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Harry Potter and the Ritual of Love's Memory | ||||||
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Category: Post-HBP Characters:All Genres: Action/Adventure, General, Romance Warnings: Death, Mild Language, Mild Sexual Situations, Violence Rating: PG-13 Reviews: 259 Summary: After the horcrux hunt implodes leaving most of those Harry loves dead, he starts a new life with a few fellow survivors far away from wizarding Britain. But the discovery of an ancient ritual that promises to send a single memory back in time sparks hope that maybe things can change. Dark ending to DH followed by a tweaked retelling of GoF through DH. Harry/Ginny. Friday updates. Original Timeline Voldemort's Victory - Chapter 1-5 (Feel free to skip if you don't like major character deaths) Tenochtitlán - Chapter 6-9 New Timeline Harry's 4th Year - Chapter 10-28 Harry's 5th Year - Chapter 29-68 Harry's 6th Year - Chapter 69-Current Hitcount: Story Total: 169441; Chapter Total: 1496 Awards: View Trophy Room |
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"It's a good letter," said Ginny with a wistful smile from her perch on the kitchen counter. "I think it will mean a lot to her." Harry took the parchment from Ginny's outstretched hand and placed it on the table next to a copy of The Daily Prophet, whose top story covered an attack by inferi. Reanimated corpses controlled by dark wizards served as yet another reminder that the war was growing. He slipped the newspaper away so he could fold his parchment into thirds without the distraught witch in the main photo weeping up at him. "You don't think it'll come across wrong?" "No, I think it might be just what she needs." He placed it into an envelope labeled "Hermione Granger" in his untidy scrawl and sealed it before he had time to second guess himself further. Harry didn't consider himself a very accomplished letter writer, much less an expert in talking about a subject as heavy as Viktor's death. He tied it to Hedwig's leg and opened the kitchen window before he could change his mind about sending it. His shoulders sagged a bit as he released a long sigh. "Thanks for going over it for me. I probably would've ended up rewriting it another half dozen times, if not for you." He hopped up onto the counter next to Ginny, who planted a quick peck on his cheek and laid her head on his shoulder. Harry's fingers interlaced with hers as some of the tension in him began to release. "I'm glad to help out, for you and for her." The two sat together for a few moments, their legs dangling off the floor as they enjoyed the relative peace until Ginny's head jerked up in excitement. "I completely forgot what I was meaning to tell you! You were so flustered trying to write when I got here that I didn't give you the huge news from the Burrow!" Her body suddenly shook with anticipation as Harry grinned at her. Of course, Ron had already sent word the night before that he had been hired by the twins to help run the counter for a few hours each day during the summer months, but Harry saw no reason to spoil Ginny's chance to give him the update. Ron had been thrilled at the chance to earn some extra spending money and was already well acquainted with most of his brothers' products, so the match made lots of sense to Harry. He cocked his head to the side and donned his most inquisitive look. "Charlie's moving back from Romania!" she exclaimed with gusto. Ginny's face was painted with absolute glee as she squealed with delight. "He interviewed with the Dragon Reserve in Wales earlier this week, and he found out he got the job this morning!" Before Harry realized what was happening, Ginny had pulled him off the counter and into an exuberant dance of joy. He found himself laughing along with her until she finished her impromptu explosion of happy emotions with a crushing hug around his midsection. It had been nearly a decade since the Weasley clan had all lived in such close proximity. Bill had joined the Gringotts apprenticeship straight out of Hogwarts, learning on the job in Thailand and Chile before settling into a more long-term assignment in Egypt. Charlie had followed suit by moving to Romania after his schooling, working his way up the ranks at the dragon reserve. Harry did not doubt that the entire family would be thrilled by the change. Ginny laughed when Harry explained his assumption that she was going to reveal Ron's new job with Fred and George, and she was quick to bring up that her brother's goings-on weren't a high priority to her. She did give a mischievous grin when she acknowledged that his employment meant one less person to stumble upon them while they were exploring around the Burrow. Quite unexpectedly, Kreacher entered the kitchen through some unseen passage that led from elsewhere into the pantry, causing both Harry and Ginny to jump. Neither was entirely accustomed to the presence of House Elves since both had grown up without them and Kreacher had not been around much the previous summer. "Good afternoon, young Master," croaked Kreacher with a look that Harry thought approximated a good mood. "Was the lunch Kreacher prepared satisfactory?" "Yeah, it was great. We both really liked the stew." "Don't tell my Mum, but I might like yours better than hers," added Ginny conspiratorially. "She skimps on the onions because Dad doesn't like them, but your stew is just…" She leaned her head back remembering the meal fondly, letting out an emphatic "Mmm!" "Kreacher is happy to serve," he said while bowing deeply, his face alight with pride. "While cleaning one of the second-floor bedrooms, Kreacher found this hidden under a floorboard in the closet. Is this something that Master would want to keep, or should Kreacher dispose of it?" The elf snapped his spindly fingers, causing a long, flesh-colored string with an ear on the end of it to materialize in his hand. "Hey, that's one of Fred and George's Extendable Ears," noted Ginny as she stepped forward. "I would've thought they'd have already cleared out all their inventory, but they must have forgotten they'd squirreled this away last summer. Bet they hid it when Mum was checking up on everybody." Kreacher snapped again so that the string coiled itself up and landed in Ginny's hand. The ear stuck out from the middle of the coils, looking like a snake with a human ear for a face. "Is there anything else Master needs at the moment?" Harry looked at Ginny, who shrugged noncommittally. "I think we're alright, for now. Thanks though!" Again, the house-elf bowed low and shuffled away toward the pantry. "I used to think having a house-elf was only for the most ridiculous witches and wizards who couldn't be bothered to do a thing for themselves," admitted Ginny. "But I've got to admit that Kreacher is dead useful. I doubt Mum would ever allow someone else to take her chores from her, but having an elf who knows every inch of your home has to come in handy." He did his best not to dwell on the possibility of someday sharing a home with Ginny, in which they'd decide together whether hiring a house-elf might be reasonable. He did allow a small smirk to emerge at the thought. ~RLM~ With a sigh, Harry mumbled "Colorvaria," at the Marauder's Map. The rooms that had once housed protections to fend off anyone foolish enough to seek out the Philosopher's Stone had been an unlikely place for Lord Voldemort to have hidden one of his horcruxes, but Harry and the five adults had dutifully investigated it anyway. Just in case. The residue of long-since dispelled magic was enough to perk up Harry's senses a few times, but there was no question that the rooms contained none of the artifacts for which they were searching. The map showed the rooms colored green, leaving very few places left to check. Harry wondered, not for the first time, if they were simply mistaken about the likelihood of Voldemort storing a horcrux at Hogwarts. A low growl emanated from Harry's midsection, loud enough that Professor Dumbledore took notice. "Dear me! In my zeal to finish our search, I have neglected to pause for a bit of lunch! Perhaps it would be best to head directly to the kitchens?" Nobody argued with that plan, and soon Sirius was tickling the pear on a large painting to open the way into the kitchens. "Harry Potter, sir!" came a cry of excitement as they entered. Dobby scrambled to them in seconds, happily bouncing on his toes in front of them with the widest of smiles. "Dobby is so surprised and pleased to see you at Hogwarts during the summer, sir!" "Hey, Dobby. I'm glad to see you, too! And you're wearing the socks we got you!" Harry pointed to the mismatched pair that had been a gift of thanks after Dobby had been the one to wake him just in time for the second task in the Triwizard Tournament. The elf beamed as he stuck out one leg and then the other for them to admire. "Professor Dumbledore, is you needing something from Dobby, sir?" The headmaster's voice was kind as he answered. "Yes, Dobby, if you would be so kind. The six of us are rather famished after a long morning searching through the castle. I had hoped that you would be willing to rustle up a lunch for us." Excitement and determination brimmed in Dobby's eyes at the promise of a task as important as cooking for the guests in the kitchen. He nodded vigorously and popped away in an instant, saucers and pans already whooshing across the room onto stoves. "Unless I am much mistaken, we are likely in store for a splendid meal served up in record time." Dumbledore conjured six chairs and a table that would suffice even if Dobby went overboard and brought more food than a dozen Rons could manage. The group seated themselves as the sizzle of several dishes over their fires sounded in the background. "Albus, how did things go with Bill Weasley?" asked Kingsley. The question wasn't accusatory, but Harry had the distinct impression that the Auror's piercing stare was often employed on suspects their department had brought in. He betrayed no emotion when the headmaster began with a small sigh. "The conversation was informative, even if not as helpful as I had hoped," answered Dumbledore. "He assured me that his connections with the leadership within the bank could not be utilized to procure access to any vaults, even if their original owners were now convicted Death Eaters sentenced to life in Azkaban. When I pressed the point that there may be vaults with contraband that could be significant in the fight against Voldemort, he seemed intrigued by the possibility but insisted that the goblins would never allow such an intrusion." Kingsley's expression remained impassive during the explanation as he listened intently. "Not particularly surprising, but a helpful reminder nonetheless." "I fear that the relative safety from outside interference only increases the likelihood that a vault contains one of what we seek," said McGonagall carefully. "Which leaves us without much in the way of recourse." "Is there anything the Ministry could do?" asked Harry speculatively. "Could they pass a law saying Death Eaters get everything in their vaults confiscated or something?" Kingsley was already shaking his head, even though Sirius looked like he might endorse the idea. "Even if we were able to convince Minister Bones of the merits of the gambit, which I seriously doubt we could pull off without fully revealing what we're after, I can't imagine it getting through the Wizengamot." "We could try to push for something like that anyway, even if it's not likely to get through anytime soon," suggested Sirius. "With some luck, maybe it'd spook the Death Eaters and convince them to take everything out of their vaults to hide in their home. Maybe we could at least get someone like Bill to give us some warning when it happens so we know when to try a raid." Kingsley wasn't swayed. "Unfortunately, our enemy knows the inner workings of the Wizengamot as well as we do. Even if we were to build a groundswell of momentum to enact such a law, Voldemort would still be likely to scuttle the effort. He already has sympathizers within the Wizengamot and a highly publicized murder of one of those who favored the law would force many to rethink their support of such a measure." "I believe Kingsley is correct," added Dumbledore. "Under the unlikely circumstance that ministry action could be taken, the goblins would almost certainly consider that an affront to the laws and treaties governing our peace coexistence. Any attempt to circumvent Gringotts via the Ministry will fail." Across the table from Harry, Kingsley looked deeply unhappy as he held the bridge of his nose. McGonagall looked almost as frustrated, while Sirius and Remus looked uncertain. "Like you, I would prefer to not take unnecessary risks while conducting our search," conceded the headmaster. "Perhaps the wisest course of action would be for us each to consider what possibilities we have at our disposal. Judging by the dearth of rooms here in the castle remaining to be searched, our next meeting may involve more planning and less action." "I doubt dancing around the idea will help us much at this point," said Sirius ruefully, glancing sideways at Kingsley. "Maybe it'd be better to get it out into the open so we can start considering the merits of the plan you've concocted instead of what we're imagining you've thought up." Kingsley's frown remained steady, but he nodded his assent. "We might as well give it a listen, Albus." Dumbledore did not look especially pleased, but he smiled grimly as he pulled his spectacles from his nose and cleaned them with a handkerchief from his pocket. After a few moments, he returned them to their perch upon his crooked nose and took a deep breath. "If a horcrux is hidden within one of the Gringotts vaults, I think it best to assume that the goblins will not prove willing allies. Their understanding of the world and their place in it differs significantly from ours, and I fear that our entreaties for an exception to their rules will fall on deaf ears. Even were we to fully explain our horcrux search and the dire need to destroy all Voldemort's tethers to this mortal coil, I very much doubt their minds could be swayed." He paused, allowing for another to interject if they disagreed. None disputed his estimation. "As I understand the enchantments of Gringotts, almost every protection is focused on discouraging and apprehending thieves and those who seek to steal the treasures within the goblins' care. Though I cannot be certain, I believe this may grant us an opportunity. "Suppose one were to venture down into the deepest chambers containing the vaults of Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, and Alexander Avery. If one approached them with intent to steal their amassed gold or the other treasures contained therein, that person would be beset by any number of curses that might incapacitate them within moments. I doubt any witch or wizard alive, including myself or Voldemort, would stand much chance against the collective might of a millennia's worth of goblin strategic protection and enchantment. "But what if, instead, a witch or wizard entered Gringotts with the purest of intentions? Instead of seeking wealth they had not earned, their only desire would be to enter a vault to search for something, say a horcrux. Enchantments built to repel thieves could be passed safely, for there would be no intention of theft in that person." To Harry, the distinction didn't feel all that significant. He couldn't imagine an enchantment differentiating between someone sneaking into the bank to steal versus someone skulking around for other reasons. Despite his reticence, he noticed the adults around him looking slightly less opposed to the headmaster's idea. "There's a chance that could get you past some of the protections, but it doesn't help if we find it in one of the vaults," noted Sirius, frowning slightly. "As soon as we found a horcrux in one of them, our intentions would inevitably shift from searching for clues to wanting to swipe it while we had the chance." "An astute observation, but one which may have a relatively simple solution." Dumbledore steepled his fingers and leaned forward slightly. "Our goal is the destruction of Voldemort's horcruxes, but we need not possess them in order to complete our task. I should think the Sword of Gryffindor would work just as effectively within a Gringotts vault as it has in my office." McGonagall drew a long breath and glanced at Kingsley, whose face was hard to read for Harry. Sirius reluctantly nodded to himself, his frown still visible. Remus peered out the window and rubbed the stubble on his chin. "By doing so, we would be able to search the vaults of those most likely to be harboring a horcrux without alerting Voldemort or his followers of our plans. Should we begin raiding the homes of Death Eaters, we risk our enemy discovering our enterprise. Even if Voldemort does not realize we are hunting for his horcruxes, doing so would tip off that his followers' homes are not as safe as he might prefer." Kingsley sighed with frustration. "If we raid the Lestrange home but the horcrux has been left to Avery, it's safe to assume that Voldemort would look to move it to somewhere he'd consider more safe." "The act of moving one horcrux might also give him reason to check on his others," added McGonagall. "Which would mean more protections defending it, wherever it ended up," agreed Sirius morosely. "And we'd need to search everywhere again since any of the likely hiding spots we've already checked could be used if he moves them." "I understand the reticence toward moving against a horcrux securely within Gringotts and I share your legitimate concerns," spoke Dumbledore softly, but there was power behind his words. "It is not a preferable option, to be sure. Yet it should be considered against our other available choices: waiting as this war grows in scope or blindly raiding Death Eater homes while hoping Voldemort does not catch wind of our intentions or remove the horcrux. In my estimation, searching the Gringotts vaults is the most likely to produce the results for which we hope." Harry saw irritation bristling in Kingsley's eyes as Dumbledore concluded. "That's an oversimplification, Albus. We're not sure those are the only three options available." "I am quite open to considering any alternatives the group brings forth," answered Dumbledore coolly. The tension made Harry uncomfortable as Kingsley's eyes locked with the headmaster's. "What about insider information?" countered the Auror. "We have a few with access to Death Eaters among Voldemort's inner circle. Finding horcruxes is a crucial step to ending this war; we may need to lean on our spies to ascertain if any Death Eaters have been entrusted with a relic like we seek." Dumbledore's expression grew more grave. "Perhaps you have contacts among Voldemort's followers whom you believe to have the skill and subtlety to do so." "There's one person I'd consider high up enough to be able to make such inquiries," replied Kingsley, his expression tense. "And I understand he's damn good at Legilimency." "Severus has already assured me that he will relay anything out of the ordinary regarding Voldemort's inner circle. Asking further questions about his master's secret doings invites mistrust and could endanger him more than his precarious position already does. I do not believe jeopardizing his place as one of Voldemort's most trusted followers would be wise, even in pursuit of information as crucial as this." Kingsley scowled. "Finding a horcrux is important enough to risk a war with the goblins but not worth Snape possibly blowing his cover?" There was a small flash of frustration that Harry noticed on Dumbledore's face, but it was gone the moment after. His voice was measured as he replied. "Perhaps I am not the only one of our number guilty of oversimplification." Several long moments passed and Harry didn't dare break the silence. It was Remus who eventually spoke up. "Part of me wonders if this conversation might be more productive after we've all had more time to think. I'm very hesitant about risking conflict with the goblins, but I can't say I've got any better proposals to bring to the table at the moment. I'm also frustrated that we didn't find one of these damn things in the castle; I'd been fairly optimistic before we began." He glanced around the room and Harry thought the others looked sympathetic to the argument. "What if we reconvene after another week or so? That will give us time to clear our heads and really give us a chance to think up alternative plans." The group consensus was that Remus' plan was worthwhile, and they adjourned soon afterward. Harry still felt a small knot in his stomach about the frustration between Dumbledore and Kingsley, which wasn't helped by the fact that he wasn't sure which of the men he thought was right. After saying goodbye to those not returning to Grimmauld, Sirius, Remus, and Harry moved to the fireplace and grabbed some floo powder. Before Harry stepped into the green flames of a homeward journey, he noticed the headmaster and the Auror speaking to each other calmly beside Dumbledore's desk. The frustration bubbling to the surface for both men during the discussion appeared to be gone, at least for the moment. Breathing a little easier, Harry clearly enunciated his destination before plunging through. |
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