.


A/N…Ok everyone, Halloween is a Saturday in this story. K?

I’ll try to keep the review replies shirt today, as this is already the longest chapter I’ve ever written by quite a distance and that’s without the review replies.

Heksy…Thanks hun, I’ve gone over the last chapter and fixed the spelling errors I saw. Thanks for the Meade. I’m sure your trying to make me into an alcoholic. N I’ll get another chapter of DM to ya soon, K?

jbj1031965…Thanks, I’m really enjoying writing Pansy’s character, I know she’s only a secondary character but I think that was one of the best things about the HP series, how real it was. A lot of books either don’t have enough minor characters to make a story believable or they have too many and completely ruin it. There’ll be more on the Hermione thing in the next chapter, I know a lot of people are wondering about that.

FireWitch1…I promise more Harry/Draco in the next chapter, it was going to be in this one but the things way two long. The last chapter, this and the majority of the next were all supposed to be one chapter, if I’d have done that it would be over forty pages. Hhhhmmm as for Dumbledore I’m not sure whats going to happen with him yet. I’ve had how I wanted to end the voldie story line for ages but I’m torn between two things for dumbles. I had at one point also considered a sequel to this but I don’t think that will happen now. So whatever I decide it’ll all be resolved in about fifteen chapters time.

Aaliyah…I liked the bit where H/D came out to the slyths too. I thought it was time they did, they cant hide everything forever and its true that the slyths would be more likely to turn fully from voldie if Harry had a good array of power behind him.Theres too much going on now for them to do everything on their own.

Lottii…Hey thanks for pointing out the roo mistake, the image made me laugh a bit too. I believe congratulations are in order for the baby and I hope you got her back to sleep alright.

PleiadesWolfe…hey, yep the slyths will definitely be in the DA from now on. Which should make quite an interesting dynamic. You’ll have to read this chapter to find out what the Order meetings like though.

Sycyla…thanks for reviewing. I know my story isn’t the best, I’ve read better ones myself too, but I’m glad you like this as well. Being an author is something I would really love to do, it makes me happy to know people would read my books if I published them, based on what they read here.

Vlad…huh, I didn’t think that was that bad a cliffy actually. Oh well, this one though is and I am apologising to you in advance for it. (grins), this is another one of those ‘cant be helped’ ones though, the words refused to come passed that point and I had to end it there.

Palkitty…hey thank you for defending me. I hate flames too, theres just no point to them, now saying something like ‘my writing lacked description’, that I don’t mind cos I can work on it. But when it isn’t constructive and is just an attack I have to wonder if the reviewers actually have owt in their heads. Now onto your question…how a demon would end up breeding with a human, wizard or otherwise? Well the first thing I would say is that creatures such as demons, elves and vampires are all humanoid in appearance (well mostly), so to me they are kind of like a subspecies of human. Human refers to the form and the sub species are those with magic, those without (muggles, which are the most numerous) and the various creatures. The way I look at it is that they can breed because even though they’re different they are still human. An example would when an animal like a Bengal tiger (sub species 1) is bred with a Sumatran tiger (sub species 2) they will still produce viable offspring (i.e, the kids can breed). Both types are species of tiger, they are different but can still breed. Does that make sense? So the cat demon, the Draco and the Dark elf are all different varieties of humans still able to breed with muggles and wizards, but since their existence is hidden from muggles its only the wizards/witches who really do it. Harry’s fourth blood, which he still doesn’t know about is also humanoid.


Thank you to everyone else who reviewed…redneckmama, thrnbrooke and Jan.

Chapter 35: Halloween Time


Unfortunately several unforeseen incidents postponed the next DA meeting by a couple of weeks. So far this year the Deatheaters had lain low, doing only a little damage here and there. Mainly focusing on recruitment but it seemed that with the deaths of Nymphadora Tonks and Elphias Doge, the Deatheaters were again turning their energies to causing havoc. Several small attacks on different Muggle villages caused an increase in the Hogwart’s security.

In the first few days after each attack it was impossible to navigate the corridors to get to the Room of Requirement. Early curfews were enforced, students having to return to their Common Rooms immediately after Dinner.

So even though the meetings with the Slytherins had gone well they hadn’t been able to do anything about it yet. After casting charms on the doors to the dormitory that made anyone who came near them suddenly feel exhausted and want to return to bed, Draco was able to train them a little bit. But he was the first to say he wasn’t nearly as competent a teacher as Harry, it wasn’t an ideal situation but it was all they could do at the time.

The attacks also resulted in the cancellation of the Order meeting Harry had been worrying about. Because of all the attacks the Order members were needed to supervise and report on the clean up efforts and new procedures implemented in the Ministry. Since most of them had a job within the Ministry it made it harder for them to sneak out. So it was decided that since the meeting wasn’t necessary, in fact it was little more than a periodic update, it could be postponed to a later date.

Harry was quite relieved, he didn’t know what Dumbledore had planned for him.

Quidditch practices had also been cancelled. Which just about pissed everybody off, as the first game (Slytherin vs Gryffindor) took place shortly after Halloween. Each team was allowed a short bit of time in the courtyard where flying lessons for first years were normally held. It wasn’t nearly enough but again they couldn’t grumble.

Normally the DA would take advantage of the lack of Quidditch practices but since this wasn’t possible, all Harry could tell them to do was go over the spells they already learnt.

Even though the DA was out of the question Harry still had his lessons with Snape. McGonagall had asked Remus to oversee each training session and walk Harry to and from the dungeons. Harry wasn’t too happy about being chaperoned but he quickly learned not to complain. The first meeting had been a little awkward, Remus and Severus still couldn’t spend that much time together and were quite stuck on each other. Harry had spent most of that lesson reading a school book.
Harry had let them have their time together without complaint, he knew how hard it was for him and Draco to sneak around.

After that they both worked together to train Harry. It was a shock at first to find himself duelling his Godfather, but he realized the necessity when he lost spectacularly to the man. As Snape, call me Severus when we’re in this room Harry said, ‘You’ve gotten used to my fighting style and were using the same techniques to exploit my weaknesses on Remus. When you duel you need to learn to sum up each new opponent quickly so that you can dispatch them before they get to you.’

Harry had thought he’d been doing well, but fighting Remus made him realize he still had a long way to go. And when he’d been forced to fight the both of them, he’d lost inside a minute.

‘Power isn’t everything in a duel Harry.’ Remus had said.

Sev nodded. ‘When you fight you could unleash the power we know you have and completely obliterate us but doing that uses a lot more energy than you’d realize. If you did that in a battle situation you’d quickly exhaust yourself and be easy prey for anybody still with enough energy left to avoid your strikes.’

‘When you fight, keep your attention on your opponent. But make sure you are aware of your surroundings so that you’re aware of anyone else coming close to you. Limit the amount of power you use as well. If you can take your man out with a stunner then do so. You can still fight if you get tired, the adrenaline will see to that but if you have no magic left to fight with you’re a sitting duck in a wizards duel.’ Remus said.

‘When you fight two men it’s different again, you must split your attention.’ Sev lectured. ‘Performing a complicated manoeuvre or a long incantation on one opponent is a sure way to get yourself killed by the other one. In those cases stick to one word spells and short wrist movements, like stupefy or expelliarmus. If your opponent loses their wand you can turn your attention to the other and hopefully dispatch him while the other is scrambling about for his wand. In some cases they will resort to physical attacks but often this leaves them open to other spell work. Use expelliarmus if you haven’t closed with your enemy yet, if he’s too far away to resort to physical attacks. For a close enemy use whatever you can to take them down. Expelliarmus though will leave you open to a physical attack so avoid using it at close quarters.’

Remus nodded before taking up the lecture again. ‘If your opponent makes the mistake of using a long worded spell or a complicated one, do not respond with your own spell as it’s still possible he could finish his before you do yours. In close quarters it’s a good time for a punch to the gut or maybe a grab for the wand. Snap the wand and the majority of wizards are defenceless.’

They duelled for several more minutes afterward, Harry trying to remember all they’d told him, he’d done better but he still wasn’t brilliant. But Remus and Sev seemed pleased.

They were tidying up and talking quietly so Harry went and sat by Krai. The snake had finally felt well enough to move around a couple of days ago. It was now the week before Halloween and this was Krai’s first time back watching him duel since their argument.

Krai was still listless, but he wasn’t as bad as he had been. But the snake was quieter, he didn’t seem to talk as much as he did before.

How’d I do?

Very well Master. You are learning. He got nothing else out of the snake, he just hoped that Krai wasn’t still mad at him, he didn’t think he was. Krai hadn’t even been angry when it had first happened so why would he be now? No if Krai was distant with him it was because of their argument, Krai didn’t know how to act around him anymore.

He lifted his Familiar from the pillow he’d been resting on and put Krai on his lap instead. After a moment in which Krai just stared at him, the snake finally burrowed into his body as he had done before. Harry smiled and stroked the scales of his Familiar’s back which were slowly beginning to get back their flash of a lightning bolt glow.

He realised that the room had gone really quiet. He looked up to find Remus and Sev no longer tidying but watching him intently with a slightly nervous air.

‘What?’ he asked.

Remus smiled and shook his head, Sev just snorted.

‘Well uh…’ Remus began. ‘We wanted to ask you something, er when we can…’ he said casting a quick glance in his mate’s direction. ‘When we can we intend to bond…’

‘Congratulations!’ Harry exclaimed.

‘Thank you Harry.’ Sev said. ‘What the wolf is trying to say is that after we’ve bonded we were wondering if you wanted to come and live with us.’

Harry was shocked, he hadn’t been expecting that. Seeing the look on his face Remus hastened on.

‘We know your seventeen Harry and can live wherever you want, we understand if you want to live on your own somewhere but we just thought…if you wanted to that is you could come and live with us. I know you’re an adult now and it’s a little late but we’d like to offer you a home if you want it. We’d have asked long ago if we could but…’

‘It hasn’t been possible.’ Sev interrupted.

‘No it hasn’t, we’d have filed for adoption and gotten you away from those awful muggles. It would have been difficult especially with me being a Werewolf and Sev a ex-deatheater but we’d have tried. And…’

‘Remus you’re rambling.’ Sev admonished quietly. Remus fell silent and cast a worried look at Harry who still hadn’t spoken.

Harry finally found his voice. ‘Live with you…’

‘Yes.’ Remus interrupted again, a little agitated. ‘I can understand if you don’t want to…’

Harry laughed. ‘You know Sirius said the same thing and I’m giving you the same answer…’ he smiled at the look on Remus’s face. ‘When can I move in?’

Remus jumped up from his chair and crashed to his knees before Harry and hugged him. Krai gave a slight hiss at being knocked about a bit but soon settled down again.

‘Oh Harry, I know I can’t replace your parents or Sirius, I wouldn’t want to but…Dumbledore wouldn’t let me raise you before, but now…’ He hugged him even more tightly. Harry was bemused, he’d never seen Remus act like this.

Snape was pinching the bridge of his nose and shaking his head. ‘Why me?’

***

Harry left the meeting quite warm hearted. He was laid in bed, with Krai curled up on his chest instead of on the pillow by his head. Things felt almost back to normal. But there was a niggling thought at the back of his mind that he hadn’t voiced to anyone yet.

Krai?

Yes Master. Krai’s mind voice was drowsy as if he’d just woken up.

Sorry to wake you.

It’s ok Master.

I’ve been thinking about something, I just wanted your opinion but it can wait until morning.

What is it Master?

I’ve been thinking about the egg.

The basilisk’s egg Master?

Yes, I was wondering if it would be beneficial to hatch and raise it. Are their any spells that would render it safe to look upon. I mean Nagini is a basilisk, surely Voldemort must have something to make his followers immune to her stare.

I know of none Master but we may be able to find the answers in Slytherin’s book.

It seems that all our questions might be answered by Slytherin’s book. I find that just a little too coincidental.

I do too Master.

***

It was the Wednesday just before Halloween before they could have the next DA meeting.

‘You’ve all come to me over the last few weeks since our last meeting and told me what you thought about the Slytherins joining the DA. Well today is our first meeting with representatives from all four houses.’

Cheers went up, reassuring the Slytherins who had all been huddled together unsure of their welcome.

‘You all know what we’ve been doing, training in pairs. Well I want all of you now, to come out one at a time and pick a Slytherin to be your partner for tonight’s meeting. When all the Slytherins are gone you can pick someone else.’

People began shuffling restlessly, they weren’t sure who to pick or whether they wanted to go first. Harry sighed and smiled slightly before heading over to the Slytherins, he didn’t usually partner up but today he would. They had an odd number now anyway and beside, he wanted to reveal his relationship with Draco to the other houses.

Draco was smirking by the time Harry stopped in front of him.

‘Do you want to be my training partner Draco?’

‘Well I’m already your partner in every other sense so I may as well be in this too.’ He drawled before giving Harry a quick peck on the cheek.

The shocked expressions weren’t really surprising. But the rest of the DA soon realised that the Slytherins weren’t as shocked as they were. Hermione, Lavender and Parvati actually appeared to be crying. Harry didn’t understand girls.

The tableau was broken when Ron moved next; he went over to Blaise who smiled at him in answer. Harry was disappointed that they didn’t kiss; he’d been waiting for them to get together for ages, for a moment he’d thought they had.

After that things moved a lot quicker. Everyone paired off and got down to practicing whilst getting to know their partners. They may only be a small group but they were doing what the Sorting Hat wanted, uniting to fight a common enemy.


***


The day before Halloween came and with it was an announcement.

________________________________________________________________________

Hogsmeade Weekend Cancelled!

Due to the recent high level of attacks in and around the Hogsmeade area, all excursions to the village will be discontinued until further notice.

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

________________________________________________________________________


The third years and up were of course disappointed, but the first and second years didn’t really care as the trips had nothing to do with them anyway. The one good thing was that the Halloween feast wasn’t cancelled, everyone still had that to look forward to.

Later that day however there was another surprise, well a surprise for the seventh year Muggleborns. The Purebloods as usual already knew all about it.

The seventh years of each house were asked to meet their heads of house in their common rooms in the hour before dinner, the other students being forced out or up to their dormitories.

‘Now settle down everyone.’ Professor McGonagall began. ‘Now tomorrow is a very special day. Who can tell me why?’

Only the purebloods and Half-bloods were raising their hands. Ron, Seamus and Neville had raised their hands, no one else, not even Hermione had, but she hadn’t done much hand raising since she’d gotten back anyway.

‘Mr Weasley.’

Ron gulped a little before answering, he wasn’t called on to answer many questions, then again he didn’t stick his hand up often. ‘It’s Halloween tomorrow and as we’re Seventh years we can finally participate in the traditional ceremony.’

‘Correct Mr Weasley.’ McGonagall said, Ron looked a bit disappointed that she hadn’t given him any points. But this wasn’t a school activity. ‘Now because of the importance of the day, its affinity with our world, it was deemed that the first experience of the traditions should be in a learning environment. So that you will know all there is to know about the holiday before you leave us. At Hogwarts we have always had the Halloween Feast for all of the students, allowing them to celebrate in safe and un-disturbing ways. Now the Purebloods in this room will no doubt know of the true nature of All Hallows Eve and some of our Muggleborns may have heard of the old fashioned ceremonies. Well tomorrow night you will be educated on the true traditions of All Hallows Eve. The Feast finishes at ten o clock, giving us two hours until midnight. Now further instructions on clothing and other necessities will be given tomorrow. You may go.’

They were on their way down to dinner when Harry stopped Ron.

‘Why didn’t you tell me anything about this?’ Ron had the decency to look a bit sheepish before replying.

‘I was going to tell you tonight, I didn’t know how you’d take it.’

‘What’s there to take?’ Harry asked, honestly confused.

‘Er Harry, do you know what Halloweens called?’ Ron asked watching him intently.

Harry was silent for a while, thinking. ‘Samhain isn’t it?’

‘Yeah Harry, but what’s Samhain, do you know another name?’

Harry shook his head. Ron sighed.

‘It’s the Festival of the Dead Harry.’

Harry was quiet for a moment. ‘But that’s just in name right?’

Ron shook his head. ‘Fraid not mate, that’s why I didn’t want to say anything yet.’

‘But that…that doesn’t…it doesn’t mean, does it?’

‘Yeah mate, tomorrow night you’ll see your parents.’


***


As if Harry didn’t have enough on his mind with the Halloween revelation, Remus just had to inform him shortly after dinner that the Order Meeting was scheduled for that night. He was to go up to Remus’s office at nine and they would both Floo to Grimmauld place.

Harry didn’t want to go to Grimmauld place, he’d only been back a few times since Sirius’s death. And the fact that he might be seeing Sirius tomorrow after spending part of the night in the man’s house was definitely playing havoc with his mind.

When Sirius had died, it had taken him a while but he’d finally come to terms with the fact that he wouldn’t see the man again. He dimly remembered what Luna had said…she’d known that she would see her Mother again.

This was the Wizarding world, how could he not have thought more about her words? If he was honest he was angry as well as sad and confused. How could no one have told him about that? Why didn’t Remus say anything?

He arrived at the man’s office a little early, just to ask him that question. It was just him, he’d left Krai in the dormitory with Ron, his familiar wasn’t well enough for Floo travel yet.

Remus opened the door with a smile on his face but it fell away when he saw Harry’s expression.

‘Why didn’t you tell me Remus?’ Harry asked as he stepped past the man and into the room.

‘I’m sorry Harry. I just couldn’t tell you. You’d grown up with the belief that death was the end and in a way it is. How was I to tell you that you would see Sirius again, but not for two years, when the Ministy finally allowed you to do so. What would you have done Harry?’

Harry remembered his feelings from that night, the grief, the complete and utter despair but most of all he remembered the anger that he had felt.

He remembered the rage that had destroyed Dumbledore’s office and helped him to cast Crucio on Bellatrix Lestrange. He thought about what he would have done if he’d learned that the Ministry were keeping him from seeing Sirius again.

‘I don’t know what I’d have done.’ He finally said.

‘No but whatever it was you would have done I doubt it would have done you any favours with the Ministry. Think about those days, it was only the events in the department that finally showed them that you weren’t what they’d thought. If you had let your anger loose on the Ministry what would have been the consequences?’

‘I’d have been right back where I started.’ Harry said softly, knowing it to be true.

Remus nodded sadly. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you Harry but I thought it was for the best at the time. Even though you can see Sirius again, it isn’t what you think. He’ll be a ghost, just like Nearly Headless Nick. You can see him and speak to him but the time is limited. You had to get used to the fact that he wouldn’t always be around anymore. You can speak to him for a few hours out of every year now and that’s it.’ Remus fell silent and Harry nodded, understanding why his Godfather had done what he had.

Remus’s voice was soft when he spoke again. ‘Harry as much as I hate to say it we really must be going.’

Oh right the Order Meeting. Harry had almost forgotten.

Remus took down the container of Floo powder and motioned for Harry to go first. Harry sighed he really hated Floo travel.


***

Grimmauld place hadn’t changed much, it was cleaner, especially with Kreacher no longer in residence but that was about it. Mrs Black’s portrait was still there, making the both of them extremely careful in the hallway on the way to the kitchen.

He opened the door, with Remus behind him to a brightly lit kitchen crowded with people.

‘HARRY!’

He had only a moment in which to move, before Mrs Weasley latched onto him, he hadn’t gotten far. As Remus hurried back out to cover the portrait, he heard two very distinct twin chuckles.

‘If Potter could stop being his usual attention seeking self...’ The tone of the voice suggested the man highly doubted it. ‘…might we get on with the Meeting?’

Harry inwardly sighed. Even though he knew it was necessary, he still didn’t like it when he and Sev had to act like they still hated each other.

‘Ignore him Harry.’ Mrs Weasley said. ‘Now you come and sit here between Fred and George.’

Harry gave her an odd look before doing as she’d suggested. He couldn’t believe she was so calm about them joining the Order, he’d expected tantrums and not being able to breathe right for ages after one of her crushing hugs, that wasn’t the Molly Weasley he knew.

He slipped into the vacant chair between the twins, slightly hesitant about having a twin on either side of him. He’d seen George move over the moment he’d come into the room.

‘Looking good Harry.’ Fred whispered the moment he sat down.

‘Don’t worry ‘bout Mum Harry, we slipped her a calming drought.’ George whispered next. Harry only just managed to stop himself from laughing, so that was why, he should have known.

He looked around the table. Dumbledore was sat at the head, his eyes were still twinkling even though his expression was grave. Remus who had just gotten back into the room sat as far away from Snape as he could possibly get, it wasn’t fair on either of them to act that way. There was a spare seat on either side of the Potion’s Master and Harry found himself wanting to get up and sit next to the man, he didn’t of course, Sev would have hexed him into next week if he made such a mistake. But looking at the man right now, Harry didn’t want to move anywhere near him right now, this wasn’t the slightly snarky but nice teacher called Sev he’d come to know. No right now this was Snape, the ‘Greasy Git’ and ‘Slytherin Bastard’ that had made Harry’s life hell for seven years.

The entire Weasley family with the exception of the two youngest (Ron and Ginny) and the second eldest (Charlie) were all there. Along with a few members he had seen before but whose names he couldn’t remember. Moody and Kingsley were also there, sat on either side of Dumbledore. Neither of them looked too happy about Harry’s presence.

Dumbledore also had a quick glance around the room, checking that everyone was there who he wanted to be there, before he opened the meeting.

Harry knew this meeting was just a periodic meeting to update everybody on recent events, as Dumbledore apparently met with everybody individually.

Snape gave a report on the current activities of the Deatheaters, unfortunately Voldemort wasn’t giving too much away. But Snape knew there would be several more attacks in the coming weeks.

‘It is likely that the Dark Lord will call his Deatheaters tomorrow for a raid. I do not know where but it is more than likely.’ Snape said.

‘The Dark Lord never passes up an opportunity to act on this date.’ Kingsley said frowning.

Dumbledore cut in. ‘It’s the meaning of the day he finds it fitting.’

Harry shook his head and spoke up for the first time. ‘Ok Voldemorts a mad man.’ He said ignoring the flinches and the heads turning his way. ‘It is likely that he sees this as a significant day. But I think it’s more likely because of all the parties going on.’

They were all looking at him oddly.

‘Explain what you mean boy.’ Moody ordered gruffly, his magical eye swivelling in Harry’s direction, it had been previously looking out the back of his head.

‘Er I mean that everybody both Muggle and Magical has gatherings on Halloween. Voldemort wants to cause as much mayhem as possible, spread as much panic and fear as he can. Well he can do that by attacking one or two individuals or families but if he really wants to go for the dramatic effect, he’d attack a group of people. And people always get together on holidays, it doesn’t matter which holiday it is as long as there’s a lot of people.’

Every single person bar maybe Remus and Sev (who had no expression at all) was looking at him as though he’d grown an extra head.

‘Huh, that does make a lot of sense.’ Kingsley said to himself, Harry wanted to roll his eyes. If one of the top Aurors hadn’t figured that out then he wanted to meet whoever did the Orders strategising.

After that they moved on to other topics, the increase in activity in Knockturn Alley which was worrying and the possible locations of Voldemort’s base of operations.

‘We have checked all of the unoccupied Manors.’ One of the unknown members said. ‘And we haven’t found a thing.’

Dumbledore sighed. ‘He has to be in one of them.’

Again Harry found himself speaking up again. ‘Erm why are we so sure he’s in a Manor?’ Some of the Order members looked at him like he was dumb, a few others looked at him contemplatively remembering what he’d said earlier.

‘It’s just Voldemort’s style Harry.’ Dumbledore replied.

‘Why is it ‘just Voldemort’s style’?’ Harry insisted. ‘He may have done that in the last war but he’s had twelve years as a disembodied vapour to think about his plans and change them. Don’t you think he’d have changed his game plan to make yours weaker? If you’re carrying on as you did back then who’s to say he’s doing the same thing. He’s learnt to adapt to the changes. To think and plan it all out. When he came back, he could have used any enemies blood to give him a body and still keep his presence a secret. He could have done a lot more without the public ever knowing. But knowing that I was a threat to him he used my blood. He planned what to do, when he attacked me as a baby he rushed in giving little thought to the matter. But now he has first hand experience of it failing, this time he thought and he planned it out and it worked. He didn’t manage to kill me but he came away from the encounter much better off than he did the last time. You’re foolish if you don’t think he hasn’t changed his strategy.’

Harry could see a few of the members nodding along. ‘It’s not only that but if he really is staying in a Manor do you really think he’d let you find it so easily? He probably has Fidelus up at the least and if he does you’ll never find it.’ He turned his attention to Snape.

‘Professor, what happens when you go to the meetings, are you always in the same place or do you move around?’ A few of them looked stunned, how did they not think about asking that question. All they knew was that Snape had no knowledge of where it was.

Snape sneered at him. ‘Meetings of all the Deatheaters are held in varying locations, we just apparate to his side. He does have a home base but only Lucius is considered important enough to know its location.’

‘Couldn’t we get to Lucius?’

‘No, the wards around Malfoy Manor will not allow it. He hasn’t been out in weeks, I only see him at the meetings now.’

Harry thought for a moment. ‘If you had something important to report what would you do?’

The man sneered again as if the answer was obvious. ‘I would go to Lucius and he would take me to the Dark Lord.’

Harry muttered. ‘Well its something to keep in mind.’

He didn’t miss the appraising looks sent his way by Moody, Kingsley and a few others. After that the topics moved on to more mundane matters that were still forcibly debated. The meeting dragged on in repetitive arguing until the early hours. Harry left feeling like he might have changed a few perceptions of him, but still hadn’t made that much of an impact. And he still didn’t know why Dumbledore had wanted him there.


***


The next day found Harry, Draco, Ron and Blaise lounging about in the ROR. Harry knew he should have called a DA meeting, but he just couldn’t force himself to concentrate right now. The thought that he could be seeing his parents in a couple of hours was jarring.

Draco hadn’t said anything when he’d seen Harry earlier that day, he’d just hugged him and sat beside him silently, understanding that he just needed time with his thoughts for now. Ron and Blaise had joined them eventually, providing more silent support.

They all had things to think about, there was always a chance that no ancestor would turn up to talk to them but if they did what would they say. Draco was fairly certain his Grandfather would turn up and he wasn’t happy with the thought. The man had been the original Dark Lord supporter, making sure that his Son and Grandson would follow in his footsteps. No he wasn’t looking forward to having his ear chewed off by his Grandfather, the man would be going on about how he, Draco had brought dishonour upon the Malfoy name by siding with the side of light.

Blaise of course was worried about the same thing, though unlike the Malfoy’s some of the Zabini’s had been neutrals so they might be more understanding. Ron wasn’t as worried as the others, he was just nervous, even though he’d known since he was little that adults could talk to the dead on one special night, it was still a little unnerving to realise he was about to do it too.

Harry was silently contemplating what his parents would say to him, what they thought of him being a creature, mated to a Malfoy, what would they think? Would they be proud of him?

It wouldn’t be the first time he had spoken with them, but that moment in fourth year had been short, too short as Harry had been fighting for his life at the time. They had both come, they’d told him how to get away but that was all, having no time to say anything else.

Were they proud that he was their son? Were they still aware wherever they were, missing him, watching over him, seeing what he was up against and wishing they could be there to help?

He was crying, he didn’t know when it had started but he felt them now, wet trails down his cheek. He felt Draco shift beside him, felt his arm hug him tighter, the hand grasping his shoulder. The other cupped his chin as Draco’s lips kissed away his tears, Harry smiled, hiccupping slightly before burrowing his head into his mates robes.

They stayed like that for several hours, the four of them, silent and contemplating what was to come that night.


***

The feast was delicious as usual. But the seventh years weren’t as determined to eat everything sweet on the table as they usually were. They were all wearing warm clothes beneath their Hogwarts robes and a few of them looked slightly green and sickly, so sweets were definitely out of the question for them.

Looking back on their other feasts Harry wondered how he’d never noticed anything odd before, he could remember the seventh years hanging back each year as the other years ran off to their dormitories. And he’d never really paid attention to the ghosts before this year, how on every Halloween they would always sit with the seventh years.

Harry had always wondered about the ghosts, why they hung around Hogwarts. He now realised they were there to help the students get used to the idea of communicating with the dead. It made it easier for some people to deal with when they remembered they’d been talking with their house ghosts for years.

This of course led to more questions, why were the resident ghosts visible all year round?

He’d asked Nearly Headless Nick who’d explained that the ghosts of Hogwarts chose to stay here because at one time or another they had all had a close affinity with the school. They were visible the whole year round, because it was one of the school’s protections, no ghost could sneak in without being seen. Harry could understand the need for that.

He turned his attention back to his friends, who were all slightly more subdued than normal. Even with all the noise and chatter going on around them it still seemed to take ages before the end of the feast came.

The Seventh years took their time rising from the tables, by the time they made it out to the Entrance Hall all of the younger years were gone. The only people left in the Entrance Hall bar themselves were their Head of Houses, McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and Sprout.

Silently the Seventh years all followed their heads of house.


***

They were all ushered into a courtyard, one that no student had ever seen before. It was extremely large, large enough to contain several large bonfires and even more smaller ones. Each Head of House led their students over to one of the four large bonfires, the smaller bonfires formed a circle around the four large ones, closing them in. All of the fires were blue flamed, like the little fires Hermione used to conjure, they needed no wood and let off heat without burning.

McGonagall made them all stand in a loose semi-circle around the bonfire she had chosen.

‘Now Halloween, All Hallows Eve or Samhain, is a traditional Pagan ceremony marking the Witch and Wizards New Year, the 31st of October. The word Samhain means “Summer’s end” and signalled the beginnings of the darker aspects of the year, Autumn and Winter, the dying months. These bonfires you see here will burn for a week to mark the death of Summer and the birth of Winter.’ She paused for a moment to see if they were taking it all in.

‘Samhain is also the Night of Death, a time for people to honour those who had passed on during the year…’

Tonks. Harry thought.

‘…As it is believed that those who have gone on, watch over us and help us in whatever ways they can, by sending us signs, or living people who have the answers we seek, we give thanks. This belief is even held by some Muggles today. But to the Witch and Wizard this day is much more. The bonfires have another purpose, not only do they mark the end of Summer they also light the way for the dead.’

‘Samhain is the day when the dead are able to pass from this world to that of spirit. No one knows why this is so, but Samhain remains the only day when the spirits of the departed can leave this world and enter the other. And for a short period of time those on the other side can come back. For this night only we can speak to our dead. When you leave this school and go into the real world, if you wish to speak to someone departed on Samhain, light a bonfire. If they wish to they will come through. This pathway lasts only in darkness, from sunset to Midnight, when the day ends.’

Dean raised his hand. ‘Um Professor, if we can speak with our ancestors from sunset, why didn’t we come out earlier?’

‘A very good question Mr Thomas, the Ministry regulates the amount of time we can allow you to converse with your relatives. They believe that you are still too young to understand the full impact this night can have on your life and so limit the amount of time you can talk with your ancestors to two hours. It is my opinion that they have no right to do this. Those of you with wizarding parents should have been experiencing this for years already. It causes more damage in my opinion to spring it on you the day before you are required to do it. In my mind this is something we should all be educated upon from birth. But the Ministry believes that ‘children’ should not know such things…’

‘I agree Professor.’ Harry spoke up. ‘If I’d…’ he hesitated.

Professor McGonagall smiled at him kindly. ‘If you’d been raised as a Wizard not as a Muggle, you would have known your parents in some way. That’s why I believe this would be more beneficial being taught to young children by their parents, they’d understand better that when someone did die, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never see them again. Anyway, we’ve spent enough time talking about this. I want each of you to go to a bonfire and sit before it. That’s all you have to do and those wishing to speak to you will come through. Go on.’ She shooed them off with a wave of her hands.

The other houses were seeking out bonfires now. Harry quickly went over to one that was quite close to where the slytherins were sitting. Draco spotted him and headed over to the bonfire next to his. Ron had sat on Harry’s other side.

‘Now just sit quietly, you don’t need to think or say anything. When spirits speak they don’t use sound, so no one will know what was said to you other than yourself. But keep your own voice low, as it can still be heard.’ He heard Snape’s voice say, slightly distant, obviously addressing the Slytherins.

The courtyard quietened; there was nothing to be heard bar the soft footfalls of the teachers as they patrolled the perimeter, keeping an eye on their students.

He turned his eye back to his bonfire, well more of a campfire than a bonfire and nearly shrieked at what he saw. The blue fire had died to embers, darkness surrounded each flickering flame and two ghostly hands had slipped through the earth and were clawing at the ground trying to find purchase to hoist out the rest of their body.

When the head emerged he was surprised to find it wasn’t who he had expected. Tonk’s was looking back at him, her face bright and smiling. She raised herself out to her waist before speaking.

‘Wotcha Harry.’

Despite the situation Harry found himself smiling. ‘Wotcha Tonks.’

‘I’m just gonna be quick don’t worry. Listen Harry the mission I was on, I was scoping out Knockturn Alley. There’s been a lot of activity down there lately. Strange since most of the shops have been raided and closed. I’ve gotta be quick I only have a few moments, as somebody that’s newly dead I’ve gotta go through soon. So listen ok, Dumbledore he didn’t have back-up waiting in case anything happened. Well he did Elphias was my back-up, one old man and me. That was all. He lied to the Order about how much he knew, I don’t know the whole of it. But I think we were becoming too much of a problem for him.’

‘Against his orders, the two of us were talking to Deatheaters, yeah I know. But if Snape has taught us anything it’s that not all’s as it seems in the Dark side and I think we found a couple who want to join our side. To be spies. It’s too much of a risk for him, he has one spy. He doesn’t need another that could get found out. He’s got some sort of hold over Snape I just know it. I know I’ll know more of what’s going on when I get to the other side but I just had to give you my suspicions, so don’t be shocked if a few Deatheaters join you at some point. What you said at the Order meeting the other day, it really struck a few notes, get them on your side. I have a feeling you’ll need them, start with Kingsley and Moody, the man may be paranoid but that’ll work in your favour.’

‘I’m gonna have to go ok, bye Harry.’

And before he could reply she was gone. Wow that was intense. Harry thought.

Snape had been right when he’d said her voice wouldn’t make a sound, it was all in his head. But different than the instant translation of parceltongue or the thought-speech he and Krai also spoke.

He didn’t have much time to think about what she’d told him before the fire, which had grown again with the disappearance of Tonks, guttered.

This time it was three pairs of hands that forced themselves through the blackness and past the flames.

‘Mum?’ He whispered, his eyes prickling and beginning to water. ‘Dad? Sirius?’

‘Hey Kiddo. ’ Sirius smiled, as he and James finished pulling free. The two of them turned to help Lily, but she’d already gotten free herself and was now staring at him with something akin to wonder.

‘Oh my boy.’ She cried before rushing forward and trying to hug him, but her arms sailed right through him and sent his teeth chattering. Seeing this, his Mother pulled back, hurt that she couldn’t even hug her own son. Harry was crying silently now, the expression on her face when she’d realised that the Motherly affection she wanted to show him was just making him uncomfortable, had hit him hard.
James just shook his head sadly; he’d wanted to hug him too.

He tried smiling for her, he really tried but he couldn’t. His smile was tremulous at best, he couldn’t believe they were really there. His Mum tried as well, but she was more successful than he had been. It was a sad smile, her eyes shining with tears and both the happiness and sadness she felt. Both emotions there because she was finally with her child but not in the way she’d wanted to be.

She sniffed indelicately, forcing a genuine smile from Harry’s lips.

‘Oh my boy, my Harry.’ She reached for him again, only just stopping herself in time. She gave a loud sob, as his Dad hugged her closer. ‘Look at you. You’ve grown…you’ve gotten so handsome. Just like your father.’ She smiled running her eyes over his hair, his eyes…her eyes. ‘I’m so very proud of you.’

‘I am as well Harry.’ His Dad spoke up. ‘We’ve watched over you every moment of everyday. I hate the life you’ve had and I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough to stop that mad man when he came. If I had you’d never have gone through what you have.’

‘It wasn’t your fault.’ Harry interrupted. ‘How can you say it’s your fault?’

‘We were supposed to look after you Harry. And we didn’t.’ His Mother cried.

‘It wasn’t your fault, either of you. It was Wormtail’s fault, his and Volemorts.’ He turned to Sirius. ‘And I don’t want to hear it’s your fault for suggesting Wormtail as secret keeper either, it wasn’t any of your faults.’

They all nodded silently, not convinced but not wanting to spend anymore time on such a subject, they didn’t have much time and they had a lot of things they wanted to say to each other.





A/N…heya, well this turned out to be a much longer chapter than I ever thought. The last chapter and this one were originally together. And now I got to this point in the story and couldn’t seem to get passed those last few words. So the scene with Harry’s parents will continue into the next chapter. Sorry guys but I just couldn’t get my brain to go passed that point. And judging by how much there was still left to write this is a good thing.


RECOMMENDATION…

Warriors in Love

By Heksy

http://hp.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600011307


WIP, HP/DM…I love the first line of this fic, its foreshadowing but in a good way, giving us a little taste of what will happen later.

Harry and Draco decide to become friends but something happens to cut their new found friendship short. Draco comes into an inheritance and must sever his ties with humans until after he finds his mate.

The story is very visual with beautifully written dialog. The characters are completely believable, her Snape and Draco are brilliant, well into their roles. And the description of Draco’s transformation is vivid and clear in the mind.

.