HPNSA - BOOK TWO

CHAPTER TWO
DOWN A DARKER HOLE




“Well,” Martha sighed heavily as she slowly went inside her sisters’ old house. “Better than nothing I suppose.” Her steps made the floorboards creek. She took off her scarf and went straight for the bedroom; there was only one and it was in disarray. She pursed her lips while picking up a pillow that had been left on the carpet. She slowly placed it on top of the bed, which she pushed slowly back as it was turned too far to the right and the mattress had fallen halfway down. She looked around some more before deciding there was nothing more she can do to repair the room unless they hire a carpenter to fix it. She threw her hands in the air and shook her head in frustration. She then went back out and saw that Charlie had just managed to get all their bags inside the doorway. Candice was still outside talking - or rather, ‘flirting’ - with Arthur Weasley.

“You think with you here she’d at least behave herself.” Martha said.

Charlie looked back and smiled at Martha. “I seriously don’t mind. It’s not everyday that someone else fancies my father other than mum.”

Martha smiled back at him. “Good sport, are you? Don’t you dare say that in front of her or you’ll encourage her further.”

“Don’t worry ‘bout ‘em. I know he’s quite loyal to mum; would take a serious spell to get him to look at anyone else.” Charlie said.

“Yes, well, I’m afraid I can say the very same thing about Candice. It will take a serious spell to wrestle her away from your father, Charlie.” Martha said, and while she and Charlie shared a few more laughs, by the time Candice decided to stop ‘flirting’ with Arthur, Martha was already feeling anxious. It was like they were starting over and she would really want to know what they were supposed to do with their lives now.

“Ah, settled in, I see.” Arthur said.

“Thank you, both of you. This was very kind.” Martha said.

“Isn’t it?” Candice said, that devious sparkle in her eyes made Martha wince.

“Yes, well, you two will be safer here than back in London.” Arthur said. Martha could see the sadness in his eyes though he tries to cover it greatly. She knew that Arthur and his entire family are facing quite a problem – she was there the day Ron was forcibly taken away from Hogwarts. Arthur smiled again and tapped Martha’s shoulders before turning around to leave.

“I’m sorry about your son.” Martha said. Arthur turned around and smiled back at her. He told Charlie to head back outside and start the Thunderbird.

“We will contact you as soon as Minerva is out of Saint Mungos.” Arthur said. Then he slowly turned and made his way towards the car.

Martha placed her hand inside her coat pockets and felt the tip of the wand that was given to her by Alastor Moody. “Wait! Wait!”

“Yes?”

“What shall I do with this?” Martha said pulling out the wand.

“Use it. I believe Alastor wants you to embrace your heritage, Martha. The books are inside the other bag, it will teach you simple spells so you can arm yourselves properly while we wait for Minerva to come to.” Arthur said.

“I’ve been avoiding this all my life,” Martha said fiddling with the wand that had an ivory tip.

“Running from the past seems to be a bad idea. We have been running from many things and as you can see we are in dire straits because of it.” Arthur said. “Magic is a gift that was bestowed upon you. Not many have it, and those who do, must use it to protect those who don’t from those who will abuse it. We are at war, Martha. And whether you like it or not, you will be forced to join the war. You might as well be ready.” Then he went inside the car and it sped out into the skies. Martha found she agreed with Arthur although she would really much rather stay a ‘muggle’ but there was very little hope of returning to her normal, mundane life now that she knows about this, she would need to do the next best thing – adapt. As she went inside the house she found Candice crying her eyes out while preparing some tea.

“Are you being funny?” Martha said. “What’s with the cryin’? You just got your wish, Candice. I think spending a whole week with Arthur is more than enough reason to be joyful. It’s lucky his wife is not too much of the jealous sort. She could have turned you into a toad. I know I would.”

Candice though would not stop. She just kept sobbing and sniveling. Martha felt rather ashamed of her attitude towards her sister and went closer, wrapping Candice with her arms. “Alright! I’m sorry, but I just don’t understand why you are crying all of a sudden. He will visit us more often now.”

“It’s not Arthur, Martha. It’s Draco. I feel so sorry for him.”

“Oh,” Martha suddenly remembered Candice went to see the boy just before they left.

“Coming back here made me remember things that I wanted to believe were just a bad dream.” Candice said, wiping her face with her cotton handkerchief. “He has been struggling since I’ve found him. You can see it in his eyes – so much sadness…”

“How is he?” Martha said.

Candice wiped her eyes again. Shaking her head she said, “He’s lost his mind. His father must have tortured him too much this time.” Candice blew her nose. She turned around and tried to smile at Martha. “He loved him, you know. He loved that boy, Harry. He tried to deny it, but I can tell he was struggling. Somehow, I think he has always loved him, he just didn’t know it.”

“Let’s hope they fix him up.”

Candice shook her head again. “I asked that person, what’s his name?”

“Which one?”

“The greasy haired one, the one that looks like a vampire”

“Oh, Severus Snape! I thought he was rather sexy.”

“Snape! Yes, him with that peculiar look in his face, he always manages to give me the shivers when he looks at me. Anyway, he told me that Draco needed to be forgiven by Harry.” Candice said.

“Forgiven?”

“I don’t know what he needs forgiveness for, I mean he saved Archer. That baby would not be alive today had it not been for him. Even risked his life coming back here to try and rescue Harry, that’s why they were able to capture him.”

“Well he must have done something bad to the other boy.” Martha said.

“No!” Candice protested. “I asked him about Harry just before we got separated. He used to hate him, mind you, but that day when he came to me with Harry, the way he looked at him with so much concern…He was there when Archer was born. Holding Harry like he was the one who sired the child. His eyes were filled with so much joy to see the baby out.”

“I wonder how that must have felt? Seeing someone you thought was a boy giving birth.” Martha said taking a cup and filling it with tea.

“When I last saw him, there was despair in his eyes. Now…madness. Just wild, unknowing, unseeing…” Candice said closing her eyes tightly.

“Well, he must have done something.” Martha insisted. “If his madness needs forgiveness for a cure, it must really be that bad, Candice.”

“Or…” Candice said softly. “They made him do something.”

“It’s not really impossible, these people are capable of anything.” Martha said. “Let’s hope that whatever those Dark Wizards did to him, these good ones can correct.”

Candice looked at her, and took the wand from her hand. “Soon you’ll be one of them, Martha.” Candice tried to wave the wand a bit. “Be sure you turn out to be among the good ones.”

***

Hermione was running towards the dungeon room with Fred Weasley right behind her. There was a debate going on at Professor Snape’s office and they have been requested to join the meeting by the one that presided it – Amelia Bones – head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcements and Chairperson of the International Confederation of Wizards. With her came four other wizards all from the ICW.

“You cannot stop Ron from using magic, Amelia.” Remus said.

“His idea of magic has been distorted and is considered dangerous, Remus. He has been taught the Dark Arts by the Bureau I believe...Part of his training no doubt. That group has done nothing but trouble it was a tragedy that one of our own had to be mingled with their kind. I didn’t want to invoke the treaty but Dumbledore insisted. This is the repercussion of that decision and now I must do what I have to do. He is a threat,” Amelia said.

“My son has never used Dark Magic against anyone save for Death Eaters and Demons!” Arthur said.

“He has influenced others to use Unforgivable Curses! Someone used the Killing Curse against Karkaroff! We found his body in London, and Ron was not there that time, one of those bloody members of Dumbledore’s Army conjured it!” Amelia said. Hermione wanted to faint; she had killed Karkaroff. Fred placed his arms around her as she swooned and limped against him. Her immediate thought was Krum, how he would react to this news.

“He deserved it! He was after my grandson! He was sent to kill a helpless child, Amelia, I would have used the Killing Curse myself!” Arthur cried.

“Would you really?” Amelia said sounding sarcastically shocked.

“The one who conjured it must have been desperate to get rid of the threat.” Severus said slowly. “If you were faced with a choice, between the use of a Dark spell and your own life, wouldn’t you choose the same way?”

Amelia fell silent. “I see what you are trying to do here. All of you think that the attack justifies everything else.”

“Doesn’t it? Amelia wasn’t it the job of the Ministry to ensure that its constituents are well protected? Before the attack happened, I could swear that the Ministry had imposed so many laws against the Knights and passed so much paper work to the Bureau that they pulled out.” Severus said.

“It would have been a different story if they were still here. Our spells could do very little harm to those demons, and they came in great number and they were armed.” Remus said. Hermione saw him smiling as his and Severus’ defense seemed to have pushed the Ministry wizard against a tight corner.

“Yes, well, what of the other spells? What about Ron’s deal with the Keeper of the Dead? He conjured an Ancient spell that even I don’t know of because the Ministry has forbidden its use long before anyone of us was even conceived. ” Amelia said.

“He has lost the dearest person in his heart, Amelia what would you have done?” Hestia said. “Ron was desperate, in fact had he not done that I think he would have found another way. More catastrophic perhaps.”

“You’re avoiding the issue, Hestia. The facts remain the same, Ron smuggled in a banned book that he learned to use in New York. His wand revealed he used the Firesword spell as well – now THAT I know they do there, as the only person I know who can conjure it is DeMorney, one of their chancellors. Ron used it to fry Travers to a crisp!” Amelia said. “Who knows what else he’s capable of? Frankly I think he is more dangerous to us than all the Death Eaters combined.”

“Outrageous!” Arthur cried. “My son was trained to be a Knight! Not some bloody Assassin! And mind you he was forced into that as well, because the Ministry is not prepared for the event that we would have a Nymphrodite in our side of the world!”

“Ron would never hurt anyone!” Tonks said. “Well, not anyone that did not deserve a spell or two.”

“Have you seen what he did to that Incubus, Hzerdul? ” Amelia said.

“That Incubus deserved what he got!” Arthur said. “What Ron did to him was justice.”

“Yes, but Ron did not kill him to get justice, Arthur. You were there you saw what he did. He conjured the Cruciatus Spell to get him to transform back into his muggle form, then he beheaded him.” Amelia said.

Hermione gasped. Amelia looked at her and found her reaction justified the negation placed against Arthur’s defense.

Arthur looked angrily at her and Fred held her closer to him. “He wanted him to feel the pain! Ron was furious. Besides didn’t we ask you not to let him pass judgment? I begged you not to let him do it!”

“I didn’t know that your son whom you described many times as arachnophobic would react that way. It was a different person that stood in that circle that day, not the same twelve-year-old that I met before.”

“Amelia he is married, Harry nearly died and he just found out he was about to be a father from the creature that nearly killed both Harry and their son! He was naturally shocked! I have never seen him so angry in my entire life! He’s not twelve anymore, and frankly because of everything that has happened to him,”

“He enjoyed it, Arthur.” Amelia said slowly. “He enjoyed killing him and you cannot deny that. Ron has embraced the Dark Arts and the use of spells that the Ministry of Magic has banned for many years.”

“Amelia, you cannot stop Ron from feeling that way. He saw what that demon did to Harry. Harry very nearly died that night of the first attack, it scared him out of his wits.” Remus said.

“I understand,” Amelia said.

“No, the fact is you don’t Amelia! You don’t feel as strongly for this situation as we do! We loved that boy! Ron loved him more than anyone, more than his own life! His bargaining with the Keepers of the Dead proved only that he could not accept his passing.” Arthur said.

Amelia shook her head. “Arthur,”

“Please, Amelia, be reasonable. You cannot send Ron in exile to New York because of that.” Arthur said.

Hermione felt like a sharp dagger was being inserted through her skull. They were here – these Ministry Wizards – to ban Ron from England’s shores.

“There will be a hearing on the first day of February. Wizards from the Confederation will attend and they will decide whether Ron will be allowed to remain with us or if he should just settle in New York.” Amelia said. She then approached Arthur who had his head in his hands, looking miserable…trodden down by laws. “I am sorry about this Arthur. I truly am.”

When they had left, Arthur broke down. “Arthur, we will do everything to stop them.” Remus said.

“My family is breaking into pieces!” Arthur said.

“Mr. Weasley, I was the one that gave the Gatekeepers to Ron.” Hermione said.

“We know, Hermione. Viktor told me that he gave you both books.” Remus said.

“Viktor?”

“Yes, he sent me an owl when he heard that Harry had died.” Remus said.

“How did he find out about Harry?” Hermione said.

“I don’t know. He’s gone missing as well. Here’s his letter.” Remus said handing Hermione the parchment that he kept inside his pocket.

Hermione read the letter. It said:

Professor Lupin,

I am sending this owl – my last from Bulgaria – to say my deepest condolences at your loss. Harry’s death no doubt is giving you all so much sorrow. You should know also that it was I that gave the books to Hermione to arm both her and Ron for that event, as I know it would happen. I hope that it has done what it was purposed to do. Professor Karkaroff did not join them in the ritual, he was in London because of the Imperius curse, please forgive him should he do anything regretful. Please tell Hermione that I also beg her forgiveness for I have betrayed her trust.

Please send my love to her, tell her that I have never stopped loving her, and would continue to love her for as long as I live – whether that be short or long I do not know anymore.

Viktor Krum

Hermione shook her head and folded the letter again. “I wonder why he’s on the run?”

“You can keep the letter. I know he was special to you.” Remus said.

“Thank you, Professor.” Hermione said.

“We have to get Ron out of Saint Mungos.” Arthur said. “Molly is no longer eating.”

“If he escapes now they’ll know it’s us.” Tonks said.

“No, there is a way.” Hermione said. They all turned to her, and Professor Snape raised his eyebrows.

“How?” Fred said.

“Clever witch.” Severus said. “It just might work.”

Hermione smiled at Professor Snape. “We should do it the soonest time possible.”

Remus looked at her and Severus. “I hope you are not thinking of…”

“Yes, Remus, we are.” Severus said.

“No fair, I can’t do Legilemency!” Fred said.

“We will need your help though,” Hermione said. “Yours and George’s.”

***


“You should eat,” Ginny said. In front of her sat Draco Malfoy; his left eye, already healed of its wounds, bore a dark brown scar right above his eyelid just below his eyebrows. He just sat there on the bed quietly, looking blankly at the wall.

“He’s still in a trance, Ginny, he can’t hear you.” Hermione said. She was standing near the door.

“Well, he hasn’t eaten since this morning.” Ginny said.

“Alright,” Hermione went closer and took the bowl from Ginny’s hand and sat on the bed next to Draco. She stirred the soup with the spoon and blew it a bit then placed the spoon on Draco’s lips. Draco opened his mouth and Hermione poured the content inside. She kept doing this until the bowl was empty of its content. Then she asked Ginny to give Draco some water. Ginny gave her the glass and Hermione placed the rim on Draco’s lips and he drank a bit of water.

“You mean we have to feed him?” Ginny said after a while.

“No,” Hermione said wiping the water from Draco’s lips. “You have to feed him. I will not be able to see him, not for a while. Ginny can you do this for him? He will transferred to your house next week.”

Ginny sighed and nodded her head. “Nursing this git was not included in my future plans, Hermione.”

“Well, let’s hope he recovers soon, but that won’t happen unless Harry forgives him.” Hermione said. She and Ginny were on their way out when they heard someone sniveling. Draco was crying. Hermione went back to him and sat on the bed.

“What’s wrong?” Ginny said.

“I don’t know.” Hermione said. She placed her hand on Draco’s face. “Draco?”

Draco kept crying, he was sobbing terribly now. Muttering something they could not understand. Hermione then remembered she mentioned Harry’s name – wondering if that was why Draco reacted this way she said his name again. Draco closed his eyes tightly and then the muttering became clearer.

“Sorry, Harry, forgive me…I did not want to do it…” He was rocking back and forth now holding his head trying to cover his ears as though he was hearing voices that tortured him.

“What’s happening?” Ginny said.

“He’s feeling the spell. Dumbledore must have used the Redimicus spell.” Hermione said.

“Redimicus?” Ginny said.

“Yes, I’ve read about the soul binding spells. Redimicus Animatus is a spell that binds a person to another – the only one that required blood. Dumbledore must have made Draco swear that he would not hurt Harry in any way and then sealed that oath with the Redimicus spell – and Draco’s blood. It’s very hard to conjure for the person you bind must have at least one connection to the other – emotional, physical, or even mental – any would do as long as there is a connection. Very few can do it. Also it is undoable – unless the binder provides a course of escape the person is bonded forever. Some forget to provide an escape thus condemning the one forever.” Hermione said.

“It sounds awfully like the Imperius curse.” Ginny said.

“No, not like that at all. Although the bond is forced upon one to prevent them from doing something specific, those who are placed under the Redimicus spell can think for themselves. They just could not do the one thing they swore not to.” Hermione said.

“In this case harm Harry.” Ginny said.

“Exactly. The penalty must have been madness, and the escape is appropriate.” Hermione said.

“Forgiveness.” Ginny said. They both looked at Draco who continually rocked back and forth sobbing terribly. “I wonder what he did?”

Or what the connection was, Hermione thought. Draco and Harry, as far as she can tell, had very little connection or none at all. Dumbledore saw some kind of connection perhaps, something that no one could see. “Only one way to find out. Stay here for a while. Stay with him and try to calm him down. Don’t mention the name.” Hermione said. Ginny nodded and she reached out to Draco. Hermione left them like that, with Draco cradled in Ginny’s arms crying.


Hermione went to Professor Snape’s office and seeing the place empty she decided to search for the pensieve. She found it on top of a small table at the very corner of the dungeon that served as their Potions Master’s office. She went closer and soon she was immersed into Draco’s thoughts.

It was convoluted – like thick brambles of bushes in a forgotten forest. But every now and then the visions would clear and Hermione saw distinct memories; she saw his childhood, pieces of a child who was unloved. She saw how Draco suffered the torment of a father who abused him physically and emotionally since he was able to remember. Then the thoughts shifted again the next she saw were memories of his alter ego – the dreaded Malfoy as he cruised all over Hogwarts showing his toughness by building for him a gang of haters. Hermione saw the day he called her a mudblood, how Ron tried to defend her. Then it changed, and she saw how Lucius murdered Narcissa and how Draco tried to save her. Lucius charged at him and hit him with a hex that sent him flying across their mansion. Then it shifted again, and she found herself inside a strange place. It overlooked a large body of water that was dark blue especially near the shores. Draco was in some kind of tower. He heard some voices outside the room and he slowly went out and Hermione followed. She saw Peter Petigrew come rushing in crying out loud that he had found the Nymphrodite.

“So that’s how they discovered Harry is a Nymphrodite.” Hermione said. Then Draco went back inside and Hermione saw him pacing around the room as though what he heard frightened him. She looked at him closely and saw him go near a table with a book on top – she recognized it immediately, Krum gave her the same one not too long ago. He opened it and when he saw the picture in front he closed it again and shook his head. He looked out the window again and closed his eyes tightly.

“Harry…” He whispered.

Hermione knew it was far-fetched but seeing this gave her the impression that Draco somehow kept a deep secret inside him – an attraction to his enemy that he could not control all those years. Was it even possible that Draco had been in love with Harry? Hermione knew too little to decide and she always saw him as someone who was incapable of love.

The visions changed again and Hermione saw Archer’s birth. Draco was holding Harry in his arms and he looked as though he could feel every contraction as Harry gripped him tightly and pushed the baby out. Hermione felt a tear running down her cheeks, seeing Harry again alive. Ron would give anything to see this…or would he? Draco was holding Harry as though he WAS Ron. ‘This was the connection’, she said to herself. Dumbledore must have seen this using Legilemency. The following images that she saw only made the answer clearer.

“Just a little more, Harry, please hang on!” Draco said. Hermione saw him kissing Harry’s head. This was NOT Draco Malfoy, she thought. Ron must NEVER see this.

“PUSH!” Candice cried. “Push! One last time! The head is already out, I need you to push one last time. PUSH! Here he comes! Go on! Go on!” Then Hermione heard Archer cry. “It’s a boy! It’s a boy!”

“You did it, Potter!” Draco said. “Harry you did it! He’s out! He’s crying!”

“I want to see him,” Harry said. Hermione could not figure out why Harry could not feel Draco’s kisses for he kept kissing him amidst his tears.

Then the vision changed and Draco was now watching over a sleeping Harry with Archer cradled quietly in his arms. Harry must have been unconscious then or was too exhausted for Draco bent over him and kissed his lips. Then Draco sat on the chair and said; “I’m in trouble. Weasley you bastard, if you die…” he massaged his forehead with his left hand. Then closed his eyes whispering to himself. “Harry Malfoy…Harry Malfoy…not that bad…”

The vision changed again, and the next thing she saw sent shivers up and down her spine, she was inside the altar room and Draco was on the floor naked looking at Harry chained on the altar bleeding from many wounds.

“I’m sorry! Harry I didn’t…” Draco said.

Hermione saw Lucius come nearer and pointed a wand at Draco then cried, “FINISH IT!”

“NO! I won’t do it! You tricked me!”

“Finish it you fool or you will die!”

“NO!”

To Hermione’s horror, Voldemort himself went to Draco and conjured a spell that Hermione has never heard of nor read before. “Animaverto!” he said. And the vision changed and Hermione was thrown out of the pensieve.

She was on the floor gasping for air and she was nauseated from the journey she took inside Draco’s pensieve. She couldn’t move for several minutes; she just stayed there shaking from the horror that she saw. After a while it all sank in and she was now faced with a choice. It would have been easy to make had she not seen Draco differently.

Slowly she stood and tried to walk out of the Dungeon then she went back to Draco’s room and saw that he was now sleeping on Ginny’s lap. Seeing him now, in this state made her decide. She knew, had he been alive, Harry would have made the same choice. She left the room and searched for Professor Snape to ask him to destroy the pensieve.