
I said, "Harry, put your notebook in your pocket. If you are receiving an answer to a 'question-note' instead of just a note, the heat will pulse and the vibration will double-pulse."
I wrote back, "Maybe, but not right away. Also, Neville and you can't break in your desks, since the Squad Room is occupied twenty-four-seven, with at least one supervisor. Ask later in person, not in a note. Croaker can read every note if he sees fit.#"
Harry's notebook pulsed. He opened it and read it, blushing bright red as he did so.
I stated, "Everything in your notebook is covered under the Wizarding Official Secrets Act. Croaker is considered to have the 'need to know' for EVERYTHING written in it. If you're sending a grocery list, or something more personal, send it by different means."
Proving my point, both Harry's and my notebooks vibrated, even as we still had them open. The note read, "From Croaker. If either of you show up doing any form of that with any form of spouse, I will bounce the lot of you into the MoM lobby in mid-act. Be governed accordingly."
Harry gulped audibly, and turned rather pale. I said, "Object lesson here; Mission and training only. Croaker can read anything in your notebook.
"Harry, let's double-strike the messages and watch them disappear."
We both double-struck the messages, and they all 'went away.'
I concluded with, "When you double-strike a message, it only leaves your notebook to unclutter it. If the sender or recipient on the 'other end' saved it, they still have it. Also, every message ever written in a notebook since the DOM started using them in 1827 is preserved in a volume of the Master Notebook, including Harry's invitation to break in my desk." I said the last part so that only the six of us could hear.
Luna and Ginny both quietly muttered, "Damn!"
I said, "Let's go into my office, and lock up. I need to claim my desk and filing cabinets too, and it's 12:28 now.
§§§
Twelve thirty-five saw all six of us seated at the kitchen table with Mum. We talked politely as we ate our bangers and mash, with tea.
I said, "Mum, I got promoted to Senior Battle Mage this morning. So far, I'm just supervising Harry and Neville. It does give me a pay rise and an office, though. And, if I need anyone else, I have actual rank in addition to being in charge of the mission. Seeing that the next older person than me in the office is twenty-seven, this is a good thing."
Mum asked, "How does that work with you supervising a spouse?"
"No different than otherwise. I'm not on a 'power trip,' and won't be going on one. If I tell them something, it's to make sure our mission is successful and that we all make it home alive and un-maimed. Harry and Neville both know this."
Mum asked, "Did you know that your grandfather Septimus was a Hit Wizard during the Grindelwald war, and that your Dad started out with the Patrol?"
I replied, "I knew about Dad. I only learned about grandfather Septimus when I was in the hospital wing last time. It is rather ironic when you think about it – the grandson of a Crispy becoming an Attack Dog, three times no less, and carrying his old wand, too. "
Mum hesitated as she thought back to that day. Harry and I each kissed a cheek, and then took our seats again. Mum dabbed her eyes with her serviette, and we continued to talk and eat.
Hermione asked, "Are there nicknames for the other law enforcement and paramilitary witches and wizards?"
I answered, "Yes, for some at least. Mind you, with our family being two and a half generations of DMLE and me living two 'half-generation' and starting on a third with DOM, we have our own biases. Other than Hogwarts and what we learn about our co-workers in other departments, we know a lot more about what we actually do than other parts of the Ministry.
"The Patrol are known as either the 'Front-Liners,' or the polite version of the insult you say around Mum is 'Foul-Liars,' depending on what they did to improve the situation or make it harder for you before you showed up. You want to think twice about saying any version around Mum, though. Dad started out with the Patrol, and they generally don't mess things up, at least not for the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office.
"The Obliviators are collectively known as 'Forget-Me-Nuts,' because it seems that they always show up on a crime scene before you do, and that the one Muggle whose statement will help you solve the case just happened to be the first Muggle they Obliviated.
"The Improper Use of Magic Office is called the 'Pedo-spies,' because they never show up for any real improper use of magic. They seemingly spend all of their time harassing Muggle-borns students trying to quietly practice magic in their bedrooms over the summer, or show Mum and Dad what their tuition money is actually paying for. But have that one Muggle-born kid in a thousand 'pop a cog' and curse 'Mummy 'n' Da?' Not a jot from that lot! And, of course, the 'Forget-Me-Nuts' always manage to Obliviate the neighbours back to primary school, so you have no idea why the kid snapped or for that matter if the kid was actually acting in self-defence. I've a story for that, but not while we're eating. Anyway…
"The Misuse of Muggle Artefacts office is called 'Art's Farts,' because Dad started the office in 1974. Prior to that, the law enforcement jobs were split between the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol and the Auror office.
"Dad became a Patrolman literally right after getting his NEWT scores. And by that, I mean that he received his NEWT scores at 9:36 in the morning, and was already walking his first patrol as a probationary Patrolman with Elmer Perkins by half-five in the afternoon. He didn't want to work for the Hit Wizards, but still wanted to work in the DMLE.
"As a Patrolman, he rapidly gained the reputation of being the 'go-to' guy for anything involving the misuse of Muggle Artefacts, Muggle bating, flying carpets, you name it; along with his partner, Elmer Perkins. He also still holds the record for highest OWL and NEWT scores for Muggle Studies. Dad made Patrol Sergeant in 1970, and Perkins was content to remain a Patrolman. The two basically worked from 1972 on only on cases involving the misuse of Muggle Artefacts. Barty Crouch Senior, as one of his first acts after being promoted to DMLE Director and Chief Justice of the Council of Magical Law, made Dad and Perkins into a two-man office in 1974, and had Dad write his own field-manual.
"While opinion of the Office varies depending on how prejudiced one is against Muggles, the Patrolmen and Aurors love Dad, and honestly wish that he had more people. Who else wants to answer the call about a caterwauling cuckoo clock in Chelveston at half-three on a Tuesday? No one.
"The Aurors are called 'gee-wizards' or 'Sherlocks' after the famous fictional Muggle Detective. Neither term is complimentary. As a Patrolman, they never seem to appreciate the job you did preserving the crime scene, but exaggerate every single-time mistake into constant incompetence, all of which while only ever being called out of bed for true disasters. As a Dog or a Crispy, you have to deal with them routinely, especially for us Dogs. They seem to always mess up the chain of evidence, and they only ever seem to look at what they're interested in, never what you actually need to get the damn job done once they dump it in your lap to finish off.
"For Hit Wizards and Battle Mages, though, this is also tempered by respect. If they can't hand the case off to us, they are darned near required to bring the suspect in alive and unharmed. Hit Wizards are only required to bring in a fugitive alive if convenient, and Battle Mages are only required to bring in enough of the fugitive to prove that what you didn't collect won't be hurting anyone else."
By this time, we were just drinking our tea, at five after one. While everyone else paused in though, I silently cast: "Adfero Sirius Black Sirius, Harry is having his first 'official' Hogwarts Flying Lesson, being taught by Madam Hooch herself, at half-two. I also need to talk to you in person. Can you come out to the Burrow? Please let me know Adfero" "Jack" nodded and was off in a flash, followed by the larger flash of Prongs.
Two minutes later, we heard a crack outside of the back door. Harry, who had been helping put away the dishes after Ginny dried them, let Sirius in between he first and second knock, hugging him for dear life.
"I'm so glad you came…" he said while hugging his godfather.
"Calm down, Pup!" Sirius replied. "I'm just glad I can be here, and that you want me here." Harry hugged him harder, and the tears leaking from his eyes were 'happy' ones, judging by the bond.
Checking the time, Harry dragged Sirius to the table, chattering a mile a minute as he put on his socks and shoes anticipating Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch's arrival in the next five minutes.
Harry had just finished getting his full uniform back on, along with the rest of us, when the two Hogwarts Professors arrived promptly at half-two via Portkey. Professor McGonagall knocked, and Mum let both Madam Hooch and her in.
Madam Hooch was tall for a woman without being excessively so, and her physical condition was good enough to more than belay her age. Her short iron-grey hair spoke to her experience, and her hawk-like yellow eyes appeared to miss nothing.
She introduced herself, saying, "Ok, students, I am Madam Hooch. I teach flying, and I am also responsible for all Quidditch related matters at Hogwarts. I was told that each of you already has a broom. Do you?"
Harry actually raided his hand. Madam Hooch called on him saying, "Yes?"
He answered, "Harry Potter, Lord Peverell-Potter, Ma'am. We each have a Nimbus 2000 thanks to my Godfather. We also have some older brooms in the broom-shed. Ron?"
I added, "Ron Weasley, Lord Peverell-Potter's Chief Seneschal. The 'best' of our older brooms that are here are in the broom shed. If you are looking for a more 'docile' broom, you will only need two; one each for Lord and Lady Longbottom. The other four of us are fine with Nimbus 2000s, and Lord and Lady Potter's flying has to be seen to be truly appreciated.
"The delightful and serene blonde is my wife Luna. The other redheaded student is Ginerva Potter, Lady Peverell-Potter, and prefers 'Ginny.' The brown haired couple hoping that you will forget about them in the corner are Lord Neville and Lady Hermione Longbottom."
Madam Hooch asked, "How long will it take to get your brooms and get to where I'm supposed to teach you?"
I answered, "Lords Peverell-Potter and Longbottom each have a house-elf here…"
"Master Ron calls for Mipsy because Mipsy is better with brooms and Master Neville than Odo?" Mipsy said.
I answered, "Mipsy, Lord and Lady Longbottom require the most suitable two brooms from the Broom shed. The rest of us need our Nimbus 2000s. Line them up on the near edge of the Quidditch Field, pointing towards the pond."
She answered, "Mipsy is doing her Master's Business," and vanished.
I asked, "Did you bring your own broom, Madam Hooch?"
She answered, "Yes. I prefer my own broom, especially seeing what some students call safe, and what our Board of Governors sees as fitting student brooms."
We all walked out to the near edge of the Quidditch Field. We call it a 'field,' because while it's 'close enough' for a pick-up game, it is just a field with hoops on the ends rather than a regulation Pitch.
Mipsy had the brooms lined up as requested, and perfectly spaced for a genuine Hogwarts 'first broom flying lesson.' Ginny and Harry were visibly restraining themselves, knowing that Madam Hooch was going to go 'by the numbers.' Neville and Hermione weren't nearly so confident, though they weren't really all that bad.
From Madam Hooch's perspective as she faced us, she had from left to right Ginny, Harry, Me, Luna, Hermione, and Neville. We were all right handed, and approached the brooms so that our broom would be below our out-stretched right hand.
Madam Hooch stated, "You actually seem to know what you are doing, at least for setting things up.
"Stick out your right hand over your broom and say 'Up.'"
We did so, and the four of us on the left were holding our brooms almost instantly. Neville and Hermione got a visibly slower response, but in less than ten seconds, they two were holding brooms out from their bodies in their right hands.
Madam Hooch then mounted her own broom, demonstrating and instructing us on how to mount our brooms without falling off. Ginny and Harry were mounted before she even finished saying for us to mount. Madam Hooch checked all of us, other than Hermione and Neville being nervous, she was pleased with all of us.
She next said, "Now, when I blow my whistle, I want the six of you to kick off from the ground, hard. Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle – three – two – one – tweet!"
All six of us followed Madam Hooch's instructions perfectly. While Neville and Hermione were still rather nervous and uncertain, and Harry and Ginny were buzzing with excitement, we all flew as asked, with Neville and Hermione being slightly slower than average.
Once we were on the ground, Harry had raised his hand. When Madam Hooch called on him, he asked, "May we take a break for a few minutes? Ginny and I would like to stretch out for a moment, and this will allow you to work a little more closely with Hermione and Neville?"
She would later claim that it was against her better judgment, but Madam Hooch allowed the other four of us to take a ten-minute break while she helped Hermione and Neville. The two of them whooped and left the line in flat spins, revealing that they hadn't actually been on the ground since Madam Hooch had checked their grips!
Once they were well clear of the other four of us students, Harry and Ginny flew all out and straight up. They climbed almost faster than the eye could see, each flew a "hammerhead" turn, and both plunged in controlled high speed dives straight at the ground. They pulled up so low to the ground that the tails of their brooms cut the grass beneath them to less than three centimetres tall. They spiralled around each other in a spiralling climb before levelling off at about thirty feet, and flying high-speed laps of the length of the field with Immelman turns at each end.
After four such circuits, they moved toward the centre of the field. Odo set himself up there with a bucket of red and blue golf balls, which he lobbed into the air in random directions and choice of colours. After watching closely, it was obvious that they were trying to catch their own colour without catching the other's colour or letting any of their own drop to the ground, and that deliberate blocking of the other was not allowed.
Madam Hooch ended the game at the end of fifteen minutes with a loud long blast of her whistle. Harry and Ginny returned quickly to the line.
Madam Hooch asked, "Which one of you won?"
Harry answered, "It was a tie, after counting off for wrong-colour catches, and same-colour drops."
Professor McGonagall finally found her voice and asked, "Will either of the two of you be willing to play Quidditch? You will need to get caught up on your written assignments and keep your grades up, but you need to do that anyway."
Harry answered, "Ginny and I would both like that, Professor, if Mum says that it's ok. At least until Ginny has to stop flying for our child. I'll keep playing, since I really enjoy flying."
Professor McGonagall replied, "We can speak to your Mum before Madam Hooch and I leave."
Sirius added, "Minnie? Unless Molly outright forbids Harry, I give my permission, for what that's worth. I don't think that even Victor Krum of Romania could fly that well. Is he going to be one of the chasers, or the seeker?"
Professor McGonagall answered, "Providing Molly and Arthur agree with you, and he gets his grades in shape quickly enough, he will be the seeker. If we allow Ginny to practice until the healers stop it, she might be a reserve for both seeker and chaser. I am not comfortable with a pregnant girl being in the same sky as a pair of Bludgers, especially not against Slytherin. Even if we don't let her actually play this year, she is welcome to fly in practice whenever the Bludgers are not released, to help Harry sharpen his flying skills further."
Mum had been out watching all this time. She finally found her voice. "I suppose that if they get their schoolwork caught up and keep their grades high, that they may. I can't even imagine how they fly when they aren't being watched."
Mum was immediately bracketed and hugged by Ginny and Harry, with each kissing her on the cheek and talking over themselves in gratitude.
Luna walked up to me and squeezed my hand.
"Amazing, aren't they?" she asked in my mind.
"Yeah, and the joy they find flying with each other too." I replied.
I looked over at Madam Hooch. While Hermione and Neville weren't quite enjoying themselves, they were far from the uncomfortable nerve-balls they were after lunch.
I squeezed Luna's hand gently, and we released each other. I walked up to Sirius, who was still digesting the fact that he probably saw the two greatest aerobatic broom fliers currently alive.
"Sirius," I asked. "Do you have a gold locket somewhere about your house on Grimmauld Place with a curse on it?"
He startled with that question. He asked suspiciously and quietly, "How did you know about that?"
I answered, "It was the same as before. I will need to examine the locket, and likely destroy it. This is important. Will you help me?"
He answered, "Kreacher, one of my house-elves has claimed the locket. Woe betides you if he doesn't want to give it up. He was my brother's personal elf before Regulus disappeared, and served my late mother before she passed on. He has gone completely 'round the twist,' so I can't guarantee your safety if he goes nuts. Do you want me to call him, anyway?"
"Yes," I answered.
Sirius called out in a normal speaking voice, "Kreacher."
"Kreacher is here to serve filthy dog that broke Mistress's heart," the house-elf answered. He was also wearing the locket! I could feel Voldemort's soul fragment in the locket from here.
I took out my notebook and wrote: "Croaker and Wallace, it's an emergency! I need that crucible or sword NOW. I'll be in the Squad Room in about one minute #
I thought, "Brat, leave the broom. Your godfather, the ugly house-elf, and the two of us need to get to the Squad Room RIGHT NOW! We'll fix things here when we get back!"
Harry casually walked over to us as my notebook heated up.
I thought to Harry, "Brat, when I nod, grab Sirius and me and activate your Portkey to the Squad Room. We will be met. You will need to use Parseltounge to help us destroy the thing around the house-elf's neck."
He looked at me and nodded. I looked at my notebook. The incoming message read: "To Old Man. We'll be ready. Croaker."
I said to Kreacher, "Hello, Kreacher. Regulus wants to know if his last order to you has been done."
The slightly unhinged house-elf replied, "Filthy human dares to speak Brave Master Regulus' name. But Kreacher is a bad elf! He failed to obey Brave Master…"
I replied, "Your master sent me to help you obey him."
I took the elf's hand in mine, and grabbed Sirius' hand with the other. Harry grabbed both Sirius and me and pulled hard on my magic as he practically shouted, "It's off to work I go!"
We were pulled by our navels and flying. The unholy locket seemed to be trying to escape, but Kreacher held it to his chest with his free hand. The lot of us landed hard by Harry's desk.
Croaker and Wallace were just outside of the door to my office. There was a grey cylinder on the floor to the left of my office door.
I said, "It's the locket!" as I removed the locket from around Kreacher's neck. I had to fight the neck chain as it tried to wrap around my hands or bind my wrists. As I got to the crucible, Harry read my mind and commanded "Open!" in the snake language.
I just got the locket within the barrel of the crucible when the front leaves opened and tried to stop the locket's descent into the solution. Wallace lent a hand, in the form of a heavy forked oaken rod that glowed with magic. He leaned hard on the rod, and forced the Horcrux beneath the surface of the highly corrosive and toxic venom.
We could all hear the bubbling, as if someone had ducked a person's head into a bucket of water. Then came the unholy scream as all the protective enchantments failed on the locket, and it finally succumbed to the poison. A horrible green cloud in the shape of a younger Voldemort rose from the crucible, uttered one final rage-filled scream, and shattered as if it were spun glass.
Wallace and I barely got clear. Everyone else, including Kreacher himself, watched on in horrified awe. The ventilation system in the Squad Room removed the fumes, and we could finally relax.
Croaker brought a bucket over next to the crucible along with a pair of ceramic-coated tongs. He reached in to the crucible, pulled out what was left of the locket, and placed it in the bucket. He held the remains, along with the tongs, in the bucket as Wallace brought a second bucket. Two minutes later, after he swirled the tongs and remains in the first bucket, Croaker removed the locket from the first bucket and placed it in the second. A masked DOM Employee took over the decontamination of the tongs and locket, while another removed the crucible and bucket to a handcart and sent them along with the oaken rod to level nine via dumbwaiter.
Kreacher said, "Brave Master Regulus' last order to Kreacher is done. Who is Kreacher to serve now? Kreacher cannot serve Brave Master's brother because Brave Master's brother hates Kreacher. Brave Ron of many roads has no work, and his Harry has an elf. What is Kreacher to do?"
Harry knelt in front of Kreacher, and he quickly mined my memories from my first life. He told the house-elf, "I don't know where I will find work for you, only that somehow I will. You have granted me two favours this afternoon. First, you helped me get closer to destroying the monster who slaughtered my birth parents, and your beloved Master Regulus as well.
"Second, through your loyalty and bravery, I think that I myself have caught a glimpse of the man he truly was. He was a brave and noble man, and I am glad to have seen what little I have of him through your service to him.
"If you can not forgive my godfather for how he has wronged you in the past, I accept this. I will help you if you will let me."
Kreacher replied, "Young master speaks with a pure heart, and with borrowed words…"
Harry cut him off, saying, "I'm only eleven, and wasn't allowed to do well in primary. Ron shares things and even memories with me, but I am my own person. I speak my own words, even if I have to borrow them from the mind of my beloved, the pass through my heart, which is my own even while shared and given."
Kreacher smiled for the first time that I saw him. "Young master speaks well. Kreacher will only be happy when serving the House of Black. Young Master's Ron and Young Master's wife are closer by blood, Kreacher does feel this. But if Hated Master allows Kreacher to serve Brave Master Ron and Young Master Harry, Kreacher will be happy."
Harry looked at his godfather and asked, "Where in London do you live, Sirius?"
Sirius replied, "I have a townhouse in Mayfair. I still own number 12 Grimmauld Place because I haven't had the time to sell it. Do you want the house as well as Kreacher?"
Harry asked, "Why would you give away a house? Not that I don't want it, but why?"
Sirius told him, "You will have the same questions to answer about number 4 Privet Drive. While my life wasn't harsh in the same way yours was, it was more than harsh enough. So, I don't want the house. However, as the Seat of Power for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, I can't really sell it, either.
"As for Kreacher, you heard it from his own mouth. I don't hate him, but he reminds me too much of the parts of the past I would rather hadn't existed at all. We may be friendly someday, but that someday will never come if I try to keep him serving me as his Master.
"Reggie was fond of Kreacher, just as much as Kreacher was fond of him. Letting Kreacher serve you in a way that he is still serving the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black without actually serving me is the start of the tribute that Reggie truly deserves.
"So, I'll sell you a one hundred year lease on 12 Grimmauld Place for one sickle, and I'll transfer Kreacher's bond to either Ron or you, whichever one Kreacher says will work for him, keeping him in service to the House of Black through a cadet house."
Harry replied, "Thanks, Sirius. That also solves the problem of what to do to give Kreacher enough work."
Harry asked, "Kreacher, do you want your bond transferred to Ron, or me?"
Kreacher answered, "Young Master, your Ron would need to accept the bond, even if he has me follow your orders always."
Yipee! Just what I always wanted. All sarcasm aside, I could work with Kreacher. It would be even easier not having the mental baggage of Sirius's death being at least partly Kreacher's fault. So, I said…
"Sirius, how do we transfer Kreacher's bond to me. Harry and I need to get back to the Burrow, at least for a little while. Kreacher didn't make me wait to help him finish Brave Master Regulus' last order to him, so I don't want to wait to reward Kreacher's loyalty to Regulus, either."
Sirius said, "Kreacher, come kneel before me."
He told me, "You will place your right hand on my head. I will talk you through your part.
Two minutes later, I was the proud owner of a half-crazy house-elf, who I promptly assigned to Harry. Harry in turn called Odo, explained the situation, and told both Odo and Kreacher to speak to him if they had any problems. He also told Kreacher to remove 'Mistress Walburga's' portrait to his quarters, so Kreacher could enjoy her company and spare her the disappointment she might see from where she hung. He also ordered Kreacher to be civil to Remus Lupin, who was his Deputy Seneschal.
Finally, Harry asked, "Is there an antidote to the Draught of Despair?"
Croaker answered, "There is, and it's safe for most beings. Why?"
He replied, "Croaker, Kreacher drank a lot of that stuff right before Regulus died. I don't know if it would help Kreacher after all this time, but unless it would harm him, I want to try."
Croaker said, "We'll have to brew it. I can have someone bring it by the Burrow tomorrow, and have him drink it there and then. We can also bring a healer in who specializes in treating house-elves. Being stuck with that for over ten years didn't do him any favours."
A silver ghostly phoenix flew in to the Squad Room. It said, "Ron, you need to send a spell-call to your mother so she stops worrying. As soon as you can, you also need to return home. I wish to see your memories of the past hour or so, if I may." The spell dispersed.
Harry had already cast his, and I delayed just long enough to send my message so they wouldn't try to talk over each other. "Adfero Molly Weasley We're sorry we took off with no warning at all. It was beyond an emergency. Ask Luna and Ginny, we weren't consciously blocking them off, but will call them through our bonds. We are at the office, and are trying to finish up here as soon as possible. Croaker might come along at first, and he will have an interesting souvenir to show. And Headmaster, if Mum gives her permission, a snifter of that Armagnac would be very nice. After seeing my memory, I think you will agree. Thanks. Adfero"
§§§
It was almost half-five before we returned to the Burrow. Luna and Ginny grabbed us into hugs the moment we showed up. Ginny and Harry were up the stairs to the room so quickly that it was almost like apparition. Through the bond, I felt that he was only changing out of his uniform and into casual clothes, and ditching the footwear.
Luna was also dressed more casually. I was more concerned about her tears as she cried herself out on my shoulder. I held her and made reassuring noises. As odd as it sounds, it worked.
When she had calmed down, I said in my mind while kissing her, "I'm sorry you saw that, especially without warning. But, I had to do it when I did it. I really didn't mean to hurt or scare you, please forgive me?"
She answered, "I forgive you. Please help me become stronger with you. Also, when we clear out the last of your 'work' for the day and eat, we will all be having sex. If you have anything going on in the morning, you will either be late or put it off."
I kissed her and answered, "I love you, Luna."
After kissing her again, I looked around the kitchen more thoroughly. Professor Dumbledore was at the end of the table, with a travelling case taking up that part of the table itself. The travelling case would shortly prove out to be his Pensieve.
Mum was still working on supper. I walked up to her, hugged her, and kissed her on the cheek.
She replied, "I thought I'd seen the last of this in '81. So long as you keep coming home, Ronnie."
I hugged and kissed her again, telling her "I love you, Mum. If I could have done things differently, I would have."
I walked back to the table, seeing Professor McGonagall, Madam Hooch, Neville, and Hermione seated along with Luna.
Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch stood up. Madam Hooch said, "Harry's and your flying were both Outstanding. I understand that your leaving was due to an emergency, and I've taken no offence. Remind and congratulate Harry and Ginny for getting on your House Quidditch team, and urge them to get their class-work caught up and to keep their grades up. I need to get going as soon as Professor McGonagall finishes up here. I'll hopefully see the lot of you when you return to classes."
Professor McGonagall added, "I was also able to work with Ginny, Luna, Neville and Hermione on some transfiguration. Between Hermione and you, please show it to Harry.
"While I do help out on some of the business like today, I am more involved with the school, and I need to get back to it. Hopefully, I will see the six of you back on Monday?"
I answered, "I hope so as well. Thanks to the both of you for coming out here for us."
Professor McGonagall replied, "Not at all, Mr. Weasley."
She and Madam Hooch walked out through the back door, and took their Portkey back to Hogwarts.
As Harry and Ginny returned from Harry changing into regular clothes, Croaker knocked at the back door. Mum let him in. He was carrying a flask and a box. He said, "Potter, call Kreacher."
Harry called, and the house-elf entered the Burrow for the first time.
"Kreacher lives to serve Young Master," the elf said in greeting.
Croaker handed Harry the flask, and said, "This should help. Have Kreacher drink one swallow and honestly tell you how he feels."
Harry did this, and Kreacher answered, "Kreacher feels less sad and hopeless."
Croaker said, "This potion should be taken for another six days. One swallow per day, at about this time each day. Kreacher should also know that even with the Draught of Despair purged from his system more completely that he will feel sad more easily than he did before obeying Master Regulus' orders before Master Regulus disappeared."
Harry said, "Croaker's advise and instruction is my order to you."
"Kreacher lives to serve. Kreacher also thanks Young Master's Croaker for honouring the old ways. Kreacher is a good elf and will follow new ways for Kreacher's new Master and Young Master. Kreacher is also an old elf and likes to be reminded of the better parts of the Old Ways."
Harry asked, "Kreacher, how well do you get along with Remus Lupin?"
He replied, "Young Master's wolf has not hurt Kreacher directly. Kreacher did not like Young Master's Wolf because Young Master's Wolf worked for Kreacher's former master who hated him. Kreacher lives to serve. Kreacher will work with Young Master's Wolf."
"Thank you Kreacher. Your Master and I will try to visit the House of Black before we return to Hogwarts to see your progress with the house. I intend to make the House of Black a wonderful house once more."
Having a thought, Harry asked, "Is that your Pensieve in the case, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore replied, "Yes, Harry. We will be viewing yours and Ron's memories in a few minutes."
Harry asked, "If Kreacher can share his memories of how Brave Master Regulus spent his last hours, I would be interested in seeing them. Wouldn't you?"
The Headmaster said, as he opened up the travelling case, "If Kreacher wishes to share those memories, I would be happy to see them as well."
Croaker said, "Dumbledore, this is what is left of the item we destroyed. There is not enough magic left for us to make a detector from, so we have no use for it. It's exactly what you thought it was, and I believe it was not the first or second one he made. I'll bid you a good evening. If you think of anything after viewing the memories, let me know. If you want me to know right away, have Senior Mage Weasley send me a note. He was promoted before bringing that thing in and killing it, by the way."
Croaker stood away from the table and vanished with a twirl and quiet 'crack.'
§§§
We didn't finish with what could pass for "Order Business" until nine-thirty. Sirius and Remus came back to the Burrow at around five along with Dad, and Kreacher stayed on.
We watched Kreacher's memories first. By the time we finished watching them, Sirius was an emotional train wreck. Kreacher was also less resentful of Sirius Black.
We then watched my memories of the afternoon, from asking about Kreacher on to the locket going into the rinse bucket.
The other adults discussed what this meant, and how closely it matched my first life. I answered honestly, sharing what I could without making things more complicated later on. I reminded them also that even if this was my original world, this was no longer my 'original original' timeline because of changes I made almost ten years ago, and the changes those changes caused.
When the last of our visitors left, the six of us sat around the table. Neville, Harry, and I each drank a tokkuri, and the girls had pumpkin juice. We were mostly talked out already. We each bid Mum and Dad good night, and headed upstairs. We shed our clothes the second we closed the door.
It was more lovemaking than sex, but it was also more desperate than fun. Even Neville and Hermione, who weren't in the Squad Room in one way or another, needed the reassurance they could only give to and receive from each other.
It was after midnight before we all finished showering and got into bed. We were all asleep almost instantly, hoping that we would be able to sleep-in in the morning. Our first taste of war, at least in this lifetime had come as a complete surprise. We had not been ready. But we were lucky.
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