The Longest Day

Harry ignored the members of the D.A. who stood right outside the room, visible through the one-way wall, and explained the epiphany he’d just had. Hermione listened with her mouth hanging open in shock. “Regulus Black,” she breathed when Harry had finished. “Regulus Abraxas Black. R.A.B. Of course, it’s so obvious!”

“Not really,” Harry said. “I only ever heard about him because of the tapestry. I was talking to Sirius and he mentioned Regulus in passing. But it explains why you couldn’t find him in the records of all the trials of Death Eaters. There wasn’t a record of his trial because he was never tried. Everyone assumed he was killed – Sirius certainly did.”

“Now we know for certain why he died,” Hermione said. “He tried to betray Voldemort by collecting and destroying the Horcruxes!”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?” Hermione gave Harry a confused look. “What do you mean?”

“Well, It doesn’t make sense,” Harry said, his mind racing. “If Regulus got caught with the Horcrux, Voldemort would have killed him and replaced the Horcrux in its hiding place, wouldn’t he?”

“Maybe Voldemort thought it wasn’t a secure place any longer, if Regulus could find it,” Hermione suggested. “And he left the protections there in an attempt to fool or kill anyone looking for them. Or- oh!” Hermione gasped. “Maybe Regulus managed to destroy the Horcrux before he was caught!”

“We can’t assume that,” Harry said instantly. “Until we actually see the destroyed Horcrux we have to assume it’s still active.”

“Yes, of course,” Hermione said dejectedly.

“Don’t be so sad, Hermione,” Harry said excitedly. “We just uncovered a huge clue! And although I’m not going to assume, what if the locket wasn’t the only Horcrux Regulus managed to find before he was caught? He started the quest to destroy all of them, and he may very well have accomplished a lot of our task for us!”

Hermione released a huge breath, and beamed at Harry. “You’re right, this is enormous, Harry,” she said. “It’s the best indication we’ve had that what we need to do is possible! It’s so lucky that Snape mentioned Regulus!”

“It is,” Harry agreed fervently.

“Harry…” Hermione looked as though she wasn’t sure she wanted the answer to the question on her lips. “You didn’t do anything…wrong to Snape, did you?”

“You mean, did I torture him?” Harry replied. Hermione’s silence made the answer obvious. “No,” Harry told her. “I was going to, though.”

“Oh, Harry…”

“I know,” Harry said, putting his head in his hands. “I’m so disgusted with myself. I didn’t even really want Snape to talk, I just wanted to hurt him. I did break his nose…I fixed it,” he continued quickly at Hermione’s shocked look. “I just…I thought about what he almost did to Ginny and me, and what Malfoy did- did to Ron-”
Harry’s throat closed up and he found he couldn’t continue. Hermione placed her hand on his, and Harry looked up to meet her equally tear-brightened eyes. “I know,” she whispered. “Ever since it happened, I’ve wanted to- I’ve had this desire, this need to hurt, to destroy something. Last night when I couldn’t sleep, I almost convinced myself to go down to the basement and see if I was capable of the Cruciatus Curse.”

“Wh-why didn’t you?”

“Because I’m not like Voldemort, Harry,” Hermione said softly. “I’m not like Snape. But if I let myself do something like that…I’d be that much closer to becoming one of them.”

Harry stared at Hermione. “I don’t think so,” he said finally.

“What?”

“I don’t believe that, Hermione. When we were in the Ministry of Magic, and I chased Bellatrix Lestrange up to the lobby, I tried to cast the Cruciatus Curse on her.”

Hermione gasped. “H-Harry…you didn’t!” Harry nodded. “B-but why aren’t you in prison?”

“Because it didn’t work. She felt it for a second, maybe, but I couldn’t hold it. And when she’d recovered, Bellatrix said ‘You have to mean it.’ That’s why I don’t believe you would’ve become like Voldemort; because no matter how angry you felt, or how much you wanted revenge, you’re too good a person to actually wish that kind of pain on anyone.”

Hermione’s face crumpled, and she leaned over to Harry, sobbing. Harry held her and let his own tears loose and the two friends comforted each other as best they could. After they got a hold of themselves, Hermione kissed Harry lightly on the cheek. “Thank you so much, Harry, for still believing in me. I just- I feel so horrible for what I said to Ron…”

“You’ll get to tell him you’re sorry yourself,” Harry interrupted her vehemently, “because we will get him back.”

Hermione nodded, knowing Harry really believed it. But seeing Harry’s desolate expression, she felt compelled to add “And Ginny too. Her parents will come around.”

Harry sighed. “I’m so worried about Ginny, Hermione. The last time I talked to her…she wanted to blame herself for Lucius Malfoy’s death. I told her it wasn’t her fault, that it was an accident, but if she really thinks she’s responsible…” Harry ran his hands nervously through his hair. “Thanks to Voldemort we know for certain how bad killing someone can be; it can literally tear your soul. If Ginny convinces herself she murdered Malfoy…”

“Ginny is made of sterner stuff than that, Harry,” Hermione reassured him. “If you can believe in me, you can trust that Ginny will be strong enough to believe in herself.”

Harry smiled weakly. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I hope so.” He leaned back in his chair and stretched, trying to relieve some of the tension in his back. “I am so glad Snape decided to play nice.”

“He did? How so? Was he afraid when you-”

Harry snorted. “No. He was practical, those were his words. He actually dropped his Occlumency for me to see a memory of him speaking to Voldemort.”

Hermione gasped. “I can’t believe he’d do that! What happened in the memory?”

“Just what he’d already told us; that he was able to get around the Fidelius Charm because he’d been included in the previous Charm on the House of Black. And he was able to sort of carry Lucius Malfoy because Malfoy had been here before. I didn’t quite understand everything they said about the technicalities of the Charm, but Voldemort was furious he couldn’t come along.”

Hermione let out a long breath. “So that’s one thing we don’t have to worry about.”

“Yeah. Actually, we can start using the Floo again. Only someone who was in on the previous Charm could get through, and only Snape and Dumbledore knew it was possible. And everyone else from the Order I think is trustworthy even if they did know about it – well, except for Mundungus, but he’s taken care of.”

Hermione smirked at that. “That’s excellent, Harry, it will make traveling a lot simpler. Would you like me to put the fireplace back?”

“That would be great, Hermione, thanks.” Harry sighed. “And if you and Cho would brew up that Sustenance Potion she mentioned for Snape too…I guess we can’t let him waste away, much as I’d like to.” He smiled slightly at Hermione’s frown. “I’m just kidding, Hermione. But I’m really not sure what to do with him. He’s seen far too much of what we’re doing here, and if we turned him over to the Ministry they’d either find out about us, or they’d let Snape escape and Voldemort would find out.”
“We probably should have turned him over to the Ministry right away,” Hermione said.

“We’d still have the problem that he’d seen too much. We wouldn’t be safe here anymore, even with the Fidelius Charm.” Harry’s brow furrowed as he thought; Hermione kept silent, knowing that Harry was pondering the problem. He’d shown a surprising ability to reason out good solutions to problems since they’d reformed the Army, and since she was stumped she hoped he’d come up with something. “Right,” he said finally. “What time is it?”

Hermione checked her watch. “Just now one o’clock.”

“I’m going to be gone for a few hours; I might have something to help with Snape when I get back. In the meantime, I need Fred or George to get that message to Ginny right away.”

“I was talking to Fred a bit ago, Harry,” Hermione told him. “Just before you came out of the basement, he’d come over for a bit of lunch. He said when he went home yesterday that Ginny wasn’t barred from having post, just no post from you.” She smiled sympathetically as Harry’s jaw tightened. “Why don’t you send a Charmed message to her using Luna’s owl? It’ll seem innocent enough since they’ve known each other so long, and Mrs. Weasley doesn’t know we’re so close with Luna now.”
“That’s brilliant, Hermione!” Harry exclaimed happily. “Right, can you go ask Luna if I can borrow her owl, and if she minds if I use her name in a message to Ginny?”
Hermione blushed. “Oh, of course you ask me to go disturb Luna when she and George are…”

“Are they still in there?” Harry shook his head. “Wow, George must have some stamina.”

“HARRY!”

Harry chuckled. “Oh, they’ll be more embarrassed than you, Hermione. Or at least, George will. Oh, all right,” he relented, seeing Hermione’s expression, “I’ll get Lee to do it.”

Harry stood up to head for the door, but Hermione laid her hand on his arm. “Harry, you said you would be gone a few hours…where are you going?”

Harry hesitated. “I’m not sure I should tell you.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because you’ll probably tell me I shouldn’t.”

“Harry, someone should know where you are, in case- in case something happens!”

Harry sighed, and then nodded. “All right, I’m going to Hogwarts.”

“Wh-what?” Hermione was astonished. “But why? Are you going to talk to the Order?”

“No, absolutely not. The fewer people who know about what we’re doing, the happier I’ll be. I have some other ideas, but I need to get into Hogwarts for it.” Hermione looked very confused, but Harry persisted. “You don’t need to worry about me, Hermione. I’ll get in fine. The teachers still don’t know about the passageway from Honeydukes’ basement yet. I suppose we should tell them sometime.”

Hermione looked nervous. “Harry, if one of the Order should catch you…”

“They’ll know I’m not up to anything bad,” Harry insisted. “And anyway, I’ll wear my Invisibility Cloak and take my map. They’ll never know I was there.”

“Is it really necessary?”

“I think so. Don’t worry, Hermione. The last place Voldemort would think I would go is back to Hogwarts when it’s not even open.”

“Oh, I suppose. Just be careful, all right?”

Harry placed a hand over his heart and said in a mock hurt voice, “When am I ever not careful?”

“Every day since I met you,” Hermione shot back, and they both laughed.

Harry opened the door, startling Lee, who was leaning against it – he couldn’t see the door from his side, and jumped when the wall behind him moved. “Sorry Lee,” Harry said. “Listen, everyone, I’ve just found a very important clue. I can’t say what, but it’s huge, the best information we’ve gotten yet. I need to take off for a few hours to follow up on it. Oh, Hermione’s going to put the fireplace back,” Harry told everyone. “We’ve managed to confirm there’s no more risk from it, so we’re back to the way we were. Keep your personalized Portkeys, though, for emergencies.” There were some cheers at that announcement from the people who really hated Portkeys. “In the meantime, I need a few things. Cho?”

Cho started at being addressed. “Yes, Harry?”

“Could you and Hermione make that Sustenance Potion you mentioned earlier? Then when it’s through give it to Snape. And take Fred, George and Sally-Ann with you.”

“All right,” said Cho, surprised.

“Harry, why do you need to send four people to administer a potion?” Hermione asked.

“Cho’s the best we have at Healing, she should be the one to administer it,” Harry pointed out. “I want Fred and George there just in case anything funny happens…and I want Sally-Ann there to make sure Fred and George don’t do anything to Snape they shouldn’t.”

Sally-Ann nodded. “That makes sense, Harry. But Fred will be at the store until late tonight.”

“I’ll go along,” Padma offered.

“All right, fine.” Harry turned to Lee. “Lee, can you go to Luna’s room and ask her if I can borrow her owl? And ask her if she minds my using her name on a message to Ginny. I’ll be in my room getting ready to leave.”

“Right,” Lee said, very businesslike, and trotted away up the stairs.

“He’s in for a bit of a shock,” Hermione mumbled. Harry fought to keep his face straight.

Harry reached his room and began pulling out some things he’d need for his trip – his Invisibility Cloak, the Marauder’s Map – and after some thought Harry added a few odds and ends; dungbombs, one of Fred and George’s Extendable Ears, and a few more surprises. Just as he was pulling on his robes, there was a knock on the door. Harry pulled open the door to find Lee standing there, his face a rictus of horror. “Lee?” Harry asked, startled. “Are you okay?” Lee shook his head. “What is it?” Harry demanded, grabbing Lee’s arm. “Lee-”

“You- you bastard,” Lee croaked.

“What?”

“You utter bastard. How could you? How could you send me into such a nauseating, gut-wrenching scene?”

It took Harry a moment to figure out what Lee was talking about; when he did, he tried to fight off a laugh and failed. “Were George and Luna still…er…”

“Stop it!” Lee shouted in a panicky voice. “Don’t say it!”

“Lee, I’m sure it wasn’t anything you hadn’t seen before.”

Even as he said it Harry knew the previous statement was a mistake, but he couldn’t have helped it for the world. Lee’s expression was worth it. “That’s beyond the pale, Harry!” Lee moaned. “I’ll do almost anything you ask; I’ll work hard, I’ll fight wand-to-wand with Death Eaters, I’ll even die if I have to, but I joined the D.A. with the unspoken understanding that I would never be forced to see Fred or George’s bits!”

Unable to stop himself, Harry dissolved into helpless laughter. Lee stood there, obviously distressed and a bit furious, as Harry leaned on the doorframe and howled. Lavender and Parvati, who were on their way past, stopped and watched curiously. “What’s going on?” Parvati asked eventually.

“Nothing!” Lee said quickly and headed for the stairs.

“Lee, wait,” Harry gasped out. “What did Luna say?”

“I didn’t stick around to ask questions!” Lee shouted back from the other end of the hall. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go ask Hermione to Obliviate me!”
Harry still had a huge grin on his face when he knocked on Luna’s door. After a moment Luna, thankfully clothed, answered. “Hello, Harry,” she said calmly. “What can I do for you?”

“I hope Lee didn’t startle you,” Harry said.

“Lee? Was he here? I didn’t notice.”

Harry wondered what to say to that, but couldn’t think of anything that wouldn’t garner him more information than he wanted. Shrugging, Harry said “I was hoping you’d let me use your owl for a post.”

“Of course. Is something wrong with Hedwig?”

“No, not at all. I need to send a letter to Ginny, but her parents won’t let her have letters from me. If you don’t mind, I’d like to Charm the letter so that anyone reading it besides Ginny will see a pleasant letter from you.”

“Oh, that’s fine.” Luna hesitated. “Harry, is Ginny going to be coming back? Ever?”

Harry was surprised by the plaintive tone. “I didn’t realize you missed her so much.”

“I’ve known the Weasleys for a long time,” Luna pointed out. “Ginny’s really the only girl my age who treats me so kindly. I thought it was wonderful having her here.”

“So did I,” Harry said sadly. “I’m trying to get her back. I have an idea, but…well, we’ll see.”

“Come in, I’ll give you Dogberry and tell him to deliver whatever letter you give him.”

Harry wasn’t sure he wanted to enter the room, but Luna had turned from the door. Stepping inside, Harry was relieved to see George, thankfully covered, asleep and snoring like a foghorn in the bed. “Here you are, Harry,” Luna said passing her brown-and-white owl to him.

“Thanks,” Harry whispered.

“Why are you whispering?”

“Er…” Harry indicated George on the bed. “I didn’t want to wake him.”

“Oh, he won’t wake,” Luna said with a smile. “Or rather, I’ll wake him in a bit, he needs to go back to the shop. But he sleeps like the dead most of the time.”

Harry wasn’t about to open that can of worms, either. Then something occurred to him that put all thoughts of George and Luna together out of his head. “Luna, when you wake George can you tell him I need to talk to him and Fred in private right before I leave? In about half an hour, say?”

“Of course, Harry,” Luna agreed.

Harry thanked her again and headed downstairs. When he reached the kitchen he joined Susan Bones, Cho and Hermione at the table. “Any luck with the Sustenance Potion?” he asked Cho.

“It’s coming along,” Cho told him. “It’s simmering, so we thought we’d get a bit of a snack.”

“I have to say, Harry, it was very odd brewing that potion with Snape there,” Hermione said as Harry helped himself to some toast. “It was almost like being back in the dungeons at Hogwarts. Except that this time Snape was unconscious and strapped to a table.”

“I can’t say I didn’t wish Snape was tied up and gagged a few times in Potions,” Susan admitted, and Cho grinned in agreement.

“I didn’t need to know that about you, Susan,” Harry said, and Susan blushed.

“It was nothing like that! You have a very dirty mind, Harry,” Susan said, standing. “I have to get back to Fred and George’s shop.”

“Hey Susan, do me a favor?” Harry asked.

“Of course, Harry, what is it?”

“Can you tell Fred that I need to talk to him and George in private in about twenty minutes?”

“Sure, I’ll send him over. Will you be in the conference room?” Harry nodded. “Right, I’ll make sure he knows.”

“Thanks, Susan,” Harry said, and Susan smiled before Flooing out. “Thanks for getting the fireplace back up and working,” he said to Hermione. “I’ve got to get moving.” He wolfed his lunch down quickly, picked up Dogberry and with a wave headed back up the stairs.

Harry sat in the Conference room for a bit, composing two letters; one, the innocent letter from Luna to Ginny. It amused Harry to try to make the letter sound as unusual as Luna did, and finally he had a version he was sure would convince Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. The second letter was a bit more difficult; Harry had to give Ginny a lot of information and still have it sound relatively innocuous just in case the letter was intercepted. He really didn’t know what Ginny would think of his idea; there were still some clear flaws in the plan, so Harry was sure to point them out. Just as he was finishing up there was a knock from the vicinity of the door; Harry looked up to see Fred and George knocking on a spot some two feet to the right of the door, since they couldn’t see it from their side. Harry got up and opened the door. “Hey, come on in,” he said before returning to his seat. Fred and George slipped into the room and shut the door behind them before seating themselves at the table. “Just one second,” Harry told them, lining the parchments of both letters up the way he wanted. He quickly drew his wand and cast the Charm to bind them together, and in just a second Harry’s second letter was completely gone; Harry could still see it if he concentrated, and Ginny would see it, but no one else should be able to. “Here,” he said, handing it to George. “What do you think?”

Fred and George both read through the letter. “Well, it sounds like Luna, but what’s the point?” Fred asked eventually.

Harry chuckled. “There’s a second letter sealed underneath it that only Ginny will see. It’s about an idea I had to get her back here.”

Fred and George sat up a bit straighter. Despite their constant sibling bickering, Harry knew that the twins cared a great deal for Ginny, and respected her courage and intelligence. “Right, so what’s the plan?” George asked seriously.

Harry outlined his idea for Fred and George. Both were stunned, and when Harry had finished Fred swallowed. “Blimey, Harry, are you sure? It’s bloody risky, isn’t it?”

“Maybe, but if it’ll work, I think it’s worth a try,” Harry said. “But there’s a lot about it that won’t work yet, isn’t there?”

“Too right,” George said. “Dad, for one.”

“Yeah, I know,” Harry said. “That’s why I told you two, you know your parents; I want you to think about it and see if you can come up with anything that might make it work. I’m not going to have time to tell Hermione, I really need to get going, but tell her if you want – but only her – and talk it out. When I get back tonight we’ll all get together and see if we can’t make it viable.”