Green Flame Torch

All night Harry had lain awake in his four-poster, still trying to figure out the dreams of the previous day. He still had no idea what they had meant.

In his first dream, Professor Diggory and Sommersby had been taken by Lord Voldemort, or so it seemed. Sommersby appeared in the dream, but not Diggory. He thought it was strange that suddenly Hufflepuffs would be going to Voldemort.

Hufflepuffs? Harry thought back to the match. Hufflepuff had been scheduled to play Gryffindor in the Third Place game, but they had to reschedule, blaming their sudden change of plans on the weather. But now suddenly Diggory, the new Head of Hufflepuff House, and Sommersby, the badger Seeker, were with Voldemort. It was as if they rescheduled the Quidditch match so that they could join the Dark Lord! And since it was the Captain who made such rescheduling decisions, that had to mean that Zack Smith was in cahoots with Voldemort as well!

Harry moved on to his second dream. In it he had seen Sirius again, but this time he'd been saying something about the Red Flame Torch. Well, Harry didn't have the Red Flame Torch, Green Flame Torch, or any other of the Torches, so once again, his dream about Sirius seemed to be meaningless.

Then Harry thought about his final dream. It had involved the Hufflepuff Seeker appearing with some Ministry officials. Those Ministry workers were obviously in league with Voldemort. Now that there was a new Minister of Magic, one would think that someone would fire such officials.

When morning came, Harry was determined to tell his dreams to the first Order member he saw. That happened to be Bill Weasley.

"Bill -- I mean Professor Weasley," Harry began. He decided to tell Bill about his third dream, since perhaps Bill would be able to convince his father to fire all Death Eaters working for the Ministry.

"I am rather busy today," Bill replied. "I must go to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. My younger brothers are developing some new Extendible Ears which may prove rather useful to the Order's cause."

Harry decided to go with Bill to the twins' shop along with Ron and Ginny, in hopes that there may be some more Order members to which he could explain his dreams.

At the shop Harry saw Mundungus Fletcher, Remus, Sturgis Podmore, and Tonks. They were listening to the twins describe their products.

"Our new line of Extendible Ears," Fred explained, "have a range of more than a thousand kilometers."

"So they could be used to track in on He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," said George, "as long as you know his exact whereabouts."

"But that's just it," said Harry. "We don't know his exact whereabouts."

"I thought you just had dreams about You-Know-Who," said Bill.

"Dreams?" asked Ron.

"But I couldn't tell where Voldemort or anyone else was," Harry insisted. "All I knew is that the Hufflepuffs met at the so-called designated spot."

"What Hufflepuffs?" Tonks inquired, and Harry was forced to explain his third dream to the others.

"Hmmm," Podmore thought for a while. "You say that Sommersby had left Hogwarts and arrived at the designated spot rather quickly. Since I assume that he is too young to Apparate and that he owns a broom as he's on the Quidditch team, I'd reckon that he flew to the spot. So he couldn't have gone very far. I'd say that You-Know-Who isn't very far from Hogwarts."

"Which likely means he's somewhere here in Hogsmeade," Remus intervened. "Harry, you shouldn't be here in such a dangerous location and should return to Hogwarts."

"We'll take a thousand Extendible Ears," said Dung.

"And it's off to the Ministry for us!" said George.

"Why are you going there?" asked Ginny. "To see Dad?"

"No, we're going to the Ludicrous Patents Office," said Fred. "It's not everyday that a pair of nineteen-year-old wizards get to patent new wizarding inventions."

Harry was running late, something he seemed to be doing a great deal lately. Could he help it if this winter weather had made his bed a place he didn't want to leave in the mornings?

Harry reached the stands after the tip off and was glad to see his friends saved a spot for him. Better yet, it was right next to Ginny. "I have a surprise for you, Harry," said Ginny. And then she gave him the traditional Weasley chocolate Easter eggs, just as she had the year before, even though it was a fortnight late.

"I made them myself now that Mum is no longer with us," said Ginny.

"You didn't have to go through all that trouble for me," said Harry.

"But I wanted to," said Ginny.

"I have something I need to tell you," said Harry.

"Okay."

"Ginny, the thing is that . . ." He took a deep breath. He looked straight into her eyes and continued on. "The thing is that I think you're very pretty and smart and you're driving me crazy."

"Harry, I'm a little confused, it seems like you're telling me that you fancy me."

"I think what I'm telling you is that I care for you more than just a crush."

"I'm so sorry, Harry."

Looking away from her he whispered, "It's okay, I understand."

"No Harry you don't. I was apologizing for not responding to you. Don't think that I don't share your feelings because I do. I understand what you're telling me and I love you too."

"Ginny, I'd really like to kiss you." She smiled at him and nodded her agreement.

The kiss was soft and tender and over far to quickly. He kissed her a second time quickly deepening the kiss. She responded in kind.

Slowly he pulled away from her breaking the kiss but keeping her body close to his.

"I love you, Harry and I'll help you figure it out."

"What's this?" asked Ron. "My best mate kissing my little sister?"

"Actually, Ron, I was rather hoping it was your best mate kissing his girlfriend."

Ginny glared at him with surprised look on her face. "Are you asking me to be your girlfriend, Mr. Potter?"

"I am Miss Weasley."

"Well then my answer is yes." She ended the conversation with another kiss.

"Enough! Just cause I approve of you dating doesn't mean I want to watch you snogging!" They all laughed at that. He gave her hand an affectionate squeeze while asking Ron, "What've I missed?"

"Nothing much yet. Just the first few minutes."

Harry nodded and draping one arm around Ginny, turned his full attention to the game, paying close attention to how well members on both teams played. Both Harry and Ron watched with particular intrigue, exchanging conversation about a certain strategy or weakness in both teams' movements.

Hovering in front of the goals, watching the action up and down the pitch, Bletchley, the Slytherin Keeper, swerved suddenly when a Ravenclaw chaser got too near with the quaffle. Bletchley didn't need to move because Crabbe sent a bludger, which took the quaffle off course.

Bletchley ducked as a bludger came sailing his way, glaring at the Ravenklod who sent it towards him. Bletchley returned his attention to the game as a whole, cheering loudly for all his teammates.

Montague darted back in the opposite direction after he caught the quaffle during Roger's attempt to score. He threw a quick glance over his left shoulder, observing Crabbe flying close behind with Beater bat on the ready should a whizzing bludger spiral his way. When Montague turned back around, he immediately ducked down and flattened his body against his broomstick, careful not to lose the quaffle. A bludger had targeted him and sailed overhead, and then Montague heard the mighty whack of the bat striking the ball. Crabbe had sent it flying in a different direction.

Suddenly, a formation of Ravenclaw Chasers lurched into Montague's path. Unable to control his broomstick, the blond Slytherin veered suddenly to the left and accidentally elbowed Terry Boot in the side.

"Foul!" cried Madam Hooch, blowing her whistle. "Cobbing, Montague! Bradley for penalty on Boot's behalf!"

"Bradley takes the penalty shot," exclaimed Dean Thomas.

Montague frowned. "It was an accident!" he shouted to no one in particular.

Still, it was enough to earn Ravenclaw the first points scored in the match.

"Bradley makes the shot for ten points," cheered Dean, "for Montague's excessive use of elbows!"

Montague was fuming. "Elbow, not elbows!" he yelled, but no one seemed to care except for the other Slytherins both on the team and in the stands.

The game resumed with Slytherin's morale a little down.

Cho hummed as she circled over the pitch, watching Roger accept the quaffle easily, only to get it taken away, Cho sighed. This wasn't being the best game, not to mention she felt completely awkward on her broom today and she wasn't quite sure of the reason.

Soaring over the pitch Kim Brittain saw a quaffle heading her way and quickly snatched it out of the air. Flying quickly toward the Slytherin goal posts, she gave a nearly perfect throw towards the hoops. She was so sure it was a goal when the Keeper had to block it at the last minute. Muttering some choice words about what she thought about that Keeper, she resumed her flying, awaiting another chance to score.

The game was so far rather dull, especially compared to the match back in January when Ravenclaw played Slytherin. Harry fell asleep, only to have yet another dream about Voldemort.

"I am extremely pleased that Lucius has been able to track more of my followers," said the Dark Lord, "and pleased that Amos Diggory is so clever and able. Lucius' reward is to be in charge of the traitors that are tracked down and captured. Krum's was to be accepted into the inner circle.

"And even as they work so aptly together, another of my servants is working for me in Hogwarts. And soon Sommersby will be meet two of the Others like him. They won't be able to tell him much - just enough to satisfy his curiosity a bit. It will be more to reinforce his conversion. The meeting is carefully planned. It will seem natural, but is anything but normal."

Harry woke up. He knew that he would have to tell an Order member what had transpired in his dream as soon as he had the chance.

Pucey reached out and caught the quaffle as Bletchley deflected it in his direction. He whirled on his broomstick and shot toward the Slytherin goalposts, the quaffle leaping from Pucey's hands to Montague's and back again. Pucey, his face set in grim determination, hurled the quaffle straight at the Ravenclaw's goalposts, only to have it snatched in midair by a Ravenclaw. Seething, he zoomed after them to try and take it back.

"Ravenclaw is possession!" the announcer shouted gleefully. Pucey was so angry he thought he might puke.

Bletchley grumbled hotly to himself about missing the block of the Bradley boy's foul shot earlier. Bletchley quickly stopped himself from and none too soon as a bludger came whizzing straight for him. Bletchley dived down and to the side, narrowly avoiding being hit but in that short span of time, Roger Davies had the quaffle. Before Bletchley could get back in position, the Ravenclaw let the quaffle go, easily scoring.

Then Harry suddenly had another dream. This time it was a dream of Sirius, speaking to him once again from beyond the Veil.

"I have failed you yet again," Harry told Sirius. "Lucius Malfoy probably has the Green Flame Torch --"

"As the Green Flame Torch was passed from son to father, the Red Flame Torch will be passed from father to son," said Sirius.

Then Harry woke up again. Sirius disappeared and once again he saw the Quidditch pitch in front of him.

Warrington pounded his broom when Roger scored the goal. He gritted his teeth and headed toward the quaffle. He snatched it, dodging the Ravenclaw Chasers.

Spotting Montague, Warrington eyed him and tossed the quaffle to him. Pucey came up and the three started tossing it, again, back and forth to each other.

They finally reached the goal and Warrington threw it in, smacking the Ravenclaw keeper Terry Boot before flying through the goal. The Slytherin Chasers smacked hands and were on their way.

Dean pressed down the brassy-colored button on the score board which now read: Ravenclaw 20 vs Slytherin 10.

"Brittain in possession of the quaffle!" Dean shouted, watching with great interest as the Ravenclaw Chaser raced back to the other side of the Pitch.

Meanwhile, Slytherin Beater Gregory Goyle sought out a bludger with the intentions of striking it at Kim. He missed, though, and nearly hit Draco Malfoy instead. He dodged it in the knick of time.

Bletchley watched with fascination as the quaffle was moved up and down the pitch for ten minutes straight, with neither team making it near either set of goal posts.

All six Chasers and all four Beaters swiftly flew in Bletchley's direction. The Ravenclaw Chasers deftly passing the quaffle back and forth, his teammates were doing their best to claim possession. Bletchley set up to block a goal attempt but with the four Beaters right there sending bludgers whizzing all over and all six Chasers bearing down on him, Bletchley had difficulty in determining which Ravenclaw would end up with the quaffle to take a shot.

Bradley had the quaffle and was coming straight at Bletchley who stood his ground, er, air. Bradley pulled up scant inches from Bletchley but too late did Bletchley realize that Bradley had somehow successfully passed the quaffle off to Roger Davies.

Bletchley loudly berated himself, Bradley, and Davies as Dean Thomas's voice could be heard enthusiastically announcing, "Davis scores! Slytherin trails Ravenclaw 10-30!"

Then Harry had his third dream during the match. This dream was once again from Voldemort's perspective.

Nettles and Perkins awaited Sommersby's arrival at the designated spot. They waited for him approach and quickly appraised the man who approached them. Sommersby recognised Madam Nettles; she was someone who currently worked in the Ministry in the Department of Mysteries. With a gleam in her eyes, and a hint of superiority in her voice Nettles said, "Well met, Sommersby. I see you recognize me. May I introduce Mister Perkins." The dark woman indicated the man who nodded in acknowledgment.

"We are sure you have many things you wish to know, Sommersby. We will not answer all, but can answer some. Were you surprised to learn there were others like yourself? There are more of us than you know," Perkins said.

"Indeed," agreed Nettles. "What are your questions, Sommersby? What would you have us tell you about our connection to the Dark Lord?"

Then Harry woke up one last time. This last dream especially confused him.

Flying full speed ahead to evade the winged snakes behind, Kim headed directly for the goal hoops. Taking the quaffle from under her arm she threw the quaffle straight at the centre hoop. This time it flew right by the Keeper and through the goalpost.

As Kim scored the Gryffindors as well as the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws jumped out of their seats with joy as Dean announced another 10 points for Ravenclaw. The game seemed to last forever as the Quaffle exchanged hands so many times.

With the quaffle once again in her hands, Kim flew again toward the goalposts. It took a bit longer this time, since she was being closely pursued by the Slytherin team. They didn't seem to want her to score again.

Kim did make it within shooting distance and make another goal, to loud cheers from the audience and the other Ravenclaws. Sending a triumphant smirk at the Slytherins nearby she flew away hoping for another chance to score.

Terry sneezed loudly, causing him to sway limply on his broomstick until his balance restored momentarily. He was freezing with his teeth clenched to keep from chattering, his eyes were watering, and his nose seemed unable to cease running. He was miserable with a painful longing to get to the hospital wing while thankful that there had been very little need for his participation with the exception of a few standard blocks. Terry sardonically evaluated the situation and prided in his so far lackluster performance at Hogwarts in the first year on the team. His particular favorite event of the day, besides estimating how much time would elapse before he passed into delirium, was the score he allowed to pass through as the Quaffle ricocheted off his body.

"It's an exceptional f-up you're turning into Terry," he said to himself shortly after the Slytherin score. His desire to quit the Quidditch team was especially augmented from that instant onward. His eyes were continuously darting toward the castle in anticipation of warmth and relief while he began to feel an extremely tempting urge to capture the hopeless snitch himself.

Draco Malfoy's cold, gray eyes scanned the length of the Pitch from the snowy ground below to the wispy clouds above and absolutely everywhere in between. He had yet to see the snitch––its ever-elusive self seemed adamant in hiding from its Seekers.

"Damn it all to hell," Malfoy cursed loudly. Jubilant sounds in favor of Ravenclaw House vibrated throughout the entire stadium.

Suddenly, a small, sparkling ball of gold flew into Malfoy's line of sight. He suppressed his irritation and pushed himself forward, flattening his trim body against the handle of his broom to gain acceleration. He charged after the winged snitch, concentrating on it and only it until the ever-annoying Dean Thomas announced shrilly, "Malfoy's spotted the snitch!"

Malfoy immediately became aware that Cho was trailing behind him. He divided his focus between catching the snitch and fending off the ever-present Ravenclaw seeker, who continued to advance at an alarming and remarkable rate. It wasn't long before both Seekers were flying shoulder to shoulder, bumping and bashing into each other both intentionally and accidentally.

Glowering bitterly at Cho, Malfoy angled his broom away a small fraction of a degree and then forcefully collided into her with his left shoulder causing her to lurch uncontrollably off her intended path. Smirking, Malfoy appeared pleased with his success at derailing the other Seeker––that is, for the brief moment thereafter until Madam Hooch shouted, "Foul!"

Just watching Cho grumble and rub her aching shoulder was satisfaction enough. A smirk continued to toy with his lips, vanishing only momentarily as Kim moved in to take the penalty shot. Thankfully, her luck seemed to have run out. Bletchley easily blocked her goal attempt, and the score remained Ravenclaw 50, Slytherin 10.

The game resumed with Slytherin in possession of the quaffle. Malfoy ignored the other activity on the field and once again focused his attention on first finding the snitch and then catching it. As if hearing his plea, the golden orb appeared out of nowhere and hovered for a moment before his face. When Malfoy swiped his arm out to catch it, the snitch made a sudden drop for the ground. Malfoy dipped his broomstick forward and declined altitude rapidly. He could feel the wind from the brisk flutter of the wings.

All of a sudden, the handle of his broomstick forcefully buried itself into a pile of snow, and Malfoy fell forward, flipping over the front of his broom. He landed face-down on the ground.

A gasp erupted throughout the Pitch, followed by an awkward silence. When Malfoy didn't move, curious murmurs began to resonate throughout the stands, but they ceased when the Slytherin Seeker began to stir. Malfoy slowly righted himself, dusting off his Quidditch uniform with one hand. In his other, he held the golden snitch.

"Malfoy's caught the snitch!" Dean exclaimed, breaking the silence. "Slytherin wins the Quidditch Cup! Final score, Slytherin 160, Ravenclaw 50!"

Malfoy raised his head to the view the spectators, a satisfied grin on his lips. He ignored the blood running down his face from where his nose had impacted with the frozen earth. The only thing that mattered at this moment was the snitch in his hand, and he held it up high for all to see.

Harry and Ron had spent the remainder of the Easter holidays at Hogwarts. It was difficult without Hermione, especially for Ron, for he had been her boyfriend. Harry meanwhile, had convinced himself that there was still some way to save Hermione, Sirius, and the rest.

The Daily Prophet had announced the many changes that would occur as a result of Dumbledore's being Torched and the Torch's falling into Death Eater hands. Of course McGonagall now took over as Headmistress of Hogwarts. And it was announced that Arthur Weasley, the real winner of the December election, would be sworn in as the new Minister of Magic. Normally Ron would have been delighted that his father was Minister, but not now after the Torchings of his mother and Hermione.

But now classes had resumed. After History of Magic and Defense Against the Dark Arts, Harry met Ginny on the way to Quidditch practice.

"Snape's back in Potions class," she told him.

Now Harry had been thinking about Snape for a while. Indeed, the events of Easter Sunday morning were still unclear to him. Marla, while still under the influence of the Green Flame Torch, had sent Winky to lure Hermione into a trap. But how did Marla, Winky, or anyone else know where Hermione even was? She had been at her home, which was Order headquarters and thus protected.

But all that mattered now was that Draco Malfoy had the Torch. And eventually it would fall into the hands of Lucius, the Death Eaters, and Lord Voldemort. There just had to be a way to regain the Torch and bring back his friends. Harry still wondered just when Draco had learned to master Animagic so quickly.

It was cold with winterlike weather at Quidditch practice. Katie told the team that Zack Smith and Hufflepuff team chose to postpone their match, and, in an ironic reversal of three years earlier, Slytherin and Ravenclaw would play that day instead for the Quidditch Cup.

When Harry and Hermione walked outside, they saw, much to Harry's surprise, a lone house-elf near the road.

"Winky is free," said the elf. "Winky is free, thanks to our savior 'Mione!"

Hermione beamed. "It was nothing, really --"

"Thanks to 'Mione scores of elves are being freed tonight in wizarding homes all over Britain," said Winky. "But there are still hundred of elves working at Hogwarts."

"To Hogwarts, then!" Hermione announced.

"But Hermione," Harry began, "something doesn't seem right about this."

"You're absolutely correct," said Hermione. "It's not right that everywhere except at Hogwarts house-elves are being freed."

"But how are we to get to Hogwarts, then?" Harry asked. Even though he didn't really want to go, he didn't want Hermione to go there alone.

"By broom, of course." Hermione drew her wand and pointed at her house. "Accio three brooms!"

Three brooms, namely Harry's, Ron's, and Katie's, soared through the air. Harry grabbed his own broom and Hermione took Ron's.

"But Winky does not have a broom," said the house-elf.

"It's a symptom of wizard oppression that elves are denied brooms," said Hermione to the elf. "Here you go, Winky," she added, handing her Katie's broom.

And so Harry, Hermione, and Winky flew up into the nighttime sky. It was a long journey from the Muggle town of Exeter to Hogwarts, and so the journey took several hours. Harry was surprised that the elf could ride a broom as well as she did, considering how seldom elves were even allowed to ride them.

They arrived at the school just before dawn. Hermione raced up to Gryffindor Tower to pick up some socks, then met Harry and Winky at the kitchens. The house-elves at Hogwarts were preparing breakfast.

"FREEDOM!" Hermione shouted with glee as she threw the socks at the elves. "And now the elves shall fight and wizard who tries to enslave them."

"Winky can't fight," said the house-elf, "for Winky has no wand." Harry noticed that somehow, all the freed Hogwarts elves had somehow obtained wands, most likely from some unknown SPEW member through Dobby.

"Another symptom of wizard oppression," said Hermione. "Here, you can use my wand for now --"

But then, much to Hermione's shock, Winky promptly destroyed the wand.

"How dare you free the house-elves?" came a stern voice. Harry turned around and saw that it was none other than Marla Hedwig, who was acting as Headmistress of Hogwarts after having Torched Dumbledore. "They are my property."

It suddenly dawned on Harry what had just happened. The Hogwarts house-elves were bound to be loyal to the Headmistress of Hogwarts, which was now Hedwig. So Winky had lured Hermione and himself into a trap under the pretense of coming back to free the house-elves! So now Hermione was standing face-to-face with Marla Hedwig, Harry's former owl armed with the Green Flame Torch and Hermione having surrendered her wand to Winky!

Marla Hedwig pointed the Torch at Hermione. There was nothing Harry could do to save Hermione. The flames Torched her instantly.

Then something strange happened. Suddenly Marla Hedwig tripped and fell, and she dropped the Green Flame Torch. At last, Harry realized, he could take the Torch, then he could resurrect Hermione, Dumbledore, Sirius, and everyone else.

But before Harry could take the Torch, a ferret came in and took the Torch away. It was, of course, Draco Malfoy.

"Daddy will be glad to see this," Malfoy laughed evilly as he briefly transformed to a human before racing downstairs with the Torch.

"What -- what happened?" Marla asked. But her voice was different. She now sounded less like a power-hungry dictator and more like an ordinary 12-year-old girl.

"You killed Hermione!" said Harry angrily. He pointed his wand at Marla. "Avada --"

"You don't understand!" said Marla. "I was --"

"That's it!" said Harry. "I demand an explanation!"

"It all concerns a prophecy made twelve years ago, back when I was born. It was made by Cassandra the Seer. It goes like this:

The One with the power to possess the Green Flame Torch approaches... Born to the family of Salazar, born on the night of the Hunter's Moon... and the Torch will make its bearer perform many evil deeds... The one with the power to possess the Green Flame Torch will be born on the night of the Hunter's Moon...

"And I was the one," said Marla as she took up the story. "Now Albus Dumbledore was of course the only one who heard the prophecy, and he wanted to protect us from the prophesied evil. So he removed us from our families and instead raised us here at Hogwarts.

"When my lessons were complete, Dumbledore sent me to a pet shop to be sold as a common animal. We were not supposed to reveal our identities but instead masquerade as pure beasts."

"But then," said Marla, "the day came when I was eleven and old enough to receive my Hogwarts letter. After all, it's the Hogwarts Quill that writes the letters, not Dumbledore or any wizard. And the Hogwarts Quill cannot be fooled. In fact, the letter contained my real birth name, not Hedwig, the name you gave me, Harry. I had to leave because you nor anyone else was supposed to know my name."

She showed Harry the letter. Just as he had done eight and a half months earlier, he read the words on the envelope:

Marla Hedwig
Harry Potter's bedroom
4 Privet Drive
Little Whinging, Surrey

"But this still says Hedwig," Harry insisted.

"The outside of an envelope from the Hogwarts quill always gives a name that is recognizable by whoever reads it. So it had to give 'Hedwig' because that's the name by which you know me, just as the location was given as 'Harry Potter's bedroom' because that's where you knew me to be at the time. But on the inside of the letter my real name appears:"

Dear Ms. Granger,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary equipment.

"Granger?" Harry said incredulously. "You don't mean --"

"Yes," Marla replied. "Hermione was my sister. After Dumbledore took me away from my family at birth, he modified my parents' memories since they were Muggles. But I still saw my family from time to time. That is why I always flew to Hermione every year just before your birthday, Harry. And I often flew back to my parents' home, which was why it sometimes took so long when you sent me out to give letters to your godfather, Sirius Black.

"Now anyhow, after I received the letter I flew away from Little Whinging. I didn't know where to go, until I was compelled to fly to a place called Godric's Hollow. It was there where I found the Green Flame Torch.

"Not realizing what I was doing, I grabbed the Torch. That's was when all the evil mentioned in the Prophecy began. I suddenly became a power-hungry maniac. I must have killed many witches and wizards before I murdered my sister, but holding the Torch was almost like being under an Imperius Curse. I have very little memory of how much damage I caused. But now I am back to normal now that I no longer have the Green Flame Torch. How many people did I kill, Harry?"

Harry thought back. "You killed Professor Sprout of Hogwarts, Madame Maxime of Beauxbatons, Professor Karkaroff of Durmstrang, Minister Cornelius Fudge, Cassandra the Seer, Amelia Bones, Albus Dumbledore, and now your own sister. But now the Torch is gone again."

"Once I arrived at Hogwarts I spoke to Dumbledore. Since by now it was obvious that I was the object of the Prophecy, I was allowed to return to my family. I saw my mother for the first time in many years that Christmas."

"But then," said Harry as he thought back to the Yuletide holiday, "why were you trying to take the Green Flame Torch? I overheard you tell your mum that you wanted to give the Torch to Voldemort."

"I'm sorry," said Harry.

"So am I," said Marla. "I am now just an ordinary first-year Gryffindor. But it's terrible to have your entire life determined by one little Prophecy."

"Join the club," said Harry. And then he explained all about his own Prophecy and how either he or Voldemort was destined to kill the other.

"Thanks," said Harry. "By the way, how are your Potions lessons going?" he said when Ginny walked into the room.

"Funny you should ask," Ginny remarked, "for actually Snape still hasn't shown up."

By this time Ron and several Order members had arrived by Portkey at Hogwarts. Ron looked at his girlfriend's body and began to cry.

"Once Harry gets that Torch back," said Ron resolutely, "he will bring both you and Mum back to life."

Aberforth Dumbledore ordered that her body be moved to the Hospital Wing.

That afternoon the adults held another emergency Order meeting right there in the Great Hall. Ron spent the entire day at Hermione's bedside. Harry, Ginny, and Marla were now in the Gryffindor common room.

It was Holy Saturday, and Hermione's Muggle family was Christian. Thus it was time for Mass, and Hermione's father John insisted that Harry, Ron, and Luna all attend a nearby church.

It was a completely novel experience for Harry and Ron. For Ron, as a pure-blood, had grown up in an all-wizarding family, whereas religion was a Muggle tradition.

"What's the difference between Mass and a vigil?" Ron asked, but his question had gone unanswered.

Harry, meanwhile, had lived with the Dursleys, who seldom attended church, and if they ever did, they certainly hadn't taken Harry with them.

They arrived by limousine, a vehicle large enough to accommodate Harry, Ron, Luna, the Grangers, and their servants. They went into church around 7, only to wait until 7.30 for the service to start. It was one of those candle-light vigils where everyone in the church lights the candle of the person sitting next to them. They did that before anything, and then some lady went up to the altar and told everyone to put the candles out because they'd all been started from the wrong candle. The people blew out their candles and the whole church smelled like a birthday cake. About three minutes later, the people had their candles lit again. Ten minutes after that, the people had to put their candles out again. The lights went on and out. They did a reading from Genesis, someone said "let there be light," and the lights went on. The Father's microphone kept going in and out and Ron couldn't stop laughing.

"Ron, please take the service seriously," Hermione's mother scolded him.

It was Rite of Christian Initiation night. After five readings that had absolutely nothing to do with each other (and songs in between each of them), the people had to sit through about 12 adult baptisms. The bizarre thing was that after each person was baptized, the choir would sing "Hallelujah." Only they'd just sing the word once. They even messed up once, which was weird. After all these people got baptized, there were about 50 confirmations, including the newly baptized guys. They sat through fifty while the choir tried to keep everyone entertained again. It had absolutely nothing to do with Easter, but it still took about two hours. Then after the confirmations was the actual rest of the Mass, which was another hour. When it was time for communion, all the newly-baptized people took first communion as well.

After three hours, the Grangers and their guests returned home. But Ron had been bored and confused about the whole matter.

"You mean that Jesus chap was a wizard worshipped by Muggles," said Ron. "Isn't it obvious, with all those miracles and whatnot?"

"Don't be silly," said Jane Granger. "He is the Son of God, not a wizard."

"After all," her husband added, "Jesus raised the dead and himself rose from the dead, yet no spell can raise the dead."

"But the Green Flame Torch can raise the dead," Luna reminded them.

They arrived back at the Granger mansion. Harry couldn't sleep when they got home, but a few minutes later Hermione's father knocked on the door.

"What is the matter?" he asked. "Did you not enjoy the service?"

Harry hesitated, then answered, "It's just that all this talk about coming back from the dead reminds me of my late godfather."

"Go on."

Suddenly Harry spilled out his guts, and he was telling Mr. Granger his entire story, from the discovery of the Stone in his first year all the way up to the deaths of Sirius and Dumbledore.

"But do you not understand the big picture?"

"Huh?" Harry was clearly confused.

John Granger began to explain. "Your tale of the Chamber of Secrets sounds rather intriguing to me. You see, you are a man, and this Voldemort of which you speak is as evil as Satan the Devil. Man, alone and afraid in the World, loses his innocence. He tries to regain it but is prevented by Satan, who feeds on his fallen innocence. Man confesses and calls on God the Father before Satan and is graced immediately by the Holy Spirit and the protective presence of Christ.

"Satan confronts man with the greatness of his sins but Christ battles on Man's side for Man's salvation from his sins. God sends Man the Sword of Faith which he 'works' to slay his Christ-weakened enemy. His sins are absolved but the weight of them still mean Man's death. Satan rejoices.

"But, wait, the voluntary suffering of Christ heals Man! Man rises from the dead, and, with Christ's help, Man destroys Satan. Man's innocence is restored and he leaves the World for Heaven by means of the Ascension of Christ. Man, risen with Christ, lives with God the Father in joyful thanksgiving. Now do you understand?"

"Sort of," Harry said. He thought about what Hermione's father was saying, how his battles were between good and evil, and he must support the good side.

"Your godfather is in a better place now. He is in heaven. There is no need to rescue him from such a wonderful place."

This last line made Harry think twice about whether he should even continue to pursue the Green Flame Torch.

"The Green Flame Torch is evil," said Neville, who had walked in. "There's no proof that the Green Flame Torch can heal anyone. It is an evil object and we shouldn't stoop down to their level. We should focus on trying to defeat You-Know-Who once and for all and stop any more deaths. And I'm with you all the way, Harry."

"Thanks, Neville" said Harry.

"Good night, Harry," said Neville.

By that time everyone else had gone to bed, but Harry still wasn't tired. So he began to walk around the vast house. He noticed that the light was still on in Hermione's room, and so he decided to knock on her door. She opened the door.

"Harry, I'm so glad to see you," said Hermione gleefully. "Tonight's the night."

"The night for what?" Harry asked.

"Tonight all house-elves will overthrow their masters!"

"What?" asked Harry skeptically. "You can't be serious!"

"I am serious," said Hermione. "The whole plan's written out in the Quibbler. And Dobby has traveled all over Britain telling all house-elves the plan."

"That's if any of them would actually listen."

"At midnight," Hermione continued, ignoring Harry, "while their masters are sleeping, the house elves will find their masters' wands and any other weapons they can find and threaten to attack them until they free them."

With a crack Dobby appeared in the room. "Dobby just came back from Hogwarts and the plan is set," said the elf.

At that moment Hary could hear a huge grandfather clock in another room strike the hour of midnight.

"I think I can hear the elves marching for freedom!" said Hermione, who at that moment donned a coat. She walked downstairs and outside. Harry followed her, not believing that house elves would be marching down the Muggle road.

Harry had enjoyed his time at Hermione's home so far. The past few days have been warm, and so he often swam with Ron and Luna in her pool. Katie, meanwhile, insisted that Harry practice at Keeper. It was impossible to practice without being seen in a Muggle neighborhood until Mad-Eye Moody, who had arrived a few days late, tried casting a Disillusionment Charm on themselves. But then Harry and Katie had trouble seeing the Quaffle and they ended up abandoning the idea.

Ron would still not talk to Katie or Neville. He still blamed them both for getting him kicked off the Quidditch team. He was delighted that Harry would not be able to practice Quidditch or take his Keeper position away from him for two weeks.

In the afternoons, Ron would have Apparition lessons with Lupin, while Katie would have Animagus lessons with McGonagall, both in the backyard. On this particular day, the moon was particularly bright and round, and so the lessons continued late into the evening.

Harry sat alone in his room, bored without Ron being there. He was thinking about the Order. Snape had still not appeared at Order headquarters. He couldn't help feeling suspicious that Snape was doing some dirty work for Voldemort and wasn't completely loyal to the Order.

"Hello, Harry," said Hermione as she entered his room. "Maybe now is a good time for us to start on our Transfiguration assignments."

"Hermione," Harry began, "don't you find it a bit odd that Snape is not here?"

"Of course not," Hermione answered. "Remember what Ron said about Ginny needing extra help in Potions? He's probably with her at Hogwarts to help her."

Now Harry's thoughts turned towards Ginny. He, of course, was still in love with Ginny, but now he was separated from her for a full fortnight. Now suddenly, he longed to be back at Hogwarts. If only he had told her how he'd felt about her.

"Do you hear me, Harry?" Hermione interrupted his thoughts.

"Uh, yeah," said Harry. Trying to get his mind off of Ginny, he said, "Let's get working on those Transfiguration essays."

"That's the first time I've heard you volunteer to do work," Hermione commented. And so she began to write her essay using her favorite quill, which she hadn't used all year since she had left it behind.

Harry finished his essay late that evening and went straight off to bed.

It was the last day before the Easter holidays. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were seated at the Gryffindor table. Some school owls had delivered copies of the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler. As Harry read the Prophet, which discussed how Marla Hedwig planned on extending her power yet again to become Headmistress of Hogwarts, he looked forward to the next Order of the Phoenix meeting and find out how the Order will proceed now after Dumbledore's Torching.

Hermione, on the other hand, focused more on the April Quibbler. "Look," she said with a smile, "the article about SPEW is in this issue." For although Harry hadn't taken notes on Dobby's speech, Luna had, and so she had just given her father the notes.

In the wake of Dumbledore's death, many wizards are formulating plans to defeat Marla Hedwig, capture the Green Flame Torch, and regain control of the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. But one girl, Hermione Granger, 16, and a house-elf named Dobby have come up with possibly the best plan of all.

"I would hire Dobby to be my butler," says Granger, "and give him a uniform. Then we would search for captive house elves who wanted freedom and pay them. These we would arrange to get fired, and then I would hire them as my staff.

"I would procure wands, and the freed house elves would practice with them in the basement of my mansion. These would form the core of the House Elf Army. Then, when we were ready, we would take on the cruel, reactionary, slavery regime of the Ministry of Magic!"

But what if house elves don't want that freedom?

"Most don't, but some do," Granger replies. "The house elves at Hogwarts are not mistreated, although their propensity for being workaholics is being exploited. There are bound to be house elves whose masters mistreat them so much, that they would long for freedom. After these are freed, and become known to other house elves, the idea of basic rights, and getting paid for work will catch on."

"Wow," said Harry, who was clearly impressed. "You came up with a way to solve both of our problems. Your house elves will be free, Marla Hedwig will be defeated, and we'll have the Green Flame Torch. Then we bring back Dumbledore and Sirius and everyone else!"

"I don't know," said Ron, who was always skeptical of SPEW. "There are a lot of places where your plan could go wrong."

Seeing Hermione shoot an angry glance at him, Ron changed the subject. "Why didn't you tell me you lived in a mansion?"

"You never asked," said Hermione matter-of-factly. "Both my parents have rather successful careers as dentists, which is a high-paying job for Muggles. And don't forget that you guys have promised to spend Easter at my home, remember?"

"Oh yeah," Ron replied. "I'll start packing."

Ron was fortunate not to have any classes on Friday. Harry and Hermione, on the other hand, had Transfiguration.

"Today is the last day of spring term," Professor McGonagall began, "and so it is time for me to make some announcements. As you are all aware, every year the Ministry allows one witch or wizard to become a registered Animagus. I, as the Transfiguration teacher, recommend one sixth-year to receive this honor, and he or she will begin reading books on Animagic theory. One year later, as a seventh-year, the chosen one will began to practice the actual transformation and take the Animagic exam at the end of the summer term, at which time he or she completes the registration."

Hermione raised her hand. "Which sixth-year have you chosen?" she asked.

"It is most definitely not you," said McGonagall. "That is because the chosen student last year was Katie Bell, and she was in Gryffindor. The Ministry, in the name of fairness, doesn't choose students from the same house two years in a row."

"What about me?" asked Hannah Abbott.

"You are not eligible either, for in the name of gender equity, the Ministry requests that we alternate between a witch and a wizard."

"Then I'm definitely a shoo-in," said Ernie Macmillan.

"Actually, I would have chosen you," she said, "but it had been decided by the Ministry that it should go to Mr. Malfoy, as he already underwent a transformation and thus have already chosen an animal."

"No fair!" Ernie shouted.

"For once, I agree," said McGonagall. "I don't particularly like the idea of the son of a Death Eater becoming an Animagus. But that is the way it must be."

Harry couldn't help thinking that somehow, Lucius Malfoy had been responsible for his son's being chosen to become an Animagus, but he was with Voldemort and couldn't have influenced the Ministry.

McGonagall went on. "The rest of you who have not been chosen to become Animagi are still expected to write on the subject. I want a three-foot essay on Animagi to be completed over Easter holiday. Class is now over. But I want to have a word with you, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger."

Harry and Hermione listened to what the professor had to say.

"You two will spend Easter at Order headquarters," she told them.

"Oh," said Hermione, a little upset. "I was hoping I'd spend the holidays at home."

"Actually, you will be," said McGonagall. "For Miss Granger's house is now the new Order headquarters."

"How will we be getting there?" asked Harry.

"You will be traveling by Portkey," she told them.

And so they began to prepare for the journey. Hermione had already invited Ron to her house for Easter. She also invited Luna out of gratitude for the Quibbler article, and besides, her father was in the Order.

Harry, on the other hand, had already invited Neville to the next Order meeting, unaware that it would be at Hermione's house. And Neville wanted to bring his girlfriend Katie Bell, to which Professor McGonagall agreed because she could begin Katie's practical Animagus lessons over the Easter holiday.

Ginny, meanwhile, had to stay behind at Hogwarts. It was now obvious that Draco Malfoy had never tutored her on Potions, and as a result she had started to fall behind in class. It would also give her a chance to study for her OWL's without being distracted by the Order and its plans.

And so the six travelers met in the Great Hall late that afternoon. Professor McGonagall used a goblet as a Portkey, and a few seconds later all of them had arrived in front of Hermione's mansion.

The house was not quite as large as Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Hermione beckoned the others to follow her to the front door, when her cat Crookshanks ran out to meet her at the door. She picked up her cat and embraced him, for she had left Crookshanks behind and not brought him to Hogwarts. Then she introduced each of her friends to her parents.

"Mum, Dad, this is my boyfriend Ron and his best friend Harry. These are some of my other friends Luna, Neville, and Katie, and this is one of my teachers from school, Professor McGonagall."

"Hello to you all," said Mrs. Granger as she shook McGonagall's hand. "I am Jane Granger and this is my husband John. Why don't you all come in?"

Ron and Harry looked around the extravagantly furnished room. They had never suspected that Hermione was rich, but on the other hand, they didn't know much about Hermione's life outside of Hogwarts. There were oriental carpets, the sofas around the room and scented candles. A piano was near the center and a television complete with cable and a DVD player was visible. Ron who had been poor all of his life and Harry, whose Aunt and Uncle had locked him in a cupboard nearly all of his life, were struck with awe.

"Make yourselves at home," said Jane Granger. "Shalonda and the rest of them will take care of the cooking, cleaning--"

"Who's Shalonda?" asked Ron curiously.

Hermione blushed, not wanting to sound like spoiled, rotten Malfoy. "Our head housekeeper and maid, but that's not what you should worry about."

"How ironic," Ron continued, "that you would crusade against having house elves as servants, yet you yourself have a servant."

After they had put away all their stuff in Hermione's spacious mansion (Ron and Harry each had their own bedroom, bathroom, a walk-in closet and personal butler), they decided to hang out at Hermione's tropical pool. Ron goggled at Hermione in her bright red skintight bikini as she sneaked looks at him.

"Dinner time!" Shalonda announced, so Harry, Ron, Neville, Katie, and Luna all changed and followed Hermione to the dining room. By this time many more Order members had arrived, including Elphias Doge, Mundungus Fletcher, Hagrid, Sol Lovegood, Remus Lupin, Sturgis Podmore, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Tonks, Arthur, and his sons Bill, Percy, Fred, and George. The twins were celebrating their nineteenth birthday. Notably missing were Mad-Eye Moody and Snape.

"Amazing," John Granger commented as they dined on their caviar meal. "I have never seen so many of you magic folk at once!"

Aberforth Dumbledore had taken over as leader of the Order of the Phoenix. He briefly discussed further safety measures before everyone retired for the night.

Harry went to his bedroom. With his own room for the first time in months, he had never felt more alone.