Stone Angels

Stone Angels
Of Purebloods and House Elves

Remus rubbed his eyes before turning back to the detailed notes from two years of the DA. The two muggle styled folders were filled beyond their capacity and charmed to only be accessible with Hermione’s permission. Every time he set it down or looked away he would have to wait for the words to reconfigure to make sense when he went back and it was giving him a headache.

“I’ll have to finish going over this information another night, Hermione,” stated Remus rubbing his eyes once more. “I’m exhausted, my transformation took a lot out of me this month.”

“Get some rest, Remus,” Hermione replied while studying his tired form. Steady meals may have brought his health back but the transformation still took a toll on his body, “We can finish going over this stuff at Rose Haven. I’ll see you at breakfast tomorrow, sleep well.”

“Thank you, Hermione. Sleep well,” smiled Remus in return, “Good night, Severus. I’ll see you both at breakfast tomorrow.”

Ebony and chocolate eyes watched with concern as the werewolf stood and exited the room. Once the door shut behind him, they returned to the notes though neither was really as focused on the notes as before. Silence ruled the room and Hermione contemplated the events of the last several days.

“These notes refer to you tutoring multiple students but there isn’t a list with them,” said Professor Snape startling Hermione out of her thought. “Do you have a list?”

“Oh, yeah, I put that list in a different folder. I keep track of who I tutor and in which subjects.” She started digging in her bag before continuing, “The only people that I tutor regularly are Harry, Ron, and Neville,” she explained while pulling several pages from a blue folder, “I’ve been tutoring them in potions every year. I tutor Ron and Neville in charms as well. I’ve also been assisting Harry with Ancient Runes. They really didn’t need my help in potions last year but if we all study together it saves the time of searching each other out if we have questions.”

Professor Snape nodded thoughtfully, “Tutoring is a skill that will prove to be helpful in your apprenticeship. Apprentices at Hogwarts will get paid to tutor students in their field.” To Hermione’s surprise, he removed a black band from his pocket and used it to secure his hair away from his face.

“Professor Dumbledore didn’t really get into the terms of the apprenticeship,” began Hermione, “I was wondering if you would explain them.”

“I don’t have the syllabus with me but all of the apprentices taken this year will be on an accelerated course. The goal is to prepare you for the war and the possible losses of professor.”

“That is a very depressing thought but I understand completely. It is better to be prepared for the worse than not prepared at all.”

“Not a typical Gryffindor perspective on things,” smirked Snape. He was goading her on and knew it.

Fire flashed in her honey colored eyes, “I am Hermione, not just some Gryffindor!”

“A fact that is becoming more obvious as the hours pass. I believe we have an entire year that was placed in the wrong houses.” Snape picked up the list of spells that the DA had learned in previous years. “Draco was right, you’re teaching defensive spells but I don’t see any offensive spells. You need to begin teaching offensive spells. If you try to simply defend you’ll exhaust your resources.”

“It’s a lot easier to find the defensive spells and we’ve also had to worry about safety. People would begin to get suspicious if injuries started coming into hospital wing,” explained Hermione pushing her hair over her shoulder.

“Have you considered bringing Molly Weasley in on this?” asked Professor Snape watching as she bit her lip thoughtfully.

“I want to add a few people to the DA but I’m not sure if we can trust them. I know Professor Dumbledore knows about the DA but he doesn’t know everything or even a lot.” She looks around the room nervously, as though looking for Harry and his invisibility cloak to appear before continuing, “I’m worried about Harry, and I want to put together a team that will protect him. They’re already here, but they’re Order members. I’m looking for them to do things that may conflict with the Order.”

“It depends on who you’re thinking of,” Snape murmured as he shuffled through several papers, “There are very few Order members that I am inclined to trust at this time.”

“Molly, Tonks, Bill, and Charlie.” She took out a paper and quickly outlined her plan for him.
~*~
Draco wasn’t sure what woke him but his light sleep was gone. He had been on alert since arriving at Hogwarts. The events of the last night at Malfoy Manor had left his already paranoid mind nearly incapacitated with fear. The only people that he couldn’t bring himself to fear were Arianna and Harry. The first he could understand. Despite her obviously Slytherin nature, she was small and child-like. Her eyes held what could only be described as a practical wisdom beyond her years. He didn’t understand the second. They had been enemies for five years. If in the sixth they couldn’t be counted as enemies, they couldn’t be counted as friends either. A repeat of the sound that woke him pulled Draco’s thoughts outward.

Sitting up slowly, he quickly checked each of the other beds. To his left, he found Neville then Ron fast asleep. By the time he moved to the right, he was sure of whom he searched for. Harry’s bed looked as though someone had fought a loosing battle with the bedding. Intently listening for the sound that woke him, he allowed his eyes to slowly take in the room around him. He had nearly completed the room when he finally found what he was looking for.

Tucked tightly into the shadowed corner of the window seat was Harry Potter. The smaller boy’s entire body shook with the force of his barely repressed sobs. Seeing the dark haired boy so vulnerable made the pieces click into place. This was the real Harry, not the confident assertive man he had observed all evening.

Climbing out of his bed, he was hit with how cold the room was. Picking up his wand, he cast a quick warming charm on the other two beds in the room before moving on. As he approached the seat where Harry hid, he realized how very cold the room was. It was as though there was a Dementor nearby. Rethinking his approach, Draco returned to his bed to retrieve a blanket. Armed against the chill, Draco approached Harry once more.

“Harry,” said Draco softly as he climbed up next to his former nemesis, “Shhh… its okay, just let it all out.” Draco reached out and pulled Harry into his lap, the cold seemed to be radiating from the dark haired boy.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to, you shouldn’t be here. I can’t control my magic when it’s like this,” whimpered Harry.

“No one taught you how to deal with emotional stress,” realized Draco aloud, “We’ve been coming here for nearly seven years, it’s a miracle it didn’t get anyone killed or you burnt out completely.” A Strangled sob managed to escape bringing Draco’s attention back to him, “Just let it out. It’s okay to just let it go.” Draco reached up to brush sweat dampened hair away as he spoke. As soon as their skin touched, Draco found himself witnessing events from Harry’s point of view. Pale pink lips trembled and the dams behind violet-blue eyes broke open.

Harry’s sobs became lost to the sounds of the memories, the cries of a frightened four year old blending seamlessly with the cries of the nearly adult Harry. Image after image played and all Draco could do was hold on. With each memory that passed, the waves of cold, which had been radiating off Harry, became fewer and less intense. When the last vision finally ended, Draco reached down and gently picked up Harry’s hand. The skin on his palm was pink and new. Despite the tears burning his cheeks, he pulled the smaller boy to his feet and began the trek to the common room.

~*~

“Professor, you seemed to know what was going on with Harry and Draco yesterday, can you explain?” asked Hermione tapping her quill on her cheek.

Professor Snape glanced at her thoughtfully before deciding to answer the question, “What do you know about Leglimency?”

“Only a little bit. I haven’t really researched it, I focused more on Occlumency.” She placed her quill down and pushed the parchment out of the way.

“You wouldn’t have found much. Leglimency is usually passed from father to son, mother to daughter.”

“But Harry didn’t know his parents.”

“That’s true, but with three Legilimens in the school, someone should have seen the signs of his inheritance approaching.”

“What signs?” asked Hermione thoughtfully. Her eyes seem far away, as though she’s trying to remember something. Suddenly, she pulled a small Muggle notebook and pen from her pocket.

“The signs are easily overlooked,” Snape sighed, “The most common are headaches and exhaustion due to lack of sleep. When Legilimens first coming into their inheritance, they are very vulnerable. When they sleep, they catch the thoughts and emotions around them causing strange dreams.”

“Harry is always fighting nightmares and headaches. He has for as long as I’ve known him.” She looked confused for a moment, “I thought Leglimency required eye contact.”

“It depends on the strength of the Legilimens. Someone as powerful as, say, Professor Dumbledore doesn’t need eye contact.”

“It’s a matter of ability then and not practice?”

“Practice is necessary to reach your full potential but it is all about the ability you’re born with. Leglimens don’t come into their inheritance until they are ready to cope with the ability.”

A chill ran down her spine as a question formed on her lips, “What happens if the person isn’t ready to come into their inheritance?”

“There would be terrible consequences.” They turned to find Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall standing in the room.

Hermione’s eyes were drawn to Professor McGonagall. The stern Professor stood with her wand raised, and all of her focus on Albus Dumbledore. A complex spell spilled from her lips like water from a waterfall. Before Hermione could react to what she was seeing, Professor Snape stood between the two professors and his student.

“What is going on here?” demanded Snape.

“Peace, Severus,” smiled Dumbledore, “I’ve decided to push certain events into motion. Please, sit and hear me out. I’m afraid that Minerva won’t be able to hold the spell long.”

“I’ll stand.” He placed himself in a defensive position, his long fingers holding his wand at the ready.

“You must listen and listen well. I need the assistance of the brightest minds to ever attend Hogwarts. You must find a way to destroy a dark artifact that renders me unable to do what must be done,” began Albus Dumbledore

Hermione watched intently as Minerva McGonagall seemed to shrink in exhaustion. Her overactive mind grasped at the words of the incantation and she quickly wrote them down in her small notebook.

“After the defeat of Grindelwald, there was a group of men that feared my power. They were led by a young Cornelius Fudge. Under the guise of protecting the wizarding world they played off my own fears and placed this pendant on me. It cannot be removed by my hands and has, from day one, given him slowly growing power of me. It is most likely a dark artifact; I’ve been able to suppress it, to a degree, with the use of lemon drops.” They watched as he popped several of the candies into him mouth and Minerva visibly relaxed.

“Professor, if this has been going on for so long, why tell someone now?” asked Hermione.

“It’s time. I’ve tried to protect Harry by keeping him out of our world but Fudge has an eye on him now. He plans to play on the very same fears that Harry will have after the defeat of Voldemort, the same fears I had. That’s why I’ve tried to make him question and hate this world.”

“You must have known it wasn’t going to work!” pressed Hermione, “What about the prophesy, Harry wouldn’t tell anyone what it said.”

“It’s a matter of kill or be killed. Only one can survive, neither can live while the other lives.”

Hermione looked appalled and found herself shivering. Across the room, Minerva McGonagall trembled and swayed alarmingly on her feet. Professor Dumbledore seemed to sense this and rushed to get the rest of his message out.

“Time is running out quickly. I can’t help Harry as long as this binds me. Be careful who you trust. If Fudge learns that I can suppress the pendant in any way, he will force more control over me. I fear he will try to use me to get to Harry. Hermione, collect a small group that you trust. Do all you can to protect him from the Minister of Magic and Himself if necessary. Severus, you will report to Minerva, she will be in charge of the order. I don’t know how much I can keep from him if he pushes.”

Minerva McGonagall seemed to collapse under the spell, her strong hand barely grasping the edge of the table to prevent herself from hitting the ground. Beside her, Albus Dumbledore’s face went blank before taking on his usual twinkle.

“Ah! Severus, I’m glad I found you,” Albus twinkled, “would you inform everyone, in the morning, that they will need their brooms. We will be required to fly some distance once we portkey tomorrow.”

“Of course, Albus,” responded Snape.

“I will see everyone bright and early. Good night.” He glanced at Minerva, who sat rigidly to prevent her exhaustion from showing. Once he swept from the room, she relaxed and her shoulders slumped wearily.

“Well, that was odd but it explains a lot.” The entire startled group looked up to find Draco and Harry on the stairs.

Draco’s whole body shivered violently as he supported the dark haired Gryffindor. Harry wasn’t shivering, his lips were blue and his skin pale. Tear streaks were evident on his face, the streaks a glaring red against the ashy white. It didn’t take long for Hermione to notice Draco’s wand in his trembling hand.

“What’s going on here?” Professor McGonagall demanded to know.

“I lost control of my magic,” admitted Harry. As he looked towards the swirling carpet, he clung to Draco like a child to its mother.

“No, Harry, you can’t take all of the blame. Someone should have been there to teach you as soon as you came here…”

“Draco,” began Snape but his godson just kept ranting.

“Do you realize how dangerous it was to neglect his training like that?! All those times I provoked him, I could have been killed!”

“Draco!” bellowed Snape.

Draco stopped talking, red creeping up his cheeks, “Sorry, Uncle Severus.”

Hermione conjured a beanbag chair and fluffy blanket before turning her attention to her two classmates, “Draco, bring him over here to the fire,” she ordered. As soon as they were seated, she covered them with the heavy blanket.

“Now, tell us what happened from the beginning,” sighed Professor McGonagall.

“I woke up because I heard something,” Draco admitted shyly, “I always charm my bed to stay just the right temperature so I didn’t realize anything was wrong until I got out of bed. It’s colder than the Dungeons in winter right now. I put warming charms on Neville and Ron’s beds.”

“Can we not talk about this right now,” interrupted Harry, “Draco found me, talked to me, brought me down here, and now someone has to teach me something else. What I really want to know is how we can fix this thing with Professor Dumbledore.”

“Back to Professor now, Potter,” sneered Snape.

“Yes, Professor Snape. It’s a little hard to be angry when you know the facts.” Harry burrowed closer to Draco.

“There’s more to this story still, Harry, like how Professor McGonagall found out if Professor Dumbledore couldn’t tell,” stated Hermione.

“You are correct, Miss Granger.” Professor McGonagall took special care to fold her hands and compose herself before continuing, “I was not much older than you, Hermione, when Albus defeated Grindelwald. Open war began in my fifth year at Hogwarts and despite my parents wishes to stay neutral, I sided with my Professor.

“For two years I spent all of my free time helping where I could. Between Quidditch and school work I helped with the younger years. Many evening, after I finished my work, I assisted Professor Dumbledore with the first year essays. Eventually, the battles made their way here and I spent much of my time transfiguring beds, bandages, and anything else we needed.

“It was dark then. Parents sent their children to Hogwarts to protect them. One evening I received an owl from my parents asking me to return home. Professor Dumbledore wouldn’t allow it and went to bring them to Hogwarts instead. They were dead; Grindelwald and his supporters had connected us somehow and planned to kill me as well. When Albus returned and told me the news, I was angry. Eventually I got over it, and he was there for me the whole time. It was during my seventh year that I became his apprentice.” A sad faraway look graced her face as she continued, “After the defeat of Grindelwald, Albus became withdrawn. He feared the power he had and feared that it would corrupt him and he would replace the evil he fought so hard to destroy. No one could convince him that it was not possible. I stumbled upon Fudge and his cronies putting the pendant on him. By the time I realized what was happening it was too late. It was years before he could be convinced that he would not have become evil, though we knew from the first night that the pendant had been a trap.”

“What do you know about the pendant?” asked Hermione, “What does it do exactly?”

“It binds his magic to a degree, making him just another wizard. The magic it keeps him from using is transferred to Fudge. Fudge is able to control Albus to a certain extent but not completely. Also, the pendant can be inhibited by sherbet lemons.” Minerva rubbed her eyes tiredly, “We’ve tried to remove it several times but it is unmoving.”

“Professor Snape, maybe we should enlist Bill Weasley’s help. He’s a skilled curse breaker.”

“I think we should have enough help if we enlist Bill and Remus,” agreed Snape.

“I’ll talk to Bill and Remus,” said McGonagall, “We’ll meet in two days to begin sorting this out. Right now we should all get some sleep. It’s nearly one a.m. off to bed with you.”
~*~

Ron woke to the demanding alarm sparks of his wand. The warmth of his bed was almost stifling. After laying there for a moment, he threw off his blankets but didn’t rise.

“You awake over there,” asked Neville, “or did the heat get to you?”

“Bit of both I think,” replied Ron. He rolled over and propped his head on his hand. “How long do we have before we have to be up?”

“Half an hour,” answered Neville. “I don’t suggest climbing out of bed, its cold as the dungeons in winter. Whose turn is it to wake Harry?”

“Not mine, I did it yesterday,” grinned Ron.

“Well, one could hope,” Neville sighed. “Take a look at Harry’s bed; I say we let Hermione wake him.”

“Why?” Ron looked over his shoulder and promptly fell out of bed. “You could have warned me!” hissed Ron. He jumped back into his bed before turning to Neville, “I’m not waking him up you wake him.”

“I suggest that neither of you wake him up. My wand hasn’t gone off yet and he didn’t sleep much last night so why don’t you get ready since you’re awake.” Draco yawned and stretched a little.

“Have fun waking him up,” said Neville while he climbed out of bed. He began digging through his trunk.

“We’ll see you at breakfast,” said Ron with a grin, “Good luck waking Harry up. A helpful hint, one sharp tug to completely remove the blanket or he’ll fight you for it. He’s a whole lot bloody stronger than he looks.”

Draco listened absently, his mind having drifted halfway back to sleep. Idly he wondered if anyone realized how little sleep their hero was getting. He was just beginning to truly sleep when his wand went off.

“Come on, Harry, it’s time to get up,” yawned Draco sleepily.

“Tired, go ‘way,” Mumbled the dark haired boy before pulling the blanket over his head.

A knock on the door drew his attention away from Harry, “Harry, Draco, I’m coming in. You better be covered.” The door opened a moment later revealing a wide awake Hermione.

“You’re too wide awake for seven in the morning,” complained Draco.

“I’ve been up since six,” She replied with a smile, “Are you having trouble waking him?”

“Not really, but if you know a good way…”

Hermione’s grin made him cringe in fear, “Harry James Potter get up this instant or I’ll make sure you’re awake,” she threatened.

“No.”

“You may want to move, Draco.” She took out her wand and was about to cast the spell when he rolled over.

“I’m up,” he squeaked.

“Do I want to know what you were going to do?” asked Draco.

“Probably not,” she laughed.

“Morning, ‘Mione,” yawned Harry.

“Good morning, Harry. We have to be down to breakfast with all of our things in twenty minutes, you better hurry.” Hermione pulled the bag off her shoulder and removed several bags before continuing, “I brought gifts for everyone. They’re bottomless bags of my own design. Mrs. Weasley helped me with them this morning before everyone was up. They’re charmed to be nearly indestructible and they’re bottomless. They’re keyed to only work for the first person that uses them so once you put something in it no one else can remove it.” She happily handed a bag to each person in the room, “By the way, don’t forget to let everyone know that we’re all to bring our brooms. We have to approach Rose Haven by flying or walking because of the anti-apparition wards.”

“What’s up ‘Mione?” asked Ron as he walked in. He was drying his hair with a towel and hunting for a shoe before she could reply.

“You each have a bottomless bag on your beds,” sighed Hermione tossing the bags, “Bring your broom, we’re going to have to fly part way.” She returned her attention to Harry and Draco, “You two better hurry up if you’re going to give Arianna her first flying lesson.”

“We’re moving,” groaned Harry as he got up. “I feel as though I haven’t slept at all. We’ll be there on time, don’t worry, Hermione.”

Draco pulled himself to his feet not long after Harry and quickly moved to get dressed. The cold that had permeated the room was slowly dissipating around them but it still left them jumping from one foot to the other. Harry and Draco were dressed in record time and had finally begun packing when Ron and Neville finally broke the silence of the room.

“Thank you for the warming charm.” Neville spoke as he added to his bottomless bag.

“You’re welcome,” Draco responded absently. His thoughts were turned inward as he packed his things. It wasn’t until he reached the blanket his mother had made for him first year that he was ripped from his thought. After a moment of staring at it, he threw it on the floor and finished packing.

“I’m finished,” sighed Ron, “These bags are great! My broom even fit in it.”

“Yeah…” Neville replied distractedly. He was obviously finished packing but very jittery.

“What’s wrong, Neville?” asked Harry moving to sit next to his friend.

“We’ve got to fly, Harry, I don’t like flying.”

“Hey, Mate, do you really think Ginny’s gonna let you worry about flying?” asked Ron with a lopsided grin.

“No,” answered Neville thoughtfully, “I guess I am being silly, aren’t I.”

“Just a bit but that’s what we love about you.” The four guys jumped, Draco spinning to face the four girls in the door.

“Bloody Hell, Ginny, you scared us!” exclaimed Ron.

“Are you ready to go? We’re going to be late.” Hermione stood with her bag in one hand and a new broom in the other.

“Wow! Hermione, where’d you get that broom?” cried Ron excitedly.

“It’s mine, Madam Hooch helped me pick it out,” replied Hermione, “The owl is waiting to return one once we decide if Arianna is going to be ready to fly today or not. Professor McGonagall seems to think she’s going to be a natural.” She looked at her watch before letting out a frustrated groan, “We’re late! Go. Out now.”

Harry grinned at Hermione as everyone grabbed their bags. As everyone paired off within the group and began chatting amicably, wide honey eyes focused on stormy blue ones. She reached out a grabbed Harry’s arm as he made his way towards the door. When he turned around, he green eyes focused on the blonde.

“Draco?” asked Harry softly.

“I’m okay, Harry,” Draco sighed as he reached down and picked up the blanket. “I just have a little trash to get rid of.”

Harry nodded in understanding. It was a memory that he could remove and destroy, maybe with its destruction the blonde before him would be able to find reprieve from his nightmare. With the blanket in hand, they quietly made their way down to the common room where everyone had stopped to wait. A look of frustration and anger had settled on Hermione’s face. Draco didn’t notice, all of his attention was focused on the blanket as he tossed it into the fire.

As he watched it burn, he was surprised to feel an arm wrap around him. He was a little surprised to find it was Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger who held him as his knees gave way. Tears threatened to escape from his cloudy eyes when he felt the supporting hands of his new companions.

“If you ever need to talk about it someone will listen.” His eyes found the bright blue eyes of Ron Weasley and, not for the first time, he wondered how many lies his father told him.

They watched in a comfortable silence as the blanket burned away. When, at long last, there was nothing left but ash he banished it with a soft ‘Evanesco’. With that task finished, they began the trek to the Great Hall for breakfast. As they walked, Hermione and Ginny never let go of Draco though they chatted amiably with the slight blond.

“Thank you for joining us,” said Minerva with a glare as they entered the Great Hall.

“We’re sorry, Professor,” began Hermione smoothly. Before she could continue, Arianna spoke up.

“It’s my fault, Professor, I was just too excited and couldn’t find my cloak. I can’t wait to learn to fly.” As she spoke, she bounced on the balls of her feet.

“Well, first we should eat,” chuckled Professor Dumbledore.

Everyone watched Arianna’s eyes widen as the food appeared on the table. Trays of fruit and pastries hid between bowls of yogurt and frosty pitchers of pumpkin juice. Before long everyone was filling plates and enjoying the wide arrangement of food. Arianna seemed to have no trouble keeping up with Ron and Harry as they ate, though she never once tried to speak with food in her mouth.

~*~

Madam Hooch kept a close watch while Draco ,Harry, and Ron taught Arianna the basics of flying. As Professor McGonagall suspected, she was a natural. Much like Harry and Draco, she took to flying much like a bird and to Hermione’s horror had no fear.

“That’s going to be a mess by the time we’re finished today if we don’t fix it now,” commented Ginny. Arianna was trying to run her fingers through windblown hair. After a moment, Ginny took pity on the girl and helped, “We’ll just braid it. That will keep it from getting tangled.”

“That’s a good idea, Ginny,” Hermione said before using a spell to braid her own hair.

“Well, now that everyone is ready,” began Professor Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling, “let’s begin our trip. This portkey will take us to a clearing about a mile away from the edge of Rose Haven. The Manor is about half a mile from the outer wall.”

“The wards extend that far?” asked Draco.

“It makes sense,” responded Bill, “If Rose Haven was built as a safe house the wards are going to extend as far as possible. We’re looking at some serious wards, anything from defensive to apparition wards.”

“We will approach that problem as we come to it.” Professor Dumbledore produced a walking stick before continuing, “Now, if everyone will take hold, please.”

Hermione reached down and wrapped her fingers securely around the walking stick. Seeing the line of hands she couldn’t help but try to identify the person next to her by their hand. It was a very elegant hand, though obviously male. Each nail was well manicured though the fingertips were callused. Curiously, she allowed her hand to brush against the pale one and was surprised by how warm it was. Before she could do any more, the familiar pull of the portkey activating distracted her.

The dusty dirt road they landed on was unforgiving and had it not been for the warm hand on her elbow she would have fallen. Her eyes met dark ones when she looked up and she realized that it was Professor Snape standing beside her.

“Thank you, Professor,” she murmured as she righted herself.

“It seems that you have faired much better than your sister,” he replied.

Hermione searched the group for Arianna but couldn’t find her. It was finally the sound of someone emptying their stomach that drew her attention to Molly Weasley. The red haired matriarch was standing beside the young girl and rubbing her back. One strong, callused hand gently held her braid out of the way until she was done. When they stood up, Molly fussed about Arianna before allowing Hermione to hand her a travel sized bottle of mouthwash.

“I don’t like that kind of travel,” complained Arianna, “There were too many colors and spinning.”

“That doesn’t sound right,” said Madam Hooch. Concern filled her voice and she looked over the tiny girl.

“It is probably a result of her ability to see Auras,” suggested Professor Snape, “I suggest we look into the ability.”

“Some people don’t ever get used to traveling by portkey.” Everyone turned to look at Draco. He was more pale than usual and he clung to Harry’s arm, “I don’t get sick anymore but it’s still not pleasant. All that spinning and color just isn’t right.”

“Let’s take a short break here before we fly then,” suggested Dumbledore.

Arianna escaped Mrs. Weasley’s grasp and moved to sit by Harry and Draco. “You used to get sick when you travel like that, too. How did you get over it?”

“I would never let anyone put you through it so it doesn’t matter,” responded Draco softly, “It will get better each time you travel by portkey. Floo isn’t much fun either but at least it isn’t as colorful.”

Harry sat back and took out a sketch book and pencil. While he listened to the two of them talk, he sketched them. All but a miniscule amount of his focus was on the drawing, so he never heard Charlie move around behind him. He was focusing on drawing Draco’s loose hair when Professor Dumbledore called for them to prepare to leave.

“That is a wonderful skill you have there, Harry,” complimented Charlie startling Harry.

A bright blush crept into his cheeks with the realization that he’d been caught, “I didn’t realize that anyone was watching me.”

“I figured, you were completely into your drawing.” Charlie’s blue eyes became sad and he pulled Harry a little further from the group. “You should show him. He looks so much different when he smiles like that. It might help him, you know. He’s got a lot to get over.”

“Who told you?” asked Harry.

“No one,” answered Charlie grimly. “I had a friend during school that went through something similar. I’ve met Draco before this; I have the general feel of how he was. He’s showing some of the signs that only someone that has either gone through it or seen someone go through it would recognize. His attitude and manner have changed, his clothes are still immaculate but now he wears them baggy, and the long sleeves and pants for summer.”

“Yeah, I did notice that stuff but didn’t really think about it,” admitted Harry.

“I’ve seen the way you watch people, Harry, there’s very little you miss. I just don’t want you to miss the forest through the trees,” worried Charlie, “If you ever need to talk to someone let me know.”

Harry nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you, Charlie.”

“Not a problem, Harry. Better grab your broom.”

Harry removed his broom from his bag and walked over to join the formation that was beginning to form. Professor Snape and Bill Weasley were flanking Hermione. Fred and George were in the rear with Madam Hooch and Mrs. Weasley to keep them reined in. Draco was watching Harry and Charlie as the sneaked back into the group. Harry quickly took his place between Remus and Draco while Charlie took Draco’s other side. Once the rest of the professors were in place, everyone mounted their brooms and they took to the air.

“We’ll level off at about one hundred feet up and follow the road, it should lead us to Rose Haven,” shouted Dumbledore.

Hermione nodded and brought her broom to the proper height. She checked over her shoulder to be certain that everyone was together before setting an easy pace. Five minutes later she found herself landed before a huge ironwood gate. At the center of the burgundy wood was a gold leaf rose. Around it, the words ‘Sanctuary can be found within the heart’ glowed.

“It’s glowing very brightly,” commented Arianna. She walked up beside Hermione from her position behind her sister.

Bill Weasley took out his wand and cast several spells, “The gates themselves are heavily warded against any kind of attack and will respond with as much force as it is hit with. These wards are very powerful. They can’t be removed but Hermione should be able to open the gates for us.”

Hermione was barely listening to what was being said. Her mind was focused on the word sanctuary, and the tiny voice in the back of her head was urging her to touch it. A vague memory seemed to pull at her and before anyone could stop her she reached up and ran her fingers across the word ‘sanctuary’. With an audible groan, the gate split and slowly swung open to reveal a dark tunnel.

“Hey, Ronnie-kins, you think there are any spiders in there?” chuckled Fred from behind Ron.

“Behave Fred,” said Molly from her place.

“Hermione, how did you know what to touch?” asked Bill gently.

Hermione rubbed her temples and squeezed her eyes shut. “I don’t know, it’s like there’s something tickling my brain. I have these vague memories but I don’t know where they’ve come from.”

“A memory charm triggered by the wards, possibly,” remarked Draco from Harry’s side.

“It seems likely,” replied Dumbledore while approaching Hermione. “Can you describe the sensation to me?”

“A tickling just behind my eyes and brief flashes of the gate. The angle is wrong though. The rose is too high and it seems so much larger.”

“Were you perhaps very young?” asked Dumbledore softly.

“I think you’re right.” Hermione sighed, “Let’s keep moving. I think maybe I’ll remember more if we do.” She resolutely tucked her broom under her arm, lit her wand, and began the trek through the tunnel.

Professor Snape and Bill stayed close by her side as they walked the forty feet through the tunnel. When they reached the opposite side, they were greeted by a long brick road cutting through a dense forest. On either side of the cobblestone large rosebushes grew. Bill cast several spells before they continued.

“Pair off and keep an eye on your partner. The rosebushes are charmed to mesmerize unwelcome guests. Keep your eyes on the road not the roses,” warned Bill.

Everyone paired off quickly and the new formation took to the air. Hermione flew next to Professor Snape as they approached a second gate. As soon as they landed Hermione went ahead of the group. Once she reached the gate with it’s ornately carved rose, she pressed her hand against the flower and it opened.

“I remember holding someone’s hand while we walked through the tunnel, I was afraid of the dark. The first time I pressed the rose on this gate, Grandma Lily had pricked my finger.”

“She was setting the wards to accept you,” Bill said answering the unasked question.

“Let’s go,” said Hermione leading the way inside.

“Look at the size of that Rosebush!” gasped Neville as soon as he walked through the gate.

Hermione nodded and carefully made her way around it towards the huge double doors of the manor. She was just beginning to climb the steps when she heard Ron’s excited voice.

“Are those Quidditch rings over there?” He cried, “They are. Hermione, you have a Quidditch stadium!”

“Your apparition point must be in there,” said Draco indicating the hedge maze between them and the Quidditch field. “The one at Malfoy Manor does some pretty nasty things to people who aren’t invited. I suggest we check it out before anyone uses it.”

“I agree. Snape Manor’s apparition point is similarly warded,” Professor Snape quickly stepped up the five steps to the doors.

Hermione was reaching for the door when it burst open and they were greeted by a small arm of House Elves, “The new Mistress has returned!” cried one eager House Elf in a blue Uniform. After a stunned second a well dressed House Elf moved to the front of the group.

“I’s is Tipsy, Mistress. I’s is the Head House Elf. Welcome back to Rose Haven.” It bowed low before standing straight again, “Can we assist the Mistress?”

“Hello, Tipsy. May I ask, do I see uniforms?” asked Hermione stunned.

“Yes, Mistress. The Mistress Titania demanded privileges for House Elves. We’s have uniforms, pay,” he said while making a face, “and times off. We also have space just for us too.”

“Oh,” Hermione replied in a most articulate manner.

Tipsy turned back to the small army of workers, “Back to work. Prepare lunch and rooms for guests.”