Chapter 77 - Pretences
It had taken a lot of self control on his part not to speak out of turn when Gaunt stopped by a day after Harry had written him a note in the Ministry file. Kreacher had stayed away from the whole affair, knowing Harry would be already tensed from the possible confrontation.
‘This is what you ask me about? Hogwarts?’ Gaunt sneered. ‘You are useless to me if you’re going to be this sickeningly love-sick.’
Harry took a deep breath and replied, ‘Sir, my friend Hermione asked me to look into it and I think she might be onto something.’
Gaunt glared at him. ‘The great Ms. Granger…I’ll be seeing her for detention later this week…’
‘So I’ve heard,’ Harry commented, wishing he had not said anything.
Gaunt glared. ‘Your little girlfriend managed to avoid doing anything foolish.’
Harry smirked. ‘That’s so unlike her.’
Gaunt glared hard at Harry. ‘Something else on your mind, Potter? Your bird tell you about our class time together?’
‘She did,’ Harry answered curtly. ‘And while I don’t agree with anything you did, I’ve turned out to be a pretty good Auror and I’d wish you’d note this evidence.’
Harry masterfully avoided saying that Ginny had specifically told him not to say a word and Gaunt picked the files up again, letting the comment die. ‘If nothing else, Ms. Granger is quite thorough. I’ll look these over…’
Gaunt sized Harry up, his expression softening. ‘You’re looking less grim than usual; she must be having a positive effect on you…not exactly what we’re looking for…’
Harry smiled, thinking of Ginny. ‘She has…’
He would have said more, but Gaunt put a hand up. ‘Don’t think for a second I want to hear any of it…this had best not get in the way of your work.’
‘No, sir,’ Harry replied. He hated that Gaunt would just mention Ginny in passing and not pay her more deference. He locked his eyes with Gaunt’s and said, ‘Sir, This is something. It isn’t nothing. And you’re there, teaching. You have to do something.’
Gaunt sighed. ‘It isn’t my place, Potter, we all have parts to play, don’t you know?’
Harry arched an eyebrow. ‘Are you undercover right now?’
‘If I were,’ Gaunt asked. ‘Would I tell you?’
Harry scanned the room quickly and Gaunt cleared his throat. ‘Potter, if nothing else, you have to believe that I honour my job with the Ministry. I do what is asked of me, no matter the cost…you might be saddled with something similar in the future, be sure to choose wisely.’
Harry wanted to ask more questions, but Gaunt headed for the door. ‘I’ve wasted enough time here…don’t send me ‘love’ notes again unless you have something to unearth about your good friend Tom.’
Gaunt Apparated out of the house and Harry stood in the kitchen, blankly, for a few moments before noticing his owl returning. She had a letter with her and she hooted pleasantly at Harry. He grinned. She had a letter for him from Ginny.
Harry,
I’m so glad you wrote so soon. I was thinking about you on the train, but then Malfoy came along and Hermione got distracted. I am telling you, in confidence, that I think they are both really smitten with each other. Perhaps you should warn Ron. He isn’t nearly as good to Hermione as she deserves.
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ‘gossip’ in my letter to you. I’m still missing you, but I know you’re thinking about me and I hope you know I’m thinking about you and missing you terribly. Are you sure you don’t want to stop by the school?
I’ve already been in the hospital wing, doing as you’d asked, and it didn’t turn out quite as we’d have expected. Madame Pomfrey got me a ‘cast’ and it is making walking very challenging. Hermione is trying to confiscate my broom as well so I can’t use it to get around. I’ll have to be more careful with that, but it’s hard, since I’m with her most of the day.
Thanks for all your help with this case. I hope that foul man told you something useful, though I expect not. Both Hermione and Malfoy are under the impression that something is going to happen at the school soon, next month or the month after. I’m hoping by then I’ll be fully mobile again. I don’t want to tempt Hermione’s wrath further, take care and I am really looking forward to seeing you!
Love,
Ginny
Harry sat at the table in the kitchen and mulled over Ginny’s letter. He grabbed a cup of tea and headed into the sitting room. He tried to focus on the facts she’d given and not the more tempting request to stop by the school. Harry didn’t have to ask, but knew that, if Gaunt heard about it, he’d be in deep trouble.
Harry smiled, losing his focus and thinking of Ginny with a cast on. His cousin, Dudley, had never gotten so injured that he’d needed a cast, but when he was in Muggle schools, he’d seen kids with casts. He wondered how sad Ginny would look hampered by this and for some reason it made him smile more. The thought of stopping into Hogwarts to see her was very, very tempting.
He set the letter down, knowing he wouldn’t get anything done if he kept staring at it. Besides which, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t make her appear out of thin air, nor would he ask Kreacher to bring her back to Grimmauld Place. If there weren’t so much security around Hogwarts, Harry could do it himself.
The files before him didn’t have anything new to tell him. The dates Malfoy had volunteered seemed innocuous, at best. There was no reason for anyone to attack the school at those times. The dates had no significance, as far as Harry knew. He would have loved to go to the library at the Ministry and do more research, but knew that wasn’t possible, at least for him. After thinking about it for a bit, he decided he knew someone who could. He wrote a quick note to Ron, asking him to stop in for tea and hoping he could hint at it. Ron would certainly want to please Hermione and this couldn’t hurt.
Harry spent much of the day trying his best not to think about how much he was missing Ginny, it was a sad state of affairs. Even Kreacher came through the sitting room and suggested things for him to do. Everything he tried he’d felt bored with after a few minutes. Things didn’t have the same intrigue to them. It was like his world had been white-washed and the colours had been bled out.
Harry headed into the kitchen to see if he’d received any letters when the flames in the grate burst to life. Ron sauntered out of the grate, brushing soot off of his shoulders. He grinned at Harry and said, ‘Got your letter, you that bored?’
Harry laughed. ‘Maybe a little…I didn’t see you after Christmas, how are you?’
Ron shook his head. ‘I know, you were too busy with my sister…though, from what I hear, not in the way I thought, or mum and dad dreaded.’
Harry tried not to glare at Ron and replied, ‘I would never do that and you bloody well know it.’
Ron shrugged. ‘If she’s okay with it, that’s her business, but I do want it on record that we’ve talked about it and we don’t think it’s a good idea, she’s too young for that sort of thing.’
‘We? Who’s we?’ Harry asked, trying not to get angry.
‘Her brothers,’ Ron answered simply.
Harry leaned back against the counter. ‘Well, you can tell them that young or not, I would never do something that would compromise her honour, so you can all sod off.’
Ron rolled his eyes. ‘If it were me, I’d be more afraid of so many brothers.’
‘Not with Ginny,’ Harry replied with a smile. ‘She can take care of me.’
Ron burst out laughing. ‘That she can, mate…so, what? You’re missing her and needed some company?’
‘Not exactly,’ Harry said. He motioned towards the door and asked, ‘Do you want any tea?’
‘Not right now,’ Ron replied, following Harry into the sitting room.
Harry handed him one of the files and asked, ‘Has Hermione told you about her theory?’
Ron sighed. ‘She’s told me little else…Merlin, I have to fall for the crazy ones…’
Harry arched an eyebrow. ‘I didn’t realise you had the ability to get more than one girl at a time…’
Ron grinned, but didn’t reply. He flipped through the file and looked up at Harry expectantly. Harry said, ‘I think she’s onto something…the dates don’t add up, but the rest of the stuff is starting to fit into place.’
Ron gave Harry an incredulous look. ‘You can’t be serious! Who would want to attack the school? And why? There’s nothing there, is there?’
Harry looked down thoughtfully. ‘We don’t know that. I mean, the Elder wand is still there, isn’t it? And Merlin knows what is in those walls.’
‘But why now?’ Ron asked. ‘I love her, but she’s mental and I think she’s really seeing things that aren’t there.’
Harry shook his head. ‘No, I really think there’s something worth looking into. It just doesn’t make sense. I mean, you heard about the attacks, didn’t you? That can’t be nothing.’
Ron leaned back. ‘Look, Harry, I get that you need something to do since you’re not working. But you can’t let her bulldoze you. If you can’t find proof, real proof, you’ve got nothing. And I’m not even an Auror.’
Harry grinned at him. ‘That’s where I need your help.’
Ron groaned. ‘I knew it!’
‘I can’t ask anyone else!’ Harry pleaded. ‘I need you to go to the Ministry and do some research on this, and cross reference February and March with Hogwarts for significant dates and such.’
Ron glared at Harry. ‘You can’t be serious.’
When Harry’s expression didn’t change, Ron sighed dejectedly. ‘How did I get to be friends with you lot…you’re all mental!’
Harry chuckled. ‘Come on, Ron, you know Hermione will appreciate it if you do this…’
Ron glared at Harry. ‘That was low…especially from someone that has been seen groping my sister.’
Harry bit the inside of his cheek and replied smartly, ‘She didn’t seem to mind.’
Ron continued glaring. ‘You’re lucky you’re my best mate or I’d tell you to stay away from her.’
‘It wouldn’t do you any good,’ Harry replied, smiling.
Ron groaned. ‘Whatever…So that’s all you’ve got? You don’t have anything more solid for me to look into? This is going to be days of research.’
‘What else have you got going on?’ Harry asked, not meaning to sound nosy or dismissive.
Ron gave him an angry look. ‘You know, we’re friends, we should be able to hang out without it being something else.’
Harry winced. ‘That isn’t what I meant by this.’
‘Yeah, you want me to be your sidekick again!’ Ron stated angrily.
‘No!’ Harry replied. ‘I don’t! But I need help and I can’t do this…come on, I need your help…’
Harry thought better of offering Ginny or Hermione as a reason to help. ‘Look, I’m sorry I haven’t been around…I…this new work stuff and Ginny…my priorities have shifted a little.’
Ron stood up, standing in front of Harry. ‘Let them keep shifting then…I’ll do this for you…for her, but don’t bother me about this sort of rubbish again…I have a life.’
Harry looked stunned and watched as Ron stormed out of Grimmauld Place. Kreacher Apparated into the room, shaking his head. ‘Mr. Ron seems angrier than usual today.’
Harry nodded. ‘I guess I haven’t been much of a friend to him…or anyone, except Ginny really…’
‘And Ms. Hermione,’ Kreacher offered. ‘You are going to great lengths for them both.’
Harry shook his head. ‘Let’s be honest, Kreacher, I’m doing that for Ginny…because she asked and for some reason I can no longer refuse her of my own free will.’
Kreacher laughed softly. ‘Ah, Master Harry, you are in deep now.’
Harry sunk into a nearby chair. ‘Don’t I know it….would it be wrong to ask you to go check on Ginny? Make sure she’s okay? But don’t let her know I sent you…’
‘As you wish Master Harry.’ Kreacher bowed and headed for the door.
‘I don’t mean right this second…maybe when she’s on the pitch or something…so she won’t know…’ Harry added.
Kreacher nodded. ‘Certainly. I will not allow Mistress to see me.’
The next several days Harry spent avoiding Tom and his insistent requests to come out. Although Harry knew he had to socialise for his mission with Gaunt, it appealed to him less and less. The idea of continuing the lie was starting to grate on his nerves to the point where he couldn’t respond to Tom’s letters. Much to Harry’s surprise, a sharp knock could be heard from the front of Grimmauld Place. As far as he knew, the place was hidden. He walked slowly to the door, wand in hand, and looked through the peep-hole.
More surprising still, on the other side, was Tom. He was dressed warmly, but was, as far as Harry could tell, alone. He opened the door, letting the cold winter air in. Tom shuffled past him. ‘Blimey! It’s freezing out there!’
Harry nodded. ‘It is a bit cold out…what brings you here?’
He tried to sound casual, but his mind was reeling by this invasion of privacy. Tom grinned at him. ‘Took me forever to find a way to knock on your bloody door, not sure I could ever do it again! Why you holed up like this? Missing your Ms. Weasley that much?’
Harry nodded, flushing. That was as good a reason as any. ‘I’m not sure she approves of…all this…’
Tom nodded knowingly. ‘This is why I’m against the whole ‘one’ thing, Harry…see, now you’ve tied yourself down to her wishes and whims…though I expect its well worth the sacrifice.’
Harry bristled. ‘That is none of your business.’
Tom chuckled. ‘Sorry, didn’t mean to cross that line, again…look, why don’t you just come out for drinks or something…some of the guys are wondering where our hero has run off to…if I tell them you’ve been told you can’t go out, they’ll laugh their arses off!’
Harry sighed and motioned towards the sitting room. ‘I’ll come, just give me a couple days to get myself together.’
Much to Harry’s dismay, the kitchen door flew open as they neared the sitting room and Ron strode through. ‘Where the bloody…there you are!’
Ron stopped short at seeing this unfamiliar man in Harry’s house and didn’t hide his surprise or disappointment well. ‘So…this your new friend?’
Harry started to say something, but Tom, being his usual friendly self, stepped forward, offering his hand. ‘I’m Tom, Harry’s friend; you must be one of Ginny’s brothers.’
Ron nodded, but didn’t shake his hand. He had a couple books in his arms and a roll of parchment. He glared at Harry and replied, ‘Yeah, I’m one of her older brothers, Ron. Went to school with this one, but I expect his memory’s pretty thin on that point. Here’s your stuff.’
Tom gave Harry a curious look and Harry caught the things being thrown at him and called out, ‘Ron, what’s your hurry? You could at least pretend to be civil…’
Ron turned, his whole body shaking and his face turning red. ‘You are such a prat, you know that? Now I see, now I get it…if Ginny knew what kind of trouble you were into, she’d never give you a second glance!’
Tom laughed softly and Ron continued, ‘Do you know who he is? Are you mental? He’s a criminal! A petty criminal! Haven’t you seen his picture before? You were training to be an Auror? You’re pathetic, you know that?’
Ron stormed through the kitchen and Harry could hear the grate burst to life. He shook his head, dumbfounded. Tom walked up to him. ‘That was a long time ago…well, a few months ago, but I’ve been ‘clean’ since then.’
Harry sighed. ‘Sorry about that…my friends…well, you’ve met Ginny…’
‘Yes, I had that pleasure,’ Tom replied, smiling. ‘Look, Potter, you knew what sort of folk we were; I can’t imagine you’d be surprised by what your friend just told you.’
Harry shook his head slowly. ‘I wasn’t sure, but if you want to change your life…’
Tom laughed. ‘Sounds like the older brother doesn’t approve of you as a boyfriend, though…you might want to watch that…she gets an owl from him, could mean the end of your…’one’ thing with her.’
Harry replied quickly, ‘No, she’s smarter than that to listen to Ron…he’s just angry we, he and I, haven’t been spending more time together…’
Harry walked into the sitting room, setting the books and things on a table, trying to make them seem unimportant. Tom sat down, not noticing Harry’s movements. ‘So, now you’re free…’
Harry nodded and chuckled. He needed to forget about his confrontation with Ron and focus on Tom. ‘I suppose…not like I’m doing anything else…’
Tom shook his head. ‘Well, since I did barge in, I’ll give you a couple days to get decent….how about a Saturday night later this month or early next month? You doing anything? Storming Hogwarts castle?’
Harry laughed. ‘No, I’ll save that for another night.’
‘You and me both,’ Tom agreed. ‘Who was that other girl in that one picture in the Prophet? Taller, dark brown hair, gorgeous?’
Harry balked. ‘Hermione? Ron’s girlfriend?’
Tom rolled his eyes. ‘That would make sense, wouldn’t it? She fell for that…no offence, idiot?’
Harry laughed. ‘Right now I’m not inclined to disagree with you…and she’s quite…convinced of him…I’m not sure why either…none of us is.’
Tom sat up. ‘Right, well, since I don’t believe in ‘ones’ and she’s a good friend of your girl’s, I think I’ll just steer clear.’
Harry stood up. ‘Yeah, would you? Besides, she’s like a sister to me and I’d really have to hurt you if you hurt her.’
Tom rolled his eyes. ‘You may have defeated Voldemort, but you don’t frighten me in the least.’
Harry laughed. ‘That’s just as well…I’ll try to be there, send me an owl or something for the place…if you can.’
Tom nodded and headed towards the kitchen. He Flooed out of the house and Harry glanced at his owl before calling Kreacher and asking him about Tom’s intrusion. Kreacher looked frayed, but otherwise fine. He assured Harry the security around the place would be twice as tight.
He went back into the sitting room and tried to determine if there was anything there that would give away his mission. The only thing that was obvious was the pictures of he and Ginny everywhere. He sighed and started to sift through the parchment and books Ron had brought. He didn’t think it wise to try to defuse Ron now and knew if Ginny heard from him, she wouldn’t believe it or ask him about it herself.
After a few hours of reading, checking and re-checking, Harry came to a disconcerting conclusion. He hurriedly wrote a letter to Hermione, giving her the details of what Ron had found and asked her to inform him the moment things looked to be pointing to something serious happening. According to Ron’s research, throughout the school’s history, there was a time after a large magical disturbance had occurred that the wards at the school had been either lowered or removed, by force, that the school was open to both an attack and the hidden rooms would no longer be hidden.
Harry tried to control his mounting worry and discomfort as the signs that Ron had pointed to, more than anything, the Dementors, was already starting. If someone knew about the various ways things could transpire, the speed of the events could be hastened. For some reason, the rites for opening one room involved a sacrifice of an unclean life as well as the presence of Dementors to quail people into submission.
Harry wrote a quick note to Ginny as well, warning her to be careful and to help Hermione figure out what was going on. The last thing he wanted was for either of them to be unaware of the danger they were in. He could feel the heat in his hand burning the more he thought about Ginny and the danger she might be in. He called Kreacher to him, but they both agreed that going to Hogwarts now would bring more alarm than needed. Harry stayed up late that night, trying to devise scenarios where his appearance at the school wouldn’t be unwarranted, but couldn’t come up with any.