Chapter 5- Moody Shares a Memory
May. 4th, 2009 09:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
coyotegothThis is the latest installment of my story set in the Harry Potter universe; it immediately follows the events of Chapters 3 and 4. As always, Half-Blood Prince spoilers. (Please note also that this series is not Deathly Hallows compliant in the least.)
Chapter 5- Moody Shares a Memory
Harry sighed, his thoughts full of Horcruxes, and locations, and Vows; they went out to the dining room, where Ron went to help Arthur and Charlie put extra leaves into the dining room table, which extended into the living room now. The lights had been shut off; the only illumination came from several candles which had been placed around the room. For a moment, Harry found himself looking at a painting of a hunting scene, such as one would find in houses all over England. We're on a hunt, all right. He shook his head, and went to help Charlie lower a table leaf into place. “Be ready in a minute,” said Charlie. “Fred and George are getting an extra table from downcellar; we’re expecting more people.”
“But... can’t you just conjure up some more table leaves?” asked Harry distractedly, still thinking about the conversation in the twins' room.
“That’s not the way it works, Harry,” said Hermione, talking rapidly, as she often did when anxious. “When wizards wave their wands and things appear, they aren’t creating them- they’re summoning them; they have to know where the thing they’re summoning is, to start with, and there are ways to seal against it. It’s simply a more advanced version of an Accio spell; if wizards could just create anything they needed, there wouldn’t be any need for a Diagon Alley or a Hogsmeade.” She paused, and looked around. "I hope we have enough candles; with this many wizards around, the electrics probably won't work at all..."
Harry nodded silently and went to help Charlie slide another leaf into position, as Hermione went back to lighting candles. After a moment, Fred and George came up from downstairs carrying a small table, which was placed in the living room, at the end of the main one.
“I was telling Harry earlier- when things settle down a bit, we’ll have to do some Expansion Spells in here- give us some more room,” said George, as he and Harry set more chairs in place, and Hermione walked back into the kitchen.
Arthur nodded; he was now standing on a chair, and hanging the Weasley family clock on the wall. “That’s a good idea, although it’s complicated magic- don’t know when we’ll have the time free,” he said. He paused for a second, and looked at the clock. "Keep her from obsessing on it, at least," he muttered.
“How long are we going to be here, anyway?” asked Fred, as Harry looked at the clock; there was something different about it...
Arthur sighed. “I don’t know; with the present threat from You-Know-Who... it could be a while,” he answered.
Harry paused, and looked up at Arthur. “May I speak to you for a moment?” he asked. "In private...?"
Arthur looked down at him for a second. "All right," he said. "We can speak in there," he added, indicating the main bedroom.
*
"What is it?" Arthur asked, as the door closed.
"Well... something has come up- something to do with... everything that's going on."
"Mmm... yes; I saw that things were even busier than usual at the Ministry today, although no one would tell me anything," said Arthur.
Harry nodded. "I want for us to have a meeting about it," he said. "Apparently, even Fleur is with the Order now- and we need to figure out what to do."
Arthur sighed, and ran his fingers through his thinning hair. "That may have to wait for a bit, I'm afraid," he said. "One of Scrimgeour's aides told me we're getting two Aurors here tonight; Scrimgeour's worried about your safety."
"Yeah," said Harry bitterly. "He doesn't want to lose his poster boy."
Arthur sighed. "Harry... I think it's good that you're showing support for the Ministry- it's a central part of our wizarding culture," he said. "I know you have no love for Scrimgeour's tactics- nor do I, frankly, especially as a member of the Order- but... he really is the best man for the position, with things the way they are. We actually caught a spy today- Scrimgeour truly has a gift for that sort of thing."
"Yeah- he's great at nosing things out," Harry said flatly. "I just hope it wasn't a false alarm, like Stan Shunpike."
Arthur ran his fingers through his hair again. "As I say, Harry- although I appreciate his skills, I'm not one of his followers. When I'm there now, I always feel as though I'm being watched- whether he actually knows I'm a member of the Order, or not. And the rumors I've heard about some of the laws he's drawing up... not just for the werewolves and other demi-humans, but for everyone..." He broke off, and sighed again. Harry looked at him silently, unable to find words; Arthur looked sad, and tired, and suddenly old. After a moment, they heard Fleur's voice through the closed door, asking, “’As anyone seen Bill?”
“I checked- he's nowhere in the house," answered Charlie. Arthur's lips pressed together; he stepped to the door, and opened it.
"Check the grounds," he called to Charlie. "And... take the twins with you." Arthur paused in the doorway, and looked back at Harry. "I wish I had better answers for you," he said. "This just doesn't seem to be the time for them." He then turned, and walked silently out of the room.
*
Harry stood in Arthur's room, alone with his thoughts, for several minutes; he walked back to the living room as Charlie and the twins were re-entering the house. "...no sign of him anywhere," Charlie was saying.
“I see,” said Arthur. “Well... we’ll keep his dinner warm.” Ron, Fred, and George put out place settings, as Harry watched, uncertain of what to do. “You can help bring things in from the kitchen, Harry; we’re ready now,” Arthur said.
“We’re all set,” said Ginny, waving her wand and floating the food in from the kitchen, as Hermione followed. She waved her wand again, and soup bowls floated up to the tureen; a ladle started pouring soup into each bowl. “How many are we expecting?” she asked Arthur.
“Well,” said Arthur, “There are you, me, Ron, Charlie, Fleur, Harry, Hermione... Fred and George... Bill, if he gets back in time... Remus and Tonks both said they’d try to make it... Moody’s dropping by to discuss something... and Minister Scrimgeour said we’re getting a couple of Aurors here tonight. So... possibly as many as fifteen; I hope you made enough food.”
Harry opened his mouth to ask about Molly, then closed it; fatigue had already had him saying unfortunate things today.
“But... aren’t Tonks and Moody Aurors, even if he's retired?” asked Ron.
“Scrimgeour wants his own people in here,” said Fred tersely; Arthur shot him a look.
“The more protection, the better,” said Arthur firmly.
"We have enough, but if we're going to have that many people all the time, we're going to need to do more shopping soon," interjected Ginny.
"Give me a list," replied Arthur. "I'll make sure you get what you need." He turned to address the room. "Let's be seated."
Arthur sat at the head of the table; Charlie sat at his left, and Harry at his right; Fred and George sat down the table from Harry, with Ron next to Charlie, then Hermione, with Ginny on Hermione’s left. Harry glanced at her for a moment, but she didn’t meet his gaze; down the table, Fleur sat down next to George. Harry looked over at Ron, then Hermione, both of whom looked as anxious as he felt; he then glanced at Fred, who made a small I know gesture.
“What’s this?” asked Ron, holding up a packaged loaf of sliced bread.
“What do you think it is, you git- it’s a cantaloupe,” said George.
Ron opened the wrapping, and sniffed at the bread dubiously. “Doesn’t smell like bread the way mum makes it,” he mumbled.
“Well, you don’t have to eat any,” snapped Arthur. There was silence for a moment; then, there was a sharp cracking noise, from in front of the house; Arthur immediately reached for his wand. “See who that is,” he ordered Charlie.
Charlie slid past the table, and walked up to the front door with his own wand drawn. “It’s Remus and Tonks,” he called back. He opened the front door, after awkwardly tucking his wand back into his belt loop; they came in, with Tonks carrying a wrapped bottle. Harry noticed that although Remus and Tonks were standing side by side, they seemed somehow distant from each other.
“A housewarming gift- a bottle of Ogden’s Old,” said Lupin.
“Sorry we’re late,” added Tonks. “There’s been a lot going on.”
“Is everything all right?” asked Arthur, in a particularly solicitous tone. Tonks simply nodded; Ginny patted her on the arm and smiled at her, but got no response. Harry happened to exchange a glance with Charlie, who shrugged.
While Tonks and Lupin were being served, Arthur began passing down butterbeers; Harry took one, then stared at the bottle, remembering the toast in Scrimgeour’s office. “Think I’ll stick to milk,” he finally said, passing the bottle on. Ron opened his mouth to ask a question; Hermione, seeing the look on Harry’s face, nudged him with her elbow.
“It’s soup and spaghetti for dinner,” said Ginny, as Arthur passed a carton of milk to Harry. “There’s not much else we can make with all these tinned foods.”
“Whatever it is, it’ll be most welcome,” said Lupin, putting his napkin in his lap and tucking in. There was silence for the next few minutes, as people ate; Harry, fidgeting in his seat, noticed that Tonks didn’t seem to have much of an appetite, although Lupin was eating as though he were starved. Fred and George finished quickly, and excused themselves from the table to go back to their room; Fleur, in turn, headed back downstairs to tend to Molly.
“Are you still with the werewolves?” asked Ron, looking down the table at Remus. “I know you were spying on them for a while...”
“Ron, that’s not...” Arthur began, but Lupin held up a hand. “It’s all right, Arthur- and to answer your question, Ron, Headmistress McGonagall withdrew me from that duty after the attack on Hogwarts; she felt that I had been too visible a presence, which might compromise my abilities as a spy.”
“McGonagall is the head of the Order now?” asked Harry.
There was a brief silence; it was Tonks who finally answered, “Yes, Harry- Dumbledore left instructions to that effect in his Pensieve memories; we’re still waiting for an actual will to turn up.”
“Pensieve?” asked Arthur. “Shouldn’t that should be turned over to the Ministry?”
“That would be a matter to take up with Headmistress McGonagall,” replied Lupin quietly. “She seemed to feel that the Order would benefit from its contents.”
Arthur looked as though he might say something at this, but remained silent. Harry said to Lupin, “It’s a good thing you’re here; I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”
“I’m afraid that any conversation may have to wait for a while,” Lupin replied. “I’m going to be out of touch for a few days- the moon is full tomorrow night.”
“We’re actually worried about that,” said Hermione. “Bill... he’s been acting like he was when you were here, only more so.”
“And that’s why he’s not here now?” asked Lupin.
Charlie nodded. “He said he needed to get out of here for a bit- he'd been talking about being cooped up,” he said, pointedly not looking at Arthur as he said this.
“Is there any way we can find him?” asked Ginny anxiously; Lupin shook his head. “If we'd been able to put a Locator Charm on something he was carrying...” he began; Harry’s lips pressed together at this, as Hermione shot him a glance.
“Well,” said Arthur, “perhaps if we...”
There were more cracking noises from out front. “It’s not Bill,” said Tonks, who had gone to the door this time. “It’s Mad-Eye... and a couple of other Aurors.” She looked at Lupin as she said this; he affected not to notice. The door opened, and Moody stumped in, followed by two men in Auror's robes. As Moody exchanged greetings with everyone, Harry recognized the first man behind Moody as Dawlish, the Auror who had been tailing Dumbledore the previous year; the Auror behind him...
Harry started in surprise as he recognized Abador Brin, the Auror he'd spoken to on the Knight Bus. Hey- good to see you again was on the tip of his tongue... when Brin caught his gaze, and gave the tiniest shake of his head. In an instant, Harry realized that Dawlish- who had been jinxed twice previously by Dumbledore- was not a member of the Order, and that he had no idea that Harry and Brin had met before. Instead of his planned greeting, he asked Arthur, “Who are they...?”, keeping his voice casual.
“This is Balthazar Dawlish, Harry, and this is Abador Brin. They’re here to help us with security.”
Looking around the room, and noticing the number of people, Dawlish looked at Moody and lifted his eyebrows in a question.
"Safety in numbers," Moody said; Dawlish nodded, and turned to face Harry.
“Hello, Harry,” said Dawlish. “We’ve met before.”
“I don’t believe we have, though,” said Brin. “I’ve been busy with field work.”
“Brin’s the best Auror they’ve got- no offense, Dawlish,” said Moody, as Brin and Dawlish were served plates of food by Ginny; Dawlish merely shook his head. “Taught him everything I know; he used to be the junior member of my team.”
“Second best, Alastor,” said Brin, as he spooned on some more sauce, “now you’re back.”
“You’ve rejoined the Aurors?” asked Lupin, with a sharp look at Moody.
“Yeah- need to get new Auror’s robes, come to that,” said Moody, sitting down; he sniffed at a forkful of spaghetti, then ate it. “Never would’ve left, if Bagnold hadn’t worn herself out. I was hoping Crouch would take her place, but after that business with his son... I could see how Fudge was angling to replace her; I wanted no part of a Ministry under that idiot.”
“I’ll second that- he was a disaster,” said Charlie.
Brin nodded. "Where's your brother?" he asked.
"Out," Arthur said in an ominous tone; he and Brin exchanged glances, then Brin nodded.
There was a pause; Lupin continued to stare sharply at Moody, as Tonks simply looked uncomfortable; Harry glanced to the others to see if any of them had an idea, as they looked anxiously back at him. “Err,” Harry finally said, “shouldn’t we have one of you watching from out front? In case someone approaches the house?”
“Not a bad idea, Harry- although the Fidelius charm should prevent that, unless it's Bill returning,” said Brin, before turning to face Dawlish. “Moody and I have some war stories to catch up on- do you mind?” he asked lightly.
“Not at all,” said Dawlish, picking up his plate. “It’s a warm night.” He took a butterbeer, and shut the front door behind him.
Immediately, some- but not all- of the tension left the room; Brin turned to face Harry. “That was quick thinking, Harry,” said Brin. “If Scrimgeour found out I’d had a conversation with you that went unreported... it would’ve been bad.”
“Wait a moment,” said Moody, fishing out his wand; he made a swirling pass at the door. “There.”
“Muffliato?” asked Brin, in a tone of professional interest; Moody shook his head.
“It’s a new one I came up with myself- he’ll hear the sound of our voices, but no distinct words. Muffliato’s too easy to notice.”
“Same old Mad-Eye,” chuckled Brin, as he sat. “Good to have you back.”
“So...” Harry asked, “Err... can we speak freely now?”
“Everyone here is involved with the Order, although Ginny's still too young to formally join,” said Lupin. “You can say whatever you need to.”
“Good,” said Harry. “I need to talk to you all, about- Horcruxes.”
Moody and Brin tensed; Tonks frowned. “Horcruxes? That rings a bell...”
Harry paused, and turned to Ron. "You'd better go get Fleur and the twins for this." Ron nodded, and left the table; Harry paused, waiting for them to return.
“Voldemort?” asked Moody, his eye spinning wildly; Harry nodded. There was silence for a moment; finally, Moody gave a low, growling chuckle. “Ahh, Tom,” he said, “always the star pupil; you never do change...”
“Did... did you and he know each other at Hogwarts?” asked Hermione, shooting Harry a look.
“Yeah, we certainly did,” said Moody, rubbing a finger along what remained of the bridge of his nose. “In fact, you could say I owe this, and this,” –he knocked his false leg with his knuckles- “and the rest, to our charming friend, Mister Tom Marvolo Riddle.”
“Something about a duel gone wrong, wasn’t it?” asked Lupin.
“Yeah, that was the story,” said Moody; the flickering candles which lit the dining room made his face look even more twisted and mysterious. “Yeah... old Tom was two years above me at Hogwarts. He was a Slytherin, and I was Gryffindor, but... charming devil, I’ll give him that. Not many people he couldn’t get to like him, no matter their House- although I noticed Dumbledore never quite trusted him the way Dippet did.
He broke off for a second, taking a pull on his flask. “There was a boy, couple of years behind me, name of Lemuel Brin- his father, in fact,” he said, indicating Abador. “Weedy little scrub- no offense, Ab. I was a prefect then; one day, I was out walking the grounds, and I came across Riddle and his gang having their fun with the kid- they were casting some hexes on him. Not Unforgiveable Curses, or anything like that, but... not anything you’d want cast on you. This would have been... let’s see, Hagrid was out by then... (Harry and Ron exchanged glances), and I remember I was studying for O.W.L.s, so... my fifth year. His seventh.
“Thing is, we were well out on the grounds; I only found them because I happened to hear Brin screaming- when I got there, they were casting Wasp Sting Hexes on him. Four of them doing it, and Riddle just standing there, watching them hex the lad. Lemmy’d just cry, and curl up in a ball, and beg them to stop; Riddle was smiling indulgently as he watched them hex the boy, over and over- they were doing it to amuse him, like they were his pets. Maybe they were.
“I didn’t even stop to think about it- maybe I should have. Instead, I stepped out, drew my wand, and yelled, ‘Stop that!’ Avery gave a jump, I remember- but Riddle just looked amused. He just turned to look at me, all casual, and then he smiled... I’ve never forgetten that smile,” the old Auror said, the shadows playing on the ruins of his face. “He just smiled, and said, ‘But what if I don’t want to...?’ in as sweet a tone as you please. We stared at each other for a second, and he smiled again, and I knew it was going to be a duel- me against the five of them, and them all two years above me.
“I was bracing myself for the worst, when he spoke. Dumbledore. No idea where he came from- he just stepped out from behind a tree, as though he’d been out for a stroll. He just looked at Riddle, and smiled, and said, ‘But I really think that you should, Tom,’- lightly, just like that. He wasn’t headmaster then- he was the Transfiguration teacher- but no student would have ever been fool enough to try anything against Albus Dumbledore. Certainly not Riddle. I remember- I’ll always remember- Dumbledore standing there, smiling pleasantly to Tom and the rest as though they were having afternoon tea with him, instead of being caught torturing a small boy..." He paused, and took another drink from his flask. "I remember those who heard were surprised when the news came back about him and Grindelwald, but if they’d been there that day, if they’d seen him- you could feel the power of the man... it felt right,” said Moody, before breaking off to stare into the candle flame.
“What happened then...?” asked Ginny after a moment.
Moody shook his head, as if calling himself back from the past. “Then...? Tom apologized- and most sincere he was, too. Personally floated Lemmy back to the castle; looked after him while he was in the hospital wing; even helped him with his homework. He never bothered Lemmy again, nor did any of them.
“A couple of weeks later there was a dueling class. Special event; part of an end-of-year festival. Don't think they have it anymore. Tom was the first up on stage... and I was the second. Volunteered for it. I kept thinking of Dumbledore, standing on that hill, and what it felt like to stand with him against Tom and his bully boys, even for just a moment... so in a way, it was my own fool fault. The duel was actually a demonstration; it was supposed to be a simple jelly-legs at first. I remember I had my counter-curse all ready, as Riddle got prepared, and drew his wand. He raised it into dueling position- and then, just for a moment, I saw that same smile again...
“I woke up in the hospital wing, a few hours later; apparently, I’d blacked out. Riddle had used a curse the judges had never seen before; said he didn’t know how he’d done it. An accident. I thought it had done nothing more than knock the wind out of me, until Quidditch practice, when I knocked a tooth loose... and the nurse couldn’t heal it.”
“Is that why you...?” blurted Harry before he could stop himself.
Moody's mouth quirked in a wry grin; an unnerving effect on his ruined face. “Why I look like this, when you hardly ever see a wizard with a scar? Yeah- from that day to this, no healing magic has worked on me, none at all. Tom Riddle’s parting gift. I wouldn’t have been able to become an Auror, but Dumbledore pulled strings for me with the Ministry; he and Bagnold knew each other from way back, and she’d just become Minister. Riddle got out of being expelled; Dippet pointed out that my family line had always had trouble with receiving Transfiguration magic- which is what healing basically is- and, well, he was “charming Tom Riddle”...
He broke off, and looked at Harry, as Ron came back with the twins and Fleur; they paused in the doorway. “I’m a Ministry Auror, but make no mistake- I’m loyal to Dumbledore, and the Order, first, last, and always. You let me know what you need done, lad, and I’ll do it, and if it involves Death Eaters trying for another piece of me- well, they’re welcome to try. I still have my wand hand- all I really need.” His mouth quirked again. "Maybe I'll even get a chance for another dueling session with Tom, one of these days."
“We're with you, Harry,” said Abador Brin. “Just let us know the plan.”
“It involves taking the Unbreakable Vow,” Harry said quietly. “I have ideas on what the Horcruxes are- but I won’t risk another Pettigrew. I can’t; there’s too much at stake.” He looked around the room. "I won't ask any of you to do this- but if you don't, you should leave the room now." He paused. "Does anyone want to leave?"
Everyone shook their heads or said no. Arthur looked at Ginny, and opened his mouth to say something. "You should..."
"Where would you like me to go?" she interjected. "Where will I be safe from all this?"
"I know, but..."
"Girl's got a point, Arthur," said Moody.
Arthur frowned. "She shouldn't..." He seemed to slump. "I just want her- all of us- to be safe..."
"She's as safe as any of us," Moody replied. "At this point, she's probably better off knowing what might be coming."
Arthur sighed. "All right."
Brin paused, then nodded. “Who goes first?” he asked, drawing his wand as Ron and the others came into the room.
“I do,” said Ron. “It was my idea.” Hermione bit her lip, but said nothing as Ron knelt across from Harry, taking Harry’s right hand in his as he met Harry’s gaze. Ron looked nervous in the candlelight, but his voice was steady as he repeated the vows they had written in Fred and George’s room. “...until my dying breath,” he finally recited; the tongue of fire exuding from Brin’s wand drew tighter around their wrists until it formed a writhing bracelet of flame that finally seemed to sink into their skin, and vanish. When it was over, Ron stood, watching uneasily as Hermione knelt to take his place, and Fred moved into line behind her.
Chapter 5- Moody Shares a Memory
Harry sighed, his thoughts full of Horcruxes, and locations, and Vows; they went out to the dining room, where Ron went to help Arthur and Charlie put extra leaves into the dining room table, which extended into the living room now. The lights had been shut off; the only illumination came from several candles which had been placed around the room. For a moment, Harry found himself looking at a painting of a hunting scene, such as one would find in houses all over England. We're on a hunt, all right. He shook his head, and went to help Charlie lower a table leaf into place. “Be ready in a minute,” said Charlie. “Fred and George are getting an extra table from downcellar; we’re expecting more people.”
“But... can’t you just conjure up some more table leaves?” asked Harry distractedly, still thinking about the conversation in the twins' room.
“That’s not the way it works, Harry,” said Hermione, talking rapidly, as she often did when anxious. “When wizards wave their wands and things appear, they aren’t creating them- they’re summoning them; they have to know where the thing they’re summoning is, to start with, and there are ways to seal against it. It’s simply a more advanced version of an Accio spell; if wizards could just create anything they needed, there wouldn’t be any need for a Diagon Alley or a Hogsmeade.” She paused, and looked around. "I hope we have enough candles; with this many wizards around, the electrics probably won't work at all..."
Harry nodded silently and went to help Charlie slide another leaf into position, as Hermione went back to lighting candles. After a moment, Fred and George came up from downstairs carrying a small table, which was placed in the living room, at the end of the main one.
“I was telling Harry earlier- when things settle down a bit, we’ll have to do some Expansion Spells in here- give us some more room,” said George, as he and Harry set more chairs in place, and Hermione walked back into the kitchen.
Arthur nodded; he was now standing on a chair, and hanging the Weasley family clock on the wall. “That’s a good idea, although it’s complicated magic- don’t know when we’ll have the time free,” he said. He paused for a second, and looked at the clock. "Keep her from obsessing on it, at least," he muttered.
“How long are we going to be here, anyway?” asked Fred, as Harry looked at the clock; there was something different about it...
Arthur sighed. “I don’t know; with the present threat from You-Know-Who... it could be a while,” he answered.
Harry paused, and looked up at Arthur. “May I speak to you for a moment?” he asked. "In private...?"
Arthur looked down at him for a second. "All right," he said. "We can speak in there," he added, indicating the main bedroom.
"What is it?" Arthur asked, as the door closed.
"Well... something has come up- something to do with... everything that's going on."
"Mmm... yes; I saw that things were even busier than usual at the Ministry today, although no one would tell me anything," said Arthur.
Harry nodded. "I want for us to have a meeting about it," he said. "Apparently, even Fleur is with the Order now- and we need to figure out what to do."
Arthur sighed, and ran his fingers through his thinning hair. "That may have to wait for a bit, I'm afraid," he said. "One of Scrimgeour's aides told me we're getting two Aurors here tonight; Scrimgeour's worried about your safety."
"Yeah," said Harry bitterly. "He doesn't want to lose his poster boy."
Arthur sighed. "Harry... I think it's good that you're showing support for the Ministry- it's a central part of our wizarding culture," he said. "I know you have no love for Scrimgeour's tactics- nor do I, frankly, especially as a member of the Order- but... he really is the best man for the position, with things the way they are. We actually caught a spy today- Scrimgeour truly has a gift for that sort of thing."
"Yeah- he's great at nosing things out," Harry said flatly. "I just hope it wasn't a false alarm, like Stan Shunpike."
Arthur ran his fingers through his hair again. "As I say, Harry- although I appreciate his skills, I'm not one of his followers. When I'm there now, I always feel as though I'm being watched- whether he actually knows I'm a member of the Order, or not. And the rumors I've heard about some of the laws he's drawing up... not just for the werewolves and other demi-humans, but for everyone..." He broke off, and sighed again. Harry looked at him silently, unable to find words; Arthur looked sad, and tired, and suddenly old. After a moment, they heard Fleur's voice through the closed door, asking, “’As anyone seen Bill?”
“I checked- he's nowhere in the house," answered Charlie. Arthur's lips pressed together; he stepped to the door, and opened it.
"Check the grounds," he called to Charlie. "And... take the twins with you." Arthur paused in the doorway, and looked back at Harry. "I wish I had better answers for you," he said. "This just doesn't seem to be the time for them." He then turned, and walked silently out of the room.
Harry stood in Arthur's room, alone with his thoughts, for several minutes; he walked back to the living room as Charlie and the twins were re-entering the house. "...no sign of him anywhere," Charlie was saying.
“I see,” said Arthur. “Well... we’ll keep his dinner warm.” Ron, Fred, and George put out place settings, as Harry watched, uncertain of what to do. “You can help bring things in from the kitchen, Harry; we’re ready now,” Arthur said.
“We’re all set,” said Ginny, waving her wand and floating the food in from the kitchen, as Hermione followed. She waved her wand again, and soup bowls floated up to the tureen; a ladle started pouring soup into each bowl. “How many are we expecting?” she asked Arthur.
“Well,” said Arthur, “There are you, me, Ron, Charlie, Fleur, Harry, Hermione... Fred and George... Bill, if he gets back in time... Remus and Tonks both said they’d try to make it... Moody’s dropping by to discuss something... and Minister Scrimgeour said we’re getting a couple of Aurors here tonight. So... possibly as many as fifteen; I hope you made enough food.”
Harry opened his mouth to ask about Molly, then closed it; fatigue had already had him saying unfortunate things today.
“But... aren’t Tonks and Moody Aurors, even if he's retired?” asked Ron.
“Scrimgeour wants his own people in here,” said Fred tersely; Arthur shot him a look.
“The more protection, the better,” said Arthur firmly.
"We have enough, but if we're going to have that many people all the time, we're going to need to do more shopping soon," interjected Ginny.
"Give me a list," replied Arthur. "I'll make sure you get what you need." He turned to address the room. "Let's be seated."
Arthur sat at the head of the table; Charlie sat at his left, and Harry at his right; Fred and George sat down the table from Harry, with Ron next to Charlie, then Hermione, with Ginny on Hermione’s left. Harry glanced at her for a moment, but she didn’t meet his gaze; down the table, Fleur sat down next to George. Harry looked over at Ron, then Hermione, both of whom looked as anxious as he felt; he then glanced at Fred, who made a small I know gesture.
“What’s this?” asked Ron, holding up a packaged loaf of sliced bread.
“What do you think it is, you git- it’s a cantaloupe,” said George.
Ron opened the wrapping, and sniffed at the bread dubiously. “Doesn’t smell like bread the way mum makes it,” he mumbled.
“Well, you don’t have to eat any,” snapped Arthur. There was silence for a moment; then, there was a sharp cracking noise, from in front of the house; Arthur immediately reached for his wand. “See who that is,” he ordered Charlie.
Charlie slid past the table, and walked up to the front door with his own wand drawn. “It’s Remus and Tonks,” he called back. He opened the front door, after awkwardly tucking his wand back into his belt loop; they came in, with Tonks carrying a wrapped bottle. Harry noticed that although Remus and Tonks were standing side by side, they seemed somehow distant from each other.
“A housewarming gift- a bottle of Ogden’s Old,” said Lupin.
“Sorry we’re late,” added Tonks. “There’s been a lot going on.”
“Is everything all right?” asked Arthur, in a particularly solicitous tone. Tonks simply nodded; Ginny patted her on the arm and smiled at her, but got no response. Harry happened to exchange a glance with Charlie, who shrugged.
While Tonks and Lupin were being served, Arthur began passing down butterbeers; Harry took one, then stared at the bottle, remembering the toast in Scrimgeour’s office. “Think I’ll stick to milk,” he finally said, passing the bottle on. Ron opened his mouth to ask a question; Hermione, seeing the look on Harry’s face, nudged him with her elbow.
“It’s soup and spaghetti for dinner,” said Ginny, as Arthur passed a carton of milk to Harry. “There’s not much else we can make with all these tinned foods.”
“Whatever it is, it’ll be most welcome,” said Lupin, putting his napkin in his lap and tucking in. There was silence for the next few minutes, as people ate; Harry, fidgeting in his seat, noticed that Tonks didn’t seem to have much of an appetite, although Lupin was eating as though he were starved. Fred and George finished quickly, and excused themselves from the table to go back to their room; Fleur, in turn, headed back downstairs to tend to Molly.
“Are you still with the werewolves?” asked Ron, looking down the table at Remus. “I know you were spying on them for a while...”
“Ron, that’s not...” Arthur began, but Lupin held up a hand. “It’s all right, Arthur- and to answer your question, Ron, Headmistress McGonagall withdrew me from that duty after the attack on Hogwarts; she felt that I had been too visible a presence, which might compromise my abilities as a spy.”
“McGonagall is the head of the Order now?” asked Harry.
There was a brief silence; it was Tonks who finally answered, “Yes, Harry- Dumbledore left instructions to that effect in his Pensieve memories; we’re still waiting for an actual will to turn up.”
“Pensieve?” asked Arthur. “Shouldn’t that should be turned over to the Ministry?”
“That would be a matter to take up with Headmistress McGonagall,” replied Lupin quietly. “She seemed to feel that the Order would benefit from its contents.”
Arthur looked as though he might say something at this, but remained silent. Harry said to Lupin, “It’s a good thing you’re here; I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”
“I’m afraid that any conversation may have to wait for a while,” Lupin replied. “I’m going to be out of touch for a few days- the moon is full tomorrow night.”
“We’re actually worried about that,” said Hermione. “Bill... he’s been acting like he was when you were here, only more so.”
“And that’s why he’s not here now?” asked Lupin.
Charlie nodded. “He said he needed to get out of here for a bit- he'd been talking about being cooped up,” he said, pointedly not looking at Arthur as he said this.
“Is there any way we can find him?” asked Ginny anxiously; Lupin shook his head. “If we'd been able to put a Locator Charm on something he was carrying...” he began; Harry’s lips pressed together at this, as Hermione shot him a glance.
“Well,” said Arthur, “perhaps if we...”
There were more cracking noises from out front. “It’s not Bill,” said Tonks, who had gone to the door this time. “It’s Mad-Eye... and a couple of other Aurors.” She looked at Lupin as she said this; he affected not to notice. The door opened, and Moody stumped in, followed by two men in Auror's robes. As Moody exchanged greetings with everyone, Harry recognized the first man behind Moody as Dawlish, the Auror who had been tailing Dumbledore the previous year; the Auror behind him...
Harry started in surprise as he recognized Abador Brin, the Auror he'd spoken to on the Knight Bus. Hey- good to see you again was on the tip of his tongue... when Brin caught his gaze, and gave the tiniest shake of his head. In an instant, Harry realized that Dawlish- who had been jinxed twice previously by Dumbledore- was not a member of the Order, and that he had no idea that Harry and Brin had met before. Instead of his planned greeting, he asked Arthur, “Who are they...?”, keeping his voice casual.
“This is Balthazar Dawlish, Harry, and this is Abador Brin. They’re here to help us with security.”
Looking around the room, and noticing the number of people, Dawlish looked at Moody and lifted his eyebrows in a question.
"Safety in numbers," Moody said; Dawlish nodded, and turned to face Harry.
“Hello, Harry,” said Dawlish. “We’ve met before.”
“I don’t believe we have, though,” said Brin. “I’ve been busy with field work.”
“Brin’s the best Auror they’ve got- no offense, Dawlish,” said Moody, as Brin and Dawlish were served plates of food by Ginny; Dawlish merely shook his head. “Taught him everything I know; he used to be the junior member of my team.”
“Second best, Alastor,” said Brin, as he spooned on some more sauce, “now you’re back.”
“You’ve rejoined the Aurors?” asked Lupin, with a sharp look at Moody.
“Yeah- need to get new Auror’s robes, come to that,” said Moody, sitting down; he sniffed at a forkful of spaghetti, then ate it. “Never would’ve left, if Bagnold hadn’t worn herself out. I was hoping Crouch would take her place, but after that business with his son... I could see how Fudge was angling to replace her; I wanted no part of a Ministry under that idiot.”
“I’ll second that- he was a disaster,” said Charlie.
Brin nodded. "Where's your brother?" he asked.
"Out," Arthur said in an ominous tone; he and Brin exchanged glances, then Brin nodded.
There was a pause; Lupin continued to stare sharply at Moody, as Tonks simply looked uncomfortable; Harry glanced to the others to see if any of them had an idea, as they looked anxiously back at him. “Err,” Harry finally said, “shouldn’t we have one of you watching from out front? In case someone approaches the house?”
“Not a bad idea, Harry- although the Fidelius charm should prevent that, unless it's Bill returning,” said Brin, before turning to face Dawlish. “Moody and I have some war stories to catch up on- do you mind?” he asked lightly.
“Not at all,” said Dawlish, picking up his plate. “It’s a warm night.” He took a butterbeer, and shut the front door behind him.
Immediately, some- but not all- of the tension left the room; Brin turned to face Harry. “That was quick thinking, Harry,” said Brin. “If Scrimgeour found out I’d had a conversation with you that went unreported... it would’ve been bad.”
“Wait a moment,” said Moody, fishing out his wand; he made a swirling pass at the door. “There.”
“Muffliato?” asked Brin, in a tone of professional interest; Moody shook his head.
“It’s a new one I came up with myself- he’ll hear the sound of our voices, but no distinct words. Muffliato’s too easy to notice.”
“Same old Mad-Eye,” chuckled Brin, as he sat. “Good to have you back.”
“So...” Harry asked, “Err... can we speak freely now?”
“Everyone here is involved with the Order, although Ginny's still too young to formally join,” said Lupin. “You can say whatever you need to.”
“Good,” said Harry. “I need to talk to you all, about- Horcruxes.”
Moody and Brin tensed; Tonks frowned. “Horcruxes? That rings a bell...”
Harry paused, and turned to Ron. "You'd better go get Fleur and the twins for this." Ron nodded, and left the table; Harry paused, waiting for them to return.
“Voldemort?” asked Moody, his eye spinning wildly; Harry nodded. There was silence for a moment; finally, Moody gave a low, growling chuckle. “Ahh, Tom,” he said, “always the star pupil; you never do change...”
“Did... did you and he know each other at Hogwarts?” asked Hermione, shooting Harry a look.
“Yeah, we certainly did,” said Moody, rubbing a finger along what remained of the bridge of his nose. “In fact, you could say I owe this, and this,” –he knocked his false leg with his knuckles- “and the rest, to our charming friend, Mister Tom Marvolo Riddle.”
“Something about a duel gone wrong, wasn’t it?” asked Lupin.
“Yeah, that was the story,” said Moody; the flickering candles which lit the dining room made his face look even more twisted and mysterious. “Yeah... old Tom was two years above me at Hogwarts. He was a Slytherin, and I was Gryffindor, but... charming devil, I’ll give him that. Not many people he couldn’t get to like him, no matter their House- although I noticed Dumbledore never quite trusted him the way Dippet did.
He broke off for a second, taking a pull on his flask. “There was a boy, couple of years behind me, name of Lemuel Brin- his father, in fact,” he said, indicating Abador. “Weedy little scrub- no offense, Ab. I was a prefect then; one day, I was out walking the grounds, and I came across Riddle and his gang having their fun with the kid- they were casting some hexes on him. Not Unforgiveable Curses, or anything like that, but... not anything you’d want cast on you. This would have been... let’s see, Hagrid was out by then... (Harry and Ron exchanged glances), and I remember I was studying for O.W.L.s, so... my fifth year. His seventh.
“Thing is, we were well out on the grounds; I only found them because I happened to hear Brin screaming- when I got there, they were casting Wasp Sting Hexes on him. Four of them doing it, and Riddle just standing there, watching them hex the lad. Lemmy’d just cry, and curl up in a ball, and beg them to stop; Riddle was smiling indulgently as he watched them hex the boy, over and over- they were doing it to amuse him, like they were his pets. Maybe they were.
“I didn’t even stop to think about it- maybe I should have. Instead, I stepped out, drew my wand, and yelled, ‘Stop that!’ Avery gave a jump, I remember- but Riddle just looked amused. He just turned to look at me, all casual, and then he smiled... I’ve never forgetten that smile,” the old Auror said, the shadows playing on the ruins of his face. “He just smiled, and said, ‘But what if I don’t want to...?’ in as sweet a tone as you please. We stared at each other for a second, and he smiled again, and I knew it was going to be a duel- me against the five of them, and them all two years above me.
“I was bracing myself for the worst, when he spoke. Dumbledore. No idea where he came from- he just stepped out from behind a tree, as though he’d been out for a stroll. He just looked at Riddle, and smiled, and said, ‘But I really think that you should, Tom,’- lightly, just like that. He wasn’t headmaster then- he was the Transfiguration teacher- but no student would have ever been fool enough to try anything against Albus Dumbledore. Certainly not Riddle. I remember- I’ll always remember- Dumbledore standing there, smiling pleasantly to Tom and the rest as though they were having afternoon tea with him, instead of being caught torturing a small boy..." He paused, and took another drink from his flask. "I remember those who heard were surprised when the news came back about him and Grindelwald, but if they’d been there that day, if they’d seen him- you could feel the power of the man... it felt right,” said Moody, before breaking off to stare into the candle flame.
“What happened then...?” asked Ginny after a moment.
Moody shook his head, as if calling himself back from the past. “Then...? Tom apologized- and most sincere he was, too. Personally floated Lemmy back to the castle; looked after him while he was in the hospital wing; even helped him with his homework. He never bothered Lemmy again, nor did any of them.
“A couple of weeks later there was a dueling class. Special event; part of an end-of-year festival. Don't think they have it anymore. Tom was the first up on stage... and I was the second. Volunteered for it. I kept thinking of Dumbledore, standing on that hill, and what it felt like to stand with him against Tom and his bully boys, even for just a moment... so in a way, it was my own fool fault. The duel was actually a demonstration; it was supposed to be a simple jelly-legs at first. I remember I had my counter-curse all ready, as Riddle got prepared, and drew his wand. He raised it into dueling position- and then, just for a moment, I saw that same smile again...
“I woke up in the hospital wing, a few hours later; apparently, I’d blacked out. Riddle had used a curse the judges had never seen before; said he didn’t know how he’d done it. An accident. I thought it had done nothing more than knock the wind out of me, until Quidditch practice, when I knocked a tooth loose... and the nurse couldn’t heal it.”
“Is that why you...?” blurted Harry before he could stop himself.
Moody's mouth quirked in a wry grin; an unnerving effect on his ruined face. “Why I look like this, when you hardly ever see a wizard with a scar? Yeah- from that day to this, no healing magic has worked on me, none at all. Tom Riddle’s parting gift. I wouldn’t have been able to become an Auror, but Dumbledore pulled strings for me with the Ministry; he and Bagnold knew each other from way back, and she’d just become Minister. Riddle got out of being expelled; Dippet pointed out that my family line had always had trouble with receiving Transfiguration magic- which is what healing basically is- and, well, he was “charming Tom Riddle”...
He broke off, and looked at Harry, as Ron came back with the twins and Fleur; they paused in the doorway. “I’m a Ministry Auror, but make no mistake- I’m loyal to Dumbledore, and the Order, first, last, and always. You let me know what you need done, lad, and I’ll do it, and if it involves Death Eaters trying for another piece of me- well, they’re welcome to try. I still have my wand hand- all I really need.” His mouth quirked again. "Maybe I'll even get a chance for another dueling session with Tom, one of these days."
“We're with you, Harry,” said Abador Brin. “Just let us know the plan.”
“It involves taking the Unbreakable Vow,” Harry said quietly. “I have ideas on what the Horcruxes are- but I won’t risk another Pettigrew. I can’t; there’s too much at stake.” He looked around the room. "I won't ask any of you to do this- but if you don't, you should leave the room now." He paused. "Does anyone want to leave?"
Everyone shook their heads or said no. Arthur looked at Ginny, and opened his mouth to say something. "You should..."
"Where would you like me to go?" she interjected. "Where will I be safe from all this?"
"I know, but..."
"Girl's got a point, Arthur," said Moody.
Arthur frowned. "She shouldn't..." He seemed to slump. "I just want her- all of us- to be safe..."
"She's as safe as any of us," Moody replied. "At this point, she's probably better off knowing what might be coming."
Arthur sighed. "All right."
Brin paused, then nodded. “Who goes first?” he asked, drawing his wand as Ron and the others came into the room.
“I do,” said Ron. “It was my idea.” Hermione bit her lip, but said nothing as Ron knelt across from Harry, taking Harry’s right hand in his as he met Harry’s gaze. Ron looked nervous in the candlelight, but his voice was steady as he repeated the vows they had written in Fred and George’s room. “...until my dying breath,” he finally recited; the tongue of fire exuding from Brin’s wand drew tighter around their wrists until it formed a writhing bracelet of flame that finally seemed to sink into their skin, and vanish. When it was over, Ron stood, watching uneasily as Hermione knelt to take his place, and Fred moved into line behind her.
